Bill Cosby performs publicly for first time in two years

Accused rapist Bill Cosby was back on the stage Monday in his first public performance in more than two years, as he regaled the crowd with stories, sang and played the drums at a jazz club in his native Philadelphia.

‘I used to be a comedian,’ Cosby, 80, said in a dialogue with a son of one of the musicians before a welcoming crowd at LaRose Jazz Club, in what what his first advertised outing since May 2015, when he had to prematurely end a comedy tour due to protesters repeatedly showing to his gigs.

Cosby, clad in a grey hooded sweatshirt that read, ‘Hello Friend,’ was accompanied by his rep Andrew Wyatt.

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Unexpected: Bill Cosby, 80, was back on the stage Monday in his first public performance in more than two years, as he regaled the crowd with stories, sang and played the drums at a jazz club in his native Philadelphia 

The surprise appearance was announced in a statement released by his camp earlier Monday, that read, ‘Bill Cosby will honor his fans with a historic performance with the Tony Williams Jazz Quartet and he will be performing a special comedy concert that will culminate the evening.’

The announcement was met with a predominantly negative reaction from social media users in the form of memes and one-liners referencing the accusations made against him by around 60 women, who say The Cosby Show star drugged and then sexually assaulted them in incidents dating back decades. Cosby has denied all of the accusations.

He was arrested in December 2015 in connection with his alleged 2004 drugging and assault of Andrea Constand, a Temple University worker, at his house in the Philly suburb of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

Following a hung jury in the case in 2017, he’s due to be retried April 2, with jury selection commencing March 29.

The beat goes on: The veteran comic took to the drums in the outing

The beat goes on: The veteran comic took to the drums in the outing

Peachy? Cosby seemed to be in a jovial mood despite an upcoming retrial in his 2004 sex assault case 

Peachy? Cosby seemed to be in a jovial mood despite an upcoming retrial in his 2004 sex assault case 

Back to basics: Cosby told stories, sang and played drums amid the outing 

Back to basics: Cosby told stories, sang and played drums amid the outing 

Out and about: Cosby, who's been accused by about 60 women of drugging and raping them, shook hands with bystanders outside the venue

Out and about: Cosby, who’s been accused by about 60 women of drugging and raping them, shook hands with bystanders outside the venue

He’s kept a relatively low profile, though he did appear before reporters when he stepped out for dinner earlier this month at the Philadelphia eatery La Veranda. 

There, he shook the hand of a female reporter and joked with her, ‘Please, don’t put me on MeToo,’ in reference to the ongoing movement of women speaking out against their past experiences of sexual harassment and abuse.

The timing of the local outing came as morale in the City of Brotherly Love was high following the Philadelphia Eagles win in the NFC Championship game Sunday, earning them a spot in the Super Bowl. He was seen out in the city earlier Monday sporting an Eagles hat and warm-up jacket. 

Holding court: The entertainer was the center of attention at the venue 

Holding court: The entertainer was the center of attention at the venue 

Keeping mum: Cosby did not make any references to his ongoing legal issues in the gig

Keeping mum: Cosby did not make any references to his ongoing legal issues in the gig

Feedback: A number of social media users referenced the accusations against the once-beloved comedian after he announced his show on Twitter, some shocked he would show his face amid the ongoing social awareness movement against sexual harassment and assault 

Feedback: A number of social media users referenced the accusations against the once-beloved comedian after he announced his show on Twitter, some shocked he would show his face amid the ongoing social awareness movement against sexual harassment and assault 

Home cooking: Cosby was decked out in Philadelphia Eagles gear as he made his way through the city earlier in the day

Home cooking: Cosby was decked out in Philadelphia Eagles gear as he made his way through the city earlier in the day



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