Threats Force Louisville Bar to Cancel Benefit Concert and Temporarily Close

Whirling Tiger Bar in Louisville Forced to Cancel Benefit Concert Due to Social Media Threats

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A Butchertown bar was forced to cancel a benefit concert for Feed Louisville, a local non-profit, after receiving threatening messages on social media. The Whirling Tiger made the difficult decision to close its doors temporarily in response to the explicit and slur-filled threats just hours before the event was scheduled to take place.

The threats, which included racially charged and homophobic language, were directed at members of bands set to perform at the benefit concert aimed at raising money to feed Louisville’s unhoused population. The disturbing messages, posted on Instagram, included videos and direct threats of violence.

Mark Evans, co-owner of Whirling Tiger, expressed shock at the severity of the threats, stating, “I’ve been organizing concerts in Kentucky since 2013, and I don’t recall ever having seen anything close to this.” The bar decided to prioritize the safety of its customers and staff, leading to the cancellation of the event and a temporary closure over the weekend.

Despite the financial implications of the closure, Evans emphasized that safety was paramount. He stated, “At the end of the day it’s secondary to safety. Money is temporary. It comes and goes. Lives are sort of a one-time deal. So no gambling on that.”

The Louisville Metro Police Department confirmed that a report had been filed for terroristic threatening in connection to the event. As of Sunday, LMPD had responded to multiple calls regarding the threats, but no suspect information has been identified yet.

Both Whirling Tiger and Feed Louisville are urging authorities to take the threats seriously and hold the responsible individual accountable. The bar has since reopened, hoping that the threats were an isolated incident. The benefit concert for Feed Louisville has not been rescheduled at this time.

The Whirling Tiger’s decision to prioritize safety over financial considerations has been commended by the community. The psychological and financial impact of the threats on both the bar and the non-profit organization is significant and should not be taken lightly.

As the investigation continues, the community stands in solidarity against threats of violence and remains vigilant in supporting local businesses and organizations dedicated to serving the community.