Tristan Keutmann and Mason Ballard at Tattoo Fest Memphis '25 (photo Michael Donahue)
If you didn’t get to Tattoo Fest Memphis (the new name for the former “Memphis Tattoo Fest”), here’s a video showing some of the tattoo recipients and their tattoo artists in action.
Whether it’s a leg, foot, or arm, Bodies are the canvases.
This was the second year of the festival, which was held April 4th, 5th, and 6th at Renasant Convention Center.
As Quinn Hurley, director of operations for the three-day festival, says, “This is an artistic show. Everyone that’s here is here because they love some form of art. A lot of it’s tattooing, but we have our vendors that make art as well. And so we wanted the festival to reflect the love of that.”
Alex, Henry, Thomas, Jenay, Reagan Boggs (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Beautiful weather, the smell of hamburgers, the sound of music from performers that included Lucero and Sons of Mudboy, and a throng of people helped make Huey’s 55th Anniversary Block Party a success.
The party was held around the original Huey’s Midtown location at 1927 Madison Avenue. Huey’s now has eight locations in Tennessee and two in Mississippi, says Alex Boggs, Huey’s area director and marketing director.
James and Veronica McCraw Cindy Love, Kevin Kane, and Paula LaRue Drew Helland and Savannah Maxwell Cedric Keel with Groove Nation Chuck Albonetti and Cathryn FerloniAshley and Michael Robilio and Lauren Robinson Daniel Allen, Alecia Sharp, and Sean Langley
Madison Avenue from Barksdale Street to Rembert Street and 100 yards of Tucker Street were blocked off for the April 13th event, Boggs says. As for the crowd count, he says, “I think we had about 3,500 to 4,000.”
The block party wasn’t just to celebrate 55 years. “We wanted to thank Memphis for taking care of us. Thank our staff and customers for being so loyal and supporting Church Health, which has been a charitable partner with us for decades.”
David Leonard and Eva Guggenheim Zoe Casey and Kevin and Graham ChilesJames PottsJimmy Lee Sean ConnellyKiryn Brossard, Brandy Brossard, and Willie TerryVivian and Marcus Batchellor
He adds, “Our employees are the ones who make Huey’s what we are.”
Huey’s, which supports many charities, is “more than a restaurant,” Boggs says. It’s “part of the entire community for the greater Memphis area.”
Cameron Carroll traveled from the north Seattle area to Memphis for the Memphis Tattoo Festival, held April 4th, 5th, and 6th at the Renasant Convention Center.
It was his second year attending the festival, Carroll says. College Station, Texas, tattoo artist David Hershman worked on one side of his leg last year, and his other leg this year. Carroll says he “had to come back. [Hershman] invited me out here, and I flew out from Washington.”
Aaron BinkowitzLuke SurmanPolo Espinoza and Chris EspinozaKierstyn Laird, Noah St. John, and Avery HallJen Archer, James Archer, and Jacques Van WykAmanda Barnard, Tallon Barnard, and Caitlyn Campbell
Asked what he likes about the festival, Carroll, who sports seven tattoos, says, “It’s a blast. Amazing people. It’s always a good time. Just a bunch of laughs. Great people out here. It’s a fun time.”
Quinn HurleyDavid Hershman and Cameron CarrollNeil Lemons and Samantha WatkinsChancy Pants and James ArcherAustin Gilbert, Breanna Nelson, Christina Robertson, and Travis RobertsonChico Wardrick, Sky Jones, Caliyah Jones, and Rae Royston
Quinn Hurley, director of operations for the three-day event presented by Tattoo Fest and the Explore Tattoo Conference, was pleased to be “coming back to a city that really embraced us and embraced us again this year.”
Tristan Keutmann and Mason BallardMadelynne Caldwell and Makayla WeaverZach Morris, Sarah Lee, Adrian Hood, Leah Chester, and Jenner and Joshua Brook
“This is an artistic show,” he says. “Everyone that’s here is here because they love some sort of art. A lot of it’s tattooing, but we have our vendors that make art as well. And so we wanted the festival to reflect the love of that.”
Erica Haskett, Will and Bethany Goodman, and Gali Du (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Trolley Night kicked off with a bang. The March 31st event, the first of the season, was “the busiest Friday night we’ve had in years,” says South Main Association president Joe Simon. “Almost every shop and restaurant and bar was completely crowded. To where there were many stand-up areas, it was so busy.”
Janice Singleton and Brandon CoxJosh and Brenna Clark and their dog RangerRobert JohnsonTawanda PirtleMax Kaplanwith their dog MaxCamilla Curran and Maxx Redd
Trolley Night is held from 5 p.m. “until” on the last Friday of every month on South Main. People stroll up and down and drop in on establishments, some people buying, some just looking.
The only change this year was moving the starting time up to 5 p.m., Simon says. “Just to get an early start. Happy-hour style.”
Mike, Nora, Michael, Rami, and Armina McCaffrey
They were “highly successful” with the time move, he says. “A lot of bars and vendors appreciate that. People getting off early on Friday, it gives them a chance to start the night early.”
Simon adds, “We’re still partnering with DMC [Downtown Memphis Commission] even with the trolleys not running. MATA says they’re going to have them back up and running by late summer.”
Susan Holloway and Glynn HollowayIzy Tran with Travis, Nidya, and Pete BradyMigueal Grandberry
Brooke Starnes and Tyler MitchellMarvin RoddeyIzzy Brewer and William TrotterJohn Bowers and Tawnie Simpson
Tradición Cultural Dance Group (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Overton Square in Memphis turned into the Plaza de Armas in San Juan for a few hours during Puerto Rican Night. The inaugural event featured music, dancing, and food.
Destinee and Zak Baker Sonya and Yvonne Johnson Bryan Rollins and Jeannette Gill Caleb Castillo, Justin Thomas, and Adriana Prieto Ivan Estevanott, Sonia Estevanott, Kenneth Estevenott, and Caspian Estevanott
More than 500 turned out for the free event, which was held March 22nd in Overton Square’s Trimble Courtyard, says Dorimar Cruz with Darts Productions, which put on the event. Darts also put on Colombian Night in October 2024. And Darts wants to put on more community events, Cruz says.
Leo Ramos and River Myers Lamont Nesbit Sr., Gabriela Nesbit, and Lamont Nesbit Jr. Nick and Remy Bogdanovich Wendy, Thiago, Veronica, Salvador, and Giovanni Alvarado
The event was a great opportunity for the local Puerto Rican community to “celebrate their own culture,” Cruz says, and at the same time let others learn about Puerto Rico as well.
Brad Walton and Genie Doty Rahul Kodali, Kayla Ibarra, and Zeus Ramirez Carlos EcosCheryl and Darrin Ruddy, Jonathan Marrero, Lucy Marrero, and Efrain Marrero
Mark, Mac, Sydney Pulido (Photos: Michael Donahue)
About 1,500 people turned out for this year’s Memphis Irish Society/Cooper-Young St. Patrick’s Day Parade, says Tamara Cook, executive director of the Cooper-Young Business Association.
Green was the preferred wardrobe color of the day.
As usual, the parade was held on March 17th.
DeAndre Diggs, Alaysia Williams, Main WilliamsChris and Cierra CleasantGrace Siler, Matt BrintTara SurrattJohn Mazier, Fiona ToomeyLamont Cole, Ralph NelsonDavid Halford, Erin Nelson, John Streete
“We had a ton of people,” Cook says. Part of the reason was the timing of the parade, she says. It was held about 4 p.m. “We did it after school was out.”
Memphis Irish Society presented the parade in conjunction with Celtic Crossing. DJ Naylor opened up his Celtic Crossing Irish bar/restaurant for outdoor and indoor celebrating.
Margot, Victoria, Kelleam, and Max Myers;Grayson Brooks, Abigail BradySarah SpainHannah Tilley, Connor DeMollMadison Dinwiddie, Alex DinwiddieKevin Moore, Tim Marmino
This year’s parade featured 21 entries. As is the custom, the parade included horses, dancers, bagpipers, and Inis Acla School of Irish Dance step dancers.
The parade was family-oriented. “We gear ours toward the family. We wanted kids here, and we got them. And dogs. And I even saw a cat on a leash. Everybody brought everybody, so that was good.”
Carl Thompson, Matthew CanonicoAlex TurnerAlex Turley, Susan Dynerman
Andrew and Emily Adams, Colleen Kohl, and Blake Murray (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Soup was on for the 36th time at Soup Sunday, which was held February 23rd at The Kent.
A total of 32 restaurant and catering vendors participated.
Jenny and J. PallmePatrick and Ellen Lawler with Gabriella PrietoIndia Weaver and Serena DixonThomas Vanelli and Charles VanelliDonita Scott and Reese AdkinsChristopher and Karolyn NeelyAlexander and Alexandra WalkerAnna Catron Lee and Gabe Roberts
More than 500 people attended, which was a record in attendance since the event started being held at The Kent. The Youth Villages Soup Sunday has been held at The Kent four times. The event began at the old Captain Bilbo’s restaurant before moving to FedExForum.
Proceeds go to LifeSet, a program to help young people who are aging out of foster care.
Terry and Phil WoodardPatricia Davis and Beth YobakKhalid WashingtonTaylor Coleman and Marcia ColemanSergio ValeroMiles Epley and Michael PatrickJason Jones, Tanja Jones, Shaun Bernard, and Amanda Bernard
“We had a great turnout at our 36th annual Soup Sunday, a fundraising event that has grown so much since we first started it in 1990,” says Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler. “It was a huge success, raising more than $100,000 for the LifeSet program.”
Deedee Johnson, Meetesh Patel, Brie Griffith, Cory Redwine,
and Marisa Griffith (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Whether they were talking about it or eating it, “gumbo” was on everybody’s lips at the Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest, held February 16th at the Memphis Sports and Events Center.
Arnold Medal, Savannah Jeffrey, and Kristie JeffreyJune West, Jim Cole, and Anne BarriereBruno FarrisEli Townsend and Ashley MooreStephanie Wilson and Pat McCooterAlex Jamerson, Anthony Perez, and Michael Pohlman
More than 200 people turned out for the event, which featured 11 teams, says Dabney Ring, an event committee member.
It was the project’s 12th gumbo contest, Ring says. “It went well,” she says. “We had a bigger crowd and raised more money than last year. It’s important because the money raised goes for state and local advocacy for the LGBTQ community.”
Scott Haynes and Nico OzmentAmanda Hicks and Geoff KnowltonLaura ElliottAustin Rowe and Sage CottenChristian AssandriaTammy Ackers, Trinita Williams, Khalil Carey, and Crystal Turner
And, she says, “Not only do we talk with our state reps and senators, but we also do outreach and education all over the state, including — and probably most importantly — the rural areas that don’t really have a lot of resources. So, we try and provide everything that we can.”
Sister Squeegee Jubilee of Blue Suede Sisters of Perpetual IndulgenceJoy Borbolla and Maniae ValentineDabney Ring
As for how much money they raised, Ring says, “We raised above expectations.”
Perla Kirkpatrick, Kathy and John Lyons, Ben Bolden, Michelle Bolden, and Jonas Bolden (Photos: Michael Donahue)
A rainy day is a good day to soak up some chili and jump into a tank of water. Special Olympics Greater Memphis obliged with its annual Bluff City Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off & Polar Bear Plunge.
Amarion Tate and Amari FunchesKevin BrazzellChad and Graham CornwellEleanor Massey, Troy Ramsey, and Gloria RamseyJosh, Alice, Valerie, and Aggie Sparks
The event, held on February 16th at the Pipkin Building, featured 56 chili contestants, says Lisa M. Taylor, executive director of Special Olympics Greater Memphis.
Shannon Smith and Tim CrosasSpencer Stalnaker Jacob Frasure, Andrew Martin, Noah Burch, and Hunter StroudTim Griffin, Michael Thomas, Lonnie Hurt, Spencer Owens, Don Taylor, and Courtney BradleyJacob Dyer, Jerry Suzore, Josh Mayo, Michael Dyer, and Mark Wes
More than 500 people attended, Taylor says. “It was not our biggest one, crowd-wise, due to the weather,” she says.
But, she says, “With the weather being like it was, I think we did excellent.”
Rob, Ashley, and Llewyn ColemanAndy Demster, John Lunsford, and Chance NesterKimberly Tolbert and Hollis Moore
Then there were those people who wanted to get wet. They participated in the Polar Bear Plunge. “We were very lucky to have a break in the weather. They plunged into a pool we set up. We had around 85 people, including the U of M football players and three U of M volleyball players.”
Bryan Crow, Gray Clawson, and Emi PayneAlexis Michael, Chris Carrier, Cody Garbuzinski, Riley Kilgore, and Evan MichaelHenry Boggs, Alex Boggs, Reagan Boggs, Jenay Boggs, Lisa Farrah, and Thomas Boggs
But again, she says, “Weather cut the numbers.”
Knuckleheads Chili came in first place in the chili contest, which celebrated its 18th anniversary. This was the 29th Polar Bear Plunge.
Richard Ross, John and Suzanne Scharff, and Deborah Ross (Photos: Michael Donahue)
Guests were all heart at Works of Heart, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center fundraiser presented by Stern Cardiovascular. The art auction and party was held Saturday, February 8th, at the Memphis Botanic Garden.
Chloe Haynes and Will TaylorDebbie Eddlestone and Steven GubinMurray Riss and Shanna RissVirginia Stallworth, Richard Wood, James Hay, and Kevin ScottBennett Foster, Nubia Yasin, and Lawrence Matthews
“Works of Heart was a record-breaking success,” says Beryl Wight, the center’s communications and grants manager. “We had 122 artists — a record — and raised over $139,000 [also a record].”
Alexandra Eastburn, George Williford, Donna Williford, and Juston Williford
This was the third year at the Memphis Botanic Garden, Wight says. Between 300 and 350 people attended the event.
Robyn and Joe BirchSteve MulroyKristi Goldsmith and Mike AlabasterSonal Mehr, Sujit Mehr, Swati Chokshi, and Saurin ChokshiDoug Wright, Lucas Skinner, and Rick Bartl
Now in its 33rd year, Works of Heart’s first beneficiary was the Mental Health Association. After it closed, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center became the beneficiary.
Tracy Thomas and Burton BridgesDavid Driscoll and Gloria DoddsSusanna Souliere and Toni CrutchfieldJeanne and David SimmonsDJ Alpha Whiskey
Longtime Works of Heart supporter Murray Riss was at this year’s event with his wife Karen and daughter Shanna. “Murray was part of the planning committee that brought the event to us,” Wight says, adding, “He certainly is a very important contributor, serving as chair and co-chair for many years. And, of course, he still is a contributing artist.”
