Gambit: August 14, 2023

August 14-20

2023

Volume 44

Number 33

REAL ESTATEFOR RENT

1/2BLOCK TO MAGAZINE

1&2bedroomsavailableinideal locationand ROOMS BY THE MONTHwith PRIVATEBATH. All utilities included monthly. Call504-202-0381 for appointment

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EMPLOYMENT

Content Mkt'g Specialist -Plan/dvlp content/mkt'g strategy.Conduct on-line mkt'g initiatives &SEO re‐search. Create scripts. Design/maintain websites. Col‐lect/analyze web metrics/assess metrics to ID key perf indicators. Dvlpe-commerce strategies.Reportresults. 40 hrs wk. 2yrs exp w/ job duties req'd. Mail resume to: Liberty Cheesesteaks LLC, Attn: Mr.Casey,6626 Jefferson Hwy,Harahan, LA 70123. Job in Harahan, LA.

OfficeAdministrator/Clerical part-time. seeking an energetic, enthusiastic,and wellorganized person forthe position. part-time position of 20 to 25 hrs/week at $680,depending on workload. Needtobedetail-oriented, possessgood customerservice skills, and some cash&items handling skills

Email: jolie_adams2000@hotmail.com

Meet Dr.Fournier

Since Iwas sevenyears old,IknewI wanted to be adentist.Bythe time I finishedthe 6th grade, Ihad actually helped pull about60babyteeth formy classmates.Iremember someoneeven signedmyyearbook to theworld’s best dentist!

Originally from Miami, Ireceivedmy bachelor’s degreesatRhodesCollege in Biology andHistory,followedby my doctorate at theUniversityof Michigan. Icompletedmyresidency at theUniversityofFloridaand have been proudtocallNew Orleans home forthe last 12 years. I’ve been amember of the Children’s HospitalNew Orleans team in some capacity for9years butmade thedecision to join them full-timeabout threeyears ago

Dental Care

Preventive care is acritical component to oral health.The clinic provides preventive andtherapeutic oral healing services forinfants,children and adolescents up to theage of 21.Our primaryfocusisonthe prevention of oral diseases through earlyintervention. Regular checkups andcleanings are importantbecause we canscreen for earlysigns of oral disease, whichcan lead to additional health problems in otherparts of thebody.

Services includecomprehensiveoral exams,professionalteeth cleanings, fluorideapplication,sealants to protect againsttooth decay,pulp therapyfor toothpain management, spacemaintainerstohold spacefor permanentteeth to erupt, orthodontics assessments, trauma care and education on proper oral care forkids

TheDentaland OrthodonticClinic is located on themaincampusof Children’s Hospital. We servemorethan 70 parishesand counties throughout theGulfSouth.Tolearn more, visit chnola.org or call theDentalClinic at 504-896-2052.

Meet OurKrewe Children’sHospitalNew Orleans

Dr.Suzanne Fournier

DENTIST IN CHIEF

Questions&Answers

12 yearslater,whatstreetnamedoyou still havetrouble pronouncing?

MelpomeneStreetstill tripsmeupquite abit.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Lilette’sonMagazine Street

It’s museum month —doyou haveafavorite localmuseum?

Ilovethe sculpturegarden in City Park.

If youcould turn into an animal,whatwould it be andwhy?

Iwould love to be an octopus–imaginehow much dentistry Icould performwith8hands!

If youcould write abookabout your career, what would youtitle it?

Savingthe World, OneTooth at aTime

What do youliketodooutside of dentistry?

Iliketocook (myfavoriteisMatzoball soup!) andtravel. This summer,myhusbandand Itookour sononhis first internationaltriptoEngland. We lovedexposing himto adifferent country’sculture andhistory

What’s your favorite part about workingat Children’s Hospital?

Ilove being avalued member of theteam. The collaborativeworkweget to provideisreally somethingspecial

What’s one memoryfromyourtime at Children’s Hospital that stands outthe most?

My second week at Children’s Hospital, Iwas working in theENT clinicwhenalong-time patientcameinto

seeanother doctor.Duringher visit, shecomplained of dentalpainbut duetoher complexmedical history andinsurance,her momsaidshe’d been strugglingfor ayear-and-a-halftofind adentist that would seeher. Since thepatient lived threehours away,anytime they visitedChildren’s Hospitaltheywould stay in town fora fewdays. So,her doctor consultedwithmeaboutthe case, andwegot herinthe next day so Icould seewhat wascausing herpain. Within 30 minutes, Idetermined that shedid need treatmentand would need to do so whileunder anesthesia. When Icalledher momtotellher we could do theprocedure during anotherprocedure that wasalready scheduledtwo weeksfromthen, she startedcrying. Shetold me that we didin30minutes what she’dbeen trying to do fornearlytwo years.

What’s one thingabout theprogram that you’re most proudof?

I’mtrulyhonored be partofamulti-disciplinary team whereweprovidehealthcarefor kids that they might notbeabletoget anywhere else!

If youcould giveparents one tipwhenit comestodentalhealthcare, what would it be?

To preventcavities,keep thesugarstomealtimeand sweetdrinkslimited to once aweekoratspecial occasions. Encouragekids to eatprotein-based snacks. Flossfirstbeforebrushing, andskiprinsing afterbrushing to maximize fluorideabsorption.

ONTHECOVER: AL“CARNIVALTIME”JOHNSON,PHOTO PROVIDEDBYALJOHNSON;CHARLIE GABRIEL,PHOTOPROVIDEDBYCHARLIE GABRIEL;DEACONJOHNMOORE,PHOTOBY MICHAELP.SMITH©THEHISTORICNEW ORLEANSCOLLECTION;GERMAINE BAZZLE,PHOTOPROVIDEDBYTHE HISTORICNEWORLEANSCOLLECTION; IRMATHOMAS,PHOTOBYMICHAELP.SMITH ©THEHISTORICNEWORLEANSCOLLECTION;LITTLEFREDDIEKING, PHOTOBYMICHAELP.SMITH©THE HISTORICNEWORLEANSCOLLECTION; MONKBOUDREAUX,PHOTOBYLIONELM COTTIERJR./THETIMES-PICAYUNE;ROGER LEWIS,PHOTOBYMICHAELP.SMITH©THE HISTORICNEWORLEANSCOLLECTION

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Happilyeveraftermath

IconicDisneyprincessesunitein‘Disenchanted’atRivertownTheaters

BARBIEFINDINGHEROWNVOICEHAS CAPTIVATEDMOVIEGOINGAUDIENCES THISSUMMER,asGretaGerwigbecame thefirstwomansolofilmdirectortotop abilliondollarsattheboxoffice.

RivertownTheatersforthe

PerformingArtsishopingtheenthusiasmforchildhoodiconsgrowing upiscontagious,asitpresents “Disenchanted!”—asassymusical aboutDisneyprincessesdishingon what“happilyeverafter”actuallylooks like.TheshowrunsAug.11-20.

“ThatBarbiemovieisthegreatestthingthateverhappened,”says directorGaryRucker.“Whenweput ‘Disenchanted’ontheseason,wehad noidea.ButwhenIsawtheBarbie movie,Iwaslike,that’sexactlywhat we’redoing.”

Theprincessesin“Disenchanted!” areafamiliargroup,fromtheearliest starsoftheMagicKingdomtothemost recent.SnowWhitehasafewthoughts toshare.SleepingBeautythinkskissing unconsciouswomenisactuallyabit creepy.AndPocahontas,HuaMulanand Badroulbadourhaveafewconcerns

“WhenJasminefirstenters,theyuse herrealname,whichisBadroulbadour, andshe’slike,‘NooneknowswhoI am,’”Ruckersays.

Theprincesseshaveplentytosay abouthowmarriedanddailylife actuallyworkedforthem.Bellefrom “BeautyandtheBeast”isn’tthrilled withthehouseworkatthecastle,and she’sdissatisfiedwithold-fashioned genderroles.

Whilethemusicalisaboutfairytale princesses,themusical’shumor,and someofitslanguage,isforadultsonly Someofthatcomedystemsfromtheir well-knownstories,andotherparts areaddedflourishes.Belleseemsto liketodrink.

“OneofmyfavoritesongsistheLittle Mermaidsong,”Ruckersays.“It’scalled ‘TwoLegs.’It’sallaboutnowthatI’ve gottwolegs,Ihavetoshavethemnow. Noonetoldmeaboutthis.Shehas Band-Aidson.It’sstilltheconsequence oftheirwish.Theprincessesgotwhat theywanted.Theyjusthadnoideait wouldturnoutlikethis.”

Theconceptoflettingthewomen speaktheirmindsisprettysimple,and Ruckersayshe’ssimplyworkingwith hiscast.

Ruckertoldthem,“Iwantyoutofeel beautiful,”hesays.“Iwantyoutofeel empowered.WhateverIcandotomake youfeelthatway,I’lldoit.It’sbeenone

CountingCrows

ofthemostcollaborativethingsI’ve doneinawhile.”

Ruckerhashisownfamiliaritywith thekingdom.Hesteepedhimselfinthe minutiaofDisneystoriesandfandom whenheworkedattheDisneyStoreat LakesideShoppingCenter.Healsoonce workedataFrenchQuartershopthat soldoriginalproductionartfrommovies.

“I’dgowatchallthemoviesandseeifI couldidentifywhereapieceofartcame from,”hesays.“Iamprettysteepedin thehistoryofanimation.”

ButRivertownalsohasturnedto anotherauthority.EdwardR.Cox normallydesignssetsforthecompany, andheonceworkedatDisneyWorld, wherehehandledtrainingformany Disneycharacters.

“Alltheprincesseshaveanofficial pose,”Ruckersays.“Whenyouworkat Disneyasaprincess,thereareofficial poses.Thereareofficialhandgestures Also,youhavetolearntosigntheautographlikethecharacter,sothey’reall alike.Eddiewasatrainer,sohetaught allthewomenhowtodotheirposes.”

Coxsharedthatsameetiquettewith thecastof“Disenchanted!”

Theshowpremieredin2011.The charactersaremostlyfromfairytales andlegendsthatexistedlongbefore Disneyproduceditsversionsoftheir stories,andtheshowsometimes acknowledgesthecompany’srole inshapingimagesofthewomen.

MickeyMouseisnevermentioned,but SteamboatWillie,anameforhimfrom oneofthefirstshortfilmsheappeared

byWillCoviello |

CountingCrowsshottothetopof the’90salternativerockscene withthesong“Mr.Jones”andthe successofitsfirstcoupleofalbums, “AugustandEverythingAfter”and “RecoveringtheSatellites.”Itstayed inthelimelight,placingnewsongsin movieslike“Shrek2”andeventuallyrerecorded“August”backedby asymphonyorchestra.Duringthe pandemic,thegroupreleasedthe four-songEP“MiracleButter,Suite One.”DashboardConfessionalison tourwithCountingCrows.At8p.m Friday,Aug.18,atSaengerTheatre Findticketsviasaengernola.com.

LyleLovettand HisLargeBand

in,doesn’tseemwelcomeonset.The princessesalsoareawarethattheir movieswerewrittenbymen

Tiana,thefirstBlackprincessandstar oftheLouisiana-set“ThePrincessand theFrog,”isnevernamed,butthelocal connectionisunmistakable

ThesassytakeontheMagic Kingdom’sprincesseshasbeengenerallywellreceived,thoughitpredated the#MeToomovementandincreasing awarenessandactivismofissuesabout identityandethnicity.Anditcamewell beforethe“Barbie”movieruffledsome conservatives’feathers.

There’snoconnectionbetween thedollsandtheprincesses,butthe Rivertownsetisapinkfairyland.

“OursethastheDisneyWorld(castle)silhouettetoit,”Ruckersays.

“It’spinkandglitteredtowithinan inchofitslife.”

Alsowearingsomepinkistheshow’s three-pieceband.Theshowison Rivertown’sLagniappeStage,amore intimatespacethanitslargermain stage.Withacastofjustsix,though therearemoreprincessesthanthatin theshow,Rivertownhadconsidered doingtheshowduringthepandemic. Butwaitinghasgiventhemdreamcome-truetiming.

”Disenchanted!”isintendedfor audiences17yearsandolder. Visitrivertowntheaters.comfor ticketsandinformation

LyleLovettreleasedhisfirstalbum inadecadelastyear.Thetitle,“12th ofJune,”referstothebirthdayof histwins,andmanysongsareabout fatherhoodandthejoyshefoundhavingchildrenlateinlife.Heemergedas afolksinger-songwriterinhisnative Texas,andhisbigbandhasalways leanedintocountryandWestern swing.At8p.m.Thursday,Aug.17, attheOrpheumTheater.Findtickets viaorpheumnola.com

CoreyLedet,LeylaMcCalla andLouisMichot

LostBayouRamblerfiddlerLouis

Michothascollaboratedwithzydeco accordionistCoreyLedetinprojects incorporatingCajunandzydecomusic, andwithcellistandguitaristLeyla McCalla,bothinavantgardeprojectsin NewYorkandfrancophoneprojects. Thethreeofthemarejoiningforces forashowatBJ’sLoungeat9p.m. Saturday,Aug.19.

PHOTOPROVIDEDBY RIVERTOWN THEATERS

PHOTOBYMAX BECHERER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

FamilyConnectsNewOrleans,anewprogramlaunched bythecity’sHealthDepartment, OchsnerBaptistandTouroInfirmary,willofferfreeat-homenurse visitsforfamilieswithnewborns startingthisfall.Familieswhohave childrenbornatthetwohospitals —whichisabout70%ofchildren borninthecity—willreceivethree in-homevisitsduringtheirbaby’s first12weeks.Theinitiativecomes atatimewhenLouisianahasone ofthehighestinfantmortality ratesinthedevelopedworld

Communitymeeting onparkletsdraws morethan100 residentsand businessowners

MORETHAN100RESIDENTSAND BUSINESSOWNERSPACKEDACOMMUNITYMEETINGatCafeIstanbulAug. 7,speakingpassionatelybothfor andagainstparkletsintheMarigny, BywaterandFrenchQuarter.

CouncilMemberFreddieKing’s officecalledthemeetingafterthe DepartmentofPublicWorkssent outletterstomanybusinessowners notifyingthemtheyarenolonger eligibleforparkletsunderrulesthe CityCouncilpassedlastsummerand mustremovethembyAug.31

KingtoldGambithewantedto havethemeetingtogetpeopleon allsidesoftheissueinoneroomto discussit“likeadults.”Kingdidnot attendthemeetingashischiefof staffsaidthecouncilmembertested positiveforCovid

COUNT #

NewOrleansstudentswon sevenmedalsatthe114thNAACP ACT-SOCompetition.TheNAACP Afro-AcademicCultural,TechnologicalandScientificOlympics (ACT-SO)hostshighschoolstudentscompetinginacademicchallenges.15localteenstraveledto Bostonforthisyear’scompetitions andreturnedwithgoldinculinary arts,paintingandoriginalessay. Othersearnedsilvermedalsinmusicanddrawing,andbronzeinshort storyandpoetryperformance.

ButtheroomMondaywasdivided. Attimes,thediscussionbecametense betweenthoselargelyinsupportof thestreetseatinginfrontofbusinesses—citingcommunitygathering spacesandfeelingsaferatnight—and thoselargelyagainstit—complaining ofnoise,lessparkingspacesand un-aestheticallypleasingstructures

SeveralpeoplefromFrench Quarterneighborhoodgroupslike VieuxCarrePropertyOwners, ResidentsandAssociates(VCPORA) andFrenchQuarterCitizensand otherresidentsspokeoutagainst parkletsintheQuarter.Residents intheBywaterandMarignyseemed generallymoresupportive,though someneighborswereagainstthem

Itisourtendencytogatherandconnectwitheachotherinthestreet.”

Undertherulesthecityhassaid they’llstartenforcingattheendof themonth,noparkletsareallowedin theQuarternorwouldtheybeunder amendmentstotherulesthecity’s OfficeofEconomicDevelopment isproposing.Severalparkletsinthe Marigny,Bywaterandelsewherein thecityaretheonesinlimbo

Underthecurrentrulesthecitysaid theywillbeginenforcing,parklets areonlyallowedinstrictlycommercialareas.ThatmeansparkletsatR Bar,BudRips,Kingpin,Pepp’sPub andotherswillhavetoberemoved. Forthosebars,parkletcustomers accountforasignificantchunkof theirrevenue

SixofthosedeathswereinJuneand10 occurredinJuly,accordingtoVeritéNews. Thenumberofheat-relatedemergencyroom visitshasalsosurged.FromApril1toJuly29, 3,305peoplewerehospitalizedforheat-relatedcauses,comparedtoa10-yearannual averageof2,700.Soaringtemperaturesare drivenbyclimatechangeandareapublic healthconcern.

48.5%

Extremeheathasbeenbreaking recordsinNewOrleans.TheNew Orleansairportlastweekrecorded threeconsecutive100-degree daysforthefirsttime.Thecity feltafour-daystretchof99-plus degreedays,anewrecord,WDSU reported.Andthecitybrokeits dailyrecordtemperatureforfive daysinarow.It’slikelythiswon’t bethelastrecord-settingyear asLouisianafeelstheeffectsof climatechange.

DennisAlonzo,aFrenchQuarter resident,calledtheparkletsinthe area“eyesores”andsaidhewas againstputtingtheminfrontofthe neighborhood’shistoricbuildings.

“FriendsI’vehadcomingfromout oftownhaveexpressedunhappiness thattheycometotheQuarterand seetheseredandwhiteandorange blocks,”hesaid RebeccaRae,aMarignyresident, laterreplied,“I’msorrythatthisgentleman’sout-of-townfriendswere disappointedwiththeirvisithere. However,weareNewOrleanians…

Parkletshavebeenoperatingas partofapilotprogramforthelast severalyearsstartingduringthe pandemic,thoughcityofficialssaid theyalwaysintendedtocreateapermanentprogram.TheCityCouncil passedruleslastyear,butbusiness ownerssaylastminutechanges severelyrestrictedtheprogram.

ThoughtheOfficeofEconomic Developmenthasalreadydrafted changestotherules,acouncilmemberneedstobringthemforward. Manypartiesinvolvedthoughtthat wasgoingtobeKing,butheinsistshe won’tproposeanycitywidechanges

Thecouncilwillnotbeableto createandpassnewrulesbefore theAug.31enforcementdeadline, buttheycouldattempttopushback thatdate.Atthispoint,nocouncil memberhascommittedpubliclyto trying.—KayleePoche

15.1%

6.1%

Pepp’sPubbuiltwooden tabletopsandaddedspace heaterstoitsparklet.

PHOTOPROVDEDBYSAM WURTH

BUILDMORESHADE STRUCTURESIN PUBLICAREAS

FOCUSONWAYSTO REDUCE“HEAT ISLANDS,”LIKEBY PLANTINGMORETREES

THENUMBEROFPEOPLEIN LOUISIANAWHOHAVEDIED FROMHEAT-RELATEDCAUSES SOFARTHISSUMMER.

N.O.Councilneedstoact quicklytopreserveparklets wherethey’reworking

ONAUG.7,NEW ORLEANSCITY COUNCILMEMBER

FREDDIEKINGIIIheld yetanothermeeting onthequestionof whethersomebarsin NewOrleansshould beabletomaintain “parklets”—streetsideparkingspaces usedasoutdoor seatingareas.

Itwasthelatestina seriesofmeetingsand discussionsdatingto beforethepandemic ontheuseofparklets.Incallingforthe meeting,Kingsaidhewantedtoget “adults”intheroomontheissue.

Weagreeit’stimeforreasonto prevail.Thebenefitsofparkletshave beenrecognizedsincebeforethe pandemic.MayorLaToyaCantrell’s administrationwassettolauncha pilotprogramwhenCovidhit,and shefast-trackedittohelpbusinesses survivethelockdowns.Wesupport allowingbusinessestousethem underappropriateconditions.

Lastyear,thecouncilpassedan ordinanceintendedtomakethe parkletprogrampermanentforthose thatmetcertainconditions.We endorsedthatidea.

Unfortunately,theordinancedid notworkasexpected,particularly forbusinessownerswithparkletsin areasoutsidetheFrenchQuarter. Last-minutechangestotheordinance appeartohaveseeminglyinadvertentlybarredmanyofthosebusinesses fromoperatingparklets.

Infact,formuchofthepastyearthe city’sOfficeofEconomicDevelopment hasworkedwiththeOfficeofNightime Economy,businessownersandothers onthoseamendments,aprocessKing wasalsoinvolvedin.Asrecentlyaslast month,itappearedthecouncilwas ontracktotweaktheordinanceand allowthedozenorsoimpactedbarsto continueoperatingtheirparklets.

Inthelastseveralweeks,however, allthatworkunraveled.First,as wereportedearlierthismonth,the DepartmentofPublicWorksignored theworkoftheOfficeofEconomic Developmentandtoldsomebusiness ownerstotakedowntheirparklets beforethedepartmentstartsenforcing

theexistingordinancenextmonth.

Meanwhile,Kingnowsayshewon’t introducetheproposedamendments becausetheywouldapplycitywide andheinsistsheneverhadany intentionofintroducingthem.This runscountertowhattheadministration,barownersandevenother councilmembershavebelieved.

Kingisclearlyfrustratedatbeing thrustintothecenteroftheparklets fight.HesaysheintroducedtheoriginalordinanceonlybecauseCouncil MemberLesliHarriswasforcedto recuseherselfbecauseofherhusband’sbusinessconcerns.While Kingmayhaveinitiallyagreedto authortheordinanceasacourtesy toHarris,astheauthorofrecordhe ownsitssuccessesaswellas itsfailures

Moreover,King’sdistrictincludes theareawheresuccessfulparklets arenowthreatened—aswellasthe FrenchQuarter,whereresidentsloudly opposeparklets.Whobettertobethe adultintheroomthanhe?

We’renowbarelytwoweeksaway fromtheAug.31enforcementdeadline.Ifcouncilmemberswanttoallow somebarstokeeptheirparklets,they needtoactquicklytoletthemcontinuedoingsowhilethemonths-long regulatoryprocessplaysout

Ataminimum,thebarowners who’vespentthousandsofdollars eachonparkletsdeserveclarity— andconsistency—fromCityHall.

RBarisoneofseveral businesseswhowouldhave toremovetheirparkletby theendofthemonth

FORDECADES, CANDIDATESFOR GOVERNORANDTHE LEGISLATUREHAVE CITEDLOUISIANA’S SHAMEFULLYHIGH INFANTMORTALITY

RATE,whichranks amongthehighest inthenationandthe developedworld, asapressingproblem thatneedsto beaddressed

Thebiggershameis thefactthatthevast majorityofthosecandidateshaveconsistentlyfailedtodosomethingabout thosedeaths—nearly200infants everyyear—mostofwhichare entirelypreventable.

Anewseriesofspecialreportsin

TheTimes-Picayune,bystaffwriter AndreaGalloanddataeditorJeff Adelson,showsingraphicdetailthe price—intinyliveslost—thatourstate continuestopayforelectedofficials’ failuretoremedyLouisiana’sinfant mortalitycrisis.

Solvingthiscrisiswilltakethekind ofpoliticalandfiscalresolvethat lawmakersandgovernorsroutinelyfail tomuster

Newsflash:Mostofourso-called leadersarenotleadersatall.They’re followers.Ifvotersdemandbetter —loudlyandoften,tothepointof makingpoliticiansuncomfortableor evenannoyed—theywillact.

Fortunately,notallourelectedofficialshavefailedus.Infact,lawmakers recentlypassedtwolawsthatrepresentsmallmeasuresofprogress.

Act207,the“JessicaCollins-Ruffin Act”byBatonRougestateSen.Regina Barrow,requiresMedicaidcoveragefor licensedorcertifiedmidwifeservices thatisatleast95%oftheamount reimbursedtophysicians.

Act270,byNewOrleansstateRep. MatthewWillard,requiresprivateinsurers,thestateOfficeofGroupBenefits (whichcoversstateemployees)and policiespurchasedontheAffordable CareActexchangetocoverthecostof certifieddoulaservicesupto$1,500

Louisianaisonlythesecondstateto requireatleastsomecoverageofdoula services.However,Act270doesnot requireMedicaidcoverageofdoulas. SomeMedicaidpoliciesdocoversuch services,butatmuchlowerrates.

“Manypeoplearenotfamiliarwith whatdoulasdo,comparedtomidwives,”Willardsaid.“Doulasdon’t providemedicalormidwiferycare. Theyprovidephysicalandeducational supportaroundlactation,nutrition andpotentialemotionalissues.Infact, manyhospitalsofferdoulaservices.”

ThemajorityofbirthsinLouisiana arepaidforbyMedicaid,whichshould promptlawmakerstorequireall Medicaidpoliciestocoverdoulaservices—andtoincreasethereimbursementrateabovewhatsomepolicies alreadyoffer.

Anotherhopefulsignisthenew FamilyConnectsprograminNew Orleans,whichprovidesuptothree in-homevisits,freeofcharge,to parentsofnewbornsupto12weeksold residinginOrleansParishwhogivebirth atOchsnerBaptistorTouroHospital

“That’sagreatprogram,”Willard toldme.“Iftheprogramimproves birthingoutcomes,I’dwanttoseeit replicatedstatewide.”

Meanwhile,votersshoulddemand candidatesofferadditional,specific solutionstoLouisiana’sinfantmortalitycrisis.

Oneobvioussolution:increase Medicaidreimbursementratesfor pregnancy-relatedhealthcare.Fartoo manywomeninLouisiana—uptoa third—liveinparisheswithnoOB-GYN servicesbecauseMedicaidreimbursementratesaretoolow.

Thatkindofchangewillcostmoney, butitwillsavelives.Whichiswhy votersneedtogetloud—nowandafter theelections

Weneedtogetloudtomake politicianssolveLouisiana’s infantmortalitycrisis

FamilyRoadofGreaterBaton Rouge’sTinaChin-Griffinsetting upaninfantmortalitymemorial inBatonRouge.

PHOTOBYTRAVIS SPRADLING / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN™

@GambitBlake|askblake@gambitweekly.com

HeyBlake, Whilevisitingthe SouthernFoodand BeverageMuseumon OrethaCastleHaley Boulevard,Inoticedan oldbuildingacrossthe street.It’sdefinitelyseen betterdays,butthename Federicoisstillvisible abovetheentrance.What canyoutellmeaboutit?

Dearreader,

INNOVEMBER1920,THEFEDERICO FAMILYOPENEDAGROCERYSTORE inthe1500blockofDryades Street(itwasrenamedOretha CastleHaleyBoulevardin1989).

Newspaperadvertisementsreferred toitasJos.FredericoGroceryCo., Inc.Thebusinesswasnamedinhonor ofitsfounder,JosephFederico,who haddiedtwoyearsearlier.That’s whenhiswifeandsonstookoverthe businessthathehadfoundedin1893.

FedericowasanativeofPalermo, Sicily,whocametoNewOrleansasa youngboy.HisJuly1918obituarysaid heandhisfamily(hiswife,Theresa, threesons—Frank,A.J.andLawrence —andadaughter,Anna)livedat1509 DryadesSt.,inthesameblockastheir grocerystore

DryadesStreetatthetimewasone ofthecity’scommercialcenters,witha largepublicmarketthatopenedin1849.

BLAKEVIEW

Thebuildingthatoncehoused Jos.FredericoGroceryCo.,Inc.

Thebuildingsacrossthestreetfrom Federico’s,thatnowhousetheSouthern FoodandBeverageMuseumandNew OrleansJazzOrchestra,werebothoriginallypartoftheDryadesMarket

TheFedericofamilyoperatedits grocerystoreforseveralyearsbefore thebuildingbecameaH.G.Hillgrocery store,partofthechainlaterpurchased byWinn-Dixie.ItwasaHillstorefrom the1940sthroughthe1960s.In1967, thepropertywasconvertedintoa HeadStartcenter.Thatfacilityclosed sometimeinthelate1990s

THIRTY-FIVEYEARSAGOTHISWEEK,THE1988REPUBLICANNATIONALCONVENTION drewmorethan5,000delegatestoNewOrleans,alongwithnearlyasmany membersofthemedia.Duringthefour-dayeventattheSuperdome,Republican delegatesnominatedGeorgeH.W.Bushforpresident

Thecityandhostcommitteeraised$5.5milliontohosttheconvention,which localorganizers(includingPeggyWilsonandBryanWagner)sawasawayforthe citytoshowcaseitsfood,musicandhospitalitytothenation

SpeakersattheAug.15-18conventionincludedoutgoingPresidentandFirst LadyRonaldandNancyReagan,theRev.BillyGraham,CharltonHeston,former PresidentGeraldFordandahostofGOPlawmakers,includingBobDole,John McCain,JackKemp,NewtGingrich,andthekeynotespeaker,NewJerseyGov ThomasKean

AtanoutdoorrallyatSpanishPlaza,Bushannouncedhispickforrunningmate: Sen.DanQuayle,41,ofIndiana.TheTimes-Picayunecalledhim“asurprisechoice ofavirtualunknownintendedtoaddadashofyouthfulverveandright-wingconvictiontotheRepublicanticket.”

Thenextnight,BushandQuayleacceptedtheirparty’snomination,withBush, whohadservedeightyearsasvicepresident,pledgingtocontinueReagan’spolicies.Bush’sspeechcontainedthefamousline:“Readmylips:nonewtaxes”aswell asreferencestohiswell-remembered“thousandpointsoflight.”

Thespotlightwasonthecityfromthenationalmediaforthefour-dayevent, withprintandbroadcastreportersfromeverymajoroutletinAmericafeaturing NewOrleans’uniquecultureaspartoftheircoverage.ThecitygotwhatthenMayorSidneyBarthelemycalled“$1billionworthoffreepublicity”asaresult.

PHOTOBYBLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN / GAMBIT

Octophonium

CELEBRATING EIGHT NEW ORLEANS MUSIC ICONS OVER 80

BY JA KE CL AP P AN D JO HN STAN TO N

EACH YEAR, GAMBIT takessometimetosaluteyoungNewOrleanians doinggreatworkinourcitythroughour40Under40list It’sourchanceto recognizethenextgenerationpushingourcommunityforward. Butthey’reonlyonepartoftheNewOrleansstory.Andmanyhonorees overtheyearshavereadilyadmittedtheystandontheshouldersofgiants whocamebeforethem

SoGambitisstartinganewseriesrecognizingNewOrleansiconswhohave helpedshape(andcontinuetoshape)ourcityoverlongcareersofwork This year,westartwithmusicgreats:eightsingersandmusiciansover80yearsold whohelpeddevelopthediversesoundsofthecity,fromjazzandrhythmand bluestoMardiGrasIndianfunkandbrassbandmusic.

Wehopetheshortprofilesonthefollowingpagesnotonlyservetohonor themomentousworkofeightkeyplayersintheNewOrleansscenebutalso helpreadersbetterunderstandthecitywecallhomeandthegreatsthathave inspiredus.

Monk Boudreaux in 1974

PHOTO BY MICHAEL P SMITH © THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

Deacon John Moore in 1992

PHOTO BY MICHAEL P. SMITH © THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

Roger Lewis in 1984

PHOTO BY MICHAEL P. SMITH ©THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

Irma Thomas in 2022

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Germaine Bazzle in 1976

PHOTO BY RONALD LEBOEUF / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Charlie Gabriel in 2023

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Little Freddie King in the 1990s

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MADE WRIGHT RECORDS

Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson in 1986

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AL JOHNSON

LITTLE FREDDIE KING, 83

LITTLE FREDDIEKINGHOPPEDAFREIGHTTRAINfromMcComb,Mississippi,to NewOrleanswhenhewas14andhaslivedenoughforninelivesinthecityhe’scalled homesince

“Ihavecertainlypaidmydues,”Kingsays.“Overthepast83years,Ihavesurvivedthree shootings,stabbings,anearfatalbikeaccidentthatpressedagainstmyspine,astomach ulcerdoctorsbelievedwouldkillme,anaccidentalelectrocutionwhilefixingmyTVset, thehurricanethatrippedNewOrleansapartin2005,andrecentlyapandemic.”

Asingerandguitarist—andoneofthelastofagenerationofgreatSouthernbluesmen —KingcuthisteethatclubsliketheDewDropInn,Irene’sonJacksonAvenueandthe BusyBee,abarhecalledthe“BucketofBlood.”Today,Kingcanbeseenregularlyat localfestivalsandbarsandclubsliked.b.a.andBJ’sLounge,hisgo-tohaunt.Andlast year,hereleasedhislatestalbum,“BluesMedicine,”atitleKingpickedtospreadthe goodwordaboutthemusic’scure-allproperties.

“ThesecrettolongevityishavingverygooddoctorsonstandbyfordaKing,”hesays. “Givingupdrinkingattheageof40andcuttingbackonsmokingmycigstohalfacigaday Inaddition,ridingmytwo-wheelCadillaceverydaytokeeptheoldheartpumping.Main thing,prayingtothegoodLordandthankhimforkeepingmegoing.”

What is needed for ahappy life?

“ForDr.Bonestobe‘happy,’IjustneedmyridetotheDollarGeneral,pickingup myliterofCoca-Cola,grabbingapackofmentholKoolcigarettesandcomehome tomy18guitars.Playingmyguitarandfoolingaroundwithmusicisasuperstress relieffromthetrialsandtribulationsofdailyliving.Playingmy‘gutbucket’blues andfollowingtheroadmapthegoodLordhaslaidoutforme.”

GERMAINE BAZZLE, 91

JAZZ VOCALIST,E DUCATOR

GERMAINE BAZZLE’S ACCLAIM AS AVOCALISThasovertheyears earnedherdeservedrecognitionas the“FirstLadyofJazz”and“thegrand dameofNewOrleansjazzvocalists,” asTheTimes-Picayune’sKeithSpera wrotein2022.ButforBazzle,performancewasneveranobligation.

“Itwasnotamust,”shesays.“Ihada jobthatIenjoyedvery,verymuch.”

Bazzlespent50yearsasaneducator,mostlyatXavierPreparatoryHigh Schoolwhereshetaughtchoirand musicappreciationclassesuntilher retirementin2008.Shealsotaught duringthesummersattheLouisArmstrongSummerJazzCamp.

Teachingwasher“mainthing,”her priority.Butonstageatnightsandat eventsliketheNewOrleansJazz& HeritageFestivalandFrenchQuarter Fest,shehascaptivatedaudiences withherelegantstagepresence,range andscatsinging

Bazzlegrewupinthe7thWardwitha familyfullofpianistsandbegantaking

musiclessonsthroughXavierUniversity’sJuniorSchoolofMusic.After graduatingfromMcDonogh35,Bazzle pursuedadegreeinmusiceducation atXavier,goingontoteachfirstbriefly ataschoolinThibodauxandthenat XavierPrep.

Atthesametime,Bazzlewassharing stageswithmusicianslikeEllisMarsalis Jr.(whomshemetduringclassesat Xavier’sjuniormusicschool),Johnny Vidacovich,ReginaldVealandother greatsofNewOrleansjazz.Although sheonlyrecordedahandfuloftimes —includingherlivealbums“Standing Ovation”and“Swingin’atSnug” Bazzle’sexpertknowledgeofthe AmericanSongbookandjazzclassics hasdrawnaudiencestoher,especially duringJazzFest.

“I’veworkedwithwhatIconsider thebestjazzmusiciansNewOrleans hadtooffer,”Bazzlesays.“Thatwas likegoingtoschoolforme,because Ialwayslearnedsomethingwhileworkingwiththem.”

Sincethebeginningofthepandemic, Bazzlehasincreasinglyeasedbackon liveperformances,andlastyeardecidedtoonlyworkonenightamonth. Earlierthisyear,shedecidedtoretire.

“Itcomesatimewhenyouhaveto facefacts,andtherearesomefacts youhavetofacewithanythingatany time,”shesays.“AndIjustdecidedit wouldbebetterformeifIjustrelaxfor thetimebeing.”

What is needed for ahappy life?

“Dothebestyoucan.Dothebest youcanatwhateveritisthatyou’re doing,andifyoufeelthatyou’renot doingthebestyoucan,gotothe nextthing.Butthemostimportant thingishowyoupersonallyfeel.”

2023 PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE 1988 PHOTOPROVIDED BY THE HISTORIC NEWORLEANS COLLECTION

AL‘CARNIVALTIME’ JOHNSON, 84

SINGER, PIANIST, CARNIVAL ROYALTY

AL JOHNSON ENDS HIS PHONE CALL WITH GAMBITwithanappropriatesign off:“Andit’sCarnivaltimeallthetime,and everybody’shavingfun!”hesaysbefore sayinggoodbye.

Johnson’ssong“CarnivalTime”istodaya MardiGrasclassic andithasledtohisown placeasMardiGrasroyalty,reigningasKrewe duVieuxmonarchin2005andGrandMarshal forLifefortheKreweofRedBeans.Beanlandia,theKreweofRedBeans’newhome intheBywater,hasastagededicatedtothe rhythmandbluespianistandsinger.

BorninJune1939,Johnsonoriginallytook tothetrumpet,butinfluencedbyFatsDomino,helearnedtoplaypianoaswell Inhis teenyears,Johnsonandhisfriendswould entertalentcontestsaroundtown,andhe wouldgoontojointheR&BgrouptheTwilightersonpiano.

In1956,attheageof17,Johnsoncuthis firstrecord,featuring“OleTimeTalkin’”and “IfI’veDoneWrong,”andacoupleofyears laterrecordedhissong“Lena”forJoeRuffino’sRicRecords withoutacontract,amove thatmeantJohnsonwouldn’tfinanciallybenefitfromhiswork,hetoldOffBeatin2013.

Inlate1959,JohnsonenteredCosimo Matassa’sstudio backedbyMacRebennack onpiano,bassistPlacideAdams,guitarist EdgarBlanchardandWalterLastieondrums andrecorded“CarnivalTime,”againfor RicRecords.SaxophonistsJamesRivers,Lee AllenandRobertParkerprovidedthesong’s signatureopeningblast.

InitiallyovershadowedbyJessieHill’s“Ooh PooPahDoo”in1960,thesongsteadily pickedupsteam andisnowastapleofthe Carnivalseason.Still,Johnsonwouldn’tsee anyroyaltiesfromhissonguntil1999when, afteralongcourtbattle,hesecuredtherights to“CarnivalTime.”

ExceptforastintintheArmyintheearly ’60s,JohnsonremainedasteadfastplayerinthelocalR&Bmusicscene,including regularappearancesatJazzFest,andhewas inductedintotheLouisianaMusicHallof Famein2007 Thefollowingyear,his“Lower NinthWardBlues”wasfeaturedinthemovie “RachelGettingMarried.”

“Ihavemadesomegoodmusic I wasn’tsuccessfultomakemoneywithit toomuch,butI’vemadesomegoodmusic,” Johnsonsays.

What is needed for a happy life?

“Happinessforeverybodyisdifferent It’sanindividualthing Somepeopleneedeverythingtobehappy,andsomepeopleneedonlyafewthings.I’mhappyhelpingotherpeople behappy.”

DEACON JOHN MOORE, 82

SINGER, GUITARIST, VERSATILE BANDLEADER

DEACON JOHN MOORE’S GUITAR helpedbringhundreds ofNewOrleansrecordingsto life That’shimonErnieK-Doe’s “Mother-in-Law,”AaronNeville’s “TellItLikeItIs,”IrmaThomas’ “RulerofMyHeart,”LeeDorsey’s “WorkingintheCoalMine”and many,manyothers.

Buthisstoriedsessionwork isonlyonepartoftheversatile musician’s65-yearcareer Asa bandleader oftenseeninasuit, bowtieandfedora Moorehas usedhisextensiverepertoireto setthemusicforcountlessNew Orleansevents,fromCarnival ballsandsocialaidandpleasure clubpartiestoweddings.He’s alsoplayedeveryJazzFestsince itstarted.

Mooregrewupinthe8thWard asoneof13kids,andwhilehe

sanginthechoir,hewasattracted torock’n’roll clandestinely listeningtotheradiothrough headphones andlearnedtoplay guitar Heplayedaspartofseveral groupsatschooldancesandblock partiesbeforehejoinedthe Ivoriesinthelate-’50s Alumsof thegroupincludedRogerLewis, JamesBooker,ZigabooModeliste andtheNevillebrothers.

TheIvoriesstartedgigging aroundNewOrleansaswellason theChitlin’Circuitandsecureda slotasahousebandfortheDew DropInn.ItwastherethatAllen ToussainttuggedonMoore’sarm andaskedhimtoplayonafew sessions.Thatquestionledhim toworkingwithToussaint,Dave Bartholomew,WardellQuezergue andnumerousothersrecording songsforMinitRecords.

Thoughhehasn’thadhisown hitsong,Moorehasreleased severalrecordingsovertheyears, includinghis1990album“Singer ofSong”and2003’s“Deacon John’sJumpBlues.”In1970, Moorewasthefirstrock’n’roll musiciantoperformwiththe then-NewOrleansSymphony, andhe’shadahandfulofroleson filmandTV.Moorewasinducted intotheLouisianaMusicHallof Famein2008.

“AllmylifeI’vebeenhardtoput alabelon,”MooretoldGambit in2017.“Maybeit’sbestthey don’thavealabelonme...Iwas blessedwithtalent.Icansingmy assoff,Icanplayguitar,Iplaythe banjo I’manentertainer,andI’ve beenabletosustainmyselfbeing anentertainer.”

1986

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AL JOHNSON

2021

PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

1982

PHOTO BY MICHAEL P. SMITH © THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

2019

PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFIELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

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LOCALLIFE

ROGER LEWIS, 81 IRMA THOMAS, 82

SAXOPHONIST, DIRTY DOZEN FOUNDING MEMBER

SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS

1985

ROGER LEWIS WAS BARELY A TEENAGER whenhehadhisfirst professionalgigs,joininganeighborhoodbandwithFrederickKemp. Thoseearlydaysplayingsaxophone atbarsandballroomsaround NewOrleans,though,wasjust thebeginningtoanacclaimed, nearly-70-yearcareerthat’swound fromperformingwithFatsDomino,IrmaThomasandnumerous otherNewOrleansmusiciansto co-foundingtheinfluentialDirty DozenBrassBand

GrowingupinNewOrleans,Lewis’motherencouragedhimtolearn thepiano,andthroughlessonshe learnedtoreadmusic.Butaround thetimehewas10,hisfathergave himasaxophone andthatwasit forthepiano.

Lewisstartedtoplayaroundhis neighborhoodandbecameastrongerplayerthroughschoolprograms, especiallyatCarterG.Woodson JuniorHigh,wherehelearned fromMercedesStampsandHarold Battiste.Hiseducationcontinued atGeorgeWashingtonCarverHigh andlateratGrunewaldSchoolof MusicandSouthernUniversityat NewOrleans.

Inthelate-’50s,whilestillinhigh school,LewisjoinedDeaconJohn MooreandtheIvories,cuttinghis teethasatenorsaxophoniston theChitlin’Circuitandatvenues aroundNewOrleans,includingthe DewDropInn.Andalongwiththe Ivories,the’60sfoundLewisgigging withsingerEddieBoandIrma Thomas’bandTheTornadoes.

Bytheearly’70s,Lewishadjoined upwithFatsDomino’sband,replacinghistenorforabaritonesax,and traveledthecountryandEurope withtherock’n’rollerforyears.

Lewishasspentmorethanhalf hislifenowintheDirtyDozen BrassBand,whichcametogether in1977.Alongwiththebrassband standards,theDirtyDozenbegan injectingbebop,R&B,funkand popularsongsintotheirsecond-line repertoire Itwasn’tlongbefore thebandalsobeganplayingclubs, attractingeveryonefromDizzy GillespieandtheRedHotChili Pepperstocheckthemoutwhilein NewOrleans

Acrossfourandahalfdecades, theDirtyDozenhasplayedwith DavidBowie,ModestMouse, DaveMatthewsandMarvinGaye. Andthisyear,thebandwonits firstGrammyAwardforitswork withAaronNevilleonthesong “Stompin’Ground.”

Despitehisworkwithsomany othermusicians,Lewisreleasedhis debutalbumasaleader,“Alright!,” justlastyear

What is needed for a happy life?

“Doingthethingsthatyouenjoydoing.Mythingisplaying music Tryandmakeother peoplehappy.”

IT MAY BE DIFFICULT tooverstate theplaceIrmaThomashasnotonly inNewOrleansmusichistorybutin thecity’sheart.“SoulQueenofNew Orleans”isn’tatitlegivenlightly she’sbeloved,drawingcrowdsto virtuallyanythingshedoes,likeher rhythmandbluesandgospelsets atJazzFestorherannualMother’s DayshowsatAudubonZoo.Really, there’senoughadorationhereto prompttwodocumentaries,“Irma: MyLifeinMusic”and“IrmaThomas: TheSoulQueenofNewOrleans,” justinthelastcoupleofyears. Andit’seasytounderstandwhy. Besidesthefirstfewyearsofherlife (ThomaswasborninPonchatoula) andbriefstintsinCaliforniainthe ’70sandGonzalesafterHurricane Katrinaandthefederalleveefailuresdestroyedherhome,Thomas haslivedherlifeinNewOrleans. Shehelpedshapetheinfluential NewOrleansR&Bsound,especially throughherworkwithAllenToussaintandMinitRecords.

Andarguably,TheRollingStones hadtheirfirstU.S.hitbecauseof her:Thomasinearly1964recorded“TimeIsonMySide,”andlater thatyear,theStones knownfor miningR&Bandbluesforinspiration broketheBillboardTop10with theirversion.

Thomasgrewupsingingwithher churchchoirandlovedtoperform. Whenshewas19,shewasworkingasawaitressandsupporting fourchildren,whensingerTommy Ridgleyintroducedhertoproducer JoeRuffino.Sherecordedherfirst

song“(YouCanHaveMyHusband, butPlease)Don’tMesswithMy Man,”forRuffino’sRonRecords in1959,andthesongclimbedthe R&Bcharts By1961,shebeganrecording withMinitRecordsandoften workedwithToussaint,resulting inmanyofherearlyclassics,like “It’sRaining”and“RulerofMy Heart.”Thomasreleasedherfirst LP,“WishSomeoneWouldCare,” in1964andthetitlesongbecame anationalhit.

Despiteanumberofgreatrecordsreleasedoverhercareer andtwonominations,Thomas diddn’twinaGrammyAwarduntil 2007forheralbum“Afterthe Rain.”Thatsameyear,shewas inductedintotheLouisianaMusic HallofFame

What is needed for a happy life?

“Idon’thaveasecretfora happylifebecauselifeislife andit’snotalwayshappy. Therearegooddaysand baddays Myfaithkeepsme growingandgrounded.”

PHOTO BY MICHAEL P. SMITH

© THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

2021

PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

1976

PHOTO BY J.E BOURGOYNE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

2023

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

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LOVE THE WATERFRONT LIFE?

Your dream of living on the wateris closer than youimagine.Fish from your backyardorinLakeSalvador, just20minutes awaybyboat. All while being an easydrivefrom downtown NewOrleans. Lots in our private,Caribbean influenced community startatjust$75k.

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CHARLIE GABRIEL,91

SAXOPHONIST,CLARINETIST,CHESS PLAYER

CHARLIEGABRIEL IS NEVERTOO FARAWAY fromachessboard.The saxophonistandclarinetistoftenturns tothegameduringhissparetimeor whilewaitingformusictostartat PreservationHall,wherehe’sthe JazzBand’sseniormemberandthe Foundation’smusicaldirector.He’s eagertoplayanyone—andhe’sa patientstrategist.

Duringthelong,earlydaysofthe pandemic,Gabrielwouldoftenplay chesswithPresHall’sBenJaffe.They wouldtalkandplaymusic,andone afternoon,whileguitaristJoshua Starkmanvisited,thethreemusicians decidedtorecordtogether.Thecollaborationledto“89,”Gabriel’s2022 albumreleasedbySubPop.Featuring jazzstandardsaswellastwooriginals, thealbumrepresentsalifetimeofNew Orleansmusichistory

GabrielgrewupinahouseonConti StreetnearNorthGalvez.Hewould becomethefourthgenerationofNew Orleansmusicians,alineagethatgoes backtothe1850sandhisgreat-grand-

MONK BOUDREAUX, 81

BIG CHIEF OF THE GOLDEN EAGLES, SINGER

fatherNarcisseGabriel,abassplayer. Atjust11,Gabrielbeganplayingclarinet withtheEurekaBrassBand,andduring WorldWarII,hewouldsubstituteon gigsformusicianswhowereofffighting inthewar.Itwasduringthattime,he playedwithandlearnedfromplayers likeKidSheik,Dominique“T-Boy” RemyandJames“Kid”Clayton.

Asateenager,Gabrielmovedto Detroit,andhisexperiencehelped himlandagigwithLionelHampton’s band.HelaterperformedwithAretha Franklin’sOrchestraintheearly’70s aswellasJ.C.Heard,JoeSimonand TonyBennett.HeplayedNewOrleans occasionallyanddecidedtomoveback in2009.

“It’soneofthosethings:Musicis yourlife,beingamusicianbecause allwedoistalkaboutmusic,”Gabriel toldGambitlastyear.“Iusedtohavea phrase:Musicalconversationcancels outcomplications.That’smylittlething totryandlearnsomethingfromone another.Inanotherword,wetalkabout it,sowedon’trunintonoproblems.”

What is needed for ahappy life?

“Havingalovely,caring,andsupportivewife[Marsha]hashelpedmethrough allthatI’vedone.Ifitweren’tforhersupport,Iwouldn’tbeashealthyasIam either.Ioweallofmyachievementsandmylifetoher.”

LAST YEAR,MONKBOUDREAUX, BIGCHIEF OF THEGOLDENEA GLES,receivedhisfirstGrammyAward nomination,forhisalbum“Bloodstains&Teardrops.”Thatyear’sBest RegionalRootsMusicAlbumcategory wasstackedwithLouisianaartists, including,interestingly,ChaWa’s“My People,”whichfeaturedBoudreaux’s ownsonandsecondchief,Joseph BoudreauxJr.MaybealloftheLouisianamusicianssplitthevote:Hawaii’s KalaniPe’awalkedawaywiththeaward (although,MonkBoudreauxearneda bestdressednodfromtheWashington Postandotheroutlets)

Thebluesandreggae-focused “Bloodstains&Teardrops”wasa departureforBoudreaux.Themost seniorBlackMaskingIndianandaliving legendintheculture,Boudreauxis knownforhisworkwithIndianmusic, especiallywithhisfriendBoDollisand theWildMagnolias.Startinginthe ’70s,togethertheynotonlyhelped spreadIndianchantsandtraditions beyondtheboundariesofNewOrleans butpioneeredthepivotal,electrified MardiGrasIndianfunkgenre.

Boudreaux’sfather,Raymond, masked,andMonkfromanearlyage learnedtosewandabouttheculture’s

traditionsduringatimewhenIndians weretoooftenharassedinthestreets bypolice.Inanimportantmoment, BoudreauxandtheGoldenEaglesand BoDollisandtheWildMagnolias,along withtheBlackEagles,wereinvitedto appearattheinauguralJazzFestin 1970.Andlaterthatyear,Boudreaux, BoDollisandtheWildMagnolias wouldenterastudiobackedbymusicians—includingpianistWillieTee, bassistGeorgeFrenchanddrummer ZigabooModeliste—tocut“Handa Wanda.”ItwasthefirsttimeIndians hadbeenrecordedinsuchawaywitha backingband

Boudreauxwouldcontinuetowork withtheWildMagnoliasfor30years, recordingandtouringthecountry withthegroup,beforeleavinginthe early2000s

Alongwithreleasingseveralsolo albums,Boudreauxregularlyperforms onstage,whetherbackedbyafull bandorpresentingtraditionalIndian musicwiththeGoldenEagles,andhe’s raisingupthenextgenerationofIndian musicians:Hisson,JosephBoudreaux, todayfrontsTheRumble,andhis grandson,J’wanBoudreaux,hasperformedinthepastwithChaWa

2023 PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

1960s PHOTOPROVIDEDBYCHARLIEGABRIEL

2023 PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

1977

PHOTOBY LIONEL M. COTTIER JR./ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Islandhopping

INTHE20YEARSHE’SWORKEDIN

KITCHENS,chefGagahAlamsyahhas cookedAmericanfood,Japanesecuisine,ItalianandevenGermanfoodat Jägerhaus,theformerFrenchQuarter schnitzelratskeller

WiththeFebruaryopeningofIsland BistroinKenner,theeasternJava nativeisfinallygettingaplaceforfood fromhishomecountry.IslandBistro isthefirstIndonesianrestaurantin theNewOrleansarea,tuckedaway inaKennerstripmallonVeterans MemorialBoulevard

“EvenwhenIwenttoculinaryschool forthreeyears(inJava),wefocused oninternationalfood,notourown country’scuisine,”Alamsyahsays.

ThenotionofhavinganIndonesian restaurantstartedwithownerElis Herman,withsupportfromherhusbandandpartner,CharlesWang.

“TheonlywayIcouldeatreally goodIndonesianfoodwaswhenmy momcookedforme,orifIwastravelingtocitieslikeL.A.orPhilly,”says Herman,whohailsfromSumatra.

HermanmetWang,arestaurant consultant,whenshewasworkingin hospitalityinPensacola,Florida.The pairmarriedin2004andeventually movedtoNewOrleans.

“Thisismydream,”Hermansays.“I gavemymom’srecipestochefGagah. Iwanttoshowpeoplewhatmycountry’sfoodislike.”

Alamsyahrefinedthepopulardishes whilemaintainingIndonesianflavors Therestaurantquicklybecamea magnetfortheIndonesiancommunity inKenner,MetairieandSlidell,as wellasgueststravelingfromBiloxi, Mississippi,andLafayetteforthebold, well-seasonedflavorsfromdisheslike beefrendangandcoconutrice Indonesiancuisineisshotthrough withspiceandaromatics.Thediverse countryismadeupofmorethan 17,000islandsandmanydifferent culturesandflavors.Generally,the cuisineisanchoredbyriceandrice noodles,informedbycenturiesof influencesfromtraderstraveling fromIndia,theMiddleEastandEast

Asia.Religioninforms someregionaltastes,like anavoidanceofbeefin Hindu-influencedBali andporkinplaceswith largeIslamicpopulations, likeSumatra IslandBistrooffersa varietyofregionaldishes.

“Ourfoodhassomuch incommonwithother cultures,butwedoour ownparticularversion,” saysthechef,whogrinds hisownspicesand curryblends.

Onepopularstarteris lumpia,afriedspringroll filledwithshrimp,jicama, snapbeansandshredded carrots.Roticanaiisa flaky,rolledcrepe-like bread,alsopopularin Malaysia,servedwitha potato-studdedcurryfor dipping.Sataypadeng,a westSumatranfavorite, isagrilledskeweroftenderbeef tonguethat’sbeenmarinatedovernightandhasatangy,soyflavor.

CoconutriceisIndonesia’snational comfortfood.Alamsyah’sversion ofnasiudukishabit-forming,anda rangeofdishesareservedwithrice steepedincoconutmilkandaromatic spices.ThereisaspicyIndonesianstyledeviledegg,peanutsstirfried withanchovies,friedtempeh,and tofuservedwithdicedcarrots, cucumbersandonions.Beefrendang isaslow-cooked,flavorfulstew.

Friedchicken,calledayamgoreng serundeng,hasacaramelizedcrunchy coatingfragrantwithfriedcoconut andlime.Grilledpompanoistreated toBalineseseasonings,withsambal peppersauceontheside.AcornerstoneofIndonesiancuisine,sambalis aspicypastemadewithredorgreen chilisandflavoredinmyriadways, withingredientsfromfishsauceto lime,shallotsorsweetsoysauce Kewtiaugorengisapopularstreetfooddishmadewithflatricenoodles

stirfriedwithvegetables,aproteinof choice,Asiangreens,plentyofgarlic, andsweetsoysauce.DrunkennoodlesareakissingcousintotheThai version.Forthelessadventurous, there’sawagyuburger,avealchop andsearedscallops.

Wangintendstoapplyforanalcohol license,butit’snotinplaceyet,and bringingyourownisnotpermitted.In themeantime,thereissweetjasmine teaandanarrayofcolddrinks.

Thecompactdessertlist’shighlight isescendol,oricedgreenjelly,a coolingdessertmadewithpearlsof greenpandaninfusedwithriceflour andservedwithchilledcoconutmilk, shavediceandpalmsugar

ChefAlamsyahisthrilledtobe cookingthefoodhegrewupwith. “Weareteachingourguestsabout Indonesianfood,andtheyreallylove it,”hesays.

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

Augustdiningevents

FORONENIGHTEACHAUGUST,DICKIE BRENNAN’SSTEAKHOUSETRANSFORMS itssubterraneandiningroomintosomethinglikeafullyair-conditionedindoor festivalofbeefforitsSteakhouse SummerPicnic.

Thetablesareclearedout,andthe servingstationsaresetupacrossthe restaurant,eachfeaturingbeefdishes usingcutsfromLouisianaproducers GonsoulinCattleRanch,CoastalPlains MeatCo.andCrescentBarFfarm.

Culinaryteamsfromthesteakhouse andDickieBrennan&Co.sibling restaurantsPalaceCafe,Tableauand BourbonHousecollaborateonarange ofdishes,fromcocktailparty-style passedappetizerstoadessertbar. Thatincludesminiandwholebeef Wellingtons,stripsteakandfilet,short ribs,brisketandgiantbeefshankpot piesservedfromblackironskillets There’sanopenbarforwine,beer andcocktails.

SteakhouseSummerPicnic.

Thisyear,DJMattywillspinclassic countryandwesterntunes.Manypeopleturnupinwesternattire

ThepicnicisThursday,Aug.17

Ticketsare$125andVIPtablesare availableviaeventbrite.comoratdickiebrennanssteakhouse.com

“NoMenuTuesday”isbackthis summerattheinventiveUptownbistro Coquette.Themenusarekeptsecret, anddinersonlyknowthethemegoing in,soit’sabitoftrustfalldining.

Theweeklyspecialrunsthrough AugustandSeptemberwithadifferent

BeefshankpotpieisservedatDickie Brennan’sSteakhousefortheannual

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

OwnersCharlesWangand ElisHermanandchefGagah AlamsyahatIslandBistro PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER / GAMBIT

IslandBistrodelvesintoIndonesia’sdiversecuisine byBethD’Addono |

Dine-in Indonesiandishes fromacrossthe diversenation

five-coursedinnerservedfor$55 eachTuesday.

Upcomingthemesinclude“Italian American”(Aug.15);“Single Ingredient:Tuna”(Aug.22)and“Gas StationCuisineofSouthernLouisiana” (Aug.29).ThemesforSeptemberwill beannouncedlater.

They’relightingthefiresagain thishotsummeratBacchanalforits weeklyPrimalNight.OnTuesdays, guestchefsturnuptocookoveropen fireoutside—backyard-barbecue style.Theypledgeproceedsfrom foodsalestocommunitygroups

It’sathrowbacktothedayswhen Bacchanalwasjustaddingfoodto themix,andthemenuswerevaried andoftenadventurous.Lookfor guestchefsfromValsandCane& Table(Aug.15),GrisGris(Aug.22), BakeryBar(Aug.29)andTurkeyand theWolf(Sept.5).PrimalNights continuethroughOctoberandbegin at6p.m.

ChefSusanSpiceroncehadthe opportunitytoserveJuliaChildat Bayona,andshecallstheiconic AmericanambassadorofFrenchcuisineapersonalhero.Spicerhasmade aJuliaChildmenuasummertradition atBayonasince2009tomark Child’sbirthday.

TheBayonadinnersthisyearare Friday,Aug.18,andSaturday,Aug. 19,withaspecialthree-coursemenu for$75.All-Frenchwinepairingsare availablefor$35,andtherewillbe aspecialbottlelist.Chefdecuisine ChristyEngeranisoverseeingthe menu,drawingdishesfromChild’s Frenchclassics.

ThisbeingNewOrleans,don’tbe surprisedifsomeofthepeoplepartakingintheJuliaChildmenuarrive incostume.Thereareoftenafew look-alikesinthediningroomduring theannualevent.

AlsoinAugust,Bayonaismarkingits33rdbirthdaywithalunch special,withthreecoursesfor$33 and33-centmartinisonoffer,each Thursday,FridayandSaturday throughtheendofthemonth.

TheGuestChefNighthasbeena populardrawforLiberty’sKitchen,a nonprofitthatusesthestructureofa commercialkitchentobuildlifeskills andtapintothepotentialofyoung people.Thenexteditionfeatures ToddPulsinelli,chefatTheChloe, thehotelandrestaurantsetinaSt. CharlesAvenuemansion.

Thedinnerisat6p.m.Wednesday, Aug.16,attheLiberty’sKitchenhome base(300N.BroadSt.).Ticketsare $75,andthedinnerisBYOB.Find

ticketsvialibertyskitchen.org/guestchef-night. IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

RemakingCentralGrocery

IT’SBEENALMOSTTWOYEARSSINCE

DAMAGEFROMHURRICANEIDASHUT

DOWNCENTRALGROCERY,theItalian deliintheFrenchQuarterfamousfor itsmuffulettas.Whenitreturns,the intentistohavethemarketlooklike timehasstoodstill.

“It’sCentralGrocery,andwe wantittocomebackasCentral Grocery,”saysTommyTusa,oneofits third-generationfamilyowners

Withrebuildingenteringanewstage, CentralGroceryshouldbereadyto reopenthisfall,hesays,withanew targetdateofOctoberorNovember Meanwhile,themarket’smuffuletta remainsavailablethroughanetwork ofretaillocationsintheNewOrleans area,whichnowincludestheLouis ArmstrongNewOrleansInternational Airportformuffulettasonthemove.

OtheroutletsincludeSidney’sWine Cellar,Acquistapace’slocations,and theRousesintheCBD.Itsmuffulettas alsoareavailablethroughthenational shippingserviceGoldbelly.

Therewillbesomechangestothe layoutofthestore.Tusasayssomeof thisistohelpmakeitmoreaccessible topeopleusingwheelchairs.Healso saysthatitmaytakeawhiletocultivatethefamiliararomaagain

Buttheplanistokeepthesame basiclayoutwiththelongcounter forsandwichmakingandthegrocery shelvesandracksaroundtheroom.

Thisplanrepresentsasignificant decision,becauserightnowtheold storeisessentiallyablankslate.Itcould havebeenreimaginedortransformed withanewlookandfunction.ButTusa saidhefeltitwasimportanttobring backthestoreaspeoplerememberit

“Wewanttohavethesameinventory,andthesamelook,”hesaid.

“ThewayIseeitis,ifit’snotbroke, don’tfixit.” IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

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HieuThan

HIEUTHANWASINFLUENCEDBYHIS GRANDMOTHERS’COOKING,bothin hisnativeVietnamandhereinNew Orleans.Heeventuallybecameinterestedinfinediningandworkedat Gautreau’sunderchefSueZemanick In2015,heopenedKinasafine diningrestaurantandlaterpivoted tofocusonramen.Heclosedthe restaurantduringthepandemic.On Monday,Aug.14,heisparticipating intheLittleMaoBBQseriesatMister Mao.Heandchef/ownerSophina Uongwillprepareaspecialmenu Theseriescontinuesthrough August.Formoreinformation, visitmistermaonola.com.

Whatwillyoudoatthe LittleMaoBBQdinner?

HIEUTHAN: Iwanttodosomething thatwouldremindmeofmytwo grandmothers,oneofwhomisstill withus.

Theonewhopassedbasically babysatmewhenIwasachildin Vietnam.Shehadthesereallyred teeth.Stainedthatway.That’sthe resultofyearsofchewingbetelleaves. There’sadishthatshemade.It’sa verycommondishwheretheywould takegroundbeefandsomespices—a bunchofwarmspiceslikeclove,anise, cardamom,atinybitofcinnamon androllitinsomebetelleavesandgrill itandserveitwithadippingsauce. Itvariesfromregiontoregion.The flavorsaresimple.

Iamgoingtouselambinsteadof beef.I’lladdsomewine-soakedsultanas,andmaybesomechoppedup nuts.Iamgoingtodosomethingwith sesameseeds.

Forme,it’sthenostalgiaandbeing abletomakefoodmygrandmother made.It’storememberhowweare connectedtopeopleandhowwe feedpeople.

TheotherdishIamthinkingabout doingisfriedcatfishnuggetsand chickenoysters.Iwantittobeaplay onhowthingsgetlostintranslation whenwe’renamingthings.Achicken oysterisalittlemusclethat’sright abovethehip.It’satinylittlenugget that’ssodelicious.Thereareonly twoofthemoneachchicken.Soit’ll takeawholefarmjusttodothis.The dishisjustfriedcatfishnuggetsand chickenoysters.Itsoundssimple, butthereareacoupleoflayersof thingsthatIwanttodotoit.It’llbe

servedwithacaramelizedfishsauce.

Thefriedpartis becausemyother grandmother.When sheandmygrandfathercametoAmerica, theystartedagrocery storebusiness,which turnedintoafried chickenbusiness.

She’sbeenfrying chickenandallkinds offoodforeasily40 yearsnow.WhenI cametoAmerica,I switchedfromthe foodsmypaternal grandmothermade inVietnamtostaying atmygrandmother’s cornerstoreafter school.Thatwasgood oldfriedSouthern food.It’sstillopen TherearetwolocationsofManchu,and wehaveaplaceonthe WestBankcalledGoldenWings.

InVietnam,wegrillalot.Ifsomethingwasn’tboiledorsteamed,itwas grilled.Therewasn’talotoffrying Itmighthavebeenaboutthecost ofoil.Wehadanoldwoodburning stove.Youwouldn’twanttotryto fryoverthat.

Doyoumissworking inrestaurants?

T: WhenIsoldtherestaurant,I decidedIwasgoingtotakeabreak. EverybodykeepsaskingmehaveI havewatched“TheBear,”butI haven’tevenwatchedit.Ihave seriousPTSD

Mysonis5.Iwanttojustbeadad. Theitchtocookisalwaysthere.Imiss beinginthekitchenandworkingwith akitchenfamily.Ihaveturneddown mostoftheinvitationstodopop-ups becauseIamfocusedonbeingadad. IfIcookinakitchen,Iwantittobe meaningfulandwithpeopleIenjoy beingaround

I’dlikeiftheindustrycouldstart figuringouthowtomakeitsustainable.Oncewefigurethatout,Imight betemptedtocomebackandopena restaurant.Rightnowit’sinflux

Whatdoesthe restaurantindustryneed?

T: Iwanttoseethenextgeneration thatcomesuphavetheroomandthe spacetodowhattheywanttodo

ImetSophinathroughindustry things.Ireallylikewhatshe’sdoing. She’sopenedupthespaceandmade itpossibleforsomecookstoearna

WINE OF THE WEEK

littlemoremoneyorhighlightpop-ups thatonedaymaybecomebrickand mortars.Ifweasacitywanttofeed intoourculinaryassets,weneedto investinsomeofthesenewtalents thataren’tnecessarilygettingthe pressorairtimetheydeserve.

Forhertomakeherplatformand spaceaccessibletopeopleiswhat makesourculinarycommunityso beautiful,andIthinkthat’swhatwe needtonourishthefutureofourfood culturehere.Whatshe’sdoingneeds tohappenallacrossthecity.Give peopleaspaceandaplatform.

Iworkforawholesalefooddistributioncompanynow.Alotofthese chefsaresomeofmyclients.It’sa goodwaytoseethemallthetime.I wentintoitwantingtounderstandin thepost-pandemicerawhyfoodcosts somuch.NowIamontheotherside, anditisfrightening.Whenyoutalk aboutmovingawayfromcommodity goods,thecostamplifies.That’sthe balanceasacheforbusinessowner —lookingatthequalityandcostof whatyou’rebringinginandhowmuch itcostsonthebottomline.Doesthe dinerunderstandthatthatisanethicallysourcedfoodproduct?Thisisan animalthatwasallowedtorange.It’s hard.Whenwegotintofarm-to-table,itwasreallyromanticized.Butwe didn’teducatepeopleoneconomicallyhowitaffectsourindustry.When you’repushingforfarm-to-table, you’repushingforpayingyourfarmers more.You’repushingforatomato costingmore.

Pinot Grigio Italy

DISTRIBUTED BY

Chef byWillCoviello

PHOTOPROVIDEDBY CHRIS GRANGER

Fruity hints of pear,apple, white flowers, and sage balanced by acrisp mineral finish.

Caposaldo

Out2EatisanindexofGambitcontractadvertisers.Unlessnoted,addressesareforNewOrleans andallacceptcreditcards.Updates:Email willc@gambitweekly.comorcall(504)483-3106

8FreshFoodAssassin—1900N.Claiborne Ave.,(504)224-2628;Instagram,@8freshfoodassassin ChefMannyJanuary’sserves lambchops,T-bonesteaks,salmon,crab cakes,deepfriedribs,friedchickenand seafood-loadedoysters.Noreservations. Deliveryavailable.Lunchanddinner

Tue.-Sun.$$

Acorn—LouisianaChildren’sMuseum, 12HenryThomasDrive,(504)218-5413; acornnola.com—Blackenedshrimptacos aretoppedwitharugula,radish,pineapple-mangosalsaandcilantro-limesauce. Noreservations.Breakfastandlunch

Wed.-Sun.$$

AngeloBrocato’s 214N.CarrolltonAve., (504)486-1465;angelobrocatoicecream. com—Thissweetshopservesitsowngelato, spumoni,Italianice,cannolis,biscotti,fig cookies,tiramisu,macaroonsandmore LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun.$

Annunciation 1016AnnunciationSt., (504)568-0245;annunciationrestaurant. com—GulfDrumYvonneisservedwith brownbuttersaucewithmushroomsand artichokehearts.Reservationsrecommended.DinnerThu.-Mon.$$$

BananaBlossom 5009thSt.,Gretna, (504)500-0997;504bananablossom.com

JimmyCho’sThaidishesincludesmokedpork bellyandporkmeatballsinlemongrassbroth withegg,greenonion,cilantroandgarlic Reservationsacceptedforlargeparties exceptweekends.Deliveryavailable.Lunch anddinnerTue.-Sat $$

Bamboula’s 514FrenchmenSt., (504)944-8461;bamboulasnola.com

Thelivemusicvenue’skitchenoffersa menuoftraditionalandcreativeCreole dishes,suchasCreolecrawfishcrepeswith agoatcheeseandchardonnaycreamsauce. Reservationsaccepted.Lunch,dinnerand late-nightdaily $$

TheBlueCrabRestaurantandOyster Bar—118HarborViewCourt,Slidell,(985) 315-7001;7900LakeshoreDrive,(504) 284-2898;thebluecrabnola.com Basin barbecueshrimpareservedovercheese gritswithacheesebiscuit.Outdoorseating available.Noreservations.Lakeview:lunch anddinnerTue.-Sun.Slidell:lunchFri.-Sat., dinnerWed.-Sun.$$

Broussard’s—819ContiSt.,(504)581-3866; broussards.com Rainbowtroutamandine isservedwithtassoandcornmacquechoux andCreolemeunieresauce.Reservations recommended.Outdoorseatingavailable. DinnerWed.-Sat.,brunchSun $$$

CafeNormandie—HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining—Themenu combinesclassicFrenchdishesandLouisiana itemslikecrabbeignetswithherbaioli.No reservations.Breakfastandlunchdaily $$ TheCommissary—634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com— ThecentralkitchenforDickieBrennan restaurantshasadine-inmenuwitha smokedturkeysandwichwithbacon,tomato jam,herbedcreamcheese,arugulaandherb vinaigretteonhoneyoatbread.Noreservations.Outdoorseatingavailable.Lunch Tue.-Sat.$$

$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10

$$—$11-$20

$$$—$20-up

Curio—301RoyalSt.,(504)717-4198;curionola.com—ThecreativeCreolemenuincludes blackenedGulfshrimpservedwithchicken andandouillejambalaya.Reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily $$ DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Amenu fullofGulfseafoodincludeschar-grilled oysterstoppedwithParmesanandherbs Reservationsrecommended.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse 144 BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse. com—There’saseafoodrawbaranddisheslike redfishwithlemonbuerreblanc.Reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$$

DickieBrennan’sSteakhouse 716Iberville St.,(504)522-2467;dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com A6-ouncefiletmignonis servedwithfriedoysters,creamedspinach, potatoesandbearnaise.Reservationsrecommended.DinnerMon.-Sat.$$$

DowntheHatch—817St.LouisSt.,(504) 766-6007;1921SophieWrightPlace, (504)220-7071;downthehatchnola.com

TheTexanburgerfeaturesahalf-pound pattytoppedwithcaramelizedonions, smokedbacon,cheddarcheeseandafried egg.Noreservations.Lunch,dinnerand late-nightdaily.$$

DragonflyCafe—530JacksonAve.,(504) 544-9530;dragonflynola.com—Thecasual cafeoffersbreakfastplates,waffles,salads, coffeedrinksandmore.Deliveryavailable. Reservationsaccepted.Breakfastandlunch

Wed.-Sat $$

ElPavoReal 4401S.BroadAve.,(504) 266-2022;elpavorealnola.com Sauteed Gulffishistoppedwithtomatoes,olives, onionandcapersandservedwithriceand stringbeans.Themenuincludestacos, enchiladasandmore.Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.Lunchandearlydinner

Tue.-Sat $$

Felix’sRestaurant&OysterBar—739 IbervilleSt.,(504)522-4440;7400 LakeshoreDrive,(504)304-4125;felixs.com

Themenuincludesrawandchar-grilled oysters,seafoodplatters,po-boysandmore. Noreservations.Lunchanddinnerdaily $$ FreySmokedMeatCo.—4141BienvilleSt., Suite110,(504)488-7427;freysmokedmeat. com—Thebarbecuespotservespulledpork, ribs,brisket,sausagesandanditemslikefried porkbellytossedinpepperjellyglaze.No reservations.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ FrootOrleans 2438BellSt.,SuiteB,(504) 233-3346;frootorleans.com—Thereare freshfruitplattersandsmoothiebowlssuch asastrawberryshortcakeandmoreusing pineapple,berries,citrusandmore.No reservations.Outdoorseatingavailable Breakfastandlunchdaily.$$

Juan’sFlyingBurrito 515BaronneSt., (504)529-5825;2018MagazineSt.,(504) 569-0000;4724S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 486-9950;8140OakSt.,(504)897-4800; juansflyingburrito.com—TheFlyingBurrito includessteak,shrimp,chicken,cheddarjack cheese,blackbeans,rice,guacamoleand salsa.Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.LunchanddinnerThu.-Tue.$$

Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt.,(504) 488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com TheeclecticmenuincludesaCajunCubanwithroasted pork,ham,cheeseandpickles.Delivery available.Reservationsacceptedforlarge parties.LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun.$$ Kilroy’sBar—HigginsHotel,480Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining Thebarmenu includessandwiches,saladsandflatbreads, includingonetoppedwithpeach,prosciutto, stracciatellacheese,arugulaandpecans.No reservations.DinnerWed.-Sat.$$

LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern—700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350;legacykitchen.com Themenuincludesoysters, flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches,salads andaNOLAStyleGritsBowltopped withbacon,cheddarandapoachedegg Reservationsaccepted.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily $$

LegacyKitchenSteak&Chop—91Westbank Expressway,Gretna,(504)513-2606; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes filetsmignonsandbone-inrib-eyes,as wellasburgers,saladsandseafooddishes. Reservationsaccepted.Outdoorseating available.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat.$$ LuzianneCafe—481GirodSt.,(504)2651972;luziannecafe.com CajunSunshine Beignetsarestuffedwitheggs,bacon, cheeseandhotsauce.Noreservations. Deliveryavailable.Breakfastandlunch Wed.-Sun.$$ MartinWineCellar—714ElmeerAve., Metairie,(504)896-7350;3827Baronne St.,(504)894-7444;martinwine.com—The deliservessandwichesandsaladssuchas theSena,withchicken,raisins,bluecheese, pecansandTabascopepperjellyvinaigrette. Noreservations.Lunchdaily $$ Mikimoto—3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com—TheSouth Carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.Reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.LunchSun.Fri.,dinnerdaily.$$ Mosca’s—4137Highway90West, Westwego,(504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com Thisfamily-styleeatery servesItaliandishesandspecialtiesincluding chickenalagrandeandbakedoystersMosca. Reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.-Sat Cashonly $$$

Mother’sRestaurant 401PoydrasSt., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net— Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys, jambalaya,crawfishetouffee,redbeansand riceandmore.Deliveryavailable.Noreservations.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeanswithfriedchickenor porkchops,aswellasseafoodplatters, po-boys,grilledoysters,saladsandmore.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun $$

NiceGuysBar&Grill 7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola. com—Char-grilledoystersaretoppedwith cheese.Themenualsoincludeswings,quesadillas,burgers,salads,seafoodpastaand more.Noreservations.Lunchdaily,dinner

Mon.-Sat.$$$

TheOriginalItalianPie—3629PrytaniaSt., (504)766-8912;theoriginalitalianpieuptown.com TheItalianPiecomboincludes pepperoni,Italiansausage,groundbeef,

mushrooms,onions,bellpepper,blackolives, mozzarellaandhouse-madetomatosauce. Noreservations.Dinnerandlate-night

Tue.-Sat $$

OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro— 720OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com

Thewinebar’smenu includesCreolepastawithshrimpandandouilleintomatocreamsauce.Reservations acceptedforlargeparties.Outdoorseating available.DinnerThu.-Sun $$ PalaceCafe—605CanalSt.,(504)523-1661; palacecafe.com

ThecontemporaryCreole menuincludescrabmeatcheesecakewith mushroomsandCreolemeunieresauce. Outdoorseatingavailable.Reservations recommended.LunchWed.-Fri.,dinner Wed.-Sun.,brunchSat.-Sun.$$$

PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot,501 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073;peacockroomnola.com Blacklentilvadouvancurry comeswithroastedtomatoes,mushrooms andbasmatirice.Reservationsaccepted DinnerWed.-Mon.,brunchSun.$$ Rosie’sontheRoof HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining Therooftopbarhasa menuofsandwiches,burgersandsmallplates. Noreservations.Dinnerdaily.$$ Tableau—616St.PeterSt.,(504)9343463;tableaufrenchquarter.com Pasta bouillabaissefeaturessquidinkmafaldine, littleneckclams,Gulfshrimp,squid,seafood broth,rouilleandherbedbreadcrumbs

Outdoorseatingavailable.Reservations recommended.DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunch Thu.-Sun.$$$

Tacklebox 817CommonSt.,(504)8271651;legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes oysters,anddisheslikeredfishSt.Charleswith garlic-herbbutter,asparagus,mushroomsand crawfishcornbread.Reservationsaccepted. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza 1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024CanalSt., (504)302-1133;4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554;70488Highway21,Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com AMarilynn PotaSupremepieistoppedwithmozzarella, pepperoni,sausage,hamburger,mushrooms, bellpeppersandonions.Therealsoaresalads, sandwichesandmore.Deliveryavailable

LunchanddinnerTue.-Sat $

Tito’sCeviche&Pisco 1433St.CharlesAve., (504)354-1342;5015MagazineSt.,(504) 267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com—Peruvian lomosaltadofeaturesbeefsauteedwith onions,tomatoes,cilantro,soysauceand pisco,servedwithfriedpotatoesandrice. OutdoorseatingavailableonMagazineStreet Deliveryavailable.Reservationsaccepted. LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat.,brunchSun.$$$

TheVintage—3121MagazineSt.,(504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com

Themenu includesbeignets,flatbreadsandaveggie sandwichwithavocado,onions,arugula,red pepperandpepperjackcheese.Noreservations.Deliveryandoutdoorseatingavailable Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ ZhangBistro—1141DecaturSt.,(504)8268888;zhangbistronola.com—Themenuof ChineseandThaidishesincludesaSzechuan HotWokwithachoiceofchicken,beef, shrimportofuwithonions,bellpeppers, cauliflower,jalapenosandspicysauce. Reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Thu.-Tue $$

BayLedges

ZachHurd’sindieelectrobandBay Ledgesrevelsinsunnydreampop ontuneslike“InWater”onits2022 full-lengthdebut,“Rituals.”Theband performsat8p.m.Saturday,Aug.19, atToulouseTheatre.Tickets$20 viatoulousetheatre.com.

C.C.DashRipCockVacation Bible-BillySchool

C.C.AdcockandDashRipRockjoin forcesforthisshow.Adcock,akathe LafayetteMarquis,isknownforleadingswamppopbands.DashRipRock isknownforitsraucouscowpunk sound.At5p.m.Sunday,Aug.20, atChickieWahWah.Tickets$20 viachickiewahwah.com

BlackisBrilliantSummit

BENOLA’sBlackisBrilliantSummit isgearedtowardupliftingBlack educators,butthere’splentyinthe day-longfestivalforeveryonetoenjoy. TheBlack-centeredeventsalong BayouRoadincludeanAfricandrum anddanceceremonytoopentheday; abooktalkwithcivilrightsiconDavid DennisSr.;Terrylyn“SecondLine Shorty”Dorseydiscussinginfluential womeninlocalculturaltraditions;a discussionwithOurVoiceNuestra Voz’sMaryMoran;andanEthiopian coffeeroastingceremony.Ablock partywithDJAntwigadeeandaconcertfeaturingHot8BrassBand willclosethesummit.TheBlackis BrilliantSummittakesplace11a.m. to4p.m.Saturday,Aug.19.Events arefreetoattend.Toregisterandfind moreinformation,gotoblackisbrilliantsummit.org

JasonNeville’sNeo-Solo

SingerJasonNevillehasforyears beenleadinghisfunkynamesake NewOrleansband.He’snowstepping inanewdirectionwithhisNeo-Solo project,whichwilldivedeeperinto R&Bandneo-soulsounds.Heplays hisnewmusicduringapremiereparty fromtheNewOrleansJazzMuseum’s balconyat5p.m.Tuesday,Aug.15 Freetoattend,andtheconcertwill belivestreamedviafacebook.com/ nolajazzmuseum.

NOLASynthCult

NOLASynthCultisagroupoflocal musiciansdevotedtoanalogsynthesizerswhoforgocomputertricks andeffects.Thegroupmeetsfor asynthjamatGasaGasaat9p.m Sunday,Aug.20.Tickets$10 viaticketweb.com.

ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT

Returnto‘Mars’ JazzguitaristSteveMasakowskiput togetherabandintheearly1980sto exploreelectronicinstrumentsand composersinterestedinthem.They recordedtheLP“Mars.”Severalof theoriginalmember ratorsreunitetorev Thelineupincludes keyboardistLarryS JamesSingletonand Sebastian.At8and Aug.20,atSnugHarb atsnugjazz.com.

OmariNeville&T

TheMapleLeafisbac merbreakthisweek shows.OnSaturday, forOmariNeville&T rock-souloutfitledby Neville.Themusicsta ticketsare$15advan door.mapleleafbar.c

‘TheWheelofH

Followingitspremie month,localdirector realsci-fisaga“The runsatZeitgeistThe Friday,Aug.18.The fromthesetofanof TVshowthroughsla outerspaceandadus shopasMargetheM choose-your-own-ad p.m.mostnights.See forscheduleanddet

RickyB

Hip-hopartistRickyB

“ShakeFaYaHood”isacertified bounceclassic—hosts“Bounce,Love &Hip-Hop”at6-9p.m.Sunday,Aug. 20,atSweetLorraine’sJazzClub.The nightwillfeaturelivemusicandguest hip-hopandbounceartists.Ticketsare $20generaland$25VIPandcanbe purchasedinadvancebycalling(504) 295-2636.Aportionofproceedswill benefittheGinaBrownFoundation.

ShrekRave

Yes,there’saShrekRave.Andyes,it’s exactlywhatyouthink.AtravelingpartyproducedbyDJandevent organizerka5sh,theravessendupthe infinitelymeme-able,beloved2001 classicwithlasers,greendrinksand housemusicmixesof2000shits.

Attendeesareencouragedtodressas theirfavorite“Shrek”character.The rave’sappropriatetagline:“It’sdumb, justcomehavefun.”TheShrekRaveis backinNewOrleansat9p.m.Friday, Aug.18,attheHouseofBlues.Tickets startat$22viahouseofblues.com.

WARREN BELL NORMAN ROBINSON SALLY-ANN ROBERTS BILL ROUSELLE RENETTE DEJOIE-HALL

Catchfeelings

byJakeClapp

SHAMARRALLENHAS BEENHITTINGTHEROAD HARDthisyear.TheNew Orleanstrumpeterand singerhasspentthelast fewmonthsputtingin milesforshowsinthe SoutheastandMidwest, playingastringofgigs andreturninghomefora dayortwobeforeturning aroundandheadingright backout.WhenGambit caughthimonthephone lastweek,AllenwasdrivingthroughIllinois,headingwest afterconcertsinNewYork,New JerseyandPennsylvania.

Allenhastouredwithanumberof musiciansovertheyears,but2018was hisfirstrealyearoftouringasasolo artistwithhisbandtheUnderdawgs.He waspreparingfor2020,whenhewas planningtoclockmorethan200shows, Allensays,butthepandemicputahalt tothat

“Now,thisisthefirstyearwhereI’m actuallyabletotourlikeIwassupposed to,”Allensays.

Allen’sbusyroadschedulecomesas themusicianentersthenextchapterinhiscareer.OnFriday,Aug.18, Allenwillrelease“TrueOrleans2,” hisfirstalbuminfiveyearsandthe follow-uptohispreviousNewOrleans genre-blendingalbum.

It’salsothefirsttimeAllenhasdone everythinghimselfwhenitcameto creatinganalbum:Hewrote,recorded, producedandmasteredthesongsall byhimselfinastudiohebuiltduring thepandemic.Itwasawaytobetter hitonthesoundshehearsinhishead whilealsonotrelyingonotherpeople’s schedules,hesays.

“Itookthetimetofinish[thestudio], butonceIfinishedit,Ilockedmyselfin there,andreallystartedturningknobs andlearningalloftheplug-insand hardwareandgettinganunderstanding oftheengineeringside,”Allensays.“I havealotmorerespectforengineers thanIeverdid.Thatisscience,man.”

Onthefirst“TrueOrleans,”histhird solorecord,Allendugintoandmelded arangeofstylestoconveyhisexperiencesasaNewOrleansmusician,with helpfromBigFreedia,Partners-NCrimeandEricaFalls.

Allentooktolearningthetrumpet atanearlyageandbeganplayingasa streetmusicianintheFrenchQuarter withTubaFats.Andovertheyears, he’splayedwithanumberofbrass bands,includingRebirth,Hot8,Lil’

RascalsandtheTremeBrassBandas wellaswithGalacticandmusicianslike HarryConnickJr.,LeoNocentelliand IvanNeville.

Theinfluencesonhismusicrange fromjazz,R&Bandfunktohip-hop andbounce—alldistinctlyNewOrleans styles—andAllenenthusiasticallyputs itallondisplayinanenergeticmix duringhisliveperformances.

“NewOrleansmusicislessaboutthe soundofit,andmoreaboutthefeelof it,”Allensays.“Youcan’treallydescribe whatNewOrleansmusicis,andifyou candescribeit,it’snotNewOrleans music.…Youjustgottoseeitinorderto understandwhatitis.”

The13-track“TrueOrleans2”continuestotryandcapturethatfeeling. IdiosyncraticsingerG.LoveandNew OrleansrapperDee-1arefeaturedona remixofAllen’slocalfavorite“Weekend Dance,”andsaxophonistandsinger JamesMartinguestsonseveraltracks, includingon“InternetTrollAnthem,” ahumorous,defiantmiddlefingerto onlinehaters.

“Youcan’texplainwhatitis.It’ssomethingnew,andeventuallyatermwillbe putonit,”Allensays.He’scalledhisstyle “bridgemusic”forhishopetobridge stylesaswellasbringpeopletogether

ThenameTrueOrleansbeganwith afoundationAllenstartedin2013to providemusicclassestokids,which hecontinuestodoalongwithgiving awayfreeinstruments.Healsoin2020 startedTrumpetisMyWeapon,aprogramtoexchangegunsforinstruments inNewOrleans.

“Itturnedintosomethingbiggerthan itexpectedtobe,andit’sabeautiful thing.It’sallowingmetoputinstrumentsinkids’hands,”Allensays.

Find“TrueOrleans2”andmorefrom ShamarrAllenatshamarrallen.com

ShamarrAllenreleaseshisnew album,‘TrueOrleans2,’onAug.18.

PROVIDEDPHOTO BYB DRAGON

MUSIC

FORCOMPLETE MUSIC LISTINGS AND MORE EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE NEWORLEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

MONDAY14

BAMBOULAS JonRonigerBand,1:15 pm;TheMelataun’s,5:30pm;EdWills Blues4Sale,9pm

BJ’S SmokehouseBrownandtheRed BeansBluesBand,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB

MatineeAllStarBand,12:30pm;Chuck BrachmanBand,5pm;RichardScottand Friends,8pm

THERABBITHOLE—Eek-A-Mouse,7pm

TUESDAY15

BAMBOULAS—TheVillians,1:15pm; AmberRachelleandSweetPotatoes, 5:30pm;AndyJForestBlues,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—

Richard"Piano"Scott,1pm;ColinMyers, 5pm;Fritzel'sAllStarBand,8pm

GASAGASA—ZachSmallmanWithFetch TigerAndPaperville,9pm

ROCK'N'BOWL JavierOlondo& Asheson,8pm

SMOOTHIEKINGCENTER— SnoopDogg,6pm

THERABBITHOLE—RebirthBrass Band,10pm

WEDNESDAY16

BAMBOULAS Walkerandthe3Finger Slingers,1:15pm;504Goodies,5:30pm; RouleandtheQueen,9pm

BLUENILE NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm

CAFENEGRIL ColinDavisandNight People,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB

Richard"Piano"Scott,1pm;Bourbon StreetStars,5pm;Fritzel'sAllStar Band,8pm

HARDROCKCAFENEWORLEANS— Kamenar,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—RyanForet&Foret Tradition,7:30pm

SNUGHARBORJAZZBISTRO—Mike PelleraTrio,8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—Funkin'ItUp withBigSam,7:30pm

THURSDAY17

BAMBOULAS—SigridandZigZags,1:15 pm;CristinaKaminisandtheMix,5:30 pm;WolfeJohn’sBlues,9pm

BLUENILE—WhereY'atBrass Band,9pm

CAFENEGRIL SierraGreen andtheSoulMachine,10pm

FOURSEASONSHOTEL

BrandenLewisTrio,4pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZ

CLUB Richard"Piano"Scott, 12:30pm;DoyleCooper,2:30 pm;JohnSaavedra,5pm; Fritzel'sAllStarBand,8pm

ORPHEUMTHEATER—

LyleLovett,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—Chubby Carrier&BayouSwamp Band,8pm

SNUGHARBORJAZZBISTRO

OscarRossignoliTrio, 8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE Brass-A-Holics,7:30pm

FRIDAY18

BJ’S LittleFreddie King,9pm

BAMBOULAS NoahVicknair Quartet,11am;FullyDressed PoBoys,2:15pm;LesGetrex andCreoleCookin,6:30pm; Bettisand3rdDegreeBrass Band,10pm

BLUENILE TheCaesar Brothers,8pm;Kermit RuffinsandtheBarbecue Swingers,11pm

BLUENILEBALCONYROOM—Trumpet Slim&BrassFlavor,10pm

CAFENEGRIL—HigherHeights,10pm

CARROLTONSTATION Dariaandthe HipsDrops,SweetMagnoliaBrass Band,9pm

GASAGASA—BugBitesWithPope, Jumprope,AndWumbo,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm;Jack PritchettBand,2:30pm;LeeFloydand ThunderboltTrio,6pm;Fritzel'sAllStar Band,9pm

HARDROCKCAFENEWORLEANS KesO'Hara,10pm

LEBONTEMPSROULE FloatLikea Buffalo,10pm

NOLABREWINGTAPROOM The Tanglers,6pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—Bucktown Allstars,8:30pm

SNUGHARBORJAZZBISTRO—Jason MarsalisQuartet,8&10pm

TIPITINA'S—BillyIuso,Vegas Cola,9pm

SATURDAY19

BJ’S—CoreyLedet,LaylaMcCallaand LouisMichot,9pm

BAMBOULAS—Walkerandthe3Finger Slingers,11am;StephenBrashearBand,

2:15pm;JohnnyMastro,6:30pm;Paggy Prine,10pm

BLUENILE—GeorgeBrownBand,8pm; Gov'tMajik,11pm

BLUENILEBALCONYROOM Gov't Majik,11pm

CAFENEGRIL SierraGreenandtheSoul Machine,10pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB —Richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm; SteveDetroy,2:30pm;LeeFloydand ThunderboltTrio,6pm;Fritzel'sAllStar Band,9pm

GASAGASA—ArtopiaPresents,9pm

NOLABREWINGTAPROOM—The Quickening,6pm

REPUBLICNOLA—DeadsleadFuneral Company,BemoRouge,Snaxx,10pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—TheTop Cats,8:30pm

SNUGHARBORJAZZBISTRO Chris ThomasKingTrio,8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE TheNayoJones Experience,7:30&9pm

THERABBITHOLE— DannyAbelTrio,6 pm;Brass-a-Holics,9pm

THETOULOUSETHEATRE — BayLedges,8pm

TIPITINA'S—RebirthBrassBand,The ZahriaSimsCollective,9pm

SUNDAY20

BJ’S EarlyDayMinersandNot Exotic,7pm

BAMBOULAS—MattRhodyandJasmine, 1:15pm;BigEasyBrawlers,5:30pm;Ed WillsBlues4Sale,9pm

BLUENILE TheBakedPotatoes,8pm; StreetLegendsBrassBand,10:30pm

CAFENEGRIL VegasCola,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB JoeKennedy,2pm;MarlaDixon,5pm; Fritzel'sAllStarBand,8pm

GASAGASA—NOLASYNTHCULT,9pm

HOWLIN'WOLF —Hot8Brass Band,10:30pm

SNUGHARBORJAZZBISTRO—Steve Masakowski,8&10pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—ChuckyCand Band,7:30pm

TIPITINA'S BruceDaigrepontCajun Band,5:15pm

SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR

LittleFreddieKingplaysBJ’s Fridaythe18th

PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

byWillCoviello

ACTRESSANDDIRECTOR

KANSASBOWLINGtookthe nameofhermovie“Cuddly Toys”fromaHarryNilsson songcoveredbyTheMonkees. Whilethemade-for-TVband soldplentyofalbumswith cheerypophitslike“I’ma Believer”and“Daydream Believer,”theirversionof “CuddlyToy”iscutesy,cloyinglysweetandcreepy Bowlingfocusesonyoung womeninastrangecoming-of-agenexusofinnocence-meets-horror.The themesongissortofatipoff, andseveralyoungwomenin thefilmseemtoooldtocarrystuffed animals,thoughwhenoneofthem cutsopenafuzzyrabbit,it’sfilled withredmeat

Thefilmfollowsmorethanadozen youngwomeninaseriesofvignettes. BowlingstarsasProfessorBowling, apsychologistinlargeeyeglasses andanill-fittinglongblondewig, whoaddressesparentsabouthowto understandtheir“girls”andhowthey negotiateadangerousworld

ThefilmrecentlyopenedinNew YorkandLosAngelesandscreens at7p.m.Thursday,Aug.17,atThe BroadTheater.Bowling,whowillbe inNewOrleansworkingonhernext film,willparticipateinaQ&Aafter thescreening BowlingplayedoneofCharles Manson’sfollowersinQuentin Tarantino’s“OnceUponaTimein Hollywood.”Butmanyofhercreditsare ingenrefilms.Shewasinthelow-budgetslasherfilmparody“PsychoApe!” andissettodothesequel.Shealso playstheleadintherecentlyreleased “Murdercise,”anotherslasherparody aboutafitnessfanaticwhogetscastina sleazy’80s-styleworkoutvideo.

Asadirector,she’sdonemorethan 30musicvideos.Sheshotavampire-themedvideoinNewOrleans forStrokesfounderNickValensi’s side-projectCRX’s“GetClose.”Her featuredebutwas“B.C.Butcher,”a cavemanhorrorcomedystarringKato Kaelin.Shetypicallyshootswith16mm film,including“CuddlyToys.”

Bowling,whois27,gotintolostfilm genreswhileinhighschool,shesays.

“Iwasobsessedwithmovies,specificallyfocusingongenresfromthe’60s and’70s,”shesays.“Iwouldsellcandy atschooltogobuyVHStapes.”

“CuddlyToys”isinspiredbyfilms like“FacesofDeath”andmondofilms.

“FacesofDeath”alsohasadoctor whonarratesthefilmtothecamera. Mondofilmsoftenmasqueradedas documentaryorcautionaryinpurpose, whiledelvingintotaboosubjectsor onscreenviolence

“CuddlyToys”ismostlyfictionalbut blendsindocumentarystyles.One womanwhoauditionedforaroleinthe filminsteadappearsasherselfandtalks aboutstrugglingwithaneatingdisorder. Youngpeoplehangingoutonthestreets ofNewYorkseemtobeamixofactors andrealpeople

Otherscenesaresatiricaloroverthe-topversionsofcautionarytales. Achildbeautypageantisjudgedby leeringguys.Agirlgoestoseeaplastic surgeon,andhecan’tstopdrawinglines onherbodytohighlightthingshewould alter.OneteendeckedoutinBarbie pinktalksaboutmaintainingherautonomyorpowerinrelationships.

Somevignettesareunflinchingly rough.Onegirlsubjectsherselfto apopularboy’sabuse.Twowomen decidetohitchhikeandtakearideit’s cleartheyshouldn’t.

“Iamtryingtoreflecthowthereis mixedmessagingandmessymorals aroundthis,”Bowlingsays.“Somepeoplesayweshouldteachourdaughters toprotectthemselves.Somepeople sayyoushouldteachotherpeoplenot toharmyourdaughters.Thereare twosidesfightingoverwhat’sthebest responsetothistypeofviolence,and it’smessyandconfusing.”

Thedepictionofpredatorymenand theiraggressioncanbedisturbing, thoughittrackswiththemondogenre’s distortions.Despitesomecaptivating scenes,thefilmdoesn’tseektoresolve itsmixofdarkhumorandunfiltered depictionsofdanger

KansasBowlingdirectsand starsin‘CuddlyToys.’

PHOTOPROVIDEDBY KANSAS BOWLING

DISCRETE CHARACTERS

“YOU’RE FREE TO GO”By Frank A. Longo

67Certain male physique, informally

69Month, in Madrid

41Naval fleets

43Absorbed

44E-journals

45To boot

47The “13” of PG-13, e.g.

49Official helper

50Swimming star Thorpe

51Prefix with life

82Abbr for three primary colors

83Light on fire

87Thick Japanese noodle

88Winter hrs. in Kansas

Marcus

8Wounded

13Tennis player Stefan

19Loc. of Las Vegas

20— Reader (eclectic digest)

21Tinfoil maker

22Cat helping with extermination

23Start of a riddle

27Difficult duty

28Syrup source

29“Is it —?” (“Are we on?”)

30Karmann (classic Volkswagen)

39Flower part

41Hepburn of “Sabrina”

42Town crier’s cry

44Exits quickly, informally

46Seniors’ gp.

48Riddle, part 3 55Process unit

58Android rival 59On the briny 60Tiny amount 61Riddle, part 4

70Cheers for a torero 71Lofty poem

72Former Swedish car 74Shiba (dog breed) 75Clever 77Riddle, part 5 80Actress and singer Falana 81Formerly, old-style 84“Candyman” director

85“Ah, OK”

16BookreadduringPurim 17Employ

52 strip (geometric curiosity)

53Right away

54Winona of the Green Party

55Fr resort port near Nantes

56Oscar winner Charlize

57Neighbor of Montebello, Calif.

62The Astros, on scoreboards

63States as fact

64Little ’un

65NFL stats

66“So icky!”

68Targets of sit-ups

32“Up

33“Puh-leeze!”

34Not sick