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News News Feature

Gifting a Roth IRA?

Photo: Micheile Henderson | Unsplash

When it comes to giving thoughtful gifts, financial security may not be the first thing on your mind. However, giving a Roth IRA can be a meaningful way to start your loved ones on a path toward financial security.

A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account that offers tax-exempt growth and tax-exempt withdrawals in retirement, which make it a powerful tool for building long-term wealth. Contributions to Roth IRAs are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals of assets are tax-exempt and don’t increase your taxable income. In contrast to traditional IRAs, they aren’t subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the owner’s lifetime, which means assets in the account can continue growing tax-exempt throughout the account holder’s life.

There are several benefits to giving a Roth IRA.

1. Tax-Exempt Growth

One of the primary benefits of Roth IRAs is that they allow contributions to grow on a tax-exempt basis. This means any earnings, such as interest, dividends, and capital gains, aren’t subject to federal income taxes while held within the account. Over time, this can add up to significant savings, especially for younger investors who are able to let their assets grow over many years before withdrawing them in retirement.

2. Retirement Savings

Establishing a Roth IRA for a loved one can be a great way to help them save for retirement. Many young people struggle to find extra money to set aside for retirement planning. Funding a Roth IRA can help remove some of that financial burden and allow your family member to focus on other financial priorities, such as saving for a home, paying down student loan debt, starting a business, etc.

3. Financial Literacy

Giving a Roth IRA can be a great opportunity to educate loved ones on multiple financial topics, such as saving early and often, the power of compound interest, the basics of investing, and the importance of planning for retirement. With a Roth IRA, not only are you helping your loved ones financially, you’re also teaching important financial strategies.

4. Estate Planning

Not only are Roth IRAs not subject to RMDs during the account holder’s lifetime, but they can also be passed on to heirs tax-free following the account holder’s death. Roth IRAs are a tax-efficient way to transfer wealth to future generations because they allow heirs to receive assets without having to pay income taxes on the distributions (unless the Roth IRA is less than 5 years old).

In addition, Roth IRAs don’t count toward the taxable estate of the account holder, which means they can help reduce the size of an estate for tax purposes. By giving a Roth IRA as part of an estate planning strategy, the account holder has the potential to reduce their heirs’ estate tax liability, which helps preserve more assets for future generations.

5. Compound Interest

By giving a Roth IRA to a younger family member, you offer the opportunity to take advantage of compounding interest over the individual’s lifetime. The impact of this cannot be overstated.

Suppose you contribute $1,000 to a Roth IRA on behalf of your granddaughter every year, beginning at age 20. By the time she reaches 40, you would have invested $20,000 on her behalf ($1,000 x 20 years). Assuming an average annual return of 10 percent, the investment would be worth $63,773.40 after 20 years.

On the other hand, if your granddaughter began contributing $2,000 per year to a Roth IRA from age 30 to 40 ($20,000 total), her investment would only be worth $36,934.83 after 10 years (again assuming an annual average return of 10 percent) because she has less time to take advantage of the power of compounding.

Contributing to Roth IRAs should not exceed the amount actually earned in a year by the account owner — or the maximum contribution limit, if the owner earns more than that amount.

The gift of a Roth IRA to young family members has the potential to significantly improve their long-term financial outlook and be a cornerstone of their nest egg now and in the future. Roth IRAs can truly be the gift that keeps on giving. 

Gene Gard, CFA, CFP, CFT-I, is a Partner and Private Wealth Manager with Creative Planning. Creative Planning is one of the nation’s largest Registered Investment Advisory firms providing comprehensive wealth management services to ensure all elements of a client’s financial life are working together, including investments, taxes, estate planning, and risk management. For more information or to request a free, no-obligation consultation, visit CreativePlanning.com.

Categories
At Large Opinion

The Easter Bunny

Meta AI image generated by Bruce VanWyngarden

“What if what we’re seeing today isn’t a glimpse of the future, but the new terms of the present? What if artificial intelligence isn’t actually capable of doing much more than what we’re seeing today, and what if there’s no clear timeline when it’ll be able to do more? What if this entire hype cycle has been goosed by a compliant media, ready and willing to take career-embellishers at their word?”

The quote is from a tech analyst named Edward Zitron, who’s been making the case that AI is a giant corporate Ponzi grift for several months. And he’s not alone. The essential question that AI doubters raise is this: What if enabling us to make fanciful pictures, replicate online search engines, and edit writing projects (and emails) is the highest-level payoff we’re going to get from AI? Was building out and maintaining all the ecologically destructive hardware of AI really worth it?

The Greater Memphis Chamber announced last week it was answering that question with a resounding “Yes.” Readers will recall that months ago, President-elect Trump’s First Buddy, Elon Musk, settled a deal with the Chamber to locate his xAI, powered by the “world’s largest computer,” in Memphis. Then a couple weeks ago, xAI entered a 21-year lease for 522 additional acres of land in southwest Memphis — purpose to be determined.

We still don’t know what’s going to happen with that acreage, but Chamber CEO Ted Townsend announced that three more super-computer firms would be coming to town. “We’re excited to welcome Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro to the ‘Digital Delta,’” said Townsend. We’re living in the Digital Delta!

Similar scenarios have been happening around the globe, as tech corporations create more facilities to store and retrieve digital content. But there can be problems. In Spain, Barcelona has had to limit water usage for its residents due to the burgeoning data centers it has welcomed. Citizens took to the streets in protest.

Journalist Kasia Tarczynska of GoodJobsFirst.org, writes, “Internet companies have embraced Old Economy habits of playing states and localities against each other … causing governments to grossly overspend for trophy deals. Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon Web Services have been awarded more than $2 billion in subsidies. The average cost of their 11 ‘megadeals’ is astronomical: $1.95 million per job created.”

Now, the Memphis deal may be as wonderful as the Chamber claims it is, but transparency on this liaison is essential: How many jobs will be created, and what’s the payout for Memphis taxpayers? How much water and electricity will be used? What kind of revenues will be generated? What are the penalties for breaking contract terms or polluting our environment?

It would take a hella big fine to get Musk’s attention. Tesla’s Austin gigafactory has been accused of discharging hazardous wastewater into city sewers, emitting pollutants from a faulty furnace, and using a chemical waste pond where dead wildlife has been found. The company’s Fremont, California, facility has recorded more than 180 air quality violations since 2019. 

To that end, three local environmental groups — Memphis Community Against Pollution, Protect Our Aquifer, and Young, Gifted & Green — are asking Memphians to take part in an xAI Community Impact Survey that “aims to gauge community perspectives on the new xAI supercomputer in Memphis and the recent 522-acre expansion. The questions focus on your perceptions of the facility and ideas for Memphians to actually benefit from the project.” You can find the survey on the groups’ Facebook sites.

But eventually, it all comes back to the question raised by Zitron: What is the real end game for AI? Billions of dollars are being spent in a race to see which company’s mega-computer can scrape enough human-created content from the world’s computers to … what? Write a novel as good as The Sun Also Rises? Paint a picture to rival the Mona Lisa? Make an album as good as Songs in the Key of Life?

Or is the crest of AI’s wave my being able to create an image of “the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus eating Easter eggs,” like the one I did for my granddaughter last week? It would be nice (and would shut me up) if AI could somehow come up with a solution for global climate change. That would indeed be a win. At this point, anything is possible. And nothing is also possible. 

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

Cuisine in the Raw

(Photo: Michael Donahue)

Amy and Hannah Pickle spent their last Rawgirls Memphis day, December 1st, in its commercial kitchen.

For 14 years, they’ve operated Rawgirls Memphis, which included food trucks and a brick-and-mortar location Downtown. They sold the business to Laura Wegner in November, but they stayed on as advisors to help her get settled.

Starting Rawgirls about 14 years ago was “a complete accident,” Amy says.

She and Hannah met at Give Yoga Memphis. Hannah, who owned the yoga studio, was conducting a workshop on how to use super foods. Amy, a professional chef, says, “It was love at first sight.” 

A native Memphian, Amy is a member of the Pickle Iron family, which her grandfather started in the 1950s. After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America in New York, Amy worked for famed chef, the late Judy Rodgers, at San Francisco’s Zuni Café, where she learned how to cook seasonally with local foods and make everything by hand. Amy went on to work for Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Mercer Kitchen in New York before moving back to Memphis in 2007.

A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Hannah says, “Food and diet were always a hobby and an interest of mine. … I would eat crazy things like algae and seaweed because I loved how I felt, but I didn’t have talent towards making them taste good.”

Amy, whom she married in 2011, “made them taste good. We started working together at home. Playing around with raw foods.”

Amy learned how to dehydrate foods. Using almond flour, she made gluten-free bread, which she baked under 118 degrees. “It kept all the nutrition intact, so you’re not cooking out the nutritional benefits of food.”

One night they made dinner for a couple of friends. The menu included raw cantaloupe soup and a parsnip and sweet pea risotto. One of their guests said, “I feel so good eating this food. … If I paid you, would you guys cook for us?”

“We weren’t looking for a job,” Amy says. “Hannah had her studio and I had an IT business.” They liked the idea of making things together just for fun. 

Still, they made a meal in their kitchen and delivered it to the friend. “Within two weeks we had 10 regular home delivery clients,” Hannah says.

“We both closed our businesses,” Amy says. “We had to. We didn’t want to say ‘no’ to people. They were feeling so good. … It was becoming bigger than us and what we wanted for our life.”

They began working out of a duplex in August 2011. “We had Rawgirls on one side and we lived on the other,” Amy says.

“Then we decided to become legitimate and we rented the old Another Roadside Attraction kitchen,” Hannah says.

They opened their first food truck in the parking lot of Hollywood Feed on Poplar Avenue and Yates Road. “It was an absolute success from day one.”

Popular items eventually included a sorbet made from açaí and their “Green Love Bomb” cold-pressed juice made with cucumbers, fresh ginger, lemon, spinach, celery, and romaine. Their menu was “always growing,” Amy says. “As we were creating the menu, we would create for each other at home and feel the benefits.”

She and Hannah planned to close the business when their daughter graduated from high school. “It broke our hearts a little bit, but we made a public announcement we were going to close. That day Laura, the new owner, wrote to us and said this was a dream of hers to have a business like this. And we felt she was a viable person to come in and take it over.”

Wegner is now calling the business “Rawgirls USA.”

As for their future plans, Amy says they’re looking at an organic farm in Spain, where they’d like to set up an artist and yoga retreat. Also, Hannah says, “We have a mushroom extract business as well that we will gear up once settled.”

So, where did the name “Rawgirls” come from? Since they were using raw foods and they both were women, they thought “Rawgirls” was “kind of cute,” Amy says. 

“I don’t know if it was the best idea,” Hannah says. “We still get people thinking we’re a strip club.”

“I’m in my mid-50s,” Amy adds. “I’m not getting on a pole.” 

Categories
Art Art Feature We Recommend We Recommend

MadameFraankie’s ‘Intertwine’

A Love Supreme (Intertwined) 2024 (Photo: MadameFraankie)

Something was missing in MadameFraankie’s photography practice. At least, the artist thought so. She’d been able to capture stories of the Black community; she found that she preferred shooting in black-and-white and in film. “As soon as you are forced to have 36, 24 shots, or now 12 with the new camera I shoot with, you get real intentional,” she says. “I love a good black-and-white image; it stops the distraction.” But, so often behind the camera, she says, “I didn’t really have a way to bring in my own family or even myself.” 

Fraankie looked for inspiration in her mother and maternal grandmother, who use their own creative talents for commercial arts and sewing, respectively. Her mom even used to paint in acrylic; the family house still has a painting by her of Fraankie’s older cousin as a “grumpy baby” on a swing. “It’s like they have this thing, this gift,” Fraankie says of her mom and grandma, “and I have decided to accept the gifts that they have.”

With this mindset, Fraankie integrated their crafts into her photography, adding embroidery and painting watercolor elements onto her pictures. “It’s just my first iteration of the mediums sharing space with each other,” she says, “the intertwining of the mediums and the intertwining of the storylines.”

These are the pieces that make up her exhibition “Intertwine,” on display in the Beverly + Sam Ross Gallery at Christian Brothers University. The images she uses are a mixture of her own candid film photographs of her family and those from her family collection that she’s manipulated — the little moments, from relatives doing hair to family gatherings in the living room with pillows on the floor. 

“It just felt great to bring life back to them,” she says of the archived photos. “They’re not on anybody’s wall. They’re just kind of tucked away. So, to give a new purpose to the image, it was great.” Most of these have been transferred onto paper using a cyanotype process and toned with black tea. “I think having practices like this really lets you sit with the work,” Fraankie says. “It’s slow work.” 

Having spent so much time with the pieces herself, the photographer hopes viewers will do the same. “I hope they physically feel themselves slow down. I’m not asking you to do anything except notice these little moments in between. I’m aware how mundane this is, but it’s like, no, like your family is worthy of existing on a wall. You have a story to tell whether you think it’s slow or not.”

As for the photographer’s family, they’re delighted to be included in the gallery show, most of them traveling from out of town to see the exhibit. “They’re excited about the journey,” Fraankie says.  

MadameFraankie: “Intertwine,” Beverly + Sam Ross Gallery, Christian Brothers University, 650 East Parkway South, on display through Friday, December 13. 

Categories
News News Blog News Feature

Tennessee Lawmakers To Lead National Black Caucus of State Legislators

NBSCL Elected Officials. From Left to Right: Maryland State Delegate Ashanti Martinez, Indiana State Representative Cherrish Pryor, Texas State Representative Toni Rose, Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari, and Tennessee State Representative Harold Love, Jr.

Two Tennessee legislators have been elected to lead a historic organization of Black elected officials dedicated to advancing equality and justice.

Sen. Raumesh Akbari has been announced as the president-elect for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), transitioning from her current position as vice president.  Rep. Harold Love Jr. (D-Nashville) will take over as president of the organization. Officials said this is the first time two Tennessee legislators will lead NBCSL simultaneously. 

Along with other officers, Love and Akbari were chosen by other members to serve a two-year term from December 2024 through December 2026.

Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus press secretary Brandon Puttbrese explained that president-elect is a four year commitment with a title change after the first two years. Akbari will serve as Love’s “right hand” for the first half of her term before transitioning to president for the remainder.

“As President and President-Elect, Rep. Love and Sen. Akbari shape NBCSL’s agenda and advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voices of Black state legislators remain at the forefront of policy discussions nationwide,” a statement from Akbari’s office read.

Established in 1977, the NBCSL is comprised of more than 700 Black state legislators. LaKimba DeSadie, CEO of NBCSL said their goal is to make sure members are prepped to make deliberate decisions on public law.

“The organization champions legislative solutions to promote equity, improve access to opportunities, and empower underserved communities in critical areas such as education, economic development, healthcare and voting rights,” the statement added.

Officials said Akbari’s and Love’s appointments provide an opportunity for Tennessee to advance “equity and justice through public policy.” Akbari went on to say that the organization has been pivotal in promoting these values.

“I am deeply honored to serve as president-elect of this esteemed organization,” Akbari said. “I am committed to carrying forward its mission of transforming communities through legislative leadership.”

Love’s father, Harold Love, Sr. was a part of the organization during his time as an elected official, and was present during their first meeting in Nashville in 1977.

“NBCSL has a rich history of advancing policies that uplift our communities, and I am committed to building on that legacy alongside Sen. Akbari and our dedicated members,” Love said.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama Lead the Way in Rout of Wizards

Jaren Jackson Jr. battles for the opening possession. (Photo: NBAE/Getty Images.)

On the second night of back-to-back games, the Memphis Grizzlies decimated the Washington Wizards without Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.

With a final score of 140-112, the Grizzlies emerged from their weekend road trip 2-0.

After a hard-fought win against the Boston Celtics in which he scored a season-high 31 points, Ja Morant sat out against the Wizards with back soreness.

Expect Memphis to continue its cautionary approach to managing Morant’s injuries.

But even without two of their best players, the Grizzlies looked poised, prepared, and just plain better than their opponents, largely thanks to their incredible depth.

Scotty Pippen Jr. and Marcus Smart moved into the starting lineup, but even without them, the bench outscored the starters 76-64.

The Wizards were led on both ends of the court by a familiar face — Lithuanian big man Jonas Valančiūnas, who played for the Grizzlies from 2019-2021.

Despite Valanciunas’ 20-point, 14-rebound double-double, the Wizards had no answer for the Grizzlies. Washington held a two-point lead for a grand total of 47 seconds in the first quarter.

Memphis was led offensively by Jaren Jackson Jr., who fielded 21 points, four rebounds, and four blocks on 8 of 15 overall shooting and 3 of 8 from beyond the arc — all in a mere 16:46 minutes of playing time.  

Scotty Pippen Jr. looked right at home back in the starting lineup, delivering 14 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals on 6 of 11 shooting from the field.

Marcus Smart was similarly at ease moving from the bench unit to the starters, putting up 13 points and three rebounds while shooting 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 6 from three-point range.

Brandon Clarke was coming off his best game of the season against the Celtics but still had a respectable showing against the Wizards. He finished the night with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Jay Huff and Santi Aldama celebrate during the game against the Washington Wizards. (Photo: NBAE/Getty Images.)

Santi Aldama was the leading scorer off the bench with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three blocks while shooting 7 of 11 overall and a team-best 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Reserve center Jay Huff finished the night with 17 points and three rebounds while rookie shooting guard Cam Spencer added 14 points, four rebounds, and five assists on 4 of 8 shooting from the field and 2 of 4 from three-point range in his third ever NBA game.

We even got a brief appearance from Yuki Kawamura in the fourth quarter:

Who Got Next?

The next two games are recent additions to the schedule, among other teams that have also been eliminated from the NBA Cup: Friday, December 13th, at home against the Brooklyn Nets, with a 7 p.m. CST tip-off time, and Sunday, December 15th, on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. CST.

Categories
Art Art Feature

DeMarcus Suggs Is Ready to Reframe Culture

DeMarcus Suggs (Photo: Amber N. Ford)

Back in October, the city of Memphis hired its first-ever director of creative and cultural economy: DeMarcus Suggs. The arts, it seems, have taken priority in the Young administration, and Suggs, and the newly established Office of Arts and Culture where he will find his home, will lead the way. 

Suggs describes his position as one of a centralized collaborator and convener, supporting artists and cultural organizations while boosting their economic impact. It’s about making sure the city’s ecosystem — businesses, restaurants, hotels, sports, and cultural policy — complements, welcomes, and retains the arts on a citywide scale. 

“There are things we don’t always assume that are deeply connected to the arts,” Suggs says. “And so the role of this office, I think, is going to be helping to coordinate some major initiatives that can’t happen independently, but that we can coordinate and put government support behind.”

After all, not only are the arts an integral part of the “cultural fabric of Memphis”; they’re also an economic driver. “The National Endowment for the Arts produced a report that underlined that artists actually are three times as likely as any other industry to be entrepreneurs,” Suggs points out. “Memphis has a lot of really talented artists. We also have some really grit-and-grind entrepreneurs that have a vision. They have a dream, and they’re willing to build it.”

With this in mind, Suggs is ready to listen. So far, he’s been in conversation with arts organizations and philanthropists, and now he’s ready to talk to individual artists in a town hall listening event on Monday, December 9th, where wants to hear the strengths and weaknesses of Memphis. More listening events like this are to come.

“I’m an optimist that loves to have the full picture, and so I don’t ignore the challenges,” Suggs says. “I’m really excited to dig into what makes Memphis just so beautiful and amazing, in terms of our talent, in our artists, so that we can have more of that, and then really tackle the issues that make it prohibitive to experience those more of the good that we have.” 

Once a performing artist himself, a dancer, Suggs understands the life of an artist and wants to create more community and equity in that space — especially in Memphis. “I love Memphis,” says Suggs, who, outside of the month or so he’s lived here since this position, spent a yearlong stint in Memphis for another job in 2021.

“My grandmother was from here,” he adds of his fondness for the city. “She was my first dance partner.”

This first year, Suggs says, will be about “reframing culture.” “That’s really us being able to use [and collect] data [from conversations and events like the listening session],” Suggs says. “We’re going to be framing what success looks like for us as a city, moving forward.”

The City of Memphis – Artist Listening Session, Madison Tavern, Monday, December 9, 5-7 p.m.

Categories
Film Features Film/TV

Music Video Monday: “Let’s Be Free” by Richard Wilson

Singer/songwriter Richard Wilson’s soulful, jazzy guitar is the center of his sound. On “Let’s Be Free,” it’s the sound of liberation.

To accompany the song, which was recorded with Scott Bomar at Sam Phillips Recording Services, he opted for a simple performance video, bathed in red light. “Sail away/Let’s be free …”

If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies End Decade-Long Skid in Beantown

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies at the free-throw line during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 7, 2024. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The drought is over. The Memphis Grizzlies ended a decade-long losing streak in Boston by defeating the Celtics 127-121, Saturday night. It was the Grizzlies’ first win in Boston since November 27, 2013.

In a testament to their resilience, the Grizzlies overcame the daunting challenge of TD Garden, one of the NBA’s most hostile environments. Memphis has won eight of its last nine games. 

The Grizzlies’ stifling defense proved too much for the Celtics, who were held to 40 percent shooting and 30 percent from beyond the arc (18-60). Memphis’ defensive game plan was particularly effective in limiting the Celtics’ star players, with Jayson Tatum struggling to a season-low 28.6% shooting and Jaylen Brown coughing up a team-high five turnovers.

Memphis outscored the Celtics 64-40 in the paint. The Grizzlies had 22 fast break points while Boston had just four.

Shaking off a tough night against the Kings in his previous game, Ja Morant delivered a clutch performance, with a near triple-double: 31 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

And as the old folks would say, he had pep in his step. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. was also on fire, doing a little bit of everything to secure the victory. He had a stellar fourth quarter, going 6 of 9 from the field to score 14 of his 27 points. Jackson Jr.’s impact was more than just scoring; he also contributed nine rebounds, four blocks, and three steals, showcasing his remarkable defensive prowess and all-around talent.

Brandon Clarke turned in a standout performance, contributing 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 9-of-11 from the field. Desmond Bane also played a key role down the stretch, scoring nine of his 14 points in the final period to help the Grizzlies improve to 16-8 on the season. 

In his first game back at TD Garden since the 2023 trade that sent him to Memphis, Marcus Smart had a tough shooting night, going 1-of-11 from the floor for three points in 19 minutes of action. But the only thing that mattered was a win. 

Smart entered the game with 8:50 remaining in the first quarter, the Celtics crowd erupted into a standing ovation, prompting Smart to pause and wave in appreciation of the warm reception.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will take on the Washington Wizards tonight at 6:00 p.m. CT at Capital One Arena. 

Categories
On the Fly We Recommend We Recommend

On the Fly: Week of 12/6/24

Fire Pit Friday
Tom Lee Park, Visionary Grove
Friday, December 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m. 
Get s’more time with the family on Fridays this December at Memphis River Parks Partnership’s Fire Pit Fridays, starting this Friday (how many times can I say Friday in one sentence?). Each week will feature a fun new twist; this week is story time and photos with Santa! Limited free s’mores will be available at the first three events, so arrive early to enjoy this treat. Guests are welcome to bring (and share) their own s’more ingredients — skewers will be provided. On Friday, December 6th, 13th, and 20th, Jasper Float & Spa brings the ultimate Dream Zone experience to the riverfront, featuring relaxing samples, sleep essentials, and a chance to win a 60-minute relaxation massage. 

Season of Delight
Crosstown Concourse
Friday, December 6, 5-8 p.m.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! ’Tis the Season of Delight! Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! Go we now to Crosstown Concourse! Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la! That’s right, you can kick off the holiday season at Crosstown with a night of festivities at the Crosstown Concourse’s annual atrium lighting complete with live music, hot chocolate, seasonal cocktails, holiday-themed games, crafts, family photos, and more. Plus Crosstown Arts will screen A Christmas Story for free and will open its residency studios for its Open Studio event. Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la! 

Cabaret Noel 9 
TheatreWorks @ The Square
Friday, December 6, 8 p.m. | Saturday, December 7, 8 p.m. | Sunday, December 8, 2 p.m. 
Life is a cabaret, old chum, so head to the Cabaret Noel 9, presented by Emerald Theatre Company. Expect an evening of classic and modern Christmas- and winter-themed songs, hilarious slapstick humor, and the bringing together some of Memphis’ finest entertainers. Get your tickets here. 

Holiday Sip + Shop
Metal Museum
Saturday, December 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Last Christmas I gave you my heart, and I’m afraid I can’t top that this year. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find something at the Metal Museum’s Holiday Sip + Shop, where there’s a curated selection of handcrafted gifts and unique treasures from talented artisans. Even if I can’t find anything, I can enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly cava and delicious cookies while I browse. (P.S. Don’t forget about the St. Jude Marathon that might affect your driving path. You’ll be able to access the museum via the highway and Crump Blvd.)

Raised by Sound Fest
Crosstown Concourse
Saturday, December 7, 1-11 p.m.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. And there will be lots of singing — and just plain-old sound — at the Raised by Sound Fest this Saturday. Starting at 1 p.m., you can expect a lineup of free music from Blue Tom Records (revue), fosterfalls, HeartBreak Hill Trio, Cut Worms, and Hurray for the Riff Raff (solo). Then there’s the main event — J Spaceman & John Coxon of Spiritualized doing a live score to William Eggleston’s Stranded in Canton — but it’s sold out, so unless you already have tickets, you snooze, you lose, baby. There is a ticketed after-party with a DJ set by the Black Keys and performances by Lil Noid and Tommy Wright III. You can still get tix ($65.87) here.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage
Orpheum Theatre
Saturday, December 7, 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Christmas time is here. … I’m singing the song from A Charlie Brown Christmas if you can’t tell, not just making a statement. It’s also the only part of the song that I know. I usually just mumble the other lyrics. I never bothered to learn the song, or really most Christmas songs. Oh well. That’s not the point. The point is that A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage is coming to Memphis, bringing my mom’s second-favorite animated Christmas movie to the stage. Tickets ($30-$60) can be purchased here.

It’s a Bestie Silent Book Club Pajama Party!
Novel
Saturday, December 7, 2-5 p.m. 
Already tired of holiday parties? Or, at the very least, tired of adding them to your calendar? Here’s one that just might relieve your stress because all it calls for is a book and silence (you don’t even have to bring a book; you can buy one at the store if you so please). And pajamas if you’re bold enough to wear them in public. This event is free — no registration required, with complimentary hot cocoa. 

Autumn Art Party
Urevbu Contemporary
Saturday, December 7, 4-8 p.m. 
Urevbu presents this evening filled with art, music, food, drinks, and connections. This is more than an event — it’s an experience. Expect an intimate evening surrounded by inspiring art and passionate people. Dress to impress and prepare for a night of memorable connections and culture. General admission (free) and VIP tickets ($25) are available online only.

Christmas Ghosts: A Victorian Tradition
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum
Saturday, December 7, 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum welcomes ghosts of Christmas past — just past, no future and present; this isn’t A Christmas Carol (you can see that at Theatre Memphis now through December 23rd). In 19th century England, Christmas tradition was to huddle around the fire with the family and tell tales of spirits and spooks while celebrating the holiday season. Relive that tradition this weekend with Woodruff-Fontaine’s ghost experts. Refreshments, including warm cider and hot cocoa, will be served prior to storytelling and there will be a stroll through the mansion afterward to view all of her festive grandeur and trimmings of the season. 

Stumbling Santa Holiday Pub Crawl
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Saturday, December 7, 7-11 p.m.
You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why: Stumbling Santas are comin’ Downtown. They’re donating toys, heading to bars, spreading lots of Christmas joy at all of their stops. Join the Stumbling Santas Downtown. All you have to do is bring an unwrapped toy donation appropriate for a preschool-age child under 5 or a cash donation for Porter-Leath, and dress in your best festive attire! Planned stops include Rum Boogie Café, King’s Palace Café Tap Room, Silky O’Sullivan’s, The Absinthe Room, Blues Hall Juke Joint, Alfred’s, Courtside Grill, and Tin Roof. Those who can’t make it to the Stumbling Santa event can still donate online or by dropping off toys at Poplar Plaza (corner of Highland and Poplar) on Thursday to Saturday, December 5th to 7th; WMC Action News 5 (1960 Union) on Friday to Saturday, December 13th to 14th; or IKEA (7900 IKEA Way) on Friday to Saturday, December 20th to 21st. For more information and to view Porter-Leath’s wish list, visit here. 

Medical District Holiday Market
Memphis Made Brewing & Flyway Brewing Company (formerly High Cotton Brewing Company) 
Sunday, December 8, noon-3 p.m. 
Shop, shop, shop till you drop at this holiday market, presented by Memphis Medical District Collaborative at BOTH Flyway Brewing Company (formerly High Cotton Brewing Company) and Memphis Made Brewing Co. (For reference, the two venues are a three-or-so-minute walk from each other.) The full vendor list is here. I am far too lazy to type it all out; I hope you’re not too lazy to click on the link. But also I don’t care as long as you’re not too lazy to support local artists and businesses. 

Sippin’ with Santa Paws benefiting Streetdog Foundation 
Loflin Yard
Sunday, December 8, noon-4 p.m. 
Santa Paws has made a list and all the good boys and girls are on it. They might not all know how to sit or stay. Some of them may lick you; some may drool; some may demand constant attention. But they’re all good boys and girls. That’s just how Streetdog Foundation rolls. Your $25 donation at this event will get you a picture with Santa Paws (featuring you and your 4-legged bestie and/or your human kiddos), a Santa Paws cup, access to the free dessert table, and a wristband to enjoy drinks discounted to $5 each. Plus, there will be live music, adoptable dogs, a silent auction, and a pup costume contest. Purchase tickets at the door (cash, card, or Venmo).