Delta Bohemian

Man kayaking on a lake with trees in the background.

It’s “Chilly Outside”: Reflections on Tha Moon relative to God’s Immanence, Imminence & Eminence in the Mississippi Delta: Commonality of Faith!

It's "Chilly Outside": Reflections on Tha Moon relative to God's Immanence, Imminence & Eminence in the Mississippi Delta: Commonality of Faith. God is Immanent, Imminent & Eminent in the Mississippi Delta: Immanent = InherentImminent = ImpendingEminent = Distinguished Yet, God is also transcendent here: Beyond us, outside us, above us. … [Read More...]

A man singing into a microphone with a drummer behind him.

Do You Know Charlie Musselwhite?

By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEO) Ladies and genulmens, what do you get on a Thursday night when ya cross at the Crossroads a recently relocated Deep Blues Festival with a serendipitous encounter on the back porch at the Shack Up Inn late night, all made possible by Magical Madge’s curiosity about everybody who comes to our area? … [Read More...]

Wooden dock leading to sunset over lake.

Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Seven

By WILLIAM PRENTISS I lie here only able to hear, and that unknown to others, thinking about empathy and compassion, wondering about the root of both. What compels us to feel the plight of others, to desire to alleviate their suffering? What is the source of empathy and compassion? … [Read More...]

White truck abandoned in overgrown field.

The Delta – It’s Complicated – by Donald Christian

By GUEST BOHEMIAN DONALD CHRISTIAN In a time long ago, I was a duck hunter in North Alabama dreaming of better days in the field. My former wife’s mother grew up in Bolivar County, Mississippi and after a few years of questions like “Are there any ducks over there?“ and “Did you ever hear Muddy Waters when you were younger?” with no real answers, I decided to embark on an adventure to the … [Read More...]

Three men standing outside Red's Blues Club.

Easy Like Pedi Cabbing on Sunday to Red’s Blues Club

By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEO and PHOTOS) Clarksdale and the Mississippi Delta are made all the richer due to folks from the world over who consistently return year after year to get their Delta fixes: blues, good eats, fair weather, cold beer, and most importantly, … [Read More...]

Man performing on stage with microphone.

Soggy Sweat Whiskey Speech

Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEO and PHOTOS) WEDNESDAY NIGHT. NEW ROXY THEATER. CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI. HEART OF THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA. FIRST NIGHT OF THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE RECENTLY RELOCATED TO CLARKSDALE “DEEP BLUES FESTIVAL!” The Mosquito was a spoken word event … [Read More...]

Silhouetted pier with sun reflecting on water.

Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Six

By WILLIAM PRENTISS Hours on end, thinking yet not seeing, hearing but not feeling, feeling but never expressing, this is my wakened state, unknown to none but me, and God of course, and maybe my sister. Sis read again from Tolstoy. She assumes I can hear but she doesn’t know for sure. Her extraordinary faith keeps her present, faithful and keenly connected with one who is limited in more … [Read More...]

The Mississippi Delta – by Donald Christian

When The Delta Bohemian® moves a soul to share, relate, communicate, touch and/or love us, from a spirit within themselves that innocently and purely wants, dare we say, needs, to connect, it encourages us to persevere. Here is one such dialogue which began by email, sharing past experiences and a soon-to-be of the Mississippi Delta. We will call it PART ONE. (Don't miss the outstanding … [Read More...]

Clarksdale Recycling – It nice!

Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEO) Recently Coahoma County and the City of Clarksdale began its first recycling program. The recycle bins are located on the westside of Walmart parking lot on State Street. Until the program becomes more established, we are asked to take our recyclables to the bins for now. See the details below on what is recyclable and what is not. Watch our good friend … [Read More...]

Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Five

By WILLIAM PRENTISS My mind is a merciless jailor, more so than my motionless frame. I haven’t moved a leg, limb or eyelash for two years; my thoughts hold more of me hostage than does my inert body. … [Read More...]

Four people pose for a black and white photo.

A couple of Bohemians get the Media Award!

By Guest Bohemians JOHN RUSKEY and DANIEL VASSEL Email from John to Madge, September 30, 2014 … [Read More...]

Time on the Mississippi River with Huck and Jim

By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEOS with PHOTOS) “Is it necessary to cut rope and are your only true and trustworthy companions castaways?” John Ruskey, guiding a seminar discussion about Huckleberry Finn Well? This known rope cutter believes this is a mighty fine question for above-and-beyond ruminations. … [Read More...]

An Encounter with Emily Renee – Nuance

By MAGICAL MADGE New Orleans, LA A recent trip to New Orleans found Billy and me wandering in an outdoor art market during the early evening hours. It was a magical place, a wonderland of light displaying artists and their unique creations. … [Read More...]

Poor William Loves Water – Hot or Cold

By POOR WILLIAM Clarksdale, Mississippi (VIDEO!!) Hey Man, I just can’t seem to get enough water. Must be the Delta boy in me, or maybe it’s just the inherent need to be baptized, often. I ain’ real sure! My Mama always said when I was taking extra-long showers that I was washin’ away my sins. Wish it were that easy! … [Read More...]

Sunset over a field with trees silhouetted.

Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Four: Pilgrims

By WILLIAM PRENTISS I had already begun contemplating death prior to my present state. When younger, healthy and virtually free of scars and the tissue that remains, death was something far into an unknown, never-to-be-reached future. Death was an occasional thought, sadly affecting others. At some point in my early forties, after life had begun its weathering rub, the possibility or rather … [Read More...]

GROUND ZERO CARE FEST 2014 GONNA ROCK

CLARKSDALE, Mississippi VIDEO and PHOTO SLIDESHOW Attend this year's popular annual event CARE FEST 2014 to benefit the Clarksdale Care Station. Head to Ground Zero Blues Club, Thursday, September 25 at 7pm. Suggested Donation is $10. Featured Musicians … [Read More...]

Yazoo Pass Emails Crack Me Up

By MAGICAL MADGE CLARKSDALE, Mississippi PHOTOS Emails are bombarding my inbox. Thankfully I have learned the iPhone trick that allows me to mark all new mail as "read" in one simple step. But there is one email I get regularly and I relish reading it. My childhood friend Jack Bobo, fellow Sumnerite and Tallahatchian, manages Yazoo Pass. One of his many tasks at the popular Downtown … [Read More...]

Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down

By POOR WILLIAM CLARKSDALE, Mississippi VIDEOS INCLUDED Spirit draggers, I can’t stand ‘em and yet I “are” one! My lovely wife Madge Marley Howell sang a powerful bluesy song during the offertory at church on Sunday. Padre Bill Gleason accompanied on guitar and Alice Hasen played violin. “Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down” by Eric Bibb speaks to the sanctified, the … [Read More...]

People gathered in a dimly lit room with desserts.

Association of Food Journalists lap up Clarksdale

By POOR WILLIAM CLARKSDALE, Mississippi - INCLUDES PHOTO SLIDESHOW Known for blues, good eats and Southern hospitality, Clarksdale provided a heaping helping of all three last Friday night at downtown Oxbow Restaurant. The Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) held its annual meeting in Memphis last week with an optional side trip to Clarksdale, heart of the Mississippi Delta. Attendees … [Read More...]

Westrock Coffee Co. pop-up shop in Helena, Arkansas.

Westrock Coffee in Helena for month long pop-up

By MAGICAL MADGE Helena, Arkansas (PHOTO SLIDESHOW) Clarksdale and Helena. Helena and Clarksdale. I like the sound of that. Our two cities are finding ways to connect and cooperate, helping our worlds, separated by the Mississippi River, come closer together. Both locals and tourists benefit from collaborations like this. Artists from Helena and Clarksdale will be jointly featured in … [Read More...]

Private park sign at sunset, no trespassing.

Mornings with Tolstoy – Day Three

By WILLIAM PRENTISS Clarksdale, Mississippi Rough day. I feel no physical pain, but I still deal with and feel mental anguish. This angst is usually a result of painful memories or frustration with being able to do nothing but “be.” … [Read More...]