Good morning, Memphis! ☀️
Let’s start with a little magic. Think of a number between one and 10. Got it? Now double it. Add six. Divide by two. Now subtract the number you started with.
Is your answer three? Of course it is. 🎩
Okay, that trick has nothing to do with today’s issue. We just wanted to feel like real magicians for a second. Luckily, we found an actual magician for you, plus a whole lot of whiskey, a live orchestra and a Tigers basketball team that pulled an upset out of its hat.
Let's get into it.
Events
🎩 Memphis Magic Night Brings Magic and Comedy to Flyway Brewing on Nov. 20
Photo: Joe M Turner
Memphis Magic Night lands at Flyway Brewing (598 Monroe Ave.) in the Edge District on Friday, Nov. 20. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
🪄 Pick a card. The star is magician and mentalist Joe M. Turner, a past international president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He's played the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and you might also catch him playing piano at the Peabody.
😂 No joke. Memphis comedian Wild Beale joins him on stage. Tickets are $20 in advance (plus fees) and $25 at the door, and the show is 18+. Grab a Flyway beer and enjoy the show.
Grab your tickets here.
Food & Drink
🥃 The Memphis Whiskey Festival Pours Into The Kent on Saturday, Nov. 21
Photo: Memphis Travel
Bourbon fans, mark your calendar. The Memphis Whiskey Festival is Saturday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Kent (61 Keel Ave.), just north of downtown.
🥃 Sip happens. More than a dozen distilleries will be pouring, from Ole Smoky to Rebel Bourbon. General admission is $59 and gets you 12 tastings. VIP is $99 and adds early entry, extra pours and some rare bottles.
💛 Cheers for charity. The festival benefits Volunteer Memphis. There's also a cigar lounge, live music and local food for sale. It's 21+, so bring your ID.
Get your tickets here.
Music
🏠 Home Alone in Concert Comes to the Orpheum Thanksgiving Weekend
Photo: Orpheum Theatre Group
Here's a holiday plan the whole family will love. Home Alone in Concert is at the Orpheum on Saturday, Nov. 28, with shows at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
🎻 Score! The Memphis Symphony Orchestra plays John Williams' music live while the movie plays on the big screen. It comes as the symphony celebrates its 75th season. We'd say that's worth celebrating.
🎟️ Matinee or night? The 1 p.m. show is great for little ones. Tickets run about $36 to $117, and it's for all ages.
Grab your tickets here.
Sports
🐯 Tigers Basketball Opens Its Home Season Saturday Against VCU
Photo: Memphis Athletics
Tigers fans, it's time to head downtown. Memphis men's basketball plays its first home game on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. against VCU at FedExForum.
🏀 Upset, set, go. The Tigers are 1-0 after beating No. 18 Iowa State, 80-76, on Monday in South Dakota. That's a big way to start the season.
🎟️ Cheap seats. Tickets start at $18. Can't make it? The game streams on ESPN+. Next up at home is Louisville on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Get your tickets here.
Daily Picks
🗞️ Other News Around the 901
🎬 Lights, camera, Memphis. Movie lovers, this is your week. The Indie Memphis Film Festival opens tonight and runs through Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Halloran Centre and Malco Powerhouse on South Main. Opening night is The Lorraine at 6:30 p.m., a documentary about the Lorraine Motel. Tickets are $15, or $20 for opening and closing night.
🏀 Cup check. Grizzlies fans, NBA Cup play tips off Friday. The Grizz host the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA champs, on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at FedExForum.
🐶 Hall of fur. Want your pup on a pub wall? Dog & Bone in Overton Square just launched its Doggo Wall of Fame. Donate at least $25 to Streetdog Foundation, send in a photo, and your dog gets a spot on the wall. The pub covers the printing and framing, so 100% of your gift helps rescue Memphis street dogs.
📚 Plot twist. Book lovers, save the date. Burke's Book Store co-owner Corey Mesler will read from and sign his two new novels, Memphis Movie Two and Happy Happy, on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The reading starts at 6 p.m.
❄️ Snow joke. Dreaming of a white Christmas? Don't hold your breath. The Old Farmer's Almanac says the Deep South and the Southeast won't get one this year. Since 1889, snow has only covered the ground on Christmas in Memphis a handful of times, says the National Weather Service. The last one was in 2004.
☕ Brew-tiful season. Coffee fans, it's here. Starbucks' holiday menu launches today. The Peppermint Mocha and Sugar Cookie Latte are back, and the new star is a Tiramisu Velvet Latte. On Red Cup Day, Tuesday, Nov. 17, you get a free reusable red cup with a holiday drink, while supplies last.
📖 Shelf improvement. Good news for Collierville readers. Work is moving along on the Burch Library expansion. It will add about 23,000 square feet, with new kids' and teen spaces, more study rooms and a Civic Center meeting space. Heads up: parts of Halle Park and the library parking lot are fenced off during construction.
🔬 Laser focus. Here's a Friday night with a twist. The MoSH Laser Live concert series brings Memphis hip-hop crew Unapologetic. to the planetarium at the Museum of Science & History on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m., with a laser light show. It's a team-up with the Overton Park Shell and WYXR.
🤠 Boot scootin' Sundays. Ready to dance? The Country Club, the new honky-tonk on the Highland Strip, now has dance nights on Sundays at 6 p.m. This Sunday, Nov. 8, is partner dancing. Next Sunday is line dancing. It's 18+.
☕ Reminder: Germantown's free Senior Expo is today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Great Hall (1900 S. Germantown Rd.). It's for adults 50 and up.
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Trivia Time
Thanksgiving Trivia 🦃
🦃 Which president made Thanksgiving a yearly national holiday?
Out and About
🌙 Tonight in the 901
Trivia, karaoke, live music and more happening tonight around the Memphis metro.
Downtown
🎸 Live blues: Ghost Town Blues Band at Blues City Cafe
😂 Comedy night with Gavin Yates at Peoples on Beale, 8pm (18+)
💃 DJ dance night at Silly Goose, 9:30pm
Midtown
🧠 Trivia at Young Avenue Deli (Cooper-Young), 6pm
🎶 Music bingo at Slider Inn Midtown, 7pm
🧠 Trivia at Hampline Brewing, 7pm
🧠 Trivia at Evergreen Grill, 7pm
🎙️ Speaker Box Slam poetry open mic at Hattiloo Culture Box, 7pm ($10 advance, $12 door)
🎸 Jazz: Rodney Jordan with the Ted Ludwig Trio at Crosstown Arts Green Room, 7:30pm ($25 advance, $30 door)
🎸 The Faint at Growlers, 8pm
🎸 David Nail acoustic show at 1884 Lounge, 8pm
East Memphis
🏃 Free yoga at Dixon Gallery & Gardens, 6pm
🧠 Trivia at Leonard's Pit Barbecue, 6:30pm
🧠 Trivia at Huey's Southwind, 7pm
🎭 Million Dollar Quartet at Theatre Memphis, 7:30pm (final weekend)
Cordova
🎶 Music bingo at Waldo's Chicken & Beer, 7pm
South Memphis
👨👩👧 Lego night for ages 6 to teens at South Library, 4pm
DeSoto
🧠 Trivia at Rotolo's Craft & Crust (Southaven), 6:30pm
🧠 Trivia at Dan McGuinness (Southaven), 7pm
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That's it for today!
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Have a great Thursday, Memphis. We'll see you tomorrow.
— 901 Today
