Gambit Digital Edition: Spring Event Guide 2024

March 11-17

2024

Volume 45

Number 11

Delighted SHORE TO BE

VisitTheNorthshore,wherethe sunshinedances,themusictwinkles, boatsfloat,memoriesaremadeand easyescapesareshoretobehad.

VisitTheNorthshore.com

Spring ForwardSpring Forward

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17

Gambit’s 2024Spring EventsGuide

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ARTS +ENTERTAINMENT

Offthepage

TheNewOrleansBookFestivalatTulaneUniversity coverspolitics,culture,fictionandmore

THENEWORLEANSBOOKFESTIVAL

ATTULANEUNIVERSITYFEATURESAN ARRAYofwell-knownwriterswith localconnections,includingMichael LewisandJesmynWard,anditcovers awidearrayofsubjectmatterand genres,fromphotographyandpolitical cartoonstoyoungadultliterature.This year’slineupisheavyonpoliticiansand mediafiguresasthepresidentialelectionnarrowstotwocandidates

ThefestivalrunsMarch14-16at variousauditoriumsonTulane’scampus. Admissionisfree,andattendeescanregisterforsessionsonthefestivalwebsite

KenBurnsisknownforhisdocumentaryseriesonAmericanhistory,notably thecivilWar,jazz,Prohibitionand more.hisforthcomingprojectisafourhourbiographyofLeonardodaVinci.

DuringtheItalianrenaissance,da Vinciwentfromapprenticingasapainter inFlorencetoproducingiconicworks includingthe“MonaLisa”and“The VitruvianMan,”aswellasbecominga sculptor,cartographerandinventorwho triedtomasterflightandmore

Burnsexploreswhatpropelledhis curiosityandintellect.he’llpreview thefilminconversationwithWalter Isaacson,whoalsowroteavoluminous biographyofdaVinci(2p.m.Saturday, McAlisterAuditorium).

Aquickglanceatthefestivalschedule mightsuggestthattheNewYorkTimes hasopenedaNewOrleansbureau, possiblyintheTimesstafferandNew OrleansresidentJonathanMartin’s sparebedroom.Amongthepaper’s luminarywritersspeakingatthe festivalareopinionpagecolumnists charlesBlowandMaureenDowd, politicalreporterMaggiehaberman, andveteranstaffersincludinglongtime nationalpoliticsreporterandnow culturewriterAdamNagourneyand formerTimesexecutiveeditorhowell raines.Nagourneywillinterview habermanabout“confidenceMan,” herbiographyofDonaldTrump(11a.m Saturday,Dixonhall).

Dowdcoveredtheadministrations ofPresidentsGeorgeh.W.Bushand Billclintonbeforebecomingacolumnist.She’lldiscusscoveringpresidents withformerTulanehistorianDoug Brinkley,whowroteabiographyof Jimmycarter(2p.m.Friday,Kendall cramAuditorium).

Therealsoareafewpoliticians talkingabouttheirwork.Lizcheney,

whoasarepublican memberofthehouseof representativesledthe committeeinvestigating theJan.6insurrection, willdiscusshermemoir, “Oathandhonor,”with Isaacson(3p.m.Friday, McAlisterAuditorium).

byWillCoviello |

StaceyAbrams,who ledvotingrightsefforts andnarrowlyfailedina bidforGeorgiagovernor,willdiscusshernovels.Inadditiontobooks onpoliticsandactivism, she’spublishedeight romanceandsuspensenovels,some underthenameSelenaMontgomery(1 p.m.Saturday,Dixonhall).

cNNanchorJakeTapperalsowrites novelsontheside,includingthe2023 thriller“AlltheDemonsarehere.”he’ll beinterviewedaboutbothnewsand fictionwritingbyDowd(NoonSaturday, Dixonhall).

NativeNewOrleanianMichaelLewis isknownforstoriesmadeintofilms, suchas“TheBlindSide”and“Money Ball.”healsohaswrittenaboutthe excessesofWallStreetandfinancial scandalsinbooksincluding“Liar’s Poker”and“TheBigShort.”he’ll discusshislatestbook,“GoingInfinite,” aboutcryptocurrencybillionaireand convictedfraudsterSamBankmanFried,founderofFTX(1p.m.Saturday, McAlisterAuditorium).

Manyfictionwriterswilldiscusstheir novels.Mauricecarlosruffinrecently released“TheAmericanDaughters” (seepage50).he’lldiscussthatbook(4 p.m.Saturday,DibollGallery),aswellas speakonapanelaboutculturalsignificanceinfictionwithfellowlocalwriter Ladeehubbard(11a.m.Saturday, QatarBallroom)

JesmynWardwilldiscussherlatest novel,“LetUsDescend”(1p.m.Friday, McAlisterAuditorium).Themagicalrealiststoryaboutanenslavedteenagegirl takesinspirationfromDante’s“Inferno” andtouchesonhistoryinAfrica, Louisianaandmore.Wardalsowillbe interviewedbyJemelehillintheopening nightsession(5p.m.Thursday,McAlister Auditorium).Thatsessionalsoincludes IsaacsoninconversationwithAtlantic MonthlyeditorJeffreyGoldberg.

SteveGleasonwillreleaseamemoir inAprilaboutplayingwiththeNew

IrishChannel St.Patrick’sDayParade

Theparadefeaturesfloatsand Irishmarchinggroupstossingbeads andhandingoutflowersintheIrish channelandGardenDistrict.There alsoareblockpartiesatnearbyIrish bars.Theparadestartsat1p.m. Saturday,March16.Visitirishchannelno.orgforinformation.

OrleansSaints,battlingALSandmore. he’llpreviewthebookinasession withTimes-PicayunesportswriterJeff DuncanandanintroductionbyGayle Benson(4p.m.Friday,Dixonhall).

Severalsessionsfeaturechefsand foodwriters.Oxford,Mississippi,chef andrestaurateurJohncurrencewilldiscussSoutherncuisinewithchefandTV personalityToyaBoudyandauthorBrett Martin(1p.m.Saturday,DibollGallery).

GambitphotographercherylGerber willdiscusshernewphotography bookaboutNewOrleansculture,“The DanseMacabre.”Itlooksfromstreet levelatNewOrleansrituals,parades, protestsandmore(NoonSaturday, DibollGallery)

Actor,directorandwriterBrittany Williamswilldiscussempowerment andbattlingstereotypesinyoungadult literature(NoonFriday,Stibbsroomin theLavin-Bernickcenter).

ThelineupalsoincludesTarriona “Tank”BallandBigFreediatalkingabout performingcareers,geographerrichard campanella,politicalcartoonistWalt handelman,Gen.DavidPetraeus,politicalstrategistDonnaBrazileandmore.

TheFestival’sFamilyDayactivities featureauthorreadingsandbook-relatedactivitiesfrom10a.m.to2p.m SaturdayatAvronB.FogelmanArena. Therealsowillbebookgiveaways.Free shuttleservicetotheeventisavailable fromseveralpubliclibrariesinOrleans andJeffersonparishes.Visitthewebsiteforlocationsandmoreinformation Visitbookfest.tulane.eduforthefull scheduleandmoreinformation.

TennesseeWilliamsNew OrleansLiteraryFestival

TheStellaShoutingContestis nowaharbingeroftheTennessee WilliamsNewOrleansLiterary Festival.BethBartleyD’Amourand ToddD’AmourpresideasStellaand Stanley.Theshoutingbeginsat2p.m Sunday,March17,inJacksonSquare. contestantsign-upisat1:30p.m. Theliteraryfestivalprogrammingruns March20-24atmostlyFrenchQuarter andMarignyvenues.Visittennesseewilliams.netfordetails.

SuperSunday

TheUptownSuperSundaycelebrationfeaturesBlackMaskingIndian tribesshowingofftheirnewsuitsand more.AtA.L.DavisParkfromnoonto 6p.m.Sunday,March17.See@mardigrasindiancouncilofficialonInstagram formoreinformation

OhBoyRecordsTNtoTX: TheRoadtoLuckReunion

OhBoyRecords,theNashvilleindependentlabelfoundedbyJohnPrine, issendingacontingentofitsartists fromtheMusiccitytoWillieNelson’s LuckreunioninTexas,withastopat chickieWahWah.Thelineupoflabel artistsincludesitsmostrecentaddition,SwampDogg,akaJerryWilliams Jr.,who’ssungeverythingfromsoul andr&Btocountry.hislatestalbum, “Blackgrass:FromWestVirginiato 125thSt.,”dipsintobluegrassand

AuthorWalterIsaacsonspeaks attheNewOrleansBook FestivalatTulaneUniversity. PHOTOBYBRETT DUKE / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Whomstamongstushasnotbeenbadgeredbyacoequalbranchofgovernmentintomovin’outtaourcrashpad?

THUMBS

UP/ THUMBS DOWN

NayaEllisandJaydenMarion HallhavebeennamedNational STEMchallengechampions andwillrepresentNewOrleans inAprilatanationalevent.The twohighschoolersandSTEM NOLAfellowsareamong126 studentstobeinvitedtopresent projectsinWashington,D.c.Ellis, aJohnF.KennedyhighSchool freshman,createdanaffordable watchthatmonitorsforsignsof strokesinolderindividuals.hall,a BrotherMartinhighSchoolsenior, developedatherapeuticsmart shoecapableofcustomizingfoot supportforwearers.

TheKreweofFreretwillno longerallowplasticbeadstobe thrownduringitsparadeand launchedanewsustainability initiativewithNewOrleansmusicianBoyfriend.Thekrewesaidits newpolicieswillkeepmorethan 300,000poundsofbeadsand 100,000single-useplasticwrappersoutoflandfillsandcatch basinsacrossthenext10years

NewOrleansCityCouncilpops MayorCantrell’ssquat

THENEWORLEANSCITYCOUNCIL MARCH7votedfivetotwotodirectthe landlordofthecity’sFrenchQuarter apartmenttoevictMayorLaToya cantrellandremoveherpossessions fromtheunit,thelatestdevelopment inoneofthecity’smostembarrassing andavoidablescandalsever.

scandaltoaclose.Butcouncil membersthoughtthesamethinglast Aprilwhentheypassedanordinance essentiallybarringcantrellfrom livingintheapartment—onlyto havetopassasecond,moreexplicit ordinancemonthslaterwhenshe ignoredthelaw.

Gov.JeffLandryproposedastate budgetthatslashes$7millionnormallygiventodomesticviolence shelters.IfLandry’sproposed cutsarepassedbylawmakers,it wouldpreventtheopeningoffive newsheltersandtheexpansion ofseveralmore,theLouisiana Illuminatorreports.Louisianain 2020hadthefifth-highestfemale homiciderateinthecountry

“Noneofuswantstobeheretoday lastyearwespentatremendous amountoftimetryingtoresolve this,”councilVicePresidentJP Morrellsaid.“Therewaseveryeffort bythiscounciltocompromise. the councilgaveaninch,themayortook amile.”

Theorderspecificallydirectsthe FrenchMarketcorporation,which managesthePontalbaproperties onbehalfofthecity,toremove cantrell’spossessionsfromthe apartmentandtochangethelocks FMchasbeenreluctanttodosoout ofconcernthattheydidnothavethe legalauthoritytoevictthemayor.

Intheorythevoteshouldbringthe 18-monthlongPontalbaapartment

$5.75

THEAVERAGEPRICE,INDOLLARS, OFLIVECRAWFISHPERPOUND INTHEGREATERNEWORLEANS AREAASOFMARCH6.

Thiswascalculatedbytracking22vendorsonthecrawfishAppwithina10-mile radiusofNewOrleans.Thepriceislower thanlastweek’saverageof$6.93.Local crawfishareinshortersupplydueto2023’s extremeweather.

59.1%

THEONE ANDONLY CITY PARK

confused?Itsunderstandable here’sarecap: cantrellhasbeenlivingrentfree —apracticecommonlyknownas squattingintherealestateindustry intheapartmentonandoffformore thanyear

Althoughtheapartmenthaslong beenusedbymayorstoentertain guestsandfriends,WVUEfoundthat startingin2022cantrellbeganliving thereandspendingsignificanttime intheapartment,includingduring workinghours.Infact,thestation foundsheappearedtomissanumber ofmeetingsandotherofficialduties whileattheapartment.

9.1%

SaintsandPelicansownerGayleBenson,right,chats withNewOrleansMayorLaToyaCantrell PHOTOBYCHRIS GRANGER/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Thatreportingalsotriggeredaseries ofothermini-scandals,including allegationsaNewOrleansPolice Departmentofficerwhospenttime withcantrellattheapartmentwastakingpaywhileoffduty.Themayorand theapartmentevenmadeitintothe divorcepapersoftheofficer’swife.

Lastyear,councilVicePresident JPMorrellauthorednotonebuttwo differentordinancesinaneffortto forcecantrelltomoveout—firstone inAprillastyear,followedbyasecondinAugustafteritwasdiscovered cantrellwasignoringtheoriginal ordinanceandcontinuingtoliveat leastparttimeatthePontalba.

Thecouncil,andindeedeveryone elseinNewOrleans,presumedthe Augustordinancewasthelastword inthestrangesaga.Butalas,itwas nottobe.

Accordingtoasourcefamiliar withthesituation,WVUEbegan workingonyetanotherstoryabout cantrell’scomingsandgoingsfrom thePontalba.Althoughit’sunclearif cantrellwasactually“living”inthe apartment,usingitasacrashpad duringeventsorhadstoppedgoing entirelyisunclear,butthesourcedid saytheapartmenthasseveralpieces offurniturebelievedtobecantrell’s, aswellasotherpossiblepossessions.

That,inturn,setoffaroundof discussionsbetweenthecouncil,FMc andthecity,allofwhichburstinto publiclastweekwhenMorrellofficially wrotetheadministrationtodetermine whetherthemayorhadmovedout andtoturnoverthekeystoFMc.

Inresponse,cantrell’sofficehas releasedaseriesoflatenight,oddly writtenpress“statements”inwhich itbitterlyaccusesthemediaofbeing meantothemayor,vaguelychastises reportersfortalkingtosourcesand insiststhemayorisnotholdingup renovations.Onethingthe“statements”didnotmakeclear,however, iswhethercantrellhadturnedover herkeys.

Thatsettheping-pongballback inmotion.Morrellearlierthisweek announcedthecouncilwouldtakeup amotiontoevictcantrell.Following thesecondlatenight“statement,” Morrellagainaskedforclarity.“Our officehasheardrepeated,unverified,claimsaboutthestatusofthe apartmentandwhetherthekeysto unit530Bwerehandedovertothe FrenchMarketcorporation,’anemail fromMorell’sofficeread.“Wewould liketoconfirmthatthekeyshave beentransferredsothatwemay withdrawMotion24-93asitwould nolongerbenecessary.”

Inararedaytimecommunication, cantrell’schiefofStaffcliftonDavis

OPENING GAMBIT

March6toldMorrellthatwhileFMc “hasalwayshadkeysto530B”butthat heis“unawareofanyadditionalkeysto theunitbeingtransferredtothem.”

That,inturn,triggeredthe evictionvote

NOPDaimsto moveheadquartersdowntown, leavedecaying

Mid-Cityhome

TheNewOrleansPoliceDepartment islookingtomoveitsheadquarters downtownintotheDXcbuildingat 1615PoydrasStreet,citycouncil PresidenthelenaMorenoconfirmed lastweek

Aproposedleasesetfordiscussion beforethecitycouncilwouldmove NOPDheadquartersintothe17th and18thfloorsofthetowernearcity hallfor$7.7millioninrentoverthe nextdecade.Thedraftleasecallsfor amove-indateofMay1

The48,000squarefeetofspace wouldreplaceaheadquarterson SouthBroadStreetinMid-city thathasbeenbesetwithproblems. NOPDbrasshaveagitatedforyears forareplacement,citingthecostof constantrepairsandretrofits.

MorenosaidNOPDSuperintendent AnneKirkpatrickbeganworkingon anewheadquarterssoonafterher confirmationlastfall.

Morenosaidtheleasewillprobably beheardbeforeacitycouncilcommittee,withabudgetappropriation tocome

“Thisislongoverdue,”Morenosaid. “Thatbuildingisrodentinfested.It hadelevatorissuesandA/cissues.”

ThecurrentNOPDheadquarters wascompletedin1968.Forthree decadesbeforethen,thedepartmentkeptitsheadquartersin thecriminalcourtbuildingon TulaneAvenue

Weekswithoutairconditioning duringaheatwavelastsummerforced manywhoworkintheNOPDheadquartersbuildingtootherlocales.

That’sreasonenoughtorelocate, saidDonovanLivaccari,president ofthelocalFraternalOrderof Policelodge.

“Thatandthebasementthat floodsandtheconnectiontothejail thathasbeenclosedfor20years,” headded.“Whatamess.”

Morenoalsocalledtheproposed move“apositivefordowntowntohave thatpolicepresence,obviouslyright nexttocityhall.”—JohnSimerman/ TheTimes-Picayune

shop @gaetanasnola

Amidscandaland investigations,Cantrellis herownworstenemy

DESPITETHEBESTEFFORTS OFEVERYONEINVOLVED exceptMayorLaToya cantrell,L’affairedu Pontalbacontinuestoroil.

Inthelatest,perhapssaddestchapterofcantrell’s useofacity-owned apartmentonJackson Square,theNewOrleans citycouncilonMarch7 votedfivetotwotobegin evictionproceedings againsther

Thissagabegan 18monthsagoasan embarrassingbuthardly career-endingscandalover themayorlivingrentfreein thecity’sapartment—and allegedlymissingmultiple officialmeetingswhile spendingtimethere.Ithas sinceblownupintoamajor newsstory.

Ataminimum,themayorappears tohaveviolatedatleastonecityordinance,continuedtoreapaneconomic benefitattaxpayers’expense,and forcedthecitycouncilintotheroleof anaggingparentpesteringachildto situpandactright.Italsohaslarger implicationsstemmingfromcantrell’s relationshipwithherchiefbodyguard, nottheleastofwhichispossible payrollfraud.

Accordingtoreports,thefedsare lookingintothisandothermatters

Thisscandalhas,attimes,seemed tragicallycomedic,butthereareseriousissuesatstakeaswell.Themayor haspubliclythumbedhernoseatthe councilandtaxpayers—andnotfor thefirsttime.Shehastakentoissuing bitter,late-nightmissives,whichonly reinforcehercritics’claimthatshe’s notuptothejob.

Truthisthisscandalcontinuesto followheraroundbecausecantrell herselfkeepsitalive.Ifshehad vacatedtheapartmentwhenthecouncilpasseditsfirstordinancelastspring —orwhencouncilmemberspasseda secondordinanceinAugust—nobody wouldbetalkingaboutit.

Instead,thisdustupshinesametaphoricallightonherlargerproblems WWL-TV’sDavidhammerdroppeda bombshellonMarch5withhisinvestigativestoryoncantrell’s2019firing offormerSafetyandPermitsDeputy DirectorJennifercecil.

relyingonemails,documentsand asecretrecording,hammerexposed themayorappearingtoconspiretofire cecilforinvestigatingallegationsof self-dealingbyalocalbusinessmanand atleastoneinspectorincecil’sdepartment.Accordingtohammer,thefeds arelookingintothisaswell

Infact,themayorhasbeenhounded bytalkoffederalinvestigationsinto severalofherdealings,fromher allegeduseofcampaignfundsto buyclothestoallegationsofofficial corruptionandmisappropriationof cityfunds.Atonepoint,inresponseto persistentqueriesaboutwhethershe hadreceivedatargetletterfromthe feds,themayorutteredaconvoluted, Orwelliannon-denial.

Thefedsremaintight-lipped,as requiredandasappropriate.Evena “nocomment”byfederalinvestigatorscandamageaninnocentperson’s reputationandundermineprosecutorialefforts.Nevertheless,reporting byTheTimes-Picayuneandothershas madeclearthefedsarelookingclosely atcantrell.Somereportsevensaythe investigationisnearlycomplete.

Timewilltell.regardlessofwhether cantrellfacesanylegalconsequences, thismuchiscertain:LaToyacantrell remainsherownworstenemy.

MayorLaToyaCantrell PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

@clancygambit

StateSupremeCourt

districtingmore muddledthanever

NOWTHATLOUISIANA LAWMAKERSHAVECREATED ASECONDMAJORITY-BLACK congressionaldistrict,voting rightsadvocatesarehoping theLegislaturewillcreatea secondmajority-Blackstate Supremecourtdistrict.

Afterall,theargument goes,Louisianahasonlysix seatsintheU.S.houseof representatives.Iftwoof thosedistrictsmustafford Blackvotersachanceto electacandidateoftheir choice,thecaseforasecond majority-Blackdistrictonthe seven-memberSupremecourtseems morecompelling.

Ifonlyitwerethatsimple

Thestatesupremecourt,as seenthroughafish-eyelens

Lawstudentslearnearlyintheirlegal educationthatthelawisnotweddedto logic.Ormath.

Forexample,legislativedistricts mustadheretothedecades-old“one person,onevote”doctrine,which requireselectoraldistrictstobe apportionedaccordingtopopulation. Lawmakersthustakepainstocreate legislativeandcongressionaldistricts withvoting-agepopulationsthatare roughlyequalinsize.

Judicialdistrictsarenotboundby thatrule

however,theU.S.Supremecourt heldin1991thatelectionsforappellate judgescouldnotdiluteminorityvotes undertheVotingrightsAct.Thatruling cameinacasebroughtbylawyers representingNewOrleansactivistron chisomandothers.

chisomchallengedLouisiana’s Supremecourtdistricts,which includedalarge,two-justicedistrictin metroNewOrleans.Thecourt’sfive otherjusticeswereelectedfromsingle-memberdistricts.Allsevenjustices werewhite.

Thestateultimatelyagreedtoaconsentjudgmentdividingthetwo-memberdistrictandcreatingthecourt’s NewOrleans-basedDistrict7,whichis majorityBlack.

Thecourthasnotbeenredistricted since1999,whichhasledtowildly disparatepopulationsizesinitsdistricts Forexample,theBlack-majorityDistrict 7hasjustover310,000registeredvoters,comparedtomorethan532,000 votersinBatonrouge-basedDistrict5.

In2019,BlackvotersagainchallengedthestateSupremecourtdistricts,seekingasecondmajority-Black district.Thatsuitispending

In2022,then-AttorneyGeneralJeff Landrymovedtodissolvethechisom consentdecree,arguingthatitwas nolongernecessary.Thetrialjudge deniedthatrequest,andathree-judge paneloftheU.S.5thcircuitcourtof Appealsaffirmedthatruling.

InJanuary,thefull5thcircuitgranted arehearingofLandry’smotion,arare occurrencethatsignalsthecase’s significance.Votingrightsadvocates arenervous,becausethe5thcircuit isconsideredthemostconservative federalappellatecourt Landryisnowgovernor,andhe’s pushing—alongwithfiveoftheseven stateSupremecourtjustices—fora newdistrictingplanthatwouldcreate asecondmajority-Blackdistrictand makeallsevenofthecourt’sdistricts roughlyequalinsize

LawmakersdeclinedtoactonLandry’s requestinbothspecialsessions.

The5thcircuitwillheararguments inthestate’schallengetothechisom consentdecreeinMay.There’snotellinghoworwhenthecourtwillrule,but whenitdoesitcouldupendallsortsof politicalambitions

Untilthen,lawmakersappear disinclinedtowadeintothosemuddledwaters

That’sajudiciouschoice.Theyhave enoughontheirplatealready.

OURSPRING GARDEN AND PETSHOWFEATURES:

•Plant nurseries

•Arts&Crafts Vendors

•Non-profit pethavenswithdogsavailable foradoption

•Educational presentationsongardening,insects, wildlife andpet care

•Acountry storewithspring-themed merchandise

•A food pavilion

•Springdrinkswithand withoutalcohol

Children’sActivitiesinclude:

•Anactivitytentwitharts& crafts

•Ademonstration with BeeGuyzBeekeeping

•Apetting zoo(Saturday only)

Saturday,April

Saturday,April 20,2024from12:00 noon to 3:00 pm

Nola

Sunday,

Peyton Falgoust-SoloAcoustic Performance

@GambitBlake

HeyBlake, HurwitzMintz furniturestore recentlyadvertisedits100th anniversarysale. Whoare(orwere) theHurwitz andMintzinthe store’sname?

Dearreader, JOSEPHHURWITZANDMORRISMINTZ

WEREBROTHERS-IN-LAWANDRUSSIAN

JEWISHimmigrantswhocametoNew Orleansin1920andopenedtheir furniturestoretogethersoonafter.An Oct.11,1925NewOrleansItemarticle advertisedtheirnewstoreat217219royalSt.,acrossfromthehotel Monteleone.Thelocationhadbeena furniturestoreinthepast,operatedby W.G.Tebault.

“Threefundamentalprinciples underlieourbusiness,frameour policyandconstitutetheessentialsof ourpledge(tothepublic),”theowners saidintheItemarticle.“Theyare qualityofmerchandise,soundvalues andrealservice.”

Inlateryears,hurwitzMintz expandedtoincludethebuildingat 211royalSt.Thebusiness’nameisstill visibleintilesonthesidewalkoutfront, althoughthelocationclosedafter hurricaneKatrina.

Mintzdiedin1945,whilehurwitz diedin1965.Thebusinessremained inthehandsoffamilymembers, includingMintz’ssonEllis,whojoined inthe1930sbyworkingsummersin thefurniturewarehouse.Duringhis morethan60yearsatthehelm,the

BLAKEVIEW

Peoplewalkpastatile signoftheformerHurwitz Mintzfurniturebuilding at211RoyalSt.

companybecameoneoftheleading furniturestoresintheregion.Inthe 1970sand1980s,TVactorsBarbara Feldon(bestknownfor“GetSmart”) and“Batman”starAdamWesteven appearedincommercialsforthestore

In1971,hurwitzMintzopened anotherFrenchQuarterfurniture store,calledUnits,at227chartresSt. Itsoldmorecontemporaryfurniture beforeclosingin2004.In1974,asthe companymarkedits50thanniversary, italsoopenedanewwarehouseinthe 6000blockofPressStreet

“Allofthisisbeingdonebecause inthecomingyearswefeelthateven greateremphasiswillbeplacedupon thehome,dictatednotonlybymore leisurehours,butalsobyamore sophisticatedpublic,”saidEllisMintz in1974

Today,hissonMitchellispresident andcEOofthebusiness,whichsince 2000hasbeenheadquarteredatits showroomandwarehouseonAirline DriveinMetairie.

ANOTHERBUSINESSWITHROOTSINTHEFRENCHQUARTERisalsocelebratingits 100thanniversarythisyear.

In1924,SicilianimmigrantBartholomewPerroneopenedProgressGroceryin the900blockofDecaturStreetneartheFrenchMarket.hisfoodimportbusiness predatedthegrocery,withsomesourcesdatinghisbusiness,knownasB.Perrone &Sons,to1922

“Amongtheirstocksaremanyrarefoodsthatarereallyhardtoget,”explained a1950Times-Picayunearticle.“TheyfeaturecompletelinesofItalian,Greek, ArabicandSyrianfoods,aswellasmanyotherproductsfromPortugal,Spain, FranceandSwitzerland.”

ProgressisbestknownforitsItalianofferings,however,includingitsversion ofthemuffuletta,theNewOrleans-born,Sicilian-stylesandwichofmeatsand cheeseswhich,likeProgress’longtimeneighbor,centralGrocery,itclaimedto haveoriginated.

ThestoreonDecaturclosedin2000,butthefamilybusinessnowknownas Perrone&Sons,LLcisagourmetfoodwholesalerrunbymembersofthethirdand fourthgenerationsofthefamily.Thecompanysuppliesrestaurantsandgrocery storesinthemetroareawithfoodproducts,includingitsfamousmuffulettas.

PHOTOBYMAX BECHERER / THEADVOCATE

Events GA MB IT ’S

SPRING PREVIEW

FESTIVALS, cONcERTS, THEATER AND MORE IN NEW ORLEANS AND BEYOND

SPRINGGETSINTOFULLSWINGthisweekwith StPatrick’sDayparadesacrossthecity,andthere’s Italian-AmericanparadesandtheBlackMasking Indian’sSuperSundayinUptown Aprilisfullofbigmusicfestivals,includingthe NewOrleansJazz&HeritageFestival,French QuarterFestival,HogsfortheCauseandmore Theseasonisfullofallsortsofevents,from stand-upcomedybyJerrySeinfeld,JimGaffigan andNikkiGlasertotouringBroadwayshows,film festivals,sportsandmore.

Gambit’sSpringEventsPreviewlistsallsortsof eventsfromMarchthroughMay.Apreviewoftouringbandsandconcertsisonpage28 Andthere’sa listofareaparksandnearbyattractionsonpage31 CheckGambitorcalender.gambitweekly.comcloser toeventsformoreinformation.

March

ThruMarch20

‘Top5SurvivalMoves’

KatyaChizhayevatravelsbacktoKyivtorevealthe impactofRussia’sinvasionofUkraineonsoldiers recoveringandpeoplemanaginglifeinawarzone PresentedbyGoatintheRoadattheCAC.Visit cacno.orgfortickets.

ThruMarch24

‘TheProm’ Inthemusical,someBroadwayactorsrespondtothe dismalfailureoftheirproductionbygoingtoIndiana tohelpateenagerwhoistryingtoattendtheprom withhergirlfriend Thecancellationoftheevent throwsthetownanditsmessypoliticsintoacrisis AtRivertownTheatersforthePerformingArts Visit rivertowntheaters.comforticketsandinformation.

ThruMarch24

‘KingdomofEarth’

TheTennesseeWilliamsTheaterCompanyofNew OrleansmountsitssecondproductionoftheWilliams playaboutembitteredsiblingsChickenandLotbattlingoverpossessionoftheirMississippihomeasrising floodwatersthreatentodestroyit AtMarquette TheatreatLoyolaUniversityNewOrleans.Find ticketsviatwtheatrenola.com.

March11-16

NewOrleansEntrepreneurWeek

ArtificialIntelligenceandclimatetechnologyareacoupleoftheprogramming themesattheconferenceforbusiness innovation Theweekfeatures,speakers,panels,pitches,networkingand more Visitnoew.orgforschedule andinformation.

March13-17

ArtinBloom

TheNewOrleansMuseumofArtdisplaysflowerinstallationsbydesigners andfloristsingalleryspacesnearart thatinspiredthepieces Thisyear’s themeisBloomsontheBayou,and therearelectureeventsandasilent auction.PresentedbyNOMAandthe GardenStudyClubofNewOrleans. Visitnoma.orgforinformation.

March13-May1

TwilightatLongueVue

TheWednesdaynightconcertseriesat LongueVueHouseandGardensbegins withtheKinfolkBrassBand Concerts areoutdoorsintheSpanishCourt,and foodanddrinksareavailable.Visit longuevue.com/series/twilightfor ticketsandinformation.

March14

FoodFight

Thetastingeventfeaturesmorethan 40restaurantsand30spiritssponsors incompetitionsfortopcreativeand traditionaldishesandcocktails.There alsoisJell-Owrestling,aerialistsand musicbyJamesAndrewsandthe HoneyIslandSwampBand AtLafrenierePark Findticketsandinformation viafoodfightnola.com.

March15

‘GoldenGirls:TheLaughsContinue’ Thetouringdragproductionfeatures Miami’sfavoriteseniorcitizens Rose,Blanche,SophiaandDorothy gettingintoallsortsofoutrageous troubleviaseniordatingapps,ayoungerloverandadrugringforretirees. AtSaengerTheatre.Findtickets viasaengernola.com.

March15-17

AmiteOysterFestival

TheNorthshoretownofAmitecelebratestheoysterwithtwostagesof livemusic,aparade,achilicook-off, amusementridesandmore Visitamiteoysterfestival.comfordetails.

March15-24

‘JesusChristSuperstar’

TheJeffersonPerformingArtsSociety presentsAndrewLloydWebber’srock operafocusedontheeventsofthe finaldaysofJesusChrist’slifeandthe dissatisfactionofJudas.AtJefferson PerformingArtsCenter,andthere’san April5performanceattheColumbia TheatreinHammond.Visitjpas.orgfor ticketsandinformation.

March16

IrishChannelSt Patrick’sDayParade

TheparadefeaturesfloatsandIrish

marchinggroupstossingbeadsand handingoutflowersintheIrishChannel andGardenDistrict Therealsoare blockpartiesatnearbyIrishbars The paradestartsat1p.m.Visitirishchannelno.orgforinformation.

March16

Italian-AmericanSt.Joseph’sParade

TheSt Joseph’sSocietyholdsits FrenchQuarterparadewithfloats, bandsandmore Paradestartsat6 p.m.Visititalianamericansociety.org fordetails.

March16

NateJackson

Thestand-upcomiccurrentlystars asSylvester“JunkyardDog”Ritteron theTVshow“TheYoungRock,”and hehostshisownpodcastandisa regularonCoreyHolcomb’s“5150” podcast AtTheJoyTheater.Find ticketsviathejoytheater.com.

March17

SuperSunday

TheUptownSuperSundaycelebration featuresBlackMaskingIndiantribes showingofftheirnewsuitsandmore AtA.L.DavisParkfromnoonto6p.m. See@mardigrasindiancouncilofficial onInstagramformoreinformation.

March17

St.Patrick’sDayParade

TheSt Patrick’sDayparadeinMetairie featuresfloatsandmarchinggroups andbeginsatnoononSevernAvenue andproceedsdownMetairieRoad Visit stpatricksdaymetairie.comfordetails.

March17

DowntownIrishClubParade

TheDowntownIrishClubstopsat severalbarsonitswalkingparadefrom theMarigny,acrosstheFrenchQuarter, andtotheUglyDogSalooninthe WarehouseDistrict.Theeventstarts at6p.m.Visitdowntownirishclub.com fordetails.

March17

WeThemOne’sComedyTour

ThelineupofcomediansincludesMike Epps,TipHarris,LilDuval,DerayDavis, MojoBrookzzandDCYoungFly.At SmoothieKingCenter Findtickets viasmoothiekingcenter.com

March17&20-24

TennesseeWilliams&NewOrleans LiteraryFestival

ThefestivalhostsitsStellaShouting ContestonSunday,March17,and theconferencefollowslaterinthe weekwithmorethan125authorsand speakers,theaterproductions,tribute readings,walkingtoursandmore Visit tennesseewilliams.netforschedule andinformation.

March18

JimGaffigan

AfteryearsminingHotPocketsand mundaneoccurrencesfornumerous comedyspecials,JimGaffiganbroke outindramaticrolesonfilmandTV

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

AriderhandsacabbagetoaspectatorduringtheIrish ChannelSt.Patrick’sParadeinUptownNewOrleans.

Hecurrentlyappearsonthedramedy “Linoleum.”He’llalsostarinNetflix’s “Unfrosted:ThePop-TartStory”with JerrySeinfeldandMelissaMcCarthy, premieringinMay.HeperformsstandupatSaengerTheatre.Findtickets viasaengernola.com.

March19

Jimbo’sDragCircus AveteranofaCanadiandragcompetitionandwinnerofaseasonof “RuPaul’sDragRaceAllStars,”drag starJimbobroughtclowningtodrag Shestarsasmultiplecharactersand co-wrotethemusicforthisshow, whichreprisesherbitsasJoanRivers andShirleyTemple.AttheFillmore. Findticketsviafillmorenola.com

March21-24

LouisianaCrawfishFestival

ThefestivalfeaturesmusicbyBag ofDonuts,Groovy7andmore,plus boiledcrawfishandcrawfishdishes, amusementridesandmoreatthe FrederickSigurCivicCenterinChalmette.Findinformationandtickets atlouisianacrawfishfestival.com.

March22

Shell-A-Bration

LostBayouRamblersfiddlerLouis Michotperformsatthefundraiser fortheCoalitiontoRestoreCoastal Louisiana.Therealsolocaloysters, Abitabeer,kidsactivities,asilent auctionandmore AttheAudubon Zoo’sSwampExhibit.Visitcrcl.org/ program/shell-a-brationfordetails.

March22

JimmyCarr

TheBritish-Irishcomedianisknownfor hisdeadpandeliveryofedgymaterial, andhehasreleasedseveralNetflix specials Hebringshis“TerriblyFunny” tourtoCivicTheater.Findtickets viacivicnola.com.

March22

FaeDoDo

TheCarnivalkreweforelves,sprites, pixiesandotherenchantedcreatures holdsabenefitforNewOrleans’Court AppointedSpecialAdvocates(CASA) Thereareperformancesbydance groups,raffles,drinksandmore At TheWillow.Visitcrescentcityfae.com fordetails.

March22-23

VolksFest

ThetraditionalGermanspringfestival featuresmusicbyHolySchnitzel, WurstCaseScenarioandBier Musikanten,aswellasMaypoledancing,DachshundracesandGerman foodandbeverages.AtDeutsches HausonBayouSt John Findinformationatdeutscheshaus.org.

March22-24

Saints&SinnersLGBTQLiterary Festival

Theliteraryfestivalfeaturesreadings, paneldiscussionsandworkshops.Visit sasfest.orgfordetails.

March22&24

‘LuciadiLammermoor’ InthetragicItalianopera,Luciais

PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

pressuredtoforsakeherloveEdgardo andmarryArturoforthesakeofher family TheNewOrleansOperaAssociationpresentstheoperaattheMahalia JacksonTheater.Findticketsand informationatneworleansopera.org.

March22&24

BacktoBalanchine

NewOrleansBalletTheatrepresents twoneoclassicalballetsbyGeorge Balanchine,including“Concerto Barocco”and“Serenade.”AtOrpheum Theater.Findticketsandinformation vianeworleansballettheatre.com.

March23

DavidSpade

Thesnarkycomedianandformer “SaturdayNightLive”andTVsitcom starperformsattheOrpheumTheater. Findticketsviaorpheumnola.net

March23

BigBassFishingRodeo

Thereareseveralcompetitionsincludingfieldsforstudents,kayakers,perch, breamandmore TheFishtivalportion featuresaDJ,educationalexhibitsand amarketfornewandusedgear AtNew OrleansCityPark.Visitneworleanscitypark.orgfordetails.

March23

NOMAEggHunt

TheNewOrleansMuseumofArt’sEgg HunttakesplaceintheSydneyand WaldaBesthoffSculptureGardenand thereislivemusic,artactivities,games, facepainting,foodanddrinkvendors andmore Visitnoma.orgfordetails.

March23-24

EggScramble

NewOrleansCityParkhostsitsEaster egghuntintheCarouselGardens AmusementPark,andthere’smusic, anappearancebytheEasterBunny andunlimitedamusementrideswith admission.Visitneworleanscitypark. orgforticketsanddetails.

March23-24

CongoSquareRhythmsFestival

TheJazz&HeritageFoundationhosts

thefestivalfeaturingbrassbands, drummingandmorelivemusic, Africandance,anartmarketandfood vendorsinLouisArmstrongPark Visitjazzandheritage.org/ events/2024-congo-square-festival

March24

LouisianaIrish-ItalianParade Theparadefeatureswalkingclubs, floatsandtrucksonaVeteransMemorialBoulevardroutefromClearview CityCentertoMartinBehrmanDrive. Theparadebeginsatnoon Visit lairish-italian.orgfordetails.

March28-30

CrescentCityClassic

The10KracefromtheCaesarsSuperdometoCityParkisMarch30,and thetwo-dayHealth&FitnessExpois March28-29attheHyattRegency. Theraceisfollowedbyapartyinthe park.Registerandfindinformation atccc10k.com.

March28-31

DisneyonIce

DisneyonIce’snewtouringshow presentsthestoriesof“Frozen”and “Encanto.”AtUNOLakefrontArena. Findticketsviaarena.uno.edu.

March29-30

TheoVon

TheCovingtonnativeandcomediangot hisstartwhileatLSUbyappearingon MTV’s“RoadRules:MaximumVelocity Tour,”aswellasseveralMTVreality TVshows.Heperformsstand-upat SaengerTheatre.Findtickets viasaengernola.com.

March30

FreretStreetFestival

There’slivemusiconmultiplestages, artandfoodvendorsandmorealong FreretStreetontheblocksextending fromNapoleonAvenuetoward JeffersonAvenue.Visitfreretstreetfestival.orgfordetails.

March30

BunnyHops

Theadultegghuntfeatureslivemusic,

beerbars,amusementridesand jambalayaattheCarouselGardens AmusementParkinCityPark Visit neworleanscitypark.orgfordetails.

March30

NPCBayouMuscle

Thebodybuildingcompetition featuresnumerouscategoriesformen andwomenatthePontchartrain Center Visitlouisianamuscle.com forinformation.

April

April1

AprilFoolsDayparade

TheKreweduFoolleadstheparade startingintheMarignyat7p.m.Visit krewedufool.comfordetails.

April4

DisneyPrincesses

BroadwayandTVstarsincludingAlyssa Fox,SyndeeWinters,HibaElchikhe andmoresingpopularsongsfrom Disneyfilmsincluding“LetItGo,”“A WholeNewWorld,”“HowFarI’llGo” andmore AtSaengerTheatre.Find ticketsviasaengernola.com.

April4-7

OverlookFilmFest

Thehorrorfilmfestscreensavariety ofhorrorfilmstylesandofferscurated experiences,avendormarketand more.Visitoverlookfilmfest.comfor moreinformation.

April4-8

NewOrleansGiantPuppetFestival

Thefestivalbringspuppetgroups fromacrossthecountryforfivedays ofshowsatvariousvenues.PerformersincludeMudlarkPuppeteers, Seattle’sShadowGirlsCult,Oakland’s HarmonicDrift,NightShadeTheater andJeghetto,whowillpresentthe Afro-futuristhip-hopera“5P1NOK10.” Visitneworleansgiantpuppetfest.com forinformation.

April5-6

HogsfortheCause

Thebarbecueandmusicfestivalis headlinedbyBandofHorses,The RecordCompanyandShaneSmith& TheSaints,andmorethan90participatingbarbecueteamsraisefunds tofightpediatricbraincancer Onthe groundsoftheUNOLakefrontArena. Visithogsfest.orgfortickets andinformation.

April5-7

‘Annie’

Annieexudesoptimismintheclassic musicalaboutanorphangirlwho meetsthemillionaireOliverWarbucks Thetouringproductioncomesto SaengerTheatre.Findtickets viasaengernola.com.

April6

St BernardIrish/Italian/ IslenosParade

TheparadefeaturesfloatsandmarchingclubsonW.JudgePerezDrivein Chalmette Theparadestartsatnoon Seevisitstbernard.comfordetails.

April6

HopeFest

SoulsingerEricaFallsandthePreservationHallAll-Starsperformatthe benefitforHotelHope,whichprovides supportforwomenandchildrenexperiencinghomelessness AtZonyMash BeerProject.Findticketsandinformationathotelhope.org/hopefest.

April6-7

ArtinthePass

Thefestivalfeatures100artistsfrom theregion,aswellasfoodvendors, kidsactivitiesandmoreonthecoast inPassChristian,Mississippi.Find informationatpassmainstreet.com/ events/artinthepass

April6-7

SpringGardenShow

TheNewOrleansBotanicalGarden’s annualeventissponsoredbythe LSUAgCenterandLouisianaMaster Gardenersandincludeslivemusic,arts

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

TheNewOrleansJazz&HeritageFestivalisApril25May5attheNewOrleansFairGroundsRaceCourse&Slots.

andcrafts,aplantsale,educational programmingandmore Visitneworleanscitypark.orgfordetails.

April7

AbitaSpringsBuskerFest

Thereisnobuskingallowed,butthe musiclineupfeaturesTubaSkinny, JacksonandtheJanks,ZachBryson andtheMeatRack,NewOrleans RhythmMethodandmore Food andbeveragesareavailablefromthe nearbyfarmers’market AttheAbita SpringsTrailhead.Visittrailheadmuseum.orgfordetails.

April11-14

FrenchQuarterFestival

Thegiantfreefestivalpresentsmore than270performancesbymostly localbandson20stagesspreadacross theFrenchQuarterandriverfront, includingintroducingstagesatSpanish Plazathisyear Therealsoareevening concerts,foodvendorsnearmany stages,dancelessonsandmore. Visitfqfi.org

April12

‘SwanLake’

TheLosAngeles-basedWorldBallet SeriespresentsTchaikovsky’sclassic balletaboutaprincewhofallsinlove withaprincessturnedintoaswanbya cruelmagician AtOrpheumTheater. Findticketsviaworldballetseries.com.

April12-14

PonchatoulaStrawberryFestival

Thefestivalfeaturesthreedaysoflive music,aparade,foodanddrinkbooths, craftvendorsandmoreindowntown Ponchatoula.Visitlastrawberryfestival.comfordetails.

April12-21

‘NoisesOff’

Inthechaoticbackstagecomedy,a theatercompanyattemptstostage thesexcomedy“NothingOn”and bumblesitswaythroughdressrehearsalstowardopeningnight.JPASpresentstheshowatJeffersonPerforming ArtsCenter.Visitjpas.orgfortickets andinformation.

PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

PAGE 23

April13

NikkiGlaser

ComedianNikkiGlaserhasstarredin herowncomedyspecials,aComedy Centralseries,arealityTVshow,movies andpodcasts,hostedthedatingshow “FBoyIsland”andmore Sheperforms attheMahaliaJacksonTheater.Find ticketsviamahaliajacksontheater.com.

April18-21

NOLAPirateGathering

ThePirateGatheringincludesapirate ball,pubcrawl,piratecostumesand more Findinformationatfacebook com/theeleviathan504

April20

ParsonsDancewith AllenToussaintOrchestra

ParsonsDancepresentsthesignature pieces“Caught”and“SwingShift,”as wellas“Whirlaway,”whichisperformed tomusicbyAllenToussaint,providedat thisperformancebyReginaldToussaint andtheAllenToussaintOrchestra.

PresentedbyNewOrleansBalletAssociationatMahaliaJacksonTheater.Find ticketsvianobadance.com.

April20

MaritimeMusicandArtsFest

Thefestivalfeatureslivemusic,anart market,foodtrucksandmoretobenefit theMaritimeMuseumLouisiana,formerlyknownastheLakePontchartrain BasinMaritimeMuseum Atthemuseum ontheTchefuncteRiverinMadisonville Visitmaritimemuseumlouisiana.org fordetails.

April20

CroatianFest

Thefestivalfeaturesentertainmentby theBravoBand,KlapaValovi,Klapa BA,IvanHeller,DamirRadov,Komenka EthnicDanceEnsembleandCASKolo Dancers.Therealsoareculturaldisplays,Croatianfoodandbeer,cooking demonstrations,akidsareaandmore InBelleChasse Visitcroatianamericansociety.comfordetails.

April20

BigEasyComedyFestival

ThelineupofcomediansincludesSommore,LavellCrawford,BillBellamy, TonyRobertsandTeddyCarpenter.At UNOLakefrontArena.Findticketsvia arena.uno.edu.

April20

CrawfishCook-off

TheeventfeaturesmusicbyLost BayouRamblersandtheNewOrleans Nightcrawlers,acrawfishcook-off andall-you-can-eatcrawfishplusother foodanddrinks Proceedsbenefit TheHospiceHouse.AtFritchie ParkinSlidell.Findinformation atcrawfishtickets.com.

April20-21

SpringGardenandPetShow

Thegardenshowfeaturesanarrayof plantandgardenvendors,livemusic, petadoptions,foodanddrink,abeekeepingdemonstrationandmore Petsarewelcome.AtDestrehanPlan-

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

tation Visitdestrehanplantation.org fordetails.

April22-28

ZurichGolfClassic

ThePGATourcompetitionisatTPC LouisianaontheWestBank,and there’saPro-Ameventandmore Visitzurichgolfclassic.comfortickets andinformation.

April24

BiancaDelRio

DragqueenBiancaDelRiowentfrom localstagesandhostingDragBingoat Oztowinningseasonsixof“RuPaul’s DragRace”andtouringtheworld.She’s backintownonherDeadInsidecomedy tour AtMahaliaJacksonTheater.Find ticketsviathebiancadelrio.com.

April24

SwingintheOaks

TheLouisianaPhilharmonicOrchestra performsaprogramofclassicsand popularmusicatthefreeconcertat theGreatLawnandPeristyleinNew OrleansCityPark Visitlpomusic.com fordetails.

April24

DavidSedaris

ThehumoristandNPRcontributoris knownforessaysincollectionsincluding “Calypso,”“TheftbyFinding”and 2022’s“Happy-Go-Lucky.”Hespeaks

attheOrpheumTheater.Findtickets viaorpheumnola.net

April25-27

HumpFilmFestival

Writerandsexandrelationshipadvice columnistDanSavage’samateurporn filmfestivalcomestoTheBroad Theaterwith23shortfilmsaboutall sortsofkink Findinformation onhumpfilmfest.com

April25-May5

NewOrleansJazz&HeritageFestival

TheRollingStonesheadlineMay2,and thefestivallineupalsoincludesFoo Fighters,NeilYoungandCrazyHorse, ChrisStapleton,Anderson.Paak,Vam-

pireWeekendandmanymore The culturalpavilionhighlightsColombia, andthefestivalhasafullslateof foodandcraftvendors.AttheNew OrleansFairGroundsRaceCourse& Slots.Findticketsandinformation atnojazzfest.com

April25-May12

‘BornWithTeeth’ InLizDuffyAdams’comedy aboutElizabethantimes,poetand playwrightKitMarloweandyoung WilliamShakespearemeetinapub andcomparenotesondramaandlove

TheCongoSquareRhythms FestivalisMarch23-24in LouisArmstrongPark

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

ParsonsDancecompanywillperformwiththe AllenToussaintOrchestraatMahaliaJackson TheateronApril30.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NOBA

interests.AtLePetitTheatre.Find ticketsatlepetittheatre.com.

April26

WineSpectator’sGrandTour

Thewinemagazinepresentsawine tastingfeaturingmorethan200 winesratedover90bythemagazine’seditors.AttheNewOrleans Marriott.Findticketsviagrandtour. winespectator.com.

April26-28

PlaqueminesParishSeafoodFest

Thefestivalfeaturesmusicby Rockin’DopsieJr.&theZydeco Twisters,NashvilleSouth,NOLA GrooveCollectiveandmore,plus amusementrides,localseafood,a craftmarket,akids’tentandmore. At333F.EdwardHebertBlvd.in BelleChasse.Visitplaqueminesparishfestival.comfordetails.

April29-May1

NOLACrawfishFest

ThemusiclineupfeaturesLostBayouRamblers,TabBenoit,George PorterJr.andRunnin’Pardnersand more,andthere’sboiledcrawfish, acrawfishcook-offandacrawfish eatingcontest.AtTheBroadside Findinformationatfacebook.com/ nolacrawfishfestival

April30-May1

DazeBetween

Themusicfestivalbetweenthetwo weekendsofJazzFesthasalineup featuringGov’tMule,KarlDenson’s TinyUniverse,Lettuce,Daniel Donato’sCosmicCountry,The Rumble,Galacticandmore.At FaubourgBrewery. Findtickets atdazebetweennola.com

MayMay3-19

‘SisterAct’ Inthemusicalcomedybasedon the1992movie,anightclubsinger whowitnessesacrimehidesoutin aconventwhereshemakesnew friends.AtRivertownTheatersfor thePerformingArts.Findticketsat rivertowntheaters.com.

May4-5

ShenYun

Thetouringshowcombinesdance, musicandcolorfulcostumesin acelebrationofChineseculture andhistory.AtJeffersonPerforming ArtsCenter.Findticketsvia jeffersonpac.com.

May10-26

‘TheFeltMenagerie’

Thepuppettheatershowfeatures BlancheDuBoisandotherlegendary TennesseeWilliamscharacters insituationsnotdesignedbythe playwright.Theadults-onlycomedyispresentedbytheTennessee WilliamsTheatreCompanyofNew

OrleansatZeitgeistTheatre& Lounge,UNOandNewMarigny Theatre.Visittwtheatrenola.com forscheduleanddetails.

May11

Brews,Boils&Bubbles

TheneweventfromtheorganizersoftheFriedChickenFestival featuresboiledseafood,foodfrom localrestaurants,craftbeers,live music,gamesandmoreonthe groundsoftheUNOLakefrontArena.Visitbrewsboilsbubbles.com forinformation.

May11-12

‘Dracula’

OliverHalkowichchoreographs theballetsettoavarietyofmusical genresintheadaptationofBram Stoker’svampirenovel.Presented byNewOrleansBalletTheatreat OrpheumTheater.Findtickets atneworleansballettheatre.com.

May14-19

‘Mrs.Doubtfire’ InthemusicalbasedontheRobin Williamsmovie,adown-on-hisluckactorwholosescustodyof hischildreninhisdivorcetakeson thepersonaofaScottishnanny totrytostayclosetohiskids. Thetouringproductioncomesto SaengerTheater.Findtickets viasaengernola.com.

May17

RickeySmiley

Thecomedian,musicianandradio hostisknownforhiscleancomedy andmanycharacters.Heperforms stand-upatOrpheumTheater.Find ticketsviaorpheumnola.net

May17-18

PirateDayintheBay

TheMysticKreweoftheSeahorse organizesthepirate-themed festivalindowntownBaySt.Louis, Mississippi.Therewillbelivemusic, kidsactivities,acostumecontest,a pubcrawl,scavengerhunt,swashbucklingoutfitsandmore.Visit mkotsh.comfordetails

May17-19

Mid-CityBayouBoogaloo

ThefestivalonBayouSt.Johnis headlinedbyGZAofWu-TangClan, Afroman,NikWest,Chali2na,Lez Zeppelinandmoreonitstwomusic stages.Thefestivalhasexpandeditscomedytenttoinclude burlesque,cabaretandmore,and thereisalargeartmarketanda crawfish-eatingcontest. Visitthebayouboogaloo.com forinformation

May18

Ms.Pat

ComedianPatricia“Ms.Pat”Williams,whostarsinherown showonBET+,performsstand-up atJoyTheater.Findtickets viathejoytheater.com

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

MARCH21-24

ST.BERNARD PARISH FREDERICKSIGUR CIVICCENTER

Admission:

Thursday: FREE |Friday: $5.00

Saturday &Sunday: $10.00

HoursofOperation:

Thursday: 5-10PM |Friday: 5-11PM Saturday: 11AM-11PM |Sunday: 11AM -8PM

ENTERTAINMENT

FORRSCC&RPEC ELECTIONDAY:SATURDAY,MARCH23,2024

EARLYVOTING:MARCH9–16,2024

PERSONAL

Salismarried to Lisa CassanovaBrocato for29 years. They have a24-year-old son, Dominic Joseph Brocato.

EDUCATION

n BrotherMartinHighSchool,1988

n University of NewOrleans,B.S.inBusiness Management,1996

n Southern University LawCenter,J.D., 1999

LAWENFORCEMENT

n NewOrleans Police Department

l PoliceAcademy,P.O.S.T.certification, LouisSirgo AwardasIdeal PoliceOfficer

n JeffersonParishSheriff’s Office

l RetiredRes.Deputy

n LouisianaDept. of Justice (AttorneyGeneral’s Office)

l SpecialAgent –CriminalDivision

n PlaqueminesParishSheriff’s Office

l Asst.General Counsel– LegalDivision

l Hasmaintainedthe annual P.O.S.T. continuing education, training and qualificationssince 1993

LEGALEXPERIENCE

n BrocatoLaw Firm,PLC, 1999–Present

n FirstParishCourt –THO Judge,2018–Present

Thursday ROCK KANDY LA STRIP

Friday

RHYTHMCHASERS BAND SUGARSHAKER INTERNATIONAL PARTYBAND

Saturday CROWEBOYS

CLAY CORMIER ANDTHE HIGHWAYBOYS

YEAH YOURIGHT BAGOFDONUTS

Sunday CONNOR DALE

PEYTON FALGOUST BAND GROOVY 7

COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT/DWI EDUCATION

n SuddenImpactProgram (Sponsored by LA StatePoliceand LCMC)

l Mock trialprosecuting attorney

l Participated as prosecutor in 10 mock trials at localhigh schoolsfor textingwhile drivingand DWIeducation

COACHING

n BrotherMartinHighSchool

l Part-timepowerliftingcoach (present)

l Part-timehighschool football coachfor 10 years

ORGANIZATIONS/AFFILIATIONS

n LouisianaState BarAssociation,Member

n LouisianaItalianAmericanBar Association, Past President& Member

n National ItalianAmericanBar Association,Member

n JeffersonBar Association,Member

n Nicholls StateUniversityAthleticAssociation,Board Member

n Cefalutana Society,PastDirectorand CurrentMember

n BrotherMartinAlumniBoard of Directors,PastPresident & CurrentBoard Member

n NorthBridgedaleSubdivision Civic Association,Board Member

“Itwould be my honortoserve you on the Republican StateCentral Committeeand theRepublicanExecutiveCommittee. I will work hard to promoteRepublican values and helpelect strong Republican candidatestopublic office.”

—Sal Brocato

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

May18-19

BalletGoestoBroadway JeffersonBalletTheatre’s KennyBeckchoreographs piecesfromsomeofBroadway’smostpopularmusicals, including“WestSideStory,” “GuysandDolls,”“42nd Street,”“TheKingandI,” “Singin’intheRain”and more JPASpresentsthe showatJeffersonPerformingArtsCenter Findtickets atjpas.org

May24

NewOrleansGreekFestival

ThefestivalattheHellenic CulturalCenteronBayouSt JohnfeaturesGreekmusic, traditionaldanceperformances,food,bakedgoods, agrocery,kidsgamesand activities,cathedraltours andmore Visitgfno.com fordetails.

May31

JerrySeinfeld

comediansincars,Jerry Seinfeldisbackonstage doingstand-up.AtSaenger Theatre.Findticketsvia saengernola.com.

May31-June1

BalloonGlowand

LaserShow

Thehotairballoonevent featuresballoonridesand eveninglightshows,and therearegames,ridesand kidsactivities.AtNOLA MotorsportsPark Visit nolamotor.com fordetails.

May31-June16

‘TheCake’

BakeryownerDellais conflictedaboutmakinga cakeforforherbest friend’sdaughter’slesbian weddinginthedramaby BekahBrunstetter,writer forNBC’s“ThisisUs.”

AfteraphenomenallypopularTVshowaboutnothing andinterviewingother Mid-CityBayouBoogalooisMay17-19

PresentedbyCrescentCity StageatLoyolaUniversity NewOrleans’Marquette Theater.Findticketsat crescentcitystage.com.

PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

SPRING Concert PREVIEW

Ledisiwillperform atMahaliaJackson TheateronApril5. PHOTOBYSHAWN FINK / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Belowisapreviewofmanyofthebandsandconcerttourscoming toNewOrleans,all-starjamsduringfestivalseasonandmore.

March

MARCH11

Fust Siberia

MARCH12

NickShouldersand TheOkayCrawdad Tipitina’s

MARCH14

BurnaBoy SmoothieKingCenter

MARCH15

Scarface JoyTheater

MARCH15

BobbyRush ChickieWahWah

MARCH15

HansWilliamswithLyla George&RichardRourke Tipitina’s

MARCH16

PatMetheny OrpheumTheater

MARCH17

PsymonSpine SaturnBar

MARCH17

FrontBottoms HouseofBlues

MARCH18

NickiMinaj SmoothieKingCenter

MARCH19

LauraJaneGrace ThelmaandTheSleaze Tipitina’s

MARCH19

HippieSabotage JoyTheater

MARCH20

MyraMelford DixonHall

MARCH22

Girlschool SouthportHall

MARCH22

KellerWilliams Tipitina’s

MARCH22

LarryFleet Fillmore

MARCH23

GeoffTate HouseofBlues

MARCH28

HaleyHeynderickx ToulouseTheatre

MARCH28

SleepytimeGorillaMuseum TheHowlin’Wolf

MARCH30

Crowbar

SouthportHall

MARCH30

PerpetualGroove Tipitina’s

MARCH30

Elephante RepublicNOLA

April

APRIL1

BobDylan SaengerTheatre

APRIL3

Rosali Siberia

APRIL4

TheDiscoBiscuits HouseofBlues

APRIL4 SheerMag Siberia

APRIL5

Ledisi

MARCH23

PussyRiotfeaturingNadya Boyfriend RabbitHole

MARCH24

A.J.Croce JoyTheater

MARCH24

ViciousRumors

Raven SouthportHall

MARCH24

TwinTribes HouseofBlues

MARCH24

ArinRay

RepublicNOLA

MARCH26

KurtVileandTheViolators WeakSignal Tipitina’s

MARCH27

BarItalia

ToulouseTheatre

MARCH27

CircleJerks

Descendents CivicTheatre

APRIL13

BigEasyBluesFestival withTucka KingGeorge PokeyBear SmoothieKingCenter

APRIL14

AskingAlexandria Fillmore

APRIL14

BeachFossils HouseofBlues

APRIL16

JesseMcCartney Fillmore

APRIL16

MoLowda&theHumble ToulouseTheatre

APRIL18

NothingMore WageWar Fillmore

APRIL18

Hayes&TheHeathens Tipitina’s

APRIL19

AdamAnt Fillmore

APRIL19

BlackJoeLewis& TheHoneybears Tipitina’s

APRIL20

MahaliaJacksonTheater

APRIL5

HotlineTNT Siberia

APRIL5

LevelUp RepublicNOLA

APRIL6

ZachWilliams MahaliaJacksonTheater

APRIL8

JerusalemQuartet DixonHall TulaneUniversity

APRIL9

Conan Santos

APRIL11

ParkerMcCollum SmoothieKingCenter

APRIL12

KeyshiaCole TreySongz Jaheim K.Michelle SmoothieKingCenter

APRIL13

BrothersOsborne SaengerTheatre

RiotTen SYZY RepublicNOLA

APRIL21

Swans CivicTheatre

APRIL23

BadReligion SocialDistortion Fillmore

APRIL23-24

MariahtheScientist Chxrry22 JoyTheater

APRIL24

TheFlamingLips SaengerTheatre

APRIL25

JesseDayton Broadside

APRIL26

CimaFest CivicTheatre

APRIL26

CoryWong

Dumpstaphunk Fillmore

APRIL26

Jimi’sDeadfeaturing EricKrasno

NikkiGlaspie RossJames&Brandon “Taz”Niederauer ToulouseTheatre

APRIL26

DanielDonato RepublicNOLA

APRIL26-27

LowCutConnie Siberia

APRIL26

LouisianaCallingfeaturing SonnyLandreth TommyMcLain& C.C.Adcock ChickieWahWah

APRIL27

RobertGlasper Yebba OrpheumTheater

APRIL27

DeltaBluesExplosion featuringSamanthaFish Fillmore

APRIL27

TromboneShorty TremeThreauxdown SaengerTheatre

APRIL27

TakeMetothe RiverAll-Stars JoyTheater

APRIL27

EastRich TheHowlin’Wolf

APRIL27-28

St.Paulandthe BrokenBones Tipitina’s

APRIL28

ChicanoBatman HouseofBlues

APRIL28

MavisStaples CivicTheatre

APRIL28

TheRevivalists Fillmore

APRIL28

AlyndaSegarra DylanLeBlanc ChickieWahWah

APRIL28

WAR TheWailers OrpheumTheater

APRIL29

ShortyFestfeaturing TromboneShorty& OrleansAvenue

Galactic SunRaArkestra Tipitina’s

St.PaulandtheBrokenBonesperformatTipitina’sonApril27-28.

APRIL30

JoeMarcinek’sDeadFunk SummitwithJoJoHermann GeorgePorterJr. MaggieRose

TonyHallandmore ToulouseTheatre

APRIL30

AndyFrasco&theU.N. HouseofBlues

May

MAY1

TheRadiators CivicTheatre

MAY1

TheAlarm HouseofBlues

MAY2

TheMetersCelebration CivicTheatre

MAY2

JJGrey&Mofro SaengerTheatre

MAY2

TheHeavyHeavy ChickieWahWah

MAY2

NorthMississippiAllstars

MagnoliaBoulevard

Tipitina’s

MAY2

LeftoverSalmon JoyTheater

MAY2-4

JoeRusso’sAlmostDead Fillmore

MAY3

KarlDenson’sTinyUniverse Tipitina’s

MAY3

CedricBurnside DelvonLamarrOrganTrio Broadside

MAY3

TeskeyBrothers SaengerTheatre

MAY3

Lettuce JoyTheater

MAY3

RonnieStone PoorBoys

MAY4

JoeRusso’sSelcouthQuartet ToulouseTheatre

MAY4

AndersOsborneBirthday Celebrationwithguests CivicTheatre

MAY4

Meatbodies Siberia

MAY4

CrescentCityClassics:New OrleansFunkCelebration JoyTheater

MAY9

DwightYoakam OrpheumTheater

MAY9

JacobCollier Fillmore

MAY9

MoneyMan JoyTheater

MAY10

IbaMahr ChickieWahWah

MAY10

CityandColour JoyTheater

MAY10

SpaceLaces RepublicNOLA

MAY11

Echo&theBunnymen JoyTheater

MAY13

KublaiKhan JoyTheater

MAY14

MAY4

GeorgeClinton& Parliament/Funkadelic Fillmore

MAY4

NealFrancis Tipitina’s

MAY4

ClipPayne’s420 FunkMob RabbitHole

MAY5

BreakScience ToulouseTheatre

MAY5

TheeSinseers TheAltons HouseofBlues

MAY6 Orgy Cold HouseofBlues

MAY7

BadBunny SmoothieKingCenter

MAY7 Tyla JoyTheater

MAY7

InThisMoment OrpheumTheater

MAY9

Wayfarer Siberia

Slowdive CivicTheatre

MAY14

TheChats DirtyFences HouseofBlues

MAY16

GFlip Florrie Tipitina’s

MAY16

Brooks&Dunn SmoothieKingCenter

MAY17

SeanPaul Fillmore

MAY19

TakingBackSunday Fillmore

MAY22

ChrisIsaak HouseofBlues

MAY25

MadisonBeer Fillmore

MAY25

Kaivon RepublicNOLA

MAY26

ThieveryCorporation HouseofBlues

MAY31

CodyJohnson SmoothieKingCenter

PROVIDED PHOTO BY DAVID MCCLISTER

PARKS &

Recreation GAMBIT’SGUIDETO GETTINGOUTSIDE

BY SARAH RAVITS

IT’SSPRINGTIMEINNEWORLEANS,whichisatrulyglorioustimeofyeartobeone oftheluckyfewwhogetstocallthemselvesaresident Thesun’soutlongernow,butit’s stillnotflashfryingthefirstthreelayersofskinoffyourbody,andthehumiditystillhasn’t shookoffitswinterslumber,makingitabsolutelyperfectout.

NewOrleansisblessedwithahugenumberofparkseitherinthecityorashortdrive awaythatoffereverythingfromthesolitudeoftheBarataria’sswampstothebustleof basketballcourtsandplaygroundsalongtheLafitteGreenway Plus,adayattheparkisa greatexcusetoexploresomeofthecity’sotherneighborhoodsorevenotherpartsofthe regionyoumaynotbefamiliarwith.

cREScENT PARK

2300N.PETERSST.

CrescentParkisthescenicroutetotakeif you’retryingtotraversetheMarignyand Bywaterandavoidvehiculartraffic.The 1.4-milelinearparkofferssweepingviews oftheMississippiRiverandthere’splenty tocheckoutalongtheway,includingart installationsandcuratedgardensandgreen space.Theconcretepathiswelcomingto runners,pedestrians,petsandcyclists,and themulti-usepavilionsalongtheriverfront havealsobecomehotspotsforrollerskatingandfitnessanddanceclasses.There’s alsoasmallgatedareaforpupstoplay off-leash.Ahighlightofthepark,andits officialentrancepoint,istherust-colored, archedbridgeonPietyStreet It’sabitof atrektogettothetop,buttheviewis highlyrewarding.

Formoreinformation,visit crescentparknola.org

WHATTODONEARBY:

• GrabbrunchatElizabeth’s (601GallierSt.)

• BuysomethingcoolonvinylatEuclid Records(3301ChartresSt.)

• IndulgeinsomebarbecueatTheJoint (701MazantSt.)

• SipanartisanalbeeratParleauxBeer Lab(634LessepsSt.)

• DropinforasliceatPizzaDelicious (617PietySt.)

• EatabratwurstatBratzY’all (617BPietySt.)

• Washdownabanhmiwithacoldbeer atBywaterBrewPub(3000RoyalSt.)

LAFRENIERE PARK

300DOWNSBLVD.,METAIRIE

Metairie’sbiggestparkdrawsinsportsenthusiastswithitsnewlyupdated$3million soccercomplex,inadditiontobaseball andsoftballdiamondsandarunningtrack. Thereareareasthroughouttheparkthat accommodateskateboardersandroller skaters,aswellascyclistsandjoggers.The parkishometoabirdsanctuarywherevisitorscanseeibis,geeseandegretsupclose. There’salsoalagoon,playgrounds,picnic sheltersandacarousel Formoreinformation, visitlafrenierepark.org

WHATTODONEARBY:

• GrababeeratBrewsky’sBar&Grill andcheckoutitsbrand-new Thaipop-up,Yaya’sThaiStreetFusion (2205DavidDrive,Metairie)

• Getsomesoftserveorasnowballfrom TheBigChill(2413DavidDrive,Metairie)

LAFITTE GREENWAY

2200LAFITTEAVE. Thelinearparkopenedin2015and stretchesnearly3miles,connectingpeople allthewayfromthebanksofBayouSt John toTremeandtheoutskirtsoftheFrench Quarter.It’samuch-neededandprotected passagewayforcyclingenthusiasts,and italsoboaststenniscourts,sportsfields, basketballcourtsandtwoplaygrounds. Throughouttheyear,theGreenwayhosts artinstallations,outdoormarketsandother

programming.Thisspring,checkoutfree yogaandotherfitnessclasses,including bouncemusicdanceclasses.ItsEasterExtravaganzaforkidsisonMarch16andafree outdoormovieserieskicksoffApril19 Formoreinformation,visit lafittegreenway.org

WHATTODONEARBY:

• Grabatickettothelatestblockbuster orindieflickattheBroadTheater(636 N.BroadSt.)

• DancetosomelivemusicatTheBroadside(600N.BroadSt.)

Riverview,akaTheFly,atAudubonPark

PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

St.TammanyTrace

• Grabalocallymadebeerand takeinsomestand-upcomedy atSkeetaHawkBrewing(455N. DorgenoisSt.)

• NoshonabagelatFlourMoon (457N.DorgenoisSt.)

• GetacaffeineboostatHey! Coffee(2606St.LouisSt.)orBackatownCoffee(301BasinSt.)

• Grabapo-boyfromParkwayBakery&Tavern(538HaganAve.)

• Meetupfordrinkswithfriendsat BayouBeer&WineGarden(326 N.NormanC.FrancisParkway)or TheWrongIrononTheGreenway (3532ToulouseSt.)

AUDUBON PARK

2300N.PETERSST.

TheUptownparkextendsfromSt CharlesAvenuetotheMississippiRiver,withMagazineStreetbisectingit.Its proximitytoTulaneandLoyolauniversitiesmakesitapopularrecreational spotforcollegestudents Thesmooth pavementofthe1.9milelooptrailaccommodatesjoggers,wheelchairusers,cyclists,dogwalkersandstrollers. There’salsoagolfcourse,alagoon, gazebosandthreeplaygrounds.The parkisalsohometotheAudubonZoo withhundredsofanimalsfromallover

• GrabacoffeeorapastryatTartine(7217PerrierSt.)

• Impressadatewithamealat Clancy’s(6100AnnunciationSt.)or Patois(6078LaurelSt.)

• GrabacocktailatMonkeyHillBar (6100MagazineSt.)

NEW ORLEANS cITY PARK

1PALMDRIVE

CityParkisoneofthebiggesturban parksintheU.S.(it’sbiggerthanNew York’sCentralPark)andthereare forests,gardens,waterwaysandtrails galore,inadditiontomajorartattractionsandfamily-friendlyactivities

Bikingandrunningtrailsweave underneathmajesticoaktrees throughoutthepark,andthereare tonsofspacesforteamsports,like soccerandkickball Theparkalsohas coursesforminigolf,regulargolfand discgolf It’snotuncommontocome acrossgroupsworkingout,dancingor practicingyoga

Theparkisalsosuperkidfriendly Storyland,forexample,isfilledwith larger-than-lifesculpturesoffairytale charactersandstructuresthatkids canclimbon TheLouisianaChildren’s Museumoffersartandhands-onactivities,andthereareplaygroundsand coveredsheltersforbirthdayparties andothergatherings There’salsoan amusementpark

Thereareafewplacestoeatafull orgrabasnack,includingCafeDu Monde,theAcornCafeintheLouisianaChildren’sMusemandCafeNOMA insideNOMA

AhighlightattheparkistheSidney andWaldaBesthoffSculptureGarden, whichoffersfreeadmission.Itexpandedin2019with27newworksby internationallyrenownedartists.

Theparkalsofeaturesboatrentals, includingswanboatsandVenetian-styleguidedgondolarides.

theworld.Anancient,magnificentoak treenearthezoo’sentrance,dubbed “TheTreeofLife,”isadrawforphoto ops,marriageproposalsandother smallgatherings TheRiverview,better knownas“TheFly,”offersscenicsights oftheriver,inadditiontosoccerfields, baseballdiamondsandplentifulgreen spacetobaskin

Formoreinformation,visitaudubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park.

WHATTODONEARBY:

• TakearideontheSt.Charles Avenuestreetcar

• Scopeoutthehistoricarchitectureofthesurrounding neighborhood

AnotherstandoutistheCouterie Foresttowardthebackofthepark, whichattractsbirdwatchersandnatureenthusiasts.It’salsohometoNew Orleans’highestpointofelevation, LabordeMountain

Formoreinformation,visit neworleanscitypark.org

WHATTODONEARBY:

• GetanorderofSpanishpaellaat Lola’s(3312EsplanadeAve.)

• GrababeeratParkviewTavern whileyoustillcan it’sclosing attheendofApril(910N. CarrolltonAve.)

PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

CityPark’stulipblooms

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

PHOTO BY CORYWEAVER

SPRING EVENTS PREVIEW

EVENTS PREVIEW

• Pretendyou’reinParisandeat aFrenchmealatCafeDegas (3127EsplanadeAve.)

• PickupabottleatwineshopSwirl (3143PonceDeLeonSt.)andbring itnextdoorto1000Figstopair withMediterraneanfood(3141 PonceDeLeonSt.)

ST. TAMMANY TRAcE

419N.NEWHAMPSHIREST., COVINGTON(NOTE: THEREAREOTHERPOINTS OFENTRY)

The31-miletrace,whichwasoriginallya corridorfortheIllinoisCentralRailroad, stretchesthroughtheNorthshorecommunitiesofCovington,AbitaSprings, Mandeville,LacombeandSlidell.It’s aday-tripdestinationforthoseonthe southshorewhoneedsometimeaway fromthecity It’sknownforitsnumerouspaved(andwheelchair-friendly) trailsthatweavethroughpinetrees andscenicwaterways.Itisespecially popularforcyclists

Thetrailscrossoverseveralbayous andtheBogueFalayaRiverandthrough FontainebleauStatePark.Thereare multipletrailheads whichisnicefor thosewithyoungerchildrenorwho don’tfeelliketravelingthewholeroute. Therearealsoplayareasforkidsand reststopsthroughout OnFridays,there arefreeconcertsattheMandeville TrailheadandCulturalInterpretive Centerandotherfamilyprogramming throughouttheyear

Formoreinformation,visit tammanytrace.org

WHATTODONEARBY:

• GrabacoffeeatAbitaRoastingCo. (1011VillageWalk,Covington)

• Seehowbeergetsmadeat AbitaBrewingCo.(21084 Hwy.36,Covington)

• Brewery-hoptoChafunktaBrewingCo (69123SkyBrookRoad, Mandeville)andSpoke&Barrel (639GirodSt.,Mandeville)

• Checkoutgalleriesandshopsin downtownCovington

• FueluponbrunchatMattinaBella (421E.GibsonSt.,Covington)

BARATARIA PRESERVE

6588BARATARIABLVD., MARRERO

TheBaratariaPreserveispartofthe JeanLafitteNationalHistoricalParkand isabouta20-minutedrivefromNew Orleans,thoughitfeelslikeawhole differentworld.Thepreserveisroughly 26,000acresofprotectedbayous, swamps,andforests,andit’stheplace togoifyou’rehopingtospotanalligator inthewild.(Stayontheboardwalk hikingtrails,anddon’tfallin.)Outside organizationspartnerwiththepreserve andofferguidedtoursonbothland andinthewaterforanevenmoreindepthexperience.

Formoreinformation,visitnps.gov/jela/ planyourvisit/conditions.htm

WHATTODONEARBY:

• GetsomegrubatCrawfishandChill (6220LapalcoBlvd.,Marrero)

• Tryyourhandatgamblingon yourwaybackintotownat BoomtownCasino(4132Peters Road,Harvey)

TheBaratariaPreserve

PHOTO BY SHAWN FINK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

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Mediterraneanflavor

VassilikiEllwoodYiagazisopensSmoke&Honey

IT’SBEENEIGHTYEARSSINCERESTAURATEURANDACTORVassilikiEllwood YiagazisfoundoutshewasJewish.

ShehadnoideashehadJewishheritageuntilherbirthfatherinvestigated thefamilytreein2016.Itturnsout hergrandmother’sfamilywasnamed Levi,SephardicJewishpeoplewho livedinEnglandandallconvertedto EpiscopalianbeforeWorldWarI

“WhenIfoundoutittotallymade sense,”shesays.“I’vealwayshadan affinityforJewishculture.”

Nearlyadecadelater,inJanuary, sheopenedSmoke&honey,aMidcitybreakfastandlunchspotserving whatshecallsGreekandJewish soulfood.herflavorfulrecipefor matzoballsoupcamefromaclose friend’smother

Growingup,theGreeksideofher familyalwaysdominated.Shewas borninAthens,whereherBritish motherandGreekfatherranan English-stylepub.ShegrewupspeakingbothGreekandEnglish.Seeking respitefromthecity,thefamily movedtotheclosecommuterisland ofAegina

herparentsdivorcedwhenshe was7,andwhenhermomremarried, itwastoaGreek-Americanlivingin Maryland,whereEllwoodYiagazis spenttherestofherformativeyears.

Anactorandfilmmaker,Ellwood YiagazismovedtoNewOrleans earlyinthepandemic,afterthefilm industryinLosAngelesshutdown Shepivoted,putonherchef’shatand decidedtobringauthenticAthenian foodtoNewOrleans,firstatthe Mid-cityfarmer’smarketandalsoina seriesofpop-upsaroundtown.

SheaskedherfriendLaurenLynch foradviceaboutopeningabrick-andmortarrestaurant.Lynchownsand operatesbarsandrestaurantsinNew Yorkcity,includingharlemPublic, whichsheopenedin2012.She’sa frequentvisitortoNewOrleans,and thetwobecamebusinesspartnersin Smoke&honey

FormerlythehomeofPieceofMeat, theairy,40-seatrestauranthasred tiledwallsandcedarwoodfinishes,

withwraparoundoutdoorseatingunderan awning.Therenovationwasaccomplished injustfiveweeks.

“Iwantittofeellike myGreekislandhome: inviting,”Ellwood Yiagazissays.

byBethD’Addono |

Shedevelopedthe recipesandmenu herself.Bothgyros areserveddressed Athens-style,which meansahandfulof seasonedfrench friesinthemix.The breakfastgyrofeatures importedGreekpita wrappedaround halloumicheese,eggs, bacon,tzatziki,red onionsandtomatoes withfries.Dinerscan choosepork,chicken orvegetablestofillthe lunchgyro,andthe porkhasbitsofcrispy bellymixedinwithtenderroastedshouldermeat.Italsocan beservedasadeconstructedgyroon aplatterwithsaladontheside

TheVillagesaladisoneoftheowner’sfavorites.Ithasasimplemixof choppedtomatoes,cucumberandred onioncappedwithaslabofimported feta,alldressedinanoregano-seasonedredwinevinaigrette.

TheLambeauxisanotherwinner,withtenderslicedlegoflamb slatheredwithwhippedfeta,onion andgarlicjamandvegetablesonJohn GendusaFrenchbread.Thebourekas areaperfectsnackofspinachand fetaincrispyphyllodough.Themenu alsohasNewYork-stylebagelswith aschmearorsmokedsalmonanda veganpistachiochocolatechipcookie forasweetbite

Anexpandedmenuiscomingsoon, anditwillincludehouse-smoked brisketandpastramisandwiches

Onthedrinksside,therestaurant recentlygotitsliquorlicenseandis servingmimosas,margaritas,Greek

beer,Mediterranean-focusedwine andretsina,aspecialtypeofGreek whitewine.

Smoke&honeyalsoisasatellite locationforcoffeeScience,aninventivecafebasedaboutamileaway onSouthBroadStreetnearTulane Avenue.coffeeSciencebaristasrun theirfullmenuofstandardandcreativecoffeeandteadrinkshere,too.

Inbetweentakingcareofher guests,EllwoodYiagazisisbackto acting.Mostrecentlyshespenta monthinArkansasfilming“Violent Ends,”anindiemoviewithacastthat includesBillyMagnussen,Alexandra ShippandNickStahl.Shesayswhile shelovestoact,she’scommittedto runningherownrestaurantfulltime.

“It’sreallyimportanttometo putin150%tomakesthiswork,” shesays.

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

Highonthehog

THEBUTCHERSBEGANGATHERING BEFORESUNRISE.Thebaropenednot longafterthat,withwhiskeyandbloody maryscirculatingasthecrowdgrew underafestival-styetent

Throughoutthemorning,themood shiftedfromfestivetosolemnandback again,dependingonwhichpartofthe boucheriewasunderway.

Tobegin,thebishopofBatonrouge offeredabenediction.Aroundthecorner,outofsightformost,therecame thesharpsnapofagunshot.Soona clusterofpeopleinbutcherapronswere gatheredaroundthejust-killedhog, watchingastwomencollecteditsblood forabatchofboudinnoir

Someoftheonlookerssteppedupto helpcarrythe350-poundanimalback tothetent,toastationdubbed“the gallows,”whereitwouldbesystematicallybrokendowninthetime-honored processoftheboucherie.

ForchefJohnFolse,achampionof Louisianaculinaryheritagesincethe 1970s,theboucherieisnowawayto connectthepastwiththefuture.

Thesettingforthisone,heldin lateFebruary,wasWhiteOakEstate &Gardens,asprawlingpropertyin suburbanBatonrougealongJones creek.Folse’scompanynormallyhosts weddingsandcorporateeventshere. Italsodoublesasanincubatorforthe restlesslyindustriouschef’sendeavors andideas.

Oneoftheoutbuildingshousesagrist millthatproducesgritsforrestaurants. Thelatestadditionisamicrodistillery, whereFolse’snewStill’Waterbrand

ChefJohnFolse(left)andateam ofcooksfromaroundthecountry carryahogtothebutchers’tent atFetedesBouchers.

PHOTOBYIAN MCNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

VassilikiEllwoodYiagazis openedSmoke&Honey.

PHOTOBYCHERYLGERBER/GAMBIT

whiskeyandrumtricklefromthe tubesandkettleswithin.

Since2016,WhiteOakalsohasbeen thegatheringplaceforFolse’sannual boucherie,calledFetedesBouchers.

Aboucheriedrawsonthestrong GermanandFrenchrootsin Louisiana.Itwasonceaseasonal partoffarmlife,acommunalevent forneighboringfamiliestosharethe laborandrewardsofslaughteringa hog.Thecollectiveapproachmade themostofperishablemeat,andthe fastidioususeoftheentireanimal ledtoboudin,cracklingandheadcheesepreparedalongsidethe hamsandchops

Whilethoseitemsremainbutcher shopstaples,theboucherieitselffell outofpracticeasmodernagriculture andfooddistributionrolledon.But Folseisarevivalistofthetradition.

“AskidsgrowingupinSt.James Parish,wewerepartoftheboucherie traditionthatwestillhadinthe1950s and’60s,”Folsesaid.“Welearned fromourgrandparents.Itwasthe youngerkidsgettingsticksfromthe woodstofeedthefire,theolderkids tendingthefire.Itwaseverybody learningfromeverybody.

“That’swhywecreatedthisasa richdayofauthenticallylearningand sharingthistradition,”hesaid.

Aboucherieisadefinitivefarm-totableprocessthathidesnothing.For thosewhotakepart,it’salsoadirect connectiontothetraditionsandthe crafttheyarepursuing

Theeventdrawsrestaurant chefs,corporatechefs,leadersof competitivebarbecueteamsand enthusiastsofLouisianaculinary tradition.Thisyeartheycamefrom justdownthebayouandfromall thewayfromchicago.

Manytakingpartalsocamefrom thechefJohnFolseculinaryInstitute. StudentsintheprogramatNicholls StateUniversitywerepairedupwith moreveteranchefsandcooks,with eachteamresponsiblefordifferent boucheriecreations.

Teamsatworkatadozenstations tendedironkettlessnappingwith hotfatforcrackling,slicedliverfor boudin,stitchedupasausage-stuffed pigstomachforponceandsorted throughtheseasoningforandouille. Thetentfilledwiththehissofgas rings,withsteamrisingfromtureens andthesloshofcookingoarsstirring giantbatchesofstew

Betweenitall,therewas alsotheexchangeofexpertise andperspective

“It’sbeensowonderful,”said rebeccaGilson,aculinarystudent fromcovington.“Theypreparedus forit,thenpairedusupwiththese

otherchefs,youjustlearnsomuch throughthedayworkingtogether.”

Gilsonwasworkingwithateamthat includedTravisJohnson,achefwith thenationaluniversitydiningservices companychartwells.herecalledhis firstFetedesBouchers,backwhen hewasworkingatTulaneUniversity hewasdirectedtopullviscerafroma freshlyslaughteredhogtomakeoffal stew.Thatwasit;hewashooked

“It’sallaboutlearningandnetworking,”hesaid.“Iwassoexcitedto comeback.”

ForFolse,theboucherieisprime timewithstudentsandthenext generationcomingupinthe culinaryworld

“IftheyaregoingtogototheJohn FolseculinaryInstitute,Iwantthem tohavesometimewithJohnFolse,” thechefsaidwhilewalkingthe WhiteOakgrounds.

KeepingupwithFolseisnoeasy task.At77,themanoverseesa culinaryenterprisethatrunsthrough manylevels,fromhisupscaleNew Orleansdiningdestinationrestaurant r’evolutiontohisfoodbrands andevents.

hisstaffalwayscarrySharpies forthenexttimetheirbossisasked toautographoneofhiscookbooks, mightytomesthatdocument aculinarycultureasmuchas providerecipes

FetedesBouchersshowcasesthe techniquesoftheoldways,butthe formathasbeenarrangedforamore modernpresentationtothepublic, andforafeastandparty(itisaticketedevent,afterall).

Onegroupsystematicallyprepared

WINE OF TH E WEEK

MCNULTY/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

thehogkilledthatmorning,usinghot watertosoftenthefurandshavingit, thencuttingitintoitsusablepieces. Butmostoftheteamsusedmeatfrom animalsprocessedearlier,sothey couldgetrighttowork.

Notallthedishescamefromthe pig,reflectingothertraditionsatthe Louisianafarmsteadoftheolddays.

Oneteampreparedaraccoonand roosterstew,arecipeFolsesaysgoes back200years,whichbytheend tastedrichandjustatadtangy

Andporchetta,adeeplycrusted foldofstuffedporkbelly,mightbe bestknownfromItaliancooking. ButFolsesaidhisversionofitwas commononhisfamily’stablesat boucheries,oftenreservedforthe butchersthemselves

Bymidday,cookswerestartingto bringoutgreatplattersofmeatsand basinsofstewstoassembleabuffet dubbed“SpoilsoftheBoucherie.”

Thegatheredattendeesqueued uptodigin.Folsestoodbyawhole wildhogthatwaspartofthefeast andreflectedonthedaywitha senseofsatisfactionthatwent beyondthemeal.

“Thisallstartedoutwithwanting toteach,wantingtopassiton,”Folse said.“It’sgrowing,andit’sgrowing intherightdirection.Morepeople whoreallycareaboutthismissionare gettinginvolved.”—IanMcNulty/ TheTimes-Picayune

Quilt Cabernet

Sauvignon

Afantastic cabernetwith abundantaromas of tart blackberry,chocolate nibs, and cassis with hints of culinary herbs and lightly toasted oak. Rich and satisfying with flavors of boysenberry jam, black cherry pie filling, and cocoalayered with notes of vanilla and hazelnut. Full yetelegantonthe palate,with strong acidity and along, smooth finish accompanied by velvetytannins.

DISTRIBUTED BY

ChefJohnFolsecuts intoaporchettaat FetedesBouchers.

PHOTOBYIAN

GUINNESS DRAUGHT STOUT

Guinness hasa malty sweetness andahoppybitterness, with notes of co�eeand chocolate. Aroastedflavor also comes through,courtesy of the roasted unmalted barley that goes into itsbrewing. It hasa sweetnose, with hintsofmalt breakingthrough, andits palate issmooth, creamy, and balanced. Best served in aglass.

Style -IrishDry Stout

ABV -4.2%

BLUE MOON BELGIAN WHITE

InspiredbyBelgian wits, Blue Moon BelgianWhite is brewed usingValenciaorange peel,for asubtle sweetness. Oats and wheatcreateasmooth, creamy finish. Garnish with anorange slicetoheightenthe citrus aromaand taste.Bestserved in aglass.

Style -Belgian Style Wheat Ale

ABV -5.4%

Out2EatisanindexofGambitcontractadvertisers.Unlessnoted,addressesareforNewOrleans andallacceptcreditcards.Updates:Email willc@gambitweekly.comorcall(504)483-3106

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.$$$

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.$$

Dahla—611O’KeefeAve.,(504)766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com—ThemenuofThai dishesincludescrispyskinnedduckbasilwith vegetables.Deliveryavailable.reservations accepted.LunchanddinnerMon.-Sat $$ DesireOysterBar—RoyalSonestaNew Orleans,300BourbonSt.,(504)586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar—Amenu fullofGulfseafoodincludeschar-grilled oysterstoppedwithParmesanandherbs reservationsrecommended.Breakfast, lunchanddinnerdaily.$$

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,

$—averagedinnerentréeunder$10

$$—$11-$20

$$$—$20-up

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

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.$$ Mikimoto 3301S.CarrolltonAve.,(504) 488-1881;mikimotosushi.com TheSouth carrolltonrollincludestunatataki,avocado andsnowcrab.Themenualsohasnoodle dishes,teriyakiandmore.reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.LunchSun.Fri.,dinnerdaily $$

Mosca’s—4137Highway90West,Westwego, (504)436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com— Thisfamily-styleeateryservesItaliandishes andspecialtiesincludingchickenalagrande andbakedoystersMosca.reservations accepted.DinnerWed.-Sat.cashonly $$$ Mother’sRestaurant 401PoydrasSt., (504)523-9656;mothersrestaurant.net— Thiscounter-servicespotservespo-boys, jambalaya,crawfishetouffee,redbeansand riceandmore.Deliveryavailable.Noreservations.Breakfast,lunchanddinnerdaily.$$ NewOrleansHamburger&SeafoodCompany 817VeteransMemorialBlvd.,Metairie, (504)837-8580;1005S.ClearviewParkway, Jefferson,(504)734-1122;2515BManhattan

Blvd.,Harvey,(504)684-6050;4141St. CharlesAve.,(504)247-9753;6920Veterans MemorialBlvd.,Metairie,(504)455-1272; nohsc.com Themenuofburgers,salads andcreoledishesincludesthin-friedcatfish Lafitteoverricepilaf.Deliveryavailable $$ Neyow’sCreoleCafe—3332BienvilleSt., (504)827-5474;neyows.com Themenu includesredbeanswithfriedchickenor porkchops,aswellasseafoodplatters, po-boys,grilledoysters,saladsandmore.No reservations.Lunchdaily,dinnerMon.-Sat., brunchSun.$$

NiceGuysBar&Grill—7910EarhartBlvd., (504)302-2404;niceguysbarandgrillnola. com—char-grilledoystersaretoppedwith cheese.Themenualsoincludeswings,quesadillas,burgers,salads,seafoodpastaand more.Noreservations.Lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-Sat $$$

TheOriginalItalianPie—3629PrytaniaSt., (504)766-8912;theoriginalitalianpieuptown.com TheItalianPiecomboincludes pepperoni,Italiansausage,groundbeef, mushrooms,onions,bellpepper,black olives,mozzarellaandhouse-madetomato sauce.Noreservations.DinnerandlatenightTue.-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 $$$ ParishGrill—4650W.EsplanadeAve.,Suite 100,Metairie,(504)345-2878;parishgrill.com—Themenuincludesburgers, sandwiches,pizzaandsauteedandouille withfigdip,bluecheeseandtoastpoints. reservationsaccepted.Lunchanddinner Mon.-Sat $$

PeacockRoom—KimptonHotelFontenot, 501TchoupitoulasSt.,(504)324-3073; peacockroomnola.com—Blacklentilvadouvancurrycomeswithroastedtomatoes, mushroomsandbasmatirice.reservations accepted.DinnerWed.-Mon.,brunchSun $$

ElPavoReal(4401S.BroadSt., 504-266-2022;elpavorealnola. com)servespan-friedPescado VeraCruztoppedwithasauceof tomato,onion,capersandolives.

THEADVOCATEPHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Rosie’sontheRoof HigginsHotel,480 AndrewHigginsBlvd.,(504)528-1941;higginshotelnola.com/dining—Therooftopbarhasa menuofsandwiches,burgersandsmallplates. Noreservations.Dinnerdaily.$$

Tableau 616St.PeterSt.,(504)9343463;tableaufrenchquarter.com—Pasta bouillabaissefeaturessquidinkmafaldine, littleneckclams,Gulfshrimp,squid,seafood broth,rouilleandherbedbreadcrumbs Outdoorseatingavailable.reservations recommended.DinnerWed.-Sun.,brunch Thu.-Sun $$$

Tacklebox—817CommonSt.,(504)8271651;legacykitchen.com 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.$$

featuresappearancesbyVernonreid, JennyLewisandothers.Thetour lineupalsofeaturessinger-songwriter EmilyScottrobinson,countrysinger KelseyWaldon,folkartistTreBurtand more.At8p.m.Monday,March11. Tickets$25viachickiewahwah.com

FoodFight

Theculinaryandcocktailcompetition andtastingeventreturnstoLafreniere Park.Thereare40restaurantscompetingtomakethebestcreativeand traditionaldishes,aswellasvegetarian dishes.Spiritscompaniessponsora cocktailcompetitionaswell.There’s musicandentertainmentfromJames Andrews,honeyIslandSwampBand, OrShovalyPlus,aerialistsandjello wrestling.Earlytastingsstartat6 p.m.andgeneraladmissionis7p.m. Thursday,March14.Findticketsvia saengernola.com.Findticketsand informationatfoodfightnola.com

Fust

Fust,thealt-countryprojectofNorth Carolinasinger-songwriterAaron Dowdy,lastyearreleaseditsfirst studioalbum,“Genevieve,”although there’sbeenanumberofEPsand home-recordingsstretchingback to2017.Thealbumisfullofslow, heart-tuggingcountryandbittersweet reflectionsaboutlivingaquietlife.Fust playsat9p.m.Monday,March11,at SiberiawithStyrofoamWinos,Kate TeagueandThomasDolbaum.Tickets are$12.40viasiberianola.com.

‘GoldenGirls:

TheLaughterContinues’ Miami’sfavoriteretirees—Dorothy, Blanch,RoseandSophia—werepopularasTV’sGoldenGirls,butnotsoracy onthesitcom.Thistouringdragversion oftheshowisnoholdsbarred,asthe friendstrydatingappsandcheckout youngermen.At8p.m.Friday,March 15,atSaengerTheatre.

Italian-American St.Joseph’sParade

TheSt.Joseph’sSocietyholdsits FrenchQuarterparadewithfloats, bandsandmore.Paradestartsat6 p.m.Saturday,March16.Visititalianamericansociety.orgfordetails.

St.Patrick’sDayParade

TheSt.Patrick’sDayparadein Metairiefeaturesfloatsandmarching groupsandbeginsatnoonSunday, March17,onSevernAvenueand proceedsdownMetairieroad.Visit stpatricksdaymetairie.comfordetails.

ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT

‘JesusChristSuperstar’

AndrewLloydWebber’srockopera followsthefinaldaysofJesuschrist’s lifethroughtheeyesofJudas.Jefferson PerformingArtsSocietypresentsthe musicalatJeffersonPerformingArts centerMarch15-24,andthere’sanApril 5performanceatthecolumbiaTheatre inhammond.Visitjpas.orgfortickets andinformation.

DowntownIrishClubParade

TheDowntownIrishClubstopsat severalbarsonitswalkingparade fromtheMarigny,acrosstheFrench Quarter,andtotheUglyDogSaloon intheWarehouseDistrict.Theevent startsat6p.m.Sunday,March17.Visit downtownirishclub.comfordetails.

ArtinBloom

Theannualfloraldesignexpohas awildthemewithBloomsandthe Bayou.Floristsanddesignerscreate plantdisplaystobeshowninmuseum galleriesneartheartworksthatinspired eachpiece.AtNOMAfromWednesday, March13,throughSunday,March17. Visitnoma.orgfordetails.

Diplocrats

NewOrleanspunkbandDiplocrats mixesinanenergeticdoseofpop, alittlefolkandabitofthrashintoits sound.Thebandreleasesanewalbum duringanall-agesshowwithnewtone skabandBadOperationandindierock bandhiGhat9p.m.Friday,March15, atcourtyardBrewery.Ticketsare$10 inadvanceviashop.communityrecords.organd$15atthedoor

LPOattheNewMarigny

Throughoutitsseason,theLouisiana PhilharmonicOrchestragetsoutof thelargeOrpheumTheaterforsmaller chamberorchestraconcertsatvenues aroundNewOrleans.TheLPOhosts itsnextchamberorchestraconcertat 6p.m.Wednesday,March13,atthe NewMarignyTheatre,andwillperform AmericancomposerAaroncopland’s “AppalachianSpring.”Theprogram alsoincludesBelaBartok’s“romanian FolkDances”andpiecesbycomposers VirgilThomson,GyorgyLigetiandPeter Dutilly.Ticketsare$38generaladmission and$11forstudentsvialpomusic.com

KinfolkBrassBand

LongueVuehouseandGardensopens itsweeklyTwilightatLongueVue outdoorconcertserieswithaperformancebytheKinfolkBrassBandat5 p.m.Wednesday,March13.Tickets are$15generaland$7.50forLongVue membersvialonguevue.com.

Want to seeTaylor Swiftinconcert?Children’s Hospital NewOrleans to raffle Eras Tour tickets to help patients like ‘Extraordinary Emmett’

When Joycelyn andDylan Richards noticed theirson Emmett was often sick with fevers andcoughsinAugust 2023,theyattributedittothe physical adjustmentsofgoing back to school.

But, when the6-year-old didn’t respondto medications andhis fevers persisted, Emmett’s pediatrician insistedonblood work

When theresults came back andthe pediatrician noticedseveral abnormalities, she told Emmett’s parentstobring himdirectly to Children’s HospitalNew Orleansfor immediate treatment. He received ablood transfusion almost rightawayand abonemarrowbiopsy was scheduledfor thefollowing morning. Theresults showed that Emmett hadacute myeloidleukemia (AML), whichbegins in thebonemarrowand often quicklymoves into theblood

“I felt likeIhad letmychild down,” Joycelyn Richards said.“Emmett hadalwaysbeen an active kid. Inever wouldhavesuspected he would have blood cancer.Itnever enteredmymind. I’mforever grateful that ourpediatricianwas persistent and caughtitwhenshe did.”

TheAML diagnosiswas thebeginning of a months-longtreatment processfor Emmett at theCenterfor Cancer andBlood Disordersat Children’sHospitalNew Orleans. Physicians at theCenterhaveaccesstothe most modern therapiesfor blood disordersand malignancies in children. That meantthatEmmettwas able to immediatelyparticipate in aclinical trialand beginchemotherapy.

Afteranalyzing Emmett’s specific AMLcase andmutations,doctors determined he would need abonemarrowtransplant. Children’s Hospital NewOrleans is theonlyaccredited pediatricstemcelltransplantfacility in Louisiana, performing bonemarrowtransplants andCAR-T cell therapy. Emmett’s procedurewas asuccess, andhis positive attitude andprogressstunned hisdoctors andcareteam.

“Hewas sittingupinbed andtalking to us when thedoctors expected himtobebarely functional becausehis body wassodrained,” Dylan Richards said. “The doctors andnurseshad tearsintheir eyes when they were fillingout his paperworktocomehomebecause he wasable to be released so soon andhad so fewsetbacks. He wasinremission aweekafter thebone marrow transplant. We call himour Extraordinary Emmett becausehedid so spectacular.”

Children’s HospitalNew Orleansispreparedto treatmorechildren likeEmmettwho have leukemia, lymphoma,hemophilia, sickle cell diseaseand otherblood disorders. To helpprovide that care, thehospitalisrafflingoff28suite ticketsto TaylorSwift’sThe Eras Tour stop at theCaesars SuperdomeinNew OrleansonOctober26.

Theraffletickets are$200eachwith 5,000 maximumchances beingsold. Ticketscan be purchased online until March21atwww.chnola.org/taylor. Sevenwinners of four ticketseachwill bedrawn andnotified on March23.

“Thisistruly aonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunity andfor no greatercause,” said Children’s Hospital NewOrleans Presidentand CEOLucio A. Fragoso. “Raffleticketsaleswillbenefitthe Center for Cancer andBlood DisordersatChildren’s Hospital NewOrleans,withproceedsbeing puttouse immediatelytohelpfundanew PediatricStem Cell TransplantUnitatChildren’sHospital. We arecallingall Swifties to join in andenter foryour chance to win.”

Thenew unit will builduponChildren’s Hospital NewOrleans’well-establishedpositionasaleader in theSouth in this specializedcare. Since2008, it hasremainedLouisiana’s only pediatricFACTaccredited bone marrow transplantprogram

“It’sapointofpride forustobeabletomeetthe needsofour population righthereinthe city,” said Dr.ZachLeBlanc, whospecializes in hematology andoncology at Children’s Hospital NewOrleans “These areadvancedtherapies that matchthe state-of-the-artcareyou wouldget anywhere else in thecountry.Wefighthardtohavethose resources. We’regoingtocontinuetodoour part to make sure ourpatientshaveaccess to thesame treatments as anyother kids in thecountry.”

Dr.LeBlancnoted that in December 2023,the Food andDrugAdministrationapproved Children’s HospitalNew Orleanstoprovide gene therapy forsicklecelldisease,makingitthe only site in Louisianatoofferthislife-changingtreatment

“Weare actively evaluating patients and anticipate treating at leastone patientwith thegenetherapy this year,” he said.“This is a population that doesn’talwaysget theresources they need,sowe’re excitedtotakealeading role in treating sickle cell diseaseand providingthe best levelofcarepossible.”

WhileEmmett hasresumed normal activities andhas been declared cancer-free, theRichards family planstokeepsupporting Children’s Hospital NewOrleans. Hisparents have bonded with others whosekids arebattlingthe same disease. Thedoctors andnursesbecamelike family during Emmett’s extended hospital stay, including 36 days when he couldn’t leavehis room.Infact, Emmett is abit of acelebrity at the hospital,greetingeveryonefromsecurityguards to cafeteriastaff to surgeons when he goesback forroutine follow-upvisits.

“Every single personwemet welcomed us with open arms andmadeusfeelcomfortable and safe,” Joycelyn Richards said.“It’s abig deal to trustyourchild’s health andfuturetoother people But, from thefirstnight we were admitted,Ifeltat ease.Itwas an emotionalexperience, butitwas a blessing that it happened at Children’s.”

TheCenterfor Cancer andBlood Disorders at Children’s Hospital NewOrleans comprises thelargest groupofhematology andoncology physicians andnursesdedicated exclusivelyto pediatrics in theGulfSouth.Theyare specially trainedtocarefor theuniqueneeds of children andworkalongside amedical staff of more than 200pediatric specialists. Support forpatients andfamilies is provided by childpsychiatrists, psychologists andsocial workers. Formore information, visit www.chnola.org

MUSIC

FOrcOMPLETE MUSIc LISTINGS AND MOrE EVENTSTAKING PLAcE IN ThE NEWOrLEANSArEA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

Tolearnmoreaboutaddingyourevent tothemusiccalendar,pleaseemail listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

MONDAY11

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— MatineeAllStarBand,1:30pm;LeeFloyd AndThunderboltTrio,5pm;richard ScottandFriends,8pm

TUESDAY12

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL Peterharrisandthe O.G.s,7:30pm

BLUENILE Bomb'sEx-Lover,9pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— richard"Piano"Scott,1pm;colinMyers Band,5pm;FritzelsAllStarBandw/Jamil Sharif,8pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM— ArrowheadJazzBand,2pm;Butler UniversityJazzBandWorkshop,3pm

SANTOS—DeadLeafEcho,Swallowthe ratandMissing,9pm

THEGOAT IllusionsofGrandeur, Blackwater,canal,Deepsleep Atlantic,8pm

WEDNESDAY13

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL—BourbonStreetStars,5pm; Firmroots,7:30pm;FritzelsAllStar BandW/Kevinrayclark,8pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— richard"Piano"Scott,1pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE Funkin'ItUp withBigSam,7:30pm

THURSDAY14

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN

HOTEL DoubleBird,8pm

BLUENILE—WhereY'atBrass Band,9pm

BOURBONOBAR— Kimchisoop,4pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB

Jrichard“Piano”Scott,12:30pm; DoylecooperBand,2:30pm;John SaavedraBand,6pm;FritzelsAllStar BandW/TomFischer,8pm

MARIGNYOPERAHOUSE—AnnaLaura Quinn,cristinaKaminis,7:30pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM Piano hour,2pm

PEACOCKROOM,HOTELFONTENOT

DaLovebirdswithrobinBarnesand Patcasey,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—LeroyThomas& Zydecoroadrunners,8pm

SMOOTHIEKINGCENTER— BurnaBoy,8pm

THEBROADSIDE—DanaIves,rematch, NeutralSnap,hotelBurgundy,5pm; NeutralSnap,rematch,DanaIves,hotel Burgundy:PiDay,8pm

THEGOAT—rod,Nailclub,Glass Machine,8pm

THEHISTORICBKHOUSE&GARDENS— AmandaShaw,6pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—Brass-Aholics,7:30pm

THEPRESSROOMATTHEELIZAJANE

LesGetrex,Blues&NewOrleansMusic VarietyShow,5pm

THREEMUSES—MiaBorders,5pm

FRIDAY15

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN HOTEL—YYrP,8pm

BLUENILE—ThecaesarBrothersFunk Box,8pm;Kermitruffinsandthe BarbecueSwingers,11pm

BOURBONSTREETHONKYTONK

TheBadSandys,8pm

CARROLLTONSTATION Sweet Magnolia,MarinaOrchestra,9pm

DOUBLEDEALERCOCKTAILBAR

ATTHEORPHEUMTHEATER— EricJohanson,9:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB richard"Piano"Scott,12:30pm; SamFriend,2:30pm;LeeFloydand ThunderboltTrio,6pm

GEORGEANDJOYCEWEINJAZZ& HERITAGECENTER AnnaMoss,8pm

NEWORLEANSJAZZMUSEUM—Belinda Moody,2pm;ZahriaSims,2pm

PUBLICBELTATHILTONNEWORLEANS RIVERSIDE—PhilMelancon,8pm ROCK'N'BOWL—category6,8:30pm

THEJOYTHEATER—Scarface:The BehindTheDeskExperience,8pm

THEPRESSROOMATTHEELIZAJANE

—richardKnoxNewOrleansJazzOrgan Trio,5pm

SATURDAY16

ALLIANCEFRANCAISEDELA

NOUVELLE-ORLEANS—Openhouse andLivecajunMusic,12pm

BAYOUBARATTHEPONTCHARTRAIN HOTEL JordanAnderson,8pm

BLUENILE—GeorgeBrownBand,8pm; BigSam'sFunkyNation,11pm

DOUBLEDEALERCOCKTAILBAR

ATTHEORPHEUMTHEATER— EricJohanson,9:30pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— richard“Piano”Scott,12:30pm;Steve DetroyBand,2:30pm;LeeFloydand ThunderboltTrio,6pm;FritzelsAllStar Bandw/JamilSharif,9pm

GEORGEANDJOYCEWEINJAZZ& HERITAGECENTER TarrionaBall PoetryandIndysBlu,8pm NOLABREWINGTAPROOM— EricJohanson,4pm

ORPHEUMTHEATER— PatMetheny,8pm

PIROGUE’SWHISKEYBAYOU— Boguechitto,8pm

PUBLICBELTATHILTONNEW ORLEANSRIVERSIDE— PhilMelancon,8pm

ROCK'N'BOWL—Mojeaux,8:30pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—TheNayoJones Experience,7:30&9pm

THEPRESSROOMATTHEELIZAJANE ronaldJonesTheNewOrleanscreole crooner,5pm

SUNDAY17

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

BOURBONOBAR MarkStone&Kenny Brown,4pm;TheBadSandys,8pm

DEUTSCHESHAUS DannyO'Flaherty St.Patrick'sconcert,2pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEANJAZZCLUB— MartyPetersBand,12:30pm;LeeFloyd &ThunderboltTrio,5pm;FritzelsAllStar Bandw/MikeFulton,8pm

NOLABREWINGTAPROOM—Flogging NOLA,6pm

THEJAZZPLAYHOUSE—richard'Piano' Scott,7:30pm

SCAN FOR THECOMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR

BigSamplaystheJazz PlayhouseMarch8. PHOTOBYSCOTT THRELKELD/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE

APRIL2024

FESTIVAL ISSUES

FRENCH QUARTER FEST ISSUE DATE: APRIL 8 [RESERVESPACE BY MARCH 29]

JAZZ FESTISSUE DATES:

APRIL 22 [RESERVESPACE BY APRIL 12]

APRIL 29 [RESERVE SPACEBYAPRIL19]

Bloomingnightshades

byJakeClapp

ONAWARMAPRILDAYIN2021,THE BACKYARDSPACEATOKAYBARwas steadilyfillingupwithpeopledrawn inbycrawfishandthepromiseoflive music,stillapreciousrarityinthe pandemicera.Overonasmallstage, singerandmulti-instrumentalistAnna Mosshadthegrowingcrowd’sattention asshedebutedanewsoloprojectand band,TheNightshades.

Moss’newmusicwasadeparture fromthepoliticallydriven,pop-leaning Americanashehasmadeformorethan adecadewithJoelLudfordastheduo handmadeMoments.Butthisnewbedroompop,underlinedbyaloveforoldschoolr&Bandhighlypersonalthemes, fitrightinwiththegoldenhourlightand thecollectivehopeforsomethinglovely andreassuringafteralongyear.

Nearlythreeyearslater,Mossis nowclosetoreleasingherdebutsolo album,featuringmanyofthesongs shepreviewedatOkayBar.The 10-track“Amnesty”isoutMarch22 onEmpirerecords.

Shealsowillplaymanyofthose songsat8p.m.Friday,March15,atthe GeorgeandJoyceWeinJazz&heritage centeraspartoftheJazz&heritage Foundation’schanteuseseriescelebratingNewOrleanswomeninmusic. Ticketsare$10.

Alongwithmaintainingaheavytour schedulewithhandmadeMoments, MossoverthelastfewyearshasconsistentlyplayedaroundNewOrleans withTheNightshadesproject,including atlastyear’sJazzFest,andhastoured withtheproject.Shehasasmall rotationofclosefriendswhoperform withherlive,butyou’lloftenseeMoss onelectricguitarwithelectricbassist Ludford,drummerFernandoLima andflautistVictoriaDouton.Limaand DoutonalsoareregularsintheBrazilian sambagroupAmigosdoSamba.

Moss’soloprojecthasgrownalotin thelastthreeyears,whichisinteresting, shesays,becauseitwasn’tintentional InhandmadeMoments,Mosssings, playssaxophone,bassclarinetand uprightbass,andoccasionallybeatboxes.Shedoesn’tnormallyplayguitar, butwhenthepandemichit,Mosspicked uptheinstrumenttohelpbattledepressionandthestressesthatcamewithlost gigsandtheshutdowns.

“Itwasreallyhealing,”shesays.“It feltreallygood.ItbecamethismeditativethingIcoulddowithmyhands whenIwasdepressedandoutofit.”

Mossbegantoobsessivelywrite andsing,diggingintoold-schoolr&B influencesandindiepop.Butshehad

nointentionofformingaband.Shejust wantedtorecordthesongsinherhome studiowithafewfriendsasasortof time-capsule.

MossaskedLudford,Limaand Doutontohelpherrecordthenew music.Butduringarehearsaloneday, Limasuggestedtheygetoutside.

Buskingisfoundationaltohandmade Moments’work.Infact,Mossand Ludordmetandformedtheirgroupin ArkansasbeforesettlinginNewOrleans in2016.Sothegroupdecidedtosetup onroyalStreetforopen-airpractices.

Beforesheknewit,Mosshadaband, andthoseroyalStreetrehearsalsled towantingtopushhersoloproject forwardtovenueshows.MossandThe Nightshadesalsofilmedtheirsong“Slow DownKamikaze”fromroyalStreetfor theNPrTinyDeskcontestin2021.

“Istartedreallypursuingthisproject,” Mosssays.“Soit’sjustbeenfunand healingformetogodownthispath.”

Thesongson“Amnesty”arevulnerableasMosssingsaboutheavypersonal themeslikedepression,isolation,lasting loveandsocialissuesthatbecameclearer duringthepandemic.There’saslowjam qualitytothegentleyetengagingindie pop,likeagreatlate-nightr&Brecord

Anumberofcollaboratorsappearon “Amnesty,”includingtrumpeterAshlin Parker,vocalistcyrilleAimee(whoalso releasedanewalbumthisweek),trombonistMilesLyons,thecalifornia-based triorainbowGirlsandrubblebucket trumpeterAlexToth.

“Thisalbumandthesesongs,there’s aspiritualqualitytothem,”Mosssays. “IfeellikeI’mpushingagainstthat binarynarrative[ofusvs.them]and talkingmoreaboutcompassion andunderstanding.”

Findthemusicatannamossmusic.com.

MossplaysanalbumreleaseshowApril 21atChickieWahWahwithLVDY.

AnnaMossreleasesherdebutsolo album,‘Amnesty,’onMarch22. PROVIDED PHOTOBYDREWBORDEAUX

Behindthelines

byKayleePoche

TWENTYYEARSAGO,NEWORLEANS

AUTHORMAURICECARLOSRUFFIN learnedsomethinghehasn’tbeenable tostopthinkingabout—thattheUnion retookcontrolofNewOrleansin1865 withoutmajorconfederateopposition.

“Iponderedthatforalongtime,” ruffinssaysoftherevelation,which hediscoveredwhiledoingresearchat theNewOrleanshistoriccollection.“I thought,‘Oh,wouldn’titbeinteresting iftherewasactuallyaBlackladyconspiringinthebackgroundtosabotage theconfederatesthatmadethemineffectiveandkindofrunforthehills?’”

Indeed,in“TheAmerican Daughters,”ruffin’snewbookout Feb.27,bothfreedandenslaved Blackwomenareresponsibleforthe confederacy’slossofNewOrleans. ThenovelfollowsAdy,anenslavedgirl, throughoutheradolescenceandothers whobecomepartofaresistanceorganizationcalledTheDaughters

WhenwritingaboutNewOrleansin themid-1800s,ruffinhadanideaof whathedidanddidn’twanttodointhe novel.Forstarters,asacreativewriting teacheratLSU,henoticedyoungpeopleweren’tdrawntostoriesaboutslaverywith“victimhood”narratives.They weremoreinterestedinstoriesabout peoplelikeharrietTubman,aUnion spyandaleaderoftheUnderground railroad,orrobertSmalls,anAfricanAmericanmanwhohelpedhimselfand othersescapeslaveryandlaterbecame aU.S.representative.

Inthebook,“Iwantedtoshowan aspectofself-determinationandheroismandstandingupforthemselves,” hesays.

“TheAmericanDaughters”does includetheassaultandrapeenslaver JohnduMarchecommitsagainstAdy

andhermotherSanite,butruffindidn’t wanttogiveduMarchetoomuchspace inthestory.Throughoutthebook,Ady andSanite,realizingthepowerlanguageholds,refusetocallhimmasteror refertohimbyname “Ithinkalotofthesekindsofstories focustoomuchontheevilslaveowner andwhathe’supto,andIdidn’thave muchinterestinthat,”hesays.“Ireally wantedtofocusonthisyoungwoman Adyandhermotherandherfriendsand seewhattheirliveswerelike,andsort ofpushthatguytotheside.”

Partofthatmeantincludingmoments likeAdy’sfirsttimereceivingacomplimentfromafriend,herfirsttimegivinga giftandherfirstlove.ruffinshowsthelittlewaysthecharacterscareforandspend timewitheachother,likeSaniteandAdy goingonwalkstogethertorunerrands.

“ThosearethekindofthingsI’ve neverreallyseeninbooksthatarefrom thattimeperiodaboutpeoplelikethis,” hesays.“Iwantedtoshowthatit’snot justthemonaplantationorinafight orsomethinglikethat;it’sthemhaving actuallivesinthesemoments.”

WhenAdymeetsLenore,afreeBlack womanwhoownsaninnintheFrench Quarter,andherfriendAlabama,it changeshowsheseestheworld.

“Shehadbeenakindofhalfself beforehertimethere,”ruffinwrites inthebook.“Now,forbetterorill,she wassomethingmore.Shehoped.She desired.Shewasofamindtoprocure whatsheneeded.”

ruffinsaysabouthalfoftheBlack peopleinNewOrleanswerefreeatthe time,andhewantsreaderstoconsider whatitwouldbeliketobeenslavedand seefreeBlackpeopleallaround.

Inhisresearch,ruffinporedover archives,librarymaterials,memoirs,

firsthandaccountsandonlinesources, talkedtohistoriansandotherexperts andevendidgenealogicalsearcheson hisownfamily.

healsodrewcharactertraitsfromhis ownfamilymembers,imagininghow theonesheknewwouldhaveactedin themid-1800s.heaskedhimselfwhat kindofjokestheywouldcrackorwhat kindofdecisionstheywouldmake.

“Thatmadeitaloteasiertonotsee themasthesesortofancientfigures andseethemasjustextensionsofthe samefamilylineofthesamepeople thatIlovesomuch,”ruffinsays.

Theyearsofresearchruffinputinto thebookgothimthinkingabouthistory, whoretellsitandhowstoriesbecome alteredovertime.Intheepilogue,the yearis2172,andAdy’sdescendant GenlySenshaw-homxtheorizesabout whichpartsofAdy’slife“TheAmerican Daughters”getsrightandwrong.Genly introducesthenotionthatevenprimary sourcedocuments,likeAdy’snotebook,maynotbeentirelyaccurate.She believesAdychangedfactstoprotect herlovedones.

ruffinsayshegottheideafromthe timejumpsinMargaretAtwood’s“The handmaid’sTale”andgoingthrough documentsofwhitepeopleinterviewingformerlyenslavedpeople.

“Ithinkalotof thesecommon resources,although they’reveryvaluable, they’realsoalterations,whetherit’s mistakesbythepersontakingtheinformationdown,aboutthepersonwho’s tellingthestory,”hesays.“Thosethings happenallthetime.”

ruffinsaysthereareseveralplaces inthestoryhetoyedwithtomimic Ady’sstorygettingchangedovertime asit’spasseddown.Thatincluded evenintentionallyleavingatypoina nameinoneofthedocumentsin thebook.

“I’mtryingtopointoutthefactthata lotofthingsweassumetobetruefrom thepast,wejustdon’tknowbecause weweren’tthere,”hesays.

ruffinsaysheisattachedtoallthe womencharactersinthebookbecause eventhough“they’reallindifficult positionsindifferentways,evenifthey weren’tslaves...there’sthisresilience andresistanceandcourage,butalsoa senseofhumor.”

Thatsaid,hechosetocenterAdy forareason.

“SheisAmerica,”hesays.“She issomebodywhowasconstantly dreamingoffreedomandtheabilityto liveherlifeonherownterms,andto watchhergofromthislittlegirlearly inthebooktowhosheisattheendof thatbook,Ithinkitmakesforavery fascinatingstory.”

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TOPPRODUCER

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2016, 2017, 2020 &2022

ABR,CRS,GRI,SFR,SRS

PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

BENEFICIAL FAT

By Frank A. Longo

ACROSS

1Diving equipment

6Theater actor’s place

11Ray of light

15Agts. like Eliot Ness

19Babies, in Barcelona

20Like meat that’s OK to eat per Muslim law

21Hamburg’s river

22Humorist Bombeck

23 citato (in the work already mentioned)

24Colonel North, in brief

25“So right!”

26Notice

27Start of a riddle

31Suffix with cash

32Dollar divs.

33Mil. roadside hazards

34Busy Chicago airport

36Small seed

39Web, for a fly

41ROY G. --

43Moral wrong

44Riddle, part 2

49Source of a scratch from a tabby

50Russian empress

51Ark builder in Genesis

54Oklahoma city

56Saturated

57Splits

61Appraise

64Cash, slangily

67Motorists’ org.

69Meadowland

70Riddle, part 3

74Just get (by)

75Be a suitor of 76Nissan model

77Seville’s land, to its natives

78Hip-hop bro

80Himalayas, e.g.: Abbr.

82Garbo of the silver screen

84Garden in Genesis

85Raised, flat land

89Ohio college that was the first in the U.S. to admit women

92End of the riddle

98Luau paste

99That lady

100 Full of curves

101 Calf catcher

103 “It’s just one of -- things”

105 Saturate

106 Aviv

108 First year of the 10th century

109 Riddle’s answer

116 Hair removal brand

117 Falafel bread

118 Defrosts

119 Dazzling success

120 Pakistani’s language

121 Ever and

122 Loosen, as laces

123 Dishonor

124 Apple discard

125 Camera eye

126 Verse writers

127 “-- With Love” (1967 #1 hit song)

DOWN

1Trap by a winter storm

2Constellation between Cassiopeia and Draco

3Dredge up

4Ernie’s buddy

5“Wait just --”

6“Dang it!”

7Converses

8“For know ...”

9Increase

10Like a song of lament

11Lairs for grizzlies, e.g.

12“St. Fire”

13Lying on a king or queen

14Eatery list

15Comb parts

16Brand of food seasoning

17Large markets

18Vetoer’s vote

28Piece for eight

29Reform Party founder Ross

30Assembly of witches 35Rhinoplasty doc

37Red-shelled Chinese fruit

38Green gp.

39Skiing races

40Football Hall of Famer Ozzie

41Part of FBI

42Mimic

45Mo. in fall

46Big feather

47Logging tool

48Pothole filler

51Christened

52Japanese metropolis

53Crooked

55Together (with)

58Homeric epic

59Pasta tubes

60“Cosmos” host Carl

62Akron-to-Atlanta dir.

63Belly

65Genre for Yes and Genesis

66“Come, Fido”

68DOJ heads

71Babe or fox

72Like Cheerios

73Key or corkscrew

79Family MDs

81Deep blue

83Fido’s sound

86One of the 87-Down 87Competitors who didn’t win

88Pinkie-side arm bones

90“But Not for Me” actress Palmer

91Home to Boise: Abbr.

92Fitting

93A total lack of compassion

94Carbon (exhaled gas)

95Have a gabfest

96Actor Cage

97-- Trail (Everglades highway)

102 Jousting knight

104 Play a guitar

105 Determined to achieve

106 Specifically

107 “That’s someone problem”

110 White gem

111 Climbing plant

112 “Don’t say it!”

113 Statistician Silver

114 Waistcoat

115 Reverberate

116 Letters before xis