Gambit Digital Edition: June 3, 2024

June 3 - 9

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ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT

Shakespearianbuttstuff

TheNewOrleansShakespeareFestival opensseasonwiththe‘CompleteWorks’

WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE’SWORKSHAD

BAWDYJOKESFORTHEPEOPLEinthe cheapseatsattheGlobeTheatre,as wellasmoreflowerylanguageand granddramasabouthistoricfigures. Butsomeofthosejokesmayhavetaken longertorevealthemselves,evenin someofhismostpopularworks,like “RomeoandJuliet.”

Intheclassictaleofsmittenteenagersfromfeudingfamilies,it’slove atfirstsight,andthetwostartwooing oneanother.

Afterasking“whereforeartthou Romeo?”Julietpromisestoshed herCapuletfamilynameforthem tobetogether Romeosoonresponds,“Callmebut love,andIshallbenewbaptiz’d.” Andthoughtheromantictension isbuilding,in“TheCompleteWorks ofWilliamShakespeare(abridged) [revised][again],”Juliethearssomethingdifferent.

“Callyoubutt-love?”sheasks

That’sthetoneof“CompeteWorks,” acomedybythreeShakespeare enthusiastswhocomprisetheReduced ShakespeareCompany.ThelocalproductionopenstheseasonatThenew OrleansShakespeareFestivalatTulane andrunsJune7-16,withapreview showJune6.

Thedouble-entendrehasalways beenintheplay,thoughittypically doesn’tderailthetragedy.

“There’salsoalinein‘Hamlet’that says,‘thoughwebebutfriends,’” saysGrahamBurk,whoisdirecting “CompeteWorks.”“Ifyouputthe wrongemphasisonit,itsoundslike butt-friends.It’sfuntorealize,‘Oh, theyheardthattoowhenwesaidit everynight.’”

“CompeteWorks”istheultimate condensedShakespeare.Init,three actorssetouttoperformallofthe Bard’sworksin90minutes,withsome classicscenesandsomeshortenedand compositepiecesbridgingseveralcomediesandtragedies.Butit’salsoawork ofphysicalcomedy:oneoftheactors hastoplayJuliet’sbalcony.Audiences don’tneedtoknowanythingabout Shakespeare’sworkstogetthejokes. DigsaboutShakespearerecyclinghis ownstorylinesworkforallaudiences, andtheirreverenceabouthisworkisa guiltypleasureforhisfans.

Thefirstfullversionofthecomedy premieredin1987,andauthorsAdam Long,DanielSingerandJessWinfield

byWillCoviello |

CreoleTomatoFestival

performeditfordecades.Overthe years,they’veupdateditseveraltimes, includingmostrecentlyin2022.The sceneabout“Othello”isnolongerperformedasarap,andinsteadstruggles withthedefinitionofaMoor

Thescripthasalwaysbeendesigned forcompaniestoworkinlocaland topicalreferences.AtTulane,“Hamlet” hasnodstotheswampsofPlaquemines ParishaswellasthechillsofDenmark

TheoriginalreworkedtheRoman bloodbaththatis“TitusAndronicus” intoacookingshow,anditalsogets somelocalnodsinTulane’sversion

Theoriginalperformerswereallmen, buthere,thecastincludesIanHoch, KeithClaverieandLaurenMalara. HochandClaveriehaveplentyof experienceinlocaltheater,particularly withthenOLAProject,andMalara isbestknownforimprovcomedy “CompleteWorks”alsofitsinsome ofShakespeare’ssonnets,andMalara addssomeofherown.

BurkistheinterimArtisticDirectorof newOrleansShakespeareFestival.He studiedatnOCCA,Fordhamuniversity, andtheRoyalConservatoireofScotland inGlasgow.HealsostudiedandperformedbrieflyatShakespeare’sGlobe inLondon

Hisfirstseasonhastwofullmain stageproductions,and“Complete Works”isthefirstnon-Shakespeare playinthatlineupsince2016.The companywillproduce“JuliusCaesar”in July.Thefestivalalwaysproducesone classicworkthatitreprisesinJanuary topresentinlocalschools.Itwillbe SalvatoreMannino’sfirsttimedirecting atnewOrleansShakespeare.

Thefestivalfeaturestwostagesoflive music,cookingdemonstrationsand moreintheFrenchMarket.Saturday’s lineupincludesTheCreoleString Beans,TheChampagniacs,Becky LynnBlanca&theSweetiePies,nPS ArrowheadJazzBand,BogueChitto andmore.There’salsoindoorentertainmentinDutchAlleyonSaturday fromTheexcellos,theAfricanDrum &DanceProgramwithMariannaCurry andmore.SundaybringsMiaBorders, LeTrainiump,GalHoliday&The HonkyTonkRevue,TheFullyDressed Poboys,SmokeyGreenwellBlues Band,CaptainSqueeze&TheZydeco Mashersandmore.Asecondlinekicks offthefestat10:30a.m.Saturday. Therealsoarefoodvendorswith Creoletomato-inspireddishes,Creole tomatoesforsaleandmore.Music beginsat11a.m.Saturday,June8,and Sunday,June9.Visitfrenchmarket. org/creoletomatofestfordetails

Twootherone-performance-only worksroundouttheseason.“(un) promptedShakespeare:Macbeth” revisitsaconventionfromShakespeare’s Globe.Withhisworks,therewere almostnorehearsals,Burksays.Actors learnedtheirlinesandthenhadlittle timetopreparebeforeopeningnight.

“Theywouldshowupandlearn thefightsandruntheplayonce,” Burksays.“Thenthey’dgetstarted intheevening.”

For“Macbeth,”Burkisproviding actorswithjusttheircuesandlines. They’llshowupthemorningofthe productionforonerehearsal,andthen it’sopeningnight.Thescriptwillbeprojectedlikesupertitlesabovetheactors fortheaudience.Andtokeeptheprior preparationminimal,Burkhasnottold theperformerswhoelseisinthework. TheshowisJune22.

ThefinalshowisaproductionofThe Foolsensemble.Alsointhecomedy vein,atroupeofsixactorsandamusicianwillimproviseaShakespeare-like playwiththehelpofaudiencesuggestions.TheshowisJuly17.

Burkalsoaddedanotherlocaladaptation.TheartistSimonhaspainted signsofsomeofShakespeare’smost famouslinesforthelobby.Theyinclude “Thoughshebebutlittle,shebefierce.” It’swrittenasShakespearespelledit. Forticketsandinformation, visitneworleansshakespeare.org

NewOrleansWine &FoodExperience

Thewineandculinaryeventfeatures winesfromacrosstheglobeintasting events,partiesandmore.Thereare winedinnersatlocalrestaurants, aGrandTastingattheernestn. MorialConventionCenter,themore luxeVinolatastingoffinerwines, pizza-makingandcocktailclasses,a celebrationofrose,abrunchandmore. There’saGarden&GunClubSunday SupperatGiannafeaturingchefAnn Kim(seepage19),aswellasevents focusingonSpanishgrapes,French wines,petnats,ornaturalsparkling wines,andmore.eventsRunJune5-9 atvenuesacrossthecity.Visitnowfe. comforticketsandinformation.

‘ImportanceofBeingEarnest’

BritishgentsAlgernonMoncrieff andJackWorthingassumedifferentidentitiestohavetheirfunwhile

PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

OPENING GAMBIT

Supportyourlocallibraryandreadbannedbooks

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN THE COUNT #

TheEllaProject,thenew Orleans-basedorganization offeringprobonolegalservices toartistsandmusicians,has expandeditspatentservicesto MississippiandAlabama.The expansionisincoordinationwith theu.S.PatentandTrademark Office,whichmatcheslow-and moderate-incomeinventorswith patentattorneystohelpprepare applicationsforpatentregistrationsandprotections.

MayorLaToyaCantrellappearingwith local,stateandfederalofficialsata2023 hurricaneseasonpreparationpressevent.

TheSt.AugustineHighSchool Marching100isinFrancethis weekforcommemorations markingthe80thanniversaryof theWorldWarIIAllies’D-Day invasionofnazi-occupiedFrance. TheMarching100willparticipate inceremoniesattheAmerican cemeteriesinnormandyand Brittany,marchinaparadeinthe townofSainteMereegliseand performinParis.

NewOrleansplanstouseConvention Center,otherfacilitiesas‘resource

centers’forhurricanes

TheLouisianaLegislaturehas passedabilltransferringLSuand Southernuniversity’sexclusive licensestogrowmedicalmarijuanatotwoprivatecompanies, benefitingalongtimeGOPdonor andthehusbandofastatelawmaker.SenateBill228transfers thelicensestoGoodDayFarmand IleraHolisticHealthcare,which partneredwiththeuniversities’ agriculturecenterstomarket medicinalcannabis.GOPfinancierBoysieBollingerisGoodDay Farm’sprimaryshareholder,and thecompany’spresidentisJohn Davis,husbandofstateRep.Paula Davis,R-BatonRouge.

WITHFORECASTERSCALLINGFORTHE MOSTACTIVEHURRICANESEASONin modernhistory,newOrleansofficialsonTuesdaysaidthey’recreating “resourcecenters”residentscanuse incaseofpoweroutages,standingup anewwarehouseforemergencysuppliesandmakingotherpreparations foranerawhencitywideevacuations arelesslikely.

Officialssaythattherapidintensificationofstormsinrecentyears —whichhasnarrowedthewindow forresidentstoevacuatesafely—has promptedthemtoplanaheadfor keepingvulnerableresidentswho remaininthecitysafebothduring andaftermajorstorms.

Someofthespecificsofthose plans—includingthepossibilityofa refugeinthecitythatcouldhouse peopleduringastorm—arestillbeing finalizedasthestartofhurricane seasonapproaches,accordingtothe city’semergencyofficials

AndwhileMayorLaToyaCantrell, lawenforcementleadersandothers emphasizedthatofficialpreparations

were“allhandsondeck”duringa newsconferenceatCityHall,they saidresidentsshouldbeprepared withanevacuationplanandsupplies forshelteringontheirown.

“Itismoreimportantthanever,I wouldsay,forourresidentsaswellas ourvisitors—hey,haveahurricane plan,notonlyforyoubutalsofor yourfamily,”saidCantrell.

Hurricanesdidn’tseriously threatennewOrleansin2022and 2023,givingcityresidentsarespite afterHurricaneIdain2021laidbare thedifficultiesofplanningforstorms whentheymovefasterandintensify morequickly.

Butlastweek,nOAAissuedits mostextremeMayhurricaneseason forecastever,predicting17-25 namedstormsand4-7hurricanesof Category3strengthorhigherdueto thereturnofLaniñaconditionsand recordwatertemperaturesinthe AtlanticOceanandGulfofMexico. Takingheedofhardlessonslearned inIda,officialsfromentergynew

14

THENUMBEROFBILLS GOV.JEFFLANDRYHAS SIGNEDINTOEFFECT ASOFMAY30.

Amongthemarebillslimitingwomen’saccess tolife-savingmedications,providingpolice theauthoritytoarrestpeopledocumenting theiractivitiesinpublicareas,greenlightinga specialtylicenseplatefortheMysticKreweof FemmeFataleandbanningthesaleofnitrous oxideforrecreation.Thegovernorvetoed twobillsbyBlackDemocratsthatwouldhave helpedaddressfoodinsecurity.

C’EST WHAT ?

Whatbookmostresembles lifeinLouisianain2024?

22.9%

PHOTOBYCATIE SHEA /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

OrleanssaidTuesdaytheyhadadded adult-livingfacilitiestotheirlistof facilitiesthatwillbeprioritizedfor powerrestoration.TheSewerage& WaterBoardsaidtheyhopedtohave acriticalpowersourcerestoredby theendofJune

AndtheCantrelladministration assuredresidentsthattheyhave createdastockpileofsuppliesandare readyingplanstosupportresidents inthecriticaldaysafterlandfalleven astheyencouragedpeopletohavea plantogetoutbeforeastormhits

“Wearebetterpreparedfora hurricanethanweeverhavebeen, andweneedtobebecausethis seasonappearstobebusy,”said CollinArnold,thecity’sdirectorof homelandsecurityandemergency preparedness.“Andwewanttomake surethatpeoplearen’tcomplacent, becausewe’renot.”

PLANSFOREMERGENCY RESOURCECENTERS

ArnoldsaidTuesdaythatthecity ismakingpreparationstohaveup to16“emergencyresourcecenters” setupwithelectricitywherepeople canaccessassistanceafter stormspass.

Oneofthosecenterswillbethe ernestn.MorialConventionCenter, Arnoldsaid.ninenewOrleans RecreationDepartmentfacilities willalsoserveascenters,andsome librarybrancheswillbeonthelisttoo. Thecityhasn’tyetreleasedamap onthelocationsofthecenters,but Arnoldsaidresidentswillbeableto findinformationaboutthemthrough nOLAReady.

CityofficialsstoodupeightemergencycentersinthedaysafterIda, givingpeopleaplacetochargetheir phonesandescapetheheatasmany wereleftwithoutpowerfordays. Butwithnoplanforestablishingthe centersinplaceaheadoftime,ittook morethanadaytogetthemopen, Arnoldsaid.

Thishurricaneseason,Arnold hopesthatthecenters—which havealreadybeensetupwiththe necessaryequipmenttobeswitched ontogeneratorpower—willbeup andrunningwithin18hoursaftera stormhits.

Hesaidthathowmany,andwhich, ofthe16locationsareopenedwill dependonthescopeandintensityof agivenstorm’simpacts.

Therehavebeenothereffortsto adapttotheserapidlyintensifying stormsinrecentyears.Anambitious “CommunityLighthouse”project launchedin2022,aimstoequip

communitycentersthroughout Louisianawithsolarpowerforuse duringstormsandbeyond.

BroadmoorandCentralCity residentscelebratedtheunveiling oftwooftheresiliencyhubsintheir neighborhoodslastyear.Together newOrleans,acoalitionof54faithandcommunity-basedorganizations,isplanningtoeventuallyopen 86suchsafehavens—onewithina 15-minutewalkofeveryaddressin newOrleans.

Arnoldsaidthatthecity’sshift towardsmoreintensiveplanningfor theemergencycenterswasnecessitatedbythespeedandintensityof stormstheregionhasfacedinrecent years—aproductofnaturalweather cyclesaswellashuman-caused climatechange.

Theseheightenedstormsare givingresidentslesstimetoevacuate.earlierthismonth,Jefferson ParishPresidentCynthiaLeeSheng saidthatcontraflow,theprocessof reversingthedirectionofhighways tomovepeopleoutofthemetro area,islikely“offthetable”for futurestorms

STORMREFUGE

Arnoldsaidthatwhileresidents shouldevacuateaheadofbad stormsifatallpossible,officialsare alsodevelopingplansforestablishingsometypeof“refuge”for vulnerablepeoplewhoareunableto leavethecity.

Inaninterviewlastweek,Arnold saidthatsucharefugewouldbeused temporarily,withofficialsmoving residentstosheltersfarthernorthas quicklyaspossible.

Arnoldsaidthelocationandsize ofthefacilitywoulddependonthe storm,addingthatofficialswould havea“goodworkingoutline”fora planlaterthissummer

“There’salotofmemoryfrom Katrinaofcertainfacilitiesinthe cityandwhathappened.Andthat’s becausetheydidn’thaveaplan,” saidArnold.“Ifwehaveaplanand weadequatelyresourceandsecure whateverfacility,itwillbeasuccess andliveswillbesaved.”

ONGOINGCITY PREPARATIONS

CityandentergynewOrleans officialshavealsoworkedtodevise alistofpublicfacilitiesandcrucial infrastructurethatwillbeprioritized forpowerrestoration.

Thatlistincludes68independent livingfacilities,followingextended outagesafterIdathatledtothedeaths ofatleastsevenelderlyresidents.

Anotheradditiontothecity’spreparednessstrategyisanew“unified publicsafetywarehouse”whichwill provide65,000squarefeetofstorage foremergencysupplies,Arnoldsaid.

Meanwhile,officialswiththe Sewerage&WaterBoardarehopeful thatthecity’sdrainagesystemwillbe inbettershapebythetimethecity facesanymajorstorms.

TheS&WBhasbeenoperatingwith limitedpowertooperateitspumping systemsinceacriticalturbinefailed duringaDec.2storm.Thedecadesoldturbine,knownasTurbine4, remainsoutofservice,contributing

tostreetfloodinginrecentmonths Stephennelson,General SuperintendentoftheS&WB,said Tuesdaythatheexpectsthatreplacementpartswillbedeliveredaround June14andthattheturbinewillbe fixedbytheendofJune.

HOWYOUCANPREPARE

Officialshadaconsistentmessage forresidentsonTuesday:donotwait untilcontraflowisestablishedto evacuate—leaveassoonasyoucan “It’sthelastresortoflast resorts,”saidArnoldaboutcontraflow.—SophiaKasakove/ TheTimes-Picayune

Jawlessskullandguns wereitemsfishedfrom BayouSt.John

AHANDGUN,AGUNBARRELANDA “FULLYDECOMPOSEDHUMANSKULL” comprisedthehaulthatamagnet fisherpulledfromBayouSt.Johnon May18,accordingtothenewOrleans PoliceDepartment.

newdetailsontheghastlydiscoveryemergedinareportofthe unclassifieddeathnOPDinvestigated thatSaturdayafternoonnearthe intersectionofMirabeauAvenueand WisnerBoulevard.

BayouBougaloocrowdsreveled andsplashedinthewaterwayatthe musicfestivalacouplemilessouthas thefishermandangledamagnetthe sizeofahockeypuckfromaredrope offtheBayouSt.Johnbridge Hepulledagunbarrelfromthe bridge’ssouthsidenearitscenter, policesaid.Healsoretrievedahandgunonthebridge’snortheastside, nearthewater’sedge

Thencamea15-pounddumbbell, tiedtoashirtorcloth,whichwas

NOPDsearchingBayouSt. Johnafteraskullwasfound. PHOTOBYJOHNMCCUSKER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

padlockedaroundahumanskull, policesaid.Thatskullwas“fully decomposed,lackingajaworthe toprowofteeth,”newOrleans policesaid

Themanflaggeddownpassing ThirdDistrictofficerJoshuaSteiner ataround12:47p.m.thatday.new Orleanspolicedidnothaveupdates asofTuesdayandsaidtheywere unawareofcoldcasesinvolvinga decapitatedbody.Thecoronerhad notconfirmedthevictim’sidentity asofWednesdaymorning,and spokespersonJasonMelanconsaid theprocesscouldtakemonths.

ThenOPD’sSpecialOperations Divisiondiveteamandtwocadaver dogssearchedtheshorelineandthe areaunderthebridgethatspansthe bayouatMirabeauAvenueonMay21 ThenOPDdidnotimmediately respondtoquestionsregarding investigationsofanydecapitated crimevictims —MissyWilkinson/ TheTimes-Picayune

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COMMENTARY

Prideeventsas importantaseveramid lawmakers’attacks

THISYEAR’SPRIDE CELEBRATIONSCOMEAT ADARKANDUNCERTAIN TIMEforLouisianagenerallyandespeciallyforthe LGBTQcommunity LedbyGov.Jeff Landryandacadreof hatefulmembersof thestatelegislature, Louisianalawmakersthis yearpassedseveralbills targetingthequeercommunity.Mosttroublingly, thesemeasuresseem designedtopurposefully attackchildrenand youngadults.

Taketheso-called “BathroomBill”that lawmakerspassedlast month.Thereisno evidenceshowingtrans peopleusingabathroomaligningwiththeir genderputsanyoneatrisk.Onthe otherhand,thereisclearevidencethat forcingtranspeople,particularlytrans women,tousetheoppositegender’s bathroomputsthematincreasedrisk ofassaultandrape.Thisisespecially trueinthespacesspecificallytargeted underthebill:prisons,sheltersforthe unhoused,andschoolsettingswhere bullyingqueerkidsisalreadyamajor safetyconcern.

Sadly,lawmakersweren’tdone there.Republicansswiftlyandoverwhelminglymovedthisstate’sversion ofa“Don’tSayGay”bill,limitingwhat topicsstudentsandteacherscantalk aboutinclassroomsaroundthestate. Inadditiontobeinganaffronttofree speech,itisclearlyintendedtolimit therightsofqueerpeople.During considerationofthebill,Sen.Beth Mizell,R-Franklinton,oneofthebill’s chiefsupporters,acknowledgedthe measuredoesnotapplytocisgendered teachersdiscussingtheirrelationships OnMay28,theSenateapproveda Housebillforcingschoolstousetrans kids’deadnamesandpronouns.This pointlessandcruelmandateserves nootherpurposeotherthantotarget transchildren.

FromtherelativeprogressiveconfinesofOrleansParish,itcanbeeasyto seethethreatstotherightsandwellbeingofqueerpeopleasremote,particularlyforthosewhoaren’tmembers

oftheLGBTQcommunity.Butone needonlylookasfarasthe600block ofIbervilleStreettoberemindedof howimminentthosethreatsare That’swhereamaninAprilripped outofthesidewalkaplaquecommemoratingtheupStairsLoungefireand threwitinthetrash.The1973arson took32livesandwasthedeadliest attackontheLGBTQcommunity intheunitedStatesuntilthe2015 shootingatPulsenightclubinFlorida. eveninprogressivenewOrleans,it tooknearly50yearsforCityHallto publiclyacknowledgethetragedyand apologizeforitsmishandlingofthe subsequentinvestigationandforthe disrespectshowntothosewhodied. Onehater’sremovaloftheplaque maystrikesomeasaone-offora purelysymbolicsnipeattheLGBTQ community,butmemorialscarry enormousweightandconveyimportantmessages—particularlyatatime whenelectedleaderspubliclyderide transpeoplebecausetheyknowithas becomeacceptableinmanyquarters That,however,iswhatmakesnew Orleans’annualcelebrationofLGBTQ lifesoimportant.TheannualPride paradeandeventsacrossourcityduring Juneareapowerfulsymbolofqueer existence,joyandresistance.

2023PrideParade

PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

JeffLandry’s‘mandate’ claimishisBigLie

GOV.JEFFLANDRY

OFTENTRIESTOJUSTIFY hisauthoritarianpower grabsandextremist ploysbyclaiming Louisianavotersgave himamandatelast Oct.14.Thatfeeble attemptatmyth-makingisbeyondexaggeration;it’salie

Here’sthetruth: Landrygot547,827 votes—barely51.5% —intheopenprimary against14othercandidates.Turnoutin thatelectionwasa dismal36.3%.

That’sasqueaker, notamandate.And thegoodpeopleof Louisianadeservebetterthantobeblamed forLandry’sexcesses.

Let’sconcedethat winninganystatewide electioninLouisianaisaHerculean task.It’s alsotruethatLandry,whoraised obsequiousamountsofcampaign cash,barelybeatanembarrassingly weakfield.Claimingamandate aftergetting51.5%ofthevoteina low-turnoutelectionislikebragging aboutbeatingupanelderlynun Bycomparison,onthatsame Octoberballot,Lt.Gov.Billy nungessergot678,532votes,or 66%.That’s130,704morevotesthan Landryreceived—andamandate Landry’svotetotallastOctober alsopalesincomparisontothoseof othergovernorswhowonoutrightin openprimaries.

Gov.JeffLandry PHOTOBYJAVIERGALLEGOS/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Merriam-Websterdefines“mandate”as“anauthoritativecommand” or,secondarily,“anauthorizationtoact giventoarepresentative.”

Thedictionarygoesontocaution readersaboutpoliticians’misuseof theword,stating,“electionsareoften interpretedasmandatesfromthepublic forcertainkindsofaction.Butsincea politicianisnotjustasymbolofcertain policiesbutalsoanindividualwhomight happentohaveanawfullynicesmile,it canberiskytointerpretmostelections asmandatinganythingatall.” exactly.

BobbyJindalwonhisfirstterminthe 2007primarybycapturing699,672 votes,bestingLandry’stotalbymore than151,000

Thelateedwinedwardsnotched primarywinstwiceinhisfour successfulcampaignsforgovernor. Hegotmorethan1millionvotesin 1983againstincumbentGov.Dave Treenandsixothers,andmorethan 750,000votesin1975

Thoseresults,too,weremandates. TosaythatLandryisnoscholaris tocharitablyoverstatetheobvious I’veobservedbeforethatLandry’s dumbasseryknowsnobounds.

Solet’ssettherecordstraightabout whatamandateisandisn’t

FormerLSuprofessorandreliable publicirritantBobManncorrectly observedinJanuary,ontheeveof Landry’sinauguration,thattheincominggovernorreceived“thelowestwinningnumberforaLouisianagovernor since1968.”

“Thelastgovernorwhosevictory camewithfewervotesthanJeff LandrywasJohnMcKeithenin1964: 469,589whenfarfewervoterswere registered,”Mannwrote.

BottomLine:Landry’sclaimofa “mandate”isaclownishattemptatthe BigLie.

LestIstandaccusedofhyperbole, let’sagainconsultMerriam-Webster, whichdefinesBigLieas“adeliberate grossdistortionofthetruthusedespeciallyasapropagandatactic.”

Book TheAmazing Henrietta, whocan performfor anyage group andany genre—fromclassic standardstocurrent Top40.

Email: henrietta.alves@gmail.com formoreinformation.

SeeHenrietta performweeklyat HolyDiver,Tuesdaysat6:30

CLANCY

Love Katie’s!

BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN™

@GambitBlake|askblake@gambitweekly.com

HeyBlake, Onarecentvisitto

CityPark,wenoticed theplayground betweenthePeristyle andCaféduMonde iscalledtheStanley RayPlayground. Whowashe?

Dearreader,

STANLEYW.RAYJR.WASANEW ORLEANSNATIVEandbusinessandcivicleaderwhose resume’includedworkingasa sportswriter,managingradio stationsandestablishingatrustto providemoneyforchildren’scauses.

generalmanageroftheradiostation chainwhichincludedWBOKandfive otherstations

AccordingtohisTimes-Picayune obituary,RaygraduatedfromJesuit HighSchoolandTulaneuniversity. WhileatTulane,heletteredinbasketballandcoveredhighschoolsportsfor thePicayuneandnewOrleansStates newspapers.Hewasalsothefirst editorandpublisherofTulane’shumor magazine,theurchin.Raygraduated fromTulaneLawSchoolin1941before servingintheArmyAirCorpsduring WorldWarII

Afterthewar,Rayservedas co-founderoftwolocalradiostations: WBOKandWJMR(the‘r’stoodfor Ray).HehelpedestablishtheOKRadio Group,servingasvicepresidentand

BLAKEVIEW

Raywasinvolvedinmanyother localbusiness,bankingandrealestate ventures.Hediedin1970.

TheStanleyRayPhilanthropic andCivicTrustheestablishedhas contributedtocausesthroughoutthe city,includingbasketballscholarships atTulane.In2008,thetrustdonated $250,000tohelpbuildanendowment forsupportofachildren’splayground atCityPark.LocatednearthePeristyle onDreyfousAvenue,theplayground nowbearsRay’sname.

THISWEEKWEREMEMBERUGLESICH’S,theCentralCityrestaurantwhichopened 100yearsagothisyearanddevelopedafollowingwithfoodloversnationwide beforeitsclosurein2005

Accordingtoahistoryoftherestaurantintheuglesich’sRestaurantCookbookby Johnuglesich,therestaurantwasfoundedbySamMatéuglesich.In1920,heemigratedtotheunitedStatesfromCroatia,findingworkinnewOrleans’restaurants. Hesavedenoughmoneytoopenhisownseafoodandpo-boyrestaurantonSouth RampartStreetin1924.In1927,hemovedtherestauranttoitsfamiliarlocation betweenBaronneanderatoinCentralCity,inabuildingwhichdatedtothe1800s. Twocenturieslater,someregularswouldjokethatthebuildingdefinitelylookedits age,withitsshabbyexterioranddecorahugepartofitscharm.

Thebusinesswasafamilyaffair,withSam’sbrotherTonyhelpingtomanagethe restaurantandSam’ssonAnthony(andhiswifeGail)eventuallytakingoverfollowingSamuglesich’sdeathin1974.

AnthonyandGailuglesichexpandedtherestaurant’smenuandcreatedsome ofthedishesforwhichitbecamefamous—Shrimpuggie,TroutMuddyWaters, VolcanoShrimpandOysterBrieSoup.Fansofthosedishesandtheeatery’sfried seafoodandpo-boysincludedMarthaStewartandsomeofthecity’srenowned chefs,suchasemerilLagasse,SusanSpicerandFrankBrigtsen.

“GranderestablishmentslikeGalatoire’s,Commander’sPalaceandAntoine’s loomedlargerintheguidebooks,buttheexactingstandardsoflittleuglesich’s (pronouncedYOu-gull-sitch’s)—everythingbracinglyfreshfromlakeandgulfand bayou,nothingfrozenorimported,andabsolutelynoshortcutsgeneratedgreater buzz,”wroteR.W.AppleJr.inanApril2005newYorkTimesarticle.Heandother foodwritersreportedontherestaurant’sclosurethatspring,followingtheowners’ decisiontoretire.Thebuildingnowsitsvacant.

THE NEW

PROHIBITION

THE ASSAULT ON LIBRARIES, AND HOW CITIZENS AND ACTIVISTS ARE FIGHTING BACK

BY SARAH RAVITS

Underultraconservative pressure,some librarians fearstocking bookshelves witheducationalmaterial aboutpuberty.

Abelovedlibrarianinasmall,tight-knitcommunity,she’dearnednumerousawardsforher commitmenttoeducationovertheyears,includingthecovetedNationalSchoolLibrarianof theYearhonorin2021.“Ihadarock-solidrelationshipwithmycommunity,andIwasingood standing,”shesays “Igrewuphere,andIdevotesomuchtimetomyschool,community andchildren.”

Butherlifetookasudden,bizarreturn in2022whenshespokeatapubliclibrary boardmeeting.

Duringaheateddiscussionaboutwhether alocallibraryshouldrestrictaccessto certainbooksforteenagers,Jonesechoed whatmanyeducatorshavebeensaying foryears.

Challengestobooksareoften“donewith thebestofintentions,”butfrequentlytarget theBlackandLGBTQcommunities,she said.Removingorrelocatingthosebooks couldbe“extremelyharmfultoourmost vulnerable ourchildren.Justbecauseyou don’twanttoreaditorseeitdoesnotgive youtherighttodeny[itto]others.”

theirprofession.

Jonescertainlywasn’tthelone,dissentingvoicethatevening shesaysatleast 30otherpeopleinattendanceexpressed similarsentiments Butthenextdayshe foundherselfbeingviciouslytargetedina

smearcampaignbytheultra-conservative nonprofitCitizensforaNewLouisiana,and theFacebookaccountBayouStateofMind.

“Theymadememesaboutmeandposted mypictureandwhereIwork,”Jonestold Gambit “TheysaidthatIadvocatefor teachinganalsexandthatIwanttogive 6-year-oldspornographyanderotica.”

Asfalseandridiculousastheclaims were,theytookofflikewildfireacrossthe internetandspilledoverintoeverydaylife asJones,herfamilyandhercolleagueswere bombardedwiththreateningmessagesand phonecalls,includingfrompeoplewhosaid theyweregoingtokillher.

Jones,terrifiedandsufferingfromsevere mentaldistress,eventuallytookamedical leaveofabsence.

Nearlytwoyearslater,shestillfaces “nonstop”harassment,shesays all becausesheadvocatedforadiverse

PHOTO BY LESLIE WESTBROOK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

AMANDA JONES NEVER THOUGHT OF HERSELF AS A CONTROVERSIAL PERSON.

StateRep. JoshCarlson, R-Lafayette,has writtenlegislation thatlibrarians sayundermines

PHOTO BY BRAD BOWIE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Tequila Tequila for Every Taste forEveryTaste

collectionofbookstofittheneeds anddemandsofhercommunity

“Withtheclickofabutton,twomen destroyedmyreputation,”shesays. “Itwasspreadallover. Istillcan’tgo outwithoutbeingcallednames.”

Whilephonesandotherhand-held technologiesarewidespread,they’ve notmadelibrariesobsoleteforyoung people,whostillusethesefacilities forallsortsofactivities,including accessingbooksanddigitalcontent.

Andthelevelofharassmentthat Joneshasexperiencedisincreasingly commonforthosewhoworkatthese institutions.

Right-wingactivistshaveledefforts nationwidetoattackbookswhile targetinglibrariesandtheirworkers. That,inturn,hasledRepublicans enthralledtotheseradicalinterests topushlegislationforwardingtheir agendainstatesacrossthecountry

Thewaragainstlibrarieshasbeen feltespeciallyhardinLouisiana, wheremultipleparisheshavebecome engulfedinlegalandpoliticalbattles centeredaroundbookcensorship

Piggybackingontheseeffortsisa slewofRepublicanstatelawmakers whohaveseizedtheopportunityto scorepointswithaninflamedbase byputtingeducatorsandlibrarians inthecrosshairsandpaintingthem asperverts

“Thisisthrowinggrenadesata fairlysofttarget:thelibrariesand theschools,”saysJohnChrastka,the founderofEveryLibrary,anadvocacy groupthatopposesbookbans.“It’s notsincerelyabouthowpolicyand lawshouldbewritten.”

Whilesomeofthemostegregious billsfailedtoevenmakeitoutof legislativecommittees,theseefforts havenonethelesshadachillingeffect onlibraryworkers

OnelibrarianintheNewOrleans area,whospoketoGambitunder conditionofanonymity,saystheyare “disillusionedandannoyed,”bythe

implicationthatlibrariansdistribute obscenematerials.

“I’mnotacriminal,”thelibrarian says.“Myjobistoprovidepeoplewith goodinformation.”

Theeffortstopurgelibrariesand schoolsofbooksthatactivistsclaim areinappropriateor“obscene”routinelytargetworkswrittenbyqueer authorsorpeopleofcolor—works aimingtohelpreadersfrommarginalizedcommunitiesfeellessalone.

Forolderreaders,thatmightmean booksthatdelveintothemesofsexualityandrace,likeToniMorrison’s “TheBluestEye”andMaiaKobabe’s book“GenderQueer,”bothof whichhavebeenchallengedaround thecountry

Foryoungerreaders,itmightbe abookthatnormalizesakidhaving same-sexparentsorcomingfroma biracialfamily.

Libraryadvocatessaythesebooks arebeingchallengedlargelybecause theyofferperspectivesbeyonda white,cisgendered,heteronormative existence.Andthatmakesconservativesuncomfortable,saysChrastka.

“Youcangoafterabookabouta minoritypopulationeasierthanyou cangoafterthepopulationitself,” Chrastkasays.“Thiscountryisgetting mercifullyalittlelessbigotedandless racist:Youcan’tgoafterHeather’s twomommies.Butyoucangoaftera bookaboutHeather’stwomommies bycallingitobscene.”

Addingtolibrarians’frustrationsis thefactthatbookchallengersoften takepassageswildlyoutofcontext, andittakesalready-strainedlibrary boardmembersandworkersmonths tofullyauditbooksafterthey’ve beenchallenged

InSt.TammanyParish,forexample, morethan150bookswerechallengedlastyear,accordingtothe LouisianaIlluminator

Goingaftersomanybooksatonce wasacleartactictooverwhelm librarians,whoarerequiredto producereportsoneachbookcalled intoquestion.Foreverycomplaint, thelibrary’spolicywastopullthe bookfromcirculationandreferittoa committeeforreview.Eventually,the numberofchallengedbookswasso highthelibrarycreatedapolicythatit willnotpullbooksfromshelveswhile theyareunderreview

Manyofthecomplaintscamefrom justahandfulofactivistswhodon’t evenhavelibrarycardsorkidswho usethelibrary.Infact,inmanystates thesecomplaintsaren’tevencoming frompeoplewholiveinthestate,let alonethelocalcommunity.

BY JOHN CHRASTKA

comparedto2022numbers, accordingtotheAmerican LibraryAssociation’sOffice forIntellectualFreedom.The organizationalsonotedthatthe bookstargetedforcensorship atpubliclibrariesincreasedby 92%overthepreviousyear.

Anti-censorshipgroupsand pro-libraryactivistswhospoke withGambitsaytheattemptsto ridlibrariesofcertainworksare doneinbadfaithanddesigned tocreateacultureoffear andintimidation.

“Thisissupposedtohavea chillingeffect,”saysthelibrary workerfromtheNewOrleans area.“It’stointimidateus, like‘Areyousureyouwantto (distribute)that?’It’ssupposed tochangetheperceptionof whatisnecessaryinademocraticsociety...It’slike,ifyou havebooksthatsay,‘It’sOKto begay,’peoplearegonnatry tothrowyouinjail,orfineyou, orwhatever.”

Thefactthatsomanybooks arebeingchallenged,while librarians’reputationsareat stake,hasdiscouragedsome libraryworkersfromseekingout morediversematerialstosuit theirreaders’needs,especially inmoreconservativeareas.

Collectionsarealreadyheavily vettedandreviewed,andworks ofliteraturearecategorized byageappropriatenessandby topic.Butsomeworkerssay theyareburdenedbyafear

ofgettingfalselylabeledand smearedlikeJoneswas.

Librarianswhospokewith Gambitsaytheseeffortsby thesegroupstobanbooks andruintheirreputations areasdishearteningasthey aredisingenuous.

“Nooneatthepubliclibrary istryingto‘turn’achildgayor transgender,andit’sadisingenuousargument It’saninflammatoryargument It’smeant toappealtolow-education, low-informationvotersandstir uphatred,”saysonedisgruntledpubliclibraryworker,who alsospokeundercondition ofanonymity.

“It’sdemoralizing,”theyadd. “Sometimesit’shardtobelieve thesentencesthathavetocome outofyourmouthtodefend doingyourjob.”

Thelibrariansaidtheyconstantlyworryifthey’llbenextto beunfairlytargetedbythesame groupswhocameafterJones.

Asasingleparentinarural arearaisingachildwithachronic healthcondition,thislibrarianis terrifiedoflosingtheirjoband healthinsurance.

Intheparishwheretheywork, therehavebeenveryfewnew booksputontheshelvesthis year,particularlykids’books.

Partofthatisbecauseofa 2023lawthatjusttookeffect, requiringLouisianapubliclibrariestoimplementpoliciestogive parentsmorecontroloverwhat

Studentsprotesting bookbans

theirminorchildrenhaveaccess to,includinginternet access

“There’salreadyanadded levelofscrutinyandbureaucracy,”theysay.

Andwhilethejobusedtobring asenseofjoy,latelyit’sbecome aconstantsourceofstress.

“Thewholeparishisfeeling theeffectsofit,”theysay.“We haven’thadsomeoftheproblemsthey’vehadinLafayette, St.TammanyorLivingston,but theanxietyisthere,thatmaybe theylookatusnext.There’sa reasonI’mintherapy.”

AmandaJonescertainly understandswhylibrarians areafraid

“Allittakesisoneclaim,like ‘AmandaJoneshasobscene material,’”shesays “That becomesfactinthepubliceye. Itruinsreputations,itmakes librariansscaredtoorderbooks withLGBTQ+characters It’s aformofself-censorshipthat librarianshavetodo,because theydon’twanttobeharassed.”

Chrastkasaysthesepublic attacksmayalsosteerpeople outoftheprofessionentirely “It’safrontlinejobabout learningandliteracy,”hesays “It’snotafrontlinejobtogointo

wherethere’sathreattoyour livelihoodoryourgoodname.”

What’sgoingoninLouisiana isn’thappeninginavacuum. Infact,it’sfollowingafamiliar playbookthatisbeingusedall overthecountry.

EveryLibrarythisyear identified124billsacrossthe countrythatitdubbed“legislationofconcern”thatwouldlimit Americans’“freedomtoread andthinkforthemselves.”

Someofthoseinvolved passinglegislationtobring criminalchargestolibrarians, whichpassedinfellowredstates likeArkansas,WestVirginia andMissouri.

TheArkansaslaw,forexample,statesschoolandpublic librarianscanbesentencedupto sixyearsinprisonfordistributing “obscene”or“harmful”material tostudentsunder18.

Thatlaw,however,iscurrently blockedbyafederaljudge.

And,criminalobscenitylaws eveniftheyeventuallyapply topublicandschoollibraries, whichinmoststatesareexempt arewrittentoexaminethefull contextoftheworksinquestion

Still,whileit’sunlikelyalibrarianwouldbefoundguilty,it’s thethoughtofhavingtheirname smearedandhavingtodefend themselvesthatcompounds theirstress

“Aprosecutorworththeirsalt wouldknow,thepolice,thejury thosecaseshavealwaysbeen thrownout,”saysChrastka.“But thecostofdefendingthat the

insurancecostsalonewould beridiculous.”

InLouisiana,EveryLibrary haditseyeonsevenbills,some ofwhichweresoegregiousand punitivetheyfailedtomakeit outofcommitteehearings Lawmakers,though,are continuingtocomeupwithnew waystoerodepubliclibraries, includingunderminingtheprofession’slegitimacy.

Rep.JoshCarlson,a RepublicanfromLafayette, justpassedabillthatremoves arequirementthatdirectors oflibrariesholdamaster’s degreeinlibrarysciences Thatisdespiteoverwhelming oppositionfromlibrarians themselvesaroundthestate whosayit’simportantforleadersoftheseinstitutionstobe properlytrained.

Thebillalsoallowsthe removaloflibraryboard memberswithoutcause.InSt. TammanyParish,threelibrary boardmemberswhowerefired overoppositiontobookbans arecurrentlysuingthelocal governmentforremovingthem fromtheirseats.

WhileCarlsonclaimedhis legislationwouldattractamore diversehiringpool,libraryadvocacygroups,includingLouisiana CitizensAgainstCensorship, havepointedoutthatitalso makesiteasierforconservative localgovernmentstohirebook bansupporters.

Thentherearetheongoing attemptsbytheLegislatureto discredittheAmericanLibrary Association,consideredtobe

PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

thetopprofessionallibraryassociation,byblastingitasbeing too“woke”and“Marxist.”

Oneparticularlyshocking bill,authoredbyLivingston ParishRepublicanRep.Kellee Dickerson,soughttoimprison publiclibrarianswithhardlabor andslapthemwithhugefinesif theydaredtogetreimbursedfor attendingALAconferences.

“Ifyou’regoingtoputlibrariansinjailforeventryingto associatewith(their)profession’snationalorganization,that kindagivesawaythegame,” saysoneofthelibrariansGambit spokewith

Chrastka,whohasscrutinized statelegislaturesintensely, pointsoutthatifstatelawmakerswereseriouslyconcerned aboutlibrariansbeingpotential “criminals”theywouldhave addressedtheseissuesinthe specialcrimesessionearlier thisyear

Instead,hebelievestheyare grandstandingandpanderingtoabasetoscorecheap politicalpoints.

“Thisisapoliticizedaction, theyallare,”hesaysbluntly. “Theyareallintendedtodo somethingpernicious,whichis todiscredittheinstitutionsand thepeoplewhoworkthere.”

Therealsohasbeenlegislation totryandapplyobscenitylaws topublicschoolsandlibraries, thoughnoneofthemhavemade muchprogressinLouisianaas ofpresstime Buttheystillhave animpact

Librarianssaytheymustbe extrasensitiveaboutstockingtheshelveswithbookson science,reproduction,anatomy andevenarthistoryorother

worksofliteraturethathave widelybeenconsideredclassics

OneofthelibrariansGambit spokewithquestionedfar-right activists’attemptstosmear thesetypesofbooksasobscene bytakingcontentoutofcontext.

“Whenyousaythere’s pornographyontheshelves ofthepubliclibrary,youare sayingthereisnoartisticvalue toanyofthesebooks,and they’reonlythereforsexual gratification.That’ssimply nottrue.Whenpeoplelike MichaelLunsford[founderofthe conservativegroupCitizensfor aNewLouisiana]callteensex educationbooks‘erotic,’maybe thatsaysmoreabouthimthanit doesaboutus.”

Lawmakers,whenpressed, havenotbeenabletonameany booksthatare“obscene”being distributedinpublicschoolsor publiclibraries

Nevertheless,“theywantto criminalizethecollections.What theyaretryingtodowiththese redefinitionsissaythatbooks thataren’taboutmajoritarianissuesandidentitiesare potentiallycriminal Anybook aboutsexualorLGBTQidentity, anybookthathasahistoryof racialviolence that’sadirect attackonthosepopulations,” Chrastkasays

Inotherstateswhichhave passedcriminalizationbills, librariansarebracingthemselvesforalltypesofheadaches andlegalcosts,andsomeare consideringabandoningthe professionaltogether

“Oneofthethingswe’re tryingtotalktoreasonable legislatorsaboutisthatthecost ofinsurancewillgothrough theroof,”Chrastkasays “For

70yearsthere’sbeennoneed toinsureyourworkforceand libraryandschoolboardsagainst wrongfulprosecution.”

Fortunately,forLouisiana, atleastsomelawmakers havebeenreceptiveto common-senseappeals.

Someofthemoreproblematic bills,likethrowinglibrariansin jailforattendingtheALAconferenceswithpublicfunds,died immediatelyincommittee.

Othersweredeferredso theirauthorscanconductmore research,thoughtheycould comeupnextsession.

Andwhilelibraryworkers inredstateslikeLouisianaare fightinganuphillbattle,there isgrowingsupportforthem thankstoadvocacygroupsthat havebeenorganizingacrossthe statesthroughpublicmeetings, spreadingthewordonsocial mediaandcirculatingpetitions.

Therearealsolegalbattles mounting

Lastmonth,theSt Tammany ParishCouncilpassedaresolutiontofirethreeboardmembers andreplacethemwithnew ones.Thedecisionfolloweda campaignofpoliticalpressure stemmingfromaPridedisplayin oneofthelibraries.

Boardmemberswho wereterminatedarguetheir removalviolatestheirFirst Amendmentrightsandthe FourteenthAmendmentDue Processclause.

“TheParishCouncil’sactions appeartobepoliticallymotivatedandretaliatory,aimingto suppresstheplaintiffs’defense ofintellectualfreedomand inclusivityinourlibraries,” EveryLibrary’sChrastkasaidina statementMay28.

“TheSt TammanyParish Council’sattempttoremove dedicatedlibraryboardmembersbasedontheirviewpoints andinresponsetoasmearcampaignisanegregiousviolationof theirrights.”

Andthereareeveryday citizenswhohavejoinedthe fighttostandupforlibrarians andbooks.

LisaRustemeyer,asemi-retiredmotherofgrownchildreninSt.TammanyParish, hasbecomeanactivistin recentmonths

Rustemeyerpreviouslynever thoughtshe’dseepubliclibraries beingtargeted,andsaidshefelt

a“gutinstinct”tostandup whenshesawtheywere underfire.

Latelyshehasfoundherself writingletters,makingphone calls,attendingpublicmeetings andurginglegislatorstoreconsidertheirbills.

Rustemeyersaysshehas alwaysturnedtolibrariesduring “toughtimes,”whilelooking foranswers,orsimplyfor entertainment.“It’swhereyou meetotherpeopleandseeyour neighbors,”shesays “Libraries representdemocracyand freespeech.”

Thewaysheseesit,dismantlingandunderminingpublic trustinlibrariesisasteptoward dismantlingandundermining trustindemocracyitself

“Thisdoesn’treallycome fromalogicalplace,”shesays “(Lawmakers)arenotscared ofguns,butthey’rescared ofbooks?There’snologicin it,whichmakesitinfuriating. There’snoevidencethatany kidhaseverbeenharmedbya book.Andhereweareatthe bottomofliteracy,we’reatthe bottomin(education)foraslong asIcanremember Weshould nottakeaward-winningbooks outofthehandsofchildren. Thatisinsane.”

JeremyJFThompson,alibrary activistandfounderofQueer Northshore,sayswhileefforts haverampedup,thereisstilla greaterneedformorepeopleto publiclysupportlibraries.

“Weneedmorepeopleata higherleveltobevocalandvisibleaboutthisissue,”Thompson says “Ithastogobeyondthe languageoflibraries People havetoseethatthisisadeteriorationofourinfrastructurethat appliestoourfreedom.”

AmandaJones,meanwhile, hasdecidedtodoubledownon heradvocacywork

St.TammanyParish LibraryBoardChair

RebeccaTaylorisone ofthreemembers oftheLibraryBoard suingtheparishto trytokeeptheirjobs aftertheparishcouncil removedthem.

WhilethegroupswhotargetedherexpectedJonestobe ashrinkingviolet,shesaysher commitmenttoliteracyandfree speechhasonlygrownstronger. “Iwasahotmessforabouta year,andthenIdecidedtomake lemonadeoutoflemons,”she says “Screwthem Noone wantstobefamousforbeing defamedandcalledagroomer.”

Becauseshewasalreadywellknowninthelibraryworld,she saysshehasdecidedtoshare herstoryfarandwide

“IdecidedIwantedtotellmy story,speakoutandtrytohelp otherpeopleknow,theycan alsospeakout,”shesays.

Whathelpsmotivateher, shesays,isthatmomentmost librarianscanprobablyrelateto: whenabookresonateswitha newreader

Jonescallsita“home run”moment

“Whenyouputabookina kid’shand,anditbecomestheir ‘homerun’book it’swhenyou hookthemintoreading,”she explains “Andyouknowthat becausetheyreadthatbook, they’regoingtoreadoneor twomore,andthenbecomea lifelongreader.”

Shehasseenithappenover andoverthroughouthercareer Shesays,“Everystudent deservestoseethemselves reflectedinthecharacterson ourshelves.”

PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

EAT+DRINK

AlaCartel

REMEMBERTHESCENEIN“THE WIZARDOFOZ”whenDorothy stepsfromblackandwhite intotechnicolorintheland ofOz?

That’swhatitfeelslike walkingintothenewTacosdel Cartelat1010GirodSt.inthe CBD,whichopenedinApril. Theplaceisover-the-top magical,drenchedincolor, textureandsymbolicart insideandout.Designedby JacquelynLindseyofJLStudio Designs,therestaurantis Instagrammableateveryturn, withtherequisiteneonaffirmationsscreamingforselfies. Thisplacehaseverything fromafauxtopiaryjaguar toglowingMardiGrasbead lightingandupside-downtulip chandeliers.Therearenods toFridaKahloandgorgeous wall-mountedalebrijes, whimsicallycarvedwooden creatureshand-paintedwith intricatecolorsandpatterns A“treeoflife”growsinone cornerofthediningroom,itsblack trunkrisingtomeetacanopyofpink silkblossoms.Thetree’sbranches danglewithhummingbirds,areferencetoKahlo’siconicself-portrait withabirddanglingfromanecklaceof thorns.TheoriginalTacosdelCartel inMetairiewasnothinglikeit,which iswhythesmallerspotistemporarily closedtogetsprucedinthestyleofits citycousin

ChefChristianChaussatisthe group’sculinarydirector,bringing adepthofglobalexperienceand culinarycachetoVeHO’sexpanding table.RaisedinMexicoCitybya FrenchfatherandMexican-American mother,Chaussathasspentthelast twodecadesdirectingkitchensin Monterrey,Mexico,Barcelonaand Ibiza,Spain,andMiami.

Thenew130-seatrestaurantis morethansmokeandmirrors.The latestfromVeHOHospitality,the expandingcompanyfoundedby DannyCruzandVilexysSalas,Tacos DelCartelmarksaboldjumpintothe newOrleansdowntownmarket,one thatwillbefollowedbyaJapanese restaurantinthecomingmonths. AnotherTacosdelCartelistaking shapeinWestPalmBeach,Florida.

“Ourteamispassionateabout creatinganauthenticculinary experienceforourguests,”Chaussat says.“Mexicanisoneofworld’s greatcuisines.Wemakeeverything fromscratch,fromourmoleto ourtortillas.”

Forsure,thisisn’tastreettacojoint. Chausset’skitchenmakesitsown tortillasbythetraditionalprocessof turningdriedblueandyellowcorninto masa.Callednixtamalization,thisoldschoolmethodresultsintoothsome

heirloomtortillaswitha flavorandtexturethatcan standalone.Betterstill,add barbacoashortribcooked overnightororderthebirria tacos,whicharesuspended overthedippingjusby clothespinsonastring,and thecheesy,meatyenvelopesdeliverheftyflavorin everybite.

Thetraditionalpescado sarandeadospotlightsa locallysourcedwholered snapper,servedbutterflied andgrilledandusedforDIY fishtacossaucedwithboth jalapeñochileadoboand chileguajilloadobo Themenualsoreaches waybeyondtacos.Crunchy tostadosarrivecrowned withyellowtailanddrizzledwithearthysalsa macha.Yucatan-styleblack aguachileisawinningdish madewithcharredchilis, freshshrimp,avocadoand plentyofcitrus.Thegreen cevicheincludesgrilledoctopusandredsnapperbathed inthechef’sversionoflechedetigre, amayo-basedspicytigersauce. There’samenusectioncalled “experiencestoshare”whichoffers disheslikeCartelcarneasada,a chargrilledAngusrib-eyeserved overbeans.Acinnamon-smoked, Yucatan-stylepulledporkiscooked inbananaleaveswithrice,refried beansandhabanerosalsa.The$150 tomahawkAngusisthepriciestitem onthemenu,flamedinmezcaland servedwithsalsas,salad,guacamole beansandMexicanstylefries. Therestaurant’swhimsicaldreamscapecontinueswithdessert.Order theicecreamandchurros,andthe presentationisaminiatureicecream cartwithscoopsoficecream,cones formakingyourowntreatandchurros andsaucesfordunking.Thewhimsical set-upisjustanotherexampleofhow thisrestaurantstrivestosurpriseand delightateveryturn

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

CasaBorregacloses,fornow

CASABORREGAINCENTRALCITYHAS

ALWAYSBEENSOMETHINGotherthana conventionalrestaurant,withelements ofabar,musicclubandartinstallation allbeingpartofthestory.It’salsotaken severaldifferentformatsthroughthe pandemicyears,closingwithblowout goodbyepartiesonlytoreopenagain. now,CasaBorregahasclosedin CentralCity,thoughinastylethat seemsonbrandforthisplace,itcould reincarnateitselfinadifferentpart oftown

RestaurantproprietorHugoMontero putthepropertyat1719OrethaCastle HaleyBlvd.upforsaletwoyearsago, andnowhesaysitisundercontract. Hedidnotdisclosethebuyer. HemadeMay25thefinalday forbusiness.

CasaBorregaownerHugoMontero runsaboothfortacosandsnacks attheCrescentCityFarmersMarket.

Atthesametime,though,hesays heisscoutingthenewOrleansarea foranewlocationforCasaBorrega Thispotentialreturnwouldhaveanew format,differentfromthetraditional Mexicanmenuithasserved,andhe couldpossiblyhavenewpartners.All thatremainstobeseen.

“Westillhavelife,wewillbeback,” Monterosays.“Itwastimetosell thisbuilding,butleavingiskillingme, becausewebuiltthisallbyhand.”

CasaBorregaopenedin2013asan earlyandpersistentbrightspotduring

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

effortstorevitalizeCentralCity’s historiccommercialcorridor.

Monteroisanartist,andhehasrunit abitlikeanevolvingartwork.Thewalls andbar,thesmallmusicstageandthe patioareallcoveredwithamosaicof differentobjectsandartpiecesfrom differenteras.

costofleaseratesanddoingbusinessintheFrenchQuarterandthe impendingsummer.

“Welookedatsummercoming, andwedon’thavethelegsorthe depthtosurviveanothersummerin newOrleans,”attheFrenchQuarter restaurant,Cooksays.

“Itwasneverjustaboutbeinga restaurant,”Monterosays.“Ialsowant toshowcaseourculturehere.”

OnefacetofCasaBorregathatis continuingnowisitstacostandatthe SundayeditionoftheCrescentCity FarmersMarket.HeldinCityPark,by TadGormleyStadium,thismarketday hasbecomeavibrantvenueforstreet food,andCasaBorregaispartofthat, withbreakfasttacosandothertacos served8a.m.tonoon. IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

SaintJohncloses, alsofornow

NEWORLEANSCHEFERICCOOKconceivedhissecondrestaurantSaintJohn asalovelettertotheregionalCreole cuisinehegrewupwithandbuilthis careeraround.nowhe’sessentially startinganewpageofthatletterto keeptheideaalive

Thechefsurprisedmanywhenhe recentlyannouncedthattherestaurant hadserveditslastmealat1117Decatur St.Itisnowclosedthere,butCookhas planstoreopenSaintJohninanew locationinthemonthsahead

Hesaidnegotiationsarestillunderwayforthatnewpropertyandsohe didnotidentifyit.Buthesaysitwill beinadifferentpartoftown,andhe hopestoreopenbylatesummer.

Thedecisiontocloseandmove, hesays,camefromanassessment oftherestaurant’srevenue,thehigh

Hisoriginalrestaurant,GrisGrisin theLowerGardenDistrict,isdoing fine,Cooksays,butSaintJohnwasnot sustainingitself

“ThisismyfavoritethingI’vedonein mycareer,”hesays.“Iwanttosaveit, soIhadtolookatouroptions.”

Hehadplannedgradualclosureover afewweeks.Butwhenhefoundthe restaurantshort-handedafterafew employeesmissedtheirshiftsoverthe weekend,hedecidedtoshutdown altogetherratherthantrytorunthe restaurantwithoutitsfullstaff.

SaintJohnwasthesubjectofa high-profiledisputewithentergy lastfallwhenthechefshutdownthe restaurantbriefly,whichatthetime hedescribedasthelaststrawina culminationofissuesthatbuiltthrough aslowsummer.Cooksaysutilitieswere notafactorinmovingSaintJohnnow.

“Thedecisiontoshutdownwas basedsolelyonthefactthatwe weren’tmakingmoneythere,”hesays.

ThechefaffirmedthatSaintJohn staffwillbepaidthroughJune3,as partofanefforttosupportthem throughthebusinesschange.Hehopes torehirestaffwhenthenewSaintJohn reopens,hesays

“everythingwe’vedoneatSaintJohn wasbuiltonthem,”hesays.“We’re goingtosaveSaintJohn,sowe’re goingtomoveitandletitbewhatwe alwaysenvisioned.” IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

AnnKim

Chef byWillCoviello

CHEFANNKIMgrewupinSanJose andtheBayArea,wheresheateher mother’sKoreancookingathomeand exploredalltypesofcuisinesoutside theirhome.Herloveoffoodpropelled hertoculinaryschoolinOregon, andin2017,shemovedtoAtlanta andbecamethechefforGarden& GunClub,themagazineandlifestyle brand’srestaurant.She’svisitingnew OrleansforthenewOrleansWine& Foodexperience,whereshe’llcollaborateonaSundaySupperatGianna. Forinformationaboutthedinner,visit nowfe.com,andforinformationabout Kim,seegardenandgunclub.com.

Howdidyouget interestedincooking?

ANNKIM: Ihavealwayslovedfood GrowingupIwasexposedtoreally goodhome-cookedKoreanfood. We’refromKorea.Myfamilymoved hererightbeforemyoldersisterwas born.Somymomwasareallygood self-taughtcook.Shewasmaking everythingfromscratch,includingher ownkimchi.Wehadafridgededicated tokimchijars eventhoughIlikedKoreanfood,I alwayswantedexposuretoAmerican food.IfwewantedAmericanfood,my sistersandIhadtocookit.Westarted makingmayonnaisesandwiches.It evolvedandwe’daddscrambledeggs withgarlicsalt.Andthenlet’stoastthe breadinthepanandaddsomejamand sugarorcheese.

Itwasn’tuntilhighschoolthatIconsidereditaseriouscareerpath.Ididn’t knowtherewereprofessionalchefs anditwasarespectedcareerpath.I wantedtolearnmore,soIpulledthe triggerandwenttoculinaryschool.It workedoutforme

Atculinaryschool,therewasan internshipIdidatthisrestaurant calledVeritableQuandary.Itwasa reallywell-respectedrestaurantrun byawomanchef,AnnieCuggino.I lovedthatitwasafemalechefand owner.Beforethat,Ihadonlybeen inkitchensrunbymen.Andshedid everythingfromscratch.Shemade herownbread.Shehadarooftop garden.She’dbuyhalfacowandbreak itdownandgrounduptheburgers. Itwasaplacewhereyoucouldorder soufflefordessert,sotherewasa mixerandyou’dstartwhippingupthe eggwhitesandfoldintheyolksand putinhazelnutliqueur.Ithoughtitwas

socoolforhertodoeverythingfrom scratch.Shedidn’tcompromise. Iwastryingtogetasmuchexposure asIcouldtodifferentkindsoffood. Portlandhadalotoffarm-to-table restaurants.Itdidn’thavesomuch ethniccuisine.Butgrowingupinthe BayArea,Ihadreallygoodexposure toAsianfoodingeneral.Therewas aVietnamesecommunity,aFilipino community.IamKorean.Mysister marriedaJapaneseguy,soIhadalot ofexposuretoJapanesefood.Chinese foodwaseverywhere.Therewasalot ofMexicanfood.

Howdidyoumakethe leapintoSouthernfood?

K: MyfirstexposuretoSouthernfood wasinnewOrleans.Itwastheyear afterHurricaneKatrinaandIcameto newOrleans.everyonewasgetting readyfortheone-yearanniversary.We wenttoWillieMae’sScotchHousefor friedchickenandbutterbeans.Itwas sogood,andIremembertheneighborhoodwasstillrecovering.Thatwas myfirstrealexposuretoSouthernfood andthattypeofcomfortfood.Ilovedit andstayedaweek. ComingtoAtlantawasn’tsomething thatIhadbeenplanningondoing,but eventsinmypersonallifebroughtme there.LivingexpensesintheBayArea werehigh.SiliconValleyisrightthere andthetechjobstookoverandmade itimpossibletosurvive.Afriendhad movedtoAtlanta.Ihadgottenoutofa long-termrelationshipandsawitasa freshstartinachangeofenvironment

It’sgoodtopushyourselfoutsideofyour comfortzone. Igotconnectedto theGarden&Gun opportunity.Theyhad megotoCharleston andmeetchefMike Lata.HeownsThe OrdinaryandFIG Ididatasting,and theysaidIdidgreat. Ididmyversionof Southern dishes. Ihadtriedshrimp andgritsandthought theflavorswouldgo wellwithalittlecurry andcoconutmilkto mellowitout.That couldbealittlebit Caribbeanoralittle bitThai.Ihadtried somanyversionsof pimientocheese,and neverreallylikedit.I mademyownversion withpiquillopeppersandpickled redonions.Iusedwhitecheddarand addedchivesandsomeotherthings.I changedthebase.

Garden&Gun’sconceptisSouthern, butIhavealotofcreativefreedom becauseIknowwhatthey’retrying torepresent.Iamnotgoingtoadd aChinesestirfry.Iusedtohavemy Koreanbraisedshortribsonthemenu, butIserveditwithPencilCobgritsand aquickpickledsaladontop.

Whatareyougoing todoatGianna?

K: AtGarden&Gun,wehavethis seriescalledSundaySuppers.We bringinaguestcheftotherestaurant. Theydotheirmenuhere,andIhelp themandmayaddsomewelcome bites.It’slikeapop-upincollaboration withGarden&Gun.We’rebringing thattonewOrleans.Iamgoingtobe collaboratingwithchefJaredHeider atGianna

Forawelcomebite,Iamgoingtobe doingmytruffleddeviledegg,andtoppingitoffwithatempuraoyster.Iam makingabutterwithCrystalhotsauce andspinningsomeofthatontopwith somechives.Thedeviledeggisvery Southern,butwhenIthinkofoysters,I thinkofnewOrleans.

We’redoingeverythingfamily style.JaredisrepresentingtheItalian flavors.He’sdoingthisbraisedmeat dish,whichislikesomethingsomeone wouldcookalldaywhenyou’reeating attheirhouse

Yealands

Sauvignon Blanc

Pale lemon in color. Thenoseisgenerous with ripe tropical and citrus notes, alongside flowering herbsand blackcurrantleaf. Thepalate is layered with green tropical fruits and balanced with arefreshing crips mineral finish.

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OuttoeatisanindexofGambitcontractadvertisers.unlessnoted,addressesarefornewOrleans andallacceptcreditcards.updates:email willc@gambitweekly.comorcall(504)483-3106

AngeloBrocato’s 214N.CarrolltonAve., (504)486-1465;angelobrocatoicecream. com—ThisMid-Citysweetshopservesits owngelato,spumoni,Italianices,cannolis, biscotti,figcookies,tiramisu,macaroons andmore.Therealsoarecoffeedrinks.no reservations.LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun $

Annunciation—1016AnnunciationSt.,(504) 568-0245;annunciationrestaurant.com GulfDrumYvonneisservedwithbrown buttersaucewithmushroomsandartichoke hearts.Therealsoareseafoodpastadishes, steaks,lambchopsandmore.Reservations recommended.DinnerThu.-Mon.$$$

Bamboula’s 514FrenchmenSt.;bamboulasmusic.com—Thelivemusicvenue’s kitchenoffersamenuoftraditionaland creativeCreoledishes,suchasCreolecrawfishcrepeswithgoatcheeseandchardonnay sauce.Reservationsaccepted.Lunch,dinner andlate-nightdaily.$$

TheBlueCrabRestaurantandOyster Bar—118HarborViewCourt,Slidell,(985) 315-7001;7900LakeshoreDrive,(504) 284-2898;thebluecrabnola.com Basin barbecueshrimpareservedwithrosemary garlicbuttersauceovercheesegritswitha cheesebiscuit.Themenuincludespo-poys, friedseafoodplatters,rawandchar-grilled oysters,boiledseafoodinseason,andmore. Outdoorseatingavailable.noreservations

Lakeview:LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun

Slidell:LunchWed.-Fri.,dinnerWed.-Sun., brunchSat.-Sun $$

Broussard’s—819ContiSt.,(504)581-3866; broussards.com Rainbowtroutamandine isservedwithtassoandcornmacquechoux andCreolemeunieresauce.Brunchincludes Benedicts,chickenandwafflesandmore. Reservationsrecommended.Outdoor seatingavailable.DinnerWed.-Sat.,brunch Sun.$$$

CafeNormandie—HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining—Themenu combinesclassicFrenchdishesandLouisiana itemslikecrabbeignetswithherbaioli Sandwichesincludepo-boys,amuffuletta onflatbreadandaburger.noreservations Breakfastandlunchdaily $$

TheCommissary—634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com—A smokedturkeysandwichisservedwith bacon,tomatojam,herbedcreamcheese, arugulaandherbvinaigretteonhoneyoat bread.Themenuincludesdips,salads,sandwiches,boudinballs,friedoystersandmore noreservations.Outdoorseatingavailable. LunchTue.-Sat.$$

Curio—301RoyalSt.,(504)717-4198; curionola.com—ThecreativeCreolemenu includesblackenedGulfshrimpservedwith chickenandandouillejambalaya.Therealso arecrabcakes,shrimpandgrits,crawfish etouffee,po-boysandmore.Reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Dahla—611O’KeefeAve.,(504)766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com—Themenuincludes popularThaidisheslikepadthai,drunken noodles,curriesandfriedrice.Crispyskinned duckbasilispreparedwithvegetablesand Thaibasil.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat $$

$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10

$$—$11-$20

$$$—$20-up

DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Amenu fullofGulfseafoodincludeschar-grilled oysterstoppedwithParmesanandherbs Themenualsoincludespo-boys,po-boys, gumbo,blackenedfish,friedseafoodplatters andmore.Reservationsrecommended. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse—144 BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse. com—There’saseafoodrawbarwithrawand char-broiledoysters,fishdip,crabfingers, shrimpandmore.RedfishontheHalf-shellis cookedskin-onandservedwithcrab-boiled potatoes,friseeandlemonbuerreblanc Reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner daily.$$$

DickieBrennan’sSteakhouse 716Iberville St.,(504)522-2467;dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com—Themenuincludesavarietyof steaks,plussearedGulffish,lobsterpasta, barbecueshrimpandmore.A6-ounce filetmignonisservedwithfriedoysters, creamedspinach,potatoesandbearnaise Reservationsrecommended.DinnerMon.Sat.$$$

ElPavoReal 4401S.BroadAve.,(504) 266-2022;elpavorealnola.com—Themenu includestacos,enchiladasandsauteedGulf fishtoppedwithtomatoes,olives,onionand capers,servedwithriceandstringbeans. Outdoorseatingavailable.noreservations LunchandearlydinnerTue.-Sat.$$

Juan’sFlyingBurrito—515BaronneSt., (504)529-5825;2018MagazineSt.,(504) 569-0000;4724S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 486-9950;8140OakSt.,(504)897-4800; juansflyingburrito.com TheFlyingBurrito includessteak,shrimp,chicken,cheddarjack cheese,blackbeans,rice,guacamoleand salsa.Outdoorseatingavailable.noreservations.LunchanddinnerThu.-Tue $$ Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt.,(504) 488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com TheeclecticmenuincludesaCajunCubanwithroasted pork,ham,cheeseandpickles.Delivery available.Reservationsacceptedforlarge parties.LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun $$ Kilroy’sBar—HigginsHotel,480Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining—Thebarmenu includessandwiches,saladsandflatbreads, includingonetoppedwithpeach,prosciutto, stracciatellacheese,arugulaandpecans.no reservations.DinnerWed.-Sat.$$

LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern—700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350;legacykitchen.com—Themenuincludesoysters, flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches,saladsand anOLAStyleGritsBowltoppedwithbacon, cheddarandapoachedegg.Reservations accepted.Breakfast,lunchanddinner daily.$$

LegacyKitchenSteak&Chop—91Westbank Expressway,Gretna,(504)513-2606; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes filetsmignonsandbone-inrib-eyes,as wellasburgers,saladsandseafooddishes Reservationsaccepted.Outdoorseating available.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat $$ LuzianneCafe 481GirodSt.,(504)2651972;luziannecafe.com—BoudinBenedict

featurestwopoachedeggsoverboudinand anenglishmuffin,servedwithgreentomato chowchowandhollandaise.noreservations. Deliveryavailable.Breakfastandlunch Wed.-Sun $$

Mikimoto 3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com TheSouth Carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.Reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.LunchSun.Fri.,dinnerdaily.$$ Mosca’s—4137Highway90West, Westwego,(504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com Thisfamily-styleeatery servesItaliandishesandspecialtiesincluding chickenalagrande,shrimpMosca,baked oystersMoscaandchickencacciatore Reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.-Sat. Cashonly $$$

Mother’sRestaurant—401PoydrasSt., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net— Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys dressedwithslicedcabbageandCreole favoriteslikejambalaya,crawfishetouffee, redbeansandriceandmore.Breakfastis availableallday.Deliveryavailable.noreservations.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ NewOrleansHamburger&SeafoodCo.— 817VeteransMemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504) 837-8580;1005S.ClearviewParkway, Jefferson,(504)734-1122;2515BManhattan Blvd.,Harvey,(504)684-6050;4141St. CharlesAve.,(504)247-9753;6920Veterans MemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504)455-1272; nohsc.com—Themenurangesfromburgers toItaliandishes,friedseafoodplatters, po-boys,saladsandmore.Thin-friedCatfish Lafitteisservedoverricepilaf.Delivery available.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeansandricewithfriedchicken orporkchops,aswellasshrimpCreole,seafoodplatters,po-boys,char-grilledandraw oysters,saladsandmore.Sideitemsinclude carrotsouffle,macandcheese,cornbread dressing,sweetpotatototsandmore.no reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun.$$ NiceGuysBar&Grill—7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola. com—Char-grilledoystersaretoppedwith cheeseandgarlicbutter,andotheroptions includeoystersRockefellerandloadedoysters.Thecreativemenualsoincludesseafood bread,aCajun-lobsterpotato,wings,quesadillas,burgers,salads,sandwiches,seafood pasta,loadedfriesandmore.noreservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat.$$$

TheOriginalItalianPie—3629PrytaniaSt., (504)766-8912;theoriginalitalianpieuptown.com TheItalianPiecomboincludes pepperoni,Italiansausage,groundbeef, mushrooms,onions,bellpepper,black olives,mozzarellaandhouse-madetomato sauce.noreservations.DinnerandlatenightTue.-Sat.$$ OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro 720OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930; orleansgrapevine.com—Thewinebaroffers cheeseboardsandappetizerstonoshwith wines.ThemenuincludesCreolepasta withshrimpandandouilleintomatocream sauce.Reservationsacceptedforlarge parties.Outdoorseatingavailable.Dinner Thu.-Sun $$

PalaceCafe 605CanalSt.,(504)523-1661; palacecafe.com ThecontemporaryCreole menuincludescrabmeatcheesecakewith

mushroomsandCreolemeunieresauce. Outdoorseatingavailable.Reservationsrecommended.BreakfastandlunchWed.-Fri., dinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchSat.-Sun $$$ ParishGrill—4650W.EsplanadeAve.,Suite 100,Metairie,(504)345-2878;parishgrill.com—Themenuincludesburgers, sandwiches,pizzaandsauteedandouille withfigdip,bluecheeseandtoastpoints. Reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Mon.-Sat $$

PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot, 501TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073; peacockroomnola.com—Atbrunch,braised shortribgrilladesareservedovergritswith mushrooms,apoachedeggandshaved truffle.Reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.Mon.,brunchSun $$

Rosie’sontheRoof—HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining Therooftopbar hasamenuofsandwiches,burgersandsmall plates.CrabbeignetsaremadewithGulf crabmeatandmascarponeandservedwith herbaioli.noreservations.Dinnerdaily.$$ Tableau 616St.PeterSt.,(504)934-3463; tableaufrenchquarter.com—Themenu featurestraditionalandcreativeCreole dishes.Pastabouillabaissefeaturessquid inkmafaldine,littleneckclams,Gulfshrimp, squid,seafoodbroth,rouilleandherbed breadcrumbs.Outdoorseatingavailableon thebalcony.Reservationsrecommended. DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchThu.-Sun $$$ Tacklebox—817CommonSt.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com Themenu includesrawandchar-broiledoysters, seafoodplatters,po-boys,friedchicken, crabandcornbisqueandmore.RedfishSt Charlesisservedwithgarlic-herbbutter, asparagus,mushroomsandcrawfishcornbread.Reservationsaccepted.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza—1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024CanalSt., (504)302-1133;4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554;70488Highway21,Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com A MarilynnPotaSupremepieistoppedwith mozzarella,pepperoni,sausage,hamburger, mushrooms,bellpeppersandonions.There alsoaresalads,sandwiches,wings,breadsticksandmore.Deliveryavailable.Lunch anddinnerTue.-Sat $

Tito’sCeviche&Pisco—1433St.Charles Ave.,(504)354-1342;5015MagazineSt., (504)267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com—The Peruvianmenuincludesseveraltypesof ceviche,aswellassteakandseafooddishes. Traditionallomosaltadofeaturessauteed beeftenderlointips,onions,tomatoes,soy sauceandpisco,servedwithpotatoesand rice.OutdoorseatingavailableonMagazine Street.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun.$$$

TheVintage 3121MagazineSt.,(504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com—Themenu includesbeignets,flatbreadsandaveggie sandwichwithavocado,onions,arugula,red pepperandpepperjackcheese.noreservations.Deliveryandoutdoorseatingavailable. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

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awayfromtheirnormalfamilyand socialobligationsinOscarWilde’s classicfarceaboutVictorianmores. LePetitArtisticDirectorA.J.Allegra directs.At7:30p.m.Thursday,June 6,throughSaturday,June8,and3 p.m.Sunday,June9,andcontinuing June13-23atLePetitTheatre.Tickets $20-$40vialepetittheatre.com.

LizaTreyger

NewYork-basedcomicLizaTreyger hasbeenpraisedforherfrankness andbawdy,fearlessapproachto comedy.Herrecentmaterialhascovereddealingwithpiss-coveredwomen’sbathrooms,awkwardschool playsandthepsychologicaleffectsof watchingtoomuch“LawandOrder: SVu,”whichshedoesforher“SVu” recappodcast“That’sMessedup.” TreygerperformstwonightsatJunk DrawerCoffee,presentedbySports Drink.Showsareat7p.m.and9:30 p.m.Friday,June7,andSaturday, June8.Ticketsare$25generalvia sportsdrink.eventbrite.com.

LustSickPuppy

Rapper-producerLustSickPuppy writhessomewhereinachaoticmix ofpunkrock,hip-hop,numetal, techno,Juggalofacepaint,’90s3-D graphicsandunstoppableenergy ThenewYork-bornartistrecently releasedtheirfirstfull-lengthalbum, “CarouselFromHell,”andisontour withastopatSantosBarat10p.m. Saturday,June8.Ticketsare$16 viasantosbar.com.

NewOrleansBlockParty

ThefirstNewOrleansBlockParty musicfestwillfeatureperformances byPartners-n-CrimewithThe BigeasyBand,HotBoyRonald withHolidaySale,Cupid,Ronnie Bell,TonyaBoyd-CannonandBig 6BrassBand.Themusicstarts at1p.m.Saturday,June8,at theBroadside.Ticketsare$25in advanceviabroadsidenola.com.

TinyDinosaur

elements.TinyDinosaurplayswith MarinaOrchestraandDerekDooms at9p.m.Saturday,June8,atBJ’s Lounge.FindmoreinfoonInstagram, @tinydinosaurnola.

‘Willie,Waylonand theBoys’release

AuthorBrianFairbankstraces thehistoryoftheoutlawcountry movementinhisnewbook“Willie, WaylonandtheBoys:Hownashville OutsidersChangedCountryMusic Forever.”StartingwithWaylon Jenningsandhisnarrowsurvivalon “thedaythemusicdied,”Fairbanks guidesreadersthroughtheriseof outlawcountryinthe1960sand’70s, thecareersofJohnnyCash,Willie nelsonandKrisKristoffersonandinto themodernalternativecountryscene. Abookreleaseeventtakesplaceat 6p.m.Tuesday,June4,atGarden DistrictBookShop,withmusicby ConorDonohue,happyhourofferings andFairbankstalkingaboutthebook. FreetoattendbutRSVPisrequested viagardendistrictbookshop.com.

WorldNakedBikeRide

TheNewOrleansNakedBikeRide celebratesitsSweet16.Theevent isopentobicyclesandavarietyof non-motorizedvehiclesincluding skateboards,rollerbladesandmore. Thedresscodeis“bareasyoudare,” andtheridebothpromotescyclingas aformoftransportationandadvocatesforthesafetyofnon-motorized vehiclesthatsharepublicstreets. Theridebeginsat4p.m.Saturday, June8.Visitfacebook.com/ wnbrnolaforinformation.

MikeDillonandthe NewF***Yeahs

VibraphonistMikeDillonand theNewF***Yeahs,featuringTif Lamson,ChrisSenak,WillMurrayand Ruriknunan,headlineaFreeFridays showatTipitina’s.DariaandTheHip Dropsalsoplay.At9p.m.Friday,June 7.Visittipitinas.comforinformation

OzoneSpringSoundOff

NewOrleans’TinyDinosauris sayinggoodbyetothisera,butthe folkbandisgoingoutonitsown termswithafarewellshowandone lastePofnewmusic.Folkmaybe aneasydescriptorfortheband, butit’smisleading:TinyDinosaur incorporatesarangeofinfluences, fromnewOrleansrhythmandblues topunk,rock‘n’rollandcountry. Andthebandplayfullysingsabout helpfulwitches,mischievousgoblins, ancientritualsandotherfantasy

NewOrleansnativeGregBarnhill hoststheOzoneMusicFoundation eventhighlightingcountry,blues,folk andpop.Barnhillhaswrittensongsfor TrishaYearwood,AmyGrantandothers.ThelineupalsoincludesTiffany Pollack,TeenaMay,MaryBroussard andCarolineTebbs.From6:15-9:30 p.m.Friday,June7,atAbitaSprings Opry,andfoodisincluded.Tickets $25inadvanceviaozonemusic.org, $30atthedoor.

FORCOMPLeTe MuSIC LISTInGS

AnD MORe eVenTSTAKInG PLACe

In THe neWORLeAnS AReA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

MONDAY3

BOURBONOBAR TiffanyHallAnd TheJazzMasters,4pm;LaniRamosand MoBluesBand,8pm

DBA— SecretSixJazzBand,6pm;The JumpHounds,9pm

HOWLIN'WOLF —SongsForThe People,6:30pm

TUESDAY4

BLUENILE—ericJohanson,TheIguanas, ChaWa,8:15pm

BOURBONOBAR—Dr.Zach,4pm; IngridLuccia,8pm

DBA—Waterseed,6pm;KidChocolate andtheFreeP.O.C.,9pm

JOYTHEATER MotionCity Soundtrack,7pm

SANTOS—AMGandRedScareat nIVA,BrendanKellyofTheLawrence Arms,ArmsAloft,JenPopofThe Bombpops,7pm

SANTOSBAR—BrendanKelly,Arms Aloft,JenPop,6pm

THEGARDENDISTRICTBOOKSHOP BrianFairbanks,6pm

THEJOYTHEATER—MotionCity Soundtrack,8pm

THERABBITHOLE—RebirthBrass Band,10pm

WEDNESDAY5

BLUENILE—newBreedBrass Band,9:30pm

BOURBONOBAR—GaryBrown,4pm; Serabee,8pm

CHICKIEWAHWAH AdeemtheArtist andAliciaBlue,8:30pm

DBA—TinMen,6pm;LagniappeBrass Band,9pm

MARIGNYOPERAHOUSE—DonPaul, RiversAnswerMoons,7:30pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM— Alison Lefevre,2pm

THURSDAY6

BLUENILE—WhereY'atBrass Band,9pm

BOURBONOBAR Kimchisoop,4pm; XcitementBand,8pm

CHICKIEWAHWAH MahmoudChouki andOscarRossignoli,8pm

DBA—KhrisRoyalfeaturingThe Point,10pm

MARIGNYOPERAHOUSE—Victoria Doutón,8pm

PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT— DaLovebirdswithRobinBarnesandPat Casey,8pm

POORBOYS—Profantica,StormRuler, MorbidTorment,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—HoraceTrahan& Ossunexpress,8pm

FRIDAY7

BLUENILE—TheCaesarBrothersFunk Box,8pm;KermitRuffinsandthe BarbecueSwingers,11pm

BOURBONOBAR ellenSmith& AprilSpain,4pm;MemShannon Trio,4pm

BROADSIDE—PrideattheBroadside featuringJohnBoutte,CarolynBroussard, SeanHobbes&TheHiRes,7pm

BUFFA'SBAR&RESTAURANT Cole Williams,8pm

CHICKIEWAHWAH—MoPodnaalbum release,9pm

DBA—GalHolidayandtheHonkeyTonk Review,6pm;SoulBrassBand,10pm

DOUBLEDEALERBAR—Jenavieve CookeandTheWindingBoys,9pm

LEBONTEMPS—RobbieWallace Quintet,9pm

POORBOYS—GuitarWolf,HansCondor, Headwoundz,7pm

REPUBLICNOLA— DionTimmer,10pm ROCK‘N’BOWL—TheTopcats,8:30pm

SIBERIA—Antigravity20thanniversary showfeat. Gland,DummyDumpster, ZachQuinn,8pm

TIPITINA'S—MikeDillonandthe newFuckYeahs,DariaandtheHip Drops,8pm

TOULOUSETHEATRE—nPRTinyDesk Contest:OntheRoadTour,8pm

SATURDAY8

BLUENILE GeorgeBrownBand,8pm

BOURBONOBAR—BrianWingard,4pm; TheBluesMasters,8pm

BROADSIDE—Partners-n-Crime, HotboyRonald,Cupidandmore,1pm

CHICKIEWAHWAH—LittleFreddieKing Duo,9pm

DBA—JenavieveandtheRoyalStreet WindingBoys,2:30pm;MainlineBrass Band,10pm

THEFILLMORE—Tesla,8pm POORBOYS BeaverFever,Shitload, OffalLettuce,8pm

REPUBLICNOLA—WrecknoandMoore Kismet,10pm

GalHolidayandtheHonkyTonk ReviewplaydbaJune7

PHOTOBYTED JACKSON/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

ROCK'N'BOWL—TheCheeWeezplus AfterPartyBand,8pm

SANTOS LustSickPuppy,10pm

SOUTHPORTHALL—Kyper,8:30pm

THERABBITHOLE—AllThat,9pm

TIPITINA’S—PurpleTakeover,APrince CelebrationwithDJSoulSister,9pm

SUNDAY9

BLUENILE—TheBakedPotatoes,8pm; StreetLegendsBrassBand,10:30pm

BOURBONOBAR MarcStone,4pm; Serabee,8pm

CHICKIEWAHWAH—CertainlySo,Alexis &theSanity,8pm

KINGBRASSERIEANDBAR—Sasha Masakowki,10am NOLABREWING—ABlindSip,3pm

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MUSIC

Erastour

byJakeClapp

IT’SBEENAWHILESINCEAARON BOUDREAUXPLAYEDaMoPodna show.ThenewOrleans-based musicianinrecentyearshasbeen busydrumminginsynthpopband PeopleMuseumandworking withotherartists,andBoudreaux wouldturntohiselectro-popsolo projectforanoccasionalsingle releaseoralivestreamingshow duringthepandemic.

ThelastMoPodnashowinnew Orleanswasinearly2020when Boudreauxopenedforelectronic musicianDanDeacon,rightbeforethe pandemicshutdownmusicvenues. Butin2022,afanlivinginCalifornia reachedouttoBoudreauxtoplaya MoPodnasetathercompany’slaunch partyinMalibu.

ItendedupbeinganimportantweekendforBoudreaux,andit’sapivotal eventon“ICanSaveMe,”hisnewfulllengthalbumasMoPodna.

intowritingelectronicmusic.Theduo releasedafour-songeP,butFrazerultimatelymovedawayfromnewOrleans, andBoudreauxlaunchedhisMoPodna soloprojectin2018.

“MoPodnaendedupbeingmyway ofallowingmyselftoreleasewhatever kindofelectronicmusicIwantto, withwhateverwaymytasteevolves,” Boudreauxsays.Theprojectalsogives himthechancetocollaboratewith others,likeGivens,LamsonandDanish vocalistSigneKrog.

MoPodnareleased“ICanSaveMe” lastweek,andtherewillbeanalbum releaseshowat9p.m.Friday,June 7,atChickieWahWah.MoPodnawill bejoinedbyPeopleMuseum’sClaire Givens,TifLamsonandAlexisMarceaux, allofwhomhaveappearedonmultiple MoPodnasongsovertheyears ThefirstMoPodnafull-lengthfollowing atrioofePs,the10-track“ICanSave Me”ishouse-inspired,vibeyelectro-pop that’sthoughtfulandfullofinteresting moments.Givens,LamsonandJulie Odellcontributevocalstotheself-producedalbum,andBoudreauxallowshis ownvoicetocometothefrontonsome tracksinwayshehasn’tbefore.

Thesongson“ICanSaveMe”arein chronologicalordertowhentheywere written,Boudreauxsays,resultinginan intimatealbumthatinadvertentlyfollowsBoudreauxthroughatransformationaltimeinhislife.Thebeat-forward albumopener,“I’mnasty,”developed fromademoheplayedlivein2019.

“Itkindofstartswithmylifein2018, 2019,asI’msortofgrowingasmyown artist,”Boudreauxsays.

Boudreaux,whogrewupin Lafayette,hasspentalotofhismusic careerbehindthedrumkit.Hehas playedwithzydecomusicianCedric Watson,popbandGIVeRSandothers, butasafanofhousemusicandactslike AphexTwin,Boudreauxwasitchingfor anotheroutlet.Boudreauxalsooverthe yearshasmadebeatsandproducedand engineeredforotherartists. In2016,hestartedtheproject SightseewithvocalistDillonFrazer, whichwasBoudreaux’sfirstforay

As“ICanSaveMe”progresses, Boudreauxreflectsonaterriblenight whenhewasroofiedatanewOrleans bar.Hemadeithomesafely,butit wasashock.

Themirage-esquetrack“TheDream :Wakingup”wasinspiredbydreams Boudreauxwashavingofhislatefather Thesongalsobridgesthealbumintoits heaviersecondhalf

Thesecondhalfof“ICanSaveMe”is focusedonBoudreaux’sbreak-upwith hislong-termpartnerandhowhislife haschangedinthelastcoupleofyears. There’stheinitialsplit,followedby grapplingwithdepressionamidentering anewstageoflife.

Apairofsongs,“JawsofLife”and “Stay,”whichfeaturesGivens,circle aroundBoudreaux’s2022triptothe WestCoast,wherehemethisnow girlfriend.Thealbumcloseswiththe bittersweet“BestFriends”looking backatBoudreaux’spreviousnineyearrelationship

“Givingcredencetothatnine-year relationshipassuchahugepartofmy life,wrappingituponapositivenote andhavingtheendofthesongbeing thebeatthattakesyououttothenext chapterofyourlifejustallfeltperfect,” Boudeauxsays

Ticketsforthealbumreleaseshow are$15viachickiewahwah.comand $20atthedoor.FindMoPodnaon Instagram,@mopodna

MoPodnaistheelectro-pop projectbyAaronBoudreaux. PROVIDED PHOTOBYDAVID A. ROSS

PrideWeekendEvents

BELOWAREEVENTSFORPRIDEWEEKENDandbeyond.Alsocheckneworleanspride.organdcalendar.gambit.com formoreevents.

PrideFest

ThePhoenixbarhostsitsannualPride celebrationfeaturingperformancesby BigFreedia,DuskyWaters,andMike DelacerdaandWildBlues.Festivitiesare hostedbyeureekaStarfishandMonique Michaels-Alexanderandalsoinclude DiscoAmigos,DJs,theBigeasySisters ofPerpetualIndulgenceandmore.At elysianFieldsAvenueandnorthRampart Streetfrom11a.m.to6p.m.Saturday, June8.Visitnolapridefest.orgfordetails

NewOrleansBlackPride CommunityFestival

SaucySantanaperformsatthefreenew OrleansBlackPrideCommunityFestival, featuringBJSoCole,Mothanola,Warren andmore.At1-8p.m.Saturday,June8, inLouisArmstrongPark.Visitblackpridenola.comfordetails.

NOLAPrideParade

ThenewOrleansPrideParadestartsnear PrideFestonelysianFieldsAvenueand circlesthroughtheFrenchQuarter,passes bynewOrleansBlackPrideCommunity FestivalandendsonBourbonStreetnear St.AnnSt.at6p.m.Saturday,June8 Visitneworleanspride.orgfordetails

LongueVueFamilyEqualityDay

Thefamily-friendlypridecelebration featuresdance,dragperformances, dragqueenstorytime,fandecorating, children’sparade,aresourcefairand more.Admissionisfree,butreservationsarerequired.From10a.m.to5 p.m.Sunday,June9.Visitlonguevue. comfordetails.

PrideattheBroadside

ThethirdannualPrideattheBroadside showfeaturesanartmarket,freeon-site HIVtestingbyCrescentCare,giveaways andspecialtycocktails.Performersat theshowincludeDJLadyLavendar, CarolynBroussard,SeanHobbesandthe HiResandJohnBoutte.Showstartsat7 p.m.,Friday,June7,andticketsare$20 to$25.Apercentageoftheproceeds willgotoTransQueerYouthnOLA. Forticketsandmoreinformationcheck broadsidenola.com.

NowThat’sWhatICallQueer Queerdancepartypop-upandevent producersnowThat’sWhatICall Queerhaveaslateofeventsplannedfor June.nowThat’sWhatICallQueer’s residentDJWarmAdvicewillbespinningdancepartiesatPrideeventsatthe boutiquehotelMargaretPlaceduring theStaycationpop-uponJune8-9,

June14,June27(whichalsoincludes musicbyChloeMarie)andJune28. Staycationadmissionisfreeandithas vendorsRahmHausofferingicecream, TxowTxowservingfoodandcocktails fromTurningTables.Therearequeer openmicnightsatuptowngaybarQiQi onTuesdaysinJune(sign-upat6:30 p.m.,performancesat7p.m.).Andthe TeasetheRainbowburlesqueandqueer dancepartyclosesPridemonthonJune 29atTheDomino.Findmoreinformationatnowthatswhaticallqueer.com HerHausPrideFemmeFest HerHaus,whichproduceseventsfor queerfemmesandtheirallies,throws thedance-focusedPrideFemmeFeston Friday,June7,throughSunday,June9, withDJs,burlesqueperformances,drag andgo-godancing.Featuredperformers includeOrlandoDJBossmandiego,Ivy LesVixens,LadySiren,DaniGumi,Miss Tigerlily,KatrinaWatersandmore.The FestkicksoffFridayatTheBourbon Pub,movestotheToulouseTheatreon Saturdayandthere’sapoolpartyatThe DrifteronSunday.Findmoreinformationandticketsatherhausevents.com.

GrrlSpotPride

Queerandlesbianbarpop-upGrrlSpot hostsitsannualPridepartyonFriday, June7,andSaturday,June8.Thereisa kickoffpartystartingat7p.m.Fridayat AmericanTownhousewithDJs,cocktailsanddancing.OnSaturday,GrrlSpot takesoverCafeIstanbulforapost-paradepartyfeaturingDJsKSquaredand DeloresGaloreanddragandburlesque performancesstartingat10p.m. Generaladmissionis$15eachnight viagrrlspot.com

PrideNorthshoreParade St.Tammany-basedgroupQueer northshoreproducesthefirstPride northshoreparadewithmorethan25 walkingkrewes.Thefamily-friendly paradeinMandevillestartsat5p.m Saturday,June1,atJacksonAvenue andLakeshoreDriveandrollsdown LakeshoreDrivetoCoffeeStreet.An after-partywillbeheldatPat’sRest Awhile.Findmoreinformation atqueernorthshore.org.

PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

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Studyparticipantsmay receivecompensationfor time andtravel. No medicalinsurance is required.Calltoday or visitusonlinetofind outifyou qualify.

GOINGOUT

Lovesexydancing

byWillCoviello

DJSOULSISTER,AKA

MELISSAWEBER,waswaitingforacallfromPrince.

“HehadBlackfemale DJswhowouldtourwith him,”Webersays.“One ofthemwasDJRashida, andanotherwasPamthe Funkstress.Helikedthem becausetheylikedolder music—soulandfunk Iwaslike,‘myturn iscoming.’”

Shewasn’tcalledup beforePrincediedin 2016.Butasalifelong fan,she’slongcelebrated hismusicandbirthday withdanceparties.Her PurpleTakeovershow onSaturday,June8, atTipitina’shighlights thePurpleTakeover Weekend,whichstartson Prince’sbirthday,June7

WeberhasbeenaPrincefanforabout aslongasshecanremember.Shehada 45ofhissingle“WhyYouWanttoTreat MeSoBad”beforeshewasoldenough toshopforherself.ShewenttoSears inMetairietobuyhisalbum“1999” oncassette,whichshesurreptitiously listenedtooutofhearingrangeofher parents.Butshehadtolettheminon theactionwhenPrincecametotown.

“When‘Lovesexy’cameoutin1988,I wenttothatshowattheunOLakefront Arena,”shesays.“Iwasineighthgrade. Myfatherchaperonedme,andIam scarredtothisday.Itwasnotthekindof showyouwantedyourparentsat.”

ShenowhasherownLovesexy Dancers,whowillperformatthe PurpleTakeovershow.She’llhostand DJthenightandplayPrinceandPrince family:TheTime,Sheilae.,Vanity6 andApollonia6.

WhilePrincereleasedroughly40 albumsandleftbehindavaultofunreleasedmusic,Webergenerallysticksto hismusicfromthe’70sand’80s PrinceDayeventssprungupacross theworldafterhisdeath,andWeber hasorganizedacelebrationattheAce Hotelfrom5-8p.m.Friday,June7. She’llhost,andDJVintagewillspin Princemusic,includingmoremusic fromthe’90sandafter. AlsoFriday,there’sa40thanniversaryscreeningof“PurpleRain”atThe Prytaniainuptown.Weberwillintroducethemovieat10p.m.,andthere willbeagamewithgiveaways.Prytania alsoscreensthefilmSaturday,butSoul Sisterwillnotbethere

OnSunday,June9,C.LieghMcInnis willleadatalkaboutPrinceattheAce Hotelat3p.m.McInnisisaPrince scholar,formereditorofBlackMagnolias LiteraryJournalandtheauthorof“The LyricsofPrince:ALiteraryLookata Creative,MusicalPoet,Philosopher, andStoryteller.”McInniswaspartof theTakeoverlastyearandsharedthat Princewasfamiliarwithhisworkand broughthimtohisPaisleyParkstudiosin Minneapolis,andcalledhimatallhours athishome,Webersays. newthisyearisthePurplePoetry Circle.Thereadingofpoetryabout andrelatedtoPrincewasorganized byMeganHolt,directorofOneBook OnenewOrleans,andDeniseFrazier, amusicianandscholar.Thelineup includesMcInnis,whohaspublishedfour volumesofpoetry,formerLouisiana PoetLaureateMonaLisaSaloy,former AsheCulturalArtsCenterdirectorCarol Bebelle,nikkiummel,ChristianLeeand JoseTorres-Tama.Theeventis5-7p.m. Sunday,June9,attheAceHotel AfterPrincedied,manypeople sharedstoriesofcharitabledonations tofoundationsandindividualsthat hehadmadewhileaskingtoremain anonymous.Inspiredbythat,Weber addedacharitablecomponenttothe Takeover.Aportionofproceedsfrom theTipitina’spartyandcocktailsfrom thePrinceDayeventattheAcewillbe donatedtoCovenantHouse

Formoreinformation, visitdjsoulsister.com

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ACROSS

1Colon’s meaning in analogies

5Casino IOU

9Honcho

13Fruits to bob for

19Flow slowly

20Jay of jest

21Sinful

22Artist Monet

23Free

25 avis (unusual thing)

26Ottawa’s land

27Start of a riddle

30By means of

31Response to a punch

32Clunker

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FUN ‘N’GAMES

MEAGER MEAL

By Frank A. Longo

33State whose cap. is Boise

35Riddle, part 2

46Touch-me(explosive plants)

48Cellphone game, often

49-- Trapp family

50Stable animal

51Riddle, part 3

58Locality

59Squirms, as in pain

60Film critic Roger

61Propelled a bicycle

63Acting prize

64Made a run for it

65-- extra cost

66The, in Paris

67Riddle, part 4

73Pool length

76“Jeepers!”

77Margarine, quaintly

78 salts

82Vocalist with the 2018 hits “Boo’d Up” and “Trip”

84Lyric poets

86Sweet wine of Portugal

88Map out

89Riddle, part 5

92Gobble down

94Big Brit. lexicon

95Tooth doctor’s org.

NEWTOMARKET MID-CITY

2229 Iberville Street NewOrleans, LA 70119

(504) 777-1773 nolastyles.com

96Auth. unknown

97End of the riddle

104 British verb suffix

105 Toward a boat’s back

106 Wriggly fish

107 Klutzy type

109 Riddle’s answer

120 Regain a conscious state

121 Challenge

122 Fitness club machine

123 Consolidator

124 Iran’s home

125 “Jeepers!”

126 Around H’wood, e.g.

127 Go to bed

128 Comply with

129 Lone

130 Novelist Jennifer

DOWN

1Caesar’s “vidi,” translated

2“Late Night” host Meyers

3Able to read minds

4Express a view

5Musical staff symbol

6One who saves the day

7Wild about

8Pomeranian, e.g.

9Deprived (of)

10Egg-shaped

11Assistant on iPhones

12Pomeranian, e.g.

13Accumulate, as interest

14Modeling compound for kids

15Twinge of guilt, e.g.

16Oahu feast

17Water whirl

18Briny body

24Sharp remark

28Cry of Homer Simpson

29Actor Byrnes or fielder Roush

33Halved

34Entryways

36Go very fast

37Numbered musical work

38FedEx rival

39State firmly

40Variety

41Like most musical works with five sharps

42Civil rights figure Parks

43Dentist’s tool

44Lauder of cosmetics

45Oboe inserts

47Occupy, as a table

52Morel or enoki, informally

53Narrate

54Comply with

55City that’s home to Tufts University

56As far as

57Carnival shelter

62End of a college’s URL

64Go very fast

65Earlier

68Language of Bangkok

69Infamous Idi

70Ye Shoppe

71Relaxation

72Met offering

73Cartoon skunk Pepé

74Islamic God

75“Oro y --” (Montana’s motto)

79Representing

80Often-twisted cookies

81French river or department

83“... some kind of --?”

84Ran in the wash

85Q7 or A8 carmaker

86Lead-in to care or gap, in health care

87Impose -- on (illegalize)

90Gear tooth

91Owns

93Book of hymns

98From the distant past

99High degree

100 Conquer

101 That gal

102 A-list groups

103 Yummy

108 Apt first name for a general?

109 Actress Skye

110 Leave off

111 pot (congestion clearer)

112 Cain’s father

113 Flower jar

114 Lake abutting Ohio

115 Thus

116 Close tightly

117 Lose vibrancy

118 Spanish pot

119 Bator, Mongolia

120 Mean mutt