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byWillCoviello |
LUKENULLFROMPLAYING“PONTOON”
onthe“SaturdayNightlive”sketch “FloribamaShore,”aparodyof“Jersey Shore”andotherrealityTVshowsfull ofloud,drunkandhornyroommates.
Theyalsomightrecognizethe comedianfromlocalstreets,sinceNull spendsamonthhereeveryfall.He returnsthisweekendforfortwoshows atSportsDrinkonSaturday,July27 Nullisbestknownasaguitarcomic Healmostalwaysperformswithguitar inhand,singinghumoroussongsthat sometimeschannelemoand’90sindie rock,orseemtomockbandslikeThird EyeBlind.Healsostrumsthrough stand-upmaterialandbanterwith theaudience.
AnativeofCincinnati,hewasdoing sketch,improvandhismusicalstandup inChicagowhenhewasinvitedtoauditionforSNl.AsongaboutClayAiken helpedgethimcastontheshow.But therewasabitofamisunderstanding, Nullsays.
“Whentheytookme,everytimethey sawmeIwasalwaysdoingsomelittle chunkofasong,”hesays.“Theysaw meafewtimes.Whentheyhiredme,I waslike,‘Oh,theyhiredmetodothis.’ IttookmeuntilIwashalfwayoutthe doortorealize,no,theyreallyweren’t thatinterestedinthat.Theylikedthe charactersandsketchstuff.Itriedso manytimestogetasongontheshow, anditwasahardpasseverytime.”
Itwasn’tforlackoftrying.Hepitched songstomanyoftheweeklyguests Onesongonhisalbum“GuitarComic” waspitchedasarapthatwouldfeature guesthostCharlesBarkley.Nulland Barkleyweretoappearinwhitetuxedos andfellowcastmemberChrisReddwas supposedtohandlesomeoftherapping partsin“ThatSoftCheeselife,”an absurdrapcombiningbling-yNBAand rapperlifestylesandfontina,camembert andbrie.(“Talkaboutthecreamyblues, baby/We’reeatingGorgonzolaina Mercedes.”)Butthepitchcameupshort.
“Thenightbefore,Barkleywaslike, ‘Thisisawesome,’”Nullsayswitha laugh.“Helikedit,butyouhavetorealize,theyread30to35sketchesbackto-back.youreadeachonemaybeone time.Iamaskinghimtodoatightrap songatatableread-through.Man,he wasnotabletodoit.Heisnotmusical.”
Someothersongsweretoorisque fortheshow’sstandardsandpractices monitors.Andeven“FloribamaShore” wascut.
“It’srandomanduptooneperson whatgetsinandwhatgetscut,”Null says.“Therewasonejokein‘Floribama’ —metellingthisgirl,‘Hey,Iamall normalsizeddownthere.Butit’sall tip!’Standardsandpracticeswaslike, ‘Absolutelynot.’”
Nullgotothernotablescreentime, likeasceneasabeatboxingairplane passengerforflightattendantstorap thesafetymessage.Butthe2017-2018 seasonwashisfirstandlast.
“NowIcanlookbackandseeitwith rosecoloredglassesandsay,‘Ohwasn’t thatfun,’”hesays.“Butatthetime,it wasn’tgoingwellforme.”
Thetimealsowasn’twasted.Some ofthematerialhewroteduringthat yearappearedon“GuitarComic”in 2019,including“youAreWhatyou Eat,”araunchytunethatdidn’tget pastaguesthost
Nullnotesthathemaybebetteroff solo,ashespeedsupandslowsdown hissongsashegoes,andsometimes interruptswithhisowncommentary. Aversionofhissong“AccentsWhite PeopleShouldn’tDo”postedon youTubeisagoodexample,ashecites hisfather’sroleinthesong.
AfterleavingSNlandNewyork,Null relocatedtolosAngeles,wherehe’s foundaplaceinthecomedyscene.
Multi-instrumentalistMahmoud Choukiisamasterofguitar,oudand otherstringedinstruments,andhis compositionsspantheglobe,wrappinginstylesfromhisnativeMorocco, NorthAfrica,latinAmericaandNew Orleans,hisnewhome.Choukiwrites alovelettertoNewOrleansonhisnew album,“Caravan:FromMarrakechto NewOrleans,”whichwasproducedby JamisonRossandfeaturesmusicians HerlinRiley,JohnBoutte,Jason Marsalis,OscarRossignoliandmore. Choukicelebratesthealbumwithtwo showsonThursday,July25,atSnug Harbor.Musicstartsat7:30p.m. and9:30p.m.Ticketsare$30 viasnugjazz.com.
Herecentlyfinishedshootingand post-productiononanewspecial, tentativelytitled“PrettySongs,Dirty Words.”Heisshoppingittobroadcast outletsforrelease.
Besidesnewsolosongs,itincludes animprovwithWayneBrady.There’s alsoaguestonamockromanticsong hedoesmimickingthehologramTupac performance.Andhemanagedto recordonesongwithafullband.
Nullhasalsobeenworkingona feature-lengthscript,andheappears inafilmcalled“StealingJokes,”which willbereleasedinSeptember.Heplays ajerkycomicwhostealsjokesandposts themonTikTok,hesays.
Hetravelsoftentoperform,and hesayshe’sreadyforNewOrleans insummer
Healsoconcedesthatheusesan improperpronunciationofNewOrleans on“GuitarComic.”
“AnytimeyoupronounceitNew Or-lEANS,you’rejusttryingtofita rhyme,”hesays.
“Don’tkillme.lotsofjazzguysare guiltyofthattoo.”
LukeNullperformsatSportsDrinkat7 &9p.m.Saturday,July27.Tickets$25 viaeventbrite.com.
SarahSherman,akaSarahSquirm,is knownforaslewofabsurdcharacters andWeekendupdatesegmentson “SaturdayNightlive.”Shealsostarred inAdamSandler’smovie“youAreSo NotInvitedtoMyBatMitzvah.”She performsat7p.m.Friday,July26, atJoyTheater.Tickets$35andup viathejoytheater.com
TheHIRSCollective,alargely anonymous,fluidgroupofleftist punks,smashestogetherarange ofpunkandheavymusicstylesin shortblastsoffuriousmusic.Butthe musicplayshand-in-handwiththe collective’sgoalsforradicalliberationandvisibilityforthequeerand transcommunity.HIRS’latestalbum, “We’reStillHere,”featuresahost ofguestartists,includingGarbage’s ShirleyManson,ScreamingFemales’ MarissaPaternosterandThou. TheHIRSCollectiveperformswith TWEAKHONEyandGutsClubat9 p.m.Thursday,July25,atSiberia. Ticketsare$18.61viasiberianola.com
Welcomeback,TalesoftheCocktailattendees!Remembertotipourbartenderswell!They’reworkingsoyoudon’thaveto!
THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN
SteveGleason,theformerNew OrleansSaintssafetyandarelentlessadvocateforthoselivingwith AlSlikehimself,recentlyreceived theArthurAsheCourageAwardat ESPN’sESPyAwards.Gleason’s formerteammateDrewBrees presentedtheawardtoGleason, whowasaccompaniedbyhisson, Rivers.TheArthurAsheAward recognizesathletes“possessing strengthinthefaceofadversity, courageinthefaceofperil”—an aptdescriptionforGleasonandhis “NoWhiteFlags”mantra
Louisianacontinuestohavepoor literacyratesamongchildrenin secondandthirdgrades,arecent statewideliteracyassessment found.About51%ofsecondgradersand47%ofthirdgradersare notreadingatgradelevelfollowing theendofthe2024schoolyear. Researcherspointtothepandemic, whichinterruptededucationfor youngreaders,asacontributing factortopoortestscores
WATERBOARDJULY17SAIDITHAS finallygottenTurbine4upand running,onlysixweeksafterthe startofhurricaneseason andseveralfloodingevents aroundtown!
Theturbine,whichhelpspower thecity’sfloodwaterpumpsparticularlyduringmajoreventslike hurricanes—orMothersDayrain eventandotherrandomheavyrain situationsondaysendingin“y”— hasbeenofflinesinceFebruary.
LSUseniorleadershiphaslost theconfidenceofthemajority oftheuniversity’sfaculty,anew reportshows.ThelSuEmployee EngagementReport,which surveyedfull-timefacultyand stafflastSeptemberandOctober, foundthatjust48%ofemployees trustedseniorleadership“tomake therightdecisionsforlSu.”
Thepumpismorethan100 yearsold,soproblemsaretobe expected.Still,sixmonthsisalong timeforS&WBtobewithoutit. Givenitsage,it’sunclearhowlong itwillbeuntiltheneedforrepairs takeitofflineagain,arealitythe boardExecutiveDirectorGhassan Korbanacknowledgedwhen,as theTimes-Picayunenoted,Korban “cautioned”S&WB’sequipmentis “veryfragileandsusceptible tobreakdowns.”
Meanwhile,KorbanandMayor laToyaCantrelllastweekalso warnedthatthestate’sdecision towelchonitsagreementtogive S&WB$25milliontofundanew powersubstationwilllikelymean therewon’tbeenoughmoneyto alsoupgradepowerfordrinking waterinthecity. likethecity’sfloodwatermanagementsystem,NewOrleans’ drinkingwatersystemrelieson improbablyancientinfrastructure tosupplythecity,whichisalso vulnerabletobreakdowns Thenewsubstationwillallegedly comeonlinenextyear,though giventhehistoryofinfrastructure projectsinNewOrleans,it’sunclear whetherthatisarealistictimeline. Whatdoesseemcertain,however, isthattheplantouseittosupply bothfloodpumpsanddrinking waterpumpswon’thappennow, thankstothestatelegislature. —JohnStanton
4
THENUMBEROFNOPD OFFICERSUNDERINTERNAL REVIEWAFTERALOCAL RESIDENT’SCONFIDENTIAL INFORMATIONWASGIVENTO MAYORLATOYACANTRELL.
TheinvestigationstemsfromCantrell’s now-dismissedpetitionforaprotectiveorder againstAnneBreaud,whotookphotosearlier thisyearofCantrelldiningoutwithNOPD officerJeffreyVappie,whoisnowretired. Cantrell’spetitionincludedinformationabout Breaudthatisconfidentialtoanyoneother thanlawenforcement.
C’EST WHAT ?
AlongwiththeShrekUber, whatotherkindsoftransportation shouldNewOrleanshave?
JUSTTAKEMEHOME,PLEASE
@GambitBlake|askblake@gambitweekly.com
HeyBlake,
Icameacrossanold1960smagazinead forBrennan’swhichlistsotherlocationsin DallasandHouston.Whendidtheyopenand whatistheirhistory?
Dearreader,
THEBRENNANSHAVERIGHTLYBEENCALLEDTHEFIRST FAMILYOFNEWORLEANSCUISINE,withmorethanadozen restaurantshereandacrossthecountryownedandoperatedbymembersofthefamily
OwenBrennanSr.openedthefirstin1946.Threeofhis fivesiblings,Adelaide,EllaandJohn,helpedrunthebusiness,knownasOwenBrennan’sVieuxCarreandlocatedon BourbonStreet.In1956,followingOwenBrennan’sdeath, thefamilyopenedBrennan’sat417RoyalSt.
Inthe1960s,astheFrenchQuarterrestaurant’sreputationgrew,thefamilylaunchedanambitiousexpansion, whichbeganwithaBrennan’slocationinHouston.“In Texas,wheretheydothingsbig–andinHouston,where theystrivetodoevenbigger…theBrennanshavenow establishedaposhrestaurantthatexceedstheirhomebase intheFrenchQuarterforlavishnessindécor,”wroteStatesItemcolumnistTommyGriffininMarch1967
In1969,theBrennansunveiledarestaurantinDallas’One MainPlace,the34-storyofficetowerwhichopenedthepreviousyear.“Ella(Brennan)saysthenewBrennan’sispacking ’emin,”GriffinwroteinaJanuary1969column,adding
thatthefamilyhadreceived“ravesabout(notedartistand designer)CharlieGresham’sdécor.”Despiteearlysuccess, boththeDallaslocationandanotherBrennan’soutpostin Atlanta(alsoopenedinthe1970s)closedwithinadecade.
Bythen,theBrennanshadalsopurchasedCommander’s Palace,shortlybeforeaninfamousfamilydisputein 1974overcontrolofthebusiness’future.ItledtoOwen Brennan’swidowMaudeandtheirthreesons—OwenJr. (knownasPip),JimmyandTed—takingoverBrennan’son RoyalStreet.EllaBrennanandherbrothers,sistersand childrenassumedcontroloftheotherrestaurants.
InadditiontoBrennan’sonRoyalStreet(nowowned byRalphBrennan),theBrennan’sinHoustonremains openandcarriesthesamename.ItsproprietorsareAlex Brennan-Martin,thesonofEllaBrennan,andhiscousin BradBrennan,sonofElla’ssisterDottieBrennan.
WITHTHISWEEK’STALESOFTHECOCKTAIL EVENTSCELEBRATINGTHEPAST,presentand futureofmixology,weofferatoasttooneof thecity’shistorichotelbars:theBayouBarat thePontchartrainHotel.
In1946,hotelierE.lysleAschaffenburg openedthebarinsidethePontchartrain Hotel,whosehistoryonSt.CharlesAvenue datesto1927.Thehotel’sVIPguestsoverthe yearshaveincludedpresidentsGeraldFord andGeorgeH.W.Bush,aswellasTennessee WilliamsandTrumanCapote.FrankSinatra, ColePorterandJimmyBuffettareamongthe musicalluminarieswhooncefrequentedthe BayouBar
Inadditiontolibations,thebar(whosemotif isenhancedbyCharlesReinikemurals)has longofferedlivemusic.Ithostedjazzpianists ArmandHugandCharlieluckowforregulargigs inthe1950s,withluckowperformingtherefor morethan25years.Othernotableperformers included“Tuts”Washington,BlaineButler,Mimi GusteandPhilipMelancon,aregularformore than20yearsbeginninginthe1990s.livemusic isstillofferedinthebarmostnights
NostoryaboutthePontchartrainHotel’s beverageofferingswouldbecompletewithout amentionoftheHotTinRoofBar,therooftop venueaddedduringa2016hotelrenovation.
BY
LIAM PIERCE,KAYLEEPOCHE,SARAH RAVITS,JOHN STANTON
PHOTOSBYKATHERINEKIMBALL
WELCOMETOANOTHEREDITIONofGambit’s40Under40!Onceagain thisyear,weaskedyou,ourreaders,tonominatefolksinourcommunitywho aredoingsomethingspecial.Andonceagain,youdelivered!Thisyear’slistof honoreesrepresenttheverybestofourcity,andeachintheirownwayisan integralpartofwhatmakesNewOrleansthemostuniqueandamazingcityin theworld.AsGambitstaff,itistrulyanhonortotakeamomentandrecognize themandtheirachievements.
Whetherthey’reateenovercomingextraordinaryadversitytosucceedacademically,oneofourcity’snewgenerationofculturebarers,asmallbusiness personsmashingglassceilingsoranactivistworkingforpositivechange,each ofthese40peopleinspiresus,teachesusandhelpsuslivebetterlives. Congratulationstothemall!
DEANOFSTUDENTS, NEWORLEANSCAREERCENTER; TRAILCHIEF,ORIGINALWILD TCHOUPITOULASMARDIGRASINDIANS; CEOANDFOUNDEROFPICKLENOLA; ARTISTVOLUNTEERMENTOR, CONGOKIDS
JeremyOatis’missioninlifeistohelpyoungpeoplethrive In2022,hejoinedtheNewOrleansCareerCenterafterworking asabehavioralinterventionist,teacherandeventualdeanof studentsatNewOrleansCharterScienceandMathHighSchool. Now,heworkswithkidsfrom24localhighschools.
AsdeanofstudentsatNOCC,hehelpstrainandmentor studentsinpotentialcareerpaths,givingthemtheopportunity toearnarangeofindustry-basedcertifications,includingin carpentry,electricalengineering,culinaryartsandhospitalitymanagement.
GrowingupintheMelpomeneprojects,hesayshedidn’talways havemanyrolemodelstolookuptooutsideofschool.Buthe creditshismotherandseveralofhishighschoolteachersfor helpinghimrecognizehisownpotentialasaneducator,andnow hewantstopayitforward.
“ThoseguyshelpedmerealizewhatIcouldbecome,”hesays. OatisalsoisdedicatedtopreservingthecultureofNewOrleans BlackMaskingIndians,asamemberoftheOriginalWildTchoupitoulastribe.
Healsostartedahomemadepickleventure,PickledNOLA, withhiswifeKimberly,turninglocallygrowncucumbersinto picklestosellatgrocerystoresandfarmersmarkets
Ontopofallthat,OatisvolunteerswithCongoKids,anonprofit thatgiveskidsculturalandmusictrainingrootedinAfricanand African-Americantraditions.
“Anythinginvolvingyouth,Iwanttobeinvolvedinit,”hesays. “I’vesurroundedmyselfwithgoodpeople.Ihaveadutytomycity andthepeoplethatraisedme.”
CamilleRoaneisespeciallypassionate aboutherworkasacommunications professionalatRedCypressConsultingbecauseshegetstoconnectwith peopleonthefrontlinesofsocialand reproductivejusticeissues.
RedCypressConsulting,whichshe describesasa“smallandscrappy”team ofwritersandstrategistsfromdifferentbackgrounds,isaworker-owned agencythatdoescommunicationsfor progressivenonprofits,causesand politicalcampaignsintheSouth
Roane’smainfocusisonreproductive justicework,whichshesaysisabout muchmorethanjuststandingupfor abortionrightsandbodilyautonomy,extendingtoaffordablehousingissues,the climatecrisisandmassincarceration.
“It’sahumanrightsframework,”she says.“Criminalizationandcontrolover bodiesisinextricablylinked.”
Roanesaystheworkisespecially importantinLouisiana’scurrent politicalclimate
“Thingsarereallybad,butIgettosee andworkwithpeoplewhoarefighting back,”shesays.“There’ssomuch brillianceandcreativity,andwehave
alwaysfiguredoutwaystosurvive andorganize.”
TheTexasnativeisalsoontheboard ofthenonprofitDancingGrounds, whichblendsperformanceartand fitnesswithadvocacy.
“NewOrleansistheculturalcapitalof America,particularlyBlackAmerica,” shesays.“Ithasalwaysbeenaplace offreedomforme.It’screatedalot ofspaceforpersonalgrowth.It’sso Black,soqueer,soculturallyfree.I’m sothankfulforit.”
JustlisteningtoMaryJacobsdescribethemyriadandvariedprojectsshe’sgot goingisenoughtoexhaustmostfolks.“Ialwayshavebeendoing40,000things That’skindofmything,”theNewOrleansnativejokes.
Partofthatenergyanddriveisrootedinold-fashionedcivicpride,shesays. “Whenyou’reabusybody,youdon’trealizeit’salot,”Jacobssaysofthe60-to 80-hourworkweeks.“ButIreallylovewhatIdo.”
Since2013,she’sworkedasacomedianandmasterofceremonies,developing alocalfollowingtothepointthatshe’sregularlyhiredtoemceegalasandother eventsaroundtown
Aftershereturnedhomefromcollege,shewasstruckathowdifferentthecity hadbecomepost-Katrina—soshewroteaplayaboutit.In“BeinTouch,”Jacobs exploredthechallengesmanylocalsexperiencedcominghometoacitychanged notonlybythestormbutbytheinfluxoftransplants.
In2016,JacobsandherwifeKristinKavanaughopenedVitalityCommunity Fitness.Thegoal,Jacobssays,wastoupturnthetraditionaltestosterone-dominatedgymmodelandcreateawoman-centered,queer-friendlyspace.
Fouryearslater,Jacobsstartedanewbusiness,Mary’sRack.Sheworksasa self-described“secondhandstylist,”throughwhichshehelpsclientsfindasenseof styleusingsustainableshoppinghabitsandcenteringbodypositivity.Sheinitiallyoperatedapop-upandturneditintoatraditionalbrick-and-mortarshoponOakStreet. ShealsohostsPlanetNola,apodcastfeaturinginterviewswithlocalartists, bartenders,musiciansandpeople“whoarecoolorwhoaredoingcoolthings.”
“I’mobsessedwithNewOrleans,andIlovebeingfromhere.Iwanttoopen20 morebusinessesherebeforeIdie...Ifeelluckytobefromhere,”Jacobssays.
OchsnerHealth’sDr.JacklynRuhlisnotonlychangingthewaythemedicalcommunityapproachesmentalhealthbutalsohowpatientsseetheprocess. Whenmanypeoplethinkoftherapy,theymightpictureanopen-ended,yearslongprocesswithnorealendpointatwhichtheirmentalhealthproblemswillbe solved.ButaccordingtoRuhl,itdoesn’talwayshavetobethatway
Andwhilesometypesofmentalhealthissuesrequirelengthytreatment,there isagrowingmountainofevidencethatshowsatargeted,short-term,evidence-basedapproachcanbemuchmoreeffectiveinmanycases.Ruhlsaysthis approachis“almostlikeifsomeonehasaphysicalinjuryandsignsupforrehab forseveralweeks.”Butinsteadofrebuildingphysicalstrengthandlearningnew exercisestomaintainit,patientsareworkingonmentalandemotionalinjuries. It’saninnovativeapproachtomentalhealth—andasuccessfulone.Since Ochsner’s“StepClinic”launchedinMarchthey’vehadasteadystreamofpatients,andRuhlsaysseveralotherhealthcareprovidershaveapproachedherto discusscreatingsimilarprogramsoftheirown
ServingthoseincrisisisacentralpartofRuhl’slife.BorninSeoul,SouthKorea, RuhlcametotheUnitedStatesat11monthsold,whensheandhersisterwere adoptedbyherparents,wholivedinHuntsville,Alabama.
ThattriggeredaninterestinfostercareforRuhl,whosayssheknewshewantedtobeinvolvedinthesysteminsomewaysinceshewasinhighschool.Over theyearsRuhlhasfosteredfivechildrenforvaryinglengthsoftime.Recently she’stakenabreakfromfostering,optinginsteadtofocushereffortsonprovidingsupporttootherfosterparentsthroughCrossroadsNola’sFosterRespite program.Providingfosterparents,particularlysinglemothers,withafewhours eachweektorunerrandsorevenjustseeamoviecanbeenormouslybeneficial tothechildandparentalike,shesays
“Thefostercaresystemisveryhardandchallenging .[therespite]meansso muchtoafosterfamily,”sheexplains,adding“it’sveryclearthatifthesekidsare givenstabilityandlovetheycanbeassuccessfulasanyotherchild.”
Everytimetheysteponstageastheir dragpersonaAprilMay,MaxwellCohen islivingouttheirchildhooddreams.
They’vegonefromperformingintheir bedroomtogettingonstageinfrontof crowdsasthehostofBigGayBaby,the monthlyqueerdragandvarietyshow theycreatedinMarch2022.Morethan twoyearsin,theshowshavebecomea supportivespacefornewbieperformers todiptheirtoesinthewaterinfrontofa tight-knitcommunityofLGBTQpeople andallies.
Currentlyonsummerhiatus,theshow startsupagaininSeptember,moving fromThursdaytoFridaynights—or “primetime”asCohenputsit
Throughdrag,Cohenhasalsobecome involvedinactivism.In2023,they testifiedindragattheCapitolagainst theanti-LGBTQbillsproposedbythe LouisianaLegislatureandconnected withalotofpeopleinadvocacyspaces inthestate
Thisyear,withananti-LGBTQ governor,Cohendecidedtofocus theirattentiontospacesforqueerjoy, performingattheNewOrleansPride Center’sgrandopening,puttingona BigGayBabyshowcaseataForumfor Equalityfundraiserandhostingagalafor women’srightsgroupLiftLouisiana. “Myqueeridentityandmydesire toconnectqueeridentitieswillnever change,”Cohensays.“That’sunwavering,nomatterhowoppressivetheworld mayfeelrightnow.”
JoyClarkhashadmanymilestonemomentsthelastfewyears, liketouringwithAmericanaartistAllisonRussell,signingtoAni DiFranco’sRighteousBabeRecordsandpayingtributetoTracy ChapmanattheInternationalFolkAwards.Andthesinger-songwriterispreparingtoreleaseherfirstfull-lengthalbum,“TellIt TotheWind,”inOctober.
It’sbeenarealtimeofpersonalgrowth,shesays.
This“periodoftransitionissortofcomingtopeacewiththe disparatepartsofmyself,”Clarksays,“somyChristianupbringing,myqueerness,andcomingtopeacewiththosethings, bringingittogetherandpresentingJoyClark’sartistry.”
BorninHarveyandthedaughterofaminister,Clarkgrew upwithmusicatchurch.Shelearnedtoplayguitaratanearly age,findinginfluencesinartistslikeTracyChapmanandLalah Hathaway,andstartedwritingandperformingatopenmics whileattheUniversityofNewOrleans.Overtheyears,she’s performedwithSoulkestra,CyrilNeville,pianistLilliLewisand manyothers.She’salsoledherownbandatlocalvenues,ontour andatFrenchQuarterFestandJazzFest.
ClarkisamongagrowingnumberofBlackmusiciansre-claimingtheAmericanagenre,likeLewis,Russell,LizzieNoand JoyOladokun.
“WhenIreallygotontothescene,therewerealotofBlack artists,women,whoreallytookmein,becauseIwascominginto myqueerness,andtherewasacommunitytherethatallowed metoseewhatwaspossible,”Clarksays.“Iwanttocontinueto bethatforsomebodythat’scomingbehindme,orsomebody whoisn’toutyetandisfeelinglike,‘She’sintegratingallthese partsofherlife,andtheworldhasopenedup.’”
ElijahHoganmadelocalandnationalheadlineswhenhe graduatedfromWalterL.CohenHighSchoolinMay.
Hewasnamedvaledictorianwithanimpressive 3.93GPAandgaveaspeechtohisclassmatesandtheir lovedones.
“It’syourturntochooseanddefinewhatsuccess meansinyourlife,”hesaid.
Itwasatriumphantday,buttheroadtogetthere wasn’teasy.
He’dbeenlivingwithhisgrandmothersincehewas 11,butduringhisjunioryear,hebecameunexpectedly homelesswhenhisgrandmother’slandlorddecidedto sellthepropertywherethey’dbeenliving.Theyhada monthtofigureoutwhattodo.
Sheendedupmovingtoaseniorlivinghome,whilehe wenttoCovenantHouse,ashelterforunhousedpeople ages16-22.
Hogankeptintouchwithhisfamilylivingoutofstate, andteachersandCovenantHousestaffsteppedupto supporthimandencouragehimtocompletehisstudies.
Hogan’snextstopisXavierUniversity,whereheplans tostudygraphicdesign.AnartistandMarvelfan,he hopestoonedaypublishhisowncomicbook.
“Takeprideinhowfaryouhavecome,”Hogantold hisclassmatesduringhisgraduationspeech.“Have faithinhowfaryoucango.Butdon’tforgettoenjoy yourjourney.”
FORTHE LOUISIANALAWENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABILITYDATABASE,INNOCENCEPROJECTNEWORLEANS
WhenAyyubIbrahimgraduatedin2016fromthe UniversityofPennsylvania,heexpectedtospend hisprofessionallifefightingforhumanrightson theinternationalstage—notintheDeepSouth fightingpoliceviolence.
ButIbrahim’spathhasn’teverfollowedmuchof astraight,predictableline.Take,forexample,his sportofchoice:fencing.
Aftergraduating,theBronxnativeworkedin NewYorkoninternationalhumanrightsissues. Butwithinafewyears,herealizedhewantedto haveamorelocalfocus.
Soin2020hemovedtoNewOrleanstohead theInnocenceProjectNewOrleans’Louisiana LawEnforcementAccountabilityDatabase (LLEAD)program.Hehassincebecomealeader intheefforttoshedlightononeofthecriminal justicesystem’sdarkestcorners:policemisconductandviolence.
TheLLEADdatabasehascataloguedmorethan 40,000incidentsinmorethan500lawenforcementagenciesacrossthestateandhasbecome animportantresourceforattorneys,themedia andpublicinunderstanding—andcombating— policebrutality.
IbrahmhasrecentlyturnedhisattentiontoArtificialIntelligenceandhowitcanhelpcivilrights attorneysfightfortheirclients.He’sbecomea nationalleaderindevelopingAItoolsforthecivil rightssector
AttheInnocenceProject,he’scurrentlybuilding a“wrongfulconvictionofficerindex”which,when completed,willallowlawyerstosearchthrough hundredsofthousandsofcourtfilings,reportsand otherdocumentstodetermineifthereisapattern ofmisconductinvolvingaspecificofficerorwithin departmentsandotherkeyareas.Thatwillnot onlyhelpattorneysbutalsopolicymakers,who’d havetospendyearssortingthroughdocuments withoutAI’shelp.
AvaKreutzigerdescribesherselfasa“peopleperson”whoselifeisdefinedbyherrelationships “That’swhereIgetthemostjoyfrom,”shesays. Lastsummer,Kreutziger,avolunteerwithGrow DatYouthFarminCityPark,witnessedanhorrible
tragedyasherbestfriend,BelleAdelman-Cannon, wasstruckandkilledbyabusintheparkinglot. Tocopewithhergrief,Kreutzigerhelpedbuilda memorialgardendedicatedtoAdelman-Cannonto honorthesolacetheyfoundtogetherthere
“It’stheplacewhereIcouldgrowwithmyidentity andbeconfidentinmyleadership,learnhowto growfoodandhowtohelppeople,”shesays.“It’s alsotheplacewhereItriedtosavemybestfriend.”
WhenshefoundoutaboutCityPark’sMasterPlan tobulldozethefarmandbuildaroad,itfeltlikeabetrayal.Shehassincebecomeastaunchadvocateof thefarm’ssurvivalascityandparkleadersgrapple withitsfuture.
KreutzigerisalsoanadvocateforLGBTQrights andhelpedsecureagrantfortheQCenter,asafe spaceforqueerstudents,whileattendingBen FranklinHighSchool.Shehelpedorganizeatheater piecestudentsperformedatthestateCapitol,which aimedtohumanizeherpeersaslawmakerswere attackingtheirrightsandidentities.
“I’vegrownupwithmyparentstellingmeabout howartcanbeamechanismforsocialchange,” shesays.
Asshesetsoffforcollege,sheplanstocontinue heradvocacyandaspirestobecomeasocialworker. “Theideaofworkingoneononeagainstoursystemsandtohelppeopleovercomecircumstances —I’mlookingforwardtoit,”shesays.
ScottTilton,aNewOrleansnative,waslivinginParis withhishusband,RudyBazenet,whentheycame upwithanideathatwouldultimatelyleadtothe NousFoundation.
Theywantedtolaunchaculturalinstitute inLouisiana,anorganizationthatwouldbring peopletogetherandfosterthekindofcultural innovationthatkeepscitieslikeParisattheforefront ofconversation.
“Wehadthisclearvisionofwhatwewantedtodo inLouisiana,”Tiltonsays.
Sotheymovedbackhomeandin2021launched NousFoundation,anonprofitpromotingLouisiana’s heritagecultures,particularlytheFrench-speaking communitiesinthestate.
Thiswasn’tTilton’sfirstbigundertaking.In2017, whileearningamaster’sdegreeininternationalrelationsatSciencePoParis,helaunchedacampaignthat ledtoLouisianabecomingthefirstU.S.statetojoin theInternationalOrganizationofLaFrancophonie Tiltonispassionateaboutraisingawareness andexposuretominorityculturesandlanguages thathavebeenrepressedandbanned.Healsoisa filmmakerandhashelpedproduceFrench-andCreole-languagefilmsfromLouisiana,includingapiece recentlyfeaturedattheCannesFilmFestival.
Earlierthisyear,theLibraryofCongressawarded aCommunityCollectionsGranttoNousFoundation tosupport“LaMusiqueNousReunit,”aproject documentingLouisianaFrenchandCreolemusic andfeaturingartistslikeLouisMichot,LeylaMcCalla andBruce“Sunpie”Barnes.
ShondrickaClaibornehasgoneby“Shay”sinceshewas indiapers.Butshenowalsoanswersto“mom”after havingherfirstchildfouryearsago
Whileonmaternityleavefromhercareerworkingwith autisticchildren,Claibornenoticedafewthingsabout thetoyindustry:Thereisn’tmuchAfrican-American representation,andthetoysdidmostoftheplaying Soin2021,afterherdaughterstruggledwithlanguage skills,ClaibornelaunchedMommyfluent,aretail companyspecializinginopen-endedtoysforinfants andtoddlers.
“TheinnovationthatIammakingwithmycompanyis becauseofmydaughter.Iwantedhertohaveaccessto bettertoys,”Claibornesays.“Iammyownbestcustomer—earlyintervention,thisstuffworks.”
ClaibornealsositsontheboardofBlackNewOrleans MomandisacertifiedplayexpertandprogramcoordinatorforTrainingGrounds’WePlay,anonprofitfacility dedicatedtoimprovingearlychildhoodoutcomesfor localfamilies.
WePlayisahubforfamilyresourcesandearly parentingeducation.Italsohelpsconnectfamilieswith professionals,likeClaiborne,duringtheearlyyearsof childhood,whenbraindevelopmentisveryimportant. Throughherwork,Claibornehasworkedwithmore than200familiesinjustthelastyear,andshehashelped 10familiesnavigatethelongprocesstoreceiveanearly autismdiagnosis.
Mommyfluentisworkingtobuildatechnologychannel toconnectfamiliestoearlyinterventionresources.And recently,thecompanywasnamedasemifinalistinthe BlackAmbitionPrize,foundedbyPharrellWilliams.
ImagesofHopeKodmanVonStarnespopupon streetcars,billboardsandgo-cupsallovertown inadsforherpart-timeworkatFrenchQuarter PhantomsGhosttours,butshemostoftengets recognizedforherworkdoinginformationalvideos forthesex-positiveeroticboutiqueDynamo “IgrewupinwesternKentuckyandtheonlysex edwegotinschoolwasanhourinhomeroom,” KodmanVonStarnessays.“Idon’tevenremember gettingapubertytalk.Theyjustthrewdeodorant atus.”
NowviatheirInstagramaccount(@dynamonola),KodmanVonStarnesentertaininglyinforms peopleaboutropework,flange-endedplugs, vibrators,paddlesandleatherharnesses,allwith anemphasisonconsentandsafety.KodmanVon Starnesco-ownsDynamowithNicoDarling,and theshopturns11yearsoldthissummer.
KodmanVonStarnesfirstrealizedherpenchant fortalkingaboutsexincollege.“IfIgavepermission totalkaboutsex,peoplereallywantedto,”shesays. Herdegreeinanthropologyhelpedherprocess sexthroughthelensofhistoryandherinterest intheaterprovidedenoughfoddertokeepthe conversationgoing.
ShenowgivestalksatTulane’sundergradSex Weekandbacheloretteparties,runsoccasional workshops,andhaspartneredwiththeReproduc-
tiveJusticeActionCollective(REJAC)toprovide emergencycontraception,evenhanddeliveringit duringthepandemic.
KodmanVonStarnesalsoleadsahistorytour viaFrenchQuarterPhantomscalled“Saintsand Sinners”whichfocusesonStoryvilleandVictorian-erasexed.
“NewOrleansissuchasexy,opencity,”Kodman VonStarnessays.“SoIthoughtthatwecoulddo betterthanwhatwehad.”
JamesMayestendstoincorporateaparticularflowerintohisdesignsfor hisluxurystreetwearbrandEmline.Themagnolia—hisnodtogrowingup intheMagnoliaProjects—isarepresentationofpersonalgrowth,hesays “Aflowerstartsasaseed.Apersonstartsasaseed.Theybothgrow Theflowergrowsthroughthedirtandtherain,whicharelikethetrials andtribulationsapersonwilllearnfrom.Andattheend,theybothhave theopportunitytoblossom,eventhoughtheyhavebeenthroughso much,”Mayessays.
MayeslaunchedEmlinein2017aftergoingthroughsomemajorlife changes—achild,anewjob,beinglaidoff,relocatingtoHoustonand backtoNewOrleans—andintheyearssince,thebrandhasblossomed Today,Emlinesellsarangeoflimited-releaseitems,includingshirts, pants,shorts,hats,socksandaccessories,alldesignedbyMayes YoungJeezy,RussellWestbrook,LilBabyandMissyElliotthavebeen spottedinEmlinepieces,andBGhasembracedthebrandsincereturninghome.Earlierthismonth,EmlinecollaboratedwiththeEssence FestivalofCultureonalimited-editionshirt.
In2022,MayesalongwithKristinMeyersofLikeMindsDineProductionalsolaunchedtheEmlineBall,aCarnival-timeballthathasalso becomeincreasinglypopular.Eachyear,theballcelebrateslegendsin theNewOrleanscommunity,likeMiaX,JuvenileandthelateSoulja Slim.The2024EmlineBallcelebratedBryan“Birdman”Williamsand thelegacyofCashMoneyRecordswithperformancesbyCurren$y, MagnoliaChop,AKandPaasky
“Rightnow,inthespacethatI’min,Idon’tknowwhatwillhappen next,butI’mhopingit’ssomethingbigandexciting,”Mayessays.
Intheirdebutfeaturedocumentary,“CarpetCowboys,”EmilyMacKenzie andNoahCollierwenttothecarpetproductioncapitaloftheworld Dalton,Georgia,andpulledatthethreadsofastorythattookthemaround theworld.
TheymetRoderickJames,aScottishimmigrantandself-styledcowboy whosefreelancecareerdesigningcarpetpatternswasdryingupasglobalizationmovedmoreoftheindustrytoChina.Jamesstruckoutfortheeast, andagaintriedtoreinventhimself
MacKenziegotherowntastefortravel,aftergrowingupinSantaBarbara, California,anddroppingoutofschooltomovetoFlorence,Italy.
“Iwaslike,‘Ijustturned18,Iamleavingthecountry,’”shesays.“Idon’t needtofinishhighschool.”
BardCollegedidn’trequireadiploma,andshewenttoNewYorkandgot interestedindocumentaryfilmmaking.Then,afterayearofgraduatestudy attheNewCollege(andmoretimeinItaly),shegotaninternshipwithfilmmakerNinaDavenportandeventuallyclimbedherwaytoaneditingposition onthefilm“FirstComesLove.”
Since2010,MacKenziehasworkedinTVandfilmproductionwhennot focusedonherownprojects,suchas2016’swidelyviewedbreastcancer survivalshortdoc,“ScarStory.”
In2015,MacKenziemovedtoNewOrleans,whereshehadfriendsand family,includinghergreat-uncleJohnnyNorth,whocoachedtheNew OrleansSaintsinthe1970s.
Since“CarpetCowboys”(availableatmemory.is/carpet-cowboys)was released,shestartedworkingonherownmockumentaryprojectaboutNew OrleanscostuminggrouptheIntergalacticRealtorsAssociationConference (IGRAC),inwhichthealienrealtorstrytosellEarth
PatrickHernandez’sfirstbrushwith entrepreneurshipcamewhilegrowing upinBerrwick,Louisiana,near MorganCity.
“Ihadafewlemonadestands,”Hernandezsays.“Butitwasneveractually mycalling.”
Ironically,afterdreaminguphis award-winningcraftrumdistilleryRoulaisonwithanoldcollegeroommatein NewYork,heendedupinthebeverage businessanyway
Nowadays,Hernandezhasputhis Roulaisonworkonthebackburnerto helpothersstarttheirownbusinesses viahisroleatPropeller,anorganization thathelpssmallbusinesses—primarily thoseledbyBIPOCentrepreneurs andnonprofitsclosetheequitygapin thefieldsofeducation,food,health andwater
Hernandezmanagesanetwork ofmorethan300alumniatPropeller, helpinganywherefrom10to15 clientsatatime.Healsolauncheda $3millionseedcapitalfundforBIPOC-ownedbusinesses.
Hisfreetimeisfilledwithplayingalotof pickleballandcommunityinvolvement, astheimmediatepastpresidentofthe YoungLeadershipCouncilandaboard memberforOnPathFederalCreditUnion andAdvocatesforArts-BasedEducation (viaTheWillowSchool)
Hernandezalsohelpsfundraise forBoysHopeGirlsHopeandthe AmericanCancerSociety,specifically forcancerresearchinvolvingthe LGBTQcommunity.
BeingthesonofBigChiefMonkBoudreauxcarriesacertainweightofexpectationin NewOrleans.
It’s“kindoflikebeingMichaelJordan’sson,”saysJosephBoudreauxJr.“No matterhowgoodyouplaybasketball,you’regonnaalwaysbecomparedtoyourdad insomeway,shapeorform.”
JosephBoudreauxgrewupimmersedinBlackMaskingIndiantraditionsandis nowthesecondchiefoftheGoldenEagles.Healsogravitatedtowardmusicandis thefrontmanfortheMardiGrasIndianfunkbandTheRumble.
ButBoudreauxhasworkedtodistinguishhimself,especiallythroughhissuits. “Itookthefoundationandallthelessonshetaughtmeonhowtobuild,butI alwayswantedtolooklikeme.Idevelopedmyownstyle,inasense,”hesays.“I approachmusicthesameway…IfeltlikeIwillbesettingmyselfupforfailureifIwas totrytomimicwhat[myfather]did.SoIjusttrytobeoriginaltomyself.”
Boudreauxispartofagroupofyoungculturebearerswhoarehelpingtoguide thosetraditionsintothefuture
“It’saresponsibilityofmine,tocarryourcultureon,tomakesureourculturecontinuestothrive,”Boudreauxsays.“Partofmedoingthatisthroughmusic.Iwanttobe abletousemymusictojustbringthisculturetothespotlight,getthisculturetherecognitionitdeserves,becausetherearesomanytalentedpeoplewithintheculture.”
TheRumblerecentlyreleasedanewstudiosingle,“NowYouKnow,”andhasnew musicontheway.
Onandoffstage,JeezLoueez’spersonalityfillsthe space.She’sfunny,dramaticandpassionate.Butitgoes beyondherstageperformance;JeezLoueezwantstohelp Blackburlesqueperformersbeundeniable
JeezLoueezhashadastraightforwardgoal:“You’regonna knowwhoIam,”theNewOrleans-basedburlesqueperformerandproducersays.
“Iwanttoconnectwithmorepeople,meetmorepeople, letthemknowthatnotonlydoesburlesquehappenevery day,alldayinNewOrleans,butthatthere’sBlackpeople whoaredoingit,”shesays.
ASt.Louisnative,JeezLoueezmovedtoChicagowhen shewas19tostudymusicaltheater.Shewasdancingina clubtohelppayforschool,andafriendaskedifshe’dlike tofillinduringaburlesqueshow.“Iwaslike,‘Oh,thisisjust musicaltheaterandstrippingmixedtogether,”shesays withalaugh.
Morethan15yearslater,JeezLoueezhastwicebeen named21stCenturyBurlesque’sNo.1mostinfluential burlesqueindustryfigure,firstsoloandthenagainwith herclosefriendandcollaboratorLolaVanElla(whoalsois basedinNewOrleans).
JeezLoueezmovedtoNewOrleansin2019andisapopularpresenceonlocalburlesquelineups,andeachmonth, shehostsalate-nighttalkshow-styleeventandaqueerline dancenightattheAllWaysLounge&Cabaret,inadditionto teachingclasses.
In2011,JeezLoueezlaunchedtheannualall-Black burlesquerevueJeezy’sJukeJoint.Ithasgrownintoa multi-nightfestivalandtravelingshow,andshehopesto bringtherevuetoNewOrleansin2025.
“MyfocushasbeenonBlackpeoplebeingtheones writingthecheckandpayingpeople,”saysJeezLoueez, “becausetherecouldbe100Blackperformersinone city,butifeveryoneinchargeandwritingthechecksand producingtheeventsarewhite,thenit’snotdiversity,it’s notinclusion.”
KhaiNguyenandTapBuihaveknowneachothersincetheywere childrengrowingupintheVersaillesArmsApartmentcomplexinNew OrleansEast.
TheareawashometomanyVietnameseimmigrantswhocameto NewOrleansafterthewarinVietnam.Theyformedaclose-knitcommunity,akintoafishingvillage,anchoredbytheCatholicchurch,Mary QueenofVietnam
However,thecommunity,isolatedfromtherestofthecity,isoftenan afterthoughtinpolicymaking.NguyenandBuihavespenttheircareers fightingtomakesurefolkstheregettheresourcestheydeserve.
BothworkedfortheMQVNCommunityDevelopmentCorp.andhelped VietnamesefishersaccessreliefaftertheDeepwaterHorizonBPoildisasterin2010.Nguyenalsoco-createdtheVEGGIFarmer’sCooperative, threeacresofcommunity-ownedlandwhereout-of-workfisherscould farmtoearnmoney.
NguyenandBuico-foundedSongDevelopmentCorp.infall2021to continueinvestinginNewOrleansEast.Aspartofthiswork,theyare exploringwaystomanagestormwater,includingraingardens—shrubs andflowersplantedindipsoflandtoholdandsoakrainrunoff
ManyyoungVietnameseAmericansareleavingthearea,Nguyen says,andSongDevelopmentCorp.aimstomakesuretheagingpopulationistakencareofandtoadapttotheneedsoftheareaasitchanges, includingtheneedsofthesignificantBlackpopulationandgrowing Latinxpopulation.
Buialsoishelpingplan50eventstocommemoratethe50thanniversary ofthefallofSaigonnextApril,bothtorememberthepastandcelebrate VietnameseAmericans’contributionstoNewOrleans.They’vehadmore thanadozeneventssofar.
TheEastis“fullofpeoplewhoarecommittedtoinvestinginthisarea andworkingcollaborativelytobringinadditionalresourcestomakethis communitybetterforourfutures,”Buisays.
CERAMICIST,BARROYLUNA
DeathdoulaCarolinaMurrielferriespeoplefromthe worldoflivingtothedead—andshedoesn’tmindif youcallherworkmetal.
“Ihavenotdiedyet—thatIknowof,”Murriel says.“ButIhavealwaysbeendrawntothe darker,harderaspectsofourexistence.”
MurrielwasborninPeru,whereshewitnessedcivilunrestbetweenguerillafighters andthegovernment;herschoolwasclose tocarbombs,blackoutsandhostagesituations.Thatexperienceeventuallyledtoher workdoingtrauma-informedjournalism, coveringimmigration,the2016electionand criminaljustice.
HerbylinehasappearedinTheMiamiHerald,WLRNandTheWorld,tonameafew,and Murrielco-foundedthepodcastnetworkPizza Sharktohelpbuildradicalinclusivityinmedia Duringthepandemic,Murrielbecamemore proactiveaboutherownmentalhealth,which ledhertoseekhealingthroughart,specifically ceramics.Shealsotappedbackintohercollege studiesofbirthpractices,whicheventuallyled toafocusonthedeathendofthelifecycle.
Herpractice,BarroyLuna(ClayandMoon), fusesdeath,storytellingandceramicstogether withthehopetodestigmatizedeathanddying AndinpartnershipwiththedeathcareorganizationWake,Murrielrecentlylaunchedanoral historyproject,LegadosdeLuisiana,torecord Latinxelders’legacies.
DRUMMER; VOCALIST
GrowingupinLafayetteasthedaughterofpastors,TifLamsongotan earlystartinmusicplayinginherfamily’schurchband
“IwasrecruitedbythetimeIwasborntobeintheband,andthat kindofjustledmetocontinueplayingmusicthroughoutmyentirelife,” saysLamson,whoisnowadrummer,singer,musicdirector,producer andengineer.
Decadeslater,she’sinadifferentband:ShaniaTwain’s.Forthelast year,she’sbeenplayingdrumsandsingingbackupvocalsforTwainon herworldtour,givingLamsontheopportunitytoperforminfrontof thelargestcrowdsofhercareer
HercareerfirsttookoffaftersheformedindiepopbandGiverswith TaylorGuariscoin2008.Theyhadbeen livinginNewOrleanswhen HurricaneKatrinahitandhadmovedbacktoLafayettefollowingthe storm,unsurewhattheirnextstepswouldbe.
Thebandreleasedtwofull-lengthalbums,performingonthelatenightcircuitandatJazzFest,CoachellaandLollapalooza.Theyalso playedCarnegieHallinNewYorkCitywithPreservationHall JazzBand
In2017,Lamsonwasthemusicdirectorforelectro-musician Peaches’showatMusicBoxVillage.Sheplayedwithheroffandonfor thenextseveralyears,includingonher“TeachesofPeaches”20-year anniversarytour.
Workingwiththeboundary-pushingfeministartistmadeLamson reflectonsocietalconstructsofgender,sexualityandart,including “whatarethelinesandwho’sdrawingthelines,”shesays LamsonwillperformwithTwainatCanadianfestivalsinAugust, followedbyasecondstintatherLasVegasresidency.
Thoughtheroutewasn’talwaysclear,“Icouldn’tthinkofanyother paththatIcouldhavewalkedon,really,”Lamsonsays.
EventhoughThomasMcRaeisn’tfromNew Orleans,thecitymadeanimpactonhimas achild
WhilegrowingupinWashington,D.C., McRaerememberswatchingcoverageof HurricaneKatrinawithafosterfamily.A yearlater,whenheneededasportsjerseyto weartomiddleschool,hepickedablackand goldonewiththenumber25and“Bush”on theback.Heusedcomputerclasstolookup theNewOrleansSaints.
“IthoughtI’dfindfootballpics,”McRae says,“ButIfoundKatrinapics…Itoldmyself I’dbeafriendofNewOrleans.Andifthis citycouldbouncebackfromthemost devastatingthing,itmademefeellikeIcould bounceback.”
McRaewasfacinghardshipsofhisown.He wasjust11whenheenteredthefostercare systemafteragunshotwoundbroughtthe authoritiestohishome.
“Statisticsforfosterkidsgoingtocollege weresolow,like3%,”hesays.“Growingup inabadneighborhood,educationwasn’t thefocus.”
ButnowadoctorateofsocialworkcandidateatTulaneUniversity,McRaehasdefied thoseoddsandthensome.
He’stheprogramdirectorofMyCommunityCaresforBoysTownLouisiana,a fostercareserviceinNewOrleans.MCCisa programsupportingkidsandfamiliesin high-needcommunitieswithresources likeparentingclasses,workshopsandcounselingsessions.
“Everydayfeelslikesurvivalmode becauseI’vealwayshadtofightforthings,” McRaesays.“Knowingthat’smymindsetat 30,I’vegottotakethatenergyandinvestit inthecommunityandthekids.”
After17yearsworkingineducation,DanyelNicoleBlack startedtheCrownMeFoundationtofocusondifferentareas ofpersonaldevelopment.
“Irealizedthatasafirst-generationcollegestudentinmy family,Iwantedtoundotoxicpatterns,”Blacksays.“We’re ofteneducatedacademicallybutwe’renoteducatedon howtosociallyengageandhavehealthyrelationships;how topickhealthypartners.We’reveryintentionalaboutthings likepickingtherightmajor,gettingintherightnetwork togrowourbusinessormakeconnections,butnooneis focusedonhealthypartnerships,healthypatterns,healthy boundaries,healthyfamilydynamics.Thosearenottaught incollege.Alotofwomenmaybehighlysuccessfulbutend upintoxicrelationships.”
SheestablishedthefoundationinAugust2020and launchedanarrayofprogramstosupportwomenand mentorgirls.FirsttherewasafundraiserfortheNew OrleansWomen&Children’sShelter.ForCrownMeCloset, thefoundationcollecteddonationsofnewclothesandhad astylistmeetwithwomentohelpcoachthemonhowto looktheirbest.Somerecipientsfromthewomen’sshelter neededtheclothesforjobinterviewsandtogotowork. Otherprogramshonorwomenfortheirachievements andpairthemwithyounggirlsformentorships,aswellas supportingthemwithscholarships
Blackalsoisafitnesstrainerandhasbecomeanemcee, hostingfundraisersandgalas
AtCrownMe,she’salwaysacheerleaderandhasgoldand pinkpompomstosymbolizetheeffort.
“Thecolorsarepinkandgoldforfemininityandpower,” shesays.“Itrytohelpwomenembodytheirfemininity more,becausewhenwearewoundedandunhealed,womenarebrash,defensiveandshutoff.Whenweheal,wecan openupandbecomemoreopentotheendlesspossibilities oflife.”
KatieEasthasoftenusedcomedytoreframeatoughsituation—although, shequicklyadmitsshealsolikesthevalidationthatcomesfrombeing onstage.
Astand-upcomic,Eastseveralyearsagobeganhostingburlesqueshows ShebecameclosewithBigDealBurlesqueandTrixieMinx,andtheexperiencepushedhertoreconsiderherself-deprecatingstyleofcomedy, Eastsays
Surprisingly,shereceivedpushbackfromlocalvenueswhopreferredtosee amanoroneoftheburlesqueperformershosttheshow.SoEastdecidedto trysomethingdifferent.SheenrolledintheNewOrleansDragWorkshopand createdthefabulousdragpersonaMammaryLane.Itwasachanceforherto befunnyyetlessself-deprecatingandcontinuetoemceeaspartoftheshow.
“Itwasasuperinsanelearningprocess,andIgotexactlywhatIwantedout ofit,”Eastsays
EastgrewupinBatonRouge,graduatedfromLSUandmovedtoNewYork Cityforseveralyears,wheresheperformedstand-upandimprovregularly andtrainedwiththeUprightCitizen’sBrigade.AfterreturningtoLouisianain 2012,shebecameapartofNewOrleans’comedycommunity,andin2014 openedforLouisC.K.infrontofasold-outJoyTheatercrowd
Overtheyears,Easthasdevelopedaone-womanshowcalled“SickGirl,” drawingfromherexperiencehavingararecaseofmelanomawhilejust 19yearsold.She’sperformed“SickGirl”inNewYork,BatonRougeand NewOrleans
“AndIhadalotofstand-upjokesaboutit,”Eastsays.“IfIcanmakesomeonelaughaboutit,Ireallylovethat.”
Eaststilloccasionallyperformsstand-upanddragbuthassloweddown alittlesincethepandemic.Shefocusesmorenowonusingherhumorand creativitytoworkwithclientsatdigitalmarketingagencyCarolineRosa Marketing,whereshe’svicepresidentofcreativeoperations.
KyleDeVrieswasdrawntoactivismand organizingwhileincollegeatFloridaState University.Heleftschoolafteroneyearto gettowork.
“Iwaspursuingcommunicationsand politicalscience,andIrealizedIwaslearningsomuchmorebeingontheground,” DeVriessays.“LGBTQactivismhasalways beenmybiggestpassion,butIworkedfor theSierraClubandtheFloridaLeagueof Conservationandatthestatecapitalasan assistantlobbyist.”
DeVriesgainedexperienceadvocating forFloridapublicradioandlaterworkedto createLGBTQserviceorganizationsinthe SanFranciscoBayArea.In2013,hefoundedanddirectedGroundswell,anLGBTQ retreatinBoonville,California.
In2016,heswitchedbacktocommunity organizingandactivism,andinearly2021 movedtoNewOrleans.“Ihavealways beeninlovewithNewOrleans,”DeVries says.“ThisiswhereIfoundcultureand community.Itwasaneasydecisionto comeback.”
AftertheLGBTCommunityCenteron BroadStreetclosedin2022,heledefforts toopentheNewOrleansPrideCenter inBywater.
“Wetalkedwithgroupstoseewhatthey wantedinacenter,”hesays.“Wewanted tocreateahubforLGTBQorganizations andindividualsintheregionwherethey canhaveaccesstospaceandresources.” Heisthecenter’sboardpresident,but alsoishands-on,directingvolunteersand attendingevents.Thecenterisbeingused byTransQueerYouthNOLA,Forumfor Equalityandothergroups.Itwilladddropinhourswhenitgetsfull-timestaff,and DeVries’eventualplanistobuyabuilding tocreateapermanentspaceandsupport moregroupsandprograms.
AstheprogramdirectorofunCommon Construction,SydneyDoyleworkstocreateaspacewhereyoungpeoplecanlearn real-worldskillsthroughanunconventional classroom:aconstructionsite.
Facedwithconsolidatingtheguestlistfortheirweddingin2015,New OrleansnativesKennethSpearsandAntarahHasan-Spearsdecidedto throwabigafterparty.Theyenjoyedtheprocessand,withloveforthecity’s culture,decidedtoorganizeeventstohighlightNewOrleansartists.
Eightyearsin,AbstractNolahasheldmorethan150arts-centered eventsandcollaboratedwithmorethan175artistsworkinginallmediums. TheirquarterlytentpoleArtandMusicExperiencetendstobringinaround 1,000peopletodance,meetartistsandseetheirwork.
Growinguparoundmusicians,Kenneth’sdevelopedaloveforNewOrleans’culturaldiversity.Today,he’salsoFrenchQuarterFestivalInc.’sfood, beverageandhospitalitydirector,curatingmenusshowcasingthecity’s culinarytalent,includingonFrenchQuarterFest’snewCulinaryStage,and helpingimplementenvironmentalbestpracticesatFQFandtheSatchmo SummerFest.
KennethmanagesthebusinessaspectsofAbstractNolaalongwith themusicandproductionsidewhileAntarahoverseesthecreative directionoftheevents,suchascuratingartists,installations,galleriesand aestheticelements
“Beinginbusinesstogetherhasaddedanotherlayertoourrelationship andcommunication,”Antarahsays.“I’vereallybeenabletoappreciateit somuchmorebecauseofhowourpassionslineupandhowevenourwork stylescometogether.”
Antarahalsoisacurator,designer,andeventproducerandhasworked withtheEssenceFestivalofCulture,theNewOrleansTourismandCultural FundGalaandtheNewOrleansAfricanAmericanMuseum.Shealsoworks withQueenTahjoftheGoldenEagles.
“AbstractNolaisreallyapassionproject,”Kennethsays.“Atitscore,it embodiesthepassionthatAntarahandIhaveforthecultureandourcommitmenttoupliftingandsustainingit.”
AtunCommonConstruction,highschool studentsjoinateamofpeerstobuilda housethroughoutasemester.Notonly dotheylearncraftsmanship,buttheyuse math,science,reading,communication, criticalthinkingandmoreonaday-to-day basis.Theteensalsoreceivehourlypay, amatchingequityawardscholarshipand schoolcredit.
Doyle,whomovedtoNewOrleansfrom NorthCarolinanineyearsago,sharesthat themostimportantpartofherjobisbeing abletocreateaspacewhereyoungpeople canbehands-onandsolveproblems.“The excitementandpridethatyoucanseeon theirfacewhentheycompleteataskor projectisindescribable,”shesays.
Sofar,everystudentwhohassuccessfullycompletedtheexperiencehasgraduated ontimeandiseitherenrolledinpost-secondaryeducationorwasemployedwithin threemonths.Doylebelievesthatthis
intersectionofeducationandworkforce experiencecansparkchangeandbuilda brighterfutureforNewOrleansyouth “Theyoungpeopleinthiscityareso amazing,andIlovebeinginapositiontobe abletoupliftandhighlightthatandbea smallpartoftheirjourneyduringandafter highschool,”Doylesays.
NicoleCaridadRalstonremembersher firstvisittoNewOrleans,despitebeingjust 4yearsoldatthetime.“IlovedtheseNew Orleanscoloringbooksthatwegot,” shesays.
RalstonfoundherwaybacktoNew Orleansin2012,andtoday,sherunseducationandprogrammingforBelovedCommu-
nity,aconsultingfirmhelpingbusinesses builddiversity,equityandinclusionin theworkplace
“Asamixedkid,youoftenfeelstuckbetweentwodifferentcultures,”saysRalston, thedaughterofawhitefatherandCuban mother.“HowdoIcreatespacestomake peoplefeelbig?”
ThroughBelovedCommunity,Ralston helpedonerestaurantbuildanall-Black womenmanagementstaffandhelped tweakdresscodestobemoreinclusive, removinginherentlybiasedruleslikenail lengthrequirements.Shealsohelpedone organizationservingtheBlackcommunitytransitionfromawhitefounderintoa Black-runoperation
Ralston’spersonalproject,thefoodie Instagramaccount“OfftheEatenPath” (@eatenpathnola),takesonamissionof celebratingNewOrleansbusinessesowned bypeopleofcolor,oftendetailingthe culturalhistoriesoffood.Theaccountnow hasmorethan29,500followers Ralston,amotherofadoptedtwins,also isanadjunctprofessoratUNO,teaching aboutmulticulturalisminhighereducation, andsherunsabirthdoulapractice,where she’shelpedsixmothersthroughthebirthingprocess
GabriellePerryisdedicatedtohelpingwomenandgirlsimpactedbytheincarcerationsystem.Theissueispersonalforher. Adecadeago,herfatherdied,andshewaslefttotakecare ofherdisabledmotherwhileshewasincollege.Herfather’s deathmeantalossofprimaryincome,andthefamily’shome wastakeninforeclosure.Sheturnedtowhatshecallscrimesof survival,shesays
“Iwasinadesperatesituation,”shesays.“Peopleareone adverselifeeventawayfromthejailhouse.”
Ajudgetookmercyonheranddismissedhercharges, allowinghertoearnmultipledegrees.Butshestillhaddifficulty findingworkbecauseofthearrestonherrecord,causingherto becomehomeless.
Shefoughttogetherrecordexpungedandnowworksasan epidemiologist.ShefoundedtheThurmanPerryFoundation, namedforherfather,togivewomenimpactedbytheprison andjailsystemnewopportunitiesthroughscholarships,transitionalhousingfundsandotherresources.
Oneofthelatestinitiatives,GirlCode,hasbecomeanational programdistributingorganic,high-qualitymenstrualproducts towomeninjailandprisons.In30states,Perrysayswomen whoareincarcerateddonotreceivemenstrualproductsfrom thefacilities.
“TheyaredoingGodknowswhat,withoutanydignity,”she says.“Theyarecuttingopenmattresses...theyareripping theirclothes,usingsocksinsteadoftampons.”
Sinceshestartedtheprogramin2021,shehasorchestrated thedeliveryofmorethan210,000productstoprisons.
“Themajorityof(incarcerated)womenaresexualabuse survivors,domesticabusesurvivors.Thesearebatteredand brokenwomenwhoarebeingburiedaboveground,”shesays “Thesewomenmatter.Pleaserememberthem.”
AfterAlysonCurrogotherpoliticalcommunication degreefromLSU,shefiguredthenextstepwas CapitolHill.
Instead,theNewOrleansareanativesurprised everyonebygoingtoTurkey,wheresheworkedasa reporterafteraresearchinternship.Aftergettingher master’satPrinceton,shespentayearinMyanmar, whereshecreatedandself-publishedachildren’s book,“GirlPowerinMyanmar,”about14localwomenwhobrokebarriers
MERCIALIZATION,TULANEUNIVERSITYINNOVATIONINSTITUTE
Claiborne“Clay”Christiangrewupgoingtotheater productionsandstudiedtheclassicsasanundergrad. Helikestocook,collectsartandiscurrentlyreading RebeccaSpang’s“TheInventionoftheRestaurant.”
He’salsoanaward-winningscientist
ANewOrleaniansince2012,Christianearnedhis Ph.D.inbiomedicalsciencesattheTulaneUniversity SchoolofMedicineandlaterbecameapostdoctoral fellowatSt.Jude’sResearchHospital.Hisworkin 2020onTulaneSchoolofMedicine’s“TheCOVID-19 Digest”publicationearnedhimtheprestigiousPresident’sAwardforExcellence
Christianin2022helpedconceptualizeandlaunch theTulaneUniversityInnovationInstitute,aninitiativesupportingstartupsandentrepreneurshipinthe GulfSouth.Inhisrolethere,Christianworkstogrow technology-basedstartupsandanentrepreneurial ecosystemacrossNewOrleans.
AsofMay,he’soverseenprogramsthathave givenmorethanahalfamilliondollarsinfundsto early-stagelocallydevelopedtechnologies,ideas andteams.
Christianisafoundingmemberoftheequity, diversityandinclusioncommitteeatAUTM,aglobal
Butperhapsthebiggestshockerofhercareercame shortlyaftershebegantheroleofcommunications directorfortheLouisianaDepartmentofHealth—in January2020.Withinherfirstweeks,thedepartmentstartedcommunicatingaboutCovid-19.
“Iwasstilllearningwherethebathroomwas,” shesays.
Inherthreeandahalfyearsthere,Currohelpedthe departmentpromoteCovid-19vaccinations,includingthroughpartnershipswithcommunityleaders, doorknocking,phonebanking,texting,billboards, andTVandradioPSAs.
“Itwas,inshort,themostchallenging,meaningful andimportantworkI’veeverdonetodate,andprobablyamongthemostimportantworkthatI’lleverdo inmycareer,”shesays.
TheeffortgotCurrothinkingaboutwaystoreduce politicalpolarizationoncriticalhealthissues,especiallyduringacrisis.She’sbeenexploringthatinher newroleasprofessional-in-residenceatLSU.
Curro’sworkingwithLiftLouisianaontheir abortionrightsdoorknockingcampaign,partnering withstudentstoadvocateforincreasedaccessto emergencycontraceptiononcampus,andconductinginterviewswithOurLadyoftheLakeRegional MedicalCenterstaffaboutbeingonthefrontlinesof thepandemic.
ShealsohelpedwiththeNewOrleansHealth Department’ssummercampaignpromotingtesting forsyphilisandotherSTIs
“Ireallybelieveinthepoweroflanguageand storiestoconnect,tofindcommonground,reduce stigmaandbuildempathy,”Currosays
professionalorganizationpromotingacademic research.HealsospentyearsfundraisingforLGBTQ groupFridayNightBeforeMardiGrasandvolunteers withFriendsforAll,whichhelpspeopleliving withHIV.
“Ifyoucanhelp,youareobligatedto,”hesays. “Throughpractice,accidentornaturalbirth,ifyou areinapositiontoputyourgifts,toputyourtalents tobenefitsociety,youshould.”
InMay,AlfredBanksbecamethefirsthip-hop artisttoperformafullcollaborativeconcert withtheLouisianaPhilharmonicOrchestra. Itwasanoteworthyachievement,butfor Banks,therealhonorwassellingoutashowin hishometown.
“ThatlittleweekinMaywasjustlikea testament,I’matanotherplateaunowandthe respectIgethasbeencool,”Bankssays Ambition,hustleandgiftedlyricismhave continuedtoelevateBanksoverthelast15 years,eversincehejumpedonstageatTruth Universal’sGrassrootsshowcasein2009.There havebeenperformanceswithMickeyFactz, MegaRanandLupeFiasco;slotsatVoodooFest andBukuFest;well-receivedalbums;anda Volkswagencommercial.
Banksjustpursuedwhatfeltgood,hesays.
“Inthat,Ifindthatit’sdifferentthanthe norm,andIleanedintoit,”Banksadds.“Iwant todowhat’snaturalforme,andwhat’snatural formeistobeveryenthusiasticaboutmybars, thepunchlines,themetaphorsandstructuresin myverses...Itwaslessabouttryingtobedifferentandmoreaboutfindingwhatfeltgood.”
Banksalsohasbeenreachingnewaudiences aspartoftheduoSaxKixAvewithsaxophonistandproducerAlbertAllenback.Withtwo EPsundertheirbelt,theduohasbeentouring widelyin2024
Banks’nextshowisFriday,July26,atSiberia withMarcelP.Black,KayetheBeast,Luke JulienandD.Horton.AndhewillopenforTalib KweliOct.5atTheJoyTheater
“Iwantpeopletoknowhip-hopcanbealternative,”Bankssays.“Itcanbedifferent. Itcanbethought-provoking.Itcanbeconscious.Itcouldbehumorousandjustaspotent. ThosearethetypesofthingsIwanttobringto thetable.”
Recently,KelseyFosterboughtagiantpairofscissors—the kindthatittakestwohandstouse.Inthepastyearalone, she’shelpedcut12ribbonsonnewbusinessesinAlgiers throughherworkattheAlgiersEconomicDevelopmentFoundation(AEDF).
“Everybodyhereisadreamer,”FostersaysofAlgiers. “They’vegotthreedifferentsidehustlesthatthey’reworkingat alltimes.”
AEDFisanonprofitnurturingsmallbusinessownersinAlgiers byprovidingthemwithresourcesandinformationtohelptheir businessesgrow.Say,ifabusinesshasan$8,000Sewerage andWaterBilltheyneedtocontest,ortheyneedtonavigate permitstogetanewsign,AEDFcanhelp.
Fostersaysshepickeduppublicfinancefromherprevious careerasajournalist,whereshedevelopedaknackforanalyzingschoolboardbudgets.WhenshestartedatAEDFin2020, thepandemicpushedtheorganizationtoresettheirfocusfrom hostingeventsinwhiterneighborhoodstobetterservingcommunitiesofcolor.SinceFosterhasjoined,AEDF’sbudgetand staffbothtripledandtheirmembershipincreasedby1,200%.
WhenFosterisnotworkingfulltimeforAEDF,she’svolunteeringatvariouseventsandsitsontheboardoftheUniversity ofHolyCrossandtheSoutheastLouisianaFloodProtection Authority,West.Fosteralsorunsaprogramtobetterconnect highschoolerswithlocalemployers.
“It’sareallysmallworldhere,”Fostersays.“Soit’sfuntobe inthemix.”
Providingaccessiblehealthcareandendingtheopioidepidemichasdriven Dr.BCEgan—themedicaldirectorofforensicsatUMCNewOrleans—to inventnewwaystohelpthoselivingwithopioidusedisorder.
Whenpatientsvisittheemergencydepartmentduetoanopioid overdose,itisusuallyalastresort.Inthepast,theyweremerelygivena phonenumbertocallfortreatmentaftertheirvisit.Now,Eganhasstarted aprogramwheretheyarealsogivenNaloxone,adrugthatcanreversethe life-threateningsymptomsofanopioidoverdose,andBuprenorphine,a long-termtreatmentsolution
Egansaysthatbyconnectingpatientswithcommunityprovidersonce theyaredischargedtocontinuetheirtreatment,abridgeiscreatedthat didn’texistbefore.
“Whilealotofmypracticeinvolvestreatinginjuriesandillness,it’salso problemsolvinghowtonavigatethesocialservicenetworkinNewOrleans tohelppatientsgetaccesstotransportation,housing,substanceusetreatment,andmentalhealthservices,”theysaid.
Besidesprovidingmedicalcare,Eganviewsthemostimportantpartof theirjobasmakingpatientsfeelseen,heard,comfortable,andrespected —thisincludesbreakingdownanynegativestigmasarounddruguse
“Partofmyworkandthatofanetworkofmanyothermotivatedprovidersistoabolishthatoldwayofthinkinginmedicineandtreatourpatients withopioidusedisorderlikewewouldanyotherpatient:withkindnessand empathy,offeringthemavarietyoftreatmentandharmreductionoptions forwhereverthe”E
eyare,”Egansays
JohnHuppicametoTulaneUniversityasanundergraduatein2007,largelyasaresponsetoHurricaneKatrina “Iwaslike,that’stheplaceIwanttogo,”Huppisays. “Iwantedtolearnfromacityrebuilding.Allofthose mechanicswereinterestingtome.”
Hegotinvolvedimmediatelybyvolunteering “Itwasmeswingingahammeronthejobsite,”hesays. “ThenIstartedgettingallthesequestionsaboutwho weredoingalltheseprojectsanddrivingdecisions.”
HuppialsowenttogradschoolatTulaneandbegana careerlookingatrealestatedevelopment.Hedesigneda realestatemajorwithinTulane’sSchoolofArchitecture, andithasbecomethelargestprogramwithintheschool “Thevastmajorityofourstudentswanttobedevelopers,”Huppisays.“Butthefieldisreallybroad,sothereare studentswhoendupinbanking,brokerage,construction, management,financingandonthepolicyandgovernmentsideofthings.”
AlsoatTulane,Huppidiscoveredcompetitiverowing. He’srepresentedtheU.S.andSwitzerlandininternationalcompetitions,sinceheholdsdualcitizenship
“MywifeandIwerepartofateamthatwonabronze medalattheworldchampionships,whichwe’rereally proudof,”hesays.
HuppicontinuestocoachtheTulanemen’sandwomen’srowingteams,butheandhiswifealsoarefocusing onanewchallenge.Nextsummer,they’llattempttoseta GuinnessWorldRecordforthefastestfour-personteam tocrosstheArcticOcean.
They’rejoiningwithformerNewOrleansSaintsplayer JimmyGrahamandformerNavySEALAndrewTroppin the10-to21-day,1,000-kilometerjourneyfromTromso, Norway,toSvalbardintheArcticCircle
Theyhopetosettherecordandcallattentiontotheir charitybeneficiaries,Laureus,whichsupportsyouth sportsopportunities,andCovenantHouseNewOrleans.
BennettKirschnerwasraisedinthetheater andstartedactinginplaysstartingaround age4whilegrowingupinNewJersey. Hestuckwithit,foundingtheIntramural Theaterin2015whileattendingUniversity ofNewOrleansforamaster’sdegree inplaywriting.
Intramuralputsonsite-specificplaysat venuesaroundtown,includingunconventionalspaceslikeaFrenchmenStreethotel roomorafriend’sbackyard.Thegroup’s lastplay,“BermudaCanCompany,”was anoffbeatcomedyattheMusicBoxVillage thatincorporatedstart-upculture,nepotismandavisitbeyondthegrave,allina uniquelydysfunctionalNewOrleansoffice. Thenextplay,scheduledforearlynextyear, willbeaboutpolitics.
Intramuralputsontwotypesofproductionsayear,hesays:adevisedonethat thegroupcreatesentirelyfromscratch,in additiontoaregionalorworldpremiereof aplaybyacontemporaryartist.“Inboth, weprioritizedoingnewandoriginalworks,” hesays
WhentheIntramuralgroupdevelops theirownshows,theystartfromawriting promptaboutasubjectsuchassynesthesia orvoyeurism.
Kirschneralsoisasongwriterwith thegroupTVPoleShine,whichfocuses moreonliveperformancesthan studiorecordings
“Inatimewherewearedealingwithpoliticalandculturalpolarization–thatIthinkis reallyfueledbyourobsessionwithscreens–there’ssomethinginherentlyrevolutionary aboutnurturingandsharingaspacewith otherpeopletoenjoyamomentintimethat willneverexistagain,”hesays.
Duringthe2016-17schoolyear,JerelBryanthadavisiontochangethenegativenarrativearoundGeorge WashingtonCarverHighSchoolandtheexperiences ofitsstudents.Thenprincipaloftheschool,Bryant wantedtocreateanenvironmentwherechildren wereeagertolearn
Bryantpushedtheschooltoexpandathleticsand improveextracurriculars,andCarverintroduceda programcalled“LasSierras”tosupportstudents whoarenon-nativeEnglishspeakers.AfterBryant’s adjustments,studentsregainedschoolpride,andthe percentageofteensstayingenrolledatCarverwent fromlessthan70%tonearly90%.Withinayear, thesuspensionratedroppedfromover60%toless than15%.
“IespeciallylovewatchingBlackandBrownkids recognizewhatthey’recapableofwhileevenchasing more,”Bryantsays.“AsaBlackmaleinthisspace,I wanttomodelthatenthusiasmforwhat’spossible;I feelespeciallyconvictedaboutthatmodeling.”
Bryant’sexperienceatCarverpavedthewayfor himtonowserveastheCEOofCollegiateAcademies,anetworkoffivelocalcharterschoolsthat includesCarver.Withanincreasingpassionfor teachingandlearning,Bryantsupportshundreds ofeducatorsandthousandsofstudentsaround NewOrleans.Hebelievesintheirpotentialtogrow beyondexpectations
“AtCarver,theroadwasnevereasy,”Bryant says.“Butaclearvision,acommittedteam,andan unwaveringbeliefinourkidsledtoseismicgrowthin Carver’sperformance.Iwantmoreofthatforeven morekids.”
ShawnTaylor,betterknownasSubtweet Shawn,knewhis“GettheGat”challenge wouldgoviral—butheneverthoughtit’d reachtheWhiteHouse.Duringhiswinter breakatLSUin2019,Taylorcreateda dancetotheLilElt’92bouncesong,shot avideowithhisfamilyandpostedittohis socialmediaasaprompttogetothersto movetothesong.
“Toseehoweverybodywaslike,‘I’m gonnajoinin,’andwatchingitbuilduplike thatforthenexttwoweeks,itwasunbelievable,”hesays
Followingtheirchampionshipwin,the LSUfootballteamembraced“Getthe Gat”andshotavideoduringtheirWhite Housevisit.Itwasamassiveviralmoment, butitwasn’tTaylor’sfirstandithasn’t beenhislast.
TheNewOrleans-bornrapper,actor, comedianandvideocreatorhashadanumberofviralmoments,goingbackto the2016song“HitDaDolphin”withCozy WithTheCurls.Mostrecently,thetrack “RockYoHips”withT99ZYledtoatouchdowndancethattookovercollegefootball lastfall
Taylor’sSubtweetShawnmonikercomes fromaviralbounceparodyhemadein
2014,butinthelastyear,especially,he’s leanedintomusic,releasingtwoEPsand multiplesinglesblendingrap,bounceelements,R&B,popandanarrayofinteresting samples.He’srackeduphundredsofthousandsofstreamsacrossplatforms.
“I’vebeenabletoreinventmyselfevery singleyear,”Taylorsays,addinghe’dliketo soonturnhissightstowardacting.“Every year,I’vebeenabletocomeoutwithanew challengeorsomethingthatwentviral…so tobeabletodothatfor10yearsandkeep mynameintheroom,Ifeellikethat’sagoal initself.”
JeremyFoggopenedMae’sBakeshopasa home-basedconfectioneryafterthepandemicforcedthecity’srestaurantstoclose,
includingEmeril’s,whereFogghadbeen pastrychefforsixyears.
TheMae’sbrandanditsfollowinggrew, firstthroughpop-upsandthenwithcustom cakeordersandcateringevents.InJanuary 2024,Foggopenedthebrick-and-mortar Mae’sBakeshopinUptown,drawingfroma mixofnewrecipesandfamilytraditions.
Foggwasdrivenbygoodfoodasaboy growingupinFlorida,doingthingslike “lookinguprecipes,makingthingsonBoy Scoutcampouts,[watching]grandmainthe kitchenwhenshemadefamilydinneron weekends,”hesays
WhileatEmeril’s,Foggdevelopedhis skillsnotonlywithsugar,flour,butterand eggs,butalsowithpeople.Andduringhis timethere,hewasfeaturedon“BeatBobby Flay,”“BestBakerinAmerica”and“Guy’s DessertGames.”Foggtooktheprizeonan episodeof“ChoppedSweets”in2020 “Itsurprisesmestill,whenpeoplerecognizemefromTV,”Foggsays
Overtheyears,he’sseentheeffecta sweettreatcanhavebeyondjustasale “Igotowork.Ibake.Igohome,”hesays. “Idon’tlookatmyselfassuperimportant, butitisreallynicethatIcanhaveanimpact onpeoplejustbybeingmyself.”
WHENANONLINEREVIEWERCALLED OUTHOTSTUFFCHEFNATEBARFIELD forservingcannedgreenbeans,he wastickledpink
“yep,they’recanned,”says thechef,whogrewupinrural Monroeville,Alabama.
“That’sthewaya‘meatandthree’ doesitintheSouth,”hesays.“I wantedtomakegoodcannedgreen beans.Themisosauceisnottraditional,butcannedgreenbeansoffer ablankpalate.youcanmakethem tastelikeanythingyouwant.Ilove softgreenbeans.Ienjoythetexture.”
Barfieldhasspentclosetohalfhis cookingcareeratTurkeyandthe Wolf,workingonthelinesincethe widelyacclaimedsandwichshop openedin2016.Afewyearsago,he andhisco-chef,PhilCenec,cameto acrossroads.
“Theybothreachedapointintheir careerthattheydidn’tneedtobe cookingmyfood.Theyhavetheirown uniqueculinaryvoice,”saysMason Hereford,founderofTurkeyand theWolfandco-ownerofHotStuff “Theyindividuallyletmeknowthat theydidn’tplantostayatTurkeyand theWolfforever.Itwastimefortheir nextmove.”
Herefordandhiswifeandpartner laurenAgudosawtwowaysforward.
“Iftheywantedtoplantheirexit, wewouldsupportthematwhatever levelwecould,”Herefordsays.“Or maybethey’dwanttopartnerona project.WecouldleverageTurkey andtheWolftogetmoneyfromthe bankandovertime,andwecould opentherestaurantstheyimagined forthemselveswithusaspartners.It wouldtakesometimetodotwonew projects,butitwasdoable.”
Bothchefsjumpedattheopportunity.Itwasamodelthathadworked withHereford’ssecondrestaurant, Molly’sRiseandShine,whichopenedin 2018withco-chefsColleenQuarlsand lizHollinger,nowpartnersinthebusiness.InApril2023,Hereford,Agudo andCenacopenedthe’80s-themed HungryEyes.HotStuffopenedinMay withBarfieldatthehelm.
buttermilkfortwodays,thendredged inflourcutwithcayenneforsubtle heat.There’spicklecheese,similarto pimientobutmadewithpickles
Emaildining@gambitweekly.com
NEWORLEANSHASALWAYSHADAPLACE ONTHEMAPforcocktailconnoisseurs. TalesoftheCocktailgavethisconnectionaspotonthecalendartoo,right whenit’sneededmost
Theannualbartendingandspirits industryconferenceandcelebration rollsagainthisweek(July21-26),with theRitz-CarltonHotelasitshomebase andripplesthatarefeltacrossthecity localscanseetheimpactaspeople fromaroundtheworldsoakinthescene andbolsterlocalbusinessesintheteeth ofsummer.
“IlovewhatMarlon(Williams) doeswithChicken’sKitchenonthe WestBank,”Barfieldsays.“Buthe’s fromhereandhasaNewOrleans pointofview.Myapproachismore pan-Southern.”
Barfieldfirstembracedthecafeteria-style“meatandthree,”where customerspickonemeatandthree sidesforafixedprice,whenhewent tocollege.Itimmediatelybecamehis favoritewaytoeat
“Myparentsgrewupincoastal Florida,CapeCanaveral,”hesays. “Mymomneverfriedasinglething. Wehadagarden.Weatebaked chicken.ButIwasfamiliarwith Southerningredients.”
Situatedinanondescriptbrick buildingonMapleStreet,HotStuffis designedinHereford’smaximalist, tongue-in-cheekstyle.Thedecorisan odetoretropopculture,withplastic toys,neonsignsandoldadvertisements Whilethevibemightbeakissing cousintoTurkeyandtheWolf,what’s ontheplateisnot.
“Wewerealwaystryingtosurpriseour customers,”Barfieldsays.“Theywould expectonething,butwe’ddosomethingdifferent.Wedon’tdothathere.”
Barfieldfollowstraditionand elevatesitatthesametime.Thehamburgersteakhasarichaupoivresauce Friedchickenisbrinedinhotsauceand
Creamymacandcheesehasacapof meltedcheeseontopofthecavatappi pasta.MiniMountainDewcakesare glazedandzestedwithlemonand lime.Andthebananapuddingtastes likebananasFoster.
Dinersgrabatrayandmaketheirway downtheline,optingforaproteinand asmanysidesastheywant,orsimply skipthemeataltogetherandstickwith vegetableandvegansides.
lunchincludescornbread,aroll brushedwithsagebrownbutter,or sometimeshushpuppies.Thedaily menuispostedontherestaurant’s Instagramfeed.Platesstartat$11 (meat,oneside,bread),andameat andthreeis$18.
Forcocktails,dinersorderashot ofboozeandaddmixersatthe sodadispenser.
It’snotunusualtohavealineout thedoorasfolksqueueupforfried porkchopsandcollardsstuddedwith baconandhamhocks.There’san expansivecoveredpatioinback.
“Ialwayscaredaboutmyjobat TurkeyandtheWolf,”Barfieldsays “ButI’msurprisedattheextralevelI careaboutthis.Iwakeupinthemorning,gethereat7andputinalongday, andit’sgreat.Ievencomeinondays we’reclosedtocatchuponpaperwork. Ijustlovethisplace.”
Thisisthe22ndyearforTalesofthe Cocktail,whichstartedsmallasawalking touroflocalcocktailhistory.It’sgrown tobecomeanimportantplaceforpeople inthespiritsandhospitalitybusinessto networkwiththemoversandshakersin theirfieldandmajorspiritscompanies. Sponsorscometopromotebrandsand launchproducts.Bartenders,barowners,brandrepsanddistillersfromaround theworldcometolearnatseminars,and topartyinbetween
Today,theeventisrunbytheTales oftheCocktailFoundation.Thenonprofitmakesgrantstoinitiativesaimed atimprovingthehealthandwell-being ofbartenders
Whileit’sanindustry-focusedevent, thereareplentyofwaysforcocktail aficionadostogetinvolved,evenifthat mightmeanduckingoutofworkforthe dayorstayingoutverylate.
TalesoftheCocktailhelpstheNew Orleanshospitalityindustry,andalso burnishesthecity’scredibilityinthe cocktailworldyear-round. Bydrawingacrowdofhospitality prosandspiritsbrandstothecityinthe middleofsummer,itprovidesavalue thatsomeintheindustrysayishardto SlyAugustin,ownerofTrailerHappiness inLondon,preparesmartinisataFord’s GineventatTalesoftheCocktailin2023.
overstate,puttingwindin thesailstomakeitthrough tofall.Brandsoftentake overentirebars,restaurants orevenhotelsforanight; partiesplayoutatvenues acrosstown;restaurantsand barsnotofficiallyaffiliated withtheprogramsseefull housestoo.
Theevent’seconomic impacttotaled$24million lastyear,accordingtothe nonprofit’sannualreport, whichwasanearly9% increasefrom2022
Throughitshistory,theeventalso hashelpedmoveNewOrleanstothe forefrontofanevolvingdrinksindustry.TheTalesoftheCocktailnameand experiencesinNewOrleansrackedup fromitarecommonthreadsofconversationaroundthebarbusiness.
TheTalesoftheCocktailcalendar includeshundredsofevents,someby invitationonly,someopentothepublic,oftenfeaturingguestbrandsand bartendersfromacrosstheglobe.This year,TalesoftheCocktailhasmore accesspointsforcasualcocktaillovers totakepartalongsidethepros Theweekgetsofftoastartwith thenationalfinalsroundofSpeed Rack,acompetitionthatpitsfemale bartendersagainsteachotherintimed boutsforcocktailmaking,withticket proceedsbenefitingbreastcancer research.Bartendersfromacrossthe countrywhohaverisenthroughthe bracketsofpreviousroundsfaceoffon July21atRepublicNOlA.Ticketsare $25viaspeed-rack.com
OnekeyfacetofTalesaretasting rooms,andtheseareeasierforthe generalpubictoaccessnow.Spirits brandssetuptheseroomsacrossthe Ritz-Carltoneachday,pouringsamples oftheirflagshiplabelsandlatest releases.TastingRoomdaypassesare aimedatpeoplewhowanttodipin forataste,availablefor$45perday. Theseroomsareopenduringthedaytime,MondaythroughThursday Cocktailtoursareanothereasy accesspoint.Thisyear’stours,developedbyNewOrleans-baseddrinks expertWayneCurtis,exploretopics including“Brandy/Bourbon/Bitters/ Ice(orNewOrleansdrinking101),” “TheBigGayBarTour,”“Bourbon Street&HowitGotThatWay,”and “AbsintheTour.”Thesearesmalltours, cappedat18people,withdrinksamplesduringtheouting.Ticketsare$65. SomerestaurantshostSpirited Dinners,theboozeequivalenttowine dinners.Palm&Pine,forinstance, hasonewithTequilaFortaleza pouringfromitsportfolioacross fourcoursesonWednesday(July
Bartenderspreparespecialty drinkswithdryiceduringanevent atTalesoftheCocktailin2023.
24),whiletheBowerhostsadinner withItalianspiritsbrandluxardo withguestbartendersfromtheSan FranciscococktailloungeTruelaurel.
ThebrasserieJustinehoststhe BayAreaBotanicalSoiree,amartini andcaviartastingwiththeHotaling &Co.spiritsbrand,California-based caviarbrandTsarNicoulaiandseafood towersfromthekitchen.Ticketsare $50andbenefitthelocalbar-based nonprofitTurningTables,whichworks toincreaseracialequityinthefield.
Detailsoneventsareattalesofthecocktail.org/events(picktheevent listingfiltersfor“SpiritedDining” and“SpiritedDrinking”tofindevents likethese).
AnotherfacetofTalesoftheCocktail isitsSpiritedAwards,whichbestows industryhonorstotopbars,bartendersandbrands.That’sagala-style awardsceremony,heldthisyearat theFillmoreinsideCaesars(formerly Harrah’s)casinoonJuly25.
NewOrleanshastwobarsupfor awards:JeweloftheSouthisafinalist forbestu.S.bar,andTheSazeracBar attheRooseveltisafinalistforbest u.S.hotelbar
TheTalesweekendswithoneofits mostpubliclyvisibleeventsonJuly26. Pig&Punchisanannualbenefitputon bytheBonVivants,agroupofbarpros inSanFrancisco,whoraisemoneyfor charityandorganizeaprogramofvolunteerserviceinthecommunity.This year,thepartymovestotheBroadside fromnoonto5p.m.
TherewillbefoodfromHogsfor theCauseteams,musicbyRebirth BrassBand,andvariousdrinks. Ticketsare$40.
Forticketsandschedulinginformation,gototalesofthecocktail.organd undertheTOTC2024Agendasection usethesearchfunctiontosortbyday ortypeofevent.—IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune
Relaxonour TROPICAL COURTYARD OR SIDEWALK SEATING with afresh cocktail, wineordinner!
byWillCoviello
COCKTAILCONSULTANTJONATHAN POGASHGOTINTOTHEBARBUSINESS
inNewyorkwhenthecraftcocktail movementwastakingoff.Hestarted TheCocktailGurutoproduceevents, consultforbarsandmore.He’sbeen aregularattendeeatTalesofthe Cocktail,andthisyearhe’sleading aFrench-inspiredSpiritedDinner atCafeAmelieonThursday,July25, andhostingahappyhour.ForinformationaboutPogash,seethecocktailguru.com.TicketsfortheFrench dinnerareavailableoneventbrite.com.
Howdidyouget interestedinbartending?
JONATHANPOGASH: Igrewup inthewinebusiness.Mydadusedto representwineproducersfromAlsace. BeforeIwasborn,hewroteabook called“HowtoReadaWinelabel.” HewastrainedinParis,andheworked atFouquet’srestaurantinParis.My momwasFrenchMoroccan,sothere wasalotofinterestingfoodandflavors growingup.
ButIwantedtobeanactor.Iwentto collegefortheaterandmovedtoNew yorkforactingandobviouslygotajob inabar
Istartedrightaftercollegein2001. Myfirstjobwasasabarbackatthe RussianTeaRoom.Thatwasabigdeal, andIlearnedalot.Ijuststartedgetting creativebehindthebar.
Therewasaninterestingprogram attheRussianTeaRoom.SteveOlson redidthebarandwasusingfresh juicesandfollowingthefootstepsof DaleDeGroffattheRainbowRoom. Therewereafewplaces(doing craftcocktails).SashaPetraskewas puttinghisprogramstogether,and JulieReinerandAudreySaunders. TheywereolderthanIwas,butIwas thrownintoit
IthoughtI’ddoalittlesidehustle.I workedwithGaryRegan,whowasone ofmymentors.Hewasbigonfollowing yourdreams.IjustcreatedtheCocktail GurutodoeventsinNewyorkand workwithbrandsandconsultingfor bars,anditjustblewup
Thetimingwasworkingout.Iwas cominginatareallygoodtime.At thattime,spiritbrandswerelooking fortalentbehindthebar.Theywould comeintomybarandbelike,“Here’s aproduct.Canyoumessaroundwith
it?”Iwoulddoit,andthenIwaslike, maybeIshouldgetpaidforthiskindof stuff.SoImadeitabusiness.
P: likeIsaid,mymomisFrench Moroccan.IgrewupspeakingFrench. ThespiritsinFrancearereallyinteresting.Iliketheflavorsandexpressions. WorkingwithStarHodgsoninNew Orleanswasnatural.We’veworked togetherbefore.HerspotatCafe AmelieisaquintessentialFrenchcafe. We’recreatingamenuandhavespirits andwinesaswell.Andwehavea burlesqueperformance.
It’sfourcoursespairedwithdrinks andanaperitif.We’llbetheregoing aroundtellingstoriesandmingling. Iamdoinganaperitifcocktailthatis basedofftheFrenchdrinkthebatard. It’savariationonapiconbiere.It’s likeabeer-basedaperitif.It’skind oflikeaFrenchboilermaker.It’sa liqueurfromFrance’sMarieBrizard mixedwithbeer;we’reusingDale’s PaleAle.Wealsohaveacognacand tequilawe’reusing.
We’realsodoingahappyhour attheACHotel.It’sanafternoon withtheGurusonWednesdayfrom 4-6p.m.We’llhavethreespecial cocktails.Iamthinkingwe’lldosome tequiladrinksandusesomefresh fruitpureesfromNapaValleyand someMoninsyrups.
We’realsodoinga liverecordingofour podcast,alsocalled theCocktailGuru. Oneofourguests isgoingtobeAllen Katz,founderofthe NewyorkDistilling Company.Hehas someinteresting spiritsproducts.
What cocktailworld trendsareyou interestedin?
P: Iamallabout excellentingredients. IfIgetaflavored product,Iwantto makesureit’snatural andtruetotheflavor WhenIamexperimentingandcoming upwithcocktails,the firstbarometerisif theproducttastes greatonitsown.like withtequila,Itryto workwithbrandsthatareadditivefree andaresustainable.
Wineandbeercocktailsarecoming back.Europeanspiritsarepushing through.Italy,Spain,Portugaland Francearepushingthrough,like withamaros,limoncellos,vermouths andsherries.
Non-alcoholicproductsarehuge now,becausewehaveariseinNA spiritsandcocktails.Qualityrunsthe gamutonnon-alcoholicspirits.The onesthataregoodreallystandout. Therearenotnearlyasmanynonalcoholicspiritsasalcoholicspirits, andcreatingnon-alcoholiccocktails canbechallenging.Ialwaystryto includenon-alcoholicdrinkswhenI amworkingwitharestaurant,butnot necessarilywithnon-alcoholicspirits.I usealotofteainfusions.That’salower costwayofmimickingaspirit.
Alotofthesenon-alcoholicspirits arejustasexpensiveasspirits,but forarestaurantthatcanbeprohibitive,becauseyou’renotgoingto chargethesamepriceasforanalcoholicdrink.Theconsumerperception isn’tthereyet.IfIwanttomakea non-alcoholicoldfashioned,Imay brewsomeblacktea,whichmimics theflavorofwhiskey
Iuseingredientsthatspeaktome andwatchwhat’savailableatgrocery storesandmarkets.Weconsultacross thecountry.Smallermarketswant tostayontopofit.Everyonewantsa creativemenu,butyoucanonlydoit whenyoudothetraining.That’sthe mostimportantpartofit.
Offering enticing aromas of currant, blackberry and elegantexpressions of vanilla. Theseare complementedby layeredflavors of juicy balanced fruit, most notablyblack and red cherry and raspberry. Plush,well-integrated tannins provide around, delicious mouthfeel, and lead to elements of cocoapowder supported by asubtle oak spice.
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.Breakfast isavailableallday.Deliveryavailable. Noreservations.Breakfast,lunchand dinnerdaily.$$ NewOrleansHamburger&SeafoodCo 817VeteransMemorialBlvd.,Metairie, (504)837-8580;1005S.Clearview Parkway,Jefferson,(504)734-1122;2515B ManhattanBlvd.,Harvey,(504)684-6050; 4141St.CharlesAve.,(504)247-9753;6920 VeteransMemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504) 455-1272;nohsc.com Themenuranges fromburgerstoItaliandishes,friedseafood platters,po-boys,saladsandmore.ThinfriedCatfishlafitteisservedover ricepilaf.Deliveryavailable.lunch anddinnerdaily $$ 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— 720OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com—Thewinebaroffers cheeseboardsandappetizerstonoshwith wines.ThemenuincludesCreolepasta withshrimpandandouilleintomatocream sauce.Reservationsacceptedforlarge parties.Outdoorseatingavailable.Dinner Thu.-Sun $$ PalaceCafe—605CanalSt.,(504)523-1661; palacecafe.com ThecontemporaryCreole menuincludescrabmeatcheesecakewith mushroomsandCreolemeunieresauce. Outdoorseatingavailable.Reservationsrecommended.BreakfastandlunchWed.-Fri., dinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchSat.-Sun.$$$
ParishGrill—4650W.EsplanadeAve.,Suite 100,Metairie,(504)345-2878;parishgrill.com—Themenuincludesburgers, sandwiches,pizzaandsauteedandouille withfigdip,bluecheeseandtoastpoints. Reservationsaccepted.lunchanddinner Mon.-Sat $$
PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot, 501TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073; peacockroomnola.com—Atbrunch,braised shortribgrilladesareservedovergritswith mushrooms,apoachedeggandshaved truffle.Reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.Mon.,brunchSun.$$
Rosie’sontheRoof HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining—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.$$
Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza—1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024CanalSt., (504)302-1133;4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554;70488Highway21,Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com A MarilynnPotaSupremepieistoppedwith mozzarella,pepperoni,sausage,hamburger,mushrooms,bellpeppers andonions.Therealsoaresalads,sandwiches,wings,breadsticksandmore. Deliveryavailable.lunchanddinner Tue.-Sat $
Tito’sCeviche&Pisco—1433St.Charles Ave.,(504)354-1342;5015MagazineSt., (504)267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com— ThePeruvianmenuincludesseveraltypes ofceviche,aswellassteakandseafood dishes.Traditionallomosaltadofeatures sauteedbeeftenderlointips,onions, tomatoes,soysauceandpisco,servedwith potatoesandrice.Outdoorseatingavailable onMagazineStreet.Deliveryavailable Reservationsaccepted.lunchanddinner Mon.-Sat.,brunchSun.$$$
TheVintage—3121MagazineSt.,(504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com There’s afullcoffeedrinksmenuandbakedgoods andbeignets,aswellasafullbar.Themenu hasflatbreads,cheeseboards,smallplates andapressedveggiesandwichwithavocado,onions,arugula,redpepperandpepperjackcheese.Noreservations.Delivery andoutdoorseatingavailable.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$
TheBody&DisFig
Betweenear-splittingreleases, boundary-breakingmetalduoThe Bodyareunquenchablecollaborators, makingcompellingrecordswithbands likeBIG|BRAVE,ThouandFullofHell. MostrecentlyTheBodyjoinedforces withdarkelectronicartistDisFigfor theexperimental“OrchardsofaFutile Heaven.”Theyarenowtouringthecollaborationandplayat7p.m.Sunday, July28,attheBroadsidewithCel Genesis,ThouandNailsClub.Tickets are$15advanceviabroadsidenola. comand$20atthedoor.
BigCouch’s BigSummerBash
summer,theVegasColaBandholds downaSundaynightresidencyat d.b.a.Catchthemnextat9:30p.m. Sunday,July28.Findmoreinfo atdbaneworleans.com.
ArgentinesingerandguitaristCecilia ZabaladrawsonArgentinefolklore andtango,jazz,Brazilianmusicand more.She’sonau.S.tourinJulyandis previewingmusicfromherforthcomingalbum“SagradoRito.”At7:30and 9:30p.m.Tuesday,July23,atSnug Harbor.Tickets$30viasnugjazz.com
NewOrleansimprovtroupeBigCouch hostsasummercomedybashand vendormarketonSaturday,July27,at theirhomeinBywater.AlongwithBig Couch,therewillbeimprovcomedy performancesbyAnubisImprov,Fish Tahco,PartyCrashersandyou’re Invited.Theartsmarketopensat3 p.m.andperformancesstartat4p.m Ticketsare$20viaeventbrite.com
NewOrleans’“Tumbleweed Troubadours”playcountryandfolk music,thoughAndreBohrenandDavid Pomerleauarebetterknownfortheir workinJohnnySketch&theDirty Notes.JohnPaulCarmodyroundsout thetrio.Thebandreleasedthealbum “KeepA-Movin’,Dan”earlierthis year.At5-8p.m.Saturday,July27,at NOlABrewing.Freeadmission.Find informationatnolabrewing.com.
JamaicansingerLutanFiyahhas releasedmorethen15reggaerecords He’sontourwithDrooplion,the singerbehindthehit“Freeway.” Theyperformat9p.m.Wednesday, July24,atRabbitHole.Tickets$20 viaeventbrite.com.
SingerEricaFallsbringshervintage soulandfunksoundstoTipitina’sfora FreeFridaysconcert.localrockband Zitaopens.At9p.m.Friday,July27 Freeadmission.Findinformation attipitinas.com.
NewOrleanslesbianbarpop-upGrrl Spothostsitsnextdancepartyat8 p.m.Saturday,July27,atSiberia.DJ ShanliandOlivierwillbespinning Ticketsare$18.61via@grrlspot onInstagram
AmirK
Electro-violinistandsingerLindsey Stirlingrecentlyreleasedherseventh studioalbum,“Duality,”whichis appropriatelysplitintotwoparts.The album’sfirsthalfincludescinematic, worldmusic-inspiredtracksblending classicalmusicandEDM.Thebackhalf of“Duality”alsoincludesdancemusic buthasamorepopfocus.Stirlingis nowontourandperformsat7p.m Saturday,July27,attheSaenger Theatre.Ticketsstartat$50.50 viasaengernola.com.
LosAngeles-basedcomedianAmir Kwasonthecastoftheshort-lived rebootof“Madtv,”andhisimprovisationalchopsregularlymaketheirway intohisstand-up.He’sappearedon CBS’“AfterMidnight,”ComedyCentral andNBC’s“lastComicStanding.”He performsat8p.m.Saturday,July27, attheHowlin’Wolf.Ticketsare$22 vialaughlife.standuptix.com.
VocalistVegasColahashaddynamic careerperformingwithDave Bartholomew,BigChiefDonald HarrisonJr.,JamesAndrewsandBig Sam’sFunkyNation.Andatthefront ofherownband,sheenergetically shakesupR&B,funkandjazz.This
NewOrleansmusicbusinessacceleratorMetronomehostsamixer,roundtableandperformancesonSaturday, July27,atChickieWahWah.Guitarist JoshuaStarkman,whoregularlyplays withPreservationHallandisthe grinningfacebehindHaveaGreatDay, hostsandwillbejoinedbyfourguest artistsformusicalperformancesand discussion.Re-Mixerstartsat8p.m. andisfreetoattend.Findmoreinfo atchickiewahwah.com.
FORCOMPlETE MuSIClISTINGS AND MORE EVENTSTAKING PlACE IN THE NEWORlEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM
Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY22
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER DickDeluxe andFriends,9pm
BOURBONOBAR TiffanyHall,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— MatineeAllStarBand,1pm;Ragtag Ballyhoo,5pm;Richard"Piano"Scott andFriends,8pm
TUESDAY23
BOURBONOBAR Ingridluccia,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard"Piano"Scott,1pm;ColinMyers Band,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/ JamilSharif,8pm
THERABBITHOLE—RebirthBrass Band,8pm
WEDNESDAY24
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—Joey'sBackyardMovieNight(NicCageBingo),8pm
BLUENILE—NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm
BOURBONOBAR Serabee,8pm
CAFÉISTANBUL ColeWilliams,10pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard“Piano”Scott,1pm;Bourbon StreetStars,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBand w/KevinRayClark,8pm
THURSDAY25
30°/-90° AudreyleCroneandthe Craw-zaddies,6pm
BLUENILE Wherey'atBrassBand,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—Xcitement Band,8pm
CAESARSSUPERDOME— ZachBryan,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—RustyMetoyer&the ZydecoKrush,8pm
FRIDAY26
30°/-90° —PerfectDateNight:The SpiciestJazzStandards,5pm
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—Scully& theWhipAppeal+MorganOrion+the Tangle,9pm
BLUENILE—TheCaesarBrothersFunk Box,8pm;KermitRuffinsandthe BarbecueSwingers,11pm
BOURBONOBAR—EllenSmith&April Spain,4pm;MemShannonTrio,8pm
DOUBLEDEALERBAR—SeanRiley,9pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—
Richard“Piano”Scott,12:30pm;Sam Friend,2:30pm;SazaracStreetw/John Royen,6pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/ KevinRayClark,9pm
NOLABREWING—PapaMaliTrio,7pm
ROCK'N'BOWL l'Eighties Night,8:30pm
SANTOS—KillingPixies,HellMary, F.I.T.H.andDonateyourFriends,9pm
TIPITINA'S—EricaFalls&VintageSoul, Zita,9pm
SATURDAY27
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER CubaHeat,9pm
BLUENILE—GeorgeBrownBand,8pm; TheNextlevelBand,11pm
BOURBONOBAR BrianWingard,4 pm;TheBluesMasters,8pm
DOUBLEDEALERBAR—SeanRiley,9pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—
Richard“Piano”Scott,12:30pm;Steve DetroyBand,2:30pm;ChuckBrackman Band,6pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/ JamilSharif,9pm
ROCK'N'BOWL TheRouge Krewe,8:30pm
SANTOS—BuckleBunnywithJust Kidding,7pm
THECOURTYARDBREWERY— SariyahIdan,7pm
TIPITINA'S—IcemanSpecial,DiamondJ &TheRubyRedRaindropsfeat.Roddie RomeroandTheQuadroholics,9pm
SUNDAY28
BLUENILE—StreetlegendsBrass Band,10:30pm
BLUENILE TheBakedPotatoes,8pm
BOURBONOBAR—MarcStone,4pm; KennyBrown&theKBExpress,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— DoyleCooperBand,12:30pm;Matinee AllStarBandw/RossHoppe,Dwayne Burns,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/ MikeFulton,8pm
JOHNCALVINPRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH Sundays@SixConcert Series,6pm
SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR
BBQShrimp over Crostini with caramelizedonions
Char GrilledOysterwith PimentoCheese Baked Scallops “Coquille St.Jacques” Glazed Pork Tenderloin with RoastedGarlicNew Potatoes
French Dip -Smoked ChickenCordonBleuSandwich
HogsheadCheeseSoftshell Crab with Andouille Cheese Grits
ApplePie Waffle -Belgian waffle with baked sliced apples,candiedwalnuts, caramelsauceand vanillaice cream
Lose Weight, Feel Great!
henrietta.alves@gmail.com
byJakeClapp
JULYISINTERNATIONAL STOPRAPPINGOVERVOCALS
MONTH,andMarcelP.Blackis spendinghissummeronthe roadspreadingtheword:Real emceesdon’trapovervocals.
Hip-hopmeanseverything totheTulsa,Oklahoma, consciousemceewhofor yearswasthestalwart backboneofBatonRouge’s undergroundhip-hop community.Hislongstandingmantrahasbeen “#CultureOverEverything,”acallto bothlistenersandpractitionersto respecthip-hopasanartform,alifestyleandatooltouplift.
Sohedoesn’tlookkindlyonperformerswhothinktheycanphoneitinby rappingovermusicthatalsoincludes theirvocaltracks
“Itreallygoesbacktothehistoryof Blackmusic,period,”Blacksays.“The Africanoraltradition,thepowerinusing yourvoicetoamplifyandexpressyour emotionsandfeelings.”
Thissummer,Black,whoisaneducatorinTulsaschools,isonTheREDROV (RealEmceesDon’tRapOverVocals) Tour,andthisweekembarksonthe tour’sSouthernleg,revisitingtheregion wherehegrewintohisownasarapper andmusicprofessional.
OnFriday,July26,Blackheadlinesa showatSiberiawithNewOrleans’luke JulienandKayetheBeastandAtlanta’s D.Horton.AlfredBanks,whocuthis teethtouringextensivelywithBlack, willhosttheshow.
BlackgrewupinOklahomaastheson ofasocialworkerandagospelsinger, andhefellinlovewithhip-hopatan earlyage.AftermovingtoBatonRouge toattendSouthernuniversity,hebegan performing,recordingandpromoting hip-hopthere
Withaforcefulflowdeliveredwith hischest,Black—whohasdescribed himselfasanemcee“kickingsouthern PanAfricanradicalleftconsciousrap forgangbangersandbackpackers”— useshismusicasaradicalcryforBlack liberation.It’salsooftenadeeplyfelt lovelettertotheculturethat’sshaped him,likeonhismostrecentEP,“Moor ClTR,”releasedlastyear.
Asfarbackas2010,Blackwould occasionallyposttoFacebookabout seeingaperformerrapovertheir vocals,whichhesawasaslighttothe liveperformancecraft.Fastforward to2018,BlackwasinOakland,anda womanwhobookedhimreferenced hisstances
“Thenextweek,IwasinOhioandfor somereasonIwentonarant,justkind ofjoking,makingfunofpeoplewhorap overvocals,butthenextday,thisguy walksuptomeandhewaslike,‘Hey, you’retheguywhotalksaboutrapping overvocalsallthetime,’”Blacksays Hedidn’tthinkpeoplehadbeen payingattention,buttheinteractions encouragedhimtocontinuetoadvocateforbettercraftsmanshipandpush youngerrapperstobeseriousabout theirwork.
Intheyearssince,“RealEmcees DontRapOverVocals”(noapostrophe)hasappearedonshirtsand Black’smerch.He’sdedicatedJuly 25tothecause,andrappersfrom far-flunglocationshavealsopicked upthebanner.AposterBlackmadein 2022featuringJadakiss,whoalsohas calledoutrappersusingpre-recorded tracks,wentviralandwassharedbyDJ Premierandhip-hopnewssites
“InTulsa,Iamtheboogieman,”Black sayswithalaugh.“Peoplewilllegitnot performifI’monthebillandtheywere gonnarapovervocals.It’ssomethingI havefunwith.Iamseriousaboutgood performancesandtheAfricanoral tradition,butIhavefunwithitaswell …I’mgonnajustdowhatIdo.Iwon’t chastisenobody.I’lljustdomything andshowthemhowit’sdone.”
Manypeoplemarkedlastyearas the50thanniversaryofhip-hop,and inmostofthathistory,performers couldn’teasilyusetheirrecordedvocals onstage,Blacksays.Simply,there’sa longhistoryofemceesdoingthework, hesays
“Thevoiceispowerful,”Black says.“Thethingsyoucandowithit arepowerful.”
MarcelP.Blackperformsat9p.m Friday,July26,atSiberia.Ticketsare $12.40viasiberianola.com.
By Frank A. Longo
ACROSS
1Spot’s foot
4Motorcycle maker
10ATM output
14Baffle
19Driving hazard
20Region in Spain
21Actress Falco
22Country singer Tucker
23Kiting, e.g.
25Is discovered doing a misdeed
27Roomy auto
28Bungle
29Kind of pear
30U.S. Shakers founder
31Driving hazard
33What a cyclist signals
with an arm extended straight out
35Attacked boxer-style
41Boise is its cap
42Canon camera line
43French assent
44Been shut down, as a theater
47Dropped a bit
50Actor Davis
53Focal point
54Pull back (in)
56Disney lion
60Insulated drink cup
63Bovine captured by Hercules
66Actor Erwin
67Chou En-
69Railroadorbusterminus
70Clean air org.
73Loyalty program
78Duet number
79Rover’s rope
82Hugs, in texts
83“Carte” start
86“Super work!”
891985 Kentucky Derby winner
95Like some questions
96Bug’s feeler
98“-- found it!”
99Japanese fish dish
100 Door fixture
103 Overindulges
106 Director’s cry
107 Fridays
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110 Partakes of
Bluegrass banjo pioneer
Was ruined financially
That woman 121 Copious arrival 122 Talks shrilly 123 Hamm on a soccer field 126 Make -- in (do some work on)
130 Not educated by others 132 Downs an omelet, maybe 134 Subway unit 135 Ark builder 136 “Will do, cap’n!”
Subway unit
Direct at, as a remark
Be inactive
Frolicked 141 What remains if you remove all the consonants from 13 long answers in this puzzle
DOWN
1Photos
2Hanker (for)
3Yard eyesore
4“Capeesh?”
5Whelp’s yelp
6She-horse
7Petri dish gel
8Part of mph
9Plus
10Implore
11Latin “that is”
12Nutlike Chinese fruit
13The, in Tours
14Tolerate
15Tease
16Detach by dissolving an adhesive
17Cry to a rescuer
18Eucharist-holding plates
24Bistro’s kin
26Gondola path
29“TheView”co-hostJoy
32Comic’s joke
33Certain PC readout
34Paid spots
35Horn honk
36“Be silent!”
37Escalate
38Sci-fi writer Frederik
39“E pluribus --”
40Cosmic cloud
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&2022
45Fun activities, in brief
46White wine aperitif
48Lacks being
49“I call that as mine!”
51Taxing gp.
52Lifesaving pro
55Carter of sitcomdom
57Mongrel
58Hard hit
59Rival of Iams
61Special glows
62Needlefish
64Sorority “T”
65Just (equally undesirable)
68Wedding vow
70Nervous
71Sweat source
72Ripens
74“C’-- la vie”
75Pummel
76Distress call
77Xerox product
80Gangly
81Alma mater of Wills
84“Deck the Halls” syllables
85 Dhabi
87“Deck the Halls” syllables
88Winter illness
90Dastardly 91Ensnares
92Maritime rescue gp.
93Drink quickly
94Baby foxes
97Makes ready, informally
101 Fictional belle Scarlett
102 Disallow
104 Pudgy
105 Educ. inst.
107 Coils
108 Biologicalsubdivisions
109 Like live balls
111 Deity ruling the heavens
113 Brought up
114 Language of Islamabad
116 How clothes are tailored
117 Follower of “You’d think so ...”
118 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby
119 Pick pace
123 BLT addition
124 Bit of news
125 “PDQ!”
127 Suffix with exist or differ
128 Final Four gp.
129 By way of, informally 131 Lead-in to cycle 132 Cochlea site
133 “See ya!”