The Sidebar with Eric Barnes

Restaurateur Karen Carrier joins Eric Barnes to talk about Legacy at the Table, a three-part dinner series where Carrier translates the history of Memphis College of Art into unique menus that take guests on a journey through different eras of the school. Karen also talks about her time at MCA, how she began her career and her food artistry. 

Ramona Sonin is creative director of Memphis Art & Fashion Week, which starts May 4 at the Brooks Museum of Art, including a Met Gala watch party, a high tea, aperitifs and, of course, a runway show at the museum. Sonin, who also created and runs the fashion program at the University of Memphis, joined this week's episode of "The Sidebar" to talk about the event, its origins just three years ago, and how fashion has evolved since she got into the industry.

Holly Whitfield sits in for Eric Barnes with Tennessee Ballet Theater interim director Ashley Hannah Davis. They discuss Tennessee Ballet Theater's upcoming show, 901 Stories: Down on Beale. They also discuss the local memphis dance scene, Holly's secret past as a dancer and Ashley Hannah's career in dance. 

Sylvia Martinez, President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Memphis, joins Eric Barnes to talk about the organizations evolution from its beginning as Girls Club of America. She also talks about the importance of the Girls Inc. Youth Farm in Frayser as a thriving hub for community engagement and sustainable agriculture. And they discuss the upcoming Luncheon Celebration 2026, the annual fundraising event for Girls Inc. of Memphis.

Executive director of Ballet Memphis Andrew Goldberg joins host Eric Barnes to talk about upcoming performances (including Romeo & Juliet and Peter Pan), how ballet and Memphis intersect and summer camps/programming.

For many people, the Y is a gym. For others, it's a place to swim. But one of the biggest impacts the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South has is on the 14,000 kids they work with across the Mid-South. Brian McLaughlin, group's CEO, joined Eric Barnes to talk about that impact kids and families on this week's episode of "The Sidebar."

Marina Pacini — the former chief curator for the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art —talks about plans for the museum's plans for an exhibition marking the Memphis College of Art's history and impact.

When the historic Annesdale Mansion suffered through a fire in January, more than a few people worried whether the house would be restored. But Bill Townsend, who bought the house in 2023 and did a nearly $2 million renovation, has assured everyone that Annesdale will be restored. Host Eric Barnes is joined by Bill for this week's episode of The Sidebar. They talked not just about Annesdale, but also Townsend's major commitment to Memphis, especially nonprofits and community organizations here. 

In a world where technology sometimes seems to have overwhelmed music, the world of Memphis Youth Symphony Program is refreshing. The organization's executive director, Jenny Davis, joined Eric Barnes on this week's episode of "The Sidebar" to talk about the group's programs and its history. Davis, who was a flutist and music teacher at Rhodes, also talked about the increasingly competitive realities of life as a musician trying to make it as a professional. 

Alicia George really enjoys talking to people. Which is good, given her new role as co-executive director of Indie Memphis, which has big plans for a rebooted film festival in the fall. As Indie Memphis bounces back from a year without its signature film festival, Alicia joined Eric Barnes on this week's episode of "The Sidebar" to talk about the organization's future.

Artist Brantley Ellzey joins Eric Barnes on this week's episode of "The Sidebar" to talk about work, his life and his Crosstown Arts exhibit, titled "Reflection + Ritual + Refuge."

Jee Vahn Knight, the CEO of BVO, talks about the attraction's opening on March 7, the next phases of expansion and how their business model works. 

Sarah Leach, The Daily Memphian's director of fundraising and development, joins Eric Barnes on this week's episode.

For Lakenna Booker, Memphis Merit Academy is about so many things — helping young kids with literacy, creating a thriving school for parents and their children, investing in her neighborhood, and more. Booker, who is the executive director of Memphis Merit Academy, joined Eric Barnes to talk about the charter school she founded in Parkway Village in 2019.

Lauren Ready has spent decades as a documentarian and TV journalist. Now she's become an author, using her foundation in journalism to help business leaders and others to, as she says it, reveal deeper truths. Ready joined Eric Barnes to talk about her first book, "Ask Like a Leader: A Method for Revealing Deeper Truth and Turning Blind Spots into  Breakthroughs." Ready, who is also the co-founder of Forever Ready, a video production that works with many local nonprofits and business, spent many years as a TV journalist. And her documentaries have won numerous awards.

Virginia Reed Murphy, founder of Everystory, joins Eric Barnes to talk about the organization's name change and how the mission stays the same.

Katie Smythe of New Ballet Ensemble joins Eric Barnes to talk about turning the old Humes Middle School into a school focused on the arts for middle and high school students. - a project with a scale that is incredibly ambitious. The funding needs are massive and the timeline is not short.

Nick Barbian joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the goals for the outdoor venue located at Grind City Brewing in North Memphis.

Alex Matlock, the founder and current president of the Mid-South Latino Chamber of Commerce, and Sylvia Leon, the group's executive director, join Eric Barnes to talk about the impact of the federal influx of law enforcement.

Cequita Monique is a jazz singer as well as the founder of the First Sunday Jazz Jam Pop Up Series.

Dr. Lisa Beasley, associate professor at the UTHSC College of Nursing, joins Eric Barnes to talk about how the job of nursing has changed, the proactive work nurses do in underserved neighborhoods, and more.

Klondike Smokey City CDC is working to mow and maintain yards, build a pocket park and turn 150 vacant lots and empty homes into assets in the community.

Maggie Schaumleffel, director of ministries for Barth House Episcopal Center, joins host Eric Barnes. They discuss the center's outreach to the colleges and universites in the area, as well as how it supports students of all backgrounds and religions with problems they face today.

Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis President and CEO Shante Avant joins host Eric Barnes. They discuss the resources that the Women's Foundation provides to community-based services, the focus on lifting women and children out of poverty in the Memphis area and the upcoming fundraising event, Power of the Purse.

Host Eric Barnes is joined by Cindi Younker, Buckman Arts Center director, to talk about this season's upcoming events and what attendees can expect from the performances.

Parke Kennedy joins Eric Barnes to talk about her new role with the Germantown Performing Arts Center and the fundraising and effort that goes into their series and performances.

David Lusk joins Eric Barnes to talk about the history of David Lusk Gallery, the artists he represents and the biggest changes he has noticed in the industry.

Sam O'Bryant joins Eric Barnes to talk about the organization's history, its summer programming and his former role at Literacy Mid-South.

Overton Park Conservancy's Executive Director Kaci Murley joins Eric Barnes to talk about the status of the Greensward, how the park and the organizations within it work together and the future of Overton Park.

ArtsMemphis recently reached a milestone of awarding more than $100 million across Memphis and Shelby County since its founding in 1963. President and CEO at ArtsMemphis Elizabeth Rouse joins Eric Barnes to talk about how they support artists and arts organizations and raise funding.

Jean Francois Mahoro and Ashley Weaver with CodeCrew join Eric Barnes to talk about the organization's outreach and their upcoming Hustle & Code Hackathon.

Host Eric Barnes is joined by the Young Avenue Sound co-owner Taylor Berger and co-director of operations Christopher Franklin to talk about the evolution of the studio. 

Executive Director of the Metal Museum Carissa Hussong joins Eric Barnes to talk about what the expansion to the former Rust Hall means for the museum's programming and discuss the renovation process. 

Natalie Wilson and Yolanda Kelly with the Overton Park Shell join Eric Barnes to talk about the summer schedule, Shell on Wheels and how all of the organizations in Overton Park work together. 

Olivia Wall with Memphis Botanic Garden joins Eric Barnes to talk about what attendees can expect from this season of Live at the Garden and how the series came to be.

SunAh Laybourn's desire to highlight the culture and history of Asian Americans in Memphis has brought, in part, the extensive range of local events happening during Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  

Shamichael Hallman joins Eric Barnes to talk about the importance of libraries to the community and his new book, Meet Me at the Library. 

Soulsville Foundation CEO Pat Mitchell Worley joined Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the Stax Museum's first ever Power of Music Awards.

Eric Barnes is interviewed about music, work and how he doesn't listen to the lyrics. 

Marina Carracedo with the University of Memphis joins host Eric Barnes to talk about the upcoming Spanish Cultural Series Concerts, featuring Mr. Kilombo, Pedro Luis Ferrer & Lena Ferrer, and Pedro Pastor.

Jeff Kollath, executive director of the Sultana Disaster Museum, joins Eric Barnes to talk about the story of the deadliest maritime disaster in United States history and the effort for a new and expanded museum. 

Lora Chilton has learned all she can about her lineage and the Patawomecks, including taking lessons to learn the language. And she published a historical novel about the tribe titled "1666."

Indoor Trailer Park creator and tire artist Tad Pierson's latest installation will span along Mississippi Boulevard from E.H. Crump Boulevard to South Parkway. 

Bronia Jenkins, Executive Director of American Contract Bridge League, joins Eric Barnes to talk about the North American Bridge Championships happening this week in Memphis and how her love for the game began. 

Jen Andrews, CEO of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, joins Eric Barnes to talk about what it takes to operate one of the largest urban parks in the country and upcoming seasonal events.

MaryLynn Mack talked about her vision for new exhibits and initiatives at the garden. And she had pretty amazing things to say about her move to Memphis.

George Abbott moved to Memphis to join the Memphis River Parks Partnership as its head of communications before the pandemic. Now he's involved in the Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative that's been funded in Memphis and nine other cities since 2016.

His title is a long one: director of creative and cultural economy. But the goal for Demarcus Suggs, who carries that for the new office of creative and cultural economy for the City of Memphis, is simple: Support the arts.

Adeze Wilford joins Eric Barnes to talk about her career and her role at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Andy Cates joins Eric Barnes to reflect on the nearly seven years since The Daily Memphian began and the importance of the fourth estate.