Issuu

October 12-18

2026 Volume 47 Number 41

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

• SOIL • GRAVEL • BOULDERS • LIMESTONE

• FLAGSTONE • MULCH • MEXICAN BEACH PEBBLES

Easy online ordering at rocknsoilnola.com

504.488.0908

9119 AIRLINE HWY, NOL A

ACME FENCE COMPANY EST. 1955

VINYL WOOD ▶ CHAIN LINK ▶ WROUGHT IRON

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL ▶ INDUSTRIAL ▶ HIGH SECURITY

▶

(504) 464-0600

2708 Marietta St • Kenner, LA 70062 acmefence@gmail.com • acmefencela.com SPECIALIZING IN AUTOMATIC GATE OPERATORS

Family owned and operated since 1996

Cleaning ServiCe

Let our crew help you with all your cleaning needs!

• Disinfecting/Sanitation Services Available • • General House Cleaning • • After Construction Cleaning • Residential & Commercial • Licensed & Bonded

504-232-5554

CRISTINASCLEANINGNOLA@GMAIL.COM

Weekly Tails

ROSES

12.99

SHORT STEM IN STOCK COLORS

FALL L IA SPEC

RHYTHM

Kennel A0061478139

Rhythm is an 8-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix looking for her

fur-ever home! Found outside in the heat near Algiers Point, this sweet girl didn’t let a rough start stop her from !nding her groove. With a name like Rhythm, you already know she’s got the rhythm of NOLA running through her paws. Whether she’s bouncing around with puppy energy or soaking up attention, Rhythm is happiest when she’s with kind-hearted people.

ONE DOZEN

Expires 11/17/26 | While supplies last. Cash and Carry Only

BULLETIN BOARD

Cristina’s

To Rhythm or any of the other wonderful pets at the Louisiana SPCA, visit 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd., from 10 AM- 5 PM, Wednesday-Saturday, or call (504) 368-5191. She can’t wait to meet her futurepaw-rent(s)!

EMPLOYMENT

METAIRIE

750 MARTIN BEHRMAN AVE (504) 833-3716

PETS

COVINGTON

1415 N. HWY 190 (985) 809-9101

VILLERESFLORIST.COM

OSRIC

Kennel A0061496983

Osric is a 3-year-old black and white Pit Bull Terrier mixed pup looking for his fur-ever home! Osric is a very quiet boy who doesn’t need to be the center of attention. He’s polite, affectionate, and appreciates a little love without asking for much in return. No jumping, no whining, just a sweet pup who enjoys being near his people. Also, he’s very attentive to the world around him and likes to keep an ear out for what’s happening nearby. Once he realized not every little sound needed his attention, he was happy to settle in for a peaceful nap. To meet Osric or any of the other wonderful pets at the Louisiana SPCA, visit 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd., from 10 AM- 5 PM, Wednesday-Saturday, or call (504) 368-5191. He can’t wait to meet his future paw-rent(s)!

SUDOKU

ADVERTISE WITH US

YOUR AD HERE! CALL 504-486-5900

Call Sandy Stein (504) 483-3150 or sstein@gambitweekly.com

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

EMPLOYMENT

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

CONTE NTS

OCT 12 — OCT 18, 2026 VOLUME 47 || NUMBER 41

NE WS Opening Gambit ....................... 8

Ghhouls Just Wantt to have ffuun!

Blake Pontchartrain ............... 13 Inside ICE’s secretive detention camp for immigrant kids ........... 15

FE ATUR ES Arts & Entertainment................ 7 Eat + Drink.............................. 22 Music Listings ........................ 28 Music ...................................... 30 Going Out ................................ 31 Halloween Event Guide............ 33

Puzzles .................................35

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm | Sat 10am-3pm Curbside & Delivery Still Available!

5101 W. ESPLANADE • 504.407.3532 at Chastant • Metairie

www.nolagiftsanddecoronline.com @nolagiftsanddecor

PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

COVER PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER/ THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Tip Off Time

A curmudgeon’s guide to enjoying the Pelicans’ 2026 season

COVER DESIGN BY DORA SISON

@The_Gambit @gambitneworleans

S TA F F

EDITORIAL (504) 483-3105 // response@gambitweekly.com Editor | JOHN STANTON Arts & Entertainment Editor | WILL COVIELLO

Sales and Marketing Manager

Special Sections Editor & Staff Writer |

ABIGAIL BORDELON (504) 636-7427 [abigail.bordelon@gambitweekly.com]

SARAH RAVITS

Staff Writers | JAKE CLAPP, KAYLEE POCHE Contributing Writer | IAN MCNULTY Podcast Producer | MADDIE SPINNER

CREATIVE Creative Director | DORA SISON

Relax with selections of

WINE, COCKTAILS OR DINNER Casual ﬁne dining and wine bar in the heart of the French Quarter Open Thursday through Sunday 4PM till 10PM Daily Bacon Happy Hour 4-6PM Wine Flights and cocktails Tropical Courtyard or Sidewalk Seating 720 ORLEANS AVE. • 504.523.1930 • WWW.ORLEANSGRAPEVINE.COM

ADVERTISING Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150 Advertising Director | SANDY STEIN [sstein@gambitweekly.com]

BUSINESS & OPERATIONS Billing Inquiries 1 (225) 388-0185

Sales Representatives KELLY SONNIER RODRIGUEZ (504) 483-3143 [ksonnier@gambitweekly.com] CHARLIE THOMAS (504) 636-7438 [cthomas@gambitweekly.com] BENNETT GESTON (504) 483-3116 [bennett.geston@gambitweekly.com] ALYSSA HAUPTMANN (504) 483-1123 [alyssa.hauptmann@gambitweekly.com] LAUREN CUNNINGHAM (504) 636-7426 [lauren.cunningham@theadvocate.com] Sales and Marketing Coordinator CLARE BRIERRE [clare.brierre@gambitweekly.com] LIONEL NOSACKA [lionel.nosacka@gambitweekly.com]

GAMBIT (ISSN 1089-3520) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY CAPITAL CITY PRESS, LLC, 840 ST. CHARLES AVE., NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130. (504) 486-5900. WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RETURN OF UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS EVEN IF ACCOMPANIED BY A SASE. ALL MATERIAL PUBLISHED IN GAMBIT IS COPYRIGHTED: COPYRIGHT 2026 CAPITAL CITY PRESS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Pilobolus

Hell Hath No Fury Brat finds female vengeance on ‘Manslayer’

by Jake Clapp

PART WAY THROUGH “MANSLAYER,” THE NEW ALBUM from New Orleans metal band

Brat, a series of news reports cut in with the feel of an ’80s slasher flick. A woman was accused of killing her husband and mounting his head on a wall. A gynecologist, previously charged with malpractice, was found dead in his office, his neck snapped in half. Elsewhere, the body of another man was found, apparently disemboweled with hedge clippers. The news goes on: reports of men poisoned or scammed, and bodies found as part of an alleged Satanic ritual. Investigators, the TV reporter says, are linking the brutal violence back to one vengeance-seeking woman they call The Manslayer. “The Manslayer, in my mind, is almost like a mascot for the album, a representation of the whole theme, but it’s not like the songs are necessarily about that one character,” says Brat vocalist Liz Selfish. Brat released its violent, relentless second full-length last month through Prosthetic Records, and the band plays a hometown album release show Friday, Oct. 16, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. New Orleans ska punk band Joystick and hardcore band Fiend also are on the lineup, and the show starts at 6 p.m. According to the band, the album-release show will be the first metal or punk show held at the Jazz Museum and comes during a brief break back home for Brat. The band — Selfish, guitarist Brenner Moate, drummer Dustin Eagan and bassist Ian Hennessey — has had a heavy tour schedule this year, including dates in September with the monstrous Gwar and doom metal band Weedeater. At the end of October, they head out to Europe for a month of shows with grindcore staple Napalm Death. “Manslayer” is an onslaught of guttural death metal, aggressive thrash and hardcore punk that expands on the sound Brat established on two EPs and its 2024 full-length, “Social Grace.” Brat has called its style “bimboviolence” — a nod to the band’s blend of bloody extreme music and feminine, bubble gum pink aesthetics. Brat might punctuate their live set with a surprise dance-pop clip, and Selfish in the past has sported a headset mic with the energy of “Blonde Ambition” Madonna or early Britney Spears. The gory cover of “Manslayer” isn’t a boot crushing the skull of a man but a hyper-pink stiletto.

Brat PROVIDED PHOTO BY VANESSA VALADEZ

“Manslayer,” though, takes the Brat sound into a slightly darker direction as the band leans more into death metal. “It just kind of evolved naturally over the course of the last couple of years,” Moate says. Selfish also began writing lyrics for the band for the first time and penned the blood-soaked lines on “Manslayer.” Selfish enjoyed the storytelling aspects of songwriting — and found an influence in country songs where women have their just revenge, like the Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl” and Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead.” Death metal songs typically lean into violent, gruesome imagery, and Selfish says she “wanted to keep that traditional aspect of it” while putting her own spin on it. “I wanted to write from my perspective and my interests and the viewpoint of a woman,” she adds. “Because there hasn’t really been much of that in death metal because there’s just not a ton of women in the space.” “Manslayer” follows a kind of arc, heightened with tongue-in-cheek camp. The first half of the album touches on the societal cruelties women experience day-to-day: the pressure of beauty standards leading to plastic surgery on “Botchtox”; older men preying on younger women in “Trophy Hunting”; or a gynecologist visit turning into a nightmare on “Speculum Bleed.” Named for the sex worker turned serial killer, the track

“Aileen Wuornos” carries the fierce line, “A woman’s touch you forcibly take / Don’t you know the dead can’t rape.” With the introduction of the Manslayer, though, the album shifts into songs about women taking their revenge, with tracks like “Femicidal Vengeance,” which includes a guest guitar solo by death metal band Revocation’s Dave Davidson. Candance Buckingham, vocalist for metalcore band Walls of Jericho, also features on the track “Blistered Tongues.” Dressed in sunglasses and a leather duster, Selfish has brought the Manslayer to life in three of Brat’s recent music videos, snapping the gynecologist’s neck and mounting her older husband’s head on the wall. Selfish grew up in Dallas and came to New Orleans in 2010 to attend Loyola University. She met Moate, who moved to the city from Houma about 11 years ago, through New Orleans’ metal and punk community. In early 2020, after Moate heard Selfish’s low growl during karaoke, they decided to start a band and began writing music together right as the pandemic hit New Orleans. When they were finally able to start performing, Selfish and Moate asked bassist Hennessey, a New Orleans native who played with Moate in the doom metal band Cikada, and drummer Eagan, who is from Thibodeaux and has played in The Ivory Sons, to join Brat. As opposed to “Social Grace,” which was recorded in pieces across a year, Brat booked studio time at Chicago’s Bricktop with producer Andy Nelson and recorded “Manslayer” across 10 days. The change helped give the album a more cohesive sound, Moate says. Brat has steadily grown over the last few years, building up to bigger festival stages and international tours. It’s been hectic, Moate says. “But if you would tell 15-year-old me all the stuff we’ve been doing the last couple of years,” he adds, “there’s nothing better you could tell him.” Tickets for the Oct. 16 show are $12.51 via tinyurl.com/bratmanslayer. Find Brat at bratband.com.

THE MODERN DANCE COMPANY, now under the direction of Renee Jaworski and Matt Kent, is known for its athleticism, creative movement and visual illusions. The program includes the kinetic “Day Two,” the more playful “Walklyndon,” “Lamentation Variations” and “Bloodlines.” Presented by the New Orleans Ballet Association at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets $36-$140 via nobadance.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JASON HUDSON

Modest Mouse VETERAN INDIE ROCK BAND MODEST MOUSE earlier this year released “An

Eraser and a Maze,” its first album not to be on Epic Records in almost 30 years — and the first from frontman Isaac Brock since the death of drummer Jeremiah Green. The album finds Brock tackling grief while also venturing back to the sounds that helped Modest Mouse break into the mainstream in the mid-2000s. It’s the strongest release from the band since 2007’s “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.” Modest Mouse returns to New Orleans Tuesday, Oct. 13, for a 7 p.m. show at The Fillmore. Tickets are $63.50 via thefillmorenola.com.

$uicideboy$ NEW ORLEANS-BORN EMO RAP DUO $UICIDEBOY$ have played two massive

shows at the Smoothie King Center since 2023. They bring their annual Grey Day Tour back to the arena on Wednesday, Oct. 14, with performances by Destroy Lonely, $lim Gucci, Black Kray, Drain and Shakewell. Music begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets start at $39.45 via smoothiekingcenter.com.

Pedro the Lion UNDERTOW SHOWS HOSTS INTIMATE CONCERTS IN SPACES like living rooms,

art galleries and churches, and they’re PAGE 27

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

OPENING GAMBIT NEW ORLEANS NEWS + VIEWS

Oh, hello Fall, it’s nice of you to finally join us

# THE COUNT

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

Steve Gleason, the former New Orleans Saints safety and an ALS advocate, last week received a key to the city from Mayor Helena Moreno. The Saints on Oct. 5 faced the Atlanta Falcons and celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Domecoming, the team’s first game back in the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. Gleason blocked a punt early in the 2006 game — a play that inspired hope for the recovering city. Other members of the 2006 team, including Drew Brees, joined Moreno at Gallier Hall to celebrate Gleason both for the famous blocked punt as well as his advocacy through Team Gleason.

170,000 The number of people who were dropped from SNAP benefits in Louisiana over the past year.

Gambit Editor John Stanton interviews New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso on The Get Down.

New Orleans CAO Joe Giarrusso makes the case for difficult 2027 city budget plan NEW ORLEANS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER JOE GIARRUSSO says he

The Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Pratt-Stanton Manor Fund recently awarded $213,000 in grants to local organizations helping seniors live independent lives, including Giving HOPE, Northshore Food Bank, Rebuilding Together and lowernine. org. The fund has given more than $2.4 million in grants over the years.

The Trump administration backed five Republican-led states, including Louisiana, in their court challenge over Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, effectively ending enforcement of federal rules directing states to prioritize serving people with disabilities in their communities rather than at institutions like nursing homes and state hospitals. A federal judge agreed to strike mention of “integration” from Section 504, a move that will likely lead to worse care and erode the rights of people with disabilities.

understands why some people aren’t happy with the belt-tightening Mayor Helena Moreno is proposing for 2027, including cuts to the city’s low-barrier homeless shelter and police. But he argues Moreno’s 2027 budget proposal reflects not only the obvious shortfalls between revenue and spending, but an effort to account for expenses previous administrations hid through accounting tricks and omissions. “I still don’t know how much (then-CAO) Gilbert (Montano) knew versus (the Department of) Finance versus the mayor (LaToya Cantrell), but that’s what we’re trying to do right now,” Giarrusso told Gambit Editor John Stanton during an interview on The Get Down. According to Giarrusso, the Moreno’s administration has been correcting the Cantrell administration’s practice of not budgeting for all its expenses. For 2026, that included $30 million in health insurance costs for city employees, $18 million in bond payments and $5 million in terminal and retention leave. “All that adds up to a lot of money,” Giarrusso said. Over the last year, Giarrusso has mentioned several other instances of budget mismanagement by the Cantrell administration, including

finding amounts of money in city bank accounts that were different than what was on paper. Giarrusso, who was a council member during last year’s budget cycle, said he wishes he had more answers on how these errors were made and who knew what. For the 2027 budget, officials are trying to bridge a $77 million gap between what department heads first requested and the money the city is projected to bring in — both by making cuts and raising revenue. With a gap that big, tough cuts are inevitable. But Giarrusso said there are some palatable ways to save the city money, like reducing the jail population. Giarrusso said there are 1,456 people in the jail right now, far above the cap of 1,250 beds. “From a social equity standpoint, you shouldn’t have this many people in the jail,” he said. “But [reducing the jail population] also works to our benefit financially, too.” He also said further cuts to the police department than the administration originally proposed could be on the table, reiterating that the mayor’s proposed budget is just a “starting point.” The council will almost certainly make changes, as members and the public have already started pushing back against some of the potential cuts.

After Congress passed the GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” enrollment in the food assistance program dropped nationwide, according to federal data obtained Verite News. The bill expanded work requirements and revoked access for many non-citizens with legal status. But, even with significantly less federal funding and fewer people being eligible, Louisiana may soon be on the hook to cover up to $199 million in food assistance benefits.

C’EST WHAT

How do you think the New Orleans Pelicans will do this season?

46.4%

I’LL TUNE IN AFTER THE SAINTS SEASON IS WRAPPED

17.8%

WHEN’S KING CAKE BABY COMING BACK?

25.1%

I HOPE THERE’S GOOD THEME NIGHT SWAG

10.7%

I’M MORE EXCITED ABOUT THE G LEAGUE

Vote on “C’est What?” at www.bestofneworleans.com

That includes the administration’s proposed cut of $5 million to the city’s low-barrier shelter for unhoused people. Unless officials find other funding sources, that cut would force the emergency shelter to shut down. The shelter, which houses around 200 people, doesn’t require drug testing or IDs, unlike most shelters. Giarrusso said officials are actively looking for federal money to fund the shelter, as well as to restore community partnerships that existed when the shelter opened in 2018 but ended around 2024. Another potential funding source is the $2.5 million for the shelter currently held up in a state lawsuit. “Part of what we’re doing is having these conversations with other folks and saying, ‘Hey, guys, remember we used to all contribute to this, and now it’s all the city’s responsibility.’ So ... how do you braid things?” he said. The Moreno administration is also pursuing a way to make nonprofits, who are exempt from local property taxes, pay for services they use such as water, drainage, police and fire. Nonprofits own

between 30-40% of properties in the city, according to Giarrusso. “We can’t keep on asking residents to absorb all this burden when those other people who are using the same services aren’t paying that,” he said. However, officials have said the council wouldn’t be able to start collecting such a fee in the form of a parcel fee or similar measure until 2028. What will happen much sooner is the council deciding whether to raise property taxes, through a process of rolling tax millages forward. A full roll forward would bring in $42 million. It would increase property taxes by about $104 a year for person’s first home worth $200,000, $178 for a $300,000 home and $513 for a $700,000 home. The council will discuss raising those millages at its Oct. 29 meeting.

City Council President JP Morrell. PHOTO BY ENAN CHEDIAK / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Giarrusso knows raising taxes isn’t politically popular, but he said voters did approve the current millages, which the council can always raise or lower in a given year. He also said the administration has been working to improve city services, like fixing streetlights and filling potholes. He hopes that and more transparency through public dashboards will help

restore the public’s faith in city government. “I think people generally are okay with taxes as long as they see services as a result of that,” he said, adding, “My other hope is that people still feel the hope and the energy with this new administration, and that kind of both the tangible results and the intangible finally get people more comfortable.” Giarrusso predicted the city will be in a better spot during the 2028 budget process. The number of city employees will be down to pre-pandemic levels, and by adopting better budgeting practices, officials shouldn’t be scrambling for cash to make payroll. PAGE 11

“ When I was diagnosed with breast cancer,

I needed to be positive. Having Louisiana Blue allowed me to focus on getting well.“ Right Card. Right Care. New Orleans

01MK8347 04/26

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

OPENING GAMBIT

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

Voted #1 Local Credit Union

Thank you for helping Keesler Federal Credit

Union win #1 Local Credit Union in Gambit’s Best of New Orleans! Sharing this win with a city we love makes it even more special.

kfcu.org

PAGE 9

ears every shade of gorgeous $

6 - $34

7732 m a p l e 865 . 9625 mon - sat 10 - 5:30

Robin Barnes

“The thing now is we just have to live within our means, and we should be in a better position,” he said. — Kaylee Poche

New Orleans musician Robin Barnes highlights South Louisiana traditions on new docuseries AS ROBIN BARNES WAS WORKING ON HER ALBUM, “Louisiana Love,” the

last couple of years, the New Orleans vocalist and songwriter was also learning more about Louisiana. Barnes’ original intent for her first solo full-length album, which was released May 1, was to draw from her family’s deep history in Louisiana and capture some of the traditions she grew up around as a gift for her daughters and future generations. But the project began to evolve as Barnes collaborated with musicians across the state and learned more about the many cultural traditions that can be found in South Louisiana. “Louisiana Love” plays like a roadtrip across Louisiana, from Lake Charles to Acadiana to New Orleans, and Barnes now revisits that journey with a new three-part docuseries “Discovering Home” airing on WLAE-TV and YouTube. The first episode of “Discovering Home” aired Oct. 4 and is now available on Barnes’ YouTube page. The second episode aired at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, and the final episode is at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY SHELBY URSU

“I wanted to create this beautiful multimedia gift to my daughters, but the more that I did it for my family, I started seeing everyone had this longing for connection,” Barnes told Gambit earlier this year. “Whether it’s the bridging of Louisiana and New Orleans or just the feeling of home — we all come from a beautiful tapestry of our heritage.” In the first episode of “Discovering Home,” Barnes travels to Acadiana — getting a flat tire on the way — and joins musician and artist Drake LeBlanc for a trail ride to learn more about Louisiana’s Black cowboy culture. She then talks with Cajun musician Jourdan Thibodeaux about the Louisiana French language while cooking up rice and gravy. Barnes will highlight southwest Louisiana in the series’ second episode, digging into the area’s Creole community with zydeco musician Rusty Metoyer. And Barnes brings things back home to New Orleans for the final episode, which will feature chef Nina Compton and a surprise about Barnes’ family history. Barnes executive produced “Discovering Home” and co-created the series with Brandon Guichard. Find “Louisiana Love” at robinbarnesmusic.com and “Discovering Home” at youtube.com/robinbarnes. — Jake Clapp

shop @gaetanasnola

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

OPENING GAMBIT

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

#1 GOLD WINNER!

best grocery store

#1 best New Orleans neighborhood grocery store

THANK YOU

AGAIN FOR VOTING US A

the best

#1 best Jefferson neighborhood grocery store #1 best northshore e neighborhood grocery store

AJUN CAJUN

Local Brands. s National Brands. And Brands You Can Only Find at Rouses. We stock our shelves with everything Louisiana loves. Local favorites made right here, the national brands you know, and brands you can only ﬁnd at Rouses, including our own. If it has our name on it, you can trust it’s good.

BOAR’S HEAD IS NOW AT EVEN MORE ROUSES MARKETS!

Donny Rouse

CEO, 3rd Generation

Find Boar’s Head premium meats and cheeses at these new locations: · MID CITY, 400 N Carrollton · UPTOWN, 4500 Tchoupitoulas · FRERET 4645 Freret

B L AKEVIE W

@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com

Hey Blake, The new book and Historic New Orleans Collection exhibit about Bunny Matthews features some of his work for Wavelength magazine. When was it published and where can I find any old issues?

Dear Reader, WAVELENGTH WAS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE covering the local music

scene for more than a decade in print from 1980 until 1991. Its editor was writer and University of New Orleans associate professor Connie Zeanah Atkinson. The magazine was originally published by Patrick Berry, owner of the Leisure Landing record store. According to Michael Tisserand and Alison Fensterstock’s book “Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions,” Wavelength began as a record review handout for the store.

Wavelength Magazine PROVIDED PHOTO COURTESY CHARMAINE COOPER HUSSAIN

It grew to include feature articles and profiles, with an emphasis on rhythm and blues but also musicians from all genres. In a November 1990 column for the publication’s 10th anniversary, Atkinson wrote: “An oft-asked question in the first few

months of Wavelength’s existence was ‘What are you going to do when you run out of stories?’ We were one of only a handful, if there were any others, of truly regional music publications. Other regional music magazines covered national touring acts, for the most part, with only a nod to locals.” As you mentioned, artist and writer Bunny Matthews wrote for the magazine and illustrated many of its covers, with and without his famous characters Vic and Nat’ly. Other writers for Wavelength include Jon Newlin, Kalamu ya Salaam, Jeff Hannusch, Rick Olivier, Rick Coleman, Paula Burch and Al Kennedy, among others. Wavelength ceased publication in 1991. “Small, independent publications are for the most part short-lived, and in the world of small publications, our 11 years was a long time,” Atkinson told The Times-Picayune. You can find an archive of every issue online courtesy of the Earl K. Long Library at LSU New Orleans.

THIS WEEK MARKS A MAJOR MILESTONE and a homecoming for St. Augustine, the Tremé landmark recognized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture as the country’s oldest black Catholic church parish. It will celebrate its 185th anniversary mass and official return to its sanctuary after Hurricane Ida at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. St. Augustine was built in 1841 on the site of a plantation once owned by Claude Tremé. In the 1830s, free people of color petitioned Bishop Antoine Blanc for permission to build a church in the neighborhood. Construction began in 1839. When it was completed, worshipers included free people of color, slaves, Creoles, Haitians, French, Spanish and Germans. Venerable Henriette Delille, who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family and is a candidate for sainthood, took her religious vows at the altar of St. Augustine. The church is also home to what is known as the Tomb of the Unknown Slave, a large outdoor monument to enslaved people who died and were buried in unmarked graves. Over the years, St. Augustine parishioners have included civil rights figures Homer Plessy and A.P. Tureaud, Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana and jazz musicians Sidney Bechet and Danny Barker. Due to financial issues and population loss, the archdiocese announced plans to close St. Augustine after Hurricane Katrina, but protests and a reorganization plan kept the church open.

New Special Exhibit on Display Now! See original WWII cartoons and reflect on how one illustrator helped generations of Americans understand the war—one drawing at a time.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE AND BUY TICKETS

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

B L AKE PONTCHARTR AIN™

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

BUNNY MATTHEWS His Life, Art, and Obsessions NOW ON VIEW

More than an art exhibition, it is an immersive exploration of the man who spent a lifetime sketching the soul of his hometown. —French Quarterly

Swoon. This is easily one of the best executions of any artist living or dead I have seen. It is concise, expansive, and heartfelt. I mean this: 10 out of 10. —Tripadvisor

BUY DA BOOK!

Paints a portrait of an artist as emblematic of the city as the colorful characters he created. —French Quarter Journal

hnoc.org · FREE ADMISSION

Louisiana’s new ICE facility in Alexandria raises more questions than answers BY SA R A H R AV I TS WHEN PINEVILLE RESIDENT ERIN TRACY found out earlier this year just how much deportation activity was happening at the nearby Alexandria International Airport, she was “horrified,” she says. The former military airfield, which was converted into a locally controlled business park and airport in the ‘90s, had already become a deportation hub starting over a decade ago. But according to flight trackers and activists monitoring the area, sometimes more than a dozen planes were taking off daily as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. In fact, a recent investigation by WBRZ shows that nearly half of all deportation flights from the U.S. now are coming out of Alexandria. It was all “deeply concerning to me,” says Tracy, who co-founded CENLA Activism in 2025 ahead of the first No Kings Protest. Tracy started showing up to monthly board meetings hosted by the England Authority Board of Commissioners, the appointed officials who oversee operations at the air park. At the normally sleepy meetings, its 10 commissioners often vote on routine matters that don’t typically draw much public scrutiny, like approving lease agreements with local businesses who want to rent out office space. But in February, the board approved its most controversial measure yet, authorizing the air park’s executive director, Ralph Hennessy, to ink new deals between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE and the Lasalle Family Foundation LLC — an affiliate of Lasalle Corrections, which operates several private prisons and migrant detention centers. Under the new proposal, a former military barracks has now been transformed into a 528-bed facility, slated to begin operating this month. This is in addition to another ICE facility for adults that has been operating since 2014. Officials are labeling the new facility as a “humanitarian” effort, billing it as a “72 hour staging center” for unaccompanied minor children and families who are self-deporting. ICE has made the case that it will help speed up deportations. A Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA), which functions as a lease between the England Economic and Industrial Development District (EIDD) and the Lasalle Family Foundation LLC, shows that the facility could be up and running for at least five years, with the option to renew. And while officials say the new facility is not meant for long-term detainment, the agreement gives the federal agency the ability to keep people in there at its discretion. “Actual lengths of stay shall be determined by ICE’s operational requirements,” the lease states. Airpark officials, meanwhile, tout it as a boost to the local economy. “The (EEIDD)’s mission is centered on job creation and economic development. This facility

Activists gathered outside of the England Air Park Board of Commissioners meeting in late September. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ERIN TRACY

creates approximately 200 direct jobs to the community as well as providing economic growth from salaries and procurement of goods,” Hennessy, the executive director of the England Airpark and the Alexandria International Airport, wrote in an email to Gambit. But Tracy and a growing coalition of residents, faith leaders, health care workers, and immigration attorneys say the latest expansion of the deportation industrial complex raises questions about oversight and accountability. They are especially worried about how immigrants, including vulnerable children, will be treated once they are inside, away from public view. Reflecting the growing concerns of people across the country, they point to ICE’s chaotic operations and officers’ lack of training amid Trump’s hiring blitz — plus the fact that dozens of immigrants and

U.S. citizens alike have been killed over the past year by agents. In just a six-day span in August, two people were fatally shot in another wave of violence. Opposition groups also cast doubt about the duration of stay, noting that legal complications and bureaucratic procedures surrounding deportations often take much longer than 72 hours. Concerns about ICE expanding its footprint are additionally magnified by decades of lawsuits and allegations against Lasalle Corrections, which has similarly developed a negative reputation over inhumane treatment and preventable deaths within its sprawling network of for-profit prisons and detention centers. “It seems blatantly obvious why you wouldn’t want children in the care of people who not only do not currently care for children, [but also] have been responsible for the deaths of adults,” Tracy says.

THE HARMS OF KEEPING CHILDREN DETAINED IT’S BEEN WELL-DOCUMENTED that keeping children in detention centers can cause short- and long-term harm to their physical and mental health. The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news outlet that investigates the American criminal legal system, in partnership with MSNOW, examined the impact of ICE detention on children in June. “Parents in ICE detention have complained of substandard conditions that frequently left their young children sick, isolated and regressing in their physical and intellectual development,” the outlet published. In one instance, ICE picked up and detained a family that had been seeking asylum and working with immigration lawyers. They brought them to the Dilley

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

‘SHROUDED IN SECRECY’

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

16 Immigration Processing Center, the Texas-based facility that holds families with kids, sometimes for months on end. The family’s two-year-old was so distressed by the conditions, he stopped eating and developed severe bowel issues. In another instance, a toddler stopped speaking completely. The investigative news outlet ProPublica, meanwhile, in January obtained several drawings and letters from kids at Dilley that demonstrates their distress. Common themes were profound sadness, missing friends and schoolmates and severe anxiety. “I haven’t been happy since I got here,” one teenager wrote. Another 14-year-old wrote that all they feel is “sadness and mostly depression.” Immigration advocacy workers and legal experts say this is common. “Exposure to prolonged detention has serious mental health and physical health impacts on anyone, particularly children,” Tania Wolf, the regional advocacy manager for the National Immigration Project, told Gambit. “There’s depression and anxiety that sets in ... there are so many studies on the effect that detention has on the development of children. The biggest concern is, how will their growth and development be stunted? How will that create an adverse event [later on in life]? What does that mean for the health of these children?”

LASALLE’S TRACK RECORD LASALLE CORRECTIONS is the privately held prison company that has contracted with ICE for what is being dubbed as the Alexandria Family Staging Center. Ruston businessman William “Billy” McConnell founded it in 1997, seeing an opportunity to make a fortune as the private prison industry expanded in Louisiana. Over the years, the company grew across the South, overseeing a network of prisons and federal detention centers, all while facing allegations of abuse and neglect. Lasalle and its affiliated companies have been named in dozens of lawsuits, including high-profile wrongful death cases. Watchdog organizations and civil rights groups say the company has largely been able to shield itself from liability through a network of affiliated companies, adding extra hurdles for families of incarcerated people and attorneys trying to figure out who is responsible. Hunterbrook Media describes Lasalle Corrections as a “liability moat — a sprawling, multimillion dollar private prison enterprise hidden behind nearly 80 opaque LLCs.” In 2020, the ACLU, Human Rights Watch and the National Immigrant Justice Center published a study based

Protesters opposing the construction of a new ICE holding facility gather during the England Authority Board meeting

“It’s a systemic problem,” she says. “[These types of facilities] always have abhorrent conditions, and at the end of the day, these are businesses profiting off putting people in cages. They’ll do everything to cut corners and cut costs.” When Hennessy, the airpark’s executive director, was asked what his reaction is to people who say Lasalle isn’t a good fit for overseeing the care of children, he said, “Apparently the federal government has no issues with Lasalle since they negotiated the contract with them.” Spokespeople for ICE and Lasalle did not respond to multiple requests for comment or answers to specific questions.

implementing security measures on its own. That could change — to keep protesters at bay. That’s because the board of commissioners voted Aug. 27 to restrict protests and require permits for demonstrations, subject to Hennessy’s approval, ahead of the facility’s opening. The policy went into effect Oct. 1. “If (demonstrators) comply with (the ordinance), then they will be allowed to protest in the appropriate location,” Hennessy said over email. Attendees at the Aug. 27 meeting, however, accused commissioners of implementing a bad-faith measure that shrouds officials and private operators from public scrutiny. “This is about silence, not safety. We’ve never had a protest on this property. You’re trying to get ahead of it because you know that putting children in the hands of ICE is wrong and dangerous,” Tracy told the commissioners at the time. Whittington says right now, “there are more questions than answers” about its operation. “What is going to happen inside the facility ... Is there adequate health care, protection and oversight for kids? Or are we setting it up to be another Dilley?” she says. Bruce Reilly, deputy director of VOTE, a grassroots organization that seeks to end mass incarceration, has also called for transparency, especially given the power the government agencies and companies will have over people’s lives. “Anyone given the right to control all aspects of another person’s life must be held to the highest standards and not be allowed to run and hide from the court system and general public,” he says.

LACK OF OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

on visits to five detention centers run by Lasalle, including three in Louisiana, finding that people were held in “inhumane” conditions and lacking access to medical care, while living in “unsanitary conditions.” That same year, the human rights group Project South alleged that immigrant detainees at a Lasalle-operated ICE facility in Georgia were being given hysterectomies without informed consent while in custody. Representatives from Lasalle said they played “no role in vetting off-site medical providers for detainees,” according to a U.S. Senate subcommittee investigation into the matter. In 2022, the National Police Accountability Project noted that Lasalle facilities were out of compliance with minimum suicide prevention standards 29 times in five years, with at least 10 incarcerated people dying by suicide. The NPAP estimated that at least 51 deaths occurred between 2014 and 2022 — many of them related to medical neglect. Sarah Whittington, advocacy director of the ACLU of Louisiana, says she’s heard complaints from people in Lasalle-run facilities who say they “aren’t getting services or access to medication and necessary care.” She says she also hears “frequent complaints about inadequate food,” including rotten food and food that may not be suitable for people with allergies, illnesses or other dietary restrictions. Additionally, she says, “People have died in their care. That may not happen with children, but there is a serious concern over the lack of medical care.” Wolf, of the National Immigration Project, says these are problems inherent to the private prison and immigration detention industry, regardless of the age of detainees.

WHAT HAS VEXED LOCAL ACTIVISTS, civil rights groups and officials all the way up to the U.S. Senate is the lack of transparency about the new Alexandria facility and exactly how it will operate, and what resources are available. “This whole project has been shrouded in secrecy,” Tracy says. Residents and activists say ICE and England Air Park officials have largely refused to answer their questions, and an England Air Park Board of Commissioners meeting that had been promised for months to allow the public to weigh in on the matter was abruptly postponed Sept. 8 until Sept. 24. The CEA document states the responsibility is on Lasalle to oversee medical care, background checks, food services and transportation, while acknowledging the company can hire subcontractors. Hennessy told Gambit the England Authority Board was not planning on

ACTIVISTS ALSO SAY the authority board, ICE and Lasalle have not mitigated environmental concerns over high amounts of PFAs, aka “forever chemicals” found on-site in groundwater. Longterm exposure to PFAs has been shown to be especially damaging to children’s endocrine systems. According to the Pew Research Center, people are exposed to “PFAs by eating or drinking contaminated food and water; through skin contact, such as touching PFAS-treated products and by breathing in contaminated dust or air.” Pew also notes that populations, including “people who live, work, or play near or downstream from military bases, airports and industrial sites are at heightened risk of exposure and potential harm.” When asked about the issue on Sept. 18 by Gambit, Hennessy responded, “We’re not concerned at this point. The drinking water comes from the City of Alexandria. You can look up their annual water quality report.”

17 G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

DRAWING SCRUTINY FROM D.C. THE LACK OF PUBLIC INFORMATION has also attracted attention from some federal elected officials. In June, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon sent letters to federal agencies and contractors connected to the project, questioning if such a facility truly aligned with their stated missions and raising concern over the treatment of immigrants. Wyden was particularly focused on the matter of unaccompanied children, who are normally placed in custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), not ICE. But the Trump administration has significantly restructured and defunded ACF, and ACF Assistant Secretary Alex Adams told Wyden in a response letter that ORR had no involvement with the Alexandria facility and said his questions are more “appropriately directed to DHS and the U.S. Department of Justice.”Wyden also pressed Compass Connections, a nonprofit that provides welfare services and social workers for vulnerable children, which was previously linked to the operation but ultimately withdrew. “These reports are at odds with your mission to meet the needs of vulnerable children and their caregivers: an operational role in a short-term holding facility tied to mass deportation, and an apparent inability to facilitate the release of a child whose sponsor paperwork was complete,” the senator wrote. In a response letter, Compass Connections president Sonya Thompson says she was misled. “We were told this facility would not be secured or otherwise be any sort of ‘detention’ site ... We firmly and sincerely believed our involvement would greatly benefit families who were choosing voluntary departure from the United States ... However, based on our continuing due diligence and consideration, Compass Connections made the decision not to move forward,” she wrote. According to the CEA, Lasalle Family Foundation LLC are responsible for staffing and overseeing the facility. The staffing company Anovaeon has replaced Compass Connections to manage daily operations and has posted several job openings, ranging from intake specialist to transportation dispatcher. CEO Eric Fritz of Anovaeon said at a public meeting Sept. 24 that there would be roughly 45 staffers dedicated to health care, including mental health. “Every time we do an operation like this, it’s always different, there’s always a learning curve... We don’t know all the answers,” he said. David Holcombe, an Alexandria resident and former regional director of the Louisiana Department of Health, told Gambit the whole op-

Protesters in Alexandria PHOTO PROVIDED BY ERIN TRACY

eration is “deliberately structured to minimize oversight.” And Wyden, the senator, has slammed the Trump administration for putting human lives at risk as it pursues its anti-immigrant agenda. “At every turn, the Trump administration has sacrificed children’s safety in service of its ideological crusade against immigrants,” he said in a statement to Gambit. “This facility appears to be yet another step towards supercharging their deportation agenda, tossing aside the federal government’s obligation to protect unaccompanied minors and treat immigrant families humanely.”

ACTIVISTS NOT GIVING UP THOSE FIGHTING against the facility say they worry officials will be able to dodge accountability in the event that something goes wrong, which many believe is inevitable given the track records of the companies and agencies involved, particularly ICE and Lasalle. “You have ICE, an intergovernmental service agreement, the lease between the England Air Park and Lasalle. There is going to be a lot of finger-pointing when something goes wrong, and the only

people who will suffer are the people in detention and their families,” says Whittington of the Louisiana ACLU. In an interview with Gambit, Tracy said local activists held a community meeting Sept. 21, and they’ve been holding vigils and prayer gatherings outside. She said some of the commissioners have been willing to meet privately with members of CENLA Activism, but she says they are dodging accountability over their decision-making and won’t answer to the community. “If they’re really interested in hearing what the public has to say, this is their opportunity to do that,” she told Gambit last month. “Part of the issue there is: Why can’t they sit together and hear these concerns? Why will they only agree to do it in private? Why should it be on the public to spend all this time, prep, and research (the commissioners) did not do?” “If they believe in what they’re doing, if they truly believe this is a ‘humanitarian’ effort and a positive thing and they’re protecting women, children and families, then what are they so afraid of and why are they so unwilling to listen?” she said. On Sept. 24, the board of commissioners met for the regular monthly meeting, after abruptly canceling the one

scheduled for Sept. 8. There, protesters gathered to deliver a petition of 13,000 signatures collected from across the country in opposition of the new facility. Tracy said the meeting’s agenda was more than twice as long as normal meetings, and discussion over the Alexandria Family Staging Center was last on the agenda. Plus, the doors to the building were locked early on, a departure from previously held meetings. One commissioner said the board wasn’t given all relevant information about the nature of the ICE operation and the board’s own liability. And Tracy says a public comment card she filled out was not addressed. “They’re trying to wear us out,” Tracy said in a follow-up interview Oct. 2. “And (Hennessy) was trying to wear his own board out.” The opposition, she believes, will only grow stronger. “We know people all over the country are against it,” she said. “We’re not going to just put our hands up and say, ‘Oh well, we tried.’ When it opens, it’ll be even more important to put pressure on it to get it closed. At that point, people are being harmed. We’re just going to keep making a stink of it ... We’ll never go away until it’s closed.”

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

Experience Isn’t Optional. It’s Everything. Husband • Father • Business Owner • A�orney • Traffic Hearing Officer • Police Officer • Sheriff’s Deputy • Special Agent • Assistant General Counsel • Coach • Mentor • High School Alumni Board President • Multi-Board Director • Elected Official (RSCC/RPEC) • Sudden Impact Program (Role as Judge and Prosecutor) • Community Leader

These are the qualities and experience why Sal is the “Only Choice” as Judge for First Parish Court, Division A. Proudly Endorsed by

48 Former & Current Jeﬀerson Parish Elected Oﬃcials 150 A�orneys . 5 Retired Judges . 14 Law Enforcement Leaders Early Voting: October 20 – 27, 2026 Election Day: November 3, 2026

BrocatoforJudge.com Paid for by Commi�ee to Elect Sal Brocato

19 G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

T IP OF F TIME A curmudgeon’s guide to the Pelicans’ 2026 season BY LIAM PIERCE EDITOR'S NOTE: With the NBA season ready to kick off this month, weary eyes here in New Orleans are turning once again toward the Smoothie King Center, home of the always rebuilding Pelicans. There are generally two types of Pelicans fans. In one camp, you’ve got your aggressively glass-half-full types who look past the many, many, many issues with the team and approach each season filled with hope and confidence that this will finally be the year. Theirs is a story of heartbreak delayed. On the other hand, there are the gluttons for punishment. For these Pelicans faithful, they start off the year already seeing the doom on the horizon and not only expect but embrace the crushing letdown the preseason has foretold. But they’ll still head to the Blender on a regular basis regardless (no kink shaming). But there’s also a third type of fan, one who’s earnest if perpetually grumpy — not unlike Gambit contributor Liam Pierce, who’s back this week with his annual Pelicans preview. This long-suffering fan comes into the season clear-eyed enough to have minimum expectations but positive enough to find the fun in the game — even if the team may be losing. Unfettered by dreams of championships and winning seasons, they come to the new Pelicans season with hopes of progress, of modest improvement and maybe, just maybe, some entertaining games to watch.

THE GOOD NEWS is that the Pelicans finished last season with 47 wins, which put them in seventh place in the Western Conference — the top seed for the play-in ... *checks notes* ... oh, wait, sorry. The Pelicans got 47 combined wins in the last two seasons and ended up in 14th place — out of 15 — and 11th place last season in the Western Conference. Yeah, they can’t even tank for draft picks correctly. DraftKings gives the Pelicans +40,000 odds to win the NBA championship — a probability of roughly 0.25%. The team has even caught the attention of

Hopefully the Pelicans’ fortunes aren’t landing on Zion’s shoulders alone this year. PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Onion headline writers, who last month declared “New Orleans Pelicans Can’t Help But Notice They’re Not On NBA Schedule This Year.” Everybody knows where we’re at. So if you’re looking for rings and a parade, try cleaning out the ones in your toilet with throws from Tucks. But there’s something different happening leaguewide this season: a rule change to the draft that disincentivizes tanking. Historically, teams who finished at the bottom of the standings were rewarded with the best odds at landing the top pick. Starting with next year’s draft, the three worst teams will actually have worse odds at the No. 1 pick than the merely bad teams ahead of them. There’s now a penalty for being truly terrible. So being historically bad — and staging a traditional, tank-y rebuild — won’t help much anymore. And after two miserable seasons, the Pelicans have responded by changing surprisingly little. With a new coach and basically the same roster, this season offers an unusually clean test of whether there’s any spark in this team. Luckily, there are a handful of genuinely fun reasons to watch while we find out.

DURING MEDIA DAY on Sept. 28, the Pelicans head of basketball operations Joe Dumars laid out his plan for this season, “We’d like to be a playoff team.” How … ambitious. If there was a blueprint for reaching that playoff goal, it was markedly absent from the first-day-of-school vibes at the presser when things are supposed to feel

fresh and like anything is possible. Dumars wasn’t serving much of that. So if talk isn’t going to clue us in on what’s happening, perhaps the offseason’s behindthe-court moves can indicate where the team is at. Let’s start with the biggest front office decision since last season: coaching. Dumars fired fifth-year coach Willie Green in November after a bleak 2-10 start, essentially saying Green didn’t provide the team with a clear enough identity. James Borrego closed out the most recent season at 24-46 as an interim coach. Then in May, Dumars handed Jamahl Mosley a coaching contract for five seasons. Mosley had spent the previous five seasons coaching one of the league’s youngest teams in Orlando. His first Magic team went 22-60. His second went 34-48. Then Orlando won 47 games and made the playoffs. The Magic returned to the postseason in each of Mosley’s final two seasons, although they never escaped the first round. More important for New Orleans, Mosley gave those teams a defensive identity. Orlando had one of the league’s top defenses in two of his final three seasons; the Pelicans have spent the last two years near the bottom of the league on that end. “You can ask about the offense all you want, we’re going to do it defensively,” Mosley said on May 26 after being hired. “We’re not going to skip steps, and it’s going to be a daily set of work.” The Pelicans are relatively young themselves, entering this season with the NBA’s ninth-youngest roster, at an average age of 25.56 years old. And Mosley made clear

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

20 at his introductory press conference that development, in his mind, doesn’t just mean waiting around for young guys to get older. “When you grow, you have to be willing to have the harder conversations as you get better and better and be OK with it,” Mosley said. “As the team rises and expectations rise, that communication level needs to rise with it. And that accountability has to rise.” New coaches usually get a grace period while a reshaped roster learns to play together. Dumars didn’t give Mosley much of that cover. He left him with pretty much the same team that Green got fired for.

DESPITE ALL THE FUNERAL DIRGES, there’s a legit argument for keeping the band together. Some of these guys are already pretty good when things are clicking; some of them might become very good. And for once, not every reason to watch the Pelicans requires beginning a sentence with “if Zion keeps the weight off/ stays healthy/actually plays.” Let’s start with Trey Murphy, who has quietly progressed from exciting young player to a straight-up dime that other teams are eying to poach. Murphy averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season, his second straight year averaging more than 20 points. At 6-foot-8, he can launch threes from somewhere near Slidell, finish at the rim with violence and generally make a miserable basketball game briefly worth turning the volume back on. Murphy is also 26 now, so we can probably stop talking about his “potential” and appreciate that he’s now playing with grown-man energy. The more intriguing unknowns are newcomers Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, who both made the NBA’s All-Rookie second team last season. Fears was 18 when the Pelicans drafted him seventh overall in the 2025 draft and managed to play all 82 games as a rookie. This is remarkable league-wide, but also a huge feat for anyone on a Pelicans squad that was historically plagued by injuries due to atrocities like sharing a medical staff with the Saints. Fears averaged 14.3 points and 3.4 assists and in the final three games of the season, he scored 40, 36 and 36 points. OK, so let’s not lose our minds over three April games played by a team whose season was on the last legs of a death march. But a teenager who closed his rookie season by scoring 112 points in three games? That’s at least worth finding out if it was a fluke. Queen’s sophomore season may result in something even stranger, but in a good way. The 6-foot-9 center averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a rookie, with the last number being the most intriguing. He’s a center who can run offense, see passes most big men don’t and make possessions look improvised without appearing like an accident. Sure, Queen has some work to do. Teams figured out they could leave him

Pelicans players DeAndre Jordan (left) and Pelicans center Derik Queen (right). PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

alone on the perimeter, so Queen spent the end of the season getting braver about — if not better at — shooting the open three. But he logged two triple-doubles as a rookie, including a 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance against Western Conference champs San Antonio. Then there’s Herb Jones. Herb is still Herb. He remains one of the NBA’s premier defensive nuisances, consistently giving his matchups a bad night — which, given this city’s capacity for pettiness, can be as enjoyable as watching a Pelican rack up buckets. He was First Team All-Defense in 2024 and has piled up an enviable amount of steals and blocks since entering the league. For a coach building around defense, inheriting Jones is way more than lagniappe. Saddiq Bey also turned into one of last season’s nicer surprises. After missing the entire previous year with a torn ACL, he returned to average a career-high 17.7 points per game. The Pelicans apparently liked what they saw: They signed the 27-year-old to a three-year, $55.5 million extension in September. And New Orleans did make one notable outside addition, signing Bennedict Mathurin to a two-year deal. The 24-yearold former No. 6 pick averaged 17.6 points between the Pacers and the Clippers last season. He gives Mosley another youngish scorer who can attack the basket, though he doesn’t necessarily solve the Pelicans’ need for more reliable outside shooting.

THERE ARE LESS reassuring experiments, too. Jordan Poole arrived last season after averaging 20.5 points in Washington and proceeded to average 13.4 points, a dip that cost him his position in the starting lineup. With a $34 million contract that expires after this season, expect his name to come up as trade bait for a more useful piece. Then there’s Dejounte Murray, who New Orleans still hasn’t really gotten to know. The 30-year-old former All-Star broke his hand in his first game as a Pelican, tore his Achilles later that season and spent much of last year working his way back. Even then, he averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds. If he’s actually healthy, Mosley may be inheriting much more than a rehab project. And then, of course, there’s Zion Williamson. Williamson played 62 games last season, the second-highest total of his career. He even put together his longest streak of consecutive games at 35 in a row. Encouraging? Yes. Promising? Nothing about his last seven years has been promising. And just to hammer that sentiment home, Williamson said on media day, “I am just not where I need to be, and I’m not where I want to be.” It’s hard to know what to do with that anymore. Three years ago, I wrote that Pelicans fans had been patient with Williamson “beyond all reasonable expectation.” At the

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

time, the annual question was whether Zion could finally stay on the court long enough to become the franchise-altering superstar everyone hoped for when he was drafted first overall in 2019. He did stay on the court more last season. The Pelicans won 26 games anyway. That doesn’t mean Williamson is washed, useless or suddenly boring. Last season proved there were still nights when a healthy Williamson gets moving downhill and gravity pauses for a minute. And The Athletic’s Will Guillory noted that new trainer Kris Chrisp might be the magic bullet to Williamson’s injury woes. The good news for Pelicans fans and Zion alike is that he no longer has to carry the entire burden of making this team interesting. Fears is 19. Queen is 21. Murphy is entering his prime. Herb Jones can still spend an evening ruining someone’s life. Bey

BUT “BASICALLY THE SAME ROSTER” may have an expiration date. Dumars has already declined to make a long-term commitment to the team’s biggest question mark: Zion. Dumars said he didn’t have any extension talks with Williamson this summer and doesn’t plan to before the season. Instead, he’s left open the possibility of getting a deal done next offseason. That puts Williamson in a fairly straightforward position: Earn it. And Williamson isn’t the only player whose future is complicated. Murphy and Jones are among the Pelicans’ best players, which also makes them two of the most valuable pieces Dumars could move if he eventually decides this core isn’t working. Poole’s quality drop and expiring contract give him another lever to pull. “You can’t put a stake in the ground and say, ‘I’m not doing anything or we can’t have these conversations,’ ” Dumars said in May about restructuring the roster. “When you’re where we are, you have to be open to everything.” So this may not be an 82-game experiment in what happens when you give the

same players a different coach. Mosley may have a much shorter window to show Dumars which of these players are actually worth keeping together. That’s also what makes Mosley the most interesting part of this season. We’ve spent years wondering whether Williamson can stay healthy, whether the young guys will develop and whether the Pelicans can somehow assemble all of their good players on the same basketball court at the same time. Those questions haven’t disappeared. But Mosley introduces a new one: what happens if somebody actually gets this group to defend? He did it in Orlando. Now he has Herb Jones, a couple of promising kids, an approaching healthy Williamson, whatever Dejounte Murray still has in the tank — and a roster that won 26 games last year. So enough with the self-punishment over this team. Nobody is realistically expecting a deep run into the playoffs. Hell, we’re not even expecting them to make the playoffs. The Pelicans are the ones with something to atone for, and they should have the pieces to do so. At a bare minimum, the team has everything it needs to make it fun watching them try.

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O ctO b e r 1 2 - 1 8 > 2 0 2 6

just earned himself another three years. Mathurin has something to prove. Maybe that’s what Dumars sees when he says he’d “like” this to be a playoff team.

Pierre the Pelican PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Discover Whites Bey yond

Chardonn nay ay

PINE RIDGE CHENIN BLANC-VIOGNIER

$12.99 750 ML

DRY CREEK VINEYARD

ILLAHE

CLINE

FLANEUR

KENDALL-JACKSON

DRY CHENIN BLANC

WILLAMETTE VALLEY VIOGNIER

NORTH COAST VIOGNIER

LA BELLE PROMENADE GRUNER VELTLINER

CHENIN BLANC

$14.99 750 ML

$21.99 750 ML

$12.99 750 ML

$37.99 750 ML

$11.49 750 ML

710 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD. | METAIRIE | DORIGNACS.COM | (504) 834-8216 | OPEN 7AM-8PM EVERYDAY

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

E AT + D R I N K

Green space

FOR K + CE NTE R

Casa Verde opens on Tulane Avenue

by Beth D’Addono

Email dining@gambitweekly.com

“HECHOS CON AMOR, servidos con estilo.”

That translates to “made with love, served with style,” a promise the Alvarado family is making at Casa Verde, their new Mexican-inspired restaurant on Tulane Avenue. Opened Aug. 21, the restaurant is managed by 22-year-old Ermis Alvarado Jr. and his sister Jessie Fuentes. Fuentes, 32, is a paralegal by day but was involved in every step of the restaurant’s conception. “We work collaboratively,” Alvarado says. “Everything you see — our menu, our ideas, our design — we did together.” Alvarado’s parents, who moved to New Orleans from Honduras more than 30 years ago, stay in the background. They owned businesses in Honduras and previously owned El Patron on the West Bank. “Hospitality means a lot in our family,” says Alvarado, who also has experience in construction management. “Whether it’s the way our mother cooks for us or the way we love to dine out and try new kinds of food, we’ve always been focused that way.” The restaurant is bright and cheery, with large windows facing Tulane Avenue letting in natural light. Formerly Three Palms Bar, the space was transformed with natural wood and rattan, real and silk plants and a mural of verdant banana palms. “We love plants,” Alvarado says. “They are so calming.” But Casa Verde’s main draw is its scratch kitchen menu of modern Mexican dishes with a twist, he says. “We make everything in house, including the queso and all the sauces and marinades,” he adds. They buy the tortillas from a local maker. The menu hits plenty of high notes. Birria tacos are filled with slow-cooked beef, permeated with garlic and spice and served with a bowl of jus for dipping and warm tortillas, salsa, cilantro and lime. Verde enchiladas are plump with shredded chicken, Cotija cheese and bathed in a fresh tomatillo verde sauce.

Casamento’s opens for season AFTER MORE THAN 100 YEARS IN BUSINESS,

there are certainties at Casamento’s Restaurant. There will be raw oysters on most tables and fried oyster loaves on thick-cut white bread, instead of po-boys. The white tilework encasing the walls and counters and floors will gleam like the inside of an oyster shell. The restaurant will close for an annual summer break and reopen each fall for what its family owners call their “season,” stretching into late spring. That reopening was Oct. 1, but this time, there’s uncertainty in the air, and one question on the lips of its regulars: Will this be the last season for Casamento’s? Husband and wife owners C.J. and Linda Gerdes have been considering permanently closing the business, a low-key landmark at 4330 Magazine St. first opened in 1919. Ermis Alvarado Jr. at Casa Verde PHOTO BY MADDIE SPINNER / GAMBIT

Caribbean tacos add the sweetness of plantains into a mix of steak, beans, melted cheese, avocado sauce and cilantro. A trio of street tacos can be mixed and matched with options including al pastor, vegetables, steak and chicken. The al pastor burrito is a winning dish filled with pineapple-marinated grilled pork with crispy bits. There’s a straightforward taco salad in a tortilla bowl and even a burger, dressed with melted cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickle with fries on the side. Bar manager Natali Ramirez oversees a sprightly menu of drinks, from tajin-rimmed margaritas garnished with orchids to tropicalinspired sips, including a tasty blueberry mojito.

Guests can also dine on the large patio with a central fountain, all under the shadow of a giant billboard, which speaks to the commercial strip’s bustle. “We were drawn to Tulane Avenue,” Alvarado says. “Our family has a strong commitment to our faith and Christian values. We wanted to bring more community together in this space — to offer affordable dining options and welcoming vibes.” So far, they’re drawing diners from the hospital and courthouse corridor, as well as residents from the surrounding neighborhood. “Dinner is our busiest time right now,” Alvarado says. Alvarado says they will eventually expand with brunch service, making use of the vintage espresso machine that gleams behind the bar. “We are blessed,” he says. “And looking forward to serving our community.”

? WHAT

WHERE

WHEN

HOW

CHECK IT OUT

Casa Verde

3811 Tulane Ave., (504) 354-8344; casaverdenola.com

Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue.

Dine-in

Mexican favorites in a bright new Mid-City spot

PHOTO BY IAN MCNULTY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

In May the Gerdes announced that this year is “looking like our final season.” On the eve of reopening, C.J. Gerdes says they haven’t arrived at a decision. “Everyone’s asking, and what I’m saying is, ‘Ask me later,’ because I just don’t know,” he says. In the balance is the future of a New Orleans dining institution rich with character and tradition contending with the vulnerabilities that can befall a small, family business. C.J. is nearing 70 and has been working at the restaurant since he was 14. Linda is 67 and has been working here since marrying into the family in 1978. Both are ready to retire. But they also feel like stewards for a legacy restaurant that has endured through the same family for three generations.

Plans to carry Casamento’s into the fourth generation changed through heartache and tragedy. Their daughter, Natalie Gerdes Hebert, the heir apparent to lead the restaurant, died of a heart attack last year at age 37. Her twin sister, Nicole Gerdes, suffered life-changing injuries in a severe car wreck a few years prior. It left her unable to take over the restaurant, her father says. “Our daughter dying was the deciding factor making us think about closing, that took the heart out of it for us,” he says. “I’m different. The family is different.” Some of Casamento’s longestserving employees are reaching retirement age, too. Dolly Skinner, 65, has cooked at the restaurant for 42 years. Robert Washington, 77, has worked there for 48 years. C.J. Gerdes said hiring new staff and essentially starting over is not viable at this point in his life. News that Casamento’s days could be numbered stirred much interest last spring, not the least from people in the hospitality business. Gerdes has heard from numerous restaurant operators and real estate agents about the possibility of buying the restaurant. But he has not gotten far into discussing terms. That’s because his own outlook for Casamento’s is strung with questions. Is he really ready to let the restaurant go? If he was to sell the property and the Casamento’s name, would a new owner operate it the way the family always has? And could he bear to see it turned into something different? “If I’m going to let someone else keep the name, it’s so they keep it like it is, but is anyone going to do that?” he says, looking around two narrow dining rooms set with just a dozen tables and filled with a lifetime of memories. Casamento’s is an enduring part of an older New Orleans, says Sal Sunseri, whose family’s 150-year-old business, P&J Oyster Co. supplies local restaurants, including Casamento’s. He calls Casamento’s an “oyster saloon,” and said similarly small, storefront seafood spots were once much more common around the city. That makes Casamento’s a living connection to the city’s food heritage. He hopes it can stay open somehow. “Any time an iconic place that has meant so much to the city, and paid into the coffers of the city, closes down, that’s a loss for everyone,” Sunseri says. “So it’s something to understand and appreciate while it’s here. We don’t like saying ‘ain’t dere no more.’ ”

While other oyster specialists with long histories continue, like Acme Oyster House, Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar and Pascal’s Manale Restaurant, they have also evolved as businesses and changed ownership through the years. But at Casamento’s, traditional ways have aged into functional peculiarities. Orders are taken by pen on notepads, and tabs are settled with cash only at the clanking register tucked into a niche in the tiled walls. The metal bin keeping oysters cold by the shucker’s counter is chilled with ice, not electric refrigeration. A trip to the restroom entails shimmying past a curtain and through the kitchen, as if in someone’s home, giving diners a glimpse of how Casamento’s cooks. Fried oysters are second only to raw oysters in popularity on the menu, but the restaurant does not have a commercial fryer. Instead, Gerdes works a drumline of iron skillets, six of them at a time, crowded onto each burner of the stove, frying seafood in lard. It’s a homestyle approach that adds flavor and imparts freshness, as the lard is changed every few batches. C.J. Gerdes’ grandfather Joe Casamento, an immigrant from the Italian island of Ustica, opened the restaurant just after World War I and worked there until his death in 1979 at the age of 90. Back in 1949, Casamento installed the current tilework and closed the restaurant over the course of several months to do the work. These were not coincidentally the summer months because, back in the era when refrigerated transport was not common in the oyster business, the restaurant’s primary ingredient wasn’t at its best anyway. This established the tradition of summer closures, which has held up ever since and set the restaurant’s unorthodox operating schedule. That schedule sets a clock for the decision that Gerdes is now grappling to resolve. He expects that the possibility of closing will spark renewed customer interest, and he’s planning for a busy season. He may keep Casamento’s open a little later than normal this year, perhaps into June. But eventually change will come to the timeless restaurant. “It’s a decision you have to make not just with your head, but with your heart too,” Gerdes says. “They have to come together.” — Ian McNulty / The Times-Picayune

THIS WEEK’S FALL FORECAST:

Gold with a Sprinkle of Diamonds & P earls

HIGH-QUALITY JEWELRY | CUSTOM DESIGNS WATCH & JEWELRY REPAIR | JEWELRY CLEANING WE BUY GO L D, J EW E L RY, A N D CO I N S.

MON - FRI: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM | SAT: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM 2546 WILLIAMS BLVD, KENNER | 504.327.9184 GQ.JEWELERSHOWCASE.COM

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

FORK & CENTER

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

3 COURSE INTE RVIE W

ING CALLIN

BBATON AT ROUGE!

Haera Shin

What are some of the cocktails you included?

Bartender by Will Coviello HAERA SHIN’S PARENTS EMIGRATED FROM SOUTH KOREA to New York, and while

COME SEE US! FOLLOW US!

517 METAIRIE RD. OLD METAIRIE

HAND GRENADE

THE #1 DRINK IN NEW ORLEANS!

she was born in the U.S., she grew up in both countries. She started bartending in college and got turned onto refined Japanese cocktails while working at the New York location of Zuma. She also was a bar manager at restaurants in David Chang’s Momofuku restaurant group. At the bar, she merged Korean flavors and spirits in craft cocktails. Her new book, “Korean Cocktails,” combines Korean flavors and spirits in classic and original drinks. She moved to New Orleans a year ago and is the bar manager at the Columns, where she maintains the traditional menu but has added a couple of her drinks. She’ll be interviewed by Neal Bodenheimer at Cure at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, and then will guest bartend at the lounge and serve some drinks from the book. For more about Shin and the book, see @hairyshins on Instagram.

How did find your way into craft cocktails? HAERA SHIN: I started bartending as a means to get through college. I was slinging at clubs in New York. Then I started to take it more seriously and found some great mentorship. About 2014, I started to think about bartending as a career. That’s when I landed my job at Zuma, this incredible izakaya-style Japanese import from England. They were opening a location in New York. Once I started there, I was immersed into the techniques of Japanese style bartending. It’s a very serious and storied craft. That’s what started to awaken this professional career. That’s how I moved to the bar manager role. I started to take what Japanese bartending did and apply it to what my palate wanted, which was the flavors of my youth.

What did you want to include in the book? Littlle Tropical Isle 435 BOUR RBON Tropical Isle Original 600 BOURBON Tropical Isle’s Bayou Club 610 BOURBON Tropical Isle 721 BOURBON Honky Tonk 727 Bourbon

S: I wanted to make sure the cocktails could be recreated by home bartenders. There are things that are in the book that in my bars were sous vide or used centrifuge techniques. I had to recalibrate and do a lot of R&D to come up with a similar cocktail flavor and end product without having to use those techniques or equipment.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HAERA SHIN

There were interesting things I noticed in Japanese techniques that piqued my interest. Umeboshi is a salted Japanese plum. It is used to get the plum flavor, but it’s also heavily salted. So utilizing that to flavor a cocktail weaponizes the salinity in a highball. That was a huge lightbulb for me. I thought Korean flavors with fermented notes and the saltiness and the umami bombs hits all quadrants. It was also important to me that Korean spirits were highlighted as much as the ingredients. Things you’d find if you even had a cursory interest in Korean food. Things you’d have in your pantry. I want this book to reach places where maybe soju is the only thing people recognize at a local Asian place, like they have some flavored soju on the list. At places like Chi Chi’s on Freret, Korean ingredients are starting to become in vogue. To tie everything together, it’s about celebration. It’s not about preciousness. At the end of the day, Korean-style drinking is about having something that’s super fun and goes with food; you are eating and drinking a ton and visiting three or four bars in a night, and you want to make sure you last until the very end. These drinks are meant to be enjoyed around the table with people, and maybe with spicy food.

S: These cocktails come from different places. A lot of them come from menus from different seasons, or different spirits that I found. I am obsessed with Ninome tangerine soju. I was like, I have to build a cocktail around it. Or perilla is in season, so I have to build a cocktail around it. So a lot of these come from me being inspired by the spirit or an ingredient I love, or maybe a gin that I think would work so well in a Korean context. You’ll see some infusions, but also using chungju, which is a Korean rice wine, but utilizing it as a vermouth, but with a savory edge because it tastes like mushrooms. I wanted there to be a great mix of recognizable cocktails. So if you already know you like a certain cocktail, then you can find a Korean version of it. The K-Margarita was one that hit all the flavor notes on your tongue. But one of the ones that I am super proud of that I thought, “This is going to be really weird,” but sold really well at Ssam Bar in New York was Japchae. It basically tastes like this Korean sweet potato glass noodle dish that has the flavor of mushrooms and carrots and sweetness and soy. That worked together in cocktail form. It really does taste like a drinkable appetizer. I wanted to have some that are large format. If you’re serving them at home, let’s have a recipe that can serve a crowd. Having a Korean sangria made with bokbunja blackberry wine felt really good for people to try out. When you are cooking Korean food, there’s 5,000 ingredients in there, and you don’t measure a single thing. For a cocktail, I wanted five or six ingredients to be a maximum. I wanted it to be: Have these three or four staples and then you can look up recipes and put things together. At Cure, a lot of people will come who may not have had the Korean flavors in these drinks. I am excited to demystify what that is.

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. $$$ Acropolis Cuisine — 3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-9046; acropoliscuisine.com — The menu of classic Greek dishes includes souvlaki, gyros and pita wraps, spanakopita, hummus and Greek salads. Moussaka has layers of eggplant, potatoes, zucchini, ground beef and bechamel. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Angelo Brocato’s — 214 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-1465; angelobrocatoicecream.com — This Mid-City sweet shop serves its own gelato in flavors like praline, salted caramel and tiramisu, as well as Italian ices in flavors like lemon, strawberry and mango. There also are cannolis, biscotti, fig cookies, tiramisu, macaroons and coffee drinks. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $ Annunciation — 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; annunciationrestaurant.com — Gulf 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. $$ Budsi’s Authentic Thai — 1760 N. Rampart St., (504) 381-4636; budsisthai.com — Chef Budsaba Mason prepares dishes from her native Issan region of Thailand and other popular Thai dishes like papaya salad, grilled pork shoulder, larb, khao soi, pad thai and red curry. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $$ Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop — 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-2022; gumbostop. com — The Gumbo Stop has several gumbo 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,

$ — average dinner entrée under $10 $$ — $11-$20 $$$ — $20-up salads, sandwiches, boudin balls, fried oysters and more. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sat. $$ The Country Club — 634 Louisa St., (504) 9450742; thecountryclubneworleans.com — The Bywater restaurant and pool has a menu of crab beignets, truffle mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, burgers and more. Seared redfish is served with kale, toasted chickpeas, sesame seeds, chili crisp and whipped tahini. Outdoor seating available. Reservations recommended. Lunch, brunch and dinner daily. $$$ Delacroix Restaurant — 1 Poydras St., (504) 655-9002; delacroixrestaurant.com — 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. $$$ Desire Oyster Bar — Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St., (504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar — A menu full of Gulf seafood includes oysters served raw on the half-shell or char-broiled with with Parmesan, garlic and herbs. The menu also includes po-boys, gumbo, blackened fish, fried seafood platters and more. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House — 144 Bourbon St., (504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse. com — There’s a seafood raw bar with raw and char-broiled oysters, fish dip, crab fingers, shrimp and more. Redfish “on the half-shell” is cooked skin-on and served with crab-boiled potatoes, frisee and lemon buerre blanc. The bar offers a wide selection of bourbon and whiskies. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$ Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse — 716 Iberville St., (504) 522-2467; dickiebrennanssteakhouse. com — The menu includes a variety of steaks, plus seared Gulf fish, lobster pasta, barbecue shrimp and more. A 6-ounce filet mignon is served with fried oysters, creamed spinach, potatoes and bearnaise. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$ Domenica — 123 Baronne St., (504) 648-6020; 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. $$$ Don’s Seafood — 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-1555; donsseafoodonline.com — The seafood options range from char-broiled oysters to seafood gumbo, fried shrimp and catfish platters and stuffed flounder. The menu also has rib-eye steaks. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ 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. $$ King Brasserie & Bar — Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, 501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 3243000; kingbrasserieandbar.com — The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the cuisine of the Riviera and southern France. There are dishes like steak frites and bouillabaisse as well as blackened Gulf fish and barbecue shrimp and oysters. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$$ 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. $$ PAGE 26

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

OUT TO E AT

811 Conti St. • NOLA 504.522.3573 erinrosebar.com

BOOK YOUR

PRIVATE PARTY!!

And We Handle The Rest!

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

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

26 O U T T O E AT PAGE 25

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,

PRESENTS

A MONSTER AND

A MEAL 4-HOUR WORKSHOP ON HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM DOLL

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

HONEY’S

1400 ST CLAUDE AVE ¡LOCAL DRINKS & MORSELS INCLUDED!

WWW.LITASLITTLESHOP.COM

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. $$$ Tacklebox — 817 Common St., (504) 8271651; legacykitchen.com — The menu includes raw and char-broiled oysters, seafood platters, po-boys, fried chicken, crab and corn bisque and more. Redfish St. Charles is served with garlic-herb butter, asparagus, mushrooms and crawfish cornbread. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$ 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) 509-7334; 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 housebaked 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. $

PAGE 7

presenting a New Orleans concert by indie rock band Pedro the Lion somewhere in the 70130 ZIP code. Led by vocalist-guitarist David Bazan, Pedro the Lion released its seventh album, “Santa Cruz,” in 2024. The show starts at 8 p.m., and the location is disclosed with ticket purchase. Find more info at undertowshows.com.

Tanael Joachim COMEDIAN TANEAL JOACHIM was born

and grew up in Haiti. He says that means he speaks Haitian Kreyol, English and French, “because of a foreign exchange program called slavery.” He’s a regular at New York clubs including the Comedy Cellar, Gotham and New York Comedy Club and festivals. He’s in New Orleans for a show at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Sports Drink. Tickets $25 via sportsdrink.org.

Bayonne AUSTIN, TEXAS-BASED ELECTRO-POP MUSICIAN Roger Sellers keeps things

simple as Bayonne and typically only tours with his own synths and a drummer.

But he creates a grand, danceable sound from the minimal set-up. This time last year, Bayonne opened for Minus the Bear at the Civic, and he’s back in town, new album in tow, for a show at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Gasa Gasa. Tickets are $24.85 via gasagasanola.com.

Ever More Nest ON AMERICANA BAND EVER MORE NEST’S new single, “Mine to Love,”

singer-songwriter Kelcy Mae compares her partner’s pestering, jealous ex to the antics of a traveling circus. So the band is throwing a carnival-themed show on Sunday, Oct. 18, at The AllWays Lounge with Paisley Fields and Bruisey Peets. Circus costumes are encouraged. The show starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $15 via evermorenest.com.

The Rumble BLACK MASKING INDIAN-FRONTED FUNK BAND The Rumble in August released

its great second studio album, “Ain’t No Dying.” The band, featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Young Eagles, releases the vinyl version of the

album with a show at 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Blue Nile. Tickets are $22.87 via bluenilelive.com.

Praise Fest on the Bayou THE GOSPEL FESTIVAL LINEUP FEATURES

Davell Crawford, Kevin Styles, Arthur Clayton & Anointed for Purpose, Pastor Tyrone Jefferson, E’Dana, Steve Dalton & LSOC, Clay Johnson, Keedy Black, Alma Sherman, Tracy Harris & Predestined, 9th Ward Community Choir and more. There also are food vendors and a craft market. At 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 18, on Bayou St. John at 500 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway. Admission is free. Visit praisefestnola.com for information.

Flagboy Giz with the LPO FLAGBOY GIZ OF THE WILD TCHOUPITOULAS

has released six albums in six years, played Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest and stages around the country, been profiled by The New York Times and released the New Orleans party staple, “We Outside.” He now joins the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to

kick off its 2026-27 Market Nights series on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Jazz & Blues Market. An LPO ensemble will perform works by Malcolm Parson, Marcus Norris and Jimmy Lopez before backing Giz for a set of his originals. A pre-concert happy hour starts at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $38 via lpomusic.com.

Crescent City Chamber Music Festival THE FESTIVAL FEATURES THE MANHATTAN

Chamber Players, clarinetist Mark Dover and bandoneonist JP Jofre performing works by Tchaikovsky, Britton, Dvorak, Copeland, Shastakovich, Brahms, Ravel and more. Performances are at venues across the city, and some are free, including opening night on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Trinity Episcopal Church. The festival runs through Oct. 25. Visit crescentcitychambermusicfestival.com for details. For a list of Halloween events, see page 33.

The moments that matter most deserve a team ready for anything. Be prepared for any day with MedVet.

24/7 / Emergency & Specialty S Care C For Pets MedVet New Orleans | 2315 N. Causeway Blvd. | Metairie, LA 70001 MedVet Mandeville | 3561 Highway 190 | Mandeville, LA 70471

Find your nearest MedVet

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

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

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O C T O B E R 1 2 -1 8 > 2 0 2 6

MUSIC

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

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

MONDAY 12 30/90 — Dapper Dandies, 6 pm; The Velvet Collective, 10 pm ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Betsey Propane’s Smoke Show, 7 pm APPLE BARREL — Decaturadio, 6 pm; Mark Appleford, 10 pm BACCHANAL — Boma Bango, 6 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Red Beans & Blues with Washboard Chaz & Jonathan Freilich, 9 pm BROADSIDE — Hot Summer Salsa Nights with DJ Lady B, 7 pm BUFFA’S — David Doucet, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Keep It Rolling Brass Band, 9 pm CARROLLTON STATION — Biscuits n’ Jam with Meryl Zimmerman & Friends, 10 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — Ward Davis, 8 pm DBA — Secret Six Jazz Band, 6 pm; Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet, 9:30 pm DOS JEFES — John Fohl, 8:30 pm FRITZEL’S JAZZ CLUB — Tin Men, 5 pm; Richard Scott & Friends, 8 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — VetJams, 11 pm MAHOGANY JAZZ HALL — Tom Hook, 6 pm; The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, 8 pm THE MAISON — Justin Donovan, 5 pm; Gene’s Music Machine, 8 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — George Porter Jr. Trio ft. Chris Adkins, 7 & 10 pm OKAY BAR — Big Easy Stompers Line Dancing & Lessons, 8 pm SAENGER THEATRE — Tom Jones, 8 pm SATURN BAR — BC Coogan, 8:30 pm SNAKE & JAKES — Steady Company, 9 pm SNUG HARBOR — Charmaine Neville Band, 7:30 & 9:30 pm SPOTTED CAT — Jenavieve Cooke & the Winding Boys, 2 pm; Dominick Grillo & the Frenchmen Street All-Stars, 6 pm; Saskia Says, 9:30 pm TRUE SOUTH — Danny Alexander Blues Jam, 8 pm

TUESDAY, OCT. 13 30/90 — Justin Donovan, 6 pm; Kayla Jasmine, 9 pm APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Jackson’s Flying Circus, 10 pm BACCHANAL — Tangiers Combo, 6 pm BAMBOULA’S — Caitie B. & The Hand Me Downs, 9 pm BANKS STREET BAR — VetJams, 7 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Scott Mckeon, Paddy Milner & Friends, 9 pm BUFFA’S — Alex McMurray, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Halloween Stop-Shop & Jam with Delta Funk, 7 pm CAROUSEL BAR — Naomie April, 8 pm DBA — Nat & Kat Cajun String Band, 6 pm; Midnight Brawlers, 9 pm DOS JEFES — Tom Hook, 8:30 pm THE FILLMORE — Modest Mouse, 7 pm GASA GASA — Miss B. Haven, 9:30 pm MAHOGANY JAZZ HALL — Victor Campbell, 6 pm; Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sound, 8 pm THE MAISON — Jacky Blaire & the Hot Biscuits, 5 pm; Paradise Jazz Band, 8 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR — Very Good Tuesday, 8 pm THE RABBIT HOLE — Rebirth Brass Band, 10 pm SALON SALON — Jérémie Henan, 7 pm SATURN BAR — Cumbia Night: Los Güiros & C’est Funk, 9 pm SIBERIA — The Yawpers + Midriff + The Handgrenades, 9 pm TIPITINA’S — Bright Eyes + Lullaby for the Working Class, 7:30 pm VAUGHAN’S LOUNGE — Cuttin’ Up with Lil Prince & the Youngbloods, 10 pm

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 30/90 — Tetrad, 6 pm; The Magicians, 9 pm APPLE BARREL — Felipe Kerra, 6 pm; The Budz, 10 pm BACCHANAL — Jesse Morrow, 6 pm BAYOU BAR — Firm Roots, 8 & 10 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Christin Bradford’s B-Day with Soft Opening ft. Christin Bradford & Anna Laura Quinn, 9 pm BLUE NILE — New Breed Brass Band, 9 pm

Washboard Chaz and Jonathan Freilich play BJ’s Lounge Monday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m. PHOTO BY MADDIE SPINNER / GAMBIT

BUFFA’S — Mark Carroll, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Jam-ilton, 7:30 pm COMMONS CLUB — Jonté Mayon, 6 pm DBA — The Next Level Band, 6 pm; Johanna Rose & The Dreamboats, 9 pm DOS JEFES — Tangiers Combo, 8:30 pm FRITZEL’S JAZZ CLUB — Richard “Piano” Scott, 1 pm; Fritzel’s All Star Band with Kevin Ray Clark, 8 pm THE FILLMORE — Marilyn Manson, 7 pm GASA GASA — She’s Green + Witches Exist + Smush, 9 pm HOLY DIVER — The Amazing Henrietta, 8 pm HOWLIN’ WOLF — Ancestral Tongue + Josephine Alphonso + Isaac Scuvotti, 7 pm THE MAISON — Andy J. Forest, 5 pm; Gene’s Music Machine, 6 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — Happy Organ Hour with Joe Ashlar & Stanton Moore, 8 pm PAULIE’S — PUPS Jam, 8 pm

29 MUSIC

THURSDAY, OCT. 15 30/90 — Decaturadio, 6 pm; Kim in the Wind, 9 pm ABITA NEW ORLEANS — Jazz Series ft. The New Orleans Rug Cutters, 6 pm APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm; Johnny B, 9 pm BACCHANAL — Raphael Bas, 6 pm BAR REDUX — A Most Unholy Covenant, 9 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Lily Unless & the If-Onlys, 9 pm BLUE NILE — Irvin Mayfield’s Music Church, 9 pm; DJ T-Roy (upstairs), 10 pm BMC — Dapper Dandies, 6 pm; The Kat Kiley Experience, 9 pm BROADSIDE — Gov’t Majik: Birthday Tribute to Fela Kuti, 7 pm BUFFA’S — Tom McDermott with Susanne Ortner, 7 pm CAFÉ ISTANBUL — Sharon Martin & Friends, 6:30 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Blues at Work with Phil Breen, 6 pm; Sierra Green, 10 pm CAROUSEL BAR — Leslie Martin, 5:30 pm; Lena Prima & Her Band, 9 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — Marc Stone Presents A Funky Songwriter Summit, 8 pm DBA — Ethan Santos, 6 pm; Vegas Cola Band, 9 pm DOS JEFES — The Mark Coleman Band, 8:30 pm DOUBLE DEALER — Tiffany Pollack, 9 pm THE FILLMORE — Marilyn Manson, 7 pm GASA GASA — Road to Electric Spring, 7 pm GOOD MEASURE — 95 MP ft. Miles Hancock & Peter Varnado, 8 pm HOWLIN’ WOLF — Orange You Glad, 10 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULE — The Soul Rebels, 11 pm THE MAISON — The Champagniacs, 4:30 pm; SingleMaltPlease, 8:30 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR — Booker & Beyond with Yoshitaka “Z2” Tsuji, 6 pm; Johnny Vidacovich Trio with George Porter Jr. & June Yamagishi, 8 pm NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & BLUES MARKET — LPO Market Nights ft. Flagboy Giz, 7 pm NEW ORLEANS PHARMACY MUSEUM — Sally Baby’s Three Silver Opera, 7 pm PEACOCK ROOM — Da Lovebirds: Robin Barnes & Pat Casey, 8 pm SALON SALON — Belinda Moody, 7 pm SATURN BAR — Across Phoenix + Basic Printer + Spirit of the Bear, 9 pm SIBERIA — Eva Lovullo + Sad Bath + Ronnie, 9 pm TIPITINA’S — Rock The Rafters, 7:30 pm VAUGHAN’S LOUNGE — Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, 10 pm

FRIDAY, OCT 16 30/90 — Jeff Chaz, 2 pm; Josh Benitez, 5 pm; OTRA, 8 pm; Strange Roux, 11 pm ANNA’S — Tropical Gems: C’est Funk, 9 pm BACCHANAL — David Sigler, 1 pm; Steve Lands, 7 pm BANKS STREET BAR — Honest Man Happy Hour with Domenic Fusca, 4 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Miss Martha & Her Goodtime Gang, 9 pm THE BLUE CRAWFISH — Free Agents Brass Band, 6:30 pm BLUE NILE — The Rozes (Caribbean Funk), 8 pm; Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, 10 pm; DJ FTK (upstairs), 10 pm BROTHERS THREE LOUNGE — VetJams, 8 pm BUFFA’S — War Bunnies! + Vacillator + Terminus Victor, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — Decaturadio, 2 pm; 2nd Lion Reggae Band, 6:30 pm; Higher Heights Reggae, 10 pm CARROLLTON STATION — Sweet Magnolia presents A Very 90s Halloween, 9 pm CHAPEL CLUB — Sana, 9 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — John “Papa” Gros B3 Funk Set, 10:30 pm DBA — Michael Watson & The Alchemy, 6 pm; The Original Pinette Brass Band, 10 pm DOUBLE DEALER — Tiago Guy, 9:30 pm GASA GASA — Episodic Memory + Virtue Signal + Calm Coffins + Mere of Light + Lingua Lucem, 9 pm

GOOD MEASURE — Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots, 8 pm HI HO LOUNGE — Trip To The Morgue + Skeleton Crew + Grey Areas, 9 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Kat Deal, 11 pm THE MAISON — NOLA Sweethearts, 3 pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 5 pm; The Kazzettes, 8 pm; DJ KVng Fred, 11 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — MP3 Marc Paradis Trio, 8 pm; Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit, 11 pm THE RABBIT HOLE — DJ Logic & Friends, 10 pm REPUBLIC NEW ORLEANS — Said the Sky, 10 pm SANTOS BAR — TEMPO Presents: Last Call with DJs Sillva, Tchoupo, Marco Alexander & Jamil, 10 pm; Pressure Beat with DJ Doubleplus (upstairs), 10 pm SATURN BAR — SLAAP Cabaret, 9 pm SIBERIA — Mean Green + Gatsu + Hireath, 9 pm THREE MARIES — Gumbo Funk, 6 pm; Anaïs St. John, 9 pm TIPITINA’S — NOLA Funk Fest @ Nite, 11:45 pm TRUE SOUTH — Johnny J & The Hitmen, 8 pm

SATURDAY, OCT. 17 30/90 — Personal Space, 2 pm; Sleazeball Orchestra, 5 pm; Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces, 8 pm ANNA’S — Chore Boys, 9 pm ARORA — Lumasi + Fika + Subcybin + Mer Grey, 10 pm BACCHANAL — Miles Berry, 1 pm; Pete Olynciw, 7 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — Kumasi, 9 pm BLUE NILE — The Caesar Brothers’ FunkBox, 8 pm; The Rumble, 11 pm BROADSIDE — Picnic at the Broadside with T Marie & Bayou Juju, 12 pm CARROLLTON STATION — Troubadour: George Strait Tribute Show with Carolyn Broussard & Friends, 8 pm CHICKIE WAH WAH — J & The Causeways, 10:30 pm GOOD MEASURE — Brasinola, 8 pm KERMIT’S TREMÉ MOTHER-IN-LAW LOUNGE — Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers, 6 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces, 11 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — Smoker’s World, 8 pm; New Orleans Suspects, 11 pm MUSIC BOX VILLAGE — 4th Annual Feel The Rhythm of the Drums Festival, 5 pm

OKAY BAR — Evan McMillian + Lyla DiPaul + Gage Rhodes, 7 pm REPUBLIC NEW ORLEANS — Freakshow New Orleans, 7 pm; REWIND: 2000s, 11 pm SANTOS BAR — Cascades + All Is Calm, 9 pm; NOX Presents: No Signal Dance Party, 11 pm SIBERIA — Dent May + Burnt Sugar, 9 pm TIPITINA’S — DJ Soul Sister’s 80’s Party: No Parking On The Dance Floor, 9 pm

SUNDAY, OCT. 18 30/90 — Daphne Parker Powell, 3 pm; KreweDeBauchery, 6 pm; SingleMaltPlease, 9 pm ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Sunday Swing with Natty & the Woes, 8 pm APPLE BARREL — Shwag, 6 pm; Steve Mignano, 7 pm BACCHANAL — Arnold Little, 1 pm; Noah Young, 7 pm BAR REDUX — DEADITE DANCE PARTY, 9 pm BJ’S LOUNGE — James McClaskey & the Rhythm Band, 9:30 pm BLUE NILE — Street Legends Brass Band, 10:30 pm BROADSIDE — Louisiana Shrimp Festival, 12 pm BUFFA’S — Jenn Howard, 7 pm CAFÉ NEGRIL — The Rumpshakers, 1 pm; John Lisi & The Delta Funk, 5 pm; Ado Soul & The Tribe, 9 pm CARROLLTON STATION — Hypno Nun + Chris Cubed + Andre Lovett, 8 pm GASA GASA — Bayonne + Bad Snacks, 9 pm HOWLIN’ WOLF — Hot 8 Brass Band, 10:30 pm MAPLE LEAF BAR — Pastor J & the Funky Revival, 8 pm SANTOS BAR — Tashi Delay + Fantasy Non Fiction, 10 pm SNUG HARBOR — Desert Nudes, 7:30 & 9:30 pm SATURN BAR — sludge inc. + sailem from hell + s.w.a.r.m., 9 pm SIBERIA — Brody Price + Pope + Maddy Kirgo, 9 pm TIGERMEN DEN — Sariyah Idan Duo + Cristina Kaminis Trio, 7 pm

S C A N FO R THE COMPLETE GAMBIT C A L EN DA R

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O C T O B E R 1 2 -1 8 > 2 0 2 6

SANTOS BAR — Chambre Noir with Paco, 10 pm SATURN BAR — The Heeters + Headbone + Renée Gros, 9 pm SIBERIA — Joey Cash + tokidokihoe, 9 pm SMOOTHIE KING CENTER — $uicideboy$ with Destroy Lonely, $lim Gucci, Black Kray & More!, 6:30 pm SNUG HARBOR — Alicia Ynez Band, 5 pm; Uptown Jazz Orchestra with John Gray, 7:30 & 9:30 pm VAUGHAN’S LOUNGE — Robin Rapuzzi’s Glo Worm Trio, 8:30 pm

G A M B I T > B E S T O F N E W O R L E A N S . C O M > O C T O B E R 1 2 -1 8 > 2 0 2 6

MUSIC

FIND THE

MOST INTERESTING MAN.

Funky moves by Jake Clapp AFTER HOSTING ITS FIRST TWO EDITIONS at the New Orleans Jazz

WIN

THE MOS ST T T INTERESTING

HAPP PY Y R.. HOUR

SNAP. SUBMIT. W WIIN. Snap a photo witth Dos Equis or an ofﬁcia al Most Interesting g Man M display and enter for f your chance to w win n a Dos Equis Happ py y Hour for up to 20 0 usive friends, plus exclu merchandise.

ENTER NOW!

Visit bestofneworleans.com/MIM to learn more

Museum, NOLA Funk Fest last year relocated to a larger location at Spanish Plaza along the Riverfront. The annual music and culture festival is now more than doubling its footprint with its fourth edition Friday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 18. NOLA Funk Fest is moving across Canal Street to Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, stretching from the plaza at the Audubon Aquarium to St. Louis Street with three stages, areas dedicated to Cajun and Creole culture and Black Masking Indians, a kids’ village and food and drink vendors. This year’s lineup includes guestfilled headlining sets by Galactic and Georger Porter Jr. and a tribute to Allen Toussaint featuring Irma Thomas, John Boutte, Davell Crawford and many others. There also are performances by Dumpstaphunk, the Lost Bayou Ramblers with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Cimafunk, The Breaks, JoJo Hermann, the New Orleans Suspects with “Big Sam” Williams and more. The move to the Riverfront has worked out well, says Chris Beary, board chair of the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience (LMHE), which produces the festival. To have the festival “up on the river, which drove the music and inspired the music is a wonderful thing,” he says. LMHE started the NOLA Funk Fest in 2023 as a way to build momentum and visibility for its proposed $165 million museum dedicated to Louisiana’s musical history. It has had a funk-heavy lineup and each year has brought an additional focus, like exhibits on Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew and last year’s inclusion of a tent dedicated to Black Masking Indian culture. This year, NOLA Funk Fest highlights Cajun and Creole music and culture. There will be performances by Cajun artists like Lost Bayou Ramblers and Jourdan Thibodeaux et Les Rodailleurs, zydeco musician CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band and swamp rocker CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis. There also is a Cajun village hosting cultural presentations. Funk heavyweights Galactic headline the first night with a show featuring vocalist Jelly Joseph, Widespread Panic keyboardist JoJo Hermann and percussionist Domingo Ortiz. There also are performances by Marc Broussard, Dumpstaphunk, Brass-A-Holics, the New Orleans Legacy Coalition and more.

NOLA Funk Fest hosts its fourth edition Oct. 16-18. PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

On Saturday, the Allen Toussaint Orchestra will be joined by Thomas, Ivan and Cyril Neville, Crawford, Deacon John, Boutte, Neal Francis, John “Papa” Gros and more for a tribute to the late pianist and iconic songwriter. The day also has sets by Hermann, the Tony Hall Band with Mahogany Blue, Bonerama, Slugger and the Neville Sons. Legendary bassist George Porter Jr. and his band Runnin’ Pardners close out the festival Sunday with a guest-packed set featuring Stanton Moore, Cyril Neville, Jen Hartswick, Eddie Roberts and more. Afro-Cuban funk artist Cimafunk also plays that evening, and the day includes shows by Anders Osborne, River Eckert, The Breaks (the new funk trio by Moore, Roberts and Robert Walter), Erica Falls, Big Chief Juan Pardo and the Original Pinettes Brass Band. Baked into the festival’s mission is giving opportunities to the next generation of musicians, and the Passing the Torch Stage is dedicated to up-and-coming groups. There will be sets by The Washington Tattoo, The Quickening and Pocket Chocolate along with showcases of newer acts. There are more than 100 college-aged kids performing and working with the festival this year, Beary says. There’s also a partnership with Loyola University. LMHE earlier this year signed a lease with the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to build its museum as part of the River District development. Architectural plans are in the process, Beary says, along with exhibit and curatorial work, and they’re looking to break ground in July. General admission weekend tickets are $168.74 and single-day tickets are $63.42. There are discounts for Louisiana residents, students, teachers and others. And there are VIP packages available. Find tickets and more info at nolafunkfest.com.

GOING OUT

by Will Coviello COMEDIAN GABE RUTLEDGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN told he looks like

someone else. With his long hair and casual looks of T-shirts or flannel, rock star Dave Grohl comes up a lot. Some have suggested he looks like Dave Grohl’s dad. “Dave Grohl is 56 years old,” Rutledge says with a grin and some indignance in his latest special, “A Reasonable Hour,” released in June. “I am 52 years old,” Rutledge says via phone from his home in Olympia, Washington. “I have never been more immature. I don’t know what is happening.” Rutledge will perform in New Orleans for the first time on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at The Howlin’ Wolf. It’s part of a short swing though the Delta, concluding with a show in Bay St. Louis on Saturday, Oct. 16. Rutledge has released a couple of recent specials, including “Reasonable Hour” and “Nectarine” in 2024. Both specials start easy with jokes about getting older. In “Nectarine,” he says the long hair hasn’t disguised any changes. “I used to look like a dude in a band. Now I look like I manage a GameStop,” he says. In “Reasonable Hour,” he also starts off with his hair, but things have gotten worse. He says the comments sections of his Instagram videos fill up with questions about whether he colors or highlights it. The internet is an unforgiving place, he notes, and goes on with the indignities. But in both specials, Rutledge soon starts talking about orgies, though still with the same self-deprecating and entertainingly honest tone. In “Nectarine,” he says that he once had a stand-up gig at a sex club. He notes that he would have no idea where to start at an orgy and would probably get stuck at the snack table. It turns into a physical gag as he imagines trying to figure out how to enter the fray. He bobs forward and back hesitantly, saying it’s like trying to figure out when to go while Double Dutch jump roping. No orgy experience later, he launches into a more elaborate scene in “Reasonable Hour.” He imagines himself and his wife at an orgy, but relegated to a far corner, having vanilla sex to the soundtrack of a tuba solo. It becomes a hilarious refrain of fat notes.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GABE RUTLEDGE

WITCHES& WISEGUYS AN UPTOWN HALLOWEEN LUNCH OCTOBER 30TH

Rutledge is very open about his marriage and family in his comedy. He met his wife while they were both in community college, when he was an aspiring musician. He played drums in an occasionally touring punk band, Bunny Foot Charm. “Whatever the opposite of a gold digger is, this lady cannot pick ’em,” Rutledge says. She also watched as he switched from musician to comedian. Rutledge went to his first open mic in 2000 and started building a career. He won the Seattle International Comedy Competition, and eventually he got on Comedy Central and other networks. But it wasn’t easy, and he captured a year in the life of a struggling comic in his 2014 book “Happiness Isn’t Funny: True Stories of a Road Comic.” It’s frank about the highs and lows of touring and big paychecks blown in casinos he performed at. “My idea was, there’s a lot of books and TV shows made with really successful people looking back at the dues paying portion of their career,” he says. “I was interested in the idea, I don’t know where this is going. I was struggling. I had children. Money was an issue. I was like, ‘Is this as good as it gets, and is that good enough?’” He wrote a follow up during the pandemic and will self-publish it, he says. In the meantime, he’s touring and working on his next special. Gabe Rutledge performs at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at The Howlin’ Wolf. Tickets $25 via laughlife.standup.tix.

BBQ Shrimp. Dirty Martinis. Bad Decisions. Book a Table at pascalsmanale.com Costumes Encouraged

MISSED AN ISSUE? VISIT

BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM/CURRENT TO READ THE LATEST ISSUES

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

Learning to fly

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

Deadline: to enter

OCTOBER 20

presents the

e W l O en w o HDOG PHOTO CONTEST

Submit your best Halloween dog photo to VIP@gambitweekly.com or upload it at bestofneworleans.com/petphotos for a chance to have your pet featured in Gaambit! GUIDELINES AND PHOTO PROTOCOL: PHOTO FILES MUST BE HI-RES AND NOT EXCEED 5M. PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY (1) PHOTO PER FAMILY. FOR COMPLETE RULES, PLEASE VISIT BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM/PETPHOTO. NO AI PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED. A

Second Nature Japanese Rinpa Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection

ON VIEW THROUGH FEBRUARY 14

Second Nature: Japanese Rinpa Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection is sponsored by the Blakemore Foundation. Additional support is provided by Harvey and Marie Orth, E. John Bullard, and John Abajian and Scott R. Simmons.

Kamisaka Sekka, 1866–1942 Dancing Figures Ink and color on gold leaf

events

A preview of Halloween, Day of the Dead and more

THRU OCT. 24 ‘The Curse of the Mummy’ Rival inventors race to unlock the powers of a mummy and its curse for their own modern purposes in the original horror comedy from the NOLA Project. At 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18) at Greenway Station on the Lafitte Greenway. Tickets $25-$60 via nolaproject.com/mummy.

OCT. 16 Morgus Madness Local public TV station WYES salutes Morgus the Magnificent in a Halloween event at the station with music by Consortium of Genius, a costume contest and food and drink. At 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Tickets $50-$70 via eventbrite.com. Find information at wyes.org.

THRU OCT. 31 The Haunting The Halloween cocktail pop-up from the creators of Miracle Bar and Sippin’ Santa features spooky-themed drinks and glassware. At Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 through Halloween. Visit latitude29nola.com for information.

OCT. 16-18 Boo at the Zoo The Audubon Zoo opens for daytime trick-or-treating, and this year there’s a new Li’l Boo event for very young attendees on Friday that concludes with a movie at twilight. At 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18. Tickets $32-$38 for non-members via audubonzoo.com/boo.

THRU NOV. 1 New Orleans Nightmare This year, the house of horrors features Jason Voorhees of “Friday the 13th” gore and the House of Flesh, an abandoned morgue crawling with the undead. There also are escape games and more at the attraction at 319 Butterworth St. Tickets $19.99-$34.99 via neworleansnightmare.com. THRU NOV. 1 PLUS NOV. 7 & 13 The Haunted Mortuary For its 20th season, the haunted house delves into the darkest versions of classic stories including pirates and voodoo, and guests can make their way through its dimly lit catacombs. At 4800 Canal St. General admission $20 via themortuary.net OCT. 13-NOV. 2 Haus Obscura There’s fire play, circus arts and strange characters in the immersive show in which attendees walk through winding rooms and passages of a dark maze. Entry times are staggered. At 838 Fulton St. Tickets $34.33 and up at haus-obscura.com. OCT. 14-NOV. 2 Black Lagoon The gothic-themed cocktail pop-up from award-winning bartenders Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage features festive drinks and glassware in an immersive environment at Anna’s. Visit blacklagoonpopup.com for information. OCT. 15-18 Ghosts in the Oaks The Halloween event features unlimited rides in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park in City Park, and there are activities, food and more. At 5-9 p.m. Visit neworleanscitypark. org for information.

OCT. 17-18 World Oddities Expo The expo features a market of macabre art, taxidermy, insects, jewelry, home decor and more. There’s also a tattoo parlor, workshops, guest speakers and more. At 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Single-day admission $20 and up, and workshops are extra, via worldodditiesexpo.com. OCT. 18 Music Box Village Halloween Block Party There's live music, a costume contest and an art, costumes and vintage clothes market at the Music Box Village at noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Free admission. Find info at musicboxvillage.com. OCT. 18 ‘Devil’s Night’ Vivacious Miss Audacious hosts a Halloween show of burlesque and circus acts. The cast includes Aria Delanoche, Ayaa, Eddie Divas, Mamie Dame, Jeez Loueez, Lola Van Ella, Simone Del Mar, Tsarina Hellfire and more. At 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Joy Theater. Tickets are $31-$41 via thejoytheater.com. OCT. 23-24 & 29-31 ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ In the stage version of the cult classic rock musical, Brad and Janet seek refuge in the strange mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The production is for mature audiences. Showtimes at 7:30 p.m., plus 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Friday, Oct. 30, at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Tickets $44.51 at rivertowntheaters.com.

Krewe of BOO! parades through the French Quarter on Oct. 24.

OCT. 23-24 Boos and Brews The Halloween event in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park includes rides, beer bars and more. Costumes are encouraged. At 8-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. Tickets $45-$70 via neworleanscitypark.org. OCT. 23-24 Krewe of Boo The Mardi Gras-style Halloween parade with floats, marching groups, bands and more is the highlight of the krewe’s events. It rolls at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, through the French Quarter and ends at the krewe ball. There also are parties, a happy hour and the Zombie Run. For event tickets and information about riding, go to kreweofboo.com. OCT. 23-25 Rougarou Fest The Houma festival is named for the Cajun werewolf legend and includes entertainment and cultural activities, including a parade, live music, carnival rides, costuming, a folklife village and more. The festival grounds are near the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. Visit rougaroufest.org for details. OCT. 25 ‘Interview with the Vampire’ There’s a screening of the 1994 film “Interview with the Vampire” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Anne Rice’s best-selling novel. Her son Chris Rice and friend Eric Shaw Quinn participate in a Q&A after the film at Prytania Theatre Uptown. Go to theprytania.com for information. OCT. 28-31 'Isles of the Damned' Bizarre creatures rule a post-apocalyptic archepeligo in the immersive theatrical haunted house featuring puppets, music, storytelling and work by local artists. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at New Marigny Theatre. Admission $20-$30. Find information @shadowhourshaunt on Instagram. OCT. 29 ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Barry Bostwick starred as Brad in the film version of the musical romp in the strange mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. He appears live at this celebration of the film featuring a screening of the 4K restoration and a shadowcast performance. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets $30.50$234.50 at mahaliajacksontheater.com. OCT. 29-31 ‘Dracula’ New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s vampire story with

PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

choreography by Oliver Halkowich. At 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, and Friday, Oct. 30, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Orpheum Theater. Tickets $51.55 and up via ticketmaster.com. OCT. 29-NOV. 1 Endless Night New Orleans The Dark Carnevale Masquerade on Halloween is the highlight of events for the Endless Night gathering. All events are at the House of Blues and include opening ceremonies on Thursday, a bazaar on Friday and Saturday, a banquet on Sunday and more. For more information, visit endlessnight.com/ neworleans2026. Ball tickets are $204.69 and up on eventbrite.com. OCT. 30 Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Club Ball The ball celebrates the 50th anniversary of Anne Rice’s novel by invoking the Theatre des Vampires and allure of immortality. There’s music by the Harry Hardin Quartet and a DJ, a costume contest and more. Tickets $405.16 and up via eventbrite.com. Find information at vamplestat.com. NOV. 1 Dia de los Muertos Festival The Day of the Dead celebration features music, an ofrenda (Day of the Dead altar), kids activities, a market and food in Lafayette Square. Starting at noon Sunday, Nov. 1. Find information at hispanicchamberla.com. NOV. 1 Celebration of the Dead Inspired by the Haitian Fet Gede, or Festival of the Dead, the honoring of ancestors includes an altar of mementos, a Gede ceremony and procession. Altar offerings are welcome. At 5-10:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the New Orleans Healing Center. Find information at fetgede.org. NOV. 1 Vampiric Masquerade The costumed vampire ball has a heaven and hell theme, and there are performances and themed activities. Costumes required, masks encouraged. At Nieux Society at 2040 St. Charles Ave. Tickets $142.88 and up via nolamasquerade.com. NOV. 2 Dia de los Muertos The Krewe de Mayahuel leads a celebration honoring ancestors. The event begins in Markey Park and proceeds to St. Roch Cemetery. Find information @mayahuel.nola on Instagram.

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

Halloween

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

& 639 ESPLANADE FRENCH QUARTER

$1,825,000

2-Car Covered, Gated Parking! Historic, totally renovated 3-story home with balconies overlooking Royal and Esplanade. 4 bed/3.5 bath/ 4,057 SqF

3201 ST. CHARLES #308 GARDEN DISTRICT

FOR SALE! HUGE REDUCTION! NOW $200,000

Beautiful 1 bed Condo with parking in lovely building on the Mardi Gras parade route and street-car line. Move in Ready!

ELIZABETH (LIBBIE) REISS, REALTOR CELL: 504-813-1102

HOME & PROPERTY WEEKLY

elizabeth.reiss@compass.com • www.compass.com

2734 Prytania St • NOLA, 70130 • 504-895-4663

Reach 21,714* Gambit readers planning to buy or sell a home in the next 12 months.*

13-WEEK

Advertising Packages

13 weeks of consistent visibility in front of active local home buyers and sellers.

Packages Starting At

$50/WEEK

To advertise call Abigail Bordelon at 504-636-7427 or email abigail.bordelon@gambitweekly.com Source: Scarborough Research New Orleans, LA 2025 release 2 Total (Apr 2025-Sep 2025)

NEW LISTINGS • FOR SALE

Irish Channel 3020-22 Laurel Street New Orleans, LA 70115

1815-17 Carondelet Street

8931 Jeannette Street

5 bd | 4 ba | 3,190 SqFt Beautifully Updated Duplex. Great Opportunity for Investor

3 bd | 3.5 ba Newly Renovated West Carrollton Gem! Located on Quiet Dead End Street

New Orleans $549,000

Michael Styles (504) 777-1773 nolastyles.com

Renovated Non-Shotgun Double Fortified Roof w/ New Decking 4 Beds, 2 Baths, 2,012 SqFt $525,000

TOP PRODUCER

Keller Williams Realty New Orleans (504) 862-0100 8601 Leake Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118 Each Ofﬁce Is Independently Owned and Operated. Broked & Agent are licensed in the state of Louisiana

(504) 895-4663

PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE GET IT IN GEAR

By Frank A. Longo 37 Tweaks, e.g. 38 Decried 45 Low opera voice 46 Lead-in to kraut or braten 47 City in France or Georgia 48 Hubbubs 50 Says 52 Hierarchical military arrangement 59 He assigned “1” to talc and “10” to diamond 60 “... blackbirds baked in --” 62 Planet full of people 63 Politician with a six-yr. term

64 Bewitch 66 “-- hesitates is lost” 68 Really baffled 70 Facial-hair feature of Salvador Dalí 75 Like cacti 77 Form a union 78 Means (to) 81 Actor McKellen 82 Preteen or tot 84 Harbinger 86 Lots and lots 87 It might be deployed to help a dragster stop 92 Taco sauce brand 94 Swelled heads 95 In spite of the fact that, for short

MICHAEL ZAROU ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRS

GARDEN DISTRICT OFFICE CELL: (504) 913-2872 2016, 2017, 2020 & 2022 EEMAIL: Michael.Zarou@Compass.com

40 Be incorrect 41 Dull pain 42 -- long way 43 Darth Vader, in boyhood 44 Diplomacy 49 Cry on “The Simpsons” 51 Beach grains 53 Reformed self 54 Island that Honolulu is on 55 Big hairdos, slangily 56 OK’d 57 Once called 58 Cloning stuff 61 Old TV ministry inits. 65 Even a bit of 66 Sound heard twice in “crocodile” 67 Unit of work 68 Make a move 69 Movie house, to Brits 71 Kuwaiti leader 72 Dracula player Lugosi 73 Even score 74 Part of A.D. 75 Bro, e.g. 76 Average 79 Folded-over page DOWN corner 1 “Just joking!” 2 Singer Grande, for short 80 Growls with bared teeth 82 USN noncom 3 “Eat -- Chikin” 83 Padlock part (Chick-fil-A slogan) 84 Film director Preminger 4 City in Iowa 85 Maestro Zubin 5 Silicon Valley field, in brief 6 Santa’s laugh 7 Thither 8 Yolk holders 9 District 10 Cattle group 11 Taken illegally 12 Floats like a hummingbird 13 Sheik, e.g. 14 Singer Reese 15 Ghostly figure 16 Jewish potato pancakes 17 Ferret cousins 18 “No kidding?” 24 As tight as -29 “You betcha!” 30 “Tuesdays With Morrie” writer Mitch 31 Take as a given 32 Showed extreme disdain for, in a way 33 Guangzhou’s region 35 Keanan of “My Two Dads” 39 Captain Kangaroo portrayer Bob 97 Directive 98 The “A” of WASP 101 Leadfoot’s foot position 106 Workers skilled at many jobs 108 PC storage unit 109 Current unit 110 Surgery ctrs. 111 2019 apocalyptic sci-fi adventure film 116 Pet food brand 119 “Got it, bro” 120 Noble Brit 121 Journey taken by filling in this puzzle’s eight key words? 126 -- shui 127 Opera song 128 Mini, Nano or Shuffle 129 Lounging 130 Labels 131 Underwater forest growth 132 Male offspring 133 The “B” of 113-Down

88 Rice Krispies maker 89 Ecocar from Volkswagen 90 Evil computer in “2001” 91 Final: Abbr. 93 PC storage acronym 96 -- resistance (electrical measure) 98 Free-floating 99 “Beats me” 100 Playing on an Xbox, e.g. 102 Chef Lagasse 103 Thing hanging under a hound’s throat 104 In the past 105 Govt. air-testing facility 107 T-bone, e.g. 112 Rabbit’s kin 113 Baseball hitting stats 114 Fat-removal option, in brief 115 Brand of rat poison 117 Like a film about a film, perhaps 118 “Let it stand” 122 Gridiron divs. 123 Horse’s grain 124 Put to work 125 Crimson, e.g.

ANSWERS LAST ISSUE’S PUZZLE: P2 ANSWERS FOR TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE ON P2

PUZZLES

ACROSS 1 Super Bowl III MVP Joe 7 “You betcha!” 11 Herring type 15 Story line 19 Start of a cry from Juliet 20 Hideous giant 21 Ripped 22 Doth possess 23 Machine in a garage 25 Shaped like 8-Down 26 “-- girl!” 27 Having footwear on 28 Cloth under a horse rider’s seat 31 Horse’s kin 34 60-min. units 36 Atop, to bards

New Orleans $325,000

GAMBIT > BESTOFNEWORLEANS.COM > OctOber 12 - 18 > 2026

NEW TO MARKET!

World renowned. Kid worthy.

Hunter Starring, MD Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Riley H. Orthopedic Patient

Ochsner Children’s has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best in cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, and orthopedics. Newsweek also ranked our cardiology and heart surgery, neonatology, endocrinology, and pulmonary medicine programs among the nation’s best. While we’re honored by the recognition, the real reward is seeing kids like Riley healthy, happy and thriving. That’s what nationally recognized pediatric care close to home is all about. Meet your expert care team at ochsner.org/childrens.