This past June Qnotes reported on an incident that occurred at The Bar at 316 that involved verbal harassment of a local drag performer, Shelby Savage, by the club’s owner, Jeff Edwards.
The firestorm of reaction led to more than 250 signatures of condemnation from well-known performers, high-profile individuals and businesses in the LGBTQ community. Peaceful protests took place outside of the establishment on a regular basis, while many in the community told Edwards it was time to get out of the business and encouraged potential customers to stay away.
As the brunt of Edwards outburst, Savage, a well-liked, beard-wearing drag performer, described the events that occurred that evening.
“The DJ wasn’t really paying attention,” Savage recalls. “At first he played a completely wrong song by another artist, something other than what I had given him. I pointed that out and said it was the second song on the drive by Lizzo.
“He still didn’t get it right and I screamed, “if you’re not going to play the right f*ckin’ song, then I won’t f*ckin’ perform.
“I could have handled that better and I probably shouldn’t have said it like that. I felt bad because he came out and apologized for it and I realized it was an honest mistake.”
Just before Savage was to start the next performance, Edwards reportedly made a mad dash from the stairs towards the stage, screaming at the DJ and Savage.
Savage was set to begin the second show for the evening – following a successful first – when Edwards made a mad dash for the stage, demanding the DJ cut Savage’s track she had chosen to perform.
“Cut it, cut it,” Edwards was heard yelling. “Just shut it down.” After aggressively demanding the entertainment be halted he turned his attention to Savage, who recalled Edwards screaming, “Get this damn freak off my stage!”
“I was shocked,” says Savage. “I think everyone was. The whole room fell silent. It just wasn’t something I was expecting. The mood had been so positive and uplifting.” But it stay that way, according to Savage and other performers quoted in the previous earlier story.
“People started to leave,” Savage explains. “I think it made a lot of people uncomfortable.”
Now, nearly seven months later, Edwards has come forward with a post on Facebook, admitting his behavior was inappropriate and apologizing to all performers and patrons who were involved in or witnessed the incident that occurred that evening.
Here’s what he hate to say in the post from Facebook:
“I am the owner of The Bar at 316 in Charlotte, and It has taken a while for me to reflect on and respond to an incident [that] happened on Saturday, June 17th last year at The Bar at 316.
“That night, a drag performer who goes by Shelby Savage was contracted out by my show director at that time to perform at 316. During the show I had a sudden outburst and reacted in an unprofessional, inappropriate and unforgiving manner towards that entertainer, as they did not deserve it whatsoever, and for that I do apologize.
“Rumors and speculation have seen this as an attack of racism, but this is not the case. I had an issue with drag queens with beards at the time and now realize how small minded and silly that was. My outburst was uncalled for and unforgiving and I will have to live with that on my conscience. I have always loved the art of drag and the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to do so.
“As an owner of an LGBT establishment, I am expected to be [a] leader of the community. Since that night, I have been taught many valuable lessons and have been deeply humbled by this, I never realized how many people I have hurt and offended along the way. Once again I wish to apologize to those I have ever offended and treated poorly. I have made many mistakes and I will continue to work on myself going forward and show that actions really do speak louder than words.”
In an effort to speak with Edwards for any additional comments he might want to make regarding the incident in June or further thoughts about his Facebook post, Qnotes attempted to call him but neither calls were answered, nor did they provide an opportunity to leave a message.
