LEO Weekly June 16, 2021

JUNETEENTH AND KENTUCKY | PAGE 5

A Q&A WITH YOLA | PAGE 15

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Buford: Meet our big chonky Hound boy, Buford! Buford is a four-yearold Redbone Coonhound mix who came to the Kentucky Humane Society looking for a second chance at life. This big dork weighs 90 lbs (peep that neck waddle) and enjoys sunbathing, sniffing through the great outdoors, eating (obviously) and howling in song. After all, he is a true hound dog at heart! Buford is an active guy who could use someone to help him shed some of those unwanted pounds so he can live a happier, healthy life. Buford has met other dogs here at KHS and seems to be more interested in the smells in the air rather than the sights. However, in the previous home he had been way too excited about the other dog so he will be going home as an only dog. True to that hound dog nature of his, Buford will bay and fixate at felines.

A cat-free home would be ideal for this hefty man. Buford’s big body and opportunistic attitude don’t mix well with small children so he is approved to go home with people age 15 and up. Could you be the one Buford has been dreaming of? If so, schedule an appointment to meet him at our Main Campus, 241 Steedly Drive, by visiting kyhumane.org/dogs today! Buford is neutered, micro-chipped and up-to-date on all vaccinations.

LOUISVILLE ECCENTRIC OBSERVER

Volume 31 | Number 27 974 BRECKENRIDGE LANE #170. LOUISVILLE KY 40207 PHONE (502) 895-9770 FAX (502) 895-9779

Juanita: Please give a warm welcome to our sweet lady Juanita!

This five-year-old tabby came to the Kentucky Humane Society when a rural shelter ran out of room. Now she’s looking for a forever home!

When Juanita arrived at KHS, our veterinary team discovered she is in the stages of renal failure. This seems to be managed with a specialized food, but her new owners will need to have a relationship with their vet to monitor Juanita’s health as time goes on. We decided to send Juanita into a foster home so we could learn all about this special lady! In her foster home, Juanita lived with 3 dogs and 2 cats and did fine. It was a lot to take in for her at first and she did spend a few days hiding under a bed but would come out for love when called to. Juanita is a very laidback, low energy cat who just wants someone to give her affection and attention. She’s a total love bug who has such a soft and sweet personality. Juanita just wants to live life to the fullest, to love and be loved in return. The veterinary team at KHS can answer questions potential adopters have. Juanita just needs a special home to give her a second chance.

Could that be with you? She is spayed, microchipped and up-to-date on her shots. Go to kyhumane.org/cats to schedule an adoption appointment at our Main Campus, 241 Steedly Drive, to meet Juanita!

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ON THE COVER

COVER BY TALON HAMPTON

JUNETEENTH AND KENTUCKY | PAGE 5

A Q&A WITH YOLA | PAGE 15

FOUNDER

John Yarmuth EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Aaron Yarmuth, ayarmuth@leoweekly.com PUBLISHER

Laura Snyder, lsnyder@redpinmedia.com OFFICE MANAGER

Elizabeth Knapp, eknapp@redpinmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR

Scott Recker, srecker@leoweekly.com A&E EDITOR

Erica Rucker, erucker@leoweekly.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Robin Garr, James Wilkerson, Jermaine Fowler, Allie Fireel, Dan Savage Writer Illustrations by Yoko Molotov ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Marsha Blacker, mblacker@leoweekly.com Lisa Dodson, ldodson@redpinmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Megan Campbell Smith: distribution@leoweekly.com

REPORTING/PHOTO INTERN

Carolyn Brown

STAFF WRITER

Danielle Grady, dgrady@leoweekly.com ART DIRECTOR

Talon Hampton, thampton@redpinmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lane Levitch, lane@redpinmedia.com CONTRIBUTING VISUAL ARTS EDITOR

Jo Anne Triplett, jtriplettart@yahoo.com

LEO Weekly is published weekly by LEO Weekly LLC. Copyright LEO Weekly LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Publisher. LEO Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express permission of LEO Weekly LLC. LEO Weekly may be distributed only by authorized independent contractors or authorized distributors. Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO) is a trademark of LEO Weekly LLC.

VIEWS

EDITOR’S NOTE

IN CONCLUSION: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

By Aaron Yarmuth | leo@leoweekly.com HOW SERENDIPITOUS that my last column as editor of LEO would be the week of Father’s Day. These personal narratives have, of course, always been meaningful to my dad and me — and hopefully will be, one day, for J.D. as well. Yet, more than any other topic or political issue, it was this annual column — recognizing the joys and adventures of being a dad — that most connected with readers over the years.

So, this is likely the last time a Yarmuth will write an editor’s note for LEO (unless something goes terribly wrong in J.D.’s life), and it’s about my dad, this paper and our connection with this community — as it should be.

He started The Louisville Eccentric Observer in 1990. His weekly column was almost always among the first few pages, welcoming readers to that week’s issue, until he decided to run for Congress in 2006.

Still, despite his regular presence atop the masthead and quasi-local fame, LEO never felt like his paper. It always felt more like it belonged to the community.

Why was that?

Perhaps because he was always having so much fun. (That can’t be work…)

Perhaps because each week’s cover looked like the ghosts of Hunter S. Thompson, Pablo Picasso and Andy

Warhol collaborated on a ransom note.

Perhaps because of the wacky parties LEO used to throw. (One time, at a Halloween Party, they ordered pizza delivery.

When the pizza deliveryman rang the doorbell, columnist Carl Brown answered the door dressed as a pizza deliveryman… who had just been in a car wreck, bloodied and bruised with a steering wheel hanging around his neck.)

Whatever it was, I could see my dad being part of LEO… but not owning this paper. He’s a clean-cut, buttoned-up — albeit nerdy — guy. He was a golfer, not a punk rocker.

But, it wasn’t until I became owner and editor of LEO that I realized why it always felt like it belonged to the community: It was because the people my dad worked with were so freakin’ brilliant, creative, funny and fearless (…and strange).

Because they were honest and didn’t give a damn what people thought. They were the literary, eccentric embodiment of Louisville culture — from mainstream to underground. All of which was by design, as he laid out in his pilot column, titled, “Howdy”: “What we hope and believe will happen is that many of you will be inspired to write for LEO, that LEO will be a community forum in which ideas can be exchanged and debated in a FREE medium.”

So, here I am, almost seven years after buying the paper my dad started, and it still doesn’t feel like mine… It never has!

I contributed my weekly column, maybe some Staff Picks… just like everyone else. Occasionally, between deadlines, we’d engage in debates — sometimes heated — over journalism, story pitches, cover concepts, headlines and the inane nuances of AP Style grammar. But rarely, if ever, did I “win” those debates, and I never shut them down — they were my favorite part of working at LEO. I only wanted to be a part of LEO, not own it.

As I wrote in my first column, titled, “Not My Father’s LEO”: “My promise to you [the community] is that we will work as hard as possible to be unpredictable, uncomfortable and, well… Eccentric.”

Seven years later, I can’t say how

successful we were — give us a break, though, it was hard to be more unpredictable or uncomfortable than the last seven years — but we worked harder than I ever imagined possible.

It was also more fun and rewarding than I ever imagined.

One final thought, before I turn things over: One night, well before my time at LEO, I was having a particularly tough time — a slight, late-20’s identity crisis. My dad, supportive as always, told me that night that he recognizes he leaves big shoes to fill.

Well, dad, I don’t know about the size of the shoes, but you left some big footprints. Thanks for leading the way, and letting me follow along for a while.

Happy Father’s Day. •

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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VIEWS

VI

TITLE IX GUY

HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT: THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF POLITICAL AIDES

By James Wilkerson | leo@leoweekly.com

IN 2019, Cara was ecstatic to be accepted her fellow male interns made a comment, that Cara realized that as a legislative intern through her political what was happening was not science program at UofL. proper protocol. “One of my col“I knew I wanted to pursue a career leagues asked me if the rep. had in politics as I loved discovering the role a crush on me or something,” citizens can play in the political process,” Cara says. “When I asked why, said Cara, who is using an alias to protect he told me that the rep. had been her identity. The then sophomore would be staring at my ass the entire day,” paired with a state representative two days a she said. At this point, Cara realweek in Frankfort. ized that she was living one of Cara and her fellow interns attended a three-hour orientation led by her supervising the examples her professor had warned her about in her orientaprofessor. While she anticipated learning tion session. “I just felt so dirty,” the ins and outs of the internship, she was she recalled. taken aback at the main topic of discussion.

“We spent the majority of the orientation discussing what to do if you are sexually AN IMBALANCE OF harassed,” she said. “The conversation was POWER, A CULTURE OF very uncomfortable and made me wonder SILENCE how many times this situation has happened Just as with other forms of for us to spend this much time talking about sexual misconduct, the sexual it.” harassment political aides face is Despite her reservations, Cara decided an exercise in power. In a 2017 to stay in the program, hoping that nothing article for Vice, Rutgers University Assowould happen to her. ciate Professor Of Political Science Kelly Cara’s sexual harassment began about Dittmar stated that when it comes to sexual a week after her she started the internship. harassment in politics, “it all really comes “There was a senior official that would down to power, and particularly imbalances constantly make of power, that have comments about what Cara and her been established long the female interns ago and are perpetufellow interns were wearing,” Cara ated.” It is this power said. “One day I attended a three- dynamic that also was wearing a V-cut creates a culture of blouse which caused hour orientation silence which allows him to stare at my many of these inciled by her super- for chest and tell me I dents to go unreported. had great skin,” she Sarah Pennington vising professor. recalled. Cara was also Richards, a former subjected to unwanted While she antici- Metro Council intern touching. “It was not recent Brandeis pated learning the and unusual for him to School of Law graduwalk past me, put his ins and outs of the ate, said “defamahand on my lower tion lawsuits, forced back saying ‘excuse internship, she arbitration, and nonme, sweetie,’” Cara disclosure agreements said. Despite this, Cara was taken aback at all serve to protect the did not recognize this the main topic of perpetrators.” as sexual harassment “These are legal initially. “I thought discussion. tools at their disposal this was just what girls that allow for the conin politics had to go through,” she stated. tinuation of abuse,” she continued.

“A rite of passage.” It wasn’t until one of In addition to legal protections, the

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potential to halt a victim’s future political aspirations makes reporting sexual harassment a difficult process as well. “Although I knew I would be believed if I had of reported my harassment, I also knew that doing so could have ended my political career before it even started,” Cara said. “It is my goal to one day run for a state representative office and as such, I didn’t want to be viewed as a ‘problem,’” This is not to say that future career opportunities are the only reason victims refuse to report their assault or harassment.

The act of reporting always has the potential to re-traumatize the victim. Still, knowing that the act of reporting misconduct can result in the derailing of your own career, adds another barrier to the already difficult reporting process.

ACCOUNTABILITY & SUPPORT

Holding officials accountable is the first step in correcting a work culture with sexual harassment. My very first project as a law clerk was the 2017 sexual harassment allegations against Metro Councilman Dan Johnson. After a history which included an allegation of exposing his buttocks to a legal aide and the groping of a fellow council-

T

By

JU the has Am yea est Pe lik enc his as rec ho be

wh no Th iss Th Jun has the sig fre James J. Wilkerson.ebr the woman, Johnson was held responsible for his behavior, ultimately being removed from has his office. Former Councilwoman Barbara int Sexton Smith would say Johnson’s removal con sent a strong message that “sexual harass- tio nat ment is not tolerated in city hall.” cel Both Pennington Richards and Cara He agree that female mentorship is another valuable tool for female aids. “The remedy to to a ‘good ol’ boys club’ is a ‘good ol’ gals few club,’” said Pennington Richards. She Lin stresses the importance of having strong “T female leaders to help guide and teach Em interns the office landscape. tor Of course, the best solution is the corbo rected actions of practitioners of political log aide sexual harassment, whose behavior Ke is more at home in a Mad Men episode rather than in the modern office. “Officials He must remember the boss/staff dynamic that bec 16 exists,” Cara said. “This includes keeppre ing your hands and comments about our physical appearance to yourself. And learn Mo your staff’s first names. Spoiler alert, it’s not lea his ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie.’” • pat James J. Wilkerson, J.D., is the director of lam Staff Diversity and Equity and the Deputy sig leg Title IX Coordinator at IU Southeast.

VIEWS

THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH AND KENTUCKY

By Jermaine Fowler | leo@leoweekly.com

JUNETEENTH, a holiday commemorating A half-truth is a whole lie.

Yes, the Kentucky-born Linthe end of slavery in the United States, coln played a role, but Black has been celebrated by Black people in people freed themselves.

America since the 1860s. But in recent What did happen and what years, there has been an explosion of interhad been happening were est in America’s second freedom day. various forms of emancipaPerhaps, after so many murders of those like Breonna Taylor, national protests have tion since the beginning of encouraged new groups to engage with the enslavement when Black history of Black freedom. Companies such people jumped off slave ships into frigid watery ocean as Tesla, Twitter, Target, Nike and Spotify tombs. When they ran on recently made Juneteenth a paid company foot, paddled by canoe, snuck holiday, but the price for freedom cannot by train, rode by wagon, be reduced to a paid day off. galloped on horses, mailed Juneteenth started in Galveston, Texas, themselves or transported where thousands of enslaved people were themselves in other ways to not told of freedom until June 19, 1865. freedom. Those who joined Then, Union General Gordon Granger the abolitionist cause. Those issued an order officially freeing them. who organized and mobilized This celebration served as the basis of and used their voices to advoJune 19 — or Juneteenth — a holiday that cate for their has become liberation. the most In Kensignificant tucky, they freedom celrisked being ebration in Most of us swept under the U.S. by the wild learn that his Kentucky undercurhas some Emancipation rent of the interesting Ohio River. connecProclamation, They risked tions to this signed by his indel- drowning by national swimming celebration. ible ink on Jan. 1, across to freeHere I want to share a 1863, legally ended dom — any of this, rather few of them. slavery. This is a than be swept Abraham back into the Lincoln, half-truth. A halfundercurrent “The Great Emancipatruth is a whole lie. of enslavement. Kentucky has a shameful history tor,” was Yes, the Kentuckywhen it comes to Black born in a liberation. The Civil War log cabin in born Lincoln ended in April 1865, but Kentucky. the reprehensible bondage He grew to played a role, but of slavery did not end for become the Black people freed some 225,000 Kentucky 16th U.S. enslaved people until the president. themselves.

Thirteenth Amendment Most of us was ratified on Dec. 18, learn that 1865. Kentucky didn’t his Emancieven go on record against pation Procslavery until 1976. lamation, So on Juneteenth, I think about how signed by his indelible ink on Jan. 1, 1863, the struggle continues, but I also pause to legally ended slavery. This is a half-truth.

Jermaine Fowler.

celebrate joy in the struggle. How Black people built their power from no power.

There is joy in that. Despite the difficulties, we can never undervalue the impact and the importance of freedom. Facing the greatest challenges, the men, women and children who emerged from slavery built schools, rebuilt their families and built thriving communities.

So, as we celebrate Juneteenth, remember, it is not just a moment of entertainment, it is a necessary moment of observation for Kentucky. A moment to recognize that our government and our nation have never fully acknowledged the atrocity of slavery and its continued legacy. It hasn’t

accepted the impact this institution has had on Kentucky and continues to have on Kentucky. So Juneteenth is not only a celebration. It is a reminder of that. It will always be a reminder until we reckon with this haunting part of our past. • Jermaine Fowler is the founder of The Humanity Archive, a podcast and educational website committed to telling the untold stories of history. You can find his work at www.thehumanityarchive.com and tune in to The Humanity Archive podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere else you listen.

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NEWS & ANALYSIS

WHY DOES THE CITY’S NEW VIOLENCE PREVENTION STRATEGY INVOLVE POLICE?

By Danielle Grady | dgrady@leoweekly.com METRO government wants to invest in a violence prevention effort that goes beyond simply pumping money into the Louisville Metro Police Department. Its newest component, however, still heavily involves police.

One council member said he thinks this delegitimizes the effort, but the city has said that law enforcement is an integral part of the strategy, which also allows police to take on a role beyond simply enforcing the law.

Mayor Greg Fischer’s budget calls for $550,000 for Group Violence Intervention, which the city started implementing on a small scale in March.

It’s a three-pronged strategy to deter future violence. In it, police visit people involved in violent crime and tell them about the criminal consequences if their actions continue. Often at the same time, service providers also meet with participants to connect them with resources, as well as members of the participant’s community, who talk to them about how violence has impacted their area.

Jecorey Arthur, a council member representing District 4, said he does not think GVI can be effective while still involving police, who the people it’s targeting don’t trust.

“I can only assume that when the police knock on your door, they interact with you, when the police are the first step, you are automatically turned away or turned off by this program,” he said.

“Because the same people who put you in that box, the same people who put that house arrest anklet around your ankle, the same people who are out to get you for some of these crimes that you may or may not have committed, are now trying to offer an olive branch.

It doesn’t work that way.”

GVI has been shown to reduce violent crimes in several of the cities in which it’s been used, while also decreasing arrests. Louisville’s Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Director Monique Williams, said she doesn’t disagree with concerns about law enforcement being involved, but

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GVI will be part of a more cohesive violence prevention effort that she believes the city needs.

“So that’s why I think it’s important that we are utilizing everything used for violence prevention that we can utilize, and we’re not hinging all of everything on any one particular effort but how can we make this more cohesive,” said Williams.

Keith Talley, who is overseeing GVI for the city, said that in addition to communicating the consequences of violent crime, police involved also become part of the effort to provide assistance and support for victims.

“Part of that message is that gun violence is not acceptable, and it has to be a part of the message, but that is not the key part,” he said. “The key part is there are resources and there is help to get you out of it.”

GVI in Louisville will not be housed under OSHN, nor LMPD. Instead, it will live under the Office of Performance Improvement, which Talley said will give it some needed “objectivity.”

STRATEGIES COMBINE

Metro government wants GVI to become a part of a violence prevention effort that employs two other strategies that have worked for the city in the past. All three combined are called Pivot to Peace, said Williams.

Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration is asking Metro Council for $4.2 million to fund the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, which will include money for community-based violence interrupters that the city has used in the past and a hospital-based initiative that it currently utilizes.

Arthur said he supports the requested appropriation for OSHN, because it has been historically underfunded.

In 2016, the city started working with UofL hospital to provide services to gunshot and knife injury victims deemed at-risk of future violence. The next year, the city started investing in a Cure Violence strategy, which added

THORNS & ROSES THE WORST, BEST & MOST ABSURD

interrupters to its effort.

No More Red Dots, a grassroots organization that started in 2015, ran two Cure Violence sites, providing mediation to people who were at the cusp of committing violent crime — often in retaliation for killings and other slights. The YMCA ran another.

Before city funding, NMR spread its efforts across the city. Working with Metro, it concentrated on the Portland and Shawnee neighborhoods. The YMCA site was based in Russell. The hospital strategy was initially triggered when a violence victim arrived from certain West End neighborhoods, although the city’s current website says all Jefferson County residents are eligible.

City funding of NMR coincided with a decrease in Louisville’s homicides. In 2017, when the city first started investing in a violence interrupter model, homicides dropped from a record breaking 118 the year before to 102. In 2018, they lowered further to 80. It also coincided with an 18% decrease in shootings from September to February of 2018 in the Portland, Shawnee and Russell neighborhoods.

Since 2016, Louisville’s hospital-based initiative has had a 96% success rate in preventing retalition and re-injury with its survivors.

In 2019, amid a budget shortfall, the city cut its funding to No More Red Dots, and all the violence interrupter sites closed down, but the hospital site stayed open. That year, homicides started rising again, hitting, 92. And in 2020, Louisville followed national trends and set another homicide record with 170.

If the city is able to secure funding for its violence interrupters, Williams said that Metro wants No More Red Dots to be a part of the strategy again.

The city started looking into GVI in January of 2020, when the former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, Russell Coleman, brought one of the creators of the GVI strategy, David Kennedy, to Louisville to meet

ROSE: LOUISVILLE’S KNOWN HOMETOWN HERO

Louisville needs to renew the Hometown Heroes program, at least to honor one more hero: Hannah Drake. Drake, who has been gracious to allow LEO to run much of her work over the past several years, was featured for her Project (Un)Known in the Arts section of The New York Times Sunday. Project (Un)Known, a multimedia artwork that is a memorial to enslaved people, which will be officially dedicated this Saturday, “is both a remembrance and a provocation — a memorial to those whose stories will never be uncovered, as well as a challenge to the public to unearth narratives that may exist, but are hidden in archives, in attics, in family genealogies, in corporate histories. The hope is to help shift those narratives from the category of ‘forgotten’ to ‘known,’” The Times wrote. Project (Un)Known is a remarkable project — and important for this city to embrace, as we struggle to overcome the evil of racism, segregation and oppression, today.

THORN: KY’S UNAMERICAN SENATORS

A “favorite” social media question is: Which state has the worst senators in the country? Florida’s bad, Texas… both awful. But the answer is Kentucky: It’s not even close, and the margin is only getting wider after this week. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has singlehandedly devastated the integrity and functionality of the Senate (and federal government), escalated his attacks during a radio interview on Monday. McConnell told conservative (and deranged) radio host Hugh Hewitt that, if Republicans reclaim the Senate majority in 2022, he would block a Supreme Court nomination from President Joe Biden in 2024, and likely would block a nominee in 2023. It’s hard to imagine a more direct assault on American democratic institutions… but that won’t stop Rand Paul from trying! Sen. Paul tried to explain the minority-Republican’s abuse of the filibuster to thwart any legislative action pushed by Pres. Biden and Democrats, because that’s the difference between representative democracy and direct democracy, The New York Times reported. “The idea of democracy and majority rule really is what goes against our history and what the country stands for,” Paul said. “The Jim Crow laws came out of democracy. That’s what you get when a majority ignores the rights of others.” At this point, we’re used to their bullshit… we just figured they would be better at covering it.

ROSE: BACK IN THE PULITZER GLOW

The Courier Journal, which won a Pulitzer Prize last year for breaking news for coverage of former Gov. Matt Bevin’s pardons, finished as finalists in two categories this year — breaking news and public service, for coverage of the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the protests that followed. Over the course of the last few years, Courier Journal has produced exceptional work from incredible journalists. They deserve this time in the spotlight. And to the numerous other journalists in town, we saw your fearless on-the-ground reporting over the last year. People like to spout shit about how local journalism is dead, but this city is loaded with media talent. We’re still here to criticize and pester all of you, but we also respect and admire a lot of your work.

ROSE: PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS

On Monday, State Rep. Attica Scott and her daughter Ashanti Scott filed a lawsuit against the LMPD for violating their constitutional rights, after officers from the department arrested them during the protests in Louisville. The Scotts were arrested and charged with felony rioting, but that was dropped a few weeks later, since it was immediately clear how absurd that was. The majority of charges against protesters have now been dismissed, leading us to believe that the police were using arbitrary arrests as an intimidation factor. This sends a message that that can’t be tolerated.

NEWS & ANALYSIS

with city officials, said Talley.

When asked why the city decided to add GVI to its violence prevention roster, Talley called GVI a “comprehensive and holistic” approach to gun violence.

It’s also a city-wide effort.

Kennedy, also a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told LEO that, when it comes to violence prevention strategies, those that have used a single sector — social services, community engagement or law enforcement — have not been effective on a city-wide scale. GVI combines all of them. (Kennedy spoke to LEO about GVI in general and not in response to any of the other sources in this story.)

GVI’S RESULTS

isn’t anything that is so perfect that it works every moment, everywhere, all the time,” he said. “But, fundamentally, the pattern is, you do it well, you keep it going and things get better.”

The work also has to be maintained, he said. There are cities that have had successes and seen those fade away after letting GVI fall apart.

“Lots” of cities also see a reduction in arrests with GVI, said Kennedy. In Tampa, Florida, for example, the city saw a significant reduction in arrests as well as in violence over a six year period after implementing a version of GVI. Kennedy said that a 50-60% reduction in arrests for a city with GVI is “pretty routine.”

WHY LAW ENFORCEMENT? Other cities that have implemented GVI In Arthur’s opinion, Louisville does not have seen results so good, that in Boston – do enough to address what he thinks are the the first GVI city — its 63% drop in youth root causes of violence in its communities. homicides from 1996-97 was referred to “Physical as the “Boston violence is a result Miracle.”

Other cities that have of other forms of Boston violence,” he said.

Ceasefire, as implemented GVI “It’s a result of it was called, have seen results so economical viowas designed in lence; it’s a result partnership with good, that in Boston of social violence; street outreach in it’s a result of the city. A study – the first GVI city environmental of the strategy — its 63% drop in violence; it’s a compared it to of political other U.S. cities youth homicides from result violence; it’s a at the time, which did not see simi1996-97 was referred result of violence that occurs in lar reductions in to as the “Boston other ways that violence. lead to physical After starting Miracle.” violence.”

GVI, Stockton, Arthur’s California saw Boston Ceasefire, as preference would a 42% decrease it was called, was be for the city to in gun homimoney from cide; Lowell, designed in partnership take its police budget Massachusetts experienced a with street outreach in and invest it into Metro’s programs 41% decrease in the city. A study of the that provide gun assaults; and housing Cincinnati saw a strategy compared it to affordable and more. And, 41% decrease in other U.S. cities at the he wonders why group-involved the city’s violence homicides. Over time, which did not see prevention efforts almost 30 years can’t be divested of GVI and studsimilar reductions in from law enforceies about cities ment, too. violence. implementing “Why do they GVI, Kennedy need police to said that when a simply approach someone and offer sercity does the work, it “almost always” sees vices?” he asked. good results.

Williams, with OSHN, told LEO that one “Over decades, there are a couple of places where that hasn’t happened. But there thing to keep in mind is that, in Louisville at

least, law enforcement isn’t going anywhere.

GVI may use law enforcement, but it’s designed to reshape policing, too, Kennedy said, so that it doesn’t result in the harm that the criminal justice system also is known for.

“It’s designed to minimize; it’s designed to be completely transparent; it’s designed to do as much as possible through direct communication and transparency and private notice rather than through actual enforcement, and then to to do as little actual enforcement as possible to keep people from getting hurt and then hurting other people,” he said.

In Louisville, GVI starts with the police identifying “violent street group members on parole or probation or who have been identified subject to additional enforcement,” according to an October news release. Talley said that, so far, Louisville’s GVI teams have also made contact with people who are victims of violent crimes.

Despite already experiencing legal trouble, Kennedy said that members of violent groups don’t understand what all of their legal risks are. They may not understand federal gun laws, which carry a 5-year mandatory sentence and don’t offer parole, he said. Or, that group violence is subject to concerted law enforcement attention.

With GVI, police also ask the people they speak with whether they need protection. People who are committing violence in groups are also often the victims of violence themselves.

And, of course, the police are part of an overall conversation that involves community members, who tell participants that they want them to stay alive, and service providers, who say they want to help them.

As a last resort, police using GVI will pursue enforcement, said Kennedy.

“It reduces the actual requirement to do enforcement as much as possible. And then restricts it as much as possible to the smallest number of people,” he said.

In Louisville so far, around 24 people have been contacted by GVI, according to the mayor’s office. There has been a case in which one person was removed from a dangerous situation when asked if they needed help by law enforcement, said Kennedy.

There are many community organizations that are involved with the effort, but some of them include Volunteers of America, Goodwill Industries, Joshua Community Connectors, Metro United Way and the Coalition for the Homeless. •

GET YOUR

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LoCAl MuSIc VeNUeS HaVE YeT To SeE OwED FeDErAL StIMuLUs MoNEy THE SAVE OUR STAGES ACT PASSED IN DECEMBER 2020

By Scott Recker | leo@leoweekly.com ON MAY 14, Headliners Music Hall owners Billy Hardison and Joe Argabrite stood on a stage in the venue’s parking lot, thanking the audience for their continued support through the pandemic. It was the first show at Headliners in more than a year. Sure, it wasn’t held indoors, like during normal times, but they pulled off a sold-out outdoor concert. And they couldn’t have asked for a better night — it was clear and relatively cool, as Quiet Hollers’ blend of sharp, experimental alt-county and visceral rock boomed throughout the parking lot. Since then,

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Headliners has pulled off several more outdoor shows, and a welcome-back indoor show will be held this Friday, June 18, with a decently healthy schedule moving forward.

A quick glance at the live music industry, and it currently seems to be nothing but acceleration and optimism, with concerts returning, tours being announced and full-capacity shows right around the corner.

But, during the most intense part of the pandemic, many independent venue owners and operators went into debt, and

now, as booking ramps up, they feel the weight of the risks they’re taking, especially since the majority of the venues have yet to see their portion of the more than $16 billion the federal government allocated for them via the Save Our Stages Act, which passed in December of 2020. The first round of the money, which has been handled through a grant program by the Small Business Administration, was supposed to be released on June 9, but that deadline was missed, affecting more than 4,900 venues across the country who were on the top priority list,

Lucero at Headliners Music Hall. | PHOTO BY NIK VECHERY..

meaning each lost more than 90% of revenue due to COVID. for October, November, December of this year confidently, it Last week, multiple coalitions representing independent venues has to be happening a month ago. Which we are, we are moving called on the SBA to release the funds immediately. On deadline forward. We’re not dead yet. We don’t plan to. But it does make day, only 90 of the venues had received money. As of Tuesday, it very, very difficult to understand what your future might bring around 1,000 grants have been approved. with all of it. And, again, our focus is really to keep our staff employed at this point Headliners, which has with a living wage. What no kitchen, and is only “I think our frustration comes in the trickle down of this open for concerts, was is tens of thousands of hit incredibly hard by the the inability to effectively plan is, staff and employees that pandemic, with ownership even having to sell the for the future without this relief support this industry, it rolls down to them at the building to the Live Venue coming in,” Argabrite said. end of the day.”

Recovery Fund, which is There’s a letter circuran by a real estate and lating U.S. Congress that property management will be sent to the SBA this week, asking for answers. company based out of North Carolina. Headliners has yet to see “The SBA has been given an enormous responsibility, any money. starting with with the Cares Act from last year and the PPP pro“I think our frustration comes in the inability to effectively gram,” said U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Louisville. “The SBA, plan for the future without this relief coming in,” Argabrite said. like every other agency under the Trump administration, was “The entire industry is affected by it, all the way down the under-resourced. They never filled vacancies. They basically chain, I believe,” he continued. “So, for us to be able to book

hollowed out all of the agencies. They put this huge burden on them. And, even now, one of their problems is, is that they’re still processing millions of forgiveness applications under PPP.” While Yarmuth, who is also LEO’s founder, feels sympathy for the SBA, he said that he and other politicians have been putting pressure on the agency to get the money to people in a timely manner.

“We’ve worn the phone out calling the SBA,” he said. “It’s not like they’ve not been made aware of the plight of our small business constituents. They have. I’d suspect that just about every member of Congress has called SBA.” Since March of 2020, independent venues have scrapped to stay alive, and it would be a travesty for the survivors to start fading away now.

“Now that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, we don’t want them to be closing right when they have a chance to get back up and do well,” Yarmuth said.

A LONG AND BUMPY ROAD

When COVID-19 swept in last spring, the live music industry came to a screeching halt. Early on in the pandemic, the LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

9

Shadwick Wilde of Quiet Hollers. | PHOTO BY NIK VECHERY.

federal government established the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, a forgivable loan for businesses. The point of the program was not only to float businesses during the crisis, but also to keep workers employed, so the catch of PPP was that to become forgivable, 60% of each loan had to be used on payroll costs. That made sense in a lot of industries, and undoubtably saved countless people from becoming unemployed, but the live music industry was in a bit of a blindspot for the program, because, with COVID restrictions, there could be no concerts, and without concerts, there was no work. Without bands on stages, a lot of bartenders, sound techs and security staff were better off on unemployment.

In May of 2020, independent venues around the nations banded together to form the National Independent Venue Association, or NIVA, which was able to secure some money from ticketing companies. The group then hired a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm to help get their concerns in front of the country’s most powerful politicians. In July of 2020, the Save Our Stages Act was introduced into a then Republican-controlled Senate by bipartisan sponsors — Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota. More than 200 members of

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LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

Congress signed on as co-sponsors. That December, the Save Our Stages Act was included in a $900 billion federal stimulus package. Venues were happy. Things seemed to be trending up.The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established, with the SBA in charge of distribution. The program was supposed to be open for applications on April 8, 2021, but the application portal was shut down and delayed until April 26 because of technical difficulties.

Now, months later, most venues have yet to see any money, and the SBA blowing the deadline for the first round of money distribution has angered NIVA and many indie venues. They say there are experiencing a drain of talent and are just trying to hang on, without adequately being able to book shows and forecast for the future.

“We couldn’t be more grateful that Congress saw fit to provide $16 billion to Save Our Stages, but this untenable wait for the emergency relief has been torturous and damaging to our industry, our employees, and our communities,” NIVA Executive Director Rev. Moose said in a statement. “With the changes made by the White House and our Congressional Champions, we are hopeful that the SBA will award the grant funds without

any further delay.”

This week, a draft of a letter that will be sent to the SBA is circulating around the U.S. Congress. As of press, that letter currently poses four questions to the SBA, asking for an update on the timeline of funds being released, for them to give a briefing to the venues and whether or not they need more resources to complete the task.

It also stresses urgency. One paragraph reads, “The slow pace is becoming increasingly untenable for the small businesses in our districts. Their banks have threatened to call in the full amount of small business loans, they do not have the funds to pay their landlords full rent, and they cannot retain staff. We are hearing from venue operators who are days away from closing their doors if these funds are not sent soon. These small businesses not only provide good jobs and contribute economically to our local communities, they contribute to the spirit and local culture as well. We must act now.”

Rep. Yarmuth, who was a co-sponsor of the Save Our Stages Act, said that the letter is meant to sort out the murky situation: “It asks a lot of questions to try to get clarification, so basically we can tell our constituents what the situation is — be very

transparent and detailed in our explanations.”

While it’s been almost a half a year since the Save Our Stages Act has been passed, Yarmuth said that something of this magnitude usually takes time, poses many challenges and can have bumps in the road.

“I think the mistake that we all made collectively in Congress was not to establishment the right expectations, because we don’t draft a program and say here’s how it’s supposed to be implemented — step 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,” he said. “That’s not how Congress works. It says SBA will establish the procedures and the guidances and the applications and all of those things. And that takes a while.”

HERE AND NOW

Mark Evans, whose company Land Line Presents books shows at Zanzabar and at other venues in Louisville, said that the Save Our Stages Act was a jolt of energy for the industry initially, but the process since has been daunting.

“It got passed through, and it was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s this redemption and we’re going to be okay,’” he said. “And then we just sort of waited and waited, and then finally we got a little bit of answers, and then the website didn’t work the day we were supposed to sign up for the grants. A few weeks later they got the website fixed, and we went through this tedious process — it was a lot of work to apply. And then we waited and waited and waited.”

As shows are starting to become possible again, Evans said that the industry is able to start making money, but that lingering stimulus is still the key to the immediate future for indie venues — although he’s growing more skeptical.

“I’ll believe it when I see it I guess,” he said. “Thankfully we’re able to start recovering organically, but the fact that we weren’t able to operate for over a year, we’ll never be able to recover from that.”

Evans understands that the SBA has been given an overwhelming task, but he believes the problem is that indie music venues weren’t treated as a priority by the government.

“Here’s the thing: I guarantee you airlines and banks didn’t have to wait this long,” he said. “That’s the only thing that keeps me sort of pissed off. If we were big business, if we were corporate America, first of all we wouldn’t have to fight for it, second of all we wouldn’t have to fucking wait for it.”

The nonprofit Art Sanctuaury held its grand reopening event on June 4, which featured several bands. The venue holds artists studios, but also features a large event space used for concerts, events and private gatherings. Art Sanctuaury was extremely safe during COVID and reopened later than most, but now that they’re back up and running, the venue needs that stimulus boost to steer back onto an optimal course moving forward.

“We have a lot of plans and lists and things that we want to do, and we’re just at a standstill, kind of waiting until we know something about this grant,” Art Sanctuary President Lisa Frye said.

Art Sanctuaury plans to use its portion of the money for maintenance, payroll and event capital, but the current uncertainty is taxing.

“I just check it every single day — sometimes more than once. None of us know if we’re actually getting any of this money,” Frye said. “It would help so much if we did. We’re just hoping that we get something. And that we hear about it soon.” • Le Butcherettes at Zanzabar. | PHOTO BY WILL FENWICK. LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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STAFF PICKS THURSDAY, JUNE 17-19

Juneteenth Celebrations

This year, Louisville is going big on Juneteenth, the annual celebration of the emancipation of all enslaved people in the United States. There are historically-minded events and all out parties. Here are a few:

FREEDOM

Kentucky Black Festival (June 17-20) | Various locations kentuckyblackfestival.org | Prices and times vary A multi-day Juneteenth celebration with something for everyone: a gala, bike night, unity parade and fam fun field day.

Juneteenth Jubilee (June 17-20) | Various locations | juneteenthlou.com Prices and times vary Louisville Metro’s Juneteenth week of events (including some you may see here), featuring parties, a kids’ camp, wellness fair, geneaology event and more.

Celebrating Juneteenth Day At The OCHC (June 19) | Oldham County History Center 106 N. Second Ave., La Grange, Kentucky | oldhamkyhistory.com Free | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

A day of Black history activities, including a Civil War cemetery walk, hands-on kids’ projects, and a Black Union soldier presentation.

Juneteenth Celebration (June 19) | The Floyd County Library 180 W. Spring St., New Albany, Indiana | floydlibrary.org | Free | 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

A “festive day” for all ages with live music, crafts and refreshments.

Juneteenth: Past, Present, Future (June 19) | Various locations ideasxlab.com/unknown | Free | Noon, 1:30 p.m.

An art-centric Juneteenth event from the (Un)Known Project, starting with poetry and performances at Roots 101 and a Journey in Our Footprints walk to the Louisville waterfront, ending at the “On the Banks of Freedom” art installation for its unveiling.

A 502 Juneteenth Community Bike Ride (June 19) | Wyandotte Park 1104 Beecher St. | Search Facebook | Free | Noon A community bike ride of 6.19 miles.

Juneteenth Celebration (June 19) | Coleman Preparatory Academy 2627 Crums Lane | colemanprep.org | Free | 2-6 p.m.

A family-friendly festival with music, a cornhole tournament, Black businesses, book fair, food trucks and more.

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It’s A Family Affair, A Juneteenth Celebration w/ PAKG & Friends (June 19) Zanzabar | 2100 S. Preston St. | zanzabarlouisville.com | $20 | 8 p.m.

Celebrate Black creativity with music from Producing A Kind Generation and Quintette from Soul Purpose.

Juneteenth Comedy Spectacular (June 19) | 21st in Germantown 1481 S. Shelby St. | Search Eventbrite | $15 | 8-11 p.m.

A comedy show headlined by Brad Sativa (Nashville), accompanied by Louisville favorites.

Juneteenth Party (June 19) | Prizm | 2901 S. Fourth St. prizmpop.com | $10 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

A party with sounds from Magic Domdi and Coop Le Moderne, drinks from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey drinks and a giveaway.—LEO

FRIDAY, JUNE 18

Fear The Unicorn: Pride Party

Trouble Bar | 1149 S. Shelby St. | Search Instagram | 8 p.m.

We can never get back the year-plus we’ve missed of cutting loose on the dance floor, but Trouble Bar is back. What’s more, we’re right in the middle of Pride Month, and PRIDE there’s no better time to get back out there and let loose on the dance floor.

Trouble Bar plays host to Fear The Unicorn: Pride Party, part of the Hi Felicia Friday summer event series, with a specialty Pride menu, rainbow shots and swag bags. DJ S.Y.I.M.O.N.E., resident DJ at Nowhere Bar Louisville, will be in the house. —LEO

STAFF PICKS

FRIDAY, JUNE 18

SATURDAY, JUNE 19

American Turners | 3125 River Road | Search Facebook $20 (cash) | 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Mayan Cafe | 813 E. Market St. | Search Facebook | No cover | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Coat Check Pool Party Start your summer off swimmingly PARTY TIME with an outdoor pool party. DJs will be spinning the tunes, and there’ll be a photo booth for you and any new friends you meet poolside. The $20 entrance fee and the bar are cash-only, so make sure you bring enough to make the night fun. (But drink responsibly.) The event description specifically promises “intrigue” and “love,” which makes it a must-do as far as I’m concerned. –– Carolyn Brown

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 20

Bo$$ Bistro Brunch

Not that we needed another reason to go to Mayan Cafe, but this is worth a special trip.

The Bo$$ (Blacks Organizing Strategic Success) Bistro Brunch is a summer EAT UP series, wherein each month one local, aspiring Black chef joins the Mayan Cafe crew to create a brunch menu. In working with Mayan’s Head Chef Bruce Ucán, the chef will gain invaluable experience while also learning how to build and price a menu, order all the necessary items, and run a kitchen… during peak-Saturday brunch crowd, too. Plus, most of the profits will go to the guest chef. Currently, seats for this Saturday’s Bo$$ Bistro Brunch are sold out, but you can sign up for text notifications through resy. com or show up and jump on the waitlist. And, if it doesn’t happen this month, keep your eyes out for next month’s pop-up, and be ready to jump on those reservations. —LEO

‘The Swimming Pool (La Piscine)’ At Speed Cinema 2035 S. Third Street | speedmuseum.org/events Prices and times vary

Speed Cinema’s second movie showing since the start of the pandemic is “La Piscine,” the classic ‘60s film that is both très French and (apparMOVIE NIGHT ently) très horny. Expect murder, luxury, dancing and loads of sexual tension, restored from the original to 4K. The movie, which sets Alain Delon and Romy Schneider in the gorgeous French Riviera, will play in French with English subtitles. –– Carolyn Brown

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23

2020 Christmas (Makeup) Party

Zanzabar | 2100 S. Preston St. | zanzabarlouisville.com No cover | 6 p.m. –1 a.m.

After the tragic cancellation of 2020’s most important late-December CHRISTMAS IN JUNE holidays — Christmas, New Year’s Eve, my birthday — Zanzabar was keen to make up for lost time with a free midsummer Christmas party. You’ll sing Christmas songs with Bullitt County’s favorite four-named country singer, Tyler Lance Walker Gill. You’ll eat Christmas food (maybe no roast beast, but don’t be a grinch about it.) You’ll drink eggnog shots and jello shots, just like at Grandma’s house. You’ll flex your post-vax arms in a sleeveless holiday sweater contest. If you’re really feeling the holiday spirit, you’ll even participate in an optional $10 gift exchange. That whole “home for the holidays” thing is so last year. Celebrating with strangers at a barcade in June is so much cooler, without that winter chill. — Carolyn Brown LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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MUSIC

STYX RETURNS TO LOUISVILLE FOR LIVE ON THE LAWN SERIES AT WATERFRONT PARK

By Erica Rucker | erucker@leoweekly.com COMING back to the road after a forced hiatus due to COVID, Styx is set to play Louisville’s Waterfront Park on June 22 with Collective Soul. The band has been around longer than most LEO readers, but remains a popular touring act attracting a wide range of fans young and old.

Touring on the release of their 17th studio album, the band is ready to get back to doing what they do best. LEO caught up with bassist Ricky Phillips for a quick Q&A. LEO: So you’re finally getting back to the road after COVID, how does it feel?

Ricky Phillips: Everybody in the band is excited. We recorded a new record, which is coming out here soon...a couple of singles have already been pre-released and then, you know, we haven’t really seen each other, except for the moments I flew to Nashville to record the new record. I was there for four days with Tommy [Shaw, Styx guitarist] and Will Evankovich, the producer. Todd [Sucherman] did his drums from home in his own home studio. um, the relationships we’ve had over the What should fans expect from the new years with the fans. Certain things you record Crash of the Crown? take for granted, and you quit appreciatWe tried to make all the hit points ing it. And now, there’s huge appreciation like the big Styx harmonies, um, the way for the gifts that we they’re stacked, the have and we get as way that the songs are written. The The writing of these we perform from the other side. It’s the writing of these songs is different in reciprocal thing. songs is different in that they’re almost that they’re almost How long have you like movements. like movement. been with Styx?

It’s a big meal, this my 19th record. But, I think It’s a big meal, this yearI’llinstart September. it’s something that as artists we need record. But, I think I was in a band called The Babys to do. I’m proud of it’s something that with John Waite Tommy Shaw for Jonathan Cain kind of spearheading as artists we need and and Tony Brock and this whole thing and Wally Stocker. We saying, ‘let’s not rest to do. toured with Styx in on our laurels.’

1979. I met the guys back then. Tommy Shaw and I maintained How is this year going to be different a friendship. I really didn’t stay in touch for the band? with anyone else in the band. When I So many things were taken away from was in Bad English, when Jonathan Cain people across the country. Ours was the and John Waite and I put together the Bad pleasure that we get from performing and,

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Styx plays Live on the Lawn at Waterfront Park on Tuesday June 22 with Collective Soul. | PHOTO BY JASON POWELL.

English with Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo, Tommy was in Damn Yankees.

So we had sort of this commonality in our band histories of different eras. Tommy called me, all these years ago and said, ‘Hey, would you feel like putting on the dancing shoes again?’

What’s it like getting ready for the road?

We haven’t played these songs in a while, so we’re all doing our homework and brushing up on stuff. You’d be surprised. I’ve noticed going through the material on my own, I have... I know what the riff is. I’m good, but I’m thinking, ‘Wait a minute, did I play this down here?’ Actually yesterday, I went in, and on “Grand Illusion,” I couldn’t figure out where I played a line, whether it was up high on the neck, on the lower string, or was lower on the neck, on a higher string.

And, I had to look at… Somebody filmed us someplace and I got to see my hands.

I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s what I thought it was.’ But it makes you second guess.

Tommy Shaw made a great statement

once — this was probably five or six years ago — he walks on the bus, he looks at us and said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s good to be back on the road. My charm was wearing thin at home.’ And so we’re a big support group for one another. We get what we do. There’s no explanation necessary. And so it will be a very, very welcome event when we see each other here in about four days. • Styx arrives in Louisville for their Waterfront show on June 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with special guest, Collective Soul. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster through the liveonthelawnlou.com website.

MUSIC

YOLA BRINGS BIG VOCALS AND A WINDOW INTO HER LIFE WHEN SHE STOPS IN THE RIVER CITY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

By Erica Rucker | erucker@leoweekly.com IN AN INDUSTRY where gimmicks are often rewarded, sometimes an artist peeks through the noise, offering a moment of clarity and honesty in the craft of music. Grammynominated singer Yola is one of those artists.

Her debut, Walk Through Fire, introduced her music to the world and received high praise from fans and critics, and now she’s recorded an album that she calls a “window” into her mind and her experiences. The new album, Stand for Myself comes out July 30. It’s a long wait, but luckily Yola comes to Louisville this coming Friday, June 18, at Brown-Forman Amphitheater. LEO was lucky enough to get to spend some time talking to Yola about the new release, soul music and the fun of allergies in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys.

LEO: The new album is amazing. When does it come out?

Yola: The record is due out on the 30th of July, so yeah, we’re gearing up for that.

Oof, that’s a long wait.

It really is. It’s over a month and a half. So I know that people are just like ‘Really, are you kidding me? That’s such a long time,’ but yeah, you know, we have to get it teed up right.

the womb.

Talk to me about writing that record and how that came together.

Well, the aim was all killer, no filler on the record. And also for every song to tell a part of my story. What was really important to me from an effective standpoint was that the feel of the record have energy, that it have feel...

It has pockets in the drumming, and it has movement and melody in the bass as opposed to just in the guitar, or just in the piano and that it has groove to it, so you can move to it.

The idea was that I juxtapose all of that kind of sentiment, like a lot of truth, a lot of truth in the lyrics and that I spoke on things, but I felt were addressed sparingly, if at all.

That’s kind of what the approach to writing this record. And, what I want to achieve with it.

I wanted it to be from my lens as a dark skinned woman, as a British person, um, as a second generation African, Ghanaian.

Tell me why you felt that now is the right moment to do that album and to be transparent about yourself and your experiences.

I think for me, it was important for me to speak on the experience… to speak on What is the new record like? what it was like being isolated, minimizing Every song has some element of soul myself. As much as it was the idea of having music in it, but like, it’s soul music and this this moment to self-actualize, the feel of the or soul music and that. The thing that I found beginning of was almost the which is what ultimately comI wanted it to be from my this record is binable genre of for me, like music. You can lens as a dark skinned the beginning put soul with of my selftechno or metal, woman, as a British actualization, and soul comes person, um, as a second like, it’s not all out just fine. of it, but it’s That’s kind generation African, definitely the of a really big beginning of part of what this Ghanaian. that story. record is. It was so much down Your vocals are very clean on the record. I to the lens of a black, British woman that’s love a singer that can sing without all the isolated, um, and how sonically that sculpts tricks. and creates a narrative that I might not have I think I wanted to show the quality of my had if I was a city Black girl as opposed to a voice. I have allergies. I don’t know if you country Black girl. know this about Nashville, but it’s like one of the most allergenic places in America.

Where did you get hooked on music?

Well I often say this, but the birth canal. I Yes, Louisville is too. Bring your antihistawas obsessed with music pretty much out of

Yola plays the Brown-Forman Amphitheater this Friday June 18. | PHOTO BY JOSEPH ROSS SMITH.

mines.

So you guys will know what it’s like. It’s brutal, and everyone thought I was an Alto when this record came out, and I’m like, I’m a mezzo-soprano. It’s just like, I couldn’t do it. • Rest assured, allergies or not, Yola can sing

and if you’re a fan of big voices, do not miss a chance to see her this Friday, June 18 at the Waterfront Brown-Forman Auditorium. I can’t think of a better way to hear a voice like hers than with the open air to hear it carry across the wind.

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

15

FOOD & DRINK

RECOMMENDED

WILD EGGS SCORES WITH EVERY PLATE

By Robin Garr | LouisvilleHotBytes.com ONE CLOUDY, stormy looking March afternoon last year, when lockdown had just started and we all were starting to reckon with the scary reality that the pandemic was here to stay for a while, I got out and walked through a completely deserted Westport Village.

I walked up to the big windows at Wild Eggs and saw an eerie scene, chairs perched upside down on tables in the empty room, and a vacant expanse of empty parking lot reflected in the big plate glass windows.

In that moment I decided to come back for a meal, or maybe a few, when things returned to normal.

So recently, with vaccinations widespread and Gov. Andy Beshear’s restrictions going away, it was time to return, and so I did. Twice.

I’m delighted to report that things are very much back to normal, with food and service up to Wild Eggs’ high standard.

It doesn’t seem as if it’s been 14 years since the first Wild Eggs opened on Dutchmans Lane in 2007. I speculated at the time,

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LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

based on its attractive egg-centric imaging and pretty pastel colors, that the owners had expansion plans. Indeed, Wild Eggs has grown into a regional mini-chain of more than a dozen properties, including a half-dozen around Louisville and expansion units spreading to Lexington and Bowling Green, Kentucky, as well as Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

The menu selections appear to be consistent across the properties. Nearly two dozen egg dishes are mostly priced between $11.49 and $16.99, and mostly built with two or three eggs and your choice of home fries, grits or a muffin on the side.

You can dine economically on Zax I Am eggs ($8.69), a diner-style plate with home fries and an everything muffin, or a buildyour-own omelet or scramble ($9.49 plus upcharges for cheeses and other fillings).

Don’t care for eggs? Wild Eggs, despite its name, has you covered with a half-dozen egg-free breakfast entrees like buffalo chicken topped with cheeses ($11.99), kitchen-sink nachos ($13.99) and traditional

Looks like eggs benedict, but it’s greener and more healthy: Wild Eggs’ Veggie Bennie Florentine piles garlicky sauteed spinach on an English muffin under tasty eggs and hollandaise.

Wild Eggs’ ACE of a BLT spells out the extra ingredients that provide gravitas: Avocado, Cheddar and a fried egg: A.C.E.

FOOD & DRINK

Thick, crisp, and fresh from the griddle, with maple syrup and butter, Wild Eggs’ Belgian waffle is a delight.

breakfast basics such as oatmeal with toppings or biscuits and gravy (each $8.49).

A half-dozen pancake and waffle meals range in price from $8.99 (for a Belgian waffle or big stack of buttermilk pancakes) to $12.99 (for chicken and waffle with bacon). Seven burgers and sandwiches, served with a choice of french fries or home fries, are $10.49 (for a breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs and cheddar) to $12.99 (for Laredo steak and cheese on grilled sourdough).

A limited bar selection offers bloody marys, mimosas, tequila sunrises and liquorspiked coffee drinks, all under $10. Fresh coffee is $2.99, and iced tea is $2.99.

We enjoyed several dishes during two visits.

The veggie bennie florentine ($11.49) is one of a trio of “bennie” dishes made in homage to classic eggs benedict. This

version is decidedly greener and possibly slightly more healthy than the original. It starts with a split english muffin as a base, and each half is topped with a pile of Wild Eggs’ garlicky, lightly-sauteed spinach leaves and a spoonful of perfectly-chopped fresh tomato brunoise. A perfect, runny poached egg is then dropped on each half, with rich, sunrise-gold hollandaise spooned over each and a sprinkle of spicy paprika.

On the side, came a bowl of the grits of the day, a rich and delicious mix of cheddar, cream and coarse-grained grits.

The Wild Patty Melt ($11.99) is like a burger with a college education, placing a half-pound patty and pepperjack cheese between grilled sourdough slices with bourbon-glazed sauteed onions and horseradish aioli. The fresh Angus beef patty came welldone, and the combination of pepper jack and horseradish imparted a distinct kick.

Fries on the side were first-rate — long, golden and firm, with a crisp exterior cloaking the tender, steaming potato within.

The ACE of a BLT ($11.99) gets its obscure name from extra ingredients that add mass and flavor to the traditional bacon, lettuce and tomato. Say hello to avocado, cheddar and a fried egg on top, rounding out the A, C and E. With chopped, crisp lettuce and a thick slice of juicy, bright-red tomato, it was built on thick-sliced sourdough toast.

An everything muffin on the side was so good that we got another a la carte ($2.49).

“Everything” may be a bit of a misnomer — it lacks some of the goodies that you’ll find on a traditional everything bagel. But you know what? I don’t care. It’s delicious in its own right, an alluring if unexpected combination of sweet and savory. It’s loaded with poppy seeds and onion powder, crunchy on top and tender within.

Call it breakfast or call it dessert: Thick, crisp and fresh from the griddle, with maple syrup and butter, Wild Eggs’ Belgian waffle ($8.99) is a delight. Almost as big as the plate it comes on, it’s a meal in itself, especially with a thick-cut slice of salty, savory ham ($4.49) on the side.

Our first visit rang up a $39.15 tab for three, plus a 20% tip. Back a few days later, the toll was $28.06 for two, plus a $5.61 tip. •

WILD EGGS

1311 Herr Lane Westport Village 618-2866 wildeggs.com

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

RIVER CITY DRUM CORP GETS DOCUMENTARY TREATMENT WITH ‘RIVER CITY DRUMBEAT’

By Carolyn Brown | leo@leoweekly.com

“EVERYBODY is a drummer,” said Albert to be allowed to perform, and every student has to work his or her way through multiple Shumake, executive director of the River levels of instruction and practice before he City Drum Corp, “because we are born into or she can play on the prestigious drumline the world with this sound.” He tapped a itself. Within 48 hours of every group event, rhythm on a snare drum, beating his hand including performances and field trips, each over his heart. student is required to turn in a That’s a moment from the new documenwritten personal narrative. tary “River City Drumbeat,” which follows Still, at the the River City Drum Corp, an Although the Corp organization’s core (no pun organization is a performing arts intended) is a in Louisville’s specific focus on West End that organization –– it’s promoting and turns young preserving Black people into hard not to lose cultural heritage. skilled drumline performers yourself in its thun- Most, but not all, the current and while teaching derous beats –– its of former students them life skills and boosting underlying mission in the program are Black; the the community. is to promote edu- handmade PVC Shumake is pipe drums that the successor cation. All parnew Corp memto (and former bers perform with student of) the ticipants have to are spray-painted organization’s maintain a GPA of in red, black, founder and green –– the 30-year leader, 2.5 or better to be and colors of the Ed “Nardie” White. The allowed to perform, Pan-African flag.

The music they 95-minute film and every student play is based on follows the African Corp during has to work his or traditional drumming, and its yearlong the Corp holds leadership her way through a bi-monthly transition while multiple levels of class about Black spotlighting history. three young instruction and Drumlines drummers: have a special sigJailen, Emily, practice before nificance in Black and Imani. The he or she can play culture, especially movie, which HBCUs, as was named on the prestigious athighlighted in a New York the 2002 movie Times Critics’ drumline itself.

“Drumline.” The Pick in 2020, most recent Honda Battle of the will premiere on KET this Friday, June 18, at 9 p.m., and will be available online and on Bands, on which the movie’s climactic final scene at the the PBS app. fictional BET Big Southern Although the Corp is a performing arts Classic is based, brought nearly organization –– it’s hard not to lose yourself 60,000 audience members to in its thunderous beats –– its underlying Atlanta in January 2020. Many mission is to promote education. All participants have to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better Corp alumni are graduates or

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LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

current students at HBCUs, thanks in large part to mentoring from Shumake and White.

(In fact, one of the students featured in the documentary, Jailen Leavell, has since gone on to intern at Ebony Magazine, NBC, and the White House, after graduating from the

HBCU Tennessee State University.)

The movie doesn’t hide the difficulties that it takes to reach lofty aspirations, though. Community members discuss racism and economic disparities; White talks about how he was told that he, as a Black man,

RIver City Drumbeat premieres on KET this Friday June 18 at 9 p.m.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

would never be able to make money in the arts. Students recall teachers who told them they wouldn’t amount to anything and racial slurs heard in their neighborhoods. White discusses using the Corp as a force for good to prevent tragedies like the ones he and his late wife, Zambia Nkrumah, experienced nearly a decade ago: their granddaughter was murdered in an act of gang violence.

Shumake credits his participation in the Corp for keeping him from a similar fate as a child.

In one of the movie’s trailers, drummers call and respond together: “I pledge to my ancestors, whose names I may not know, in respect for their great struggles, that I’ll struggle to grow.” The day the movie will premiere on KET is one day before Juneteenth, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in the U.S. Co-director Marlon Johnson told SFFILM in a 2020 interview, “The drum corps is a strong tree rooted in AfricanAmerican culture, and its members and alumni are the fruit of that tree.” As White says in the movie, “Our culture is gonna be our savior. If we tap back into that culture, you’ll find out that’s where the power is at.”

In a joint statement, Johnson and his collaborator Anne Flatté said that they hoped the movie “resonates with communities as they do the vital work of raising future generations.” They added, “We believe every child needs the chance to connect with the arts, and this film tells the story of what results when that connection is fostered.”

As a filmmaker, Flatté has a previous tie to music in Louisville; in 2014, she directed the series “Music Makes a City Now,” which profiled Teddy Abrams in his first year at the Louisville Orchestra. Johnson has directed multiple films about the impact of music in other large cultural hubs, including Detroit and Miami.

Although the movie took four years to finish, it had its world premiere in New York City in 2019. Most of it was filmed five years ago. The Corp has continued to practice and perform over the last year, during the pandemic and the events surrounding Breonna Taylor’s murder, albeit within the limitations of COVID.; from March to September of last year, they only held practice sessions over Zoom. Since then, they’ve gone back to in-person meetings — distanced, with masks. In the last six months, they’ve even performed at events with Wynton Marsalis and the Louisville Ballet, respectively.

It is the community, the culture and the Corp that brings the beats back to the city. •

The youth of RIver City Drum Corp are captured in the new documentary, River City Drumbeat.

River City Drumbeat showcases the River City Drum Corp in a new documentary.

LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE IS A HOMECOMING, A LOVE LETTER, AND THE START OF A NEW ERA AT KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE

By Allie Fireel | leo@leoweekly.com

QUILL in hand, Jon O’Brien delivers the first line of the play Shakespeare in Love.

“Shall I compare thee…. Shall I compare...”

O’Brien is playing William Shakespeare, and he’s supposed to struggle with that line, which he’ll struggle with again when Kentucky Shakespeare Festival opens Shakespeare in Love (June 16-July 31), their first play in Central Park since theaters shut down in March of 2020.

The plot of the show — for Rehearsals for Kentucky Shakespeare’s ‘Shakespeare in Love’ | PHOTO BY ALLIE FIREEL anyone not familiar with the 1998 Academy Award-winning film upon light and turn off the lights, and those steel “I think for which the play is based — revolves I-beams will feel more like giant claws; the people, if they’ve around Shakespeare’s struggles as a Kentucky Shakespeare presents ‘Shakespeare In Love’ June 16-July 31. | PHOTO BY ALLIE cavernous space will ricochet echoes off not been to Shakewriter, an actor and a lover. Spoiler FIREEL unseen walls. speare in the Park alert: the poem, and William Shake“It’ll be rustic-spooky,” said Wallace. before, I thought, maybe this will be an speare, end up doing pretty well. dream to be in a space where we have our “It’s a two-actor Victorian ghost tale; we’re introduction, to get them to the park.” own costume shop, our own rehearsal hall, Shakespeare in Love is the first play telling it in a Victorian neighborhood.”

Wallace doesn’t just rely on scripts to rehearsed by Kentucky Shakespeare Festival storage, our offices.” get new people to the park. Transportation The buzz of activity in the rehearsal hall in their new home and rehearsal hall on In early 2022, Ky Shakes will co-produce is one of the most confounding barriers to looked more like a movie set than a place Myrtle Street, which is a literal stone’s the queer-focused play “Shakespeare’s R&J” bringing theater to underserved and marginwhere you might rehearse a play. Steel throw from Central Park. On a recent Saturwith Pandora Productions, a partnership alized communities. Put it another way — I-beams soar overhead, and the space is day morning, I got a chance to visit the new originally planned for the winter of 2021. how useful is free Shakespeare if you don’t full of natural light. The dimensions of the home and see the cast rehearsing. Kentucky It’s a partnership worth noting because it entire Central Park stage are taped out on the have bus fare to get to the park? To begin Shakespeare’s Producing Artistic Director uses a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo addressing that issue in Louisville, Wallace pocked concrete floor.

Matt Wallace showed me around the buildand Juliet to tell a story of about the queer and Kentucky Shakespeare are offering Starting the 2021 summer season with ing, which has just finished its second phase community, a community that isn’t often TARC to the Park.

Shakespeare in Love is another thing Walof construction, including a suite of offices openly represented in Shakespeare’s plays “We’re distributing at least 1,200 lace is excited about. He’s had his eye on and an on-site costume shop. (or ever; opinions differ). four-hour bus vouchers in West and South the script for several years, and he decided But first up — O’Brien and William Wallace is almost always excited about Louisville. We’re partnering with dozens of it would be a perfect play for the company’s Shakespeare when I talk to him, and when Shakespeare have to figure how to finish that community centers and organizations.”

60th anniversary, what he called “a love we sat down in his new office for our interfirst line of the show, which the shakespeariSoon enough Wallace will also get a letter” to the city that has supported and view, he could barely stay in his chair. At enced will recognize as the start of a famous chance to move an audience inside that new loved Kentucky Shakespeare. one point he was gesturing towards the park sonnet. rehearsal space, when Kentucky ShakeOf course, that was before COVID and stopped mid sentence: “Shall I compare thee — shall I speare’s fall show will temporarily transform compare—” shut down all the theaters. But 15 months “I love that I can motion ‘over there,” the hall into a theater. later, Wallace says the show has even more Will — it’s “to a summer’s day.” And he gushed, “because the park’s right over “We’re going to do a two actor ‘Turn meaning. presumably by extension, a summer’s night there!” of the Screw,’ by Jeremy Hatcher, from the “I didn’t know it would end up being an with Kentucky Shakespeare, back home in Wallace continued, gesturing to other even more perfect love letter on the return to Henry James. It’ll be fun. Our audience gets Central Park. • locations within pointing distance, “because to experience our new space.” theater — live theater — and Shakespeare.” when we were in the rehearsal hall” he The show will star two of Ky Shakes’ The play itself is full of love letters, star Shakespeare In Love runs from June 16 to stopped, gestured and smiled some more, stalwarts (also two of my favorite Louiscrossed lovers, couples and couplets and “and while we were building the costume July 31 in Central Park. Performances begin ville-based actors), Mollie Murk and Zach sword fights (and a dog), but the script is all shop,” he pointed and laughed. at 8 p.m. and are free. Visit kyshakespeare.

Burrell. written in contemporary language, which com for the company’s complete schedule.

His excitement is warranted. It’s a really While that rehearsal hall is bright and Wallace hopes helps bring in some new nice space, the kind of home most theater bubbly during the day, take out the dayaudiences. companies never get. “It’s always been a

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LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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If you'd like a LEO Weekly rack at your business, email distribution@leoweekly.com LEOWEEKLY.COM // JUNE 16, 2021

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ETC.

9

10

11

19

20

21

23

24

25

26

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31

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37

51

44

46

57

69

54 59

71

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81 87 94 99

114

109 115

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51 Scoring win after win 52 Mowry who starred alongside her twin Tia in the ’90s sitcom ‘‘Sister, Sister’’ 53 ____ Z 55 Cubs’ place to play home games 58 Wilson who wrote the lyrics to 75-Across 59 Play areas 61 The ‘‘Bel Paese,’’ to locals 62 Borrower 63 Scale 67 Quintessentially cowardly 69 Mosaic maker 70 Remove from under the seat in front of you, say 72 Ducks known for their soft down feathers 76 Tinker (with) 77 Yes or no follower 79 ‘‘I’ve got it!’’

83 Rob ____, British comedian and TV personality 84 Samosa tidbit 85 Part of an office phone no.

88 Tool for a duel 91 Sidewalk drawings 92 One of the Manning brothers 93 Disentangle oneself 94 Main source of energy?

95 Breakout 1993 single for Counting Crows 96 Stay awhile 100 Only color of the rainbow not seen on the L.G.B.T. pride flag 102 Portable dwellings

105

106

86 91

97 102

111

116

124 127

101

103 112

104

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123

104 Richie with the No. 1 hit ‘‘All Night Long’’ 105 Borrower 106 Potato cultivar that was developed in Ontario, despite its name 108 Pelvic exercise 110 Nintendo dino 112 Like diamonds from a mine 115 Father 117 Weak, as a case 119 ‘‘Oh, and another thing .?.?. ,’’ for short 120 Graffiti signature 123 College, to a Brit

A D S

108

100

M D S

107

96

A S C E N D

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85

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63

80 84

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Y U G O L D

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61

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49

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36

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43 50

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DOWN Some hip-hop collectibles On dry land Join a conference call, say Quick to fall asleep, in a way Sense of self Día de San Valentín gifts Tearfully complain Tabloid nickname for mother Nadya Suleman Powder in the powder room Course with greens Machiavellian sort Omits Objective Gateway city to Utah’s Arches National Park Some after-Christmas announcements Home to about one in five Californians Long-running sitcom set in Seattle Them’s the breaks!

Spent some time on YouTube, say Nobel Peace Prize recipient who wrote ‘‘No Future Without Forgiveness’’ Sought-after position Pop G.P.s, e.g.

City about 25 miles S.E. of Chicago, IL. ____-faire (social adeptness) Level the playing field?

Put one past One ending for a classic board game — another of which (when a player resigns) is represented visually six times in this puzzle Tough spots Bother incessantly

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24 25 26 27 30 31 32 33 35 37 38 40 42 43 46 48 50 54 55 56 57 60 64 65 66 68 69 71 73 74 75

ACROSS Gilda of the original ‘‘S.N.L.’’ cast They may need to be cut off Ways of making ends meet?

Degree in design, for short Cow’s-milk cheese that’s often grated Sweet-16 org.

Honor named for a Greek goddess Site of a lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World ‘‘____ pass’’ Where snow leopards and blue sheep roam King of a nursery rhyme Went to bat (for) Test versions Good fashion sense, in modern slang Appear Features of some indoor arenas Theater-curtain material Fired off, say Grind Money of the Philippines Follow One giving a khutbah sermon Smaller alternative to a Quarter Pounder Chicago team, in old ‘‘S.N.L.’’ sketches Ski-lodge mugful Fraternity letter King of ancient Israel Comic actress Gasteyer Left, cutely Great Lakes nation Pickup line?

Like the columns of the Lincoln Memorial Cures ‘‘____ we good?’’

King of ancient Egypt Tattoo artist, so to speak Org. with a complex code ‘‘Happy Days’’ network Beach Boys song set to the tune of Chuck Berry’s ‘‘Sweet Little Sixteen’’ King of myth 4G letters ____ pace Not doing so hot F-, e.g.

Discourage Waze way: Abbr.

Piece of plastic with a gladiator pictured on it Physics demonstration often done from the roof of a school

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K E G E L

BY JENNIFER NEBERGALL / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

95 ____-Briggs Type Indicator (popular personality test) 97 ‘‘I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure,’’ e.g.

98 King of Shakespeare 99 ‘‘Keep Austin ____’’ (city slogan) 101 Annual presidential address, for short 103 Partner 107 ‘‘No worries’’ 109 ‘‘Bon appétit!’’

111 Christ, to Bach 113 Place 114 Chimney channels 116 Warning on presents stashed in the closet 118 King of Skull Island 119 ‘‘Huddle up!’’

121 Actress Elisabeth 122 When: Sp. 124 Early adolescent years, so to speak 125 Engage 126 Opposite of wind up 127 Infinitesimal 128 Toys with much assembly required 129 Travel-brochure listings 130 Named

R A D N A S I A P H A R C O L E D R I P S E N T I H O T C A N A R A M A R E S U R F S N A I D E G G D L E A R I T S O F L U B R I N T E N D W E E

The New York Times Magazine Crossword YOU DO THE MATH

PHOTO BY RACHEL ROBINSON

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SAVAGE LOVE

By Dan Savage | mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage

THE EURO ZONE

Q: We're a happily married couple from Europe, longtime readers, both in our thirties, and both interested in having sex sometimes with other people. Before the pandemic we were invited to a private sex party in a major European capital. It was an age- and face-controlled swingers night with background checks on every participant. It was our first experience and it was eye-opening, wonderful, and very sexy, even though we were too shy to fool around with anyone else. But we promised ourselves we would return and explore further.

Then COVID-19 happened and we couldn't travel. We decided to hook up with other people locally. We had amazing threesomes and foursomes, and it all went ridiculously well, up until the part when we got herpes from another couple. This other couple didn't know they had it or didn't bother to disclose. Herpes isn't as common here as in the US, as far as my research went, and it was a huge bummer, but after educating and medicating ourselves, we decided to continue having hookups with others. We tell everyone in advance because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Some cut us off, some don't care, some admit they also have it, which always leaves us wondering if they would have admitted it without us “coming clean” first.

We are still part of the online community that organized that wonderful party and, with things opening up here, they are beginning to plan the next event. We would love to go back. My question is: Can we?

Should we? Should we tell everybody about the herpes? Or is that a risk you take at an orgy involving fifty or more people? We've read a lot about transmission and know that sometimes skin-to-skin contact is enough. We also know that it's possible to have herpes and not be aware of it, which means other participants may already have it and not know. So what's the right thing to do? Should we just pass up this orgy for the rest of our lives? Take the viral suppressants that weekend and fuck as many people as we can without worrying about it?

Sincerely Wondering About Post-Pandemic Explicit Disclosures P.S. I found a piece of advice online about this issue from Betty Dodson, written in 2009, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

A: Hm. I would think an invite-only swingers party with “age- and face-controlled” background checks (meaning: no olds*, no uglies**) would also put a few questions to prospective attendees about sexual health.

If the organizers of this party don’t require you to disclose that you have herpes or other sexually-transmitted infections—because they enforce safer-sex protocols that minimize the risk of transmission and/or they quite rightly assume that anyone down to sex with fifty strangers in a single evening either already has herpes or at least willing to chance it—then I don’t think you have to disclose.

Don’t confuse “don’t think you have to” with “don’t think you shouldn’t.” I think you should disclose—I think you should keep disclosing—and if disclosing gets you scratched off the guest list, SWAPPED, you will have other opportunities to fuck other people in other major European capitals. I mean, you’ve been disclosing to couples locally and haven’t exactly wanted for opportunities… even during a pandemic.

(People who weren’t worried about catching COVID-19 during the pandemic—which isn’t over yet—probably weren’t too worried about catching herpes.) Yes, some couples ghosted after you disclosed but it sounds like just as many or more weren’t scared off. And the couples who ghosted? Some already have herpes and don’t know it—and HPV as well, SWAPPED, as both of these very common STIs are easily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Anyone who wants to avoid contracting them shouldn’t have multiple sex partners—or arguably any sex partners at all, considering how common these infections are and, again, how easily transmitted they are. And anyone who attends orgies—anyone who’s sexually active at all—should get regular STI screenings, get treated for treatable STIs, and refrain from having sex (or attending sex parties) when they’re symptomatic or still infectious. (And everyone can and should get the HPV vaccine and people with herpes can take meds that make outbreaks less frequent and less intense and make them less likely to pass herpes on to others.)

And while it’s my official position that you should disclose—because, like you, I think disclosing is the right thing to do—my unofficial position is that anyone who has sex with fifty strangers in a European capital, be it major or minor, has volunteered for herpes.

P.S. The late, great Betty Dodson was never one for mincing words. Not only did Dodson tell a couple with herpes that they didn’t need to disclose unless asked in the column SWAPPED found, Dodson also shared that she didn’t tell her own partner she had herpes until she had an outbreak ten years into the relationship. (“Orgy Guilt Because We Didn’t Share We Have Herpes,” Dodsonandross.com, July 7, 2009). “I abhor how our society has turned Herpes into an STD,” Dodson wrote. “My first genital herpes outbreak was in the seventies. If you didn’t have Herpes back then, it meant you weren’t having sex. It was more like a badge of sexual abundance.”

Q: I'm a 24-year-old heterosexual French man. (Sorry for my English.) I really love my girlfriend. Our relationship is deep, we listen and understand to other, and we take care of the other. The xex is great, truly great. We try many different things and we try to fulfil our common desires and the desires of the other. Long story short: everything with her and our relationship is perfect. The only thing is that she wants our relationship to be monogamous and I would like to have sex with 75% of the girl I bump into. Normally this is not a big deal because, since I'm not particularly attractive, so there are not many girls that want to have sex with me. But during the four years we have been together I had some opportunities to which I had to say no. Once I kissed another girl and the day after I confessed this to my girlfriend. Now every time I find myself attracted to someone else I immediately tell my girlfriend.

She doesn't blame me for finding other women attractive or even when I confess to flirting with another woman but I know she doesn't feel good about it. If I have to choose I will always choose her but I love to flirt. I would also love to see how is sex with someone else, as I have never had sex with anyone else. But at the same time I don't want to hurt her and I feel childish for not being able to control my instincts.

How do people get out of these sorts of situations?

Diligently Escaping Sexual Intercourses, Relentlessly Excited A: First… your English is way better than my (non-existent) French. No need to be feel bad about that.

Second… if you wanna be feel bad about something, DESIRE, feel bad about being a jerk to your girlfriend. In other words: OH MY GOD, DUDE, SHUT THE FUCK UP. Stop running to your girlfriend to “confess” every time you have an impure thought about another woman. Constantly and need-

lessly reminding your girlfriend you would like to fuck other women is just cruel. She knows that, DESIRE, so you don’t need to tell her. You’re not being honest, you’re not being transparent, you’re being an asshole.

This is a relationship, DESIRE, not a meeting of Reluctant Monogamists Anonymous. (“Hi, my name is ASSHOLE BOYFRIEND and I’ve been monogamous for four years and each day is a struggle.”) If you don’t wanna be in a monogamous relationship with this woman, DESIRE, if monogamy isn’t the price of admission you’re willing to pay, end this relationship. But if it is a price you’re willing to pay, DESIRE, then pay it and SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT IT. If you can’t shut the fuck up about it—if you can’t keep these thoughts to yourself and/or find someone else to confide in about them (a friend? a bartender? a pompier?)— your girlfriend is going to realize she’s paying way too steep a price and dump your ass. * Age is just a number, of course, but people, alone or in groups, are allowed to seek sex partners in their own and/or their preferred age range—and I say that as someone who would most likely be excluded from this particular sex party based on my age. **A person doesn’t have to be conventionally attractive to attract sex partners—and a person can be conventionally attractive in every sense and repel more people than they attract. mail@savagelove.net Follow Dan on Twitter @FakeDanSavage. www.savagelovecast.com

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