Memphis Flyer 4/20/2023

SHARA CLARK

Editor

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

GENE GARD, EMILY GUENTHER, COCO JUNE, FRANK MURTAUGH

Contributing Columnists

SHARON BROWN, AIMEE STIEGEMEYER

Grizzlies Reporters

ANDREA FENISE

Fashion Editor

KENNETH NEILL

Founding Publisher

CARRIE BEASLEY

Senior Art Director

CHRISTOPHER MYERS

Advertising Art Director

NEIL WILLIAMS

Graphic Designer

JERRY D. SWIFT

Advertising Director Emeritus

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Account Executive

CHET HASTINGS

Warehouse and Delivery Manager

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Editor’s note: Flyer writers will occasionally share this space.

e stormy spring season has thrown a wrench into my carefully cra ed plans this year. Power outages, lost internet connections, new patio furniture hurled from my balcony thanks to strong winds, and rained-out soccer games have been April staples (although my hamstring is grateful for the last one). But as the old saying goes, “April showers bring May owers.” April has indeed been a bit of a wet blanket, but it’s set to usher in some other notable moments for yours truly.

One such moment is May 12th, a day I’ve had circled on the calendar for the better part of this year. at day, as I’m sure most of you readers are aware, is the o cial release of e Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, in which the intrepid hero Link will continue to traipse around the wild expanse of an open kingdom of Hyrule. at big mountain o in the distance? You can go there, if you want. e ocean stretching o into the horizon? Go build a boat and sail. Or just y around the oating island in the sky, soaking up the joy of unparalleled freedom in digital format.

While the game and its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, do capture a freedom unlike anything else in the medium, such wanderlust was a big part of my live, non-digital time growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. e views from our patio unfolded endlessly into an expanse of snow-capped mountains, in nite blue skies, and rollicking u y clouds. And the recurring pastel sunsets, I must inform you all, put Memphis’ to shame. at little peak jutting up way in the distance? Well, odds are that you can probably head over, hike up to the top, and catch a di erent view of the sunset.

I picked up a friend before heading to the Porter-Leath Rajun Cajun Craw sh Festival this past weekend, and she stopped by my car trunk for a few beats. “Why do you still have your New Mexico license plate?” she asked, with a mixed look of both interest and distaste. And that proved to be an excellent question. is summer marks the start of another year in Memphis and as a citizen of the Mid-South. And I don’t regret a second of it, learning about the city, nally having a professional basketball team to root for, and having close proximity to the best kind of barbecue. But as I’ve settled into the humdrum routine of life as an adult in a city that requires a car for traversal, it has sometimes felt like a balancing act of absorbing the in uences of my new city and holding on to that eeting feeling of freedom from my Santa Fe years. No longer can I step outside and immediately set foot onto an interconnected series of complex mountainous hiking trails or turn to my le and see someone walking their llama up a dirt road. e yellow license plate, complete with the requisite Zia symbol in the middle, has always been a pleasant reminder of the sky-blue desert days before I begin a journey to work Downtown that requires nimble maneuvering through myriad speed bumps, construction zones, and our patented potholes. is might all sound a bit negative, but I love my new city. I wouldn’t change a thing about my time here and hope to have many more memorable Memphis years.

But my pieces of Santa Fe have been dri ing away in the past couple years. My New Mexico driver’s license disappeared along with my entire wallet at a Grizzlies playo game last year (still worth it), and now this summer, the state of Tennessee is insistent that my NM license plate nally be replaced with one of their own. e dilly-dallying of our county clerk has given me a little extra time with my beloved yellow plate, but my last material connection to New Mexico isn’t long for this world. It’s been a steady companion over the years, as I’ve navigated some mild sh-out-of-water feelings while functioning alongside many friends and colleagues who have personal and long-standing connections to Memphis and the Mid-South. I’ve always wondered when I can truly call myself a Memphian, or perhaps that benchmark was passed long ago. Again, I love being part of the 901 and all it entails. But letting go of the yellow license plate has just been that little bit harder than I thought.

Samuel X. Cicci scicci@memphis yer.com

PHOTO: PAUL BRADY | DREAMSTIME A Santa Fe (not Memphis) skyline.

fly-by

{WEEK THAT WAS By

Flyer staff

Memphis on the internet.

RAINBOW LAND

Questions, Answers + Attitude

Edited by Toby Sells

Guns, a Park, & the Tennessee Three

Governor moves on gun safety, Ducks Unlimited Park, and expulsion investigations.

TENNESSEE THREE

Storms wreaked havoc for many Memphians last week. But April showers also brought a rainbow, captured by Beth Okeon (above), over the re station Downtown.

Billy Willson caught it over Madison (below) looking south from Huey’s.

In a letter addressed to Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), legal counsel for expelled and reinstated state representatives Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (DMemphis) said they are “reviewing these unconstitutional actions to understand how best to remedy them.”

Federal lawmakers called for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the expulsion of Jones and Pearson. Five U.S. senators, including Senator Raphael Warnock (DGA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), asked for a review as did U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-Memphis).

MEMPHIS BRAND INITIATIVE

e Memphis Brand Initiative (MBI) wants up to $300,000 from city taxpayers to help it continue to tell the city’s story, including ways to “combat” “negative headlines” from local media coverage.

state. e Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA) trashed Lee’s proposal for what it calls a “red ag law,” saying he wants to pass an unconstitutional measure as an emotional reaction to the Covenant School shooting.

DUCKS UNLIMITED PARK

Porchfest brought big crowds to Cooper-Young last Saturday to see dozens of bands play on more than 30 porches.

“Hope this counts as being on the Flyer,” wrote Crockett Hall, who played a stage close to Celtic Crossing standing atop one of our boxes. To which we’ll retort, “Crockett, hope this counts as being in the Flyer.”

BIG TYPO

Reddit users pointed out the massive typo on Africa in April’s billboards that adds an extra “A” to Rwanda.

MBI president David French told Memphis City Council members last Tuesday morning his organization is on track for a $300,000 funding gap this year in the face of economic headwinds. It now gets $100,000 from the city, asked for $100,000 more, but said getting $300,000 total would be ideal.

e request met favorable responses from council members with Councilman Dr. Je Warren saying, “With the current situation we have with our crime and our murder rate and everything else going on, we need you guys more than ever.” Council Chairman Martavius Jones said, “Memphis has always been … a city that needs to be sold.“

LEE’S GUN MOVES

Governor Bill Lee called for a new Tennessee law last week to help keep guns out of the hands of people deemed at risk of hurting themselves or others. He wants the GOP-controlled Tennessee General Assembly to deliver a broader bill to his desk in the next month, before adjourning for the year.

Last week, the governor also signed an executive order to strengthen background checks for buying rearms in the

New details emerged last week about the newly dubbed Ducks Unlimited Park, a 1,500-acre park on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi River, accessible by Big River Crossing.

e park will be overseen by the nonpro t Big River Conservancy, which named Chris Ware, an attorney with conservation experience, as executive director last week. Future plans for the park include new trails, a welcome pavilion with an outdoor classroom, restrooms, and an oleash retriever training dog park.

NEW EPA RULES

New rules issued from the federal government last week could drastically cut hazardous emissions from facilities like Sterilization Services of Tennessee in South Memphis. Local leaders have waited for the new rules to cut possibly harmful emissions of ethylene oxide from the facility. However, no cancer clusters around it were found in a recent study.

POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY BETH OKEON

POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY CROCKETT HALL

POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY BILLY WILLSON

Stories from Chalkbeat Tennessee and Tennessee Lookout contributed to this news roundup. Visit the News Blog at memphis yer.com for fuller versions of these stories and more local news.

PHOTO: BIG RIVER PARK CONSERVANCY | RITCHIE SMITH ASSOCIATES Future plans for Ducks Unlimited Park include new trails, a welcome pavilion with an outdoor classroom, restrooms, and an o -leash retriever training dog park.

By Kailynn Johnson

Pearson Fights Back

Shortly a er Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) was sworn in again last week, the Tennessee Holler leaked audio of what Pearson referred to as the “internal discussions the Republican party had and has had since the expulsion of myself and Representative Jones.”

e Flyer spoke with Pearson about gun reform and the experiences that shaped his stance. — Kailynn Johnson

How would you describe the past few days?

Justin Pearson: In the past few days we’ve seen the movement for the end of gun violence and the need to preserve our democracy rising, and it’s been a powerful display of people power in Shelby County, across the state of Tennessee, and our country. It reinstills my sense of determination that we are on the right side of this ght.

What are you hoping for in Tennessee in terms of gun reform?

I think what we would like to see are more laws passed by the Tennessee state legislature that deal with the injustices as it relates to gun violence. We’re living under a gun violence epidemic in Memphis, Millington, Shelby County, District 86, across our state and country.

e resolution that has been o ered by many people is to just keep things the same and pray they get better, instead of investing resources into changing the status quo to help support our communities, to make them safer.

We know that those opportunities or options are out there, but the Republican party of Tennessee has committed itself to expel the voices of dissent that don’t want to have the [National Ri e Association] and gun lobbyist associations guide policy making, and instead want the people of Tennessee to guide policymaking.

Have any of your experiences shaped your stance on gun reform?

is January I lost my classmate, Larry orn, to gun violence in Memphis, in Westwood, District 86.

He was shot. We were the same age, and yet I have the opportunity to become an elected o cial and serve in the state house, and Larry is gone. It isn’t fair, it is not right, it’s not just, and it’s not the way it has to be.

Everybody in this Republican

supermajority, who are consistently advocating that there’s nothing more that we can do other than tolerate injustices like what happened to Larry, they’re wrong. … We are not safer because of the laws that are currently in place such as permitless carry.

What prompted you to take an active stance regarding gun laws?

It was mostly the killing of six people at e Covenant School in Nashville, and the silence of people in the state capitol to thousands of protesters who were asking us to do something, and the remembering of my own classmate, and a remembering of my mentor. Last year, Dr. Yvonne Nelson, who was killed by gun violence, urged me … to go on the oor and say that we have to say something, and we have to listen to the people who have shown up here in our capitol to be heard.

It was silence — outside of one speech — that day on the issue of ending gun violence. ere was complete silence from [House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville)] and leaders of the Republican party, and any members who wanted to speak about the issue were told they were out of order, including myself.

So, it became important for us to raise this issue, the best we knew how. In this case that was making sure that we stuck to our oath, of dissenting to the status quo, and supporting our community that wants for us to speak.

Now that you’ve been reinstated, what are your next steps?

One of the rst things that we’re already working on are 15 bills as it relates to ending gun violence in Tennessee, including making [law] the executive order from Governor Bill Lee … and passing red ag laws, similar to what Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) passed in the past few sessions.

PHOTO: JUSTIN PEARSON | FACEBOOK Justin Pearson

Representative Justin Pearson talks expulsion turbulence, gun violence, and what’s next.

POLITICS By Jackson Baker

In the Picture

As was teased in this space last week, secondquarter nancial disclosures of the Memphis mayoral candidates were expected to come due. And they did, roughly a day a er last week’s issue went to print.

e contents of the disclosures have since been bruited about here and there and have been subjected to analysis. In many — perhaps most — ways, the numbers conform to advance expectations. e leaders now, in the vital metric of cash on hand, are the same two who led the eld in rstquarter disclosures in January: Downtown Memphis Commission CEO Paul Young, with $432,434.97 cash on hand, and Sheri Floyd Bonner, with $404,139.12.

Local NAACP president Van Turner was still very much in the game, with $154,633.46, as was the largely self-

funding developer J.W. Gibson, with $254,015.55.

e real surprise was former Memphis-Shelby County Schools board chair Michelle McKissack, who raised $101,712.95 — in less than two months of a declared candidacy, she notes — and has $79,164.95 on hand.

sack alleged about some of the media coverage that “there are those in the city who don’t want to acknowledge that it’s actually possible for a woman to be mayor of Memphis.” She focused on an unnamed article “that really touted, just, you know, highlighting the men in this race.”

Clearly, McKissack has some catching up to do but justly takes pride in her results, given her relatively late start. She and the other candidates have some time, given that candidate petitions cannot even be drawn until May 22nd. Election day is October 5th, some ve months away.

In a video tweet last week, McKis-

Both the point of view and even some of the language in McKissack’s tweet were reminiscent of attitudes expressed by former female candidates for mayor — notably Carol Chumney, now a Circuit Court Judge, who ran for Memphis mayor twice, nishing a competitive second place to incumbent Willie Herenton in a three-way race in 2007.

Herenton, out of o ce now for 14 years, is a candidate again for his former o ce, where he served for 17 years. He and others — including City Councilman Frank Colvett, state House minority leader Karen Camper, former County Commissioner James Harvey, and former TV judge Joe Brown — will

doubtless make some waves, one way or another.

• Another former mayoral candidate, Tami Sawyer, who had a singularly devoted following for her reform platform in 2019, is back on the scene a er a work sojourn for Amazon in both D.C. and California. She tweeted, “Yes, I’m back in Memphis for good … I am not running for o ce in 2023. But y’all gonna still see me deep in this work.”

Mayoral candidate McKissack surprises; Tami Sawyer returns.

In many — perhaps most — ways, the numbers conform to advance expectations.

PHOTO: MICHELLE MCKISSACK | FACEBOOK Michelle McKissack

ALL ABOUT JOEL:

THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL

MAY 6 | 2:00 PM

MAY 6 | 7:30 PM

Billy Joel inspired generations of musicians to follow the Piano Man’s footsteps. David Clark is one of those, creating his tribute to Billy Joel. Enjoy Billy’s hits: PIANO MAN — UPTOWN GIRL — SHE’S ALWAYS A WOMAN TO ME — WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE — IT’S STILL ROCK N ROLL TO ME — & more. With eerily-similar looks, David Clark brings the music of Billy Joel to you in one fantastically entertaining night!

AT LARGE

By Bruce VanWyngarden

10 Woke Commandments

Walk in a Park. Follow a trail or a path until you are immersed in nature. Stop for a moment and listen. Take in the birdsong, the whisper of the breeze through the trees. Breathe in the wood-smell. Feel the earth beneath your feet. e Japanese call it “forest bathing.” Be thankful that some woke folks once had the foresight to preserve the corner of nature you are now privileged to experience.

Read a Banned Book, maybe even one you’ve read before. ere are now hundreds to choose from in the U.S. And support your local libraries and independent bookstores. ey are an endangered species in many parts of this country. Reading is fundamental. So is the right to choose what you want to read.

Be a Voice for Choice. Never forget that abortion services and pregnancy counseling are also healthcare, and all women deserve the right to make their own medical decisions without government direction or interference. Religious beliefs and political ideology do not trump core human rights in this country.

Consume Real News. Don’t be fooled by websites and “news” organizations that exist only to excite your con rmation biases. While no media organization is perfectly neutral, the reporting in most major newspapers is relatively free of bias. Some of the most balanced news (not opinion) sources, according to the AllSides Media Bias Chart, are AP News, BBC News, NPR News, PBS News, Reuters, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal

April 20th-22nd, 2023

Holly Springs, Mississippi

Guests will be allowed a rare look into the other side of antebellum life through surviving structures with historic interpretations by Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project, featured in Garden & Gun Magazine. Culinary Historian, Michael W. Twitty, author of The Cooking Gene - winner of 2018 James Beard Foundation's Book Of The Year Award, will discuss the cooks of antebellum kitchens and the lives of enslaved people’s unique role in giving the South her mother cuisine through live cooking demonstrations.

For information call (901) 336-4090 or go to www.preservemarshallcounty.org

Don’t Spread BS. is could be considered a corollary of the preceding commandment. Before posting something on social media or otherwise amplifying any content, google it and check the source. If it seems too perfect to be true or perfectly aligns with your own beliefs, be suspicious. Mark Twain, for example, did not say all things the internet says he did. Be a spreader of truth, not, er, bullshit.

Speak Your Mind. State your political views freely and clearly when asked or when otherwise appropriate. ere’s no need to fear o ending others if you speak the truth. In fact, polite silence in the face of racism, homophobia, misogyny, lies, or hate-speech indicates that you are okay with it. Don’t be okay with it. Also, it’s okay to say, “Happy Holidays.”

Don’t Fear History. e saying goes, “ ose who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” ese days, too many people are trying to bury history so they can freely ignore it. Or repeat it. ey want to suppress any portion of the past that makes them uncomfortable, like slavery and segregation, to name a couple things some white folks don’t want to talk about. Being uncomfortable with parts of our past is part of the process. Otherwise, yes, we are doomed.

Stand Up for Gun Reform. e United States is a scary place today — a civilian battle eld where innocent people are being gunned down by military-grade weapons so o en it’s become a mind-numbing parody. Too many of our legislators are in the pocket of the NRA. It’s long past time to pass sensible gun legislation, including reinstating the assault weapons ban. We can’t a ord to give up this ght.

Do Say Gay. It’s getting hard out there for LGBTQ folks, so show your support for gay-friendly businesses and organizations. Hey, maybe drink a Bud Light and go see a drag show. And let young people know, as soon as they are curious about it, that being gay isn’t scary or something to be made fun of. Introduce them to your Aunt Peg and her wife. Take them to Disneyland.

Believe in Science. Climate change is real, and don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t. e oceans are rising. Temperature levels that used to be rare are the new normal. Severe weather is more commonplace. Floods and droughts are racking the globe. Coral reefs are dying and ice caps are melting and your beachfront property may soon be worthless. Also, vaccinations are not a government plot, and you should go ahead and schedule that checkup. Trust me on this.

Journey Through Holly Springs’ Slave Dwellings

Thanks to partnerships with the Rosa Foundation and North Mississippi Roots & Wings, additional historic interpreters will illustrate the roles of an antebellum brick maker and laundress, all during the 10th year of the tour in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

PHOTO: MEGAN LEE | UNSPLASH ou shalt walk in a park and forest bathe.

The Best “Roth” Ever?

Health savings accounts include some of the best benefits of both traditional and Roth accounts.

Health savings accounts (HSAs) were first authorized in 2003 as a tax-friendly way to save money for healthcare expenses. They’re a benefit designed to encourage use of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), which usually involve a lower monthly premium but higher outof-pocket costs until deductible and outof-pocket limits are reached. We’re very fortunate that lawmakers created HSAs. Though they aren’t technically a retirement account, in some ways they’re better than even the venerable Roth IRA itself!

The Benefits of HSAs

HSAs incorporate some of the best features of both traditional and Roth accounts. Here’s why they’re referred to as “triple tax-free.”

Money that goes in an HSA account is excludable from taxable income, similar to contributions in traditional IRAs. But unlike IRAs, you can make deductible contributions to HSAs regardless of how high your income might be. If you directly contribute to HSAs via payroll deductions, payroll tax is avoided — just like with your 401(k) contributions. This benefit is easy to overlook but yields an immediate 7.65 percent return on your money (6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare).

An HSA account can be invested in the markets just like an investment portfolio, and it grows in a tax-deferred/tax-free manner, similar to most retirement accounts. Unlike flexible spending accounts (FSAs), there is no use-it-or-lose-it stipulation. These funds are yours forever.

When HSA funds are eventually withdrawn and spent on approved healthcare expenses, those withdrawals aren’t taxed either, much like a Roth IRA. Though you got a tax benefit when you funded your HSA, you don’t owe taxes on the back end either — it’s hard to beat that!

Besides the points above, there’s another unusual benefit of HSAs to note. Imagine you’re out of pocket for $5,000 of surgical expenses. Your first instinct might be to run the charge on your HSA card or immediately reimburse yourself, but if you do that, you’re probably leaving something on the table.

Assuming you correctly assemble the documentation, there is no deadline to reimburse yourself for medical expenses. For example, you could wait five years to take your $5,000 tax-exempt medical expense reimbursement from the HSA. By waiting, your $5,000 still comes back to you, but it would have had five years to

grow in your HSA tax-free, and any earnings on that money left behind continue to compound and grow within the HSA. Is it possible to have “too much” money in your HSA? If you’re the healthiest person in the world and never spend a dime on medical care, you’re still in great shape when it comes to your HSA (apologies for the bad pun). Once you reach age 65, or if you become disabled, you can withdraw from your HSA for any reason, without penalty; however, those withdrawals are taxable as ordinary income. So, in this scenario, your HSA eventually functions much like a traditional IRA.

The Downsides of HSAs

If you take money out for nonmedical expenses before age 65, you’ll pay ordinary income taxes plus a 20 percent penalty. As discussed above, there are many ways to access that money without penalty, but, just like with an IRA, if you need the money early without a plan in place, you’ll pay meaningful tax and penalties on those withdrawals.

Another downside is that HSAs aren’t ideal for estate planning. If you pass away, your spouse will inherit your HSA and it becomes just like it was their HSA all along, no problem. However, if there is no surviving spouse, the beneficiary must take a distribution of the entire balance of the account, which means the entire account’s value is taxable as ordinary income that year.

Therefore, it makes sense to spend down your HSA as you age. That shouldn’t be difficult — for most people, medical expenses increase later in life. You even can use HSAs to pay some or all of your long-term care premiums.

What It Means for You

If you fund an HSA, save appropriate documentation of healthcare expenses and try to avoid swiping that card — you might be surprised at how quickly your HSA could play an important role in helping to secure your financial future.

Gene Gard, CFA, CFP, CFT-I, is a Wealth Manager with Creative Planning, formerly Telarray. 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.

Farnaz wearing:

Spring Fashion ’23 ∆√

With Memphis Fashion Week in our view, we’ve gotten a chance to browse some of the spring pieces that will possibly be on the runway — but pieces you can certainly wear to places like the Memphis Botanic Garden as the blooms blossom.

Spring fashion exudes the vibrancy of the season and the spirit of the city. Bright colors, orals, structured yet relaxed silhouettes, and bold accessories — the trends for the spring season include simple takes on classic styles.

We raided the racks for new spring looks at Indigo — ones that can be fashioned into gloriously chic weekend attire for the garden or stylish garb for brunch Downtown.

Florals are timeless — a print that mimics the vitality of spring, season to season. Adding a pu , o -the-shoulder sleeve modernizes a attering tted dress any day.

ere is one thing for sure: Fashion enthusiasts are all over the vest-and-pants sets this spring. A woven pastel set featuring a cropped vest with a V-neckline gives it a stylish duality.

Shoulders should be synonymous with spring style. A bold, colorful knit top with o -the-shoulder ru e details is a simple and attractive way to wear the spring trend.

MODELS:

• Asia Rose — IG : @msasiarose

• Keaira Atkins — IG: @keaira_rene

• Farnaz Khaghani — IG : @fari_lapetite

MUA: Leah Luellen

Written and photographed by Andrea Fenise — andreafenisecreative.com, IG: @andreafenise

Location: Memphis Botanic Garden

*Wardrobe provided exclusively by Indigo, 6150 Poplar Ave., 38119

Vest: Strut and Bolt $58.50 Pants: Strut and Bolt $78.50

COVER STORY AND PHOTOS By Andrea Fenise

Fresh takes on classic styles are on trend this season.

Asia wearing:

Dress: ASTR $148

Keaira wearing:

Top: Strut and Bolt $52.50

Denim: Citizens of Humanity $238

AFTER DARK: Live Music Schedule

April 20 - 26

Thirty Minute Ego

Saturday, April 22, 9 p.m.

T.J. MULLIGAN’S

Adam Larson Trio

Thursday, April 20, 7:30-8 p.m.

THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS

Aquanet

Saturday, April 22, 10 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Baby Tyler, Aquarian

Blood, Big Clown

$7. Sunday, April 23, 7 p.m.

LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Caroline Jones

Plus Collin Nash. Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.

MINGLEWOOD HALL

Chad Price, Sammy

Kay, Ben Abney

$10. Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m.

SOCIETY SKATE PARK

Chamberz, Tommy

Twitch, Danny Shearer, Nirvana for Girls

Leftover Salmon, Neal Francis, Paul Thorn, and Bailey

Bigger. Friday, April 21April 22, 4-9:30 p.m.

OVERTON PARK SHELL

Shell on Wheels:

Memphis Jazz Workshop Elite

Friday, April 21, 6:30 p.m.

BENJAMIN L. HOOKS CENTRAL LIBRARY

Soul Rebels

Friday, April 21, 8 p.m.

RAILGARTEN

Spacer, Killy Bozby, The Mourning

Saturday, April 22, 9 p.m.

BAR DKDC

Tejon Street Corner Thieves

Monday, April 24, 7 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

The Goddamn Gallows, IV and the Strange Band, The Wailing Banshees

Saturday, April 22, 9 p.m.

HI TONE

Tim Cappello

Tuesday, April 25, 8 p.m.

ORPHEUM THEATRE

Lizzo

With special guest Latto.

Monday, April 24, 8 p.m.

FEDEXFORUM

J. Buck

Wednesday, April 26, 5:30-7 p.m.

EDGE MOTOR MUSEUM

Party Down

Friday, April 21, 10 p.m.

TIN ROOF

Peabody Rooftop Party: Almost Famous and American Authors

$20. Thursday, April 20, 6 p.m.

THE PEABODY HOTEL

Robbie Bletscher

Wednesday, April 26, 5:30 p.m.

WESTY’S

Roxi Love

Wednesday, April 26, 8 p.m.

TIN ROOF

Rustenhaven

Saturday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.

TIN ROOF

Shinedown, Three Days

Grace, From Ashes to New

Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.

FEDEXFORUM

Wendell Wells & The Big Americans

Saturday, April 22, 8:30 p.m.

WESTY’S

Brian Conklan

Saturday, April 22, 9 p.m.

ROCKY’S EAST MEMPHIS

Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Friday, April 21, 8 p.m.

NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

John Williams and the A440 Band

Thursday, April 20, 8 p.m.

NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM

Friday, April 21, 10 p.m.

HI TONE

Chris Jones Concert

Tuesday, April 25, 9 p.m.

LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Driver

Saturday, April 22, 6:15 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Forest Hill with The Current Situation

Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.

GROWLERS

Gimme Gimme Disco

Saturday, April 22, 9 p.m.

MINGLEWOOD HALL

Joshua Ray Walker

Tuesday, April 25, 7 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Kafe Kirk with Kirk

Whalum & Jazzmeia

Horn

Sunday, April 23, 6-8 p.m.

CROSSTOWN THEATER

K Camp

Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m.

GROWLERS

Kevin & Bethany Paige

Saturday, April 22, 2 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Levitation Jones and Mikrodot

Plus Thug Hippie, Worm, Retnuh, Nolan Void, Don Twan, Guttachick, Nodus Defect, Tyrptamine, and Delyrius.

Thursday, April 20, 9 p.m.

GROWLERS

Nohmads

Friday, April 21, 7:30-9 p.m.

THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS

Rice Drewry Collective

Friday, April 21, 6 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Saving Vice, Mirror Lake

Wednesday, April 26, 7 p.m.

BLACK LODGE

Shell Daze Music

Festival

Featuring Trampled by Turtles, Southern Avenue,

$15. Friday, April 21, 7 p.m. BLACK LODGE

Toubab Krewe

Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m.

RAILGARTEN Turnstyles Record Release Show

Friday, April 21, 9 p.m. BAR DKDC

WALRUS

Friday, April 21, 10 p.m.

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM

Black Jacket Symphony

Monday, April 24, 8 p.m.

GRACELAND SOUNDSTAGE

Emily Nenni with Banditos

Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.

HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY

The Rockin’ 88s

Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m.

HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY

Travis Tritt

Friday, April 21, 9 p.m.

GOLD STRIKE CASINO

Acoustic Music Project Original works created and refined throughout the course of the Acoustic Music Project.

Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m.

GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Bela Fleck, Zakir

Hussain & Edgar Meyer with Rakesh Chaurasia

Friday, April 21, 8-10 p.m.

GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Deana Carter

Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.

BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS AND CONFERENCE CENTER

steppin’ out Senior Superlatives By

We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews

Abigail Morici

Hair washed, nails done, sparkly bandana on, the senior dogs at Memphis Animal Services (MAS) are ready for their prom, but they still need some hot dates to take them home a er the night of partying is through. (Average-looking dates will do, too.) So, strap on your nest ’90s prom attire and boogie on over to the shelter for a ’90s-themed prom like no other.

As with any good prom, there will be cheesy photo opportunities, slow dances with dates who have two le feet (and two right feet), a cake for dogs (plus some human refreshments), and, of course, a doggy prom king and queen for whom everyone will vote. Although some of the dogs will be dressed in their best, others might forgo clothes entirely, so brace yourselves from some canine nudity.

“ e prom is going to be a fun event to really shine a light on these special seniors,” says Katie Pemberton, marketing and communications supervisor at MAS. “So many people in animal welfare — so many of us at MAS especially — really think that seniors are the greatest, and they just don’t get the attention that they deserve. So many people want puppies and just aren’t really that interested in seniors. … But for most senior dogs and cats, they’re out of their really rambunctious, really destructive phase, and they’ve calmed down. ey’re really ready just for some companionship, and senior pets are compatible with most people’s lifestyles.”

As you might be aware, there is a national animal shelter crisis, which Pemberton suggests is due to rising housing and economic di culties. “ at can be a real challenge when you have pets,” she says. “When people struggle, pets struggle. … Shelters around the country are really struggling to get pets out of the shelter and into homes. Especially medium to large adult dogs, they’re staying in the shelter longer. at means that all the things that used to work for us aren’t working. at means that we have to get more creative, and so that can be fun, with an event like the Senior Prom.”

For the prom, which is in partnership with Hollywood Feed, all seniors — cats and dogs — will have their adoption fees covered by “Fairy Godparents” and will go home with a new adopter package from Hollywood Feed, including 20 percent o their rst purchase, a free bag of NutriSource or Country Naturals pet food, and $5 o a customized Pet ID tag. “We’re gonna keep those sponsored adoption fees going through Tuesday, April 25th, if you for some reason can’t make it to the event, where all the fun and silliness is gonna be,” adds Pemberton. “Hopefully every senior gets adopted right then and there.”

If you can’t adopt right now, you can still attend the prom and show your love for the senior dogs and cats, and for $40, you can sponsor their adoption fees by becoming a Fairy Godparent. Keep up with MAS at their socials (@adoptmas) for more information on Senior Prom.

VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES April 20th - 26th

Memphis Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, Thursday-Sunday, April 20-April 23

Get ready to grab gently-used books at bargain prices. Thousands of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and vinyl records will be for sale.

The Friends of the Library Book Sale kicks off on April 20th with a members-only event at 3-7 p.m. The sale opens to the public on April 21st, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and continues on April 22nd from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, April 23rd, marks the bag sale, where you can get everything you can fit in a provided paper bag for $6 or everything you can fit in a provided box for $12.

Caza de Arte (Art Hunt) Cultural Exhibit & Festival

Arkwings, Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free Arkwings will host its first-ever Latino art exhibit and multi-cultural festival, featuring mini art hidden throughout The Art Yard for guests to discover and take home. Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group, New Ballet Ensemble, Opera Memphis, and others will perform. A Latino art exhibit will be inside the galleries, and local artisan vendors will be outside.

Guests can also enjoy food trucks, DJs, and creative activities, all free of charge. Activities will be bilingual (Spanish/English), with friends and volunteers to make it a true cross-cultural experience.

Puppy Palooza

Crosstown Concourse, Saturday, April 22, noon-3 p.m., free Puppy Palooza will bring as many puppy-themed activities as paws-sible to the South Plaza at Crosstown Concourse. Before the dog days of summer begin, it’s a chance to celebrate your furry friends.

Attractions include a dog costume contest, yard games, dog nail-clipping services by Dawg Team Apparel, dog adoptions by local rescue organizations, a magic show by Mr. Nick with the chihuahua Cranberry, Wonder Dog Training, blessing of the animals by Church Health and Temple Israel, dog portraits, balloon pups, bacon bubbles, and more. It’s going to be paw-some!

SENIOR PROM, MEMPHIS ANIMAL SERVICES, SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 5-8 P.M.

PHOTO: COURTESY MAS Treasure accepts his promposal from sta member Kami.

MUSIC By Alex Greene

A Meeting of Minds

A Grammy Workshop unites Memphis songwriters in unexpected ways.

Grammy Week, the starstudded run-up to the Recording Academy’s nationally broadcast awards show every February, is long over, but this year a new event was initiated that many Memphis artists are still mulling over. And while it centered on the behind-the-scenes work of songwriting and producing, the collaborations that owered at the event may well bear fruit to be heard on radios everywhere before long.

is workshop was more than your typical song swap by players with acoustic guitars. It involved some of the most in uential producers in the business, including native Memphians Ebonie Smith, a sta producer/engineer for Atlantic Records, and YoJi (aka YoJi Roby), a producer and artist at Twenty5Eight Entertainment.

Gebre Waddell, CEO of the Memphis-

deployable from our city.”

In a week usually lled with more celebratory gatherings around Los Angeles, this was an event with more practical implications. “People are out there looking for things to do during Grammy Week,” says Waddell, “so when an option comes up to actually do your cra , to work with other people, it’s a very attractive thing for folks. We witnessed the power of it rsthand.”

By all accounts, the 20-odd participants were working at a fast clip, ultimately creating half a dozen song demos over two days. eir proli c output, Lewis explains, grew from the way the workshop was organized. “I tried to keep it very production-centered,” he says. “Once we can hear something, our emotions and vibes start gravitating towards something productive, thinking about lyric lines, concepts. So on both days, I had Ebonie and YoJi working on production. We were limitless when it came to music. I let them do their thing, and then the other producers there would chime in on the work.”

APRIL 21

A brilliant combination.

based music credit platform Sound Credit, which organized the workshop, describes the impetus for the gathering as being almost serendipitous. “Sound Credit was one of several sponsors for the producers and engineers event for this year’s Grammy Week. [Memphis singersongwriter] Brandon Lewis and I were on a call trying to think that through, and we spontaneously came up with this idea of doing a songwriting event throughout the rest of the week. At rst it was just two people on a phone call, but as we started reaching out to people, we realized that this was something beyond.”

Upon seeing that vision made a reality, Lewis, director of e Consortium MMT and a songwriter signed to Atlantic Records, was deeply moved by its potential. “I was extremely proud,” he says. “I felt liberated when I looked around and saw so many Memphis singer-songwriters in the room during this memorable week. I was like, ‘ is is the real deal. is is how it should be!’ A lot more talent should be

Working with Lewis and the two lead producers were a number of Memphis-related songwriters and rappers, including Tyke T, B Sims, Lil Rudy, and St.Courts. Other artists like D.Lew, AJ Haynes, and AMG Paper also participated, and, as Lewis describes it, the meeting of minds yielded some unexpected results. “With the rst song, for example, I started by cutting the vocals; then one of our vocalists showed up, and I immediately had him cut vocals. at way, I could go back to writing, which is where I needed to be. Whatever serves the song! en we added samples and other parts. To share our work, we used the Notes feature on our phones, which could color code who wrote what. Once we got started that way, you’d get di erent perspectives from di erent creators, which is why I loved doing the writing camp so much. We even had rappers working on pop records. You never know what you’re going to get out of it.”

Indeed, it was deemed so successful that Waddell foresees it becoming an annual event. And Lewis is ready to keep it rolling. “ e energy around the writing camp was very impactful,” he muses. “What’s come out of it now are the relationships we’ve been able to curate, from Memphis to L.A. None of those artists had been exposed to a major connection with major labels, until we gave them a chance to work with these producers.”

APRIL 22

On display will be the virtuosity and creativity of incredible young artists, and the future trajectory of acoustic music.

IRIS COLLECTIVE ORCHESTRA

APRIL 29

Iris Collective will take the stage with Michael Stern conducting a stellar concert featuring saxophonist Steven Banks, recent winner of the 2022 Avery Fischer Career Grant.

PHOTO: COURTESY BRANDON LEWIS

Singer-songwriter Brandon Lewis with artist and producer YoJi

CALENDAR of EVENTS: April 20 - 26

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

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

ART AND SPECIAL EXHIBITS

“Band of Brothers - CBHS: America’s Oldest High School Band”

Take a trip back in time to explore the 150-year history of the Christian Brothers High School Band. Saturday, April 22-Oct. 23.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

ART HAPPENINGS

Caza de Arte (Art Hunt) Cultural Exhibit & Festival

Featuring mini art hidden throughout The Art Yard for guests to discover and take home! Performances by Cazateatro, New Ballet Memphis, and others. Latino Art Exhibit inside. Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

ARKWINGS

“Look Back to Live Ahead: A Civil Wrongs Exhibit”

Walk through a deeper experience of the Memphis Massacre. Free. Thursday, April 20, 5:30-8 p.m.

UREVBU CONTEMPORARY

Opening Reception for Spring 2023

Exhibitions

Featuring work by McLean Fahnestock, Khara Woods, Tangela Mathis, and Carl Fox. Friday, April 21, 6-8 p.m.

CROSSTOWN ARTS

“Reimagining the Real” Opening Reception

laio. Sunday, April 23, 3-5 p.m.

METAL MUSEUM

COMEDY

Rickey Smiley

Rickey Smiley is a television host, actor, and top-rated nationally syndicated radio personality. $50-$70.

Friday, April 21, 8 p.m.

ORPHEUM THEATRE

Django Gold

Django Gold (former head writer at The Onion, Late Show with Stephen Colbert) will headline.

Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m.

LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE

Lewis Black

Known as the King of Rant, Lewis Black skewers anything and anyone that gets under his skin. $24.50-$99.50. Friday, April 21, 8 p.m.

THE SOUNDSTAGE AT GRACELAND

COMMUNITY

2023 Donuts & Dogs 5 Miler!

Short version: Run 2.5 miles out, eat 12 glazed donuts, run 2.5 miles back, benefiting Streetdog Foundation. $25-$35. Sunday, April 23, 12:30 p.m.

MoSH’s “Band of Brothers” explores 150 years of the nation’s oldest, continuous high school band with band paraphernalia and photos.

Earth Day Celebration

Guests will enjoy a host of fun outdoor and indoor activities promoting environmental learning. Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

LICHTERMAN NATURE CENTER

Puppy Palooza

Bringing as many puppy-themed activities as paws-sible, including yard games, dog portraits, bacon bubbles, and more. Saturday, April 22, noon-3 p.m.

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE

Senior Prom

MAS is putting on a Senior Prom that you won’t want to miss! Adoptable MAS pets over 5 years of age will be dressed to impress. Saturday, April 22, 5-8 p.m.

MEMPHIS ANIMAL SERVICES

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For

WISEACRE BREWERY

Meet artists Ana M. Lopez and Natalie Macel-

Crossword

Edited by Will Shortz No. 1217

FAMILY

Spring Family Fun Day

Enjoy meeting with birds of prey, pottery crafts, trench tours, group hikes, and more. Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

C.H. NASH MUSEUM AT CHUCALISSA

FESTIVAL

Black Arts & Wine Festival

Experience visual art by Black creatives and sample wines and liquors from Black brands. Sunday, April 23, 1-5 p.m.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

Brick Convention

Hands-on educational fun for all ages: Building Zones, dozens of large-scale and miniature LEGO models and displays, and more. $14.99. Saturday, April 22-April 23.

LANDERS CENTER

Hopped

Enjoy a bunch of limited-run hoppy ales release and more. Saturday, April 22, noon-10 p.m.

MEMPHIS MADE BREWING COMPANY

Overton Square Crawfish Festival

The Overton Square Crawfish Festival is BACK for 2023! Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

OVERTON SQUARE

Shop Black Fest

Hosting 150+ local Black-owned businesses, food trucks, music, performances, Greek step show, and more. Saturday, April 22, noon-7 p.m.

RIVERSIDE DR. MEMPHIS TN

Vintage901 Wine, Food and Music

Spring Festival

Get ready for some great wine, food, music, and more. Saturday, April 22-April 23.

ARROW CREATIVE

PERFORMING ARTS

Drag Rocks

An unforgettable night filled with rockinspired comedy and drag by Friends of George’s. Through April 22.

THE EVERGREEN THEATRE

Memphis Matters

With Playback theatre, there is no script. Playback theatre thrives on spontaneous stories. Saturday, April 22, 7-9 p.m.

THEATRESOUTH

So You Are Dating a Latino … NOW

WHAT?

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.

A hilarious but genuine comedy of two love birds from different cultures. Saturday, April 22-April 30.

THEATREWORKS

PUZZLE BY BRIAN THOMAS AND ANDREA CARLA MICHAELS

FOOD By Michael Donahue

Coffee Break

Andrew Banker’s passion leads to Vinculo Co ee Roasters.

Y

ou might say Andrew Banker’s introduction to co ee was “slow roast.”

“Growing up, I would love just the cheap co ee and putting chocolate in it with my dad,” he says.

“My rst real cup I enjoyed and really appreciated was once I got married. My brother-in-law gave me some fresh roasted co ee and it opened up a whole new world for me.”

Banker is now the founder of Vinculo Co ee Roasters, which o ers fresh roasted co ee from Mexico and Ethiopia.

Born in Collierville, Banker used various co ee makers, but none of the co ee was satisfying. en his brother-in-law Jake Gaines brought him co ee beans “just roasted within the past 30 days. e avor was very unique and I’d never experienced that. So many more avors were coming out.”

and “901 Roasted” before he came up with “Vinculo.” He got the idea for the name on a church mission trip to Mexico. “ e church that connected us with Mexico is named Iglesias de Vínculo, which translates to ‘connection.’ ey connect their congregation to God. Because they connected me with co ee farmers, it t organically and naturally as a new name.”

His mission pastor introduced him to farmers in co ee-growing regions in Mexico. “He connected us with a guy in Pueblo and a guy in Xalpa. My rst trip I bought very little beans. It was just to see the culture, see their setup.”

Banker recently received 2,000 pounds of co ee beans from Mexico. An even larger shipment from Ethiopia is due in a few months. With Mexican beans, co ee lovers get a “very smooth, nutty, chocolate, cocoa avor coming out of the co ee.” Ethiopian beans provide a “very fruity, very oral, very bright cup of co ee.”

He plans to introduce Ethiopian co ee in a few weeks and Peruvian in a few months.

Banker rst began roasting co ee commercially in 2019 a er his family opened Happy Glaze Donuts in Germantown. He no longer roasts there, but he continues to sell his bagged co ee as well as his chocolate-covered co ee beans at the shop.

He now works with a commercial roaster in New Albany, MS, to create his roasted co ee beans.

Banker’s co ee is also sold at e Ginger’s Bread & Co. It can be ordered online at vinculoco ee.com.

laser live

LIVE CONCERTS AT THE MoSH SHARPE PLANETARIUM in the AutoZone Dome

MAY 13 - Hope Clayburn & Soul Scrimmage

JUNE 10 - Freeworld

JULY 15 - Corey Lou and Da Village

AUGUST 19 - Al Kapone

SEPTEMBER 30 - Tropical Fusion Latin Band

partnered with

Banker and Gaines began roasting beans with a ReadyPop popcorn machine, which they put on top of a gas grill. “We needed the heat to get the beans to the right temperature. We’d be on his back porch cranking the popcorn popper and waiting for the rst crack in the co eeroasting process. As you crank, it rotates the co ee beans so there’s even cooking of the beans.

“When you get the beans to the right temperature, it sounds like a so popcorn crack. at’s when you know you’re at the point that it’s co ee worth drinking.”

ey made co ee with the popcorn popper and gas grill ve or 10 times “just to experiment and have fun. en, a few months later, Santa Claus brought us each a one-pound roaster. It’s called a Behmor. It looks like a small toaster oven. It has a cylinder inside of it and it roasts up to one pound.”

Banker’s co ee was called “Buddy’s”

What sets Vinculo’s co ee apart? “I think the intentionality of trying to be supportive of the co ee community where we’re getting the co ee is the biggest differentiation.

“Building those relationships, we can help those farmers produce co ee better.”

And buying the “fresher and higherquality co ee beans” gives “a great cup to the consumers.”

Banker wants to place his co ee in more locations, including grocery stores.

“I talked with a brewery in town about using our beans.”

His future plans go beyond co ee.

rough his Peruvian contacts, he can buy “cacao” or cocoa beans to make cocoa — “a new avenue down the road,” says Banker, who adds, “I’m open to any door that is waiting to be opened.”

By the way, Banker isn’t a heavy co ee drinker. “Only just maybe a cup or two a day. I’ve never been an addict of co ee. But I consider myself a co ee snob, for sure.”

PHOTO: MICHAEL DONAHUE Andrew Banker

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In English, the phrase “growing pains” refers to stresses that emerge during times of rapid ripening or vigorous development. Although they might feel uncomfortable, they are often signs that the ongoing transformations are invigorating. Any project that doesn’t have at least some growing pains may lack ambition. If we hope to transcend our previous limits and become a more complete expression of our destiny, we must stretch ourselves in ways that inconvenience our old selves. I’m expecting growing pains to be one of your key motifs in the coming weeks, dear Aries. It’s important that you don’t try to repress the discomfort. On the other hand, it’s also crucial not to obsess over them. Keep a clear vision of what these sacrifices will make possible for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In his poem “October Fullness,” Pablo Neruda says, “Our own wounds heal with weeping, / Our own wounds heal with singing.” I agree. I believe that weeping and singing are two effective ways to recover from emotional pain and distress. The more weeping and singing we do, the better. I especially recommend these therapeutic actions to you now, Gemini. You are in a phase when you can accomplish far more curative and restorative transformations than usual.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): After careful analysis of the astrological omens and a deep-diving meditation, I have concluded that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to indulge in an unprecedented binge of convivial revelry and pleasure. My advice is to engage in as much feasting and carousing as you can without completely ignoring your responsibilities. I know this may sound extreme, but I am inviting you to have more fun than you have ever had — even more fun than you imagine you deserve. (You do deserve it, though.) I hope you will break all your previous records for frequency and intensity of laughter.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1886, Vincent van Gogh bought a pair of worn-out shoes at a Paris flea market. When he got home, he realized they didn’t fit. Rather than discard them, he made them the centerpiece of one of his paintings. Eventually, they became famous. In 2009, a renowned gallery in Cologne, Germany, built an entire exhibit around the scruffy brown leather shoes. In the course of their celebrated career, six major philosophers and art historians have written about them as if they were potent symbols worthy of profound consideration. I propose that we regard their history as an inspirational metaphor for you in the coming weeks. What humble influence might be ready for evocative consideration and inspirational use?

By Rob Brezsny

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gliding away from the routine for rendezvous with fun riddles? I approve! Delivering your gorgeous self into the vicinity of a possibly righteous temptation? Okay. But go slowly, please. Size up the situation with your gut intuition and long-range vision as well as your itchy fervor. In general, I am pleased with your willingness to slip outside your comfortable enclaves and play freely in the frontier zones. It makes me happy to see you experimenting with AHA and WHAT IF and MAYBE BABY. I hope you summon the chutzpah to find and reveal veiled parts of your authentic self.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The German word Sehnsucht refers to when we have a profound, poignant yearning for something, but we quite don’t know what that something is. I suspect you may soon be in the grip of your personal Sehnsucht. But I also believe you are close to identifying an experience that will quench the seemingly impossible longing. You will either discover a novel source of deep gratification, or you will be able to transform an existing gratification to accommodate your Sehnsucht. Sounds like spectacular fun to me. Clear some space in your schedule to welcome it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Most of us have at some time in the past been mean and cruel to people we loved. We acted unconsciously or unintentionally, perhaps, but the bottom line is that we caused pain. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to atone for any such hurts you have dispensed. I encourage you to be creative as you offer healing and correction for any mistakes you’ve made with important allies. I’m not necessarily suggesting you try to resume your bond with ex-lovers and former friends. The goal is to purge your iffy karma and graduate from the past. Perform whatever magic you have at your disposal to transform suffering with love.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The blues singer-songwriter B.B. King wasn’t always known by that name. He was born Riley B. King. In his twenties, when he began working at a Memphis radio station, he acquired the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy.” Later, that was shortened to “Blues Boy,” and eventually to “B.B.”

In the spirit of B.B. King’s evolution and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to identify areas of your life with cumbersome or unnecessary complexities that might benefit from simplification.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Proboscis monkeys live in Borneo and nowhere else on earth. Their diet consists largely of fruits and leaves from trees that grow only on Borneo and nowhere else. I propose we make them your anti-role model in the coming months. In my astrologi-

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

Satirical Taurus author Karl Kraus defined “sentimental irony” as “a dog that bays at the moon while pissing on graves.” Please avoid that decadent emotion in the coming weeks, Taurus. You will also be wise to reject any other useless or counterproductive feelings that rise up within you or hurtle toward you from other people, like “clever cruelty” or “noble self-pity” or “sweet revenge.” In fact, I hope you will be rigorous about what moods you feed and what influences you allow into your sphere. You have a right and a duty to be highly discerning about shaping both your inner and outer environments. Renewal time is imminent.

cal opinion, you need to diversify your sources of nourishment, both the literal and metaphorical varieties. You will also be wise to draw influences from a wide variety of humans and experiences. I further suggest that you expand your financial life so you have multiple sources of income and diversified investments.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s challenging to track down the sources of quotes on the internet. Today, for instance, I found these words attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato: “I enjoy the simple things in life, like recklessly spending my cash and being a disappointment to my family.” That can’t be right. I’m sure Plato didn’t actually say such things. Elsewhere, I came upon a review of George Orwell’s book Animal Farm that was supposedly penned by pop star Taylor Swift: “Not a very good instructional guide on farming. Would NOT recommend to firsttime farmers.” Again, I’m sure that wasn’t written by Swift. I bring this up, Aquarius, because one of your crucial tasks these days is to be dogged and discerning as you track down the true origins of things. Not just internet quotes, but everything else, as well — including rumors, theories, and evidence. Go to the source, the roots, the foundations.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In accordance with astrological omens, I’m turning over this horoscope to Piscean teacher Esther Hicks. Here are affirmations she advises you to embody: “I’m going to be happy. I’m going to skip and dance. I will be glad. I will smile a lot. I will be easy. I will count my blessings. I will look for reasons to feel good. I will dig up positive things from the past. I will look for positive things where I am right now. I will look for positive things in the future. It is my natural state to be a happy person. It’s natural for me to love and laugh. I am a happy person!”

Bad Boss

Nicolas Cage kills as Dracula in Ren eld

Hear me out: Nicolas Cage deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance as Dracula in Ren eld

I know, I know. It’s Nic Cage, dude from Con Air and Kick-Ass and a couple dozen direct-to-video cash-in schlockfests. And he’s playing Dracula in a cornball B-picture directed by a former Robot Chicken animator named Chris McKay. But actors have gotten Oscar nominations for lazier performances in much crappier movies. And there’s nothing lazy about Cage’s Dracula. If anything, he puts way too much e ort into it! But as Penn Jillette said, “ e only secret of magic is that I’m willing to work harder on it than you think it’s worth.”

It’s appropriate that, when Ren eld nally got to be the star of his own story, Dracula steals the show. R.M. Ren eld appears in Bram Stoker’s novel as a patient in an insane asylum who worships Dracula and eats live bugs to gain their life force, like a

vampire drinks the blood of living victims. (His doctor describes him as “zoophagous maniac,” proving they just don’t diagnose ’em like they used to.)

Dracula gets Ren eld to do his bidding by dangling the prospect of vampiric immortality but never actually helping his thrall go full vamp.

Nicholas Hoult stars as Ren eld, who we rst meet in a group therapy session for people in codependent relationships. He recognizes the stories of abuse he hears from his own life with the big D. He and his bloodsucking boss have fallen into a pattern of dysfunction. ey move to a new place and start to hunt in earnest, but Dracula gets too greedy and the locals are tipped o . en a vampire hunter, usually from the Catholic Church, arrives, and there’s a big ght

in which Dracula is almost killed. Ren eld has to pick up the pieces, move to a new town — this time, it’s New Orleans — and start collecting victims while Dracula convalesces.

With the encouragement of therapist Mark (Brandon Scott Jones), Ren eld takes the bold steps of getting his own apartment and wearing clothes that are not black. He still has to search for victims to feed his personal monster, but he decides to prioritize the abusers who are making his new friends’ lives hell. is leads to a confrontation with gangsters inside a Mardi Gras oat warehouse where Tedward (Ben Schwartz), the scion of the Lobo crime family, sees Ren eld’s

magical murder talents rsthand. When a beat cop named Rebecca (Awkwa na) investigates the bloody scene, the clues lead back to Ren eld and Dracula, embroiling her in an escalating con ict between the drug cartel and the dark lord.

Hoult has plenty of choices for inspiration, from Klaus Kinski to Tom Waits. He has the haircut and bug eyes of Dwight Frye, who originated the character in 1931. But Hoult seems to be channeling Harvey Guillén’s Guillermo from What We Do in the

Nic Cage sinks his teeth into his role as Dracula in this cornball B-picture.

Shadows. When he and Cage share the screen, sparks fly.

Cage is not a madman. He is an extraordinarily talented screen actor in the tradition of James Cagney. His approach to Dracula is downright scholarly, mixing bits of Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, and Gary Oldman with his own persona. His every gesture is perfectly calibrated for the moment. If you’re used to seeing a bored Cage vamp in roles that are frankly beneath him, watching him sink his teeth into Dracula will be a revelation.

Unfortunately, this movie is also beneath him. Awkwafina, bless her heart, is left completely at sea in a role that shouldn’t have existed. The whole crime family vs. corrupt cops subplot

is stupid, disjointed, and unnecessary. It exists only to provide Marvel-esque moments of fight choreography — except the fights are the most boring part of the MCU movies! “Renfield tries to save his therapy group from an angry Dracula” is plenty of plot for a film where the real meat is a Cage vs. Hoult thespian cage match.

Renfield is a must for Cage watchers, who are legion, and vampire obsessives who walk the night but could use a good chuckle to break up the gothic ennui. Others will find it a pleasant but ultimately bloodless diversion.

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By Frank Murtaugh

Silver ’Birds

e 25 most memorable players from a quarter-century of Memphis Redbirds baseball.

Rick Ankiel — Minor League Player of the Year in 1999 as a ame-throwing pitcher. Returned to Memphis in 2007 as a center elder and led club with 32 home runs.

Randy Arozarena — Drilled two home runs in Game 4 of the 2018 PCL nals at AutoZone Park to help Redbirds win fourth championship. Hit 10 home runs for Tampa Bay in 2020 postseason, earning ALCS MVP honors. 2021 American League Rookie of the Year.

Alec Burleson — Only Redbird to win league batting title, leading the International League in 2022 with a .331 average. Led Redbirds with 87 RBIs before hitting rst big-league homer in the same game Albert Pujols slammed number 700.

Matt Carpenter — Starred for Memphis in 2011, hitting .300 and driving in 70 runs. Won Silver Slugger at second base two years later for St. Louis, helping Cardinals to National League championship.

Stubby Clapp — Back ipping second baseman for 2000 Paci c Coast League champions. Returned as manager and led Redbirds to championships in 2017 and 2018.

Allen Craig — Hit .322 to help 2009 Redbirds win PCL title, then drove in 81 runs in just 83 games for Memphis in 2010. Hit three home runs to help Cardinals win 2011 World Series.

Tommy Edman — Member of back-to-back (2017-18) PCL champions with Memphis. MVP of 2018 postseason when he hit .432 over nine games. Won Gold Glove at second base with Cardinals in 2021.

David Freese — Hero of 2009 PCL playo s for Memphis, hitting decisive home runs in two games on the way to club’s second championship. Hero of 2011 World Series for the Cardinals, with game-tying triple and game-winning home run in Game 6.

Adolis Garcia — Hit walk-o home run at AutoZone Park in Game 2 of the 2017 PCL nals to help Redbirds win their third championship. Scored 96 runs and drove in 96 runs for 2019 Redbirds. Made 2021 American League All-Star team as a rookie with the Texas Rangers.

Dan Haren — Won 11 games and led PCL with 150 strikeouts in 2004 before being promoted and pitching in the World Series for St. Louis. Won 153 games over 13year big-league career and started for the American League in the 2007 All-Star Game.

Dakota Hudson — Only Redbird to earn PCL Pitcher of the Year honors when he put up 13-3 mark in 2018. Led Cardinals with 16 wins as a rookie in 2019.

Adam Kennedy — Hit .305 with 15 stolen bases for inaugural Redbirds team (1998), then established a franchise record with a 20-game hitting streak in 1999 that stands to this day. Earned ALCS MVP honors (with three home runs in decisive game) on way to 2002 World Series crown with Angels.

Lance Lynn — Won 13 games for 2010 Redbirds and led PCL with 141 strikeouts. Pitched in 2011 World Series for Cardinals and won at least 15 games in three consecutive seasons for St. Louis.

Keith McDonald — Catcher for 2000 PCL champions. During brief promotion in July 2000, became only the second player to homer in his rst two major-league at-bats.

Yadier Molina — Spent two months with 2004 Redbirds before starting 19-year career with Cardinals. Played in four World Series and won two. With Adam Wainwright, set MLB record for starts by a battery (328). Won nine Gold Gloves and established National League record by playing in 104 postseason games.

Tyler O’Neill — Hit three homers and drove in 10 runs in 2017 PCL playo s to help Redbirds to third championship. Slammed 26 homers in only 64 games for Memphis in 2018. Two-time Gold Glove winner with St. Louis.

Plácido Polanco — Member of inaugural Redbirds team (1998) and one of only three former Redbirds to accumulate 2,000 hits in the major leagues. MVP of 2006 ALCS with Tigers and winner of three Gold Gloves.

Albert Pujols — Slammed 13th-inning home run at AutoZone Park to win 2000 PCL championship. ree-time National League MVP and two-time World Series champion with the Cardinals. Fourth in MLB history with 703 home runs.

Skip Schumaker — Only player to have 300 hits for both Memphis and St. Louis. Member of Cardinals’ 2011 World Series champs and currently manager of the Miami Marlins.

Bud Smith — Won two games in 2000 PCL playo s to help Memphis win rst PCL championship. Went 8-5 for Redbirds in 2001 before promotion to St. Louis. Tossed no-hitter in 11th bigleague start, at San Diego on September 3, 2001.

Nick Stavinoha — Appeared in ve seasons (2007-11) for the Redbirds. Owns franchise record for games (479), hits (531), home runs (74), and RBIs (316).

Michael Wacha — Made 2013 PCL All-Star team for Memphis, then earned NLCS MVP honors for the Cardinals, helping St. Louis to World Series.

Adam Wainwright — Won 14 games over two seasons with Memphis before winning 195 so far with the Cardinals (thirdmost in franchise history). As closer, secured Cardinal wins in 2006 NLCS and World Series.

Patrick Wisdom — Slugger helped Memphis to back-to-back PCL championships in 2017 and ’18. Led 2017 Redbirds with 31 home runs before earning MVP honors in the PCL nals.

Kolten Wong — Slick second baseman, hit .303 for 2013 Redbirds with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Drilled walk-o homer in Game 2 of the 2014 NLCS for Cardinals and later won a pair of Gold Gloves.

Frank Murtaugh is the managing editor of Memphis magazine. He writes the columns “From My Seat” and “Tiger Blue” for the Flyer

PHOTO: COURTESY MEMPHIS REDBIRDS

Stubby Clapp has been part of three PCL championships with the Redbirds.

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