Gambit: July 31, 2023

1/2BLOCK TO MAGAZINE

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

510S.HENNESSEY ST.* $1,195 Very NiceLR, 2Bd/1Ba, Furn Kit, W/DHookUp,2 Window Units,Great Neighborhood, THE CARSON CO.INC OF N.O. 821-1858 *822-8432 *427-4646

ForRent -3122Palmyra St

1bdhalfdbl.Wood floors,kitchenappliances,wash/dry,ceiling fan. waterpaidfor. $950/mo+deposit.Call504-452-2056

Free WIFI!FreeUtilities &EarnFreeRent! Stay whereyou areappreciated! Extended stay living, furnished Studio, 1& 2BDRM unitsw/FLEXIBLE paymentoptions,no leases, courtesy patrol,laundry on site.Call now504-688-3554.

REAL ESTATEFOR RENT EMPLOYMENT

OfficeAdministrator/Clerical part-time. seeking an energetic, enthusiastic,and wellorganized person forthe position. part-time position of 20 to 25 hrs/week at $680,depending on workload. Needtobedetail-oriented, possessgood customerservice skills, and some cash&items handling skills Email: jolie_adams2000@hotmail.com

Public Relations Specialist(Multiple): Manage allcomms.& marketing activities forTulaneUniversity Libraries. Reqs:MSMarketing,Comm., or closelyrelated,w/1yr.exp.in same field(s).Alternatively, BS same field(s), w/ 5yrs. exp. in same field(s). Mailresume to Genean Mathieu, Tulane University,6823 St.Charles Ave.,300 GibsonHall, NewOrleans,LA70118.

SOLUTIONS

SCANFORTHE COMPLETE GAMBITCALENDAR

STAFF

Publisher | JEANNEEXNICIOS

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

Editor | JOHN STANTON

PoliticalEditor | CLANCYDUBOS

Arts &EntertainmentEditor | WILL COVIELLO

StaffWriters | JAKE CLAPP, KAYLEEPOCHE,SARAH RAVITS

Contributing Writer | IAN MCNULTY

CREATIVE

CreativeDirector | DORA SISON

TrafficManager | JASONWHITTAKER

ProjectManager | MARIA VIDACOVICH BOUÉ

AssociateArt Director | EMMA VEITH

Contributing GraphicDesigners | CATHERINEFLOTTE, SCOTTFORSYTHE, JASMYNEWHITE,JEFFMENDEL, TIMELSEA

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]

Sales andMarketingCoordinators ABIGAIL SCORSONE [abigail.scorsone@gambitweekly.com] SHAWNTHOMAS [shawn.thomas@gambitweekly.com]

CLAREBRIERRE [clare.brierre@gambitweekly.com]

@The_Gambit @gambitneworleans

GAMBIT(ISSN1089-3520)ISPUBLISHEDWEEKLYBYCAPITALCITYPRESS, LLC,840ST.CHARLESAVE.,NEWORLEANS,LA70130.(504)486-5900. WECANNOTBEHELDRESPONSIBLEFORTHERETURNOFUNSOLICITED

MANUSCRIPTSEVENIFACCOMPANIEDBYASASE.ALLMATERIAL PUBLISHEDINGAMBITISCOPYRIGHTED:COPYRIGHT2023CAPITALCITYPRESS,LLC.ALLRIGHTSRESERVED

Cobblers. Banana Puddings. Cinnamon Rolls. Cookies.

St Claude AveSuite 130, New Orleans, LA 70117 (504) 874-9766 |www.peachcobblerfactory.com

old-fashioned way, just like grandma used to make them.

ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT

TheTimandTimshow

TimHeideckerdoescomedyandmusicatJoyTheater

THOUGHHE’SBESTKNOWNFORFILM ROLESANDTHEOFFBEATCOMEDYofthe “TimandEricAwesomeShow,Great Job!,”TimHeideckerhasplayedamusicalconcertinNewOrleansbefore.He andlongtimecollaboratorEricWareheim hadcreatedthebandPusswhip BanggangfortheirAdultSwimshow.

“Forabiton‘AwesomeShow,’we createdthis’70sswamprockandblues band,”Heideckersays.“Goingin,we saidlet’sjustimprovisethewholething andmakestuffup.Sooutofnowhere, Istartedsingingaboutjambalaya.

Sometimesthat’swherethegoodstuff comesfrom.”

Thelyricsforthenine-minutesingle “Jambalaya”maynothavethebestrecipeforthedish,butit’snotabadsong Andthebandplayedashowin2014at theHowlin’Wolf.

Thisweek,HeideckerreturnstoNew Orleanswithadifferent,morefullyrealizedtakeonbothcomedyandmusic. He’sdoublebillinghimself,performing onesetofcomedyandasetofmusicby hisnamesakeband,at8p.m.Thursday, Aug.3,attheJoyTheater.

Heideckerhasplayedmusicthroughouthiscareer.InadditiontoTV sketches,he’salsoreleasedseveral albumsrootedinsatire.

In2011,hereleasedanalbumabout theGOPpresidentialcandidateand formerGodfatherPizzaCEO,Herman Cain.“Cainthology:SongsintheKeyof Cain”riffedonthingslikethelatepolitician’s9-9-9taxplan.Heidecker’s2017 albumaboutDonaldTrump,“TooDumb forSuicide,”includedodestoMAGA andCommerceSecretaryWilburRoss, aswellasthetune“SentencingDay.” Unrelatedtopolitics,hisYellowRiver Boysbandleanedintocountrymusicfor songsmostlyabouturination.

ButHeideckerstartedtakingmusic moreseriously.His2019album“What theBrokenheartedDo…”wasinparta responsetobogusrumorsspreadonline abouthim.The2020album,“Fearof Death,”isastraight-aheadsoftrock album.His2022indierockalbum,“High School,”isanunder-appreciatedgem, andhascontributionsfromKurtVileand others.Shouldfanshavebeensurprised?

“Ithinkitwasmoreaboutmecoming intoitthanpeoplerecognizingit,” Heideckersays.“Ineededtobealittle older,morematureandtohavethe confidencetonotworryabouthowit wouldbereceivedandjustjumpin.I havealwayswrittensongs.Ittookme tillIwas40orsotosay,actually,Ihave

byWillCoviello |

SatchmoSummerFest

MUSICIANSANDSCHOLARSSALUTE

somethingstosaythatmightnotbe fullyironicandparodyorsatire.”

Acoupleofthealbum’ssinglesare melodiclooksbackathisteenageyears. “Buddy”isaboutafriendwholater struggledwithalcoholism.“Sirensof Titan”isnostalgicaboutopeninghis eyestothewiderworld,fromdiscoveringbandslikeTheVelvetUnderground tothestrangenessofwatchingthe1991 GulfWaroncablenews

Atthatage,hewasdreamingofgettingintomusicprofessionally.

“Thatwasmyambitioninhigh school,”hesays.“Iplayedinbands Mostofmyfriendswereinbands

Comedydidn’tseemviableatall.Iloved it.Ilovedbeingfunny,butitwasn’t somethingIthoughtIcoulddountilI metEricandwefoundourownpath. ButEric,too.Hewasmoreintoplaying musicandbandsinPhilly.”

Heideckerdidn’treallymakean either/orchoice.Heplayedguitarin comedysketches,andittookawhilefor theserioussidetogainfootingsimilarto hishumorousworkinTVandfilm.

“There’salwaysgoingtobethis conversationaboutgenre,andcomedy versusmusicanddramaandallthat stuff,”hesays.“Iamtryingtoeducate peopleandmyself:Don’tworryabout genre,it’sjustmakingstuff.IthinkifI presentittherightway,peoplearelike, OK,thisguyisn’tjustonething.Hecan expresshimselfintwoways.”

Inhistour,thecomedyismoreofa bit.Heideckercreatedastand-upcomic characterforhis2020special,“An EveningwithTimHeidecker,”released onYouTube.Inthespecial,hecomes offasaflailing,short-temperedcomic

who’sbombinginahilariousway.He tellstheaudiencehe’sabouttoembark onanexperimentcalled“comedywithoutanet,”andashetriestoimprovise jokes,hedrawsnothingbutblanks.

“Itstartedhumblyasmegoofingon theL.A.openmicscene,andhaving witnessedalotofstruggling,notvery funny,ambitious,youngmengoingup andfailing,andwantingtopokefunat that,”hesays

Eventually,thestrugglingcomic declares“nomorebullshit”andspews randomcomplaints,thatgetmore righteousastheygetmoreinane.

“It’sacontrolleddemolition,”hesays. “Iamluckythatbadjokespopupinto myheadallthetime.Icanusethemand delivertheminappropriatelyorpoorly. It’safundamentalcomedything,like slippingonabanana.”

Thatflailingcomicbitisbackforthe firsthalfoftheshowonthistour,butwith allnewmaterial.Meanwhile,Heidecker’s bandissolidifying.Theytouredlastsummerandstartedcollaboratingonsongs foranewalbum.Heideckerexpectsto startrecordingthat,pickupworkona newfilmwithWareheim,continuehis “OfficeHoursLive”call-inshowand moreafterthetour.Butthetoursare limitedtotwoacts.

“Therewereearlierideasofbringing “OfficeHours”ontour,or“Cinema World,”hesays.“Itcamedownto literallyhowmanypeoplecanweput onabus?”

Forticketsandinformation, visitthejoytheater.com.

LOUISARMSTRONG,justafterhisbirthday(Aug.4),inthetwo-dayfestival attheNewOrleansJazzMuseum. Therearetwooutdoormusicstages pluspianoperformancesinsidethe museum,andthelineupincludes KermitRuffins,RebirthBrassBand, DelfeayoMarsalisandtheUptownJazz OrchestrawithCoreyHenryandTonya Boyd-Cannon,JohnBoutte,79rs Gang,CharmaineNeville,Preservation Brass,JoeLastie’sNewOrleansSound, LeroyJonesandNewOrleans’Finest, TheOriginalPinettesBrassBandand more.TherearepresentationsbyRicky Riccardi,Armstrongbiographerand directorofresearchcollectionsatthe LouisArmstrongHouseMuseum,and SamIrwin,authorof“HiddenHistory ofLouisiana’sJazzAge.”Otherevents includeajazzMass,asecondlineand more.Thefestivalis11:30a.m.to8 p.m.Saturday,Aug.5,andSunday, Aug.6.Freeadmission.Visitsatchmosummerfest.orgfordetails.

GrandmarshalsAl‘Carnival Time’Johnson,left,and CinnamonBlackoftheTreme MillionDollarBabyDollslead asecond-lineduringthe2022 SatchmoSummerFest. PHOTOBYSCOTTTHRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

WhiteLinenNight

GALLERIESANDMUSEUMSINTHE WAREHOUSEDISTRICTHOLDRECEPTIONSandshowopeningsforthe annualcelebrationofart.Thereare morethan20participatingcontemporaryartgalleriesalongJulia,Magazine andsurroundingstreets.Ablock partywithfoodvendors,barsand morestretchesfromthe300to600 blockofJuliaStreetandonthe500 blockofSt.JosephStreetnearthe ContemporaryArtsCenter.From 5-10p.m.Saturday,Aug.5.Visit artsdistrictneworleans.com.

Horsegirl

CHICAGOTRIOHORSEGIRLDRAWS

INFLUENCESFROMTHEGREATSOF‘80S AND‘90Sindierock,andlistenerswill

PROVIDEDPHOTO BY ANDREW LEVY

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN THE COUNT #

23

OliviaPierce,asophomore atDominicanHighSchooland gymnast,hasbeenchosentobe partofTeamUSA.The15-yearoldrecentlycompetedintumbling atthe2023USAGymnastics NationalChampionships,where sheplacedhighenoughtolanda spotontheUSAGymnasticsJunior NationalTeamforTumbling. She’llnowgettotrainwithelite gymnastsonTeamUSAand theircoaches.

THEAVERAGEPERCENT BYWHICH2024PROPERTY ASSESSMENTSINCREASED SINCE2019.

However,AssessorErrollWilliamstoldthe CityCouncilaftersomeresidentsappeal theirassessmentsandhisofficefixes errors,heexpectsthatamountmayswing between5to7%.Infact,Williamssaidhe wasplanningtoappealtheassessmentonhis property.TheCouncilhassaiditwilladjust othertaxesitcontrolstoaccountforthe increaseandhasurgedothertaxingbodiesto dosoaswell

Louisianaranks49thinthe countryforoverallchildwell-being,accordingtotheAnnieE. CaseyFoundation’slatestedition oftheKidsCountDataBook Further,thestateranksdeadlast ineconomicwell-beingforkids, as27%ofLouisiana’schildrenlive inpovertyand35%haveparents withoutsecureemployment.

CityCouncilpledgestorollbacktaxrates, callsonotheragenciestofollow

JeffLandry,thestate’schief legalofficerandacandidatefor governor,wantstoknowwhich Louisianaresidentstraveloutof statetoreceiveabortioncareor gender-affirmingcare,apolicy thatclearlyviolatestheprivacy rightsofLouisianansandcouldbe unconstitutional.Landryrecently signedaletterwithotherconservativestateattorneysgeneral askingtheBidenAdministration nottoblockstatesfromobtaining dataaboutresidentsaccessing healthcareinotherplaces.Landry claimsthestateneedsthedatato investigatechildabuse.Thatlogic ignoresthehealthandwelfareof peoplehewantstotrack

AMIDASHARPINCREASEINPROPERTYASSESSMENTS,THENEW ORLEANSCITYCOUNCILispromising torollbackmillageratestoavoid majorpropertytaxincreasesand callingonothertaxingbodiestodo thesame.

Thecouncil’sannouncement cameaheadofAssessorErroll Williams’testimonybeforecouncil membersonTuesdaytoexplain howhisquadrennialreassessment resultedinanaverage23%increase inpropertyvalues.

Localgovernmentagencies, includingthecouncil,controltax ratesthatdeterminehowmuch propertyownersactuallypay. Whenassessmentsgoup,statelaw automatically“rollsback”ratesto keeprevenueneural.Taxingbodies thenhavetheoptiontorolltherates backforward

Inaletteraddressedsignedbyall sevenmembers,thecouncilurged leadersoftheOrleansParishSchool Board,Sheriff’sOffice,Sewerage& WaterBoardandotheragencies nottoclaimanywindfallfromthe higherassessments.

“Residentsarealreadyburdened withskyrocketinginsurancerates, higherutilitycostsandincreased costsforgoodsandservices,” thelettersays.“Residentsneed ourhelp.”

Thelettersaysthecounciliscommittedto“notrollingthemillages fullyforward,”andasksthatother agencies“notrollyourrespective millagesforwardeither.”

CouncilmemberJoeGiarrusso saidthatphrasingisnotmeant aswiggleroomtoallowpartial taxincreases.Ifanyoftheseveralmillagesunderthecouncil’s

41.6% THEPELICANBRIEF

18.8%

16.9%

OrleansParishAssessorErrollWilliams.

controlarerolledpartiallyforward, thecouncilwillrollothersbackeven furthertoensurethecitycollectsthe sameamountofpropertytaxintotal, Giarrussosaid

TheCityCouncilandtheSchool Boardtogethercontrolalittlemore thanhalfofcitywidepropertytaxes, withtheSchoolBoardbeingthelargest taxingbodyinthecity.Othersinclude theS&WB,floodprotectionauthorities oneithersideoftheMississippiRiver andthepubliclibrarysystem.

OlinParker,presidentofthe SchoolBoard,saidthatboardwould “carefullyconsider”thecouncil’s request.Henotedthattheboard alsohasamillagerenewalonthefall ballot,andsaidtheboardwouldhave to“balance”thevotesonthosetwo matters—suggestingboardmembers mayfearthatvoterscouldrejectthe millagerenewaliftheboarddecides torollforwarditsexistingmillageand keepthewindfallresultingfromthe higherassessments.

Parkeralsonoted,however,thathe wasdisappointedtheLegislaturedid notgiveafundingboosttoschools

acrossthestatein itsrecentsession.

Hesaidtheneeds aregreat,adding thatOrleansParish schoolsnowpayan averageof$280per studentperyearfor propertyinsurance —a$100increase fromjustayearago.

“Propertyinsurancedoesn’tteach kidstoreadany better,”hesaid.

Ofcourse,many NewOrleansresidentsarealsograpplingwithincreased insurancecosts Officialswith othertaxingbodieshaveyetto commentonthereassessmentorthe council’sletter.

Million-dollarsales

Williamstoldcouncilmembers Tuesdaythattheassessmentsderive fromfairmarketvalue,typically

determinedbycurbsideobservation andneighborhoodsalesdata.

Hesaidsomeofthelargeincreases resultedfrompreviousundervaluing, eitherbecauseofindividualanomalies orbecausesalesinUptownandother areasoutperformedtheAssessor’s Office’sexpectations.Therewas

OrleansParishAssessor ErrollWilliamsisunderfire forhisdramaticincreasesto propertytaxassessments.

anabundance ofhomesselling formorethan$1 millionormorethat hadbeenpreviously valuedathalfthat price,Williamssaid

“Inmyentire tenure,Ihavenot seenthatmany million-dollarsales inNewOrleans,”saidWilliams,who wasfirstelectednearlyfourdecades agoandhasservedasthefirstand onlycitywideassessorsince2010 Williams,pointingtoMultipleListing ServicedatainsevenZIPcodes,also

notedthatsalespricesonhomes listedinfairconditionhaveacceleratednearlytwiceasfastasthosein thebestconditionoverthelast fouryears.

“Thatwasstrangetous,”Williams said.“Wedon’tknowthereason why,butthat’swhatthemarket datashows.”

Inothercases,theAssessor’s Officebecameawareofrenovations wellaftertheyoccurred,either becausebuildingpermitswent unnoticedorbecausetheywere doneillegally,Williamssaid

Andinstillotherinstances, assessmentsarejustwrong,Williams acknowledged.Heurgedaggrieved propertyownerstotakeadvantage oftheopenrollsperiod—whichends onAug.15—inwhichhisstaffmeets withthoseseekinglowerassessments,reviewsevidenceandoften makeschangesapartfromtheformal appealsprocess.

“Weoftenfindthatwehaveincorrectinformationbaseduponsquare

footage,orwedon’thavetheconditionofthepropertyontheinside becausewe’relookingatitfromthe curb,”Williamssaid.

Councilmembersdidn’tcriticizeWilliams’methodsoverthe 90-minutehearing,butCouncil VicePresidentHelenaMorenosaid afterwardshewantsstateauthoritiestoreviewthereassessment foraccuracyandcompliancewith industrystandards.Thecouncilon Thursdaywillconsideraresolution formallyrequestingtheLouisiana TaxCommissionandtheLouisiana LegislativeAuditorundertake reviews,Morenosaidin astatement.

“Therearewaytoomanyconcerns surroundingthisquadrennialassessment,”Morenosaid.“Thepeople ofNewOrleansdeserveanswers astowhetherthisassessmentwas doneaccurately,ontime, andappropriately.”

Aspokespersonfortheassessor, DevinJohnson,dismissedMoreno’s

maneuveringaspoliticalposturing, notingthattheTaxCommissionis alreadyresponsibleforcertifyingthe finaltaxroll

“Ican’tunderscoreenoughhow absurditisforthepersonwhosets thetaxratetograndstandabout theharmthosetaxesmaycause,” Johnsonsaid.“Ourassessmentshave toreflectmarketvaluesorelsethe taxrollwon’tgetcertified.”

Phasein?

“Ican’tunderscoreenoughhow absurditisforthepersonwhosets thetaxratetograndstandabout theharmthosetaxesmaycause,” Johnsonsaid.“Ourassessmentshave toreflectmarketvaluesorelsethe taxrollwon’tgetcertified.”

ThoughWilliamssaystheaverage increaseis23%,others,likeMid-City residentRomneyRichard,sawmuch greaterincreases.Richard,who spokeatthemeetingonTuesday, saidsheis73andcannotaffordto retire.Shesaidherassessmenthad increasedby80%.

“Ifsomething’snotdoneforpeople inthemiddleclassinthiscity,we’re goingtolosethem.I’vebeenhereall mylife,andIdon’twanttoseethat happen,”Richardsaid

Williamssaidnearlyonein10homeownerswithhomesteadexemptions sawassessmentsincreasemorethan 50%.Inthesecases,a2018state constitutionalamendmentrequires taxcollectingagenciestophaseinthe additionalliabilityoverfouryears.

CouncilPresidentJPMorrell,who spearheadedthatamendmentas astatesenator,saidthecityhasn’t providedhomeownerswithaformto requestthephase-in

“Veryfewpeoplehavebeenable totakeadvantageofanyofthe phase-in,becausetheformrequired todoit–it’sonthecity,we’renot doingit,”Morrellsaid.

MayorLaToyaCantrell’sadministrationdidnotrespondtoaquestionabouttheformonTuesday afternoon. BenMyersandGordon Russell/TheTimes-Picayune

Thefixmaybeinfor Woodfork,butthecouncil stillhasajobtodo

INTHECOMINGDAYSORWEEKSMAYOR LATOYACANTRELLAPPEARSALLBUT CERTAINTOnominateactingNew OrleansPoliceDepartmentChief MichelleWoodforktobethedepartment’spermanentsuperintendent. Thatwillcomeafteralaughable national“search”producedseveral unimpressivealternatives,mostof whomwerefiredfromtheirprevious jobsorotherwiseleftindisgrace.

Inourview,thefixisin.Ontopof that,Cantrellisplayingadangerous gameofchickenwiththeCityCouncil ArecentCityCharterchangegivesthe counciltheauthoritytovetandconfirmorrejectthemayor’snominee.

Cantrellseemstothinkthecouncil doesn’thavethespinetoindependentlyvet—andpossiblyreject —herchoice

Meanwhile,CouncilPresidentJP Morrell,VicePresidentHelenaMoreno andBudgetChairJoeGiarrussohave madecleartheywon’tautomatically approveCantrell’spick.However, threevotesdonotamajoritymakeon theseven-membercouncil.

Woodforkwouldbeahistoricpick,to besure.It’swellpasttimethataBlack womanledNOPD.She’salsogenerally welllikedbythedepartment’scommandstructure,hasthemayor’sear andhasspentdecadesinNewOrleans asaworkingpoliceandsupervisor

Moreover,comparedtotheother finalists,Woodforkhasfewer,shallwe say,egregiousmarksagainsther.She hasn’t,forinstance,killedanyoneafter gettingoffapartybus,likeoneofher fellowfinalists.

Butthatdoesn’tmeanWoodfork’s recordisexemplary.Infact,she’sfaced multipledisciplinaryactions,accordingtoWWL-TV.Shewassuspended threetimesforlyingtoinvestigators aboutpersonalrelationshipswithother NOPDofficersandhaddomesticabuse complaintsfiledagainsther.In2005, shewassubjecttodemotionforlying toinvestigatorsandbeingnegligentin herduties.

Morerecently,Woodforkhasserved aspointpersonforNOPDrecruitment. Byanyreasonablemeasure,that efforthasbeenafailure.Despiteclear evidencetothecontrary,NOPDand Cantrellhaveproppedupstrawmenas excusesforNOPD’simplodingmanpowernumbers.

Theadministration’sexcusesrange frompublichostilitytowardpoliceto

alackofnewsquadcars.Meanwhile, WoodforkandCantrellhaveignored whatdepartingofficersrepeatedlycite astheirreasonsforleaving:corruption, cronyismandnepotism.

ThefailuresofWoodfork’srecruitmenteffortsaren’tjustamatterof publicsafety.They’realsostartingto costthecitysignificantsumsofmoney. AsthepubliclearnedearlierinJuly, NOPD’sstaffinglevelhasshrunktothe pointthatbeginningthismonth,the citywillbefinedtensofthousandsof dollarsamonthbytheMunicipalPolice EmployeeRetirementSystem.

NOPDandtheCantrelladministrationhaveknownformonths,ifnot years,thatthefineswerecoming,yet theyhidthatfactfromtheCityCouncil andthepublicuntilrecently

Mostconcerning,however,isthefact thatWoodforkhasengagedinwhat canonlybedescribedasintimidation tacticsagainstacriticofapoliticalally ofthemayor.In2021,Belden“Noonie Man”Batisteandthen-CouncilMember JayBankswereembroiledinapolitical dispute,whichculminatedinfiveNOPD officers—threecaptainsandtwosergeants–showingupatBatiste’shome ostensiblytodeliverasummons

Woodforkwasamongtheunusually largecontingentofrankwhowentto Batiste’shomethatday.Everything aboutitreekedofintimidation.

WhileWoodforkandotherofficers wereclearedofwrongdoing,their showofforcesentaclearmessageto Batisteandthepublic:Don’tgettoo vocalagainstcertainpeople.

Thisraisesareasonableconcern aboutWoodfork,shouldshebecome chief.Wouldsheusethevastpowerof theNOPDtosilencecriticsofNOPD, Cantrellortheirallies?

Votersgavethecouncilconfirmationauthoritynotbecausetheyenjoy watchingperformativehearings.They votedforittoprovideacheckagainst abusesofexecutivepowerandtomake surecityagenciesareledbythebest possiblecandidates

WhetherWoodfork’soverallrecord outweighsherpastindiscretions remainstobeseen

Ultimately,thecouncilmustensure thevettingofCantrell’snominee— whetherit’sWoodforkoranother finalist—revealseverythingweneedto knowaboutNOPD’snextchief.

Legend Biloxi the of the blues

AUGUST 17

AUGUST 19

AUGUST 21

OPENING GAMBIT

-KAT RIGGINS

Pardonboardturnsaway

Louisianadeathrowclemencypetitionsenmasse

LOUISIANA’SPARDONBOARDHAS

TURNEDAWAYALL56PETITIONSfor executiveclemencythatwerefiled inJunebydeathrowprisonersinthe state,sayingnoneofthemarecurrentlyeligible.

Theblockbusterdecisioncouldleave ituptoGov.JohnBelEdwardstodirect theboardtohearthosecasesunderits policies.Edwards’recentcomments opposingthedeathpenaltyhelped prodthehistoricmassclemencyfiling AspokesmanforEdwardsdeclined tocommentWednesday

FrancisAbbott,executivedirectorof theBoardofPardonsandCommittee onParole,saidadecisionwasmade Mondaythatresultedintheremaining 43ofthose56clemencyapplications beingreturnedbasedonanopinion lastweekfromAttorneyGeneralJeff Landry’soffice.

Inthatopinion,Landryfoundthat theboardcan’twaiveapolicyrequiring aclemencypetitiontobefiledwithina yearofajudgerulingonanappeal

Exceptionsareallowedinsome extenuatingcircumstances,like whenanexecutiondateisnear.But Louisiana’sdeathpenaltyprisonersdo nothaveexecutiondatesscheduled, Landry’sopinionnotes.

Thirteenotherdeathrowprisoners whofiledclemencypetitionslastmonth wererejectedearlier,eitherfordisciplinaryissuesorbecausetheyhadn’tyet servedtherequiredtime,Abbottsaid Hesaidthedecisionto“return”the applications,whichaskedforthose deathsentencestobeconvertedtolife inprisonwithoutparole,cameafter“a reviewofboardandstaff,”allofwhom thegovernorappoints.

Theboardneverconductedhearings onthoseapplications,returningthem afteranadministrativescreening, hesaid

“Theseapplicationshavebeen returned,andthat’swhatwedo,” Abbottsaid.“Anypersonwhosendsin anapplicationandthey’renoteligible ortheapplicationisnotfilledoutinits entirety,it’sreturned.”

Abbottalsosaidtheboardisreviewingitsadministrativerules“andwillbe updatingtheminthefuture.”

Capitalattorneyswhohavepushed thepetitionsexpresseddismayatthe blanketdecision,notingitwasdone “withoutevenconsideringthemerits oftheapplicationsortheseriousissues ofinnocence,racialbias,intellectual disability,mentalillness,andprosecutorialmisconducttheyraise.”

Theboardactedbasedona“wrong reading”ofitspoliciesbyLandry’s office“inanattempttosteamroll alegitimaterequesttohavethese casesheard,”saidCeceliaKappel,at attorneyforsomeofthoseprisoners, inastatement.

“Thesecasesdeserveafulland fairreview.”

BillQuigley,alawprofessoremeritus atLoyolaUniversity,calledLandry’s opinion“baseless.”

“IhopethattheBoardwillrevisit thisdecisionandthatGov.Edwards willexercisehisownauthoritytomove theprisoners’clemencyapplications forward,”hesaid.

Mostofthem—51—werefileden masseonJune13.Attorneysfiledfive moreclemencyapplicationslater, bringingthetotalto56ofthe57death rowprisoners.

Landry,avocaldeathpenalty supporterandaleadingcandidatefor governor,previouslysaidheplansto formallyopposetheclemencypleas.

AnattorneyinLandry’soffice,Grant Willis,servesasalawyerforthepardonboard.—JohnSimerman/ TheTimes-Picayune

PHOTOBYMARKSALTZ / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

MUSIC •F OOD •M EMOR IES

IN THE HEA RT OF DO WNT OWN BIL OX I

AUGUST 4-KUDZU KINGS

-BIG AL &THE HEAVYWEIGHTS

-MIA BORDERS

-DEVON ALLMAN & DONAVONFRANKENREITER

UPCOMING LIVE PERFORMANCES

com GET TICKETS

BLAKE PONTCHARTRAIN™

@GambitBlake|askblake@gambitweekly.com

Easily cash out equity in your commercial or investment property.

DearReader, MELLEAVITTWASONEOFTHEEARLIEST STARSOFLOCALTELEVISION,joining WDSUassportsandspecialevents directorin1949,justayearafter Channel6signedontheair.Hewould becomeoneofWDSU’smostpopular andversatileon-airpersonalities.In additiontosportscasts,heproduced documentaries,anchoredMardiGras paradecoverageandwasthelong-runningmoderatorof“PrepQuizBowl.”

BeginninginSeptember1963,healso hostedalate-nightshowonWDSU, originallycalled“MidnightwithMel”and laterrenamed“TonightwithMel.”Itfollowed“TheTonightShowwithJohnny Carson,”whichalsoairedonWDSU, theNBCaffiliate.Atthetime,Carson airedfrom10:30p.m.untilmidnight, followedlocallybyLeavitt

Accordingtonewspapercoverage, guestsonLeavitt’sfirstshowwere NewOrleansMayorVictorSchiro

BLAKEVIEW

andDistrictAttorneyJimGarrison, trumpeterAlHirtandfather-daughter actorsCarterandGloriaDeHaven AmongtheotherguestsduringpremiereweekwerePeteFountainand comediansJonathanWinters,Charley WeaverandBillDana.

InJanuary1964,Leavittaddedan afternoonshow,“TheMelLeavitt Show,”tohisduties.Airingat3:30p.m., itfollowedthesametalkshowformat andwasrecordedandairedatmidnight, inplaceof“TonightwithMel.”WDSU canceledbothprogramsinMarch1964

LeavittremainedatWDSUinother rolesuntil1971.HelaterhostedprogramsonWVUE,WGNO,WYESand WLAE,appearedonradioandwrote twolocalhistorybooks.Hediedin 1997.

•Maximum loan to recently appraised value amountof65%

•Must be ownedbyacorporation

•Can notbeanowner-occupied residence

•Typically close within 3days of appraisal’scompletion

•Cashout or fix and flip funding

•Assetbased loan

•First liens only nolahardmoney.com

LOVE THE WATERFRONT LIFE?

AUGUSTISNEWORLEANSMUSEUMMONTH,OFFERINGTHEOPPORTUNITYfor membersof25localmuseumstovisitotherparticipatinginstitutionsfreeofcharge throughAug.31

Thelistincludesfivemuseumslocatedinhistorichomes,includingoneofthe city’soldest:PitotHouse.Builtinthe1790s,thehomeonBayouSt.Johnisnamed forthefirstAmericanmayorofNewOrleans,JamesPitot,whosefamilylivedinthe housefrom1810to1819.AnauthenticexampleofCreoleColonialarchitecture,it islistedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces

OneoftheNationalHistoricLandmarksparticipatinginMuseumMonthisthe Hermann-GrimaHouse.Builtin1831,thehomeat820St.LouisSt.isnamedfor twoofthefamilieswhoonceownedit.AlsointheFrenchQuarteristheBKHistoric HouseandGardens,builtin1826andrestoredtoitspresentconditionbynoted authorFrancesParkinsonKeyes,whoownedandlivedinthehomefrom1944 untilherdeathin1970.

InnearbyTreme,thereistheNewOrleansAfricanAmericanMuseumofArt, HistoryandCulture.Itstwo-acrecampusincludesahomebuiltinthe1820s.It featurespermanentandchangingexhibits.

RoundingoutthislistofhistorichousemuseumsisLongueVueHouseand Gardens.LocatedonBambooRoad,itwasbuiltinthe1940sforphilanthropists EdgarandEdithRosenwaldStern.Itfeatures20roomsandeightacresofgardens.It alsoisontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesandisaNationalHistoricLandmark. ForafulllistofmuseumsparticipatinginMuseumMonth,visitneworleans.com/ museum-month.

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

Owner financing is available with just 5% down. Contactusfor moredetails. pelicanslandingbayou.com

HeyBlake, Likemanyofyourreaders,I’moldenoughto rememberMelLeavitt fromtheearlydays oflocalTV.ButIneed yourhelpremembering alatenightshowhe didforawhile,whichI seemtorememberfollowedJohnnyCarson. Anyideas?

NewOrleansnewsmanMel Leavittreportsonthe1956 Louisianagovernor’srace.

C.F. WEBER PHOTOGRAPHY/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE ARCHIVE

Notjusta HOLLYWOOD PROBLEM

BY KAYLEE POCHE

FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS,NewOrleansresident Lewis“Duck”PieratthasworkedonlocalTVand filmsetsbuildingandoperatingthecranesanddollies forcameras

Pieratthadworkedhiswayup,startingoffsweepingfloorsbeforemovingontomakingpropsand ultimatelytohiscurrentjobasagrip

Thelonghoursduringproductionsaregrueling hetypicallyclocksin60-80hoursaweek Butwith mostofthatcomingasovertimeordouble-timepay, Pierattwasmakinggoodmoney,averaginganywhere between$8,000-$10,000inagoodmonth,hesays.

Plus,asamemberofthelocalchapterofInternationalAllianceofTheatricalStageEmployees(IATSE) forthelastdecade,hewasabletogethealthinsuranceandapension.Heevenfulfilledhislongtime goalofbuyingahouse.

It’s“justalotofstability wemakeenoughmoney towhereintheleantimesyouhavemoneysavedup,” Pierattsays Butnothingcouldhavepreparedhimfor thepastnineorsomonths

Now,hesays,“There’sbarelynothing Iknow peoplewhohaven’tworkedsinceNovember.”

Longbeforethenationalwritersunionwenton strikeinMayortheactorsunionjoiningthemon thepicketlineJuly14,workhadstarteddryingup. That’sbecausetheheadsofTVandfilmproduction companiesalreadyknewtheylikelywouldn’tmeet workerdemandsforprotectionsandbenefitswhen themajorunioncontractsexpiredinthespring andsummer

Soratherthanstartnewproductionsandhave themorthepromotionofthemhaltedbystrikes, majorstudiosanddistributors,likeDisney/ABC/ Fox,Paramount/CBS,NBCUniversal,WarnerBros. Discovery(HBO),Apple,NetflixandAmazon,began holdingoffonnewprojectsaltogether

Asaresult,opportunitiesintheindustryhavebeen dryingupsincetheendof2022,leavingthousands ofpeopleinLouisianaoutofworkbeforethestrikes officiallystarted.

TreyBurvant,presidentofTheLouisianaFilm& EntertainmentAssociation,comparedthecurrent

stateoftheindustry withonly commercialsorindieprojects leftshooting tothepandemic shutdowns.

“You’vegotemptystages,” hesays.“You’vegotfolksthat havebeenusedtoworkingfor years,someofthebestinthe industry,sittingonthesidelines lookingforotherwork.”

Pierattsaysthesituationhas been“devastating”forhimand hisfriendsintheindustry.He sayshe’srunoutofunemploymentbenefits,hashadto maxoutcreditcardsandisin theprocessofapplyingfora mortgageforbearancetotemporarilypauseordecreasehis monthlyhousingpayments

Likemanyworkersinhis position,Pierattmakesclear hedoesn’tblametheunionson strikeforhiscurrentfinancial situation.Anotherlocalgrip JohnVinsonagrees,arguingthe studiosappeartobeusingthe strikesaspartofabroaderplay againstlabor.

“We’reallprettymuchslowly drowningrightnow,andIthink that’sreallythepoint,”Vinson says.“Whileourunion(IATSE) isn’tstriking,wehavenegotiationscomingupnextyear,andI

seethisnotjustasa‘We’regonnatryandstarveoutthewriters andactors.’ They’retrying tostarveoutanybodyelsewho hasupcomingnegotiations.”

Andwithnoclearendinsight, theforcedshutdowncontinues tocreateuncertaintyforthe workerswhofillthe10,000 directandindirectjobsThe LouisianaFilm&Entertainment Associationestimatesarecreatedbytheindustryinthestate.

“Thisisnotanelitistproblem, it’snotanactorproblemand it’snotaHollywoodproblem,” sayscharacteractorBilly Slaughter.“It’saboutglaring, grossinequitiesbetweenthe actuallaborersintheindustry workinglongdays(in)hard conditionstocreatethecontent versuswhatthose(executives) whoareprofiteeringoffofthat contentaremaking.”

WHILE EYES HAVE BEEN ON STRIKING CELEBRITIES like FranDrescher,thepresident ofTheScreenActorsGuild –AmericanFederationof TelevisionandRadioArtists (SAG-AFTRA),orthecast

of“Oppenheimer”walking outofthefilmpremiere,asin otherindustries,themajority ofworkerswhomakeTVshows andmoviespossiblearen’trich orfamous.

That’strueforLouisiana’s filmandTVindustryandits epicenterinNewOrleans, the“HollywoodSouth”spurred andsustainedbygenerous taxcredits.

“Thecelebrities,therichand famousmakeupthetop1% ofourindustry,”saysSlaughter, whohasactedinmorethan 100TVshowsandmovies.

“Theother99%ofourindustry arerank-and-file,hardworking-classfolks mostworking paychecktopaycheck,like theaverageAmerican,just tryingtopaytheirbillsandfeed theirfamilies.”

Theindustryprovidesmany well-payingbluecollarand technicaljobsthatdon’trequire acollegedegree,fromcamera andequipmentoperatorstoset buildersanddecorators.

“Thisbusinessgivesthe opportunityforpeopleofall backgroundstoflourishin somethingthatyougettrained onthejobfor,”Vinsonsays “It

The effects of studio executives’ greed spread from Los Angeles to Louisiana

A protester holds up a SAG strike sign outside of Paramount studios on July 21, 2023.

PHOTO BY RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION / AP

Notjusta HOLLYWOOD PROBLEM

WINES UNDER $14!

reallydoeshaveitsmeritsinbeing abletohelpbuildasustainable middleclassinthatregionifyou letitputitselftoworkandkeep theconditionsreasonable,which hasalwaysbeenaproblem.”

ThosejobsonTVandfilmsets canlastmonths,eventhebulkof ayear,butactorsandwritersare onadifferentschedule Formore minorroles,actorsmayneedto cometosetforadaytofilmonly afewtimesayear Screenwriters maysellascreenplayforaseeminglylargesumofmoney,butit couldbeyearsbeforetheysell theirnextproject

Betweenroles,actorsand writerstypicallyrelyonresiduals, incomeearnedfromthereplaying ofpastprojects,suchaseach timeashowrunsonbroadcastor cableTV Butwiththeshiftofthe industryfromlargelybasedon broadcastTVtobeingdominated bystreamingplatforms,they’re typicallypaidalumpsumto havethecontentontheplatform withoutanypaybumpfora show’ssuccess.

CastingdirectorRyanGlorioso saysit’safarworsedealfor hishusband,actorRobert LucienLarrivière.“Actors[used tobeableto]liveofftheirresiduals,”hesays “That’snotthe caseanymore.”

Thatmakesadifferencewhen itcomestoeligibilityforunion benefits,likehealthinsurance. SAGmembersmustmakeroughly $26,000ayearfromactingoract foratleast102daysduringthe yeartoqualifyforunionhealth insurance Thevastmajority ofactorssimplydon’t.Meanwhile,WritersGuildofAmerica

membersneedtomakenearly $42,000toqualify.

Eveningoodtimes,whenthere maybecloseto20differentmoviesbeingfilmedinNewOrleans atonce,manylocalactorsand writershavesecondjobs,such asteaching.“EveryactorIknow inthistown,theyhavetohave asecondjobtoliveregardless,” saysDavidDuBos,alocalwriter, directorandeditor (DavidDuBos isthebrotherofGambitPolitical EditorClancyDuBos.)

Meanwhile,executivesofstudio anddistributiongiantsaremaking tensofmillionsofdollarsannually Lastyear,WarnerBros.Discovery paidchiefDavidZaslavmorethan

New Orleans grip John Vinson has worked in the TV and film industry for more than two decades.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOHN VINSON

New Orleans casting director Ryan Glorioso has been out of work due to the shutdowns.

PHOTO BY ROBERT LARRIVIERE / COURTESY OF RYAN GLORIOSO

New Orleans character actor Billy Slaughter has appeared in more than 100 movies and TV shows.

PHOTO BY LAURA FLANNERY / COURTESY OF BILLY SLAUGHTER

DRINKS

Bestbar for craftcocktails

Bestbar to watchsports

Bestbeer selection

Bestdivebar

Bestdog-friendlybar

Besthappyhour

BestLate-Nightbar

BestLGBTQ+ bar

Bestliquor store

Best localbrewery

Bestneighborhood bar

Bestnew bar (opened September 2022 or later)

BestNorthshorebar or brewery

Bestplacetobuy wine

Bestplacetoget aglass of wine

Bestplacetoget amargarita

Bestrooftopbar

ENTERTAINMENT

Bestcasino

Bestescape room

best?

Best festival

Bestlivemusic venue (large |over350 capacity)

Bestlivemusic venue (small |under 350 capacity)

Bestlocal musicartist/band

Bestlocal theatercompany

Bestmarching group

BestMardi Gras parade

Bestmovie theater

Bestoutdoor livemusic venue

Bestplacetosee burlesque

Bestplacetosee drag

Beststrip club

FOOD

Bestbakery

Bestbarbecue restaurant

Bestbeignet

Bestburgerrestaurant

BestCaribbean restaurant

BestChinese restaurant

Best fine dining restaurant

Best French restaurant

Best fried chicken

Best gumbo

Best Indian restaurant

Best Italian restaurant

Best Japanese/sushi restaurant

Best Kenner restaurant

Best king cake

Best LatinAmericanrestaurant

Best locally owned coffee house

Best Metairie restaurant

Best Mexican restaurant

Best Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean restaurant

Best neighborhood restaurant

Best NewOrleans restaurant

Best newrestaurant (opened September 2022 or later)

Best Northshorerestaurant

Best outdoor dining

Best pizzarestaurant

Best placefor desserts

Best placetoget apo-boy

Best placetoget asandwich

Best placetoget boiled seafood

Best placetoget breakfast /brunch

Best placetoget frozen desserts

Best placetoget lunch

Best placetoget poke

Best placetoget tacos

Best pop-up vendor /food truck

Best restaurant foradatenight

Best restaurant for vegetarians/vegans

Best salsa

Best seafood restaurant

Best sno-ball stand

Best St.BernardParish restaurant

Best steakhouse

Best Thai restaurant

Best traditional New Orleans restaurant

Best Vietnamese restaurant

Best West Bank restaurant

GOODS AND SERVICES

BestACrepair co.

Bestantiques

Bestauction house

Bestbarbershop

Bestbicycle shop

BestBlackowned small business

Bestcar dealership

Bestcaterer

Bestcostume store

Bestday spa

Bestdentist

Best dermatology practice

Best distillery

Best florist

Best framing store

Best garden store

Best hair salon

Best healthclub /fitness studio

Best hospital

Best Jefferson neighborhood grocery

Best lawfirm

Bestlawncare/landscaper

Best local bank /credit union

Best locally owned bookstore

Best locally owned bridal shop

Bestlocally owned Carnival supply store(notcostumes)

Bestlocally owned children’sstore

Bestlocally owned furniturestore

Bestlocally owned jewelry store

Bestlocally owned kitchen design store

Bestlocally owned men’s clothing store

Bestlocally owned music store

Bestlocally owned petsupplystore

Bestlocally owned pharmacy

Bestlocally owned shoe store

Bestlocally owned storefor home decor /accents

Bestlocally owned women’sboutique

Bestmed spa

BestNew Orleans

neighborhood grocery

BestNorthshore

neighborhood grocery

Bestpet boarding /daycarebusiness

Bestpet grooming business

Bestplacefor mental healthcare

Bestplacetobuy agift

Bestplacetobuy adult toys

Bestplacetobuy CBD

Bestplacetobuy eyewear

Bestplacetobuy vintage / consignment furniture

Notjusta HOLLYWOOD PROBLEM

$39million,andNetflixco-CEO TedSarandoswaspaidmorethan $50million.

“Ourloveoftheindustryisextremelyexploitablebypeoplewho aremakingmillionsofdollars,” Vinsonsays.

THE RISE OF STREAMING SERVICES overthelastdecadehas meantsmallerresidualsformany, andArtificialIntelligencetechnologybecomingaviabletoolinthelast handfulofyearsthreatenstomake somejobsalmostobsoleteinthe nearfuture.

Giventhetightmarginswith whichworkersintheindustry alreadylive,thoseissueshave becomethepredictablepointsin negotiationsbetweentheAlliance ofMotionPictureandTelevision Producers(AMPTP)andtheactors andwritersunions,leadingthem togoonstriketogetherforthefirst timein63years.

“Thisdidn’tcatchanyoneby surprise,”Slaughtersays “Itwas notonlyalongtimecoming,it waslongoverduebecauseour industryisnowrunbythestreamingplatforms.”

Whiletheshutdownpersists, peopleworkinginfilmandTV havehadtolookforotherworkin themeantime.Ithasn’tbeeneasy forsome,especiallyforlongtime industryworkers.

Vinson,whohasworkedinthe industryformorethantwodecades,sayshedroveforUberEats forafewmonths,butthemoney hewasmakingwasn’tenoughto justifythewearandtearonhiscar. Plus,hesays,he’dbeahardsellfor aserviceindustryjob

“Igoinandsay,‘Ihaven’tworked intheserviceindustryfor23years. WouldyouliketohiremeuntilI’m gonnaquitassoonastheindustry strikesbackup?’”hesays

Glorioso,thecastingdirector, isinasimilarboat “I’vebeen doingthesamethingforsolongI wouldn’tknowwhatotherworkto pickup,”hesays

Eventhosewhohavemanaged tofindotherworkareoftentaking significantpaycuts

SetdecoratorPaulBrionwent backtohisoldlineofworkmanagingaproducecompany,nowearning$10lessanhourthanhewas earningonset.Plus,hecan’tpick upextraworkontheweekendslike heusedtodo

“Itjustmesseseverythingup whenyouthinkyouhavesomethingsolidthat’swell-paying,and thenitjustgoesawayandyou havetofiguresomethingelseout,” Brionsays.

Pierattwouldtypicallyfallback onconstructionwork,buthesays hecouldn’tfindthateither,attributingittothecity’scharacteristicallyslowsummermonths.He didn’thaverestaurantexperience buthasbeengratefultohavefound workatalocalbarbecuerestaurant forthepasttwomonths

Still,hesays,he’smakingabout $2,000amonththere,afifth ofwhathewasmakinginagood monthasagrip

“It’sextremelystressful,”he says “Ihavea9-year-oldlittlegirl ...thatcountsonme.”

Whilefindingotherworkmay helppaysomeofthebills,it’snot along-termfixforcareerindustry workerswhohavehealthinsurance andretirementbenefitsthrougha union.Onlyworkinthefieldcounts towardtheincomerequirements fortheirbenefits.

“You’reworkingtowarda retirementgoalofhealthand pension,andifyoudon’tmake thatinayear,thenyoudon’tget anycontributionstoyourhealth andpension,”saysGlorioso,who isonSAG’sinsurancethroughhis husband.“Forthepersonwhohas madethistheircareer,thosethings areimportant.”

ThosewhomovedtoNew Orleanstoworkintheindustry mayhavetoleaveastheshutdownscontinue.Pierattsayshe

The IATSE Local 478 building in Mid-City.

PHOTO BY KAYLEE POCHE / GAMBIT

SAG-AFTRA rally in Times Square on July 25, 2023.

PHOTO BY CHARLES SYKES / INVISION / AP

Notjusta HOLLYWOOD PROBLEM

metsomeonewhomovedtoNew OrleansfromDallastoworkin costumingwhentheindustrywas doingwellandisnowconsidering movingbacktoDallaswhereshe hasfamily.

Somemayultimatelyleavethe fieldaltogether.Vinsonsayshe worriesabouthowmuchskilled laborthefieldwilllosefrom“peoplewhoeitherwerejuststarting andhadpromisetopeoplewho weregettingclosetoretirement tomemberswhoalreadyhadone footinthedoorandonefootout atthispoint.”

“Becauseitgratesonyou,”he adds.“It’snotaveryeasyindustry tooccupyforthepeoplethatmake themovies.”

andorderingfoodandcatering fromlocalrestaurants

“Whenwehadbetween16and 18filmsfilmingintheGreater NewOrleansarea…thosestaff membersthatworkinsidethe office,they’reorderinglunch everysingledayfromadifferent restaurant,everysingledayfor40 people,”Burvantsays.“Thescale ofitisreallylargewhenyouthink aboutit.”

Yet,sofar,AMPTPhasn’t satdownwiththeunionssince theybeganstriking,andit couldbemonthsbeforethey resumenegotiations Astudioexecutiveandinsiders toldDeadlineinJulythatinternally therehavebeendiscussionsof waitinguntillateOctoberbefore goingbacktothenegotiatingtable withtheWritersGuild.

ersunionscametoanagreement today,hewouldn’thaveworkuntil October.Worstcasescenario,he worrieshecouldbeoutofwork untilFebruary.

Butwhentheshutdownfinally ends,there’slikelytobeaboomin work,finishingpreviousprojects andstartingnewproductions.

THEEFFECTSOFTHE SHUTDOWN extendbeyondfilmandTV industryworkers,too.According toTheLouisianaFilm&EntertainmentAssociation(LFEA),the state’sfilmlobby,lastyearthe industryspent$900millioninthe stateandcontributed$350million inwagesforLouisianaworkers.

Burvant,LFEApresident,says eachproductionfunctionsas“its ownpop-upbusiness”supporting otherbusinessesinthearea.That includesstaffandcrewtakingcostumestodrycleanersonthedaily, hiringdogwalkersforlongdays

“Theendgameistoallow thingstodragonuntilunionmembersstartlosingtheirapartments andlosingtheirhouses,”the executivesaid.AMPTPpublicly disputesthat

EvenwhenWGAandSAGcome toadealwithAMPTP,onlysomein theindustrywillbeabletopickup workimmediately.Dependingon wheretheirjobfallsinthecreative process(pre-production,production,post-production),itcouldbe evenlonger.

Pierattestimatesthatevenif producersandtheactorsandwrit-

WiththeLouisianaLegislature extendingfilmandTVtaxcredits through2031,thatcouldmean severalbusyyearsforthelocal industrywithpotentiallybetter workingconditionsandprotections—thoughupcomingIATSE negotiationsnextyearcould complicatemattersfurther

“Onceitdoesresolve,thenit’s goingtobebonkerscrazyagain, kindoflikeitwasafterCovid,” Burvantsays

“Wejusthavetoweatherthe stormfirst,”Slaughtersays.“But weknowwedothatasgoodas anyone.”

NewOrleans grip Lewis “Duck”Pieratt (bottom left)and hiscrewGrip Systems from “Twisted Metal,”which premiered July 27 on Peacock.

PHOTOPROVIDED BY LEWIS “DUCK” PIERATT

NewOrleans grip Lewis “Duck”Pieratt (middle) with MatthewModine (left) andAllison Janney (right)onthe set of “Breaking News in Yuba County.”

PHOTOPROVIDEDBY LEWIS “DUCK” PIERATT

Takingwing

INTHECASEOFREDBIRD,THECHICKEN CROSSEDTHEROAD,andthelake,to bringLouisiana-stylefriedchicken withakicktoLakeview.

DreamtupbyBlakeBennettwith back-upfromhisbrotherBrandon Bennettandtheircousin,JayMorris, thethreepartnersareontosomething.ThefirstRedBirdopenedin FebruaryinCovington,wheretheyall live.Amonthago,theyopenedthe secondRedBirdonHarrisonAvenue inLakeview,replacingtheircasual eatery,ThreeB’sBurger&WineBar Thenewplaceisbrightandairy, withafunkybluesmusictheme andabout80seatsinsideandout. Customersorderatself-servekiosks oratthecounter.

Brightredneonproclaims,“Thebird istheword,”ononewalland“bird bath”hangsoveramontageofvinyl recordsabovetheself-servesauce bar.It’saninvitingspace,butthe chickenisthereasontocomehere.

BlakeBennett,aself-taughtculinarian,spentafewyearsplayingaround togetthewetbattercoatingjustright. Chickenisprepped24hoursbefore landinghotandjuicyontheplate.

“Webatterit,andthenitsitsovernightinthewalk-in,”hesays.“That batterworksonthemeat,tenderizes italmostlikeabrine.”

Theresultisastonishinglyjuicy meat,whetherit’sonthebone,pieces ofwhitemeatortenders.Thenottoo-thickcrustcracklesjustright,and thespicybatterdeliversaslowheat Thecrispyskinisslightlyburnished mahogany,hencetheRedBirdbrand Thetraditionalversionismilderin flavor,butjustasjuicy.

Sauceoptions,whichsoonwillfill flavor-themedchickensandwiches, includebarbecue,Buffalo,ranch, anAsiansoy-gingermixandatraditionalcreamyversionwithahintof Cajunheat.

Themenu’stopsellersarethetwoandthree-piecedarkandlightmeat plattersservedwithtwosides.Also popularisachickenbreastsandwich serveddressedonaMartin’spotato bun.Additionally,therearecrunchy

nuggetsandtwosalad options—onetopped withtendersandthe otherwithhouse-made chickensalad.

“Weareaboutto tweakthemenuto makealltheplatters combos,including asoftdrink,”Blake Bennettsays.“Weare alsogoingtooffera one-piecesnackboat thatcomeswithaside, forsomebodywhojust wantstograbsomethingquick.”

Thecurrentmadefrom-scratchsides includefries,coleslaw, smokyredbeans andrice,gumbowith house-madechicken stock,andmacand cheesetoppedwith friedbitsofchicken batterforextracrunch.Jambalaya andonionringswillbeaddedinthe comingweeks.

AsofAug.1,thebarwillbefull-service.Itincludesabankofflatscreen TVsforsportsviewing.

“Wewereplanningjustbeer, wine,daiquirisandmaybeabatched cocktail,butLakeviewhasspoken,” BlakeBennettsays.“Theywanttheir cocktailstoorder.”

Thetwobrothersgrewuparound therestaurantbusiness.Theirdad hadsandwichshopscalledHero’s AllAmericanGrill,withlocationsin HammondandSlidell.Thentherewasa steakhouse,Andy’sBistro,inMetairie, withAndreaApuzzoasconsultingchef Itclosedduringthepandemic.

“Withthepandemicchanging everything,wereallydidn’tknow whatdirectiontogo,”BlakeBennett says.“Finediningdidn’tseemlikea goodidea.”

ThreeB’swaspopular,butthere wereplentyofburgersinLakeview. “Wewantedtogetawayfromthe individuallyspecificorders—holdthe ketchup,extrapickles,noonions.

Thattakesalotofextratime,”Blake Bennettadds.

Thetimeseemedrighttojumpinto thechickengame.Morris,apersonal injurylawyerbytrade,decidedto swapoutthelawpracticefordrumsticksandtenders.

“It’sabigchange,butIloveit,” hesays.“Weusedtoplaycollege baseball,andthere’ssomething similarabouttherestaurantbusiness It’sacompetitive,fast-pacedsetting, alwaysactiongoingon.”

MorrisandBlakeBennettworkboth storesdaily,whileBrandonBennett, whohasalawfirminMadisonville, dipsinandoutasneeded Astotheirexpansionplansand thepossibilityoffranchisingdown theroad,theownerssaythey’llbe bettersuitedtoanswerthatquestion inayear.

“Wehavetocrawlbeforewecan walk,”BlakeBennettsays.“That’sall onthetable.Butlet’sseehowwedo withtwofornow.”

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

What’sbrewing

THERE’SALOTHAPPENINGWITHBREWERIESANDTAPROOMSINNEWORLEANS thesedays,andtherearealsomore intheworks.Here’sthelatestonnew breweriesandonenewbrewpubnow underdevelopmentinthecity CalliopeBeerWorks(8801OakSt.) willturnthelongtimeburgerdestination Cowbellintoabrewpub.Thoughithita successionofsnagsfromitsanticipated debut,founderandbrewerRichard SzydloisnowaimingtoopeninAugust Itwilldosowithitsrestaurantmenu andbeersfromotherproducersasits ownbeer-makingoperationcomes online.Calliope’sownbeershouldstart flowingbyearlyfall.

EcologyBeerCreative(1401Baronne St.)istakingshapeinCentralCity,inthe formerhomeofAllRelation.

MattHorney,formerlyofOldRail Brewing,isleadingthetransformationintoabrighter,moreopenspace verdantwithplants,withabeergarden

upfrontandalarge,newlylandscaped patiohiddeninback.Itisslatedtoopen inlatesummer.

HumidBeerCo.(1728St.Charles Ave.)isatinybrewerycomingtothe townhousejustnexttotheAvenue Pub,inthelocationformerlyknownas PralinesbyJean.Brewerandfounder ConnorMartinezwillhave15tapswith beersinspiredbythecultureandcuisine ofhisNewOrleanshometown,and therewillbeapizzaovenforin-house food.Lookforalatefall2023opening Anotherbreweryintheworkslonger termisCajunFireBrewing.Whilethis NewOrleans-basedbrandisworking todevelopitsownproductionfacility inNewOrleansEast(at40897Vincent Road),there’snofirmtimelineyetfor opening.Butithasbeenincreasing

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE CalliopeBeerWorkswill openonOakStreet.

BrandonBennett,BlakeBennett andJayMorrisstartedRedBird.

PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER

RedBirdexpandsfromCovingtontoLakeview byBethD’Addono |

itsdistributionaroundthecountry, and,aspartofacoalitionofother Black-ownedbreweries,founderJon Renthorpehasbeenhittingthe roadtoexpanditsreach.Fornow, youcanfindcansofitshoneyale andBigChiefcremestoutatlocal retailers,includingsomelocal RousesandWalmartlocationsand TotalWines IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

COOLinaryNewOrleans heatsupinAugust

COOLINARYNEWORLEANSRETURNS

INAUGUSTWITHSPECIALMULTICOURSEDEALSatjustmorethan100 participatingrestaurants.Dinerscan findtwo-courselunchdealsfor$25 orless,anddinnersandbrunchesof threeormorecoursesfor$50orless.

Manyoftheparticipatingrestaurantsarefinediningestablishments, fromold-linespotslikeGalatoire’s andAntoine’stoNinaCompton’s BywaterAmericanBistroand CompereLapinandGabrielleand Gautreau’s.Buttherealsoarecasual spotslikeKatie’sRestaurant&Barin Mid-City,thesushibarHaikuSushi onMagazineStreetandbarbecue placeslikeFreySmokedMeatCo.and CentralCityBBQ.Clesi’sRestaurant andCateringoffersseafooddishes andmoreonitslunchanddinner menusinMid-City.

Therearesomenewrestaurants thisyear,likeUptownItalianeatery OsteriaLupo.Its$50dinnermenu includeschoicesforeachofitsfour courses,suchascampanellewith mushroomraguorradiatoriwith Louisianabluecrabforthepasta courseandgrilledrackoflambor yellowfintunaforanentree.

FrenchQuartercocktailloungeand restaurantJeweloftheSouthoffersa four-coursedinnermenuwithafoie parfait,brisket,haggisandadessert ofPimmsandcherrytriflefor$50

MostoftheparticipatingrestaurantsarespreadfromtheFrench QuarterthroughUptown,butthere alsoarespotsfromSalainLakeview toToups’MeateryinMid-City.There alsoareafewspotsinMetairie,such asMexicaneateryZocaloandthe LatinAmericansteakhouseBrasa Churrasqueria.InChalmette,MeMe’s BarandGrilleofferssurfandturf optionsonitslunch($20)anddinner ($45)menus.InGretna,Legacy

KitchenSteak+Chopofferslunch anddinnermenus

Alistofrestaurantsandtheir COOLinarymenusisatneworleans. com/coolinary.Thelistissearchable byneighborhood,typeofcuisineand

otheroptions,includingwhichoffer takeoutCOOLinarymeals.

COOLinaryNewOrleanswas started18yearsagotohelpattract localstorestaurantsduringthe normallyslowsummermonth.

—WillCoviello

BiundoSweetstoclose

AFTERSIXYEARSOFMAKINGCUSTOM CAKESFORCELEBRATIONSAND COOKIESANDSWEETSforeveryday indulgences,BethBiundoSweetsis nowplanningtoshutdownforgood.

BakerandfounderBethBiundo saysherlastdayinbusinesswill beAug.19.

Thisbakeshopat3917BaronneSt likelywillnotbeidlelonghowever. Biundosayssheissellingthebusiness toanotherlocalbakerbutwasnot readytoprovidemoredetailsdueto thependingnatureofthedeal

Shesayshershophadasuccessful run,andthatshedecidedtoclose andsellnowinordertotaketimeoff

PastrychefBethBiundowillclose BethBiundoSweets

PHOTOBYDAVID GRUNFELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

andtravelafteratumultuousspanof timethatincludedthepandemicand herownhealthissues.

Biundoopenedhershopin2017 alongacorridorofsmallbusinesses nearMartinWineCellar.Todaythat stretchnowincludesZee’sPizzeria andLucyBooneIceCreamjustacross thestreet.

Biundohadbeenpastrychefat Liletteforadecade,andduringthat spanwasafour-timesemifinalistfor theJamesBeardawardforoutstandingpastrychef.Shelefttherestaurantworldtoworkininteriordesign, butsoonreturnedtobakingwithher ownpop-upin2013,whichgrewinto herneighborhoodbakery.

Thebakerywillkeepregularhours untiltheAug.19finalday —Ian McNulty/TheTimes-Picayune

WINE OF THE WEEK

Reagan Sidney

REAGANSIDNEYGREWUPIN

MICHIGAN,BUTHERPARENTSARENEW ORLEANIANS,soshespentsummers hereandvisitedoften.AfterHurricane Katrina,shemovedheretostay.She’s wornmanyhats,workingasaparalegal,hostingamorningtalkshowon WBOK1230AMandbeingactivewith herchurch.She’salsoacontestanton thecurrentseasonof“MasterChef,” withcelebritychefsGordonRamsay andAaronSanchez.Inaseasonwith teamsfromfourregions,she’sonTeam South.ThenextepisodeairsAug.2 onFox,andtheseasoncontinuesuntil achampioniscrownedinmid-September.FormoreaboutSidney,visit curatedbyreagan.comor@reaganthesidneyonInstagram.Formore about“MasterChef,”includingpast episodes,seefox.com/masterchef.

Howdidyouget interestedincooking?

BÖEN

Sonoma County,Monterey County,Santa Barbara County

PinotNoir.Aromas of dark plum and whitepepper,this wine is well-structured and framed by dry Italian herbs with notesofcinnamon and clove spices. Abundant blackberry bramble and touches of maraschino cherry fill the mid-palate

DISTRIBUTED BY

REAGANSIDNEY: Ihavealways cooked.IcookedalotwhenIwas young.Whenyougotomygrandmother’shouse,youweregonnado something.ButIdidn’tcookcookuntil thepandemic.Mypastor,BishopLester Love,said,“Whatcanyoudothat’sdifferentduringthepandemic?”Hesaid, “Reagan,youliketocook.Golive.”

IstarteddoingitliveonFacebook.It wasanopportunityforpeopletothink outsideoftheirbox.Allthetime,Iam showingpeoplehowtocook,things likejambalayapizzaortacos.Alotof peopleinourcommunitydon’tthink outsidetheirboxwhenitcomesto food.Wekindofeatthesamethings overandoveragain.Iwantedtoshow differentwaystocookthings.

Peoplereallyenjoyedit.Andit turnedintothis.Peoplesaid,“Youlook likeyoureallyliketocook.Canyou caterthisevent?”SoIstarteddoingit, andIabsolutelyloveit.

Itookallofthosethingsandput theminacookbook(“Recipesfor Life”).Ihadalreadydonethework, andpeoplecangobackandlookatthe videos.IreleasedthatinMay

Howdidyou geton“MasterChef?”

S: Iamaprettyspiritualperson.One day,IwaslikeIreallywanttodoTV. Ihadalreadyappliedforthisother

show.Ihadgottenontoashowcalled “HomeCheftoHeadCook,”butitwas notgreenlit.IwassoexcitedImade theshow,butthenitdidnothappen ThenonedayIgotacallfroman 818number,whichisacallyoushould answer.Someonewaslike,“Hi.Iam castingfor‘MasterChef.’Wouldyou liketobepartofthat?”Iwaslike, ohmygod,yes.Wow.Ibelievein sayingwhatyouwant—writeitdown. EverythingIwantedtohappenIwrote down,andIthinkourrichesareinour routines.That’soneoftheinspirations you’llseeinmybook.Isay,“Ifyou wantit,sayit.Writeitdownand makeithappen.”

Ihadtoauditionandmakevideos. Istartedpracticingandwatchingthe showtoseehowthingswent.

ThedishImadetogetontheshow wasjerkshrimpoverroastedcorn.It’s likemytakeoncornmaquechoux, whichisaNewOrleansstaple.I wantedtodoitalittledifferent,so youcantastealltheflavorwithoutall thecreamandbutter.Don’tgetme wrong,ithadsomebutter.Iwanted toshowmorethanetouffeesand thingslikethat.NewOrleansculture isrootedinCaribbeanculture,and NativeAmericanculturewiththecorn. Wehaveabreadthofknowledgeand flavor,andIthinkIbroughtthat

Howhascompeting ontheshowbeen?

S: GordonRamsayisdefinitelyoneof thekindestpeopleyouwillevermeet Whatyouseeispassion.He’svery passionateabouthiscraft.It’snevera knockonyoupersonally.It’saknock onwhatyouhavedone.He’scaring

andkind,andIcan’twaitforpeopleto seewhathesays.

Igotputonthetopfourofa challengeforpaneedchickenover roastedpotatoes.Itwasservedwith adeconstructedhotsauce.Youtake allthecomponentsofthehotsauce, andinsteadofgrindingitalltogether, it’smorelikeapicodegallo.There’s vinegarandchilies,andIusedchampagnevinaigrette.Iletitsitthewhole 45minuteswhilewecooked.Thatwas somethingspecialrightthere. Theteamchallengewasveryhard. Wedidateamchallengeatthefire stationinVenturaCounty(California) Wecookedsteak,potatoesandcarrots for100people.Ididthecarrots.I bastedtheminmolassesandcayenne pepperandgarlicandroastedthemin theoven.Youdon’tknowwhatyou’re cookinguntilyou’rethere.Youhave fiveminutestoplan.Butthebiggest challengewasbeingoutside.Itwas windy,sowe’recookingonopenfire withwind

Theshowhasopeneddoors.Ihave peopleaskingmetocookforthem.I stillhavecateringclients.Iamworking withtheSplitSecondFoundationon theirgala.Therearethingsthatare growingmyvisibility.Iwanttobe knownasaNewOrleanscookwhois inspiringpeople.It’sbiggerthanjustme cookingameal.It’smeshowingkindnessandinspiringpeopletodothings outsideoftheirbox.It’sjustshowing peoplethattheycanpivotanddo somethingnewandbetterandbesuccessful.Iwantmylifetobeatestimony thatifyoujusttryandtrustandwork hard,youcandowhatyouwant.

Chef byWillCoviello

PHOTO©2023FOXMEDIA LLC

Pinot Noir

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

GulfDrumYvonneisservedwithbrown buttersaucewithmushroomsandartichoke hearts.Reservationsrecommended.Dinner

Thu.-Mon $$$

BananaBlossom 5009thSt.,Gretna, (504)500-0997;504bananablossom.com— JimmyCho’sThaidishesincludesmokedpork bellyandporkmeatballsinlemongrassbroth withegg,greenonion,cilantroandgarlic Reservationsacceptedforlargeparties exceptweekends.Deliveryavailable.Lunch anddinnerTue.-Sat $$

Bamboula’s 514FrenchmenSt.,(504) 944-8461;bamboulasnola.com Thelive musicvenue’skitchenoffersamenuof traditionalandcreativeCreoledishes,such asCreolecrawfishcrepeswithagoatcheese andchardonnaycreamsauce.Reservations accepted.Lunch,dinnerandlate-night daily.$$

TheBlueCrabRestaurantandOyster

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

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

DinnerWed.-Sat.,brunchSun $$$

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

$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10

$$—$11-$20

$$$—$20-up

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

DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Themenu highlightsGulfseafoodinCreoledishes.ChargrilledoystersaretoppedwithParmesan andherbs.Reservationsrecommended.

Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse 144 BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse.com There’saseafoodrawbarand disheslikeredfishwithlemonbuerreblanc

Reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner daily.$$$

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

DowntheHatch—817St.LouisSt.,(504) 766-6007;1921SophieWrightPlace,(504) 220-7071;downthehatchnola.com The Texanburgerfeaturesahalf-poundpatty toppedwithcaramelizedonions,smoked bacon,cheddarcheeseandafriedegg.No reservations.Lunch,dinnerandlate-night daily.$$

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—Louisianaoystersareservedrawor char-grilledwithgarlic,Parmesanandbreadcrumbs.Themenuincludesseafoodplatters, po-boysandmore.Noreservations.Lunch anddinnerdaily.$$

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

Breakfastandlunchdaily $$

Juan’sFlyingBurrito 515BaronneSt., (504)529-5825;2018MagazineSt.,(504) 569-0000;4724S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 486-9950;8140OakSt.,(504)897-4800; juansflyingburrito.com—TheFlyingBurrito

includessteak,shrimp,chicken,cheddarjack cheese,blackbeans,rice,guacamoleand salsa.Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.LunchanddinnerThu.-Tue.$$ Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt.,(504) 488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com—TheeclecticmenuincludesaCajunCubanwithroasted pork,ham,cheeseandpicklesonbuttered bread.Deliveryavailable.Reservations acceptedforlargeparties.Lunchanddinner

Tue.-Sun $$

Kilroy’sBar—HigginsHotel,480Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining Thebarmenu includessandwiches,saladsandflatbreads, includingonetoppedwithpeach,prosciutto, stracciatellacheese,arugulaandpecans.No reservations.DinnerWed.-Sat $$

LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern 700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350;legacykitchen.com Themenuincludesoysters, flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches,salads andaNOLAStyleGritsBowltopped withbacon,cheddarandapoachedegg Reservationsaccepted.Breakfast,lunch anddinnerdaily.$$ LegacyKitchenSteak&Chop—91Westbank Expressway,Gretna,(504)513-2606; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludesfilets mignons,bone-inrib-eyesandtopsirloins, aswellasburgers,saladsandseafooddishes. Reservationsaccepted.Outdoorseating available.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat $$ LuzianneCafe—481GirodSt.,(504)2651972;luziannecafe.com CajunSunshine Beignetsarestuffedwitheggs,bacon, cheeseandhotsauce.Noreservations. Deliveryavailable.Breakfastandlunch Wed.-Sun.$$ MartinWineCellar 714ElmeerAve., Metairie,(504)896-7350;3827Baronne St.,(504)894-7444;martinwine.com—The deliservessandwichesandsaladssuchas theSena,withchicken,raisins,bluecheese, pecansandTabascopepperjellyvinaigrette. Noreservations.Lunchdaily.$$ Mikimoto—3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com—TheSouth Carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.Reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.LunchSun.Fri.,dinnerdaily.$$ Mosca’s 4137Highway90West, Westwego,(504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com Thisfamily-styleeatery servesItaliandishesandspecialtiesincluding chickenalagrandeandbakedoystersMosca Reservationsaccepted.DinnerWed.-Sat.

Cashonly $$$

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

Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys, jambalaya,crawfishetouffee,redbeansand riceandmore.Deliveryavailable.Noreservations.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeanswithfriedchickenorpork chops,aswellasseafoodplatters,po-boys, char-grilledoysters,saladsandmore.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun $$

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

more.Noreservations.Lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-Sat $$$

TheOriginalItalianPie—3629PrytaniaSt., (504)766-8912;theoriginalitalianpieuptown.com TheItalianPiecomboincludes pepperoni,Italiansausage,groundbeef, mushrooms,sauteedonions,bellpepper, blackolives,mozzarellaandhouse-made tomatosauce.Noreservations.Dinnerand late-nightTue.-Sat.$$

OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro 720 OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com—Thewinebar’smenuincludes Creolepastawithshrimpandandouillein tomatocreamsauce.Reservationsaccepted forlargeparties.Outdoorseatingavailable DinnerThu.-Sun.$$ PalaceCafe 605CanalSt.,(504)5231661;palacecafe.com Thecontemporary Creolemenuincludessignaturecrabmeat cheesecaketoppedwithmushroomsand Creolemeunieresauce.Outdoorseating available.Reservationsrecommended.

LunchWed.-Fri.,dinnerWed.-Sun.,brunch Sat.-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)9343463;tableaufrenchquarter.com Pasta bouillabaissefeaturessquidinkmafaldine, littleneckclams,Gulfshrimp,squid,seafood broth,rouilleandherbedbreadcrumbs Outdoorseatingavailable.Reservations recommended.DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunch

Thu.-Sun $$$

Tacklebox 817CommonSt.,(504)8271651;legacykitchen.com Theseafood restaurantservesoysters,anddishes likeredfishSt.Charleswithgarlic-herb butter,asparagus,mushroomsand

TheBlueCrabRestaurant& OysterBar(118HarborView Court,Slidell,(985)315-7001; 7900LakeshoreDrive,(504) 284-2898;thebluecrabnola. com)servesgrilledredfishand otherseafooditems.

crawfishcornbread.Reservationsaccepted. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza 1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024CanalSt., (504)302-1133;4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554;70488Highway21,Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com A MarilynnPotaSupremepieistopped withmozzarella,pepperoni,sausage, hamburger,mushrooms,bellpeppersand onions.Therealsoaresalads,sandwiches andmore.Deliveryavailable.Lunchand dinnerTue.-Sat $

Tito’sCeviche&Pisco—1433St.Charles Ave.,(504)354-1342;5015Magazine St.,(504)267-7612;titoscevichepisco. com Peruvianlomosaltadofeaturesbeef sauteedwithonions,tomatoes,cilantro, soysauceandpisco,servedwithfried potatoesandrice.Outdoorseatingavailable onMagazineStreet.Deliveryavailable Reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Mon.-Sat.,brunchSun $$$

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

The menuincludesbeignets,smallplates, flatbreadsandaveggiepressedsandwich withavocado,onions,arugula,redpepper andpepperjackcheese.Noreservations. Deliveryandoutdoorseatingavailable Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ ZhangBistro—1141DecaturSt.,(504)8268888;zhangbistronola.com Themenuof ChineseandThaidishesincludesaSzechuan HotWokwithachoiceofchicken,beef, shrimportofuwithonions,bellpeppers, cauliflower,jalapenosandspicysauce Reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Thu.-Tue.$$

PHOTOBYBRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

heartouchesofYoLaTengo,Dinosaur Jr.,SonicYouthandsomeMyBloody Valentineintheirsound.Horsegirl takesitallandshakesitupforsomethingfresh,newandfun,ascanbe heardontheir2022debut,“Versions ofModernPerformance.”Horsegirl rollsthroughToulouseTheatrewith fellowChicagobandLifeguardat8 p.m.Wednesday,Aug.2.Ticketsare $16viatoulousetheatre.com

LocateS,1

ON“WICKEDJAW,”CHRISTINA SCHNEIDER’SRECENTLYRELEASED THIRDALBUMasLocateS,1,the Athens,Georgia,singer-songwriter spansdecadesandgenres,from doo-wopandcountrytodiscoand electropop.Andwhileoftenupbeat andcatchy,there’saheavinessto thesongwritingasSchneiderprocessestraumaandchildhoodabuse LocateS,1isontourthissummer withOfMontreal,butfirstthey headlinetheHowlin’Wolfat9p.m Friday,Aug.4.Ticketsare$12 viathehowlinwolf.com

Mizmor

MIZMOR,THEBLACKENEDDOOMMETAL PROJECTOFMUSICIANA.L.N.,HAS

HADADECADE-LONGCAREERmarked byreleaseswithanepic,intricate scope.Butthisyear,Mizmorturnedto makingan“intentionallylessconceptual”record,theysaid,andreleased theexceptional,frenetic“Prosaic.” Mizmorisnowontourwithalocal showat8p.m.Sunday,Aug.6,at SiberiawithThou(withwhichMizmor releasedagreatcollaborativerecord lastyear)andFauns.Ticketsare$17 viasiberianola.com.

IkoAllstars

NEWORLEANSMUSICIANSBILLYIUSO, REGGIESCANLAN,MIKEDOUSSAN, EDDIECHRISTMAS,MICHAELFOUQUIER ANDJOEASHLARcelebratethemusic ofTheGratefulDeadastheband IkoAllstars.OnSaturday,Aug.5, they’llpaytributetoDeadguitarist andvocalistJerryGarciawithashow atTipitina’s.Themusicstartsat 9p.m.,andticketsare$20 viatipitinas.com

ForbiddenFruit

FORBIDDENFRUITWILLFEATUREMORE THANADOZENNEWORLEANSPOLE

DANCERShittingthestagetobenefit abortionjustice.OrganizedbyTricia Ayllon(PlaymakerCreations)and EliskipPole,thebenefitshowwill featuredancersandteachersViper

ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT

theVixen,BellaBlue,AshleyCooper, KyleMills,BrandiToddandmore.Half ofallticketsaleswillgotowardLift Louisiana.ForbiddenFruitstartsat9 p.m.Thursday,Aug.3,atTheRabbit Hole.Ticketsare$20advance viarabbitholenola.com.

BlackFlag

ANCHOREDBYGUITARISTGREGGINN, BLACKFLAGHASGONETHROUGH NUMEROUSLINEUPCHANGESand reunionerasovertheyears,but there’snodoubtabouttheWestCoast hardcoreband’splaceinpunkhistory. Thebandisspending2023marking the40thanniversaryof“MyWar.” WithHenryRollins(who’sintheU.K. thisweek,sodon’texpectasurprise) onvocals,BlackFlag’ssecondstudio albumoriginallymadefanscocktheir eyebrowsatthealbum’ssuddenBlack Sabbathinfluences,but“MyWar” hasbecomeoneofthehardcore genre’sstaplealbums.BlackFlag playsat8p.m.Saturday,Aug.5,at HouseofBlues.Ticketsare$25 vialivenation.com.

48HourFilmProject

MORETHAN20TEAMSOFAMATEURAND PROFESSIONALFILMMAKERSWILLCOMPETEintheNewOrleanseditionofthe 48HourFilmProject.Teamsrandomly drawafilmgenre,alineofdialogand characternamethattheymustuse inaseven-minutefilmwritten,shot, editedandsubmittedwithintwo days.Someteamsmaystillbeadding teammembersbeforethedrawing andkickoffat6p.m.Friday,Aug.4. Teamsmustcompletetheirfilmsby 7:30p.m.Sunday,Aug.6.Completed filmswillbescreenedonFriday,Aug. 18,attheGeorge&JoyceWeinJazz &HeritageCenter.Thetopfilmgoes ontocompeteagainstothercitiesat FilmapaloozainMarch2024.Visit 48hourfilm.com/neworleans/48hfp forinformation

BulbanchaRiseUp

ORGANIZEDBYLOCALARTIST,TRADITIONALAFRICANSANGOPRIEST,and VOQALfellowshiprecipientMarcus AkinlanawiththeCongoSquare PreservationSocietyandIndigenous culturalactivists,BulbanchaRiseUpis aseriesofconcerts,artperformances andAfro-Indigenousritualpractices

Thenexteventtakesplaceat1p.m Sunday,Aug.6,withlivemusic,art anddemonstrationsandlessonson

Voodooheritageandthehistoryofthe area’sMarooncommunities.Findmore informationatakinlana.com.

MUSIC

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

Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

MONDAY31

BAMBOULAS—StephenBrashearBand, 1:15pm;TheMelataun’s,5:30pm;Ed WillsBlues4Sale,9pm

BJ’S—SmokehouseBrownandtheRed BeansBluesBand,10pm

BUFFA’S—Z2JazzBand,5pm

CHICKIEWAHWAH–Alexisandthe Sanity,7pm

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

GASAGASA—WolfEyeswithDeath PostureandSebastianFigueroa,Steve Kenny,CoralMercy,9pm

THEMAISON RugCutters,4pm; AmberandtheSweetPotatoes,8pm

PRESERVATIONHALL The PreservationBrass,5,6:15,7:30 &8:15pm

SPOTTEDCAT—JenavieveCookandthe WindingBoys,2pm;DominickGrilloand theFrenchmenStreetAll-Stars,6pm; DoubleWiskey,9:30pm

TUESDAY1

BUFFA’S AlexMcMurray,5pm

JOYTHEATER—Jidenna,8pm

THERABBITHOLE—RebirthBrass Band,10pm

SPOTTEDCAT—ChrisChristyBand, 2pm;TheLittleBigHorns,6pm;Smoking TimeJazzClub,9:30pm

WEDNESDAY2

BLUENILE NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm

BUFFA’S—WootonWednesdays,5pm

HARDROCKCAFENEWORLEANS— AdamPearce,8pm

SANTOS—EarlyDayMiners,LocalTourist andKayWeathers(solo),9pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—Funkin'ItUp withBigSam,7:30pm

SPOTTEDCAT—ChrisChristy Band,2pm;ShotgunJazzBand,6pm; MartinPerters&theParty Meters,9:30pm

THETOULOUSETHEATRE — Horsegirl,7pm

THURSDAY3

BLUENILE WhereY'atBrassBand,9pm

BUFFA’S—TomMcDermottandTim Laughlin,6pm

D.B.A—TheJumpHounds,8pm

FOURSEASONSHOTEL—TimHeidecker: TheTwoTImsSummerTour‘23,8pm

GASAGASA—VedaswithPinecone BrothersandKrisRuss,9pm

JOYTHEATER—TimHeidecker,8pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE Brass-AHolics,7:30pm

RABBITHOLE—ForbiddenFruit:APole BenefitShowforAbortionJustice,9pm

SPOTTEDCAT—ChrisChristyBand, 2pm;JenavieveCookandtheWinding Boys,6pm;JumboShrimpJazz Band,10pm

VAUGHAN’S—CoreyHenryandthe TremeFunktet,10pm

FRIDAY4

BLUENILE—TheCaesarBrothers,8 pm;KermitRuffinsandtheBarbecue Swingers,11pm

BLUENILEBALCONYROOM Trumpet Slim&BrassFlavor,10pm

BUFFA’S—ColeWilliams,6pm

D.B.A. ShayeCohnandthed.b.a AllstarsJazzBand,5pm;Soul Rebels,10pm

GASAGASA—SceneSummerSlam: AnInclusiveNightofEverything Scene,9pm

HARDROCKCAFENEWORLEANS— KennedyKuntz,10pm

HOWLIN'WOLF —LocateS,1,9pm

RABBITHOLE Jerry-Rigged:CelebrationofJeromeJohnGarcia,7:30pm

SANTOS—Strays,AtomicMotorQueen, Drab,9pm

SPOTTEDCAT—ParadiseJazzBand,2 pm;NewOrleansCottonmouthKings,6 pm;TheCatahoulas,10pm

TIPITINA'S Brass-A-Holics,Noah YoungBand,9pm

SATURDAY5

BLUENILE—GeorgeBrownBand,8pm; NewBreedBrassBand,11pm

BUFFA’S—AmberRachelleandtheSweet Pottatoes,6pm

D.B.A—NewOrleansCottonmouth Kings,2pm;TubaySkinny,6pm;Little FreddieKing,10pm

GASAGASA—RoseGardenFuneral PartywithSculptureClubandEmpty Model,9pm

JOYTHEATER KillerMike,TheHigh& HolyTour,8pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—TheNayoJones Experience,7:30&9pm

RABBITHOLE ApogeeRoadtrip, featuringMarcusLott,TRNMEUP,Kenny Normal,ElephantEars,ZeroGand Unspoken,9pm

Brass-A-HolicsplaysTipitina’s withtheNoahYoingBand

Friday,August4

REPUBLICNOLA—WhiteLinenAfter PartyfeaturingKidKamillion,DJGandDJ Mat,9pm

SPOTTEDCAT—RobinBarnesandFIYA Birds,6pm;SoulBrassBand,10pm

TIPITINA'S IkoAllstars,9pm

SUNDAY6

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

BUFFA’S—TraditionalJazzBrunchwith SomeLikeItHot!,9am;PfisterSisters, 4:45pm

D.B.A.—PalmettoBugStompers,5pm; TremeBrassBand,9pm

SIBERIA—Mizmor,Thou,Fauns,8pm

SPOTTEDCAT—JellyRollStompers,2 pm;SecretSix,6pm;PatCaseyandthe NewSound,9pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE ChuckyCand Band,7:30pm

PHOTOBYCHARLESCHAMPAGNE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Highercalling

byJakeClapp

KILLERMIKE’SHIGH &HOLYTOUR“ISN’T JUSTARAPSHOW,it’s arevival,”theAtlanta rapperhassaid. There’rethetrappings ofafieryBlackevangelicalchurchserviceon stage:apulpit,candles, flowers…eachitem withadeepermeaning forMike:tohonorhis mother,aflorist,and hisgrandmotherwho gavehimaspiritual base.Andinsteadofan organist,DJTrackstar standsbehindthealtar alongsidethechoir,The MidnightRevival.

Mikeisatthefront, usinghispowerful baritoneandSoutherncharismato spreadthegoodword—notnecessarily aboutGodbutaboutMichaelRender, thecomplexmanonstage.

“Igrewupgoingtoamazingrap shows,andwiththatsaid,allofthose shows,asdopeastheywere,werestill sometimesnotascrazyandbeautifully spiritualastherevivalsmygrandmother wouldtakemeto,”MiketoldGambit onthephonefromSeattle.“Revivals wouldcomethroughyourneighborhoodwhenIwasakid,andeventhough Ididn’tlikegoingtochurch,revivals alwayshadamazingmusic.Whenyou wenttorevival,youdidn’thavetodress up…itwaseverybodyunderoneplace andrevelinginthemusic.”

NewOrleanswillgetatasteof Southernhip-hopspiritualhealing whenKillerMikeandtheMidnight Revivalcrusadesintotownat7p.m. Saturday,Aug.5,attheJoyTheater.All sinnerswelcome

TheHigh&HolyTourcomesonthe heelsofKillerMike’slatestsoloalbum, “Michael,”releasedlastmonth.It’shis firstsolorecordsince2012’s“R.A.P. Music”—muchofKillerMike’slast decadehasbeendedicatedtoRunthe Jewels,hiscollaborationwithBrooklyn emceeandproducerEl-P.Theduo inSeptemberarecelebratingtheir massiveruntogetherwithshowsinNew York,Chicago,AtlantaandLosAngeles. ExecutiveproducedbyNoI.D., “Michael”featureshisDungeonFamily cohortsAndre3000andFuture,El-P, NewOrleans’Curren$y,YoungThug, Blxstandmore

WhileMikehasreferencedreligion andspiritualityinhismusicnumerous timesoverhiscareer,“Michael”sees

therapperembracingitmoreopenly —especiallyintheinfluencesofthe SouthernBlackchurchonthesound oftherecord.Butthisisn’tagospel record,andMikeisn’tproselytizing. It’sjustonelenstostarttounderstand MichaelRender

“Michael”isdeeplypersonaland autobiographical.KillerMikelaysitall outthere:spirituality,sex,drugs,stardom,controversy,guilt,mentalhealth, activism,money,success,Blackness, Southernness,familyandmore.And hecanbecomplicated—KillerMikehas beenfierceinhisadvocacyforworker rightsandtheBlackcommunitybuthas drawncriticismforappearingonNRA TVandmeetingwithGeorgiaGov BrianKemp.

It’salsoavulnerablealbum,andhe showsalotofcompassionforothers andhimself.

“IjustwantbrotherstoknowI’mwith you,”headds.“Andthatain’tjustfor mybrothersofmycolor,that’sforthe workerclassacrosstheboardandthe womenwholovethem—theirmothers,theirlovers,wives,sisters,nieces, daughters.There’sasegmentnotbeing rappedtoandfor.”

KillerMikedoesn’tseehimselfasa preacher,perse,justa“truth-seeker andatruth-sayer,”hesays.“Isee myselfasaBlackmanwhogrewup inaSouthernevangelical,Pentecostalexperience.”

TicketsforKillerMike’sshowstartat $30viathejoytheater.com.

KillerMikeplaysthe JoyTheateron Saturday,Aug.5.

PROVIDEDPHOTO BY JONATHAN MANNION

WHO’S OOTBALL FORSOME FOR SOM READY

FOOTBALL?

www.nolagiftsanddecoronline.com @nolagiftsanddecor

byWillCoviello

INLOCALDIRECTORJOE BADON’S“THEWHEEL OFHEAVEN,”Margethe mechanicsometimes readsusedbooksinthe officeofherautoshop. Shechain-smokesasshe worksherwaythroughthe choose-your-own-adventurepaperback.Thecover showsaburningcoffinin afield,whileaspaceship resemblingtheU.S.S. Enterprisefrom“Star Trek”crossesthesky.

Thatcapturesthe movie’sdisparatesettings, asMargeandother charactersplayedbythesameactress, KaliRussell,navigatehorrorandslasher stories,spaceexploration,bizarre partiesandmore.Aftertwoandahalf years,Badonisfinallypremieringhis low-budgetsurrealsci-fifilmonFriday, Aug.4,atNewMarignyTheatre

“WheelofHeaven”usesanepisodic schemetojumpfromonestorylineto another,andit’salsobrokenupand patchedtogetherwithbehind-thescenesshotsofthemakingofthefilm. Othertimes,Margejustdecidesonthe moreadventurouschoiceastheaction jumpstoanotherpage.

Thefirstpartof“WheelofHeaven” premieredin2021asthe12-minuteshortfilm“TheBloodofthe Dinosaurs.”Thatpiecehasallof Badon’sdistinctstylewithvideo montagesandtheincorporationof grainyoldnewsreelfootageandbizarre shortclipsofanimation,videogame graphicsandmore.Therearescenes ofdinosaursroamingtheEarthfilmed withtoysandspecialeffects.

But“BloodoftheDinosaurs”takes placeonthesetofachildren’sTVshow, whichuponcloserviewisabitoff-kilter. UncleBobbolookslikeacreepyversion ofMr.Rogers,andhetriestoexplain toayounggirlnamedPuritywhathappenedtothedinosaurs.

WhenBadonwasplanningtomake “WheelofHeaven,”aproducer frontedthemoneytomake“Blood oftheDinosaurs”first.Theplanwas toreleaseitandthenleverageitto launchaKickstartercampaignto fundtherestofthefilm.Itdidn’tgo exactlyasplanned

“Ithadaninsanelylongrun,”Badon says.“Itpeteredoutthefirstyear anddidn’treallydoanything.Then mymainactor,VincentStalba(Uncle Bobbo),waslike,‘Thissucks,because thismovieisawesome.’Hestarted

emailingfestivals,andwegotinto Fantasia(InternationalFilmFestival) andFantasticFest,andthatrebirthedit throughthefestivalsagain.”

In“Wheel,”thestoryleapsaheadin time,andtheyoungPurityfromUncle Bobbo’sshowisnowaformerchildstar castasidebyHollywood.Butthestory constantlychanges,asiftheviewer werechannelsurfing,butwithrelated storiesandcharacters

Russellplaysasilver-wiggedleader ofaspaceexplorationvesselthatlooks likeacheapbutgroovierknockoffof “StarTrek.”Anothercharacterisan artistwhobuildsamodelversionofthe spaceship.Anadultwomanalsonamed Puritytripsthroughvarioushorror filmscenarios,dodgingkillerswhile runningthroughforestsanddriving downcountryroadsinpursuitofmysteriousfigures.Othervideosnippets alsoareworkedin,andtherearefake advertisementsforRadAbrams,the SkateboardAttorney

In“Wheel,”asinpreviousfeatures including“SisterTempest,”Badonhas overcomesmallbudgetswithfreewheelingcreativity.

“Ihavemadethreefeatures,two shortsandamusicvideointhelastsix years,andallofitforunder$100,000,” hesays

Atthepremiereof“Wheel,”there willbeafilmscreeningandQ&Awith Badon,aswellasacashbarandthe pop-upCrunchyMunchyNOLA.The filmalsowillopenonAug.18forarun atZeitgeistTheatre&Loungebefore Badontakesitonthefestivalcircuit.

Findticketsforthepremiereon eventbrite.com.FormoreonJoeBadon visitjoebadon.comor@joebadonart onInstagram.

KaliRussellstarsin ‘WheelofHeaven.’ PHOTOPROVIDEDBYJOE BADON

ACROSS

1Woes

5Doubtfire’s title

8Italian wine region

12Blaster’s stuff

15Young wolf

18Italian “Bye!”

19“Well now!”

20Demonstrate

21“Yuk”

DISCRETE CHARACTERS

SAME-SOUNDING SIX

By Frank A. Longo

57“Insecure” network

58Personal manner

60Ore

61Definition of homophone #3 64Sponge gently 67Suffix with Ecuador 68Give the title 69600 minutes after noon 70Definition of homophone #4 76Find an owner for, as a cat 77Veers suddenly

SPECTACULAR RENOVATION ON DEEP LOT!

BEAUTIFULNEWLY RENOVATEDHOME!!

4127 CLARASTREET•UPTOWN NEWPRICE

3BR, 2.5BA, 2190

Sq Ft.Beautiful SpaciousOpenFloor Plan.Renov’d in 2018

hasthe character of aClassic N.O. Home w/ Modern conveniences& Gorgeous Finishes. 12 Ft Ceilings,HdwdFlrs thruout.Upscale Kitchenw/QuartzCounters. PrimarySuite has Bathroomw/WalkinShower &Whirlpool.DeepLot 150ft.$499,000

(504) 895-4663

CLARASTREET NEWPRICE

2430

Tons of light!Gutted to studs &completely redone. 3BR/2.5BA plus abonus office/ space.Great for thosewho work from home. Immaculate Kitchenw/Granite CounterTops &Large DiningIsland. AllBathroomshave beenredone to perfection. Oversized PrimaryBdrm, en-suiteBAw/ JettedTub &WalkinShower. Centrally located for easy access to Uptown, Downtown& I-10.Off Street parking. $285,000

TOPPRODUCER GARDEN DISTRICTOFFICE

2016, 2017, 2020 &2022

42— Goldberg machine

43Horse’s gait

44“Mask” star

45On — with

46Novice, in slang

47Goddess of agriculture

52Allude

53Oodles

54“The World According to —”

55Like a K-6 school: Abbr.

57Top seller

58Feigned kissing sound

59Producing charged particles in

60Film prefix with “Cop”

61Insect feelers

62Aug. follower

63Hubbub

64Sweetheart

65“The King —”

66Weed — (lawn product)

71Short-billed rail

72Corn coverer

73Fat-removal job, for short

74Inca’s home

ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRS

75Basil, for one

79“Band on the Run” singer

80Surrealist Salvador

81Speaks

83Kin of reggae

84Mimic

85Three trios

87To be, to Henriette

88More apt to complain

89“Check,” at a poker table

90Dam creation

91 Tar Pits

92Like some huts or hats

93Penitent sort

94Safari shelter

R.E.M.