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TheBig Teasy
Teaser Fest features 130performersJan.16-19
ELLE DORADO HAD ONLY BEEN PERFORMINGASABURLESQUE DANCER for oneyearbeforeshe wonthe titleof QueenofBurlesque at thenew Orleans BurlesqueFestival. Sincethen,she’s performedregularly in newOrleansand tourstonew york,Las Vegas, Dallas andother cities,and sheheadlined the Montreal BurlesqueFestival.
ShealsolaunchedTeaserFest. The growingfestivalholds itsfourthedition Jan. 16-19atvenuesincluding Civic Theatreand HouseofBlues,and it features130 performers,fromburlesque andboylesque dancerstodrag, circus acts andmusicians.
Elle Dorado will performher signature actatthe VarieTEASE show at 9p.m Friday,Jan.17, at CivicTheatre.Inthe piece, shestripsonice skates.The skates arereal, butshe movesona specialsurface
Theact builds on her firstoccupation, competitiveice skating. Starting at age 8, shewas acompetitive figure skater, fighting fora spot on theu.S.national team andcompeting internationally.
Shetrained at Lake Placid,new york, home of the1980winterOlympics, andfollowedher coachestotraining centersinCaliforniaand novogorsk, russia.Her russiancoaches included TatianaTarasovaand two-time Olympic gold medalist Evgeni Platov,who was featured on russia’s versionof“Skating with theStars.”
Afterleaving competitiveskating,Elle Dorado performedwithIce Theatreof newyorkatrockefeller Center anda tour of France
It wasinnew Orleansthatshe discovered her next calling.
“I happenedtovisit newOrleans and caught aburlesque show at Houseof Bluesand said,‘Oh,’ ”she says.“Allof thosedreamsofwearing crystaloutfits —Iwas like,Ifinally foundthe distillation of what Iwant.”
Achancemeeting on thestreets of theFrenchQuarter with Coco Lectric, whohad been in theshowthe previous night, ledher to give it atry.She moved to newOrleans soonafter
Elle Dorado currentlyhosts twolocal shows, aquarterly showcase called WorshipatHotel St.Vincent anda monthly varietyshowatJolie in the WarehouseDistrict.
She’snetworked widely in theburlesque scene andthat’shelpedfillTeaser Fest’s shows. Many of thefestival’sdancersare from newOrleans,including the duoKittenn’Lou,AriaDelanoche,Jeez
by Will Coviello |
Loueez,LolaVan Ella andMissStormy Gale.Visitingheadlinersinclude the ChocolateShowboy from Paris, raquel reed andCervena FoxfromLas Vegas, Emma VauxdevilfromLos Angeles, and MargoMayhem(of Midnight Mayhem), Pearls Dailyand Loulou la Duchesse de rierefromnew york,and more.Some showsalsohavecircusperformersdoing tricks likefire-breathing,sword swallowingand aerial acts.
Thereare 10 showcasesspread across thefestival’sfourdays. Besides Elle Dorado,VarieTEASE hasKittenn’ Lou, Emma Vauxdevil, CervenaFox,Tre Da Marc,Android Allure andnoring Circus,a sideshow andperformance art groupformerlybased in newOrleans. Also performing is theChocolate Showboy, doinganenergeticclassic burlesque stylefeaturing plenty of feathers andrhinestones
TheQueen of theStripteaseshow (6 p.m. Friday at CivicTheatre)featureswinners of burlesquepageants, from newOrleans to theBurlesque Hall of Fame,and anew Queenwill be crowned. ThelineupfeaturesMiss Stormy Gale,PearlsDaily,Aquarius Moon,Qween Quan,GaeaLady, Eva Mystique,Sugar Vixenand more Allactsare performedtomusic from Gerald French andthe Storyville Jazz Band
Thelocal performers of Le VampyreCabaret host the“vamp andcamp” themed show Spooky: Things ThatGoBump (and Grind) in thenight, at 9p.m.Thursday, Jan. 16,atrepublicnOL A. Hittingthe spotlightare Emma Vauxdevil, Mena Domina,Olive,Mandy Mezcal,LolaDemure, Valencia Foxand more. Colorful Caribbean andLatin vibesfillthe Tropinolashowcaseat 9:30 p.m. Saturday,Jan. 18,atHouse of Blues. Performers include raquelreed, Delilah DuBois,EnzoBenzo,Mila la Machina, BAMBOO, Jezebellyand more. Fetish is amorerisque show with bondage, latex andother fetishisticthemes. Headliners includenoringCircus, GoldiFox,the duoAudreyDeLuxeand Madeline Sinclaire, Cherry Bombshell, Miss V, Show Pony revue, ChicaCabra,God Complexand more.The show is at 11:45 p.m. Friday,Jan.17, at CivicTheatre, butadmission is only availabletoVIP weekendpassholders.
Theopening rhinestone regalia on Thursday at republic nOLA also is open only to festival performers and VIPpassholders.
TheQueen’s TeaBrunchatnoon Sunday,Jan.18, at Jolie, features brunch andperformancesbyKitten n’ Lou, Miss Mykie, Mizzaddy,Ginger Oh Snap,Queerly Femmetastic, Vita Devour,KingLeo Mane andmore. Thefestivalhas some workshopsfor performers,and extraspaceswillbe offeredtothe public.
Also open to thepublicisamarket called Merkintile at republic nOLA from 11 a.m. to 2p.m.Sunday, Jan. 19.Vendors includeTrixie’sBurlesque Boutique,DarkGardenCorsetry, If LooksCould Kill vintageclothes and ElektraCosmetics,and therewillbe plenty of boas,feathers, pasties, lingerie, veilsand more.
Individual show ticketsare $25-$48 generaladmission,$50-$100VIP, and$85 forthe Queen’sTea Brunch. Find ticket linksand information at teaserfest.com.
‘A Tale of God’sWill’ Trumpeterand composer Terence Blanchard’sSextet andthe Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestrawill join forces to performBlanchard’s 2007 album “A Tale of God’sWill(Arequiem for Katrina)”atthe OrpheumTheater Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8p.m.The album, whichwon Blancharda Grammy,was inspired by storiesfromthe aftermath of thehurricane andfederal levee failures.Someparts were originally included in SpikeLee’s four-partdocumentary “When theLeveesBroke: Arequiem in Four Acts.” Thestudio albumissteeped in theemotionsof anger, melancholy andcompassionin response to thetragedy.Tickets start at $40via lpomusic.com
NewOrleans CigarBox Guitar Festival
“Cigar box” guitarsare simple,homemade guitars or stringed instruments, namedfor theuse of wooden cigar boxesasresonators. This festival celebrates rock andblues andearly jazz.The lineup features Memphis Lightning, localblueswomanGhalia Volt,new Jersey’s AprilMae &the June Bugs,LaDurance BluesBand, MegWilliams,Mahmoud Chouki,Ed Willis &Blues 4Sale, Janky&the Juke JointBoysand more.There’s also a forumand contestfor building guitars. Thereare afternoonand evening concertshowcases Thursday,Jan.16, throughSaturday, Jan. 18,atthe new OrleansJazzMuseum. Dailyadmission tickets$19-$49,and three-daypasses are$159via eventbrite.com. Find informationatneworleanscbg.com.
‘& Juliet’
Thejukebox musicalimaginesadifferent plot in Shakespeare’s“Romeo andJuliet,” in whichshe doesn’tdie over herlovefor romeo. Thecomedy is less Shakespeare’schoicethanhis wife interveningwiththe suggestion,
PR OV ID ED PH OT OBY CE DR IC AN GE LE S
Elle Dorado performs on iceskatesatTeaserFest.
PR OV ID ED PH OT OBY DA RR EL LM IL LE R
NewOrleanians immediately ralliedtohelpone another in thedaysafter theJan.1terror attack on BourbonStreet. There were long linestodonateblood at theBlood Center’s location in Mid-City.Donations poured into GoFundMe pagesand relief funds to help victimsand theirfamilies. Andmentalhealthcareprofessionalsquicklyorganized resources forwitnesses andFrenchQuarter workers. neighborshelping neighbors during dark days is oneofthe things newOrleans does best.
OP EN IN G GA MB IT
No onewilljudge youfor eating athird sliceofkingcake
Amazon originally denied time offtoawoman whowas hurt on BourbonStreetduringthe new year’s Dayterrorattack. Alexis Scott-Windham, whoisfrom Mobile,was hitbythe truckand then wasshotinthe foot.She received medicalcareatuniversity MedicalCenterbut returned to Mobile with thebulletstill in her foot.The Amazonwarehouse sheworks at firstdeniedher time offrequest —and then changed course afterastory by TheTimesPicayunewentviral
President JoeBidenjoinedfamiliesofNew Year’s Dayterrorist attack in mourning
They,along with hundreds of others, attended theInterfaithPrayer Servicefor Peaceand Healinghosted by theArchdiocese of newOrleans at St.Louis Cathedral. Before the service, theBidensalsostopped by BourbonStreettoplace flowersat thememorialsite.
were also thereaswellasSaintsand Pelicans ownerGayle Benson
Therev.Ajani Gibson read the namesofthe victimskilledinthe attack,allowingone of each of their lovedonestoplace acandleonthe altar,while SarahJaneMcMahon Briscoesang“Grantthemeternal rest.” TheBidensthenplaceda candleonbehalfofnation. Many attendeeswiped tearsfromtheir eyes
360,000
THENUMBEROFDOLLARS RAISED BY THEUNITED WAYOFSOUTHEAST LOUISIANA FORVICTIMS OF THENEW YEAR’S DAYTERRORIST ATTACK ON BOURBONSTREET.
Theunitedfor newOrleans relief Fund will usethese donationstohelpwithfuneral expenses forthe 14 people killed,and for medicaland trauma-related expenses for survivors. united Wayalsoearmarked $10,000 forthe newOrleans Family Justice Center to help victimsthrough theFBI’s Family Assistance Center
Scammers aremakingfake GoFundMe accounts in an ef fort to capitalize on thenew year’s Daytragedy.One knownaccount wasset up usinga stolen photo of an Atlantacouplewho were nowherenear newOrleans on Jan. 1, andanother fake GoFundMe forced themother of avictimtoissue astatement nottodonatetothe fundraiser GoFundMe hasset up acentralized hubfor verified campaigns.
Thepresident’s visitcamelessthan aweekafter TexasnativeShamsudDinJabbardrove atruck into a BourbonStreetcrowd,killing 14 and injuring dozens of others
“It’sbeenfivedays, staringatthe emptychair at thekitchen table,”Joe Bidensaidaddressingthe crowd at theprayerservice.“We thinkofthe birthdays, theanniversaries,holidays to come without(them.) youthink of everything,everydaythings, small things,the detailsyou’llmissmost.”
Gov. Jeff Landry andhis wife Sharon Landry,Mayor LaToya Cantrell,new OrleansCityCouncil membersand other politicians
“May this candle representour countryasabeaconoflight,unity andpeace forthe entire world,” Gibson said Bidenspoke to grieving friends and families of thevictims from hisown personal experiences with grief.
It mighttakea while, he told them at theservice,but therewillbea time “whenthe memory of your lovedone ...willbring asmile to your lips before it brings ateartoyoureye.”
“Myprayeristhatthatday comes sooner rather than later, butitwill come,and when it does,you may find purposeinyourpaintolive thelifewor thyofthe oneyou lost,” he said
JOHN NEELYKENNEDY
PresidentJoe BidenspeaksduringanInterfaith Prayer Serviceatthe St.Louis Cathedralin NewOrleans on January6,2025.
Once theservice endedand the presidentleft, throngsofattendees trickled outofthe cathedralintothe French Quarter, wherethe Joan of Arcparadewas settostart rollingat 8p.m., kickingoff the2025Carnival season —KayleePoche
attacksinthe future.The Police and JusticeFoundationwillpay forhis work.Kirkpatrick said thecouncil will be involved in theprocess. ButThomaswas upsetthat Kirkpatrickdidn’t personally reach outtohim aboutBratton.
For the Love of Grapes…
Pi not Noir
Meetingonterrorattack derailed by politicalspats
THENEW ORLEANSCITYCOUNCIL ON JAN. 8HELDA DISCUSSION on thenew year’s Dayvehicle attack, butthe meetingrevealedlittle newinformation andwas instead derailed by politicaljabs.
Thejoint meetingofthe Public Worksand Criminal Justicecommitteeswas supposed to include aconversationabout barriers and othersecuritymeasurestopotentially install in theFrenchQuarter af teradriverkilled14peoplealong BourbonStreet, accordingtothe meetingagenda.
“Thisparticularmeeting didn’t go exactlyasIplanned or thought it would,”saidmeeting ChairOliver Thomas,a councilmemberrepresentingnew OrleansEast.
Thecommittee meetingwas separate from thecouncil’s investigation surroundingthe attack, whichbegan Jan. 9. regardless, it quicklybecamecontentious as Thomas askednew OrleansPolice Department ChiefAnneKirkpatrick if therewas an existing report on thecondition of thecity’ssafety assets,including barriers Shereplied shedidn’tknowand that shecould have gotten that informationfromthe city’s Office of Homeland Security andEmergency PreparednessifThomashad asked herahead of themeeting.
“I thoughtyou said this is notan investigation,”Kirkpatrick said “And so youasked me aquestion. I can’tanswerit, andtherefore Ilook like Idon’t know what I’mdoing.”
Thomas repliedthathewas not asking questionsabout whowas at fault, only aboutwhatresources thecityhas on hand.Healsolater notedthatCollin Arnold,Director of thenew OrleansOfficeof Homeland Security andEmergency Preparedness,was invitedtospeak at themeeting butdid notshowup. Department of Public Works Director rick Hathawayalso attended themeeting Kirkpatrickannounced at Wednesday’smeeting that nOPD wouldbeworking with former new york City Police Commissioner Bill Brattontohelpsecureitagainst
“I’m chairofthe Criminal Justice Committee, andyou didn’t have that conversation with me,” he told her. “. Iwould have givenyou that level of respect.”
CouncilPresident Helena Moreno said Kirkpatrickhad contactedher aboutBratton andthatshe forwarded theinformation to therest of thecouncil
“Thattells yousomething,too,” Thomas said.“Everybody’scomfortable dealingwithwho they’re comfortabledealing with.Iknow whoIam, whereIamfrom, the communityI represent.”
Thomas also askedKirkpatrick if nOPD hadplans to meet regularly to discusspublicsafetyresources Kirkpatricksaidshe stillneeds to discusswithBratton to decide how oftenthey’ll meet
“The factsmay change,and it becomesconfusing to people,” she said.“It is better formetoholdoff andwaittillthatisironedout before Ican give youthat.”
Thecomment wasanapparent referencetocommentsKirkpatrick made in thehours followingthe attack statingtherewerenOPD vehicles posted alongBourbon Street that theattackerhad gotten around.nOPDCapt. LeJonroberts said afterthatthereactuallyweren’t police vehicles alongBourbon,only oneatthe CanalStreetentrance.
As thecitycouncil,Louisiana Attorney GeneralLiz Murrill andFBI allconduct theirown investigations into theincident, Kirkpatricksaid shedid notplantoresign.
“I know that Iamequippedtolead us forwardand to standinany winds that blow on an after-action review,” shesaid.
TheJan.8meeting wasalsothe firstopportunity residentshad to addressthe councilinresponseto theattack.
Many spokeinfavor of limiting vehicleaccesstoBourbon Street, includingLaura Harris, an education andpolicymanager at Bike Easy whopreviouslyworkedasa pedicabdriverinFrenchQuarter fornineyears.She pointedtopilot programs like ridesharingdropoffs around FrenchmenStreetthatlimit thenumberofcarsonthe
However, Andrew Monteverde, with thenew OrleansFireFighters Association, said allowing emergencyvehiclestoget through theQuarter needstobepar tof theconversation.
rhonda Findley, whoownsa business in theFrenchMarket, said shewas concernedabout overall safety in theQuarter andasked the counciltobring back acommittee on securityinthe area
Erin Holmes,executive directorofVieux CarreProperty Owners, residentsand Associates (VCPOrA),alsopointed to other lingeringproblemsinthe area the city hasfailedtoaddress,suchas building collapsesand thecrumblingPlaza Tower.
“We’ve been basicallywatching ourparents fight, thecouncil and theadministration,”she said,“and Ifeellikeweasresidents have become leveragedina drawnout andveryrealand very public divorcesettlement.”
Thomas closed themeeting by saying he felt “disrespected” by Kirkpatricknot coming to him directly aboutBratton.Hesaid he thinks “protocoland linesof communications”are important in of ficialsworking together on aresponsetothe newyear’s Dayattack.
“I maynot have votedfor you(for police chief),” he told Kirkpatrick. “But what Idid wasIworkedwith youevery step of theway.”
“Let me saythisrealclear:I maynot be afavoriteson,but I’m anativeson,and just like new Orleans, Iain’t goingnowhere,”he added. —KayleePoche
Resourcesare availablefor serviceindustry workers andothersimpactedby terror
attack
RESOURCESARE AVAIL ABLE FOR LOCALRESTAUR ANTWORKERS, BARTENDERS,DANCERS ANDOTHER hospitalityindustryfolkimpacted by theterrorattackonnew year’s Day. relief funds, GoFundMe fundraisersand suppor tservicesalso areavailable.
•WeHelpNOLA of fers free mental healthcareservicesto serviceindustryworkers.Theyare connecting hospitalityworkers impacted by thetragedy to no-cost andlow-costtherapy sessions.Find informationatwehelpnola.com/ local-resources.
•Cultivate Counseling& Wellness of fers trauma care and mental healthservices, with an emphasis on care forthe LGBTQ community, sex workers, undocumented people andother underrepresentedcommunities.There aregroup counseling sessions, individual counselingand Eye Movement Desensitizationand reprocessing therapyfor witnesses
Tc hef unct eTra ce , Co vi ng ton ,L a
NOPDChief Anne Kirkpatrick(left)and Council Member Oliver Thomas (right)
andsurvivors of theBourbon Street attack.Findinformation at cultivatewellnessnola.com
•Below SeaLevel Community GriefSupport Group focuseson harm reductionand mutual aid. It is organizinggrief supportgroup sessionswithmentalhealth professionals. Find theinterestformand more informationatlinktr.ee/belowsealvel. To donate,visit givebutter com/rDWdo2
•SouthernSmoke Foundation provides emergencyrelieffunds forfoodand beverage workers impacted by thetragedy.They also will of ferno-cost counseling sessions throughits Behind youprogram,inpar tnership with LSu.
•SUNOCenterfor Grief&Trauma provides free counselingtochildren andadultsdealingwithgrief or trauma.Findout more at suno.edu
•504 HealthNet connects lowincome andunderinsured newOrleanianstoa networkof healthcareproviders around the region.Visit 504healthnet.org for more information.
•Silence is Violence provides direct services to newOrleanians whoare victimsofviolenceand
theirfamilies.Callfirst to schedule an intake with thegriefcounselor: (504)282-0607. Find more information at silenceisviolence.org.
•Children’sBureauNOLA Crisis Intervention andClinical Services is anonprofit that works with partneringorganizationsto of ferchildrenimmediate suppor t in theaftermath of atrauma. Visitchildrensbureaunola.org for more info
•GoFundMe‘s hubatgofundme. com/c/act/how-to-help-attack-innew-orleansoffersa list of verified GoFundMe fundraisersfor the victimsofthe newyear’sDay attack andtheir families
•Greater NewOrleans FoundationTragedy Fund is still acceptingdonations to suppor tfamilies of deceased victimsand those whoare still recovering from injuries.Todonateorfor more info,visit gnof.org.
•Unitedfor NewOrleans Relief Fund provides financialsupport to thevictims andfamiliestohelpwith funeral costs, medicalexpenses, mental healthhelpand more.Visit unitedwaysela.org/unitedfornOLA formoreinformation
@GambitBlake |askblake@gambitweekly.com
Hey Blake, Followinguponlast week’s column,I have anotherquestion aboutanold advertisement foryou.This oneisfor theAmerican BrewingCompany in NewOrleans.Whatdo youknowabout it?
Dear reader, YOUMAY NOTKNOWTHE AMERICAN BREWINGCOMPANY,but you mayknowits most famous brew:regal Beer.From1890to1960, thecompany produced regalBeeralong with an earlierproduct,A.B.C.Bohemian Beer,atits four-story breweryinthe 300block of BourbonStreet.
BasedinSt. Louis, American Brewing’sadcampaigns boasted that regal(theword“lager” spelled backwards),was wholesome, aided digestionand wasthe “cleanest, purest, most delightful andhealthful of all good beers.”Other adsboasted “ifit’s regal, it’s right,”and claimedthe beer wasbrewedin“thecleanestand most sanitaryplant in America.”regal ads wouldlater usethe slogan “red beans andrice, andregal on ice,”accompanied by adrawing of asmiling prince (Princeregal)holding aglass of beer.
During Prohibition, thecompany changedits name to theAmerican Beverage Companyand brewed soft
drinks,including Dr.Swett’s root Beer, ne-HiSodaand rC Cola.Itresumed beer production when the13years of Prohibitionended.
In the1940s and’50s, theFrench Quarterbrewery featured thePrince regaltap room,which hosted company functions, tastings andprivate parties.
In 1962,the Atlantic Brewing Companypurchased theregal brand andmoved production to Chicago. The BourbonStreetbrewery satvacantfor severalyearsbeforethe VieuxCarre Commission approved plansfor its demolition.Ahotel wasdesignedon thesitebynoted architecturalfirms Curtis andDavis andKochand Wilson, andthe royal SonestaHotel opened therein September1969.
50 YEARSAGO THIS MONTH, MUSICSUPERSTAR PAUL MCCARTNEY,his wife Lindaand his band Wingsflewintonew Orleanstorecordsongs forthe album“Venusand Mars”at AllenToussaint andMarshallSehorn’sSea-Saint recordingStudioinGentilly. news of theformerBeatle’svisit made thefront page of theJan.8,1975, StatesItem,withreporterJackDavis writingthatMcCartney hadreceiveda temporary visa to stay in thecityuntil March1.Davis explainedthatthe visa “willnot allow McCartneytodoany work other than therecording,meaning that performances by the31-year-old rock star andsongwriterare notpermitted.” Butfansdid get glimpses of himcomingand goingfromthe studio on Clematis Street in Gentilly, wherethe couple’s threechildrenalsojoinedthem Aboutamonth later, during apress conference aboard theexcursion boat Voyageur,PaulMcCartney said newOrleans wasselectedasarecording site because “it’swarmand it’s amusical city,” accordingtoMillieBall’sFeb.14, 1975,story in TheTimes-Picayune. Musiclegends LloydPrice,Earl King,Dr. John andProfessor Longhair droppedbythe sessions whichalsofeaturedToussaint on piano. TheMcCartneysspent FatTuesday costumed as clowns andwatchingMardi Gras paradesfromanapartment aboveKolb’srestaurantonSt. CharlesAvenue. McCartneywrote thesong“My Carnival”the next dayand recorded it at Sea-Saint. Joiningthe sessionwereMetersbandmembers Leonocentelliand George Porter Jr.aswellassingerBenny Spellman on backup.McCartney also wrote“Goingto newOrleans,”influencedbyProfessor Longhair andfeaturing McCartneywhistling like themusic icon.neither song wasreleasedon“Venusand Mars,” although “My Carnival”was issued in 1985.
Baby Dolls revive oldCreole songsahead of MardiGras
BY JA KE CL AP P
THEOLD CREOLE SONG
“CHÈRE,MOLEMMÉ TOI” is a sweetlovesong, if alittledramatic. In English, thetune’sfirst verse ends simply as thesingersays, “Withall my heart, Iloveyou,” before themelodrama risesinthe second andthird verses “Itmeans ‘I love yousomuch. Iloveyou so great. Iloveyou like apig lovesmud.IfIeverstop loving you, maybecut my throat,’ ” says LorenBrown to avideographer recordingher descriptionof thesong.
“It’sjustthisgreat love song, andIthink youcan seethatina lotofCreoletraditions,”she adds. “We’re very dramatic.Welovea lot. We putloveintoeverything we do.”
Arattlingtambourineand cheers breakout from thegroup of womenflankingBrown to underscore herwords.And another Baby Doll stepsforward to tell the
Baby Dollssingand danceinthe gardensofthe Historic BK Housein theFrenchQuarter on Dec. 14,2024.
camera about the next old Creole song, “Eh, la bas.”
On a sunny Saturday morning in December, a group of Baby Dolls were strutting around the gardens of the Historic BK House in the French Quarter and singing in Louisiana Creole. The nine women of color, each wearing bright dresses and headpieces and some holding second-line umbrellas, had gotten together to practice a trio of traditional Creole songs ahead of the quickly approaching Carnival season
Accompanied only by tambourine, the Baby Dolls worked through each song, occasionally stopping to ask for pronunciation help from linguist Lawson Ota or input from scholar Kim Vaz-Deville, who organized the musical project. Along with a few other people watching from the edge of the gardens, a videographer filmed the performances as well as Baby Dolls describing each Creole tune
The Baby Dolls today are an iconic part of Black New Orleans celebrations at Mardi Gras, stepping out in brightly colored satin skirts, garters and bloomers to parade in the streets. Groups of Baby Dolls also will appear at Super Sunday around St. Joesph’s Day, at French Quarter Fest and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and at other local cultural celebrations
But the group of women gathered at BK House is hoping to revive a nearly lost aspect from the earliest days of the Baby Dolls tradition: singing in Louisiana Creole as they parade on Mardi Gras Day.
“The idea is for them to make these songs their own as they learn them, as they begin to feel more comfortable ... and return them to the performing tradition that is the Baby Dolls,” says Vaz-Deville, a scholar in residence at Dillard University and the author of “The Baby Dolls: Breaking the Race and Gender Barriers of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Tradition.”
“They’re not professional musicians. They’re just like the people of old who would have been masking,” Vaz-Deville adds, “people who would just want to have some fun, sing and dance and wear a costume and make others happy on Mardi Gras Day.”
Along with her 2013 book, “The Baby Dolls,” Vaz-Deville also edited the 2018 collection “Walking Raddy: The Baby Dolls of New Orleans” and she has co-curated exhibitions about Black masking traditions at The Presbytere and the McKenna Museum of African American Art.
Through her research, Vaz-Deville found that Baby Dolls at one point sang in Louisiana Creole There are
conflicting stories about how the Baby Doll tradition exactly began. It is possible the practice originated with sex workers in the segregated Black Storyville while other women, including the late Miriam Batiste-Reed, an elder in the culture, dismissed the connection to sex workers and pointed to individuals in the 6th and 7th Wards who started the tradition.
Still, 1912 has become a common year to pin the starting point, and by the 1930s, the Baby Dolls had cemented themselves as part of Black Mardi Gras traditions alongside Mardi Gras Indians, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the Skull and Bone gangs, Vaz-Deville writes in “Walking Raddy.”
During the height of Jim Crow, the Baby Dolls offered Black women and some men who also paraded with the groups a “unique form of fun and self-expression,” Vaz-Deville writes Dressed in short dresses, bloomers and garters stuffed with money, the Baby Dolls would strut and sing bawdy songs on Mardi Gras and St. Joseph’s Day. They also would challenge and subvert gender norms by smoking cigars and throwing money at the onlooking men.
“During Mardi Gras in the early 20th century, the Baby Dolls were entertaining themselves and their neighbors, and so they sang songs and many of them spoke Creole,” Vaz-Deville told Gambit
While they also spoke English, Louisiana Creole was the main language for many of these women, Vaz-Deville says
“They were learning the songs, the home songs, and they would make songs up,” she says “Dancing and singing was part of the entertainment they were giving to themselves and their neighbors.”
Baby Dolls came from all over the city, Vaz-Deville adds While it’s impossible to say how many were of Creole descent, “what can be said is that music was important to the tradition. Those who were Creole brought their songs to the tradition and those who were not, sang songs popular in the community at the time.”
In 1921, though, Louisiana banned non-English languages in schools, and the use of Creole as well as Louisiana French in public began its decline. Over time, those Creole songs also faded out of common use.
Louisiana Creole, which is also called Kouri-Vini, developed in 1700s Louisiana among Creoles blending French with West African dialects And while it was once common in New Orleans and parts of Acadiana, today it’s an endangered language, with only about 10,000
A group of Baby Dolls are reviving an old tradition of singing Louisiana Creole songs on Mardi Gras Day.
PH OT OS BY SO PH IA GE RM ER
Larita Harrison, also called Baby Doll Mambo Cherie Amour, and Karen Williams, also known as Baby Doll Rose
PH OT OS BY SO PH IA GE RM ER
speakers in the state. Louisiana French has seen a similar decline, from around a million speakers in 1960 to just 150,000 today.
There are a number of organizations and individuals across Louisiana now working to halt the decline of Louisiana Creole and French and preserve those languages and cultures. The organizations Chinbo and CREOLE, Inc., and the Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern are particularly dedicated to Louisiana Creole culture.
Still, “the reality is that there are precious few pedagogical resources for Louisiana Creole,” says Ota, a linguist who teaches Creole at Alliance Francaise. “It really takes a lot of work and effort to provide students with the resources they need to build their knowledge from the ground up. It can be a daunting task, but it’s enriching. Everything you put into it, you get back tenfold. People will say, ‘Oh, my grandmother used to say that,’ or ‘My grandfather said that phrase.’ ”
“This is not the deep past we’re talking about,” Ota adds “Many of the ladies who are part of the Baby Dolls have grandparents who spoke Creole.”
Miriam Batiste-Reed, who died in 2023 at the age of 97, was one of those Creole speakers, Vaz-Deville says Batiste-Reed held that her mother, Alma Trepagnier Batiste, and their family started the Baby Dolls tradition, and she became a stalwart elder in the culture a steady presence even as the Baby Doll community declined in the late 20th century and found new life in the 2000s.
“She was one of the last masking Baby Dolls who knew the Creole language and knew the songs. It occurred to me this was going to pass from the tradition, and it needed to be recouped,” Vaz-Deville says To do so, Vaz-Deville sought out help from Ota, cultural historian and Creole speaker Marilyn DeGrasse, and Jackson State University professor of music Phyllis Lewis-Hale, who specializes in 19thand 20th-century Louisiana Creole songs. And last summer they began hosting workshops for any interested Baby Dolls.
Vaz-Deville hopes that the participating Baby Dolls who represent several groups or are independent will in time introduce the songs to their home groups and other masking women.
The three songs, “Eh, la bas,” “Chère, mo lemmé toi” and “Hé Lamizèr” are all traditional Creole songs and can be found on the album “Women’s Home Music.” The twodisc collection of French and Creole
songs comes from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Archives of Cajun and Creole Folklore.
The love song “Chère, mo lemmé toi” declares “If I stop loving you, I’ll cut my throat,” while “Hé Lamizèr” draws from a Creole saying that “misery will make a monkey eat black pepper.” The tune “Eh, la bas” which was recorded by Kid Ory, Paul Barbarin and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band calls out to friends across the way and comments about drinking too much and eating too much gumbo and fish court-bouillon.
“They’re racy songs,” Vaz-Deville says “This is an adult tradition. They were young adults, having a good time This was not church music.”
To help fund the workshops, Vaz-Deville applied for several grants as well as to the Nous Foundation’s Le Lab accelerator, the New Orleans cultural institution’s initiative to support Louisiana French and Creole programs and businesses The connection resulted in the group of Baby Dolls recording two Creole songs for an upcoming album.
This year, the Nous Foundation will launch its “Musique(s)!” project to
document today’s landscape of music in Louisiana French and Creole Supported by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the project includes a multimedia exhibition, a documentary film and ultimately a 12-track vinyl record and a publication to be housed in the Folklife Center’s archives.
The Baby Dolls’ recordings will join tracks by Leyla McCalla, Louis Michot, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Sweet Crude and Les Cenelles on the album.
The Nous Foundation also is headquartered at the Historic BK House & Gardens and hosted the Baby Dolls practice in December Support for the project, “New Orleans Mardi Gras Baby Doll Maskers Recapturing Afro-Creole Language and Culture,” also came from a Louisiana Project Grant and a match from Xavier University of Louisiana; a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Community Partnership Grant; the American Council of Learned Societies HBCU Faculty Fellowship and Grant Program; and the Foundation for Louisiana World Makers Grant Program.
“It occu rred to me th is wa s goin g to pa ss from the trad it ion, and it needed to be recouped .”
KIM VAZ-DEVILLE
SCHOLAR AND PROJECT ORGANIZER
The workshops will continue in 2025, Vaz-Deville says, with additional grant support this year from the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the More Joy Community Arts program.
Singing in Louisiana Creole is “new to me, so I’m still learning,” says Gilda Lewis, known as Baby Doll Honey, after the song practice. Lewis also leads the 12-member Le Bon Ton Baby Dolls.
“I was very excited when I got introduced to the idea, so I’m enjoying it,” she says.
While several of the women at the practice had known some Creole words and phrases picked up from family members or their older neighbors learning these songs was a new experience for most.
“My dad would say some things, and I didn’t know what it was,” says Karen Williams, who goes by Baby Doll Rose “I know now, so I’m grateful. It’s a beautiful language.”
Williams grew up in the Lower 9th Ward, but didn’t often engage in the culture, she says, because transportation wasn’t easy In 2013, she was
Kim Vaz-Deville, left, with Janice Kimble, Satin M. Mitchell, SweetJane on Fiya, Cinnamon Black and Tammy Montana in May 2016 at Bullet’s Sports Bar for the inaugural Treme/7th Ward Cultural District Baby Doll Bar Crawl.
BY KI
ROAD TO ROCK &ROLL
“It’scon nect in gyou back to your ancestors, to the women th at ca me before you.”
in abookstore with her grandsons when shecameacrossVaz-Deville signingcopiesofher book “The Baby Dolls.”She became interested in the tradition, startedattending events and“it just took offfromthere,” Williams says “Being aculture bearer is like being part of acommunity that’s coming together to notjustrestore but enhanceand keep thelegacyofwhat hasbeengoing on in ourcity,”Williamssays. “The sufferingthe people of ourcommunity hadgonethrough, [BabyDolls]was somethingtokeep them going, to make them feel good. We want to be pretty on MardiGras becauseweworkall thetime… On that MardiGrasDay,it’sa dayoff to be pretty andhavefun.”
Learning LouisianaCreolehas helped deepen that legacy,Williams adds.The workshopswithVaz-Deville,Ota,DeGrasseand Lewis-Hale also taught her more aboutlocal traditions andhistory
“It’sa beautifulthing that we hada language in the1800s andearly 20th century,”she says LorenBrown,orBabyDollCountess, also wasdrawn to thehistory andconnectiontoher cultureasan Afro-Creoleperson, shesays.
“I always want to be involved with things that Ifeltlikeconnect me to my ancestors,”saysBrown,who grew up on theWestBankand began maskingaroundfouryears ago.
Shewas introduced to theculture by Denise Augustineand Merline Kimballand steppedout herfirst year with theGoldDiggerBabyDolls. This year,though, sheisn’t committedtoone particular group, shesays. Baby Dolls“is theideaofbeing able to stillbefemininebut also loud andraunchy,” Brownsays. “They standfor notletting theworld puta dimmer on you. It’s away youcan fullyexpress yourselfand be celebrated whilekeeping this amazing traditionalive.”
Brownsaysmembers of her family spokeCreole, andshe has alwayswantedtolearn more.After hergrandmother passed,she was worriedthe language wouldbelostin her family,but soon after, Augustine recommendedshe checkout the Creole song workshops.
Learning LouisianaCreolehasn’t been exactlyeasy, but“at thesame time,itjustfeltnatural,” Brownsays. “Itfeels like we’resupposedtobe speaking this language andsinging in this language.”
“It’sconnectingyou back to your ancestors, to thewomen that came before you,”she adds.“Ifeel like it’s spiritualinaway Just like thehistory of everything in Louisianaand America, it seemslike we lost apartofour culture, but when youstart to pick it back up, it’s exciting.Itfeels naturaland freeingtosinginCreole.”
Betweenthe bread
Ike’sSandwichesopens in Marigny
HE MAYHAVEMORETHAN 100SANDWICH SHOPSINSEVEN STATES,but sandwich guru IkeShehadeh is changingthingsupinnew Orleans.
TheSan Francisconativehas been coming to newOrleans foradozen years. Last year,heand hisbrother Aleef“Hollywood” Shehadeh took aleapoffaith andmoved hereto open Ike’sCafénew Orleansat1940 Dauphine St.inthe Marigny. They openedfor business on Halloween, attracting amix of locals andout-oftown visitors.
Thecorner spacehas housed a series of neighborhood restaurants, includinglongtimeforerunnerLa Peniche, andmorerecentlyHorn’s andnonno’s CajunCuisine and Pastries,which movedtoBayou road. Shehadeh bought thebuildingfrom Horn’s ownerKappa Horn
“Weare allin,”Shehadehsays. “I love newOrleans,and Ithink I’mbringingsomething freshtothe market.”
Thenew Orleansrestaurantisthe firstofhis places with tableservice It’s also thefirst to offerfried-to-orderdoughnuts in flavorslikebutterscotch chocolatecake, glazed and caramelmaple
Some of thesandwichesonthe encyclopedic menu areuniquetonew Orleans, includingmanyofthe company’s best sellers. Although bacon is featured in some bites, most meat sandwiches have either turkey or beef “you can’tfakebacon,” he says.
TheBig Breezy combines sliced steakwithahot wagyulink, cheddar andbourbon-infused creamymustard, just oneofthe brand’shouse-made sauces.There’s also aBourbon Street cheesesteak made with steak,provolone andsweet bourbonglaze.And a hand-heldcalled“Ihave3questions foryou”isstuffed with roastbeef, bacon,cream cheese,mushrooms, avocadoand jalapeno peppers. Patton’s hotsausage,which Shehadeh recently discovered, powers itsown category,including thenon-porkmuffuletta, alongwith turkey,beefsalami, turkey bologna, olivetapenadeand provolone. There’s
by Beth D’Addono |
Hubbahubba
CARNIVAL BEGANJAN.6 WITH PARADES ANDPARTIES,and King Cake Hub didn’t wasteamomentofthisyear’s season.Itevenhostedapar ty theday before,completewithdance troupes, costumed Carnivalcharacters, music andthe King Cake MonarchPageant drag competition.
King Cake Hubisabusinessthatgatherscakes from many differentproducersinone spot,a sugary showroom to shop forawidevariety in oneplace It’s back againthisyearatZony Mash Beer Project(3940 Thalia St.), abrewery builtinaconverted vintage movietheater.
Jennifer SamuelsopenedKingCake Hubfor regularbusinessonJan.6,and beforehand,peoplelined up forthe firstcakes whilelistening to pianomusic from Josh Paxton in thebeergarden anddoughnuts andkolachesfromPaw Paw’sDonuts.
Forone,the breadisdif ferent He of fers achoiceofsourdough or Dutch, whichbothhaveSan Franciscoroots,but with an Ike’s spin.The DutchisFrenchbread with asecondlayer on topmadewithrice flourand addedtothe rolled dough as it rises. It’s chew yand dense inside,and golden brown, crinkled andcrunchy outside.
Anotherone of themanyIke-isms, theproprietary “dirty sauce” is baked into thebread forevery sandwich
Thesandwichmenuisendless. There’schicken friedsteak,tuna, breadedeggplant with ranchand bacon, andturkeywithred pesto andcheddar.Shehadeh’s favoriteis theIke’s reuben,anon-traditional versionofthe deli favorite made with purple slaw andAmericancheese.
Most sandwiches areabout $15, served dressedwithachoiceoflettuce,tomato, onion, pickles, banana peppersand jalapenos. Sidesinclude fries, onionrings,mozzarellasticks, poppersand friedzucchini.
There’salsoahugevegan section, includingthe Meatless Mike made with “meatballs,” marinara and“cheese.” PETA hasdeclaredthemthe best veganmeatballs in America.
Thecafehas afullbar,along with an impressive menu of nonalcoholic, herb andelixirdrivendrinks, each onepersonallyroadtestedbythe founderhimself
Of feredtoguests18and over, thedrinksprofess to do everything from focusing themindtocuringa hangover to gettingthingsrolling in theromance department.The Multi-orgasmic Mochaisone case in point, poweredbydamiana leaf,an ancientMayan prescriptiontotreat sexual dysfunction.
King Cake Huboperatesdaily from 8:30 a.m. to 6p.m.through LundiGras (March 3thisyear). —Ian McNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune
King Cake Hubislocated at Zony Mash Beer Project.
OwnerIke Shehadehand pastry chef Nicholas Olivar at Ike’sSandwiches
Weekend Specials
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January10-12
Seafoodgumbo with friedcatfish forlunch blackenedredfishfor dinner
Pompanopapillote with potatoes au gratinand veGetables
Blackeneddouble cutporkchop with candiedyamsand smothered cabbage
Smoked brisket with Macand cheese andbaked beans
Housesmoked turkey on bun with pestospring mixoil andvinegar with fries
Shrimp stew with blackenedredfish
3701 iberville st •504.488 6582 katiesinmidcity.com Mon-Thurs11am-9pm Fri& Sat11am-10pm•
Dickie Brennanhonored CHEF FR ANKBRIGTSENWAS WORKING IN THEKITCHEN AT COMMANDER’S PALACE in thelate1970s when a youngDickieBrennan star tedcookingonthe line.Thiswas therestaurant runbyhis family,including his father,DickBrennan Sr., andhis aunt Ella Brennan, andhewas stepping into anew role.AsBrigtsenrecalls, theexecutive chef at thetime— the late,great Paul Prudhomme— hada messagefor theyoung Brennan.
“Hewalkeduptohim andgavehim ajab with hiscaneand said,‘Don’t mess it up.Everyone’swatching,’” Brigtsen says
People arestill watching.What observersofthe newOrleans dining scenetoday seenow is arestaurateur guidinghis owncompany as it grows andevolves to carryonone branch of afamilylegacyand also to meet the demandsofanindustrythatischangingaroundit.
“Peopleprobablyassumebeing part of thefamilyhas advantages,and it does,but it also comeswithahuge amount of responsibility,” Brigtsen says.“Ithink Dickie understandsthat.”
internalized theexample of hisfamily as they were transforming theircity’s dining scene. Hisgoalhas been to imbuehis ownbranchofthe family story, andhis ownrestaurantcompany, with what he learnedatits roots.
“It’sthe idea of leavingsomething better than howyou foundit,”Brennan says.“That’s what Igrewupwith, insteadofsomeone saying,‘Hey, no onewillnoticeifyou cutcorners.’”
Thelifetimeachievement award honors Ella Brennan’simpactonthe localhospitality industry.A legend of thefield,she discovered andcultivated culinary talent,pioneered amodern approach to what agrand newOrleans restaurant couldbeand inspiredpeopleacrossher fieldwithher example.
Dickie Brennansayshis daily conversationswithher during his formativeprofessionalyearsbecame alasting inspiration.
“Whatshe understood washow to connectwithpeopleand make them into leaders,”hesays.
As he builthis company, Brennan hasworkedtopassonthe cultural inheritance of hisfamilytoothers.
Everystory aboutsomeone in the Brennanrestaurantfamilyseems to be astory of generations, becausethat’s howthismostinfluential of newOrleans restaurant families hasprogressed. It startedin1946whenOwen Brennan’soriginalVieux Carré restaurant firstopenedonBourbon Street,and wouldlater move to royal Street to become themodernlandmark Brennan’srestaurant.
“I thinkpartofDad andElla’ssuccess wasthattheyempowered people agenerationbeforepeoplewere doingthat,”Brennan says “Westarted outasanIrish family runninga barthatdecided to open a French restaurant.nexttouswere Antoine’s, Arnaud’s andGalatoire’s, allrun by classicallytrained French chefs. Ourfamilyhad to learn, had to educateourselves,and they were bringing theirpeopleupwiththem as they did that
Today, Dickie Brennanrunshis owncompany,DickieBrennan & Co., with business partnerSteve Pettus andhis sister Lauren Brennan Brower.StartingwithPalaceCaféon CanalStreet, thecompany includes sevenlocal restaurants, hasastaff of just more than 600peopleand has increasingly been creating partnershipstodiversify theway it pursuesits brandofnew Orleanshospitality
Dickie Brennanisthisyear’s recipientofthe Ella BrennanLifetime AchievementinHospitality Award. It waspresented at agalaonJan.9 at theFourSeasons Hotelnew Orleans. Theaward wascreated in 2010 by thenew OrleansWine&Food Experience,the groupthathosts itswinefestivaleachspring. Ella Brennanwas itsfirst recipient, followed by Prudhomme. recently, recipients have representeda roster of accomplished chefs, including Brigtsen in 2022,Susan Spicer in 2023 andDonaldLinkin2024.
Dickie Brennan’sstory hasbeen oneofa chef andrestaurateurwho
“When they traveled,theybrought theirchefsohecould learnmore, give them this exposure to bringback. It made them attractquality people, becausetheycould come to us and learn.I’vealwaystriedtocarrythaton.
“It’sabout attracting thebestpeopleand giving them thetools to grow as people andprofessionals,” he says “I know that works—I’veseenitmy wholelife.”
Whilelessons from past generationsare acentral inspiration, new ways of doingbusinesshavebeen part of Brennan’sown story. The awardcomes as that is an increasingly importantdynamic.
Palace Café wasfirst opened by Brennan’sfamilyin1991. Dickie Brennanand hispartnersbought it from them to begintheir own company. Theirnextmovewas Dickie Brennan’sSteakhouse, openedin 1998.Brennan recallsthatsomeinthe family founda steakhouse concept less than intuitivegiven thecity’s reputation forseafood.
Buthenoticed howwellsteak sold at otherrestaurants andcreated anew model, blending hisown Creole culinary interestswithAmerican steakhousestandards (you canstart with turtle soup or awedge salad, forinstance, andget afilet mignon with Pontalba potatoes and friedoysters).
BourbonHouse came next in 2002 with agrand oyster barinspiredbythe brasseries of Paris, andbringingacasually refinedtonetoBourbon Street.The debutofTableau in 2013 also brought back Le PetitTheatre Du VieuxCarré, abeloved communityasset that was then on theropes,and createdanother anchor forJackson Square
Acornwas developedasafamily-focusedcafe, underthe same roof as the LouisianaChildren’sMuseuminCity Park,wheresomeofthe educational facets of themuseumplayout in the operation, especially around environmental responsibility
TheCommissaryopenedduring thepandemicasamarketand cafe butalsoprimarily as acommissaryto servethe group’sother restaurants, streamliningback-of-house production forbutchery, sauces andstocks. Theurgency behind rethinking old systemslikethishas grownasthe economicoutlook forrestaurants hasbecomemorefraught,ataleof spiralingcosts industrywide
“Diversifyingwillhelpusaswetry to figure outhow to make thetraditional restaurantsprofitablebecause it’s so break-even now—ifyou breakeven, whichisscary.noone wantstolose traditionalrestaurants,”Brennan says.
That hasled to bigmoves recently.
In 2023,the companytookover catering andeventsfor Audubon natureInstitute proper ties,from thezoo to theaquarium.That includes what ’s nowcalledAudubon ClubhousebyDickieBrennan &Co., turningwhathad been largelyan amenit yfor thepark ’s golf course into afull-fledgedrestaurantand a draw in itsown right.
Thecompany also is theoperations partner in theforthcoming eventspace TheJosephine on napoleon,now transforming theformerOur Lady of LourdesChurch, near Freret Street
“Ifyou have 1,000peopleata banquet or 200inthe restaurant,itshould tastegood,”Brennan says.“Alot of it is theproduct you’re sourcing.”
Another bigmovefor Brennan‘s companywas the2023acquisition of Pascal’s Manale restaurant,a temple of Creole-Italiancuisine dating to 1914.When it came up forsale, Brennansaw aconnectiontohis own past (Pascal’sManalewas afavorite of hislatefather) andanew Orleans classicin need of newinvestment. His companyhas been progressivelyrenovatingthe oldbuildingand updating itsbehind-the-scenes processesto keep it viable forthe long run.
Moving with thetimes butalsoholding onto thevaluesof thepastare twosides of thesamemenufor Brennan’sstory
“I want to be on thesidelineeventually,not thequarterback,and get thenextgenerationinthere with their ideas,”Brennan says.“ButIthink Istill have afew playsinme.” —Ian McNulty /The Times-Picayune
CITY | FRANKLIN | BERWICK | PATTERSON | BALDWIN | CHARENTON
NewOrleans restaurateurDickieBrennan is the2025recipient of theElla BrennanLifetimeAchievement in HospitalityAward,named forhis aunt.
NewOrleansCity Council Utility Docket UD-23-01 Entergy NewOrleans2024Integrated Resource Plan
Everythree years an Entergy NewOrleans(ENO) Integrated Resource Plan(IRP) is produced.Thisisthe planning processbywhich Entergy assesses the resources availabletoittomeet the powersupply needs of NewOrleans.The IRP is produced following an open, transparent planning process through whichall relevant resources areinvestigated. Resources considered includesupply-side (such as power plants)and demand-side(programstomodify customer loadstoreduceorshift loads from hours with high electricity costsorreliabilityconstraints to other hours).The factors infuencing choice amongtheseresources areconsidered in the planning process. The goal is to identifythe optimal set of resources to meet current and futureelectricservice needsatthe lowest totalcost to customers andENO in amannerconsistent with thelong-run public interest.The expectedcombination of costs, reliability, risks anduncertaintyare considered. The planning process to develop the 2024IRP is underway. To facilitatethisprocess, asecond public meetingwill be held:
Tuesday, January21, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. NewOrleans City Council Chamber, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoSt., Room 1E07,New Orleans.
The public is invited andencouragedtoattend/view this meeting to hear ENO’spresentation of the IRP Filingand submit public comment ENO should have aportalonits website forquestions andcomments to be submitted over a15-dayperiod. ENOmust respond to each questionona 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 youwish to be included on thislist,please contact CURObyemailtoBobbie Mason at bfmason1@nola.gov.You arealso welcometowatch themeeting, either as it is live-streamed or once it is archivedat:
PublicationDates:December 23 and30, 2024and January 6and 13, 2025 NOCP 8085
Nathan and Holly Grow
Pizza
makers
by Will Coviello
HOLLYAND NATHAN GROW MOVED FROM SEATTLE TO NEWORLEANS forthe cultureand sunnierweather adozen yearsago.After leavinga career in tech,nathanwantedto star t apizza pop-up to focusonthe types of pies he thoughtweremissing from thepop-upscene.For aboutayear, they’vebeenserving northeastern andChicago tavern-style pies at local bars.Thisweek, PeaceLovePizza is at itsregular weekly spotsatHenry’s uptown BaronWednesday,Skeeta Hawk BrewingonFridayand Pepp’s PubonSunday, as well as doinganight at OakStreetBrewing on Saturday, Jan. 18.For theirweeklyscheduleand information, visit@peacelovepizzanolaonInstagram
Whydid
you startapizza pop-up?
Nathan Grow: Icomefroma career in IT.Igot tiredofthe directionthe industry washeadedin. Iplayinthe newOrleans dart league,soIgot to go around to alot of differentbarsand seepop-ups,and Iwas like,why isn’t thereapizza pop-up?That’sabout a year andahalfago.Soafter Ileftthe IT company, Isaid, let’sdothis. neither of us hasany food backgrounds, butweweresome motivatedgreenhorns.
HollyGrow: Iama real estate agent during theday.Idon’t have anyformal cookingbackground. Ijustlovetocook at home NG: We connectedwithTrapKitchen They were wonderfulmentors,and they taught us so many things.We learnedhow to do things theright wayand avoidthe wrongway.They mentored us on what pop-upsare like andwhattoexpect. unfortunately, they closed.
HG: They were able to connectus with places to pop-up at.Wemet other pop-upsthere.
NG: We love beingout making new friendsand meetingnew people We’vebecomeclose with people at Friendly Barand Pepp’s.It’sbeengreat to become part of thecommunity Afterthe last hurricane, we setupat Friendly Barwithagenerator.Theylost powerand hadcandles,but we were able to feed everybodybecause of the generator.That’skindofnice.
What’s on your menu?
Howwas it learning to make pizza?
NG: We founda productthathad been outmaybe sixmonths, theseelectric ovensthatgo up to 850degrees.So we candothese nice,beautiful leopard spot bottom crustpizzas. We startedcooking pizzafor our friends, andittookusafew months to getgoing before launch.Februarylast year is when we officially starting doing pop-ups.
HG: We cateredaHalloween partyso we couldget some practice NG: Thekindof pizzawesee around hereisn’t thekindofpizza Iwanted, so Ithought,bethe change youwantto seeinthe world. Some pizzas aresuper doughy andthick.The neapolitan pizzaisgood, butthere’s stillalot of crust. We trytobuild apizza that goes to theedge. Everybiteshouldbethe same across thepizza
Ours is probably closesttoa northeastern style. It’s gotsomeflop andfold. We wanted to getintoPepp’s Pub. Acoupleofour friendsfromdarts said we should do aChicago tavern style. So we addedasecondcrust to ourmenuand perfectedit. now we have aresidency at Pepp’s every Sunday.Weoffer both kindsofcrust at anypop-up, buttheyloveusbecause we didthistaste of home forthem. Chicagotavernstyle is thin,lower yeastand lowergluten. It’s cutina square,the idea beingthatyou can take asquareand abeerand walk around.The bars on thesouth side of Chicagowould make theseathappy hour,and it wouldkeeppeoplearound alittlelongertodrink
WI NE OF TH E WEEK
NG: We have aprettybig menu.We have cheese pizzaand pepperoni. As long as we have theingredients fora supreme, we candoalot of variations Thesupreme hassausage,pepperoni, romano cheese,mozzarella, green peppersand redonions, andwe startedcarryingmushrooms at the request of some customers.
We make ourown doughs andour ownsauce.Wehavetwo different sauces,a spicyhot vodkasauce and aregular marinara.Wecan do aspicy sauceonwhatever. We have aspicy margherita that is popularwithvegetarians. We have ameatand meatless menu.I love to barbecue,sowehave barbecue chickenevery week.We throwthatonBuffalo-style pizzaor just barbecue chickenpizza
Thefavoritevariesfrombar to bar. When we go uptown,chicken is the favorite.WhenwegotoBywater,they love theirvegetarianpizzas.
Oneofthe firstplacesthatopened theirdoors to us wasSkeetaHawk Brewing. Theowner suggestedwetry doingaspecial pizzaevery week.We took theideaand ranwithit. Last week, we didroasted root vegetablepizza Fora newyear’sspecial,wedid roasted black-eyed peas,collard greens,bacon andandouille sausageonapizza.An olderladygot offended that we were defacing apizza with black-eyed peas
We hada good combinationwith sausageand blue cheese andgrapes. youhad thesharp umamiwiththe sweetnessofthe grapes
HG: We haven’trepeateda special yet. We have more ideasfor weeks. NG: We trytobeinspiredbythe season, andwesearchrecipebooks and online.Wetalktoour friends, andthey give us ideastoo.
QuattroTheory
SauvignonBlanc
With its intensearomatics, vibrantfruit and bright acidity,this Sauvignon Blanc is refreshing and offers concentration, complexity, and along finishthatmakes it enjoyable on its own. This wine is interesting from first sip to last, as well as an ideal complement to food.
Hollyand Nathan Grow
PH OT OP ROVI DE DBYP EACE LOVE PI ZZ A
Out to Eatisanindex of Gambitcontract advertisers. unless noted, addressesare fornew Orleans and all accept credit cards. updates:Email willc@gambitweekly.comorcall (504)483-3106
Gulf Drum yvonne is served with brown butter saucewithmushrooms andartichoke hearts.Therealsoare seafoodpasta dishes, steaks,lambchops andmore. reservations recommended. Dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$
Bamboula’s 514Frenchmen St.; bamboulasmusic.com— The live musicvenue’s kitchen offers amenuoftraditional and creative Creole dishes,suchasCreolecrawfish crepes with goat cheese andchardonnay sauce. reservations accepted.Lunch,dinner andlate-nightdaily $$
Broussard’s— 819Conti St., (504)581-3866; broussards.com rainbowtrout amandine is served with tassoand corn macquechoux andCreolemeunieresauce.Brunchincludes Benedicts,chicken andwaffles andmore. reservations recommended. Outdoor seatingavailable.Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$
Cafe Normandie— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining The menu combinesclassic French dishes andLouisiana itemslikecrabbeignetswithherbaioli Sandwiches includepo-boys,a muffuletta on flatbreadand aburger. no reservations. Breakfastand lunchMon.-Sat.,dinner Fri.-Mon $$
$ —average dinner entrée under$10
$$ —$11-$20
$$$ —$20-up
TheCommissary— 634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com— A smoked turkey sandwich is served with bacon,tomatojam,herbedcream cheese, arugulaand herb vinaigretteonhoney oat bread. Themenuincludesdips, salads,sandwiches,boudinballs,fried oystersand more no reservations.Outdoor seatingavailable. LunchTue.-Sat. $$
Curio— 301Royal St., (504)717-4198; curionola.com— The creative Creole menu includes blackenedGulfshrimpservedwith chickenand andouille jambalaya. Therealso arecrabcakes,shrimpand grits, crawfish etouffee,po-boys andmore. reservations accepted.Lunch anddinner daily. $$ Dahla— 611O’Keefe Ave.,(504) 766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com— The menu includes popularThaidisheslikepad thai,drunken noodles, curriesand friedrice. Crispy skinnedduckbasil is prepared with vegetables andThaibasil.Deliveryavailable reservations accepted.Lunch anddinner Mon.-Sat $$
Desire Oyster Bar— RoyalSonesta New Orleans, 300Bourbon St., (504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar— Amenu full of Gulf seafoodincludeschar-grilled oysterstoppedwithParmesanand herbs Themenualsoincludespo-boys,po-boys, gumbo, blackenedfish, friedseafood platters andmore. reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily. $$ Dickie Brennan’sBourbon House— 144 BourbonSt.,(504) 522-0111;bourbonhouse. com— There’saseafood rawbar with raw andchar-broiledoysters,fishdip,crab fingers, shrimp andmore. redfishonthe Half-shell is cooked skin-onand served with crab-boiledpotatoes, frisee andlemon buerre blanc. reservations accepted Lunchand dinner daily. $$$
Dickie Brennan’sSteakhouse 716Iberville St., (504)522-2467; dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com— The menu includes avariety of steaks,plussearedGulffish, lobsterpasta, barbecue shrimp andmore. A6-ounce filetmignonisservedwithfried oysters, creamed spinach, potatoes andbearnaise reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat $$$
Tito’s Ceviche& Pisco— 1433 St.Charles Ave.,(504) 354-1342;titoscevichepisco com— The Peruvian menu includes several typesofceviche,aswellassteak and seafooddishes. Traditionallomosaltado features sauteedbeeftenderlointips, onions,tomatoes, soysauce andpisco, served with potatoes andrice. Delivery available. reservations accepted.Lunch anddinnerMon.-Sat.,brunchSun $$$
Palace Cafe 605Canal St., (504)5231661;palacecafe.com— The contemporary Creole menu includes crabmeat cheesecake with mushroomsand Creole meuniere sauce. Outdoorseating available. reservations recommended. Breakfastand lunchWed.-Fri.,dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sat.-Sun $$$
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. $$
andtheybattleoverthe direction youngJuliettakes in acomingofage adventure. Themusic ranges from boybandhitsbyBackstreetBoysand Justin Timberlake to Katy Perryand BritneySpears. Thetouring Broadway production runs Jan. 14-19atSaenger Theatre. Showtimesvary. Tickets$30$179 viasaengernola.com.
Legends of the DewDropseries
DewDropInn kicksoff itsLegends of theDew Drop series celebrating themusicians whohaveplayedatthe historic venue, like Fats Domino,Dave Bartholomewand rayCharles.Pianist JesseMcBride will lead abandthat includes Gladneyonsax andAmina Scottonbass. Theweeklyserieswill explorethe evolutionfromr&B to rock ‘n’roll. Thefirst sessionisat noon Saturday, Jan. 18.Tickets are $50via dewdropinnnola.com andinclude theshow, brunch anda guided museum tour
Brat
Before therewas Brat Summer, NewOrleans hada Brat Spring with therelease of metalgroup Brat’s debutalbum “SocialGrace” last March. Thebandexploresbig themes like thehuman conditionand classism,mashing lyrics inspiredby StephenKingnovelswithsamples of popicons like BritneySpearsand Cascada. Dremm, D. Sabluand Mars also perform. At 9p.m.Saturday, Jan. 18,atToulouseTheatre.Tickets $10 viatoulousetheatre.com
‘Symphonic Dances from West Side Story’
TheLouisiana Philharmonic Orchestrapresentsaprogram of popularmusic from film andstage. LeonardBernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” is the orchestral adaptation of hismusic forthe popularmusical.George Gershwin’s “Promenade”isfromthe Fred Astairefilm“ShallWeDance.” “Black,Brown andBeige”isfrom Duke Ellington’sjazzsymphony. Guest violinistSirena Huangishighlighted in Barber’s “Concertofor Violin andOrchestra,Opus14.”At7:30 p.m. Thursday,Jan.16, at Orpheum Theater. Tickets$35-$87,and $13for students/children, vialpomusic.com.
DannyBarkertribute
GuitaristDetroit Brooks leadsatributetomusician andjazzpreservationistDanny Barker on hisbirthday. In his long career in music, Barker performed
in CabCalloway’sband, recorded numerous populartunes andmentored agenerationofmusicians whowould repopularize brassbandmusic in new Orleans. Thereare showsat7:30and 9:30 p.m. Monday,Jan.13, at Snug Harbor.Tickets $30via snug jazz.com.
NOJO tribute to FrankieBeverly
Adonis Rose,the artistic director of theNew Orleans Jazz Orchestra, celebrates hisbir thdaybyleading atribute to FrankieBeverly.The singer andlongtimefrontmanfor funk andsoulbandMazediedSept. 10,2024. Theshowfeaturesguests Meccanotes,JustinGarner, Phillip Manuel androderickHarper.At 7:30 p.m. Friday,Jan.17, at thenew OrleansJazzMarket.Tickets $30via eventbrite.com. Forinformation visitthenojo.com
ChuckProphetand HisCumbiaShoes
Singer-songwriterChuck Prophet wasinspiredbyLatin sounds in hishomeofSan Franciscofor his latest project. Thealbum “Wakethe Dead”featureshis longtime band MissionExpress andmembers of the cumbia band ¿Quiensave?fusing rock andLatin rhythms. Gitkin opensat8p.m.Thursday, Jan. 16, at ChickieWah Wah. Tickets$30.06 viachickiewahwah.com
007album releaseparty
NewOrleans’rocksteadyband007 celebrates therelease of itslatest album. Thebandfeaturesguitarists Alex McMurray andJonathanFreilich, bassistJoe Cabral anddrummer JeffreyClemens,formerlyofGLove andSpecial Sauce. “The return of Ben Downlow” wasreleasedinnovember 2024.At10p.m.Saturday, Jan. 18,at Santos.Tickets $20via ticketweb.com
SoundRelief
Thereisafundraiseratthe Broadside formusicianByron Asher andauthor LydiaPelot-Hobbs,whose belongings were destroyedinafire at theirapartment in november.The benefitshow will includeperformancesbyAsher, saxophonists DanOestreicher and Brentrose, drummerDougGarrison, bassists JamesSingleton andMartin Masakowski,vocalistAnnaLaura Quinn, guitarist BrianSeegerand the Wits EndBrass Band.DJC’est Funk will endthe nightwithadance session. At 7p.m.Wednesday,Jan.15. Ticketsare
whatyou can.
A, VIS IT CA LEND AR .G AMBIT WEEKL Y. CO M
To learn moreabout adding your event to themusic calendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY13
30/90— MargiePerez,6 pm;Piano Man G, 9pm
ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Betsy Propane, 7pm
APPLE BARREL — Mark Appleford,6pm
BJ’S redBeans &Blueswith Washboard Chaz and Jonathan Freilich, 9pm
BOURBON OBAR Kimchisoop, 4pm,; Kid Merv, 8pm
BUFFA’S— DavidDoucet,7pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL — TheMetric System, 7pm
CARROLLTONSTATION — Biscuitsn’ Jam with Meryl Zimmerman & Friends,10pm
HOTEL PETER &PAUL— Tennessee Williams Festival Ball, 7pm
HOWLIN’WOLF Hot8Brass Band, 10:30 pm
MAHALIA JACKSONTHEATER Dogman Musical, 2pm
THE MAISON MattBell, 3pm; Jenavieve &The Winding Boys, 6pm; HigherHeights, 9pm
MAPLE LEAF BAR— JoeKrown Trio plus 1, 9pm
MARIGNY OPERAHOUSE
BraidingSound:Pianowith Luke Palmer,7pm
ORPHEUMTHEATER Highly Suspect, 8pm
SATURN BAR— Therites of rain, 9pm
SIBERIA — Slothrustand Weakened Friends, 9pm
TIPITINA’S — rawOysterCult, 9pm
NOTICE OF VACANCY ORLEANS PARISH REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
The public is herebynotifed thatthe position of Registrarof Votersfor OrleansParish has become vacant. The NewOrleansCity Council is currently accepting applications fromqualifed individuals seeking an appointmentasthe RegistrarofVoters. Aqualifed applicant is aregistered voter who satisfes the experience and/or educationrequirements establishedinSection18:52(B) of the Louisiana Election Code. Applicantsmustsubmit acoverletter,evidence of voter registration, acurrent resume with alistofreferences, and any other materials pertinent to the Council’s evaluation of a candidate’squalifcations,knowledge, experience, and ability. Lettersofrecommendation, though notrequired, arepreferred. Applications aredue notlater than 5p.m. on January 28,2025.
Once the application period has closed,the Councilwillcontact qualifed applicants to schedule interviews. The Council will makea fnal appointmentonorbefore March 31, 2025.
Last call
by Will Coviello
MATT BR AUNGER’S2015 COMEDY SPECIAL“BIG DUMB ANIMAL” is full of crazystories of bars and drunkenexploits. In one part,hetells astory about goingona date while drunkand high.Theyend up at abar on bingonight, andthe problems star t when Braunger wins around
When he callsout “bingo,” thecrowd boos him. Confused,hurtand unawarethatlosersbooing thewinneristhe waythe game goes,hegetsupto trytowin theirapproval. That does notgowell, andrealizingheismessed up,the crowd gets meaner,tauntinghim with thename“Peaches.”
GA ME DAYD EA LS
As he explains in the special, he waswearing a T-shirtfromnew Orleans. Peachesishis favorite record store. On hismostrecenttriptonew Orleans, he went to Peachesrecords with hiswife, whoasked if they knew whohewas
“The daughter of theowner was like,‘youknow, we hear that storylike everyday,’ ”BraungertoldGambit. “Mywifewas like,that’sthe guy. They gave me ashirt,and we talked andit wasawesome.”
Braunger will be in town againthis weekendfor showsatSportsDrink on Friday,Jan.17, andSaturday, Jan. 18.
Braunger is ahugefan of new Orleans, whichisclear on theclosing endof“BigDumbAnimal” in astory dubbed “Wildcatting.” It’s an account from aFrenchQuarter barat3a.m., as anew Orleanspoliceofficer deftly handles arowdydrunk,while dispensing tourismrecommendations to patrons.
Braunger is afamiliarfacefromTV andfilm. He starredonthe finalseason of thesketchcomedyshow“MadTV” andmadeappearances on alonglistof movies andshows,likenBC’s “upAll night” andABC’s “Agent Carter.”
Even though he studiedactingand movedfromnew york to Chicagoto getintoimprov, stand-up waswhere he excelled.He’srecorded severalcomedy specials andalbums, including, most recently,“Doug”in2022.
He’s also afrequentpodcast guestand hosted 100episodesofhis own“This MightHelpwithMattBraunger.”He’ll launch anew podcastlater this year
Forthe past decade,he’smined the humorofnoticinghe’sgetting older from what happensinbars. It star ted with sippinginstead of shooting aJager bomb,and by his2020album “Please Hold Me,” he foundmiddle-aged men in bars hilariouslypathetic. In thetitle piece, he goes from giving up on trying nottofeelold andcreepytobeg ging notbealone in abar.
“I stillparty,” he says with alaugh.“I stillgotobars. Iamjustveryaware that Ihavebetterthingsinmylifethanthat.”
He starteda family late,ifnot just in time
“Getting marriedat42, andhaving my fist kidat46, IfeellikeIndiana Jonesjustmakingitout of theTempleof Doom andreachingbackand gettinghis hat—justbeforethe wall comesdown,” he says
In “Doug,”hetells astory abouta time when thetwo worlds of parenting andgoing to bars meet.While on a road trip during thepandemic, he and hiswifehad to make an emergency stop alongthe highwayataplace called Thunderroad. It’s ahilarious storyabout dreadedand unexpected encounters titled “Changinga diaper in abiker bar.”
Matt Braunger performs at 7& 9p.m Friday,Jan.17, andSaturday, Jan. 18, at Sports Drink. Tickets$25 viaeventbrite.com.
2BR, 1.5BACondos. Just Renovated! OpenFloor Plan w/ LrgLivingRoom &Upscale Kit. SS Appls, GasRange &Quartz Counters.HalfBathroom &Laundry w/ Stacked W&D. BeautifulTilefloors on 1stFloor.Luxur y VinylTileon2nd Flr. 2Bdrms on 2ndFlr w/ Tastefully AppointedJack&JillBathroom. Convenient Location 2BlocksfromStCharles Ave&Streetcar.Easily accessible to Uptown,Downtown,FrenchQuarter & Interstate $214,000 EACH
3BR, 2.5BA. Lots of NaturalLight!1st floor has Spacious Living &DiningRm, UpscaleKitchen with Granite&SSAppls, CrownMolding thru out. PrimaryBdrm has EnsuiteBath. Nice Size PrivateBackyardw/Deck. Lovely FrontPorch w/ view of Downtown N.O. Centrallylocated w/ easy access to Uptown,Downtown, French Quarter&I-10. $299,000
PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
WITH APOLOGIES TO THE 4 SEASONS
By Frank A. Longo
I am doing when spelling out six long answers in this puzzle?
(as found)
Part of AKC
win, in brief
And others: Abbr.
Chips away
Do again
Tablet tapping tool
Bric-a-
Anxiety over not taking part, for short
Old West’s
Viking pirate chief
Opted for
“Bill” penner Jerome
Crater’s edge
Facial spot?
Rodent of research
That, in Peru
“Tell me about it!”
“Fear Street” writer R.L.
One carrying something
Litigants 113 Venerated one
Roman tyrant
Sheep’s coat
“That is ask”
Tibetan bovines
Girl coming out in society
Iris locale
Featuringt he Proper ty from Te Merri ll House, bu ilt1869, Natche z, MS.
