Gambit: Summer Bars & Cocktails

June 20-26

2023

Volume 44

Number 25

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NOTICES

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CONTENTS

STAFF

Publisher | JEANNEEXNICIOS

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

Editor | JOHNSTANTON

PoliticalEditor | CLANCY DUBOS

Arts &EntertainmentEditor | WILLCOVIELLO

StaffWriters | JAKE CLAPP, KAYLEE POCHE,SARAH RAVITS

ContributingWriter | IAN MCNULTY

CREATIVE

Creative Director | DORA SISON

TrafficManager | JASON WHITTAKER

Project Manager | MARIA VIDACOVICHBOUÉ

Associate ArtDirector | EMMAVEITH

ContributingGraphic Designers | CATHERINEFLOTTE, SCOTTFORSYTHE, JASMYNEWHITE,JEFFMENDEL

BUSINESS&OPERATIONS

Billing Inquiries1 (225)388-0185

ADVERTISING

Advertising Inquiries(504) 483-3150

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

SalesRepresentatives

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

CHARLIETHOMAS (504) 636-7438 [cthomas@gambitweekly.com]

BENNETT GESTON (504)483-3116 [bennett.geston@gambitweekly.com]

Salesand MarketingCoordinators ABIGAILSCORSONE [abigail.scorsone@gambitweekly.com] SHAWN THOMAS [shawn.thomas@gambitweekly.com]

CLAREBRIERRE [clare.brierre@gambitweekly.com]

ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT

Communityrelations

CommunityRecordscelebrates15yearswithblockparty

FIFTEENYEARSAFTERSTARTING COMMUNITYRECORDS,DANIEL“D-RAY”

RAYANDGREGRODRIGUEdon’thave theirfeetonthegaspedalquiteas heavyastheyoncedid.That’spartly becausebothguyshavekids,aremarriedandhavehigherprioritiesnow,but it’salsobecausethey’vedonethework tobuildtheDIYrecordlabelonasolid foundation.Theycanaffordtobemore limitedintheirreleases.

“Tenyearsago,itwasmuchmore, ‘OK,we’vegottoputgasolineonthe fire,we’vegottopushthisthingsomewhere,’”Rodriguesays.“Now,westill throwkindlingonthefire,butit’smore likethisthingjustneedsmaintenance moresothanusreallycatapultingitinto adirectioninordertoexist.”

RayandRodrigue—alongwith KristaIadanza,whohasworkedwith Communitysince2018—maynotbe aspedal-to-the-metalthesedays,but Communityisstillveryactive.Thelabel inMarchreleasedits111thproject,the newalbumbyRhodeIslanddreampop artistNovaOne,andnextupisacollectionbyNewOrleansscreamobandNew Lands,outinJuly

“Greghadagoodpointayearortwo agoofthinkingofthislikealong-runningartprojectforthetwoofus,”Ray says.“Wearefindingtimetodothis thingbecauseweloveit—it’sgotavery specialplaceinourhearts—andwhen thereareprojectsthatwehavethe resourcestoputoutintotheworld,we maketimeforthose.”

CommunityRecordsonSaturday, June24,willcelebrateits15thanniversarywiththereturnofitsBlock Party,thistimeheldinsideTipitina’s. Thelineupincludesareunionshowby FatterThanAlbert,Caddywhompus, WeAretheUnion,Catbite,KillLincoln, BadOperation,DeloresGalore,BRAT, JoystickandSharks’Teeth.Filipino pop-upMilkfishwillservefoodinthe afternoonandLatinAmericanfoodtruck LaCocinitawilltakeoverintheevening Therealsowillbeapre-BlockParty showstartingat8p.m.Friday,June23, atSiberiafeaturingLawn,NewLands, recentlyreunitedindierockband Community,PopeandDiplocrats.

TheBlockPartybillisfilledwith piecesofsignificance.RayandRodrigue startedCommunityRecordsin2008 whileplayingintheskapowerhouse bandFatterThanAlbert,andtheband’s “TheLastMinute”wasthelabel’sfirst release.FatterThanAlbertdecidedto hangitupmorethanadecadeago,but

thebandmembers feltCommunity Records’15thanniversarywasagood chanceforareunion show.Togetready, theyopenedforthe bandCommunity —aninspirationfor therecordlabel’s name—duringits ownreunionshowin

DecemberatSiberia

Caddywhompus

—theexperimental indierockduoof

ChrisRehmandSeanHart—alsois playingitsfirstshowinnearlyfiveyears. Aftertouringheavilyandreleasing threekilleralbumsandacoupleofEPs, Caddywhompushasbeenonhiatus.

TheBlockPartywillserveasatour kickoffforBadOperation,theflourishingNewToneskabandRay(keys andtrombone)andRodrigue(bass) co-foundedin2020withvocalist DominicMinix,guitaristBrianPretus anddrummerRobertLandry.

“TheBlockPartyhasalwaysfeltlike abigfamilyreuniontous,andIfeellike thisoneisgoingtofeelverymuchso,” Raysays.“When[FatterThanAlbert] playedinDecember,itwasnuts.There werepeoplewhohadn’tseeneach otherinoveradecadecomingtothat show.Itwasgreattoseeeveryonehuggingandreconnecting,andsamegoes forthemembersoftheband.”

Backin2008,RayandRodrigue wereincollegeatLoyolaUniversity NewOrleansandplayinginFatter thanAlbert.Theyweremeetingalot ofgreattouringbands,hostingthem inNewOrleansandthenseeingthem againwhenFatterThanAlbertwas outontour.Rodriguehadinternedat DIYrecordlabelAsianManRecords— knownforreleasesbyBombtheMusic IndustryandMU330—andhewanted tousethatexperienceinNewOrleans.

“Thewholeideawastocreatean umbrellaunderwhichallthesebands couldfitandkindofsupporteach other,”Raysays.

FromthebeginningCommunity Recordsfocusedonqualityoverquantity.RayandRodriguesoughtoutmusic theyfoundinterestingandwantedto workwithbandstheytrusted.Inturn, thelabelbuiltasolidreputation.

Itwasn’talwayseasyorflawless,Ray andRodrigueadmit,butithasledthem

byJakeClapp |

Pixies

Boston’sPixiesblazedapathfor 1990salt-rockwithitsalbums“Surfer Rosa,”“Doolittle”and“Trompele Monde”beforedisbandingin1993 Thegroupreunitedin2004(though bassistKimDealdepartedin2013) andhasputoutseveralmorealbums, including2022’s“Doggerel.”Scottish indierockersFranzFerdinandand Bullyalsoperformat6:45p.m.

Wednesday,June21,atTheFillmore Findticketsviapixiesmusic.com.

NewOrleansska-punkband FatterThanAlbertplayareunion showaspartofCommunity Records’BlockPartyonJune24.

toworkingwithsomeofNewOrleans’ bestDIYbands,likeindierockers Caddywhompus,Pope,SunHoteland DonovanWolfington,punkbandGland, synth-popgroupPeopleMuseum,and electro-popsinger-songwriterDelores Galore.CommunityreleasedThou’s “Inconsolable”EPin2018aspartofthe band’ssummer-longrun-upto“Magus,” andalbumsbyAustin,Texas,bandHikes, PennsylvaniaduoSlingshotDakota,and NashvilleskacoreheavyweightsStuck Luckyareonthelabel’scatalogue. Intheearlydays,CommunityRecords offeredfreedownloadsoftheirartists’ music,soldCDs—includingcompilationsthatareNewOrleansDIYmusic gems—andpromotedbands’tour datesandnewsthroughitswebsite. Asthemusicindustryhaschanged, CommunityRecordshasheldon.

TherearefewerCDstoday,butthe labelplanteditsflagfirmlyinvinyl recordsanddigitaldownloadsvia Bandcamp.com.AndCommunity occasionallybooksshowsandpromotes itsartiststhroughthewebsite,social mediaandemailnewsletters.

“Wereallyvaluehumanconnection andbeingfriendswithpeopleand seeingpeopleputforthartthatisfrom theheart,”Raysays.“Kindpeople,they obviouslycareverymuchaboutwhat they’redoingandjustneedsomeextra help.…Ithinkthat’sthenumberone thing:justgoodconnectionsandmusic fromtheheart.”

TheCommunityRecordsBlockParty startsat2p.m.Saturday,June24. Ticketsare$35viatipitinas.com.

‘TheUpStairsLounge’

In2014,MelangeDanceCompany debutedwithitspieceaboutthe1973 arsonfireattheUpStairsLoungein theFrenchQuarter.Theattackon theLGBTQbarleft32peopledead. Thedancepieceincorporatesspoken wordandfilmtore-imaginethebar andhonoritsheroesandpatronsand thespiritofthesafehaven.Tomark the50thanniversaryofthetragedy. Melangeperformsthepieceatthe NewOrleansMuseumofArtat8p.m Friday,June23,andSaturday,June24, and3p.m.and8p.m.Sunday,June25. Tickets$20-$30vianoma.org.

RamyYoussef

ComedianRamyYoussefenjoyed breakoutsuccessstaringinhis namesakeHulucomedy,“Ramy,” aboutayoungMuslimAmericanliving insuburbanNewJerseyandbalancing lifebetweenhismillennialfriends andhisEgyptianimmigrantfamily andcommunity.Heandcomedian Mohammed“Mo”Najjarlaunchedthe comedydrama“MoAmer”onNetflix lastyear.Youssefisonastanduptour andperformsat7:30p.m.Friday,June 23,attheCivicTheater.Findtickets viacivicnola.com.

PROVIDEDPHOTO BY TREVOREKANGER

PROVIDEDPHOTO BYTOM OXLEY

From romantic tables filled with candlelight to festiveSunday brunches. Our grills areworking overtime to ensureyour favoritedish is readyfor you. Because someofthe best moments of ourlives areinour favorite restaurants.

Makeyour reservations nowand be apartofthe celebration.

Formoreinformation, visit NewOrleans.com/RestaurantWeek

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

TerenceBlanchard,theNew Orleans-born,Grammy-winning trumpeterandcomposer,hasbeen namedtheexecutiveartisticdirectorofSFJAZZ,thehigh-profileSan Franciscoorganizationfocused onjazzmusicandeducation. BlanchardtakesoverforRandall Kline,whofoundedSFJAZZin 1983,andwillberesponsiblefor theorganization’sartisticprogrammingandcreativedirection.

COUNT #

Ofthose,51filedforclemencyJune13, accordingtoTheTimes-Picayune.The uptickinapplicationscomesontheheelsof Gov.JohnBelEdwards’announcementhe opposesthedeathpenalty.Becausedeath rowprisonersarenoteligibletobeletfree, theonlycommutationavailabletopeople facingthemislifeinprison.ThelastexecutioninLouisianaoccurredin2010.

TheDewDropInnhasreceived a$50,000grantfromtheAfrican AmericanCulturalHeritageAction Fund,aprogramoftheNational TrustforHistoricPreservation

Thefundswillbeusedtodevelop historyexhibitionstobedisplayed aroundthemusicvenueandhotel whentheyreopen.TheDewDrop Inniscurrentlybeingrestored byCurtisDoucette,whoplansto reopenthehistoricCentralCity venueinthefall.

LOUISIANASEN.BILLCASSIDYIS

“OUTRAGED”thattheWhiteHouse GiftShopisproducingacommemorativecoinmarkingtheindictmentof formerPresidentDonaldTrump.

“Now,whateveryouthinkabout it,whateverpartyyouare,yougotta admitit’spoortastethatit’scapitalizinguponsomethingwithouthis permission,I’msure.It’sthewrong thingtodo.Haveasenseofdecency, WhiteHouseGiftShop,”Cassidysays inhislatest“OutrageoftheWeek,” whichfeaturesCassidy—sansphotoshoppedMardiGrasbeads—walking aroundwhatappearstobehisCapitol

Hillneighborhood

TheCityofNewOrleansisin theprocessofbuyingnearly800 newvehicles—whileignoring anordinancepassedlastyear requiringnewcityvehiclestomeet low-emissionstandards,Verite Newsreported.Thecityisusing $50millioninfederalpandemic relieffundstobuy791vehicles, manyofwhichareboundfor NOPD.It’snotjustamatterof failingtomeetthelow-emission standards;someSUVsemittwoor threetimesthethreshold

ItseemsprettyclearthatCassidy whouseshis“OutrageoftheWeek” selfievideoseriestocriticizethe Bidenadministrationforhelpingpoor peoplestrugglingwithstudentdebt andnotprovidingsubsidiestotheoil andgasindustry—thinkstheWhite HouseGiftShopispartoftheactual WhiteHouse Alas,asCNN’sDanielDalepoints out,itisnotinfactarealgiftshop.

Thesite,whichdoesnothavea brick-and-mortarshop,isactually runbyAnthonyGiannini,aTrump supporterwhohasnoconnection

totheWhiteHouseorU.S.government.Thesiteoffersavarietyof items,includingknock-offTrump andClinton2016campaignt-shirts, aonesiewithabearwearingaD.C onesieonitandthe“President DonaldTrumpPresidentialCoin,” currentlyonsalefor$13.95.Thesite isalsonotconnectedtowhitehouse. com—whichinturn,hasnoconnectiontotheactualWhiteHouse orthegovernment.Hilariously,for severalyearswhitehouse.comwas atvarioustimesapornwebsiteand “politicalsatire”site,thoughwhether itwaseverhumorousisdoubtful.It’s originalownerputitupforsaleback in2004,anditisnowoperatedasa politicalbettingsite.

Meanwhile,whitehouse.org whichagain,isnotnow,norhasit everbeenconnectedtothereal WhiteHouse—claimstobepartof Mastodon,oneofthemanysocial networkscreatedafterright-wing billionaireandamateurspaceenthusiastElonMusktookoverTwitter. Twitter,ofcourse,continuestobea placeforpeopletoyellateachother ontheinternet.

41.8% THEFRONTPORCH

18.6%

16.4%

NOWINDOWS

Sen.BillCassidyisoutragedfake WhiteHouseGiftShopisselling Trumpindictmentswag

U.S.Sen.BillCassidy. PHOTOBYMARIAM ZUHAIB /AP

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In2020,GianninitoldSnopes“isnotaffiliatedwithTheWhiteHouse,noris TheWhiteHouseinvolvedinanyofourdecisions,products,oroperations.” AccordingtoGiannini,atonepointtheshopdidhaveaconnectiontotheWhite House,buthetookcontrolofitin2012.

InCassidy’sdefense,thesitedoesn’texplicitlysayit’snotconnectedtothe government.AndCassidyisn’tthefirstpoliticiantofallforthescamsite.Back in2020,Sen.BernieSandersalsowasdupedbythesitewhenitstartedsellinga “TrumpDefeatsCovid”coin. JohnStanton

THELOCALNONPROFITOURVOICE/ NUESTRAVOZSAYSITISLAUNCHING anew,wide-rangingwebsiteFriday, June23,toserveasacomprehensive resourceguideforBlackandBrown peopleinGreaterNewOrleans.

ThewebsitedoesnothaveafinalizedURLyetbutitwillbesolidifiedin thedaysleadinguptothelaunch,says NateCameron,directorofcultural outreachforOurVoice/NuestraVoz.

Itwillserveasaone-stopshopfor crucialinformationonmentalhealth resources,legalaid,immigration, mutualaid,educationalopportunities,aswellasnetworkingand employmentopportunities.Itwill alsoserveasanentertainmentguide wherepeoplecanfindoutabout upcomingevents

“OuraimistoworkonBlackand Brownsolidarity,”saysCameron Partofthereasontheorganization islaunchingitisduetothelackof mediaoutletsthatfullyrepresent peopleofcolorinthecity,says Cameron.It’salsopartofabigger pushtoclosehealthequitygaps.

PartneringwiththewebsiteisBlack MentalHealthMatters,acollective ofBlackmentalhealthprofessionalsandstudentswhoareworking towardmakingcaremoreaccessible

forpeoplewhohistoricallyhavehad difficultygettingmedicalandmental helpwhencomparedtotheirwhite counterparts.

Manyoftheprofessionalslisted offerservicesonaslidingscale, andthedirectorywillprovideother details,likewhattheirspecificarea ofexpertiseisandwhethertheyoffer telehealthvisits,grouptherapy,and whatagegroupstheycaterto Itwillalsoconnectreadersto Black-ownedshops,venues,parks andrestaurants.Thesiteisgoingto identify“sanctuaries”inthearea forBlackandBrownpeople.The organizationdefinesasanctuaryasa placewhere“youdon’thavetolook overyourshoulder,whereyoucan trustthepeoplearoundyouandbe yourwholeself.”

Thenonprofitisalsofocusingon areasinthesurroundingareathatcan serveasplacesforfamilyreunionsto takeplace.

“Wereallywanttobeintentional aboutthepoweroftrans-generationalconnection,”saysCameron “We’reaskingourselves,howdowe getalotoftheseculturalgemsfrom these(older)generationsthatwill notbearoundmuchlonger?”

SarahRavits

OurVoice/NuestraVoztolaunchwide-rangingresource guideformarginalizedcommunities

NewOrleansnativeandmusicmogulMasterPdiscussingmental healthissueswithstudentsatSarahT.ReedSeniorHighSchool inNewOrleans.OneVoice/NuestraVozisstartinganewprogram whichinpartwillseektohelpBlackandbrowncommunitiesin NewOrleansgainaccesstomentalhealthcare.

PHOTOBYCHRIS GRANGER/ THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Oncemore,withfeeling— transrightsarehumanrights

LATERTHISMONTH,

AMERICAWILLMARKTHE

54THANNIVERSARYof theStonewallRiotsin NewYorkCity.Sparked byanti-queerpolice harassmentandviolence,Stonewallbirthed themodernLGBTQ rightsmovementand helpedstartaslowbut fundamentalshiftinthe wayAmericanculture viewsqueerpeople

Theriotsbrokeout inresponsetopolice brutalityduringaraidon theStonewallInn,agaybar,onJune 28,1969.Aswasoftenthecase withotherLGBTQcauses,atrans person—MarshaP.Johnson—wasat theforefrontoftheinitialpushback againstpoliceafterStonewalland duringthebroadercivilrightsmovementitinspired

LiketheaftermathoftheUpStairs LoungefirehereinNewOrleans50 yearsago,Stonewallinitiallygenerated littleinthewayofmediacoverage.

Newsrooms,likeotherpowerfulinstitutions,weresteepedinhomophobia atthetime.Thankfully,attitudesinthe mediaandmanyotherinstitutionsof powerhaveslowlybeguntochangein thepastfiveandahalfdecades.

Unfortunately,Americastillhasa longwaytogo.Someformsofhate— particularlyhowtransandnon-binary peopleareseen,treatedandrepresentedinthemedia—areseeingan organizedresurgence

Conservativelegislaturesacrossthe country,includinghereinLouisiana,are tryingtomakelifeworsefortranspeople.Louisianalawmakersintheirrecent sessionpushedanagendathateven targetedtranschildren.AlthoughGov. JohnBelEdwardshaspromisedtoveto severalanti-LGBTQbills,GOPlawmakersmayhavethevotestooverridehim.

Societyisstackedagainsttrans andgendernon-conformingpeople

AccordingtotheNationalCenterfor TransgenderEquality,oneinfourtrans peoplelostemploymentbecauseofdiscrimination;threequartersexperienced discriminationonthejob.Likewise,one infivefaceddiscriminationinhousing, andonein10reportsbeingevicted becauseofwhotheyare.Transpeople alsoarefrequentlytargetedforphysical violence,includingrape LGBTQalliesalsohavebeen targetedbybigots.BrandslikeTarget

StudentsatBenjamin FranklinHighSchool,pictured earlierthisyearrallying forLGBTQrights

andBudweiserhavepulledbackfrom evenmodestdisplaysofsupportfor transpeopleandthebroaderLGBTQ communityamidcriticism—and threatstotheirstaff—fromhate groups.Shamefully,nationalnews outletshavetoooftenrespondedto thiswaveofhatebytreatingtrans peoples’existenceasapolitical “question”tobeconsideredor arguedover

Closertohome,TheTimes-Picayune |TheAdvocate,whichisalsoowned byGeorgesMedia,thisweekpublishedalettertotheeditorthatcruelly mockedBelleAdelman-Cannon,a youngNewOrleanianwhowasgender fluidandstoodasanLGBTQactivist Theyweretragicallykilledinarecent busaccident.Thepaperapologizedto Belle’sfamily,removedtheletterfrom itswebsiteandacknowledgeditdid notmeetitsstandards.Hourslater,the paperpublishedaloving(towardBelle) butpointed(towardthepaper)letter writtenbyBelle’sparents.Weurge youtoreadit.

It’sunfortunatethatmuchofthe media—includingmediathatostensiblysupportLGBTQrights—continue totreattransandnon-cisgendered peoples’rightsasapointofdebate, regardlessofthereasons.Allofus inmediamustconstantlyremind ourselvesandourreadersthattrans peoples’righttoexist—andtouse whatevernamesandpronounsthey feelbestrepresentwhotheyare—isa fundamentalhumanrightthatisnot upfordebate.

Afront-row viewoftragedy, thenandnow

IWASAN18-YEAR-OLDSUMMER INTERNJUSTFINISHINGMYSIXTH WEEKatTheTimes-Picayunewhen theUpStairsLoungefireseared horrificimagesofpeopleburnedalive intomyconsciousnessonthenightof June24,1973.

I’llneverforgetthesightsand soundsofthefirethatclaimed32 livesabovethecornerofChartres andIbervillestreets.Orthesmell ofsootandburntflesh—andthe emotionaltraumaofthosewho wereluckyenoughtoescapeahorrificdeaththatevening,onlytolearn thatsomeoftheirclosestfriends werenotsofortunate.

Sometimes,memoriesofthat eveninghauntmelikeithappened onlyyesterday.

Now,50yearslater,Ilookback atthefire’saftermathwithmixed emotions.Partofmemarvelsathow farwe’vecomeasasociety—gays andlesbianscanproudlycelebrate whotheyareandmarrythosewhom theylove.Yet,transpeoplecontinue tofaceviolencefromhategroups,

harassmentfrom landlordsandemployersandevengovernment-sanctioned condemnationfrom shamelesspoliticians Insomeways,the hateismoremainstreamnow.

Suchthoughtswere farfrommymindwhen Icoveredthefire50 yearsago.Ihadnoidea howdramaticallythe tragedyIwasaboutto witnesswouldchange NewOrleans.Andme.

AsIcrossedCanal Street,thesmellofsoot hungthickintheair.I sawdropletsofblood onthesidewalkalongthefirstblock ofChartresStreet.WhenIreached theblaze,whatIsawstoppedme cold.Amanwithmuchofhisflesh burnedoffsatonthecurbacross fromtheUpStairsLounge.Hewept andbeggedforhelp.Hispainwasso

gut-wrenching,andIwassohelpless todoanythingforhim,thatIhadto turnaway.

That’swhenIsawtheUpStairs Loungefullyengulfedinflamesand smoke—andamanpressedagainst thebarsofawindow,hishairand fleshnearlyburnedoff,onearm hangingthroughmetalbarsthathad preventedhisescapetosafety. ThistimeIcouldnotturnaway.I staredathim,wonderingwhowould putbarsonasecond-storywindow, andwhowasthismanwhosefinal, desperatemomentswouldcapturein onehorrificpicturethetragedythat wastheUpStairsfire?

Aseniorreportergrabbedmyarm andbroughtmebacktothemoment. Myassignmentnowwastowritea “sidebar”storyaboutthesceneat CharityHospital.Idon’tremember howIgottoCharity,norexactlywhen IlearnedthattheUpStairsLounge was,inthecallousmediaparlance ofthetime,“abarfrequented byhomosexuals.”

CharityHospitalbackthen wasmuchmoreaccessibletothe mediathanhospitalstoday.No checkpoints.Nooneaskingformy credentials.Ijustwalkedintothe ERandtriednottogetnoticed.The staffwasfartoobusytryingtosave livestoworryaboutan18-year-old kidtakingnotesinacorner

Ihadafront-rowviewoftragedy —andheroism.Nursesanddoctors

valiantlyattendedvictimafter victim,puttinggauzeandsalveon thebodiesofbadlyburnedmenwho moanedinwhatIcanonlydescribe ashauntingtones.Manyofthe victimswept.

Irememberwatchinganursegentlytryingtopeelbacktheburntskin fromamanbeforewrappinghimas hepleadedforsomethingtodeaden hispain.Someofthosewhomanagedtogetoutofthebarshowedup, offeringinformationaboutinjured friendsandaskingaboutothers whosefatesremainedunknown.

IstayedintheERforaboutanhour, longenoughtogetamentalpicture thatIhurriedlyputintoastory.Then asnow,therushtogetabigstoryinto printorontheairforcesreportersto detachfromtheemotionalimmediacyofatragicevent.But,whenthe storyinvolvesdeath,especiallythe deathofachildormultiplevictims, detachmentisnotsoeasy—and itcostsusapieceofourhumanity everytimewerelyonit.

Iwasjustbeginningtolearnthat skillsetinJune1973,butI’venever beenabletodetachfromtheUp Stairsfirestory.

Firstresponderslookoverthe damagecausedbyafireinside theUpStairsLoungeinNew OrleansonJune24,1973

(STAFF FILE PHOTO BYG.E ARNOLD)

SurvivorsreceivefirstaidafteradeadlyfireintheUpStairsLounge inNewOrleanson June24,1973. (STAFF FILE PHOTOBYG.E.ARNOLD)

EverytimeIsmellsoot,Ithinkabout themanIsawonthecurb,cryingin pain,orthemanwhowasliterally burnedalive,pressedagainstthebars ofthatsecond-storywindow.Years later,Ilearnedthatthemaninthe windowwastheRev.BillLarson,the belovedpastoroftheMetropolitan CommunityChurch,whichministered totheLGBTQcommunity.

ItwasalsoyearslaterthatIrealized howprofoundlytheUpStairsfirehad affectedthelocalgaycommunity. Intheimmediateaftermathofthe fire,thepracticedindifference(or worse,thehostility)thatmanyNew Orleaniansharboredtowardsthe LGBTQcommunityquicklycameto thefore.

RoseMcCloskeyLittle,center, reactsasNewOrleansCity CouncilmemberJPMorrell handsheraproclamation recognizingthe32victimsof the1973arsonattackonthe UpStairsLoungeduringa councilmeetingonJune23, 2022.Little’sbrother,Clarence McCloskeyJr.,diedinthefire.

Thiswasadifferentkindofdetachment,onecalculatedtoinsulatethose inpowerfromhavingtoacknowledge uncomfortabletruths.Itsmessage wasclear:Stayinthecloset.

Themayoratthetime,Moon Landrieu,andtheCityCouncil offerednowordsofconsolation. Landrieuyearslatersaidthatwasone ofhisgreatestregrets

TheArchdioceseofNewOrleans shunnedthevictims,refusingthem Catholicfunerals—astunningdenial ofJesus’specialloveofthepoorand theoutcast.Toitscredit,thearchdiocesemarkedthe30thanniversaryof theUpStairsfirebyapologizingforits failuretooffersolacetovictimsand theirlovedones.

ThatJunenight,Imostlyfeltan incomprehensiblemixtureofnumbnessandshock.Thenextday,when mygirlfriendnervouslyaskedme whatitwasliketocoversuchahorrificstory,Icouldn’tfindthewords.I justhuggedher.Andinthatmoment, Ifinallycried.

Mytearsdriedalongtimeago,but thetearsofthosewholostloved onesintheUpStairsfirehaveyet todry.Iholdouthopethat,asNew Orleanslooksback50yearslater, sincereexpressionsofsupportand empathywillfinally—finally—dry thosetears.

RoseMcCloskeyLittle, whosebrotherClarence McCloskeyJr.,diedintheUp StairsLoungefirein1973.

BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN™

@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com

HeyBlake, Iseemanynonprofitgroupslist theOscarJ.Tolmas CharitableTrust asamajordonor. Whowashe?

Dearreader, OSCARJUDAHTOLMAS

WASBORNINNEW

ORLEANSIN1920.He wasoneoffourchildrenof CharlesandCecileTolmas, whobothemigratedtothe U.S.throughNewYork’sEllisIslandand movedtoNewOrleansin1917.

TolmasgraduatedfromTulanein 1941andearnedalawdegreethere in1943.HeenlistedintheU.S.Navy andbecameanofficerinthePacific TheaterduringWorldWarII.

Returninghome,hepracticedlaw andgrewhisbusinessinrealestate andhomeconstruction.In1958,he purchasedatractoflandinMetairie onVeteransMemorialBoulevardnear CausewayBoulevard,latercalled theTolmasTract.Itisnowhometoa TraderJoe’sandotherbusinesses.

Throughoneofhisclients,Tolmas becameinterestedinthoroughbred horseracing.In1952,heandabrother launchedTolmasRacingStables.For morethan10years,Tolmasserved ontheLouisianaRacingCommission, includingasitschairman.

TolmasandhiswifeMarjorie, whodiedinSept.2013,hadno children.WhenhediedinDec.2013, hisestateformedtheOscarJ.Tolmas CharitableTrust.Someofthenonprofitswhichhavebenefitedfrom thetrustincludetheJewish CommunityCenter,JewishFamily Service,St.MichaelSpecialSchool, VolunteersofAmerica,CityPark andWYES.

Earlierthisyear,theJewish FederationofGreaterNewOrleans dedicatedtheOscarJ.TolmasL’Dor V’DorLobbyatitsMetairiecampus. InHebrew,L’dorV’dortranslatesto “fromgenerationtogeneration.”The exhibitfeaturesdisplaysonTolmas’ lifeandcareer.

ASERIESOFEVENTSTHISWEEKWILLMARKTHE50THANNIVERSARYOFATRAGICDAY inNewOrleans’history—theUpStairsLoungefire,thedeadliestmassmurderinthe city’shistoryandthesecond-deadliestcrimeagainstLGBTQ+peopleinU.S.history.

ThefireonJune24,1973claimed32livesandinjuredatleast15others.They werepatronsofthebarat604IbervilleSt.whichwelcomedbothgayandstraight patrons.About8p.m.thatnight,thebuzzerrangatthebar’sfirst-floorentrance. Whenthedoorwasbuzzedopen,someonedousedthewoodenstepswithlighter fluidandignitedafirewhichspreadupthestairsandconsumedtheentireplace withinminutes

GambitpoliticaleditorClancyDuBos,thenan18-year-oldTimes-Picayunesummerinternreporter,coveredtheeffort,reportingonCharityHospitalstaffracing tosavesomeofthevictims.“Confusionseemedtoreign,yettightlywoveninto themeshofhelter-skelterwasadelicatepattern—apatternofdoctorsandnurses racingagainsttime,”DuBoswrote.

Mostpresscoverageofthetragedyhasbeencriticizedasincompleteorinsensitive,reflectingthelargelyanti-homosexualattitudeofthetime.Whilearson wassuspected,policedidnotconsiderthetragedyapriorityandnoonewasever arrested.Reactionfrompoliticalleaderswasmutedatbest,andmanyvictims weredeniedCatholicfunerals.

OnJune24therewillbeamemorialserviceandsecondlineprocessioninthe FrenchQuartertomarkthe50thanniversary.ItwillbeprecededonJune23bya paneldiscussionattheHistoricNewOrleansCollection,520RoyalSt.Fordetails, visitlgbtarchiveslouisiana.org.Also,onJune22at6:30p.m.,filmmakerRoyd Anderson’sdocumentaryonthefirewillbescreenedattheJeffersonParishEast BankRegionalLibrary,4747W.NapoleonAve.,Metairie

OPEN HOURS

featuring 1/2 offsignature cocktails &appetizers

GersonandOscarTolmas

FILE PHOTO/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

BLAKEVIEW

DRINKS Summer

Sixdelicioussummercocktails— andthebartenderswholovethem

BYJOHNSTANTON|Gambiteditor

AbigailGullo

GAMBIT Wheredidyougoto school/whereareyou fromifyou’renotlocal?

ABIGAILGULLO IamfromNewYork Grewupwithonefootinthecityand onefootinthecountry.

Howlonghaveyoubeena bartender?

AG 15years

What’syourfavoritespirit?

AG Dependsontheday,butItend towardbrandyandryewhiskey drinkswithsomeRhumAgricolein thesummer.

Whatonesongorartist wouldyouusetocreateaperfectSummerJamsradiostation onSpotify?

Summeriswithoutadoubtoneofthetopfourseasonsto spendinabar,rightuptherewithfall,winterandofcourse thatoneweekayearwecallspring.Theheat,thehumidity,the sunbaringdownonyoulikeabillcollectoronthefirstofthemonth …it’salljusttoomuchtodealwithwithoutthesanctuaryofabar ThankfullyNewOrleanshasplentyofbarstochoosefrom Personally,inthesummerIprefertwotypesofbars.Adarkbar fullofshadowswithaworkingA/Cturneddowntomeatlocker,or anicetikihutsituationonthebeachwithaniceviewofthewater andanevennicerbreeze.

Bothareperfectforshakingoffsummer’sstickyoppressiveness whilestillenjoyingitssloweddownpace.They’realsothesortof placeyoucansitalonewithyourdrinkorstrikeupaconversation withasingleservingbarfriend,hearastoryortwoandbeonyour merrywayuntilthesunviciouslydrivesyouintothedarkeneddoor ofthenextwateringholeonyourjourney

Ofcoursesometimesthesungetsthedroponya,andalready setupintheskyinallitsblazingglorybeforeyouevengetout thedoor.Wellwhat’sadrinkertodowhenegressisnolongeran optionbutthey’reinthemoodforacold,tastycocktail?Why, makeitathome,ofcourse!SoweaskedagroupofNewOrleans’ bestbartendersforcocktailrecipesperfectforwhenyou’refixin’ togetalittlelooseathomethissummer!

Whatwasyourfirstbartendinggig?

AG FormyGrampswhenIwas7. ImademeanManhattans.

AG “WaterNoGetEnemy”byFela Kuti.Funpoolsidejams

Whatistheweirdestquestion apatronhasaskedyou?

AG Doyouguyshaveabathroom?

Buildinatallglasswithiceandgarnishwith freshbasiland/olivesandatwist

*tomakethetomatowater,juice5-6Creole tomatoesinajuicerorinafoodprocesserand thenstrainthatjuicethroughacoffeefilter placedinafinemeshcolander.Sometimesthis cantakeawhile,youcanleaveitinthefridge overnightifyouwanttopreparethedaybefore Justmakesureyouuseanon-reactivebowlfor everythingthetomatoestouch.Savethepulp andmakesauce!

ARCHIVE PHOTOBYG.E.ARNOLD “HappyCulligan”

PROVIDED PHOTO

DRINKS Summer

GAMBIT Wheredidyougoto school/whereareyoufromif you’renotlocal?

IwasbornandraisedinLosAngeles, CaliforniaandstudiedAnthropology andArtHistoryatUCLA.

MADISONRUBIN Howlonghave youbeenabartender?

I’vebeenbartendingfor12years.

Whatwasyourfirstbartendinggig?

MB Istartedbartendingat21ata barcalledTheGriffininLosFeliz, California.ShortlythereafterIstarted workingatabarcalledFootsiesin NorthEastLosAngelesthatshares ownerswithBudRip’sandRBarhere!

What’syourfavoritespirit?

MB Ilovetequilaofallsorts,I’m

mainlyablancoimbiberbutifI’m gonnadrinkareposadoIreachforLa Gritona’sbeautifulgreenbottle.

Whatonesongorartistwould youusetocreateaperfect SummerJamsradiostationon Spotify?

MB “2+2=?”byBobSeger

Whatistheweirdestquestion apatronhasaskedyou?

MB Aguyonceaskedmetodoa wholeshotofbitterswithhim. InadditiontobartendingIamascenic painterandamuseumtrainedtaxidermist!Acustomeronceaskedmeif hecouldhiremetomakealampshade fromhisbacktogivetohisdaughter afterhedied.Itwouldofcoursefeaturehiselaboratebackpiece.

PROVIDEDPHOTO

RicardoFlores

GAMBIT Wheredidyougoto school/whereareyoufromif you’renotlocal?

RICARDOFLORES FIUinMiami

I’mfromKendall,Florida

Howlonghaveyoubeena bartender?

RF 10+Years

Whatwasyourfirstbartendinggig?

RF Hahahahafunny,Carrabba’s Italian,exceptitwassurfsideonthe beachinalittletikihut.

SUMMER

TheRitaHayworth

What’syourfavoritespirit?

RF Tequila,mezcalandIenjoy sippingFortaleza

Whatonesongorartist wouldyouusetocreateaperfectSummerJamsradiostation onSpotify?

RF “MoscowMule”byBadBunny

Whatistheweirdestquestionapatronhasaskedyou?

RF Areyouavampire?

Buildinashakertin,shakeand serveinarocksglasswithice GarnishwithSpicedApricot andFlower

DRINKS Summer

ChristyBradley

<C EN TR AL CI TY BB Q>

GAMBIT Wheredidyougo toschool/whereareyou fromifyou’renotlocal?

CHRISTYBRADLEY Academy oftheSacredHeartforhigh school,UT-KnoxvilleforundergradandLoyolaUniversityof NewOrleansforgradschool.

Howlonghaveyoubeen abartender?

CB Ihavebeenintheindustry 26years.Ihavebartended onandoffduringthattime.I recentlyreturnedtobartending in2018,sogoingon5years.

Whatwasyourfirst bartendinggig?

CB ItwasaMexicanrestaurant incollege.Imostlyservedbeers andoneandonecocktails,but itgavemeagoodfoundationto buildonlateroninlife.

What’syour favoritespirit?

CB It’satossupbetween bourbonandvermouth.

Whatonesongorartist wouldyouusetocreatea perfectSummerJamsradio stationonSpotify?

CB Iloveallkindsofmusic!If Ihadtopickspecificallyfora summerplaylist,Iwouldgowith VampireWeekend.“ThisLife” alwaysputsmeinagreatmood

Whatistheweirdest questionapatronhas askedyou?

CB Jeez,therehavebeenso manyha!Iamnotsureifit’s weird,butaguestonceasked mewhatwasinaginandtonic andIjustkindofhadtolaugh.

VIZZYORANGE CREAMPOP

Nostalgia is in and what’s more nostalgic than the classic taste of orange cream pop?It’sthe perfect blend of fizzy and fun, with aburst of zesty orange flavor and atouch of vanilla sweetness. Whether you’relounging by the pool or hanging out with friends, vizzy® orange cream pop hard seltzer is likea refreshing taste of summer in everysip.

SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPE:

ILOVEcocktailcreationbut oftenit’shardtoreplicatesome cocktailsathome.Onesuper easyandamazinglyrefreshing summercocktailisavariationon aginsprtiz.

>1OUNCEYOURFAVORITE FLORALGIN

>1/2OUNCESPANISH DRYVERMOUTH

>ONEORANGEWHEEL ANDONELEMONWHEEL

>MINT

Muddletheingredients,top withsparklingwineanda splashofsodaserveoverice.

YUENGLINGFLIGHT

FLIGHT by Yuengling is the product of six-generations of Brewingexpertise. Coming in at only 95 calories and 2.6g carbs, FLIGHT is the next generationof light beer. Raise the bar with this easy drinking,clean, crisp, and refreshing beer from America’s Oldest Brewery, owned and operated since 1829.

PROVIDEDPHOTO

MaggieBard

Printmaking.IstayedinNewYorkfor12years beforemovingtoNewOrleans.

Howlonghaveyoubeen abartender?

MB About10years.

Whatwasyourfirstbartendinggig?

MB Itwasactuallyabarbackinggigthat turnedintobartendingwhenthebartenders gottoodrunktowork/didn’tfeellikeworking. Itneverfeltlikeajobbecauseallofmyfriends

pop. Gritonareposado.Ialsodrinkalotofwine.

Whatonesongorartistwouldyou usetocreateaperfectSummerJams radiostationonSpotify?

MB I’mafanofTheGoriesradiostationfor allseasons

Whatistheweirdestquestion apatronhasaskedyou?

MB Aguyonceaskedmeveryseriouslyifhe couldlickmyface.

Putabottleofredwineinthefridge anddrinkitwhenit’scold

PHOTOBYJOHN STANTON/GAMBIT

Howlonghaveyoubeen abartender?

TQ I’vebeenslingingdrinkssinceIwasa kidaroundthecardtable.

Whatwasyourfirst bartendinggig?

TQ ParkwayBakery&Tavern

SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPE:

JamsradiostationonSpotify?

TQ JamesClesihasgreatjams onSpotify

Whatistheweirdestquestion apatronhasaskedyou?

TQ Areyourcrawfishgrassfed?and Didy’allcatchthecrawfishthismorning?

Aclassicdaiquiri Rum,freshlime,andsimplesyru pourstraightup.It’ssuperrefresh

SummER Drink guide

PALOMA ATAVOLARESTAURANT&WINEBAR

Gambitreaderapproved. ATavolaoffers one of thebestHappy Hoursinthe city. Available dailyfrom3 pm-6 pm.Winedrinkersget 50% off allbottles of wine with everyto-go order 3413VeteransMemorialBlvd,Metairie 504-577-2235•atavo.la

HURRICANE ERNSTCAFE

Recognized fortop-notch barmenuand specials, ErnstCafé’sHurricane packs apunch Home of the$1.25 beers.

600S.PetersSt,NOLA•504-525-8544 ernstcafe.com

SCARBOROUGHSOUR

THELOBBYBARBYACEHOTEL

Whetyourappetite forsummerwithour fresh lineupofcooling cocktails. Like this one, theScarborough Sour,madewith mezcal,tequila,passionfruit,herbcordial andegg white.

600CarondeletSt,NOLA•504-900-1180 acehotel.com/new-orleans

IBERVILLEFERRARI

FELIX’SRESTAURANT&OYSTERBAR

Introducingthe “Iberville Ferrari”.Itcombines 2ozofRittenhouse Rye, 0.75 oz of Bols Banana Liqueur, 0.75 oz of Aperol Liqueur, and2dashesofPeychaud Bitters. Stirred over ice, it’s served Up or on theRox,with an orange twistexpressed over thetop Enjoythe perfectbalance of flavorsinthis exceptional drink.

739Iberville,NOLA•504-522-4440 felixs.com

BASILLEMONADE ZHANGBISTRO

ZhangBistros Basil Lemonade features Tito’s Vodka, Syrup, FreshLemon Juice &Basil Leaves.

1141Decatur,NOLA•504-826-8888 zhangbistronola.com

FULLBAR&DELICIOUSFOOD

DOWNTHEHATCH

Visitour twolocations fora full bar&tasty food.LowerGarden -Open‘til2AM daily, French Quarter- Open ‘til 4AMdaily 817StLouisSt,NOLA•504-220-7071

1921SophieWrightPl,NOLA•504-826-8888 downthehatchnola.com

CRUSTAALCALA JEWELOFTHESOUTH

TheCrustaAlcalaisJewelofthe South’s mixtureofBlancoTequila,Mezcal, Lime Juice, Yellow Chartreuse anda smallmeasure of CrèmedeCacao andElGuapo Chicory PecanBitters,servedina glass coated with acoffee-sugar rim, andgarnishedwithan orange peel 1026StLouisSt,NOLA•504-265-8816 jewelnola.com

SUMMERTIME&MELONTONE BAMBOULA’S

FullBar&DeliciousFood DOWNTHEHATCH

JEWELOFTHESOUTH

Bamboula’s Summertime is made with Hendrick’sGin,fresh squeezed lemonjuice and house-madeRosemarySimpleSyrup. Melon Tone featuresfresh melon, house-made herbedsimplesyrup,atwist of soda fizzand your choiceofliquor.Stopbyand tryone of ourseasonalsummercocktails!

514FrenchmenSt,NOLA•504-206-8057 bamboulasmusic.com

Paloma ATAVOLARESTAURANT&WINEBAR

Hurricane ERNSTCAFE 1 2

ScarboroughSour THELOBBYBARBYACEHOTEL

IbervilleFerrari

FELIX’SRESTAURANT&OYSTERBAR

CrustaAlcala

BasilLemonade ZHANGBISTRO

Summertime&MelonTone BAMBOULA’S

BLUEDRANK FLAMINGO A-GO-GO

Gather your krewe andflock to thelargest courtyard in theWarehouse District 869MagazineSt,NOLA•504-577-2202 flamingonola.com

SPANISHTOWNDAIQUIRI 14PARISHES

This classic cocktailisaspretty as it is delicious. WithAppleton8yr rum, sugarand lime juicethe SpanishTownDaiquiripairs well with anyof14Parish’sJamaicandishes. 8227OakSt,NOLA•504-420-7433 14parishes.com

FERRARIFLIP THEVINTAGE

This refreshinglemonycocktail is perfect forsummerfeaturing cognac,Cointreau, Luxardo, lemonand bitters. 3121MagazineSt,NOLA•504-324-7144 thevintagenola.com

SWEETIETARTZ SHOTSBAR

This delightful concoction combines the smoothness of Shots VodkaSweet &Tart with therefreshingessenceofWatermelon Liqueur, perfectlybalancedbythe zesty notesofSourMix.Eachshotoffers aharmonious fusion of sweet&tangy sensations, leavingalasting impressiononyourpalate. 309DecaturSt,NOLA•504-592-4383 shotsbar.com/new-orleans

EXPANDEDWINELIST VENEZIA

YouknowVenezia’s forclassic NewOrleans inspired ItalianCuisine.Now youcan enjoyall of your favorites with more selections from theirexpanded wine list.Bythe glass or the bottle,Venezia’s hassomething to pair with everydish!

134N.CarrolltonAve.,NOLA•504-488-7991 venezianeworleans.net

BOW-WOW NEYOW’SCREOLECAFÉ

TheBow-Wow is Neyow’ssignature 32oz cocktail made with lightrum,dark rumand fruitpunch.Garnishedwithlemon andlime slices,the Bow-Wowisperfect forhot Summer nights 3332BienvilleSt.,NOLA•504-827-5474 neyows.com

NEWORLEANSSWEETTEA COMEDY HOUSENOLA

CHNO’ssignaturedrinkisalocaltwistonthe LongIslandIcedTea.GreyGooseStrawberry &Lemongrass,BacardiLimon,PatronSilver, BombayDry,simplesyrup,sourmix,&cola 609-610FultonSt.,NOLA (504)302-8264•comedyhousenola.com

UNCLEEARLPOPTAIL KINGFISHCIDER

UncleEarlhopped ciderwithaFireflyPops lemon, rosemary andmintpopsicle. Thebest waytocoolofffromthe summer heat 355IrisAveSuiteA,Jefferson•504-273-7868 kingfishcider.com

SMOKYCACTUS BUDSI’STHAI

Artisanal Oaxacanmezcalwhosefruit notesare heightenedbypricklypear,fresh squeezedlimejuice,and cane sugar. Take respite fromthe heat in Budsi’scoolMarigny enclaveduringtheir dailyhappy hourfrom 3-6pmwithall specialtycocktails$3off. 1760NRampart,NOLA• 504-381-4636 budsisthai.com

SpanishTownDaiquiri 14PARISHES

FerrariFlip THEVINTAGE

11

SweetieTartz SHOTSBAR

NewOrleansSweetTea COMEDYHOUSENOLA

ExpandedWineList VENEZIA

UncleEarlPoptail KINGFISHCIDER

Bow-Wow NEYOW’SCREOLECAFE

SmokyCactus BUDSI’STHAI

DeliciousFrenchcuisineand wine by the glass,bottleorflight.Courtyard andsidewalk seating.Thurs –Sun 4-10 pm 720OrleansAve.,NOLA

HANDGRENADE TROPICALISLE

Enjoythe sweetmelon tasteofNew Orleans’ mostpowerful drink: theHandGrenade Availableat4Tropical Isle locationson BourbonSt. &Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, or order Hand GrenadeMix forgiftgivingor making at home

800-ISLE-MIX•tropicalisle.com

CARIBBEANPORTCITY HIGH GRACE

High Graceisthe French Quarter’snewest dive barthatoffers specialtycocktailsand classic libations.The Caribbean Port City cocktail is rum-basedwithcoconut puree, pineapplejuice,&limejuice.It’slikeabeach vacation in aglass!RubberduckISincluded. 733StPeter,NOLA•504-218-5649 highgracenola.com

VOODOOGLITTER MARTINE’SLOUNGE

Aginger-spicycocktail of: Ancho Reyeschile liqueur; Ginger elixir; Luxardocherryjuice; topped with sparklingwine! Opensat3pm daily. Indoor bar& outdoorpatio seating 2347MetairieRd.,Metairie•504-831-8637 facebook.com/martineslounge

LASTRADA PAL’SLOUNGE

MontenegroItalian amaro,rosemary-infused hibiscus-orange aperitivo, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. JoinusatMid-city’sbest neighborhoodbar servingupdelicious seasonaldrinks, specialtycocktails, beer &wine. 949N.Rendon,NOLA•504-488-7257 facebook.com/palslounge

FROZENBANANASFOSTER PALACECAFÉ PalaceCafé’sBlackDuckBarisperfectfor coolingofffromthesummerheat.Trytheir FrozenBananasFostermadewithwhiterum, banana-saltedcaramelicecream,&cinnamon. 605CanalStreet,NOLA•504-523-1661 palacecafe.com

LEMONDROP BOULEVARDAMERICANBISTRO

Joinusfor HappyHour, Monday –Friday3 pm-6pm.Celebrate theend of theworkweek with MartiniThursdays, $7 Grey Goose& Tito’s martinis.Winedrinkersget 50%offall bottlesofwinewitheveryto-go order 5171CitrusBlvd,Elmwood•504-410-5171 boulevardbistro.com

FAISDEAUXDEAUX THEGARAGE

Homeofthe Fais Deaux Deaux –The original NewOrleansFishbowl 810Conti@BourbonSt.,NOLA thegaragemusicclub.com

BLUEBERRYHILL KINGFISHKITCHEN ANDCOCKTAILS

Servingnew-schooltwistsontraditional NewOrleanscuisine.Our bar, with itsmix of signatureand classic cocktails, is the perfectplace to meet up with friends and familyfor adrink in theFrenchQuarter Happy Hour Monday- Friday:2pm- 5pm 337ChartersSt,NOLA•504-598-5005 kingfishneworleans.com

VoodooGlitter

SpecialtyDrinks

PICKYOURSIN THEBURGUNDYBAR

TheBurgundy Barislocated in TheSaint Hotel. Pick your Poison fromour 7Deadly Sins Cocktailmenu. 931CanalSt,NOLA•504-522-5400 thesaintnola.com

PINKLEMONADESHOTS MOSCA’S

This summer come tryMosca’s pink lemonade shots made with Titos vodka. Perfectadditiontoanight of old school Italiancuisine 4137US-90West,Westwego•504-436-8950 moscasrestaurant.com

DATREME LIL’DIZZYSCAFE

Lil’ Dizzys Café signaturecocktail Da Treme is awhisky based peachsweet teacreated by mixologist premierJessica Robinson 1500EsplanadeAve,NOLA• 504-766-8687 lildizzyscafe.net

SPECIALTYDRINKS RIVERSHACKTAVERN

Whysettlefor just one! Ourbartenders pridethemselvesontheir mixologicalwizardry.See what’s brewing on RiverRoad! 3449RiverRd,Jefferson•504-834-4938 rivershacktavern.com

DOOYATHANG JUSTINI’S

Agin champagne cocktailmixed with empress gin, JusTini’sLavenderSyrup and topped with Brut Champagne 3162DauphineSt.,NOLA•504-381-5098 justinisnola.com

WHISKEYSMASH SAZERACHOUSE

Featuringfresh andflavorfulingredients like lemonjuice,Sazerac RyeWhiskey and muddledmintleaves, theWhiskey Smash is theperfect cocktail to cool down on a hotday.Shopour cocktail kits andmoreby visiting us. 101MagazineSt,NOLA•504-910-0100 sazarachouse.com

ALLSHOOKUP THEBOMBAYCLUB

Hometonightly live music, TheBombay Club specializesincraft cocktails,single maltscotches, reserved bourbons,and premium cigars.Happy Hour Wednesday through Sunday 4pm- 7pm 830ContiSt,NOLA•504-577-2237 bombayclubneworleans.com

JUANITA’SFROZENMARGARITA

JUAN’SFLYINGBURRITO

It’s what youneed to beat this heat! LunazulReposadoMargarita.Get nuts &add Strawberry,Blueberry,Mango,orPineapple. We have aDaily HappyHourfrom2to6so this should give youtimetotry many of our FlyDranks.

Multiplelocations:LowerGardenDistrict, Mid-City,Uptown,CBD 504-529-5825•juansflyingburrito.com

BLACKBERRYSWEETTEA

FREYSMOKEDMEATCO.

Frey’s Blackberry SweetTea is made with Wild Turkey,blackberryliquor,withfresh lemonjuice

4141BienvilleSt.Suite110,NOLA 504-488-RIBS(7427) freysmokedmeat.com

ABSOLUTPRIDESPECIAL THECOUNTRYCLUB

Made with AbsolutWildBerri,Strawberry

Puree, Lemonade,and FreshMint 634LouisaSt,NOLA•504-945-0742

Thecountryclubneworleans.com

SAINTSATIONAL

LEGACYKITCHENCRAFTTAVERN

Celebratethe Saints with oursignature gin cocktail.Expertlycrafted with prosecco Malfygin,St. Germain, fresh lemonjuice, simply syrup, garnishedwithalemon twist. 700TchoupitoulasSt#3612,NOLA 504-613-2350•legacykitchen.com

EMPRESS75 ANNUNCIATION

Empress Gin, Prosecco,Lemon 1016AnnunciationSt,NOLA•504-568-0245 annunciationrestaurant.com

WATERMELONMARGARITA

FELIPE’STAQUERIA

Monte AlbanTequila,hand-squeezedKey lime,house-madewatermelonpurée Uptown,FrenchQuarter,andMid-Citylocations felipestaqueria.com

WINEWEDNESDAYS

THEO’SNEIGHBORHOODPIZZA

Youjustcan’t askfor abetterdealthan half-pricedWine! That’s what youget at Theo’s!Half-priced bottlesofwinewitha food purchase everyWednesday.Pizzas, sandwiches, salads &more. 5Metrolocations:MagazineSt.,Mid-City, Elmwood,Metairie,andCovington. theospizza.com

VODKABLUEBERRYLEMONADE LOTSALUCK

Stop in fora refreshingVodka Blueberry Lemonade just like Mommausedtomake. Enjoyitonthe patio or bellyuptothe bar. Either wayit’sdelicious 203HomedaleSt.,NOLA•504-483-0978 Facebook.com/LotsALucknola

THEGULFBREEZE KATIE’S

Tryour delicious Collinsonthe rocksmade with Hendricks Neptunia,Cranberry and Grapefruit. Seewhatkindofmagic is happening behind thebar at Katie’s!

3701IbervilleSt.,NOLA•504-488-6582 katiesinmidcity.com

BLOODYMARY MOTHER’S

Some like it hot! Mother’s spicyBloody Mary packs heat anda kick.Tomatojuice is ampedupwithseasonings& hotsauce.The more yousweat,the more you’ll cool off in theheat.

401PoydrasSt.,NOLA•504-523-9656 mothersrestaurant.net

THELEGACYSOUR

LEGACYKITCHEN’SSTEAKAND CHOP LegacyKitchen’sSteakandChop’s signaturecocktailfeaturesHennessy, GrandMarnier,orangejuice,pineapple juice,andsimplesyrup.

91WestbankExpy#51,Gretna 504-513-2606•legacykitchen.com

RED BULL® INFUSION RED BULL® INFUSION

*Due to caffeine content, notrecommended forchildren, pregnant or nursing women, andpersons sensitivetocaffeine. Each20oz RedBull Infusion contains 80mg of caffeine. Artificially flavored.

Posttime

THEFIRSTTIMEMATTFOODYREMEMBERSEVERCOOKINGANYTHING,he was9yearsold.Hismotherhanded himatattered,grease-stainedcopyof “TheJoyofCooking”andsaid,“Here. Yougofigureitout.”

Althoughhisexperiencemaking chickencroquettesforhisparentsand fivebrotherswasharrowing,there wassomethingaboutthe comfortfooddishthatresonated “Ialwayswonder,what’sthesecretto thedisheswefindcomforting,those flavorsthatweremember?”hesays

Foodyisminingthatculinary veinwiththeopeningofThePost, aFaubourgSt.Johnrestauranthe ownswithhiswifeRebeccaTaylor andtheirlongtimefriends,local contractorJohnSeguraandhis wifeAllie.Takingoverthespace thatwasformerlyNonnaMia,the restaurantopenedjustintimefor JazzFestcrowds.

“Weloveourneighborhood,”says Foody,wholivestwoblocksfromthe restaurant.“Wewantedsomething thatwasmissingfromthestreet,not somethingtocompete.Theguysfrom (Cafe)Degascomeherealot,weeat theretwiceaweek.I’matLiuzza’s onceaweek;SantaFe.Wearepartof thiscommunity.Theideawastobring somethingdifferenttothemarket.”

ElevatedAmericancomfortfood fillstheevolvingmenu.Disheslike burratawithbasiloil,aclassicwedge saladandfriestoppedwithchopped pickles,cheesesauce,bacon,cherry peppers,onionandadrizzleofranch dressingstarttheshow

ThisisthespotforaPhilly-style cheesesteakmadewithshaved rib-eye,hotpeppers,friedonion andCheeseWhiz.Therearefish tacosmadewithbeerbatteredcod, andatriple-stacked,houseroasted turkeyclub.

Theburger,offeredasasingleor adouble,ispopular.“Wesmushit, notsmashit,”Foodysays.“It’snot paper-thinallgreaseandbeef,butit’s notthickeither.It’swhatgoesintothe meatthatmakesitspecial.Whichis topsecret.”

TheHot&Stickyisan homagetoafast-food sandwichFoodyloved incollege.Itfeatures abrinedfriedchicken thightoppedwith slicedham,melted Swisscheeseandahot honeyglaze.There’s salmonwithasauceof yogurt,dillandcapers, astraight-aheadNew Yorkstripservedwitha bakedpotatoandhalf ofanorange-glazed MapleLeafFarmsduck, roastedthenquickfried torendertheskin extracrispy.

Althoughhe attendedJohnsonand Wales,itwasn’tfor culinaryarts.Instead, hegotadegreeinmarketingandpublicrelations.“Ilearnedinthe schoolofhardknocks,” saystheSyracuse native.Experienced atmanagingteams andcreatingsoundbusinesscultures, Foodyhasopenedrestaurantsallover thecountryforhospitalitycompanies. “Thisismy40thopening,andthefirst onethat’smine,”hesays

ThePostgetsitshorseracingtheme fromitsproximitytotheFairGrounds. Segura’sfamilyraisedhorsesin Folsom,sotherearelotsofvintage photosaswell

Theyalsorenovatedtheinterior PewswerereclaimedfromSaints PeterandPaulChurch,beforeit becameahotel,andtheycreate seatingaroundtheperimeterofthe diningrooms,whichaccommodate 50diners.Thewalls,paintedracing greenandblushpink,arelinedwith localanddonatedart.Thebarhasa fewmoreseats.There’sabarrailon thefrontporchandseatingfor60on thepatio

Threeofthefour40-something ownersarefromNewOrleans,with AllieSeguraandTaylorpalssince

theymetatMountCarmelAcademy. “WeallwenttoLSU,thencameback home,”saysAllie,whoworksatSt. George’sEpiscopalSchool.Tayloris anoccupationaltherapistatOschner HealthSystem.Theypitchinas neededatThePost,especially onweekends.

Foodyjoinedthecrewlater,meetingthroughmutualfriendswhenhe wasinhis20s.HeandTaylorelopeda yearago.

“IwascomingtoNewOrleansfrom TampawhereIwasworkingjustabout everyweekend,”hesays.“Irealized myheartisinNewOrleans.I’mgoing totransitionherepermanently.Thank Godshesaidyes,orIdon’tknowwhat Iwouldhavedone.”

“Wewantedtodothistosupport Matt’stalents,”JohnSegurasays. “Todoittogether,asafamily.”

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

RestaurantWeekdeals

THISYEAR’SRESTAURANTWEEKNEW ORLEANS(JUNE19-25)arrivesthesame weekastheofficial,solstice-directed startofsummer.That’snocoincidence.

It’sthesecondyearforanewformatfor RestaurantWeek,anannualpromotion organizedbytheLouisianaRestaurant AssociationandNewOrleans&Co.to encouragelocalstodineoutmoreand drawregionaltravelersinduringslower tourismtimes.Thehospitalityindustry leverageditheavilythroughtheupsand downsofthepandemic,anditaccrued manychangesthroughout

Thatstartswiththedate.Restaurant WeekwasonceheldinSeptemberas afinalassisttowardsautumn.Nowitis recastasasummerkick-offinJune.

Thecity’sotherbigsummertime restaurantpromotion,Coolinary,is scheduledfortheentiremonthof August,asusual.WhenRestaurant WeekwasheldinSeptember,the twocampaignsessentiallyblended together.ThenewJunetiminggives RestaurantWeekitsownspace,and perhapsadifferentdraw.

Theotherbigchangebecomesclear whenyoustartparsingtheRestaurant Weekmenus.

Goneisthepricecapthatonce pitchedthesemealsallunderthepremiseofadiningdeal.Instead,it’supto restaurantstopicktheirownpath

Somegowithbargains(orperceived bargains,atleast);othersmakethecase formoreindulgentmealsorfocuson seasonalingredientsanddishes.Some evenresemblepetitecheftastingmenus.

Therearemorethan70restaurantstakingpartthisyear.Notallthe RestaurantWeekmenuswereposted atthiswriting(findtheupdatedroster

Commander’sPalacebread puddingsouffle

PHOTOBYCHRIS GRANGER/ THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

ThePostco-ownersMattFoody (left)andAllieandJohnSegura.

PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER

atneworleans.com),butplentywere, andIwentthroughthecropavailable todrawoutsomepromisingexamples below(caveat:Ihaven’ttriedthese particularmenusyet,soI’mgoingon spechereandpasttrackrecord).

Hereareafewoptions.

Amongthosebackthisyeararethe oldclassicNewOrleansrestaurants, startingwiththeveryoldest,Antoine’s, datingto1840,(two-courselunchfor $24;three-coursedinner,$60;twocoursebrunch,$40).Arnaud’s,dating to1918,usesitsRestaurantWeek menu(three-coursedinner,$59)toflex beyonditsFrench-Creoleclassics,with dishesthisyearlikerisottowithcraband springpeas,asearedscallopwithSaintJacquescreamorgrilledquail

Meanwhile,thenewestonthe RestaurantWeekrosterisalsooneof thehottestseatsintownrightnow, OsteriaLupo.It’stheUptownItalian restaurantfromthesamecrewbehind thenearbySpanishrestaurantCostera.

AndlikeCostera,itsRestaurantWeek offeringisatakeonafamily-styletasting ($55atCostera,$45atOsteriaLupo).

Thisoneisstructuredasantipasti,pasta anddessert,drawingondishesthat makeupmuchoftheregularmenu. Thenumberofdishesservedvariesby thenumberofpeopleatthetable,soa largergroupcansamplepracticallythe entiremenu.OsteriaLupowillcontinue offeringthatformatasatastingmenu afterRestaurantWeektoo.

Othersoffermanychoicesthrough theprogressionofcourses.Atthe Bower(three-coursedinner,$49), forinstance,dinersmightoptforthe whippedfeta,ateresmajorsteakwith shishitopeppers,andtheflourless chocolatecakewithsaltedcaramel.

Someofthecity’shigher-endrestaurantsgetintotheactionindifferent ways.AtRestaurantAugust(fourcoursedinner,$80),thatincludes bluefintunacrudowithchanterelle mushrooms,roastedeggplantagnolini andlomoibericobellota,aporkloin fromSpanishpigs.

Commander’sPalacepegstheprice formealstotheentreechoice(twocourselunchbetween$23and$42; three-coursedinnerbetween$44 and$55).Thesemenusrunthrough seasonalsummerdishes,elegantitems (likecrudoora“bonemarrowcanoe”) andhousesignatures,andthatincludes thebreadpuddingsouffleatdinner. Thatentailsa$3.50up-charge(but thisisadestinationdessertinitsown right,it’sworthit).

ThemenuatJackRose(four-course dinner,$65)hasclamsandlinguineand wholefishbracketedbysaladanda cremecaramel

GWFins,meanwhile,canonlylista samplemenubecause(asusual)the

particularofferingschangewithwhat thekitchenbringsindaytoday.Still,its RestaurantWeekmenuisstructuredas athree-coursedinnerfor$55.Asample listofpotentialdishesshowstheinventivehousestyle,withdrumcrustedwith prosciuttoand“fettuccine”madefrom calamari(no,it’snotpasta).

Youcouldusetheweektotrysomeflavorscomingfromverydifferentvectors. ConsiderMaypop,theAsianfusion restaurant(orisitItalianAsianfusion?) fromchefMikeGulotta.ItsRestaurant Weekmenu(threecourses,$45,or $60withwinepairings)showsitsstyle withdisheslikecrawfishandandouille tomyumovergnocchettipastaor fishsaucecaramel-glazedstickypork shoulderwithroti.Tostart,thehouse Bibblettucesaladdoesn’tsoundlike muchbutisalwaysacravingofmine.

Nearby,Carmohasabargainlunch menu(threecourses,$25)andafourcoursedinnermenu($45)withamix ofBrazilianheritagedishes,vegetarian options,saladsandtropicaldesserts.

TheSouthAmericanwaywithsteak isonthetableatBrasa(three-course dinner,$55)inOldMetairie,where dinerscanstartwithtunaceviche,get intoachoiceofsteaks(skirtorfilet)or porkchopfromthegrill,andfinishwith chocolatepecanpie

IfRestaurantWeekmeansbranching out,onefindonthelistisFilmorein theOaks,partoftheBayouOaksgolf courseatCityPark,whichhasatwocourselunchfor$20,andthatincludes amid-dayglassofwine.

Formoreinformation,visit neworleans.com/restaurantweek.

IanMcNulty/TheTimes-Picayune

LastPiece

IT’SBEENFIVEYEARSSINCELOCAL MEATMEISTERSLEIGHANNSMITHAND

DANIELJACKSONopenedtheirartisanal butchershopPieceofMeat.Inthat time,ithasfoundnationalacclaimand

alsotransformedfromaplaceforprimalcutswithsandwichestoanoffbeat steakhousewithbrunch.

PieceofMeatwillsoonclose,but SmithsayssheandJacksonareworkingonanewrestaurantplan,whichwill carryonasimilarsteakhouseconcept inadifferentlocation.Manydetails ofthatarestilltakingshape,but,she says,afterapausetheyplantobeback inthegame.

“Bynomeansisthistheend,it’sjust timetosaygoodbyetoourtinycorner shop,”Smithsays.

Theyplantohavethelastservice atPieceofMeataroundthemiddle ofJuly

Theirlocationat3301BienvilleSt. hadbeenvariousbarsandrestaurants throughtheyears.It’snowowned bythepartnersbehindtheadjacent BayouWineGardenandBayouBeer Garden.Initially,theywerealsopartnersinPieceofMeattoo,thoughthat arrangementendedamicablyoverthe winterwithSmithandJacksonbuying outtheirshares.

DavidDemarest,oneofthepartners inthebars,saysheplanstoleasethe BienvilleStreetspottoanotheroperator,andsomehavealreadybegun lookingattheproperty.

SmithsaysPieceofMeathasbeen doingsolidbusinessinitssteakhouse mode,andreservationsremainstrong. Shecharacterizesthedecisiontomove asaneedfora“reset”afterthetumultuousspanofthepandemic.

“Thesteakhousehasbeengreat,” shesays.“We’rehavingagreattime withit,butit’sbeensuchanexhausting fiveyears,wejustneedtohitthereset buttonandcomebackintoitwithall ourpassion.” IanMcNulty/

LeighannSmithandDaniel JacksonopenedPieceof Meatin2018.

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Premium Cobblers. Banana Puddings. Cinnamon Rolls.

KittenN’Lou

ChanceinHellSnoBalls servessummertimetreats fromaBywaterporch

BySarahRavits

CHANCEINHELLSNOBALLSISRUN BYKITTENLARUEANDLOUHENRY

HOOVER,themarriedBywater-based burlesqueanddragduobetterknown asKittenN’Lou.Runninganartisanal snowballstandstartedoffasafantasy. “Wehadalwaysjokedlike,we’retired ofourjet-settinglife—let’sopena snowballstand.Wouldn’tthatbe hilarious?”LaRuesays.

Whenthepandemichitandhalted performanceopportunities,thecouple foundthemselvesoutofworkand lookingforcreativewaystopassthe time.Theirfrontporchsoonbecame aneighborhoodhubaftertheyfound ashavedicemachineandstarted experimentingwithflavors,including someveganoptionsusingcoconut cream.Fornow,ChanceinHellisstill afront-porchventure,butKittenand Louarerenovatingastorefrontnearby onDauphineandLouisastreetsand expecttoopenwithinthenextyear “Itwasjustourfunny,weirdlittle hobby,butyouknowhowthecityis: Peoplelikesomething,thenthey’lltell 20peopleaboutit,thenthosepeople tell20people,andbeforeweknew it,wehadalinedowntheblock,” LaRuesays.

ChanceinHellisusuallyopenFriday throughSundayat4205BurgundySt., thoughhoursandpop-uplocations vary.Check@chanceinhell_snoballs onInstagramforupdates

:Howdidthisallstartout?

KITTENLARUE: WhenCovidhit,allour workgotcanceledovernightforthe foreseeablefuture.Asecond-hand SnoWizardcameintoourorbit,andwe werelike,shouldwejustgogetthisand makeitforourneighbors,justtogive ussomethingtodo?Itbecameareal communityhubatthetime.Itwasa safethingforpeopletocomeandtreat themselvesandseetheirneighbors. Bythenextyearwhenthingsstarted openingbackupandourperformance schedulecamebackintoplay,wewere wondering,“Dowewanttokeepdoing this?”Yeah,totally.Weloveit.Weare reallyintoit

Obviously,peoplelovethesnowballs.Wemakeourownflavorsfrom scratch,butalotofpeoplereally speaktotheexperience.Theumbrellas(toprovideshadeforpeople

WINE OF THE WEEK

waitinginline),thebranding,thevibe, themusic,thatreallymeansalotto us.Asproducersofshowsandevents andspectacles,weapproachedit fromtheget-goasanexperiential thing.Wewantittofeellikeaspecial activity.SnowballsaresuchanintegralpartofthefabricofNewOrleans cultureandhavebeenfor100years, andit’sbeencoolandamazingtosee howpeoplehaverespondedtoit.We playmusicoutofaspeakerandthe lineisalwaysboppingalongandtaking cutephotoswiththeumbrellas.Our packagingiscompostable,whichis alsoimportanttous.

:Howdoyou comeupwithflavors?

L: Alotofitisdictatedbywhat’s availableseasonally.Duringstrawberryseason,wemakeourswith localstrawberries.Ourneighbors willcomebywithbushelsoffigs,or bushelsoffreshbasil,andwe’llturn thoseintosnowballmagic.Rightnow, wearedeepinblueberryseason,so wegetthesegorgeousblueberries fromCoveyRiseFarm.Wehavea blueberry-lemoncreamflavor,which isveganwithfreshblueberries,lemon zest,lemonjuice,coconutcreamand vanillaextract.Wealsojuststarted peachseason.Wedoaclassicpeaches andcream,butwearealsobringing backamoreunusualonewithfresh peachesandCrystalhotsauce.We alsohaveaginger-basil-plumflavor. Ilovedoingclassicflavorsthatmake youfeelnostalgicaboutchildhood, likeanorangedreamsiclewithfresh oranges,vanillaandcream.There’s

Dragandburlesqueperformers LouHenryHoover(left)andKitten LaRue(right)servesnowballs fromaBywaterporchwhenthey aren’tontheroadoronstage.

alsoalemoniceboxpiethat’stopped withgrahamcrackers.Ourpermanent houseflavorisnectarcream.That’s theoriginalsnowballflavorthatthey weremakingbackinthe1920sand ’30s.It’salmond,vanilla,creamy, delicious—acakeyvibe.

L: It’squitethejuggle,forsure. Fortunately,mostofourbigshowbiz seasonisinthewintermonthswhen it’snotsnowballseason.Summerhas alwaysbeenalittlemorequietinterms ofourtouringschedule,soitmiraculouslyworksout.Whenweopenthe permanentshopwe’llhaveemployees, aswell.Rightnow,it’sjustthetwoof usandwehaveoneemployeewhois alsoaperformer

Startingasmallbusinesshasits challenges,butonlyinthiscitycould wejokinglystartthislittlefrontporch pop-up.Thiscitycaressodeeply aboutitsfoodculture;it’soneofthe magicalthingsaboutit.Itdoesn’t matterifyou’reinafancystorefront orhavewackyhoursorareoffthe grid,ifyouareprovidingsomething foryourcommunitythatisexceptionalordeliciousormakesthem feelhappy,thenthecitizenswill supportyouandmakeyousucceed, whichisspecial.

Perfectlyripe grapes highlightthe lively fruit expression of this distinctiveProsecco, cherished forfine bubbles and notesofjasmine flower, sweetgolden apple and honeythatlead to asoft, elegantfinish.

DISTRIBUTED BY

:Isithardtomanage thisnowthatyou’reboth alsoperformingagain?

PHOTOPROVIDEDBY CHANCEINHELLSNOBALLS

CastellodiAlbola Chianti Classico

COMPLETELISTINGSAT WWW.BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM

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

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

Deliveryavailable.Lunchanddinner

Tue.-Sun.$$

Acorn—12HenryThomasDrive,(504) 218-5413;acornnola.com—Thecafeatthe LouisianaChildren’sMuseumhasblackened shrimptacostoppedwitharugula,radish, pineapple-mangosalsaandcilantro-lime sauce.Noreservations.breakfastandlunch

Wed.-Sun.$$

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

LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun.$

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

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

JimmyCho’sThaidishesincludesmoked porkbellyandporkmeatballsinlemongrass brothwithegg,greenonion,cilantroand garlic.Reservationsacceptedforlargepartiesexceptweekends.Deliveryavailable

LunchanddinnerTue.-Sat $$

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

Broussard’s—819ContiSt.,(504)5813866;broussards.com Rainbowtrout amandineisservedwithtassoandcorn macquechouxandCreolemeunieresauce. Reservationsrecommended.Outdoor seatingavailable.DinnerWed.-Sat., brunchSun.$$$

CafeNormandie—HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining ThemenucombinesclassicFrenchdishesandLouisiana itemslikecrabbeignetswithherbaioli Noreservations.Breakfastand

lunchdaily.$$

TheCommissary—634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com The centralkitchenforDickieBrennanrestaurantshasadine-inmenuwithasmoked turkeybreastsandwichwithbacon,tomato jam,herbedcreamcheese,arugulaand herbvinaigretteonhoneyoatbread.No reservations.Outdoorseatingavailable LunchTue.-Sat.$$

Curio—301RoyalSt.,(504)717-4198; curionola.com—ThecreativeCreolemenu includesblackenedGulfshrimpserved withchickenandandouillejambalaya. Reservationsaccepted.Lunchand dinnerdaily.$$

$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10

$$—$11-$20

$$$—$20-up

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

DesireOysterBar RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)5860300;sonesta.com/desireoysterbar The menuhighlightsGulfseafoodinCreole dishes Char-grilledoystersaretopped withParmesanandherbs.Reservations recommended.Breakfast,lunchand dinnerdaily $$

DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse 144 BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse.com—There’saseafoodrawbar anddisheslikeredfishwithlemonbuerre blanc.Reservationsaccepted.Lunchand dinnerdaily $$$

DickieBrennan’sSteakhouse 716IbervilleSt.,(504)522-2467;dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com—A6-ounce filetmignonisservedwithfriedoysters, creamedspinach,potatoesandbearnaise Reservationsrecommended.Dinner

Mon.-Sat $$$

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

Wed.-Sat $$

ElPavoReal—4401S.BroadAve.,(504) 266-2022;elpavorealnola.com Pescado VeraCruzisasauteedGulffishtoppedwith tomatoes,olives,onionandcapersand servedwithriceandstringbeans.Themenu alsoincludestacos,enchiladasandmore. Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.

LunchandearlydinnerTue.-Sat $$ Felix’sRestaurant&OysterBar 739 IbervilleSt.,(504)522-4440;7400 LakeshoreDrive,(504)304-4125;felixs com—Louisianaoystersareservedraw orchar-grilledwithgarlic,Parmesanand breadcrumbs.Themenuincludesseafood platters,po-boysandmore.Noreservations.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

FreySmokedMeatCo.—4141BienvilleSt., Suite110,(504)488-7427;freysmokedmeat.com—Thebarbecuespotserves pulledpork,ribs,brisket,sausagesand anditemslikefriedporkbellytossedin pepperjellyglaze.Noreservations.Lunch anddinnerdaily $$

FrootOrleans—2438BellSt.,SuiteB,(504) 233-3346;frootorleans.com—Thereare freshfruitplattersandsmoothiebowlssuch asastrawberryshortcakeandmoreusing pineapple,berries,citrusandmore.No reservations.Outdoorseatingavailable Breakfastandlunchdaily $$

Juan’sFlyingBurrito 515BaronneSt., (504)529-5825;2018MagazineSt.,(504) 569-0000;4724S.CarrolltonAve., (504)486-9950;8140OakSt.,(504) 897-4800;juansflyingburrito.com—The FlyingBurritoincludessteak,shrimp, chicken,cheddarjackcheese,blackbeans, rice,guacamoleandsalsa.Outdoorseating available.Noreservations.Lunchand dinnerThu.-Tue.$$

Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt., (504)488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com—

TheeclecticmenuincludesaCajunCuban withroastedpork,ham,cheeseandpickles onbutteredbread.Deliveryavailable Reservationsacceptedforlargeparties LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun.$$

Kilroy’sBar—HigginsHotel,480Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining Thebarmenuincludes sandwiches,saladsandflatbreads,including onetoppedwithpeach,prosciutto,stracciatellacheese,arugulaandpecans.No reservations.DinnerWed.-Sat $$ LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern—700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350;legacykitchen.com Themenuincludesoysters,

flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches,salads andaNOLAStyleGritsBowltopped withbacon,cheddarandapoachedegg. Reservationsaccepted.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily.$$

LegacyKitchenSteak&Chop—91Westbank Expressway,Gretna,(504)513-2606; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludesfilets mignons,bone-inrib-eyesandtopsirloins, aswellasburgers,saladsandseafooddishes. Reservationsaccepted.Outdoorseating available.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat.$$

LuzianneCafe—481GirodSt.,(504)2651972;luziannecafe.com CajunSunshine Beignetsarestuffedwitheggs,bacon,cheese andhotsauce.Noreservations.Delivery available.BreakfastandlunchWed.-Sun $$

MartinWineCellar 714ElmeerAve., Metairie,(504)896-7350;3827Baronne St.,(504)894-7444;martinwine.com—The deliservessandwichesandsaladssuchas theSena,withchicken,raisins,bluecheese, pecansandTabascopepperjellyvinaigrette Noreservations.Lunchdaily.$$

Mikimoto—3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com—TheSouth Carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.Reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.LunchSun.Fri.,dinnerdaily.$$

Mosca’s—4137Highway90West, Westwego,(504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com Thisfamily-styleeateryserves Italiandishesandspecialtiesincluding

chickenalagrandeandbakedoystersMosca Reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.-Sat. Cashonly $$$

Mother’sRestaurant—401PoydrasSt., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net

Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys, jambalaya,crawfishetouffee,redbeans andriceandmore.Deliveryavailable.No reservations.Breakfast,lunchand dinnerdaily $$

Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeanswithfriedchickenorpork chops,aswellasseafoodplatters,po-boys, char-grilledoysters,saladsandmore.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun.$$

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

Mon.-Sat.$$$

OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro—720 OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com Thewinebar’smenuincludes Creolepastawithshrimpandandouillein tomatocreamsauce.Reservationsaccepted forlargeparties.Outdoorseatingavailable

DinnerThu.-Sun.$$

PalaceCafe 605CanalSt.,(504)523-1661; palacecafe.com ThecontemporaryCreole menuincludessignaturecrabmeatcheesecaketoppedwithmushroomsandCreole

meunieresauce.Outdoorseatingavailable Reservationsrecommended.LunchWed.Fri.,dinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchSat.-Sun $$$ PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot, 501TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073; peacockroomnola.com—Blacklentilvadouvancurrycomeswithroastedtomatoes, mushroomsandbasmatirice.Reservations accepted.DinnerWed.-Mon.,brunchSun.$$ Rosie’sontheRoof HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining—Therooftopbar hasamenuofsandwiches,burgersandsmall plates.Noreservations.Dinnerdaily.$$ Tableau—616St.PeterSt.,(504)934-3463; tableaufrenchquarter.com—Pastabouillabaissefeaturessquidinkmafaldine,littleneck clams,Gulfshrimp,squid,seafoodbroth, rouilleandherbedbreadcrumbs.Outdoor seatingavailable.Reservationsrecommended DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchThu.-Sun $$$ Tacklebox 817CommonSt.,(504)8271651;legacykitchen.com Theseafood restaurantservesoysters,anddisheslike redfishSt.Charleswithgarlic-herbbutter, asparagus,mushroomsandcrawfishcornbread.Reservationsaccepted.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ TavolinoPizza&Lounge—141Delaronde St.,(504)605-3365;tavolinonola.com The menufeaturesthin-crustpizzas,salads, meatballsandmore.ABehrmanHwy.pizza istoppedwithporkbelly,caramel,carrots,radishes,jalapenosandherbs.Noreservations

Outdoorseatingavailable.DinnerTue.-Sat.$$

Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza—1212S.Clearview Parkway,Elmwood,(504)733-3803;2125 VeteransMemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504)5104282;4024CanalSt.,(504)302-1133;4218 MagazineSt.,(504)894-8554;70488Highway 21,Covington,(985)234-9420;theospizza.com

AMarilynnPotaSupremepieistoppedwith mozzarella,pepperoni,sausage,hamburger, mushrooms,bellpeppersandonions.There alsoaresalads,sandwichesandmore.Delivery available.LunchanddinnerTue.-Sat $ Tito’sCeviche&Pisco 1433St.Charles Ave.,(504)354-1342;5015MagazineSt., (504)267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com— Peruvianlomosaltadofeaturesbeefsauteed withonions,tomatoes,cilantro,soysauce andpisco,servedwithfriedpotatoesandrice OutdoorseatingavailableonMagazineStreet. Deliveryavailable.Reservationsaccepted LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat.,brunchSun $$$ TheVintage—3121MagazineSt.,(504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com Themenu includesbeignets,smallplates,flatbreads andaveggiepressedsandwichwithavocado, onions,arugula,redpepperandpepper jackcheese.Noreservations.Deliveryand outdoorseatingavailable.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily $$

ZhangBistro—1141DecaturSt.,(504)8268888;zhangbistronola.com—Themenuof ChineseandThaidishesincludesaSzechuan HotWokwithachoiceofchicken,beef,shrimp ortofuwithonions,bellpeppers,cauliflower, jalapenosandspicysauce.Reservations accepted.LunchanddinnerThu.-Tue.$$

PrideattheBroadside

Seratones,JoyClark,MiaBordersand SeanStrayngetopalineupofLGBTQfrontedbandsattheBroadside

There’salsoanartmarketandfree HIVtesting.Aportionofproceeds benefitTransQueerYouthNOLA.At 4-9p.m.Sunday,June25.Tickets

$20inadvance,$25onthedayofthe event.Findticketsandinformation viabroadsidenola.com.

DresdenDolls

PianistandvocalistAmandaPalmer anddrummerBrianViglione’s DresdenDollsbuiltacultfollowing fortheirdarkcabaretstyleofmusic andperformanceintheearly2000s. Theyhavebeenmostlyonhiatussince 2008buthavebeenpromisinganew albumandareonasummertourwith threenightsatToulouseTheatre

At8p.m.Friday,June23,through Sunday,June25.Findinformation viatoulousetheatre.com

KreweofKrampus AlpineLuau

TheKreweofKrampusisknownfor itswinterholidayparadefeaturingthe prechristiannorthernEuropeanfigure whoscareschildrenwhohavemisbehaved.ThekreweisfusingitsAlpine rootswithPolynesianinspirationsfor anAlpineLuauattheBroadside.Music includessurfrockbytheUnnaturals andtunesfromUkeleleJake.There willbeagender-inclusivemuumuu contestandaVIPmermaidlagoon. At6-10p.m.Saturday,June24

Tickets$20-$50viaeventbrite.com.

‘GratefulDead

Meet-UpattheMovies’

TherehavebeenseveralGrateful Deadspinoffbandsfeaturing longtimemembers,includingDead &Company,whichjustperformedat JazzFest.Thisconcertfilmwascapturedfromthesoundboardandvideo feedsforthestadiumscreens atChicago’sSoldierFieldinthe summerof1991.Thebandhadlost keyboardistBrentMydland,and BruceHornsbyjoinedJerryGarcia, PhilLesh,BobWeirandcompanyina showfeaturing“ShakedownStreet,” “TerrapinStation,”“DarkStar”and more.AttheBroadTheaterat7p.m

Thursday,June22,andSaturday, June24.Tickets$12viameetupatthemovies.com

ToriAmos

Inher2021album“OceantoOcean,” classicallytrainedrockstarToriAmos reflectedonenvironmentalissuesand thelonelinessandfeelingsofseparationcausedbythepandemic.Those songsarestillthecoreofherongoing tour,inwhichshe’sjoinedbybassist JohnEvansanddrummerAshSoan.

At8p.m.Tuesday,June20,atthe MahaliaJacksonTheater.Findtickets viamahaliajacksontheater.com

MarcelP.Black

EmceeMarcelP.Blackbuilthiscareer inBatonRougeandNewOrleans beforerelocatingtoTulsa,Oklahoma, duringthepandemictobecloserto family.Butwhereverhegoes,he’sa fiercedefenderofhip-hopculture.His latestEP,“MoorCLTR,”isapro-Black, consciouslovelettertothemusicand culturethat’smadehim.Hereturnsto NewOrleansonThursday,June22,for ashowatBooKooLoungewithKaye theBeastandSkiiWii.Doorsat8p.m andcoveris$10.

BigBadVoodooDaddy

SouthernCaliforniaswingrevivalists BigBadVoodooDaddybrokeout theirzootsuitsforatourcelebratingtheirmorethanthreedecades together.AtTheJoyTheaterat8p.m. Wednesday,June21.Findtickets viathejoytheater.com

Sip&Skate

FaubourgBreweryhostsanightof skatingonthelooponitsfrontlawn, andthere’sameetandgreetwith BigEasyRollerDerby.At6-9p.m Friday,June23.Freeadmission.Visit faubourgbrewery.comfordetails.

RenardHirsch

SummerSoulstice Celebration

TheNewOrleansMusicians’Clinic andAssistanceFoundationhostsa summersolsticecelebrationfocused onsurvivorsofbreastcancerand effortstobreakdowninequitiesin accesstobreastcancerhealthcare.

Guestpresenters,includingMaroon QueenChericeHarrisonNelson, MindBodyServiceCollectivefounder Dr.C’Ma,BigQueenDianneHonore Destrehanandmore,willguide self-careactivitiesandtalkabout promotingequityinhealthcareaccess.

Thecelebrationruns3p.m.to6p.m

Wednesday,June21,attheAshe PowerHouseTheater.Admissionis free;reserveaspotviaeventbrite.com

ProperChannels

NewOrleanship-hoptrioProper Channelsrecentlyreleasedtheir lastestEP,“SpeedRun,”andnowcelebratewithashowatGasaGasawith KayetheBeast,JirehandDJSoleLab.

At9p.m.Saturday,June24.Tickets are$10viaticketweb.comand$15 atthedoor.

ComedianRenardHirschhas appearedon“ATimetoLaugh”on BETandon“Who’sLaughingNow.” Healsoappearedinthefilms“The GreenMile,”“Drumline”andmore. Heperformsstandupat9p.m.Friday, June23,atZeitgeistTheatre&Lounge (admission$10),andat7p.m.and9 p.m.Saturday,June24,atComedy HouseNOLA(tickets$20).Visitzeitgeistnola.orgorcomedy.house forinformation.

Abortionfundsartevent

TheCreativeCommunityLeague andOnceAroundtheKitchenhost anabortionfundeventthisSaturday, featuringvendorslikeLillianAguinaga, RootLifePlantNursery,RichAuntie Vintage,tunesbyDJsMissSpinsterand CarmineP.Filthyanddeliciousfood fromOnceAroundtheKitchen,Burger Nerds,OnlyFlansandFireFlyPops. There’salsoarafflefeaturingabunch ofgreatprizes!Thepopupeventis June24atBudRip’sintheBywater, from1to5p.m.

ToriAmos PROVIDED PHOTO

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MUSIC

FORCOMPLETE MUSIC LISTINGS AND MORE EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE NEWORLEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

TUESDAY20

BAMBOULAS TiffanyandtheJazz Masters,3:30pm;AndyJForest Blues,7pm

DOSJEFES TomHook,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB—

Richard“Piano”Scott,12:30pm;Colin Myers,5pm;Fritzel'sAllStarBand,8pm

KITCHENTABLECAFÉ KitchenTable CafeTrio,7pm

WEDNESDAY21

BAMBOULAS AmberRachelleand SweetPotatoes,1:15pm;Swinginwith JohnSaavedra,5:30pm;Rouleandthe Queen,9pm

BLUENILE—NewBreedBrass Band,9pm

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS TinMen,6pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB

Richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm; BourbonStreetStars,5pm;Fritzel'sAll StarBand,8pm

JOYTHEATER—BigBadVoodoo Daddy,8pm

MADAMEVIC'S Midnight Magnolias,8pm

SATURNBAR—TheMishaps,9pm

SIBERIA—SavageMaster,9pm

SMOOTHIEKINGCENTER—PesoPluma, Aleman,8pm

THENATIONALWWIIMUSEUM— Billie&Ella,11:45am

THURSDAY22

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

BLUENILE—WhereY'atBrass Band,9pm

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS— DinosAurchestra,7pm; Deltaphonic,10pm

DOSJEFES—AshleyBeach&the Oddities,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard“Piano”Scott,12:30pm;John Saavedra,5pm;DoyleCooper,2:30pm; Fritzel'sAllStarBand,8pm

KITCHENTABLECAFÉ Dr.MarkSt.Cyr TraditionalJazzBand,7pm

MADAMEVIC'S ValerieSassyfras,8pm

PAVILIONOFTHETWOSISTERS— RaphaelBasand

Harmonouche,6pm

PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT— DaLovebirdswithRobinBarnesandPat Casey,8pm

SIBERIA—SelfSabotage,TheNancies, Fault,8pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—Brass-AHolics,7:30pm

FRIDAY23

BAMBOULAS St.JulienXBand,11 am;FullyDressedPoBoys,2:15pm;Les GetrexandCreoleCookin,6:30pm; Bettisand3rdDegreeBrassBand,10pm

BB'SSTAGEDOORCANTEEN,NATIONAL

WWIIMUSEUM—WartimePianoHappy Hour,4pm

BLUENILE TheCaesarBrothers,7 pm;KermitRuffinsandtheBarbecue Swingers,11pm

BLUENILEBALCONYROOM—Trumpet Slim&BrassFlavor,10pm

COPELAND'SOFNEWORLEANS COVINGTON—TaylorMroski,5pm

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS—SmokingTime JazzClub,5pm

DOSJEFES—Vivaz!,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— Richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm;Matinee AllStarBand,2:30pm;LeeFloydand ThunderboltTrio,6pm;Fritzel'sAllStar Band,8pm

JOYTHEATER—Rumours,8pm

MADAMEVIC'S TheEmeraldTrio,8pm

NOLABREWINGTAPROOM—Bakey's Brew,6pm

PIROGUE’SWHISKEYBAYOU— WashboardChaz!,8pm

PUBLICBELTATHILTONRIVERSIDE PhilMelancon,8pm

SANTOS—NolaDnB,9pm

SIBERIA CommunityRecords15Year Anniversary//BlockParty2023PreShow,7pm

TIPITINA'S—TheQuickening,Steve Kelly,9pm

SATURDAY24

BAMBOULAS Youse,11am; TheNewOrleansSwingingGypsies, 2:15pm;JohnnyMastro,6:30pm; PaggyPrine,10pm

BLUENILE GeorgeBrownBand,7pm

BLUENILEBALCONYROOM Marigny StreetBrassBand,10pm

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS Aurora Nealand'sWoodFloorTrio,3pm

DOSJEFES—BettyShirley,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB

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

KITCHENTABLECAFÉ—Bayou Manouche,7pm

MADAMEVIC'S FunhousestarringKitty Baudoin,8pm

NOLABREWINGTAPROOM RedHot GentillyPeppers,7pm

PIROGUE’SWHISKEYBAYOU—Ted HefkoandtheThousandaires,8pm

PUBLICBELTATHILTONRIVERSIDE— PhilMelancon,8pm

REPUBLICNOLA—JavierOlondo, AsheSon,10pm

SANTOS—Writhings,WitchBurialand GlacialCoffin,9pm

SATURNBAR—LisbonGirls,True Blossom,NightMedicine,8pm

SIBERIA Shitload,PsychicBastard, CalmCoffins,9pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE TheNayoJones Experience,7:30&9pm

SUNDAY25

BAMBOULAS—SecretSixJazzBand,1:15 pm;MidnightBrawlers,5:30pm;EdWills Blues4Sale,9pm

BKHISTORICHOUSEANDGARDENS— PhillipManuel,6pm

BLUENILE—TheBakedPotatoes,7pm; StreetLegendsBrassBand,10pm

COPELAND'SOFNEWORLEANS COVINGTON—HulletteJazzDuo,11am

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS—PalmettoBug Stompers,5pm

DOSJEFES—KrisTokarski,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— SevaVenet,12pm;JoeKennedy,2pm;

BigBadVoodooDaddyplays theJoyTheaterWeds.the21st.

PROVIDEDPHOTO

MarlaDixon,5pm;Fritzel’sAllStar Band,8pm

HOWLIN'WOLF —Hot8Brass Band,10:30pm

NEUTRALGROUNDCOFFEEHOUSE

INEXILE—NeutralGroundOpenMic Night,7pm

SANTOS—D.R.I.withMetalriser,The PallbearersandHerakleion,8&9pm

THEBROADSIDE—PRIDEat Broadside,4pm

MONDAY26

BAMBOULAS—TheMelataun’s,3:30 pm;EdWillsBlues4Sale,7pm

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS—SecretSixJazz Band,6pm

DOSJEFES—JohnFohl,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— MatineeAllStarBand,12:30pm;Lee FloydandThunderboltTrio,5pm; RichardScottandFriends,8pm

SATURNBAR—B.C.Coogan,8pm

THETOULOUSETHEATRE —Hermanos Gutiérrez ,7:30pm

IntotheElectroRevival

byJakeClapp

IN2022,DAWNRICHARD

MADEHERNEWORLEANS

JAZZ&HERITAGEFESTIVAL

DEBUTwithamagnetic electro-popperformance ontheCongoSquare Stage.Inaway,itwas achancefortheNew Orleans-basedpopartistto makeupforanexperience shemissedoutoninthe earlyyearsofhercareer.

“Asayoungwoman, becauseofwhat [Hurricane]Katrinadid, Ididn’tgettoexperience NewOrleansintheprime ofwhenyouwouldwantto startexperiencingitmusically,”RichardrecentlytoldGambit AroundthetimeofKatrinaandthe federalleveefailures,Richardwas inthemidstof“MakingtheBand3,” Diddy’srealityshow,whichresulted inRichardbecomingamemberof DanityKane.Sheultimatelyspent morethanadecadelivingontheWest Coast,performingwithDanityKane andDirtyMoney,aduowithKalenna Harperthatperformedcloselywith Diddy,aswellrecordingsolo.And afewyearsago,Richarddecidedto returntoNewOrleansandmovedback whileworkingon“NewBreed,”her acclaimed2019album.

Richardhastouredthecountry severaltimesover,butshedidn’tgetto experienceNewOrleansfestivalsasa youngartist,shesays.Shealsogrewup watchingherfather,FrankRichardof thefunkgroupChocolateMilk,playJazz FestandvenuesalloverNewOrleans.

“Ididn’tgetachanceto,asanartist, tourthatcircuit,sotobeabletodothat nowissobigforme,becauseIhave alwayslovedwatchingitwithmydad,” shesays.

Richardmarkedanotherpersonal milestonelastweekwhensheplayed theToulouseTheatre:Itwasherfirst headliningshowinNewOrleansasa soloperformer

MuchofRichard’srecentsolowork hasfoundthepopartistreconnecting withandpromotingNewOrleanstraditionsandmusicalhistory.Herfamily hashadalonghistoryinBlackMasking Indianculture,particularlywiththe WashitawNation,andshepaidhomage tothecultureon“NewBreed.”The albumalsoincludedherfather,Frank, andsamplesofChocolateMilk.Around thealbum’srelease,Voguefollowed RichardthroughNewOrleanstolearn aboutCarnivalandIndiantraditions.

Onhersixthsoloalbum,2021’s “SecondLine:AnElectroRevival,” Richardturnedtohermother,Debbie, andfoundinspirationinsecondlineculture,mixingitwithAfrofuturism,house music,soul,Chicagofootworkand bounce.Thealbumappearedonseveral bestalbumlistsofthatyear,including RollingStone,PitchforkandNPR.

Richardlastyearcollaboratedwith multi-instrumentalistandproducer SpencerZahnonthebeautiful, neo-classicalalbum,“Pigments,”and sheisnowsettinghersightsonhernext soloalbum.Shegaveherfirstteaseof thenextchapterlastmonthwiththe new“cocky,candy-coatedconundrum,”assheputit,“Bubblegum”anda self-directedmusicvideo

“‘Bubblegum’isdefinitelyaprecursortowhat’stocome,butit’smore aboutpreparinglistenersforasound,” shesays.

Thenextalbum,Richardsays,will continuethesagaofKingCreole,a non-binary,half-human,half-android “assassinofstereotypes”thatRichard introducedon“SecondLine.”It’sa continuationintotheElectroRevival “It’sasaga,anera,it’salsoagenre,” Richardsays.“Peoplesobadlywant toputmeintosomething—theytend towanttoputartistsintothisthing. Andnowwe’reinthiscooltimewhere everyoneisgenre-bending.Wehaveso manyartistspushingthegamut.Ithink wehavecreatedourownsound,ourown world,andtheElectroRevivalisthat worldwherethesealbumswilllive.”

FollowDawnRichardonInstagram, @dawnrichard,andfindhermusicat dawnrichard.bandcamp.com

NewOrleans-bornpop artistDawnRichard

PROVIDEDPHOTO BY ALEXANDER LE’JO

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GOINGOUT

Buggin’Out bySarahRavits

VIRTUALBUTTERFLIESOR

FIREFLIESTWINKLEacross a260-footmotion-reactivewall,appearing togreetvisitorsatthe AudubonInsectarium’s newhomealongthe Riverfront

Thebutterflieslightup duringadaytimescene, andfirefliesappearwhen thescreenismimicking night.Bothscenarioshelp setthetoneandreplace anysenseofsqueamishnesswithwonderand curiosityoverallthecrittersondisplayintheadjacentrooms.

“Yourpresencespawnsallthese beautifulinsects,”saysCuratorof AnimalCollectionsZackLemannat AudubonNatureInstitute.“Weknow thatsomepeoplearen’tnecessarily comingherethinkingthatinsectsare wondrousandgreat,but(firefliesand butterflies)aretwoterrificambassadorstotheclassinsecta.”

Intheattraction’srooms,the Insectariumhosts55exhibits,including giganticbeetlesandwalkingsticks, socialinsectslikehoneybeesand leaf-cutterants,anddozensofother unusualinsectsfromaroundtheworld.

“Inalotofcases,theycanbelikened togemstonesthatareprettyandsmall,” Lemannsays

Therealsoarepresentationareas throughout,wherestaffandvolunteers dohands-ondemonstrationsandcan answerquestions.

Overall,it’sawelcomesightforboth newcomersandthosewhovisitedthe Insectariuminitspreviousincarnation Theinsectariumoriginallyopened in2008afewblocksawayonCanal Street,butitclosedinSeptember2020 amidtheCOVID-19pandemic.Thenew versionsharesaroofwiththeAudubon Aquarium,whichopenedin1990.In November2022,theaquariumclosed fora$41millionprojectthatadded exhibitspaceandanewentrance.

Someofthecrittersandexhibitsat theInsectariumarefamiliar.

There’salsostillaplacetotryoutan unconventionalsnack,forexample.Bug AppetitistheInsectarium’scaféand offerssamplesofdishesincorporating insects,likechocolate“chirp”cookies withcrunchycrickets,and“RedBeans andYikes”atakeontheclassicred beansandricethatreplacesricewith waxworms.Therealsoarecrunchy insectsthatarecoatedinbothsweet andsavoryseasonings.

Itmayseemunappetizingatfirst,but it’sactuallyahitamongmostvisitors, Lemannsays.Andthecafe,likethe restoftheexhibits,alsohelpschange people’sperspectives.

“Ifyou’reconcernedaboutecological issuesandthewaywefarm(otheranimals),youlearnthereareothercultures aroundtheworldthatpractice(eating bugs),”headds.

AhighlightoftheInsectariumisthe ButterflyGarden,whichhostsmore than20specieswhoflutteraround tropicalplantsandflowersandoften landonvisitors.

Onsunnydaystheyareparticularly breathtakingtowatchastheyareactivatedbythesun,Lemannsays

Andwithfloortoceilingeast-facing windowstherearealsosweepingviews oftheMississippiRiver

Thegardenalsohasinformational materialaboutdwindlingbutterflypopulationsandofferstipsonhowtoattract localvarietiestohelpsustainthem

“Ourmaingoalistoconnectpeople tonature,”Lemannsays.“Ifyouliveina city,ordecidetodistanceyourselffrom insectsandtheirrelatives,you’veoften losttheconnection.Wetryveryhardto restorethatconnection…Wewantour gueststoappreciate(creatures)more andthinkaboutthem,andactonbehalf ofthenaturalworld.”

TheAudubonNatureInstitute,which includesthezoo,insectariumandaquarium,offerssingleattractionadmission ticketsstartingat$30foradultsand $25foryouth,andcombinationticket dealsareavailable.TheAudubon Insectariumisopenfrom10a.m.to5

Visitorswalkthroughthebutterfly exhibitattheAudubon AquariumandInsectarium

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3BRs,2.5BAs.Lots ofNaturalLight! 1stflrhasSpacious Living&DiningRm, UpscaleKitchenwith Granite&SSAppls, CrownMoldingthru out.PrimaryBdrm hasEnsuiteBath.Nice SizePrivateBackyardw/Deck.LovelyFrontPorch w/viewofDowntownN.O.Centrallylocatedw/easy accesstoUptown,Downtown,FrenchQuarter&I-10. $299,000

3BR,2.5BA,2190 SqFt.Beautiful SpaciousOpenFloor Plan.Renov’din2018 hasthecharacter ofaClassicN.O. Homew/Modern conveniences& GorgeousFinishes. 12FtCeilings,HdwdFlrsthruout.UpscaleKitchen w/QuartzCounters.PrimarySuitehasBathroom w/WalkinShower&Whirlpool.DeepLot150ft $499,000

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“The Simpsons”

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38Pops

39LAX guesses

41Song from the ’50s, e.g.

42“It’s the end of —”

1Gourd-shaped rattle

7Cognizant

12 -mo replay

15Alaskan island

19Greeting in Apple ads

20Gourmet mushroom

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25Family of writer

Ralph Waldo

26Main character on “Saved by the Bell”

27MARRY + WIDER

29Yearned (for)

32 Jima

40Suds maker

44Golf bag peg

45That, in Peru

46Grain staple

47Winnie-the-Pooh creator

50Fix the spine of, as a book

53CLONK + BUNGLE

57“Rashomon” director Kurosawa

58Rate — (be judged as perfect)

59Vamooses

60Annoy

61CLEANSER + SCOW 64Norway’s biggest city

43Big wheel’s benefits

47Rock-clinging mollusk

48Praline nut

49Followers of lambdas

51Baghdad citizen

52Half of Mork’s “Bye!”

54That woman

55Sgt., e.g

56“ER” figures

58Texas or Kansas city

62Pooch’s ID

63Suffix with depend

65“Yippee!”

68Hip-hop dance of the 2010s

70This, in Peru

71Copies a wolf

72Moral tenet

8“Yippee!”

9Duncan

10Wetland

11Snow queen in “Frozen”

12Stockholm citizens

13Ovine babies

14Plain to see 15Booth or Oswald, notably

16Defeated by decision in boxing, for short

17Fork point

18World power until ’91 22Slangy ending for switch

24Slips on sleet, say 28“Weekend Edition”

airer

29Of the stars

30Insolently bold

31— -jeebies

33“— Man” (1994 hit for Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue)

36Flanders on

Summer fun &Reading Challenge

HOWTOPARTICIPATE: 1 2 3

Register at anyLibrary location or online at summerfun.nolalibrary.org

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FORCHILDREN:

•Drumand DanceWorkshops

•Intro to Lego Robotics

•Caturdays withLSPCA

...andmore

FORTEENS:

•Henna Art

•CulinaryWorkshops

•Krewe of Muses Shoe

DecoratingWorkshop

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•Hip HopCardiowithFitNOLA

•DigitalSkillsfor Seniors 50+

•SeedlingStarter Classes

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Summer Fun& Reading Challenge completion prize