The Sidebar with Eric Barnes

The Sidebar, hosted by Eric Barnes from The Daily Memphian, focuses on arts, culture and everything in between in Memphis, including interviews with people shaping the city and sometimes an exploration of topics stranger, funnier and more surprising than you might expect to hear.

S6E36: How Grind City Amp plans to expand live music in Memphis 11/13/2025

S6E36: How Grind City Amp plans to expand live music in Memphis 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/39019990

S6E35: The federal task force's impact on Latino businesses in Memphis 11/05/2025

S6E35: The federal task force's impact on Latino businesses in 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38929060

S6E34: Cequita Monique on how she was 'born into jazz' 10/30/2025

S6E34: Cequita Monique on how she was 'born into jazz' Cequita Monique is a jazz singer as well as the founder of the First Sunday Jazz Jam Pop Up Series. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38839515

S6E33: The host of 'Nurses Unboxed' on the critical role of nurses 10/23/2025

S6E33: The host of 'Nurses Unboxed' on the critical role of nurses 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38751255

S6E32: The hard, block-by-block work to improve Klondike and Smokey City 10/16/2025

S6E32: The hard, block-by-block work to improve Klondike and Smokey City 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38601205

S6E31: Barth House Episcopal Center 09/30/2025

S6E31: Barth House Episcopal Center 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38328590

S6E30: Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis 09/23/2025

S6E30: Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38325810

S6E29: Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center 09/11/2025

S6E29: Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38184870

S6E28: The new executive director of GPAC 09/04/2025

S6E28: The new executive director of GPAC 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/38080865

S6E27: David Lusk Gallery 08/12/2025

S6E27: David Lusk Gallery 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/37768060

S6E26: The new president and CEO of Bridges 08/08/2025

S6E26: The new president and CEO of Bridges Sam O'Bryant joins Eric Barnes to talk about the organization's history, its summer programming and his former role at Literacy Mid-South. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/37737640

S6E25: Overton Park Conservancy 07/31/2025

S6E25: Overton Park Conservancy 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/37616045

S6E24: ArtsMemphis reaches a meaningful milestone 07/24/2025

S6E24: ArtsMemphis reaches a meaningful milestone 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/37528500

S6E23: CodeCrew's Hackathon 07/09/2025

S6E23: CodeCrew's Hackathon Jean Francois Mahoro and Ashley Weaver with CodeCrew join Eric Barnes to talk about the organization's outreach and their upcoming Hustle & Code Hackathon. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/37352685

S6E22: Young Avenue Sound 07/03/2025

S6E22: Young Avenue Sound 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/37268735

S6E21: The Metal Museum's expansion to Overton Park 06/12/2025

S6E21: The Metal Museum's expansion to Overton Park 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36975700

S6E20: The Overton Park Shell 06/05/2025

S6E20: The Overton Park Shell 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36871370

S6E19: Live at the Garden 2025 06/02/2025

S6E19: Live at the Garden 2025 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36812110

S6E18: SunAh Laybourn on Asian American culture and history in Memphis 05/23/2025

S6E18: SunAh Laybourn on Asian American culture and history in Memphis 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36692670

S6E17: Meet Me at the Library 05/13/2025

S6E17: Meet Me at the Library Shamichael Hallman joins Eric Barnes to talk about the importance of libraries to the community and his new book, Meet Me at the Library. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36552750

S6E16: Stax's Pat Mitchell Worley on the Power of Music Awards 05/03/2025

S6E16: Stax's Pat Mitchell Worley on the Power of Music Awards 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36417090

S6E15: Clap Three Times 05/03/2025

S6E15: Clap Three Times Eric Barnes is interviewed about music, work and how he doesn’t listen to the lyrics. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36417040

S6E14: Spanish Cultural Series Concerts 04/24/2025

S6E14: Spanish Cultural Series Concerts 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36289685

S6E13: Sultana Disaster Museum 04/17/2025

S6E13: Sultana Disaster Museum 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36201465

S6E12: Lora Chilton on her novel titled "1666" 04/10/2025

S6E12: Lora Chilton on her novel titled "1666" 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.” /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/36086925

S6E11: Tad Pierson on how the highway is his home 03/26/2025

S6E11: Tad Pierson on how the highway is his home 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/35878950

S6E10: North American Bridge Championships 03/19/2025

S6E10: North American Bridge Championships 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/35778140

S6E9: Shelby Farms Park 03/12/2025

S6E9: Shelby Farms Park 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/35662065

S6E8: The Executive Director of Memphis Botanic Garden 03/05/2025

S6E8: The Executive Director of Memphis Botanic Garden 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. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/35546195

S6E7: Learn more about the work to improve Memphis’ public spaces 02/26/2025

S6E7: Learn more about the work to improve Memphis’ public spaces 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 initiative that’s been funded in Memphis and nine other cities since 2016. /episode/index/show/dmextra/id/35439585

The Sidebar with Eric Barnes

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