AFTERSHOCKS
The Republican National Convention’s conclusion gets put into perspective after Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
SHARA CLARK Editor-in-Chief
ABIGAIL MORICI
Managing Editor
JACKSON BAKER, BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN Senior Editors
TOBY SELLS Associate Editor
KAILYNN JOHNSON News Reporter
CHRIS MCCOY Film and TV Editor
ALEX GREENE Music Editor
MICHAEL DONAHUE, JON W. SPARKS Staff Writers
BRYCE W. ASHBY, GENE GARD, EMILY GUENTHER, COCO JUNE, MICHAEL J. LAROSA, FRANK MURTAUGH
Contributing Columnists
SHARON BROWN, AIMEE STIEGEMEYER Grizzlies Reporters
CARRIE BEASLEY Senior Art Director
CHRISTOPHER MYERS
Advertising Art Director
NEIL WILLIAMS Graphic Designer
KELLI DEWITT, CHIP GOOGE, SHAUNE MCGHEE, PATRICK PACHECO Senior Account Executives
CHET HASTINGS
Warehouse and Delivery Manager
JANICE GRISSOM ELLISON, KAREN MILAM, DON MYNATT, TAMMY NASH, RANDY ROTZ, LEWIS TAYLOR, WILLIAM WIDEMAN Distribution
KENNETH NEILL Founding Publisher
JERRY D. SWIFT Advertising Director Emeritus
THE MEMPHIS FLYER is published weekly by Contemporary Media, Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 Phone: (901) 521-9000 Fax: (901) 521-0129 memphisflyer.com
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MonoNeon Gets His Quilt On
The bass virtuoso’s new album features Mavis Staples and George Clinton.
PHOTO: LOGAN SCHAAL p15
Corey Mesler’s Two-fer
Prolific author celebrates two newly published works. p22
PHOTO: JON W. SPARKS
Immigrant Stories: Manuel Rivera Martínez From Morelia to Memphis, the Maciel’s proprietor shares his story. p31
PHOTO: BRYCE ASHBY
fly-by
MEM ernet
Memphis on the internet.
TOP COMMENT
e Spectator Index asked X users their opinion on J.D. Vance.
“Looks like he wants to go to Slider Inn but thinks the neighborhood is too violent,” wrote @gorgeousbrains.
RADICAL
On news of a massive glow-up at Memphis International Airport, Facebook user John Leininger proved radically reasonable in the Digital Age.
“ e terminal really does need a faceli for sure,” he said, “but so glad it’s been functional and dependable all these years.” Wow.
TRAINING IN MEMPHIS
Comedian Jackson Maness posted two videos to Instagram showing how to train for both sides of violent crime in Memphis.
“Don’t shoot,” he says, raising a barbell to show his hands like a victim. “Please. I have a family. Here’s my wallet. Take my keys, too.”
Training like a criminal, he uses a stretch band for his trigger nger. He then uses a kettle bell and draws it like a gun and yells, “Stop, bitch!”
Questions, Answers + Attitude
Edited by Toby Sells
{WEEK THAT WAS
By Flyer staff
The River, Airport, & Satan Club
Mississippi rises, Memphis International Airport begins huge project, and MSCS settles suit.
RIVER LEVELS
A glug of ood water elevated Mississippi River levels in Memphis last week.
Mayors with the Mississippi River Towns and Cities Initiative (MRCTI) explained how seasonal ooding and rains from Hurricane Beryl a ected their areas. Some cities experienced near-record ooding. But the waters also ended a 60-month drought in the region.
River levels at Memphis began to rise early this month, according to government data. e river stage was at nearly 17 feet early last week (well below the ood stage of 34 feet). e river was expected to crest at 18 feet before falling again.
PHOTO: (ABOVE) BIG RIVER PARK; (BELOW) MEMPHIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Seasonal ooding and rains from Hurricane Beryl elevate river levels; multi-year airport terminal modernization project is approved.
TRANS SUIT ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES
e Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that residents in Tennessee will not be allowed to change the gender on their birth certi cate. Documents show the court ruled “there is no fundamental right to a birth certi cate recording gender identity instead of biological sex.”
In the case of Gore v. Lee, Je rey S. Sutton, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, stated that, in his opinion, while the state allows changes to birth certi cates for cases such as adoption, sex is a “historical fact unchangeable by an individual’s transition to a di erent gender identity.”
e lawsuit regarding changes to gender markers on birth certi cates in the state was originally dismissed in June 2023. e suit led by Lambda Legal in 2019 was on behalf of four transgender people in the state — Kayla Gore, Jaime Combs, and “two plainti s identi ed by their initials, L.G. and K.N.”
AIRPORT PROJECT APPROVED
e largest capital project in the history of Memphis International Airport (MEM) got o cially underway last week. e Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
(MSCAA) board of commissioners approved the $653 million, multi-year modernization of the main terminal building in its monthly meeting. e dollar gure is an early estimate and will likely increase, airport o cials said. e funds will come from airport revenue bonds, grants from the state and federal government, passenger facility charges, and other airport funds. No Memphis or Shelby County tax dollars will fund the project.
MATA BUDGET RAISES CONCERN
As the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) works to x problems in their budget, bus riders are afraid that potential solutions for the agency will negatively impact service for citizens.
According to Johnnie Mosley, founding chairman of Citizens for Better Service, his organization along with the Memphis Bus Riders Union received word that MATA administration met with bus drivers about the possibility of layo s and service cuts.
MSCS SETTLES WITH SATAN CLUB
Memphis Shelby County Schools will pay more than $15,000 to settle a suit with e Satanic Temple over what the group calls “serious First Amendment violations” and discriminator practices.
e Temple said it was charged extra fees to hold meetings at Chimneyrock Elementary School. Another group, the Christian Good News Club, was not. e extra fees were the crux of the suit.
e board will pay the legal fees, $1 for nominal damages, and agreed not to discriminate against the organization.
Visit the News Blog at memphis yer.com for fuller versions of these stories and more local news.
By Kailynn Johnson
Drag Ban Back
A federal court decision leaves the city’s LGBTQ community “dangerously in limbo.”
PHOTO: KEVIN REED e lawsuit started in Memphis. { LGBTQ
Alawsuit that halted Tennessee’s restriction on drag shows and related entertainment has been dismissed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Friends of George’s, Inc. v. Mulroy which was led in 2023 challenged Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act, claiming violations of the group’s First Amendment rights. e LGBTQ theater company at the Evergreen eatre referred to the act as the “reckless anti-drag law.” e law was temporarily blocked shortly a er, as it was set to go into e ect on April 1st that year.
U.S. District Judge omas Parker initially granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against District Attorney Steve Mulroy, the state of Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee, and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.
e district courts originally ruled Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act unconstitutional; however, the Sixth Circuit Court reversed the ruling and dismissed the case, saying that Friends of George’s did not prove how they would be harmed by the enforcement of this act.
Adult cabaret performances, as described by the law, are those that feature “topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, and male or female impersonators.” It also stated that these performances were “harmful to minors.” e law made “adult cabaret performances” on public property or “in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult” a criminal o ense.
e Tennessee General Assembly de ned “harmful to minors” as “that quality of any description or representation, in
whatever form, of nudity, sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sadomasochistic abuse when the matter or performance would be found by the average person applying contemporary community standards to appeal predominantly to the prurient, shameful or morbid interests of minors.”
Friends of George’s allies took to their social media accounts following the ruling, saying they were devastated by the court’s decision, and they are consulting with their attorney for “next steps” as they prepare for their next production on August 2nd.
“Instead of addressing the constitutionality of Tennessee’s drag ban, today’s ruling has le us and thousands of others in the LGBTQ+ community dangerously in limbo, with no clear answers as to how this ban will be enforced and by whom,” they said. “ e only thing that is clear about this law is that it’s rmly rooted in hate and de es the will of the majority of Tennesseans.”
In a statement, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti applauded the court’s decision to throw the suit out, and wrote that the court “focused on what the law actually says,” and that the Adult Entertainment Act has been “consistently misinterpreted.”
“As a state over owing with worldclass artists and musicians, Tennessee respects the right to free expression,” Skrmetti wrote. “But as the Court noted, Tennessee’s ‘harmful to minors’ standard is constitutionally sound and Tennessee can absolutely prohibit the exhibition of obscene material to children.”
Where to Retire?
Six important considerations when deciding.
One of the greatest freedoms of retirement is the ability to live wherever you want. But your choice can have a big impact on your lifestyle and budget, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here are six considerations as you decide on a locale.
1. Cost of living
The amount you pay for daily living expenses can vary between different cities and states. By choosing a location with a more affordable cost of living, you may be able to do more in retirement, such as travel, pursue hobbies, and purchase a nicer home. Be sure to consider expenses beyond just housing, utilities, and transportation. You’ll also want to consider food and groceries, entertainment, and recreational activities.
2. Healthcare availability
During early retirement years, you may not need to worry much about healthcare. However, as you age, it may become more likely that you need access to quality healthcare and, potentially, long-term care. Consider the quality and availability of healthcare and evaluate the availability of good doctors, hospitals, senior living facilities, and long-term care facilities.
3. Taxes
The amount you pay in taxes can have a big impact on the lifestyle you’re able to afford, which is why it’s important to consider how much of your retirement income may go toward paying Uncle Sam. Evaluate the impact of the following taxes as you consider your retirement location:
• State income taxes: Different states impose different tax rates on retirement income.
• State tax on Social Security benefits: There are nine states that tax Social Security benefits (Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont). Regardless of where you live, up to 85 percent of your Social Security income may be subject to federal income tax.
• Taxes on retirement plan distributions: Assets held in tax-deferred accounts, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, are subject to federal ordinary income taxes when withdrawn in retirement. However, some states don’t tax these distributions, which can help lower your tax exposure.
• Pension income: Some states differentiate between public and private pensions and may tax only public pensions. Other states tax both, and some states tax
neither. Again, the amount of state tax you pay on this retirement income source can have a big impact on your lifestyle.
• Capital gains: Long-term capital gains are subject to more-favorable federal tax rates than ordinary income. However, many states don’t differentiate between earned income and capital gains, which means, depending on where you live, you may face significant tax liabilities on your investment income.
• Estate taxes: In 2024, the federal government allows individuals to pass on up to $13.61 million without any federal estate tax ($27.22 million for married couples filing jointly). However, depending on where you live, your estate may be subject to state taxes.
• Property taxes: Property tax rates vary significantly from state to state, and even between counties. Depending on which state you live in, you may be eligible for a property tax exemption (which can add up to big savings over time).
4. Leisure activities
How do you envision spending your free time once you retire? If you’re an avid golfer, it’s probably important to live in a location with ample golf courses and a moderate climate. If you hope to hit the slopes on a regular basis, mountains and snow are likely essential. While finding an affordable location is important, it’s just as vital that it meets your lifestyle needs.
5. Climate
If you’ve ever felt the impact of seasonal affective disorder, you know how big an impact a location’s climate can have on your mental health. Once you’re retired, you may have fewer responsibilities to occupy your time, which can give you more freedom to enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to choose a location with a climate you enjoy.
6. Family and friends
Some retirees choose to move closer to their kids and grandkids, while others prefer the social aspects of an active adult community. Choosing a location with an adequate amount of social interaction can help you avoid loneliness and isolation in your retirement years.
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. For more information or to request a free, no-obligation consultation, visit CreativePlanning.com.
Time to renovate or relocate? Contact us today or apply online for mortgages, home equity loans, and home equity lines of credit.
POLITICS By Jackson Baker
August 1st Races of Note
Several incumbents are under challenge.
e historic congressional district of Memphis, currently and for many years designated as Tennessee’s 9th, has generally been one of long incumbencies.
e seat’s current inhabitant Steve Cohen, a Democrat and a longtime member of the state Senate, won it in 2006, a er Harold Ford Jr., who had succeeded his father in the seat, had let go of it to seek an open U.S. Senate seat.
e two Fords, both Democrats, had served the 9th for a total of 32 years, beginning in 1974 when Ford Sr. pried it loose in what was then regarded as an upset, from Dan Kuykendall, the only Republican ever to hold the seat, at least in modern times.
chest, Strong has done the best he can, chiding Cohen for his o en antic behavior and claiming the incumbent has not helped to keep the city’s infrastructure current (despite an impressive record of securing grants and Cohen’s recent announcement of $400 million for a new I-55 bridge).
• Other races of note on the August 1st ballot:
• A free-for-all in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, with Knoxville state Rep. Gloria Johnson (she of the “Tennessee ree”) vying with Memphian Marquita Bradshaw and others for the right to take on Republican incumbent Marsha Blackburn in November
• Another brisk competition in the Democratic 8th District congressional primary, with Sarah Freeman, Leonard Perkins, Lawrence A. Pivnick, Lynnette P. Williams, and Brenda Woods,
NO PAYWALL
Kuykendall had won the seat in 1966, defeating liberal Democrat George Grider, who in 1964 had won a Democratic primary race against Cli Davis, a longtime member of the old Crump political machine who had held the Memphis seat for a full quarter century.
From an historical perspective, the relatively brief Grider/Kuykendall period, during which Republicans had, both locally and statewide, enjoyed a resurgence, was the only real time of rapid ux in the district’s — which is to say, the city’s — voting habits.
Before then, Memphis and the 9th had voted the traditional Southern Democratic party line. And, a er that, with the Fords’ advent, that line bore the imprimatur of the growing political dominance of African Americans.
Cohen, white and Jewish, won the seat in 2006, taking advantage of a split among a dozen-odd Black primary opponents, and he has held it ever since — successfully taking on a series of name Black primary opponents and defeating them all, one-on-one, usually with ease.
He would seem clearly on that record to have represented his majority-Black district faithfully.
Cohen’s main current primary challenger is no slouch. Lawyer Corey Strong is a former Democratic Party chair with a background in education and military a airs (U.S. Naval Academy, two tours of Afghanistan).
Faced with Cohen’s enduring popularity and his million-dollar war
PHOTO: JACKSON BAKER District 30 state Senator Sara Kyle
PHOTO: JACKSON BAKER Senate candidate Gloria Johnson
competing for a November shot against GOP incumbent David Kusto
• A Democratic primary challenge to District 30 state Senator Sara Kyle from Erika Stotts Pearson
• A primary challenge to District 84 Democratic state Rep. Joe Towns from Vernell Williams
• A primary challenge to District 86 state Rep. Justin J. Pearson (he of the “Tennessee ree”) by David Page
• A Democratic primary challenge to District 93 state Rep. G.A. Hardaway from Lashanta Rudd
• A hot race in the Democratic primary for the open District 96 state House seat involving contestants Eric Dunn, Telisa Franklin, Gabby Salinas, Orrden Williams, and David Winston
• A Republican Party challenge to District 97 state Rep. John Gillespie from Christina Oppenhuizen
• A general election race for General Sessions Court clerk between Democrat Tami Sawyer and Republican Lisa Arnold
• Along with other o ces to be decided this year, ve of the nine seats on the Memphis-Shelby County School Board are on the August ballot. Candidates are:
• District 2: Ernest Gillespie III, Althea Greene (incumbent), and Natalie McKinney
• District 3: Jesse Je , Stephanie Love (incumbent), Ozell Pace Jr., and Angela Rogers
• District 4: James Q. Bacchus, Alvin Crook, Eric Harris, Tamarques Porter, and Anecia Washington
• District 5: Mauricio Calvo (incumbent), Audrey Elion, and Sable Otey
• District 7: Chavez G. Donelson, Danielle Huggins, Frank William Johnson (incumbent), Towanna C. Murphy, and Jason Sharif
• Saturday of this week will see the end of early voting for the August 1st Shelby County general election and the state and federal primary elections.
As a reminder, Monday through Friday, early voting locations are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the exception of the Shelby County Election Commission site which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend times for all sites are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 27th.
Early voting sites (in Memphis except where otherwise indicated) are:
• Abundant Grace Fellowship Church, 1574 E. Shelby Drive
• Anointed Temple of Praise, 3939 Riverdale Road
• Arlington Safe Room, 11842 Otto Lane, Arlington
• Baker Community Center, 7942 Church Road, Millington
• Briarwood Community Church, 1900 N. Germantown Parkway
• Collierville Church of Christ, 575 Shelton Drive, Collierville
• Compassion Church, 3505 S. Houston Levee Road
• Dave Wells Community Center, 915 Chelsea Avenue
• Ed Rice Community Center, 2935 N. Watkins Street
• Gaisman Community Center, 4223 Macon Road
• Glenview Community Center, 1141 S. Barksdale Street
• Greater Lewis St. Baptist Church, 152 E. Parkway N.
• Greater Middle Baptist Church, 4982 Knight Arnold Road
• Harmony Church, 6740 St. Elmo Road, Bartlett
• I.H. Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road, Lakeland
• Mississippi Boulevard Church Family Life Center, 70 N. Bellevue Boulevard
• Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 1234 Pisgah Road
• Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 60 S. Parkway E.
• New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 7786 Poplar Pike, Germantown
• Raleigh United Methodist Church, 3295 Powers Road
• Riverside Missionary Baptist Church, 3560 S. ird Street
• Second Baptist Church, 4680 Walnut Grove Road
• Shelby County Election Commission, James Meredith Building, 157 Poplar Avenue
• Solomon Temple MB Church, 1460 Winchester Road
• TN Shakespeare Company, 7950 Trinity Road, Cordova
• White Station Church of Christ, 1106 Colonial Road
PHOTO: JACKSON BAKER Shelby County Republican chairman with General Sessions clerk candidate Lisa Arnold
AFTERSHOCKS OF THE RNC
The Republican National Convention’s conclusion gets put into perspective after Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Chris Davis
Editor’s note: Our political columnist Jackson Baker and former Flyer writer Chris Davis traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last week for the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 15th, to ursday, July 18th. For this story, Baker and Davis re ect on their experiences, giving light to the ever-changing political landscape.
No sooner had we begun to digest the facts and fallout from the Republicans’ just-concluded convention in Milwaukee than the prolonged drama in Democratic ranks regarding the status of the ailing and beleaguered President Joe Biden abruptly resolved itself with Biden’s withdrawal from the election on Sunday.
However much that action had been anticipated, it still cast a shade on the events in Milwaukee, and attention, for better and for worse, will continue to gather and focus on the coming Democratic convention in Chicago
(RIGHT) UNITED STATES CONGRESS, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS J.D. Vance was announced as
in August. e immediate consensus among participants and observers alike was that there will be no open convention in Chicago — rather, a closing of ranks and a conferring of the nomination on Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris.
It is even possible that the Democrats could nominate a second woman — someone like the much-respected governor of battle-state Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer — to ll out their ticket as Harris’ running mate.
Whatever the case, various expectations have been turned on their head, and the over-the-top machismo of the Republicans’ convention, culminating with the nalnight showcase appearances of Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock, may look, in retrospect, like a mis re.
All the more reason to look back on the Milwaukee convention, which had been studiously stage-managed to present the aura of inevitable triumph.
Against the memory of a doddering and fragile Joe Biden in the June 27th televised debate with former
COVER STORY By Jackson Baker and
PHOTO: (ABOVE) CHRIS DAVIS Donald Trump sported an oversized bandage on his right ear, a reminder of his surviving an assassination attempt just the week before.
PHOTO:
Trump’s running mate on day one.
PHOTO: ILIYA MITSKAVETS
President Donald Trump, the Republicans could present the image of Trump as a heromartyr, who, on the weekend before their convention, had risen a er being felled by a would-be assassin’s bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania, to proclaim, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
e donning of a conspicuously oversized bandage on Trump’s nicked right ear during the candidate’s public appearances in Milwaukee emphasized the degree to which the Republicans, understandably, expected to reap large symbolic dividends from the event.
On the opening night of their convention, last Tuesday, as on evenings to come, the Republicans, perhaps forgivably, would exploit Trump’s near-miraculous survival as a quasi-resurrection that reinforced what was already, here and there in his followers’ ranks, a nearmessianic sense of the candidate.
And, though there was boilerplate aplenty served from the dais — regarding in ation, Biden’s presumed insu ciency, and other alleged shortcomings on the Democrats’ part — there were also overtures to voters presumed to be in the Democrats’ sphere of in uence.
ere was, for example, Teamsters president Sean O’Brien, who delivered a paean to the working class and denounced, in vivid detail, “greedy employers” and the evils of unbridled capitalism. It may have escaped most people’s attention that O’Brien did not explicitly endorse Trump; he merely expressed gratitude for being invited by Trump to address the convention. In a sense, he was more troll than Trumpian, but his participation in the GOP’s opening-night ritual was, ipso facto, an opening-out and an appeal to workingclass voters.
e question rose uneasily to the minds of Democrats: Was it possible that a forthcoming realignment might occur as a bene t to Republicans, not themselves, the time-honored “party of the people”? And this concern could only have been deepened a er remarks from the dais by one Amber Rose, a “model and TV celebrity,” as she was billed, and an ex-squeeze of Kanye West, no less, who professed herself a former “le ist” who could simultaneously praise Donald J. Trump and proclaim that Trump and his supporters “don’t care about Black or white or gay or straight. It’s all love.”
ere were intermittent calls for national “unity” from the Republican stage, although, as these would be elaborated by Trump himself, notably in
his later acceptance address on ursday night, there were actually calls for the Democrats to surrender active resistance and to back away even from their forlorn hopes of salvation through acts of jurisprudence against Trump, most of those already all but scuttled by the Supreme Court.
Nor was there any mercy shown to President Joe Biden, who was subjected to patronizing remarks and Weekend at Bernie’s comparisons, alternating with chants of “Joe must go!” and claims that “He can’t even walk up steps and put on his own coat.”
The over-the-top machismo of the Republicans’ convention may look, in retrospect, like a misfire.
Not that there weren’t signs of disunity among the Republicans themselves. e new party line on foreign a airs — articulated by both Trump and his hand-picked vicepresidential candidate J.D. Vance — was to jettison the nation’s present commitment to shore up Ukrainian resistance against Vladimir Putin’s invading Russian armies. But some of the speechmaking — notably from an old warhorse, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and from Trump’s own erstwhile Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — was still insisting on regarding Putin as an arch-villain and the Ukrainians as victims.
Trump was credited simultaneously with being the only hope of restraining Putin and the architect of peaceful coexistence with him!
e Sunday following the RNC, Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy.
Such contradictions may now be highlighted as the Republicans refocus to train their re on Joe Biden’s putative successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is something of an unknown quantity to them — as she is, indeed, to most Americans.
She may become the target of Republican reproaches owing to her lackluster early e orts as Biden’s vicar for border issues, but her prominence as a spokesperson for women’s reproductive freedom will more than o set that perceived weakness and reactivate the militant reaction against the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision.
Milwaukee was chosen as the site of this year’s Republican convention for the same reason that Democrats had wanted to convene there in 2020 before Covid-19 had nulli ed their gathering then. e city, a de facto distant suburb of Chicago, is a haven for the struggling middle class and is a key to the votes of Wisconsin, a rust-belt state that both parties consider a must-win in November.
Like Memphis, it is a bit ahead of itself, a place for logistical anomalies — like the hotel which housed the Tennessee delegation, containing a splendid water park but no gift shop. Forget your toothpaste and you’re looking at an Uber ride to make up the difference. But meanwhile you can dream.
For the space of a week, Republicans indulged in a dream of political supremacy over a disabled opposition. We — and they — are about to see whether that was fantasy or reality, as the Democrats, under new management, prepare to meet in Chicago next month.
— Jackson Baker
On day three of the RNC Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee’s 3rd District representative, caught a tingle. “ ere is a certain sense of vibrancy in this convention that I haven’t seen since I was a young man in 1980 for Ronald Reagan,” he said to applause from the Tennessee delegation, who gathered for a breakfast meeting at e Ingleside Hotel and Water Park, a good half-hour bus ride from the main event at Downtown Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum. at’s one way of describing the weird feeling in Milwaukee, where a general avoidance of Downtown by locals made the high-energy convention seem like it was happening in a ghost town patrolled by squads of imported bicycle cops with little to do but ride around in big loopy circles. TV ratings were disappointing. e convention’s opening night was strong enough that pundits were talking about the possibilities of a new political realignment. In spite of featuring the party’s most diverse lineup ever, viewership was down 25 percent compared to a high-water mark in 2016. Even with 25 million people tuning in for Trump’s speech on the nal night, the overall numbers fell just short of 2020’s Covid-impaired convention. Protests in Milwaukee were modest and almost nonexistent a er the convention’s rst day. A smattering of charismatic street preachers remained, leaping and shouting their ery messages about God and Trump, while a few dedicated liberal activists walked lonely beats with their handmade signs resting on slumped shoulders. Overall, the energy was pretty low for this sort of event, but inside the Fiserv Forum, a hardworking ve-piece cover band called Sixwire kept things humming along with hits by Steely Dan, Loverboy, e Rascals, and REO Speedwagon while delegates on the oor and guests throughout the forum danced and prayed and waved their cowboy hats from side to side for the cameras and all America to see.
“We are the party of opportunity,” Fleischmann continued, back at the Ingleside, where there was no band and production values were less glamorous. “Race doesn’t matter. Gender doesn’t matter,” he said, naming two things that seemed to matter very much inside the Fiserv Forum, where delegates and guests can buy “Black Americans for
continued on page 12
PHOTO: TENNESSEEWITNEY | DREAMSTIME.COM
Trump” stickers, and “Latino Americans for Trump” stickers, and “Women for Trump” stickers; and where, judging by reoccurring themes and enthusiastic crowd response, few things are worse than DEI, and nothing is more important than a willingness (the Republicans would say “ability”) to de ne what a man or woman is in the most simplistic terms.
Race has certainly mattered in Milwaukee, the swing-state city where the RNC chose to stage its big event. e city’s joint designations as the most segregated city in America and also one of the poorest, can both be linked to a legacy of redlining, and other race-based restrictions. But here I go missing the point.
It’s di cult to talk about what happened at the RNC, especially on the night of former President Donald Trump’s incredibly long and occasionally weird acceptance address, without falling into the fatal snare of fact checking. Trump, who boldly led the world into the post-truth era we
currently occupy, made so many untrue statements he overwhelmed cable news resources who struggled to keep up an admirable exercise in futility. In a posttruth environment, facts will always matter less than feels, and right now the Right’s right to terrify immigrants with threats of mass deportation, and rattle the vulnerable, electorally insigni cant trans community by insisting they don’t exist, makes our current GOP feel good
enough about themselves to ignore that, even according to the very libertarian Cato Institute, Trump’s tax cuts skewed toward the rich and did none of the great things they were supposed to do.
No single idea presented onstage
received more consistent applause than God, and outside of Trump, no single person received a bigger ovation than former Trump sta er and Project 2025 contributor, Peter Navarro, fresh from prison where he’d been cooling his heels following a contempt of Congress charge for refusing to provide documents and testimony relating to the January 6th insurrection.
Tucker Carlson, the exdarling of Fox News, might have gotten even more applause than Navarro had he not successfully petitioned the crowd to stop.
“God is among us,” Carlson concluded, following a gushing endorsement of the man he once claimed to hate “passionately.”
ere are many layers to the RNC onion beyond what’s broadcast to the world. e friendly state delegation breakfast meetings are more intimate, and are o en a place for more frank and practical conversations about what’s ahead. Mark Green, the embattled representative from Tennessee’s 7th District, wanted to make sure delegates understood what they were watching when the Supreme
PHOTO: CHRIS DAVIS RNC guests could buy all sorts of merch.
In a post-truth environment, facts will always matter less than feels.
Court overturned the Chevron deference doctrine. He describes the decision as a victory over bureaucracy.
For 40 years, Chevron deference gave government agencies broad latitude to interpret ambiguous legal statutes and its dissolution puts a ra of public safeguards and environmental protections at risk. Green rejoiced in the decision to kill Chevron deference, and announced his plans to start rolling back regulations as quickly as possible
“ e day of the hearing I dropped the ‘Save Us From the Chevron Deference Act’ [or the Sunset Chevron Act],” Green boasted. “It will repeal, in a rolling 30-day fashion, every single regulation passed under the Chevron doctrine.”
Inside the Fiserv Forum, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan ripped his shirt o and forcefully announced the arrival of “Trumpamania!” Back at the Ingleside Hotel, things were rarely so over the top, although 2nd District Representative Tim Burchett did say he believed America came one centimeter away “from full-blown Civil War,” when a lone gunman’s bullet grazed former President Trump’s ear in Pennsylvania. Inside the Fiserv Forum, Trump’s unfortunate and very nearly tragic brush with American gun violence is described as a holy miracle: proof of God’s divine purpose for the once and future leader of the free world. Back at the Ingleside Hotel, Chad Connelly, founder of the Faith Wins organization,
showed the Tennessee delegation another way God works in politics.
“What if we go to churches in key precincts, get everybody to vote, and teach them to vote biblical values?”
Connelly asked, recalling the questions he asked himself while guring out how to “maximize” the Christian vote.
“I wasn’t going to push Republicans. I wasn’t going to push a candidate. I was going to push Christian values,” Connelly told Tennessee Republicans. By recruiting pastors to register voters and teach them to vote “biblical values,” Connelly says he helped to ip nine U.S. Senate seats in 2014.
“I believe a man named Jesus hung on a tree for me and for you,” Connelly said before announcing that he’s currently recruiting poll watchers to monitor elections in swing states like Nevada, Arizona, and Michigan. It’s not a hard job, he says. You only need to watch for voters over 100, and houses “occupied by more than six people.”
Representative Chuck Fleischmann was right about one thing: e 2024 RNC was a vibe. Almost mellow and with an eye for wholesale political realignment, it platformed unions, and women, and all kinds of Americans we’re not used to seeing at the RNC. With Christian Nationalism coming hard o professional wrestling’s top rope, it was also a camp masterpiece: a populist extravaganza with all the classic rock and J.D. Vance’s Mamaw’s 19 loaded handguns. Sure, the Nielsen ratings were low, but with President Biden exiting the race only weeks before the DNC, a “certain sense of vibrancy” may be all it takes to win the White House. — Chris Davis
PHOTO: PICJOINTER
Baker-Davis team: (top) 2004, RNC, New York; (bottom) 2024, RNC, Houston airport
Supplies for Success Back to School Drive
July 9-31, 2024
Join the City of Memphis' Office of Youth Services for our Supplies for Success Back to School Drive. We are collecting donations for the items that Memphis Shelby County School students will need when they return to class this fall.
Donations can be dropped off at any City of Memphis Community Center during regular business hours.
For a complete list of needed items and drop off locations: Memphistn.gov/supplydrive
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
steppin’ out
We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews
Haint Blues
By Abigail Morici
We, the writers of the Flyer, report the news, and sometimes we make the news. Case in point: Our reporter Toby Sells wrote a book. (Yay, Toby!) It’s called Haint Blues: Strange Tales From the American South (available on Amazon), and it’s about, well, strange tales from the South — UFO abductions, ghosts, Bigfoot, psychic horses, you get the gist. It’s the stu that Sells just doesn’t stop talking about and now he’s written 20 chapters of it for anyone to read.
Toby Sells
“I’ve been into unexplained and folklore stu since I was in third grade,” he says in an o cial interview (not during an o -the-record o ce gossip session, for the record). “I won’t go into the whole story, but a friend of mine showed me the movie e Legend of Boggy Creek when I was at his house for a sleepover in third grade. I think I told you this before [Yes, Toby, you have]. at was my paranormal gateway drug. And I just started consuming every bit of media that I could nd a er that.”
Yes, that meant watching Unsolved Mysteries but that also meant digging into the archives and doing good old-fashioned research that eventually led him to creating the scripted podcast Haint Blues. “ e show got, literally, dozens of listeners,” Sells says (brags?), adding that he recorded his last episode in 2020. “ ose scripts kind of sat on the shelf for a little while, and then I was reading one day about average word length of books, and I was doing the math and thinking about how many scripts I had. ose were about 3,000 words each. And I thought, well, it’s getting pretty close. … I thought maybe that’s a way I could share these stories with people. And so I went back to the scripts and rewrote everything in a more non ction, prose style, but it still sounds really conversational and still sounds folksy. It’s really laid-back and Southern and comfortable.
“You know,” Sells continues, “all these stories, somewhere down the line, if they’re not just completely fabricated, involved real people at one point, and you want to treat that as respectfully as you can, and that’s what I tried to do. But I think what I really wanted to do is put these stories out as a collection of Southern culture. We all know about Southern food and Southern music, and what I hope I’ve done in the book is let everybody know that we have our own folklore traditions, too. … I think that stu is as important to Southern culture as any other thing.”
is Friday, you can meet Sells at An Evening of Ghost Stories with Stephen Guenther, paranormal investigator and owner of Historical Haunts. ey’ll both share paranormal stories and do a Q&A, and Sells will sign books a er. “If you’re ready for an evening of spooky stu , even before Halloween, come on out and join us, grab a beer,” Sells says.
SHITFEST: e Room 4D
Experience
Black Lodge, 405 North Cleveland, Friday, July 26, 6:30 p.m., free
In the world of “so-bad-they’reamazing” movies, one lm has risen to the top of the Hollywood heap to become a legend. A true disasterpiece. at lm is e Room
Join Black Lodge for a special edition of SHITFEST unleashing a fully-immersive, greeting-drenched, multi-screen interactive viewing of Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 mind-melting cinematic odyssey. Spoons will y, footballs will be thrown, TVs will be ceremoniously destructed, audience games will envelop you, and the full-scale ri s and callbacks will be constant. See how bad a movie can get and how much fun it can be to tear it down with others.
Soulin’ on the River . Zsa Davis
Fourth Blu Park, North Front Street, Friday, July 26, 7-10 p.m., free e new concert series Soulin’ on the River kicks o with a performance by Zsa Davis.
Here’s what you need to know: Gates open at 7 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. e whole family is welcome, and so are lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and coolers. Food trucks and a full bar will be available on site.
70th Anniversary of Live Rock ‘n’ Roll Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, 191 Beale, Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m. & 3 p.m., $60
Celebrate the 70th anniversary of when Elvis Presley rst performed at the Overton Park Shell with an Elviscentric tour through Memphis and a live re-creation of that legendary night. Get tickets at backbeattours.com.
Laser Live: Blvck Hippie
Museum of Science & History, 2050 Central, Saturday, July 27, 6-8 p.m., $20 e Memphis Museum of Science & History’s Laser Live features live bands in the AutoZone Sharpe Planetarium, accompanied by a laser light show. is edition of the one-of-a-kind concert series will star Blvck Hippie, who make VHS-inspired music for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. With their rmly DIY attitude, refusal to accept the status quo, and knack for pushing musical boundaries, Blvck Hippie has turned being an outsider into their superpower.
ere will be drinks available to purchase from Crosstown Brewery, and a DJ from WYXR to host and kick o the event with a pre-show set. Purchase tickets at moshmemphis.com.
AN EVENING OF GHOST STORIES, MEMPHIS MADE BREWING CO., 435 MADISON, FRIDAY, JULY 26, 6 P.M.
PHOTO: ANSLEY MURPHY
MUSIC By Alex Greene
MonoNeon Gets His Quilt On
e bass virtuoso’s new album features Mavis Staples and George Clinton.
When I arranged to interview Dywane “MonoNeon” omas Jr., the Blu City’s hardest working bass virtuoso since Duck Dunn, and an auteur in his own right, the plan was to talk about his latest album. “Okay,” I thought, “I’ll give it a listen,” and pulled up the latest release on Bandcamp: MonoNeon on Synthesizer. It’s fantastic! A tour de force of thick Moog sounds, chock-full of inventive harmonies and sonic textures that Tomita himself would envy. ere was only one problem: We weren’t supposed to be talking about that new album; it was the other one, due to drop on July 26th, the one featuring both George Clinton and Mavis Staples. “Okay,” I thought, “that new album.”
It’s hard to keep up with such a proli c artist. Since 2010, he’s created at a furious pace, from his trademark YouTube videos wherein his bass mimics found spoken word clips, to one-o singles (like 2016’s “Ru Enu ,” produced by Prince), to full-on albums — 29 of them, if you count EPs. And if some of those have a real “I built this in my bedroom” quality, the production standards and arrangements have steadily, inexorably evolved over the years.
Which brings us to Quilted Stereo, album number 30. It’s the ultimate expression of MonoNeon’s ongoing evolution and sophistication so far, without sacri cing any of his unpredictability and inventiveness. And several of the tracks have been out there already, including “Quilted,” his single featuring George Clinton.
As none other than IMAKEMADBEATS noted on social media when the track was released in March, “MonoNeon not only just dropped a song with goated funk legend George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, the whole song is MEMPHIS AF. e hook is literally ‘LOOK AT ME MANE.’ C’mon, bruh. Mane really brought George Clinton to US. THAT’S LEGENDARY. AF. People are really out here putting on for Memphis in innovative ways … both the mainstream and the alternative.”
When I caught up with MonoNeon last week, fresh o a European tour, he spoke of his working relationship with Clinton as a very organic, lowkey phenomenon. “I met George two years ago, when I sat in with him at some music festival. And although our relationship is pretty new, I go down to Tallahassee a lot, to hang with him
and his family. It wasn’t forced, it just happened in a casual fashion. He’s a pretty chill person.”
e song itself is a perfectly Clintonesque ode to ying your sartorial freak ag high, even if that means wearing suits made of multicolored quilts. It’s a sentiment that Mr. “Get Dressed” himself can obviously relate to. And yet, as MonoNeon relates, the song, co-written with his longtime producer Davy Nathan and the rapper Wax, was practically an a erthought.
As he explains, the tune is “about my whole aesthetic right now that I’m on, with my quilted clothes. And it came about when I was doing one of my videos, where I’m just acting up, you know, talking about how clean I am. A friend of Davy’s said, ‘ at could be a song!’ His name is Wax; he’s a rapper. And we started writing the lyrics. My idea was to get George to do an intro for it and to feature him on the song.”
Nathan, as it turns out, is a key player in the MonoNeon universe. His home studio in Los Angeles is where MonoNeon does most of his recording these days, but their understanding goes deeper than your typical producer-artist relationship. “I usually always write my own songs,” says MonoNeon, “but when it comes to writing songs with other people, I usually go to him. He’s one of my best friends and a mentor, and I trust him with my vision. He understands me; he understands my little quirkiness. He’s really been helping me, seeing how he works and his way of writing — just being around him has really inspired me.”
Nathan also played a major role in MonoNeon’s collaboration with Mavis Staples on the song “Full Circle.” e title was apt, given the ties between the Staples family and MonoNeon’s own father. “I always wanted to do a song with Mavis, because I grew up listening to her, and she reminded me of my grandma, but also because my dad [Dywane omas Sr.] played bass with her and her father Pops Staples. So I’ve always been so in love with Mavis and her singing.
“Before this album, I told Davy, ‘I want to do a song with Mavis.’ I wasn’t sure if he was going to happen or not, but I told Davy, ‘Man, I’m going to let you have this, and I’m going to let you write a song, and hopefully me and Mavis can sing on it.’ So he sent me the song ‘Full Circle,’ and it was great. ey sent it to Mavis and she loved it. She even told me that she prayed and prayed about it. And so it came to be. When we
met in Chicago to record her vocals, I walked in the room and got butter ies.” e song, with its doo-wop-ish vocal bass ri evoking some gospel funk of the last century, is a stylistic home run, but that’s just one selection from an album as eclectic as any MonoNeon’s made. ere’s the sing-along jam with Clinton, but also the chugging New Wave pop of “Church of Your Heart,” the jungle beat rap of “Segreghetto,” and what may just be the sparkling sizzler of the summer, “Jelly Roll,” full of glossy synth warbles and bass stabs, its video over owing with extras seemingly right
out of the Crystal Palace roller-skating scene of some years ago. Memphis AF. It all has MonoNeon excited to be touring with new material, which he’ll soon be doing across the U.S. next month, culminating in his appearance at the Overton Park Shell on August 30th, followed by more European dates in the fall and winter. “I’m happy to be back home, but I’m ready to go back out,” he says. “I just want to be on stage and just continue evolving and continue to leave my little stamp down here before I get up out of this world. at’s all that matters to me.”
PHOTO: LOGAN SCHAAL MonoNeon
Blind Mississippi Morris
ursday, July 25, 7 p.m.
BLUES CITY CAFE
Brimstone Jones
Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m.
BLUES CITY CAFE
Buddy Albert Nemenz
Monday, July 29, 7 p.m.
SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S
David Ingle
David Ingle’s one-man piano show. Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S
Divercity
Wednesday, July 31, 8 p.m.
B.B. KING’S BLUES CLUB
Earl “The Pearl” Banks
Tuesday, July 30, 7 p.m.
BLUES CITY CAFE
Eric Hughes
ursday, July 25, 7 p.m.
RUM BOOGIE CAFE
FreeWorld
Friday, July 26, 8 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m.
RUM BOOGIE CAFE
FreeWorld
Sunday, July 28, 8 p.m.
BLUES CITY CAFE
Indigo Avenue
Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m.
TIN ROOF
Soul St. Mojo
Wednesday, July 31, 7 p.m.
RUM BOOGIE CAFE
The Rockin’ 88s
Monday, July 29, 7 p.m.
BLUES CITY CAFE
Vince Johnson
Monday, July 29, 7 p.m.
RUM BOOGIE CAFE
Alexis Jade
Saturday, July 27, 3 p.m.
CENTRAL BBQ
Chris Lane, Hailey
Whitters
Kix on Beale celebrates 20 years of bringing music to historic Beale Street. is season will bring six free country acts to Beale Street’s Handy Park.
All ages are welcome. Free.
ursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
HANDY PARK
Deanna Dixon and Silas
Reid
Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.
SOUTH MAIN SOUNDS
DJ Rate
Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.
EIGHT & SAND
Ken Houston Duo Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m.
HUEY’S DOWNTOWN
Live at The Tracks:
Sarah Spain
ursday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.
EIGHT & SAND
AFTER DARK: Live Music Schedule July 25 - 31
Soulin’ on the River ft.
Zsa Davis
e Soulin’ on the River concert series is a sampling of the new sound of Memphis soul.
Free. Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.
FOURTH BLUFF PARK
Blvck Hippie
e sad boy indie rock songs of your dreams, with a rmly DIY attitude and a knack for pushing musical boundaries. In the AutoZone Sharpe Planetarium, accompanied by a laser light show. Saturday, July 27, 6 p.m.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY
Elmo and the Shades Elmo and the Shades with the great Eddie Harrison on vocals and keys. Free. Wednesday, July 31, 7 p.m.
NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
John Williams & the A440 Band
ursday, July 25, 8 p.m.
NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
The Deb Jam Band
Featuring Deb Jamison. Free. Tuesday, July 30, 6 p.m.
NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
The Settlers
Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m.
HUEY’S POPLAR
Under the Radar
Friday, July 26, 8 p.m.
NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
Van Duren
e singer/songwriter, a pioneer of indie pop in Memphis, performs solo. ursday, July 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
MORTIMER’S
Aquanet
Saturday, July 27, 9 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Basketcase
Friday, July 26, 6 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Black Market Kidney
Surgeon
With White Corset, Mvdshow. Sunday, July 28, 7 p.m.
GROWLERS
Bluff City Bandits
Friday, July 26, 8 p.m.
RAILGARTEN
Coco & the Hitmen
Saturday, July 27, 9 p.m.
BAR DKDC
David Collins Acoustic
Septet
Tuesday, July 30, 9 p.m.
B-SIDE
Devil Train
Bluegrass, roots, country, Delta, and ski e ursday, July 25, 10 p.m.
PHOTO: ALICE PLATI Eve Essex
Eve Essex
e Crosstown Arts Resident Artist, based in Brooklyn, NY, performs with woodwinds, voice, and electronic arrangements. With General Labor. Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN
ARTS
Gothique Presented by Sanctuary of Shadows
With DJ Midnight, DJ Plastic Citizen. Friday, July 26, 10 p.m.
GROWLERS
Hazmat Kids Tour
[Big Room-Upstairs]. Wednesday, July 31, 8 p.m.
HI TONE
Incompleteness
Theorem
With Could Be Better, Spite House, Livid Noise [Small Room-Downstairs]. Monday, July 29, 8 p.m.
HI TONE
JD Westmoreland Band Monday, July 29, 10 p.m.
B-SIDE
Joe Restivo 4
One of the city’s nest jazz groups. Sunday, July 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
J. Robot
With Screamer, Polyglamorous. $10. Saturday, July 27, 9 p.m.
LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE
Lil Man J ursday, July 25, 7 p.m.
MINGLEWOOD HALL
Lo-Fi in Hi-Fi: Deadly Verses by Gangsta Pat Shangri-La Records presents Lo-Fi in Hi-Fi. With a discussion led by Ezra Wheeler and special guests. Free. ursday, July 25, 6 p.m.
MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB
Memphis Reggae Nights Featuring Sypha and DJ Tanto Dubz. Sunday, July 28, 7:30 p.m.
B-SIDE
My Skin Is Wax
With Cel Shade, Fresh Fruit Radio [Big Room-Upstairs]. Sunday, July 28, 7 p.m.
HI TONE
Nonconnah
With Greyland, No Culture, Whit3corset [Small Room Downstairs]. ursday, July 25, 8 p.m.
HI TONE
Optic Sink
With Disintegration, Neon Glittery. Saturday, July 27, 9 p.m.
B-SIDE
Peso Peso Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.
MINGLEWOOD HALL
Remo Drive
With Blvck Hippie, The Ellie Badge. Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
GROWLERS
Ruvlo
With Worm, Obiscuithead, Kul@tural Damage, and P for Parker. Friday, July 26, 10 p.m.
BLACK LODGE
School of Rock Allstars Saturday, July 27, 5 p.m.
GROWLERS
Silver Broncos Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.
BAR DKDC
Sounds of Memphis:
MadameFraankie
Debut DJ set by MadameFraankie, best known for her work as a guitarist and emerging producer. ursday, July 25, 6 p.m.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
Hunter Peebles and The Moonlighters
With Kitty Dearing & e Dagnabbits. Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m.
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY
Live In Studio A with Lucky 7 Brass Band
Join the Stax Museum for their Live In Studio A Summer Series Finale with Lucky 7 Brass Band! Tuesday, July 30, 2-4 p.m.
STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC
Mark Edgar Stuart Never Far Behind album release show. Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m.
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY
Shake the Monday Blues with Yella P Your Monday reset has arrived. $10/general admission. Monday, July 29, 6-8 p.m.
SMOOTH LIVING RESTAURANT
Silas Reed and Deanna Dixon
Speaker Girl
With Erin Ackerman, Masta Mack. Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE
Swingtime Explosion Big Band
Monday, July 29, 6 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
The Broken Hearts (Tom Petty Tribute)
Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m.
MINGLEWOOD HALL
The Kynnlynn Band
Sunday, July 28, 7 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Twin Soul Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Uncle Kracker
Weaving infectious melodies with clever lyricism, Uncle Kracker’s new album is set to release early next year. 21+.
$40.55. Wednesday, July 31, 7 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Vibes - Sonidero Gotico
With Mala Leche, Kid Mestizo, La Femme Radical. 18+.
Saturday, July 27, 10 p.m.
GROWLERS
Vinyl Happy Hour
With Guest DJs every Friday. Friday, July 26, 3-5 p.m.
MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB
Charlotte Taylor
Wednesday, July 31, 7 p.m.
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY
Chevelle
Chevelle with special guest Tigercub at Graceland Live. $45/general admission. Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE
ursday, July 25, 8 p.m.
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY
Twin Soul Duo
Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
HUEY’S SOUTHAVEN
Java Trio
Sunday, July 28, 8 p.m.
HUEY’S CORDOVA
Josh Threlkeld presents Circuit Music Seen
Happy Hour in e Grove: Talent Showcase. Friday, July 26, 5 p.m.
THE GROVE AT GPAC
Memphis Blues Society Weekly Jam
Hosted by Jackie Flora & Friends. ursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
ROCKHOUSE LIVE
Richard Wilson Soulful Jazz and Bossanova
Smooth and soulful. ursday, July 25, noon-2 p.m. | Friday, July 26, noon-2 p.m. | Sunday, July 28, noon-2 p.m.
JACKIE MAE’S PLACE
Singer Songwriter
Sundays
Enjoy some of the area’s best local musicians. Sunday, July 28, 4-6 p.m.
MEDDLESOME BREWING COMPANY
Tequila Mockingbird
Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
HUEY’S MILLINGTON
The Bugaloos
Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
HUEY’S COLLIERVILLE
The Chaulkies
Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
HUEY’S GERMANTOWN
B-SIDE
Edwin McCain
ursday, July 25, 7 p.m.
Live & Local Music
Live and local music, every Wednesday night on the all-weather patio. Wednesday, July 31, 7-10 p.m.
MOMMA’S
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Etta Havoc
With Dorèe, Edarius Dewayne. Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.
LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE
Marcella Simien Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m.
RAILGARTEN
Max & the Magics Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m.
HUEY’S MIDTOWN
Spaceman’s Dead Friends Celebrate Jerry Join Spaceman, Julia, Michael New, John Kilgore, and Mark Jordan for a wang-dang doodle. Sunday, July 28, 2-5 p.m.
CROSSTOWN BREWING COMPANY
Five O’Clock Shadow
Sunday, July 28, 6 p.m.
HUEY’S SOUTHWIND
Gretsch and The Modern Eldorados Friday, July 26, 8 p.m.
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY
Wendell Wells & The Big Americans Honky-tonk, cow jazz, barn burnin blues. Saturday, July 27, 6 p.m.
MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT CORDOVA
CALENDAR of EVENTS: July 25 - 31
ART AND SPECIAL EXHIBITS
2023 Wilson Fellowship Artists
e Dixon’s partnership with the town of Wilson, Arkansas, awarded residencies to artists Danny Broadway, Claire Hardy, ad Lee, and John Ruskey. rough Sept. 29.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
“Bracelets, Bangles, and Cuffs: 1948-2024”
A remarkable collection of contemporary bracelets. rough Nov. 17.
METAL MUSEUM
“Branching Out”
Discover intricate connections between students, teachers, and casting communities, which branch out much like a family tree. rough Sept. 8.
METAL MUSEUM
“Health in Enamel” emes of health, healing, and spirituality crystallize in this survey of current enamel holdings in the Metal Museum’s permanent collection. rough Sept. 29.
METAL MUSEUM
“Incognito” Art Auction
Over 100 Mid-South artists created a collection of original, unsigned works … incognito! e artwork will be on view in-person in the MBG’s Visitors Center and Grand Hallway. rough July 28.
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
“It’s a Fine Line” New works by Stephanie Howard (Greenville, SC) and Khara Woods (Memphis, TN). rough Aug. 9.
SHEET CAKE
“Mission: Astronaut”
Get a taste of life as an astronaut, using skills like engineering, physics, teamwork, and fun. rough Sept. 2.
MEMPHIS MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY
“On Paper!”
An interactive exhibition celebrating the versatility and beauty of paper as a material initiating creativity and innovation. rough Sept. 29.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
“People Are People” is exhibition honors famed American designer Christian Siriano’s electrifying contributions to fashion. rough Aug. 4.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
“Southern/Modern: 1913 - 1955”
“Southern/Modern” seeks to encourage new admiration for the region’s rich cultural heritage through paintings, drawings, and prints. Free. rough Sept. 29.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
Summer Art Garden:
“Creatures of Paradise” Memphis-based duo Banana Plastik present an environment lled with vibrant and whimsical beings. rough Oct. 26.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
“Summer Soirée en Violette”: New Works by Chère Labbé Doiron
Featuring Chère Labbé Doiron’s wonderfully unique landscapes using vivid colors and diverse materials. Weekdays only. rough Aug. 15. ANF ARCHITECTS
Tennessee Craft
Southwest Fine Craft
Showcase is exhibition of 88 pieces by 25 artists encompasses a wide range of media including weaving, wood turning, clay, glass work, jewelry, quilting, painting, sculptures, and much more. Free. rough July 26.
WKNO DIGITAL MEDIA CENTER
Works by John Roberts
Shaped by his family history, John Roberts paints to express the extraordinary within everyday environments. rough Aug. 22.
DAVID LUSK GALLERY
ART HAPPENINGS
Munch and Learn: Art Preserving Legacy with Eric Echols
Artist and photographer Eric Echols will deliver a lecture on creating visual stories that weave elements of the past with hope for the future. Wednesday, July 31, noon-1 p.m. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
BOOK EVENTS
Amanda Bellows: The Explorers
A new history of America told through the stories of a diverse cast of ten extraordinary—and o en overlooked — adventurers, from Sacagawea to Matthew Henson to Sally Ride. Monday, July 29, 6 p.m. NOVEL
Carnegie Writers’ Professional Reading Event
Featuring group members, supporters, and community members reading from a variety of literary genres. Saturday, July 27, 3-5 p.m. NOVEL
July Book Club: Where I Come From: Stories from the Deep South
Discussing a collection of columns from Southern Living and Garden & Gun written by Pullitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg. Wednesday, July 31, 1 p.m.
MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY
Send the date, time, place, cost, info, phone number, a brief description, and photos — two weeks in advance — to calendar@memphisflyer.com.
DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS WILL APPEAR IN THE FLYER’S ONLINE CALENDAR ONLY. FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVENT LISTINGS, SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT EVENTS.MEMPHISFLYER.COM/CAL.
CLASS / WORKSHOP
Collecting Folklife in Your Own Backyard
Cultural anthropologist Tony Kail shares his experiences collecting folk life in the MidSouth. Participants can create their own story journal. 16+.
ursday, July 25, 1:30 p.m.
MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY
Figure Drawing (Long Pose)
Learn about gure drawing at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. $10/member, $15/ general admission. Sunday, July 28, 2-4 p.m.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
Figure Drawing (Nude Model)
Learn about gure drawing at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. $10/member, $15/ general admission. ursday, July 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
Floral Oil Painting Workshop with Glynnis
King
Join Arrow for a beautiful evening and connect with this season’s orals. $45. Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 p.m.
ARROW CREATIVE
Life Drawing Workshop
Spend a Saturday a ernoon with fellow creatives at O the Walls Arts’ life drawing workshop. Saturday, July 27, 3-5 p.m.
OFF THE WALLS ARTS
Money Jar Creation Class
Money jars are a creative, easy way to aid your money and prosperity manifestation. $10. Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.
THE BROOM CLOSET
Staghorn Fern Mounting Workshop
Master Gardener and Urban Earth plant tech Erin Millson guides you through what you need to know to get your staghorn fern to thrive. Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.
URBAN EARTH GARDENS, NURSERY & MARKET
Summer Watercolor Workshop with Drew Blake
Spend an a ernoon creating beautiful summer-themed art. $45. Saturday, July 27, 1-4 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE
COMEDY
Benji Brown
Brown is currently an on-air personality for the syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show
$22-$68. Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m. | Friday, July 26, 10 p.m.
| Saturday, July 27, 7:30 p.m.
| Saturday, July 27, 10 p.m. | Sunday, July 28, 8 p.m.
CHUCKLES COMEDY HOUSE
Comedy Open Mic
Hosted by John Miller. $10. Tuesday, July 30, 8 p.m. HI TONE
Kyle Kordsmeier
Former Memphis comic Kyle Kordsmeier returns to headline High Cotton Brewing to prep for his debut album recording. $10/discount online tickets. Saturday, July 27, 8-9:30 p.m.
HIGH COTTON BREWING CO.
Whet Thursdays:
Furever Friends
Meet the pups at Team Memphis Rescue and Support, a nonpro t all-breed rescue group that places lost, abandoned and neglected pets with forever homes. With live jazz and great eats and drinks. ursday, July 25, 5-8 p.m.
METAL MUSEUM
DANCE
Line Dancing with Q Unique line dancing with the one and only Q. A night lled with great music and delicious drinks. Tuesday, July 30, 6 p.m.
DRU’S PLACE
EXPO/SALES
Memphis Oddity & Curiousity Market
Find the oddest of oddities and the most curious of curiosities. Saturday, July 27, 5-10 p.m.
HI TONE
Southern Flea Market
Admission is $2 per person at the door. Saturday, July 27-July 28.
LANDERS CENTER
PHOTO: COURTESY DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
Eric Echols will give a Munch and Learn talk at the Dixon on Wednesday.
Saturday Night Showcase is underground comedy show, hosted by Tylon Monger, cracks smiles, shakes heads, and causes uproarious laughter. $15. Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m.
MEMPHIS CLOVER CLUB
Steve Hofstetter
Hilarious comedy from a legend. 18 +. Monday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.
MINGLEWOOD HALL
COMMUNITY
Educator’s Appreciation Month
Current educators receive free daily admission to the Memphis Botanic Garden during the month of July. rough July 31.
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
Together We Can! 4th
Annual Benefit Concert
Join Evergreen Presbyterian Church for a night of music, dancing, and fun. Saturday, July 27, 6 p.m.
EVERGREEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FAMILY
Family Workshop:
Botanical Bath Salts
Make your own custom bath salt blend. $70/one adult and one child. Friday, July 26, noon-1:30 p.m.
MIDTOWN BRAMBLE AND BLOOM
Family Yoga at the Garden
A fun way for parents to bond with their kids. Bring a mat and water. Free with MBG admission. Monday, July 29, 10-11 a.m.
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
Kaleidoscope Club (ages 5-9)
Each week, participants will enjoy an art or horticulture project that sparks creativity and critical thinking. Wednesday, July 31, 4 p.m.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
Kids’ Bath Bomb Workshops
Looking for a way to beat the heat? Visit Boshi Botanicals for a special kids’ bath bomb workshop. $30/workshop seat, $25/additional workshop seat. Friday, July 26, 11 a.m.-noon.
BOSHI BOTANICALS
Mini Masters (ages 2-4)
Introduce your little ones to the arts and nature with cra s, movement, and more. Free, $8. Tuesday, July 30, 10:3011:15 a.m.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
continued on page 18
continued from page 17
Mudpie Mondays
Children can craft their own mud pie using natural materials. Monday, July 29, 10 a.m.
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
PAW Patrol Live
Mayor Humdinger has dognapped Robo Dog and cloned him, causing chaos all over the world. It’s up to the pups to catch those clones and rescue Robo Dog. $25. Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m. | Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m. | Sunday, July 28, 11 a.m. | Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m.
LANDERS CENTER
Story Time
Enjoy stories, songs, art activities, and creative play that connect with Collierville history. Friday, July 26, 10:30 a.m.
MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY
Story Time at Novel
For children up to 5 years. With brand-new books and well-loved favorites. Saturday, July 27, 10:30 a.m. | Wednesday, July 31, 10:30 a.m.
NOVEL
World Tiger Day
Zoo keepers and education staff meet with guests and teach them how to be conservationists. Monday, July 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
MEMPHIS ZOO
FESTIVAL
Summerween
CALENDAR:
JULY 25 - 31
Revival69: The Concert That Rocked
The World
With live performances by Macrophonics and Joybomb. DJ sets by Scotty B, Cozmo, and Selector Jack. 18+. $15, $20/DOS. Saturday, July 27, 8 p.m. BLACK LODGE
FILM
Deadpool & Wolverine Premiere Party with Gabe and Shannon
See the Deadpool-Wolverine opening night. Winners get a free chimichanga at Casa Mexicana and a complimentary bag of Bluff City Candy. Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
MALCO PARADISO CINEMA GRILL & IMAX
I Read That Movie: Dune (Part 2)
Check out the book in the MPL system, then come for a screening of the 2024 film adaptation Dune (Part 2). Saturday, July 27, 2-5 p.m.
BENJAMIN L. HOOKS CENTRAL LIBRARY
La Cenerentoia: Met Summer Encore 2024
Rossini’s charming take on Cinderella, starring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and tenor Juan Diego Florez in Cesare Lievi’s whimsical production. Fabio Luisi conducts. Wednesday, July 31, 6:30 p.m.
MALCO PARADISO CINEMA GRILL & IMAX
Crossword
the farm, so to speak
Brainiac in a certain high school competition
Biblical father of Jacob
Bomb architect Enrico
Borgnine’s “big” role in “From Here to Eternity”
“Brilliant, dude!”
Balsam
This behind-the-scenes look at the 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival music festival culminates in a performance by John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band. $5. Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m.
CROSSTOWN THEATER
Space: The New Frontier 2D
From self-assembling habitats, commercial space stations, and rockets without fuel to the Lunar Gateway to deep space. Through May 23, 2025.
MEMPHIS MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY
The Room
A special edition of SHITFEST features a fully-immersive, multi-screen interactive viewing of the most beloved “bad” movie of our time. A cringe cult phenomenon. A true disasterpiece. Friday, July 26, 6:30 p.m.
BLACK LODGE
FOOD AND DRINK
Cake Decorating 101
Book on Classpop for this hands-on cake decorating class with Chef Jada. $55. Thursday, July 25, 8-10 a.m.
URBAN CONSEQUENCE BREWING COMPANY
Edited by Bill Shortz No. 0304
Canoes + Cocktails
A guided sunset paddle on the lake followed by specialty cocktails provided by Old Dominick, snacks from Cheffie’s, yard games, and music. 21+. Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.
SHELBY FARMS PARK
Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market
A weekly outdoor market featuring local farmers (no resellers), artisans, and live music. Saturday, July 27, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Dinner & Music Cruise
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on Ol’ Man River featuring live entertainment (blues and jazz) and a meal. $50/general admission. Thursday, July 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Friday, July 26, 6:309:30 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Wednesday, July 31, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
MEMPHIS RIVERBOATS
Memphis Farmers Market
A weekly outdoor market featuring local farmers and artisans, live music, and fun activities. Saturday, July 27, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
MEMPHIS FARMERS MARKET
Sunday Blues Lunch
Indulge in a meal while cruising down the Mississippi River. Enjoy the tunes of a blues band playing while you take in the Memphis skyline view. $50/general admission. Sunday, July 28, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
MEMPHIS RIVERBOATS
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Capoeira Class
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art that incorporates dance, acrobatics, martial arts, and rhythm. It teaches spatial awareness, balance, focus, and self-defense. Wednesday, July 31, 6:30 p.m.
COSSITT LIBRARY
Free Sana Yoga
Find your glow and fuel your soul with free yoga at Comeback Coffee. This all-levels flow class will surely leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Tuesday, July 30, 11-11:45 a.m.
COMEBACK COFFEE
Get Outside! Fitness - Adult Yoga
This vinyasa-style yoga class is dedicated to creating a balanced mind, body, and spirit. Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.
SHELBY FARMS PARK
Get Outside! Fitness - Flow Yoga
A fun, dynamic, and creative vinyasa flow class suitable for yogis of all ages. Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m.
SHELBY FARMS PARK
Get Outside! Fitness - Mat Pilates
A low-impact yet challenging workout that enhances your mind-body connection. Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m. | Tuesday, July 30, 6 p.m.
SHELBY FARMS PARK
Get Outside! Fitness - Mental Fitness
This class offers a well-deserved break where you will clear your mind through calming breathing and guided meditation. Saturday, July 27, 10:30 a.m.
SHELBY FARMS PARK
Lunchtime Meditations
Looking for something relaxing to do to clear your mind and improve your overall health?
Head to the Dixon for free meditation sessions every Friday. Friday, July 26, noon-12:45 p.m.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
Open Water Swim Clinics
Get tips, advice, and training from professional swim and triathlon coaches. Sunday, July 28, 6:30 a.m.
SHELBY FARMS PARK
Sacred Cacao Ceremony and Sound
Bath
A musician, reiki master, and certified sound therapist leads a meditative sound experience using crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and other instruments. Monday, July 29, 6:30 p.m.
THE BROOM CLOSET
CALENDAR: JULY 25 - 31
Slow Your Roll |
Saturday Morning
Meditation
A serene start to your Saturday with some morning mindfulness, led by the experienced mindfulness educator Greg Graber. Free.
Saturday, July 27, 8-8:30 a.m.
CHICKASAW GARDENS PARK
Tai Chi
Instructor Marjean teaches gentle moves that will strengthen and calm body, mind, and soul. Thursday, July 25, 7 a.m.
OVERTON PARK
Taijiquan with Milan Vigil
Led by Milan Vigil, this Chinese martial art promotes relaxation, improves balance, and provides no-impact aerobic benefits. Ages 16 and older. Free. Saturday, July 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
Yoga
Strengthen your yoga practice and enjoy the health benefits of light exercise with yoga instructor Laura Gray McCann. Free. Thursday, July 25, 6-6:45 p.m.
THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS
Yoga on the River
Join Candace for your yoga journey beside the mighty Mississippi. Free. Tuesday, July 30, 6-7 p.m.
RIVER GARDEN
PERFORMING ARTS
“Misfits and Underdogs”
With Al Markell, Brinka Honeydew, Courtney R, Evangelista, Al Nitelong, Ima Azengraber, Hunny Blunt, Ruby La Rue, India Taco, Onyx Davenport, Venus Wire, and Crystal Jo Casino. Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.
HI TONE
Monday Night Poetry Set by Perform901
An immersive celebration of the written word. Monday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.
HI TONE
“Starlight Cabaret”
With Aubrey “Boom Boom” Ombre, Will Ryder, Taye Jadore Cassadine, Zoey Adams, “MX Mid-South Pride” Zoloft, and Demonte Knight. Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.
DRU’S PLACE
SPECIAL EVENTS
Community Symposium: 60th Anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer
This event honors the pivotal summer of 1964 and the enduring impact of the Civil Rights Act, a landmark in the fight for equality and justice. Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
PHOTO: COURTESY CROSSTOWN ARTS
See Revival69 at Crosstown Theater.
Grind City Brewing Tournament Series
Board to Beers is hosting a series of easy to learn and play games at Grind City Brewing Company. Games are free to play. First through third place will take home house cash for Grind City. Sunday, July 28, 1:30-5 p.m.
GRIND CITY BREWING CO.
Morrighan’s Bluff, Amtgard of Memphis
Meet Saturdays at noon for medieval/fantasy live action roleplay game. Saturday, July 27, noon.
W. J. FREEMAN PARK
THEATER
Antigone, or And Still She Must Rise Up
Director Jamie Boller-Raup and a cast of formidable young adults take on this compelling adaptation of Antigone. Friday and Saturday, July 26-27, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, July 28, 2:30 p.m.
GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE
Carmen Jones
The classic musical by Oscar Hammerstein II, featuring music by Georges Bizet. Friday, July 26-Aug. 18.
HATTILOO THEATRE
Coco Queens
Set in the 1970s, this play delves into the lives of four women as they navigate the complexities of love, forgiveness, and the nuances of Black womanhood. Through July 28.
THEATREWORKS @ THE SQUARE
Mamma Mia!
A tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award in 2000. Thursday, July 25, 7:30 p.m. | Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, July 27, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, July 28, 1 p.m. | Sunday, July 28, 6:30 p.m.
ORPHEUM THEATRE
TOURS
70th Anniversary of Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
Celebrate that fateful day in 1954 when Elvis Presley brought live rock-and-roll to the stage at the Overton Park Shell, changing the world forever. With live music by Finley Watkins. Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.
MEMPHIS ROCK ‘N’ SOUL MUSEUM
Haunted Pub Crawl
Visit three local bars for ghost stories, dark history, and tales of the paranormal. Friday, July 26, 7:30-10 p.m.
THE BROOM CLOSET
The Original Memphis Brew Bus
The Memphis Brew Bus is a Saturday afternoon trip into the amazing Memphis craft brewing scene. Visit three local breweries for tours, talks with the brewers, and of course beer. $59. Saturday, July 27, 2-5:30 p.m.
THE BROOM CLOSET
We Saw You.
with MICHAEL DONAHUE
Mary Helen Randall waxed enthusiastically about “Wax & Wine,” a fundraiser held June 28th at Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
“It was one of our bigger events,” says Randall, Stax director of communications. “It was insane how quickly the tickets went.”
A total of 240 people attended. “It was our second year to do it, and was an absolute success. It was sort of a new crowd for Stax — people who had never experienced the music before or didn’t have a reason to come. ere’s a really passionate group of DJs and vinyl collectors and vinyl lovers out there who were instantly drawn to this event.”
e “wax” in the title was the vinyl sets from DJs, including celebrity DJs Sean Brock from Nashville, Tennessee, and DJ Paola Puente, aka Double Peas, from Las Vegas, Nevada.
e “wine” was the more than 15 wines selected by Rootstock Wine Merchants.
e “wefreshments” (sorry, can’t lose the alliteration) included fare from celebrity chef Sean Brock, who, in addition to being a DJ, is also the two-time award-winning James Beard chef/owner of Bar Continental in Nashville.
PHOTOS: MICHAEL DONAHUE above: (le to right) Justin and Aleisha Hunter; Norbert Mede and Lashanna Span below: (le to right) Sean Kelley, Schuyler O’Brien, Josiah Hoss, Cole Jeanes, Harrison Downing, Kai Molica, and Payne Ritchie; Smith Ann Drummond, William Drummond, and Maura Chiles bottom row: (le to right) Bryant and Heather Bain; FreeSol
We Saw You.
with MICHAEL DONAHUE
What was it like to pole vault on a 90-plus-degree a ernoon on Beale Street?
World championship nalist Cole Walsh, 29, says, “Well, I’m from Arizona and we train in about 110 [degrees], so it was a cool night for me. I went through four waters and four Gatorades in the three hours we were there. Staying hydrated really kept me able to jump. It was hot. But I’m used to a little bit more.”
Walsh vaulted in the ird Annual Buck Ewing Beale Street Pole Vault at the Ed Murphy Classic, held July 13th.
“ e game is who can get on the sti est pole possible to spring them over the bar. So, we’re all trying to use the next pole in our bag ’cause it might give us a little bit more to clear the bar.”
Walsh ate at e Rendezvous. “We had some brisket and ribs the night before the meet. And we were able to train in one of the nearby parks right on the river. Memphis is a really beautiful city and we were able to enjoy it a little bit before we competed.”
MICHAEL DONAHUE
above: (le to right) Cole Walsh and Zach Bradford; Austin Miller; Sam Kendricks and Marissa Kalsey carrying Skye Moll below: (le to right) Pole vaulting on Beale Street; Ava Williams, Kristin Walters, and Sina Williams bottom row: (le to right) Sandi Morris and Kerry Morris
PHOTOS:
BOOKS By Jon W. Sparks
Corey Mesler’s Two-fer
Proli c author celebrates two newly published works.
Corey Mesler seems to have literary works in every stage of production. A list of his published works has 33 volumes of poetry and 21 prose books. He’s got other works accepted for publication but not yet printed. And he’s working on a novel now, which probably actually means he’s got several going on at various stages in the creative process.
But let’s just focus on this week when he’s having a reading and book signing for two that are fresh o the presses. Vitamins for Ygdrasil and Other Poems is in the verse category and e World is Neither Stacked For You nor Against You: Selected Stories is the prose o ering. ( e event is at Burke’s Book Store July 25th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
So, no novel? We just have to be a bit patient — one is coming next year, but it’ll happen since Mesler says he now only writes poems or novels. “I’d rather be writing a novel than anything else in the world,” he says. “And poems I write
in between on days that I don’t work on the novel. ey just sort of come.”
He’s not even that much into short stories these days, despite his new selected stories book. “I got a little tired of the form, and it takes such precision,” he allows. at’s why there are only a couple of new stories in the book; mostly it’s previously published but hard-to- nd tales. But if you haven’t read ’em, they’re now in this neat package for your delectation.
Despite Mesler’s current view of the short story form, he was encouraged to assemble the works by Steve Stern, the acclaimed author from Memphis. “He said, ‘You ought to take the strongest stories and put ’em together.’ And I said, ‘Okay, that’s a great idea. Will you do an introduction for them?’” at’s some literary horse-trading there. ere’s much to appreciate in the titles alone. Try these: “ e Slim Harpo Blues,” “Any Day is a Good Day that Doesn’t Start with Killing a Rat with a Hammer,” “God and the Devil: e Exit Interview.” Irresistible. As Mesler
says, “I love titling things. I love titling poems. In stories and in novels, I o en will have a musician character so I can make up song titles.”
He’s also got the title mojo working in Vitamins for Ygdrasil: “Franny and Zooey Deschanel,” “World Full of Spooky,” “Learn to Love Your Narcotics.” e poems are not tied together thematically, which Mesler regrets a little bit. “My poetry collections always come when all of a sudden, I realized that I published a bunch of poems that I probably should gather. I wish I was one of those poets
that worked thematically.”
e volume is not entirely random, though. ere are several poems that refer to Ygdrasil, a giant oak in Mesler’s yard that provides acorns of inspiration. And there is inspiration there as well in the form of Richard Powers’ novel e Overstory. “I fell in love with his idea of the forest as a creature itself. Everything’s connected in a forest and it’s fascinating — the symbiosis that goes on in a forest. Trees talk to each other; they save each other. It’s all a design.”
So expect two volumes at ursday’s event, thematically unconnected but both with content that is funny, profound, thoughtful, and very likely to make you stop and think. It’s also worth noting that the two books of literary art also have fascinating ne art on the covers. Vitamins for Ygdrasil has a splendid work of a tree (as you might imagine) by local artist Martha Kelly. And for e World is Neither Stacked, Mesler is using a work by noted illustrator Edward Carey that — like a good short story — will make you think.
PHOTO: JON W. SPARKS
Corey Mesler
Coco Queens
e play is a heartfelt look at the lives of 1970s Black women in the South.
Ifeel somewhat apprehensive writing about the world premiere of LaDarrion Williams’ new play Coco Queens at eatreWorks@ eSquare, if only because this review seems like the last thing anyone needs right now: a white woman’s commentary about Black sisterhood. Perhaps I would be best served by simply sharing my perspective of gratitude for having the opportunity to see this story being brought to the stage.
Winner of the 2023 NewWorks@ eWorks playwriting competition, Coco Queens takes place in the 1970s, which is apparent by the cozy, lived-in set designed by Lex van Blommestein. e entirety of the play is staged in the living room/ at-home hair salon of Gloria Carmichael, played by Christin Webb, who the audience was told before curtain is a recent addition to the cast, so much so that the actor isn’t quite o book yet. is detail could be a distraction to most audiences, but I found Webb’s characterization of Gloria so compelling that it took me a few minutes to realize she was the actor that had been referred to, despite the rather obvious fact that she carried a modern binder with her during much of the show.
er and were poised on the edge of their big break when Dawn suddenly broke o and started a solo career. Dawn, who recently returned home from her seemingly glamorous life as a solo artist, wants to reconcile. Chanel, who feels Dawn is living the life she was meant to have, does not. Tammie is stuck in the middle, unable to bridge the gap between the two.
Over the course of the play, we see each character struggling not only to mend the ri in their friendship but also against the di erent ways the world has forced them to move through their lives. e playwright exempli es this theme with the line that being a Black woman is akin to “existing, not even living in this world.” Gloria and Tammie urge Chanel and Dawn to assert control in their lives by putting their di erences behind them, but actor Donita Johnson makes it clear that Chanel’s palpable anger is stemming from a deep wound.
Playwright Williams said in a release, “I am not a Black woman, but I guess I really associate with Chanel a lot of times because of the anger and hurt caused by some folks closest to you, and learning to heal from that pain.”
Gloria sports an Afro hairstyle, another nod to the time frame of the show, and the play’s program includes an insert titled “ e Role of Hair in the Identity of Black Women.” It’s a nice touch, given that many of the thematic elements are woven into the setting of a hair salon. Gloria serves as a matriarch to the other three characters, having raised each of them together as pseudo-sisters in their childhood. Chanel and Tammie remain in the same small town they grew up in, and once the last character Dawn is introduced, we see that she and Chanel harbor a feud that has spanned eight years. In their youth the three were part of a musical group togeth-
Forgiveness is something hardwon, even or perhaps especially for the person giving it. Each character faces a battle with discrimination and how its e ects on Black women permeate their lives, and each character in their own way comes to a point when they must decide who in their lives deserves forgiveness. In each of their coinciding stories, what’s clear is how much stronger the ties that bind them become when they choose to ght for and invest in their own strength. By choosing to embrace and support one another, they become stronger individuals. is lesson is brought home when their matriarch reminds them that she, too, has faced persecution in ways they never have, and that the time comes for everyone to invest in taking care of themselves rst, even if their aim is to serve others.
Coco Queens is a heartfelt look at the everyday lives of 1970s Black women in the South, with themes that seem all too relevant in 2024.
Coco Queens runs at eatreWorks on the Square through July 28th.
PHOTO: JOE PERRY Christin Webb as Gloria Carmichael
By Michael Donahue
Band Beer
Hi Tone musicians get their own brew.
Hi Tone is getting high toned. e iconic Midtown nightspot will introduce its own beer at a launch party on July 25th.
“It’s the Hi Tone ‘Band Beer,’” says owner Brian “Skinny” McCabe. “It’s kind of a light American lager. It’s 4.5 ABV. And it’s crushable, crisp, and clean.”
e beer, which is made at Meddlesome Brewing Company, sports a picture of a guitar amp, the Hi Tone building, and its logo. e can is black. “All the bands we have play at our place are black T-shirt connoisseurs. Just like myself.”
the brewery visit and even play shows at the Hi Tone. Also, Meddlesome is “very music-driven and just full of music heads,” McCabe says. e brewery hosts its own music events, including the annual Heavy Meddle Fest, which features metal bands.
He asked Chris Hamlett, a Meddlesome brewer who plays Hi Tone solo gigs as well as with Mike Hewlett & the Racket band, who he needed to talk to about making a beer.
McCabe is pleased with the result. “From what I tasted and the beer packaging, I think we’re going to sell a lot of it.”
He doesn’t want to stop at one type of beer. “I’d love to incorporate some other styles in there as well.”
e beer has to match the type of music played at Hi Tone. “As long as it aligns with what we’re doing, I think there’s unlimited possibilities,” says McCabe, who is already thinking about an “indie rock IPA.”
With beer, you want pizza. Right? Hi Tone makes cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and caprese pizzas. e caprese includes dried basil, mozzarella cheese, and sliced tomatoes. You can order one to share or get a personal pizza all for yourself.
Asked why he wanted his own beer, McCabe says, “I’ve been to a lot of other places that have beers and stu geared towards their tradition and just di erent styles. Like Huey’s has their own beer. I was like, ‘Man, I really want our own beer that di erentiates, kind of celebrates, what it is we do with the live action music scene.’
“We have bands every single night of the week. And I wanted to get a beer going that was easily approachable. It just looks cool to have a beer speci cally for the bands. at we can o er at a discount.”
He wanted the beer to be “laid-back,” McCabe says. “We want it to be approachable and still have some alcohol in it. We don’t want something that’s going to bog you down. You’ve got to play a show. Drink a couple of beers when you get o the road.”
Customers also can buy the beer, but the price will be marked up, McCabe says. e rst three cases — 72 beers — will be free at the launch party, which will be from 7 to 10 p.m. No cover charge.
McCabe came up with the idea for the Hi Tone beer ve years ago. He revisited it when he was looking through some notes he made on his phone.
Meddlesome was the perfect place to brew the beer. People who work at
e nightspot also o ers “Take & Bake” pizzas for takeout, McCabe says. “We make them in-house and we wrap them in plastic and freeze them. And give you instructions on the box and a special sauce we put on them. And you’re out the door.”
eir New York-style pizzas have a “cracker crust,” McCabe says. “I love a super-duper thin crust.”
ey use a rich mozzarella cheese on their pizzas. “ e kicker is, we use this garlic butter sauce. We drizzle it in a spiral all the way around it.”
McCabe is already making plans for Hi Tone’s 25th anniversary celebration, which will be held October 4th, 5th, and 6th.
“Given a move or two and the occasional pandemic, there’s no better time than now to celebrate 25 years of the Hi Tone.” e festival will include performances by Lucero, Dead Soldiers, Star & Micey, Pezz, Subteens, HEELS, new heavy metal bands, and a “super secret announcement.”
Hi Tone began at 1911 Poplar Avenue. McCabe took over in 2014 a er Hi Tone moved to 412-414 Cleveland Street. In 2020, it moved to its current address at 282-284 Cleveland Street.
It was called “Hi-Tone Cafe,” McCabe says. “I just call it Hi Tone. No dash.”
But, he says, “It’s ‘Hi Tone Cafe’ or ‘Hi Tone.’ Just don’t call it ‘High Tone.’ I hate that.”
PHOTO: MICHAEL DONAHUE Brian “Skinny” McCabe
By Emily Guenther
Summer Retrograde
What to expect this August.
From August 5th to August 28th, Mercury will once again be taking its backward spin through the sky. is will be our second full Mercury retrograde of 2024. Mercury also went retrograde in December 2023 and carried over to January 1, 2024.
A retrograde is a phenomenon that happens when it appears that a planet in the sky is orbiting backwards. e planets don’t actually change orbital direction; it is more of an optical illusion. However, many people believe that during these periods the energy or properties of that planet may be behaving di erently. All planets do this, but the spiritual community puts a lot of focus on Mercury going retrograde.
Mercury is thought to rule over our communication, travel, and commerce. When it is in retrograde, we can o en expect miscommunication, disagreements because of miscommunication, hiccups with travel plans, and inconveniences with technology. Retrogrades, especially Mercury retrogrades, o en throw speed bumps in our way to make us slow down, re ect, and readjust for the next phase.
August’s Mercury retrograde begins in the zodiac sign of Virgo but will move into Leo before it’s over. Virgo is an earth sign, and many of Virgo’s qualities revolve around being grounded and connected to earthy energy. Virgos are thought to be good problem-solvers. ey are organized, practical, prepared, loyal, and kind. Leo is a re sign, and many of the things we love about Leos come from this sign’s ery connection. Leos are con dent and bold. ey are creative thinkers, passionate, and motivated.
While Mercury retrograde impacts all of us, the sign in which the retrograde falls tends to be impacted the most. at means if you have strong Virgo and Leo placements in your Sun, Moon, or Rising
signs, you’ll be hit harder than others. is retrograde is here to shake things up, and that likely will not sit well with Virgos. Virgos are also known to be perfectionists who like to preplan as much as possible. With Mercury retrograde in the mix, things are not going to go as planned. To better enjoy and perhaps mediate the lessons of this retrograde, we will need to learn to loosen up. When things do not go according to plan, we will need to roll with the situation at hand. Becoming distressed or angry can easily be misinterpreted and can upset the people around you. Remember Mercury rules communication, and when it’s in retrograde, communication can become very muddy very quickly. Mercury also rules over technology, travel, and commerce. If you have embraced those Virgo qualities of structure and having all the details planned, be sure to give yourself a little wiggle room in August. Expect things that you have planned to develop a few speed bumps or need a few last-minute adjustments. Perfectionism will not be possible during this retrograde. Do not let perfection be the enemy of good enough. Sometimes you need to accept the hand you’ve been given with grace. As we move to Leo, we see this period shi thematically toward identity and con dence. Miscommunications and clumsy wording are common during Mercury retrograde, but you cannot let this shatter your self-image. We must also be very careful with our actions. Leo is a bold and proud sign. is in uence can embolden us to do things we wouldn’t ordinarily do in our communications. Don’t let your frustrations with things and the passion of Leo merge into risky behavior. You may feel like now is the time to have that di cult conversation or nally send that email. Before you do though, take some time to think it through; don’t be rash. And remember communication is already going to be tricky. Is now the time to bring up touchy and vulnerable topics? If we can be exible and go with the ow this Mercury retrograde, we shouldn’t have any more trouble out of it than usual. Be patient and understanding and don’t let your ego get in the way. Again, this is a time to step back and observe and learn about ourselves. Approach these retrogrades as opportunities and be open and grateful to the lessons. Emily Guenther is a co-owner of e Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
Mercury doesn’t actually orbit backwards — it’s an illusion.
Friday, September 20th, 6-9pm
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
By the editors at Andrews McMeel Syndication
The South Korean military announced on May 29 that it had found 260 balloons that had drifted across the demilitarized zone between it and North Korea, The reported. The balloons were carrying bags full of … trash, such as cigarette butts, used shoes, and compost. The bags were reportedly released according to timers attached to the balloons. “We issue a stern warning to North Korea to stop this antihumanitarian and dirty operation,” South Korea warned. But North Korea pledged to send more to exercise its “freedom of expression.” [New York Times, 5/29/2024]
It’s Nice To Have a Hobby
For 10 years, residents of North Enid Avenue in Azusa, California, have been putting up with a pesky nuisance: a serial slingshot shooter. The New York Times reported that people would find broken windows on their cars or homes and little ball bearings strewn about. “Many times I came outside, and I would find little BBs by the front door,” said Monica Palomino. Finally, police have nabbed the vandal: 81-year-old Prince Raymond King, who also lives on the block. Azusa Police Cpl. Benjamin Cypher said several recent incidents had allowed them to narrow their search down to King’s address, where they found the slingshot and ball bearings. “We’re not aware of any kind of motive other than just malicious mischief,” Lt. Jake Bushey said. King was ordered to stay away from his neighborhood and return to court on June 17. He pleaded not guilty. [New York Times, 5/29/2024]
Awesome!
• Ulysses Whitfield, 85, retired this week from driving a school bus for Suffolk [Virginia] Public Schools, WAVYTV reported. Over his 70-year career (yep, you read that right), he took only two half-days off. “During that time, students could drive,” Whitfield said of the beginning of his career in 1954. He delivered students through changes in technology and racial upheaval, he said, “But it was smooth with me, though. I didn’t have any problems with the kids at all. Respect the kids, and you will receive respect from them.” Whitfield plans to come back part-time in the fall to train his replacement “to make sure the run is done nice and smooth, like I was doing
it. I have good kids. I’m going to miss them, I know it.” [WAVY, 5/30/2024]
• This year’s graduation at Arizona State University included a remarkable scholar: 18-year-old Dorothy Jean Tillman II of Chicago, who received her doctorate in integrated behavior health, The New York Times reported. Tillman started college when she was just 9 years old; by 14, she had a master of science degree. Tillman also started the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute in Chicago to support Black youth interested in STEM and the arts. But this super-achiever also does teenage stuff: On May 22, she went to prom with her best friend, and she hopes to have a “fun teenage summer”: “I want to focus on who I am,” she said. [New York Times, 5/22/2024]
It’s a Mystery
On May 18 in New Orleans, a fisher using a magnet pulled some mysterious objects from Bayou St. John, according to NOLA.com: a handgun, a gun barrel, and a “fully decomposed human skull” that was padlocked to a 15-pound dumbbell. The New Orleans Police Department said the skull was “lacking a jaw or the top row of teeth.” The department’s dive team and cadaver dogs searched the area three days later but without success; the coroner said identifying the skull could take months. [NOLA.com, 5/28/2024]
Vacation Goals
Headed to Arizona this summer? (I mean, who isn’t?) Motor on over to Williams and drop into the Poozeum, the new permanent location for George Frandsen’s extensive coprolite collection. (Coprolite, in case you didn’t know, is fossilized animal feces, United Press International reported.) Frandsen earned a Guinness World Record in 2015 with his collection of 1,277 fossils — but now, the Poozeum is the permanent home of 8,000 specimens. “Several years ago, I noticed a glaring absence of coprolite representation in mainstream sources and museum exhibits,” Frandsen said. “The world’s premier dinosaur poop museum” offers free admission — but don’t bypass the gift shop! [UPI, 6/3/2024]
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
© 2024 Andrews McMeel Syndication. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries singersongwriter Lady Gaga has written many songs, both for herself and other artists. She has famously declared that some of her most successful songs took her just 10 minutes to compose. They include “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” and “Born This Way.” According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you could be rising to Lady Gaga levels of creativity in your own sphere during the coming weeks. And I won’t be surprised if your imaginative innovations flow with expeditious clarity, like Gaga at her most efficient.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): During the winter, some animals hibernate. They enter a state of dormancy, slowing their metabolism, breathing, and heart rate. Other animals enter a similar state during the summer, conserving energy when the weather is hot and dry. It’s called estivation. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, many of you Tauruses would benefit from a modified version of estivation in the next couple of weeks. You’re in prime time to recharge your energy through deep relaxation and rest.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The English word “amphibian” is derived from the Greek term amphibios, which means “living a double life.” The original meaning of the English word was “combining two qualities; having two modes of life,” though eventually it came to be used primarily to describe animals that function well on both land and in water. You Geminis are of course the most amphibious of all the astrological tribes. You can feel at home in a variety of situations. This may sometimes stir up confusion, but I see it as one of your greatest potential strengths. In the coming weeks, I hope you enjoy it to the maximum. It should serve you well. Wield it to take advantage of the sweet perks of versatility.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I dreamed that a young elephant appeared on the back deck of my house and stuck its trunk through the open sliding glass door. I got up from my chair and gently pushed the animal away, then closed the door. But after I woke up, I was sorry I had done that in my dream. What was I afraid of? The elephant posed no danger — and may have been a good omen. In some cultures, elephants in dreams and visions are symbols of good luck, vitality, long life, and the removal of obstacles. So here’s what I did. I dropped into a deep meditative state and reimagined the dream. This time, I welcomed the creature into my home. I gave her the name Beatrice. We wrestled playfully and had fun playing with a red rubber ball. Amazingly, later that day, a certain obstacle in my actual waking life magically disappeared. The moral of the story, my fellow Cancerian: Welcome the elephant.
Rob Brezsny
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): For months, we heard and saw crows pecking on the roof of our rental house. Why? Were they grubbing for food? It was mildly annoying, but seemingly no big deal. Then one night, their small, regular acts of mayhem climaxed in an unexpected event. Rain began to fall around 8 p.m. It was constant, though not heavy. At 9, the ceilings in five rooms began to leak. By 10:30, our house was flooded. We managed to rescue most of our precious items, but the house was damaged. We had to find a new place to live. I don’t expect anything nearly this drastic to befall you, dear Virgo. But I do encourage you to check to see if any small problem is gradually growing bigger. Now is a favorable time to intervene and forestall an unfavorable development.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Two Scottish veterinarians researched the health of rhesus monkeys that are compelled by human handlers to dance on the streets of Islamabad, Pakistan. When I first learned about this, my response was, “Wow! Don’t those doctors have anything better to do? That is the most obscure research I have ever heard of.” But later, I decided I admired the doctors because they were motivated primarily by compassion. They found the monkeys were under severe stress, and they publicized the fact as a public service. Their work will ultimately lead to better treatment of the monkeys. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I advise you to seek out comparable ways to express altruism in the coming weeks. By engaging in noble and idealistic acts, you will attract good fortune into your sphere both for yourself and others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do you place any limits on how deep and expansive you allow your yearnings to be? Are you ever worried that maybe you desire too much and are at risk of asking for too much? If you answered yes to those questions, Scorpio, I will give you a temporary license to rebel against your wariness. In accordance with astrological rhythms, I authorize you to experiment with feeling the biggest, strongest, wildest longings you have ever felt. Please note that I am not advising you to immediately go out and actually express those longings to the hilt. For now, I’d like you to simply have the experience of entertaining their full intensity. This will be a healing experience.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You will never guess the identity of the strongest animal on the planet. It’s not the gorilla, tiger, or elephant. It’s the dung beetle, which can lug loads that weigh 1,141 times as much as it does. The equivalent for you would be to pull six double-decker buses crammed with people. I’m happy to inform you that
LEO (July 23Aug. 22):
Some bamboo species grow very quickly — as much as 36 inches per day. I suspect your capacity to burgeon and blossom will display a similar vigor in the coming weeks. You may be surprised at how dramatic your development is. I’m hoping, of course, that you will be acutely focused on channeling your fertility in positive ways. Don’t feed an urge to recklessly gamble, for instance. Don’t pursue connections with influences that are no damn good for you. Instead, decide right now what areas of your life you want to be the beneficiaries of your growth spurt. Choose the beauty and power you will encourage to ripen.
although you won’t be able to accomplish that feat in the coming weeks, your emotional and spiritual strength will be formidable. You may be surprised at how robust and mighty you are. What do you plan to do with all that power?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): By age 35, you have already shed over 50 pounds of skin. The flesh that covers you is in a constant state of renewal. In the coming weeks, I expect your rate of regeneration to be even higher than usual — not only in regard to your skin, but everything else in your life, as well. Here’s a proviso: Renewal and regeneration are always preceded by withering or dwindling. To enjoy the thrill of revitalization, you must allow the loss of what was once vital but is no longer.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Among people who go hiking a lot, “death march” is a term that refers to a long trudge through boring scenery in bad weather. Let’s use this as a metaphor for your life. I believe you have recently finished your own metaphorical version of a “death march.” Any minute now, you will begin a far more enjoyable series of experiences. Get ready for an entertaining meander through interesting terrains in fine weather. Be alert for unpredictable encounters with inspiration and education.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Alex Larenty gives massages to lions at the Lion Park near Johannesburg, South Africa. They especially love foot rubs. Even Jamu, king of the local beasts, rolls onto his back so Larenty can get a good angle while caressing and kneading his paws. I bring this to your attention, Pisces, because it’s a good metaphor for the unique power you will have in the coming days: a knack for dealing successfully with wild influences and elemental powers through the magic of kindness, affection, and service.
FILM By Chris McCoy
Disaster Capitalism
Twister sequel Twisters is more of the same, only with more twisters.
Legend has it that when James Cameron, fresh o of the success of e Terminator, made his pitch to 20th Century Fox executives that his next lm should be a sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien, he simply wrote the name of the lm on a whiteboard and added an “s.” en he put a line through the “s,” so that it read Alien$. e execs immediately greenlit Aliens, which went on to earn the 2024 equivalent of half a billion dollars at the box o ce.
One wonders if that story was on the mind of Joseph Kosinski when he went to Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to pitch his idea for a sequel to the 1996 disaster lm Twister. Simply adding the “s” did get the lm greelit, but Kosinski himself didn’t get the directing gig. at went to Lee Isaac Chung, whose last lm, Minari, was an Oscar-nominated story about Korean immigrants trying to make it as farmers in Arkansas. (Don’t feel bad for Kosinski. He directed Top Gun: Maverick instead.)
tricked-out truck, and a gang of plucky mis ts. Since Kate is on the Heroine’s Journey, she’s got two guys to choose from. Will it be her nerdy old friend Javi or the hunky “cowboy meteorologist”? And how many more will have to die before both teams realize Kate’s anti-tornado tech was on the right track?
Unfortunately, I’m here to tell you that Twisters is no Aliens. Cameron expanded the original idea of “haunted house movie in space” into a knockdown, drag-out sci- action picture. Twisters just does the same thing as Twister, only with more tornadoes.
But more tornadoes are better, right? Not if you’re from Oklahoma, like Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), the wunderkind meteorologist turned storm-chaser. She’s seen twisters devastate Tornado Alley too many
times. Now, with her friend Javi Rivera (Anthony Ramos) and a group of likeminded grad schoolers in tow, she’s trying out a radical, new theory. Kate doesn’t just want to chase tornadoes; she wants to destroy tornadoes. Her plan is to launch barrels full of sodium polyacrylate — the moisture absorbing chemical used in diapers — directly into a tornado. e chemical onslaught will absorb the swirling water vapor which fuels the tornado, causing the funnel cloud to fall apart, and allowing the storm-chasers to live happily ever a er. Unfortunately for both her dissertation and the continued health of her fellow storm-chasers, the tornado she chooses for a test turns out to be an F5 monster, but she only brought enough diaper goo to tame an F1.
Five years later, Kate’s got a steady job as an NOAA weather forecaster, based in New York City.
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell chase storms and each other in Twisters
Javi shows up at her o ce with a proposition. He’s working for Storm Par, a company that’s using militarygrade antimissile radar to scan active tornadoes, which they hope will greatly improve forecasts for their private clients. A er initially refusing the call to adventure like any good Hero’s Journey protagonist, she agrees to get back in the stormchasing game. Back in Oklahoma for the kind of “once in a generation” tornado outbreak which happens every year nowadays, she meets Tyler Owens (Glen Powell, Hangman from Top Gun: Maverick), a storm-chaser with a thriving YouTube channel, a
e answers to Twisters pressing questions are: 1. It doesn’t matter, and 2. Lots of people who also don’t matter. Sure, Powell’s jawline is so strong Tom Cruise could land an F-18 on it, but when it comes to romantic tension, Twisters is totally accid. Even though the tornado outbreak attens farms houses, rodeos, and, in a nod to e Blob, a sold-out movie theater, this disaster movie is bloodless. Chung is a good director of actors, and EdgarJones, Powell, and Ramos give it their best shot, but they can’t seem to elevate the action into something I cared about, even when the bad guys are revealed to be disaster capitalist chuds of the We Buy Houses variety. Part of the problem is that Twisters is so repetitive. e opening scene with Kate and company eeing from an F5 crackles, but it soon becomes evident that the intro emptied Chung’s trick bag. Twisters isn’t a bad lm, per se; the Marvel era has produced much worse pablum than this. But it does commit the summer blockbuster’s worst possible sin: It’s just plain dull.
Twisters
Now playing
Multiple locations
PHOTO: COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Our critic on the newest and best films on the big screen this week.
Deadpool & Wolverine
The Merc with the Mouth teams up with Canada’s favorite mutant to repair a rift in the multiverse. Ryan Reynolds returns as Deadpool, the only Marvel comic book character who knows he’s in a comic book — or in this case, a movie. Hugh Jackman comes out of superhero retirement to reprise his role as Wolverine. This time he’s wearing that fetching yellow outfit Logan wore in the comics but was deemed too cheesy for the screen. This is the first R-rated Marvel movie, so expect some cussin’.
The Fabulous Four Bette Midler’s getting married in Key West, and her college besties Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph are coming to the party. This outrageous road trip will rekindle friendships and open old wounds.
Longlegs
The art horror sleeper hit directed by Osgood Perkins is the creepy slow burn you’re looking for. Maika Monroe stars as an FBI agent, who may or may not be psychic, and who is assigned to a case that has stumped the agency for decades. Nicolas Cage delivers a tour de force performance as a satanic serial killer with a glam rock fetish. This film is even weirder than it sounds, and I mean that in a good way.
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THE LAST WORD
By Bryce W. Ashby and Michael J. LaRosa
Immigrant Stories: Manuel Rivera Martínez
From Morelia to Memphis, the Maciel’s proprietor shares his story.
Editor’s note: is is part four in a ve-part series focusing on immigrant contributions to our nation and city.
irty-one years ago, Manuel Rivera Martínez, from Morelia, made the di cult decision to follow his father to California. He was 15. Morelia, the capital of the state of Michoacán in Central Mexico, is a lovely colonial city that has been ravaged, recently, by gang-related violence.
Martínez grew up in a house with seven siblings and developed his entrepreneurial skills from his mother. “My mother, who recently passed, would sell menudo [a traditional tripe soup] and quesadillas out of our house to earn a little extra money,” he says.
When Martínez followed his father to California a few years a er his dad le , he hoped that an opportunity for an education awaited him. Instead, father and son worked in Pomona for a company that repaired and resold wood pallets. en Martínez moved to Merced County and worked on a dairy farm. He worked for Gallo picking grapes and made about $180 or $190 per week. “People worked 12-hour shi s — 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” he says. “Hard work, and people worked constantly, there were few breaks in the elds, even for water.”
From California, Martínez moved to the Paci c Northwest and worked in restaurants. He eventually made it to Memphis and found employment in a Japanese restaurant where he met his wife Lisha. Initially, they were just friends, and he did not pursue a romantic relationship because he knew inside that he had “no chance.” When he nally asked her out, she said yes! Years later, they’re raising two children: Preston, who attends Dexter elementary, and Mia, their 2-year-old daughter.
Martínez landed in Memphis about 16 years ago and is proprietor of the popular taqueria Maciel’s. e business started Downtown on South Main; now, Martínez has a restaurant on South Cooper, a newly opened location in Bartlett, and plans are underway for another on Summer Avenue. “Memphis is a welcoming city,” he says. “We have issues, but I want people to see the bright side, and if you love what you do, Memphis has the potential to let you do it.”
Martínez illustrates this by reminding us of a tragic event at his Downtown restaurant. “In July 2017, the roof caved in while patrons were dining, and I was ready to shutter the business, but the Downtown community came together and held a fundraiser.” No one was seriously injured and approximately $8,000 was raised. “ is money allowed me to pay my employees for three months” while the restaurant was rebuilt, he says. e generosity and kindness of the Memphis community gave Martínez strength, encouraging him to stay in business.
A er Maciel’s reopened, Martínez developed a deep love for this community and the neighbors who literally saved his business. He works 12- or 14-hour days to keep the business moving along. And he explains the origins of the name Maciel’s: “It’s my father’s name, Manuel, but they misspelled it on his birth certi cate as “Maciel” and it sort of stuck. But we’ve kept the name; in fact, my 9-year-old boy is named Preston Maciel Rivera.”
He credits Lisha, who he refers to as his best friend and most trusted advisor, with pushing him to open the rst restaurant. Many advised him against trying to open a business because he had only $40,000 in savings for start-up capital. “In fact, one real estate professional told me to open a food truck,” he says. Martínez wasn’t o ended by the o -hand comment; rather, he saw it as a challenge.
While walking down Main Street, Martínez and Lisha saw a “restaurant for sale” sign. ey were able to “buy all the equipment from a pizza restaurant that occupied the space.” e landlord was excited about a family starting a business in the location. e stars aligned, or as Martínez says, “I believe we all have a destiny. at there is a book with something written for each of us and that it is designed for you. You have to be sure not to miss the signals. is place was there for me.”
Martínez seems likely to stay put here in Memphis. “People come here because they nd what they like to do and you should always follow your passions.” Neither Martínez nor his father, who now lives in Mexico, were able to continue their formal education. “I want my kids to be able to attend college or start their own business or combine the two.”
For Martínez, the ideal business is one where everyone working makes a decent amount of money and only works one job. Because of this ethos, many of his employees have been with him since he started nine years ago.
“Everyone needs to be treated with dignity, no matter what job they have,” says the man who has worked his way up to ownership of a successful restaurant enterprise here. “I’m really fortunate that I chose Memphis, which is a long way from Morelia, Mexico, but this is a great place to raise a family and run a business.”
Bryce W. Ashby is an attorney at Donati Law, PLLC. Michael J. LaRosa is an associate professor of history at Rhodes College.
PHOTO: BRYCE ASHBY Manuel Rivera Martínez
