July 15 - 21 2024 Volume 45 Number 29 ®
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ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT Half-baked ComedianTomPapareturnstoNewOrleans INHISTWOMOSTRECENTNETFLIX
SPECIALS,TomPapahashadasimple message:Relax,everythingisfine;just havereasonableexpectations.
In2020’s“you’reDoingGreat,”hehas adviceformenaboutpursuingwomen
“youdon’twanttomarryasupermodel,”Papasays.“youwantsomeonewhocanlifttheotherendofthe couch.Withouttakinghercigarette outofhermouth.”
Hepointsoutthegoodolddayswere actuallyhorrible,withbadclothes,low lifeexpectancyandnoAdvil.youdon’t havethebodyofanOlympicathlete becauseyou’renotanOlympicathlete. Andhedoesn’tcarewhatyou’requittingorgivinguptotrytoimprove
“Calmdown,you’redoinggreat,”he says.“lifeisn’tperfect,anditnever willbe.We’veallgotstufftodealwith. you’redoinggreat.Sowhatyou’refat? Whocares?We’reallfat.youknowwhy you’refat?Becauseyou’reallwinners. Thefirstgenerationthatdoesn’thaveto fightforsurvival.Acceptyou.you’rea grownup.you’reanadult.Thisiswhat youendeduplookinglike.”
Papabuildsonhisadvicefornotfeelinglikeyou’reunderperforminginhis latesttour,“GoodStuff,”whichcomes totheJoyTheaterSaturday,July20.
“Iamalwaysreassuringpeoplethat ‘you’reOK,’”PapatoldGambitinan interviewfromhishomeinCalifornia. “Whatyou’redoingisfine.Iamalways tellingmyselfthataswell.”
Evenashepriesatinsecuritiesand looksatdisappointmentwithaglasshalf-fullperspective,Papaisendlessly optimistic,andoftenfatherlyintone.
It’savoicethatfillshiscomedyspecials,hisbooks,hispodcastsandother projects.Heoftenservesasapanelist orguesthostonNPR’snewsquizshow “WaitWait…Don’tTellMe”andwas awriterfor“liveFromHere,”the rebootedversionofGarrisonKeillor’s “APrairieHomeCompanion.”
AcoupleofthingskeepPapa grounded:writingandbaking.
Afterestablishinghimselfinstand-up comedyandacting,Papastartedwritingbooks.Inrecentyears,thecollectionsofessayshaveoverlappedwithhis specials.Therealsowasabooktitled “you’reDoingGreat,”butitincluded differentmaterial.lastyear,he released“We’reAllinThisTogether.”
“Writingisthekeytoalltheprojects,”Papasays.“It’stheprocess.I cantellwhenIamnotwritingbecause Iamnotashappy.Iamalittlemore
byWillCoviello |
disorganized,moreconfused.WhenI amwriting,itkeepseverythinginmylife inorder.Itwindseverythingup.”
Bakingalsoispartofhisprocess Hegotinterestedinbakingsourdough bread,anditeventuallybecamethe basisofnewwork,includingtheFood Networkshow“Baked.”Papavisited NewOrleansforanepisode,andhe spentpartofitexploringkingcakeswith localbakers.
Currently,hehoststhepodcast “BreakingBreadwithTomPapa.”He bakesbreadforeveryguest,which recentlyincludedcomediansNeal BrennanandJimJefferies,whowasnot happywithAmericanbread “Breadistheheartofit,”Papasays. “It’sthewholereasonforthepodcast yousitandbreakbreadwithsomebody. youask,‘Whocookedforyouwhenyou wereakid?’or,‘Whatwasyourfavorite mealwhenyouwereakid?’Itopensup allsortsofconversations.Showalittle morethoughtfulness,andyoumakeit thatmuchbetter.”
After211episodes,theshowcontinuestogrow.
“Inthebeginning,Iwasjustgoing throughmyfriendsandpeopleIhung outwith,”hesays.“Nowwe’reexpandingandgettingintoalotofotherguests. Itstartedasthislittlepodcast,andnow wehaveJimmyKimmelcominginand
sittingonourset. It’sstartingtofeel likeabiggershow. It’sonyouTube,but itfeelslikewe’re doingTV.”
Theguestlineup hasbeenheavyon comedians,many ofwhomPapamet whenhewasdoing stand-upinNew yorkCity.
“youhavethe heartofstand-up inNewyork,” hesays.“Each generationbrings theirpeople.The goodonesstick around,andyou endupbeingpart ofthatcommunity. youhadColin (Quinn)andChris (Rock)andthose guysbeforeIgot there.Icameinwith(Jim)Gaffiganand GregGiraldoandthatgeneration.On ourheelswereSamMorrilandMark Normand.It’slikeafamily.”
He’sevenconnectedthatfamilywith hisown.
“Colinisthegreat-great-grandfather,”Papasays.“Mydaughterisgoing tobelivinginNewyork.Wecalledhim lastnighttorunacoupleofneighborhoodsbyhimandseewhathethinks. NooneknowsmoreaboutNewyork thanColinQuinn.”
PapaalsometJerrySeinfeldinthe sceneandtouredwithhimforyears. Currently,healsosharesapodcast withFortuneFeimstercalled“Whata JokewithPapaandFortune,”whichis markingitsfifthanniversary. Papahasstartedonnewwork.He recentlyrecordedastoponhiscurrent tourforhisnextNetflixspecial,which willbereleasedinOctober.
TheNewOrleansshowwillfeature someofthat,butwithrecordingdone, hecangetintonewmaterialaswell, hesays.OpeningisPaulMorrissey, whoco-hostshis“CometoPapa” podcast.Healsodoesabooksigning aftereachshow,sohe’llbemeeting withfansaswell.
TomPapaperformsat7p.m.Saturday, July20,atJoyTheater.Tickets$31.75$51.75viathejoytheater.com.
ColombiaNOLAFest AslateofbandsfromColombiamade theCulturalExchangePaviliononeof thebeststagesatJazzFestinspring. Thehigh-energylosCumbiaStars, ledbysingerCristinaEscamilla,return toNewOrleansforthisshowcaseof ColombianmusicattheBroadside. Thefestlineupalsofeaturesvocalist andsalsastarBrayanCaceresand NewOrleans’RumbaBuena. At3p.m.Saturday,July20.Tickets $38inadvanceor$43.26ontheday oftheshow(includingfees) viabroadsidenola.com
ChuckTingle AuthorChuckTinglefirstgained notorietyforhischarminglyabsurd, exquisitequeereroticawithtitles like“SpaceRaptorButtInvasion,” “BigfootSommelierButtTasting”and “PoundedbythePound:TurnedGay bytheSocioeconomicImplicationsof BritainleavingtheEuropeanunion.” Inrecentyears,themysterious,pinkbag-wearingauthoralsohasturned tohorrorworkscenteringthequeer community,likehislatestbook,“Bury yourGays,”aboutaHollywoodscriptwriternowbeinghauntedbyhispast mistakesandmonsters.Tinglemakes alocalstopforanauthoreventhosted byTubby&Coo’sBookShopat7p.m Tuesday,July16,atCafeIstanbul. Ticketsare$35andincludeacopyof Tingle’snewbook.Findmoreinfo viatubbyandcoos.com.
LittleFreddieKing’s birthdayparty LittleFreddieKing,thegodfather ofNewOrleansgutbucketblues, celebrateshis84thbirthday.At9p.m Friday,July19,atBJ’slounge Findinformationon@bjslounge onInstagram
SouthernNights NewOrleansvocalistandbanjoist DuskyWatersishostingSouthern Nights,amonthlyconcertseries thissummerfeaturingwomenand
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OPENING GAMBIT THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN BlueKrewe,theNewOrleans nonprofitoperatingBlueBikes aroundthecity,raised$10,000 duringitsJuneRideWithPride promotionforProjectlazarus,a GulfSouthorganizationsupportingpeoplelivingwithHIV/AIDS. DuringPrideMonth,BlueKrewe pledgedtodonate$1fromeach BlueBikerideupto$10,000
RobertJones,aNewOrleansman whowaswrongfullyconvictedand exoneratedin2017afterserving morethan23yearsinprison, isusinga$2millionsettlement fromthestatetobuildaffordable housinginthecity.Jonesrecently partneredwithfinancialinstitution HOPEtostarttheJonesProperty Group,whichaimstobuildaffordablesingle-familyhousesand rentalunits.
TheNewOrleansRecreation DepartmentCommissionhas notopenedeightcomputerlabs itinstalledmorethanayearago inneighborhoodreccenters.last year,thecityreceived$75,000 fromVerizontobuylaptopsand buildmobilecomputerlabsto teachdigitalliteracytoyouth. AyearafterNORDCandMayor laToyaCantrellcuttheribbonon thoselabs,thelaptopsstillaren’t availableforuse.NORDCtoldThe Times-Picayunethegrantonly coveredthecostoftheequipment andthecityisstilllookingforpartnerstoteachdigitalskillsclasses foryouthandseniors
Gov.JeffLandryaddresseslawmakersat thebeginningofthe2024session.
GOPmegadonorLaneGrigsbypushes lawmakerstorewritestateconstitution
ASTHECLOCKISTICKINGON
LOUISIANA’SCHANCEtoholda constitutionalconventionaheadof thisyear’selection,laneGrigsby—a Republicanmegadonorandperhaps thestrongestproponentofsuch aconvention—madealast-ditch effortJuly9toconvincelegislators toplayball
Inamassemailtostatelawmakers,Grigsbysentdocuments detailingproposedchangestothe constitution,suchasarevampof thestate’sjudicialsystemandthe removalofconstitutionalprotectionsforparishpropertytaxes, includingadditionaltaxingpowerfor OrleansParish.Removingconstitutionallyprotectedstatefundingfor publicschoolswasalsoconsidered Hetoldlawmakersthesuggestions reflectedtheworkofGov.Jeff landry’sconstitutionaltransition committee,whichGrigsbychaired. Torewritetheconstitution,lawmakerswouldfirstneedtocallaspecialsessionandpassabillauthorizing aconvention.
Theymustcompletethatwhole process—conventionandall—by earlySeptemberiftheyaretogeta newconstitutionontheDecember ballot,saidJoelWatson,aspokespersonforthelouisianaSecretaryof State.Thatagencygavelawmakers anAugustdeadlineshouldtheywant togetaconstitutionontheballotin November,hesaid.
“Giventhesetimeconstraints,it hasbeendeterminedthatsharingthe TransitionCommittees’work-productmightbeofsomebenefit,” Grigsbywrotelawmakers. Itisunclearwhetherthefulltransitioncommitteesignedoffonthe documentsGrigsbyprovided.Kate Kelly,aspokespersonforlandry, whohaspushedforaconvention,did notansweraquestionaboutwhether theyrepresentedanofficialreport fromhisoffice.
Instead,inastatementsupportive ofGrigsby,shesaidconstitutional changeswereimportantforfiscal policy.lawmakersarecurrently
THENUMBEROF VETOEDBILLSTHATWILL HAVEACHANCETOBE OVERRIDDENBYLAWMAKERS. Thedeadlinetocallforavetosessionwas July8andmostlawmakersoptedout.landry vetoed27billsandahandfulofbudgetitems. ThelouisianaIlluminatorpointedoutmany ofthosevetoedmeasureshadpassedbya slimmajorityandwouldnotpasswithenough votestocarryoutanoverride,asanoverride requirestwo-thirdsofthevote.
C’EST WHAT ? PHOTOBYHILARYSCHEINUK /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
debatingwhetheroverhauling louisiana’staxstructurecould helpaddressthehalf-billion-dollar shortfallthestateisexpectedtoface nextyear,whenthe0.45centsales taxrollsoff.
“Mr.Grigsby’smessageiswhat wehavebeensayingsinceDay One.Withthe$500millioncut anticipated,louisianaclearlyneeds budgetreformandtheonlywayto effectivelydothatiswithrefreshing ourconstitution,”Kellysaid
It’sunclearhowlawmakerswill respondtoGrigsby’splea.Though aproposaltocallaconvention passedtheHouseinthespring,it stalledintheSenateamidconcerns aboutalackofinformationand fatigueamonglawmakers,whohave satthroughthreesessionsalready thisyear
Rep.BeauBeaullieu,R-New Iberia,whoauthoredthebillthat wouldhaveconvenedaconstitutionalconvention,wasoptimistic Grigsby’semailmightjumpstart aconversation.
“It’sprobablygoingtoputsome peopleateaseasitrelatestowhat theywanttochangeintheconstitution,”hesaid
ButSen.FranklinFoil,R-Baton Rouge,whosatonthetransition committeeandwhohaslong wantedaconstitutionrewrite, expressedskepticism.
“Whetherornotwecangetan appetiteofamajorityofthelegislature,Istillsaywouldbeahighbar,”he said.“Itwasalongspring,andIthink initiallypeoplewereworriedthatthis wasbeingrushedandneededmore timeforpropervetting.”
Grigsby,atopboosteroflandry’s runforgovernorandaprolificGOP donor,hasfordecadessoughtto dramaticallyalterthestate’sgoverningstructure.
OneproposalinGrigsby’semail recommendsarevampofthestate’s judicialsystemthatwouldauthorize judgesofthestatesupremecourt andstateappellatecourttoelect theirchiefjustices.Currently, thelongest-servingjudgeshold thoseroles
Anotherchangewouldrequire thestatetoredrawitsSupreme Courtdistrictsaftereverycensus.yetanotherwouldallowthe legislaturetodeterminehowmany appellatecircuitslouisianashould have,andhowmanyjudgesshould sitonthosecircuits.
Theseconddocument,which Grigsbysentwithlittleexplanation,containsacopyofthecurrent
constitutionwithlargesectionshighlightedindifferentcolors.lawmakers sofarareuncertainabouthowto interpretthedocument
StevenProcopio,presidentof thePublicAffairsResearchCouncil oflouisiana,whichhadahandin draftingtheproposal,saidtherecommendationforblue-highlighted sectionswasthattheybetakenout oftheconstitutionandfoldedinto statestatute.
Thegreen-highlightedsections weretobediscussedfurther,he said,whilethoseinyellowentailed technicalchanges.
Writteninblueareprovisionsof theconstitutionthatsetminimum millagesparishescanchargein propertytaxesandspelloutwhat additionalamountsOrleansParish cancharge,amongotherprovisions Ingreenandupfordiscussion, amongotheritems,weretheconstitutionallyprotectedfundsawarded tostatepublicschools.Theplan generallywouldempowerlegislators tooverhaulcertaintaxpolicies,regulatestatefundsandmakechanges tothestatecivilservicecommission withoutvoterapproval
Thedocumentdidnotemerge directlyfromthefulltransition committee—whichmetthreetimes attheendoflastyear—butfroma coregroupofcommitteemembers whocontinuedtomeetearlierthis year,Procopiosaid.PARhelped craftthedocumentandalsohad arepresentativeonthefulltransitioncommittee.
Procopiosaidhewasunfamiliar withthejudicialrecommendations, butthattheymayreflectcommitteesuggestions
Foilsaidthedocumentsreflected oneofthepanel’smajorconclusions: insteadoffullyrewritingtheconstitution,thestateshoulddownsize itbyputtinglargechunksofitinto statestatute.
Thatwouldmakeiteasierfor legislatorstochangethoselaws. Constitutionalchangesrequireavote oftheelectorate;statutorychanges donot.
Regardlessofwhethertheycalla convention,lawmakersareconsideringaspecialsessioninthenear futurethatwouldjustdealwithstate taxpolicy,Foilsaid.Voterscouldsee tax-relatedconstitutionalchanges ontheballotattheendoftheyear insteadofafulloverhaultotheconstitution.—MeghanFriedmann/The Times-Picayune
PAGE7
Cityshouldstopusing oldordinancetodisrupt localmarkets MAYORLATOYACANTRELL’S ADMINISTRATIONISONCE AGAINturningitsattention towardtheactivitiesofsmall vendorsandpop-ups—and onceagainhasmadelife moredifficultforsmallbusinessesandresidents
Thelatestregulatory enforcementeffortthreatenstokillthecity’svibrant artmarketscene.Itfollows previousattemptsbythe Cantrelladministrationto targetmicro-businessesat neighborhoodsecondlines, atvariousplacesalongSt ClaudeAvenueandinother partsofthecity
AsGambit’sKaylee Pochereportsthisweek, theadministrationrecently beganenforcinganobscure 1956cityordinancerelated tospecialeventpermitsand salestaxes.Theordinance requiresorganizersofeventsthat includevendorstoobtainlarge bondstocoverpotentialsalestaxes owedtothecity.
BayouYachtCluborganizes artsmarketsinNewOrleans.
It’sunclearhowconsistently,or againstwhom,theordinancewasever enforced.Acommunitymarketoperatorwho’dbeenorganizingmarkets since2007toldGambitshe’dnever hadtoobtainthecostlybondsbefore.
Butthisspring,theDepartmentof Revenuebegandemandingbonds forspecialevents,andnotjustmajor eventsthattypicallyfeaturevendors fromoutsidethecity.
Rather,thecitybegantargetingsmall artmarketswhichhavelongbeena partoflifeinNewOrleans,andwhich tookoffduringthepandemic.The marketsallowedlocalartists,food pop-upsandsmallvendorstosurvive, evenasbrick-and-mortarretailers wereforcedtoclose.
Sincethepandemic,themarkets becamealifelineforsmallvendors andapartoflifeforthousandsofNew Orleanians—includingthemayor herself.Sheoftendocumentshervisits tomarketsonsocialmedia
Whythecityhasdecidedtopursue thispolicyagainstsmallmarketsis amystery.ACantrellspokesperson wouldn’ttellGambitwhythisishappening,buttheydidacknowledgethatthe cityhasnodatasuggestinglocalartists,
vintageclothingvendorsandartisanal cakemakersaretaxscofflaws.
Similarly,there’snoreasontobelieve themarketsharmtraditionalbrickand-mortarbusinesses.Infact,there’s significantevidencetothecontrary.
TheFreretStreetMarket,forexample, playedamajorroleinrevitalizingthat commercialcorridor.
Nowthatmarket—andmanyothers —mayhavetoceaseoperatingbecause ofthebondrequirement.Severalmarketorganizersareinaholdingpattern now,whileonehasalreadyshutdown asaresultofthecity’sdecisionto enforcetheantiquatedordinance.
Mostmarketsoperateonshoe-string budgets,andnobodyisgettingrich runningthem.Eventhefewhundred dollarsthatmarketorganizersmust payforabondmaybecostprohibitive —tosaynothingofthetensofthousandsofdollarsinliabilitytheyface iftheyloseabondbecauseavendor doesn’tpaysalestaxontime.
Theadministrationshouldcease thispointlessandwhollyunnecessary disruptionofathrivinglocaleconomy. Failingthat,theNewOrleansCity Councilshouldstepinandprotectthe localmarketsbeforeit’stoolate.
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LandryandGrigsby wantado-overfortheir constitutionalruse GOV.JEFFLANDRYAND SELF-PROCLAIMED“KINGMAKER”LANEGRIGSBY, aBatonRougeGOP megadonorwhoplayeda majorroleinelectinglandry andaright-winglouisiana legislaturelastyear,have notabandonedtheiridea oframmingamajorconstitutionalrewritedownthe throatsofstatelawmakers andcitizens.
Theywanttogetlawmakersintoaspecialsession inearlyAugusttohastily approve—intwoweeksor less—significantchangesto aconstitutionthatelecteddelegates spentmorethanayearstudyingand debatingdecadesago
Gov.JeffLandryandGOP megadonerLaneGrigsby arestilltryingtopusha constitutionalrewrite.
AndtheywantitontheNov.5 presidentialballot,sothatvotershave almostnotimetoreviewthechanges —whileDonaldTrumpwilldoubtlessly havelotsoftimetoendorseit.
It’sahoax,andaninsulttolawmakersandcitizens landrybarelymentioned,ifatall,the ideaofrewritingthe1974Constitution duringhiscampaignforgovernorlast year.yet,almostimmediatelyafter takingoffice,hemadeithischiefvehicle forattemptingaseriesofpowergrabs thatwouldhavemadethelateGov. Huey“Kingfish”longblush.
ThestateSenaterightlydeep-sixed theClownfish’spushforaquick, drive-byconstitutionalconvention, eventhoughlandrymodifiedhis proposalseveraltimesinadoomed attempttoreviveit.
Grigsbychairedlandry’stransition committeeonaconstitutionalconventionandistheprincipal(ifnotsole) drafteroftheproposedchanges.It’sno secret,however,thatlandryaspires towielduncheckedpoweroverevery aspectofgovernmentinlouisiana.
Thetwoofthemmakequiteapair. GrigsbyonJuly10emailedallHouse andSenatememberstoutingthework ofhiscommittee“toallowforabalancedgoverningoflouisianabythe threebranchesofgovernment.”His emailincludedseveralattachments outlininghowhewouldrebalance stategovernment.
Thekingmakerclearlyhasafondness forirony.Hisproposedchangeswould significantlyweakenlouisiana’s
PHOTOBYJOHNMCCUSKER/ THEADVOCATE
judiciaryandgiveevenmorepowerto thegovernorifadoptedbylawmakers andvoters.Moreover,metadatain Grigsby’semailattachmentsshowthat hisproposalshaven’tchangedsince lastDecember—whichisparticularly insultingtolawmakers,who’vealready rejectedthem
Grigsbysenthismissiveadaybefore ajointmeetingoftheHouseand Senatecommitteesdealingwithstate revenueandtaxation.Histimingwas notcoincidental.
RevenueSecretaryRichardNelson, whogothisjobafterdroppingoutof thegovernor’sraceandendorsing landry,paintedagrimpictureto committeemembersofthe“fiscal cliff”loomingnextyear.That’swhen temporarysalestaxesexpire,allegedly puttingkeystateservicesatrisk.
It’sallahoax,however.It’sdesigned tocreatemomentumforlandry andGrigsby’sconstitutionalrewrite do-over.
Grigsbycitesa“deadline”ofAug. 23,butthatdeadlineonlyappliestohis andlandry’splanforaquickiereferendumonNov.5
Andthe“fiscalcliff”islandry’screation.Heandlawmakerscouldeasily addressitwithoutguttingkeyservices lawmakersshouldrejectthisruse again.Iftheydon’t,votersshould certainlydoso—andpunishevery lawmakerwhoinsultedthemby approvingit.
INTHETHROESOFTHEPANDEMIC,New Orleansartistswerestrugglingtofindplacesto selltheirartwork.
Soagroupofthemdecidedtotakematters intotheirownhands.Theybandedtogether toformtheBayouYachtClub,anonprofitthat hostsfreeoutdoorartsmarketsaroundthecity
Overtheyears,they’vehostedbothsmaller eventsatlocalbusinessesandlargermarketswith50ormoreartistsatplaceslikethe LafitteGreenway
“Everythingfeltsobleakwiththepandemic, andseeinghowneededartwasandhowneeded communitywaswhenitwastakenawayfrom
us,thatisreallywhatsparkedallofthis,”says founderAnnaSchnitzler
Similarmarketsalsopoppeduparoundtown, joiningtheexistingmarketsinthecity They rangeinsizefromahandfuloffriendsselling waresonastretchofsidewalktolarger,regular eventshostedatbreweries,churchesandother spaces.Someincludehomechefs,craftmakers, livemusicandothervendors.
Inrecentyears,marketshavebeenanincreasinglypopularpastimeforresidents andone ofthewaysmanyfamiliesmakeendsmeetina challengingeconomicenvironment.
Avendorsellsclothes ataBayouYachtClub artmarket.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANNA SCHNITZLER
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANNA SCHNITZLER
ButthankstoMayorLaToya Cantrell’sadministration,theflourishingmarketsceneinNewOrleans couldsoongodark Thisspring, theadministrationresurrectedan obscure,morethanhalf-a-centuryoldlawforcingmarketorganizersto actasdefactocollectorsonparticipatingvendors.
Organizerswillnowhavetopay asmallpercentageofa$10,000$20,000bondupfront.Ifallthevendorsattheeventdon’tpaytheirsales taxesintime,theycouldbeonthe hookforthefull$10,000-$20,000
Asaresult,BayouYachtClubhas decidedtoshutdownitsmarkets.
“Theywerelike,‘Oh,bytheway, we’regonnaneed[abondfor] $20,000,’”Schnitzlersays “It’slike, ‘OK,nevermind.Wedon’tneedthe eventpermit.’”
Organizersofmarketsalloverthe city,includingthepopularFreret Market,saytheyarealsoweighingif theycancontinuetheirmarkets.
“Allthemarketproducersarekind ofjustflusteredatthispoint,”says MichelleIngram,founderofFreret StreetMarketandFreretFest
Thechangeisoneofseveralmoves theCantrelladministrationhasmade inrecentyearstocrackdownonthe city’ssmallestbusinesses
InMarch2023,theystartedtargetingvendorsundertheClaiborne Overpass,apopularlocationfor stopsduringsecondlines.ThatJuly, theycitedstreetvendorsalongSt ClaudeAvenue Startinglastfall, theysettheirsightsonBourbon
Street,wherevendingisadifferent animalaltogether.
“Itfeelspunitive,honestly,” Schnitzlersays “Itfeelslikean extrememeasure.”
Partofthatsenseisaresultofa lackoftransparencyandclarity Marketorganizerssaythecitydidn’t reachouttothempriortoorafterthe decisiontoresumeenforcementof thebondpolicy;they’reonlyfinding outoncetheyapplyforpermitsor fromothermarketorganizers
TheCantrelladministrationalso hasn’tprovidedmuchinthewayof plainlanguageguidanceforwho, andwhoisn’t,covered.Forinstance, thecitywouldnotsaywhethersmall marketsheldatprivatevenues, likebarsorchurches,needto purchasebonds.
Thepolicyisn’taresultofanewlaw, butinsteadadecisionbytheCantrell administrationtostartenforcementof anoldone,datingbackto1956,which hadn’tbeeninpracticeformanyyears.
TheCantrelladministrationwon’t saywhattriggeredthechange.Leatrice Dupre,MayorLaToyaCantrell’spress secretary,onlysaidthelawhasbeen “enforcedconsistentlyuntilachangein organizationalstructure.”
ThoughDupredidnotclarifywhich “changeinorganizationalstructure” shewasreferringto,responsibility forupholdingthelawswitchedfrom theBureauofRevenuetoSafetyand Permitsaroundadecadeago.
However,it’sunclearifthecitywas regularlyenforcingthelawpriorto thatswitch andifso,whetheritwas applyingittosmallmarketsatall.For instance,theoriginallawrepeatedly usestheword“show,”whichcould implyitwasmeanttomakesurevendorsatlargeeventslikecarshowspaid thecitysalestax.
Ingrambeganhostingmarketson FreretStreetin2007andsaidshe onlyheardofthebondrequirement thisspring Marketorganizerssaidthecitybegan askingthemforbondstogetspecial eventspermitsinApril.APDFdocumentofthepolicyonthecity’swebsite alsoappearstohavebeencreated inApril.
Thedocumentlistsbondsspecial eventpromotersmustpaybeforethe cityapprovestheirevent.Iftheevent hasthreevendorsorfewer,they’llneed tobuyacashbondvaluedat$250per vendor.They’llpayapercentageofthat moneydirectlytothecity
Ifaspecialeventhasthreeormore vendors,anorganizerwillneedto purchasea“performancebond”from aninsurancecompanyfor$10,000$20,000,dependingonthenumber ofvendors.Thisbondputsthemon thehookformakingsureallvendorsat theireventpaytheirsalestaxes.
Purchasinga$10,000bondcancost anywherefrom$50-$1,500,dependingonwhichinsurancecompanyissues thebond.Butit’stheriskofbeing responsiblefor$10,000-$20,000if everyvendordoesn’tpaytheirsales taxintimethat’ssettingoffalarmbells withorganizers
There’salsoconfusionabouthow longvendorswillhavetopaytheirsales tax.Inthesameemail,CantrellspokespersonDupresaidboth“ALLvendors participatingmustpaythe5%salestax bytheendoftheevent”andthat“the participatingvendorshave4monthsto paysalestax.”
ThoughtheCantrelladministration saystheruleisneededtoensurevendorspaysalestaxesatmarkets,itisn’t clearifthisisactuallyaproblem.
Forone,vendorstypicallyaren’t makinghugeprofitsatthesemarkets tobeginwith Schnitzlersaysthatfor smallermarkets,vendorsmightmake $100.Atlargermarkets,theycould profit$2,000onagoodday.
Whenaskedifthecityhadestimates onhowmuchsalestaxtheythinkthey arelosingfromvendorsnotpaying salestaxontheirearningsatspecial events,Duprereplied,“NO.”
Marketorganizerssayevenifthey canaffordtheupfrontcostofabond, theycouldn’tmanagetopay$10,000$20,000ifoneofthevendorsdidn’t paytheirsalestaxestothecityintime
Manyofthesemarketsareputon bynonprofitswhoarejusttryingto covertheiroperatingcosts.Ingram says$20,000ismorethantheyusually makeinayear,andtheydonateany moneytheyhaveleftovertocommunityorganizations.
Additionally,puttingonamarketis alreadyalotofwork,andorganizers saytheydon’twanttoberesponsible forgoingbehindvendorsandasking
themforproofthattheypaidtheirsales taxes.Notonlyisitmorework,but organizerssayitfeelsintrusive.
“Quitehonestly,thatisn’tourjobasa marketproducer,”saysIngram,whose FreretMarkethasaround80vendors. “Ourjobistoproduceamarket,andit isthevendors’jobstoreporttheirtax tothecity.”
Likewise,Schnitzlersaysdoingso wouldgoagainstthereasonsartistsformedBayouYachtClubinthe firstplace.
AlotoftheirvendorsareLGBTQ people,peopleofcolor,andmothers whoaretryingtomakemoneywhile avoidingpayingforchildcare,shesays.
It“isaverymicromanagingthing torequire,giventhenatureofevents likethisistoempowerartistsand smallvendorsjusttoselltheirwares,” Schnitzlersays “It’snotbusinesses skirtingsalestaxes.It’sartiststryingto earnanhonestliving.”
Marketorganizerssaygettingpermits fromthecitytohosteventswasalready becomingincreasinglydifficult.
Theysaythecitysometimesdoesn’t issueapermituntilrightbeforethe event sometimesthenightbefore
orthedayof andthatitisconstantly changingthefees.
SchnitzlersayswhenBayouYacht Clubwouldrentmarketspacefromthe NewOrleansRecreationDevelopment Commission,thecitysometimes chargedthem$1,000moretorent thesamespacethey’dpreviously rented,forthesameamountoftime Sometimesthecitywouldrequire eventinsuranceandsecurity,andother timestheywouldn’t.
“Therequirementsweredifferent everytime,”Schnitzlersays “Itwas gettingmoreandmoreexpensive.”
Whenapplyingforapermittohost anartmarketattheMagazineStreet ChampagneStrolllastyear,thecity thoughtshewastryingtohosta parade,shesays.
“IhadtobeverycarefulhowI wordedoureventsothattheywouldn’t thinkwewerehostingaparadeor tryingtodosomethingillegalwith Champagne,”Schnitzlersays “It’s beentoodifficulttowanttocontinue.”
It’snoteasyforvendorseither,who needtogetmultiplelicensesandset upsalestaxaccounts,ontopofpaying feestosellateachmarket.
“Ihavelostcountlessvendors becauseoftheprocesstoactually
TheFreretMarketdatesbackto2007
PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Easily cash out equityinyour rental or investment property •Commonproperty types arefourplexes, non-owner occupied singlefamilyresidential and commercial
•Maximum loan to recently appraisedvalueamountof65%
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obtainthespecialeventoccupationallicensefromthecity,”Ingram says “It’soverwhelming It’s burdensome.”
Forinstance,Ingramsaysvendors atmarketsneedtopaythecity $50,butnomatterhowlateinthe yeartheygettheiryearlylicenseto dobusinessatspecialevents,that licenseexpiresDec.31 Withall businesslicensesexpiringatthesame time,thecitythengetsbackedupin issuingnewones.
“It’skillingthelocalculturaleconomyofNewOrleansbyoverburdeningthemwithpaperwork,licenses, permits,taxes,fees,”Ingramsays “I’minnowaysayingthatweshould notbeheldresponsibletopaytoput onaneventinthecity,butit’sgoneto theextremes.”
IngramsayseachFreretMarket costsbetween$4,000-$5,000to puton,includingpermits,insurance, electricityandotherinfrastructure It’swhysomemarketorganizers ultimatelychoosetoforgothepermittingprocessaltogether,hopingto flyundertheradar.
“We’rejustpayingmoreandmore andmoreandhavingtodomoreand moreforustoremainthesame,” Ingramsays.“They’reoutpricing theonethingthatthey’reusingto promotethiscity.”
InadditiontoBayouYachtClub shuttingdown,RotaryClubofNew OrleansRiverbend,whonowowns FreretMarketandtheannualFreret StreetFestival,mustdecidebefore theendofAugustwhethertheycan starttheirmonthlymarketsbackup thisfall
Ingram,ownerofpetboarding businessZeus’Place,remembers whenshestartedFreretMarketin
2007asawaytorevitalizethearea afterHurricaneKatrina.
Atthemarkets,they’dhaveposter boardswherethey’dpostavailable propertiesandtheircorresponding realestateagents Peoplewould cometothemarketsandleavewantingtobuyahouseintheneighborhoodorstartabusinessthere.
“Havingthatmarketandthatsense ofcommunityinthisneighborhood isoneofthereasonsthatFreret Streetiswhatitistoday,”Ingram says.“Peoplestoppedusingthisas athoroughfareandsloweddown andstartedbuyingthesevacant storefrontsandmakingtheirdreams cometrue.”
MarketsacrossNewOrleanshave givenartistsandvendorsopportunitiestomakemoney.Someuse themtosupplementtheirincome fromotherwork,whileitgives othersthechancetoquittheir9-5 jobsaltogetherinfavorofamore flexibleschedule.
“Ifyouhaveachild,it’sreally hardtolike,gotoworkandpayfor childcare,”saysSchnitzler,whoisa mother “So(ithelps)beingabletobe anartistandpopupattheseevents andhavesomeonewatchyourkidor bringthemwithyou.”
Theyalsohelpbringthecommunity togetherandgiveartistsachanceto connectwiththeircustomers.
“Itmakesmeextremelysadthat thiscouldgoawayjustthrough governmentbureaucracy That justseemssadthatNewOrleansis goingtomisssomeoftheflairthat setsusapartfromHoustonorDallas orBaltimore,Maryland,”Ingram says “Theselittlebittymarkets arewhatmakesNewOrleansNew Orleans,andifwecan’taffordto producethem,they’regoingtogo awayforever.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANNA SCHNITZLER
EAT+DRINK Classicrevival CousinsMichaelVicariandStephenGambinotakeoverFausto’s byBethD’Addono | FAUSTO’SISTHEKINDOFNEIGHBORHOODRESTAURANTWITHREGULARS who’vebeencomingforyears—folks whowantwhattheywant,thewayit’s alwaysbeen.
NewownersMichaelVicariand hiscousinStephenGambinowere veryawareofthatwhentheybought therestaurantearlierthisyearfrom retiringrestaurateurFaustoDiPietro, whoopeneditwithhisbrotherRoland in1990
“Wedidn’tneedtocomeinmaking changes,”Vicarisays.“Therestaurant hasbeengreatfor34years.”
Forthefirstmonthorso,the cousinskeptwatchandlistenedto regulars,askinghowtheymightmake Fausto’sbetter
“Ilookedbackatreviewstogeta senseofanyissues,”Vicarisays
Guestsdidn’tcomplainaboutthe food,whichiswhychefluisRamosis stillrunningthekitchenafter27years onthejob.Thefamilyrecipesfrom Fausto’sSicilianmotherhavestayedthe same.Thestaffstayedon,assuringthe samegraciousservicefortheguests.
Whatsomeregularcustomersdid pointoutwasthatthediningroom couldgetcrowded,especiallywith peoplelinedupwaitingfortheir tables.Anditwasloud.Thecousins paidattention.
Afterarenovation,Fausto’s reopenedinAprilwithaslightlylarger diningroom,spacegainedwhena patiowasfoldedintotheinterior space.Thereismoreroomtomaneuverbetweentables,andaloungearea wasaddedtothebar.Newcarpetand soundpanelswereaddedtomuffle theloudestdin
Regularsalsowishedformoreparking,however,thatwasn’tinthecards
Onarecentweeknight,theplace waspacked,withbothVicariand Gambinomakingroundsinthedining room.BecauseitwasTuesday,the specialwaslinguineallevongole—a largeportionofaldentepastaswimminginabriny,garlickybrothtopped withmorethanadozentenderclams. It’sararefindinatownwherepristine Gulfseafoodholdssway
Aranciniisonepopularstarter.As bigasabaseball,thecrispyfriedball isfilledwitharboriorice,groundbeef, freshbasilandmeltedmozzarella. Parmesan-crustedfishisapopular entree,andvealisawinnerformeat eaters.Beyondtheparmigiano,vealis availableinMarsala,saltimboccaand lemonypiccatadishes.
Thentherearethesleepers,like thefettuccinecarciofowithshrimp andartichokehearts,andthechicken louisiana,acreamymixofstrawmushrooms,mozzarellaandcrawfishtails.
“I’mgoingtostartpostingphotos anddescriptionssopeoplewillbe moreinclinedtotrysomethingdifferent,”Vicarisays
Italian-Americanspecialtieshave theirplacetoo,includingeggplant parm,Alfredodishes,spaghettiand meatballsandlasagna.Fordessert, thereisahouse-madelimoncelloice creamandanetherealtiramisu
Therenovationalsoaddedmore roomforwinestorage,allowingforan expandedofferingofSicilianwines.In thecomingmonthorso,thepartners willaddanonlinereservationservice, somethingthatregularshavebeen askingfor.
“Wecarealot,”Vicarisays.“This isn’taninvestmentwheretheonly
timeweshowupistocountthe money.Wecross-trainedsowhatever weneedtodo,wecanstepinanddo thejob.”
Afterowningastringoffastcasual restaurantsinBatonRouge,Vicari movedbackhometoopenanindependentplaceofhisown,arestaurant thatspoketohisItalianheritage.His familyhailsfromAlia,atownjust southofPalermo,andItalianfoodwas everpresentinhishome.
Hespentayeartravelingthe country,goingtoItalianrestaurants andtakingculinaryclassesincommercialsettingsineverythingfrom sausageandcheese-makingto breadbaking.
Thecousinsgrewupcloseonthe WestBank,butthisistheirfirstbusinessventuretogether.
“StephenandIhavealwaysbeen tight,”hesays.“youknowthatone cousinyou’recloseinagewith,do everythingtogether?Iaskedhimto comeintothebusinesswithme,and hedidn’thesitate.Hesaidabsolutely. Weareonthesamepage.Thisjust feelsright.”
FORK +CENTER Emaildining@gambitweekly.com
WillieMae’stoexpand IN2023,KERRYSEATON-STEWARTSTOOD OUTSIDEHERRESTAURANTWILLIEMAE’S SCOTCHHOUSEshortlyafterafirehad rippedthroughthebelovedTremeinstitutionandpledgedthatitwouldbeback.
Shedidn’tknowatthetimejusthow longorcomplexthatjourneywould be.Butnow,sheandherhusbandMike Stewarthaveanewplantobringtheir friedchickenandCreolesoulclassics backtoNewOrleansbydoublingdown.
Whilerebuildingcontinuesatthe originalSt.AnnStreetrestaurant, thefamilyisnowpreparingtoopena secondlocationofWillieMae’sinthe WarehouseDistrict.
ThislocationwillbecalledWillie Mae’sNola,andwillopenat898 BaronneSt.Theaddresswaspreviously hometotheCaribbean-inspiredrestaurantNOlACaye(whichclosedlatelast year).It’samodernspaceinaformer warehousewithafullbar.
WillieMae’sfriedchickenandCreole classicswillbeservedattheforthcoming WarehouseDistrictlocation.
WillieMae’sNolaisslatedtoopen neartheendofthesummer,intimefor footballseason
“NewOrleansishome,soit’sgoodto behome,”Seaton-Stewartsays
WillieMae’sopenedalosAngeleslocationafewyearsagoandshipsitssignature dishesnationallythroughGoldbelly Openingthisdowntownoutpostisa wayforthefamilybusinesstomakea returntoNewOrleanswhiletheworkto bringbacktheSt.AnnStreetrestaurant continues.Seaton-Stewartreiterated hercommitmenttobringbackthe family’soriginalrestaurant.
“There’snoreplacingtheoriginal,” shesays.“We’redefinitelygoing tobringitback.That’sourfamily legacyrestaurant.”
PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Fausto’sBistroserves linguineallevongole.
PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
It’snotthefirstdowntownforayfor WillieMae’s.Thefamilypreviously hadasecondNewOrleanslocation intheCBD,astandinthePythian Marketfoodhall.Thatentirefoodhall closeddownin2022afteritsbuilding changedownership.
ThenewBaronneStreetlocation willputWillieMae’sinproximityto thebigeventvenuesandhotels downtown —IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune
RemakingCentralGrocery ThissecondWillieMae’swillserve asimilarmenutotheoriginal,which iscenteredonwet-batteredfried chicken,famouslylightandcrunchy withitscrackling-crispcrust,red beansandbutterbeans,cornbread andbreadpudding.
YOUBUILDAMUFFULETTAONELAYER ATATIME.BringingbackCentral Grocery,theFrenchQuarterlandmark forthecity’sfamousItaliansandwich, hasbeenaslow,methodicalpiece-bypieceprocesstoo.
ThatreflectshowbadthedamagewasafterHurricaneIdain2021 causedaneighboringbuildingto collapse,sendingatorrentofbricks crashingdownontheDecatur Streetstore.
WillieMae’sScotchHouseis knownasoneofthecity’soldest Black-ownedrestaurants.The EssenceFestivalofCultureis normallythebusiesttimeofyearfor WillieMae’sScotchHouse,andthe recentfestwasthesecondthatthe restaurantmissed
Thefirethatbrokeoutat2401St. AnnSt.intheearlymorninghours ofApril10,2023,lefttheoldcorner spotinruins.Theroadbackhasbeen slowerandmorecostlythanoriginally projected.Seaton-Stewartsaidthe workcallsforacompleterebuild insideandwilllikelytakeanotheryear
Thelongfamilystorybehindthe restaurantfuelsthedrivetobring itback
Stewart-Seatonisthegreat-granddaughterofrestaurantfounderand namesakeWillieMaeSeaton,who startedWillieMae’sScotchHouseasa barin1957.
Onceshebegancookingforher customers,thebusinessevolvedinto arestaurant.Foralongtime,itwasa low-keyneighborhoodjoint,theepitomeofthebackstreetCreoleeatery.
Inlateryears,therestaurant’spopularitycatapulted.In2005,theJames BeardFoundationhonoredSeaton withoneofitsAmerica’sClassics Awards,recognizingrestaurantsthat “servequalityfoodthatreflectsthe characteroftheircommunities.”Just monthslater,therestaurantandits neighborhoodweredevastatedbythe leveefailuresafterHurricaneKatrina Alongrebuildingeffortbecamea rallyingpointforawidespreadcommunityofsupporters
Therestaurantreopenedin2007, withSeaton-Stewartrunningthe operation.WillieMaeSeatondiedin 2015atage99.
ManytravelandfoodTVshows camecallingandtherestaurant quicklybecameabucketlistdestinationforfoodietourists.Itbecame commontoseealinestretchingdown theweatherboardflankoftherestaurant.EvenPresidentBarackObama stoppedinforlunchin2015,duringa visitmarkingthe10thanniversaryof HurricaneKatrina.
Now,though,theendisinsight, signalinganewbeginningforamarket that’sbeeninbusinesssince1906. latesummerisnowtheprojected reopening,confirmedTommyTusa, oneofthefamilyowners.
HesaysCentralGroceryisnow workingthroughthecitypermittingprocess,andtherebuildingis comingdowntofinalstepsand hiringmorestaff.
“We’regettingreallyclose,andit’s lookingrealnice,”Tusasays.
TherenewedCentralGroceryis meanttoevoketheoldoneinmany ways,reflectinganimportantchoice madeduringtherebuild.Thescaleof damageleftablankslateoffourbrick walls.Therewasnotevenarooffor thefirstyearafterIda
Butinsteadofrethinkingor revampingtheoldplace,theCentral Groceryfamilyisbringingitbackalong thesamelinesaspeopleremember, completewiththelongcounter, wheremanyamuffulettahasbeen served,withracksofimportedItalian groceriesallaround.
Inthemeantime,theCentral Grocerymuffulettaisactuallyeasier togetthanever,withanetworkof localretailoutletssellingthesandwichandtheonlineserviceGoldbelly shippingitnationally.
CentralGrocerymuffulettascan befoundat:Sidney’sWineCellar (917DecaturSt.),Zuppardo’s FamilyMarket(5010Veterans MemorialBlvd.,Metairie),Rouses (701BaronneSt.),Acquistapace’s (125E.21stAve.,Covington;631 N.CausewayBlvd.,Mandeville), NORCOFreshMarket(217Apple St.,Norco)andlouisArmstrong NewOrleansInternationalAirportat MoisantMarket(nearconcourseB). WhenCentralGroceryreopens, theseretailoutletswillcontinueto offerthesandwiches,Tusasays.
DannyChilds Author byWIllCoviello
DANNYCHILDSRECENTLYWONAJAMES
BEARDFOUNDATIONAWARDforhis book“SlowDrinks.”It’stheculminationofexperiencesrangingfroman anthropologicaltrekstudyingbotanicalpracticesinSouthandCentral AmericatofarmingincentralNew JerseyandtendingbaratTheFarm &FishermanTaverninCherryHill, NewJersey.Hisdrinksuseseasonal ingredients,andhealsolikestomake fermentedbeveragesathome.Childs willattendTalesoftheCocktail, wherehe’llparticipateonapanelon foragingandcocktailsonMonday, July22,andmakedrinksatahappy houratWildSouthonTuesday,July 23.He’salsoupforaSpiritedAward forthebook.FormoreonTalesof theCocktail,visittalesofthecocktail. org.FormoreaboutChilds,see @slowdrinksonInstagram
Howhastheslow foodmovement affectedyourbook? DANNYCHILDS: Thetitlealludes totheslowfoodmovement.Ihave workedcloselywiththemforyears Metaphorically,it’saboutusingtheir “good,cleanandfair”principles,as wellasutilizingsustainabilityand biodiversity.Ontheliteral“slow,”it’s apreservationbook.It’sabeveragebookthatteachesyouhowto takerawingredientsandtransform themthroughvariouspreservation processesintoliquidingredients.It’s aboutfollowingthecalendarthroughouttheyearusingingredientswhen they’reattheirpeak;usingthem fresh,butputtingthemupaswell; usingdrinksasawaytotellthestories oftheculturesthatdomesticated them,thewaystheypreservedthem, andtyingthatbacktomixologyorthe modernsenseofhowthisfitsintoa drinkintoday’scocktailscene. Anotherpartofslowisseasonality. Farmingisanexerciseinpatience.I haveananthropologicalbackground, soit’slikeanothertypeoffieldwork. Itookthatandtranslatedittothe barprogramIwasrunningatFarm& Fisherman,whichisveryhighvolume. Peoplealwayssaidwecouldn’tdothat athighvolume.Ialwayssaidwecando itatahigh-volumebarinastripmallin CherryHill,NewJersey,andyoucando itanywhere.There’sabalance.There’s beverageservice,thehospitalityside, andthenthere’stheexperiencingand
usingthebountyofthe seasonsandincorporating themintobeverages.
There’salsoalot offermentationin thebook,withbeer, countrywine,mead andmore.
C: Earlyoninmycareer,I waslike,Ican’tjustmake syrupsoutofeverything. WhatelsecanIdo?That’s howIgotdownthispathof differentpreservationtechniques,butfermentationin particular.Thoselong-term projectsdon’tnecessarilyfit intobarprograms.
Alotofthatcamefrom thepandemicandbeing holedup.Iwasn’tleaving thehousemuchandwe hadanewbaby.Atfirstit wasmessingaroundwith whatwasoutinbackof thehouse.Thenitbecame integratedintomyyearly routine,startingwith dandelionmeadandsprucebeer.Iam havingabannerblackberryseason,so Iamgoingtomakesomeblackberry wine.Myhopsarecominginreally nice,soI’llprobablymakeaproper beerthisyear.Therearethingsthat can’tbecategorizedaseitherbeeror wine,whichiswhyIsaycountrywine Idosmallbatchesofthemallthetime. They’refun,butthey’reforpersonal consumption,ortosharewithfriends oronspecialoccasions.
bee’skneescocktailorginandtonic. Whenyou’remakingdandelionwine,it mayseemintensebyitself,butitcould goinadandelionginandtonic.like bittersoramaro.That’swhatcocktails areasawhole:Mixedinharmonyand balancewithotherflavorprofiles,you canseetheforestthroughthetrees, sotospeak
IhavethisfungamewhenIteach aclass.Iplay“Willitferment?” Nothingisofflimitsforme.Thereare thingsyoudon’texpecttofindbehind thebar.Sassafrasroot,chicoryroot, pine,ramps,dandelions.Allkindsof funkystuff
Ididsometinkeringforsure.Igravitatedtowardpreservationalmaster recipes.Thetinkeringformewas gettingallthesedifferentbooksthat weren’tprofessionalbrewingbooks. Hardcorebrewersareintenseonthe rulesandtheiringredientproportions Itoldthisguyatahomebrewstorethat Iwasbrewingabeerwithhoneyand gingerbugyeast.Henearlylaughedme outofthestore.
Howhasyourapproach toseasonalingredients workedwithdrinksat therestaurant?
C: lotsofcocktailingredientsare unpalatableontheirown,likeashot ofgin.Butginisgreatinamartiniora
AtFarm&Fisherman,we’redoing esotericthings,buthowdoyoumake themrelatablewhentheprocesses oringredientsarenot?Weallknow whatasourcocktail,Manhattanor Negroniis.We’dstartwiththat,and peoplewouldknowwhattoexpect.As apersontryingtocurateregularsand acrowdandpeoplewhowanttosee themenuchange,wehavetomakethis familiartothem
Wewantthisbooktobeapplicable topeoplewhoaren’tprofessionals It’sapplicabletothemaswell,butI wantedpeopletobeabletopickup thisbookandsaythissoundsgoodand Iwanttotrythat.Ihavedandelionsin myyardandIwanttotrythat What’sbeentheobsessionofthe foodworldforthelast10-15years?It’s beeningredientsfromthelocalarea, seasonalityandprocess,especially fermentation.Itmakesperfectsense toextendtheseprinciplesintothebeverageworld.IamseeingitthemoreI travel.It’smodern,butit’sancient,too Theseprocessesareageold.Itgives peopleautonomy.Itgetsthemexcited aboutusingthingsintheirvicinity.
Hess Select Pinot Noir This wine invites youin with delicate aromas of raspberry,rosepetals and subtle hintsof black teawith these elegantaromas leading to luscious layeredfruit flavors,mostnotably of rich redraspberries and black plum.
DISTRIBUTED
PROVIDED PHOTOBY KATIECHILDS
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 $$
Broussard’s—819ContiSt.,(504)5813866;broussards.com—Rainbowtrout amandineisservedwithtassoandcorn macquechouxandCreolemeunieresauce BrunchincludesBenedicts,chickenand wafflesandmore.Reservationsrecommended.Outdoorseatingavailable.Dinner Wed.-Sat.,brunchSun.$$$ 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.$$ Dahla—611O’KeefeAve.,(504)766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com—Themenuincludes popularThaidisheslikepadthai,drunken noodles,curriesandfriedrice.Crispyskinned duckbasilispreparedwithvegetablesand Thaibasil.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted.lunchanddinnerMon.-Sat.$$ DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300;
$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10
$$—$11-$20
$$$—$20-up
sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Amenu fullofGulfseafoodincludeschar-grilled oysterstoppedwithParmesanandherbs Themenualsoincludespo-boys,po-boys, gumbo,blackenedfish,friedseafoodplatters andmore.Reservationsrecommended. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse—144 BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse. com—There’saseafoodrawbarwithraw andchar-broiledoysters,fishdip,crab fingers,shrimpandmore.Redfishonthe Half-shelliscookedskin-onandserved withcrab-boiledpotatoes,friseeandlemon buerreblanc.Reservationsaccepted.lunch anddinnerdaily.$$$
DickieBrennan’sSteakhouse 716 IbervilleSt.,(504)522-2467;dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com Themenuincludes avarietyofsteaks,plussearedGulffish, lobsterpasta,barbecueshrimpandmore A6-ouncefiletmignonisservedwithfried oysters,creamedspinach,potatoesand bearnaise.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,lunchand dinnerdaily.$$ NewOrleansHamburger&SeafoodCo.— 817VeteransMemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504) 837-8580;1005S.ClearviewParkway, Jefferson,(504)734-1122;2515BManhattan Blvd.,Harvey,(504)684-6050;4141St. CharlesAve.,(504)247-9753;6920Veterans MemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504)455-1272; nohsc.com—Themenurangesfromburgers toItaliandishes,friedseafoodplatters, po-boys,saladsandmore.Thin-friedCatfish lafitteisservedoverricepilaf.Delivery available.lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ 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.$$
NiceGuysBar&Grill—7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola. com—Char-grilledoystersaretopped withcheeseandgarlicbutter,andother optionsincludeoystersRockefellerand loadedoysters.Thecreativemenualso includesseafoodbread,aCajun-lobster potato,wings,quesadillas,burgers,salads, sandwiches,seafoodpasta,loadedfriesand more.Noreservations.lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-Sat $$$
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, 480AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining—Therooftop barhasamenuofsandwiches,burgers andsmallplates.Crabbeignetsaremade withGulfcrabmeatandmascarponeand servedwithherbaioli.Noreservations. Dinnerdaily.$$
Tableau 616St.PeterSt.,(504)9343463;tableaufrenchquarter.com—The menufeaturestraditionalandcreative Creoledishes.Pastabouillabaissefeatures squidinkmafaldine,littleneckclams,Gulf shrimp,squid,seafoodbroth,rouilleand herbedbreadcrumbs.Outdoorseating availableonthebalcony.Reservations recommended.DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunch Thu.-Sun $$$
Tacklebox—817CommonSt.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com Themenu includesrawandchar-broiledoysters, seafoodplatters,po-boys,friedchicken, crabandcornbisqueandmore.RedfishSt Charlesisservedwithgarlic-herbbutter, asparagus,mushroomsandcrawfishcornbread.Reservationsaccepted.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$
Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza—1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024CanalSt., (504)302-1133;4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554;70488Highway21,Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com A MarilynnPotaSupremepieistopped withmozzarella,pepperoni,sausage, hamburger,mushrooms,bellpeppersand onions.Therealsoaresalads,sandwiches, wings,breadsticksandmore.Deliveryavailable.lunchanddinnerTue.-Sat.$
Tito’sCeviche&Pisco—1433St.Charles Ave.,(504)354-1342;5015MagazineSt., (504)267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com—
ThePeruvianmenuincludesseveraltypesof ceviche,aswellassteakandseafooddishes. Traditionallomosaltadofeaturessauteed beeftenderlointips,onions,tomatoes,soy sauceandpisco,servedwithpotatoesand rice.OutdoorseatingavailableonMagazine Street.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted.lunchanddinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun.$$$
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.$$
ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT non-binaryAmericanamusicians.The nexteditionfeaturesWaters,Sarah QuintanaandRamBullRompersat9 p.m.Thursday,July18,atSaturnBar. Ticketsare$15-$20(paywhatyou can)atthedoor.Findmoreinfoon Instagram,@duskywaters.
CreepyFest NewOrleans’CreepyFestcelebrates its15thyearwithfourpacked, sweatynightsofpunkandmetal fromThursday,July18,toSunday, July21.ThefestopensThursday atHi-HoloungewithGoatwhore makingitsCreepyFestdebutona billwithlocalhardcorelegendsHawg Jaw,Herakleion,CemeteryFrost andSoAwful(9p.m.;$25cover).On Friday,PlasmaticscoverbandTits Outtopanine-bandlineup,including ThePallbearers,TheNanciesand moreatParisiteSkatepark(6p.m.; $10-$20donationcover).Saturday’s lineupof18bandsisspreadacross PoorBoys,HolyDiverandTheGoat, includingtouringheadlinersNest, HellfuryandVomitSpots,areunion ofhardcorebandOssacrux,TheSplit ()lipsreleasinganewCDandalot more(6p.m.;$20).Andthefestends Sundaywith12bandssplitbetween CheckpointCharliesandSantos, includingTheChodes,Ese,Dummy Dumpster,DeadsledFuneralCo., Gargutsandmore(7p.m.;$15). SheerTerrorRecordspresentsthe fest,andthefulllineupcanbefound atsheerterrornola.com.
‘AVeryImportantPlay’
TheFoolsEnsemblepresentsan improvisedShakespeare-likeplay withthehelpoftheaudienceatthe NewOrleansShakespeareFestival atTulane.At7:30p.m.Wednesday, July17,atlupinTheateratTulane university.Tickets$25vianeworleansshakespeare.org
NewOrleansInternational PianoCompetition Theannualcompetitioncontinues throughSaturday,July20.Adozen finalistsselectedfrommorethan200 auditionscompetefor$100,000 inprizes,performanceswiththe louisianaPhilharmonicOrchestra andotheropportunities.Competition eventsrundailyatloyolauniversity NewOrleans’RousselHall.Find ticketsandpassesandaschedule atmasno.org.
TalesoftheCocktail
Theannualbarindustryconvention andfestivalknownasTalesofthe
CocktailkicksoffonSunday,July21, andrunsthroughJuly26.Theevent drawsbartendersandserviceindustry professionals,spiritswritersanddistillers.Inadditiontoafullscheduleof seminars,paneldiscussionsandconventionevents,Talesalsofeaturesspecialtastingroomsandeventsaround townsponsoredbyliquorandspirits companiesofallsizes,plustheSpirited Awardsandmore.Checktalesofthecocktail.orgformoreinformation.
‘TheLostBoys’ The1987vampirehorrorcomedy withacastofheartthrobsdeveloped itsowncultfollowingandeventually spawnedacoupleofsequels.The storyoftwobrotherstryingtosavea townfromagangoftheundeadgets ascreeningcourtesyofScreamfest NOlAandTimecode.Therealsois horrortriviawithprizesfromWaxWork Records,DeadlyGroundsCoffeeand HorrorPack.At7:30p.m.Monday,July 15,attheBroadTheater.Tickets$12 viathebroadtheater.com.
Iration ThoughnowbasedinCalifornia, allthemembersofIrationarefrom Hawaii,andthebandgotitsstartin Hawaii’sreggaescene.Thegroup mixesreggae,popandrockand released“Daytrippin”lastyear. At7p.m.Tuesday,July16,atThe JoyTheater.Tickets$20andup viathejoytheater.com
McDonogh35Lecture McDonogh35hashadalong,storied historysinceitopenedin1917asthe city’sonlyfour-yearhighschoolfor Blackstudents(until1942,whenl.B. landrytransitionedintoahighschool andBookerT.Washingtonopened) OnSaturday,July20,educatorand McDonogh35AlumniAssocation boardmemberWandaHerbertRomainwillgiveapresentationonthe school’shistory—withsomegame showelementsthrowntokeepthings fun.At1p.m.Saturday,July20inpersonatNormanMayerlibraryand onlineviaZoom.Findmoreinfo atnolalibrary.org.
RollintheHayCabaret There’sanightofentertainmentwith singerPonchBueller,burlesquefrom lollyvanRomp,plusRosieandmore. At7p.m.Friday,July19,attheMudlark PublicTheatre.Admission$10.Find moreinformationon@mudlarkpublictheatreonInstagram.
FORCOMPlETE MuSIC lISTINGS AND MORE EVENTSTAKING PlACE IN THE NEWORlEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM
Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY15
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—Alex McMurrayandTubaSkinnyGreg,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—KidMerv,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB
MatineeAllStarBand,1pm;TinMen, 5pm;Richard"Piano"Scottand Friends,8pm
TUESDAY16
BOURBONOBAR Ingridluccia,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—
Richard"Piano"Scott,1pm;ColinMyers Band,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/Jamil Sharif,8pm
THEJOYTHEATER—IrationwithDENM &ArtikalSoundSystem,7pm
THERABBITHOLE—RebirthBrass Band,8pm
WEDNESDAY17
BLUENILE—NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm
BOURBONOBAR Serabee,8pm
CAFÉISTANBUL —ColeWilliams,10pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—
Richard“Piano”Scott,1pm;Bourbon StreetStars,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBand w/KevinRayClark,8pm
THEGOAT TheOrchardKeepers,Code Black,EthanolMerman,9pm
THURSDAY18
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—WoodsonFire HonkeyTonkBand,9pm
BLUENILE—Wherey'atBrassBand,9pm
BOURBONOBAR DavisRogan,8pm
CAPULET—MiaBordersAcoustic Trio,6:30pm
COMMONSCLUBATVIRGINHOTEL— SariyahIdan,7pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB
—Richard“Piano”Scott,1pm;Doyle CooperBand,2:30pm;JohnSaavedra Band,6pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/ KevinRayClark,8pm
PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT— DalovebirdswithRobinBarnesandPat Casey,8pm
ROCK'N'BOWL—ChubbyCarrier& BayouSwampBand,8pm
FRIDAY19
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—littleFreddie King84thBirthdayParty,9pm
BLUENILE—TheCaesarBrothersFunk Box,8pm;KermitRuffinsandthe BarbecueSwingers,11pm
BOURBONOBAR—EllenSmith&April Spain,4pm;MemShannonTrio,8pm
D.B.A.NEWORLEANS—MiaBorders,6pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm;Sam Friend,2:30pm;lange/WoodisQuartet, 6pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/KevinRay Clark,9pm
HOTELSAINTVINCENT—Kaytraaaa! Club,9pm
ROCK'N'BOWL Groovy7,8:30pm
SANTOS—ImmortalSynn,BrethrenHogg andNezNum,9pm
TIPITINA'S HoneyIslandSwampBand, ReneeGros&TiagoGuy,9pm
SATURDAY20
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—louisMichot Band,9pm
BLUENILE—GeorgeBrownBand, 8pm;MainlinewithSpecialGuest CarolC,11pm
BOURBONOBAR—BrianWingard,4pm; TheBluesMasters,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm; SteveDetroyBand,2:30pm; ChuckBrackmanBand ,6pm; FritzelsAllStarBandw/Jamil Sharif,9pm
NOLABREWING—lightnin Malcolm,7pm
ROCK'N'BOWL RockShowNOlA: AnEveningofBonJovi& Defleppard,8:30pm SANTOS BeyourOwnPet,9pm
SUNDAY21
BLUENILE—TheBakedPotatoes, 8pm;StreetlegendsBrass Band,10:30pm
LittleFreddieKingplays
BJ’sFridaythe19th. PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
BOURBONOBAR—MarcStone, 4pm;KennyBrown&the KBExpress,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB MartyPetersBand,12:30pm;Hunter Burgamy,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/ MikeFulton,8pm
JOHNCALVINPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—Sundays@SixConcert Series,6pm
Warninggrowls byJakeClapp
DOGPARKDISSIDENTS’AMBITIOUSNEW PROJECT“MagnificentBastards”isa bloodycautionarytaletotheelites.
Inthequeer,anarcho-punkband’s recentlyreleasedconceptalbumand accompanyingcomicbook,agroup ofsupervillains,fedupwithwatchingtheclimatedevastationbrought onbypetrochemicalcompaniesand mega-corporations,takemattersinto theirownhandsand“plotthemurderof murderers,”asthecomicsays.
ledbythecharming,foxmask-wearingassassinsandloversTangoand Foxtrot,losZorritosbeginkillingoil executives,complicitpoliticiansand corruptoligarchsandissuethedemand: “DecarbonizeorDie.”
The“MagnificentBastards”comic, writtenbyvocalistZacXeperand illustratedbyartistMatteoMonteroMurrillo,isfullofactionandhumorand morethanalittlecatharsis.Thegroup ofqueerassassins—allIndigenous orfromtheGlobalSouth—enact vengeanceandfightformarginalized people,inover-the-topcomicbook styleandthrowingquipsalongtheway Butapaneltowardtheendofthe comicgetstotheheartofanunderlying bleakness.WhilelosZorritosbanners flyoverabeautifuldayinParis,the Seineisredwithbloodfromaguillotine busyservingjusticefor“crimesagainst thebiosphere.”
“Evenasbrightlycoloredasthis comicbookisandevenasjoyfullyaswe portrayallthesedudesgettingkilled, it’sprettybleak,”Xepersays.“let’stry toavoidthis,please.”
“MagnificentBastards”isn’tendorsing theideaofecoterrorism,Xeperadds, buttheprojectfollowsthe“whatif?” questionsthatcomeupinarealitywhere just100companiesareresponsiblefor 70%ofgreenhousegasemissionsand inactionfromleadersisleadingtoan intensifyingclimatecrisis.Whendoes violencebecomenecessary?Howwould communitiesfacingtheworsteffectsof climatechangerespond?
“Thereisstillasmallwindowof opportunitytosolvetheclimatecrisis withoutahorrible,violent[solution], butit’sclosingrapidly,”Xepersays. “That’spartofwhatIwanttoshinea lighton—wedon’tactuallywantthisto happeninreallife.”
“MagnificentBastards”isthesecond full-lengthfromDogParkDissidents andthefirstwithitsfive-member lineup:Xeper,guitaristsJonGrecoand SkylarStravinsky,bassistJoeBoveand drummerZekeXander.Xeper,Xander andStravinskyliveinNewOrleans,
DogParkDissidentsrecently released‘MagnificentBastards.’ PROVIDED PHOTOBYAMANDAGRECO
whileGrecoisinlongIslandandBove livesinPhiladelphia.
Theband(thenjustXeperandGreco) cameoutswingingin2017withits anthem“QueerasinFuckyou”andhave grownanationwidefanbasethroughits fun,defiantandassertivequeercore
“Wegivethemtheoptiontosaythe goddamnpronounsbeforewekickin theirteeth,”Xepersays.
lastyear’s“PinkandBlackAlbum” collectedandremasteredDogPark Dissidents’previousreleases.Asthe bandlookedtoitsnextproject,they returnedtoaconceptalbumXeperhad demoedbeforethepandemic.
DogParkDissidentsbuildontheir punkfoundations—andplayinan arrayofgenres,withsplashesofemo, rockabilly,alt-rock,skaandevenabitof swingingcountry.Andwhileit’snotfully arockopera,listenerswillbereminded ofMyChemicalRomance’smid-aughts classic“TheBlackParade.”
“youcan’tpinasinglegenreonit,” Grecosays.“Soitverymuchfeelslike asoundtrack,acompilationtohelptell thisstory.”
Thisfall,DogParkDissidentsplans totourNorthAmericaandhavebeen retrofittingabiodiesel-compatiblebus tohelpcutdownontheirenvironmental footprint.They’realsoprintinganynew merchonthriftedT-shirts.
DrummerZekeXandersaysthey hope“MagnificentBastards”spurs listenerstobecomeactivelyinvolvedin climatejusticework
“There’sagroupofpeoplethatare alreadyawareoftheimpendingdoom thatcomesfrom[climatechange],” ZekeXandersays.“Thosepeopleare theonesyouseetrying—butfailing becausethere’snotenough[people]. Anyrebellioncan’tbeinsmallnumbers, soifeverybodyiscomplacent,nothing willeverchange,”saysZekeXander “Thatgoesallthewaybacktogays.until enoughofthemgotfedupandrioted, thingswereshit,andwewouldbeliving initnowiftheyhadn’t[foughtback.]”
Find“MagnificentBastards”andmoreat dogparkdissidents.com.
furgambitpets loved loved -ever Submit aPet Memorial for the Fur-ever LovedSection Your beloved pet wasa partofthe family.Explain howand why in aGambit pet memorial. Shareyour animal’s photo and awritten remembrance in the Fur-ever Loved section of in Gambit’s PetIssue and online.It’s an affordable waytoacknowledge and celebrate thenonhuman companions in our lives.
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Offtherails byWillCoviello
INTHEBEGINNINGOF TENNESSEEWILLIAMS’ “ASTREETCARNAMED DESIRE,”BlancheDuBoisarrivesathersister StellaKowalski’shouse onElysianFieldsAvenue viatheDesirestreetcar line.Butthewildrideis onlybeginning.
“We’rebringing Blanche’scircusof tragediesandwoesand maniaaliveonstage,” saysAugustinJ.Correro, co-artisticdirectorofthe TennesseeWilliamsTheatreCompany ofNewOrleans.“ShecomestoNew Orleanstoescapehervicesandtostart anewlife,butlikeamothtotheflame, sheendsupbeingintheworstplace ifyou’resexuallyrepressedand analcoholic.”
onElysianFields,Williamsreferstoitas beingintheFrenchQuarter.
TheTennesseeWilliamscompanyis situatingtheapartmentinanotherway theyseeWilliams’NewOrleans.There arebarsonbothsidesofthehome.
TheTennesseeWilliamsTheatre CompanyispresentingtheshowJuly 18-Aug.4attheMarignyOperaHouse, whichsitsontheformerDesirestreetcarline.
Inthedrama,BlancheandStanley andStellaKowalski’slivescollide. BlanchehasarrivedfromLaurel, Mississippi,wherethefamilyestate, BelleReve,is.StanleyandStellahave settledintotheirmarriedlivesandare expectingachild.Theyliveinamodest apartment,butBlanchesqueezesinto theirtightquarters,thoughit’snotclear forhowlong
“Streetcar”debutedonBroadwayin 1947andseveralstarswonOscarsfor thefilmadaptationthatsoonfollowed. AlthoughtheTennesseeWilliamsTheatreCompanyjustannouncedits10th seasonschedule,itwaitedthislongto mount“Streetcar.”(Itstagedaparody versionin2022.)
Thecompanywantedtohavethe resourcesbeforetakingontheclassic drama,Correrosays.Itmadesenseto startwithplayswithsmallercastsand lessinthewayofhighexpectations, headds
Correroalsohaspublishedabookon Williamsandhisplays,andthecompanyhassomeadvantagesofknowingthe citywherethedramaisset
Theplaynormallycallsfortheset toincludetheKowalskis’apartment’s twomainrooms.They’redoingthat andalsoincludingthebathtubBlanche soaksin.
Williamstooksomelicensewith geography.HisLaurelisfictionalized, andthoughtheKowalskiapartmentis
“IstudiedWilliams’booksand journalsandhisletters,”Correrosays “WhatgavehimimpressionsofNew Orleansisstuffyoucanstillexperience todayandwhatyoucangetwalking aroundtheQuarterandseeingthe (street)charactersandwhattypes ofestablishmentsarenexttoresidentialhomes.”
Thefrontandrearofthestagewill suggestbarsandnightlife,andthat’s meanttoamplifythetensions.
“Theintrusivenoiseofbarsand nightclubsisoneithersideofBlanche,” hesays.“Herviceshavenotonly followedherhere,they’resquishingher oneitherside.”
BlancheisoneofWilliams’signature characters,butStanleyandStellaare noslouches.Stanleyisamanofsimple tastes,butalsoanimpassionedbrute Stelladoesn’tjustputupwiththatside, sheloveshimforit
“SheleftBelleReveonpurpose,” Correrosays.“Shecametoaplace thatissodifferent.WhenStanleywent aroundsmashinglightbulbswithhis shoeontheirweddingnight,shewas excitedbyit.There’sanexcitementto breakingtherulesthatshehas.”
Correroistryingtodigintotheraw elementsoftherelationshipsand psychologyoftheplay,includingallthe unspokentensions
“Streetcar”isthehighlightofaseason withthethemeofdesire.Itconcludes with“PennyDreadfuls:TheRemarkableRooming-HouseofMadameLe Monde”inSeptember.
Ticketsfor“AStreetcarNamedDesire” are$40viatwtheatrenola.com.
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FUN ‘N’GAMES AN UNEXPECTED FROST By Frank A. Longo
ACROSS
1Rx writers
4In a wicked manner
10Kind of embroidery work
16GoPro, e.g.
19Really wishing that one could
21“Fa-a-ancy!”
22Toronto’s prov
23Start of a riddle
25Comedian Mayall
26Lack of harmony
27Singer Grande, to fans
28Nimble
30“Thrilla in Manila” boxer
31Teenage witch of TV
35“Sounds like --!” (“Let’s go for it!”)
36Riddle, part 2
41Ending for Motor or Rock
42Bunch of, informally
43Flightless bird
44Tabula
45Without expecting me to change
48Sailors’ mil. branch
49Emotions
53Riddle, part 3
56Back parts
60Via, on an envelope
61Advantage
62Erie-to-Durham dir.
64Pigeon noise
65Make numb
67Diplomat’s skill
70Raps on a door
72Web address
73“Slumdog Millionaire” star Patel
75Venus de
76Split, as firewood
78Communist Zhou --
80Riddle, part 4
85Cold carnival snacks
87Be unwell
88“I thought we had --!”
89Brow curve
92Place to do shots
93Egypt’s Gamal Nasser
95Value of snake eyes
96End of the riddle
103 -- Lama
104 “Pal Joey” co-star Frank
105 Bamboozle
106 Situation when the goalie is away
109 18-wheeler
110 Spotted African cat
114 Part of NYC
115 Riddle’s answer
120 Prefix with cycle or angle
121 “Everything’s good on my end”
122 Popular Christmas houseplant
123 CIA’s predecessor
124 Zilch
125 Evaluation
126 Whichever
DOWN
1Couple
2APR-lowering option
3Precollege exams
4Register, as for a class
5Cruel, bitter criticism
6With a very sharp picture, briefly
7Size above med.
8English “Inc.”
9“-- -hoo!”
10Journalist Katie 11Spiral pasta
12Lofty trains
13“Wiseguy” star Ken
14Beautiful race of people in “The Time Machine”
15Washes against, as the shore
16Longtime Toyota model
17A 116-Down is full of them
18Second-highest peak in Afr
20Summary
24Drug bust officer
29Uncrowded
31Triggers
32Giant in life insurance
33Ewe’s cry
34Writer Rogers St. Johns
36Otherwise
37Distribution of letters to soldiers
38“That’seasyfor say!”
39Radiates
40Woman in a convent
41Clumsy ox
46“When I was -- ...”
47Entangled by
49“Semper --” (Marines’ motto)
50Goads
51Anticipatory nights
52Country in the Windward Islands
54Hawaii’s state bird
55“No mean behavior!”
57Comply with 58Soldier of Seoul
59Maritime plea
63Depict biasedly
65Expected in 66West end?
68“Sign me up!”
69Spiny anteater
71“Amores” poet
74Words of a language, for short
77Chuckled at something funny, in textspeak
79Trash barrel
81Golfers’ warning cries
82Entertainer Zsa Zsa or Eva
83Goldie of “Shampoo”
84“Xanadu” rock gp.
86Kobe sash
89Expand 90Harvesters
91Writer who created Narnia
93Behave 94Driving need
97Herald with celebration
98Join the staff
99Disengaged, as an engine
100 “Roots,” e.g.
101 A shortage of 102 Enter via a keyboard
107 “Tickle Me” Muppet
108 Diplomat’s skill
110 “Stroker Ace” actress Anderson
111 “The Thin Man” dog
112 Bridle strap
113 WWII attack time
116 Menagerie
117 “World Cafe” broadcaster
118 Buck’s mate
119 ACLU part: Abbr.
