Friday update

I’m sorry for the language I am about to use in this post, but there are certain times when it’s necessary.

“America’s Dad,” former host of the Fat Albert cartoon show, former Jell-O Pudding spokesman and all around piece of shit Bill Cosby has finally been held accountable. A jury found Cosby guilty on 3 charges related to drugging and sexually assaulting a woman. He will face 5 to 30 years in prison depending on leniency and whether sentences run concurrently. He remains free on bond, although the prosecutor asked for it to be revoked causing Cosby to scream and curse. I hope this vile man rots in prison, and is followed to prison by other men who have abused their positions of power in similar ways.

Many victims of sexual assault/rape develop a form of PTSD that manifests itself in many ways: night terrors, insomnia, emotions associated with the assault rushing back years later, inability to maintain relationships with the opposite sex, withdrawal from former social activities, startle response/feelings of always having to be on alert, trigger responses by sights or sounds or smells associated with the assault, and more. No woman – no victim, because men can be victims too – should ever have to go through that. May there be a special circle of burning hell for attackers who inflict that kind of emotional torture.

Sorry for starting off the post in such an uncomfortable way, but as I said, I felt it necessary. On to the news.

Jerry Seinfeld will perform his signature stand-up routine at the Orpheum Friday, June 29 at 7 PM. Tickets will go on sale next Friday, May 4 at 10 AM and will start at $67.50.

This is the dawning of the age of asparagus is the theme of the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. Let the sunshine in at the Market and pick up lots of fresh vegetables, including (according to the weekly MFM newsletter) turnips with an attitude. The UT Health Science Center will be there 8 to noon with information about donating blood. There will be a kids’ craft table where they can build their own farm. Live local music throughout the day. The Market runs every Saturday under the pavilion at Front and GE Patterson from 8 AM from 1 PM.

For the first time this season, I WILL BE THERE at the Farmers Market! Normally I would hit the Market then wander down the street to Earnestine & Hazel’s or Max’s Sports Bar where I can get a beer, but not tomorrow. I will have the car with me! No beer for me when driving. No beer for me until after I get back from the Southaven Springfest BBQ awards ceremony, actually.

How can I have been a Downtowner for 16 years and not known about this? Everyone knows about the Peabody duck marches, from their rooftop home to the lobby fountain at 11 AM daily, and their march back home at 5 PM. But did you know that every day at 11:30 AM, following the morning march, there’s a 1-hour Peabody tour led by the Duckmaster? You’ll hear stories of the 150-year history of the South’s grand hotel, and you’ll also learn about the life of the Peabody ducks. The tour is $10 per person.

Sad to hear of the death of Lewis Bobo, who opened Downtown soul food restaurant The Gay Hawk in 1963. The restaurant, on Danny Thomas Blvd. just south of Georgia Avenue, remains open to this day and is currently operated by Bobo’s daughter.

Me and Leah will provide the music at Games on Front, a weekly event with free live music and yard games, this afternoon at the Cossitt Library courtyard from 4:30 to 7 PM. The library is at the corner of Front and Monroe.

Black Violin will showcase their multi-genre sound tonight at the Orpheum. Blending classical violin training with hip-hop, they have shared the stage with big-name acts, including Kanye West, although it is not clear if they share that Dragon Energy with Kanye and El Presidente Trumpo.

It’s Silky O’ Sullivan’s Irish Appreciation Night at the Redbirds this evening. Gates open at 6 with a 7:05 first pitch. First 2000 fans will receive a Silky O’ Sullivan’s green Irish cap, and Silky’s dueling pianos will play before the game with $2 beers in the Plaza. The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will have memorabilia to purchase, with proceeds benefiting the MLBPAA and the Redbirds Community Fund.

Nine Redbirds games this season will be televised in the local Memphis market on CW30. Here are the games and dates:

Sunday, April 29 vs. Round Rock – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, May 13 vs. Nashville – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 vs. Reno – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 24 vs. New Orleans – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, July 8 vs. Omaha – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, July 22 vs. Colorado Springs – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 5 vs. Fresno – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 19 vs. Round Rock – 2:05 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 26 vs. Nashville – 2:05 p.m.

Pontotoc Lounge will welcome the passionately antique sound of Lexi Weege this Saturday at 7 PM. Her voice is called a bookmark for the next generation’s raw talent.

The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog introduced readers to Bluefin chef Ja Min Lee this week.

Wiseacre will offer a Hot Yoga Plus class, suitable for all levels, at their taproom this Saturday from noon to 1 PM. Donations will be accepted for the Dorothy Day House. The taproom opens to the public at 1, so yogis will have the place all to themselves. Reserve your place here.

The 3rd Annual Pink Wig Music Festival will happen noon to 6 Saturday, May 12 on Monroe Avenue out in The Edge. Lucky 7 Brass Band, Marcella and Her Lovers, Cassette Set, and Island 45 will perform, and there will be food trucks. $15 adults, $10 ages 11-20, $5 kids under 10. Families of 4 can buy a $40 ticket through April 30.

Time to answer the trivia question I asked yesterday: What job title is most common among sociopaths?

… Chief Executive Officer.

Careful here. I’m not insulting CEOs saying they’re all sociopaths. The vast majority are not. It’s just that there are many high-functioning sociopaths who have learned to play society’s game to the point that they enjoy great success, whether success to them means financial success, power, sex or all three. See the book The Sociopath Next Door for more on this topic.

Ready for the weekend! I’ll try to get a post up tomorrow before I leave for Southaven Springfest.