Month: January 2024

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Three-Game Win Streak Ends

Vince Williams Jr. goes to the basket during a game against the Indiana Pacers on January 28, 2024. (Photo by: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Grizzlies lost a close game in Indiana due to mental mistakes, a breakdown in the third quarter, and squandered opportunities. The Pacers defeated Memphis 116-110 to snap their three-game winning streak. 

Indiana capitalized with 24 points off the Grizzlies’ 13 turnovers and grabbed 11 offensive rebounds that resulted in 15 second-chance points.

Jaren Jaren, Jr. led Memphis with 25 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. He also tied a career-high with 11 made free throws.

In January, Jackson Jr. averaged 24.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists as the Grizzlies went 8-6 in the month.

Vince Williams Jr. continues to impress, game by game. He finished with 20 points while shooting 8-of-12 from the field, and had eight rebounds.

“They had a lot more offensive rebounds than us, and that led them to easy baskets at the rim,” Williams Jr. said on how the Pacers closed out the game. “Honestly, the bigs got nice rebounds and put it right back up on us, and that kind of hurt us at the end of the day.”

Despite missing key players, the 23-year-old believes the team is up for the challenge of competing against anyone. “We all come in together; we work hard together; so honestly, team chemistry is still there all the way. We just came up short tonight, and really it was just offensive rebounds that hurt us.”

Williams Jr. took responsibility for his blunders down the stretch, which Indiana took advantage of to pull out the win. 

“My two missed layups, and I missed my free throws,” said the VCU alum on the differences in the last three minutes. “But they just out-hustled us, which led to some easy buckets in the fourth too, and they got some wide-open threes, and we had to play catch-up.”

“Not really, because we were still in the game at the end,” said Williams Jr. when asked if the Pacers wore them down due to key players being out with injuries. “We come out and play hard each and every day, and we just try to put ourselves in the best position to win.”

When GG Jackson II is given extended minutes, he takes full advantage. In 28 minutes off the bench, the rookie finished with 18 points and four rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting. 

“I feel like it just shows the depth that this team has,” said Jackson II of the tenacity of the team. And fully healthy, I feel like we can be a serious contender going deep in the playoffs and even contenders for a title.”

“The first half, we tried to keep it tight and were really keen on personnel,” explained Jackson II on what went right for the Grizzlies in the first half. “The ball was popping a lot,  multiple guys were scoring, and Jaren (Jackson, Jr.) was getting his sweet spots again with the left-hand hook. 

The 19-year-old continued, “I feel like overall we were playing really good basketball, and then later in the second half (there were) costly turnovers and lackadaisical effort sometimes. You gotta have 110% effort the whole 48 minutes if you want to win a basketball game.”

“A lot of missed opportunities at the rim obviously. I felt like at times the ball kind of got stagnant … and then [on the] defensive end guys were just scrambling around a lot and a couple of their guys hit threes. We really did not want to live with it. But the situation from scrambling left them open. So it’s just little things like that, that if we pick up on those and fix those, I feel like we’ll be good.”

No rest for the weary. The Grizzlies look to start a new winning streak tonight at FedExForum against the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. CT. 

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Louis Connelly’s Bar Opens February 3rd at Site of Old Printer’s Alley

Louis Connelly's Bar to open February 3rd at site of old Printer's Alley. (Credit: Aleks Haight)

Louis Connelly’s Bar will open February 3rd in the space formerly occupied by Printer’s Alley at 322 South Cleveland Street near Peabody Avenue.

They will have a full bar, says Mickey Blancq, manager of the bar owned by Louis Connelly. “We have a fantastic liquor selection,” Blancq says. “We have 20 taps. At least 15 of the taps are local.”

Food will be “straight-up bar food. Smash burgers, nachos, loaded fries. And just stuff like that. The Philly Cheese is phenomenal.”

As for the look of the establishment, Blancq says,  “We completely gutted the whole place. So, it’s totally different on the inside.”

Louis Connelly’s Bar (Credit: Aleks Haight)

There is now “a huge bar on the left side. We’ve built out the kitchen, so it’s a full kitchen.”

And, he says, their interior designer went to pawn shops and brought back “so much cool stuff. We were blown away.” That includes a 1932 neon bar sign that’s “old school and awesome.”

They’ve already held soft openings. “I’ve been so surprised how it’s just popping off already. We never expected it to be as successful as we’ve been so far.”

Louis Connelly’s Bar will be “open late night, 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday currently. But we’ll open that up further in the future.”

No live music right now, Blancq says. “We will have deejays, but that’s the only plan right now.”

And, he says, they plan to have “karaoke and trivia night.”

Printer’s Alley, which closed about a year and a half go, didn’t have the greatest reputation.  “Printer’s Alley was always the place to go after you’d made a lot of bad decisions already.”

But, Blancq says, “This is a different place. That’s why he (Connelly) did all the renovations. It’s still a 100 percent dive bar and that’s what we’re going for, but it’s clean and kitschy. Just a neighborhood bar like we’ve been missing here in town.”

Louis Connelly’s Bar (Credit: Aleks Haight)
Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Win Third in a Row

Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half against Orlando Magic at FedEx Forum on January 26, 2024, in Memphis Tennessee. (Wes Hale Photo)

On the court at FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies haven’t had much luck this season, with a disappointing 4–15 home record going into Friday night. Nevertheless, they defeated the Orlando Magic in a nail-biter, 107-106, to win their second consecutive home game. It marked Memphis’ fifth straight win against the Magic.

Memphis has now won three games in a row and recorded at least 30 assists in each victory. 

“Moving forward, continue to make that a priority — it’s as simple as that,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on how the team’s assists correlate to a winning formula. “We know that’s got to be a big part of our identity. We’ve had to work all season to catch this wave of a couple of games in a row. Keep prioritizing the spacing.” 

Jenkins went on to say, “I talked about the willingness to see it on film, see it in the practices, see it within the game — that’s what our guys have to continue to focus on.”

“In terms of a correlation, we know what our identity is,” Jenkins explained. “It’s our defensive activity that generates that excitement and momentum. We know when we play like that, you’re getting the production as well. When you’re setting your teammates up, that’s the excitement that we’re used to playing with. Encouraged by the play the last couple of games, and these guys know I’m not going to stop hitting them over the head with it.”

Despite starting 11 different lineups in January, the Grizzlies managed an 8-5 record for the month.

Leading the way for the Grizzlies Friday night was Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 30 points, snatched 8 boards, and dished out 2 assists. It was Jackson Jr.’s eighth 30-point performance this season.

Jackson Jr. bullied the Magic bigs under the hoop and scored around the rim with consistency. He tied a season-high with 24 points in the paint for the Grizzlies, who finished with 50 paint points.

Jackson Jr. is the lone regular part of the Grizzlies core who is not sidelined for Memphis. His improved play has been another bright spot of this tumultuous season. 

“Yeah, for sure — very well said,” was Jackson Jr.’s response to a question about whether playing without Ja Morant and Desmond Bane is helping him grow. “Try (to) go out there every day and work on my game. Work on what I work on, doubles, shifts, and more attention. It is all going to be good because you don’t always get opportunities like that. So, you got to make the most of it and really grow when your name is called in situations like that.”

For Jackson Jr., it’s a good feeling to win in front of the home crowd. “It’s always good to win here,” he said. “I know we’ve had a better record on the road. So, every time we come back here, and we can get it done, all these games are going to mean something at this point.”

“We’re trying to crawl back,” Jackson Jr. continued. “We’re trying to make this push right here, which we are going to get that done. But it’s going to take a lot of fights. So, every game is going to be played like a playoff game.”

Off the bench, Ziaire Williams added 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3P), four rebounds, and five assists. Williams has been struggling mightily as of late and has received plenty of criticism about his performances. 

After the game, Williams responded to the criticism, “I’ve just been taking it one day at a time, taking the good with the bad and the bad with the good — staying true to myself and putting the work in. I’m glad it paid off today. I just have to keep it up and believe in my ability.”

Luke Kennard added 15 points (5-11 FG), connected on five 3-pointers, and dished out six assists. In his last four games, Kennard has made 19 3-pointers.

Up Next

The Grizzlies travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers, Sunday, January 28 at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Categories
Music Music Blog Music Features Opinion

Justin Timberlake Brought the Heat With Classics, New Music at Orpheum Show

Justin Timberlake performs "What Goes Around ... Comes Around" near the close of his free January 19th concert at the Orpheum Theatre. (Credit: Owen Schatz)

If I wrote you a symphony …

Wild shrieks ring out through the Orpheum, the high-pitched, gleeful wails emanating from an audience brimming with barely-restrained enthusiasm.

Just to show how much you mean to me …

The woman two chairs over from me nearly collapses, heaving herself forward onto the railing, breathless. The lady sitting behind me is dancing so wildly that her cup of wine flies out of her hand and completely spills onto the back of my sweater. On stage, Justin Timberlake launches into the chorus of “My Love,” and the crowd bays out the lyrics alongside him. The hometown son had returned, and Memphis was ready to welcome him back with open arms.

That people were out at all last week rockin’ to hits from Justified, FutureSex/LoveSounds, and The 20/20 Experience was a bit of a surprise. The January 19th concert, surprisingly announced just a week prior, was threatened by freezing temperatures, snow and ice that the city was ill-equipped to handle, plus low water pressure and a boil water advisory that ultimately rendered the Orpheum bathrooms unusable for the evening. 

Eager fans were able to request up to two tickets through a Ticketmaster lottery, with demand far exceeding the limited supply of around 2,500 seats at the Orpheum. Many users on social media bemoaned their ill luck, blaming out-of-town sharks for snatching up most of the available stock for a show they may not even be able to attend thanks to the inclement weather. Other, more intrepid fans decided to show up to the theater anyway, spending a lengthy wait in the cold in the hopes of snagging any leftover spots. And many were rewarded with tickets.

In hindsight, any questions about the show’s potential turnout were foolish. By the time Timberlake took to the stage around 9:30 p.m. – his first show in Memphis since a 2019 stop on his second Man of the Woods tour, and first ever set at the Orpheum – the crowd was ready to party. And as the opening brassy synth waves of the live rendition of “SexyBack” cascaded from the speakers and over the audience, it lit the fuse on what would be an exuberant, pop-fueled hour-and-a-half performance.

Justin Timberlake speaks to the crowd between songs at his January 19th free Orpheum Theatre concert. (Credit: Mark Nguyen)

The Orpheum setting created a much more intimate environment than the floor tickets I’d nabbed for his last two tours, but the smaller venue didn’t sacrifice any of the verve or energy his fans are accustomed to. Timberlake, backed by his exceptional Tennessee Kids band, ran through the hits to a wild crowd, throwing it back to the slick call-and-response of “Señorita,” slowing things down with the pop ballad “Mirrors,” and luring everyone in with the moody, spiteful “Cry Me A River” (which really dials up the suspense live). He even paid tribute to Al Green with a rendition of “Let’s Stay Together.” Notably, not a single track from the somber, Americana-tinged Man of the Woods made it onto the setlist at any point.

Fueling the crowd’s anxious delirium was a sense that they’d get to see something new. In the days leading up to the concert, Timberlake’s label RCA Records posted a graphic teasing “Big News,” conspicuously made with the same design, color scheme, and fonts as the initial concert announcement. The announcement of subsequent Timberlake bookings with Jimmy Fallon (January 25th) and Saturday Night Live (January 27th) only added fuel to the fire, and sure enough, he teased a few snippets from his upcoming sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was, set for a March 15th release.

There was a full reveal for new single “Selfish,” a slowed-down R&B track that provided several minutes of calmer head-bopping.

Midway through the show, when Timberlake jumped off stage and danced through the crowd to various hits from both his catalog and other (some local) artists, DJ Hypes played about 90 seconds of a second track, “No Angels.” The pulsating, bass-thumping beat harkened back to Timberlake’s early-aughts pop roots, when every song he slung from his repertoire had people ready to rock their bodies on the dance floor. (Short snippets of a third song, “Sanctified,” can be heard over ESPN promos). It’s a welcome return to form for the pop star, whose output since 2018 has mainly consisted of his work on DreamWorks’ Trolls series and an NSYNC reunion track, “Better Place.”

All indications are that the rest of EITIW will showcase Timberlake embracing his charming, hip-hop-inflected pop chops that made his early albums so popular. “It’s fun Justin,” longtime Timberlake collaborator Timbaland told Variety last April. “It’s like FutureSex/LoveSounds but nothing too heavy, just giving you what you expect from us. Music is a young sport — of course, we’ve both seen a lot of life, but you have to bring out the 13 year old kid again, you know? We had songs that maybe were too complicated, so we said we want it to feel like FutureSex part two, so we did songs that will fit that.”

In between the singing, the dancing, and the grooving, Timberlake paused several times to thank fans for braving the inclement weather, and to muse on how much he appreciated being back in Memphis. There was even time to lead the crowd in singing happy birthday to his mother, who was in attendance, and to shout out former NSYNC member Chris Kirkpatrick (also in attendance, but alas, no duet). 

If the mixed reception to Man of the Woods saw Timberlake’s star fade a little bit, he looks poised to bring it roaring back brighter in a couple months. After my own Covid-induced break from live shows, this performance reminded me why I enjoy excursions like this so much, and it has me excited to see what local Memphis musicians have in store for the rest of the year. 

As for Timberlake: “See you on tour,” he quipped as the curtain dropped for a final time.

Justin Timberlake performs ahead of the Tennessee Kids at his January 19th Orpheum Theatre show. (Credit: Mark Nguyen)
Categories
News News Blog News Feature

Two Memphis Natives Represent City In Tennessee 11 Proposals

Arriell Gipson Martin and Jaila Hampton Photo Credit: Starts With Us

Two Memphians made it their duty to make sure their city was represented in talking with state legislators about solutions regarding gun rights and safety.

Arriell Gipson Martin and Jaila Hampton are members of what has become known as the “Tennessee 11” or “TN11”: Eleven Tennesseans from across the state who created five gun-rights and safety proposals, and presented them to state legislators. Proposals include developing “gun-issue literacy” for schools as well as tools for “responsible gun ownership.”

According to the nonprofit organization, Starts With Us, the proposals were shared online for public feedback, and 2,500 Shelby County residents weighed in. Tori Larned, communications manager of Starts With Us, said this was a part of a civic experiment called Citizen Solutions. 

“Tennessee is the first state in the nation to participate in this innovative problem-solving process,” said Larned in a statement. “These two women ensured Memphis had a voice in the solutions.”

Gipson Martin and Hampton are both Memphis natives who have historically played an active role in changing their communities for the better.

Gipson Martin has worked for the Shelby County Government for six years in different capacities, such as public health and victim services.

“I’ve been able to look at community from a different aspect,” said Gipson Martin. “More importantly the ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) and the trauma that are within a lot of communities. I think that perspective is what I took with me when I was able to connect with the Tennessee 11.” She says that sitting down with people with different perspectives and value sets proved to be an “incredible experience.”

Hampton is currently a college student at Texas Southern University, and pinpoints 2021 as the beginning of her advocacy work, after losing her best friend to gun violence. She said she experienced a range of emotions, and felt the best way to grapple with them was by staying busy.

“After his funeral arrangements, and everything calmed down, I needed somewhere to put all that energy,” said Hampton. “I put it towards a nonprofit called Operation R.A.E (Resources, Acess, and Education.)”

According to Hampton, she jumped into a “very busy world” at a young age, but through her work with Operation R.A.E., she was able to do more research with gun violence. It also opened her eyes as to how her city was “plagued by the epidemic.”

Both women wanted to make sure their city was well represented during their brainstorming sessions with the other TN11 members. For Hampton, this meant making sure she used her voice at the table.

“We were given a seat at the table, so it was about what we did with our seat at the table,” said Hampton. “That was making sure that I showed up and I was able to capture everyone’s story – making sure that when decisions had to be made that I gave my input.”

Gipson Martin said she wanted to make sure she showed up as her authentic self, while also being a voice for other marginalized and underrepresented groups.

“As a Black woman, it’s really important when I walk into spaces that I show up as my full self,” said Gipson Martin. “There’s so much diversity in being a Black woman, and I wanted to echo that as much as possible. But also listening in and realizing what wasn’t being said, like any elephants that weren’t being addressed or undertones we weren’t speaking life to.”

Having those “tough conversations” was essential for Gipson Martin, as well as combatting stereotypes with factual evidence and data. She said this was how they were able to paint a “truer narrative” of what’s happening in the city.

“When you bring data to it, when you bring statistics to it, you paint a clearer narrative of what’s at stake and what’s really happening,” said Gipson Martin. “You are also able to get people to lower their guards and have a better conversation.”

Both women acknowledge that the work that they and lawmakers are doing is important, and they urge them to not grow weary, and that they can “find solutions together.”

“You can put the basic needs of all Tennesseans in front of any other personal things you’ve got going on,” said Gipson Martin. “If you do that, and focus on that, then we can create solutions.”

Hampton echoed these sentiments, and urged legislators to “embody the spirit of constructive dialogue,” adding, “You can’t go anywhere without having a conversation where you not only listen for understanding but speak to be understood. It takes an appreciation of all perspectives for this to be able to work.”

Categories
We Recommend We Recommend

On the Fly: Week of 01/26/24

The monthly High Cotton Comedy Club brings in Donnie Sengstack to headline a lineup of local acts. (Photo: Courtesy High Cotton Comedy Club/Charlie Vergos)

The Children
Germantown Community Theatre
Performances Friday, January 26-February 4
Think of the children. The Children. Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children. The play where a retired couple in their mid-sixties are living their lives under particularly uncertain times yet are determined to preserve some semblance of normality, but when a former colleague whom they haven’t seen for 38 years suddenly turns up, however, she certainly disrupts their precariously ordered existence. Exploring issues of accountability, guilt, and morality, this serio-comic piece will stay with you long after the cast takes their bow. The play opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. and runs through February 4th. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays 2:30 p.m., with an added performance on Monday, January 29th, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($16-$26) can be purchased here.

The Birds & The Seeds
Lichterman Nature Center
Saturday, January 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
First get your mind out of the gutter. This event is about the birds and the SEEDS. We didn’t name the event, but we dig it. (See, we can make our own puns, too.) The Lichterman’s Birds & the Seeds will have a variety of activities to help folks escape the winter blues and get ready for spring — could it come any faster, please? Highlights include a seed swap (January 27th is National Seed Swap Day), bird-watching and gardening experts to answer questions, a beginner bird-watching seminar, birding from the balcony, plant sales from the Lichterman greenhouse, a seed walk, and activity tables hosted by community partners like Black Seeds Urban Farm, Cooper-Young Garden Club, Memphis Botanic Garden, Tennessee Bluebird Society, and more. Admission is free.

Enneagram Workshop
Oothoon’s
Saturday, January 27, 3-5 p.m.
Are you a four or a nine? And, no, we’re not talking about on a scale of one to 10. We’re not that shallow. We’re talking about the enneagram types, another one of those personality tests like the INJTP, ASDF, whatever it’s called, except this one has numbers and it’s much more concise and easier to remember than all those letters. I believe I’m a nine … or was it a three … could it have been a four? Yikes. In any case, there’s a whole FREE class on it this Saturday at Oothoon’s, where Eleanor (no more info was given on who Eleanor is) will help you explore why you do what you do, and how to harness the unique strengths and challenges of your enneagram type. Register here.

Mardi Gras XXI: Dancing Through the Decades
Minglewood Hall
Saturday, January 27, 7 p.m.
Fat Tuesday itself may be on February 13th this year, but Mardi Gras season started on January 6th, which means it’s been time to partaaaayyyyy and let the good times roll. At least, that’s what they’re doing down in New Orleans. But thanks to the Mystic Krewe of Pegasus you can partake in the Big Easy’s celebrations right here in Memphis. The LGBTQ krewe will be putting on their annual ball this Saturday, and this year’s theme is “Dancing Through the Decades.” Guests are encouraged to wear formal attire or themed costumes. Tickets are $65 and will raise money for Friends for All and the Tennessee Equality Project.  

Comedian Donnie Sengstack
High Cotton Brewing Co.
Saturday, January 27, 8 p.m.
Donnie Sengstack headlines a fun night of standup comedy, featuring local comedians and headlined by Charlie Vergos. Sengstack began his comedy career in Maryland running between open mics in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Now after years of performing, many consider Sengstack to be one of the country’s most promising young comedians. In 2022, Nate Bargatze chose him to be a featured performer on the first episode of the Nateland Presents series. Sengstack’s unique style appeals to generations young and old. He may have a stutter, but that takes nothing away from his strong delivery and stage presence. It simply helps to make every show unique. Tickets are $10 online (in limited supply), or $15 at the door.

Meet the Author: Avery Cunningham
Novel
Tuesday, January 30, 6 p.m.
Did you read the Flyer’s cover story two weeks ago? I’ll take personal offense if you didn’t because I wrote it. I’m a forgiving person, though. And you can redeem yourself by reading it now or by reading the book that the story is all about or by attending the Meet the Author event for the book that the story is all about. Avery Cunningham’s debut novel, The Mayor of Maxwell Street, launches on Tuesday, and to celebrate, she’ll be at Novel for a reading/signing and conversation with Tara Springfellow, author of Memphis. Line tickets are required to meet the author and are free with the purchase of The Mayor of Maxwell Street from Novel. About the book: When a rich Black debutante enlists the help of a low-level speakeasy manager to identify the head of an underground crime syndicate, the two are thrust into the dangerous world of Prohibition-era Chicago. 

Dinner & A Double Feature – Historical Horrors: The Witch & The Lighthouse
Black Lodge
Wednesday, January 31, 6 p.m.
Last week was scary, maybe scarier than these two critically acclaimed horror films from director Robert Eggers. (Some of us prefer our scares in the form of fiction, not the news.) So, as a bit of a release from the stress of last week, Black Lodge is screening 2015’s The Witch at 6 p.m. and 2019’s The Lighthouse at 8 p.m., two unforgettable, creepy, claustrophobic tales set in the gothic past, bound to get your tummy churning … for delicious food! Lodge chef and co-owner James Blair will prepare five-course menus specifically designed for each film. You can choose to eat just one of the meals ($40) or both ($70). You’ll want to reserve your tickets early here. The event is 18+, and it’s free to just see the movies if you can’t stomach any food while you watch.

WiMM Presents Ariel Reign and the Greenery + Shara Matlock
B-Side
Wednesday, January 31, 8 p.m.
Each month Women in Memphis Music (WiMM) brings female/female-identifying musicians in Memphis to B-Side’s stage. This month WiMM presents Ariel Reign and the Greenery and Shara Matlock. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m.

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Short-handed Grizzlies Beat the Heat

Vince Williams Jr. with the ball against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. (Photo credit: Isaac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

When there’s a starting lineup that features Jacob Gilyard, John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., David Roddy, and Jaren Jackson Jr., it might be a tad bit perplexing. But that’s where Memphis is with so many players down due to injuries — a list that now includes Luke Kennard and Santi Aldama.

The Grizzlies had a total of nine players out for last night’s game in Miami against the Heat, but despite the daunting odds, Memphis won, 105-96, in a back-to-back road victory, improving to 13-12 on the road for the season. The team went 2-2 on the 4-game road trip.

The Grizzlies’ defense held Miami to 40.2% shooting and forced 17 turnovers leading to 24 points. It marks the fourth time this season Memphis has held opponents to less than 100 points. 

After falling behind 82-68 to start the fourth quarter, Miami rallied for a 12-4 run, bringing the Grizzlies’ lead down to 90-85 with six minutes remaining.

After the Heat cut the lead to two points with little more than a minute remaining in the game, Memphis went on a 7-0 run to seal the deal. 

“Just be authentic to who you are, understand the reality, and every single day, I think our group’s maintained a great spirit,” Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said after the win. “I think our staff, coaching staff, medical team — everyone’s dealing with a lot right now, trying to navigate the injuries and guys being in and out.”

Williams Jr. led the Grizzlies with a career-high 25 points off of 8 for 10 shooting, while converting on 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. He added five rebounds and four assists. 

The 23-year-old continues to be a bright spot for the Grizzlies in his breakout second season. He has definitely solidified his presence as an important part of the team going forward due to his defensive prowess and offensive contributions. 

After the game he earned the walk-off interview: 

In the last six games, Williams Jr. has averaged 18 points while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from the three-point line, along with 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Rookie GG Jackson II chipped in 17 points and four rebounds off the bench and newcomer Scotty Pippen Jr. added a career-high 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. had an off shooting night with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists while John Konchar secured a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies return home to host the Orlando Magic on Friday, January 26, at FedExForum at 7 p.m. CT. 

Categories
Politics Politics Beat Blog

Council Resolution Forced Young’s Hand

C.J. Davis (Photo: memphispolice.org)

The backstory of Mayor Paul Young’s last-minute appointment of Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis to remain as interim police chief: He acted preemptively to stave off a council resolution that would have mandated a similar outcome.

The council resolution, prepared by member Jeff Warren, called for a five-month pause during which the council would measure Davis’ performance in office according to a scale of “metrics,” the nature of which had yet to be devised.

Reportedly, eight council members had committed to the resolution, more than enough for passage.

Confronted with the fact of the resolution’s imminent introduction on Tuesday, Mayor Young made the impromptu decision, with minutes to spare, to make the interim appointment of Davis.

It is understood that the council still has authority to assert its will on Davis’ tenure and, in reaching an ultimate judgment, will avail itself of the aforementioned package of still-to-be-arrived-at metrics. The council will vote again on Davis’ status in June, as called for in the resolution.

The resolution read as follows:

WHEREAS, in the wake of a new Administration, the Memphis City Council received presentations from Mayor Young’s prospective appointees to head each division of the City of Memphis; and

WHEREAS, in anticipation of the vote to reappoint Police Services Chief Davis, the Council has received numerous messages from its constituents, expressing their concerns about the state of crime in Memphis, and the need for effective leadership to reduce it; and

WHEREAS, the Council recognizes that the City of Memphis’s public safety is of the utmost importance, and, as such, understands the importance of appointing or reappointing the individual who will be tasked with ensuring the safety of our communities; and

WHEREAS, during the January 9th Council meeting, both Council Members and Chief Davis shed light on some internal issues amongst Police Services, in addition to external issues that have contributed to an increase in crime in our city; and

WHEREAS, to address these issues, it is the intent of the Council to gather further data as to the effectiveness of Chief Davis, and to determine the needs of the Memphis Police Department that will best aid them in their goal to reduce crime before voting on Chief Davis reappointment.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Memphis City Council hereby postpones the vote on the reappointment of MPD Chief C.J. Davis until the second Council meeting in June of 2024. In the interim, the Chairman of the Memphis City Council shall appoint a Council Member to confer with the Administration and other stakeholders to compile a list of expectations and metrics for the next 5 months to assess Chief Davis’ ability to address internal MPD issues and to reduce crime: these expectations and metrics shall be shared with the Members of the Memphis City Council and the public in advance of the reappointment.

Sponsor:

Dr. Jeff Warren

Categories
Music Music Blog

Piper & the Hard Times Top International Blues Challenge

Al "Piper" Green as featured on the self-titled EP by Piper & the Hard Times

The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) famously lives up to its name, drawing scores of ace blues artists to Memphis every year from around the world. Indeed, it was only two years ago that the winners of the Best Band prize were The Wacky Jugs from France. But if that proved that the blues have no nationality, this year’s tournament brought it all back home, as Nashville’s Piper & the Hard Times won in that same category last week. The event forged ahead through inclement weather in venues throughout the city and culminated in the final event at the Orpheum on Saturday, January 20th.

As someone who’s often jokingly referred to as “The Other Al Green,” I can sympathize with the band’s leader, Al “Piper” Green, who wisely foregrounds his nickname when fronting his band. But don’t let mere monikers distract you from this talent, who grew up closer to Memphis than Nashville, in Bolivar, Tennessee. In his youth, he sang in a gospel choir even as he absorbed soul, pop and rock influences from the radio. Ultimately, his biggest influence came from his own family — his uncle. “Every 4th of July he’d come down to visit us from Chicago and he’d be riding in this grand blue Fleetwood Cadillac,” Green recalls on the band’s website. “He’d be decked out and have a bunch of folks with him playing the blues. I wasn’t old enough just then to really get the full impact of what I was seeing, but I knew this guy had style and flair and really represented the essence of the blues. I think that’s where I got a lot of my vocal approach from.”

Piper & the Hard Times receive their award at the International Blues Challenge (Credit: Roger Stephenson)

Green’s been playing around Nashville with the same core group since 2000, and now they’ve grown into a powerhouse ensemble fueled by rock-tinged guitar and horns. And while Nashville is not especially well-known as a blues town, the presence of Piper & the Hard Times is a significant milestone for the revitalized non-profit Nashville Blues and Roots Alliance, which hosted a competition of some twenty bands for the right to represent the city at the IBC.

Beginning last Tuesday, January 16th, the IBC was much more than just a competition, hosting master classes on various blues instruments, workshops for young blues artists, a health fair, and a screening of Augusta Palmer’s film, The Blues Society, among other events. And of course, there were other winners than just the “Best Band” champions.

Here is the full list of winners and runners-up:

BAND DIVISION
Winner: Piper and The Hard Times
2nd Place Band: The Stephen Hull Experience
3rd Place Band: Mandalyn & The Hunters

SOLO/DUO DIVISION
Winner: Joe Waters
2nd Place: Drum & Dye

BEST GUITAR AWARD
Winner: Stephen Hull

MEMPHIS CIGAR BOX GUITAR AWARD (BEST SOLO/DUO GUITARIST)
Winner: Bill Dye

LEE OSKAR HARMONICA AWARD (BEST HARMONICA PLAYER)
Winner: John Paul

BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD
Winner: Sister Lucille – Tell the World

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Proposed Legislation Makes Taking A Minor Out Of State For Abortion Care A Felony

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Taking a minor out of the state of Tennessee for abortion care could soon be classified as a Class C felony.

This week, Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville), introduced HB 1895, which would prohibit taking minors to another state for a medical abortion. The bill proposes that this act be defined as “abortion trafficking.” 

The legislation also allows for another person to sue the person found guilty of “abortion trafficking” for the death of the unborn child.

“Abortion – As introduced, creates the criminal offense of abortion trafficking of a minor,” reads the summary of the bill. “Provides for a civil action against a person committing the offense of abortion trafficking of a minor for the wrongful death of an unborn child that was aborted.”

If passed, those found guilty could face three to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

In August 2022, providing abortions became a felony in Tennessee, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act, which was initially passed in 2019, does not allow abortions in cases of rape, incest, or any fetal abnormality that could prove fatal to the baby. Clinics such as Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi were forced to stop abortion services completely.

As abortion providers in the state stopped services, many women began to consider traveling out of state for abortions. Choices-Center for Reproductive Health, opened a clinic in Carbondale, Illinois. According to the clinic, they have provided close to 3,800 abortions since the Dobbs decision.

In November of last year Planned Parenthood of North Mississippi in Tennessee announced that through October of 2023, they had “navigated 632 patients out of state for abortion services and have spent $97,429 on their travel expenses.”

The bill has already drawn heavy criticism by multiple abortion advocates, as well as on social media.

Ashley Coffield, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi said that this legislation is “especially dangerous for vulnerable minors living in abusive situations.”

“Most minors involve a parent in their decision to get an abortion. But for young people living in abusive households, disclosing sexual activity or pregnancy can trigger physical or emotional abuse, including direct physical or sexual violence, or being thrown out of the home,” said Coffield. “This bill makes criminals out of trusted adults, including other family members, who can help in these circumstances.”

An X [formerly Twitter] user by the name @lgbtwerewolves took to the platform to call the bill “unthinkably evil” and “disgusting.”

“I am imagining the trauma and physical pain a kid has to go through to get to a point of needing abortion care and threatening family members helping them seek care with class c felonies is just adding emotional torture,” the user wrote.