Gambit: Feb 28, 2023

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Fixingaplate

Meg Turner releases photobook ‘Wet’ at Saturn Bar event

WITHANUDEWOMANDRAPEDWITH SOMEBUBBLEBATHSUDS entering a vintageAirstream trailerbeneatha beautifulpinksky,there’sa dreaminess to MegTurner’s titlephoto from her “ThursdayNight at theAirstream Delight”series.The colorized tintype is adense and luminousimage.At first glance, it maylookvintage, but it’s clearly in thepresent.The marqueeadvertisesa spaghettispecial as well as promisingapooland Wi-Fi. It also offers pap smears and abortion services and declares “We putthe ‘you’inuterus!”

It’s oneofseveral images Turner createdfor theBritish queererotic magazine Sensored. Thenudist colony series imagines aspecial and safe space, whilestill keeping theoppression of LGBTQpeople in theframe.

“I wanted to do aday-in-the-life ata fantasy nudist colony,” Turner says.“Iwantedittobecampyand funthe wayvintagepornmagazinesare.Atthe same time, we arelosingthe righttoabortion. There’scensorshiparoundbodies. Ilove incorporatingtextintoa composition.I wanted to usethis marquee to imaginethisnudist colony/fun queer spacewhere you’re makingdinner andyou’re washingyourdildosbut also can getanabortion. Andcopsare not allowedhere, becauseLouisiana incarcerates morepeople than any other state.There’samix of fun and more serious.”

That reflects theapproachand themesofmanyofthe 45 images in “Wet.” Thebook is beingpublished by NewOrleans’ Burn Barrel Press, foundedbyphotographer Beau Patrick Coulon. While Turner teaches printmakingand photography at Tulane University and worksinart photography, she’salso aveteran of NewOrleans’ punk scene. Her printmakingknowledge comesfrom creating concertand protest posters.

The“Wet” release eventisa danceparty at theSaturn Barfrom 6-9p.m.Saturday,March 4. There will be aslideshow settomusic withimagesfromthe book, as well as some localshots notincluded in it.Therewill be musicbyPasha and LuciaHoney,aswellasa dance partyafterward with DJ Gacand Precious Cargo.

Thetitle “Wet”invokesthe sexiness of many of theimages, thefact that many aretaken around bodiesofwater,and also herprocess.

by Will Coviello |

Turner makesher images with the earlyphotographic technology referred to as tintypes or the wetplate collodion process,which wasdeveloped in the1850s.It’sa labor-intensiveprocess,bothinmixing chemicals, setting up theshoots and watching theimage developonthe wetplate on site immediately after theexposure. It can take adaylong shoottoproduceas fewaseight images

Some of thephotosweretaken at beachesand aNew Orleans’ friend’s backyard pool. Most of thespacesare notidentifiable,but Turner arranged forshoots in safe places, some of them public and othersprivate.She also spendsa lot of time settingupshots andcollaboratingwithher subjects.

Turner hadbeenphotographing industrial ruinsand abandoned buildings,but shefeltlikeshe wasn’t capturingwhatshe likedabout thespacesinher images.Soshe switched to focusing on portraits.

“I wanted to photographthe people Ilove in theplacestheylove,” Turner says While some friendsenjoy posing, she’sworkedwiththe more reticent by having them take inspirationfromtheir favorite portraits.She keepsatomeofHelmut Newton images forinspiration. Collaboratingwithher subjectsis an importantpartofher process

“I am photographing alot of friendswhose bodieshave been historically marginalized andmaybe photographedwithouttheir having controloverthe lens or thenarrative,” shesays. “It’sa lotofplanning beforehand over: Howdoyou want to be seen?How do youwantto projectyourimage,yourbody, your gender, your power, your sense of love?Where do youwantto do that?Sowetalka lot, andI am goingtoplace this wherepeople sensethatsafety andcontrol.”

Thereare groupshots and intimate individual portraits.Manysubjects arequeer,but many arenot.Most images have thegrey-silver luster of tintypes.But therealso area handful of colorizedimages, which shemakes

digitallyafter scanningthe tintypes

Some of thebright colors reflecther vision of queer maximalism, adding decorationontop of decoration. But theblack and whiteimages also have alot goingon. An image titled “RecentlyEngaged Couple” wastaken on theset of aretro gas station Turner built at the Contemporary Arts Centerfor her “Hereand Now” solo exhibition just before thepandemic shutdowns. She invitedpeople to come gettheir photostaken,and one couple posed inthe retroscene with amarquee, that advertises, “Narcanbehindthe bar,”acondemnationofharassment of immigrants,and “Eat morepussy.”

“You’vegot this couple dressed kind of ’70s,” Turner says.“It’s gota process from the1860s.You’vegot this retro-lookingLouisiana gas station anda signreferencingNarcan, sexand border patrol.I love that youlook at it andall of theelements makesense on theirown,but there is something whereyou don’tknow howorwhere this photo happened That’s nota signyou would seein arural road in Louisiana in 1890 or 1910.Because it’s photographed that way, it feelshistoric. Ithink that makesitmorebelievable that it could existnow or in thefuture. There’saneffectof, ‘Oh, maybethis already happened.’I want someone to leave wonderingwhatwould have to change to seethisscene in ourlandscape forreal.”

Formoreinformation aboutMeg Turner,visitmegturnerprints.com Forinformation about“Wet,”visit burnbarrelpress.com.

‘Autophagies(Self-Eaters)’

FRENCHMULTI-DISCIPLINARYARTIST

EVADOUMBIA’SSHOW explores history, migration, oppressionand liberationthrough thelensoffood —touchingonthe sugartrade,rice cultivation, cocoaproductionin Africa and more. Thecast featuresDoumbia,Frenchactors and dancers, NewOrleans’ Karen-Kaia Livers andchefAlexandre Bella Ola, whopreparesthe Senegalese stew mafe onstageduringthe performance. At 7p.m.Thursday, March2,through Saturday,March 4, at Ashe Powerhouse Theater. Suggested donation$20. Visit ashenola.org fordetails.

SideshowHootenanny

THEHOOTENANNYISAGATHERING OFSIDESHOWPERFORMERS for showcases at Marigny venues from Thursday, March2,through Sunday,March 5. Thereare sword-swallowers,firebreathers, humanpin cushions,daredevils, burlesquedancers,circusartsand aerialacts, puppeteers, musicians andmore. DanBlock will attempt to seta Guinness WorldRecordfor thefastest time to make aballoon dogthrough hisface, usinghis nasalcavity. That attemptisa Café IstanbulonSaturday night. Venues also include Hi-HoLounge,Allways Lounge &Cabaret,Siberia andDr. Bob’sFolkArt gallery.Therealso areworkshops and networking events.Ticket prices vary.Festival pass $125.Gotosideshowhootenanny.comfor details.

SilversunPickups

LOSANGELESALT-ROCKERSINSILVERSUN PICKUPSHAVEPASSEDTHETWO-DECADE MARK together andare goingas strong as ever.The band released itssixth full-lengthalbum,“Physical Thrills,”last August.Theyreturn to NewOrleans at 7p.m.Thursday,

PHOTO BY MEGTURNER ‘ThursdayNightatthe AirstreamDelight’by MegTurner.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SIDESHOW HOOTENANNY

One-of-a-kind specialtycoffee destination opensonMagazine Street

LearntoRoastYourOwnCoffeeBeans

As thetrend in specialty coffeegrows,sotoo does thenumber of people roasting their owncoffee beans. EnterCurrent CropRoasting Shop, anew retail storeat3931Magazine Street,which provides coffeeenthusiasts with thesupplies and expertise to takeunroasted greencoffee beanstothe perfectfinished cup of coffee. Customerswill find awide selection of home coffeeroasting equipment alongside acuratedselection of 78+ unroasted specialty coffeebeansfromrareorigins around theworld.

"We're incrediblyexcitedtocontribute to the coffeeculture of NewOrleans,"saysFounder John Puckett. "Wewant to bring theloveof home roasting to all thosewho appreciate agood cup of coffee."

Theretail conceptwas createdasanoffshootof theonline businessCoffee Bean Corral,which beganin1994asthe first specialty coffeebean storeonthe internet.

"Myvision with Current Cropistocreate a retail version of Coffee Bean Corral that will offer customersapersonalexperiencewhen learning aboutand purchasing unroasted coffee beans, as well as learning howtoroast coffee," says Puckett.

Youcan visitCurrent CropRoasting Shop, Tuesday -Saturday, 10 am to 6pmand Sunday,11amto4 pm. To learnaboutCurrent Crop’s“coffeecupping” (tastings) and classexperiences,followthe store on Facebook and Instagram (currentcroprs) or visit currentcroproastingshop.com.

John Puckett,Founder of Current Crop Roasting Shop

TransitioningoutofKingCakeseasonstraightintofishfryseason!

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN THE COUNT #

112

Louisiana is dropping 3,500 lawsuits against homeowners whoreceivedgrantsinthe wake of hurricanes Katrina andRitatoelevate their homesbut used themoneyto makerepairsinstead— often afterbeing told they could do so by representativesof theRoad Home program Thestate suit hadsoughtto recoup $103 million.

OystersinMississippiSoundatrisk fromLouisianadiversionplan

UnitedWayofSoutheastLouisianahasgiven$100,000 tothe BayouCommunity Foundation forits RebuildGrand Isle project. Theproject is working with 40 Grand Isle families whoare still rebuilding their homes afterHurricane Ida’s devastating impact on the barrierisland community.

FRESHWATERFROMLOUISIANA’S PROPOSED$800MILLIONMID-BRETON SEDIMENTDIVERSION could pose asignificant threat to oysters and other fisheries in Mississippi Sound, accordingtoa newstudy commissioned by theMississippi DepartmentofMarineResources

rate,but expects it could resultin as muchas21daysofsalinity levels below 4parts perthousand in the westernsound,which would still be athreattooysters

THENUMBEROFGUNS THENEW ORLEANSPOLICE DEPARTMENT CONFISCATED ALONG POPULARPARADE ROUTES DURING THELEAD UP TO FATTUESDAY.

Despite theseefforts,amassshootingduringthe BacchusparadeFeb.18 left five people injured andone dead District Attorney JasonWilliamsisfacing criticismfor refusing chargesfor at least 16 menarrestedfor allegedlyillegally carrying guns,onthe conditiontheysurrendertheir guns to lawenforcement

Agroupofpickpockets

snatched morethan160 phonesduringthe MardiGras weekendinNew Orleans. TheTangipahoaParishSheriff’sOffice(TPSO)lastweek said it hadrecoveredthe phoneswhen arresting11 people accused of pickpocketing. Officialssaidthey believe thegroup is part of a largetheft ring.TPSOnow has aformonits websitewhere victimscan determine if their stolen phones areamong those recovered.

When thediversion’s wateris added to an average of Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrainand other Mississippicoast rivers and bayous obtainedfroman11-year record of waterflows,salinity levels in portions of thewestern MississippiSound near BaySt. Louiswhereoysters aregrown dropstounsafe levels forasmuch as 50 days or more,saidJerry Wiggert, leadauthorofthe study, and associate director of the University of SouthernMississippi SchoolofOcean Science and Engineering

Oystersare generally able to toleratesalinitylevelsofbetween 5and 15 partsper thousand

However,the peer-reviewed studyconductedbyWiggert and other USMresearcherswas basedonLouisiana’s original plan forthe diversionthatcalledfor amaximum flow rate of 75,000 cubicfeetper second.In2021, thestate announced it was reducing thediversion’s maximumflowto50,000 cfs.

Wiggertsaidhis team has not looked at that lowermaximum flow

Thediversion would be built just southofWillsPointonthe eastbank of theMississippiRiver in Plaquemines Parishinhopes it will add31squaremiles of new land in Breton Sound by theend of 50 years, with akey goal of reducing theeffects of storm surgeonthe area’s east bank leveesystems,inadditiontoaddingfishand wildlifehabitat

It is oneoftwo large-scalediversionscurrently moving toward construction as thestate seeks to slow coastalland loss.The other,the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversiononthe opposite side of theriver at acostofmorethan $2 billion,isexpectedtobegin construction laterthisyear.

TheMid-Bretondiversion’s gateswould be openwhen the MississippiRiver’s flow at Belle Chasse reaches450,000 cfs,and would reachits maximumflow when theriver exceeds1million cfs. It would be expectedtooperatefor as much as nine months during theyear, though rarely at itsmaximum flow.Upto5,000 cfswould flow into thediversion channel when thegates areofficially closed

C’EST WHAT ?

55% NO,KINGCAKES SHOULD BE SIMPLE ANDSWEET

5.9%

PHOTO BY KEVINBAIN/OLE MISS DIGITALIMAGING SERVICES

UniversityofMississippienvironmentaltoxicologymaster’sprogram graduatesJamesGledhill(left),andAnnFairlyBarnettexaminedead oysterstheypulledfromtheMississippiSoundwithanoysterdredge.

Gre Whites&Reds G Whites&Reds

TheLouisiana Coastal Protection and RestorationAuthority,which would buildthe diversion, said that it plannedtolookintothe USM study, butexpressed concernit wasnot contactedtohelpdesign themodel used by theresearchers or theirinvestigationplans

“Thereare keypiecesoftechnicalinformation we could have providedthatwould have improved therigor of themodeling tool and theresulting analysis, andthat would have fundamentally altered theconclusions putforward,” the statementsaid.

That included thelowerflow level,which thestate said it had shared with Mississippiofficials in meetings on thediversion.

“Fromthe modeling that we’ve conducted in supportofthe project’senvironmental impact statement, salinity impactsare reduced substantially with that capacity reduction,”the statement said “The USMstudy also focusedonly onmodelingcurrent conditions, and didn’tconsider the50-year analysisperiodCPRAmodeled forthe project, whichismeant to combat future issues like saltwater intrusionand emergent wetland loss from rising sealevels.”

Sealevelsalong theMississippi coast areexpectedtobeatleast a foot higher at theend of 50 years, whichwould likely increasesalinity of in thesound

Thereport’sresults have prompted reactions from MississippiSound oyster growers and other fishers, and from Mississippistate officials

“Thisproposeddiversion is an ecologicaldeath sentence,” said TacCarrere,executivedirectorofthe MississippiSound Conservancy, which represents a varietyoffisheryand other users of thesound.“Having witnessed first-handphysically thedestruction to theMississippi Sound that resultedfromthe BonnetCarre Spillwayopening, it’s completely obvioushow theproposedBreton Sound diversionifimplemented as plannedwill be catastrophic.”

Carreresaid Louisianashould refocusits fundstoprojects that buildnew wetlandswith dredgedsediment.

MississippiSecretary of State Michael Watson said thestudy shows theneedfor theCorps to include impactstothe Mississippi Sound in itsenvironmentalanalysis of thediversion andfor representativesfromhis statetobeinvolved in determiningwhatharmitmay cause. ButWatsonalso said he recognized Louisiana’sneedto consider buildingit.

“Because of thedelicatebalance existing in ourshared ecosystem

with ourneighbor, we can’tignore theexistential land-lossproblem Louisianaisfacinginthe MidBreton Sound and Biloxi Marsh,” he said in astatement.“As healthy marshlands continue to disappear across what is left of thecrowfoot delta,wemust determinewhatthe long-termimpacts to the(sound) will be when they aregone. While we have evidence of thenegative impacts(thediversion)could have on the(sound) underthe studied operational parameters,a course of no action on Louisiana’s part could also have disastrous effects on theMississippi Gulf Coast.” Wiggertsaidhis team alreadyis discussingadditionalmodelruns usingthe 50,000 cfsmaximum nowproposedbyLouisiana TheUSM studyalso looked at what effect operatingthe diversion at maximumcapacitywould have hadin2019, ayearwith near-record flow down theMississippi River that resultedinthe Bonnet Carre Spillwaybeing opened forarecord 123days. That year,the maximum flow throughBonnet Carrewas 207,000cfs,morethan four times themaximum flow of thediversion

Theeventual flow of that water into MississippiSound added to high flowsfromriversand bayous alongthe Mississippi coast,including thePearland Pascagoularivers, destroyedthe sound’soysters andcausedharmfulalgae bloomsthatkilled other fish anddisruptedtourismtothe tune of about$200million.

Thestudy concludedthatoperatingthe diversionthatyearwould have hadlittleeffectonsalinityin thesound,asthe waterflowout of Lake Pontchartrainand rivers along thecoast would have kept itswatersfrommovingnorth,and theirfreshwaterwas morethan enough to kill theoysters

Thespillwayhas been openedsix timesinthe last 15 years, compared to an averageofonlyonceevery 10 years betweenits opening in 1932 and2008.The repeated openings triggeredlawsuits by Mississippi and thestate’s localgovernments, includingone that ended with the Corps beingordered to consult withthe National Marine Fisheries Servicesbeforefutureopenings.

Butin2007, Mississippiofficials were so concernedaboutsalinity levels in thesound threateningoysters andother fisheries that then-U.S.Sens. TrentLott, R-Miss,and Mary Landrieu,D-La., inserted languageinlegislation authorizingconstruction of a freshwater diversionnearViolet. That diversionwas neverbuilt

AsublimeMardiGras2023

mixedtriumphandtragedy

ITWOULDBEHARD TOASKFORAMORE

SUBLIMEFATTUESDAY

than this year’s,and notjustbecause of theweather.From thefloat makers and riders to the walkingkrewesand tens of thousands of costumed revelers, MardiGras2023was oneofthe best New Orleanshas seen in recent memory— and asorelyneeded reminder of how wonderfulour city is

In many ways this wasthe first full MardiGrassince thebeginning of thepandemic.Although we had MardiGrasand abroader Carnival season last year,the pandemic lockdownsand ageneral uneasiness aboutbeing in public still hung overthe celebrations

Thepandemic eraalso hadlaid bare many of thechronic problems with living here, particularly ourcrumblinginfrastructure,a housing crisis,political corruption and violence. Combined with shortenedparade routes and thearrival of aCOVID-19variant shortlybeforeFat Tuesday, Mardi Gras 2022 felt tentativeatbest. Thankfully,Mardi Gras rebounded in full forcethisyear. Throughoutthe finalweekend, apalpableenergyfilled theair. Anecdotally,thisyear’scrowds seemed significantly larger than in recent years, likely driven by a three-day federalholiday weekendelsewhereand picture-perfect weather here.

On FatTuesday,throngs filled St.CharlesAvenue, theCBD, theFrenchQuarter,Marigny and Bywater. Thousandspackedthe riverfront,dancingand partying butalso takingamomenthere and theretoremember those no longeraroundtocelebrate withus.

We were particularly heartened by some krewes’ increaseduse of special, recycled andupcycled throws.The Krewes of Boheme and Delusion, which have championed recycled andupcycled throws,created some of the most imaginative and beautiful throws of theseasonwhile helpingtoreduce thewaste andcarbonfootprint of Carnival. From

thesmallest walking krewes to Rex, we seea growingrealization that notonlyare cheapplastic beadsbad forthe environment and our infrastructure,but also less appealing to paradegoers. We hope this trendcontinues.

That’s nottosay everything went offwithoutahitch.Sadly,yet another senseless shooting took onelifeand injured four others along theBacchus route. Police responded quicklyand arrested onesuspect, butthe incident was another starkreminder of theviolencethatplagues ourcity—and of theneed to address theunderlying problems that causeit.

Meanwhile, theuse of ladders and “saved” spaces along parade routes hasbecomea plague, crowdingout other paradegoers andleading to childish —and frankly pathetic —turfwars. The city also continuedtotreat Krewe du Vieux,Chewbacchus and other walking paradesassecond-class citizens.These smaller krewesbring joyto, and are designed for, locals

As first reportedbyGambit, Council PresidentJPMorrell wantsthe counciltooverhaul MardiGrasrules this spring to helpgivesmaller paradesthe supporttheydeserve —intime fornextMardi Gras.Wesupport this effort and hope it provides an opportunity to encourage more recycledthrowsand curb the “Krewe of Chad.”

PHOTOBYSOPHIAGERMER/ THETIMES-PICAYUNE CrowdswalkdownBourbon StreetonMardiGrasDay.

butmanyquestionsremain

WHENORGANIZERSOFTHERECALLDRIVE againstMayor LaToya Cantrell turned in theirpetitions to Orleans Parish VoterRegistrar Sandra Wilsonon theafternoon of AshWednesday,a whole newset of deadlineskicked in —asdid ahostofquestions that remained unanswered.

Howmanysignaturesdid theorganizersobtain?

They won’tsay,which looks suspicious.Theyprobablydon’t even know because things were quite hecticright afterMardi Gras.They claimed earlier that they hadenough signatures, buttheycontinued to gather more right up to their180-day deadline on AshWednesday

Howmanysignaturesareneededto forcearecallreferendum?

That’s amovingtarget. Statelaw requires signaturesfrom20% of the total number of “active” registeredvotersinNew Orleans,but therecallers claimina lawsuitthat Wilson’slistofsuchvoterscould be offbymorethan 32,700 voters. If they’reright,theymay need only about 43,500 signatures; if they’re wrong, they’llneed nearly 50,000 That’s ahugeswing.Hopefully,the courts will sort this outquickly.

Whenwillweknowhow manysignaturesareneeded?

No telling,but thecourtsshould expedite this matter becauseof itsurgency.The first hearingisset forMonday, Feb. 27 before Judge Jennifer MedleyatCivilDistrictCourt Thecasewill likely be appealedall the waytothe stateSupreme Court. Doesthatlawsuitseek topurgevoters?

No,contrarytowhatCantrell’scampaign manager claims.The lawsuit focusesonvoterswho should not be on the“active”voter list because they allegedlymovedoutside New Orleans.Itseeks to have them movedtothe “inactive” list. That doesnot preclude them from voting —iftheycan prove they still liveinNew Orleans or only recently moved. (Sidenote: It’s telling that Team Cantrell is alreadyusing the mayor’scampaign manager to lob accusations,asifthe referendum campaign has alreadybegun.)

Willthatlawsuitstopthe signaturevalidationprocess?

Hopefully not, butitcould slow things down.Wilsonisthe main defendantin thelawsuit,and herofficeisresponsible forvalidatingthe signatures.

Howlongwillthevalidation

processtake?

By law, Wilsonmustcomplete it within 20 “working”days, which is March22. She says she’ll getitdone on time,but either side could challenge herdetermination in court.

Whataboutthepublic recordslawsuitbroughtby TheTimes-Picayune?

That could become another distraction forWilsonbecause she is nowthe legal custodianofthe petition,which by lawisa public record.Thereare manymoving partstothisprocess,and the courts ultimately will have to sort outthisand other questions.

Whataboutthefive-day windowforaddingorwithdrawing petitionsignatures?

Therecallers want to submit more signatures, which they continue to gather.The lawallowsqualified voters to request —expressly and in writing,witheachvoter’s date of birth —thattheir namesbeadded to or removedfromthe petition afterits deliverytothe Registrar. This is unchartedterritory in New Orleans,and it presents more questions. Here again, thecourtsmay have to provideanswers Ifthereisareferendum, whenwillitbe?

If there’sgoingtobeareferendum, it will most likely occuronOct.14, thesame dayasthe primaryfor governor,other statewide officials, state legislators anda host of local and parochialofficials.Itwill be a long,crowded ballot —and anasty, divisivecampaign Stay tuned

PHOTO BY CHRISGRANGER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

@GambitBlake |askblake@gambitweekly.com

HeyBlake, IcameacrossanoldnewspaperadforNewOrleans Academy,aschoollocated UptownonCarondelet Street.Whatcanyoutell meaboutitshistory? Whendiditclose?

Dearreader, NEWORLEANSACADEMYOPERATED

asa privatemilitary school formore than 75 yearsbeforeclosingin1986.

Theschool, which originally educated male studentsin5th through12thgradesand then later addedkindergartenand elementary schoolclasses,was located at Carondelet andConstantinople streets. In 1964,the school moved to abuilding on thesiteofthe former Lakewood CountryClub at 200Academy Drive, in the Lakewood Southsubdivision

Theschoolwas founded in 1910 by NellieMcGuireand retiredArmy captainRobertPerrin. When Perrin diedin1938, hiswifeoperated theschoolfor afew yearsbefore selling it to C.E. LaPrairie and Alfred Reinecke,both teachers at theschool. LaPrairie,and laterhis sonC.E.“Burt”LaPrairie Jr., would operatethe schooluntil it closed.

A1942Times-Picayunearticle touted theschool’sofferings to students,sayingitstressed “a well-balancededucational program forits students,”where

“muchattention is giventomilitary drill along with up-to-dateacademicand physical training.”

Membersofthe school’s athletic teamsheldtheir ownincompetitionswithother localschools NewOrleans Academyleaders said that classes were limitedinsize so that “instructors areabletogive individual attention.”Infact, the school’slargest senior class consisted of just 36 students in 1966 Theschoolwentcoedin1983, butthatdid little to boostenrollment. By thetimethe school closed,The Times-Picayune reported itsenrollmentwas 134 students andthe last senior class numbered just eightstudents. As aresult, NewOrleans Academy closed itsdoorsinAugust1986.

FIFTYYEARSAGOTHISWEEK,LOCALNEWSPAPERHEADLINESDECLARED that “Fat City HopestoRival VieuxCarre”and “Fat City to be East Jeff’s Vieux Carre-type area”asthe Metairie entertainment districtcame into itsown.

In aMarch 1, 1973,Times-Picayunearticle,Emile Lafourcade reported on thefirst meetingofthe FatCityBusinessman’s Association, whose40 memberselected DavidL.Levypresident.The grouprepresented bars, restaurantsand other smallbusinessesinthe area

FatCityofficially included104 blocks bounded by Veterans Memorial Boulevard, West Esplanade Avenue,Division Street and Causeway Boulevard. Legend has it thenamecame from anearbysnowballstand, though therewerealso a1969noveland 1972 film by thesame name

Amongthe bars and nightclubsthatsprangupinFat City were theBack Door,Act IV,the Playboy Club, DonQuixote,Sancho Panza, theCourt Jester,Poets and theSpanish Galleon.

From 1973 until1983, theMissFat City pageantwas held.Pat Prince won thecrown thefirst year,and actress Rhonda Shearcompetedin1974.

In thelate1980s,strip clubsand massageparlors broughtcrime and drugs to theareaand begantotarnish itsimage

Over thenextthree decades, JeffersonParishcommissioned almost adozen studiestodetermine howtorevivethe area.In2010, theparish councilapproveda curfew on alcohol salesand zoning changeswhich forced outstrip clubsand adult businesses

Last November, a$14 million constructionproject wascompletedon Severn,addingbikelanes,wider sidewalksand morepedestrian-friendly accommodations.Parishleaders and business ownershope these changeswill jumpstart thearea’srevitalization.

BLAKEVIEW

PHOTO BY NORMAN J. BERTEAUXJR. /THE TIMESPICAYUNEARCHIVE CharleyMeyersstandsnext tothesignforNewOrleans Academy,whichclosed soonafterin1986.

AWARDS

THISWEEK,GAMBITISPROUD to bring youthe winners of the2023 BigEasyAwards, thefirst time we have done them sincethe COVID-19 pandemic started. It is an honor forustohelpcelebrate thebest andbrightest NewOrleansand ourregionhas to offerin musicand theperformingarts. Afew wordsonthe awards themselves and howwinners were chosen.Nomineesare made by membersofour music, theater, danceand classical arts committees in recognitionofachievementsmadein2022. That could be astandoutalbum or stageproduction, technical accomplishment or breakout into thepublic conversation. Thosecommitteesare made up of journalists, musicians, musicproducers, directors,actors and othersfromour community with adeepknowledge of,and

love for, musicand theperforming arts.Members consider thenominations,and then votesare taken to ultimately determinethe finalists and winner.

Part of Gambit’s core mission is to recognizeand celebratethe goodthingsabout ourimmensely talented city and to ensure that both established performers and younger talentsalike aregiven theirdue.That’snot always an easytask, to be sure,sowewould like to thank ourcommittee membersfor theirefforts onceagain.

Andcongratulationstoall the winners and finalistsinthisyear’s BigEasyAwards— as well as to allthe soundengineers, merch guys,riggers,lightingtechnicians, bookers, bartenders andeveryone else behindthe scenes whohelp makethe performingartsinNew Orleanssospecial.

BESTROCK PeopleMuseum

PROVIDED PHOTO BY AARONBOUDREAUX

BESTTRADITIONALJAZZ CharlieGabriel

PROVIDED PHOTO BY DANNYCLINCH

BESTBOUNCE HaSizzle

PROVIDED PHOTO BY DELANEY GEORGE/ LANESLENSE

BESTOPERAPRODUCTION ‘HanselandGretel’

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Music

Winners are listed first. Finalists follow in alphabetical order.

BESTALBUM

“I Got Indian In My Family” by Flagboy Giz

“glbl wrmng, vol. 1” by glbl wrmng

“I Ran Down Every Dream” by Tommy McLain

“The Recent Future” by Alex McMurray

“Red Balloon” by Tank and the Bangas

“Watch The Sun” by PJ Morton

BESTNEW/ EMERGING ARTIST

$leazy EZ

Flagboy Giz

Kr3wcial

The Rumble

Brandon Tarell

Yusa

Zita

BESTBLUES

Little Freddie King

Samantha Fish

Kevin & The Blues Groovers

BESTBOUNCE

HaSizzle

Big Freedia

SupahBadd

BESTBRASS BAND

TBC Brass Band

Big 6 Brass Band

Kings of Brass

BESTCAJUN

Lost Bayou Ramblers

The Daiquiri Queens

Cameron Dupuy and the Cajun Troubadours

BESTCOUNTRY ChapelHartBand

PROVIDED PHOTO BY ALEXIS CARTER

BESTHARDROCK/HEAVYMETAL/PUNK Goatwhore

PROVIDED PHOTO BY STEPHANIE CABRAL BESTALBUM

PROVIDED PHOTO

BESTWORLD MahmoudChouki

PROVIDED PHOTO BY MARION HILL

SPECIALRECOGNITIONINMUSIC:JonBatiste

WHILESINGER,PIANISTANDKENNERNATIVEJONBATISTE now lives full time in New York City, New Orleans never seems far from his heart. And that was proven during Batiste’s remarkable 2021 and 2022

New Orleans’ fingerprints were all over Batiste’s 2021 album “We Are,” with guest performances by his father, bassist Michael Batiste, PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty, the Hot 8 Brass Band and the St Augustine High School Marching 100. Batiste filmed his outstanding, colorful music video for “Freedom” in New Orleans, and he later again nodded to his alma mater when he wore his St Augustine letterman jacket on a visit to “Sesame Street.”

“We Are” drew from Batiste’s personal and musical heritage he is a part of the extensive Batiste family of New Orleans musicians and the album earned wide acclaim Jon Batiste entered the 64th Grammy Awards with 11 nominations and ultimately won for Album of the Year (the first New Orleans area musician to do so), Best Music Video, Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song as well as sharing in the Grammy for Best Soundtrack for Visual Media with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the film “Soul.”

2022 was filled with numerous distinctions, including a place on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list, a performance at President Joe Biden’s first state dinner with Batiste’s family in attendance and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s poster. He also quietly married author Suleika Jaouad.

Last summer, Batiste announced he was leaving his role as bandleader on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He hasn’t yet publicly talked about what’s next.

There has been no shortage of reasons for New Orleans to celebrate Jon Batiste, and the city will get a chance to do so in person when he headlines Jazz Fest 2023 on Friday, May 5.

BEST CONTEMPORARY JAZZ

Oscar Rossignoli and Extended Trio

Donald Harrison Jr

Herlin Riley

BEST COUNTRY/FOLK

Chapel Hart Band

The Deslondes

Tommy McLain

BEST DJ/ELECTRONIC ANTWIGADEE!

Legatron Prime

DJ Raj Smoove

BEST FUNK

Water Seed

Dumpstaphunk

George Porter Jr.

BEST GOSPEL

Joshua Kagler

Craig Adams

Legendary Rocks of Harmony

BEST HARDROCK/ HEAVYMETAL/PUNK

Goatwhore

BEST LATIN

Yusa

Fermin Ceballos + Merengue 4

Alexey Marti

BEST R&B

Tank and the Bangas

Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph

PJ Morton

BEST RAP/ HIP-HOP

Flagboy Giz

$leazy EZ

Rob49

BEST ROCK

People Museum

The Iceman Special Trombone Shorty

BESTTRADITIONAL JAZZ

Charlie Gabriel

Tuba Skinny

Dr Michael White

BEST WORLD

Mahmoud Chouki

Weedie Braimah

RAM

BEST ZYDECO

Dwayne Dopsie

Corey Ledet

Cedric Watson

PHOTO FROM YOUTUBE

Classical

Winners are listed first. Finalists follow in alphabetical order.

BESTOPERA PRODUCTION

“Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel” (Tie), New Orleans Opera Association, E. Loren Meeker, director

“La Boheme” (Tie), New Orleans Opera Association, David Morelock, director

BESTSYMPHONICPERFORMANCE

“Heroes, Dreamers, & Trailblazers: James Baldwin,” Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor

“Carlos conducts Shostakovich,” Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor

“Mahler No 1,” Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor

BESTNEW CLASSICAL PIECE

Courtney Bryan’s “Shedding Skin,” Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

David Anderson’s “Concerto for Contrabass,” Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

SPECIALRECOGNITION

INCLASSICALMUSIC:

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

BESTCHORAL ARTS PRESENTATION

“Concert Spirituel: Saint-Domingue and New Orleans,” Pedro Memelsdorff, guest conductor, OperaCréole, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Historic New Orleans Collection

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION

OperaCréole’s “La Fête Créole: An evening with Mary Elizabeth Williams”

DURINGTHEPANDEMIC-CAUSEDSHUTDOWN of live entertainment venues in fall 2020, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra pivoted to offer high-quality online concerts for subscribers. This effort included the Orpheum Sessions and Suite Sundays. These virtual performances were well-recorded and filmed and were the next best thing to live performances at the time

The LPO is to be commended for these well-planned, innovative concerts, and for providing an alternative to attending live shows while also continuing to give its musicians the chance to continue to work The concerts provided great comfort during a difficult time.

SPECIALRECOGNITIONFOR OUTSTANDINGPRESENTATION

PROVIDED PHOTO BY ALAN SMASON

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JOSH BRASTED

Theater

Winners are listed first. Finalists follow in alphabetical order.

BESTPLAY

“The Family Line,” Goat in the Road Productions

“Clothes for a Summer Hotel,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

“The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

BESTMUSICAL

“Holiday Inn,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

“Bandstand,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

“Rent,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

BESTDIRECTOR OFA PLAY

Chris Kaminstein and Richon May, “The Family Line,” Goat in the Road Productions

Augustin J. Correro, “Clothes for a Summer Hotel,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

Abigail Jean-Baptiste, “The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

John “Ray” Proctor, “Pantomime,” Crescent City Stage

BESTDIRECTOR OFA MUSICAL

Leslie Castay, “Holiday Inn,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Diane Lala, “Bandstand,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

Michelle Pietri, “In the Heights,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

John “Ray” Proctor, “Into the Woods,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

BESTPERFORMANCE IN A PLAY

Troi Bechet, “The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

Michael C. Forrest, “Pantomime,” Crescent City Stage

Monica R. Harris, “Treasure Island,” The NOLA Project

Aria Jackson, “School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play,” The NOLA Project

Constance Thompson, “The Family Line,” Goat in the Road Productions

BESTPERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL

Lizzy Tucker, “Rent,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

Richard Arnold, “Holiday Inn,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Keith Claverie, “Into The Woods,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

Justice Hues, “Kinky Boots,” Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts

Alcee Jones, “In the Heights,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Rachel Looney, “Cinderella,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Meredith Owens, “Into The Woods,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JAMES KELLEY

PROVIDED PHOTO

THE 2023 BigEasy Big AWARDS

BESTSUPPORTINGPERFORMANCE IN APLAY

Tameka Bob (Tie), “The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

Desiree Burrell (Tie), “Dusa, Fish, Stas & Vi,” Fat Squirrel

Benjamin Dougherty, “Clothes for a Summer Hotel,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

Gwendolyn Foxworth, “Summer and Smoke,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

Mike Harkins, “Henry IV,” New Orleans Shakespeare Festival

BESTSUPPORTINGPERFORMANCE IN MUSICAL

Tracey Collins, “Holiday Inn,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Neil Eli, “In the Heights,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society Jessica Mixon, “Rent,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

Elana Polin, “In The Heights,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

BESTCHOREOGRAPHY IN A MUSICAL

Kenneth Beck, “Holiday Inn,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Polanco Jones, “Rent,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

Diane Lala, “Bandstand,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

BESTCOSTUME DESIGN

Kaci Thomassie (Tie), “Into the Woods,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

Darolyn Robertson (Tie), “The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

Ellen Bull, “The Family Line,” Goat in the Road Productions

BESTLIGHTING DESIGN

Diane K. Baas, “Clothes for a Summer Hotel,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

Itohan Edoloyi, “The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

Daniel Zimmer, “Into the Woods,” Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University

BESTSETDESIGN

Jungah Han, “The House That Will Not Stand,” Le Petit Theatre

Caige Hirsch, “Clothes for a Summer Hotel,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

Eric Porter, “In The Heights,” Jefferson Performing Arts Society

Steve Schepker, “Summer and Smoke,” Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans

BESTUNIVERSITY THEATER PRODUCTION

“Head Over Heels,” Loyola University (Tie)

“Yellowman,” Dillard University (Tie)

“Antigone,” Tulane University

“Our Dear Dead Drug Lord,” Tulane University

Dance

OUTSTANDING DANCE PRESENTATION (FULLLENGTH)

“Raw Fruit,” KM Dance Project

“Fantômes,” Melange Dance Company

“Liberation Vibration,” Third Eye Theatre

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY (FULLLENGTH)

“Raw Fruit,” Kesha McKey and performers, choreographer, KM Dance Project

“Fantômes,” Monica Ordoñez, choreographer, Melange Dance Company

“Liberation Vibration,” Monique Moss, choreographer, Third Eye Theater

OUTSTANDING DANCE PRESENTATION (SHORT LENGTH)

“River, River, River,” Shannon Stewart

“Binge Dance Festival,” Dow-Dance Company

“6がつのとおい身体 (Far Bodies in June),” Ryuta Iwashita

OUTSTANDINGDANCE PRESENTATION (FULLLENGTH)

RawFruit

PROVIDED PHOTO BY MELISA CORDANA

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY(SHORTLENGTH)

“Louisiana Flood Stories: 1927,” Lauren Ashlee Messina, Choreographer

“Marigny New Voices: 4 Short Pieces,” Elle C. Jones, choreographer of “The Game,” Marigny Opera Ballet

“Birds, Bees, and IUDs,” Madyson Barbain, choreographer of “Secrecy,” Artivism Dance Theatre

OUTSTANDING DANCE ENSEMBLE

KM Dance Project, Artistic Director, Kesha McKey

Marigny Opera Ballet, Artistic Director, Dave Hurlbert

Melange Dance Company, Artistic Director, Monica Ordoñez

New Orleans Ballet Theatre, Artistic and Associate Artistic Directors, Gregory and Marjorie Schramel

Third Eye Theatre, Artistic Director, Monique Moss

MasMexican

THEREWEREMANYALMOST SURREALMOMENTSTHATLEDUP

to chef and restaurateurJulio Machado’s late Januaryopening of MuchoMas MexicanEatery and Lounge at 8201 OakSt. Maybethe strangestwas when allofthe 38-year-old’s business,realestateand assets were stolenfromhim by government-alignedforcesinhis native VenezuelainFebruary 2018,Machado says.For a decade, he’d runaculinaryconsulting business,and companies throughout South Americaand Europe hiredhim to do product development.

“I went to culinaryschooland wassuccessfulinmywork,”he says.“Iworkedhard.”

“One daytheyknockedat my doorand said youhavetwo choices,” Machado says.“We take everything from you, and youleave rightnow.Wewill take youtothe airport. Or we will take youtojail. Iknowthatmeant I’d neverbeheard from again.”

Machadoarrived in Miami sixhours later. “Theytook my belt,myshoes, thetitles to my cars —everythingI had, except theydidn’tfindone smallbank account,”hesays.

So,with$3,000tohis name, the chef startedover. He wasgranted politicalasylum and permanent residency in amatterofmonthsand movedtoNew Orleans to be close to family.But despite hisexperience andexpertise,the only restaurant jobhecould getwas washing dishes at LakeviewHarbor, aburger jointbythe lake

“MyEnglish wasn’t so good,” Machadosays. Owner Shawn Toupstooknoticeofhis talents, befriended himand added prep to hisjob description

Machado’sresumesoon grew to include cooking at Brasa Churrasqueria in Metairie. He then movedtoZocalo, with itsMexican menu.“That waswhen Ifirst started really loving Mexicanfood,” he says.“It’s much differentfrom Venezuelan cuisine.”

So he became apartner in a Metairietaqueria called Tacos del Cartel,but then again changedcourse.

He asked Toups, hisformer boss, to help himopen hisown concept.Theysignedthe lease forthe former DTBspace on OakStreetin 2021.Their original plan to openin sixmonthsstretched to 16

“I starteddriving Uber,which was weirdasa chef,not beinginthe kitchen, butIhad to paymybills,” Machado says.

MuchoMas,which means“much more” in Spanish, is exactlywhatthe chef planned to do with thespace andthe larger kitchen

“The menuatCartelwas very limited becausewehad such asmall space,”hesays. “Mycustomers were always askingfor more.Now I cangivethem much more.”

The95-seat restaurant is sophisticatedand modern, with aMexico

City vibe. Strikingagave sculptures, rolled blue velvet seating and Instagramable neon create an upscaleambience. There’s also asemi-privatediningroom forgroupsand asmall stagefor a DJ or livemusic,whereMachado planstoshowcaselocal artists. Themenubrings deeply flavorful dishes to thetable,reachingbeyondthe typicalMexican fare. Guacamole,empanadas, quesadillas andquesofundido, accented with housemade pork cracklings, area fewstarting options. Therealso areseafood dishes andaspecialmenu designedfor Lent

Swissenchiladascombine sauteed shrimp with atomato-basil sauce lacedwith cheese.Steak cevicheisrevelatory.Tender21-day-agedprime flap steakiscured with rice wine vinegar, lime andorange juice, soja chilipiquin,cilantro and garlic. Theslicedmedium rare steakisbrightwithbold citrus flavorand served with corn tortillas.

Mexicanramencombines flavors of soy, ginger andgarlicwitheither pork loinorchicken breast and rice noodles swimming in aflavorful broth topped with onions,cilantro and apoachedegg.Birria tacos makeastatementwithafilling of slow-roastedtenderbarbecued brisket, served with asmokydipping sauce

House-made chipsand salsaoffer thelagniappeoffiveoptions of spice from mild guacamole salsa and verdefrescapicante to increasingheatlevelswithMexicana, habanero andmango,and thebracing chili arboltamarind.

There’sa deep mezcal program and batched cocktails.The potent Cantaritacomeelguero is three liters of goodness fueled with abottleoftequila, freshgrapefruitjuice and simple syrup.

Together it’s makingMachado feel like he’s at home

“I love NewOrleans.Thisis my dream,” Machado says.“It’s another chapter.”

FORK +CENTER

Emaildining@gambitweekly.com

Don’tChangetheStation

ONAPIECEOFTHELAKEFRONT famous fortraditional seafooddishes, Station6has builtafollowing by servingthe localcatch abit differently. Nowithas newowners whosay they’reintentonkeeping Station6just thesame.

LocalchefAaron Burgau and a groupofbusinesspartnershave purchased theBucktownrestaurant from founders AllisonVega-Knoll and Drew Knoll.

Forthathusband-and-wifeteam, thetimewas righttosell, VegaKnollsays, andBurgauand his group emerged as potentialbuyers they were confidentcould move Station6forward Burgau says he’s always admired theStation 6approach.

“It’sall aboutfresh seafoodand beinganalternative to theplaces around it,wherethere’sa lotoffried seafood,” he says Burgau made hisname with his Uptown bistro Patois,which opened in 2007 as part of awaveofnew

restaurantstoemerge in theyears afterHurricaneKatrina

With acombinationofdifferent partners,he’snow akey player behindawide-rangingcollection of restaurants

That includesCentral City BBQ, which he developedwith partner Marc Bonifacic.The twoare also partnersonthe forthcomingLas CrucesTex-Mex,apatio-style restaurant taking shapeat2935Airline DrivebyCausewayBoulevard (slated to open in thesummer).

In 2020,Burgaujoined with a number of partnersincluding Sadie and BrianStewart and Jamie and

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER ChefJulioMachadofocuseson MexicandishesatMuchoMas

PHOTO BY DAVIDGRUNFELD / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

ChefandrestaurateurAaronBurgau willtakeoverStation6.

Mucho Mas WHERE 8201 Oak St., (504) 324-1616; @muchomasnola on Instagram

WHEN Lunch and dinner daily,brunch Sat.-Sun.

HOW Dine-in and takeout

+

OUTTOEAT

John Cangelosi to buyand re-openCharlie’sSteak House, theUptownclassic that closed followingthe deathofowner Matthew Dwyerthatyear.

ThoseCharlie’sSteak Housepartnersjoined with John Michael Roland to buy Station6

Burgau says they see Station6 servinganeeded nichewelland have no plansfor bigchanges That meanskeepingthe restaurant’s team intact,including chef Jeremy Latimer andgeneral managerDawnMichel

Vega-Knoll wasknown around theareafor her first restaurant Vega Tapas Cafe in OldMetairie, whichshe sold andwhich later closed.She and her husband, also achef, then ranrestaurants in the Caribbean. They returned home in 2016 and developedStation 6.

Rightonthe Jefferson-Orleans parish line,it’stuckedbetween leveewalls and across from aclutch of seafoodmarkets and restaurants that speaktoBucktown’sheyday as afishing hub.

Station6offered acontrastto itsneighborsasamoremodern Louisiana seafoodhouse.Itserved sauteed American redsnapper, grilled skin-on redfishand pompanowithcurried brownbutter and toastedcashews.There’sa rawbar and thetypeofwinelist youfindinupscale bistros.

ButStation 6has always been acasual restaurant.Muchofthe seatingisoutsideoncovered patios surrounding itssmall dining room and bar. Therestaurant doesn’ttakereservations.

Burgau says hisapproachis to stick with what’s workingfor Station6’s customers.

He plans to bringbacksome servicehours that hadbeencut during thepandemic,startingwith Friday lunch servicesoon and a return forSundaybrunch in the spring.— IANMcNULTY / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

NewFeelings

SOMEBUILDINGSARESOEVOCATIVE they seem to be filled with stories even when theirrooms areempty. That’s thecasewiththe 18th century-era home and longtime restaurant still known to many locals as Feelings Café,at2600 ChartresSt. in Faubourg Marigny.

It hasbeeneight yearssince theend of theoriginal Feelings Cafe,which wasfollowedbya few iterations usingits name. Thelast restaurant to operateherewas

called Cru,which shutteredearly in thepandemic.

Sean Cummings feelsthe pull of theold Feelings,anappeal he calls timeless and essential to New Orleans. That’s what movedthe localreal estate developerand businessman to buythe property “It’snot only on thecity’sarchitectural map, butits poeticmap,” Cummings says.“Peoplehave an emotionalresponsetoit.”

In adeal that closed in January, acompanyrun by Cummings paid $1.15milliontoacompanyrun by priorowner CraigTrentecoasta, accordingtopublic records.

In an interview, Cummingssaid he wantsthe property to once again be arestaurantand bar, and he is talking with prospective operators to make that happen Just whowill runitisyet to be determined.But thenew owner is approaching itsfuturewitha senseofstewardship,and avision forthe spacebased on what it has been, and what it could be “Feelings wasa place, like Napoleon House, like Lafitte’s (BlacksmithShop), like New Orleansitself, that has this spectacularpatinathathas resonated withgenerations of people,” Cummings says.“Iwanttosee it fulfill itspotential.”

Thebuildingitselfwas part of a plantationestablished in the1700s when thepresent-day Marignywas still agriculturalland outsidethe city’s smallfootprint.Itretained thefeelofa French countryhouse even as theMarigny neighborhood grew and changed around it.

Cummingsdeveloped the InternationalHouse Hotel, with its barLoa;the Rice MillsLofts apartment building in theBywater, home to BywaterAmericanBistro; and he renovatedKingsway, the storiedrecordingstudiofromthe 1990s,now an events venueinthe French Quarter. —IAN McNULTY /THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

PHOTO BY IANMCNULTY / THETIMES-PICAYUNE TheformerFeelingsCafe hasanewowner.

CaseyGiardina

Chef

by Will Coviello

AFTERMORETHANADECADECOOKINGATRESTAURANTS including Susan Spicer’sMondo, Donald Link’s Pecheand TheJoint, Casey GiardinawentfulltimeinFebruary with Buggin’ OutBoils.Heand his wifeMargo have built thecrawfish boiling pop-up and catering business during thepandemic.This week,they’ll be at Second Line BrewingonWednesday,March 1, Miel Brewery& Taproom on Friday, March3,and Parleaux Beer Labon Saturday,March 4. Fortheir weekly schedule andspecials updates, go to @bugginoutboils on Instagram Forinformation aboutcatering, visitbugginoutboils.com

Howdidyouget interestedincooking?

CASEYGIARDINA: Istarted in 2009 in Atlanta. ThereasonI grew up in Atlantawas that my dad opened up thefirst Ruth’s Chris SteakHouse in Atlanta. Both of my parentsare from NewOrleans,soI have been around NewOrleans food my entire life.Myparents always cooked Cajunfood. My momand dadare both phenomenal cooks. My first restaurantjob wasback of thehouse,and Istarted as low as youcan startand wastaught everyskill and worked my way throughthe ranks. It wasconsidered afarm-to-table Southern restaurant —good produce, good proteins,thingslikethat. By the time Ileft, Iwas theheadlinecook ImovedtoNew Orleans in 2011 and started working forSusan Spicer at Mondo, before that closed.And then went to Peche and from theretoThe Joint. At Peche, Istarted outatthe rawbar before Iwas onethe leadingcooks on theline. Allofthe places kind of makeyou or breakyou,and Peche whipped me into shape to be whereIamattoday.Iwas at The Jointfor five years. My lastday was threeweeks ago. Now, we’refull time Buggin’ OutBoils.Thisisvery exciting forus.

Howdidyouget intoboilingcrawfish?

G: Me andacouple friendsjust started doingbackyardboils.Itwas trialand error. Ilovedcrawfishso much,I just wanted to masteritand be able to do it myself.Talkabout learning on thejob,I still learn stuff

from everysingle boil.Thereare just some thingsno onecan tell you. Rightnow,the way Iseason thepot,I measureout everythingonthe first boil. Butafter that, it’s allabouttaste andfeel. It’s hardto trainsomeone to do that

Idid so many boilsthateventually people said you should startdoing this moreoften.In March2020, literally theweekbefore thenationwide shutdown, Iwentto Parleaux andwas like,“This maysound like acrazy idea,but Ithink Iampretty goodatcrawfish.

CanI do apop-up?”

It went really well

Therestishistory

We startedforming ourcompany.

Whatdoyou doatpop-upevents?

G: We’reknown forinstead of sausageweput meatballsinour boil.Webuy frozen meatballsfrom Costco and we throwthem in on thesoakwith thecorntocooldown thewhole boil.Wehad meatballs in aboiltwo or threeyears ago,and we’vehad them in everyboilsince They literally meltinyourmouth.It’s insane. Everybox of crawfish you getatone of oureventswill have a halfear of corn,littlered potatoes andtwo or threemeatballs

We’lldoBrusselssprouts or pineapple in ourown personal boils. Pineapple is really good.Whole artichokes areincredible.Honestly, hotdogsare really good Forcatering, we give people options to throwinwhateverthey want.For pop-ups, sometimeswe flip outcornfor Brusselssprouts or greenbeans.IboiledatHenry’s Uptown Barfor theThoth parade

It wassobusy, and we were boiling so much.Havingthatmuchcorn is apaininthe ass, so Idid green beansinstead. Youthrow them in forthe last 10 minuteswhile thecrawfish aresoaking.Wealso do Viet-Cajuncrawfishatevery event. We toss crawfish to order in abowlwithroasted garlic,chili butter andnuoccham.

WINE OF THE WEEK

We do char-grilled oysters at everyevent as well.Wetop them with roasted garlic butter When youthinkthe butter has enough roasted garlic in it,you triple it.Webuy so muchgarlic. We make ourown sambal, citrus garlic sauce. We puta ParmesanRomanoblend on topofthat. We roastthem overcharcoal, andgo offthe cheese.The cheese tells youwhen it’s done. Thoseare a bighit too.

Crawfish runs through mid to late June.After that,we’ll do Louisiana bluecraband shrimp boils.

We’vedoneall sortsofevents. Somehow,we’re biginthe bachelor/bachelorette game.I have no idea howthathappened.We have afulllistofitems we can do.There’severythingfromred beanstosmokedchicken wings that we’vedonefor allkinds of parties.

Rightnow,our setschedule is Miel everysingleFridayand everyother Sunday,Parleaux everysingleSaturday.Wetry to squeezeincateringonthe other Sundaysand on Thursdaysand Wednesdays.Wewanttoget to differentparts of town andshow what we’vegot going.

Black Stallion Cabernet

Thefull-bodied structure isahallmark. Thewine openswithstunning aromas of blackberry, blackcherryand toasty scents;onthe palate is concentratedwithbold, velvetyflavors of cassis, plum, blackberry anddried apple. Intense mouth filling fruitlingeronthe palate andend in abeautifully elegantfinish

DISTRIBUTED BY

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CASEY GIARDINA

COMPLETELISTINGS AT WWW.BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM

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

8FreshFoodAssassin — 1900 N. Claiborne Ave.,(504) 224-2628; Instagram, @8freshfoodassassin

Chef MannyJanuary’smenuincludes grilled lamb chops, T-bone steaks, salmon,crabcakes,deepfried ribs, friedchicken andchar-grilled or seafood-loadedoysters,aswellassides like collardgreensand macand cheese No reservations.Deliveryavailable

Lunchand dinner Tue.-Sun $$

Acorn — 12 Henry ThomasDrive,(504) 218-5413;acornnola.com— The cafe at theLouisiana Children’s Museum haskid-and adult-friendly menu

Blackened shrimp fill atriooftacos topped witharugula,radish, pineapple-mango salsa andcilantro-lime sauce.Noreservations.breakfast and lunchWed.-Sun. $$

AngeloBrocato’s— 214N.Carrollton Ave.,(504) 486-1465;angelobrocatoicecream.com This sweetshop serves itsown gelato,spumoni,Italianice, cannolis,biscotti,fig cookies, tiramisu, macaroonsand other treats. Lunch and dinner

Tue.-Sun $

Annunciation— 1016 Annunciation St.,(504) 568-0245;annunciationrestaurant.com The menu highlights Gulf seafood in Creole, Cajunand Southerndishes. Gulf Drum Yvonneis served with brownbuttersaucewith mushroomsand artichokehearts. Reservations recommended.Dinner

Thu.-Mon $$$

Banana Blossom— 5009th St.,Gretna, (504) 500-0997; 504bananablossom com— JimmyCho’s restaurantserves classic andcreativeThaidishes.

Smoked pork belly andporkmeatballs areservedina lemongrass broth with egg, greenonion,cilantroand crispy garlic.Reservations accepted forlarge partiesexceptFridayand Saturday nights.Deliveryavailable.Lunchand dinnerTue.-Sat. $$

TheBlueCrabRestaurant and Oyster Bar— 118 Harbor View Court, Slidell, (985)315-7001; 7900 Lakeshore Drive, (504)284-2898; thebluecrabnola. com Themenuincludessandwiches, friedand boiled seafood and more. Basinbarbecue shrimp areserved overcheesegrits withacheesebiscuit. Outdoor seatingavailable.Noreservations.Lakeview: lunchand dinner

Tue.-Sun.Slidell: lunchFri.-Sat., dinner

Wed.-Sun $$

Broussard’s 819Conti St.,(504) 581-3866;broussards.com Themenu includesCreole andcreativecontemporary dishes.Rainbowtrout amandine is served withtassoand corn macque chouxand Creole meunieresauce Reservations recommended.Outdoor seatingavailable.DinnerWed.-Sat., brunchSun $$$

Cafe Normandie— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining The menu combines classicFrenchdishes and Louisiana itemslikecrabbeignets withherbaioli.Noreservations

Breakfastand lunch daily $$

TheCommissary — 634OrangeSt., (504)274-1850; thecommissarynola.

com Thecentral kitchenfor Dickie Brennan restaurantsoffersgraband-godishesand adine-in menu of sandwiches,saladsand shareable

$ —average dinner entrée under $10 $$ —$11-$20 $$$ —$20-up

plates.Ahouse-smokedturkeybreast sandwich hasbacon,tomatojam, herbed creamcheese, arugula and herb vinaigretteonBellegardehoney oat bread.Noreservations.Outdoor seatingavailable.LunchTue.-Sat. $$

Curio— 301Royal St.,(504) 717-4198; curionola.com ThecreativeCreole menu includes blackened Gulf shrimp served with chickenand andouillejambalaya.Reservations accepted.Lunch and dinner daily $$

Desire Oyster Bar— RoyalSonesta NewOrleans,300 Bourbon St.,(504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar

Themenu highlightsGulfseafood in Creole dishes.Char-grilled oysters aretopped withParmesanand herbs Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily. $$

Dickie Brennan’sBourbonHouse — 144 Bourbon St.,(504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse.com Theseafood restaurant hasaraw barand alarge selectionof bourbon.Redfish is served withlemon buerre blanc. Reservations accepted Lunchand dinner daily $$$

DragonflyCafe— 530Jackson Ave., (504)544-9530; dragonflynola.com— Thecasual cafe offers breakfastplates, waffles,salads, coffee drinks and more. Braisedrib is served on greens withcornbread. Delivery available Reservations accepted.Breakfast and lunch Wed.-Sat $$

El Pavo Real — 4401 S. BroadAve., (504)266-2022;elpavorealnola.com— Pescado Vera Cruz is asauteed Gulf fish toppedwith asauce of tomatoes,olives,onion and capers and served with steamedriceand string beans. Themenu also includes tacos, quesadillas,enchiladas, carnitas and more. Outdoor seatingavailable.No reservations.Lunch and early dinner Tue.-Sat $$

Felix’s Restaurant&OysterBar — 739 Iberville St.,(504) 522-4440; 7400 Lakeshore Drive, (504) 304-4125;felixs. com Louisiana oystersare served raw or char-grilled withgarlic,Parmesan and breadcrumbs. Themenuincludes seafoodplatters, crawfish etouffee, po-boys andmore. No reservations

Lunchand dinner daily $$

Frey Smoked Meat Co.— 4141 Bienville St.,Suite 110, (504)488-7427;freysmokedmeat.com Thebarbecue spot serves pulled pork,ribs,brisket, sausagesand more. Friedporkbelly poppers aretossedinpepperjelly glaze.Noreservations.Lunch and dinner daily $$

FrootOrleans 2438 Bell St.,Suite B, (504)233-3346;frootorleans.com

Thereare freshfruit plattersand smoothie bowlssuchasa strawberry shortcakeand more using pineapple, berries,citrus andmore. No reservations.Outdoor seatingavailable Breakfastand lunch daily $$

Juan’sFlyingBurrito — 515Baronne St.,(504) 529-5825;2018MagazineSt., (504)569-0000; 4724 S. Carrollton Ave.,(504) 486-9950;8140Oak St., (504)897-4800;juansflyingburrito.com

TheFlying Burritoincludes steak, shrimp,chicken,cheddarjackcheese, blackbeans,rice, guacamoleand salsa Themenu alsohas tacos, quesadillas

and nachos. Outdoorseating available. No reservations.Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue $$

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

ACajun Cuban hasroasted pork,ham, cheese and pickles on buttered bread. TheBoudreauxpizza is topped with cochon de lait,spinach, onions and garlic.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted forlarge parties. Lunch and dinnerTue.-Sun. $$

Kilroy’s Bar— HigginsHotel,480 Andrew HigginsBlvd.,(504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining Thebar menu includes sandwiches,flatbreads, salads and more.A Louisiana peach flatbread has prosciutto, stracciatella cheese,arugulaand pecans. No reservations.Dinner Wed.-Sat $$

Legacy Kitchen’s CraftTavern— 700 Tchoupitoulas St.,(504) 613-2350;legacykitchen.com— Themenu includesoysters,flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, salads and more.A NOLAStyle Grits Bowl is topped withbacon,cheddar and apoached egg. Reservations accepted Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily $$

LegacyKitchen Steak&Chop — 91 Westbank Expressway,Gretna, (504) 513-2606;legacykitchen.com— The menu includes filets mignons,bone-in rib-eyesand topsirloins, as well as burgers, saladsand seafood dishes Reservations accepted.Outdoor seatingavailable.Lunchand dinner

Mon.-Sat $$

MartinWineCellar— 714Elmeer Ave., Metairie,(504) 896-7350;3827Baronne St.,(504) 894-7444;martinwine. com Thespirits shop’s deli serves sandwiches,saladsand more.The Senasalad includes chicken, raisins, bluecheese, pecans and greens with Tabascopepperjelly vinaigrette.No reservations.Lunchdaily $$

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

TheSouth Carrollton roll includes tuna tataki,avocado and snow crab. The menu also hassushi, sashimi,noodle dishes,teriyakiand more.Reservations accepted.Deliveryavailable.Lunch

Sun.-Fri., dinner daily $$

Mosca’s— 4137 Highway90West, Westwego,(504) 436-8950;moscasrestaurant.com This family-style eatery serves Italiandishes and specialties including chicken alagrande. Bakedoysters Moscaismade with breadcrumbsand Italianseasonings Reservations accepted.Dinner Wed.Sat. Cash only. $$$

Mother’s Restaurant— 401Poydras St., (504)523-9656; mothersrestaurant.net

This counter-servicespotisknown forpo-boys and Creole favoritessuch as jambalaya, crawfish etouffee and redbeans andrice. Deliveryavailable No reservations.Breakfast, lunchand dinner daily $$

Neyow’sCreole Cafe — 3332Bienville St.,(504) 827-5474;neyows.com The menu includes redbeans withfried chicken or pork chops, as well as seafood platters,po-boys,char-grilled oysters, pasta,saladsand more.Noreservations.Lunchdaily,dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$

Nice Guys Bar&Grill — 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504)302-2404; niceguysbarandgrillnola.com Char-grilled oystersare toppedwith cheese.The menualso includeswings,quesadillas,burgers, sandwiches,salads, seafood pasta and more. No reservations.Lunchdaily, dinner Mon.-Sat $$$

Orleans GrapevineWineBar &Bistro 720Orleans Ave.,(504) 523-1930; orleansgrapevine.com Thewinebar hascheeseand charcuterieboards, shareableplatesand afullmenu.Creole pasta features shrimp and andouille tossed with pappardelle intomato cream sauce. Reservations accepted for largeparties.Outdoor seatingavailable

Dinner Thu.-Sun $$

Peacock Room— KimptonHotel

Fontenot,501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3073;peacockroomnola.com Blacklentilvadouvancurry comes withroasted tomatoes,mushrooms and basmatirice. Themenuincludes smallplates, aburger, saladsand more Reservations accepted.DinnerWed.Mon.,brunch Sun. $$

Rosie’sonthe Roof— HigginsHotel, 480AndrewHiggins Blvd., (504)5281941;higginshotelnola.com/dining— The rooftopbar hasamenu of sandwiches, burgersand smallplates. No reservations.Dinner daily $$

Tacklebox— 817Common St.,(504) 827-1651;legacykitchen.com— The seafood restaurantservesoysters, seafood,burgers,saladsand more. RedfishSt. Charlesisservedwith garlic-herbbutter, asparagus, mushrooms and crawfish cornbread. Reservations accepted.Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily $$

Tavolino Pizza& Lounge — 141 Delaronde St., (504)605-3365;tavolinonola.com Themenu features thin-crust pizzas,salads, meatballs and more.A Behrman Hwy. pizzais toppedwith pork belly,caramel,carrots,radishes,jalapenosand herbs. No reservations.Outdoor seatingavailable

DinnerTue.-Sat. $$

Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza— 1212 S. ClearviewParkway,Elmwood,(504) 733-3803;2125VeteransMemorial Blvd., Metairie,(504) 510-4282; 4024 Canal St.,(504) 302-1133;4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554; 70488 Highway21, Covington, (985)2349420;theospizza.com AMarilynn Pota Supremepie is topped with mozzarella, pepperoni,sausage,hamburger, mushrooms, bellpeppers and onions.Therealso aresalads,sandwiches andmore. Deliveryavailable

Lunchand dinner Tue.-Sat $ Tito’sCeviche &Pisco 1433 St. CharlesAve., (504)354-1342; 5015 Magazine St.,(504) 267-7612; titoscevichepisco.com Peruvian lomo saltado featuresbeefsauteed with onions, tomatoes,cilantro, soysauce andpisco, served with friedpotatoesand rice Outdoor seatingavailable on Magazine Street.Deliveryavailable.Reservations accepted.Lunchand dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$

TheVintage— 3121 Magazine St., (504)324-7144; thevintagenola.com

Themenuincludesbeignets, small plates,sandwiches and flatbreads

Theveggie pressed sandwich has avocado,onions,arugula,red pepper, pepperjackcheeseand lemon. No reservations.Deliveryand outdoor seatingavailable.Breakfast, lunch anddinner daily $$ Zhang Bistro 1141 DecaturSt.,(504) 826-8888;zhangbistronola.com— ThemenuincludesChinese andThai dishes.The Szechuan HotWok offers a choice of chicken, beef,shrimportofu with onions,bellpeppers, cauliflower, jalapenosand spicy Sichuansauce Reservations accepted.Lunchand dinnerThu.-Tue. $$

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

March2,for ashowatHouse of Blueswith Paris Jackson. Tickets start at $37.50 via livenation.com.

Kimbra

NEWZEALANDPOPSINGER-SONGWRITERKIMBRAHADANEARLY

CAREER breakout as thefeatured artist on Gotye’s“Somebody That IUsedtoKnow.”Inthe decadesince,she has released threerecords of well-received artpop and alternativeR&B Herlatest, soulfulrecord, “A Reckoning,”was releasedin January, andKimbraisnow on tour across NorthAmerica.She plays with singer TeiShi at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March1,atthe HouseofBlues.Tickets startat $20via livenation.com

LPO: Haydn’s‘TheSeasons’

THELOUISIANAPHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA’SNEXTCONCERT will be dedicated to Joseph Haydn’s “The Seasons,”asprawling oratoriothatparallelsthe seasons of theyearwiththe cycleoflife. Carlos Miguel Prieto will conduct theLPO and will be joined by sopranoHeleneBrunet, tenor Daniel Weeks, baritone Andre Chiang,and theLoyola Chorale

Apre-concert talkbeginsat6:30 p.m. and theconcertstartsat 7:30 p.m. Thursday,March 2, at theOrpheum Theater. Tickets begin at $25via lpomusic.com.

BigEasyBlues Festival

THEBIGEASYBLUESFESTIVAL RETURNSTOTHEUNOLAKEFRONT

ARENA forits 15th editionfeaturingKingGeorge, Tucka, Pokey Bear,J-Wonn,Roi Anthony, O.B. Buchana,RonnieBelland DJ

CaptainCharles.At8 p.m. Friday, March3.Tickets start at $59 viaticketmaster.com

Fall BackinLoveJam

COMEDIANRIPMICHEALSHOSTS

THISLATE-VALENTINE’SDAYMUSIC and comedy tour featuring R&Bstars Trey Songz, Mario, Jacquees, LilDuval and August Alsina andDJEnvy. They’llbe joined by comedians Emmanuel Hudson,Conceited, Zoie Fenty, Daphnique Springs and Brandon T. Jackson. Fall Back in Love takesplace at 8p.m.Saturday, March4,atthe Smoothie King Center.Tickets startat$15 via smoothiekingcenter.com

‘Fiddler on theRoof’

INTHEBROADWAYMUSICAL,SETIN RUSSIAINTHEEARLY1900S,Tevye triestosteer hisstrong-willed daughters toward suitable husbands, as Jewish people and theirculture arethreatened

by thetsar.The show includes thepopulartunes “IfIWerea Rich Man” and“Matchmaker, Matchmaker.”The touringproductionisatSaengerTheatre Tuesday, Feb. 28,through Sunday,March 5. Showtimes vary.Visit saengernola.comfor ticketsand information.

Kathleen Madigan

THOUGHSHEGREWUPOUTSIDEOF

ST.LOUISANDLIVESINLOSANGELES, Kathleen Madigan’saccent has alittlecountry twang. Shehas specials on Comedy Central and appeared in JerrySeinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”She performsat7 p.m. and 9:30p.m.Saturday,March

4, at JoyTheater.Tickets startat $47.50 viaticketmaster.com

Thursdays at Twilight: JamesRiversMovement

THETHURSDAYSATTWILIGHT

CONCERTSERIESRESUMES at The Pavilion of TwoSisters in theNew OrleansBotanical Gardenson

Thursday, March2.First up is the JamesRiversMovement. Rivers is amulti-instrumentalistbest known forplaying saxophone, buthecan throwinbagpipes and harmonica. Theband mixes jazz,R&B,blues rock and more. Theseries runs through June 29, and thelineupincludesWanda Rouzan,LittleFreddie King, John Boutte,Tim Laughlin and more.Doorsopen at 5p.m.and concerts arefrom6p.m.to8p.m Admission$15.Visit neworleanscitypark.orgfor details.

Amigos do Samba andRAM

FORTHOSEWHONEEDALITTLE MORECARNIVALFLAVOR,there’sa double bill of Amigos do Samba and RAMofHaiti.Amigos sambacircleplays traditional and newBraziliansambamusic RAMfocuses on mizikrasin,the roots-basedHaitian sound. The eventalsoincludesBrazilian and Haitianfoodpop-ups.At7 p.m. Saturday,March 4, at The Broadside. Tickets$15,and kids get in free.Visit broadsidenola comfor details.

Icons

TRIXIEMINX’SFLEURDETEASEPRESENTSANEWBURLESQUE and variety show based on iconic women performers. Thereare retroand comedicburlesqueacts, aerialists and more. Showsare at 8p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday,March 4, at ToulouseTheatre.Tickets $25$35via toulousetheatre.com

where to go

MUSIC

FOR COMPLETE MUSIC LISTINGS AND MORE EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA,VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

To learn moreabout adding your event to the music calendar,please email listingsedit@gambitweekly.com

TUESDAY28

DOSJEFES —Joe Krown, 8:30 pm

FRITZEL'SEUROPEAN JAZZ CLUB CollinMyers Band,5 pm

JEANLAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK VISITORCENTER, NEW ORLEANSJAZZNATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK —Arrowhead Jazz Band,2 pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation

All-Stars, 5, 6:15 &7:30 pm

THERABBITHOLE —Rebirth Brass Band,10pm

WEDNESDAY1

CHICKIEWAH WAH —Skeptic Moon w/ TrashMagnolia,8 pm

HOTELMONTELEONE —JamesMartin Band,8 pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation

All-Starsft. WendellBrunious, 5, 6:15, 7:30 &8:45pm

TOULOUSE THEATRE —Adam Melchor w/Hans Williams, Grace Gardner,8 pm

THEUNIVERSITYOFNEW ORLEANSPERFORMING ARTS CENTERRECITAL HALL —Talla Rouge, 7:30 pm

THURSDAY2

BUFFA’S —Tom McDemott and MarlaDixon,8 pm

CHICKIEWAH WAH —Craig Klein, LeroyJones andthe Home Team ft Gerald French &PaulLongs,8 pm

PAVILION OF THETWO SISTERS James Rivers Movement, 6pm

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

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation

All-Starsft. WendellBrunious, 5, 6:15, 7:30 &8:45pm

ROCK 'N'BOWL —RyanForet &Foret Tradition, 8:30 pm SANTOS —ElPerro,9 pm

FRIDAY3

BUFFA’S —Davis Rogan,8 pm

CHICKIEWAH WAH —Johnny Sansone Band,8 pm

GEORGE ANDJOYCEWEINJAZZ& HERITAGE CENTER —The Sarah QuintanaBand,8 pm

JOYTHEATER —SVDDEN DEATH, 9pm

NOLABREWING TAPROOM —Marc Paradis &MikeDoussan,6 pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation

All-Stars ft.MarkBraud,6:15, 7:30 &8:45pm

PUBLIC BELTATHILTON

RIVERSIDE —PhilMelanconat Public Belt,8 pm

REPUBLIC NOLA —StookiSound +

LYNY,11pm

ROCK ‘N’ BOWL —The RougeKrewe, 8:30 pm

SANTOS —JiveTalkwith Gold Connections,9 pm

SIDNEY’S SALOON —DarkLounge

Ministries,7 pm

TOULOUSE THEATRE —Tank and the Bangas,9 pm

SATURDAY4

BROADSIDE —MikeDousssan &Billy Uso, 1pm; Amigos Do Samba& RAM, 7pm

BUFFA’S —Jamie Bernsteinand Yakameiniacs, 8pm

CHICKIEWAH WAH —Jenn Howard record releaseparty,8 pm

JOYTHEATER —Kathleen Madiganw/ BoxedWine&TinyBanjos,6 &9 pm

GEORGE ANDJOYCEWEINJAZZ&

HERITAGE CENTER —EverMore Nest, 8pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation

All-Stars ft.WendellBrunious, 2:30 &3:45pm; Preservation

All-Stars ft.Shannon Powell,5,6:15, 7:30 &8:45pm

PUBLIC BELTATHILTONRIVERSIDE

PhilMelancon, 8pm

ROCK ‘N’ BOWL —CheeWeezplus FewBlue, 8:30 pm

SIBERIA —Cro-Mags,Ringworm, NO/Mas,Brat,9 pm

THEALLWAYS LOUNGE &CABARET

TheNew Orleans High Society Hour,8 pm

TIPITINA’S —Papdosio, 5AM, 9pm

TOULOUSE THEATRE —Fluer de Tease, 8pm&10pm

SUNDAY5

BROADSIDE —Jasper Smitty ft.Eddie Christmas,1 pm

TankandtheBangasplayFriday, March3atToulouseTheatre

BUFFA’S —Traditional Jazz Brunch w/ Some LikeItHot!11am; Pfister Sisters, 6pm

CHICKIEWAH WAH —The Reverend Peyton’s BigDamn Band,8pm

THEFILLMORE —FutureSuperstar

Tour 2023 hosted by Nick Cannon, w/JD McCrary, TraeTwothree, KlondikeBlond,DWFlame, 5:30 pm

NOLABREWING TAPROOM SeanRiley,3 pm

PRESERVATIONHALL —Leroy Jonesand thePreservationJazz Masters, 2:30 &3:45pm; Preservation Legacy Band ft.Gregg Stafford, 5, 6:15,7:30& 8:45 pm

MONDAY6

BUFFA’S —Doyle Cooper Trio, 7pm PRESERVATIONHALL —Preservation Brass,5,6:15, 7:30 &8:45pm

SIDNEY'S SALOON —The Amazing Henrietta, 6:30 pm

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THETIMES-PICAYUNE

Universallanguage

by Jake Clapp

WHENKEIKOKOMAKIMOVED

TONEWORLEANS from Japan in 2006,the pianistand B-3 playercouldn’tspeak English very well,but sheknewhow to play“BigChief,” shesays witha laugh. She letthe musicspeak foritself— in fact, Komaki had spent yearsstudying NewOrleans piano greats like Professor Longhair, JamesBookerand Dr John,soitwasn’tlongbeforeshe foundconsistentworkplaying around thecity.

“I hadreally good opportunities to sitinwith really amazing musicians,”Komaki says,including the late blues singer MarvaWright, one of Komaki’s earliest opportunities

Over theyears,Komaki has becomea go-topianist in New Orleans,joiningGeorgePorterJr., JohnnyVidacovich,Brass-a-holics, theWildMagnoliasand many others on stage.And thesedays, sheplays regularly with Marc Stone andColin Davisaswellasina newtriowith guitaristJuneYamagishi anddrummer DonaldMaGee.Komaki also has been apartofthe globe-spanning, multiculturalPlaying forChange Band since2013.

ButSaturday, March4,will be the firsttimeKomakihas played with Adonis Roseand theNew Orleans Jazz Orchestra.She’lljoin NOJO at theNew Orleans Jazz Market for aprogram celebratingwomen in jazz,which also will featurevocalist Quiana Lynell,saxophonistZahria Sims,trumpeterEmily Mikesell and more.The concertstartsat7:30 p.m.

MarchisWomen’s HistoryMonth and severalNew Orleans events throughoutthe month will highlight theimportanceofwomen to the historyofthe city’s music, includingatthe Jazz &HeritageCenter’s Chanteuse series.Inthe broad musicindustry,men outnumber women as artists, andgenderdisparity is especially severe in areas like songwriting,producing and business ownership.

“Being afemale musician, sometimes, in some situations when I show up to agig —I’m awoman andI’m Asian, and some people look at me like ‘Why,isthiswoman here?Whatcan shedo?’” Komaki says.“That makesmefeellikeI have to do really good at thejob —I gottadobetterthan men. …I want to makepeoplefeel, ‘Wow, she’sjust asmallwoman,but she canplay!’”

KomakigrewupinKagoshima, Japan,and startedlearningclassical piano at 5years oldfromher aunt, apiano teacher. Komakiwentonto studymusic at KunitachiCollege, but theWildMagnolias blewopenthe doors forher to NewOrleans music.

TheMardi Gras Indianfunkband wasplaying theBlueNoteTokyo jazz club,and afriendhelpingto organize theshowinvited Komaki

“I grew up with classical music. It’s just sittingdown, andyou nicely listen to classical music,”Komakisays. “But NewOrleans music is dancemusic.”

Komakisoughtout more. New Orleansmusic isn’tnecessarily big in Japan,she says,but thereare pocketsofenthusiasticfansofNew Orleanstradjazzand funk —converselythere is arobustcontingent of Japanese musicians whonow call theareahome,including Wild Magnoliasguitarist June Yamagishi, trombonist HarukaKikuchi and drummer Mayumi Yamazaki

Soon,Komaki beganplaying with Chillhaze,a NewOrleans-style funk band,and in 2005,band members flewtoNew Orleans to take in that year’s Jazz Fest.Komaki gottosit in with theWildMagnoliasonthat trip,and shedecided shewantedto livehere.

“Because Ialready knew alot of songs in NewOrleans funk,whenI movedhere, many musiciansreally welcomed [me],” Komakisays.

This year,Komakisays, sheisworkingonher first solo album. Aftermore than 15 yearsofaccompanying many of thecity’stop players, shewants to “taketimefor myself at some point.”

“I gottadoit,”she says.“Igotta release my ownalbum to seewho KeikoKomaki is —toshowthem whoKeiko Komaki is.”

More information aboutKomaki’s March4performancewithNOJO canbefound at thenojo.com. Andfind moreabout Komaki at keikokomakimusic.com

PHOTO BY IANMCNULTY / THETIMES-PICAYUNE PianistandB-3playerKeikoKomaki willjointheNewOrleansJazz OrchestraforaMarch4concert.

Whitenoise

by WillCoviello

INJAMESIJAMES’PLAY

“WHITE,”GUSISA TALENTEDARTIST.His career is goingvery well,but he’s got hissightsset on a milestone achievement. He wantshis work included in an upcoming show at theprestigious ParnellMuseum of Contemporary American Art. He’s even friendswith thecurator,Jane.

Butshe’snot interested in includinghim in the“NewAmerica Exhibition.” She’s gother ownmissionand pressures to maintainthe perceptionofthe museum’smission.

Themuseumwants adiverse roster of artistsinthe show,and Gusiswhite,which on this occasion appearstobeworking againsthim

He tries to persuadeJanethat hishomosexualitygives himadded justification forinclusion. When that argument doesn’tpique her interest, he revertstosayingthatonlythe qualityofthe work should matter He starts to come offasentitled. Andthen he tries another approach. “Hemakes thefoolishcomment that everygay manhas aBlack woman in hishead,”saysdirector Beau Bratcher.“That’s foolishon manydifferent levels.”

ButGus isn’tgivingup, and “White”isacandid and at times outrageous dive into notionsof creativity,representationand cultural appropriation. TheNOLAProject presents theplayatthe NewOrleans Museum of Art’sLapis Center forthe Arts throughoutMarch

Ijames wonthe Pulitzer Prize in Drama for“FatHam”in2022, even though it previously hadonly beenpresented in afilmedversion during thepandemic.The drama is areworkingofShakespeare’s “Hamlet” setataBlack Southern family’s barbecue.Juicy is agay male college studentwho feelsout of place at theevent,and then his father’s ghostappears to askhim to seek vengeanceonthe unclewho’s marryinghis widowedmother Ijameswrote“White” in 2017,and it’s based on events that happened in 2014 at theWhitney Biennial,the prestigiousshowpresented by New York’s WhitneyMuseumofAmerican Art. It’s hardtodetermineanexact countofthe numberofparticipating artistsbecause of theinclusionof

artist collectivesamong theshow’s 103contributors.But onlyahandful of theartists were Black, andone of thefigures was“Donelle Woolford,” afictitiousperformancepersona played by aBlack actress butcreated by awhite artist,Joe Scanlan. Some Blackartists pulled outofthe biennialbecause they deemed the piece raciallyinsensitive

In “White,” Gushas createda textured whitecanvas, which allows forwideopen interpretationsofits intentions.Hethinkshis work might havea greaterchanceofinclusionif it wasthoughttobebyadifferent artist, or one with amorecompelling lifestory.

Gusisnot unsympathetic,and hispartner Tanner is somewhat understanding, though also not immune to racial concerns.Tanner introducesGus to atalented Black actress,Vanessa, whocomes to seeher ownopportunities in Gus’ predicament

Ijames leansintothe absurdity, and thereare surreal flourishes to thestaging.The drama also flirts withcaricature

“Everythingaboutitismeant to be based in comedy, butcomedy onlyreally succeeds when youcreatereal people,” Bratcher says

Vanessatransforms herselfinto BalkonaeTownsendand inventsher ownelaboratebackstory.She both mythologizesherself and embraces theidentity. Ultimately,everybody wantstocontrol thenarrative.

TheNOLAProject presents “White” at NOMA.Itrunsat7:30p.m

Wednesday, March1,Thursday, March2,and Sunday, March5,as well as select datesthrough March 31.Visitnoma.orgornolaproject. comfor information.Tickets $22$58 includingfees.

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ACROSS

1Biblical boat of refuge

91971 Best Actor winnerGene

16Sewingline

20Classroom instructor, in Aussie lingo

21Long South American river

22Toothpaste container

23Startofa riddle

25Said aloud

26Sleekly designed

27Muscles to crunch

28Persona non —

29Riddle, part 2

37Special multi-book packages

38Cyberauction site

39Botching,with “up”

40Travis of country music

41Thick slice

43Stare

44Go gray, say

45Riddle, part 3

51Hall-of-Fame Giant Mel

52Debt slips

53“Exodus” novelist Leon

54Toethe line

58Actress Liu

60Angelina of Hollywood

62Spiny lizard

64Riddle, part 4

70Third-place medal metal

7124 in aday

72Vidshooters

73Ship out, e.g.

105 Compel

106 “— and theDetectives” (old Disneyfilm)

107 Riddle’sanswer

116Fall lawn tool

117 Interweaves

118 St. Patrick’sDay barorder

119 Went quickly

120 Storefull of playthings

121One of the men waitingfor Godot

DOWN

1Australian state whose capital is Sydney: Abbr

2Scottishinterjection of surprise

3“Eureka!”

4Scorching

5Lawn turf

6Red Sox and Orioles’ div.

7Construction bolts

8Actress Knightley

9Tilling tool

10“— longa,vita brevis”

11Buzzy insect

12Havingrounded protrusions

13Timid

14Often-injured knee part, for short

15Start to doze

16Birds bringing bundles of joy

17Russialocale

18Easing off

19Hodgepodge

24Sanders’title: Abbr.

28Sticks with pasty stuff

29“— Subsequent Moviefilm” (2020 sequel)

30Have life

31Narrow land strip: Abbr.

32—pot (sinus-clearing apparatus)

33Not fatty

34Eases off

35Union Jack and Old Glory

36Exude slowly

37Vitamin also called riboflavin

41“Disco” guy on “The Simpsons”

42—Angeles

43“Peer Gynt” composer Edvard

46Particularspecialty

47Maja painter

Francisco

48Quiet spells

49Moistureless

50Track tipsters

55Crotchety cry

56Dir.opposite WSW

57Turkey Day tuber

58Wonder Woman

player Carter

59Brand of potatochips

60Knightly fight

61Word of joint ownership

6214th-century Russian ruler called “the Moneybag”

63Tiara stone

64“NCIS”airer

65State of rage

66Whole bunch

67“— werethe days!”

68Seeks the love of

69Cake froster

74Goose eggs

75Egg:Prefix

76Partners of pas

77Big Apple baseballer, for short

78Some Afrikaners

79Early P.M. times, in classifieds

81Want badly

82Pleading tyke’squery

83First-classaisle seat on many planes

84Rent (temporary wheels)

85“Frozen” queen

86Reproving syllables

87Partners of fathers

88Tourist office handout

89Long, twistyand slippery