In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛈ Columbia Weather - Thunderstorm with a high of 82

📰 Governor Signs Age-Verification Bill for Adult Content Sites

🤪 TN Congressman’s Son Steals the Show with Silly Faces During House Speech

🎸 Four Days of Free Music at the CMA Fest Riverfront Stage

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, June 5th

• Vet2Vet Wednesday Meet Up at Asgard - 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Friday, June 7th

• The Homestead Festival at Hardison Mill

• Columbia First Fridays - 5:00 - 8:00 PM

• All Breed, Open Horse Show - 6:00 PM

• Muletown Songwriters Night at The Factory - 6:00 - 9:00 PM

• Catch Deez Jokes at The Blue Fox Lounge - 7:30 PM

Saturday, June 8th

• Community Yard Sale at Duck River Estates & Countryside Village (1500 Whistling Duck Rd. & 200 Early Rd.) - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Columbia Farmer’s Market - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Hardison Mills Farmer’s Market - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• The Homestead Festival at Hardison Mill

• The Farm Market Day (Summertown) - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Second Saturday at The Factory - 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

• Hidden Gem Farmer’s Market (Spring Hill) - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• A Day in the Park for our Fur Friends (Maury County Park) - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Sun Drop Festival (Pulaski) - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

• Muletown 1RC Race at Dr. Christa S. Martin Community Center (871 Ironbridge Rd.) - 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Annual Luau Pig Roast at The Rebel Bar & Grill - 3:00 PM

• Pickin’ in the Park (Spring Hill) - 5:00 PM

Sunday, June 9th

• Artists Meet-up at Columbia State Community College - 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Governor Signs Age-Verification Bill for Adult Content Sites

Tennessee has implemented a new law requiring age verification for viewers of adult content on websites. Governor Bill Lee signed the Protect Tennessee Minors Act after it received overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature, with no opposing votes.

The law mandates that websites with at least one-third of content deemed "harmful to minors" must verify users' ages every 60 minutes by having them upload a state ID or use other methods. These sites must also retain anonymized user data for seven years. This legislation places Tennessee among 19 other states with similar laws, though Tennessee uniquely includes felony penalties. In two states, similar laws are currently entangled in state and federal court challenges.

Critics, such as Mike Stabile of the Free Speech Coalition, argue that these measures are ineffective, claiming that online traffic has merely shifted to illegal and pirate sites overseas, rather than protecting minors as intended.

David Hudson, a professor at Belmont University's College of Law and a First Amendment expert, believes that an age-verification law targeting content harmful to minors might withstand legal scrutiny. However, he notes that the concept of obscenity is subjective and controversial, as it pertains only to sexually explicit content without serious value, which varies greatly depending on individual perspectives.

Despite the controversy, the new law will go into effect on January 1, reflecting strong support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

TN Congressman’s Son Steals the Show with Silly Faces During House Speech

A U.S. congressman from Tennessee recently went viral, but not for his policy work.

Rep. John Rose, a Republican representing parts of north and Middle Tennessee, including Cookeville, was delivering a five-minute floor speech in the House when his son Guy, seated behind him, stole the show by smiling at the camera.

Guy's smiles soon turned into a series of silly faces before someone off-camera pulled him partially out of view. He then sat quietly for the rest of his father's speech.

"This is what I get for telling my son Guy to smile at the camera for his little brother," Rose joked afterward.

Four Days of Free Music at the CMA Fest Riverfront Stage

One of the top spots to enjoy free music during CMA Fest is the Chevy Riverfront Stage on First Avenue. This year's lineup includes performances by Lauren Alaina, Breland, Larry Fleet, and more.

The Chevy Riverfront Stage also offers a Riverside Retreat Pass. This pass provides early admission, a shaded viewing area, access to an exclusive bar, and additional perks. You can purchase the Riverside Retreat Pass here.

For the complete schedule of performances and specific times at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, click here.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music 🎵

Wednesday 6/5
Grace West, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday 6/6
Troy Castelland, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
Stevierock Acoustic Duo, McCreay's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday 6/7
Street Performances, Downtown Columbia First Fridays, 5-8 PM
Yonder Grove, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
615 Rewind, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Hobo Cane, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Saturday 6/8
Nick Bentley, Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Box of Rox, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Pickin' in the Park, Harvey Park, 5-7 PM
Jake Clayton, Rebel Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Brandt Archer & Damien Boggs, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
CJ & The Whiskey Sundown Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Hammbone, The Boondox, 8-11 PM
Dark Waters Project, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Sunday 6/9
Kamber & Christian, The Tilted Mule, 2 PM
Grayson, Rebel Bar & Grill, 4 PM
Jacob Frish, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8PM
Kenny Durham, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM