Designer(Multiple): Supportthe buildingprocess fromideaphase to constructioncompletion. Reqs: Bach’sorhigherinArchitecture. 3yrs’exp. working asanArchitect or Designer. Tech.knowledge in build‐ing systems, detailing, &documentationmethods.Un‐derstanding of constructionbuildingcodes, regs., & standardsthatimpactthe design &construction. Strong workingknowledge of Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe,& Lumion. Mail resume to CharlesWard, AQ Studios,LLC,1100 Poydras St., Ste. 3550, NewOr‐leans, LA 70163.
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AR TS +E NT ER TA IN ME NT
Mr.Rogers’ neighborhood
by Will Coviello |
THEWEEK BETWEENCHRISTMAS AND NEWYEAR’SEVE canbeslow. Butit’sa perfectspotfor ryan rogers to record anew comedy albumand specialat Sports DrinkonDec.28. Andthe rush of topicalmaterialnever relents.
“I probably won’tdoany Luigi (Mangione) or MooDeng(thevirally famous pygmyhippopotamus) jokes,” rogers says,about therushofevents that maynot be remembered in summerwhen thealbum comesout
Butaheavy touringand performing schedule hasprovidedplentyofroadtested material rogers triestoget on stageatleast five nights aweek. He wasa regularat therecentlyshuttered comedy House. He stillproducesthe show cherry at Virgin Hotels andhas broughtitto other Virgin properties in chicago, Dallas andNashville.Healsohosts the comedy showcase Snakebit!atthe SouthernHotel in covington. In the newyear, he’llbedoing more at The Howlin’Wolf.
Butit’stouring outsideofplaces like hishometownofNew Orleans andformerhomeofSan Francisco that have shaped hismaterialfor the newproject
“The last fewyears,I have been on theroadalot,” he says.“TheplacesI performinrange from typicalqueer spaces andgay bars in bigcitiestoalot of rural, smalltowns.That’swherea lot of thecomedyinthe specialiscoming from.Asagay performer, it’s seeing what’s goingtoworkina smalltown outsideMontgomery, Alabama.”
He confrontshomophobiaheadon andfinds it’s oftenrichterrain
“Thereisa stretchmidwaythrough (myset)thatIcallthe homophobia block,”hesays. “I askthe audience ‘Wheremyhomophobesat?’Ata venuelikeSportsDrink,noone claps— on purpose. I’ll be like,‘cool.But when Iask that question in Alabama, they do thewave.’”
That joke also canworkinAlabama, he says,because audiencesare in on thejoke. “I have foundthatalot of the jokessurrounding homophobia get alaugh in more conservative places I’ll say, ‘I know from experience that aMAGAhat looksdifferent from this angle,’” he says with acomplementary mimedmovement. “Itcrushes at right-leaning places.”
He also teases audiencesthathe dreams of findingasmall town that’s past homophobia.
“Itwould be really funtoarriveina ruralcommunity andfindthatitwas waytoo gay,”hesays. “Likethe city hall is aNothing Bundtcakes,and there’sastatueofrebaMcentireinthe town square.”
In hisstand-up, rogers also talksalot aboutrecovery, sobriety andmarriage.
“The marriage stuf fismybread andbutter,”hesays. “Whetheryou areina relationship,married or single, people relate to that.I’llsay,‘Iam also married, andmarriageisits own hell.’ That workswitholder,conservative women. It holdsupa mirror to lifelong monogamy.”
Thewar storiesfromrecovery also work.
“recoveringfromalcohol anddrugs, we have thebeststories,” he says.“You cantry to outdome, butgoodluck.”
Thealbum will be titled “LastSeen Alive” andfeaturesall newmaterial, though it covers some of thesame topics as his2022album andspecial, “She Is Me.”
rogers also recorded aspecial that airedearlythisyearonOFTV. He says promotingthe OnlyFansplatform sometimesdraws reactionsofconcern or confusion, butOFTVhas branched
into cookingprogramming,reality TV projects and stand-up.Whitney cummings released her special “Mouthy” on OFTV last year. rogers’new specialwill also be released on OFTV,and in June it’s goingtobethe featured Pride monthrelease for Burn This records. At Sports Drink, he’s recordingboth the7and 9p.m. sets.Local comedian Saya Meads hosts, andMadison Thomas opens. earlyin2025, rogers will hitthe road on aseries of datesopening forJen Kober. The comedian andactress hasappearedon “The Mandalorian,”“American Horror Story,”“Treme” andmore. She’sfrom Lake charles, andthey’ll do ashow together thereonNew Year’s eve. rogers also is workingonthe third installment of LGBTLOLcomedy festival.It’sscheduled at thebeginning of Pridemonth in NewOrleans.It’ll be May29toJune1atvenuesincluding Sports Drink, TheHowlin’ Wolf andthe Virgin Hotel.
In recent years, he’s used the LGBTLOLbrand to book queer comedy showsatother festivals, includingSno JaminSioux Falls, South Dakota,and cloudTop in SantaFe, NewMexico. He’s also made it into a nonprofit, whichwillallow himtodo more eventpartnerships. Hisgoalistoget more queercomediansonstage.
“Wecan help people brandand curate localqueer talent,whether it’s comedy or drag,” he says.“Lots of people mightnot otherwiseget stage time in some of theseplaces.”
Ryan Rogers performs at 7& 9p.m.Saturday, Dec. 28,at Sports Drink. Ticketsstart at $25 viaeventbrite.com.
BillyStrings
Guitar virtuoso BillyStrings jumped to amajor label to releasehis latest album, “Highway Prayers,”earlier this fall.The 20-songstudioalbum is solidlygroundedinbluegrass,the genrewhere he’s staked hisclaim.But fans have embraced Stringsfor the jam-band appeal of hisliveper formances andcollaborations, venturing into allsor ts of sounds.earlythisyear, he also released “LiveVol.1,” acollection of live recordings that capture hisraw talentsand flourishes.Strings is in NewOrleans forathree-night standatthe UNOLakefront Arena. Performances areSunday, Dec. 29, andMonday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m., andTuesday,Dec.31at8:30p.m. Find ticketsatticketmaster.com.
ATribute to Frankie
FrankieBeverly,backedbyMaze, was always abig draw in NewOrleans, especially at regular visits during Jazz Fest.The album“Live in NewOrleans” helped solidify theband’ssuccess.The Philadelphia-bornsoulsingerdiedin September. This all-star tributetohim features Maze musician Jubu,neosoul singer AnthonyHamilton, Isley Brothersfoundingmemberron Isley, r&BvocalistTank, raheem DeVaughn, Keke Wyattand N’Tune.DJcaptain charles also performs.At7:30p.m Saturday, Dec. 28,atSmoothie King center.Tickets $55and up viaticketmaster.com.
NewOrleans KlezmerAll Stars
Earlierthisyear,the NewOrleans KlezmerAll Stars released itsfirst full-length albuminnearlya decade, “Tipish.”The always energetic klezmeroutfitnow celebrates the thirdnight of Hanukkah with apar ty at BJ’s Lounge.The musicstartsat9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28.Findmore info on Instagram: @bjslounge.
Ryan Rogers recordsanalbum at Sports Drink
OP EN IN G GA MB IT
Please make sure anyraw milk youleave outfor Santaisn’t contaminated with bird fu
/
TheLouisiana Center forthe Book recently recognized Susan Larson,hostofWWNO’s“The readingLife” andformerTimesPicayune book editor,and Ann Dobie, theprofessor emerita of englishatthe University of LouisianaatLafayette,with thenew LouisianaLiteraryIcon Award. Theaward,given during theLouisiana Book Festival,celebrated Larson andDobie’s careers spentpromoting readingand Louisianaauthors andbooks.
LouisianaTHC laws change in 2025
1
LOUISIANA’SRANKING OUTOFALL 50 STATES WHEN IT COMESTOCASES OF THE FLUTHISSEASON.
Thestate is ahotspot forthe virusand hospitalwards areoverburdened, with about 11%offlu testscomingbackpositive. That is more than twicethe national average, accordingtothe Times-Picayune.Data collectedbythe U.S. centersfor Disease controland Prevention showsonly28% of adults and45% of kids in Louisianaare vaccinatedagainstthe flu, despiterecommendationsthateveryoneget ayearlyflu shot.
NOLA LovesCuba, hasdelivered around 4,000poundsoffoodand supplies,including sanitarynapkins anddiapers,toGuanabacoa, cuba,inthe last twoyears.The localnonprofit formed around effortstoraise food,medical andfinancial aidfor cubans after severalhurricanesdevastatedthe countryinrecentyears andthe powergridcollapsed fornearlya week in October.
IF YOUCONSUME THCORCBD PRODUCTS,A NEWLAW COULDSOONLIMIT
whereyou canfindyourgummies or seltzers in Louisianaand will outlaw some items, too.
Thelaw,partofthe state’splan that adds more regulations to Louisiana’sbooming hempindustry, goes into effect Jan. 1.
Thenew ruleswillchangeserving sizesfor consumable hemp-derivedTHc products,ban thesaleof flower hempproducts, raisethe age requirementtopurchasehemp-THc products from 18 to 21 andban sales of THcproducts from gasstations.
9doescomeinother flavorswith higher THccounts.
Otheredibleproductsthataren’t single-serve will have to include portionguidelines. Forexample, tincturesmustinclude adropper andother edible products packaged together must have distinct and separate servings.
Packaged products can’tcontain more than atotal of 40 mg of THc.
Stores that sell THC &CBD products
What areyou asking Santafor this year?
NewOrleans City Council’s Utilities Committee approved thesaleofentergy NewOrleans’ gasbusinesstoDelta States Utilities, amovethatcould see higher billsfor locals.Someopponents,including MayorLaToya cantrell’s Of fice of resilience andSustainability, also worry thesalewillput thecitybehind on itsclean energy goals. Delta States Utilities,anaffiliateof Batonrouge privateequityfirm Bernhard capitalPar tners, says it wantstobring jobs to thecity. Themeasure nowgoesbefore thefullcouncil.
Act752 waspassedduringthe 2024 regularlegislative sessionas acompromisebetween lawmakers whohavebattled back andforth for yearsoverhow to regulate the$33 millionindustry.
THCand gummies
Newrules will lessen servingsizes for consumable hempproducts,includingseltzers, gummiesand tinctures, reducing them from 8mgper serving to 5mg.
Fordrinks, oneserving will count as onecan,and only four cans canbe sold perpack. Many popularseltzers availableatgrocery stores andbars, includingcrescent9 by crescent cannaand LouieLouie,already have 5mgserving sizes, though crescent
Stores will be requiredtokeep allconsumablehempproducts, except forbeverages,out of customers’reach
Gasstationsand connectedconvenience stores will no longer be able to sell hemp-derived THcproducts
Additionally,restaurants andbars, except forthose that were issued permitsbythe statebeforeJune 2024,willalsobeoutlawedfrom sellingthe products
Andwhile previous rulesallowed those18and up to purchase hemp products,now consumerswillhave to be 21 andolder Flower hemp products will also be banned.InhaleTHc products, includingTHc vapes, arealready outlawedinthe state. —Julia Guilbeau / TheTimes-Picayune
11.6%
FORGOV.JEFFL ANDRYTOBE VISITEDBYTHREE GHOSTS
THCand CBDproducts
Weekend Specials
Crawfishétoufée with friedcatfish forlunch friedredfish fordinner
Crawfishétoufée fries
Seafoodstuffedbellpeppers andseafood cream with friedcatfishfor lunchand friedblackened redfish fordinner
Smokedprimerib with loadedgarlicredskin mash andasparagus
KENTUCKY AND17OTHER STATES ARE BACKINGLOUISIANA in itsappealofa ruling that struck down alaw requiringpublicschools to post theTen commandments,according to abrief filedDec.17infederal court.
Thestates’ republican attorneys general said in thebrief that they have a “profoundinterest” in theoutcome of thecase, whichwillbearguedinthe 5th U.S. circuitcourt of AppealsinJanuary
They arguethata lowercourt ruling last monththatdeclaredLouisiana’s lawunconstitutionalwas flawed becauseitreliedonadecades-old U.S. Supremecourt ruling that overturned asimilar lawinKentucky.
The18states’ amicus briefreflects theintense interest in thefateof Louisiana’slaw,which many legal observersexpectwilleventuallyland before theU.S.Supreme court. As other republican-controlledstatesconsidertheir ownTen commandments laws or relatedmeasures, such as allowingschools to teachBible-based reading lessonsorhirechaplains,theysee Louisiana’slaw as atestofthe boundary betweenchurchand state.
“Ifthe Louisianalaw is upheld,I thinkyou’llsee severalstatesgoahead andpasssuchlaws,”MattKrause, an attorney at FirstLiberty Institute, alegal groupthatdefends religious expression,saidinOctober
In June,Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed thelaw requiringthe Ten
commandments to be displayedin everyclassroom in allpubliccolleges andK-12schools.Shortly after, a groupofpublic-school parentssued, arguingthe lawviolatedtheir children’s religiousliberty
In November,U.S.Districtcourt JudgeJohndeGravelles in theMiddle District of Louisianadeclaredthe law unconstitutional andissuedapreliminary injunction blocking stateofficials from enforcingit. Thestate appealed his decision,and theFifth circuitwillhear oral argumentsinthe case on Jan. 23 In hisruling, deGravellessaid Louisiana’sTen commandments law is “legally indistinguishable” from aKentuckystatute that theU.S Supremecourt struck down in 1980 in acaseknown as Stonev.Graham. Butintheir brief, the18state attorneys generalargue that Louisiana’slaw “differs in keyrespects” from Kentucky’s decades-oldstatute.For example, they argue, it givesschools some discretion to decide what theirTen commandments posterswilllooklike. They also contendthatthe Supreme court’srulinginthe Stonecasewas basedona“now-discarded” test of a law’sconstitutionality.Thattest, named fora1971caseLemon v. Kurtzman, examined alaw’s purposeand effects. But, thestates’ briefsays, the Supremecourt hasmoved away from that test.Ina2022case, Kennedyv BremertonSchoolDistrict, thecourt adopteda newstandard: Alaw must be consistent with thecountry’s “historicalpractices andunderstandings” to comply with theFirst Amendment.
SCRIM, THESTRAY DOGWHO HAS BECOME ANEW ORLEANSSENSATION, hasbeenspotted again, afterdisappearing forsix days earlierthismonth As of presstime, Scrim’smostrecent sighting wasnearthe post office at 501 Moss St., whichmeans he hasreturned to hisfirst localterritory, Mid-city Michelle cheramie,the owner of Zeus’rescues petadoptionagency, whohas been therunaway dog’s dedicated protectorand pursuer, said she’sreceived sufficientevidenceto provethe dogsurvives.
In avideo recorded Dec. 18 and posted to Zeus’s rescuesFacebook page,the scruffy, off-whitedog is seen scurryingthrough landscaping toward OrleansAvenue. Therewere subsequently threeother eye-witness reports.
Accordingtocheramie,fourfood andwater stations andtwo trail camerashavebeenplacednearthe Mid-city sightwherehewas spotted. cheramie acquired theyearling strayfromthe Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelterinthe fall of 2023, hoping to return himtodomesticity Butwhen thewilyterrier mutt was placed with an adoptive family in late April, he immediatelyescaped and embarked on acat-and-mouse chase with cheramie anda posseofpursuersthrough thestreets of Mid-city Scrimbecameatongue-in-cheek folk heroasheevadedcapture for almost sixmonths, dodgingbaited cages, netting, tranquilizer darts, trafficand well-meaning doglovers.
Some seeScrim as alostand lonely pupinneedof rescue.Otherssee him as asymbolofindominable spirit, whoshouldbeallowed to runfree.
AweekbeforeHalloween 2024, thecanine Houdiniwas trappedina fenced parkinglot,where cheramie darted himand deliveredhim to apet hospital to recoverfromhis ordeals. At last Scrimseemedsafe, butthree weeksafter hiscapture,onNov.15, he dove 13 feet from asecond-story window of cheramie’s Uptown home andcontinued hisurban travels. cheramie asks concernedcitizensnot to chasethe dog, forfearofforcing himintotraffic.Ifyou seeScrim, text her at (504)231-7865withhis location,directionoftravel, andtime of sighting. —DougMacCash / TheTimes-Picayune
THEREWERESOMANYBIG LOUISIANA POLITICALSTORIESIN2024 that my initiallistran well past theusual dozenorsoitems.Iconsidered trying to convince my colleagues that acolumnonthe year’s top17 politicalstories wouldbeclickbait gold,but then IrememberedI’m decadesolder than most of them andknownothing of howclickbait actually works.
My only recourse wastolump quasi-related storiestogether to pare down my list to therequisite 10 even then,atleast half of thestories that made thecut involveGov.Jeff Landry.It’sbeenthatkindof year
1. Jeff Landry’s powergrabs — Theclownfish gotbusyinhis first year as governor,stirringthings up in everybody’spond. Inoted soonafter he took of fice that he wasattemptingaHueyLong-style powergrab. Now, less than ayear later,acompliant GOP-dominated LouisianaLegislaturehas given himabsolutecontrol of themost importantstate boards andcommissions,par ticularlythe higher-ed boards.Lawmakers also gave him aSword of Damocles over the stateSupreme cour t, thePublic Servicecommission, thestate Boardofelementaryand Secondary education(BeSe)and thestate’s GOPcongressional delegation —by subjecting them alltopar ty primaries beginningin2026. Anyone who represents aconservativedistrict (which is most of them)willbe“primaried” if they don’ttoe Landry’s line.And he’s just gettingstarted
2. Louisiana’s insurancecrisis— Theirony of thesecond-biggest storyofthe year is that Landry andlawmakers didsolittleabout it —beyondmakingiteasierfor insurancecompanies to raiserates, underthe unproven theory that it will increase competitionand somehowlower rates…eventually.Landryfailedtocallaspecial sessiontodealwiththe crisis and then vetoed theonly “tor treform” bill that lawmakerspassed—handinghis triallaw yerfriends(read: campaign contributors)a bigwin
4. Criminal justicereforms undone As promised,the governorcalledlawmakers into aspecial sessiononcrime.Theypromptly rolled back criminal justicereforms that abipar tisanmajority of lawmakers approved in 2017.The new “tough on crime” laws guarantee that taxpayerswillsoonpay at least $500 millionmorea year to fund prisons— oneofLouisiana’s few grow th industries
5. Landry’stax packagepasses, sort of — He didn’t getevery thing he wanted,but he gotwhathe wanted most:aflat, 3% personal income tax. It’s nottax reform, though.Tokeepthe plan in balance, Landry agreed to raisingthe state salestax to 5%.Ironically, poor people won’tbethe only ones paying more.Big,out-of-statecorporationsalsowilltakea hit, despite anominalreduction in theirincome taxratefrom7.5%to5.5%— thanks to Landry andlawmakers eliminatingcorporate income taxloopholes
6. Police stories— NewOrleans’ violent crimeratecontinues to decline, butthe NOPD’s rape clearancerate hitnew lows.Meanwhile,a federal judgeisconsidering ending theconsent decree that hasbrought major changes—and oversight— at the troubled department.Inyet another majorchange, Landry created andstaffed TroopNola, giving the LouisianaState Police apresencein thecrescentcity.
7. Cantrell’sconundrums— Mayor LaToya cantrell begantolookmore andmorelikeatargetoffederal investigatorsafter thefedsindicted her bodyguardand afavored city contractor in separate cases. She’s handlingthe pressure well,however, by maintainingabusytravelschedule at taxpayers’ expense.
8. NOLA Counciltothe rescue —
TheNew Orleanscitycouncil steppedintothe city’s leadershipvoidagain this year.council membersfound moneytocompletethe Sewerage &Water Board’sbadly needed power substation;convinced voters to enshrine theHousing TrustFund in thecitycharter;bailedout the OrleansParish School Boardafter an “accountingerror”created a
shor tfallof$40 millionto$60 million (and used thebailout to settle a boardlawsuit againstthe city); and sidetrackedcantrell’sattempt to give along-term “professionalservices” contract forFrenchQuarter trashcollectiontoTroyHenry,a politicalallywho hasnoexperience in trashcollection. Allinterested parties—including thecouncil and bona fide wastecompanies —are nowincourt.Henry wona preliminary round, butthe councilis appealingthatdecision.
9. TheSenatesteps up State senators,led by Senate President cameronHenry,r-Metairie, killed or watereddownsomeofJeffLandry’s most egregiousproposals in hisfirst year as governor.Henry earned widespread praise forhis stewardship of theupper chamberand for rescuing Landry’s taxplanwhenit appeared doomed in theNovember specialsession.
10. Turmoilbrewing in JP
TheJefferson Parish councildevolved into uncharacteristic infighting as at-large councilMemberJenniferVan Vrancken allbut declared waronher colleagues over aproposedbrewpub in parish-owned spaceinGretna. Five councilmembers also proposed a controversialordinance to limit public comments by Inspector GeneralKim chatelain, whocriticizedthe brewpub proposal before officially investigating it.The councilpostponed avoteon theordinance in hopesofreachinga compromise with chatelain, butthings couldstill go sideways.Meanwhile, voters narrowly rejected theparish school board’sproposedmillage for teacherpay raises on Dec. 7.
Lookingahead,2025promises more interestingtimes.Happy holidays,y’all.
TheLouisiana Capitol during Gov. Jeff Landry’s Jan. 7inauguration
PH OT OBYM IC HA EL JO HN SO N/ TH EA DVOC AT E
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Paribeaenderspel ilicium autparum el inctur,temque nihiliquodit umin
Loving Hear ts of LA meetsgrowing need for in -homecarewithnumerousser vices forindividuals from allwalks of life
BY AMANDA XXX
This ar ticleisbroughto youbyx xxxx xxx xxxx.
BY AMANDA MCELFRESH|AMCELFRESH@THEADVOCATE.COM
This ar ticleisbrought to youbyLovingHeartsofLA.
Loving Hear ts of LA is continuing to expand its impact across SouthLouisiana with services nowavailableinSlidell,morein-home behavioral health treatmentinNew Orleansand anew affordablehousing option in Lafayette. Since frst opening in 1997,the trained employees with Loving Hear ts of LA have offered professionalpersonalcareattendant (PCA)ser vicessuchasfeeding, dressing, errands, bathingand grooming, lightcooking and housekeeping,laundry,medication remindersand food preparation and storage Gian Durand,founder of Loving Hear ts,said that demand for thoseser viceshas grown signifcantly in recent years. Many Loving Hear ts clients areelderly,but others are youngerindividuals with disabilities whocannot completelycarefor themselves
“There’s such awiderangeofpeoplethat we serve,”Durand said.“Forthe people with disabilities,someofthemdon’t have family nearby whocan help them.Someofthemdo have family, buttheywantthe individual to tr y to live as independentlyaspossible.Withour older clients,wesee alot of Baby Boomers. The populationasawholeisget ting olderand needs more care.Mostofthe elderlyweworkwith have familieswiththeir ownjobsand lives. They can’tbeevery whereatonce, buttheydowant theirparents to stayintheir homesiftheycan. We want to give them that opportunit y.”
Loving Hear ts offersPCA services in Greater New Orleans, Jefferson,Orleans and St.Bernard parishes through itsNew Orleansoffice; Livington, St.Helena, St.Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes through itsSlidell office;and Acadia,Iberia, Lafayette, St.L andry, St.Mar tinand Vermilionparishesthrough its Lafayetteoffice.
Durand has seen alot in her25-plus yearsof caring for individuals, butshe wasbroughtto tearsearlier this year when fouradultswho need care were broughttothe Loving Hear ts Lafayetteofficebecause theirfamilieshad no otheroption. Afer ensuring theindividuals wouldreceive services they need,Durand began researchinglocal affordablehousing. She ended up purchasinga24-unit apar tmentcomplex that shehopeswillbethe start of an additional model of care through Loving Hear ts.
“We’re goingtostart this in Lafayetteand hopefullycontinuetogrowthe affordable housing componentofour programming,”she said.“Theseapartmentsare designed for the elderly, veteransand people with disabilities TheplacesthatIwas fnding for them in theirprice rangewerenot livable. That ’s true ever ywhere.The goal is to eventually have a housingprogram ever ywhere we have services, becauseweknowthe need is tremendous.”
Meanwhile, Durand said Loving Hear ts is also responding to needsinthe NewOrleans area for mental health services,including counseling,
life skills management,crisisinter vention, medication management and more.This care is providedbyprofessionaltherapistsin individuals’ homes, allowing them to receive treatmentinaprivate,accessible setting.
“Peopleare suffering and many are embarrassedtotalkabout theirfeelings,” she said.“They don’t know howtocopewiththeir emotions,and many people turn to unhealthy behaviors. We’retryingtoremovebarriersto them receiving mental health treatment. I’m really commit tedtoworking to stop thestigmas around mental health.”
Durand said that anyone interested in receiving services throughLovingHeartscan visitw ww lovinghear tsofa.comtolearn more details, then fllout theonlineformorcalltheir nearest Loving Hear ts office.LovingHeartsaccepts insuranceand privatepay.
“The frst thingwedoisanassessment to talk about theirspecifc needs,”Durand said.“They maybelooking for somethinglong-term,or they maybeacaretaker whoneedsrespite serviceiftheyare goingout of town or need abreak.Oncewedetermine theneed and the duration,wedomeet-and-greetsbet ween the familyand thestafftomakesure ever yone is comfor tablewiththe person whowillbe providing theircare. We don’t want to justshow up at somebody’sdoor. We seeour work as a true partnership.”
Hey Blake, Katie’sisone of ourfavoriteNew Orleansneighborhoodrestaurants.Who is theKatie it’s namedafter?
Dear reader,
THEPURPLEBUILDINGATIBERVILLE
ANDN.TELEMACHUS streetsin
Mid-city hasbeenhometoseveral establishments sincethe early 20th century, includinga corner grocerystore,restaurantsand bars namedcapo’s, Pete’s Place, John’s andBarone’s.
Itshistory as Katie’srestaurant andBar datesto1984. That’s when LeoLeininger andhis wife Mary Lombardo Leininger opened arestaurant andnamed it afterMary’smother, catherineManaleHagmann.Itwas a family affair,withrelatives —including theLeiningers’ daughter cathyand her husbandDavid —pitchingin. Mary Leiningerput together theoriginalmenu drawingonsomeofthe recipesshe had perfectedatseveral cBDlunch spots whereshe previously hadworked.
“The menu is repletewithdishes that date somewherebetween the inventionofthe po-boy andthe peak of theearly-centurymigrationsfrom southernItaly,” Times-Picayune restaurant critic Gene Bourgwrote. “Whatthatmeans on thecrockeryisa collection of suchimmortalwarhorses as gumbo, redbeans,meatballs with spaghettiin‘redgravy,’ hamburger steakand oodles of seafood….”
and BarinMid-City
In 1993,following thedeath of Leo Leininger, hisfamilysoldthe restaurant to brothersScotand Davidcraig With theirmother Mary workingasthe restaurant’s hostessand Scot craig in thekitchen,the family putits own touchesonthe belovedneighborhood restaurant,expanding andrefining itsmenuofcreoleItalian and seafoodfavorites
In 2005,the restaurant suffered severe damage from Hurricane Katrina’sfederal leveefailures, which inundatedthe property with nearly 10 feet of water. Afterextensive repairs, Katie’sreopenedin2010. In 2018, Scot craigand hiswifeStephaniealso openedthe Lakeview deli andpizzeria FrancescabyKatie’s.
THIS CHRISTMASWEEK,WEREMEMBERTHE 175THANNIVERSARY of amainstayofthe canalStreetholiday shopping scene formorethanacentury:D.H.Holmes. Daniel HenryHolmesopenedhis four-story flagship storeinthe 800block of canalin October1849.
Holmes wasanOhionativewho came to NewOrleans andopeneda storeon chartres Street in 1842.According to theHistoricNew Orleanscollection, Holmes wasadirectimporterofall typesoftextiles, from fine silksfor eveninggowns to roughcloth forclothingwornbyenslavedpeople.
In 1849,hemoved hisbusinesstoalargerbuildingoncanal.AsPeg gy Scott Laborde andJohn Magill explainintheir book “christmas in NewOrleans,” that storewas “decorated in theelaborate englishTudorGothicstyle andtoenter its rarefied hallswas like walkingintoa cathedralofmerchandising.” Hisson andsonin-law took over themanagementofthe business when Holmes died in 1898 and then reorganizedand incorporated thebusinessasD.H.Holmesco.,Ltd.in1905.
D.H. Holmes eventually occupied theentire800 blockofcanal andincludeda restaurant (calledPotpourri)and departmentsfor women’sand men’sclothing, cosmetics, hosiery, householdtextiles, sporting goodsand even hardware.By theturnofthe 20th century, D. H. Holmes wasthe largestdepartmentstore in theSouth andalandmarkoncanal Street.Thistimeofyear, it wasbeloved forits elaboratechristmas decorations.
By 1989,the D.H. Holmes name wason18storesacrossthe South. That year thechain waspurchased by Dillard’s. They turned thecanal Street location into a hotel, what is nowthe Hyattcentric French Quarter.
BL AK E VI EW
NO US
TI ME S
BY JA KE CL AP P
IN 2018, Louisiana became the first U.S. state to join l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a global organization of more than 90 countries, governments and states united by French language and history.
The state’s inclusion was significant and opened doors for new cultural and commercial connections as well as funds to expand French language education in Louisiana.
With Louisiana’s rich French history, the inclusion also ties the state closer to the larger French-speaking world and in turn signals the state cares about that heritage. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has regularly touted the state’s membership, and in 2023, thenGov. John Bel Edwards started the petition process to have Louisiana become a full voting member in the organization.
That all started with a young professional couple in their 20s living in Paris.
Scott Tilton, a New Orleans native, and Rudy Bazenet, a native of France, had met in Paris while Tilton was pursuing a master’s degree in international relations, and the two married. Bazenet was working in diplomacy with the French Foreign service while Tilton consulted on projects for the European Union and the French government when the two spearheaded the push to have Louisiana join the OIF.
They noticed something interesting during the process: There was a lot of enthusiasm among young people for Louisiana’s bid.
“When we were working on that initiative, we saw there were a lot of young people, like in their 20s and 30s, who were really interested in supporting us,” says Tilton, who is now 32 years old. Bazenet is 34.
“There’s a general lack of resources in Louisiana for pursuing professional careers in French or learning French,” Tilton adds “Paris had all of these cultural institutions. I always give the example of the Finnish Institute (Institut Finlandais). It’s not that there’s a million Parisians learning Finnish on a given day, but
they created this beautiful cultural institution that everyone went to, and it’s recognition of this culture. We wanted to bring that back to Louisiana and build a cultural institution.”
Tilton and Bazenet in summer 2020 co-founded the New Orleans Foundation for Francophone Cultures, more commonly called the Nous Foundation, to help preserve and promote Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole as well as support the state’s heritage cultures, like Creole, Cajun and Indigenous communities. The couple moved to New Orleans in early 2021 and established Nous
Foundation’s headquar ters at the Historic BK House & Gardens in the French Quar ter.
And Nous has been busy. In the short time the organization has been in Louisiana, it has hosted an exhibition of works by contemporary Haitian and Louisiana artists, produced several short films, partnered with the Champs-Elysee Film Festival in Paris, published educational resources and supported a project by a group of Baby Dolls to resurrect old Creole songs ahead of Mardi Gras.
Nous – which is French for “We,” in a nod to community building is now preparing for a large project in
PRO VI DE D PH OT O
2025 that will see a vinyl record of Louisiana music sent to the Library of Congress and a connected exhibition and documentary film And there are plans to expand Nous’ French Quarter footprint next year
The use of French and Creole in Louisiana has been in decline for decades. In 1960, around a million Louisianans spoke French Today that number has fallen to an estimated 150,000, and just about 10,000 people speak Louisiana Creole, also known as Kouri-Vini
But there are a number of organizations and individuals across the state working to halt that decline and preserve those languages
T e Nous Foundation appr oa ches
Loui siana Fr ench and Cr eole with st yle
ABOVE: Baby Dolls sing and dance around a fountain in the garden of the BK House in the French Quarter.
PH OT O BY SO PH IA GE RM ER / TH E TI ME S- PI CA YU NE
LEFT: Nous Foundation codirectors Scott Tilton, left, and Rudy Bazenet, right, with Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
andcultures, each taking adifferent approach,fromthe state’sCouncil forthe DevelopmentofFrenchin LouisianatoL’Union Francaiseand La FondationLouisiane.The organizationsChinboand CREOLE,Inc., and theCreoleHeritageCenteratNorthwesternare dedicatedtoLouisiana Creole culture. In 2023,the Pointeau-Chien Tribeopenedits ownFrench immersionschool.
Amongthose groups,Noushas carved outits ownspace by takinga contemporary,arts-forward approach.The organization cherishes Louisianaheritageand wantstomake French andCreoleappealing andaccessible to modern NewOrleanians.
“The idea of everything we do is rooted in 2024,soon2025,”says Tilton,who grew up in aNew Orleans householdthatspoke French andwas interested in family history. “Our culturesexist todayand areidentifiable, andIthink that’s theway we cankeep theculturesalive."
ALONGWITHCO-DIRECTORS
TILTON ANDBAZENET, theNous Foundation employsartisticdirector KatyaVaz andAutumnPalen,the head of film andmedia,and there’s also aboard of directors. To pursue its mission, theteamorganizesNousinto threemainbranches.
There’saculturalcenterbased out of theBKHouse &Gardens,where Nous hostsart exhibitions, language classes, film screenings andother events.Earlier this year,the cultural center launched “Haiti-Louisiana: TidesofFreedom,” an exhibition of contemporary artthatexploredthe ties betweenHaiti andLouisiana.
Thecollectionpulledfromthe JacquesBartoli Collection of Contem-
porary HaitianArt in Miami, andthere were original commissionsfromeight Haitianand Louisianaartists,curated by HaitianartistMax Jean-Louis.Afterits runatthe BK House&Gardens, theexhibitionwas displayedatthe United NationsinNew York City
Nous’secondbranchisacreativestudio, throughwhich Nous hashelpedproduce severalshort documentaries andnarrativefilms
Themostrecentproject was“Evangeline,” ashort directed by Cory St Ewart, aUniversityofLouisiana alum nowstudyingfilmatColumbia.
“I thinkit’scooltobeabletofeature thesenew voices from Louisiana. A lotofthem areyoung filmmakers deciding to work in French andCreole, andsomeofthemmay notalways have thefluency we canhelpbring to thetable,” Tilton says
In May, Nous wasinvited to the Cannes Film Festival as part of adelegationfromLouisiana’s film industry andFilmUSA.And afew months later,the organization partneredwith Paris’ Champs-Elysees Film Festival to screen twoofthe French festival’s selections in NewOrleans
Thethird branch is focusedon helpingsupport andraise money forFrenchand Creole programs, scholarships andbusinesses. Thereis ascholarship programinpartnership with FulbrightFrancetosupport two students forashort research stay each year,and anothersupports French language teachersattending immersivetrainingsessionsinFrance.
Nous also hasaculturalaccelerator program, Le Lab, to supportprojects andbusinessesjuststartingupthat arerelated to aheritageculture.Nous will help fundraisefor thegroups, throughgrantsorprivate donors,and will offeradviceand guidance,Tilton says.Overthe last threeyears,Nous
LouisMichotisone of theLouisiana artistsincludedinthe ‘Musique(s)!’project.
has raised about $200,000 to support 12 projects, five of which have turned into nonprofits or businesses in Louisiana, Tilton adds
“We’re not going to get Entergy to speak French tomorrow, but we can help get little businesses off the ground,” Tilton says.
ONE OF THE RECENT LE LAB COLLABORATIONS has been with a group of Baby Dolls working to revive several Creole songs ahead of Mardi Gras
On a recent Saturday, nine Baby Dolls, each in bright clothing and representing a different Baby Doll group, could be seen strutting around the gardens at the BK House and singing in Louisiana Creole While several of the women had already known some Creole from memories of family speaking the language or phrases passed around learning these three songs was a new experience for most It wasn’t always that way.
“During Mardi Gras in the early 20th century, the Baby Dolls were entertaining themselves and their neighbors, so they sang songs, and many of them spoke Creole,” says Kim Vaz-Deville, a professor at Xavier University of Louisiana and the author of two books about the Black masking tradition, “The Baby Dolls” and “Walking Raddy.”
While many Baby Dolls also spoke English, Creole was their main language, Vaz-Deville says But after Louisiana banned non-English languages in schools in 1921, the use of Creole and French in public began to decline. Over time, those Creole songs faded out as well
“Folk traditions are from the folk,” Vaz-Deville says “When the folk get older, they sometimes stop doing their traditions because they become seen as old fashioned or out of step with the trends of the time. Also, with the destruction of the Claiborne Avenue neighborhood, where people used to gather all of that went into affecting how Black Mardi Gras traditions were practiced.”
Vaz-Deville organized the effort to breathe new life into the Baby Dolls’ singing tradition. She asked for help from linguist Lawson Ota, Jackson State University professor of music Phyllis Lewis-Hale and Creole speaker Marilyn Degrasse and invited any interested Baby Dolls to come to workshops that began in the summer Her hope is that the Baby Dolls will in time introduce the songs to their home groups
“The songs, there’s a lot of playfulness, and the Baby Dolls are very playful,” Vaz-Deville says.
To help fund the workshops, Vaz-Deville applied for several grants
as well as to Nous Foundation’s Le Lab accelerator. The collaboration with Nous resulted in the participating Baby Dolls recording two Creole songs for the organization’s upcoming “Musique(s)!” project.
Next year, Nous will launch “Musique(s)!” focused on Louisiana music performed in French and Creole Supported by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the project includes a multimedia exhibition running in the spring and a documentary film, and will culminate in the pressing of a 12-track vinyl record and a publication to be housed in the Folklife Center’s archives
Along with the Baby Dolls, the album will feature musicians Leyla McCalla, Louis Michot, and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, indie rock band Sweet Crude and chamber music ensemble Les Cenelles, with two tracks each
The participating artists have all been noted for their unique approaches to making modern music in Louisiana French and Creole. Michot, the fiddler and vocalist for Cajun-rooted rock band Lost Bayou Ramblers, has expanded his solo work in recent years into psychedelic and sometimes experimental territory. McCalla sings in French, Creole and English and her recent albums have explored her Haitian heritage and the African diaspora Barnes’ music regularly blends zydeco, blues and other genres pulled from the Afro-Caribbean Sweet Crude has always performed its indie rock in French And Les Cenelles is a string ensemble that explores the Creole world.
The project “gives a kind of fresh canvas for [Louisiana] French artists to put a creativity stamp to this time on something that will last in the Library of Congress,” Michot says “There’s no marketing angle for the artists. It’s about what they want to last in time and be able to be heard by future generations.”
Michot teamed up with McCalla for their contributions, swapping off as accompaniment on their tracks
Michot contributed a remake of an old song from the ’30s he called “The Abandoned” and a tune “La Valse De Mêche Perdu,” written by his father, Tommy Michot
“It’s kind of like a stamp of ‘What is happening in Louisiana French music at this time?’ ” Michot says “You have some zydeco, some Cajun, some Creole, Haitian Creole all of these different interpretations and expressions. It shows the diversity of the music and the use of the language beyond just Cajun bands.”
There are quite a few organizations working to preserve and teach Louisiana French, Michot notes, but more are needed, especially ones that serve
adults. The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), for example, primarily focuses on French education in schools.
“There’s not much government help or government programs” past school-age programs, he says “So it’s up to individuals and organizations to do their part to continue to represent and create places for people to learn which is the most important part, to learn. It’s very important to have organizations like Nous around.”
Earlier this month, Michot handed over his King Charles VII crown from the 2024 Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc parade to Tilton, who will reign during the event on Jan. 6.
NOUS TAKES A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH to its website and printed materials. The organization’s visuals are often clean, simple and modern, thanks to artistic director Katya Vaz and co-director Rudy Bazenet.
“People are attracted to things that are pretty It’s important to not only make something visually attractive and stunning, but have a nice purpose as well,” Vaz says Vaz grew up in both New Orleans and Russia and was exposed to a lot of
cultural exchange. She began studying French in high school and pursued her interest in printmaking and visual art, which has led Vaz to work with different Francophone organizations over the years. She started fully working with Nous in 2022, and heading into 2025, she’s focused on the publication that will accompany the “Musique(s)!” project.
Like with her own art, Vaz’s designs with Nous tend to be “based in nature and in locality,” she says, “using the immediate surroundings and what ties us to a place and expressing that in a linguistic and cultural way as well.”
Tilton and Bazenet note that they’ve seen a lot of people under 40 at Nous Foundation events That’s encouraging: New generations being invested in Louisiana heritage cultures are key to their longevity. It also prompts people to think about the communities around them and the issues they may be facing, Tilton says “I feel like it’s always tough when it comes to younger people because they kind of take it all for granted,” Bazenet adds “Usually as people age, they kind of realize that it may all collapse one day Our goal isn’t just French and Creole preservation, but to do something good around it that attracts people as well.”
PRO
HumanTroubles
ADarkComedyabout the complexities and absurditiesof the Mental Healthcare System
BY MARIANA SANTIAGO
This ar ticleisbrought to youbyStreetcar Collective forthe Ar ts .
Dora’s life isn’tgoing well.It’sgoing so poorly, in fac t, shefndsherself in an OrleansParish psychiatric ward.And –justwhenshe thinks she’s hitrockbot tom– sherealizesrockbot tomisonly half waydown.
StreetcarCollectivefor theArts’supcoming productionof Human Troubles follows Dora’s time in that psychward. Theuncomfor tablyhilarious dark comedy divesintoabsurditiesofthe mental healthcare system in theUnitedStates. Setagainst abackdrop of aKaf kaesque bureaucrac yapathetic to thepatients’needs, theplay follows agroup of misftcharactersnavigatingthe bewildering—and ofen inadvertentlycomical— challenges posedbyasystemthatissupposedly meanttohelp them
HumanTroubles is unforgettable –and youcan seeitatthe New MarignyTheater at 2301 Marais Street at thecornerofMandeville in NewOrleans’s
By waterneighborhood on December28thand 29 th,2024, and Januar y2nd through5t h, 2025. Doorsopenat7:30pmfor each 8:00pm performance. “Human Troubles couldbedescribedas‘if OneFlew Over theCuckoo’sNest passed theBechdel Test,’” quipped MilesHendler,who performs theroleof theDoc tor-Nurse-Secretar y. Othercastmembers include LizJohnston-Dupre as Dora, Claude Whitscell as Christian, Brooke Volker t as Jack, and Samantha Hubbs as Sarah.
“I’m ridiculously excitedfor opening night,”said play wright and director Mariana Santiago.“This is oneofthe most dynamiccasts I’ve ever hadthe pleasure of workingwith–and theNew Marigny Theaterisaper fect venuefor this show.”
“Thisisquite possibly thefunniestshowI’veever worked on,” commented Brooke Volker t.“It ’s dark,sure,but it ’s absolutely hilarious –and the fac tthatit’sbased on situations that real people go through givesthe play that much ex trapunch.”
“Human Troubles”invites audiencestorefec ton therealities of ment al healthcare in theUnited States (and specifcallyLouisiana)while delivering laugh-out-loud momentsthatare both poignant and thought-provoking.Withatalentedcast and productionteam, this play promisestoshed lightonthe impor tanceofthe self-preservation instinct in thefaceofsystemicfailures.
Legacy Kitchen’sCraft Tavern serves twists on aNew Orleansbrunchdaily until4pm TheirCrawfsh &Egg Beignets,pictured here,are aLegacyKitchen original
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Prime time
PRIMERIB IS ACUT OF BEEF THAT CAN STRIKETERROR into theheart of a restaurant owner. Just askBon Ton Primerib owner andproprietor JerryGreenbaum.
“When youbuy aprime ribroast, you’re spending hundreds of dollars forthatone eight-ribroast,” he says.“Mess that up andthatmoney is gone.You can’tcookittoorder becauseittakes four hours. You can’tserve it thenextday because thetexture changes. So youhaveto estimate in termsofvolumeand hope youget it right.”
Marrero-born executivechefJared Gassenberger understandsthatthe stakes arehigh. He’s in thekitchen with massivecutsofprime grade primerib everyday,roastinglow andslowat170 degreestoa perfect medium rare —the only temperature option.The chef then cuts themeat to order—30ouncesfor theBon Toncut,12ouncesfor theregular cut—and blasts acrust on theoutside in a450-degreeoventofinishitfor theguest
That meanswhenthe meat is gone, it’s gone,which is whyGreenbaum recommends guests letthe restaurant know when they make thereservation if they want primerib Gassenberger’s localroots rundeep. He’s agraduateofHolycross,went to culinary school in Batonrouge and worked fine dining forthe firsttwo yearsofhis career at Brennan’s. He ranMr. John’s Steakhouse kitchen on St.charles Avenue before joiningGreenbaum’s restaurant group, centraArchy, sevenyears ago. He ran chophouse, across thestreetfromthe oldBon Tonbeforeopening thenew BonTon Primerib in November
Therestaurantisbrand new, not arecreationofthe much-loved Bon Toncafe, with itsnearly150 yearsof history. Therestaurantwas closeto four yearsinthe making,purchased just before theMarch 2020 pandemic shutdown.Itwas almost readyto open,only to have afiretakeitback to square one. Themostrecentredo took twoyears
be blackenedwith cajunseasonings or finished offto thedesired level of doneness.“We want everyone to feel welcome,” Gassenberger says With itsflickering candlelight, exposed brickwalls,deep booths andwhite tablecloths, the restaurant is warm andwelcoming formal withoutbeing abit stuf fy.The menu hasa rangeof optionsthatreach beyond primebeef to includewhole roastedGulffishand creole crabcakes. It’s best to be a carnivore or pescatarian,asvegetarian optionsare limited to salads andsome savory sides, includingcharred Brussels sprouts, grilled broccoli andanoutstanding puffed corn casserole, whichcould easily double as asavorybread pudding.
Chinesefeast
THEHOLIDAYSAND CHINESEFOODGO
TOGETHER like,well, holidays andamarathonsession of “A christmasStory.” It’s aseasonaltradition formany. Oftenitrevolvesaroundthe American-chinese variety,withorders of friedrice, lemonchicken andsaltylo mein noodlespassedaroundthe table. Buttoday,New Orleanshas avariety of styles of chinesefood, andthatmeans much more availability of food closer to what you’dactuallyfindinchina. Still, as much as Ilovedim sumand findingchinese regional specialties, I am susceptibletoabit of thenostalgic American-chinese craving, too. Here aremyfavorites around town.
Miss Shirley’sChinese Restaurant
3009 Magazine St., (504)354-2530
Betweendumplingtrays andthe slurp of noodles, this always-bustlingdining room is apicture of thepleasureof sharing afamily-stylechinese meal.It’s thesecondact forabeloved restaurant
Although theoriginalbrass plaque that says BonTon cafe is stillonthe door,the spacewas reimagined,saysoperating partner Travis Holdren.
“The placewas such an institution, thelastthing we were trying to do wasrecreateit,”hesays. Homage waspaidto that restaurant with a fewfavoritedishes. Thebarbecue shrimp,Bon Tonoysters andcrabmeat au gratin of fera tasteofthe old restaurant’s specialties.
Theprice pointisonpar with the upscalesteakhouses,but portions are largeand shareable.The $120 Bon Toncut of primerib feedsfourpeople. The$12 loaded one-poundbaked potato is enough foratleast two.
Greenbaum, wholives in Atlanta, hasapassion forNew Orleansculture andcuisine dating back to hiscollege days at Tulane University,where he methis wife of 62 years.
“I love NewOrleans,” says the restaurateur,whose sonGregmanages day-to-day operations of thecompany’s portfolioof15restaurants “PeopleinNew Orleanshavea better time.BeforeIwenttoTulane, Iate plain. Icamehomeafter ayear, andI waseatingeverything. That changed me forever. It’s whyIdowhatIdo.”
Soup dumplings, snow pea greens dumplings andgrilled beef ribs areonthe menu at Miss Shirley’sChinese Restaurant.
family,but nowitgoesdeeperwith regional specialties. Fill your tablewith dimsum (don’t miss thesnowpea green dumplings),share thefamily-sizedspicy seafoodand mushroom soup andtry thechile-layeredlazijichicken
ChinaRose
3501 N. ArnoultSt.,Metairie, (504)887-3295
Thedeepest dive into Sichuancooking in theareaishidingnearthe Lakeside mall,and behind thestandard American-chinese menu dinersmight be handed first. Askfor thechinese menu,though, andfindalongroster
BonTon PrimeRib opensin theCBD by Beth D’Addono |
Chef JaredGassenbergerand operatingpartner TavisHoldren at BonTon PrimeRib
BY NICE GUYS NOLA
runningthrough stew-likedishes dotted with delightfully numbingpeppercorn(“wildand hotpepper” on the menu)to“husbandand wife tripe,” atexturalthrillrideofsavorycrunch andchili oilspice.evenjustanorder of potstickersfromthe chinesemenu will be an orderofmagnitude better than theAmericanmenu’sdumplings Butthe American menu is decent for thestandards.
YummyHouse
3000 Loyola Drive, Kenner, (504)470-2890
Here’s arestaurantthatmight just have patronsrooting foraflightdelay, foundinaKenner stripmallnearthe exit forthe airport. Look fordim sum andthe regularmenuisbig on seafood dishes fitfor sharing. Ilovethe har gow, or shrimp dumplingswithanearly translucentexterior, patternedlike scallopshells, theeggplantfilledwith minced shrimp andthe stuffedbean curd skins
Hong Minh 2101 Eighth St., Harvey, (504)592-7316
Theleapoffaith heremusttakeyou past oneshoppingcentertoadecidedly second-ratestrip mall on aHarvey side street.The payoff is fantasticpork bellyand roastduck, some of which you’ll seehanging from hooksby the entrance,ready to be loudly thwacked into chunks.The duck wonton soup andsalt-and-peppergreen beansare great, andamountainous orderoffried rice will ensure you’ll have leftoversto revive at home
PandaKing Fine Dining
925Behrman Highway, Terrytown, (504)433-0388
This huge West Bank restaurant rolls outaweekend dimsum experience with affordablepricesand theroving, airline-stylecarts.Thatmeans diners canshopwiththeir eyes andget the instant gratificationofcart-to-table service. Look forcrisp rice cakes, sugar cane shrimp,egg tartsand little plates of barbecue ribs or salt andpepper tofu.Ilikethe revolvingtabletoptrays forsharing,too
Thebonus of atriptoPanda King is itsproximity to Hong Kong Market, theAsian food superstore,for aquick shop or astopatthe Vietnamese jerky emporium KhoBoNgocQuyen in the same complex.
Little Chinatown 3800 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504)305-0580
Like chinarose, this menu hasa versatilemix of American-chinese standardsand more traditional cooking, though they’reall mixedup on thesamemenu. clay potdishesare
aparticularspecialty(from duck and taro to goat stew), andthisisthe rare menu featuringaselection of congee, thericeporridge-like comfortfood bobbingwithpiecesofporkorduck andpreserved eg g.
Soup dumpling,orxiaolongbao, arefilledwithmeaty brothatDian Xininthe French Quarter.
Whilethe oldNew Orleanschinatown is long,longgone, this dimsum parlor alwaysmakes me thinkamodern versionwould be at home in thesmall storefrontsbythe French Market (the nearbyZhang Bistro is also wortha visit).The soup dumplingsare superb, bursting with juice, andanother specialtyisjianbing, athincrepe with sour-savoryflavor, stuf fedwithherbs, meat andalayer of crunchywontons Thesmaller spinof frestaurant on theother side of theQuarter,on exchange Alley, hasa shor termenu butaddshot pot.
Trey Yuen
600N.CausewayBlvd., Mandeville,(985) 626-4476
Therewas atimewhen dinner at a chineserestaurant carried an airof adventure, no matter what wason themenu. That time persists at the Northshore’s long-running imperial palace of chinesefood, wherethe mostly cantonesemenugives afew nods to Louisianaaswell. Seethe seasonal crawfish,alligator andsoft shellcrabdishes. —Ian McNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune
Borgne again
THEUPSCALE SEAFOODRESTAUR ANT BORGNE WASONCEAPOPUL AR SPOT in downtown NewOrleans that was particularlybustlingahead of big events at thenearbyarenas, when people wouldpre-gameatthe bar. Its spacewithinthe Hyattregency Hotel at 601LoyolaSt. hassat emptynearly four years.
Butitisslatedtocomebacktolife soon as anew restaurant as New Orleanspreparestohostthe Super Bowl rightnextdoor.
Brothers Jack rizzutoand Phil rizzuto,who runrizzuto’s ristorante &chopHouse in Lakeview,are planning anew restaurant in thespace. rizzutoPrime is nowtakingshape, slated to open in mid-January.
It will specialize in steaks andseafood alongsideItalian dishes.expect some familiar elements from the Lakeview rizzuto’s.
“Itwillhavesomeofour same style, butwithmoreseafood anda steakhouseatmosphere,”Jackrizzuto says. “Itwillbea more high-end restaurant.”
Thenew restaurant will have seating forupto200 anda baraslongasa landingstrip,which wasalwaysa draw in theBorgnedays. Theold oyster barwillbeexpanded, and therewillbeanicedseafood display stockedwithlobsters, mussels, clams andmoreselections.
rizzuto’sinLakeviewhas made aspecialtyofthe spinalis steak,the rib-eyecap,known forrobustflavor. That will be acenterpiece of thenew restaurant alongsideother cuts rizzutoPrime will servelunch and dinner daily.
“Welikethatthe hotelisananchor to allthe majorevents,”rizzuto says. “Welikethe atmosphere andthe area There’salot of action therenow.”
Therizzuto brothers have aseparate projectunderwayalong theGulfcoast in Biloxi,where they plan to open a restaurant andreception hall in the historic reddingMansion.Itcould open laterin2025. —Ian McNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune
Brothers Phil Rizzuto(left)and Jack RizzutoopenedRizzuto’s Ristorante &ChopHouse.
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Anthony Stanonis
Historian
by Will Coviello
HISTORIANANTHONY STANONIS GREW UP IN NEWORLEANS andattended Loyola University NewOrleans. He haswritten aboutthe developmentof tourisminNew Orleansinthe early20th century, foodways andSouthernbeach towns. Hislatestbookis“NewOrleans Pralines,” from LSUPress.Stanonis explores wherepralinescomefromand howtheyweremarketedwithimages of Black“mammies” andwidelyused racial stereotypes. Formoreinformation,gotoanthonystanonis.com
Howdid youget interested in writing abookabout pralines?
ANTHONY STANONIS: Igot into foodways by accident.Mydissertation wasontourism in NewOrleans in the 1920sand ’30s,looking mainly at the closureofStoryvilleand theriseof Prohibition. Iended up workingon food becauseIwas curiousabout it.I waslooking at pralines about10years ago, when Iwas thinking of doinga historyofkingcakeand ahistory of pralines.WhenIwenttosources you wouldnormallyuse,Ididn’tfindthem. So Istarted doingthe detectivework. Iwas born andraisedhere, andI grew up with thestory that pralines came from France in the1600s and thesettlersbrought it to Louisiana. I wascurious howitbecamea tourism souvenir.Imostlyworkonthe 20th century, so Iwas curioustotrace out thehistory
Thereare alot of travel narratives from before thecivil War. People wouldalwaysgotothe French Market, becausethat’swhereall theproduce came together.Inthe travel narratives, you’ll endupwithpages of listsofwhat people foundatthe French Market. They’lltalkabout thepeopleand the languages, butthen they’lljuststart listingfooditems
Therewas no reference(to pralines) in them.I went to thefirst two cookbooks: Lafcadio Hearn’s“creole cookbook”in1885, andthere’s another cookbook that comesout a fewmonthslater.Neither of those have arecipe. Ithought that wasweird Anditrarelypoppedupinnewspapers. Therewasn’tanythingthatdescribed a pralineasweknowit.
Allofasudden by thelate1880s and1890s,peopletalkabout pralines
as we know them.Thatbecamemy detectivework.
Somethingsocentral to theidentity of NewOrleans comesout of nowhere after1885. It’s notcolonialFrench. It’s notuntil 1795 that they figure outhow to granulatesugar
From what we know aboutenslavement andsugar plantations,itmade sense. AfricanAmericans on sugar plantationsknewhow to processthe sugarand they knew howtoforage pecans,which is aspecial skill. Pecans areunpredictable in thewild, so you need to know whichweregoodpecan trees. Obviously, they didthe cookingon plantations. So it makessense whyit’s notinNew Orleansbeforethe civilWar, whyyou seereferencesinsugar parishes andwhy yousee it in NewOrleans after themigration of thousandsofAfrican Americans. It movesfromthe Black communitytothe whitecommunity.
Thebookdetails how sellingpralines oftenused racializedimagery and particularly theimage of aBlack“mammy.”
S: It presents aproblem in Jimcrow Louisianaand theSouth.You have African-American women, mainly workingclass,who areusing this as ameans of creating abusinessand economicuplift. So howdotheycontain that entrepreneurship andre-imagine it?One chapterlooks at theliterary “mammification”ofthe pralineseller. Theimage of amammy worksintwo ways.Onone hand,service laboras we know it in NewOrleans tended to be AfricanAmerican. It’s workersin hotels,waiters andworkers in back roomsinkitchens. That fits with an imageofthe Souththatdates back toslave times. It also preservesthis
nostalgicviewofLouisiana.Itfitsthe expectations of tourists IrememberAuntSally’s hada show window in themid-’90s. They would have AfricanAmericans making pralineswiththisbig copper kettle in front of this bigwindowfor tourists to watch them working.
There’sabig question aboutraceand pralines Iget to in thebook. When I finished thebook, Istrolledthe French Quarterand went to theseplacesthat hadusedthisracialimagery,and it had been erased.One of thequestions is to what extent wasthe “mammification”sointense that on theone hand theimage we have of theAfricanAmerican pralinesellerisactuallyhow entrepreneurialshe was—she wearsa bright outfit.She wearswhite to show that everything is done clean. The colorful outfit gets attention. Thereisa real cleverness to thewhole outfit —but thewhole imagebecomes mammified. So is thereany waytomarketorcelebratethe role of AfricanAmericans in creating this?Oristhe racial imageryso strong,and theassumptions so strong, that youcan’t go anywhere near it? That wasone of theuncomfortable things Iwas left with in this book.
Howdopralinesfit the bigger agricultural picture?
S: It’s aboutthe brownsugar and thepecan itself.The brownsugar representedthe old South, theold Louisianaofsugar plantationsbefore thecivil War. Thepecan represented thenew South, andthe argument for agricultural diversification—getting away from just growingcotton, sugar andtobacco anddevelopingother agricultural sectors.
Ithink that hastobepartofthe story of whyitwasn’tjustsuccessfuland adoptedinNew Orleans, butwhy pralinesbecameSouthern. In Savannah, yousee pralines now. Some stuffis marketed as local. Yousee pralines in Texas. OK,theyhad pecantrees,but they neverhad sugarplantations.They industrialized sugar, butthat’sinthe very late 1800s, early20thcentury Afun thingisthe wholestory of Pralines andcream icecream and theroleofBorden in nationalizing it.Bordenhad achain of icecream shops, andifyou go to Lafayette, the last remainingone is abouta block from campus.It’slikea time capsule of the1950s.Bordendid anational campaign in the1950s forPralines andcream icecream,and they used allofthisNew Orleansimagery.The firstcampaigndepictedthe French Quarter. It became so successful they kept re-issuing it.Inthe 1960s, they used plantation images.
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Out to eatisanindexofGambitcontractadvertisers. Unless noted, addressesare forNew Orleans and all accept credit cards. Updates: email willc@gambitweekly.com or call(504)483-3106
Basinbarbecueshrimpare served with rosemary garlic butter sauceovercheese gritswithacheesebiscuit.The menu includes po-poys, friedseafood platters, rawand char-grilled oysters, boiled seafood in season,and more.Outdoor seating available. No reservations.Lakeview: Lunchand dinner Tue.-Sun.Slidell:Lunch
Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sat.-Sun $$
Broussard’s— 819Conti St., (504)5813866;broussards.com— rainbowtrout amandine is served with tassoand corn macque chouxand creole meuniere sauce. Brunch includes Benedicts,chicken and wafflesand more.reservationsrecommended.Outdoor seatingavailable. Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$
Cafe Normandie— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining— Themenu combines classicFrenchdishesand Louisianaitems like crab beignets with herb aioli. Sandwiches includepo-boys,a muffuletta on flatbreadand aburger. No reservations.Breakfast andlunch Mon.Sat.,dinnerFri.-Mon. $$
TheCommissary— 634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com— A smoked turkey sandwich is served with bacon,tomatojam,herbedcream cheese, arugulaand herbvinaigrette on honeyoat bread. Themenuincludesdips, salads, sandwiches,boudinballs,fried oystersand more.Noreservations. Outdoorseating available. LunchTue.-Sat. $$
Curio— 301Royal St., (504)717-4198; curionola.com— Thecreativecreolemenu includes blackenedGulfshrimpserved with chickenand andouillejambalaya Therealsoare crab cakes, shrimp and grits, craw fish etouffee,po-boys and more.reservationsaccepted. Lunchand dinner daily. $$
noodles, curriesand friedrice. crispy skinnedduckbasil is prepared with vegetables andThaibasil.Deliveryavailable. reservations accepted.Lunch anddinner Mon.-Sat $$
Desire Oyster Bar— RoyalSonesta New Orleans, 300Bourbon St., (504)5860300;sonesta.com/desireoysterbar A menu full of Gulf seafoodincludeschargrilledoysters topped with Parmesan and herbs. The menu also includes po-boys, po-boys, gumbo, blackenedfish, fried seafoodplatters andmore. reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily. $$
Dickie Brennan’sBourbon House— 144 BourbonSt.,(504) 522-0111;bourbonhouse.com— There’sa seafoodraw bar with rawand char-broiled oysters, fish dip, crab fingers, shrimp andmore. redfishon theHalf-shelliscookedskin-on andserved with crab-boiledpotatoes, frisee andlemon buerre blanc. reservations accepted. Lunchand dinner daily. $$$
Dickie Brennan’sSteakhouse — 716 IbervilleSt.,(504) 522-2467;dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com Themenuincludes avariety of steaks, plus seared Gulf fish, lobsterpasta,barbecueshrimpand more A6-ounce filetmignonisservedwithfried oysters, creamedspinach,potatoesand bearnaise.reservationsrecommended Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$ El Pavo Real 4401 S. BroadAve., (504) 266-2022;elpavorealnola.com— Themenu includes tacos, enchiladas,quesadillas, ceviche. tamalesand more.Pescado Vera cruz features sauteedGulffishtoppedwith tomatoes,olives, onionand capers,served with rice andstringbeans.Outdoor seating available. No reservations.Lunch andearly dinner Tue.-Sat $$ Juan’s Flying Burrito— 515Baronne St., (504)529-5825; 2018 Magazine St., (504) 569-0000;4724S.CarrolltonAve., (504)486-9950; 8140 OakSt.,(504) 897-4800;juansflyingburrito.com The FlyingBurritoincludessteak,shrimp, chicken, cheddarjackcheese, blackbeans, rice,guacamole andsalsa.The menu also includes tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos,saladsand more.Outdoor seatingavailable. No reservations.Lunch anddinner Thu.-Tue $$ Katie’sRestaurant— 3701 IbervilleSt., (504)488-6582; katiesinmidcity.com— Thecajun cubanwithroasted pork,ham, cheese andpickles.The eclectic menu also includes char-grilled oysters, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, friedseafood platters, pasta, salads andmore. Delivery available. reservations accepted forlarge parties. Lunchand dinner daily. $$ Kilroy’s Bar— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941;hig ginshotelnola.com/dining— The barmenu includes sandwiches,saladsand flatbreads,including onetoppedwithpeach, prosciutto,stracciatella cheese,arugula andpecans. No reservations.Lunch Fri.Mon.,dinnerdaily $$ Legacy Kitchen’sCraft Tavern — 700 Tchoupitoulas St., (504)613-2350; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes
oysters, flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches, salads andaNOLAStyle GritsBowltopped with bacon,cheddar andapoached eg g. reservations accepted.Breakfast,lunch anddinner daily. $$
Legacy KitchenSteak &Chop— 91 Westbank Expressway,Gretna, (504) 513-2606;legacykitchen.com The menu includes filets mignonsand bone-in rib-eyes,aswellasburgers,saladsand seafooddishes. reservations accepted Outdoorseating available. Lunchand dinner Mon.-Sat $$ Luzianne Cafe — 481Girod St., (504)2651972;luziannecafe.com— Boudin Benedict features twopoached eg gs over boudin andanenglish muffin,servedwithgreen tomato chow chow andhollandaise.No reservations.Deliveryavailable.Breakfast andlunch Wed.-Sun $$
Mikimoto — 3301 S. Carrollton Ave.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com The South carrollton roll includestunatataki, avocado andsnowcrab. Themenualsohas noodle dishes,teriyakiand more.reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable. LunchSun.Fri.,dinner daily. $$
Mother’s Restaurant 401Poydras St., (504)523-9656; mothersrestaurant. net— This counter-servicespotserves po-boysdressed with sliced cabbageand creole favoriteslikejambalaya,crawfish etouffee,red beansand rice andmore. Breakfastisavailableall day. Delivery available. No reservations.Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily. $$
Neyow’sCreoleCafe— 3332 BienvilleSt., (504)827-5 474; neyows.com Themenu includes redbeans andricewithfried chickenorporkchops,aswellasshrimp creole,seafood platters,po-boys,chargrilledand rawoysters,saladsand more. Side itemsinclude carrot souf fle, mac and cheese,cornbread dressing,sweet potato tots andmore. No reservations.Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$ Nice Guys Bar& Grill— 7910 EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404; niceguysbarandgrillnola. com— char-grilled oystersare topped with cheese andgarlicbutter, andother options includeoysters rockefellerand loaded oysters. The creative menu also includes seafoodbread,a cajun-lobsterpotato, wings, quesadillas, burgers, salads,sandwiches,seafood pasta, loaded friesand more.Noreservations. Lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$
Orleans GrapevineWineBar &Bistro — 720Orleans Ave.,(504) 523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com— The wine baroffers cheese boards andappetizerstonoshwith wines. The menu includes creole pasta with shrimp andandouille in tomato cream sauce. reservations accepted forlarge parties. Outdoorseating available. Dinner Thu.-Sun $$
Palace Cafe 605Canal St., (504)5231661;palacecafe.com— The contemporary creole menu includescrabmeat cheesecake with mushroomsand creole meuniere sauce. Outdoorseating available. reservations recommended. Breakfastand
TheCommissary(634OrangeSt.,504-274-1850; thecommissarynola.com),a combination restaurant, market andcommissarykitchen from theDickieBrennan &Co. restaurant group, offers grab-and-goitems anda menu of salads,sandwiches, snacks,dipsand more. PH OT OBYI AN MC NULTY /T HE TI ME S- PI CAYU NE
lunchWed.-Fri.,dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch
Sat.-Sun $$$
Parish Grill— 4650W.EsplanadeAve., Suite100,Metairie, (504)345-2878; parishgrill.com The menu includes burgers, sandwiches,pizza andsauteed andouille with figdip,bluecheeseand toastpoints. reservations accepted.Lunch anddinner Mon.-Sat $$
PeacockRoom— KimptonHotel Fontenot, 501Tchoupitoulas St., (504)324-3073; peacockroomnola.com— At brunch,braised shortrib grilladesare served over gritswith mushrooms, apoached eg gand shaved truffle. reservations accepted.Dinner Wed.-Mon., brunch Sun. $$
Rosie’sonthe Roof HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining— The rooftop barhas amenuofsandwiches, burgersand smallplates. crab beignetsare madewith Gulf crabmeat andmascarponeand served with herbaioli.Noreservations. Dinner
Mon.-Sat $$
Tableau 616St. PeterSt.,(504) 9343463;tableaufrenchquarter.com— The menu features traditionaland creative creole dishes.Pasta bouillabaissefeatures squid inkmafaldine,littleneck clams, Gulf shrimp,squid,seafood broth, rouilleand herbedbreadcrumbs.Outdoor seating availableonthe balcony. reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Thu.-Sun $$$ Tacklebox— 817CommonSt.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com The menu includesraw andchar-broiledoysters, seafoodplatters, po-boys, friedchicken,
Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza— 1212 S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504) 510-4282;4024Canal St., (504)302-1133; 4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554;70488 Highway21, Covington, (985)234-9420; theospizza.com A Marilynn Pota Supremepie is topped with mozzarella,pepperoni,sausage, hamburger, mushrooms, bell peppersand onions.There also aresalads, sandwiches, wings, breadsticksand more.Delivery available. Lunchand dinner Tue.-Sat $
Tito’s Ceviche&Pisco 1433 St.Charles Ave.,(504) 354-1342;titoscevichepisco com— The Peruvian menu includes several typesofceviche,aswellassteak andseafood dishes.Traditional lomo saltadofeaturessauteed beef tenderloin tips,onions, tomatoes,soy sauceand pisco, served with potatoes andrice. Delivery available. reservations accepted.Lunch anddinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$
TheVintage 3121 Magazine St., (504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com— There’s afullcoffeedrinksmenuand bakedgoods andbeignets, as well as afullbar.The menu hasflatbreads, cheese boards,small plates andapressed veggie sandwich with avocado, onions,arugula,red pepper andpepperjackcheese. No reservations Delivery andoutdoor seatingavailable. Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily. $$
TR OP IC AL CO UR TYAR D OR SI DE WA LK SE AT IN G with afresh cocktail, wine or dinner!
George Porter Jr. birthday show
George Porter Jr.celebrateshis 77th birthday aday earlywithachristmas show with therunnin’ Pardners At 9p.m.Wednesday,Dec.25, at theMaple Leaf Bar. Tickets$20 in advancevia mapleleafbar.com,$25 on theday of theshow.
ChelseaHandler
Comedian ChelseaHandler leda panelofcomedians snarkingabout currenteventsand entertainment industry gossip on her e! show “chelsea Lately.” Severalofher best-sellingbooks,like“AreYou There, Vodka? It’s Me,chelsea” coveredsimilar ground before she hadareckoning,decided shehad repeatedly failed her wayupwards, andreleasedthe memoir “LifeWill Be theDeath of Me andyou too!,” whichalsobecameabestseller. She’sgot anew book coming out in February,and hercurrent Big Little Bitchcomedytourcomes to NewOrleans at 8p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 28,atMahalia JacksonTheater Tickets$32.43-$89.50 viamahaliajacksontheater.com
‘Candy Mountain’
Director Robert Frank worked with andwas influenced by Beat generationwritersearlyinhis career, buthis 1987 road trip movie“candy Mountain”ismoreofastory of con men, dead ends andhappenstance. SometimesmusicianJulius’squest to trackdownthe reclusiveguitarmaker elmore Silk is abumblingeffort that’s more tragic than comic. But thecastisfullofmusicians in minor roles, includingDr. John as amean andselfish interloper.Italsofeatures TomWaits,Leonredbone andJoe Strummer.Waits andredbone contributedtothe score. It opensat 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25,and continuesatZeitgeist Theatre &Lounge. Tickets$8-$10. Visitzeitgeistnola.org
‘PottedPotter’
“PottedPotter: TheUnauthorized HarryPotterExperience” is amashup of allthingsHarry Potter,condensing sevenbooks’worth of hiswizardly adventures into abreakneck-paced 70-minute show,completewith agameofQuidditch.Founders JeffersonTurnerand Danielclark createdthe firstshort versionin Britainin2006toentertain Potter fans whowerewaiting in line outside bookstores to buythe sixthbook. It
grew to afull-length show including laterbooks,moved to theaters and theproductionhas been touringthe worldfor almost adecade, fordiehard fans andnewcombersalike.Itruns Thursday,Dec.26, throughJan.5 at Jefferson Performing Arts center Showtimesvary. Find tickets viajeffersonpac.com
Sicard Hollow
Apsychedelic-tingedjamgrassband from Nashville,SicardHollowplays a couple of late-night shows, convenientlyscheduled afteracoupleof BillyStrings’dates at theLakefront Arena. Thebandreleasedits latest album, “The KeytoPiece of Mind”in September. At 11 p.m. Sunday,Dec 29,and Monday,Dec.30, at chickie WahWah.Tickets are$29.72 viachickiewahwah.com.
Hanukkah on wheels
TheannualMobileMenorah Parade is held on thefourthnight of Hanukkah this year,Dec.28, star ting at 7:30 p.m. by theBtesh Family chabad HouseatFreretand Broadway streets. Participantsin cars adornedwithgiant menorahs
will spread Hanukkah cheerand toss throws at revelers as they cruise down St.charles Avenue and throughthe cBD, French Quar ter, Marignyand By water. Theparade makesastopatBJ’sLounge, where there’sadance partyinthe street anda menorahlightinginside, backed to live musicbythe Klezmer All-Stars. Then theparaderesumes andheads back toward itsstarting point. To join theparadeasa driver or find outmoreinfoemail mendel@chabadneworleans.com.
Lost BayouRamblers
TheCajun rock outfit turned 25 this year andcelebratedlastmonth with ascreening of “OnVacontinuer,” a2019documentary aboutthem, at theBroadside followed by a performancewithspecial guests. TheGrammy-winningbandplays Tipitina’s Friday,Dec.27, at 9p.m Houma’scrush Diamondopens Ticketsare $20attipitinas.com
Creole Christmastour
SeehistoricFrenchQuarter homes turned museums during the45th annual creole christmasHoliday
‘PottedPotter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience’runsDec 26-Jan.5 at Jefferson Performing Arts Center.
Home Tour.The tour includes the Beauregard-Keyes House, Gallier House, Hermann-GrimaHouse, 1850 House, Historic NewOrleans collection andthe Spring Fiesta building,aswellastheir courtyards At 10 a.m. to 3p.m.Friday, Dec. 27, to Sunday,Dec.29. Ticketsare $3040 viaeventbrite.com.
Gary Owen & Lavell Crawford
Comedian andactor Gary Owen starredinmoviesincluding “ride Along” and“ThinkLikeaMan,” but he’s spentalot of time onstagein recent yearsmakingjokes abouthis divorceand addressing therumors aboutit. Lavell crawford is known forhis roleson“Breaking Bad” and “BettercallSaul.”They’re on tour together.At8p.m.Friday, Dec. 27, at OrpheumTheater.Tickets are$39 andupvia ticketmaster.com
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To learn more about addingyour event to the music calendar,please email listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
BLUE NILE — ThecaesarBrothers’ Funk Box, 8pm; Kermit rufns& TheBBQ Swingers,11pm
BALCONY ROOM AT BLUE
NILE — Keva Holiday &Holiday Soul,10pm
BOURBONSTREETHONKYTONK
TheBad Sandys, 8pm
CARROLLTONSTATION
Susan cowsilland TinStar& Friends,8 pm
CHICKIE WAHWAH — Paul cebar and charlie Halloran &The Tropicales, 8pm
D.B.A. — Little FreddieKing,6:30 pm; New Breed Brass Band,10pm
DEWDROP INN — Kid chocolate& TheFreeP.O.c,9pm
FRITZEL'S EUROPEAN JAZZ
CLUB — richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30 pm; SamFriend JazzBand, 2:30pm; Fritzels AllStarBand w/ Kevin rayclark, 9pm
GOOD MEASUREATTHE BARNETT
— Brass-A-Holics, 9pm
HOLYDIVER — rik Slave’s DarkLounge Ministries,8pm
HOTEL ST.VINCENT — Or Shovaly Plus, 12 pm
LE BONTEMPSROULÉ Hash cabbage,11pm
LOBBYATTHE BARNETT More & Morewith DJ rajSmoove,10:30 pm
MAPLELEAFBAR — TheNerve,10pm
NOLABREWING TAPROOM
Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk revue,7 pm
NOTICE OF SECONDPUBLIC MEETING 2024INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN
NewOrleans City Council Utility Docket UD-23-01 Entergy NewOrleans 2024Integrated Resource Plan
Every three years an Entergy NewOrleans (ENO) Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is produced.Thisisthe planning process by which Entergy assessesthe resources availabletoittomeet the powersupply needsofNew Orleans.The IRPisproduced following an open, transparent planning process through which all relevant resources areinvestigated.Resources considered include supply-side (such as power plants) and demand-side(programs to modifycustomer loadstoreduce or shift loads from hours with high electricity costs or reliabilityconstraints to other hours).The factors infuencing choice amongtheseresources areconsidered in the planning process. The goal is to identify the optimalset of resources to meet current and futureelectric service needsatthe lowest totalcost to customers and ENOina manner consistent with thelong-run public interest. Theexpected combination of costs, reliability,risks anduncertainty areconsidered. The planning process to develop the 2024 IRPis underway.Tofacilitatethisprocess, asecond public meeting will be held:
Tuesday, January21, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. NewOrleans City Council Chamber City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., Room 1E07,New Orleans.
The public is invited and encouragedtoattend/viewthis meetingtohearENO’spresentation of the IRP Filing and submit public comment. ENO should have aportalonits website for questions andcomments to be submitted over a15-day period. ENOmustrespondtoeachquestionona rolling 10-daybasis.
TheCouncil’sUtilities Regulatory Ofce will maintain asign-up sheet forInterested Personswho wish to receivecopies of all flings,issuances, andnoticesoccurring in the proceeding. If youwishtobe included on thislist,please contact CURObyemailtoBobbie Mason at bfmason1@nola.gov. Youare also welcome to watchthe meeting, either as it is live-streamed or once it is archivedat: http://www.nolacitycouncil.com/video/video_legislative.asp.
FAVELACHIC — NOLA Groove collective, 4pm; TheNew Orleans rugcutters,8pm
FRITZEL'S EUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB — SazeracJazzBand,12:30 pm; SteveDetroyBand, 2:30 pm; Bourbon Matinee All Star Band w/chuck Brackman, 6pm; Fritzels All Star Band w/JamilSharif,9pm
GOOD MEASURE AT THE BARNETT Basher,9pm
HOLYDIVER — DJsAndy Dierotz & Jesse, 10 pm
LE BONTEMPSROULÉ — Pocket chocolate, 11 pm
MAPLELEAFBAR — Louis Michot& Swamp Magic, 10 pm
OKAY BAR— “Heatwave!” Soul/ r&BDance Partywith DJ Ann, 9pm
PRYTANIA THEATRES AT CANAL PLACE— Phil Melancon, 7pm RIVERSHACK TAVERN TheBad Sandys, 8pm
REPUBLIC NOLA— ATLiens, 11 pm
SANTOS — Sub Division, clockwork elvis and TheViolent Pixies, 10 pm
SPOTTED CAT— Popcorn, 2pm; Shake‘em Up Jazz Band, 6pm; Dominick Grillo &The Frenchmen Street Allstars,10pm
UNO LAKEFRONT ARENA — Billy Strings, 7:30 pm; VAUGHAN’S Domino Sound DJs, 8pm
PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
CONDIMENT QUIRK
By Frank A. Longo
Irish-born actor
See 14-Down
Dark warrior Kylo of sci-fi 98 Lays flat in a boxing ring 99 “Arnie” actress Sue -- Langdon 100 Start of the riddle’s answer
39 Singer Lena
“-- Holmes” (2020 film)
-- Ness
Lively spirit
TV Tarzan player Ron
Suffix with lion or host
Hard-to-believe story
Administer a drug to
Upbeat
Fancy pitcher
Hose down, say
Hwys., e.g.
with friendly or
Gift in a will
Liaison
“In case that’s true ...”
Five doubled
“To it may concern
Bodily pouches
Untruths
Dot in the sea, in Spain
Most optimal
Small jump
Be in debt to
La-la lead-in
Chapeau 125 D.C. baseballer 126 Cloning stuff
When everyminute mattered, Ashley trusted Ochsner.
Ashley was in her early 40s when ablood clot in her brain and blockages in her carotid artery caused her to sufer astroke. She was quickly transported fromJena, La. to Ochsner Medical Center –New Orleans by Ochsner’sFlight Care Team. Once at the hospital, Ochsner’s expert neurosciences team was able to care for Ashley and get her on the road to recovery. Now, she’s back to playing the piano and improving every day. Whatever your reasons are for doing the things you do —we’ve only got one. You.
