Gambit Digital Edition: December 22, 2025

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December 22-28 2025 Volume 46 Number 51

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Federico’s Florist will be closing its doors after 50 Years of serving you.

DEC. 22 — DEC. 28, 2025 VOLUME 46 || NUMBER 51

CONTENTS

NEWS

Due to some unforeseen circumstances and health concerns our final day will be Christmas Eve from 7AM - Noon.

Opening Gambit ............... 7 Blake Pontchartrain........... 9

We would like to thank all of our customers for their business and support over the years.

F E AT U R E S

Larry and Kenny

The Year in Arts & Entertainment .............. 5 Eat & Drink .....................16 Music Listings ................. 22 The Year in Music 2025 .... 24 The Year in Stage 2025 .... 26

D

Puzzles ......................... 27

GI

IN

V

N

E

T

H

GIFT OF E

I

this

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The Year in Politics

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5

The show must go on

Sean Patton

The year in arts and entertainment | by Will Coviello AFTER THE GLOWING SUCCESS OF TAYLOR SWIFT’S SOLD-OUT three-day

swing through New Orleans at the end of 2024, it’s not surprising the city had high expectations for Super Bowl LIX and 2025. But what we got was much more of a mixed bag of highs, lows as bad as the New Year’s terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, and other setbacks, most recently including anti-immigrant ICE sweeps causing restaurants to temporarily close.

The city also entered the year still enchanted by Scrim, the free-ranging stray with an indomitable spirit, who lived much of 2024 on the run and in the headlines. By the time this year’s Carnival parades rolled, he was a sort of folk hero, depicted on floats in numerous parades. The typically raunchy Krewe du Vieux discovered a new type of excess, with each subkrewe adding the mutt’s likeness to their float. Scrim was, of course, also honored — in effigy and in absentia — by the Mystic Krewe of Barkus.

Scrim was a fitting symbol for a year that had plenty of entertaining drama but also required a scrappy attitude as many events faced a variety of hurdles and setbacks, caused by everything from bad weather to the loss of arts funding and sponsorships.

The Super Bowl also was unpredictable in its largesse. While there were mega-yachts parked on the riverfront, the French Quarter and neighborhoods surrounding the Dome didn’t see the heavy traffic expected by the city and local businesses. More of the game’s surrounding events were behind velvet ropes. But the pre-game show embraced its host city with Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, New Orleans natives Ledisi and Jon Batiste, and the Southern University Human Jukebox marching band performing.

Lil Wayne felt snubbed when the NFL chose Kendrick Lamar for the half-time show, but he got his own headlining spotlight at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival months later. The festival also had a stellar mix of local and visiting talent, from Pearl Jam to Kacey Musgraves and visiting bands from Mexico in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion (for more on Jazz Fest and music, see page 24).

Other festivals hit major milestones.

Greek Fest marked its golden anniversary on the banks of Bayou St. John on Memorial Day weekend.

Satchmo Summerfest marked its 25th

A Krewe of Muses float celebrates Scrim, the freespirited runaway mutt.

PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

event, celebrating traditional jazz and New Orleans sounds on Louis Armstrong’s birthday.

While Satchmo Fest braves the brutal August heat every year, inclement weather — from high winds to heavy rain — was particularly disruptive in 2025. Southern Decadence moved its afternoon parade to later, cooler hours.

Among the postponements, Barkus rolled after Mardi Gras, and Metairie’s Krewe of Argus ended up parading just before St. Patrick’s Day — on Metairie Road in conjunction with the St. Patrick Parade of Jefferson.

In New Orleans, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Parade was postponed twice due to weather and ultimately cancelled.

The Freret Street Festival cancelled its usual spring event due to weather, and it rescheduled for early November, a change that it is making permanent.

In May, Bayou Boogaloo almost didn’t happen due to difficulties securing final city approval of its permits. The festival shrunk its footprint as part of a compromise due to complaints from some residents in the neighborhood, and City Council Member Joe Giarrusso encouraged the festival to consider finding a new location for future events.

Some events were cancelled altogether. LUNA Fete, the annual holiday season expo of light and art installations in the Warehouse District, opted not to hold an event this year, citing changes in local and federal funding. Its organizer, Arts New Orleans, is focusing on bringing the festival back in 2026.

Top Taco, the taco and tequila drink competition and tasting event also cancelled this year, after several years at

Metairie’s Lafreniere Park.

Organizers cited challenges in finding sponsorships.

Prospect New Orleans had an engaging sixth edition of its international contemporary art triennial, stretching from November 2024 to early February.

Installations and expos ranged from Mexican artist Raul de Nieves’ giant red heart sculpture placed on the top of the giant pedestal at Harmony Circle to the adobe “Mexica Falcon” at the former Ford Motors Assembly Plant in Arabi. Prospect.6 curators Miranda Lash and Ebony Patterson explored the theme “The Future is Present. The Harbinger is Home,” which looked to the future and change. But after the expo closed, the organization announced it would not start planning another edition and instead will mark the event’s 20th anniversary in 2027 with a book reflecting on its work.

There were also new events, and the comedy scene is growing again.

The tiny comedy club Sports Drink launched a comedy festival in May. And the national comedy festival Skankfest came to Mardi Gras World for a rowdy weekend in November (for more on the festivals and comedy, see page 26).

The city also looked hospitable to independent productions. Burlesque and circus variety shows by producers including LadyBEAST and Vivacious Miss Audacious now book larger venues like the Joy Theater. And Bywater and Marigny are seeing more theater, music and comedy at venues like New Marigny Theatre, Marigny Opera House, Cafe Istanbul and Big Couch.

There were some shakeups in local venues. The small music club Gasa Gasa returned, and the New Orleans Jazz Market became the Jazz and Blues Market and now books touring jazz performers. The experiential museum JAMNOLA expanded its number of installations by local artists at its new home on Frenchmen Street. And the brewery Zony Mash Beer Project closed, depriving the city of its indoor and outdoor event spaces.

In the end, it wasn’t an easy year in the Big Easy, but it’s worth appreciating what we got — and all the efforts that went into making them happen.

Comedian Sean Patton recently returned to New Orleans to perform at Skankfest and give its roster of comedians and fans tips on where to go in the city. His latest comedy special, “Number One,” was shot at Tipitina’s, and recently Patton played gym teacher Markie Hillridge on the FX series “English Teacher.” He’s back in New Orleans for shows at 7 & 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 26, and Saturday, Dec. 27, at Sports Drink. Tickets $29.69 at sportsdrink.org.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY MINDY TUCKER

Kandace Springs

Nashville keyboardist and vocalist Kandace Springs was born into a musical family, with her father singing backup for artists including Aretha Franklin. But she developed her soulful style with the help of Prince and other artists. Most recently, she released “Lady in Satin,” a tribute to Billie Holiday and her 1958 album of the same name. Springs performs at 7 & 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Jazz & Blues Market. Find information at jazzandbluesmarket.com.

Ingrid Lucia’s All-Star Christmas

Singer Ingrid Lucia leads a holiday concert featuring Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Delfeayo Marsalis, James Andrews and more. At 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets are $39.29 and up via chickiewahwah.com.

New Orleans Bowl

The New Orleans Bowl marks its 25th year with a showdown between Conference USA’s Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Sunbelt Conference’s Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. The game starts at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Caesars Superdome. Surrounding events include a STEM Fest with 60 stations and a yoga session on the Dome’s astroturf on Monday, Dec. 22.

Visit neworleansbowl.org for tickets and information.

PAGE 21

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A R T S + E N T E R TA I N M E N T

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

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7

NEW ORLEANS NEWS + VIEWS

All I want for Christmas is 2025 to end

# TC OH EU N T

T H U M B S U P/ THUMBS DOWN

54

Grand Isle’s oyster industry saw one of its busiest years since the early 1980s, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) recently said. In April, a number of off-bed oyster farmers around Grand Isle joined a new, cooperative branding campaign called Grand Isle Jewels, which has helped promote their products further across the Gulf and East coasts and internationally. New aquafarming practices also helped the local industry grow in 2025, JEDCO said.

EPIC-NOLA, or Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic New Orleans, recently raised close to $50,000 during its annual In My Mind benefit event. The funds will be used to support the clinic’s early psychosis intervention services. The event, which also celebrated EPIC-NOLA’s 10th anniversary, was attended by more than 200 people.

The Department of Homeland Security continues to arrest mostly people without any kind of criminal history during its anti-immigrant, draconian crackdown in the New Orleans area. Eight days into its Operation Catahoula Crunch, DHS announced it had arrested 250 people across Louisiana (that number rose to 350 a few days later), but only 23 people had criminal records. Meanwhile, immigrant-run businesses are closing, parents are keeping their kids home from school, and people with work permits and legal status are being harassed.

THE NUMBER OF DAYS BETWEEN CHRISTMAS DAY AND FAT TUESDAY, 2026.

Per usual the season starts Jan. 6 on Epiphany, but keep in mind that Carnival is a bit shorter than last year, with Fat Tuesday falling on Feb. 17. That means you have just under two months to satisfy king cake cravings and get your costumes together.

Mayor-elect Helena Moreno’s inaugural banners in front of Gallier Hall were removed Dec. 17.

PHOTO BY SARAH RAVITS / GAMBIT

Cantrell removes Moreno’s inaugural banners MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL DEC. 17 REMOVED BANNERS FROM GALLIER HALL CELEBRATING Mayor-Elect

Helena Moreno’s incoming administration, reversing earlier city approval to keep the signs in place until Moreno’s Jan. 12 inauguration.

Todd Ragusa, a Moreno spokesperson, told Gambit the inauguration committee had received approval to install the banners on Dec. 8 and leave them up until Inauguration Day. The installation had been paid for using private funds.

But a few days later, Cantrell’s chief administrative officer Joe Threat directed city workers to have them removed at the mayor’s request.

Council members and Moreno’s inauguration team were taken by surprise, especially because there was no explanation given to them.

A spokesperson for Cantrell, Terry Davis, said it’s because Gallier Hall “hosts a full calendar of events” and each event organizer “may or may

not include exterior and interior signage for that particular event.”

Davis did not say what other upcoming events at the venue are planned.

New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell said he believes the move is a way for Cantrell to inconvenience Moreno before she is sworn in.

“Once again the mayor has taken petty to new heights,” Morrell said.

“Spending public money to have the banners of the person succeeding you torn down, seems like a remarkable waste of public resources.”

District A Council Member and Budget Chair Joe Giarrusso expressed concern over the lack of planning and communication from the outgoing administration.

“If you tell someone you can do something, either you should know what’s on the calendar ... or if there’s a change, explain what those changes are,” Giarrusso said. “The biggest thing that’s missing is the ‘why?’”

— Sarah Ravits

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@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com

Hey Blake,

A recent TimesPicayune story mentioned the schools named after Sarah T. Reed and Joseph S. Clark and the effort to preserve their names despite their closure.

That leads to my question — who were they?

Dear reader,

SARAH TOWLES REED WAS A LONGTIME EDUCATOR AND ADVOCATE for

the rights of teachers. Her 1978 States-Item obituary called her a force behind improvements in teachers’ salaries, tenure rights, sabbaticals and equal pay.

Reed, born in 1882 on a plantation in West Feliciana Parish, graduated from Newcomb College, earning a master’s degree from Tulane University and a law degree from Loyola University.

After becoming a public school teacher here, she became a fierce advocate for teachers, for many years attending every meeting of the state legislature.

According to the States-Item, Reed once tussled with a state legislator before snapping, “I grew up 16 miles from an insane asylum and 16 miles from a penitentiary, so I can handle myself with the legislature.”

Sarah T. Reed High School in New Orleans East opened in 1989 and was dedicated in her honor. Last month, the Einstein Charter School network, which runs the school,

Sarah T. Reed High School PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

announced it would close Reed due to declining enrollment and disappointing academic performance.

Joseph Samuel Clark was the first president of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge.

Clark helped Southern become a leading educational institution for Black students.

Born in 1871 in Sparta, Louisiana, Clark came to New Orleans and in 1901 graduated from Leland College, a historically Black college then located on St. Charles Avenue. After earning a master’s degree from Selma University and post-graduate work at Harvard and the University of Chicago, Clark became a teacher and later head of Baton Rouge College.

In 1913, he became president of Southern, leading the school’s expansion into a major institution. Clark died in 1944. In 1947, Joseph S. Clark High School opened its doors on Dumaine and North Johnson streets. It closed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

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BLAKEVIEW FORTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON FRIED CHICKEN KING AL COPELAND’S LEGENDARY Christmas display at his Metairie mansion. On Dec. 23,

1985, the Louisiana Supreme Court found Copeland in contempt of court for refusing to obey an order to dismantle the lights that drew throngs of visitors, to the consternation of some of his neighbors.

In 1974, two years after he founded the Popeyes chicken chain, Copeland began decorating his Folse Drive home. He was inspired by the elaborate decorations on the Centanni family home on Canal Street that he visited as a child. According to the book “Secrets of a Tastemaker” by Chris Rose and Kit Wohl, Copeland added to the display every year, with a nativity scene, neon lights, giant toy soldiers, snowmen and more.

Despite its popularity, some of Copeland’s neighbors expressed displeasure with the growing spectacle. The first of 13 lawsuits came in 1983.

In 1985, the Louisiana Supreme Court ordered Copeland to tone down his display before pulling the plug on it in December.

“Work crews with trucks and forklifts began to dismantle the display while Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee looked on with an arrest warrant,” reported a UPI article. “Lee said Copeland will not be arrested on the contempt citation because he is following the order to take down the lights.”

Copeland died in 2008. Many of his lights were donated to Jefferson Parish, where they are part of the Christmas display at Lafreniere Park.

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11

A YEAR IN NEW ORLEANS POLITICAL NEWS

BY K AY L EE P O CH E

2025 WAS A TUMULTUOUS YEAR IN NEW ORLEANS POLITICS.

A photo released from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office showing how 10 inmates escaped the jail by cutting a hole in a wall behind a toilet.

The year started off with the lowest low, a terrorist attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The attack prompted officials to consider changes to what extent Bourbon Street should be open to cars, but nearly a year later no decisions have been made.

There were historic events, like a snowstorm that brought more than 10 inches of snow to some parts of the city in January and Super Bowl LIX in February, causing first responders to have to go into overdrive.

But ironically enough, it was the inability of city government to perform seemingly simple duties, like following through on deals and staying on budget, that revealed the true dysfunction at City Hall.

C O U R T E S Y O F O R L E A N S PA R I S H SHERIFF’S OFFICE

New Cant PHO THE

CANTRELL V. COUNCIL

IV Waste employees pick up trash in the French Quarter in July 2025.

P H O T O B Y D AV I D G R U N F E L D / T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E

Mayor-elect Helena Moreno at a press conference in December 2025.

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E

overtime the city hadn’t budgeted for.

Cantrell also successfully fought an attempt by the council to ban non-essential travel, with a civil district judge ruling it unconstitutional in June.

Then there was the trash wars saga, which started in December 2024 when the council refused to sign off on a contract that would have let Cantrell’s preferred contractor, Troy Henry of Henry Consulting, service the French Quarter and Downtown Development District. The city then awarded an emergency yearlong contract to Sidney Torres’ IV Waste set to run through Dec. 23, 2025.

But things really began to stink in April when Cantrell announced she would end the emergency contract on July 31. In July, she declared an emergency in an attempt to award a new emergency contract to Henry that would have been more expensive and wouldn’t have included the regular lemon-scented pressure washing that had become popular among residents and business owners alike.

The council voted to end the mayor’s emergency declaration the following day, but the fight continued until the Louisiana Supreme Court stepped in and ruled IV Waste should continue

servicing the area. City officials in November voted to extend the contract for another six months.

Cantrell also fought tooth and nail against the council’s efforts to get the city all of the proceeds from the oilrich land in Port Fourchon donated to the city by Edward Wisner more than a century ago.

In May, a judge sided with the council, ruling that the city no longer has to share the money with Tulane University, LSU and Wisner’s heirs.

Inexplicably, Cantrell sided with the heirs in appealing the ruling, then over the summer vetoed a $20 million

20 25 YEAR IN REVIEW

MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL, facing federal fraud charges, made it clear she wasn’t going to go out quietly, though her office remained largely unresponsive to the press and public.

She and city council members got into several public disputes this year, shining a light on just how tense their relationship had become.

That kicked off at the end of January when Cantrell abruptly pulled out of a $90 million agreement the council and administration made with the school board just months prior over property tax collection fees. Though the first payment of $10 million to the school district was in the budget she signed, she said the city couldn’t afford to pay it.

In March, a judge later sided with Cantrell that the deal hadn’t been finalized but ordered the city to pay the school board the $10 million since it was in the budget. In April, the council passed a law ordering the city to stop collecting fees on school taxes through the end of 2026.

However, the Cantrell administration was still collecting those fees months later, and schools had to take the administration to court to force it to follow the law. A school board attorney said they’ll be seeking a larger settlement now.

Meanwhile, the administration continued to spend tens of millions on

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

12

payment to Tulane to help redevelop the long-abandoned Charity Hospital as part of a deal with Tulane to give up its 12% stake. The council quickly overrode that veto.

In August, Cantrell and her former bodyguard Jeffrey Vappie were indicted on multiple counts of fraud.

The case heads to trial next October.

YEAR IN REVIEW

NOT-SO-SUPER GRAS

20 25

SUPER GRAS, the term officials gave to the act of hosting the Super Bowl in the middle of Carnival season, didn’t bring in quite the revenue to the city officials had hoped.

Some local businesses and artistsended up losing money from the event, including street performers that Louisiana State Police kicked off Bourbon Street, despite city law allowing them to set up there.

Ahead of the Super Bowl, Gov. Jeff Landry had the state perform massive sweeps of homeless encampments, transporting many unhoused people to a warehouse in Gentilly. The operation cost more than $11 million to house 183 people at its peak for more than two months.

The effort did get people to shelter ahead of the snowstorm and rehouse 108 people with 59 leaving on their own accord, according to the state.

However, many local housing advocates said that money could have been used to house more people for far longer and that the operation disrupted ongoing efforts by the city’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategy (OHSS) to move people into permanent housing.

In other housing news, in September, a U.S. district judge upheld nearly all of the city’s short-term rental regulations, marking a major win for the council. That included a 2024 law that took effect in August requiring platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to verify that the rentals listed on their site are legal before collecting fees from them.

In January, a contract worker accused the head of OHSS, Nate Fields, of sexual assault, saying he forcibly kissed her on the job. An investigation determined that Fields did kiss her, but he was allowed to keep his job because he claimed it was consensual.

However, the administration ended the contract with the worker who made the complaint and another contract worker with the office, saying their work was finished.

Then there was the return of Clerk of City Court Lora Johnson who was fired over misconduct in 2024. In April, the Civil Service Commission ruled that she should be rehired and given backpay. The commission found she had “engaged in instances of inappropriate behavior” over 11 years — including

Calvin Duncan defeated incumbent Darren Lombard to become the next criminal clerk of court.

P H O T O B Y C H R I S G R A N G E R / T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E

touching workers on the butt and back — but decided that behavior hadn’t “impaired the efficient operation” of the office.

FALL ELECTIONS

IN THE FALL, New Orleans voters elected City Council Vice President Helena Moreno as the the city’s next mayor over fellow Council Member Oliver Thomas and state Sen. Royce Duplessis.

Moreno was the first major candidate to announce in the race, and she remained the clear frontrunner — successfully warding off jabs by her opponents and avoiding a runoff.

Incumbent council members sailed smoothly to reelection, and there will be three new faces joining them in January.

Aimee McCarron, District A Council Member Joe Giarrusso’s former budget and policy director, will be taking over her old boss’ seat. And state Reps.

Matt Willard and Jason Hughes also will be moving to the council, with Willard representing the whole city as an at-large member and Hughes representing District E, covering New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward.

Sheriff Susan Hutson was gone pecan, after 10 inmates in May escaped from Orleans Parish Prison through a hole behind a toilet. Their trolling on the way out gave us the iconic “to easy lol.” And not to worry,

it only took until Oct. 8 to get the last escapee back in custody.

Former interim New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Michelle Woodfork will try her hand at reforming the troubled jail next.

One of the few surprises of the election cycle came from Calvin Duncan upsetting incumbent Darren Lombard in the Clerk of Orleans Parish Criminal Court race.

Duncan, who was wrongfully convicted of murder four decades ago and spent 28 years in prison, warded off Lombard’s dirty attacks trying to cast doubt on the innocence he’d worked so hard to prove. The primary was neck and neck, but Duncan won the runoff by a landslide, besting Lombard 68% to 32% in a way that felt almost karmic.

MONEY TROUBLES

CANTRELL’S LONGTIME CHIEF Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano left in August for a less wild position as chief of staff at Audubon Nature Institute.

Not long after his exit, his successor Joe Threat announced the city was facing a budget shortfall due to taking in less revenue, overspending and other factors. With different numbers floating around about how big the gap was, the council brought in Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael

Waguespack, who in October placed it at a staggering $160 million.

That wasn’t the end of the bad news.

Threat announced later the same month that the city was so strapped for cash it wouldn’t be able to pay workers through the end of the year without help. So Moreno, Giarrusso and Council President JP Morrell immediately got to work in asking for the state’s approval to take out an emergency $125 million loan.

They were eventually successful, but initial delays — namely the threat of the state sending in a fiscal administrator to control local decisions — meant the city barely made payroll in the meantime.

This will add to the already tenuous situation for 2026. Facing a projected $222 million budget deficit, Moreno included a series of large cuts in her budget. The council passed Moreno’s budget over Cantrell’s, which included a 30% cut to most departments across the board, save for the police department.

Cantrell drug her feet at every turn.

As head of the Revenue Estimating Conference, she refused to recognize additional funds for 2026 or even hear Giarrusso’s presentation on them. On Dec. 12, she vetoed the budget. Of course, the council overrode the veto the following week.

Only time will tell if the drama dies down with a new mayor and council shakeups. But suffice to say, it’ll be good to put 2025 behind us.

13 G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

POWER

Gov. Jeff Landry spent much of 2025 ingratiating himself to President Donald Trump P H O T O B Y E VA N V U C C I / T H E A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S

GOV. JEFF LANDRY AND THE LEGISLATURE RESHAPED PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUSHED AN AUTHORITARIAN AGENDA — BUT DIDN’ T ALWAYS SUCCEED.

BY SAR AH R AV I TS

THERE ARE A RANGE OF ISSUES

facing Louisiana residents as 2025 draws to a close, from skyrocketing insurance costs, stronger storms, uncertainty over healthcare and limited resources for working families and people experiencing poverty.

Gov. Jeff Landry and the GOPdominated state legislature over the last year made little effort to address the major issues their constituents are dealing with and instead focused heavily on fighting culture war battles and proving their fealty to the Trump administration.

Indeed, many of the new laws and other policies implemented over the past year were directly aligned with the president’s authoritarian agenda and the right’s Project 2025.

That, for starters, included expanding executive powers for the governor and rolling back environmental initiatives and public health efforts.

HEALTH ISSUES

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda seeped into Louisiana politics PHOTO BY JOSE LUIS MAGANA / T H E A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S

The legislature also continued eroding reproductive rights in a state that already has some of the strictest laws in the country.

Lawmakers passed a bill allowing a person who has an abortion to sue “any person or entity who knowingly performs or substantially facilitates an abortion” for $100,000 in damages, with exceptions for Louisiana physicians and pharmacists following state laws.

This is an attempt to deter medical professionals who live out of

state from providing abortions to Louisiana residents.

A push to create an exception to the state’s strict abortion ban for children under 17 whose pregnancies result from rape also failed for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, the longest federal government shutdown in history put federal SNAP benefits, which primarily help single parents and families in poverty, on pause.

The state stepped in to cover some, but not all, of the costs before the

20 25 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE “MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN” MOVEMENT led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeped into Louisiana politics.

The controversial anti-vaxxer, who is not a doctor, appeared at the State Capitol in June to testify against vaccine mandates in schools and reshape other health policies.

Louisiana currently leads the nation in flu rates.

It’s no stretch to link that “achievement” to policies implemented by Landry’s former surgeon general Ralph Abraham, who in February issued an internal memo instructing

staff to halt the promotion of vaccination events and other public campaigns that encouraged protection against flu, COVID-19, mpox and other illnesses. That led to confusion by practitioners and patients alike, which has had real effects.

As respiratory illnesses continue to spread this holiday season, the “do your own research” strategy earned Abraham a promotion to a top position in the federal government. He was sworn in Dec. 15 — by Kennedy himself — as the new principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Landry chose Dr. Evelyn Griffin, an anti-abortion OB-GYN and vaccine skeptic, to take Abraham’s place.

State lawmakers voted to legalize the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin, which is primarily used to treat parasites in livestock but has gained popularity among humans, thanks to the proliferation of social media influencers claiming it to be a cure-all for a variety of illnesses, including cancer.

They also set new labeling mandates for food products containing certain ingredients and preservatives, like seed oils and sweeteners, a directive from RFK Jr. And they passed a law restricting those receiving SNAP food assistance from buying soft drinks, energy drinks and candy with their benefits.

Meanwhile, a bill to ban fluoride from municipal drinking water — which also was baked from a conspiracy theory — failed to pass after legislators heard from dozens of concerned healthcare workers, including dentists, who explained the benefits in detail.

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

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government re-opened. Landry also took that opportunity to scold people to “get a job” if they were hungry — overlooking the fact that most SNAP recipients are either already working or are unable to work because of a disability.

EXPANSION OF EXECUTIVE POWERS THE STATE LEGISLATURE also helped the governor expand some of his executive powers.

Lawmakers voted at Landry’s behest to restructure the state ethics board, which at the time was investigating Landry for potential violations.

Under the new law, the ethics board expanded the number of members to 15, with nine of them being appointed by the governor. Under the new rules, the board can only file formal charges for ethics violations with a two-third majority vote.

Landry’s personal lawyer helped draft the bill, which makes it unlikely Landry will be investigated anytime soon.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

PHOTO BY HIL ARY SCHEINUK / T H E T I M E S - P I C AY U N E

Lawmakers also gave the insurance commissioner the ability to approve or reject insurance companies’ rate increases. If he doesn’t reject them, he could risk his elected position.

DEATH PENALTY RETURNS, LAW ENFORCEMENT RAMPS UP IN A PARTICULARLY GRIM MOMENT in Louisiana history, Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill celebrated the return of the death penalty after 15 years.

The state executed convicted killer and longtime prisoner Jessie Hoffman Jr. by asphyxiation from nitrogen gas, which has been widely viewed as a form of torture and drew major pushback from legal groups and human rights advocates.

With his continued “tough on crime” approach, Landry also pushed to mobilize the National Guard ahead of New Orleans’ upcoming Carnival season, citing concern over crime — even though the National Guard is not a law enforcement agency and the city’s crime rates have plummeted.

And over the last few weeks, Landry welcomed ICE and Border Patrol agents, who are still in the area arresting, detaining and intimidating people in Hispanic communities.

While both Landry and Trump’s administration have said agents are going after “the worst of the worst” and getting violent criminals off the street, the numbers show otherwise.

Latest figures from the Department of Homeland Security show that only 10% of people detained have criminal records.

Those charges range from violent crimes to traffic violations. The immigration sweeps are unpopular among New Orleans residents and people in Jefferson Parish across the political spectrum, and it remains unclear how long they will continue.

They’ve also had negative impacts on the economy, as area restaurants and businesses have shut down and workers — including U.S. citizens of Hispanic heritage and those with work permits — have stayed home out of fear of being detained.

IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT IN APRIL 2026, Louisiana will switch over to a closed primary system for some of its elections, including congressional ones, in another move championed by Landry that helps keep Republicans in seats of power.

Additionally, Louisiana lawmakers called a special session in October and agreed to push back the 2026 elections from April 18 and May 30 to May 16 and June 27, respectively.

This was part of an effort to give them more time to potentially redraw the Louisiana congressional district maps, if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the map lawmakers approved to create a second-majority Black district.

If the Supreme Court rules against the map, the legislature will likely approve a gerrymandered map that includes just

one — or maybe even zero majority-Black districts — even though roughly a third of the state’s population is Black.

This new map would make it much more difficult for Black politicians and Democrats to get elected to Congress.

The Supreme Court ruling could gut the Voting Rights Act, which would have an impact nationwide on future elections, disproportionately favoring Republicans and disenfranchising minority groups.

LOSING TRACTION WITH VOTERS DESPITE HIS POWER GRABS, Landry faced a few setbacks in implementing his full agenda.

In late March, Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected all four of the constitutional amendments he supported, including a plan to overhaul tax laws.

Landry responded to the election results by falsely blaming “far left liberals” — when in fact his measures were unpopular across the political spectrum — and insulting voters by telling them they were “conditioned for failure.”

Landry has also seen his approval ratings sink. In late October, a poll conducted by a Baton Rouge analytics firm showed less than half of Louisiana residents approve of his performance.

That same poll also showed that voters — regardless of political party — are not happy about the upcoming switch to closed primaries.

Project 2025, though, will soon morph into Project 2026. Louisiana will have to brace itself for more extremist policies — and hopefully, fight back.

20 25 YEAR IN REVIEW

LIKE TRUMP, Landry remained unbothered by the acceleration of climate change despite its obvious impacts on Louisianans’ quality of life and the cost of living. He supported reducing regulations on the oil and gas industry and making it easier to build new refineries and factories.

He also in July cancelled the MidBarataria Sediment Diversion Project, a major environmental initiative, citing high costs and potential damage to the commercial fishing industry. The project was considered the largest single ecosystem restoration effort in the country and had previously received bipartisan support. Scientists and coastal advocates argue that a project of this nature and scale is essential to combating Louisiana’s land loss.

Meanwhile, the administration and the Public Service Commission rolled out the proverbial red carpet for Meta as the tech giant prepares to build an AI center. That has raised significant concern over water and energy usage and the overall impact on both rural communities and the environment.

Legislators did little to address the homeowners’ insurance crisis, as companies continue to flee the state because the risks of stronger storms have become too high.

However, lawmakers voted to expand a fortified roof program to strengthen roofs to prevent storm damage. It gives homeowners a $10,000 income tax credit to help them harden their roofs.

Gov. Jeff Landry addresses the state legislature

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

16

E AT + D R I N K

Turning tables

FORK + CENTER

High points and lows in a year of New Orleans dining | by Beth D’Addono TURNS OUT, 2025 WASN’T THE YEAR restaurants could put

hard times behind them.

Although a high for the city, Super Bowl LIX wasn’t the bottom-line bonanza many restaurants were hoping for, affecting only a limited number for private parties and brand activations.

The year was bracketed by a New Year’s terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, steps away from some of the city’s most iconic restaurants, and ICE agents currently threatening many restaurants with its Operation Catahoula Crunch immigration sweep.

There were a slew of closings this year, some recently in response to ICE, and others due to rising costs and endless construction blocking their doors. And summer was as brutal as ever for many restaurants.

There were highs too, with many new places opening and Michelin finally recognizing the hardworking chefs and hospitality professionals in the city.

Here are some highs and lows to remember from 2025.

Star power

WHEN MICHELIN ANNOUNCED ITS NEW HONOREES IN NOVEMBER, Emeril’s

became the only restaurant in the South to earn two stars. It’s one of 35 restaurants in the U.S. to reach that level, but it’s very rare for a restaurant to jump directly to two. The award was accepted by chef Emeril Lagasse and his son chef E.J. Lagasse, who also earned Michelin’s Young Chef Award.

Local chef-driven restaurants Saint-Germain and Zasu each earned one star. Another 11, including Mister Mao, Saba, Acamaya and Turkey and the Wolf, received the Bib Gourmand distinction, recognizing good food at a good value. Michelin bestowed its “recommended” designation to 18 restaurants, including Addis Nola, Atchafalaya, 34 Restaurant & Bar, Le Petit Grocery and Dakar NOLA.

Closings and near misses

IT STILL SEEMS HARD TO IMAGINE CANAL STREET WITHOUT PALACE CAFE, but the

flagship for the Dickie Brennan & Co. abruptly closed in June after 34 years at 605 Canal St., shuttered over a lease dispute. The month before, chef Nina Compton’s BABs (Bywater American Bistro) closed after a seven-year run.

Another notable closing in May, this time with a one-two punch, was

Emeril Lagasse, left, and his son, E.J. Lagasse, celebrate earning two Michelin stars at Emeril’s.

BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

service at both MoPho and Maypop, two creative restaurants from chef Michael Gulotta. Maypop was pushed to its grave by the partial collapse of the historic building across the street. MoPho had never recovered its pre-pandemic numbers, and Gulotta is focusing on his Metairie Italian restaurant Tana.

The French Quarter almost lost Mona Lisa after the building’s new owner texted the proprietors that they had 60 days to vacate the premises. But regulars got up in arms, and a planned August protest, Night of 1,000 Mona Lisas, turned into a celebration when the owner backed down. After 20 years operating this beacon for the queer community on Royal Street, restaurant owners Farrow Stephenson and Tom Moore are taking care of their community.

On the food event front, Top Taco cited “ongoing market conditions and a significant shift in industry sponsorship priorities” for the cancellation of its 2025 event.

In with the new

DESPITE HOW TOUGH IT IS TO SUCCEED IN HOSPITALITY, chefs and restaura-

teurs continue to open and expand in New Orleans. This year, there were significant moves from local and outside restaurant groups.

On the local side, VEHO Hospitality Group founders Danny and Vilexys Cruz expanded beyond their high-concept Tacos Del Cartel to open the Mexico City-inspired, fast casual Taquerias Carnalito on Poydras Street.

Evviva opened in March, with chef Rebecca Wilcomb back in the kitchen after a four-year break from restaurants. She signed on when her friends Heather Lolley and Humberto Suazo, who also run Galaxie, took over the former Franklin spot in the Marigny.

Wilcomb is joined by former Herbsaint colleague and chef Marcus Jacobs, who

also ran the now shuttered Marjie’s Grill and Seafood Sally’s. Jacobs also co-owns Porgy’s Seafood Market with his partner Caitlin Carney.

Known for their Indian-meetsNew-Orleans restaurant Saffron, the Vilkhu family expanded their presence on Magazine Street. The Kingsway, chef Ashwin Vilkhu’s first solo venture, is a fine dining, prix-fixe Asian concept that opened in June.

Chef Brian Burns and Reno De Ranieri, the team behind Costera and Osteria Lupo, opened Brutto Americano, an upscale Italian eatery in the Barnett Hotel in the CBD. The Morrow Restaurant Group, led

by Larry Morrow, opened its seventh venue, Spicy Mango, on Frenchmen Street, another step forward in the founder’s mission to build “one of the largest Black-owned hospitality groups in the country while inspiring the next generation of Black hospitality leaders.”

Owners Jackie Diaz and chef Richard Rose opened a second Jamaican Jerk House location, expanding from its original Bywater location to Metairie.

Southern’s expanded its award-winning fried chicken sandwich concept to a second location in Hammond. And Mawi Tortillas, led by chef Will Avelar, expanded to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Out of town operators were also busy. The D.C.-based Neighborhood Restaurant Group added Junebug, a stylish lounge, restaurant and event space.

It’s the group’s third location, after Brewery Saint X and Devil Moon BBQ. Scrappy mom-and-pops continue to fill the New Orleans dining scene. A few notable openings this year were Hot & Soul, from chef/owners Christy Samoy and Mike Hampton, a gem of creative cookery and Filipino goodness on Banks Street in Mid-City.

Melissa Stewart and her partner chef Baruch Rabasa serve sustainably and responsibly sourced coffee and beautifully composed Scandinavian-inspired smorrebrod at Applied Arts Cafe in Bywater.

Here Today Rotisserie is the latest from Mike Stoltzfus, the chef behind the contemporary bistro Coquette.

And restaurateur Mani Dawes is back in the spotlight after the closing of Kenton’s. She opened the charming breakfast and lunch spot Cafe Malou next to Octavia Books, a space that uplifts and soothes with elevated comfort food and gracious hospitality.

It’s a balm for these and all times.

Email dining@gambitweekly.com

Make or break season

IT WASN’T JUST THE CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF DOUBLE SHIFTS JUAN CONTRERAS had

to pull at his Mexican restaurant El Gato Negro, making up for staff who were staying home, fearful of being caught up in federal immigration sweeps. But that exhausting stretch was the last straw.

Contreras recently decided to temporarily close the French Market location of his popular eatery, likely until the new year.

His restaurants in Gretna and Lakeview remain open. But in the French Quarter, business disruptions from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Catahoula Crunch crackdown are hitting differently.

“After all this, we just needed to take a little break and start the new year fresh,” Contreras says.

“All this” is a year that has brought immense challenges for many restaurants and bars in the city’s historic core and tourism hub.

The French Quarter location of El Gato Negro is temporarily closed.

PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

It is leading up to what could be a consequential finish for French Quarter hospitality businesses, depending on how the final weeks through Christmas and New Year’s play out.

Many hopes are pinned for a strong turnout of New Orleanians pursuing local traditions in the neighborhood, tourists turning up and an influx of business around the Allstate Sugar Bowl after a vexing 2025.

The year began with the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street early on Jan. 1, casting a pall over the French Quarter in what is typically a busy time.

In February, coverage of Super Bowl LIX beautifully showcased French Quarter scenes to a national audience, and the mega event was a boon for some businesses.

17

FORK & CENTER

Holiday decor now decks the dining rooms at Tableau, one of the group’s restaurants, while just outside the construction fencing on St. Peter Street presses in close, making the sidewalk a narrow alley and partially blocking the large restaurant from adjacent Jackson Square.

Pettus, however, remains upbeat for the season and for the French Quarter’s longer-term prospects.

“Locals who haven’t been frequenting (the French Quarter) are missing it now,” he says. “They want to be part of it again. There’s an excitement that only exists in the French Quarter.

There’s a magic ingredient to it, and you’re seeing the next generation embracing the neighborhood.”

Others in the thick of the construction areas are hanging on by changing up tactics.

Alfred Singleton, chef/owner of Cafe Sbisa restaurant on Decatur Street, is trying to draw more private events and holiday functions to its historic rooms.

“You need to be a destination for people, because right now it’s hard for people to even see your business if they’re walking across the street,” he says.

Similarly, Santos, a late-night bar and music club on Decatur Street, has been opening earlier and packing its schedule with concerts and dance parties, trying to give more people a reason to visit, says owner Benji Lee. “We’re getting support from people who are aware of the situation, but it’s not ideal to say the least,” Lee says. “In the end, we’re working twice as hard for less sales.”

A few blocks past the Decatur Street construction, at the Cuban bar and restaurant Manolito, managing partner Konrad Kantor has been finding ways to cut costs and also boost business, like adding weekend lunch service.

But Kantor also is among those enthused by the proliferation of modern restaurants and bars in the French Quarter, and he thinks locals will be impressed if they haven’t explored in a while.

“I’ve been running around the Quarter since I was a teenager, and there’s more cool local stuff here now than ever,” he says. “

12 DAYS OF DEALS FOR LASTT MINUTE BOOS!

Dong Phuong bakery and restaurant in New Orleans East PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

The concern is how can local places make it through whatever this downturn is and survive.” — Ian McNulty / The Times-Picayune

Christmas cake

DONG PHUONG’S MARDI GRAS KING CAKES HAVE INSPIRED A FOLLOWING,

with the delicacy frequently selling out at locations where they are available.

For a limited time, the famously creamy and well-textured king cakes are being dusted with red and green sugar for the Christmas season.

Linh Tran Garza, the bakery’s president, says the bakery has sold king cakes around Christmastime in recent years and that about 100 cakes will be available daily at the New Orleans East bakery at 14207 Chef Menteur Highway from Dec. 19 through Christmas Eve, except for Dec. 23. They will be available in cinnamon or cream cheese flavors on a first-come, first-served basis.

She says they also will be available at two locations where they had previously been sold: Zuppardo’s Family Market at 5010 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, and Waveland Pharmacy at 112 Auderer Blvd. in Waveland, Mississippi.

Cakes will be available at Zuppardo’s from Dec. 19 through Christmas Eve, except Dec. 23.

Waveland Pharmacy will be selling the cakes on four days: Dec. 19, 20, 22 and 24.

A longtime favorite in the Vietnamese community in New Orleans East, Dong Phuong started making king cakes in 2008. — Marco Cartolano / The Times-Picayune

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And in a welcome respite, hurricane season was a quiet one this year.

But with the arrival of fall, a massive road work project began in the French Quarter, making construction zones out of numerous blocks and intersections on St. Peter Street near Jackson Square and Decatur Street near the French Market, reducing access to many businesses to sidewalk footpaths. That work, which is replacing aged underground water and gas lines, is expected to last for months more.

Now, year’s end is approaching with new pressure from Border Patrol’s immigration crackdown in New Orleans. Like El Gato Negro, many restaurants are operating with diminished staff as people stay home.

“It’s people with visas, documented people, even citizens, they don’t want to go out and get harassed,” Contreras says.

New Orleans now also is expecting a fresh deployment of the National Guard at some point in December, likely to include a visible presence in the high-profile French Quarter.

Some in the restaurant sector see the deployment as a needed bolstering for local law enforcement; others fear heavily armed military personnel will heighten tensions in an area where people come to let their hair down.

Together, it’s exacerbating worries for restaurants that have been struggling to carry on, especially near the construction zones.

Like El Gato Negro, the French Quarter breakfast restaurant Toast has locations in other neighborhoods. Business has been off at all of them since the start of the immigration actions in December, says proprietor Cara Benson.

“Last week was like the worst week since August at all the businesses,” she says. “People are unhappy.

They’re just not going out as much.”

At the Decatur Street location, the drop off in business hit with the start of road work outside its doors this fall, Benson says.

“Normally we’re busy starting in October and that continues through December and into spring, but this year has not been normal at all,” Benson says.

The final weeks of the year are a crucial time in the annual business cycle for local restaurants. That’s especially true in the French Quarter, where restaurants play host to holiday parties and family outings.

“It caps off the year,” says Steve Pettus, managing partner of local restaurant group Dickie Brennan & Co. “There’s a different feel in the streets. People are out to have fun, and you’re joining the party.”

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

18

3 COURSE INTERVIEW

WINE OF THE

WEEK

Word of Mouth

New Orleans chefs, pop-up vendors, food writers and others talk dining

by Will Coviello IN GAMBIT’S WEEKLY Q&AS WITH PEOPLE IN THE CULINARY WORLD, WE’VE

Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon

Layered notes of ripe blackberry, dark plum, and boysenberry are complemented by hints of dark chocolate, baking spices and toasty oak. Rich dark fruit on the palate is balanced by fresh acidity and finely-knit tannins, creating a full-bodied yet elegant structure.

DISTRIBUTED BY

heard directly from local chefs, pop-up entrepreneurs, bartenders, authors and more. They reflected on their work, insights and inspirations. Here are some of the people we heard from this year and what they had to say.

Pop-ups continue to be popular dining options, especially when stationed at bars and breweries that don’t have their own kitchens. In New Orleans, they also sometimes serve as testing kitchens and proving grounds for developing concepts and future restaurants. And they add greater diversity to the dining scene.

With their pop-up Choripan (@nola_choripan on Instagram), Richard and Angelina Broussard share the food of Angelina’s parents’ native Argentina. Richard is a professional chef from New Iberia, but he’s delved into a love of Argentinian-style grilled meats. While they usually serve a choripan sandwich of sausage topped with chimichurri, one of the special offerings they sometimes do is an Argentinestyle Sunday feast (dia del asado), in their case a spread of beef short rib, sausages, chicken, changing extras like veal sweetbreads, and tomato salad.

Sarah Newton is from Louisiana farm country, and family traditions like roasting a pig for Easter shaped her love of cooking and sharing food.

She’s actually a full-time, professional dietician and the pop-op Coop’s Table (@coops.table), named for her dog, is a passion project and side hustle that features her home-made boudin, ribs and more. She also puts those skills to work roasting pork for the Sweet Swine O’ Mine team at Hogs for the Cause.

With N8tive Grub (@n8tivegrub), Natasha and Leonard Arthur bring Navajo flavors to local venues.

Originally from New Mexico, they travel back West to get the right flour for their fry bread. They serve it alone with sweet toppings or as the vessel for burgers or tacos. And sometimes they offer a New Mexico-style Frito pie.

The local pop-up scene also includes several vendors offering Filipino food.

Piknik Street (@piknik.street) was started by friends Ronica Dacula,

Ronica Dacula (left), Gaze Catubay and Martha Cantor serve Filipino food at their Piknik Street pop-up.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RONICA DACULA

Gaze Catubey and Martha Cantor, and they’ve gone to events everywhere from Slidell and St. Bernard Parish to Westwego, where they were among the Asian food vendors at NOLA Nite Market. Their menu ranges from lumpia, the thin, Filipino-style spring rolls, to tropical flavored desserts like buko pandan, featuring sweet and refreshing young coconut and fruit jellies.

Also from the Philippines is Jerry Chapman, who came to New Orleans to work in the hotel industry but fell in love with cooking and mastered dishes from a variety of cuisines while working in restaurants. She and her husband run Taste of Kultures (@tasteofkultures), where she cooks everything from long, thin, flakey crusted lumpia to birria-filled empanadas.

At Fico (@fico_cucina), Valeriano Chiella brings a taste of Italy. He grew up in Tuscany, where his family has a restaurant. After working at local restaurants, including Domenica, Shaya and August, he launched his pop-up. He offers home-made gnocchi Sorrentina and street food items like a chicken Milanese sandwich or sausage and peppers.

There also are plenty of local flavors at pop-ups, including the original take on tacos from Donnell Brown.

He’s descended from a large Creole family of Oubres in Louisiana, but he lived much of his life in California.

Grilling tacos filled with boiled turkey neck meat is where the two meet at NOLA Rico (@nola.rico), which he created with his partner, Mari Alicia. They also combine Creole and

Puerto Rican dishes.

Brown’s first career was as a race car mechanic, and he also owned a bike shop in Long Beach. One of the things that makes his pop-up unique is his food truck, a lowered and heavily customized 1972 Datsun pick-up truck.

He mounted his grill in the truck bed and added wood-top counter seating along the bed, covered by large tiki umbrellas.

Also reworking Creole soul food is Chetwan Smith of Sweet Soulfood (sweetvegansoulfood. com). At her Broad Street restaurant, she serves dishes like eggplant lasagna and cauliflower and cashew macaroni. This year, she opened a booth at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to increase its vegan offerings.

At St. Roch Market, Derrica WilliamsLyon opened the food stall Junkanoo, taking the name from her native Bahamas. That means conch dishes, like conch salad, conch fritters and cracked conch are specialties. And she serves other popular Caribbean dishes.

Also sharing a wealth of information about Caribbean cooking is chef Nina Compton’s new cookbook “Kweyol / Creole.” She notes that the region has diverse cooking from its many different islands and immigrant influences, even though many people wrongly think Jamaican food is the food of the entire region. Compton shares dishes from her family and growing up in St. Lucia, as well as her stints working in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Miami and New Orleans.

Writer Ken Wells also shared insights about growing up thinking about food in his memoir “Gumbo Life.”

After a couple of decades working at the Wall Street Journal, he shared stories of growing up with the bounty of seafood in a small town outside Houma. In the book he also traces the origins of gumbo, finding the word in print in the 1700s, and probing how ideas about the dish went from early African-inspired okra stews to more commonly being roux based. The mystery ingredient that may have provided the bridge may have been bear lard, which was rendered and sent down the Mississippi River.

Those are just some of the intriguing stories behind the food we found in New Orleans this year, and we look forward to more in 2026.

19

Out to Eat is an index of Gambit contract advertisers. Unless noted, addresses are for New Orleans and all accept credit cards. Updates: Email willc@gambitweekly.com or call (504) 483-3106.

Angelo Brocato’s — 214 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-1465; angelobrocatoicecream. com — This Mid-City sweet shop serves its own gelato in flavors like praline, salted caramel and tiramisu, as well as Italian ices in flavors like lemon, strawberry and mango.

There also are cannolis, biscotti, fig cookies, tiramisu, macaroons and coffee drinks. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $ Annunciation — 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; annunciationrestaurant. com — Gulf Drum Yvonne is served with brown butter sauce with mushrooms and artichoke hearts. There also are oysters, seafood pasta dishes, steaks, lamb chops and more. Reservations recommended. Dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$ Bamboula’s — 514 Frenchmen St.; bamboulasmusic.com — The live music venue’s kitchen offers a menu of traditional and creative Creole dishes, such as Creole crawfish crepes with goat cheese and chardonnay sauce. Reservations accepted.

Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. $$ The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar — 118 Harbor View Court, Slidell, (985) 315-7001; 7900 Lakeshore Drive, (504) 284-2898; thebluecrabnola.com — Basin barbecue shrimp are served with rosemary garlic butter sauce over cheese grits with a cheese biscuit. The menu includes po-poys, fried seafood platters, raw and char-grilled oysters, boiled seafood in season, and more. Outdoor seating available.

No reservations. Lakeview: Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Slidell: Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$ Broussard’s — 819 Conti St., (504) 5813866; broussards.com — The menu of contemporary Creole dishes includes bronzed redfish with jumbo lump crabmeat, lemon beurre blanc and vegetables.

Brunch includes Benedicts, avocado toast, chicken and waffles, turtle soup and more. Reservations recommended.

Outdoor seating available in the courtyard.

Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$ Cafe Normandie — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining — The menu combines classic French dishes and Louisiana items like crab beignets with herb aioli. Sandwiches include po-boys, a muffuletta on flatbread and a burger. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Fri.-Mon. $$ The Commissary — 634 Orange St., (504) 274-1850; thecommissarynola.com — Dickie Brennan’s Commissary supplies his other restaurant kitchens and also has a dine-in menu and prepared foods to go. A smoked turkey sandwich is served with bacon, tomato jam, herbed cream cheese, arugula and herb vinaigrette on honey oat bread. The menu includes dips, salads, sandwiches, boudin balls, fried oysters and more. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sat. $$ Curio — 301 Royal St., (504) 717-4198; curionola.com — The creative Creole menu includes blackened Gulf shrimp served with chicken and andouille jambalaya. There also are crab cakes, shrimp and grits, crawfish etouffee, po-boys and more. Outdoor

Weekend S pecials $ — average dinner entrée under $10 $$ — $11-$20 $$$ — $20-up seating available on balcony. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Dahla — 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com — The menu includes popular Thai dishes like pad thai, drunken noodles, curries and fried rice. Crispy skinned duck basil is prepared with vegetables and Thai basil. Delivery available. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$ Desire Oyster Bar — Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St., (504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar — A menu full of Gulf seafood includes oysters served raw on the half-shell or char-broiled with with Parmesan, garlic and herbs. The menu also includes po-boys, po-boys, gumbo, blackened fish, fried seafood platters and more. Reservations recommended.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House — 144 Bourbon St., (504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse.com — There’s a seafood raw bar with raw and char-broiled oysters, fish dip, crab fingers, shrimp and more. Redfish on the Half-shell is cooked skin-on and served with crab-boiled potatoes, frisee and lemon buerre blanc. The bar offers a wide selection of bourbon and whiskies. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$ Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse — 716 Iberville St., (504) 522-2467; dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com — The menu includes a variety of steaks, plus seared Gulf fish, lobster pasta, barbecue shrimp and more. A 6-ounce filet mignon is served with fried oysters, creamed spinach, potatoes and bearnaise. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$ El Pavo Real — 4401 S. Broad Ave., (504) 266-2022; elpavorealnola.com — The menu includes tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, ceviche. tamales and more. Pescado Vera Cruz features sauteed Gulf fish topped with tomatoes, olives, onion and capers, served with rice and string beans. Outdoor seating available. No reservations.

Lunch and early dinner Tue.-Sat. $$ Juan’s Flying Burrito — 515 Baronne St., (504) 529-5825; 2018 Magazine St., (504) 569-0000; 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-9950; 8140 Oak St., (504) 897-4800; juansflyingburrito.com — The Flying Burrito includes steak, shrimp, chicken, cheddar jack cheese, black beans, rice, guacamole and salsa. The menu also includes tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos, salads, rice and bean bowls with various toppings and more. Outdoor seating available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$ Katie’s Restaurant — 3701 Iberville St., (504) 488-6582; katiesinmidcity.com — The Cajun Cuban with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. The eclectic menu also includes char-grilled oysters, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, fried seafood platters, pasta, salads and more.

Delivery available. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Kilroy’s Bar — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining — The all-day bar menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, flatbreads and a couple entrees. A muffuletta flatbread is topped with salami, mortadella,

capicola, mozzarella and olive salad. No reservations. Lunch Fri.-Mon., dinner daily. $$ Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern — 700 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 613-2350; legacykitchen.com — The menu includes oysters, flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, salads and sharable plates like NOLA Tot Debris. A slow-cooked pulled pork barbecue sandwich is served with coleslaw on a brioche bun. Reservations accepted.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Legacy Kitchen Steak & Chop — 91 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, (504) 513-2606; legacykitchen.com — The selection of steak and chops includes filet mignon, bone-in rib-eye, top sirloin and double pork chops and a la carte toppings include bernaise, blue cheese and sauteed crabmeat. There also are burgers, salads, pasta, seafood entrees, char-broiled oysters and more.

Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$ Mikimoto — 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881; mikimotosushi.com — The menu of Japanese cuisine includes sushi, signature rolls, tempura items, udon noodle dishes, teriyaki, salads and more.The South Carrollton roll includes tuna tataki, avocado, snow crab, green onion and wasabi roe.

Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch Sun.-Fri., dinner daily. $$ Mosca’s — 4137 Highway 90 West, Westwego, (504) 436-8950; moscasrestaurant.com — This family-style eatery serves Italian dishes and specialties including shrimp Mosca, baked oysters Mosca and spaghetti Bordelaise and chicken cacciatore. Chicken a la grands is sauteed with garlic, rosemary, Italian herbs and white wine. Reservations accepted. Dinner Wed.-Sat. Cash only. $$$ Mother’s Restaurant — 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656; mothersrestaurant. net — This counter-service spot serves po-boys dressed with sliced cabbage like the Famous Ferdi filled with ham, roast beef and debris. Creole favorites include jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice and more. Breakfast is available all day. Delivery available. No reservations.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Neyow’s Creole Cafe — 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474; neyows.com — The menu includes red beans and rice with fried chicken or pork chops, as well as shrimp Creole, seafood platters, po-boys, chargrilled and raw oysters, salads and more.

Side items include carrot souffle, mac and cheese, cornbread dressing, sweet potato tots and more. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$ Nice Guys Bar & Grill — 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 302-2404; niceguysbarandgrillnola. com — Char-grilled oysters are topped with cheese and garlic butter, and other options include oysters Rockefeller and loaded oysters. The creative menu also includes seafood bread, a Cajun-lobster potato, wings, quesadillas, burgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood pasta, loaded fries and more. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$ Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro — 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930; orleansgrapevine.com — The wine bar offers cheese boards and appetizers to nosh with wines. The menu includes Creole pasta with shrimp and andouille in tomato cream sauce.

Reservations accepted for large parties.

Outdoor seating available.

Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$

December 19-21 12-14 Brunch — —— Brunch

Strawberry Walnut “Rudolph theand RedCandied Nose Waffle” RedFrench Velvet Toast Waffles “The Grinch’s Bacon Egg and Pesto cheesePizza” Bagel “Howith Ho HoGrits Hash” Short rib over hash with red peppers, Lunch — easy egg green onion—and an over Avacado Turkey Sandwich

— Lunch w chipotle aoili—and a

cup of Tomato Basil Soup Chipotle Avacado Sandwich

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— DINNER —

DINNER — PastA Cowboy — Butter Steak Blackened Redfish topped with Parmesan Cheese over Stuffed Mirliton Marry me Chicken overSmoked zucchiniBrisket and squash with 5 Cheese Mac & Veggies BakedOsso Zucchini Buco Fries with Feta Dip potatoes Appetizer over mashed

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SaturdayH & Sunday!

3701 ibervillee st • 504.488.6582 katiesin katiesinmidcity.com Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri & Sat 11am-10pm • Sun 10am-5pm

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O U T T O E AT

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O U T T O E AT

BRING

Brunch IN THE

R A E Y W E N IS S U E D AT E

DEC 29

RE SERVE S PA C E C A LL N O W !

Neyow’s Creole Cafe (3332 Bienville St., 504-827-5474; neyows.com) serves dishes like smothered pork chops with potatoes and carrot souffle.

PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY/ THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

All 1/4 ad sizes or larger receive a

FREE Menu Item photo/ description feature in this issue

To advertise please call Sales & Marketing Manager Abigail Bordelon at 504.636.7427 or email abigail.bordelon@gambitweekly.com

Parish Grill — 4650 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 100, Metairie, (504) 345-2878; parishgrill.com — The menu includes a variety of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizza and salads. For an appetizer, sauteed andouille is served with fig preserves, blue cheese and toast points. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$ Peacock Room — Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, 501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3073; peacockroomnola.com — At brunch, braised short rib grillades are served over grits with mushrooms, a poached egg and shaved truffle. The dinner menu has oysters, salads, pasta, shrimp and grits, a burger, cheese plates and more. Reservations accepted.

Dinner Wed.-Mon., brunch Sun. $$ Rosie’s on the Roof — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining — The rooftop bar has a menu of sandwiches, burgers and small plates. Crab beignets are made with Gulf crabmeat and mascarpone and served with herb aioli.

No reservations. Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$ Tableau — 616 St. Peter St., (504) 9343463; tableaufrenchquarter.com — The menu features traditional and creative Creole dishes. Pasta bouillabaisse features squid ink mafaldine, littleneck clams, Gulf shrimp, squid, seafood broth, rouille and herbed breadcrumbs.

Outdoor seating available on the balcony.

Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Thu.-Sun. $$$

Tacklebox — 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651; legacykitchen.com — The menu includes raw and char-broiled oysters, seafood platters, po-boys, fried chicken, crab and corn bisque and more. Redfish St. Charles is served with garlic-herb butter, asparagus, mushrooms and crawfish cornbread. Reservations accepted.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 1212 S. Clearview Parkway, Elmwood, (504) 733-3803; 2125 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 510-4282; 4024 Canal St., (504) 302-1133; 4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554; 70488 Highway 21, Covington, (985) 234-9420; theospizza.com — A Marilynn Pota Supreme pie is topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. There also are salads, sandwiches, wings, breadsticks and more. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $ The Vintage — 3121 Magazine St., (504) 324-7144; thevintagenola.com — There’s a full coffee drinks menu and baked goods and beignets, as well as a full bar. The menu has flatbreads, cheese boards, small plates and a pressed veggie sandwich with avocado, onions, arugula, red pepper and pepper jack cheese. No reservations.

Delivery and outdoor seating available.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

21 G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T PAGE 5

The Holiday Playgirls

Led by multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Renee Reed and Juliane Mahoney, The Holiday Playgirls take their Acadiana heritage seriously and are bringing a fresh perspective to Louisiana French music.

The duo tap into both the joy and heartbreak embedded in Cajun music. The Holiday Playgirls open for The Deslondes at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Saturn Bar. Tickets are $24.92 via dice.fm.

Kermit Ruffins

Trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins’ 2009 album “Have a Crazy Cool Christmas” is a holiday classic around New Orleans with his take on classics like “Silver Bells,” older cuts like “What Will Santa Say When He Finds Everybody Swinging” and a couple of Ruffins’ own tunes. He plays a Crazy Cool Christmas show at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets are $26.96 via chickiewhawah.com.

Stanton Moore and Friends Holiday Extravaganza

Galactic drummer Stanton Moore hosts a holiday show with guests including blues guitarist Samantha Fish, funk and soul singer Erica Falls, vocalist Jelly Joseph, Glen David Andrews, Brad Walker, David Torkanowsky, James Singleton, Noah Young and more. A portion of proceeds benefit Ochsner Health’s Attack Breast Cancer Early Fund.

At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Tipitina’s. Tickets start at $34.41 via tipitinas.com.

Mannheim Steamroller

The new age classical ensemble is best known for its holiday music, combining elements of classical music and rock, and has sold more than 28 million albums. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Saenger Theatre. Tickets $48.19-$96.99 via saengernola.com.

‘Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet’

The touring company of international dancers presents a traditional ballet version of the story with lavish costumes, puppets and more. At 3 & 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at Saenger Theatre. Tickets $42.70-$220 via saengernola.com.

Queermas Eve: Misfit Toys

Drag performer Bette Tittler hosts a Christmas Eve show for Misfit Toys with live music, burlesque, drag and more on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the AllWays Lounge and Cabaret.

The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $31.37 via queermaseve. eventbrite.com.

Kyle Roussel

Keyboardist Kyle Roussel celebrates the Grammy nomination for his “Church of New Orleans” album with a show featuring drummer Herlin Riley and funk and soul singer Erica Falls. At 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Snug Harbor. Tickets are $46.95 via snugjazz.com.

Tiago Guy

Brazilian-born singer-songwriter Tiago Guy last year released the great album, “Paper Thin,” a breezy yet soulful take on his experiences settling into New Orleans since moving here in 2021. The album included help

by Jon Cleary, Nigel Hall and others.

Check out Guy and musician Renee Gros’ latest song, the fun “Santa Ran the Light on Claiborne.” Guy next plays at 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at Le Bon Temps Roule. Admission is $10.

Find more info at lbtrnola.com.

Gary Owen

Military veteran and comedian Gary Owen got his start while in the Navy, winning the Funniest Serviceman in America contest. He has since released numerous comedy specials and appeared in films including “Daddy Day Care,” “College” and “Meet the Blacks.” He performs at 5 & 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Orpheum Theater. Tickets $52.60 and up via orpheumnola.com.

George Porter Jr.

New Orleans funk icon George Porter Jr. is turning 78 this week, and he’s celebrating with a party at the Maple Leaf after all the presents have been opened on Thursday, Dec. 25. Festivities start up at 9 p.m., and tickets are $20 via mapleleafbar.com and $25 at the door.

Caroling in the Garden District

The New Orleans Opera Association leads a session of caroling in the Garden District. Participation is free, and the event starts at The Rink at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23.

6 2 0 2

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1601 Leon LYCÉE FRA NÇAIS 5951 Pattidas St, New Orleans, on St, 1607 S CarrNew Orleans, LA 70118 LA ollto Orleans, n Ave, New 70115 LA 504.620. 70118 5500 Pre-K throlfno.org ugh 12th grade Open Pre-K, Kind House Date s: erga Saturday , Jan 20th rten, Elementa 10:30 am ry: to 11:30 am

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MUSIC FO R CO M P L E T E M U S I C L I ST I N G S A N D M O R E E V E N T S TA K I N G P L A C E IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA, VISIT C A L E N D A R . G A M B I T W E E K LY. C O M

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MONDAY 22 30/90 — Dapper Dandies, 6 pm; Half Shell Boogie, 9 pm ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Betsy Propane & The Accessories, 7 pm APPLE BARREL — Zev Russ, 6 pm; Decaturadio, 10:30 pm BACCHANAL — Byron Asher, 6 pm BAMBOULA’S — The Rug Cutters, 12 pm; Jon Roniger & The Good for Nothing Band, 4:30 pm; Ted Hefko & The Thousandries, 9 pm BAR REDUX — Joey B. Wilson/ Bunny Danger/ Mercury Bird/ Stumps DuhClown, 9 pm BEANLANDIA — Treme Brass Band, 6 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Leopard Hound Blues Band, 9 pm BUFFA’S — David Doucet, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Vibe Tribe, 7:30 pm CARROLLTON STATION — Biscuits n’ Jam with Meryl Zimmerman & Friends, 10 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — Patterson Hood (Of the Drive By Truckers), 8 pm DBA — Secret Six Jazz Band, 6 pm; The Jump Hounds, 9 pm DOS JEFES — John Fohl, 8:30 pm THE MAISON — The Crybabies, 5 pm; Gene’s Music Machine, 8:30 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — George Porter Trio with Chris Adkins, 7 pm; 9 pm MAYFIELD’S 208 BOURBON — Kermit Ruffins, 6 pm; Irvin Mayfield and Cyril Neville, 9 pm SANTOS BAR — Karaoke a Go Go with Alesondra, 10 pm SATURN BAR — BC Coogan, 8:30 pm SNUG HARBOR — Charmaine Neville Band, 7:30 pm; 9:30 pm SPOTTED CAT — Jenavieve Cooke & the Winding Boys, 2 pm; Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen Street All Stars, 6 pm; Amber Rachelle & The Sweet Potatoes, 9 pm ST. ROCH TAVERN — Woods on Fire, 9 pm

TUESDAY 23 30/90 — The Vibe Tribe, 6 pm; Kayla Jasmine, 9 pm APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Jackson & Friends, 10:30 pm BACCHANAL — Tangiers Combo, 6 pm BAMBOULA’S — F. K-rera Music Group, 12 pm; Giselle Anguizola Quartet, 4:30 pm; Caitie B. & The Hand Me Downs, 9 pm BAR REDUX — Sam Tenhoff, 9 pm

BJ'S LOUNGE BYWATER — Bruisey's Bottoms Up Open Mic, 9 pm BUFFA’S — Alex McMurray, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Super-Most-FantasticBlues-N-Such-Jam, 7 pm; 10 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — Kermit Ruffins: A Crazy Cool Christmas, 8 pm DBA — Miss Martha & Her Good Time Gang, 6 pm; Kid Chocolate & The Free P.O.C, 9 pm DOS JEFES — Tom Hook, 8:30 pm THE JAZZ & BLUES MARKET — Merry Christmas from Jose James, 7:30 pm JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Amber Rachelle & the Sweet Potatoes, 8 pm THE MAISON — Jacky Blair, 5 pm; Paradise Swing Band, 8:30 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — A Very Good Band ft.

Ari Teitel, 9 pm MAYFIELD’S 208 BOURBON — Irvin Mayfield ft. Kermit Ruffins, 6 pm THE RABBIT HOLE — Rebirth Brass Band, 10 pm ROCK 'N' BOWL — Tribute to Bryan Adams & Phil Collins, 8 pm SATURN BAR — Yeah You Rite Karaoke with Nicky Diamond, 9 pm SNUG HARBOR — Victor Goines Quartet, 7:30 pm; 9:30 pm TIPITINA’S — Stanton Moore & Friends Holiday Extravaganza, 8 pm VAUGHAN’S — Lil Prince and the Youngbloods, 10 pm

WEDNESDAY 24 30/90 — Kim in the Wind Christmas Jubilee, 8 pm APPLE BARREL — Hobo Gadget, 6 pm; Steve Mignano, 10:30 pm BAMBOULA’S — Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, 12 pm; John Saavedra, 4:30 pm; Boardwalker & The 3 Finger Swingers, 9 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Christmas Eve in Your 9th Ward Living Room, 8 pm CAFÉ DEGAS — Gizinti Trio, 6 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Jam-ilton, 8 pm DOUBLE DEALER — Sariyah Idan, 9 pm HOLY DIVER — Diver-Aoke with KJ EJ, 10 pm JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Funkin’ It Up with Big Sam, 7:30 pm MARIGNY BRASSERIE — Legacy Jazz Band, 7 pm MRB — Lynn Drury, 7 pm OKAY BAR — Karaoke with Pearl, 10 pm RABBIT HOLE — X(CX)mas Eve Party, 10 pm SANTOS BAR — DJSON, 10 pm

THURSDAY 25 BJ’S LOUNGE — Christmas Day in Your 9th Ward Living Room, 9 pm

BLUE NILE BALCONY ROOM — Reggae Night with DJ T-Roy, 11 pm FOUR SEASONS HOTEL — Live music at Chandelier Bar with David Torkanowsky, 6 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — The Soul Rebels, 11 pm MAHOGANY JAZZ HALL — Jamil Sharif and his New Orleans Extravaganza, 8 pm THE MAISON — Single Malt Please, 8:30 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — George Porter Jr.’s 78th Birthday Show, 9 pm MRB — Micah McKee, 7 pm RABBIT HOLE — Naughty & Green – DJ Sunnie & Friends, 10 pm ROCK 'N' BOWL — Kenny Kerth Jass Band, 5 pm ROCK 'N' BOWL — Beach Face Band, 8:30 pm Santos Bar — Tainted Love 80s Night with DJ Shane Love, 10 pm SATURN BAR — Pleasure Savior’s The Last Christmas Party, 9 pm

FRIDAY 26 ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Angie Z & Friends, 8 pm APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Andre Lovett, 10:30 pm BACCHANAL — Nahem Zdybel, 1 pm; Willie Green, 7 pm BAMBOULA’S — The Rug Cutters, 11 am; Felipe Antonio Quintet, 2 pm; Les Getrex & Creole Cooking, 6:30 pm; Bettis & 3rd Degree Brass Band, 10 pm BAR REDUX — Warren Burns of Kansas City’s Natural Boys & Friends, 9 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — The Tangle + Hemlock, 9 pm BLUE NILE — The Caesar Brothers’ FunkBox, 8 pm; Kermit Ruffins Birthday Celebration, 10 pm BMC — Jazz Band Ballers, 5:30 pm; John Lisi Band, 9 pm

Vegas Cola Band performs at DBA Sunday, Dec. 28 at 10 p.m.

PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

BROADSIDE — Doussan Garrett Benoit Trio, 8 pm BROTHERS THREE LOUNGE — VetJams, 8 pm BUFFA’S — Washboard Chaz Trio, 8 pm CAFE NEGRIL — Blackdog, 2 pm; Jamey St Pierre and the THC, 6 pm; Jason Neville Funky Soul Band, 9 pm CARROLLTON STATION — New Orleans Guitar Masters ft. Cranston Clements, Jimmy Robinson & John Rankin, 8 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — Ingrid Lucia’s AllStar Christmas, 8 pm DBA — Michael Watson & The Alchemy, 6 pm; New Breed Brass Band, 10 pm DOS JEFES — The Joe Krown Trio, 9 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — Ingrid Lucia’s New Orleans Holiday Revue, 8 pm DOUBLE DEALER BAR — Satin Strings, 8 pm GASA GASA — One South Lark, 9 pm HOUSE OF BLUES — Kes O’Hara, 4 pm; Joey Houck, 7 pm JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Trixie Minx’s Burlesque Ballroom, 7:30 pm; 9 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Tiago Guy, 11 pm THE MAISON — Nola Sweethearts, 3 pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 5 pm; Big Easy Brass Walker, 8 pm; DJ FTK, 11 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars, 8 pm NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO — Been Around Band, 7 pm RABBIT HOLE — GLTTRAVE’S HOLIDAY SLAY, 10 pm ROCK 'N' BOWL — Bag of Donuts, 8:30 pm SANTOS BAR — Sanctuary of Sin featuring DJ Sanctuary, 10 pm; TECH N.O. Featuring DJ Otto & Friends, 10 pm

23

SATURN BAR — Siisko N Frens: Siisko’s Birthday Edition, 10 pm SPOTTED CAT — Paradise Jazz Band, 2 pm; New Orleans Cottonmouth Kings, 6 pm THE STALLION BAR — Late Night Karaoke at The Stallion Bar , 9:30 pm TIPITINA’S — Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 8 pm

SATURDAY 27 APPLE BARREL — Hobo Gadget, 6 pm; Smoky Greenwell Blues Band, 10:30 pm BACCHANAL — Miles Berry, 1 pm; Raphael Bas, 7 pm BAMBOULA’S — Aaron Levinson & Friends, 11 am; James McClaskey & The Rhythm Band, 2:15 pm; Johnny Mastro Blues, 6:30 pm; Paggy Prine & Southern Soul, 10 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Kumasi Afrobeat Orchestra, 9 pm BLUE NILE — George Brown Band, 7:30 pm; Afrobeat, 10 pm BMC — Rug Cutters, 5:30 pm; Deej the Flavor King, 9 pm BROADSIDE — Lost Bayou Ramblers + HollyRock, 8 pm BUFFA’S — T Marie & Bayou Juju, 8 pm CAFE NEGRIL — Sugar and The Daddies, 1:30 pm; Zena Moses and Rue Fiya, 6 pm; Higher Heights Reggae, 10 pm CARROLLTON STATION — Five Piece Spicy + Struggle Bus, 8 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — John ‘Papa’ Gros - A Yuletide Soirée, 9 pm COURTYARD BREWERY — Sariyah Idan, 5 pm DBA — Tuba Skinny, 6 pm DOS JEFES — Vivaz!, 9 pm DOUBLE DEALER BAR — Shawan Rice, 8 pm HOLY DIVER — Suplecs, 9 pm HOUSE OF BLUES — Jamey St. Pierre, 4 pm; Danger, Barnes & Wilson, 7 pm JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — The Nayo Jones Experience, 7:30 pm; 9 pm JOY THEATER — Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, 8 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Kowan & Da Homies, 11 pm THE MAISON — The Melatauns, 1 pm; Krewe Debauchery, 8 pm; DJ GQ, 11 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — George Zekas Pocket Protection, 8 pm OKAY BAR — “Heatwave!” Soul + R&B Dance Party w. DJ Ann, 9 pm RABBIT HOLE — Bass Face Holiday Party, 10 pm ROCK 'N' BOWL — Groovy 7, 8:30 pm

TIPITINA’S — Big Sam’s Funky Nation, 9 pm

SUNDAY 28 ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Steve DeTroy, 8 pm BACCHANAL — Juan Tigre, 1 pm; Noah Young, 7 pm BAMBOULA’S — The Jaywalkers, 11 am; Laura Doyle Quartet, 1:15 pm; Midnight Brawlers, 5:30 pm; Kat Kiley, 9 pm BAR REDUX — Take Your Folkin’ Clothes Off Burlesque, 9 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — James McClaskey & The Rhythm Band, 9 pm BLUE NILE — The Next Level Band, 9 pm BOURBON STREET HONKY TONK — The Bad Sandys, 8 pm BUFFA’S — David Beaudoin, 7 pm CAFE NEGRIL — Decaturadio, 12 pm; John Lisi & The Delta Funk, 9 pm CAROUSEL BAR — The Iguanas, 7 pm THE CELESTINE — Miranda & the Beat, 6:30 pm DBA — Vegas Cola Band, 10 pm DOS JEFES — Yoshitaka Z2 Trio, 8 pm HOLY DIVER — Lemmy Death Day Metal Market with DJ Penetrol, 9 pm HOTEL SAINT VINCENT — Jazz at Chapel Club, 6 pm HOWLIN’ WOLF — Minx Burlesque, 6 pm; Hot 8 Brass Band, 10:30 pm JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Chucky C & Friends, 7:30 pm THE MAISON — The Crybabies, 3 pm; Jenavieve and the Winding Boys, 6 pm; Krewe Debauchery, 8 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — June Yamagishi, Keiko Komaki, and Donald Magee, 8 pm OLD ARABI LIGHTHOUSE RECORDS AND BOOKS — Open Mic Night with Guest Host Paul Sanchez, 6 pm ROCK 'N' BOWL — Newspaper Taxi: A Tribute to The Beatles, 8 pm SATURN BAR — The Deslondes and the Holiday Playgirls, 9 pm SNUG HARBOR — Steve Detroy Trio, 4:30 pm; David Navarro’s Tropical Jazz Secret, 7:30 pm; David Navarro’s Tropical Jazz Secret, 9:30 pm SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR

2026

Winter

DINING ISSUE January 27 February 2 2025

® Volume 46 Number 4

ISSUE DATE: JAN 26 RESERVE SPACE BY: JAN 16

Contact Sales and Marketing Manager Abigail Bordelon 504.636.7427 or abigail.bordelon@gambitweekly.com

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

MUSIC

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

24

MUSIC

2025 in Music

by Jake Clapp

MIRRORING MANY OTHER PARTS OF NEW ORLEANS IN 2025, THE CITY’S MUSIC COMMUNITY THIS YEAR HAD A LOT TO CELEBRATE, faced new chal-

lenges, mourned losses and used art in acts of defiance and resilience.

Many people ring in the New Year with music-filled partying, but the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street started 2025 with tragedy. In the aftermath, though, buskers and club musicians returning to the French Quarter became emblematic of the city mourning and standing back up. Several local musicians held benefit shows to support those impacted, and Master P, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Mia X released a song, “City of New Orleans, Keep Holding On,” to benefit victims’ families.

New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl amid a typically busy Carnival season, and a number of local musicians were incorporated into the marketing, promotion and sponsored events. DJs Mannie Fresh, KLC the Drum Major, DJ Poppa and Legatron Prime were tapped by Apple Music to make mixes highlighting the city’s hip-hop legacy in the week leading up to the game.

And before kickoff, Jon Batiste performed the National Anthem, Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle sang “America the Beautiful,” Ledisi performed “Lift Every Voice,” and there were performances by The Original Pinettes, Harry Connick Jr. and Terence Blanchard.

Lil Wayne, feeling snubbed after the Super Bowl booked Kendrick Lamar for the halftime show, used a Cetaphil ad during the game to tease his album “Tha Carter VI” (which was met with tepid reviews when it dropped). Wayne, though, got a chance to have the spotlight when he partnered with The Roots to headline the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival a few months later.

French Quarter Fest, which had expanded its footprint in 2024, hosted another large edition with more than 300 performances across the Quarter and the riverfront.

Jazz Fest again hosted an eight-day festival, with big sets by Wayne and the Roots, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Lenny Kravitz, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs and more and a spotlight on Mexican music and culture. There were large crowds out for many of the headliners, but Jazz Fest 2025 reported a dip in attendance.

The Essence Festival of Culture also saw performances by big names like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Boyz II Men, GloRilla and Lauryn Hill. The festival

The Original Pinettes Brass Band performed at French Quarter Fest 2025.

PHOTO BY MADDIE SPINNER / GAMBIT

received a lot of criticism following its 2025 edition due to a number of last-minute changes, unclear details, poor sound and late sets (Lauryn Hill didn’t go on until 3 a.m.). New Orleans icon Mia X also had been billed as part of a tribute to Master P — but the parties never agreed to a contract, and she declined to participate.

Attendance for this year’s Essence Fest also was lower, but Essence said it would return to New Orleans in 2026.

Bayou Boogaloo returned to Bayou St. John with sets by Honey Island Swamp Band, glbl wrmng, LSD Clownsystem and more, but it was touch-and-go in the run-up to the festival. Following complaints from some neighbors and pressure from City Council Member Joe Giarrusso, the festival eased back on its footprint in order to secure permits. It’s not yet clear what will happen to the Boogaloo in 2026.

Satchmo Summerfest celebrated its 25th edition — while dealing with some bad weather. Creepy Fest booked more than 50 punk, hardcore, metal and rock bands for its 16th year. The BlackAmericana Fest, which celebrates musicians of color working in country and folk, threw a joyous second edition. And NOLA Funk Fest, Crescent City Blues and BBQ, Gretna

Fest and the fifth year of NOLA x NOLA filled the fall with a ton of live music.

There were some changes among the city’s live music venues. Gasa Gasa, which had closed in late 2023, re-opened in the spring under ownership that includes founders of the club. The New Orleans Jazz Market was refreshed and re-branded as the Jazz & Blues Market and has booked some recognizable touring jazz, funk and blues bands. And Jimmy’s Music Club, a popular venue in the ’80s, was reborn on Willow Street.

Punk and goth club The Goat briefly closed in November but has reopened under new ownership as The Crypt.

Similarly, the Dragon’s Den at the foot of Esplanade quietly reopened this fall as Stellar — and king of bounce HaSizzle is there most Thursdays.

In February, Tank and the Bangas won their first Grammy, bringing home the Best Spoken Word Poetry album award. And in 2026, it’s guaranteed a Louisiana artist will win a Grammy: The Best Regional Roots Music Album category is full of New Orleans artists, including Kyle Roussel, Trombone Shorty with the New Breed Brass Band, Corey Henry and his Treme Funket and Preservation Brass and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The one outlier in

the category is “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” a tribute album to zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier.

There were dozens of great new albums by local artists, including Galactic with Irma Thomas, Big Freedia (mixing gospel and bounce), Bo Dollis Jr. & The Wild Magnolias, Sabine McCalla, Water Seed and more. And Free Agents Brass Band and Cha Wa both marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this year with album releases. Read more about it on pg. 25.

Many local musicians were already feeling financially squeezed by inflation and rising housing costs — and the cancellation of federal arts grants has had a local impact.

During the fall elections for mayor and city council, two forums focused on ways the next administration could better support New Orleans musicians, artists and culture bearers and grow the city’s music industry.

ICE and Border Patrol’s presence in the city has had a chilling effect — in June, Kenner’s Hispanic Heritage Fest was cancelled out of concerns over immigration enforcement — but many musicians are standing up. In December, more than 300 people in the cultural community, including Big Freedia, PJ Morton and Ani DiFranco, called for an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch.

The music community also lost irreplicable people this year, including vocalist Lillian Boutte-l’Etienne, funk and soul icon Paul Batiste, bluesman Guitar Lightnin’ Lee and swamp pop legend Tommy McLain. Photographers Pableaux Johnson and Sidney Smith and writer Jeff Hannusch, who all documented the local music scene, also passed away. And Big Freedia’s partner of 20 years, Devon Hurst, himself an artist, died in May. Looking ahead to 2026, New Orleans already has some idea of what’s coming. Jazz Fest in December announced its 2026 lineup, with performances

by Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Lorde, David Byrne and more. The Folk Alliance International will hold its annual conference here in January.

And the city’s musicians will continue to push back against ICE and CBP as those operations continue.

25

MUSIC

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

Rewind and repeat

by Jake Clapp

THERE WERE A LOT OF GREAT RELEASES

by New Orleans artists in 2025. The year saw new albums by Alexis & The Sanity, Sarah Quintana, Jon Cleary, Bo Dollis Jr. & The Wild Magnolias, Cha Wa, Sabine McCalla, Kr3wcial, The Convenience, Cristina Kaminis and more.

In fact, the 2026 Grammy category for Best Regional Roots Music Album is almost entirely made up of New Orleans artists: Kyle Roussel and his “Church of New Orleans”; Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet for their “Live at Vaughan’s” record; Preservation Brass and Preservation Hall Jazz Band with “For Fat Man”; and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and the New Breed Brass Band for “Second Line Sunday.”

The one outlier in the category is the Louisiana-focused “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” a tribute album to zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier featuring The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams and many others.

It’s impossible to pick subjective “bests” out of a strong year for New Orleans music. Instead, here are five of my favorites (out of many) I kept coming back to all year.

Boyfriend

“In the Garden”

New Orleans vocalist and songwriter Boyfriend has often used her bassy altpop and “rap cabaret” to critique and skewer sexism and culture’s expectations of women. With her latest album, “In the Garden,” Boyfriend, the performance name for Suzannah Powell, dug into patriarchy’s cornerstone myth: The story of Eve and the Garden of Eden.

With a genre-blending mix of pop, indie rock, hip-hop and lo-fi R&B, “In the Garden” retells Eve’s story from her perspective and with a feminist queer lens. Boyfriend portrays an intellectually curious Eve in the concept album alongside Big Freedia as God — declaring “Turn the lights on!” — Jake Shears as Adam, electro-punk artist Peaches as the Serpent and Billy Porter narrating the story. It’s an equally entertaining and captivating record that continues to reveal new layers.

Galactic and Irma Thomas “Audience with the Queen”

The Soul Queen of New Orleans held court with one of the city’s best bands this year. Galactic and Irma Thomas have worked together in the past — she sang on the song “Heart of Steel” on the band’s “Ya-Ka-May” record — but a full-length collaboration is one of those

things that works so well, you’re surprised it didn’t already exist. “Audience with the Queen” is full of tight New Orleans funk, soul and rhythm and blues, and both Thomas and Galactic are in top shape.

The album features strong songwriting contributions by Sean Carey as well as Boyfriend and Princess Shaw on the sweet, powerful song “Puppet on Your String.” With a balance of classic R&B and modern grit, “Audience with the Queen” is a new crown jewel in New Orleans music.

Big Freedia

“Pressing Onward”

Before becoming a bounce icon, before reality TV shows and before becoming the Queen Diva, Big Freedia was Freddie Ross Jr. dressed in his Sunday best and singing in the church choir. Big Freedia revisited her gospel roots this year with “Pressing Onward,” a joyous record full of praise, encouragement for difficult times and a bit of bounce.

Although Freedia made her career as a bounce artist, gospel music and artists like Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Shirley Caeser have remained close to her heart. And her faith has helped her through difficult times, including after the loss of her partner of 20 years,

Devon Hurst, earlier this year, Freedia told Gambit.

Freedia is backed by a powerful choir on “Pressing Onward,” and there are contributions by Billy Porter, Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle and Dawn Richard.

It’s an energetic album, and Freedia, an LGBTQ icon, makes a point to welcome all to the revival.

La Reezy

“Welcome to La Reezyana, Vol. 1”

2025 was La Reezy’s year. The young New Orleans rapper and producer was awarded the Hip Hop Museum’s Next Up Award and received nods from Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator and director James Gunn. La Reezy, the stage name for Khayree Salahuddin, also released four projects this year, including a collaboration with Grammy winner PJ Morton, “Pardon Me, I’m Different.”

But if you only have time for one, make it “Welcome to La Reezyana, Vol. 1.” The eight-track project filters New Orleans, Louisiana and the world through La Reezy’s eyes. There’s a blend of styles, from bounce to Southern hip-hop, block party-worthy tracks to introspective, conscious lyricism and soul samples. There’s also just a lot of charm and swagger — look

Big Freedia performed a gospel set at Jazz Fest 2025.

PHOTO BY MADDIE SPINNER / GAMBIT

no further than the ear-wormy “I Look Good.” And keep an eye out on the ascending La Reezy in 2026.

Free Agents Brass Band

“Made It Through That Water”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures, drummer Ellis Joseph found himself in Atlanta.

While there, he reached out to other displaced New Orleans bass band musicians staying in the area and formed the Free Agents Brass Band. After returning to New Orleans in early 2006, the Free Agents continued, playing welcome home celebrations, funerals and clubs like the Green Room. In 2007, the band recorded its sole album, “Made It Through That Water.”

Long out of print — despite the title track taking off after its use on the show “Treme” — Free Agents reissued “Made It Through That Water” this year in recognition of the 20th anniversary of Katrina. Written in those early years after Katrina, the album is a natural reflection of those brass band musicians’ experiences and emotions in a city rebuilding. There’s relief, love for brass band culture, defiance and tough emotions all over the record.

G AMBIT > BESTOFNE WORLE ANS.COM > DECEMBER 22 - 28 > 2025

26

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LOCAL STAGES HAD A BUSY YEAR , with a slate of popular musicals and classic plays, and the independent theater scene is bustling again at small and alternative venues. But the comedy scene may have been the most unpredictable and dramatic in 2025.

While New Orleans has produced talented comics, including Mark Normand, Sean Patton, Punkie Johnson and others, it’s not had particularly long-lasting comedy clubs.

But Sports Drink is turning heads with its own vision. A coffeeshop by day and comedy venue by night, the intimate space, with a signature wall of orange drink coolers, has developed some buzz with touring comics. This year, it brought in Sam Tallent, Rory Scovel, Shane Torres, Josh Gondelman, Hari Kondabolu, Luke Null and many more.

It’s also a regular spot for rising local comics like Saya Meads.

In May, Sports Drink launched its own festival, the Toledano Street Comedy Festival. Modeled more like a music fest, it featured simultaneous shows at four neighboring venues and festival pass holders wandering from stage to stage. Headliners included All Fantasy Everything podcast co-hosts David Gborie, Ian Karmel and Sean Jordan, and more.

The comedy scene got a much more predictably rowdy event in the first local edition of Skankfest. The decade-old comedy event from the comics behind the Legion of Skanks podcast, including Big Jay Oakerson, Luis Gomez and others, started in New York and was in Las Vegas for the past few years. Its carnivalesque long weekend in November at Mardi Gras World featured more than 130 comics, including Rosebud Baker, Shane Gillis, Doug Stanhope and Mark Normand performing on four stages as well as taping podcasts. The festival has a debauched, bro-comedy, hang-out vibe, and the fest featured a boxing ring with unprofessional bouts, sock wrestling and more. There also was an artist rendering portraits on pizza.

The city also attracted plenty of touring comics, with big shows by Kevin Hart and Whitney Cummings. Local producers Laugh Life Comedy brought in Gianmarco Soresi and others.

There was a good array of theatrical shows on local stages. Le Petit presented the suspected clergy abuse drama “Doubt” as well as the popular musicals “Jersey Boys” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” It also took advantage of Michael Paternostro’s skills as a pianist to do “Good Night Oscar,” about the

Aqua Mob presented ‘Wendy, Darling: An Aquatic Retelling of The Shining’ at the Midtown Hotel pool.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JAVIER HERNANDEZ

famously witty Oscar Levant, a onetime frequent guest on late-night TV shows.

Rivertown Theaters presented a mix of popular musicals, including “Gypsy” and “Annie,” as well as the more recent “Dear Evan Hansen.” It’s run of the farcical “Something Rotten,” about disaster-prone rivals to Shakespeare, enjoyed an extended run.

Crescent City Stage presented recent dramas as well, including the heartfelt “Tiny Beautiful Things,” about an advice writer who strives to be truly honest with readers, and the modern, feminist take on Sherlock Holmes, “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B.” After producing many lesser-known works in its early years, the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans has been hitting the playwright’s landmark plays. That included “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Orpheus Descending” this year.

The NOLA Project returned to the scene of a crime with “Clown Bar 2,” about clown mobsters, a continuation of their relationship with playwright Adam Szymkowicz. Former company regular Peter McElligott wrote its family-friendly adaptation of “Frankenstein,” which was presented outdoors at the Lafitte Greenway.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center did popular shows like “Billy Elliot: The Musical,” and it presented Sam Shepard’s gritty sibling rivalry “True West” in Westwego.

Theatergoers also found new takes on classic American plays from young companies at smaller venues.

The Fire Weeds took a feminist and

semi-immersive approach to Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at Big Couch. Also at Big Couch, Fat Squirrel productions founder Andrea Watson directed Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” looking at the play through the lens of trauma and the abuse of women at the Salem witch trials.

In the local dance scene, Marigny Opera Ballet continues to produce original work, and this year featured prominent visiting artists. Brazilian choreographer Cassi Abranches created the fluid and vibrant “Dusk,” performed with a live score by synth pop band People Museum. The company closed the season with the new holiday show “Winterlight,” with choreography by Christian Denice.

The city’s burlesque, circus and variety show scene is growing. Circus arts and escape artist LadyBEAST and burlesque dancer Audacious Miss Vivacious put on larger spectacle shows at the Joy Theater. There also were more shows at more intimate venues, like the dance, aerial and fetishy productions Nox Chroma Cabaret and Freak Show Peep Show, both at Cafe Instanbul.

The city’s water ballet company Aqua Mob dove into the pool at the Midtown Hotel for its inspired adaptation of “The Shining,” complete with pole-dancing Grady Twins.

The Mudlark Puppeteers raised a revival tent in the 9th Ward for a show about New Orleans’ early 20th century spiritual leader Mother Catherine Seals.

There are efforts underway to reintroduce a local fringe festival next year. Also, in a likely longer-term plan, LadyBEAST has acquired a traveling circus tent, and has begun planning for a full-fledged big top show in New Orleans.

While the growth of independent theater is promising, it’s also important to note that New Orleans lost some independent voices and longtime theater makers this year. Chakula Cha Jua, an activist and artist with Free Southern Theater, died in March, and Harold X. Evans, a film and stage actor and frequent contributor at Anthony Bean Community Theater, died in June.

27

As 2025 Comes to a Close ...

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108 Airport uniform abbr.

109 “Knives Out” director Johnson 110 “Seize the day” acronym 111 Bend in ballet 112 Letdown suffered by a marsh bird?

119 Comfortable 120 Absinthe flavorers 121 Gift recipient 122 Turns to 000 123 Huge intake of vitamin C, say 124 Trades jabs DOWN 1 Wise gurus 2 Car supercharger 3 Best-case 4 Brand of kids’ colorers 5 Kit -- (candy brand) 6 Occur next 7 Spud 8 Eat up, slangily 9 -- Kippur 10 Beatified Mlle.

11 “Ben- --” 12 Kimono sash 13 Praline nut 14 Denounce strongly 15 Like a sore muscle 16 No. on a map 17 Drug-induced stupor 18 Declares the truth of 19 Gave temporarily 24 Cable sports channel 25 Extremely old: Abbr.

31 Cosmic dust cloud 32 --Kosh B’gosh 33 Pop/soul singer Des’-34 Papier- -35 Gillette razor

MICHAEL ZAROU ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRS

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36 Sorrow 40 “I hate to be the bearer -- news, but ...”

41 D.C.’s land 42 Insect with a painful bite 43 Wears down 44 Dramatist Ibsen 45 Finder’s cry 46 Toyota RAV4, e.g.

47 Louise’s film sidekick 48 “Argylle” actress Catherine 49 Sea filler 52 Dyes for some tattoos 56 Dusk- -- -dawn 57 Teachers’ gp.

58 Chop finely 60 Apt gift for a calligrapher 63 Cry over 64 Episodic drama 65 Early release from prison 66 Dreamy dude 69 Neighbor of a Yemeni 70 Luxury watch 71 Hasty escape 72 -- Cruces 74 Omens 77 Brief mental flub

78 Precipitates frozen flakes 79 “Blame It on Rio” director Stanley 80 MS-to-MI dir.

81 Diesel of film 82 Rock blaster 83 Louse or flea 84 Sequesters 86 Lion sound 90 Wishes for 91 Lav, to Brits 92 With one flat, musically 94 Slightly wet floor wiper 97 “That’s my cue to start” 100 Awful review 101 Allow to flow freely again 102 Common blood group 103 Oven covers 104 Beethoven’s “Für --” 105 Justice Kagan 106 NFLer of San Fran 107 French for “heads” 108 Ski lift variety 109 Remainder 113 -- kwon do 114 Ending for opal 115 Alpha -- (longtime frat) 116 “-- reminder ...”

117 -- XING (road notice) 118 NFL goals

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