Spring Festivals Guide (April 2017)

April 2017

WhereYat.com

Spring s l a v i t s e F Guide FestivalFashion

FrenchQuarterFest

Easter

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WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 3

CONTENTS Features 6 8 14 16 18 20 22

French Quarter Fest Preview Spring Festivals Guide Why NOLA Loves Festivals Fun Festival Fashions 10 Louisiana Sights to Behold

Poverty in New Orleans Aaron Neville

Events & Nightlife 26 30 30 32 42

Music Calendar Ariana Grande Champions Square Preview Lakeside 2 Riverside Bar Guide

Dining 34 Food News 36 $20 and Under 39 Restaurant Guide

Extras 43 44 46 48 50

Film Reviews Columns Around the Web Where Ya' Been?

Where Y'at Chat

April 2017 Vol. 20 No. 8 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Michael Fulkerson Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw Movie Editors: David Vicari & Fritz Esker Copy Editor: Burke Bischoff Contributing Writers: Beau Ciolino, Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Krystral Christen, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Asdrubal Quintero, Burke Bischoff, Steven Melendez Director of Sales: Stephen Romero Cover Photo by James Macaluso Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, Finn Turnbull Interns: Samantha Yrle, Marissa Williams, Catherine Lockwood, Christina Killelea, Rebecca Pritchett, Blair Fleming, Jonathan Adler, Shelby Stewart Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

Logo © 2017 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952 Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com | WhereYat.com

There’s no place where I’d rather be than New Orleans in the spring. The weather is perfect and festival season has arrived. Check out this month’s Spring Festivals Guide and pick a new festival to visit this weekend.

French Quarter Festival, the South’s largest free festival, is upon us. Visit WhereYat.com for the complete up-to-the-minute schedule.

Don’t miss John Wirt’s interview with headliner Aaron Neville, who makes his FQ Fest debut in what will surely be a memorable show.

If fete crowds are not your scene, then James Sebastien’s “10 Louisiana Sights” article is for you. Included are spots both local and afar featuring joyous tranquility to savor in Louisiana’s beautiful natural landscape.

Springtime means music, and our preview of upcoming Champions Square shows including Bastille, 311, John Mayer, and others is a must-read. Speaking of great music, look out for our special Jazz Fest Weekend I issue that’s out Easter Sunday! -Josh Danzig, Publisher

4 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

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French Quarter Fest Visit WhereYat.com for Complete FQF Schedule

By Shelby Stewart

Photos by Margot Landen & Zack Smith

T

he largest free music festival in the South is back again this year.

Prepare to pay tribute to the beauty of New Orleans’s French Quarter with this year’s French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron. This spring marks the 34th annual French Quarter Fest. As always, the festival will have music, food, and fun, with free admission for all! Last year’s attendance hit a recordbreaking 760,000.

Festival goers enjoyed the music, food, special events, and, of course, the historic French Quarter. Year after year, the French Quarter Festival is voted as a local favorite while also attracting a very large out-of-town audience.

This four-day celebration will be packed with music. Since 1984, the French Quarter Festival has been committed to featuring New Orleans artists every day of the festival on 23 stages all over the French Quarter.

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Music genres range from traditional rock and jazz, to zydeco, R&B, and more. Artists featured at the festival include the BrassA-Holics, The Dixie Cups, and the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. This year will also welcome 20 new acts to the festival.

Some of this year’s debuts include: Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole, Cole Williams Band, Cupid, Messy Cookers Jazz Band, Mo’Fess, Love Evolution, Perdido Jazz Band, T’Monde, and Valerie Sassyfrass.

The festival takes place from April 6 thru 9. Within these four days, you will be able to purchase a multitude of foods and beverages from around the city at more than 60 food booths. Prices of food and drinks can range from $3 to $15. A number of restaurants have been with the festival since its beginning in 1984 and have been great partners for over 30 years, such as Antoine’s, Pat O’Brien’s, Trey Yuen, Tujague’s, and Vaucresson Sausage.

Other festival favorites returning for 2017 include Galatoire’s, Muriel’s, and Praline Connection.

In addition to the music and great food, there will also be several special events including dance lessons, parades, art shows, and talks with some of the biggest legends in New Orleans music.

The idea for the French Quarter Fest was born in 1983, although the first festival did not take place until the following year.

The mayor of New Orleans at the time, Dutch Moral, proclaimed that the first French Quarter Fest would take place in April of 1984 to commemorate some $7.2 million worth of New Orleans roads that had long been under construction. So, this first festival wasn’t originally meant just for indulging in music and good times, it was also a way to celebrate the end of 14 weeks of construction. But what started as a neighborhood festival and locals’ affair has grown into the largest event in Louisiana behind Mardi Gras, with an average economic impact of approximately $190 million.

The 2016 French Quarter Festival featured iPhone and Android phone apps, created by festival sponsor GE Digital, which were available free of charge and will be coming back this year. 2016 saw an increase in the number of users, bringing the total to over 70,000 app fans since 2010. In partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation and Solomon Group, the festival launched a Social Media Lounge to provide new ways for fans to engage with the event. The French Quarter Festival relies on strong

community support to present the kickoff to festival season in New Orleans with nearly 1,500 volunteers, 300 musical acts, and numerous generous sponsors.

The French Quarter Festival continues its partnership with Whitney Bank and is now welcoming a new partner, Cinema on The Bayou, which will offer the “Whitney Bank Film Festival at French Quarter Festival.”

Filmmaker Pat Mire, a prize-winning filmmaker based in Lafayette, Louisiana, founded Cinema on the Bayou Film Society.

Whitney Bank Film Fest at French Quarter Festival takes place at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré—one of the oldest community theaters in the country. Some of the films in the lineup include Dew Drop, I Am the Blues, and Coals to Newcastle.

The French Quarter Festivals Inc., the company behind the fest, also announced that two of their children’s areas will return for this year’s festival.

The Chevron Children's Headquarters, featuring the Chevron STEAM Zone, will return to the Steamboat Natchez Wharf at the foot of Toulouse Street.

A second children's area, located in the beautiful courtyard gardens of the HermannGrima House (820 St. Louis St.), will also host two full days of kid-friendly fun on Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9, including archaeology, crafts, giveaways, and educational projects.

This year’s French Quarter Festival is going to be packed with tons of free music and fun. Taste great food and enjoy many fabulous artists under the New Orleans sun.

Come celebrate the beauty of the city at the French Quarter Festival 2017!

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SPRING

paradigmgardensnola.com Savor a locally sourced menu prepared by local chefs, brews on tap, a paired cocktail, and raw oysters while a rotating mix of the finest New Orleans musicians perform on the Paradigm stage.

GUIDE

Concerts in the Courtyard, April 21, May 19, June 16. The Historic New Orleans Collection, French Quarter, hnoc.org Offering a fun, casual way to kick off the weekend, these live outdoor performances showcase Louisiana musicans and include complimentary beverages with ticket purchase.

2017

FESTIVAL

- MARCH MARCH 24-APRIL 2 NOLA Pyrate Week, French Quarter, nolapyrateweek.com The Pyrates of Louisiana celebrate 10 days of NOLA Pyrate Week with swashbuckling, art, music, food, events, volunteering, and rebuilding projects.

MARCH 30-APRIL 2 Jazz in the Park Treme Crab Festival, Armstrong Park, pufap.org/index Rain or shine, the Jazz in the Park Treme Crab Festival is a go. Come out to Congo Square to raise funds for the Covenant House Sleep Out Against Homelessness Campaign. The festival will feature some of New Orleans’s best restaurants serving crabmeat dishes such as crab dip, crab and crawfish mac n’ cheese, crab ravioli.

APRIL 1 West Louisiana Barbeque Cookoff, Leesville, LA, leesvillela.gov/250/West-Louisiana-BBQCook-off Show off your barbequing prowess in a cook-off featuring all types of barbeque including ribs, brisket, chicken, and more. Or, take a break from cooking and enjoy arts and crafts, live music, and tons of kid-friendly activities.

Asian Heritage Festival, Audubon Zoo, apasnola.com Sponsored by the Asian/Pacific American Society, the 2017 Asian Heritage Festival is sure to be a cultural experience you won’t want to miss. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will include live music, arts, crafts, and of course numerous food vendors. Admission into the zoo with an approved APAS flyer is $4.00 (discounted from $19.50).

MARCH 31-APRIL 2 Festa Italiana, Rivertown, Kenner, italianheritagefestival.com Join in this community-style fair to pay tribute to Kenner’s Italian heritage with Italian food, music, and culture.

Denham Springs Fair, Denham Springs, LA, facebook.com/denhamspringsfair Head out to Denham Springs for a classic carnival experience including rides, live entertainment, food, games, and family fun.

- APRIL Paradigm Gardens Concert Series, April 4, 18, May 2, 16. Paradigm Gardens, Central City,

Freret Street Festival, Freret Street between Napoleon Ave. and Valmont St., freretstreetfestival.com Freret Market arranges over 200 local vendors, along with a festival food court, dog and cat adoptions, and complimentary bikes. The Junior League of New Orleans will provide a kid’s area with games, contests, snacks, and crafts.

APRIL 1-2 Kite Fest Louisiane, WBR Soccer Complex, Port Allen, westbatonrouge.net/main-events Watch professionals fly colorful kites at this free, family-friendly festival, named “Festival of the Year” by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, where kids can have fun on inflatables and take part in face painting and kite designing.

Ebb & Flow Festival, Riverfront, Baton Rouge, LA, ebbandflowbr.org

Spring Fiesta, French Quarter, springfiestanola.com This historical festival gives guests the exclusive opportunity to tour French Quarter houses and apartments. Catch a glimpse of the grandeur of New Orleans history and architecture as you walk through these beautiful homes.

APRIL 3-9 Cajun Classique, Bayou Teche, cajunclassique. com The 3rd annual Cajun Classique is a weeklong wooden boat cruise down Bayou Teche including a crawfish boil, zydeco breakfast, crawfish etouffee cooking demo, swamp tour, and many more activities.

APRIL 5-9 A Taste of Covington, Covington, atasteofcovington.com The 6th annual Taste of Covington will be an affair to remember with five nights of wining, dining, music, and art. The festival will include several dinners, wine tastings, an art show, and will conclude on Sunday, April 9, with a champagne jazz brunch.

Road to 3rd Street Songwriters Festival, Morgan City, LA, roadto3rdstreet.com This Morgan City version of the traditional Baton Rouge Festival highlights a unique bayou experience to songwriters and music lovers nationwide. The festival is one unlike any other with five days of Cajun music, dancing, contests, and much more.

Louisiana Railroad Days, Dequincy Railroad Museum Fairgrounds, larailroaddaysfestival. com Including free performances by headliner Restless Heart, this all-day family music festival features a variety of wacky contests, parades, pageants, and a surplus of delicious food.

Hogs for the Cause, UNO Lakefront Arena Grounds, hogsforthecause.org Attend this two-day fundraising event to help support families fighting pediatric brain cancer.

Hear live music from Railroad Earth, Shovels & Rope, and The London Souls while tasting BBQ from amateur and professional competitors.

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Representing local, national, and international talents, Ebb & Flow is truly a cultural experience not to be missed. In Louisiana’s beautiful capital with the Mississippi River as a backdrop, the festival will feature slam poetry, flamenco dancers, and singer/songwriters performing original pieces.

APRIL 6-8

MARCH 31-APRIL 1

Delgado Music Festival, Delgado Community College, dcc.edu/music-fest/default Presented by Delgado’s Music Department, the Delgado Music Festival is free to enter and includes performances from artists like Preservation All Stars, Stanton Moore, Stephanie Jordan, and many more. Visit the festival’s official site to see the full lineup.

Spring Fiesta April 1-2

APRIL 6-9 French Quarter Festival, French Quarter, fqfi. org French Quarter Festival celebrates its 34th anniversary. This free festival takes over the French Quarter with non-stop live music and delicious local food vendors all weekend long.

APRIL 7

Freret Street Festival April 1

Crawfish Boil on the Lake, Treasure Chest Casino, Kenner, visitjeffersonparish.com/ events/crawfish-boil-lake-treasure-chest-casino See The Wiseguys live while enjoying crawfish, beer, and beverages on the lawn of Treasure

Chest Casino.

APRIL 8-9

APRIL 7-9

Spring Garden Show, New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park, neworleanscitypark.com/ events/spring-garden-show The annual Spring Garden Show invites visitors to explore the beautiful gardens, more than 50 horticultural exhibits, family-friendly activities, and educational walk-and-talk lectures.

Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival, Civic Center, Lake Charles, downtowncrawfest.com If you love live music, great food, family fun— and of course, crawfish—take a trip to St. Charles, Louisiana, for the annual Lake Charles Crawfish Festival.

Chauvin Folk Art Festival, Chauvin Sculpture Garden, Chauvin, nicholls.edu This bi-annual festival features 25 demonstrating artists and vendors, with food, drinks, face painting, and fun for all ages.

Market at the Mill, New Roads, LA, marketatthemillnewroads.com Located in the beautiful and historic Cottonseed Oil Mill, Market at the Mill is the place to purchase all the antiques you could ever want.

This highly recommended, totally unique shopping experience is unlike others you’ll find in the Big Easy.

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Memorial Park, Ponchatoula, lastrawberryfestival.com Promising you a BERRY good time, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is a free, familyfriendly, outdoor festival filled with lots of great food, games, entertainment, and fun for people of all ages to enjoy.

Great Louisiana Birdfest, The Nature Center, Mandeville, northlakenature.org/birdfest This annual event is held at the Northlake Nature Center every spring when migratory birds from South America are flying through Louisiana. Viewing times vary from day to day.

APRIL 8 Bursting with Speed, Mardi Gras Fountain, New Orleans Lakefront, runnotc.org/ races/2017/burst With 5K and half-mile races, this event,

Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Downtown Baton Rouge, batonrougebluesfestival.org The Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the oldest blues festivals in America. This two-day music festival offers an impressive lineup of artists and vendors for all to enjoy.

Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival April 7-9 benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, gives away $6,500 in prizes to winners in dozens of race categories.

South Louisiana Crawfish Boil, Craft and Car Show, Gonzales, LA, lamardixonexpocenter. com/events This one-of-a-kind festival includes everything you could want in a small-town festival including arts and crafts, eating contests, a car show, boiled crawfish, live bands, beer booths, and a kids’ petting zoo.

Spring for Art, Downtown Covington, sttammanyartassociation.org

The St. Tammany Art Association presents new work by dozens of artists from the Southeast region, live music at various locations, gallery openings, art demonstrations, boutique shopping, and fine dining throughout downtown Covington.

St. Francis Xavier Old Metairie Fest, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and School, Metairie, school.stfrancisxavier.com The 91st annual festival will feature games and activities for the whole family, entertainment, and a delicious variety of food from local vendors.

APRIL 8-13 Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week, Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, Lafayette, lafolkroots.org/ events/balfa-week Balfa Week incorporates intensive classes on fiddle, guitar, and accordion, participatory teaching sessions on Cajun & Creole vocals, instructor-coached band labs, nightly dances, jam sessions, and more for a full schedule of musical learning.

APRIL 14-16 Lao New Year Celebration, Lanexang Village, Broussard, iberiatravel.com/events/lao-newyear-celebration Celebrate the Lao New Year with live music, a

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beauty pageant, parades, sand castle building, and kids' activities at this three-day festival where vendors will be selling Southeast Asian clothes, jewelry, music, and food.

APRIL 15 Crescent City Classic, Poydras Street at Loyola Avenue, ccc10k.com Start this 10k road race in front of the Superdome, run through the French Quarter, and finish in City Park at the Michelob Ultra RaceFest with refreshments and live music.

Crescent City Classic April 15

APRIL 16

gymnasium, meeting rooms, and classrooms.

French Quarter Easter Parade, April 16.

French Quarter, frenchquartereasterparade. com Contests, auctions, and entertainment at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel Ballroom precede this Easter parade that rolls through the heart of the French Quarter. Chris Owens leads this 34th annual parade.

Scott Boudin Festival, Scott, LA, scottboudinfestival.com Come join the Cajun community at the Scott Boudin Festival. The festival is free of charge and welcomes you to enjoy a festival with various food vendors, music, and arts and crafts, as well as a weekend of celebrating the Cajun delicacy of boudin.

APRIL 20-23

Third Street Songwriter’s Festival, Baton Rouge, LA, thirdstreetsongwritersfestival.com Featuring an industry panel of Nashville music publishing professionals, the Third Street Songwriter’s Festival is devoted to music lovers everywhere. What makes this festival unique is that aspiring singer/songwriters will have the opportunity to have their work critiqued by professionals.

Louisiana International Film Festival, April 20-23. Cinemark Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge, lifilmfest.org With a special focus on the indigenous filmmakers and musicians of Louisiana, LIFF provides an interactive forum for filmmakers and musicians from around the globe. VIP and all-access passes are available.

New Orleans Poetry Festival, April 20-23, New Orleans Healing Center, Marigny, nolapoetry. com Come to the New Orleans Poetry Fest to participate in workshops, readings, and dancing.

Visit the official website for a complete list of events and to purchase tickets.

Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration, Grand Isle, grandisle.btnep.org/GrandIsleHome This annual festival is truly one you won’t want to miss. Come down to see songbirds in oakhackberry woods, shorebirds and waders on beaches and in marshes, and even raptors overhead.

APRIL 21-30 Crawfish Music Festival, Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS, mscoastcoliseum.com For the last 25 years, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum has hosted the beloved Crawfish Music Festival bringing to the Southeast more than a week of festivities, including entertainment, vendors, a cook-off, and plenty of boiled crawfish. Tickets start at $12.

APRIL 21-MAY 19

Spring Garden Show April 8-9

APRIL 21 Crawfish Boil on the Lake, Treasure Chest Casino, Kenner, treasurechest.com See Four Unplugged live while enjoying crawfish, beer, and beverages on the lawn of Treasure Chest Casino.

APRIL 21-22 Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival, Franklin, LA, bayoutechebearfest.org This festival celebrates the threatened black bear species which was once abundant in St. Mary Parish. Located on the banks of beautiful Bayou Teche, the Black Bear Festival includes all the usual festival fun as well as educational exhibits and bear-themed activities for the kids.

APRIL 21-23 Cajun Festival, Visitation of Our Lady Catholic Church, Marrero, vol.org/cajunfest Cajun Fest brings in thousands of visitors for a weekend jam-packed with delicious food and non-stop music. Proceeds will fund the new multipurpose building, which will provide a

10 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

Music & Market, every Friday, Le Vieux Village/Farmers Market Pavilion, Opelousas, cityofopelousas.com Buy fresh vegetables and other Louisiana products direct from local farmers, and listen to Zydeco and Cajun performers in historical Opelousas.

APRIL 22 New Orleans Mini Maker Faire, neworleans. makerfaire.com The Mini Maker Faire is exactly what it sounds like, a festival for creative, innovative makers to showcase their talents and hobbies. From science and art to engineering and DIY-ing, this faire has it all. Come out to see some extraordinary makers showing off what they do best.

Brunch Fest, New Orleans City Park, la-spca. org/brunchfest.com Dress in your most festive brunch attire or costume to enjoy a day of brunch-inspired food from local restaurants, breakfast-style cocktails, unique vendors, live music, and animal adoptions all supporting the Louisiana SPCA. Tulane University Crawfest, Tulane University’s Uptown Campus, crawfest.tulane.edu

Every year Tulane organizes 12 bands, 25 local food and art vendors, and 18,000+ pounds of crawfish. Tulane students and faculty with a current Splash Card can enjoy unlimited crawfish, soda, and water.

Old Metairie Crawfish Festival and Cookoff, St. Catherine of Siena Church and School, Metairie, stcatherineshop.com Join celebrity judges in voting for your favorite crawfish recipe, and enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish, hot dogs, and jambalaya. There will also be live music, refreshments, beer, and children’s entertainment.

APRIL 22-23 Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, Melrose Plantation, Melrose, melroseplantation.org Fine art and craft booths and food vendors occupy the grounds of the historic Melrose Plantation. Along with tours of the plantation house, it's a premier annual event.

APRIL 26-30 Festival International de Louisiane, Downtown Lafayette, festivalinternational.org Celebrate the 31st annual festival that celebrates the French culture of South Louisiana. With free music featuring an eclectic lineup of fantastic performers, food, and fun, you won’t want to miss this festival.

APRIL 28 Zoo-To-Do for Kids, Audubon Zoo, audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztdk At Tulane Pediatrics’ Zoo-To-Do for Kids, families can visit many stages with live music and singalong groups. Kids can play on inflatables, make crafts, interact with magicians, get their faces painted, and enjoy kid-friendly cuisine.

APRIL 28-30 St. John’s Festival de la Prairie, St. John Church, stjohnchurch.org Enjoy a full weekend of activities from rides and bands to a silent auction, fun run, and magic show.

Etouffee Festival, St. John Francis Regis Church, Arnaudville, johnfrancisregis.net Taste a diverse variety of etouffees as locals compete in the Mayor’s Cook-Off. Festivities also include carnival rides, award-winning bands, bingo, a cash-n-carry store, various vendor booths, and an auto show.

APRIL 28-30/MAY 4-7

Louisiana International Film Festival April 20-23

New Orleans Air Show, Belle Chasse, LA, neworleansairshow.com Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans hosts this free event featuring the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration team. Gates open at 8 a.m. on air show days and free parking is available.

Angola Prison Rodeo, Angola Prison, Angola, angolarodeo.com This yearly event will feature classic rodeo favorites such as bareback riding, wild horse racing, bull-dogging, and many more exciting activities.

APRIL 23 Louisiana Earth Day, Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, laearthday.org Enjoy an eco-friendly day of music, delicious food, earthy exhibits, and hands-on activities.

A Run Through History, Metairie Cemetery, saveourcemeteries.org Run through one of New Orleans’s most historical cemeteries, where several of past New Orleans leaders are laid to rest, as you take in the picturesque beauty. Registration is currently open for the 2017 run.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fair Grounds Race Course, nojazzfest.com This year’s Jazz Fest features Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Kings of Leon, Usher & The Roots, and many more. Come for the music, the food, and the local artists and vendors.

APRIL 29 Jambalaya Cook-Off, Pontchatoula, LA, tangitourism.com The 19th Annual Ponchatoula Jambalaya Cook-Off is to be held on Saturday, April 29, at Memorial Park. The "battle for the paddle" starts cooking at 7 a.m. and teams must have their jambalaya ready to be judged by 11 a.m. After the samples have been collected, the remaining food goes on sale to the public.

APRIL 29-30 Slidell Spring Street Fair, First, Second, and Erlanger Streets, Slidell, slidellantiques.com Over 200 vendors will display antiques, furniture, depression glass, collectibles, vintage jewelry, art, pottery, dolls, toys, and other handmade crafts. Listen to live music and savor a variety of foods while perusing the street fair.

APRIL 30 St. Joan of Arc’s Fair, St. Joan of Arc Catholic

Pinch A Palooza Festival, Bucktown, pinchapalooza.com Rain or shine, Deanie’s in Bucktown hosts Pinch A Palooza. Enjoy a day of free entertainment, delicious seafood (heavy on the crawfish), and a crawfish eating contest.

APRIL 26 Spring Heritage Day, Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan, destrehanplantation.org Students will experience what it was like to live as both the free and enslaved who lived and worked on the plantation in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Brunch Fest New Orleans April 22

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nonprofit Arts District New Orleans Association.

The block party is free to the public and offers arts, music, and food on historic Julia Street.

Herb and Garden Festival, Marie Street, Sunset, sunsetherbfestival.com Herb and garden enthusiasts will have the chance to relish in herbal products, fresh herbs, yard art, native plants, food, and fun at the 21st annual Herb and Garden Festival.

Louisiana Dragon Boat Races, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, themuseum.org/ ldbr This team-building activity is easy to learn, extremely safe, and visually spectacular. Dragon boat teams are made up of 20 paddlers per boat including one drummer. Men and women, regardless of age, gender, or athleticism, compete together in an unbiased and fun environment.

MAY 11-13

N.O. Jazz & Heritage Festival Apr. 28-30 & May 4-7 School and Church, LaPlace, LA, sja-school. com Friends and family from all around Louisiana gather to join in this annual spring fair. With pay-one-price rides, food booths, live music, and games for all, this fair will be a knockout.

- MAY MAY 1 Instruments A Comin’, Tipitina’s, tipitinas. com/events This outdoor street party begins at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public of all ages. The annual benefit concert later that night features Galactic, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Cha Wa and more.

MAY 1-3 Nola Crawfish Festival, Central City BBQ, nolacrawfishfest.com Enjoy live music from the finest local musicians, beer from NOLA Brewery, BBQ from Central City BBQ and NOLA Cochon King, and crawfish. On Sunday, May 3, 20 teams will compete in The Ultimate Crawfish Cook-Off. Free crawfish and beer are included with every general admission ticket!

Come participate in the Arm Wrestling Tournament, the Firefighter’s Challenge, the Landing of Jean Lafitte, the Todd Armstrong Carnival, and many more events at the 60th anniversary of Contraband Days.

MAY 5 Whitney Zoo-To-Do, Audubon Zoo, audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztd See live entertainment from Jessie’s Girls, participate in the vehicle raffle, bid at the silent auction, and taste cocktails from more than 40 bars and cuisine from over 70 restaurants.

MAY 5-6 Mayfest, Vernon Parish Courthouse, Leesville, vernonparish.org Mayfest offers live music, vendors, artist demonstrations, homemade food and other items, children’s activities, and more family fun.

Bring your lawn chair.

MAY 5-7

MAY 4-6

Bayou Cajun Fest, Larose Civic Center, Larose, bayoucivicclub.org Highlights of this exciting weekend include a craft market, carnival rides, and delicious Cajun foods. Live local music will include Clustafunk, Contraflow, and Ruff N Ready, among many others.

Bluegrass Festival, Deville, LA bluegrassdog. com Bring your lawn chair to camp out in the shade and listen to live bluegrass all weekend. Tickets range from $10 per day to $45 for a 3-day pass and musicians include Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Parc Hardy, Breaux Bridge, bbcrawfest.com Gather in the crawfish capital of the world to dance to live Cajun music, taste crawfish prepared every way imaginable, watch crawfish racing and partake in the crawfish eating contest.

MAY 4-7

Our Lady of Prompt Succor Tomato Festival, Chalmette, LA, olpsschool.org A St. Bernard tradition for 63 years and counting, the Tomato Fest is back. Don’t miss out on the rides, delicious food (featuring tomatoes, naturally), and the crowning of this year’s Tomato Queen.

Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair, Thibodaux Fire Dept. Fairgrounds, Thibodaux, firemensfair. com Support Thibodaux’s volunteer firefighters at the 133rd annual Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair with live music, rides, games, food, and drinks.

MAY 4-14 Contraband Days: Louisiana Pirate Festival, Lake Charles, contrabanddays.com

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MAY 6 Jammin’ on Julia, 300-700 blocks of Julia Street, artsdistrictneworleans.com This annual fundraising festival supports the

Rayne Frog Festival, Rayne, LA, raynefrogfestival.com Held in the frog capital of the world, the Rayne Frog Festival will be a hoppin’ good time. With tons of activities including rides, games, music, dancing, frog racing and jumping, frog eating contests, and a diaper derby, you’re sure to have the time of your life.

MAY 11-14 Cochon de Lait Festival, Mansura, LA, cochondelaitfestival.com The Mansura Chamber of Commerce presents the 43rd annual Cochon de Lait Festival this spring. This festival presents an extraordinary Cajun experience with food and live music that is sure to be a Louisiana good time.

MAY 13 Crawfish Mambo, UNO Sandbar and The Cove, New Orleans, crawfishmambo.com It’s peak crawfish season, and what better way to celebrate it than an all-you-can-eat crawfish cook-off? In between pinching, check out local artists selling their creations and dance along to some fun festival music. Admission is $20 in advance and $30 at the gate.

Louisiana Veterans Festival, Slidell, LA, laveteransfestival.com Come out to support your troops at the festival that celebrates all veterans current and retired.

Packed with veteran speakers, a car show, games, spectacular music, and Louisiana cuisine, this festival will be all-American fun.

MAY 18-20 Starks Mayhaw Festival, Starks, LA, mayhawfest.com Come out to Starks, LA, to celebrate the 25th annual Mayhaw Festival. This year’s theme is “Aargh, Matey,” so dress in your best pirate getup and enjoy the jelly contest, costume contest, talent show, and the crowning of the Mayhaw royal court.

MAY 20 Riff Ridgel Crawfish Cook-Off, Tickfaw, LA, riffridgelcrawfishcookoff.com The 3rd annual Riff Ridgel Crawfish Cook-Off in Tickfaw is being held Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. At this event, it’s an allyou-can-eat crawfish buffet while listening to live entertainment all day from various local musicians.

MAY 19-21 Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, 500 N. Jefferson Pkwy, New Orleans, thebayouboogaloo.com Held on the banks of Bayou St. John, the MidCity Bayou Boogaloo is a free, no-waste event.

With a weekend jam-packed with live music, arts and crafts vendors, paddle boat races, the volleyball and bicycle pub crawl, and a bayou banks cleanup, you may have trouble deciding what to do first.

Plaquemines Parish Seafood, and Heritage Festival, Belle Chasse, LA, plaqueminesparishfestival.com Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious local seafood and other unique Cajun delicacies. The festival also offers a continuous stream of popular local and Cajun music, as well as the Seafood Queen pageant and helicopter rides with a view of the Mississippi River.

MAY 25-27 New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, New Orleans, nowfe.com Known as one of the premiere events in the city and celebrating New Orleans’s favorite hobby, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The event features the Royal Street Stroll and the Grand Tasting with wines from all over the country.

Whitney Zoo-To-Do May 5

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 13

Why Does New Orleans Love Festivals So Much?

By Krystral Cooper Christen

S

ince the Ancient Greeks and Romans roamed the Earth, festivals have been used to celebrate all things—from religion to agriculture. Great feasts were prepared and days of celebrating included games and no work. It seems fitting that New Orleans incorporated these rituals to celebrate all the things that New Orleanians love about their unique culture. The South as a whole is a place obsessed with traditions, known for a laid-back style and a down-home feel. From generation to generation, the obsession has been passed down and preserved. My grandparents experienced some of the same festivals my

children are now experiencing. It is a way to keep us all connected, from generations of festival queens to those spending 365 days to plan an event. It is not only a celebration, it is a rite of passage. Beginning in childhood, festivals are as much a norm as summer vacation.

“New Orleans is the oddest, most wonderful place,” a tourist said to me recently. I could not agree with her more. Festivals are as much a part of that wonderfulness as Mardi Gras and second lines. It should be no surprise that the place that offers the largest free party on Earth also offers parties to celebrate what makes the culture one of a kind. From the Jazz and

“New Orleans is the oddest, most wonderful place,” a tourist said to me recently. I could not agree with her more.

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Heritage Fest to the King Cake Fest and even down to the Mac and Cheese Fest, we always find a reason to celebrate. We love all that that blends together to help build the fabric of New Orleans. We love enjoying life to the fullest.

“Life will not owe us anything, because we enjoy everything,” Ernestine Prevost, an elderly resident of New Orleans, said.

In 2016, the Mayor’s Office announced that New Orleans has roughly 133 festivals per year. That means we found 133 things to celebrate and 133 ways to have fun! While some festivals may be small and celebrate only a particular food or culture, New Orleans has been home to one of the world’s most renowned and largest festivals since 1970— the Jazz and Heritage Festival. Being always gracious hosts, New Orleanians welcome guests from all over the world to fall in love with our culture every year by displaying it in the form of a party. Here in New Orleans, we pride ourselves on making sure everyone has the time of their lives. No one ever leaves here saying their expectations were not met or surpassed.

Festivals celebrate everything from great food to phenomenal music, and we really cannot see a downside to these lovely outdoor events. After all, we made the term “laissez les bon temps rouler” famous. There is nothing about a festival that we do not adore. We love the colorful booths. We love the adult concoctions. We love the food. Because, let’s be honest, New Orleans offers some of the best cuisine in the world. We love all the music—it may be swamp pop or jazz, local musicians or super stars; it makes no difference. We are there to dance and sing along. Rain or shine, and sometimes a little mud-covered, we still kick up our heels and party from gates open until they shove us out. Let’s face it, the most important word pertaining to festival is “festive!" And everything about the Fair Grounds follows suit.

You may be a veteran carrying a chair or a newcomer lost and searching for the Fair Grounds, but one thing is for sure: Once you enter the gates of the home of the festival gods, you will experience life like you never have before. You will leave a little bit happier and a lot more experienced in many facets of New Orleans. The only rule is to eat, drink, and please be merry. I promise you, the one thing on your mind afterwards will be scouring the internet to find out when and where is the next closest festival.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 15

Fun Festival Fashions

By Krystral Cooper Christen

S

ince New Orleans is the festival capital of the world, it is safe to assume that most of us will find ourselves partying like rock stars at one point or another this festival season. While taking advantage of the many festivals, there are plenty of ways to be stylish, comfortable, and fun. Here are my top picks for fashion and function:

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Boho chic has been on my coveted fashion list for the last couple of years, and it still rates very high among my festival go-to ensembles. Since I love everything about 60s fashion, it is almost like getting to experience Woodstock through my style.

What better way to make an entrance than in a funky, multi-colored dress or an offthe-shoulder top paired with a great skirt, jean shorts, or bell-bottoms? Just don’t forget your headband, fringed vest, and boots.

If a more classic look is at the top of your list, a cute, strappy sundress with some strappy sandals may be your go-to outfit to enjoy the warmer weather that usually arrives right when the festivals begin.

Another must-have staple is the everpopular cowgirl boots and cowgirl hat. No

matter if you are matching them with jeans and a tank top or a little black dress, you are sure to be a show-stopper with these fun items.

Every girl loves jewelry, and festivals are a time to have fun with it. Long necklaces with multi-colored stones or large medallions are a way to dress up every basic top. Add a few bangles and a large ring, and you are on your way to being a festival fashionista.

Baseball caps for men, women, and children are a festival necessity. Rain or shine, these little treasures are multifunctional. They cover your wet, sweaty locks while keeping the sun out of your eyes. They are a great way to look puttogether with little effort. Grab one that displays your favorite sports team or movie.

If all else fails, you always have the oh-sofabulous monogram caps.

It doesn’t matter if you are an aviator girl or a wayfarer boy, sunglasses not only make a statement, they save your eyes from UV waves. Make it a point to pack your favorite pair on your way to the festival grounds. You can be both chic and smart.

And since we are in Louisiana and we live in one of the wettest locations in the United States, rain boots and ponchos must make this list. While they may not be a fashion must, they are a festival must. With a wide variety of rain boots to choose from, everyone should be able to find a style to complement their unique personality. And, what can I say about ponchos? Throw one on, grab a drink, and let the good times roll.Â

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WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 17

T

he state of Louisiana is a canvas that has been masterfully painted by the graceful hands of Mother Nature.

And while it seems that the Pelican State is stuck in the American psyche as a place of disasters, political corruption, and parties (wait, these may be related), Louisiana is so much more than hurricanes, incarcerated politicians, and Mardi Gras. It’s a state of farmlands stretching further than the eye can see, pathways taken over by centuriesold live oaks, and tranquil waterways that will set your mind free.

10 Louisiana Sights to Behold

By James Sebastien

1. Live Oaks of Oak Alley, Vacherie The live oaks of Oak Alley Plantation have grown into their own over the last 300 years. The beauty of the double-lined path of live oaks at this plantation has stolen the spotlight of many wedding-day photo sessions, works of art, and movies.

2. Kisatchie National Forest, Provencal In the Village of Provencal in Natchitoches Parish, you’ll find a sight one might mistake for another state altogether, but the Kisatchie National Forest is 100 percent Louisiana. It’s a forest filled with mountains to climb, waterfalls to admire, and lakes to fish.

3. Lake Pontchartrain The estuary known as Lake Pontchartrain began to take shape thousands of years ago (some estimate its age at over 4,000).

Long before the French settled Louisiana, the Native Americans referred to the lake

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18 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

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as Okwata (“Wide Water”). So, when you’re visiting the “Wide Water” and taking in the fresh air, remember that you’re standing alongside a waterway that has sustained life long before the modern conveniences of today.

4. Sugarcane Fields of South Louisiana In the year 1751, Spanish Jesuits introduced South Louisiana to sugarcane, a crop that has ever since played a crucial role in not just the economy of Louisiana, but also its culture. Rum, anyone? Or, maybe, Steen's Cane Syrup on pancakes?

City of Shreveport and Bossier City. The two cities each celebrate the Red River in their own way. Shreveport is home to the Red River District while Bossier has the Louisiana Boardwalk, but both offer majestic views of the Red River of the South.

Bend “lake” has been an asset to locals for generations, and it is easy to see why with its crystal clear water.

6. Hodges Gardens State Park As the name Hodges Gardens suggests, this state park is a wonderland of flowers, flowing streams, and wildlife in a habitual state of freedom and nature. If Snow White walked amongst us, there could be no better place for her to stay than Hodges Gardens.

8. Avery Island There are few things Louisiana enjoys more than hot sauce, and the home of Tabasco is the salt dome known as Avery Island. But this island is much more than a source of peppers, it is a natural paradise—a sanctuary for birds and exotic plants.

claimed by Louisiana, as it reaches all the way up to the North Country. But there is no state that loves the Mississippi quite like Louisiana, as it is truly our life vein.

10. Grand Isle Though Louisiana is not known for surfing or beaches, both can be found at Grand Isle.

A barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Isle is a vacation dream with sunrises that rival the work of Claude Monet.

5. Red River of the South The Red River is situated between the

7. Toledo Bend Toledo Bend-not a lake but a reservoir-is the pinnacle of waterway envy. The Toledo

9. Mississippi River Sure, the Mississippi River is not solely

Whether you are a local, transplant, or vagabond passing through the state, Louisiana has a way of making a lasting impression on all who set foot in the state.

The aromas, the sights, the feeling in the air—an experience awaits you in this state of wonders.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 19

Poverty in New Orleans

By Phil LaMancusa

W

e gauge conditions of being financially uncomfortable by something called a poverty rate. The poverty rate is defined as the percentage of the population living below poverty level. Poverty level is defined as that level when a person or family’s income is so low that stress in being able to provide basic necessities (food, clothing, shelter) is felt; at times, acutely. As of 2015, 13.5 percent of Americans (43.1 million) live below poverty level—more children than women, more women than men. The statistics are staggering: blacks, 24.1 percent; Latinos, 24.1 percent; Asians, 11.9 percent; whites, 9.1 percent; and 33.6 percent of these numbers are children—living all around you. Academics Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer, authors of the book $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, report that there are nearly 1.5 million American households with practically no cash income at all. New Orleans fits quite comfortably in these parameters.

I was raised in the projects in the 1940s and 50s by a single parent relying on public welfare, healthcare, and education; five kids, the whole nine yards. The projects’ tenants were the elite of the neighborhood: all around us, families were poorer. And surrounding us all were people not so poor. The economic checkerboard of neighborhoods was a constant reminder of who the “haves” were and who the “have-nots” weren’t, and if we were the have-nots, our neighbors were the have-nothings. We’re talking the literal definition of the word poverty. Like it or not, every society maintains a percentage of their population in poverty. Somebody’s got to perform cheap menial labor.

We were adequately schooled; any better education and we might have aspired to greater heights. Our heroes were sports and cinema stars, musicians, and criminals, who had made a name for themselves and whose lifestyles we could emulate but never attain. In our later teens, we were pushed from school to enter society. Our choices were: military (or prison) uniforms or to follow in our parents’ footsteps and enter the world of the “working stiffs,” whose sweat greases the wheels of this great society. These were our rites of passage into adulthood and the only options when and where I was growing up. Being poor meant staying poor and raising your children to perpetuate this system of poverty—the norm. The advantage my family had was that we were white.

When I came back to New Orleans in the late 90s, I found that little had changed from the 60s and 70s; there were still, at the close of the 20th century, moral, physical, and economic depression in the city. The Big Easy. Even today, 15 minutes from the mayor’s office, citizens are living in abject poverty. Let’s define that condition as I see it.

We’ll disregard, for the moment, the homeless, those in shelters, squatters, and tenants in our “new” projects; although these segments do round out the picture. State subsidized nursing homes, where tenants receive $38 a month to live on while having all of their other monies taken away, is another form of poverty, but not what I’m speaking of here. To define poverty, we’ll begin by pointing out what it is not. Being poor isn’t necessarily living in poverty. Having secure employment and worrying about your financial prospects, your kid’s school choices, your mortgage, credit card debt, the note on your car, seasonal clothing; or choosing a dentist,

20 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

minimum wage earners. Our city (and state) cleaning woman, or hairdresser are very real leads the country in teen unwed pregnancy, concerns. However, while those things might crime, obesity, African American incarceration/ keep you broke, it is NOT poverty. Over 20 unemployment, and child hunger. Going to percent of New Orleans families of four living school is an economic family sacrifice at best on a cash income of $10,000 a year or less is and rent increases are routine and arbitrary. poverty (Pew Research).

Poorer families are pushed out when Anxiety about whether you’ll be evicted “revitalizers” move into a poor neighborhood. for non-payment of rent because you chose Dwell on this: I get home from work at 6:30 to put food on the table; fear of having your p.m., turn on the lights, and go to bed by utilities cut off; whether the person who 11:00 p.m.; I’m up two hours in the morning brings home the household’s money can/will before leaving for work … and my electric have and keep a job; struggling, hustling, and bill is around $100 a month. Add to that the scraping just to get by IS poverty. Having to water bill, car insurance and repair, laundry, take advantage of every free service (social cable, food, rent, clothing, phone, health and security insurance, food stamps, food banks, dental insurance, the occasional movie or emergency rooms, supplemental housing night out … and if I had to do that on $290 a assistance) and then some, you live in survival week before taxes, what would I do? Where mode. would I make my cuts? Adopt out my children?

To be clear, as a mother, not being able Quit eating nourishing food, abandon coffee to afford adequate healthcare—that you outings, shaving, and bathing, turn in my cell supposedly have access to—for your children, phone, relinquish my pets, sell my soul, take not being able to plan a healthy parenthood, a second job, rob a bank, take out a loan, get or, even worse, the fear of putting the father’s credit cards and max them, curl into a fetal name on your baby’s birth certificate is real position and beg God for mercy? Forget about poverty, not only financially but emotionally holidays, vacations or birthdays; where would and psychologically. As a father, even if you that money come from? I’ve been painted live in poverty, when your name appears on a into a corner, trapped; me and the other poor birth certificate, you’re held liable for support. schmucks who are your neighbors. And what And as a consequence of non-payment, you can be done about it? Poverty sucks. And could have your driver’s license revoked, ironically, poverty fluctuates with the stock effectively compromising everyone’s earnings market. When the market went into recession and takings—father loses mobility, mother in 2008, the poverty rate—over the entire and child lose public assistance. That’s the country—rose and kept on rising until 2010 Catch-22 of living in an America where the when it fell (slowly) back to 2007 levels. “have-nothings” are treated as lepers and There is a bill in the state legislature to raise parasites. the minimum wage; opposition, naturally, Having to take jobs at minimum wage is split along party lines. State government (because you lack formal education or doesn’t support it because they would have training) and then be able to live on that to give their workers a raise. And with the money and support a family ($15,080 yearly); last governor having screwed us, leaving a not being able to pay for fundamental living huge deficit, it would mean necessities (gas, electricity, that raising minimum wage water, food) … THAT’S "Of all New would put Louisiana even POVERTY. Being poor and Orleanians, 25 to more in the hole. So, once living in areas where the 30 percent live in again, the little guy takes it lack of necessities is the in the shorts and is kicked norm—areas where crime poverty; 44 percent to the curb, while all the is commonplace, addiction of children under 5 is not regarded as an live in poverty. For a authors of the bill want is a mere $0.75-an-hour raise. oddity, the strong oppress single parent not to It would raise the minimum the weak, contention is live in poverty, he or wage to $320 a week before encouraged, and where she has to take in over taxes and that’s still poverty there is no way out … in New Orleans. that’s poverty. Of all New $46,000 a year (an We can accept or reject Orleanians, 25 to 30 percent hourly wage of $22). poverty in America. We can live in poverty; 44 percent These numbers are give our extra money to of children under 5 live in verifiable." build hospitals and feed the poverty. For a single parent starving in other countries; not to live in poverty, he we look at the pictures of abandoned and or she has to take in over $46,000 a year mistreated puppies and ignore our neighbor’s (an hourly wage of $22). These numbers are plight. It would seem that greed is what is verifiable. responsible for poverty. So we should do When I came back, I was informed that the something about eliminating that, beginning majority of the students that were pushed with ourselves and not accepting it in others— through our educational system were especially in the people who we put into public graduating high school with a fifth grade office. We can take part in our own recovery reading skill level. They are today’s parents and, to paraphrase the man, declare that: and the dishwashers, porters, trash collectors, “War (and poverty) is over … if you want it.” maids, fast food workers, lawn tenders, and

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 21

A Conversation with Aaron Neville French Quarter Fest Abita Beer Stage, April 6 @ 3:45 p.m “Where y’at?” Aaron Neville asked with a chuckle. “That’s a New Orleans thing.”

Neville knows all things New Orleans.

Even though he’s lived in New York for years, New Orleans, his music-saturated hometown, shaped and schooled the man and the artist he is today.

“New Orleans raised me,” the singer with the angelically soulful voice said from the farm in southeastern New York state that he shares with his wife, photographer Sarah Friedman. “New Orleans is in my blood,” he said. “I drank that Mississippi River water.”

The Neville family—including Aaron’s brothers Art, Charles, and Cyril—lived on Valence Street on the edge of the Garden District and in the Calliope housing projects. Aaron grew up singing all kinds of music. His early repertoire included the music of Nat King Cole, Charles Brown, Sam Cooke, Hank Williams, doo-wop, and the cowboy songs of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Neville’s big brother, Art, was a major influence, too. “It all started with Art,”

22 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

Neville said. “When we were growing up in the projects, Art had a doo-wop group.

At first, they’d run me away. But later, they showed me how to do all the harmonies.”

“Stompin’ Ground,” an autobiographical song on Neville’s 2016 album Apache, pays

"New Orleans raised me. New Orleans is in my blood. I drank that Mississippi River water." homage to his New Orleans-music friends, mentors, and heroes. The “Stompin’ Ground” shout-outs include Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Louis Armstrong, Mac Rebennack (the future

By John Wirt

Dr. John), “Scarface” John Williams, James Booker, and a little-known vocalist who gave the young Neville singing lessons— Issacher “Izzycoo” Gordon, aka Junior Gordon (“Blow Wind Blow”).

“Izzycoo called me Kevin for some reason,” Neville remembered. “One day, he said, ‘Hey, Kevin. You come hit this note.’ I hit that note, and I started singing with my brother Art’s group and it was on.”

Despite his career’s early launch, Neville struggled in music for decades. The good breaks he caught—including his 1960 Allen Toussaint-produced local hit, “Over You,” and his 1966 national smash “Tell It Like It Is”—didn’t bring him sustained stardom. He couldn’t even make a decent living at music and years of heroin use marred his life and career.

A decade after “Tell It Like It Is,” the Neville brothers’ uncle, George Landry, aka Chief Jolly, brought them together to record The Wild Tchoupitoulas. A landmark in New Orleans music, the 1976 album deftly blended Mardi Gras Indians chant

with New Orleans funk. The following year, Neville and his siblings formed The Neville Brothers band. They performed and recorded together for 35 years. Their festival-closing Sunday appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival have become a Jazz Fest tradition.

“I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without my brothers,” Neville said. “They gave me a chance to be me.”

But the wear and tear of being a member of The Neville Brothers band and a solo act eventually became too much.

Neville left the group in 2012. “When I was with The Neville Brothers, it was a loud band,” he explained. “It made me sing too much, hitting high notes. A couple of times, I wound up with bruised vocal cords, nodules. I had to stop singing for a while and relearn all over again. So, I just figured, at my age, it’s time for me to slow down and do it like I should be doing. I do it when I want to do it. And I don’t want to be away from my family that much. I want to be home sometimes.”

Neville does his solo thing at a tempo that’s comfortable for him. Nonetheless, he lamented that he doesn’t perform in his hometown as often as he’d like. “They don’t call me down there,” he said. “I used to do the House of Blues every once in a while, but I haven’t heard from them. So, the only time I usually come down is to play Jazz Fest.”

Fortunately—for Neville and New Orleans—he has two hometown gigs booked during the 2017 spring festival season. He’s delighted about making his French Quarter Festival debut on April 6.

And he’ll play Jazz Fest again on April 28.

Whenever Neville returns to New Orleans, he's reminded of his late first wife,

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Joel, wherever he turns. “I buried Joel on our 48th wedding anniversary," he said.

"So, when I go down there, it’s like she’s all over the place. But she’s always in my heart. I met her when I was 16 years old.

If I wouldn’t have met her, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did.”

Even at 76, Neville has no intention of retiring from the stage or the studio. “I’ll keep singing until the Creator says, ‘Break up son. It’s time to get out of here,’" he pledged.

In recent years, the singer has been adapting more and more of his poems into songs. Life in the country has been good for his creativity. “I’m writing all kinds of stuff,” he said. “But I can’t write unless I’m inspired. I write on my phone and then I email it to myself so I won’t lose it.”

Neville writes some of his poems with rhythms that help them become songs. For his Apache album, he also collaborated with composers Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) and Dave Gutter (Rustic Overtones). The other New York musicians on the album include neo-soul specialists David Guy and

Cochemea Gastelum (Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings) and drummer Adam Deitch (Lettuce). “The musicians, you’d swear they’re from New Orleans,” Neville said.

“They all like New Orleans, but they’re from right up here in the Brooklyn area.”

Living in rural New York with his wife, Sarah, whom he married in 2010, and the couple’s Pomeranian Shih Tzu, Apache, Neville enjoys the serenity that eluded him for so many years. “It’s so peaceful,” he said. “I sleep with the window open. And I look out the window and see the stars at night and the moon whenever it passes over.

Sometimes you hear some coyotes out in the distance, but all of that’s part of it.”

A man of profound faith, Neville prays every day. He believes divine intervention saved him many times during his dark, reckless past. “I have a prayer that says, ‘Lord, thank you for looking out for me in times when I didn’t know you were.’ But I know so many times the Lord was there. I saw his footprints in the sand.”

Aaron Neville makes his French Quarter Festival debut on April 6.

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MUSICCALENDAR Three Muses - Hot Club of New Orleans Three Muses Maple St. - Lynn Drury University of New Orleans - Mahmoud Chouki

Radiohead After announcing a headlining engagement for this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Radiohead will be stopping by New Orleans for a show covering their vast selection of over nine studio albums. Mon., April 3. $23-$125 Adv, 7:30 p.m., Smoothie King Center, smoothiekingcenter.com Tuesday, March 28 21st Amendment - 30X90 Blues Women 30/90 - Bayou Saints, Mem Shannon AllWays Lounge - Open Mic featuring Stacey Colangelo, Riverside Jazz Collective Apple Barrel - Josh Benitez Band, Steve Mignano Band Bamboula’s - Chip & Friend, Joe Goldberg Jazz Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Chance Bushmen & the Rhythm Stompers Banks Street Bar - Maggie Havens Bar Con Cher - Brian Wingard Blue Nile - Waterseed BMC - Jersey Slim, HeidiJo, The Budz Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Bourbon Orleans - Christopher Johnson Quartet Buff a’s - Vanessa Car Cafe Negril - 4 Sidemen of The Apocalypse, John Lisi & Delta Funk Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Checkpoint Charlie’s jamie Lynn Vessels, Bela Bartok Chickie Wah Wah - Albanie Faletta, Jon Cleary Circle Bar - Carl LeBlanc Columns Hotel - Guitarmony featuring Phil DeGruy, Todd Duke & John Rankin Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - DinosAurchestra, Treme Brass Band Dmac’s Bar & Grill - Dirty John Valby Dos Jefes - Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer & Richard Scott Gasa Gasa - Kristina Morales & The Inner Wild +Biglemoi + Chris Lenox Band House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - Ricardo Pascal Trio Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop Maison - Slick Skillet Serenaders, Gregory Agid Quartet, BrassLightning Maple Leaf Bar - Rebirth Brass Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Ferdinand Old Arabi Bar - Bob Worth Old U.S. Mint - Down on Their Luck Orchestra Palace Cafe (Black Duck Bar) - The Rum Runners Prime Example - Sidemen + 1 Jazz Quintet Ralph’s On the Park - Charlie Miller Rare Form - Mark Appleford Siberia - Panorama Brass Band SideBar Nola - Helen Gillet & Simon Berz Duo Sidney’s Saloon - The Light Set Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio Spotted Cat - Andy Forest, The Little Big Horns, Smokin’ Time Jazz Club Spotted Cat Restaurant - Dave Geare, Geovane Santos Acoustic Trio Steamboat Natchez - Duke Hetiger’s Steamboat Stompers, Dukes of Dixieland The Troubadour Hotel - Amanda Ducorbier Three Muses Maple St. - Gypsyland Jazz University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center Recital Hall - Ritz Chamber Players Vaso - Louise Nitro & Soul Expo Band Wednesday, March 29 21st Amendment - Royal Street Windin’ Boys 30/90 - Justin Donovan Trio, Ted Hefko and The Thousandaire Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Jobo Duo

26 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Jesse Morrow Trio Bamboula’s - Hot Trio, Carl Leblanc, Mem Shannon Banks Street Bar - Major Bacon Blue Nile - New Orleans Rhythm Devils, New Breed Brass Band BMC - Set Up Kings, Brassila Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Bourbon Orleans - Shynola Jazz Brand Buff a’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night featuring Nattie Bullet’s Sports Bar - Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots Cafe Beignet Bourbon - Steamboat Willie & Friends Cafe Negril - Maid of Orleans, Another Day In Paradise Candlelight Lounge - Andrew Brass Band Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Checkpoint Charlie’s T Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters, The Kane Mutiny Chickie Wah Wah - The Rubin Wilson Folk Blues Explosion, Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Circle Bar - The Iguanas Columns Hotel - Andy Rogers Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Tin Men, Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters Dmac’s Bar & Grill - Ambrose & Company Dos Jefes - The George French Trio Dragon’s Den - Groove Therapy Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Chuck Brackman & Barry Foulon House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson Jazz Cafe - The Key Sound Jazz Playhouse - Glen David Andrews Kerry Irish Pub - Paintbox featuring Dave James & Tim Robertson Lafayette Square -Marc Broussard +Kristin Diable & The City, Maison - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Kristina Morales & The Inner Wild Maple Leaf Bar - Derrick Smoker, Terrence Houston, Danny Abel & More Market Cafe - The Abe Thompson & Doctors of Funk Band Morning Call in The Oaks - Krewe du Tieux Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Jonathan Tanket, Michael Liuzza Old Arabi Bar - Ms. MArtha Wood & Her Goodtime Gang Old U.S Mint - Stephanie Nilles, Nutria Palace Cafe (Black Duck Bar) - The Rum Runners Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Lars Edegran & Topsy Chapman Prime Example - Jesse McBride & the Next Generation Preservation Hall - Charlie Gabriel Ralph’s on the Park - Keff Pounds Rare Form - Nervous Duane, Beardsley Rock ’N’ Bowl - The Boogie Men Seal’s Class Art - Treme Brass Band Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra with Delfeayo Marsalis Spotted Cat - Chris Christy, Shotgun Jazz Band, Antoine Diel & the New Orleans Misfi t Power Spotted Cat Restaurant - Bart Ramsey, Up Up We Go! Steamboat Natchez - Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers, Dukes of Dixieland The Irish House - Patrick Cooper The Pour House Saloon - Oscar & The Blues Cats Jam’ The Troubadour Hotel - Erika Flowers

Thursday, March 30 21st Ammendment - G & The Swinging 3, Bon Bon Viviant 30/90 - Andy J. Forest, Smoke N Bones Apple Barrel - Slick Skillet Serenaders, Gettin’ It Armstrong Park - Crab Fest presents - Davell Crawford + Spoadie & the Big Shots Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits Bamboula’s - Chip & Friends, Ms. Anna Q Quartet, Jenavieve & the Royal Street Windin’ Boys, John Lisi & Delta Funk Bar redux - Plus Aziz + Matt Bartel Blue Nile - Micah McKee & Little Maker, DJ T-Roy Blue Nile Balcony Room - Higher Heights Reggae Band BMC - Claire & Company, Claude Bryant All-Stars Bombay Club - Matt Johnson Bourbon Orleans - Luneta Jazz Band Buff a’s - Beth Patterson, Tom McDermott & Friends Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins Cafe Beignet Bourbon - Steamboat Willie & Friends Cafe Negril - Revival, Soul Project Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina featuring Alexey Marti & Fredy Omar Carousel Lounge Hotel Monteleone - Antoine Diel Quartet Carver Theater - TBC Brass Band Casa Borrega - Descarga Latina Featuring Alexey Marti & Fredy Omar Checkpoint Charlie - Gate, Afro Cube Chickie Wah Wah - Phil Degruy, John “Papa” Gros Band, WoodenHead featuring Mark Mullins & Helen Gillet Circle Bar - Natalie Mae City Park - New John Robichaux Society Orchestra Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Jon Cleary, Lightnin’ Malcolm Dew Drop Social & Benevolent Society Hall Dmac’s Bar & Grill - Jason Bishop Dos Jefes - Burkem Ingraffia Dragon’s Den - Jason Danti, Katzonphyre w/ Fire the Choir Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer & Richard Scott Gasa Gasa - Wolves and Wolves and Wolves and Wolves + Burn Like Fire House of Blues Foundation Room - Jenn Howard Band House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry House of Blues The Parish - Katchafire + Inna Vision + DJ Green Thumb Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio Kerry Irish Pub - Foot & Friends Le Bon Temps Roule - The Soul Rebels Maison - Tuba Skinny, Good For Nothin’ Band, Dysfunktional Bone Maison Bourbon - Joe Lastie & The New Orleans Sound featuring Kid Merv Maple Leaf - The Trio featuring Johnny Vidacovich & special guests Marigny Brasserie - Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers Market Cafe - The Abe Thompson & Doctors of Funk Band New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park - Wheaton High School Jazz Ensemble Ogden Museum - Mia Borders Old Point Bar - Texas Pete Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - 19th Street Red’s Bluesonics Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Tim Laughlin & the Crescent City Joymakers Preservation Hall - Gregg Stafford, Louis Ford Prime Example - The Alexey MArti Quintet Ralph’s on the Park - Joe Krown Rare Form - Nervous Duane, Justin Donovan Rock ’N’ Bowl - Corey Ledet Siberia - Bummers Eve + Brain Bagz + Black Abba + Koln Snug Harbor - Mahmoud “Mood” Chouki Special Venue - Jesse Autumn, The Jefferson Chorale Southport Hall - Hinder + NonPoint Spotted Cat - Monty Banks, Sarah McCoy, Miss Sophie Lee, Jumbo Shrimp Spotted Cat Restaurant - Davis Rogan - Tom Witek Trio Steamboat Natchez - Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers, Dukes of Dixieland The Irish House - Ashlin Parker Trio

The Pour House Saloon - Dave Ferrato’s Open Jam Session The Troubadour Hotel - Elliot Luv Three Keys’ Ruby & the Rogues Three Muses - Tom McDermott, Meschiya Lake Three Muses Maple St. - Esther Rose Tipitina’s - Reverend Horton Heat + Unknown Hinson + Goddamn Gallows + Birdcloud Vaso - The Alabama Slim Blues Revue, Ed Wills & Blues 4 Sale, The Jason Neville Band Vaughan’s Lounge - Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet Friday, March 31 8 Block Kitchen & Bar - Stephanie Jordon 21st Amendment - Juju Child Blues Band 30/90 - The Fufu All -Stars Apple Barrel - Samantha Pearl, Dan Beaudoin, Johnny Mastro & Mamma’s Boys Armstrong - Crab Fest presents Michael Franks and Roy Ayers Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboulas - Co & Co Travelin’ Show, Chance Bushmen & the Rhythm Stompers, Smoky Greenwell Blues Banks Street Bar - Honey Tangerine Bar Mon Cher - The Roamin’ Jasmine Bar Redux - Yogoman & Bongo Jac BJ’s Lounge - Frankie Boots + Alexandra Scott and Rough Seven Blue Nile - Caesar Brothers’ Funk Box, kermit Ruffins Blue Nile Balcony Room - Street Legends All-Star Brass, DJ Black Pearl BMC - Mojo Shakers, Drapper Dandies, Category 3, Musical Expressions, LC Smoove Bombay Club - Scott Myers Bourbon Orleans - Doyle Cooper Jazz Band Buff a’s - Warren Battiste. Arsene DeLay Bullet’s Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Cafe Beignet Bourbon - Steamboat Willie & Friends Cafe Negril - Jamie Lynn Vessels, Dana Abbott Band, Higher Heights Carver Theater - Honey Island Swamp Band + Dave Jordan & the NIA Casa Borrega - The Co & Co Travelin’ Show Checkpoint Charlie’s - Domenic, The Damon Frontier, Pamphlet Chickie Wah Wah - Michael Pearce, Paul Sanchez & Jenna Guidry, Lightnin’ Malcolm & Cary Hudson Circle Bar - Rik Slave’s Country Persuasion, Mindscar + Witch Burial + A Hanging + Fat Stupid Ugly People + Recluse Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Tuba Skinny, John Papa Gros Dmac's Bar and Grill - Jezebel’a Chillin, Dave Feratto & Stan Cuquet Dos Jefes - Gringo do Chorro Dragon’s Den - Loose Marbles, DJ RQ Away Fair Grinds Coffeehouse - Sam Cordts Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer & Collin Myers Gasa Gasa - Sharks Teeth + Greater Pyrenees + Patrick Shuttleswerth Hi Ho Lounge - Trishes + People Museum, DJ Matt Scott House of Blues - Bustout Jazz Band House of Blues Restaurant - Dick Deluxe Howlin’ Wolf - Vita and the Woolf + Pucusana Jazz Playhouse - Quiana Lynell Kerry Irish Pub - Mark Appleford, Beth Patterson Le Bon temps Roule - Joe Krown, Crazy Whisky Maison - Eight Dice Cloth, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Brass Lightning Maple Leaf Bar - Joe Marcinek Band featuring Herlin Riley & Ike Stubblefi eld Market Cafe - The Abe Thompson & Doctors of Funk Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Daniel Black, Richard Bienvenu, Jetbaby, Dreaming Dingo New Orleans Museum of Art - Nutria Old Arabi Bar - Southern Voice Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Maid of Orleans Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Palm Court Jazz Cafe - Kevin Louise & Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Hall Legacy Band featuring Wendell Brunious and Daniel “Weenie” Farrow RF’s - James Martin Band Rivershack Tavern - The Mustard Brothers Roosevelt Hotel Fountain Lounge - Antoine Diel Trio Rock ’N’ Bowl - The Iguanas Siberia - Roedelius + Duane Pitre & Turk Dietrich

Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet Spotted Cat - Andy Forest, Washboard Chaz Trio, Cottonmouth Kings Spotted Cat Restaurant - Russell Welch Band Steamboat Natchez - Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers, Dukes of Dixieland The Irish House - Crossing Canal The Orpheum Theater - Charlie Daniels Band The Troubadour Hotel - Jeremy Kern Music Trio Three Muses - Gal Holiday Three Muses Maple St. - Linnzi Zaorski, The Tanglers Tipitina’s - The Rides featuring Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Barry Goldberg + Shannon McNally Twist of Lime - Kamikaze Zombie University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena- Hogs For The Cause, Los Coast, Motel Radio, The London Souls, Futurebirds, and more Saturday, April 1 8 Block Kitchen & Bar - Stephanie Jordon Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo, Will Thompson’s Red Organ Trio Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, G & Her Swinging 3, Johnny mastro & Mama’s Boys, Dysfunktional Bone Bombay Club - Leroy Jones Banks Street Bar - Marina Orchestra Bayou Bar Pontchartrain - Phil Melancon BMC - LC Smoove Buff a’s - Red Hot Jazz Band, Jenna Guidry, Phil Degruy’s Phool’s Night Checkpoint Charlie’s - Kenny Triche band Chickie Wah Wah - Sam Price & the True Believers Covington Farmers Market - The Dirty Rain Revelers d.b.a - John Boutte, Soul Brass Band + James Martin Dew Drop Social & benevolent Society Hall - Tuba Skinny Dos Jefes - Vivaz!

House of Blues Foundation Room - The Ibervillianaires House of Blues Restaurant - Geovane Santos, Jon Roniger Jazz Playhouse - Michael Watson & The Alchemy Kerry Irish Pub - Vali Talbot, Beth Patterson Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time JAzz Club, Raw Real, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires, Leah

Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Raw Deal, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers.

Maison Bourbon - Joe Lastie & The New Orleans Sound Featuring Kid Merv Maple Leaf Bar - Dirty Bourbon River Show Marigny Brasserie - Michael Liuzza & Family, The Key Sound Oak Wine Bar - Aaron Wilkinson Old Arabi Bar - The Melatauns Old Point Bar - Truman Holland & the Back-Porch Review One Eyed Jacks - Allah-Las People’ Health New Orleans Jazz Market - Noah Aronson Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Dirty Bourbon River Show Shamrock - Crescent Kings Three Keys - Vox & the Hound + Renshaw Davies + Yrstrly Three Muses - Chris Xmas, Alexander Scott, Shotgun Jazz Three Muses Maple - Davy Mooney Twist of Lime - Kurnel & Cain Resurrection & Intrepid Bastards & Misled University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena - Hogs For The Cause, Aaron Lee Tasjan + Colin Lake, Railroad Earth + George Porter Jr. Sunday, April 2 AllWays Lounge - Royal St. Windin’ Boys Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin’ Show, New orleans Ragweeds, Carl Leblanc, Ed Willis & Blues 4 Sale.

Banks Street Bar - Winslow, Ron & Tina’s Open Mic Night Bombay Club - Tim Laughlin Trio Buff a’s - Some Like It Hot, Ed Doskey Jazz Band, Gerald French Trio Bullet’s Sports Bar - VL & Jus Right Band Cafe Istanbul - Carl Leblanc d.b.a - Palmetto Bug Stompers Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Gasa Gasa - Doombalaya & Valerie Sassyfras House of Blues Restaurant - Jason Bishop Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band Jazz Cafe - The Key Sound Jazz & Heritage Center - Emily Alves, Scott Hevener, & Jeff rey Wilson Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle

Bastille The British indie pop band Bastille, formed in 2010, stops by Champions Square for their Wild, Wild World Tour. The band was nominated for Best New Artist in the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

Fri., April 7. $28-$36 Adv, 7:30 p.m., Champions Square, champions-square.com Maison - Chance Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, Baby Giant Jazz Band, Loose Marbles, Meghan Stewart, Higher Heights Maison Bourbon - Joe Lastie & The New Orleans Sounds Featuring Kid Merv Old Point Bar - Amanda Walker, Romy Kaye & the Mercy Buckets Press Street Station - James Martin Southport Hall - Dope + Combichrist Special Venue - St. Joseph Catholic Church Three Keys - Bon Bon Vivant & Friends Three Muses Maple St. - Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton Trinity Episcopal Church - Lenten Jazz Vespers University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena - Hogs For The Cause Monday, April 3 Bamboula’s - Alex Belhaj Trio, Tangaery Combo, New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Sunshine Brass Band

Banks Street Bar - Lilli Lewis Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buff a’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Cafe Istanbul - The Mario Abney Quintet + Chuck Perkins Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Alexis & the Samurai, Glen David Andrews Dragon’s Den - Albanie Falletta & the Southern Gentlemen House of Blues Restaurant - Sean Riley Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Maison - Chicken & Waffl es, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses, RnR Music Group Smoothie King Center - Radiohead Southport Hall - New Leviathan Oriental Fox Trot Three Muses - Bart Ramsey, Arsene DeLay

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 27

Tuesday, April 4 Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Joe Goldberg Trio, Dana & the Boneshakers, Chris Mule Blues band Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Buff a’s - Tacos, Tiaras & Tequila w/ Vanessa Carr Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - DinosAurchestra, Treme Brass Band House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza House of Blues The Parish - Missio + 888+ Coast Modern Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience Maison - Co & The Travelin’ Show, Gregory Agid Quartet, CoolNasty Marigny Opera House - Christopher Hutton Old Arabi Bar - Guitar Lisa Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Prime Example - Sidemen + 1 Jazz Quintet Rosa F. Keller Library - Shotgun Double SideBar Nola - Simon Berz & Brad Walker Duo Three Muses - Sam Friend, Messy Cookers Three Muses Maple St. - Gypsyland Jaxx Tulane University Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life Washington Square Park - Glen Hall Band, Hot 8 Brass Band, DJ Captain Charles, NOLA Big Band featuring Chris Walker Wednesday, April 5 Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Jesse Morrow Trio Bamboula’s - Dave Hammer Trio, Hot Jazz Trio featuring Giselle Anguizola, Gentilly Stompers, Dinosaurchestra Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buff a’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Bullet’s Sports Bar - Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots Candlelight Lounge - Andrews Brass Band Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Tin Men, Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters House of Blues Foundation Room - HeidiJo House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson Howlin’ Wolf - of Montreal + Christina Schneider’s Jepeto Solutions Jazz Playhouse - Glen David Andrews Kerry Irish Pub - Paintbox w/ Dave James & Tim Robertson Lafayette Square - George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners + RumpleSTEELskin Maison - Geovane Santos Brazilian Jazz Quartet, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Lil’ Glenn & Backatown Morning Call in The Oaks - Krewe du Tieux Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Prime Example - Jesse McBride presents the Next Generation Rock ’N’ Bowl - The Yat Pack Three Key’s - Helen Gillit + 1 Three Muses - Sam Cammarata, Hot Club of New Orleans Three Muses Maple St. - Lynn Drury University of New Orleans The Sandbar at The Cove Cyrus Chestnut Thursday, April 6

Bamboula’s - Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shuffl ers, Kala Bazaar Sing Society, Jenavieve Cook & The Royal St. Windin’ Boys, Swamp Donkeys Banks Street Bar - Mid City Aces Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and James Evans Buff a’s - Gumbo Cabaret, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins Circle Bar - Tim Higgins City Park - NEw Orleans Mystics Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, Funk Monkey House of Blues Foundation Room- Brint Anderson House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio, The James Rivers Movement Kerry Irish Pub - Three, Mark Carson Le Bon Temps Roule - The Soul Rebels Loyola University (Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall) Maison - The Good For Nothin’ Band, Sweet Substitute Jazz Band, Dysfunktional Bone Ogden Museum - Tuba Skinny Old Point Bar - Alison McConnell & Wonderland Old U.S Mint - Honey Island Swamp Band Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - 19th Street red’s Bluesonics Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Republic - Real Estate + Mary Lattimore Rock ’N’ Bowl - Curley Taylor The Orpheum Theater - Louisiana Philharmonic Three Keys -Lynn Drury + John Gros Three Muses - Tom McDermott, Mia Borders Three Muses Maple St. - Arsene DeLay Vaughan’s Lounge - Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet Xavier University Music Recital Hall - Hristo Birbochukov Friday, April 7 8 Block Kitchen & Bar - Stephanie Jordon Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin’ Show, Chance Bushman’s Rhythm Stompers, Smoky Greenwell, Magnolia Dreams Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Quartet and Marton Juhasz Buff a’s - Roamin’ Jasmine, Davis Rogan, Sam Cammarata Bullet’s Sports Bar - The Pinettes Brass Band Champions Square - Bastille Circle Bar - The JimJims Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Hot Club of New Orleans, Soul Rebels House of Blues - Slippery When Wet Tribute to Bon Jovi House of Blues Foundation Room - Jonathon “Boogie” Long House of Blues Restaurant - Gypsy Elise & The Royale Blues, Jonathon “Boogie” Long, Airpark, Luxley, Tysson Howlin’ Wolf - Walden Jazz Playhouse - Mario Abney, Ashlin Parker Quartet, Eric “Benny” Bloom, Romy Kaye & The Mercy Buckets Kerry Irish Pub - Jason Bishop, The One-Tailed Three Louisiana Music Factory - Evan Christopher & Ehud Asherie, Dizzy Birds with Meschiya Lake, Charlie’s Blue Whale Brass Band Loyola University Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall Harlem Quartet Maison - The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Groove Faction, RnR Music Group

DriveByTruckers The alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, heads to Tip's for backto-back shows covering their new album, American Band, as well as old favorites. Fri. and Sat., April 14-15. $26-$31 Adv, 10:00 p.m., Tipitina's, tipitinas.com

28 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

ArianaGrande Multi-platinum-selling and Grammy Award-nominated artist Ariana Grande is heading out on her biggest tour yet, The Dangerous Woman Tour, with special guest Little Mix. Tues., April 11. $26-$274 Adv, 7:30 p.m., Smoothie King Center, smoothiekingcenter.com Oak Wine Bar - Jenn Howard Glass Old Arabi Bar - Brother Tyrone & The Mindbenders Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Steve Mignano Palace Cafe - The Rum Runners Rock ’N’ Bowl - Groovy 7 Sanctuary - The Slow Rollas Brass band Three Keys - Seguenon Kone’s Payo + DJ Otto Three Muses - Royal Roses, Doro Wat Jazz Band Three Muses Maple St. - Linnzi Zaorski Tipitina’s Papadosio + Psymbionic + Zupparty Trinity Episcopal Church Twist of Lime - Wild Fire & Ventruss Saturday, April 8 8 Block Kitchen & Bar - Stephanie Jordon 30/90 - Mainline Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo, Will Thompson’ s Red Organ Trio Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Sing Society, G & Her Swinging 3, Johnny Mastro Bombay Club - Andy Schumm Quartet Buff a’s - Red Hot Jazz Band, Jeremy Joyce Trio, Suzy Malone w/ Amasa Miller and special guests Yvette Voelker and Holley Bendtsen, Dayna Kurtz, Shameless Trio w/ Simon Burke and David Hull Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - John Boutte, Little Freddie King House of Blues - Kenny Chesney House of Blues Foundation Room - Cary Hudson House of Blues Restaurant - Carey Hudson & The Piney Wood Players, The Fortifi ers, Tyler Keith & The Apostles, Michot’s Melody Makers, Kumasi Howlin’ Wolf - Buku Broux and Russell Batiste & Friends + Uptown Mardi Gras Indians Jazz Playhouse - George & Gerald French, Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious, Glen David Andrews Kerry Irish Pub - Hurricane Refugees, Roux the Day! Louisiana Music Factory - Roamin’ Jasmine, Outlaw Nation, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Davy Mooney Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers, Soul Company Marigny Brasserie - Michael Liuzza & Family Oak Wine Bar - Joshua Ray & Ryan Patrick Old Arabi Bar - Happy Talk Old Point Bar - Revival Rock ‘n’ Bowl - The Boogie Men Shamrock - The Strauys Southport Hall - Tantric Three Key’s - Water Seed Three Muses - Chris Xmas, Debbie Davis, Shotgun Jazz Three Muses Maple - Davy Mooney, Russell; Welch Tipitina’s - Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes + Dave Jordon Sunday, April 9 AllWays Lounge - Meschiya Lake and the Dizzy Birds Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin’ Show, New Orleans Ragweeds, Messy Cookers, Ed Willis & Blues 4 Sale Banks Street Bar - Doc Lovett

Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio + Andy Schumn & Hal Smith Buff a’s - Some Like It Hot, Johnny Lonesome, Dapper Dandies, Steve Pistorius, Orange Kellin, James Evans and Benny Amon Bullet’s Sports Bar - John Pierrs Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Palmetto Bug Stompers, Lynn Drury House of Blues Restaurant - Brint Anderson Trio, Jamey St, Pierre & The Honeycreepers, Jake Landry & Right Lane Bandits, Fred Leblanc.

House of Blues The Parish - Jarabe de Palo Howlin’ Wolf - Hot 8 Brass Band Jazz Playhouse - Ricardo Pascal Orchestra, Quiana Lynell, Michael Watson & The Alchemy Kerry Irish Pub - Beth Patterson Maison - Chance Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, Royal Street Windin’ Boys, Leah Rucker, Higher Heights.

Old Point bar - Luna Mora, Jean Marie Harris Three Keys - Bon Bon Vivant & Friends Three Muses - Raphael & pascal - Linnzi Zaorski Three Muses Maple St. - Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton Trinity Episcopal Church - Lenten Jazz Vespers Monday, April 10 Bamboula’s - Alex Belhaj Trio, The Bailsmen, New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Sunshine Brass band Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buff a’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Cafe Istanbul - The Mario Abney Quintet + Chuck Perkins Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Alexis & the Samurai, Glen David Andrews Dragon’s Den - Little Couette Jazz Band House of Blues - Testament + Sepultura + Prong House of Blues Restaurant - Sean Riley Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Maison - Chicken & Waffl es, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses, Vegas Cola Republic - Chronixx Three Muses - Monty Banks Xavier University Admin Building - University Chorus & Concert Choir Tuesday, April 11 Bamboula’s - Bryce Eastwood Trio, Big Butter Jazz Band, Dana & the Boneshakers, Dinosaurchestra Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Buff a’s - Tacos Tequila and Tiaras w/ Vanessa Carr Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Dinosaurchestra, Treme Brass Band House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French & George French Joy Theater - Diamanda Galas Louisiana Music Factory - Loose Marbles Maison - Gregory Agid Quartet, Native Swing Prime Example - Sideman + 1 Jazz Quintet SideBar Nola - Brian Prunka, Andrew Mclean, Mike Jenner Trio

Smoothie King Center - Ariana Grande Southport Hall - Young DublindersThree Muses Maple St. - Gypsyland Jazz Wednesday, April 12 Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Jesse Morrow Trio Bamboula’s - Dave Hammer Trio, Hot Jazz Trio featuring Giselle Anguizola, Gentilly Stompers, Mem Shannon Blues Band Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buff a’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night w/ Nattie Candlelight Lounge - Andrews Brass Band Celebration Hall - The TBC Brass Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - Tin Men, Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters House of Blues - Tarrus Riley + Dean Fraser + The Blak Soil Band + Dj T-Roy House of Blues Foundation Room - John Autin House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson Jazz Playhouse - Glen David Andrew Lafayette Square - Jon Cleary + John Papa Gros Band Maison - Eight Dice Cloth, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Kristina Morales & The Inner Wind Morning Call in The Oaks - Krewe Du Tieux New Orleans Museum of Art Prime Example - Jesse McBride presents the Next Generation Rock ’N’ Bowl - Jerry Embree Three Keys - Michaela Harrison Three Muses Maple St. - Lynn Drury Thursday, April 13 Bamboula’s - Kristina Morales & The Bayou Shuffl ers, Kala Bazaar Swing Society, Jenavieve Cook & the Royal St. Windin’ Boys, Swamp Donkeys Banks Street Bar - Damn Gina & the Rick Robertson Band Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Dave Boswell Buff a’s - Yardbird Sweethearts, Tom McDermott and Chloe Feoranzo Bullet’s Sports Bar - Kermit Ruffins City Park - Steve Pistorius & the Southern Syncopators Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat House of Blues - Marsha Ambrosius & Eric Benet House of Blues Foundation Room - Yes You Rite House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry

Jazz Playhouse - Ashlin Parker Trio, The james Rivers Movement Joy Theater - Portugal the Man + HDBEENDOPE Kerry Irish Pub - Foot & Friends Maison - The Good For Nothin’ Band, Dysfunktional Bone Ogden Museum - Helen Gillet Old Point Bar - Infant-Richard & the Delta Stones Ooh Poo Pah Doo Bar - 19th Street Red’s Bluesonics Rock ’N’ Bowl - Leroy Thomas Three Keys - Great Peacock featuring Blonde Roses Three Muses - Tom McDermott Three Muses Maple St. - Mia Borders Vaughan’s Lounge - Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet Friday, April 14 8 Block Kitchen & Bar - Stephanie Jordon Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin’ Show, Chance Bushman’s Rhythm Stompers, Smoky Greenwell, Magnolia Dream Bombay Club - Riverside Jazz Collective Buff a’s - Sherman Bernard Old Man River Band, Scala and Kikuchi Bullet’s Sports Bar -The Pinettes Brass Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat House of Blues Foundation Room - Jake Landry House of Blues Restaurant - Dick Deluxe, Marcos & Crescent Citizen, Keith Stone Band Jazz Playhouse - Joe Krown, Shannon Powell, Romy Kaye & The Mercy Buckets Kerry Irish Pub - Mark Appleford, Beth Patterson Maison - Claire & Company, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, No Good Deed Marigny Opera House - New Resonance Chamber Orchestra Oak Wine Bar - Keith Burnstein Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Jamie Lynn Vessels Southport Hall - The Arrhythmias, Zombies Eating Sheep + Bilsberry Flowboy & Magik Saturn Three Muses Maple St. - Linnzi Zaorski, Monty Banks Tipitina’s - Drive-By-Truckers + Hiss Golden Messenger Trinity Episcopal Church Twist of Lime - The Schisms Saturday, April 15 8 Block Kitchen & Bar - Stephanie Jordon

BobWeir Blue Mountain is Bob Weir’s first solo record in 10 years and his first album of entirely original material in 30 years. Join Weir and the Campfire Band for a wonderful night of music at the Saenger Theatre. Tues., April 18. $52-$195 Adv, 8:00 p.m., Saenger Theatre, saengernola.com Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - The Tangiers Combo, Will Thompson’s Red Organ Trio Bamboula’s - Kala Bazaar Swing Society, G & Her Swinging 3, Johnny Mastro Bombay Club - Stephen Gordon Buff a’s - Red Hot Jazz Band, Dixie Ramblers German Jazz Band, Warren Battiste, The Royal Rounders Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Streetbeat d.b.a - John Boutte, Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet House of Blues Restaurant - Geovane Santos, Jon Roniger, Big Al & The Heavyweights Jazz Playhouse - Michael Watson & the Alchemy Kerry Irish Pub - St. Claude Serenaders, Crossing Canal LA46 - DJ Pompeii & Brad Orgeron Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Kumasi, Ashton Hines & the Big Easy Brawlers Marigny Brasserie - Michael Liuzza & Family Marigny Opera House - New Resonance Chamber

Orchestra Oak Wine Bar - Jon Roniger Old Pointe Bar - Hill Country Hounds Republic New Orleans - Clean Bandit Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Supercharger Shamrock - 3HG Three Muses - Chris Xmas Three Muses Maple - Davy Mooney Tipitina’s - Drive- By-Truckers & Hiss Golden Messenger Sunday, April 16 AllWays Lounge - Hot Toddy & the Fully Dressed Po’Boys Bamboula’s - Co & Co Travelin’ Show, New Orleans Ragweeds, Carl Leblanc, Ed Willis & Blues 4 Sale Bombay Club - Kris Torkarsi Trio Buff a’s - Some Like It Hot, Little Coquette, Gerald French Trio

331 Decatur Decatur 331 527-5954 527-5954 Best Best Guinness Guinness In In New New Orleans Orleans Live Live Music Music Nightly Nightly NO NO COVER COVER www.kerryirishpub.com www.kerryirishpub.com EveryTuesday Monday April–Kim Carson is Back Every inin March Honky Tonk Tuesday at The Kerry!

8:30 with Jason Bishop 8:30pm pm!!

Every Tuesday in April is Honky Tonk Tuesday w/ Jason Bishop 8:30 pm

Fri. 3/04

Patrick Cooper 5 pm

Rubin/Wilson Folk-Blues Explosion 9 pm

Wed. 3/29 Paintbox w/Dave James Speed The Mule 5 pm & Tim Robertson 8:30 pm Ruby Ross 9 pm Thurs. 3/30 Foot & Friends 9 pm Thurs. 3/10 Foot & Friends 9 pm Fri. 3/31 Mark Appleford 5pm Fri. 3/11 Van Hudson 5 pm Fri. 3/31 Beth Patterson 9 pm Refugees 9 pm Sat. 4/01 Hurricane Vali Talbot 5 pm Sat. 3/12 Mark Parsons 5 pm Sat. 4/01 Beth Patterson 9 pm The Day! 9 pm James Wed. 4/05 Roux Paintbox w/Dave Sun. 3/13 Traditional Irish Session 5 pm & Tim Robertson 8:30 pm Sat. 3/05

Mon. 3/14

Kim Carson 8:30 pm

*************************************************** French Quarter Fest Weekend!

Happy St. Patrick’s Irish Music Thurs.

4/06 Three w/Day!!

MarkLive Carson 8 pm w/ Thurs.

Van Hudson Fri. 4/073/17 Jason Bishop 12:00 4 pm pm (Noon) The Mule 3:30 Fri. Thurs.

4/07 3/17 TheSpeed One Tailed Three 8 pm Thurs.

3/17 Hurricane Roux TheRefugees Day! 7:30 pm – til the Sat. 4/08 4 pm Sat. 4/08 Rouxwee Thehours Day! 8 pm Sun. 4/09 Beth Patterson 7 pm

Fri. 3/18 Patrick Cooper 5 pm ***************************************************

Thurs. 4/13 One FootTailed & Friends pm Three 9 9 pm Mark Appleford pm Speed The Mule 55 pm Fri. 4/14 Beth Sautier Patterson 9 pm9 pm Frank & Friends Sat. 4/15 St. Claude Serenaders 5 pm Mon. 3/21 Kim Carson 8:30 pm Sat. 4/15 Crossing Canal 9 pm Fri. 3/19 4/14 Sat.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 29

Ariana Grande: Dangerous Woman

By Asdrubal Quintero

T

here’s no question that Ariana Grande has been on a meteoric rise to true pop legend status since the release of her debut, Yours Truly. What started off as vaguely Mariah-inspired 90s pop&B has quickly blown up into a whole pop factory. My Everything really nailed this in-between period with some of her biggest hits coming out of this era: the horn-thumping “Problem,” EDM-pop tune “Break Free,” and of course, the colossal pop&B hit “Love Me Harder” with The Weeknd.

Ariana is constantly collaborating with some of music’s best (Kendrick, Nicki, Future) and with music’s up-and-coming. And since doing so, Ariana’s sense of artistry has become fearless and refined. At the flip of a switch, she goes from fresh ingenue to seasoned vet. And that’s where we find ourselves on her latest LP, Dangerous Woman.

It’s almost misleading when the title track’s waltzy chorus comes on and Grande sings, “You make me feel like a dangerous woman.” She doesn’t need to be made to feel dangerous. And maybe that’s the power behind the record. Ariana Grande doesn’t have to assert her power. She’ll put out a record of 16 hits and just let the radio and fans fight over what they like best. Pop stars like Madonna and Britney are forgone. What happens in pop now is a bit more muted and idiosyncratic. Dangerous Woman is a lot of things. It’s soulful, it’s funky, it’s poppy, and it’s moody.

But, the center of the record is always Ariana’s presence, supplemented by her wonderful singing and catchy lyricism.

There’s a lot to be sought out in the club eclecticism of Dangerous Woman. Sure, it’s leagues slicker than her debut, but the wistful ballads haven’t gone away. Just give “Moonlight” or “I Don’t Care” a spin for some string-heavy, introspective tracks with show-stopping vocals. Then, there’s the bouncy, club-lite “Be Alright” and “Into You” that yearn to be

Great Things to Come at Champions Square

F

By Samantha Yrle

un, friendly and phenomenal entertainment are only a few of the many reasons why we love New Orleans.

It’s no question that our city is among the country’s favorite hubs for concerts and music festivals, becoming even more accommodating to the increasing population, influx of guests, and year-round events. I had the honor of speaking with Russell Doussan, president of Live Nation New Orleans, who gave a

30 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

spun on a drunk Saturday night. There’s a reggae-lite diversion with “Side to Side,” one of her biggest hits yet, which also has a great Nicki feature. But, by far the best pieces of the record are the tracks that fill the niche of the electroR&B diva. “Let Me Love You” swings hip-hop-heavy, even including a Weezy feature; but it’s deliciously dark. “Knew Better / Forever Boy” is a wistful, woozy electropop ditty that switches up rhythms halfway through, making for a strong closer.

Ariana’s third tour should be her best yet. There’s a real catalogue of big hits to build on. On stage, Ariana’s presence is all-consuming. The real strength behind watching her on stage is the delivery of her vocals. With just a piano, mic, and a good song, Ariana can already put on a stunning, breathtaking show. But not one to settle for a simple show, the Dangerous Woman Tour will feature a plethora of amazing costumes, light shows, and pop choreography. The tour will be stopping by the Smoothie King Center on April 11. So, if you haven’t gotten a ticket yet, snag one to see one of pop’s most dangerous innovators.

More information on the Dangerous Woman Tour can be found at ticketmaster.com

promising preview of the concerts this year in Champions Square.

Growing up living the sheltered life that only a naïve, private school child can, I had to admit that I haven’t been to many concerts, including a concert in Champions Square, which provoked the question: of all the venues in New Orleans, what makes Champions Square stand out? The answer is simple. Champions Square is one of the many venues across the nation that Doussan calls a “boutique amphitheater,” simply meaning that these open-air venues are designed to cater to guests in every way possible. Doussan and the Live Nation team have transformed the Square to create the most convenient and comfortable concert experience for their audience.

Imagine an outdoor concert during a Louisiana summer at a venue like City Park

or the Fair Grounds. One can only picture sweltering heat, itchy grass, and sweat stains that ruin your clothes. Champions Square eliminates these First World problems.

Nestled in between Benson Tower and the Superdome, Champions Square creates a cool, breezy atmosphere perfect for a daytime outdoor concert. At its fullest capacity, around 8,500, the venue feels satisfyingly full without seeming too congested. The Square is also made completely of concrete, so there’s no need to worry about ruining your shoes in the mud if it happens to rain or drizzle.

Within walking distance of some of the best restaurants and bars in the state such as Borgne and Willa Jean, Champions Square offers everything an adventure-seeking concert-goer could hope for. Once you enter the venue, there are a variety of options to choose from for libations during the event.

Although daytime concerts in the Square are shady and beautiful, the venue does not truly come to life until the sun goes down. The seasonally changing, multi-colored lights that illuminate the Superdome, combined with the orangey haze of a Southern sunset create an intoxicating backdrop for a New Orleans evening concert. At night, Champions Square casts a breathtaking ambiance that puts even the biggest performers at a loss for words.

Doussan recalled the time in 2014 when Lana Del Rey appeared as the featured performer for the Champions Square coming-out party.

“When she first stepped onto the stage in the Square, her reaction was ‘Oh my God. Wow,’” he related.

The amenities that Champions Square has to offer are some of the best of any New

Orleans concert venue. The luxurious Club XLIV is an exclusive lounge located in the heart of the venue with an entrance adjacent to the stage. In the lounge, guests can enjoy amenities including modern furniture, illuminated bars, specialty lighting, and stateof-the-art audio/visual technology Only a few steps and a sliding door away from Club XLIV is Encore, a plush space for guests to enjoy the concert with the comfort of being indoors with luxurious seating. At 18,000 square feet of space, Encore is able to accommodate over 1,000 patrons to allow the ultimate concert experience.

Along with Club XLIV and Encore, Champions Square provides the Opening Act, yet another indoor seating. Made up of about 12,000 square feet of comfortable space, Opening Act offers delicious food and beverages for purchase and a great view of the ongoing concert outside, all in a uniquelythemed, high-tech atmosphere to ensure the best concert experience.

For those who prefer to delight in the best that Champions Square has to offer, Live Nation guarantees VIP guests the ultimate “rock star” experience by providing a plethora of VIP amenities. VIPs can look forward to reserved box seating, complimentary parking, exclusive access to Club XLIV, a full-service premium bar, private restrooms, in-seat cocktail service, and a VIP venue entrance.

This year, Champions Square will hold 14 concerts, 10 to 11 of which are confirmed, including Bastille, Train with OAR, Third Eye Blind with Silver Set, Muse with 30 Seconds to Mars, Incubus with Jimmy Eat World, Future, as well as more to come.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 31

Lakeside2Riverside U P C O M I N G F E S T I VA L S & E V E N T S

FESTIVALS Road to 3rd Street Songwriters Festival, Conference, and Bayou Songwriters Retreat Thursday, April 6-Sunday, April 9, Times Vary Morgan City, LA cajuncoast.com Lake Honky Tonk Music Series and D.a.T SaUcE presents the Songwriters Festival this spring. The festival will be headlined by Billy Joe Shaver and Dean Dillion. This festival will be one of the largest Bayou Honky Tonk music festivals in the state and is sure to be a honkin’ good time. Dance along to the music of over 100 artists in six different genres with five days of Bayou fun, magical music, and classic camaraderie. Come out to enjoy activities like fais do do, Bayou sunset picking parties, songwriter shows, and a finale at Gros Marina for Last Honky Tonk Music Fest.

Al Copeland Foundation Charity Golf Fest Friday, April 7, 11 a.m.

Beau Chene Country Club Golf Course, 602 North Beau Chene Dr., Mandeville alcopelandfoundation.org The Al Copeland Foundation will hold its 9th Annual Charity Golf Fest at Beau Chene Country Club Golf Course to support revolutionary local cancer research, education, and patient programs for the Copeland-LSU Health Sciences Center Partnership in Viruses, Cancer, and Immunotherapy.

Each entry includes green fees, cart fees, food and beverage on the course, breakfast before tee time, a 19th hole golf party with open bar, a gift bag for each player, and an Al Copeland Foundation golf shirt.

Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10K Saturday, April 15, 8:00 a.m.-'til Begins in Downtown New Orleans and ends in City Park ccc10k.com The 10k Crescent City Classic is an annual road race that welcomes walkers and runners of all speeds and fitness levels. Starting at the Superdome and ending at City Park, this race combines a fun-run spirit with serious athleticism.

Since its start in 1979, it has become the preeminent fitness event in Louisiana. There will also be a legendary post-race party complete with live music and local Creole cuisine, hosted by Michelob Ultra.

EASTER Big Easy Bunny Hop Saturday, April 8, 3:00-9:00 p.m.

New Orleans Warehouse District bigeasybunnyhop.com This adults-only Bunny Hop is a pub-crawl with an Easter theme. Dress in your best bunny costume and head down to the Warehouse District where you will be issued a numbered easter egg that will be validated at each of the bars on the Bunny Hop. Drink specials will be provided for all bunnies and the Hop ends at Generations Hall with an after-party featuring a costume contest and a drawing for a cash prize of $1,000. Happy Hopping!

Louisiana Derby Day April 1

SPORTS Louisiana Derby Day Saturday, April 1, First post is at 12:10 p.m.

Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots fairgroundsracecourse.com Come out to the Fairgrounds to get a taste of traditional New Orleans horse racing. The 104th annual Louisiana Derby Day will feature Fox 8 meteorologist Dawn Brown as the emcee of the competitions and fashion shows, and the featured race, the $1 million Louisiana Derby will kick off in the afternoon at 4:55 p.m. With a full schedule of events including sipping champagne, costume competitions, and a fashion show, the Louisiana Derby Day is sure to be a blowout.

Hogs for the Cause Friday, March 31- Saturday, April 1, All Day UNO Lakefront Arena Grounds hogsforthecause.org A famous and highly anticipated event of the festival season, Hogs for the Cause will be no less than what it always is. A music festival combined with a delicious BBQ cook-off, Hogs for the Cause is one of the most successful fundraisers of the year.

Enjoy live performances by bands like Los Coast, The London Souls, Futurebirds, and the Seratones on three different stages.

On average, the Hogs teams raise up to $500,000 every year for families with children fighting pediatric brain cancer. Currently, the Hogs teams are working to build on-site secondary housing for these families, as most of them must

32 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

Chris Owens Easter Parade Sunday, April 16 French Quarter, 1 p.m. frenchquartereaterparade.com Easter Sunday will once again be packed with French Quarter parades, but the one we’re all most excited for is the Chris Owens Easter Parade at 1 p.m. This parade tradition, which began in the 1980s, features New Orleans entertainer Chris Owens as the Grand Duchess. Owens has been a New Orleans favorite burlesque dancer since the 1960s and was formally inducted into the New Orleans Musical Legends Park in 2006. Head down to the Quarter to see Chris Owens as the leading lady of the parade, as well as watching Easter egg-shaped floats and catching Easter-themed throws.

travel great lengths to treat their children. Come out for great food and an even better cause this year to show your support.

Over 90 teams of BBQ competitors, comprised of a mix of some of the region's top chefs, professional BBQ teams, and backyard cooking fantatics, will compete for the Ben Sarrat, Jr. Cook Off, presented by Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, for the High on the Hog Grand Champion title. The BBQ competition is fierce, and the winners claim bragging rights, not only in BBQ mastery, but more importantly, in fundraising prowess. Winners are declared in seven categories: Whole Hog, Ribs, Pork Butt/Shoulder, Porkpourri, Sauce, Fan Favorite, and Fundraising Champion.

Tickets range from $25-$310.

Chris Owens Easter Parade April 16 The 18th Annual Official Gay Easter Parade Sunday, April 16, 4:30 p.m.

French Quarter gayeasterparade.com The Gay Easter Parade has been a tradition for 18 years now, and it is growing every year. This parade rolls down the street in style in the traditional mule-drawn carriages and old-fashioned convertibles, starting and ending the procession at Antoine’s. This year, the grand marshals will be Glen Kharman and celebrity/socialite Bootsie DeVille.

Bring your bonnets as awards are given out for best Easter bonnet, best Easter basket, and best general Easter attire.

FOOD & DRINK 7th Annual Best Chefs Louisiana Tuesday, April 11, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

New Orleans Lakefront Airport acfno.org/the-best-chefs-of-louisiana This local, annual fundraiser caters to foodies all over the state. This event recognizes the talents of local chefs and allows them to showcase their talent by providing samples of their signature dishes. Featuring live entertainment, an open bar, and a live and silent auction, this event is sure to be a tasty time for all.

MUSIC The Avett Brothers Thursday, March 30, 7:30 pm The Saenger Theater saengernola.com Grammy-nominated folk-rock band the Avett Brothers will rock the Saenger Theatre this month as they perform live songs from their latest album, True Sadness. The group's unique combination of bluegrass and rock/pop has earned them thousands of fans and a recurring invitation to New Orleans. Tickets range from $50-$80

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WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 33

New Spring Menu & Special $5 Happy Hour Drink Menu from 5 – 7 pm!

7537 Maple St. ThreeMusesMaple.com

Poke Loa

Now Open ‘til 11 p.m. on Fri. & Sat.!

Delivery Available via Live Music Nightly Sunday Brunch 11 am – 3 pm w/ $3 Mimosas & Bloody Mary’s

Food News

By Kim Ranjbar

Aloha! … The national poke craze has landed in New Orleans with the opening of Poke Loa in the Garden District. Taking over the spot that was once home to Jamba Juice on the corner of Magazine and Louisiana, Poke Loa offers local diners a healthier option when it comes to fast food. Similar to other “build-your-own” restaurant concepts, diners can design their own poke creations with ingredients like sticky rice, tuna, salmon, tofu, ponzu, seaweed salad, crab salad, mango, tobiko, and more. Poke Loa is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

3341 Magazine St., (504) 309-9993, eatpokeloa.com On the Avenue … As everyone knew it would, the shiny new University Medical Center on Tulane Avenue is kicking up dust in the corridor, drawing businesses to an area that was once neglected. The latest to the area is the Jerusalem Café, in the space that once housed Mama's Cooking.

The recently opened café offers all the Mediterranean cuisine that diners are familiar with like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, shawarma, lebnah, gyros, and baba ganoush. Plus, you won't want to leave without trying their house-made baklava.

2132 Tulane Ave., (504) 509-7729, facebook.com/CAFEHEI Spirits first … The city's first restaurantdistillery Lula threw open its doors recently after a complete renovation of the pre-existing structure that served as a showroom for Halpern's Furniture. Lula is a collaboration between friends Jess Bourgeois and Bear Caffery who “share a passion for outstanding food paired with finely crafted cocktails.” The distillery produces vodka, gin, and rum made small-batch from 100 percent Louisiana sugarcane. Along with cocktails made with Lula spirits, diners can enjoy dishes like boudin eggrolls served with a molasses fig sauce, Escargot Saint Michael, braised pork roast with smashed potatoes,

34 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

and Lula Rum Lacquered Gulf Shrimp with soybean succotash.

1532 St. Charles Ave., (504) 267-7624, lulanola.com Fill-er-up! … Tucked a few blocks behind the bustling corner of Canal Street and N. Carrollton Avenue is The Station, a brand new place where Mid-City residents can get their breakfast (or lunch) on. Open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, The Station offers lots of “grab-n-go” eats like pastries, bagels, and pot pies all made in-house. Other goodies include things like chocolate cake with satsuma buttercream, muffulettas, Bananas Foster hand pies, and more. The restaurant also offers a full assortment of specialty coffee drinks brewed from roasters like Revelator and Orleans Coffee Exchange.

4400 Bienville St., (504) 309-4548, thestation.coffee Food you can groove to … From the owners of The Spotted Cat Music Club comes Spotted Cat Food & Spirits, now open inside the New Orleans Healing Center on St. Claude Avenue. During the day, the restaurant is serving mostly coffee and breakfast items like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and strawberry pancakes. At night, when the music starts, they're pouring cocktails featuring infused liquors like cucumber citrus vodka and cinnamon sweet potato bourbon.

2372 St. Claude Ave., (504) 371-5074, spottedcatfoodspirits.com What wave? … A new Japanese-inspired spot opened on the ground floor of the Pan American Life Center dubbed Tsunami Sushi, part of a small chain out of Lafayette.

Creating “edible art to marvel at,” Tsunami offers both traditional and non-traditional Japanese cuisine from miso soup and squid salad to Oysters Agemono served with wasabi tartar sauce and a 24-oz Sumo

Tsunami Sushi

Ribeye with kimchee collard greens. Most notably, Tsunami Sushi serves creative rolls like the Michael Doumit Roll with fried soft shell crab and masago, the Ragin Cajun Roll with panko alligator, and the Munchie Roll with fresh salmon, cream cheese, and Doritos.

601 Poydras St., Suite B, (504) 608-3474, servingsushi.com Taking the lead … Restaurant and bar group LeBlanc+Smith just announced that Nathan Richard is taking over as executive chef at their popular Uptown eatery Cavan. Richard was most recently with Kingfish in the French Quarter. “I am really fired up to work with Nathan at Cavan,” Robert LeBlanc, owner of LeBlanc+Smith, explained. “Not only are we friends, we grew up 10 miles from one another in Houma and Thibodeaux, so we have very similar approaches to food and hospitality.” Ben Thibodeaux, who took over the position after Kristen Essig departed, is leaving to seek out other career opportunities

away from the restaurant industry and spend more time with his family.

3607 Magazine St., (504) 509-7655, cavannola.com We'll save you a slice … This spring, Paradigm Gardens, a quarter-acre lot in Central City that has been transformed into a garden/farm/venue of sorts, has kicked off their Pizza & Pie Series featuring the city's top chefs and “vinyl” DJs. There are four Wednesday-night events left, so grab your tickets before they run out of food from Ancora Pizzeria, Windowsill Pies, and The Pupusa Lady, plus refreshments from sponsors Old New Orleans Rum and NOLA Brewing Co. There will also be guest chefs from fantastic local restaurants like Kin, Central City BBQ, Compere Lapin, and more!

1131 S. Rampart St., (504) 344-9474, paradigmgardensnola.com

Lula Distillery WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 35

Turkey and the Wolf's Lamb Neck Roti

20 and Under

$

A Little Lamb

W

e're all told time and time again from our doctors, nutritionists, trainers, and other health gurus to keep our consumption of red meat to a minimum. But doesn't everyone, even Miss Mary, like a little lamb once in a while? Though it is often tarred with the same brush as beef, lamb doesn't deserve such a “baaad” rap. As a matter of fact, lamb (especially grass-fed) has less calories, more omega-3s, and less saturated fat than beef. But the nutritional benefits of lamb are beside the point, because when it comes down to it, the fact is, lamb—especially when prepared

by New Orleans chefs—is altogether delicious and affordable.

Take, for example, the smoked lamb leg at Toups South. Chef Isaac Toups has a magical hand with anything meatrelated (see his flagship restaurant Toups' Meatery in Mid-City) and he's brought those well-honed skills to the dishes at his Central City restaurant, located on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. Offered as an appetizer, the smoked lamb is thinly sliced

36 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

By Kim Ranjbar

and topped with a sweet corn “chow chow” (pickled relish), roasted red pepper, and aged sheep cheese. One taste and you'll be gobbling it up faster than you can say “fleece.” At only $13 a plate, you can also order some of his sourdough biscuits with crab fat butter, the combination of which makes an enviable meal by any standards.

For a completely different lamb experience, skip over to Mason Hereford's new, yet already-famous, Turkey and the Wolf sandwich joint on the corner of Annunciation and Jackson Streets in the Lower Garden District. Employing the heady flavors of India, Hereford has created a sandwich (or wrap) featuring lamb neck that has been slow-cooked in chiles and carraway and served on roti (pan-fried flatbread) with cucumbers, onions, fresh herbs, and lemon-laced yogurt. This excellent wrap will only set you back $10.50, leaving plenty of change for a “Men About Town” cocktail with scotch, hibiscus, and honey, or a dish of vanilla soft serve with tahini and date molasses.

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Toups South's Smoked Lamb If you're looking for something a bit more “old school,” drop in for lunch at Shaya, a part of the Besh Restaurant Group made famous by James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya. Offering a modern take on classic Israeli cuisine, Shaya features several affordable lamb dishes like his tangy, tomato-based Lamb Ragú hummus sprinkled with crispy chick peas, or the juicy lamb kebab marinated in garlicky yogurt, grilled and served with tomatoes, pine nuts, and tahini. Naturally, you couldn't possibly eat either dish without several helpings of their woodfired pita bread, leaving you so full you

won't even be able to finish a cup of halva espresso … but we're sure you'll try.

Maybe all of this is just too much. You want a simpler taste, something more familiar yet completely different? How about a burger? At either location, Uptown on Freret Street or Downtown on Girod, Adam Biederman's Company Burger offers a luscious, juicy lamb burger topped with red onion, feta cheese, and a chili mint glaze served on their buttery bun for only $12. Top it off with some tater tots or a Steen's Malted Vanilla Shake, and you've got one heck of a lunch.Isn't it time you tried a little lamb?

331 Decatur Decatur 331 527-5954 527-5954 Best Best Guinness Guinness In In New New Orleans Orleans Live Live Music Music Nightly Nightly NO NO COVER COVER www.kerryirishpub.com www.kerryirishpub.com EveryTuesday Monday April–Kim Carson is Back Every inin March Honky Tonk Tuesday at The Kerry!

8:30 with Jason Bishop 8:30pm pm!!

Every Tuesday in April is Honky Tonk Tuesday w/ Jason Bishop 8:30 pm

Fri. 3/04

Patrick Cooper 5 pm

Rubin/Wilson Folk-Blues Explosion 9 pm

Wed. 3/29 Paintbox w/Dave James Speed The Mule 5 pm & Tim Robertson 8:30 pm Ruby Ross 9 pm Thurs. 3/30 Foot & Friends 9 pm Thurs. 3/10 Foot & Friends 9 pm Fri. 3/31 Mark Appleford 5pm Fri. 3/11 Van Hudson 5 pm Fri. 3/31 Beth Patterson 9 pm Refugees 9 pm Sat. 4/01 Hurricane Vali Talbot 5 pm Sat. 3/12 Mark Parsons 5 pm Sat. 4/01 Beth Patterson 9 pm The Day! 9 pm James Wed. 4/05 Roux Paintbox w/Dave Sun. 3/13 Traditional Irish Session 5 pm & Tim Robertson 8:30 pm Sat. 3/05

Mon. 3/14

Kim Carson 8:30 pm

*************************************************** French Quarter Fest Weekend!

Happy St. Patrick’s Irish Music Thurs.

4/06 Three w/Day!!

MarkLive Carson 8 pm w/ Thurs.

Van Hudson Fri. 4/073/17 Jason Bishop 12:00 4 pm pm (Noon) The Mule 3:30 Fri. Thurs.

4/07 3/17 TheSpeed One Tailed Three 8 pm Thurs.

3/17 Hurricane Roux TheRefugees Day! 7:30 pm – til the Sat. 4/08 4 pm Sat. 4/08 Rouxwee Thehours Day! 8 pm Sun. 4/09 Beth Patterson 7 pm

Fri. 3/18 Patrick Cooper 5 pm ***************************************************

Thurs. 4/13 One FootTailed & Friends pm Three 9 9 pm Mark Appleford pm Speed The Mule 55 pm Fri. 4/14 Beth Sautier Patterson 9 pm9 pm Frank & Friends Sat. 4/15 St. Claude Serenaders 5 pm Mon. 3/21 Kim Carson 8:30 pm Sat. 4/15 Crossing Canal 9 pm Fri. 3/19 4/14 Sat.

38 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

Company Burger's Lamb Burger

RestaurantGuide

Orleans Grapevine offers delicious food and hundreds of wines to accompany it in a cozy French Quarter space with an exquisite courtyard. 720 Orleans Ave., 523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com

African

Petit Lion is a chic eatery located inside The Troubadour Hotel serving food from early morning to late at night. 1111 Gravier St., 518-5500, petitlionnola. com

Bennachin brings the West African flavors of Gambia and Cameroon to New Orleans, adding Cajun flavors to traditional African dishes. 1212 Royal St., 522-1230, bennachinrestaurant.com

American

Q&C Hotel Restaurant offers shockingly affordable food in an upscale atmosphere, particularly during their top-of-the-line Happy Hour. Their boudin is among the city’s best. 344 Camp St., 587-9700, qandc. com

Apolline offers gourmet takes on Southern soul food classics. and among locals, they’re famous for their bottomless brunch. 4729 Magazine St., 894-8881, apollinerestaurant.com

Sala is the newest member of the Riccobono’s family of restaurants. So needless to say, this place is absolutely fabulous. 124 Lake Marina Ave., 513-2670, salanola. com

Bayou Hot Wings is a destination for wing enthusiasts in Uptown with sauces ranging from pleasantly sweet to mouth-scorching. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., 864-9464, bayouhotwings.com

Spudly’s Super Spuds is the baked potato capital of the South. You can stick with the basics or try one of their signature spuds. 2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie, 455-3250, spudlys.com

Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon Restaurant & Bar serves unapologetically spicy food, and the restaurant aims to check off every box on the Cajun food checklist. 4101 Veteran’s Memorial Blvd., 324-6841, bobbyheberts.com

Dot'sDiner gamut from healthy menu items (like the ultra-fresh avocado appetizers) to decadent, massive fried seafood platters. 435 Huey P Long Ave., Gretna, 3681114, gattusos.net

Charlie’s Restaurant & Catering has perhaps the most extensive menu in New Orleans with 45 varieties of po-boy and nine different overstuffed potatoes. 6129 E. Saint Bernard Hwy., 682-9057, charliesrestaurantla. com

Gordon Biersch may be a brewery, but they don’t skimp on their food options. Their ¾ lb. burgers are formidable and flavorful. 200 Poydras St., 522-2739, gordonbiersch.com

City Diner is perfect for night owls and thrifty folks alike with a menu of classic comfort foods that are shockingly cheap. 3116 S. I-10 Service Road East, 8311030, citydiner.biz

Josephine Estelle (in Ace Hotel) is a luxurious osteria that combines the flavors of traditional Italian cuisine and the soul food of the South. 600 Carondelet St., 930-3070, josephineestelle.com

Daisy Dukes has classic diner options, a killer Bloody Mary, and they’re open 24/7. Plus, they offer all-youcan-eat crawfish. French Quarter, CBD, Metairie, daisydukesrestaurant.com

Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread, Chicken and Waffles is exactly what it sounds like: big portions of classic Southern soul food in a no-frills, welcoming space. 5741 Crowder Blvd., 244-0021, mamommashouse.com

Dot’s Diner specializes in breakfast feasts that don’t break the bank and are available all day and night, plus bottomless coffee. Multiple locations, www.dotsdiner. com Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant runs the

McAlister’s Deli has a myriad of sandwich options and fresh salads, but they also offer great sides including loaded baked potatoes. Various locations, mcalistersdeli.com

Ted’s Frostop offers shakes, po-boys, and burgers in a 50s-style diner atmosphere, along with all-you-can eat pancakes for only $6. 3100 Calhoun St., 861-3615, tedsfrostop.com Willie Mae’s Scotch House draws huge crowds of locals and tourists seeking out their spicy, flavorful fried chicken, which has won countless awards. Multiple locations, williemaesnola.com Wow Cafe American Grill & Wingery has some of the city’s best wings with a number of sauce options, as well as wraps, salads, and sandwiches. Multiple locations, wowcafe.com

Asian Bao & Noodle focuses on northern and authentic Chinese staples like spicy mapo tofu and hand-pulled noodles with spiced lamb. 2700 Chartres St., 272-0004, baoandnoodle.com Five Happiness is the go-to place for Chinese food in NOLA. Their menu includes seafood, beef, and NOLA specialties like sauteed crawfish. 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3935, fivehappiness.com

Kyoto II is a great sushi spot in a convenient location near the Elmwood Palace Theaters with fresh fish and hot sake. 5608 Citrus Blvd., Harahan, 818-0228 La Thai's menu is split between Louisiana Thai fusion and more authentic items, but both are delicious and consistent. 4938 Prytania St., 899-8886, lathaiuptown. com Mikimoto draws in foodies with great lunch specials and excellent Japanese cuisine, and they deliver. Their miso soup is a classic. 3301 S. Carrollton, 488-1881, mikimotosushi.com Miyako is the go-to spot for hibachi. The restaurant also offers nightly drink specials and great sushi. 1403 St. Charles Ave., 410-9997, japanesebistro.com Origami has the traditional rolls you love plus more.

They have some of the best Japanese appetizers like soft-shell crab tempura. 5130 Freret St., 899-6532, sushinola.com Tsunami is a new sushi restaurant catering to the CBD. They feature fresh sashimi and creative rolls like the Black & Gold. 601 Poydras Street, 608-3474, servingsushi.com Viet Orleans Bistro is a fantastic option for hungry CBD foodies, with vermicelli, sushi, and pho, all served in an unassuming space. 300 Baronne St., 333-6917

Bars With Great Food Backspace Bar & Kitchen is a trendy drinking-meetsliterary spot for all-day as well as late-night cocktails located in the French Quarter. 139 Chartres St., 322-2245, backspacenola.com Bombay Club is an intimate bar boasting the largest martini menu in NOLA. Enjoy the nightly live music for the perfect romantic setting. 830 Conti St., 577-2237, bombayclubneworleans.com Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant is a 24/7 jazz club and favorite brunch spot on the edge of the Quarter with great sandwiches. 1001 Esplanade Ave., 949-0038, buffasbar.com Compère Lapin is often touted as the most unique, fun, and delicious restaurant in the Warehouse District.

535 Tchoupitoulas St., 599-2119, comperelapin.com

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 39

Effervescence is a new champagne bar located in the Quarter specializing in sparkling wine and champagne with a full bar and small-plate dining. 1036 N. Rampart St., 509-7644, nolabubbles.com

Wit’s Inn is a Mid-City bar serving great food and specialty drinks with 15 flat screen TVs, making it an ideal game-day destination. 141 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1600, witsinn.com

The Jimani has multiple TVs ready for any sports game or trivia night. They have pizza, po-boys, seafood, and more. 141 Chartres St., 524-0493, thejimani.com

World of Beer is in the Warehouse District and the staff is extremely knowledgable and the variety of beer is seemingly endless. 300 Julia St., 299-3599, worldofbeer.com

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is consistently packed and offers tons of fresh seafood and other tropical flavors, like Jerked Chicken. Check out their balcony. 701 Tchoupitoulas St., 523-8995, nola.lucysretiredsurfers.com Mimi’s in the Marigny is a locals’ bar with classy yet affordable dishes and a self-proclaimed “house party vibe,” with excellent tapas. 2601 Royal St., 872-9868, mimismarigny.com Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar has dozens of beers on draft. It is the ultimate place for watching sports with 21 televisions. 500 Port of New Orleans Pl., 247-9265, poppystimeoutsportsbar.com Rick’s Sporting Saloon is an adult sports bar on Bourbon Street with an amazingly welcoming and warm atmosphere. 522 Bourbon St., 552-2510, rickssaloon.com Rivershack Tavern is known as New Orleans’s most unique bar with fun stools, live music, and fantastic po-boys, steaks, and salads. 3449 River Rd., 834-4938, therivershacktavern.com Shamrock Bar and Grill features the best bar games with tilted air hockey, beer pong, and pool, accompanied by live music on Saturday nights. 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 301-0938, shamrockparty.com The Tahyo Tavern is a dog-loving tavern serving all of your favorite bar food classics like juicy burgers and sloppy joes. 1140 Decatur St.,301-1991, thetahyotavern.com Three Muses Maple has a new location Uptown on Maple Street. Come in for brunch, lunch, dinner, or just for their delicious cocktails. 7537 Maple St., 510-2749, threemusesmaple.com Tracey’s Irish Bar and Restaurant is in the heart of the Irish Channel. It has great roast beef po-boys, raw oysters, and other tasty items. 2604 Magazine St., 897-5413, traceysnola.com

40 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

Café Another Broken Egg Café offers a huge menu with all the breakfast and brunch food you could want with fluff y omelettes and sweets. Uptown, Lakeview, 301-2771, anotherbrokenegg.com Bagels and Bytes brings the Big Apple to the Big Easy. Their bagel and lox is the best version in New Orleans. 1001 Metairie Rd., 831-7968, facebook.com/ bagelsandbytes Biscuits & Buns on Banks has been featured in USA Today’s list for best biscuits and on Thrillist for best New Orleans breakfasts. 4337 Banks St., 273-4600, biscuitsandbunsonbanks.com

with a colorful, lively atmosphere serving items like Blueberry Brandy French Toast. 115 Chartres St., 3099360, jimmyjscafe.com

and tourists with humongous tasty portions of all your favorites. Multiple locations, 525-9355, therubyslippercafe.com

Lakeview Brew serves delicious and healthy breakfast and brunch options alongside flaky pastries and overstuffed breakfast sandwiches. It’s a great morning stop. 5606 Canal Blvd., 483-7001, lakeviewbrew.com

Italian

Morning Call Coffee Stand is a coffee and beignetslinging institution that has been around for almost 150 years with delicious Creole classics. City Park and Metairie locations, morningcallcoffeestand.com Petite Amelie is a Royal Street extension of the lovely Café Amelie with fresh salads, juices, coffee, light breakfasts, and sandwiches. 900 Royal St., 412-8065, cafeamelie.com/petite-amelie Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe is a quaint daytime café serving fresh breakfast and lunch in the heart of Uptown just blocks from Tulane University. 7801 Panola St., 314-1810, panolastreetcafe.com The Ruby Slipper’s diner-style atmosphere has earned it a popular reputation among locals

Café Amelie is a rare gem of superb Louisiana fare, nestled in the historic 150-year-old Princess of Monaco Courtyard and Carriage House. 912 Royal St., 412-8965, cafeamelie.com Café Degas is the oldest Gallic restaurant in town, with authentic French cuisine that’s perfect for impressing that special someone. 3127 Esplanade Ave., 945-5635, cafedegas.com Café Maspero is a world-famous French Quarter institution, with simple, well-executed takes on New Orleans classics. Their muffaletta is fantastic and hot.

601 Decatur St., 523-6520, cafemaspero.com Cafe Navarre serves fresh food for every meal from the expert chefs behind Riccobono’s Peppermill and Panola Street Cafe. 800 Navarre Ave., 483-8828, cafenavarre.com Caffe! Caffe! is one of the best cafés in Metairie and boasts a menu featuring items like salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps. Two Metairie locations, caffecaffe.com Jimmy J’s Café is a funky breakfast and lunch spot

NOLABoilsCafé

Mardi Gras Zone looks like a corner store from outside, but it houses an enormous selection of ethnic groceries and brick-oven pizza. 2706 Royal St., 947-8787 Mellow Mushroom bakes some of the best pizza in the South with a funky fun vibe and trivia night for fact-seeking enthusiasts. Multiple locations, 345-8229, mellowmushroom.com/store/oak-street-nola Mid-City Pizza has creative pies and appetizers available for delivery. Their new Uptown location near Tulane University will be opening soon. 4400 Banks St., 483-8609, midcitypizza.com Pascal’s Manale has been an Uptown institution for over a century and should be visited by all. Get their world-famous BBQ shrimp. 1838 Napoleon Ave., 8954877, pascalsmanale.com

Red Gravy serves unique and delicious Italian fare and is known as one of the top brunch spots in the city.

125 Camp St., 561-8844, redgravycafe.com

that will remind you of home-cooked comfort food. Get their juicy, thinly sliced roast beef. 615 Kepler St., 3651225, dawabbit.net/dine-in.html

you guessed it, amazing gumbo! Savory additions like andouille and blue crab are a must. 630 St. Peter St., 525-1486, gumboshop.com

Venezia is a New Orleans staple for amazing Italian food. This neighborhood favorite offers expertlycooked pastas, seafood, and heavily-praised classic pizzas. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-7991, venezianeworleans.com

Columns Hotel is a Victorian mansion built in 1883. It draws in the best and classiest crowds from all over. 3811 St. Charles Ave., 899-9308, thecolumns.com/dining

Joey K’s is a classic, casual Uptown joint with generous seafood platters and Southern favorites. Daily unlimited catfish for only $13.95! 3001 Magazine St., 891-0997, joeyksrestaurant.com

Mexican Caretta’s Grill serves up Tex-Mex in locations all over NOLA, complemented by great service, wonderful margaritas, and catchy live music. Multiple locations, carrettasgrillrestaurant.com Izzo’s Illegal Burrito makes authentic Mexican burritos that are so good, it might be criminal! Their Magazine Street location features delivery as well.

Multiple locations, izzos.com

Middle Eastern Lebanon’s Café has earned a reputation in New Orleans as one of the best Middle Eastern dining destinations in the city. BYOB! 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-6200, lebanonscafe.com

Cornet, named after Louis Armstrong’s kick starter from the Karnofsky Family, has steaks, seafood, and New Orleans fare. 700 Bourbon St., 523-1485, cornetnola.com Crescent City Brewhouse is the French Quarter’s only microbrewery, but they don’t stop at beer. They also have a large and excellent menu. 527 Decatur St., 522-0571, crescentcitybrewhouse.com Crossroads at House of Blues is a bright rock and blues-themed national chain that offers delicious food in the heart of your favorite music venue. 225 Decatur St., 310-4999, houseofblues.com/neworleans/crossroads EAT is located in the heart of the French Quarter. It is a BYOB restaurant offering farm-to-table Cajun and Southern meals. 900 Dumaine St, 522-7222,eatnola.com Gumbo Shop is a world-famous restaurant serving,

Mona’s Café serves Lebanese specialties with multiple locations around town, so you don’t have to go far for Mona’s Combination Kebab. Multiple locations, monascafeanddeli.com Pyramids Café is great for those on a budget who are craving healthy, authentic, fresh Mediterranean cuisine like falafel and hummus. 3149 Calhoun St., 861-9602, pyramidscafeneworleans.com

Mandina’s doesn’t skimp on portions, nor do they skimp on flavor. Their garlic crab claws will have you licking the plate. 3800 Canal St., 482-9179, mandinasrestaurant. com Melba’s is an outstanding 24-hour breakfast and soul food restaurant only five minutes from the French Quarter. 1525 Elysian Fields, 267-7765, eatatmelbas.com

TheRubySlipper

Don's Seafood is a family-friendly sit-down spot for great fried and boiled seafood, steaks and Cajun fare in a low-key, casual setting. 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 889-1550, donsseafoodonline.com Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant has been serving some of the finest seafood and steaks for years, with recipes passed down for generations. 738 Poland Ave., 9439914, Jackdempseys.net

The Original Fiorella’s Cafe offers both delicious Southern favorites and Italian classics. Stop in and enjoy their tasty fried chicken or their veal parmesan. 5325 Franklin Ave., 309-0352, originalfiorellas.com

Nola Boils Café does on- and off-site seafood boils and fresh po-boys. Their mobile boil truck offers the perfect party experience. 601 Metairie Rd., 782-6070, nolaboils.com

Poppa’s Poor Boys has some of the best po-boys in town with generous portions and modest prices. Enjoy the boiled crawfish and shrimp. 720 Claiborne Dr., 832-8114

Oceana Grill is a Conti Street seafood classic with some of the most tender crab cakes the Crescent City has to offer. 739 Conti St., 525-6002, oceanagrill.com

Seafood

Antoine’s Restaurant has been in New Orleans for over 175 years and is still operated by the family that originally founded it. 713 Saint Louis St., 581-4422 antoines.com

Crazy Lobster Bar and Grill offers fresh seafood and great views on the banks of the Mississippi with an array of Creole and Cajun classics. 500 Port of New Orleans Pl., 569-3380, thecrazylobster.com

Lafitte’s Landing Seafood House is a new Westbank favorite hailing from veteran restaurateurs AJ and Anna Tusa, who own the Creole Cookery among others. 1700 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey, 252-9613, lafitteslandingseafoodhouse.com

Short Stop Poboys boasts some of the best po-boys, even in a city full of them. Don’t miss their soft shell crab po-boy. 119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, 885-4572, shortstoppoboysno.com

New Orleans Cuisine

The Blue Crab has parking for both boats and cars, for those ready to enjoy some of the freshest seafood around. 7900 Lakeshore Dr., 284-2898, thebluecrabnola.com

New Orleans Creole Cookery has a variety of traditional Louisiana dishes including Shrimp Creole and Gumbo Three Different Ways. 508 Toulouse St., 524-9632, neworleanscreolecookery.com

The Praline Connection is a Frenchmen Street favorite.

Food comes with a NOLA accent as they serve authentic local cuisine at affordable prices. 542 Frenchmen St., 943-3934, pralineconnection.com

The Halal Guys is an internationally famous NYC transplant that has been selling chicken, gyros, and other halal-style food for 25 years. CBD Location and NEW Freret Location, thehalalguys.com

Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit is a Westbank favorite

Kingfish offers contemporary Louisiana specialties in the French Quarter and has an elegant atmosphere and Louisiana favorites. 337 Chartres St., 598-5005, kingfishneworleans.com

acmeoyster.com

Royal House Oyster Bar has spacious and open decor with fun on the half-shell. You’re guaranteed to have a great time. 441 Royal St., 528-2601, royalhouserestaurant.com

Vegetarian Seed takes a vegan spin on pan-Southern classics. Try their outstanding gumbo with spicy seitan or delve into the eggplant po-boy. 1330 Prytania St., 302-2599, seedyourhealth.com

Acme Oyster House has been the premier New Orleans raw and charbroiled oyster house since it opened its doors in 1910. Multiple locations,

Japanese Restaurant, Sushi & Such Mon – Thur 11:30 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm Sun 5 – 9 pm SushiNOLA.com | @NolaSushi 899-6532| 5130 Freret St.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 41

BarGuide Bar Mon Cher 817 St. Louis St. 644-4278

A historic French Quarter home converted into a casually elegant jazz bar, Bar Mon Cher offers delicious cocktails in a comfy living room setting.

Bar Tonique 820 N Rampart St. 324-6045

Known for its delicious craft cocktails and daily drink specials, this neighborhood bar is the perfect spot for cocktail hipsters.

Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038

Highlighted in Esquire as one of the “Best Bars in America,” comfort foods and signature drinks will keep you coming back.

Cajun Mike's Pub and Grub Prices for food and drink at Mike’s are among the lowest in the neighborhood, and the atmosphere 116 Baronne St. is friendly, loose, and genuine.

566-0055 Cosimo's 1201 Burgundy St. 522-9715

Close to Bourbon But Nothing Like it...

Welcome Home er

Mon Ch

"This place is a hidden gem.

Just off Bourbon..."

Mondays 7P

-Nickie T.

Burlesque Bingo

"Love love love this place.

Great staff, entertainment, and drinks."

Thursdays 9P Bats in the Belfry

-Susan R.

"Just a step off Bourbon Street and a world away."

Friday-Sunday Nights

Live Jazz & Blues

-Patty D.

Try Our Blue Champagne!

Open Mon & Tues 4p-2a Thurs-Sun noon-4a

barmoncher.com/events for calendar b

www.barmoncher.com 504-644-4278

42 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

817 St Louis

Cosimo's is a great place to kill time in the Quarter, with darts, pool, outdoor cafe tables, and usually a dog or two.

Crescent City Brewhouse New Orleans’s only French Quarter microbrewery, Crescent City Brewhouse features great live jazz 527 Decatur St. nightly to go along with fantastic food and cold beer.

522-3901 Effervescence 1036 N. Rampart St. 509-7644

A brand new champagne bar specializing in various sparkling wines and champagnes as well as a full bar and small-plate dining.

Finn McCool's 3701 Banks St. 486-9080

This Irish pub is a local hotspot for sports. Grab a pint and get glued to the screen during your favorite game.

Gattuso’s 435 Huey P Long Ave. 368-1114

Head to the Best Bank, the Westbank, for live music, casual lunches, and delicious dinner and Happy Hour specials.

Golden Lantern 1239 Royal St. 529-2860

Grab a tasty Bloody Mary at this fabulous 24-hour neighborhood spot, the home setting for the Southern Decadence festival.

Hermes Bar at Antoine's 725 St. Louis St. 581-4422

Experience that classic-style New Orleans flair alongside some delicious eats and classic cocktails at one of the city’s best restaurants.

House of Blues 225 Decatur St. 310-4999

Come visit this lively restaurant and bar for Happy Hour, lunch & dinner and live music. With their bold and classic menu, you will always leave satisfied!

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493

This unpretentious bar has 10 TVs, late-night pub grub, and 100 beers. Pace yourself—Jimani doesn’t empty out til 8 a.m.

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

Get all your live Irish music needs covered here.

Enjoy an Irish coffee alongside their folk, jazz, or blues acts.

Martine's Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd. 831-8637

A great local bar in Old Metairie where everybody knows your name, this is one of the BEST craft cocktail spots in the city.

The Metropolitan 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. 568-1702

A warehouse-turned-nightclub that has the best DJs around. Features all types of music from house to hip hop to rock.

Pal's Lounge 949 N Rendon St. 488-7257

This hidden gem in Mid-City is filled with great drinks and lively locals. Come for Sunday Funday or try the Bacon Bloody Mary.

Rick’s Cabaret 315 Bourbon St. 524-4222

Enjoy a cocktail on the Borbon Street balcony, or enjoy the sights indoors on one of their three floors.

The epitome of New Orleans nightlife.

Rick's Sporting Saloon 522 Bourbon St. 552-2510

The Sporting Saloon is a hybrid of a sports bar and gentleman’s club. They have a bevy of bar foods and beers.

Rivershack Tavern 3449 River Rd. 834-4938

Come on by to one of the city’s quirkiest bars for some great live music and tasty eats. Bring in a tacky ashtray for a free drink!

Rivershack Tavern Gretna With the addition of this newer location, you can now enjoy Rivershack’s unique, quirky charm on 714 1st St., Gretna both sides of the Mississippi.

325-5530

Three Muses Maple 7537 Maple St. 510-2749

Three Muses Maple is a spot where local jazz combos perform in a chill bar and eatery serving up global small plates and delicious house cocktails.

Wit's Inn 141 N Carrollton Ave. 486-1600

Wit’s Inn has a sprawling selection of top-shelf liquors and creative cocktails to mix them in, plus themed specials almost nightly.

World of Beer 300 Julia St. 299-3599

A local hangout featuring 500+ global beers, lots of craft beer drafts, tavern food in pub digs, and plenty of TVs for the big game.

FilmReviews

Catch all of Where Y'at's film reviews

by Movie Editor David Vicari and Critic Fritz Esker at WhereYat.com.

Beauty and the Beast

By Fritz Esker After Cinderella and The Jungle Book, Disney continues its trend of making serviceable but unspectacular live-action updates of its classic animated properties with director Bill Condon’s Beauty and the Beast.

Emma Watson plays Belle, the bookish outsider in a small French village being pursued by the arrogant Gaston (Luke Evans). Her inventor father (Kevin Kline) becomes a prisoner in a castle owned by a beast (Dan Stevens), a rich young man cursed to that fate by an enchantress he refused to shelter in a storm. The curse, which also applies to Stevens’s servants who have been turned into living pieces of furniture, can only be lifted if the Beast gets a woman to love him.

When Watson shows up to trade places with her father, a slow relationship begins between her and the Beast. The original film ran a compact 84 minutes, but the new version runs 129 minutes. It’s very leisurely in putting Watson and Stevens together. Despite Watson and Stevens’s talents, the relationship never quite soars on screen. The film is at its liveliest when the servants are interacting with each other or Watson.

But for much of its running time, Beauty and the Beast moves on cruise control. Disney is too savvy to release a total turkey, but it seems like the creative innovation that led to the Mouse’s artistic renaissance from The Little Mermaid through The Lion King is lacking.

Kong: Skull Island

By David Vicari

Sequels and follow-ups have rarely been nice to the giant ape known as King Kong. Now we have Kong: Skull Island, a stand-alone adventure that is not a sequel to Peter Jackson's 2005 respectable King Kong remake, but rather a precursor to a new King Kong vs. Godzilla remake.

Set during the Vietnam War era, a team of scientists, with a military escort, explore an island in the Pacific that is not on any map. Of course, this island is the domain of the mighty Kong as well as other prehistoric monsters. The seismic charges used by the expedition have awakened some nasty subterranean creatures, and the humans only hope for survival is Kong.

Among the many characters, we have the lead secretive scientist (John Goodman), the crazed military leader (Samuel L. Jackson), the guide/adventurer (Tom Hiddleston, who has little to do), and the beautiful female photographer (Brie Larson, who looks like she's in a L’Oréal commercial in every shot). Then there is John C. Reilly as a man who has been marooned on the island since World War II. Yeah, he kind of plays it too modern, but Reilly's character, Hank Marlow, is a hoot. He and Larson come off best in a sea of paper thin characters.

There is barely a plot, but it is compensated by excellent CGI effects and some cool set pieces, like a giant spider and its bamboo-like legs in the bamboo forest, or a creature that has just swallowed a camera flashbulb trying to be detected through a thick fog.

Kong: Skull Island is a fun monster mash, and I am looking forward to the Godzilla and Kong rematch.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 43

TalesFromTheQuarter

By Debbie Lindsay

Political Persuasion

I

t has always been my regret that I was not of an age to join the Selma to Montgomery Freedom March. Well, be careful what you wish for. While our country has been no stranger to protests, rallies, and marches before and since that time during the Civil Rights struggle, we are now facing something perhaps even more pervasive. These are dangerous times. And the appointment of a certain Alabamian for attorney general puts me right back in those shameful times when I was a kid growing up in Mobile. I was safe, I was protected, I was white. But today, I fear we are all under attack.

Our country seems to be caught in some surreal Saturday Night Live skit. If only it really was Alec Baldwin. I am fortunate to live in a bright blue city—doesn’t change the outcome of the election—but I am sure grateful for the camaraderie of commiseration. Since November 8, I cannot get enough of the news—I am drawn to it like a car wreck. I never rubberneck at a roadside tragedy (unless there is an opportunity to lend a hand); it is morbid and in poor taste.

Yet, this is different and, as one friend put it, we are in that car that just crashed.

Railing is fine if constructively channeled. It is truly important that we take our activated outrage and use it to mitigate whatever harm this administration might bring to our democracy, environment, diplomacy, and relationships with other countries. Perhaps as I write this, things will have begun to simmer down at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and the president will rethink and resolve to take a smarter approach to governing … or not. Do I see all this as glass half full/half empty or just plain toxic? Well, I am certainly not going to sip from it. But, can I, can you, find a way to filter this glass and make it more palatable? YES! As Barack said, “Yes we can.”

Marching and attending rallies, protests, sit-ins, and other public forums orchestrated for taking a stand against the negative and beyond-the-pale policies and cabinet appointments have set records since the election—but some do not make me particularly proud. Any group that “acts a fool” does the cause they support harm. Vandalism only fuels the opposition. If you really want a march or rally to have cred, then do not deface someone’s property with posters that are next to impossible to remove without damage. Do not place flyers and posters over

44 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

existing graffiti unless you want to be associated with property damage. Be grown-up, and get permission to place placards and/or clean the signage up yourself immediately after the event.

Also, consider the photo op that hopefully will happen. It is important that a march be seen and reported on social media, television, and newspapers—otherwise, you are merely preaching to the choir. So, be prepared to make a statement with your appearance. Take a lesson from the participants of the Civil Rights era: they wore suits and ties, dresses, and practiced respect. Do not give the “other side” any excuse to dismiss your cause, efforts, and/ or candidate. When phoning or emailing senators about an issue, imply that you might be cut from the same cloth and politely, but firmly, let them know that if they want your votes in the future, they must consider your concerns. Don’t just preach to “your” choir, also try to persuade the folks who are not in your political party (face it, they have the power right now).

When marching on Inauguration Day, Boyfriend and I dressed in conservative business clothes. Our hope was that those watching would identify us as two of the many mainstream citizens who did not support the new president and who intend to hold Republicans’ feet to the fire. While we are both to the far left of mainstream, it didn’t hurt to present—by appearance—an example of the broader picture of dissatisfied voters.

I want to ask those of you who sat out this election, “How’s this working out for you?” and, “You still think there’s no difference between him and Hillary?” I get that many feel the system is rigged, and certainly the Electoral College makes you feel disenfranchised, but you cannot, must not, remove yourself from participation in this country of ours. Nothing will disenfranchise you more than your lack of participation. The next four years are crucial for the strengthening of a progressive voter base. And, like it or not, the only viable counter to the altright will be a Democrat. Sure, it would be great if we could vote a Green Party candidate in to the White House, but it simply—sadly—isn’t going to happen in the next four years. However, we can start supporting and growing the Green Party now on city and state levels and seek positions in the Senate and House. Start locally, and then race hard and steady towards the national scene.

It is time to start thinking about the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, most of which will be held on Tuesday, November 6. Beginning now, pay close attention to who will be running and who you want to support—and remember, this is when every vote counts, as there is no Electoral College for these. You and I can make a difference. Let’s start turning our red states blue.

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for grabs, just as 34 out of 100 Senate seats will be challenged. Also on the 2018 ballots will be 39 governorships along with many additional state and local elections. (Louisiana’s next gubernatorial election is 2019.)

We need to work the system—such as it is—and call, write, and speak to elected officials, both Democrat and Republican. Be heard. Support our free press—subscribe to newspapers and magazines that stand tall and report the truth. Read and stay engaged. Our country is depending on us.

Po-BoyViews

By Phil LaMancusa

Rinse and Repeat OR Aging (Dis)gracefully

S

ubjectively, no one grows old in increments; one day, all of a sudden, you see your reflection in a mirror (or in someone else’s eyes), and you ask yourself who that old person is, and it’s you. Of course, you make light of it: “Shucks, if I knew I was gonna live this long, I woulda taken better care of myself (diet, finances, exercise, dentistry, dreams, aspirations, family commitments, love, and/or life in general)!” That sarcasm doesn’t wash well as a rationale, and even you can see the flaws in it. So, you lose yourself in memories, including the memories of the different bodies that you’ve inhabited along the way. Ponder, if you will: time is a thief; it steals all of the selves that you ever were.

What is your earliest memory? Is it being tossed in the air (and caught) by some big person, being cuddled, being suckled?

Standing in your crib crying because your diaper is full, you’ve just woken up, and you’re alone in a dark room? Perhaps your memories don’t go back that far.

How about the feeling of being little around bigger people? Learning, in a group of kids your own size, to deal with the politics of school? Falling in love with your first grade teacher; learning to tie your shoes, read phonetically, sit patiently with hands folded; or taking a forced nap after “cookies and milk time”? Or, having your rage suppressed?

What about being told to go to bed when you’re not tired; getting awakened before you’ve slept enough; told to clean your plate, drink your juice, get dressed, get dressed, you’re not wearing that! and button up your overcoat?

What was your first nightmare?

You grow into a preteen and your voice changes, your feet and nose get bigger, you’re judged by how well you play sports, pull off mischief without getting caught, defend yourself physically and verbally. You want to belong somewhere, but you don’t seem to fit anywhere. You tell your mother that you didn’t ask to be born. Your face breaks out.

High school happens and your hormones rage; everyone is against you; you learn to slow dance, French kiss, have a crush, go steady, and get your heart broken; rinse and repeat.

You join a tribe, rebel, study, and can’t wait to get it all over with. Nobody understands the “real” you: you’re artistic, sensitive, all-knowing.

Finally, you get a driver’s license, a Social Security card, a part-time job, an acoustic guitar, and a peer group. You sing out for social justice.

You graduate into a radical departure: you leave home, join a band, cult, fraternity/ sorority, or the Army. You’re drinking with the best of them, no longer a virgin, doing your own laundry, and you can play your music as loud as you want. You have roommates, you watch art movies, discuss philosophy, name

your cat Rimbaud, roll your own (cigarettes).

You protest inequality. At this point, there is so much to do in life that you get very little done.

It’s okay, you’re young, free, and independent; you wire home for money. You visit the folks on holidays and surprise them with your new wardrobe, hairstyle, and ability to talk adverse politics peppered with expletives.

At 21, you’re exhausted: you’ve taken lovers, gotten a tattoo, had a brush with the law, been fired for incompetence. At 25: you’re golden; 27: you’ve been kicked to the curb; 28: you give up; 30: you settle into a career. It’s time to get serious about relationships, money, security, and the possibility of having a family of your own, a golden retriever named Marilyn, 401k, and a car that is dependable. You buy insurance, use your degree to get ahead, and embrace the responsibilities you once avoided.

The years tick by in a flash. You take on more than three people should. You start a business, buy a house, raise kids, or live alone in an apartment with a tank of tropical fish and the work that you’ve taken home from the office. You’ve been paying your dues and bills, you’ve fallen down and picked yourself back up. People count on you; you’ve found and lost Jesus on several occasions; you’re the life of the party, the master of the snappy comeback, always ready with a smoke or a joke. Shot at and missed, sh*t at and hit.

Settling into what might pass for maturity, you trudge along, taking happiness in your accomplishments, disregarding your shortcomings, everyone around you finally knows what can be expected of you. People around you get sick, get well, some of them die. Younger acquaintances get married; you go to weddings, funerals, baptisms, and sometimes you just send a gift. You forget birthdays. You get regular checkups, quit smoking, and cut back on the booze. You don’t understand the current musical trends or electronic gadgets and don’t know who these people are at the Academy Awards. All young people start to look alike and upstarts begin to call you “Sir” (or “Ma’am”). You still pay attention, you’re interested in the news, you remember when you marched and protested—you believed that good would triumph over evil.

And then one morning, you see that that old person in the mirror is you, and today, you tarry a little longer and look deeply at that face.

It’s a good face. A roadmap of decades of a life; lines of laughter, sadness, worry, and joy.

A scar here and there where a memory was born, an obstacle overcome, a time where you were laid low by an enemy—or worse—by a friend. A scowl, surprise, suspicion, sorrow, or a satisfaction, leaving telltale signs that are unseen from the inside but apparent when viewed in the looking glass (or someone else’s eyes). So much done; so much more to do.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 45

YaGram

Below are our staff's favorite #NOLA hashtags on Instagram for March. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

LouisianaDeadLastin"BestStates"Poll @mybestfriendhank

@east_atx23dad

@nola_val

Louisiana ranked last of “Best States” in U.S. News & World Report. The state scored low in health care (16%), education (14%), infrastructure, crime and corrections, and opportunity (14%), economy (13%), and government (10%).

Out of the 50 states, Louisiana ranked 50 in crime and corrections; 49 in opportunity; 46 in education, economy, and government; and 45 in healthcare.

MirrenToSpeakAtTulaneCommencement @baleyzhao

@kelseysocial

@eiserific

@estee_strooker

@geauxlaydown

@ireneplu

TweetBites

Below are our staff's New Orleans hashtag picks from Twitter for March. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

Helen Mirren (The Queen and Woman in Gold) will give the keynote address at Tulane University’s 2017 commencement in the MercedesBenz Superdome. Mirren, who will be receiving a doctorate from the university, says she looks forward to giving her commencement speech.

The university is thrilled to have Mirren as both graduate and speaker.

Dave&BustersNOLAOpeningInMay The construction of Dave & Busters is in progress at 1200 Poydras Street. The six-story development will also include a parking garage and retail shops. The corporation is now accepting applications and looking to fill a range of positions, including servers, bartenders, dishwashers, managers and support technicians to repair and maintain games.

@emmaleighh017: Love my little car but I legit need an off-road vehicle just to get to work in one piece #nolastreets @lizabethbel: Abita on draft and shrimp po'boy, sitting outside in 80 degree weather while listening to live jazz. Yes please @kenmyers: Is it sacrilege to say that the beignets at Morning Call are better (lighter, fluffier, tastier) than the ones at Cafe Du Monde? @LionelGasperini: New Orleans is such a beautiful place! My first time here, people are amazing... #neworleans @sarahgnz30: It's not even 5 and my family and I are all drunk already #NOLA @TheBillyBatson: Awww, man. Crawfish. Red potatoes and corn. I can just smell the boil.

Bless y'all's little hearts. #NOLA

46 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

SesameStreetIntroducesAutisticCharacter Sesame Street wants to introduce Julia, a Muppet with autism. Years in the making, she has been the centerpiece of an initiative by the Sesame Workshop, "Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children."

Julia will make her Sesame Street debut in the "Meet Julia" episode airing April 10 on PBS and HBO.

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 47

Where Ya' Been?

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Trixie Minx, Lauren Leblanc Haydel, Amanda Shaw and Joesph Zolfo enjoy the Greasing of the Poles.

6.

Jazz Fest’s David Foster and wife Jennifer enjoyed Fat Tuesday.

2.

Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and friend has a great time at Bacchus Bash at Generations Hall.

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The bartenders at Barcadia made specialty cocktails during the RumChata Cocktail Contest Finals.

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RumChata’s Ron Bentsen enjoyed the RumChata Cocktail Contest Finals with winner Lexi Winston.

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St. Patrick’s Day was one for the dogs.

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Partygoers wore green during the Irish Channel Block Party.

9.

Selfies and dancing were all the rage at BUKU Music + Art.

5.

BUKU Music + Art featured great music and performance art.

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48 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

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10. Top Taco’s Shane Finkelstein costumed on Fat Tuesday with wife Courtney and Tamara LeBlanc-Bay.

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14 11. Saints' Thomas Morestead prepares for the Greasing of the Poles with a Oui Dat. 12. Zulu ruled on Mardi Gras Day. 13. Judges (from left) Trixie Minx, Leroy Mitchell, Nikki Reyes, and Carolyn Scofield toast at the RumChata Cocktail Contest Finals.

14. Chefs Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer of Josephine Estelle, and Davin and Kellan Bartosch of Wiseacre Brewing Company enjoy a Wiseacre beer pairing dinner.

15. Fox 8’s Nancy Parker and Benny Grunch enjoy crawfish during the Where Y’at Chat.

DAYE N KAG DUBO AU AN Y DA TO KE MA PAC E ENC ERI WITH THE AUDUBON EXP best value! three ATTRACTIONS, ONE PRICE. COUNTLESS POSSIBILITIES. THE AUDUBON EXPERIENCE PACKAGE INCLUDES ENTRY TO: AUDUBON ZOO 6500 MAGAZINE STREET, UPTOWN

Cool Zoo, A Wild and Wet Splash Park* | Open Spring and Summer AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS CANAL STREET AT THE RIVER

Snorkel or dive in the Great Maya Reef.

A new underwater adventure!*

FOLLOW US ON:

AUDUBON BUTTERFLY GARDEN and INSECTARIUM 423 CANAL STREET

"A top museum for you and your kids" - CNN.com Be sure to visit the Golf Club at Audubon Park for world-class golf and dining.

Uptown in Audubon Park.

IN NEW ORLEANS, LA VISIT AUDUBONNATUREINSTITUTE.ORG.

*Separate admission fee required

WhereYat.com | April 2017 | 49

The Blind Pelican offers wonderful local seafood specials and drinks 365 days a year. The 25-cent Oyster Happy Hour is not to be missed, 4 to 8 p.m. every day. The chargrilled oysters are also the best, and are delivered fresh from Hopedale, LA, every morning, seven days a week! Come join us for the best food, drinks and atmosphere on St. Charles Ave.

Chat NIKKI REYES with

<< Nancy Parker Multi Emmy Award-Winning News Anchor, FOX8 WVUE

<< Steve Seeber Owner, Samuel's Blind Pelican 1.

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Hello...

My ass.

Ooo La-La...

From a hole, visiting his buddy Groundhog.

I'm 55, Nikki! I have no stamina.

<< Jimmy Buckingham Head Bartender Extraordinaire, Samuel's Blind Pelican 1.

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So listen to this...

Slow walkers.

Lucky by Britney Spears Blind Pelican with his belly full of ersters!

Anything by my songstress, SADÉ!

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5.

1. April is National Card and Letter Writing Month and you write a letter to yourself. What would be your first words?

2. April 2 is Jazz In The Park's 1st Annual Treme Crab Fest!

What makes you "crabby"?

3. It's French Quarter Fest! You're asked to the stage to sing a song. What song would you sing?

4. Her comes Peter Cotton Tail! Where was he coming from?

5. What makes you wanna "do it like bunny rabbits" and never stop?

You are so good looking...

Not enough sleep.

Blue Monday Samuel's Blind Pelican The fact that no VIAGRA needed!

<< Stephanie Loman Development/Executive Officer, French Quarter Fest 1.

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Dear Nancy ... BREATHE. Cellulite.

Shake Your Thing The bank!

When my husband sings anything, "Lionel Richie"...

Where Y’at Chat Questions:

<< Dexter Stephens Manager/The Crawfish Boiler, Samuel's Blind Pelican 1.

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WOW! Uncooperative partners.

Let The Sunshine In HEAVEN! My Hubs!

<< Benny Grunch Benny Grunch and The Bunch 1.

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I'm still "dere" some more!!!!....

Da streets!

The G.E.D. Fight Song The 7 Seas on Decatur!

I am a sucker for a neat lady bunny tail!

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Behave yourself...

People who refuse to listen!

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans An all-nighter on Frenchmen Street!

Pinching tails and sucking heads! DEM CRAWFISH!

Don't eat too much Easter candy...

Having a bad meal in New Orleans!

I Did It My Way Low Cost Animal Medical Center.

Full Moon!

<< Remus Bowman Founder, You and Your Credit

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50 | April 2017 | Where Y'at Magazine

^^ "Pal Al" Nassar Bonafide Radio Personality, WTIX 94.3 FM

<< Copey Pulitzer Founder/Chairman, Low Cost Animal Medical Center

<< Cari Roy Celebrity New Orleans Psychic Medium I am lucky...

Not enough sleep.

Pennies from Heaven Frenchmen Street.

Intellect!

Happy Hour with Nikki Reyes on Fridays at 5 p.m. on WGSO 990 AM

Lets go...

People who don't hear warnings.

Rihanna's Love On The Brain Making EVERYBODY happy!

I'm selective, yet I do IT everytime!

Let’s get

SOCIAL Distinctively local. Remarkably delicious. Notably fun.

On the corner of the city and at the heart of everything — Julia and Tchoupitoulas — you’ll find New Orleans Social House. Live music, small plates, craft cocktails and world-class wines. www.noshneworleans.com

Opens late April.