Festivals
SmokeSlam: The Ultimate BBQ Festival Unveils More Than Just BBQ; A Three-Day Family-Friendly Extravaganza!
Discover the ultimate BBQ festival experience at SmokeSlam in Memphis, featuring mouthwatering bites, live music, family-friendly activities, and more!
SmokeSlam Unveils More Than Just BBQ; A Three-Day Festival For BBQ Fans And The Whole Family
Memphis, Tennessee – SmokeSlam, the ultimate BBQ festival, is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for BBQ enthusiasts, families, foodies, and tourists alike. In addition to showcasing the world’s richest prize in BBQ, SmokeSlam has unveiled an exciting lineup of activities and partnerships that make it more than just a BBQ competition.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Live Fire Extravaganza, which will take place daily. Renowned pitmasters such as Al Frugoni, Chris Stafford (LoneMountainBBQ), Misty Banchero (SeattleButchersWife), and Toni Ramirez (TFTI) will be cooking up endless mouthwatering bites for guests to enjoy. From sliders and wings to street tacos and shrimp and grits, there will be something to satisfy every palate. And for those looking for vegetarian options, BBQ’d veggies and fruits will also be available.
But SmokeSlam is not just about BBQ. The festival has partnered with the non-profit organization Project Green Fork to provide food to underprivileged communities across Memphis. By retrieving surplus food from the festival and distributing it to community stakeholders, SmokeSlam is making a positive impact on the local community.
To cater to families, SmokeSlam has introduced stroller- and diaper bag-friendly rules. This means that parents can bring their little ones to enjoy the festival without any hassle. Kids will also have the opportunity to be inspired by young pitmasters competing in Melissa Cookston’s World Junior Barbecue League.
For those looking for something other than BBQ, SmokeSlam has added a plethora of activities to keep guests entertained. 901 Pickleball, sponsored by Wickles Pickles, will be providing four full-size pickleball courts for anyone who wants to give the sport a try. There will also be music, coaches, and demo gear available for those new to the game.
Live music will also be a major highlight of the festival, with performances by popular artists such as Tone Loc, WAR, and The Bar-Kays. And to add to the festive atmosphere, there will be a fireworks display every night.
Food vendors will be aplenty at SmokeSlam, with local favorites such as Mempops, Pronto Pups, Sawce Pizza, and Tica’s Burger Joint serving up delicious treats. The Memphis Market, curated by Memphis Flavor, will also be selling the city’s finest rubs and sauces, providing guests with the opportunity to take home a taste of Memphis.
In addition to the exciting lineup of events and activities, SmokeSlam boasts the largest cash prize purse in history, now at $275,000. Winners will also receive one-of-a-kind trophies designed and created by the famed Memphis Metal Museum.
SmokeSlam has received support from various sponsors, including Bud Light, B&B Charcoal, Duraflame, Cowboy Charcoal, White Claw, and Coca-Cola. The festival is set to take place at Tom Lee Park, with doors opening at 2 PM each day and the park closing at midnight.
Thursday:
2 PM – 8 PM – B&B Charcoal Live Fire Extravaganza presented by NBBQA
2:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Christy Vanovers @girlscangril
3:00 PM – WFC Bacon Judging Starts
3:30 PM – Cooking Demo with John Lindsey @allquedupbbq
4:00 PM – WFC Wings Judging Starts
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Meet and Greets with Head Pitmasters Al Frugoni and Derek Wolf (OvertheFireCooking) (VIP ONLY)
4:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Erica Roby @bluesmokeblair
5:00 PM – WFC Dessert Judging Starts
5:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Ray Sheehan @chef.raysheehan
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Noisy Cats Are We
6:00 PM – 7:00 – Meet and Greets with Myron Mixon (5x World Champion), Heath Riles (75x BBQ Grand Champion), and Carey Bringle (PegLegPorker) (VIP ONLY)
6:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Robert Perkins/Pancho and Lefty
7:15 PM -8:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Mustache The Band
7:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Mike Starr @blazingstarbbq
8:45 PM – 10:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Mix Tape Tour featuring Tone Loc, Rob Base, Young MC, DJ M Walk
Friday
2 PM – 8 PM – B&B Charcoal Live Fire Extravaganza presented by NBBQA
2:30 PM – Cooking Demo with John Lindsey @allquedupbbq
2:30 PM – WFC Duck Judging Starts
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Meet and Greets with Logan Sandoval (ZefBBQ) and Netflix BBQ Showdown Champion Thyron Mathews (VIP only)
3:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Ray Sheehan @chef.raysheehan
4:00 PM – WFC Seafood Judging Starts
4:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Erica Roby @bluesmokeblair
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM Live Music at the White Claw Stage: Hope Clayburn & Soul Scrimmage
5:15 PM – 6:15 PM – Meet and Greets with Melissa Cookston (7xWorld BBQ Champion), Erica Roby (Blue Smoke Blair), and TV personality Gina Neely
5:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Kunchi @cookinwidkunchi
6 PM – 7:15 PM WFC Awards Ceremony hosted by Erica Roby of Blue Smoke Blaire and Gina Neely (Host of Bluff City Life)
6:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Thyron Mathews @thyronmathew
7:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Mike Starr @blazingstarbbq
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: The Bar-Kays
9 PM – 10:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: War
Saturday
2:00 – MBN Finals Judging Begins
2 PM – 8 PM – B&B Charcoal Live Fire Extravaganza presented by NBBQA
2:30 PM – Cooking Demo with John Lindsey @allquedupbbq
3:00 PM – WJBL Chicken Turn in
3:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Christy Vanovers @girlscangrill
3:30 PM – WJBL Ribs Turn in
4:00 PM – WJBL Pork Turn In
4:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Erica Roby @bluesmokeblair
4:30 PM – WJBL Brisket Turn In
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM World Junior Barbecue League (WJBL) Awards followed by Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) Awards hosted by Thyron & Logan from Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown
5:30 PM – Cooking Demo with Ray Sheehan @chef.raysheehan
7:15 PM – 8:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: SmokeSlam Players
8:45 PM – 10:15 PM – Live Music at the White Claw Stage: St Paul and the Broken Bones
**Saturday Meet and Greets for VIP to be announced.
Tickets for SmokeSlam are available for purchase online or at the gate. General admission tickets are priced at $24.99 for a single day and $65 for all three days. VIP tickets, which include special guest appearances, book signings, and more, are priced at $240 per day or $599 for the entire three-day festival.
As SmokeSlam promises to be an unforgettable experience for BBQ enthusiasts and families alike, it is an event not to be missed. Whether you’re a fan of mouthwatering BBQ, live music, or exciting activities, SmokeSlam has something for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready to indulge in the ultimate BBQ festival experience.
About SmokeSlam
SmokeSlam is an upcoming BBQ festival organized by Mempho Presents, a group deeply rooted in Memphis, music, and barbecue. The inaugural SmokeSlam competition will take place from May 16 to 18, 2024, at Tom Lee Park in Memphis, TN. With a prize purse of $275,000, SmokeSlam boasts the largest pork BBQ competition prize in history. The Memphis BBQ Network (MBN) has partnered with SmokeSlam to oversee the pork championship judging. This MBN-sanctioned event allows teams to compete in all three main categories, with category winners having the opportunity to earn a ‘Golden Ticket’ to participate in the World Food Championships (WFC) in the autumn. The WFC will also be sanctioning the ancillary competitions held on Thursday and Friday. For additional details, please visit www.SmokeSlam.com.
About Mempho Presents
Mempho Presents is a branch of Forward Momentum that specializes in organizing exceptional live events and creating memorable experiences for fans. Their focus is on producing shows and events throughout the year, primarily in Memphis, TN, and the surrounding Mid-South area. For additional details, please visit https://memphopresents.com/.
SOURCE SmokeSlam
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animation
Ariel Award-Winning Animated Short ‘SHIMMER’ Makes Its Digital Debut on Short of the Week
Ariel Award-winning animated short SHIMMER by director Andrés Palma premieres on Short of the Week. A stunning exploration of fatherhood and regret created with Unreal Engine 5. Watch now.
Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Ariel Award-Winning Animated Short ‘SHIMMER’ Makes Its Digital Debut on Short of the Week
A haunting tale of fatherhood, obsession, and redemption comes to life through groundbreaking animation technology The world of independent animation just got a stunning new addition. Director Andrés Palma’s SHIMMER, an Ariel Award-winning animated short film, premiered December 8th on Short of the Week, the premier destination for curated short film content reaching millions of viewers worldwide.A Father’s Dream, A Daughter’s Pain
Set against a desolate shoreline littered with the skeletal remains of forgotten shipwrecks, SHIMMER tells the emotionally charged story of Ricardo, a father whose single-minded obsession with building a towering lighthouse blinds him to the emotional wreckage he’s creating within his own family. As he chases what he believes will be salvation, his eldest daughter Lucía grows increasingly resentful—until her choices force Ricardo to face the devastating consequences of his dreams. “Every project that matters to me comes from a place of unresolved emotion,” Palma explains. “Art is how I process pain and transform it into something meaningful. I trust the audience will resonate with that.” This isn’t just animation—it’s personal healing rendered in light and shadow.Gizmodo Premieres Award-Winning Animated Short ShimmerLink to related article: https://stmdailynews.com/gizmodo-premieres-award-winning-animated-short-shimmer/
Technical Brilliance Meets Emotional Depth
Short of the Week’s managing editor Rob Munday didn’t hold back in his praise: “A genuinely compelling, high-quality piece of 3D animation, marked by beautiful design work, strong character rigging, and impressive world-building. There’s tremendous potential here – it’s an exciting calling card for its creators.” What sets SHIMMER apart technically is its innovative use of Unreal Engine 5, blending retro-futuristic aesthetics with cutting-edge visual design. The film’s most striking visual element—ethereal fish that shimmer across the night sky—was created using the Niagara particle system, merging procedural motion with hand-crafted animation cycles to achieve something that feels both organic and otherworldly.A Collaborative Vision
Marking Palma’s directorial debut, SHIMMER benefits from powerhouse executive producers including celebrated Mexican animator Jorge R. Gutiérrez (The Book of Life, Maya and the Three) and Andrés Buzo. The film was developed through a groundbreaking collaboration between professionals and students at Mexico City’s Escena Animation Studio, the project-based learning arm of Escena Animation School. The creative team includes associate producer Karla Vazquez, co-writer Santiago Maza Stern, and composer Alex Otaola—a collective effort that proves the power of mentorship and collaborative storytelling.
Why This Matters for Independent Animation
SHIMMER represents more than just another festival darling. It’s proof that independent creators with vision, backed by the right collaborators and technology, can produce work that rivals major studio productions. The film is currently being considered for FYC (For Your Consideration) in the Best Animated Short Film category—and based on its technical achievement and emotional resonance, it’s easy to see why. For audiences hungry for animation that dares to explore complex emotional territory while pushing visual boundaries, SHIMMER delivers on both fronts. It’s a meditation on the cost of obsession, the weight of parental expectations, and the possibility of redemption—all wrapped in visuals that haunt long after the credits roll.Watch Now
SHIMMER is now streaming exclusively on Short of the Week at ShortOfTheWeek.com/2025/12/08/shimmer For more information about the film and its creators:- Official Film Website: ShimmerShort.com
- Director’s Website: AndresPalma.com
- Follow the journey: @ShimmerShort, @Andres.Palma.c, @EscuelaEscena
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holidays
“Halloween: A Magical Night of Costumes, Candy, and Community”
“Experience the enchantment of Halloween with costumes, candy, and a sense of community. Join the festivities and let your imagination run wild!”
Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Rod Washington
Halloween is a magical time when the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. The streets are adorned with spooky decorations, while the air becomes charged with anticipation and excitement. It’s a night of imagination and creativity, as costumes come to life and take on a new persona.
Pumpkins, with their toothy grins, light up the night, casting an eerie glow on the festivities. They stand as beacons, welcoming trick-or-treaters to doorsteps adorned with spiderwebs and skeletons. The young and the young at heart embark on a quest for sugary treasures, their laughter echoing through the streets.
But Halloween is more than just costumes and candy. It’s a celebration of community and tradition, where neighbors come together, sharing stories and treats. It’s a time to embrace the spooky and face our fears, knowing that they’re just a playful illusion.
As the night winds down and the moon casts its final spell, Halloween fades into the realm of memories. But its spirit lingers, reminding us of the power of imagination, the joy of connecting with others, and the thrill of embracing the unknown.
Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/
and let your entertainment journey begin!
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Automotive
AutoMobility LA Launches RACER Creator Awards: Celebrating the New Voice of Automotive Storytelling
AutoMobility LA launches the inaugural RACER Creator Awards on November 20, 2025, celebrating filmmakers, photographers, podcasters, and digital storytellers shaping automotive and motorsports culture. Submissions open now at awards.racer.com.
Last Updated on October 18, 2025 by Daily News Staff
The automotive industry is shifting gears—and this time, it’s not just about horsepower. On November 20, 2025, AutoMobility LA will host the inaugural RACER Creator Awards, presented by Dunlop, marking a pivotal moment where traditional automotive excellence meets the digital-first generation reshaping how we experience cars and motorsports.
Where Red Carpets Meet Racing Culture
The Los Angeles Auto Show and RACER Media & Marketing are partnering to spotlight the filmmakers, photographers, podcasters, and digital storytellers who’ve become the new ambassadors of automotive culture. This isn’t your grandfather’s auto show—it’s a recognition that the future of the industry lives as much on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram as it does on dealer lots and racetracks.
“AutoMobility LA continues to evolve as a stage for innovation,” said Terri Toennies, president of LA Auto Show. “Hosting the RACER Creator Awards highlights the intersection of creativity, technology, and mobility, uniting the traditional industry with the next generation of automotive storytellers.”
What’s Being Celebrated
The awards recognize excellence across multiple categories:
- Content Creation – Honoring those who craft compelling automotive narratives
- Platform Excellence – Celebrating creators who’ve mastered their chosen medium
- Community Leadership – Recognizing those building engaged, passionate audiences
- Special Recognition – Highlighting unique contributions to automotive culture
Winners will be determined through a combination of expert jury evaluation and fan voting—a fitting approach for an awards program that bridges industry expertise with grassroots enthusiasm.
The Sponsors Driving the Vision
Dunlop steps in as presenting sponsor, reinforcing its deep motorsports roots while embracing the creative culture surrounding performance driving. Meanwhile, KYB brings something special to the arrival experience: the KYB Red Carpet Car Show, open to the public and promising to turn the event’s entrance into a celebration of automotive artistry.
How to Get Involved
Submissions are open now at awards.racer.com, with finalists set to take the stage at AutoMobility LA on November 20. Whether you’re a creator with a growing channel, a photographer capturing track-side moments, or a podcaster breaking down the latest automotive tech, this is your moment.
Why This Matters
Since 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show has been a bellwether for the industry’s direction. By launching the RACER Creator Awards, the show acknowledges a fundamental truth: the people shaping automotive culture today aren’t just engineers and designers—they’re storytellers with cameras, microphones, and editing software.
The event takes place during AutoMobility LA’s press and industry day, which features vehicle debuts, brand announcements, and thought leadership programming. The public show runs November 21-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, including Thanksgiving Day.
For an industry built on motion, this feels like the right next move—celebrating the voices accelerating automotive culture into its next era.
Stay Updated:
Follow the LA Auto Show on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or visit laautoshow.com and automobilityla.com for the latest news and updates.
Submit Your Work:
Visit awards.racer.com to enter the RACER Creator Awards.
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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