Gambit: February 14, 2023

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Gambit (ISSN1089-3520)ispublished weekly by CapitalCity Press,LLC,840 St.Charles Ave., NewOrleans,LA70130 (504)486-5900.Wecannot be heldresponsible forthe return of unsolicited manuscriptsevenifaccompaniedbya SASE.All materialpublished in Gambit is copyrighted: Copyright2023Capital City Press, LLC. Allrightsreserved.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

TheYearoftheCat

The Krewe of Mung Beans brings Vietnamese culturetoMardi Gras

WHENTHUCDOANNGUYENWENTTOTHE

CELEBRATIONOFTET,the Vietnamese LunarNew Year,atMaryQueen of Vietnam Church in late January,she made aquick side trip.She stopped by Dong PhuongBakerytopick up oneofits popular kingcakes

Now, sheand adozen other members of thebuddingKrewe of Mung Beansare bringing abit more Vietnameseflavorand culture to Carnival.The groupisjoiningthe Krewe of Dead Beansparade from BayouSt. John to Treme, startingat 2p.m.onLundi Gras

“People in NewOrleans know Vietnamesepeople arehere, and they go east to getfood at Dong Phuong,but we don’t seemany people comingintotownand participatinginthe larger Carnival,” Nguyen says.“We arehopingto change that.”

Nguyen notesthatrepresentationsofAsianculture andpeople aren’t absent from MardiGras. But they maynot accuratelyreflect theculturestheyborrowfrom.

At theIntergalacticKrewe of Chewbacchusparade, shesaw a marcher in acostume topped by a nonla, thetraditional pointedconicalhatscommoninVietnam

“I don’tthink it wasa Vietnamese personunderneathit,”Nguyensays withalaugh.“Thehat is typically Vietnamese, butIthink thecostume wasmorevideogame cosplay.” With theircostumesand throws,MungBeanmembers areembracing localCarnival traditions and infusing them with Vietnameseculture

Onememberisglitteringchopsticksand making tiny ricebowl magnetswith bottlecaps and rice. She’s also makingfansthatsay “Yearofthe Cat.”While several Asianculturesincluding China startedthe newyearcelebratingthe Year of theRabbit,Vietnam has its ownzodiac. It’s theYearofthe Cat. Nguyen wasbornina Year of theDragon,soher throws also reflectthat.

“I have dragon whistles,dragon braceletsand Ihave enamel pins that areaboutcats,”she says “Theysay thingslike, ‘Always be pawsative.’”

Krewe members’ costumes are primarily yellow and red, thecolors of theVietnameseflag. And Nguyen is workingsomeVietnamese history into her throws.She’sincluding informationaboutthe Trung Sisters.

Celebrated in Vietnamesehistory and lore,the two warriorsisters, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, ledthe rebellion against Chineseinvaders and brieflyruled thecountry Nguyen’s costume also is more in line with thevarious krewes under theKrewe of Red Beansumbrella

She hasbeenworkingwithahot glue guntoattachmung beans, soybeansand redbeans to anon la

“I am spelling out‘MUNG’ and Iamusing driedflowers that are actually (Vietnamese) newyear’s flowers,likeforsythiaand giant purple peonies and possibly some purple tinsel anda lotofbedazzling,”she says.“This is goingtobe themostdisco nonlaever.”

Costumingand festivalshelped bringNguyentoNew Orleans.She originally traveledherewithafriend whowas into goth culture.

“WhenTrent Reznor lived here, and Anne Rice,wecame down for the VampireBall,”she says Nguyen wasborninsouthern Vietnam.Her family fled thewar as refugees and were locatedto Kinston,North Carolina,where she spent much of her childhood.She hastraveledand worked around the countryand livedinNew Orleans part time before settling here full time afterCarnivallast year

She’sa writerand filmmaker and is currentlyworking on an independentfilm, “Scent of theDelta.” The storyisset among theVietnamese and Blackcommunities working to rebuildinNew Orleans East after Hurricane Katrina. They’reset to startfilming next year,and Nguyen sees it as abuildup to 2025,which is the20thanniversary of Katrina and the50thanniversary of thefall of Saigon

An articleshe wroteaboutcelebratingthe LunarNew Year in New Orleansconnectedher with Devin De Wulf,the founder of theKrewe of RedBeans.

TheKrewe of RedBeans was foundedin2009. Itsmembers seworincorporatered beansinto theircostumesand marchonLundi Gras.Thatgroup expanded to two

by Will Coviello |

Zulu LundiGrasFestival

THEZULUSOCIALAID&PLEASURECLUB

HOSTSITSANNUALLUNDIGRAS celebration,withtwo stages of livemusic and introductions of thegroup’s royaltyand electedcharacters

Themusic lineupincludesKermit Ruffins,Brass-A-Holics,Bruce “Sunpie”Barnesand theLouisiana Sunspots,Irvin Mayfield,The Zulu Ensemble andmore. There’salso a kids’ stageand morethan20food vendors.Music goes from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday,Feb.20, in Woldenberg Park.Visitlundigrasfestival.com fordetails

KreweofO.A.K.

paradeswiththe alternateroute for the Dead Beansin2018.

In 2020,the kreweadded Feijao and GreenBeans.Feijaoisinspired by Brazilian cultureand Carnival traditions.Green Beansismore environmentally focused, De Wulf says.Bysplintering into threedifferentparades, thegroupskeep their respective sizesmanageable,hesays. Underthe RedBeans umbrella, Du Wulf launched severalrelief effortsduringthe pandemic,includingFeed theFrontline and Feed the Second Line.It’scurrently developinga home called Beanlandia in Bywater, and it will be ahub for Carnival andculturalgroups.

He’s interested in seeing morediversity in Carnival and reached outtoNguyenabout herinterestinbuilding moreof aVietnamese presence Nguyenjumpedat thechance andquicklystarted networking with other Vietnamese Americans to assemble thekrewe.Manyhave been workingattwice-weeklycraftingsessions at Beanlandia

“Wehave startedgoing to Beanlandia and makingcostumes andthrows,”Nguyensays. “Wewill go withDeadBeans on LundiGras. Vietnam is very steepedinghost stories, so it seemed appropriate. We have similarwaysofhonoring ourdead, andthereare crossovers with ancestor worshipand Voodoo even.The Vietnamese culturelends itself very well.”

Formoreabout Thuc Doan Nguyen, visitconsideratecontent.com.For moreabout theKrewe of RedBeans, go to kreweofredbeans.org

THEKREWEOFO.A.K.GATHERSFOR ITSCARNIVALPARADE/PUBCRAWL in Riverbendand Carrollton neighborhoods on Friday,Feb.17. The theme is “Sex,Drugs,O.A.K.& Roll.” Costumed revelers gather on the8300block of OakStreet and depart at 7p.m.onaroute winding by Snakeand Jake’s Christmas Club Loungeand Carrollton Station. Thekrewe ballfollows at theMaple Leaf Bar.

ChokeHole: Portal

HARD-HITTINGDRAGWRESTLING EXTRAVAGANZACHOKEHOLE premiered anew show in LasVegas last Octoberand nowthey’re bringing it home to NewOrleans forthree nights at Zony Mash

In thefuture, Choke Hole is the universe’s biggest entertainment, and itshost, thegreen-skinned Gorleenyah,has declareda “no-holes-barred” battle royale ChokeHole:Portal will featurea newprojection-mappedshowand wrestling by Visqueen,Jassy, Garlic Junior,LaveauContraire andmore. Showsare at 8p.m.Wednesday,

PROVIDED PHOTO BY TI NGUYEN ThucDoanNguyen decoratesanonla.

PHOTO BY SHAWNFINK/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE TheKreweofO.A.K.parades throughCarrollton.

We’reinthehomestretchfolks!Stayhydrated,wearcomfyshoesandhaveagreatMardiGras!

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN THE COUNT #

ChiefXianAtundeAdjuah, the Grammy-nominated,New Orleans-borntrumpeter, is among the2023class of theDoris Duke Artist Awards.Presented by theDoris Duke Foundation, theawardsrecognizeachievementincontemporarydance, jazz and theater. Eachhonoree will receive$550,000 —the largest awardinthe U.S. for individual performingartists

StateRep.RichardNelsonseeshisyouth asanassetinLouisianagovernor’srace

LeylaMcCalla haswon theFolk AllianceInternational People’s VoiceAward,recognizing musicianswho embracesocial and politicalcommentary in theirwork. Past recipients include JacksonBrowne, Ani DiFrancoand Bonnie Raitt. TheNew Orleans-based singer, cellist andsongwriterlast year released “Breakingthe Thermometer,”anacclaimed albumthatweavestogether McCalla’sexplorationofher Haitian-American identity and thestory of RadioHaiti and journalistsJeanDominique and MicheleMontas

ROUGHLYSIXMONTHSOUTFROM QUALIFYING,FOURREPUBLICANS, oneIndependent and no major Democratshaveofficially thrown theirhatsintothe 2023 Louisiana governor’s race Attorney GeneralJeffLandry, stateSen.Sharon Hewitt of Slidell, TreasurerJohnSchroder andstate Rep. RichardNelsonare theRepublican hopefuls,while Lake Charles Attorney Hunter Lundryhas also announced he’s running as an Independent Butit’sthe baby-faced Nelson, alesser known36-yearoldfreshman legislator from Mandeville, whostandsout from thepacksofar.

“You have adifferent setof challenges in life when you’re in your 30sand you’re raisingkids and you’re trying to have ajob,” he said

Hisissueofchoice:eliminating thestateincometax

In hisfirst fewyears in the Legislature, Nelsonhas brought forthbillsaimed at improving readinginLouisiana schools, legalizingcannabis andpayingdown some of themoney thestate owes on itsretirementsystems

THENUMBEROFGRAMMYS

NewOrleansJazz&Heritage Festival wasamongthe local winnersatthe 2023 Grammy Awards.“Jazz Fest:A New OrleansStory,” adocumentary aboutthe festival,set during its 50th anniversary edition, won theGrammyfor best music film.The festival also shared in SouthCarolinagroup Ranky Tanky’sGrammyfor best regional rootsmusic album, whichwas recorded live at Jazz Fest 2022.

Forone, he’ssignificantly younger than Landry,52; Schroder,56; Hewitt, 64;and Lundry,68. He makesa point of that in hiscampaign launch video, wherehepokes funat what he describesasLouisiana’s “ancient politicians.”

“Louisiana has everything going forit, butit’sheldbackbyleaders whoare stuckinthe past,”Nelson said in thevideo,aspeople dressedininflatabledinosaur costumes runamokthroughout theCapitol

Though hisopponentin hisstate representative race attacked Nelsonfor hisage, Nelsonsaidheseesitasanasset in thegovernor’s race

Buthis biggest focusasalegislator —and what he says would be hisfirst priority as governor has been advocating foramajor overhaulofthe state’s currenttax system.Hewants to eliminatethe state income taxand trytoreplace the$4billion to 4.5billion it raises each year through other tax changes. That includes gettingrid of property taxexemptionsboth forcorporations and individualsas well as some salestax exemptions.

“The exemptionsand credits arejust aterriblyinefficient system,”Nelsonsaid.

Particularly,Nelsonwants to getrid of thestate’s Industrial TaxExemption Program,which gives10-year 80%property tax breaks to manufacturingcompanies,and to scale back on the homesteadexemption

Blanchardwon Best OperaRecording for“Fire ShutUpInMyBones,” hisscore forthe opera based on NewYorkTimes columnistand Louisiana native Charles Blow’s 2014 memoir.The piecewas the first composition by aBlack artist to premiereatthe Metropolitan Operasince it wasfounded in the1880s.The opera is beingrevived forthe Met’s20232024 season.Blanchard, 60,missedthe Grammyceremonybecause he wason theroadwithHerbie Hancock.

WONBYNEW ORLEANS NATIVE COMPOSER ANDTRUMPETER TERENCE BLANCHARD. C’EST

City Councilisconsidering reformsto MardiGraspermitting. What change wouldyou most like to see?

38.5%

31.6%

17.1%

12.8%

PHOTO BY GRANTTHERKILDSEN StateRep.RichardNelson,R-Mandeville.

ALLOWING NEIGHBORHOODPARADEROUTES

Buthis planwould also change thehomestead exemption, which savessomeLouisiana homeowners hundreds of dollars in property taxesannually

Thestate salestax would also rise from 4.45%to6.1%but there would also be limits on howmuch localgovernmentscould charge Dependingonwhatlegislators set as that capfor localgovernments, however,the combined stateand localsales tax could endupbeing similartowhatresidents paynow

Forinstance, Washington,where thereisnostate income tax,has a 6.5% statesales taxwhich comes outtoatotal of 9.29%when combined with average localtaxes Meanwhile, Louisiana has an average combined salestax rate of 9.55%.

Betweena possible sales tax hike and cuttingbackthe homestead exemption, it’s hardtoimaginea scenario in which eliminatingthe income taxwouldn’tend up pushing thetax burden further ontothe state’slow-income and middle-income residents.

TheLouisiana Budget Project said last year that eliminatingthe stateincome tax“wouldinevitablyshift theresponsibility for paying taxes from wealthypeople and corporations to low-income Louisianansand smallbusinesses.”

Willingtocrosspartylines

Unlike Landry,who theLouisiana Republican Partycontroversially gave itsendorsementbeforeany other candidates announced,Nelson hasn’tmade ahabit of shamelessly capitalizingonculture wars. He didvotewithhis partyfor theanti-transsports bill that Gov. John BelEdwards signed into law lastyear. Buthewas also oneof sixRepublicanstovoteagainst an attempttorevivea versionofthe anti-LGBTQ “Don’t SayGay Bill” last year

In 2021,Reps. Kyle Greenof

Marreroand C. Denise Marcelle of BatonRouge, both Black Democrats,wereco-authors on hisbill to legalizerecreational cannabis,which ultimately failed And when he announced hisrun forgovernor,New OrleansRep Mandie Landry,who recently left thestate DemocraticParty, tweeted“Best of Luck,@ NelsonforLA,we’re rooting foryou.”

While Nelsonhas been a consistent vote foranti-abortion legislation, he wasalso one of only four HouseRepublicanstovote forarape and incest exceptionto Louisiana’s abortion banlast year “I thinkthatthat’sjustsomething that needs to be in there,”hesaid. “Thatwas another thing wherelots

of [legislators]supportedit, and they justsaid, ‘I can’tvotefor it.’”

Otherpriorities

Nelsonsayshis other priorities as governor would be reducingcrime and improvingthe state’seducation system

In theshort term,hesayshe wantstosendstate police to cities like NewOrleans and Shreveport to “justgiveapolicepresence, makesurethatwedoprovide swift and certain justice, which is really away to clampdownonthe crime problemimmediately.”

ButanNYU studylookingat data from 1981 to 2018 foundthat when governments added more police officers to cities with alarge Blackpopulation,likeNew Orleans and Shreveport, homiciderates remained steady.Meanwhile,there were higher ratesofarrestsof Blackpeople forlow-level crimes

Nelsonsaid he’d then want to address theunderlying causes of crime, which he sees as alackofeducational andeconomic opportunities

To that end, theLegislature passed twoofhis early literacy bills last year.One required newteacherstoget certifiedinteaching studentstoreadusing phonics, which involves soundingout newwords Theother mandated theuse of phonicsinthe statecurriculum.

He trieda thirdbill,based on thecruxofa series of Mississippi reformsthatdrastically improved thestate’s literacy ratesoverthe last decade, that would have required studentswho couldn’t read at theend of theend of third gradetorepeatthe grade.

Studentsrepeating thegrade wouldbegiven intensivereading instruction and ateacher deemed “highlyeffective.” In Mississippi, schools provided strugglingstudentswithadditionalresources, includingliteracy coaches.

TheNew York Times reported that afterthe changes, “readinglevels forMississippi’s Blackand Hispanic students improvedjust as strongly as,insomecases,white students in some farwealthierstates.”

ThemeasurefailedinLouisiana last year,but Nelsonistryingagain this year.Asgovernor,healso said he wantstobring teacher payup to theregionalaverage andfocus on thestate’s communityand technicalcolleges.

Additionally,Nelsonwants to look at longertermfixes to the state’sproblemattractinghomeowners insurancecompanies

“Those would be thefocus of probablymyfirst year at least,and if Ican fixthose problems,Ican mayberetireafter that,” he joked.

COMMENTARY

VOTERSINHOUSEDISTRICT 93WILLGOTOTHEPOLLS

ONSATURDAY,FEB.18,ina specialelectionfor state representative.The election wascalledtoreplace RoyceDuplessis,who heldthe positionuntil hisrecentelectiontothe stateSenate.

District93encompasses theeconomic hubofNew Orleans:the French Quarter, CBD, Warehouse District, theSuperdomeand Smoothie King Center, and partsofthe Lower Garden District, Mid-City, Treme andMarigny.Of thesix candidates vying forthe job, we believe onestandsout as best qualifiedtorepresent this importantpartof NewOrleans:AlonzoKnox.

AnativeofBaton Rougeand former Marine combat veteran(in the First Gulf War),Knoxhas lived in thedistrictfor almost 20 years. He and hiswifeown andoperatethe BackatownCoffeeParlour on Basin Street,inthe heartofthe district. They also founded and operated theMarketplace at Armstrong Park to address food desertsafter Hurricane Katrina.

Knox hasservedingovernment on severallevels. Twomayors appointedhim to thecity’sHistoric District Landmarks Commission, and he hasservedonthe staffs of then-state Sen.Sharon Weston Broome (now themayorofBaton Rouge) and former U.S. Sen.John Breaux in Washington,D.C

He also hasworkedtobuild his neighborhood and community. He and hiswife, Jessica, co-founded theFriends of Treme, which producesthe annual Treme Fest,and he hasservedonthe boardofthe FriendsofLaffite Greenway.He also helped implementacommunity-based crimereductioninitiative in CentralCityfor theNew Orleans Policeand JusticeFoundation.

Hislegislativepriorities reflect thoseofthe district:improving the qualityoflifeinneighborhoods by findingsolutionstopublic safety challenges;addressingthe city’s mental health andsubstanceabuse crises;expandingearly andpre-K childhood education; reining in short-term rentals; and addressing thestate’s insurancecrisis.

We find it noteworthy that Knox hasearnedthe endorsementof Voters OrganizedtoEducate (VOTE),which advocatesfor policiesthatpromote employment, health care,housing and voting rights forformerly incarcerated people— goalsthatwewholeheartedlysupport.Whatmakes VOTE’sendorsementsignificant is that twoofKnox’sopponents areformerly incarcerated persons, both of whom arerunning impressive campaigns.

Thosewho seek public office subject themselves to heightened scrutiny,particularly withregard to theirpast mistakes.Webelieve people’s past mistakes should matteronlytothe extent that those mistakes continue to define them Apersonwho hastaken awrong turn earlyinlife, done time, and then spentyears working to overcome abad decisiondeservesas much considerationascandidates whohave neverexperienced arrest and incarceration.

We evaluatecandidates notso much against theirpast mistakes as against theirpresent competition.And in theracefor House District 93,webelieve AlonzoKnox is thebest person forthe job— and we hope theother candidates will continue to seek opportunities to servethe community.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALONZO KNOX GambitendorsesAlonzoKnox forHouseDistrict93

Asrecalldeadlinenears, otherissuesarise

ASHWEDNESDAY MARKSTHEBEGINNING OFTHESOLEMNSEASON

of Lent,but some folksinNew Orleans will be celebrating on that daythis year.Who’s celebratingdepends on whetherorganizers of therecalldrive against MayorLaToya Cantrell garner enough signaturesto forcea referendum on whether Heronner staysorgoes.

AshWednesday, whichfalls on Feb. 22,marks the 180-day statutorydeadlinefor recall promoterstogather some 53,350 signatures(20%ofthe registered voters in NewOrleans). If they hitorexceedthatnumber, they and many otherswill be toastinga milestone fewthoughtthey could reach.

On theother hand,ifrecall organizers fallshortofthe required number of signatures, Team Cantrell will be poppingcorks on AshWednesday

And, if Cantrell desires, shealso will gettosee whosignedthe petition.Thatscaressomefolks

Understate law, everysignature on arecallpetitionimmediately becomes apublic record that anyonecan request to see. Iconfess Ididn’tknowthatuntil recently, and Isuspectmostfolks whosign recall petitions— threeare currently pendinginLouisiana —still don’t knowit.

That mattersbecause asignificantnumberofvotersexpress fears of retributioniftheysigna recall petition.Manyare business ownerswho fear theirenterprises maysuddenlyfaceonerous inspectionsorloserequired permits. Others areordinaryvoterswho fear intimidation or harassment—even though such tacticsare illegal

In NewOrleans,Cantrell hasfar moreimportant thingstodothan search thousands of signaturesto seewho supportedthe recall.On theother hand,ifapublicofficial signs apetition, that’s news

That’s whyThe Times-Picayune sued recall organizers seekingcopiesofthe petition underthe Public RecordsAct.The paperpromised nottodisclosethe names of private

citizens,but it did want readersto know which,ifany,elected officials signedit—and if there’sa racial or geographic preponderanceofsignatures. Thosethings, like Cantrell’s response to thepetitiondrive’s outcome, arenewsworthy.

Ultimately,recallpromoters promised to turn overcopiesofthe petitions on AshWednesday,the deadline forcollectingsignatures.

That’s areasonableoutcome, butitdoesn’taddress legitimate concerns —and fears— voters mayhaveinother recall efforts.

Tworecalldrives arecurrently pendinginnorth Louisiana.Inthe last decade, sixmadeittothe ballot— includingtwo in Ascension Parish,one in St.Landry Parishand another in Washington Parish.And that doesn’tinclude recallsthat failed to getenough signatures.

In this ageofsocialmedia,it’snot far-fetched to foreseethe possibility of apowerful localofficial or awell-heeled interest groupusing thePublic RecordsAct to harass petition organizers and signers, despite such things beingillegal

Astrong Public RecordsAct serves thepublic interest, butit’s abalancingact.State lawmakers maywanttoreconsider when a recall petition signature becomes public record

Fornow,the lawaswritten applies, regardless of who maycelebrate,orbemoan, itsuniform application

PHOTO BY CHRISGRANGER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE SignsforrecallingMayor LaToyaCantrellinfrontofNew OrleansCityHallonSept.27

BLAKEPONTCHARTRAIN™

@GambitBlake |askblake@gambitweekly.com

HeyBlake, IknowBacchus usedtorollthrough theRivergateand nowendsatthe ConventionCenter.In itsearlyyears,didn’t italsorollthrough theSuperdome?

Dearreader, THERIVERGATE CONVENTIONCENTER, locatedwhereHarrah’sCasino nowsits, hosted theKrewe of Bacchus’ post-parade Rendezvousfor theclub’s first twodecades.

In 1969,krewe captain,Owen “Pip” Brennan Jr., floatbuilder Blaine Kern Sr.and other Bacchus leaders originated theideaof endingthe parade by rolling floats into theRivergate,whereguests would enjoythe parade,music, food and drink. In 1974,the Krewe of Endymion(whichhad stagedits early ballsatMunicipalAuditorium) followedsuitand heldits first Extravaganzaatthe Rivergate.

Afterthe Superdomeopenedin 1975,Bacchus alteredits 1976 route to roll through theSuperdome.A ticketed eventcalled“MardiGras at theSuperdome” includedthe parade (featuring BacchusVIII, singerPerry Como)and music from Ikeand TinaTurner and Harry James. From thedome, theparade continuedontothe Rivergatefor theRendezvous.

In 1977,Bacchus IX,actor HenryWinkler (“Fonzie”from “Happy Days”),rolledthrough the Superdome,whereentertainment

BLAKEVIEW

includedChuck Berry, theShirelles, DougKershaw and WolfmanJack.

Thenextyearsaw BacchusXEd McMahon’s parade roll though the dome,wherethe crowdenjoyed performancesfromElvin Bishop, LevonHelm, Irma Thomas,Dr. John,Professor Longhairand the NevilleBrothers.

Though Bacchusdidn’tparade in 1979 because of theNew Orleans police strike,floatsdid roll through theSuperdome andRivergate BacchusXIRon Howard wasjoined by Winklerand “HappyDays” co-stars TomBosley, Marion Ross and DonnyMost.

That wasthe last year Bacchus would roll throughthe dome, although aMardi Gras eventcalled “Krewe of Karnival,” organized by Kern,was held therein1980. It featured Ernest Borgnine, Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelsonand Jimmy Buffett. Afterpoor ticket sales,the eventdid notreturnin1981.

Bacchushas held itsRendezvous at theErnest N. MorialConvention Center since1990.

THEKREWEOFTHOTHWILLPRESENTITS75THANNIVERSARYPARADEWHENIT

ROLLSUPTOWN on Sunday,Feb.19. This year Thoth returnstoits traditional route, which windsthrough Uptown and pastseveral health care facilities

Namedfor an ancient Egyptian deity, Thoth first rolled on Feb. 8, 1948 “Residents of Uptown institutions,mostofthem forthe underprivileged, will have aCarnivalparadepass rightbytheir frontdoor this year,” reportedthe NewOrleans States

Krewe founder Arthur Kelly said theroute hadbeenset “withthe single purposeofbringingMardi Gras festivity to thosewho areunable to get outand meet it.”

Thefirst parade featured 10 floats (rentedfromthe KreweofHermes) carrying 100membersbehindthe theme“MythologicalDivinities and Demigods.” That initial processionrolleddownWashingtonfromPrytania to Magazine,thenupMagazine to HenryClay, along HenryClayto Tchoupitoulas, then to StateStreet,Prytaniaand back to itsstartingpoint.

Thekrewe hasgrown into oneofthe largestinCarnival, with some 2,500 maleriders. This year’s theme, “Thoth’s Diamond Jubilee,”will recall pastparade themes.Its titlefloat will be theone used in itsinauguralparade.

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PHOTO BY CHRISGRANGER /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Bacchusrollsin2020

Easily cash out equity in your commercial or investment property.

d e

Grand finale

THE FINAL WEEK OF PARADES starts withValentine’s Dayand culminatesonFat Tuesday. What’snot to love?

Thereare parades in neighborhoods across NewOrleans, from N.O.M.T.O.C.inAlgiers to EndymioninMidCity andabevyofkrewesrolling in Uptown.InJefferson Parish,thereare parades rolling both ways on Veterans Memorial Boulevard, theCulinaryQueensrollonthe West Bank,and in Kenner,the KreweofIsiscelebrates its 50th anniversary.

Acouple of paradeshit milestones last weekend, and this week brings some bigonesaswell. In additiontoIsis, Argusalsocelebrates its50thyear, and introduces anew peacockfloat to boot. In NewOrleans,the KreweofThoth celebrates 75 yearswithaDiamond Jubileeparade, which weavesits wayalong itstraditional routeamong hospitals and institutionsnearState Street

While most Orleans krewes have been restored to their traditionalroutes, Endymionwill endatthe Ernest N. Morial ConventionCenter, whereitisholdingits Extravaganza, instead of theCaesarsSuperdome

Gambit’s parade previews areonthe followingpages They include informationonthemes, royalty, throws and more.Thereare parade schedules and maps on page 26.

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

TheAmeliaEarHawts danceduringa Carnival parade

PHOTO BY CHRISGRANGER / THETIMES PICAYUNE The610Stompersmarchin aCarnivalparade.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

CULINARY QUEENS

6p.m.

WEST BANK

THEME: Tastethe Love

FLOATS: 15

QUEEN: Cheryl A. Banks

KING: Damion R. Banks

THROWS: Decoratedchefs’ hats,spatulas, cooking spoons, plasticwineglasses and more

Afterdebutinglast year,the restaurant andhospitalityindustry-based CulinaryQueens of NewOrleans returnsfor a second parade on theWest Bank in JeffersonParish. The krewe paradesonValentine’s Dayand worksfood into its love theme.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

DRUIDS

6:15p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: announcedday of parade

FLOATS: 18

ARCHDRUID: secret

THROWS: Wizard hats, koozies, cups and more

Thesecretive Druids aren’t a satiricalkrewe,but floattitles and themes oftenhave mischievous or pointedhumor to them.Thisprocessionwill introduce anew signature float and some floats will reflect theold krewethatinspired these modern Druids

PHOTO BY CHRISGRANGER /THE TIMESPICAYUNE TheZuluSocialAidandPleasureClubparadesonFatTuesday.

NYX

7p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: announced day of parade

FLOATS: 15

GODDESS NYX: Debbie Prejean

THROWS: Hand-decorated purses, wigs, T-shirts, scarves, swim caps and more

After growing to super krewe proportions, the all-women krewe has dwindled in size as members departed to form other parading groups This procession will feature Bag of Donuts

Thursday, Feb. 16

BABYLON

5:30p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Wonders of the World

FLOATS: 27

QUEEN: announced day of parade

SARGON: secret

THROWS: Krewe jester hats, scepters, playing cards, socks, koozies, headbands, doubloons, cups and more

Babylon celebrates some of mankind’s wonders with floats depicting the Mayan temple Chichen Itza, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia mosque Joining the procession are the 610 Stompers, the Amelia EarHawts and the Muff-a-Lottas Dance Troupe

CHAOS

6:15p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: announced day of parade

FLOATS: 16

NUMBER ONE: secret THROWS: Deck of float-themed cards, doubloons and cups

The Knights of Chaos are known for satirical parades about current local and national issues. The krewe purchased the former Knights of Momus floats, and the old style of floats and flambeaux give the procession its traditional look

MUSES

6:30p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: announced day of parade

FLOATS: 26

HONORARY MUSE: Irma Thomas

THROWS: Decorated shoes, tote bags, beanies, tea towels with Goddessey float art, Thomas Mann pendants, chokers, scrunchies, tile beads, shoe bracelets, cups and more

Muses presents satirical themes that are secret until parade time. There’s an array of throws and many reusable and practical items in line with some krewes’ plans

to reduce the quantity of plastic throws The procession features the Pussyfooters, Camel Toe Lady Steppers, Bearded Oysters, Dead Rock Stars and many more groups.

Friday, Feb. 17 HERMES

5:30p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: The Apocalypse

FLOATS: 34

QUEEN: announced at krewe ball

KING: secret

THROWS: Hermes capes, golden tutus, cowbells, theme medallions, metallic cups and more

The krewe often chooses classical stories in its themes. This year, the krewe introduces a new signature float titled “Hermes the Divine Trickster.”

D’ETAT

6:30p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: announced day of parade

FLOATS: 24

DICTATOR: secret

THROWS: Swords, riding crops, krewe newspaper, koozies, blinky beads and more

Inspired by dictator-led banana republics, the krewe presents satirical parades with topical humor in its float themes and male and female dancing troupes. This year’s procession features several college marching bands, including Tulane University’s band Signature floats include the Dictator’s Royal Navy, the Banana Wagon and Candy Wagon.

MORPHEUS

7p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Morpheus Dreams of a Tune

FLOATS: 24

QUEEN: Judith DeFraites

KING: L. Thomas McClung

THROWS: Sleeping caps, plush moons and sheep, doubloons and more

The krewe is known for its full array of marching bands, and this year’s musical theme will be illustrated through songs. Floats include “Like a Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Walk Like an Egyptian.”

Saturday, Feb. 18

N.O.M.T.O.C.

10:45a.m.

ALGIERS

THEME: N.O.M.T.O.C.’s Fantasy Library

FLOATS: 36

QUEEN: Vinaya Jackson

KING: Donald Smith

THROWS: Top hats, caps, king’s beads, Jugman-themed items, cups and more

New Orleans’ Most Talked Of Club (N.O.M.T.O.C.) celebrates literature and popular culture, with floats depicting “Shrek,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Flintstones.” Kourtney Williams of WDSU-TV rides as a guest in the parade. Former New Orleans Public Schools administrator Shan P. Williams is the grand marshal.

IRIS

11a.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Iris Soars to New Heights

FLOATS: 35

QUEEN: Holly Carol Black

KING: Anthony Wayne Gaston Black

THROWS: Hand-decorated sunglasses, baseball hats, butterfly head boppers, sequin tumblers, headbands, gold martini glasses, doubloons and cups

The all-women krewe’s theme is illustrated by all sorts of high-flying things, with floats depicting fireworks, a flying trapeze, dragons, lady bugs, Santa’s sleigh and more The procession includes the Krewe des Fleurs and the Rolling Elvi.

TUCKS

noon

UPTOWN

THEME: Tucks Can’t Drive 55

FLOATS: 41

QUEEN: Sheri Bleuler

KING: Todd Fujimoto

THROWS: Hand-decorated toilet plungers and brushes, toilet seat glasses, whoopee cushions, dashboard hula dancers, plush fuzzy dice, large cups, plastic wine glasses, stuffed poo emoji, socks and more

To mark its 55th parade, the Krewe of Tucks is introducing a new signature

float, the Tucksication The theme floats mix popular culture and puns, often referencing the group’s love of raucous fun and potty humor. Floats have plays on “Ghostbusters,” “Herbie the Love Bug,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Fast & Furious” and more

ENDYMION

4:15p.m.

MID-CITY

THEME: Endymion Salutes the Poets

FLOATS: 37

QUEEN: Katelynn Marie Russell

KING: Selected at krewe ball

THROWS: Keychains, throwing discs, doubloons, swords and more

The theme celebrates writers including Maya Angelou, Oscar Wilde and J.R.R. Tolkien. The massive procession features more than 30 bands and multi-trailer signature floats including the Pontchartrain Beach float and the video screen E-TV The parade ends at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center this year, instead of its usual destination at the Superdome Darius Rucker and

Foreigner perform at the Endymion Extravaganza following the parade.

PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE RiderstossbeadsduringtheBacchusparade.

ISIS

6:30p.m.

KENNER

THEME: Isis Is as Good as Gold

FLOATS: 19

QUEEN: Lauren Marie Labeaud

KING: Frank James Lively

THROWS: Hand-decorated bras, doubloons and beads

Jefferson Parish’s longest-running all-women krewe marks its 50th anniversary. The krewe works gold into float themes such as the “Black and Gold” and “Purple, Green and Gold” floats.

Sunday, Feb. 19

OKEANOS

11a.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Festivals of the World

FLOATS: 25

QUEEN: Addison Kathryn Womac

KING: Robert W. Pfister

THROWS: Krewe logo crawfish trays, sand pails, doubloons, theme cups and glass beads

The Krewe of Okeanos is ready for festival season with a theme celebrating events far and wide Floats depict Bastille Day, Cannes Film Festival, Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival, England’s Notting Hill Festival, and of course, Mardi Gras Vince Vance is the grand marshal

NOLABREWING JUICE CANOE

NewYear,New Beer.Introducing an all day juice bomb,with notesof citrus, tropical fruits, and blueberry. Ahearty additionofwheat and asilky smooth mouthfeel makethis an easy drinking, sessionable hazy pale ale. Available year round in the taproom and wherevercraft beerissold

ABV –5.2%

MID-CITY

11:45a.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Louisiana’s Bounty

FLOATS: 14

QUEEN: Jennifer Weathers

KING: D. Michael Vincent

THROWS: Chee Wees, T-shirts, doubloons and more

The krewe is known for its foil-decorated floats and throwing snacks such as potato chips This year’s theme also celebrates food, with floats depicting blue crabs, Creole tomatoes and satsumas.

THOTH

noon

UPTOWN

THEME: Thoth’s Diamond Jubilee

FLOATS: 42

QUEEN: Haley Pettingill

KING: Pendelton W. Larsen

THROWS: Fanny packs, insulated bags, koozies, 75th anniversary items, doubloons and more

The Egyptian mythology-inspired krewe marks its 75th anniversary with a parade remembering past themes. One float will represent its first theme, “Mythological Divinities & Demigods.” Other floats depict themes about Ancient China and Ole King Cole The Yat Pack bandleader David Cook is

JIM BEAM KENTUCKY COOLERS

Inspired by Jim Beam’s southern routes, the new Jim Beam Kentucky Coolersisaline of refreshing hard lemonades and punchesthat arecrisp, cool and full of flavor.This variety pack includes three 12 fluid ounce slim cans each of four styles: StrawberryPunch, Citrus Punch, Black Cherry Lemonade, and Sweet TeaLemonade -Each style with 5% ABV,120 Calories, and 5g Sugars.

Style –Flavored Malt

ABV –5.0%

the grand marshal

PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE TheEdnaKarrmarchingbandperformsinaCarnivalparade.

Style –Hazy Pale Ale

BACCHUS

5:15p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Throw Me Something

Mister

FLOATS: 32

BACCHUS: Adam Devine

THROWS: 16 different floatthemed types of socks, kitchen items, light-up baseball bats, boxing gloves, big cups, magnet beads, doubloons and more

Bacchus is a heavy throwing krewe, but this theme also is about the “Mister.” Floats depict Mr Bingle, Mr Potato Head, Mr Rogers and Mr Mardi Gras, Blaine Kern Many floats have theme throws, such as the sleep masks that will be tossed from the Mr Sandman float. Bacchus also rolls with its numerous signature floats, including Bacchasaurus, Bacchawoppa and the Bacchagator.

ATHENA

5p.m.

METAIRIE

THEME: Athena Presents the GrEights

FLOATS: 22

QUEEN: Marcia Prosper Darby

KING: Armand F. Richard

THROWS: Athena dolls, hand-decorated fedoras, plush owls, cups and more

To mark its eighth parade, the krewe theme celebrates the “GrEights.” Floats depict “The Great Gatsby,” “The Great and Powerful Oz” and “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Angela Yee, former host of The Breakfast Club radio show, is the grand marshal

ATLAS FollowsAthena

METAIRIE

THEME: Atlas Celebrates Music

FLOATS: 14

QUEEN: Jacinda Daigle Glueck

After rolling during Family Gras last year, the Krewe of Atlas moves to the final weekend of Carnival The procession usually features a lot of young riders in a family-friendly parade.

Monday, Feb. 20

PROTEUS

5:15p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Kalevala, Lore of Finland

FLOATS: 20

QUEEN: announced day of parade

KING: secret

THROWS: Lighted mini-flambeaux, plush tridents, seahorse beads, doubloons and more

The old-line krewe revisits one of its past themes, an 1893 parade exploring Finnish history. Floats include the Maiden of

MARDI GRAS 2023

PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE TheThangLongRisingDragonsmarch intheArgusparadein2022.

the Rainbow. The krewe’s floats highlight traditional float designs using paper flowers and ornamentation

ORPHEUS

6p.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Dark Dictums of Childhood

FLOATS: 42

MONARCHS: Darren Criss & Joey Fatone

THROWS: Large doubloons honoring Dave Bartholomew and float-specific throws

To celebrate its 30th parade, Orpheus does a throwback to the ’90s There are two monarchs, including former “Glee” star Darren Criss and *NSYNC pop star Joey Fatone. The Orpheuscapade will feature a boyband salute including several former stars Floats illustrate the theme’s dictums, such as “Fate Leads the Willing” and “Beware the Temptation of Lies.” The procession also includes signature multi-trailer floats such as Leviathan and Smokey Mary

CENTURIONS

6:30p.m.

METAIRIE

THEME: Blast from the Past

FLOATS: 21

QUEEN: Lily Isabella Bourgeois

KING: Matthew Gary Erskin

THROWS: Hand-decorated swords, lighted bracelets, footballs, throwing discs, cups, doubloons and more

The Krewe of Centurions moves to Lundi Gras for this year’s parade The floats will depict figures including Bacchus, Endymion and Cupid

Tuesday, Feb. 21

8a.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Precious Jewels of Zulu Land

FLOATS: 44

QUEEN: Christy L. Spears

KING: Nicholls Spears

THROWS: Zulu coconuts and various krewe emblem beads

The theme features precious stones, and there are many floats carrying royalty and Zulu’s characters, including the Witch Doctor, Mr Big Stuff, the Ambassador and more.

REX

10:30a.m.

UPTOWN

THEME: Palio di Siena

FLOATS: 27

QUEEN: announced weekend before parade

KING: announced weekend before parade

THROWS: Metal cups, glass bracelets and more

The theme illustrates the traditions of the Tuscan city of Siena, where every summer, bareback riders from each of the city’s neighborhoods race around the town square to claim the prize of colorful banners The neighborhoods are identified by different animals or symbols, including a dragon, a snail, a unicorn, a porcupine and a turtle Those symbols will be illustrated on Rex’s floats

ARGUS

noon

METAIRIE

THEME: Argus is Golden

FLOATS: 27

QUEEN: Allison Langhetee

KING: Steven LaChute

THROWS: Plush “Gus” peacocks in anniversary colors, whistles, fedoras, doubloons and more

The Krewe of Argus celebrates its 50th year with a golden anniversary theme. The krewe introduces a three-trailer float decorated like a peacock, the emblem of the krewe’s namesake figure from Greek mythology, a giant with many eyes Former WWL-TV anchor Karen Swensen is the grand marshal.

PARADE SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, FEB. 14

Culinary Queens 6p.m. West Bank

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 Druids 6:15p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

SATURDAY, FEB. 18 N.O.M.T.O.C. 10:45 a.m.

SUNDAY, FEB. 19 Okeanos 11 a.m.

Athena

Rex

BULLETIN

SCHOOL OF DESIGN

By DR.STEPHEN HALES

AMONG THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER

REMINDERS of the“Golden Ageof Carnival”are parade bulletins— beautifulpresentations of eachyear’sthemes and floatdesigns.“Parade papers” or bulletins, withimagesofeachfloat and notesdescribingthe parade theme and floattitles,helpedthe public anticipate and enjoyeachparade, and preservedmemories of those parades long aftertheir brieftimeonthe parade routeand theirreturntothe den.Much of what we knowofearly Rexparades themes, and floatdesigns we learn from parade bulletins.

Early versions of “parade papers” consistedofblack and whiteengravings of floatdesigns printedinnewspapers along with descriptions of each parade butthese quicklyevolved into more elaboratepresentations.Accordingto

Carnival historianHenri Schindler, larger “broadside” sheets soon appeared with floatsketchesonone side and advertisementsand floatdescriptionsonthe reverse. By 1886,these large-scalemasterpiecesofchromolithography were popularkeepsakes of Carnival parades. Newspapers competedfor contracts to printeachorganization’sparade bulletin.AccordingtoSchindler,“These ten-cent bulletinshave assumed an importancethatcould nothave been imagined when they were produced. Becausesofew collectionsoforiginalfloat and costumedesigns have survived,these lithographs became the visual record of thegreat processions, picturingevery floatfrom1877until the bulletinswerediscontinuedin1941.”

Forall of those reasons,the Rex organizationbrought back theparade

bulletin beginningwithits 2003 Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial parade

Theproject combined contemporary artwork— floatsketchesand drawings prepared under thedirection of Schindler, Rex’sartisticdirector— with elementsofbulletins printedmorethan acentury ago. Thefinal product relied on thelatestcomputertechnology to bringthe old andthe newtogether That work wasdone by Matthew Hales,acomputerartistand theSchoo of Design’s “Royal Lithographer.”

Foralmosttwo decades Rexparade bulletinshave been apopularsouvenir of modernRex parades. They have also playedanimportant role in theRex in theClassroom program, allowing studentstoexplore thetheme of each Rexparadeduringthe weeksbefore MardiGras.

This year’s bulletin illustrates the2023 Rexparade, Palio di Siena. Much as Carnival helps define NewOrleans,the centuries-old traditions of thePalio help define theancient Tuscan city of Siena.

As they have sincethe Middle Ages, costumed bareback riders representing eachofSiena’s contrade, or neighborhoods, trytostayontheir horses as they race around Siena’stownsquare, thePiazzadel Campo. Floats illustrated in the2023Rex parade bulletin present thesymbols andcolors of each of Siena’s 17 ancient contrade

Today’sparade bulletinsdonot match theheroic size of theold broadside versions,but they accomplish thesame goal, preserving in aunique artform images of beautifulparadesthatare on public displayfor just oneday

Coconut

CRAZE

BY SARAHRAVITS

AARON COLAR IS SINGING ALONG to ShamarrAllen andthe Underdawgs’ “FeelGoodMusic.”

Thereare lessthan twoweeksuntil FatTuesday,and he’ssurroundedby thousandsofbrightly painted coconuts in hiscrampedgarage.

Colar, an artist commissionedby severalmembersofthe Zulu Social Aidand Pleasure Club, hasbeen workingfor monthswithhis daughter, Christa Colar. Together they’ve been hand-decorating some of the city’s hottest Carnival throws

Butwhile some of thebehindthe-scenesartistryofNew Orleans’ biggest celebrationcan getchaotic when it gets down to thewire, Colar is notexactly stressing.

“I’m in here vibing,”saysColar, who’salso amasterbarber in nearby Marrero. “I’minthe Carnival spirit from August through February.”

Colar attributes some of this inner tranquility and easygoingnature to arenewedperspective aftera motorcycle accident left himtemporarily paralyzedinlate2021.

“I hitmyheadand crackedmy skullopen,” he says.“Ilanded on my left side.Itparalyzed my right side completely.”

He washospitalized formorethan amonth with apunctured lung,four broken ribs,and acracked sternum. It wasespecially devastating,Colar says,because he’s right-handed.

“I cut hair andI paintwith my righthand,sothatwas achallengefor me,” he says. “Itput it all into perspective.”

Butthe accident broughthim closer to hisfamily,including his wife, Latanya, and daughters, Christa andArin. He also founda renewedpassionfor hisart

At that point, he’d been painting coconuts foralmostadecade. It wasa side gig, whichhad grownby word of mouth among Zulu membersand gave himaway to earn some extraincome whilehoninghis talents as aself-taught artist and craftsman.

“Itwas just acouple sacks here and there,”hesaysofhis earlier days of commissions. “But then, thebig ballers came in with20or 30 sacks.”

Afterthe accident,painting coconuts became away forhim to physically andmentally heal from trauma.Re-learning howto painthelpedhim buildbackhis mobility whileworking withaphysicaltherapist

Plus,Colarsays, “It’salot of meditation and focus” which helped take hismindoff theaccidentitself.

“The good part of theaccident wasithappenedaroundCovid,” he says,when many of theCarnivalcelebrations were canceled andthere wasn’tmuchdemandfor throws

PHOTOSBYSARAH RAVITS ChristaColarwithherfatherAaron Colarintheirgarage-turned-artstudio.

Aboveleft:AcoconutdepictsanNFL refvoodoodoll,whichAaronpainted afteraninfamouscallduringaSaints playoffgame.

PHOTO BY SARAHRAVITS

Freshlypaintedcoconuts

“So when (Carnival) came back around, I was already at about 75%. It helped me heal.”

Christa also stepped in to help take care of her dad while he regained his abilities. And she has joined him more regularly as a painter over the past few years

The family garage is practically overflowing with individually decorated coconuts Many are bagged up and ready to get picked up by Zulu members in advance of the parade; others are still drying from fresh coats of paint

Some are simply decorated, with a glittery “Z,” a splashy “504” or even a “Who Dat.”

Some are more elaborate. In 2020, Aaron depicted a local

grievance in response to the infamous blown call during the Saints’ playoff game.

“When that ref did bad on the Saints, I did a bunch of these,” he says, holding up a coconut decorated with a voodoo doll wearing a football referee’s jersey

Christa, 23, says she started painting with her father when she was in high school, and now it’s a fun way to make some extra money

She says she is even considering going back to school to get more formal training in art because she has enjoyed this creative outlet so much

Unlike her dad, who sings along to local tunes in the garage, she prefers to work in her bedroom with noise-canceling headphones on But

PHOTO BY SARAH RAVITS AaronColar

PediatricBurn MedicalDirector

Specialties: SurgicalCriticalCare, Surgery

Meet Dr.Kopari

Thereisverylittleavailability forspecialized care for childrenwithsevere burnsinour region andchildren with severe burnswereleavingLouisianaand heading to HoustonorGeorgia to getthe care they needed.Because theCDC recognizes Louisianaas havingthe worstoutcomeswhenitcomes to trauma andburnpatients,Children’sHospitalbroughtmein as thePediatric Burn CareMedicalDirector to build a comprehensive, multi-disciplinaryburncenter. OriginallyfromMinnesota,Imoved to NewOrleans abouttwo yearsago from CentralCalifornia just outsideYosemite National Park whereIwas the associatemedical director of theBurnCenterat Community Regional MedicalCenter. Iearnedmy medicaldegreefromthe UniversityofMinnesota Medical School andmyresidency in General Surgery at Michigan StateUniversity. My burn fellowship wascompletedatthe UniversityofWashington, HarborviewMedical Centerfollowedbyafellowship in surgicalcritical care at theUniversityofTexasMemorialHermann Houston.

In addition to my role as themedical director forthe BurnCareprogram,IamalsoanAssistant Professor of Surgery at LSUHealth NewOrleans andTulane UniversityMedical Center

Burn Care

TheBurnCareteamatChildren’sHospital

NewOrleans specializesinthe evaluation and treatmentofpediatric burn injuries. As NewOrleans’ only dedicated pediatricburnserviceled by a fellowshiptrained burn surgeon,careisprovided for theentirespectrumofburninjuries andsimilar skin disordersfrominfancytoadulthood.The Burn Care team collaborativelyassesses each child’s needs, then recommendsand provides innovative care basedonapatient-centeredteamapproach Membersofthe Burn Careteaminclude aspecially trainedtraumaand burn surgeon (aka,Dr. Kopari), andother physicians andcareproviders, like rehabilitativemedicineproviders, physicaland occupational therapy, social services,nutrition, pharmacy,speechpathology,psychosocial therapy, chaplain services andchild life departments.

To learnmoreabout theDr. Kopariand theBurn Care team,visit chnola.org/burncare

Meet OurKrewe Children’s Hospital NewOrleans

Dr.Nicole Kopari

Questions&Answers

What areyou most excitedabout forMardi Gras?

Ican’t wait to seeall theunique beads. Iamabit competitive so best nottostand to close to me!

Whichparadeare youmost lookingforward too?

Ithink Iris hasthe prettiestfloats, Endymion hasthe best afterparty,but Museshas the best throws

What custom throware you hopingtoadd to your collection this year?

Agirlcan neverhavetoo many MusesShoes!

What’s your favoriterestaurant?

Ihavethe palletofan8-year-old.IloveCane’s chickenfingersand Snug Harborcheeseburgers.

Do youhaveany pets?

Ihavea3-year-old puppynamed Toby.Heis aChocolate Laband GreaterSwiss Mountain dogsohe’sSwiss Chocolate-Toblerone. He is definitelyamomma’s boyand thebestpartof my day!

What’s thefirstthing youdowhen youwakeup?

Jump up andfeed Toby.He’sconvincedhe’sgoingtostarveovernight andgulpsdownthe food as Ipouritintohis bowl

Who’syourfavoriteNFL team?

Itry so hard to love on theSaints,but my heart belongstothe Seahawks.

What’s onefun fact youwant to share?

Ilovetotraveland have been on allseven continents.Thispastyear Ihiked Kilimanjaro, the Roof of Africa,sailedaroundCapeHorn on theway to Antarctica,jumpedintothe Southern Ocean,atruepolar plunge,and then went to Icelandand scuba dove betweenthe TectonicPlates.

What’s one memory from your time at Children’s Hospital that stands out?

Ihad theopportunity to take threeburnsurvivors to burn camp up in Seattlefor aweek. It wasthe best week whereour kiddoshad the chance to be around other burn survivors and just hada week of being akid.

What’s one thingyou wish the communityknewabout CHNOLA’s Burn Care program?

Burn care is so much more than just aburn surgery. We areamultidisciplinaryteamincludingphysicaland occupational therapists, social workersand dischargeplanners, child life specialists, nutritionists, pharmacists, psychotherapists, rehabilitation doctors andintensivist andburnand plasticsurgeonstocarefor burns at all stages of healingand throughoutthe patient’slife

If youcould giveparents one tip when it comestoburnsafety, what would it be?

Setyourwater temperatureto120 degreesand keep your youngchildren outofthe kitchen. Scaldburns happeninseconds.

Photos provided by Children’s Hospital

during crunch time,she emergesfromher room to displayher work,usually to an approvingnod.

“When Iwas akid,they weren’tall that,” Christa says. “We’vebeenmakingthem pop, addingour flair to them. People areexcited to have akeepsake.”

They also sharematerials, mainly acrylicpaints, glitter, paint markers, “all kindsof differentthings,”Aaron says.

This year,heestimates they’llhavepainted four or five thousand coconuts from Zulu membersbythe time theparade rolls. Some of thesimpleronestakejust15 minutesorso; otherscan take much longer.

“I do differentlevels, Ido basic stuffand more high-end stuff,”Aaron says.

Asinglesackofcoconuts, he says,typically hasabout 40 unpaintedcoconuts.They aredropped offbymembers

weeks— and in many cases, months— before theparade,but sometimesAaron goesout and buys sacks in advancefromZuluheadquarters or stores like Plush Appeal, to “get ahead of the game” forthose whomight be procrastinatingongetting theirthrowstogether.

Much of theColars’ work also reflects adeeper connection with thecity’s Blackcommunityand theZuluorganization’sAfrican-American heritage, which is celebrated every FatTuesday with an international audience.

When alucky recipient catchesa throwfroma parade member, “that’sthe MardiGrasart piece,” Aaron says.“We’redoing it forthe Zulu culture, theMardi Gras culture…You’rereally getting apiece of NewOrleans art. It’s homegrown.”

PHOTO BY TEDJACKSON Paradeenthusiastswavesignsalongtheroute,hoping tocatchZulumembers’attention—andifthey’re lucky,acoconut.

PHOTO BY SCOTTTHRELKELD/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE TheZuluparaderollseveryFatTuesday.

TAKE ME TO Amelia Street

Whatit’sliketo partywiththeteens duringMardiGras

BY INFINITI COLE

Editor’s note: During MardiGrasseason, theintersectionofAmelia Street andSt. Charleshas become infamous for itsunderage party scene. We askeda writerwithour friendsatJRNOLAto writeanessay lookingintothis strangeand foreign culture —and amom we knowtoprovide theyouthswitha fewsafetytipsfor a happy andhealthyMardi Gras.The namesofthe authorsand their sourceshave been changedtoprotect theinnocent, theguiltyand theembarrassed from being grounded,lecturedorforcedtocut a switch. Don’tdodrugs

MY MOM WOULDN’T ALLOW ME TO GO IN HIGH SCHOOL, but Icertainly heardaboutMardi Gras on Amelia Street,betterknown as the“link-upspot.”

She’d heard the stories ofteens drinking, smoking weed,carousing— basically,doingexactly what theirparents andother adults were doingopenly afew feet away on St.Charles Avenue —and shewas having none of it

Butthen Igraduated from high school and startedgoingto college here.And it fell to me to show my out-of-townroommate alit MardiGras— and that Iwas down with my ownculture.And so, free to do as Ipleased,I knew exactlywhere to takethem: Amelia Street

Amelia Streethas been known as ahangfor at least 20 years, at least according to my professor.Mostparents know about it —atleast, that is,those that grew up here and went to theirown versionofitbackwhentheywerekids.

Amelia Streetisn’tjust aphysicallocation. Over thelast three decades or so, the“link-upspot” hasmovedfrom7th Street to Peniston (rumor hasitbecause:penis)toAmelia,depending on who you’re talking to and what high school they went to Thereasonswhy and when it started—and whyitmovedfrom oneplace to theother —are as fleeting and hazy as thememories made on thestreet itself.Maybe it shifted becausethe house from MTV’s“TheRealWorld”house wastherein2000?But that house wastoo far from Amelia.Perhapsitwas because apopulargirlat Sacred Hearthad aparty at her house thereone year?Oritcould be themusic blastingfromSuperiorGrill?

Regardless of itshistory,there’ssomethingdifferent about Amelia Street from therestofMardi Gras.Sure, youhave the same glowsticksand disposable plasticthrowseverywhere, butit also hasteenspassing weed,girls mixing theirvodka and RedBull, and theair is cloudedwithsweatyAxe bodyspray

But—not unlikethe time of theirlives theadultsare having on theparaderoute —it’snot necessarily less safe than therest of MardiGras. Sure,there’sdrinkingand blunts, even theoccasional scuffle. Butthere’s also police standingwatch just offthe end of the block. Plus,it’sMardi Gras,and everybodygenerally is thereto have afun time

My classmates in high school would startfromdifferent directionsonSt. Charles andend up on Amelia together

I, however,didn’tknowmyway around as well.I grew up in a very protective household to saythe least, and my mom wouldn’t just letme roam thestreetswithfriends as ahighschooler.

Also, Idon’t have agreat sense of direction.Combineall that with MardiGrascrowdsand Ihad no idea whereAmelia Streetwas, really.I even gotlosttryingto getthere, and fora whileended up looking like atouristtryingto show my roommate around Butluckily,myfriends and cousinshad beentherebefore, and they helped us on ourmission. My cousin NeauxlaFontaine had tipped me offwithakey clue to finding it

“Itwas like abig rave or aconcert,” shetold me abouther first time there, her first year of high school.“It wasnothing like aparade. Imaginea NewOrleansCoachella.”

She made it soundlikethis almostadult thingto do,atleast at first.

“I went outthere withacouple of friendsand Ifeltmature,you know?Iwas around abunch of seniors in high schooland college students,” shesays, smiling Butthen shetold me about squattinginthe bushes to pee and thetimeshe climbed on top of someone’sfront gate just because,and Irealized it wasn’t exactlythe height of maturity afterall

As we searched forthe spot, ducking thefootballs andhuge bagsofbeads beingthrown around by allofthe boys in the middle of St.Charles,mymom’s wordsechoedinmyears.

“Alwaysbeaware of your surroundings,”she’d drilled into my head forhours whilehelping me move into my dorm.“Anything couldhappenatany moment,and youhave to stay alert.”

Ibegan to worry.

We arrivedonthe roughlyblocklong stretchatthe intersection of St.Charles,packedwithteens and college students. It waseverything everyone talkedabout. Icould smell thefried whatever from the foodtruck,mixed withthe sharp smells of weed and vodka. There wasnomistaking it.I wasinthe right place.

Iwas almost immediately swept into thecrowd,tryingtofight for anyMardi Gras cups Icould grab formybedroom.Itwas almost like, well, regularMardi Gras

That feelingdidn’tlast.Assoon as Igrabbed my first cup, some girl from Tulane University screamed, “I’ll show youmyboobsifyou give me that bear.” Theguy whowas throwing thestuffed animalsoff thefloat wasexcited andthrew her at leastfivebears aftershe flashedhim

Of course, Iknewthatthere wasthe stereotype of girls saying things like that,but I’dnever witnessed it.

Later, another girllooked at me and in her ownformofdrunken Englishasked “Are youfromhere?” before telling me howbeautiful I am.I’d metmyfirst classic characters of Amelia Street

FILE PHOTO

“There are three types of college students on Amelia,” Fontaine says “A lost 20 something year old that’s a tourist, drunk white girls with glitter all over them, and definitely a drunk white frat boy.”

It was a lot.

Here I was thinking that Fontaine’s tales of peeing in the bushes and standing on a random stranger’s gate were insane.

Of course, that’s nothing compared to my friend Hank Andrews’ stories.

“Don’t laugh at me, but my first time on Amelia Street was when I was 12,” Andrews says. “My older cousin who went to Holy Cross at the time was in high school and was teaching me how to get chicks.”

Andrews’ first visit to Amelia Street involved girls with shorts with their underwear showing and men wearing entire mesh

outfits with nothing underneath And he seemed to enjoy whatever attention came his way.

He describes his time on Amelia Street in general as “magical” and “like heaven” but he’s sure it will never be the same as when he was 12

“When I went in high school, everything was different and lame,” he says “But back then, it felt like I was in a movie I was big for 12, but the girls coming up to me made me feel like a man.”

“I got three [numbers] in one night,” Andrews says with a grin “My cousin taught me this one trick that stuck with me my whole life: Just say, ‘You’re so pretty, oh my God let me take a picture with you,’ then make sure it looks really good and then you get her number. Because this was way before we had Airdrop.”

I WAS A 7TH STREET PARTY KID

One mom’s advice for a fun and safe Mardi Gras

Dear Infiniti,

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I was you, or something similar to you in the late ’90s In fact, there’s a strong chance I hung out with your parents on the route, shared a Strawberry Boone’s Farm and shouted “Back That Ass” with them over and over AND OVER again Not that they, or I, will ever actually admit it now. I promise you, we were CLUELESS, and cool. Back then, we hung out on Seventh Street doing the same things your peers are doing now (more or less). However, time has passed, our frontal lobes have fully formed, and we are now legally and emotionally responsible for your well-being So, here are a few tips from a once cool old person on staying safe this Carnival season.

1 Don’t drink or do drugs. You are underage, and it’s against the law. HOWEVER, if you’re determined to break the law, have some sense. Limit yourself to one drink every few hours, find a beverage with low alcohol content and never do shots or chug It won’t turn out well, unless you like finding yourself tangled in a pile of urine-soaked beads in the gutter while your best friend holds your hair

2 Make sure you eat, and never drink on an empty stomach.

Stock that Lululemon fanny pack with granola bars, chips and bananas for all of your friends (potassium is a needed electrolyte that alcohol depletes) Be the hero.

3 This one is seriously important. Never ever leave your friends. When your mom said “Anything could happen at any moment and you have to stay alert,” she was right. And safety work is teamwork, kids So keep track of each other If they are talking to a creep, quickly steer them away.

4 Don’t ever drink and drive. Call your parents. Trust me, if you need to get home or out of a risky situation, they will come and get you home safely Yeah, they may be furious for a minute, but they’ll quickly forget, hug you and be grateful that you are safe

5 Remember, it’s all being recorded The Snaps, the Toks, the Tiks, the texts… even the YouTubes. All of it. And believe me, you don’t want to end up “influencing” your future college or job prospects by becoming an “Insta-star” for something that happens on Amelia Street unless you perform life-saving CPR.

—Nadja Keauxlmom

Freshstart

SCRAMBLEDMEANSAFEWTHINGSAT THENEWBREAKFASTPLACE on Laurel Street around thecorner from OctaviaBooks in Uptown

Literally,thereare eggs every which way, includingscrambled Butchef-owner Steven Green, a chef whohas fine dining experience and adegree from theFrench CulinaryInstitute, sees thenameas ametaphortoo

“Mymainthing is to have afun brunchplace —kindofquirkyand outthere,” Greensays. “But we have normal things, too, if somebodyjust wantsa coupleofeggs with bacon.”

Butreally,why do that when you canorder abreakfast burger? With apatty combininggroundbeefand Patton’s hotsausage, it’s cooked on thegrill like abreakfast slap burger

Then it’s topped with Swisscheese, egg, bacon, arugula and, wait forit, heldtogether by acrispy griddled sliced glazeddoughnut. Notfor the faintofheart

Green, whogrewupinCamden, NewJersey, droppedout of high schoolfor lack of interest.Whatdid fire himupwas culinaryschool, and he headed forthe French Culinary InstituteinNew York.“Ijusthad a knackfor it,” he says.

When apal from school, Calvin Virgil of NotToo Fancy Bakery, urgedGreen to give NewOrleans atry,hedid.Heworkedatfine diningspots includingAugustand Kenton’s.Healso helped reopen Brennan’s.But then he decided to change hisfocus

“I justwantedmyown place,” he says.

Afterlookingatahandfulof locations,heheard that Toast was closingits restaurant on Laurel Street. Thebuildingisowned by TomLowenburg,who is developingthe spacebetween hisOctavia Booksand Scrambled. “I lovedthat idea,” Greensays. Scrambledwill be involved in author events and demonstrations.The spacehas an expanded barareaand is filled with localart. Green didn’tgrowupeating gourmetfood. Camden hadhomestylesoulfoodrestaurants.Platesof loxand bagelsspoketohis Jewish

heritage. Hisgrandfather came from Fez,Morocco,and it’s hisrecipefor shakshouka on themenu,served with Gracious Bakery sourdough bread. Butingeneral,hegrewup eating Chef Boyardee and Kraft macaroni.

Notsofor his6-year-old son Kashon,who hasacheffor afather and afront of thehouse restaurant managerfor amom.A handful of themenuitems areKashon inspired,likethe triple stack of waffles filled with strawberry mascarpone and studdedwithblueberries, raspberries and strawberries. The Puff Daddyisa thingtobehold, featuringthree buttermilk waffles stacked with Nutella, peanutbutter mousseand bananas,withacrown of Reese’sPuffs cereal on top. Portions aremammoth,and one dish maybeenough fortwo.

On thesavoryside, Greendoes ariffontraditional chicken and waffles,pairing atwice-fried breast with twosoft-cooked eggs,a drizzleofSiracha aioliand apuddle of black pepper maplesyrup. “It’s anicebalanceofsweet and heat,” he says

On thelighter side, aSlimShady is ascrambledtofubowl, and therealso is atofupo-boyand avocado toast.Green channelshis Moroccan rootswith raselhanout, aNorth African spiceblend he uses to cure hislox,servedon Gracious bagels.

Forthose in need of dessert, there’sbread pudding, and traditional and sweetpotatoand brown butter Rice Crispy treats.

There’salso akid’s menuand an extensivemenuofbeverages and coffee,featuring locally roasted Congregation Coffee.

The50-seat restaurant, which opened Nov. 10,has been slammed from dayone.

“Onthe weekends, we’llhave atwo hourwait, andpeople just keep lining up,” Greensays. Serving 220dinersisnormal on aweekend day. “There’snot alot of places to eatright around here,soweserve neighbors as well as people driving in,” thechefsays.

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

That80schow

IFTHETERM“HUNGRYEYES”BRINGS THESONGFROM“DIRTYDANCING”INTO YOURHEAD,makes youthinkofthe ’80sand makesamartini sound goodright aboutnow,you’reon theright trackfor anew restaurant takingshapeinUptownon Magazine Street

HungryEyesisthe next project from thepeople behind thesandwich phenom Turkey andthe Wolf and itsbreakfast time siblingMolly’s Rise and Shine. It will be arestaurant anda bar, aplace wherean outing forcocktails or afulldinner couldfeelequally right.

Restaurant co-founder and chef MasonHerefordsaysthe look and feel of HungryEyesispulling heavily from ’80s style. Thefood will come from abroad spectrum of

influences and appetites. Cocktails will getequal billing,and martinis will be themarquee drink.

“The spaceissuper ’80s,soyou’ll be right at home if you’re drinking them,” Hereford says HungryEyesisunder construction nowat4206Magazine St.The address waspreviouslyhometo RedGravy,the Italian restaurant that relocatedfromdowntown during thepandemic.Prior to that it wasthe Standard.

HungryEyesisslatedtoopen in late spring.Itwill be a40-seat restaurant with apatio in back,a dedicatedbar and full tableservice, adeparture from Hereford’s other counter-servicerestaurants

Herefordand hiswifeLauren Agudo arepartneringinthe restaurant with PhilipCenac,now achef

PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER

ChefStevenGreenserves creativebreakfast dishesatScrambled.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MASONHEREFORD MasonHereford

Acreativenew breakfast spot in Uptown by Beth D’Addono

at Turkey and theWolf. Others fromthe earlierrestaurants are integral to thenew one.

Kate Mirante, thefirst general manageratTurkey and theWolf, will help runthe newrestaurant, and longtime localbartender Carlos Quinonezwill runthe cocktail program.

“There’sway toomuchtalent workinginthose twobuildings,so it’s time to provideanopportunity to grow together,” Hereford says,referringtohis first two restaurants.

While themenu is still under development, Hereford says it beginswiththe same guiding principlesasTurkey andthe Wolf and Molly’s Rise and Shine, though it will be morerefined With mid-range prices,Hereford says,there’sroom forthe kitchen to work in some of thehigher-dollaringredientsheand Cenac love to use.

From there, themenuwill be wide open fordishesthatpairwell with cocktails

“It’spunchyflavors,big,fun,a lotthatare meanttobeshared,” he says

At thesame time, Hereford says they’reworking hard to makesurethe restaurant feels comfortable and accessible for solo visitors too.

“Wewanteveryonethatcomes in heretofeelwelcome and cool and sexy in this space,”hesays.

Thepartnersare workingclosely on designwithPaulOctavius, founder of theChicago-based designfirm EyeEaters.

They had plansfor HungryEyes in theworks before thepandemic butput them on hold as thecrisis grew.Herefordsayshe’sgrateful they did,because theconcept developed much moreinthe interveningtime.

“Wehad no idea hownot ready we were back then,but nowI thinkwe’re really ready,”hesays.

It’s alreadybeen an eventfulyearfor Hereford’s crew.In January, ColleenQuarlsand Liz Hollinger of Molly’sRiseand Shinewerenamed to thelistof semi-finalists forthe JamesBeard Foundation awards,inthe regional categoryofBest Chef:South Finalistswill be announced in March, andwinnerswill be recognizedinJune.

Turkey and theWolfopenedin 2016 in asmall cinderblock building on Jackson Avenue, which had previously houseda barbecue spot and wing joint.

In 2017,Bon Appétitnamed the

sandwich shop itstop newrestaurant in America. Popularbefore thenationalaccolade,the eatery hasdrawn long queues of both curiosity seekersand devoted regulars ever since. Molly’s Rise and Shineopenedin2018.

—IAN McNULTY/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Whodoesn’tloveoysters?

ROSESARE RED.CHOCOLATEIS

SWEET.Oysters,however, are somethingelse

They areephemeral,sure, and they do stir desire (sensually,ifnot necessarily scientifically).

Once shucked, they also canstill liveontodosomegood thanks to acoastal restorationprogram puttingthem back to use.

Anovelfundraisingideaputs this alltogetherfromthe Coalition to RestoreCoastal Louisiana

Thegroup is nowpitching an Oyster Lovers packagefor Valentine’sDay,a gift boxtoadd a little only-in-Louisiana substance to themostHallmarkofholidays.

It comeswith50in-shelloysters from Grand Isle —the cultivated type,which aretypically cleaner, more elegantexpressions of local oyster culture.The Valentine’s packageis$115and includessome shucking supplies (a knife, atowel, alinktoinstructions)

TheCRCLworks to protect Louisiana’s vital butfragile coast, and it hasharnessed oyster lust forthatmission.

Thegroup’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program collects discardedshells from restaurants and returnsthem to Louisiana waters as newoysterreefs.The program divertsthe shells from thelandfilland puts them back to work forthe coast, providing more buffer forstormsand creating newhabitat.

Thereare also drop-off binsfor spentoystershells in NewOrleans at theGreen Project(2831 Marais St.) and Glass Half Full (3935 LouisaSt.), which residentscan useatnocharge to puttheir shells back to use.

TheValentine’sDay oyster packages canbedelivered in theNew Orleans area withanextra charge or picked up on Feb. 13 from the Beanlandia spaceinthe Bywater (3800Royal St.).

See crcl.org fordetails and to order. —IAN McNULTY/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

JustinNatori

Chef by Will Coviello

ATHISPOP-UPLASTBITE,JUSTINNATORI COMBINES dishesfromHawaiiand Japan.Hewas borninHawaiiand grew up in Yokohama,which is near Tokyo. Afterhighschool, he pursuedaculinarycareerinNew York andmovedtoNew Orleans lastyear. He pops up at localbreweries,and he hasupcomingevents at Parleaux Beer Lab. He’llbethere 5-9p.m.Friday, Feb. 17,and again on Feb. 24 foranevent focusedon ramen.For moreinformation,visit hisInstagram,@lastbiteeats.

:Howdidyouget intocooking?

JUSTIN NATORI: Istarted working in therestaurantindustry when I wasinhighschoolatabout 18 back in Japan.Italianfood in Japan is phenomenal.That’swhatIgrewup eating andreally wanted to pursue My (culinary) background was Italian and newAmericanfood

In Japan,it’sverycommonfor Japanese chefstodoa mentorship in FranceorItalyand bring that talentbacktoopen theirown restaurants. Yousee alot of talent coming back home. Iwas fortunate enough to live in acitywithgood

Italian food

Idecided to move to NewYork afterhighschool. Sincethen,I have been working in restaurantsinNew York —for like eightyears.I wasan executivecheffor twoyears —at aplace called Trad Room.Itwas afamily-owned izakaya. We were doingsushi and traditional quick bites. Before that Iwas doinga pop-up that eventually became a spaceina food hall.Weweredoing Japanese and Filipinofood.Itwas called Lost in theSauce

:Howdidyoustart yourpop-up?

N: Imoved down hereeight months ago. Imade astopinMexicoCity contemplating what city Iwantedto move to next.New Orleansmet the criteria.I waslookingfor something slowerand smaller(than NewYork), butnothing toosleepy. NewOrleans is great. It feelsverymuchlikehome.

Istarted my pop-up twoorthree monthsago.Itwas somethingI wanted to do when Imoveddown here,and it worked outreally well. Thefirst onewas at Zony Mash. Theconceptcame aboutinNew York.Ifeltthere wasa lack of real

WINE OF THE WEEK

Hawaiianfoodand Japanese food Comingfromabackgroundofboth of thosecultures, Iwantedtobring food that Iwas comfortablemaking at home on aregularbasis and uniquetomycreation.

Idid shogayaki. It’s cooked down pork belly with gingerand onions overrice. Andthe first menu hadto have Spam musubi.People arelike, “Whatisthis?”Itoriginated among Japanese people whowereliving in Hawaii.It’sbased on an iconic dish in Japan,onigiri (ricewrapped in seaweed). It originated during the WorldWar,when food wasscarce and Spam wasbeing rationedto themilitary.It’sbeen astaple in theculture ever since. Ibring more Japanese flavors to it by adding Japanese spices, and Isearthe Spam in yakiniku sauce.It’ssoy sauce,ginger, garlicand alittlebit of grated apple

Ihave been leaningmoretoward my Japanesesiderecently. Most peopleknowJapanesefood,but onlycertain staples. There’sso much more.Mostpeople aren’t as familiar with ricebowls.You see rice bowlseverywhereinJapan

My favorite things growingup was goingtoconvenience stores and gettingobentowiththinlysliced pork belly or grilled beef or going to theramen spot and having amini chashu,likea pork belly rice bowl that comeswitha ramenset. My menu tendstorotatebetween things Iwanttoexplore,but it changesall thetime. Idid okonomiyaki (a savory pancake) at Parleaux Beer Lab. Igot to usereal Gulf shrimp,aswellasporkbelly and kimchi flavors.I had afun time usinglions mane mushroomsin my okonomiyaki.

Ilikethe idea of atravelling pop-up. Ihad theopportunity to do onein Tokyo. I’dliketodoone in Franceor Korea. That would be awesome.

:Whatareyoufocusing onfromHawaiiancuisine?

N: It’s such abeautiful culture. Thereare twoerasofHawaiian food.You hadthe original food from theindigenouspeople.Then therewas alot of migration. A lotofFilipino, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamesepeople whomadetheir waytothe islands

It became this melting potofAsian culture, andthat’swhatweknowas Hawaiianfood in moderntimes Twospots aregreat sources(for traditionalHawaiianfood).There wasa restaurant called Helena’s, and another spot Igrewupeating at wasOno.Thatmeans delicious At an authenticHawaiianspot, you’ll seeroastedsaltedpork. Youhavelau lau, which is bananawrapped porksteamed underground.You have lomi salmon which hassalmon and tomato.You have chicken long rice. It’s long rice noodles cooked with chicken and ginger.It’sa hearty Hawaiian meal Idid kalua pigatmyfirst pop-up. That’s very traditional Hawaiian food.It’stypically cooked in the ground overnight

Thechashusliderisaculmination of my twocultures. It uses braisedporkbelly that youwould find in rameninbetween (sweet) dinnerrolls,likea traditionalking’s Hawaiianbread.

Recently Idid garlicshrimp. There’sa very famousspotin Hawaii called Giovanni’s.They do one thingand onething only It’s oneofmyfavorite things.It’s goodshrimp, alot of butter and garlicand salt and pepper.You slowly cook theshrimpinbutter.

It’s served with rice andalemon wedgeand macsalad

FrancisCoppola

Diamond Collection

Appellation Series

Paso Robles

DiamondCollection AppellationSeriesPaso

Robles Cabernet Sauvignon boastsdelightful notesof blackcherry, peppercorn, andblackberry on the nose

Concentratedflavorsof blackand blue fruits,spices, vanilla, andtobacco fill out theopulent bodyand long finish. Engaging and fruity, thiswineisfull-bodiedand intense,withsupple tannins andsophisticatedcharacter with along finish

DISTRIBUTED BY

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUSTIN NATORI

OUTTOEAT

Out 2Eat is an indexofGambit contract advertisers. Unlessnoted, addresses arefor NewOrleans and all accept credit cards. Updates: Email willc@gambitweekly.com or call (504) 483-3106.

Acorn— 12 HenryThomasDrive, (504)218-5413; acornnola.com

Thecafe at theLouisiana Children’s Museum has kid-and adult-friendly menu. Blackenedshrimpfill atrioof tacostopped witharugula,radish, pineapple-mangosalsa and cilantro-lime sauce.Noreservations breakfast andlunchWed.-Sun. $$ AngeloBrocato’s— 214N.Carrollton Ave.,(504) 486-1465;angelobrocatoicecream.com This sweetshop serves itsown gelato, spumoni, Italianice,cannolis, biscotti,fig cookies,tiramisu,macaroons andother treats.Lunchand dinner Tue.-Sun $ Annunciation— 1016 Annunciation St.,(504) 568-0245;annunciationrestaurant.com Themenu highlights Gulf seafood in Creole,Cajun and Southerndishes. Gulf Drum Yvonne is served withbrown butter sauce with mushrooms andartichoke hearts.Reservations recommended DinnerThu.-Mon. $$$

TheBlue Crab Restaurantand Oyster Bar— 118Harbor View Court, Slidell, (985)315-7001; 7900 Lakeshore Drive, (504)284-2898;thebluecrabnola.com

Themenu includes sandwiches, friedand boiled seafood and more. Basinbarbecue shrimp areserved overcheesegrits witha cheese biscuit. Outdoor seatingavailable No reservations.Lakeview: lunch and dinnerTue.-Sun. Slidell: lunch Fri.-Sat., dinnerWed.-Sun. $$

Broussard’s— 819Conti St.,(504) 581-3866; broussards.com The menuincludesCreole andcreative contemporarydishes. Rainbow troutamandineisservedwith tasso and corn macque choux and Creole meunieresauce. Reservations recommended Outdoor seatingavailable.Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$

Cafe Normandie— Higgins Hotel, 480AndrewHiggins Blvd., (504) 528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining

Themenu combines classicFrench dishes and Louisiana itemslikecrab beignets withherbaioli.Noreservations.Breakfastand lunch daily $$

Common Interest — HotelIndigo, 705Common St.,(504) 595-5605; commoninterestnola.com— Shrimp remoulade Cobbsalad comes withavocado,blue cheese,tomatoes,bacon,egg and corn relish Beef debris tops goatcheeseand thymegrits.Reservationsaccepted Breakfast,lunch,dinner andlatenightdaily $$

Curio— 301Royal St.,(504) 7174198;curionola.com— Thecreative Creole menu includes blackened Gulf shrimp served withchicken and andouillejambalaya. Reservations accepted.Lunchand dinner daily $$

Desire Oyster Bar — RoyalSonesta NewOrleans,300 BourbonSt.,(504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar ThemenuhighlightsGulf seafood in Creole dishes.Char-grilled oystersare topped withParmesan and herbs.Reservations recommended.Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily. $$

$ —average dinner entrée under $10 $$ —$11-$20 $$$ —$20-up

Dickie Brennan’sBourbon House— 144Bourbon St.,(504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse.com Theseafood restauranthas araw barand alarge selectionofbourbon.Redfish is served withlemon buerre blanc Reservations accepted.Lunchand dinner daily $$$

DragonflyCafe— 530JacksonAve., (504)544-9530; dragonflynola.com

Thecasual cafe offers breakfast plates,waffles,salads, coffeedrinks and more. Braisedrib is served on greenswithcornbread.Delivery available.Reservations accepted

Breakfast and lunch Wed.-Sat $$

Felix’sRestaurant&OysterBar — 739Iberville St.,(504) 522-4440; 7400 Lakeshore Drive, (504)3044125;felixs.com Louisiana oysters areservedraw or char-grilled with garlic, Parmesan andbreadcrumbs

Themenu includes seafood platters, crawfish etouffee,po-boys and more.Noreservations.Lunch and dinner daily $$

Frey SmokedMeat Co.— 4141 Bienville St.,Suite 110, (504)488-7427; freysmokedmeat.com

Thebarbecue spot serves pulled pork,ribs,brisket, sausagesand more.Fried pork belly poppers aretossedinpepperjelly glaze.Noreservations. Lunch and dinner daily $$

FrootOrleans 2438 Bell St.,Suite B, (504)233-3346;frootorleans.com

Thereare freshfruit platters and smoothie bowlssuchasa strawberry shortcakeand more usingpineapple, berries,citrus andmore. No reservations.Outdoor seatingavailable

Breakfastand lunch daily $$

Joey K’s— 3001 Magazine St., (504) 891-0997;joeyksrestaurant.com The menu includesfried seafood platters, salads,sandwichesand redbeans and rice.Sauteed troutTchoupitoulas is topped withshrimpand crabmeat. Delivery available.Lunchand dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$

Juan’sFlyingBurrito — 515Baronne St.,(504) 529-5825;2018Magazine St.,(504) 569-0000;4724S CarrolltonAve., (504) 486-9950;8140 OakSt.,(504) 897-4800;juansflyingburrito.com TheFlying Burrito includessteak,shrimp, chicken, cheddar jack cheese,black beans, rice,guacamole and salsa.The menu also has tacos,quesadillas and nachos. Outdoorseating available. No reservations.Lunch and dinner

Thu.-Tue $$

Katie’sRestaurant 3701 Iberville St., (504)488-6582; katiesinmidcity com ACajun Cubanhas roasted pork,ham,cheeseand pickleson buttered bread. TheBoudreaux pizzaistopped withcochon de lait, spinach, onions and garlic.Delivery available.Reservations accepted forlarge parties. Lunch anddinner

Tue.-Sun $$

Kilroy’s Bar— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining— The bar menuincludessandwiches, flatbreads,saladsand more.ALouisiana peachflatbread has prosciutto,

ThrillvilleReturns to ShrineonAirline

stracciatellacheese, arugulaand pecans. No reservations.Dinner

Wed.-Sat $$

Legacy Kitchen’s CraftTavern— 700Tchoupitoulas St.,(504) 613-2350; legacykitchen.com— Themenu includesoysters,flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches,saladsand more.A NOLAStyle GritsBowlistopped with bacon, cheddar anda poached egg. Reservations accepted.Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily $$

Legacy Kitchen Steak& Chop — 91 Westbank Expressway,Gretna, (504) 513-2606;legacykitchen.com— The menu includes filets mignons, bone-in rib-eyesand topsirloins, as well as burgers, salads and seafood dishes.Reservations accepted

Outdoor seatingavailable.Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat $$

MartinWine Cellar 714Elmeer Ave.,Metairie,(504) 896-7350;3827 BaronneSt.,(504) 894-7444;martinwine.com The spirits shop’s deli serves sandwiches,saladsand more. TheSenasalad includeschicken,raisins,bluecheese,pecansand greens withTabasco pepperjelly vinaigrette

No reservations.Lunch daily $$

MidCityPizza 6307 S. Miro St., (504)509-6224; midcitypizza.com—

Thepizza joint serves NewYork-style pies,calzones, sandwiches and salads. Ashrimpremoulade piehas spinach, onionand garlic.Delivery available.Noreservations.Lunch

Thu.-Sun., dinner Thu.-Mon $$

Mikimoto 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504)488-1881; mikimotosushi.com

TheSouth Carrollton roll includes tuna tataki,avocado and snow crab.The menu also has sushi, sashimi, noodle dishes,teriyaki and more. Reservations accepted Deliveryavailable.Lunch Sun.-Fri., dinnerdaily $$

Mosca’s— 4137 Highway90West, Westwego,(504) 436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com This family-style eateryservesItaliandishesand specialtiesincluding chicken alagrande. Bakedoysters Moscaismadewith breadcrumbsand Italianseasonings. Reservations accepted.DinnerWed.Sat. Cash only. $$$

Mother’s Restaurant— 401Poydras St., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net This counter-service spot is knownfor po-boysand Creole favoritessuchasjambalaya, crawfish etouffee andred beans and rice.Deliveryavailable.No reservations.Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily $$

Nephew’sRistorante— 4445 W. Metairie Ave.,Metairie,(504) 533-9998; nephewsristorante.com Chef Frank Catalanottoran thekitchen at Tony Angello’s restaurant. His CreoleItalianmenu featuresdisheslikeveal, eggplantorchicken parmigiana Reservations required.Dinner

Tue.-Sat $$

Neyow’sCreole Cafe 3332 Bienville St.,(504) 827-5474;neyows.com— Themenuincludesred beans with friedchicken or porkchops, as well as seafood platters, po-boys, chargrilledoysters,pasta,saladsand more.Noreservations.Lunchdaily, dinner Mon.-Sat., brunchSun $$

Nice Guys Bar&Grill 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola.com— Char-grilled oystersare toppedwith cheese

Themenu also includes wings, quesadillas,burgers,sandwiches, salads,seafood pasta and more.No reservations.Lunch daily,dinner

Mon.-Sat $$$

Nonno’s CajunCuisineand Pastries

— 1940 Dauphine St.,(504) 3541364;nonnoscajuncuisineandpastries. com— Themenu includes homestyleCajun and Creole dishes with some vegan options. Sauteed shrimp aretoppedwith cheese and served witheggs and toast.Delivery available.Reservations accepted

Breakfast and lunch daily $$

Peacock Room— KimptonHotel

Fontenot,501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3073;peacockroomnola.com

Blacklentilvadouvancurry comes withroasted tomatoes,mushrooms and basmatirice. Themenuincludes smallplates, aburger, salads and more. Reservations accepted.Dinner

Wed.-Mon., brunch Sun. $$

Rosie’s on theRoof— Higgins Hotel, 480AndrewHiggins Blvd., (504)528-1941; higginshotelnola. com/dining— Therooftop barhas amenuofsandwiches,burgers and smallplates. No reservations

Dinnerdaily $$

Tacklebox— 817Common St.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com— The seafood restaurantservesoysters,seafood,burgers,salads and more.Redfish St.Charles is served with garlic-herbbutter, asparagus, mushrooms andcrawfishcornbread Reservations accepted.Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily $$

Tavolino Pizza&Lounge — 141 Delaronde St., (504)605-3365;tavolinonola.com Themenu features thin-crust pizzas,salads, meatballs and more.ABehrman Hwy. pizzais toppedwith pork belly,caramel,carrots,radishes, jalapenosand herbs

No reservations.Outdoor seating available.Dinner Tue.-Sat $$

Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza— 1212 S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504)

733-3803; 2125 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie,(504) 510-4282; 4024 CanalSt.,(504) 302-1133; 4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554; 70488 Highway21, Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com

AMarilynnPotaSupreme pie is toppedwith mozzarella,pepperoni, sausage, hamburger,mushrooms, bell peppers andonions. Therealso aresalads, sandwiches andmore. Delivery available.Lunchand dinner

Tue.-Sat $

Tito’s Ceviche&Pisco — 1433 St. CharlesAve., (504)354-1342; 5015MagazineSt.,(504) 267-7612; titoscevichepisco.com— Peruvian lomo saltado features beef sauteed withonions,tomatoes,cilantro, soy sauce andpisco,servedwith friedpotatoesand rice.Outdoor seatingavailable on Magazine Street. Delivery available.Reservations accepted.Lunch and dinner Mon.Sat.,brunch Sun. $$$

Zhang Bistro — 1141 DecaturSt.,(504) 826-8888;zhangbistronola.com

Themenu includes Chinese and Thai dishes.The Szechuan HotWok offers achoiceofchicken,beef, shrimp or tofu with onions, bell peppers,cauliflower, jalapenosand spicySichuan sauce.Reservations accepted.Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$

Thrillvilleisproud to announce the returnofits nationallytravelingfair event!For twoweeks,startingFebruary24and runningthrough March5, Thrillvillewill be bringing allthe sights, sounds,and smellsofaworld-class fair to theShrineonAirlineinMetairie, LA.

This year’s ThrillvilleFairpromises attendees an unforgettable experience with over 30 different amusement ridesincludingthe classic Python roller-coaster.There’ssomethingfor everyone with family-friendlyfavorites likethe High Flying Pagesshowwhere guests canjoinaerialistsastheytake tothe skies. Other exciting offerings include theWheels of Agricultureand SeaLionSplashshows that displayafun and educational experience.

TheThrillvilleFairalsohas plenty to offer foodies! From carnival classicslikecotton candy, funnel cakes,and turkey legs, to decadent desserts likefried Oreos.Of course no fair would be complete withoutavariety of classic carnival games rangingfromringtosses andshooting galleriesand everythinginbetween

With so much funpackedinto two weeks it’s no wonder whythisevent hasbecome one of themostpopular traveling attractions in thenationwith thousands expected to attend. So make sure youmarkyourcalendars for February 24 –March 5for atruly unique experience at this year’s ThrillvilleFair!

CarnivalRides,Games,andFood

Monday -Thursday Armbands -$30

Friday -SundayArmbands -$35

*Singleride ticketswill be available for purchase on-site

Complete

DETAILS:

Where:

Shrine on Airline 6000 AirlineDr. Metairie,LA70003

When:

February 24 -March 5

FairHours:

5PM-Fairopens Monday -Friday

1PM-Fairopens Saturday &Sunday

BoxOfficePricing: $10Admission

Kids under 36”- Free Admission Ages 65 &Older-FreeAdmission Active Duty/ Veterans-FreeAdmission

PROMOS:

EarlyBirdBuy Before Opening Day, Save $10onAdmission andUnlimited RidesCombo

MommyMonday

Mommygetsafree armband with a purchase of achild’sarmband

Tuesday

Student DayFreeAdmission

Wednesday Buyone getone free armband

ThriftyThursday $5 off armband

Feb. 15,and 9p.m.Thursday, Feb. 16, and Friday,Feb.17. Tickets startat$40 viaeventbrite.com.

Couches: Love Seats

ORGANIZEDBYTELLYOURFRIENDS, COUCHESISANINTIMATEMUSICSERIES hosted semi-monthly at theHotel St.Vincent,and on Valentine’s Day, a“Love Seats” editionfeaturesBLÜ and DominicScott,two NewOrleans vocalistsbecoming knownfor theiremotional,vibrant styles.BLÜ opensat8:15p.m.and Scott performsat9 p.m. Legatron Primewill DJ an afterparty starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are$25 advancevia tellyourfriends.xyz and $30day of theshow.

LundiGrasatSpanishPlaza

THERE’SFREEMUSICANDFIREWORKS

ATTHELUNDIGRASCELEBRATION at SpanishPlaza.Rex arrivesat6 p.m. andgreetsKingZulu. The entertainmentlineupfeatures Brass-A-Holics,DwayneDopsie and theZydecoHellraisers and Flow Tribe. Visitriverwalkneworleans.comfor information.

Smilohand TheMonocle

THEPROGRESSIONMUSICSERIES,WHICH FEATURESGENRE-BENDINGMUSICIANS at Chickie WahWah,ends Tuesday, Feb. 14,withtrumpetfueled dream popgroup Smiloh and saxophonistAuroraNealand’s experimental solo project, The Monocle.The musicbeginsat8 p.m. andticketsare $10-$20 viachickiewahwah.com.

Midnite Krewe

RAPPERS$LEAZYEZ,KR3WCIAL,JOSH SIMMONS,QUADRY,WAKAIANDTHE ADONI arethrowinga late-night MardiGrasparty on Wednesday, Feb. 15,atCaféIstanbul. There also areperformancesbyDJs Legatron Prime, Spinelli and MadSpinnz.The show runs 10 p.m. to 4a.m., and ticketsare $10 advancevia eventbrite.com and $15atthe door.

FreediaGras

THEQUEENDIVAHEADLINES

TIPITINA’S on Thursday, Feb. 16, with Anjelika “Jelly”Joseph and theTBC Brass Band.The show startsat10p.m.and ticketsare $30via tipitinas.com.

AnitaBaker

ICONICSOULANDR&BSINGERANITA BAKERISCELEBRATING the40th anniversary of her debutsolo album, “The Songstress,” with her first nationwide tour in almost 30 years. Themulti-Grammy-winningBaker stopsinNew Orleansfor ashowat7p.m Friday,Feb.17, at theSmoothie King Center.Babyface, another

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Grammy-winningR&B star, opens.Ticketsstart at $61 viasmoothiekingcenter.com.

Lust Filth

LUSTFILTHPRESENTSTWONIGHTS

OFPERFORMANCEART,STRIPTEASE, DRAG,SHOWGIRLSANDDEPRAVITY Nightone, “The RoyalCourt,” featuresperformances by returning acts Jeez Loueez,Synamin Vixen, Lady Lucerne, Trombone Squirty, Dick Jonesand more.The second nighthas “New Cummers” Bella Blue,Susie Stellar, Qween Quan andVivacious Miss Audacious, amongothers. Eddie Lockwood and TheGreat Dane —who produce theshowasPrettie Boi Presents —will host.Lust Filthis at 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, and Friday,Feb.17, at theAllWays Lounge& Cabaret. Ticketsstart at $25via prettieboi.com

Greasingofthe Poles

BRYANBATTISTHEMASTEROFCEREMONIESFORTHEROYALSONESTA’S GREASINGOFTHEPOLES,markingthe attempttokeep Bourbon Street revelers from climbingthe poles to hotelbalconies.The eventfeaturesthe MerryAntoinettes,Leroy Jonesand theOriginal Hurricane Brass Band,burlesque performer Jeez Loueez,Mardi Gras Indians, Carnival krewerepresentatives and mediapersonalities.The eventstartsat10a.m.Friday, Feb. 17,atthe RoyalSonesta

RoughSeven

GUITARIST-VOCALISTRYANSCULLY REVIVESHISBAND with vocalist Meschiya Lake,guitarist Rob Cambre, bassistStooOdom, keyboardist RattyScurvicsand drummer Mike Dillon (whose Punkadelic recently released a newalbum). They go on at midnightfollowing bluesmanLittle Freddie King at 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18,atBJ’sLounge. Coveris

$20atthe door

Jolly Gras

BIGCHIEFJOLLYWASTHELEADERAND

SINGERFORTHEWILDTCHOUPITOULAS when theMardi Gras Indiantribe, backed by Art, Charles,Aaron and CyrilNevillealong with the other members of TheMeters, laid down theirlandmark 1976 album. On LundiGras, CyrilNevillepays tributetohis uncle with Jolly Gras at Zony Mash,featuring performances by Bo DollisJr. and The Wild Magnolias, OmariNeville and TheFuel, andFlagboy Giz withThird ChiefJustin Harris of the Wild Tchoupitoulas. Show starts at 9p.m.and ticketsare $25 advancevia zonymashbeer.com and $35day of show

FOR COMPLETE MUSIC LISTINGS AND MORE EVENTS TAKING PLACEIN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

To learn moreabout adding your event to the music calendar,please email listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

TUESDAY14

CHICKIEWAH WAH —Smiloh with TheMonocle,8 pm

DOSJEFES —Tom Hook,8:30pm

FRITZEL’SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

—Richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30 pm; CollinMyers Band,5 pm;Fritzel’s AllStar Band,8 pm

KITCHENTABLE CAFÉ —Kitchen Table Cafe Trio,6:30pm

NEW ORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM

Arrowhead Jazz Band,2pm

PEACOCKROOM, HOTELFONTENOT —DaLovebirds ,4 pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation

All-Stars,5,6:15, 7:30 &8:45pm

SANTOS —Jenny Don't andthe Spurs,8 pm

SIDNEY'S SALOON

TheHacks,7:30 pm

THEGOAT —Youth Crusher,Dry Cough, Boiling Point, FatSavage, 9pm

ZONY MASH BEERPROJECT

HelenGillet Trio withSkerikand

JasonMarsalis, 8&9pm

WEDNESDAY15

BLUE NILE —New BreedBrass Band,9 pm

BRATZY'ALL —TinaJamiesonand

RonHotstream,5pm

DOSJEFES —Bryce Eastwood and Ryan Hanselor,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

—Richard"Piano"Scott, 12:30pm; Bourbon StreetStars,5pm; Fritzel's AllStar Band,8 pm

HOTELMONTELEONE —James Martin Band,8pm

HOTELPETER &PAUL —Helen Gillet,7:30 pm

JEANLAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICALPARKVISITORCENTER, NEW ORLEANSJAZZNATIONAL

HISTORICALPARK —Dr. Brice Miller Duo, 2pm

MADAMEVIC'S —TonySeville, 8pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation All-Stars feat.Branden Lewis, 5, 6:15,7:30,&8:45pm

SANTOS —The Love Muscles with TheJoeyHouckBand,10pm

SNUG HARBORJAZZBISTRO

Bria SkonbergNew Orleans

All-Stars,8 &10pm

THEBOMBAYCLUB —Harry Mayronne and NanciZee,8 pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —Funkin' It Up with BigSam,7:30pm

THURSDAY16

ACEHOTEL NEWORLEANS —Helen Gillet,8pm

BLUE NILE —WhereY'atBrass Band,9 pm

BROTHERS THREELOUNGE

ValerieSassyfras, 10 pm

DOSJEFES —Ashley'sOther

Animal,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

—Richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30pm; DoyleCooper Band,2:30pm; FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—

John SaavedraTrio, 6pm; Fritzel's AllStarBand,8 pm

GASA GASA —The Bloomies with NorthbyNorth,Lisbon Girls, 9pm

KITCHENTABLE CAFÉ —Dr. Mark St Cyr TraditionalJazzBand,6:30pm

LE BON TEMPSROULE

SoulRebels, 11 pm

MADAMEVIC'S —Otra, 8pm

NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEEHOUSE —EclecticSoulParty,9 pm

NEW ORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM

Kyle Roussel,2pm

PEACOCKROOM, HOTELFONTENOT —DaLovebirds with Robin Barnes andPat Casey,8pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation All-Stars feat.WendellBrunious, 5, 6:15,7:30& 8:45 pm

ROCK 'N'BOWL —ChubbyCarrier & BayouSwamp Band,8 pm

ROYALFRENCHMENHOTEL &BAR

—Orlando,John Gilbert, 6pm; Lex Warshawsky Quartet, 9pm

SANTOS —StaticStatic, SelmaOx, FR,Tascheand thePsychedelic Roaches, Tits Dick Assand DJ Sailor Hank,9 pm

SATURN BAR —TVPoleshine, Trash Magnolia,9 pm

SNUG HARBOR JAZZ BISTRO

Ryan Hanseler NOJO Quintet, 8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —Brass-AHolics,7:30pm

FRIDAY17

BLUE CYPRESSBOOKS

ValerieSassyfras, 12:30 pm

BLUE NILE —The CaesarBrothers, 7pm; Amigos Do Samba, 10 pm

BLUE NILEBALCONY ROOM

TrumpetSlim, Brass Flavor,10pm

D.B.A. NEW ORLEANS Deathproof, 9pm

DOSJEFES —Tom Fitzpatrick,9 pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

—Richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30pm; SamFriend Band,2:30 pm;Lee Floyd and Thunderbolt Trio, 6pm; Fritzel’sAll Star Band,9 pm

GASA GASA —Chupacabraand Slow Motion Cowboys, 9pm

HEYCAFÉ —ValerieSassyfras, 8am

HIDEAWAY DEN&ARCADE —Back2 Da Basics,9 pm

HONKY TONK BOURBON STREET

—Ron Hotstream &The MidCity Drifters,8 pm

JEANLAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICALPARKVISITORCENTER, NEW ORLEANSJAZZNATIONAL HISTORICALPARK —Michael"B3"

Burkart, 2pm

KERRYIRISH PUB —Patrick Cooper,9 pm

NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEE HOUSE —EclecticSoulParty

withMax Sandersand friends, 7:30 pm

ROCK 'N'BOWL —RyanForet & ForetTradition,8:30 pm

ROYALFRENCHMENHOTEL & BAR —CameronWatson4ofa Kind,7 pm;Khris Royal,10pm

SATURN BAR —ValparaisoMen's Chorus,10pm

SIDNEY'S SALOON —DarkLounge Ministries,7 &8pm

SNUG HARBORJAZZBISTRO Delfeayo MarsalisSextet, 8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —The Wolfe JohnsBlues Band,7:30pm

THERABBITHOLE —MikeDillon andPunkadelic,Chris Senac and LOTAGRFD,9 pm

THREEKEYSATACE HOTEL

NEW ORLEANS —Them People Productionsfeat. TenN The Moanin,8pm

THREEMUSES —NanciZee Trio, 8pm

SATURDAY18

BLUE NILE —George BrownBand,7 pm;Big Sam'sMardi Gras Birthday Bash,11pm

BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM

TheMarigny StreetBrass Band,10pm

DOSJEFES —Sunpie &The Louisiana Sunspots,9 pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB —Richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30 pm; SteveDetroyBand,2:30 pm;Lee Floyd and Thunderbolt Trio, 6pm; Fritzel'sAll Star Band,9 pm

GASA GASA —Jimmy Wooten (acoustic opener),ZachEdwards & TheMedicine, andNik Parr &The SelflessLovers +the Pocket Chocolate hornssection!, 9pm

HIDEAWAY DEN&ARCADE Am/F'em,8pm

JEANLAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICALPARKVISITORCENTER, NEW ORLEANSJAZZNATIONAL HISTORICALPARK —Drum& Dance CirclewithVoodooQueen Kalindah Laveaux, 10:30 am;Michael"B3" Burkart, 2pm; Gerald French Duo, 2pm

KITCHENTABLE CAFÉ —Bad Penny Pleasuremakers,6:30 pm

MADAME VIC'S —The Emerald Trio, 8pm

NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEEHOUSE —Damn Hippies!!!!,7:30 pm; RichardBienvenu,9 pm

RABBIT HOLE —Egyptian Lover, 10 pm

ROYALFRENCHMENHOTEL &BAR —Piano ManG,7 pm

SATURN BAR —The Melatauns, MichaelHurtt and theNight Howlers, 10 pm

SNUG HARBORJAZZBISTRO Nolatet, 8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —Chucky C and Band,7:30pm

SUNDAY19

BLUE NILE —The BakedPotatoes, 7 pm;New Orleans Nightcrawlers,11pm

CARROLLTON STATION

JohnnyJ&the Original Hitmen,9pm

D.B.A. NEWORLEANS —Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band,4pm

DOSJEFES —Tangiers Combo,8:30 pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

BanjoonBourbon with Seva Venet, 11 am;Joe KennedyBand, 2pm; MarlaDixon Band,5pm; Fritzel'sAll Star Band,8 pm

GASA GASA SweetCruse, 9pm

HONKY TONK BOURBON STREET

RonHotstream &The Mid City Drifters feat.Tina Jamieson,8pm

LE BON TEMPSROULE SoulRebels, 11 pm

REPUBLIC NOLA —Zomboy, 11 pm ROYALFRENCHMENHOTEL &BAR —Grayson Brockamp and NewOrleans Wildlife Band,6pm

SANTOS —SubmergedFeat: 6 Blocc, Tree,Logic andI&I,9pm

SATURN BAR —The DaiquiriQueens, Maxand theMartians, 9pm

SNUG HARBOR JAZZ BISTRO BonBon Viviantwith Al "Carnival Time" Johnson,8 &10pm

THERABBITHOLE —New thousand and Friends, 8pm; Bass Church XWorst Behavior ,11pm; Freak-a-holics:Egyptian Lover AfterParty,1 am

MONDAY20

BLUE NILE —The Soul Rebels, 11 pm

D.B.A. NEW ORLEANS —RAM HaitianVoodooRara Music, 9pm

DOSJEFES —John Fohl,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ

CLUB —MondayAfternoon All Stars,12:30 pm;Lee Floydand Thunderbolt Trio, 5pm; Richard "Piano"Scottand Friends, 8pm

HOTELMONTELEONE —James Martin Band,8 pm

REPUBLIC NOLA —Mija,11pm

SATURN BAR —BCCooganPiano Night,8pm; TheLostines, Jackson and theJanks,11pm

SIBERIA —Lipstick Stains,Atomic Broad,GOREgeous, 9pm

SIDNEY'S SALOON —The Amazing Henrietta, 6pm

ZONY MASH BEERPROJECT

Cyril Neville'sJolly Gras,9 pm

SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR

Uptownroute

by JakeClapp

THEKEYTOAGOODCARNIVALSONGIS THEGROOVE,saysDelfeayoMarsalis. “It’sthe groove,and it’s putting youintoa relaxed butparty stateof-mind,”the trombonist and bandleader adds

Earlier this month,Marsalis and hisUptownJazzOrchestra released “UptownonMardi Gras Day,”analbum of Carnival season classicsand originalsthataim to strike that balancebetween laidback tunesand parade-day energy.And whilethe Uptown Jazz Orchestra playsinabig band format,there’sa lotoffunkand NewOrleans rhythm andblues and brass band influences mixedin.

“UptownonMardi Gras Day” openswithAlJohnson’s“Carnival Time” and includesthe staples “Big Chief,”“NewSuit,”“Allona MardiGrasDay,” “Street Parade” and “Mardi Gras Mambo,” which is featured twicewithafrenetic“For the Jazz Cats”version capping the album. There’salso TheMeters’

“TheyAll Ask’dfor You,”which mightnot be considered aMardi Gras song,but oftengetsplayeda lotaroundthistimeofyear.

ACarnivalsong“captures the spirit of NewOrleans in some kind of way,”Marsalissays. “And these songs really do that.”

Four newsongs also aresprinkled across thealbum,includingthe title track, “UptownBoogie”and “So NewOrleans.” “Midnightatthe Zulu Ball”isatribute both to brassband culture as well as to thelate-night vibesand celebrations happening at thesocialaid and pleasure club’s ball, Marsalissays.

Thesongs on “UptownonMardi Gras Day” capturedifferent Fat Tuesdayexperiences,and Black MaskingIndians arefeatured prominentlywithEarlKing’s“Big Chief,” WillieTee’s “New Suit” and BigChiefBoDollis’“Allona MardiGrasDay.” It’s areflectionof theinspirationMarsalishad from talkingwith BigChiefsand Queens during theheightofthe pandemic, when he started theemergency aid groupKeep NewOrleans MusicAlive

“Theywould getupduringthe pandemic at 5inthe morning, cookingbig pots of food,bringing it around to theneighborhood and makingsurethateverybody was looked after,”Marsalissays. “Soto me,it’sthe idea of celebratingfolks forwho they areand what they do, butnot imposing [onthem].”

TheUptownJazzOrchestra includesa number of standoutN Orleans playerslikedrummer He Riley, trumpeterand vocalist Andr Baham, saxophonistKhari AllenL and trombonist T. J. Norris.And newalbum features saxophonist Branford Marsalis,vocalistTonya Boyd-Cannon,GlenDavid Andrew whosings and whistles here, and drummer Marvin Smith.Trumpete Dr.Brice Miller,who regularlypla with theorchestra,sharesco-wri creditson“So NewOrleans.”

“UptownonMardi Gras Day” celebrationofthe Carnival seas butit’salsoacelebrationofNew Orleans culture, Marsalissays. It aboutthe connection between locals andthe city’s musicand tr ditions— and aremindertovisi to be respectful to thecommuni

“WhatMardi Gras meanstou NewOrleans is differentfromal of thefolks whoare just visiting Butwedon’t mind it.Wehave th kind of graciousness that youfin if yougotocertainnations —w were in SouthAfrica, and we fo that same levelofcompassion and understanding,”Marsalissay “That’swhatmakes this musics unique andspecial: It’s therelat ship of themusic to thepeople.”

Find “Uptown on MardiGras Day” at dmarsalis.com.Marsalis performs with trumpeterBria Skonberg on Wednesday, Feb. 15,and with his sextetonFriday, Feb. 17,atSnug Harbor Find ticketsatsnugjazz.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY ERIC WATERS

thismonth.

ISSUE DATE: MARCH14

AD SPACE:MARCH3

TO ADVERTISECALLOREMAIL SANDYSTEIN504.483.3150 OR sstein@gambitweekly.com

Shorttakes

by Will Coviello

THEOSTRICHISAWHIMSICALLYSMUGCREATURE and Neil is ahapless office worker who seemslikehecould have been copiedout of “OfficeSpace”in theAustraliananimatedshort film,“An OstrichToldMethe WorldIsFakeand I ThinkI BelieveIt.”The shortcomedyis funny, butit’salso amusingly sophisticated under thesurface.

The11-minute stop-motionanimation film is up foranOscar,and this year’s five nominees arecomplexin entertaining ways.The Oscarnomineesfor animated,liveactionand documentaryshort filmshit local theaters this week,giving audiences achancetosee them in advanceof theMarch 12 awards show.

If you are18to55years of age and want to stop using cannabis, you may qualify for anew research study.

● No-cost study-related care

● Compensation for time and travel

In “AnOstrich Told Me,” Neil is having trouble selling toasters over thephone.His boss tellshim hisjob is on theline, andNeiltries to brainstormbetterpitches.Asheworries, he starts to notice odd things about hiscoworkers, includingone who maynot be doingany work at all. Then he meetsthe ostrich

Thefilmnever uses theterm, but it seemstoexplore thesimulation hypothesis,the idea that theworld we seeisnot real andisinfactsome sort of elaboratefake. Essentially, “The Matrix”inanoffice— with an ostrich.Attimes,the camera pulls back to show theway stop-motion animation is made and themanipulation of little puppets. It’s aclever comedy aboutworkplaceanxiety conflatedwith grandconspiracy

Sara Gunnarsdottir’s“My Year of Dicks” is adult in another way. Theanimatedfilminsertssome live action scenesand uses various drawing styles,including anime, to tell acoming-of-agestory written by and based on thememoirof Pamela Ribon,who wrotethe stories for“Moana” and “Ralph Breaks theInternet.”

In “MyYear,”Pam is a15-year-old living in suburban Houstoninthe 1990s andisdeterminedtogain sexual experience.The various sequences have theirown visual styles,and acouple take on horror film tropes,asshe pursues cringy guys,often in dreary settings, like amovie theater. Thestory is driven by her candor abouttawdry impulsiveness,a senseofmelodramaand theamusingly awfulexperienceof

having her dadtry to talktoher aboutsex

Canadian directors Amanda Forbis and WendyTilby’s “The FlyingSailor,”about asailorcaught up in aboataccident, features a very briefmomentintimedrawn outoverseven minutes andhas a strange whimsy to itsexistential crisis.The shortfilmalso has abit of nudity,highlightingthe weathered seaman’s ultimate vulnerability.

Director Joao Gonzalezcreated Portugal’s first Oscarfinalist. His “Ice Merchants” is aspare but beautifully rendered cautionary tale. Aman with ahouse lodged on amountainsidemakes iceevery nightand spendshis dayparachutingdowntothe town belowtosell cubestovillagers. Buthis life is turned upside down by asmall and simple change.

“The Boy, theMole,the Foxand theHorse” is based on thebest-sellingbook,and it features thevoices of actors Idris Elba,Tom Hollander and GabrielByrne. It’s essentially a fable about friendship and caring, rendered in aconventionalstyle, though it seemssteeped in self-help genredialog.

Allofthe liveactionshort film nominees arefromEuropean directors,set in isolatedreaches of Greenland to areligious boarding schoolinItaly. Thedocumentaries come from across theworld and rangefroma storyaboutacouple raisingabandonedelephantsona preserve in Indiato thestory of a U.S. Marine veteranwho plansto bomb an Indiana mosque Separate slates of live action,animatedand documentaryshort films screen at TheBroad Theateron Feb. 17 andatthe Prytania Theatre in Uptown Feb. 16-23.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MAGNOLIA PICTURES ‘AnOstrichToldMetheWorldIs FakeandIThinkIBelieveIt’

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PREMIER

ACROSS

1The United States’ landmass,with “the”

9Rafter’schallenge

15Shulscroll

20Another similar thing

21Barack and Michelle

22Give theslip

23Like babies who throw tantrums when you try to put diapers on them?

25News outlets

26RBI or ERA

27Film lead-in to “Cop”

28Photo —

29Morenimble

30Trellis climber

TEEPEES

By Frank A. Longo

32Havingasoremouth from working long hours at akissing booth?

36Jointasockoftencovers

39Chipped in, in poker

40Beckett title character

41Intense fireused as an energysource?

46Pie —mode

49Abbr.ona road map

50With 44-Down,decayof building timbers

51Colon part

52Communist Joseph

55Egyptiangodofthedead

57Declaration while pointing at agroup of

workersonstrike?

62Scent sensor

63George at Gettysburg

64Airymelody

65Statement when you’re nearly ready to complete acollage?

72The “A” of “A-Rod”

73Depart

74Air out

77Mesmerizing horse movement?

83Limb-bending muscle

85Is theatrical

6Indiandish

7Height:Prefix

8The whole

9King, in Caen

10Belly muscles

11Jean—(perfume brand)

12Windows ad catchphrase

13Language of Copenhagen, to locals

14New jet in ’68

15Workedasanofficesub

16Carry too far

17HowardStern’sarea

18“Bye, Brigitte”

19Bodily pump

24Conductor Georg

29“Every seat sold” abbr.

31“LaTraviata”composer

33Spy novelist Deighton

34Shareable PC

53Mosaicpiece

54Onthe go

56Withdraw 57—Aviv

61Otherwise