The Early Word: An Irish goodbye for ‘safety,’ and a call for ‘Justice for Tyre’
Opa! It’s Friday, May 9, and the Memphis Greek Festival kicks off today. Go get yourself some moussaka and baklava. Calvary Episcopal Church’s 1935 organ, which made headlines in 2023 when someone made off with the organ’s pipes, has been restored, and they’re celebrating with a concert tonight.
On Saturday, Tom Lee’s home in Klondike-Smokey City will get an official historic designation during a centennial celebration of his heroic rescue. Also, Shangri-La Records will celebrate the life of late cofounder Jared McStay with Jugfest 2, and Soul & Spirits will bring the smoke (smoked beer, that is) at its Manes on Main Festival.
Sunday is Mother’s Day, so here’s your reminder to get mom some flowers (or tequila, which is my mom’s preference). If she’s into football, there’s a Memphis Showboats game Sunday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. For more weekend ideas, we’ve got you covered right here.
The TJ Mulligan’s near Overton Square will close after this Saturday, a decision owner Lee Adams blamed on crime. Earlier this month, a security guard at the bar exchanged gunfire with suspects who were apparently trying to steal a car. That followed a previous shooting at the bar in February. Adams claims the area near the bar “has declined as far as safety and security,” but Memphis crime numbers show otherwise.
“It wasn’t just any jury. It was the most racist, redneck jury to preside over this matter for Tyre Nichols,” said Kareem Ali, legal investigator for attorney Ben Crump. Ali and others, including Nichols’ parents, spoke during a protest over Wednesday’s not-guilty verdict for three ex-Memphis police officers charged with killing Nichols. The jury that acquitted the ex-cops was an all-white jury from Hamilton County in East Tennessee. RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mom, called the verdict “devastating.”
Plus, the Greater Memphis Chamber claims xAI is “demobilizing turbines,” Tops Bar-B-Q is smoking again on Summer and we meet Jaylen Wells’ mom.
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