A booking manager of Cambridge arts and music venue Out of the Blue Too Gallery was removed from his post Tuesday night after allegations of sexual assault surfaced.
In a post on her personal website on Tuesday, illness musician Morgan Lindenschmidt accused Out of the Blue Too manager TJ Edson of sexual assault at the venue’s June 27 singer/songwriter showcase. Her account is published in full below (WARNING: this details sexual assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors):
I had a pretty disturbing and horrible time last night. I played at Out of the Blue, Too in Cambridge and after the show was sexually attacked by the manager, TJ Edson. He came in for a hug and wouldn’t let go, even after I told him to stop touching me. He pressed me up against the wall and started feeling me up and kissing me, while saying disgusting things in my ear. I literally shoved him off of me with all my might and ran to the bathroom where I had a severe panic attack. I can’t put into words how scared I was to leave the bathroom. I was all alone. I finally built up the courage to leave and quickly grabbed my guitars. TJ Edson started to follow me out but (thank god) stopped after I told him very strongly to get away from me.
I need your help. I don’t have social media. All I have is my website and my mailing list. I’m asking you to please share my story and tell other people that Out of the Blue is not a safe space. This isn’t about me getting justice or revenge; I’m terrified that this could happen again to another young, vulnerable artist. And, make no mistake – this was not a sexual act. This was a display of masculine violence as a form of silencing feminine power. Please help prevent this from happening again and spread the word on your Facebook or even tell your friends. Just please, please talk about this. I don’t want this to be forgotten.
The post was met with swift reaction via social media, along with numerous artists canceling upcoming shows at the venue.
Out of the Blue removed Edson, owner Tom Tipton said in a Facebook post, below:
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Sexual Assault Resources:
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center | Hotline: 1.800.841.8371
NotAlone.gov
do you care about bands that are abusive and protect predators ?
I think the article meant to say June 27th not July 27th
What are the other unearthed allegations?
Don’t want to get involved much but he was shit canned. I think people should still try to support an art space such as this. They are few and far between here in Boston.
I don’t think not booking there anymore is the right thing to do seeing as it was one asshole who worked there’s issue. They have gotten rid of him which is a good first step. I wouldn’t stop visiting your site if one person did something like this and you handled it in the proper, thoughtful manner. But I am just a white guy so I don’t have any personal experience dealing with an attack like this.
There’s another allegation in the comments section of this post:
http://www.vanyaland.com/2016/06/29/manager-cambridge-arts-venue-blue-accused-sexual-assault/
Kathleen Canola im so sad
i have yet to hear TJs version of this event……
I see the booking boycott if he were still manager & receiving funds…. but given that he was fired…. I mean, is the new manager also an asshole who abuses people? If not, we should be supporting the rareified artspaces we have…. And rightfully firing sexual abusers from posts, too.
He broke my leg, hand, and I had 2 teeth removed over a girl he brought their…
id like to know why that chick didnt get the police involved..why she just chose to use other peoples means of social media to spread her gripe..something aint right
I’ve been away from FB for a few days so have the benefit of hindsight, but I’m confused by the timeline of events as they relate to comments, and this is too important an issue to be confused.
As I understand it, the booker was fired the same day the artist posted her allegations on her website on June 27. Did anyone find that news of his dismissal was delayed by social media at all? I think it’s an important issue if bands still see the space as unsafe despite swift action.