Gambit Digital Edition: February 26, 2024

February 26 - March 3

2024

Volume 45

Number 9

editor | JOhN STANTON

Politicaleditor | cLANcy DuBOS

Arts &entertainment editor | WILL cOVIeLLO

StaffWriters | JAKe cLAPP, KAyLee POche, SArAhrAVITS

contributing Writer | IANMcNuLTy

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ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT Otherworldly

PhotographerCherylGerberreleases‘TheDanseMacabre’

CHERYLGERBERHASCAPTUREDMANY SIDESOFNEWORLEANSin30yearsas aphotographer,includingshootingfor Gambit,theAssociatedPress,TheNew yorkTimesandcountlessmagazines

Butmostlyshetakespictureswhilenot onassignment.

“Igooutandshootthousandsofphotographsatanevent,”Gerbersays.“I dumpthemonmycomputer,andthey juststaythere.”

Thepandemicgavehertimeto explorethatarchive,andtheresultis “TheDanseMacabre,”justreleased byLSuPress.Itcaptureshow“lifeand deathlivecheektocheek”inthecity, writesnovelistMauricecarlosruffinin hisforewordtothebook

Inthebook,Gerberexploresthefull cycleofNewOrleans’culture,fromthe sillyandsensualexcessesofcarnival, burlesqueandSouthernDecadenceto thetraditionsofsocialaidandpleasure clubsecondlinesandsomberand catharticritesofjazzfunerals.

Therearebrilliantportraitsof membersoftheZuluTrampsingrass skirtsandfeatheredheaddresses hittingthestreetsonFatTuesday.Abig groupofmeninlimetutusandrainbow socksdanceatSouthernDecadence MembersofthePigeonTownSteppers SocialAidandPleasureclubsurround formerNewOrleansSaintsplayerSteve Gleasonwithredandyellowplumed fansonthegroundsofJazzFest.cyril Nevilleandcoreyhenrysinginthe streetsatArtNeville’sfuneral.

Therealsoarestarkmoments. Protestersgatheratconfederate monuments,includingpeoplecarryingconfederateflagsattheP.G.T. Beauregardmonumentandanti-racist protestersdrivingbytheJeffersonDavis monumentwithflagsandbanners.

Insomeways,thebookpicksupfrom whereGerberleftoffwithher2015 book,“NewOrleans:LifeandDeathin theBigeasy.”Mostofthephotosare fromthelastdecade.Theperiodwas markedbylossandstrife:NewOrleans lostFatsDomino,AllenToussaint,Leah chase,BoDollis,Dr.John,ellisMarsalis Jr.andothers.hurricaneIdaroared acrosstheregionontheanniversaryof hurricaneKatrina.Andthepandemic broughtNewOrleans’streamoffestivalsandeventstoahalt

Thebookwasrevealedtoherinthe photoeditingprocess.

“yougatherallthephotosyoulike andlookatthemandsay,‘Whatdoes thismean?’”Gerbersays.“Itwasn’t

byWillCoviello

untillateintheprocessthatIrealizedit wasgoingtobeaboutdeath.Wewere goingthroughcovid,andtherewereall thesefunerals.”

Butlivinginacitythathasdealtwith disastersandupheavalthroughoutits historyaffectsthecity’scultureinmany ways,shesays

“Ontheflipsideisthedefiancepart,” Gerbersays.“Itotallybelievethat becausewefacedeathanddisaster andalloftheseterriblethingsinNew Orleans,thereisthisdefiancetobe happyinspiteofit.Thatendsupcausingthedebaucheryanddecadence.”

Thebookopenswithathicksection titled“TheGoodTimesrolled,”which oftenfocusesoncelebratorymoments andevents,andeventhemessyside,such aspassedoutrevelersonthesidewalkof BourbonStreet.Ononespread,French PresidentemmanuelMacronwalks throughtheFrenchQuarterwithMayor LaToyacantrell,whiletheoppositepage featuresGerber’sfamousshotofAshley MorrisdressedasasadmimeintheKrewe duVieuxparadefollowingKatrina,beggingFrancetobuybackLouisiana.The contrastsinthelayoutofphotosmake manyofitssubjectsmorepoignant.

The“SaintsandSinners”sectioncontrastseverythingfromcatholicrituals andchristianprotesterscarryingsigns duringSouthernDecadencetoalineup ofburlesquedancersinpastiesand theStrippersMarchprotestin2018 Onfacingpages,ArchbishopGregory Aymondwearsafuchsiagarmentand VodoupriestessSallieAnnGlassman lightscandlesinafuchsiahaze

Thethirdsectionisdevotedtofunerals,anditincludesthejazzfuneralsfor

ThefuneralforRevellDewan “VellyVell”Andrews,whowas shotafterattendingsummer theatercamp.

DaveBartholomewandhot8Brass BandsousaphonistBenniePete,gospel singerJo“cool”Davis,BlaineKern Sr.,chrisOwensandArthurrobinson, betterknownasMr.Okra

Thefinalsectionisdevotedtoprotests, especiallyinthebattleoverconfederate monuments,BlackLivesMatterand marchesforreproductiverights.Gerber saysshewassurprisedbyhowmany photosshetookofAmericanflags “There’sahomelessguywithan AmericanflagT-shit,”shesays.“There areNaziswithAmericanflags.There areMuslimswithAmericanflags.It surprisedme.NobodythinksofNew OrleansasanAmericanatypeofplace. IwassurprisedtoseehowAmerican weare.IwanttodoatributetoNew Orleansasaplacethatexercisesits Americanfreedomsmorethanany placeintheSouthormaybethecountry.‘Dowhatyouwanna.’”

ButNewOrleansisauniqueplace, andGerberknowsitscultureisthekey.

“We’resousedtodeath,destruction anddisaster,itrousesus—togetout onthestreetsanddosomething,” Gerbersays.“That’swhyIcannever leavethisplace.”

Gerberwillsigncopiesof“TheDanse Macabre”at6p.m.Wednesday,Feb 28,atOctaviaBooks.She’llbeinterviewedaboutthebookonSaturday, March16,attheNewOrleansBook

FestivalatTulaneUniversity

YoLaTengo

Onthecuspof40yearsasaband,yo LaTengoisacertifiedinstitutionin indierock.Butratherthanrestonits laurels,thetriofromhoboken,New Jersey,continuestogiveitsallwith eachtimelyrelease,likeitsacclaimed 17thstudioalbum,“ThisStupid World,”releasedlastyear.Theband playstwonightsatTipitina’sthisweek. Thefirstnight,Tuesday,Feb.27,isa “Freewheeling”setfeaturingacoustic songsthebandwroteinresponseto audiencequestions,andnighttwo, Wednesday,Feb.28,isamorestandardtourset.Musicstartsat8p.m Ticketsare$30pernightor$50for bothviatipitinas.com

StevieNicks

StevieNicksdrewamassivecrowdat the2022NewOrleansJazz&Heritage Festivaltoseethestoriedsingerplay herhitslike“edgeofSeventeen”and FleetwoodMacsongslike“rhiannon” and“Landslide,”whichshededicated tothelateFooFightersdrummer Taylorhawkins.Nickswasplanning toreturntoNewOrleansin2023,but acoviddiagnosisinherbandderailed partofhertour.Shefinallymakesit totheSmoothieKingcenterat7p.m. Wednesday,Feb.28.Ticketsstartat $55viasmoothiekingcenter.com.

DustySlay

Nashville-basedcomedianDustySlay doesn’tliketoaskpeopleifthey’re havingagoodtime—he’stooanxious they’llsay“no.”he’dratherjuststate thefact,“We’rehavingagoodtime,” deliveredwithatinywave.Always sportingatruckerhat,thecomedian digsintohisblue-collarworkhistory andupbringinginanAlabamatrailer parkforhislatestspecial“Workin’ Man,”nowonNetflix.he’snowon “TheNightShift”tourandplaysat 7p.m.Friday,March1,attheJoy Theater.Ticketsstartat$35viathejoytheater.com

PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER

PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

IfLandrywereaseagertohelpthecrawfishindustryasheistohurtus,priceswouldberockbottom

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

RecycleDat!,thecity’scarnivaltimerecyclingprogram,collected morethan10tonsofmaterial duringthelasttwoweeksof parades.Alongwithroving volunteersandstaff,recycleDat! stationsalongtheuptownparade routecollectedmorethan12,700 poundsofbeadsandthrows,more than4,200poundsofglassand morethan4,500poundsofaluminumcans.Thiswasthesecond yearforrecycleDat!,aninitiative betweenthecity,NewOrleans& co.,GroundsKrewe,Glasshalf Fullandotherorganizations.

St.ClaudeStarbucksworkers wontheirelectiontounionize earlierthismonth.Thecrewat theshoponthecornerofSt claudeandelysianFieldsavenues isthethirdStarbuckslocationto unionizeinNewOrleans,following theleadofworkersatStarbucks locationsonPoydrasStreetand MapleStreet.

AlfredRussell,anNOPDofficer whoshovedamemberoftheL.B.

LandryhighSchoolmarchingband duringtheMusesparade,hasa historyofmisconductcomplaints andisalsounderinvestigation forallegedpayrollfraud,The Times-Picayunereported.Videos caughtrussellpushingBrandon Mitchell,aLandryseniorand mellophoneplayer,knockinghim intoanotherstudent.Theshove triggeredanimmediatebacklash onsocialmedia.russellwas removedfromparadeduty,and theNOPD’sPublicIntegrityBureau isinvestigating.

WilliamVoilessmallmenagerieofanimalsrode remarkablycalmlythroughtheFrenchQuarterinthefront andrearbasketsofhisadulttricycleinthis2023photo.

Belovedpetpossumseizedfromhisowner duringFrenchQuarterMardiGrascrackdown

WILLIAMVOILESISAREGULARSIGHT INTHEFRENCHQUARTER,pedalinghis adulttricyclewithasmallmenagerie ofanimalsriding,remarkablycalmly, inthefrontandrearbaskets

PhotosfromJuneshowVoiles’ collectionincludedabrownrabbit,a smallwhitedog,asmallbrowndog andtwoopossums,onelargeand onelittle.Therollingcastofanimals changesovertime.

Inonlinevideos,Voilescanbeseen pedalingalongwithapossumclinging tohisbackandshoulders.

ButonFeb.10atabout11a.m., Voilessaid,hewasstoppedbylaw enforcementofficersnearroyaland St.Peterstreets.Theofficersspotted hispetopossum,Saffron,andone asked,“Isthatopossumyours?”

Voilesacknowledgedthatthe creature,whichwaswearingablue sweater,didindeedbelongtohim Theofficerstoldhimthatowning anopossumwasagainstthelaw, thensummonedasmallall-terrain vehiclewithacageintheback.They instructedVoilestodepositthemarsupialinside,hesaid

Voilessaidheaskedtheofficers topleaseleavethesweateronthe animalaslongaspossible.

Seizingtheprohibitedopossumwas partofabiggercrime-preventionplan.

LouisianaDepartmentofWildlife andFisheriesagentsspentpartof carnivalcrackingdownontheillegal possessionofanimalsintheFrench Quarter.Threepythonsandapossumwerereportedlytakenfromtheir

keepersonFeb.9andFeb.14.The eye-catchingcreaturesaresometimesusedbyunauthorizedvendors whoacceptpaymentforphotoopps.

Voiles,50,sayshegrewupas an“Armybrat.”hewasbornin Germany,buthaslivedinTexas, Alabamaandelsewhere.

untilafewmonthsago,hesaid, hewasregularlyemployedonthe riverboatNatchez.healsosells crossesandfleurs-de-lishand-wovenfromribbon.Voilessaidhedoes notsolicitmoneywithhispets

SaffroncameintohislifelastMarch ashecyclednearclaiborneAvenue, hesaid.Itwas“alittlebaby,”hesaid, “nobiggerthanmythumb.”Thetiny creaturewasclingingtoitsmother, whichhadapparentlybeenkilledby acar.Voilessaidhebottle-fedthe infanttomaturity.

“It’sreallyadoginanopossum body,”hesaid,becausewhen Saffronwasabletoopenhiseyes, “dogswerethefirstthinghesaw.”

Talkingaboutthelossofhispet makeshimemotional,hesaid.

“Itfeelsliketheykidnappedmy kid,”Voilessaid.

DuringtheMardiGrasseason,20 LDWFagentsjoinedanenhancedlaw enforcementeffortspearheadedby SheriffSusanhutson’soffice.LDWF biologistsreportedlyaccompanied patrolstosafelyhandleseized animals.—DougMaccash/ TheTImes-Picayune

THE COUNT #

$7.33

Thisiscalculatedbytrackingthe17vendors onthecrawfishAppwithina15-mileradius ofNewOrleans.Thepriceisadecreasefrom earlierthisyearwhencrawfishwassellingfor anaverageof$11.14perpound.Butitisstill significantlyhigherthanpreviousseasons Localcrawfishareinshortersupplydueto 2023’sextremeweather.

24.3%

PHOTOBYDOUGMACCASH NOLA.COM /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

THECHADSKINDA

35.2%

BEAUTIFUL! IFEEL REJUVENATED

@clancygambit

FarewelltoNewOrleans columnistJamesGill—a friend,mentorandlegend

IFDAMONRUNYONHAD WANTEDTOCREATE LOUISIANA’SUNLIKELIEST POLITICALCOLUMNIST, hecouldn’thavedone betterthanJamesGill. AnEnglishmanbybirth, James’wrywitredefined politicalcommentary inastaterenownedfor itscolorfulcharacters, intoxicatingcultureand quirkycustoms.

Inthisageofsocial mediaclickbaitand “influencers,”Jameswas aRunyonesquethrowback toanearliererainjournalism.Hisrumpled,curmudgeonlypersonabeliedhis meticulouslyartful—and mercilesslyaccurate— takedownsofLouisiana’s highandmighty.

Helovedspeakingtruth topoweralmostasmuch ashelovedgin,jazzand poringovera“DailyRacing Form.”Heexcelledat thoseandmanyotherpursuits,which madehispassingonFeb.20,attheage of81,suchalosstolocaljournalism— andtoallwhoknewandlovedhim

investors.Backthen,Ronniewrote apopularcolumninGambitcalled “Razoo.”And,likeJames,hewasan inveteraterailbird.

James’careerinLouisianaspanned morethanfourdecades,duringwhich hewrotemorethan4,000columns inTheTimes-PicayuneandThe Advocate.Ihadthehonorofcalling himafriend,colleagueandmentor.

Wemetshortlyafterhelandedajob asaneditorialwriterfortheTPin1978. Wesharedsomeofthesamevices, whichgaverisetoalifetimeofcrazy ideas,loudlaughsandfondmemories.

Withoutdoubt,ourzaniestadventurewasJames’ideaofstartinga thoroughbredhorseracingsyndicatein late1999

Jamesmadeitsoundsosimple: Getfriendstoputup$5,000each, claimacheapbutpromisingnag, hireTomAmossasourtrainer,win afewpurses,andplowourwinningsintoever-more-lucrative equineinvestments.

Whatcouldgowrong?

Inamovethatseemsprescientin retrospect,wenamedourgroupRazoo Stables—anodtofellowcolumnist RonnieVirgets,oneofourinitial

Therestofusdidn’tknowoneendof ahorsefromtheother,but,asproofof Amoss’chopsasatrainerandtheold adagethatGodtakescareoffoolsand drunks,ourfillywontwooutofthree racesinourfirstseason—thenwas mercifullyclaimed

Thefollowingyear,ourclaimer wonbothofherstarts.Flushwith earlysuccess—firstplaceinfourof fivestartsovertwoseasons—we becameregularsattheCrescentCity Steakhouse,whereweconducted officialbusinessoverbeef,Bombay ginandbombasticbuffoonery.

Convincedthatwehadfound thoroughbredracing’sRosettaStone, weaddedinvestors,boughtamore expensivehorse…andwentbustover thenexttwoseasons.

Butwehadalotoflaughsalong theway

MyfavoritewasacommentJames madeaswediscussedaddingnew members.Isaidsomethingaboutthe mostimportantqualificationbeing

STAFFFILEPHOTO

POLITICALHALLOFFAME Studymedicine at OchsnerHealth in partnership with UQ,a top-50 worlduniversity. Medical School CRICOS 00025B| TEQSA PRV12080 TropicalIsle Original 600 BOURBON TropicalIsle 721BOURBON Littl RBON TropicalIsle’sBayouClub 610BOURBON leTropical Isle 435 BOUR THE #1 DRINK IN NEWORLEANS! HAND HAN GRENADE® HonkyTonk 727 Bourbon SundaySpecials 3701 iberville st •504.488.6582 katiesinmidcity.com Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm• Fri& Sat11am-10pm Sun10am-6pm lunch+brunch Eggs&Things Scotie’s Scrambler Steak&Eggs Chickenorthe Egg OldFavorites BreakfastPizza PressedMorning Poboy Brunch Quesadilla Mimosas, Bloody Mary &White/Red Sangriafor $25 Mix&Match (1.5 Hr TableLimit) imosas Bottomless Full Menu also available

FromleftjournalistsBruceNolan,PaulBartels, andJamesGillina1980photo.

“noassholes,”towhichJamesdryly replied,“Ofcourse,ClancyandIare grandfatheredin.”

JamesandIalsodinedregularly withotherpoliticalwags,typicallyon theeveningbeforeamajorelection Wesharedredmeat,redwineand juicygossip—alongwithafriendly wagerontheelection’soutcome.

Thisgroup’santewasamere$5, butthewinner’sbraggingrightswere priceless.AswithRazooStables,we strictlyenforceda“noassholes”rule —subjecttothesamegrandfather clauseforJamesandme.

becameanAmericancitizen,Berry andI—alongwithcherishedothers— wereproudtowatchhimtakehisoath “IfJameshadacreed,itwasthe libertiesinvestedinthedemocratic ruleoflaw,”Berrysaid.“Louisiana amusedhimasaplacewherethe lawwasperpetuallybrokenbutthe humancomedyfurnishedpeople whoenjoyedlifetothefullest.As thingsgetdarkerbecauseofclimate changeandthepowerofthebiglie, IthinkofJamesasasourceoflight andwonder.”

ISSUEDATE: MAR4TH

Earlyoninourfriendship,James askedmetobehisdaughter Jacqueline’sgodfather—notthat headheredtotheteachingsofthe ChurchofRome.Itdid,however, cementourfriendshipandgiveme anotherlifetimeofhappymemories asherparrain

Andatleastonegoodlaugh.

OnthedayofJacqueline’schristening,whenIarrivedathishouseand askedhowpreparationsweregoing, hegroused,“It’sapapistconspiracy.”

Somanygreatmemories,along withsomanygreatcolumns.When itcametolampooningcrooksand swells,hehadnoequal.

“Imarveledathisabilitytocapture somuch,sowell,intheshortspace ofanop-ed,”recalledJasonBerry, anotherlongtimefriendandfellow journalist/author.“Hewasnever drivenbythedesireordreamtomove ontothenationalstage.Heenjoyed whereheendedupandhadnodesire toleave.”

JamesgrewupinEngland’s parliamentarymonarchy,whichno doubtinspiredhisloveofAmerica’s democraticrepublic,ourConstitution andtheBillofRights.Onthedayhe

Newspapercolumnist

Ifit’struethatthere’sanexception toeveryrule,JamesGillwasthe exceptiontothemaximthatnoone isirreplaceable.Hispassingleavesa voidthatcannotbefilled,butthose ofuswhoworkedwithhim,loved himandstrivedtoemulatehimwill remainforevergratefulforhisfriendship,hismentorshipandtoomany laughstocount.

TIMES-PICAYUNE STAFFPHOTO

@GambitBlake

HeyBlake, I’mintrigued bytheSpanishstylebuildingon MagazineStreet neartheHalfMoon BarandSophie B.Wrightstatue. Whatcanyoutell meaboutit?

Dearreader, THEBUILDINGAT1911MAGAZINEST. ISANEXAMPLEofSpanishcolonial revivalarchitecturefeaturingwhite stuccotoppedwithredtile.Nowan eventvenueknownasIlMercato,it openedin1849astheMagazineStreet Market,oneofmanyopen-airpublic marketsinthecityatthetime.

IlMercatoat1911MagazineSt.

PHOTOPROVIDED BY LOUISIANA LANDMARKSSOCIETY

thebuildinguntilchangesweremade.

AccordingtothePreservation resourcecenter,thepropertywas renovatedin1931andreopenedas afullyenclosedmarketplacethe followingyear.ArchitectSamStone outragedsomewithhisdesign.They consideredthenewmarket’sSpanishstylearchitecturetobeoutofcharacterwiththeneighborhood.

TheMagazineMarketBusiness Men’sAssociationcalledita“freakof architectureandinadequatetoaccommodatethemerchantsoperatinginit,” accordingtoaJuly15,1932,TimesPicayunearticle.Thegroupresolvednot toholdanydedicationceremoniesfor

BLAKEVIEW

Thecity’sDirectorofMarkets, TheodoreGrunewald,declined,saying thatthenumberofcomplimentshe hadreceivedaboutthebuildingoutnumberedthecomplaints40toone

In1947,themarketwasleasedto calvinLecompte.Inthe1950s,he operateditasamarketbutalsoas Lecompte’sSeaFoodInn.Newspaper adsfeaturedapictureoftheoutdoor patiowhichfeaturedfoodandmusic from“realsingingcowboys.”

Thesitewashometoavarietyof businessesinthedecadesthatfollowed,includingaprintshop.In2013, chefandrestaurantownerJoelDondis purchasedtheproperty,renovated andrestoreditasIlMercato

DOYOUREMEMBERTHEORIGINALNEWORLEANSBREAKERS?Thisweekmarks40 yearssincethecity’sunitedStatesFootballLeaguefranchiseplayeditsfirstregular seasongame.Theteamexperiencedashort-livedrevivalin2022,unfortunately lastingnotmuchlongerthantheoriginalBreakersdidinthe1980s.

TheleaguehadamajorNewOrleansconnectioninDaveDixon,thelocalbusinessmanandpromoterwhohelpedbringtheNFLandtheSaintstothecityinthe 1960s.In1965,Dixonproposedtheideaforaspringandsummerprofessional footballleague,whichbecametheuSFL.

Whentheleaguelaunchedin1983,theteamthatwouldbecometheNew OrleansBreakersbeganlifeastheBostonBreakers.Theyplayedoneseasonthere (underleaguecoachoftheyearDickcoury)beforerelocatingtothecrescentcity.

LocalbusinessmananddeveloperJosephcanizaropurchasedtheteamin December1983,leadinganownershipgroupwhichincludedDixon,Gov.edwin edwards,architectArthurQ.Davisandothers.

TheteamopeneditsregularseasononFeb.26,1984,witharoadgamewin againsttheSanAntonioGunslingers.Theywouldplaytheirfirstgameatthe SuperdomeonMarch12,1984.BufordJordanandMarcusDupreewerestarson theteam,whichwontheirfirstfivegamesbeforeendingtheseason8-10.

WhentheuSFLdecidedtomovetoafallfootballschedule,canizarodecidedto movetheteamtoPortland,Oregon,ratherthancompeteagainsttheSaints.The BreakersplayedoneseasoninPortlandbeforetheleaguefoldedin1986.

In2022,FoxSportspurchasedtheuSFLbrandandrebootedtheleague,reviving theNewOrleansBreakers,althoughallleaguegameswereplayedinBirmingham. TheBreakerswereoneoffourteamswhoweredisbandedayearlater,whenthe uSFLandXFLleaguesmerged.

WRWa e adio VS

Wayne on his career,NewOrleans hip-hop and howradio has changed

AYNEBENJAMINJR.justneededajob.It was1991,andwhilestudyingatXavier Universityhewantedsomethingtoput alittle“booksandbeermoney”inhispocketsas hepreparedforacareerinveterinarymedicine AfriendpointedhimtoanopeningatWQUE 93.3FM.Itwasaprettybasicroleanswering thephones,notthesortofjobdescriptionthat screams“MajorLifeChangesAhead.”Butthejob wouldendupfundamentallyalteringthecourse ofhislife—andmostofthecity’ship-hopstars.

Today“WildWayne,”ashe’scometobe known,isoneofNewOrleansradio’smost recognizableandinfluentialDJs.Andwith morethan30yearsonairatQ93andacareer spentupliftinghomegrownartiststhrough

radio,concertsandliveevents,Benjaminisa keyfigureinthedevelopmentofNewOrleans’ hip-hopcommunity

“Heembodiedthemusic,”saysjournalistMonicaPierre,whowaspartoftheQ93 morningshowforyears.Pierretodayisan assistantprofessorinXavierUniversity’sMass Communicationsdepartmentandhashad Benjaminspeaktoherclassabouthiscareer.

Pierresaysthatinadditiontohavinganeyefor talent,Benjaminalsohadbusinesssavvyanda knackforpromotingartists

“Heknewhowtomakesuretheywerealso partofthatbrandhewasbuilding,”shesays. “Ijustreallyadmiredhimandwhathewasdoing. Becausetherewasnonameforwhathewas

BY JAKE CLAPP

doing(whenhestarted)—hecreatedabrand andcreatedauniverseoutofthatbrand,andhe continuestodothattoday.”

Benjamingrewupinthe7thWardinthe1970s and’80saship-hopbegantoseepintoNew OrleansthroughDJslikeSlickLeoCoakleyon WAIL105FM.Benjaminhadaloveformusicand attendedshowsinNewOrleans,butheadmits hedidn’tlistentoalotofradiogrowingup

“Iwassoengrossedinlife,survival,school, etc.,andradioreallywasn’tmything,”hesays.

TakingthejobatQ93,though,puthiminthe pathofDaveyD,thenoneofthehottestDJsin thecity,andthetwogelled.Theirshowtogether exploded,Benjaminsays,anditsethimonanew careerpath.

Wild

WildWayneintheQ93studio PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER

Withhistrademark“It’sya boy,WildWayne!”andgenerous personality,Benjaminhasbeenan importantfigureinhelpingNew Orleanship-hopreachlargerand largeraudiencesinthelast30 years,alongsidehisQ93colleagues “UptownAngela”WatsonandDJ RoWatts.

Benjaminwasontheground floorasCashMoneyandNoLimit Recordsdevelopedintopowerhouselabels.Andthroughhis segmentslike“9O’ClockProps” andtheweeklyTVshow“PhatPhat NAllThat,”he’sgivenacriticalplatformtonumerousthen-up-andcomingartists,likeMystikal,theHot Boys,Choppa,Dee-1andCurren$y Intheearly’90s,Benjaminalso beganpromotingconcertswith hiscrew,firstknownasGotham CityProductionsandlaterthe WolfPack,packingclubsfor showsbyCheekyBlakk,Magnolia Slim,JuvenileandMasterP. Andforseveralyearsfollowing HurricaneKatrina,Benjaminand rapperandentrepreneurSess

4-5hostedIndustryInfluenceat TheHanger,aneventformusic industryeducation,networkingand talentshowcases.

Outsideofhisradiowork, Benjaminhassince2000organized youtheventsandsummerprograms throughhisBenjaminFoundation Andtotopitoff,heisthepublic addressannouncerattheSmoothie KingCenterduringPelicans homegames.

WildWaynecanbeheard2-7 p.m.weekdaysonQ93.3FM.You canalsofollowhimonInstagram, @wildwayne.

Thisarticleispartofaseries focusingonNewOrleansas hip-hopturns50.Findmoreat gambitweekly.com.

GAMBIT: Whatwasyour introductiontohip-hop?

WILDWAYNE: Myfirstintroductionwaskindofintwoparts. Irememberasayoungsterseeing anarticleonthe“TodayShow” aboutthisnewpassingfadknownas

PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER

breakdancing.YoucanGoogle itbecauseit’sstillthere,but Ithinktheywerejustkindof like,“Yeah,thisfadwillbehere today,gonetomorrow,but theseNewYorkstreetdancers callitbreakdancing.”AndI wasjustlike“Wow!”Itwasjust reallyfascinating.Butthatwas probablymyfirstintroduction, seeingthat.

Andthen,moreofthehiphoppartandthemusicwas mymomandhergirlfriends usedtohavethesecardgames, andtheywouldalwaysplay thenewestmusic.Iremember themhavingthisbrand-new record,andithadtheinseton itthatwaslikethisblueinset withthislittlefunkycentipede lookingthingonit Iremember themplayingitoverandover again.ThatwasSugarhillGang and“Rapper’sDelight,”and thatwasmyveryfirstintroductiontohip-hop.

Doyouremember thefirstNewOrleans artistthatyouliked oradmired?

WW: Therewasaradio stationherebackintheday calledWAIL105,andthatwas thefirsttimeIheardhip-hop ontheradioandDJscratching, whichwasprobablySlickLeo (Coakley)backthen.Iwaslike, “Oh,wow.”Igrabbedsomeof mymom’srecords,andIruined them Oh,shedidnotlikethat atall!

Thatwasprobablymyfirst radiorecollectionofhip-hop inNewOrleans,andthenIwas kindoffthegrid,becauseIwas school,school,school.But probablymyfirstmemoriesas ateenagerwasGregoryD.His recordsweregettingradioplay, andthatwasabigdeal Greg wasprobablymyfirstNew OrleansartistthatIwaskind offollowing.ItwasGregand MannieFreshonthetrack.

Wereyouinvolved inthemusiccommunity growingup,goingto showsorbeingfriends withartists?

WW: Ididn’tlistentothe radiomuch,butIlistenedtoa lotofmusic,andIwenttoalot ofshows.Mymusicaltastes wereprettydiverseatthatparticularpoint.Istarted(atQ93)

in’91,soyoustillhadapretty heavyR&Binfluence,mixed withalittlefunk,andthenrap waskindoffledglingatthat particulartime.Ilistenedto everything,fromNWAand Spice1toATribeCalledQuest.

AndIdidgotoabunch ofshowsaroundtown.I remembergoingtoR.Kelly’s firstshow(inNewOrleans), IthinkitwasattheMunicipal Auditoriumorsomethinglike that,anditwascrazybecause hewasnobodythen IremembergoingtoPrince’sshow. NWA,Ithink,mighthavecome down,andRun-DMCcame downforsomeshows.

Iwaslovingmusic,butI wasn’treallyconnectedwith musicians.Myworld:Iwasthe collegekid.Iwasfocusedon booksandwhathaveyouuntil Godtoldmeatacertaintime, like,youneedtouseyourvoice tomakethingshappen

Ifoundoutprettyearlythat yourvoiceisaverypowerful tool.Icansayjustaboutanythingontheradio,andpeople willbelieveit SoI’venever wantedtobeashockjock, andIneverwantedtobethe kindofjockthatwasmessyor controversiallikethat,starting beefandstufflikethat.But Iknewthatmyvoicewasa powerfultool,andIuseditfor alotofpositives.I’vealways triedtohaveapositiveshow, keepapositiveoutlookand beinformative,educatedin mydelivery.

Arethereother figuresonlocalradio thatyoufeelare importanttothisstoryof howhip-hopdeveloped inNewOrleans?

WW: AaronAppleberry(at WYLD-FM)isanimportant figurewhenitcametohip-hop inNewOrleans,becausethere wasastationthatplayedhiphop,andwewastheprogrammerforit.Aaronhaspassed away,buthewasoneofthe earlyguys.Ididn’tlistentohim toomuchatthetime,butwe

workedtogetherlateron

AlsoBarryRichardswasa bignameinradioaroundthose formativeyears.Hewasone ofthebignamesinradio.And thentheguythatIgotstarted withwasDaveyD.He’sover inCalifornianow,buthewas whoIfirststartedwithasa showproducer Wewerelike thisdynamicduo.Buthewas alreadyestablishedbeforeIgot intotheradiogame.

There’sagreatpicture onyourInstagramofyou andDJSlab1.Couldyou tellmeaboutsomeofthe otherDJsandhostsyou wereworkingwith?

WW: Atthestation,my bosswasGerodStevens,so althoughwehadanadversarial relationship[laughs],hereally taughtmealotaboutthebusiness Iwasyoungandbrash.I thinkheworksatWBOK-AM now.Also,(broadcasterand DJ)LBJwasreallyamentorfor me He’soveratWGNOnow andWYLD Hewasfromthe 7thWard,too,andalittleolder thanme Hehadbeeninthe gameforsometime.Hepulled metothesideandencouraged metostickwithit.

UptownAngela(Watson), andIdidanumberofyears withDJRo(Watts) thatwas myradiofamily Istillworkwith RoandUptownAngela.DJSlab workedonairwiththestation andwithme,buthewaspart ofWolfPack Thatstoryisa crazyone.

Iwasdoingtheseparties,and IhadthispartyUptown The houseIlivedinwason6thand Baronne,andIlivedrightnext doortoTylerPerry’sfamily. Thatwaswhenhewasliving inAtlantaandwasastruggling playwright,sohewaskindof neverthere.

Oneofthefirstpartieswe didatthishouse,Ihadgot DJChickenandSlabandDJ Batmantoplayit Itwasacrazy Uptownparty,andwejust clickedafterthatandstayed intouch.Me,DJSlab1,DJ Batman,anotherguynamed M-Flex,therewasKidd he

passedaway andBigWell (WellingtonCeasar),thatwas kindofthecrew.WellandSlab, afterWolfPackkindofmoved on,theybecameCashMoney’s roadDJsforawhilebeforeRaj Smoovestarteddoingit PartoftheWolfPack,too, wasmyboyShawnRoyal,they calledhim40-Ounce.That’s awholeotherstory[laughs] Itwaslikethestuffyouwould seeintheseoldNWAkindof movies Itwasawholeother timeandchapterinmylife.But itwaspartofwhatbuiltthis wholethingup.ItwasadifferenttimeinNewOrleans.

Didyouhavea missioninmindora strategywhenitcameto introducingNewOrleans artistsonair?

WW: Well,Ineverreally knewifitwasgonnablowup ornot justbecausethemere factthattherecordbusiness wasbasedontheleftandthe rightcoast.Wedidn’thave awholelotofsupportatthe time,butthenweendedup gettingaprogramdirector thatreallywasfeelingit,andit grewfromthere.Plus,building relationshipswiththeseartists, andIpromotedalotofshows atthatparticulartime,soIwas abletoseethesethingsfirsthandinsidetheradiostation andoutsidetheradiostation.

Didaudiences immediatelypickupon thelocalsy’allplayed?Or wasitkindofatoughsell togetlistenerstocluein onlocalartists?

WW: No,theylovedit!They lovedit Anditwasbecause theyknewthesepeople.A lotofthemmighthavebeen relatedtothem,ortheywere fromtheirneighborhood, ortheysawthemattheclub theyfrequented

TellmeabouttheNo LimitandCashMoney era.Youweretightwith bothcamps,right?

WW: Iwasdownwithboth ofthoseteams.InitiallyIwas morealongthelinesofCash Money,becauseCashMoney washere (Master)Pwasfrom NewOrleans,buthewasin California Soaroundthetime allofthisstuffstartedblowing up,Iwasalreadyrockingwith CashMoney.Theywerereally thetrendsetters.Theystarted withKiloG.Thatwasthefirst pieceofwaxthatIevergot fromalocalcompany:KiloG’s “Sleepwalker.” AndthenPkindofcame backbecausehestarted makingsometractionout[in California],buthefiguredhe wasgoingtoneedtobringit backtoNewOrleansandget

WildWayneBenjamin withUptownAngelaWatson

PHOTO BY LESLIE GAMBONI / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

someoftheplayersinthegamefrom here.Mostoftheartiststheywere dealingwithinearlyNoLimitwere WestCoastrappers,andthatstuff wasn’treallyflyinghere

Irememberhebroughtmeallthese discswhenhedid“DownSouth Hustlers,”andit’sahodge-podgeofa coupleoflocalsandSouthernrappers, butalotofWestCoastartists,too, andpeopledownherereallyweren’t feelingthat Irememberpeoplegiving methosediscsback[laughs] ButI alsorememberthosesamepeople comingbacktomelikeamonthlater, asking“Man,youstillgotthosediscs?” Itblewup reallyblewup

Howdidyouseethings changeonceMasterPmoved backintothecity?

WW: [NoLimitwas]doinga completelydifferentstyleofmusic whentheywereontheWestCoast. Andthenhestartedamassingsome artists:MiaX,Mr Serv-On,Fiend, C-MurderandSilkktheShocker,and thatwastheinitialcorehebuiltto transitionfromallthestuffhewas doinginCaliforniatowhathecame downheretodo Atthesametime,youhadCash Moneydoingtheirthing,andthey simultaneouslykindoftookover aroundthesametime whichwas neverseenbefore,tohavetwolabels kindoftakeovertheworldatthe sametime Ialwaysequatethefact that,especiallyforMasterP,things linedupinawaythatmaybepredestined.Palreadyhadagoodprogram running.Hewasbuildingupandmakingallthismoneyoutthetrunk,selling hand-to-hand,buttheywerealso doingtheirowndistributiondealswith someofthecompaniesdownhere. Buttherealthingthathappenedwas, Ithink,thedeathofTupacandBiggie (Smalls)openedupalanethathadn’t beentherebefore,andPalreadyhad themachinerunningandjumpedonit. Hecatapultedintothatlane

AndCashMoneyaswell.Theyhad doneallthework Whentheydidtheir dealwithUniversal,Universaldidn’t knowwhattodowiththem.Theyhad noideatodowiththisNewOrleans stuff.Theydidn’tunderstandwhat weweretalkingabout;theyjustknew

theyweresellingalotofrecords.But thepeopleabovethemdidn’tbelieve init That’showtheygotthosebig hugedeals.Ireallyfeelliketheywere settingthemuptobeataxwrite-off.

But[CashMoney]knewhowgood theywere Theyknewtheywere alreadymillionaires.Theyknew theyalreadyhadthemoney.They alreadyknewtheyhadthedistributionchainsetup.Theyalreadyknew howbuybacksweresetupatthese differentrecordstoresaroundthe country.Andtheyknewhowtopush thenumbers.

CashMoneyhadbeendoingit andmovingunits.BobbyMarchan (musicianandpromoter)wasbehind themintermsofreallytakingthem fromsomerappingguystoarecord label.Bobbynevergetsenough creditforhisinstrumentalworkwith CashMoneybecomingabusiness. Andtheywereinplacetooforthis gapinthe(national)gamethatmade itselfavailable.

CashMoneyandNo Limittendtodominatethe conversationaroundthe ‘90sandearly2000’sinNew Orleanship-hop.Whowere someoftheotherartistsyou wereexcitedaboutorfeltlike weredoinginterestingthings? WW: Therewerealotofartists doingbigthingshere.Iwasnotonly onradio,butIwasapromoter,too. Mygroup,wewerecalledtheWolf PackDJs.Wedidalotofbookings andalotofshows,soIalwayssay, Iusedtomakealotofmoneywith artistsbeforeCashMoneyandNo Limit.Theydid,infact,takealotof oxygenouttheroom,becausepeople justwantedtoseeNoLimitandCash Moneyafteracertainperiodoftime Butearlier,wewoulddoallthe TakeFo’artists Jubilee,Willie Puckett,Choppa Weweredoing CheekyBlakk,Ms Teewhenshe wasn’tonCashMoney,Magnolia Shortyattheearlystages,HotBoy Ronald Weweredoingalltheseartists.Lokeewasanotherbigartistat thetime ERC,Psychoward which wasRajSmooveandMac(Phipps) andallthesedifferentguys Fiend, Partners-N-Crime Ipackedalotof venueswithalotofpeople. Therewerealotofgroupsdoinga lotofgreatstuffbeforeCashMoney

WildWayneat thesoundboard intheQ93studio

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER

WildWaynehasforyearsworkedwithandhostedevents forNewOrleanskidsandteens.

PHOTO BY RUSTY COSTANZA / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

andNoLimit.ButIalwaysfelt liketheychangedthegame, andpeoplewantedtolookat thebiggerartists.Andthen, additionally,radiowaschangingatthetime,too.

Weplayedalotoflocals, andthentherewasaperiod [intheearly2000s]wherewe sloweddownonplayingthe localsbecausebiggerthings werehappeninginurbanradio withnationalprogramming. Nationalprogrammingiswhat youhearasaniterationofnow, whereyouhearsomuch,let’s say,Beyoncein50different markets,MigosorJay-Zor somebodylikethatin50to 100markets.Therewasatime whereyouheardthat,butit wasbalancedwithlocals Alot oflocalgroupsgotpushedout aroundthetimewhennational programmingbecameathing.

Whathasbeen radio’simportancetothe growthofhip-hopanda host’sroleingrowinga community?

WW: There’snodoubtabout it,theimportance There’sno doubtaboutit.Webrokeso manyoftheseartiststhatare thefoundationofNewOrleans hip-hop andjusthip-hopin general Itwashuge,man,the impactthatithad.Itgotso muchofthismusicouttothe peopleofthecity,butalsothe factthat[thecityis]ahotbed fortourism.NewOrleansis onthebucketlistforalotof people,sotheycomehereand theywouldlistentoradio.

Ihostedatelevisionshow called“PhatPhatNAllThat,” whichwasabigdealfor videostobeseen.Andthose thingsreallyhelpedgrowNew Orleanship-hop.I’mafirm believerinthat Radiowasan integralpartofitbecausethere werenot10,000otheraudio platforms,right?Wewerethe onlygameintown,andwe didn’thavemuchcompetition. Anytimetheseotherstations cameabout,theydidn’tlast verylong Q93hasstayed thecourse,andI’mnotjust sayingthatbecauseIwork there,butthatisinfactthe

deal Ithinktheaccessibility ofalotoftheserecords,likeat PeachesoratOdyssey,allof thesethingscametogetherand madeNewOrleanship-hop whatitisthatweseenow.

Wealsodidsomebigevents withtheradiostation,like TeenSummit.Wediditinthe SuperdomeandLakefront Arena,andthesewerebig deals.ItwasthefirsttimeNo Limithadeverdoneapyro show.CashMoneyhadrented ahelicopterthattheydropped downintotheDome itwas onwires,andtheydropped itdown

Somanybig,bigthings happenedatthattime Itwas amagicaltime,especiallyfor NewOrleanship-hoptobeout thereonamuchbiggerlevel.

Couldyoutellme moreabout“PhatPhatN AllThat?”

WW: Ididn’towntheshow, Iwasthehost,butithelped moveNewOrleansmusicforward Wewereabletoputout thesevideosonartistsandIdid interviewswithalotofpeople, anditmadetheseartistslook nationalandlikesuperstarsto thepublic evenifthey’restill livingintheirmomma’shouse inthe9thWard Itmovedthe culturealongbecauseitput itouttheretosomanymore households Peoplewouldstay uptoseetheshow MyinterviewswithCashMoneyandNo Limitandsomanydifferent artists,itwasjustunheardof I talkedwithSnoopDogg.Idid 8BallandMJG,Mystikaland MasterP.ItpropelledhiphopinNewOrleanswhereit madethepublicbelike,“We arethere!”

Thisiscrazy,butyoucould watch“PhatPhat”injail,too. Asoddasthatmayseem,but alotofpeoplethatbecame incarcerated,thatwastheir thing.Thatwasabigdeal That waswhenRayNaginwasthe headofCox.

Ifyouwereinjail,youmight seeyourfavoritelocalartiston there.Maybeitwassomeone fromyourneighborhoodwho wasmakingit,andyouwere abletostayintouchwithallthe newmusicandvideos Itwas theconduit,let’ssay,forthem

totheoutsideworldforwhat wasnew,hotandhappenin’.

Q93isstillvery popular,butwiththe growthofnational programmingand streamingplatforms,do youfeelradiostillhasthe placeitoncedidmaybe 20,30yearsago?

WW: It’schanged.Iwon’t sugarcoatitandsayit’sthe same,becausethey’rejustso manyoptionsnow.Butitstill hasaplacewithalotofpeople Westillbreakalotofartists I don’tthinkasmanyasweonce did,becausenationalprogrammingchangedthat.

It’snotthesameplaceasit oncewas,andIonlysaythat becausethere’sjustsomuch competition.Youhaveall yourstreamingplatformsand YouTube.Peopleaccessmusic fromalotofdifferentplaces now.We’renottheonlygame intown,butIthinkwestillare veryrelevant

Andthen,NewOrleansradio isalittledifferentthanother markets.Insomemarkets, radiojustdoesn’thavethe sameweight Wehavesomeof thesamenamesonradio,like myself Peoplehavegrownup onme,andthatmakesadifference.Alotofradiostations havealotofturnover,too.

A.DBerryisstillon,Uptown Angela,DJRo,LBJ,Papa Smurf,thesearenamesthat havestayedthecourse and thatdoesn’thappenthatoften.

Whatareyour thoughtsontheNew Orleanship-hop landscapetoday?

WW: There’saplethora ofartistsinthismarketthat arenewandcreatingwaves. I’llstartwithbounce.It’san interestingthingbecauseof howit’sbeenpickedupand embracedinothermarkets. It’skindofcrazytowatch. YouhavetheBigFreedias oftheworldwhodidtheir thingbutthenalsobecame sampled.It’smadepeople startdoingtheirresearchon [thosesamples].Thenthey werelike,“WhoisthisFreedia? What’sthisbouncething?This

cadenceandtempo?” openeditup. ForaDJ,bounceisasavior becauseofthetempo.Ifyou’rea clubDJ,alotofsongsareslower andlowerBPMintoday’sworld, especiallytheseR&Brecords thatwomenknoweveryword of,butaDJprobablycan’tplay becauseit’stooslow Sothey speedupthetempoandadd abouncebeatandmaybea bounceverse,andit’sbeena hugewaytopushthatmusicout there.There’sawholearmyof bounceartiststhathavebeen abletodowellandgotmillions ofstreamsbecauseofbounce movingouttherelikethat

Wealsohaveartiststhataren’t necessarilybouncethathave madetheirmark,likeDee-1 andCurren$y.3DNa’Tee,Pell andglblwrmng,AlfredBanks, NenoCalvin.There’sawhole hugeamountofnewartists thathavebeenabletotakethe soundstoamuchhigherheights. Supahbaddhashadahuge followingacrossthecountryand sohasRob49.

There’salotandthere’s evenmorethatcontinueto grow,andIthinkit’sbecauseof theculture.

PostersfromaPepsi campaignfeaturing WildWayneandflyers forconcerts promotedbyWayne

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WILD WAYNE BENJAMIN

Inthecards

ChefEmerilLagasseopensFrenchbrasserieatHarrah’s byBethD’Addono |

CHEFEMERILLAGASSEISNO

STRANGERTOCASINOS.hisdistinctivestyleofNewOrleanscuisineis representedattheVenetianandthe MGMGrandinLasVegas,andhe previouslyhadaseriesofrestaurants attheformerSandscasinoandhotel inBethlehem,Pennsylvania.

Butonhishometurf,notsomuch —untilemeril’sBrasserie,alicensing partnershipwithharrah’s(soon-to-be caesars)casino,openedinNovember.

It’sthecelebritychef’sfirstnew restaurantinNewOrleanssincehe openedMerilin2016,andthelatest sincehereopenedhisflagshipemeril’s withatastingmenuconceptandhis sone.J.Lagasseatthehelm.Thechef soonwillopenanothernewconcept withamenubasedonhisfamily’s Portugueseroots.

unliketheothercasinorestaurants,whichtheemerilGroupown andoperate,thebrasserieis100% casino-owned,withthechefcontractedtolendhisstarpowertothe operation.Thegroup’sinputhasbeen criticalfromthebeginning,according toMilesTullyJr.,thecasino’sfoodand beverageoperator

“Theyhavebeeninstrumentalfrom thestart,”saysTully,aLakeview nativewhohasworkedalmosthalf ofhis41yearsinhospitality.“chef emerilandhisteamaregreatpartners,givingusideasforbothfront andbackofthehouse.We’veworked closelywithDavidSlater,whoheads hisculinaryoperation,totweakthe menusincetheopening.”

TherestaurantisFrenchinpedigree,anodtoLagasse’sformative culinaryyearsinFrancecookingunder classicallytrainedchefsinParisand Lyon.Butitisabrasserie,notaformal diningexperience.

“ItisFrenchinspired,”Tullysays. “Brasseriesareloudandvibrant,with amenuofrich,fillingdishes.youcan hearthecasinoonabusynight.It’snot aherbsaintorrestaurantAugust.”

Therestauranttookoverthe formerhomeoffastcasualeateriesthatincludedFuddruckersand Starbucksattheendofthecasino

facingcanalStreet.The entranceoffersdirect accesstotherestaurant,makingitthefirst eateryatthecasino opentocustomers under21.

Therestaurant’s designisburnishedin gold,withroomfor170 guests,plustwoprivate 25-guestdiningrooms andaglowingmarble barthatseats30.There isaphotowallshowcasingLagasse’scareer, includinghimtakingover thecommander’sPalace kitchenat23yearsold. Juliachildiswithhimin onephoto,andhisson e.J.isinanother.

classicbrasserie dishesabound.There’s anAlsatianinspired tarteflambe,aflatbread toppedwithsweet onions,baconlardons andGruyerecheese ALagasseversionof Frenchonionsoupis drapedwithmeltedGruyereover peaksofhouse-madesourdough croutons.roastedbonemarrow isdottedwithsmokedhamhock marmaladeandservedwithbrioche toastpoints.

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

Crawfishcrunch

THEFAMILIARAROMAOFPEPPERY, CLOVE-STRUCKSPICEISRISINGfromthe boilingshedsbehindseafoodmarkets andrestaurantsaroundNewOrleans. Parkinglotsarefilling,andcustomers queuingup.WithanotherMardiGras over,thecustomarystartforserious crawfishseasonisuponus

Butthisyear,thingsareseriouslydifferent.

culturalcuesarehard-wiredintolocal crawfishlovers.AsLentbegins,sodo theirtraditions,ritualsandcravingsbuilt aroundcrawfish

Butforecastssincethenewyearhave warnedofapoorcrawfishseason,and nowthosepredictionsareprovingout inthemarketplacewithhigherprices, scarcersupplyandsmallercrawfish.

Still,crawfishareavailable.Soafter shuttlingaroundseafoodmarketsand restaurants,I’msuggestingsomeways toapproachtheseason,fromcrawfish alternativestoafrozencrawfishcautionarytale(because,yes,that’show thisseasonisgoing)

NewOrleansstaplesalsoarein thehouse.Thereisasmokedturkey andouillegumbo,localbluecrab timbaleandcrispyhog’sheadcheese servedwithamustardandherbdrivensaucegribiche.Friedoysters adornacaesarsalad entreesincludeabutterytroutmeuniere,garlickyspaghettiBordelaise withlargeGulfshrimp,filetaupoivre withfriesandbeer-steamedmussels servedwithfriesandandouilleinstead oftheusualchorizo.Acreamylobster potpieiscappedwithachapeauof goldenpuffpastryseasonedwithsea saltandfreshherbs

Theappletartetatindessertisa showstopper,toppedwithvanillaice

dinnerdaily, brunch Sat.-Sun.

creamandcaramelizedappleslices atopasweetdoughcrust ericIvyisthechefdecuisine.The casino’sexecutivechef,Paulrobert, hadworkedwithIvyatrestaurants belongingtoBrGhospitality,formerlytheBeshrestaurantGroup.

“ericworkedatLukeandWillaJean andbringsplentyofexperiencepushinghighqualitycuisineoutinvolume,” Tullysays.

ButemerilLagassealsomaintains apresence,includingdiningatthe brasseriethatbearshisname.

“hewaswithusforNewyear’s brunchandwashereforendymion,” generalmanagerMariacalixsays. “healwaysbringsanenergyand excitementfortheguestswhenhe’s inthehouse.”

WHAT WHERE WHEN CHECKITOUT HOW emeril’s Brasserie harrah’scasino,2canalSt.,(504)5336900;caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/ restaurants/emerils-brasserie

dine-inclassicFrench-inspiredand NewOrleansdishes

Crawfishweighinonthescaleat Clesi’sSeafoodinFebruary.

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Astuteobserversofcrawfishwill surelynotethatanyyeargenerally startswithhand-wringingreportsover supplyandpricewoes.Thenasspring arrives,aswitchisflippedandcrawfish becomeabundantandreasonably affordable.That’swhenthoseearly forecastsareforgotten,orturnedinto “I-told-you-so”retortsfromthosewho alwaysseemtohavealltheanswers.

Emeril’sBrasserieservesclassic Frenchdishessuchassteakfrites.

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

@LUZIANNECAFE

Butlastyear’sdroughtwashistoricallybad,andithitthecrawfish producingareasofLouisianahard. Thisistheregionthatsuppliesthevast majorityoftheAmericancrawfish harvest;there’snocavalryridingin fromotherregionstosavetheday.

It’sstillearlydaysforthe2024crawfishseason,butwe’realreadyseeing somestrangewrinklestothefamiliar patternsofsupplyanddemand,and that’sbeencausingmuchconsternationforcrawfishloversandforanyone inthecrawfishbusiness.

Atleastonebignameinthatbusinessdecidedtostayonthesidelinesin theearlygoing

Deanie’sSeafood,whichhasa fewlocations,issynonymouswith crawfish.Butaftergivingsomeearly batchesatryduringcarnivalseason, therestaurantstoppedservingthem andiswaitingtoseehowthingsshape upinthenextweekorso.

“Theyweresmallandexpensiveand notwhatpeopleexpect,”Deanie’s managerchandrachifici-Scarbertold mejustafterMardiGras.“Itwasnota recipeforsuccess.”

Thecrawfishsituationwasfodder forMardiGrascostumesthisyear Butforthoseinthebusiness,it’sno laughingmatter

Manyrestaurantsandplentyofseafoodmarketsrelyoncrawfishseason nowthewaybakeriesdokingcake. Thelastthinganybusinessaround herecontendingwithhighercosts needsrightnowisanotherlegkicked outfromundertheirtable.

evensomerestaurantsthatare servingcrawfishsteadilynowreport peopleareorderingless.That’sno wondergiventhepricesatplay crawfishpriceshavebeenfluctuatingalmostasquicklyasIcanwrite themdown,andoveroneweekend somepurveyorsreportedasignificant dropof$1ormoreapound.Still,the mid-FebruarypricerangeIfound rangedfrombetween$9and$14a pound,abouttwicewhatonecould expectinpastyearsaroundthistime.

Soifyoumusthavecrawfish,you cangetthemifyou’rewillingtopay clesi’sSeafoodhadpeggedits pricesat$14perpoundwhenIvisited recentlytowatchboilmasterJarvis SmithatworkattheMid-cityrestaurant.evenatlunchtime,theorders keptrollingashedashedbetweenthe boilingpotshewastendingandtrays hewasfillingwithhotcrawfish.

Ialwayslikeclesi’sboil,withits balanceofcitrusandspice,anda reliablytauttexturetothebite.Iwas pleasantlysurprisedthistimebythe sizerollingthrough,whichwasfairfor February(whichisstillearlyseason eveninmorenormal-ishyears)

Somepeoplewillpayanypricefor theircrawfishfix,regardlessofthe actualsituationwithsupplyandpricing. Still,patienceisacrawfishlover’s virtue,asanyoneknowswhohasever stoodwithatimeroverapotofcrawfishthroughthesoakingphase

Therecentpricedeclineispromising,andplacesthathadnocrawfish availableatallearlierinFebruaryare startingtogetsupply.Iftheweather intheharvestareascooperates, there’shopethingscouldcontinue toprogressforbigger,lessexpensive crawfishtocome

Andtherearealternatives.Frozen crawfishtailsarecommonplacein cookeddishes.Buthowaboutfrozen boiledcrawfish?Thatmeanscrawfish caughtandcookedinpriorseasons andbroughtbacktolife(orsome semblanceofit)tobeservedhotin theshellforthisone.Isthisaviable alternativeinthisweirdseason? considertheexampleIfoundat NorthBroadSupermarket,afontof greatcrawfishandvalueplatelunches betterknownbyitsnicknamethe BlueStore.There’snosubterfuge involvedinthefrozenproduct.Itwas clearlymarkedonthemenuboardas suchandlistednextto“fresh”boiled crawfish.Thepricedifferencewas stark:$5.99forfrozen,$13.99for fresh,atthetime.Butsotoowasthe differenceinquality.

Thefreshcrawfishweresmallbut verytasty,withasnaptothetexture forthecayenneandcitrustoclingto. Thefrozenwerelargerbutterrible, withwoolly,mealy-texturedmeat, oftendisintegratingonthefingertips midpeeling.

Myadviceistosaveyourmoneyfor aproperfixfromthefresh.

crawfishpriceshavespurred speculationthatperhapsitwouldbe betterjusttoswitchtolobsterthis season.Butthere’snoneedtogoout ofmarket.

ImaintainthatGulfshrimpdeserve morerespectonthelocaltable,and thatincludesthetableswesetforboils.

Therelativepriceofshrimptocrawfishisaconsiderationinnormaltimes, thoughthisyearhasclosedthatgap, andinsomecasesgreatboiledshrimp ischeaper.

Gettingpeopletogetherovera spreadofboiledshrimpthatyouslowly peelwhilesippingyourbeverageof choiceflexesthesamesocialmuscles asacrawfishboil,andisanespecially compellingalternativerightnow.

Ourlocalshrimperscoulduse morelove;nowisagoodtime toshowit.—IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

Alexandra Yanes&Alina Hernandez

NOchIstudentchefs

byWillCoviello

EVERYCLASSATTHENEWORLEANS

CULINARYANDHOSPITALITYINSTITUTE (NOCHI)opensapop-uprestaurantas theynearcompletionoftheprogram ThelatestiterationisBamba,aconceptdrawingonconnectionsbetween centralandLatinAmericaand caribbeanculturesandcuisinesfrom cubatoBrazilandPeru.Alexandra yanesandAlinahernandeztookthe leadondevelopingthetropicalconcept alongwithcourtneyWilsonandViolet Veselka.BambaisopenforlunchFeb. 27-March1andMarch5-8.Formenu, informationandreservations, visitnochi.org/bamba.

Howdidyouget interestedincooking andattendingNOCHI?

ALINAHERNANDEZ: Imovedhere fromNewyork.Ihaveabackgroundin medicaladministration.Itookadvantageoftheopportunitytocomehere whenmyhusbandwastransferred.

Thatwastwoyearsago

Duringcovid,IwaslockedinmyNew yorkcityapartment,soIhadalotof timeandhonedmy(cooking)skills. ItwassomethingIalwayswantedto do,andbeinghere,Ifinallyhadthe opportunitytodoit.

ALEXANDRAYANES: Iwasbornin MarylandandraisedinNewOrleans.I grewupcookingwithmymotherand withmygrandmotherwhenwewould visitherinhonduras.

IwenttoLSuandgraduated inMay2023.IgotaBAinmarketingwithaminorinbusinessadministration.culinaryschoolwassomethingthatIalwayswantedtodo.I heardaboutNOchIand(how)I couldcomebackhomeandgotoan acceleratedprogram.

Ihavebeenintherestaurantworldfor aboutsixyears.Iworkedasawaitress, andIworkedasahostessforthepast fouryearsatafine-diningsteakhouse AH: comingfromacorporatebackgroundandalotofformaleducation, yourealizeyouhavetolearnthingsall overagain,andmaybedifferentfrom howmomorgrandmataughtyou.It’s reallycoolbecausewehavepeopleof allagesandexperiencesinourcohort It’snicetoshareandexperiencethis

withallthesedifferentpeople.you learnfromeachotheraswell

Howdidyoucomeup withtheconceptforBamba?

AY: (Theclasswas)dividedupinto threedifferentgroups.Inourgroup,it wasme,AlinaandcourtneyandViolet. Whenwestartedbrainstorming,weall cameupwithanidea.

AH: Weallhaddifferentregionsthat wewantedtotouchon.collectively theyalltranslatedwellintotheconcept.Alex’sideawasSouthAmerica. MinewasNativeAmerican.Iwanted totouchonIndigenousgroupsinthe Americas.Violetandcourtneyhadthe sameideaofhawaii.Thetropicsfell intosimilaringredientsandpreparations.Theingredientstranslatedreally well,andwecametogethertodoa LatinAmericanconcept

AY: Wetookbitsandpiecesfrom whatallofuswantedtodoanddidn’t limitourselvestooneregionorcontinent.Werangedfromcentraland LatinAmericaandtookflavorsfrom thecaribbeanaswell.

AH: Wewanttodisplayunique aspectsfromeachcountryandculture buttieittogetherwiththeuseofsimilar foundationsandingredientsthatcanbe spreadoutthroughoutthedishes.

What’sonthemenu?

AY: Inourappetizersection,we havecevicheperuano.Itcomesfrom Peru.It’saclassicwaythattheymake ceviche.Weplantoserveitwithfried plantainchips.Peoplewillbefamiliar withit,withNewOrleansbeingso seafood-heavyonmenus.Soit’sbright andcolorful,butstillfamiliar.

Wealsohavequesofundido,which istraditionalandfamiliar.Wewantthe menutobecomfortableforpeopleto trydifferentthingsandbranchout.

WealsowantBambatoshowthat LatinAmericanfooddoesn’thaveto

berustic.Itcanbefinedining.Itcanbe elegantandelevated.

AH: Thesteakisdecadentandrich, butitisservedwithfreshvegetables Themoquecaisaseafoodstew.These dishesareveryapproachable.It’snot toomuchofajumpforsomeonewho’s nevertriedthiscuisine.

AY: Traditionally(moquecais)made withjustfish.We’readdingGulf shrimpaswell.We’realsoelevatingit. Normallythefishiscookedinthestew We’retakingadifferentapproach. We’regoingtopansearthefishand havethebrothseparateonthesideand bringthemtogetherwhenweserveit totheguest.

AH: Oneofthedessertsismyrecipe It’sspecialtomebecausemybackgroundisMexicanandPuertorican. WewanttohighlightmoreofthecountriesinLatinAmericathatdon’tget somuchattention.Temblequecomes fromawordthatmeanstoshake.It’s verysimilarintexturetoapannacotta. Imagineapannacottaupsidedown It’sjiggly.Itshakes.Itisacoconut custardinfusedwithwarmingspices andzestedwithlime.It’sabigisland dessert.We’repairingthatwitha granitaorsomethingtogiveittexture.

AY: Ouralcoholicdrinkisamezcal grapefruitpaloma.It’slikeaclassic paloma,butinsteadoftequilawe’re usingmezcaltogiveitthatextrasmokinessandbite.Grapefruitisinseason,so hopefullywe’llgetthebestofthebest. Withthenon-alcoholic,we’re playingwithaBrazilianlemonade Traditionallyitisblended,butwemight switchitupanddoitasanaguafresca.

AH: We’rewritingdownourown recipes,teachingothershowtomake them,explainingtheingredients andprofilestoaguest.It’scoming together,andit’sreallyrewarding.

WINE OF TH E WEEK

Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark ruby in color,the Austin Hope CabernetSauvignon expresses aromas of freshly picked black currants, ripe and blackberries, with subtle notesofviolets, mocha and dried spices. On the palate,it’saluscious modern-styled wine layered with an abundanceofjuicy olallieberry and cherry fruit, while nuances of cedar, clove,nutmeg and vanilla bean round outthe long smooth finish.Full-bodied and rich,balanced by fresh acidity and integrated, polished tannins

DISTRIBUTED BY

AlexandraYanes(left) andAlinaHernandez PHOTOPROVIDEDBYNOCHI

Out2eatisanindexofGambitcontractadvertisers.unlessnoted,addressesareforNewOrleans andallacceptcreditcards.updates:email willc@gambitweekly.comorcall(504)483-3106

8FreshFoodAssassin—1900N.Claiborne Ave.,(504)224-2628;Instagram,@8freshfoodassassin chefMannyJanuary’sserves lambchops,T-bonesteaks,salmon,crab cakes,deepfriedribs,friedchickenandseafood-loadedoysters.Noreservations.Delivery available.LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun $$

Acorn—LouisianaChildren’sMuseum, 12HenryThomasDrive,(504)218-5413; acornnola.com—Blackenedshrimptacosare toppedwitharugula,radish,pineapple-mango salsaandcilantro-limesauce.Noreservations. BreakfastandlunchWed.-Sun.$$

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

LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun $

Annunciation—1016AnnunciationSt.,(504) 568-0245;annunciationrestaurant.com

GulfDrumyvonneisservedwithbrown buttersaucewithmushroomsandartichoke hearts.reservationsrecommended.Dinner Thu.-Mon.$$$

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

Jimmycho’sThaidishesincludesmokedpork bellyandporkmeatballsinlemongrassbroth withegg,greenonion,cilantroandgarlic reservationsacceptedforlargeparties exceptweekends.Deliveryavailable.Lunch anddinnerTue.-Sat.$$

Bamboula’s—514FrenchmenSt.;bamboulasmusic.com—Thelivemusicvenue’s kitchenoffersamenuoftraditionaland creativecreoledishes,suchascreolecrawfishcrepeswithgoatcheeseandchardonnay sauce.reservationsaccepted.Lunch,dinner andlate-nightdaily.$$

TheBlueCrabRestaurantandOyster Bar—118HarborViewCourt,Slidell,(985) 315-7001;7900LakeshoreDrive,(504) 284-2898;thebluecrabnola.com Basin barbecueshrimpareservedovercheesegrits withacheesebiscuit.Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.Lakeview:Lunchand dinnerTue.-Sun.Slidell:LunchWed.-Fri., dinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchSat.-Sun $$

Broussard’s—819ContiSt.,(504)581-3866; broussards.com rainbowtroutamandine isservedwithtassoandcornmacquechoux andcreolemeunieresauce.reservations recommended.Outdoorseatingavailable. DinnerWed.-Sat.,brunchSun.$$$

CafeNormandie—HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining—Themenu combinesclassicFrenchdishesandLouisiana itemslikecrabbeignetswithherbaioli.No reservations.Breakfastandlunchdaily.$$

TheCommissary—634OrangeSt.,(504) 274-1850;thecommissarynola.com A smokedturkeysandwichisservedwith bacon,tomatojam,herbedcreamcheese, arugulaandherbvinaigretteonhoneyoat bread.Noreservations.Outdoorseating available.LunchTue.-Sat.$$ Curio—301RoyalSt.,(504)717-4198;curionola.com—Thecreativecreolemenuincludes blackenedGulfshrimpservedwithchicken andandouillejambalaya.reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10 $$—$11-$20 $$$—$20-up

DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Amenu fullofGulfseafoodincludeschar-grilled oysterstoppedwithParmesanandherbs reservationsrecommended.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

DickieBrennan’sBourbonHouse—144 BourbonSt.,(504)522-0111;bourbonhouse. com—There’saseafoodrawbaranddisheslike redfishwithlemonbuerreblanc.reservations accepted.Lunchanddinnerdaily $$$

DickieBrennan’sSteakhouse 716Iberville St.,(504)522-2467;dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com—A6-ouncefiletmignonis servedwithfriedoysters,creamedspinach, potatoesandbearnaise.reservationsrecommended.DinnerMon.-Sat $$$ DowntheHatch 817St.LouisSt.,(504) 766-6007;1921SophieWrightPlace,(504) 220-7071;downthehatchnola.com—The Texanburgerfeaturesahalf-poundpatty toppedwithcaramelizedonions,smoked bacon,cheddarcheeseandafriedegg. Noreservations.Lunch,dinnerandlatenightdaily $$

DragonflyCafe—530JacksonAve.,(504) 544-9530;dragonflynola.com Thecasual cafeoffersbreakfastplates,waffles,salads, coffeedrinksandmore.Deliveryavailable. reservationsaccepted.Breakfastand lunchWed.-Sat.$$

ElPavoReal 4401S.BroadAve.,(504) 266-2022;elpavorealnola.com—Themenu includestacos,enchiladasandsauteedGulf fishtoppedwithtomatoes,olives,onionand capers,servedwithriceandstringbeans. Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations LunchandearlydinnerTue.-Sat.$$

Felix’sRestaurant&OysterBar 739 IbervilleSt.,(504)522-4440;7400 LakeshoreDrive,(504)304-4125;felixs.com

Themenuincludesrawandchar-grilled oysters,seafoodplatters,po-boysandmore. Noreservations.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

FreySmokedMeatCo.—4141BienvilleSt., Suite110,(504)488-7427;freysmokedmeat. com—Thebarbecuespotservespulledpork, ribs,brisket,sausagesandanditemslikefried porkbellytossedinpepperjellyglaze.No reservations.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

FrootOrleans—2438BellSt.,SuiteB,(504) 233-3346;frootorleans.com Thereare freshfruitplattersandsmoothiebowlssuch asastrawberryshortcakeandmoreusing pineapple,berries,citrusandmore.No reservations.Outdoorseatingavailable. Breakfastandlunchdaily $$ Juan’sFlyingBurrito—515BaronneSt., (504)529-5825;2018MagazineSt.,(504) 569-0000;4724S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 486-9950;8140OakSt.,(504)897-4800; juansflyingburrito.com TheFlyingBurrito includessteak,shrimp,chicken,cheddarjack cheese,blackbeans,rice,guacamoleand salsa.Outdoorseatingavailable.Noreservations.LunchanddinnerThu.-Tue $$ Katie’sRestaurant—3701IbervilleSt.,(504) 488-6582;katiesinmidcity.com Theeclecticmenuincludesacajuncubanwithroasted pork,ham,cheeseandpickles.Delivery available.reservationsacceptedforlarge parties.LunchanddinnerTue.-Sun.$$

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

LegacyKitchen’sCraftTavern 700 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)613-2350;legacykitchen.com—Themenuincludesoysters, flatbreads,burgers,sandwiches,saladsand aNOLAStyleGritsBowltoppedwithbacon, cheddarandapoachedegg.reservations accepted.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily $$ LegacyKitchenSteak&Chop—91Westbank Expressway,Gretna,(504)513-2606; legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes filetsmignonsandbone-inrib-eyes,as wellasburgers,saladsandseafooddishes reservationsaccepted.Outdoorseating available.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat $$ LuzianneCafe 481GirodSt.,(504)2651972;luziannecafe.com—cajunSunshine Beignetsarestuffedwitheggs,bacon,cheese andhotsauce.Noreservations.Deliveryavailable.BreakfastandlunchWed.-Sun $$ MartinWine&Spirits 714ElmeerAve., Metairie,(504)896-7350;3827Baronne St.,(504)894-7444;martinwine.com—The deliservessandwichesandsaladssuchas theSena,withchicken,raisins,bluecheese, pecansandTabascopepperjellyvinaigrette Noreservations.Lunchdaily.$$ Mikimoto—3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com TheSouth carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.LunchSun.Fri.,dinnerdaily $$ Mosca’s—4137Highway90West,Westwego, (504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com— Thisfamily-styleeateryservesItaliandishes andspecialtiesincludingchickenalagrande andbakedoystersMosca.reservations accepted.DinnerWed.-Sat.cashonly $$$ Mother’sRestaurant 401PoydrasSt., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net— Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys, jambalaya,crawfishetouffee,redbeansand riceandmore.Deliveryavailable.Noreservations.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeanswithfriedchickenor porkchops,aswellasseafoodplatters, po-boys,grilledoysters,saladsandmore.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun.$$

NiceGuysBar&Grill 7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola.com

char-grilledoystersaretoppedwithcheese Themenualsoincludeswings,quesadillas, burgers,salads,seafoodpastaandmore.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat $$$

TheOriginalItalianPie—3629PrytaniaSt., (504)766-8912;theoriginalitalianpieuptown. com—TheItalianPiecomboincludespepperoni,Italiansausage,groundbeef,mushrooms, onions,bellpepper,blackolives,mozzarella andhouse-madetomatosauce.Noreservations.Dinnerandlate-nightTue.-Sat.$$ OrleansGrapevineWineBar&Bistro—720 OrleansAve.,(504)523-1930;orleansgrapevine.com—Thewinebar’smenuincludes creolepastawithshrimpandandouillein tomatocreamsauce.reservationsaccepted forlargeparties.Outdoorseatingavailable. DinnerThu.-Sun $$

PalaceCafe—605CanalSt.,(504)523-1661; palacecafe.com Thecontemporarycreole menuincludescrabmeatcheesecakewith mushroomsandcreolemeunieresauce. Outdoorseatingavailable.reservationsrecommended.BreakfastandlunchWed.-Fri., dinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchSat.-Sun $$$

ParishGrill—4650W.EsplanadeAve.,Suite 100,Metairie,(504)345-2878;parishgrill. com—Themenuincludesburgers,sandwiches, pizzaandsauteedandouillewithfigdip, bluecheeseandtoastpoints.reservations accepted.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat $$ PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot,501 TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073;peacockroomnola.com—Blacklentilvadouvancurry comeswithroastedtomatoes,mushrooms andbasmatirice.reservationsaccepted. DinnerWed.-Mon.,brunchSun.$$

PrimoHoagies 8228OakSt.,(504)3151335;primohoagies.com—Themenuofhot andcoldsandwichesincludesaclassicItalian hoagiewithprosciutto,salami,hotcapicola,provolone,lettuce,tomatoandonion. Deliveryavailable.Lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Rosie’sontheRoof HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining—Therooftopbarhasa menuofsandwiches,burgersandsmallplates Noreservations.Dinnerdaily.$$

Tableau 616St.PeterSt.,(504)934-3463; tableaufrenchquarter.com—Pastabouillabaissefeaturessquidinkmafaldine,littleneck clams,Gulfshrimp,squid,seafoodbroth, rouilleandherbedbreadcrumbs.Outdoor seatingavailable.reservationsrecommended. DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunchThu.-Sun $$$ Tacklebox—817CommonSt.,(504)8271651;legacykitchen.com Themenuincludes oysters,anddisheslikeredfishSt.charleswith garlic-herbbutter,asparagus,mushroomsand crawfishcornbread.reservationsaccepted Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ Theo’sNeighborhoodPizza—1212S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorialBlvd., Metairie,(504)510-4282;4024CanalSt., (504)302-1133;4218MagazineSt.,(504) 894-8554;70488Highway21,Covington, (985)234-9420;theospizza.com AMarilynn PotaSupremepieistoppedwithmozzarella, pepperoni,sausage,hamburger,mushrooms, bellpeppersandonions.Therealsoaresalads, sandwichesandmore.Deliveryavailable. LunchanddinnerTue.-Sat.$

Tito’sCeviche&Pisco—1433St.CharlesAve., (504)354-1342;5015MagazineSt.,(504) 267-7612;titoscevichepisco.com—Peruvian lomosaltadofeaturessauteedbeef,onions, tomatoes,soysauceandpisco,servedwith potatoesandrice.Outdoorseatingavailable onMagazineStreet.Deliveryavailable. reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Mon.-Sat.,brunchSun.$$$

TheVintage 3121MagazineSt.,(504) 324-7144;thevintagenola.com—Themenu includesbeignets,flatbreadsandaveggie sandwichwithavocado,onions,arugula,red pepperandpepperjackcheese.Noreservations.Deliveryandoutdoorseatingavailable. Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ ZhangBistro—1141DecaturSt.,(504) 826-8888;zhangbistronola.com The menuofchineseandThaidishesincludesa SzechuanhotWokwithachoiceofchicken, beef,shrimportofuwithonions,peppers, cauliflower,jalapenosandspicysauce reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Thu.-Tue.$$

ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT

‘SwanLake’

LesBalletsdeMonteCarlopresents itsmoderninterpretationof“Swan Lake,”inwhichaprincefallsforaprincesswhohasbeenturnedintoaswan byacruelmagician.Theworkfeatures Tchaikovsky’sscore,dramaticsetsand costumesbycirquedeSoleildesigner PhilippeGuillotel.PresentedbyNew OrleansBalletAssociationat7:30 p.m.Saturday,March2,attheMahalia JacksonTheater.Tickets$45-$209 vianobadance.com

JamesMcMurtry

AmericanasingerJamesMcMurtry comestoNewOrleansfortwoshows. hislatestreleaseis2021’s“Thehorse andthehounds,”analbumshowcasinghisimaginativestorytelling.he performswithsupportfromBettySoo at8p.m.Tuesday,Feb.27,andsoloat 7p.m.Wednesday,Feb.28, atchickieWahWah.Tickets$25 viachickiewahwah.com

‘Ain’tTooProud: TheLifeandTimes oftheTemptations’

TheBroadwayjukeboxmusicalretells thestoryoftheTemptationsrise fromDetroittothetopofthecharts. Theshowincludesthesongs“My Girl,”“JustMyImagination(running AwayWithMe,”“PapaWasarollin’ Stone”andmanymore.Thetouring productioncomestoSaengerTheatre Tuesday,Feb.27,throughSunday, March3.Showtimesvary.Tickets$35$119viasaengernola.com.

ImaginationMovers

Thebluejumpsuit-wearingdudes intheImaginationMoverscame togetherinNewOrleansin2002 withtheideaofwritingfunmusicfor kidsthatdidn’tcondescendtothem. Drawingfromthemusicthattheyloved —bandslikeBeastieBoys,u2andred hotchiliPeppersandgenreslikeska, punkandalt-rock—thebandtookoff, andby2008hadaTVshowonthe Disneychannel,whichranforthree seasons.Thebandhascontinuedto releasenewmusic,andtheyareworkingonanewfull-lengthforsometime in2024.TheImaginationMoversplay arare18-and-oldershowat8p.m. Friday,March1,atTipitina’swithGood PrblmsandBrewsterDurbinAllStars. Ticketsare$20viatipitinas.com.

OliviaRodrigo

Injustthreeyears,OliviaRodrigo hasquicklygrownintooneofthe bestnewpopstars.Shegotherstart

in2016ontheDisneychannel,butin 2020,rodrigoturnedherfocustoward music.herdebutalbum,“Sour,”was amassivealt-pophit,goingfourtimesplatinum,andthecharismatic follow-up,“Guts,”releasedlast September,hasreachedevenhigher heights.rodrigoisnowonherfirst arenatourandplaysat7:30p.m.

Saturday,March2,attheSmoothie Kingcenter.Findmoredetails atsmoothiekingcenter.com

ChanteuseSeries

atWeinCenter

TheJazz&HeritageFoundation kicksoffitsthree-weekend chanteuseseries,highlightingwomen vocalists,withaperformanceby SusancowsillonFriday,March1. cowsillstartedsingingatayoungage withherfamily’sband,andshe’sa veteranofthecontinentalDrifters andhasmanysoloalbums.Theseries continuesonSaturday,March2with MikaylaBraun(seepage25)and consecutiveweekendswithMargie Perez,Dawnrichard,charmTaylor andmore.Showsareat8p.m.at theGeorgeandJoyceWeinJazz& heritagecenter.Admission$10.Find informationatjazzandheritage.org

Trustworthy

Theriseofdisinformationand collapseoftraditionalmediahas leftalotofAmericansunsurewho theycantrustwhenitcomestothe news.WWL’scharisseGibsonand WyeShostaspecialscreeningof “Trustworthy,”anewdocumentary exploringthatlackoftrust.Themovie wasshotincommunitiesacrossthe country,includingNewOrleans,and featuresinterviewswithreporters, expertsandmembersofthepublic Thefreescreeningwillbeheldat WyeSSaturday,March2at11a.m.

TinaFriml

Inherstandup,NewYorkcomedian TinaFrimllikestotellaudiences, “Idon’tsufferfromcerebralpalsy. Ihavecerebralpalsy.Isufferfrom people.”Shealsojokesaboutdating onTinderandgoingtobarsandheadingforthedrunkestpatronssoshe lookslikeshefitsin.It’sallpartofher candidanddisarmingapproachthat’s gottenheroncomedycentralandto theNewyorkcomedyFestival.She performsat8p.m.Friday,March1,at Thehowlin’Wolf.Tickets$20 viathehowlinwolf.com.

MUSIC

FOrcOMPLeTe MuSIcLISTINGS ANDMOreeVeNTSTAKING PLAce IN The NeWOrLeANS AreA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

MONDAY26

BOURBONOBAR TheVillians,4pm; KidMerv,8pm

HOLYDIVERNOLA—LillyWinwoodand cyrenaWages,9pm

TUESDAY27

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL—crypticft.Peterharris,Jamison ross,ricardoPascal,7:30pm

BOURBONOBAR Dr.Zach,4pm; IngridLucia,8pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM ArrowheadJazzBand,2pm

SANTOS—JohnnyManchildandThePoor Bastardswithholdfast,9pm

THERABBITHOLE—rebirthBrass Band,10pm

TIPITINA'S—TheFreewheelingyoLa Tendo,8pm

WEDNESDAY28

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL Firmrootsft.Peterharris, DwightFitchJr.,MilesBerry,NewOrleans Groovemaster,7:30pm

BLUENILE—NewBreedBrass Band,9:30pm

BOURBONOBAR GaryBrown,4pm; Serabee,8pm

JEANLAFITTENATIONALHISTORICAL PARKVISITORCENTER,NEWORLEANS JAZZNATIONALHISTORICALPARK SilverbookwithSaskiaWalkerand Oscarrossignoli,2pm

MARIGNYOPERAHOUSE—ByronAsher Quartet,8pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM Barbara ShortsBand,2pm

SIBERIA ruthMascelli,Nailclub, NonlethalWeapons,Shining Fields,8:30pm

SMOOTHIEKINGCENTER—Stevie Nicks,7pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE Funkin'Itup withBigSam,7:30pm

TIPITINA'S AneveningwithyoLa Tendo,8pm

THURSDAY29

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN HOTEL—DoubleBirdft.Peterharris, DavidTorkanowsky,Jamisonross,8pm

BLUENILE—Wherey'atBrass Band,9pm

BOURBONOBAR—JerryDugger,4pm; LeroyMarshallBand,8pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM—Piano hour,2pm;ericWaters,6pm

PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT— DaLovebirdswithrobinBarnesand Patcasey,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL chubbycarrier& BayouSwampBand,8pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—Brass-Aholics,7:30pm

THEJOYTHEATER—October London,8pm

THEPRESSROOMATTHEELIZAJANE— LesGetrex,5pm

FRIDAY1

BLUENILE Kermitruffinsandthe BarbecueSwingers,11pm

BOURBONSTREETHONKYTONK —The BadSandys,8pm

BUFFA'SBAR&RESTAURANT—cole Williams,8pm

D.B.A.NEWORLEANS SageAgainst theMachine,10pm

GEORGEANDJOYCEWEINJAZZ &HERITAGECENTER—Susan cowsill,8pm

HOLYDIVERNOLA—hanscondor, TheheadwoundzandSpecialMeat,9pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM— SusanneOrtner,2pm

ORPHEUMTHEATER—haash,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL FewBlue,8:30pm

THEGOAT—Vader,Origin,Inhuman condition,6pm

THEPRESSROOMATTHEELIZAJANE

A.S.K.TrioNewOrleans,5pm

TOULOUSETHEATRE—Talk,8pm

VINTAGEROCKCLUB—Movie Soundtracks,9pm

SATURDAY2

BLUENILE—VictorcampbellandJafet Perez,11pm

GEORGEANDJOYCEWEINJAZZ& HERITAGECENTER—Mikayla Braun,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL claycormier&the highwayBoys,8pm

StevieNicksplaystheSmoothie KingCenterWednesday,Feb.28.

SMOOTHIEKINGCENTER—Olivia rodrigo,7:30pm

THEPRESSROOMATTHEELIZAJANE— ronaldJones,5pm

SUNDAY3

BOURBONSTREETHONKYTONK —The BadSandys,8pm

CARROLLTONSTATION—Anneelise hastings&hrcc,DeerFellow,richard rourke,7pm

SMOOTHIEKINGCENTER— BandaMS,8pm

OLDARABILIGHTHOUSERECORDS ANDBOOKS FrenchieMoeAcoustic BluesTrio,5pm

TOULOUSETHEATRE enjoy,cowgirl clue,9pm

SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR

PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

CenteringSounds

byJakeClapp

WHENMIKAYLABRAUNSTARTSTO

REALIZEhermindisdrifting,shelikes toturntothesoundsofnatureasshe meditatesandrecenters.It’sahabitthe singer-songwriterconveysonherlatest eP,“Drift,”acaptivatingcollectionof soulfulpop

Asthetitlesuggests,Braun’ssongwritingdriftsacrossthetopicsweighing onhermind,likedebatingtakinga life-changingchance,learningtotrust intuition,appreciatinganoldloveand beingconflictedoversayinggoodbye.

Betweeneachsongisapeaceful breakintheformofnaturesoundsshe hasrecordedovertheyears:insects chirpingatnightinWestVirginia; wildlifenoisesrecordedinNewZealand andKenya;thesoundofhurricaneIda asitmovedthroughMaryland.Taken together,“Drift”isabriefglimpseof Braun’swarmpersonality.

“Mysongsarealwaysverypersonal,” shesays.“That’ssomethingthat’s alwaysbeentruetowhatI’vereleased, andthesoundsbetweenthesongsare howIgetbacktocenterinmyreallife.”

Braun,avocalist,pianistandukulele player,willplaysongsfrom“Drift,” otheroriginalsandafewcoversof songsbypowerhousewomenmusicians,includingettaJames,at8p.m Saturday,March2,attheGeorgeand JoyceWeinJazz&heritagecenter. Braunwillbejoinedbyherfrequent collaborators,bassistSamAlbrightand drummercodycoulon.

SheisperformingaspartoftheJazz &heritageFoundation’schanteuse series,whichcelebratesNewOrleans womeninmusic.Theseriesstarts

Friday,March1,withSusancowsill andcontinuesthroughMarchwith MargiePerez,Dawnrichard,charm Taylor,AnnaMoss,IndysBluanda poetrysetbyTarriona“Tank”Ball. eachconcertis$10

BraungrewupinMarylandwithparentswhoplayedawidearrayofrecords, fromBarbraStreisandandOscarBrown Jr.toTherollingStones,LittleFeatand B.B.King.TheytookhertoNewyorkto seeettaJameswhenshewas13

“ThattouchedmeinawayIdidnot evenrealizeatthetime,”Braunsays.

Shetookpianolessonsasakidand foundhervoiceinchoirs,acapella groupsandmusicaltheaterasshe becameolder.Asateenager,Braun startedwritingherownsongsatthe piano.Noonereallygottohearthem, butincollegeattheuniversityof Wisconsin,whereshestudiedpsychology,Braunpickedupaukuleletofitin hersuitcaseonastudyabroadtrip

“everyonewasfromdifferentschools, soittookthenervesawayalittle.We wouldgettogetheraroundthebonfire atnightandsingsongsandwhatever andiftheydidn’tlikethemusic,it’sno problem,”shesays.“Itwasjustreally nice.WhenIgotback,Istarteddoing openmics[inWisconsin]asasenior.”

Aftergraduating,Braunwaslooking forabigchangeandin2012movedto NewOrleans,aplaceshehadvisiteda fewtimesovertheyearstoseeaclose childhoodfriend.NewOrleansgave Braununiqueopportunitiestoexplore hermusic,shesays

Overthelast10-plusyears,Braunhas becomeafrequentpresenceatvenues acrossthecity,landedsetsatFrench QuarterFestandJazzFestandcould beseenbuskingintheFrenchQuarter (althoughnotasregularlysincethe pandemicbegan,shesays).Braunhas playedwithDaveJordan,FlowTribe, SamPriceandKathrynroseWood,and shewaspartofthefunk-popgroupThe crookedVinesforseveralyears.

“Drift,”Braun’sthirdeP,includes Albrightandcouloun,organistSteve DeTroy(whoplayedwithWalter “Wolfman”Washington),stringsplayers DanielleryceandrickNelson,trombonistMilesLyonsandsaxophonistMiles Berry.Braun’spiano,ukuleleandstrong voiceanchorsthejazz-leaningpop songs,andtheguestmusicians’strings andorganaddalushqualitytotheeP

“Thecamaraderie[inNewOrleans]is unbelievable,”Braunsays.

FindMikaylaBraun’smusic atmikaylabraunmusic.com.

MikaylaBraun PROVIDED PHOTOBY DOMINIQUERICHARD

ART

what to do where to go whotosee

Mutations

byWillCoviello

KENYAN-BORNARTISTWANGECHIMUTU WADESAMONGLARGEWAVESwhile singing“AmazingGrace”inhernative Kikuyulanguageinafilmincludedinher soloshow,“Intertwined,”attheNew OrleansMuseumofArt.

Inthevideo,hersingingandthebright lightonthewavesbelietheintended ambiguityaboutwater,alternately understoodascleansingorthreatening. Theroomexpandsonthewatersubject andthatambiguity.Alargesmooth bronzefigureofamermaid-likecreature,titled“WaterWoman,”issimilar tosomeeastAfricanfiguresandspirits thatcouldbringgoodorbadfortune TheroomalsohasanelementMutu addedtothewhitewalls:floodlines.

It’sareminderofthepowerofwater, andofherfirstmajorworkinthecity, commissionedfortheinternationalart biennialProspect.1,followinghurricane Katrina.Mutucreated“Mrs.Sarah’s house,”thelitframeofahomeonthe landofawomanwhohadbeenunable toreturnhomeinthe9thWard Mutuisarisingstarintheartworld.In 2019,shewasincludedinNewyork’s prestigiousWhitneyBiennial.Shealso wasthefirstartisttobecommissioned toinstalllargestatuesinfrontofthe MetropolitanMuseumofArt.Apiece fromthat“TheNewOnes,willfreeus” seriessitspermanentlyintheSydney andWaldaBesthoffSculptureGarden. Thestatuefeaturesawomanwrapped incoilsfromherneckdown,suggesting botharmorandadornment.

Morerecently,Newyork’sNew Museummounted“WangechiMutu: Intertwined,”featuringhermixed-mediacollageworks,sculpturesand videos.ThatshowisnowatNOMA, includingroughly100pieceswithsome changesandspecificinstallationsby Mutu.ShealsomovedsomeofNOMA’s Africanartpiecesintotheexpospace MutugrewupinNairobi.She attendedhighschoolinengland,and thenstudiedintheu.S.Shegained earlyattentionforhermixed-media hybridpaintingsandcollages,creating fantasticimages,oftenofBlackwomen, exploringconceptsofbeauty,power andidentity.Thepiece“Intertwined” featurestwofigureswithwomen’s bodiesandwolf-likeheads MutusettledinBrooklyn,and inrecentyearsshe’ssplithertime betweenherstudiothereandanewer oneinNairobi.herworkreflectsboth traditionalAfricanandWesternart, sometimesfusingsimilarelements;the influenceofmediainimagesreflecting fashiontopornography;andglobalism

Localsmaybefamiliarwith “crocodylus.”Theripplingbronze piecefeaturesawomanastridea crocodile,andwasinpartinspiredby aphotoofmodelNaomicampbellon topofacrocodile’sback.Thepiece wasinstalledincrescentParkduring Prospect.5,andisnowpartofthe BesthoffSculptureGarden.

Therealsoisarecentsculpturefeaturingtwofemale-likebodiescalled“In Twocanoe.”Thefigures’armssprout liketreerootsintothegroundofthe sculpturegarden.

Someofthemostimpressiveworks in“Intertwined”arelarge-scalecollage pieces.Theyfeaturepaintedacrylic andinkparts,aswellasmaterialsfrom photostoMylar,glitterandpacking tape.Thewomeninworkslike“People inGlassTowersShouldNotImagine us,”arefantasticincolor,minutedetail andexpression.

Theshowalsoincludesseveralvideo pieces.“cutting”isashortvideoofa womanbangingamacheteonalogon adustyhill,suggestingthebanalityof institutionalviolence.Attheentrance totheexpoisamorefantasticpiece titled“Theendofeatingeverything,” featuringthesingerSantigoldwith tentaclelikestrandsofhairasthehead ofmassiveamorphousbody.

Theexporeflectstherelationshipthe artisthasbuiltwithNewOrleansand allowslocalsafirst-handlookatthe phasesandideasthathavepropelled Mutu’scareer.

“WangechiMutu:Intertwined”ison displaythroughJuly14atNOMA.Visit noma.orgfordetails

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SIX-E-SOMETHINGS

By Frank A. Longo

ACROSS

1Audibly

6Mission --, California

11Spill the beans

15Golf coups

19Perceive

20 Good Feelings

21Many a “Hee Haw” character

22Boxing event

23Involuntary leg reactions

26Stimulate

27 yung (Chinese dish)

28Rocket downer, for short

29Relative of a tank top

31“O Fortuna” composer Carl

33Some arm muscles, informally

35No. on a road sign

36“And that’s that”

37Note that recommends a job applicant, e.g.

43Wood-dressing tools

44Pigsty stuff

45In the thick of

46Dark, gloomy rock genre

48Fast, sporty auto

51“My treat”

52Greek “S”

54Face cover 58WWW address

59Longer-than-normal prison term

62Cat breed

65Region

66Long-unshaven

67What “have solved” is in, in terms of grammar

73Ad awards

74Utilize a Juul device, e.g.

75Aided in evil

77In bed

83Yoko of the avantgarde

84Utters

85Stimulate

86“Dame” Everage

87Cleric’s home

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89Oregano, e.g. 90Telly watcher

91“Help us!”

92Cat food brand

96Innermost parts

103 Cuba’s largest city

105 “Norma --”

106 Get it wrong

107 Cel figure

108 Fir or spruce

113 -- Lingus

115 Cato’s 1,101

116 Monopoly expense

117 2020 drama thriller film

120 El --, Texas

121 “Why should you?”

122 Concur

123 Carried, as a load

124 Loads

125 Stitches up

126 Lunchtimes, often

127 Pack-toting equines

DOWN

1Solicit

2“The Raven” maiden

3Done just a single time

4Purpose

5“It’s -- vu all over again”

6Pests like rats and roaches

7Rile

8Lobed body parts

9“Piano Man” singer Billy

10Proposed for consideration

11Nominal military promotion

12Poshness

13Cain’s victim

14Plagued (by)

15Treated badly

16Congress’ Alexandria Ocasio-

17University of Oregon’s city

18Spirited horses

24Abated

25Riga native, old-style

30Old Iranian ruler

32Disaster relief gp.

34Insufficient

38Futuristic sci-fi play of 1921

39Single-named supermodel

40Mortgage claim

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41Case for ova

42Italy’s capital

47Beige

48Gloomy

49Level just below major league

50Lucidness

51Plow beasts

52Feudal peon

53Concept, in Calais

54Signified

55Jennifer of “The Switch”

56Lint catchers

57Lock partner

59Memphis-to-Atlanta dir

60Has the gumption

61Fare- -- -well

63Feline cries

64Cato’s “to be”

68Cathode-ray picture producer

69Oom- (tuba sounds)

70Sword type

71“Ciao!”

72Samantha Bee’s station

73“NCIS” network

76Stag’s mate

78Prior to, in odes

79Opposite of south, in France

80That girl’s

81Fix text

82 nous (in confidence)

87“The Simpsons” bartender

88Admin. aide

89With 118-Down, do a surfing stunt

90Brewski container

91Fastener fitting into a nut

92Helper in the Himalayas

93Lace into

94“OK, but still ...”

95Red Cross founder Clara

97Film director Lubitsch and physicist Mach

98Liver spread

99Wipes clean

100 Actress Suzanne

101 Epoch of the first whales

102 “Blade” star Wesley

104 “-- a jealous mistress”

109 Jennifer of “Zero Dark Thirty”

110 “So nasty!”

111 Hence

112 Architect Saarinen

114 Singer McEntire

118 See 89-Down

119 Boxing wallops