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CONTENTS

SHARA CLARK Editor-in-Chief SAMUEL X. CICCI Managing Editor JACKSON BAKER, BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN Senior Editors TOBY SELLS Associate Editor KAILYNN JOHNSON News Reporter CHRIS MCCOY Film and TV Editor ALEX GREENE Music Editor MICHAEL DONAHUE, JON W. SPARKS Staff Writers ABIGAIL MORICI Arts and Culture Editor ALICE FAYE DUNCAN, GENE GARD, EMILY GUENTHER, COCO JUNE, FRANK MURTAUGH Contributing Columnists SHARON BROWN, AIMEE STIEGEMEYER Grizzlies Reporters SYMONE MAXWELL Editorial Intern KENNETH NEILL Founding Publisher

I have a few good cooks in my family. My grandpa mastered a recipe for red gravy, passed down through generations of Sicilians — yes, red gravy, not red sauce. My mom has her signature chocolate chip cookies; my dad has perfected his crab and crawfish boils, and he also makes red gravy now. And my sister, as much as I hate to admit (because of sibling rivalry and all that), can make a mean red velvet cupcake. Today, my cooking set off the smoke detector. I burnt butter. It’s fine. It’s whatever. I’m definitely not insecure about my apparent un-inherited culinary skills. I was also told that the way I was holding the knife was wrong and that I was bound to slice a finger off. My “nice” cooking knife privileges were swiftly revoked before I was handed a less nice cooking knife. But it’s fine. It’s whatever. I definitely didn’t take it personally. I also might have let a few chickpeas explode in my boyfriend’s oven. But, again, it’s fine. It’s whatever. He said it was, as he ushered me away the kitchen. I’ll make it up to him one day, perhaps by sticking my head in the oven. To clean it. These days, I’m trying something new: cooking something other than pasta with three ingredients. You see, I’ve got about three recipes I know — three recipes that, for the most part, are harder to mess up than to get right, yet somehow only come out right for me about 75 percent of time. But there’s only so much pasta a human can/should consume in a given week, at least that’s what the internet says, so I’ve enlisted my boyfriend into a Hello Fresh trial as advertised in every true crime podcast you could listen to. Three packages of ingredients come delivered to the door, and it’s up to us to assemble them into something edible. A bonding experience that hopefully won’t make him think less of me. It’s fine. So far, I’m mostly the sous-chef … or the anti-sous-chef, more of a menace in the kitchen than anything. (It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem.) I’m not sure where my culinary incompetence stems from — if it’s a nature vs. nurture thing. I guess it doesn’t really matter because the problem is here nonetheless. Growing up, I never really wanted to be in the kitchen to learn to cook; that was my sister’s thing (and we couldn’t possibly like the same things, God forbid), and I was (am) a picky eater, so there was no way I was going to touch half of the stuff that was being prepared. Rolling up meatballs with my dad might sound like a charming generational memory, but that is one my sister can cherish ’cause I won’t, just won’t do that. I don’t eat meat, never had, couldn’t tell you why, but I can tell you that the thought of rolling ground beef between my knuckles makes my skin crawl. (It’s just one of those things, okay?) But I eat seafood. And for most of my life that’s been the caveat that restarts people’s judgy hearts and unrolls their eyes after they hear that I don’t eat meat, especially since I’m from New Orleans, land of the seafood fanatics. This is why I love Lent, which is coming up in about a week and means no meat on Fridays (or Ash Wednesday) for us Catholics. Growing up, Lent for me was a certified guarantee that every Friday no matter what we were eating as a family it was going to be something I liked. Alleluia. Red gravy without meatballs? Hell yeah! Boiled crabs? Music to my ears! Grilled cheese? Sure thing! Crawfish? Yes, please! Shrimp? You know it! Sure, Lent is supposed to be a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and to pray and make your own sacrifices, blah blah blah. Like, my dad would give up sweets for those 40 days, so that just meant more dessert for my sister and me (score!). I did do my own sacrifices, too, like giving up meat on Fridays (score!). For a few years, I gave up watching the Disney Channel. It was hard. I missed my Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana, but I lived. Obviously. The idea of Lent is nice, though. It makes you see what you can live without, makes you respect the important things and practice gratefulness. Could you go without TikTok for 40 days? What about cursing at traffic? My fourth-grade teacher once told us we could also commit to do something extra every day instead, like saying the rosary (what NEWS & OPINION fourth-grader is going to do that?) or pickTHE FLY-BY - 4 ing up an extra chore (nah). I think my new POLITICS - 8 40-day commitment might be cooking a AT LARGE - 10 FINANCE - 11 new recipe on the weekdays/not burning COVER STORY the house down (whichever ends up less “MATTERS OF THE HEART” ambitious). The great thing about it is that BY FLYER STAFF - 12 it’s only 40 days to give something up or add VIEWPOINT - 15 something new, and it’s only your relationWE RECOMMEND - 16 ship with God on the line, which is fine. It’s MUSIC - 17 AFTER DARK - 18 whatever. If you’re not Catholic, it’s a nice CALENDAR - 19 challenge for mindfulness. NY TIMES CROSSWORD - 20 But the best part of Lent has always BOOKS - 23 been gathering for meals on Fridays, THEATER - 24 usually seafood boils back home in New FOOD - 25 Orleans, and since I’m not in New Orleans, NEWS OF THE WEIRD - 26 ASTROLOGY - 27 these mostly edible meals with my boyFILM - 28 friend will do. It’s better than fine. CLASSIFIEDS - 30 Abigail Morici LAST WORD - 31 abigail@memphisflyer.com

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OUR 1824TH ISSUE 02.08.24 Editor’s note: Flyer writers will occasionally share this space.

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W E E K T H AT WA S By Flyer staff

Exoneration, Hot Slaw, & the NCAA

PALESTINE PROTEST

A conviction is overturned, a possible new state food, and the state sues for student athletes.

“WE TOOK OVER THE BRIDGE Y’ALL!!!!!” Memphis Voices for Palestine (MVP) posted to Instagram last Saturday. “FREE PALESTINE!!!!” The event was called Shut It Down for Palestine: Memphis Protest. A flyer for the MVP event said, “Biden, no more U.S. aid to Israel! The people demand a ceasefire! Free, free Palestine!” The protest began at Memphis City Hall last Saturday afternoon. Protesters then made their way to the Hernando DeSoto Bridge. Once they amassed on the bridge, they stopped traffic for more than an hour. Though the group promoted the event for a week online, Memphis Police Department did not respond until protesters took the bridge.

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“The amount of people in my comments who act as if they’d be willing to commit vehicular homicide is alarming,” Fox13 meteorologist Chelsea Chandler tweeted Sunday. “Regardless of the circumstances, it’s still murder.” On Monday, state Sen. Brent Taylor tweeted that he requested a review of the event by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations “to determine which individuals are responsible for this action and refer the findings to the appropriate office to be fully prosecuted.”

CONVICTION OVERTURNED The Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) celebrated its first overturned conviction in Memphis. TIP opened its Memphis office in September 2023. The group announced the exoneration of Artis Whitehead last week. He was arrested in 2003 for a 2002 robbery at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. His conviction was overturned exactly 21 years from the date of his arrest. In 2003, a jury convicted Whitehead of five counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of especially aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated robbery, and one count of attempted robbery. Whitehead was sentenced to a total of 249 years. “TIP has been working on this case for the last four years because we believed in Mr. Whitehead’s innocence, and we appreciate the [Shelby County district attorney general’s office’s] diligent investigation and attention to detail,” said TIP executive director and lead counsel Jessica Van Dyke. “They got to the bottom of this case and ensured that justice was served appropriately for Mr. Whitehead and his family.” HOT SLAW A STATE FOOD If a Tennessee GOP “slawmaker” (heh) gets his way, “hot slaw” will become an official state food of Tennessee. Legislation supporting the idea in the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Senate last week and advanced through the House committee process. A companion bill would make Cleveland, Tennessee, the hot slaw capital of the state. Never heard of hot slaw? Many members of the House Public Service Subcommittee hadn’t either. “It’s more of a mustard, vinegar, hot pepper type of slaw,” explained state Rep. Kevin Raper (R-Cleveland), sponsor of the bills. “A lot of people thought that it was just coleslaw heated up. It’s nothing like that.” Raper explained that the bill would make hot slaw “an official state food, not the state food,” stressing the words “an” and “the.” However, the bill’s caption, the brief but official language explaining the bill, says that the legislation “designates hot slaw as the official state food.” Raper explained that other state foods could be barbecue from Memphis, hot chicken from Nashville, and Mountain Dew from Johnson City. According to the secretary of state’s office, Tennessee has two state foods. The tomato is the state fruit. Milk is the state beverage. Legislation last year made pumpkin pie the state’s official pie. STATE SUES NCAA College athletes should be able to fully benefit from uses of their names, images, and likenesses (NIL), according to a lawsuit filed last week by officials in Tennessee and Virginia. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and

PHOTO (ABOVE): TENNESSEE INNOCENCE PROJECT

Artis Whitehead celebrates his exoneration exactly 21 years from the date of his arrest. PHOTO (RIGHT): HOT SLAW FESTIVAL VIA FACEBOOK

Hot slaw could become an official state food. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares sued the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) last week, saying prospective athletes should be able to speak freely about NIL benefits. The suit comes during another recruiting probe related to the University of Tennessee. “This court should declare unlawful and enjoin the NCAA’s NIL-recruiting ban and allow this market, which already exists, to function fairly and competitively,” reads the lawsuit. Skrmetti argued the ban thwarts the free market and harms student-athletes. “College sports wouldn’t exist without college athletes, and those students shouldn’t be left behind while everybody else involved prospers,” he said. “The NCAA’s restraints on prospective students’ ability to meaningfully negotiate NIL deals violate federal antitrust law. Only Congress has the power to impose such limits.” Visit the News Blog at memphisflyer.com for fuller versions of these stories and more local news.

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Two Memphis thought-leaders say Tennessee’s economic policies do not work for all.

ur cover story last week looked at issues stoking the embers of class struggles in Tennessee. School vouchers, deep tax cuts for the state’s business class, and even that brief “tax holiday” on groceries have some wondering for whom does the state’s Republican-dominated government work? We also reported on a study from the national Economic Policy Institute that found Tennessee’s “business-friendly” economic policies really only benefit those at the top. These issues and more were central to state Sen. London Lamar’s (DMemphis) prebuttal to Gov. Bill Lee’s State of the State on Monday. Elena Delavega, a professor at the University of Memphis and a Memphis poverty expert, said Tennessee’s low-tax, low-wage system does not really move the needle on poverty. Both spoke to us for our “Money Matters” story. Here is some of what they had to say. Memphis Flyer: Does Tennessee’s economic policy work for most folks in Tennessee? Sen. London Lamar: Our tax policy is incentivizing businesses for keeping people poor. I say that because when you think about since 2011 and when the Republicans got in office, the main tax reform and benefits have truly benefited the wealthy and big corporations. When you look back since 2011 … think about it. You had a repeal of the millionaire estate tax. You have a repeal of the luxury gift tax. A repeal of income taxes on stocks and bonds. A reduction of the jet fuel tax. Corporate exemptions to the sales tax and exemptions for corporate income tax. So, all of these major policy reforms around taxation have all been policies to benefit corporations and rich people. So the question is, where are the priorities for those citizens who are working the hardest to contribute to our economy?

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This study says economic policies like these are “rooted in racism.” What do you think about that? I do think it’s rooted in racism. As long as Black and brown people aren’t economically viable, then they don’t have really any impact politically. You can look at that in the campaign funding of

Black candidates in Tennessee. We’re funded far less than Republican white folks, even white Democrats. As long as our community stays poor, then we can’t compete against rich people who have the ability, access, and resources to play in a political game in a real way. Does this “business-friendly” economic system work for everyone? Elena Delavega: It may help two or three people at the very top, but it ends up hurting everybody else by denying the investment in the community that would make it a livable community, that would attract people who can have a choice [of a place to live]. So, it’s sort of like this downward

PHOTO: VEPAR5 | ADOBE STOCK; PHOTO (TOP): UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Elena Delavega spiral. We don’t invest and then become even less attractive. Then, we cut taxes. Then, there is less money for investment. We cut more taxes and so on. How does this all affect our poverty situation? It’s the policies at the top that end up creating inequality and poverty, but they hurt everyone. You shoot yourself in the foot because abandoned areas become not interesting to businesses. So we’re here begging, “Oh my god, let’s help businesses.” But businesses are choosing to go to cities that provide good amenities, good schools, good roads, but also good theaters, good parks, good museums because these are the things that people find interesting and where those with money want to live. You’re then able to attract businesses — not by getting yourself naked and taking off your clothes in the middle of the road, but by actually having an attractive city. Then, the money is going to come. You’re not having to cut your tax base. The money is now sufficient.

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The Memphis Flyer present circumstances in Nashville, and has confirmed that has made no decision to leave them, but Mayor Paul Young acknowledges that a possible return to and a veteran Memphis would be attractive as well. public official Sullivan is the daughter of the late now serving in Dave Black, a featured radio broadcaster Nashville are of many years in Memphis, and the in continuing late Kay Pittman Black, who was a conversations about her possible well-known journalist and government employment here. This would be Maura employee here. Black Sullivan, a native Memphian who now holds the position of chief operating • With Governor Bill Lee’s appointment officer of Nashville Public Schools. this week of Mary L. Wagner to the TenSullivan, who previously served nessee Supreme Court, the state’s high as COO for former Memphis Mayor court continues with an unmistakably AC Wharton and later for former red hue politically. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, As a judicial candidate in her two confirmed that conversations with elections as a Circuit Court judge in Young are ongoing for the position of Shelby County, Wagner campaigned his chief administrative officer. without ideological inflection and On Tuesday of this week, the city enjoyed relatively diverse support, and council was prepared to deal with some there was no hint of political bias in her unfinished business — including a judgments. But her background was controversial healthcare allowance for that of a Republican activist, and she council members of both was a member two terms’ service of the right-leaning or more, and a Federalist Society decision on yet and served a term as another mayoral chair of the Shelby appointment — this County Republican one of public works Party. director Robert In appointing Knecht. Wagner, Lee said, A vote on Knecht, “Her understanding whom Mayor Paul and respect for Young submitted the rule of law and for renomination commitment to week before last, was the conservative deferred after council principles of judicial chairman JB Smiley restraint make her publicly criticized well-suited for the Knecht for “attitude” state’s highest court, PHOTO: COURTESY MAURA BLACK SULLIVAN issues and asked for and I am proud to Maura Black Sullivan the deferral. appoint her to this Several of position.” Young’s cabinet choices were viewed Technically, Wagner is a justicenegatively by Smiley and other council designate. The justice she was named members — notably Police Chief to succeed, Roger Page,will keep his CJ Davis, whose reappointment the position for some months. council narrowly rejected via a 7-6 vote. (She was later given an interim • DA Steve Mulroy was in a celappointment by Young, pending a later ebratory mood last Monday evening reexamination by the council.) after the Shelby County Commission Another issue with several council voted unanimously — except for three members has been unease at the mayor’s abstentions — to pass an ordinance inability so far to complete his team imposing guidelines ensuring that all with credentialed new appointees in members of his office, whether their other positions. He has not yet named technical employment is by the county permanent appointees for the key or by the state, are paid according to positions of chief operating officer and the same pay scale. chief financial officer, for example. As a county official, Mulroy had That circumstance could change recently trimmed his own pay according soon. Sullivan is frank to say that she to the lower county rate. He has now has not been in a job search, enjoys her restored the voluntary pay cut.

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’m old enough to remember when Tracy Chapman released “Fast Car” — old enough to remember how stunning and incongruous it was, coming out at the end of the technoEighties, a softly strummed acoustic song with lyrics that indelibly captured what it meant to be young and poor and stuck in a bad place with no way out. I bought the album, bought the cassette, played it, and played it again. I didn’t watch the Grammys Sunday night, but the video of the song’s performance by Chapman and country singer Luke Combs — who resurrected the song and released his own version last year — was everywhere the next day. No doubt there were millions of people who’d never heard of Tracy Chapman or heard the original version who were seeing her sing it for the first time. It was a beautiful and moving performance, and I must admit it got a little dusty in my office as I watched it on my laptop. Twice. It’s a testament to the song’s power that it could be sung together by a queer Black woman and white male country star who says he used to hear it in his dad’s truck when he was a kid. The lyrics transcend categories that too often put us in our separate silos, unable to see what we could have in common with one another. See, my old man’s got a problem He lives with a bottle that’s the way it is He says his body’s too old for workin’ His body’s too young to look like his When mama went off and left him She wanted more from life than he could give I said, “Somebody’s got to take care of him” I quit school and that’s what I did. In 1988, when Chapman released “Fast Car,” it became a big hit, rising to number six on Billboard’s Hot 100. Chapman won three Grammys that year — a year in which the other top songs belonged to INXS, Guns N’ Roses, Cheap Trick, George Michael, Billy Ocean, and Rick Astley (who is never going to give you up). Mostly white guys with guitars and hair. In 2023, 35 years later, Combs’ ver-

sion of “Fast Car” hit number one on the Billboard country charts in July and earned the number two spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. Other number one country songs on the chart in 2023 were by Jelly Roll (a country rapper), Kane Brown (a multi-racial singer who was discovered on social media), and Morgan Wallen, who famously once used the “n-word,” got drunk at Kid Rock’s Nashville club, and has been fervently rebranding himself ever since. Country music ain’t what it used to be (totally white, except for Charley Pride), and that’s mostly due to TikTok stars coming into the picture. It can’t hurt, I say.

Speaking of country music … I don’t know how many of you have heard of this girl, Taylor Swift. She also won a Grammy or two and is becoming something of a big deal these days. I predict major success for her. Sure, she’s gotten famous mostly because of her boyfriend — Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce — but I’ve seen a couple of her videos and she seems to have a real knack for making snappy songs for young people. Of course, it can’t hurt that Taylor’s boyfriend is playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. Talk about your lucky timing! Plus, he’s rich! There are those who say Taylor Swift’s rise to fame isn’t based on talent or luck. They say it’s all part of a deep-secret government operation that goes all the way to the top: namely, President Joe Biden. Certain MAGA types now say that the Super Bowl is rigged and that after the Kansas City Chiefs win on Sunday, Swift is going to come out and endorse Biden. It makes sense, when you take a minute to think about it. What does Biden famously have in his garage? A 1967 Corvette. And what is that? A fast car. Boom! Game, set, and match, sheeple!

FINANCE By Gene Gard

Tax Relief Act An explainer on how the changes will work if it passes.

Research and Experimental Expenditures The bill would allow taxpayers to deduct currently (rather than capitalize and amortize) domestic research and experimental costs that are paid or incurred in tax years beginning after December 31, 2021, and before January 1, 2026. Foreign costs would continue to be capitalized and amortized over a 15-year period. The bill doesn’t provide any commentary related to claiming the deduction in a tax year for which a return has already been filed. We’re not sure if this will mean amended returns for 2022 will need to be filed or if there will be a way to claim the deduction on a subsequent year’s return. 100 Percent Bonus Depreciation The bill would extend 100 percent bonus depreciation for property placed in service after December 31, 2022, and before January 1, 2026 (January 1, 2027, for longer production period property and certain aircraft). The 20 percent and 0 percent rates would continue to apply to property placed in service in 2026 and 2027. Increased Code Sec. 179 Deduction The bill would increase the amount of the Sec. 179 deduction to $1.29 million in 2024 and increase the beginning phase-out amount to $3.22 million. These amounts would be indexed for inflation for taxable years beginning after 2024. Business Interest Expense Limitation The bill would make the limitation on business interest expense deduc-

Disaster-Related Tax Relief The bill would eliminate the requirement that casualty losses must exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) to qualify for the deduction. Each separate casualty would still be subject to a $500 floor. The casualty loss would be able to be taken even if taxpayers don’t itemize their deductions, meaning they would be allowed to claim the casualty loss in addition to the standard deduction. The bill would extend the relief to apply to any federally declared disaster during the period beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending 60 days after the date of the enactment of this bill. Employee Retention Credit (ERC) The period for filing ERC claims for both 2020 and 2021 would end as of January 31, 2024. Even if the bill is signed into law after January 31, 2024, the January 31 deadline will likely apply retroactively. It would also increase the penalty on any “COVID-ERTC promoter” who “knows or has reason to know that an understatement of the tax liability of another person would result from the use of his aid, assistance, or advice.” The penalty would increase from the current $1,000 to “the greater of $200,000 ($10,000 in the case of a natural person) or 75 percent of the gross income of the ERTC promoter derived (or to be derived) from providing aid, assistance, or advice with respect to a return or claim for the credit refund or a document relating to the return or claim. Gene Gard, CFA, CFP, CFT-I, is a Partner and Private Wealth Manager with Creative Planning. Creative Planning is one of the nation’s largest Registered Investment Advisory firms providing comprehensive wealth management services to ensure all elements of a client’s financial life are working together, including investments, taxes, estate planning, and risk management. For more information or to request a free, no-obligation consultation, visit CreativePlanning.com.

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Child Tax Credit The refundable portion of the credit would be increased over a three-year period (2023, 2024, and 2025). For 2023, the maximum refundable portion would be increased from $1,600 per child to $1,800. In 2024, it would increase to $1,900 and then in 2025 it would be $2,000. The calculation of the refundable credit would change in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

tion less severe. Prior to 2022, when companies computed adjusted taxable income for the purposes of seeing whether their interest expense deduction was limited, they were allowed to add back depreciation, amortization, and depletion expense. This add back was taken away in 2022, making adjusted taxable income smaller and therefore making it more difficult to deduct the full amount of interest expense paid or incurred.

NEWS & OPINION

he Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 was passed by the House of Representatives on January 31, 2024, by a 357-70 vote. It now heads to the Senate where it faces an uncertain future. Although the bill hasn’t become law yet, it’s important to be aware of the potential changes, outlined below.

Time to get Motor-vated!

COVER STORY By Flyer staff

Matters of the Heart FROM NEW YORK TO IRAN, THREE MEMPHIS COUPLES NAVIGATED THE LONG, SOMETIMES WINDING PATH TO LOVE.

he annual big freeze seems to have gone, but what could have dispensed with the cold Memphis weather? Perhaps it’s all the love in the air. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, be uplifted by the stories of three Bluff City couples who navigated their own twisty, windy paths to love. Their tales will thaw both the frostiest days, and our cold, frozen hearts. Justin J. Pearson + Oceana Gilliam Oceana Gilliam says she met Justin Pearson in 2016 at Princeton University. “Justin and I, we both did this program together called the … what is it?” “Policy International Affairs Junior Summer Institute,” says Pearson, finishing her thought, as the couple are prone to do. “We were both juniors in college going into our senior year,” Oceana continues. “I was really smitten, I think, when I first saw him, because even then, when we were just in college, he would have on his suit. When he would introduce himself, he would stand up and say, ‘Hello, I’m Justin J. Pearson.’ I was just like, oh my God, I really love that. He was always so kind. He’s always so sweet.” “She was this very cute Black girl who was speaking Russian and singing in Russian at this program,” Justin recalls. “There was a song that I had just learned by Leon Bridges. One of the lines is ‘Brown skin girl with the polka-dot dress on.’ I love the song and I remember sending that to her, so I liked her a lot.”

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“Even though we didn’t get together, it’s like the ﬂame never went away.”

PHOTO: COURTESY JUSTIN J. PEARSON + OCEANA GILLIAM

Justin J. Pearson + Oceana Gilliam

Oceana, who was “born and raised in South Central,” Los Angeles, went to grad school at UCLA, while Justin was all the way across North America at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, before leading the charge to stop the Byhalia Pipeline with Memphis Community Against the Pipeline. (After their victory, the environmental justice organization changed its name to reflect a wider focus on pollution.) “Even though we didn’t get together, it’s like the flame never went away,” says Justin. “Which is why I kept pursuing, probably more than she was. I was in the DMs between 2016 and literally 2020. “We reconnected because I actually went to L.A. and I saw her for 30 minutes before I gave a speech. She was in grad school at UCLA getting her master’s in public policy. And so anytime I would talk to her — which was very little over those few years — she was just doing some amazing stuff for policy and political science things. But then we had Covid, and we had the summer

PHOTO: JUSTIN FOX BURKS

Amir Hadadzadeh and Sepideh Dashti

get triumphs, or you get tragedies, that bring people together,” says Justin. — Chris McCoy Sepideh Dashti + Amir Hadadzadeh Amir Hadadzadeh and Sepideh Dashti met some 10 years ago in Iran — they’d met a few times actually, but mostly in passing. Amir’s university friend married Sepideh’s sister, so they were bound to get to know each other one day. At the time, Amir was studying in Canada, and Sepideh was still in Iran. On a visit back home, Amir had been tasked with dropping off something from his friend and his wife to Sepideh. “I knocked on the door,” Amir reminisces, “and someone — Sepideh — just opened the door a little bit and a hand came out, grabbed the thing, and went in. She didn’t even show her face.” This day, it turned out, wouldn’t be the day that Amir and Sepideh got to know each other, but they laugh about it now. Instead, Amir says he kept thinking about her while he was studying for his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. He was drawn to her seriousness. “She didn’t care

about any guy. I mean, there was no one,” he says. “And then I decided to call, so it started from there.” “Actually, we would chat [over Skype and Yahoo Messenger],” Sepideh corrects. “We were too shy to talk.”

“I only wish that I would have met her earlier. That’s the only regret that I have.” But in 2009, the internet in Iran was not stable as the government sought to tighten its control. “We would start to chat with each other. And in the middle of the chat, the government decided to shut down the internet,” Amir says, “and we were not able to really have a deep conversation. It was very tough for us.” “The internet shutdown happened,” Sepideh says, “and that was a moment we felt that [we would make a good couple] because then our conversations stopped for several days and I remember Amir’s sister called me and said, ‘Amir is very

worried for you and asked me to tell you not to go outside because they arrested someone for protesting the election.’” And so, Amir and Sepideh kept chatting, sending messages when the internet allowed, and eventually graduated to phone calls and video calls after the shyness wore off. After a few months, Amir returned to Iran and proposed. “She accepted,” Amir says. They had about a month together before Amir returned to Canada, and they could only see each other a few hours a day. “Sometimes we had to be sneaky,” Amir says with a smirk. A year later, they were married. “We only had 10 days to be really close to each other [after the wedding before Amir had to go back to school],” Sepideh says. She was able to get her visa six months later, so they could finally be together in the same country. The day they reunited was April 15, 2011, Amir recalls immediately. Since then, they’ve moved from Canada to Memphis, with Amir taking a job at the University of Memphis as a professor of mechanical engineering. continued on page 14

COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

of Black Death with George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, these lynchings going on. She was protesting a lot in Los Angeles, and I was starting to get more engaged and involved in things in Memphis because we just moved back home. Then we had the pipeline fight in Memphis, and we really started to connect and bond and talk. She was a big support system during that time, too.” “We really, really connected during the pandemic — we’re one of those pandemic bae couples,” says Oceana. “It was such a difficult and hard time. He was someone that I could really turn to, and he was always there for me. … We would literally be working with each other — I’ll be on a work meeting, he’ll be on a work call, but we have our Zooms on or our FaceTime on mute. We spend hours and hours together.” When Justin broached the subject of running for the Tennessee House of Representatives to Oceana, “At that point I could really see it,” she says. “He was already doing a lot of great work with MCAP, and I saw how he spoke out against trying to build this pipeline between people’s homes and take land. And so when he decided to say, ‘Hey, I want to run for office,’ I was with him fully and completely. I feel like that was a great path for him. He’s really passionate about this work, but he’s also very genuine. He’s very serious. “Just from my own experience, being around other type of politicians, what I really appreciate about Justin the most is that the work that he does, he really does it from the heart. After going around with him, door knocking, meeting people in Westwood and other parts of Memphis and Millington, people really, really love Justin.” As Justin grappled with the decision to run for office, the couple took a road trip from L.A. to Memphis. “You’re on the diving board and you’re like, am I really going to jump? We kept getting all these signs that this is the right thing to do. I remember, I was driving and I was like, ‘We going to do it, right? We going to do it? We were in Texas, and this huge cross kind of appeared out of nowhere, seemingly. And it was like, yeah, we’re going to do this thing.” After Justin won a special election in 2023, Oceana was going to return to Los Angeles, but instead got caught up in what Justin calls “the most wild week ever known to humanity,” where he was sworn in to the house, brought the post-Covenant School shooting protests against gun violence onto the State House floor, and was then impeached and temporarily expelled from the legislature. “That was such a difficult time,” she says. “I was in the gallery every single day with him. It was really something else.” Justin and Oceana got engaged at her birthday party in 2023. They plan on tying the knot in the spring of 2025. “You

PHOTO: JUSTIN FOX BURKS

Mario + Kristin Linagen-Monterosso

continued from page 13

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Sepideh, meanwhile, is something of a multi-hyphenate as an art instructor at the Kroc Center, adjunct faculty at U of M, a Ph.D. candidate in educational psychology and research, and an artist who explores identity, womanhood, and the body. “I always tell her, ‘You are an internationally recognized artist. You should acknowledge that,’” Amir adds when he boasts about his wife’s accomplishments. “He’s why I can manage,” Sepideh says, “especially with two kids. Honestly. … Like, even, I can say now in our parenting that we are very involved. So I’m very serious and I get mad and angry very easily, so most of the time I ask, ‘Can you manage this?’ I think his humorous sense has helped to engage with kids, make them calm, and make me calm.” With both their families back in Iran, the two have found support and comfort in each other. “I think sometimes I feel this attachment is too much because when he goes somewhere for a seminar that is not in Memphis, I’m so 14 stressed,” Sepideh says. “We’ve imagined what would happen

if we were back in Iran and discussed that a lot,” Amir says, “and we’ve concluded that we wouldn’t be as happy as what we have here. … I only wish that I would have met her earlier. That’s the only regret that I have. I wish we would have met, I don’t know, 10 years, at least five years earlier. [For now,] I’ll just admire her, love her, try to make her laugh.” “We hope to grow old together,” Sepideh adds, “and watch our children become independent and lead fulfilling lives, just as our parents wished for us.” — Abigail Morici Mario + Kristin Linagen-Monterosso I happened to be present the moment sparks flew between Mario Monterosso and Kristin Linagen. As Kristin recounts it, “Mario asked a mutual friend about me, and she said, ‘You know, she’s single now, if you’re asking about her.’ And he reached out to me via social media and said, ‘Hey, I’m playing at DKDC tonight. I’d love to see you.’” Monterosso, of course, is the celebrated Italian guitarist who moved to Memphis years ago to follow his dream

of living in the birthplace of the music he loved most. He soon became an integral part of the roots music scene here. Last May, as James and the Ultrasounds, with me on keys, held court at Bar DKDC, Mario sat in with us and we all did a double take: He was on fire that night. Yet it was Mario’s winning personality more than his musicianship that caught Kristin’s eye. “You know, it was fate,” she says now. “We went out for a couple cocktail nights, and then he said, ‘Hey, I’d like to take you out. I’d like to court you.’ And I’m a traditional woman, I’m old-fashioned, so I just loved that idea. I thought he was a cool guy.” Kristin has an ear for music herself. “I love music,” she says. “I played the guitar growing up. I’m not much of a guitar player now, but I picked it up when we first started dating. Just to show him a little bit because I still remember all the songs I grew up playing in high school.” While her real calling has been her own business, Therapeutic Touch Massage, opened after she studied at the Massage Institute of Memphis, Kristin clearly loves the arts. That may be why Mario decided that they must visit New

York together. “After about a month of dating, he said, ‘Hey, I want to take you to New York,’” Kristin recalls. “It was June of last year, and we planned the trip for December. And we said, ‘You know, even if things don’t work out, we’re still going to go together.’ So we made a pact! I mean, we spit on our hands and shook on it and everything. You know, we go all the way!” Mario smiles at this memory, then adds, “Being in New York with someone I love was always a big thing to me. But I’d never done it before.” Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, his new amore had similar feelings about the Big Apple. “Three years ago, I had this fantasy of being in New York with a man that I love over Christmas,” recalls Kristin. “And when he asked me to go, I thought, ‘Wow, this man is making my dreams come true. Are we making each other’s dreams come true?’ And by the time December comes along, and we’re all in, I’m thinking, ‘Okay, he loves New York. He loves me. Maybe he will propose?’” She kept that to herself, though, as they embraced the city’s energy. “He took me to a Broadway show, Some Like it Hot,” Kristin recalls. “Then we walked to Rockefeller Center and experienced the crowd and the Christmas tree and Radio City Music Hall. And then we went to Sardi’s for dinner.” After their meal, Kristin made a suggestion. “I said, ‘Let’s finish our wine upstairs, more privately, where we can look out the window at the Shubert Theatre. That’ll be fun!’ And of course he loves this idea, because it’s my idea, but he has things planned that I don’t know.” That’s when Mario excused himself and pretended to visit the restroom. “It was the moment,” he says, “where I was thinking, ‘Do I do it now? Do I do it now?’ The ring was in my pocket!”

“This man is making my dreams come true. Are we making each other’s dreams come true?” “He comes back and goes right into it,” says Kristin. “He just says, ‘Can I be direct with you?’ And he pulled out a red velvet box and said, ‘Kristin, will you marry me?’ I said, ‘Yes!’ And I ran up to the bar. ‘We need two glasses of champagne!’ Everybody applauded and we had a great evening from then on. And then the next morning, I woke up at 4 a.m. with a fever, shivering and sweating. I had gotten the flu!” It was a perfect moment of “in sickness and in health,” and Mario dutifully cared for his beloved through the rest of their stay. By the time another month went by, Mario and Kristin Linegan-Monterosso had eloped. Nowadays, if you happen to see them, they’re likely to be beaming. — Alex Greene

V I E W P O I N T B y Ro b e r t C . Ko e h l e r

We’re Still Moving ‘Beyond Vietnam’ Revisiting Martin Luther King’s speech 57 years later. his assassination. His words aren’t merely critical of the cruelly pointless colonial war or of the irony of the American public “watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools.” His words stir together love and hell, despair and hope. “The war in Vietnam is but a symptom of a far deeper malady within the American spirit, and if we ignore this sobering reality …” wars will go on and on and on, unless we change as a country: fundamentally, spiritually. No wonder J. Edgar Hoover (and so many others behind the scenes) saw him as a danger to the nation who needed to be shut up, if not eliminated. He had already helped defeat segregation and had begun undoing systemic racism. Now he was taking on military-industrialism and American hegemony: “A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists of the West investing

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huge sums of money in Asia, Africa, and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say, ‘This is not just.’ It will look at our alliance with the landed gentry of South America and say, ‘This is not just.’ The Western arrogance of feeling that it has everything to teach others and nothing to learn from them is not just.” What scared the nation’s leaders weren’t simply MLK’s words but the fact that he wielded remarkable power — a kind incomprehensible in political and military circles, that acknowledged humility and oneness. What the hell is he talking about? “I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives, and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” It’s one thing to blather about America’s

“official” values — life, liberty, blah blah — but it’s something else entirely to speak about transcending, indeed, “conquering” the (secretly) real values of the ruling class. “Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go out into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism.” A world that has truly transcended war? A world that embraces “unconditional love for all mankind”? “When I speak of love,” he goes on, “I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response. I am not speaking of that force which is just emotional bosh. I am speaking of that force which all of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life. Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality.” And my imagination — my sense of possibility — reopens. This is what MLK still brings to humanity: a vision of the future that is profoundly different from the present moment, but also desperately present in this moment.

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COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

“And some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak.” Take a day, pore over a few of his words. I’m talking about Martin Luther King, of course. His “day” is over, but his message still pulsates. We must speak! The world is bleeding with the wounds of war and poverty and racism, just as it was 57 years ago, when he spoke at Riverside Church in New York City. He defied LBJ and stared directly into the muzzle of the Vietnam War, declaring it to be moral savagery, declaring the United States to be “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today.” We’ve given King a national holiday, made him a national hero — but that’s not the same thing as listening to him. It may be the opposite. Deifying him, turning him into a statue, revering his image, could amount to simply shutting him up. So I devoted a few hours of his national holiday (actually, the day after) to rereading “Beyond Vietnam,” the speech he gave on April 4, 1967, a year to the day before

steppin’ out

We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews

Rejeweled

By Abigail Morici

PHOTO: RJM PRESS

The Metal Museum’s latest Reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s a mantra we’ve all heard so many times that it’s been reduced to a bit of exhibit turns white noise amid loudening concerns about the environment, climate disasters, supply chains, ethirecycling cal consumption, the list goes on. Still, the three Rs are a good practice to keep, most would agree, but into art. it’s hardly enough to feel special or creative. But the practice of repurposing has gotten a bit of a new shine thanks to a project that’s been around for the past 15 or so years that reuses and recycles donated jewelry into something beautiful. And now, that project is coming to Memphis’ Metal Museum in the form of an exhibition: “Radical Jewelry Makeover: The Artist Project.” “Ethical Metalsmiths is a group of artists and they started this project called Radical Jewelry Makeover,” explains Laura Hutchison Bhatti, director of collections and exhibitions at the museum. “Their focus is sustainability in the jewelry industry. So it’s a lot about putting focus on things like over-mining and all the discarded stuff that people just get rid of, and they take these crazy pieces, they send artists bags and bags of this discarded jewelry that’s really set to go to, like, Goodwill or just sits in jewelry boxes, but instead, the artists make these beautiful pieces out of them.” For the exhibition, the Metal Museum will have over 70 works on display by over 25 artists, all invoking their own styles. Some use costume jewelry; others use precious heirlooms. “There’s a lot of play with the unexpected and with elevating low-quality jewelry pieces to a high-end market,” says Alicia George, special projects advisor, who curated this exhibit. “And then also melting down heirloom jewelry pieces and repurposing them into more artful modern jewelry, so there’s a constant flux between expectation and what you actually see.” “They all tell a story,” adds Bhatti. “And with metalwork, there’s always an element of metal being repurposed or melted down or refabricated into something new, but the story of these pieces is much more tangible because you can see the remnants of what it used to be.” The exhibition space itself is set up to look like a jewelry box, George says, with red and purple velvet panels and velvet-lined display cases. To boost the museum’s own sustainability efforts, the velvet is mostly recycled. Plus, the drapes that also decorate the space are on loan from Opera Memphis, and all the label information for the pieces is printed on recycled paper. “We’re trying to be a part of the movement and maintain the idea behind the Radical Jewelry Makeover,” George says. The exhibition is on display through April 14th. Radical Jewelry Makeover co-directors, Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy, will join the Metal Museum for the opening reception and artist talk on February 11th. RSVP to attend at metalmuseum.org. To coincide with the exhibition’s run, the Metal Museum will also offer two classes (February 10th and March 16th) for those who want to create a one-of-a-kind piece of their own. Students will be able to bring their old jewelry or use provided pieces, and then will learn how to take apart old jewelry and repurpose it into new jewelry using rivets, glue, and wire. Register for a class at metalmuseum.org. “RADICAL JEWELRY MAKEOVER: THE ARTIST PROJECT” RECEPTION & ARTIST TALK, METAL MUSEUM, 373 METAL MUSEUM DRIVE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 3-5 P.M.

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VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES February 8th - 14th

Everybody Draw Everybody Lamplighter Lounge, 1702 Madison Ave., Thursday, February 8, 6 p.m., $25.44 The nationally touring portrait swap, Everybody Draw Everybody, returns to the Lamplighter Lounge with Brian Butler and extra special guest host Birdcap ahead of his huge solo exhibition at Crosstown Arts. This is a timed group activity, where everybody draws quick portraits of each other. Its speed is a unique challenge that puts both expert artists and novices on a common playing field. Everybody takes home the portraits of themselves as a fun memento. Seats are limited. RSVP required. Materials provided. Register at tinyurl.com/8w4a7a9t. Birdcap’s “Iliumpta” opening reception is on Friday at 6 p.m. at Crosstown Arts. The exhibit is a retelling of the Iliad set in the bayous of Mississippi.

Harriet Tubman Oratorio Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 N. Main St., Sunday, February 11, 2-4 p.m., $5-$20 The Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the National Civil Rights Museum proudly present the world premiere of the Harriet Tubman Oratorio, composed by the renowned Earnestine Rodgers Robinson, a remarkable woman whose own journey embodies the power of resilience and defying limitations. Witness the power of music as the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, joined by a chorus of over 100 vocalists from local choirs, bring Tubman’s story of courage, determination, and unwavering spirit vividly to life. Purchase tickets at memphissymphony.org, and read more about Earnestine Rodgers Robinson in this week’s “Last Word” by Alice Faye Duncan on page 31.

Confederates Hattiloo Theatre, 37 S. Cooper, performances through February 25, $25-$35 Two Black American women — an enslaved rebel and a professor at a contemporary university — are having parallel experiences of institutional racism, though they live over a century apart. Tonynominated playwright Dominique Morisseau’s exacting new play explores the reins that racial and gender bias still hold over American educational systems today. This show contains strong language and sexual content. It is not suitable for children under the age of 18. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets at hattiloo.org.

MUSIC By Alex Greene

Tajin God Producer Kid Maestro’s artistic practice bears sonic fruit in Tajin Tapes.

At the top of that playlist is a collaboration Kid Maestro did with PreauXX and AWFM in late 2020, the single “10K,” which, being about the proverbial 10,000 hours of experience one needs to master a craft, stands out as the perfect foreshadowing of where Kid Maestro — the artist — finds himself now, over three years later. These days, Kid Maestro is actually racking up those hours that his rappers boasted of in 2020. Indeed, that’s the key to understanding his new series of ambitious, sprawling, and unorthodox releases on the Unapologetic app, the Tajin Tapes. As Maestro writes in a preamble to the collection, “I refuse to allow myself to stay the same, so I came

FEBRUARY 10

PANTERA

FOR THE FANS. FOR THE BROTHERS. FOR LEGACY. Get your tickets now to see Pantera with special guests Lamb of God and Nest.

FIND TICKETS NOW!

records. And from there, it just became a thing. Every time I go out of the country, I make it a point to get some records. Then I get them organized for me to use the sample when the time comes.” From there, Maestro moves quickly. “I have this personal goal of averaging two beats a day right now,” he says. “It takes an incredible amount of focus to keep up the pace because a new tape drops every week. But because of the pace of it, there is not too much that you can overthink if you plan to keep up. It’s very freeing to work through an idea, then say, ‘Okay, this is done. I’m going to move on and let it do what it’s supposed to do in the world.’ Like, stop holding on to it and let it grow into

PHOTO: CATHERINE PATTON

Kid Maestro whatever it grows into.” That reveals the true potential of these mostly instrumental tracks: Each is a kind of seed that could grow into more fully developed tracks in time. “PreauXX has already released a song that’s in the app and he put out a visual for it on social media. He’s recorded and chosen multiple beats from the Tajin Tapes, and AWFM just did the same last night. And that’s really exciting because it’s just great when an artist can see their art being accepted and used in ways that they couldn’t have imagined.”

FEBRUARY 12

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Don’t miss David Roddy and your Memphis Grizzlies take on the New Orleans Pelicans at 7PM, presented by Big River Steel.

PBR bucks in to FedExForum with its Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour for PBR Memphis. Find your tickets now before they’re gone!

Don’t miss one of the world’s most successful stand-up comedians, Gabriel Iglesias, when he brings the Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour to FedExForum. Tickets available!

PELICANS VS GRIZZLIES

PBR MEMPHIS

GABRIEL IGLESIAS

FedExForum Box Office | ticketmaster.com | fedexforum.com

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

“I refuse to allow myself to stay the same, so I came up with the Tajin Tapes series.”

up with the Tajin Tapes beat series. I’m releasing a beat tape every week.” Having just dropped Tajin Tapes Vol. 5 this Monday, the series is already proving to be a massive collection of music. But beyond sheer volume, this self-challenge was aimed at mastering a new tool in his arsenal, the Ableton Push, which Ableton is hyping as a standalone “instrument” for playing samples as easily as other instruments play notes. As Maestro notes, “I just upgraded to the Ableton Push 3 and I want to be one of the greatest users in the world of that machine. I have to get my 10,000 hours in.” Yet he’s also philosophical about it. “It’s more of a practice, an exercise,” he says of his one-beat-tape-per-week discipline. “It’s a punching bag; it’s going into the gym. The only thing I can do is just get my reps in. So it’s a myriad of different kinds of self-improvement, on multiple fronts, not only in musicmaking, but in being an artist, and accepting that I’m an artist and valuing my art. All of those things are wrapped up into Tajin Tapes.” The result feels a bit like getting a rare view into an artist’s sketchbook, as one soundscape after another, each built on layers of samples, synths, and effects, unfolds effortlessly and then is gone. Aside from the ever-inventive beats and basslines, these loops are especially distinctive for their samples, which range from the symphonic to the folkloric — a global smorgasbord of sonic flavors. As Kid Maestro explains, that’s partly due to the touring he’s done in recent years as the playback engineer for Lauryn Hill. “I started digging for samples when I started going to other countries to do playback for Ms. Hill. The first place I went was Brazil, so I got some Brazilian

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

f you search for Kid Maestro on your favorite streaming platform, you’ll find the bulk of his credits couched after the names of the rappers and singers he produces. One playlist is proudly headlined, “OMG It’s the Tajin God!!” (echoing the sonic tag he inserts into all his beats — the guy loves Tajín seasoning), then notes “Everything Produced, Co-Produced, Recorded, or Mixed by Kid Maestro,” before listing over five dozen tracks, largely with the Unapologetic-adjacent artists with whom he’s worked for the better part of a decade: PreauXX, AWFM, Cameron Bethany, MonoNeon, Aaron James, and IMAKEMADBEATS.

AFTER DARK: Live Music Schedule February 8 - 14 Battle of the Sexes: A Night in Hip-Hop

Featuring Queen THC and Jay DaSkreet. 21+. $15/admission, $8/open mic. Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. RUMBA ROOM

Baunie & Soul

Sunday, Feb. 11, 7-11 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Blind Mississippi Morris Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

Brad Birkedahl Band

Friday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.

RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Chris Staples with Walt Phelan $20. Sunday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. COMEBACK COFFEE

Computermane

Friday, Feb. 9, 10 p.m. TIN ROOF

David Graham & the Eskimo Brothers Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.

TIN ROOF

DJ Alpha Whiskey

Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. CENTRAL STATION HOTEL

DJ Starrkiller @ Mardi Gras Carnival Party

Free entry until 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m. 310 BEALE

Fe b r u a r y 8 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 4

DJ Stringbean

Saturday, Feb. 10, 1 p.m. WISEACRE BREWERY

WYXR Stereo Sessions Announcement Party Friday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.

Lumin

MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB

Friday, Feb. 9, 9 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 9, 4-7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11, noon-3 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

vibrant laser light. $18. Friday, Feb. 9, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

Pantera

MEMPHIS MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

FEDEXFORUM

McLeod & Lonardo

Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

Red Thomas

Saturday, Feb. 10, 12:30-3:30 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Rodell McCord

Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

PHOTO: CATHY PARTRIDGE

Abe Partridge

$15. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m.

BLACK LODGE

NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

Corey Lou & Da Village, Rudy Love & the Encore

$20. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

HUEY’S POPLAR

The Deb Jam Band Trout Fishing in America $35. Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m.

Rustenhaven

BUCKMAN ARTS CENTER AT ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

HI TONE

University Symphony Orchestra

18+. Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. TIN ROOF

Soul St. Mojo

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

Valentine’s Day with Ill Syl

The University Symphony Orchestra presents “Star Crossed,” featuring music inspired by famous love stories. Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30-9 p.m. SCHEIDT FAMILY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. CENTRAL STATION HOTEL

Van Duren with Madaline Collins

Saturday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m. SOUTH MAIN SOUNDS

Vince Johnson

Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Yubu Band

Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 p.m. BLIND BEAR SPEAKEASY

$10. Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.

CupcakKe

MINGLEWOOD HALL

DeltaCappella: Songs in the Key of Love & Other Harmonies

Love-infused melodies and heavenly harmonies. $15/ advance, $20/at the door. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11, 3:30 p.m. THEATREWORKS

Devil Train 2nd Annual ‘Love Is Weird’ Party with Cyrena Wages Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 9, 9:30 p.m. B-SIDE

Driver

Saturday, Feb. 10, 5 p.m.

BAR DKDC

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

’90s Country Night and Line Dancing with DJ Dudecalledrob

Forest Hill, After Hours, Henry Najem

Friday, Feb. 9, 10 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

$10. Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.

Gideon, Left to Suffer, Fox Lake, No Cure, Human Shield

Eric Hughes

Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

Eskimo Brothers

Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. BLUES CITY CAFE

FreeWorld

Friday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. RUM BOOGIE CAFE

BROOKHAVEN PUB & GRILL

Fevertree with Special Guest Stretch $10. Friday, Feb. 9, 9 p.m. HADLEY’S PUB

John Williams & the A440 Band

$10. Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

Laser Beyoncé

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

Laser Beyoncé captures the fun and energy of her concerts in beautiful laser light. $18. Friday, Feb. 9, 7-8 p.m.

CENTRAL STATION HOTEL

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

Harriet Tubman Oratorio

Laser Bruno Mars

Galentine’s Day with DJ Nico

Embark on a powerful musi-

Laser Bruno Mars brings his retro showmanship and style in

Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 p.m. B-SIDE

Big Al & the Heavyweights

Friday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 p.m.

$20. Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. GROWLERS

JD Westmoreland Band

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 10 p.m.

Blacklight Special: Don Twan and Nolan Void

B-SIDE

18+. $10. Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m.

Jesse Wilcox, Cloudbelly, Runi Salem Friday, Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m.

HI TONE

BAR DKDC

Brainiac, Margin Walker

Joe Restivo 4

HI TONE

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Chinese Connection Dub Embassy Presents: Forever Loving Marley

Kamikaze Zombie with Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering and Mvdshow

$15-$20. Sunday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m.

With Chinese Connection Dub Embassy, Yubu & the Ancient

MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB

Memphis Knights Big Band Monday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Mighty Souls Brass Band Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. OVERTON SQUARE

My Crazy Valentines Show with Nicademus

GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE

Eras of Elvis: Rock ‘N’ Romance

Tribute to Elvis’ greatest love songs. $40. Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30-10:30 p.m. GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE

Finley Watkins

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m. MARLOWE’S RIBS & RESTAURANT

Gospel Sunday: The Wonder of You

A celebration of Elvis’ gospel hits. $40. Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE

Plus Chris Lexx, Bigtezz100, and Taede$hun. Friday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.

Justin Hinson & JukeJoint Junction

ROCKHOUSE LIVE MIDTOWN

HORSESHOE CASINO TUNICA

Polyglamorous

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Rock the Boat

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-5 p.m.

Phil Vaught

Friday, Feb. 9, 9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m. HORSESHOE CASINO TUNICA

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen Rustenhaven

Aubrey McCrady

Friday, Feb. 9, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 3-5 p.m.

A celebration of Elvis’ biggest and best performances. $40. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

B-SIDE

BLUES CITY CAFE

Mardi Gras DJ Set with Marcella Simien and Kristen Hobbs

Best of Elvis: Hits And Heartstrings

General Labor, Loose Opinions, Etta Havoc

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

HI TONE

HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY

$15. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

TIN ROOF

Amber McCain Duo

Litfrank, Ernie Wayne, Bry Lew

$15/advance, $20/day of show. Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.

Royal Blues Band Jam

Amber and Josh

Saturday, Feb. 10, 1 p.m.

GROWLERS

Abe Partridge

HI TONE

Thursday, Feb. 8, 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 p.m.

Earl “The Pearl” Banks

Leebo, Hunter Jordan, Hogleg, Sauce King, Skip, 2 Critikal, King Quez, VVS

Youth, Kween Jasira, I-Sypha, Moses Crouch, and special guests. $15/advance, $20/at the door. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 11, 3-6 p.m.

TIN ROOF

BLUES CITY CAFE

Thursday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m.

Walt Phelan

ONE11MADISON

David Ingle One Man Piano Show Denver Massey

MOSAIC CHURCH

With a lineup of amazing female DJs: DJ MaryTheK, DJ Geehoney, DJ Pretty Brown, and DJ Lola. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6-10 p.m.

The Rockin 88’s

SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S

Timbre Cierpke and David Sigler come together to benefit Su Casa Ministries. $20. Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

Lovers & Friends

BLUES CITY CAFE

Sunday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m.

Uncommon Strings

TIN ROOF

Mule Man

Friday, Feb. 9, 12:30-3:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 4-7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

B-SIDE

Friday, Feb. 9, 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30 p.m.

Buddy Albert Nemenz

Chris Gales

$10. Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m.

JT McCaffrey

CENTRAL STATION HOTEL

SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S

The Heavy Pour, Mike Hewlett & The Racket, Chris Hamlett

CANNON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

BLUES CITY CAFE

Thursday, Feb. 8, 1-5 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-5 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-5 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 12, 7-11 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1-5 p.m.

cal journey celebrating the extraordinary life of Harriet Tubman, the iconic conductor of the Underground Railroad. $20/adult, $5/child. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.

$10. Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m. GROWLERS

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m.

HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY

Seeing Red

Saturday, Feb. 10, 4-8 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Ultimate Valentine’s Variety Show

Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m.

Solar Powered Love, Sooperﬂat $7. Friday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.

HORSESHOE CASINO TUNICA

Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE

HI TONE

Some Kind Of Nothing with Stay Fashionable

$10. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 9 p.m. GROWLERS

901/Rox

Some Sons of Mudboy (with Special Guests!)

ROCKHOUSE LIVE COLLIERVILLE

Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m.

HUEY’S MIDTOWN

Iris Collective Love Songs Through the Ages

Sound Meditation: Mike Tamburo and Sean Murphy

GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATRE

Sunday, Feb. 11, 3-6 p.m.

Enter a timeless space of listening. $25/advance, $30/ at the door. Sunday, Feb. 11, 5-6:30 p.m.

THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS

Love songs and romantic scores. $10. Friday, Feb. 9, noon-1 p.m.

Lizz Wright

$20. Saturday, Feb. 10, 8-9:30 p.m. GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

CALENDAR of EVENTS:

Send the date, time, place, cost, info, phone number, a brief description, and photos — two weeks in advance — to calendar@memphisﬂyer.com.

February 8 - 14

DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS WILL APPEAR IN THE FLYER’S ONLINE CALENDAR ONLY. FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVENT LISTINGS, SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT EVENTS.MEMPHISFLYER.COM/CAL.

ART AN D S P EC IA L E X H I B ITS

Opening Reception for “What were you meant for?”

“A Memphis of Hope Art Show”

Memphis artists of diverse ages, cultures, and backgrounds have come together in an exhibition with a display of artwork that inspires hope, love, unity, and peace for our city. Through Feb. 29.

Kevin Brooks’ “What were you meant for?” is an art exhibition that delves deep into the world of film to uncover the seldom-seen layers of Black male identity. Friday, Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m.

GALLERY 1091

“Radical Jewelry Makeover: The Artist Project” Artist Talk

CROSSTOWN ARTS

“A Passionate Vision”

Enjoy colorful photographs of Collierville captured by local artist Adarryll Jackson Sr. Through March 2.

Join the Metal Museum for a conversation with the Radical Jewelry Makeover co-directors, Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy, at the opening reception. Sunday, Feb. 11, 3-5 p.m.

MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY

“Breaking the Rules: Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown”

METAL MUSEUM

Breaking the Rules” includes 75 paintings, watercolors and drawings spanning the entirety of the artists’ careers. Through March 31.

B O O K EVE NTS

Meet the Author: Vince Vawter

Novel welcomes Vince Vawter to celebrate his new book Manboy. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“China Blues: The World of Blue and White Ceramics”

NOVEL

C LAS S / WO R KS H O P a seemingly straight world. Through March 22.

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE

CLOUGH-HANSON GALLERY

“Come Cruise Alaska”

“Mirrors”

“Shelby Canopy: Our Shared Connection”

Exhibition of art by Ann Brown Thomason. Through March 30. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

“Cosmic Dust”

Exhibition of work by Greely Myatt. This celestial showcase features over 100 stars, tiny and monumental, that are made of anything and everything Myatt finds at hand. Through March 16. DAVID LUSK GALLERY

“Everyday People: Snapshots of The Black Experience” A photography exhibition showcasing Memphis artist Eric Echols’ photo collection of 20th-century African Americans. Through July 14. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

“Ghetto Girls Deserve Good Things”

Zaire Love’s ode to the originators of carefree expressive style and culture that influences contemporary culture. Through March 1. BEVERLY + SAM ROSS GALLERY

“It’s a Memphis Thang”

Featuring new works by Anna Kelly and Calvin Farrar. Through March 7. BUCKMAN ARTS CENTER AT ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

“Learning Through the Language of Art”

Exhibition presented by Literacy Mid-South and Arkwings, featuring work by Mattie

In “Mirrors,” a presentation of seven wall sculptures, Dylan Spaysky’s simple holographic manipulations of reflection, transparency, and light turn into a public intro-spectacle. Through March 9.

Discover Shelby County’s green spaces and importance of trees through an immersive public art experience featuring two temporary artworks. Through April 19.

Remy Miller Scott’s Creek is on display as part of the Dixon’s “Marking Time” exhibition. “Twists of Nature”

Exhibition by Sheila Bentley. Monday, Feb. 12-March 31.

TOPS GALLERY: MADISON AVENUE PARK

8040 WOLF RIVER BLVD.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

“New Works by Jose Valverde”

“Southern Railway”

“Velvet Sternum”

Valverde, an artist and a volunteer with Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group, will kick off the 2024 art schedule at Church Health with his vibrant and bold paintings. Through Feb. 28. CHURCH HEALTH

“Radical Jewelry Makeover: The Artist Project”

Radical Jewelry Makeover: The Artist Project brings together jewelers working together to examine mining issues while making innovative jewelry from recycled sources. Through April 14. METAL MUSEUM

“Remy Miller and Joe Morzuch: Marking Time” The joint exhibition places two distinct bodies of work into counterpoint. Through April 14.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“School of Ool: Whose Views Ooze Muse”

An exhibition of new work by multimedia artist Coe Lapossy, who revisits artifacts of queerness wedged within

Discover the national history behind the Southern Railway Company, its lasting influence on the local community, and a creative play area featuring hands-on train activities for young visitors. Through April 20. MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY

“SUE: The T. rex Experience”

Step into the world of SUE the T. rex to uncover the mysteries about the life of this fearsome fossil. Through May 12. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

“three left, one right”

Exhibition of work by James Inscho. Saturday, Jan. 13-March 9 TOPS GALLERY

“To Have and To Hold: Valentines from the Victorian Era” “To Have and To Hold” showcases and celebrates the artistry of paper love tokens, highlighting technologies such as chromolithography, embossing and paper lace. Through March 31. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

A new presentation of work from Joel Parsons and Clare Torina will feature drawings, enamels, paintings, and installation. Through March 2. SHEET CAKE

“Yearning for Spring”

Exhibition of recent paintings by Dr. Gopal Murti. Monday, Feb. 12-Feb. 29. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

ART HAPPE N I NGS

32nd Annual Works of Heart Party and Art Auction

View and bid on galleryquality, heart-themed artwork by leading regional artists. Admission includes complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers. Proceeds benefit the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. $100. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7-10 p.m. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

“DEFY”: Gallery Opening

Join Arrow for the opening of this year’s Black History Month gallery, featuring art from 17 artists, live poetry,

live painting with a silent auction, music, bites, a photobooth, and more. Thursday, Feb. 8, 5:30-8 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE

Homeschool Day Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month and explore Black artists in the collection. Thursday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

Made With Love Market

This craft show is the perfect opportunity to find unique and handmade gifts for your Valentine (or yourself!). Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. AGRICENTER INTERNATIONAL

Munch and Learn

Presentations by local artists, scholars, and Dixon staff sharing their knowledge on a variety of topics Wednesday, Feb. 14, noon-1 p.m. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

Opening Reception for “Iliumpta”

Michael “Birdcap” Roy’s “Iliumpta” is a retelling of Homer’s Iliad set in the Southernmost bayous of Mississippi. Friday, Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m. CROSSTOWN ARTS

Opening Reception for “The Earthworm and the Hawk”

Melissa Dunn’s “The Earthworm and the Hawk” is the overlap between two states of being. Friday, Feb. 9, 6-9 p.m. CROSSTOWN ARTS

2 Day Resin Art Workshop with Cinthia Serna

Join Arrow for a weekend of creating amazing resin art. Create unique, heartfelt gifts for your sweetie, or a keepsake for yourself. $120. Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-3 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE

Art Club with Joi Purvy Ease into your week and decorate terracotta pots with acrylic paint and gold foil! $35. Monday, Feb. 12, 6-8 p.m. ARROW CREATIVE

Creating Images in Color - Capturing Movement: Celebrating Black Dance Through Photography

Join this four-part workshop series exploring Black History through photography on every Thursday (except the 15th) during Black History Month at the Cossitt Library. Thursday, Feb. 8, 6-8 p.m. COSSITT LIBRARY

Figure Drawing Class

Artists of all levels can practice and increase their skills drawing the human form. $10-$15. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

Garden Shrooms with Becky Zee

Create your very own handmade ceramic mushrooms. $45/members, $52/nonmembers. Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m.

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Ward, Ashely Davis, and April Foxx. Through March 27.

PHOTO: COURTESY DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The collection includes a range of objects from the Ming and Qing dynasties in a wide array of materials, including beautifully carved jades, paintings, textiles, and ceramics. Through May 31.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

19 continued on page 20

C A L E N DA R: F E B R UA RY 8 - 1 4 continued from page 19 Lunchtime Meditations

Looking for something relaxing to do to clear your mind and improve your overall health? Head to the Dixon for free meditation sessions every Friday. Friday, Feb. 9, noon-12:45 p.m.

United States-based Zimbabwean comic Alfred Kainga is living the all-American dream, as he continues to make waves across America with his uncanny but yet witty jokes. $17-$30. Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 9, 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 p.m.

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

Tales from Around the World (Professor Nina Morais, Rhodes College Meeman Center)

Valentine’s Day Pair of Pendants Jewelry Class by Brandy Boyd

CHUCKLES COMEDY HOUSE

And Then We … Podcast

No experience is required as students will learn to work with an innovative product called fine silver metal clay. All tools and materials will be provided in class to craft your pendants, including all the findings needed to create two individual pendants that you can choose to put on a keychain or necklace. 21+. $144/members, $156/nonmembers. Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-5 p.m.

Learn about tales from around the world, their character archetypes, symbology, and the cultural and historical conditions in which they were created. All are welcome. $35/African Folktales. Thursday, Feb. 8, 5:30-7 p.m. DOROTHY C. KING HALL AT RHODES COLLEGE

Radically Repurposed Jewelry

During this class you will learn how to take apart old jewelry and repurpose it into new jewelry using rivets, glue, and wire. $120. Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-5 p.m.

Each week, married couple and show hosts, comedian Kristen Sivills and writer J Anthony Tanner guide you into their unconventional world of sex, comedy, and uninhibited truth. $27-$50. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. CHUCKLES COMEDY HOUSE

Comedy Open Mic

Hosted by John Miller. $10. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

HI TONE

Valentine’s Day Portrait Painting Workshop

METAL MUSEUM

Saturday Night Showcase

This underground comedy show, hosted by Tylon Monger, boasts a diverse and interesting lineup each week that cracks smiles, shakes heads, and causes uproarious laughter. $15. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.

Bring your loved one(s) and join a portrait painting workshop hosted by Terri Scott. Personal instruction and stencils will be provided to help you create an illustrated memento of your love. $50/table of four. Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Tingey Painting with Parkinsons Program (TINCAN™) Winter Cohort

Let’s Talk Transition in the 901

Alfred Kainga

This beginner-friendly workshop for adults 55+ will guide participants through foundational Chinese brush painting techniques and the creation of a painting of bamboo. $20-$30. Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

C O M M U N I TY

C O M E DY

Traditional Chinese Brush Painting Workshop for Adults 55+

The Tingey Painting with Parkinsons Program is an art therapy program that supports people living with Parkinson’s. Wednesday, Feb. 14, MEMPHIS CLOVER CLUB 10 a.m.-noon. The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation THE ART PROJECT

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Monday, March 11, 2019

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

An opportunity for students with disabilities and their advocates to discuss the transition from student to adult life. Thursday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m.-noon. COSSITT LIBRARY

Meet the Roaster with Cxffeeblack

Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis and Caption by Hyatt are celebrating and honoring Black History Month by highlighting and supporting local black-owned businesses in Memphis. You will sip Cxffeeblack and have the opportunity to learn more about the origin of Cxffeeblack and how their coffee is roasted. Free. Friday, Feb. 9, 8-9 a.m. CAPTION BY HYATT

MPL Seed Library’s Season Start Seed Swap

Celebrate the start of the new growing season. Bring your own saved seeds, or get some from the Seed Library. Swap with and learn from local experts from all walks of life and parts of town. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m. BENJAMIN L. HOOKS CENTRAL LIBRARY

Volunteer Day

Join Ranger Heather in a volunteer project at Overton Park. All participants must be over the age of 18 years old. Meeting Location: Old Forest Gate at Rainbow Lake Parking Lot. Sunday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m. OVERTON PARK

DAN C E

Valentine’s Dance Classes

Fe b r u a r y 8 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 4

Crossword

ACROSS 1 Two of a kind 5 Buildings near barns 10 Stinging insect 14 Bone alongside the radius 15 Jack in a deck of cards 16 Camera setting for amateur photographers 17 Paranoiac’s headgear 19 Walked (on) 20 Up, in baseball 21 Straps for an equestrian 22 Soak (up) 25 Present en masse 28 Pen pal’s plea 30 Like a Monday crossword, typically 31 Actress Chlumsky of “Veep” 32 Part of the eye

33 In the past 36 “This means trouble, my friend” 41 Motor oil product 42 Hero fighter pilots 43 Partner of “go seek” 44 Celebrity 45 Keeps under surveillance 48 Blueberries and fatty fish, nutritionists say 51 Visitors from outer space, for short 52 Without toppings 53 Walled city WNW of Madrid 55 Watermelon waste 56 Dirt … or what 17-, 25-, 36- and 48-Across all have? 61 Gives a tattoo to 62 ___ and true

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A C M I L A N S C H M U C K C H I C A G O O H I T S O N C I N E M A X P A R A B L E E M I B I Z A R R E P D A N E C K N E W A T M O O D T R A I L M E N B O R N E S A M B U C A O E R S T E D B B S M O C A P P L E I D T O W A R D S P R I E S A S H S T O R M P E N S S T I E G O A H U A P E S E A S A L T D O D R A N C H E S B E A R H U G E R U D I T E C A T P O S E L E T S N O T S N A G G E D

63 Not spicy 64 Soup to go with sushi 65 Delicious 66 Potato, informally

Edited by Will Shortz

No. 0204

BLUE SUEDE BALLROOM DANCE STUDIO 1

15 18 20

DOWN 1 “___ ’er there!” 2 “The Greatest” boxer 3 Lodging for the night 4 Tennis great Nadal, to fans 5 One who’s always looking for a lift? 6 What a worker who oversleeps will be 7 Christine of “The Blacklist” 8 Eggs in a lab 9 Cry between “ready” and “go!” 10 Diluted, as a drink 11 ___ Goldfinger (Bond villain) 12 Something skipped across a pond 13 Racing vehicles for Anakin Skywalker 18 Nebraska native tribe 21 Martini & ___ (brand of sparkling wine) 22 Rocks from side to side 23 “To be, ___ to be” 24 Photo of Marilyn Monroe, once 26 Last emperor of the JulioClaudian dynasty 27 Not foul, as a baseball hit

Dance instructors will be teaching some fun, easy, and exciting moves in a festive studio atmosphere to make your Valentine’s celebration unforgettable. $40. Saturday, Feb. 10-Feb. 17.

FAM I LY

Black History Month

Each Tuesday in February, the South Branch will highlight important figures in Black history to learn about their contributions to their areas of expertise with a hands-on activity. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 4-5 p.m.

21 25

SOUTH LIBRARY

STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC

Kids in the Garden (ages 7-10)

PUZZLE BY ALI GASCOIGNE

29 Toxic part of cigarettes

39 Spongy toy material 32 Uncertainties 40 First word of every “Friends” 33 Licoricelike episode title flavoring 44 Declared 34 Title character who never arrives 45 The first “S” in U.S.S.R. in a Beckett play 46 Onetime alias of 35 Jesse of the Sean Combs Berlin Olympics 47 ___ of Wight 37 “___ good in the neighborhood” 48 Thin Russian (restaurant pancakes slogan) 49 Places in order of preference 38 Volunteer’s words

Free Family Day: Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month, Stax’s Family Day will immerse you in the rich tapestry of the African Diaspora with special programming and free admission. Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-5 p.m.

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This fun, hands-on gardening workshop teaches kids the basics about horticulture and the flora around them. $10. Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon. THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

Love Yourself Teen Empowerment Paint Party $25. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2-5 p.m.

50 Desert stop for camels

THE COMEDY JUNT

52 ___ and proper

Can you find the riches of the Old Forest? Swing by the Rainbow Lake Old Forest Gateway Arch to grab your Family Winter Treasure Hunt sheet and exploration materials. Complete the activity for a treat. Free. Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-noon

54 Prepares to shoot 56 Cousin in the Addams family 57 Arms-loving grp. 58 Little bite

Pop Up Winter Scavenger Hunt

OVERTON PARK

Story Time

59 Bug mostly seen in winter

Enjoy stories, songs, art activities, and creative play that connect with Collierville history. Friday, Feb. 9, 10:30 a.m.

60 Peculiar

Story Time at Novel

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY

Recommended for children up to 5 years, Story Time at Novel includes songs and stories, featuring brand-new books in addition to well-loved favorites. Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m; Wednesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m. NOVEL

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BENJAMIN L. HOOKS CENTRAL LIBRARY

Beale Street Monster Club

Experience a thrilling presentation on the history of King Kong and a screening of the 1933 classic. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m. A. SCHWAB

Doctor Who Brunch: Christopher Eccleston Best Episodes

Enjoy a brunch menu, mimosa specials, and full bar, while you follow Rose, Mickey, Jack Harkness, and The Doctor on some breathtaking adventures. Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. BLACK LODGE

RPDR Season 16 Watch Party The fabulous India Taco hosts the night with some special guests who will be sashaying their way into the party. Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. DRU’S PLACE

Saturday Morning Cartoons and Games

The lodge offers an everchanging block of ’80s and ’90s cartoons, retro vintage kids commercials, video and board games, and of course, a variety of cereals and breakfast dishes. Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-noon. BLACK LODGE

Shoot & Splice: Filmmaker Feedback & Mixer

Join the Indie Memphis staff for an open discussion about what you would like to see from Indie Memphis and the filmmaking community at large over the next year and beyond. Free. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS

The Crosstown Arts Film Series presents The Last Dragon

Learn how to mix and muddle your favorite drinks with expert mixologists. Included with ticket: three cocktails and complimentary champagne. $50. Friday, Feb. 9, 6-9 p.m.

Leroy Green, a young martial artist living in New York City, trains tirelessly. One night, his life changes forever when he rescues television personality Laura Charles from an evil businessman. $5. Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.

310 BEALE

CROSSTOWN THEATER

WISEACRE BREWERY

The Narrow Bridge: Morris and Mollye Fogelman International Jewish Film Festival

The Narrow Bridge is an eyeopening work of nonfiction about trauma and healing that follows four individuals, Palestinian and Israeli. $7/ community, $5/member. Sunday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m. MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

FOOD AN D DR I N K

Cheese, Chocolate, & Wine Tasting

Indulge in a sumptuous feast paired with the exquisite wines from chef Korri Whittaker. $45. Sunday, Feb. 11, 3-5 p.m. K3 STUDIO CAFE

Cooking Matters

Join the fun with an interactive cooking demonstration presented by TSU Community Nutrition educators. Learn how to make a quick and easy meal in minutes. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2-4 p.m. RALEIGH LIBRARY

Lalo Tequila

Sample Lalo blanco tequila. Saturday, Feb. 10, noon-3 p.m. BUSTER’S LIQUORS & WINES

Shake & Sip: Valentines Cocktail Class Date Night Learn how to mix and muddle your favorite romantic drinks with expert mixologists. Included with ticket: cocktail class for two, dessert plate to share, and three cocktails each. $100. Saturday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m. 310 BEALE

SkyDog Release & Street Dog Adoption Event

Collecting donations for Street Dog Foundation and hosting an adoption event. Saturday, Feb. 10, 1 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Dinner A delicious dinner from the special holiday menu featuring three courses crafted by chef and his team. Reservations can be made via Open Table. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m. ERLING JENSEN SMALL BITES & TOPGOLF SWING SUITES

Valentine’s Dinner at Graceland’s Guest House Hotel

Pamper yourself and your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day with a delicious fourcourse dinner. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5-11 p.m. DELTA’S KITCHEN

Valentine’s Dinner & Music Cruise

Enjoy a little romance with your favorite Valentine aboard the Memphis Riverboats. The cruise includes two-hours on the Mighty Mississippi, music from the house band, and a wonderful buffet. $65. Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m. MEMPHIS RIVERBOATS

Whiskey, Wine, and Chocolates (21+)

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

For February, A Wider Angle, MPL’s monthly foreign and independent film series, will screen the 2020 film Fear, directed by Ivaylo Hristov. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m.

Have a drink alongside everyone’s favorite dinosaur at the Museum of Science & History.

Shake & Sip: Valentine’s Day Single Ladies Cocktail Class

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a Full Price Adult Ticket with Promo Code

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THEATRE MEMPHIS presents “THE GLASS MENAGERIE” By TENNESSEE WILLIAMS n Directed by MEGHAN L. LEWIS Sponsored by DR. THOMAS RATLIFF Media Sponsors WKNO 91.1FM and MEMPHIS FLYER

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A Wider Angle Film Series: Fear

PHOTO: MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY

FEBRUARY9-25

Attendees will enjoy perfect pairings of chocolates by Memphis Chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix with select whiskeys, wines, & craft beers. Plus live music from Beale Street All Star Band. $60/ members, $75/nonmembers. Friday, Feb. 9, 7-10 p.m.

Generous support provided by

in the

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Assassins: Wildfire

New season of Assassins. Drag performances by Sairen Strange, Rusted Electra, Vivica Vanity, Fairy Spit, Blanca, and Hunny Blunt. Monday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m. LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Valentine’s Day is a Drag: Sad Girl Drag Brunch

Sad girlies (and nongirlies) unite. Host Goldie Dee is excited to have fellow sad gals Brenda Newport and Zoey Adams bringing their ultimate performances, with DJ Kay setting the most heartbreaking vibes (but, like, in a good way). $50. Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. CAMEO

S P EC IAL EVE N TS

A Toast to T. Rex

Embark on a journey through the fascinating world of dinosaurs and rocks with captivating science demonstrations as you sip on signature pop-rock cocktails (and mocktails), immerse yourself in tunes beneath the stars in the planetarium, and marvel at the magnificent T. rex, Sue.. $18. Saturday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

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MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

Frequency of Love Sound Bath

PHOTO: COURTESY DAVID LUSK GALLERY

Greely Myatt’s “Cosmic Dust” exhibit is the “star” of the show at David Lusk Gallery.

Embrace the frequency of love — whether that is self-love, universal love, or romantic love — with this special edition sound bath. Matt Petty will play a variety of sound healing instruments such as crystal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, bells, and more to help you vibrate to the frequency of love.$20. Monday, Feb. 12, 6:30-8 p.m.

S PO R TS

Memphis vs. Tulane Sunday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m. FEDEXFORUM

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets

THE BROOM CLOSET

GALentine’s Day Karaoke Party

A special GALentine’s Day edition of karaoke night, hosted by Abigail C! Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Memphis Chinese New Year Celebration Performance

An evening filled with cultural performances, traditional dances, and festive music. Saturday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m. UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS MICHAEL D. ROSE THEATER

My Sensual Valentine

A night filled with sensual play and pleasures. Dive into a world of x-rated possibilities. $15/advance, $20/at the door. Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. THE GENRE

Rock Swap: Sue Rocks

Play around with tools of the trade, make your very own rock pet with a sample from the Coon Creek site, and enjoy

Cheer on the Grizzlies! Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. a special mini presentation of the Rocks and Minerals Lab at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. $13-$18. Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend returns to Memphis in February for three days of jumpsuits, blue suede shoes, and black leather with Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winners. Friday, Feb. 9-Feb. 11. THE SOUNDSTAGE AT GRACELAND

Valentine’s Game Night

Friends and crushes are invited for board games in the courtyard with tons of treats as Overton Square screens How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days on the courtyard stage. Saturday, Feb. 10, 6-9 p.m. OVERTON SQUARE

Valentine’s GAY Celebration

Join Lodge for a special night celebrating queer romance, with an evening of events. 18+. Free. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Vintage Galentine’s Party

After-hours vintage shopping night with lots of fun extras. Thursday, Feb. 8, 5:30-8 p.m. BLUE SUEDE VINTAGE

Wild West Murder Mystery Party!

A night of laughs, sleuthing, and making new friends in a super laid-back setting. You’ll get a character to play and together with other sleuths; it’s your job to crack the case. $15. Sunday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m. COMMUNITY ACTION BUILDING

FEDEXFORUM

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans Cheer on the Grizzlies! Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. FEDEXFORUM

Super Bowl Sunday at Overton Square

Chimes Square will be set up for tailgaters of all ages with games to battle it out off the field. Pick up free goodies to help cheer on your team, including pompoms, footballs, and referee whistles. Sunday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m. OVERTON SQUARE

T H EAT E R

A Streetcar Named Desire

In post-WWII New Orleans, an Old South wanting to rest in peace is confronted by a shocking New South. Ten-

nessee Williams’ poetic and savage drama would change the course of playwriting forever with this personal story that remains achingly modern. Through Feb. 18. TENNESSEE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Witness the wonder of Charlie’s journey through Willy Wonka’s factory in this fantastical musical. Through Feb. 18. PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE

Confederates

Two Black American women — an enslaved rebel and a professor at a contemporary university — are having parallel experiences of institutional racism, though they live over a century apart. Through Feb. 25 HATTILOO THEATRE

Les Misérables

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Through Feb. 11. ORPHEUM THEATRE

The Glass Menagerie

A Southern classic favorite, the protagonist and narrator, Tom, recalls the family dynamic of a histrionic mother and a disturbingly shy sister who only wishes for a “gentleman caller.” Through Feb. 25. THEATRE MEMPHIS

BOOKS By Michael Donahue

Vince Vawter’s Paperboy Trilogy A 40-year career in journalism oozes through the pages of Vawter’s third book, Manboy.

What was it about the old Memphis Publishing building that made it so special? The Memphis Publishing Company building was once owned by the Ford Motor Company and was re-adapted for newspaper publishing. It had the openness and feel of a newsroom with its 20-foot ceilings and desks jammed together with pneumatic tubes running hither and yon. I liked to feel the concrete floors rumble when the giant presses would crank up to full speed. I wanted readers to experience the feel of a genuine newsroom in the heyday of newspapers and explain how a newspaper was actually produced on deadline. All the newspaper headlines in Manboy are verbatim from The PressScimitar and The Commercial Appeal. How much of your lead character is like you? Victor Vollmer is certainly based on my early life in all three books of the trilogy, especially the portions dealing with my

I love all the history of Memphis that I can relate to because I grew up in the ’50s and ’60s. Of the three books in the trilogy, this is the one that treats the city of Memphis as almost a character in itself. When Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, I rushed back to Memphis from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I spent that weekend in April 1968 just watching the city and listening. I remember those four days like it was yesterday. My most vivid memory is watching the Downtown march on that Monday after the assassination and then being swept up in it. I can still hear one of the parade marshals telling everyone “not to chew gum” while they were marching. The march was orderly and personally inspiring. Will there be another one of these? Maybe the lead character becomes a newspaper reporter or an editor. Paperboy introduces Vic when he is 11. In Copyboy, Vic is 17. He is 21 in Manboy. I envisioned the trilogy after the publication of Paperboy when literally hundreds of readers emailed me questions wanting to know what happened to the characters in the book. I decided to bring readers along on the complete journey. I doubt there will be another Paperboy book because a four-book set is known as a “tetralogy,” which seems a little off-putting and Jurassic. What kind of feedback do you get from readers of these three books? Readers say they appreciate that I shared

PHOTO: BETTY VAWTER

Vince Vawter at the Blount County Public Library the entire journey from adolescence to adulthood with them. This is rarely done in literature these days. Although most of my readers seem to be older than the “young adult” label, I did want the narrative to grow along with my readers. The books were published over a 10year period, just as the narrative encompasses 10 years of Vic’s life. Close readers, especially speech-language pathologists, say they admire how Vic’s attitudes about his stutter change over the 10-year period. After the success of Paperboy [Newbery Honor, quarter-million in sales, translated into 18 languages], I was a little taken aback that Penguin Random House chose not to continue with the

story. The reason given was that the publisher did not like popular protagonists to grow older. That’s not life, I said, and my books are my life. My publisher said that it may not be life, but it’s publishing.

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Memphis Flyer: Were you ever a copy boy? I seem to remember you telling me you weren’t. Vince Vawter: I was never a copy clerk. I started my newspaper career as a sportswriter at the Pine Bluff Commercial in Arkansas. My first job at The Press-Scimitar was on the copy desk. I thought that placing the protagonist, Victor Vollmer, as a copy clerk was a good way for him to enter the newspaper business, just like somebody else I know.

stutter. … Some readers question the naivete of the protagonist, but you have to remember this was the ’60s and another world from what we have now.

Any news on the musical made from Paperboy? Anything else happening? A movie maybe? The musical’s creative team entered Paperboy and its 22 original songs in two musical theater competitions this spring in New York City. We hope that this will result in another production besides the one we had at the Manhattan School of Music last year. We continue to hear rumblings from movie types, but nothing to report so far. I think the trilogy itself and the boy’s 10-year journey would make a more complete movie narrative and satisfy more 23 viewers, but we’ll just bide our time. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

worked with Vince Vawter at the old Memphis Press-Scimitar when it was in the now-demolished Memphis Publishing Co. building (what we veterans still call “the old building”) at 495 Union Avenue. It looked like those old newsrooms in the movies of the 1930s and ’40s. And it was full of characters that rivaled any character actors in those old newspaper movies. Vawter brings that old newsroom — and the Memphis of another era — to life as part of the background of his latest book, Manboy, which is part three of his Paperboy Trilogy. Vawter’s 40-year career in newspapers includes publisher and president of the Evansville Courier & Press, managing editor of The Knoxville News Sentinel, and news editor of the Memphis Press-Scimitar. Vawter, who lives in Louisville, Tennessee, will be at a book signing at 2 p.m. on February 10th at Novel. I recently asked Vawter some questions about the book.

T H E AT E R B y C o c o J u n e

A World of Pure Imagination Playhouse on the Square hosts a magical performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Fe b r u a r y 8 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 4

aving read Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory many times growing up and having seen both the 1971 and 2005 movie adaptations, I thought I knew exactly what to expect walking into Playhouse on the Square’s opening night of the stage musical. However, I’m happy to say that I was entirely mistaken. The production, directed by Dave Landis, told a familiar story in a way I had never seen before, and the entire show was — appropriately — a sublime display of eye candy. Though the onstage version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory shares quite a few similarities with the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, such as several of the same musical numbers, there are also a few differences. For one thing, this play takes place in a contemporary setting, with many references of modern relevance — Violet Beauregarde’s Instagram following, as one example. These nods to a presentday timeline help make the humor in the musical more accessible to a 2024 audience, and much of that humor is surprisingly dark, though in my opinion all the more funny for it. The story of this musical is the same one most people have grown up knowing: Plucky daydreamer Charlie Bucket, played on opening night by McCager Carver, wins one of five golden tickets to gain entry to the Wonka Chocolate factory, a place that’s been operating behind mysteriously closed gates for decades by the reclusive genius Willy Wonka. Carver, in his Playhouse debut, absolutely shone as young Charlie Bucket, bringing a mischievous and carefree energy to the character while maintaining what the audience must know about Charlie from the get-go and never question: He is good. As in the ’70s film version, Mr. Bucket is deceased, meaning Mrs. Bucket is a single mother working alone to maintain a household of five dependents, if we’re including the four immobilized grandparents. Amy Polumbo Nabors’ interpretation of the character was slightly different from what I’ve come to expect from the onscreen versions of Mrs. Bucket, less overtly nurturing and more anxious, which makes perfect sense given her circumstances. Still, one moment that I thought was extremely touching took place once the optimistic Charlie starts to lose hope after failing to find a golden ticket in his annual birthday chocolate bar. It’s his seem24 ingly more cynical mother who makes a wish for his dream to come true — a

PHOTOS: SEAN MOORE

Playhouse’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is sweet, uplifting, and, most importantly, fun.

wish that of course comes to fruition. A mother’s love isn’t really of thematic importance in this show, yet it’s nonetheless a hidden linchpin to the plot if you’re paying attention. Without question, my favorite section of this musical was the introduction of the golden ticket winners. Each one came with their own musical number, and each one was somehow even funnier than the last. A surprising standout was Brooke Papritz as Mrs. Teavee, which would never have been a character I would have thought warranted much attention. Papritz, however, managed to make Mike Teavee’s introduction just as entertaining with an almost entirely solo performance as the other kids’ intros were with all the glitz and glamor an onstage musical has to offer. The character of Willy Wonka has a duality in this musical, as he disguises himself as a mere chocolate shop owner during the first half of the show. Jimmy Rustenhaven’s Wonka

in act one is somewhat quiet and unassuming, though by act two we are introduced to someone who doesn’t seem particularly bothered by occasionally straying over the line that separates eccentric, creative genius from rich, outlandish asshole. Watching that transformation take place was a highlight of the show. For a musical about chocolate and candy, I expected the production to be visually decadent, an expectation that was met and surpassed. Lindsay Schmeling’s costume design was spectacular to look at, with a variety of textures, colors, sequins, and accessories constantly on display. The reporter Cherry Sundae? Style icon. The choreography of the ensemble was also highly entertaining, at times like watching a delightfully riotous fever dream (I’m thinking particularly of the squirrel ballet that delivers Veruca Salt’s comeuppance). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has much to offer to Memphis audiences: It’s sweet, uplifting, and, more than anything, fun. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs at Playhouse on the Square through February 18th.

FOOD By Michael Donahue

Dive In Louis Connelly’s Bar opens in the old Printer’s Alley space.

“Whether you’re a 70-year-old biker or a 21-year-old Midtown artist, I just wanted people to feel like they belong here.” Brantley has been working in production design and set decoration in Memphis for the past 10 years. He’s not a drinker, but “I’ve always been a big fan of dive bars and that culture and that feel,” says Brantley. Searching in antique stores, private collections, and other sources, Brantley says he brought in a lot of advertising from the ’70s and ’80s, and historical pieces dating back to the ’60s. He wanted “to honor the history” of

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the old Printer’s Alley space. “Whether you’re a 70-year-old biker or a 21-year-old Midtown artist, I wanted people to feel like they belong here,” Brantley adds. “So, I just took that and ran with it. I wanted it to feel familiar in a way that all good dive bars should feel.” Connelly kept some Printer’s Alley pieces, including a mural. As for renovations, Connelly says, “We took out the hallway that was next to the bathrooms to expand the kitchen. And then we covered up the brick wall that had a chalk wall on it on the other side with an actual wall to make it easier to hang stuff up like TVs.” They put in a new bar. “That [old] bar was not worth salvaging. It was completely busted up. And we moved the bar from one side of the room to the other. It’s much more functional over there.” He considered keeping the old epoxy bar top, which had pennies and old photos of Printer’s Alley customers attached to it, but, he says, “Hey, we’re going for a new bar. It doesn’t really make sense to keep pictures of people I don’t know.” Connelly created a “full kitchen” by adding new equipment, including a

PHOTO: MICHAEL DONAHUE

Mickey Blancq, Louis Connelly, and Dustin Brantley at Louis Connelly’s Bar flat top grill, a charbroiler, and a new stove. “They literally only had one kitchen stove. Like one that you’d have at your house.” Blancq, Connelly, and chef Juan Amaro collaborated on the menu, which includes nachos, Philly cheesesteaks, and smashburgers. “Really solid bar food,” Blancq says. “Nothing too fancy. Just making bar food right.” They had a great response at their grand opening February 3rd. “I think our whole vibe is different enough that we’re going to attract a new clientele,” Connelly says. Louis Connelly’s Bar will close at 3 a.m. “We do want to stay open late.” Not too many local bars are open late these days, he says. “The pandemic killed a lot of them. P&H is gone.” “This is new,” Connelly continues, “but we want to make it feel like it’s been there for a while. It will take a lot more time to really get that feel. I think we’re starting from a really good place.”

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ladies of the night or whatever.” Connelly, who works at Evolve Bank & Trust, would “look at different websites that post businesses for sale.” When he discovered Printer’s Alley, he called up the renter and went by the place. “It was pretty dilapidated as you can imagine.” But it fit his budget. “I liked the history of the building and the spot. I don’t live in Central Gardens. I live in Cooper-Young. I always thought people in Central Gardens don’t really have a local spot to hang out.” He signed the lease a year ago. “I got a guy in there and we drew up some plans and he started working on it.” Connelly hired manager Mickey Blancq, a Memphis restaurant veteran. And he hired Dustin Brantley to “help with the decor and the vibe. To get that right. He’s really punk rock.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

omething about the old Printer’s Alley bar piqued Louis Connelly’s interest. “There’s just something about bars that are sort of old and rundown and dilapidated,” he says. “And the other people that are there are just looking to have a good time and not taking themselves too seriously.” “You need some characters there for sure,” he adds. Printer’s Alley was “a fun place to end the night. When every other place was closed, Printer’s Alley was open.” Connelly is now owner of Louis Connelly’s Bar for Fun Times & Friendship, which opened February 3rd in the space once occupied by Printer’s Alley at 322 South Cleveland. When he moved from Brunswick, Maine, to Memphis, Connelly didn’t dream he’d open a nightspot. “At that time in my life I didn’t really have enough money to even consider opening a restaurant or bar or anything.” He used to stop in Printer’s Alley every couple of months. “I ended up there one, two o’clock in the morning. Nothing particularly bad happened while I was there. I guess it went through a series of different owners. I moved here in 2013. From when I moved here and until it got shut down, I got along with various bartenders and owners.” He knew Printer’s Alley didn’t have the greatest reputation. “Not a good local spot to hang out,” he says. “Smoking inside, for one, turned off a lot of people. I knew that drug use was sort of rampant. I just knew it was a little bit of a shady bar. Overall, my experiences were positive. “Now that I own it, people are telling me all sorts of stuff. Picking up

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NEWS OF THE WEIRD By the editors at Andrews McMeel Syndication Least Competent Criminal • On Dec. 9, as first responders were assisting a person “experiencing an altered mental state” in Columbia County, Florida, Stanley Williams, 35, hopped into the waiting ambulance and drove away, ClickOrlando reported. But officers didn’t have to chase him down — Williams drove to the sheriff’s office operations center and stopped near the main entrance, where he was arrested and taken to a hospital for examination. Williams faces grand theft and evading law enforcement charges. [ClickOrlando, 12/12/2023] • Leonard Thuo Mwithiga, 52, a Kenyan executive, followed his wife of 22 years to the United States, hoping to convince her to return home to him, Oddity Central reported. But when she refused, Mwithiga allegedly decided she must die. During an Uber ride, Mwithiga told the driver he was “very, very mad” and needed a hit man. The Uber driver got in touch with Connecticut State Police, who enlisted him as an informant. Between September and December, the two engaged in multiple conversations about the plot, all of which were shared with authorities. Mwithiga wanted his wife “injected with something to make her very sick, ‘like a cancer,’” and he wanted her to die a slow death. Finally, on Dec. 4, the informant introduced Mwithiga to a “hit man,” i.e., undercover cop, who was paid an advance on the job. Mwithiga asked that she be killed while he was away in Kenya, so he would have an alibi. Instead, he was arrested and held on $5 million bond. [Oddity Central, 12/13/2023] Saw That Coming Kathryn Tunison Smith, 67, of Midvale, Utah, already had five outstanding arrest warrants against her, two involving her neighbors, when she sealed her own fate, ABC4-TV reported. On Dec. 12, she was arrested after a TikTok video came to light depicting Smith making racist and crass comments to a neighbor. In one interaction, Smith came onto the neighbor’s property and “began ripping up [the neighbor’s] garden and continued … until the neighbor chased her away with a stick,” the charges allege. Mayor Marcus Stevenson posted on X, “I’m hopeful that this is a positive step for the healing of the targeted family, the affected neighborhood, Ms. Smith, and our entire community.” She was booked and released on her own recognizance, so … [ABC4, 12/13/2023]

Wait, What? Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava was arraigned on Dec. 5 in Los Angeles federal court after a bizarrely uninterrupted trip from Denmark to L.A., the Associated Press reported. The Russian flew in November without a ticket, passport, visa, or seat assignment. Flight crew members told investigators that he wandered around the plane and switched seats while talking with other passengers. When U.S. Customs and Border Patrol searched his belongings, they found “Russian identification cards and an Israeli identification card,” court documents outlined. Ochigava gave a variety of explanations, including that he hadn’t slept in three days and wasn’t sure how he got through security in Copenhagen. A trial is scheduled for Dec. 26. [AP, 12/13/2023] Our Litigious Society • Cynthia Kelly, 18, of Hillsborough County, Florida, has sued The Hershey Co. for $5 million because the Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins she bought in October didn’t have a jack-o’-lantern face on them as shown on the packaging. ClickOrlando reported on Dec. 29 that Kelly accused the company of “false and deceptive advertising,” and she “would not have purchased the Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins product if she knew that it did not have the detailed carvings of the mouth and/or eyes as pictured on the product label,” the suit reads. She also pointed out that the White Ghost and Football candies were missing their own key details. One reviewer called the pumpkin a “monstrosity.” [ClickOrlando, 12/29/2023] • Two years ago, Paul Kerouac stopped at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Winter Park, Florida, where he used the restroom, the New York Post reported. While he was indisposed, the toilet he was occupying exploded, leaving him “covered with debris, including human feces and urine,” according to a lawsuit filed on Jan. 3 in Florida’s 9th Judicial District. Kerouac claims the Dunkin’ workers knew there was a “problem with the toilet” and says he now “requires mental health care and counseling as a direct result of the trauma he experienced in the restroom.” [NY Post, 1/4/2024] NEWS OF THE WEIRD © 2023 Andrews McMeel Syndication. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “The greater the fool, the better the dancer.” Composer Theodore Hook said that. Poet Edwin Denby agreed. He said, “There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.” Choreographer Martha Graham added, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” I bring these thoughts to your attention because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to get freer, more sensuous, and more unconstrained. Dancing your inhibitions into oblivion will be an excellent way to pursue these goals. So will doing everything with a dancer’s abandon, including love-making. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Years ago, Salon.com asked various critics to name the most preposterous sex scene to appear in a recently published novel. I was honored that one of the vignettes selected was from my book The Televisionary Oracle. As I read the critic’s review of my wild, funny, and crazy erotic story, I realized he was a pedantic macho prude who thought sex isn’t sex unless it’s dead serious and joylessly intense. The characters of mine he regarded as preposterous were in fact playing, laughing, and having goofy fun. In the spirit of my novel’s kooky lovers and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to pursue uproarious amusement while enjoying the arts of intimacy — both in and out of bed. (PS: Playwright Rose Franken said, “Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.”) CANCER (June 21-July 22): A psychic told me that in one of my past lives, I was Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. It’s an intriguing theory that could help explain why my horoscopes are popular in Italy. What about you, my fellow Cancerian? Is there an aspect of your reincarnational history that aids your current destiny? Or are there past events in your current life that are becoming more influential? The coming weeks will be a good time to meditate on these possibilities. While you ruminate on your history, check in with the spirits of your ancestors and departed allies to see if they have any inspirational messages for you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Kevin Kelly wrote the book Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier. There he observes, “Listening well is a superpower. While listening to someone you love, keep asking them ‘Is there more?’ until there is no more.” Dear Leo, this is excellent advice for you in the coming weeks. I urge you to specialize in gathering the deep revelations of those you care for. Opening yourself to them in unprecedented ways will boost your soul power and enrich your wisdom. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Imagine you are walking on a hill at night. You are headed to meet a person you adore, who awaits you with champagne and chocolate. The weather is balmy. The moon is full. You are singing songs you both love, announcing your arrival. The songs tell stories about how much you two love to yearn for each other and how much you love quenching your yearning. When you arrive, dear Virgo, what will you tell your beloved to make them feel supremely understood and appreciated? LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Has your approach to togetherness become infused with habit or numbness? When was the last time you got extravagant for the sake of love? Has it been a while since you tried a daring romantic move or two? I bring these questions to your attention, Libra, because now is an excellent time to rev up your imagination as you upgrade intimacy, companionship, and collaboration. I hope you will authorize your fantasy life to be lush, unruly, and experimental. Spur yourself to dream up departures from routine that intrigue your close allies. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) testified, “My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world with surprise and horror.” Is that true about you, Scorpio? Even if it is, I’m guessing the horrifying aspects will be nonexistent in the coming weeks. There may be surprises, yes. There may be entertaining interludes. But from what I can tell, everything will at least be educational and colorful. What are your most exotic erotic fantasies? Now is a good time to ask a willing partner to explore them with grace and good humor. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Valentine season is looming, and many of us are receptive to advice about togetherness. I’ll offer some principles that I believe are essential to you Sagittarians as you nourish ALL your close relationships, including your romantic bonds. They are from novelist Graham Joyce. He wrote, “Two people in love don’t make a hive mind. Neither should they want to be a hive mind, to think the same, to know the same. It’s about being separate and still loving each other, be-

ing distinct from each other. One is the violin string, one is the bow.” CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Lately, I have been intoxicated a lot. Not because I’ve ingested drugs and alcohol. Not because I have been doing three-hour meditations or studying sacred texts. I’ve felt so wildly free and euphoric because life has been dismantling some of my fears. Once it happened when my psychotherapist spoke just the right curative words at a pivotal moment in our session. Another time, I came upon a very large hare while strolling in the woods and had an epiphany about how to heal a painful trauma in my past. On another occasion, I dreamed of a priestess doing a banishing ritual to exorcize my abandonment fears. There were three other similar events, as well. I bring this to your attention because I suspect you may soon also get intoxicated through the loss of fears. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Have you discovered all there is to know about your sexual feelings and proclivities? Have you come to a complete understanding of what turns you on and how you might express it? I hope your answer to those questions is “no,” Pisces. In my view, all of us should keep evolving our relationship with eros. There is always more to discover and explore about the mysteries of our desires. Always more to learn about what excites and inspires us. The coming days will be an excellent time for you to enjoy this research.

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): In honor of the Valentine season, and in accordance with astrological omens, I offer you a love letter from an unpublished novel by an Aries friend. Consider saying something similar to a person who would be thrilled to hear it. Here it is. “We will seize the sexiest joy we can conjure. We will turn each other into boisterous deities in quest of liberation from all unnecessary limitations. We will tenderly shock each other with mysterious epiphanies and rivers of bliss. ‘Wild’ will be too mild a word for the awakenings we provoke in each other’s futures.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Reading through the annals of famous authors’ quotes about love, I’m horrified by the relentlessness of their sour assessments. “Love is merely a madness,” wrote Shakespeare. “Whoever is not jealous is not in love,” said St. Augustine. “General incivility is the very essence of love,” declared Jane Austen. “It is impossible to love and be wise,” moaned Francis Bacon. “Real love always has something hidden — some loss or boredom or tiny hate,” says Andrew Sean Greer. I am allergic to all that dour noise! Personally, I have been entangled in a lot of romantic love during my time on Earth, and most of it has been interesting, educationala, and therapeutic. I am deeply grateful for ALL of it, even the heartbreaks. Any wisdom I have developed owes a great debt to my lovers. What about you, Aquarius? Where do you stand on these issues? I suspect the coming months will provide you with ample reasons to embrace my attitudes.

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Past Lives Was Robbed! Celine Song’s Best Picture nominee deserved better than it got.

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generally don’t get too bent out of shape about the Academy Awards. I guess my attitude comes from a lifetime of disappointment stemming from the fact that Oscar voters don’t like the same things I like. Academy Awards nominations and wins are best viewed as conversation starters, not any objective (whatever that means) measure of the best films of the year. Having said that, Past Lives was ROBBED! Yes, I’m YELLING ABOUT IT! Maybe it seems strange to be crying — no, YELLING foul about such a quiet film that has been lavished with accolades. Yes, it is nominated for Best Picture, and writer/director Celine Song was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Both of these nominations are well deserved. But Past Lives deserved more. The film opens in millennial Seoul, South Korea. Na Young and Hae Sung (played as children by Seung Ah Moon and Seung Min Yim, respectively) are middle-school classmates. Just as they move from fast friends to puppy love, they are separated when Na Young’s family immigrates to Toronto, Canada. Twelve years pass. Na Young has Westernized her name to Nora Moon, and is now played by Greta Lee. She has moved to New York City for her education and to pursue a career as a playwright. Hae Sung (now played by Teo Yoo) is finishing up his hitch in the South Korean military and trying to figure out what to do with his life. Hae Sung does some internet searches for Na Young, but since he’s unaware of her name change, they come up empty. He puts out an open call for help in reconnecting with his long lost not-quite-girlfriend via Facebook, and word gets back to now-Nora via the Korean diaspora. It seems she has never stopped thinking about him, either. From opposite sides of the world, they

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reconnect on period-appropriate video conferencing app Skype. (Song may be the first director to induce nostalgia with Skype’s “boodle-oodle-oodle-oop” incoming call alert sound, but she probably won’t be the last.) It’s these conversations where Teo Yoo and Greta Lee shine. They’re subtle, quiet, and totally relatable. Nora and Hae Sung are hesitant at first. They’re happy to see each other, for sure, but also feeling each other out. Emotions are complicated on both sides. A lot can change in 12 years, especially when that time period is half a lifetime. They become each other’s comfort, something to run to after a hard day. But the distance between them seems unbridgeable. Eventually, Nora breaks it off, saying she wants to devote herself to her career by taking a slot at a prestigious writer’s retreat, while Hae Sung goes to China for language lessons. The first person Nora meets at the writer’s retreat is Arthur (John Magaro), a fellow writer, and they immediately hit it off. Then, 12 more years pass. Now Nora

and Arthur are married and living in New York City, both with reasonably successful careers, but no children. Out of the blue, Nora gets a message from Hae Sung. He’s going to be in New York on business and was wondering if they could finally get together and see each other in real life for the first time since Seoul. Nora accepts, but when they finally do lay eyes on each other, things become a lot more fraught and complex than either one of them ever imagined. Lee, who has been low-key brilliant in Russian Doll and What We Do in the Shadows, absolutely deserved a Best Actress nomination for her work as Nora. She juggles conflicting motivations and feelings with remarkable subtlety — which is perhaps a strike against her with an Academy that tends to equate good acting with MORE acting. The same with Teo Yoo. In lesser hands, Hae Sung would have been a whiny loser or a John Cusack-ian perfect (yet kinda toxic) boyfriend. Instead, he’s

Teo Yoo, Greta Lee, and John Magaro in Past Lives a successful, otherwise well-adjusted guy who is following a deep impulse he doesn’t fully understand. And while we’re at it, John Magaro could have easily come off with a Best Supporting Actor nomination as the long suffering Arthur. Maybe if it had been released in 2024, Past Lives would have gone on to a big Oscar sweep. But 2023 was the best year for film in recent memory, so the competition is crowded with worthy nominees. Even the ones I would have swapped out for Past Lives (I’m looking at you, Maestro) are still well-made and enjoyable films. Just like the star-crossed lovers it portrays, there’s an alternate world where things worked out better for Past Lives. Past Lives Now Streaming Hulu and Amazon Prime Video

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N O W P L AY I N G B y C h r i s M c C o y Our critic picks the best films in theaters. Lisa Frankenstein What’s a goth girl to do? All the guys at her high school are terminally boring. No one understands her dark charms. So Lisa does what any sensible STEM teen would do: Reanimate the corpse of a hot Victorian dandy and mold him into the perfect man. Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin) directs Big Little Lies’ Kathryn Newton in a Diablo Cody script, so it should be fun. The ’Vous Legendary writer/producer Larry Karaszewski called this locally produced documentary about The Rendezvous “a beautiful American story.” Filmmakers Jeff Dailey and Jack Lofton spent years filming the everyday drama of a small

business that has been in the middle of decades Memphis history. Now held over for its third big week, this is a don’tmiss documentary. The Private Eye Memphian Clare Grant stars alongside comedian Matt Rife in this neo-noir from indie filmmaker Jack Cook. This one has it all: private dicks, femme fatales, a murder plot, and shocking twists. Poor Things Speaking of Frankenstein, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s surreal comedy about a dead woman reanimated with the brain of her unborn fetus who tears a swath of philosophical decadence across a fantastical steampunk version of Victorian Europe is still playing!

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Dream Big The Earnestine Robinson story.

There are many ways to communicate a message of great passion and thought. Preachers and politicians speak from pulpits and podiums. Poets wrestle words to a page. Painters wield brushes dipped in acrylics. Dancers jook and jump. Musicians sing and play musical instruments. Born in 1938, Earnestine Rodgers Robinson is a Memphis artist, gifted with a mysterious mode of “speaking.” She has never studied music or learned to play an instrument. And yet, in the tradition of Handel’s Messiah, Earnestine Robinson composes oratorios steeped in Old and New Testament Bible stories. Her musical compositions, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and Exodus have been performed in Carnegie Hall and across international waters in Prague. How did music arrive at her command without instruction? Some degree of an answer begins with her parents. Rev. James Rodgers was a pastor and self-taught contractor with a keen ability to read blueprints and build houses. His wife, Euber, was a skilled cook and the mother of his 11 children. Earnestine was the fifth child. Five is the number of grace. The Rodgers were a Black family of conquering fortitude. They had arrived in Memphis from Arkansas PHOTO: COURTESY TODD ROBINSON while seeking refuge from the Great Flood of 1937. A few years later, when Earnestine was a toddler, a stomach Earnestine Rodgers Robinson ailment almost killed the listless child. But God gave a prophetic word to her wise Aunt Ruth. She told James and Euber that Earnestine would survive the sickness because God had plans to use her life in a mighty way. As Earnestine traversed the various stages of childhood to graduate valedictorian from Douglass High School in 1956, the prophecy on her life never left her memory. When Earnestine was an undergraduate at Fisk University, her father died. Relatives convinced her to leave college and seek employment. Unhappy with the segregated South, she moved to Chicago and trained to become a medical photographer. While in Chicago, she fell in love with Charles Robinson, a Black accountant and pianist. Charles and his casual tinkering included piano riffs from Rachmaninoff. Earnestine told him of a reoccurring dream. She often saw herself playing piano. Maybe the frequent dream was a wink to love on the horizon because Earnestine married Charles. They moved to Memphis in the late ’60s and were blessed with five children: Todd, Cheryle, Craig, Michelle, and Gaius. When 1972 arrived, Earnestine and Charles settled into a new house in the Memphis community called Cherokee. With the arrival of spring flowers, Flora Rodgers asked Earnestine to organize an Easter program for church. Flora’s husband, Jonathan, was not only the pastor, he was Earnie’s brother. So, sister went right to work! However, when Earnestine could not find a proper Easter play in local bookstores, she was forced to write the narrative herself. As for music, a miracle happened. While seated alone in her bedroom preparing for a church rehearsal, Earnestine opened her mouth to read Bible verses John 3:16-17. The first verse poured from her in the flourish of a symphonic melody. When she tried to read the second verse aloud, the spoken words hurtled through the air in the spirit of a sacred song. She told a news reporter once, “I was singing the scripture and it was not of my own volition.” The mysterious unfolding of melodies rendered her speechless. A church pianist advised her to follow the music saying, “If God has given you two verses, surely he can give you a whole song.” She agreed. And for the past 40 years, Earnestine has turned her ear toward Heaven. She uses mathematical symbols to convey the feeling of the music. Then she hires a musician to translate her symbols into a symphonic score. While her work has been featured before crowds in New York, Chicago, and Europe, no Memphis orchestra has ever performed Earnestine Robinson’s music until this year. This weekend, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra with the National Civil Rights Museum will debut Earnestine Robinson’s Harriet Tubman at the Cannon Center. The threepart oratorio explores Harriet Tubman’s birth into slavery, her journey on the Underground Railroad, and her joy and celebration of freedom in the aftermath of slavery. Years ago, when Earnestine and her husband visited Memphis churches, colleges, and concert halls encouraging the local community to feature her work, doors were slammed in their faces. She asked God to explain the rejection and in the stillness of that moment she heard God say, “Your vision is too small.” It was then that Earnestine began to dream big. She prayed for national and international stages. This seed of faith reaped a great harvest as her music has now been featured at Carnegie Hall, numerous times. Carnegie conductor, Jonathan Griffith, once explained the soul of Robinson’s music. He told her, “Your use of repetition gives it a gospel feel. … Your harmonies and rhythms are more like jazz. And somehow, you bring it all together under a classical format.” Get ready for Earnestine Robinson’s world debut of the Harriet Tubman oratorio. Experience her BIG DREAM in BIG MEMPHIS at the Cannon Center on February 11th. Alice Faye Duncan is the author of Coretta’s Journey, Traveling Shoes, and Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop. She can be reached at alicefayeduncan.com. Purchase Harriet Tubman tickets online from the NCRM at civilrightsmuseum.org.

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