August 26 -September 1
Southern Decadence2024 Beyondthe‘LavendarLine’: southernDecadencestretchesitslegsthroughoutthe FrenchQuarterandbeyond
STAFF EDITORIAL
(504)483-3105// response@gambitweekly.com
editor | JOHN sTANTON
politicaleditor | CLANCYDuBOs
Arts &entertainment editor | WILL COVIeLLO
staffWriters | JAKe CLApp, KAYLee pOCHe, sArAHrAVITs
Contributing Writer | IANMCNuLTY
CREATIVE
Creative Director | DOrA sIsON
ADVERTISING
AdvertisingInquiries (504)483-3150
AdvertisingDirector | sANDYsTeIN BrONDuM [sstein@gambitweekly.com]
salesand MarketingManager
ABIGAILBOrDeLON (504)636-7427 [abigail.bordelon@gambitweekly.com]
salesrepresentatives
KeLLYsONNIer rODrIGueZ (504)483-3143 [ksonnier@gambitweekly.com]
TrafficManager | JAsONWHITTAKer
projectManager | MArIAVIDACOVICHBOuÉ
AssociateArt Director | eMMA VeITH
GraphicDesigner | GAVINDONALDsON
Contributing GraphicDesigners | TIANA WATTs, sCOTTFOrsYTHe, JAsMYNeWHITe, JeFF MeNDeL, TIMeLseA,JOHNGIpsON
BUSINESS&OPERATIONS
BillingInquiries 1(225) 388-0185
CHArLIeTHOMAs (504)636-7438 [cthomas@gambitweekly.com]
BeNNeTTGesTON (504)483-3116 [bennett.geston@gambitweekly.com]
ALYssA HAupTMANN (504)483-1123 [alyssa.hauptmann@gambitweekly.com]
salesand MarketingCoordinator
CLAreBrIerre [clare.brierre@gambitweekly.com]
LIONeLNOsACKA [lionel.nosacka@gambitweekly.com]
PHOTOBY JULIA KUMARI DRAPKIN
ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT Creativecalling Kr3wcialpresents‘BreakingBoundaries’atNOMA
NEWORLEANSHIP-HOPARTIST KR3WCIALDOESN’TUSUALLYHAVEA
PROBLEMkeepinganaudienceengaged
Hehasacharismaticpresenceanda dynamiclyricalstyleonstage,whether solo,withtheglblwrmngcollectiveor guestingwithaband,likefunkoutfit Waterseed.Anoccasional,gruffcalland-responseshoutof“Kr3wcial!” helpsmakesurethepeopleinthecrowd arestillwithhim.
Thelastfewyears,though,Kr3wcial hasbeenthinkingmoreabouttheartisticnatureofhip-hop,thedeeproots andculturalmeaningsofthegenre.He’s beenseekingoutvenueswherehecan guidetheaudiencetoslowdownand engagewiththemusicinnewways.
It’sabout“moreinterpretingand reflectionthancallandresponse,” Kr3wcialsays,sittingoutsideofthe CafeduMondeinCitypark.Notfar awayistheNewOrleansMuseumofArt (NOMA),whereforjustshyofayear Kr3wcialhastakenpartintheorganization’sCreativeAssemblyprogram. eachyear,NOMAselectsacohortof NewOrleans-basedartists,musicians, dancers,educatorsandothercreatives tocollaboratewiththeinstitutionon specialprojects.Kr3wcialgotstarted lastseptember,almostimmediately afterfinishinganotherresidencyatA studiointheWoods
“BeforeIgotbothoftheseresidencies,[Isaid]Iwanttobeinmorespaces wheretheworkcanbeappreciated asartinsteadofentertainment,” Kr3wcialsays.“entertainmentissuch ademandingfieldrightnow,because peoplehavepartieseveryday,people have(brand)activations,andsponsors arewantingpeopletohavefunanddo thingsthey’reusedtodoingsothey cankeepthebusinessgoing.sotheart spaceisnewtome.”
OnWednesday,Aug.28,Kr3wcialwill present“BreakingBoundaries:TheArt ofHip-Hop,”hissecondeventaspartof theCreativeAssembly,inNOMA’sLapis CenterfortheArts.
Kr3wcialwillscreenthenewvideo forhissong“CarryMe”andparticipateinapaneldiscussionwiththe video’sdirectors,DexterWilliams,aka Dexstr8Dope,andJovanHernandez, abouthiswork.N’DiaDugue,asocial mediaproduceratBeT,willmoderate thediscussion.
“BreakingBoundaries”follows Kr3wcial’s“urbanMosaics,”which connectedhip-hoptotheculturalsignificanceofNewOrleans’
byJakeClapp |
neighborhoods.Forthatmusic-driven show,Kr3wcialcollaboratedwith vocalistandperformanceartistCharm Taylor,whoalsoispartofthisyear’s CreativeAssembly.
“Iwantedtobringhip-hoptoNOMA inawaywhereitwouldbedifferent fromhowitmightbereceivedinany othersocialsetting,”Kr3wcialsays. “Thisisanartform,sowe’regonnasit down.Youdon’tgotorapshowsand seechairsunlessyou’reatastadium.”
Thevideofor“CarryMe,”which premieredlastmonthattheNew OrleansAfricanAmericanMuseum, wasshotinsideNOMA’satriumand featuresKr3wcialrappingthepatient songalongsideharpistCassieWatson FrancillonandflautistCineseLove. ThesongalsoincludesbassistJemila DunhamandLaurenFulleronkeys. Inspiredbythemovie“Chevalier,” about18thcenturyFrenchcomposerJosephBologne,Chevalierde saint-Georges—afreemanofcolor whosemusicgainedacclaimacross
europe—Kr3wcial playswiththehighbrowmuseumsetting bywearingaperiod-inspiredcoatin contrastwithoveralls designedandpainted byNewOrlansartist JacquesFrancois.
“Iwantedtomake thislooklikesomethingthathasn’t beenseenbefore, inawayithasn’t beenseenbefore,” Kr3wcialsays Kr3wcialgrewup ontheWestBank withafatherand brotherwhoalsoare musiciansandbegan releasinghisown songsin2012.He’s alsoaproducer,and inrecentyearshas releasedahandfulof captivatingepsand collaborativealbums alongwithhiswork withthehip-hop collectiveglblwrmng, scoringabighitwith thesong“504.”
InDecember,hisresidencyatA studiointheWoodsledtotheep“Bon sol:excerptsfromtheWoods,”and “CarryMe”willultimatelybeapartofa largerprojecthe’scalling“GodisWith us,”hesays
After“BreakingBoundaries,” Kr3wcialnextperformsinNew Orleansonsaturday,sept.14,atthe VirginHotelsaspartoftheintimate concertseriesCouches.GhaziGamali andDJMadspinnzalsoperform. Kr3wcialwillthenflytoFrancefora seriesofshows.
“Maybeawarenesscomesinwaves, andonceyoubecomeawarethatyou’re morethanjustacommodity,thenthat willmakeyoufeellike‘Nah,Ineedto beappreciatedasanartist,’”Kr3wcial says.“evenifIwalkintothemuseum rightnow,Idon’tknowhalfthepeople whomadehalfthepiecesinthere.But theappreciationofartwillneverchange ifit’streatedassuch.”
“BreakingBoundaries”startsat 5:30p.m.,andadmissionisfree Findmoreinfoatnoma.org.
LosAngelesAzules HailingfromMexicoCity,LosAngeles Azulesareknownformodernizing cumbiamusicwiththeadditionof synthesizersandaccordion.Theband gainedpopularityinthe1980sand hasbuiltafollowingthroughoutNorth andsouthAmerica,withseveralofits songscompilingmorethanabillion streams.At8p.m.Thursday,Aug.29, atsaengerTheatre.Tickets$39and upviasaengernola.com.
CultureCollision Morethan50localperforming groups,artsinstitutionsandcultural groupspreviewtheirfallseasons, events,membershipandvolunteer opportunitiesatCultureCollision. Thehappyhoureventhasacashbar andfoodtrucks.Thelineupincludes localtheateranddancecompanies, radiostations,festivals,classical artsorganizations,culturalsocieties, museums,galleries,theNewOrleans Filmsociety,parishpubliclibraries andmore.From5:30to8:30p.m. Wednesday,Aug.28,atJefferson performingArtsCenter.Visitculturenola.comforinformation.
AnnualHurricaneKatrina MarchandSecondLine Ahealingceremony,secondline andrallyonSaturday,Aug.31,will commemoratethe19thanniversary ofHurricaneKatrinaandthefederal leveefailuresandrememberthelives lostin2005.OrganizedbytheNew OrleansKatrinaCommemoration FoundationandtheHip-HopCaucus, theceremonystartsatnoonatthe leveeatN.GalvezstreetandJourdan Avenue.Amarchandsecondlinewill followandendsatHunter’sFieldat N.Claiborneandst.Bernardavenues witharallyfeaturingspeakers, vendorsandperformancesbyGhetto Twiinz,FlagboyGiz,Ms.Tee,Lady redandmore.Findmoreinformation atthink100climate.com
FILEPHOTO
Hip-hopartistKr3wcial PROVIDED PHOTOBY KHAELYNJACKSON
THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN
FamilyConnects,aNewOrleans HealthDepartmentinitiative providingin-homenursevisitsto newmomsandbabies,hasshown promisingresultsafteritsfirstyear, TheTimes-picayunereported. preliminarydatafromaTulane universityevaluationshowsthere havebeenmorethan300visits madetofamiliesinOrleansparish, leadingtoreducedMedicaidcosts, feweremergencyroomvisitsand lowerratesofhospitalstays.
OPENING GAMBIT NewvotingcenteropensinNewOrleans’ CentralCityfor2024presidentialelection LEADERSOFNONPROFITSWOMEN WITHAVISIONANDTHEPOWER
BlueBikes,recentlyexpanded itsbikeshareprogramtoinclude XavieruniversityofLouisiana. It’stheprogram’sfirstexpansion sinceitre-launchedin2021. XavierpresidentreynoldVerret welcomedtheexpansionandsaid thepartnershipwouldfurtherthe university’smissiontopromote sustainable,environmentally friendlytransportationoptions oncampus.
COALITIONonMondaystartedthe weekbycuttingtheribbononabrandnewvoterengagementcenterinNew Orleans’CentralCityneighborhood.
Thecenter,nextdoortoWWAV’s office,hasfourroundtableswithpurpleandgreenvelvetchairs,aswellas plushwindowseatingandcountertop spaceinfrontofawallofgreenery. Thenonprofitsplantousethespaceto haveopenofficehours,wherepeople canstopbyandaskanyquestionsthey mayhaveaboutvotingthisfall
Italsowillbeaplacethatgroups andresidentscanusetohostvoting events,evenifthat’sjustsome friendsgettingtogether
oftheNov.5presidentialelection becausesheandleadersconsiderit “probablyoneofthemostimportant electionsofourtime.”
shesaiditalsoisawaytobe“part ofthesolution”andencourage peopletovote,followinglowturnout inrecentelectionsandseveralvoting restrictionsLouisianalawmakers passedthisyear,includingsomeon absenteeballotsandassistingpeople withballots.
“AllthestateofLouisianahasdone withtheseparticularlawsismoreof thesame,whichistodiscouragepeoplefromvoting,tomakeitmoredifficultforpeopletovote,”shesaid.“This iswhythisspaceissoimportant.”
OchsnerHealth,UndueMedical DebtandtheCityCouncilhave madeadealtoeraseabout$59 millioninunpaidhealthcarebills for66,000patientsinthecity. Theeffortbeganafterthecouncil in2023dedicated$1.3millionin federalpandemicreliefmoney tohelpwipeoutmedicaldebtfor low-incomeresidents.Thecity thenworkedwiththeNewYorkbasednonprofitundueMedical DebtandOchsnertomake thathappen.
“Therearesomanymisconceptionsaboutwhocanvote,whenyou vote,whattodotovoteandhowto getengaged,andsomepeoplefeel alotofshameaboutnotknowing that,”WWAVexecutiveDirector DeonHaywoodtoldGambit.“We justwantedtocreateaspacewhere peoplefeltliketheycangetanything theyneededaroundvoting.”
Thecenterwillbeopenoutsideof WWAV’straditionalhoursof10a.m. to5p.m.,includingintheevenings andontheweekends.Long-term thenewbuildingwillbeadedicated spacefortheYoungWomenwitha Visionteam,ledbytwowomenin theirearlytwenties.
Haywoodsaidtheydecidedto usethespaceasavotinghubahead
Theget-out-the-voteeffortwill focusonthecommunitiesWWAV hasworkedwithforthelast35years —includingpoorpeople,peopleof color,sexworkersandpeoplewhose liveshavebeenaffectedbythe criminallegalsystem—withaspecial emphasisonyoungpeople.
TheYoungWomenwithaVision teamwillhelphosteventsgeared towardyoungpeople,includinga saturdaymorningbrunch.Haywood saidtheyalsowanttoincludeinthe conversationteenagerswhoaren’t abletovoteyettogettheminterestedinvotingatanearlyage shealsowantstoreachpeople whomayhavevotedbeforebuthave becomedisillusionedwiththepolitical processandmayfeelliketheirvote doesn’tmatter.—KayleePoche
THEAPPROXIMATENUMBER OFCOUNTERFEITDOCUMENTS, INCLUDINGFORGED MOTORVEHICLEINSPECTION CERTIFICATES,SEIZEDINST. BERNARDPARISHAUGUST20.
Thest.Bernardparishsheriff’sOfficehas alsoarrestedthreepeopleoncountsof forgery.OfficersdiscoveredLouisianaand Texasmotorvehicleinspectioncertifications, licenseplateregistrationstickersandblank licenseplates–allduringanunrelatedinvestigation.Thearrestscomeaslawenforcementagenciesintheregionsaythere’sbeena surgeinfaketemporaryplates.
C’EST WHAT ?
WhatNewOrleanseventareyoulooking forwardtotherestofthissummer?
COMMENTARY NewOrleans’SouthernDecadence isajoyouscelebrationofqueerlife MANYTHOUSANDSOFPEOPLEwillcometoNew OrleansthisweekforsouthernDecadencetoimbibe, danceandcelebrate.Whatbegan52yearsagoasa movingpartybyagroupoffriendsfromtheTremeto theQuarterquicklybecameaniconiccelebrationof gaycultureandlife.
Inthedecadessince,Decadencehasbecomeoneof NewOrleans’signatureannualevents,drawinglocals andpeoplefromaroundtheworldwhoinjectmillions ofdollarsintotheeconomyduringtheheightofthe summertourismslump
Ithasgrownbeyondacelebrationlargelyforandby gaymentoembracethebroaderLGBTQworld.This year’sDecadenceincludespartiesandcelebrations unitingthediverseelementsofthequeercommunity unlikeprideMonthevents,Decadencehasremained largelyanindependentandlesscommercialcelebration oftheLGBTQcommunity.Whilecorporateallyshipisa welcomechangeofhistoricalpace,thereissomething particularlypowerfulaboutthefactthatsouthern Decadenceremainsof,byandforqueerpeople
Asacity,NewOrleansholdsthedistincthonorof hostingsouthernDecadence.Queerpeoplehavealways beenanintegralpartofNewOrleans’civicandcultural life.Whilethestruggletofullyandopenlyembrace
thatheritagecontinues, ourcity’sembraceof Decadenceisjustoneof thewaysinwhichNew Orleansremainsabeacon ofinclusion,particularly inthesouth.
sadly,thisyear’scelebrationcomesatanuncertaintimeforNewOrleans andthequeercommunity inLouisiana.underGov.
JeffLandry,republican lawmakersthisyearaggressivelyattackedtheLGBTQ community,passingaregressiveanti-trans“bathroom bill,”ameasurebarringstudentsandteachersfromdiscussingqueeridentityandsexuality,andalawforcing teacherstousetransstudents’deadnamesunlessthe students’parentsprovidewrittenpermission. Legislatorsalsopassedameasuretowaterdownthe qualificationsforlibraryadministratorsinthestate,a thinlydisguisedefforttomakeiteasierforbook-ban supporterstoinstallanti-LGBTQzealots.severalother measures,includingthosetargetingLGBTQbooks, ultimatelyfailedbutwilllikelyresurfacenextyear.
TheClownfish, whosebrotherisgay, hasmadeitclearhe doesn’trespectthe dignityandsanctity ofqueerlivesand hasevengonesofar astoexplicitlytell theLGBTQcommunitythattheyshould leavethestateifthey don’tlikehispolicies.
ThatdarkbackdropmakestheloudlyproudsouthernDecadence celebrationallthemoresignificantthisyear.Theevent shinesabrightlightonqueerpeople’smorallybankrupt adversarieswhoconstantlythreatentheircivilrights Thatlightgiveshopetousall,particularlytoqueerkids incommunitiesacrossLouisianaandthebroadersouth whofaceincessantthreatsandintimidation.
Bullies’greatestfearisbeingstooduptoand exposedforbeingmuchsmallerthantheyclaimtobe. Wecan’timagineabetterwayofstandinguptobigots inpowerthanabig,braveandin-your-faceeventlike southernDecadence.
PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
ButterPecan COLD BREW WITH SWEETCOLD FOAM ButterPecan VELVETICE limited timeonly time onlylimited time only
20 different sports
36 AP &DEclasses
since 1957
40+ electives
50+ clubs
Presidentialelectionenthusiasm maynarrowgapbetweenparties inLouisiana NOWTHATTHETWOPRESIDEN- TIALNOMINATINGCONVENTIONSAREOVER,leadersand operativesinbothpartieswill begintherealworkofginningup turnoutinkeystatesacrossthe country—andeveninnon-battlegroundstateslikeLouisiana LocalsupportersofVice presidentKamalaHarrisand formerpresidentDonaldTrump wanttohelptheirrespective candidatesgetthelargest possiblenationalvotetotal, eventhoughthevotesthatreally countwillbethosecastbythe antiquatedelectoralCollege
“Theenergylevelamong DemocratspickedupdramaticallyafterJoeBidendropped out,replacingtheatrophied optimismthathadprevailed beforethen,”sayspollsterand Xavieruniversitysociology professorsilasLee,whohaspolled fortheBiden/Harristeamsince2020 “KamalaHarrishasgivenDemocrats’ energylevelashotofadrenaline.Ithas evenelevatedexcitementandenthusiasmamongindependents.”
againthisyear,buttheimpactonlocal electionswillbeminimal—astarkcontrasttothelastpresidentialcontest.
Leeattributesthistoseveralfactors, particularlyadesireamongvoters everywhereforanalternativetoa rematchbetweenTrumpandBiden.
“Whatweseehappeningnationally we’llalsoseelocally,”Leeadded. “Democratsareseeinganorganic movement.sororities,fraternities, civicgroupsandotherdisparateentitiesarecomingtogetherforHarris, whichwedidn’tseeforBiden.Black women,whitewomen,Blackmenand whitedudeshaveallcometogether forHarris.”
eventhoughLouisianais“notin play”onNov.5,LeesaystheDems’ higherlevelofenthusiasmcould“narrowthegap”betweenDemocratsand republicansintheBayoustate
“InsteadofTrumpgetting58%or 59%,ashedidthelasttwotimes, Democratshopetokeephimto53%or 55%,”Leesaid
Ofcourse,republicanswillbe workinghardtogiveTrumpand otherrepublicansontheballot acrossthisruby-redstatethehighest possiblemargins
Historically,presidentialelections produceLouisiana’shighestvoter turnouts.Thatwilllikelybethecase
Fouryearsago,NewOrleanshad hotlycontestedracesfordistrict attorneyandmorethanadozen judgeshipsalongsidetheTrump-Biden showdown.Highvoterturnoutfor thepresidentialelectionmadeahuge differenceinlocalraces
Bycontrast,theNov.5ballothas nocontestedparish-wideelectionsin eitherOrleansorJeffersonparishes Ahandfulofjudicialcontestsinboth parisheswerealldecidedwhenno onechallengedthelonequalifiers lastmonth.
Inaddition,neitherofLouisiana’s twou.s.senatorsareupforre-electionthisyear—anothercontrastto 2020.Fouryearsago,sen.BillCassidy andlocalu.s.reps.TroyCarter, D-NewOrleans,andstevescalise, r-Metairie,easilywonre-election. scaliseandCartereachdrewfour opponentsthisyear,butbothareheavy favorites—andbothareexpectedto wagefull-throttledcampaigns. OrleansparishschoolBoardraces alwaysappearonthesameballotas presidentialcontests.In2020,allseven boardseatswerecontested;thisyear, onlyboardDistricts2and4(representingGentillyandAlgiers,respectively) willseecontestedelections.
PHOTOBYSARAH RAVITS /GAMBIT
BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN™ @GambitBlake|askblake@gambitweekly.com
HeyBlake, Whilewalkingthroughthe FrenchQuarterrecently,we passedtheRoyalPharmacy. It’sbeenclosedforawhile, butIhavefondmemoriesof thestoreanditsvintagesoda fountain.Whatcanyoutellus aboutitshistory?
Dearreader,
ALTHOUGHITISNOLONGEROPERATINGASAPHARMACYandthebuilding isforsale,thepropertyatroyaland ursulineswashometoadrugstore completewithasodafountain—for morethanacentury.Astapleofthe neighborhoodthatservedgenerationsofFrenchQuarterresidentsand visitors,thedrugstoreoperatedonthe groundfloorofthethree-storybuilding constructedin1831. royalpharmacy,alsoknownover theyearsasroyalCutratepharmacy, openedsometimearound1917. pharmacistLouisCastillonsr.andhis familylivedabovethepharmacy.His 1938obituaryinTheNewOrleansItem calledhim“oneofthebestknownfiguresoftheVieuxCarreformorethan 40years[who]operatedtheroyalCut ratepharmacy…fornearlyaquarter ofacentury”and“wasthedruggistfor alargenumberofItalian,Frenchand otherbenevolentorganizations.”
Theyearbeforehisdeath,Castillon soldthepropertyandthebusiness toCharlesTusa.Tusaandhisfamily operatedthedrugstoreforthenext
RoyalPharmacycirca1978
75years.That’swhenthepharmacy’s sodafountainanditsfamiliaroutdoor signadvertisingCoca-Colawere added.Accordingtoa1981Timespicayune/states-Itemfeature,the storealsofeaturedpinballmachines andacirculatinglibrary.
“Touristscomeinandgetallexcited aboutthetinceilings,thetilefloors, theceilingfans,thewoodenfixtures,” pharmacistandownerKevinTusa saidatthetime.“Ineverthoughtit wasanythingspecial.Ijustthought itwasacornerpharmacyinanold neighborhood.”
Asyounoted,thepharmacyisnow closed,andthebuilding,withitswraparoundbalconyand5,400square-feet oflivingspace,isforsale.Thelisting pricefromFrenchQuarterrealtyis $2.1million.
THISYEARMARKSTHE90THANNIVERSARYofaCrescentCityculinaryclassic: CrescentCitysteaks.Thecity’soldestfamily-ownedsteakhouse,locatedat1001 NorthBroadstreet,wasopenedbyJohnVojkovichin1934.
Accordingtotherestaurant’swebsite,VojkovichemigratedtoNewOrleansfrom hisnativeCroatiain1923attheageof15.Hehopedtoattendschool,butinstead hisfathersenthimtoworkwithhisfellowCroatianimmigrantsonanoysterboatin plaqueminesparish,hopingtoearnenoughmoneytobringhismotherandsisters toAmerica.
HelastedjusttwomonthsbeforecomingbacktoNewOrleansandtakingjobsin localrestaurantsasadishwasher,busboyandwaiter
HeopenedhisownrestaurantonNorthrampartstreetbeforeestablishing CrescentCitysteaksatitsexistinglocationonBroadstreet,knownforitsceramic tilefloorsandcurtainedprivatebooths.
“Ourmottoistoalwaysservethebesttosatisfyourpatrons,”Vojkovichsaidin a1948Times-picayunearticle.“Thepopulareatingplaceservesalacarteand shortorders.supplementingtheirchoicemeat-cutsareseafoodssuchastroutand oysters,”thenewspaperadded
Vojkovichalsobecameknownforservinghissteaksonplatessizzlingwithhot butter,atechniquelaterpopularizedinthecitybyruth’sChrissteakHouse,which spreadtheconceptaroundtheworld.
JohnVojkovichdiedin1990,buttherestaurant—anditsiconicneonsign—isstill ownedandoperatedbyhisfamily.
BLAKEVIEW
beyond THE ‘LAVENDER MikeMarinaattheSouthern Decadenceparadein2022
PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
LINE’ Southern Decadence stretches itslegs throughout the French Quarter andbeyond BY KAYLEE POCHEAND SARAHRAVITS
OVERITS52 YEARS,Southern Decadencehas grownfroma groupoffriends havingahousepartyinTreme toaqueermega-celebrationof indulgencethatbringsouthundredsofthousandsofpeoplein NewOrleansoverLabor Dayweekend.
Alongtheway,thescenehas shiftedtimeandtimeagain.In the1980sandearly’90s,the costumeanddragparadewas attheheartofthecelebrations. Theriseoftheinternetthen broughtatourismboom,and morebarsandvenuesseizedthe opportunitytoparticipateasthe scantilycladcrowdsswelled Today,therearepop-uppartiesgalore,talentfromaround thecountry,andqueerevents atmajordowntownvenuesand clubsaroundthecity.AndalthoughDecadencestillprimarily attractsgaymen,thereareafew
women-andfemme-centered eventsinthemix
Inmanyways,thechangesin Decadencemirrorthechanges inhowdifferentpartsofthe LGBTQcommunityinteractwith eachother
“Itjustgotbiggerandmore funwheneverybodystarted beingincluded,”saysdrag queenVanessaCarr-Kennedy, agrandmarshalofthisyear’s Decadenceparade.
Thepartyhasreboundedsince thepandemic,whichwipedout in-persondragperformancesfor awhile—thoughsomeperformers haven’tgottenbackonstagesince.
Addsomeeventproducer dramaintothemix,and“it’s almostacompletelydifferent sceneinsomeregards,”says QuinnBishop,ownerofNew OrleansQueerUnderground Tours,whichhastoursavailable Decadenceweekend
Forexample,accordingto Bishop,theNewOrleansdrag
GrrlSpothashadwomencenteredDecadenceevents since2011
PHOTOBYMAURA LINDSEY
communitybeforethepandemic wasmorefragmentedbetween FrenchQuarterandBywater performersaswellasbetween moretraditionalperformersand thoseexperimentingwithnew formsofdrag.
Now,there’smuchmore crossoveratbarsandvenues “Ithinkourentirecommunity, alotofthingsthatusedtoseem reallysignificantintermsofthat kindofstuffjustreallyhasfaded
away,”Bishopsays.“Everyone hereisjusthappytoseeeach otheragain.”
POP-UP PARTIES INCREASINGLY POPULAR DECADENCEHASEXPANDEDwellbeyondthe“Lavender Line,”thenicknamegiventothe
stretchofgaybarsatSt.Ann andBourbonstreets,andthe surroundinggaybars
Whiletheparade,barevents andblockpartiesintheareaare stillcentraltoDecadence,popuppartiesatdifferentvenues havebecomeincreasinglypopularoverthelastdecadeorso JennaArd,founderoflesbian pop-upGrrlSpot,sayswhenshe movedtoNewOrleansin1999, therewasn’tmuchtodobesides
“gotoBourbonandSt.Ann, butnowit’skindofalloverthe placeindifferentvenues.”
Ardhasbeenproducinga GrrlSpotDecadenceparty, morefocusedonqueerwomen andfemmes,since2011.The partiesnowaveragearound 500people,Ardsays.
Thisyear’seventwilltake placeatToulouseTheatre onSaturday,Aug.31,and featuresNorthshore-turnedLosAngeles-basedDJCristy Lawrence,localDJShanLi, burlesqueandgo-godancers andaprojectionist
There’salsoBearracuda’s FridaynightpartyattheJoy Theater,cateringtothebear communitycharacterizedby burlinessandfacialandbody hair,andLondon-bornHorse MeatDisco’sraveatTheFillmoreSaturdaynight,whichfirst cametoDecadencein2009. AlsoonSaturdayisFurball,a furrydancepartyatSantos.
HitItisthrowingpartiesboth FridayandSaturdaynights, withdarkroomsandaclothes check.Fornication,aSunday nightplayparty,isalready soldout.
‘FOR THE GIRLS’ TRADITIONALLY,Decadencehaslargelyattractedgay
men,butafeweventshave emergedspecificallyforqueer womenandfemmes
“Obviously,therearealot morewomenthatcomenow thantherewerebefore,Ithink becausewejuststartedcreatingthingsforwomentodo,” Ardsays.“Ithinkit’sone ofthose,‘Ifyoubuildit,they willcome.’”
GrrlSpotpartiesrunupahefty bartab,accordingtoArd. “Ithinkthewaytogo dbetohavemoreeyes women’sevents,what ’redoing,moreattention dmorerecognitionthat eeventsareasvaluable emen’sevents,” ays.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY VanessaCarr-Kennedysays therehavebeentwogaybarsin Mississippi,SippsandTheJust UsLounge,thathavebeen likesisterbarstotheNew Orleansclubs.
Paradeorganizershave hostedfundraisersatthese twovenuesandhavebussed peopleinfromNewOrleansto attendthoseevents.Theowner ofSipps,JeffreyMayeux,was evennamedasaparadegrand marshalthisyear “It’sincreasedthefootprint (ofDecadence),”Carr-Kennedy says.“Alotoftheentertainers comebackandforth.”
frolicking,”Carr-Kennedysays “Weraiseagoodbitofmoney thatgoestocharities.” Decadence,whichbrings morethanaquarterofamillion peopletothearea,isalsoa lifesaverfortheLGBTQbars, performersandserviceindustry workerswhooftenstruggleto stayafloatinthetoughsummer monthswhentourismslows Infact,it’sabigboostforthe broadertourismandhospitality industryasawhole
InadditiontoArd’sGrrlSpot, KellyBoyetthelpedstartHer HausEventswithAmandaYessoandBrookeBarriosduring Decadencein2022tocreate morewomen-andfemmecenteredevents
“Wewantedtocreatea destinationeventforpeople,” Boyettsays.“Welookedat thewholepicture.Wewere like,weliveinNewOrleans, itshouldbeadestinationfor womenwhowanttofeelsafe.”
Thisyear,HerHausishosting “DecadenceFortheGirls,” marketedas“theSouthern Decadenceweekendevent forqueerfemmes.”OnSaturdayevening,LizOwenisDJing atBourbonPub&Parade, andonSunday,HerHaus hostsaparadeafterpartyat BourbonHeat.
“Wewelcomeanyone,it’s all-inclusive,”Boyettsays.“We justsay,‘femmestothefront.’”
SandySachs,ownerof BourbonPub&Parade,puton lesbianeventsforthousands ofpeopleinL.A.fordecades She’sbeenworkingwithHer Haus,whichhostsmonthly eventsatherbar,andsays she’sexcitedabouttheevents they’reproducing “Theyremindmeofme30 yearsago,”shesays.
WhileArdunderstandsthe tendencytoappealtogay men,whospendalotofmoney duringDecadence,shebelieves women’seventsareoften underestimated.Afterall, DragqueenVanessaCarr-Kennedy
SOMEVENUESALSOare rampingupforthelongweekendofdebaucherybybringing intalentfromoutofstate TonyAward-winningperformerBillyPorterismaking anappearanceatBourbonPub &ParadeonSaturday,and thereareseveraleventswith RuPaul’sDragRacestars.
TheAllWaysLoungeand Cabaret,meanwhile,ishosting aslateofTexas-baseddrag performers,includingBrigitte Bandit,theself-titled“Texas dragqueenRepublicansloveto hate”forthevenue’s“Chaotic Erotic”showonThursday.
Producerandco-hostStanleyRoysaysBandithasbeen textinghimallweekabouthow excitedtheyare.“They’relike, let’sjustquitourjobsandgo toNewOrleansnow,”hesays withalaugh.
Roysaystheshowwillbe “darker,morecomedicand edgier”thantypicaldrag shows.“They’reveryweirdand wild,andtwisted,”hesays.
Royhimselfisperformingin ashowcalled“LustFilth”on ThursdayandFriday,which hesaysembracesdepravity withdepictionsofobsceneand pervertedacts.
AllWaysalsohostsamore tongue-in-cheekeventcalled theChurchofDaddy,aSaturdaynightvarietyshowwith localdragartists.Ofcourse, it’sbasicallytheinverseofyour grandmother’sSundaymorning church,thoughitwillfeature anopening“prayer”andthe opportunityforspectatorsto take“communion”whichmay ormaynotinvolveglitter Mississippialsowillbe solidlyrepresentedatthis year’sDecadence.
MORETHANJUST A BIG,SEXYPARTY ALLYEARLONG,parade organizersthrowfundraising eventstohelppayforputting ontheSundayparade,whichis gettingincreasinglyexpensive Betweenpermits,trash pickup,securityandinsurance, Carr-Kennedyestimatestheparadecosts$18,000-$20,000 toputon,andtheorganizers heldmorethan20fundraisers tocomeupwiththemoney.
Themoneyalsogoesto variouscharities.Thisyear they’refocusingtheireffortson theNewOrleansAdvocatesfor LGBTQ+Elders,akaNOAGE, anonprofitthathelpseldersin thecommunityaccesshealth careandresourcesastheyage, alongwithhostingcoffeemeetups,potlucksandbookclubs
Paradeorganizersalsoare raisingmoneytoreplacethe plaquerememberingthe victimsofthe1973UpStairs Loungefire,anarsonattackon agaybarthatkilled32people. TheplaqueonIbervilleStreet wasstolenearlierthisyear. Therearealsoother charitableDecadenceevents, likeAlliesAgainstCanceron Thursday,whichraisesmoney tolowercancerratesamong LGBTQpeople.Thiswillbethe event’sthirdyear,bringingdrag performerslikeDragRace’s Jujubeeandlocalqueenslike DebbiewithaDandLaveau ContrairetoGeneration’sHall. “It’snotjustusflailingaround nakedonthestreetsand
“Intheserviceindustry,summeriskindofhell,”Bishopsays. “EspeciallyforAugust,youhave tokindofhangonwithnothing untilwegettoDecadence.”
Bishop says she’shoping to book up her toursthat weekend.
“IknowthatIandmostof myfriendsaredependingon SouthernDecadencetomake surethatwepayourrent,” Bishopsays.
‘OASIS OF ACCEPTANCE’ THOUGHDECADENCE CONTINUESTOEVOLVE, theheartofitremainsthe same.It’sstillanover-the-top, only-in-New-Orleansevent wherequeerpeoplecanbe unabashedlythemselves.
“We’renotsofteningor takingpartsofourselvesaway justbecauseitmakesother peopleuncomfortable,”Roy says.“Decadenceisinclusive, foralltypesofbodies,alltypes ofexperiences,alltypesof fetishes,allthethings—apupu platter,ifyouwill.”
AsLouisianalawmakers keeppassinganti-LGBTQ legislationandthestateoften makesnationalheadlinesforits far-rightpolicies,Bishopsays it’simportantfortherestofthe countrytoseesuchanunapologeticanduniquecelebration ofqueerpeopleintheSouth. SheconsidersNewOrleansto bea“separate,beautifuloasis ofacceptance.”
“Ifindittobeoneoftheleast homophobicandtransphobic citiesinthecountry,”Bishop says,“justbecausethere’s alwayssomebodyweirder thanyou.”
SOUTHERNDECADENCE 2024 sevents NSOFPARTIES,DR NERALDEBA Decade
S, FUN icks .Ozwill al ugust29through th nstars.Thesame go iconicspotshave weekendpassesavailableontheirwebsites
Andofcourse,there’sthePhoenixwhichhaslongbeen oneofthemainhubsforpartyingduringtheweekend. Althoughatpresstimeitdidn’tappearthey’dbehosting theirannualblockparty,themainbarwillbeopen24 hoursaday,withperformers,specialmixersandevents throughouttheweekend,includingtheannual“Bear Breakfast”Sunday.Plus,theEaglewillopeneveryday duringthefestivitiesat9p.m
Here’salistofevenmoreeventshappeningaroundNew OrleansforDecadence.
WEDNESDAY,AUG.28
THEPHOENIX
SouthernDecadenceKickOffWet UnderwearContest,10:30p.m
THURSDAY,AUG.29
ALLWAYSLOUNGE& CABARET LustFilth,10p.m.
TheChaoticEroticTour!ASouthern DecadenceDragVarietyShow,7p.m
OZ
D!ckinaCup,featuringDJAdamJoseph,JenniferWarnerandLexisRedd D’Ville,11:30p.m
AUG. 29 –SEPT. 2
CAFE LAFITTEINEXILE WalkingwiththeGayGhostsofNew Orleanswalkingtour,varioustimes Seeeventbrite.comfordetails.
FRIDAY,AUG.30
ALLWAYSLOUNGE& CABARET
MountingOlympus:Decadent Myths,7p.m
BurningHellBurlesquepresents: 7thCircle—ADecadentandDebaucherousNight,10:30p.m.
TOULOUSE THEATER ClubCloset,9:30p.m.
VIRGIN HOTEL
Bling-It-Ondragshow,6p.m
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
ALLWAYSLOUNGE& CABARET
ChurchofDaddy!ASouthern DecadenceCelebrationofthe Daddy!10:30p.m
QueerbaitASouthernDecadence Drag-stravaganza,7:30p.m.
STAFFPHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
GROWERSGUILD COFFEE SUN. SEPT. 1
ALLWAYS LOUNGE & CABARET
JockstrapLubeWrestling:DecadenceBrawl,10p.m.
THE BOURBON PUB
HerHaus’DecadencefortheGirls, 4-9p.m.
CREOLE QUEEN RIVERBOAT DragBrunchRiverCruise,10a.m.
THE CROSSING
FlamboyancedelaDecadence, 12p.m.
THE DOMINO
burlesque&dancepartyandit’s thesamebutit’sdecadencesoit’s not,10p.m.
FILLMORE
HorsemeatDisco,w/Honchointhe darkroom,9p.m.
JOY THEATER Bearracuda,9p.m.
POOR BOYS
SetDeFlowithLSDXOXO,10p.m.
SANTOS
Furrball:NewOrleans,10p.m.
SIBERIA
Mr.LouisianaLeatherContest, 6p.m.
TOULOUSE THEATER
GRRL:SouthernDecadenceGirl Party,7p.m.
BOURBON HEAT
HerHaus’paradeafterparty,3p.m.
CAFE NEGRIL
SalutetoDecadenceCostumeContestfeaturingTheLoveMuscles, 5:30p.m.
ELYSIAN BAR
SpilltheTeaDragBrunch,10:30am
MADAM VIC’S FornicationParty,8p.m.
VIRGIN HOTEL FruitSaladpoolparty,12p.m.
MONDAY, SEPT. 2
ALLWAYS LOUNGE & CABARET
DecadentAftercarefeaturing “soundbath,NADAacupuncture, massage,tarot,reiki”andfood. 12:30to4p.m.
Cocky’sDecadentCock-tails “spiritsinspiredDragandBurlesque show,”7:30p.m.
VIRGIN HOTEL
LaborDayBash:SymoneatStrut SouthernDecadencefeaturing poolsideteadanceparty,DJs,drag performances,silentauctionand more,12p.m.
PHOTO BY KATHLEEN FLYNN / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
DRINKS Best bar for afirstdate
Best bar for craftcocktails
Best bar to watch sports
Best beer selection
Best bloody mary
Best distillery
Best dive bar
Best dog-friendly bar
Best espresso martini
Best happy hour
Best late-night bar
Best LGBTQ+ bar
Best liquor store
Best local brewery
Best local smoothie/ juice
Best local THCseltzer
Best neighborhood bar
Best new bar (opened September 2023 or later)
Best Northshorebar or brewery
Best outdoor seating/ courtyard
Best place to buy wine
Best place to get aglassofwine
Best place to get amargarita
Best place to get mocktails
Best rooftop bar
FOOD Best bakery
Best barbecue restaurant
Best beignet
Best
Best
Best Frenchrestaurant
Best fried chicken
Bestgumbo
Best Indian restaurant
Best Italianrestaurant
Best Japanese/sushi restaurant
Best Kenner restaurant
Best king cake
Best Latin American restaurant
Best local THC ediblescompany
Best locally owned coffee house
Best Metairie restaurant
Best Mexican restaurant
BestMiddle Eastern/
Mediterranean restaurant
Bestneighborhood restaurant
Best New Orleansrestaurant
Bestnew restaurant (opened September 2023 or later)
Best Northshorerestaurant
Best outdoor dining
Best outdoor seating
Best pizzarestaurant
Best place for lunch
Best place to desserts
Best place to get apo-boy
Best place to get asandwich
Best place to get boiled seafood
Best place to get breakfast/brunch
Best place to get frozen desserts
Bestplace to get live crawfish
Best place to get oysters
Best place to get poke
Best place to get tacos
Best pop-up vendor
Best restaurant for adate night
Best restaurant for vegetarians/vegans
Best seafood restaurant
Best sno-ball stand
Best St. BernardParish restaurant
Best steakhouse
Best Thai restaurant
Best traditional Louisiana restaurant
Best Vietnamese restaurant
Best West Bank restaurant
ENTERTAINMENT Best bounceartist
Best burlesque performer
Best casino
Best drag performer
Best festival
Best livemusic venue(large)
Best livemusic venue(small)
Best local bluesartist/band
Best local brassband
Best local DJ
Best local funk band
Best local hip-hop group/artist
Best local movie theater
Best local music artist/band
Best local rock band
Best local theater company
Best local traditional jazz group/artist
Best marching group
Best Mardi Gras parade
Best outdoor live music venue (not including festivals)
Best placetosee burlesque
Bestplace to seecomedy
Best placetosee drag
Bestlocal street performer
Best strip club
GOODS & SERVICES
Best AC repair company
Best bicycle shop
Bestblack ownedsmall business
Best car dealership
Best caterer
Best costume store
Best florist
Best local framing store
Best garden store
Best Jefferson neighborhood grocery
Best lawfirm
Best local bank/creditunion
Best local roofing company
Best local rug store
Best locallyowned bookstore
Best locallyowned bridal shop
Best locallyowned Carnival supply store
Best locallyowned children’s store
Best locallyowned furniturestore
Bestlocallyowned jewelrystore
Bestlocallyowned kitchen design store
Best locallyowned men’s clothing store
Best locallyowned music store
Best locallyowned pet supply store
Best locally owned shoe store
Best locally owned storefor home decor /accents
Best locally owned women’s boutique
Best New Orleans
neighborhood grocery
Best Northshore
neighborhood grocery
Best pet boarding/day care business
Best pet grooming business
Best place to buy agift
Best place to buy CBD and THC products
Best place to buy consignment clothing
Best place to buy eyewear
Best place to buy vintage / consignment furniture
Best place to buy vintage clothing
Best smoke shop
Best thriftstore
Best vape shop
Best veterinary/animal clinic
Best woman-owned small business PERSONALCARE +WELLNESS
Best barbershop
Best day spa
Best dentist
Best dermatology practice
Best hair salon
Best health club/fitnessstudio
Best hospital
Best locally ownedpharmacy
Best medspa
Best peircer
Best peircing shop
Best place for mental health care
Best place to buy adulttoys
Best place to get a manicure/pedicure
Best place to get amassage
Best place to get waxed
Best tattoo artist
Best tattoo shop
Best yoga studio
LOCAL LIFE Best artgallery
Best assisted living/ retirementcommunity
Best dog park
Best family friendly/ kid friendly places/activites
Best golf course
Best grammar school
Best highschool
Best kept local secret
Best local artist (painter,sculptor,etc)
Bestlocal coffee shop to work/study
Best museum
Best nonprofit
Best nursery/ preschool
Best park
Best paved street
Best place to get married
Best pool
Best pothole (provide street name, intersection, etc)
Best real estate agent
Best real estate office
Best summer camp
VISITOR RECOMMENDATIONS Best 24 hour bar
Best bail bondsman
Best bar for day drinking
Best bed and breakfast
Best daquiri
Best FrenchQuarter restaurant
Best haunted /ghost tour
Best hotel
Best hotel bar
Best IV lounge
Best place to cure ahangover
Best place to get amuffuletta
Best place to get late night food
Best street for shopping
Best swamptour
Best Uptownhotel
MEDIA Best local food social media account
Best local social media account
Best local investigative reporter
Best local radiopersonality
Best local TV news anchor
Best local TV sportscaster
Best local TV station
Best local TV weathercaster
Best radiostation
TheLouisianaPhilharmonic Orchestra’s highlyanticipated 2024/25season is here!
Youare invitedtoexperience theenergy,excitement, and wonder this season hastooffer with your GRAMMY® Awardwinning LPO andworld-class guest artists includingTerence Blanchard, Doreen Ketchens, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Songbird of NewOrleans,RobinBarnes, and more! and more!
Fortickets or moreinformation, visit lpomusic.com
Tulane Green Wave Guayabera
PHOTOBYALICE &AMELIA
$95.00, Alice&Amelia, 4432 Magazine Street NewOrleans, LA, (504)502-6206
Day Day DaGame Super Tigers PurpleOnesie
$19.99, from NOLAGifts &Decor,5101 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite#1Metairie, LA, (504)407-3532
PHOTOBYNOLAGIFTS &DECOR
ePocket
Tiger Pillow in SoftGold
$20.00, from Southern Charm Home &Gifts,5928W Metairie Ave#11, Metairie, LA 70003, (504)655-0178
PHOTOBYSOUTHERNCHARMHOME&GIFTS
$28.99,from NOLABoo, 517Metairie Rd #200, Metairie, LA 70005, (5 )5 PH
Boots
Door Hanger,Purple&Gold
$54.99,from NOLA Gifts &Decor,5101West Esplanade Avenue, Suite#1 Metairie, LA,(504) 407-3532
PHOTOBYNOLAGIFTS &DECOR
archin
Purpleand GoldFootball Player Earrings
$14.00,from Southern Charm Home &Gifts, 5928 WMetairie Ave#11, Metairie, LA 70003, (504)655-0178
PHOTOBYSOUTHERNCHARM HOME &GIFTS
Beaded Gameday PurseStrap
$55,from The Season Boutique,879 Hickory Ave, Harahan LA 70123, (504)669-0070
PHOTOBY THESEASONBOUTIQUE
Tulane Football Door Hanger
$54.99,from NOLAGifts &Decor, 5101 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite#1Metairie,LA, (504)407-3532
PHOTOBYNOLAGIFTS &DECOR
LSU HornLegend Polo
$115, The Season Boutique,879 Hickory Ave, Harahan LA 70123, (504)669-0070
PHOTOBY
THESEASONBOUTIQUE
Sunglasses
Spots Sp s otsSpo Hot Bub’s NOLA
4413 Banks St, NewOrleans, LA 70119 (504)581-8054, bubsnola.com
Bub’s NOLA specializesinfine smash burgers, frenchfries, andmore. Guests can enjoyaburgerbeforethe game or have them caterthe next game dayparty.They areexpanding, with Bub’s Grab andGoset to open Uptown on Freret St.this fall!
Erin Rose
811Conti St, NewOrleans, LA 70112 (504)522-3573,erinrosebar.com
$14.00 -$16.00, gae-tana’s,7732 MapleSt, NewOrleans, LA 70118, (504)865-9625
This FrenchQuarter bar is known forits welcoming atmosphere, deliciousBloody Marys, famousfrozen Irish Coffees, andgreat music. Home to the renowned KillerPoboys and open 21 hours aday,itoffers cocktails, casual bites, andsportsonTV—makingitthe ideal spottocheer foryourteamwith aFrozen Irish CoffeeorBloody Mary.
KatiesRestaurant &Bar
3701 Iberville St, NOLA (504)488-6582, katiesinmidcity.com
Although bright, shiny, andnew inside and out, the heartand soul of Katie’s Restaurant and Bar as an old-school, family-operated neighborhood restaurant,stillechoesthe visionsoffounder Mr.Leo Leininger.Katies is theplace to be forgamedayswith our brand-new TV’s and$5drinkspecials Monday-Friday!
Lots aLuck Tavern
203Homedale St., NOLA,(504) 483-0978
Voted#2DiveBar by Gambit readers, Lots a Luck’sindoor andoutdoor seatingmakes it a greatplace to watchthe games or celebrate awin.Everydayspecials include:$5shots of JamesonorFireball& MillerHigh Life. Monday-$1offDraft Pints. Tuesday- $3 Titos till 7pm.Wednesday-$3Jameson till7pm.
NiceGuysNOLA
7910 EarhartBlvd, NewOrleans, LA 70125 (504)302-2404, niceguysnola.com
NiceGuysNOLAprovidesa distinctive dining experience, blendingNew Orleans’ culinary heritage with innovativetwists. Visit before, during, or afterthe game forgreat food andalivelypatio atmosphere.
Tina 3Tiger WedgeSandal
$58.99,from NOLABoo, 517Metairie Rd #200, Metairie, LA 70005, (504)510-4655
PHOTOBYNOLABOO
SaddleBar
715Bienville St,New Orleans, LA 70130 (504)313-1113, saddlebarneworleans.com
SaddleBar boasts twofloors andtwo distinctbars, known forexcellent service, retro signatureshots, andcountry vibes. Guests cantakeaseatona saddletoenjoy the game whilesipping on signature cocktails. Enjoya$2beer andwellspecialdaily until 8PM.
PHOTO BY GAE-TAN
EAT+DRINK Mexicanevolution byBethD’Addono | CHEFANACASTROHASAVERY BUSYMIND.
AtAcamaya,thenewBywater restaurantsheownswithhersister LydiaCastro,sheseespurposeineach elementontheplateandeverydesign detail.Althoughhighlycollaborative bynature,Castroisalsoavisualistand athinker.AndwiththeJuneopening ofAcamaya,shesayssheisfeeling happy,energizedandmoreconfident thanshe’sfeltinyears.
“Idon’tthinkIcouldhaveopened thisrestaurantanywhereelse,”says Castro,36.“Becauseoftheseafood wegethereandbecauseofthecommunityofpeoplewhoarediners,bon vivantswholovetogotorestaurants. NewOrleansisspecialinthatway Acamayaisn’tareplicableconcept. LenguaMadrewouldbe,butnotthis place,whichfitsexactlywhereIamin mylife.It’sflexibleandit’sfun.”
Althoughthechef’srootsarein MexicoCity,Acamaya,whichmeans crawfishinspanish,isn’tbasedona particularconceptthere.
“TherearecontemporaryMexican restaurantsinMexicoCity,”shesays. “That’swhatwehaveincommon.”
BeingaMexicanwomanmaking foodthatrelatestoherheritageis everythingtoCastro.sheseesvery fewMexicanrestaurantsinNew Orleans,andinthesouth,thatare ownedbyMexicans.
“placeslikeChicago,philly,L.A., thereareabunchofMexicansinthose places,”shesays.“Thosefamiliesown restaurants,fromfancytochill.That’s nottheusualhere.”
CastrolandedinNewOrleanstobe closetohersister.Herculinarycareer isbuiltonafoundationthatincludes experienceinNewYorkandworking intheMichelin-starredrestaurant relæ,inCopenhagen.Here,she foundcommunityandthekindof connectionsshe’dbeenmissinginher life.shewenttoworkforchefMichael stoltzfusatThalia,whichthenbecame herrestaurant,LenguaMadre Thebuzzwasimmediate,including beingnamedoneoftheBestNewChefs of2022byFood&Winemagazine.
“Accoladesaregreat,somethingto besharedwithmyteam,withmycity, buttheyaren’tmyNorthstar,”Castro says.“They’realagniappe.”
WithAcamaya,shedidn’twant anothertastingmenurestaurant. Havingasettastingmenu,shefelt, wastoorestrictive.
“Byitsnature,atastingmenuis structured,”shesays.“It’seasier toexecutebecauseyou’recooking thesamething.ButIt’sverydifficult togetmyteaminvolvedincreating dishes.Theparametersarestricter, whichdoesn’tallowforflexibility andcreativity.”
AtAcamaya,Castroandherteam thinkoutsidethebox.Thetuna tostado,forexample,isanything buttraditional.Afree-formroundof crunchytortillaislayeredwithslabsof raw,seasonedtunaandtoppedwith sliversofnoriandascatteringofsmall Japanesepeanutsforcrunch Caviarserviceincorporatesgorditas,smalldisksofmasainsteadof blinis,andisservedwithmashedayocotebeansandcrema.Basscevicheis madewithchamoy,apickledMexican condimentmadewithchiliesandfruit, inthiscasethelastoftheseason’s rainiercherries.
FORK +CENTER Emaildining@gambitweekly.com
Themenuincludesa glossaryoftermsthat aremostlyunfamiliar toeventhemost seasoneddiner.
“Contemporary MexicaniswhatI do,”shesays.“Our seafoodcocktail, ouraguachile,isvery traditional.Butalotof thesedishesareriffs onthingsI’veeatenor comeupwith.They areMexicanonly becauseIam.”
Castroisseeing 90%ofguests samplingmostof themenu’ssmall plates,maybesharinganentréeor two.There’sawholerainbowtrout, carneasadaandblackenedflounder Veracruzstyle.
At$40,thearroznegroisthe priciestdish,andthehuitlacocheisto blame.Therarefungusgrowsnaturallyoncorn,givingkernelsanearthy umamithatmightbecomparedto trufflesbutismuchmoresubtle.
“It’sshippedfromCaliforniaby plane,”Castrosays.“It’smoreexpensivethansteak.”
Fornow,she’sservingdinnerand drinksThursdaythroughMonday,but planstoexpandwithweekendlunch servicenextmonthandstayopen sevendaysaweekbyyear’send
Therestaurantfeelsnew,andnot justbecausethestorefrontspace wasbuiltinthepastsixmonths.The ideasarefresh.Alltheplates,the lightfixturesandthebreezeblock weresourcedinMexico.Graphicsare inspiredbythemodernpaintingsof JosefAlbers,whointurnwasinspired byhistravelsinMexico
ForCastro,controllingthekitchen isn’therendgame.
“I’msurroundedbytalented people,”shesays.“I’mgoingto takeapagefromchefDonaldLink’s book.Iwanttohelpmypeoplegrow anddotheirownthing.Acamaya allowsforthat.”
JohnBeshreemerges ANEWRIVERFRONTRESTAURANTNOW TAKINGSHAPEINDOWNTOWNNew Orleansissignalingamorepublicrole forthechefbehindit,JohnBesh, nearlysevenyearsafterasexualmisconductscandalsawhimvanishfrom publicview
BeshwaswidelyregardedastheleadingchefinNewOrleansbeforesexual harassmentcomplaintsrockedhiscompanyin2017.Heswiftlysteppeddown fromoperatingthebusiness,partofa raftofchangesfortherestaurantgroup, whichwasrenamedBrGHospitalityat thattime
ButnowBeshisbecomingamorevisiblepresenceastheenterpriseembarks onamajorproject,aLouisianaseafood restaurantinspanishplazatobecalled DelacroixFishCamp&Bar.
WhileBeshhaskeptalowprofile since2017,hehasremainedapartner inBrG,whichheco-foundedasBesh restaurantGroupwithOctavioMantilla in2005.
kitchenatLukein2015.
Withthenewriverfrontrestaurantin theworks,heisspeakingpubliclyabout hisrole.
“rightnow,Iwanttocontinuetopursueteachingandinspiringyoungchefs andmanagersinhospitality,”Beshsaid inaninterview.“ThisiswhatIwant tofocusoninthisnewchapter,that’s wheremytalentsandpassionlie.”
Askedifhewouldcallhislatestmove arunatacomeback,Beshinsteadcharacterizeditaswhatheneedstodoathis companytorecoverfromthepandemic. “really,allIwanttodoisputmyhead downandwork,andpushforwardwith whatwe’vealwaysdone,andmakea differenceinthislittlepartoftheworld weliveinhere,”hesaid.
ChefJohnBeshcooksinthe
AnaCastroopensAcamayainBywater
ChefAnaCastrofocuseson seafoodatAcamaya. PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER/ GAMBIT
Besh,a56-year-oldmarriedfather offour,isaslidellnativewhosestar beganrisingthroughthe1990s, andwiththeopeningofhisupscale flagshiprestaurantAugustin2001 HeandMantillabeganexpandingin thepost-Katrinarebuildingera,and theircompanyemergedasaleading voiceformodernNewOrleansfood andhospitality
Beshtookahigh-profilerolein themedia,fromcookbooksto cookingshowsandFoodNetwork appearances.Beshrestaurantsand theirchefsbecamemagnetsfor JamesBeardAwardrecognition andotheraccolades.
Then,inOctober2017,TheTimespicayunepublishedastorybyformer restaurantwriterBrettAnderson allegingsexualharassmentwithin thecompany,theresultofaneightmonthinvestigation.Womenquoted inthereportdescribedatoxicwork environmentwhereharassmentwent unchecked,andtherewereallegations againstBeshhimself
Theissuescompelledanumber ofwomentoleavetheirjobs,and severalfiledcomplaintswiththeequal employmentOpportunityCommission. Twodaysafterthestorybroke, Beshsteppeddownastheheadof hiscompany.Heissuedastatement expressingregretforhisactionsand saidheaimedtorebuildhismarriage andapologizetoanyone“whohas workedformewhofoundmybehavior asunacceptableasIdo.”
BrGpromotedoneofitsmanagers, shannonWhite,tobeCeO, andusheredinnewhumanresources systemsandtraining.Theinvestigationrevealedthatwhiletherestaurant companyhadgrowntomorethan 1,000employees,itdidnothave ahumanresourcesdepartment untilshortlybeforethereport waspublished.
Theinvestigationprovokedwidespreaddiscussionaboutsexismand sexualharassmentintherestaurant businessatatimewhenthe#MeToo movementwasbringingtheissueto theforefrontinmanyindustries.Besh wasanearlyandprominentexample ofapublicfigurewhohadallegations madeagainsthimandsteppedaway frompubliclife
Othersfromthattimehave attemptedcomebacks,notably MarioBatali,thecelebritychef. Batalieventuallysoldhisrestaurants andremainedoutofview,thoughlate lastyearhebeganpostingcooking videosandothercontenttohis Instagramaccount.
someofthepeopleclosesttothe issueraisedin2017didnotwelcome thenewsofBesh’sreturn.
FORK &CENTER “AmIsurprisedbyJohnBeshtrying tocreepbackintothepubliceyeand dohisredemptiontour?sadlyno. Moredisgustedanddisappointed,” saidLindseyreynolds,aformerBesh restaurantGroupemployee.
sheseesitasanefforttosweepbad behaviorundertherug,andblamed “theNewOrleansgoodole’boysclub” andthelocalmediaforitscoverageof BrGrestaurants
AtBrG,WhiteremainsCeOand continuestoruntheday-to-dayoperations,whileBeshhasbecomemore engagedattherestaurants.
Foraboutayearnow,hehasworked primarilywithculinarystaffbehind thescenes,especiallyatLukeand restaurantAugust.Hesaysthisiswhat thecompanyneedsasnewprojects arise,likeDelacroix.Hesaysheisnot seekingtoregainthespotlight.
MantillasaidBesh’smainroletoday is“toteachandinspire.”
“Wehaveaverygoodteamthat’s beenwithussincethecompany started.Theystillfightthedailybattles withus,”Manillasaid.“That’swhy we’redoingthis,tomakeopportunities forpeopleonourteam.Wearehitting therestaurants,talkingwithteam membersaboutthevision,andgetting themonboard.”
Followingthesexualharassment report,Beshsteak,insidewhatwas thenHarrah’sCasino,closedimmediately.Otherswerespunoffasdifferent partnersformednewcompaniesto buyoutBrG,includingtheMexican restaurantJohnnysanchezandBesh’s one-timehotelrestaurantdivision.
Themosthigh-profilechange cameinthesplitfromAlonshaya, thechefwhocametofameatBrG’s ItalianrestaurantDomenicaand thenatthemodernIsraelirestaurantshaya.Beshandshayalanded infederalcourtinafightoverthat restaurant’sname.ThecasewassettledwithBrGkeepingthename.Alon shayawentontoformhisowncompanyandopenrestaurantsincluding sabaandMissriverinNewOrleans BrGcontinuedtoopenrestaurants, startingwiththeCajunrestaurant euniceinHoustonin2018.InNew Orleans,twonewrestaurants, WarbucksandChoThai,opened andclosed.
Thecompanyhasbeengrowingmore recently,openingaLakeviewlocation ofitspizzaDomenicaconceptin2022, andTavi,asiblingrestauranttoshaya, whichopenedinCovingtonin2023. ThatsameyearitacquiredtheLarder deliinMetairie.
BrGnowruns10restaurants andhasanotherCovingtonrestaurant intheworks.—IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune
leTropical Isle 435 BOUR
TropicalIsle Original 600 BOURBON
TropicalIsle’s Bayou Club 610BOURBON
TropicalIsle 721 BOURBON
Littl RBON
HonkyTonk727 Bourbon
WINE OF T HE WEEK SophinaUong Chef byWillCoviello
Earthquake Zinfandel
This rich, burlyZinfandel offers overthe top concentration and intensity thatwillleave your tastebuds trembling! Opening with luscious redfruitand brown sugar aromas, this fullbodied Zin overflows with strawberry jam, molasses and vanilla bean flavors carried through by afruit laced finish that lingers until the next quake.
DISTRIBUTEDBY
ATMISTERMAO,CHEFSOPHINAUONG DRAWSFROMCUISINESaroundthe globe,andsheandhusbandWilliam Greenwelldubtheirrestauranta “tropicalroadhouse.”OnMondays duringsummer,amixofguestchefs haveofferedtakesonbarbecueand othercuisines.OnMonday,Aug.26, uongturnstohernativeCambodia Herfamilyimmigratedfromphnom penhtosouthernCaliforniawhen shewasyoung,andtheyeventually ownedseveraldoughnutshops. uongbecameaprofessionalchef andworkedatrestaurantsinthesan FranciscoBayAreaandMinneapolis beforemovingtoNewOrleans.For “MamasanMonday,”sheoffersa shortmenuofKhmer-inspired dishesaswellastheregularmenu. Fordetailsorreservations,go tomistermaonola.com.
Howwouldyou describeCambodianfood? SOPHINAUONG: Ihavespenttime recentlygoinghometovisitmydadin California.There’sahugeCambodian communityinLongBeach.Ihavespent alotmoretimeinthepastcoupleof yearseatingCambodianfoodand realizingit’sreallyhardtofindoutside ofLongBeach.
Cambodianfoodiskindofalost cuisine,atleastitishere.Weusealot ofsmallingredientstogetcomplex flavor.Weusemorefieryhotpeppers andherbsandspices.It’shardin southeastAsiatoclaimwhatisThai andwhatisCambodian.Laabis Cambodian,butit’sclosetotheThai borderandit’sclaimedthere.
WesharetheborderwithThailand andVietnam.BothThailandand Vietnamhavenorthernandsouthern regions,butCambodian(food)ispretty consistent.Vietnamesefoodisalittle lighter.It’sfastertocook.It’sbrighter withlimeandfreshherbs.Likewith fishsauce,theyusesaltmorethanthe Thaido.
Thetraditionofmakinglightercurries—withcoconutorlightbonebroths —andheaviermeatstewsandcurries withanarm’slengthlistofingredients todice,chop,pound,grind,shred andminceismoresharedbetween CambodiaandThailand.
Thereiscrossoverbetweenthe CambodianandLaotianfoodbecause oftheHmongpeople.Ifeelthatmy
Hmongfriendsliketheirfoodalot morefunkythanIpreferit.We’re talkingfishpasteandshrimppaste andcrabpaste. Wehavealwayshadariceflour saladthatleansintoCambodianor Laotiancuisine
Whatareyoudoing forthe“Mamasan Monday”menu?
U: Icookalotbytastememory. IcanmimicalotofthecuisinesI havehadgrowingupinsouthern CaliforniaandlivingintheBay Areafor30years AllthesoutheastAsiancountries eatnoodlesforbreakfast.Oneof thedishesthatwe’redoingistraditionallyeatenforbreakfast,butit’s moreofacelebratorynoodledish, becauseit’ssuchapainintheassto make.soit’snotmadeoften.It’s weird.It’shumble,butittakesawhile tomakethebroth.It’sinbetweena soupandnotasoup.It’scallednom banhchok.It’slemongrassy.We’re probablygoingtousedrum.You poundthefishwiththelemongrass, freshturmericandchiliesandstuff. It’sveryaromatic. Grilledlemongrassbeefisatraditionalpartyfood.It’sbeefskewers withlemongrass,fishsauceandpicklesontheside.It’sprettycommon. Youcanmakeawrapoutofitoreatit withrice.It’slikethebatmitzvahfood forCambodians.
Wehaveputthelemongrassbeef skewersorvariationsofitonthemenu (atMisterMao).rightnow,wehavea cryingtigersteakonthemenu.Wetry nottolabelwhatcountryit’sfrom.We areriffingonit.
We’remakingasavoryshrimppancakethattheVietnamesecallbanh khot.It’satinycoconut,turmericcrepe It’slikebanhxeo.It’sacrepewithbean sproutsinitandshrimporpork.
Aretheremore adventurousorunique Cambodiandishes?
U: Ifoundsomeingredientsonatrip (toLongBeach)acoupleweeksago. Ibroughtthembacktomessaround with.Ibroughtprahok.It’safishpaste madefromariverfish.It’seither saltedandchunkylikeanchovies,or it’spureed.usually,youputhotwater overitlikeit’satea,andyouwantitto disintegrateandthenyoustrainit.It’s superfunky.It’snotforeveryone. We’redoingaprahokktis,whichis groundpork,peanutsandfishpaste It’sagroundporkcurry,butyoueat itwithrawvegetables.It’slikeadip Iamdebatinghowassertivetomake it.CookingforAmericans,Itendto temperthingsdown Wemightbemakingahard-boiled eggdish.Wedothatwhenwegoto festivals.It’saCambodian-Laotian dish.It’sbarbecuedeggs.Youtake theeggandhollowitout.Youmix theeggswithfishsauceandblack pepper,andthenyouputitback intotheeggandsteamit.Then,you throwitonthegrill.Youpeelitand eatitwithagarlicky,hot,peppery shrimppaste.
Withcooking,nomatterwhatthe cuisineis,youhavetoreadyour audience.Iwantthingstobefunky andspicy,butalotofpeoplecan’t handlethat.Youhavetomakeit palatablesopeoplewilltryit
PHOTOBYCHRIS GRANGER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE
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. Noreservations.Lunchanddinner Tue.-sun $
Annunciation 1016AnnunciationSt., (504)568-0245;annunciationrestaurant. com—GulfDrumYvonneisservedwith brownbuttersaucewithmushroomsand artichokehearts.Therealsoareseafood pastadishes,steaks,lambchopsandmore. reservationsrecommended.Dinner Thu.-Mon.$$$
Bamboula’s—514FrenchmenSt.;bamboulasmusic.com—Thelivemusicvenue’s kitchenoffersamenuoftraditionalandcreativeCreoledishes,suchasCreolecrawfish crepeswithgoatcheeseandchardonnay sauce.reservationsaccepted.Lunch, dinnerandlate-nightdaily $$
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 ThemenucombinesclassicFrenchdishesandLouisiana itemslikecrabbeignetswithherbaioli sandwichesincludepo-boys,amuffuletta onflatbreadandaburger.Noreservations. Breakfastandlunchdaily $$ TheCommissary—634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com A smokedturkeysandwichisservedwith bacon,tomatojam,herbedcreamcheese, arugulaandherbvinaigretteonhoneyoat bread.Themenuincludesdips,salads, sandwiches,boudinballs,friedoystersand more.Noreservations.Outdoorseating available.LunchTue.-sat.$$ Curio—301RoyalSt.,(504)717-4198; curionola.com—ThecreativeCreolemenu includesblackenedGulfshrimpservedwith chickenandandouillejambalaya.Therealso arecrabcakes,shrimpandgrits,crawfish etouffee,po-boysandmore.reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Dahla—611O’KeefeAve.,(504)766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com—Themenuincludes popularThaidisheslikepadthai,drunken noodles,curriesandfriedrice.Crispy skinnedduckbasilispreparedwithvegetablesandThaibasil.Deliveryavailable
$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10
$$—$11-$20
$$$—$20-up
reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Mon.-sat $$
DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Amenufull ofGulfseafoodincludeschar-grilledoysters toppedwithparmesanandherbs.Themenu alsoincludespo-boys,po-boys,gumbo, blackenedfish,friedseafoodplatters andmore.reservationsrecommended. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse— 144BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse.com There’saseafoodraw barwithrawandchar-broiledoysters,fish dip,crabfingers,shrimpandmore.redfish ontheHalf-shelliscookedskin-onand servedwithcrab-boiledpotatoes,frisee andlemonbuerreblanc.reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily $$$
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—The FlyingBurritoincludessteak,shrimp, chicken,cheddarjackcheese,blackbeans, rice,guacamoleandsalsa.Themenualso includestacos,quesadillas,enchiladas, fajitas,nachos,saladsandmore.Outdoor seatingavailable.Noreservations.Lunch anddinnerThu.-Tue $$
Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt., (504)488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com—The CajunCubanwithroastedpork,ham,cheese andpickles.Theeclecticmenualsoincludes char-grilledoysters,sandwiches,burgers, pizza,friedseafoodplatters,pasta,salads andmore.Deliveryavailable.reservations acceptedforlargeparties.Lunchanddinner Tue.-sun $$
Kilroy’sBar—HigginsHotel,480Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining Thebarmenuincludes sandwiches,saladsandflatbreads,including onetoppedwithpeach,prosciutto,stracciatellacheese,arugulaandpecans. Noreservations.DinnerWed.-sat.$$ LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern—700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes oysters,flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches, saladsandaNOLAstyleGritsBowltopped withbacon,cheddarandapoachedegg. reservationsaccepted.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily $$
LegacyKitchenSteak&Chop—91 WestbankExpressway,Gretna,(504) 513-2606;legacykitchen.com Themenu includesfiletsmignonsandbone-inribeyes,aswellasburgers,saladsandseafood dishes.reservationsaccepted.Outdoor seatingavailable.Lunchanddinner Mon.-sat $$ LuzianneCafe—481GirodSt.,(504)2651972;luziannecafe.com—BoudinBenedict featurestwopoachedeggsoverboudinand anenglishmuffin,servedwithgreentomato chowchowandhollandaise.Noreservations.Deliveryavailable.Breakfastand lunchWed.-sun.$$ Mikimoto 3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com Thesouth Carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.Lunchsun.Fri.,dinnerdaily $$ Mosca’s—4137Highway90West, Westwego,(504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com Thisfamily-styleeateryserves Italiandishesandspecialtiesincluding chickenalagrande,shrimpMosca,baked oystersMoscaandchickencacciatore reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.-sat Cashonly $$$
Mother’sRestaurant 401PoydrasSt., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net— Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys dressedwithslicedcabbageandCreole favoriteslikejambalaya,crawfishetouffee, redbeansandriceandmore.Breakfast isavailableallday.Deliveryavailable. Noreservations.Breakfast,lunchand dinnerdaily.$$
Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeansandricewithfried chickenorporkchops,aswellasshrimp Creole,seafoodplatters,po-boys,chargrilledandrawoysters,saladsandmore. sideitemsincludecarrotsouffle,macand cheese,cornbreaddressing,sweetpotato totsandmore.Noreservations.Lunchdaily, dinnerMon.-sat.,brunchsun.$$ NiceGuysBar&Grill—7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola. com—Char-grilledoystersaretopped withcheeseandgarlicbutter,andother optionsincludeoystersrockefellerand loadedoysters.Thecreativemenualso includesseafoodbread,aCajun-lobster potato,wings,quesadillas,burgers,salads, sandwiches,seafoodpasta,loadedfriesand more.Noreservations.Lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-sat $$$
OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro— 720OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com—Thewinebaroffers cheeseboardsandappetizerstonoshwith wines.ThemenuincludesCreolepasta withshrimpandandouilleintomatocream sauce.reservationsacceptedforlarge parties.Outdoorseatingavailable.Dinner Thu.-sun $$
PalaceCafe 605CanalSt.,(504)5231661;palacecafe.com—ThecontemporaryCreolemenuincludescrabmeat cheesecakewithmushroomsandCreole meunieresauce.Outdoorseatingavailable. reservationsrecommended.Breakfastand lunchWed.-Fri.,dinnerWed.-sun.,brunch sat.-sun $$$
ParishGrill—4650W.EsplanadeAve.,Suite 100,Metairie,(504)345-2878;parishgrill
com—Themenuincludesburgers,sandwiches,pizzaandsauteedandouillewith figdip,bluecheeseandtoastpoints. reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Mon.-sat $$
PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot, 501TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073; peacockroomnola.com—Atbrunch,braised shortribgrilladesareservedovergritswith mushrooms,apoachedeggandshaved truffle.reservationsaccepted.Dinner Wed.-Mon.,brunchsun.$$ Rosie’sontheRoof HigginsHotel, 480AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)5281941;higginshotelnola.com/dining The rooftopbarhasamenuofsandwiches, burgersandsmallplates.Crabbeignetsare madewithGulfcrabmeatandmascarpone andservedwithherbaioli.Noreservations.Dinnerdaily.$$ 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., brunchThu.-sun $$$ Tacklebox—817CommonSt.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com Themenu includesrawandchar-broiledoysters, seafoodplatters,po-boys,friedchicken, crabandcornbisqueandmore.redfishst Charlesisservedwithgarlic-herbbutter, asparagus,mushroomsandcrawfishcornbread.reservationsaccepted.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$
Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza—1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorial Blvd.,Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024 CanalSt.,(504)302-1133;4218Magazine St.,(504)894-8554;70488Highway21, Covington,(985)234-9420;theospizza. com—AMarilynnpotasupremepieis toppedwithmozzarella,pepperoni, sausage,hamburger,mushrooms,bell peppersandonions.Therealsoaresalads, sandwiches,wings,breadsticksandmore. Deliveryavailable.Lunchanddinner Tue.-sat $
Tito’sCeviche&Pisco—1433St.Charles Ave.,(504)354-1342;5015Magazine St.,(504)267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com
Theperuvianmenuincludesseveral typesofceviche,aswellassteakand seafooddishes.Traditionallomosaltado featuressauteedbeeftenderlointips, onions,tomatoes,soysauceandpisco, servedwithpotatoesandrice.Outdoor seatingavailableonMagazinestreet. Deliveryavailable.reservations accepted.LunchanddinnerMon.-sat., brunchsun.$$$
TheVintage—3121MagazineSt.,(504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com—There’sa fullcoffeedrinksmenuandbakedgoodsand beignets,aswellasafullbar.Themenuhas flatbreads,cheeseboards,smallplatesand apressedveggiesandwichwithavocado, onions,arugula,redpepperandpepper jackcheese.Noreservations.Deliveryand outdoorseatingavailable.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily.$$
Love of the orF CoffeeCoffee Crawl AUGUST19-SEPTEMBER2 Getready forabrew-tifultwo-week adventureatyourown pace with ourCoffee Crawl! ExploreNOLA’slocal coffeeshops from August19toSeptember2 andindulge in your favorite brews forachanceto WIN!
HOWTOPARTICIPATE: 1. Visitthe participatingcoffee shopslistedinour guide.
2. Snap aphoto whileyou’rethere! Whetherit’saselfie with your cuporapicture of your coffee with theshopinview, make it fun!
3. Submit your photos by emailing them to vip@gambitweekly.com
OR sharethemonInstagram, tagging@gambitneworleans by Monday,September2,2024.
Complete allthe stopsonthe crawlfor achancetowin our GrandPrize: theMoccamaster KBGVSelectmodelhome brewingsystem, plus FREE VIPentry foryou andaguest to theNOLACoffee Festival on September27-28!
Participants whotakepartinthe crawlbut don’tfinish allthe stops will stillbeeligiblefor additional prizes.These includeaticketto theNOLACoffee Festival,gift cardsfromparticipating coffee shops, andmore! Your prizes will depend on howmanyshops you visitand thephotosyou submit So,the more youdiscover, the higher your chancesofwinning
Questions?Email vip@gambitweekly.com
EvolveCoffee+Matcha
400HARRISONAVE., NEWORLEANS,LA70124
3304WESPLANADE AVENSTE B7, METAIRIE,LA70002
EVOLVECOFFEENOLA.COM
Evolve Coffee+Matcha, locatedinLakeview andMetairie, offerspremium ceremonial gradematchaand sustainablysourced coffeefromMojoCoffee
CurrentCrop
3931MAGAZINE ST., NEWORLEANS,LA70115
CURRENTCROPROASTING.COM
Coffeeloverscan explorehands-onworkshops rangingfrombrewing basics androasting techniques to coffeecocktails andpastrypairings.
CaféBonAmi
822PERDIDO ST.,UNIT E NEWORLEANS,LA70112
CAFEBONAMI.COM
LocatedinNew Orleans’ CBD, Café BonAmi offersexpertlybrewedcoffee,locally made pastries,and deliciousdishesin amodernatmospherefor meetingfriends
FORTHE LOVE OF COFFEECRAWL TwelfthNightCoffee 628N RAMPARTST., NEWORLEANS,LA70112
TWELFTHNIGHTCOFFEE.COM
TwelfthNight Coffeeisacozy, French Quartercaféhighlightingespresso, matcha andpastrieswhile celebrating itsNew Orleansheritage. Tryarich Café au Lait or refreshing NewOrleans Iced Coffeewithchicory!
LowerCoastCoffee 4228MAGAZINE ST, NEWORLEANS,LA70115
LOWERCOASTCOFFEE.COM
LowerCoastCoffeeoffersthevibrant flavorsofNewOrleanswithcrafted espressodrinks,coldbrew,matcha,and flavoredtea.Thecaféisopendailyfrom 7a.m.to5:30p.m.andhostsChildren’s StoryTimeeverySaturdayat9:30a.m.
NOLABeans 762HARRISONAVE., NEWORLEANS,LA70124
NOLABEANS.COM
NolaBeans,inLakeview,isnowunder newownership.NewownerAllisonis enhancingthemenu,drinkselections, andservicequality.NolaBeans embodiesaloveforreading,localart, andgeekyhobbies,servingasasafe andwelcomingspace.
Hey!Cafe 4300SDERBIGNYST., NEWORLEANS,LA70125
HEYCAFE.BIZ
Hey! Cafe,located in Historic Broadmoor, hasactivelysupported NewOrleans’creativeculture by facilitating aspiritedhospitality setting andhosting artand musichappenings.
TheCoffeehouse 3700PARISRD., CHALMETTE,LA70043
THECOFFEEHOUSEARABI.COM
TheCoffeehousecreates awelcoming environment forall customers. Visitors canenjoy avariety of hot, iced, or blendeddrinks, alongwith signaturecoldbrews andteas. The Coffeehouse offersdine-in drive-thru, mobile orders
TrumpetandDrum 3642MAGAZINE ST, NEWORLEANS,LA70115
@TRUMPETANDDRUM
TrumpetandDrumCoffeeoffersunique menuitemslikethePB&JLatte,Blackberry CreamColdBrew,BlueberryMatcha, &more!Thecaféalsocultivatesasense ofcommunity,withavarietyofseating options,cozyrooms,andacharming gardenpatiointheback
UndergrowthCoffee 4332MAGAZINE ST, NEWORLEANS,LA70115
UNDERGROWTHCOFFEE.COM
UndergrowthCoffee Shop and Roasterieisone of NewOrleans premierLGBTQ-operatedcafeand restaurants. Trythe 100% vegan CoconutNectarlatte,madewith house-recipecoconut milk
LuzianneCafe 481GIROD ST., NEWORLEANS,LA,7013O LUZIANNECAFE.COM
At Luzianne Café,inthe heartof theWarehouse District,savor their signaturecoffee andtea,refreshing mimosas, andother delightful drinks alongsideall-day breakfastand lunchfavorites
PirateKingCoffee 320EXCHANGEPL, NEWORLEANS,LA70130
@PIRATEKINGCOFFEE
Travelbacktoasimplertime,theearly 1800’sFrenchQuarter~NewOrleans. Closeyoureyes,smellthericharoma, takeasipandexploreoneofour perfectlybalanced,Frenchroastcoffee blends .Çac’estbon!
GospelCoffee 501TCHOUPITOULAS ST., NEWORLEANS,LA70130
GOSPELCOFFEENOLA.COM
Locatedinthe KimptonHotel Fontenot in theCBD,GospelCoffee andBoozy Treats is aplayful cafe with some heart andsoul. It’s aplace forgood coffee alongsidecheekytreatslikeboozeinfusedshakesand frozencustard with allthe fixings
PJ’sCoffee
PJSCOFFEE.COM
Awarmcup of PJ’s Coffee, located in NewOrleans,offers avariety of hotdrinks, organicteas, andiced beveragesmadewithoriginalcold brew.PJ’sservesonlythe top1% of specialtyArabica beansfor a gourmetcoffee experience
CharleyCrockett AmericanamusicianCharleyCrockett isanirrepressiblesongwriter.He’s releasedmorethanadozenfull-length albumssince2015,including“$10 Cowboy”anditssequel“Visionsof Dallas”justinthelastfewmonths. Andwhilehe’sbeenaforcebubblingincountrymusic’sinnercircles, Crockett’srecentreleaseshavestarted togivehimmorespotlight.Heplaysa mixofclassiccountry,bluesandsoul hecalls“Gulf&Western,”influenced bythesoundsheheardgrowingupin southTexas,DallasandNewOrleans, wherehespentsummersbuskingin theFrenchQuarter.Crockettreturnsto NewOrleansat7:30p.m.Friday,Aug 30,atTheFillmore.Ticketsare$47.50 viafillmorenola.com.
JamesSingleton, PhilDegruy&Sasha ElliahnaDurta
NewOrleansbassistJamesSingleton andguitaristPhilDeGruyresurrect theirunpredictableduocollaboration foranuncommonshowat8p.m. Wednesday,Aug.28,atZeitgeist Theatre&Lounge.Theconcertwill alsofeatureup-and-comingvocalistsashaelliahnaDurta,aNOCCA alumandmusicaltheaterstudentat Northwesternuniversity,singingin duoswithbothsingletonandDeGruy Admissionisfree.Findmoreinfo atzeitgeistnola.org.
BigCouchBinge
NewOrleansimprovcomedygroup
BigCouchcelebratesitsfirstyear initsphysicalspaceonDesirestreet withatwo-nightbingeofimprovisationalcomedy,stand-up,sketches, plays,filmandmore.Theshowwill changeevery30minutestoshowcase bothnewworksandpiecesthathave beenperformedoverthelastyear. TheBigCouchBingetakesplaceat6 p.m.Friday,Aug.30,andsaturday, Aug.31.Ticketsare$25pernight or$40forboth.Findmoreinfo atlinktr.ee/bigcouchnola.
TheQuickening NewOrleans’funky,cosmicrock bandTheQuickeningclosesout Tipitina’sFreeFridayssummerseries onAug.30.Brass-fueledfunksters AllThatopenat9p.m.Findmore infoattipitinas.com.
AnaisSt.John
ChanteuseAnaisSt.Johnhaslent hervoicetoeverythingfromjazzand bluestoopera.Theactressisalso
ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT knownfortributescelebratingpopular divas.sheperformsmusicbyTina Turner,including“proudMary”and “What’sLoveGottoDowithIt,”on Friday,Aug.30,attheDoubleDealer, theloungeattheOrpheumTheater. Andshereturnswithafive-pieceband torevisitthediscoandsoulsoundsof Donnasummeronsaturday,Aug.31 showsareat8p.m.Tickets$20 viaeventbrite.com.
ProjectDiscovery Organizedbytheglblwrmng collective,ProjectDiscoverybrings togetherNewOrleansDJstoplay mixesfeaturingnewmusicbylocal artists.Thenexteditionofproject DiscoveryfeaturespellowTalk (hip-hopartistpell’sDJproject), DJMadspinnz,DJrQAwayanda surpriseguestperformance.At8p.m. Friday,Aug.30,attheDewDropInn. AdmissionisfreewithrsVp viadewdropinnnola.com.
AlStewart
Scottishsinger-songwriterAl Stewartwaspartofthefolkrevival intheu.K.inthe1960sand’70s Hissoftrockhit“TheYearofthe Cat”tookitsnamefromareference totheVietnamesezodiac,though itwasreleasedin1976,ayearof thedragon.stewartmovedtoLos Angelesafteritsreleaseandfollowed upwiththepopularalbum“Time passages.”Currently,heoften performswiththeemptypockets. Forthisshow,he’sjoinedbyacouple ofemptypocketsmembersandsaxophonist/flutistChaseHuna.At7:30 p.m.saturday,Aug.31,atJefferson performingArtsCenter.Ticketsstart at$45viaticketmaster.com
ShakeDat
DJsKellyGreenandRustyLazer curateanightofbounce,hip-hop, Afrobeatandothersounds.At10p.m. sunday,sept.1,attherabbitHole. Ticketsare$5viarabbitholenola.com and$10atthedoor.
RosieTran
ComedianRosieTranhadherown specialinanNBCstand-upseries andstarredintheshortseries “ABrandNewYay!”shealsohosts aninterviewpodcast(“Outofthe Box”)aswellaspodcastsaboutsex edandcrypto.she’sjoinedbyryan rogersandMarkCaesarforashow at7p.m.Thursday,Aug.29,at ComedyHouse.Tickets$20via comedyhousenola.com.
Baked Chicken glazed with chunky sweetjalapeño peach sauceand yellow rice
Smoked Brisketwith Blackberry JalapeñoBbq Sauce smotheredgreen beans andbaked macaroni BraisedShort Ribs with au gratin potatoes andsmotheredgreen beans
Sesame CrustedTunaAppetizer served overgarlicchilli sauceand thin sliced cucumbersdrizzledwith eel sauce FriedFishTacos with fireroasted jalapeñocitrus salsaservedwith yellowrice
Salmon toppedwith fire roasted jalapeñocitrussalsa served with yellow rice andsmotheredgreen beans
FOrCOMpLeTe MusIC LIsTINGs ANDMOreeVeNTsTAKING pLACe IN THe NeWOrLeANs AreA, VIsIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM
Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY26
BAMBOULAS JonronierBand,5:30 pm;LesGetrexandCreoleCooking,9pm
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—Alex McMurray&GlenHartman,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—rickBerthod,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB MatineeAllstarBand,1pm;TinMen, 5pm;richard"piano"scottand Friends,8pm
TUESDAY27
BAMBOULAS—J.J.andtheA-OKs, 5:30pm;CaitieB.andTheHandMe Downs,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—IngridLuccia,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— richard“piano”scott,1pm;BlueHorn JazzBand,5pm;FritzelsAllstarBandw/ Jamilsharif,8pm
THERABBITHOLE—rebirthBrass Band,8pm
WEDNESDAY28
BAMBOULAS—CalebNelsonandHis Hot5,5:30pm;TheQueenand Friendz,9pm
BLUENILE—NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm
BOURBONOBAR—streetLyfe Band,8pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— richard“piano”scott,1pm;Bourbon streetstars,5pm;FritzelsAllstarBand w/KevinrayClark,8pm
PRYTANIATHEATRESATCANALPLACE philipMelancon,7pm
THEGOAT—VisceraTrail,Ancient entities,Teratoma,Konstricted,9pm
THURSDAY29
BAMBOULAS—ChristinaKaminisand TheMix,5:30pm;WolfeJohn'sBlues Band,9pm
BLUENILE—WhereY'atBrass Band,9pm
BOURBONOBAR—Xcitement Band,8pm
DEUTSCHESHAUS—Jefferson CommunityBandConcert,7pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB
richard“piano”scott,12:30pm;Doyle CooperBand,2:30pm;Johnsaavedra Band,6pm;FritzelsAllstarBandw/ KevinrayClark,8pm
PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT—
DaLovebirdswithrobinBarnesandpat Casey,8pm
ROCK'N'BOWL LeroyThomas&the Zydecoroadrunners,8pm
FRIDAY30
BAMBOULAS—FelipeAntonioQuinteto, 1:15pm;LesGetrexandCreoleCooking, 6:30pm;Bettisand3rdDegreeBrass Band,10pm
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER—eggYolk Jubilee+ConcreteConfetti,9pm
BLUENILE TheCaesarBrothers FunkBox,8pm;Kermitruffinsandthe Barbecueswingers,11pm
BOURBONOBAR—ellensmith&April spain,4pm
CARROLLTONSTATION—Mia Borders,7pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB
—richard"piano"scott,12:30pm; MatineeAllstarBandw/rossHoppe,
DwayneBurns,2:30pm;FritzelsAllstar Bandw/KevinrayClark,9pm
NOLABREWING Marcstone,Marilyn Barbarin,sunpie,KeikoKomaki,7pm
ROCK'N'BOWL—L.A.roxx,8:30pm
SANTOS Healthgoth,Nuddie piper,9pm
SATURDAY31
BAMBOULAS—TheJaywalkers,1:15pm; paggyprineandsouthernsoul,10pm
BLUENILE—GeorgeBrownBand,8pm
BOURBONOBAR—TiffanyHallAnd TheJazzMasters,4pm;TheBlues Masters,8pm
COURTYARDBREWERY—sariyah Idan,7pm
FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— MatineeAllstarBand,1pm;steve DetroyBand,2:30pm;Bourbon MatineeAllstarBandw/Chuck Brackman,6pm;FritzelsAllstarBand w/Jamilsharif,9pm
EggYolkJubileeplays BJ’sAug.30.
PHOTOBYMATTHEW PERSCHALL / THETIMES-PICAYUNE
NOLABREWING NoahYoungTriofeat. MahmoudChouki,7pm
PRYTANIATHEATRESATCANAL PLACE—philipMelancon,7pm
ROCK'N'BOWL—Mojeaux,8:30pm SATURNBAR—Daria&theHipDrops withsweetMagnolia,10pm
SUNDAY1
BJ'SLOUNGEBYWATER— JamesMcClaskeyandtherhythm Band,9pm
Adoseofhumor byWillCoviello
STEVENGILLESPIEWORKED INTECHBEFOREHEQUITtodo comedyfulltime.Butsome techseemstostillbeonhis mind.Inaclippostedonhis Instagrampage,hewarnsthe audienceabouttheconsequencesofhumansmaking sexrobots.
“Whentherobotstakeover, doyouthinkthey’regoingto forgetallaboutthat?”hesays “Doyouthinkthey’rejustgoing toletthatgo?”
Therobotsaregoingtoflip thescriptandturnpeopleinto sexhumans,hewarns.You’ll findyourselfsittinginthecornerofabedroomwhilearobot coupleargues.Inacomically retroimpressionofstiff-armed robotsdroninginearlycomputervoice-simulationtones, heconjuresadomesticsquabblebetweentwoandroids fightingoverwhytheygotasex humaninthefirstplace.
nightinadifferentpartofthevenue
“Youneverletmebehappy,”one robotbleeps.“I’mgoingtoactivate self-destruction.”
“Youalwaysthreatentoactivate self-destruction,”theothersays.“You don’thavethecircuitboards.Justlike yourfather.”
GillespieiscomingtoNewOrleans thisweekfortwoshowsatJunk Draweronsunday,sept.1.There’s alittlebitoftechinvolved,butit’san installmentofhisnewmind-opening projectofDoseshows
Doseshowssetthemoodforloversof psychedeliaandtrippyvibes
GillespieisbringingaDJfromDenver, andthey’llbejoinedbylocalcomics BenjaminHoffman,Kamaristevens, MichaelGlavianoandMary-Devon Dupuy.Theenvironmentisapsychedelic-friendlycrashpad,completewith tie-dyetapestries,lightandsound effectsandmore.TheDJwillplaymusic foranhourbeforethecomediansstart, offeringsoundscapesthroughout.
“Idoalotofriffingoffthecuff,improvisationalstuff,especiallywiththeDJ,” Gillespiesays.“There’safairamountof materialthatisinmyregularstand-up shows,andthere’smaterialthatworks inthatsetting.everynightisdifferent, andwetrytobeinthemomentwithit.”
Gillespiecreatedtheserieslastyear inhishomebaseofDenver.sincethen, he’sdoneDoseshowsfromseattleto pittsburgh.Inseattle,theshowwasin themusicvenuetheCrocodile,where therewasaravegoingonthesame
Gillespiewasdrawntocomedywhen hewasgrowingupinMinnesota,listeningtoeverythingfromGeorgeCarlin’s sharphumortoBrianregan’sclean comedytoGallagher’ssilliness.He startedmoonlightingatlocalcomedy clubswhileworkingadayjobandthen switchedtocomedyfulltime.
AfternineyearshemovedtoLos Angelestojumpintothestand-up scenethere.Hehasperformedonlate nightTVshowsandhasreleasedthree albums,includingthemostrecent one,2021’s“LiminalBliss”onHelium Comedyrecords.
Onstage,Gillespieoftenlooksabit disheveled,withtousledhairandashort beard.Hishumorisoftenself-deprecating.“LiminalBliss”includesjokes abouthisgirlfriendcallinghimabeta maleinthemiddleofaminorcrisis.
“shecalledmethattomyface,”he says,withmocksurprise.“Buttobefair, that’sexactlyhowyou’dtellsomebody they’reabetamale.”
Gillespieandhisgirlfriendmovedto Denverduringthepandemic.Hewas alreadyestablishedtherefromtouring, anditbecameafriendlyenvironment tolaunchhisDoseshows,particularly withthestate’snumerousdispensaries. psychedelicsaren’tdistributedthere, buttheyaredecriminalizedinColorado. StevenGillespieperformsat7& 9p.m.Sunday,Sept.1,atJunk Drawer.Ticketsare$25viaeventbrite. com.Formoreinformation,goto @comicgillespieonInstagram
PHOTOPROVIDEDBYSTEVE GILLESPIE
879HICKORY AVE| HarahanLA
Californiaqueen byWillCoviello
INHER2022COMEDYSPECIAL“HAM MOUTH,”AMYMILLERBRINGSUPthe frustrationsofthepandemic. shesaysshetoowasstuckinsidewith a“littleone.”
ButMillerisn’ttalkingaboutchildren. shejusthadareallyyoungboyfriend atthetime.Heeventuallywentoffto college,orsothejokegoes.
she’scurrentlyworkingonmaterial foranewspecial,andshe’sinNew Orleansthisweekfortwonightsof showsatJunkDraweronAug.30-31 Milleroftenjokesaboutkidsandher daysasateacher.In“HamMouth,”she tellsastoryaboutbeingmessedwithby ayoungboywhileshewasflirtingwitha substituteteacherintheclassroom.
AftergrowingupinOakland, California,Millerstudiedsocialwork andendedupteaching “Iwassupposedtobeasocial worker,”shesays,“Theskillsets overlapforsure.sometimestalking toaroomofdrunkadultsfeelslikea kindergartenclass.They’rechemically
unsettled,can’tfocusandhaveno respectforyou.”
shegotalatestartinstand-up, shesays,notreallygettingonstage untilshewas30.shealmostdidn’t doitatall.
“Ihadafriendwhowantedtotryit,” Millersays.“shepeerpressuredmeinto tryingitwithher.Wewerehavingfun withtheprocessofwritingjokeswith eachother.Itwentprettywell.she’s nowaprincipalinCincinnati.”
Millerbecamearegularatplaceslike sanFrancisco’sBrainWash,alaundromatwithabarandstand-up.she decidedtopursuecomedy,butshe knewshewasn’treadyforLosAngeles. shewantedtobeinacitywithabigger comedyscenewhereshecouldgeton stagealot,andsheendedupchoosing portland,Oregon.
shequicklybecameoneofthecity’s favoritecomics,twicebeingnamed topcomicbythearea’sweeklypaper. There’sstillapaintedportraitofherin thecomedyclubHelium.
Thoughshethinks ofherselfasaBay Areacomic,many associateherwith portland,inpart becausethatwas identifiedasher homeduringher timeonthefinalseasonofNBC’s“LastComicstanding.”
ButMilleronlylivedinportland forthreeyears.shejumpedintoLos Angeles’comedyscenein2016. shefoundherwayonstageattop clubsandadjustedtoLosAngelesand tellingjokestoentertainmentfiguresof allsortsatplacesliketheComedystore.
“Therewasaguyfrom‘90Day Fiance’inthefrontrow,”shesays.“It wasafunnymomentofaskingabouthis relationshipandthenbeinglike‘Oh,I actuallyknowagreatdealaboutit.’It’s alwaysfunnyseeingsomeoneandbeing like,‘Whatareyoudoinghere?’”
Thepandemicinterruptedthings, butshealsousedthetimetodevelop
someofthematerialfor hertwo2022projects,“HamMouth”for ComedyCentralandthe album“CaliforniaKing.” shetravelstoNew Yorkasoftenaspossible toperformatComedy Cellarvenues,andshe toursregularly.ButshealsoistargetingtheopportunitiesavailableinLos Angeles,especiallyonTVwhetherit’s acting,voiceoverorwritingprojects. Andevenwiththeworkatclubs,living intheentertainmentmeccarequires plentyofhustle
“It’sprettywildhowmuchunpaid workwedoinaweek,”shesays.“It’s like,‘Ididn’ttechnicallymakeany moneythisweek,butIdidfourpodcastsformyfriends.’”
AmyMillerperformsat7&9p.m.Friday, Aug.30,andSaturday,Aug.31,atJunk Drawer.Ticketsare$25viaeventbrite. com.ForinformationaboutMiller,visit amymillercomedy.com
Children'sPrograms Sprouts: Childrenunder 5and their parents/ caretakersmeetinour interactiveDiscovery Garden forearly childhood enrichment.
VueCrew: Kids ages 5to10learn gardening techniques, makenature-based art, and exploretheirconnectiontothe naturalworld.
PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE FLAVOR NOT TO SAVOR By Frank A. Longo
ACROSS
1Film blooper compilation
8Illinois and Iowa’s trees
12“Bali --”
15Bushy hairdos, for short
19“Stephen,” in Paris
20Cookie often twisted apart
21Boat mover
22Engrossed
23Start of a riddle
26Concerning
27Mil title
28Lysol target
29D.C. insider
30Contribute one’s share
32Kitchen pests
34Starts litigation
39Stop on
40Riddle, part 2
44“ Misérables”
45Taking way too much, in brief
46Loud weather events, for short
47Inner city, informally
50Leopard markings
53“Eso --” (Paul Anka song)
54Riddle, part 3
64Cave effect
65Bovine beast
66Celebrity astrologer
Sydney
67Omit, as a vowel
68College head
69Acrobats’ springy apparatuses
733/15, e.g.
74Map book
76Artist Dufy or film director Walsh
77Critical hosp. area
78Lock lips
79Riddle, part 4
84Tiny charged things
85“It wouldn’t first time”
86Poppa
3BR,2BAHomeon QuietBlock.Enter intoaLovelySun Room.Architectural FeaturesincldOrig WoodFloors& PictureMoulding inLivingAreas& Bdrms.LargeDenw/BuiltinBookshelves&Lotsof NaturalLight.HugeBdrmon2ndFloor.Driveway& Carport.LrgBackyardw/Patio&HotTub.Location provideseasyaccesstoUptown,Downtown&1-10 $465,000
87Intraparty rifts
91Vast South American plain
95Football coach Parseghian
97End of the riddle
104 Awaken
105 Arizona waterway with the Roosevelt Dam
106 Vikings’ tale, perhaps
107 Novelist Hemingway
109 Original “King Kong” studio
110 Cast forth
113 Moose’s kin
114 Art gallery in London
115 Riddle’s answer
121 Drummer Burke or pitcher Labine
122 Iraq export
123 Full of zeal
124 Before now
125 The lady’s
126 Norm: Abbr.
127 Sort
128 Lutz or axel performers
DOWN
1Showy trinket
2Wisdom deity
3Behemoths
4On Soc. Security, e.g.
5Prefix with skeleton
6Writer Blyton
7Made the first move
8“Impressive!”
9Consist of
10Pub barrel
11“The meal is ready!”
12“-- at the Moon” (1951 Hank Williams song)
13Partner of 8-Down
14 -Z (‘80s Camaro)
15“Yep, alas”
16More hoarse
17Ideal condition
18High-minded sorts?
24Duet plus one
25Juvenile
31Must exist
33Longtime NBC show inits.
35Unconfined
36“77 Sunset Strip” actor Byrnes
Entertainer’s
3BD/2.5BA,2-Story, HomeisCraftedfrom 8WeldedContainers w/aSteelL-beam Framing&MetalRoof Floor-to-CeilingGlass Windows&Porcelain Floors.OpenConcept, MeticulouslyDesigned CustomKitchen. PlentyofNat’lLight.SlidingDoorsOpentoEntertainer’s Bkyd.LotsofEnergyEfficiencyUpgrades.Everydetail exudeselegance&functionality.GatedDrivewayfor2 cars!LocationprovideseasyaccesstoUptown,CBD,Fr Quarter,I-10&WestBank $549,000
37Biol. or anat.
38Schlepped
41Composer/pianist John
42Facet
43Actress Rae of “Vengeance”
47Employed for the purpose of
48Head for very quickly
49So as to be 50% less
51 about (around)
52Hinders
53Detective Phil Fish’s wife on “Fish”
55Achieved victory in
56Sitting on the world
57Love, in Paris
58“ER” actor Eriq La 59Prefix with cycle or state
60“This pleases me!”
61Cleaned a little, with “up”
62Texas or Ukraine city
63Owned (up)
70Actress West
71Genuine, in Germany
72Of a similar kind to 75Rustling sounds
80Place to live
81Tech. schools
82Channel for hoops fans
83Zeus’ wife
87Elongate
88Hymn with harmonies
89Poltergeist, e.g.
90“Evidently ...”
91Oompah band music
92Coin-op cafeteria
93Bus. bigwig
94Letter after upsilon
96Reactions to cute babies
98Maude’s partner in a 1971 film
99Intrusive plant
100 Military forces
101 Edmund Spenser’s “The Queene”
102 More hideous
103 Los Angeles hoops team
108 “Terrible” time for tots
111 Writer Dinesen
112 Reid of “Sharknado”
116 #1 song, e.g.
117 Climbing vine
118 Pointer
119 Lofty poem
120 Diner sandwich, for short