Month: November 2019

Categories
Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Music Video Monday: Stephen Chopek

Catch a fire with Music Video Monday!

Stephen Chopek, Memphis’ favorite one-man minimalist music video auteur, is back with a song about putting in the emotional work to overcome past traumas. If that makes “Dig a Well” sound like work itself, well, it’s not. It’s a lovely, lilting melody that will beautify your morning.

Of the video which sees Chopek letting go of the past in a very literal way, he says, “Old letters feed the fires that keep us warm.”

Music Video Monday: Stephen Chopek

If you would like to see your music video on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com. 

Categories
Sports Tiger Blue

Three Thoughts on Tiger Football: Memphis Beats Houston Edition

CREDIT: Larry Kuziewski

• A win for the ages . . . or at least the decade.
Their 45-27 win at Houston Saturday has the Memphis Tigers on the cusp of the fourth 10-win season in the 104-year history of the program. (If you remember the first such season — 1938 — you belong in the president’s suite at the Liberty Bowl.) A win Saturday at USF would make it three 10-win seasons in six years for Memphis, an absurd sentence to write, much less say if you’ve waved a blue-and-gray flag for as long as a decade.

And speaking of decades, the win over the Cougars clinched a winning decade for Memphis, its first since the 1970s. A winning decade after putting up a 3-21 record the first two years of the period and being 28 games under .500 (10-38) after the 2013 campaign. Since 2014, though, the Tigers have gone 54-22. The 64 wins this decade are actually the most since the 1960s, when the Tigers, led by coach Spook Murphy, went 70-25-1. (College teams played fewer games — and there were fewer bowl games — in the 1970s, a decade that saw the Tigers go 60-48-1.) The program’s ascendance under, first, Justin Fuente and now Mike Norvell has been historic by measures both empirical and aesthetic. If you call yourself a Memphis football fan, count your blessings this month — this decade — for living in the right time.
Larry Kuziewski

Brady White


• Still doubting Brady White? Please stop.
The Tigers’ lone PhD candidate may not have the arm of Paxton Lynch or the elasticity in the pocket of Riley Ferguson, but Brady White has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country, let alone the American Athletic Conference. As measured by passer rating — the original “analytic” statistic — White is seventh in the nation. And judge him by the company he keeps. Those ranked ahead of White are Jalen Hurts (of 8th-ranked Oklahoma), Tua Tagovailoa (5th-ranked Alabama), Joe Burrow (top-ranked LSU), Justin Fields (2nd-ranked Ohio State), Tyler Huntley (7th-ranked Utah), and Tanner Morgan (11th-ranked Minnesota). White, it should be noted, ranks one slot ahead of Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, a player many said was ready for the NFL last year, when he led his Tigers to the national championship as a freshman. White has completed 67 percent of his passes on his way to 2,852 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. Should the Tigers achieve the unachievable — a New Year’s Six bowl berth — it will be largely thanks to the under-appreciated “game manager” we’ll soon be able to call Dr. White.

• Downfield deliveries.
Part of White’s brilliance has been utilizing a corps of receivers unlike many seen in these parts before. Memphis has five players who have caught at least 19 passes and averaged at least 12.5 yards per catch. Consider that. When White finds Damonte Coxie (15.9 yards per catch), Antonio Gibson (25.0), Kedarian Jones (14.1), Joey Magnifico (17.5), or Kenneth Gainwell (12.5), the result is, on average, a first down. Add Calvin Austin into the mix, and the numbers get silly: The sophomore from Harding Academy has only caught 12 passes but is averaging 21.6 yards per catch. It’s a bounty of weapons at White’s disposal, with merely a 1,000-yard rusher (Gainwell) standing behind him in the Tiger backfield. We should have a degree of sympathy for the defensive coordinators at USF and Cincinnati. Or maybe not. Let the aerial show continue.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Cold Night for the Grizzlies: Denver 131-Memphis 114.

CREDIT: Sharon Brown

Sharon Brown

The Shirelles’ top-ten hit, told us, “Mama said there’d be days like this,” and it was true for the young Grizzlies on Sunday night before the home crowd.

The Denver Nuggets ended Memphis’ three-game win streak in a decisive fashion, 131-114. Before the blowout loss, the Grizzlies had won four of their last six outings.

After three exciting wins — ruining Tony Parker’s retirement ceremony by downing the Spurs; last-minute heroics by Ja Morant in Charlotte; wrecking Mike Conley’s homecoming by defeating the Utah Jazz — the Grizzlies just went cold. 

Cold Night for the Grizzlies: Denver 131-Memphis 114.

And that about sums it up for the home team. Jamal Murray put on a show and the Grizzlies paid for it dearly. Murray had a bad game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 14th. In that game, he only scored four points, going 1-of-11 from the field.

It was different story Sunday night, as Murray got the first nine points for Denver. Murray ended with 39 points (season-high), four rebounds, and eight assists in 31 minutes of play with zero turnovers. Murray had the “it factor” and the Grizzlies had no answer for him.
The only person who stopped Murray was Denver Coach Mike Malone, who set him down for the entire fourth quarter. 

Notes

The Nuggets went on a 34–6 run (including a 24–2 run) to turn an eight-point deficit (36–28) early in the second quarter into a 20-point lead (62–42) with 2:48 left before halftime.
Denver outscored the Grizzlies in the second quarter 44-17. The game got out of hand in the third period, when Denver got up by as many as 33 points.  

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 22 points and five rebounds, setting a career-high by going 5-of-7 from three-point range.

Brandon Clarke had a perfect night from the field, going 8-of-8, ending up with 19 points. Prior to the Nuggets game, Clarke ranked first among all NBA rookies at 61.5 percent shooting on the year.

Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points (including 12 in the first quarter) and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes for his eighth double-double of the season and 12th straight game in double-figure scoring. 

Paul Millsap put together a season-high-tying 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting (.727) and registered a season-high in steals, with five.

What They Said
Head coach Taylor Jenkins

On the game:

“Tough one for us today. We didn’t start the way that we needed to. Down 7–0, we got a bucket but our energy to start wasn’t quite there. But, credit to our guys. We kind of flipped the script after that first timeout and we ended up taking an 11-point lead. But, tons of credit to the Nuggets. They raised their level to an elite level, and our guys just couldn’t really catch that second gear. It just wasn’t our day today. So, a lot of credit to the Nuggets, especially in that second quarter. We tried to claw back here and there, but that second quarter kind of got away from us. And as we’ve experienced throughout the year so far when these moments happen, how can we just kind of face some of that adversity. But, credit the Nuggets. That’s a heck of a team and a great learning opportunity for our young team.”

On De’Anthony Melton:

“Tons of credit goes to De’Anthony. We’ve talked about him constantly staying prepared with his individual work, his G League assignments. I’m super happy with where he’s at. He made an impact immediately, kind of coming in defensively and getting his hands on a couple of balls, shooting with confidence, making plays for his teammates, had a great pass to Brandon Clarke for a roll dunk. So, I’m really impressed with him and he’s definitely going to be someone who will make an impact for our team at some point.”


On whether he thinks Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are where they need to be defensively:

“Not just them, but everyone, we’ve got a long way to go. I mean, the nights where we’re giving up 130 points, that’s not the scenario that we want to set. We talked all along how they can be impactful on both ends of the floor. I think Ja has been taking some big strides the last week or so, but tonight was a tough match. Jamal Murray is a heck of a player. But, trying to unleash their activity, (Jaren) blocking shots and rebounding, he’s starting to find his comfort and all that stuff. Tonight was not indicative of what they can be defensively, but I think all of us as a team have big steps that we have to take on that end.”

The Infie 500

Cold Night for the Grizzlies: Denver 131-Memphis 114. (2)

Up Next

The Grizzlies will host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Tip-off at 7 pm CST.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Spencer McMillin Steps Down as Caritas Chef de Cuisine. Matthew Schweitzer is New Chef De Cuisine.

CREDIT: MIchael Donahue

MIchael Donahue

Kristin and Spencer McMillin

Michael Donahue

Matthew Schweitzer

Michael Donahue

Conrad Phillips

Spencer McMillin is stepping down November 18th as chef de cuisine of Caritas Community Center and Cafe. Matthew Schweitzer will be the new chef de cuisine.

McMillin says he will now “assume more of a mentoring role in café operations effective Monday November 18th.

“I will work with the new team to ensure continuity of the Caritas culinary and community missions, which are both to serve the highest quality food to those who can afford to pay and to those who can’t and to nurture the human spirit through meaningful interaction,” McMillin says.

“The reasons for this tough decision were numerous. I have severe tendonitis in my left arm which makes it difficult to give 100 percent and the pain has gotten incrementally worse over the course of the last few months. Unfortunately, my knees are not far behind.”

McMillin says he’s going to return to teaching part time at the Kemmons Wilson Culinary Institute. “Which is less taxing on my body and quite enjoyable.”

And, he says, “I am also currently in the middle of writing recipes and narrative for The Caritas Cookbook which I hope to have completed and for sale by January 2020. There will be stories, action photos and recipes.

“Additionally, I will still partner with my chef buddies for the Chef Partnership Dinner series and be a Walmart greeter of sorts at the café but my days of fighting daily battles in the Caritas kitchen (as documented in the Edible Memphis piece A Day In The Life at Caritas Village) are drawing to a close.

“My wife, Kristin (Caritas executive director) and I have chosen a capable successor in Chef Matthew Schweitzer and we look forward to seeing how his youthful energy and love of farm to table cooking takes the Caritas culinary mission to the next level. In that spirit, the Caritas menu will reflect the past with dishes Mac Edwards (former Caritas executive director) and I made popular and look toward the future with dishes that reflect Matthew’s philosophies and cooking style. Customers should expect the cuisine to be both familiar and exciting in the days and months to come.”

Schweitzer, 32, is excited about his new position. “If I wasn’t a chef, I would be a social worker,” he says. “I want to help people.”

He previously worked at restaurants, including Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Restaurant Iris, Interim, and The Beauty Shop Restaurant.

Schweitzer began working in the Caritas kitchen November 11th. He helped out at the Nov. 14th Chef Partnership Dinner, which featured McMillin and Kelley English from Restaurant Iris and The Second Line.

“We feed people not based on their ability to pay. So, if someone’s in need of a plate, they can come up and get a meal for free and it would be comparable to most fine dining restaurants in the city.”

On Schweitzer’s first day McMillin says, “I need you to make soup, an entree with two sides, a vegetable and starch.”

Schweitzer made a curried butternut squash soup, coq au vin (wine-braised chicken), with rigatoni and collard greens. “People loved it,” he says.

Schweitzer describes his style as “thought provoking. Definitely locally inspired. Utilizing what I have around me but putting a modern touch on it. The majority of everything we use is from the farmers. We have these really great relationships. And he (McMillin) is going to introduce me to these other farmers I don’t know and we’ll go from there.”

Conrad Phillips will become sous chef. “(He) is also a very skilled carpenter and has updated the cafe’s look in recent days with reclaimed wood,” McMillin says. “He’s also a hell of a cook. The two of those guys with little direction from me will kick the cuisine up a few notches.”

Categories
Sports Tiger Blue

#18 Tigers 45, Houston 27

Memphis quarterback Brady White tossed five touchdown passes (to four different receivers) to lead the 18th-ranked Tigers to a comeback throttling of the Houston Cougars Saturday afternoon in Texas. After falling behind 17-7 in the first quarter, the Tigers took a 28-20 lead into halftime, then pulled away in the third quarter to improve to 9-1 on the season and 5-1 in the American Athletic Conference. Houston falls to 3-7 (1-5).

The Tigers trailed until late in the second quarter when White ran 14 yards for a touchdown to give Memphis a 21-20 lead. He then connected with Calvin Austin for a 16-yard score with 37 seconds left in the quarter. Two more White touchdown passes — six yards to Antonio Gibson and 28 yards to Damonte Coxie — put the game out of reach in the third quarter.

The victory gives Memphis a four-game winning streak over the Cougars for the first time in a series that began in 1963 and became annual with the creation of the AAC in 2013. The Tigers retain possession of first place in the AAC’s West Division with two regular-season games left on the schedule.

White completed 22 of 33 passes for 341 yards and the five touchdowns (with one interception) before yielding to reserve Connor Adair in the third quarter. Freshman tailback Kenneth Gainwell rushed for 99 yards on 17 carries. (Senior Patrick Taylor returned for his first game since the season-opener. He gained 14 yards on five carries.) Coxie caught four passes for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Gibson matched his yardage and catch totals with one touchdown.

The win clinches a winning decade for the Memphis program for the first time since the 1970s, an accomplishment made especially impressive considering the Tigers won only three of their first 24 games of the 2010s.

The Tigers travel to USF to play the Bulls next Saturday before hosting Cincinnati in the regular-season finale at the Liberty Bowl on November 29th. Should Memphis win both games, the Tigers will host the AAC championship game on December 7th.

Categories
Sports Tiger Blue

#13 Tigers 102, Alcorn State 56

CREDIT: Larry Kuzniewski

If you have to play a game without your preseason All-America, it helps to have the Alcorn State Braves on the other bench. The Tigers overcame sloppy play to open the game — 31 combined fouls were called in the first half — and overwhelmed their opponent from the SWAC to improve to 3-1 on the season. Memphis played without James Wiseman, the first of an undetermined number of games the freshman center will sit out as a penalty for his family accepting a payment for moving expenses from Penny Hardaway in 2017. With a lawsuit filed by the Wiseman family having been withdrawn, all parties now await a ruling from the NCAA on when the player can again take the floor.

Larry Kuzniewski

Lester Quinones

On the floor Saturday afternoon at FedEexForum, Tiger freshman Lester Quinones celebrated his 19th birthday with his first double-double as a college player: 21 points and 10 rebounds. The New York native hit seven of eight shots from the field and connected on six of seven free throws. “Coach [Hardaway] emphasized moving the ball, the little things,” said Quinones. “Crashing the boards . . . this was an undersized [opponent]. Being an overall good teammate was my goal.”

Hardaway was especially pleased with his team’s defense, which forced 26 turnovers and harassed the Braves (1-3) into five-for-27 shooting from three-point range. “The guys started a little slow, but we got it going with that second unit, and the energy picked up,” said Hardaway. “We were supposed to win this game. You gotta challenge yourself. We want to do things that will carry over to the Little Rock game, then get better by the Ole Miss game. So when we go play North Carolina State, we’re not behind the eight ball.”

Freshman forward Precious Achiuwa scored 20 points in 23 minutes on the floor and could have had several more as he missed 12 of 20 free throws. “I’m one of the few dudes in the country who can get to the free-throw line at will,” said Achiuwa. “I just gotta knock them down. There’s room for improvement.”

Hardaway acknowledged the all-around talents of the Tigers’ birthday boy, noting they’re the reason he’s a Tiger today. “We saw that side of him,” said the coach, “the grittiness, the toughness, the ability to get a basket, take charges, do all the small things that help teams win. We knew that when we recruited him.”

Sophomore guard Tyler Harris hit three treys and scored 11 points off the bench for Memphis. D.J. Jeffries scored 15 points in 24 minutes off the bench and Lance Thomas — starting in place of Wiseman — contributed 11 points in 11 minutes of action.

As for the glaring absence of their star teammate, the Tigers seem resolved to next-man-up mode. “We don’t see [Wiseman’s absence] as a negative,” said Achiuwa. “It’s an opportunity for other guys to step up. We talk to James every day: keep your head up, stay locked in. It’s a team effort at the end of the day, not just an individual. We trust each other.”

The Tigers will host Little Rock on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Categories
Music Music Blog

Obruni Dance Band Celebrates That Memphis Beet & Community Table Garden

CREDIT: Jamie Harmon

Jamie Harmon

Obruni Dance Band & the Mama Africa Dancers

In Ghana, music and community go hand in hand. This is true wherever people gather to 

listen to bands, of course, but the communal experience is especially crucial to the music of Africa, where all the players in an ensemble add small pieces to a groove, the sum being greater than its parts.

Which makes it especially apropos that the Obruni Dance Band, Memphis’ own specialists in the highlife music of Ghana, will be leading a celebration of community tomorrow afternoon, in the open air, with glorious fall weather in the forecast. And, dear to this old farmer’s heart, the community Obruni will be celebrating is based on breaking bread and beets. Not just beets, but tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, watermelon, greens and beans. 
Jamie Harmon

(l-r), Gerald Stephens, Logan Hanna, Adam Holton, Jawaun Crawford, and Victor Sawyer in the Obruni Dance Band

Memphis is famous for its beats, but now its beets are stepping up as well, thanks to the efforts of the Community Table Garden. Started in 2014 in an effort to improve the quality of food available to Memphis’ most vulnerable neighbors, the Community Table Garden promotes people’s right to safe, healthy, clean food.

The garden is located on an empty lot on Madison Avenue owned by Huey’s. Beginning with eight raised beds and three rain barrels, they now have 15 raised beds, two in-ground plots, a greenhouse, and will be installing an irrigation system and a few fruit trees and berry bushes this fall and spring. Managed by Sarah Taylor, they operate solely on community support and volunteer work, with sponsorships from the Memphis Empty Bowls Project and Grace St. Luke’s Church. The gardens supply produce to the pantry at Grace St. Luke’s every week during the growing season. 

Community Table Garden on Madison Avenue

Tomorrow’s celebration will raise funds for and awareness of the ongoing project. Chef Brown Burch will be joined by Spencer Coplan from Wok’n Memphis and Zach Nicholson from Lucky Cat Ramen in preparing an exquisite feast, along with more food from FINO’s, City Block Salumeria, and Payne’s BBQ.

The Produce Tribe, Whitton Farms, Tubby Creek Farms, and Rosecreek Farms are all supplying produce as well, and, last but not least, Mempops will supply its unique sweet delectables. Wiseacre Brewing Company, a favorite venue of the Obruni crew, is hosting, serving both beer and Long Road Cider.

Community Table Fall Garden Party, Wiseacre Brewing Co., Sunday, November 17, 1:00-4:00 pm. Get tickets here.

Categories
Music Music Blog

A Big Score for Jozzy: “Old Town Road” Nabs a Country Music Award

CREDIT: Chris Paul Thompson

Chris Paul Thompson

Jocelyn ‘Jozzy’ Donald

Music history was made last night at the Country Music Awards, with an assist from an up-and-coming Memphis artist and songwriter. The CMA for Musical Event of the Year, often given to one-off collaborations, was awarded to Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus for their smash hit, “Old Town Road (Remix)”. It was also an indirect tip of the hat to Memphis-born Jocelyn “Jozzy” Donald, who wrote the verses Cyrus sang in the newer, extended version of the song. 

The award not only went to Cyrus and Lil Nas X, the first openly gay hip-hop artist to win in that category, but also to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross — both have a co-writing and co-production credit on “Old Town Road (Remix)” due to its sample of “34 Ghosts IV” by Nine Inch Nails. There was no official recognition of Donald, however. 

Lil Nas X

Nevertheless, this is a watershed moment for a track that occupied the top of the Billboard charts for a record-setting 17 weeks this year. Because of its blend of styles, not to mention the unspoken racial politics of contemporary American music, it was excluded from Billboard’s country charts, amid much public outcry. To some extent, this newly-awarded CMA makes amends for that slight. As Lil Nas X told USA Today, “I’m so happy this song was accepted because it is the bridging of two polar opposite genres. I’m happy it’s gotten respect from both places.”

I reached out to Jozzy to hear her thoughts on this latest success of a track in which she played no small role.

Memphis Flyer: Congratulations on the CMA! Are you in Memphis now?

Jozzy Donald: I just left Memphis yesterday. I went to the Stax Music Academy to talk to the kids. I didn’t go to the CMA, but I’m definitely going to the Grammys. It’s gonna be a great day. It’s the day after my birthday. That’s not coincidental. I believe everything happens for a reason. I know it’s gonna be a great birthday.

Old Town Road really has a shot at Record of the Year. We need more of those coming out of Memphis. I just realized, “Uptown Funk” was the first ever Grammy for Record of the Year that went to a Memphis recording.

Yeah! Boo Mitchell! Royal Studios!

So you didn’t go to the Country Music Awards?

I did not go to the Country Music Awards. They treat songwriters so bad. The Grammys are really the only awards that appreciate the songwriter. So I didn’t get to go to the CMAs. It’s a shame how they do it. But if you want that, you have to get into that mode of being the artist and being in the forefront. That’s what I’m working on right now.

Do you think it’s a sign of progress that the CMAs gave “Old Town Road” some recognition?

Yes. I’m just really happy it got the award, you know? After all that happened to the song, when it came to the country charts. I’m happy that CMA acknowledged it, and didn’t just throw it on the back burner and act like it never happened. So, mostly it was really dope.
The thing about it is, at the end of the day, it’s people like you all at the Memphis Flyer, who tell the story, so it doesn’t go unnoticed — that’s really what it’s all about. I could rant and rave about it, but then you just get tired. And I see myself going somewhere, doing something as an artist. I know I’m gonna be a big artist. So this is a part of that story.

Everyone in town is blown away that you co-wrote “Old Town Road,” and the news is spreading.

Exactly. Word of mouth is beautiful. And the Grammys are a different story, you know. That’s the biggest platform. So as long as I’m going to the Grammys, I’m fine.

Now I’m working on doing something with Red Bull in Memphis, probably in January, during Grammy week. We’re gonna do a dope event. I just did a few gigs with Summer Walker, a dope R&B singer that I opened up some California shows for. I’m dropping my next single in December, and dropping a bigger project a week before the Grammy Awards. So it’s gonna be dope.

I think Red Bull is the perfect partner to do it with. They’re really invested in Memphis and they really wanna see something happen. So I really wanted to collaborate with them. I think we’re gonna do a concert and a party. I might bring on some other artists to perform, too. We’re trying to bring some fun stuff to Memphis, some different stuff that’s never been done before.

Categories
News News Blog

Former Employee in Federal Suit Against Playhouse on the Square

CREDIT: leannakeyes.com

leannakeyes.com

Keyes

The curtain is about to rise on another act in the legal drama surrounding Playhouse on the Square (POTS) during the heyday of its since-retired founder and executive producer, Jackie Nichols.

Leanna Keyes, a former production manager at POTS, has filed suit in federal court, charging the company with “retaliatory” termination of her services following her role in addressing “allegations of sexual assault” against Nichols.

Amid accusations by several women of past sexual improprieties, Nichols, who is generally credited with having been of seminal importance in the general culture and development of drama in Memphis, took voluntary leave of absence in January, 2018, and in March of the same year formally resigned his position.

The resignation occurred following the completion by the law firm of Burch, Porter & Johnson of an investigation of the charges against Nichols. The investigation, whose results were never made public, was requested by the executive board of POTS.

The Playhouse, under its assumed name of Circuit Playhouse, Inc., is defendant in the current suit by Keyes, who asserts that she was dismissed after “a perfunctory review because she did not fit in the ‘family culture’ of the theatre company, which ‘family culture’ was to tolerate unlawful employment practices and protect predatory sexual assaults.”

Keyes seeks “that a jury be empaneled to hear and decide all issues set forth or fairly raised herein and requests a judgment granting the following relief against the defendant: compensatory damages in the amount of not less than $750,000.00; pre- and post- judgment interest; punitive or exemplary damages in the amount commensurate with defendant’s ability to pay and to deter future misconduct; litigation costs and attorneys’ fees to the extent allowable by law; and any and all other legal and equitable relief that this court may deem just and proper under the circumstances.”

In her first month of employment after being hired by the Playhouse in November 2017, Keyes was “touched inappropriately by a senior staff member,” the suit says, and was “warned … of Jackie Nichols’ predatory behavior and told … specifically not to be alone with him.” Later, she learned of specific public accusations of sexual improprieties against Nichols and, along with “another newly hired staff member, Mr. William Gibbons-Brown, undertook an informal investigation with [POTS] interns and staff.”

Keyes would later prepare a series of demands and goals pertaining to the work environment at POTS and presented them to the Playhouse board on behalf of some 30 interns and staff members. Subsequently, according to the suit, “Whitney Jo and Mike Detroit called an all-staff meeting where they announced that Jackie Nichols had taken a voluntary leave of absence and advised all staff members of the Handbook’s prohibition on any discussion of Playhouse business.”

Though she was never subject to negative evaluations or disciplinary action, the suit alleges that Keyes “noticed that Mike Detroit and Whitney Jo began ignoring and marginalizing her within the workplace.” In February 2018, in the wake of her three-month evaluation period and after completing work on the production Once, Keyes was given a “perfunctory” review and was told “that she did not fit ‘family culture’ of POTS and was presented with her termination letter.”

Keyes went on to file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on February 27, 2018 and was issued a “right to sue letter” by the EEOC.

Her suit alleges that “as a result of Defendant’s conduct in terminating Ms. Keyes’ employment, Ms. Keyes has suffered — and will continue to suffer — lost income, lost fringe benefits, damage to her reputation, humiliation, loss of economic advantage and has incurred expenses in searching for replacement employment.”

One count of the suit alleges that Keyes was subjected to a “hostile work environment.” A second count attests to an “unlawful retaliatory discharge.”

Keyes is represented in her action by Bruce Kramer, Jake Brown, and Melody Dernocoeur of the Apperson Crump legal firm.

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Say Hola to the New Pancho’s Man

CREDIT: Toby Sells

Toby Sells

The new Pancho Man mingles with the old Pancho Man on the shelves at Midtown Kroger.

Pancho’s quietly rolled out its new Pancho Man recently, a decidedly less cartoon-y version of the Pancho Man who has been the face of the beloved cheese dip since 1956.

Pancho’s announced a change to the logo last month with a cryptic tweet, reading “get ready to meet the new Pancho.” An image of the new logo accompanied the tweet with only a silhouette where the new Pancho would reside.

Toby Sells

The new Pancho’s man.

The old Pancho is a smiling, mustachioed, and sombrero-ed cartoon. The new Pancho is a smiling, mustachioed, and sombrero-ed cartoon, too. Or, maybe you could call him a drawing? But he’s decidedly less cartoon-y than the old Pancho, whose years of service on the lid of the city’s favorite cheese dip made him an easily recognizable Memphis icon.

Toby Sells

Ben Fant, principal and creative director at the Farmhouse marketing firm, has stayed fresh on the Pancho-Man beat. I’ll give him a huge, digital hat tip here for finding the new Pancho in the wild first (to my knowledge) and posting him to Facebook (which is where I saw it first).

[pullquote-1]

As of Friday morning, neither Pancho’s Cheese Dips nor Pancho’s restaurant had formally introduced the new Pancho online. But the company has been clear on any reference to the new Pancho — the cheese dip recipe will remain unchanged.

Last month, Rafael Rangel asked Pancho’s on Twitter why the company wanted to change the logo. “Why mess with something so perfect?” he asked.

“We just want to make sure our logo looks as great as the dip tastes!” the company responded. “New look, but always same taste!”

Toby Sells

There’s a new logo in town, amigo.