Gambit: Choose your own festival 2021

April 20-26 2021 Volume 42 Number 16

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

2

Why remove your old bathroom and kitchen fixtures?

RE-GLAZE THEM!

CERAMIC TILE FORMICA CAST IRON C U LT U R E D M A R B L E FIBERGLASS

MJ’s

.- Fri. 10-5 & NOW OPEN Mon

MAMA

Kennel #46679757

Mama is a 2-year-old Pitt Bull mix. She came to us after

her owner passed away and is hoping to find a new forever family soon. Mama is a super affectionate pup who would love nothing more than to spend her time in your lap. The key to this sweet girls heart is lots of treats and cuddles. This gal has never met a stranger and will happily wiggle her way up to greet you.

504-348-1770

Boil Dat

NOW OFFERING MILITARY, VETERAN, FIRST RESPONDER AND SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNTS

Sat. 10-3

Cajun Party Boats $12.99

SCRAP

Kennel #46818983

Scrap is a 10-year-old Domestic Shorthair who was brought to

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Oyster Grill Pan $45.99

708 BARATARIA BLVD. |

MOST JOBS DONE IN HOURS

southernrefinishing.com

CERTIFIED FIBERGLASS TECHNICIAN

Shrimp Grill Pan $35.99

BULLETIN BOARD

Weekly Tails

Claw Crackers $4.99 ea

Tea Towels $5.99 - $10.99

MJ’s

1513 Metairie Rd. 835-6099

METAIRIE SHOPPING CENTER MJSMETAIRIE • mjsofmetairie.com

Cristina’s

Family owned and operated since 1996

Cleaning Service

NOW HIRING Full Time Line Cook Experienced Pizza Maker Preferred

WIT’S INN Bar & Pizza Kitchen Apply 10am - 2 pm • 504-486-1600 141 N. Carrollton Ave. Immigration. Criminal Law. Traffic Tickets

Call Eugene Redmann 504.834.6430 2632 Athania Pkwy, Met., LA 70002 Se Habla Espanol • www.redmannlawnola.com

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT GARDEN DISTRICT 1/2 BLOCK TO MAGAZINE

Let our crew help you with all your cleaning needs!

• Disinfecting/Sanitation Services Available • • General House Cleaning • • After Construction Cleaning • Residential & Commercial • Licensed & Bonded

504-232-5554 cristinascleaningnola@gmail.com

1 & 2 bedrooms available in ideal location and ROOMS BY THE MONTH with PRIVATE BATH. All utilities included monthly. Call 504-202-0381 for appointment.

MID-CITY S. CARROLLTON AVE.

3 room efficiency available on the street car line. 14 ft. ceiling. AC, stove, fridge.

Call 504-486-1600 for appointment.

SUPERVISOR BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS BUSINESS ANALYST To work in New Orleans, LA. Consults with the user and business areas to determine business needs and assess feasibility of alternatives and provides recommendations. Develops and automates solutions and reports; insures data validity, accuracy and reconciliation processes are in place. Develops and implements test plans, performs testing, validations and/or coordinates UAT signoff as needed with the business. Must have a Bachelors degree in Information Technology or Computer Science and 36 months experience as a Supervisor Business Information Systems Business Analyst or Senior Business Analyst/ Supervisor or Business Analyst. 36 months experience must be in individual life insurance industry in Latin American markets. Must be fluent in written and oral Spanish. Occasional travel to company’s Latin American and Caribbean offices.

MAIL RESUME TO ELLEN FITTE, PAN-AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, 601 POYDRAS STREET, SUITE 1530, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130.

Must have proof of legal authority to work in the U.S. Put job code 80018736 on resume. EOE

us after he wandered onto someone’s yard asking for help. He was not in the best condition when he got to us, but this sweet older gentleman is looking for a loving home where he can be taught what love is. He is FIV+, so he would need to be an only cat. Despite his rough past, he is looking for a loving future.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, we have moved our adoption process to appointment only.

Fill out the adoption application on our website, www.la-spca.org, and a staff member will call you back within 24 hours to schedule your appointment.

3

APRIL 20 — APRIL 26, 2021 VOLUME 42 || NUMBER 16 NEWS

OPENING GAMBIT

8

BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN

11

CLANCY DUBOS

12

COMMENTARY

13

poplin pops morning glory white cyrstal

PULLOUT

2021 SCHOOL GUIDE FEATURES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

7

EAT + DRINK

27

COMEDY

31

FILM

33

PUZZLES

35

EXCHANGE

35

@The_Gambit P H OTO B Y G R E G M I L E S

14

@gambitneworleans

The inaugural Gambit choose your own festival fest

@GambitNewOrleans

Have you lost that festing feeling? Woaha woah that festing feeling? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered

STAFF

pandemic hours mon - sat 10 - 5:30 7732 m a p l e 865 . 9625

COVER PHOTO

BY JEANNE FOSTER COVER DESIGN BY DORA SISON

Publisher | JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER

EDITORIAL (504) 483-3105// response@gambitweekly.com Editor | JOHN STANTON Political Editor | CLANCY DUBOS Arts & Entertainment Editor | WILL COVIELLO

ADVERTISING Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150 Advertising Director | SANDY STEIN BRONDUM (504) 483-3150 [sstein@gambitweekly.com]

Staff Writers | JAKE CLAPP, KAYLEE POCHE, SARAH RAVITS

Contributing Writers | IAN MCNULTY

PRODUCTION

Sales Representatives KATIE BISHOP

Creative Services Director | DORA SISON

(504) 262-9519

Pre-Press Coordinator | JASON WHITTAKER

[kbishop@gambitweekly.com]

Web & Classifieds Designer |

KELLY SONNIER

MARIA VIDACOVICH BOUÉ

Graphic Designers | CATHERINE FLOTTE, EMMA VEITH, TIANA WATTS

BUSINESS & OPERATIONS

(504) 483-3143

CHOKERS for any occasion

DESMOS COLLECTION

S I LV E R A N D G O L D OV E R L AY

[ksonnier@gambitweekly.com] CHARLIE THOMAS

Billing Inquiries 1 (225) 388-0185

(504) 636-7438

Administrative Assistant | LINDA LACHIN

[cthomas@gambitweekly.com]

Gambit (ISSN 1089-3520) is published weekly by Capital City Press, LLC, 840 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 4865900. We cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts even if accompanied by a SASE. All material published in Gambit is copyrighted: Copyright 2021 Capital City Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

TUES-FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-3PM | Curbside Pickup Available 5101 W. ESPLANADE AVENUE | (504) 885-4956

www.fishersonsjewelers.com

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

CONTENTS

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

26

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

6

4308 WAVERLY ST. METAIRIE, LA 70006 504.354.2248 SHOP ONLINE WWW.GOTOGORDONS.COM

OPEN DAILY 7AM - 8PM

 Dine In  Takeout  Delivery

Validated Parking

(504)523-9656  MothersRestaurant.net  401 Poydras St

WHATEVER YOUR

FLAVOR! $

5

Cinco

de MAYO

ALL DAY

DRINK SPECIALS! MONDAY MANHATTANS TUESDAY MARGARITAS WEDNESDAY SANGRIA THURSDAY COSMOS FRIDAY HOUSE MARTINIS

AD RESERVATION

APRIL 23

ISSUE DATE

MAY 4

CRAWFISH BEIGNET All advertisers receive a

FREE PHOTO FEATURE/DESCRIPTION in this issue and will be included in our Cinco de Mayo Facebook Gallery

CHARGRILLED OYSTERS

3701 IBERVILLE ST 504.488.6582 KATIESINMIDCITY.COM

SOF TSHELL CRAB BENEDICT

MON-THURS 11AM-9PM FRI & SAT 11AM-10PM SUN BRUNCH 9AM-3PM

Ad Director Sandy Stein 504.483.3150 or sstein@gambitweekly.com

Lastie beat LONGTIME PRESERVATION HALL Jazz Band drummer Joe lastie Jr. leads his New Orleans Sound band in a socially distanced concert from the balcony of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 20. The show also streams at facebook.com/ nolajazzmuseum/live.

Scattershot

Next right thing Dumpstaphunk releases new album tailor-made for our times

BY JAKE ClApp OBVIOUSLY, DUMPSTAPHUNK DIDN’T WRITE THE SONG “Where Do We Go

From Here” with plans “to see a bunch of crazy shit going on around us and say, ‘Oh, we’ve got this song,’ ” Ivan Neville says with a laugh. But after 2020, everyone under the sun is asking that same question.

Dumpstaphunk, New Orleans’ funk heavyweights, wrote and recorded the track — along with the majority of the upcoming full-length album from which the song takes its name — before the pandemic hit last spring.

Still, there might not have been better timing for the band to release the single last August, near the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and amid an ongoing pandemic and nationwide protests against white supremacy and police brutality.

“This song means a lot to us,” Neville says. “And when we saw what was going on around us, it made even more sense.”

Dumpstaphunk releases its new album, “Where Do We Go From Here,” on Friday through The Funk Garage, a new record imprint started last year

by Mascot label Group and funk icon Bootsy Collins. The band will celebrate the album release with a live, drive-in concert on Saturday, April 24, with Smoke N Bones and Soul Brass Band at the Shrine on Airline.

The show is organized by Farmstand

Entertainment, a new entertainment initiative incorporating restaurant-prepared meals and farm produce into its events. Go to farmstandlive.com for more information.

“Where Do We Go From Here” is Dumpstaphunk’s fourth album and its first since 2013’s “Dirty Word.” Core members keyboardist Ivan Neville, guitarist Ian Neville, guitarist and bassist Tony Hall, and bassist Nick Daniels are joined by new members trumpeter ryan Nyther, drummer Devin Trusclair and trombonist Alex Wasily. Ivan Neville, Hall and Daniels share vocal duties.

Dumpstaphunk began working on the new album about two or three years ago, Ivan Neville says, and the band recorded whenever it could when the members were in town between the band’s busy tour schedule. They had the album almost wrapped up before the pandemic hit, and they were able to add the finishing touches over the last year — after Neville himself beat Covid last spring.

Amid the muscly mix of New Orleans funk, thick guitar riffs, and rhythm and blues, there’s a steadfast call for change and justice across the album.

But there’s also a constant fiery current of hope — both in the lyrics and in the groove — that can’t be missed.

“We wanted this record to have a bit of optimism in the message,” Neville says. “We know shit’s ugly sometimes and things need to get better. Things aren’t as good as they should be, but we wanted to have the hope that, OK, things could get better.”

The title song is asking the big question. “We’re all unsure sometimes about things around us and about our personal experience,” Neville says.

“Whether we’re feeling insecure or afraid of losing something or afraid of not getting what we want — let’s just look at it and do the next right thing and maybe things will turn out OK.” Dumpstaphunk opens “Where Do We Go From Here” with a powerful, roaring cover of Buddy Miles’ “United

p H OTO p r OV I D E D B Y J E F F FA r S A I

New Orleans funk band Dumpstaphunk releases its new album, ‘Where Do We Go From Here,’ on Friday.

Nations Stomp,” featuring blues guitarist Marcus King. The message to Miles’ 1973 song — let’s find love in music’s joy and funk’s good vibes — feels even more urgent today.

“No matter who you are, no matter where you come from or what you believe in, we have some things in common and music is a common thread,” Neville says. Hall brought the song to Dumpstaphunk some years ago and the band has been playing it live — it felt obvious to record a version for the new record, Neville says.

Dumpstaphunk also rebooted its political anthem “Justice,” which it originally recorded with Trombone Shorty in reaction to the batshit campaign of Donald Trump and the tumult of 2016 following the death of Alton Sterling at the hands of Baton rouge police. The call to address injustices against Black Americans is loud, while calling for unity in our shared humanity. The band added a new verse by Jurassic 5 emcee Chali 2na for this record and released a music video in October.

“We wanted to reiterate the message because of a lot of the social injustice that’s going on around us, and we’re heartbroken to see that shit constantly happening every day,” Neville says. past Saturday’s drive-in concert, Dumpstaphunk is starting to eye more live dates later this year as more venues reopen. The band is just taking things as they come, Neville says, but he’s looking forward to when the band can be back on stage together and play to a shoulder-to-shoulder audience. “like us, everybody needs music to soften some of the darker times we’ve had to go to,” he says. “Music is a beautiful thing, man, without it I’m not sure what we’d do.”

THE SCATTERJAZZ SERIES OF IMPROVISATIONAL MUSIC presents a collaboration featuring Aurora Nealand, James Singleton, Jonathan Freilich and Doug Garrison. The outdoor performance is at the Sideporch at 425 S. White St. at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20. Find more information at scatterjazz.com.

Aid for St. Vincent A CARIBBEAN-THEMED BENEFIT RAISES FUNDS FOR VICTIMS OF THE VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS on the island of St. Vincent over the last couple weeks. Chefs Nina Compton (a native of St. lucia), Queen Trini lisa (Trinidad), Jamaican Johnny (Jamaica) and Ashley Jonique prepare Caribbean dishes and DJ T-roy and DJ Kash, a native of St. Vincent, spin reggae, soca and mento music. The benefit is at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 21. Find tickets at paradigmgardensnola.com.

Treme live TRUMPETER JAMES ANDREWS, Dr. Michael White and the Treme Brass Band perform at the New Orleans Jazz Museum for a live audience and livestream edition of the Treme Cultural Festival. There also is an auction in the fundraiser for the Historic Faubourg Treme Association. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com and links to the livestream are on the Treme Association and museum Facebook pages.

The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, April 24.

Porter four-pack GEORGE PORTER JR. RECENTLY RELEASED A NEW ALBUM, “Crying for Hope,” with his runnin’ pardners band. A similar lineup of The porter Trio with guest guitarist Chris Adkins, who’s on the album, performs at 7 p.m. Monday, April 26, at Zony Mash Beer project. Visit zonymashbeer.com for tickets.

For more entertainment events this week, see “Choose Your Own Festival Fest” on page 17.

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

7

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

8

OPENINGGAMBIT N E W

O R L E A N S

N E W S

+

V I E W S

The only thing dumber than not getting a COVID shot is thinking Lil Nas X has Satan Shoes

# The Count

Thumbs Up/ Thumbs Down

10.36

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams

The cumulative number of inches of rain, over 15 days, measured at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport as of 12 a.m. April 15.

has said his office will no longer prosecute charges for possessing small, personal-use amounts of all drugs except for heroin and fentanyl, The Lens first reported last week. NOPD will still continue to arrest people for drug possession, but the new policy means the DA’s office will refuse to prosecute most of those charges — “for now.”

S TA F F P H OTO S B Y C H R I S G R A N G E R

Twas a fair and comely cone.

Dr. Beverly Wright, the

founder and executive director of the locally based Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, has been appointed to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. The group will advise the Biden Administration on addressing environmental injustices and how to move forward with racial and economic equity in new climate policy.

Louisiana utility companies are still charging electricity

customers, on average, about $10 more per month since February’s winter storm — and regulators want to know why. Cold weather in February — which knocked out power to large parts of the state, including to thousands in New Orleans — caused utilities to burn more fuel to power their generators, and they’re passing that cost on to customers. The Public Service Commission has raised transparency concerns about the higher costs, and commissioners want an investigation.

THE 8-FOOT-TALL TRAFFIC CONE HAS ITS OWN MARCHING GROUP: THE MYSTIC KREWE OF CONUS YOU KNEW THIS WAS COMING . A new Mardi Gras marching club has popped up, devoted to the giant homemade traffic cone that became a New Orleans social media sensation in March. In its first week, the Mystic Krewe of Conus has attracted 260 followers, eager to venerate the newest New Orleans icon and all it represents.

This all started when pranksters placed an 8-foot-tall homemade hazard cone in a suspension-slamming pothole on Washington Avenue as a tongue-in-cheek symbol of the city’s ragged infrastructure. When the cone mysteriously disappeared on Easter weekend, other irreverent humorists converted the pothole into a faux religious shrine, dedicated to the “King Cone.”

The Mystic Krewe of Conus has embraced the theme of satiric sacredness, describing potential members as “mere disciples of the one true cone.” In a recent telephone conversation, a krewe spokesman, who asked to remain anonymous, said the great cone is meant to “lead us not into potholes, but protect us from broken axles.”

The krewe spokesman said that the organization is a work in progress. The group plans to march during Carnival 2022 — if marching is permitted, of course — but that’s about the extent of the planning so far. Maybe, the representative said, The Mystic Krewe of Conus will begin as a small marching group, but maybe it will eventually become a full foot parade. There are no dues so far, but it may eventually be necessary to collect membership fees to cover parade costs. The krewe plans to become a nonprofit organization and hopes to include a charitable component.

Asking for further details about the krewe at this early stage in its development, the representative said, is like “when you ask a oneweek-old baby what it wants to be when it grows up.”

The Krewe of Conus spokesman said he does not know the parties responsible for placing the giant cone in the Washington Avenue pothole in the first place. But, he said, “If we ever identify them, we’ll make them royalty.” — DOUG MACCASH/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE | THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE PAGE 10

Normally, Greater New Orleans receives around 2.11 inches cumulatively in this two-week time period, Lauren Nash, meteorologist of the National Weather Service, explained to Gambit. “This puts us eight inches above the norm,” she said. Flash floods, severe weather and thunderstorms kept most of New Orleans cooped up last week — so we’re all hoping the weather calms down for this week’s Choose Your Own Festival Fest (pg. 17).

C’est What

?

Who would you rather represent you in court?

13.7% JEFF LANDRY

21.8%

ANY OF THOSE BILLBOARD LAWYERS WITH THE CATCHY JINGLE

27.3% A NUTRIA

37.2% TWO TODDLERS STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER IN A TRENCH COAT

Vote on “C’est What?” at www.bestofneworleans.com

9

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

10

OPENING GAMBIT pAGE 8

Louisiana could lose sporting events, conventions over transgender restrictions leaders in louisiana’s tourism industry — particularly those centered on New Orleans — said the restrictions on transgender people currently under consideration in the state legislature may drive away major sporting events like the NCAA’s Final Four and the large business conventions that sustain the New Orleans economy.

If people and corporations avoid louisiana to protest hostile transgender restrictions, it would have a ripple effect that extends far beyond New Orleans. Tourism is one of the major drivers of the state’s overall economy. Tax dollars associated with it also support higher education institutions, health care, highways, K-12 schools and law enforcement in all of louisiana.

“We could lose everything,” said J.p. Morrell, who sits on the louisiana Stadium and Exposition District board, which oversees the louisiana Superdome and Smoothie King Center. “We just can’t afford to knock out one of the legs that is propping up our economy.”

Of immediate concern is how the NCAA will react if louisiana adopts transgender restrictions this year.

New Orleans is expected to host the NCAA Final Four men’s basketball tournament in 2022.

But the NCAA issued a bit of a warning Monday after four states — Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Idaho — enacted laws banning transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sporting events. The college sports governing authority signaled it might not be willing to hold events in states that restrict transgender athletes, though it stopped short of announcing an outright boycott of those communities yet.

Conservative louisiana lawmakers have sponsored four bills that would place limits on young people who are transgender. Two pieces of legislation could restrict access to health care — including medication, surgery and mental health services — for transgender people under the age of 18.

The other two bills would ban transgender girls and women from participating in women-only sports competitions from primary school through college. That’s the exact type of legislation the NCAA has warned it might not tolerate.

But the NCAA might not be the only organization to give New Orleans the cold shoulder if louisiana implements transgender restrictions. professional sports leagues have also shown a willingness to pull their events over anti-transgender legislation.

Conventions and business associations — the backbone of New Orleans

tourism industry — could also decide to relocate, said tourism leaders.

“I think we are seeing that corporations, associations and major sports organizations are more and more willing to weigh in on these types of issues,” said Walt leger, vice president and general counsel of New Orleans & Company, previously called the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau. “They will move their business to other locations when this type of legislation is enacted.”

“Other cities will gladly poach us,” Morrell said more bluntly.

Both leger and Morrell represented New Orleans in the louisiana legislature for several years as Democrats. As elected officials, they opposed previous, unsuccessful bills that imposed restrictions on the lGBTQ community on ethical grounds. They believed the bills were discriminatory, but they said there is also a separate, business-oriented argument for killing anti-transgender legislation.

“If you claim to care about the economy of the state, then you should pay attention to what the market is telling you,” leger said.

Two state senators who have sponsored the transgender restrictions, Beth Mizell and Michael “Big Mike” Fesi, said they are unlikely to pull their bills in the face of pressure from the NCAA or the business community.

Some business groups and conventions already ask leger’s organization about whether louisiana and New Orleans are lGBTQ friendly and what type of laws are on the books to support those communities. It’s a factor in their decisions about where to hold their events, he said.

Morrell is also worried that some entertainers and artists — he mentioned singer Katy perry as an example — could decide to skip New Orleans and louisiana altogether if anti-transgender laws are enacted.

“Whenever lawmakers pass legislation like this to say certain people are not welcome here, that affects all of us,” he said.

When states have restricted the lGBTQ community in recent years, the backlash from corporations and sports leagues has been swift.

The NCAA refused to hold events in North Carolina after that state passed a law restricting which bathrooms transgender people could use in 2016. That law was also overhauled, after several large corporations started pulling out of the state. In that case, louisiana actually benefited from the anger at North Carolina. The NBA ended up moving its 2016 All-Star game from Charlotte to New Orleans because of North Carolina’s bathroom restriction, which has since been changed.

— JUlIE O’DONOGHUE/ lOUISIANA IllUNIMATOr

11

BLAKE pONTCHArTrAIN™ Hey Blake, I remember going to a restaurant many years ago that was located in one of Cosimo Matassa’s recording studios and had a music Walk of Fame. What’s the place I’m thinking of?

Dear reader,

legendary New Orleans recording engineer Cosimo Matassa, who died in 2014, was honored by the rock and roll Hall of Fame and Grammys.

He owned three studios, including the one on Camp Street that you remember as a restaurant.

His J&M recording Studio opened in 1945 in the back of a record and appliance shop at North rampart and Dumaine streets. Among the music greats who recorded there were Fats Domino, little richard, professor longhair, lloyd price, ray Charles and Jerry lee lewis.

In 1956, Matassa moved to the larger Cosimo’s recording Studio in the 500 block of Gov. Nicholls St. Ernie K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Frankie Ford, Chris Kenner and lee Dorsey cut their biggest hits there. Some trivia: In 2007, Brad pitt and Angelina Jolie bought the property and lived there for several years.

In 1966, Matassa moved his studio to the second floor of a warehouse

TIM ES- pICAYU N E ArCHIVE pHOTO

BY NOrMAN B ErTE AUX J r .

Record Producer Cosimo Matassa stands in front of the building at 748 Camp Street that once housed his last recording studio.

at 748 Camp St., which he called “Jazz City.” He recorded Aaron Neville’s “Tell It like It Is” there, as well as robert parker’s “Barefootin’.”

The studio is also the birthplace of The Meters, Allen Toussaint’s studio band when he recorded there.

Jazz City closed in 1978. For many years, the building was the New Orleans Zen Temple. In 1993, Doug’s place opened there. restaurateur Doug Gitter installed a musical Walk of Fame honoring the musicians who recorded there.

After Doug’s place, the building was an outpost of phil’s Grill and later rebellion Bar and Urban Kitchen.

That closed in 2017.

awberr y Louisian a StrSEASON ENJOY

L OUISI A N A S T R AW BER RY I TA LI A N ICE

ONLINE ORDERING AVAIL ABLE • 214 N. CARROLLTON IN MID CITY A NGEL OBROCAT OICECR E A M.COM • 504.486.1465

BLAKEVIEW IN HONOR OF THE 93RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS on Sunday (April 25), let’s look back at some Oscar winners with New Orleans-connections.

Elia Kazan’s 1950 “panic in the Streets” was the first Oscar winner to be filmed entirely on location here. It earned an Oscar in the now-defunct best story category.

It would be 1991 before New Orleans would appear on the Oscar winner list, when Oliver Stone’s “JFK,” filmed here and based on a book by former Orleans parish District Attorney Jim Garrison, competed for eight Academy Awards. It won two, for cinematography and film editing.

Three actors won Oscars for their roles in movies filmed here: Susan Sarandon, who starred as Sister Helen prejean in “Dead Man Walking,” Halle Berry, for “Monster’s Ball” and Jamie Foxx for “ray.” New Orleans native patricia Clarkson earned a best supporting actress nomination in 2004 for “pieces of April.”

Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” which was shot here, won the 2013 Oscar for best original screenplay. The locally-filmed “Beasts of the Southern Wild” also competed for four Academy Awards that year.

In 2015, “12 Years a Slave” became the first movie filmed substantially in New Orleans to win best picture. That same year, the locally-shot “Dallas Buyers Club” was also nominated for best picture. Co-stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared leto won best actor and best supporting actor.

There are several New Orleanians to root for at this year’s Oscars. Terence Blanchard and Jon Batiste are both nominated in the best original score category. New Orleans-based filmmaker Garrett Bradley is nominated in the best documentary feature category. The film “One Night in Miami,” which was shot in New Orleans, is competing in three categories: best adapted screenplay, best supporting actor (leslie Odom Jr.) and best original song (Odom, for “Speak Now”).

Oh Mother!

Mother Mary Necklaces for Mom! Mother’s Day is May 9th

FOLLOW US!

517 METAIRIE RD. OLD METAIRIE | 504-510-4655 | nolaboo.com

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

Makea someone little bit’s day

@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

12

CLANCY DUBOS

p H OTO BY T r AV I S Spr ADlING / THE T I M E S - p I C AY U N E | THE NEW OrlEANS A DVO C AT E

@clancygambit

Legislature pushing tax reform, but change is never easy IT’S BEEN ALMOST TWO DECADES since louisiana

lawmakers enacted meaningful tax reform. More often than not, they go in the wrong direction. Could this be the year they get back on track?

It’s too early to tell just yet, but House and Senate committees advanced two significant reform measures in the opening days of this year’s legislative session.

One bill takes a critical step toward streamlining and centralizing state and local sales tax collections. The other measure lowers state income tax rates but ends the deductibility of federal income taxes paid.

Both bills are “revenue neutral” — designed to neither increase nor decrease total revenue. Both also are proposed constitutional

Louisiana Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, takes the gavel as the Legislature convenes on April 12.

House executive counsel Cindy Mancuso is to the left.

amendments that require voter approval to take effect.

Here’s a closer look: HB 199 by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, r-Gonzales, would create a central authority for state and local sales tax collections. That’s how most states do it. Business folks have complained for generations about louisiana’s disparate state and local sales tax rates and exemptions, which often require separate monthly returns for each parish where sales occur (plus one for the state).

The legislature has grown increasingly business friendly in recent years, but sheriffs, school boards and local governments continue to wield enormous influence — and they like things the way they are. Schexnayder has brought the various stakeholders to the

table to forge a compromise.

The result is a measure that creates an eight-member sales tax collection commission, with four members appointed by local interests. part of the compromise is leaving the disparate rates and exemptions in place, but the proposed commission would make filing monthly returns a lot simpler — and it would be the sole entity giving advice to taxpayers about what’s taxable, where, and how much. That alone would be “a great leap forward [and] would create a much better environment for business,” says the nonpartisan

public Affairs research Council, which has long advocated for saner tax policies.

SB 159 by Sen. Bret Allain, r-Franklin, would reduce louisiana’s comparatively high income tax rates while eliminating the deduction for federal taxes paid. It’s a trade-off, but one that makes sense. The change would simplify individual tax returns and, on a larger scale, stabilize an important state revenue stream by unhitching louisiana’s income tax scheme from the federal tax code. problems arise when Congress tinkers with the

federal code because changes at that level can wreak havoc on state revenue forecasts.

Equally important, lower rates will make louisiana more attractive in comparison to neighboring states.

Allain’s proposal would cap the top rate at 5% (it’s 6% now), but he expects the top rate to be more like 4.5% if voters approve his measure.

In addition to the sales and income tax reforms, lawmakers will consider bills that eliminate or phase out louisiana’s wildly unpopular corporate franchise tax and local inventory tax.

Most states impose neither of those taxes, and some that do are phasing them out.

Stay tuned. It’s still early in the legislative process, and all proposed reforms have a long way to go.

WE CARRY EACH OTHER It’s how we do things in Louisiana during times of challenge. We’re stronger together and we know our strength lies in the helping hands of our neighbors.

So let’s wear a mask and protect one another. And protect the life we love.

01MK7496 R3/21

COMMENTARY

ON SATURDAY, APRIL 24, voters in louisiana’s Second Congressional District will elect a successor to former U.S. rep. Cedric richmond, who now works as a top aide to president Joe Biden. Voters in state House District 82, which encompasses Old Jefferson and other parts of Metairie, will likewise chose a new state representative. And in the French Quarter, voters will decide whether to re-impose an expired quarter-penny sales tax dedicated mostly to additional police protection.

Turnout is expected to be low across the board, so we urge all our readers who haven’t voted early to make their voices heard. Sample ballots, polling locations and other voter information can be found on the louisiana Secretary of State’s website at GeauxVote.com. We herewith offer our recommendations.

Carter led in the primary and has garnered by far the most endorsements, including ours. Our endorsement is based not on Carter’s promises but on his actual performance in office. He and peterson have very similar legislative voting records, with one notable exception: Carter shows up to cast the tough votes that progressives support, whereas peterson has missed some of those same votes. That is a crucial difference.

Here’s another: Carter has proved his ability to get things done by building coalitions to pass legislation affecting our region and its people. He has been on the forefront of advocating for criminal justice reform, a higher minimum wage, equal pay for women, lGBTQ rights, abortion rights, better health care for all (including mandatory insurance coverage for women recovering from breast cancer), expanded voting rights, affordable housing and more. In Congress, he will work to pass president Biden’s agenda for securing voting rights, addressing climate change, expanding public health care, raising the minimum wage, and reforming the nation’s tax code.

Carter is endorsed by the Alliance for Good Government, New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams, Jefferson parish president Cynthia lee Sheng, New Orleans Councilmember Helena Moreno, every one of his and peterson’s Black colleagues in the Senate, and

For Congress:

Troy Carter

The Second Congressional District includes parts of 10 south louisiana parishes, tracing the Mississippi river from New Orleans to Baton rouge, but almost 70% of the district’s voters live in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. The hotly contested runoff between two New Orleans lawmakers —Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter peterson — has seen an inordinate amount of distortions and even some outright lies, mostly from third-party political action committees.

The Gambit Ballot April 24

You can take this ballot with you to vote!

CONGRESS, 2ND DISTRICT Troy Carter (Most of Orleans, parts of Jefferson)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE Eddie Connick (Old Jefferson & Metairie)

FRENCH QUARTER SALES TAX YES

(Quarter Precincts Only)

p H OTO B Y M A X B E C H E r E r / T H E T I M E S - p I C AY U N E | T H E N E W O r l E A N S A DVO C AT E

State Sen. Troy Carter is photographed in his office in New Orleans.

more than 100 others — including richmond. We add our name to that impressive list and urge our readers to elect Troy Carter as louisiana’s next congressman.

House District 82:

Eddie Connick Voters in Old Jefferson and other parts of Metairie will choose a new state representative in House District 82. We recommend former medical and health services executive Eddie Connick.

Connick brings a strong business and medical background to the job.

He spent more than two decades working for a leading medical technology firm, where he gained valuable insight into the challenges facing public health care. He supports tightening audit procedures to free up money for expanded care. He also will push for a top-to-bottom revision of louisiana’s arcane tax code and for greater funding for early childhood education. We recommend Eddie Connick for state representative in House District 82.

French Quarter Sales Tax:

YES

In December, voters in the French Quarter rejected the proposed renewal of a quarter-penny sales tax that had been on the books since 2015. Another, slightly different renewal of that five-year tax appears on Saturday’s ballot. If renewed, the tax will be levied only in the Quarter.

We withdrew our initial support of the proposed renewal in December after Mayor laToya Cantrell’s admin-

istration balked at spending most of the proceeds on police protection.

That decision caused Quarter voters to reject the renewal, and we agreed with their decision.

The proposed renewal on Saturday’s ballot is for the same level of taxation, for the same five-year time period, and covers the same geographic area as the December proposition. There are two critical differences this time, however. First, the latest proposal comes not from the mayor but from Quarter residents and businesses via Councilmember Kristin Gisleson palmer, who represents the Quarter. Second, this proposition expressly dedicates the first $2 million in revenue to “pOST-certified” police officers (read: NOpD officers, not rent-a-cops or “quality of life” responders), with all funds in excess of that amount split 50/50 between pOST-certified cops and homeless programs. The tax generates about $2.5 million a year in normal times.

Voters and businesses in the Quarter have made it clear that they want a renewed tax for public safety. They deserve that, as do all who visit the Quarter. In addition to passing the renewed tax, Quarter residents and businesses will have to keep the pressure on the Cantrell Administration to make sure the tax proceeds — which will be collected by the city — don’t get held up in City Hall’s bureaucracy. The safety and resiliency of the Quarter is too important for that to happen. For now, first things first: We urge our readers in the Quarter to say YES to the renewed quarter-penny sales tax for public safety.

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

For Congress, state House, Quarter tax — Our endorsements

13

FOR SUPPORTING

AND LOCAL JOURNALISM

BECOME A GAMBIT MEMBER TODAY: BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM/MEMBER » Alan Borne

» Cotty Chubb

» Jess Carter

» Mary McCarthy

» Robert Levy

» Alicia LaRose

» Dan Askin

» Jessica Hawkins

» Maxwell Rieman

» Roger & Barbara Stetter

» Alisha Reed

» Denise Hillburn

» John Mclachlan

» Melanie McClellan

» Allison McCarroll

» Diana Shaw

» Jon Seely

» Mindy Milam, LCSW

» Allison Tierney

» Edward Branley

» Jonah Seligman

» Nicole Boyer

» Amanda Schroeder

» Elizabeth Glassell

» Juan Aguirre

» Norma Gomez

» Samantha Yrle

» Andrew Ravits

» Elizabeth Jee

» Juan Barreto

» Pat Galloway

» Sandra Albert

» Anthony Bentley

» Elizabeth Smith

» Julius Cain

» Patricia Podell

» Sandy Stein

» Antoinette Roberts

» Ellen Byron

» Karen Peter

» Patricia Ravits

» April Sanchez

» Ellie Rand

» Kathleen Edmundson

» Patrick Landry

» Ashley Rice

» Erica Cardosi

» Kipp Rhoads

» Paul Tamburello

» Barbara Poche

» Erin Fitch

» Kristen Schorp

» Paula Harrelson

» Shannon Hughes

» Beverly Watts

» Evelyn Maier

» Lauren Ball

» Paula Mangum

» Sharon Carroll

» Bill Bass

» Flynn Zaiger

» Lauren Morel

» Penny Reed

» Stephanie McShane

» Blaine Lindsey

» Fritz Westenberger

» Leigh Thorpe

» Pierre Champagne

» Buddy King

» Gary West

» Liliane Bavister

» Rebecca Friedman

» Caroline Ross

» George Kulman

» Linda Brown

» Rebekka Veith

» Cassie Lentz

» Georgie Smith

» Loren Hall

» REF Bull

» Tom &Deborah Cole

» Celeste Gauthier

» Hether Smiroldo

» Lucia Caballero

» Renny Martyn

» Tony Laska

» Chad Wallace

» Howard Turoff

» Lucy Riess

» Richard Fumosa

» Vasy McCoy

» Charles Chester, MD

» Hugh Stiel

» Malia Hamilton

» Robert Billiot

» Charli Guest

» Jackie Shreves

» Margo Moss

» Robert Brady

» Cherie Thompson

» Jamiles Lartey

» Marisa Naquin

» Robert Dressel

» Cherry Fisher May

» Jason Richards

» Marita Crandle

» Robert Gramenz

» William R Gugliuzza,Sr

» Clara Gould

» Jennifer Marusak

» Marlane Drake

» Robert Lecher

» Zaccai Free

» Ryan Smith » Sally Duplantier

» Scott D’Aunoy » Shannon Corrigan

» Sue Southon » Terry Ryder

» Vicki Clark

2021 SCHOOL GUIDE

» Veronica Bird

3

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

14

Inaugural Choose Your

Own

Festival Fest!

BY GAMBIT STAFF

Under normal circumstances, such

that they ever were, New Orleans would be getting ready for Jazz Fest this weekend. Whether you’re a Lakeview Jazz Fest Dad who obsesses over his cubes to maximize hippie shuffle dance time or a fiercely pierced — and proudly jaded — bartender who loves to make fun of Jazz Fest Dads, this is truly a magical time of year for us all.

COVID-19, of course, upended everything, canceling last year’s entire festival season and postponing this year’s Jazz

S TA F F P H OTO B Y S C OT T T H R E L K E L D

Jazz Fest Dads are the best

Fest, French Quarter Fest and a host of others until the fall.

But after a long, trying year of the pandemic blues, things are starting to look up here in the Crescent City. From The Broad Theater to quirky groups of artistically inclined friends, folks have figured out how to screen movies, host music events through porch concerts for the block and put on mini-bazaars that bring together the best in homegrown fashion, food, art and music.

With more and more New Orleanians getting their pokes in — we were

at nearly 30% of Orleans Parish citizens fully vaccinated as of April 16th — and city restrictions loosening, we’re all feeling the itch to get out and have some fun.

And brothers and sisters, let us tell ya, the city is chock full of ways to scratch that itch. Food, music, art and of course delicious, delicious booze are coming back to New Orleans with a quickness.

In fact, it’s enough to make it damn near impossible to figure out what to do!

If only you had a curated list of ’rona-safe events to choose from, prefera-

bly with a handy-dandy way to map out a few days of fun.

Perhaps a chart which you could fill in.

Made up of squares.

Or cubes.

Well, friends, this is your lucky day. Allow us to present the Inaugural Gambit Choose Your Own FestIval Fest! Our crack staff of dystopic shut-ins, steampunk curmudgeons and rave pirates have pulled together an exciting list of music, micro-markets, burlesque and food events for you to choose from. And if you call within the next 30 minutes, we’ll even throw

in these Inaugural Annual Gambit Choose Your Own Festival Fest schedule cube sheets — NOT to be confused with the handdipped sheets of cubes your hippie uncle Lot Lizard Larry leaves lying about — for free!

So what’re you waiting for? Grab a pencil and get to obsessing! Then share ’em on ye olde social networks to make all those suckers who live in garbage places like New York City jealous.

Or Atlanta. Don’t forget to hashtag us using #GambitChooseYourFestFest so we can share in your triumphs!

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

16

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021 Thursday, April 22 FOOD

MUSIC

MARKET

10:30 11:00 11:30 NOON 12:30 1:00

2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00

FOOD

MUSIC

MARKET

LAGNIAPPE

Call in from work due to “bone in my leg”

10:00

1:30

LAGNIAPPE

Friday, April 23

Wait 15 minutes for a portolet.

Realize it’s been empty the entire time.

17

Saturday, April 24 FOOD

MUSIC

MARKET

LAGNIAPPE

Sunday, April 25 FOOD

MUSIC

MARKET

LAGNIAPPE

Shotgun Tall Boy

10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 NOON 12:30 1:00

Get verbally abused for wearing Tevas by Troy The Beer Guy Make mud puddle in backyard. Stand in it.

1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30

Yell Wooooooooo! for one full minute

8:00

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021

Party with a View

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

18

RESERVE THE CRAB TRAP ROOM FOR YOUR PRIVATE EVENT! INDOOR/OUTDOOR EVENT SPACE Call the restaurant for more information,or email info @ thebluecrabnola.com

OPEN Tuesday-Sunday 11am-9pm HAPPY HOUR Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-6:30pm THEBLUECRABNOLA.COM

7900 Lakeshore Dr. • New Orleans • 504-284-2898

Thank a Teacher WITH SOME GREAT GIFTS!

BEFORE

AFTER

Perk up!

with DELUXE EYE REJUVENATION Botox & Under Eye Filler

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm | Sat 10am-4pm

Immediate Results! Book your FREE Consultation 504.475.5510 • saintlyskin.com

5101 W. ESPLANADE • 504.407.3532

SAINTLY SKIN

3000 Kingman St. #101 | Metairie

Curbside & Delivery Still Available! at Chastant • Metairie

3001 ORMOND BLVD • 985.603.4011 at entrance to Ormond Estates • Destrehan w w w.nolagiftsanddecoronline.com @nolagiftsanddecor

19 G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021

Da Lineup

A PP

Getting back to the basics

P H OTO B Y J E A N N E F O S T E R

Your financial future begins today

A brass band plays a porch concert.

MUSIC THURSDAY, APRIL 22 CHILLIN’ AT THE RIVER CONCERT Latin songwriter and musician Fermin Ceballos takes the stage at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., in downtown Covington at 5:30 p.m. Free admission. louisiananorthshore.com MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents performances

by Percy Aldridge Grainger, Peter Warlock, Béla Bartók, Edward Elgar and Gustav Holst at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35. lpomusic.com

AMANDA DUCORBIER Gasa Gasa hosts New Orleans singer-songwriter Amanda Ducorbier at 7 p.m. Table seating indoors and outside at 4920 Freret St. Tickets are $50 for a table for four. facebook.com/ gasagasaonfreret WALTER “WOLFMAN” WASHINGTON & THE ROADMASTERS Washington and his band perform outdoors for a night of funk and R&B at The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St., at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. broadsidenola.com INSTANT OPUS Bianca Love and Rob Cambre will perform improv jazz with special guests at SideBar Nola’s outdoor SidePorch, 425 S. White St. at 7 p.m. The venue asks that you just

Wondering why they never taught you how to “adult” in school? Register for this free financial literacy webinar series, where I take you back to the basics and help make managing your money fun.

Brian West Financial Associate 2594 Front St. Slidell, LA 70458 334-596-2794 brian.west@thrivent.com

Event details: • Budgeting for What Matters Most April 13 at 6 p.m.

• Your Money, Your Goals April 27 at 6 p.m.

• Investing for Retirement May 11 at 6 p.m.

• Legacy: Family Church and Charity May 25 at 6 p.m.

Reserve your place today: https:/bit.ly/bwtff2021

No products will be sold. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

3534103.1

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

20

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021 bring a mask, chair and booze.

Food from SideGrill Nola will be available for purchase. sidebarnola.com

and four seats are available. Tickets are $60 for two or $120 for four. thehowlinwolf.com JEREMY DAVENPORT Trumpeter and singer Jeremy Davenport is back for his weekend shows at the Davenport Lounge inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal St., from 6-10 p.m.

Admission is free. Facebook.com/ thejeremydavenport

BRASS-A-HOLICS Blending New Orleans brass band sounds with Washington D.C’s gogo music, the Brass-a-Holics will take the stage at this Bourbon Street hotel stage at 7: 30 p.m. at the Royal Sonesta’s Jazz Playhouse. Tickets are $25. sonesta.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

CHA WA The local brass/funk/Mardi Gras Indian band celebrates Earth Day — and the release of the group’s newest album, “My People” — with a livestreamed, virtual performance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. boxoffice. mandolin.com

“PETER AND THE WOLF” The Electric Yat Quartet and Anne Chabreck play music from “Peter and the Wolf” at The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St., at noon. Tickets are $15. facebook. com/electric.yat.quartet

FRIDAY, APRIL 23 ALEXEY MARTI BAND WITH MAHMOUD CHOUKI Cuban-born percussionist and composer Alexey Marti and his band will be joined by master guitarist Mahmoud Chouki for a performance at 6:30 p.m. in the New Orleans Museum of Art’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle.

Admission is $20; $17 for NOMA members. noma.org

P H OTO B Y I A N M C N U LT Y/ T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E | T H E N E W O R L E A N S A DVO C AT E

The Crescent City Farmers Market holds a market in Mid-City at the Lafitte Greenway.

the 1982 Italian film “La Traviata” at The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St. at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30. neworleansopera.org

HASH CABBAGE RECORD RELEASE PARTY Improvisational rock band Hash Cabbage, bluegrass band The Tanglers and fire artists from the Pyrokinesis Project perform outdoors at 1 Monticello Ave. in Westwego at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30. facebook.com/ hashcabbage

ORPHEUM SESSIONS The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will perform works by trumpeter Nicholas Payton, Chevalier De Saint-Georges, Silvestre Revueltas and Arturo Marquez in its next broadcast from the Orpheum Theater. Payton will be a featured performer. Video will be available online beginning at 7 p.m. Digital access is $15 through lpomusic.com

“LA TRAVIATA” The New Orleans Opera presents a 30-minute pre-movie concert featuring Nicole Heinen, Michael Anthony Rodriguez and Kristin Scioneaux, before its screening of

PEOPLE MUSEUM New Orleans electro-pop band People Museum will perform two nights at Beaubourg Theatre, 614 Gravier St., with Cassie Watson at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25. eventbrite.com

JACK SLEDGE Rock ‘n’ roller Jack Sledge drew on roots rock influences for his first EP in 2020, “Notes of a Drifter,” and then incorporated synths and indie pop for the follow-up, “Another City Sunrise.” He plays at 8 p.m. at Gasa Gasa, 4920 Freret St. Tickets are $40 for a table for four. facebook. com/gasagasaonfreret JOHN “PAPA” GROS Keyboardist and singer Gros performs at Southport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave., Jefferson, at 9 p.m. General admission is $25. southporthall.com REBIRTH BRASS BAND The beloved, Grammy-winning local brass band “feels like funkin’ it up” at 10 p.m. at The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peters St. Limited pods of two

LIVE FROM THE FARMSTAND! A ticket includes a drive-in performance by Dumpstaphunk, Smoke N Bones and Soul Brass Band, a farmers market box of fresh produce and a boxed dinner from Charcutie, Butcher, Addis NOLA or Justine at The Shrine on Airline, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie at 4 p.m.

General admission $140 per person. farmstandlive.com JEREMY DAVENPORT Trumpeter and singer Jeremy Davenport is back at the Davenport Lounge inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal St. Admission is free. facebook.com/thejeremydavenport JUNO DUNES Juno Dunes calls its catchy, lounge-y lo-fi pop “Loft Pop.” The band returns to Gasa Gasa, 4920 Freret St., at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 for a table for four. facebook.com/ gasagasaonfreret PEOPLE MUSEUM New Orleans electro-pop band People Museum will perform two

nights at Beaubourg Theatre, 614 Gravier St., with Laura Fisher at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $25. eventbrite.com AFROBEAT VS. BOUNCE Featuring DJ Ojay and DJ Moon, this dance party and double DJ session will showcase energetic African diaspora and bounce beats at Cafe Istanbul from 10 p.m.-3 a.m.

Tickets are $10-$15. eventbrite.com

Happy Talk plays the final set on the stage on the lawn in front of Faubourg Beer. There’s music from 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Happy Talk performs at 4:30 p.m. faubourgbrewery.com

FOOD THURSDAY, APRIL 22

LIGHTNIN’ MALCOLM Guitartist Lightnin’ Malcolm’s sound is based in Mississippi Hill Country blues. He holds down the final set on the stage on the lawn in front of Faubourg Beer. There’s music from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lightnin’ Malcolm goes on at 5:30 p.m. faubourgbrewery.com

MID-CITY FARMERS MARKET Crescent City Farmers Market’s weekly Thursday market on the Lafitte Greenway at Bayou St. John features vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods and other food products, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. at 500 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway.

Free admission. crescentcityfarmersmarket.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

NOLA FOOTWORK FEST The Young Men Olympians and Young PinStripe Brass Band take the stage at The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St., at 1 p.m., as part of the venue’s Sunday series hosting brass bands and other clubs. Tickets are $15. broadsidenola.com

SEAFOOD SUPPER SERIES The second installment of The Commissary’s four-course dinner and drink pairing series centers on crawfish dishes and local brews at 6:30 p.m. at 634 Orange St. Tickets are $75. thecommissarynola.com

JAKE LANDRY TRIO Okay Bar, 1700 Port St., hosts live music in its backyard on Sundays, and the Jake Landry Trio performs at 2 p.m. Mais La Crawfish’s first batch of crawfish is at 3 p.m. Free admission. okaybar.com KERMIT RUFFINS Have brunch with trumpeter, singer and Mother-in-Law owner Kermit Ruffins at 11 a.m. at Ray’s on the Avenue, 2005 N. Broad St. facebook. com/raysontheave HAPPY TALK BAND Singer-songwriter Luke Spurr Allen’s Happy Talk Band blends rock, country and Americana sounds.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 BARCELO GARDENS FARMER’S MARKET The 9th Ward community garden hosts a farmer’s market with vendors selling fresh produce and other food items. At 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Barcelo Gardens, 2301 Gallier St. Free admission. facebook.com/ barcelogardens COMING IN HOTTT SUMMER DRAG BRUNCH Drag queens Britnee Alexander, Lexis Redd D’Ville, Paris Dee and Monique Michaels-Alexander will be ready to put on a show at Copeland Tower Suites, 2601 Severn Ave., Metairie. Tickets are $60 and

P H OTO B Y G R E G M I L E S

Walter “Wolfman” Washington performs Thursday, April 22, at the Broadside.

include a full brunch, with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese grits, fried chicken and waffles and more, plus bottomless mimosas and house margaritas. Doors open at 10 a.m. mirepoixcatering.com PAJAMA PARTY BRUNCH The virtual brunch event features cooking demonstrations by chef ReRo, a cocktail demonstration

by Chris Romaguera, music and a raffle at 10:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit Make Music NOLA, which offers music scholarships to students from low-income households. Suggested donation $15. makemusicnola.org CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC Culture Park hosts a brunch and day party with music by DJ Jess and DJ Legatron Prime from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. at 3000 Franklin Ave. Tickets start at $35. eventbrite.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 CITY PARK DRIVE-THRU FARMERS MARKET Fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and other produce are available for pickup through Crescent City Farmers Market’s weekly event in City Park.

Items must be ordered in advance at crescentcityfarmersmarket.org and can be picked up 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park.

PARADIGM FARMER’S MARKET The Paradigm Gardens market includes live music, a plant sale, arts and crafts, and vendors selling brunch dishes and beverages from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 1131 S. Rampart St. Admission is free; register at eventbrite.com HANA HOU This outdoor event, which offers Polynesian dishes and other South

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021

21

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

22

23

Ave, featuring delectable delights from vendors like Hellbent Bagels and Oritri Catering, as well as their Lagniappe kitchen from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Free admission.

LAGNIAPPE THURSDAY, APRIL 22 COVID-19 VACCINES Walk-in appointments available for COVID-19 vaccines at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall J, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. lcmchealth.org/vaccine I M AG E P R OV I D E D B Y L I L L I A N AG U I N AG A

Lillian Aguinaga shows work at the Gloomy Eulogy Gallery at 2628 Dauphine St.

Pacific-inspired cuisine, also features Hawaiian punk rock music and a silent auction. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Aloha United Way Flood Relief Fund at 3720 D’Hemecourt St., 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. facebook.com/ royaltmusubi

MARKET FRIDAY, APRIL 23 SPELLBOUND: A MAGICKAL MARKET The witchy market at The Goat, 1301 St. Bernard Ave., will feature food, music and tarot card readings by none other than Stormy Daniels from 7-11 p.m. Free admission. facebook. com/thegoatneworleans MID-CITY JEWELRY & ART MARKET Studio414 in Mid-City hosts a weekly market featuring local artists and jewelry makers, food vendors and drinks from 6-9 p.m. at 414 N. Dupre St. Free admission. facebook.com/ nolastudio414

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 VINTAGE AND ARTS MARKET Local vendors and artists sell everything from jewelry to pastries to clothing at this weekly Saturday market at Okay Bar, 1700 Port St. The market will be from 12-5 p.m. with tunes courtesy of DJ Ann Glaviano of Heatwave! New Orleans. Free admission. okaybar.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 BYWATER MARKET The New Orleans Trap Kitchen hosts the weekly market at 1043 Poland

JAMFEST JAMNOLA, New Orleans’ experiential museum in the Marigny, opens special programs inspired by Jazz Fest, with two new exhibits by local artists, a playlist of live recordings created by George Porter Jr. and refreshments from a few Jazz Fest vendors. Check website for opening times. jamnola.com IT’S GOOD COMEDY The comedy series at Broad Theater, 636 N Broad St., features comedian and actress Jenny Zigrino who starred in “Bad Santa 2,” at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the same day. thebroadtheater.com TWERK YA BRASS Girl ya workin’ (out) with some ass, yeah, ya bad, yeah. Work up a sweat and learn how to twerk with Move Ya Brass at 5:45 p.m. at Crescent City Park’s Mandeville Wharf, 2300 N. Peters St. Admission is free; registration required at eventbrite.com.

For more information, check out moveyabrass.com.

WIN A

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

STAYCATION Submit a photo of YOUR favorite Blue Moon moments to enter to win a night at select hotels, a gift card to Kayak-iti-Yat AND a $1,000 gift card to use at your favorite New Orleans bars and restaurants.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23 COVID-19 VACCINES Walk-in appointments available for COVID-19 vaccines at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall J, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. lcmchealth.org/vaccine PROVOCATION Local artist Lillian Aguinaga’s closing weekend of her solo show “Provocation” at the Gloomy Eulogy Gallery includes a combo closing reception and birthday celebration for Aguinaga 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at 2628 Dauphine St. facebook.com/electricaye THE F#@K YEAH OPEN MIC For those who spent the last year in quarantine rehearsing a stand-up comedy debut and for those who are just ready to laugh again in the company of others, the stand-up comedy night in the courtyard welcomes amateurs to join in on the fun at the Dragon’s Den. Registation time is at

ENTER TO WIN:

bestofneworleans.com/bluemoon2021

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

Choose Your Own Festival Fest 2021

6:30 p.m.; shows start at 7 p.m. Free admission. eventbrite.com

% !' ' # # ' !$ $#

WORD CONNECTIONS John Lacarbiere III hosts this poetry open mic and showcase at 7 p.m. at Garage Pizza, 3704 St. Claude Ave. Admission is free; register at eventbrite.com.

! % '"

' " $!

'& # ! ! & $

'& # ! ! & $

✁ ✁ ✁ ✁

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

MISSED AN ISSUE?

• Sheetrock • Painting • New Gutters • Roofing repairs • Patio Covers • Decks • Pressure Washing • Siding/Fascia • Concrete

BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM/

CALL JEFFREY (504) 610-5181

TO READ THE LATEST ISSUES

✁ ✁ ✁ ✁

24

VISIT

CURRENT

JPAS COMEDY ZONE Tim Young takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. at the Westwego Performing Arts Theater, 177 Sala Ave. Tickets are $20. jpas.org CRESCENT CITY FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL Loyola University New Orleans’ student-run festival kicks off Friday with a keynote address by local horror comedy filmmaker Joe Badon, who recently released “Sister Tempest,” and a screening of a film about the Southern Decadence festival. Slates of short films run through Sunday, April 25. See the schedule at facebook. com/crescentcityfilmandartsfestival.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 COVID-19 VACCINES Community vaccination event at Christian Baptist Church, 1700 Conti St., starting at 9 a.m. No appointment necessary.

NOTE: For a full list of where to get a vaccine, visit ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine-locations or ready.nola.gov/ incident/coronavirus/vaccine/calendar. Most places administering the vaccine require appointments, but due to leftover doses and cancellations, walk-ins may be accommodated.

Gambit recommends calling pharmacies or setting up appointments online in advance.

JAMFEST JAMNOLA, New Orleans’ experiential museum in the Marigny, continues its special programs inspired by Jazz Fest, with two new exhibits by local artists, a playlist of live recordings created by George Porter Jr. and refreshments from a few Jazz Fest vendors. Check website for opening times. jamnola.com CRESCENT CITY FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL Loyola University New Orleans’ student-run festival continues with screenings. See the schedule at facebook.com/crescentcityfilmandartsfestival.

JPAS COMEDY ZONE Nola J performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Westwego Performing Arts Theater, 177 Sala Ave. Tickets are $20. jpas.org DARK GARDEN CABARET Enjoy a virtual burlesque show featur-

ing GoGo McGregor, Jessabelle Thunder, Katya Smirnoff-Skyy and Frankie Fictitious, clad in Dark Garden corsets.

9 p.m. Tickets are $20. eventbrite.com PROVOCATION Local artist Lillian Aguinaga’s closing weekend of her solo show “Provocation” at the Gloomy Eulogy Gallery continues 4 p.m.-8 p.m., at 2628 Dauphine St. facebook.com/electricaye TREME VIRTUAL AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL The annual festival celebrating Treme’s history and culture was canceled last year, and this year it will be virtual. The Treme Brass Band, Dr. Michael White and James Andrews will perform from the New Orleans Jazz Museum from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The livestream will also feature pre-recorded videos from Treme residents. Tickets are $100. hfta.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 JAMFEST JAMNOLA, New Orleans’ experiential museum in the Marigny, continues special programs inspired by Jazz Fest, with two new exhibits by local artists, a playlist of live recordings created

by George Porter Jr. and refreshments from a few Jazz Fest vendors.

Check website for opening times. jamnola.com CRESCENT CITY FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL Loyola University New Orleans’ student-run festival continues with screenings. See the schedule at facebook. com/crescentcityfilmandartsfestival.

GAY GARDENS: A QUEER SOCIAL Floral attire is strongly encouraged at this springtime dance party hosted by Jeez Loueez and Lola Van Ella, featuring music by DJ Kitten LaRue at 6 p.m. at Okay Bar. Tickets are $15. eventbrite.com PROVOCATION Local artist Lillian Aguinaga’s closing weekend of her solo show “Provocation” at the Gloomy Eulogy Gallery includes a closing reception at 2628 Dauphine St. facebook.com/electricaye PORCH CONCERT Porch concerts have become a huge deal during the pandemic, and there’s no reason to see ‘em end now! Seeing as how it’s hard not to throw a Huge Ass Beer in this city without hitting a musician in need, why not call one or more of your favorites, kick ’em several bucks and have your very own Inaugural Gambit Choose Your Own Fest Festival stage. Start time: Whenever you want. Venue: All y’all’s place.

25

SPONSORED CONTENT

BY AMANDA MCELFRESH | AMCELFRESH@THEADVOCATE.COM

ned.

F a m i ly O w

E R AT E D. F A M I LY O P

This article is brought to you by Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctors.

W

hen someone contacts Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctors, they often have a low quality of life because of a chronic condition.

Knowing this, the staff takes pride in helping people access the right resources and treatment as quickly as possible.

“Our focus has been fast, friendly customer service since we opened in August 2020,” said Keith Pittman, the clinic’s owner. “We help anybody who has a condition the state says can be treated by medical marijuana.”

That list includes conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, severe muscle spasms, Crohn’s disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and some symptoms on the autism spectrum.

To get started, a Louisiana resident first visits www.lamedicalmarijuanadoctors.com. Once on the website, the person must provide information about themselves and their condition, plus credit card information that will be used as payment for their consultation with a physician. When all fields are completed, the user is brought to a “start my visit” page.

“We have people monitoring the site,” Pittman explained. “They locate the doctor and let them know that someone is online and ready for a visit. Then, they will start a telemedicine visit.”

During the virtual visit, the doctor and patient discuss the patient’s condition and what form of medical marijuana may be best for them. Currently, Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctors offers access to tinctures, concentrates, extracts, oils, creams, lotions, chewables and inhalants.

After the consultation, the doctor sends a recommendation to whichever Louisiana dispensary the patient chooses. Once you are connected to the dispensary of your choice, you will be advised when your recommendation is ready to be picked up.

The service is becoming increasingly popular as more people learn about the legality and benefits of medical marijuana.

“I think more people see it as a new form of medicine and are trying to get away from opioids.”

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

For more information on Louisiana Medical Marijuana Doctors, visit lamedicalmarijuanadoctors.com or call 504-442-9634.

EUPHROSINE GIN MADE IN NEW ORLEANS

$29.99 750ML

GENTILLY BARREL RESERVE GIN

MADE IN NEW ORLEANS

$44.99

750ML

HENDRICK’S GIN $32.99 750ML

GENTILLY GIN

MADE IN NEW ORLEANS

$39.99 750ML

BOMBAY BRAMBLE BLACKBERRY & RASPBERRY FLAVORED GIN $23.99 750ML

HENDRICK’S LUNAR GIN WITH NATURAL FLAVORS $39.99

750ML

710 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD. | METAIRIE | DORIGNACS.COM (504) 834-8216

Open 7am-8pm Everyday

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA POPULARITY GROWS, NEW ORLEANS CLINIC HELPS PATIENTS QUICKLY CONNECT TO DOCTORS AND DISPENSARIES

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

26

Email dining@gambitweekly.com

Handy fix

Call center

IN THE GALAXY OF SUSHI STYLES, hand rolls are the speedsters — fast, efficient, direct. The chef rolls them by hand, without sushi mats, then (ideally) hands them over the counter for diners to eat immediately out of hand. No chopsticks, no plate, nothing but a two-bite visit to sushi heaven.

Morning Call returns in a new Mid-City space

BY B E T H D ’A D D O N O IT’S BEEN A LONG TWO YEARS for

Morning Call fans, but the muchloved local coffee and beignet shop, founded in 1870, has a new home a few blocks from City Park.

Morning Call closed its former location in the park’s Casino Building in January 2019. The closing wasn’t pretty, happening amidst a swirl of drama over the site’s lease and New Orleans’s other iconic beignet brand, Cafe Du Monde.

“Now I see that losing that lease was a blessing in disguise,” says Morning Call co-owner Bobby Hennessey. “We would have been on the hook for a lot of money once the pandemic hit.”

After the business left its City Park space, Hennessey’s search for a new location took him across the city, from Lakeview to Uptown to Spanish Plaza by the river. Securing the empty lot across from the streetcar terminal at Canal Street turned out to be a smart move. He built to suit his own business, as did his soon-toopen neighbor Bud’s Broiler, allowing the new location of Morning Call to have ample room inside and out for nearly 200 customers.

The recognizable neon Morning Call sign now sits on the corner of Canal Boulevard and City Park Avenue. The sign proclaims it’s open 24 hours, but that’s not the case just yet. Under current Covid restrictions, customers can clamor for fresh fried beignets and chicory-laced cafe au lait from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For now, it’s cash only.

Morning Call’s coffee was always a big draw, which makes sense. By the time it opened in the French Quarter, coffee was one of the city’s leading imports, and that’s still true today.

One-third of all coffee imported to North America arrives in New Orleans. Folgers operates the largest coffee roasting plant in the world in New Orleans East. If there’s a better

P H OTO B Y I A N M C N U LT Y/ T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E | T H E N E W O R L E A N S A DVO C AT E

pairing with hot fried dough than coffee, it’s hard to imagine.

Morning Call’s beignets are presented in pristine form — powdered sugar is in a shaker on the side.

“The key to getting the sugar right is spanking the shaker,” Hennessey says. “Don’t unscrew the cap — it will just dump out.” Morning Call beignets aren’t “held under the grease like some places do,” which makes them lighter, he says.

Morning Call started in 1870 in the French Market. When development threatened its original spot in the 1970s, Morning Call moved to Metairie, near Lakeside Shopping Center. That location closed in 2018. It opened the City Park location in 2012.

“Once we get this location up and running, we hope to open another one,” Hennessey says.

Morning Call was founded by his stepfather’s Croatian grandfather, and Hennessey started working at the business when he was 15.

Although beignets and coffee are its bread and butter, Morning Call also is a haven of New Orleans comfort food. Three mini muffulettas, assembled on Perrone seeded

P H OTO B Y C H E R Y L G E R B E R

Co-owner Bob Hennessey pours coffee at the new Morning Call on Canal Boulevard.

rolls, offer a fine alternative to the Dagwood-sized traditional version.

Creamy red beans and rice are offered every day, not just Mondays, and chicken and andouille gumbo is made fresh daily. Jambalaya and crawfish etouffee round out the homestyle menu.

Morning Call shares its large covered front porch with Bud’s Broiler, so cross pollinating between the two local classics is inevitable. The notion of devouring a dressed char-grilled Bud’s burger piled with cheese followed by beignets for dessert is no doubt a win-win for traditionalists.

If regulars recognize more than a few faces at the new restaurant, that’s no accident.

“We brought as many of our original people back as we could,” Hennessey says. “Between our employees and our customers, it’s like one big family reunion.”

?

WHAT

Morning Call

WHERE

5101 Canal Blvd.; facebook.com/leroyquigly

WHEN

7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

HOW

Cash only to start

CHECK IT OUT A new home for the coffee and beignets stalwart

Yakuza House frames all of this hand-to-hand interaction in a setting where nothing feels more than armslength away.

Chef Huy Pham opened Yakuza House early in April at 1325 Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie in a tiny space that feels like the studio apartment version of a restaurant.

There is room for perhaps a half dozen tables and a six-seat sushi bar, which here is dubbed the hand roll bar.

Hand rolls combine rice, fish and nori, the crisp, dark seaweed sheets that are a basic ingredient of any sushi bar.

They’ve long had a place on local sushi bar menus. The late food writer Jonathan Gold tracked their trajectory back to the Los Angeles restaurant Sushi Nozawa, where in the 1980s, the hand roll became a set piece of the omakase chef tasting meal. Today, hand rolls have become a full-blown trend, with dedicated hand roll bars opening in many cities.

Pham comes from a Vietnamese restaurant family. They once had a pho shop called Nam Do on the West Bank and later opened the fusion restaurant Hip Stix in the Warehouse District (both have long since closed).

But Pham decided to build his own career in sushi. He’s worked around the city and had a tenure in New York.

Opening his own restaurant meant starting small given his start-up finances. Pham credits the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission with helping him make PAGE 28

27 G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

EATDRINK

FORK CENTER

EAT+DRINK

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

28

pAGE 27

SPECIALIZING IN

HOT PASTRAMI & CORNED BEEF FALAFEL • CHOPPED LIVER MATZOH BALL SOUP

FREE Dr Brown’s soda with any sandwich purchase Expires 6/20/2021.

MONDAY — THURSDAY 10AM-7PM

FRIDAY & SUNDAY

10AM-3PM SATURDAY CLOSED

the leap and keep the plan moving through the pandemic.

Yakuza House will prepare hand rolls for takeout, but the essence of this style is its immediacy.

At Yakuza House, the first taste of a hand roll is the whispery crinkle crunch of the nori, with its lightly briny flavor. What followed for the salmon roll was cool fish, a bracing seam of garlic-chili oil and a bit of avocado. Another had delicate scallops with Kewpie Mayonnaise. A third brought the creamy sweetness of crab.

Diners order these individually ($3-$10) or in a series of sets.

The rest of the menu is short and tailored down to specialties. This is not a place to order a California roll or a dynamite roll.

Diners can start with the yellowtail crudo, dressed with ponzu and pink peppercorns for a sharp/sour bite over the velvety fish.

There’s a roster of donburi bowls, another service style that emphasizes a quick meal. These are rice bowls with grilled meat, tempura-fried items or broiled or raw fish and various combinations of vegetables, egg and roe. It matches the modern poke bowl trend, and there’s a tuna poke bowl here, too.

Yakuza House also serves “sandos,” the trendy Japanese take on simple white bread sandwiches, cut square and presented just so, a serving of geometric cuteness that seems irresistible for social media gawking. Here, the sandos are more burly and a little looser than the Instagram eye candy, like one stacked with a tempura-fried chicken cutlet, egg salad and cabbage on bread.

The nigiri list is relatively short, but any of them can be modified as a “chef’s choice,” meaning they’re finished in an array of different styles.

That might be a gorgeous slice of toro, the lusciously fat tuna belly, touched with a little truffle pate. It could be a Hokkaido scallop lightly charred by a blowtorch. Or it could be broiled eel bound to the rice with a band of nori and topped with flurries of preserved egg yolk. pham’s goal is to keep different preparations in rotation to give returning customers something different each time.

The restaurant is BYOB. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. — IAN McNUlTY/ THE TIMES-pICAYUNE | THE NEW OrlEANS ADVOCATE

Maypop-up “Best New York Deli in New Orleans”

3519 SEVERN 888-2010 WWW.KOSHERCAJUN.COM

MAYPOP, A STANDOUT FOR MODERN FUSION CUISINE in the CBD,

will reopen soon, says chef/owner Michael Gulotta. The chef is aiming to reopen April 22 with dinner to start.

It’s another promising sign for downtown New Orleans, where the economic impact of the pandemic has been especially severe for restaurants.

Upscale and ambitious, Maypop had earned acclaim. But it still had only a few years under its belt when the pandemic closed dining rooms, kept travelers grounded and sent much of the downtown workforce to work from home.

p H OTO B Y C H r I S G r A N G E r / T H E T I M E S - p I C AY U N E | T H E N E W O r l E A N S A DVO C AT E

Maypop had been on the brink of closing for good at certain points through the crisis, Gulotta acknowledges. But in recent weeks, a rise in the number of people dining out and getting back to work in the CBD has given the chef and his partners confidence that they can sustain the highaiming restaurant.

“Now we have a chance to do it, and we have to do it smart,” Gulotta says.

The chef, his brother Jeff Gulotta and their partner Jeffrey Bybee also run the more casual Mid-City restaurant Mopho, and the walk-up tavern kitchen rum & the lash at nearby Mick’s Irish pub. While Maypop was closed, some of its staff worked at Mopho. lately, business volume has ratcheted up at Mopho, the chef says, especially among older customers who were among the first eligible for coronavirus vaccines and have completed the waiting period of immunity. With vaccine eligibility now greatly expanded in louisiana, restaurants are seeing the ripple effects expand.

A location of Mopho in the louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is back open now too.

Maypop opened late in 2016 and immediately raised the bar for modern fusion cuisine in New Orleans, with an imaginative

joining of Southeast Asian and Southeast louisiana flavors, plus some Italian influences.

Gulotta is still assessing when to begin lunch service, as well as weekend brunch, when it served a popular dim sum menu. The restaurant will add sidewalk seating when it reopens. — IAN McNUlTY/ THE TIMES-pICAYUNE | THE NEW OrlEANS ADVOCATE

Winging it HOGS FOR THE CAUSE which moves to the West Bank for its June event this year, will introduce a chicken wing category. It will be part of the Friday night schedule, adding to the traditional bacon night to create “Wings and Bacon Night.”

That means around 80 cook-off teams will be offering attendees their best efforts with chicken wings and bacon dishes on Friday before those teams roll out the main event of competition barbecue and pork-themed snacks on Saturday.

Hogs for the Cause was among the first local festivals to cancel last spring as the coronavirus crisis was emerging. It will be among the first to come back this spring, with a new date and venue.

Normally held outside the UNO lakefront Arena each March, this year Hogs for the Cause takes place June 4 and 5 at the plaquemines parish Government Facility, a 15-acre property just over the parish line in Belle Chasse. plaquemines parish is using the state’s rules for festival capacity, now pegged at 50% with social distancing. New Orleans limits festival capacity to 250 people at the moment.

Organizers say they plan to return to UNO lakefront Arena grounds next spring.

Hogs for the Cause is a festival-style cook-off that raises money to support families dealing with pediatric brain cancer. It has become the nation’s leading funder for this cause. In 2019, it brought in some $2 million, largely through the network of cook-off teams that compete each year.

Hogs for the Cause also announced more performers for its two music stages, including Anders Osborne, Boyfriend, Early James and Jonathon “Boogie” long on Friday and Stooges Brass Band, Honey Island Swamp Band, Molly Tuttle and Dragon Smoke on Saturday. Headliners announced earlier include Old Crow Medicine Show and robert randolph. See the full music lineup at hogsfest. org. — IAN McNUlTY/THE TIMES-pICAYUNE | THE NEW OrlEANS ADVOCATE

EAT+DRINK

29

Reave Bell

p H OTO p r OV I D E D B Y r E AV E B E l l

Roxy Eve Narvaez and Reave Bell opened Tacos Para La Vida.

Co-founder, Tacos Para La Vida REAVE BELL IS A VETERAN OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY and moved

It’s basically taco supremes and Mexican pizzas and crunch wraps.

to New Orleans from his hometown los Angeles 10 years ago to work at SoBou. Bell and roxy Eve Narvaez started their Tacos para la Vida pop-up in December 2019 and made it a full-time focus during the pandemic. A friend’s mother, Keta Bocanegra, who is from reynosa, Mexico, makes the tortillas and is the third member of the team.

Tacos para la Vida pops up regularly at pal’s lounge, Okay Bar, St. roch Tavern, Zony Mash Beer project and elsewhere.

How did you start the pop-up?

REAVE BELL: We started in December 2019 out of the Black penny in the French Quarter. We were at rendezvous Tavern for a while as well. When the pandemic hit, we were shut down for three weeks, and then we started doing a taco kit delivery sort of thing. We’d deliver our taco kits with a dozen tortillas, a pound of meat, a pint of salsa, onions, cilantro, limes and all that kind of stuff — everything you’d need to assemble tacos at your house because nobody was going out and that was the safest way to do it. (last summer) we were offered to start doing Tuesdays at Manolito in the French Quarter, and that was right in the heart of the pandemic.

As things started opening, we started talking about other spots.

Why did you focus on birria tacos?

B: When I first moved here 10 years ago, there weren’t a bunch of great Mexican options. I just wanted to bring something from growing up in los Angeles and traveling in Mexico. So we’ve latched onto our signature thing: birria. We do birria de res (beef).

We focused on birria because it’s something I’ve enjoyed eating forever and it was something I was taught to cook it down in Mexico.

The more traditional is birria de chivo, which is goat, from Jalisco.

That’s the birthplace. As it got

What’s next for Tacos Para La Vida?

closer to the northern border, beef became more common. So if you went to Tijuana, which was closest to where I grew up, you’d find more beef. We’re toying with bringing [goat] around for special occasions, but it’s hard to source. And the quantity we’re going through at this point is pretty large.

The [pop-up’s] meats are birria, pollo tinga — which is chicken in a red adobo sauce with chipotle peppers — and we are doing mushrooms, our vegan option.

We sauté mushrooms in our salsa macha, which is seven types of dried chilies, sesame seeds, olive oil, garlic and a little bit of apple cider vinegar. We always have that on the menu. We started doing al pastor where we can do it.

We try to keep it fresh. We started doing birria ramen on certain days. There are always specials like tortas. We do brunch sometimes and make chilaquiles and breakfast tacos. For St. patrick’s Day, we made corned beef and green tortillas at pal’s. Keta was beside herself, but we said, “It’s just for today.”

We also do a second pop-up inside our pop-up called Bell’s Tacos. We started it for my girlfriend’s birthday, because her guilty pleasure is Taco Bell, so we created an entire logo and Instagram page. We do it at pal’s the last Wednesday of every month, but we’re going to start doing it on Tuesdays. It’s basically a grown-up Taco Bell menu, but with quality ingredients and handmade tortillas and we fry all the shells ourselves.

B: It’s been a wild year. Our business has expanded, and I think it’s because we could flex and do different things.

We were able to help out friends in mutual benefit relationships that bring both of the brands up.

We’ve been doing it full time since the beginning of the pandemic, but it’s starting to ramp up right now. We’ll be doing five days some weeks and four days the next week. prior to the pandemic, our Instagram page had 220 followers. Now it has 3,100. It’s a matter of interacting with the rest of the community. It’s a small town, and if you’re in the food business, you see people around town and become friends with other people who do pop-ups. Amanda [Alard] at Que pasta has been super helpful because she’s been doing this a lot longer than us. We’re friends with Bub’s Burgers and Zee’s pizza and stuff like that.

We’ll probably keep this same thing going until possibly a brick and mortar. We like travelling around to different places. The next step is a trailer, so we don’t have to put everything in the back of the car. One of the eventualities is getting people together to find an outdoor space so multiple people can pop up and there’s coffee and beer, kind of like what Zony Mash is doing with their outdoor space.

More is better to me. I’d rather there be three options for people, and they can congregate outside.

I think that’s where people are at right now. — WIll COVIEllO Find the pop-up schedule on Instagram at @tacosparalavida.

RIDGEWOOD

PREPARATORY SCHOOL Knowledge • Wisdom • Discipline

We are currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year.

OPEN HOUSE DAILY Please call 504.835.2545 or email rps@ridgewoodprep.com for more information.

201 Pasadena Avenue Metairie, LA 70001 ridgewoodprep.com

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

3-COURSE INTErVIEW

OUT EAT TO

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

30

Contact Will Coviello wcoviello@gambitweekly.com 504-483-3106 | FAX: 504-483-3159 C O M p l E T E l I S T I N G S AT W W W. B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M Out 2 Eat is an index of Gambit contract advertisers. Unless noted, addresses are in New Orleans and all accept credit cards. Updates: email willc@gambitweekly.com or call (504) 483-3106.

Notice: Due to COVID-19, dining at restaurants is impacted, with limited indoor seating and other recommended restrictions. All information is subject to change. Contact the restaurant to confirm service options.

BYWATER Luna Libre — 3600 St. Claude Ave., (504) 237-1284 — roasted chicken enchiladas verde are filled with cheese and served with house-made cheese dip. The menu combines Tex-Mex and dishes from louisiana and Arkansas. Curbside pickup is available. Breakfast Sat.-Sun., dinner Wed.-Sun. $

CARROLLTON Mid City Pizza — 6307 S. Miro St., (504) 509-6224; midcitypizza.com — See MidCity section for restaurant description.

Takeout and delivery available. lunch Thu.-Sun., dinner Thu.-Mon. $$ Mikimoto — 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881; mikimotosushi.com — The South Carrollton roll includes tuna tataki, avocado and snow crab. Takeout and delivery available. lunch Sun.-Fri., dinner daily. $$ Pyramids Cafe — 3151 Calhoun St., (504) 861-9602 — Diners will find Mediterranean cuisine featuring such favorites as shawarma prepared on a rotisserie. Takeout and delivery available. lunch and dinner daily. $$

CITYWIDE Breaux Mart — Citywide; breauxmart.com — The deli counter’s changing specials include dishes such as baked catfish and red beans and rice. lunch and dinner daily. $

FAUBOURG MARIGNY Kebab — 2315 St. Claude Ave., (504) 3834328; kebabnola.com — The sandwich shop offers doner kebabs and Belgian fries. A falafel sandwich comes with pickled cucumbers, arugula, spinach, red onions, beets, hummus and Spanish garlic sauce. No reservations. Takeout and delivery available. lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. $

FRENCH QUARTER Desire Oyster Bar — Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St., (504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar — The menu features Gulf seafood in traditional and contemporary Creole dishes, po-boys and more. Char-grilled oysters are topped with parmesan, herbs and butter. reservations recommended.

Takeout available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

$ — average dinner entrée under $10 $$ — $11 to $20 $$$ — $21 or more

HARAHAN/JEFFERSON/ RIVER RIDGE The Rivershack Tavern — 3449 River Road, (504) 834-4938; therivershacktavern.com — This bar and music spot offers a menu of burgers, sandwiches and changing lunch specials. Curbside pickup and delivery available. lunch and dinner daily. $ Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 1212 S. Clearview Parkway, Elmwood, (504) 7333803; theospizza.com — There is a wide variety of specialty pies and toppings to build your own pizza. The menu also includes salads and sandwiches. Curbside pickup and delivery available. lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $

LAKEVIEW Lakeview Brew Coffee Cafe — 5606 Canal Blvd., (504) 483-7001; lakeviewbrew. com — This casual cafe offers coffee, pastries, desserts, sandwiches and salads.

Tuna salad or chicken salad avocado melts are topped with Monterey Jack and parmesan. Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery are available. Breakfast and lunch daily. $ Lotus Bistro — 203 W. Harrison Ave., (504) 533-9879; lotusbistronola.com — A Mineko Iwasaki roll includes spicy snow crab, tuna, avocado and cucumber topped with salmon, chef’s sauce, masago, green onion and tempura crunchy flakes. The menu also includes bento box lunches, teriyaki dishes, fried rice and more.

Takeout and delivery are available. lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$

METAIRIE Andrea’s Restaurant — 3100 N. 19th St., Metairie, (504) 834-8583; andreasrestaurant.com — Chef Andrea Apuzzo’s speckled trout royale is topped with crabmeat and lemon-cream sauce.

Capelli D’Andrea combines house-made angel hair pasta and smoked salmon in cream sauce. Curbside pickup and delivery available. lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. $$$ Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery — 3519 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 888-2010; koshercajun.com — This New York-style deli specializes in sandwiches, including corned beef and pastrami that come from the Bronx. Takeout available. lunch Sun.Thu., dinner Mon.-Thu. $ Mark Twain’s Pizza Landing — 2035 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 832-8032; marktwainpizza.com — Mark Twain’s serves salads, po-boys and pies like the Italian pizza with salami, tomato, artichoke, sausage and basil. Takeout and curbside pickup are available. lunch Tue.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sun. $ Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 2125 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie,

(504) 510-4282; theospizza.com — See Harahan/Jefferson section for restaurant description. $

MID-CITY/TREME Angelo Brocato’s — 214 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-1465; angelobrocatoicecream. com — This sweet shop serves its own gelato, spumoni, Italian ice, cannolis, fig cookies and other treats. Window and curbside pickup. lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $ Brown Butter Southern Kitchen & Bar — 231 N. Carrollton Ave., Suite C, (504) 609-3871; brownbutterrestaurant.com — Sample items include smoked brisket served with smoked apple barbecue sauce, smoked heirloom beans and vinegar slaw. A Brunch burger features a brisket and short rib patty topped with bacon, brie, a fried egg, onion jam and arugula on a brioche bun. Dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup and delivery available. lunch and dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$ Doson Noodle House — 135 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 309-7283; facebook. com/dosonnoodlehouse — Bun thit is Vietnamese-style grilled pork with cucumber, onions, lettuce, mint, cilantro and fish sauce served over rice or vermicelli. The menu includes pho, spring rolls and more.

Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery are available. $$ Five Happiness — 3511 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 482-3935; fivehappiness.com — The large menu of Chinese dishes includes wonton soup, sizzling seafood combinations served on a hot plate, sizzling Go-Ba and lo mein dishes. Takeout and delivery available. $$ Katie’s Restaurant — 3701 Iberville St., (504) 488-6582; katiesinmidcity.com — Favorites include the Cajun Cuban with roasted pork, grilled ham, cheese and pickles pressed on buttered bread. The Boudreaux pizza is topped with cochon de lait, spinach, red onions, roasted garlic and scallions. Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery available. lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$ Mid City Pizza — 4400 Banks St., (504) 483-8609; midcitypizza.com — The neighborhood pizza joint serves New York-style pies, plus calzones, sandwiches and salads. Signature shrimp remoulade pizza includes spinach, red onion, garlic, basil and green onion on an garlic-olive oil brushed curst. Dine-in, takeout and delivery available. lunch Thu.-Sun., dinner Thu.-Mon. $$ Neyow’s Creole Cafe — 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474; neyows.com — The menu includes New Orleans favorites such as red beans with fried chicken or pork chops, as well as grilled or fried seafood plates, po-boys, raw or char-grilled oysters, pasta, salads and more. Dine-in and takeout available. lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$ Nonna Mia — 3125 Esplanade Ave., (504) 948-1717; nonnamianola.com — A Divine portobello appetizer features chicken breast, spinach in red pepper sauce and crostini. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza and more. Curbside pickup and delivery are available. Dinner Tue.-Sun. $$ Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 4024 Canal St., (504) 302-1133; theospizza.com — See Harahan/Jefferson section for restaurant description. $

NORTHSHORE Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 70488 Highway 21, Covington, (985) 234-9420; theospizza.com — See Harahan/Jefferson section for restaurant description. $

UPTOWN CR Coffee Shop — 3618 Magazine St., (504) 354-9422; crcoffeenola.com — The

selection includes Coast roast coffees made with beans roasted in antique roasters, and the sweet vanilla cream cold brew is a signature item. There also are pastries and snacks. Indoor and outdoor seating, online ordering and delivery available. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. $ Joey K’s — 3001 Magazine St., (504) 8910997; joeyksrestaurant.com — The menu includes fried seafood platters, salads, sandwiches and red beans and rice.

Sauteed trout Tchoupitoulas is topped with shrimp and crabmeat and served with vegetables and potatoes. Takeout and delivery available. lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$ Red Gravy — 4206 Magazine St., (504) 561-8844; redgravycafe.com — Thin cannoli pancakes are filled with cannoli cream and topped with chocolate. The menu includes brunch items, pasta dishes, sandwiches, baked goods and more. Takeout available. $$ Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554; theospizza. com — See Harahan/Jefferson section for restaurant description. $ Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco — 5015 Magazine St., (504) 267-7612; titoscevichepisco.com — The peruvian menu includes a version of the traditional dish lomo saltado, featuring beef tenderloin tips sauteed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, soy sauce and pisco, and served with fried potatoes and rice.

Dine-in, outdoor seating and delivery available. lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT Annunciation — 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; annunciationrestaurant. com — The menu highlights Gulf seafood in Creole, Cajun and Southern dishes.

Fried oysters and skewered bacon are served with meuniere sauce and toasted French bread. reservations required.

Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$$ Carmo — 527 Julia St., (504) 875-4132; cafecarmo.com — Carmo salad includes smoked ham, avocado, pineapple, almonds, cashews, raisins, cucumber, green pepper, rice, lettuce, cilantro and citrus mango vinaigrette. The menu includes dishes inspired by tropical cuisines. Takeout and delivery are available. lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$ NOLA Caye — 898 Baronne St., (504) 302-1302; nolacaye.com — The menu features Caribbean-inspired dishes and Gulf seafood. Seared ahi tuna is served with mango, avocado, mixed greens, citrus vinaigrette and sesame seeds. Takeout, delivery and outdoor seating available. D daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. $$$ Provisions Grab-n-Go Marketplace — Higgins Hotel, 500 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941; higgingshotelnola. com — The coffeeshop serves salads, sandwiches, pastries and more. Takeout available. Service daily. $

WEST BANK Mosca’s — 4137 Highway 90 West, Westwego, (504) 436-8950; moscasrestaurant.com — This family-style eatery serves shrimp Mosca, chicken a la grande and baked oysters Mosca, made with breadcrumbs and Italian seasonings.

Curbside pickup available. Dinner Wed.Sat. Cash only. $$$ Specialty Italian Bistro — 2330 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna, (504) 391-1090; specialtyitalianbistro.com — The menu combines Old World Italian favorites and pizza. paneed chicken piccata is topped with lemon-caper piccata sauce served with angel hair pasta, salad and garlic cheese bread. Takeout and delivery available. lunch and dinner daily. $$

31

GOING OUT

BY WIll COVIEllO DURING ONE OF HER STAND-UP APPEARANCES

on “Conan,” Jenny Zigrino talked about the differences in men’s online dating profile photos by region. In New York and los Angeles, men posted headshots and pictures of themselves on boats, in first class seats on planes and with tigers.

In the Midwest and South, it’s different, she said: “Guy with dead deer. Guy with dead fish. Guy cradling Ar-15. And, ‘look, I shot this tiger.’ ” But then there are places like New Orleans, she said.

“Suddenly the photos are different. Guy in a top hat — on roller blades. No shirt, rainbow suspenders. ‘Hi, my name is Oreo. I’m a pansexual warlock. This is my life partner, Non-Dairy Creamer.

We’re poly.’ ” Zigrino filmed her Comedy Central special in New Orleans and has performed here several times. Is that joke based on her experiences?

“I hooked up with two people in New Orleans,” she says from her home in los Angeles. “One was a short Israeli dude. He was a regular dude. The other had a motorcycle and a gun. I didn’t know until the next day. I was like ‘You’ve had a gun the whole time?’ He was like ‘Yup, wanna go get breakfast?’ ” She went to breakfast, she says. And she returns to New Orleans this week for a show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at The Broad Theater.

Zigrino has performed on Comedy Central, MTV and appeared on many TV shows. She starred with Marlon Wayans in “50 Shades of Black” and in “Bad Santa 2.” She was performing regularly in clubs and working on a TV show in development when the pandemic shut all of that down last year.

“It was the longest I had been home in 10 years,” she says. “Soon motivation gets replaced by survival mode, and I pivoted a lot. Before I became a comic, I used to sell plussize vintage clothing on Etsy, so I did some of that. I started a business flipping antique and vintage furniture. I started doing voice work — reading erotic fiction.”

She also tried to pivot to online and found that the world of Instagram and TikTok is different.

“Stuff that’s funny online is not necessarily funny in real life,” she says. “The great thing about stand-up is the instant gratification

420 SALE 20% OFF ALL ITEMS IN STORE & ONLINE EXCLUDES TOBACCO THANKS FOR VOTING US

p H OTO p r OV I D E D B Y JENNY ZIGrINO

and the rush that you get. You don’t get that with Zoom.”

As venues reopen around the country, she’s put together a short tour.

After getting her second Covid vaccination shot last week, she headed to Brooklyn for four shows, and is scheduled to stop in Texas before heading to New Orleans this week.

She’s done some outdoor shows in California and now is looking at more indoor venues. The pandemic may continue to affect the comedy scene, she says.

“The comics that are getting the most work are the Southern comedians,” she says. “The best comedians are going to be coming out of Florida. That’s never happened before. [Florida has been the] only state that’s open, and people have been working. All these comics are going to be sharp.”

Zigrino is headlining at the Broad Theater. Houston-based comedian Andrew Youngblood and local comics Kamari Stevens and Vincent Zambon also perform.

Zigrino also stars in “Too late,” along with a cast of many stand-up comedians, in a story about an indie comedy club run by a horrible boss, played by “Saturday Night live” and “portlandia” veteran Fred Armisen. The horror comedy premiered virtually earlier this month as part of the Seattle International Film Festival. It’ll get a theatrical run starting in June and be available online as well.

The show is the first in a series at the Broad. Upcoming showcases feature Sam Tallent on May 22, J.F. Harris on May 30 and Shane Torres on June 12.

BEST SMOKE SHOP

PLEASE VISIT

Est. 1985

NORTHERN ITALIAN, SEAFOOD & STEAK RESTAURANT

Casual Elegant Atmosphere… Yet Affordable Serving Pasta • Veal • Beef • Seafood • Fresh Fish • Lamb

Make the most important person in the world amma

M Mia!

FEEL SPECIAL THIS

Mother’s Day Sunday May 9th

SPECIAL Three Course Menu

$5 COCKTAIL DRINKS OPEN 11am-7:30pm

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

3100 19th Street, Causeway at Ridgelake Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-834-8583 andreasrestaurant.com • open 7 days lunch & dinner

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r I l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

LOL IRL

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

32

33

FILM

BY WILL COVIELLO

FEEL THE FEST Beautiful weather, local music and cold beer — get into spring season with our “Feel the Fest” prize packs.

THE DOCUMENTARY “THE RACE TO SAVE THE WORLD” looks at several

David-versus-Goliath efforts to curb climate change by raising awareness or confronting companies that profit off of fossil fuels. At times it looks like a lot of fun, as when a horde of “kayaktivists” paddle into Elliott Bay in Seattle to try to impede the movement of the Polar Pioneer, a massive floating oil rig Shell intended to use in the arctic. Roughly 200 kayaks in a rainbow of colors tried to surround the 307-foot-tall drill until police boats intervened.

The problem of man-made climate change is not new, nor are documentaries about it. “The Race to Save the World” departs from some of the more common approaches of such films. It isn’t loaded with scientific data. There aren’t horror shows of pollution, industrial disasters or environmental degradation, not that those aren’t parts of some of these stories. This film looks at activists who decided to take personal risks, many of them involving potential criminal penalties for trespassing or other civil disobedience charges.

Retiree Miriam Kashia joins a few dozen people on a 3,000-mile cross-country walk to raise awareness about climate change. She’s dismayed over why people passing in cars would flip off an older woman who is approaching the problem very peacefully.

Other cases are more confrontational. Abby Brockman is a mother in Washington state who gets arrested after blocking oil-transport trains for eight hours. Her concerns are both local and global. Michael Foster is a psychologist arrested in North Dakota for manually closing a valve on a Keystone Pipeline. Aji Piper is one of many Washington state youth who filed a suit to demand the state not deprive his generation of its rights due to neglectful management of resources. There also are mass protests in New York and Washington, D.C.

PR OV I D E D B Y J O E G A N T Z

“The Race to Save the World” is directed Joe Gantz, who also has made films about the increasing number of Americans facing financial hardship (“American Winter”) and illness (“Ending Disease”). He is best known for creating “Taxicab Confessions,” which captured people having candid conversations in cabs. “Race” has some similarly intimate scenes, with parents and spouses captured in raw conflict or distress about some of the activists’ choices. Gantz doesn’t hide his subjects’ vulnerability or shy from their flaws. Some of Brockman’s testimony at her own trial is a disaster.

The activists talk about their motivations and why they decided to take personal risks. There are many arrests and footage from trials. The consequences of going to jail for blocking a train track for a few hours or turning off a pipeline that was easily turned back on are potentially formidable. That helps focus the contrast of the enormous legal protections enacted for specific private property, such as fossil fuel company infrastructure, versus the difficulty of protecting widely shared resources or conditions.

The film does not easily reinforce a sense of idealism about activism, though many activists speak passionately about the costs of action and inaction. At times, the sites of protests are visually stunning. But one of the most startling points made in the film is that on Earth Day in 1970, 20 million Americans marched to demand protection of the environment, which contributed to President Richard Nixon signing legislation creating the EPA. The looming question is how the escalating climate problem and abundance of supporting evidence has not inspired more activism.

“The Race to Save the World” screens on Earth Day (April 22).

Find the link at zeitgeistnola.org.

Follow @gambitneworleans on Instagram and tag your favorite friends to fest with on our “Feel the Fest” posts for your chance to enter to win a spring festival season prize pack.

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A p r i l 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

Arresting developments

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 02 1

34

MISSED AN ISSUE OF

GAMBIT

DE TAILS ?

OR

December 8-14 2020 Volume 41 Number 47

January 19-25 2021 Volume 42 Number 3

March 30-April 5 2021 Volume 42 Number 13 February

23-March

1, 2021 Volum e 42 // Numb

er 8

February 2-8 2021 Volume 42 Number 5

New Orleans

SI + DE TYLE E + S HOM T 2020 AU G US

New Orleans

GN

DES LE + STY E + HOM 2020 EM B ER S EP T

New Orleans

IGN

HOME + STYLE + DESIGN J A N UA R Y 2 0 2 1

inside

EXP R ESS

I V E ACC

A LEX A P. 4 // ENT S

PUL ITZ

E ER’ S HOM

R ATT A P. 8 //

E // HOM N P. 12

M A LON

OR // DEC E P. 16

18 TIP S P.

inside

BL AC

K + G

CLE // E P. 6 OLD

HOM CTIC

FELI 1 2 // E P.

ESI NE D

HAL 1 4 // G N P.

inside

LW A

PA I N 1 8 // Y S P.

22 T P.

inside

LO CA

L AR T P. 4 // TH AN

GIRL POWER P.4 // GET COZY P. 8 // NORDIC P. 14 // WILD & WHIMSICAL P. 16 // K ATHRYN KELLER P. 22

New Orleans

New Orleans

HOM E N O V EM + S T Y L E B ER 2 + DE 020 SIG

inside KS GIV

ING DE CO

R P. 8 // JUD Y

AT TH E

RIN K

P. 14 // LA MP

S P. 16 // DE SIG

N TIP S

HO LID

HOM E + S TYLE D EC EM + DE B ER 2 SIGN 020

N

AY DEC OR

P. 4 // OR NA

ME NTS

P. 10 // HA ZEL

NU T P. 16 // GIF TS

FOR TH E HO ME

P. 18 // ME TAL

LIC S P. 20

P. 20

TO READ THE LATEST ISSUES VISIT BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM/CURRENT

ST. CHARLES CONDO!!!

LARGE ONE BEDROOM ON ST CHARLES in P W The Charles House. Open E N floor plan, Large Living Room + updated Kitchen w/ Granite Counters & SS Appls. Bedroom has Lrg walk-in closet. Brand New HVAC sys & Water Heater. Assigned/cov’d parking, Swimming Pool, Courtyard, Cameras & 24-HOUR SECURITY. Centrally located w/ close proximity to historic St. Charles streetcar line, restaurants, Fresh Market, CBD and I-10.

1Bd/1.5Ba/815SqFt. $275,000 E

C RI

2626 CLEVELAND AVENUE

CHARMING SHOT GUN WITH 13 FT CEILINGS!!

Beautifully maintained shotgun has 3BR, 2BA, & loft area. Lots of Orig Architectural Features!

Gorgeous Orig Heart of Pine Floors. BIG Beautiful Orig Cypress Pocket Doors. Side Galley w/ 4 doors allowing for multi use home/office space. HUGE backyard.

New Roof, HVAC & Kitchen Appls. Freshly Painted Inside & Out. Zoned HU-RD2. Convenient, Centrally Located for easy access to all parts of the City. $375,000 NE

W

PR

IC

E

TOP PRODUCER

GARDEN DISTRICT OFFICE 2016 & 2017

ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRS

PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE BITE PREVENTION

By Frank A. Longo

63 Automated PC program that may generate pop-ups 65 Aviating guy, informally 68 Riddle, part 4 74 Equine, to kids 75 Piccolo, e.g.

76 Comaneci of gymnastics 77 Neighbor of Tanzania 80 James who played Brian Piccolo 81 Letter before upsilon 83 Two, in Peru 84 As neat as — 85 Riddle, part 5 91 Rattan artisan

93 Iraqi money 94 “—War” (William Shatner novel) 95 Big name in frozen drinks 96 Noshed 97 Puts in office 99 Ending for Taiwan 101 Ones running 5,280 feet 103 End of the riddle 106 Party for Biden: Abbr.

107 Arab bigwigs 108 Maine university city 110 Texas river to the Rio Grande 115 Shorthand whiz 116 Riddle’s answer 121 Group dialect 122 Outperformed 123 Online brokerage 124 Eight-item set 125 People feeling hate 126 Got closer to DOWN 1 Constructs clothes 2 “All the Way” lyricist Sammy 3 On a cruise 4 Connection 5 Common toolbox item 6 DOS part: Abbr.

7 Bryn — 8 Line down a pant leg 9 Steps loudly 10 Make a new chart of 11 Suffix with acetyl 12 Year, in Lisbon 13 Actor Aykroyd 14 Atlanta-to-Tampa dir.

15 Many ski chalets 16 Rival of Serta 17 Protested about an injustice 18 What spinning bikes are intended for 19 Mag. edition 24 Killer serve 28 Third deg., often 30 Letter before iota 32 Boca — 33 Somber paper notice 34 Territory 35 Wine barrel 36 Invaders of ancient Rome

37 Actor Marc of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” 38 Sweet on 39 Nureyev of ballet 40 Guess at JFK or LGA 41 Ulna locale 46 Summarizes 47 Big annual Minnesota event 49 Novelist Achebe 51 Sitcom, e.g.

52 New Orleans sub 53 Quick pace 54 Title girl in a Salinger story 60 — opus (great work) 62 Gas in fuel mixtures 64 “Dr.” of hip-hop 65 Attacked like a wasp 66 Model-building set 67 Mimieux of “The Reward” 69 Children’s author Carle 70 Family group 71 Bring forward as evidence 72 Violent insurgent 73 Fast races 77 Big parrot 78 Uninterested 79 Distinctive facial contour

80 Smash-up 82 Help desk message 86 Had way too much, for short 87 End of Caesar’s boast 88 Strep-studying docs 89 Ending with Harlem 90 Grease 92 North American plant that’s a dye source 98 Fleur-de- — 99 Poland is part of it 100 Russell — (chocolatier) 102 Ascribe 104 Bit of color 105 Gusto 106 — good deed 109 Rorem and Beatty 111 Poet Pound 112 Peter the Great, e.g.

113 Aged, quaintly 114 Bird feeder tidbit 115 — -mo 116 100 cents: Abbr.

117 Yoko of music and art 118 Three R’s gp.

119 “Tsk!” 120 Guys

ANSWERS FOR LAST ISSUE’S PUZZLE: P 2

PUZZLES

31 Riddle, part 2 37 In a new way 41 Mornings, for short 42 Rub away 43 To and — 44 Boorish sort 45 Be incorrect 47 Pigs’ places 48 Merit badge earner 50 Riddle, part 3 55 “Silence!”

56 Altar vow 57 Hoover product, in brief 58 Second-largest city in Algeria 59 Wears a grin 61 Lawn pests

! "# $ " !#

# 1%(" -+""- "/ +'" (,

$ +)&"+ #" %(!"*"(!"(-'0 )/("! (! )*"+ -"! % "(,"! %( ).%,% (

(504) 895-4663

ACROSS 1 Bases for hair plugs 7 Makes out incorrectly, as text 15 Acronym for a PC character set 20 Without breaking a sweat 21 Radio-signal rods 22 Flowerless office plants 23 Start of a riddle 25 Police actions 26 Serpent 27 Foam at the top of an espresso 28 Low-carb kind of diet 29 Highway with a no.

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > A P R I L 2 0 - 2 6 > 2 0 2 1

3000 ST. CHARLES AVE., UNIT 407

35

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED!!!