July 1 - 7 2024
Volume 45
Number 27
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ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT NewOrleans’LoveLanguage FilmmakerEdwardBuckles’loveletter toNewOrleanspremieresatEssence
THEESSENCEFESTIVALOFCULTUREIS
CELEBRATINGITS30THEDITIONTHIS YEAR,withsomeofitsmostpopular headliners,likeJanetJackson,andbig reunions,likeBirdmanandartistsfrom theCashMoneylabelonstageFridayin theCaesarsSuperdome.
ButEssencemagazinealsoiscelebratingNewOrleansthisyear.ItsJuly/ Augustissuehasbeenprintedwithfour differentcovers,allofthemfeaturing localculturebearersinsteadofitsusual celebrityshots.
FilmmakerEdwardBucklesJr shotthecovers,whichcameoutof ashortfilmprojecthewasworking onforEssence.Thatpiece,“Dear NewOrleans,”willpremiereatthe festival,screeningbothattheCaesars Superdomeandinprogrammingatthe ErnestN.MorialConventionCenter
Bucklesisbestknownforhis2022 documentary“KatrinaBabies,”in whichheinterviewedhispeerswho werechildrenandyoungteenagers whenthehurricaneandleveefailures ravagedNewOrleans.Thesurvivors talkedaboutbeingdisplacedandhow theycopedwiththetraumaof thedisaster.
Bucklesisnowworkingonhissecond featurefilm,anditexploreshowNew Orleansculturaltraditionsgroundresistance,hesays
Theshortfilmisacelebrationofthe cultureandthepeoplewholiveand makeit
“Essencereachedouttomeandsaid theywantedtoworkwithmeduring thefestival,”Bucklessays.“It’salove lettertoBlackNewOrleansfrommyself andEssence.Theydidn’twanttotell mewhattodo.Theygavemefreerein. TheyjustsaidwewanttogiveNew Orleansitsflowers.”
The10-minutefilmismuchmore aboutfeathers.ItfeaturesmanyBlack MaskingIndiansfromtheGoldenEagles andtheMohawkHunters.Butthere alsoaremusicianslikeMannieFresh, socialaidandpleasureclubsandpeople goingabouttheirdailylives.
AsBuckleswasdevelopingideasfor thefilm,theprojectblossomedintoa photographyprojectaswell
“Itallhappenedinpre-production,” hesays.“Iwasgivingthemmyideas, andtheywerelike,wewouldloveif whileyou’remakingyourfilmyoutake photosthatwecoulduseforthecover.”
OneofthecoversfeaturesTahj Williams,QueenoftheGoldenEagles. Thecloseupofherfaceandheaddress
byWillCoviello
QueenTahjWilliamswithEd BucklesJr.attheirEssence magazinephotoshoot PHOTOPROVIDEDBYEDBUCKLES JR
isawashinorangeandmagentaplumes, andshewearsabeadedpanelfeaturing aNewOrleanshome.
AnothercoverfeaturesJ’wan BoudreauxandayoungIndianwith atambourine,bothwearingbeaded moccasinsandmagentafeathers.
“Iwantedtohighlightpeopletaking ittoadifferentlevelwiththisnew generation,soTahjWilliamsandJ’wan Boudreaux,”Bucklessays.“Ithoughtit wouldbeagreatopportunitytohighlightwho’supnextinthecultureand who’scarryingthetorchrightnow.”
BesidesworkingonIndiansuits, Williamsdesignedthebeadedlogofor SuperBowllIX.Boudreaux,whoisthe grandsonofMonkBoudreaux,isamusicianandleadsSpyBoyJ&TheeStorm
Anothercoupleofyoungfacesshare athirdcover.AjahCanseloandZoie CasbyareyoungqueensoftheMohawk Hunters,whichisbasedinAlgiers.
BucklesgrewupontheWestBank andwantedtohighlightitscontributionstotheculture.
Thelastcoverfeaturesyolanda “ShortDog”Taylorparadingwitha babydollgroupontheWestBank (Buckleslaterlearnedthatheattended EdnaKarrHighSchoolwithTaylor’s daughter.)InthebackgroundisMohawk BigChiefTyroneCasby,whoformerly
wastheprincipalof landry-Walker highschool Theyallappear in“DearNew Orleans,”andthe filmcapturestheir circlesoffamily andfriends.
“Itwasimportant tohighlightthe tribesandcommunity,”Buckles says.“ImadesureI highlightedQueen Tahj’sfamily,with hermomandher auntiesandher cousinsandher grandfather,who allplayaroleinher tribewaybefore thesuitgoeson.I showedthatfoundationofloveand supportasshe gotready.”
Bucklesincludes videoofthewidercommunityaswell “Thefilmgoesdeeperinadayinthe lifeofeverydaypeople,”hesays.“It includespeoplewhoaresittingontheir porches,orgoingtowork,andkids outsideplaying.”
SceneswithMannieFreshcapture himinhisoldneighborhood.
“Mannielovescars,”Bucklessays. “HeshowsupinavintageMustang.We shothimonvintagecamerasthatthey usedbackinhisdaywiththeHotBoys Werolledthroughthe7thWard.Itwas agreatexperience.Childhoodme wasscreaming.”
Thefilmalsoincludessegmentswith Tarriona“Tank”BallofTankandthe Bangas,andascenewithformerNew OrleansmayorandNationalurban leaguePresidentMarcMorial. TheimagesandvideoBucklescreated willbethelookofEssencefor thefestival.
Duringtheweekend,ashowof Buckles’workwillopenatTheBarnett Hotel(formerlyknownastheAce Hotel).Itwillincludemoreunseen imagesfromthemagazineandvideo shootaswellasotherwork.Itopens Saturday,July6
FormoreinformationonEssence events,visitessence.com.
Go4thontheRiver TheannualIndependenceDay celebrationculminateswithfireworks overtheMississippiRiverbetween theFrenchQuarterandAlgiersPoint at9p.m.Thursday,July4.There willbelivemusicandfestivitiesat SpanishPlazafrom2-9p.m.,aswellas entertainmentattheMoonwalkfrom 5:30-9p.m.PerformersincludeJames AndrewsandtheVictoryBelles.There willbefoodtrucksattheMoonwalk andCrescentPark.Thefireworks willbestreamedonwwl.comandits Facebookpage.Forinformation,visit go4thontheriver.com.
Peoplewatchfireworksat CrescentParkduringGo 4thontheRiverin2023.
PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
UncleSamJam There’slivemusic,fireworksand moreattheIndependencecelebrationinlafreniereParkinMetairie.The musiclineupfeaturesChapelHart, NikoMoon,TheFrontmen,MadCity andtheMarineForcesReserveBrass Band.Therewillbemorethanadozen foodtrucksandpop-upsaswellas drinkvendors.Fireworksareat9:30 p.m.Wednesday,July3.Freeadmission.Visitunclesamjamjefferson.com forinformation
DonnaColorExplosion Hip-hopiconJuvenilehostsand headlinestheDonnaColorExplosion withperformancesbyBoosieBadazz, BigFreedia,HotboyTurkandthe Big6BrassBand.Therealsowillbe foodanddrinksbyurbanSouthand a“colorexplosionwar”usingcolor powders.Theshowalsokicksoff Juvenile’snationalBackThatAzzup tour.DonnaColorExplosionopensat 2p.m.Sunday,July7,aturbanSouth Brewery.Generaladmissionticketsare $85viathedonnacolorexplosion2024. eventbrite.com.
Happy3rdofJuly CityParkhostsanIndependence Daycelebrationadayearlyonthe Goldring/WaldenbergGreatlawn
OPENING GAMBIT THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN
MayorCantrell’sadministration andtheSaveOurSoulCoalition havecometoamajoragreement toworkonanewplantorevitalize louisArmstrongParkandredevelopMunicipalAuditoriumwhile preservingCongoSquare.The agreementensuresthecommunity-ledSOSwillguideredevelopmentofArmstrongPark,andwhile thecitymaintainsthefinalsayon whatdoesanddoesnotgetbuilt, itmustupholdthenonprofit’sgoal ofturningthehistoricbutdecaying auditoriumintoaculturalcenter.
THENUMBEROF NONPROFITFUNDINGREQUESTS DENIEDBYGOV.JEFFLANDRY LASTWEEK. Therequeststotaled$4.32millionandwere previouslyapprovedbythelegislature’s budgetingprocess.Themajorityoflandry’s vetoesappliedtorequestsinlegislativedistrictscontrolledbyDemocrats,particularly inNewOrleans.losingoutonthepreviously earmarkedstatefundingareorganizations supportingaffordablehousing,publiceducation,economicdevelopmentinlower-incomeareas,theartsandliterature
NewOrleansCityCouncilmovesforward withKreweofChadregulatorycrackdown THECITYCOUNCIL’SCARNIVAL
LEGISLATIVEADVISORYCOMMITTEE
Gov.JeffLandryrecentlysigned legislationmandatinglouisiana publicclassroomsdisplaythe TenCommandments.Almost immediately,thenewlawwasmet withridiculeonsocialmediaand late-nightTV—andalawsuitthat willundoubtedlycostlouisiana taxpayersalotofmoney.
ONTUESDAYRECOMMENDEDBANNING portabletoiletsandconfetticannons andtighteningrequirementsfor horsesinparades,aheadofaCarnival 2025seasonduringwhichNew OrleanswillhosttheSuperBowl.
ThemovecomesafterthecommitteeinAprildiscussedahostof potentialchangestoMardiGrasrules, includingwhatweatGambithave dubbed“Chadplows.”
year,causing35customerstolose powerfortwohoursandthecommitteetofavoratotalban.
“Publicsafetyandsafetyofour infrastructureareparamountto protectbothresidentsandour electricalgrid,”saidCouncilMember lesliHarris.
Gov.JeffLandryvetoedlegislationthatwouldhavemade iteasierforfuturegovernorsto pardonpeopleconvictedforminor cannabispossession.IfHouse Bill391hadgoneintoeffect,the louisianaIlluminatorreported,a governorcouldbypasstheusual pardonprocesstoclearpeople whoconvictedforpossessing14 gramsorlessofmarijuana.landry dismissedthemeasureashavinga “soft-on-crime”attitude.
Whiletheplowsdidn’tgain traction,thecommitteeagreedon expandingthelistofvaccinations horsesmustgettoparticipatein paradesandhavingthemwearhip tagsforeasyidentification.
Anyhorsesnotinvolvedwiththe paradewouldnotbeallowedwithin 200yardsofaparaderoute,with theexceptionoflawenforcement horses—including,notably,oneeyedminihorsePatch.Thechanges areaimedatpreventinghorse fatalitiesduringparades.
Thenewruleswouldalsobanall confetticannons.Currently,mylar confetticannonsarebanned(akathe oneswiththemetallicconfetti).But apaperconfetticannonknockedout yetanotherpowertransformerlast
Additionally,thecommitteeis recommendingbanningupholstered furniture,openflames,generators andenclosuresandprivateportabletoiletswithinthreeblocksofa paraderoute.
Insteadofonlysubmitting paradelineupstotheDepartment ofFinanceandtheNewOrleans PoliceDepartment,thecommittee isalsoaskingkrewestosendtheir lineupstothecouncilpresident andthelouisianaSocietyforthe PreventionofCrueltytoAnimalsto pre-inspecthorses Toaddresssomeconcernskrewes hadwiththesizerequirementsfor bandsinparades,anewchange wouldhavebandstohaveatleast30 participants,includinganyonewalkingwiththemusician.Anysmaller groupswouldnotcounttowardthe numberofbandsthecityrequires krewestohaveintheirparades —KayleePoche
C’EST Whoareyoumostexcited toseeatEssenceFest?
Cityworkersremovepersonalitemsfromthe Uptownparaderoute.Selfishpeoplearelame.
PHOTOBYDAVID GRUNFELD /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
NewMardiGras ordinancestakeaim at‘theChadproblem’ THENEWORLEANSCITY COUNCILISCONSIDERING
SIGNIFICANTREVISIONS
tothecity’sMardiGras ordinances.Theoverhaul islongoverdue.Ifproperly enforced,theproposed changescouldfinallybegin curbingsomeoftheworst excessesofthemuch-deridedKreweofChad
Whatbeganyearsago asisolatedincidentsof self-entitledparadegoers markingtheirneutral ground“territory”with spraypaintdaysbefore popularkrewesrolledhas turnedintoanepidemicof selfishnessthatnowposes apublicsafetythreatforall Carnivallovers.
undertheproposedrules,many impositionstypicalofChadswillbe outlawed.Thisincludesdragging couchesoutontotheneutralground; usingopenflamesandgrills;erecting tents;operatinggenerators;and, blessedly,usingcheappop-uptoilets, whichbecameparticularlypopular earlierthisyear
Allthesechangesarecommonsense andappropriate.Thattheybecame necessaryisunfortunate.Beyond harmingothersortheenvironment,we tendtoopposegovernmenteffortsto policepeople’sbehavior.Sadly,Chads’ sprawlingencampmentsmakeitmore difficultandlesssafeforeveryoneelse toenjoyparades
Forexample,theymakeitvirtually impossibleforchildren,disabledpersonsandtheelderlytomoveaboutthe routes,letaloneseetheparades.They alsoimpedefirstresponders’access topeopleneedinghelpandchoke offevacuationavenuesalonghuge stretchesofparaderoutes.
Worstofall,theproliferationof Chadshasbredanunwarrantedsense ofentitlementwhich,whencombinedwithalcohol,hasrepeatedly ledtoturfwarsbetweenChadsand law-abidingfolkslookingforaplace tostand.Nobodyshouldhaveto worrythattheirchildmaygetbullied bysomeboorishruffiansdefending “their”publicspot.
Ofcourse,thecouncilcanenactthe rulesitwants;iftheygounenforced, itwon’tmeanathing.Infact,thelack
Cityworkersremovepersonal itemsfromtheUptown paraderoute
ofconsistentenforcementofexisting rulesgoverningtheuseofneutral groundsduringparadeseasonhas acceleratedthespreadofthissortof selfishbehavior.
Asanyonewhotriedtowatch paradesalongNapoleonorSt.Charles avenuesthisyearcantellyou,dispatchingahandfulofcopstodealwith “theChadproblem”isn’tgoingtodo thetrick.Ifthecityplanstoenforcethe rulesinameaningfulwaynextMardi Grasseason,itwillrequirehavinga significantnumberofcopsandother cityworkersmonitoringtheparade and,whennecessary,confiscating tents,couchesandotherbanned accouterments.
They’llalsohavetohaveappropriate proceduresfordealingwithdisposable toilets—adisgustingandpotentially hazardousjobinandofitself.
Theonlyruleweshouldhavefor MardiGrasisnottobehaveinways thatputothersatriskofharmorthat infringeonothers’abilitytoenjoythe season.Sadly,thegrowingnastiness, selfishnessandbelligerenceofthe KreweofChadshaswarrantedmajor changesto—andincreasedenforcementof—NewOrleans’rulesduring theseasonofjoyfulmisrule let’shopeitmeanswe’veseenthe lastoftheChads
to your next event!
Book TheAmazing Henrietta, whocan performfor anyage group andany genre— from classic standardstocurrent Top40.
Email: henrietta.alves@gmail.com formoreinformation. SeeHenrietta performweeklyat Holy Diver, Tuesdays at 6:30 Bring
FarewelltoJackie Clarkson,agracious yeteffectivepolitician SOMEPEOPLEARENATURAL POLITICIANS,EVENIFTHEY DON’TREALIZEIT untillatein theircareers.JackieClarkson, theindefatigableformerNew OrleansCityCouncilmember andstatelawmakerfromAlgiers whobeganaquarter-century ofpublicserviceinhermid50s,wasonesuchpolitician. ClarksondiedJune26at88
“JackieClarksonwasaoneof-a-kindtrailblazerandforce ofnature,”recalledformer MayorMitchlandrieu.“Her decadesofpublicserviceset thestandardforwomenin NewOrleanspolitics.Jackie’s leadershipontheCityCouncil afterHurricaneKatrinaprovidedasteadyhandwhenthe citydesperatelyneededone.”
Clarksongenuinelyenjoyedthemost difficultpartofpublicservice—the servicepart.Shelovedengagingwith andhelpingconstituents,evenduring difficulttimes.
Clarksonbeganherpoliticalcareer afterspendingdecadesmanaging arealestatebusinessinhernative Algiers.Guidingfirst-timehomebuyersthroughastressfulprocesswith professionalismandempathymade heranaturalfordealingwithconstituentsoftenconfoundedbyCityHall’s Byzantineways.
AfterClarkson’sfirstvisittoGambit seekingthenewspaper’sendorsement in1990,mywifeMargo,whowas Gambit’spublisher,said,“Shereminds meoflindyBoggs.”
WesaidasmuchinGambit’s endorsementofher,andClarkson promisedshewouldalwaystrytolive uptothathighstandard. likeBoggs,Clarksonwasgracious buteffective.Herold-schoolmanners beliedasteelywill,especiallywhen otherswerenotsogracious.
Idon’trecalleverseeingClarksonin aheatedexchangewithacolleague Sheneverpickedafight,norwould shebackdownfromone.Shejust comportedherselfbetter.
Shealsoremindedmeofthelatelt. Gov.JimmyFitzmorris,wholikewise lovedpublicserviceandpursuedit withanunrivaledpassion.likeFitz, Clarksonseemedtobeeverywhere,all thetime,andlovingeveryminuteofit
JackieClarksonhandingout champagneontheinaugural rideoftheLoyolaAvenue streetcarlinein2013
PHOTOBYKATHLEEN FLYNN/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
And,likeFitzmorris,Clarksonlost somenail-bitingelections—butshe neverlosthope.Afteronetermasthe DistrictCcouncilmember,shelosta closebidforre-electiontothen-state Rep.TroyCarter,whonowservesin Congress.Sheturnedaroundandwon Carter’slegislativeseat,thensucceeded himastheDistrictCcouncilmember whenhelosthisbidformayorin2002. ShelostanothercloseracetoArnie Fielkowwhentheyranforanat-large councilseatin2006,butayearlater shewonaspecialelectionfortheother at-largeseat,servingtwotermsbefore retiringfrompoliticsin2014
CarterandFielkowjoinedmany otherspayingtributetoClarkson Throughouthercareer,shewas atirelessadvocateforAlgiers,the FrenchQuarter,neighborhood preservation,transparency,andthe NewOrleansRecreationDevelopment Commission.Herlatefather,Johnny Brechtel,co-foundedNORD.
“Duringmytimeasmayor,”landrieu saidofhistrustedcouncilally,“Jackie wasalwaysawillingpartneronitems bigandsmall.Wheneverweneeded her,fromhelpingrebuildNORDto balancingthebudgettoentertaining dignitaries,sheshowedupinabigway. Wewillallmissherdearly.” Wealreadydo.
BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN™ @GambitBlake|askblake@gambitweekly.com
HeyBlake, Yourarticleabout Uglesich’s(June3) broughttomind anotherlong-lost place,Kolb’sonSt. CharlesAvenue.Who wasKolbandwhatis thehistoryof therestaurant?
Dearreader, CONRADKOLBWASBORNIN BAVARIA,GERMANY,IN1874. Orphanedat15,hecame toNewOrleansasadeckhandona Frenchsteamship.In1894,hetooka jobatasaloonrunbyValentineMerz, founderoftheDixieBrewery.Merz’s establishmentwaslocatedat125St CharlesAve.,theformerhomeofthe louisianaJockeyClub.
In1899,Kolbboughtthebusiness fromMerzandchangeditsnameto Kolb’s.HisrestaurantbecamewellknownforitsGermanfoodanddécor, includingacollectionofbeersteins andasystemofceilingfanspurchased fromthe1884WorldIndustrialand CottonCentennialExposition.A stuffedBavariancharacternicknamed “ludwig”appearedtobecontrollingthe pulleysystemthatkeptthefansrunning DuringWorldWarI,anti-GermansentimentnearlykilledKolb’s business.“Storiescirculatedfreely oftheprussicacidandgroundglass
thatloyalAmericanswouldbeeating iftheypatronizedthisgenialHun,” explainedanOctober1938editorialin TheNewOrleansItempayingtribute toKolbuponhisdeath.Thenewspaper calledit“stupidityandscoundrelism,” explaininghowKolbsuffered“both sentimentallyandfinancially.”
Kolb’sfamilyrantherestaurantuntil the1950s.Itbecameknownforits Creoleandseafooddishesinaddition totraditionalGermanfare.Itretained astronglocalclientele,including businessmenatlunch.Kolb’schanged handsseveraltimesbeforelocalinvestorsClaudeKellyJr.,EdgarCaseyand PietKesselspurchaseditin1981.
In1994,therestaurantfiledfor bankruptcyanditscontentswere auctionedoff.Thebuilding remainsvacant
ASTHEESSENCEFESTIVALOFCULTUREPREPARESTOCELEBRATEITS30THBIRTHDAY INNEWORLEANSTHISWEEKEND,welookbackonthehistoryoftheeventwhichfor threedecadeshasbroughtsomeofthebiggestnamesinpopularmusictothecity overtheJuly4thweekend.
Theeventwascreatedtocoincidewiththe25thanniversaryofEssencemagazinein1995.ItwasthebrainchildofNewOrleansJazz&HeritageFestivalfounder GeorgeWein.In1991,whilehavinglunchwithEssence’sthen-publisher,Edward lewis,“He(Wein)wastalkingabouttheextraordinaryrolethatAfrican-Americans havehadintheworldthroughmusicandthatthatneededtobecelebrated,”lewis saidinaJune1995articleinTheTimes-Picayune.
Initsfirstyear,theEssenceMusicFestival,heldJuly1-3,1995,atthe Superdome,showcasedArethaFranklin,lutherVandross,PattilaBelle,Gladys Knight,B.B.KingandAnitaBaker,tonamejustafew.DaytimemotivationalsessionsfilledroomsinsidetheDome.Theeventdrewacrowdofnearly150,000. Initiallydesignedasaone-timeevent,thefestivalreturnedforasecondyear, expandingtoincludeseminarsattheErnestN.MorialConventionCenteraswellas musicalperformancesattheSuperdome.Inthedecadessince,thelistofperformershasincludedBeyonce,Prince,MaryJ.BligeandMissyElliottaswellasmany localandup-and-comingperformers.EssencehasbeenstagedinNewOrleans everyyearexcept2006,whenitmovedtoHoustonwhiletheSuperdomeunderwentrepairsfollowingHurricaneKatrina
HeadlinersthisyearincludeJanetJackson,usher,CharlieWilson,Mazefeaturing FrankieBeverly,andBirdmanwithashowhonoringthreedecadesofNewOrleans’ CashMoneyartists.
BLAKEVIEW
STUNNA INTHEEARLY-’90S,BROTHERSBRYAN“BABY” WILLIAMSANDRONALD“SLIM”WILLIAMSSAWAN OPPORTUNITYINNEWORLEANS’BURGEONING BOUNCESCENE.Itwaseconomic—achancetomake alittlemoneyforthemselvesandothers—andsothey startedarecordlabel.
Morethan30yearson,CashMoneyRecordsisone ofthehouseholdnamesofhip-hop—andithasmade morethanjustalittlemoney.Today,CashMoneyisthe homeofHollygrove’sownLilWayne,NickiMinajand Drake,musicroyaltysittingatopanimpressivecoastto coastrosterofrappersandpopartists.Buttothisday, theCashMoneystoryremainsaNewOrleansstory andoneabouttheimportantpartthecityhasplayedin hip-hopatlarge
OnFriday,July5,Baby—akaBirdman—willpresent acelebrationofCashMoneyintheCaesarsSuperdome
BirdmanheadlinesEssenceFest withCashMoneycelebration BY JAKE CLAPP
toheadlinetheEssenceFestivalofCulture’sfirstnight ofconcerts.Essenceisthisyearcelebratingits30th anniversaryandhassaiditseveningconcertserieswill be“firmlyrootedinlegacy.”
Thefulllineupfortheshowhasnotbeenannounced asofpresstime,butBirdmanwillbejoinedbyhis BigTymerspartnerandlegendaryproducerMannie FreshandrapperJuvenile,whohimselfhasbeen celebratingthe25thanniversaryofhisclassicCash Money-releasedalbum“400Degreez.”R&Bvocalist andrapperJacquees,oneoftheyoungerCashMoney artists,alsoisonFriday’sbill,andNewOrleans’Raj Smoove,whotouredwithCashMoneyonits2000 jointtourwithRuffRydersEntertainment,isthe night’sDJ.
AheadofFriday’sshow,thecityonWednesday, July3,willpaytributetoBirdmanandSlimwithan
honorarystreetrenaming.TheintersectionofSaratoga andEratostreets,wheretheWilliamsbrothersonce lived,willbedubbed“HonoraryWilliamsBrothers Way,”withaceremonyheld1p.m.to3p.m
Thestreetrenamingisthelatestrecognitionfromthe cityoftheWilliamsbrothersandtheircontributionsto NewOrleans:Earlierthisyear,MayorLaToyaCantrell awardedkeystothecitytoBirdmanandSlim.They alsowerehonoreesatthisyear’sCarnival-timeEmline Ball,organizedbythelocallyfoundedclothingbrand.
TheWilliamsbrothersstartedCashMoneyin1991 andinitiallyfocusedonbouncewithreleasesbyKilo-G, UNLV,Ms.TeeandPimpDaddy.Withinacoupleof years,theyhadconvincedMannieFreshtobethe label’sin-houseproducer.
AsCashMoneystartedtogainalocalandregional reputation,severalofthefirstgenerationofartists
Birdman PROVIDED PHOTO
Money’s$30milliondistribution dealwithUniversalislegendary asbothabig-figuredealand onethatallowedCashMoney tomaintainownershipover itscatalogue.
Juvenilefamouslysaid,“Cash Moneytakingoverforthe’99 and2000,”andthat’sexactly whathappened.CashMoney artistsbegantodominate nationalradio,andbytheendof 1999,thelabelhadfouralbums simultaneouslyintheBillboard top20.
HurricaneKatrinapushed CashMoney(andLilWayne)to relocatetoMiami.Andwhile therehavebeenfinancialdisputesandsomeindustryupsand down,thelabelhascontinuedto seemajorsuccess.
AheadofhisEssenceFestival appearance,Gambitspoke withBirdmanabouttheworld changingthreedecadesofCash Money,thelabel’searlystrategy andhowthingshavechanged. Thisinterviewhasbeenedited forlengthandclarity.Itispartof Gambit’shistoryofNewOrleans hip-hopproject.Readmoreat gambitweekly.com
Whatdoyouhave plannedatEssence?
BIRDMAN: Wegotplentyof surprises.Andwejustwantto becreativeaspossibleandhave agreatshow.That’swhatwedo. That’swhatwedoasawhole That’swhatwedoindividual, alot,butforalotofustocome together—I’mjustexcitedabout cominghome.We’vebeenafan ofEssencesincewewaskids andgettingthechancetobeon theirstageontheir30th—but youknow,wegotabout[more than30]yearsinthisgame I’mjustexcited. WhenEssenceannounced Birdmanwasplayingthisyear —initiallybilledas“30yearsof CashMoneyMillionaires”—not onlythecitybutthehip-hop communityatlargetooknote BirdmanaswellasJuvenilehave teasedinrecentmonthsthat theHotBoyscouldsoonreunite nowthatBGhadbeenreleased fromprison.Sonaturally,people beganleavingthelabel,while atthesametimeyoungrappers DwayneCarterandChristopher Dorsey—betterknownasLil WayneandBG—caughtthe attentionofBabyandSlim.Soon after,theCashMoneyrosteralso includedJuvenileandHotboy Turk,settingupthebirthof HotBoys. Inthemid‘90s,CashMoney hadbecomearegionalheavyweight—1997alonesaw now-classicalbumsbyJuvenile, B.G.,HotBoys,BigTymers andMagnoliaShorty—andthe labelhadcaughttheattention ofUniversalRecords.Cash
havewonderedifthey’dseea reunionofthesupergroupmade upofBirdman,MannieFresh,Lil Wayne,Juvenile,BGandTurk. Formonths,everybodyinNew Orleanshaswantedtoknow: Who’sgoingtostepoutcome Fridaynight?
BIRDMAN: The[Big]Tymers gonnabethere.Juvie.But wehaven’tannounceditwith Essenceyet,soIdon’twantto breakthemold.Iknowthey wanttoannounceit.Butit’s gonnabeintriguing.It’sgonna beexciting.Weputagreat showtogether,Icantellyou thatmuch,productionwise. Wespentanicepennyonour productiontomakeitnice.I thinkthatwasveryimportant forus.Andforallustobegetting backtogether,it’sgonnabea goodfeeling.It’sgonnabea greatnight...
Essenceinparticularhasleaned intothenostalgiaaspectofthe show.Theirsitenowliststhe showas“Birdmanpresents30th anniversaryofCashMoney,” whichisabitarbitrary.Cash Moneyitselfpredates1994,after all,andtheformalCashMoney Millionairessupergroupwouldn’t reallygetgoingforanother coupleyears.
Still,forBirdman,finding himselfabletomark30yearsof thissortofsuccessandinfluence,whateverdatepeople choosetostartcountingfrom, isworthcelebrating.
BIRDMAN: Nevereven thoughtitwouldexist.Butbeing abletodoit,becauseIexperiencedit.Iputinthebodyof work.Idedicatedeverypieceof mysoultoit.Justappreciative. Weknowit’sablessingfrom Godandwejustappreciating thegroundwork.Itpaidoff,and it’spayingoff.Andnotjustfor us,forallourartistsweworked withoverthelast30-plusyears. I’mexcitedforthemtobestill relevantinthisgameaftermakingclassicmusicforsolong.And thisisagenreofmusicthatdon’t lastlikethat...
Justoveralltheyears,withthe musictranslating,withthegenerationstranslating,withhow
musichaschangedandwe’ve changedandwe’veevolved Justthewholepackage.Imean we’vedoneitforalongtime andstilldoingit.Sojustbeing appreciatedforwhatwedid andrepresentNewOrleansto thefullest.Weloveourcity,and ourcityiswhatmadeus.That’s what’simportanttome. Wecomeupinatimewhen NewOrleanswasatitsworst. The’80sand’90s,itwasatits worstintermsofviolence.We hadtosurvivealot,andhelp otherpeoplewithustosurvive. Itwasn’tjustaboutus.We hadtoteachtheseyoungsters howtostayoutoftrouble.We becamelikeafatherfigureto them,andtheylistened,anda lotofthemlasted Twooftheyoungstersthatnot onlysurvivedbutthrivedwereof courseLilWayneandBG.When BirdmanandSlimfirststarted workingwiththetworappers, theywerebarelyintotheirteens.
BIRDMAN: Ijustsawtheywas youngandhadtalentandthat [guidance]couldmakethemto besomething.Iknewitwasn’t gonnabeovernight.Wayne wasakid.BGwasakid.Even MagnoliaShorty.Iknewthat givingthemanopportunityto beinthestudioallday,theycan grow,theycanbecomebetter andwecantakeachancewith them.They’rekidsandwecan teach‘em.Andthat’swhatIdid. Itooktheminandputthemin thestudioandImadethemstay inthereeveryday.Iputthemin privateschoolsandthestudio Everyday,straightfromschool, doyourhomework,andstudio. Wayne’sstilllikethatrightnow He’slikearobot.Studio,studio, that’sallheknow.Juvenile[too], BGsincehe’sbeenhome. [Mymindsetwas]‘Gettheartistsandputthemintheposition wheretheycangrow.Getthe artistsandputtheminaposition wheretheirtalentcangrow. keepingtheminthestudioand keepingthemoutthestreets.’ Thatwasmywholemindset. Thatwasjustlikeaballplayer— youkeephimonthefieldsohe canbegreat.Thatdon’tmean hewasborntodothat,buthe
canlearntodoit Somymindset was,justkeeptheminthestudio andtheystayoutthestreets. SoIopenedupthestudioevery day,allday.That’sallweever did,andIthinkthatformulagot ustobegreat,gotthetalentto begreater.
Despiteitsfundamentalimpact onhip-hop,NewOrleanshas nevergottentherecognition thatNewYork,LosAngelesand evenAtlantahavereceivedas wellspringsfortheculture.Not thatNewOrleans’rappers,producers,DJsandindustrymoguls haveeverpaidthatmuchmind
Wastheresomething aboutNewOrleansitself youfelthelpedCash Moneyfindsuccessin thoseearlydaysbeforethe Universaldeal?
BIRDMAN: Firstoff,we’re born,bredinNewOrleans. Second,wedidourmusicfor NewOrleansbecausethat’s allweknew Allweknewwas Uptown.AllweknewwasNew Orleans,sowedidourmusic forNewOrleans.Ithappened tospreadallovertheworld, butweneverchangedwhat werepresented.Andjustour upbringing,howwecameup, meandmybrother andallof them,too wedidmusicforour city,forourneighborhood And oncetheworldgotonit,itwas easierforusbecausewedidn’t havetoadapttotheworld,the worldhadtoadapttous
That’swhyIsaywecome throughdifferenteras Different timesofgenres,whentheEast andtheWestwaswinningandit wasn’ttheSouth.Ialwaysfeel likewehadthebesttalent,and Iwasgonnakeepthatmethod ofthestudiogoing,soeventually,eventhoughwedidn’t havetheEastandtheWest,we alwayshadtheSouth.Always embracetheSouth.Iknewif wekeepfightingandstaywith ourcraft,eventuallythingsare gonnahappen.
Andthat’sexactlywhathappened.Istayedwithourcraft andwewenttothesedifferent Coastsandhadtoeducatethem toourmusic.Andoncetheygot
pastallthatandacceptedusfor themusicandthelanguage,it waseasierforus.Butitwasa fight.Iain’tgonnasayitwasn’t afight.Ittookyears,too.The WestCoastacceptedusmore thantheEast.Itpickedup quicker.TheWestCoastgotalot ofSouthernfamilies,peoplethat cantracemoreSouthernthan theEastCoastis.
Didyoufeellikethere wasaturningpoint,when youfeltliketheywere gettingitandfinallypaying attentiontoNewOrleans?
BIRDMAN: Forafact IthappenedwaybackwiththeHot BoysandJuvenile’s“Ha!”and “BackthatAzzUp.”Especially whenWayneformed,itwasover with.Weconqueredtheworld afterthat.
Alotofpeopleweresaying hip-hopwasdead Wedidn’t believehip-hopwasdead.We washeretokeephip-hopalive. Andwedidthatsinglehandedly asabrand,asartists.When theywassayinghip-hopwas dead,wedidn’tunderstandthat comingfromtheSouth.Wehad ourownthinggoing.Nah,we didn’tunderstandthat,andwe broughtitbacktolife
Alothaschangedintheyears sinceCashMoneyexploded Fromhowemceesrhymetohow labelsproduceandpromote music,it’salmostanentirely differentworld.ButCashMoney hasn’tjustsurvived,it’sprosperedinspiteofthechanging landscape.
BIRDMAN: Wechangedwith [thegame].Andalso,wegot differentgenresofmusic.My brotherjuststartedaLatin company,wherehe’sgotLatin artists,whichisabiggenreof music.Andwestillgotabig catalog.Westillinthegame, weain’tneverstopped.I’m justappreciativeofwhat we’vedoneandhowwe’ve beenrespected Ijustthinkbecausewe’re fromtheSouth notjustCash Money,alotoflabels,Icanonly speakforus,butthere’salotof labelsthatdiditbeforemethat
deserverespectforwhatthey contributedtohip-hop.Alotof themdeserverespecttomeand theydon’tgetit. Butdowedeservealotof respectforwhatwedidfor thegame?Yeah,‘causewe single-handedlyhelditdown ButIthinkbecausewe’refrom theSouthit’slikethat Ifwe werefromoneoftheCoasts, itwouldn’tbelikethat,butus beingfromdownbottom,itbe likethat That’showthisgame wasbuilt.
Doyouthinkanother CashMoneycouldhappen inNewOrleanstoday?
BIRDMAN: Thetimeswecome onandtheartistswedeveloped, someoutthesameneighborhood,andplusMannieFresh Idon’tknow,youcan’tnever saywhatcan’tbedone Idon’t believeinthat Butthat’ssome bigshoestowearrightthere.To dothenumberswedidandthe long-termtosurvive,itwon’tbe easy,butIdon’tbelievenothing cannotbedone Butit’sgonna bealongtime TheysayRome wasn’tbuiltinoneday,andthey stilldon’tknowhowtofigureout apyramid.SoIthinkthenumberswedidandthelong-term weputintothisgame Iain’t seenitbeendoneyetbynobody intheworld.Period
Bryan‘Baby’Williams andRonald‘Slim’ Williamsstarted CashMoneyRecords in1991.
MannieFresh,foreground, andlefttoright, BG,Juvenile,LilWayne, TurkandBabyin September1999
PHOTO BY TED JACKSON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
PROVIDED PHOTO BY JONATHAN MANNION
Birdman, Usher and Janet Jackson headline packed Ja Birdman, Raphael Saadiq, the Roots and more
AspartoftheEssence FestivalofCulture’s30th anniversarycelebrationsthis year,thefestivalhasemphasizedthat“legacywilltake centerstage”duringitsevening concertseries.Thatwillbethe caseonthefirstnightofmusic intheCaesarsSuperdome alongwitharecognitionofNew Orleansandthecity’simpacton hip-hop.
RapperBirdman,the co-founderofCashMoney Records,headlinesthenight withashowcelebratingthe storiedNewOrleans-born recordlabelandthemusicians ithassupportedovermorethan 30years.Thefulllineupforthe showhasn’tyetbeenannounced asofpresstime ifwegetaHot Boysreunion,itmaybeatotal surprise butBirdmanhassofar saidheisreunitingwithhisBig TymerspartnerMannieFresh andJuvenile,whoalsoishaving
powerhouseTony!Toni!Toné! andslidrightintoaneclectic, soulfulsolocareerthathas continuedtohitnewhighs.He playedEssencein2009and 2010andwasontheschedule forthe2020edition,whichwas ultimatelycanceled,soexpect Saadiqtomakeupforsome losttimewhenhe’sbackin theSuperdome.
amilestoneyear.(Checkout ourinterviewwithBirdmanon page13.)
Partoftheyoungergeneration ofCashMoneyartists,R&B singerandrapperJacquees alsoisonFriday’slineup.The Georgia-bornartistsignedwith thelabelin2014andhassince releasedseveralwell-received mixtapesandfull-lengths, includingthe’90s-esque“King ofR&B.”He’srecordedseveral timeswithBirdman,soit’s agoodbetthey’llappearon stagetogether NewOrleans’RajSmoovewas alreadyapopularpartystarter aroundthecitywhenhegot calleduptoDJforCashMoney andRuffRydersEntertainment ontheirjointnationaltourin 2000 Andhecontinuedto workwithLilWayneandSquad Upintheyearsfollowing. Smoovecontinuestobeoneof thecity’sin-demandDJs,and he’sspinningontheSuperdome mainstageFridaynight.
VocalistRaphaelSaadiq madeanameforhimselfin thelate-’80sandearly-’90s aspartoftheNewJackSwing
TheRootshavebecome EssenceFestfavorites,withthe hip-hopiconsplayingthemainstageanumberoftimesover theyears.OnFriday,they’llbe joinedbyseveralspecialguest vocalists,includingAmericana artistMickeyGuyton the firstBlackwomantoco-host theAcademyofCountryMusic Awards neo-soulsingerAri Lennox(whoplayedlastyear’s EssenceFest)andT-Pain, comingoffofanacclaimed coversalbumthatshowedofhis unfilteredvocalpowers Anotherhip-hoplegend, BustaRhymesisjustacouple yearsshyofcelebratingthe 30thanniversaryofhisdebut soloalbum,“TheComing.” Especiallyacrossthe’90sand early-aughts,therapperbecame belovedforhislyricalspeed, clevernessandgiantpresence.Lastfall,BustaRhymes releasedhis11thstudioalbum, “Blockbusta,”andhemakes hisfirsteverEssenceFestival appearanceonFriday Co-hostingtheopeningnight ofconcertswillbecomedians andactorsPunkieJohnson andPrettyVee ANewOrleans nativeandMcDonogh35alum, Johnsonhasbeena“Saturday NightLive”castmembersince 2020andsheregularlyperforms stand-up PrettyVeeoverthe lastfewyearshasbecome knownforhersocialmedia presenceanddigitalskits.She alsohadastintonimprovShow “Wild‘nOut.” JakeClapp
Usher, Charlie Wilson, D-Nice and more TheEssencelineupSaturday includes1970sfunkicons,’80s pioneers,’90ssuperstarsand up-and-comersexpandinginto newterritory.
Entrepreneurandmusic industryveteranKennyBurns, akaTheLifestyleSpecialist,will hostthefestivitiesalongwithDJ ClarkKent,whohasproduced tracksforLil’Kim,MariahCarey andtheNotoriousB.I.G.
PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Birdman PROVIDED PHOTO
FanssingalongtoMaryJ.BligeduringEssence FestivalattheSuperdome.
PHOTO BY RYAN HODGSON-RIGSBEE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Usherisheadliningincelebrationofthe20thanniversaryofhis star-studdedandGrammy-winning album“Confessions.”
Theeight-timeGrammywinner fromTexasreleasedhisfirstalbum attheageof15,andhissophomore album,1997’s“MyWay,”launched himtostardomwithapairofhit singles,“Nice&Slow”and“You MakeMeWanna. ”
But“Confessions”solidifiedhim asadefiningartistofhisgeneration Hitsfromthatrecordinclude theiconicpartytrack“Yeah!”with LilJonandLudacris,“Burn”with JermaineDupriandBryan-Michael Cox,and“MyBoo”featuring AliciaKeys
Forold-schoolfunkfans,there’s aperformancebyCharlieWilson, akaUncleCharlie.Wilsonhelped popularizeupbeatfunkmusicas thesingerofTheGapBandback inthe1970sandearly’80s But hehasalsobecomeasuccessful soloartistandhasperformedat Essenceeighttimes.
Duringthepandemicstay-athomeorders,legendaryrapper, producerandDJD-Niceformed ClubQuarantine,adanceparty hostedoverInstagramLivethat begantoattractcelebrity“dropins,”likeformerFirstLadyMichelle Obama,RihannaandHalleBerry.
AtEssencehe’llbehostingits newestincarnation.Featured artistsincludeMachelMontano, amulti-instrumentalistsocaartist fromTrinidadwhoblendsAfrican andEastIndianinfluences;BigBoi ofOutKast;drummerextraordinaireSheilaE.;R&BartistsTweet andDonellJones;andWu-Tang Clan’sMethodMan NewOrleans nativeLloyd,whohascollaborated
withLilWayneandMystikal,will alsojoininonthefun.
SupergroupTGTfeaturessingers Tyrese,GinuwineandTank The trioisreunitingafterformingin theearlyaughtsandsplittingup afterreleasingthe2013album “ThreeKings.”
RisingstarAyraStarrisincludingEssenceaspartofherworld tour TheNigeriansinger-songwriter,whoblendsAfropopwith R&B,singsinmultiplelanguages, includingEnglish,NigerianPidgin EnglishandYoruba Atjust22,she hasalreadyreleasedhersecond album,“TheYearITurned21” whichdisplaysthedeterminationof ayoungartistcomingintoherown.
SarahRavits
Janet Jackson, Tank and the Bangas, Frankie Beverly and more
Record-breakingR&Bsinger JanetJacksonheadlinesEssence onSunday.ThechildTVstar turnedpopiconreleasedhitafter hitfordecadesstartinginthe ’80s,including“Nasty,”“Together Again,”“That’sTheWayLove Goes”and“Scream”withher brotherMichaelJackson. Thoughpeopleoftenfocus attentiononthesexualnature ofherlyricsandperformances alongwithherinfamous2004 SuperBowlwardrobemalfunction,Jacksonhasaddressedmany othertopicsinherdiscography overtheyears,includingindependence,injustice,LGTBQrightsand domesticviolence.
Morerecently,she’sreleased deluxeeditionsof1997’s“The VelvetRope”and2008’s “Discipline”andheadlined2022’s EssenceFest She’scurrentlyon her“TogetherAgain”tour,which startedinApril2023andissetto endinOctober.
VictoriaMonet,theR&B singer-songwriterknownfortracks likelastyear’s“OnMyMama”and 2020’s“WeMightEvenBeFalling inLove,”co-headlinesthenight. Thoughshejustreleasedherdebut studioalbum,“JaguarII,”lastyear, Monethasbeenasongwriterinthe industryforawhile.She’scollaboratedwithArianaGrandeforthe lastdecadeandalsoworkedwith Brandy,FifthHarmony,Nas,T.I. andLupeFiasco Earlierthisyear, shewonthreeGrammys,including BestNewArtist,BestR&BAlbum andBestEngineeredAlbum, Non-Classical.
Forabitoflocalflavor,New Orleans’ownTankandthe Bangaswillperformandbringout ahostofothermusiciansfromthe city,includingsoulsingerTeedra Moses,bouncekingHaSizzleand DawnRichard,whosemostrecent EP,“TheArchitect,”wasreleased lastfall SWV,theNYC’90spowerhouse trio,willperform.Theystarted theirinitial10-yearrunasagospel groupbeforereleasinghitslike “Weak,”“I’mSointoYou,”“Right Here(HumanNatureRemix)”and “Rain.”Theygotthebandback togetherin2005forareunion tourandhavereleasedtwoalbums since,2012’s“IMissedUs”and “Still”in2016
Sundayalsowillfeaturea specialtributetoFrankieBeverly,
producerandfunkbandMaze frontman,forwhathasbeenbilled ashislastEssenceperformance. Beverlyclosedthefestivalforits first15yearsandhassinceplayed itin2015and2019 Specialguests mayincludeGrammy-winningsoul singerAnthonyHamilton,who isslatedtoplaySundayandwho alsoopenedEssence’slastBeverly tributein2019.
PhiladelphiasoulartistBilal, whobrokethroughin2000with hissingle“SoulSista,”isnowan independentartistwhoperformsat jazzclubs.He’sworkedwithartists likeBeyonce,KendrickLamar andfellowPhillymusiciansThe Roots.Hetakesstageatthefestival Sunday,asdoesJaggedEdge,an Atlantagroupthatrosetofamein the2000s.Theyreleasedtheir 10thalbum,“AJaggedLoveStory,” in2020
ActressandcomedianKeke Palmer,BigTiggerandDJBeverly Bondwillhost –KayleePoche
JanetJackson
PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Tarriona‘Tank’Ballof TankandtheBangas
PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
CharlieWilson
PHOTO BY EMILY KASK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
SheilaE.
PHOTO BY SHAWN FINK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
BigBoi
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BIGBOIMUSIC.COM
EAT+DRINK BreakingEggs Crack’dservesbrunchintheLowerGardenDistrict byBethD’Addono | THERE’SNOTHINGSUBTLE
ABOUTCRACK’D,ANOUT-OFTHE-BOXBRUNCHSPOTinthe lowerGardenDistrict.
Fromthesplashesofegg-yolk yellowinsideandouttothe crackedegglogoanddining roomdiscoball,therestaurant isproudlyplayful.Mismatched chinaaddsatouchofhomespun charmtotheboldscheme.
OpenedinMarchinthe spaceformerlyoccupiedby TheMunchFactory,thelatest restaurantfromthelocally ownedOnePackHospitality Grouphasattractedaperpetuallycrowdeddiningroom
Thehospitalitygroupcounts fouriterationsoflegacy Kitchen,Mr.Ed’sOysterBar &FishHouseonCarrollton AvenueandTheVintagecoffee andwinecaféinitsportfolio.Mid-CitynativeBernard StolbergleadsOnePack,witha trackrecordofpropellingCreole CuisineRestaurantConcepts intomajorgrowth.
JoshuaWetshtein,whospenta decadeopeningrestaurantsacross theglobeforchef/restaurateur WolfgangPuck,isthecompany’sculinarydirector.AshSalemandRaouf MousaofRARInvestmentsalsoare partnersinCrack’D.
ChefdecuisineShelbyVanHoose, workingcloselywithWetshtein,offers amenuthattweakstheclassics.The restaurantisgoingpork-free,soits maple-lacquered,pepperedbaconis madefromlocalduck.Itisdeliveredin adramaticpresentation,suspended byclothespinsalongwithsprigsof rosemary.Thenitistorchedatthe tabletocaramelizeallthoseflavors withaflareofdrama.
“Itisasocialmediaworldwelivein,” Stolbergsays.“Anythingwecantake tothenextlevel,wewanttodothat.”
Whilenotasdramatic,rostiisa greatstartertoshare.Itfeaturesa latticeofgratedandfriedpotatoes
Crack’DBrunchCulinary DirectorJoshuaWetshtein (left)withchefShelbyVan Hoose,AshSalem,Roauf Mousa,andBernardStolberg PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER/ GAMBIT
toppedwithalayerofchivecrème, smokedsalmonandcrispyfried capersforcrunch.Anotheroption isthedecadentBienvilleshrimp casserole,abakeofgooeySwissand GruyerecheeseswithGulfshrimp andmushrooms,servedwithtoasted crostinionthesidefordipping. Therealsoarelemonricotta pancakesandbananasFosterpain perdue.AcadianAssetsisoneoffour Benedictsoptions,anditincludes smokedbrisket,poachedeggs,fried greentomatoesandcrawfishcream sauceonbiscuits.Ariffonchicken andwafflesisaglazedfriedchicken thighwithhotmaplesyrup,servedina wafflecone
Thereisaclubsandwich withpastrami,adouble Americancheeseburgerand macandcheesetoppedwith Crystalfriedcrawfishtails andcrispyBrusselssprouts Shakshuka,theIsraeli specialty,bathesbakedeggs andgoatcheeseinaspiced tomatosauce,servedwith toastedsourdough Avocadotoastgetsalatin spinwithslicesofradishand Cotijacheeseandpoblano crèmelayeredonancient grainstoast,withafriedegg ontop.
Onthepastryside,one winneristheskilletofwarm pull-apartmonkeybread oozingsaltedcarameland cinnamonsugar,aMidwest favoritethatisrightathome intheGulfSouth
“Ihearallthetime,‘This wasamazing,butnotexactly whatIexpected,’”Wetshtein says.“That’sexactlywhatweare goingfor.”
Andwhatwouldbrunchbewithout bubbles?Therearebottomless mimosasfor$25,aswellasfunbrunch cocktailslikeacoldbrew-tinianda bloodorangemezcalPaloma.
Don’texpectdinerprices—abasket ofcroissants,muffinsandbiscuitsis $18—buttheentreesareinkeeping withthelocalmarket.Shrimpand gritsare$21;avocadotoastis$16;and $15bringsthreeeggswithmerguez sausage,duckbaconand hashbrowns
Althoughtheconceptseemsbuiltto replicate,Stolbergistakinghistime. “WejustopenedinMarch,andwe havethesummeraheadofus,”he says.“Wewanttohavethingsgoing smoothlybeforewemake anymoves.”
FORK +CENTER Emaildining@gambitweekly.com
Primetime BREAKFASTWASTHETHINGAT RICCOBONO’SPEPPERMILL,andfor decadesitwasadestinationnearthe heartofMetairie’sbusinessdistrictfor morningmeetingsandmorecasual socialgatheringsatthetable.Since closinglastsummer,thefutureofits locationhadbeenanopenquestion. ButnowtheformerPeppermillat 3524SevernAve.ishometoanew restaurantaimingtoserveasimilar rolelaterintheday,andwithamuch differentmenu,lookandstyle VaccaSteakhouseopenedinJune asanewrestaurantmodeledona classictemplate. It’saplaceformartinisatthebar,a cabernet-lover’swinelist,steaksthat arrivewithsizzle,sidesportionedto shareandaveinofCreoleandItalian flavorsrunningalongsidethebeef JonathanBrisbiandDarrellDumestre partneredtoopentherestaurantand broughtintwofamiliarnamesfromthe localhospitalitybusinesstorunVacca asoperators.
TheSazeracBarinTheRooseveltHotel isnominatedforaSpiritedAwardbythe TalesoftheCocktailFoundation. PHOTOBYCHRIS GRANGER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
Atthefrontofthehousethere’s TimWaguespack,formerlyfoodand beveragemanageratthehistoricHotel MonteleoneintheFrenchQuarter. ThekitchenisrunbyCarmen ProvenzanoJr.,whocookedatPascal’s ManaleRestaurantandrantheuptown classicafteritwasboughtin2019by hisuncle,thelateautomagnateRay Brandt.Pascal’sManalechangedhands againin2023andisnowpartofthe DickieBrennan&Co.restaurantgroup. TheoldPeppermillisnowidentifiable onlybytheexterior.Inside,therestauranthasbeenredonewithapair
WINE OF T HE WEEK ofdiningroomswithdarktonesand goldandbrassfixturesforalookthat’s upscaleandstillcozy.
Oneofthoserooms,theVitello Room,isconfiguredforbothregular serviceandprivateeventsandholds about50people.Theentirerestaurant canseatabout125.
Hess Select Chardonnay Offering tropical aromas of grilledpineapple,a hintoflemon zest,and subtle balancedoak. The wine is mediumbodied with layersof sliced peachesand golden deliciousapples, finishingcrispand clean withwell-balanced acid.
DISTRIBUTEDBY
Thelargebarisanewcenterpiece, andVacca’soperatinghourshavebeen designedaroundit.Therestaurant opensinthemid-afternoonmostdays andforlunchonFriday,partofitsbid tobecometheplaceforpatronstotake somebusinesstothebarordiveintoan elevated,sociallunchtoendtheweek
VaccaservescertifiedprimeAngus beefthroughhousecutsincludinga cowboyrib-eye,aNewyorkstripanda 42-ounceporterhousefortwo.Atthe topofthemenu,therearecrabcakes, friedlobstertails,onionringsand wedgesaladsandadishcalledoysters Severn,featuringfriedoystersandbrie overthick-cutbacon
Entreesrunthroughfishandchicken dishes,asteakhousecheeseburgerand Italianflavors(reflectingProvenzano’s background)likelobsterfradiavolo.
Dessertsrangefromsimplewarm cookiesandmilktoafamily-sized “giganticcarrotcake,”whichis$30 BrisbionceranBrisbi’slakefront Restaurant&BarinNewOrleansand soldthatwaterfrontspottoFelix’s Restaurant&OysterBarin2018. He’snowapartnerinseveralbarsand thenewupscalelounge,Jolie,inthe WarehouseDistrict.
“Iwasn’tlookingtogetintoanything elseunlessitwasanold-schoolsteakhouse,andthenthisopportunitycame aroundandthat’sexactlywhatthisis,” Brisbisays
ThePeppermillopenedin1976. InSeptember2023,theRiccobono familyclosedtherestaurantandput thepropertyupforsale.Itwasat leastapartialretirementforlongtime co-proprietorVincentRiccobono(he stillrunsthemuchsmallerRiccobono’s PanolaStreetCafeinNewOrleans).
Otherrestaurantsquicklyresponded tothevoidleftintheMetairiebreakfast game,includingnearbyDrago’sand anotherRiccobonofamilyrestaurant, Sala,intheWestEnd.ButDumestre andBrisbisawadifferentopportunity onSevernAvenue.
“There’sanicheinthispartof Metairieforalocallyowned,old-school steakhouse,”Dumestresays.—Ian McNulty/TheTimes-Picayune
Topshelfbars TWONEWORLEANSBARSAREMOVING FORWARDASFINALISTSfortheTales oftheCocktailFoundation’s2024 SpiritedAwards.
Thefoundationrecentlyannounced thefinalistsin24categoriesforbar professionals,barsandmediainits 18thannualawardsforachievement andserviceinthecocktailcommunity acrosstheworld.
“Itiswithimmensepleasurethatwe celebratethosepropellingthecocktail industryforwardandamplifyingtheir craftwithintheirrespectivecommunities,”saidSpiritedAwardschair CharlotteVoisey.
FreshoffofwinningaJamesBeard Award,theJeweloftheSouthteam isalsoafinalistintheSpiritedAwards asBestu.S.BarTeam.TheFrench QuarterbarwonTaleoftheCocktail’s Bestu.S.RestaurantBarin2022,and itsbartenderandowner,ChrisHannah, wonu.S.Bartenderoftheyear.
TheSazeracBarattheRoosevelt Hotelhasalsobecomeafinalistfor BestHotelBarintheu.S. TalesoftheCocktailandits mediapartner,Forbes,willhonor therecipientsoftheawards duringthefoundation’sannual conferenceinNewOrleanson July21-26. ChelseaShannon/ TheTimes-Picayune
TonyMandina’scloses Gretnaspotafternearly42years inbusiness
“Itiswithfondmemoriesthatwe lookbackonthefriendshipsformed andthejoythatTonyMandina’shas broughttosomany,”theMandinafamilysharedinastatementonFacebook, expressinggratitudeforthecustomers whohaveenjoyedtheirItaliancuisine overthelastfourdecades
TheyannouncedSaturday,June 29astherestaurant’sfinaldayof business.Whilethebrick-and-mortar locationwillclose,TonyMandina’s RestaurantRedGravypastasauceand “TonyMandina’sKitchen”cookbook willstillbeavailableforpurchase.
TonyandGraceMandinaopenedthe restaurantinNovember1982inthe buildingat1915PrattSt.TonyMandina hadbeenrenovatingthespacetobe rentalunitsanddecidedinsteadtocreatearestaurant.Therestaurantspace grewovertheyearsfromaspotthat couldserve48peopletoitsclosing capacityof180.
Initssocialmediapost,therestaurantteasedthatcustomersshould staytunedforafutureannouncement ofwhat’snextforthefamilyorthe space.—ChelseaShannon/ TheTimes-Picayune
VaccaSteakhouseinMetairie
PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
J’Kwan Fulmore Chef,nonprofitfounder
byWillCoviello
J’KWANFULMOREISATRAINEDCHEF
WHOWORKEDFORTHESANFRANCISCO
49ERSandasapersonalcheftoNFl playersinseveralcities.Hereturned hometoFayetteville,NorthCarolina, lastyearandstartedEr’BodyEatz, anonprofitthatfocusesonraising awarenessaboutfoodinsecurity. Hestartedacommunitygardento providefreefoodtopeopleinneed andisofferingculinaryandnutrition educationaswell.FulmoreisvisitingNewOrleansthisweektospeak atapanelonfoodinsecurityatthe EssenceFestivalofCulture’sFood &WineprogramattheErnestN MorialConventionCenter Formore onFulmoreandhisnonprofit,visit erbodyeatz.orgor@finessechefkwan onInstagram.FormoreaboutEssence culinaryprograms,gotoessence.com.
Howdidyoubecomea personalchef?
J’KWANFULMORE: Inhighschool, senioryearcame,anditwastimeto figureoutwhattodo.Theschoolhada programthatwasjointedwiththelocal communitycollege,andoneofthe coursesthattheyofferedwasculinary. Igotintoit,andtheywouldhostlittle competitions.Thefirstcompetition Iwonwasasoupcompetition.Itwas broccoliandcheddarinabreadbowl Itwascrazy,becauseatthetime,I didn’tlikebroccoliorcheddar.ButI waswinningcompetitionsandwaslike, wow,there’ssomethinghere. IwenttoleCordonBleuinOrlando, Florida.Ithinkwhenweallwalkedin thedoorsonthefirstday—everybody hadthewholeGordonRamsayaspiration.Ifoundafterthefirstyearthat therestaurantworldwasn’tforme.It’s abrigadesystem.It’sahierarchy.SoI tookanutritionclass,andtheinstructorwasthedieticianfortheNewyork yankeesatonepoint.Iwaslike,Iwant todothat.Wehadtodoanexternship forourdegree.Ididmyexternship withtheOrlandoCitySoccerClubin theMlS.IdecidedthisistherouteI wantedtogo
SoIheadedtotheuniversityof Connecticuttostudydietetics.Ididn’t knowanythingaboutNewEngland. Ithoughtweweremovingtodorms, butthecampusinHartforddidn’thave dorms.Soalotofkidswerelooking forapartments.Weallkindofcameto
theconclusionthatitwashardtofeed ourselves.Wewereworkingatlittle dinersandeatingatwork.Itwascrazy thatwewereallgoingtoschoolbut noneofushadfoodathome.Italked totheinstructorandsaidweshouldget afoodpantrygoing.Thecampuswas new,andtheyhadalotofextrarooms Wethoughtwecoulduseone.Ispoke tothevicepresident,andwegotthings inmotiontouseoneoftheroomsasa foodpantry.ThenCovidhappened Iwasalmostdonewithmybachelor’s degree.Wewerewaitingitout.But becausewedidn’tstayoncampus,a lotofushadtogobackhome.Ididn’t wanttogobackhome,soIstarted applyingforinternships,andIended upgettinginandmovingtoSantaClara (California).Iwasasportsnutrition assistantforthe49ers.Iwasworking withtheteamdietician.Alltheplayers wouldgetbodyscanned,andthey’d goovertheirdeficiencies.Myjobwas todorecipedevelopmentandmenu planningtofillthosegapsforindividual playerssotheycouldperformtotheir bestpotential.
Howdidyoustart Er’BodyEatz? JF: Igottoseehowmuchfood insecuritythereisinareasoutsidethe neighborhoodswheretheplayersget tolive. Idecidedtocomebackto Fayettevilleandopenmynonprofit. Er’BodyEatzraisesawarenessonfood
Tobreakthatandtransitionishard becauseyouhavetorealizethatwhat you’redoingrightnowiswrong.They havetowanttochange.yes,ordering apizzaiswayeasierthancookingfood fromscratch,soallwecanreallydo isgiveyoutheopportunitytolearn That’swhyourclassesarefree,our gardenisfree,ourvegetablesarefree. Ourcommitmentasanonprofitisto giveawayasmuchfoodaswecanand teachasmanypeopleaswecantobe abletoprovideforthemselvesand theirfamilies.
insecurityinlow-incomecommunities.Weemphasizetheimportance ofurbangardeningandhomesteading.Wehaveagreenhousethatwas donatedtous.Wegrowproduceand vegetables.Weuseitasanoutdoor classroomforteenagerstolearnabout theprocessfromseedtoharvest.
Inthefall,we’rereachingouttocommercialkitchenstohostfreecooking classestoshowlowerincomefamilies howtocookmealsusingtheingredientswegrewourselves.Thenbyspring 2025,wehopetohavethefundingto ribboncutonourcommunitygarden, whichwillbeaccessibletothepublic. Wehopetohavevolunteerhoursfor anyonewhoneedsit.
Wehavebeenplanningevents.In June,wehadacommunitykickback WehaveastadiumcalledCrown Complex.Wehostedagiantcookoutwithfreefoodandhadvendors andmusic.Ourlocalsportsteams aregettinginvolved.Wehavea minorleaguebaseballteamcalled theWoodpeckers.We’reusingtheir stadiumforourkickballtournament, whichwilldoubleasaback-to-school drive.Wehaveahockeyteamthat’s goingtogetinvolvedaswell
Whatdoyoutellpeople aboutbettereating? JF: Thebiggestthingisthatpeoplethat havechildreninfoodinsecurehomes alsogrewupinfoodinsecurehomes. That’sawayoflifethey’veknown
Alotofpeopledon’tknowthey’re foodinsecure.Onethingafooddesert isgoingtohaveisaDollarGeneralor somethinglikethat.Thesekindsof storesaregoingtohavealittlefrozen section.Anythingthat’sthereisnot goingtobethehighestquality. Ifsomeonesaystheyhaveastocked fridgeandtheysaythey’regoingto haveafrozenSalisburysteakand bakedpotatoes,wellyou’renotgetting themostnutrientsfromthat.That’s moresodiumthananything,andyou’re notgettingtheproteinyouthinkyou’re getting.It’snotlikeafreshsteak. Somepeopleatfooddrivesgeta boxfulloffood.Theymayhavesweet potatoes,kaleandrhubarb.Theysee thesweetpotatoandwhatdothey wanttodo?Theywanttomakeitinto friesormakeabakedpotato,butyour kidsmaynotwanttoeatbakedsweet potatoes.There’sversatility.youcan turnthemintoTatorTots.Oryoucan turnfreshstrawberriesintojam,that youuseinsteadofthepreservedstoreboughtbrand.youcanmakethese thingsonyourown.
youcantakezucchiniandturnthat intozucchininoodles,orpancakesor hashbrowns.you’restillgettingyour greens,butyou’resneakingthemin thereforyourkids.Infall,youcan sneakalotofvegetablesintosoups andchilies.yourkidsmightnotrealize thatthey’regettingalltheirvitamins andminerals.
Teachamantofishandhecanfeed himselfforalifetime.That’sourphilosophythere.
We’reabletodoalot.Itakepride thatwe’reabletogetthisfar.Every statehascitiesthatarestrugglingwith foodinsecurity.Inaperfectworld,I’d beabletostartinitiatingthesecommunitygardensinasmanystatesasI could.Wedoneedawareness,donations,grantsandfunding.Forpeople whowanttobeinvolved,it’snothard togetengagementgoing.Iamhappyto bearesourceandaguide.
PROVIDED PHOTOBYJAMELACARTER/ MELA JAYPHOTOGRAPHY
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.$$$
ElPavoReal—4401S.BroadAve.,(504) 266-2022;elpavorealnola.com—Themenu includestacos,enchiladas,quesadillas, ceviche.tamalesandmore.PescadoVera CruzfeaturessauteedGulffishtoppedwith tomatoes,olives,onionandcapers,served withriceandstringbeans.Outdoorseating available.Noreservations.lunchandearly dinnerTue.-Sat $$
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.Themenualsoincludestacos,quesadillas,enchiladas,fajitas,nachos,saladsand more.Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.lunchanddinnerThu.-Tue $$ Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt.,(504) 488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com TheCajun Cubanwithroastedpork,ham,cheeseand pickles.Theeclecticmenualsoincludes char-grilledoysters,sandwiches,burgers, pizza,friedseafoodplatters,pasta,salads andmore.Deliveryavailable.Reservations acceptedforlargeparties.lunchanddinner Tue.-Sun $$ Kilroy’sBar—HigginsHotel,480Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining—Thebarmenu includessandwiches,saladsandflatbreads, includingonetoppedwithpeach,prosciutto, stracciatellacheese,arugulaandpecans.No reservations.DinnerWed.-Sat.$$ LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern 700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350;legacykitchen.com—Themenuincludesoysters, flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches,saladsand aNOlAStyleGritsBowltoppedwithbacon, cheddarandapoachedegg.Reservations accepted.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ 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.$$ NiceGuysBar&Grill—7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola. com—Char-grilledoystersaretoppedwith cheeseandgarlicbutter,andotheroptions includeoystersRockefellerandloadedoysters.Thecreativemenualsoincludesseafood bread,aCajun-lobsterpotato,wings,quesadillas,burgers,salads,sandwiches,seafood pasta,loadedfriesandmore.Noreservations.lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat $$$ OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro—720 OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com—Thewinebarofferscheese boardsandappetizerstonoshwithwines ThemenuincludesCreolepastawithshrimp andandouilleintomatocreamsauce. Reservationsacceptedforlargeparties. Outdoorseatingavailable.DinnerThu.-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—There’sa fullcoffeedrinksmenuandbakedgoodsand beignets,aswellasafullbar.Themenuhas flatbreads,cheeseboards,smallplatesand apressedveggiesandwichwithavocado, onions,arugula,redpepperandpepper jackcheese.Noreservations.Deliveryand outdoorseatingavailable.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily.$$
Therewillbepatrioticmusicbythe MarineForcesReserveBandand fireworksoverthePeristyleat9p.m Wednesday,July3.Musicbeginsat 7:15p.m.Visitneworleanscitypark.org forinformation
NewOrleans MaafaCommemoration
“Maafa”isaSwahiliwordmeaning “horribletragedy,”andthisannual eventrememberstheMiddlePassage andslaveryintheAmericas,andit honorstheancestorsandsurvival.This year’sthemeis“RadiantRhythms”and focusesondrummingassymbolsof unityandstrength.AsheCulturalArts CenterpresentstheeventinCongo Squarebeginningat7a.m.Saturday, July6.Visitashenola.orgfordetails.
NOLAGreen HostedbytheHipHopCaucusand BeyondPetrochemicals,alongwith severalenvironmentaljusticeorganizations,“NOlAGreen:SoFresh, SeauxClean”willfeaturemusicand discussionsamongBlackwomenleadingthewayinfightingagainstindustryexploitationinSouthlouisiana. TherewillbeadiscussionwithRISE St.JamesfounderSharonlavigne, TheVesselProject’sRoishettaSibley Ozane,HealthyGulforganizerBreon Robinson,theDeepSouthCenter ofEnvironmentalJustice’sBeverly WrightandbounceiconBigFreedia. There’salsomusicbyWaterSeed, HaSizzleandDJAllyBEA.NOlAGreen runsnoonto4p.m.Friday,July5,at HeadquartersbyNiceGuysintheCBD Admissionisfree,butRSVPrequired viaeventbrite.com.
BigChiefDonaldHarrison
BigChiefDonaldHarrisonJr.and membersoftheCongoNationare joinedbyguestsincludingDeezle, BlaqNmilD,TonyaBoyd-Cannonand ChoppaforashowcaseofNewOrleans sounds.At8p.m.Friday,July5,atthe DewDropInn.Tickets$25-$35via dewdropinnnola.com.
HaSizzle
Theunstoppablekingofbounce HaSizzlerecentlyreleased“It’sOnly yaBooty,”a23-trackalbumofsongs recordedliveoverrecentyears.He celebratesthenewalbumand20 yearsofmakingassesbounceat9 p.m.Thursday,July4,attheDragon’s Den.youcanalsocatchhimSunday, July7,attheEssenceFestivalof Culture.FindmoreinfoonInstagram, @hasizzlethevoice.
ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT ValerieSassyfras High-kicking,ebullientperformer ValerieSassyfrascelebratesher birthdayonWednesday,July3,with music,videoprojections,dancersand Mr.PickleatleBonTempsRoule. Sassyfraswillopentheshowwithafew storiesfromhernewbook,“Horny, lazyandReadytoSpill:Storiesfrom theSassQueen,”andthenplayashow ofnewsongsandSassyfrasclassics Thingskickoffat9p.m.Ticketsare $20viapurplepass.com.
LightUptheLake MandevillehostsanIndependence Daycelebrationalonglakeshore DriveonJuly3.There’spatrioticmusic andaperformancebyTylerKinchen &theRightPieces.Thelakefrontis openforpicnickingat10a.m.,and there’sakidstentwithfreegamesand craftactivitiesaswellastheMande Milkshakersparadeat5p.m.Music beginsat6p.m.,andfireworksareat 8:30p.m.Visitcityofmandeville.com forinformation
RuiGabriel
RuiGabrielwasborninVenezuela, grewupinNicaraguaandcameto NewOrleansforcollege.Heispart ofthepost-punkbandlawn,which releasedthreealbumsbetween2018 and2022.He’ssincemovedtoIndiana, andhejustreleased“Compassion,” analbumthatsettlesintoamellow indierocksoundwithtracesof’90salt rock.HereturnstoNewOrleansfora showatSaturnBar.TheConvenience andSharks’Teethalsoperform.At9 p.m.Saturday,July6.Tickets$10in advance,$15onthedayoftheshow viathesaturnbar.com.
SierraGreenandtheGiants
VocalistSierraGreenandherband establishedthemselvesperformingat FrenchmenStreetvenues.Theyjust released“HereWeAre,”asouland R&BalbumwithnodstoMotownand Memphis.ThegroupheadlinesaFree FridaysshowatTipitina’s.Sporty’s BrassBandopensat9p.m.July5 Freeadmission.Findinformation attipitinas.com.
OldFashioned4thofJuly
MadisonvillehostsanIndependence celebrationwithadayofgames, includingcornholeandhorseshoe tournaments,apiebakeoffandmore Therearefireworksatdusk.Festivities beginat10a.m.Thursday,July4,at theTchefuncteriverfrontnear403St FrancisSt.inMadisonville
FORCOMPlETE MuSIClISTINGS AND MOREEVENTS TAKING PlACE IN THE NEWORlEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM
Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY1
BJ’S—lynnDruryandDanaAbbott,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—Dr.Zach,4pm;In andOutBand,8pm CARROLLTONSTATION Meryl Zimmerman,10pm
TUESDAY2
BOURBONOBAR—Dr.Zach,4pm; Ingridlucia,8pm
THERABBITHOLE RebirthBrass Band,8pm
WEDNESDAY3
BLUENILE—NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm
BOURBONOBAR—GaryBrown,4pm; Serabee,8pm
BROADSIDE OutdoorMovie: Jaws,7pm
CHICKIEWAHWAH— KermitRuffins,9pm
THURSDAY4
BLUENILE—Wherey’atBrass Band,9pm
BJ’S ColemanAkin’sSwingSet Septet,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—TamoieRobinson, 4pm;Kimchisoop,8pm CHICKIEWAHWAH— DJSoulSister,10pm PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT— DalovebirdswithRobinBarnesandPat Casey,8pm
THEGOAT—Slackjaw,ParrisBridge, AmericanTheory,FITH,9pm
FRIDAY5
BJ’S littleFreddieKing,9pm BLUENILE—TheCaesarBrothersFunk Box,8pm
BOURBONOBAR—EllenSmith&April Spain,4pm;MemShannonTrio,8pm
CHICKIEWAHWAH BigFreedia,9pm OCHSNERFITNESSCENTERHARAHAN MiaBorders,7pm
OKAYBAR—ZahriaSims,MissMorning, JustKidding,9pm
ROCK'N'BOWL—lostinthe Sixties,8:30pm
THERABBITHOLE—Hot8Brass Band,8pm
TIPITINA'S—SierraGreenandtheGiants, Sporty'sBrassBand,9pm
SATURDAY6
BJ’S—MissMarthaandWeHate lindsey,9pm
BLUENILE GeorgeBrownBand,8pm BOURBONOBAR—GaryBrown,4pm; TheBluesMasters,8pm CHICKIEWAHWAH BigSam’sFunky Nation,9pm NOLABREWING—TheTanglers,6pm
ROCK'N'BOWL JedeyeMind Trick,8:30pm
SUNDAY7
BLUENILE TheBakedPotatoes,8pm; StreetlegendsBrassBand,10:30pm
BigFreediaplays ChickieWahWahJuly5 PHOTOBYCHRISGRANGER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
BOURBONOBAR MarcStone, 4pm;KennyBrown&the KBExpress,8pm
JOHNCALVINPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Sundays@SixConcert Series,6pm
THEGOAT—Facet,TheNancies,Ded Debbie,9pm
Tonsoflight!Gutted tostuds&completely redone.3BR/2.5BA plusabonusoffice/ space.Greatforthose whoworkfromhome. ImmaculateKitchen w/GraniteCounter Tops&LargeDining Island.AllBathroomshavebeenredonetoperfection. OversizedPrimaryBdrm,en-suiteBAw/JettedTub &WalkinShower.Centrallylocatedforeasyaccessto Uptown,Downtown&I-10.OffStreetparking$285,000
3BR,2.5BA.Lots ofNaturalLight!1st floorhasSpacious Living&DiningRm, UpscaleKitchenwith Granite&SSAppls, CrownMoldingthru out.PrimaryBdrm hasEnsuiteBath.Nice SizePrivateBackyardw/Deck.LovelyFrontPorch w/viewofDowntownN.O.Centrallylocatedw/easy accesstoUptown,Downtown,FrenchQuarter&I-10
FUN ‘N’GAMES GONE GUY By Frank A. Longo
ACROSS
1Sturdily built
7Evergreen-scented cleaning brand
14Cows’ milk deliverers
20Perjurious way to be caught
21Transition zone between biomes
22Go on a trip
23“... at least”
24Hundredth of a peseta
25Cure
26Managers’ evaluations of employees
29“Rope-a-dope” boxer
30Gas brand in Ontario
31“Ltd.” cousin
32Hit the slopes
35Tries to swat with an open hand
392002filmwithJennifer LopezandRalphFiennes
45“I have it!”
48Uno plus due
49Narrow ship passages
50Regulation of a computer network
55White wader
561/24 of a day
57Torrid
58Capital of the Bahamas
61Try out for the role
65Realm that began with the reign of Charlemagne
71Monk’s title
72Crumple (up)
73Mafia bosses
74Meadow
75Denials
76They were given to Moses on Mount Sinai
79Most energetic
81Humiliated
82Suffix with 52-Down
84Creamy cheese
85“May I see --?” (diner’s question)
88“Don’t Cry Out Loud” singer
94Full of subtlety
97Little kid
98Plaza Hotel girl of kid-lit
99They deliver fuel and air from carburetors to cylinders
102 National anthem in Ontario
106 Fleur-de-
107 “Bad” cholesterol, in brief
108 Worker’s pay
111 Bonn article
112 What you have to do before entering seven answers in this puzzle?
120 Actress Hedy
123 Long rants
124 Put new cables in
125 To-do list
126 Illustrious
127 Loves to bits
128 Rises from bed
129 Insists
130 Pastry chefs, e.g.
DOWN 1Dry Spanish wines
2Open, as a sleeping bag
3African nation
4Mushy food
5St. Pat’s isle
6Doe, e.g.
7Texas river
8Frosting tools
9Sarge, say
10Un-PC suffix
11Evening, in French
12“My treat!”
1310th-century pope
14Netherlands province or its capital
15Doodled, e.g.
16Stops up
17Adam’s mate
18Like many wines
19Like many winks
27Gala affairs
28Motels
32Swizzle
33Model Moss
34Pt. of MIT
36 dish
37Drag to court
38Ulna’s place
40$ dispenser
41Great anger
42Alternative to Bob Evans
43Hiker’s guide
44Touch base after a fly-out
46Madeline of “Judy Berlin”
47In history
50Elevator part
51“-- welcome”
52Neighbor of Chad
53Hollywood’s Hawke
54Road goop
59Only
60Ooze
62 Chuck (cheap wine)
63“-- Rock” (1966 hit)
64Probability
66Choose (to)
67Is defeated
68Nonreactive
69O’Donnell of TV and film
70Citrate, e.g.
73Give formally
77Tropical plant with bright flowers
78One paying dues: Abbr.
79Bell’s ring
80“Peer Gynt” playwright
83NNW’s opposite 85Dye used in blue jeans
86City bond, in brief
87Devours
89Cyber-giggle
90“-- be my pleasure!”
91Murmured lovingly
92Fruit drink brand
93That, in Chile
95It might ensnare congers
96Aeneas’ lover, in myth
100 Played like Galway
101 Neighbor of Denmark
103 Think a lot of
104 Closer to one’s heart
105 “Gunsmoke” actor James
109 Revise
110 Main ideas
112 Soda holders
113 Pakistani language
114 Part of DST
115 Prune
116 Tennis player Mandlikova
117 Drearily dull
118 Mother of Helen of Troy
119 Furry “Star Wars” critter
120 Fall behind
121 Grow older
122 Ran into
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