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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Division rivals
‘King Lear’ opens New Orleans Shakespeare season
IT’S NOT FAR INTO ACT 1 OF “KING LEAR” BEFORE THE KING FINDS HIMSELF on the receiving end of the Fool’s wisdom, points out director and actor Jana Mestecky.
“Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise,” the Fool tells Lear. The king is not going to change course on the advice of his servant, and the tragedy unfolds.
“King Lear” opens the season for the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, running May 22 to June 7 at Lupin Theatre with a preview night on May 21. Mestecky, a veteran of New York stages and co-founder of Crescent City Stage, is directing.
“King Lear” is one of Shakespeare’s best-known epic tragedies. The aging king has decided to divide his kingdom among his three daughters and hand off the responsibility of ruling to them and their husbands. He reserves his title and a cohort of knights for himself and plans to split his time residing in turn with each daughter. His scheme to determine who gets which portion, from largest to least, is to have each daughter publicly profess her love for him and dole out the spoils accordingly.
The eldest, Goneril, the Duchess of Albany, begins eagerly, “I love you more than words can wield the matter. Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty.”
Regan, the middle daughter and Duchess of Cornwall, promptly tries to outshine her, “I find she names my very deed of love. Only she comes too short: That I profess myself an enemy to all other joys!”
Cordelia, the youngest and Lear’s favorite, however, cannot bring herself to compete or make a spectacle of her feelings. Her reluctance upsets Lear and his plan. He’s enraged about being refused, especially by his youngest daughter.
The uproar also upsets the kingdom. The daughters’ inheritances attract other noblemen suitors, and in the case of Cordelia, it affects competing offers of marriage.
The drama of a vain and unwise king upsetting his kingdom may seem timely, but those appearances aren’t what Mestecky is focusing on in the play.
“I do think there are themes that are timely about what is truth? What is flattery?” Mestecky says. But the bonds between father and daughters drive the action.
by Will Coviello |
“I was always drawn to the relationships this is about,” Mestecky says.
“Every possible relationship is at play here: fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, or best friends or sisters. The big emotions of this epic tragedy still resonate.”
Lear adjusts the division of his kingdom, and it’s clear he’s ceding not just the land but power as well. He’s about to learn how true to their words his daughters are. Lear cannot control the chaos he unleashes.
“There’s a reckoning for him,” Mestecky says. “Watching things slip through his fingers while he’s trying to hold on to his own identity and thoughts and power.”
A weakened Lear also gets a different picture of who, besides the Fool, will speak truth to him.
Whatever Lear learns about his own folly, however, the others, including his daughters, the lords and suitors, each have their own opportunities and courses to pursue.
“Goneril is one of Shakespeare’s great characters,” Mestecky says. She can be “painted with an evil brush. One broad stroke of just evil. Goneril is fun to play. But she’s doing what she has to do to survive.”
Those personal choices and their effect on the familial and other relationships drive the play for Mestecky.
While the costumes are lavish period pieces, the set and props are otherwise minimal at Lupin Theatre. “Oftentimes with Shakespeare, we see these large, grandiose productions, which are wonderful,” Mestecky says. “I saw it in New York on Broadway with Glenda Jackson. But what I love about what we’re trying to do and the nature of black box theater is it’s much more sparse. We’re focusing on these relationships.”
The drama also unfolds in a streamlined fashion. The production is using a script edited by longtime Tulane faculty member Buzz Podewell. It doesn’t change the verse or lose the poetic speech, but it shortened some sections to keep the show to about two hours.
The New Orleans Shakespeare festival’s summer schedule is anchored by two of Shakespeare’s best-known tragedies. In late June, the company will present “Macbeth,” the drama about ambition and murder in pursuit of the Scottish throne. Mestecky will play Lady Macbeth in that show. Each year, one of the summer productions is remounted in January for local schools and another public performance. That will be “Macbeth” this year.
The season also includes the return of the Fools Ensemble on May 27. A group of actors and comedians will take the stage to improvise a Shakespeare-like play.
There also will be a staged reading on July 13. The festival presented Moliere’s “The Imaginary Invalid” last year. This year, they’ll read his comedy “The School for Wives,” in which a rich middle-aged man tries to marry a faithful wife by finding a young, naive woman to train, but of course, she has her own feelings.
Tickets for “King Lear” are $27-$42 via neworleansshakespeare.org.
New Orleans Greek Festival
Greek Fest brings Greek music and dancing, traditional dishes, a market and more to the Hellenic Cultural Center along Bayou St. John. Vendors offer everything from platters of roasted lamb to gyro, goat burgers, souvlaki and more. There’s also ouzo and pomegranate daiquiris, Mythos beer, Greek wines and more. The market includes an array of pastries and baked goods, as well as imported cheeses and olives. There also are tours of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The festival will be cashless this year. Fest hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, May 22, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Advance tickets are $10, or $25 for a weekend pass, via gfno.com.
Juvenile
Juvenile has been a New Orleans hiphop legend for going on 30 years, but it feels like the last seven or so years have seen the rapper lock into a new era, with a masterful NPR Tiny Desk concert, big shows around the anniversary of his iconic “400 Degreez,” a Hot Boys reunion and some new business ventures. He continued that streak earlier this year with the release of “Boiling Point,” his first solo full-length in more than a decade. With beats by longtime collaborator Mannie Fresh and features by Megan Thee Stallion, DJ Khalid, Birdman and BG, “Boiling Point” has been well-received and sparked a national tour. Juvenile comes home for a show at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, at The Fillmore. Tickets are $71 via thefillmorenola.com.
Yot Club
Singer-songwriter Ryan Kaiser started Yot Club in 2019, recording dreamy lo-fi indie rock in his college dorm room. His music quickly took off on social media, particularly on TikTok, where his single “YKWIM?” went viral. Now based in Los Angeles,
PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NEW ORLEANS SHAKESPEARE AT TULANE
THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN
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NEW ORLEANS NEWS + VIEWS
It’s gonna be a wild summer, y’all.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Louisiana’s Bonvenu Bank have awarded $500,000 in grants to five area organizations to help locals resolve heirs’ property issues. The Pro Bono Project, Community Development Capital of New Orleans and West 30’s Redemption Co. each received $150,000 grants and The Petra Foundation and Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West both received $25,000. Those housing and legal-focused organizations will use the grants to aid people who received property from a deceased family member without a will, which creates a complicated ownership situation. 2
Louisiana Senate advances plan to eliminate congressional seat held by a Black Democrat
State Sen. Jay Morris, a West Monroe Republican, told an audience “Y’all need to shut up” during a state legislature hearing as Republicans consider destroying one, if not both, of Louisiana’s majority Black congressional districts. Further, Dadrius Lanus, the state Democratic Party’s executive director, alleged Morris called him “boy” during an exchange. Morris denied using any derogatory language.
THE LOUISIANA SENATE MAY 14 VOTED 27-10 TO ADVANCE A NEW ELECTORAL MAP that gets rid of one of two majority-Black Democratic congressional districts and replaces it with a majority-white Republican district.
The party-line vote came after hours of passionate speeches against the bill from Senate Democrats, as well as hundreds flocking to the Capitol in opposition earlier in the week and some staying until past 4 a.m. May 13.
Sen. Royce Duplessis, a New Orleans Democrat, expressed disappointment with members voting for the bill despite the overwhelming opposition.
Louisiana is one of eight states asking a federal court to strike down a law requiring states make services for disabled people available in their communities. If struck down, advocates say families of people with disabilities will have to turn to state hospitals and nursing homes for help, which can be far from home and difficult to access.
“If we’re not going to consider what the people say when they show up, then what’s the purpose of even having a committee hearing?” he said. “Because to me that just says that this whole thing is one big farce. And to a large extent, it is. Because we already know how everybody is going to vote.”
Republican lawmakers are moving quickly to redraw Louisiana’s congressional map after the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional
on April 29 to have new maps for midterm U.S. House elections this fall. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry suspended the congressional party primary elections the next day, despite the state having already received tens of thousands of absentee ballots for the May 16 election.
While the congressional race is in limbo, other May 16 races such as the amendments and U.S. Senate are still on.
Senate Bill 121 by Sen. Jay Morris, a West Monroe Republican, is similar to a congressional map state lawmakers drew in 2022 with five majority-white and Republican districts and one majority-Black and Democratic district. Black people make up about a third of the state.
In a Senate committee hearing, he changed his map to move District 6 further north to include St. Landry Parish, which he said was to create two coastal districts. On the Senate floor, he altered it again to move some of St. Landry Parish into District 5 and add some of Pointe Coupee Parish into District 6. Morris argued his map was drawn not based on race but to
THE NUMBER OF STATEWIDE OFFICIALS NOW FACING RECALL PETITIONS.
Baton Rouge activists Marian Gbaiwon Hills and Katilyn Septer have launched a campaign in all 64 parishes to remove Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill from office for a host of anti-civil rights related actions the two officials have taken. Under state law, organizers must gather handwritten signatures, in-person, from 20% of Louisiana’s registered voters — that’s more than 500,000 signatures — by this fall. Upcoming opportunities to sign these petitions can be found at @louisianadeservesbetter on Instagram.
With
Jazz Fest behind us, what are you looking forward to most this summer?
Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS / THE ADVOCATE
advantage Republicans, which he said was “perfectly fine” and legal.
“We need to disregard race all in pursuance of a colorblind constitution,” he said.
Duplessis brought up the comment later.
“Just 20 years before my birth and maybe even closer to that, this very legislature had a committee on segregation,” he said. “And we’re colorblind in 2026?”
Duplessis argued Republican senators were less concerned with state concerns are are just going along with President Donald Trump’s push to have Republican states redraw their maps to pick up more House seats.
“This is an order from one person who doesn’t care about anybody but himself,” he said. “Everybody who is about to vote for this map, you’re not even making a choice. What kind of democracy is that?”
Duplessis also addressed Morris’ argument that his maps didn’t dilute Black representation in Congress because hypothetically a Black Republican candidate would have a chance to win in the five Republican districts.
“Let’s talk about this Republican Party that Sen. Morris says I have to join if I want representation,”
Duplessis said. “Make America great again. Great again for who?”
Sen. Ed Price, a Gonzales Democrat, tried to amend Morris’ map to mirror a map he proposed in committee with two districts that weren’t majority-Black but would have favored Democrats. The other four would have favored Republicans.
“This amendment gives us maybe our last realistic shot of stopping this train before it runs completely off the tracks because that’s where we’re headed,” said Sen. Sam Jenkins, a Shreveport Democrat.
It failed on the same party-line vote.
After the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that map likely violated the Voting Rights Act, lawmakers redrew it in 2024 to include a second majority-Black map, which spanned from Baton Rouge up to Shreveport and turned the district of incumbent Republican Congressman Garet Graves, a rival of Gov. Jeff Landry, blue.
But the conservative-majority Supreme Court’s decision on April 29 ruled the new map was “an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.” In their Callais v. Louisiana decision, the court’s majority gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Jenkins argued that Morris’ map was using “racial gerrymandering in order to get a partisan outcome.”
Partisanship in Louisiana is a bit complicated. There are about 1.2 million registered Democrats, 1 million registered Republicans and 800,000 others registered, yet the state typically votes for Republicans in statewide elections. One reason for that is that when Republicans became the party that identifies as “conservative,” some conservative Democrats didn’t switch their party registration despite now regularly voting for Republicans.
Most of the other Republicans stayed pretty quiet, except for Sen. Heather Cloud of Turkey Creek, who was the only Republican to take to the floor to speak in favor of Morris’ bill. She said she supported it because she wanted to advance “conservative values.”
In her description of her “conservative values,” she launched into many right-wing talking points on libraries, transgender rights and abortion rights. That included the false narrative that before state lawmakers denied LGBTQ minors access to gender-affirming health care, doctors were giving major surgeries to transgender minors.
“Of course, children shouldn’t be exposed to sexually explicit material in school curriculum or in libraries,” she said. “Of course, children should not have the ability or the opportunity to make permanent, life-altering decisions to remove healthy body parts, to cut off their breasts or their genitalia or take hormone blockers to prevent their natural body structures from developing while they’re simply young and impressionable.”
Morris agreed with Cloud in his closing arguments.
“Democracy is majority rule,” he said.
The map now goes to the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, which could vote on it as early as this week. — Kaylee Poche Louisiana AG’s threat to take over New Orleans sparks outrage
It was another wild day in Louisiana politics May 13 as Attorney General Liz Murrill threatened to unilaterally remove from office seven duly elected officials in New Orleans — all but one of whom are either Black or Latina — only to find herself accused of potentially violating state anti-intimidation laws as a result of those threats.
At the heart of it is the ongoing effort by Republicans to keep Calvin Duncan, a formerly and wrongfully incarcerated Black man from
OPENING GAMBIT
New Orleans, from taking office as clerk of criminal court following his 2025 election victory.
Murrill and Gov. Jeff Landry have long opposed Duncan’s efforts to win election in the city. So much so that earlier this year, Landry drafted Republicans in the House and Senate to move legislation eliminating the criminal court clerk office entirely and combine it with the civil clerk of court’s office held by Chelsey Richard Napoleon, who won reelection unopposed last fall.
Despite overwhelming public opposition, the GOP-dominated legislature passed the bill late last month, with Landry signing it just days before Duncan was scheduled to formally take office.
That law is currently subject to lawsuits for a number of reasons. While Republicans insist the law doesn’t create a new office and therefore does not violate New Orleanians’ rights to vote for court clerks, it’s not necessarily that clean cut.
Meanwhile, with the support of Mayor Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams, the New Orleans City Council May 11 set an election for the unified Clerk of Court position in November and named Calvin Johnson, a former judge, as temporary clerk.
Council President JP Morrell and his allies said they were doing so because they worried if they didn’t take action within 20 days of the enactment of the law, the court could end up ruling the law created a new office and letting Landry appoint his own clerk of court for the city, at least temporarily.
Murrill then sent a letter to the five city council members who voted to hold a new election, Moreno, Williams and Johnson threatening to use the state’s so-called “usurper law” to forcibly remove them from office if the city doesn’t reverse course.
The law essentially allows the state to remove officials from office who recognize or otherwise acknowledge or assist any official the state deems as illegitimate. It dates back to the early 1870s and Reconstruction, when white terrorists were attempting to oust democratically elected Black officials, as well as white politicians who did not support their violent anti-Black agenda.
The law was expanded in 1960 – just as the civil rights movement was beginning to threaten the long-term viability of Jim Crow, and just five years before the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. — John Stanton
FidelityBank WhiteLinen Night
The HOTTESTart party in NewOrleans is back! ArtsDistrict NewOrleans (ADNO), the nonproft organization that founded the popular WhiteLinen Nightin1994, is pleased to announce the 32nd anniversary of the event! Returningtodowntown NewOrleans on Saturday, August 1, 2026, WhiteLinen Night takes place alongside the district’smonthly FirstSaturday gallery openings and art walk.ArtsDistrict New Orleansand title sponsor Fidelity Bank will welcome guestsfrom5-10p.m. throughout the historic Warehouse ArtsDistrict along the 300-600 blocksofJulia Street Guestsare strongly encouraged to dontheir best whitelinen looks and enjoyexhibitions at 15 member galleries and museums, the region’sbest food trucks,and art-centered streetactivations.The event is afundraiser forADNO,with proceeds fromdrink sales going to support the organization’syearroundprogramming. Attendees can enjoy libations provided by The Sazerac Company and Goldring Family Foundation. Each gallery will present newexhibitions and installations from talented world-classartists. With 15 galleries presenting shows, in addition to anumber of pop-up exhibitions with partnersinthe neighborhood, thereisawide rangeofartwork to experience. This event has something foreveryone, and the actionisn’t just on Julia Street! ADNO includes galleries and museums just of JuliaonbothCampand Magazine Streets, and the blockpartywill stretch down the300-600 blocks of Julia Theevening will also feature livemusical performances on the 300 and 600blocks of Julia, cool-down loungesthroughout the district, and the iconic WhiteLinen Night hand fans -which double as the ofcial event guide and map.Don’t missthe biggest and best art party in NewOrleans!
JOHN STANTON
EARLIER THIS SPRING, LOUISIANA
ATTORNEY GENERAL LIZ MURRILL and a group of other hardline conservative attorneys general asked a federal court in Texas to declare a 50-year-old civil rights law protecting the disabled from discrimination unconstitutional.
If successful, the suit would roll back disabled peoples’ access to equal education opportunities, critical healthcare and other services, and set back the fight for disability rights by generations.
Known as Section 504, the protections are part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that predates the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 2024, the Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule to include gender dysphoria as a disability under Section 504 as a way to provide transgender people with much needed protections.
Conservatives, of course, have a long history of fighting against the rights of trans and gender nonconforming people. So the lawsuit, which was originally brought by 17 state AGs, was predictable.
What wasn’t predictable was what happened after Donald Trump took office and rescinded the rule. As States Newsroom recently reported, while many of the AGs dropped out of the suit, Murrill and seven of her most conservative colleagues decided to not only continue the case — but seek to modify it in such a way as to gut much of Section 504.
Specifically, the remaining eight AGs have asked the court to declare as unconstitutional parts of Section 504 that require states to provide the disabled with services, including “free appropriate public education,” in their communities rather than in institutions like state hospitals or long-term care facilities.
In practice, these provisions have ensured disabled children are given a proper education, helped families care for their disabled loved ones at home rather than having them shipped off to state-run institutions, and provided access to medical care and other key services.
The law has had an enormous benefit for the disabled, and our communities more broadly. It allows families to remain together, ensures disabled
children can attend school and generally allows people with disabilities to be members of their communities.
While full-time institutional care can be necessary in some instances, history has shown the level of care can vary wildly and that too often these facilities can turn into little more than barbaric warehouses where disabled people are sent to, never to be seen or heard from again.
Opponents insist that by tying Section 504’s “integration” requirements to federal funding, the law unfairly limits their ability to spend money or make their own rules and decisions on care for their citizens. They also argue the cost burden on states is too high and that eliminating the mandate would provide them with more “flexibility.”
Those arguments ring hollow. The fact of the matter is that people with disabilities remain some of the most underserved and most discriminated against populations in the United States.
Estimates of the total number of Louisianans with physical and mental disabilities range as high as more than 700,000, all of whom continue to face widespread discrimination and stigma. Even basic things like getting down the street, attending concerts or otherwise participating in daily life are difficult if not impossible for many, through no fault of their own.
Given the fact that disability rights laws are notoriously under enforced, this suit would have disastrous effects on hundreds of thousands of Louisianans by eliminating one of the few tools they have to fight for their rights.
Murrill and her colleagues would be better served by better enforcing existing laws, rather than looking to eliminate what few safeguards we have.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is asking a federal court to gut key federal civil rights protections for disabled Louisianans.
PHOTO BY BRAD BOWIE / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO PLAY
@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com
Hey Blake, Fleurty Girl is selling t-shirts with a design inspired by the cover of the “River Road Recipes” cookbook. It’s been one of my family’s favorites for years. What can you tell us about its history?
Dear reader,
NEARLY TWO MILLION COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL “RIVER ROAD RECIPES” COOKBOOK have found their way into kitchens across the country since 1959, when the first edition was published by the Junior League of Baton Rouge. It has become the No. 1 selling community cookbook in the nation, with sales generating more than $3 million for Baton Rouge community projects.
Former Times-Picayune food editor Dale Curry surmised that what helped the book outshine other community cookbooks is that many of its recipes are Cajun and call for local seafood and other ingredients. “Not only was the cookbook one of the first of its kind, but its recipes reflected what has now become a nationally famous cuisine,” Curry wrote in 1987.
“To be very frank, I think it is just a better cookbook,” Emily Wray Robinson told Curry. Robinson, who’s mother was chair of the original cookbook committee, explained that the idea was cooked up to help raise funds for two charities: the Louisiana Arts and Sciences Center and the Speech and Hearing Foundation.
BLAKE VIEW
During production, each recipe was tested three times. “Most of the cookbook committee members gained weight that year because we had to taste what we tested,” said committee member Donna Saurage.
“The criteria were taste and ease and time of preparation,” co-chair Frances MacCurdy said in a 1995 Advocate article. “We were not looking for recipes for entertaining, but things to cook on a daily basis.” One of the approximately 600 recipes in the book is for Spinach Madeleine, invented by Madeline Noland Reymond.
A sequel, “River Road Recipes II: A Second Helping,” was published in 1976. “For many Louisiana cooks, both volumes were essential to existence in the kitchen, much as a writer must have his dictionary and thesaurus or a traveler, his map and tour guides,” wrote Curry.
A third cookbook, “River Road Recipes III: A Healthy Collection” debuted in 1994. It featured healthier recipes, using less fat and sodium. A fourth book came in 2004: “River Road Recipes IV: Warm Welcomes.”
FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, LOUISIANA’S FRENCH HERITAGE WAS CELEBRATED with a visit to the state by French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. It was the second time a French head of state visited the city, 16 years after the visit of President Charles de Gaulle.
Giscard d’Estaing came to New Orleans on May 21, 1976, accompanied by his wife, Anne-Aymone Sauvage de Brantes. During their six-day tour of the U.S., the couple celebrated the U.S. Bicentennial with President Gerald Ford by also visiting Houston, Lafayette and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Here, the president and first lady attended a luncheon hosted by Gov. Edwin Edwards and his wife on the floor of the Superdome, which opened the year before. According to Times-Picayune coverage, more than 1,500 guests enjoyed a menu which featured salad with avocados and crawfish, oyster and andouille sausage soup, stuffed flounder, asparagus and chocolate mousse. Following lunch, the couple toured the French Quarter, including St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Ursuline Convent and the Cabildo, where they were hosted for dinner by Mayor Moon Landrieu and his wife. Singer Paul Anka was among the entertainers.
New Orleans would host another French president in 2022, when Emmanuel Macron visited New Orleans.
The River Road Recipes cookbook. PHOTO BY EMMA VEITH / GAMBIT
2026
Summer
EVENTS GUIDE
THIS SUMMER PROMISES TO BE A BIG ONE with the nation celebrating its 250th anniversary. That will make July 4 special, but before that begins, New Orleans will host a gathering of tall ships, with three- and four-mast ships and naval vessels from across the globe docking on the riverfront in late May and June. The flotilla is celebrating the 250th anniversary at five cities, starting in New Orleans.
New Orleans only slows down a little in the summer months, with plenty of folks sweating it out in the Running of the NOLA Bulls, the Red Dress Run and Mid-Summer Mardi Gras. There are festivals from the Creole Tomato Festival in the French Market to Southern Decadence filling the French Quarter and Marigny with revelers on Labor Day Weekend. Food events range from the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience to the Siam Night Market at the Westwego Farmers Market.
Special events this summer include GalaxyCon, with a host of movie stars and comics artists, the SERA Rodeo at the Smoothie King Center and X Games at the Caesars Superdome.
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture brings Cardi B, Brandy & Monica, George Clinton and many more to the Superdome on Independence Day weekend, and the concert calendar is crowded at big and small venues alike.
Gambit’s Summer Events Guide is a rundown of major events through Labor Day weekend, including theater, comedy, drag, magic shows and more. There’s information on dates, venues, tickets and more. Check Gambit and bestofneworleans.com for more details and events throughout the summer.
The Running of the NOLA Bulls is Saturday, July 11.
MAY
THRU MAY 24
‘PRIMARY TRUST’
In her 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “Primary Trust,” Eboni Booth paints a compassionate portrait of a mysterious stranger who keeps to himself at a local bar. A small gesture from a friendly person unlocks his story and a chance to change. Crescent City Stage presents the show’s regional premiere at the CAC. Tickets $27.38-$51.54 via crescentcitystage.com.
THRU MAY 30
‘MEDEA’
In Euripides’ tragedy, Medea is ruthless in seeking vengeance against her unfaithful husband, Jason, and King Creon. The NOLA Project is using Alistair Elliot’s modern translation of the drama, and director Gab Reisman is interested in the light the play shines on inequality between men and
women and what happens as a marriage falls apart. Performances are at Greenway Station on the Laftte Greenway. Tickets $20-$55 at nolaproject.com.
THRU MAY 31
‘CINDERELLA’
Rodgers and Hammerstein created their musical version of the classic fairy tale as a TV showpiece for Julie Andrews, but it’s also suited for the stage. The show features the songs “In My Own Little Corner,” “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful” and more. Rivertown Theaters presents the musical. Tickets $52.19-$56.58 at rivertowntheaters.com.
MAY 21-JUNE 7
‘KING LEAR’
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane opens with “King Lear.” Jana Mestecky directs the tragedy, in which an aging king tries to divide his kingdom among his daughters, but his plan leads to chaos as
PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
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2026 SUMMER EVENTS PREVIEW
they all have their own ideas about how it should go. At Lupin Theatre. Tickets $27$42 via neworleansshakespeare.org.
MAY 22
LA FETE CREOLE
OperaCreole celebrates its 15th anniversary with a concert featuring highlights from the group’s past productions and a salute to Beyonce and Creole women. At Cafe Istanbul. Tickets $15-$40 via operacreole.org.
MAY 27
THE FOOLS ENSEMBLE
Improv meets Shakespeare as actors create a show like one of the Bard’s originals from scratch. At the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane. Tickets $32 via neworleansshakespeare.org.
MAY 27-JUNE 1
SAIL 250
A gathering of tall ships and naval vessels is marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, and New Orleans is the frst port on its summer tour. Events include tours of some of the ships, freworks, a seafood cookof and more. Visiting ships include the four-mast CNS Esmeralda form Chile and BAP Union from Peru, the Gladan from Sweden and the USS Kearsarge. Ships will be docked at the riverfront from Bywater up to the Crescent City Connection. Visit sail250neworleans.com for information.
MAY 28-30
RYAN PLUNKETT
SUMM ER CAMP
MONDAYS-FRIDAYS 9:30AM-12:30PM
DATE NIGHT
FRIDAYS@ 6PM
Learnthe potter ywheel side-by-side wh ilec reatin g ah an dm adekeepsake
Magician Ryan Plunkett performs card tricks and sleights of hand, both up close with audience members and on stage. He’s a regular at places like the Chicago Magic Lounge and Los Angeles’ Magic Castle. He brings his Old Fashioned Magic show to the Eliza Jane Hotel. Tickets $58 and up via ofmnola.com.
MAY 29
BINGO LOCO
The touring bingo show is a participatory game with high-energy game show segments, including dance-ofs, lip syncing, prizes and more at Joy Theater. Find tickets via bingoloco.com or thejoytheater.com.
MAY 30-31
LOUISIANA CAJUN-ZYDECO FESTIVAL
The Jazz & Heritage Foundation hosts the free festival highlighting Cajun and zydeco music. The lineup includes Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie,
Pine Leaf Boys, Babineaux Sisters, The Revelers and more. At the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. Visit jazzandheritage.org for details.
MAY 30-31
SYMPHONY BOOK FAIR
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s volunteers host a sale of books, DVDs, audio books, CDs, sheet music, posters and some original art. There’s a special children’s book sale Sunday morning. Admission is $20 before noon Saturday and is free after that. At the UNO Lakefront Arena. Visit lpovolunteers.org for information.
JUNE
JUNE 2-7
MONTY PYTHON’S ‘SPAMALOT’
Eric Idle adapted the popular flm
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” for the stage, and it follows King Arthur, Lancelot, Robin and the Knights of the Round Table on their quest. There are many familiar bits from the movie, as well as references to other musicals and medieval tales. The touring Broadway show comes to Saenger Theatre. Showtimes vary. Tickets $39-$169.65 via saengernola.com.
JUNE 4-7
NEW ORLEANS BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND
The weekend includes a series of parties as well as a festival on Saturday, June 6, in Washington Square Park with entertainment by Ambre and more. Visit blackpridenola.org for information.
JUNE 4-21
‘ONCE’
Based on the movie of the same name, “Once” is a romantic story about a guitar-playing busker in Dublin and a Czech woman he meets in the streets. It features songs like “Falling Slowly,” which Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova wrote for the flm. Conner Wilson directs the show at Le Petit Theatre. Tickets $27-$112 via lepetittheatre.com.
JUNE 5
MICHAEL CARBONARO
New York magician and actor Michael Carbonaro has appeared on “Law & Order: SVU,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and other shows. His live magic show features tricks, sleight of hand, audience participation and improv. At The Fillmore. Tickets $64 via ticketmaster.com.
JUNE 5
LUCY DARLING
Canadian magician and comedian Carisa Hendrix performs tricks and sideshow bits including fre eating, all in the persona of Lucy Darling, who channels past Hollywood starlets. At Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets $48.19-$152.50 via mahaliajacksontheater.com.
JUNE 6
BAYOU FEST
The Sankofa Community Development Corporation presents live music, games, nature activities, kayaking, fshing and more at the event showcasing its ongoing work on the Sankofa Wetland Park of Florida Avenue in the Lower 9th Ward. Free admission. Visit sankofanola.org/events for information.
JUNE 6
PURPLE TAKEOVER
DJ Soul Sister, aka Melissa Weber, leads her annual tribute to Prince with the Lovesexy Dancers and more at Tipitina’s. Tickets $27.98-$51.86 via tipitinas.com.
JUNE 6-7
CREOLE TOMATO FESTIVAL
There are multiple music stages and performances by the Brass-A-Holics, Amanda Shaw, Rusty Metoyer, T-Ray and the Trendsetters and more. The festival also features a tomato-eating contest, cooking demonstrations, Creole tomato vendors and more in the French Market. Visit frenchmarket.org for information.
JUNE 9
THE MOTH
The “American Dream” is the theme for the open-mic storytelling competition. People can sign up to tell a fve-minute story. The winner advances to the annual fnals. At Cafe Istanbul. Tickets $13-$18 at themoth.org.
JUNE 10-13
NEW ORLEANS WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCE
The wine and culinary event includes wine tastings, wine dinners pairing visiting vintners and local chefs, the Ella Brennan Award Gala and more. The Grand Tasting with food by local restaurants is at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, June 13. There also are events focused on roses, prosecco, wine blending and more. At various locations. Visit nowfe.com for tickets and information.
JUNE 10-14
KOLAJ FEST
The festival celebrates collage in various media and there are symposiums, work-
shops, art exhibitions, collage making and more. Visit kolajinstitute.org for information.
JUNE 10-20
‘MISS JULIE’ AND ‘VENUS IN FUR’
Fat Squirrel presents the double bill of August Strindberg’s “Miss Julie” and David Ives’ “Venus in Fur.” Strindberg’s drama is about a power struggle between an aristocratic woman and her servant. Ives’ dark comedy is also about power and control as a director auditions an actress for a role in an erotic drama. Andrea Watson directs. At CANOA. Tickets $25 via fatsquirrelnola.square.site.
JUNE 12-14
48 HOUR FILM PROJECT
Teams of flmmakers have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a short flm based on a randomly drawn flm genre and a character, prop and line of dialog revealed at the start of the competition. Completed flms will be screened on June 20 at the University of New Orleans. Visit 48hourflm.com/neworleans for information.
JUNE 13
PRIDEFEST
The annual Pride event is a block party at the New Orleans Phoenix Bar with music by New York glam rockers Tony & the Kiki and more. The event is free. Visit nolapridefest.com for information.
JUNE 14
BIG EASY THAI FESTIVAL
There’s Thai food, activities for kids including a bounce house and water slide, a petting zoo and more at Wat Wimuttayaram. Free admission. Find information @bigeasythaifestival on Instagram.
JUNE 18-21
‘CHICAGO’
In the musical comedy about corruption and fame in 1920s Chicago, dancer Roxie Hart murders her lover and becomes famous while behind bars. The show features the songs “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and “When You’re Good to Mama.” Jaune Buisson directs the musical for Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University. At Dixon Hall. Tickets $81-$136 via liberalarts.tulane.edu/ summer-lyric-theatre.
JUNE 19
NOLA JUNETEENTH
Dawn Richard headlines the free music festival celebrating the anniversary of the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free in 1865, following the Civil War. The festival also has a vendor market and there’s a NOLA Juneteenth forum on June 20. Visit nolajuneteenthfestival.org for details.
JUNE 22
THE GREENHOUSE
Fat Squirrel Productions presents the summer installment of its new short play series. The theme is “June Bugs,” and
there will be six 10-minute plays by local writers. Find information at fatsquirrelnola.square.site.
JUNE 25-JULY 12
‘MACBETH’
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane presents the “Scottish Play.”
In the classic tragedy about ambition, Macbeth and his wife are tempted by an opportunity to seize power from King Duncan. At Lupin Theatre. Tickets $27$42 via neworleansshakespeare.org.
JUNE 26
LOUISIANA SEAFOOD COOK-OFF
Chefs from across Louisiana compete in the live cooking event for the title and the chance to represent the state in other competitions. At the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. Tickets $71.21 via eventbrite.com.
JUNE 27
SIAM NIGHT MARKET
The event features food vendors ofering Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines, and there is a vendor market as well. From noon to 10 p.m. at the Westwego Farmers Market. For information, visit @nolathaifoodfest on Instagram.
JUNE 27-28
CELEBRATING ABILITIES/DISABILITIES AWARENESS POWWOW
Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ is at Saenger Theatre June 2-7.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY
WHERE T HE R IVER RIVER
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GOOD TIME MEET TIM E
2026 SUMMER EVENTS PREVIEW
tures dancing competitions, drumming, singing and more. Free admission. At the Barry P. Bonvillian Civic Canter in Houma. Visit unitedhoumanation.org for information.
JULY
JULY 3
HAPPY 3RD OF JULY
The Independence Day celebration in City Park features a free concert on the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn beginning at 6 p.m. and freworks over the Peristyle at 9 p.m. For information, visit neworleanscitypark.org/event/ happy-3rd-of-july.
JULY 3-5
ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE
Headliners for concerts in the Caesars Superdome include Cardi B, Patti LaBelle, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Brandy & Monica, Kehlani, Latto, Public Enemy, Doug E. Fresh, SZN4, Josh Levi, Leon Thomas and others. There also are speeches, panel discussions and more at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Visit essence. com for schedule and details.
JULY 4
GO FOURTH ON THE RIVER
The annual Independence Day celebration is bigger this year with the commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday. There are freworks over the Mississippi River at the French Quarter at 9 p.m. and patriotic music will be broadcasted on wwl.com and the event website. Visit go4thontheriver.com for information.
JULY 9-12
‘LA CAGE AUX FOLLES’
In the farcical musical, Georges runs a drag nightclub in which his partner Albin takes the stage as the star Zaza. They try to hide the details of their lives when Georges’ son gets engaged to the daughter of a conservative politician who comes to visit. Diane Lala directs the show for Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University. At Dixon Hall. Tickets $81-$136 via liberalarts.tulane.edu/ summer-lyric-theatre.
JULY 9-19
‘LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL’
In the musical adaptation of the movie, Elle Woods enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend and delights in defying expectations. The show features the songs “Omigod You Guys,” “Bend and Snap” and more. At Rivertown Theaters for the
Performing Arts. Tickets $52.19-$56.58 via rivertowntheaters.com.
JULY 10-12
GALAXYCON
The convention features celebrity guests, comics, fan groups, cosplay, tabletop gaming, a market, a family zone, pro wrestlers, tattoo artists and more. Guests include William Shatner, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Sam Raimi, Brian Posehn, Danny Glover, Pam Grier, Lou Ferrigno and more. Most events are at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Single-day passes start at $40. Visit galaxycon.com for information.
JULY
10-12
SAN FERMIN IN NUEVA ORLEANS
Pamplona, Spain’s annual bull run inspired the Running of the NOLA Bulls, in which the “bulls” are roller derby skaters with horned helmets and plastic bats, and they chase runners around the Warehouse District from the starting point at Gallier Hall. The weekend also includes the El Txupinazo party on the eve of the run, and Sunday’s El Pobre de Mi brunch, inspired by Ernest Hemingway. For tickets and information, visit nolabulls.com for details.
JULY 13
‘THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES’
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane presents a staged reading of Moliere’s comedy about a man who tries to create a perfect wife by training a young, naive girl, but he can’t stop her from falling in love with someone else. At Lupin Theatre. Tickets $22 via neworleansshakespeare.org.
JULY 16-18
ISLAND STRONG MUSIC
FEST
This music festival was founded in the wake of Hurricane Ida’s damage to Grand Isle. The music lineup features Groovy 7, Waylon Thibodeaux, Junior Lacrosse, Foret Tradition, Louisiana Beat, The Chee-Weez and more. There also are vendors selling food, crafts and more. At the Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion in Grand Isle. Find information at islandstrongmusicfest.com.
JULY 18-19
HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE
The Monster Truck show features vehicles like Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, Megasaurus, V8 Bomber and popular Hot Wheels cars doing jumps and other stunts. Smoothie King Center. Tickets start at $30.80 via ticketmaster.com.
JULY 18-26
NEW ORLEANS PIANO
INSTITUTE & COMPETITION
The Piano Institute features solo performances, master classes and lectures for participants, and the Concerto Competition. At Roussel Hall at Loyola University New Orleans. Visit masno.org for information.
JULY 19-24
TALES OF THE COCKTAIL
The cocktail and bartending conference features seminars and panel discussions on spirits, bar trends, bar business, wellness in the hospitality industry and more. There’s also a spirts competition, tasting rooms and product presentations, the Spirited Awards, a bartending competition and more. Various locations. Visit talesofthecocktail.org for details.
JULY 21
‘THE MARVELOUS MISS GENDER’
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Bosco stars in a musical show featuring comedy, dance, lip-syncing, fashion and camp. At Civic Theatre. Tickets $56.95 and up via civicnola.com.
JULY 23-AUG. 9
‘THE ROSE TATTOO’
In Tennessee Williams’ drama, Serafna Delle Rose recedes into solitude after the death of her husband. But as she draws her teenage daughter Rose into isolation, she also learns secrets her husband kept, and both women look to escape. The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans presents the drama at Loyola University New Orleans’ Marqutte Theatre. Find tickets and information at twtheatrenola.com.
JULY 24-26
X GAMES NEW ORLEANS
The MoonPay X Games League competition features skateboarding, BMX, Moto X and more, as well as live music and a festival atmosphere. At Caesars Superdome. Find information at xgames.com.
JULY 25-26
BOCUSE D’OR AND PASTRY WORLD CUP
Culinary teams representing the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Ecuador and more South American nations will compete in sections for both savory foods and desserts to get to the world fnals in Lyon, France. At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
JULY 30-AUG. 2
‘A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC’
In the musical about mismatched rela-
tionships and infdelity, the middle-aged Fredrik has a much younger bride, Anne, who has attracted the attention of his son. Fredrik revisits a former mistress, whose new partner gets jealous, though he also is cheating. Ricky Graham directs the musical for Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University. At Dixon Hall. Tickets $81-$136 via liberalarts.tulane.edu/ summer-lyric-theatre.
JULY 31-AUG. 9
‘A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER’
In the musical farce, Monty Navarro realizes that he is ninth in line to become the Earl of Highhurst and wonders what he can do about the eight people before him. Jeferson Performing Arts Society presents the show at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets $42 via jpas.org.
AUGUST
AUG. 1
WHITE LINEN NIGHT
Contemporary art galleries in the Warehouse District open for receptions and a Julia Street block party. For more information, visit artsdistrictneworleans.com or @whitelinennight on Instagram.
AUG. 1-2
SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
The annual festival celebrates the birthday of Louis Armstrong and traditional jazz. There are stages for live music as well as presentations of flm and talks on topics related to Armstrong. The festival is presented by French Quarter Festivals Inc. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Visit frenchquarterfest.org/satchmo for information.
AUG. 8
NEW ORLEANS SERA
INVITATIONAL RODEO
The Southeastern Rodeo Association competition features bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing and more. At the Smoothie King Center. Tickets $54.45 via ticketmaster.com.
AUG. 8
RED DRESS RUN
The New Orleans Hash House Harriers hold their annual run, in which thousands of runners in red dresses or red costumes hit the streets of the French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods. Proceeds beneft a variety of local nonprofts. Visit noh3.com to register and for details.
The contemporary art celebration White Linen Night will be Saturday, Aug. 1, in the Warehouse District.
AUG. 8-9
NOLA COMIC CON
The convention features comic book dealers, toy and collectible vendors, comic artists, anime voice actors, anime panels, cosplay competitions and more. At the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. Single-day tickets $18, weekend passes $25 via mcconventions.com.
AUG. 10
THE SQUIRREL AND THE SQUIRE
Fat Squirrel Productions presents the choose-your-own-adventure comedy, in which the audience determines the heroes’ choices in the scripted adventure story. At AllWays Lounge & Theatre. Admission $20. Find information at fatsquirrelnola.square.site.
AUG. 22-23
LOUISIANA VINTAGE FESTIVAL
There will be more than 50 vendors of vintage clothes, accessories and more at the House of Blues. Visit louisianavintagefestival.com for tickets and information.
AUG. 26-30
CUTTING EDGE CONFERENCE
The music conference addresses topics in law and business in the entertainment industry, including the place of AI. There are also performances in the New Works
Artist Showcases and panel discussions in the Roots Music Gathering portions of the event. Visit cuttingedgenola.com for details
AUG. 28-30
‘BLUEY’S BIG PLAY’
In the stage version of the animated children’s TV show, Bluey and Bingo are in the mood to play some games. At Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets $30.50$158.60 via mahaliajacksontheater.com.
AUG. 29
MID-SUMMER MARDI GRAS
The Krewe of O.A.K. holds its annual Mid-Summer Mardi Gras parade, with costumed revelers, dance groups and small krewes gathering in front of the Maple Leaf Bar and parading in the Carrollton neighborhood. Visit facebook. com/koak69 for information.
SEPT. 3-7
SOUTHERN DECADENCE
The annual week of celebration for the LGBTQ community includes events like the Southern Decadence parade on Sunday, Sept. 6, drag shows, parties and more in the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny and beyond. Visit southerndecadence.com for a list of associated events.
PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
CONCERT PREVIEW Summe
Here’s a preview of mostly touring bands performing at local venues this summer.
May
Yot Club, zzzahara Gasa Gasa
MAY 21
Mark Hummel Band with Anson Funderburgh, Chickie Wah Wah MAY 22
Juvenile
29 Malaa Republic NOLA
MAY 30
WASTE, Catsclaw Gasa Gasa
MAY 31
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Orpheum Theater
JUNE 5
Shadowgrass Chickie Wah Wah
JUNE 6
French Montana and Max B The Fillmore
JUNE 6
Orchestra Noir Orpheum Theater
JUNE 6
Machine Country Siberia
JUNE 7
Sunny Sweeney Chickie Wah Wah
JUNE 7
Haunt Siberia
JUNE 8
Camping in Alaska
Siberia
JUNE 9
Truth Club No Dice
JUNE 10
The Runarounds The Fillmore
JUNE 2
Yung Bleu House of Blues
JUNE 2
Luke Schneider Saturn Bar
JUNE 3
Jim Lauderdale and the Game Changers Chickie Wah Wah
JUNE 3
Crush Diamond No Dice
JUNE 4
Chris Duarte Gasa Gasa
JUNE 4-7
The Resurrection: Midnight T, Bommer, MAD DUBZ B2B VKTM, 7Lm USAYBFLOW, Beastboi, Finnuh Republic NOLA
JUNE 16
Kevin Morby Tipitina’s
JUNE 17
Human League, Soft Cell, Alison Moyet Saenger Theatre
JUNE 17
Restless Spirit, Gozu SIberia
JUNE 18
Patric Wolf Gasa Gasa
JUNE 18
Taj Farrant Chickie Wah Wah
JUNE 19
Sister Hazel House of Blues
JUNE 19
Brave Days No Dice
JUNE 20
Pour Minds Joy Theater
JUNE 20
Thievery Corporation House of Blues
JUNE 21
JUNE 11
Quail P Chickie Wah Wah
JUNE 11
Yebba House of Blues
JUNE 12
Big Gigantic Republic NOLA
JUNE 12
Matt Schofield Jazz & Blues Market
JUNE 13
Rob49, Sexyy Red, Glorilla, G Herbo, Loe Shimmy and more Smoothie King Center
JUNE 14
Big K.R.I.T. House of Blues
JUNE 15
Tim Kasher Gasa Gasa
Joe Jackson Joy Theater
JUNE 23
We’re Wolves No Dice
JUNE 24
L.A. Guns Southport Hall
JUNE 25
3Quency House of Blues
JUNE 25
Leo Middea Siberia
JUNE 25
Most Modern The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 27
Kill Safari Republic NOLA
JUNE 27
Dan Deacon Siberia
New Orleans-born rapper
Rob49 performs June 13 at the Smoothie King Center.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY IVAN EREMIN
July
JULY 7
Adjust the Sails Gasa Gasa
JULY 9
Balmora, Incantation Tipitina’s
JULY 9
Death Valley Girls Siberia
JULY 10
Rockell Southport Hall
JULY 11
New Orleans
Beatles Fest Jefferson Performing Arts Center
JULY 12
Tori Amos Saenger Theatre
JULY 17
Mike Posner Republic NOLA
JULY 31
Bryan Adams, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Smoothie King Center
JULY 31
AUGUST 8
Patty Griffin Chickie Wah Wah
AUGUST 9
Cairo Jag Siberia
JULY 18
Elmiene Civic Theatre
Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards No Dice
AUGUST 10
Eagles of Death Metal House of Blues
AUGUST 16
JULY 19
High Face, JT Loux Chickie Wah Wah
JULY 21
Emerson Woolf & The Wishbones Chickie Wah Wah
AUGUST 1
Diggy Graves House of Blues
AUGUST 1
Fudge Gasa Gasa
AUGUST 16
Soft Palms Siberia AUGUST
Benson
JULY 21
Wombo Gasa Gasa
JULY 23
Tomahawk, Melvins House of Blues
JULY 23
Conan Siberia
Ryan Oakes House of Blues
AUGUST 1
San Holo Republic NOLA
AUGUST 1
The Ultimate
Elvis Tribute
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
AUGUST
JULY 25
Lord Huron Saenger Theatre
JULY 29
Jeffrey Nothing Southport Hall
JULY 31
76th Street Gasa Gasa
AUGUST 2
The Body, BIG | BRAVE
Gasa Gasa
AUGUST 2
Greg Mendez
Siberia
AUGUST 7
Ella Mai, Ama Saenger Theatre
SUMMERComedy
CALENDAR
Here’s a preview of touring stand-up comics coming to New Orleans this summer.
MAY
MAY 18
Modi
Orpheum Theater
MAY 21
Lisandra Vazquez Sports Drink
MAY 22
Gabbie Watts Sports Drink
MAY 22-23
Lane Lonion Sports Drink
MAY 22
Robert Kelly
The Howlin’ Wolf
MAY 29-30
Benny Feldman Sports Drink
MAY 30
Jeff Dye Southport Hall
JUNE
JUNE 4-7
LGBTLOL Queer
Comedy Festival
various venues
JUNE 11
Ronnie Lordi Sports Drink
JUNE 12
Joe Zimmerman
The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 12
Karen Rontowski
The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 12-13
Emma Willmann Sports Drink
JUNE 13
Christian Johnson
The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 14
Phil Medina, Jason Schuster, Mark Gonzales The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 18
Shayne Smith Southport Hall
JUNE 19-20
Jourdain Fisher Sports Drink
JUNE 20
Ify Nwadiwe
The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 24
Ilana Glazer
Joy Theater
JUNE 26
Billy Sorrells The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 26-27
Jackie Fabulous Sports Drink
JUNE 27
Tim Shropshire The Howlin’ Wolf
JUNE 28
Jack Bensinger Sports Drink
JULY
JULY 9
Jay Light Sports Drink
JULY 11
JP McDade Sports Drink
Emma Willmann performs at Sports Drink June 12-13.
JULY 12
Sammy Obeid The Howlin’ Wolf
JULY 17
Chad and JT The Howlin’ Wolf
JULY 18
Adam Gilbert Sports Drink
JULY 24
Jimmy Sowell The Howlin’ Wolf
JULY 25
Chris Higgins Sports Drink
AUGUST
AUGUST 1 Fume Abe Sports Drink
AUGUST 8
Drew Morgan Sports Drink
AUGUST 15
Sean Jordan Sports Drink
AUGUST 21-22
Ryan Goodcase Sports Drink
AUGUST 28-29
Matthew Broussard Sports Drink
AUGUST 30
Lucas Zelnik Civic Theatre
EAT + DRINK
Sea change
FOR DINERS CRAZY ABOUT GULF
SEAFOOD, there’s a new game in town.
Married chefs Brenna Sanders and Evan Ingram opened The Crustacean Club on N. Rampart Street May 7. It’s the dream restaurant they’ve been imagining for the 15 years they’ve been living and traveling together.
She’s from outside of Mobile, he’s from Sacramento, and they met in the kitchen at Restaurant August. They later ran the kitchen at the swank champagne lounge Effervescence until it closed almost a year ago when the owner retired. Now, the space is theirs. It’s a gorgeous restaurant divided into a couple areas. Up front, there is a white marble bar, scattered seating and a communal table where guests waiting to be seated can get a cocktail. The pretty front dining area is inviting, with rolled white leather banquettes punctuated by whimsical crustacean throw pillows. Botanical prints and original detailed drawings of fish and seafood adorn the walls.
There are two crystal chandeliers and comfortable velvet club chairs in reef shades of aquamarine and coral. Fish-inspired details are everywhere, from the brass pulls on a cabinet to the spiny lobster standing in for the handle on an old school telephone. The effect is charming.
The oyster bar offers an a la carte option, with the emphasis on sparkling wines and a case stocked with cold seafood. Gulf oysters might include Point aux Pins from Alabama and Shelley Farms oysters from Port Sulphur, Louisiana.
In this space, patrons can enjoy Gulf oysters on the half shell, caviar, French fries, cocktails and wine, as well as some nightly raw bar specials. It’s also where diners find Sanders preparing cold seafood to order. An oyster shucker soon will keep her company.
In the rear of the restaurant, through a half curtain, up to 20 guests can be seated in the Club Room.
There is a five-course pescatarian tasting menu with as many as a dozen different bites and sharable dishes. The intimate room’s design
features a stunning vintage Venetian palm chandelier, along with striking wallpaper from London swimming with a shoal of finny creatures.
Chef Ingram mans the compact back kitchen along with a small team. The couple tweaked the restaurant’s layout to get more storage, but there isn’t a regular walk-in refrigerator, just a few coolers.
“We’re used to buying local and seasonal on a regular basis, not having a lot of product around,” Ingram says.
Ingram’s years of experience most recently included helping to develop the monger program at Porgy’s Seafood Market.
“That time exposed me to a lot of sourcing connections and gave me great experience butchering fish, especially not just the typical Gulf fish,” he says.
Passionate about sustainability and supporting local fishers, Ingram is excited to spotlight seafood beyond the familiar Gulf offerings. That can include invasive species like scorpion and lionfish, known for their delicate, sweet white meat.
The chefs strive to offer both value and a memorable experience for the $125 tasting menu. “For most people, including us, a tasting menu is for a special occasion,” Ingram says. “We want it to be really special, an experience worth the price of a concert ticket.”
On the opening menu, the first course, called Chill of the Day, includes snapper crudo, thinly sliced and bathed in an umami rich sauce that Ingram calls swamp dashi, made from charred fish bones, dried bonito flakes and more.
Tender Gulf shrimp are served in a lime-forward coconut broth that deserves a spoon to catch every savory drop. Smoked crab claws come with a horseradish sauce and a nest of thinly sliced fennel. Freshly baked buttermilk Parker House-style rolls arrive warm, topped with sea salt and each bite flecked with bits of nori.
The chefs’ version of deviled crab is their take on the New Orleans favorite. They stuff a crab shell with jumbo lump crabmeat flavored with the North African spice red chermoula. Luscious crab fat pommes puree is spooned over the mixture tableside.
Sanders, who spent time working at an Uptown wine shop, worked on the extensive menu of sparkling wines and Champagnes. There’s a concise cocktail list with the memorable High Tide dirty martini, a blend of vodka and gin that includes swamp dashi instead of olive juice. It’s garnished with olives stuffed with caviar and pepper cream cheese.
Crustacean Club is the latest fun and fine dining option along N. Rampart Street, joining MaMou and Palm & Pine. For Sanders and Ingram, their first restaurant represents their love of the Gulf and the people who bring its seafood to market.
“We want to spend our money supporting the fishing community,” Ingram says. “It’s so important to preserve that way of life. It’s so special and unique to where we are.”
Bratz to close
ON MAY 8, DAYS AFTER LEARNING THAT THE RENT WOULD INCREASE AT HIS BYWATER BEER GARDEN, Sven Vorkauf gathered his staff to announce that Bratz Y’all! would close on May 31, ending nine years of German food, beer and live music on Piety Street.
“I really gave my heart to this place,” Vorkauf said shortly afterward. “I’m 55, and have to start all over again.”
Its closure marks the end of the only German restaurant in New Orleans, decades after the city lost Kolb’s, which served German fare on St. Charles Avenue from 1899 to 1994.
A Berlin native, Vorkauf debuted Bratz Y’all! as a food booth at the Freret Street Market in 2012, two years after he moved to New Orleans. He initially served bratwurst sandwiches before expanding the menu with dishes that blended German and New Orleans flavors, including a schnitzel sandwich topped with his crawfish remoulade slaw. After building a local following — and winning a first place award at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival in his first year as a vendor, then four more times afterward — Vorkauf decided to open a permanent location.
Bratz Y’all! opened in the Bywater in 2017, as Piety Street evolved into a hub of activity, following the earlier arrivals of Pizza Delicious and Crescent City Park. Tucked behind Pizza Delicious, the restaurant embodied the spirit of a traditional German biergarten, with a patio illuminated by pendant lights and giant barrels repurposed as tables. Though the restaurant remained a neighborhood fixture, Vorkauf faced mounting challenges last year, when an eviction notice was posted on the door of the building’s back room — a space long used for events such as Oktoberfest celebrations and weddings.
Crustacean Club opens on the edge of the French Quarter by Beth D’Addono |
Chefs Brenna Sanders and Evan Ingram opened Crustacean Club.
PHOTO BY MADDIE SPINNER / GAMBIT
PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
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A couple weeks ago, his landlords told him that the rent would increase. After a tumultuous year — including his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis, from which she has since recovered — Vorkauf said he could no longer keep up with rising costs, especially with the arrival of summer, a notoriously slow season for New Orleans restaurants.
Born into a family of chefs, Vorkauf has spent his life in the food industry, building a career that included preparing meals for President Ronald Reagan as well as then Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
FORK & CENTER
Asked whether he planned to open another restaurant, Vorkauf said he first “needed a few months to breathe.”
Still, he remains hopeful.
“The phoenix will come out of the ashes,” he said. — Poet Wolfe / The Times-Picayune
Metairie cofee boost
A POPULAR JEFFERSON PARISH COFFEE TRAILER RUN BY A MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST AND HIS FAMILY is getting a major upgrade this month with the launch of its first brick-and-mortar location.
Rougabrew, a coffee pop-up named after the Cajun cryptid rougarou, announced a plan to open its first location in coming weeks at 1645 Veterans Memorial Blvd., in the former Ash & Oli’s Snowballs & Soft Serve building behind Bar 504.
The new storefront is already taking shape, with a new mural by Kenner tattoo artist Rich Sutton with cattails and mossy cypress trees painted in white with the letters “Rb” over a black brick exterior.
In the 15 months since launching the pop-up, its owners, Lafitte-based couple Vinh and Courtney Le, have attracted a customer base and more than 13,000 followers on social media, where they post their weekly schedule.
“It’s been awesome just seeing how quickly we’ve grown,” Vinh says. “I think our biggest thing is how happy everybody is when they get to our trailer and how happy it is just seeing everyone smile before their day.”
The menu offers cold brew, drip coffee and matcha. Fit with the swamp theme, the menu’s specials are all iced drinks to combat Louisiana heat, like the Cookie Couyon, with cookie butter cold foam, and the Dubayou, with pistachio and mocha. Vinh and his wife decided to get into the coffee business as a side hustle from the mixed martial arts gym he and his brother run in Metairie, LeBros MMA at Moon College.
“We spend so much money on (coffee) everywhere else, so I figured people would probably do the same to us,” Vinh says.
Vinh, originally from Saint Rose, is a former national competitor in tae kwon do, and his brother Than Le, who now helps run Rougabrew 2 out of a second trailer, is a former featherweight champion for ONE, the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Vinh’s mom also has joined the operation, often taking orders from customers while Vinh and Courtney make the drinks.
The couple originally launched Rougabrew in January 2025 after some trial and error renovating horse trailers, and began popping up on both sides of the river in Jefferson Parish to sell their homemade cold brew and flavored, made-to-order cold foam.
Vinh and Courtney usually start their workdays around 5 a.m. to drain their cold brew toddies and load the trailers. They run the stand until they sell out, usually around 1 or 2 p.m., and then they head back home to prepare their coffee concentrate to sit for the next 16 to 24 hours.
Courtney, a Lafitte native, runs the business’s social media accounts, which regularly amass tens of thousands of views on each video they post.
Customers follow them to Lafitte, Metairie, Marrero or Kenner for their orders, they say. The two occasionally pop up in Destrehan and New Orleans as well.
While West Bank customers were disappointed Rougabrew’s first store is opening in Metairie, the couple says they have plans to expand, including hopes for a shop in Lafitte near the high school that’s currently under construction.
“I’m always a positive person,” Vinh says. “I think I can do anything in life no matter what it is, and it went further than I even thought that we could take it.”
Courtney Le and Vinh Le prepare coffee drinks at Rougabrew.
PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
Jeremiah Thomas & Riley Chavez
Chefs
by Will Coviello
EACH CLASS OF YOUNG CHEFS AT THE NEW ORLEANS CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE (NOCHI) creates a pop-up restaurant as a capstone project. The current cohort created Deux Fuegos, which fuses Mexican and Creole cuisines across a menu of savory dishes, desserts, cocktails and mocktails. Jeremiah Thomas and Riley Chavez both grew up in California and came to NOCHI on scholarships. They’re leading the Deux Fuegos team. It’s open to the public for lunch May 19-22 and 27-29 and June 2-5 and 9-12. Visit nochi.org/deux-fuegos to see the menu and make reservations.
How did you get interested in cooking and attending NOCHI?
RILEY CHAVEZ: I’ve been surrounded by home cooks from a very young age. My mother did cakes on the weekend, and I’d help her decorate cakes for birthdays and special occasions. I have always been in the kitchen creating new things. I got into cooking seriously in high school, and I worked at a country club for four years as a line cook. I did a lot of recipe development, which helped me build my portfolio to apply to my current scholarship from the Aaron Sanchez Impact Fund. They sent me to New Orleans for the culinary part. I got a second scholarship to be able to study pastry. I also have been
working full time at Emeril’s since I got here. It keeps me busy, but it’s very rewarding. I was there when they got their two Michelin stars. I work at the wine bar section of the kitchen.
JEREMIAH THOMAS: I grew up in Pasadena, California. My grandmother was a Japanese American. She taught me a lot about home cooking. On the other side, my dad is from Louisiana and grew up in Baton Rouge. He worked at Pasadena’s No. 1 barbecue place, Gus’s BBQ. He rebuilt the whole restaurant as executive chef. He also worked at White Horse Lounge, where he turned it into one of the top restaurants in Pasadena.
My culinary career started in high school. I learned culinary basics in school, and I had the pleasure to do competitions. My sophomore year I was exposed to ProStart, which is a Louisiana-based high school culinary competition. I ran the culinary and hospitality teams for my school.
The same year, I won gold for the local competition. Chef (Edgar “Dook” Chase IV) from Dooky Chase sponsored me to go to Las Vegas. I went and competed against North Carolina, Texas, New York and Alaska, and I took home second place nationally. It was a pantry competition, where you have to build a recipe off the items they give you in the pantry.
By my senior year of high school, I decided to try to enroll at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. I was going to do food business management, but I fell into some hard times and had to drop. I called NOCHI, and I was put into a competition for the Emeril Lagasse scholarship and I won.
I am doing my externship at Emeril’s, and the goal is to work at Emeril’s. I want to specialize in Michelin star quality and efficiency. I want to open up my own restaurant.
How did you come up with the concept for Deux Fuegos?
CHAVEZ: I pitched Mexican cuisine, and we came up with the concept for Mexican and Louisiana Creole. We did research. We recommended places, like Acamaya. It’s the best inspiration we could have taken for Mexican cuisine.
Most of the stuff on the menu we grew up eating, but it has a modern twist on it to where it reflects everything we learned throughout the curriculum. We put so much love into this project.
What are some of the dishes on your menu?
CHAVEZ: One of the things on our menu is Maiz Ribs, which is a take on street corn. It’s going to have roasted red pepper aioli, queso fresco and cilantro. It’s going to be served corn rib style. I am excited for the carnitas po-boy. We’re going to have marinated, slow roasted carnitas and pickles made in house.
The boudin tamale was created by Sierra Francois. She grew up in
Mississippi, and it’s a play on a Delta tamale. We’re going to put a crema and crispy okra chips on top.
THOMAS: Right now, we’re testing different types of rice to see which one is best.
Traditionally tamales are made with masa. But the boudin tamale works because of the way the rice sticks and the pork and seasonings match. It goes well together.
CHAVEZ: I am excited about the horchata bread pudding. Horchata is cinnamon rice milk. It sounds odd but it’s so delicious. I realize Mexican food isn’t as common here as it is in California. But we found so many similarities between the two cuisines that it wasn’t that hard to make great dishes.
THOMAS: Between the seasonings and flavors, everything came together as one.
With the horchata bread pudding, I came up with that one. I thought about it because on Sundays, my grandmother would make bread pudding at the church with all the fixings and stuff for Sunday dinner. Growing up in California, the Mexican street food scene is very big. I had a vision of putting the two together. It worked out really well.
CHAVEZ: It went through a few different versions. We originally were going to do an ice cream. I altered it at first so it would be an anglaise but still have that flavor. Introducing dulce de leche and all the other things made it a little more elevated than we would cook at home. Being in New Orleans and working in a high-end kitchen helped guide my ideas. But I am a home cook. I grew up in the kitchen with my grandma.
Chefs Jeremiah Thomas and Riley Chavez
PHOTO BY WILL COVIELLO / GAMBIT
Weekend Specials MAY15-17
—Brunch —
French Toast
MonteCristo withhashbrowns swissand asparagusquiche
southern style strawberry shortcake withbacon
—LUNCH ruben withfries
greeksalad withsmokedsalmon
BRUNCH Saturday &Sunday!
—DINNER—
boudin stuffed double cut pork chops withmac and cheese and vegetables
JumboSoftshell over dirtyrice topped with seafoodcream CRAWFISHARBOILSEBACK! EveryThursday
OUT TO EAT
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.
3rd Block Depot — 316 Chartres St., (504) 552-4095; 3rdblockdepot.com — The menu ranges from seafood and sausage gumbo and Gulf shrimp ceviche to smashburgers and steaks. Brunch brings crab cake Benedict with hollandaise on an English muffin. Reservations available. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Acropolis Cuisine — 3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-9046; acropoliscuisine.com — The menu of classic Greek dishes includes souvlaki, gyros and pita wraps, spanakopita, hummus and Greek salads. Moussaka has layers of eggplant, potatoes, zucchini, ground beef and bechamel. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
$ — average dinner entrée under $10
$$ $11-$20
$$$ — $20-up
varieties including chicken and sausage gumbo and seafood gumbo with shrimp, crab and crawfish. The menu also has boudin balls, Bayou shrimp scampi, crawfish etouffee and fried shrimp po-boys. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
The Commissary — 634 Orange St., (504) 274-1850; thecommissarynola.com — Dickie Brennan’s Commissary supplies his other restaurant kitchens and also has a dine-in menu and prepared foods to go. A smoked turkey sandwich is served with bacon, tomato jam, herbed cream cheese, arugula and herb vinaigrette on honey oat bread. The menu includes dips, salads, sandwiches, boudin balls, fried oysters and more. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sat. $$
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. $
Don’s Seafood — 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-1555; donsseafoodonline.com — The seafood options range from char-broiled oysters to seafood gumbo, fried shrimp and catfish platters and stuffed flounder. The menu also has rib-eye steaks. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Elizabeth’s Restaurant — 601 Gallier St., (504) 944-9272; elizabethsrestaurantnola. com — Elizabeth’s is known for its signature praline bacon, and the menu also includes boudin balls, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and eggs Florentine. Outdoor seating available. Reservations accepted for parties of 10 or more. Breakfast and lunch daily. $$ Katie’s Restaurant — 3701 Iberville St., (504) 488-6582; katiesinmidcity.com — The Cajun Cuban is stuffed 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. $$
3701 iberville st •504.488.6582 katiesinmidcity.com Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri&Sat 11am-10pm•Sun 10am-5pm
The Country Club — 634 Louisa St., (504) 9450742; thecountryclubneworleans.com — The Bywater restaurant and pool has a menu of crab beignets, truffle mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, burgers and more. Seared redfish is served with kale, toasted chickpeas, sesame seeds, chili crisp and whipped tahini. Outdoor seating available. Reservations recommended. Lunch, brunch and dinner daily. $$$ Delacroix Restaurant — 1 Poydras St., (504) 655-9002; delacroixrestaurant.com
Annunciation — 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; annunciationrestaurant.com — Gulf fish Capri includes artichokes, crawfish, tomatoes and capers. There also are oysters, seafood pasta dishes, salads, steaks, lamb chops and desserts like bananas Foster bread pudding and lemon icebox tart. Reservations recommended. Dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$
Audubon Clubhouse — 6500 Magazine St., (504) 558-1200; audubonclubhouse.com — The menu by Dickie Brennan and Co. includes crabmeat cheesecake, shrimp remoulade, fried oysters, burgers, sandwiches and more. Shrimp Tchefuncte combines house-made andouille, mushrooms, popcorn rice and Creole meuniere sauce. Outdoor seating available. Reservations recommended. Brunch, lunch and dinner daily. $$$ Banana Blossom — 500 9th St., Gretna, (504) 500-0997; 504bananablossom. com — There are traditional Thai dishes like pad thai, green curry, pineapple fried rice, drunken noodles and coconut shrimp as well as original creations. Beef rib Chiang Mai features a slow-braised beef rib with yellow curry, egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, cilantro and chili oil. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$
With views overlooking the Mississippi River, the restaurant serves a mix of South Louisiana dishes like smoked duck gumbo, crawfish bisque, shrimp Creole, blackened redfish and crawfish étouffée. Drum amandine is served with green beans and stewed potatoes. Reservations available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Desire Oyster Bar — Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St., (504) 5860300; 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, gumbo, blackened fish, fried seafood platters and more. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House — 144 Bourbon St., (504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse. com — There’s a seafood raw bar with raw and char-broiled oysters, fish dip, crab fingers, shrimp and more. Redfish “on the half-shell” is cooked skin-on and served with crab-boiled potatoes, frisee and lemon buerre blanc. The bar offers a wide selection of bourbon and whiskies. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Boil & Barrel — 900 Harrison Ave., (504) 3322645; boilandbarrel.com — The menu includes dishes like barbecue shrimp, char-broiled oysters, boiled crawfish, seafood platters and roast beef po-boys. B&B fruit de mer includes shrimp, mussels and crawfish tossed with spaghetti in San Marzano tomato sauce. The bar offers a long list of bourbons and whiskies. Outdoor seating available. Reservations available. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$$
Budsi’s Authentic Thai — 1760 N. Rampart St., (504) 381-4636; budsisthai.com —
Chef Budsaba Mason prepares dishes from her native Issan region of Thailand and other popular Thai dishes like papaya salad, grilled pork shoulder, larb, khao soi, pad thai and red curry. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$
Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop — 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-2022; gumbostop. com — The Gumbo Stop has several gumbo
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. $$$ Domenica — 123 Baronne St., (504) 6486020; domenicarestaurant.com — The Italian restaurant offers a mix of wood-fired Napolitano-style pizzas and house-made pastas. Appetizers include various salumi and cheese boards, antipasti, roasted cauliflower and more. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
King Brasserie & Bar — Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, 501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3000; kingbrasserieandbar.com — The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the cuisine of the Riviera and southern France. There are dishes like steak frites and bouillabaisse as well as blackened Gulf fish and barbecue shrimp and oysters. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and 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 steaks and chops includes filet mignon, bone-in rib-eye, top sirloin and double pork chops and a la carte toppings include bearnaise, 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. $$ Luke — 333 St. Charles Ave., (504) 378-2840; lukeneworleans.com — The raw bar offers oysters, boiled shrimp, cured tuna, smoked trout dip and more. The menu has dishes like shrimp and grits, crab omelets, crawfish etouffee and steak frites. Reservations encouraged. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner daily. $$$ Lyons Corner — 537 Gravier St., (504) 5270006; lyonscornernola.com — The eclectic menu includes Cajun prawns, bang-bang fried oysters, chicken sandwiches, salads and more. In the morning, there are breakfast empanadas, muffins, croissants, scones, beignets and more. Delivery and takeout available. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Mikimoto — 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881; mikimotosushi.com — The menu of Japanese cuisine includes sushi, signature rolls, tempura fried items, udon noodles, teriyaki, salads and more.The South Carrollton roll includes tuna tataki, avocado, snow crab, green onion and wasabi roe. Reservations accepted. Delivery available. Lunch Sun.-Fri., dinner daily. $$
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. $$$ Mother’s Restaurant — 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656; mothersrestaurant. net — This counter-service spot serves po-boys dressed with sliced cabbage like the Famous Ferdi filled with ham, roast beef and debris. Creole favorites include jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice and more. Breakfast is available all day. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro — 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930; orleansgrapevine.com — The wine bar offers a selectoin of cheese boards and appetizers. Creole pasta combines shrimp and andouille in tomato cream sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$ Pascal’s Manale — 1838 Napoleon Ave., (504) 895-4877; pascalsmanale.com — This Creole-Italian spot invented New Orleansstyle barbecue shrimp, and the menu also includes seafood gumbo, crab cakes, oysters and Italian-style pasta dishes. There’s also an oyster bar. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. $$$ 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. $$ Pizza Domenica — 4933 Magazine St., (504) 301-4978; pizzadomenica.com — Pizza is the focus of this offshoot of the Italian restaurant Domenica. There also are meatballs, roasted cauliflower and house-made pastas. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Restaurant August — 301 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 299-9777; restaurantaugust. com — The fine dining restaurant serves Creole and contemporary dishes featuring foie gras, Gulf fish, duck and more. Gnocchi are served with crab, summer truffles and Parmesan. Reservations recommended.
Dinner Sun.-Fri., lunch Fri. $$$
Rivershack Tavern — 3449 River Road, Jefferson, (504) 834-4938; rivershacktavern.com — This tavern along the levee offers a casual menu of roast beef po-boys, burgers, wraps, fried shrimp platters, catfish and gumbo. A country fried steak is served with brown gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables and salad. Outdoor seating available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Shaya — 4213 Magazine St., (504) 891-4213; shayarestaurant.com — The Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu includes dishes like hummus, falafel, kebabs, grilled chicken and wood-oven pita bread. A chicken schnitzel sandwich is dressed with little gem lettuce, pickles and harissa mayonnaise on sesame brioche bread. Outdoor seating available. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$ Stingray’s Restaurant & Bar — 1303 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, (504) 443-4040; stingraysseafoodrestaurant.com — Zydeco
fish is stuffed with crabmeat dressing and topped with shrimp cream sauce. The menu also includes fried shrimp and oyster platters, grilled redfish, crabmeat jalapeños, and boudin egg rolls. Reservations available. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Tableau — 616 St. Peter St., (504) 934-3463; tableaufrenchquarter.com — The menu features traditional and creative Creole dishes. Pasta bouillabaisse features squid ink mafaldine, little neck clams, Gulf shrimp, squid, seafood broth, rouille and herbed breadcrumbs. Outdoor seating available on the balcony. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Thu.-Sun. $$$ Tacklebox — 817 Common St., (504) 827-1651; legacykitchen.com — The menu includes raw and char-broiled oysters, seafood platters, po-boys, fried chicken, crab and corn bisque and more. Redfish St. Charles is served with garlic-herb butter, asparagus, mushrooms and crawfish cornbread. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
Tavi — 330 N. New Hampshire St., (985) 200-2045; tavirestaurant.com — The menu combines dishes from the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean. There’s hummus, falafel, kebabs, flatbreads, grilled fish, lamb burgers and more. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 1212 S. Clearview Parkway, Elmwood, (504) 733-3803; 2125 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 510-4282; 4024 Canal St., (504) 302-1133; 4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554; 70488 Highway 21, Covington, (985) 234-9420; theospizza. com — A Marilynn Pota Supreme pie is topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. There also are salads, sandwiches, wings, breadsticks and more. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $
The Vintage — 3121 Magazine St., (504) 324-7144; thevintagenola.com — There’s a full coffee drinks menu and baked goods and beignets, as well as a full bar. The menu has flatbreads, cheese boards, small plates and a pressed vegetable sandwich with avocado, onions, arugula, red pepper and pepper jack cheese. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$
Vyoone’s — 412 Girod St., (504) 381-4384; vyoone.com — The French-Creole menu includes dishes like escargot, crawfish beignets, crab cakes, shrimp pasta, duck a l’orange and lamb chops. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sun. $$$
Willa Jean — 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 5097334; willajean.com — The bakery and cafe serves biscuits with honey butter, cookies, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, shrimp and grits and more. Avocado toasts are made with house-baked ciabatta topped with tomatillo, spiced pepitas, pickled onion, cilantro and chipotle aioli. Outdoor seating available. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. $$
Yinzer’s Amazing Cheesesteaks — 1514 Delachaise St., (412) 860-6801; yinzersamazingcheesesteaks.com —There are classic and original cheesesteaks filled with steak, chicken and more. Diners can opt for toppings like provolone, house-made cheddar whiz, mushrooms, onions, banana peppers and more. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. $
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Yot Club tours across the country and internationally, and the band recently released its third full-length album, “Simpleton.” Yot Club plays at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Gasa Gasa. Rare Seed and Zzzahara open. Tickets are $22.85 via gasagasanola.com.
Bleachers
Musician and producer Jack Antonoff’s synth-pop band Bleachers landed an early hit in 2014 with their song “I Wanna Get Better,” and in the years since, the band has released several Billboard charting albums and expanded its sound with new wave, alt-rock and even folk rock. Bleachers releases its latest fulllength, “Everyone for Ten Minutes,” on May 22, and the group plays New Orleans a couple of days before as part of Rolling Stone’s Rock Tour. Bleachers, Been Stellar and New Orleans’ Thomas Dollbaum (who also releases a new album this week) perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at The Fillmore. Tickets are $84 via thefillmorenola.com.
Curren$y
La Fete Creole
Over the past 15 years, New Orleans’ OperaCreole has brought to light the works of under-recognized composers of color. The group recently received a national spotlight for the work it has done to resurrect New Orleans-born composer Edmond Dede’s “Morgiane,” which is considered the first full opera by a Black American. OperaCreole celebrates its 15th anniversary on Friday, May 22, at Cafe Istanbul with a performance of scenes from the operas “Thelma” and “Minette Fontaine,” selections from Broadway shows and a salute to Beyonce and Creole women, featuring vocalist Robin Barnes and banjoist Don Vappie. La Fete Creole starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $40 general and $15 for kids via operacreole.org.
Vodou Day
Prolific New Orleans-born rapper Curren$y is spending the spring and summer on a national tour with Fendi P, but he makes a hometown pitstop for a show at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at the Joy Theater. Tickets start at $51.05 via thejoytheater.com.
Lisandra Vazquez
Atlanta-based comedian Lisandra Vazquez often draws on her Puerto Rican heritage in her stand-up material, and she’s gained a large social media following for her topical videos often featuring parodies of people like Karoline Leavitt, Erica Kirk and Lindsey Graham. Vazquez plays Sports Drink at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 21. Tickets are $28.99 via sportsdrink.org.
Versipel Collective
Inspired by Benin’s National Vodun Day, the annual New Orleans International Vodou Day celebrates the religious practice in New Orleans as well as commemorates the African people who were enslaved and brought across the Atlantic. This year’s event spans two days. There will be a day-long symposium on Saturday, May 23, at Xavier University with speakers discussing Vodou across the African Diaspora, kids’ activities and art exhibits. On Sunday, May 24, there will be a ceremonial walk starting at 10 a.m. and a traditional Vodou ceremony at 1 p.m. at Congo Square. Find more information at vodouday.org.
Robert Kelly
Comedian Robert Kelly has performed stand-up on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and at Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival and he co-hosts The Bonfire show on SiriusXM with Big Jay Oakerson. His latest hour-long special is the Louis CK-directed “Kill Box.” Kelly is in New Orleans for a Laugh Life Comedy show at 8 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Howlin’ Wolf. Tickets are $25 via laughlife.standuptix.com.
The New Orleans-based Versipel Collective focuses on adventurous, contemporary classical music and often premieres new works. The collective will present “Chaos Cultures IV: Stay on It!,” a program featuring composer Julius Eastman’s minimalist work “Stay on It,” Annie Gosfield’s gritty “Cranks and Cacus Needles,” the premiere of Philip Schuessler’s environmentally focused chamber work “Sacrifice Zone” and more. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the New Marigny Theatre. Tickets are $20 via versipel.org.
Trendaflka & Les Cenelles
The vocal collective Trendafilka performs traditional folk songs rooted in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Les Cenelles explores the music of the Creole world with strings and electronics. The two groups will perform separately and together at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Hotel Peter & Paul. Admission is $25 through trendafilka.com.
MUSIC
FOR COMPLETE MUSIC LISTINGS AND MORE EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA, VISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM
To learn more about adding your event to the music calendar, please email listingsedit@gambitweekly.com
MONDAY, MAY 18
30/90 Margie Perez, 6 pm; Piano Man ‘G’, 9 pm
ALLWAYS LOUNGE Betsy Propane & The Accessories, 7 pm
APPLE BARREL — Bread for Sale, 6 pm; Decaturadio, 10:30 pm
BACCHANAL Byron Asher, 6 pm
BAMBOULA’S — New Orleans Rug Cutters, 12 pm; Jon Roniger, 4:30 pm; Ted Hefko & The Thousandaires, 9 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE — Red Beans & Blues with Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, 9 pm
BUFFA’S David Doucet, 8 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL — Mother Ruckus, 6:30 pm; Keep It Rolling Brass Band, 9:30 pm
CARROLLTON STATION — Biscuits n’ Jam With Meryl Zimmerman & Friends, 10 pm
DBA Secret Six Jazz Band, 6 pm; Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, 9:30 pm
DOS JEFES — John Fohl, 8:30 pm
OKAY BAR — Country Western Swing Jam ft. Steady Company + Red Beans, 7 pm
ORIGINAL NITE CAP Gavin Eckler Trio, 9 pm
POORBOYS — Gumbolaya, 9 pm
SATURN BAR BC Coogan, 8:30 pm
SNAKE & JAKE’S — Steady Company, 8 pm
SNUG HARBOR — Charmaine Neville Band, 7:30 pm; 9:30 pm
SPOTTED CAT Jenavieve & The Winding Boys, 2 pm; Dominick Grillo & The Frenchmen Street All-Stars, 6 pm; Aurora Nealand, 9:30 pm
TUESDAY, MAY 19
30/90 Sugar & The Daddies, 6 pm; Higher Heights, 9 pm
APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Jackson’s Flying Circus, 10:30 pm
BACCHANAL — Tangiers Combo, 6 pm
BAMBOULA’S F K-rrera Group, 12 pm; Giselle Anguizola, 4:30 pm; Caitie B. & The Hand Me Downs, 9 pm
BUFFA’S — Alex McMurray, 7 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL Super-Most-FantasticBlues-N-Such-Jam, 7 pm
DBA Miss Sophie Lee’s Dance Hall ft. Nat & Kat Cajun String Band, 6 pm; Kid Chocolate + the Free POC, 9:30 pm
DOS JEFES — Raphael Bas, 8:30 pm
HOLY DIVER — The Amazing Henrietta, 8 pm
JAZZ PLAYHOUSE The Sam Lobley Trio, 7:30 pm
NO DICE Dead Sugar + Neutral Snap + The Band Melrose + Donate Your Friends, 9 pm
THE RABBIT HOLE — Rebirth Brass Band, 10 pm
SNUG HARBOR — Cindy Scott, 7:30 & 9:30 pm
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
30/90 Josh Benitez Band, 6 pm; The Budz, 9 pm
BACCHANAL — Jesse Morrow, 6 pm
BAMBOULA’S Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, 12 pm; Swinging with John Saavedra, 4:30 pm; Jelly Roll Stompers, 9 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE Soft Opening featuring Anna Laura Quinn & Christin Bradford, 9 pm
BLUE NILE — New Breed Brass Band, 9 pm
BROADSIDE — Creo Groove: Angel Agree + Friends, 6 pm
BUFFA’S Joe Krown, 7 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL — The Unnaturals, 6 pm; Sugar & The Daddies, 9:30 pm
CARROLLTON STATION — Paul Sanchez, 5:30 pm
CHICKIE WAH WAH David Ramirez with Lauren Victoria, 8 pm
DBA Stephen Walker N’em 6 pm; The Next Level Band, 9:30 pm
DOS JEFES — Kris Tokarski, 8:30 pm
THE FILLMORE — Bleachers + Been Stellar, 7:30 pm
GASA GASA — Yot Club + Zzzahara + Rare Seed, 8 pm
JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Funkin’ It Up with Big Sam, 7:30 pm
MAYFIELD’S 208 BOURBON Irvin Mayfeld ft. Kermit Rufns, 6 pm
SANTOS BAR — Chambre Noir, 10 pm
SATURN BAR Avian Tv + Lena Fjortoft + Feeferella, 9 pm
SIBERIA — Tomar & the FCs with Kota Dosa and Tobias Lund, 9 pm
SNUG HARBOR Desert Nudes, 5 pm; Uptown Jazz Orchestra with John Gray, 7:30 pm; 9:30 pm
VAUGHAN’S LOUNGE — Nat & Kat Cajun String Band, 8:30 pm
THURSDAY, MAY 21
30/90 Dapper Dandies, 6 pm; Kim in the Wind, 9 pm
APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Johnny Mastro & Blue Midnight, 10:30 pm
BACCHANAL Raphael Bas, 6 pm
BAMBOULA’S — JJ & The A-OK’s, 12 pm; Cristina Kaminis & The Mix, 4:30 pm; Wolfe Johns Blues Band, 9 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE — Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, 9 pm
BLUE NILE Irvin Mayfeld’s Music Church, 9 pm
BUFFA’S — Tom McDermott & Aurora Nealand, 7 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL — Sierra & The Green Notes, 6 pm; Armani Smith & Soul Ties, 10 pm
CARROLLTON STATION
Sean Hobbes & The Hi-Res + Nick Scally + Lyla DiPaul, 8 pm
CHICKIE WAH WAH Mark Hummel Band with Anson Funderburgh, 8 pm
DBA Palmetto Bug Stompers, 6 pm; Vegas Cola, 9:30 pm
DOS JEFES — Anna Laura Quinn, 8:30 pm
DOUBLE DEALER The Silver Lining Serenaders, 9 pm
JAZZ PLAYHOUSE Brass-AHolics, 7:30 pm
LE BON TEMPS ROULE — The Soul Rebels, 11 pm
THE MAISON — Tuba Skinny, 4:30 pm; SingleMaltPlease, 8:30 pm
MARIGNY OPERA HOUSE Wavering + Stargazer & the Lilies: A Multichannel Electroacoustic Immersion, 7:30 pm
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollar plays BJ’s Thursday, May 21 at 9
PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES- PICAYUNE
SANTOS BAR — Tainted Love 80’s Night with DJ Shane Love, 10 pm
SATURN BAR Karaoke with Nicky Diamond, 9 pm
SIBERIA Magic Tuber Stringband + Everfeather + Hal Lambert & Mitchell Mobley, 9 pm
SPOTTED CAT — Chris Christy Band, 2 pm; Jenavieve Cooke & The Winding Boys, 6 pm; Jumbo Shrimp, 10 pm
THREE MARIES JAZZ CLUB — Kyle Sharamitaro, 7 pm
VAUGHAN’S Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, 10:30 pm
FRIDAY, MAY 22
30/90 Orphaned in Storyville, 2 pm; Jef Chaz Blues Band, 5 pm; Street Lyfe, 8 pm; Strange Roux, 11 pm
ALLWAYS LOUNGE — The New Orleans High Society, 8 pm
APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Joey Houck, 10 pm
BACCHANAL — Nahum Zdybel, 1 pm; Willie Green, 7 pm
BAMBOULA’S — New Orleans Rug Cutters, 11 am; Felipe Antonio Quarteto, 2:15 pm; Les Getrex & Creole Cookin’, 6:30 pm; Bettis & The Third Degree Brass Band, 10 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE Cajun Night with NBD & The Big Deals, 9 pm
BLUE NILE The Caesar Brothers’ Funk Box, 7:30 pm; Kermit Rufns & The BBQ Swingers, 10 pm
BUFFA’S — Tuba Skinny, 8 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL Matt Perrine Quartet, 3 pm; Ado Soul & The Tribe, 6:30 pm; Higher Heights, 10 pm
CHICKIE WAH WAH — Paul Sanchez, Johnny Indovina, and Jim McCormick, 8 pm
DBA Yirmey Yisrael Band, 6 pm; Colin Davis & Night People, 10 pm
DOS JEFES The Joe Krown Trio, 9 pm
THE FILLMORE — Juvenile’s Boiling Point Album Release Tour, 8 pm
GASA GASA — Dad Rock Night, 8 pm
GOOD MEASURE — Brass & Strings ft. Benjamin Cousins & The Sonic Architects, 8 pm
HOLY DIVER Rik Slave’s DarkLounge Ministries, 8 pm
JAZZ PLAYHOUSE Trixie Minx’s Burlesque Ballroom ft. Romy Kaye, 7:30 &9 pm
LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Basch Jernigan, 11 pm
THE MAISON — Nola Sweethearts, 3 pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 5 pm; Feral House Cats, 8 pm; DJ Lemonhead, 11 pm
SANTOS BAR The Toasters + Piñata Protest + Joystick, 10 pm; DJ Mijita
(upstairs), 10 pm; DJs Indura & Paco, 12 am
SATURN BAR Club Chido w/ DJ Luilly, Jamil, and Siisko, 10:30 pm
SIBERIA Malevitus + Early Day Miners + Sarah Burke, 9 pm
SNUG HARBOR — Kevin Louis & Palm Court Jazz Band, 7:30 & 9:30 pm
ST. ROCH TAVERN — Teena May + Dusky Waters + Miss Martha & Her Good Time Gang + Teena May, 9 pm
TIPITINA’S Free Fridays Concert Series ft. Water Seed + Funk Monkey, 9 pm
SATURDAY, MAY 23
30/90 Jake Landry Band 2 pm, Sean Hobbes & The Hi Res, 5 pm; Hotline, 8 pm; T. Cherrelle & Lou’s Bayou, 11 pm
ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Bayou Blues
Burlesque: The Delta Revues, 8 pm
APPLE BARREL — Smoky Greenwell Blues Band, 10:30 pm
BACCHANAL — Miles Berry, 1 pm; Pete Olynciw, 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
BEANLANDIA — Les Amis Du Teche, 6 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE — Dirty Rotten Snake in the Grass + We Hate Lindsay, 9 pm
BLUE NILE — Lyndsey Smith, 7:30 pm; Afrobeat NOLA, 10 pm
BREEZY’S — SNAXX, 8 pm
BUFFA’S — Ashley Virginia, 8 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL The Rumpshakers, 1:30 pm; Colin Davis & Night People, 6 pm; Higher Heights, 10 pm
DBA The Original Pinettes Brass Band, 10 pm
DOS JEFES — Wolfe Johns Blues Band, 9 pm
DOUBLE DEALER — Shawan Rice, 9:30 pm
GASA GASA — TsuShiMaMiRe, 9 pm
GOOD MEASURE — Justin Donovan Duo, 9 pm
JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — The Nayo Jones Experience, 7:30 pm
LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ The New Orleans Johnnys, 11 pm
THE LITTLE HOUSE Crawfsh Boil with Nat & Kat Cajun String Band, 6 pm
NO DICE Donny’s Demeanor, 9 pm
OKAY BAR Heatwave! Soul + R&B Dance Party with DJ Ann, 9 pm
MUSIC
THE RABBIT HOLE — Now That’s What I Call A Rave!!!, 9 pm
SANTOS BAR NO RETURN: UV Glow Paint Party, 11 pm
SATURN BAR Gina Leslie and Anna Moss, 9 pm
SIBERIA Master Boot Record + Divtech + arottenbit, 9 pm
ST. ROCH TAVERN Dandelioness + Mira Lazuli + Lily, 8 pm
TIPITINA’S Gimme Gimme Disco, 9 pm
SUNDAY, MAY 24
30/90 — Personal Space, 3 pm; The Andre Lovett Band, 6 pm; Manic Mixtape, 9 pm
ALLWAYS LOUNGE Sunday Swing with Sabertooth Swing, 8 pm
BACCHANAL Christien Bold, 1 pm; Noah Young, 7 pm
BAMBOULA’S Them Jaywalkers, 11 am; Laura Doyle, 2:15 pm; Midnight Brawlers, 5:30 pm; Kat Kiley Experience, 9 pm
BJ’S LOUNGE Little Freddie King Blues Fest, 3 pm; James McClaskey & The Rhythm Band, 9 pm
BLUE NILE — Street Legends Brass Band, 9:30 pm
CAFÉ NEGRIL — Decaturadio, 1 pm; John Lisi & Delta Funk, 5 pm; The Next Level Band, 10 pm
CAROUSEL BAR The Iguanas, 7 pm
CHICKIE WAH WAH — New Orleans Jazz Vipers, 8 pm
DBA — Paradise Jazz Band, 6 pm; The Jump Hounds, 9:30 pm
DOS JEFES Basch Jernigan, 8 pm
HOWLIN’ WOLF — Hot 8 Brass Band, 10:30 pm
THE MAISON — New Orleans Rug Cutters, 3 pm; Jenavieve Cooke & The Winding Boys, 6 pm; DJ B Dot, 10 pm
OKAY BAR Mango + Horchy + Andy Pankakes, 8 pm
SATURN BAR — Lily Unless & The If Onlys + Rose Vaughn + Ramona & The Holy Smokes, 9 pm
SIBERIA — Electric Rituals: Witch House Dance Night, 9 pm
SNUG HARBOR Joe Krown, 4:30 pm; Charlie Halloran & The Tropicales, 7:30 pm; 9:30 pm
VIRGIN HOTEL POOL CLUB — Chore Boys (DJ Set), 3 pm
SCAN FOR THE COMPLETE GAMBIT CALENDAR
Dining Issue Summer
MUSIC
Foundation work
by Jake Clapp
SARI JORDAN’S NEW ALBUM “PERFECT BE THE ENEMY” covers a lot of ground. Their first full-length release, the New Orleans singer-songwriter reflects on the life changes and experiences of the last few years, but Jordan also connects the dots across New Orleans on the spacious indie pop album. They’re subtly charting the friends and places that have helped them grow both as a musician and as a person.
“I could draw you a map,” Jordan says. “My experience in New Orleans has really guided my musical experience.”
The journey started with Jordan, a New Jersey native, arriving in New Orleans in 2018 to study at Tulane University, and pins could be placed at the Maple Leaf and Carrollton Station. Then there was a move to Mid-City for a few years and a 2023 release show at Chickie Wah Wah for their first EP, “Sing to the Moon.” Now, the map includes Jordan’s home in the 7th Ward and their shows at downtown bars and clubs.
More than physical locations, though, Jordan’s ideas of musical geography importantly include the musicians they’ve met and performed with during this journey. “I really feel like the album is me trying to tie those musical worlds together,” they say.
Many of those friends helped Jordan create “Perfect Be The Enemy,” which was released Friday, May 15. Jordan has become a treasured collaborator and sideman in the city’s singer-songwriter and indie pop communities, becoming close to musicians like Anna Moss, Sabine McCalla, Tasche de La Roche, Isaac Eady and Jenna McSwain. And those relationships, Jordan says, has helped them grow into a bandleader and stronger songwriter.
“I feel so lucky to be in a place as musically abundant as New Orleans,” Jordan says, “and to have been influenced so deeply with people who inspire me.”
Jordan recorded “Perfect Be The Enemy” at Lil Squeeze Studio with Ajaï Combelic, who co-produced the album with Jordan and bassist Robin Sherman. Along with Jordan and Sherman, the album features Howe Pearson, Oliver Tuttle, Jamison Ross, Gina Leslie, Chris Beroes-Haigis, Andriu Yanovski, Lyla George, Seth
Finch and more. Sound engineer Mack Major mixed and mastered the album. The 11 songs on “Perfect Be The Enemy” center Jordan’s warm vocals, playful phrasing and finger-plucked electric guitar, and there are layers to sink into as cellos, trombones, bass and drums color in the daydreams. There’s space and clarity in the sound, which allows the instruments to come in like characters themselves. Many of the songs on the album explore ambition, transition and joy — as well as love, grief and self-acceptance. And although Jordan’s lyrics relay personal stories, they feel universal. Jordan wrote the album’s opener, “Lion Song,” as they entered their early 20s and more of the world became accessible, changing how Jordan felt about their own power and relationships. Later in the album, “Roaring Twenties” relates the intensity of entering adulthood as the Covid lockdowns end and post-pandemic energies collide as the world quickly changes. The song “Table of Angels” was written in 2024 after Jordan lost a close family friend in New Orleans, “my queer elder,” they say. It was an intense time in their life as Jordan was going through a breakup and was taking part in the Palestine solidarity encampment at Tulane, and “Table of Angels” became a letter to their late friend. At the end of the day, Jordan says, “each song is just like one facet of the way I see things on this one day in my life. Maybe I come back to it and it’ll resonate, and I often do. But it feels like a song is like a crystal that I pick up and I’m just looking at a juncture of my life from a bunch of different angles.”
Sari Jordan releases ‘Perfect Be The Enemy’ on May 15. PROVIDED PHOTO BY CAMILLE LENAIN
SPICE UP YOUR SOLVING
By Frank A. Longo
ACROSS
20 Aircraft designed to land on
21 Ohio town or college
23 Spice hidden in a person’s shirt?
25 Russo of “Get Shorty”
26 Trusty horses
27 -- -mo replay
28 Outmoded TV adjunct
29 Political analyst Jen
30 Autograph: Abbr.
31 Blue Stater, for short
32 “Me and Bobby McGee” singer named after a spice?
35 You can’t make a silk purse out of it, they say 38 Half of dos
39 Early spring flowers
40 “I can’t lower the price of this spice for you anymore”?
46 Play callers 47 Pavlov and Lendl 48 “Stretch” car
49 Sir, in Seville
53 Plentiful supplies, as of information
55 Not at all stiff 57 Simian beast
58 Ghana’s capital
62 Spice producing a blissful feeling?
66 Novelist -- May Alcott
68 Hi- -- graphics
69 Pass along, as wisdom
70 Spice sprinkled on ancient scrolls?
77 Map book
78 Suffix with peer
79 -- rock (genre for Yes)
80 Paring
82 Longtime NBAer Curry
85 “Not likely!”
87 Origami bird
88 Sunbathes
92 Spice not tightly packed into a space?
Beach locale
a hex on
Ocasek of the Cars
Phases
Online ‘zine
Inclined (to)
Band blaster
Times of note 72 Part of ENT 73 9-to-5er’s cry of relief 74 “Frasier” actress Gilpin
75 Zest
76 Good throw in horseshoes
81 Nape area
83 Least decorated 84 Drivers’ alerts
86 “The Complete Book of Running” author James
88 Brand of tortilla chips
89 Like interaction-eschewing behavior
90 Opposite of old, in German
91 Concorde, e.g., for short
93 Columbus coll.
94 -- Offensive (1968 attack)
95 Tibia, for one
96 One climbing a peak, e.g.
97 Having compassion
98 Revises
102 City near Dallas
103 Peachy-keen
104 Like pixies
105 ENTs, e.g.
106 “Bugsy” actor Elliott
110 Social insects
111 Curious as --
112 Bianco of “Game of Thrones”
113 Cast off skin
115 Body pouch
116 Actress Issa
117 Surgery sites in hosps.
118 Middling grade
