Spring Festivals Guide (2019)

April 2019

SpringVeggieDishes

WhereYat.com

FrenchQuarterFestival

SecretSoup

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CONTENTS Features Spring Festivals Guide Other Festivals Around the Country

Top 20 Spring Veggie Dishes Secret Soup of New Orleans Top 10 Gym Mistakes Local Authors to Revisit Louisiana Film Forecast

Events & Nightlife 30 Concert Calendar 36 Lakeside 2 Riverside

Food & Drink 38 40 42 45

Food News $20 and Under Restaurant Guide Bar Guide

Extras 47 48 50 52 54

Wild-caught oysters and fresh seafare.

630 Carondelet St. 504 930 3071

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seaworthynola.com @seaworthynola

April 2019 Vol. 22 No. 08

French Quarter Festival

Film Reviews Columns Around the Web Where Ya Been?

Where Y'at Chat

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Michael Fulkerson Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw Movie Editors: David Vicari & Fritz Esker Copy Editor: Michelle Nicholson Contributing Writers: Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Landon Murray, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Steven Melendez, Andrew Alexander, Kimmie Tubre, Alison Cohen, Jason Vowell Director of Sales: Stephen Romero Cover Photo of French Quarter Fest by Zack Smith Photography (zacksmith. com)

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Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, James Macaluso Interns: Marissa Williams, Madison Mcloughlin, Emilia DiFabrizio, Brailey Penny, Brooke Leggett, Maddy Shenfield Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

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Spring is here, and in the Crescent City, that means festivals! This Spring Festivals issue shares all the great events to attend around the region. Find one that looks good and head out this weekend.

The king of all free festivals, French Quarter Fest, will surely be bigger and better than ever this year. Check out our preview as a half million people will visit the French Quarter over the weekend of April 5 for great food, fantastic music, and much more.

Spring means the returns of fresh vegetables, and Alison Cohen’s "Top 20 Spring Veggie Dishes" is a great resource. It presents healthy options from multiple spots all over the city. For something a little meatier, Jason Vowell’s look at Bun Bo Hue, Vietnamese beef soup, will get your mouth watering. And to get you ready for summer bathing suits, read Celeste Turner’s piece on 10 common gym mistakes.

Keep your eyes peeled for our special Jazz Fest Weekend One issue that’s out April 15. It’ll preview the 50th anniversary of this great festival and will be followed by the May Weekend Two issue. Enjoy! –Josh Danzig, Publisher

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French Quarter Fest Preview Visit WhereYat.com for Complete FQF Schedule

By Emilia DiFabrizio Photos by Zack Smith Photography

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his coming French Quarter Fest will be its 36th year in action, continuing its evolution from a small, local festival to the largest celebratory gathering of Louisiana food, art, music, and culture. Started during the 1984 World’s Fair, the festival was a way to bring residents back to the Quarter following extensive sidewalk repairs.

Today, over 1,500 community volunteers are involved in the production of the festival.

On over 20 stages throughout the Quarter, every genre of live music, from R&B to zydeco, folk to gospel, and New Orleans funk to contemporary and

traditional jazz will be showcased. Famous New Orleans restaurants will be there, such as Antoine’s, Broussard’s, Galatoire’s, Muriel’s Jackson Square, and Pat O’Briens, among many others, for a celebration unique to New Orleans.

With over 250 musical acts, the festival will feature 42 first-timers, as well as plenty of returning favorites. Check out Flow Tribe, Amanda Shaw, and Rockin’ Dopsie on the Chevron Stage, a Cajun/zydeco spot that will also bring in some other genres this year.

Rebirth Brass Band will be playing the Abita Beer Stage at the riverfront, and you can catch Brass-A-Holics on the Jack

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Daniels Stage. The Lost Bayou Ramblers are headlining the GE Stage, and you can take in some Sunday morning gospel at the Tropical Isle Stage. The full lineup is available at frenchquarterfest.org.

The culinary lineup includes a wide variety of restaurants with newcomers in addition to classic New Orleans spots.

Some of the delicious highlights will be cochon de lait po-boys, crabmeat-stuffed chargrilled oysters, and Baked Alaska.

Tails to Geaux: Benefitting the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation will also boil crawfish Friday through Sunday at the Jazz Museum at the Mint.

Returning restaurant favorites include Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse and GW Fins.

Abita Beer, a local brewing company and major sponsor for this year’s celebration, will bring some of Louisiana’s best beers.

And, for those who prefer other varieties of booze, the new Wine Café at Washington Artillery Park has a selection of wine to choose from, and New Orleans Original Daiquiris will be on hand again.

There will also be plenty of non-alcoholic options.

One of the best things about French Quarter Fest is that it’s free, but for those festival-goers who want to glam up their experience with free drinks, special viewing areas, and other such perks, VIP packages are available for purchase.

The festival will kick off with a second line parade on Thursday, April 11, at 10 a.m., departing from the 100 block of Bourbon Street and heading to Jackson Square.

On Friday, April 12, the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint will host Me Got Fiyo: Professor Longhair Symposium, during which attendees can hear historical perspectives of Professor Longhair and Caribbean influences and attend panels with his family, friends, and former bandmates.

At the Jones Walker Let Them Talk Stage on Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14, at the Jazz Museum at the Mint, interviews will be held with an assortment of artists, such as Quiana Lynell, Rory Danger and the Danger Dangers, and James Andrews. All interviews are free and open to the public.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Chevron’s Children’s STEM Zone will be hosting “STEM World’s Fair,” with interactive fun for families on Toulouse Street at the Natchez Wharf on the river. This year will showcase each of the seven continents and the galaxy, incorporating elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into hands-on learning activities for children.

To conclude the festival on Sunday afternoon at the St. Louis Cathedral, there will be the Annual Spring Concert at 3 p.m.

Following that will be “Dancing at Dusk” on the 400 block of Royal Street, from 6:00 until 7:15 p.m., where you can swing to the sounds of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tom Saunders and the Tomcats, and more.

Each day, the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and the Chevron CajunZydeco Showcase will feature dance classes in traditional jazz, 1920s Charleston, swing dance, Cajun jitterbug, and zydeco.

Sponsored by Academy Sports+Outdoors, all classes are taught by professional dancers and are free.

Artist Ayo Scott has been chosen as the festival’s annual artist, painting both the French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest posters. The 2019 poster, Soul Queen Song, features a portrait of regular festival headliner, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas.

The economic impact of the festival is significant, employing over 1,700 musicians and hosting over 60 local restaurants.

Organizers do their best to keep funds stimulating the local economy, only hiring local companies during the festival for sound, stages, sanitation, security, etc. According to a survey conducted at the 2017 festival by the University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center, French Quarter Fest’s impact amounted to $190 million and a total of $15.8 million in tax revenue for local and state governments.

For more information on the music lineup, participating restaurants, and more, go to frenchquarterfest.org.

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Margarita Mix-Off ENTRY DEADLINE: SUNDAY, APRIL 14 Bartender Name: Place of Work: Phone Number: E-mail Address: Recipe:

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Pyrate Week features multiple events, including a Family Pyrate Day promoting literacy and history; a Pyrate Brunch with traditional French pastries, quiches, and cakes; and volunteer bead sorting.

SPRING FESTIVAL

March 30 Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and Fishtival City Park neworleanscitypark.com/big-bass-fishingrodeo-and-fishtival Operating since 1946, this annual festival is the oldest freshwater rodeo in the U.S. There are vendors, exhibitors, raffles, fishing tackle for sale, and more. The festival includes the Big Bass Rodeo, as well as the new Boats on the Bayou event for non-motorized vessel fishing.

2019

GUIDE

- MARCH March 25 - 31 Songs on the Bayou Road—Third Street Songwriters Festival Various venues, Morgan City songsonthebayou.com This exciting six-day music event features over 100 performers from all different genres, along with bayou sunset pickin’ parties, workshops and conferences, swamp tours, and multiple featured songwriter shows all across Morgan City and surrounding areas.

March 26; April 9 and 23 Paradigm Gardens Concert Series 1121 S. Rampart St. paradigmgardensnola.com/concertseries Enjoy evenings of food, drinks, and music in Central City. Each event features a menu from local chefs and restaurants as well as live music, drinks, and desserts.

March 27 - 31 Art in Bloom New Orleans Museum of Art noma.org/event/art-in-bloom-2019 Showcasing floral designs by over 100 exhibitors, this four-day event focuses on light, transformation, and discovery. There will be patron and preview parties, lectures, luncheons, and displays on view to the public.

March 27 - 31 Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival French Quarter, Various Locations tennesseewilliams.net The 33rd annual celebration of contemporary literature, theater, culture, and Tennessee Williams includes three full-length productions by local theater companies, craft sessions for writers, scholarly and entertainment panel discussions, walking tours, a breakfast book club, and social and evening events.

March 30 Camellia City Kids Fun Fest Heritage Park, Slidell camelliacitykidsfunfest.com Featuring pony rides, music and live entertainment, a petting zoo, games, arts and crafts, and food vendors, this Northshore festival is perfect for families. Admission is only $5 per person.

March 30 Lafayette Holi: Acadiana’s Festival of Colors Girard Park, Lafayette aialouisiana.org Organized by the Acadian Indian Association, this is a celebration of Holi, a Hindu spring festival. With Indian food and Bollywood music, the festival involves splashing people with fountains of vibrant colors. It is also a celebration of dancing and being with friends, family, and community.

March 29 - 30 Hogs for the Cause UNO Lakefront hogsforthecause.org This three-day event is a fundraiser for the children’s hospital, with lots of BBQ, beer, and live music. Both New Orleans and national musicians will be performing, and there will be over 85 local and regional BBQ masters.

March 29 - 30 Merryville Heritage & Pioneer Festival Bryan Street, Downtown Merryville merryvilleheritagefestival.com Hosted by the Merryville Historical Society and Museum, the annual Heritage Festival celebrates the history of the No Man’s Land Gang and other Wild West legends. Come enjoy family fun, live music, and cowboy shootouts, while discovering the town’s rich history from the 1800s and early 1900s.

March 30 Lamb Weston North Louisiana Sweet Potato Festival Main St., Downtown Oak Grove westcarrollchamber.com Festival events include arts and crafts, food vendors, carnival rides, a parade, live music and entertainment, and a sweet potato cooking contest.

March 30-31 Congo Square Rhythms Festival Louis Armstrong Park jazzandheritage.org/congo-square Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, this celebration for musiclovers will have Mardi Gras Indians, African dance, brass bands, jazz, soul-funk, Garifuna music from Honduras, and West African highlife.

March 30 -31; April 6 - 7 New Orleans Spring Fiesta French Quarter springfiestanola.com Taking place over two weekends, this celebration includes walking tours, tours of usually closed historic homes, and a “Night in Old New Orleans” parade through the French Quarter with horse-drawn carriages as well as the presentation of the Spring Fiesta Queen and her court at Jackson Square.

March 30 - 31 Olde Towne Slidell Spring Antique Street Fair First, Second, and Erlanger Streets in Olde Towne Slidell louisiananorthshore.com/event/olde-towneslidell-antique-spring-street-fair/1714 This festival features over 200 booths of antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts, and antique shops as well as live music on three stages and great food.

March 31; April 7 and 14 Music Under the Oaks Audubon Park audubonnatureinstitute.org/music-under-theoaks Audubon Nature Institute hosts its annual musical event in the park to benefit the Audubon Nature Conservatory. Musical acts over the three-day celebration include the Loyola Jazz Ensemble, the LPO String Quartet, and the New Orleans Concert Band.

March 31 World Championship Louisiana Crawfish Etouffée Cook-Off Northwest Pavilion, Eunice etouffeecookoff.org In Louisiana’s Prairie Cajun Capital, this cookoff showcases the crawfish industry and local chefs. Teams competing for the title of the best crawfish etouffée will be judged by celebrity and professional judges as well as the public. There will also be live music and dancing.

- APRIL April 2 - 16 Faulkner Society Spring Concert Series St. Mary’s Chapel, Ursuline Convent faulknersociety.org/concert-series Featuring six concerts and music created and heard in New Orleans for the past 300 years, this free series is themed “Variations on the Blues: Baroque to Blue Monday” and is open to the public.

March 29 - 31 Jackson Assembly Antiques and Art Show 1740 Charter St., Jackson, LA jacksonassemblyantiquesshow.com This 54th annual event offers antiques and collectibles, a show and sale of work by regional fine artists and artisans, and lunches and desserts.

It also includes self-guided walking tours of the historic district and tours of newly renovated historic sites.

March 29 - 31 Saints and Sinners Literary Festival Hotel Monteleone sasfest.org Created as an initiative to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS in the LGBTQ community, the 16th annual festival gathers writers and readers to celebrate the literary arts. It includes panel discussions and master classes for emerging writers and fans of LGBTQ literature.

March 29 - April 7 NOLA Pyrate Week Various Locations nolapyrateweek.com A celebration of culture, food, art, and music,

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Hogs For The Cause March 29 - 30

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April 3 - 6 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Various Locations nowfe.com A favorite of foodies and wine-lovers, this event offers wine dinners, a cochon de lait, seminars, a Royal Street Stroll, a Tournament of RosĂŠs, and a spicy New Orleans brunch.

There will also be two nights of Grand Tastings, with wine from across the world and food from the best chefs in New Orleans.

April 3 - 6 NELA Spring Bluegrass Festival Thomas Jason Lingo Center, Oak Grove nelaarts.org/event/nela-spring-bluegrassfestival-4 This family-friendly festival features bluegrass artists from across the country, including The Baker Family, Gary Waldrep, Lonesome Ridge, and more. Tickets for all three days are $55.

April 4 - 6 Boggy Bayou Festival Heritage Rd., Ville Platte facebook.com/boggybayoupineprairie This outdoor cultural festival has music, Cajun and Creole food, arts and crafts, a pageant, magic and comedy shows, and a carnival. This 35th annual festival will be held on the festival grounds from 3:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

April 4 - 6 Denham Springs Fair South Park, Denham Springs facebook.com/events/356551181633257 Now including an extra night and new rides and entertainment, this free festival welcomes its fourth annual celebration with live music, carnival rides, food, drinks, and a crawfish boil contest.

April 5 - 7 Aks Bead & Jewelry Show Pontchartrain Center, Kenner aksshow.com Open to the public, this wholesale event showcases fine and fashion jewelry, beads, beading supplies, gold, silver, charms, designer cabochons, gemstones, pearls, and so much else. Learn from vendors and take classes for more information on products for sale.

New Orleans Food & Wine Experience April 3 - 6

April 5 - 7 Cypress Sawmill Festival Kemper Williams Park Fairgrounds, Patterson cypresssawmillfestival.com A family-oriented community event, this festival brings you the All-American Lumberjack Show, an arts and crafts show, a classic car show, White Tiger Discovery, a softball tournament, an old engine display, Cypress Sawmill Festival Shuttle Tours with music guest hosts, RV camping, live music, and a songwriting workshop for the kids.

April 5 - 7 Kite Fest Louisiane West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex, Baton Rouge westbatonrouge.net/kite-fest-louisiane/247 This annual kite festival is for the whole family. It has inflatables, face painting, a kitemaking workshop, kite designing for the kids, and indoor kite-flying by champion kite-flyers.

There will also be Louisiana food booths.

April 5 - 7 Festa Italiana 400 Block of Williams Boulevard, Kenner Italianheritagefestival.com In its 20th year of celebrating Italian heritage, this festival is a fun family event featuring food, rides, games, and crafts. Musicians performing include Vanessa Racci, the Molly Ringwalds, the Chee-Weez, the Topcats, and more.

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April 5 - 7 Third Street Songwriter's Festival Downtown Baton Rouge thirdstreetsongwritersfestival.com This annual event showcases local, regional, and national songwriters. There will be a panel of Nashville professionals representing publishing companies, PR firms, and songwriter organizations, followed by a listening panel where songwriters will perform and be critiqued. Evenings will be filled with Nashville-style writer rounds and showcases of original talent.

April 5 - 8 Great Louisiana BirdFest Northlake Nature Center, Mandeville northlakenature.org/birdfest

BirdFest involves varied habitat trips to swamps, wetlands, pine savannas, and hardwoods of Southeast Louisiana. In addition to birding trips, the festival also offers Southern food and hospitality, workshops, and all things bird.

April 6 Bursting With Speed 5k Meet at the Mardi Gras Fountain at the New Orleans Lakefront runnotc.org/races/2019/burst.shtml For the fifth year in a row, this 5k/half-mile run benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Benny Burst. The run will feature prize money for the top finishers, and all runners and walkers will receive great finishers’ bling. The half-mile begins at 8 a.m., and the 5k follows at 8:30 a.m.

April 6 Tulane University Crawfest Tulane Newcomb Quad crawfest.tulane.edu From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tulane University hosts this annual music, food, and arts festival, serving over 20,000 pounds of crawfish and featuring artists such as Ra Ra Riot, The Stone Foxes, and Welles. Admission is $15, with the exception of Tulane students and children under 12 years old, who get in free.

April 6 Asian Pacific American Festival Audubon Zoo audubonnatureinstitute.org/apas This celebration of Asian Pacific heritage takes place at the zoo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The festival offers live entertainment; handmade crafts from India, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other Asian countries; internationally themed displays; and authentic Asian dishes.

April 6 Freret Street Festival Freret Street between Napoleon Avenue and Valmont Street freretstreetfestival.org/category/2019-festival Enjoy everything that Freret Street has to offer during this annual festival that celebrates businesses in the area. There’s something for everyone, including live music, local vendors, a food court, a kids’ activity area, and even pet adoptions.

April 6 Louisiana Crawfish Boil Championships Sixth Street, Marrero louisianacrawfishchamps.org The best of the best crawfish boilers compete in this annual competition as the Joey Thomas Band, Junior and Sumtin’ Sneaky, and the Bucktown All-Stars provide live entertainment.

And while the crawfish are boiling, there are also rides, games, and more food.

April 6 Scottish Tartan Festival Scotland Farms, Minden festivalnet.com/73176/Minden-Louisiana/ Ethnic-Festivals/Scottish-Tartan-Festival The Scottish Society of the Louisiana Highlands puts on the Scottish Tartan Festival in commemoration of the date when the Scottish nobles requested that Pope John XXII recognize Scottish independence. The festival includes kids’ activities, two live music stages, hayrides, living history exhibitions, and sword-fighting demos.

April 6 St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Parade Chalmette facebook.com/events/163805027783242 The parade rolls at 12 p.m. in celebration of Irish and Italian heritage and featuring more than 42 floats and 30 marching units. The 1,000 members of the parade will be tossing over 400,000 pounds of fresh produce, so bring your bags and start planning your recipes.

April 6 Old Metairie Fest St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Metairie facebook.com/events/583323945454601 The 19th annual Old Metairie Fest is themed “Old Metairie Fest Heads West,” with headliner the Bucktown All Stars. This kid-friendly fundraiser begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m., with the band performing at 5 p.m.

April 6 Top of the Teche Leonville Boat Launch, Leonville tourduteche.com/races/top-of-the-teche The eighth in the Tour du Teche series, Top of the Teche is a 7.7 mile race for kayaks, canoes, pirogues, and stand-up paddle boards from Leonville to Arnaudville in St. Landry Parish. Proceeds benefit the work of the Arnaudville Chamber of Commerce and the Leonville Volunteer Fire Department.

April 6 Metropolitan Recovery Walk Duncan Plaza eventbrite.com/e/mhsd-recovery-walk-festivaltickets-49560315237 Participate in the walk from St. Philip to support those who are in recovery from substance abuse and mental disorders. Or, simply celebrate by bringing your festival chairs and blankets to the plaza and enjoying music from Shamar Allen, Alex McMurray and Hiz Band, and Gary Brown. The festival also features a kids zone and 25 resource vendors.

April 6 - 7 Ebb & Flow Festival Various Locations, Downtown Baton Rouge ebbandflowbr.org This two-day outdoor festival exhibits hundreds of visual and teaching artists, musicians, dancers, poets, and arts organizations. The festival includes a Poet’s Pier for visitors to experience poetry, literature, and performing arts; Art Battles where young artists can create; and an Artist’s Isle with one of Louisiana’s greatest art markets.

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much more. The festival also includes live entertainment by the 5 O’clock Shadows Band, Brittney Poole, and the Bayou Classics Band.

April 12 - 14 The Original DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake Charles downtowncrawfest.com Crawfish, festival, and carnival all come together to create the DownTown Crawfest with activities for everyone. There will be live music, including performances by Cupid, Corey Ledet, Geno Delafose, and French Rockin’ Boogie; crawfish-eating contests; a 5k race; and carnival rides and games.

Pinch A Palooza Festival April 7 April 6 - 7 Spring Garden Show New Orleans Botanical Garden neworleanscitypark.com/events/spring-gardenshow Explore the Botanical Gardens and more than 50 horticultural exhibits while enjoying familyfriendly activities and educational lectures. This annual show offers plant sales, garden product sales, a Plant Health Clinic, a Children’s Discovery Zone, and live music.

April 7 Pinch A Palooza Festival Deanie’s Seafood, Metairie pinchapalooza.com Taking place at Deanie’s Seafood’s in Metairie, this music and crawfish festival features live local music, a crawfish-eating contest, crawfish specialties, and drinks. There will also be crawfish races, face painting, and inflatables for the kids.

April 9 Best Chefs of Louisiana University of New Orleans acfno.org/events/best-chefs-of-louisiana-2019 The 9th annual Best Chefs of Louisiana fundraiser gives recognition to select chefs and honors them for their contribution to the New Orleans culinary scene. The party includes live entertainment, both a silent and live auction, and an open bar, in addition to the food. The funds will go toward the American Culinary Federation New Orleans chapter’s educational scholarships for college students pursuing careers in the culinary field.

April 10 - 14 A Taste of Covington Historic Downtown Covington atasteofcovington.com The five-day music, food, wine, and art festival revolves around the St. Tammany Association’s “Spring for Art,” which will be held on April 13.

Other events include wine tastings, coffee and ice cream tastings, and a champagne jazz brunch.

April 11 - 13 Louisiana Railroad Days Festival Lake Charles larailroaddaysfestival.com/home The Railroad Days Festival has everything from food booths, carnival rides, and live music to parades, arts and crafts, and a 5k run. The festival also features contests, such as the Frozen T-Shirt Contest and the Bizarre Boxcar Contest.

Admission is free for all.

April 11 - 13 Paddle Bayou Lafourche Bayou Lafourche outreach.btnep.org/events/paddle-bayoulafourche The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program hosts a 50-mile, three-day kayaking adventure on the Mississippi River through rural communities and small cities. The event was created to give paddlers a new view on the historic bayou and a sense of pride about the Louisiana environment.

April 11 - 14 French Quarter Festival French Quarter, Various Locations frenchquarterfest.org French Quarter Fest boasts the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world across more than 20 different stages. Locals have consistently voted the festival as “favorite festival” and “favorite food festival.” Many New Orleans restaurants are involved as vendors.

The musical lineup includes around 100 artists.

April 12 New Orleans Spring Psychic Fair Wyndham Garden Hotel neworleanspsychicfair.com Psychics from New Orleans and beyond gather together to celebrate mind, body, and spirit and to share experiences and advice with one another. All are invited to participate, whether in the metaphysical field or not, and attendance is free.

April 12 Westwego Farmer’s Market Friday Night Concert Series 4th Street & Sala Avenue, Westwego visitwestwego.com/visitors/farmers-market Who doesn’t love an outdoor concert? The Tuzack Martin Band and Nighttrain perform from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Westwego Farmer’s Market on Friday, April 12. Vendors will be selling various food, drinks, and crafts.

The concerts are free, and so is the parking!

April 12 - 13 Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival Bayou Teche, Downtown Historic Franklin bayoutechebearfest.org In an attempt to educate the citizens of St. Mary’s Parish and surrounding areas about the endangered black bear and its environment, the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival hosts activities such as arts and crafts, canoeing and kayaking, cook-offs, games, a 5k run, and

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April 12 - 14 Grand Isle Blessing of the Fleet Festival Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion, Grand Isle townofgrandisle.com/events/grand-isleblessing-fleet-fair Including a blessing of the fleet, rides, Cajun food and drink booths, music, and carnival games, this festival welcomes captains, sailors, and mariners of all levels to register their boats and take part. There will be kids’ crab races, an auction of pageant crowns and other items, and music from such bands as Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition and the Fender Benders.

April 12 - 14 Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival Various Locations, Grand Isle townofgrandisle.com/events/grand-islemigratory-bird-festival This annual Grand Isle festival celebrates the arrival of a variety of bird species migrating north, providing spectators a great view of the peak bird season. Approximately 168 different bird species were identified last year. This year’s event will include daily expert-led birdwatching tours, kayak tours, and walking tours of the island’s historical homes.

April 12 - 14 Old Schoolhouse Antique Fair Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall, Washington, LA cajuntravel.com/event/spring-oldschoolhouse-spring-semi-annual-antique-fairyard-sale This free semi-annual weekend fair features over 200 vendors on six acres of land outside the antique mall, with bargains on antiques, furniture, vintage clothing, and other great finds. There will also be BBQ!

April 12 - 14 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Memorial Park, Ponchatoula lastrawberryfestival.com Come celebrate one of Louisiana's favorite fruits at the 48th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, a free outdoor event with great food, entertainment, fun for all ages, and lots of strawberries. There will also be two music stages and many food booths supporting local non-profit organizations.

April 13 Art at the Park Family Fun Day Various Locations, Covington 501auctions.com/artatthepark Students, teachers, parents, and other community members come together to celebrate the arts at this festival that features a student art auction and silent auction, music from Where Y’acht, and food from Oxlot 9.

There will also be children’s activities and art tents, live artist demonstrations, an art market, student art shows, class performances, and more.

April 13 Franklin Parish Catfish Festival Historic Downtown, Winnsboro franklinparishcatfishfestival.com This fun-for-the-whole-family festival is known as Louisiana’s largest one-day festival.

In addition to plenty of Franklin Parish fried catfish, the festival includes hundreds of vendors selling their wares, an antique car show, a quilt show, a zoo exhibit, a softball tournament, the Catfish Classic 5k, and live music from Jason Crab and Jo-El Sonner, among many others.

April 13 NOMA Egg Hunt and Family Festival New Orleans Museum of Art noma.org/event/noma-egg-hunt-and-familyfestival-2019 NOMA hosts its annual spring festival in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden for a fun-filled day for families. There will be egg hunts, a petting zoo, face painting, spacewalks, a juggler/magician, a bouncy house, crafts, and musical entertainment.

Festival International April 24 - 28

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April 21 French Quarter Easter Parades French Quarter neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/ easter Featuring colorful floats, vintage cars, and brass bands, these annual parades will also include an Easter bonnet contest, dancing and singing, and a Gay Easter parade.

April 22-28 Zurich Classic TPC Louisiana, Avondale zurichgolfclassic.com The Zurich Classic differs from the average PGA tournament, using a two-person team format with the top names in professional golf.

Daily tickets start at $35.

April 24 - 28 Cycle Zydeco Lafayette & Surrounding Towns cyclezydeco.org A four-day casual touring ride through South Louisiana, this event includes great food, live music, and flat roads. Cycle Zydeco is a festival on wheels, with tours of many attractions in Acadiana.

Jazz & Heritage Festival April 25 - May 5 April 13 Railroad Festival Various Locations, Downtown Ruston rustonlincoln.com/events/1066/2/RailroadFestival The Railroad Festival kicks off with the Makers Fair at the Historic Fire Station, where attendees can shop among hundreds of works from local and regional artists, makers, and creators. There will also be live music, a cash bar, food trucks, pop-up shops, and family activities.

April 13-14 Egg Scramble New Orleans City Park neworleanscitypark.com/events/egg-scramble City Park is hosting a hunt for 100 golden eggs, especially for children. Located at the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland, this egg-centric event includes music, face painting, the Easter Bunny, and a balloon artist, as well as a special spot exclusively for toddlers to hunt for eggs.

April 13 Southdown Spring Marketplace Southdown Plantation, Houma southdownmuseum.org/marketplace This one-day arts-and-crafts festival hosts over 300 local and national vendors with unique handmade products, including jewelry, clothing, wood crafts, original art, garden items, and more.

Tours of the plantation and museum will also be available, along with Cajun culinary favorites.

April 18 - 21 New Orleans Poetry Festival and Small Press Fair Various locations nolapoetry.com Bringing together literary fans, this festival includes a marathon open-mic night, feature events with prominent poets, book fairs, a second line, and even music.

April 13 Hungry for Hospice The Wine Market, Slidell louisiananorthshore.com/event/hungry-forhospice/1719 This benefit to provide resources for medical and emotional care for terminally ill patients and their families donates 20 percent of all sales to the Hospice House. The event starts at 5 p.m. and features a signature dish, a café, and a bar.

April 13 Spring for Art Historic Downtown, Covington gocovington.org/event/spring-for-art Taking place in the Historic St. John District, Spring for Art offers new work by artists from around the Southeast, along with gallery openings, art demonstrations, boutique shopping, and fine dining. Also enjoy live music at indoor and outdoor venues from local and nationally renowned musicians.

April 13 - 14 Baton Rouge Blues Festival Downtown Baton Rouge batonrougebluesfestival.org Produced by the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, this is one of the oldest blues festivals in the country. Featuring artists such as Mavis Staples, Henry Gray, William Bell, Quiana Lynell, Little Freddie King, and more, the festival also has a plethora of food and art vendors.

April 19 - 21 Lao New Year Celebration What Thammarattanaram Temple, Broussard lafayettetravel.com/event/lao-new-yearcelebration/21018 This festival celebrates the Lao New Year every Easter weekend with a three-day event, including live music, a beauty pageant, parades, sandcastle building, kids’ activities, music, and vendors selling clothes, jewelry, and food from Southeast Asia.

April 20 Crescent City Classic Downtown New Orleans ccc10k.com This annual 10k road race is produced by the non-profit Crescent City Fitness Foundation.

This race for runners and walkers of all abilities starts in front of the Superdome before moving through the French Quarter and then up Esplanade Avenue to City Park. A fun after-party follows, with food, beer, and live entertainment.

April 20 Gretna Food Truck Fest Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna gretnala.com/events/gretna-food-truck-festapril-20 In Gretna, on Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets, this food truck festival features an assortment of cuisines from local and regional favorites.

14 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

April 24 - 28 Festival International de Louisiane Various Locations, Downtown Lafayette festivalinternational.org Showcasing both established and emerging international artists, this festival also has the best sounds of Louisiana. It's a cultural event that attracts over 300,000 attendees over five days, bringing the community together to celebrate music.

April 24 - 28 Crawfish Music Festival Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS mscoastcoliseum.com/p/crawfishmusicfestival For more than two decades, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum has hosted the Crawfish Music Festival to provide quality entertainment, delicious food, and family fun to the Southeast.

April 25 - May 5 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots nojazzfest.com New Orleans’s most famous music, food and art festival returns this year with a lineup including the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Katy Perry, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Santana, Al Green, Logic, and many more.

April 26 Music and Market Farmers Market Pavillion, Opelousas cajuntravel.com/event/music-market-series/ all Enjoy live Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop, and country music bands as well as fresh homegrown produce at this event, where vegetables including cucumbers, pralines, corn, kale and other agricultural commodities and samples will be available. The lineup includes JC Melancon & the Bayou Boys, Bernie Alan Band, Soul Creole.

April 26 Spring Art Walk Charleston Cultural District, Lake Charles artscouncilswla.org/events/whats-coming-up/ spring-art-walk The arts community in Lake Charles congregates along a few blocks in coffee shops, salons, restaurants, and vacant buildings turned into pop-up galleries. There will be live music and performances, food trucks, Art War competitions, and an open-air art market, along with drink specials, demonstrations, after-parties, and giveaways.

April 26 Zoo-To-Do For Kids Audubon Zoo audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztdk Presented by the Children’s Hospital, New Orleans’s premier benefit event for kids includes giant inflatables, crafts, magicians, live entertainment on several stages, and complimentary food and drink in the zoo.

April 26-27 Parks Cracklin’ Cook-Off Cecile Rousseau Poche' Memorial Park, St. Parks parkscracklincookoff.com This festival brings you live entertainment, a cook-off, a $5,000 raffle, and a poker run.

Musicians include Straight Whiskey, Louisiana Gold, Pepper Jelly, and Corey Ledet Zydeco.

April 26-28 Festival de la Prairie St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Prairieville facebook.com/events/296183211076994 This festival will feature a silent auction, live music, rides, food, face and hair painting, and a 5k and 1-mile fun run. The music lineup includes performances by the Chase Tyler Band, Hair Karate, the DTHS Jazz Band, Artemis, and more.

French Quarter Easter Parade April 21

Hangout Fest May 16-19 (Gulf Shores, AL)

Extended Festing

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Five Festivals To Check Out Beyond New Orleans

By Landon Murray

E

very year, we as a city get embroiled in the spring festival season, with its many spices and variety. It got us thinking: What are your options if Jazz Fest or one of the other local festivals simply isn’t enough to satisfy you? In response, we’ve put together a list of some fun, diverse events that are suitable for those with the roadrunner spirit. Some of these are better than others, but for a passionate music fan and engaged listener, there are plenty of music events all across the country to get excited about.

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL Miami, Florida, March 29-31 LINEUP: Deadmau5, the Chainsmokers, Richie Hawtin, Tiesto, Sasha & Digweed ...

EDM, or Electronic Dance Music, isn’t nearly as gigantic as it was just a few years ago, but this fest, held on the coast of Miami, still brings in huge crowds. All the heavyweights of the genre are there, and I’m sure crowds will follow. I’ve heard it feels awesome there in the Spring, and with beautiful views of the shores and skyscrapers, fans will have a great time.

COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Indio, California, April 12-14 & April 19-21 LINEUP: Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Arianna Grande, Weezer ...

Probably the best-known festival in the country, Coachella kicks off right before Jazz Fest. For 15+ years now, music-lovers have traveled there in much the same way that throngs of people attend Jazz Fest. The times have changed in terms of lineup expectations, but it’s still a marvelous festival that has something for almost everyone. This festival will sell out, likely before this article is even published, but when the will is strong enough, people figure out a way to get tickets.

FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE LOUISIANE Lafayette, Louisiana, April 24-28 LINEUP: Tank and the Bangas, Anders Osborne, Sweet Crude, Cha Wa ...

This festival really is a gem, not only for the people of this always-growing city, but for music fans who enjoy free fests and acts that come from a vast number of countries.

I went many times during my years living in Lafayette, and on more than one occasion, I went in without knowing any of the bands gracing the stages—and that’s part of the charm. You can find funk from Africa, Middle Eastern bands, local favorites that everyone loves, and plenty of acts in between. The price tag to enter is nothing, but the fest still needs to survive. Donations are always welcome, and there’s plenty of delicious world food and arts and crafts to purchase for all who attend.

SHAKY KNEES Atlanta, Georgia, May 3-5 LINEUP: Tears for Fears, Dashboard Confessional, Cage the Elephant, Incubus ...

I’ve been to this festival three of the last four years, and honestly, it’s amazing—wellplanned and organized—and the lineup is always top-notch. With acts like Tame Impala and Beck filling out the top 4, not to mention acts like Interpol, Foals, and Japanese Breakfast rounding out the bill, it’s another exceptional weekend. Even if you aren’t familiar with it, it’s worth it, and it may even end up being a regular event that gives you great music, friends, and endless memories.

HANGOUT FEST Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 16-19 LINEUP: Travis Scott, the Lumineers, Vampire Weekend, Cardi B, Walk the Moon ...

Though I’m not a big beach person, this festival has many other redeeming qualities, including its food and music options. Not to mention, I will say this: I’ve had many friends who have gone and had amazing experiences. If the lineup flavor is up your alley, then it’s sure to be a great weekend of dancing and relaxing on the beach. If not, you still have plenty of other festivals that might be just what you’re looking for.

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 15

PoBoys is fantastic and kind. My po-boy came out quickly, and they checked back in to make sure I was happy with my choice. It made visiting the restaurant very comfortable. While I ate, I read through the multiple stellar reviews the restaurant proudly has on display.

They’re well-earned.

Vegging Out New Orleans’s Top 20 Spring Veggie Dishes

By Alison Cohen

N

its name. For $10, you’ll find yourself with a massive bowl of quinoa, avocado, carrots, ew Orleans is widely known for beets, bell peppers, scallions, chickpeas, its gastrointestinal-tantalizing currants, and toasted almonds, tossed in a masterpieces. Crawfish beignets, king zesty ginger-garlic dressing. WHEW! cake milkshakes, and even the Try saying that five times fast. french fry po-boy—we love Vegetable freaks, this place you so much. In a fried may just be your heaven. seafood-loving city, however, one can’t help 19. Namese’s Vegan but wonder: What does Phở the healthier world Namese Vietnamese of NOLA eating have Restaurant: 4077 to offer? Can a salad Tulane Ave., (504) 483really hold a carrot to 8899, namese.net a classic New Orleans If you’re looking indulgence like shrimp for a hot bowl of phở and grits? to warm up, Namese in I spent the last month Mid-City is the place to get combing New Orleans it. They’re known for their restaurants for vegetable2 0. “shaken phở,” which uses t hardy gems, and trust e The Daily Be a beef bone marrow broth me, if you’re a vegetarian, and a wok-seared protein, but the you’re hardly in a pickle in this city. vegan option is just as delicious. It features Vegetable-lovers, rejoice: This spring, it’s fresh bok choy, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, time to let those colorful veggies take onions, and mushrooms. Namese prides center stage. themselves on their phở having more flavor These NOLA restaurants are making than what you’ll typically find. veggie dishes so good that you won’t even notice the animal carcass 18. Killer PoBoys’s Roasted missing from your plate.

Sweet Potato Po-Boy Best of all, you don’t have Killer PoBoys: 219 to break the bank to Dauphine St., (504) 462indulge your rabbit-diet 2731, killerpoboys.com cravings. We’re going to Killer PoBoys countdown the top 20 advertises both veggie veggie-friendly entrees and vegan options, that the Crescent City which piqued my has to offer. interest, considering that’s a rarity for a po20. The Daily Beet’s boy spot. The French Rainbow Bowl bread was perfectly The Daily Beet: 1000 fresh, and it was slathered Girod St. and 2381 St. with a hefty black-eyed Claude Ave., (504) 60518. pea and pecan spread that s 4413, thedailybeetnola.com Killer PoBoy contrasted the sweet braised All hail King of New Orleans greens and sweet potato. The meaty vegetable dining, the Daily Beet. The yet meatless sandwich offered delicious, Daily Beet’s menu is the spring garden Thanksgiving-like flavors. Be sure to grab of your dreams, configured into a variety some Zapp’s and a root beer on the side. of salads, juices, and toasts. Their most It’s worth noting that the service at Killer popular bowl, the Rainbow Bowl, lives up to

16 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

mixing deliciously light greens tossed in coco-lime dressing with sinfully deep-fried and salted green plantains and mushroom tofu. The mango dip provides the perfect antidote to the salty treats that top the salad. It’s large, but you will gobble down the entire thing.

14. Atchafalaya’s 17. MaxWell’s Vegetable Scramble Stuffed Avocado Atchafalaya Max Well: 6101 Restaurant: 901 Magazine St., Louisiana Ave., (504) 301-0510, (504) 891-9626, maxwellneworleans. atchafalayarestaurant. com com Owner Maxwell Eaton All of the vegetables started the restaurant to at Atchafalaya are locally “stick up for vegetarians,” sourced, resulting in a and he does exactly that menu glowing with fresh 17. MaxWell with his new spring menu. The veggie gems. While the stuffed avocado instantly gives you traditional vegetarian won’t find NOLA vibes with its vegan cashew chickpea much on the menu, they only need one remoulade. MaxWell has expanded its menu egg-cellent entrée: the vegetable scramble. this year to include more global influences.

The chef rotates the veggies (mine included Eaton explained that as a vegetarian himself, Brussels sprouts and leeks), but always he knows that vegetarians often have to tops it off with plenty of Parmesan and look to non-American cultures and cuisines hollandaise sauce. It’ll have you scrambling when dining out. He describes for more. While you’re there, try out his new food endeavors as the fabulous make-your-own “familiar territory.” Whether Bloody Mary bar. you’re on your home turf when dining vegan 13. El Vegano Arepa or if vegetables are from La Cocinita in completely Greek Pythian Market to you, MaxWell will La Cocinita at Pythian impress you with a Market: 234 Loyola variety of flavors in Ave., (504) 481-9599, creative dishes. pythianmarket.com The cornmeal patties 16. Bennachin’s Kone are tasty and hefty ni Makondo enough to satisfy any Bennachin: 1212 Royal sad celiac’s bread craving. ) However, the real star is the 15 St., (504) 522-1230, et . Fr rk bennachinrestaurant.com colorful vegetable mélange. itai a (St. Roch M Bennachin brings tasty The arepas are bursting with West African fare to the French roasted cauliflower, corn, and Quarter. The back of the menu notes that carrot sofrito topped with Guasacasa (a the language on the menu comes from Venezuelan version of guacamole), salsa the Bassa people of Cameroon and the verde, and pico de gallo. The best part is Mandinka people of Gambia. Although that when you finish one arepa, there’s only six dishes are listed underneath the another arepa to polish off—two for $10, vegetable section of the menu, and so very worth it. vegans need not worry, because every entrée can 12. Good Karma Café’s be made without meat, Fire Burger on a Salad and not a single dish Good Karma Café: 2940 on the menu contains Canal St., (504) 401dairy.

4698, goodkarmanola.

The table next to me com spent 15 minutes If you’re driving arguing over what down Canal Street, appetizers to split just you may miss Good because everything Karma Café. The hidden looks so good. Try the gem of a veggie-only Kone ni Makondo, a restaurant lies tucked black-eyed pea, onion, and in the back of Swan River tomato stew.

Yoga. The entire menu is plant-based and delicious, 13. L a Cocinita 15. Eva’s Salad Bowl at Fritai and I could have hung out in in St. Roch Market the café’s relaxing atmosphere all Fritai at St. Roch Market: 2381 St. day long. When I asked around about a Claude Ave., (504) 609-3813, neworleans. favorite dish on the menu, the answer was strochmarket.com/fritai unanimous: the fire burger on a Brahma This fresh bowl blends yin and yang by salad.

Celebrate Easter 2019!

36th Annual Chris Owens’ Easter Sunday Celebration April 21st

Join Us at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel at 11 am Hat Contest w/ Prizes & More!

Easter Parade Participants: Cocktail Party at Chris Owens’ Club Saturday, April 20 Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, champagne and wine, followed

by Chris Owens’ Easter show.

Parade Starts at 1 pm at the Omni Royal Orleans For tickets to all events, call:

Kitsy Adams 504-495-8383

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 17

8. Juan’s Flying Burrito’s BBQ Mushroom Tacos Juan's Flying Burrito: 2018 Magazine St., 5538 Magazine St., 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., 515 Baronne St., (504) 569-0000, 11. Mimi’s in the Marigny’s juansflyingburrito.com Vegetarian Tapas I may go to Juan’s for a Mimi's in the Marigny, large frozen margarita 2601 Royal St., (504) 872after a tough day of 9868, mimismairgny. work, but I’ll stay for com the delicious BBQ You’ll have a hard mushroom tacos. The time deciding which $10 entrée features tapas to choose at this ancho BBQ sauce, Marigny hotspot. The roasted mushrooms, menu is broken down cheddar-jack and goat into vegetarian and cheeses, arugula, and carnivorous or a “trustsalsa fonda. The flavors me tapa” for guests who blend beautifully, and the can’t make up their minds tacos will definitely become 11. y your new Juan’s go-to order among all the enticing Mim ign (after the margaritas, that is). options. Opt for the sweet i's in the Mar potato leek empanadas, the local greens with bleu cheese, or maybe just 7. Saba’s Brussels Sprouts Hummus the entire menu. Play a game of pool and Saba: 5757 Magazine St., (504) 324-7770, drink a beer while you wait for tasty tapa eatwithsaba.com after tasty tapa to come out.

Chef Alon Shaya’s new restaurant, Saba, presents Israeli fair with vegetable gusto.

10. Poke Loa’s Veggie Bowl The Brussels sprouts hummus features a Poke Loa: Multiple locations, creamy smooth hummus base eatpokeloa.com topped with crispy Brussels Poke seems to have sprouts, spicy chilies, exploded in popularity in caramelized onions, New Orleans, and no and black garlic, one does it better than accompanied by the Poke Loa. The custom chef’s signature pillowy veggie bowl, ringing pita bread. It will have in at $12.00 for a you wishing you’d two-scoop bowl and gone alone, so you $14.00 for a threedidn't have to share. scoop, is a vegetarian’s Don’t fret, though; dream. The bowl boasts there are plenty of baby cucumbers, sweet other vegetable-heavy onion, avocado, seaweed small plates to share, such salad, edamame, mango, as the shakshouka or the 8. J ito uan ginger, sesame seeds, and Moroccan carrot salad. r r 's Flying Bu tofu, all mixed together with various sauces, atop brown rice and a 6. Eggplant Platter from Torshi spring mix. at St. Rock Market Torshi at St. Roch Market: 2381 St. 9. Surrey’s Veggie Omelet and Veggie Claude Ave., (504) 609-3813, neworleans.

Po-Boy strochmarket.com/torshi Surrey's Cafe & Juice Bar, 1418 Magazine This eggplant from St. Roch Market’s St., (504) 524-3828, surreysnola.com Mediterranean and New Orleans You can’t help but love fusion vendor is all you could Surrey’s from the moment ever dream of. It comes you walk in. The bright perfectly spiced with not colors, local art, one, but two sides. Opt neighborhood vibe, for a side salad, and and constantly flowing you’ll get a delightfully coffee create a picture fresh romaine-tomatoof a hometown diner cucumber combo with on Magazine Street. a fresh herb dressing If you’re going for that will perfectly breakfast, you can’t complement the hefty beat a veggie omelet eggplant. with that endless coffee.

The secret of Surrey’s, 5. Bywater American however, is the opposite Bistro’s Little Gem Salad side of the menu: lunch. and Vegetable Sides 7. Saba The roasted veggie po-boy is Bywater American Bistro, plain delicious. The herb-roasted 2900 Chartres St., (504) 605-3827, vegetables, goat cheese, and pesto on bywateramericanbistro.com French bread make a combo that you’ll wolf At Bywater American Bistro, you feast down. with your eyes before a morsel of food makes it to your mouth. Beautiful dishes The house-made veggie burger is spicy and sits atop a bed of greens with sprouted mung, tomato, avocado, creamy almond dressing, and balsamic vinaigrette.

18 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

and atmosphere are found at the Bywater’s hottest new fine-dining spot. Be sure to indulge in side dishes and appetizers in addition to your main course. The chefs put just as much culinary artistry into the little plates.

The gem of their menu is the little gem salad, featuring a whipped avocado butter, filé powder, soft herbs, and hazelnuts.

This party of flavors melts together into a savory combo you won’t put aside. You won’t want to share the side dishes, either.

The roasted cabbage, carrot curry, and charred okra shine as a trio next to any dish.

Seed isn’t any old vegan restaurant. Even picky eaters can find a dish on the menu that excites them, with options ranging from Southern fried nuggets to raw pad thai. The Saint Claude destination even features a bar with organic wines, beers, and cocktails. As I perused the menu, one lingering question remained: Can the vegan version measure up to the real thing?

Enter the vegetable etouffée: For $12, this flavorful take on the New Orleans classic knocks it out of the park. The spicy vegetable base over brown rice comes with a mix of inseason vegetables and 3. S toasted French bread to sop neak y Pickle 4. Lebanon Cafe’s Sautéed up the deliciousness. The vegan Vegetable Plate delicacies here are sure to impress.

Lebanon Cafe: 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com 1. Sweet Soulfood’s Chicken-Fried Lebanon’s is a pour-your-own wine Cauliflower restaurant, and believe it or not, the news Sweet Soulfood: 1016 N. Broad St., (504) only gets better from there. This Uptown 821-2669, sweetvegansoulfood.com spot is a favorite among locals who When I walked into Sweet rave about the many options Soulfood, I immediately pulled of Middle Eastern fare on out my phone to check the menu. if I had walked into the The sautéed right place. This place vegetable plate comes is supposed to be as a giant mound of vegan, and I clearly eggplant, onions, saw fried chicken carrots, tomatoes, and mac ‘n’ cheese squash, cauliflower, proudly displayed on broccoli, and bell the counter. I was just peppers. Best of all, it’s about to walk out the topped with hunks of door when I heard the mozzarella cheese. What woman in front of me more could you want? order the “chicken-fried Did I hear you say all the cauliflower.” CAULIFLOWER? hummus you could dream True to its name, the 2 . Seed of? That’s on the menu, too. chicken-fried cauliflower looks like real deep-fried chicken, 3. Sneaky Pickle’s Heirloom Carrot but I decided to take a risk and order it, Salad along with collard greens and portobello Sneaky Pickle: 4017 St. Claude Ave, (504) mushrooms. I had every intention of saving 218-5651, yousneakypickle.com half of my food for lunch the next day, but it I never thought I could love a carrot so was too good not to put down in one sitting. much until I met Sneaky Pickle’s The crispy nuggets made me forget heirloom carrot salad. Consider that I was eating plants. Fried my vision ready to be chicken, you have met your improved. Topped with a match. peanut ginger dressing, Regulars in line also the carrots smack raved about the taco you in the face with salad and the fresha citrusy Southeast pressed juices that Asian flavor. Although Sweet Soulfood serves the dish is vegan, daily. They also offer Sneaky Pickle has up a different menu plenty of meaty every day of the week. options you could use Be sure to come in to lure your carnivore hungry. friends along. All of the vegetables at Sneaky Pickle That’s a wrap for the are sourced from farms in top 20 veggie dishes this 1. S weet Soulfood the New Orleans area, except spring! Even the biggest couch for the potatoes. potatoes among us will want to hit the town for these dishes, which are cool as 2. Seed’s Vegetable Etouffée a cucumber. Happy (and healthy) eating!

Seed: 1330 Prytania St. and 2372 St. Claude Ave., (504) 302-2599, seedyourhealth.com

Nikki’s Boutique Open 24/7 107 Chartres St • (504) 302-2095 •

NikkisFrenchQuarterHalloweenStore

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 19

Secret Soup

Vietnamese Phở’s Older, More Aggressive Brother: Bún Bò Huế

By Jason Vowell

T

As the pots stew away for hours, finely julienned banana blossoms, red cabbage, he sun is still shy to rise as a large, and water spinach are piled onto small, pastel heavy-bottomed pot meets the blueplates. Thick rice noodles are boiled until orange flicker of flames, and a mixture of springy and toothsome. Thinly sliced beef beef bones and pork trotters rain down with shank, trotters, congealed pork blood cubes, bruised lemongrass to commingle in a sauna fried tofu, and chả lụa (a Vietnamese-style pork of onions, ginger, fish sauce, and pineapples. sausage) are added to large bowls. Ribbons Skilled hands carefully skim the foam of white onion, scallion, and cilantro join. gathering at the rim. Thai chilies, clove, star The magical broth is ladled over the anise, and black cardamom join the ingredients until they are drowned bubbling broth. in the elixir and served with Rich, aromatic steam crisp bean sprouts, medicinal humidifies the kitchen as the herbs, sinus-clearing green chef moves methodically chilies, tart lime, and, if between tasks, preparing lucky, additional shrimp beef shanks, brisket, paste to adjust the and knuckle bones. funkiness of the bowl to She tastes the stock. your liking.

Decades of muscle Far off, a bell rings memory—taste as the bowl hits the memory—flavor this pass. Hands clasp the broth. There is no blistering bowl, and feet shortcut to the perfect shuffle in an ancient dance, balance achieved by choreographed to perfectly the proper breakdown of avoid spilling a single drop. collagens, fats, and muscles, The bowl slides gently in front of TAN DINH with infused herbs and spices. you. Steam rises to caress your face The addition of annatto oil, shallots, as you dip your spoon into the crimson and chilies brings forth the heat and sultry broth. As it reaches your lips, oxytocin floods scarlet color. Most importantly, fermented your bloodstream, and for a moment, the world shrimp paste provides the deep umami and and all its cruelty melt away. You are alone with slight sourness that bring balance to the force. this ancient, secret soup.

The backbone of this soup—and its main Congratulations. You have just been served ingredient—is time. But not just hours of a bowl of Vietnamese phở’s older, more simmering, the condensing of flavors— aggressive brother: bún bò Huế. centuries of trial and error passed between To translate, bún bò Huế literally means dynasties and peasants. Grandmothers and “vermicelli noodles and beef,” a soupy wonder grandchildren. Chef and cook and apprentice. that hails from the central Vietnam city of The flavor of many generations.

20 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

Huế. The translation isn’t exactly accurate. No two bowls of bún bò Huế are alike. Regional styles, family recipes, and adaptations catering to Western palates have all made the exact definition hard to pin down, including the addition of pork, tofu, and fish balls. I’ve seen it all, right here in the greater New Orleans area, all under the umbrella of bún bò Huế.

Beat poet, writer, and traveler William S. Burroughs coined the term “naked lunch”: that frozen moment when everyone sees what is on the end of every fork. Or chopsticks, in this case.

This is my naked lunch.

Frightfully uninformed and massively naive, armed only with the lust of a man in love with soup, I embarked on an adventure in search of the perfect bowl of nourishment on a cold and wintery New Orleans day.

In short, I couldn’t have been more unqualified: a corn-fed, land-locked Midwestern boy who had never tasted cilantro until I was 22 years old. What was I doing, crisscrossing through parishes to try to get a handle on exactly what makes this Far Eastern food item so satisfying?

After several belly-busting months of consuming and documenting each bowl eaten, I’ve put together a personal Top 10. By no means should this be deemed definitive. I’m no expert in Vietnamese cuisine. I am not a chef. The villagers will rise with their pitchforks and call me blasphemous for excluding their personal favorites from this list. I am prepared for this backlash. Bring it on. I welcome any open conversation that shines a light on such an overlooked and delicious dish.

We are lucky to have such a thriving Vietnamese community in New Orleans. Just like the Canadian French brought their nouvelle cuisine to the swamps of Acadiana and created Cajun food, or how unmistakable African and Caribbean flavors are the basis of Creole cooking, the Vietnamese have greatly influenced the food in our city.

What are the chances that Vietnamese bún bò Huế will be uttered in the same sentence as gumbo someday? Or that bánh mì will become as recognizably New Orleans as a roast beef poboy with extra gravy, dressed? Unlikely?

Yes. Undeserving? You tell me after you take my advice and order the bún bò Huế next time instead of that chicken phở. Let’s be adventurous.

Here, in no specific order, are my favorites:

BA MIEN: $8.50 small, $10.50 large 13235 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans East, bamien.com It was like high school all over again. She walked through the shimmering banquet room in slow motion while the soft music of Vietnamese television filled my ears and the smell of grilling pork and boiling broths filled my nose. She placed before me a steaming bowl of scarlet soup. My heart fluttered. My hands went clammy. Confused euphoria set in as I stared into this seductive bowl; I knew it was love at first sight. Ba Mien makes one seriously satisfying soup. This bowl shines with oil, and the chilis float gracefully around massive chunks of blood cake. Garlic, lemongrass, and fish sauce all shine through. Thinly shaved beef melts on your tongue. Banana blossoms, perilla leaves, Thai basil, and red cabbage pack a unique and authentic herbaceousness as well as a balanced bitter element. If I could swim in this bowl, I would.

TAN DINH: $9.50 small, $13.99 large 1705 Lafayette St., Gretna I have a friend who calls me every time he gets a craving for bún bò Huế because he knows if I am free and able, I’ll be on the way to meet him at Tan Dinh before the phone even disconnects. I’ve probably eaten this bowl more than any other in New Orleans. The smaller size is huge, and the bigger one frightens me. The rich beef broth is thick and oily with cooked-down bones, and the pleasant acidity of lemongrass hits you immediately. There is a subtle heat that can be augmented by the selfservice station of chili pastes and fish sauces.

The trotters are the size of my fists and much meatier than others in town. The beef in this bowl is rich, and the addition of Vietnamese meatballs ensures you will have to loosen that belt a notch when you leave.

PHO SUNRISE: $9.95 2305 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Kenner The first thing you notice when you get this steaming hot bowl of bún bò Huế is the bright, blood-red color of the broth. Your mouth begins to salivate as the aromatic steam bathes your face. Smells of grilled steak with a hint of sweetness fill your nose.

You taste the crimson broth, and, to your surprise, it is not as spicy as it appears; instead, TD SEAFOOD & PHO it is rich and heavy HOUSE: $8.75 with a lusty, pleasant 1028 Manhattan Blvd., mineral taste. Marbled Ste. E, Harvey beef shank is the star of After a dizzying number this bowl. The broth clings of bowls, I can say without a to the bouncy noodles. doubt that TD Seafood & Pho The addition of green leaf House in Harvey is absolutely lettuce adds a bright crunch my favorite. At $8.75, this is a to the soup, along with the PHO E SUNRIS total belly-filler. The broth is heavy usual garnishes. Pho Sunrise is with lemongrass and has a deep shrimptucked away in a strip mall, like many of paste umami. It is beefy, with just the right ratio Kenner’s best eats. But don’t let that dissuade of fat and a slow, chili burn. The toppings are you; it is worth the trip out west, brah. really the stars of this bowl. Traditional beef shank is whisper-tender. Hunks of tendon bob PHO BANG: $8.00 in the red broth, begging to be picked up with 14367 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans East, your fingers and gnawed on to get every last phobangnola.com gelatinous bit. Fried tofu is a welcome addition, You may think you know Pho Bang. But you as well as the peppery and delicious chả lụa. probably don’t really know Pho Bang. With Cubes of blood cake are plentiful. Don’t rush; four locations bearing the name in the New this is a bowl to savor.

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because of the easy accessibility of another.

But each Pho Bang, in my experience, has been completely unique. Nestled into a Vietnamese strip mall in New Orleans East, this Pho Bang stands on its own. The bowl of bún bò Huế appears simple—it is anything but. While they surprisingly don’t do blood cake here, they do make their broth with oxtail, giving the stock a certain richness that, on a cold day, can bring a tear to my eye. The meat in this bowl is the best in town.

It flakes apart. It’s buttery. It evaporates on the tongue.

It is a magic trick of soupy wonder. The texture of the noodles here is closer to wheat handpulled noodles than rice noodles, lending them a “slurpability” that rice noodles usually lack.

will need a handful of napkins to dab the sweat that accumulates on your brow.

DONG PHUONG: $8.50 14207 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans East, dpbakeshop.com It would be safe to say that most New Orleanians wouldn’t know that you can get more at this James Beard Award-winning spot than the cheapest, most amazing bánh mì and the creamiest, fluffiest king cakes.

But why travel all the way out to the east without munching down on some bún bò Huế as well? For over 35 years, this restaurant has served the Vietnamese population in New Orleans East a taste of their homeland and has PHO CAM LY: $7.50 produced some of the best 3814 Magazine St., New breads and pastries in town.

Orleans, phocamly.com But don’t fill up on steamed DON Owned by Sisters Mung buns in the bakery; they make G PHUONG and Minh and named after the a MEAN bún bò Huế here as waterfall in the city where they were well—packed with trotters, blood cake, born, Pho Cam Ly produces consistently and peppery chả lụa. This is a murky bowl, just delicious food and has a warm, welcoming like the swamps and bayous surrounding the vibe that makes the family-run joint feel restaurant. It’s sweet, sour, spicy, and fatty. This more like your grandmother’s house than a bowl delivers on all levels. Next, go to the bakery bustling restaurant on the trendy Magazine and get yourself one of those awesome dragon Street stretch. Simplicity reigns here. This is cakes to take home. a great introduction to bún bò Huế for those apprehensive about taking the plunge off the SAIGON NOODLE HOUSE: $8.95 phở deep end. There is no blood cake. No funky 925 Behrman Hwy., Terrytown (inside Hong tofu. No pig’s feet trotting around this bowl. But Kong Market) there is the familiar beef, sliced so thin that it’s If you aren’t already shopping at Hong Kong almost translucent. The tell-tale assertiveness Market in Terrytown, then you just aren’t living of lemongrass and a hint of the sourness kick your best life. The market has the largest this bowl up a notch from normal phở, without selection of international foods in the greater being as aggressive as your uncle at the dinner New Orleans Area, and you can get lost in aisle table after a couple of Coors Lights. I say start after aisle of sauces, noodles, fresh fish, meat, here and work your way up to the beasts of bún and produce. If all of that shopping makes you bò Huế. And have a chat with the sisters; they hungry, you are in luck. Saigon Noodle house are delightful. sits directly outside the Market's sliding glass doors. The bún bò Huế here is fantastic and PHO TAU BAY: $8.50 small, $9.50 large packed with fresh ingredients from the Market.

1565 Tulane Ave., They load up the chả lụa in this bowl. photaubayrestaurant.com It is meaty and spicy. And the You can’t discuss people-watching through the Vietnamese food in New giant glass windows looking Orleans without including into the Market makes this Pho Tau Bay: originally a spot a great place to pass stall in the Algiers Flea an afternoon slurpin’ Market, then a beloved noodles. restaurant on the Westbank Expressway, DI VANG: $10.00 and now a staple of 2139 Stumpf Blvd., Ste. Vietnamese food on the F, Gretna Tulane Avenue hospital If I tell you about this corridor. Pho Tau Bay was place, I’ll have to kill you. undoubtably an introduction No, seriously. Don’t go here. to this spicy, sour, and sweet It’s a secret, and I shouldn’t cuisine for the palates of even be talking about this dark PHO C many New Orleanians. The bún little karaoke bar in a strip mall AM LY bò Huế here tastes like it is made across from a Sewage and Water with history mixed into the ingredients. It is Board drainage canal that flows to the unapologetically spicy, and the broth is heavyMississippi River. I shouldn’t be telling you about handed with the fishy flavor of shrimp paste. the absolutely insane Vietnamese street food To borrow a term from another cuisine, the we feasted on in a smoke-filled room without noodles here shift toward a more al dente chew. windows. Or the spicy noodles we slurped. This The restaurant is fast-paced and filled with hidden gem has one of the best bowls of bún nurses, doctors, and business people slurping bò Huế in New Orleans; it is aggressively spicy. up noodles all hours of the day. The savory and This broth is as deep and complex as the words spicy broth will linger in your mouth, long after running across the karaoke screens. Perfect you pull the parking ticket off your car. And you noodles, perfect broth.

22 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

pouring inspiration cooking creativity COOCKTAILS & BAR BITES

139 chartres WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 23

Fitness Faux Pas

5.

Unnecessary grunting, loud music, and dropping of weights. If you always wear headphones and listen to music at the gym, you may or may not notice the loud grunting noises coming from the weight room. However, it may hit you one time when you have a “stage-four screamer” on the squat rack. This is disturbing for anyone in the gym. If you’re grunting or slamming weights on the ground, reconsider how heavy you're lifting.

Realistically, you want to use appropriate weight so that you can control the weight through the whole range of motion of the exercise and control it safely as you put it down. Otherwise, you may end up hurting yourself or someone next to you. Also, make sure the volume of your headphones is at a level that only you can hear. Again, the idea is to preserve your own eardrums and spare your fellow gym-goers the aggravation.

6.

Talking on the phone. In most gyms, you will see a sign prohibiting cell phone usage in the workout areas. This is simply recognized as proper gym etiquette. Obviously, talking on your cell phone can be really distracting and disruptive to other people who are working out. Check your cell phone conversations at the entrance.

7.

Hoarding the space around you. Between the extra equipment and your personal belongings, you may have managed to take up the majority of the floor space. Try using a locker, which most gyms have, for your personal belongings.

But you might need to bring your own lock or consider leaving valuables in your locked car or at home before you head to the gym. However, it’s not just your gear that might get in people's way. Think about how close you are working out to the person next to you. Many people will take weights off a rack and use them directly in front of you. Think of yourself and carefully stake out your real estate when it’s really busy. Be mindful about where you actually are in the space at the gym.

8.

Gym eavesdropping and social hour. Have you ever noticed, while on the treadmill, that the person next to you may be eavesdropping on your conversation with your friend? One surprising pet peeve is when that strange person makes a comment or facial expression in response to your discussion.

Bug off! Or how about the water cooler group hanging around the leg press and leg curl machines? The common misconception in this situation is that the machines are designed more for talking than exercising. This is not social hour, although many people may use the equipment like a couch at a coffee shop. Keep moving! The idea is to keep your heart rate up while you exercise, not your mouth moving.

9.

The omnipotent workout person. There is always one person at the gym who may look like the fitness guru and readily gives recommendations to those gym irregulars. Don’t be fooled!

Your individualized exercise program may not be up to par in that person’s opinion, but remember your body is different than his or hers. You should follow your own workout plan and seek the right advice from a professional personal trainer.

The 10 Most Common Gym Mistakes

By Celeste Turner

W

hether it’s your first time at the gym or you just need an etiquette refresher, there are habits that nobody likes and can be avoided. Consequently, I have compiled a list of the 10 most common gym mistakes that were voiced by fitness club regulars.

1.

2.

Hogging the machine. How many times have you heard as a child, “Be nice and share”? Maybe a few individuals missed that lesson in kindergarten. Generally, in most health clubs and gyms, there is a sign that indicates a 30-minute time limit for cardiovascular equipment. However, inevitably, there is always one guy or girl who feels privileged and remains on the elliptical for 45 minutes or even an hour during busy times, without consequences. If you feel like 30 minutes isn’t enough cardio, then split up your workout. You can either jump on another piece of cardio equipment, like the treadmill or stepmill, for the additional time. Or, you can go to the weight room and do some strength training. Remember, you can also share in the weight room. Only take the dumbbells that you are actually going to use and try not to stockpile your weights.

Stealing a machine. Sometimes, you may leave a piece of equipment to go make a quick trip to the restroom or for a sip of water. When you return, you find that someone has jumped onto your machine. This is a pet peeve for any gym regular! If you plan on leaving your piece of equipment, keep your eye on it or leave your water bottle. Try to return within a minute or two to ensure that you still have possession. If someone leaves his or her piece of equipment, be mindful and wait a few minutes before you take it over.

3.

Leaving your stamp of bodily fluids on the equipment.

It is not only disgusting to think about sharing your sweat with others, but it can also spread serious germs, including cold viruses, the flu, and nasty staph infections. An easy solution would be to put a towel between you and the equipment and then wipe it down after, regardless of whether you’re profusely sweating or not. Another suggestion would be to do a preliminary wipe-down. Remember, not everyone cleans up after they are finished on a machine.

4.

Not re-racking your weights. This question often comes to mind for those who frequent the gym: “Do you think that the weights are going to rack themselves?” When you are done with your selected pieces of equipment, the proper etiquette is to return them to the same place you found them. No one should have to clean up after you, and no one should have to wander around looking for a piece of equipment, like a 12-pound dumbbell. Returning gear to its rightful home is helpful, in order to keep the floor space clear of hazards.

24 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

10. Excessive locker room nudity. Maybe you’re in the habit of walking around naked at home, but please do not feel that this is appropriate behavior in the gym’s locker room. A quick change of clothes is seemingly harmless. But, flagrantly walking around in your “birthday suit,” sitting your bare bottom on the bench, and carelessly flashing your private parts to all in the locker room, is unacceptable. Stay mindful of others and their comfort level in the gym.

Although the gym may be an intimidating place, there is a secret code of conduct. Checking off and avoiding these peeving behaviors before you head to the gym may help. These solutions to common gym mistakes are meant as a way to keep you and other gym-goers safe, to help you feel more confident and comfortable, and to help you get the most out of your gym visit.

Celeste Turner is a writer, blogger, and fitness guru who was born and raised in New Orleans. Please email comments, suggestions, or ideas for articles to (cmturner10966@gmail.com) or check out her website at celestefit.com.

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classic, celebrating the sexual and emotional roots. Returning to her hometown in 1988, independence of a Gulf Coast woman who Rice continued to write about New Orleans puts her own happiness first. vampires, witches, and ghosts and even found Lafcadio Hearn—This veritable man of that formerly harsh critics were beginning the world was an author and established to warm up to her tales of sensuous, gothicjournalist who changed the landscape of based horror. Returning to California after New Orleans newspapers during his 10her husband’s death in 2004, the agnostic year “tenure” in the city. His penmanshipRice converted to Catholicism and wrote presentation of New Orleans did the critically acclaimed novels Christ much to promote the worldthe Lord: Out of Egypt and Christ class mystique of the city at a the Lord: The Road to Cana. national level, representing Her latest novel, Ramses it as a disconnected the Damned: The Passion slice of Europe that of Cleopatra, was cofound itself tacked written with her son onto a country whose Christopher and is the ways were alien by sequel to her 1989 comparison. Many of novel The Mummy. And Hearn’s articles were yes, she’s also written also accompanied by about werewolves. woodblock illustrations, What better place is some of which served as there for all of these

By Jeff Boudreaux the first-ever newspaper creatures of the night than cartoons in the city. Lafcadio the supernatural mecca that Hearn’s non-fiction writings is New Orleans?

Lafc of that film, as an example of uncensored adio Hearn are probably best sampled in Other writers with ties to the erotic and homosexual subtext, free from he city of New Orleans has long been the collection Inventing New Orleans, state of Louisiana to look for include the sanitizing Hollywood production code of the inspiration for some of the world’s which should be required reading for anyone Arna Bontemps. Born in 1902 in Alexandria, the 1950s. Masterworks such as Cat on greatest authors, who put pen to paper who loves New Orleans. Hearn would LA to a family of Creoles, he would become a Hot Tin Roof, Sweet Bird of Youth, gleefully from the unparalleled comforts also immortalize Louisiana’s one of the most prominent writers of the and Suddenly Last Summer of a metropolis that has always served deadly 1856 hurricane in his Harlem Renaissance as the author of radical would follow before Williams as a gateway between the Old World and 1888 marriage of truth and poetry and novels, as well as numerous penned the final love the New. Or so it seems. From arguably fiction, Chita: A Memory of children’s books, including the Newberry letter to his muse, 1977’s the greatest playwright who ever lived, Last Island. It was around Award-winner Story of the Negro. Notable autobiographical Vieux the incomparable Tennessee Williams, to this time that he made adult-themed works include his first novel Carré. homespun novelists such as Kate Chopin his way to Japan, where God Sends Sunday and 1936’s Black Thunder, Kate Chopin— and Anne Rice, New Orleans has proven he would teach and a gripping account of a failed slave revolt With themes ranging to be the perfect breeding ground for write extensively about that is a must-read for anyone interested in from miscegenation drama, romance, horror, eroticism, and all his new country until abolitionist history. to rampant sexual things Southern. Let us explore several of his death in 1904. As A discussion of great local authors must desire, the works of Kate Louisiana’s most renowned authors and their a naturalized Japanese undoubtedly also include Ernest J. Gaines, Chopin have rightfully essential works, where some light reading citizen, he changed his who has won a plethora of awards for taken their place in recent can very well become an act of local pride name to Koizumi Yakumo. his fiction, including the coveted National years as revolutionary and a highly rewarding history lesson.

He was survived by a wife Medal of Arts. Born on a plantation to fifthfeminist literature. Born in Tennessee Williams—The name itself and four children and was generation sharecroppers in 1933, Gaines K a St. Louis in 1850, Kate would te Chopin evokes images of the South, in all its romantic buried in Tokyo. Although studied in San Francisco before returning relocate with her new husband literary splendor. Although Williams was born this great man concluded his life to Louisiana to take a position as “writerto New Orleans in October 1870.

Moving in Columbus, Mississippi, his name will forever completely assimilated into a culture on the in-residence” at the University of Louisiana back to St. Louis two years after her be synonymous with the Crescent other side of the world, we can’t at Lafayette. His acclaimed works husband’s death in 1882, Chopin City—he was a longtime famous deny the significance of New include The Autobiography of would never forget the time resident of New Orleans, and Orleans in his personal Miss Jane Pittman and A Lesson she spent in Louisiana the city also served as the timeline or forget the Before Dying, both of which or the Creole and setting for his second (and sustained recognition became Emmy AwardCajun culture she was most famous) play, A that the city has enjoyed winning television films, immersed in. Those Streetcar Named Desire. directly because of him. with the latter novel years would serve Following the success Anne Rice—One being nominated for a as the inspiration of The Glass Menagerie, of the Crescent Pulitzer. for nearly all of her this 1947 masterpiece City’s most famous Lastly, also worth writings, beginning with focuses on Blanche daughters, worldchecking out is prolific the groundbreaking DuBois, a latter-day renowned novelist mystery writer James “Désirée’s Baby,” her Southern belle, and Anne Rice has always Lee Burke. The 82-yearfirst published work in her fall from the grace shared a special bond old, who hails from 1893. The story concerns of Mississippi plantation with New Orleans, even the Texas-Louisiana Gulf a French-Creole woman life to the affronting setting during the many years she Coast, is still going strong, of dubious origin, who is Ten of the French Quarter. s resided in California. She has and his latest book, The New m nesse a A i l n scorned by her husband due l e ne Ric A schoolteacher by trade, e Wi certainly written a wide variety Iberia Blues, was released on to the quadroon-like appearance Blanche was sleeping with students of works: iconic horror novels such as January 8. Two of his novels were of their child.

She introduced us to two before it became frequent headline news, and Interview with the Vampire and The Queen of the made into films, Heaven’s Prisoners and In the passionate lovers, the sexy Calixta and her the ensuing ruin that removed her from her Damned, the historical Feast of All Saints, the Electric Mist, and all three feature his iconic dashing beau Alcée, in “At the ‘Cadian Ball,” a position becomes child’s play compared to comic book mini-series Servant of the Bones, Southern detective Dave Robicheaux. Highly rendezvous which becomes adulterous in its the life she endures at the hands of her sister erotic fiction written under the pseudonyms recommended is his Pulitzer Prize-nominated sequel, “The Storm,” set against the backdrop Stella’s crude and vindictive husband, Stanley A.N. Roquelaure and Anne Rampling, and The Lost Get Back Boogie from 1986, about a of a Louisiana hurricane. While severely Kowalski. While the play was immortalized even two high-profile fictionalizations of Korean War veteran who must adjust to life as under-appreciated upon release due to in the 1951 film adaptation starring Marlon the life of Christ. No matter what stage of a ranch hand after a stint at an infamous farm societal norms, her 1899 novel The Awakening Brando and Vivien Leigh, Williams’s text her life she happened to be in, the 77-yearknown as Angola. has been reevaluated as a feminist literary deserves placement alongside every copy old author never forgot her New Orleans

Spring Book Club Great New Orleans Authors to Revisit

T

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MUSICCALENDAR

CitizenCope With a fusion of blues, folk-pop, and laid-back hip hop, Citizen Cope returns to the stage to perform songs from The Rainwater LP and One Lovely Day. Clarence Greenwood, originally from Memphis, serves as keyboardist, guitarist, singer, DJ, songwriter, producer, and leader of the group. Tuesday, April 9, 7 p.m. $35, House of Blues, houseofblues.com/neworleans Monday, March 25 21st Amendment - Dan Ruch Quartet Apple Barrel - James McClaskey, Bourbon Bastards Bamboula’s - Saint Louis Slim, Bann-Bua’s Hot Jazz 4, G & the Swinging Gypsies, Les Getrez N Creole Cooking Banks Street Bar - A Light Among Many BMC - Zoe K, Lil Red & Big Bad, Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Bourbon O Bar - Co & Co Traveling Show Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Cafe Beignet - Steamboat Willie Jazz Band Cafe Negril - Colin Davis and the Night People, Soul Project NOLA Checkpoint Charlie - Decatur Street Allstars Chickie Wah Wah - Justin Molaison, Papa Mali Circle Bar - Dem Roach Boyz Columns Hotel - David Doucet d.b.a. - John Boutte, Jazz Vipers Dmac’s Bar and Grill - Danny Alexander Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - DJ Ill Medina, Chris Johnson & the Jazz Band Ballers Fair Grinds Coffeehouse - Jim Lord Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Collin Myers and Richard Scott Hi Ho Lounge - Bluegrass Pickin’ Party with Tucker Baker and more, Dirty Rain Revelers Hot Tin - Ceven House of Blues - Sean Riley Houston’s Restaurant - David Hansen’s Garden District Band with Leslie Martin The Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers Kerry Irish Pub - call club Little Tropical Isle - Mark Parsons, Reed Lightfoot Live Oak Cafe - Charlie Wooton Mahogany Jazz Hall - Sweet Magnolia Jazz Band, Gary Brown Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Sierra Green and the Soul Machine Maple Leaf - George Porter Jr. Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - DJ Twiggs Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Patrick Pearson, The Genial Orleanians Preservation Hall - Preservation Jazz Masters with Leroy Jones, Preservation All-Stars feat. Charlie Gabriel

Roussell Hall - Matt Wright Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys, Dominick Grillo and the Frenchmen St. All-Stars, the Rhythm Stompers Starlight - Dayna Kurtz with special guest, George Elizondo and Sam Price, Amanda Walker and Keith Burnstein Sweet Lorraine’s - Ernie Vincent & The Top Notes Tropical Isle Original - Graham Robertson, Trop Rock Express Vaso - Bobby Love & Friends Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center - Helen Gillet Tuesday, March 26 21st Amendment - John Zarsky Quartet Apple Barrel - G-Volt, Steve Mignano Band Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson, Rancho Tee Motel, Chance Bushman’s Rhythm Stompers, The Budz Banks Street Bar - Rich Octopus + Ready Now + Slow Rosary BMC - Sweet Magnolia, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson & Drs Of Funk Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Bourbon O Bar - Secondhand Street Band Buffa’s - Loose Cattle with Michael Ceveris and Kimberly Kaye Cafe Beignet - Steamboat Willie Jazz Band Cafe Negril - 4 Sideman of the Apocalypse, John Lisi and Delta Funk Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn Vessels Chickie Wah Wah - Ivor Simpson-Kennedy, Emily Kate Boyd and Layla Musslewhite Columns Hotel - New Orleans String Kinds with Don Vappie, Mark Rhody and John Rankin d.b.a. - Dinosaurchestra, Treme Brass Band Dmac’s Bar and Grill - Baby Boy Bartels & The Boys Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Bunious Dragon’s Den - Frog and Henry Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer and Richard Scott Gasa Gasa - Paint with Music with Marcus Brown House of Blues (the Parish) - Andrea Gibson, Michael Liuzza Houston’s Restaurant - David Hansen’s Garden District Band with Jesse Reeks Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - Comedy Beast Jazz Playhouse - James Rivers Movement Kajun’s Pub - Karaoke Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Cyril Neville Jam

30 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

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Session Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop Little Gem Saloon - Alicia Renee aka Blue eyes and the Shannon Powell Trio Little Tropical Isle - Mark Pentone, Frank Fairbanks Live Oak Cafe - Keith Burnstein Mag’s 940 - James McClaskey & his Rhythm Band Mahogany Jazz Hall - Monty Banks, Tony Seville & The Cadillacs Maison - Baby Giants Jazz Band, Gregory Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine Maple Leaf - Rebirth Jazz Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Justin Reuther, King Ferdinand, Ready Now NOLA Brewing - Songwriter’s Rounds feat. Adam Crochet Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band feat.

Wendell Brunious, Preservation All-Stars feat.

Charlie Gabriel The Prime Example - The Arthur Mitchell Quintet Ralph’s On The Park - Joe Krown Siberia - Ed Barrett, Mike Smith & Glenn Zeringue SideBar Nola - Kidd Jordan and Johnny Vidacovich Snug Harbor - Ricky Sebastian Quintet Spotted Cat - Andy J. Forest, Little Big Horns with Jimbo Mathus, Smoking Time Jazz Club Starlight - Cody Joe Hodges, Anna Pardenik and Erich Sharkey, Asher Danziger Three Muses - Sm Cammarata, Josh Gouzy Tipitina’s - Patty Griffin, Scott Miller Trinity Episcopal Church - Albinas Prizgintas Tropical Isle Bourbon - Wild Card, Jezebels Chill’n Tropical Isle Original - the Hangovers, F.A.S.T. Vaso - Bobby Love & Friends Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center - Amine Boucetta & Simon Moushabeck Wednesday, March 27 21st Amendment - Dr. Sick & The Late Greats Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Josh Benitez Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth, Bamboulas Hot Jazz Quartet, Mem Shannon, John Lisi Band Banks Street Bar - Jesse Brooks & The Living Past BMC - Good Morning Bedlam, LC Smoove, Sandra Love & The Reason Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon O Bar - Shynola Jazz Band Buffa’s - Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Bullet’s Sports Bar - Treme Brass Band Carousel Lounge - James Martin Band Checkpoint Charlie - T Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Chickie Wah Wah - Mark Carroll, Seth Walker Circle Bar - The Iguana’s, Joel Willson + Dianella Columns Hotel - Kathleen Moore Cove at UNO - Jazz at the Sandbar feat. Alexey Marti d.b.a. - Tin Men, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters Dmac’s Bar & Grill - Spogga Hash Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc and Ellen Smith Dragon’s Den - DJ FTK, DJ T-Roy Fillmore - Hozier Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Chuck Brackman and Barry Foulon Funky Pirate - Blues Masters Gasa Gasa - Small Change: Tom Waits Tribute Hi Ho Lounge - Beardsley, Terra Terra House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Michael Liuzza, David Hansen’s Garden District Band Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam’s Crescent City Connection Kajun’s Pub - Karaoke Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Karaoke Kerry Irish Pub - Chip Wilson Lafayette Square - Wednesday at the Square feat.

Flow Tribe, Robin Barnes Little Gem Saloon - Naydja Cojoe

Loa Bar - Dana Abbott & Shawn Williams Mahogany Jazz Hall - Monty Banks, Tony Seville & The Cadillacs The Maison - Eh La Bas, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, B Miller Zone, Danny Rubio & The Catahoula Music Company Maple Leaf - Yeah Probably, Slugger Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - P H Pred, Destiny Twins, Bronwyn C Olstein NOLA Cantina - Jose Fermin Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Lars Edegran with Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sound, Preservation All-Stars feat. Mark Braud Santos Bar - The Russell Welch Quartet Siberia - Renshaw Davies + Outcalls SideBar NOLA - Matt Booth, Byron Asher, Cyrus Nabipoor and Justin Peake Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra with Delfeayo Marsalis Spotted Cat - Chris Christy, Shotgun Jazz Band, Antoine Diel and the New Orleans Power Misfits Starlight - Davis Rogan, Tuba Skinny, Nahum Zdybel’s Hot Jazz Band Tapps II - Kevin Morris & Uptown Production Three Muses - Leslie Martin, Matt Bell and Joy Patterson Trenasse’ - St. Louis Slim Tropical Isle Original - Debi and the Deacons, Late As Usual Vaso - Bobby Love & Friends Thursday, March 28 21st Amendment - G & The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Ed Wills & Blues 4 Sale Apple Barrel - Slick Skillet Serenaders, Big Al Bamboula’s Christopher Johnson, Bann-Bua’s Hot Jazz 4, Marty Peters & the Party Meters, City of Trees Brass Band Banks Street Bar - Julie Odell Bar Redux - JD Hill & The Jammers BMC - Ainsley Matich & Broken Blues, N’Awlins Johnnys, Rebel Roadside Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Evan Christopher Buffa’s - Molly Reeves and Nahum Zydbel, Tom McDermitt and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs Cafe Beignet - Steamboat Willie Jazz Band Cafe Negril - Claude Bryant and the All-Stars, Sierra Green and the Soul Machine Capulet - The Jazz Congress Carousel Lounge - Antoine Diel Quartet Checkpoint Charlie - Jordan Martin Young Chickie Wah Wah - Phil Degruy, Cary Hudson and Dave Jordan Circle Bar - Dark Lounge with Rik Slave City Park Pavilion of the Two Sisters - Harvey Jesus & Fire Crescent City Farmers Market - Bad Oyster Band d.b.a. - Grand Marquis, Brasinola Dmac’s Bar & Grill - The Brothers Keegan Dos Jefes - Ashley Beach & The Odd Ditties Dragon’s Den - DJ Jess, HasSizzle Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer and Richard Scott Funky Pirate - Mark and the Pentones, Blues Masters Hi Ho Lounge - John Paul Carmody, Samba Soul with Kaya House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Vivaz, Jake Landry Houston’s Restaurant - David Hansen’s Garden District Band with Jesse Reeks Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - Comedy Gumbeaux Jazz Playhouse - Brass-A-Holics Joy Theater - the Moth presents the New Orleans GrandSLAM Championship Kajun’s Pub - Karaoke Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers

Kerry Irish Pub - Will Dickerson Little Gem Saloon - Ingrid Lucia Live Oak Cafe - Scott Stobbe & Hanna Mignano Mahogany Jazz Hall - Spider Murphy, Tony Seville & The Caillacs Maison - Noah Young Band, Good For Nothin’ Band, Dysfunktional Bone, Catie Rodgers & The Gentilly Stompers Maple Leaf - Johnny Vidacovich,Joe Ashlar and Brad Walker Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Stephanie Marcell, Jamie Bernstein, Dave Easley NOLA Brewing - Soul Project NOLA NOLA Cantina - Y Ocho Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Ogden After Hours feat. Marc Stone 3 with Sam Price and Michael Burkart Old Point Bar - Cardboard Cowboy Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola with Crescent City Joymakers Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band feat.

Gregg Stafford, Preservation All-Stars feat. Lucien Barbarin The Prime Example - Khris Royal 4Tet Rib Room - Alan Bailey Saturn Bar - Alex McMurray and His Band Siberia - Yegor of Red Elvises SideBar NOLA - Joey van Leeuwen, Mahmoud Chouki and Martin Masakowski Snug Harbor - Christian Winther Quartet Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go, Michael Watson and the Alchemy, Jumbo Shrimp Starlight - Hannah Mignano Trio, Josh Paxton, Bon Bon Vivant Three Muses - Tom McDermott, Arsene DeLay Tipitina’s - Yonder Mountain String Band, Dangermuffin Tropical Isle Original - the Hangovers, Late As Usual Vaughan’s - DJ Black Pearl, Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center - Jonathan Freilich

Buffa’s - Camile Baudoin with Papa Mali, Cole Williams Bullet’s - Original Pinettes Brass Band Cafe Negril - Shawn Williams Casa Borrega - Rites of Swing Central City BBQ - Cameron Dupuy & the Cajun Troubadours Contemporary Arts Center - Aurora Nealand and Goat in the Road Productions presents KindHumanKind d.b.a. - Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes Fillmore - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Aaron Lee Tasjan Funky Pirate - Mark and the Pentones, Blues Masters Gasa Gasa - AF the Naysayer, Cavalier, Charm Taylor, Mykia Jovan Hi-Ho Lounge - the River Dragon, Jimbo Mathus and Durty Krooks, This Way to the Ingress House of Blues (the Parish) - Reverend Horton Heat and Kinky Friedman House of Blues - Who’s Bad: the Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - the Moth Ball feat. KK and

the MOTH, Simple Sound Retreat, Spogga Hash, Big Werm Jazz Playhouse - Shannon Powell Quartet, Trixie Minx’s Burlesque Ballroom feat. Romy Kaye and the Mercy Buckets Kajun’s Pub - Karaoke Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - DJ Sugar Ray Kerry Irish Pub - Hugh Morrison, Beth Patterson Maison - Jason Neville Funky Soul Band, Buena Vista Social Latin Night, DJ FTK, Rhythm Stompers, Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band New Orleans Creole Cookery - the Cookery Three NOLA Brewing - Vic Shepard and More Reverb One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister presents Soulful Takeover Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Kevin Lewis and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band feat.

Wendell Brunious, Preservation All-Stars feat.

Mark Braud SideBar NOLA - Billie Davies, Steve Masakowski, Evan Oberla and Oliver Watkinson Smoothie King Center - Jeff Dunham Snug Harbor - Elis Marsalis Quintet

Spotted Cat - Andy J. Forest, New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings, the Rhythm Stompers Starlight - Shaye Cohn with Coleman Akin, Ingrid Lucia Trio, Jan Marie and the Mean Reds Three Keys - Big Easy Brawlers Three Muses - Doro Wat Jazz Band Tipitina’s - Rebirth Brass Band Tropical Isle Bourbon - Wild Card, Debi and the Deacons Tropical Isle Original - the Hangovers, Late As Usual Saturday, March 30 Boomtown Casino - After Party Buffa’s - Warren Battiste, Marla Dixon Blues Project, Mike Doussan Cafe Negril - Joy Clark, Jamey St. Pierre and the Honeycreepers, Dana Abbott Band Circle Bar - Mod Dance Party presents Coyah et les Provocateurs feat. DJs Matty and Kristen Contemporary Arts Center - Aurora Nealand and Goat in the Road Productions presents KindHumanKind d.b.a. - Tuba Skinny, Hot 8 Brass Band

Friday, March 29 21st Amendment - Eh La Bas Ensemble, Bon Bon Vivant, Marty Peters & The Midnight Jump Syndicate Apple Barrel - Scott Stobe and Hanna Mignano, Laura Dyer, G-Volt & the Hurtz Bamboula’s - Jeremy Joyce Jazz Adventure, Kala Chandra, Smoky Greenwell, Tree-house Brass Band, Ace Brass Band Banks Street Bar - Retrofit + Daria & the Hipdrops Bar Redux - Spearman Brewers BJ’s Lounge - Sabertooth Swing and Daiquiri Queens Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers, DJ Raj Smoove BMC - Lifesavers, Tempted, All for One Brass Band, La Tran K Band Bombay Club - Charlie Halloran’s Quality Five Boomtown Casino - Foret Tradition

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 31

House of Blues (Foundation room) - Biglemoi House of Blues - Guster Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - the Introduction feat.

Tony Skatcherie, Skywalka Harp, SKYY, Techno Tim, the Get Down Girls Howlin’ Wolf - Lotus in Stereo, the Fixers, Burnhouse, the Absence Project Jazz Playhouse - Cyril Neville and Swamp Funk Band Joy Theater - Puddles Pity Party Kajun’s Pub - Karaoke Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - Neshia Ruffins Kerry Irish Pub - Mike Kerwin and Geoff Coats, Hurricane Refugees Little Gem Saloon - Dr. Michael White Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Will Smith and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Brass feat. Mark Braud, Preservation All-Stars feat. Rickie Monie SideBar NOLA - Ira Echo Pickles and friends, Mia Borders Snug Harbor - Jason Marsalis and BGQ Exploration Spotted Cat - Jazz Band Ballers, Panorama Jazz band, James Martin Band Three Muses - Shotgun Jazz Band Tipitina’s - A Taste of New Orleans feat. Leo Nocentelli, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Cheeky Blakk Tropical Isle Bayou Club - the Troubadour, Faubourg Ramblers, T’Canaille Sunday, March 31 Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot!, Nattie Sanchez Songwriters Circle, Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet Contemporary Arts Center - Aurora Nealand and Goat in the Road Productions present KindHumanKind d.b.a. - Palmetto Bugs Stompers, Bon Bon Vivant Funky Pirate - Mark and the Pentones, Willie Lockett Band Gasa Gasa - Molly Nilsson Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - Hot 8 Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Kajun’s Pub - Karaoke Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge - DJ Sugar Ray, TBC Brass Band Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs, Reid Poole’s Boppin’ 5, Nickel-A-Dance feat. Roger Leris and the Bari Out There Jazz Band, Tuba Skinny, Opulence Hour Burlesque, Higher Heights Maple Leaf - 7th Annual Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil and Block Party Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Tennessee Williams Festival feat. the Tin Men, Banu Gibson: the Poets of Tin Pan Alley, New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Mark Braud and Sunday Night Swingsters Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band feat. Gregg Stafford, Preservation All-Stars feat.

Wendell Brunious Snug Harbor - Oscar Rossignoli Quartet Spotted Cat - Jamey St. Pierre and the Honeycreepers, Robin Barnes and the FiyaBirds, Pat Casey and the New Sound Starlight - Gypsy Stew, Gabriella Cavassa Trio, Gabriella Cavassa Jazz Jam, Upstairs: Tango with Host Valorie Hart Three Keys - Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal Three Muses - Raphael et Pascal, the Clementines Tropical Isle Original - the Hangovers, Late As Usual Monday, April 1 Balcony Music Club - Zoe K., Lil Red & Big Bad, Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Bamboula’s - Saint Louis Slim, Perdido Jazz Band, G & the Swinging Gypsies, Les Getrez N Creole Cooking Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - Tom Saunders’ Swingcats Hot Tin - Michael Watson and The Alchemy House of Blues Restaurant - Sean Riley House of Blues - Polyphia, I the Mighty Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, Sierra Green & The Soul Machine

Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Spotted Cat - Royal Street Winding Boys, Dominick Grillo & the Frenchmen Street All-Stars, Hot Club of New Orleans Starlight - Keith Burnstein and Amanda Walker Sweet Lorraine’s - Ernie Vincent and The Top Notes Tuesday, April 2 Balcony Music Club - Margie Cates, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson & Drs Of Funk Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson, Rancho Tee Motel, Chance Bushman’s Rhythm Stompers, The Budz Bombay Club - Matt Lemmle Buffa’s - Taco Tequole and Tiaras w/ Vanessa Carr Columns Hotel - Paul Sanchez Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious Ellis Marsalis Center for Music - Sharon Martin and Her Band House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: DJ Doug Funnie Maison - Cyrus Nabipoor, Gregory Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine The Prime Example - The Arthur Mitchell Quintet Snug Harbor - Andy Forest Band, The Little Big Horns, Smoking Time Jazz Club Wednesday, April 3 Balcony Music Club - Rubber Band, Tempted, Natalie Cris Band Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth, Bamboula’s Hot Jazz Quartet, Mem Shannon, Soul Project Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc and Ellen Smith House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: Michael Liuzza House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson House of Blues - SoMo: The Phases Tour featuring Drama Relax and Michael Constantino Lafayette Square - Irma Thomas and Johnny Sansone Maison - Kaladeva Quartet, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, B Miller Zone Marigny Brasserie - Grayson Brockamp and the New Orleans WIldlife Band Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Hyperphlyy One Eyed Jacks - Sales + Varsity Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Palm Court Jazz Band with Lars Edegran, Topsy Chapman and Tom Sancton Snug Harbor - John Mahoney Big Band Spotted Cat - Chris Christy, Shotgun Jazz Band, Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power UNO The Sandbar at The Cove - Kurt Elling Thursday, April 4 Balcony Music Club - Zoe K., Nawlins Johnny, R&R Smokin’ Foundation Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson, Jan Marie & the Mean Reds, Marty Peters & the Party Meters, City of Trees Brass Band Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Larry Scala Buffa’s - Gumbo Cabaret, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Dos Jefes - The Todd Squad Hi Ho Lounge - Tristan Gianola and more House of Blues - THE JIVE ACES with Special Guest Vocalist Annemarie Rosano House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: Bon Bon Vivant House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landy Maison - Good For Nothin’ Band, Sweet Substitute Jazz Band, Dysfunktional Bone Mid-City Lanes Rock ’n’ Bowl - Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Sabertooth Swing Old Point Bar - Cardboard Bowboy Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Tim Laughlin & Crescent City Joymakers Rib Room - Alan Bailey Saturn Bar - Alex McMurray and His Band Snug Harbor - Jeff Gardner Quartet Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!, Miss Sophie Lee, Jumbo Shrimp

32 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

Godsmack Join this multi-platinum, four-time Grammy Award-nominated hard-rock band from Boston at the Fillmore for their tour supporting the album When Legends Rise. This stop is part of the marathon tour cycle they have been at for two years now, with massive and muscular grooves and hypnotic verses. Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m. $62, The Fillmore, fillmorenola.com Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl Friday, April 5 Balcony Music Club - Lifesavers, Winslow, Retrospex, La Tran-K Salsa Band Bamboula’s - Jeremy Joyce Adventure, Kala Chandra, Smoky Greenwell, Tree-House Brass Band, Ace Brass Band Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins and The BBQ Swingers BJ’s Lounge - Silver Synthetix + Primpce and Static Static Bombay Club - Don Vappie Trio Buffa’s - Davis Rogan, Greg Schatz Central City BBQ - Justin Molaison Dos Jefes - The Panorama Jazz Band Fillmore - STS9 House of Blues - Foundation Room Casino Night, Inferno Burlesque in The Parish at HOB House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Late Night in the Lounge: Otto Orellana House of Blues Restaurant - Dick Deluxe, Captain Buckles Band Howlin’ Wolf - The Hail Mercy + Vega + Beulahland, Assata Renay Howlin’ Wolf (The Den) - Assata Renay Maison - The Rhythm Stompers, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers, DJ FTK Mandeville Trailhead - Dave Jordan and NIA Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - The Topcats NOLA Brewing - Justin Molaison Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Maid of Orleans One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Lucien Barbarin & Palm Court Jazz Band Pearl Wine Company - Eunice Love Snug Harbor - Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony Spotted Cat - Andy Forest Treeaux, Cottonmouth Kings, Doro Wat Trinity Episcopal Church - Krewe de Voix Chamber Choir Saturday, April 6 Balcony Music Club - Orphans Of Storyville, Abe Thompson & Drs Of Funk, Les Getrex & Creole Cookin’, Vance Orange, Righteous Wrong Bamboula’s - Sabertooth Swing, G & The Swinging Gypsies, Johnny Mastro and Mama’s Boys, Crawdaddy T’s Cajun Zydeco Review Blue Nile - Soul Brass Band Bombay Club - Marel Zimmerman Quartet Buffa’s - Saturday Jazz Brunch w/ Warren Battiste, Gimmie Shelter 2019 w/ Freddie Blue and the Friendship Circle, Mike Doussan and Cole Williams Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Society

Hall - Walter “Wolfman” Washington and The Roadmasters Dos Jefes - The Betty Shirley Band Fillmore - STS9 and PNUMA LIVE House of Blues - Lucinda Williams & Buick 6: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road 20th Anniv.

House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: Cricket, Late Night in the Lounge: DJ Matt Scott House of Blues Restaurant - Geovane Santos, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - (TryMore) Mojo Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ivervillainaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Brass-AHolics, Funk Griot Mid-City Rock ‘n’ Bowl - 84 Old Point Bar - Truman Holland and the Back Porch Review One Eyed Jacks - Rubblebucket with Mikaela Davis Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Will SMith & Palm Court Jazz Band Snug Harbor - Ike Stubblefield Organ Trio Spotted Cat - A2D2 Experience with Antoine Diel & Arsene DeLay, Panorama Jazz Band, The Catahoulas The Starlight - Jan Marie, Margi Cates, Anne Elise Hastings Tipitina’s - Cimafunk with The Soul Rebels and Jon Cleary Band with Herlin Riley Sunday, April 7 AllWays Lounge - Royal St. Winding Boys Balcony Music Club - Two-Wheel Drive, Abe Thompson & Drs Of Funk, Jazmarae, Moments Of

Truth Bamboula’s - Eh La Bas Jazz Ensemble, New Orleans Ragweeds, Carl LeBlanc, Ed WIlls Blues 4 Sale Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio with Tim Laughlin Buffa’s - Jazz Brunch w/ Some Like it Hot, Pfirst Sunday Pfister Sisters, Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet House of Blues - Gospel Brunch, Jonathan McReynolds:MakeMoreRoomTour with Host, Comedian Travele Juson + Jonathan Traylor, The Bouncing Souls + The Casualties + Crazy & The Brains House of Blues Restaurant - Jason Bishop Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - Hot 8 Brass Band Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band with Chance Bushman, Nanci Zee and Lisa Casper, Eight Dice Cloth, New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Higher Heights Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Jan Marie and The Mean Reds Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl - Amanda Shaw Old Point Bar - Amanda Walker, Romy Kaye and Jeanne Marie Harris Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Mark Braud & Sunday Night Swingsters Snug Harbor - Bon Bon Vivant Spotted Cat - Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, The Songbird of New Orleans Robin Barnes + The Fiya Birds, Pat Casey & The New Sound The Tigermen Den - THe Daiquiri Queens Tipitina’s - Bruce Daigrepont Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl Monday, April 8 Balcony Music Club - Zoe K, Lil Red & Big Bad, Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Bamboula’s - Saint Louis Slim, Perdido Jazz Band, G & the Swinging Gypsies, Les Getrez N Creole Cooking Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Circle Bar - DBUK and Norman Westberg Dragon’s Den - The Cigar Box Serenaders

House of Blues Restaurant - Sean Riley Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, Sierra Green & The Soul Machine Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - DJ Twiggs Snug Harbor - Royal Street Winding Boys, Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen Street All-Stars, The Rhythm Stompers Starlight - Keith Burnstein and Amanda Walker Sweet Lorraine’s - Ernie Vincent and The Top Notes Tuesday, April 9 Balcony Music Club - Sweet Magnolia, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson & Drs Of Funk Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson, Rancho Tee Motel, Chance Bushman’s Rhythm Stompers, The Budz Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Buffa’s - Susanne Ortner Circle Bar - Ila Minori Fillmore - Willie Nelson & Family House of Blues - Citizen Cope, The Midnight + Violet Days House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: Mike Doussan Howlin’ Wolf - Enterprise Earth and Lorna Shore and Boysnatcher and more (The Porch) Maison - Jazmarae Beebe, Gregory Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine The Prime Example - The Arthur Mitchell Quintet Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio Spotted Cat - Andy Forest Band, The Little Big Horns, Smoking Time Jazz Club Wednesday, April 10 Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth, Bamboulas Hot Jazz Quartet, Mem Shannon, Harlem River Noise Balcony Music Club - Harlem River Noise, Tempted, Natalie Cris Band Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Sanchez

BigEasyBluesFest Grammy Award-winner Ronnie Bell, Tucka, Pokey Bear, Tyree Neal, Lenny Williams, and LeBrado will be playing the 12th Annual Big Easy Blues Festival. Celebrating this classic musical genre, this blues festival will be a night of music not to miss. Friday, April 12, 8 p.m. $52, UNO Lakefront Arena, arena.uno.edu Carousel Lounge - James Martin Band Circle Bar - The Iguanas, The Nerve Beats and Casual Burn Lafayette Square - Eric Lindell and Deltaphonic House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: Braun-Wood Duo House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson, Comedy Gold with Leon Blanda Maison - Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Tasty Sapiens Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Greg Stafford and Topsy

Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra with Delfeayo Marsalis Spotted Cat - Chris Christy, Shotgun Jazz Band, Antoine Diel & The New Orleans Misfit Power UNO The Sandbar at The Cove - Sasha Masakowski Thursday, April 11 Balcony Music Club - Ainsley Matich & Broken Blues, Harlem River Noise, Rebel Roadside

Step into Spotlights with us prior to the event and enjoy our exclusive lounge with private entry, complimentary premium bar and light hors d’ourves.

Tickets for Spotlights can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Box Office.

March 29 - 30................................................................................. Hogs For The Cause April 12.................................................................. 12th Annual Big Easy Blues Festival April 21..................................................... The Millennium Tour featuring B2K & Mario May 2 - 5............................................... Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party May 7............................................................................................................ Juice WRLD May 31 - June 2........................................................ 65th Annual Symphony Book Fair Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, Lakefront Arena Box Office, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 33

Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson, Jan Marie & the Mean Reds, Marty Peters & the Party Meters, City of Trees Brass Band Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Tim Laughlin Buffa’s - Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand City Park Pavilion of the Two Sisters - Armand St. Martin Fillmore - Godsmack House of Blues - Loumuzik House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Live in the Lounge: Aaron Benjamin Trio House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry Maison - Good For Nothin’ Band, Royal Street Winding Boys, Dysfunktional Bone Music Box Village - Kelly Love Jones Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Seva Venet Old Point Bar - Gypsy Stew One Eyed Jacks - YOB, Voivod, Amenra Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Lars Edegran’s New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra Rib Room - Alan Bailey Saturn Bar - Alex McMurray and His Band Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go!, Miss Sophie Lee, Jumbo Shrimp Friday, April 12 Balcony Music Club - Lifesavers, Tempted, Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces, Big E Brass Band Bamboula’s Jeremy Joyce Adventure, Kala Chandra, Smoky Greenwell, Tree-House Brass Band, Ace Brass Band BJ’s Lounge - Rough Seven + Kitty Pool Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins and The BBQ Swingers Bogue Falaya Hall - New Suit Bombay Club - French Quarter Fest All Stars Buffa’s - Warren Batiste, Asylum Chorus Carousel Lounge - James Martin Band Circle Bar - Cicada, Epic Reflexes, Student Driver House of Blues - Tobe Nwigwe House of Blues (Foundation Room) - Late Night in the Lounge: DJ Khromethesia

House of Blues Voodoo Garden - Jamey St. Pierre, Buku Broux, Nebula Rosa, Josh Benitez Band, Kumasi Howlin’ Wolf - Green Gasoline, Vedas, The Fixers and more Howlin’ Wolf (the Den) - Homeworld Maison - The Rhythm Stompers, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Asheson, DJ FTK Mandeville Trailhead - Chubby Carrier Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - D Play Band NOLA Brewing - Jake Landry and Paul Piazza Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Marshland Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Lucien Barbarin & Palm Court Jazz Band Pearl Wine Company - Rhodes Spedale and Live Jazz Group Snug Harbor - Dr. Michael White Original Liberty Jazz Band Spotted Cat - Andy Forest Treeaux, Washboard Chaz Trio, Dr. Brice Miller’s BukuNOLA Tipitina’s - Lost Bayou Ramblers and Sweet Crude UNO Lakefront Arena - Big Easy Blues Festival Saturday, April 13 Bamboula’s - Sabertooth Swing, G & The Swinging Gypsies, Johnny Mastro and Mama’s Boys, Crawdaddy T’s Cajun Zydeco Review, Soul Project Blue Nile - The Soul Rebels Bombay Club - On The Levee Jazz Band Buffa’s - Saturday Jazz Brunch w/ Warren Batiste, Hot Stuff w/ Becky Allen, Harry Mayronne, and Chris Wecklien, Freddy Blue and The Friendship Circle, Zoukeys w/ Beth Patterson and Josh Paxton Fillmore - Tori Kelly: The Acoustic Sessions House of Blues - DMX: 20 Year Anniversary Tour: It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, PSYCHEMAJIK plus Dirty Dave House of Blues Big Mama’s Lounge - Jeremy Joyce, Keith Burnstein’s Kettle Black, Jon Roniger, Ever More Nest, The Dirty Rain Revelers House of Blues Voodoo Garden - Frankie Boots, Scorpedos, Biglemoi, Blonde Roses, Them Ol’ Ghosts

34 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

DMX On his 20 Year Anniversary Tour—It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, DMX shines as the reigning king of hardcore rap. His unique style is intense, gruff, and compelling, and he examines the split between the sacred and profane in his lyrics. He was the first artist ever to have his first four albums reach number one in the charts. Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m. $35, House of Blues, houseofblues.com/neworleans Howlin’ Wolf - Eyehategod, The Obsessed, Antiseen and more Maison - Chance Bushman and the Ibervillianaires, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers, Gene’s Music Machine, New Orleans Jazz Vipers + Royal Street Winding Boys Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Peabody Old Point Bar - Miss Martha and the Goodtime-Gang Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Will Smith & Palm Court Jazz Band

Pearl Wine Company - Paul Sanchez and Friends The Prime Example - Bill Summers Sextet Santos Bar - Julie Odell and Maggie Belle Band Snug Harbor - Jacqui Naylor Quartet The Spotted Cat - Shotgun Jazz Band, Panorama Jazz Band, James Martin Band St. Tammany Art Association - Christy and The Rascals Tipitina’s - Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Dave Jordan and the NIA

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 35

Lakeside2Riverside U P C O M I N G F E S T I VA L S & E V E N T S

Pinch A Palooza Festival April 7

Seafood. There’s something for everyone at the Pinch a Palooza Fest.

ENTERTAINMENT The Blind Marigny Opera House: 725 Saint Ferdinand St. Thursday, April 4 – Sunday, April 7: Times vary marignyoperahouse.org Experience Lera Auerbach’s captivating and controversial 12-voice acapella opera The Blind, based on the play by Flemish Symbolist writer Maurice Maeterlinck. Set in a dark, ancient forest, 12 blind patients wait for the return of their priest, who guided them to feel the last rays of sunshine before winter. Tension heightens as they discover the body of the priest, who has died among them. Realizing they are hopeless, the 12 patients pray for salvation. The show is an immersive theater experience, as the audience joins the sensory perceptions of the patients by using blindfolds. The Blind is full of symbolism and fascinating themes that are sure to keep audience members thinking well past the final act.

Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil Maple Leaf Bar: 8316 Oak St. Sunday, March 31: 3 – 7 p.m. neworleansmusiciansclinic.org/jamiegalloway Come to the 7th Annual Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil & Block Party for an afternoon of fresh boiled crawfish and live music, in celebration of the life of musician and chef Jamie Galloway. The event benefits the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic (NOMC), which supplies healthcare to local musicians.

In partnership with the Maple Leaf Bar, this block party and fundraiser has brought in over a thousand guests in the past. Come hungry—you won’t want to miss out on the 8,000 pounds of crawfish.

Jamie Galloway Crawfish Boil March 31 Hogs For The Cause UNO Lakefront Friday, March 29, at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 30, at 11:00 a.m. hogsforthecause.org Enjoy delicious BBQ for a good cause. This BBQ festival and competition rounds up 85 of the finest local and regional BBQ chefs to battle for the titles of Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, Porkpourri, Sauce, Fan Favorite, and Fundraising Champion. Come raise funds for Hogs for the Cause, a charity supporting both local and national children’s hospitals to benefit families fighting pediatric brain cancer.

Not to mention, there will be tons of live music by acts like Lost Bayou Ramblers, Dumpstaphunk, Boyfriend, Hot 8 Brass Band and plenty of local beer from Urban South Brewery, Port Orleans Brewing Co. and more. So crack those piggy banks, dig deep, and donate to a good cause.

36 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

HOME AND GARDEN Pontchartrain Home Show Pontchartrain Center: 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner Saturday, March 30 - Sunday, March 31: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. jaaspro.com/portfolio-item/2019-annual-springpontchartrain-home-show Fulfill all of your home-improvement needs under one roof at the 31st Annual Spring Pontchartrain Home Show. Explore the latest in kitchens, bathrooms, windows, beds, furniture, and more. Walk through specially designed gardens, get tips for your outdoor spaces at the “Backyard Paradise,” and let your kids play at the Kids’ Zone. Plus, over 30 Louisiana businesses will be giving out free tastings, samples, and recipes at the Certified Louisiana Food Fest. The event will also feature Cajun cooking demos throughout the show. Bring the entire family to the Pontchartrain Home Show!

FESTIVALS

Pinch A Palooza Festival Deanie’s Seafood: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie Sunday, April 7: Noon – 7 p.m. pinchapalooza.com With incredible local bands and mouthwatering Louisiana crawfish, the 10th annual Pinch a Palooza Festival is sure to be a good time. Pinch a Palooza is more than a festival, however. There’s an eating contest, crawfish races, fun games and activities, and the world’s only crawfish tic-tac-toe board. Watch as competitive crawfish-pinchers compete for a Deanie’s Seafood crawfish boil for 20 people. Get ready to try a variety of crawfish specialties, like crawfish etouffée and fried crawfish tails, from one of New Orleans’s best: Deanie’s

Pontchartrain Home Show March 30-31

The 83rd Annual Spring Fiesta and Historic Home Tours Various Locations within the French Quarter, Garden District and Uptown Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31; Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7: Times Vary springfiestanola.com Enjoy New Orleans architecture, heritage, and culture in a two-weekend Spring Fiesta beginning Saturday, March 30, and stretching until Sunday, April 7. The cultural extravaganza includes walking tours of the French Quarter and private tours of Uptown and French Quarter homes.

Don’t miss the carriage rides and the presentation of the Spring Fiesta Queen. There will also be a luncheon at Antoine’s on Sunday, March 31, as well as the “A Night in Ole New Orleans” Gala on Saturday, April 6.

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 37

Food News

By Kim Ranjbar

Coffee in a can? … Alabama-based Revelator Coffee Company just opened their latest café inside the American Can building.

In addition to offering specialty coffees, the shop also features breakfast and lunch dishes from Paloma Café (which is owned

by Revelator). Chefs Danny Alas and Justin Rodriguez have put together a condensed menu for the new café, with items like an egg and chorizo breakfast biscuit, chia pudding, citrus-marinated pork tacos, and avocado toast. The Mid-City Revelator is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3700 Orleans Ave., (202) 224-5900, revelatorcoffee.com Collaboration anticipation … The French Quarter bar and restaurant from partners Chris Hannah and Nick Detrich has arrived at long last. Jewel of the South opened recently in an old Creole cottage at the Rampart-end of St. Louis Street. The new spot, which pays homage to the original bar in name, features dining areas in the courtyard and both upstairs and downstairs. To go along with their antique bar, they've hired London-born chef Philip Whitmarsh, who was formerly the sous chef at Compère Lapin, to run the kitchen. NOLA.com quoted Whitmarsh as saying the food is “classically modern British with a little Cajun twang.” Jewel of the South is open for dinner and drinks nightly.

1026 St. Louis St., facebook.com/ jewelofthesouthnola

American Sector

Rollin' in dough … North Carolina-based Cookie Dough Bliss just opened their first

Louisiana location in Lakeview. Specializing in edible cookie doughs, this new sweet shop offers flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, brownie batter, red velvet, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, snickerdoodle, and more. Unlike scarfing your own homemade cookie dough, all of their doughs are made with a pasteurized egg product, so there's no health risk involved when eating it raw. Cookie Dough Bliss is open daily.

241 W. Harrison Ave., (504) 303-8420, cookiedobliss.com/neworleans In with the new … The American Sector Restaurant & Bar inside The National WWII Museum recently announced their new executive chef, former naval culinary specialist and metal-band front man Jonathan David “JD” Eubanks. Born and raised in Ponchatoula, Eubanks learned butchering techniques from his grandfather, who owned a farm. His new menu for the restaurant features modern American cuisine mixed with Southern classics, like BBQ ribs and roast beef gravy fries, Frito Pie and Company B Chili Beans, and a 5-star cheeseburger with Creole smothered onions, bacon, and triple cheese sauce. “His naval experience, artistic background, culinary knowledge, and local roots make him the perfect fit for The American Sector. We are so excited to see his creativity and personal experiences speak through his food,” states Michelle Margarido, general manager of The American Sector.

1035 Magazine St., (504) 528-1940, ww2eats.com

Celebrating 20 Years in New Orleans!

JUAN’S FLYING BURRITO MARGARITA MONDAY Every MONDAY

we Feature a TOP SHELF Margarita it’s Double sized but.... you’ll only pay the Single price new location!

Uptown-5538 Magazine 897.4800

CBD-515 Baronne 529.5825

LGD-2018 Magazine 569.0000

Mid-City-4724 S.Carrollton 486.9950

38 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

Cookie Dough Bliss

Wine-ding up! … Thea Sasseen was recently appointed as the new sommelier of Toups South in Central City. Under Sasseen’s direction, the new wine program at Toups South offers an entirely domestic wine list, featuring mostly boutique wines, many of them organic. “These wines are pure and expressive, and most of all, many of these are small producers who deserve our support and attention. It’s something special for our customers that also reflects the same values we practice in our kitchen with local farmers and producers,” states Sasseen. The restaurant has also introduced “Wine Wednesdays,” during which Sasseen can showcase a rotating selection of wines “aimed at highlighting good value and unique varietals, while complementing Chef Toups’s creative Southern dishes.”

1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., (504) 304- 2147, toupssouth.com So sad to see you go …

As new spots open, it's inevitable that other places will close in the constant ebb and flow of the restaurant industry. This month, we reluctantly say goodbye to several local businesses: Tréo, the cool bar, restaurant, and gallery on Tulane Avenue, shuttered mid-February, almost five years after it opened. Owners Pauline and Stephen Patterson announced the

closing in a Facebook video, saying goodbye to the building and looking forward to spending more time with friends and family. On a good note, NOLA.com reported that the space has already been purchased by Ash Salem (who also purchased the Midtown Hotel across the street) and brothers Noor and Raouf Mousa, who plan to open a hookah bar.

Approximately eight months after appearing on Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back, The Old Coffee Pot, a French Quarter staple over the past century or more, has closed. The French Quarter restaurant was known for serving Creole and Cajun breakfast classics. You will be missed!

Tampa, Florida-based World of Beer has pulled out of Louisiana completely now with the recent closure of its Warehouse District location. Opened less than four years ago, the restaurant and bar stocked more than 500 beer brands and offered a menu of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Maybe the brew competition lately has been too fierce?

Finally, Covington 'cue joint Smoke BBQ has shuttered after four years in business.

Owners Jeffrey and Amy Hansell, who also run Oxlot 9 at the Southern Hotel, have attributed their closure partially to the U.S. 190 highwaywidening construction that directly impacted their location. The couple does plan to open another location in a year or so—we hope!

Toups South

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 39

COTERIE B R E A K FA S T, L U N C H , D I N N E R & M O R E !

The Elysian Bar's Duck-Egg Omelette

20 and Under

$ 135 Decatur St. ~ New Orleans 504-529-8600 ~ CoterieNOLA.com

Oh omelet! Or omelette?

N

o matter how you spell it, an omelet is indubitably an eggs-cellent creation. In addition to my mom's lessthan-beautiful, but always delicious jack cheese and tomato versions, I'll never forget my first restaurant omelet. It was from a hot new breakfast spot in downtown San Mateo that was soon known for its gigantic blueberry pancakes, and admittedly, I would often opt for their special. But one day, I was in the mood for a more savory dish and ordered their “Bacado.” Now, I've seen bacados in other restaurants since, but none were stuffed with the magical combination of bacon, avocado, and cream cheese. It forever rocked my perception of what an omelet could be.

Now I seek out the ultimate omelet wherever I go, forever hunting for the next great creation to knock my socks off, like that fabulous Bacado did. As it turns out, I've found several new favorites.

Recently opened in the Marigny, inside the rectory of the newly renovated Hotel Peter and Paul, lies The Elysian Bar. This serene, rambling café offers cocktails and hot (or cold) specialty java drinks—brewed from Congregation Coffee beans—and several light dishes created by local chef Alex Harrell. The first time I tried one of his beautiful French-rolled omelets was at his former restaurant Angeline, but this latest incarnation really had me swooning. For only $13, I got a pastel yellow duck-egg “omelette” filled with triple-cream cheese, topped with beurre monte (an emulsified butter

40 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

By Kim Ranjbar

sauce) and fresh chives. Served with a lightly dressed mixed greens salad, it couldn't have made for a more perfect breakfast in the courtyard on a sunny Saturday morning.

On the corner of Webster and Laurel Streets Uptown, neighborhood restaurant Patois offers an “Omelette du Jour” that changes with the seasons and available local ingredients. On one particular occasion, I inhaled a Mediterranean-style omelet, topped with roasted eggplant, onion, tomatoes, feta cheese, and a tangy tapenade, for $16. This flavor-filled dish was also served with a large pile of their “hash browns,” or fried wedges of golden potatoes that were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

One simply can't talk about omelets without talking about Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar. Long a local (and visitor) favorite for amazing breakfasts, this tiny spot near the corner of Magazine and Terpsichore Streets in the Lower Garden District offers all kinds of terrific dishes, from their Bananas Foster French Toast, stuffed with banana cream cheese, to some seriously fabulous huevos rancheros with corn tortillas and molé sauce.

But their crab meat omelette, stuffed with avocado and brie and topped with a jumbo lump crab sauce, is definitely a dish to remember. At only $13.75, this ginormous beauty is served with your choice of toast or one of their homemade biscuits.

The recently refurbished Pontchartrain Hotel is home to the Silver Whistle Café, a breakfast spot that was once famous for being the place to be for the city's most influential movers and shakers. This quaint

Patois's "Omelette du Jour" café with framed cartoon images on its walls is a great spot for breakfast, featuring a modest menu and java brewed from Revelator Coffee Co. beans. Though it's tempting to order the breakfast po-boy with scrambled eggs and andouille, give their pimento cheese omelet a try. It’s served with crispy hash browns and topped with lemony

hollandaise for only $12.

Finally, if you know me and have read my columns for the past eight years, you'll know that it's pretty much impossible for me to talk breakfast without recommending Toast.

Whether it's the original restaurant on Laurel Street, the Fair Grounds spot on Gentilly Boulevard, or the latest that just opened

Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar's Crab Meat Omelette on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, Toast offers irresistible breakfast options at fantastic prices. Chefs and owners Cara and Evan Benson offer a fantastic menu, with dishes like a hangar steak with tarragon aioli and Lyonnaise potatoes, both sweet and savory crepes, fluffy aebelskivers (puffed pancakes) dusted with powdered sugar,

and, of course, toast topped with avocado and eggs or honey, prosciutto, and ricotta.

Along with all of these excellent choices, all of the locations also offer a few omelets, my favorite being their veggie version, with house-made ratatouille, sautéed spinach, and chevre, served with fresh fruit or a side salad, for only $9.

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 41

RestaurantGuide

Willie Mae’s Scotch House has attracted foodies since 1957 with their short and sweet menu. Boasting a James Beard Award and Travel Channel’s distinction for Best Fried Chicken in America, this place is a must if you’re in the market for unrivaled flavor. 2401 St. Ann St. | 8229503 | williemaesnola.com

AFRICAN Bennachin’s West African flavors are a welcome break from conventional New Orleans fare. Their lunch menu is incredibly affordable—and it’s BYOB. They serve delicious vegetarian dishes and sides, like coconut rice, pounded cassava, and fried ripe plantains. 1212 Royal St. | 522-1230 | bennachinrestaurant.com

WOW Café Doubletree will have your taste buds begging for more of their wings with signature sauces, handhelds, New Orleans-inspired dishes, and breakfast and brunch classics. The Shanghai Shrimp Po’Boy has won Best in Fest at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival. 300 Canal St. | 212-3250 | wowcafe.com/stores/doubletree-new-orleans

AMERICAN

ASIAN

Apolline, nestled in an old shotgun house, offers dishes influenced by international flavors, all made with local ingredients. Enjoy small plates and drink specials during Happy Hour, wine specials on Wednesdays, and bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys at brunch. 4729 Magazine St. | 894-8881 | apollinerestaurant.com The Country Club has been setting the standard for low-key chic in New Orleans for over 40 years. Their various menus—brunch, lunch, dinner, poolside, smallplate, and dessert—all showcase expertly executed contemporary Creole cuisine. And rain means that it’s Happy Hour all day! 634 Louisa St. | 945-0742 | thecountryclubneworleans.com Cowbell is where you can sink your teeth into a “Locally World-Famous” grass-fed beef burger—or try the hot tuna or vegetarian harvest burger instead. Check out their new Sunday brunch for all your regular favorites plus great new menu items. 8801 Oak St. | 866-4222 | cowbell-nola.com Daisy Dukes mixes a mean Cajun Bloody Mary, but they also deliver equally delicious dining options. Two of their five locations are 24/7, and breakfast is served all day. Try the New Orleans Sampler for a taste of it all.

Multiple Locations | daisydukesrestaurant.com Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant serves flavorful dishes locals love, from crab and corn bisque and fried seafood to burgers and muffulettas. They also cater to help you feed your guests for any occasion, and their Dirty Bird po-boy can’t be beat. 435 Huey P. Long Ave. | Gretna | 368-1114 | gattusos.net Gordon Biersch pleases connoisseurs with handcrafted German brews and grub, along with eclectic American fare and gluten-friendly options. Their impressive variety

Bao & Noodle is the perfect place in the Marigny to slurp down a bowl of authentic Chinese soup or tear into a steamed bun. The restaurant is not only vegetarian/ vegan-friendly, but also BYOB, so everyone leaves happy.

2700 Chartres St. | 272-0004 | baoandnoodle.com

OrleansGrapevine of award-winning beers pairs perfectly with their menu.

Grab a table on their Fulton Street patio for lunch or dinner! 200 Poydras St. | 522-2739 | gordonbiersch. com Legacy Kitchen prepares fresh and flavorful ingredients, to order. Join them for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, when wine bottles are half price, or get your charbroiled oyster fix during their daily Happy Hour, with oysters at just $1 each. Multiple locations | legacykitchen.com Liberty Cheesesteaks has made the land of the poboy their home, one Philly Cheesesteak at a time. Any native Philadelphian would approve of their traditional cheesesteaks, like The Original and The Wiz, but folks are also raving about their Boil Fries. 5039 Freret St. | 8754447 | libertycheesesteaks.com Pokéworks believes in bringing the flavors and ingredients of Hawaii to the mainland. Pokéworks swears by using the freshest ingredients and promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility. Make your own poke just the way you like it with “poke your way.” 3413 Veterans Memorial Blvd #119 | Metairie | 218-5352 | pokeworks.com

Don’t Miss Our Great Seafood Specials!

Great Daily Lunch Specials & Super Seafood Specials!

365-1225

615 Kepler St., Gretna dawabbit.net

Just 10 Minutes from Downtown

42 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

Green Tea slings great healthy options, soups, fried rice, noodles, and customizable dinner and lunch combos— all at an extremely reasonable price. Their family dinner specials feed two to nine people! These take-out (and dine-in) titans will feed you in a flash. 3001 Napoleon Ave. | 899-8005 | greenteanola.com Kyoto 2 has perfected the art of sushi, with a creative menu of rolls you won’t find anywhere else. For nonsushi-lovers, the lightly seared tuna tataki or one of the many other adventurous (and fully cooked) options available still satisfy. 5608 Citrus Blvd. | Harahan | 818-0228 | facebook.com/Kyoto2Nola Miyako’s hibachi chefs perform daring feats of culinary artistry while masterfully preparing your entrees before your eyes. Perfect for a night out with friends, family, or an adventurous date, Miyako is a great place for sushi, hibachi, and inventive cocktails. 1403 St. Charles Ave. | 410-9997 | miyakonola.com Origami takes the form of an artful sushi roll here with an ambience as carefully crafted as its food. Lunch extends until 3 p.m., and they have poke bowls and combo meals. Their sake cocktail game is strong, too.

5130 Freret St. | 899-6532 | sushinola.com

BARS WITH GREAT FOOD Backspace Bar & Kitchen is a one-of-a-kind gastropub

with delicious offerings that pay homage to famed authors. Get inspired in this cozy literary haven with sammies like the Whitman Roast Beef. The drinks are also quickly becoming classics at this sophisticated nook.

139 Chartres St. | 322-2245 | backspacenola.com Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant in the Marigny is known not only for its daily offerings of live local music, but also for its delicious food. They’re open 24/7, making it a perfect destination for any meal. Check out their Sunday jazz brunch. 1001 Esplanade Ave. | 949-0038 | buffasbar.com Copper Vine Wine Pub has a beautiful courtyard, unique fine-dining menu, and all the wine on tap you’ll need to relax and enjoy life in the CBD. Their selection of draft beers and cocktails is designed to please even the most discerning palate. 1001 Poydras St. | 208-9535 | coppervinewine.com Flamingo A-Go-Go will have you flocking to the Warehouse District to sample fresh salads, NOLA classics, and inventive “flocktails,” including the Bloody Mary A-Go-Go. Pair your drink or draft wine with a Hawaiian Steak Kabob with grilled pineapple and mango salsa. 869 Magazine St. | 577-2202 | flamingonola.com The Jimani is a sportsman’s paradise—for those more into watching any game imaginable than participating in sports. With 10 screens to watch, 100 beers to choose from, and an extensive menu, you’ll have plenty to feast your senses on here. 141 Chartres St. | 524-0493 | thejimani.com Mimi’s in the Marigny is a bar, but when it comes to the food, don’t expect simple peanuts. The menu features gourmet tapas for vegetarians and carnivores.

For more adventurous patrons, order the “Trust Me” cocktail or small plate. You won’t be disappointed. 2601 Royal St. | 872-9868 | mimismarigny.com Ole Saint takes you down memory lane with Deuce McAllister’s football memorabilia, but brings you back to reality when a game is on. You’ll find everything from Southern coastal cuisine to American favorites, like Southern Catfish with white beans and shrimp. 132 Royal St. | 309-4797 | olesaint.com Orleans Grapevine pairs classic and contemporary French-Creole cuisine with over 65 varieties of wine and champagne by the glass and 375 by the bottle.

FREE BACON Happy Hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and after 10 p.m. daily. 720 Orleans Ave. | 523-1930 | orleansgrapvine.com

Parasol’s is a neighborhood bar with a roast beef debris po-boy that is the talk of the town—but you might want to spice things up with their firecracker shrimp or try the Irish Sundae: potato salad topped with that delicious debris! 2533 Constance St. | 302-1543 | facebook. com/ParasolsNOLA Rivershack Tavern is a funky River Road joint that dishes out local flavor that is not to be missed. Bring in a kitschy ashtray and belly up to the bar for a free cocktail or check out their weekly crawfish boils. 3449 River Rd. | 834-4938 | therivershacktavern.com Shamrock Bar and Grill is all about fun, food, and libations. Challenge your friends to some classic games, like darts or air hockey, and then refuel with dinner.

The dance floor is open all night long, so you can get your groove on. 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. | 301-0938 | shamrockparty.com Three Palms Bar and Grill is home to spring crawfish boils, chicken wings, and $12 steak dinners. Stop by on Mondays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for free red beans and rice or on Wednesdays for wings at $.50 a piece.

3813 Tulane Ave. | 459-4474 | 3palmsnola.com Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant is famous for its St. Patty’s Day party, but their kitchen keeps the crowds coming back year round. Try some alligator or crawfish sausage or another local delicacy, the French fry poboy, dressed and doused in roast beef gravy. 2604 Magazine St. | 897-5413 | traceysnola.com

CAFÉ Another Broken Egg Café is the place for gourmet breakfasts and brunches featuring local seafood, sweet treats, or seasonal specials. Try their biscuit beignets with honey marmalade or the delicious Bananas Foster French Toast. Enjoy yours al fresco, thanks to their plentiful outdoor seating. Garden District | Lakeview | 301-2771 | anotherbrokeneggcafe.com Café 615 Home of Dawabbit offers great meals at great prices. With homestyle daily specials and crispy fried chicken, which was voted among the best in the New Orleans area, there’s a reason that Café 615 was also voted best restaurant on the Westbank! 615 Kepler St. | Gretna | 365-1225 | dawabbit.net Café Amelie is perfect for a romantic night in a French Quarter courtyard. No other café will serve you ovenroasted salmon, topped with horseradish cream, with fingerling potatoes. Try their jumbo lump crab cake, beet

salad, or oven-roasted chicken and waffles. 912 Royal St. | 412-8965 | cafeamelie.com Café Beignet has some of the best chicory coffee and beignets anywhere. Stop by their Bourbon Street location for live local jazz, relax in their beautiful courtyard on Royal Street, or people-watch through their large French windows on Decatur Street. Multiple locations | cafebeignet.com Cru by Chef Marlon Alexander showcases American, New Orleans, and Italian influences. Sip a specialty cocktail while nibbling on one of several varieties of caviar or keep it simple with a gourmet sandwich on brioche. Cru’s weekend brunch features live entertainment and bottomless cocktails. 535 Franklin Ave. | 266-2856 | crunola.com Jimmy J’s Café is here to make all your breakfast dreams come true, even at 10 p.m. They are a small, funky café, hidden in the French Quarter, but they’re big and bold when it comes to Southern flavor and hospitality. 115 Chartres St. | 309-9360 | jimmyjscafe. com Petite Amelie is a great spot for a healthy breakfast or lunch. This eatery has a rotating menu of fresh and fast gourmet cuisine. Offering locally sourced milk, juices, salads, and pastries, Petite Amelie is sure to satisfy. 900 Royal St. | 412-8065 | petiteamelienola.wordpress. com

FRENCH

| Westwego | 436-8950 | moscasrestaurant.com

Café Degas was voted one of the 15 best restaurants in the city. It is a traditional Gallic French eatery with unbeatable romantic ambiance, located in a charming historic area. Try the Caille Rôtie or the homemade crawfish and mushroom ravioli. 3127 Esplanade Ave. | 945-5635 | cafedegas.com

Red Gravy, a rustic Italian café, lets you have cannoli, spaghetti, meatballs, and gnocchi for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Most of their recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, making the dishes here time-tested homestyle masterpieces. 125 Camp St. | 561-8844 | redgravycafe.com

ITALIAN

Tavolino has a kid-friendly dining room up front for enjoying pizza with the family, but a lounge out back for enjoying adult drinks with your friends. Try their stuffed and fried “Ping” olives or the Prosciutto Brie pizza with arugula. 141 Delaronde St. | Algiers | 605- 3365 | facebook.com/TavolinoLounge

Josephine Estelle, an Italian osteria run by James Beard nominees, knows good pasta. Their soaring dining room with ornate decor is as impressive as their dishes, including their homemade spaghetti, delectable soft-shell crab bathed in brown butter, and decadent praline mousse. 600 Carondelet St. | 930-3070 | josephineestelle.com Mellow Mushroom on Oak Street is a necessary stop for hungry patrons in the Carrollton area. Their classic pizza parlor menu is anything but ordinary. Build your own salad, swap out your mozzarella for vegan cheese, or feast on pizza that is deliciously gluten-free. 8227 Oak St. | 345-8229 | mellowmushroom.com Mosca’s Restaurant has served family-style Italian food for over 70 years. Try their crab salad, spaghetti and meatballs, or their signature Shrimp Mosca. Pop a bottle off their extensive wine menu and be sure to save room for some pineapple fluff! 4137 U.S. Highway 90 West

Venezia has been a Mid-City staple for over 60 years.

With everything from veal and spinach cannelloni to chicken marsala, fresh fish almondine, and muffalettas, the menu never disappoints. And you won’t want to forget to try their specialty pizzas. 134 N. Carrollton Ave. | 488-7991 | venezianeworleans.net

MEXICAN Juan’s Flying Burrito is a hip Creole-infused taqueria that makes Taco Tuesday an everyday event. Don’t miss their freshly made guac or their Banh Mi Tacos.

Plus, they’ve got everything from margaritas to boozy lemonade to mojitos at this neighborhood joint.

Multiple locations | juansflyingburrito.com

Riccobono’s Panola Street Café is popular with Uptown students and locals looking for a filling homestyle breakfast. Wake up to an iced coffee made with chocolate milk or skip right to the bellinis.

Try the California Benedict or the Crawfish Sauté Three-Egg Omelette. 7801 Panola St. | 314-1810 | panolastreetcafe.com Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar is famous for fresh organic juices, but their Latin-influenced cuisine, like the Huevos Rancheros Deluxe or the Black Bean and Veggie Burger, is not to be missed. With their gluten-sensitive, vegan, and vegetarian options, Surrey’s has something for everyone. 1418 & 4807 Magazine St. | surreysnola. com The Vintage is a one-of-a-kind café that allows all patrons to sip and savor. Sample coffees and teas, beignets, or one of their flatbreads. All of their menu items can be paired with a great glass (or bottle) of champagne. 3121 Magazine St. | 324-7144 | thevintagenola.com

Tavolino

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 43

NOLA Cantina has great food, live music, and salsa dancing just off Frenchman Street. You’ll definitely want to sample all of their artfully crafted cocktails, such as the Smoke & Mirrors Margarita with chamomile and lavender. Plan a morning visit for their burlesque brunch.

437 Esplanade Ave. | 266-2848 | nolacantina.com

Crescent City Brewhouse, the French Quarter’s only microbrewery, is an experience for all the senses. Take a beer flight on the balcony or in the courtyard of this bistro while snacking on small plates, sandwiches, and mains that pair with their brews. 527 Decatur St. | 5220571 | crescentictybrewhouse.com

MIDDLE EASTERN

Crossroads at House of Blues is at the “crossroads” of great Southern music, art, and food. Try the melt-inyour-mouth brisket plate with cornbread while listening to live music or, for a 100 percent vegan option, try their “Impossible Cheeseburger” with a vegan burger patty.

225 Decatur St. | 310-0499 | houseofblues.com/ neworleans/menu

Lebanon’s Café offers generous portions of Middle Eastern food. Snack on savory hummus, grape leaves, or falafel, and drink sweet Lebanese tea with pine nuts.

Their gyro plate comes with spiced lamb and beef, tomatoes, and onions, cooked in delectable spices. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave. | 862-6200 | lebanonscafe.com Pyramid’s Cafe is a classic Mediterranean storefront diner serving some seriously delicious dips, salads, and entrees, all with a side of hummus. Stop by for standards, like shawarma or kibby, or have a family feast: a whole lamb stuffed with chickpeas. 3149 Calhoun St. | 861-9602 | pyramidscafeonline.com

NEW ORLEANS CUISINE Antoine’s Restaurant, established in 1840, is the oldest family-run restaurant in the country. It’s famous for consistently delivering a classic French-Creole finedining experience in a city known for just that. This iconic foodie destination also invented the world-renowned Oysters Rockefeller. 713 St. Louis St. | 581-4422 | antoines.com Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop is a mom-and-pop café that will have you returning soon for more. Their Mumbo Gumbo, Southern fried chicken, or crab cakes make for a classic New Orleans experience. Enjoy a half po-boy and half-gumbo meal to sample their best. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd. | 835-2022 | gumbostop.com The Columns Hotel offers a memorable dining experience in a graceful historic mansion built in 1863.

Try their seasonal charcuterie and cheese combination board in the Victorian dining room or front gallery with a view of beautiful Saint Charles Avenue. 3811 St. Charles Ave. | 899-9308 | thecolums.com Coterie NOLA Restaurant & Oyster Bar has classic New Orleans and American munchies. Here, you can eat blackened alligator, seafood specialties, beignets, fried pickles, salads, or burgers in a casual environment.

You’ll want to stop by during Happy Hour and nibble away at their oysters. 135 Decatur St. | 529-8600 | coterienola.com

New Orleans Cajun Cookery is one of the city’s trendiest restaurants, but it’s keeping traditions alive.

This spot shows that a good ol’ shrimp po-boy can still be the best meal around. Oh, and let’s not forget their Bacon Bloody Mary. 701 S. Peters St. | 985-778-2529 | facebook.com New Orleans Creole Cookery is perfect for a night on the town. They’ve got great boozy beverages, like the Hurricane (drink the Category 5 at your own risk), and a large selection of delicious NOLA-style food, like blackened redfish, gator bites, and jambalaya. 508 Toulouse St. | 524-9632 | neworleanscreolecookery.com Parran's Po-Boys and Restaurant serves up a variety of fried and grilled po-boys on fresh French bread, along with gigantic muffalettas and mouthwatering Italian dishes, such as their Eggplant Parran and spaghetti. Indecisive? Get a po-boy with half with fried shrimp and half fried oysters. Multiple locations | parranspoboys.com Public Service at the NOPSI Hotel truly serves the public for any meal of the day. Their dishes consistently offer delicious twists on Creole classics, including Cajun Poutine and their Braised Short Ribs with Wild Mushroom and Potato Ragout. 311 Baronne St. | 9626527 | publicservicenola.com Short Stop Poboys doesn’t mess around when it comes to making the city’s famed sandwich. It’s the only place you can get a king-sized 14-inch po-boy, overstuffed with seafood, sausage, or deli meats. Or, try out a local favorite: a stuffed artichoke. 119 Transcontinental Dr. | Metairie | 885-4572 | shortstoppoboysno.com

SEAFOOD Briquette, located in an old molasses refinery, offers

44 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

CoterieNOLAResaurant&OysterBar a refined taste of New Orleans cuisine. Start with the Crabcake Napoleon or the Spotlight Gumbo before ordering one of their lavish entrees, such as the Skinhead Salmon or the Snapper Pontchartrain. 701 S. Peters St. | 302-7496 | briquette-nola.com Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar takes pride in having the “first name in oysters.” Try the Oysters Bienville or the Oysters Rockefeller. Or, check out the classic New Orleans traditions, like jambalaya. Finish your meal with a delicious slice of Creole pecan pie. Multiple locations | felixs.com Landry’s Seafood offers not only unique takes on classic seafood dishes, but also a gluten-sensitive menu and vegetarian options to take care of your food needs.

Try the Blackened Redfish Etouffée or the Mahi Mahi topped with Firecracker Shrimp. Multiple Locations | landrysseafood.com Poseidon serves everything under the sea, six days a week and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Enjoy some divine sushi and hibachi while having a fancy cocktail to warm up your vocal chords before you karaoke! 2100 St. Charles Ave. | 509-6675 | poseidonnola.com Seaworthy carries a selection of seafood worthy

of trying. They serve sustainably harvested seafood, specifically oysters, prepared with a global flair.

Try oysters from the East Coast, West Coast, or Gulf Coast, paired with Squid Hushpuppies and a handcrafted cocktail. 630 Carondelet St. | 930-3071 | seaworthynola.com

VEGAN Green Goddess showcases the influence of Thai cuisine on Cajun classics in inventive gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, like the tofu poboy or the Veggie Cuban Luau. But they also cater to carnivores, offering dishes like Duck Off! and Chimichurri Brisket. 307 Exchange Pl. | 301-3347 | greengoddessrestaurant.com Max Well prides itself on transparent sourcing and promotes clean eating with organic whole foods: fresh cold-pressed juices, soups, salads, and protein bowls. Try the Banh Mi Bowl or the Hippie Salad, served with cucumber avocado dressing and quinoa cranberry stuffing. 6101 Magazine St. | 301-0510 | maxwellneworleans.com

BarGuide

Sponsored by

Above the Grid (NOPSI Hotel) NOPSI’s dynamic rooftop pool and bar, Above the Grid, is a peaceful oasis for hotel guests, visitors, and locals to 317 Baronne St. savor chilled drinks and dine on creative, healthy fare.

844-439-1463

Alto (Ace Hotel) 600 Carondelet St. 900-1180

Offering fantastic drinks and a stunning view of the New Orleans skyline, Ace’s rooftop bar Alto is a sanctum of relaxation in an ever-busy concrete jungle.

Backspace Bar 139 Chartres St. 322-2245

Brimming with inspiration and local color, Backspace feeds both the mind and the taste buds in an atmosphere where you can channel your inner Tennessee Williams.

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

A hidden gem at the edge of the French Quarter, this cozy, brick-built space offers classic cocktails and a chalkboard full of daily specials.

Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038

New Orleans is known for its 24/7 party scene, and Buffa’s Lounge makes sure its doors are always open.

They've been doing so for almost 80 years!

Copper Vine 1001 Poydras St. 208-9535

A new spot in the CBD with over 30 wines on tap and plenty of eclectic eats, Copper Vine is the perfect place to gather with your friends before a Saints or Pelicans game.

Cosimo's Bar 1201 Burgundy St. 522-9428

A cozy neighborhood spot since 1934, Cosimo’s offers a great Happy Hour and delicious bar food options, such as mouthwatering pizzas, burgers, and wings.

Fulton Alley 600 Fulton St. 208-5569

Fulton Alley's classy, sleek bowling lanes come together with a huge variety of fresh Southern Americaninfluenced fare and cocktails.

Gattuso’s 435 Huey P. Long Ave. 368-1114

Nestled in the Gretna Historic District, Gattuso’s is the perfect place for family night, a meet-up with a group of friends, or Trivia Night every Tuesday.

Hermes Bar at Antoine's 725 St. Louis St. 581-4422

In a converted dining room of the renowned Antoine's Restaurant, the polished and pleasant Hermes Bar serves up classic New Orleans cocktails alongside traditional dishes.

House of Blues 225 Decatur St. 310-4999

This long-standing concert venue features great live music and a rich atmosphere. Be sure to try their deliciously soulshaking Crossroads Cadillac Margarita.

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493

Whether you’re looking for a place to end the night or start it, the Jimani is a great haunt for any night owl, with one of the largest beer selections in the Quarter.

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

If you want to escape the Bourbon Street scene, Kerry Irish Pub is the welcoming, authentic bar you need, with possibly the best Guinness poured in the city.

The Library 3629 Prytania St. 813-4882

This new gastropub Uptown celebrates a literary theme in an upscale, yet informal setting. The Library features some of the best Happy Hour drink specials in town.

Martine's Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd. 831-8637

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a weekday barfly, any day spent at Martine’s Lounge is far from dull, thanks to their variety of weekly events and drink specials.

Pal's Lounge 949 N. Rendon St. 488-7257

If you’re searching for a neighborhood bar with sophisticated cocktails, then Pal’s is the place to go, where they offer a unique rotation of drinks and pop-ups.

Pat O'Brien's Bar 718 St. Peter St. 525-4823

As the inventor of the Hurricane cocktail, this bar has been a long-standing destination for visitors clamoring to try the fruity rum concoction in their gorgeous courtyard.

Penthouse Club 727 Iberville St. 524-4354

For an unforgettable night of luxury or to celebrate a special event, Penthouse Club is the place for mature entertainment on one of three stages.

Royal Frenchmen Hotel 700 Frenchmen St. 619-9660

This Creole mansion features 16 guest rooms and suites, a stunning courtyard, beautiful event space, and Frenchmen Street's only craft cocktail bar.

Shamrock Bar & Grill 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 217-0787

One of the largest neighborhood bars in the city, Shamrock has 16,000 square feet of wall-to-wall fun, with over 20 pool tables, ping-pong, and arcade-style games.

Three Palms Bar and Grill 3183 Tulane Ave. 529-1702

A neighborhood bar with a friendly staff and affordable drinks, Three Palms is the perfect spot for a Happy Hour beverage or some late-night grub.

Tropical Isle Multiple Locations 529-1702

Home of the Hand Grenade, Tropical Isle has plenty of locations along Bourbon Street to get “Have a Hand Grenade” off your to-do list.

The Vintage 3121 Magazine St. 324-7144

This one-of-a-kind café serves up mouthwatering beignets and delicious coffees and teas, and it has an atmosphere that allows all patrons to sip, savor, and shine.

Vintage Rock Club 1007 Poydras St. 308-1305

This is a high-end entertainment venue built upon the concept of the greatest jukebox that ever existed. Be sure to rock with them every Friday and Saturday night!

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 45

Louisiana Film Forecast State Film Industry Looking to Gain Momentum in 2019

By Jeff Boudreaux

W

hen the state of Georgia became the filming capital of the world in 2017, it was a bitter pill to swallow for Louisiana residents who took pride in their state’s entertainment industry. After all, it wasn’t very long ago when Louisiana enjoyed this exact same distinction. However, state lawmakers weren’t satisfied with our status as “Hollywood South” and erroneously claimed that taxpayers were getting the short end of the stick due to the nearly $300 million in tax credits doled out to the entertainment industry on any given year in the first half of the decade. In 2015, the Jindal administration alleviated this by placing a $180 million cap on production incentives, allowing each film only up to a sixth of that amount in tax credits. Furthermore, this amount, which was set aside by the state, was depleted by midyear 2016!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why blockbusters the likes of Jurassic World and 12 Years a Slave no longer grace us with their presence. Rather, they simply moved three states to the east, to the greener pastures of Georgia and a seemingly unlimited tax incentive program. Instead of New Orleans, the city of Atlanta is now the location of choice for film producers. In 2017, two of the highest-grossing box office hits of all time (Marvel Studios’ Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War) were filmed there.

These two films collectively made an impact of over $270 million on Georgia’s economy, affecting an overall state entertainment industry that brought in nearly $10 billion the same year. Please remember those figures the next time Louisiana politicians declare that the risks associated with film tax credits outweigh the benefits. Nevertheless, Louisiana Entertainment has been fortunate to keep itself busy with the long-running hit NCIS: New Orleans; an occasional, acclaimed production such as Green Book (which recently won three Oscars, including Best Picture); several indie films; and location-shooting on the forthcoming Marvel blockbuster Captain Marvel.

46 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

Seeking to rectify the now only sporadic use of Louisiana by the film industry, Governor John Bel Edwards met with eight major studios in Hollywood last October. The governor returned home and triumphantly touted that the studios were highly interested in returning to the Pelican State. Unfortunately, with the $180 million cap in place until 2025, it’s likely that filming in Louisiana will continue to be relegated to smaller films, television shows, and supplemental shoots for the foreseeable future. Still, this is very promising news for those of us who miss seeing those ubiquitous and mystifying yellow production signs on our roads! In the meantime, here are 10 productions that have either recently wrapped or are set to shoot within the state of Louisiana in 2019: Body Cam—Nefarious cops find themselves haunted by an evil spirit in this horror thriller from Paramount. Nat Wolff (Paper Towns) stars alongside Grammy-winning superstar Mary J. Blige. The film is in post-production, and we should expect to see it sometime during the next year.

On Becoming a God in Central Florida— Because central Florida’s tax incentives aren’t as attractive as ours, this YouTube Premium series filmed here beginning in October 2018 and is slated for a 2019 release. Produced by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures, this one-hour black comedy series stars Kirsten Dunst as a woman who becomes embroiled in a cultish Ponzi scheme.

Power—Jamie Foxx and Joseph GordonLevitt star in this sci-fi thriller from Netflix, concerning a drug that alters each person’s body in a different, but remarkably superior way. The film was directed by longtime collaborators Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the team behind 2010’s terrific documentary Catfish and the vastly underrated Nerve (2016).

Production began last October.

Synchronic—Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades trilogy) star as New Orleans paramedics who encounter a series of deaths related to an otherworldly psychedelic drug. This sci-fi thriller from XYZ Films began production last November.

The Secret—Directed by rom-com specialist Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch), the film stars Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas in an adaptation of the popular self-help book that promotes the power of positive thinking. This film is channeling Norman Vincent Peale for a 2019 release, and production wrapped in early December.

Tall Girl—Netflix was one of the eight studios that met with Governor Edwards and is bringing us this comedy that began filming in January. Longtime television director Nzingha Stewart (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal) will helm her first feature, which follows a high school girl who feels she’s an outcast because of her height.

Queen & Slim—Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) and Jodie Turner-Smith (SyFy’s Nightflyers) star as a racially profiled couple who kill a police officer in self-defense and are forced to take it on the lam. This sure-to-be controversial drama from Universal Pictures began production in late January for a November release.

The Hunt—From Universal and Blumhouse productions comes a politically charged action thriller directed by Craig Zobel (Z for Zechariah).

With the Blumhouse name attached, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t some sort of Purge-like horror element added to the mix.

Production began in February, and the film should be released in October.

Looking for Alaska—Based on the book by John Green (The Fault in Our Stars), this Hulu miniseries from Paramount concerns a young man (Charlie Plummer of All the Money in the World) who enters a boarding school and unexpectedly finds love with the title character (Kristine Froseth). Production begins soon.

Billie—From noted auteur Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler) comes a biopic about one of the all-time jazz greats: singer Billie Holiday.

Diana Ross famously portrayed Holiday in 1972’s acclaimed drama Lady Sings the Blues, so it’ll be interesting to see how Daniels’s flair for realism stacks up against it. No cast has been confirmed as of yet, although LaKeith Stanfield and singer Andra Day are rumored.

Filming is set to begin in April.

I must admit, this isn’t a bad lineup for a local film industry that was pretty much given up for dead. The oft-mentioned Marvel/Fox property Gambit, starring Channing Tatum and Lizzy Caplan, is listed as being in preproduction and has a tentative release date of March 13, 2020. Will the X-Men spinoff finally start filming in New Orleans? Only time will tell, but we do know that Cloak & Dagger, the locally filmed, popular Marvel series on Freeform, will air its second season in 2019.

In closing and sticking with Marvel (because it’s tops), I advise anyone who intends on watching Captain Marvel to stick around for the credits. This isn’t just a reminder to see whatever terrific bonus scene the MCU has in store for us concerning the forthcoming Avengers: Endgame (also filmed in Atlanta), but also to take a good look at that Louisiana Entertainment logo near the end of the film.

You may have a feeling of pride like I do as it scrolls across the screen, complete with its signature fleur-de-lis. And when you do happen to see it at the end of other films, you can be sure that it signifies great things for our state and a partial return to prominence in an industry that we never should have left in the first place.

FilmReviews

Catch all of Where Y'at's film reviews

by Movie Editor David Vicari and Critic Fritz Esker at WhereYat.com.

Captain Marvel

By Fritz Esker In a long-overdue move, Marvel Studios has made a film with a female headliner in Captain Marvel.

The results are mixed, but the film has enough going for it that Marvel fans will likely enjoy themselves.

When the film (partially shot in Louisiana) begins, Vers (Brie Larson) is a member of a humanoid alien race fighting a war against shapeshifting aliens. The catch is that she does not remember her past beyond a few years earlier. After a clunky and muddled first act, the movie gets some momentum going after Larson ends up separated from her comrades and on Earth. Soon, she teams up with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).

Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (who co-wrote the script with Geneva Robertson-Dworet) are better known for their solid character-driven films Mississippi Grind and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Their background shows. Captain Marvel is at its best in its smaller, character-based moments. Larson and Jackson have an easy chemistry, and at least one supporting character is given more depth than it initially appears he will be given. But Boden and Fleck are less skilled with the action scenes, which largely come off as mundane.

The rest of the film is also a mixed bag. Like many other Marvel movies, the bad guy here is somewhat of a dud (Black Panther’s success owed a significant debt to Michael B. Jordan’s strong villain). The technology used to make Jackson and Clark Gregg seem younger (the film is set in the mid-90s) is not distractingly bad, but still feels a bit off. On the bright side, there’s a funny cat sidekick named Goose, and the late Marvel creator Stan Lee’s cameo is one of his funnier ones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Captive State

By Fritz Esker In the effective new thriller Captive State, aliens have invaded Earth and are now ruling over it as an occupying force.

Ashton Sanders plays a young man who watched the aliens murder his parents during the initial invasion. Many years later, he bristles under the occupation and wants to follow in the footsteps of his activist hero brother. His late father’s best friend (John Goodman) is a cop who is working for the aliens and who tries to dissuade Sanders from getting into trouble. But since this is a movie, Sanders, of course, becomes entangled in a covert plot to strike back at the aliens.

Blackbelt moviegoers will see a lot of similarities between Captive State and the classic French film Army of Shadows (about the French underground in WWII—if you haven’t seen it, definitely check it out). Both of those films are about small groups of dedicated people fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds, even though they know their actions will likely lead to their deaths.

It is also worth noting that in an era of big-budget blockbusters, Captive State keeps the proceedings relatively low-key. It’s tense and suspenseful, but it doesn’t rely on a lot of explosions or special effects to create that tension. Director Rupert Wyatt was also responsible for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, another pleasant surprise. He’s a director worth keeping an eye on.

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 47

TalesFromTheQuarter

By Debbie Lindsey

A Banquet of Memories

D

ining out was something my parents believed in. Oh, make no mistake, my mom was a fabulous cook, but eating out was a pleasure, a treat, a must! Even when my dad lost his business, narrowly escaped bankruptcy, sold our house, and moved to a more affordable neighborhood as he and Mom (until then, a “stay-at-home mom”) scrambled to find jobs (several jobs each) to make ends meet, they still believed in the concept of going out to eat. The simple pleasure of dining out was more than a treat; it was a break from cooking for Mom, an opportunity to impart social skills to us kids, and a much-needed momentary escape from feeling poor. This indulgence was made affordable with a bit of judicious planning.

The frugal food scene actually made for some of my best food experiences. For those on a budget, a Sunday outing to Morrison’s Cafeteria was an occasion, due to its interior.

It was Mobile, late 1950s, and this particular cafeteria sported high ceilings, beautiful ornate columns that towered throughout, fabulous mosaic-covered terrazzo floors, etched-glass partitions along the serving aisle, and a long staircase to the second floor, where even the ladies’ room seemed elegant.

Now, bear in mind that this is the memory of a kid—maybe it was not so grand, but I seem to remember these details (or some facsimile of them), and they made eating within our tight budget still seem like a visit to the Taj Mahal.

Even if money was no object, the neighborhood joints were always a favorite for my family. Hot dogs at the Dew Drop Inn were so simple and yet perfect. And to this day, their crab omelet sandwich is so firmly imbedded in my taste buds’ memory that I can taste it right now. And do not get me started on their onion rings: paper thin, crisp, and unsurpassed.

Korbet’s Restaurant, another family-owned eatery in Mobile, was my go-to for spaghetti and meat sauce. Once, when I was a kid, I was enjoying this dish so much that the waitress said she was tempted to buy me another herself—just to see me eat it! I had me a powerful appetite. And, of course, there was Ozzie’s Bar-B-Que, with its big plate-glass windows, black and white tiled floors, dinerstyle tables, and menus inserted inside clear plastic binders (easy to wipe clean all those sticky BBQ fingerprints), plus there was this interior glass-enclosed pit where the meats were cooked. And, of course, there was this crazy big neon sign on top of the roof, featuring a smiling pig with a little cap on its head.

Sometimes, Mom would fetch Ozzie’s BBQ chicken with containers of the rich sauce to go. Then she’d stop by Pollman’s Bakery and gather half a dozen poppy-seeded kaiser rolls

48 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

to sop up all that sauce. Even seated at the dining table, we still felt like we were having a picnic.

Naturally, there was a sweet side to all this savory: Howard Johnson’s ice cream. Holy cow! I never strayed from my two flavor picks, despite its boast of 28 flavors. My loyalties: peppermint and/or chocolate chip (okay, maybe I would branch out on occasion and have mint chocolate chip), and always on a sugar cone, not the cake cone. I loved this ice cream place so much so that one Sunday, as Dad was navigating the car around the back of Howard Johnson’s to find parking, I opened my car door (so as to be the first one out and in line for a cone), and the centrifugal pull of the circular drive flung me out of the car, while I held on to the door handle and the asphalt had its way with my back. No ice cream that day—straight home, where an angry and frightened mom plucked grit from my skin.

My parents would chase down a good meal even if it took all day. No distance was too far to go for good food. These outings generally took us west of Mobile into Mississippi. There was Trilby’s Restaurant in Ocean Springs, with its chicken broiled till the skin was crisp, caramelized, flaky black, and sitting in a slight pool of butter. I remember just as well the art hanging on the walls there—all local artists. It was quite charming. These outings came after my folks’ incomes stabilized, and we could experience a bit more expensive dining.

The best was what would, years later, lead me to make New Orleans my home: Galatoire’s. Their Trout Amandine lured my parents, despite the four or more hours it took to drive there. This was before the interstate, and those rides down Highway 90 along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Rigolets were all a part of this day trip. Of course, New Orleans had enough things going for her to warrant the visit, but I swear it was that trout dish that cinched the deal for my parents. Those day trips were the beginnings of my love affair with this town. I owe those poor fish who gave their lives to recruit me as a citizen.

So many eating experiences have come back to mind while writing this. There was Wintzell’s Oyster House in downtown Mobile—delicious and, once again, a place with an interior that one never forgets. And the Blue Gill (seafood) on the Causeway with its sloping floors, the building just waiting to slide into the delta.

Some of my readers might wonder what the hell this vegan is doing paying homage to so much meat and seafood. I say that I’m enjoying the hell out of my food memories. I am a vicarious carnivore, and while I no longer eat these foods, they will always have a place at my table of fond reminiscences.

Po-BoyViews

By Phil LaMancusa

Amen, I Say, OR Children of a Lesser God

O

h God, I think that it’s time for me to start my own religion. I’ll call it New Orleans Culinary Pagan Buddhist Hokey Pokey (that’s what it’s all about!) or Children of a Lesser God, LLC Inc. (CLG). It’s high time—high time, I say—for the children of a lesser god to band together and take their place among the Big Boppers With Beards who haven’t done squat except foster hatred, fear, war, oppression, and persecution.

Can I get a witness? Add to that misogyny, prejudice, environmental destruction, and slavery (get the picture?). They’re generally subject to a dreadful fashion sense and eat questionable food products; with that, you have pretty much all the world’s major religions in a nutshell. As we (CLG) say: “How sick is that?

We (CLG) are better than that. The first thing we’ll do is eliminate the death penalty— no, not the abominable retribution penal system, archaic “get even” approach to crime, although that’ll have to go as well. I’m talking about the life sentence we get with the Styx crossing. I say, “Screw that!” If indeed life’s too short, why die? The way I see it, the concept of Heaven and Hell is simply a way to keep us in line by promising an afterlife in which we will have to pay or play because of our behavior on this mortal coil. Why buy into that if you’re not going to leave? Believe what you will: I ain’t dying. I’ll live forever, until I make a liar out of myself. My god, although a lesser one, does not have death in store for me—rather, a life of friendliness, craftiness, irreverence, and gumbo. I don’t need an incentive to be good; lord, I’ve been told enough times that I’m good for nuthin, so I’m goin’ with that.

Next, we’ll find a cure for bacon or for pork in general. Oh, I know it’s the tastiest food product ever invented, but hogs are fine, sentient beings that we overfeed, keep in unsociable living conditions, and slaughter (against their wills). We stuff their own flesh into their own intestines, smoke them, grill them, and put them into our own bodies— how sick is that? We say: Leave those piggies to go to market, stay home, and eat what they damn well please before going “wee wee wee” (all the way home)! I realize that smoked dead pig will be a hard habit to cure, but folks, we gotta do it!

Speaking of smoking: “Take finely shredded vegetable matter, roll it into a tube of paper, light it on fire, stick it in our mouths, and suck that smoke in”—and it doesn’t get you comfortably numb like marijuana—how sick is that? NO SMOKING TOBACCO! We will also observe a Monday Sabbath with the blessed sacraments of red beans, rice, and our holy water of Crystal Hot sauce. We cannot help that the rest of the world takes Saturday and Sunday as days of rest; we’ll

take Mondays as well and have a religiously sanctioned three-day weekend—every blessed week!

We’ll build an altar to patience, which will take a longer time than the construction on Louisiana Avenue; have an anarchist’s mass (which no one will attend); and sing hymns according to the Gospels of James (Brown), Nina (Simone), Frank (Sinatra), and Stevie (Wonder or Nicks, take your pick). We’ll create our creator in the image of an eight-monthold child—you know, the age when wisdom is ours, we communicate in coos and cries, are gender-neutral, and have no facial hair.

An eight-month-old is the perfect image of a lesser god. Those of you who have had children know how perfect and knowing they are at that age, before they forget all the wisdom that they learned in their last life. All hail eight-month-olds, when life is as simple as mother’s milk and the changing of a diaper is a major event. Plus, eight-montholds have reached a plateau where they sleep the night through and are just learning to get upright; after that, they become prejudicially influenced (f*cked) by their environment.

Everything’s perfect at eight months.

Each Monday service will be an adventure of discovery: avocados, chocolate, breadsticks, applesauce, and finding our big toes. We’ll meditate on the meaning of meanings, the in-between of the in-between, the sounds of silence, and the wonders of cookie dough.

We’ll play nice, share, and won’t abide by anything that can hurt another person.

Holidays: Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, all the solstices, and Santa’s Birthday. The Easter Bunny will officiate; we’ll all have deviled eggs with jam.

However, being children of a lesser god does not exempt us from working for the common good. We’ll teach our children well, give comfort to the sick, feed the hungry, and learn the words to Village People songs. We’ll dance the Funky Chicken, Pony, Surfer Bird, Monkey, Jump Back Jack, and See Ya Later Alligator. From the gospel of James, we’ll sing “I Feel Good” (‘cause I got you!) and “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” No one need die for our sins because we won’t accept any doctrine that defines sin. Being good for goodness’s sake and being harmlessly crazy but not stupid is our lane, and we’ll stay in it.

We’ll wear mismatched socks, play with jacks and yo-yos, and avoid social media (we’re sociable enough without media). We’ll spend our off-time shopping at farmers markets and cooking things that are good for our bodies and spirits and sharing them with our brethren (everyone).

There are no dues or tithes; we’ll worship wherever we are, each body a temple and every home a church. We’ll change the world, and we’ll do it dressed to the nines!

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 49

YaGram

Below are our staff's favorite #NOLA hashtags on Instagram for March.

Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

BayouBoogalooRevealsMusicLineupFor2019

@_jasmineonajourney_

@slammin29

@rebsals

This annual three-day neighborhood festival on the banks of Bayou St. John on May 17, 18, and 19, features music on four stages and raises funds to support a clean and healthy Bayou St. John. The 2019 Bayou Boogaloo music lineup includes Tab Benoit, Cowboy Mouth, Raw Oyster Cult, Amanda Shaw & The Cute Guys, Grammy-winner Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, Little Freddie King, and more.

NewMagazineStreetMuralCompleted @mangia_modica

@ceedays

@joanne_enders

@zaebaloff

@_iamava1

@she_eatslikeaman

TweetBites

Below are our staff's New Orleans hashtag picks from Twitter for March. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

@KostelecRachael: The only thing that could surpass winning best superkrewe and best night parade is getting @Pink to agree to being our grand Marshall. #nyxwantspink #nola #mardigras #kreweofnyx

The Greetings Tour, an artist couple that has been traveling the country in their RV over the last four years and painting interactive postcard-style murals, recently finished their 35th piece, “Greetings from NOLA.” The largerthan-life spray-paint mural will be located on Magazine and Josephine Streets in the Lower Garden District. Past murals have become local landmarks and are considered the most photographed walls in their respective cities. The Greeting Tour’s goal is to complete pieces in all 50 states, bringing people together and creating true pieces of public art across America.

ShakeShackComingToCanalPlace The Shops at Canal Place are shaking things up and welcoming a burger chain that will have the license needed to also serve alcohol.

Shake Shack announced last year that it would be making its debut in the Louis Armstrong International Airport and planned to open a restaurant on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie. Recently, the chain also announced their move into New Orleans’s luxury shopping center, along with the plan to serve alcohol in addition to fast food.

@judec7: Walk six store fronts, eat or drink. Walk six more, eat or drink. Who says I don’t exercise. #NOLA @ShellFelix: The fact that there are no open container laws in New Orleans is the absolute best.

Nashville needs to catch up. I love being able to drink as I walk down the street. #nola #StPatricksDay @askmisshill: Just lying in bed, eating shrimp and grits, texting my neighbors about what's the best daiquiri flavor... #nola #neworleans #whereyat @iam_ladywheat: If your poboy not messy, it's not good...... #natrullynola #nolaeats @nicoleconforto: In New Orleans you can get drinks to go. I was JUST talking about “I wonder if you can order a cocktail on Uber eats”

50 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

JerryLeeLewisOut,JohnnyRiversInAtJazzFest Louisiana-born Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis has suffered a stroke, causing him to cancel several upcoming performances, including his scheduled appearance at the 2019 Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans.

Lewis is expected to have a full recovery from the stroke. The festival has added Johnny Rivers, best known for his songs “Secret Agent Man” and “Mountain of Love” to the festival lineup, as a replacement for the 82-yearold Lewis.

WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 51

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Where Ya Been?

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The Mardi Gras Indians paraded on Super Sunday to the joy of the adoring crowds.

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The Lucha Libre wrestlers at Agave Week put on a great show at Ace Hotel.

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The NOPSI Hotel introduced Chef Neal Swidler as executive chef for their Public Service restaurant.

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The crowds enjoyed the throws from the Bacchus Ball inside the Convention Center.

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Patricia Clarkson celebrated her role of Honorary Muse for the Krewe of Muses parade.

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Trixie Minx got into the tequila spirit while performing during Agave Week.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Tracey’s was a roaring good time.

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The Krewe of Bosom Buddies and Breast Friends had a blast parading in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras.

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Bacchus Bash at Generations Hall was a huge success that featured live music, DJs, and more.

10. Bryan Batt led the festivities for the 50th annual Greasing of the Poles to kick off Mardi Gras weekend.

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52 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

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WhereYat.com | April 2019 | 53

Chat NIKKI REYES with

Ever since the Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ's humble beginnings in 1998, smoked meats slathered in BBQ sauce have been their nom de plume. They now offer a variety of specialty sandwiches and a few palate-pleasing New Orleans dishes. The Saloon also serves a wide array of delicious cocktails and local craft beers.

Donald Julien

Eric Paulsen

Chef, Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ

Award-Winning News Anchor, WWL Channel 4

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"WHO DAT!" I did 90 on the Causeway … TODAY! 1965 Bordeaux.

Some pot.

"I'M IN HELL WITH MY FRIENDS"

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"STELLA, AM I THE FELLA?" I don't think I should answer that.

1995 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mini bottle of vodka.

"WHY DID HE STAY AROUND SO LONG?"

Rachel Watkins

John Tesvich

Assistant Manager, Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ

President, Croatian American Society

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"RUN FASTER WITH DEM BLOODY MARYS!" I kissed a girl, and I liked it.

1979 Pinot Noir.

BBQ shrimp po-boy from Muriel’s.

"JUST ONE MORE MONTH AND I'LL BE CAUGHT UP"

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"MARIA!" Cussing!

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon.

A horse tail.

"HE TRIED HIS BEST"

Malorie Huffman

Sharon Stoskopf

Bartender Extraordinaire, Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ

Cost Control Analyst, City of New Orleans

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"GIVE ME SOME JAMESON!" Chewing up my boyfriend.

1969 Pinot Grigio.

A little stuffed horse zebra.

"DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, HAVE A SHOT"

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"GUSTAV!" I'm a saint, not a sinner!

1991 Opus.

1991 Opus, for emergency!

"GLAMAZON"

Nick Nesbit

Melvin Cade

Owner, Nesbit's Market

Attorney at Law, Melvin Cade & Associates

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"DESIRE!" Fibbing.

1977 Pinot Noir.

An extra t-shirt.

"LIVED IT TO THE FULLEST"

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"DESIRE!" Master consumption of wine!

1790 Bordeaux.

A mist fan.

"DIDN'T HE RAMBLE?"

Andrew Ward

Monica Campuzano

Foundation Chair, Rotary Club of New Orleans Riverbend

Electrical Engineer

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"BIG DADDY HAS GOT THE SPASTIC COLON!" Simply, I deserve a bowl of hemlock!

Box of Franzia, ca. Circle K. His and hers matching bullwhips.

"GLITTER MIXED ASHES, RIDING THE RIVER"

54 | Spring Festivals Guide | Where Y'at Magazine

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"CELEBRATE!" Aww, a bunch of 'em!

2007 Pinot Noir.

TP. "LIVED LIFE TO THE FULLEST"

Where Y’at Chat Questions: 1. It's the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival! Instead of screaming "STELLA!" what would you scream?

2. It's also the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. What was your last sin?

3. You're a bottle of wine at the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience.

What is your vintage?

4. Woo-hoo, French Quarter Fest! What surprising item is in your fanny pack?

5. April 6 is Write Your Epitaph Day. What's on your tombstone?