Gambit Halloween Issue 2020 by Gambit New Orleans

October 27-November 2, 2020 Volume 41 // Number 41

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > O C TO B E R 2 7 - N OV E M B E R 2 > 2 0 2 0

BULLETIN BOARD

Lane Lacoy Historic Home Specialist

Asociate Broker/Realtor®

JUST LISTED!!!

4200-02 DAUPHINE STREET $563,000

BIG 2-story owner’s unit 1,820 s/f, cent. a/h, 2 BR’s, 2 BA, Kit/appliances, Den, LR, rear porch, f/p’s, wood ﬂoors, wainscotting, high ceilings. 1 BR, 1 BA rental LR, Den, kit/appl, rear porch 900 s/f. HUGE fenced yard... possible off-street parking.

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

504-957-5116 • 504-948-3011 840 Elysian Fields Ave N.O., LA 70117

www.lanelacoy.com - ljlacoy@latterblum.com

504-348-1770

LoOK OUT!

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

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

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL She’s heading for The Crescent City Cat Club’s

MOST JOBS DONE IN HOURS

708 BARATARIA BLVD. |

southernrefinishing.com

CERTIFIED FIBERGLASS TECHNICIAN

HAlLOWeEN ROAD RAlLY! Starts at 2PM HALLOWEEN DAY 1021 Marigny Street

Masks required. Costumes REWARDED. Call 1-833-NOLACat with questions.

✁ ✁ ✁ ✁ INTERIOR/EXTERIOR • Pressure Washing • Painting • Gutter Cleaning

REPAIRS

• Rooﬁng • Gutters • Sheetrock • Patio Covers • Decks • Siding/Fascia

CALL JEFFREY • (504) 610-5181

JEFFERSON SINGLE HOUSE NEAR OCHSNER

UPCOMING AUCTIONS GULF STATES REAL ESTATE

OLD METAIRIE OLD METAIRIE-1820 METAIRIE RD.

Upstairs, 2Bd, 1Ba, lg liv rm, kit & den combo, 3 closets. Off Street Parking. $775/mo plus dep. 504-834-3465.

NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

CAKE & COCKTAILS for the Cat Club’s Third Anniversary!

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.

2BR, 2BA , Off-St. Pkg. Front & side yards (owner maintained). $1300/mo + $1300 Dep. Cats ok, Sm dogs negotiable. Call 504-481-3112.

Walk, bike or drive, following clues around the Marigny and Bywater. Prizes to be awarded!

✁ ✁ ✁ ✁

AUCTION NOV. 18

AUCTION NOV. 20

AUCTION DEC. 10

64± AC FORMER PHI HELICOPTER TRANSPORT FACILITY IDEAL FOR REDEVELOPMENT

FORMER MANUFAB, INC. INDUSTRIAL FACILITY IN NEW ORLEANS INDUSTRIAL MARKET

AMELIA PORT ALLISON MARINE INTRACOASTAL WATERFRONT SERVICE FACILITY

3887 LAKE PALOURDE RD. MORGAN CITY, LA

SOLD SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM STALKING HORSE OVER BID OF $1,025,000 • 8 structures (39,470± SF total) • Massive redevelopment opportunity • Located on beautiful Lake Palourde with scenic views • Perfect for offshore Gulf transportation providers for oil & gas industry Louisiana Properties

855.755.2300

3310 PORT & HARBOR DR. PEARLINGTON, MS

PREVIOUS LISTING PRICE: $2,950,000 – MINIMUM BID: $1,675,000 • 72,000± SF total – 67,200 SF industrial space; 4,800 SF ofﬁce space; 2,400 SF storage • On-site rail & direct port access • 8 cranes – 5-ton to 15-ton • 12 (12x14) drive-in & 12 dock-high doors

HilcoRealEstate.com

9828 HWY. 182 AMELIA, LA

42.6± ACRES WITH LAND FOR EXPANSION, MFG BUILDINGS & OFFICE SPACE • 8 structures (82,300± SF total) • Barge slip & bulkhead on site • Expected to beneﬁt from river & bayou widening project • 25± miles from the Gulf of Mexico Mississippi Properties

504.233.0063

Hilco Real Estate, LLC, in cooperation with Paul Lynn, LA Broker, Lic. #76068-ACT & Paul A. Lynn & Associates, LLC, MS Broker, Lic. #21483.

Pursuant to Louisiana statutes Metro Storage LLC, as managing agent for Lessor, will sell by public auction (or otherwise dispose) personal property (in its entirety) belonging to the tenants listed below to the highest bidder to satisfy the lien of the Lessor for rental and other charges due. The said property has been stored and is located at the respective address below. Units up for auction will be listed for public bidding on-line at www.StorageTreasures. com beginning five days prior to the scheduled auction date and time. The terms of the sale will be cash only. A 10% buyer’s premium will be charged per unit. All sales are final. Metro Storage LLC reserves the right to withdraw any or all units, partial or entire, from the sale at any time before the sale or to refuse any bids. The property to be sold is described as “general household items” unless otherwise noted. All contents must be removed completely from the property within 48 hours or sooner or are deemed abandoned by bidder/buyer. Sale rules and regulations are available at the time of sale. Metro Self Storage-4320 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, LA 70002-(504) 455-3330-Bidding will close on the website www.StorageTreasures.com on 11-12-2020 at 10:00 am for the following units: Donald Stirgus Jr unit 2122: Pictures &Clothing. Shonta M Jackson unit 2079: boxes, dresser, mirrors, mattress, and dining room table.

SMALL SPACE FOR SALE

CALL 483-3100

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Boo-tiful Blooms

CONTENTS

OCT. 27- NOV. 2 , 2020 VOLUME 41 || NUMBER 41 NEWS

OPENING GAMBIT

COMMENTARY 9 CLANCY DUBOS

ORDER YOUR ARRANGEMENTS TODAY!

BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN 11 FEATURES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 5 GEN Z WITCHES SAY ‘IT’S THE WAY OF LIFE’ 18 HALLOWEENING AT HOME NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD 20

Make it a

Pizza Party

EAT + DRINK

MUSIC 29

THIS HALLOWEEN

GOING OUT

PUZZLES 31

OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER WED - SUN

@The_Gambit @gambitneworleans @GambitNewOrleans

134 N CARROLLTON • 488-7991 • VENEZIANEWORLEANS.NET

o o B k c It's Ba essenger Bags M

an in Hot Dem

Rentre: A Story of Possession

STAFF

Publisher | JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER

EDITORIAL

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

IT’S PLAY TIME

CONNECT 4 • CORNHOLE PUTT PUTT ON OUR NEWLY EXTENDED PATIO #2 Voted Bar ive Best D LA! N in O

OPEN 11 AM TILL

PLENTY OF OUTDOOR SEATING - DAY AND NIGHT!

203 HOMEDALE ST. ♣ LAKEVIEW ♣ (504) 483-0978

COVER PHOTOS BY @BLACKWORKBILLY, COURTESY OF @YOURDARKDREAM COVER DESIGN BY DORA SISON

Halloween Special Feature

ADVERTISING

(504) 483-3105// response@gambitweekly.com

Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150

Editor | JOHN STANTON Political Editor | CLANCY DUBOS

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

Arts & Entertainment Editor | WILL COVIELLO

Senior Sales Representative

Staff Writers | JAKE CLAPP, KAYLEE POCHE,

JILL GIEGER

SARAH RAVITS

(504) 483-3131 [jgieger@gambitweekly.com]

Contributing Writers | IAN MCNULTY

PRODUCTION

Sales Representatives

Creative Services Director | DORA SISON

KATIE BISHOP

Pre-Press Coordinator | JASON WHITTAKER Web & Classifieds Designer | MARIA BOUÉ

(504) 262-9519 [kbishop@gambitweekly.com]

Graphic Designers | CATHERINE FLOTTE,

KELLY SONNIER

EMMA VEITH, TIANA WATTS

(504) 483-3143 [ksonnier@gambitweekly.com]

BUSINESS & OPERATIONS Billing Inquiries 1 (225) 388-0185 Administrative Assistant | LINDA LACHIN

CHARLIE THOMAS (504) 636-7438 [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 2020 Capital City Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

Fright on time

There also will be a Dia de los Muertos dinner at Kitchen in the Garden at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Food will be prepared by chefs from Casa Borrega, and Montero will talk about the holiday and traditional dishes on the menu, such as mole and chile relleno. Visit neworleanscitypark.com for information or tickets to the dinner.

Halloween and the Day of the Dead events in New Orleans

Halloween with Big Deal Burlesque Roxie le Rouge’s burlesque and variety show Big Deal Burlesque has the treats on Halloween night with a rare (for the pandemic era) in-person event at The Cannery featuring acrobatics, burlesque, comedy and drag. Performers include Mammary Lane, Phathoms Deep, Vivacious Miss Audacious and le Rouge. The event will follow coronavirus guidelines and face masks are required for entry. The Cannery is at 3803 Toulouse St. Tickets are $35-$75 on eventbrite.com.

BY WILL COVIELLO HALLOWEEN 2020 MAY BE MORE DIY

than ever, as many annual events and attractions are sitting out the pandemic year. Making costumes and decorating homes and lawns are some of the ways locals have gotten creative in October. But here are some of the special events happening this year. JAMNOLA: “House of Eclectic Souls” New Orleans’ first experiential museum, JAMNOLA, opened over the summer in Marigny. In a dozen rooms with colorful displays and interactive technology, local artists illustrated New Orleans culture in selfie-friendly exhibits. Local artist La Adorna is dressing up the arts space/playland for a Halloween pop-up called “House of Eclectic Souls.” For five days, there will be special decorations and performers such as dancers, drag performers and spoken word artists in some rooms. Performing artists include Shangobunmi Durotimi, Ashley Stevenson, Gianni Redi, Gabrielle Slack, Iman Marshall, Candy Snatch, Franky Canga and others. La Adorna has curated music for the event, and a video room that usually features Royce Osborn’s documentary “All on a Mardi Gras Day” will screen a Halloween video. “House of Eclectic Souls” runs Oct. 27-31, and the pop-up is for ages 16 and older on Oct. 30 and 31. Attendees also can participate in a costume contest by dressing up and having their picture taken by a photographer in one of five designated rooms. The winners will be determined in an online vote held Nov. 1-3. Visit jamnola.com for information. Haunted houses New Orleans’ haunted houses are open. The Mortuary in Mid-City is inviting guests to unleash some pandemic frustrations on the undead. Its “Rift War” scenario arms visitors with guns similar to those used in laser-tag attractions and allows them to combat the undead in the labyrinth of rooms. Entrance is by timed ticketing, which is available online only, and patrons must wear face coverings. The Mortuary is open this week and on a few weekend days through Friday, Nov. 13. Visit themortuary.net for tickets.

P R OV I D E D P H OTO B Y L A A D O R N A

Performers fill JAMNOLA for the ‘Eclectic Souls’ pop-up Oct. 27-31.

In Jefferson, the New Orleans Nightmare goes retro, filling its halls with classic movie monsters. There’s also a “Deadly Reflections” area haunted by poor souls captured in magic mirrors. The New Orleans Nightmare offers online ticketing and “skip the line” passes. It’s open daily through Halloween. Visit neworleansnightmare.com for information on safety precautions and tickets. Dia de los Muertos Artist Hugo Montero created the folkart styled decor of his restaurant Casa Borrega in Central City. He usually creates a Day of the Dead altar there, and will assemble a small one this year, but his efforts are focused on an altar that will be on display in the New Orleans Botanical Garden Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Nov. 2, which is Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Entertainment like the movie “Coco” and other cultural appropriations have distorted the holiday, Montero says, and found some sort of more American, Halloween-style darkness. But to him, it’s one of the most important days of the year, when Mexican people honor the deceased. Guests are welcome to bring photos of their lost loved ones to the altar. Montero and his son will build an altar including paintings, sculptures, found objects, two pinatas, including one of a devil, and more.

Halloween Road Rally Crescent City Cat Club, the Marigny cat cafe and animal shelter, will celebrate its third anniversary with a Halloween Day road rally through the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods. Participants (teams are encouraged) will start at the Cat Club, 1021 Marigny St., where they will receive a clue they must figure out for the next location and the next clue, kicking off a Halloween-themed race through the area. Participants must figure out the clues to 15 locations along the route, eventually ending back at the Cat Club. Participants can either walk, bike or drive along the race; and smartphones are allowed. Costumes are encouraged and face masks are required. Prizes, one for each mode of transportation, will be awarded for the first entrants back to the club. Suggested donation is $15 and includes a visit to the Cat Club. Visit crescentcitycatclub.com for more information. Spooky screenings Area cinemas enter the Halloween homestretch with a slate of ghoulish films. The Prytania Theatre’s (5339 Prytania St.; theprytania.com) “Nightmare on Prytania Street” will finish its month-long series with daily screenings of “Monsters, Inc.,” “Hocus Pocus” and “The Exorcist” through Thursday, Oct. 29, and “Casper” on Friday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 1. The Prytania Theatre will also host “COVID editions” of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 9:30 p.m. and midnight on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. And The Broad Theater will show “Beetlejuice” nightly Oct. 28-30, followed by “House” on Oct. 28 and “Night of the Living Dead” on Oct. 29-30 at The Broadside, its new Mid-City outdoor space at 600 N. Broad Ave. Tickets can be found at broadsidenola.com

Candy pick-up THE NEW ORLEANS RECREATION Development Commission hosts family-friendly drive- and walk-through Halloween events 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Behrman Park at 2529 General Meyer Ave. and Joe W. Brown Park at 5601 Read Blvd. will have drive-through routes decorated with festive ghosts and ghouls and giving out trick-or-treat candy. The Lafitte Greenway at 1971 St. Louis St. in Treme, will feature drivethrough and walking and bike routes. Costumes and vehicle decorations are encouraged. Visit nordc.org for location and route information.

Spiritual stage SOUTH CAROLINA POET MOODY BLACK will be the featured performer at the event “Lyrics & Spirits on the Bayou,” a spoken word, hip-hop and comedy event hosted by AllnIllusion. Artists from New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore and Houston are on the bill. The event takes place 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Fontaine Palace, 218 S. Robertson St. Tickets are $30 via eventbrite.com.

Round two

P R OV I D E D P H OTO B Y R O B S H A N A H A N

Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls is the alter ego of comic actor Harry Shearer.

TIPITINA’S KICKS OFF ITS SECOND SEASON OF its online concert series Tipitinas.TV with a Halloween performance by Galactic featuring legendary Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls — the character expertly portrayed by Harry Shearer. The show premieres at 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The coming Tipitinas.TV season includes performances by Dumpstaphunk, Soul Rebels with Big Freedia, Marc Broussard and Dragon Smoke. Individual shows are $14.99, or $59.99 for the full series at tipitinas.tv.

Full alert QUINTRON & MISS PUSSYCAT celebrate Halloween and their new album, “Goblin Alert,” with a live-streaming show from d.b.a. via the StageIt platform. It will be their second performance with a full band and will feature puppets and special guests. The show starts at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 on stageit.com/dbalive. Tickets are $10.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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OPENING GAMBIT N E W

O R L E A N S

N E W S

V I E W S

For no mere mortal can resist the evil of the thriller ... Can you dig it?

# The Count

Thumbs Up/ Thumbs Down

51,135

M.S. Rau, the Royal Street

antiques and fine arts store, has raised more than $12,000 to purchase art kits for area high school students. The Rau for Art “Art From Home” initiative will distribute 550 art kits containing tools, drawing pads, oil pastels, artist pencils and other items directly to teachers and students of 13 schools between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4.

Ride New Orleans, Roll to the Polls and Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer part-

nered together in October to give away 750 bus passes to registered voters during early voting to help them get to the polls. The RTA in June adopted a policy to waive fares on Election Day, but the policy does not cover early voting. Ride New Orleans advocates for better public transit in the city, and Roll to the Polls works with local schools, religious institutions and other organizations to provide transportation for voters.

The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services last week told Lake Charles

evacuees housed in New Orleans hotels it’s time for them to leave. The Red Cross, which is working with DCFS to help house evacuees, told WDSU-TV letters and text messages announcing the end of housing aid were sent to evacuees whose homes only had minor damage. But WDSU, WWL-TV and The Advocate all interviewed a number of evacuees who received notices don’t have home to return to because of significant storm damage.

The number of ballots cast in Orleans Parish after the first five days of early voting, according to data from the Louisiana Secretary of State obtained by The Advocate’s Sam Karlin on Oct. 22.

P H OTO B Y DAV E G R U N F E L D / 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

Don’t get “forget your mask” level drunk. LaToya is watching.

NOT WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC COULD EARN YOU A $500 FINE MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL SAID OCT. 22 that people caught without a mask on in public could face a fine of up to $500, in the latest warning from New Orleans officials to follow rules aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. At a press conference with tourism and public safety officials, Cantrell reiterated that mask-wearing is mandated in the city. And after large — often maskless — crowds gathered in the French Quarter last weekend, she has empowered New Orleans police to issue citations in cases of non-compliance with masking and other coronavirus rules. The citations can result in a fine, and if people can’t afford it they can opt to pick up trash around the city as an alternative punishment, she said Thursday. The move nonetheless represents a departure from city officials’ reluctance early in the pandemic to announce financial penalties for flouting the mask rules, though the mask mandate has been in effect since May. In recent months, other jurisdictions across the country have also forced residents to don a mask or face a fine. Cantrell added that NOPD’s ability to mandate compliance and assess a $500 fee “was always on the books.” Violations of emergency orders issued by the city, indeed, are considered misdemeanors under city code, and punishable by up to that amount, though the city had not emphasized such fines before now and had not suggested that they were applicable to individuals. — JESSICA WILLIAMS/ THE TIMES-PICAYUNE | THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE

Health officials urge Louisianans to get flu shots to avoid overwhelming hospitals The Louisiana Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are asking Louisianans to roll up their shirt sleeves and get a flu shot as they ramp up efforts to distribute these essential vaccines. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, for which there is still no vaccine or cure, health officials say it’s more important than ever to get

Of those votes, 42,407 people voted in person, while 8,728 people had returned their absentee ballots. In Jefferson Parish, 35,280 votes were cast and tallied from Friday, Oct. 16 through Wednesday, Oct. 21, and statewide, 512,818 votes were cast and tallied. That’s 145,519 more than were tallied during the same time period in 2016. Early voting ends Tuesday, Oct. 27, and the general election is on Nov. 3.

C’est What

? What are you doing for Halloween?

65.1%

LETTING THE ELECTION HAUNT ME

8.5%

BUYING A NEW MASK, WHICH WILL BE USED AFTER OCT. 31

16.3%

COSTUMING AS USUAL, BUT STAYING ON THE COUCH

10.1% DRIVING BY DECORATED HOMES

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

Street Renaming Commission needs more time, still seeks community input A busy hurricane season threw South Louisiana into chaos all summer, and it’s also part of the reason that the City Council’s Street Renaming Commission has asked for an extension in its ongoing process to identify and rename streets and public spaces, as well as tear down monuments honoring white supremacists and Confederates. At a meeting on Oct. 21, committee chair Karl Connor said they would be requesting extra time from Council members Jay Banks and Kristin

OPENING GAMBIT Gisleson Palmer, who spearheaded the task force. The request is rather unsurprising, given that the number of streets and public spaces are still being identified, and the commission and its panel of expert consultants have also brought in representatives from universities and have expanded to include a variety of local historians and other experts. In addition to the hurricane season causing delays, the commission “opened up the public input channels on the website, and we’ve gotten additional names and streets as well as other public spaces that folks want us to look at,” Connor told Gambit on Oct. 23. The commission originally planned to have an initial report for the City Council to review this month, which included suggestions of streets, parks and other places to be renamed, along with suggestions of new names this month. But given the scope of the project, Connor said that is “no longer realistic.” The extension request will also give constituents more time to meet with commissioners. But the commissioners have made progress and have come up with some solid suggestions for certain prominent streets thus far. Allen Toussaint, Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, Lolis Eric Elie Sr., Mac Rebennack aka Dr. John and Leah Chase are some of the most high-profile figures who have been nominated as namesakes for their contributions to New Orleans and beyond, while a slew of other unsung heroes from the Civil War and emancipated enslaved people who went onto affect positive change and overcome adversity are also under consideration. The name changes would likely not go into effect until next year to avoid confusion because of address changes during the election season, anyway. The committee continues to encourage the general public to offer opinions and suggestions — and find out more about the process — through its website, nolaccsrc.org. — SARAH RAVITS

seasonably chic

citron • cranberry • black

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

Diamond Star Earrings

In case you missed it: Legislators pass a hefty tax break for oil and gas The Louisiana Legislature passed a bill last week that would give around $48 million in tax breaks to the oil and gas industry without any requirements that the money saved go toward creating jobs for the state’s workers, Wesley Muller of the Louisiana Illuminator reports. The bill, by Rep. Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, would suspend the 12.5% severance tax companies pay on oil and gas extracted from certain oil wells for six to 24 months. As it first passed the House of Representatives, the bill would have exempted companies from the tax until 2025 and

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW. FISHERSONSJEWELERS.COM (504) 885 -4956 • INFO@FISHERSONSJEWELERS.COM TUES-THURS 10AM-4PM | FRI 10AM-5:30PM | SAT 10AM-3PM CURBSIDE PICKUP AVAILABLE 5101 W. ESPLANADE AVE. | 1 BLOCK OFF TRANSCONTINENTAL

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sleeves and get a flu shot as they ramp up efforts to distribute these essential vaccines. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, for which there is still no vaccine or cure, health officials say it’s more important than ever to get the shot, especially because COVID19 and the flu sometimes have similar symptoms and both can be fatal. They have for months warned of a “twin-demic” this fall and are concerned about overwhelmed hospitals, as the flu can also lead to lengthy stays and require medical care around the clock. Dr. Gina Lagarde, the regional medical director for the Northshore, said the health department will be conducting “mass vaccination exercises in each of the state’s regions” over the next several weeks, in partnerships with local pharmacies. The department will be making an extra effort to reach out to historically under-vaccinated populations, including low-income, rural and minority communities that frequently lack access to health care. On Oct. 26, free vaccines will be available at the Audubon Zoo from 1 to 6 p.m. and in Jefferson Parish in Westwego at the Alario Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. “It is critical,” Lagarde told Gambit. “We worry about the surge to our emergency rooms. With the cold and flu season, we know the impact on our emergency rooms and in our hospitals. We need to get as many people as vaccinated as possible.” Both the CDC and the LDH have long recommend a yearly flu shot for everyone over 6 months of age and note that it’s especially crucial for people at higher risk of serious complications, including babies and young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions and citizens aged 65 years and older. Most seasonal flu activity occurs between October and May, peaking between December and February. The LDH notes that the flu shot will not prevent COVID-19, but it will reduce the burden of the flu illness, hospitalizations and deaths. Though the flu is less fatal than COVID-19, both are highly contagious illnesses that can impact long-term health and require lengthy recovery periods. – SARAH RAVITS

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DY A A E R GET FOR

n u F t h g i r F t h g i N

! N E Y E P HAP HALLOW

GARDEN DISTRICT

METAIRIE

RIVER RIDGE

CHALMETTE

www.breauxmart.com

COMMENTARY

ELECTION DAY IS NOV. 3, BUT EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THROUGH Tuesday, Oct. 27. The ballot is crowded all across Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans. In addition to president, U.S. Senator and Congress members, voters in Orleans Parish will elect a new state Supreme Court justice, a new district attorney, a dozen judges at civil and criminal court, and an entire seven-member school board. Voters statewide will also decide the fate of seven proposed constitutional amendments, a local-option referendum on sports betting, and a number of local propositions. In recent weeks we have published in print and online our recommendations. Even if you disagree with our endorsements, we hope you’ll exercise your right to vote. Below is our Gambit ballot, which you can take into the voting booth with you.

COFFEE, TEA & CBD Tinctures

The Gambit Ballot

Soft Gels • Massage Oils

– Nov. 3

Bath Bombs

You can take this ballot with you to vote!

Sugar Scrubs • Body Butter PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER Kevin Pearson (Parts of Orleans & Jefferson, Northshore)

Dr. Patrice Sentino Ethan Ashley Olin Parker Dr. J.C. Romero Grisela Jackson Carlos Zervigon Nolan Marshall Jr.

JEFFERSON PARISH Office of Inspector General Millage Renewal | YES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT 1 | NO “No Right to Abortion”

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE HISTORIC SEVENTH WARD MONDAYS - SATURDAYS 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM

1683 NORTH BROAD STREET • 504.582.9498

NEW ORLEANS - METAIRIE

REAL EXPERIENCE. REAL EXPERIENCE

MATTERS. REAL RESULTS. SALVADOR M. BROCATO, III ATTORNEY AT LAW

AMENDMENT 2 | YES “Oil & Gas Well Assessment” AMENDMENT 3 | YES “Rainy Day Fund and Disasters” AMENDMENT 4 | NO “State Spending Limit”

BROCATO LAW FIRM, PLC

AMENDMENT 5 | NO “Payments Instead of Property Taxes” AMENDMENT 6 | NO “Expanded Property Tax Freezes” AMENDMENT 7 | NO “New Fund for Unclaimed Property” Local Option, Sports Wagering |

YES

Neighborhood Crime Districts | YES (Lake Willow, North Kenilworth, Lakeshore, Broadmoor, Lake Vista)

PERSONAL INJURY

DWI

CRIMINAL

METAIRIE, LA ˚ BROCATOLAW.COM BROCATOLAW.COM

504-832-7225

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VOTE

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NEW ORLEANS GIFTS • LOCAL ARTISTS & DESIGNERS

CLANCY DUBOS @clancygambit

Have fun but stay safe this Halloween!

Cantrell: No mask and you’ll pay $500 — or pick up trash

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who feel Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s pandemic-related emergency orders have focused too much on them can perhaps breathe easier these days. Herroner now plans to have cops issue citations to individuals who violate her citywide public masking mandate — and seek fines up to $500 per violation. Lest those same business owners fear such fines would cause them even more economic harm by fleecing their customers, the mayor says those who cannot afford to pay a $500 fine could opt to pick up trash as an alternative punishment. Not to put too fine a point on the fines, but the decision to impose a criminal penalty — albeit a misdemeanor one — rests with the judiciary, not with the mayor or the cops. That much is clear. Meanwhile, I’ve heard some chatter in legal circles that Cantrell may have exceeded her authority in threatening violators with fines, but that does not appear to be the case. When she announced the new policy, the mayor said such authority “was always on the books.” Well, maybe not literally “always,” but the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act as well as the City Code expressly give the city authority to seek misdemeanor penalties for violations of a lawfully declared emergency order. The mayor’s masking mandate has been in place since May, though it has been routinely ignored on Bourbon Street, outside some local bars and in other public areas. That was never more evident than in the wake of Cantrell’s decision to move New Orleans to Phase 3.2

of reopening on Oct. 17. Almost immediately, social media lit up with photos of maskless throngs gleefully packing the most popular stretches of Bourbon Street. Cantrell was not amused. She quickly issued a stern warning that tougher enforcement of her emergency restrictions would soon follow. “Our people have put in the work which has allowed us to ease restrictions, but actions that lead to super-spreader events will not be condoned,” Cantrell said a statement. “We cannot go back.” Days later, she announced her policy of directing cops to issue citations that could lead to $500 fines. Cantrell made a point of saying police would issue citations in all neighborhoods, not just the French Quarter — though the Quarter is certainly the easiest place to find people openly flouting her mask-up mandate. There’s no disputing the efficacy of Cantrell’s restrictions. New Orleans ranked among the world’s hot spots in the early stages of the pandemic, but now it has one of the lowest rates of infection among large cities. The mayor — and individuals who complied with her restrictions — can rightly take credit for that dramatic turnaround. Yes, the restrictions have hurt the city’s hospitality industry, but no more so than the feeble federal response to the pandemic. Ultimately, local bar and restaurant owners may take solace in the fact that, after a day of picking up trash in the city’s garbage-strewn public spaces, most folks would do almost anything — including don a mask — for a tall drink and a good meal.

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@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com

Hey Blake, When I was a kid, I remember seeing Napoleon’s death mask on display at the Cabildo. How did it end up there and were there other copies of it made?

Dear reader,

The bronze mask that has been displayed in New Orleans since 1834 was one of four “death masks” created by Napoleon Bonaparte’s physician, Dr. Francesco Antommarchi, after the French military leader and emperor’s death. At the time, it was customary to make such a mask of any prominent person when they died. Antommarchi made the mask’s mold from either wax or plaster and applied it to Napoleon’s face on May 6, 1821, 40 hours after he died. The mold was used to cast the four bronze masks. When Antommarchi later immigrated to New Orleans, he presented one of the masks to the city. “Penetrated by the generous sentiments and keenly sensible to the noble welcome with which the Louisianans honor me, I have the honor to offer to this city the mask of the Emperor Napoleon, in bronze, moulded by me at St. Helena after his

P R OV I D E D P H OTO B Y LO U I S I A N A S TAT E M U S E U M

Napoleon’s Death Mask. Attributed to Francesco Antommarchi, 1821, Loaned by the Louisiana Historical Society.

death,” Antommarchi wrote in a letter to New Orleans Mayor Denis Prieur, which was reprinted a century later in the Nov. 23, 1934, Times-Picayune. The death mask was originally presented at the Cabildo, then moved to Gallier Hall. During renovations in 1866, the mask was somehow tossed into the trash. A former city treasurer, Adam Giffon, salvaged the mask and displayed it in his home. It ended up in the hands of Capt. W.G. Raoul of Atlanta, who said he paid an antiques dealer $500 for it. Raoul donated the mask to the Louisiana State Museum in 1909. It remains on display at the Cabildo.

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The night was thick. A damp haze wafted aimlessly through the air coating the windows of the lone car in the lot with fog. Deja stifled a yawn and cranked up her music; the warring bass and high hat thrummed in her chest and kept her mostly awake. She didn’t expect much out of MSY this late at night. All the other rideshare cars around her had already pulled off, shuttling the passengers that preferred them over a taxi off to their destinations. At this point, she could either wait in hopes of catching an employee ending a late airport shift or just chalk it up to the game and head home. She grabbed her main phone and shot off a text. Her secondary phone — only for ride share work — glowed dully from its holster mounted on the windshield at eye-level and plugged to the cigarette lighter to sustain the draining battery. The main phone pinged. The other stayed silent. What? Deja rolled her eyes. Kiki always copped an attitude at the end of her shift at the hospital. Deja knew better than to take it personally. Bout to head back from the airport. Drinks? She texted back and rubbed her eyes. One airport trip would’ve put her over her goal for the day but whatever. She was exhausted, it was well after midnight, and there was no point in idling in the parking lot waiting for— Her secondary phone beeped. A passenger.

Shit, never mind then. She accepted the ride — a simple trip from the airport to somewhere in the French Quarter. A hitch in her plans with Kiki but not a complete bust. Picking up. Meet on Frenchmen in 40? Imma fight u. Whatever see u in 40 ugly Deja snorted out a laugh. She shifted her car into gear, backed out of the parking spot, and whipped around to Arrivals. A lone figure stood beneath the harsh white lights, a pale young woman. Dark hair oozed over her shoulders in limp strands and the bag slung cross her body bore the telltale initials of a designer as expensive as they were

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A STORY OF POSSESSION

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COVER STORY

RE N T RE

P H OTO B Y DAV I D G R U N F E L D/ T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E | THE NEW ORLEANS A DVO C AT E

exclusive. She lifted a hand, the enormous red gem set in her ring catching in the overhead lights. OK, moneybags. “Jessica?” Deja said as the woman slipped into the backseat of her car. The woman squinted at the car’s interior, nose upturned in disgust. “Yes.” “Going to the French Quarter?” The app marked the destination clearly on the map but Deja got higher ratings when she asked anyway. It gave off a friendly vibe and left a good enough impression to slide the tips up a dollar or so. “Yes.” Jessica slammed the door. The smell of mustiness and mothballs wafted through the car. Deja fought to control her face; she always struggled with her expressions — they spoke first and they spoke loudly. She prayed the smell wouldn’t linger in the upholstery. Still, she discreetly cracked open her windows and sunroof as she eased onto I-10 and headed toward the Quarter. “So, this your first time in New Orleans?” “No.” “Oh.” Deja bit her lip to contain her frown. This rider was already testing her patience. “Welcome back, then.” “Indeed. I’ve been away from home for far too long.” Deja glanced into her rearview mirror, ready to commiserate with a fellow hometown girl. A chill raced down her spine and she cut her eyes back to the road. The woman’s gaze burned;

the intense blue eyes blazed in the darkness. Deja’s hands clenched on the steering wheel. She wasn’t usually so easily spooked but that brief glance had left her heart racing in her chest. “What’s wrong, girl?” Jessica cooed, her voice drifting from the backseat like a whisper. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “No, it’s not—” She slammed on the brakes, jerking the car to an abrupt stop behind another who decided they needed to be in her lane at that exact moment. Instinct took over. “You good?” Their gazes met in the mirror. Brown eyes stared back at Deja, wide with fear and bright with tears. “Where — where am I?” Deja whipped the car over to the shoulder and spun to face her passenger. The blue eyes that had scared her so suddenly were gone. Jessica’s eyes were brown, deep brown, nowhere near the vicinity of blue. Had it been a trick of the light? “What’s happening? Where am I?” The woman’s entire demeanor seemed changed. She pressed herself back into the seat, fingers digging into the dark leather. Deja frowned. This was about to be some wild shit, and she hated being dragged into wild shit. She keyed in Kiki’s number, hit speaker, and turned the volume down on the phone. If something popped off, Kiki would hear and Kiki would know exactly what

happened to her best friend. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for wherever this was about to go. She turned in her seat, forced her face into a gentle smile. “You good, baby? I pulled over on I-10 right after the Carrollton exit —” She said that part for Kiki to hear. “— in case you need to throw up or something.” Deja prayed all she needed to do was throw up. “Where am I? Who are you? What’s going on?” “You’re in New Orleans. I picked you up at the airport and I’m driving you to the French Quarter.” “That woman —” Jessica’s face went white, the dark bruises under her eyes suddenly stark against too pale skin. “That woman —” She threw herself forward, clutching Deja’s hands. “You have to help me. That woman —” “Whoa,” Deja screamed and pulled away. Jessica was too close now, her fingers cold as ice. The enormous ruby on her ring caught the light, glinting brightly. Her grip changed, tightened enough to grind Deja’s bones together as the woman jerked her across the car. “I’ll tell you what you’re gonna do, girl.” Jessica spat “girl” like it was filth on her tongue. “You’re gonna get back in that seat, get back on that road, and drive me where I told you to. You understand?” “I ain’t gotta do nothing and you can get outta my f—” Deja yelped as the woman squeezed her hand harder and something

threatened to pop. She jerked her arm back but couldn’t pull free. How was this lady so strong? “How many eyes you think you need to drive this thing, girl?” Metal glinted in Jessica’s other hand as she brought the knife up and dragged it along Deja’s cheek. “One or two?” Deja froze. Jessica pressed the flat of the blade against Deja’s face. “Drive me to where I said, girl. You understand me?” “Yes,” Deja hissed. “Yes, madame. Say it.” Deja felt the blade bite into her skin, the wetness of blood. They were just words. Words wouldn’t kill her, though whatever this was just might. “Yes, madame.” She prided herself on not choking as she said it. Jessica shoved her away and Deja crashed into the console. The woman’s eyes glowed blue again, her wide smile a bearing of teeth. “Drive.”

A knife the length of her forearm pressed

against Deja’s spine as the now blue-eyed passenger dragged her along the dim streets. They’d abandoned the car in front of somebody’s driveway, but who could care about a ticket or a tow when someone threatened to show you just how far your entrails stretched. What a night. Deja had never wished to stumble across a crowd of drunk tourists so badly. But

RE N T RE of something else. Was that rum? Whatever it was, LaLaurie screeched as soon as it touched her. Kiki swung the branch, hitting Jessica around the shoulders and head. The screaming rose in pitch, so high it rattled Deja’s eardrums. The air around them felt heavy, like the dark of the night would drag them all down. Then silence. Jessica and Kiki stood across from each other panting. “What—” Jessica took a shuddering breath and staggered, her eyes dark brown again. “What did you do?” Kiki sucked her teeth. “What did I do? Girl, what did YOU do? You the one who was possessed.” “I don’t know — I could hear and I could see but it was like someone else was moving my body.” “Girl, I said you was possessed.” Kiki flung the leaves at her again. “You don’t listen. That means there was a spirit on you.” “Is there a—” Deja stepped in quickly to pull the long dagger out of the woman’s hand. “—a hotel we can drop you off at or something?” She lifted a hand to her head. “I—” The ruby on her finger glinted blood red in the light. Deja’s eyes widened. The ring— Jessica’s hand shot forward, wrapping around Kiki’s throat as both women tumbled to the ground. “What are you doing?” Deja yelled, grabbing at Jessica’s shoulder. “I don’t know! I can’t—”

The other woman’s body shifted and tried to pull away, but her hand wouldn’t let go. “It’s not me!” Kiki’s mouth opened in a soundless scream, her hands smacking at Jessica’s arm desperately, her face red and straining. Deja tugged at Jessica’s wrist. “Let go! You’re killing her!” “I’m trying! I’m trying! It’s not me!” Kiki’s strikes slowed, each hit getting weaker and weaker. “Let go! She can’t breathe, you’re killing—” “I can’t! It’s not me! My hand won’t—” Deja’s throat felt raw with her screams but— “—let go. My hand won’t let her go. It’s not me!” —Kiki’s eyes were getting glassy and she had to do something— “I don’t know what to do! I don’t know what to do, I can’t let go!” —or just sit here and watch her best friend die in front of her. The ruby caught the light, glinting there on the ring finger of the hand wrapped around Kiki’s neck. Deja felt the weight of the dagger in her hand as a cold clarity overcame her. She knew what she had to do. She threw herself down, trapping Jessica’s arm between her body and Kiki’s, hissed “Don’t move,” and cut. The knife slid through flesh and bone and muscle like nothing. The severed finger rolled against Kiki’s chin. Jessica’s hand went slack, blood spurting

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this deep into the French Quarter was quiet and dark and far from the bars and revelers clogging up Bourbon Street. “Keep moving, girl.” Jessica shoved the knife against Deja’s back, hard enough to break skin, to draw blood. Deja clenched her jaw, felt her back teeth grind together. She breathed deeply. The stink of mothballs and unwashed bodies still hovered around them. Her stomach turned and she swallowed the bile that threatened to choke her. “Stop,” Jessica said. “Here it is.” She wrapped long fingers around Deja’s arm and dragged her to the corner. “I’ve come home.” Pale stone walls jutted out along the sidewalk and iron posts held up an impressive balcony that circled the building. Deja knew exactly what dead woman kept threatening to gut her. “This isn’t what I built,” Madame LaLaurie murmured from the body she rode, “but we’ll make due.” She grinned at Deja, that same ugly bearing of teeth that held nothing but threat. “All right, girl, now you’re going to—“ “Hey,” someone shouted. They turned and there was Kiki sprinting directly toward them out of the dark, an open bottle in one hand and a branch with thin green leaves in the other. She flung her arm forward, dousing LaLaurie in liquid. Deja smelled the sharp flower and herb scent of Florida water with the bite

COVER STORY

out of the knuckle. Kiki choked, gasping in great gulps of air. Deja scrambled for the ring. As soon as her fingers wrapped around the bauble, it felt as if something was trying to burrow into her skin. She fought the urge to drop it immediately, the desire to slip it on for just a moment wasn’t it so beautiful wouldn’t it look lovely on her hand if she just— She dropped it through a sewage grate and tossed the dagger in after it. Her head cleared and she breathed what felt like her first breath all night. “Baby, we need to call you an ambulance,” Kiki said behind her. “Uh, my insurance won’t cover that.” Jessica said, her voice shaky with shock and pain. “I’ll call a car. Oh—” Deja spun, ready to fight whatever fresh hell made itself known tonight. Jessica held up her phone. “Looks like our ride is still going. Think you can drop me?” Deja closed her eyes, remembered everything this woman had put her through since she picked her up at the airport. And thought about the price racking up on this trip. “Girl, come on,” she said, helping Kiki get Jessica to her feet, “let’s go.”

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COVER STORY

GEN Z WITCHES SAY ‘IT’S THE WAY OF LIFE’ Gen Z may be more tech-savvy than their folks, but their spiritual roots run deep BY TAYLOR PITTMAN

WALKING INTO DONEISHA STEVENSON’S HOUSE for the first

time, it’s easy to see the signs: the burning sage, Jhene Aiko playing on the TV in the background and the row of prayer crystals all make it clear. A spiritual person lives here, and in this case, she’s a 19-year-old witch. Of course, that’s not to say everything about Stevenson’s life comes off as Witch Coven Living 101. She is, after all, a normal New Orleanian teen: she listens to rap music, keeps up with Twitter trends and hangs with her friends. For tourists, and even a lot of residents, witchcraft and Voodoo are things of the past: mythic practices that may have helped create New Orleans culture, but are either long gone like the juke joints of the old Basin Street or are the province of French Quarter tourist traps. But for Stevenson and other members of Gen Z, the old ways are still very much alive, coexisting alongside TikTok in perfect harmony. “It’s the way of life,” Stevenson says, matter of factly. “It’s my life.”

Other than Salem, Massachusetts, no other place

in America is more associated with the so-called “occult” than New Orleans. With its roots firmly in the spiritual, religious and medicinal traditions of enslaved Africans, Voodoo has been a central force in the city’s history and culture. Powerful historical Voodoo priests and priestesses like Marie Laveau and Doctor John (the original, not the late singer) are prominent figures in the city’s folklore, art, and music, and for believers remain very real forces in their lives. Long considered evil by “mainstream” religious leaders, for much of its history, Voodoo and witchcraft has been practiced in backrooms and basements with hushed voices behind locked doors. For much older generations, letting people know you were a witch could be a death sentence. Throughout history, witches have been hunted and killed, wrongly accused of causing all sorts of calamities and evil. Even in the modern era, the practice has been met with condemnation and ridicule. “We

were more secretive when I first started dabbling in it. Now it’s a trend, and it’s OK to be a witch,” Laurie Alan Browne, a 35-year-old witch, explains. “Back then, people would say things like ‘devil-worshiper,’ and that certainly made us more secretive.” And even in sympathetic popular culture portrayals, witches have long found themselves typecast as black clad outsiders struggling to fit in.

But that’s begun to change,

particularly for members of Gen Z. Celebrities such as SZA, Lizzo, and many more openly promote their spirituality on Instagram and other forums with different tools such as sound bowls and candles. YouTubers such as Zolita, Astrokit and several others broadcast tarot readings and describe how they got into their practices. On TikTok — where videos with the witchcraft hashtag has a whopping 1.9 billion views — you can only scroll so far in your “for you” page before landing on “witch TikTok.” It’s not a scary subgenre, no matter what Hollywood might tell you, but more an educational resource

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Part of the acceptance of witchcraft, Voodoo and other

forms of spirituality amongst Gen Zers may be based on how they come to it. While Traditional or Folk witches specifically practice the magic of their ancestors or traditions from their specific region, many modern-day witches wouldn’t identify as Traditional witches. Instead, they take a more eclectic approach to it, embracing all different types of magic and are not stuck to one specific religion. “I use crystals, which is an older method,” Stevenson says. “But I think they are important to cleanse energy and focus.” Like a lot of people her age, Stevenson practices what is known as Secular witchcraft. Secular witches cast spells, use crystals, herbs, oils and candles.

LONG CONSIDERED EVIL BY “MAINSTREAM” RELIGIOUS LEADERS, FOR MUCH OF ITS HISTORY, VOODOO AND WITCHCRAFT HAS BEEN PRACTICED IN BACKROOMS AND BASEMENTS WITH HUSHED VOICES BEHIND LOCKED DOORS. Yet, they don’t attach much religion to their practice. That, perhaps predictably, can rub older witches the wrong way. “These younger witches have too much ego,” Katie Nelson, a 43-year-old New Orleans witch, says. “The only reason they choose

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to be so public about their practice is that they want to be seen.” Nelson identifies as a Rootworker — a spiritually based form of Hereditary Witchcraft. While Nelson worries about the showiness of Gen Z witches, others see it as a good opportunity to keep the practices alive. “There is more of an opportunity to be bold,” Browne says. And that can be particularly important in a moment such as this, when so much of the world is in chaos and people are looking for something to hold on to. In 2020, COVID-19 has claimed over a million deaths worldwide. The focus on illness and healing has made many people discover witchcraft for the first time, or even rediscover their hereditary practices. For Stevenson’s particular brand of witchcraft, it was both. “I reached out to my grandmother, asking her a few things about my ancestors, and she re-introduced me to the concept of what healers are and what they do,” Stevenson says. “My brother previously awakened me, but when he went away for some time, I lost it. After I spoke with my grandmother, I knew then it was my time.”

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where young people use candles and blow incense or teach you how to sage your house from evil spirits. “We don’t always dress in all black or all white flowy dresses and skirts to our ankles,” Brownee says. “Sometimes it’s just a pair of jeans and a T-shirt kind of day.”

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Day of the Dread ‘Doom metal’ meets Mexican street fare and margaritas galore at El Cucuy BY B E T H D ’A D D O N O WHEN IT COMES TO RESTAURANT THEMES, El Cucuy’s Day of the Dread

stands out from the crowd. The new taco restaurant at 3507 Tchoupitoulas St. is named for the Mexican bogeyman, a red-eyed, hairy monster with sharp, pointy teeth ideal for eating children when they’re bad. Overlaid against that backdrop of grim folkloric imagery is something close to owner Austin Lane’s heart. “Doom metal,” said Lane, who opened El Cucuy — pronounced el ka-coo-ee — in early September. “I’m a lifelong fan of the music and the stylized imagery that comes along with it, dungeons and dragons, corny evil wizards, that kind of thing.” Dennis “Wolfbat” McNett, an artist pal from the metal community, layered the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor space with supernatural renditions of bats and owls, evil eyes, skulls and vampires. Add in Mexican street food with a metal soundtrack and welcome to El Cucuy, where the decor and the food are scary good. Lane worked on the space, which is his former home, for more than a year. His black 1957 custom Ford named Delilah is a calling card, parked in front of the building and lighted side patio. Currently serving outside only — order at a service window in front and food is delivered to the patio — the restaurant is aligned with the COVID-19 dining culture, with its expansive outside space and straightforward, easy to take away menu. Although this is Lane’s first restaurant, he’s been in and around the business for years, from owning food trucks to working both front and back of the house and working for fabricators of custom bars for the industry. A Houston native, he’s been in New Orleans about 10 years.

“It’s been a bootstrap endeavor, but I’ve always worked in the entrepreneurial community, hustled and worked for myself,” Lane says, explaining he’d originally hoped to open last December. But the snail-like permitting process delayed that process, and by the time he was ready to open in March, the pandemic hit. “I put the dust cover on it and waited to see what was going to happen,” he says. As a pre-revenue business, there was no PPP government funding available, and ultimately the economic realities forced his hand. “I had to pull the trigger and iron out the kinks as they came up,” Lane says. It’s been busy. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day but Tuesday, the restaurant serves the kind of Mexican border town food Lane and his family ate in Texas. “Half of my family is from Reynosa, a border town outside of McAllen. We’d drive to Mexico and travel around,” says Lane, who adds he’s “been to every state, not just the ones with beaches.” Lane designed the menu, which is executed by a team led by chef Jordan Brown and includes a variety of street snacks — or antojitos — from across Mexico. Tacos are served on 10-inch corn or flour tortillas Lane sources from a family-owned tortilleria in Texas. The fillings for both tacos and torta sandwiches are carne asada, pollo asado, nopales for vegetarians and al pastor, seasoned pork cut from a trompo, or vertical rotisserie, he had made in Mexico. Elote a popular Mexican snack, is corn on the cob, roasted and slathered with mayo, lime, cotija cheese, chili powder and cilantro. Campachana is a flavorful lime marinated shrimp dish mixed with avocado, tomato, onion and cilantro and served with chips. Order a house margarita (get mezcal for $2 more) and pick your choice of rims, from salt and sugar to chili and lime-fueled tajin

More New York pizza arrives

NOLA PIZZA CO. WILL FINALLY OPEN just in time to help Halloween

hangovers. The new venture opens Sunday, Nov. 1, and though it has a locally themed moniker, New Yorkstyle pies are on the menu. The pizza joint, overseen by Culinary Director Brandon Byrd, will open in the NOLA Brewing Tap Room at 3001 Tchoupitoulas St. and will be open from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m. daily. The brewery currently seats 98 inside and 44 outside in a recently renovated space to accommodate for COVID-19 safety measures.

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

Diners eat tacos in the courtyard at El Cucuy.

and roasted chili powered chamoy. Jennifer O’Blenis, previously of d.b.a. and Mimi’s in the Marigny, runs the tequila and mezcal forwar bar program. Lane says he is pleased with the restaurant’s reception so far. “I went into this thing with a range of skill sets. Even so, this business is so volatile. You have to be ready to adapt, and even more so because of COVID. We are going to stay focused on keeping our staff and customers safe,” he says. The safety and wellbeing of his staff runs beyond taking COVID-related measures: he adds a 20% gratuity to all checks up front. “I want to hold onto my badass staff and that takes paying them above what most places are paying,” Lane says, and he sees the obvious empathy most customers show the staff — the thank yous — as an unexpected silver lining growing out of the pandemic. Lane looks forward to opening the restaurant with its vintage jukebox and handsome art bar, when the time is right. The same goes for the private party space he’s building out behind the Airstream that is the restaurant’s back border. As for the admittedly dark theme, he’s unapologetic. “I’m being myself — there’s always another taco place up the street if this one isn’t a fit.”

? WHAT

El Cucuy

WHERE

3507 Tchoupitoulas St.

WHEN

11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Wed.-Mon.

HOW

Email dining@gambitweekly.com

Dine outside, takeout and delivery

CHECK IT OUT

Mexican street fare plus mezcal and tequila cocktails

P H OTO P R OV I D E D B Y N O L A P I Z Z A C O .

NOLA Brewing will welcome New York-style pizzas from NOLA Pizza Co. starting Nov. 1

A variety of pizzas start at $18. Options include mushroom, olives and onions; white pizza with ricotta, provolone, garlic and parmesan; as well as a sausage, broccoli rabe, breadcrumbs and pecorino variety; and a vodka sauce, pepperoni and basil, among others. Salads are also available, as are desserts like Nutella buns and tiramisu. Byrd will work closely with brewers to ensure a “perfect” formula for the pizza dough. “There are three major components to making NYC-style dough: water, yeast and fermentation,” he says. NOLA Pizza Co. will use a higher ratio of water to flour than most local pizzerias, which gives the pies a more “open crumb” structure. Byrd says the dough is naturally leavened and uses a sourdough starter. “Through reverse osmosis, we are able to strip down the water and recreate the exact mineral and pH content of New York City water and keep it consistent, which is something that is tough to do here in New Orleans,” he says. Check out the menu at nolapizzaco.com. — SARAH RAVITS PAGE 24

23 G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > O C TO B E R 27 - N OV E M B E R 2 > 2 02 0

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 > O c tob e r 27 - N ov e mb e r 2 > 2 02 0

PAGE 23

A welcome return for some old favorites EARLIER IN OCTOBER , Patrick

WE HAVE

CBD FLOWER THANKS FOR VOTING US

BEST SMOKE SHOP

GUIDE TO GIVING A SPECIAL PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE MAKING NEW ORLEANS A BETTER PLACE

tell

your organization’s story

solicit

end of the year donations

attract

new members and volunteers

promote

special events

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 6

ISSUE DATE: NOVEMBER 17

To advertise call Sandy Stein at (504) 483-3150 or email sstein@gambitweekly.com

Singley reopened Gautreau’s for the first time since March, with much of the same staff, as well as popular dishes like seared scallops and roasted duck. Despite those familiar ingredients, he had little idea of what to expect. Singley said the longtime Uptown restaurant has seen enough business to feel like the decision was the right one. “It’s been on a rise, steady, starting with our core customers,” he said. “They were the first ones through the door.” Last week, a number of wellknown restaurants embarked on their own returns, often for the first time since the initial shutdowns in March. With the early round of business stimulus funding largely exhausted and the prospects for further relief murky at best, many restaurateurs say reopening decisions come down to a matter of now or never. Here’s a look at some noteworthy reopenings: RESTAURANT R’EVOLUTION, 777 Bienville St., (504) 553-2277 The lux modern Louisiana restaurant from chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto reopened Oct. 22, in the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Their new chef de cuisine Samuel Peery oversees the menu of seafood and steaks and one of the largest wine cellars in town. Dinner from 5 p.m. Thu.Sun., happy hour 5-6 p.m. ZASU, 127 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 267-3233 Chef Sue Zemanick reopened her intimate Mid-City bistro also on Oct. 22 for regular service for the first time since March. Booths now have higher backings, making them more fully self-contained. Zasu will keep serving takeout family meals for Saturday pickups. And the restaurant will continue offering private dining on Monday and Tuesday (or Monday through Saturday for lunch), when groups of 8 or more can reserve the entire restaurant for their visit.  Dinner Wed.-Sat., from 5:30 p.m. THE GUMBO SHOP, 630 St. Peter St., (504) 525-1486 A French Quarter fixture near Jackson Square, the Gumbo Shop reopened Oct. 22. Owner Hicham Khodr also runs the landmark Camellia Grill, which reopened in August. The response at Camellia Grill since has encouraged him to bring the Gumbo Shop back now, he said. Lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m.

THE STEAK KNIFE, 888 Harrison Ave., (504) 488-8981 This Lakeview standby was ready to reopen in June, way back in Phase 2, when a fire that ripped through the adjacent Parlay’s bar caused smoke damage here. Now, the neighborhood steakhouse is back, with its mix of steaks and Creole dishes. The adjacent Reginelli’s Pizzeria location, also damaged in the fire, reopened over the summer. Repairs to reopen Parlay’s itself and Lakeview Burgers & Seafood just next door are progressing. Dinner Tue.-Sat. from 5 p.m. DIAN XIN, 1218 Decatur St., (504) 266-2828 This dim sum spot resumed full-service dining last week, so now you can get after those soup dumplings immediately at your table. Note that this is small restaurant, so dine-in service is limited. Takeout service continues. Lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. Tue.-Sun. CELLARDOOR, Lafayette St., (504) 265-8392 When CellarDoor reopened in late September, it revealed the fruits of remodeling that proprietor Gregory Gremillion took on over the months it was closed. That includes a much-enlarged, open format bar and additional outdoor seating in a courtyard and second floor balcony. The wine program has grown fourfold here; look for wine tasting events on the balcony to begin in the weeks ahead. GAUTREAU’S, 1728 Soniat St., (504) 899-7397 Gautreau’s once again has chef Baruch Rabasa at the helm of one of the city’s most polished fine-dining destinations. Singley said the restaurant’s private dining room upstairs has been key for small gatherings, usually families who want to dine together “in their pods.” Dinner Wed.-Sun. from 5:30 p.m. CAFE NOMA, Inside the New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, (504) 482-1264 City Park has been abuzz as the nice weather returns, and now another of its restaurant options is back too. Cafe NOMA, run by the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, reopened inside NOMA after a remodeling. It’s accessible without museum admission, with a menu of salads, bowls, flat breads and sandwiches. Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — IAN McNULTY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE | THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE

EAT+DRINK

if you dare

3-COURSE INTERVIEW

Di’Or Ellis Tamale Purveyor DI’OR ELLIS OF HOTTIE’S TAMALES

has extensive experience in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, especially from working pop-ups and special events as a mixologist and caterer. The Los Angeles native’s work has brought her around the country. But over the past few years, she’s felt especially welcome in New Orleans after connecting with local service industry workers and creatives while working pop-up events at places like The Drifter Hotel and Twelve Mile Limit. After months of going back and forth between here and California, Ellis finally set down more permanent roots and launched her tamale business — which has gained traction through word-of-mouth, social media and support from others in the hospitality industry. Her business allows her to be creative and openended, both in terms of recipes and in ways of distributing them. She hopes to eventually get her own food truck and contract with restaurants and grocery stores.

What got you interested in tamales? DI’OR ELLIS: I’m Polynesian, Black and Irish, and my family is from Louisiana, but I grew up in a Mexican neighborhood in Los Angeles. My next-door neighbor was from Guadalajara, Mexico, and she taught me how to cook and grow things, like chilis and beans. I grew up making Mexican rice with this woman who didn’t speak any English, and that’s how it is — she would always just give us plates of food. The food was the love language.

What specialties can people find on your menu this fall?  E: I do have a focus on vegetarian and vegan options, but I know that New Orleans is big on a lot of meat, sausage and shrimp. I focus on vegetarian food because I have a lot of vegetarian friends in Los Angeles where everybody’s conscious and woke, and I want to cater to people who enjoy that here. I know people want to eat healthy. I want to put in more jackfruit options and figure out how to make that meat substitute more tasty. And then for fall

THA N VO KS F ONE TING UOR FAV OF YO S OR U AM ITE LA R REST ERICA TIN AUR N ANT S

HAPPY HOUR M-FR 3 PM TO 6 PM MON-SAT 11:30AM - 9:30PM• SUN10:30AM - 3:00 PM #NOLAOPEN FOR DINE IN (INDOOR AND OUTDOOR) AND TAKE OUT “CURBSIDE SERVICE”

5015 MAGAZINE STREET | 504-267-7612 TITOSCEVICHEPISCO.COM

P H OTO P R OV I D E D B Y D I ’ O R E L L I S

Di’or Ellis of Hottie’s Tamales

flavors, I want to make some stuff with pumpkin and cranberry and sweet potato. I want to play with pumpkin spices and make more dessert-type of tamales. And I want to also set up more seafood options. I’ll be putting out new flavors every month. (Ed. Note: This includes beef and chicken options, as well.)

How can people get your tamales?  E: In general, they’ll have to pick them up [within the city limits], probably from the CBD or MidCity. But if they are out in Gretna or Metairie, we can schedule a dropoff. All of my tamales are about $2.50 to $3.50 a piece, and people can order them by the half-dozen or by the dozen. I put the menu on my Instagram and do orders on Mondays and Tuesdays and can deliver Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. If someone puts in an order about 24 hours in advance, I can usually process the order by noon. My Instagram [@au.dior] is one of my favorite ways or you can call me [310-283-3044]. Orders require a $20 deposit to my CashApp account before I start. I also don’t mind customizing orders for people if they don’t mind a little extra wait. Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it for you. — SARAH RAVITS

New Orleans H O M E

+ STYLE + DESIGN

Gambit Details showcases how New Orleanians love to intersect classic style with the eclectic, while introducing our readers to some of our city’s unique retailers, designers and creators.

REACH

Stars FOR THE

New Orleans

DESIGN STYLE + HOME + 020 O C TO B E R 2

Starburst decor | $69 from Eclectic Home (8211 Oak St., 504-866-6654; www. eclectichome.net). PHOTO PROVIDED BY ECLECTIC HOME

Celestial children’s chair | $78 from Anthropologie (333 Canal St., 504-592-9972; anthropologie.com).

Channel otherworldly vibes with celestial designs

Old World

Meri Meri velvet moon cushion | $35 from Maisonette (maisonette.com). PHOTO PROVIDED BY MAISONETTE

years in busines s this month. | By SHELBY SIMON

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANTHROPOLOGIE

Saint Stevie Nicks wall art | $39 from Skull Paradise (etsy.com/ shop/skullparadise).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SKULL PAR ADISE

Photos provided Crystal trumeau mirror |

Wonders

at Dop Antiq ues Dop Antiques celebrates 20 by MICHIEL DOP

Antique architectura

l elements, furniture, crystal lighting and rare decor European elegance reflecting fill a 20,000-square- Old World on Jefferson Highway. foot warehouse Owner Michiel industry since Dop has worked in the antiques before storefront 20 years he opened his New Orleans ago. A native of he became interested the Netherlands, Den Dikken expand while helping his friend Pieter his antique business ally — including internationto the United States interest in antiques — when modern furnishings.began to decline in favor the Dutch of more At the time, Dop and his now ex-wife, raised New Orleanian, a born and the holidays. Intrigued would travel to New Orleans for by the local interest he noticed while in brainstorming walking around the city, he antiques ways to launch began his own business. “We would shop French Quarter, on Magazine Street and in the were popular in and I quickly realized that antiques the city and the its rich international rest of the South, with Realizing this couldhistory,” Dop says. be a business Den Dikken spoke avenue, Dop and with antique dealers Louisiana and throughout Mississippi. West Elm “At the time, there were no digital cameras, so we eye starburst had Polaroid picturesphones or and architecturals mirror | from Europe. Whenof furniture Ricca’s [Architectural $47 from West Elm (2929 Sales] in Mid-Citywe visited and met with Magazine St., 504-895-2469;

$850 from Perino’s  (3100 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-834-7888; perinos.com).

Hanging Outdoors Fall entertaining might be different this year, but it can still be safe and fun

By SARAH RAVITS

season The normally anticipated fall entertaining to COVID-19, but fear

will look a little different this year thanks to host festive not: There are still ways for New Orleanians guidelines. gatherings while adhering to safety outdoor hangouts Public health experts have noted that agree. Christina are the way to go — and party planners and business develChapuis, Wink Design & Events marketing people host huge helping opment manager, is accustomed to affairs — or “microgatherings. But now, more toned-down the horizon. events” as she calls them — are on want to be creative “People are getting stir-crazy, and they and do cool things,” she says. get-togeth Chapuis recommends hosting “picnic-style” and items own blankets ers and suggests guests bring their says to use larger tables to spruce up outdoor areas. She also together al fresco, and to help people spread out while dining glasses to avoid if hosting an open bar, cover the cocktail spreading germs. creating barriers to with creativity Chapuis encourages rule. “It doesn’t remind people to maintain the six-feet-apart are really cool arrangehave to be a plexiglass barrier; there that can remind people to ments and functional centerpieces are ways to bring people “There says. she away,” further stay awkward.” together and be safe but not super

Glass star mosaic votive holder | $16 from Little Miss Muffin (244 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-833-6321; 766 Harrison Ave., 504-482-8200;  3307 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504-455-1444; shoplittlemissmuffin.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LITTLE MISS MUFFIN

Midnight sky large platter | $125 from Ralph Lauren (ralphlauren.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY R ALPH L AUREN

$59.99 from NOLA Gifts & Décor (5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 504-407-3532; nolagiftsanddecor.com). PHOTO PROVIDED BY NOL A GIFTS & DECOR

inside

INING FA LL ENTERTA DESIGNS //

+ MOR E!

Knotted napkin ring |

$385 from Eclectic Home (8211 Oak St., 504-8666654; eclectichome.net). PHOTO PROVIDED BY ECLECTIC HOME

$185 from Alice & Amelia (4432 Magazine St., 504-502-6206; shopaliceandamelia.com).

$25 from Judy at the Rink.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUDY AT THE RINK

Greek urns | Beatriz Ball Vida Havana tray |

$61 from Judy at the Rink (2727 Prytania St., 504-891-7018; judyattherink.com).

Every month, Michiel Dop receives a 40foot shipping

container filled with imports from Europe, Italy and Asia.

OUTDOORS

Rupert patio chair | “Big Easy” cutting board by NOLA Boards |

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALICE & AMELIA

westelm.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY WEST ELM

AL HOME // CELESTI E ATS FOR THE TR ICKS & TR H A LLOW EEN

A Garden District retreat

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROUSSEL

Rainbow shrimp chips and dip bowl |

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PERINO’S

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUDY AT THE

$900 each from Dop Antiques (300 Jefferson Highway, 504-3735132; dopantiques.com). PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOP ANTIQUES

Murphy’s Naturals mosquito repellent |

$5.99 from NOLA Gifts & Decor.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NOL A GIFTS

& DECOR

RINK

Customers can find antique architectural elements, crystal lighting, furniture and other decorative items at Dop Antiques.

I S SU E DAT E

A D SPACE

NOV 3

CALL NOW

Ad Director Sandy Stein 504.483.3150 or sstein@gambitweekly.com

25 G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E WO R L E A N S . C O M > O c tob e r 27 - N ov e mb e r 2 > 2 0 2 0

Come try our Halloween Specials

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 > O ctober 27 - N ovember 2 > 2 02 0

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, hand-rolled and served with special house-made cheese dip. The menu combines Tex-Mex and dishes from Louisiana and Arkansas. Curbside pickup is available. B Sat-Sun, D Wed-Sun. $

CBD 14 Parishes — Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave.; 14parishes.com — Jamaican-style jerk chicken is served with two sides such as plantains, jasmine rice, cabbage or rice and peas. Delivery available. Curbside pickup and delivery available. L and D daily. $$ Eat Well — Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave.; pythianmarket.com — Phoritto is a spinach tortilla filled with brisket, chicken or tofu, plus bean sprouts, jalapenos, onions and basil and is served with a cup of broth. Curbside pickup and delivery available. L and D daily. $ Kais — Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave., (941) 481-9599; pythianmarket.com — A Sunshine bowl includes salmon, corn, mango, green onions, edamame, pickled ginger, ponzu spicy mayonnaise, cilantro, masago and nori strips. Curbside pickup and delivery available. L and D daily. $$ La Cocinita — Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave., (504) 309-5344; lacochinitafoodtruck. com — La Llanera is an arepa stuffed with carne asada, guasacasa, pico de gallo, grilled queso fresco and salsa verde. Curbside pickup and delivery available. B, L and D daily. $ Meribo Pizza — Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave., (504) 481-9599; meribopizza.com — A Meridionale pie is topped with pulled pork, chilies, ricotta, mozzarella, collard greens and red sauce. Delivery available. L and D daily. $$ Willie Mae’s — Pythian Market, 234 Loyola Ave.; williemaesnola.com — The Creole soul food restaurant is known for its fried chicken, red beans and more. Takeout available. L and D Mon-Sat. $

CARROLLTON/UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOODS 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. L Sun-Fri, D daily. $$ Pyramids Cafe — 3151 Calhoun St., (504) 861-9602 — Diners will find Mediterranean cuisine featuring such favorites as shawarma prepared on a rotisserie. Takeout and delivery available. L, D daily. $$

B — breakfast L — lunch D — dinner late — late 24H — 24 hours

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

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

FAUBOURG MARIGNY Carnaval — 2227 St. Claude Ave., (504) 265-8855; carnavallounge.com — The music club’s Cozinha de Carnaval kitchen serves Brazilian street food. Frango is chicken cooked with thyme, rosemary and cumin and served with rosemary-garlic aioli. No reservations. Takeout available. D Sat-Mon. $ 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 Thu-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 and served with French bread. Reservations recommended. Takeout available. B, L and D daily. $$

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. L, D 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. L, D Tue-Sat. $

LAKEVIEW Lakeview Brew Coffee Cafe — 5606 Canal Blvd., (504) 483-7001; lakeviewbrew.com — This casual cafe offers gourmet coffees, pastries and desserts baked in house, sandwiches and salads. An omelet is filled with marinated mushrooms, bacon, spinach and goat cheese. Tuna salad or chicken salad avocado melts are topped with melted Monterey Jack and shredded Parmesan cheeses. Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery are available. B, L 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. L and D Tue-Sun. $$

METAIRIE Andrea’s Restaurant — 3100 N. 19th St., Metairie, (504) 834-8583; andreasrestaurant.com — Chef/owner Andrea Apuzzo’s specialties include speckled trout royale which is topped with lump crabmeat and lemon-cream sauce. Capelli D’Andrea combines house-made angel hair pasta and smoked salmon in light cream sauce. Curbside pickup and delivery are available. L, D 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. L Sun-Thu, D 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. L Tue-Sat, D 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. L, D Tue-Sun. $ Brown Butter Southern Kitchen & Bar — 231 N. Carrollton Ave., Suite C, (504) 609-3871; brownbutterrestaurant.com — Sample items have included smoked brisket served with smoked apple barbecue sauce, Alabama white 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 are available. L and D Wed-Sat, brunch Sat-Sun. $$ Doson Noodle House — 135 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 309-7283; facebook. com/dosonnoodlehouse — Bun thit is Vietnamese-style grilled pork with cucumber, onions, lettuce, mint, cilantro and fish sauce served over rice or vermicelli. The menu includes rice and vermicelli dishes, pho, spring rolls and more. Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery are available. $$ Five Happiness — 3511 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 482-3935; fivehappiness.com — The large menu at Five Happiness offers a range of dishes from wonton soup to sizzling seafood combinations served on a hot plate to sizzling Go-Ba to lo mein dishes. Takeout and delivery available. $$ Katie’s Restaurant — 3701 Iberville St., (504) 488-6582; katiesinmidcity.com — Favorites include the Cajun Cuban with roasted pork, grilled ham, cheese and pickles pressed on buttered bread. The Boudreaux pizza is topped with cochon de lait, spinach, red onions, roasted garlic, scallions and olive oil. Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery available. L and D Tue-Sun. $$ Nonna Mia — 3125 Esplanade Ave., (504) 948-1717; nonnamianola.com — A Divine Portobello appetizer includes chicken breast, spinach in creamy red pepper sauce and crostini. The menu also includes salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza and more. Curbside pickup and delivery are available. Service daily. $$

Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 4024 Canal St., (504) 302-1133; theospizza.com — See Harahan/Jefferson section for restaurant description. $ Willie Mae’s Scotch House — 2401 St. Ann St., (504) 822-9503; williemaesnola.com — This neighborhood restaurant is known for its wet-battered fried chicken. Green beans come with rice and gravy. There’s bread pudding for dessert. No reservations. L Mon-Fri. $$

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

UPTOWN Joey K’s — 3001 Magazine St., (504) 891-0997; joeyksrestaurant.com — This casual eatery serves fried seafood platters, salads, sandwiches and Creole favorites such as red beans and rice. Sauteed trout Tchoupitoulas is topped with shrimp and crabmeat and served with vegetables and potatoes. Takeout and delivery available. $$ Red Gravy — 4206 Magazine St., (504) 561-8844; redgravycafe.com — Thin cannoli pancakes are filled with cannoli cream and topped with a chocolate drizzle. The menu includes brunch items, pasta dishes, sandwiches, baked goods and more. Takeout available. $$ Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554; theospizza. com — See Harahan/Jefferson section for restaurant description. $

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT Annunciation — 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; annunciationrestaurant. com — The menu highlights Gulf seafood in a mix of Creole, Cajun and Southern dishes. Fried oysters and skewered bacon are served with meuniere sauce and toasted French bread. Reservations required. D Thu-Sun. $$$ Carmo — 527 Julia St., (504) 875-4132; cafecarmo.com — Carmo salad includes smoked ham, avocado, pineapple, almonds, cashews, raisins, cucumber, green pepper, rice, lettuce, cilantro and citrus mango vinaigrette. The menu includes dishes inspired by many tropical cuisines. Takeout and delivery are available. Mon-Sat. $$ 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. Reservations accepted. 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 Hwy. 90 W., 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. D Wed-Sat. Cash only. $$$ Specialty Italian Bistro — 2330 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna, (504) 391-1090; specialtyitalianbistro.com — The menu combines Old World Italian favorites and pizza. Chicken piccata is a paneed chicken breast topped with lemon-caper piccata sauce served with angel hair pasta, salad and garlic cheese bread. Takeout and delivery available. Service daily. $$

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FOOTBALL FOOD CHAMPIONSHIP

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Red Beans and Rice | JOEY K’S

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Gifting

Local 2020

Issue dates: November 3 November 10* November 17* November 24* December 1* December 8* December 15* December 22* December 29 * GIF T GUIDE ISSUES

Contact Ad Director Sandy Stein 504.483.3150 or sstein@gambitweekly.com

MUSIC

BY JAKE CLAPP JO MORRIS COMMUNES WITH GHOSTS on St.

Lorelei’s debut album “Beast.” Those spirits aren’t so much aggressively haunting the singer-guitarist’s lyrics as they are simply lingering memories and love letters from the other side. “There are a couple of songs [on the album] that are written to or in response to dead people,” Morris says. Morris, for instance, wrote the cool, patiently flowing track “Farewell Transmission” as she was doing a deep dive into the works of late indie rock and alt-country singer-songwriter Jason Molina, ultimately naming the track for one of Molina’s most poignant recordings. Molina could write “a scene in a moment and creates these portraits and ornaments it with all of these different details, like skulls, feathers and beautiful imagery,” Morris says. “I guess in creating a response to him, a lot of that was coming through in what I was writing.” “Beast” will be released Friday, Oct. 30. Along with Morris, St. Lorelei includes bassist Marcus Bronson, keyboardist Philip Cooper, guitarist Alec Vance and drummer Steve Walkup. The band recorded their new record with storied producer and engineer — and Michot’s Melody Makers guitarist — Mark Bingham. The eight-track album ebbs and flows through sunbaked, deserted Western towns and dark, moonlit nights. Morris’ voice swaggers and swells, and St. Lorelei’s goth-tinged Americana loudly shows love for alternative rock bands like The Breeders and The Cranberries. The band could hold a steady gig at The Bang Bang Bar. Morris — who also has a previous, 2017 solo EP, “Ghost Queen” — and Walkup started St. Lorelei in 2018 and until the pandemic hit had been playing regularly around town. All of the songs on “Beast” are originals, except for a silky cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Snake Song,” which the band really puts its own stamp on with Morris taking the song from a woman’s perspective.

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P R OV I D E D P H OTO B Y J O N AT H A N T R AV I E S A

St. Lorelei singer-guitarist Jo Morris; the New Orleans band releases its debut album, ‘Beast,’ on Oct. 30.

While writing, “I think very visually,” Morris says. “I had these feelings of — it’s atmospheric, lush and velvety. I guess I keep thinking of fabrics: velvet and lace.” On the track “Night so Dark,” Morris was thinking of the darkest night of the year and “imagining what kind of light happens during the darkest time of night,” she says. She focused on the moon and “following the ghost of a relationship that’s been doomed from the start,” Morris in the past said about the song. “From a relationship where my body meant nothing to the person I was giving it to, myself, or the moon … just an empty vessel.” The atmosphere on “Beast” extends to the Sophie Radldesigned cover featuring the fragments of a woman and horned bull. Morris says she thinks of the beast itself, a black-horned animal, as inhabited by the spirit of the ones she loves. The bull is both dangerous and beautiful at the same time. “I find myself just curious about the dark and trying to find beauty in it,” Morris says.

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FILM

PAT T I P ERRE T / P H OTO S P R OV I D E D BY WELL GO USA E N T ER TA I N M E N T

Deja vu

New Orleans actor Anthony Mackie, right, and Jamie Dornan play a pair of Crescent City paramedics who trace a series of gruesome deaths to a new underground party drug that has a remarkable, and terrifying, effect on those who take it.

BY MIKE SCOTT EVEN IF YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE NEVER HEARD OF IT

before, the plot of the new feature film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Synchronicâ&#x20AC;? might strike you as weirdly familiar. A cynic might say suspiciously so. Consider: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a New Orleans-shot, New Orleans-set, sci-fi-tinged thriller starring Anthony Mackie as a Crescent City paramedic whose life is turned upside-down by a mysterious party drug that has an incredible but potentially deadly effect on those who take it. Now think back to this past summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Project Power,â&#x20AC;? a New Orleans-shot, New Orleans-set sci-fi-tinged thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a Crescent City cop whose life is turned upside-down by a mysterious party drug that has an incredible but potentially deadly effect on those who take it. If the glaring plot similarities arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough, both were also shot in town in late 2018 and both feature scenes filmed at the abandoned Six Flags New Orleans amusement park. Comparing the two side by side is kind of like looking at one of those puzzles, usually found in a magazine at your dentistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, that challenge you to spot the differences in two

seemingly identical drawings. The numerous similarities aside, both films are also reasonably tense and well-constructed bits of disposable but nonetheless enjoyable cinema. There is one major difference between the two, though, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a consequential one: tone. Both films do their share of dabbling in darkness, but in the case of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Project Power,â&#x20AC;? things were lightened by a fun, comic-book quality that felt made for popcorn-munching. The moodier, indie-flavored â&#x20AC;&#x153;Synchronic,â&#x20AC;? on the other hand, feels more grounded in reality and, at least for its first 45 minutes, rooted in atmosphere as writer-directors/critical darlings Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead get us into the lonely head of Mackieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main character, named Steve. Single and with no family to speak of aside from longtime best bud Dennis (Jamie Dornan), Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by no means ready to stop living fast and drinking hard. But heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also by no means merely some empty-headed partyboy. In addition to his knowledge of medicine, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got an interest in physics. That interest in physics ends up coming

in handy when, just before the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s midway point â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and just after he receives some dire personal news â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the aforementioned party drug creates an issue that lands squarely on Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doorstep. In the interest of remaining spoiler-free, I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give away any more of the plot. But I will say that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at this point that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Synchronicâ&#x20AC;? switches gears and uncorks the bottle on what turns out to be a fantastical and fairly trippy story that plays like Christopher Nolan Lite. (That is by no means intended as an insult.) After debuting last year at the Toronto Film Festival, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Synchronicâ&#x20AC;? now has its theatrical release, with at least four local theaters showing it. But an unexpected plot twist arrived last month when Benson and Moorhead, along with producing

partner David Lawson, posted the following message to Twitter: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to distribution arrangements that are out of our control, the release of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Synchronicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; into drive-ins and indoor theaters has been confirmed for October 23rd. But we want to be very clear: at the time of writing this, we personally wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go to an indoor movie theater, so we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t encourage you to. To us, this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only about feeling safe in a theater, this is also about the scientific community indicating that enclosed spaces like movie theaters are still a hazard for spreading COVID-19 to others.â&#x20AC;? Translation: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fine film, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not worth dying for â&#x20AC;&#x201D; although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably worth renting when it becomes available via on-demand outlets in a few months.

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PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE AWOL

By Frank A. Longo ACROSS 1 Lag 10 Hailed ride 13 Nightwear 20 Rust, essentially 21 Corrida cheer 22 Topped with ice cream 23 Katie Couric or Diane Sawyer 24 Spell-casting cartoon infant? 26 Commotion 27 Per unit 28 Brewskis 29 Chimed unstoppably? 36 Unit of force 37 Turns inside out 38 Outback bird

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66 Chaney of horror 67 Grazing field 68 Oolong, e.g. 70 Preminger of film 73 2 and 8, in Morse code? 83 Writer Kafka 85 Sources of 1-Down and 84-Down 86 Eye-irritating bulbs 87 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kaboom!â&#x20AC;? 88 Boxer Spinks, to non-Americans? 91 Slimy garden crawler 92 With 94-Across, old hack paperbacks 93 Big name in canned heat 94 See 92-Across

96 Was sick 97 Hot winter quaff 101 Salty water 102 Snub 103 Move, to Realtors 107 Song about a fire breather who uses Apple computers? 111 Put on â&#x20AC;&#x201D; (pretend) 113 One or the other 114 Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amuser 115 People who relax by listening to singer Johnny? 117 Calculated the total of 123 Honored academic retirees 124 Antique car 125 Medications taken by mouth 126 One backing up a soloist 127 Mem. of Congress 128 AWOL soldier ... or a feature of eight answers in this puzzle

40 Antisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; votes 42 Doeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baby 43 Cheery tune 44 Twister 46 Jewelry beetle 47 Rattan 48 Comedian Johnson 49 Pipe problem 51 Pitcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spot 53 Chatter idly 54 Squeak (out) 55 Bearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retreat 57 Spooky cry 58 Applies, as some deodorant 62 One making an exact copy 63 Really small 64 Smarted 69 Gp. mobilized by a 911 call 70 Rip- â&#x20AC;&#x201D; (flimflams) 71 Jogging pace 72 Weight deduction 74 Ending for buff or bass 75 Address for a techie 76 Apiary buzzer 77 Pant-length measurement 78 Money tray 79 Entre â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 80 Literary last words

ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRS

81 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Batmanâ&#x20AC;? actor Cesar 82 Ikeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home 84 Element in bronze 89 Hair gel, e.g. 90 Eats as a snack 92 Actress Merrill or Spybey 95 Swerve 96 The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;? of USDA 98 Brings up to speed 99 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe a word â&#x20AC;&#x201D;!â&#x20AC;? 100 Dessert, to Brits 102 Rustic poems 103 Goes fast 104 As a friend, in French 105 Zapped with light 106 Earthy tone, to Brits 108 One more than a pair 109 Old game console 110 Soft drinks 112 Light haircut 116 Guess at Sea-Tac 117 Male turkey 118 Exiled Amin 119 Suffix with northeast 120 Used a spade 121 Fleece-lined boot brand 122 Chi follower

ANSWERS FOR LAST ISSUEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PUZZLE: P 29

PUZZLES

DOWN 1 Element in bronze 2 Mad feeling 3 Groom grass 4 Nav. officer 5 The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dâ&#x20AC;? of DJIA 6 Mass emigration 7 Highest or lowest point 8 â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Bell for â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;? 9 Hankering 10 Having two or more parts 11 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Kleinâ&#x20AC;? star Delon 12 Gives rise to 13 Toyotas of the 1990s 14 Boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greatestâ&#x20AC;? 15 Doorframe part 16 Fired (up) 17 Saunter 18 Ornament 19 Smell or taste 25 Tan shade 27 Highest point 29 Put on a blog again, e.g. 30 Affirm 31 Loch monster moniker 32 Bits of sand 33 Ex-Giant Mel 34 Quarreled bitterly 35 Tomb-raiding Croft

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