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Mac Phipps releases ‘Son of the City,’ first album in 22 years

MCKINLEY“MAC”PHIPPSJR.RETURNED

HOMELASTJUNE,and within afew months he startedtoeasebackinto thepublic eye. By thebeginning of fall,the NewOrleans-bornrap per hadreleased anew single,“21 Summers,”and wastakingpartin interviews about everything from his time with No LimitRecords and new musictohis 21 summersinprison, maintained innocenceand advocacy forthe wrongfully incarcerated Soon,hewas back on stage, playing arenaswithhis former labelmatesonthe No LimitReunion tour in late 2021 and early2022—a “culture shock,”headmits, quickly goingfromaprisondormtoa stage in frontof20,000 people.And in April,hemadeasurprisehometown return when he joined MiaX during her setatthe NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival. Phipps’ son, McKinleyGreen,who performs as Bandana Kin, also came outon stage to rapalongsidehis father on thesong“You’re My Brother.”

Phippswill capabusyyearon Oct. 31 with thereleaseof“Sonof theCity,”his first full-lengthalbum in 22 years. Phippsstarted working on “Son of theCity” soon afterhe wasreleased —hewas eager to record verses he hadwritten over thelastdecadeorso—and most of thealbum wascompletedin2021.

Some work on thealbum contin uedthroughoutthisyear, and it took some time forPhippstonavigate thenew ways musicisbeing made and released, he says.Therealso wasa smallpartofhim,evenashe wasrockingarenasand talkingto press,thatcaught“cold feet”atthe prospect of releasing anew album.

“After beingsilencedfor so long, it had an effect on my confidence,” Phippssays. “Knowing you’re about to do somethingthatyou haven’t done in over 20-plus years, and that’s release an album, andyou’re 40-somethingyears old, andyou’re doinghip-hop.That’ssomething as an artist Ihad to deal with with myself,and eventually Iput those fears aside. It waslike, nah,nah,this is what Iwas born to do.”

Therewasn’tany onesilverbulletto help Phipps,who’s 45 years old,get overany insecurities —all artistshave those doubts, he says —but being back in frontofaudiences helped his confidence.And he knew hiscareer hadn’t endedwhen he was21.

Theyear2000,whenhewas arrested andhis career abruptly

by Jake Clapp|

paused,“wasn’twhereIwantedit to stop forme. Istill have musicthat I’ve been writingfor thelast 20-plus yearsthatI want to getout to the public,” Phipps says

On the10-track“Sonofthe City,” Phippsdemonstrates thehallmarklyricalprowess that earned himpraiseinthe late ’90s with thereleaseofhis albums “Shell Shocked”and “World WarIII.” But there’sa naturalmaturity that has come with ageand life experience

Tracks on “Son of theCity” were producedbyPhippsalong with Rayvon Neal —who wasfor merly incarcerated at ElaynHunt Correctional Facility alongside Phippsand ledthe prison’sband and NewOrleans musician Cognac Rappers3DNa’tee, Curren$yand Fiendfeature on thefiercealbum closer “Uncut,” Dee-1 appearson “NoFear” and CarenGreen sings onthe song “IfForever Comes.”

Phipps’sister, TiffanyPhipps-Cave, appears on theopening track“Dry Snitchin’” andlater on thealbum, McKinley Greenrapson“ICan’t Go.”

Phipps’brothers, trombonist Jeremy —who plays in theband People Museum —and saxophonistJoshua, both contributedtothe album.

They recorded thealbum at Skoota Warner’s home studio in Uptown andatRichmindStudios inNew Orleans East.InSeptember, Phipps, Neal,Warner andother guest musiciansplayedthe album livefor an audienceatThe Fillmore.

“I thinkthateverythingthatI am is areflectionofNew Orleans,” says Phipps,explainingthe album’stitle “Mymother’s from Uptown,my dad’sfromdowntown, so we moved around alot,and we’vebasically lived everywhereinNew Orleans.SoI just consider myself ason of thecity.”

Phipps’ parentsboth paint,and hisdad introducedhim to Earth Wind &Firewhile hismother listened to EltonJohnand jazz. His uncleintroduced himtohip-hop, and Phippsfellinlove with the genre at an early age. He started writing hisown musicand at 13 released hisfirst albumin1990.

Afew yearslater,Phippssigned withMaster P’sNoLimit and in 1998 released “ShellShocked,”which just missed cracking thetop 10 on the Billboard200 chart. His“WorldWar III” followedthe next year

In early2000,Phipps, whowas then 22,was at aconcertata crowded,hazyclubinSlidellwhen

Crescent City Blues &BBQ Festival

MacPhippswillrelease ‘SonoftheCity’onOct.31.

afight brokeout.Agun wasfired, and 19-year-old Barron Victor Jr waskilled.PolicearrestedPhipps, and in 2001,hewas convictedof manslaughterbyasplit jury. Phippsalwaysassertedhis inno cence, andin2014, an investigation by TheMedill JusticeProject along withThe Lens and Louisiana State University uncoveredevidence supporting Phipps. In 2015,five witnesses told TheHuffingtonPost that they were bullied by authorities to place thekilling on Phipps.

Phipps’ requested clemency in 2016, butthe effort failed.Then in April 2021,Gov.John BelEdwards granteda newrequest, and astate parole boardvoted to release Phippsfromprison.

During histrial in 2000,prosecu tors used Phipps’lyricsagainst him in court, andhis case drew national attention, includinginthe book “Rap on Trial” and theNPR podcast “Louder than aRiot.”OnNov.1, Phippswill take part in amulti-panel symposium at DillardUniversity withrapper Killer Mike,“Rapon Trial” author Erik Nielsonand others on theissue of lawenforcement usingmusic as evidence

“For someonetotakethe very thingweuse to expressourselves and useitagainst us in court, we do atragedytofolks,” Phippssays.

Find “Son of theCity” on stream ingplatforms.And find Phipps on Instagram, @macphippsofficial

THENEWORLEANSJAZZ&HERITAGE FOUNDATION’SFREEBLUESANDBARBECUEFESTIVAL returnstoLafayette SquareParkonFriday, Oct. 14, throughSunday, Oct. 16.Robert Finleyand JonCleary &The Absolute Monster Gentlemen play Friday,and Saturday’s musiclineup includesCharlieMusselwhite, Walter “Wolfman”Washington, KennyNeal, MiaBorders andmore. On Sunday, Ruthie Foster,LittleFreddie King, JohnnySansone, TrudyLynnand otherswill perform. Food vendors will be servingbarbecue dishes alongwith vegetarian and vegan options,and therealso will be an arts market.The musicstartsat5:30 p.m. Friday andat11a.m.Saturday andSunday. Youcan also listen liveonWWOZ90.7-FM.Findmore informationatjazzandheritage.org.

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

TheCrescentCityBlues&BBQFestival isOct.14-16inLafayetteSquarePark.

MeridianBrothers

COLOMBIA’SMERIDIANBROTHERSIS

ANELECTRONICROCKBAND working withmanytraditionalLatin sounds, includingsalsa and cumbia.Eblis Alvarez is themastermind solo artist behindthe recordings, buthe performslivewithafullband,and sometimesunderthe monikers of fictionalbands. TheAugustrelease credited to MeridianBrothers& El GrupoRenacimientofuses an imaginarylost1970ssalsa band with modern,psychedelic tinges.People Museum opensat7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16,atMusic BoxVillage. Tickets $25via musicboxvillage.com.

Gov’tMajik

THE10-MEMBERGOV’TMAJIKWILLPLAY

ITSFIRSTSHOW in more than three years on Saturday,Oct.15, at the Blue Nile.It’sa return to thestage

PROVIDED PHOTO BY ANGELIQUE PHIPPS

WIN GAME TICKETS!

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

TheSankofaCommunityGarden

hasbeendesignateda People’s Garden by theU.S.Department of Agriculture,afirst in Louisiana. NewOrleans also is oneofonly17urban hubs to have aPeople’s Garden.The USDA startedits People’s Garden initiativetohighlight and supportcommunity gardens that grow freshproduceused inlocal food systems. Sankofa Community Garden is located at 27 St.Claude Courtinthe Lower9th Ward LouisianaOfficeofJuvenileJusticeschools areseriously failing students,putting kids waybehind academically if they enter ajuveniledetention center,accordingtothe Louisiana Center forChildren’sRights. Among thegroup’s findings:Morethan 75%ofstudents enrolled in an OJJschoolfailtoprogress to thenextgrade;schools are regularlyshutdown, sometimes formonths; OJJstaff fail to address disruptionsand safety concerns;thereisn’tproper planningfor students’transitionsout of juvenile detention; andthe Louisiana Department of Educationisfailing to prop erly overseeOJJ schools

Areaslumlordscouldseesignificantincreases oftheirfinesunderanewordinance.

CityCouncilmovestoboost finesonslumlords

THENEWORLEANSCITYCOUNCIL

ONTHURSDAYPASSEDNEWRULES

targeted at cleaning up blighted properties throughout thecity.

Thenew rules stop shortofthe morecontroversialpracticeof criminalizingblight.Instead, the biggest changesfocus on allowingthe city to potentially collect morefines on larger apartment complexesand speedingupthe processfor collecting blight-relatedfines

Although theterm“blighted properties”iscommonly used to refertoabandoned or otherwise unoccupiedbuildings, thecityis usingthe rulestonot only address that class of properties butalso homesand apartmentcomplexes operated by slumlords

affected,now Code Enforcement hasthe ability to cite theowners forall 18 violations,” Giarrussosaid.

Another requires thecityto automatically schedule afol low-uphearing within 60 days afterthe first blight hearing, so that thecitycan setdaily finesto collecteachday theownersdon’t fixthe violations.

According to Giarrusso, it currentlytakes around sixto nine months from theinitial hearingtothe follow-uphearing Meanwhile, thecityisn’t punishing property owners fornot addressingthe violations

“Thishas driven me crazysince the beginning,” Giarrussotold Gambit earlier this year.

COUNT#

1,031

ORLEANS JUSTICE CENTER

That’s thehighest it’s been sincethe startofthe COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. At itspeakin2015, thejail’spop ulation wasupto1,800.Prisoners’rights advocatessay theswelling population is asafety andsecurityconcern. Forthe past severalmonths, theshort-staffed sheriff’sofficehas been unable to preventviolencefromoccurring within thefacility,includingmultiple stabbings and asuicide. Data compiled by AH Datalytics show that nearly 40%ofthose beingheldinthe jail were arrested on non-violent charges.

40.2%

RENAMINGTHE AIRPORT TO LATOYA CANTRELL INTERNATIONAL

NewOrleanspolicemishandled acomplaintfiled by Belden “Noonie Man” Batisteagainst former City Council member Jay Banks afterthe twomen hada heated exchange in early2021, accordingtothe Independent PoliceMonitor.The monitor’s of fice foundtherewas nonverbal intimidation againstBatiste,con flicts of interest and contradic tory statements made by police during their2021investigation.

“Blight is one of thebiggest areas that everyone continues to talktousabout,” said Council MemberJoe Giarrusso, whose office hasbeenleading effortson thenew rules

Onechangeletscitycode inspectors cite violations on each housing unitrather than on each property, whichcould ramp up the number —and thereforethe total price— of fines. Council members hope this will putmorepressure on owners of largeapartment complexestokeep up theirunits.

“Sorather than having onevio lation if thereare 18 unitsthatare

“Daily finesare trulythe hammer that canhelpmove some thingout of blight,” he added on Thursday.

Theordinance also attempts to “put moreteeth”intoemergency procedures,Giarrussosaid, and crackdownonthe accumulation of hazardouswasteand unse curedpools.

“We’veseen toomanypho tosfromevery districtabout improperlystoredgasolineor paintthinners in general,” he said.“That is athreattosafetyin general andparticularlyduring hurricane season.”

PHOTO BY DOUG MACCASH/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Another provision, from Council Member Oliver Thomas, would let thecityhold offongivingsomeonetheir business licenseifthey’re notmaintaining theirproperty

Still,the city will be in charge of implementing thenew rules,and they’vesofar struggledtoenforce theonesalready on thebooks.A monthago,Code Enforcement Director Thomas Mulligan told thecouncil only half of theirCode Enforcement inspectorpositions were filled and that some code enforcementcomplaints had “fallenthrough thecracks.”

Thecityownssomeblighted properties,too,including the abandoned Bywaternaval base that made headlinesfor thecrimes and subsequent sweepthereear lier this year

To beginaddressingthat, the council unanimouslypassed a separateproposalbyCouncil PresidentHelenaMorenowould create apublic online list of all vacant city-owned properties and thecondition they’rein, as determined by an annual inspec tion,byApril 1. TheDepartmentof Property Management would rank each property from “dilapidated” to “excellent,” andthe city would need to provideacostestimate and construction timelineonhow to fixupthose falling into thebot tomtwo categories

Fordilapidated properties,the city will“need to do an assessmentastowhatitwill cost to makesurethatthese properties aremaintained andsecured, meaningthattheywon’t be coveredingraffiti,thatthe grass won’tbeastallasIamand that they willbesecured to protect from peoplegoing in andout,” Moreno said.— KAYLEE POCHE

CityCouncilissuesnew parkingrequirements

Uptowntocurtail ‘doublestodorms’trend

THECITYCOUNCILUNANIMOUSLY

VOTEDTODAYTOTEMPORARILYESTABLISH newparking requirements in certain neighborhoods in an attempttocurtail alandgrabby developers whoare pushinglongtime residentsout of traditional single-family homes anddoubles.

TheInterim Zoning District establishedtoday requires developers in areasnearUptownprivate universities to create newoff-street parking spaces foreachbedroom they areaddingtotheir properties

Foryears,developershave flockedtothe university-adjacent neighborhoods to buyuphouses and convertthem into overpriced rental units,often crammedwith

wealthycollege studentswhose out-of-state parentspay theirrent.

Meanwhile, it hascontributed to an affordable housing crisis that is felt citywide and added to neighborhood tensions.Earlier this week,the Times-Picayune reportedthataneighborhood group, Town of Carrollton Watch, reported morethan90doubles to-dormhouses.

“Theyare taking property that is used forsinglefamilies andthen convertingitsonobodyelse can livethere,” said Council Member JoeGiarrussoregardingcertain developers.“They aresimplydriv ingpeople outoftheir homes.”

Giarrussoand fellow Council Member LesliHarris, whoco-authored theordinance, sayestab lishingthe IZDcan helpcurbthe proliferationofwhathas become knownas“doubles to dorms.”

Harris said it wascontributing to thelackofaffordablehousing forher constituents. “[This trend] is creepingintoDistrictBand into some of ourmostvulnerable communities whoare already beingovertaken by short-term rentals,”she said Thursday. “Our housing stock fornativeNew Orleanians andpeople whoplan to make theirhomes hereis depleting at arapid rate.”

Butnot allaffordablehousing advocatesagreed with theIZD BobMurrell,who ranfor Council last year,saiditwasn’ta good solution and would notnecessarilybeadvantageoustogrowing families —and in fact, he argued, it maydeter moreaffordable housing development.

“I have akid on theway in December,” he said at Thursday’s meeting. “Weare running outof space, so we’retryingtore-work existing bedroomsintomultiple bedrooms.Idon’t thinkmynew born is goingtohave to have a parkingspotanytime soon.”

Councilmembers said certain cases, such as Murrell’s, couldbe appealed to them.Theyalso said it wasmerelyatemporary stop gapuntil they areabletoamend a currentoverlay

Otherswho spokeatthe meetingsaidthe onus is also on theuniversitiestocreatemore on-campushousing.Resident MichaelBurnsidesaid,“Tulane University doesn’t have the housingoncampusthatitneeds forits students…Itencouragesan economic situationthatisunder mining thecommunity.Aslong as thereare rich childrenwho have rich parentswho will pay averyniceamountofmoney to house them off-campus.”

BLAZERS

MAYORLATOYACANTRELLMAYBEON

THEWAYTOENDINGHERFIRST-CLASS TICKETSCANDAL,but her impe rialsensibilities andaversionto transparency continue to cause her,and thecity, wholly unnecessaryheadaches

Formonths, rumorshave circulatedaboutCantrell taking up residenceina city-owned apartmentinthe historic Upper Pontalba building on Jackson Square.Anumberofnewsoutlets —including Gambit —reported on those rumors

Butthen,the Metropolitan CrimeCommission(agenerally conservative groupcomprised mostly of localbusiness leaders) made therumors public in alettertothe City Council requestinganinvestigation. That letter appears to have forced thehandsofother outletswho quicklypublished storiesbased on theevidencethey’dgathered That includesemailsobtained by theTimes-Picayuneshowing city workersbeing taskedtomake repairsatthe mayor’srequest and WVUE-TV(Fox8)collecting hundreds of hoursoffootageto prove themayor wasliving there at leastparttime.

Otheroutlets that heardthe rumors andworkedthe story likewise publishednothingabout it.Atleast,not at first.For our part,Gambit wasunable to confirm that Cantrell wasliving in the apartmentand notsimplyvisiting it forevents, which hasbeenits traditionaluse

To be clear,noone in or outof officialdom has raised anylegal objection to themayor living in theapartment, includingthe French Market Corp.,acityboard whichoverseesthe property.In fact, it appears thereare no city ordinances or other ruleswhich would preclude themayorfrom living in theapartment, though thereisastate constitutional prohibitionagainstdonations of public property

Indeed,DistrictDCouncil Member Eugene Green, who sits on theboard of theFrench Market Corp.,told WWL-TV last week he sees no problemwith themayor living there.

However,the mayor’suse of theapartmentdoespresent policy questions which leaders will need to address at some

point. Forinstance, whether it is appropriate forany New Orleans mayortoreceive thou sandsofdollars amonth in rent subsidies by living rent-freeina city-owned apartment, whether therulesgoverninghow the FMCmanagesthisand other propertiesshould be reformed and whetherornot thecity should providefreeaccommo dationstothe governor and other dignitaries in the first place.

On abroader note,the mayor’s decision to move into theapart mentisyet another example of her “GoverningbyFiat” ethos, whichhas repeatedly caused her problems. It’s athread that runs through nearly every controversyCantrell hasfaced, includingher attempttoforce Treme residentsintoaccepting her ill-conceived plan to relocate City Hall to Congo Square, the corruptionscandal behindthe collapse of her SmartCitiesplan, her failing effortstoprematurely end theconsentdecree, her allegedmisuse of theWisner Trust funds, thedebacle of her first-class travelarrangements —and nowthis.

In each instance, themayor soughttofoist her idea of how shethinks thingsoughttobe on thepublic.Atevery turn,she haspushed back againstoversight andscrutiny, andshe has triedtoblame outsideforces forany problemsthather deci sions create.

Uder other circumstances, whereshe lives would have been at most abliponthe radar, promptingeditorialsopining on thequestionofunderwriting the mayor’srent.

Instead,the mayor, City Council members(whoinevitablywill be askedaboutit) and citizens now have yetanother distractionto deal with,ata time when we can leastaffordit.

We urge themayor to learn the bigger lesson of thefirst-class travelscandal andother mistakes:

In ademocracy,mayors can’t have everything they want,no matter howmuchtheymay wish it were so

LatestcopscandalCantrell’s

MAYORLATOYA

CANTRELL’SMANY

TRAVAILS —and her evidentinability to manage them remindsmeofJoe Pesci’s classicrant in hiscinematic portrayal of bedraggled attorney Vincent Gambiniin“My Cousin Vinny.”

On theeve of his young cousin’smur dertrial, forwhich Vinnyisunprepared and out-gunned, hisfiancée, Mona LisaVito(portrayed by Oscar-winner MarisaTomei)adds to hisstress by reminding him of theirdecade-long wedding postponement and hertick-tick ticking biological clock.

Vinny, bleary-eyed,looks up from alaw bookhe’sstruggling to comprehendand says,“Iswear to GodI don’t need this right now,okay?”

With hisvoice steadily rising in volumeand intensity, he goes on: “I gotajudge that’s just achin’ to throwmeinjail. Aidiotwho wants to fightmefor $200.Slaughtered pigs.Giant loud whistles.Iain’t sleptinfivedays. Igot no money, adress code problem,and alittle murder case which,inthe balance, holdsthe lives of twoinno cent kids —not to mentionyour biological clock! My career!Your life!Our marriage!And lemme see…whatelsecan we pile on? Is thereany moreshitwecan pile on to thetop of theoutcome of this case!? Is it possible!?”

Vinnyand Lisa glare at one another,then sheshrugs and says,“Maybeitwas abad time to bringitup.”

Vinny’sstruggles were comedic, butCantrell’s aredeadlyserious.

She’sgot aPoliceDepartment in shambles,America’s highest murder rate,judgeswho eviscerate her administration at everyturn, atrash collection crisis,scoresof stoplightsthathaven’tworkedin more than 13 months, adilapidated drainage system,stalledstreet repairs, citizens irateabouther first-class flightstosignceremonial “sistercity” agreements overseaswhile living rent-freein acity-ownedapartment in the

PHOTO BY BRETTDUKE/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE MayorLaToyaCantrell

French Quarter, ascandal involving theWisnerTrust,arecallpetition against her Andlemme see, what else can we pile on?

Trythis: Thecity’sIndependent PoliceMonitor (IPM)recently issued areportsayingcopslast year inappropriately intimidated Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste, who’snow leadingthe recall effort against Heronner,and mishan dled acomplaint Batistefiled in February2021against then-City Councilman JayBanks afterthe twomen fought outsideBatiste’s Treme residence.

The18-pageIPM report accuses NOPDrank of conflictsofinterest and contradictory statements (read: lies)intheir investigationof Batiste’scomplaint.The reportalso notesthatBatiste made a911 call after Banks,who nowworks for themayor, andanofficer allegedly showedupathis home unannounced on April21, 2021 —but thecallwas notrecorded.

TheIPM playsa crucialrole in NOPD’sfederal consentdecree thatCantrell hasasked U.S. District JudgeSusie Morgan to terminate —after Cantrell blamed thedecree forthe copshortage.

Morgan hastaken adim view of Cantrell’s blamegame, so it will be interestingtosee howthe mayor reconciles her terminationrequest with theIPM’s damningreport.

Maybeit’sa badtimetobring it up

Dearreader,

TULANEGOTTHEREFIRST,but both universitiesbegan downtown —Loyola as theCollege of the ImmaculateConceptionand Tulane as theMedical Collegeof Louisiana.BothmovedtoSt. Charles Avenue morethan acentury ago. Tulane’s first campus opened in 1834 on Common Street.Itlater became part of theUniversity of Louisiana system andin1884 became aprivate university renamedfor benefactorPaulTulane. Loyola’sroots areinthe College of theImmaculate Conception, whichwas established by the Jesuitsin1847. Theschoolopened at Baronne and Commonstreetsin 1849.Itwould latersplit into Jesuit High School(in Mid-City since 1926)and Loyola University

TheWorld Industrialand Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884 first spurredthe Jesuits’ interests in locating theircollege Uptown AccordingtoLoyola historian BernardCook, theJesuitsuperior, Father John O’Shanahan,learned of an undevelopedtract of land across from Audubon Park andthe exposition site.The land waspart of theestateofPierreFoucher

BLAKEVIEW

PHOTOBYMAX BECHERER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

TulanebeatLoyolabya stretchintheWhoWas FoundedFirstDerby.

TheJesuits purchasedaportion of thetract in 1889 for$22,500 Tulane boughtthe adjoiningtract for$37,000.In1892, theJesuits opened Holy Name of Jesus Church on thesite. In 1894,Tulane University movedtoits present campus.In1904, Loyola College opened at itspresent site on St Charles Avenue.Itwas chartered as Loyola University in 1912

In 1909,the Jesuits sold another portionoftheir original tractof land betweenFreretStreetand Claiborne Avenue to Tulane for $150,000.ThatallowedTulane to expand itscampus even more. Now, itsdowntowncampusesalso house Tulane’smedical,public health,tropicalmedicineand social work programs

THISWEEKMARKS50YEARSSINCETHEDISAPPEARANCEOFONEOFLOUISIANA’S MOSTPOWERFULPOLITICALFIGURES —Congressman Hale Boggs, whorep resented NewOrleans and Louisiana’s Second CongressionalDistrictfor nearly 30 years. Boggswas U.S. HouseMajorityLeaderwhen hisprivate flight disappeared in AlaskaonOctober 1972

Born in Long Beach, Mississippiin1914,ThomasHale Boggs became theyoungest member of Congress when he waselected to theHouse of Representativesin1940. When he lost hisfirst re-electionin1942, he joined theNavyand served in WorldWar II.Hewon backhis seat in 1946 and wasre-elected 13 times, becominga powerbrokerinCongress

On Oct. 16,1972, BoggsflewfromAnchoragetoJuneautofundraise for Rep. Nick Begich,afreshman congressmanfromAlaska. Thetwin-engine Cessna 310plane, pilotedbyDon Jonz and carrying Boggs, Begich and Begich aideRussellBrown,vanished in foul weather

Theirdisappearancetriggered amassivesearch-and-rescueoperation as morethan 140militaryand civilianaircraftscoured more than 325,000 square miles.After 39 days,the search wascalledoff withnosignofthe wreckage or survivors.

That November,both Boggs,58, andBegich, 40,wereposthumously re-elected to Congress. On Jan.3,1973, theHouse officiallyrecognized Boggs’ presumed deathand called aspecialelectiontoreplace him.

Hiswidow,Lindy,whomBoggsmarried in 1938 and whomanaged his politicalcampaigns, waselected to succeed him. LindyBoggsserved18 yearsinCongress and became apowerinher ownright.In1997, President Bill Clintonappointedher U.S. Ambassador to theVatican,apostshe held until2001. Shediedin2013.

HeyBlake, HowdidLoyolaand Tulaneuniversitiesendup nexttoeachotheronSt. CharlesAvenue?Whichof themwastherefirst?

SCHOOLOPENHOUSESCHEDULE

PRE-SCHOOL,ELEMENTARY, HIGHSCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA

ArdenCahill Academy

Grades: (Infant- HS) Website: www.ardencahillacademy.com

OpenHouse:

January19, 2023 9:00am-11:00am Registeronline

AudubonSchools

Broadway Campus (PK3-3) MilanCampus (4-8)

Gentilly Campus (PK4-6) Website: Auduboncharter.org

BenjaminFranklin Elementary

Mathematics andScience School JeffersonCampus (PK-5) Live OakCampus (6-8) Website: www.babyben.org

BenjaminFranklin HighSchool

Grades: (9-12) Website: www.bfhsla.org

Christ EpiscopalSchool

Grades: (PK, K-12) Website: https://christepiscopalschool.org/ HIGHSCHOOL

OpenHouse: (8-12)

November 6 2:00pm.

JUNIORHIGH

OpenHouse: (5-7)

October20 8:30am

LOWERSCHOOL

OpenHouse: (1-4) October19 8:30am

EARLYCHILDHOOD

OpenHouse: (EPK,Pre-K,K)

October18 9:00am. ContactMolly Heurtinat mheurtin@ceswildcats.org formoreinformation

DiscoverySchools

Kenner Discovery (PK– 12)

Dr.JohnOchsner Discovery (PK-7) Website: www.Discoveryhsf.org

Einstein CharterSchools

Einstein Charter VillagedeL’Est (PK-5)

Sherwood Forest Elementary (PK– 5)

Einstein Charter Middle at Sarah T. Reed (6-8)

Einstein Charter High at Sarah T. Reed (9-12) Website: www.einsteincharter schools.com

Hynes CharterSchools

Hynes –Lakeview (Gifted PK,K-8) Hynes –UNO (K-4)

Hynes –Parkview (K-8) Website: www.hynesschool.com

SchoolTours: Nov.3,17&Dec.8 8:00am Allcampuses RSVPathynesschool.com

InternationalHighSchool ofNewOrleans

Grades: (9-12) Website: www.ihsnola.org

OpenHouse: November 2 5:30 pm.

InternationalSchool ofLouisiana DixonCampus (K-2)

Westbank Campus (K-5) Website: www.isl-edu.org

OpenHouse: January7 10:00am.

CampusTours: November 15 &December13 10:00am.

Uptown Campus (3-8)

LycéeFrançais delaNouvelle-Orléans

Grades: (PreK– 12)

Website: www.LFNO.org LowerSchool (preK-2)

OpenHouse: November 11th 5pm-6pm December 3rd 9am-10am January10th 5pm-6pm

MountCarmelAcademy Grades: (8-12)

Website: www.mcacubs.com

OpenHouse: October13, 3:00– 7:30 pm

MorrisJeff CommunitySchool LopezCampus (PK4-5)

Drew Campus (6-8) ClarkCampus (9-12)

Website: www.morrisjeffschool.org

OpenHouse: October20 6:00pm. Allcampuses NewOrleansCharterScience andMathHighSchool

Grades: (9-12) Website: www.noscihigh.org

NewOrleans MilitaryandMaritime Academy(NOMMA)

Grades: (8-12)

Website: nomma.net

OpenHouse: November 2 November 16 December 7 January11, 2023 January18, 2023

Allare from 6:00pm –7:30pm.

RobertRussaMoton CharterSchool

Grades: (PK4-8)

Website: www.motoncharter.org

OpenHouse: October13 10:00am. October27 4:00pm November10 10:00am.

St.Andrew’s EpiscopalSchool Grades:(Pre k3 -8) Website: www.standrewsepiscopalschool.org

OpenHouse: October21 9:00am

St.CatherineofSiena Grades: (PK-7) Website: www.scsgators.org

OpenHouse: November 17 6:00 –8:00pm. Tours: 6:00 and7:00pm.

University ViewAcademy Grades: (K-12onlineCharter School) Website: www.universityview.academy UrsulineAcademy Grades: (1 Year old –Grade12) Website: www.go.uanola.org

HIGHSCHOOL

OpenHouse: October27 4:00-6:00pm.

ELEMENTARYSCHOOL

OpenHouse: January23, 2023 8:30am

EARLYCHILDHOOD

OpenHouse: (6 weeks-Kindergarten) Saturday December 3. Tours: 9:00,10:00 and 11:00am. WarrenEaston CharterSchool Grades: (9-12) Website: warreneastoncharterhigh.org OpenHouse: November 2, 6:00pm TheWillowSchool Website: willowschool.org

WILLIAMSCAMPUS (K-4)

OpenHouse: (K)

November10 9:30am (K-4)November 12 10:00am (1-4) November 17 9:30am

MARSALIACAMPUS (5-7)

OpenHouse: November16 6:00pm

BRIMMERCAMPUS (8-12)

OpenHouse: November 9 6:00pm

YoungAudiences CharterSchools Website: www.yacs.org LITTLEYACSCAMPUS (PK4-K)Westbank

OpenHouse: October22&29, November 5 10:00am. 30 minute family artworkshops andQ&A

KATEMIDDLETONCAMPUS (1-5)Westbank

OpenHouse: November 5 10:00am (1-2) November 5 11:00am (3-5)

BURMASTERCAMPUS (6-12) Westbank

OpenHouse: November 5 1:30pm (6-8) November 5 2:30pm (9-12)

LAWRENCED.CROCKERCAMPUS (PK4-8)Uptown

OpenHouse: November 12 12:00pm

YACS arts festivalfor families with tours andQ&A

THE

NEWORLEANS ISN’T ABASKETBALL CITY. That’s what they keep telling us

We don’thave an iconic RuckerParklike NewYork, wherelegendslikeLeBron show up unannounced to play street ball. Heck,you can barely hear thepingsofmorethan one ballhere on Greenway Court, McDonough Playground or Stallings Park

“White MenCan’t Jump”mostcertainly wasn’tset in NewOrleans.And just trynaming themostfamousNBA playerfromthiscitysince we’vebeencalledThe Pelicans (2013) —oreven theHornets (2002).Orever.

Basketballwas invented in thefrigid North, wheretheycan’t practice footballyearround. So in some ways,it’snaturalthatNew Orleans more oftenthan notstickstothe evergreen gridirons of theSouth

So,yeah, NewOrleans hasnever been abas ketballcity. Butit’sabouttobe.

Last season,the Pelicansshockedthe league, makinganunlikelyrun to theplayoffsbyway of thenewly adoptedplay-in tournament.They passed throughtwo intenseone-offstoplaythe No.1 team in theWest, thePhoenixSunsinthe first round. Aftertying theseries2-2,evenyour saltiest NBApundits gotgiddy whilewhispering theword, “upset.”

ThePelicansultimatelylosttothe Suns in six games, butonlyafter heroically turning around alosing season —which startedout amiser able 2-14 —largely on theshouldersofyoung players.And this happened in ayearwithout thePelicans’ once-in-a-generationtotem Zion Williamson.

Theexcitement forthe Pelicanshas hit unprecedentedlevelssince February. Certain (admittedlyflawed) stat projectors at ESPN have thePelicanscominginatthird in theWest ernConference; other projectionshave them at sixth.Eitherway,the hype is everywhere

Yes, Williamsonisback. Butthere’ssomuch moretothisteamthanjustone player.And with theSaints strugglingearly this season,there’s plentyofroom forthe tectonic ascent of bas ketballinNew Orleans

“I thinkthe cool part aboutour sportisthat you’ve gotsomegreat personalitiesinthe

AP

CROSS

NEWORLEANSISFINALLYREADYFORTHEPELICANSTOTAKETHESPOTLIGHT

league.Infootball, you’ve gottowearahelmet,” Pelicans guardCJMcCollumrecentlysaid. And McCollum,who theteamlandedinasteal of a trade last season,isone of theteam’spremier players andpersonalities.“In basketball, you’re very well known.”

Andthat’ssomething about basketballthat youdon’t always getfromfootball: real-time, vividpersonality.Basketballisballeticwhere footballisbrutal,and itsculture is on full display insteadoftuckedawayinpads, threatened by concussions

From asimple mathematical standpoint, tracking onlyfiveplayers per team on acourt that’s 8% thesizeofa footballfield is goingto give youamoreintimatewindowintowho they are. Andwithoutmouthpiecesand helmets,the emotion,the trash-talking, thebravado is on full display—all charactertraitsthatNew Orleani anshold dear.

Iwon’t drag you, dear reader,downwith why statistically youshould love thesePelicans. Becauseultimatelyprojections shiftand players will either surpassorfallshortoflast season’s numbersand expectations. So,guessingthat maybe you’re newtothe team,let me just introduce youtowho they areand howthey generallycontribute. Ithink you’re goingto like them

LET’SSTART WITH themostimportant person: José Alvarado.What, were youexpecting Zion?No. Let’sstart with José.Because if there’sany type of herothiscitylovesmost, it’s an underdog Alvarado earnedcult-levelstatusacrossthe NBAduringthe playoffsfor what mightseem gimmickyevenina pickup game. He would stakeout in thecorners forSuns’ inbound passes and sneakily snatch theballout from underthem. Proplayers typically don’t do this because this funtrick canbecomeeasily predictable.But Alvarado didn’t care.

Lightning-quick andnimble-handed, Alvarado pulleditoff —and many other steals— agood fewtimes in theregularseason,earning him hisnicknameGrand TheftAlvarado. Buthere he was, executingitonone of thebiggest

stagesinthe NBA, humiliatinganoft-villainized ChrisPaul.

When forwardBrandon Ingramfirst came to NewOrleans in ablockbuster packagetrade withthe Lakers forAnthonyDavis,helooked less than enthused.Thiswas particularly disap pointing forPelsfans, whosaw Davismakean unseemlyexit whilewearing asnarky “That’s All, Folks” T-shirt.

Butlittledid fans knowtheyhad asleeper on theirhands.Ingram took thechiponhis shoulderfromplaying underLeBron’s shadowinL.A., and grew hisgame in the2019-20 season to earn himMostImprovedPlayerand an All-Star spot.The emotionheshoweduponfinding out he would representthe WesternConference wasenough to dispel anysecondthoughts about hisdedicationtothe team Ingramislanky, like an assemblageofjavelins that somehowcoordinateintoperfect rhythm Hishigh-release, mid-range two-pointerissilky and off-puttingfor defenses.His height,6’8”, if nothis weight,isalready imposing enough at therim.All he needs is amoreconsistent three pointgame to geton-levelwiththe personpeo ple compare himmostto: KevinDurant. Ingram really is that good

On to McCollum.Ifyou’renew to theteam and theNBA,you’reprobablywondering whothisguy is andwhy someone whojoined thesquad in Februaryistakingsomuchof thespotlight

Plainand simple:McCollum is aleader. On and offthe court. Youcould start withMcCollum’sentrepreneurship: He loveswineand just boughta vineyard that he hopeswill help Black people feel more comfortable around theindustry. He’s also currentlyserving as thepresident of theNationalBasketballPlayers Association, and whileplaying in Portland,Oregon,he foundeda nonprofit to help mentor aspiring Blackjournalists.

ThePelsare ayoung team.A player like McCollum,who is arelativelyyoung vetat31, no doubtwas always goingtobolster thelocker room dynamic with hisleadership. Butwhat people didn’t expectisthatMcCollum’s arrival wouldmeanleadership on thecourt

McCollum livedunder theshadowofsix-time AllStarDamianLilardinPortland.But withthe Pelicans,he’sbecomethe team’s most im portantguard,averaging 24.3 points in his26 gamessofar.And that lookstoonlyget better As ashooter, McCollum fillsa crucialrole in an offensedesignedaroundbigslikeZion. Simply put, if Zion’s gravityand driveshiftsthe attention to thecenter, then theperimeter is where thePelicanscan punish teams.

MEANWHILE, BIGMAN JONASVALANCIUNAS, a10-year veteran, came to thePelicansafter the2021season.The 7’0”,265 lb.BalticBeast —who baresanuncanny resemblancetoa cartoon villain when he gets dressed up helps create spacefor Zion underthe rim whilecollectingrebounds and blockingout opposing players.

Herb Jonesisyet another cultfavorite forPels fans. If thereweresuchathing as defensive rookie of theyear, there’snoquestionJones would’vewon it last year.Hehas rocketsin hisshoesand telescopingarms, which helped himswatthree three-pointers in Game 4of theplayoffs. Hisworkethic is legendary,to the pointthatteammateLarry NanceJr. said he onceoffered to payfor Jonestotakea vacation because he wasworried he wasspendingtoo muchtimeinthe gym.Nance himselfisa locker room gemwho’s poised to be amajor contributoronthe team this year

Andthenthere’sZionWilliamson

Whysave Zion forlast?Superstitionisagood enough reason.He’smisseda little less than 2/3ofhis gamesoverthe past threeyears,and each time he came back “for good”itnever really stuck.

He’s also thecautionary tale side of theNBA’s Cult of Personalitysystem. Fans across the countryheaped scornonthe young phenom, particularly when thethen-teenager struggled with emotional swings amidst thehypeofhis entryintothe leagueand letdownofinjury. Sure,hemadesomemistakeswhenitcameto showingfaith in thePelicans’ plan,but by all accounts he seemstohave gotten himselfback on track.

FULL SS

COURTPRES

C.J.MC

URNALISMANDLIFE

This storywas produced as part of ourongoingpartnership with JRNOLA,alocal non-prof it whichmentors under-represented youthinthe fieldof journalism,particularly women andpeople of color

p

YOUCOULD ALMOST SAYTHATCJMCCOLLUM plays basketballasa side project. In histimeoff thehardwood,he’ssizinguphardwood to fitin wine barrelsonhis vineyard in Oregon, he’s the presidentofthe NationalBasketballPlayers Asso ciation,and he’s also apunditonESPNwhenever he’s knockedout of theplayoffs. Oh,yeah, and he hasanNBA Most ImprovedPlayertrophyin hiscase.

On Feb. 8, McCollum wastradedfromthe Trail BlazersinPortland—whereheand hisfamily lived foralmosta decade —tothe NewOrleans Pelicans.Hestarted awinelabelinpartnership with AdelsheimVineyardin2020calledMcCollum Heritage91, andlast year purchased318 acresinOregon to buildhis ownwinery.

McCollum wasborninCanton, Ohio, anditwas clearearly on that he wasabasketballphenom, even if he sees hiscareerthrough adifferent lens which centersthe other aspectsofhis life.“I used basketballtopay forschool,”McCollum said recently McCollum went to college at Lehigh Universi ty,which is notsowellknown forits basketball prowess as much as itsengineering department. Therehediscoveredaninterest in journalism and became passionate aboutreporting on sports.After beingdraftedbythe Blazersasthe 10th overallpick, he startedCJ’sPress Pass in Portland,aprogram foryoung journalists, and he recently spoketoJRNOLAabouthow journalism inspired himwhenhewas younger.

He’s primed to be thePelicans’ locker room and on-court leaderthisseason afteronlythree monthsonthe team.That’seasytounderstand from hiswarmpresence, bigsmile and willing ness to send hisformer teammateAnfernee Simons avideo of this reporter’snew tattoo, whichwas inspired by Simons.McCollumbrings adynamismtothe Pelicans that simultaneously doesand doesn’tfit in X’sand O’s.

McCollum satdownwithJRNOLAin September to discuss journalism, life and,of course, basketball.

PHOTO BY MAX BECHERER /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

HowwasthetransitionfromPortland toNewOrleans?

CJMCCOLLUM: It wastough [inmypersonallife]. It wasn’t easy to join agood team in themiddleof theseason.That’snot somethingyou caneasily do in threetofivedays. Ileftmywifeand sonin Oregon,and when my sonneeded thepediatricianand allthatstuff,she did that [onher own] fora while. That wasthe hard part —not being with my sonand my wife everyday

Butinterms of basketball, it wasa seamless transition.The Pelicans area good groupof guys andstaff.It’sa greatorganization, where they made sure Ihad what Ineeded to feel safe and comfortable.

I’msorrythatwedon’tgrowwine aswellinNewOrleansasPortlandbut we’vegotthingsthatmakeupforit,like foodandtheFrenchQuarter.What’syour favoriteplaceyou’vebeento?

MCCOLLUM: Ihavealist! As soon as Igot traded, Ihit up [former Pelicans JJ Reddick] and Josh Hart.Igot anice, nice list of places that I’ve gone

to: Tur River, [ za Dom Palace, I try t week. E out her Asa thaty thene

key andthe Wolf,TrueFood, [Kitchen]Miss Restaurant]R’evolution,OceanaGrill,Piz menica, TheFourSeasons,Commander’s , Morrow’s,SuperiorGrill,DesiVegas todoone lunch spot anddinnerspota Eventhough y’alldon’t grow wine as well re, thereare greatplacesfor food ajournalist,isthereanything youwanttoseecoveredmorein ews?

MCCOL TV an ativit happ cov thi th t ver bly be restaur

LLUM: Ifeellatelythatwhen Iturnonthe ndreadthe newspaper, there’salot of neg tyinterms of crimeand various badthings pening.I would like to seemorepositive erage, success stories of thecommunity, ings that arehappening that aregood for hecity. Thosestories should be told more thanbad issues aboutLouisiana.I thinkit’s best to coverwho we need to help first

MCCOLLUM: If Iwasn’tcovering sports,I don’t knowwhatI’d do.I thinkpeople are ryinteresting.I love food.SoIwill proba in thefoodspace because this is agreat restaurantcity. Thereare alot of freelancewriters that coverthe food scene. Thereare alot of festivalsinvolving food and alot of chefscometo NewOrleans just to cook,tospecifically under stand that this cultureand identity hereisn’tlike anywhere else

MCCOLLUM: Iama presidentofthe NBPA but politics is notfor me.That’sa differenttypeof commitment anddifferent type of spotlight.I do enjoybeing thepresident of theNBPA. The understandingand joyoftryingtodowhat’sbest forthe players and solutionstoleague problems Butthe government is adifferent life.

MCCOLLUM: Iwanttosay thehardest partabout beingpresident of theNBPAwas doingitduring Covid. They neededtoget throughthe season with advanced protocols. Then therewereCovid

whatwouldyoucover?

Iwaswondering—wouldyougointo politics?Becauseasitis,you’rethe presidentoftheNationalBasketball PlayersAssociation(NBPA).

Whataresomethingsthatyou areproudtosayyouimplementedas presidentoftheNBPA?

BREWING

MILWAUKEE,

BEER

vaccinations forfansand players and also policies forpractices.Itwas a matterofkeeping basketballsafe so that youdon’t have anyserious illness es or injuries toward players, fansand theirfamilies.Itwas toughbut we’ve accomplished that

We justfinalized acouple of deals forthe Players Association with a companycalledSorarewhere we were gettingequityand notjust gettingmoneyupfront,which is nice We’retryingtocreatepassiveincome forfuturegenerations and to create asteadyflowofcash that’s notjusta quickgrab.

MagicJohnson just dida speech on howNikeoffered himequityinthe company(and)hetook themoney up frontinstead. Butthose arethe ways players arethinkinggoingforward, and we’reworking on this educational component, wherewewant to educateplayers on howfinance is importantand theimportanceof background checks on employees, be ingabletoaudit checks on your busi nesses that maybeassociatedparties

We’rehopingtocreatesupport mentorshipwithbanks,leadershipand billionairestogiveusthe blueprint on how to be successful butalso howto maintainsuccess,long-term,post-bas

ketball. It’s aboutunderstandinghow they’remakingmoney in 20 years, when we don’tplayanymore. What does that look like?

Another thingwe’re workingonis health care forolder players —not just thecurrent players,but players that played40, 50,60years ago.Players that played in the[league]beforeit wasthe NBAand making sure to give back to guys whocame before us who laid theblueprint.Sothe CBAnegotia tionsare acollectivebargaining agreement that aresupposed to be thekind of accomplishment that would make thegamebetterfor ourselves. Butalso it’s about what’s coming to theNBA andhow thegameshould be better by thetimeitgetsthere.

beenlearning on thefly.I’m thankful that Ihave asolid family situation. My wifeisverygreat and allows me to do what Ihavetodotoprotect ourhome and to take care of what needstobe takencareof.

When youhave aplanand youhave an understandingofwhatyou want to accomplish,itmakes it easier fortime management.I’m still working on it

Istill have this type of skill.I’vegot to checkonmyreal estate,checkout on theserestaurants Iown.Sohow do I manage it?Ihavetoget up earlier.I’ve gotvacations andtrips Iwon’t be able to take because Igotta getthiswork in.You have to makethese sacrifices and be able to time manage

MCCOLLUM: Icompartmentalizewell, and Igot atherapist— shoutout to my therapist— agreat therapist. There’s no blueprint forhow to maneuver success.Lifeistrial and error, and I’ve

Ihave atherapist that Ican go to to askquestionsfrom. Ihave abunch of mentors that Irelyonbecause they’ve beenthrough it before.They’ve had businesses,theyhave awife, they have multiple kids,theyknowit’sa balanced perspective.SoI canalways go andask people whereIcome from,and it’s aprocess.Iknowthe main reason whyI have money and whyyou’retalkingtomeisbecause Ihave agoodjumpshot.SoI have to makesureI still have agoodjumpshot or otherwise,all theseother things that I’mdoingwon’t be as successful. So it’s helpfultocompartmental ize, know what youwanttodo, set realisticgoalsand expectationsbut then have ablueprint to accomplish those. I’ll have to makesomesacrifices like goingtosleep earlier to wake up earlier to gettoworkout andhave to fitina wine call.IfIgobackto work,

MCCOLLUM: It wascool, playing in Portland forsolong. Me and D[Da mian Lillard]playedtogethernine and ahalfyears,and we hadaunique dynamic whereweknewhow to lead together.Weknewhow to challenge people andchallenge each other Then Ihad to come to this newsitua tion here, whereI’m like thesecondor thirdoldestonthe team and have the most playoffexperience. So thefirst thingistojust kind of watchand see what’s theworkethic likehere, how is thepreparationand howseriously theseplayers take thegame.

As theseason went on,Ijust kind of ledbyexample and said,“Hey, this is

I’mgoingtoswitchinto moreofanNBAquestion— howisitbeingtheveteranin thelockerroom?

Trainingcampiscomingup. Howdoyoumanageallofthese things—presidentoftheNBPA, businessownerandNBAplayer —atonce?

how I do things.” This is how I prepare and study the game and take care of my body. And then I began to become more vocal at that time But I think the cool part was going to dinner with these guys and being in their houses, and we were really connected. If I want to challenge you later, I’ll really understand you on a personal level. So I’m going to challenge them to think a certain type of way, and they’ll do the same with me. I also look for ways to help them and they help me as we start working together to be come successful.

Iknowyoutalkedabitabout whatitwasliketotransition downhere,butwhatarethe bigdifferencesyou’venoticed betweenPortlandandNew Orleanssofar basketball-wise andotherwise?

MCCOLLUM: It’s an entirely different location I had a lot of fun In Oregon and working on properties out there in Oregon. My son was born there, and I was married there. That will al ways be home, but this is home away

from home. It has different vibes and change is really good It challenges you. Starting with a new team chal lenges you to experience new things, and I think I’m excited about what this year and these years to come offer.

I always wanted to live in the South to see what it is like. The weather’s obviously different, the culture is obviously different and there are more people that look like us and come from places like us I think from a basketball standpoint, we will be very good. All these things line up perfectly where this is a really good location for me and my family My wife is happy, my daughter can go outside every day without worrying about getting rained on. The difference is the people, the organization I miss the people out in Oregon, the friends we developed a lifelong relationship with. But this is business here, and now it’s time to take care of business

Gambit: Well, I know this year you’ll bring us a championship to New Orle ans. We need one!

McCollum: I’m going to try my best That’s what I play for. We just have to get off to a good start and sustain that good start, and be healthy when it matters.

PHOTO BY CHRIS TAYLOR

Aformerjournalisthimself, McCollumhaslongbeena mentorforyoung,Black aspiringreporters.

It seems Zion had to go straight through the core of his habits to get past his woes He no longer stag gers in a pigeon toed walk, and his diet seems to have shifted to healthier and more natural choices

“I’m in the gym and something happens,” a no ticeably trimmer Williamson said ecstatically during media day at the end of September “I’m like ‘Oh man, I can really do that! That’s different!’”

It won’t be clear just how different and injury-free things are for Zion until the regular season picks up The end of last season proves the team knows how to play without him. But given the heights literally and figuratively he could rise to in the NBA over his career, it’s probably better that they play with him.

IN A WAY, ZION helped galvanize New Orleans’ long overlooked basketball heads into a cohesive fan base. Every team jealous of Zion or the Pelicans’ run to the playoffs, and more than a few national pundits, tried to weaponize this “not a basketball city” line against New Orleans On social media it became almost a badge of honor for fans, who’d sneeringly repeat the phrase after wins

And then the unthinkable, at least for those national pundits, happened: the Pelicans sold out the Smoothie King Center not once but twice for their playoff run Fans turned the Blender into an absolutely electric home court during this year’s exciting playoff run against the Phoenix Suns

Chants of “José, José, José” a nod to the “Olé, Olé, Olé” chant popular with that other group of

neglected American sports fans, the Soccer Nerds rocked the arena’s concrete pillars. It shocked even the Pelicans

“I love New Orleans,” head coach Willie Green said after evening the Suns series 2-2. “I love the people here That was amazing. The José chant it was all kinds of stuff going on [so it was] hard for me to fo

cus on exactly what they were saying I know they’re rooting for us They’re behind us That’s a team that hopefully our city and our community can be proud to root for.”

There are organic fan groups like the Pels 12, whose name takes after a diss former player JJ Reddick launched at the fanbase, saying there are only 12 fans. No place like New Orleans to clown you back like that That kind of culture is natu ral, real, and just needs to infect everyone else in the city

And then there’s a curious stat that came out, saying that New Orleans ranked No 1 in highest ratings for nationally broadcast NBA games (not exclusive to Pelicans) per capita. Maybe that’s because TVs in our tourist traps play games, zombie-like, on loop for potential fans from out of town We did rank 16th in local Pelicans broadcasts likely somewhat owed to our miserably expensive local provider Bally’s Sports

But the Pels’ first open practice of the season on Oct. 1 witnessed lines that wrapped around the Su perdome parking lot. Those lines would later spool to fill the entire lower bowl of the arena. Inside, as Zion, unguarded, elevated off of that formerly broken foot into a twisting double flush behind his head, the crowd was sent into raptures

For anyone who’s said that New Orleans is not a basketball city needs to realize: Everything up until now has just been practice

PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Onaroll

THERE’SSOMETHINGNEWANDTASTY

GOINGONATTHERINK,the collection of shopsthathas been aGarden District staplefor decades.Built at 2725 Prytania St.onthe site of thecirca-1884CrescentCity roller rink,the 19,000-square-foot mini-mallchanged handsin2019, butthe pandemic eclipsed its transformation

TheChicory Houserestaurant is aproject from Barkley Rafferty and CarrollGelderman,Garden District locals whoalso boughtthe much-lovedGardenDistrictBook Shop last year.The renovation shed fusty, dark spaces in favor of aloft-y, light-filled newRink. In July,the bespokenew restaurant opened with executivechefMartha Gilreath at thehelm.

Gilreath,39, is aNorthshore native whogrewupnear Houston Gilreath hasworkedinrestaurants sinceshe was16and wasthe vale dictorianofthe fourth graduating class at theNew OrleansCulinary &HospitalityInstitute(NOCHI) Drawntofoodthanks to her mother,who cooked family dinner forher broodofsix everynight, Gilreath hasasteadyhand at ChicoryHouse,crafting ascratch menu of breads, granola bowls, breakfastitems,pressed sandwiches andsalads. She’s afan of simplicity andfresh ingredients, and herfoodiselevated and comforting.

“Weinterviewedseveral chefs, and Martha wasthe only one who really gotwhatwewantedtodo,” Rafferty says.“Martha makes beautiful, delicious food in ahybrid counter- andtable-servicerestaurant.Welove linen napkinsand real silverware.WegrewupwithStill Perkin’so, of course, we have great coffee. Butweare so much more than acoffeeshop.”

Underthe newowners, theRink’s physical spacewas reconfigured, with abank takingoverwhatwas thehomespunspace of Still Perkin’. Thestreet-facingchildren’s clothingshop Mignon moved, leaving a largefootprint to be built outfor

TheChicory House kitchen and dining area,which includes outdoor seatingon theporch

Rafferty and Gelderman’s plan is to crosspromote betweenthe book shop and restaurant, creating author and cateredeventsin thebuilding’s bright center atrium

In her newposition, Gilreath is leadinga team of five serving an all-daymenu. Oneofthe bakers featured in Matt Haines’ “The Big Book of King Cake,” shecame to a bookstoreevent last Carnival seasontosellher McKenzie’s-inspired satsuma-flavored, brownbut ter-glazedkingcake. Rafferty and Gelderman flipped overher cake

“I wasn’t sure what direction I wasgoingtogoin, butI knew I didn’t want to work foranother chef again,”Gilreathsays. “The universe just opened up,and after Icooked forthem, Barkley and Carrolloffered me this job.”

Gilreath is frank abouther past,a toughroadthatincludedhomelessness and addiction. She’snow proudlyapproachingthree years sober.“Baking is such astructured and preciseart,” shesays. “It’s beenverygoodfor me.”

Herbaked goodsare revelatory forsweetslovers.Cases arefilled with whitepumpkin ginger cook ies, apple brownbutterblondies, cereal milk cookiesand candied-bacon-pecanscones. She bakes bagels, biscuits,sourdough and acountry whitebread,thick slices of which arefeatured on sandwiches

TheGayle sandwich includes house-smoked Creole ham, crisped andouilleand Grisontalercheese from St.James CheeseCo. There also arevegetarian options, like theGo-Go,madewitha white bean hummus and vegetables

Gilreath’s take on pimientocheese is called chirping cheese,made withsmoked mascarpone, white cheddar, smoked paprikaand pickledand charredbellpeppers, and it’s available on asandwich or as aside.

Savory breakfast sandwiches are served on ahouse-madeEnglish muffin,likethe Julia, with potatoes, bacon, cheddarand greentomato chow chow.Saladsare tossed withseasonal fruit, nuts,ancient grains and vinaigrettes made with preservedlemon and localblack berries.Soups will be simmeringas theweather cools.

There’salso akid’s menuwith grilled cheese,a hamsandwich and buttered noodles made with in-house culturedbutter. And on game days,look forpurple and goldcookiesfor LSU, where Gilreath’s dadwas ateacher for 41 years.

“We’re so thrilled at howthe neighborhood hasembraced us,” Rafferty says.“Neitherone of us has arestaurant background —I wasa teacher andCarroll wasin thefilmbusiness. This is 100% new to us.We’velearned alot.It’sbeen eye opening. We areverythankful forMartha’sexperience.”

FORK

Ontap

THEBEERBOOTHSATDEUTSCHESHAUS’

OKTOBERFESTINNEWORLEANS pour such brewsasaBitburger pilsner, Warsteinerdunkeland Ayinger Celebrator.There’s nary aCoors or Miller Lite in sight.Thereisn’teven an India paleale,thatdarling of modern craftbeerdrinkers.

Theboundariesofwhatisserved at Oktoberfest arepartofthe underlyingpointofthe event. It is German beer,representinga framework of beer styles imbued with traditions centurieslong

“It’sall an expressionofthe German culture, which is what we do at DeutschesHaus,”says JackGonzales,president of the localculturalorganization. “Beer and brewingand Germanyare all synonymous, andwegivepeoplea tasteofthatatOktoberfest they’re notgoing to find anywhereelse around here.”

Over thecourseofthe festival’s threeweekends, DeutschesHaus typically goesthrough 800 kegs

CHECKITOUT

of beer,inadditiontothe German wine,schnappsand spirits.There’s also plentyofGerman food,music and more as thefestruns from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridaysand 1p.m.to 11 p.m. Saturdaysthrough Oct. 22

Thebeers areimported from Germany, andinsomecases, Oktoberfest is theonlytimethey areavailable in theregion. Other beersare from NewOrleans breweries,madeinGerman styles UrbanSouth Breweryhas itsown

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER ChefMarthaGilreathat TheChicoryHouse

PHOTO BY IANMCNULTY / THETIMES-PICAYUNE JackGonzales,presidentof theDeutschesHaus

booth pouring five German beers brewedfor Oktoberfest this year

At Oktoberfest, Deutsches Haus is showcasingastricter, Old Worldapproachtobeer that still offers tremendousvariety even within itscontours.

“Sooften people still have this oneideaofwhatbeeris, and Iget thebiggest kick outofintroducing people to differentbeer,”Gonzales says.“This is agreat place to get people to explore andopenup theirpalate.”

As astartingpointtoexplore,he simply suggests peoplestate what type of beer they usually enjoyand getready foraGerman upgrade.

“Ifsomeone says Michelob, I’ll give them apilsner;ifit’san AbitaAmber,I’m goingwith an

arespecifically German lagers (and oneAustrian lager).Theygenerally bringa notchmoreheftand flavor than pilsners.Theycan bringa touchofsweetness or asubtlebite of hops too. Theonesrepresented at Oktoberfest rangefrom5%to 5.2% alcohol

HEFEWEIZEN: AGermanwheat beer,distinguished by itsuse of malted yeasts,a hefeweizen hasa cloudy, straw-coloredappearance and arefreshingtaste, oftenwitha balance of fruity bananaand clove spice (a resultofthe yeasts, with no bananas or clovesinvolved) Don’tget confused by thebeer termsweizenand wiesen —weizen refers to wheat, whereaswiesenis thetermfor ameadow. Some of the“festbiers” served at thelocal Oktoberfest aredubbed wies ens. Some of thehefeweizensare dubbed weissbier, or “white beer.” Thesehefeweizenscomeinaround 5% alcohol.

OKTOBERFEST: In Germany, thebeerservedatOktoberfest is agolden-huedlager.But the Oktoberfest beersbrewedinand exported to theU.S.are darker, moreamberlike lagers called märzens.The Oktoberfest beers pouredatthe NewOrleans event areofthistype, ranginginstrength from 5% to 5.9% alcohol

Oktoberfest,”hesays. “Ifthey want to taste aprogression,just rememberyou want to drinkfrom lighttodark, because onceyou drinkthose darker beers, it’s hard to getyourpalatebacktothe lightones.”

DeutschesHauswill pour some 30 beers duringthe threeweek ends of Oktoberfest.Here’sa primer on themainstyles you’ll find at thebeer tents.

PILSNER: Characteristicallythe lightest-tasting on offerhere, German pilsnersare agood startingpointthatalso show agreat deal of variety. They canhave a crisp, clean finish,a moretoasty flavor or abigger, morebitter finish.The versions at Oktoberfest rangeinstrengthfrom4.8%to 5.3% alcohol.

LAGER: Allpilsnersare lagers, though notall lagers arepilsners. This wide-rangingcategory of beer is said to be themost commonlyconsumed type in the world. Thetypes at Oktoberfest

SCHWARZBIER: Thename trans latesto“black beer,” though this styleisproof that darkness in beer is notnecessarily indicative of heft or taste. Theseblack lagerscan be refreshing, lighter-tastingbeers witha clean finish,and perhapsa hint of coffee or chocolate flavor along theway.The schwarzbierat Oktoberfest rangefrom4.8%to 5% alcohol.

DUNKEL: Thetermmeans dark in German,though compared to aschwarzbier, it’s typically more deepgarnetred in color. The classic styleofthisdarklager will have aroastedaroma and amalty, breadyflavor, and theversion from WarsteineratOktoberfest is a midrange 4.9%alcohol.

DOPPELBOCK: Doppel means double in German,and theserich, deeply malty beersdouble down on thestandardbrew. With flavors reminiscentofdarkfruit,it’sa big beerprizedfor pairingwith food.It generallyhas higher alcoholcon tent,and theAyinger Celebrator at Oktoberfest is 6.7% Visitoktoberfestnola.com for moreinformation aboutfoodand entertainment.

—IAN McNULTY

PHOTO BY SHAWNFINK/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Neal Bodenheimer

Bar owner,author by Will Coviello

WHENNEALBODENHEIMEROPENED

CUREIN2009,the Freret Street bar became abeaconofthe craftcocktailmovementinNew Orleans.In 2018,the barwon theJames Beard Foundation awardfor Outstanding BarProgram.Bodenheimer now owns bars including Cure,Cane& Table,Peychaud’s and Vals,and he’sa co-owner of Talesofthe Cocktail, the20-year-old spir itsconferenceand foundation Bodenheimer andcowriterEmily Timberlakeare releasing“Cure: NewOrleans Drinks and Howto Mix’Em,” hisfirst cocktailrecipe andhistory book, on Oct. 25.In additiontodrinks createdathis bars,with creditstothe bartenderswho invented them,the book includesfeaturesonfamouslocal drinks and bars,including an essay by L. Kasimu Harris about New Orleans’ Black-owned bars.There also aresomerecipes forbar foods. Formoreinformation, visitcurenola.com.

it is definitely an inverted Manhattan,itdrinks as aNegroni

We usespecific ingredients(in therecipes). Differentvermouths have differentbotanicals. Differentginshave differ entbotanicals. Different whiskieshave different proofs.Itall factors into your cohesiveideaofa cocktail. You’re creating somethingthat’sgreater than thesum of itsparts, butthe partsmatter.

NEAL BODENHEIMER: Thereare cocktailrecipes whereyou can substitute some stuff. Butwhat’s important to us is that thefor mats areflexible.It’slike(culinary) mother sauces.Wetie drinksto mother cocktails.Ithelps us stay grounded in classics. It also helps us explain what we’redoing.On topofthat, onceweidentifythat format,we’re willingtodoanything within theformat.

There’sa drinkcalledThe Hardest Walk by Turk Dietrich, whoismypartner at Vals and a longtime general manageratCure. This drinkhas twoouncesofPunt eMes (vermouth) and one ounce of overproof rum.The rum it was originally made with isn’tavailable, so we hadtore-spec it witha different rum.It’stwo ounces of Punt eMes,one ounceofRon Hacienda SantaAna overproof rum, 1/8 ounceofTempus FugitGran Classicobitters,which is ahistorical reproductionofold Campari, and 14 dropsoforangebitters. It is arum reverseManhattan. Butthe vermouth and Tempus Fugitare bitter.Soeventhough

B: In NewOrleans,we neverlet thetruth getin theway of agoodstory That’s in ourDNA.But thereare some things that have been disproveninrecentyears by cocktailhistorians. Ithink it’s important to trytoset therecord straight.Itcan be toughtonail down thinks like cocktailhistory, particularly oral historiesorthings you’re piecing together with newspaper articles.Inrecentyears, you’ve seen anumberofhisto riansgobacktoprimarysource material.Withthatyou’veseen some of thesemyths disproved.

Oneofthe reasons we makethe nod to StanleyClisbyArthuris that withouthis storytelling,New Orleansprobablywouldn’thold thesame appeal in theworld of cocktails,but at thesame time, he took alot of liberty.Wewant to give himcreditfor what he was able to do,and setupthe canon of NewOrleans drinks,but at the same time say, hey, youcan’t take this literally. He wasastoryteller

We should be proud of ourdeep and storiedhistory in theworld of bars andbeyond that.Therearen’t that many other cities that have the lore andhistory andthe number of cocktails that canbeattributedto NewOrleans

Youcould look at theice trade. Some of them aretechnological advances.Whatmakes abrandy crusta areally relevant cocktailis itsclaim to beingone of thefirst sours in NewOrleans,because we hadaccesstoSicilian lemons. That’s thebeginning of alemon marketthatwould eventually lead to homegrown citrus in theU.S

WINE OF THE WEEK

B: Ithink it’s aquestionofglo balization. Therewerethingsthat were globalized.(In thebook) we go into the(19thcentury) lemon trade andchain migration.

It’s an interestingtimetotalk aboutthatgiven thebreakdown of globalizationtoday.Wesee it when we can’tget aproduct now becausetheycan’t getthe right glass bottle.Ifyou look at thepast 13 yearsofour existenceatCure, yousee alot of bitter things and amarithatwereprovincialthings in Italy,but in ourtimetheyare available everywhere. It’s crazy that alot of people in theworld know what Fernet-Brancais. When we startedout it wasprettyniche, unless youlived in Argentina or Italy. Nowit’sknown worldwide. We have abacklog of hundreds of recipes. We do four menus a year,because we do it seasonally That’s alot of drinks.Therehave beensomedrinksthatI’d like to have back.But it’s important for us.We’re still doingcreativework today. We’retryingtostaytrueto ouridentitybut also saysomething creatively aboutthe time we live in and theproductswehave to use. Youcan look backand seewhat wasinvogue or when aproduct wasintroduced. When cocktail historians arelookingbackand tryingtomakeheads or tails of what existed, Iamexcited to putsomethinginthe historical record that we existed. Whether it wasgood work,we’ll letthe future judge.

BogleVineyards

Sauvignon

Ripening our Cabernet

Sauvignon grapes on the vine late into the season has createda wine of great depth and concentration. This versatile wine pairs well with avariety of foods likerib-eye steak with blue cheese butter,roasted eggplantwith provolone cheese and dark chocolate mousse with fresh berries.

BY

:Howdidyouorganize thetypesofdrinksyou includedinthebook?

:Thebookbustssome mythsandre-examines localdrinkhistory.Why didyouincludethat?

:Thecraftcocktail movementlookstohistorical figureslikeJerryThomas, whopublishedaprofessional bartendersguideinthe1860s. What’schangedsincehisera ofdrinkmaking?

PHOTO BY DENNYCULBERT

Out 2Eat is an indexofGambit contract advertisers. Unlessnoted, addresses arefor NewOrleans and all accept credit cards. Updates: Email willc@gambitweekly.com or call (504) 483-3106.

Acorn— 12 HenryThomas Drive, (504) 218-5413;acornnola.com Thecafe a at theLouisiana Children’sMuseum haskid-and adult-friendly menu Blackenedshrimpfillatrio of tacos toppedwith arugula,radish, pineap ple-mango salsaand cilantro-lime sauce.Noreservations.breakfast and lunchWed.-Sun. $$

Andrea’s Restaurant — 3100 N. 19th St.,Metairie,(504) 834-8583; andreasrestaurant.com ChefAndrea Apuzzo’sspeckled troutroyaleis toppedwith crabmeatand lemon-cream sauce.Capelli D’Andrea combines house-madeangel hair pasta andsmokedsalmonincream sauce.Deliveryavailable.Lunch and dinnerdaily,brunchSun $$$

Angelo Brocato’s 214N.Carrollton Ave.,(504) 486-1465;angelobrocatoicecream.com Thissweet shop serves itsown gelato, spumoni,Italian ice, cannolis, biscotti,fig cookies, tiramisu,macaroons and other treats. Lunchand dinner Tue.-Sun $ Annunciation— 1016 Annunciation St.,(504) 568-0245;annunciation restaurant.com Themenuhighlights Gulf seafood in Creole,Cajun and Southerndishes. Gulf Drum Yvonne is servedwithbrown butter sauce with mushrooms andartichoke hearts Reservations recommended. Dinner Thu.-Mon $$$

TheBlue Crab Restaurantand OysterBar — 118Harbor View Court, Slidell, (985)315-7001; 7900 Lakeshore Drive, (504) 284-2898; thebluecrabnola.com— The menu includessandwiches,fried seafood platters,boiledseafood andmore. Basinbarbecue shrimp areserved overcheesegrits featureswith a cheese biscuit. Outdoorseating available.Noreservations.Lakeview: lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun.Slidell: lunch Fri.-Sat., dinner Wed.-Sun $$

Broussard’s— 819Conti St.,(504) 5813866;broussards.com Themenu includesCreole andcreativecontemporary dishes.Rainbowtrout aman dineisservedwith tassoand corn macque chouxand Creole meuniere sauce.Reservations recommended Outdoor seatingavailable.Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$

Cafe Normandie— Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining The menu combines classicFrenchdishes and Louisiana itemslikeCrabbeignets with herb aioli. No reservations Breakfastand lunch daily $$

Common Interest — HotelIndigo, 705Common St.,(504) 595-5605; commoninterestnola.com Shrimp remoulade Cobb salad comeswith avocado,bluecheese, tomatoes, bacon,egg andcornrelish.Slow roastedbeefdebris tops goatcheese and thymegrits.Reservations accepted.Breakfast, lunch,dinner and late-night daily $$ Curio— 301Royal St.,(504) 717-4198; curionola.com ThecreativeCreole menu includes blackenedGulfshrimp served withchicken andandouille jambalaya. Reservations accepted Lunchand dinner daily $$

—average dinner

under $10

—$11-$20

—$20-up

DesireOysterBar RoyalSonesta

NewOrleans,300 Bourbon St.,(504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar The menu higlightsGulf seafoodinCreole dishes.Char-grilled oystersare topped withParmesan and herbs.Reservations recommended.Breakfast, lunch and dinnerdaily $$

Dickie Brennan’sBourbon House

144Bourbon St.,(504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse.com— Theseafood restauranthas araw barand alarge selectionofbourbon.Redfish on the Halfshelliscooked skin-onand served withlemon buerreblanc.Reservations accepted.Lunchand dinner daily $$$

Felix’s Restaurant& Oyster Bar— 739Iberville St.,(504) 522-4440; 7400 Lakeshore Drive, (504) 3044125;felixs.com Louisiana oysters areservedraw or char-grilled with garlic,Parmesanand breadcrumbs. Themenuincludesseafood platters, crawfish etouffee,po-boys and more. No reservations.Lunch and dinner daily. $$

Frey Smoked Meat Co.— 4141 Bienville St.,Suite 110, (504) 488-7427; freysmokedmeat.com Thebarbe cuerestaurantservespulledpork, St Louis ribs,brisket,sausagesand more Friedporkbelly poppersare tossed in pepperjelly glaze.Noreservations

Lunchand dinner daily $$

FrootOrleans — 2438 Bell St.,Suite B, (504) 233-3346;frootorleans. com— Theshop serves freshfruit in platters,smoothie bowlssuchas astrawberry shortcakesmoothie and more using pineapple, various berries,citrus and more.Noreser vations.Outdoor seatingavailable

Breakfast and lunch daily $$

Joey K’s— 3001 Magazine St.,(504) 891-0997; joeyksrestaurant.com— The menu includes friedseafood platters, salads,sandwiches and redbeans and rice. Sauteedtrout Tchoupitoulasis toppedwith shrimp and crabmeat. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$

Juan’sFlying Burrito— 515Baronne St.,(504) 529-5825;2018MagazineSt., (504)569-0000;4724S.Carrollton Ave.,(504) 486-9950;juansflyingburrito.com TheFlying Burrito includes grilledsteak,shrimp, chicken, cheddar-jackcheese, black beans,yellow rice, guacamoleand salsa.The menu also hastacos,quesadillas,nachos and more.Outdoor seatingavailable No reservations.Lunchand dinner Thu.-Tue. $$

Katie’sRestaurant 3701 Iberville St., (504)488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com

ACajun Cubanhas roasted pork, grilledham,cheeseand pickles on buttered bread. TheBoudreauxpizza is topped withcochon de lait,spinach, redonions, roasted garlic and scal lions.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted forlarge parties. Lunch and dinnerTue.-Sun. $$

Kilroy’s Bar— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504)528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining The bar menu includes sandwiches,flatbreads,saladsand more.ALouisiana

peachflatbread has prosciutto, stracciatella cheese,arugula andpecans. No reservations.DinnerWed.-Sat. $$

LegacyKitchen’s CraftTavern— 700 Tchoupitoulas St.,(504) 613-2350; legacykitchen.com The menu includesoysters,flatbreads, burg ers, sandwiches, saladsand more.A NOLAStyle GritsBowlistoppedwith bacon,cheddar and apoached egg. Reservations accepted.Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily $$

LegacyKitchen Steak&Chop — 91 Westbank Expressway,Gretna, (504) 513-2606;legacykitchen.com— The menu includesfiletsmignons, bone-in rib-eyesand topsirloins, as well as burgers, salads andseafood dishes Reservations accepted.Outdoor seatingavailable.Lunchand dinner Mon.-Sat $$

MartinWine Cellar 714Elmeer Ave.,Metairie,(504) 896-7350;3827 Baronne St., (504)894-7444;mar tinwine.com— The spirits shop’s deli serves sandwiches,saladsand more TheSenasalad includes roasted chicken,raisins,bluecheese, pecans and fieldgreenswith Tabascopep perjelly vinaigrette. No reservations Lunchdaily $$ MidCityPizza — 6307 S. Miro St., (504)509-6224; 4400 BanksSt., (504)483-8609;midcitypizza. com The pizzajointservesNew York-style pies,calzones, sandwiches andsalads. Shrimp remoulade pizza includesspinach, redonion andgarlic on an oliveoil-brushedcurst.Delivery available.Noreservations.Lunch Thu.-Sun., dinner Thu.-Mon $$

Mikimoto — 3301 S. CarrolltonAve., (504)488-1881; mikimotosushi.com

TheSouth Carrollton roll includes tuna tataki,avocado andsnowcrab. Themenu also has sushi, sashimi, noodle dishes,teriyakiand more Reservations accepted.Deliveryavail able.LunchSun.-Fri.,dinnerdaily $$ Mosca’s— 4137 Highway90West, Westwego,(504) 436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com This family-style eatery serves Italiandishesand house specialtiesincluding shrimp Moscaand chickenalagrande. Bakedoysters Moscaismade with breadcrumbs and Italianseasonings. Reservations accepted.DinnerWed.Sat. Cash only. $$$

Mother’s Restaurant— 401Poydras St.,(504) 523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net This counter-servicespot is knownfor po-boys dressed with cabbage and Creole favorites, such as jambalaya, crawfish etouffee and redbeans andrice. Deliveryavailable No reservations.Breakfast,lunch and dinner daily $$

Nephew’sRistorante— 4445W Metairie Ave.,Metairie,(504) 5339998;nephewsristorante.com Chef Frank Catalanottoisthe namesake “nephew” whoran thekitchen at Tony Angello’srestaurant. The Creole-Italianmenufeaturesdishes like veal,eggplantorchicken parmigiana.Reservations required.Dinner Tue.-Sat $$

Neyow’sCreole Cafe 3332Bienville St.,(504) 827-5474;neyows.com—

Themenuincludesred beans with friedchicken or porkchops, as well as seafoodplatters, po-boys, char-grilled oysters, pasta,saladsand more.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-Sat., brunchSun $$

Nice Guys Bar&Grill 7910Earhart Blvd., (504)302-2404; niceguys barandgrillnola.com— Char-grilled oystersare topped with cheese.The menu also includeswings,quesadillas, burgers, sandwiches,salads, seafood pastaand more.Noreservations

Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat. $$$

Nonno’s CajunCuisineand Pastries — 1940 Dauphine St.,(504) 354-1364; nonnoscajuncuisineandpastries.com— Themenuincludeshome-styleCajun and Creole dishes with some vegan options.Shrimpare sauteedwith onions andbellpeppers, topped withcheeseand served withtwo eggs andtoast.Deliveryavailable Reservations accepted.Breakfast and lunchdaily $$

Peacock Room— KimptonHotel Fontenot,501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3073;peacockroomnola.com Blacklentilvadouvancurry comes withroasted tomatoes,forestmush rooms and basmatirice. Themenu includessmall plates,aburger, salads and more.Reservations accepted Dinner Wed.-Mon., brunchSun $$

Rosie’sonthe Roof— HigginsHotel, 480AndrewHiggins Blvd., (504)528 1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining—

Thehotel’s rooftopbar hasa menuof sandwiches,burgersand smallplates. No reservations.Dinnerdaily $$ Tacklebox— 817Common St.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com The seafood restaurantservesraw and char-grilledoysters,seafood,burgers, salads and more.Redfish St.Charles is served with garlic herbbutter, asparagus, mushroomsand crawfish cornbread. Reservations accepted Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily $$

Tavolino Pizza&Lounge 141 Delaronde St., (504)605-3365; tavolinonola.com— Themenu features thin-crust pizzas,salads,meatballs and more.ABehrman Hwy. pizzais toppedwith pork belly,caramel,mar inated carrotsand radishes,jalapenos and herbs.Noreservations.Outdoor seatingavailable.DinnerTue.-Sat. $$

Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza— 1212 S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803; 2125 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie,(504) 510-4282; 4024 Canal St.,(504) 302-1133;4218 Magazine St., (504)894-8554; 70488 Highway21, Covington, (985)234 9420; theospizza.com AMarilynn Pota Supreme pie is topped with mozzarella,pepperoni,sausage, hamburger, mushrooms,bellpeppers and onions.Therealsoare salads, sandwichesand more.Takeoutand delivery available.Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat $

Tito’sCeviche &Pisco — 5015 Magazine St.,(504) 267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com— Peruvian lomo saltado is atraditional dish of beef sauteed with onions,tomatoes, cilan tro, soysauce and pisco, andserved withfried potatoes andrice. Outdoor seatingand delivery available Reservations accepted.Lunchand dinner Mon.-Sat., brunchSun $$$ Zhang Bistro — 1141 DecaturSt., (504)826-8888;zhangbistronola. com— Themenu includes Chinese and Thai dishes.The Szechuan Hot Wokoffersachoiceofchicken, beef,shrimportofuwith onions, bell peppers,cauliflower, jalapenos, garlic and spicySzechuansauce. Reservations accepted.Lunch and dinnerThu.-Tue. $$

FOR

To

TUESDAY11

CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

event

the music calendar,please

NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEEHOUSE

Loyola's Finest, 9pm

BAYOUBAR AT THEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL —Peter Harris Quartet, 7:30 pm

DOSJEFES —WendellBruniousand TomHook, 8:30 pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB CollinMyers Band,5 pm;Fritzel's All Star Band,8 pm

GASA GASA —CarverCommodore, Dana Ives,9 pm

SIBERIA —Brass Tyrannosaurus,The Zahria Sims Collective, 9pm

TIPITINA'S —PigeonPlaying Ping Pong, Funk You, 7:30 pm

WEDNESDAY12

BAYOUBAR AT THEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL —Peter Harris Trio,7:30pm

BLUE NILE —New BreedBrass Band,9 pm

CIVICTHEATRE —Lucy Dacus, Crooks&Nannies, 8pm

D.B.A. NEWORLEANS —Tin Men, 6pm; Walter “Wolfman”Washington &the Roadmasters, 9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB —Richard"Piano"Scott, 12:30 pm; Bourbon StreetStars,5pm; Fritzel's AllStarBand,8 pm

GASA GASA —Mikeand theMoonpies, Vandoliers, 8pm

JEANLAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICALPARKVISITORCENTER, NEW ORLEANSJAZZNATIONAL HISTORICALPARK —Darianna Videaux Capitel, 2pm

NEWORLEANS BOTANICALGARDEN —Evenings withEnrique,5pm

SANTOS —Noah Vonne, 9pm; Russell Welch Swamp MovesTrio, 9pm

THEBOMBAYCLUB —Harry Mayronne and NanciZee, 9pm

THESANDBAR —JazzFaculty Show case:Brent Roseand Agua,7pm

THURSDAY13

BAYOUBAR AT THEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL —Peter Harris Quartet, 8pm

BLUE NILE —WhereY'atBrass Band,9 pm

CAFENEGRIL —SierraGreen and the SoulMachine, 10 pm

D.B.A. NEWORLEANS —John Boutté, 7pm; Lightnin'Malcolm with RL Boyce, 10 pm

DOSJEFES —MattRhodyWood Floor Trio, 8:30 pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

Richard“Piano”Scott,12:30 pm; DoyleCooper Band,2:30pm; John SaavedraTrio, 6pm; Fritzel'sAll Star Band,8 pm

GASA GASA —MireChild,BLK,Paul Emden,9 pm

JEANLAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK VISITORCENTER, NEW ORLE

ANSJAZZNATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK —Cliniformances Drumming Seriesfeaturing SimonLott, 3pm

MADAMEVIC'S —Honeybunwith Mark Appleford,David Johnston,8 pm

PEACOCKROOM, HOTELFONTENOT —DaLovebirds with Robin Barnes and PatCasey ,8pm

ROCK 'N'BOWL —Geno Delafose & FrenchRockin'Boogie,8 pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —Brass-A Holics,7:30 pm

THERABBITHOLE —Valerie Sassyfras, 10 pm

FRIDAY14

BAYOUBAR AT THEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL —Peter Harris Trio,8 pm

BLUE NILE —The CaesarBrothers, 7pm; KermitRuffins and theBarbe cueSwingers,11pm

BLUE NILEBALCONY ROOM —Trumpet Slim &Brass Flavor, 10 pm

BROTHERS THREELOUNGE —Cast Iron Cactus,9 pm

CIVIC THEATRE —The Midnight,8 pm

D.B.A. NEW ORLEANS —d.b.a.Allstars, 6pm; Katy Red, Smokin'OnSome Brass,DJOtto, 8pm

DOSJEFES —The Golden Compass Trio, 9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB

Richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30 pm;Sam Friend Band,2:30 pm;Lee Floydand Thunderbolt Trio, 6pm; Fritzel'sAll Star Band,9 pm

GASA GASA —CasketRobbery, Summoner's Circle,9pm

GROW DATYOUTH FARM —GrowDat GetDown, 6pm

HOUSE OF BLUES

TheGarden ,7 pm

MADAMEVIC'S —Dr. Redwine Trio, 8pm

MANDEVILLE TRAILHEAD —Phunky Monkeys, 6:30 pm

NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEE HOUSE JayWalker'sMusic Series,7:30 pm

NEWORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM Muevelo, 2pm

PIROGUE’SWHISKEYBAYOU —Valerie Sassyfras, 8pm

ROCK 'N'BOWL —Contraflow, 8:30 pm

SIBERIA —BRAT, TortureGarden,Sec ond Life,Dracula,9 pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —TrixieMinx's Burlesque Ballroom,feat. Romy Kaye,7pm

THERABBITHOLE —Lisbon Girls, TheArmy, TheNavy, and Delores Galore,9 pm

TIPITINA'S —CyrilNeville,9pm

ZONY MASH BEERPROJECT —Sam Priceand TheTrue Believers, 8pm

SATURDAY15

ABITASPRINGS TOWN HALL —Three Rivers Cooperative,Big Daddy O.,Christian Serpasand Ghost Town,Shake 'EmUpJazzBand,7 pm

BAYOUBAR AT THEPONTCHARTRAIN HOTEL —Jordan Anderson, 8pm

BLUE NILE —George BrownBand,7 pm;Gov't Majik: Fela Kuti Birthday TributeShow, 11 pm

BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM —The MarignyStreetBrass Band,10pm; Gov'tMajik,11pm

D.B.A. NEW ORLEANS —AuroraNealand and theRoyal Roses,6pm; Soul Rebels,10pm

DOSJEFES —Betty Shirley, 9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB Richard“Piano”Scott, 12:30 pm;Lee Floyd and ThunderboltTrio, 6pm; Fritzel'sAll Star Band,9 pm

GASA GASA —The TinCan Collective, Ethanol Merman,Code for Canvas,9pm

HOUSE OF BLUES —flor: TheFuture ShineTour, 7:30 pm;Jessie ReyezTheYessie Tour,8pm

MADAMEVIC'S —Gal Holiday &The Honkey Tonk Revue,8 pm

NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEE HOUSE AmyBleu, 7:30 pm;Frenchie Moe, 9pm

ORPHEUMTHEATER —Mt. Joy, The Brook&The Bluff, 7pm

ROCK 'N'BOWL —Nashville South,8:30 pm

THEBOMBAYCLUB —Anais St.John,8 pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE —The Nayo JonesExperience, 7:30 pm;The Nayo JonesExperience, 9pm

THERABBITHOLE —Daria and TheHip Drops, LeTrainiump,7pm

TIPITINA'S —WeWerePromisedJet packs, BreakupShoes, 8pm

ZONY MASH BEERPROJECT —Majid Bekkas,8 pm

SUNDAY16

300BOURBON STREET —JamesRivers Movement, 7:30 pm

BLUE NILE —The BakedPotatoes, 7pm; StreetLegends Brass Band,10pm

D.B.A. NEW ORLEANS —PalmettoBug Stompers,5 pm;Treme Brass Band, 9pm

DOSJEFES —DaleSpalding, 8pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB JoeKennedyBand,2:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB BanjoonBourbon,12:30 pm;Marla

DixonBand,6 pm;Fritzel’s AllStar Band,8pm

GASA GASA —Blushing,Kay Weathers, Whisper Party, 9pm

MUSICBOX VILLAGE —MeridianBrothers, People Museum ,7 pm

RAYNEMEMORIAL UNITED METHOD

ISTCHURCH —CrescentCityChamberMusic Festival Finale,5pm

THEMAISONRESTAURANTAND

MUSICCLUB —Ronnell Johnson's NewOrleans Jazz Band,4 pm; RonnellJohnson'sNew Orleans Jazz Band,5:45pm

MONDAY17

D.B.A. NEWORLEANS —The Iguanas,6 pm

DOSJEFES —JohnFohl,8:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB LeeFloyd and ThunderboltTrio, 5pm; Richard"Piano"Scottand Friends,8pm

GASA GASA —ZachDeputy,9 pm

HOUSE OF BLUES —The FrontBot toms,6:30pm

SIDNEY'S SALOON —The Amazing Henrietta, 6pm; DarkLoungeMinis tries, 8pm

SOUTHPORT HALLLIVEMUSIC&PAR TY HALL —Haxans, 6pm

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOMINIQUERICHARD

SCAN

Gettingiton

by WillCoviello

RENOWNEDJAZZANDBLUES

SINGERDINAHWASHINGTON

dateda trombone player namedGus Chappell, and that explains some of hersong“Big Long Sliding Thing.” Shesaid hertune“Long John Blues” wasabouther dentist, butthe lyrics aboutgetting acavity filled soundlikeanythingbut a regularappointment

Judith Owen singsthose fun worksofdoubleentendreon her latest album, “Come On &Get It,”which wasreleased digitally last week by London’s TwankyRecords and is outon CD this week

Thealbum is full of Owen’s takeson1940s and1950s jazz andbig band songs by women.Mostofthem express desire and joyand aresexually candid —anything butthe more commonperspective of theera when many women sang about moreprimnotions of romance.

Owen also sings NellieLutcher’s “FineBrown Frame,” aslowsong aboutadmiringand desiring aman

“Myfather wasanoperasinger,” Owen says.“Buthelovedjazzand blues and NewOrleans music. He played ‘Long BrownFrame’for my sister andI when Iwas 6. Iremem ber dancingaroundthe house singing along, anditbecame like asoundtrack.”

Though shelovedthe music when shewas growingupinthe U.K.,she came to appreciate moreaboutthe women andtheir unabashed lyrics

“I didn’tknowwhat(thelyrics) meant,”Owensays. “All Iknew wasthiswas joypersonified.These women came offvinyl as joyful,killer musicianswith attitude. As Igrewup and found outmoreaboutthem,I realizetheir stories read like movies. They were so much moreincontrol than Ievercould have imagined.”

Owen assembledanall-star roster of localmusicians to record thealbum at Esplanade Studios. Thealbum unitesthe musicofher part-time home in NewOrleans with some of thejazzand bigband recordsshe grew up listening to.It’s also aproject focusedonwomen as bandleaders and songwriters who were unafraid to sing aboutdesire and pleasureand howtheyviewed relationswithmen

She givesanemotional,torch song treatmenttoJulie London’s “NiceGirls Don’tStayfor Breakfast.”

“It’sone of thegreatestpunch lines,”Owensays. “’Nice girls don’t stay forbreakfast’and ‘pleasepass thejam.’”

Thesongs aresplit betweenbrassy bigband numbers andher sultry singing accompaniedbysmaller jazz ensembles.Manytracksfeature DavidTorkanowsky at thepiano, KevinLewis on trumpet, Pedro Segundo on drums and saxophonist CharlieGabriel. JasonMarsalis on vibraphone drives “EverythingI’ve GotBelongs to You,”and Donald Harrisonplays on Owen’s versionof PeggyLee’s “He’sa Tramp.”

Owen also stepped outfrom behind herusual spot at thepiano to be thefrontwoman andbandleader That move is moreconspicuous on aseriesofretro-stylizedvideos recorded at Preservation Hall,Snug Harbor and ToulouseTheatre

Owen hasperformed songs from thealbum in London and Paris.The debutfor thebig band will be at ToulouseTheatre on Nov. 19,when she’ll perform theentirealbum and songs that weren’tincludedamong theoriginal release’s 14 tracks.A deluxevinyl editionplanned for next year will feature21songs.

Notall of thesongs address sex and desire,though “I Didn’t Like it the FirstTimeI TriedIt,”aka “the spinach song,” could be read that way.

“WhenI heardit, Ithoughtitwas aboutsex,because Ithought everythingwas aboutsex,” Owen says “It’sspinach. Green. Leaf.It’sweed It’s wonderfulthatJulia Leewould write this song.”

Formoreinformation,

PROVIDED PHOTO BY RICK GUEST

forthe self-described “Dirty South Afro-BeatArkestra” afterthe death of guitaristTodd Duke in early 2019.Gov’t Majikisworkingonan album, so expectnew tunes, and the band will celebratethe birthdayof NigerianmusicianFelaKuti. Gov’t Majikplays at 11 p.m.,and ticketsare $15via bluenilelive.com

Footwork Fest

THEFOUR-WEEKENDFOOTWORKFEST

ATVYBESNATION will featurebrass bandsperformingand socialaid and pleasureclubsproviding thefootwork,along with DJs, food and arts vendors. Thefestival starts at 2p.m Saturday,Oct.15, with theTBC Brass Band and West Bank Steppers Social Aidand PleasureClub. Thingscon tinue with differentgroupsonOct 22,29and Nov. 5. Find more information at nolafootworkfest.com

TheJoy Formidable

ALTERNATIVEROCKERSTHEJOY

FORMIDABLEEXPERTLYKNOWWHENto buildawallofsound,bring things down or pull outadanceablepop hook.The groupeasily pull it all together on itslatestalbum “Intothe Blue.” TheJoy Formidable plays with TheFront Bottomsand Mobley both groups also have recent releases —at6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17,atthe HouseofBlues.Ticketsare $45at houseofblues.com/neworleans

‘Fantomes’

MELANGEDANCECO.DELVESINTONEW

ORLEANSHISTORY and thelives of famousand infamouswomen includ ingStoryville madamsJosieArlington and Lulu White.The contemporary dancepiece is inspired by jazz and will be performed to live musicfrom singer GabrielleCavassa and pianist Ryan Hanseler.Performances are at 8p.m.Friday, Oct. 14,though Sunday,Oct.16, at theMarigny OperaHouse.Tickets $20-$50 viamelangedanceofnola.com.

Lucy Dacus

SINGER-SONGWRITERLUCYDACUS’2021

ALBUM“HOMEVIDEO”wasbased on her journals andreflected on her child hood growingupinVirginia,and she used old homemoviesinsomeof her videos.She followedupwith the single “Kissing Lessons” in February. She performs at 8p.m.Wednesday, Oct. 12,atCivicTheatre.Findtickets viacivicnola.com.

ChristineEbersole

CHRISTINEEBERSOLEISKNOWNFORTONY

AWARD-WINNINGROLES in Broadway productions of “42ndStreet”and “GreyGardens,” appearinginfilms such as “Tootsie”and “Amadeus,” and starring on TV,including her currentCBS show “Bob Hearts Abishola.” Forthisconcert, shewill

be accompaniedbypianist Billy Stritch at thereturn of Broadway in NewOrleans at RivertownTheaters forthe Performing Arts.At7:30p.m Saturday,Oct.15. Ticketsstart at $45 at rivertowntheaters.com.

Bridge City Gumbo Festival

WAYBACKIN1973,GOV.EDWIN

EDWARDS DECLARED BRIDGE CITY the “Gumbo Capital of theWorld”at thefirst ever Bridge City Gumbo Festival.Thisyear’sfestival from Friday,Oct.14toSunday, Oct. 16, areflectsthe changing demo graphicsofthe region, with Friday night’smusic lineupdevoted to Latinx musicfromGrupo Sensacion andTrecesdel Sur Saturday featuresCrescentCity Soul, theTravisThibodauxBand and others, alongwith agumbo cook-off.Admission is $5 perday or $12 for aweekend pass.Atthe Holy Guardian AngelsCatholic Church.For more information, visitbridgecitygumbofestival.org

CelebracionHispana

MUEVELO,LOSGUIROSANDVIVAZ!

PERFORMATAFREECELEBRATION of Latinmusic and food at Faubourg Brewery.Food vendorsinclude Mawi Tortillas,Elisa’s CubanCafe, SaborcitosNOLA, Mima’s Peruvian Desserts andmore. Therealso is an artmarket. Gatesopenat11a.m., andmusic starts at 1p.m.Saturday, Oct. 15.Visitfaubourgbrewery.com forinformation.

‘Requiemfor aStranger’

VAGABONDINVENTIONSANDRENEE

BENSONPRESENT amultidisciplinary work aboutgrief andhealing inspired by theworks of writer and activist adrienne mareebrown,poet Rainer MariaRilke and healerMartin Prechtel.The ensemble-devised piece featuresVagabond founder Jennifer Sargent, Benson,Jessica Donleyand MelanieGreene. At 7:30 p.m. Friday,Oct.14, and Saturday, Oct. 15,and 2p.m.Sunday, Oct. 16, at theContemporaryArtsCenter. Find informationatcacno.org

Kumasi

NEWORLEANSENSEMBLEKUMASI

AFROBEATORCHESTRAOFTENDIGSinto Afro-funkand Afrobeatinits original music. Thegroup celebrates the birthdayofthe Nigerianfounder of Afrobeat,FelaKuti. Congolese mas terdrummer Papa TitosSompa also performs.At7:30 p.m. Saturday,Oct 15,atthe Broadside. Tickets$20 viabroadsidenola.com

Wooden Boat Festival

THEQUICK-AND-DIRTYBOATBUILDING

CONTESTANDDISPLAYS of wooden boatsare highlightsofthe Wooden Boat Festival in Madisonville. There

also is live music, kids’ activities, craftvendors, food andmoreatthe Lake PontchartrainBasin Maritime Museum on Saturday,Oct.15, and Sunday, Oct. 16.Visitwoodenboatfest.org fordetails

FestivalsAcadiens

FESTIVALSACADIENSISBACKANDBIGGER

THANEVERTHISYEAR,featuring dozens of traditionalCajun and zydeco musicalacts, vendors, workshops andmore. Although thefestivalas we knowittoday datesto1977, it’s actually threeolder festivalscom bined into one:a musicfestivalthat startedasthe Tributeto CajunMusic, theLouisiana Native Crafts Festival and theBayou Food Festival.The resultisathree-day celebrationof Cajunculture and heritage with tons of food,classes on howtoplayfiddle and sing classic French language Cajunsongs and more. Performers this year include Nathan &The ZydecoCha Chas, CameronDupuy &the CajunTroubadours,Corey LedetZydeco, Chris Ardoin,Jeffery Broussard&the Creole Cowboys, Lost BayouRamblers,The Revelers, Bonsoir,Catin with specialguest Eric Adcock,the PineLeafBoys, Dwayne Dopsie and theZydecoHellraisers, Geno Delafose &FrenchRockin’ Boogie anddozensmore. The festival runsOct.14-16 at Girard Park inLafayette. Foracomplete line up of music, food vendors,amap and more seefestivalsacadiens.com.

Howl-O-Weeniedog costume contest

DOYOUENJOYWATCHINGDOGSLOOK

WILDLYUNCOMFORTABLE andquestion theverymeaning of existence whilst agrown humansings songs to them?Ofcourseyou do,soyou’ll definitely want to be at DatDog’s Magazine Street Howl-O-Weenie dog costumecompetition,where localfolks will be puttingtheir costuming skillstothe test by decking outtheir canine homies. Andif gettingtosee dogsgothrough the existentialhumiliationofbeing put into humanclothes isn’tenough of adraw, theevent is also raising moneyfor Zeus’ Rescues,which for yearshas been helping find dogs and cats foreverhomes in New Orleans. Anyone canregisterday of,all you’ll need is adonation of moneyorpet products and your pupper in costume. In addition to food and drinkspecials,Craig “the Canine Crooner” Cortellowill be performinghitsfromhis new record “Dog Tales.”Registration beginsat3 p.m.,while thecontest will run between3p.m.and 5p.m Saturday,Oct.15, at DatDog on Magazine Street

Fall iscomingsoon!

Grounded

by Will Coviello

GREAT19TH-CENTURY RUSSIANWRITERSLIKE FYODORDOSTOEVSKYAND

ANTONCHEKHOV didn’thave thechancetoreflect on shoppingatTraderJoe’s.

ButinGab Reisman’s adaptation of Chekhov’s “The Seagull,”which opensThe NOLAProject’s season this week,it’sa dreadfulexperience— at leastitisata NewYork TraderJoe’s.

In herversion of the comedy, titled “the seagull, or howtoeat it,” Nina is anativeofMandeville. She’sback home talking to neighbors aftertak inga breakfromNYU and aflawed romantic liaison.

“I wasinthe TraderJoe’son14th, and youknowhow it’s always so busy?”Ninaasks. “OK, youdon’t, butit’salwayssuper busy so the storeisjust aline. So youget in line as soon as youwalkinthe door,and youdoall your shoppingstanding in this checkout line.”

Nina passes outinthe store, in partbecause sherefused to give up on thetimeshe alreadyspent in line.

In Chekhov, thecharacteris talking moreabouta feelingof beingunfulfilled afterperforming at what sheclaimswas every theaterinRussia

Instead of aremotehomeinthe Russiancountryside,Reisman set her work at ahome on thelakefrontcut offbya stateparkfrom downtown Mandeville. Actually,it’s acamporsummerhomefor Irene, asuccessful actress whospends most of hertimeinNew York.Her sonConnie is stuckatthe home, desperatelytryingtoget hisown artistic career on track. He’s also attractedtoNina, butshe hasher eyesonsomeone else

Mandihas an unreciprocated interest in Connie,while Simon has anunreciprocatedinterest in Mandi. Formanycharacters, constantly longingfor seeminglyunattainable things is acondition of life

“The Seagull” is one of Chekhov’s better-known works, and it’s full of people whoare doingwellintheir lives butare stuckonfrustration. Professionalsuccess neverseems to satisfythe many characters hung up on people whodon’t return their affections.Reisman stuckclose to theoriginal script,but shedidn’t seea playaboutfailure.Instead, she

sawastory aboutart making with plentyofhumor stemmingfrom selfishpeople whodon’t really listen to eachother

“I neverknewitwas funnyuntil I read it,” Reismansays. “I thought allChekhov wastragedy andabout depressed people.Therewas space to putmyselfinit, buttherewere things that were really delightful. It’s oneofthe fewscripts that Iwould laughwhile Iwas writing it.”

Also slightlydifferent from Chekhov’scharacters aresomesex ual orientations.ManyofReisman’s characters arequeer

“Chekhov’sphilandering 60-yearoldrichman doctoristhe same as my 60-year-old butchlesbian rich Doc,”she says.“There’snothing differentabout thecharacters except theanatomy.They’re both just as selfish.”

Onething that is differentisthe outdoor performance. TheNOLA Projectisperformingthe show in theSydneyand WaldaBesthoff Sculpture Garden.Reisman planned on that,and theproductionismak inguse of wirelessmicrophones to accommodate scenes in which characters walk along thegarden lagoon as if it were theshoreof Lake Pontchartrain. Seatingisinthe tiered amphitheaterspace in the Besthoff Garden’s expansion. There will be afoodtruck anda barat each production.

Reisman wanted to include aboat in theproduction,but it’s Chekhov, and people don’t always getwhat they want

“The seagull, or howtoeat it”runs Oct. 12-30.Tickets are$20-$55 and areavailablevia nolaproject.com, alongwitha food truckschedule andother information

PROVIDED PHOTO BY EDWARD CARTERSIMON

SQUAD

By Frank A. Longo