Jazz Fest 2015
40YearsofBeauSoleil
WhereYat.com
FestivalSchedule
NightShows
NOW LEASING DOWNTOWN LUXURY APARTMENTS
1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms • 504.524.2400 • Call Today for a Tour!
LIVE IN A LEGEND
EXQUISITE FINISHES Greek Marble Bathrooms Granite Kitchen Countertops Stainless Appliances Reclaimed Wood Floors Handblown Glass Pendants
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY Smartphone-Controlled Thermostats Smartphone-Controlled Lighting Residence 14 6th - 15th Floors Free In-Home Wi-Fi Fiberoptic High-Speed Internet Available USB Wall Outlets
FIVE STAR AMENITIES Rooftop Pool & Deck (Largest Downtown) Rooftop BBQ Area Yoga Studio Sauna State-of-Art Fitness Center Business Center Private Meeting Rooms 3-D Movie Room P: 504. 524.2400 F: 504. 524.2401 FOURWINDSNOLA.COM EXQUISITE FINISHES Greek Marble Bathroom Imported Granite Countertops Reclaimed Wood Floors Stainless Steel Appliances Handblown Glass Pendants
www.FOURWINDSNOLA.com TECHNOLOGICAL WONDERS
2 Bedroom + 2 Bath
210 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 • leasing@fourwindsnola.com Smartphone-Controlled Thermostats Smartphone- Controlled Home Security
Fiberoptic High Speed Internet, Available USB Wall Outlets
ELEGANT AMENITIES Largest Rooftop Pool and Deck Downtown Community Center Yoga Studio
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 3
CONTENTS Features 8 Jazz Fest Previews 20 Jazz Fest Night Shows 32 Casa de España
Music & Events 22 Lakeside 2 Riverside 24 Ones to Watch 25 New Music 26 Music Calendar
Jazz Fest 2015 Vol. 18 No. 09 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Greg Roques Music/Assistant Editor: Emily Hingle Movie Editor: David Vicari Copy Editor: Susan Broadhurst Contributing Writers: Kathy Bradshaw, Chris DiBenedetto, Fritz Esker, Emily Hingle, Telle Ink, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Craig Magraff Jr., Nora McGunnigle, Andrew Marin, Julie MItchell, Jhesika Menes, Kim Ranjbar, Chris Romaguera, Celeste Turner, Kimmie Tubre, David Vicari Cover by Romney at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Director of Sales: Jeremie Ertle
Dining 31 Bar Guide 33 $20 and Under 34 Brewing Cocktails 36 Food News 38 Restaurant Guide
Photographers: Scott Chernis, Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Jorge Menes, Gary LoVerde, Romney, Greg Roques Interns: Natalie Adams, Rachel Davis, Erica Goldish, Ashley Larsen, Chris Plattsmier, Harry Tarpey, Kevin Quinet Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com. Logo © 2015 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952
Extras 42 Film Reviews 44 Around the Web
Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com | WhereYat.com
46 Tales from the Quarter 47 Po-Boy Views 48 Where Ya' Been? 50 Where Y'at Chat It’s finally here! Enjoy this super issue that previews everything to see, do, and eat at Jazz Fest. Our 10 Picks for each day is a great guide to packing in a full afternoon’s worth of action at the Fair Grounds. If you can’t make it out to the Fest but still want to check out some wonderful music, don’t miss our Night Show Picks. There are numerous bands coming to town who can only be caught in the clubs – sometimes as late as 2 a.m. – which is another reason this time of year is so special! Don’t miss legends BeauSoleil on Sunday at the Fest closing out the Fais Do Do Stage. BeauSoleil is the world’s most famous Cajun band; for 40 years they have been producing heart-wrenching and foot-stomping tunes. If it’s easier to access the Jazz Fest schedules on-line, then check them out at WhereYat.com Our beautiful site works great on your cell phone! While on our site be sure to vote for your favorite bar, restaurant, and more in our Best of the Big Easy contest. Voting ends May 13 with one vote per email address. Not finding complete Jazz Fest info here? Well don't fret! Our May Jazz Fest 2nd Weekend issue is out on April 26…just as the first weekend is ending. Yahoo! — Josh Danzig, Publisher
4 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Where Y'at Magazine
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 5
An Interview with Michael Doucet of BeauSoleil
T
By Alex V. Cooks
he last time I saw BeauSoleil was a decade ago at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, LA. They were performing on a Saturday afternoon as part of some state tourism initiative. BeauSoleil, led by fiddler and songwriter Michael Doucet, could’ve torn through the standard Cajun fare of two-steps and waltzes without a blink. For 40 years, BeauSoleil has toured the world as not only one of South Louisiana’s more tireless ambassadors but also one its best bands. But BeauSoleil is also one of our more adventurous bands. BeauSoleil’s music is South Louisiana infused with the world itself; western swing, African rhythms, rockabilly and everything else finds a way into their ebullient catalog. At the Liberty Theater, the old folks danced and then there was a Q&A session during which Doucet explained the history behind the songs, the oppression of the French language and Cajun culture through the decades. One expects they do this kind of show all the time. Hours later, a line formed around the block because accordion rock star–cum–hometown hero Jo-El Sonnier, once a member of BeauSoleil, was playing the afternoon radio show broadcast from the theater. I asked a woman in line if she had seen BeauSoleil earlier that day and she gave a slight wince. “I respect what Michael Doucet does,” she said, pronouncing his full name the way an aunt might when admonishing a child, “but I prefer traditional music.” “People thought I was from Mars when I started doing this,” laughs Doucet at a cramped Starbucks table in Lafayette. “It’s like the vision of Native Americans not seeing Columbus’s ships because they didn’t know what a ship was. It’s sort of the same thing, when people have a definition of Cajun music that most people perceive but that is just the tip of the iceberg.” BeauSoleil gets tapped as having a wide view and a particular vantage point of what Cajun music is. “People say that anyway,” says Doucet,
and history went with them, and I was more interested in where this music came from, how it developed, how it became what it was. One of the leading components of this music is that it has got to be fun and sad; it’s got to be the opposites, that universal feel that everyone can relate to.” In the late 1960s, Doucet took a class in Anglo-Saxon folklore at LSU. When discussing various types of folk music in that class, Doucet asked whether they were going to look at French music. “The professor said, ‘Oh, those are just translated English songs.’ That prompted me to do research.” Doucet found Harry Oster’s historic recordings of blues and Cajun performers along with Irene Whitfield’s 1939 thesis on Cajun and Creole songs. “It wasn’t my idea to be famous or anything like that. My idea was that this was an underground music, and I was very fortunate to have been born in an era when a lot of people that recorded [French music] commercially in the 1920s and ’30s were still alive.” Doucet applied for grants to have this music taught in schools and eventually created a class at UL Lafayette called “French Music in Louisiana: Opera to Zydeco.” “That’s the gamut. That’s the difference in how I look at the music. Sure, you can just get up there and sing the same songs and make a lot of noise and gyrate and that’s Cajun music too, but for me—both sides of my family are of Acadian descent, and I’ve lived this life so long. It seems that
thought I was from Mars e l p o e wh P en I fi “but maybe that’s because most of you need the other people who would are dead.” “You wanna go to a bar?” he asks. We repair to Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro just up the road, where Doucet knows the bartenders. “This guy makes a great Gin Fizz, Huey Long’s favorite drink.” We sit among the pre–Blue Dog George Rodrigue paintings that fill the dining room with their eerie swamp light as Doucet begins to lay out his musical vision. “I never called it Cajun music,” says Doucet. “For me, it was always French music. There was always more to it because I learned it from the people that made it. Real individuals. When these people passed away, their personas
6 | Jazz Fest 2015 | BeauSoleil
an hour at KLSU, where Doucet was also once a DJ. I was all about their rendition of Clarence Garlow’s “Bon Temps Rouler,” reimagined as a clattery Meters funk strut. It was still Cajun music but in some ways, it wasn’t. This Catholic view of French music stays with the group through their 2013 album, From Bamako to Carencro. Bamako is the capital of and largest city in Mali. Through much of the 20th century Bamako stood as the capital of France’s African colonies, until Mali gained its independence in 1959. The name Bamako comes from Bambara, meaning “crocodile river.” Carencro is a small suburb of Lafayette. Its name is Cajun French for “buzzard.” To the world, saying “from Bamako to Carencro” is going from one bad thing to another, going from nowhere to nowhere. It is the nowhereness of the Louisiana settled by the Acadians that inspires Doucet, the fact that to live here one had to be self-reliant. To Doucet, that self-reliance is the thing that keeps South Louisiana culture intact. “You’ve got to understand, they’ve been trying to destroy our culture for 250 years. Who’s ‘they’? The English, then the Americans and then who knows next. The fact is that it is tenacious enough to be a cohesive unit to still speak French. If you came here 100 or even 60 years ago, you had to speak French if you still wanted to get around.” Doucet’s view of French music and South Louisiana culture is fraught with assimilation, what is gained and lost when it becomes part of the greater culture, first the customs, then the language, then the way of life down to the land itself.
rst started doing this.
somebody to do it right, somebody who understood the whole perspective, the whole view, no matter what it sounded like to someone on the street.” The wide swath of music BeauSoleil has put out in their 40 years illustrates that perspective. My first exposure to them was their 1988 album Bayou Cadillac, which fit into one of the non– indie rock sections we had to play once
“There are no bigger influences than the greed of America,” says Doucet, “and the biggest greed in America is oil. Guess what they found in Louisiana?” Doucet speaks of going out in the swamps with musician and wetland activist Tab Benoit to see where whole cypress groves have been decimated in the name of pursuing oil. “I can’t begrudge a farmer who leaves for the oil field because it pays four times the money, but it changes your psyche. It’s like what [musician and accordion maker] Marc Savoy says: ‘You trade that hot gumbo for a cold American hot dog, but you can’t just go back to the gumbo.’ But people try.” BeauSoleil’s music mirrors that struggle to survive in the world, holding on to its character while living in the world as it is. The music they play is like the earliest French music in the region, the product of people playing the music they know and love. “But it survives here because they didn’t want to become part of ‘America.’ We were here long before the United States acquired Louisiana.” So while BeauSoleil may take French music out into the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Liberty Theater in Eunice, while they may pull the full breadth of the culture into their songs, Michael Doucet and crew are determined that this music will not get lost in the shuffle.
BeauSoleil performs Sunday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. on the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 7
JazzFest
10 Picks for Friday, April 24
Native Nations Powwow Louisiana Native Nations, Noon, 1:30 & 4 p.m. Native American culture plays a crucial role in what Jazz Fest is trying to celebrate: New Orleans' diverse and rich heritage. Native Nations will be performing to kick off the Native American celebrations all throughout the first weekend of Jazz Fest at three times during the day. This is a great opportunity to get your kids interested in Native American history, or just to see a fabulous show. Crawfish Deviled Eggs by Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse Food Heritage Stage, 12:30 p.m. Crawfish go well on everything, and Sara Toth from Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse will be demonstrating this. She’ll show how to make Crawfish Deviled Eggs for those who are eager to learn a new appetizer for a cocktail party or large event. Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse is synonymous with high-quality dining in New Orleans, so you know you are going to be learning a killer recipe. Just another way to learn and experience some of the culture here in New Orleans during Jazz Fest! Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots Blues Tent, 2:40-3:40 p.m. Bruce Sunpie Barnes is no stranger to Jazz Fest. His band, the Lousiana Sunspots, mixes West African rhythms,
8 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Previews - April 24
Zydeco, Funk, Gospel, Blues, and Caribbean music. Come watch as he and his Louisiana Sunspots play their “Bouje Bouje” music (meaning “to move”). This show is sure to get you to move. – Chris Romaguera Hozier Gentilly Stage, 3:20-4:40 p.m. Hozier, an Irish singer and musician, has been played on repeat with his hit single “Take Me to Church.” This year, locals and tourists can look forward to hearing the famous song live at the annual NOLA Jazz Fest. While first becoming a highly successful artist in Ireland, his musical talents have made their way to the U.S. where he has acquired hundreds of thousands of fans. –Leith Tigges
Royal Teeth
Jimmy Cliff Congo Square Stage 5:40-7:00 p.m. Long known as pioneer of Jamaican music, Jimmy Cliff first rose to fame with his leading role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, in which Cliff also wrote a few of the soundtrack’s popular hits. After being inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, Jimmy Cliff has since been nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for his album Rebirth and continues to tour around the globe. – Chris DiBenedetto
Gentilly Stage – 1:40 p.m.
Bennachin All Day Head over to Congo Square to try some African cuisine that hails from Gambia and Cameroon, courtesy of Bennachin Restaurant. Full of fresh flavors, this is also a good option for vegetarians who make it to Jazz Fest, as they will be serving up sautéed spinach ( Jama-Jama) and
fried plantains. This is also a great option for those trying to indulge in the Historic Congo Square culture that Jazz Fest celebrates. Crescent Catering All Day You can never have enough duck! Just ask the people at Crescent Catering from Slidell, who have Duck Po-boy and Shrimp & Duck Pasta on their menu this year. It is hard to find a duck po-boy around town sometimes, so do not miss your chance to grab one at this year’s Jazz Fest. Instead of being boring and getting something you can get anywhere, enjoy Jazz Fest with something a little more unique. Frenchy Original Paintings All Day Randy "Frenchy" Frechette captures the city of New Orleans with his broad colors, broad strokes, and boldness in the work he produces. For anyone who has out-of-town visitors coming in for Jazz Fest, make sure you bring them by Frenchy's tent to see his work. Also, he is the mastermind behind this year's Jazz Fest poster, one of the biggest honors that a New Orleans artist can achieve. Mr. Williams’ Pastries All Day Do you have a sweet tooth? Well do not worry; there are options for those of us who need something sugary to get through the day at Jazz Fest. One to definitely check out is the assortment of pies at Mr. Williams' Pastries. Sure they have apple and cherry pies, but give something like their pecan, coconut or sweet potato pie a chance. You will not regret it. Panaroma Foods All Day If you have been drinking a lot or are planning to drink a lot, Panaroma Foods has just the thing for you. Crawfish Bread, Shrimp Bread, and Jalapeño Bread will be on the menu to help those who need to fill their stomachs with something a little hardier. You can expect these loaves to be delicious, as they come from a little grocery store out in Marksville, LA.
Frenchy Original Paintings WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 9
JazzFest
you to see how “Old School” does it before “New School” inevitably takes over. -Craig Magraff, Jr. Big Sam’s Funky Nation Acura Stage, 1:40-2:35 p.m. Big Sam takes the brass heritage of New Orleans to the next level. He is a musical phenom, first earning his chops at the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), then joining the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the age of 19 before putting together the Funky Nation in the early 2000s. You may recognize him from his recurring role on HBO’s hit series Treme, where of course he played himself. -Craig Magraff, Jr.
10 Picks for Saturday, April 25 Boudin Stuffed Rabbit by Bayona Food Heritage Stage, 12:30-1:20 p.m. Bayona is a charming French Quarter restaurant known for its simple but delicious food that includes only the freshest local ingredients. The restaurant finds inspiration from the Mediterranean, Asia, North Africa, and Europe but for Jazz Fest their dish will be from closer to home: Boudin Stuffed Rabbit. The delicious dish wiĺl be prepared by Chef Brett Duffee. Big Chief Cook Jazz & Heritage Stage, 12:40-1:20 p.m. Big Chief Cook has been meaning to put down his feathery crown for good, but the culture just keeps calling him back. Leader of the largest and most ubiquitous Mardi Gras Indian tribe dating back to the early to mid 1800s, it can be thought that maybe Big Chief Cook just wants to keep the culture pure as long as possible. I’d admonish
Mannie Fresh
Congo Square Stage – 2:05 p.m.
10 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Previews - April 25
Juvenile and Mannie Fresh Congo Square Stage, 2:053:20 p.m. Juvenile and super-producer Mannie Fresh have both remained proud purveyors of New Orleans music and the specific sound that wafts over our streets. Born Terius Gray, Juvenile began his rap career in the deathtrap Magnolia Projects in the early 90s, eventually joining Cash Money Records in 1997. A year later, 400 Degreez was one of the first New Orleans Hip Hop records to achieve certified 4X platinum status by the RIAA, all with the help of Mannie Fresh’s sleek production. – Craig Magraff, Jr.
Bennachin
Ellis Marsalis Zatarain's/WWOZ Tent – 1:20 p.m. The Who Acura Stage, 5-7 p.m. The Who is known for being one of the greatest bands in rock n’ roll history, and their performance at this year’s music fest will only bring them more devoted fans. Formed, in 1963, the band has continue to gain popularity over the years with hits such as “My Generation” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” – Leith Tigges John Legend Congo Square Stage, 5:30-7 p.m. John Legend, as his name would suggest, has earned top status since his professional debut album, Get Lifted, topped the charts worldwide in 2004, earning him eight Grammy award nominations, three wins, and a slew of critical acclaim in the process. Most recently, Legend won an Oscar for his powerful duet with rapper Common on their song “Glory" for the breakthrough 2015 film Selma. -Craig Magraff, Jr. Kenny Garrett Zatarain’s/WWOZ Jazz Tent, 5:50-7 p.m. A contemporary saxophonist whose name is often mentioned in the same breath as the late John Coltrane would have to consider it the highest form of flattery. That description fits Kenny Garrett. His latest, Grammy-nominated CD, Pushing the World Away, contains tracks that are in the Latin jazz and other modern genres. Garrett has been called “one of the most admired alto saxophonists in jazz after Charlie Parker” by The New York Times. Dean M. Shapiro Joshua Lee Nidenberg Infrared Photography All Day Travelling Louisiana for the past 20 years, taking close to a hundred pictures every day, Nidenberg has captured moments that showcase Louisiana's rich culture, history, and people. Joshua Lee Nidenberg Infrared Photography will be located in Tent F in the Louisiana Marketplace. Loretta's Authentic Pralines All Day Loretta's Authentic Pralines are usually found in the French Market, where Loretta's son still serves up fresh batches from his great-grandmother's secret recipe. Known for having one of the widest selections of pralines they can be found around the Fair Grounds all Jazz Fest long serving up Praline Stuffed Beignet, Assorted Pralines, Sweet Potato Cookie, Praline Shoe Soul, and Pecan Crunch. WWOZ Mango Freeze All Day First sold at Jazz Fest in 1994, the sweet, tart, and oh-so-perfect-and-refreshing treat has been a hit ever since. The proceeds from the icy dessert have helped further WWOZ Community Radio's mission of bringing New Orleans music to the universe. Containing no preservatives, the light and dairy-free dessert will be sold around the grounds.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 11
JazzFest
10 Picks for Sunday, April 26
Young Guardians of the Flame Kids Tent, 11:30-12:15 p.m. Easily the cutest thing you’ll see all festival long, Young Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indian Group was created by late Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. as a way for young people to embrace the warrior heritage of the Mardi Gras Indians in a less competitive manner. Ranging from ages 1 to 13, this training camp for young Indians also serves as a proving ground as youngsters display sewing skills by masking, play rhythms, and regularly perform for crowds across the nation. -Craig Magraff, Jr. LA Drum and Shrimp Kinilaw by Milkfish Food Heritage Stage, 2:30-3:20 p.m. Chef Christina Quackenbush, founder of the trendy, new restaurant Milkfish, will be demonstrating how to make LA Drum and Shrimp Kinilaw at the Food Heritage Stage. Chef Quackenbush
12 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Previews - April 26
opened Milkfish's doors in 2014 after stretching her legs with years of critical acclaim as a pop-up. Kinilaw, a popular dish in Philippine cuisine, is similar to ceviche and is made with raw fish. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles Jazz & Heritage Stage, 3-3:50 p.m. Big Chief Monk is one of the oldest and most beloved Indian Chiefs. Along with the late Chief Bo Dollis, Big Chief Monk helped bring Mardi Gras Indian culture and the music associated with it to the national forefront as a part of the Wild Magnolias singing group. More than 40 years ago, Big Chief Monk appeared with the Wild Magnolias at the very first Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1970. -Craig Magraff, Jr. Bela Fleck Fais Do-Do Stage, 3-4:10 p.m. Drawn to his instrument of choice after hearing Earl Scruggs play the theme song of The Beverly Hillbillies TV show, worldrenowned banjo player Bela Fleck would one day be performing alongside his idol and many other musical greats during a remarkable 40-year career. During his JazzFest appearance, he will be performing alongside his wife, Abigail Washburn, a
The Galley banjo superstar in her own right with nine albums to her credit. - Dean M. Shapiro Allen Toussaint Gentilly Stage, 3:25-4:35 p.m. Allen Toussaint could easily be seen as one of the most influential musicians and producers in the history of New Orleans music. Toussaint has written, produced, performed with, and had his songs covered all over the world by countless acts, including greats such as Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Dr. John. In fact, chances are you can sing one of Mr. Toussaint’s songs off the top of your head; he’s just that ubiquitous. -Craig Magraff, Jr.
Rebirth Brass Band
Congo Square Stage – 3:30 p.m.
Rebirth Brass Band Congo Square Stage, 3:30-4:45 p.m. One of the most ubiquitous New Orleans- style brass bands, Rebirth earned their credit on the street. They formed in 1983 with tuba/sousaphone player Philip Frazier, his brother, bass drummer Keith Frazier, and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins. What grew from it is a worldrenowned act and a 2012 Grammy award for Best Regional Roots Album. -Craig Magraff, Jr. Goodnight Show’s John Calhoun and Benjamin Arthur Ellis Interview Folklife Stage, 4:10 p.m. New Orleans' very own late night talk show, The Goodnight Show, leads audiences into the very heart of New Orleans culture with its quirky and comedic performances. Its charismatic and hilarious host John Calhoun, and announcer Benjamin Arthur Ellis, will be interviewing Jazz Fest's Folklife demonstrators. Ba Mien Vietnamese Cuisine All Day The popular New Orleans East restaurant will be serving up some authentic Vietnamese cuisine all Jazz Fest long. From their stand in Heritage Square, they will be offering Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls), Bun (Vermicelli with Shrimp or Beef), and Cha Gio (Vietnamese Egg Roll). Their delicious dishes are prepared using the freshest ingredients, and are perfect for a quick bite so you don't have to miss a minute of your favorite band. Mark Derby Glazed Stoneware All Day Mark Derby, maker of glazed stoneware extraordinaire, will be showcasing his handcrafted wares in Tent E in the Louisiana Marketplace. Derby Pottery and Tile, found on Magazine St., is known for its handmade, Victorian-inspired tiles, mugs, and vases. Ice Teat at Sunshine Concessions All Day Sunshine Concessions, run by John Edelen and John Childs, steeps about 12,000 pounds of tea each year at Jazz Fest. This year's flavors will be Rosemint Herbal Ice Tea, Regular Ice Tea, and Mandarin Orange Herbal Ice Tea. Sunshine lets you sip smartly because their teas are all-natural and sweetened with honey for a refreshing drink that will quench your thirst in-between jam sessions. Find it in Food Area I, Food Area II, and Heritage Square.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 13
14 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Schedule - April 24
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 15
16 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Schedule - April 25
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 17
18 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Schedule - April 26
An Intimate Evening Series
MARCIA BALL LE PETIT THEATRE
FRIDAY, May 1 9:00PM Tickets Available: www.lepetittheatre.com 504.522.2081 616 Saint Peter St. New Orleans, LA 70116
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 19
JazzFest
NIGHT SHOWS
Anders Osborne Friday, April 24, 8 P.M.; $33 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. houseofblues.com/neworleans If you are still on a blues kick after the gates at Jazz Fest close, make your way down to the House of Blues to check out Anders Osborne. Fresh off his latest album, Freedom & Dreams, Osborne puts on an enchanting show that blends blues, funk and Southern rock—a sound that’s unique and a pleasure to be in the audience for. Gov't Mule Friday, April 24, 8:30 P.M.; $38.50–71.50 Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. saengernola.com In 1994, two members of The Allman Brothers Band created Gov't Mule (known as Mule) as a side project. Today, Mule is one of the most recognizable Southern rock jam bands. Do not miss your chance to see Gov't Mule perform after Jazz Fest and have your mind blown by the sick guitar riffs and awesome jam session. Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Men Friday, April 24, 9 P.M.; $25 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. houseofblues.com/neworleans If you’ve not heard local singer and songwriter Jon Cleary on the piano, there will be no better time than when you are downtown after spending the day at Jazz Fest. Cleary and his band give old school New Orleans blues an injection of contemporary funk and are a can't-miss show this festival season.
The Givers April 25 ShamarrFest with Shamarr Allen Saturday, April 25, 9 P.M.; $5 Shamrock, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. shamrockparty.com In what other city can you go to a bar and play pool, ping-pong, foosball, darts, arcade games and anything else you can think of while listening to some classic New Orleans brass and jazz? Make your way to Shamrock and see the trumpet wizard Shamarr Allen, Hot 8 Brass Band and more, all while being able to dance, drink and play games. It doesn’t get any better than that. Dash Rip Rock Saturday, April 25, 10 P.M.; $13.65 Carrollton Station, 8140 Willow St. carrolltonstation.com Right in the heart of the Riverbend is Carrollton Station and this Jazz Fest they will be hosting one of the great rock bands of the South: Dash Rip Rock. Dash Rip Rock plays with an irreverent sense of humor and undeniable swagger. They play a little alternative country, a little Southern rock, but with a whole lot of fun and without holding back anything.
Quickie Mart April 26 20 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Jazz Fest Weekend 1 Night Shows
Givers Saturday, April 25, 10 P.M. $17–20 Publiq House, 4528 Freret St. publiqhouse.com The Lafayette indie-pop product Givers are blowing up, so do not miss your
Anders Osborne April 24
chance to see them in New Orleans before they head to Wakarusa, Lolapalooza, and Outside Lands this summer. Their alternative-pop sound is always fun to party to, as they seamlessly mix pop, electronica and harmonic vocals to get you on your feet and bouncing around.
fan, you owe it to yourself to check out the visuals and performance that Slayer puts on for their audience. Sweet Crude with Tank and the Bangas and Quickie Mart Sunday, April 26, 8 P.M.; $10 advance, $12 at the door One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St. oneeyedjacks.net Close out the first weekend of Jazz Fest with a little progressive rock provided by Sweet Crude. This young, up-and-coming band is from South Louisiana and likes to blend some French language and Cajun strings into their music. If you go to their show, not only will you be having a fun time with their alternative-indie sound, but you can polish up on your French and then show off to your friends.
Mississippi Rail Company Saturday, April 25, 10 P.M.; $12 Gasa Gasa, 4920 Freret St. gasagasa.com The quartet that makes up Mississippi Rail Company puts a light and harmonic twist on classical New Orleans blues, which can be a fresh breath of air if you are looking for something other than brass on Frenchmen Street. Go Uptown and check out something a little different. Bring your dancing shoes because you will need all the help you can get trying to keep up with these guys. Dumpstaphunk Saturday, April 25, 1:30 A.M.; $25 One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St. oneeyedjacks.net If you find yourself downtown past midnight after the first Saturday of Jazz Fest, why would you go anyplace else if Dumpstaphunk is playing a late-night show at One Eyed Jacks? Dumpstaphunk will instantly put some pep back into your step if you are feeling tired after a long day jammin' out at Jazz Fest. You can never have enough funk and soul in your life anyway.
Slayer April 26 Slayer Sunday, April 26, 8 P.M.; $45–50 Adv. The Civic Theatre, 410 O Keefe Ave. civicnola.com Go out on the first weekend of Jazz Fest with a (head)bang at the Civic Theatre. Slayer, one of the most recognizable sounds in metal, will be rocking the Crescent City with their thrash rock. Even if you do not consider yourself a metal
Boom Boom Room presents Pimps of Joytime + Vinyl Sunday, April 26, 2 a.m. Maison, 508 Frenchmen Street maisonfrenchmen.com If anyone is interested in a late-night show after Jazz Fest, head to Maison on Frenchmen Street and check out Pimps of Joytime and Vinyl. Pimps of Joytime mixes a funky, blues sound with electronic dance beats that make for an energetic experience. The San Francisco band Vinyl has been touring the festival scene for over 20 years and is a consistent jam-band favorite. Photos by Gus Escanelle, Jerry Moran and Greg Roques
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 21
Lakeside2Riverside
FESTIVAL & EVENT PREVIEWS
Conference Sync Up Conference April 24–May 2 The Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St. syncupconference.com If you are in the entertainment industry here in Hollywood South, do not miss your chance to see some great panels and presentations at this year’s Sync Up Conference. Network, get information about the business and see some demos to help your career. The conference is held during Jazz Fest, so take a day off from the festival and meet some of the best entertainment minds that New Orleans has to offer.
by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band along with the Panorama Jazz Band, the Touro Synagogue Choir and Cantor David Mintz. Don't miss out on this sacred Jazz Fest tradition.
Festivals & Openings SoFAB! Grand Opening Gala April 17, 6 p.m. Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha C. Haley Boulevardsouthernfood.org The Southern Food and Beverage Museum will be opening their doors for a grand opening celebration April 17. The new space on Oretha C. Haley Boulevard has been very well received and it should be a wonderful night. There will be live music by Sharon Martin, cooking demonstrations, and cocktails from Lillet. On top of all the good food and drinks, three new exhibits will be making their debut.
crawfest.tulane.edu For all those Uptown, do not miss Tulane's free music festival that includes The Wailers, Hot 8 Brass Band, Earphunk and more! There will be food, drinks and a lot of fun in the sun. Spend some time on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the Greater New Orleans area and celebrate the fact that spring and crawfish season is upon us! Pinch a Palooza April 19, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Deanie's Seafood, 1713 Lake Ave., pinchapalooza.com Head to Bucktown to check out the 6th annual Pinch a Palooza festival. There will be great food (try your hand at the crawfish-eating contest), art and music for the whole family to enjoy. Rain or shine, the festival will be on for just one day at Deanie's Seafood in Metairie. It’s a great tune-up for those going to Jazz Fest.
Performance & Theater
An 9 gola -1 8 1 Rodeo April
Family Events Angola Rodeo April 18–19; $15 Louisiana State Penitentiary, 17544 Tunica Trce, Angola, LA angolarodeo.com If you have never seen barrel racing, bareback riding or a wild horse race, you owe it to yourself to make it to the Angola Rodeo. There are great rodeo shows and crafts and excitement for the whole family. Don’t miss your chance to go the spring edition of the rodeo while the weather is still wonderful! New Orleans Earth Day Festival & Solar Derby April 18, 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Palmer Park nolaearthdayfest.wordpress.com Celebrate New Orleans’ movement towards environmentally friendly living and business at Palmer Park on April 18. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade is putting on the festival and there will be live music, raffles, a silent auction, and plenty of fun for the whole family. More importantly, all the demonstrations and performances are going to be solar powered, and you can get information on how to support local organizations that have made a commitment to be environmentally friendly. Jazz Fest Shabbat April 24; 7:30 p.m. Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave. tourosynagogue.com This special Sabbath service has been going on for 24 years with no signs of stopping. The musicdriven service is free and open to the public, or you can view the event at home via a live web stream on their website. The entertainment will be provided
22 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Lakeside 2 Riverside
Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival April 17–18; $5–20 Downtown Natchitoches Riverbank natchjazzfest.com The Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival is celebrating its 20 th anniversary this year and features three platinum-selling artists: .38 Special, Mitch Ryder and Joey Molland's Badfinger. Make the trip to scenic downtown Natchitoches to enjoy the family fun and experience one of the state's most unique cities in Louisiana.
Bill
Burr April 23
Crawfest at Tulane University April 18, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Newcomb Pl., Tulane University
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat April 14–19, Various Times Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. saengernola.com Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be at the Saenger Theatre this April. Do not miss your chance to bring your family to see one of the most enduring musicals of all time about Israel's favorite son, Joseph. Both the cast and the production crews are filled with top-notch Broadway talent; this will be an evening of entertainment you won't want to miss.
Bill Burr: The Bible Belt Tour Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m.; $47–58 Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. saengernola.com Bill Burr will be bringing his lack of political correctness to New Orleans this spring; if you are looking to bust a gut, there will be no better chance than this. It may not be the show to bring your whole family to, but it’s perfect for your group of adult friends or, if you are brave enough, a first date.
Sports
SoFAB! Grand Opening April 17
Zurich Classic April 20–26; Ticket Prices Vary TPC Louisiana, 11001 Lapalco Blvd., Avondale zurichgolfclassic.com The Zurich Classic is a can't-miss sports event for all New Orleans sports fans. Go to TPC Louisiana and watch some of the world's best golfers compete. There will be top 10 talent in the field this year, with plenty of events to keep yourself occupied and charity events as well.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 23
OnesToWatch
YOJIMBO By Chris DiBenedetto
T
here is nothing quite like a night when a band radiates an unstoppable creative energy onto the crowd. You start to dance, they increase the groove and then the music puts you completely in the moment. One New Orleans trio seems to capture this moment night after night as they shatter all boundaries with a fury of musical skill coupled with the most fun, flavorful attitudes one could ever encounter. Yojimbo has continued to creatively develop their raw yet charmingly catchy sound, both in the studio and live. The indie punk-funk trio, composed of trombone, drums and keys, is now at it full time, having just released their album Ghost Birthdays. Where Y’at spoke with drummer Adam Gertner to see where the band comes from and what’s in store for the future. Where Y'at: So how did the three of you decide to form Yojimbo? Adam Gertner: I moved down to New Orleans to go to Loyola. I met Doc Sharp because he was always in their practice rooms. I went to high school with Carly Meyers, and I just told her how great of a city it was. She moved down and fell instantly in love with the city. That’s just kind of how we came together. WYAT: This band has done so much in so little time. How did this evolution come about? Gertner: When we first started, I think it was more of a solid funk band. We did a lot of covers of P-funk songs, some Maceo Parker songs and funky standards. That was our first record, We Are Dogs. We loved all this experimental music and that evolved into our next record, which was Bumble Bee Crown King. And then we were like, “We
24 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Ones to Watch
should sing some songs,” and Carly started taking vocal lessons, which led to our last record that she sings all over. WYAT: I’ve noticed you’ve also created your own stage decorations for every live show. Did this also come about naturally? Gertner: Carly and I had this idea that we should make a backdrop. It’s kind of our fourth member. And I suggested that we wear these boxers that Carly hand-sewed, and Doc really loved the idea. So now we have four or five different pairs of boxers and we try to wear them every single time we play. WYAT: Y’all seem like such great friends. Does this affect the band's creative process? Gertner: Yeah, for sure. On the new songs that we’ve been writing, we’ve written a lot of them as a trio. Or Carly will have lyrics
and Doc will figure out what to do with the bridge or something, and we’ve just kind of naturally ended up writing all these songs together now. WYAT: So now that the three of you have been here for a few years, how do you feel living in New Orleans has shaped the project as a whole? Gertner: I would definitely say that we all consider it home for sure now. Carly and I are from Denver and Doc is from Memphis. We go back and play those cities and they don’t feel like home anymore. There’s also such a giant, flavorful music scene here. Everybody’s so relaxed and I think that really is a big part of our music. Its like, “Oh, why don’t we just take a breath and try to have a good time,” and that’s the whole point of what we’re trying to do. Just get people to come out, forget their problems and enjoy a musical show. Just have a good time. We kind of embody New Orleans in that way.
us getting on one trailer and riding a bike down the street. We invited all these friends, and they actually ended up coming out and being in the video. It was really sweet to see everybody come out and support us. They all dressed up in the coolest ways. WYAT: Amazing. Well you’ve already mentioned recording soon. I’m wondering what all is in store for the future of Yojimbo.
Some of our favorite bands have always had records where the last one doesn’t sound anything like the one before it. We appreciate that and enjoy a changing band.
WYAT: Speaking of embodying New Orleans, your latest music video for “Subliminal Socrates” was shot in the streets here almost like a parade. Gertner: We were originally going to have us riding around on separate pedicabs in the Quarter, and then it evolved into
Gertner: Some of our favorite bands have always had these records where the last one doesn’t sound anything like the one before it. We appreciate that and enjoy a changing band. We always want new things, so we’re writing songs and trying to do new things we wouldn’t expect. It’s fun trying to cross over genres; it’s really fun because all three of us just never shoot down ideas. We’re always creating together, so it really evolves the sound of the band and we can go in any direction we want. Adding the vocals is just a whole other element that has been so much fun for us.
NewMusic Louie Ludwig with the Moss Pickers Elevation 13 Zzi Music Elevation 13 is a true testament of Louie Ludwig’s songwriting ability. Yet, the album’s valor is found not only in the words written. Hailing from Thibodeaux, Louisiana, the Moss Pickers lend their skilled picking on mandolin, guitar, banjo, and bass to create a sound that sets the perfect background for Ludwig’s soothing voice. Moreover, with talent from the likes of Anders Osborne, Theresa Andersson, and Dayna Kurtz, Louie Ludwig’s album is sure to be a hit among fans of country and bluegrass. Some serious Bob Dylan influences can be heard in the Moss Picker’s playing – "Nobody" sounds like a modern take on Dylan’s "The Ballad of Hollis Brown," while the guitar and banjo intro to "The Hills that I Love" sound like early "Freewheelin’" Dylan. – Harry Tarpey
Big Chief Alfred Doucette Originals Neutral Ground Records Big Chief Alfred Doucette’s latest release contains five singles that are a fun combination of R&B dance music, jazz and Mardi Gras Indian culture that one could expect from this lifelong New Orleans legend. The first song, “In New Orleans There Ain’t No Party Without Us,” is the strongest, as it embodies the brazen attitude and love of New Orleans that makes some of the local music so great. The rest of the songs do not disappoint either. No matter what, the brass, keys and vocals are all inarguably strong. – Chris Plattsmier
Little Freddie King Messin’ Around Tha Livin’ Room Made Right Records New Orleans’ very own Little Freddie King is back. Known for his virtuosic guitar playing and bluesman swagger, King’s most recent album, Messin Around Tha Livin' Room, once again brings the delta blues back to New Orleans. King delivers a hipshaking album that has as much vested in
his guitar playing as it does in the wail of the harmonica, the non-stop beat of the drum, and the growl of King’s voice. With tracks like "Back at the Bucket of Blood" and "Old Yellow Boy," the album presents King in his traditional format; at the same time, songs like "Soulful Serenade" cast light onto a different side of the artist, as he blends his classic blues style with a more emotionally evocative feel. – Harry Tarpy
Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers #imsoneworleans Basin Street Records Kermit Ruffins is undoubtedly an icon of New Orleans. His trumpet-carrying silhouette warmly greets you at the airport, and with a central role in Treme, it is hard to think of New Orleans and it’s music without thinking of Kermit. His most recent release, #imsoneworleans, continues his legacy as a central tenant of the music scene. With traditional covers like Prof. Longhair’s "Tipitina" and "Iko Iko," Kermit displays not only his trumpet virtuosity, but also his capabilities as a bandleader and vocalist. Yet, it is on the original numbers of the album, "Mexican Special," "Put Your Right Foot Forward," and "I’m So New Orleans" that Kermit and the Swingers truly shine. From funk to Caribbean-esque samba, the band displays their ability to create original and varying grooves from Kermit to blow and sing over. The album is sure to bring the party vibe to any situation. – Harry Tarpy
Big Pearl & The Fugitives of Funks Live on Frenchmen Independent Lani Ramos, known as "Big Pearl," combines her funk sound with Janis Joplin exaggeration and authenticity. The CD is more than Joplin-esque sound, though; it is to experience an indulgent group that grooves to their own unique funk. MC Blac Sol comes in for a few tracks to inject some hip-hop into the lineup. Live has a sound that is unique and passionate in their own way, and it is unclear if anything is gained from MC Black Sol’s appearance. However, the tracks that the talented Black Sol makes an appearance are all top notch. The album closes strong, as this is where more of the original songs are located, but there is a nice flow to the entire track list.
Read more of the latest album reviews at WhereYat.com.
New Music | Jazz Fest 2015 | 25
MUSICCALENDAR
Selected Listings @ WhereYat.com
YoungFathers
The alternative hip-hop group from Edinburgh will play in New Orleans fresh off their latest single release, Shame. They’re riding the momentum from their award-winning album, Dead, in 2014. Thurs., April 16. $12, 8:00 P.M. Republic New Orleans, republicnola.com Wednesday, April 15 30/90 - Jon Roniger Gypsyland Buffa's Lounge - World's Most Open Mic Night Banks Street Bar - Major Bacon BMC - Bobby Love & Friends Buffa’s Lounge - Open Mic Night Cafe Istanbul - Lynn Drury Casa Borrega - Los Caballeros del Son Checkpoint Charlie - Black Laurel Chickie Wah Wah - John Rankin Circle Bar - Mike True Columns Hotel - Andy Rogers d.b.a. - Tin Man; Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters Dragon’s Den - Reggae & Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy French Market - Patrick Cooper, Natasha Sanchez & Ruby Ross LTD Funky Pirate - Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Kerry Irish Pub - Chip Wilson Gasa Gasa - Lady Lamb Hi-Ho Lounge - Roller Girls Party Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse - Irvin Mayfield’s NOJO Jam Howlin' Wolf (The Den) - The Hazy Ray Trio & Freeway Revival Lafayette Square - Big Sam's Funky Nation & Amanda Shaw The Little Gem Saloon - The Listening Room, Mario Abney Sextet Maple Leaf - Sonic Boom Ft. Eric “Benny” Bloom The Maison - Jazz Vipers, The Roamin' Jasmine Marigny Brasserie - Jon Roniger, Up Up We Go! Rock 'n' Bowl - Joe Krown Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Renshaw & Davies Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Kid Merv Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All-Stars Ft. Mark Braud Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Joe Krown The Roosevelt Hotel Fountain Lounge - Antoine Diel & Sam Kuslan Sandbar - Jazz at the Sandbar Ft. Warren Batiste Siberia - Rachel Kate & Jeff Shepard & Mike Collins Jr. Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra Spotted Cat Music Club - Shotgun Jazz Band Steamboat Natchez - Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers Three Muses - Schatzy Tipitina's - Lee Scratch Perry Tropical Isle Original - Debi & The Deacons, Late As Usual Varsity Theatre - American Aquarium & The Humble Kind Vaso - Jeff Chaz Blues Band Yuki Izakaya - Kana De Soul Ft. Detroit Brooks Thursday, April 16 Armstrong Park - Honey Island Swamp Band, The Revealers Buffa’s Lounge - Sacramento Jazz Camp Counselors’ Crescent Cats,
26 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Music Calendar
Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand Café Negril - Soul Project Carousel Lounge Hotel Monteleone - Antoine Diel Quartet Casa Borrega - Panorama Jazz Band Checkpoint Charlie - Garrett Thornton, Pastor Stone Chickie Wah Wah - Phil deGruy, David Lindley Circle Bar - Clint Maedgen Radio and Rob Cambre Columns Hotel - Naydja CoJoe d.b.a. - Swamp Donkeys, Little Freddie King Dragon’s Den Upstairs - James Rose Funky Pirate - Marc Stone Duo, Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Gasa Gasa - Langhorne Slim & The Law Hi-Ho Lounge - Cirque D’Licious Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Comedy Gumbeaux Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse - Joshua Starkman & Dave Moone Kerry Irish Pub - Michael Brown The Little Gem Saloon - Monty Banks, Mykia Jovan Maison - Jon Roniger, Bon Bon Vivant, Dysfunktional Bonee Maple Leaf - The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich & friends Marigny Brasserie - Jamey St. Pierre & Dave Freeson Rock 'n' Bowl - Jeffrey Broussard Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Nattie Ogden Museum of Southern Art - After Hours Ft. Africa Brass Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Old Arabi Bar – Tuba Skinny One Eyed Jacks - Lydia Loveless Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Brother Tyrone & the Mindbenders Palm Court Jazz Café - Crescent City Joymakers Ft. Duke Heitger & David Boeddinghaus & Herman LeBeaux Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All-Stars Rare Form - Joey VanLeeuwen Trio Republic New Orleans - Young Fathers Rock ‘n Bowl – Jeffery Broussard Three Muses – Tom McDermott, Luke Winslow King Snug Harbor – Warren Batiste Quartet Tipitina's – Homegrown Night Ft. Hipnosis Tulane University Laverne Bernick Center - Jazz at the Rat Series Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters Vaso - Willie Lockett & The Blues Krewe Friday, April 17 30/90 - Melanie Gardner Quartet Andrea's Restaurant - Philip Melancon Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Norbert Slama Buffa's Lounge - Debbie Davis & Josh Paxton, Crossing Canal with Ruby Ross and Patrick Cooper, Viper Mad Trio Chickie Wah Wah – Sarah McCow & The Oopsie Daisies, Banks Street Bar – Stereo First Empire
BMC - Soul Project Burgundy Bar Saint Hotel - The Creole Syncopators Jazz Band Casa Borrega - Los Caballeros del Son Checkpoint Charlie - Isla Nola Circle Bar - Guitar Lightnin' Club Caribbean – Reggae Invasion Columns Hotel - Ted Long d.b.a. – Hot Club of New Orleans, Luke Winslow King Dragon's Den - Up Up We Go!, Studio 504 with DJs Vintage Dragon’s Den Upstairs - Buena Vista Social Latin Dance Night Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, Marc and the Pentones Hi Ho Lounge – Felix, Patrick Shuttleswerth, Night Janitor Historic New Orleans Collection - Evan Christopher's Clarinet Road Howlin' Wolf (The Den) - Kenny Zimlinghaus Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse – Burlesque Ballroom Ft. Trixie Minx Kerry Irish Pub – Paul Ferguson, Wild Irish Roots Le Bon Temps Roulé - Piano Bob The Little Gem Saloon - Nayo Jones The Maison - Leah Rucker, Shotgun Jazz Band, the Suffers, Cakewalk Maple Leaf - Eric Bolivar, Cassandra Faulconer Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - No Idea Mulate’s - La Touche Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Damn Hippies Oak Wine Bar - Jon Roniger Gypsyland Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Old Arabi Bar – Mike Darby & The House of Cards One Eyed Jacks - Timecode: NOLA Palm Court Jazz Café – Lucien Barbarin Pearl Wine Co. - Sarah Gromko Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All-Star Ft. Daniel Farrow Rare Form - Vic Pappa & friends Snug Harbor – Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony The Roosevelt Hotel Fountain Lounge - Antoine Diel Trio Three Muses - Glen David Andrews Tipitina's - The Waterboys & New Breed Brass Band Tropical Isle Original – Down River, the Hangovers, Late As Usual Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ - Shotgun Double Vaso - Soul Company Band Saturday, April 18 Andrea's Restaurant - Philip Melancon Banks Street Bar – The Parishioners Blue Nile – Washboard Chaz Blues Trio Buffa's Lounge - Jon Roniger; The Royal Rounders, Alexandra Scott Café Negril - Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers Casa Borrega - Blake Amos & Ralph Gipson Checkpoint Charlie - Kaboom Chickie Wah Wah - Susan CowsillCovered in Vinyl Series Club Caribbean - Dancehall Explosion Circle Bar - Dan Montgomery Columns Hotel - Andrew Hall d.b.a. - John Boutte, Hot 8 Brass Band Dew Drop Social & Benevolent Society Hall - Tuba Skinny Dragon’s Den – The Loose Marbles, Kompression Dragon’s Den Upstairs - Talk Nerdy To Me Evangeline French Quarter - Lil Josephine & Rhodes Spedale Fritzel's Jazz Pub - The Roamin' Jasmine Gasa Gasa - The Brenton Sound, Social Set, & Sounds Del Mar
TheTingTings The British duo of Katie White and Jules De Martino bring their swagger and indie jams to One Eyed Jacks this month. For anyone interested in British pop and alternative dance music, this is a can't-miss show. Mon., April 20. $17 Adv, $20 Door, 8 P.M. One Eyed Jacks, oneeyedjacks.net
Hi Ho Lounge - Hustle with DJ Soul Sister Howlin' Wolf (The Den) - Honeyboy Carencro & the Hawt Ya Ya's Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Leroy Jones Quintet Joy Theater - Alan Cumming: Uncut Kerry Irish Pub - Speed The Mule, Hurricane Refugees The Little Gem Saloon - Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs Louisiana Music Factory – Record Store Day Ft. Jon Roniger, Alexandra Scott, Caesar Brothers, Tank & the Bangas Maison – Moonshine & Caroline, Cajun Fais Do Do, Smoking Time Jazz Club, T-Birds & The Breaks, Street Legends Mulate’s - Bayou Deville Maple Leaf - Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles Rock 'n' Bowl - Mike Zito & Connie G My Bar - Ticklers Dueling Pianos Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Lo Faber Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Old Arabi Bar - Little Freddie King One Eyed Jacks - Timecode, NOLA Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Walter “Wolfman” Washington's Mighty Men Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All-Stars Rare Form - Marc Stone; Mike Darby Siberia - Suplecs, The Weakness, & Knight Snug Harbor – Dr. Michael White and Original Liberty Jazz Band Three Muses – Chris Peters, Hoy Club of New Orleans Tipitina's – Papadosio, The Human Experience Tropical Isle Original - Down River, The Hangovers, Late As Usual Vaso - Higher Heights Reggae Band Sunday, April 19 Apple Barrel - Melanie Gardner Trio Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Roamin' Jasmine Buffa's Lounge - Some Like It Hot!, Jazz Youth Showcase Ft. Nick Ellman, Hot & Spicy Night Swing Club Banks Street Bar – Ron Hotstream & The Mid-City Drifters BMC - Soul Project Circle Bar – Fpoon, Daniel Amadee, & The Urban Cellist Chickie Wah Wah – Sweet Olive Duo Ft. Pat Flory, Mike Kerwin Columns Hotel - Chip Wilson d.b.a – Palmetto Bugs Stompers, Smoker's World Dragon’s Den – Church Ft. Kahn Gasa Gasa - Waxahatchee & The Goodbye Party Howlin' Wolf (The Den) - Hot 8 Brass Band Hi-Ho Lounge Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle & Peter Harris Trio Kerry Irish Pub – Irish Session, Chip Wilson The Little Gem Saloon - New Orleans Swingin Gypsies Maison – Daniel Schroeder, Too Darn Hot, One Love Brass Band Mulate’s – Bayou Deville Maple Leaf - Walter "Wolfman" Washington Rock 'n' Bowl – Fais Do Do Ft. Bruce Daigrepont Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone One Eyed Jacks - Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors + Humming House Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Wardell Williams Blues Band Palm Court Jazz Café - Sunday Night Swingsters featuring Lucien Barbarin + Tom Fischer & More Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All-Stars Rare Form - Nervous Duane Snug Harbor – James Singleton’s Blue Belly Three Muses - Raphael Bas, Linnzi Zaorski Tipitina’s – Sunday Youth Music Workshop Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Brandon Moreau & Cajungrass, Brandon Miller & Louisiana Inferno Vaso - Soul Company Band; Troy Turner Blues Band Yuki Izakaya - Up Up We Go! Monday, April 20 AllWays Lounge - Reecy Pontiff Banks Streets Bar – South Jones Buffa's Bar - Antoine Diel Trio Circle Bar - Get Lo on Dark Mondays Club Caribbean - Let’s Fly High: National 420 Day Columns Hotel - David Doucet Chickie Wah Wah – The Little Things, Alexis and the Samurai d.b.a. - Luke Winslow King, Glen David Andrews Funky Pirate - John Lisi & Deltafunk Hi-Ho Lounge – Bluegrass Pickin’ Party Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Kerry Irish Pub – Kim Carson Maison – Chicken & Waffles, Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses Maple Leaf – Monday Funkday Mulate’s – La Touche Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Natalie Palms One Eyed Jacks - The Ting Tings Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Trumpet Black Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall Jazz Masters Rare Form - Snake & The Charmers Three Muses - Bart Ramsey, Washboard Rodeo Tropical Isle Original Bourbon – Rhythm & Rain, Way Too Early The Treme Spot - Hot 8 Brass Band
Varsity Theatre - Dirty Heads and Mayday Vaso - Super Jam Tuesday, April 21 30/90 - Ruby & The Rogues Banks Street Bar – NOLA County Blue Nile Balcony Room - redrawblak Checkpoint Charlie - On the Cinder & Future Thieves Chickie Wah Wah – Detention Ft. Members of Naughty Professor Circle Bar - Pariah Beat City Park - Swing in the Oaks Ft. The Louisiana Funky Pirate – Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Hi-Ho Lounge – Songwriter Showdown Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) – Comedy Beast Kerry Irish Pub – Jason Bishop Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse – Wicked Swinging Band The Little Gem Saloon - The Messy Cookers Maison - The Loose Marbles Mulate’s – Lee Benoit Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Marigny Brasserie - Rossignoli Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Tom Henehan New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Richard Scott The Old Arabi Bar – Open Mic with Valerie Sassyfras Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Snug Habor – Rick Margitza/Steve Masakowski Tropical Isle Original – The Hangovers, Jay B. Elston Band Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall-Stars Ft. Shannon Powell Rare Form - Willie Bonahan Republic New Orleans - Dan Deacon Wednesday, April 22 30/90 - Jon Roniger Gypsyland AllWays Lounge - Blind Texas Marlin Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Jesse Morrow Banks Street Bar – Major Bacon Buffa’s Lounge – Open Mic Night BMC - The Business Casa Borrega - Los Caballeros del Son Checkpoint Charlie - Some Kind of Nightmare Chickie Wah Wah – John Rankin, Mark McGrain CD-release party Circle Bar - Mike True Columns Hotel - Andy Rogers d.b.a. – Walter “Wolfman” Washington & The Roadmasters Dragon’s Den - DJ T-Roy & Bayou International Sound French Market - Gina Forsyth Funky Pirate – Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Gasa Gasa - Groove Therapy
Hi Ho Lounge – The Slackers Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Hazy Ray Trio Kerry Irish Pub – Patrick Cooper Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse – Dana Abbott Lafayette Square - Flow Tribe & Sweet Crude The Little Gem Saloon - Mario Abney Sextet Maison – James Jordan & The Beautiful Band Maple Leaf – Hook Line & Dine Extravaganza Ft. Flow Tribe Marigny Brasserie - Up Up We Go! Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Lapreta Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Kid Merv Palm Court Jazz Café - Palm Court Jazz Band Ft. Greg Stafford Preservation Hall - Mark Braud Republic New Orleans - Peter Hook & The Light The Roosevelt Hotel Fountain Lounge - Antoine Diel & Sam Kuslan Sandbar – Jazz at the Sandbar Ft. Rick Marigitza Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra Ft. Delfeayo Marsalis Spotted Cat Music Club - Chris Christy Three Muses - Salvatore Geloso Tulane University Dixon Hall - Tulane University Concert Band Tropical Isle Original – Debi & The Deacons, Late As Usual Varsity Theatre - Buckcherry & Hellyeah Vaso - Jeff Chaz Blues Band Yuki Izakaya - Kana De Soul Ft. Detroit Brooks Thursday, April 23 Armstrong Park – Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins, & The BBQ Swingers Banks Street Bar – Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue Buffa’s Lounge - Mack Potts & Doyle Cooper & Friends Blue Nile – Stanton Moore Trio, DJ Kevvy Kev BMC - Evan Oberla Botanical Garden – Threadhead Thursday Ft. Leroy Jones Café Negril - Soul Project Carousel Lounge Hotel Monteleone - Antoine Diel Quartet Carrollton Station - Eric Lindell & Co. Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn Vessels Chickie Wah Wah – Phil deGruy, Seth Walker, Jon Cleary Circle Bar - Laugh in the Dark Columns Hotel - Naydja CoJoe d.b.a. - Colin Lake, Hill Country Picnic Preview Dragon’s Den - Simple Sound Retreat Gasa Gasa - Doldrums Funky Pirate – Marc Stone Duo, Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Hi-Ho Lounge – Krewe of Ragnorak Fundraiser Howlin’ Wolf - Earphunk Julius Kimbrough’s “The Prime Example” - Headhunters
Dr.John
New Orleans legend Dr. John will be jamming at Tipitina's soon, and if you’ve never seen him before, he’s a perfect start to your festival activities. Do not miss your chance to boogie with a jazz, blues and zydeco legend. Thurs., April 23. $57, 9 P.M. Tipitina's, tipitinas.com Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse – Joshua Starkman Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Brass Band Kerry Irish Pub – Beth Patterson The Little Gem Saloon - Monty Banks Lucky’s - Ruby & The Rogues Maison - Jon Roniger, Shotgun Jazz Band, Jesse Smith Project Maple Leaf - Oteil Burbridge & Eric Krasno & Johnny Vidacovich Marigny Brasserie - Jamey St. Pierre & Dave Freeson Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Geno Delafose & Chubby Carrier & Terrance Simien Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - The Little Things Ogden Museum of Southern Art – After Hours Ft. Sweet Crude Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Brother Tyrone & The Mindbenders Pearl Wine Co. - Crescent City Joymakers
Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All Stars Ft. Louis Ford PubliQ House - Band of Heathens Rare Form - Adam Everett Trio Siberia - Covenant & The Labrynth Snug Harbor - Chris Thomas King, Call Club Spotted Cat Music Club - Miss Sophie Lee, Jumbo Shrimp Three Muses – Tom McDermott, Luke Winslow King Tipitina’s – Dr. John & The Nite Trippers & New Breed Brass Band Tropical Isle Bayou Club – Cajun Drifters, Brandon Moreau Vaso - Willie Lockett & The Blues Krewe Friday, April 24 30/90 - Melanie Gardner Quartet Andrea’s Restaurant - Philip Melancon
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 27
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Norbert Slama Banks Street Bar – The N’awlins Johnnys Buffa’s Lounge – Lucas Davenport, Roamin’ Jasmine Blue Nile - Flow Tribe BMC - Lefty Keith & True Blues Burgundy Bar Saint Hotel -The Creole Syncopators Jazz Band Carrollton Station - Grayson Capps Rock n Roll Band Casa Borrega - Los Caballeros del Son Checkpoint Charlie - Mark Appleford, Tree’s All Star Jam Circle Bar - Natalie Mae Civic Theatre - Lettuce Columns Hotel - Ted Long Club Caribbean – Reggae Invasio, Mad Cobra d.b.a. - Tuba Skinny, Honey Island Swamp Band Dragon’s Den - Up Up We Go!, Africa Bass Gasa Gasa: Naughty Professor & Kung Fu Howlin’ Wolf - Rebirth Brass Band, Gravity A Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Sunshine Becker & Friends House of Blues – Anders Osbourne, Con Brio Joy Theater – The Meter Men with Page McConnell, & Earphunk Julius Kimbrough’s “The Prime Example” - Bridge Trio Kerry Irish Pub - Patrick Cooper, Beth Patterson Le Bon Temps Roulé - Joe Krown, Dave Jordan The Little Gem Saloon - Marc Stone’s Blues Explosion Little Tropical Isle Reed Lightfoot, Jay B. Elston Maison – Leah Ruckers, Messy Cookers, Brass-A-Holics Maple Leaf –Oteil Burbridge, Sonny Landreth, Johnny Vidacovich Marigny Brasserie -Jon Roniger Gypsyland Mulate’s – La Touche Rock ‘n’ Bowl -Tab Benoit & Kermit Ruffins & Pelican 212 Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Rebecca Green, Sydney Beaumont Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone One Eyed Jacks - Benjamin Booker & Yelephants & More Old Arabi Bar - Jambeloozia Palm Court Jazz Café - Lucien Barbarin & Tim Paco Pearl Wine Co. - Sarah Gromko Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall Jazz Band Rare Form - Vic Pappa & friends Kerry Irish Pub – Patrick Cooper Rock ‘n’ Bowl – Tab Benoit, Kermit Ruffins, Pelican 212 Ruby’s Roadhouse - Big Al & The Heavyweights Saenger Theatre - Government Mule and The Soul Rebels Saturn Bar - Valparaiso Men’s Chorus Siberia - Katey Red & Peach Kelli Pop & Sea Battle Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quartet Spotted Cat Music Club - Andy Forest Three Muses - Matt Johnson, Glen David Andrews
28 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Music Calendar
Tipitina’s – The Greyboy All-Stars, Grupo Fantastico, The M&M’s Tropical Isle Bayou Club - La Maniere des Cadiens, Brandon Miller Touro Synagogue - Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Panorama Jazz Band & The Touro Synagogue Choir and more Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ - Solar Strut Vaso - Ed Wills & Blues 4 Sale Saturday, April 25 Andrea's Restaurant - Philip Melancon Banks Street Bar - Norco Lapalco Buffa's Lounge - A2D2 Ft. Arsene Delay & Antoine Diel Blue Nile - Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, The Soul Rebels Blue Nile Balcony Room - Fest Mob Ft. Steven Bernstein BMC - Lunetajazz, Johnny Mastro & Mama's Boys Café Negril - Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreeper, Soul Project Carrollton Station - Dash Rip Rock, The Painted Hands Casa Borrega - Otra Checkpoint Charlie - Jeb Realtors Chickie Wah Wah – Joe Discoll & Sekou Kouyate Circle Bar - Jeff Pagano The Civic Theatre - Father John Misty, Luluc Club Caribbean - Dancehall Explosion Columns Hotel - Andrew Hall d.b.a. - John Boutte, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Royal Fingerbowl Dragon’s Den - The Loose Marbles Dragon’s Den Upstairs - Talk Nerdy To Me Evangeline French Quarter - Lil Josephine & Rhodes Spedale Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - The Roamin’ Jasmine Funky Pirate - Marc Stone, Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Gasa Gasa - Mississippi Rail Company Howlin’ Wolf - Dead Feat Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Hot 8 Brass Band, Sunshine Becker Hi-Ho Lounge – Hustle Ft. DJ Soul Sister Joy Theater - The Meter Men with Page McConnell, Earphunk Julius Kimbrough’s “The Prime Example” - B-3 Organ Quartet Kerry Irish Pub - Mark Carson, Amy Nemanich & Paul Ferguson Le Bon Temps Roulé - Russell Batiste & Friends Little Tropical Isle Jay B. Elston, Reed Lightfoot The Little Gem Saloon - Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers Maison - Smoking Time Jazz Club, Greyboy All-Stars Mulate’s - Bayou Deville Maple Leaf - Eric McFadden, Papa Mali, Roosevelt Collier Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Eric Lindell, The Iguanas My Bar - Ticklers Dueling Pianos Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Dan Rivers Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone Old Arabi Bar - Professor Longhair Tribute One Eyed Jacks – Benjamin Booker, Babes, DJ Gris Gris
Ministry There is no show like one that has heavy industrial dance music, metal guitar riffs and super aggressive vocals. Ministry will blow your mind, and maybe your eardrums, so make sure to check it out. Tues., April 28. $52, 8 P.M. Tipitina's, tipitinas.com Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Walter Wolfman Washington’s Mighty Men Palm Court - Palm Court Jazz Band featuring Wendell Eugene PubliQ House - GIVERS Rare Form - Adam Everett Trio, Marc Stone Seahorse Saloon - Po Boyz Organ Group with Simon Lott Saenger Theatre - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Siberia - Vockah Redu, Bella Blue, DJ Rusty Lazer Shamrock - Shamarr Fest Snug Harbor - Bria Skonberg Quartet Spotted Cat Music Club - Barry Stephenson Three Muses - Chris Peters, Debbie Davis, Shotgun Jazz Band Tipitina’s - Galactic, Con Brio, Robert Randolph & The Family Band Tropical Isle Bayou Club La Maniere de Cadiens, Brandon Miller Varsity Theatre - Lucid & The Absence Vaughn's - Morning 40 Federation Sunday, April 26 Banks Street Bar - Ron Hotstream & The Mid-City Drifters
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Roamin’ Jasmine Buffa’s Lounge - Some Like It Hot, Dapper Dandies Blue Nile - Worship My Organ Ft. Marco Benevento, Skerik BMC - Iris P. Civic Theatre - Slayer Circle Bar - Helen Gillet Chickie Wah Wah - Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue, Bill Kirchen Columns Hotel - Chip Wilson d.b.a. - Little Freddie King, Rebirth Brass Band, Bonerama Dragon’s Den - Church Ft. DJ Unicorn Fukr Funky Pirate - John Lisi & Deltafunk, Mark & The Pentones Gasa Gasa - Eric Lindell Hi-Ho Lounge - NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic, Zach Deputy Howlin’ Wolf - Dead Feat Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Hot 8 Brass Band, Vinyl Julius Kimbrough’s “The Prime Example” - Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle & Peter Harris Trio Kerry Irish Pub - Red Shift, Vincent Marini
Slash Slash, the former lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses will be rocking out at the House of Blues. Don’t miss your chance to watch one of the greatest electric guitar players ever perform here in New Orleans. Tues., April 28. $70+, 7 P.M. House of Blues, houseofblues.com/neworleans Le Bon Temps- The Whiskeyhickon Boys The Little Gem Saloon - Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio Ft. Russell Batiste & Walter Washington Maison - Nyce, Brad Walke, Turkuaz, Street Legends Mulate’s - Bayou Deville Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Tab Benoit & Sonny Landreth Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone One Eyed Jacks - Sweet Crude, Tank & The Bangas, Eric Krasno Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Wardell Williams Blues Band Palm Court Jazz Café - Sunday Night Swingsters Ft. Lucien Barbarin Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All Stars Rare Form - Shan Kenner Trio Siberia - Woozy & Chipper Jones Snug Harbor - Allen Toussaint Spotted Cat Music Club - Jazz Band Ballers Three Muses - Raphael Bas, Linnzi Zaorski, The Mumbles Tipitina’s - JJ Grey & Mofro & Pimps of Joytime Tropical Isle Original - The Hangovers, Late As Usual Vaso - Willie Lockett & The Blues Band Yuki Izakaya - Up Up We Go! Monday, April 27 Banks Street Bar - South Jones Buffa’s Lounge - Antoine Diel Trio Blue Nile - Frequinox & Ronkat Spearman plus Brian J Blue Nile Balcony Room - Marco Benevento plays James Booker BMC - Lil Red & Big Dad Cafe Istanbul - Alexandra Scott & Her Magical Band Carrollton Station - Mia Borders & Jesse Morrow Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn Vessels Chickie Wah Wah - The Little Things, Alexis & The Samurai, Circle Bar - Richard Bates Civic Theatre - Joan Armatrading Columns Hotel - David Doucet d.b.a. - Tin Men, Luke Winslow King, South Memphis String Band Dragon’s Den - The New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Funky Pirate - John Lisi & Deltafunk Gasa Gasa - Miles Tackett Trio Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Wes Williams Band House Of Blues - WWOZ’s 27th Annual Piano Night Hi-Ho Lounge - Bluegrass Pickin’ Party Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse - Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Bobby Love and friends Kerry Irish Pub - Kim Carson The Little Gem Saloon - Hidden Gems Fest Ft. Alexandra Scott Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Amanda Shaw & The Cute Guys Maison - Chicken and Waffles Maple Leaf - Monday Funkday Mulate’s - La Touche Neutral Ground - Sam Cordts Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - Trumpet Black Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall Jazz Masters Rare Form - Snake & The Charmers Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Spotted Cat Music Club - Sarah McCoy & The Oopsie Daisies Three Muses - Monty Banks, Miss Sophie Lee Tipitina’s - Instruments A Comin’ Tropical Isle Original - Graham Robertson, Whiskey Bay The Treme Spot - Hot 8 Brass Band Vaso - Super Jam Tuesday, April 28 Banks Street Bar – NOLA County Blue Nile - Fantastic Four, Stanton Moore, Corey Henry Blue Nile Balcony Room - Rob Mazurek & Black Cube SP BMC - Hatchet Boys
Cafe Istanbul - New Orleans Helsinki Connection Checkpoint Charlie - Bible Belt Sinners Chickie Wah Wah - Anders Osbourne, John Fohl & Johnny Sansone Circle Bar - Laura Dyer Jazz Trio Columns Hotel - John Rankin Dragon’s Den - Pretty Party, Painted Hands d.b.a. – Palmetto Bug Stompers, Treme Brass Band Gasa Gasa - Hildegard Funky Pirate – Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Hi-Ho Lounge - Patrick Cooper, Songwriter Showdown House of Blues - Slash Ft. Miles Kennedy & The Conspirators Howlin’ Wolf – Michael Jackson vs. Stevie Wonder Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse – Dave Mooney BandJulius Kimbrough’s “The Prime Example” - Sidemen & 1 Jazz Quintet Kerry Irish Pub – Mark Appleford The Little Gem Saloon – Chawa The Maison – The High Beamers, Gregory Agid Maple Leaf – Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Johnny Vidacovich Marigny Brasserie - Rossignoli Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Mike Liuzza & Pops New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Richard Scott Old Opera House - Chicken on the Bone One Eyed Jacks - Dragon Smoke Ft. Ivan Neville Mulate’s - Lee Benoit Old Arabi Bar - Open Mic with Mike Darby Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall-Stars Ft. Shannon Powell Rare Form -Willie Bohanan Siberia - Siberia Soul Party Ft. AJ the Boudin Man Snug Harbor - Dr. Lonnie Smith & Donald Harrison Band Spotted Cat Music Club - Andy Forest, Tuba Skinny Three Muses - Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue Tipitina’s - Ministry & Sixxis Tropical Isle Original - The Hangovers, Jay B. Elston Band Wednesday, April 29 Banks Street Bar- Major Bacon Blue Nile - Ivan Neville Piano Sessions Blue Nile (Upstairs) - The Main Squeeze Buffa’s Lounge - Open Mic Night Chickie Wah Wah - John Rankin, John McLaughlin & friends, Shinyribs Civic Theatre - Breaking Benjamin d.b.a - The Iguanas, Walter “Wolfman” Washington Dragon’s Den - Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy Hi-Ho Lounge - Justin Bieber’s Girlfriend Ft. Yojimbo & Skerik Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Hazy Ray Trio Howlin’ Wolf - Steel Punk with many special guests Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse - Dana Abbott Kerry Irish Pub - Tim Robertson Lafayette Square – Marcia Ball, Lynn Drury Maison – Moonshine & Caroline, Jazz Vipers, Derrick Freeman Maple Leaf - Ivan Neville, June Yamagishi & George Porter Jr. Palm Court Jazz Café - Lars Edegran & Topsy Chapman Preservation Hall - Preservation Hall All-Stars Ft. Mark Braud PubliQ House- Big Deal Burlesque Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Roddie Romero & The Hub City All-Stars Saeger Theatre - Bob Dylan Sandbar - Jazz at the Sandbar Ft. Christian Scott Snug Harbor - Marcia Ball, Joe Krown & Tom McDermott Three Muses - Leslie Martin Tipitina’s - St. Paul & Broken Bones, King James Tropical Isle Original - Debi & The Deacons, Late As Usual Thursday, April 30 Armstrong Park - Rockin’ Dopsie, N’awlins Johnnys Banks Street Bar - Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes from Australia Blue Nile - Willie Sugarcapps Ft. Grayson Capps Buffa’s Lounge - Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand, Josh Paxton
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 29
Chickie Wah Wah - Phil deGruy, Helen Gillet Covington Trailhead - Rockin’ the Rails Ft. James Andrews d.b.a - King James & The Special Men, Cedric Burnside Project Dragon’s Den - Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Haas/Lott/Price Trio Funky Pirate - Marc Stone, Blues Masters Ft. Big Al Generations Hall - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Ivan Neville Howlin’ Wolf - Rebirth, Sister Sparrow & The Sparrow Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse - Playhour, James River Movement Joy Theater - Royal Family Ball Ft. Soulive & Lettuce Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers Kerry Irish Pub - Vincent Marini and the One Tailed Three Le Bon Temps- Soul Rebels Brass Band Little Gem Saloon - Evan Christopher’s Clarinet Road Little Tropical Isle - Allen Herbert, Reed Lightfoot Maison - Jon Roniger, Kristina Morales Maple Leaf - Oteil Burbridge, Marco Benevento, Johnny Vidacovich Rock ‘n’ Bowl - L’il Nathan & The Big Tymers, Chris Ardoin Seahorse Saloon - Po Boyz Organ Group with Simon Lott Snug Harbor - Christian Scott Octet Three Muses - Tom McDermott, Luke Winslow King Tipitina’s - St. Paul & Broken Bones Friday, May 1 Backroom at Buffa's - Davis Rogan, Dr. Jimbo Walsh Banks Street Bar - No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom Tribute Bayou Club - T'Canailli Blue Nile - The Main Squeeze Blue Nile Balcony Room - The Mike Dillon Band Buffa's Lounge - Alexandra Scott and her Magical Band Burgundy Bar - The Creole Syncopators Jazz Band Cafe Istanbul - Axial Tilt Café Negril - Higher Heights Reggae Band Carrollton Station - John Mooney & Bluesiana Casa Borrega - Los Caballeros del Son Checkpoint Charlie - J. Monque'D Chickie Wah Wah - Luke Allen Trio; Michael Pierce Circle Bar - Natalie Mae; James Hall Civic Theatre - Primus and the Chocolate Factory Club Caribbean - Reggae Invasion Columns Hotel - Ted Long d.b.a. - The Soul Rebels Dos Jefes - The Panorama Jazz Band Dragon's Den - Up Up We Go Funky Pirate - The Blues Masters with Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa - Flowtribe Hi Ho Lounge - The Transplanted Roots Howlin' Wolf - Ivan Neville + Johnny Vidacovich Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Piano Professor Series
30 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Music Calendar
Joy Theater - Joe Russo's Almost Dead Julius Kimbrough's "The Prime Example" - Stephanie Jordan Quintet Kerry Irish Pub - Hurricane Refugees Le Bon Temps Roulé - Gravy Flavored Kisses Le Petit Theatre- Marcia Ball The Little Gem Saloon - Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns Little Tropical Isle - Reed Lightfoot The Maison - Dirty Dozen Brass Band Maple Leaf - James Brown Birthday Tribute Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - Kermit Ruffins + Bonerama My Bar - Ticklers Dueling Pianos One Eyed Jacks - David Shaw and The Cardinal Sons Palm Court Jazz Café - Butch Thompson & Clive Wilson & More Preservation Hall - The Preservation Hall All Stars PubliQ House- Toubab Krewe Orchestra Siberia - Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers Snug Harbor - Amina Figerova Sextet Spotted Cat Music Club - Andy Forest Three Muses - Royal Roses Tipitina's - The Funky Meters Tropical Isle - The Hangovers Tropical Isle Bourbon - Way Too Early; Debi and the Deacons Ugly Dog Saloon - Joe Gelini Trio Vaso - Bobby Love & Friends Saturday, May 2 AllWays Lounge - Alexandra Scott Backroom at Buffa's - St Cecilia Asylum Chorus Banks Street Bar - Egg Yolk Jubilee Bayou Club - Louisiana Inferno Blue Nile - Marco Benevento Café Negril - Jamie Lynn Vessels Carrollton Station - Andrew Duhon Trio Casa Borrega - Jonathan Freilich & All Star Friends Checkpoint Charlie - Lynn Drury; Woodenhead Chickie Wah Wah - Helen Gillet + Mark Sutherland Circle Bar - Jeff Pagano Civic Theatre - Primus and the Chocolate Factory Columns Hotel - Andrew Hall d.b.a. - Lost Bayou Ramblers Dos Jefes - The Joe Krown Trio Dragon's Den - The Loose Marbles Funky Pirate - The Blues Masters with Big Al Carson Gasa Gasa - Lost Bayou Ramblers + Cardinal Sons Hi Ho Lounge - HUSTLE with DJ Soul Sister Howlin' Wolf - Anders Osborne and Particle Howlin' Wolf The Den - Hot 8 Brass Band + Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Thomas Pol
Joy Theater - Joe Russo's Almost Dead Julius Kimbrough's "The Prime Example" - Donald Harrison Quintet Kerry Irish Pub - Speed The Mule Le Bon Temps Roule- Big Pearl and the Fugitives of Funk The Little Gem Saloon - Nayo Jones Little Tropical Isle - Ben Joseph The Maison - Smoking Time Jazz Club; Rebirth Brass Band Maple Leaf - Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - Eric Lindell + Mingo Fishtrap Mulate's - Bayou Deville One Eyed Jacks - Break Science Palm Court Jazz Café - Brian O' Connell & Ernie Elly Pontchartrain Vineyards - Swingaroux Preservation Hall - The PresHall Brass Band featuring Daniel Farrow The Prytania Bar - Valerie Sassyfras PubliQ House - Robert Walter's 20 th Congress featuring Tauk Saenger Theatre - Nevilles Forever: A Feufollet + Deslondes Spotted Cat Music Club - The New Orleans Misfit Power Snug Theatre - Neville Forever: A Celebration of the Neville Brothers Three Muses - Shotgun Jazz Band Tipitina's - Galactic Tropical Isle - Late as Usual Tropical Isle Bourbon - Debi & the Deacons
MegalomaniacsBall This year's Megalomaniacs Ball will include STEEL PUNK feat. HR of Bad Brains, Rocky George (Suicidal Tendencies), Stanton Moore (pictured), Mike Dillon, and many more. Wed., April 29. $25, 9 p.m., Howlin’ Wolf, thehowlinwolf.com
Sunday, May 3 Banks Street Bar - Ron Hotstream and the Mid-City Drifters Bayou Club - Cajungrass Blue Nile - Funky But Better featuring Big Sam Williams + Marco Benevento + Maurice Brown Buffa's Lounge - Some Like It Hot!; Tyler Clements Café Negril - Dana Abbott Band Checkpoint Charlie - Open Mic featuring Jim Smith Chickie Wah Wah - Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue Circle Bar - Micah Mckee & Little Maker + Blind Texa Marlin Columns Hotel - Chip Wilson d.b.a. - Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Dragon's Den - Church featuring DJ Unicorn Fukr Funky Pirate - Mark & The Petones Gasa Gasa - Colin Lake Howlin' Wolf - the Motet performs Mixtape Howlin' Wolf The Den - Hot 8 Brass Band Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Kermit's Mother-in-Law Lounge - Treme Brass Band Kerry Irish Pub - Paintbox with Dave James and Tim Robertson Little Tropical Isle - Frank Fairbanks Maple Leaf - Joe Krown Trio featuring Russell Batiste One Eyed Jacks - Eric Lindell Palm Court Jazz Café - Lucien Barbarin + Butch Thompson
BarGuide Backspace Bar & Kitchen 139 Chartres St., 522-2216 backspacenola.com
The unique literary theme and rare specialty cocktails featured at Backspace lend a sense of sophistication and class you won’t easily find elsewhere.
Bamboula's 514 Frenchmen St. 944-8461
There’s a new music venue shaking up Frenchmen Street. Home of three bars and two music stages, Bamboula’s is making their mark on New Orleans.
Balcony Bar 3201 Magazine St. 894-8888
Well-known for their balcony overlooking Magazine Street, this gem also has plenty of beers on tap and a late night kitchen offering delivery.
Barcadia 601 Tchoupitoulas St. 335-1740
Home of the life-sized Jenga, 80s arcade games and giant Connect Four, Barcadia is where you go to enjoy yourself, not just the beer.
Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045, Bartonique.com
Bar Tonique is known for serving some of the best hand-crafted cocktails around. Check out their super daily cocktail specials.
Bottomline Beach Club 3408 28th St. 324-5777
Metairie's Bottomline Beach Club gives you the ultimate beach experience with volleyball tournaments and your favorite drink specials.
Buffa’s Bar 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038
Buffa’s is a great neighborhood bar with even greater food. Try the Buffa-Lo Wings or a Buffa Burger with a drink from the bar.
Club Caribbean 2443 Bayou Rd. 949-9246
Reggae and island music is the name of the game at this Mid-City classic located near the Fair Grounds. Don’t miss Ladies Night when ladies drink free!
The Columns Hotel 3811 St. Charles Ave. 899-9308
The Columns Hotel is a favorite Uptown spot. Add a little class to your night and enjoy a Sazerac inside at their Victorian Lounge Bar.
Known for the re-enactment of the movie, Coyote Coyote Ugly 225 N. Peters St., 561-0003 Ugly is a fantastic French Quarter bar with a bit of a fun and wild twist. coyoteuglysaloon.com Dino’s Bar & Grill 1128 Tchoupitoulas St. 558-0900
Offering great drink specials, burgers, and bartenders, Dino’s is great for any occasion. It is named after the “King of Cool,” Dean Martin, after all.
The Metropolitan is the premiere location for Generations Hall/Metro weekday private events and the place to dress up, 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. 568-1702, generationshall.com suit up, and drink up on the weekend. Holy Ground 3340 Canal St. 821-6828
Holy Ground is your Mid-City staple for a great Irish Pub. Throw darts with your mates while enjoying a cold stout and great prices.
J&J’s Sports Lounge 800 France St., 942-8877 jjssportslounge.com
J&J’s features a courtyard, pool table and jukebox adding to the low-key feel that makes locals and neighbors feel right at home.
Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954
Kerry Irish Pub is known for having the best Guinness in the Quarter, and for featuring live music every night of the week.
Masquerade at Harrah’s 228 Poydras St., 533-6000 harrahsneworleans.com
Voted # 27 in Nightclub & Bar Magazine's Top 100 Nightclubs, Masquerade is a hot spot featuring the nation’s top DJs, slots, and table games.
Pat O’Brien's 718 St. Peter St., 525-4823 patobriens.com
Pat O’Brien’s welcomes patrons with a cool atmosphere, an open patio area, and an outside bar to enjoy while eating one of their Creole dishes.
Peristyle Bar at Marti’s 1041 Rue Dumaine 522-5478
Fabulous food and ambiance brings many diners to Marti's. But do not forget the Happy Hour available at the Peristyle Bar Sunday through Thursday, 5 - 7pm.
Rick’s Cabaret 315 Bourbon St. 524-4222, iknowrick.com
Located in the center of all the action, this gentlemen’s club features some of the most beautiful women in New Orleans.
Rick’s Sporting Saloon 522 Bourbon St., 552-2510 Ricks-saloon.com
Rick’s Sporting Saloon is located in the heart of Bourbon Street and features 11 TVs for catching the big game while enjoying some adult entertainment.
Shamrock offers up the fun with their extensive Shamrock Bar & Grille collection of games for everyone to enjoy, including 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 307-4350, shamrockparty.com air hockey, skee-ball, and even mini bowling lanes. Tracey’s 2604 Magazine St., 897-5413 traceysnola.com
Known as the Original Irish Channel Bar, Tracey’s is a great spot to enjoy the winning combination of beer, food, and sports.
Tropical Isle Original 721 Bourbon St. 529-4109
Home of the Hand Grenade, Tropical Isle is a must stop while in New Orleans, with multiple locations up and down Bourbon Street.
Wit’s Inn 141 N. Carrollton Ave. 486-1600, witsinn.com
Come by Wit's Inn for fresh pizza and specialty sandwiches or stop in for their 3-for-1 shots on Wednesday nights.
Bar Guide | Jazz Fest 2015 | 31
Casa De España Curing Mono-Lingualism in New Orleans By Christopher Louis Romaguera
Japanese Restaurant, Sushi & Such Mon – Thur 11:30 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm Sun 5 – 9 pm SushiNOLA.com | @OrigamiNola 899-6532| 5130 Freret St.
C
asa de España teaches classes on the third floor of the Healing Center at 2372 St. Claude. Their goal is to “promote and divulge Spanish language, culture and heritage in the New Orleans area.” Casa de España was created by six friends with $900 in order to herald, cherish and teach people in New Orleans about Spanish, from the language to the culture. Casa Nola When people talk about New Orleans, they think about French roots and presence. From the Quarter to Frenchmen Street, to beignets, to Creole French speakers, these are the icons that people associate with the city. But there is a Spanish presence in the city as well, both in its roots and today. From the architecture to the Spanish tinge (with a bit of Cuban flair), to the cuisine and the other side of Creole, Spanish roots and presence can still be felt in New Orleans. The Alliance Française of New Orleans is the city’s “premier center for French language and culture.” Casa de España hopes to be that for Spanish culture in New Orleans. “Our goal, our most basic goal, is to offer quality Spanish learning alternatives. From that, we want to become the main Spanish language and culture organization in the city,” said co-founder Carlos Vergel. Spanish It is important to learn to speak Spanish in a pragmatic sense. Spanish is the second most spoken language in New Orleans, much like in the rest of the country. According to the 2010 United States Census, 37 million people speak Spanish in the United States (13% of the population). In New Orleans 4.84% of the populace speak Spanish, but it still greatly dwarves the other non-English languages, including French, which only 1.05% of the population speak (which is less than even Vietnamese, which is 1.87%). About 470 million people in the world speak Spanish as a native language, making it the second most native spoken language in the world. For one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, which is growing in both populace and business, Spanish is going
“We barely speak to the students in English, which forces them to get by as if in a Spanish-speaking country.” to be a quintessential language. As Vergel told me, “More people that travel, that want to travel, that travel to New Orleans, a lot of those people, a lot of the opportunities, will be linked to the Caribbean and Latin America. In a professional sense, [knowing Spanish], is a necessity.” Yet a whopping 90.2% of the people in New Orleans speak only English. That is extremely different than other metropolitan areas, (for instance, 49% of the population in New York speak a different language at home). While New Orleans is not New York, and vice versa, in order to communicate with people coming into the city, and do business with international companies, Spanish will need to have a greater presence in the city. The Course Casa de España’s tagline is, “Mono-lingualism can be cured.” Each class is taught by a single professor, with anywhere between four and nine students in the class. This is done so that each student gets enough attention, and is active enough in the class. Vergel said, “We believe that the classes should be as small as possible. Feel that the personal relationship that the student has with the teacher greatly influences the student's ability to assimilate the language. If you have an affinity with your teacher…Small classes, attention from the teachers, and making sure the students participate as much as possible.” There are four courses taught by Casa de España, grouped in A1, A2, B1 and a take-off course. The classes focus on the language in its entirety, not relying on shortcuts or focusing on one aspect, like some apps or learn-Spanish-in-30-days websites. “In terms of how we teach, we try not to focus on one single aspect of it. We take more of a holistic approach incorporating all the different elements, in more of a cumulative approach,” Vergel said. “We barely speak to the students in English, which forces them to get by as if in a Spanish-speaking country.” It is via these techniques that the students get closest to understanding Spanish. Casa de España is currently focusing on the language Spanish for now. They may eventually grow into doing food and wine tastings. It is an easy connection, and something that has a lot of history with New Orleans. The first Monday of every month, they show a Spanish film at Café Istanbul. “It is not necessarily a language school, but we decided to start with that because it is the most important part of the culture. And it opens you up to all the other aspects of Spanish and Latin American culture,” Vergel said. By learning the language, you catch the rhythm of Spanish, by learning the language you take a step closer to understanding the culture. It is a tough step, but a great first step, that gets you through the door to an extremely rich and vibrant culture. So if you’re interested in learning Spanish, or understanding the culture more, contact Casa de España. Bienvenido a Casa de España New Orleans. To learn more about Casa de España, visit casanola.com.
90.2% of people in New Orleans speak only English. That is extremely different from other metropolitan areas.
32 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Casa de España
20 and Under
$
Meanwhile...We Munch!
O
By Kim Ranjbar
ne of the biggest political issues sweeping the nation these days is the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. It began in 1996 when California voters passed Proposition 215, which allowed for the medical use of marijuana. Today, 23 states, the District of Columbia and Guam have enacted legislation that ranges from allowing local universities to study marijuana all the way to legalizing recreational use among adults ages 21 and over. Slowly but surely, Americans are changing their minds about the “wacky tobacky,” denying the lies spouted by reefer madness and seeking reform. Although none of us here in Louisiana can legally celebrate April 20 in a fragrant blaze of glory, perhaps we can simply pretend as though we are. After writing our legislators a note to let them know where we stand on marijuana legalization, we should revel in what we have at our fingertips. New Orleans is home to some of the finest cuisine in the country (if not the world), and one can only imagine what some of these delicious dishes would taste like after a short spliff as an aperitif. For example, conjure up a trip to Mid-City for lunch at Brown Butter Southern Kitchen & Bar. Although anything on the menu is bound to be tasty, you should leap straight for the Warm Pork Rinds served in a grease-spotted brown paper
bag. It’s something else to bite into these crispy, crackling pieces of pork heaven, but it’s something yet again to dip them in smoked corn buttermilk dressing beforehand. If you’ve still got the munchies (and we know you do!), head to Bywater and land at Kebab on St. Claude Avenue. We all know that salty french fries with a bit of ketchup are enough to sate any stoner, but at Kebab they take it to a whole new level with crispy, brown Belgian fries slathered in aioli and their own spicy ketchup. You could easily pick up a falafel sandwich, too, and stay under budget, but those fries make it more than worth the journey. Right after you wake (and bake), cruise on over to Biscuits & Buns on Banks in Mid-City. Feel free to pick your favorite dish from a menu that includes things like Fried Andouille Hash Cakes with Creole cheese sauce, French Toast with caramelized bananas and pancetta or a 12-hour “NOLA-Seasoned” Brisket on a Biscuit, but what you’re really drooling for are their complimentary mini-biscuits served with a dangerously decadent butter that’s been whipped with Steen’s Cane Syrup and pecans. Like passing the dutchie on the left-hand side, dining can be a joyous and social experience. Since dutchies can’t be passed here, why not head over to Shaya and play pass the pita? For $15 you
Ke es bab 's Belgian Fri
can get five delicious dishes to dip from using the phenomenal, wood-fired oven pita that arrives hot at your table. Try the creamy Baba Ganoush with eggplant and roasted garlic, Labneh made with Progress Farm yogurt, CardamomRoasted Beets with dill, and Ikra or paddlefish caviar with shallots and basil. Finally, this munchies list wouldn’t be complete without a little something sweet, and since Hubig’s, one of the finest and most inexpensive desserts to be found in town, hasn’t returned for a second act, we’re forced to find our pies elsewhere. Thank goodness for District Hand Pie & Coffee, which have been providing us with buttery crust–covered delights like Banana Cream Pie, Strawberry and Avocado, Apple Strudel and the hand pie version of a Brookie. Sure, they offer savory pies as well, but that, my friends, is for a whole other Harold & Kumar kind of adventure.
Shaya's Dips
$20 and Under | Jazz Fest 2015 | 33
Brewing Cocktails
B
By Nora D. McGunnigle
eer cocktails are a growing trend in a cocktail town that’s getting more and more turned on to craft beer. Back in 2009, Cole Newton, owner of Twelve Mile Limit and new bar manager at Square Root, was working at Coquette, he recalls, when one of their seasonal Collins cocktails used beer for the fizzy mouthfeel that is the defining characteristic of a Collins. The recipe for the Coquette Collins (Winter 2009) is: • • •
1 oz Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy 0.25 oz Belle de Brillet Pear liqueur 3 drops Fee Brothers Barrel-Aged Old-Fashioned Bitters • 0.5 oz lemon juice • 0.5 oz simple syrup • 2 oz St. Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale Build in Collins glass, fill with ice, stir lightly, garnish with lemon wedge, serve with straw. Read on to see how far the beer cocktail has come over the last five years. Araña 3242 Magazine St, 894-1233 Araña serves up the classic Mexican cocktail, the Michelada, which is made with beer, lime juice, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, spices and peppers. It’s served in a chilled, spice-rimmed glass. Many think of it as a Bloody Mary with beer instead of vodka! Avenue Pub 1732 St. Charles Ave, 586-9243 Owner Polly Watts describes their new Quebec 75 cocktail as “sort of a beer version of a French 75.” The Quebec 75 • 1/2 oz rye whiskey or high rye bourbon, like Four Roses Single Barrel • Blood orange simple syrup • Blanche de Chambly to top Pour into a tall 16-oz tulip glass.
• •
1 squeeze lemon juice Float of Miller High Life In a shaker tin with ice, combine rum, Curaçao, bitters and lemon juice. Shake vigorously. Strain into Collins glass over fresh ice and top off with beer. Crescent City Brewhouse 527 Decatur St, 522-0571 Crescent City Brewhouse just rolled out a menu of cocktails that feature their beer brewed on the premises. Their “beertail” menu includes a classic Shandy with their Pilsner (as well as a version where you can add an extra shot of flavored vodka); the Cajun Michelada, which is their Red Stallion beer combined with tomato juice and Cajun spices (like a beer Bloody Mary); the Weissdriver, with the brewery's Weiss wheat beer, orange juice and triple sec; the Raspberry Wheat, which combines Weiss wheat beer with Chambord; and the Chocolate Hazelnut, a Black Forest Schwarzbier–based beertail combined with Frangelico and White Crème de Cacao for an after-dinner offering. Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans 125 Bourbon St, 529-5617 The Hard Rock Cafe has rolled out a new beverage menu that focuses on the concept of sweet and savory, with cocktail ingredients like spiced brown sugar, salted caramel, chocolate and even bacon. Twist & Shout • 2 oz Guinness Draught • 1 oz Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum • 0.5 oz Dark Crème de Cacao • 0.5 oz chocolate syrup • 0.5 oz Monin Salted Caramel Syrup • 2 scoops vanilla ice cream Blend all ingredients together and garnish with whipped cream, caramel syrup, chocolate syrup and a spoonful of extra-crispy bacon crumbles. Latitude 29 321 N. Peters St, 609-3811 For the Times-Picayune fried chicken competition in summer 2014, Latitude 29 owner Jeff “Beachbum” Berry created a beer cocktail called Davy Jones' Lager, with lime juice, Curaçao, Angostura bitters, a little Chairman's Reserve rum from St. Lucia and a secret syrup, topped with Kirin Ichiban beer. It’s now on the menu at Latitude 29’s tiki bar.
Borgne 601 Loyola Ave, 613-3860 Breaking Cane • 1 oz Sazerac Rye Whiskey • 9 oz Parish Brewing Company’s Canebrake wheat beer • 0.5 oz Steen’s Cane Syrup • 3 drops Memphis BBQ Bitters Pour rye whiskey into a chilled 10-oz beer glass. Add beer almost to top of glass. Add cane syrup and bitters. Gently stir. Garnish with bacon and/or pork rind garnish (optional). Cochon 930 Tchoupitoulas St, 588-2123 The Charlie Bird • 1 oz Plantation 5-Year Rum • 1 oz Dry Curaçao • 0.5 oz Baska Snaps
Maurepas 3200 Burgundy St, 267-0072 Cocktail chief Lauren Myerscough showcases her beer cocktail on Maurepas’s brunch menu. Grandpa's Medicine is a spiced bourbon cocktail with cold brewed coffee, topped with locally brewed 40 Arpent Milk Stout. Grandpa's Medicine • 1.5 oz Old Grandad 100 Proof Bonded Bourbon • 0.5 oz simple syrup • 2 oz cold brewed coffee Shake with ice. Strain into Irish coffee glass. Top with 40 Arpent Milk Stout.
Hard Rock Cafe's Twist & Shout
34 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Brewing Cocktails
Noodle & Pie 741 State St, 252-9431 Chef Brian Armour offers a Beer Gin(ger) Fizz
Araña'sMichelada with fresh ginger, mint, Asahi beer, ginger beer and sake on the ramen shop’s menu. Beer Gin(ger) Fizz • 4 to 6 mint leaves • 2 ⅛-inch slices of peeled fresh ginger • Splash simple syrup • 1 oz Junmai Sake • 2 oz Asahi Super Dry • 1 oz ginger beer Muddle mint and fresh ginger with simple syrup in a pint glass. Fill with ice and pour in sake, beer and ginger beer. Stir well and garnish with mint leaves and orange slice. (Can be made without sake: Substitute 1 extra oz of Asahi Super Dry.) Pizza Domenica 4933 Magazine St, 301-4978 General Manager Stephen Jeffcoat offers a brunch “birrmosa” on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s Baladin Super Floreale (a dry hopped Belgian-style pale ale from Italy) and fresh-squeezed OJ. In addition, Pizza Domenica offers three shandy variations. Jeffcoat says, “All three are very different but offer an amazing array of flavor. Our most popular is the Southern Moon, which is Georgia Moon Peach moonshine, lemon juice and Parish Canebrake wheat beer. The second is the Blue Grass Snake with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, honey, and Yalobusha Copperhead amber ale. And the third is my favorite—The Valtellina, with Braulio Amaro, thyme and Super Baladin.” SoBou 310 Chartres St, 552-4095 Head bartender Abigail Gullo has a beer cocktail based on Sylvain’s Table Tennis (a Pimm’s Cup variation topped with Hitachino Nest White Ale) called the Ping Pong: Damson Plum gin liqueur with ginger syrup, lemon, lime and orange, topped with NOLA Brewing’s 7th Street Wheat. Tivoli & Lee 936 St. Charles Ave, 962-0909 The Black Velvet, on Tivoli & Lee’s brunch menu, is a smooth and hearty cocktail with a fizzy and exciting finish. It’s a perfect accompaniment for the change in weather and pairs nicely with Tivoli & Lee’s Sloppy General Benedict or Andouille Corndogs, offered during their weekend brunch. Black Velvet • 4 oz Guinness • 4 oz Champagne Blend ingredients together and stir.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 35
Fettuccine with mustard green pasta. Saca-Lait is open every day for dinner and even features a Sunday brunch from 11am to 3 pm. 324.3658 ~ 1051 Annunciation Street ~ sac-a-laitrestaurant.com
SaveurCuisine&Cocktails
A
Food News
ngeline! … Alex Harrell, the former executive chef at Sylvain, has opened his own digs at long last in the space that once housed Scott Boswell's Stella! Named after his mother, Angeline is the talented chef's homage to Southern (and Northern Mediterranean) cooking located just a hop from Jackson Square. The menu features dishes like Southern Fried Quail served with hoe cake (like a cornmeal pancake), Butterbean Tortellini, Heritage Pork Noisette and braised cheeks, Gulf Shrimp & Creamed Rice and Ricotta Fritters with Louisiana strawberry curd. Angeline is open for dinner every night, but you better make reservations as this restaurant is quickly becoming a new hot spot in the French Quarter. 308.3106 ~ 1032 Chartres Street ~ angelinenola.com Riding the next wave … Grand Isle Restaurant recently announced the appointment of Ryan Haigler as their new executive chef who's style will “modernize and elevate the seafood-centric menu.” Raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Haigler spent a lot of time in local kitchens as a teenager until he scored a gig in New York. After learning his chops in places like Tom Colicchio's Craft, Kittichai and Jean-Georges Spice Market, Haigler moved to New Orleans in 2006 where he ran the charcuterie program at Emeril's Delmonico and later was tapped to help open Restaurant R'evolution. The new menu at Grand Isle reflects Haigler's background with dishes like Crispy Calamari served with green garlic and sesame vinaigrette and Confit Pork Cheek & Clams. 520.8530 ~ 575 Convention Center Boulevard ~ grandislerestaurant.com
36 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Food News
By Kim Ranjbar
On Magazine, not the magazine … Not long after closing Dominique's on Magazine (the space now houses Shaya), Chef Dominique Macquet hopped across the street to help re-make the underrated Baie Rouge into Saveur Cuisine & Cocktails with owner Kimble Donington-Smith. The new incarnation opened under the radar, but diners are quickly catching on and diving into dishes like a Crispy Black Angus Beef Belly salad with local kale, Venison Curry Flatbread, Royal Red Shrimp Ceviche, Kaffir LimeMarinated & Roasted Whole Gulf Fish and Seared Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast with duck crackling and local butter beans. 304.3667 ~ 4128 Magazine Street ~ saveurnola.com
A slice of the West Coast … If you're still not overwhelmed by all of the new pizza joints in the city, here's another one to add to your “to eat” list. Just recently, Paladar 511 was opened in the Marigny by Jack Murphy and Susan Dunn, two restaurateurs from San Francisco. The restaurant offers Californiastyle cuisine with a focus on pizza. Paladar 511's menu includes Tuna Crudo with navel orange and pistachio, Littleneck Clams with chorizo and saffron broth and Short Rib Ragu. The pizzas (and their toppings) go from the simple like tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil to the strange like a farm egg, collard greens, bacon, Gruyere and garlic confit. Paladar 511 is open for dinner every night except Tuesday. 509.6782 ~ 511 Marigny Street ~ paladar511.com Part II … The NOHSC Restaurant Group has opened a second Legacy Kitchen inside the Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel in the Warehouse District. Like the original restaurant in Metairie, the New Orleans location offers lunch and dinner daily with dishes like Cajun Queso with smoked tasso, Maine Lobster Cobb Salad, Wowie Maui Chicken Sandwich with grilled pineapple and avocado, Duck Chili, Crab Cake Meatballs & Spaghetti and a Who-Dat Chocolate Dome for dessert. Plus, a New Orleans Coffee & Beignet (also owned by the NOHSC Restaurant Group) will be opening up right next door. 504.613.2350 ~ 700 Tchoupitoulas Street ~ legacykitchen. com Goodness gracious! … Pastry chef Megan Forman has extended the reach of her popular bakery with the opening of Gracious To Go on Earhart Boulevard. Now, on the way Downtown from Mid-City, visitors can pop in to grab a cup of French Truck Coffee, fresh pastries and pre-made sandwiches in this more convenient location that's attached to the bakery's new commissary kitchen. Gracious To Go is open Monday through Friday from 7am to noon. 7220 Earhart Boulevard ~ graciousbakery.com
GrandIsle
A cool name for crappie … The owners of Hot Tails in New Roads, Louisiana, Cody and Samantha Carroll, recently opened Saca-Lait inside the space that once housed Sun Ray Grill in the Warehouse District. The Cajun-inspired cuisine features Hot Boiled Crawfish, Alligator & Mirliton, “River Gumbo” with smoked frog's legs, Gulf Oysters from Area 3, Serrano & Goat Cheese Grits, Lost Trout with sweet corn calas and Crawfish
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 37
RestaurantGuide
Blvd. #3 • 244-0021 • mamommashouse.com
AFRICAN
Mannings features 30 flat-screen TVs and an affordable menu featuring delicious Southern comfort food. 519 Fulton St. • 593-8118
Bennachin offers a taste of Africa in the Big Easy. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will find something to love at this BYOB joint. 1212 Royal St. • 522-1230
Spudly’s has a friendly dining atmosphere perfect for families or a casual date. Stop in for their delicious Super Spud. 2609 Harvard Ave. • 455-3250 • spudlys.com
AMERICAN Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s is going Asian—featuring an all-new seafood menu with Eastern influences and flavor profiles. 2001 St Charles Ave. • 593-9955 • copelandscheesecakebistro.com Crescent City Brewhouse, with four house brews, offers traditional New Orleans cuisine with a modern flair. 527 Decatur St. • 522-0571 • crescentcitybrewhouse.com Daisy Dukes has a great southern atmosphere that makes it the perfect 24/7 eatery. Huge perk: it delivers all day and night to the downtown NOLA area. FQ, CBD, Metairie • daisydukesrestaurant.com Ernst Café is great for a delicious, locallyinspired meal with friends. Enjoy specialty cocktails or a cold pint from their extensive beer list. 600 South Peters St. • 525-8544 • ernstcafe.com Ma Momma’s is the place for some delicious, southern, soul food. Feast on the Fried Chicken and Waffles—not to be missed. 5741 Crowder
38 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Restaurant Guide
Warehouse Grill is known for their friendly service and wide selection of global small plates and burgers. Try out their fantastic bottomless mimosa brunch. 869 Magazine St. • 322-2188 Willie Mae’s Scotch House boasts the best Fried Chicken in New Orleans. Enjoy the delicious soul food and be sure to arrive early to avoid the lines. Mid-City, Uptown
ASIAN AJ&J Asian Bistro serves fantastic Asian cuisine. Try their daily sushi specials or explore their noodle options. 2240 Magazine St. • 6092282 • ajjasianbistro.com Five Happiness serves delicious chinese food in a sleek dining area that has customers coming back for more. 3605 S Carrollton Ave. • 482-3935 • fivehappiness.com Green Tea specializes in Hunan and Sichuan dishes. It is known for its great prices and fast service. 1116 Louisiana Ave. #3 • 899-8005 • greenteanola.com
Jazmin Café lets you take a break from typical NOLA dishes with healthy Vietnamese cuisine and affordable prices. 614 S. Carrollton Ave. • 866-9301 • jazmincafe.com Kyoto satisfies customers with fantastic Chinese cuisine. Be bold and try the BBQ Squid sushi or opt for one of their delicious noodle dishes. 4920 Prytania St. • 891-3644 • kyotonola.com Miyako’s Hibachi chefs prepare dishes right at your table with menu items that are sure to amaze. Be sure to check out their full sushi bar. 1403 St Charles Ave. • 410-9997 • japanesebistro.com
Kyoto
Namese Vietnamese Café combines authentic Vietnamese fare with a New Orleans twist. Stop by for a wide selection of pho or a glass of delicious bubble tea. 4077 Tulane Ave. • 483-8899 • namese.net Origami features a dynamic trio of master New Orleans sushi chefs serving only the freshest seasonal seafood. 5130 Freret St. • 899-6532 • sushinola.com Viet Orleans Bistro serves a variety of Asian cuisines. Munch on an awesome combination of sushi, pho, banh mi and fried rice for a reasonable price. 300 Baronne St. • 333-6917
BARS WITH GREAT FOOD Backspace Bar & Kitchen is a diamond in the rough, literary-themed bar that offers up author-inspired drinks and a menu of local favorites. 139 Chartres St. • 322-2245 • backspacenola.com Bamboula’s, a fun and funky bar on Frenchmen, serves Caribbean dishes and delicious small plates and appetizers. 514 Frenchmen St. • 944-8461 • clubbamboulas.com Bombay Club, famous for their martinis, offers a touch of elegance in the French Quarter. Try their Boudin Scotch Eggs or Cracklin’ Cruster Fish and Chips. 830 Conti St. • 577-2237 Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant offers such greats as boudin balls, gumbo, and Cheesecake French Toast. Visit their back room for live music and open mic nights. 1001 Esplanade Ave. • 949-0038 • buffasrestaurant.com The Columns Hotel has locals and travelers alike relishing their scenic view. Enjoy their happy hour and extensive Sunday brunch. 3811 St Charles Ave. • 899-9308 • thecolumns.com Dino’s Bar and Grill serves up classic lunch like wraps, sandwiches, and burgers. Don’t forget Tuesday night is steak night! 1128 Tchoupitoulas St. • 588-0900 The Jimani is a fun-filled dive bar and a favorite among tourists and locals alike. Try something different with one of their innovative burgers. 141 Chartres St. • 524-0493 • thejimani.com
Jimmy J’s Café offers classic fare like Cochon Eggs Benedict served with jalapeno hollandaise, or their Fried Oyster Plate. 115 Chartres St. • 309-9360 • jimmyjscafe.com
courtyard. Come for their tasty brunch with Boudin and Grits and refreshing cocktails. 912 Royal St. • 412-8965 • cafeamelie.com Café 165, the "Home of Da Wabbit," serves up fantastic New Orleans cuisine at affordable prices. 615 Kepler St. • 365-1225 • dawabbit.com
Mimi’s in the Marigny offers cold and hot tapas late into the night. With dancing and DJs, this quirky bar is the ultimate, low-key space. 2601 Royal St. • 872-9868
Café 821 offers a true Parisian experience hard to come by in NOLA. Stop by for their famous Iced Café au Lait or Croque Monsieur. 821 Baronne St. • 267-5456
Parasol’s serves up its famous roast beef po-boy as well as delicious favorites like the homemade onion rings. Check out their famous cocktail window. 2533 Constance St. • 302-1543 • parasolsbarandrestaurant.com Pat O’s Courtyard and Restaurant, home of the Hurricane, is the place to go for music, Creole favorites, and a gorgeous outdoor courtyard. 624 Bourbon St. • 525-4823 • patobriens.com Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar has 21 TVs, countless varieties of wings, and great drinks to create the perfect environment for watching the big game. 500 Port of New Orleans Pl. • 2479265 • poppystimeoutsportsbar.com Richard Fiske’s Martini Bar & Restaurant serves up more than just potent, delicious drinks. Come to this romantic spot to try the Coffee Coriander Spiced Rack. 301 Dauphine St. • 586-0972 • richardfiskes.com Rivershack Tavern, the "Home of the Tacky Ashtray," is a neighborhood tavern that has great live music, drinks, and food. 3449 River Rd. • 834-4938 • therivershacktavern.com
Café Navarre is a casual, neighborhood diner with great atmosphere and classic dishes like pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches. 800 Navarre Ave. • riccobonos.com
Pascal'sManale Shamrock Bar and Grill offers every game imaginable as well as karaoke, live music, and fantastic munchies until the wee morning hours. 4133 S Carrollton Ave. • 301-0938 • shamrockparty.com Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant offers an assortment of po-boys along with great drink specials and welcoming hospitality. 2604 Magazine St. • 897-5413 Wit’s Inn is known as a neighborhood pizza joint and bar with quick service and daily specials. Open till 2 a.m. 141 N Carrollton Ave. • 486-1600
CAFE
Carmo Tropical Cafe and Bar draws on influences from around the world to create their fantastic menu. A vegetarian haven meat eaters will love. 527 Julia St. • 875-4132 • cafecarmo.com EAT, a farm-to-table style restaurant, offers classic dishes like gumbo and fried green tomatoes. 900 Dumaine St. • 522-7222 • eatnola.com Fiorella’s Café serves classic New Orleans dishes in a homey, no-frills atmosphere. Try the fried chicken or their seafood muffaletta. 1136 Decatur St. • 553-2155 Orleans Grapevine is the perfect spot for oenophiles with their impressive wine selection and delectable dinner dishes. 720 Orleans Ave. • 523-1930 • orleansgrapevine.com
Café Amelie is known for its beautiful
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 39
Riccobono’s Panola Street Café offers a quaint and quiet atmosphere just a short walk away from Tulane. Try out one of their variations on Eggs Benedict! 7801 Panola St. • 314-1810 • panolastreetcafe.com Vacherie brings the humble dishes of smalltown farm life to the Big Easy. Enjoy drinks and appetizers from their bar menu. 827 Toulouse St. • 207-4532 • vacherierestaurant.com
ITALIAN Pascal’s Manale is famous for its extensive menu of Italian classics like the Veal Marsala or Turtle Soup. The spot has been a NOLA institution for over 100 years. 1838 Napolean Ave. • 895-4877 • pascalemanale.com Red Gravy is home to the New Orleans Italian Brunch. Try the Cannoli Pancakes, handmade pastas, or classic Italian sandwiches. 125 Camp St. • 561-8844 • redgravycafe.com Venezia offers home-cooked Italian food at its best. Its old-world charm and delicious food will transport you to Little Italy. 134 N Carrollton Ave. • 488-7991 • venezianeworleans.net
LATIN Araña is a funky restaurant serving up authentic cuisine from the Yucatan. Stop by for the yummy fish tacos or Mexican torta sandwich. 3242 Magazine St. • 894-1233 Izzo’s Illegal Burrito is a fast-casual joint with a “Roll Your Own” burrito option that is sure
40 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Restaurant Guide
to please everyone. Uptown, Metairie, West Bank • izzos.com
and it’s well worth the drive. Violet, Louisiana • 682-9057 • charliesrestaurantla.com
MIDDLE EASTERN
Copeland’s of New Orleans combines New Orleans flavor and comfort in a casual dining atmosphere. Stop in for its new Seafood Menu and premium spices. Covington, Metairie, Kenner, Slidell, West Bank • copelandsofneworleans.com
Lebanon’s Café offers some of the finest Middle Eastern dishes in New Orleans. Its creamy homemade hummus and amazing tabouleh can be enjoyed on their outdoor patio. 1500 S Carrollton Ave. • 862-6200 • lebanonscafe.com Mona’s Café offers traditional Middle Eastern cuisine in a relaxed environment. Stop by the BYOB joint for the musahaba (a variation on hummus). Uptown, Marigny, Mid-City • monascafeanddeli.com Pyramids Café serves up authentic cuisine in a relaxed environment. Stop by or have their amazing and healthy gyros and falafels delivered. 3151 Calhoun St. • 861-9602 • pyramidscafeneworleans.com
Evangeline serves up fresh, seasonal cuisine with ingredients purchased from local markets. Unwind with a cold pint from their extensive beer selection in their beautiful courtyard. 329 Decatur St. • 373-4852 Marti's Restaurant offers a contemporary take on a Parisian brasserie that is a can't miss. Fresh seafood and classic French preparation,
New Orleans Creole Cookery offers delicious Creole classics. Stop in for their ever-changing cocktail menu. 510 Toulouse St. • 542-9632 • neworleanscreolecookery.com
PIZZA AND MORE Mo’s Pizza is more than just pizza. Their Italian delicacies are delicious and affordable. Order the Chicken Parmigiana—it’s highly recommended. 1112 Ave H • 341-9650 • mospizzanola.com
PO-BOYS AND MORE Short Stop Poboys offers a variety of classic po-boys and wonderful gumbo, great for dining in or on the go. 119 Transcontinental Dr. • 855-4572 • shortstoppoboysno.com
NEW ORLEANS CUISINE
SEAFOOD
Antoine’s Restaurant continues to excel at the French-Creole cuisine it has been creating for 175 years. A can’t miss New Orleans staple. 713 St. Louis St. • 581-4422 • antoines.com
Crazy Lobster Bar and Grill offers tasty, fresh seafood with indoor or outdoor seating options. Try the raw or chargrilled oysters or one of their creative cocktails. 500 Port of New Orleans Pl • 569-3380 • thecrazylobster.com
Chappy’s is a new uptown hotspot featuring classic New Orleans cuisine. It is known for its fantastic fresh seafood. 6106 Magazine St. • 208-8772 • chappys.com Charlie’s Restaurant features classic Louisiana comfort food in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Charlie’s has an extensive menu,
mixed with classic and seasonal cocktails make Marti’s a great experience.1041 Rue Dumaine, 522-5478, martisnola.com
RedGravy
Royal House Oyster Bar offers fresh-air dining with local seafood dishes. Whether you prefer oysters on the half shell or oyster beignets, you can’t go wrong. 441 Royal St. • 528-2601 • royalhouserestaurant.com
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 41
FilmReviews
Catch Where Y'at Movie Editor David Vicari and critic Fritz Esker's “Dueling Critics” blog at WhereYat.com.
Furious 7 By David Vicari Furious 7, the seventh installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, is a bombastic, overwrought car-crash-actionthriller that exists only for background noise. There is no story, the revenge plot is irrelevant and the characters are paper-thin. It's just a crumpled-together collection of jittery action scenes that could quite possibly afflict a person with Attention Deficit Disorder. Ex-Special Forces assassin (Jason Statham staring intensely) seeks revenge on Fast & Furious (Vin Diesel and Paul Walker) for killing his brother. In the first movie, Diesel and pals were illegal street racers but now they are like Special Ops, and a government man (Kurt Russell) recruits them to acquire a super-duper tracking device and also rescue the hottest computer hacker ever (Nathalie Emmanuel). Dwayne Johnson's CIA agent gets beaten up by Statham (yeah, right) and barely survives an explosion early in the film and is out of commission for most of the 137-minute running time. In the big finale, “The Rock” does miraculously recover, tears off his arm cast and goes back into action. It's like a McBain scene from The Simpsons. It seems every character is indestructible. No matter if the car they are in rolls over 15 times or falls off a cliff, they walk away with nary a scratch. I know this is only a movie but it constantly, and ridiculously, defies the laws of gravity and believability. In one scene, Diesel drives a car through a skyscraper window and flies across and smashes though another, then to a third skyscraper, crashing into that building where an art exhibit is going on. Needless to say, lots of priceless art is destroyed when the car plows into them because, you know, the destruction of art is funny. The good guys then jump out of the car just as the vehicle crashes through another window and plummets to the ground below, where, thankfully, there are no innocent pedestrians. Then there is the scene with cars parachuting into enemy territory which is, well, stupid. There is a poignancy to Furious 7, however. Actor Paul Walker died tragically while this movie was still in production. He did not finish filming all of his scenes, and it shows. The character bookends the film, and Walker's brothers, Caleb and Cody, doubled for Paul in some of the action, but mostly the character remains in the background of the few scenes he's in. It is sad that this movie had to be Walker's swansong because he was a capable actor but never got the roles that showed his full potential.
Backcountry By David Vicari Backcountry is a modest and compact little thriller that is so much more effective than many recent bigger-budgeted attempts at horror (Insidious, anyone?). “Based on a true story,” Backcountry has a young couple, Jenn and Alex (Missy Peregrym and Jeff Roop), taking a hiking trip in the Canadian wilderness. Yeah, it's kind of heavy-handed and laughable when Alex refuses to buy a map, claiming that he knows the area well, but in this kind of movie the characters have to make bad judgments or there just wouldn't be a movie. On their first night camping, they meet an Irish tour guide (Eric Balfour) who is quite odd. He's so odd, in fact, that the next day the couple get the feeling he may be following them. Jenn and Alex eventually get lost, but the worst is yet to come, as they are being stalked by a hungry black bear. Backcountry is reminiscent of man-against-nature films like Open Water (2003), Black Water (2007) and The Reef (2010), and while it doesn't bring anything new to the genre it is extremely well-made and suspenseful. Director Adam MacDonald stretches the tension as far as it will go, then hits us with a bear attack that is so horrific and brutal that it will leave you shaken. A key element that makes this sequence work is that the gore is made up of practical effects instead of digital cartoon-ery. That really makes a difference. And it helps immeasurably that the performances are good, too. The film's limited theatrical release didn't include New Orleans, but Backcountry is available on Google Play and Amazon Instant.
42 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Film Reviews
Get Hard By Fritz Esker Will Ferrell has starred in a couple of excellent comedies - Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and The Other Guys. While none of these would qualify as character studies, they all supply Ferrell with an actual character to play (aided by the actor’s improvisational skills). But in the new comedy Get Hard, Ferrell’s character seems to be built around one trait and one trait only: he doesn’t want to be raped in prison. That may seem like an odd way to open a movie review, but the fact is Get Hard likely devotes more screen time than any other film in history to jokes about how much people are raped in prison. The film also takes great pains to state (again and again and again) that its main character really, really doesn’t want that to happen to him. And no, most of the jokes aren’t funny (the main exception being a bit when Ferrell’s character practices trash talking). Get Hard doesn’t feel daring or envelope-pushing; it just feels like a flailing film without any clever ideas. Ferrell plays James King, a rising hedge fund millionaire who is arrested for white collar crimes.The judge makes an example out of him and sentences him to 10 years in San Quentin. Desperate for help, he asks the African-American man who washes his car (Kevin Hart) to teach him how to be tough. Ferrell’s oblivious racist assumes Hart’s character has been to prison, but he hasn’t. So, the wimpy family man has to pretend to be a tough guy so he can teach another wimp to pretend to be a tough guy in prison. There’s some potential in that premise, but much of it is squandered in repetitive variations of the aforementioned rape jokes and queasy homophobia. There’s a few scattered laughs, and New Orleanians will enjoy playing spot the local scenery (New Orleans doubles for South Central Los Angeles here). But other than that, Get Hard doesn’t have much to offer.
It Follows By David Vicari I admire the horror thriller It Follows more for what it strives for than what it actually accomplishes. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad movie – it's actually pretty good – but it left me not entirely satisfied. It Follows is about a murderous entity that is tagged to a person through a sexual encounter. College teen Jay (Maika Monroe) sleeps with her new beau (Jake Weary). He then ties her up and explains that he gave this “thing” to her, which takes the form of a person, morphing into either strangers or loved ones, and it walks slowly but persistently toward you. If it catches you it will kill you. Obviously, Jay doesn't take this well and recruits her family and friends to help her escape from the clutches of this monster. It Follows plays like a nightmare and with all the illogical “logic” of a nightmare, and that is when the movie is at its most creepily effective. On the other hand, the film is a bit shaky when trying to explain the “It” and its purpose. What I got is that this entity is a walking PSA for safe, monogamous sex. Because we don't understand what this thing is, attempts to destroy it don't make much sense. I don't want an origin tale, for the randomness of, say, both the original Halloween and the first Paranormal Activity is so much more terrifying, but I think a little more theorizing by the characters about this thing would have helped. Still, writer/director David Robert Mitchell has crafted a thinking person's horror film that is rife with subtext about sexual awakening and fear of adulthood.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 43
YaGram
Below are our staff's favorite #MardiGras hashtags on Instagram for April. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.
NewsAroundTheWeb
Updated Daily at WhereYat.com
SpringBusted @cedarforestakire
@chubbedhead
@destination_nola
The Advocate reported that four LSU Students got busted on the way to Spring Break for transporting more than 2,000 beers, five liters of boxed wine, and eight bottles of liquor in a trailer.
51Milli @tayriffik
@evilpenguinfilms
@JennaMancone
@jlagenbeck
@livinggingerly
@suhbrinta
TweetBites
Below are our staff's New Orleans hashtag picks from Twitter for April. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.
@anthonyscon: Roommate described Kale chips as "Twitter lettuce" to our French couchsurfer.
Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native, has been in the news lately for suing his long-time New Orleans-founded label Cash Money Records for rights to his Young Money imprint, totaling $51 million. The lawsuit was originally filed in New York, but has been moved to New Orleans.
NoLASmoking The smoking ban that New Orleans City Council passed earlier this year is scheduled to be implemented April 22. The ban requires No Smoking signs in bars, restaurants, hotels, the Fair Grounds and Harrahs, as well as resources for residents to report violators.
@baileylangford: Only in New Orleans will you see a 3 year old passing out Jell-O shots in the middle of a 10k :) #CrescentCityClassic @coffe6727: Sitting at the Columns and have seen a family of pirates walk by, multiple people in bunny ears, and two Peeps tutus. @lexcellence_: Going to a Red Lobster in New Orleans is like going to Olive Garden in Italy. @ryandsparks: I laid down on the front porch of the Latter Library and tried to absorb into it, but it didn't work @cajunhumor: Anyone who says their wedding day was the best day of their life has obviously never been to a crawfish boil in Louisiana. 44 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Around the Web
NoJinx Robert Durst was indicted on two gun charges April 8, both stemming from his March 14 arrest in New Orleans. The millionaire murder suspect, and recent subject of the HBO docu-series The Jinx, is awaiting extradition to Los Angeles.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 45
TalesFromTheQuarter By Debbie Lindsay
Strolling the Sidelines
T
he magic is about to commence and nowhere else is it felt more keenly than here in my neighborhood. And happily for me, the enchantment will linger, if only in memories, year-round. Ask me where I live and I will say, “Near the Holy Land—Jazz Fest.” For horse racing enthusiasts, this place near and dear to me is referred to as The Fair Grounds. But for two weekends each year and all the days in between, this is the epicenter for the magic. Actually, for many, the excitement begins weeks before with the first sighting of scaffolding. As usual, that early glimpse of stages being brought to life reminds me that I had better lock it down, and fast. As much as I look forward to the opening day of Jazz Fest with the same excitement that a kid anticipates Christmas, I usually am a day late and a dollar short of being ready. Every year I write in this column that Jazz Fest is a bargain and to lessen the pull on one’s wallet, just plan ahead—save 2 bucks a day for the year; buy the Brass Pass; negotiate time off work in advance (suck up to the boss and co-workers) or simply quit your job! Yet most times I am left scrambling for my toehold on this magical ride. Sometimes the poor planning and lack of good judgment (I mean, come on, this is Jazz Fest, for Chrissake) are totally on me. Or, life just gets in the way. And when that happens, there is nowhere better to be than on the sidelines—the blocks and streets that surround our New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Therefore, when work prevents my full attention, wandering these streets is as much a part of my ritual of Jazz Fest as actually entering the gates. In the mornings before work, I enjoy my front porch coffee and newspaper and wave to the many festers strolling from the bus stop, heading toward their ritualistic and celebratory pre-fest Bloody Marys at Liuzza’s by the Track. The camaraderie shared with otherwise strangers makes for an instant kinship, albeit only for a few moments. And actually, at that time of day, especially on Opening Day, folks linger to chat like neighbors sharing tidbits of gossip. Some will timidly thank me for “putting up with all the commotion” of this mammoth event, to which I reply that “it is my pleasure.” For the most part, my neighborhood simply treats this festival as one giant block(s) party. Adding to the peripheral celebration is a tremendous
46 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Tales from the Quarter
entrepreneurial spirit. Bottled water, lemonade, food, beer, crafts and cocktails are vendored by locals seeking some additional income while providing a service to the crowds. (I wish that the authorities would stop messing with these purveyors, who are no less sanitary, ethical or businesslike than bricks-and-mortar businesses that take advantage of Mardi Gras by setting up to-go drink windows without permits and certainly with higher prices.) Twenty-six years ago I entered Jazz Fest for my first time by way of the Gentilly entrance. It was exciting and full of folks, but since then I have found that I much prefer the Sauvage Street pedestrian entrance. There are three or so blocks (I’m talkin’ about my neighborhood!) that buffer this entrance from tour, city, and charter buses. Add to this the limited access to cars and you have a more relaxed environment; foot traffic is simply friendlier and allows for conversations and personal encounters. For once a year, waiting in line can be fun and social and sets the mood and tempo for negotiating the crowds once inside. Jazz Fest has seeped into my mindset, my very pores, throughout these years.
I look forward to the opening of Jazz Fest with the same excitement that a kid anticipates Christmas. I feel that this festival (much like Mardi Gras) has become a part of our city’s biorhythm. And with due respect to all of the amazing celebrations and festivals this city has spawned, I believe there is something unique about this one. Opening Day just feels different, even when I must work. Perhaps it’s because our out-oftowner Jazz Festers “feel” this town and immerse themselves in it while here—from back-of-town music joints and diner dives to Frenchmen Street and Commander’s Palace. Even our museums and parks take on enthusiastic crowds. Jazz Fest is simply a state of mind for so many of us. Today, as I sit typing, the weather is cold and rainy and we’re months away from Opening Day, but soon I will be in the thick of Jazz Fest and when not inside its gates, seated in my favorite tent, I will still be in that number. I’ll walk the streets that surround the festival, appreciate the many pop-up brass bands that conduct a rhythm in our streets and linger a bit on a friend’s front porch, a cold one in hand, toasting to the moment. Yes, I will be in that number, no matter where I am—and feeling the magic.
Po-BoyViews By Phil LaMancusa
Know Jack? Or Jazz Fest Scavenger Hunt
O
kay, so you’ve had the best Bloody Mary in New Orleans (or have you?). You’ve had the best BBQ shrimp po-boy at Liuzza’s by the Track and mingled with the throngs in and around the Fest and you think you’ve got a handle on our city (for Chrissake, don’t call it The Big Easy!). Have you had breakfast at Betsy’s Pancake House, Mena’s Palace, Slim Goodies or Please-U-Restaurant? Had a po-boy at Domilise’s, crawfish at the Broadview, tippled one or two at The Roosevelt or Hank’s? Have you had the meatballs at Fiorella’s or the rabbit and sausage jambalaya at the joint across the strada from them? Stopped at a fish fry at Lil People’s? Had a listen to Action Jackson to learn where the next second line is—if for no other reason than to get a good sausage or pork chop sandwich? Have you even inquired as to whether Hansen’s is open yet? No? Then you don’t know Jack. Do you know where they make a roast beef and gravy po-boy and then deep-fry it? Have you had a PBR at Pal’s (red beans gratis on Monday) or seen Kermit at all? Had a beer at Bullet’s? You do know that at The Pagoda on the first Sunday of the month the folks from Domino Sound spin tunes at the pop-up dinner and it’s BYOB? Have you visited the Black Penny (new and well worth the visit), Saturn Bar, Snake and Jakes, Ms Mae’s or Brothers Three? Have you bought a local cookbook (at Kitchen Witch Cookbook Shop)
or become an OZillan? Taken a cooking class or a tour? What’s your favorite flavor at Brocato’s? Have you touched the hem of Allen Toussaint’s jacket? How about café au lait and beignets at three in the morning, smack dab in the middle of City Park on your way to dreamland, or picking up stitches at Goodwill on Jeff Davis at Tulane? How come you haven’t been to Parkway? Did you take your little ones to The Children’s Museum, the Aquarium or Fairyland? When will you go to Rocky and Carlo’s for the baked macaroni (onion rings, too!), the Chalmette Theater next door to Big Lots or Dong Phuong for a Vietnamese pastry and sandwich pass? Do you even know where Da Parish is? Did you miss Pho Tau Bay this trip? Pho-gettaboutit! Have you watched the sun rise in the east over the “west bank,” checked out the Backstreet Cultural Museum, House of Dance and Feathers or Broadway Bound? Did you get Ya-Ka-Mein or the very best shrimp po-boy at the Orange House? Did you bother to catch a flick at the Prytania, sit with a cup of joe outside of Mojo or ferry-trip it to the Dry Dock Cafe? Yep, if you don’t know that you’ll have to have at least a dozen different gumbos to qualify entering that conversation, then you really don’t know Jack. Can you distinguish between Philip Melancon, Benny Grunch and Bobby Lounge? Watched HBO’s Treme? Know the names of the Doctor, Professor, Fats, the King and Queenie? Have you sung yourself hoarse with “Mai-lei cootie fiyo tee na nai tee na nai!!!!!”, “They all ass for you,” or “Drink a little poison ’fore you die”? Do you dig the Dixie Cups? Listen, picture New Orleans (please don’t call it N’awlins!) as a big WELCOME! postcard; now picture Jazz Fest as the
23 cents postage. Logic tells you that there is so much more than just the stamp. There’s a whole love song here; it says: “Slow down, you move too fast; you gotta make the moment last.” It says: “Sit beside the breakfast table, think about your troubles; pour yourself a cup of tea and think about the bubbles.” It says: “Come sit on the bridge on Bayou St. John and watch the sunset; rest awhile under the wind chime oak; wander the statuary garden, empty your mind and dance with the devil in the pale moonlight.” It says: “If it keep on rainin’, the levee’s gonna break.” Sure, every city has its points of interests and disinterests, infrastructure dysfunctions, disruptive behavior (a mugging can be very disruptive), facts, foibles
We want to say to all of you wonderful visitors that we are thankful that we can show off our funk and sass. and flavors. New Orleans is somewhat amplified in that respect. We want to say to all of you wonderful visitors that we are thankful that we can show off our funk and sass; we also want to say, “Now go home.” We’re concerned that those upwardly mobile stars-in-their-eyes thirtysomethings will move here and change the Bywater into Brooklyn, paying higher rents than we’re used to, purchasing houses and putting in granite counters, complaining about music being played where it’s always been played and negating all those things that attracted them in the first place. You’re not one of those, are you? No? Well then, I know this cute little half-double around the corner from us…
Po-Boy Views | Jazz Fest 2015 | 47
4
1
2
6
3
5
Where Ya' Been?
7 1.
The Oui Dats dressed the part for Starlight Racing at the Fair Grounds.
2. The hat contest as a highlight of the brunch before the Chris Owens Easter Parade. 3. Bridget Wenzel and RNDC’s Fred Holley celebrate New Orleans Fashion Week. 4. Chris Owens, Where Y’at’s Nikki Reyes, and Mark Davidson enjoy brunch before the Chris Owens Easter Parade. 5. RNDC’s Tony Scott and Toni Canino raise awareness for Caps for Kids at the Fair Grounds during Starlight Racing.
8
48 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Where Ya' Been?
9
10
6. Jefferson Parish Fire Fighter Brian Schindler won the Beignet Eating contest at New Orleans Food Fest. 7.
Morning Call's Bob Hennessy made fresh beignets at the New Orleans Food Fest in the French Market.
8. Go-go dancers performed before the crowds at Starlight Racing. 9. Miss Louisiana Candice Bennatt and Bruce Betzer enjoy Hogs for the Cause. 10. Piggy Stardust enticed the fest-goers to her stand at Hogs for the Cause.
WhereYat.com | Jazz Fest 2015 | 49
The brainchild of the Dublin-born Chef Matt Murphy, The Irish House is a bona fide Irish pub located in the heart of New Orleans. In keeping with the traditional pub definition, The Irish House features great food, family-friendly atmosphere, live music, and of course, freeflowing Guinness. Naturally, a New Orleans Irish House for you!
Chat NIKKI REYES with
<<Chef Matt Murphy Owner, The Irish House 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
<<Jacki Jing News Anchor/WGNO 26 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
My Harmonica will speak. $80. The going rate, right? I'll take him to the splash pool. Leprechaun gone wild. A sunblock...bring your sunblock.
<< Andrew Maher Assistant Manager, The Irish House 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Festivals make me happy! $20. Nah, $10. Tickets and fees are high. No! I have $20 for someone to wash mine. Whiskey. Adult Babies.
<<Bob Sperr Waiter Extraordinaire, The Irish House 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Follow the food & have some fun! $20. I'm not greedy. No. NO! Not enough money. Fog. For the uptights.
I love unicorns. $10. Is that average? Stranger's feet? They weird me out. Glitter. For the lame.
Where Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;at Chat Questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Jazz Fest, Dawlin'! At Jazz Fest, you're on stage with all attention on you. What would you profess? At Jazz Fest, you own your own parking lot. How much would you charge for parking? At Jazz Fest, a shoeless stranger(s) asks you to wash their feet for $20. Would you? Instead of water, what would you fill the "mist fans" with? Fill in the blank: "Jazz Fest is not_____________!"
<<Doug Belote LA's Premier Drummer 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Fix the potholes. $20. To help fix the potholes. Depends on what she looks like. Snowballs. Hansen's. Spring break.
^^Tim Laughlin Top Clarinetist in the World 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
<< Banu Gibson Prolific Jazz Vocalist
<< Dr. Gustavo Coutin DDS/Coutin Dental/Nikki's Doc
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Live music for people with no interference. $100 for the day. Free to friends. No! Been there, done that. Tolerance. For those not in shape.
<<Nita Randolph Business System Analyst 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
I love Blues more than anything else. $10. So they may spend more at Jazz Fest. Absolutely not! There's a puddle over there. Vodka. For the weak of heart...
50 | Jazz Fest 2015 | Where Y'at Chat
Everyone must have a good time. $20. I have exposure. No! I do teeth, not feet. Agua De Portugal. For the fuddie duddies.
<< Gretchen Wagner Poker Hands/ Massage Therapist 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Put your stinkn' phones away! $20...and a hot plate. Only after my set. Liquid sodium pentothal. 1968 Jazz Fest.
I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Free. Love is free... Of course. Plus, reflexology. Aromatherapy. Clean.
Sponsored by
www.boscoli.com