Gambit Digital Edition: November 3, 2025

® November 3-9 2025 Volume 46 Number 44

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

The Kondabolu bump

Comedian Hari Kondabolu comes to Sports Drink

COMEDIAN HARI KONDABOLU DOESN’T

THINK THERE’S MUCH of a Kondabolu bump, but he has made an endorsement in the New York City mayor’s race. He’s throwing his weight behind Zohran Mamdani, the young progressive who pulled a major upset over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.

“I have known Zohran since he was like 18 years old,” Kondabolu says via phone from his Brooklyn home. “He went to my alma mater (Bowdoin College in Maine), and his mom asked me if I’d tell him what the school was like before he went.

“During his four years, we kept in touch. And we kept in touch after that. I did a fundraiser for him when he was running for assemblyman. I have known for a while that this kid was special, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t think he’d be mayor.”

Right after the Nov. 4 election, Kondabolu comes to New Orleans for shows on Nov. 7-8 at Sports Drink. These are the final shows before he records his new comedy special in Chicago the following week.

Kondabolu has a background in working for immigrants’ rights and has always talked about racism and colonialism in his comedy. He’s also a frequent panelist on the NPR news quiz show “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me.” But for whatever reason, he’s apparently caught some attention in the political sphere.

He tells a story about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reaching out to him in 2017, before she won the 14th congressional district in New York. She sent him a direct message on the app formerly known as Twitter, explaining that she was running a grassroots progressive campaign to represent parts of Queens and the Bronx, and she expressed interest in collaborating with him.

Kondabolu replied, “I am pretty busy right now. Why don’t you get back to me next year.”

He also called her “Alexis” in his message.

Despite not getting his endorsement, she won.

He sheepishly admits that on the night she won, he direct messaged her, “You did it. I knew you’d win.” Since that election, other politicians have reached out to him.

“When candidates reach out now, I am more likely to say yes to what they’re asking me to do,” he says.

by Will Coviello |

Kondabolu hadn’t been involved in campaign politics before, but Louisianans may remember some of his work on Twitter. In 2015, when thenGov. Bobby Jindal launched his presidential campaign, Kondabolu made the hashtag “#bobbyjindalssowhite” go viral. Kondabolu tweeted “#bobbyjindalssowhite he mispronounces his own name,” and other biting jokes about Jindal downplaying his Indian identity. Others piled on, like comedian Aasif Mandvi: “U might be a #Jindian if u r the son of immigrants who is anti-immigrant.” Others jabbed “#bobbyjindalssowhite he couldn’t win a spelling bee” and “#bobbyjindalssowhite he thinks ketchup is spicy.” The hashtag also went viral on Indian Twitter.

Not long after, Kondabolu set his sights on Apu, the Indian immigrant character who runs a convenience store on “The Simpsons.” In the documentary, Kondabolu questioned some aspects of the show’s only regularly appearing character of Indian heritage, and that the character was voiced by white comedian Hank Azaria.

Kondabolu then released a couple of comedy specials. In the most recent, 2023’s “Vacation Baby,” he spent a lot of time talking about his experiences becoming a father, including realizing how much better his parents treated their grandchild than him.

For his upcoming special, he’s not working with a central theme, he says. It’s a mix of pop culture, politics,

observations about racism, and some more about his son.

His young son may not yet appreciate his online work.

“The biggest competitor to children is the iPhone,” Kondabolu says.

“So many times, my kid is like, ‘Put the phone down, Dad. Put the phone down.’ ”

He’ll film the special at The Den Theatre in Chicago.

Though he’ll be releasing that soon, he expects to tour less next year. He will be writing a memoir, which he’s signed on to do with Penguin Books via New York actor and comedian Phoebe Robinson’s imprint, Tiny Reparations Books.

He’s been working on a couple of chapters so far, and he expects it to be largely a collection of comedic reflections.

“I think about jokes and imagine if I had more pages to tell them,” he says. “When you’re writing a joke, you’re cutting the fat. But the fat ends up being the juiciest shit half the time. It ends up being the stuff that gives more character and contextualizes things.

“This is going to give me the room. When I was in Denmark, somebody told me to go back to America. The full story is a lot richer than that simple punchline.”

He says he’ll also likely include a chapter about Apu and the aftermath of the documentary.

Kondabolu also just launched a podcast, but not really a comedy one. He’s teamed up with Dr. Priyanka Wali on “Health Stuff.” She also does stand-up but is better known as a physician. Together they talk about everything from using ketamine to treat depression to red food dyes, diabetes and menopause.

“My job is the humor, and the humanity is the doctor’s part,” Kondabolu says.

Hari Kondabolu performs at 7 & 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8, at Sports Drink. Tickets are $29.69 via sportsdrink.org.

Treme Creole Gumbo Festival

Presented by the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the two-day Treme Creole Gumbo Festival celebrates the historic neighborhood, the city’s music and, of course, gumbo. This year’s fest will include performances by Hot 8 Brass Band, Trumpet Mafia and more on Saturday, Nov. 8, and Rebirth Brass Band, the Original Pinettes, Quiana Lynell and more on Sunday, Nov. 9. There also will be food vendors and an arts market. The festival is free and runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Louis Armstrong Park. Find more info at jazzandheritage.org.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish released her third album “Hit Me Hard and Soft” last year and it hit the top of the charts in the U.S. and in more than 20 other countries across the globe. It’s another collection of her hushed, emotional bedroom pop, with popular singles like “Birds of a Feather” and “Lunch.” Her extended tour in support of the album includes two nights in New Orleans. At 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8, at Smoothie King Center. Find tickets via ticketmaster.com.

Charlie Musselwhite

Charles Musselwhite III was born in Mississippi but in his long career he’s come to be known for maintaining his Chicago blues style. The Grammy-winning harmonica player and bandleader has released more than 40 albums, including “Lookout Highway” in spring. He performs at 7 & 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Jazz & Blues Market. Tickets $31.45 and up via ticketmaster.com.

Scales and Ales

The Audubon Nature Institute’s annual party at the aquarium raises funds for its Audubon Aquarium Rescue and conservation programs. The event features food from local

4 TH ANNU AL CHA TEA U FLAMENC OF ESTI VA L

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NOV. 21ST

SONIDOS GITANOS

MARÍABERMÚDEZ FLAMENCO

NOV. 15TH

THE JEFFERSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

Around 10,000 New Orleanians attended the pro-democracy No Kings rally on Oct. 18 at the Lafitte Greenway lawn, organizers said. The rally was one of nearly 2,700 similar protests around the country organized against the Trump regime’s authoritarianism. In true New Orleans fashion, there were plenty of costumes and clever signs, and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins kicked off the rally with the national anthem.

OPENING GAMBIT

NEW ORLEANS NEWS + VIEWS

Who’s ready for some of that sweet, sweet long pants weather?

How to get food and where to donate in New Orleans as SNAP recipients face uncertainty

New Orleans City Council recently voted to honor Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, the iconic musician and leader of the Golden Eagles, with an intersection renaming. The intersection of Valence and Magnolia streets will now be known as Big Chief Monk Boudreaux Honorary Intersection, and the Department of Public Works will soon install new signs there.

Louisiana has seen a rise in child poverty over the last three years, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The state’s child poverty rate has jumped from 11% in 2019-21 to 19% from 2022-24, and Louisiana is now tied with Washington, D.C., for highest in the nation. The rate of poverty for people under 18 is up across the nation, and the report points to the end of public assistance programs and inflation as the reasons. 3

THE NUMBER OF BABY AFRICAN LIONS BORN OCT. 19 TO KALI AND ARNOLD AT THE AUDUBON ZOO.

It’s the pair’s second litter, and it marks the first time lions at Audubon Zoo have had three surviving cubs in a litter. Kali and the cubs are currently resting in a private habitat, but will be ready to join the rest of the pride and be seen by the public in about 11 weeks.

C’EST WHAT ?

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW ORLEANS AREA RESIDENTS ARE FACING FOOD INSECURITY and uncertainty about their SNAP benefits amid the federal government shutdown.

Although the legislature and Gov. Jeff Landry have taken some steps to fund SNAP benefits with state funds, it is unclear how many people that will cover, how long that funding will last or whether new enrollees would be able to get them while the federal government is shut down.

Landry also said Oct. 29 that 53,000 “able bodied” people in Louisiana will not receive SNAP benefits in November and suggested they “get jobs” — apparently overlooking the fact that many of these current SNAP recipients do in fact already have jobs.

At the same time, tens of thousands of Louisianans who work for the federal government or serve in the military are also furloughed, working without pay or about to be missing paychecks as a result of President Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s government shutdown. As those numbers continue to grow, it will put an increased strain on the state’s network of already overburdened food banks.

But several local organizations and individuals around the region are ramping up efforts to provide resources, including food.

These initiatives range in scope, from individuals filling small community fridges to major nonprofits providing thousands with groceries and household goods. Everyone can play a part, whether it’s by volunteering time, chipping in a few bucks, or donating goods.

This is not by any means a comprehensive list, and efforts are likely to grow in the coming weeks. Please email sravits@gambitweekly.com, and we will update this guide accordingly.

A collaboration with local businesses

New Orleans resident Kayleigh Isabella is spearheading a direct effort to reach people in need, and is collaborating with local businesses, who are hosting smaller food drives. Participants include Lapin’s Workshop (1023 Clouet St.), which accepts drop-off donations on Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. The Wellness Attendants (4700 Dryades St.) are hosting a donation drive Nov.

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7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m, seeking dry goods, feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes and canned goods.

There’s also a food drive Nov. 7 at Perk Coffee (628 N. Rampart St.), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., where donors can drop off supplies and food items, including meal kits.

Additionally, vintage clothing shop Vice & Graft (927 Royal St.) is hosting a drop-off box.

Kayleigh Isabella and volunteers will collect items from these spots and distribute items directly to families in need, either by dropping them off at homes and shelters or arranging for pick-ups.

They will also bring supplies to help stock local food pantries and community fridges. “I know not every place that offers food is accessible to everyone, so we want to cover as many bases as possible,” she told Gambit. Anyone who needs assistance or wants to find out more is encouraged to visit her Instagram page or send a direct message to _kayleigh_ isabella__ on Instagram.

Broadmoor Food Pantry

The Broadmoor Food Pantry (2021 S. Dupre St.) hosts food and grocery giveaways on Tuesdays, 10 a.m.noon and Wednesdays, 1 p.m-3 p.m. Potential clients must be Orleans Parish residents and bring to the pantry during operating hours the following: proof of income (SNAP, SSI, TANF award letter, check stubs, bank statements or utility bills) and proof of residency (utility bill, bank statement, mail). An application will need to be filled out for newcomers. The organization also accepts volunteers and monetary donations. Find out more at broadmoorimprovement.com/bfp.

Central City Community Outreach

The local nonprofit hosts food giveaways at 2203 Fourth St., every first, second and third Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursday of the month. The group gives out food between 11 a.m.-1 p.m., takes a break and resumes from 3-5 p.m. Recipients are required to show photo ID and proof of residency, such as a copy of the lease or a utility bill. The organization does not accept food but does accept monetary donations. For more information, visit centralcityco.org.

Community Center of St. Bernard

The Community Center of St. Bernard (7143 St. Claude Ave.) is accepting monetary donations to help purchase fresh and shelf-stable food. It’s also accepting nonperishable, unopened food items like canned goods, pasta, peanut butter and more. The group donates to St. Bernard Parish families and provides meals to local students through its Backpack Program. For donations, email katrina@ccofstb. com to set up a delivery time or donate online.

For families seeking assistance, the community center is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Recipients are required to show proof of address, ID, and proof of income (or lackthereof), and provide the names and birthdates of family members seeking aid. There are no guarantees, as demand is soaring, but a spokesperson told Gambit that can all change in a matter of hours, depending on how many donations they get. Visit ccofstb.com for more information.

Fred Hampton Free Store

In the Lower 9th Ward, the Fred Hampton Free Store (5523 St. Claude Ave.) is a community hub that includes a free thrift store, skate rink and gathering space. It’s also a grassroots disaster relief center that gives out supplies, including food, as well as harm reduction resources. There are no barriers to access it. For more information and updates on community events, check out instagram.com/ gnocaringcollective.

Giving Hope Food Pantries

Giving Hope is a faith-based nonprofit that provides food, clothing, shelter and fellowship. The group locally supports the New Orleans East Food Pantry (13040 I-10 Service Road), which distributes food Thursday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon; and the West Bank Food Pantry, (5151 Lapalco Blvd.) which is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Note: the West Bank location is drive-up only. Recipients of food donations must bring an ID or proof of residency. To sign up for a volunteer shift or to make a financial donation, visit givinghopenola.org/get-involved.

Grace at the Green Light

The nonprofit Grace at the Greenlight (400 N. Rampart St.) has provided the city’s unhoused population with free, hot meals, 365 days a year. The organization also connects unhoused people to other resources, like emergency assistance and access to mental

health counseling, and it works to reunite people with their families. For people seeking assistance, registration is open daily from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. For more information or to volunteer, visit graceatthegreenlight.org.

Kermit’s Mother in Law Lounge

The famed New Orleans trumpeter recently announced that he plans on making to-go plates for families with kids, Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m., starting in November. He’s asked people who are interested in helping to reach out at (504) 4358763. The lounge is located at 1500 N. Claiborne Ave.

New Orleans Community Fridges & NOLA Cans 4 Food

“Take what you need, leave what you can” is the mantra of this loosely organized mutual aid effort known as New Orleans Community Fridges, which helps stock communal fridges across the city with food, drinks and

nonperishable goods. Anyone can get involved, whether it’s by donating freshly cooked or baked food, helping stock the fridge with other supplies, contributing financially to partner organizations and keeping fridges clean. There are sometimes issues related to fridge maintenance, and the locations aren’t monitored 24/7. But overall it’s a solid way to get or receive food and build community. The network is in frequent communication, particularly through social media. The best way to stay updated is to visit nolacommunityfridges.org or check the NOLA Fridges (NOFC) — Community Group on Facebook.

Additional resources can be found at linktr.ee/nolacommunityfridges.

The updated list as of October shows fridges are operating at the following locations:

300 Wagner St. (West Bank)

401 Sala Ave. (West Bank)

1206 Touro St.

1823 Washington Ave. 1924 Jackson Ave.

1941 Marigny St. 2120 Port St. 2528 Lapeyrouse St. 3016 St. Philip St. 3908 Joliet St. 4012 Clermont Drive 5122 N. Villere St. 7100 St. Charles Ave.

On a related note, Nola Cans 4 Food (Instagram: @nolacans4food) is an effort that collects empty aluminum cans and recycles them for cash, which goes toward buying food for the fridges The group also collects gently used and cleaned containers and plastic utensils, and hosts other donation drives and community events throughout the year — all with the goal of keeping people stay fed while reducing waste. Visit linktr.ee/ nolacans4food to find out more.

Northshore Food Bank

The Northshore Food Bank (125 W. 30th Ave., Covington) is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for people seeking food and groceries. ID is not required for a first visit, though there is a brief registration process to determine eligibility. For continued assistance,

recipients are required to complete a more in-depth registration, and meet with a food bank volunteer as well as provide proof of residency, proof of meeting the USDA income guidelines and provide names, birthdates, and employment status for others seeking assistance in the same household. Once eligibility is met, the organization typically provides two boxes of food at its drive-up distribution station, including 35 pounds of fresh and shelf-stable food. The Northshore Food Bank is also accepting financial contributions and volunteers to sustain its efforts. Visit northshorefoodbank.org for more information.

St. Joseph Church Food Bank

St. Joseph Church offers a food bank through its Lantern Light Ministry program, held on the first and third Fridays of the month, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Recipients must live within the boundaries of Claiborne Avenue, Norman C. Francis Boulevard, Poydras Street and St. Louis Street. The church requires recipients to bring a copy of their lease, ID and proof of income. There are also volunteer opportunities available.

Second Harvest Food Bank

The Second Harvest Food Bank is one of the biggest networks in the South dedicated to fighting food insecurity and poverty. Like many food banks, it accepts direct donations of nonperishable items and some fresh produce. Second Harvest only accepts items in non-glass containers and encourages donors to be conscientious of nutritional value. Recommended donations include peanut butter, canned tuna,

beans and soups, pastas, rice, cereal, cooking oils, bottled water, honey, salt and pepper, and non-food items like paper products, toiletries, diapers and cleaning supplies, among others. The drop-off site is at 700 Edwards Ave. in Harahan and it’s open from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Second Harvest Food Bank also needs volunteers throughout the week at various locations. Shifts typically last from 2 to 5 hours. Sign up at no-hunger. org/volunteer. The organization also welcomes collaborators who want to host their own food drives. To host a food drive that benefits the organization, email fooddrives@no-hunger.org.

Step Up Aim High

On Nov. 25, the local nonprofit Step Up Aim High hosts its inaugural holiday event, Thankful Tuesday: A Tribute to our Elders. The organization’s goal is to give out at least 200 Thanksgiving meals to the elderly residents of the Harmony Oaks community and surrounding neighborhood in Central City. Step Up Aim High seeks donations and volunteers to show up on-site to help divvy out meals. To partner with the organization, give a financial contribution, or volunteer, visit stepupaimhigh. org/support-us.

— The Toups Family Meal program got to work cooking meals and working with volunteer delivery drivers to get meals to local families. They are now seeking donations and volunteers for the upcoming Thanksgiving season to help families in need. Find out more at toupsfamilymeal.com.

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

The United Way is providing some of the most comprehensive resources for families impacted by the shutdowns, including SNAP benefit recipients and furloughed workers. The organization partners with major food bank operations, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Northshore Food Bank, Our Daily Bread, Community Center of St. Bernard and Giving Hope and the Junior League of New Orleans. It’s currently hosting a regional food drive, collecting nonperishable items and other family essentials, including diapers, through Nov. 25. The organization is collecting funds to help strained workers and families cover essential needs, including but not limited to food, utility, and housing assistance. Find out more at unitedwaysela.org/shutdownrelief.

The organization also is going to work with the New Orleans Health Department in coming weeks to further assist people in need. Goods can be dropped off at sites affiliated with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the following locations:

J. Wayne Leonard Prosperity Center, 2401 Canal St. New Orleans East Prosperity Center, 8324 Morrison Road

Northshore Prosperity Center, 834 N. Columbia St., Covington United Way of Southeast Louisiana Resiliency Center – founded by Rebuilding Together, 2831 St. Claude Ave. Junior League of New Orleans Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet St.

Note: Additional drop-off locations will be announced UnitedWaySELA. org/FoodDrive. The drive runs through Nov. 25. Food will not be available for pick up at the drop-off locations.

That means the city will look to austerity measures and other mechanisms to keep government running, including potential furloughs, overtime restrictions for NOPD and other first responders, spending cuts that could mean infrastructure project delays and other reductions in services.

A takeover of the city by the Landry administration could have sweeping implications for life in New Orleans.

An administrator overseeing a city’s finances has enormous powers, including the ability to defund a host of human rights, environmental and health programs Republicans vehemently oppose.

Toups Family Meal

Chefs Isaac and Amanda Toups are continuing to bridge the gap of food insecurity with their nonprofit, Toups Family Meal. They’re accustomed to feeding people during times of crisis, like after hurricanes, and led major efforts to keep people fed during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2024 they expanded efforts after Gov. Jeff Landry ended Louisiana’s participation in a federal program that had provided struggling families with grocery money over the summer. With kids out of school — and unable to access free and discounted school lunches

— Sarah Ravits

Gov. Jeff Landry’s push to takeover New Orleans scuttles $125 million stopgap spending plan

NEW ORLEANS CITY OFFICIALS OCT. 29

DROPPED THEIR PLAN to ask for a short-term $125 million dollar stopgap loan through the end of the year after Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration refused to drop a takeover of city government as a precondition.

For instance, an administrator could defund city vaccination programs, education programs for kids in detention, programs for the unhoused or maternity programs that don’t discriminate on the basis of gender identity or marital status.

The state’s Bond Commission was expected to hold a hearing on the short-term loan request Thursday. But city officials decided to withdraw the request after Murrill made clear that she and Landry, who both serve on the board, would only agree to a loan if the city agreed to their takeover plans.

According to a City Hall source, Council President JP Morrell and Mayor-elect and Council Vice President Helena Moreno tried to

make the case to Murrill that “we are being responsible grownups doing all the grownup things, and here’s all the things we’re willing to do ... but the one third rail is having a financial administrator,” which would hand over de facto control of the city to Landry. That came even after the City Council earlier in the day passed a series of resolutions creating fiscal safeguards for the loan designed to ease concerns amongst other Republicans on the board.

The council also approved an investigation into Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s handling of city finances during her second term and began the process of adding additional fiscal restraints to the city’s charter, also in hopes of demonstrating the city is working to improve its financial performance.

In a statement on social media, Moreno said “the state attorney general has put a contingency ... we must allow for a fiscal administrator to come in and really take over city functions. Unfortunately, I cannot stand for that.” Moreno also dismissed the AG’s allegation that she had refused to put in place safeguards, pointing to the multiple safeguards the council passed earlier in the day. “I’m willing to do all sorts of oversight measures, but I’m not going to have a state fiscal administrator come in and take over the city of New Orleans,” Moreno said. What will happen next is unclear at best. Members of the council and the Cantrell administration are expected to meet with state lawmakers and

members of Landry’s administration next Wednesday in Baton Rouge to discuss the city’s finances.

In theory, those talks could lead to a new short-term loan request, though given Murrill and Landry’s enthusiasm for taking control of the city’s government it seems unlikely.

The council could also use the city’s so-called “rainy day fund.” With roughly $37 million, that fund could in theory fund payroll through the rest of the year – but, according to New Orleans Chief Financial Officer Romy Samuel, only payroll. That would mean vendors and other people and entities owed money wouldn’t get paid until 2026.

But using the rainy-day fund would leave the city without a cushion if, say, another massive snow storm hits the city. It also comes with an added, and potentially disastrous wrinkle: any drawdown of its funds not connected to, say, a natural disaster, could trigger a review of the city’s bond rating.

Having a good bond rating is crucial to the city’s ability to access loans and keep interest rates at a reasonable level. Zeroing out the fund could have a hugely negative impact on the city’s rating.

information from the council and the public for years, and during the council’s Oct. 29 hearing Cantrell seemingly downplayed the seriousness of the situation. In fact, there could in theory be significant funds that have been allocated to various projects but not yet spent which could in theory be used now. However, that would likely mean disruptions to a number of ongoing projects in the city.

Additionally, sources say in theory there should still be tens of millions of dollars left in American Rescue Plan Act money that could be re-directed towards funding the government through the end of the year.

The city is owed huge sums of money, including an estimated $87.5 million from the Sewerage & Water Board and $135 million in outstanding tickets amongst others, according to city officials. However, while some of those debts, including $10 million of S&WB’s, could be paid in the coming two months, most won’t, meaning additional savings will have to be found.

In her social media post, Moreno said the Landry administration’s takeover demand will likely mean potentially significant cuts.

At this point, the most likely scenario appears to be a mix of cuts, accounting maneuvers and collecting whatever debts the city can over the next month and a half to get it through the end of the year. Morrell said Oct. 29 that “everything is on the table.”

While Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration says money has essentially run out, its not really clear that is the case. The administration has had a

record of

“Ultimately there will be consequences to the fact that the attorney general apparently does not want us to figure out a path to get our funding,” she said, add “those consequences will mean some severe cuts here in the city, including overtime including public safety agencies which means potentially we’ll have cancellation of events,” pausing vendor payments, reductions in city services and more.

With the holiday season approaching, furloughs or requiring first responders to work without pay will likely be the hardest pills to swallow, though if the state continues to block a loan they could become necessary, officials acknowledged.

In fact, cuts have already begun.

The New Orleans Recreational Development Commission has already paused two programs, a Fall internship program and all of its Fitnola fitness classes, and the City Council has paused all of its purchases.

The Cantrell administration had already placed a moratorium on new hires earlier this year, and new Chief Administrative Officer Joe Threat has put in place stricter overtime rules.

The collapse, at least for now, of the short-term loan came after a whirlwind 36 hours for Moreno and Morrell.

As the two city leaders were preparing to make their case to the bond commission Oct. 28, Landry took to the conservative social media platform X to announce his opposition to the bond and ask Murrill to begin the process of a state takeover. With both Landry and Murrill sitting on the commission, it quickly became clear the fix was in before the planned Oct. 30 meeting had begun.

The following morning, Morrell convened an emergency meeting of the City Council. The plan was simple: push through a series of fiscal responsibility resolutions tied directly to the loan and begin the process of implementing broader, structural changes to how the city budgets in order to show the city’s commitment to reform.

At that meeting, the City Council approved a resolution creating a new fund for a requested short-term $125 million loan designed to wall off the money from the general fund and impose new accountability and oversight rules over its use.

Under the resolution, the city would create a specific fund to hold the $125 million loan, if approved, while requiring the city to provide the State Auditor with regular reports on how the money is spent in order to access the funds. If the city fails to meet the reporting deadlines, the auditor could withhold loan funds.

The council also introduced a charter amendment that would put in place significant new spending restrictions, most notably locking the executive branch into spending levels for the various departments agreed to under the annual budget and making the common practice of shifting funds between agencies illegal without prior council approval. It would also bar deficit spending, which has been a problem during multiple mayoral administrations. That will go before voters November 2026.

The council also approved a resolution barring any purchases by council offices for the remainder of the year, and a resolution asking the auditor to conduct a comprehensive review of “budget and accounting practices, hiring practices, employee augmentation, overtime, contracts, and federal funding” from fiscal year 2022 through 2025.

Oct. 21 the $160 million shortfall would mean it will not make payroll for the rest of the year.

“We are trying to get to the solution, find a way to build a better mouse trap and make sure everyone is on the same page,” said District A council member Joe Giarrusso, who is the budget chair.

Morrell, meanwhile, made clear the emergency hearing is the council “making an express promise to the state” to better manage the city’s money in order to win approval of the short-term loan.

On the charter change, Morrell explained that “the budget as it is currently situated in the charter, is a suggestion ... what this seeks to do is essentially mirror what is done in other jurisdictions,” adding that the council hopes it demonstrates to the public and state that “what has occurred this year will never happen again.”

Moreno agreed, noting the resolution “provides the right level of oversight to give the state comfort that all the funding we receive from this loan is being spent” correctly. Moreno also argued against a state takeover of the city’s finances, calling it “a significant adversarial move” that is unnecessary given the steps the council is taking. Meanwhile, Mayor LaToya Cantrell made a rare public appearance at the hearing during which she made her first comments at all on the budget crisis since her administration warned

Normally, Cantrell’s appearances before the council have been combative at best and typically include a long list of complaints about her treatment. But in a sign of how serious the city’s situation is, Cantrell largely struck a moderate tone during her remarks.

Cantrell told the council she would agree to the new requirements they passed, noting “we want to reduce any pressure on that rainy day fund ... we do not want to risk further reductions in terms of that rating.” She also indicated she would be happy to work with incoming Mayor Moreno’s staff to get them up to speed on financial issues.

Still, Cantrell took the chance to try and shift responsibility for the crisis off herself and her staff. She repeatedly insisted her administration hadn’t failed to inform the public of problems, occasionally appeared to downplay how bad the situation is and ultimately blamed the situation on a lack of understanding by the council.

Cantrell urged the council to “lean on your own fiscal staff,” arguing the situation “seems to be not so much what you didn’t know but a lack of understanding.”

As for the state auditor’s inquiry, Cantrell quipped “we welcome investigations, which seem to be the hallmark of your tenure here.” — John Stanton

Mayor LaToya Cantrell welcomes return of Council Clerk who sexually harassed staff

NEW ORLEANS MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL WELCOMED BACK Clerk of Council Lora Johnson to the City Council who was reinstated to her position by the Civil Service Commission despite being found to have sexually harassed and inappropriately touched staff.

The council fired Johnson in 2024, which Johnson appealed to the commission. Earlier this year the commission ruled that while Johnson had in fact harassed and touched employees, they were reinstating her anyway because it had not hurt productivity. Following the council’s emergency budget hearing, Cantrell could be heard on mic saying “welcome back. It’s so good to see you” to Johnson. Sexual harassment, assault and general abuse has become an increasing problem in city government during Cantrell’s second term. The head of her homeless policy office has been accused of sexual harassment and assault, and numerous city employees have reported instances of verbal abuse and intimidation, many caught on audio or video. — John Stanton

(and our back pockets too)

Schedule an appointment online or visit amobile pop-up to getyour ID. nol a.gov/crescentcityid

NEW ORLEANS LO CATION ON MAGA ZIN ES T

New Orleans’ Office of Nighttime Economy releases strategic plan to strengthen after-dark economy

THE NEW ORLEANS MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NIGHTTIME ECONOMY, which acts as a liaison between city government and the bars, music venues, business owners and workers that make up the city’s nightlife industry, Oct. 27 released a nighttime economy strategic plan, outlining ideas and goals to support and build the afterdark economy.

The plan, a first for the office (ONE) created in 2022, is an “effort to coordinate programs, partnerships and policies that strengthen the nighttime economy as a vital part of New Orleans’ cultural and economic future,” the introduction reads.

The strategic plan can be seen here and at nola.gov/night.

ONE, the city said, developed the strategy over the last year with community input, data (including the recent Music Census) and collaborations with other city departments. The plan focuses on five priorities: nightlife business support and visibility; summertime sustainability; expanding access to transportation and affordable commercial space and addressing ADA accessibility; public safety and

quality of life; and investment in music industry development.

And there is a timeline and roadmap setting short-term, mid-term and long-term goals for the office and the strategic plan.

The plan also emphasizes the need for a “whole-government approach” and collaborations with existing, culture-focused organizations like The Ella Project, universities like Loyola and neighborhood associations.

“Our culture is priceless, but it isn’t self-sustaining,” said ONE Policy and Outreach Manager Julia Heath, the plan’s lead author. “This strategy is about being proactive: investing in the systems that protect our people, our venues and our creative economy before they’re priced out or erased.”

— Jake Clapp

Study shows Louisiana law has

made it

harder to access life-saving reproductive care drugs

LOUISIANA’S 2024 ANTI-ABORTION LAW HAS MADE IT HARDER to access life-saving reproductive care medications in the New Orleans metro area, a New Orleans Health Department report found.

Health department officials on Oct. 23 presented their findings to the New Orleans City Council, which directed

many of 10% of women in the city experience severe bleeding after pregnancy, losing at least one liter of blood out of five.

“Misoprostol availability for that up to 10% of our moms who might need it very, very quickly is critical,” she said.

The health department also found that only half of the pharmacies in Orleans and Jefferson parishes are stocking misoprostol now, including 61% in Orleans and 42% in Jefferson.

Deputy Director Jeanie Donovan noted that following Louisiana passing the law, state legislators in eight states filed 10 copycat bills, including in conservative states like Texas and Mississippi. But ultimately, she said, none got a hearing.

“They all died without even a discussion,” she said.

To gather information for the report, medical students conducted phone surveys with 128 in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, and the city’s health department also had a place where people could submit their experiences trying to access the medications.

One patient reported that despite a doctor ordering misoprostol in advance of an emergency C-section, it was still delayed for minutes, while she was losing blood.

“Knowing that a critical drug was not available during a scary situation was already stressful for me,” she said.

them last year to study the impacts of the state adding misoprostol and mifepristone to the list of “controlled dangerous substances,” alongside drugs like Xanax and Valium, even though they aren’t addictive.

Anti-abortion lawmakers targeted the drugs because they can be used to end a pregnancy. But they also have a variety of other uses, especially misoprostol which can help manage miscarriages, induce labor, treat postpartum bleeding and ease pain when inserting IUDs.

“Because these drugs are used every day, all day, in both inpatient and outpatient, we knew there would be a wide-ranging effect,” New Orleans Health Department Director Jennifer Avegno told the council. “If you have a uterus, at some point you’re going to need misoprostol.”

Classifying misoprostol and mifepristone as Schedule IV drugs means that health care providers need to take extra measures to secure them, making them more difficult to access, including in emergencies. When a patient is bleeding out, every second counts.

Nurses from the city’s Family Connects program report that as

A health care professional described a case where a patient’s ultrasound had no heartbeat and she still had trouble getting misoprostol with a prescription, making her situation even harder.

“She was basically already devastated and emotionally fragile after her terrible diagnosis and when she got to the pharmacy she was essentially treated like a criminal and the pharmacist refused to dispense the medication,” they wrote. “Trust me- it was bad. She completely broke down and what was already a terrible situation was made that much worse.”

City health officials said they wanted to see the law repealed at the state level but in the meantime, they recommended webinars and informative sessions for health care providers to help clear up confusion surrounding the law.

“The people suffering the most aren’t looking for elective terminations,” said Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialist Ryann Martinek, who led the study. “They are women in dangerous and devastating situations, if for no other reason than many desired pregnancies that end in miscarriage.” — Kaylee Poche

•

@GambitBlake | askblake@gambitweekly.com

Hey Blake,

On the side of a building in the 100 block of Tchoupitoulas Street, across from Canal Place and the Doubletree Hotel, are the words “Castillo’s Restaurant.” I’m thinking it must be a restaurant from the past, since that’s not the business in the building. What can you tell me about it?

Dear reader,

CARLOS CASTILLO OPENED HIS MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN 1964 at 620 Conti St. near the corner of Exchange Place in the French Quarter. By 1970, when StatesItem restaurant critic Richard Collin published his book “The New Orleans Underground Gourmet,” he hailed it as one of the best Mexican restaurants in town and “easily the most atmospheric with its checkered tablecloths and massive Mexican furniture.” He added that the food at Castillo’s was reasonably priced and singled out dishes on the “imaginative” menu such as the chalupa and Caldo Xochil, which he called a “first-rate Mexican vegetable soup.” In a 1976 States-Item review, Collin called the restaurant the “most Mexican of the local Mexican restaurants,” adding that “what Castillo’s kitchen does well, it does very well.” He wrote that the best main course was the enchiladas de res,

“tortillas filled with well-seasoned beef and served in a distinguished meat sauce and pepper gravy.”

Restaurant critic Tom Fitzmorris, in

“Lost Restaurants of New Orleans,” his 2011 book with Peggy Scott Laborde, remembered what he called a great dish at Castillo’s: mole poblano, made from scratch from cocoa, peppers, peanuts, sesame, oil and herbs, accompanying either roast chicken or cheese enchiladas, lifting both “to an astonishing goodness.”

There were later newspaper listings for Castillo locations in the 600 block of Bourbon Street and the 1100 block of Decatur. In 1988, Times-Picayune restaurant critic Gene Bourg explained that the Decatur location, run by Castillo and his son Rene, was called Castillo’s Spanish Seafood Restaurant.

According to Fitzmorris, the Castillos had closed all their restaurants by 2000.

WITH ALL SAINTS’ DAY EARLIER THIS WEEK (Nov. 1), many will observe the Roman Catholic custom of visiting the graves of loved ones in local cemeteries. In addition to family tombs in New Orleans’ historic “cities of the dead,” there are also large tombs established by social organizations, benevolent societies, religious and fraternal groups for their deceased members.

As Peter B. Dedek explained in his 2017 book “The Cemeteries of New Orleans: A Cultural History,” benevolent societies common in Louisiana during the 18th century took three basic forms. One was the benevolent or mutual aid society which existed for social and economic reasons; the fraternal group, such as the Masons, Elks and Odd Fellows (known for the Odd Fellows Rest cemetery on Canal Street); and the type established by workers in specific occupations which helped arrange and pay for their members’ burials.

Many of these benevolent societies cared for funeral needs of the large numbers of immigrants who flooded into the city in the 19th century. This includes the Italian Mutual Benevolent Society mausoleum in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the Soon On Tong Association tomb in Cypress Grove cemetery (for Chinese immigrants) and the United Slavonian Benevolent Society tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3.

There were hundreds of these benevolent societies in the city in the late 1800s, but Dedek explains that by the turn of the 20th century, their numbers decreased. But he writes that the “impact the benevolent associations had on the city and the lives of its citizens is evident in the many impressive and interesting tombs they constructed, which can still be found throughout its historic cemeteries.”

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THE STATE OF

NEW ORLEANS RAPPER LA REEZY BREAKS OUT

BY JAKE CLAPP

PHOTOS BY MADDIE SPINNER

IN MID-OCTOBER, the Hip Hop Museum threw a benefit gala in a lush building on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. The black-tie event wasn’t just a fundraiser for the new museum, a prominent endeavor dedicated to the history of hip-hop and expected to open in 2026 in the Bronx. It was a celebration of the genre, the people who have shaped the industry and hip-hop’s influence on pop culture. The event’s location in the country’s financial heart is telling of hip-hop’s mainstream importance.

Rapper Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker emceed the night, and Nas addressed the room, which included artists like Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh and Just Blaze, music industry executives, philanthropists and others. Slick Rick was honored for his storytelling abilities, Fat Joe was named “People’s Champ” for his roots in the Bronx, and a slate of other awards recognized the late Uptown Records founder and Motown executive Andre Harrell, scholar Michael Eric Dyson and others.

The Next Up Award, though, given to an up-and-coming artist ready to represent the future of hip-hop, went to a 21-year-old New Orleanian from Uptown: La Reezy.

“I feel it’s a bold move, but I agree,” says La Reezy with a charming grin and a laugh. “For them to make that stamp, that’s a historical stamp to make, so only time will prove it.”

It has been a breakout year for Khayree Salahuddin, the New Orleans native better known as La Reezy. The rapper and producer has released three projects in 2025, including an EP with Grammy-winner PJ Morton, and there’s a fourth release expected on Nov. 28. He’s currently on tour in the U.S. supporting British rapper Little Simz, and he has the attention of Kendrick Lamar, one of today’s most important rappers, and Tyler, The Creator, one of La Reezy’s major influences.

But although the last year has snowballed into a breakout moment for La Reezy, behind it has been years of work, hundreds of songs written, dozens of music videos and a dedicated work ethic — with a cut off at 5 p.m. so he can get on his bike and ride to Audubon Park. All the while pursuing his own mental and personal wellbeing, a topic that comes up often in his music.

“I knew what I was gonna do” in 2025, says La Reezy, sitting in the shade outside of Cafe du Monde in City Park, the gala suit and bowtie swapped for a white T-shirt airbrushed with “La Reezyana Shakedown” and coordinated purple baseball hat and sneakers. He’s a warm, engaging person and full of

confidence. La Reezy believes in himself, and it’s hard not to cheer him on.

“But I’m still in my mama’s house. You can’t get this confused. I want this music [career] bad. I want this audience. I want people to know who I am,” he says. “I’m hungry, and I wanted to show that, as a rapper, you have to have your mixtape era. Lil Wayne had to do it. Kendrick Lamar had to do it. It’s part of this journey.”

LA REEZY GREW UP IN the 12th Ward, near Napoleon Avenue, but besides a great-great-grandfather — vocalist-drummer Chris Powell who led The Five Blue Flames — there weren’t other professional musicians in his family, he says. Still, he loved to dance and as a young child would pull out some Michael Jackson moves for his family. And at 8 years old, he wrote his first song.

“They had this website called KicksOnFire and you could customize shoes, and I wrote a rap about my kicks being on fire,” Reezy says. “And also, I liked this girl, and I wanted her to be my girlfriend, so I wrote a rap about her.”

When he was 8 or 9 years old, he loved the Disney Channel and would imagine himself as a rapper on one of the

Orleans Charter Science and Math High School (he graduated in 2022).

Reezy had three years of making music under his belt — and around 30 music videos, he says — when he decided to effectively start from scratch with his album “Reeborn.”

“It was all YouTube beats and uncleared stuff, so I took it all down. I didn’t want to get sued, because I envisioned this would be humongous, and they would come back and get me,” he says.

A lot of those earlier songs, he says, were more inspired by trap music and “surface level” of where he wanted to go. They were different from the soulful Southern hip-hop style he’s developed in the last few years. “Reeborn,” released in 2023, would be his first fully self-produced release.

“I was like, ‘I want this to truly be who I am as an artist today,’ ” Reezy says. “All the other stuff was trial and error. This is where La Reezy truly starts.”

THERE’S A SMALL WORLD IN each of La Reezy’s releases. He likes to create an arc or a vibe on longer projects, like “Reeborn” or “La Reezyana Shakedown,” his most recent EP.

“‘La Reezyana Shakedown’ is the era of my 2010, dancing at Airline [Skate Center],” he says. It’s “catching party buses with my friends. Being in a car, so what does the music sound like?”

out of the therapy and work he had been doing on himself after graduating high school.

“Once I graduated, I didn’t go to college. I was going to lock in full time on my music,” Reezy says. “With that came a challenge, because I felt like I made the wrong decision and was missing out on this young experience. I see everyone out, having fun, and I’m at home in the room and it’s just me.”

“I had this one night,” he adds, “where I was sitting on the sofa and I cried. I had this reality moment.

‘This is the real world and I have to get up and get it.’ I’m responsible for my success and my career. That was when I was like, I have to kill the old version of myself in order to grow into who I envision I can be. That’s when I started producing.”

Month-by-month he would work through his feelings, write, produce and record what would ultimately become “Reeborn.” Listeners can hear him growing up as the album unwinds. With “We All Need Help,” Reezy decided to pick back up on that journey while also directly commenting on therapy.

“I want this audience. I want people to know who I am. I’m hungry.”

shows. As he grew, he began listening to Lil Wayne, Drake, Eminem and the other hip-hop he heard on the radio. He would jump onto the top of his mom’s Chevrolet truck and rap with his headphones in, not caring about the people walking by.

“When I was 14, I just wanted to rap. I was seeing NBA Youngboy, and I was like, I want to do that,” Reezy says.

“Then a girl broke up with me. It was just a little puppy love, but I wrote a song about it.”

That breakup song led to more writing, and at first he pulled beats off of YouTube and then learned to produce his own music. Before long, he started to record music videos with his friends and posted those to his YouTube channel. He also started to build a small following among his classmates at the New

On “Reeborn,” Reezy is not just introducing himself to listeners, he’s also realizing his place in a big world. His music is already warm and sensitive and, although his flow is urgent, his lyrics are self-aware and full of wisdom for other New Orleanians coming of age.

There also are nods all over his music to New Orleans and some of the inspirations and the traps that come for young people, especially Black teenagers, growing up here.

As he was developing “Reeborn,” Reezy found a lot of inspiration in idiosyncratic rapper Tyler, the Creator as well as Silk Sonic, the R&B, funk and soul project by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Listeners can hear a soulful, creative and left-of-center sound in “Reeborn.”

“Then it was these two songs, ‘Ain’t it Fun’ by Paramore and ‘I’m Like a Bird’ by Nelly Furtado,” Reezy adds. “Those two songs — the feeling of that is like ‘Reeborn.’ ” Reezy followed up “Reeborn” with the EP “Uth,” an acronym for “Utilizing Time Here,” a phrase that has become something of a La Reezy calling card. And he quickly began working on his 2024 release, “We All Need Help.”

Co-produced with New York beatmaker JBoogz, “We All Need Help” found La Reezy refining his style, settling into his flow and reflecting on his mental health. The project came

“It was a painful process. For ‘Reeborn,’ I remember there were days I would get goofy, negative thoughts. I didn’t know who I was. It was all new to me,” Reezy says. “It was very personal work … And ‘We All Need Help’ was [about] the effect of getting this attention that I’ve been working on for years. It feels so good when I’m online, and then when I’m not, I don’t feel like anything. La Reezy was getting this praise. Khayree isn’t getting anything. So now I’m talking back. Who is Khayree? Why does Khayree feel like this?”

He’s had to ask some tough questions about how La Reezy and Khayree Salahuddin relate to each other. It’s like Superman and Clark Kent, he says — La Reezy is an alter ego that has helped Khayree be more confident and outgoing, to be fearless.

It took some work for him to find the balance and to learn how to show up for himself as Khayree, but it has actually become easier as he’s released more music.

“I’m understanding what I personally enjoy and how to bring that out into life,” he says. “I enjoy Southern, raunchy, murder music. I also enjoy Ravyn Lenae soft music. I can mix both of those now, and I’m not afraid of doing it. It’s getting easier because I know my boundaries as well.”

LA REEZY KNEW HE WANTED to release four projects in 2025. He tends to work months ahead, and he plotted out a busy year — which has proven bigger than he had expected. His releases started in April with “Welcome to La Reezyana,” an eighttrack project that looks at New Orleans,

Louisiana and the world through his eyes. There’s a blend of styles, from bounce to Southern hip-hop, as he floats between block partyworthy tracks and more introspective, conscious lyricism delivered over soul samples.

The dust had barely settled, though, when La Reezy and PJ Morton released “Pardon Me, I’m Different.” Produced by Morton, the New Orleans vocalist and pianist, “Pardon Me” is lush and vibrant as Reezy raps about working harder and reaching higher. The track, “Baby,” compares a cherished but turbulent romantic relationship to loving New Orleans. And on “Achoo,” Reezy reflects the gratitude he has for where his life has led.

It was a voice message that connected Reezy with Morton. Reezy had been following the Grammy winner on Instagram but hadn’t connected that Morton was a member of Maroon 5 until he was watching a live performance of the song “Sunday Morning.”

“When I love a song, I go through and listen to all the versions I can. So I was watching these live videos, and it said, ‘PJ Morton on the keys,’ and I was like ‘Oh my God,’ ” Reezy says. “I sent him this long voice message, [saying] ‘I love that song so much.’ And a few weeks later, he hit me up. He had a project he wanted to do and asked me to be the rapper on it. I was like, ‘Bro! I’m down!’ ” Reezy joined Morton at Studio in the Country near Bogalusa in January, and they created the project in a few days. “Pardon Me” has been wellreceived, and Morton joined La Reezy on stage this summer at the Montreal Jazz Festival to perform a couple of the tracks. Also, a remix of the title track featuring Rapsody was recently released.

Then in September, Reezy dropped “La Reezyana Shakedown,” an energetic, six-track EP that’s purposefully more raw and less polished than previous projects. “I really was just trying to capture a feeling,” he says. “I wasn’t worrying about the bars, which at least since ‘Reeborn,’ I’ve gotten this attention with my bars, with my rapping. I was like, I just wanted to make songs I could vibe to, that weren’t so subject heavy and were easy to listen to. I made the songs in a week, because I was like ‘my soul needs this out now.’ ”

From “Reeborn” to “La Reezyana Shakedown,” listeners can hear Reezy quickly sharpening his skills within a couple of years. His flow is less rushed and forceful, and he’s developing a vocal dexterity that can be smooth one second and then gruff the next.

To cap off 2025, Reezy now plans to release “Free.99” on Black Friday, Nov. 28. The EP will include tracks leftover from “Welcome to La Reezyana” and other projects.

“I want listeners to know I’m using my time to understand this human experience, this thing called life.”

“I don’t want them to go to waste, and if I don’t put them out now, I’m never going to put them out,” Reezy says. “And I want to show my appreciation to my supporters.”

If 2025 was about getting the attention, he says, then 2026 is about just one project meant to go deeper with his music.

THE NUMBER OF LA REEZY SUPPORTERS has grown quickly. In the last few years, Reezy has used TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to attract hundreds of thousands of followers. And some big names have taken notice. Tyler, The Creator was recently asked by Apple Music’s Zane Lowe about up-and-coming artists he likes, and the rapper pumped up La Reezy.

In June, Reezy met Kendrick Lamar at the BET Awards. The two got a photo together, and Reezy posted to Instagram that Lamar said, “ay boy i be seeing yo stuff, you hard, you representing new orleans good, keep it up.”

In late October and early November, Reezy and New Orleans DJ Odd the Artist are out on tour supporting Little Simz.

Although he’s getting a lot of attention, Reezy says, he’s trying to be careful about who he works with. He’s an independent artist, largely produces his own music — with a handful of trusted artists — and knows the value of maintaining control over his business.

“I’m still learning how to trust people. I have no idea who they are, what their background is, so it’s hard to trust these corporations,” Reezy says. “Owning this is super important. I made ‘Shakedown’ and I said, ‘I want this out at the end of the month. If someone would have told me I couldn’t do that, I would have probably gone through depression.”

Despite the attention, he still likes being home in New Orleans, where he’s able to find inspiration from the people and places he sees while riding his bike. His lyrics are full of local references, and the sound is informed by bounce, R&B, funk and second lines.

“Ultimately, in the grand scheme, it’s seeking reflection and knowledge in this human experience,” Reezy says. “I want listeners to know I’m using my time to understand this human experience, this thing called life. We all have to do it. I just hope my music gives people perspective.”

Find La Reezy on Instagram, @lareezymusic.

EAT + DRINK

Fresh start

A

new breakfast spot in Uptown by Beth D’Addono |

“WE JOYFULLY SERVE BREAKFAST all day.”

That promise is just the beginning of the experience, culinary and otherwise, delivered by Café Malou, the new restaurant from local style maven Mani Dawes.

The cafe is attached to Octavia Books by an ingenious set of revolving bookshelves, but it is inspired by the comforting food Dawes remembers from her grandmother’s Opelousas table.

Dawes and her husband Sean Josephs have lived in and owned restaurants in New York and Dawes is still a partner in the Manhattan tapas spot Tia Pol. She brings polish and a natural grace that raises this charming breakfast and lunch cafe to lofty heights.

“I love small places,” she says. “Tia Pol is small. I’m passionate about small restaurants. You can really connect with your guests, get to know people in a small space. In a larger restaurant, there are just too many responsibilities.”

The last place she and her husband owned in New Orleans was Kenton’s, an upscale Southern restaurant where Saba is now. It closed in 2018.

“If you had asked me seven years ago, I would have said I’m never doing this again,” Dawes says. “But I missed the whole process, the magic, of bringing a concept to life. Can I do it again?”

She started looking and when the spot at 5433 Laurel St., which previously was home to Toast and Scrambled, came up for lease, it felt right. “I live in the neighborhood,” she says. “I used to go to Toast. The place has breakfast and lunch in its DNA, so I decided to lean into that.”

Cafe Malou is adorned with Edward Hopper-esque still lifes painted by her mother Nancy Dawes, who also lives nearby. The art sets a calm, reflective tone for conversation. This 32-seat cafe is the antithesis of a party brunch scene, although diners can bring their own alcohol. Instead, this is a place to relax and chat. Patrons also can

browse in the neighboring bookstore before or after polishing off a plate of eggs, boudin and creamy gravy.

Cafe Malou is currently open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, but Dawes plans to expand to daily service in the coming months.

The all-day menu hits all the breakfast and lunch notes and then some.

Dawes designed the menu with chef Matt Greco, who was the chef at her husband’s place in Brooklyn, the Southern-inspired Char No. 4.

“I knew Matt was the guy,” she says. “I remember being a nursing mother and bringing the baby in and having poached eggs with bacon cheddar grits and thinking, ‘This is the greatest meal of all time.’ ”

Their goal was to design one menu that can hit all the notes from breakfast through lunch. “We got pretty close,” she says. “We wanted simple and delicious food that was fast, too. If we couldn’t hit all three, we didn’t do it.”

Baked eggs anchor the menu, from the classic with thick-cut bacon and toast to the popular baked grits a la

carbonara. Eggs cacciatore treat the eggs to a sauce of tomato, piquillo peppers and olives.

There are openfaced toasts including the “Well-Dressed Shrimp,” adorned with cucumbers and creme fraiche. There are sandwiches like the vegetarian mushroom melt, an open-face baked crab with pimiento cheese, and the ooey gooey Croque Me Somethin’ Mister, made with country ham and raclette cheese.

Salads range from the chopped Italian deli salad to a wonderful, composed shrimp cocktail made with little gem lettuce, celery and olives dressed with a bloody mary remoulade.

Dawes found joy and friendship in the months leading up to the opening. Baruch Rabasa and Melissa Stewart from Applied Arts created a signature roast for the cafe. She works closely with the team at Dickie Brennan & Co.’s commissary, sourcing boudin along with desserts and bread from Bellegarde, which Brennan acquired.

As an added bonus, two of her favorite people, her former GM at Tia Pol, Mary Santo, and her friend Gwen Hayward, who worked at a neighborhood spot across the street from the tapas restaurant, now work for her. They both decided to change things up and move to New Orleans, a city they already loved, managing the front and back of the house at Malou.

“Openings can be hard,” Dawes says. “But because of Mary and Gwen and the team we have in place, it’s been so much fun.”

Plume Algiers fghts city license fees

A SMALL MOM-AND-POP NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANT PLANS TO CLOSE next year after incurring thousands of dollars in city fines. Its fight over the issue has drawn attention to a license and fine process that routinely snares much larger names in the local hospitality sector and has city leaders vowing change.

Owners of Plume Algiers, an Indian restaurant on Teche Street in the Algiers neighborhood, have been seeking relief for fines incurred for selling alcohol for two years after the restaurant’s city-issued liquor license lapsed.

Recently, they brought the issue to the New Orleans City Council, where council members including Mayorelect Helena Moreno, said they want to reform the city process that landed Plume Algiers here.

For now, though, facing a $3,600 fine assessed by the New Orleans Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, the restaurant owners say they plan to close the business.

“Whatever happens today or tomorrow, this will be our last full year of operating in this city, and we just ask that we do not get robbed on our way out,” chef and co-owner Tyler Stuart told the council at its Oct. 23 meeting. At issue is how the city notifies license holders when they’re up for renewal and the fines that can accrue over months or years before the issue is addressed. Underlying it is a frustration that many other small business owners have expressed over navigating city license and permit requirements.

The chef’s wife and business partner, Merritt Coscia, had earlier explained that during the annual renewal of their restaurant’s state liquor license in May, she and Stuart were shocked to discover the separate city permit was two years

delinquent. She said the only notice they received from the city was via email, to an address they had filed with the city but no longer routinely use.

In July, the Plume Algiers owners joined a docket before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board that included two dozen New Orleans businesses facing similar fines over delinquent local liquor license renewals. The hearing officer offered Plume Algiers a reduced consent judgment of $4,800 at that meeting. The restaurant owners argued that would kill their business and appealed the decision to the full board.

When that board met Oct. 22, members heard testimony from Coscia and Stuart and reduced the fine further to $3,600. The restaurant owners say they are filing an appeal to the board.

At the July meeting, numerous people spoke in support of Plume Algiers, including several business owners who commiserated over the city’s opaque path to compliance. At the October meeting, local attorney Justin Schmidt gave the board fiery feedback, saying he felt “extorted” over past fines for a lapsed license for a club he represents.

Hearing officer Mollie Ponds responded that the board is tasked with enforcing policies set by city leaders.

The day after that board meeting, Stuart and Coscia appeared before the city council.

“Small businesses need fairness and guidance instead of punishment,” Stuart told the council. “For small businesses like ours and those that will come after us, please consider reforming how fines and fees are handled, eliminate unnecessary penalties or at least scale them to a business’ actual revenue.”

Moreno, who takes office as mayor in January, called the restaurant’s story an example of businesses making small mistakes and getting “a very punitive response” from the city instead of support to address them. She said in her administration, her commitment “is to change that dynamic.”

Moreno said there are “bad actors skating through” without proper licenses. But “we see very little happening with some of the bad actors, yet those who are really working hard to try to do the right thing, and maybe something slipped up, maybe they made a little mistake, they are just getting hit so hard.

“That is no way to assist and help small businesses, and that is actually one of the reasons we keep losing small businesses to other parishes.”

Council member Freddie King III, whose district includes Algiers, also tied the issue to economic development.

“If we can’t take care of our small, local businesses, then how can we attract and keep big businesses?”

King said.

He said he hoped the city’s alcohol control board and safety and permits department would “take a deep look at what’s being done, not just to you two, but to small businesses around this city.”

Plume Algiers remains open and is still licensed to sell alcohol. Coscia says while they haven’t set a date to close for good, it will be before next summer, the slow time for many local restaurants. — Ian McNulty / The Times-Picayune

Miel wins medal

THE GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL DOLED OUT HUNDREDS of awards this year to breweries and cideries across the nation, and one Louisiana spot was recognized.

Miel Brewery & Taproom, located in New Orleans’ Irish Channel neighborhood, earned a gold medal at the Oct. 12 festival for its Flor de Jamaica sour ale.

A panel of 250 judges spent one week evaluating 8,315 beers and ciders submitted to the festival’s awards. There were 347 medal winners this year.

Miel Brewery’s gold medal winner is a gose ale steeped in hibiscus, giving it a beautiful red color, and its floral flavor is balanced by cinnamon bark.

“We can’t wait to throw a party to celebrate this win and seven years of Miel!” the brewers shared on Instagram and thanked head brewer Shawna Hayes and her team.

Miel has been making the awardwinning ale since it opened in 2018.

Owners Janice Montoya and Alex Peyroux decided to incorporate miel, honey in Spanish and French, into some of the brewery’s beers. Peyroux’s family includes beekeepers on the Northshore, where the couple grew up. Montoya’s family has Spanish ties, and Peyroux’s has French relations, so the Miel Brewery name is a marriage of the couple’s family histories. — Chelsea Shannon / The Times-Picayune

AlligatorKickers App Crawfishétoufée with blackenedredfish

Seafoodstuffedredfish with veggiesand seafoodcream

Panéed veal over creamy spinach artichokelinguini

Jumbofried Softshell over chickenand sausage jambalayaand seafoodcream

Panéed chicken over pennepesto pasta

Oyster artichokesoup with friedtrout

Blueberrypancake stack with bacon

WI NE OF THE WEEK

SanSimeon Cabernet Sauvignon

Highlighted by robust flavors of plum, black cherry and blackberries. The nose is greetedwith aromas of baking spice, nutmeg,and tobacco With soft, long-lasting leathery tannins, the mid palate is rich and spicy, with abalanced finish.

DISTRIBUTED BY

Adrian Avila, Narcisse Burchell & Emma Loyde

NOCHI student chefs

by Will Coviello

STUDENTS AT THE NEW ORLEANS

CULINARY & HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE

(NOCHI) create a pop-up restaurant as a capstone project before graduation. The current cohort is launching Embers, an elevated comfort food approach to fall and holiday flavors. The project was pitched and developed by the team of Adrian Avila, Narcisse Burchell, Emma Loyde, Joshua Wellwood, Allison Arnoult and Keshia Gray. The menu includes satsuma-glazed duck, blackened drum, pumpkin gnocchi and more. There also is a fall drinks menu with cocktails and mocktails. Embers is open for lunch with seatings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays Nov. 11 through Dec. 12 at the NOCHI dining room at 725 Howard Ave., near Harmony Circle. Reservations and information are available at nochi.org/embers.

How did you get interested in cooking and NOCHI?

ADRIAN AVILA: I am down here from Nebraska because I received the Aaron Sanchez scholarship. I have been working in the industry ever since freshman year of high school. I started out at a legion, serving the military. Then I worked at a Subway, Applebee’s and a restaurant called Blue Fork Kitchen. I was the sous chef there. It’s comfort food but elevated.

The plan is to go into fine dining. That’s one of the reasons I am down here. I am working at 34 (Restaurant & Bar) right now.

NARCISSE BURCHELL: I had a lot of changes in my life. I lost my mom and sister. Then I lost my job. It was time to change my life.

I came across NOCHI on Google. I thought, culinary school? Maybe.

Prior to this I was a marketing manager at a nonprofit, a tech incubator in Baton Rouge. It’s totally different than this. But it was a reflection moment. I was like, what makes me happy? It’s always been being around people and providing community. It was the actual food on the table. I was always in the kitchen with my mom. She always

made traditional Southern dishes, so it brought those memories back. I’d like to be a personal chef.

EMMA LOYDE: I was working for my dad for the past four years. He’s a freight broker, so I was doing his accounts payable and receivable. I was like, I need to do something else. My friend went to LSU and moved back to New Orleans, and I started cooking for her. She was like, why don’t you look into culinary school? I signed up for information. Then (NOCHI) asked me if I wanted to come for a tour.

I am in the savory program, but I am coming back in January to do pastry.

How did you come up with the concept for Embers?

AA: We took the idea that now, at least everywhere else in the U.S., like for me in Nebraska, by November, there will be snow. Also around the time (of the pop-up), it’s the holidays. The idea is the warmth of fire and the season. So there’s seasonal produce and the idea of the holidays and being with family and friends. The embodiment of that is what we want to push.

NB: All of us came in with our own inspiration. For me, my holiday season is going to look different. I want our pop-up to feel like home and the warmth and the comfort.

EL: When we got together the first day, we had this idea and just ran with it. We wanted to do elevated comfort food. We want it to be approachable.

What will diners see at Embers?

NB: A lot of it reflects techniques we learned in the program, even in our dessert menu. We learned how to make a pot de creme. We were like, we

can make that in a different way.

AA: A lot of the menu was collaborative. We threw dishes out there and saw what stuck to the wall.

NB: We made lists of seasonal produce and went through, like what can we do with this?

AA: Some dishes evolved. We had a pumpkin risotto, but we changed it to a sunchoke risotto. We tried to push for the uniqueness of every ingredient and not repeat ingredients.

NB: We have satsuma duck. Duck was one of my favorite things that we’ve made. I have had it before, like in turducken for Thanksgiving, but never as the star of the show. So we made duck confit and all of these things. I said, “We have to put duck on the menu.” We made a gastrique in class. We went with the satsuma here instead of using orange. It’s the glaze on the satsumaglazed duck.

We will use the confit on the flatbread. I told Adrian about the concept of a boucherie since he’s not from around here. I was like, what if we put that on a flatbread, all the meats and things. We’re making a bacon jam and boudin. And it’s got andouille.

EL: A lot of these things we made during garde manger week. We did boudin balls. We started out with pork butt and livers. We braised those in the oven and added some vegetables. We ground that and mixed it with rice and seasonings. Then you form them into balls, and then you fry them.

AA: Allison (Arnoult) pushed the cider-roasted chicken.

NB: We are using the yakitori grill to smoke the mushrooms.

EL: We wanted to have dietary options. The mushrooms and pumpkin gnocchi are vegetarian.

NB: On the dessert menu, the mulled wine and satsuma sorbet is vegan. We’re going to have hospitality touches throughout.

AA: We’re going to have an amuse bouche, like a little cider refresher.

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

Angelo Brocato’s — 214 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-1465; angelobrocatoicecream.

com — This Mid-City sweet shop serves its own gelato in flavors like praline, salted caramel and tiramisu, as well as Italian ices in flavors like lemon, strawberry and mango. There also are cannolis, biscotti, fig cookies, tiramisu, macaroons and coffee drinks. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. $

Annunciation — 1016 Annunciation St., (504) 568-0245; annunciationrestaurant.

com — Gulf Drum Yvonne is served with brown butter sauce with mushrooms and artichoke hearts. There also are oysters, seafood pasta dishes, steaks, lamb chops and more. Reservations recommended. Dinner Thu.-Mon. $$$

Bamboula’s — 514 Frenchmen St.; bamboulasmusic.com — The live music venue’s kitchen offers a menu of traditional and creative Creole dishes, such as Creole crawfish crepes with goat cheese and chardonnay sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. $$

The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar — 118 Harbor View Court, Slidell, (985) 315-7001; 7900 Lakeshore Drive, (504) 284-2898; thebluecrabnola.com — Basin barbecue shrimp are served with rosemary garlic butter sauce over cheese grits with a cheese biscuit. The menu includes po-poys, fried seafood platters, raw and char-grilled oysters, boiled seafood in season, and more. Outdoor seating available. No reservations. Lakeview: Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Slidell: Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Sat.-Sun. $$

Broussard’s — 819 Conti St., (504) 581-3866; broussards.com — The menu of contemporary Creole dishes includes bronzed redfish with jumbo lump crabmeat, lemon beurre blanc and vegetables. Brunch includes Benedicts, avocado toast, chicken and waffles, turtle soup and more. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available in the courtyard. Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$

Cafe Normandie — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining — The menu combines classic French dishes and Louisiana items like crab beignets with herb aioli. Sandwiches include po-boys, a muffuletta on flatbread and a burger. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Fri.-Mon. $$

The Commissary — 634 Orange St., (504) 274-1850; thecommissarynola.com — Dickie Brennan’s Commissary supplies his other restaurant kitchens and also has a dine-in menu and prepared foods to go. A smoked turkey sandwich is served with bacon, tomato jam, herbed cream cheese, arugula and herb vinaigrette on honey oat bread. The menu includes dips, salads, sandwiches, boudin balls, fried oysters and more. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sat. $$ Curio — 301 Royal St., (504) 717-4198; curionola.com — The creative Creole menu includes blackened Gulf shrimp served with chicken and andouille jambalaya. There also are crab cakes, shrimp and grits, crawfish

$ — average dinner entrée under $10

$$ $11-$20

$$$ — $20-up

etouffee, po-boys and more. Outdoor seating available on balcony. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Dahla — 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 766-6602; dahlarestaurant.com — The menu includes popular Thai dishes like pad thai, drunken noodles, curries and fried rice. Crispy skinned duck basil is prepared with vegetables and Thai basil. Delivery available. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$

Desire Oyster Bar — Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St., (504) 586-0300; sonesta.com/desireoysterbar — A menu full of Gulf seafood includes oysters served raw on the half-shell or char-broiled with with Parmesan, garlic and herbs. The menu also includes po-boys, po-boys, gumbo, blackened fish, fried seafood platters and more. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House — 144 Bourbon St., (504) 522-0111; bourbonhouse.com — There’s a seafood raw bar with raw and char-broiled oysters, fish dip, crab fingers, shrimp and more. Redfish on the Half-shell is cooked skin-on and served with crab-boiled potatoes, frisee and lemon buerre blanc. The bar offers a wide selection of bourbon and whiskies. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$

Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse — 716 Iberville St., (504) 522-2467; dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com — The menu includes a variety of steaks, plus seared Gulf fish, lobster pasta, barbecue shrimp and more. A 6-ounce filet mignon is served with fried oysters, creamed spinach, potatoes and bearnaise. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$

El Pavo Real — 4401 S. Broad Ave., (504) 266-2022; elpavorealnola.com — The menu includes tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, ceviche. tamales and more. Pescado Vera Cruz features sauteed Gulf fish topped with tomatoes, olives, onion and capers, served with rice and string beans. Outdoor seating available. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Tue.-Sat. $$

Juan’s Flying Burrito — 515 Baronne St., (504) 529-5825; 2018 Magazine St., (504) 569-0000; 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-9950; 8140 Oak St., (504) 897-4800; juansflyingburrito.com — The Flying Burrito includes steak, shrimp, chicken, cheddar jack cheese, black beans, rice, guacamole and salsa. The menu also includes tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos, salads, rice and bean bowls with various toppings and more. Outdoor seating available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. $$

Katie’s Restaurant — 3701 Iberville St., (504) 488-6582; katiesinmidcity.com — The Cajun Cuban with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. The eclectic menu also includes char-grilled oysters, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, fried seafood platters, pasta, salads and more. Delivery available. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Kilroy’s Bar — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941;

higginshotelnola.com/dining — The all-day bar menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, flatbreads and a couple entrees. A muffuletta flatbread is topped with salami, mortadella, capicola, mozzarella and olive salad. No reservations. Lunch Fri.-Mon., dinner daily. $$

Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern — 700 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 613-2350; legacykitchen.com — The menu includes oysters, flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, salads and sharable plates like NOLA Tot Debris. A slow-cooked pulled pork barbecue sandwich is served with coleslaw on a brioche bun. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

Legacy Kitchen Steak & Chop — 91 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, (504) 5132606; legacykitchen.com — The selection of steak and chops includes filet mignon, bone-in rib-eye, top sirloin and double pork chops and a la carte toppings include bernaise, blue cheese and sauteed crabmeat. There also are burgers, salads, pasta, seafood entrees, char-broiled oysters and more. Reservations accepted. Outdoor seating available. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$

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

Mosca’s — 4137 Highway 90 West, Westwego, (504) 436-8950; moscasrestaurant.com — This family-style eatery serves Italian dishes and specialties including shrimp Mosca, baked oysters Mosca and spaghetti Bordelaise and chicken cacciatore. Chicken a la grands is sauteed with garlic, rosemary, Italian herbs and white wine. Reservations accepted. Dinner Wed.-Sat. Cash only. $$$

Mother’s Restaurant — 401 Poydras St., (504) 523-9656; mothersrestaurant.net — This counter-service spot serves po-boys dressed with sliced cabbage like the Famous Ferdi filled with ham, roast beef and debris. Creole favorites include jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice and more. Breakfast is available all day. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

Neyow’s Creole Cafe — 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474; neyows.com — The menu includes red beans and rice with fried chicken or pork chops, as well as shrimp Creole, seafood platters, po-boys, char-grilled and raw oysters, salads and more. Side items include carrot souffle, mac and cheese, cornbread dressing, sweet potato tots and more. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$

Nice Guys Bar & Grill — 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 302-2404; niceguysbarandgrillnola. com — Char-grilled oysters are topped with cheese and garlic butter, and other options include oysters Rockefeller and loaded oysters. The creative menu also includes seafood bread, a Cajun-lobster potato, wings, quesadillas, burgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood pasta, loaded fries and more. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro — 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930; orleansgrapevine.com — The wine bar offers cheese boards and appetizers to nosh with wines. The menu includes Creole pasta with shrimp and andouille in tomato cream sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$

Parish Grill — 4650 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 100, Metairie, (504) 345-2878; parishgrill. com — The menu includes a variety of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizza and salads. For an appetizer, sauteed andouille is served with fig preserves, blue cheese and toast points. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$

Peacock Room — Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, 501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 324-3073; peacockroomnola.com — At brunch, braised short rib grillades are served over grits with mushrooms, a poached egg and shaved truffle. The dinner menu has oysters, salads, pasta, shrimp and grits, a burger, cheese plates and more. Reservations accepted. Dinner Wed.-Mon., brunch Sun. $$

Rosie’s on the Roof — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941; higginshotelnola.com/dining — The rooftop bar has a menu of sandwiches, burgers and small plates. Crab beignets are made with Gulf crabmeat and mascarpone and served with herb aioli. No reservations. Dinner Mon.-Sat. $$

Tableau — 616 St. Peter St., (504) 9343463; tableaufrenchquarter.com — The menu features traditional and creative Creole dishes. Pasta bouillabaisse features squid ink mafaldine, littleneck clams, Gulf shrimp, squid, seafood broth, rouille and herbed breadcrumbs. Outdoor seating available on the balcony. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sun., brunch Thu.-Sun. $$$

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

Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza — 1212 S. Clearview Parkway, Elmwood, (504) 733-3803; 2125 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 510-4282; 4024 Canal St., (504) 302-1133; 4218 Magazine St., (504) 894-8554; 70488 Highway 21, Covington, (985) 234-9420; theospizza.com — A Marilynn Pota Supreme pie is topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. There also are salads, sandwiches, wings, breadsticks and more. Delivery available. Lunch and dinner daily. $

The Vintage — 3121 Magazine St., (504) 324-7144; thevintagenola.com — There’s a full coffee drinks menu and baked goods and beignets, as well as a full bar. The menu has flatbreads, cheese boards, small plates and a pressed veggie sandwich with avocado, onions, arugula, red pepper and pepper jack cheese. No reservations. Delivery and outdoor seating available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $$

gambitpets Winter Issue

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

restaurants like sushi spot NOBU, plus cocktails and beer. There’s entertainment by Few Blue and Sirens of New Orleans, and patrons can explore the aquarium and insectarium. The party is 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Tickets $85-$100 via scalesandales.org.

Lapis

As Lapis, vocalist-guitarist Giulia Coba, guitarist Finley Coover, percussionist Rye Oomen, drummer Filipe Leite and bassist Lue Herrick dig into a range of Brazilian styles with some psychedelic touches. The band next plays at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Saturn Bar. Tickets are $12.47 via dice.fm.

Dondria

Dondria Nicole Fields was discovered singing on YouTube when she was 19 and went on to release several popular R&B songs and her 2010 debut album “Dondria vs. Phatfffat.” Last month, she released her latest album, “Back to Love.” She comes to New Orleans for a show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Dew Drop Inn. Tickets $40.86 via ticketweb.com.

Bennaroo

The benefit for music programs at Ben Franklin High School includes The Iguanas, Imagination Mover Rich Collins, Sarah Quintana, The NOLA Sweetie Pies, members of the Creole String Beans and Anais St. John. Student-led bands also will perform, including the Beverly Hills Polo Club and School of Rock. A pre-party kicks off the festivities at 3 p.m. with alumnus Delfeayo Marsalis, teacher Carl LaCoste and the student jazz ensemble. At 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Broadside. Kids 12 and under get in free; Tickets $20$30 in advance, $30-$40 at the door. For more information, visit bfhsla.org/bennaroo.

Multicultural Fair

Christ the King Catholic Church holds its annual Multicultural Fair with a variety of food and entertainment. There’s salsa lessons with Liquid Rhythm, live music, Vietnamese cultural presentations and more. The food lineup includes Vietnamese, Filipino, Mexican and Caribbean dishes, as well as burgers, hot dogs and more. Festival hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. At the church at 535 Deerfield Road in Terrytown. Visit christkingterrytown.com for information.

My French Book Fest

The youth literary festival, presented by the Consulate General of France in Louisiana, French cultural institution Villa Albertine and Alliance Francaise (AFNO), connects young Louisiana readers with French-speaking authors and illustrators. The festival runs Monday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 16, with events in New Orleans, Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Locally, French author Susie Morgenstern will host an event Friday, Nov. 7, at AFNO; there is an French book fair at AFNO on Saturday, Nov. 8, with signings, workshops and a theater contest; and Morgenstern and author Ilya Green and Canadian authors Micah and Chantal Piche will visit schools during the week. Find more information at af-neworleans.org.

‘Final Cut’

Author Olive Worley is a New Orleans native who now lives in New York City. In her latest young adult novel, “Final Cut,” recent high school graduate Hazal Lejeune lands the lead role in a low-budget slasher flick, which takes her to the small town of Pine Springs, Louisiana. Lejeune’s family has a troubled history with the town, and when a real killer makes their way onto the set, Lejeune must work to uncover the killer — before she becomes the next victim. Worley visits the Garden District Book Shop to talk about her new book at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. The event is free, and a copy of the book can be purchased for $23.04 via gardendistrictbookshop.com.

‘Amity’

New York Times bestselling author Nathan Harris dives into the post-Civil War South in his new book, “Amity,” which follows Coleman, a formerly enslaved man, as he makes a perilous journey from New Orleans to Mexico in search for his sister. Harris will discuss his new book and sign copies at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Baldwin & Co. Admission is free, and the book can be purchased for $35.12 via baldwinandcobooks.com.

Chuck

Redd Vibes Quartet

Drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd played with the Charlie Byrd Trio, Mel Torme’s band and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra for 15 years. As a bandleader, he’s released several albums, including 2019’s “Groove City.” He’s joined by Jason Marsalis at these shows at Snug Harbor. At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Tickets $41.30 via

MUSIC

CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

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

MONDAY 3

30/90 — Margie Perez, 6 pm; Piano Man ‘G’, 9 pm

ALLWAYS LOUNGE Betsy Propane & The Accessories, 7 pm

APPLE BARREL Mark Appleford, 6 pm

BACCHANAL — Christien Bold, 6 pm

BAMBOULAS The Rug Cutters, 12 pm; Jon Roniger Band, 4:30 pm;Ted Hefko & The Thousandaires, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE BYWATER Red Beans and Blues w/ Dick Deluxe and Friends, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE Red Beans & Blues: Dick Deluxe & Friends, 9 pm

BUFFA’S David Doucet, 7 pm

CAPULET — Queen Bonobo, 6 pm

CARROLLTON STATION Biscuits n’ Jam with Meryl Zimmerman & Friends, 10 pm

DBA Secret Six Jazz Band, 6 pm; The Jump Hounds, 9 pm

DOS JEFES — Joe Krown, 8:30 pm

GEORGE AND JOYCE WEIN JAZZ & HERITAGE CENTER — Brass Band Masterclass featuring Kirk Joseph, Gregory Davis, and Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, 6 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR Runnin Pardners, 8 pm

SATURN BAR — BC Coogan, 8:30 pm

TUESDAY 4

30/90 — Higher Heights Reggae, 9 pm

APPLE BARREL Bubbles Brown, 6 pm

BACCHANAL — Tangiers Combo, 6 pm

BAMBOULAS FK-rrera Music Group, 12 pm; Giselle Anguizola Quartet, 4:30 pm; Catie B and The Hand Me Downs, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE BYWATER Bruisey’s Bottoms Up Open Mic, 9 pm

CAPULET Latin Dance Night: Brasilia, 6 pm

DBA — Kid Chocolate & The Free P.O.C, 9 pm

DOS JEFES — Javier Guiterrez, 8:30 pm

GASA GASA Mating Ritual + Low Hum, 9 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR Alex Wasily & Ari

Teitel: Very Good Tuesday’s, 8 pm

NEW ORLEANS CAREER CENTER Intro to Ableton Live, 5 pm

THE RABBIT HOLE — Rebirth Brass Band, 10 pm

ROYAL FRENCHMEN HOTEL — Trumpet

Mafa, 6 pm; 9 pm

SALON SALON — Jérémie Henan, 7 pm

SIBERIA — Ulcerate + Spirit Possession + Burial Gift, 9 pm

SATURN BAR Lapis, 9 pm

TIPITINA’S — SUSTO Stringband + Patton Magee, 8 pm

VAUGHAN’S — Lil Prince & The Youngbloods, 10 pm

WEDNESDAY 5

30/90 — Decaturadio, 6 pm; Brass Tyrannosaurus, 9 pm

BACCHANAL Jesse Morrow, 6 pm

BAMBOULAS — Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, 12 pm; Swinging with John Saavedra, 4:30 pm; BoardWalker & 3 Finger Swingers, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE Swamp Pop Doo Wop, 9 pm

BLUE NILE Kota Dosa, 9 pm

BUFFA’S — Daniel Beaudoin, 7 pm

CAFÉ DEGAS Gizinti Trio, 6 pm

CAFÉ ISTANBUL — Songs For The People: Sariyah Idan, Pat Smith, Hex Windham, and Skye Jackson, 6:30 pm

CAFÉ NEGRIL — Jam-ilton, 6 pm

CAPULET Brian Quezergue & Friends, 6 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH Jon Cleary, 8 pm

COMMONS CLUB AT VIRGIN HOTEL — Leaux Fye Tribe, 5 pm

DBA — Don Q Activation; Stephen Walker N’ Em, 6 pm; Lagniappe Brass Band, 9:30 pm

DOS JEFES — Kris Tokarski, 8:30 pm

THE FILLMORE Leon Thomas, 8 pm

GEORGE AND JOYCE WEIN JAZZ & HERITAGE CENTER — An Evening with Big Freedia, 6 pm

JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Funkin’ It Up with Big Sam, 7:30 pm

MARIGNY BRASSERIE — Legacy Jazz Band, 7 pm

MARIGNY STUDIOS Robbie Fulks with Jon Langford (Mekons), 7 pm

MRB Lynn Drury, 7 pm

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & BLUES MARKET

— Jef Lorber Fusion (Jimmy Haslip & Sonny Emory), 7:30 pm

NO DICE — Eddie Chapman with Daiquiri Rene Jones, Rosie’s Rabbit Fangs, & Mere Of Light, 9 pm

SATURN BAR — Eva Lovullo, Sad Bath, Ronnie, 9 pm

THURSDAY 6

30/90 Gumbo Funk, 9 pm

APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm

BACCHANAL — Cristen Spencer, 6 pm

BAMBOULA’S JJ & the OK’s, 12 pm; Cristina Kaminis & The Mix, 4:30 pm; Wolfe John’s Band, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE JJ & the OK’s Record Release, 9 pm

BLUE NILE Irvin Mayfeld’s Music Church, 9 pm; 11 pm

BMC Mark Appleford, 6 pm; The Budz, 8 pm

BUFFA’S Tom McDermott & Susanne Ortner, 7 pm

CAPULET Mia Borders, 6 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH Brad Walker Quartet Residency w/ Brian Seeger, 8 pm

DBA DBA Music, 10 pm

DOS JEFES — The Lyons St. Quartet, 8:30 pm

DOUBLE DEALER BAR — Sean Riley, 5 pm

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL — Live music at Chandelier Bar with David Torkanowsky, 6 pm

HOWLIN’ WOLF — Colleen Orender & Friends, 8 pm

LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — The Soul Rebels, 11 pm

LASALLE RESTAURANT, HILTON AIRPORT April Spain, 6 pm

NEW ORLEANS CAREER CENTER — Intro to Ableton Live, 5 pm

ORPHEUM THEATER — LPO: Shostakovich Symphony No. 10, 7:30 pm

SALON SALON — Evan Oberla, 7 pm

SANTOS BAR — Tainted Love 80’s Night, 10 pm

SATURN BAR — Coral Grief + New Fools + Giovanni Ventello, 9 pm

SNUG HARBOR — Trevarri, 7:30 & 9:30 pm

TIPITINA’S — Bowling For Soup + The Dollyrots + Don’t Panic, 7:30 pm

VAUGHAN’S LOUNGE — Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, 10:30 pm

VIRGIN HOTEL — DJ Shan Li Sip & Spill, 6 pm

FRIDAY 7

30/90 — Daphne Parker Powell, 2 pm; Jef Chaz Blues B and 5 pm; Xcitement, 8 pm

ALLWAYS LOUNGE Bayou blues

Burlesque, 8 pm; Psychedelic Speakeasy, 10:30 pm; Laveau Contraire, 11 pm

APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm

BACCHANAL — David Sigler, 1 pm; Willie Green III, 7 pm

BAMBOULA’S — The New Orleans Rug Cutters, 11 am; Felipe Antonio Quintet, 2:15 pm; Les Getrex & Creole Cooking, 6:30 pm; Bettis & 3rd Degree

Brass Band, 10 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE Amis du Teche, 9 pm

BLUE NILE Kermit Rufns and the BBQ Swingers, 10 pm

BOURBON STREET HONKY TONK

The Bad Sandys, 8 pm

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) — Sofar Sounds Secret Show in CBD, 7:30 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH Cortland Burke & His Close Company + Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue, 8 pm

DBA — The Soul Rebels, 10 pm

DOS JEFES — Harmonouche, 9 pm

DOUBLE DEALER BAR

Anais St. John, 7 pm

GASA GASA — Fox Pocket Presents: The Westones, 9 pm

HOLY DIVER — BIPOLAROID with SAMVEGA & LAYLA

MUSSELWHITE, 8 pm

HOWLIN’ WOLF SnowDay & Friends, 9 pm

JIMMY’S MUSIC CLUB — DJ G, 9 pm

GIVING GUIDE to 2025

MUSIC

JUNEBUG — In My Mind, 7 pm LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Caleb Tokarska, 11 pm

THE MAISON — Feral House Cats ft. Dave Hamilton, 8 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR — Phoush, 10 pm

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & BLUES

MARKET — Charlie Musselwhite Band, 7 pm

NO DICE — The Black Lagoon Bash: Blue Widow with Rugburn, 9 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO

Dave Jordan Trio, 7 pm

OKAY BAR Maddy Kirgo + Keaton Schiller + Olivia Barnes, 7 pm

THE PRESS ROOM AT THE ELIZA JANE — Or Shovaly Plus, 4 pm

THE RABBIT HOLE House of Disco, 10 pm

SAENGER THEATRE Stardew Valley, 8 pm

SATURN BAR — Latin Night with La Tran-K, 9 pm

SMOOTHIE KING CENTER — Billie Eilish (Night 1), 8 pm

THE STALLION BAR — Late Night Karaoke at The Stallion Bar , 9:30 pm

TIPITINA’S — Hayes Carll + Jobi Riccio, 8 pm

SATURDAY 8

30/90 Jon Roniger & The Good For Nothin’ Band, 5 pm; Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces, 8 pm

ALLWAYS LOUNGE — I love Lefty Lucy, 7 pm; Ficheraz: Live Latin Band & Burlesque, 8 pm

APPLE BARREL — Smoky Greenwell Blues Band, 10:30 pm

BACCHANAL Miles Berry, 1 pm; Pete Olynciw, 7 pm

BAMBOULAS Aaron Levinson and Friends, 11 am; James McClaskey and The Rhythm Band, 2:15 pm; Johnny Mastro Blues, 6:30 pm; Paggy Prine and Southern Soul, 10 pm

BMC The New Orleans Rug Cutters, 5:30 pm

BROADSIDE Rock Art Circus, 6 pm

BUFFA’S Bruno Elisabetsky, 8 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH — Papa Mali w/ Will Kimbrough & A Lee Edwards, 9 pm

DOS JEFES — Vivaz!, 9 pm

GASA GASA — New Constellations with Jane Leo, 9 pm

JIMMY’S MUSIC CLUB — Trumpet Mafa, 10 pm

LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Reverend Rob

B. Mortimer, 11 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR — John “Papa” Gros Band, 8 pm

NO DICE — ELLIOT FROM EARTH,11 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO — Doctor

Lo & Friends with Special Guests Camile Baudoin & Rurik Nunan, 7 pm

OKAY BAR Spell Breaker + Dana Ives + Yolquetza + La Bomb, 8 pm

PUBLIC BELT AT HILTON NEW ORLEANS RIVERSIDE — Phil Melancon, 8 pm

THE PRESS ROOM AT THE ELIZA JANE Or Shovaly Plus, 4 pm

SANTOS BAR BONGINATOR with NO/MAS & SWAMPGRAVE, 10 pm

SATURN BAR Mod Dance Party, 10 pm

SMOOTHIE KING CENTER Billie Eilish (Night 2), 7 pm

ST. ROCH TAVERN Hash Cabbage, 9 pm

TIPITINA’S Hustle with DJ Soul Sister, 10 pm

SUNDAY 9

30/90 — Single Malt Please, 9 pm

ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Sunday Swing, 8 pm

APPLE BARREL Sunday Swing with JJ & The A-Ok’s, 8 pm

BACCHANAL — Juan Tigre, 1 pm; Noah Young, 7 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE — Conjunto Tierra Linda, 6 pm

BOURBON STREET HONKY TONK — The Bad Sandys, 8 pm

CAROUSEL BAR The Iguanas, 8 pm

DOS JEFES — Mikayla Braun, 8 pm

FRED HAMPTON FREE STORE — Captain Buckles Roller Skate Dance Album Release, 6 pm

HOLY DIVER NOLA The Luxurious Faux Furs with Get Dressed & DJ Inspektor Sodapop, 9 pm

HOTEL PETER & PAUL Bulgarika Bulgarian Band, 6:30 pm

HOWLIN WOLF Hot 8 Brass Band, 10:30 pm

MARIGNY OPERA HOUSE — The Gavin Eckler Trio, 7:30 pm

NO DICE — Akai Solo with Quandry & Jireh, 9 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO — The Desert Nudes, 5 pm

OLD ARABI LIGHTHOUSE RECORDS AND BOOKS — Open Mic Night with Guest Host The Bad Naked, 6 pm

SANTOS — IAMX with Clubdrugs, 9 pm

SATURN BAR — Katy Guillen & The Drive + Brusiey Peets + Grape Candy, 9 pm

STUDIO SAINT PHILIP — Steve Lands’ The Draconid Suite, 7 pm

TIPITINA’S — Pigeons Playing Ping Pong + Eggy, 7 pm

New number

by Jake Clapp

JUST BEFORE PHOTOGRAPHER

MEG TURNER WAS SET TO TAKE A TINTYPE PORTRAIT of Sabine McCalla, the New Orleans singer-songwriter received a disappointing text message. Turner snapped the photo, and it’s easy to see annoyance and maybe a little disgust in McCalla’s expression. She decided to use the photo as the cover of her new album, “Don’t Call Me Baby.”

“That face on the album is very natural for my disappointment,” McCalla says. “I hadn’t written ‘Sunshine Kisses’ (which opens the album), but as soon as I saw that photo and had written that song, I was like, I want every song to resonate with this picture in some way.”

McCalla’s debut full-length album will be released Friday, Nov. 7, on the label Gar Hole Records. And McCalla next performs live at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Broadside with Kimya Dawson, Theo Grizol and Middnight.

Rooted in New Orleans rhythm and blues, McCalla blends in a range of styles on “Don’t Call Me Baby,” including Brazilian samba, Southern soul and doo-wop. It’s an engaging mix of roots music that lays the foundation for McCalla’s gentle vocals that at turns celebrate independence, reflect on heartache or softly speak to a lover.

“This album holds a lot of songs about my disappointment with men,” McCalla says, “and also how, maybe, I’m disappointed with loneliness. All those feelings of anger, transmuting them into something to give myself some self-love.”

The daughter of Haitian immigrants, McCalla grew up in suburban New Jersey outside New York City, and alongside her sister Leyla McCalla, was introduced at an early age to chamber music. Sabine McCalla began playing classical violin as a child and took part in music camps and classes while also hearing a range of music, from Motown and The Beatles to Haitian folk music.

After traveling around for a few years, she landed in New Orleans in 2014, where her sister had already made a home. McCalla wanted to work on her musicianship and immersed herself into the Americana music community.

“When I moved here, I was learning a lot of old blues songs and songs by Bessie Smith and The Boswell Sisters,” McCalla says. “I was very welcomed by the Americana scene and started going to the All-Star

Country Jamboree every Tuesday and met a lot of musicians that way.”

In 2018, McCalla released her first EP, “Folk,” a set of songs intimately presented with just vocals by McCalla and Carver Baronda and some drums by Leonie Evans and piano by Sam Doores. The EP was well-received, and McCalla went on to play the Newport Folk Festival. Around that time, McCalla had started to create a full band and was writing many of the songs that would end up on “Don’t Call Me Baby.” She had taken the cover photo with Turner, who at the time had a residency at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, “and it all seemed to fall into place,” McCalla says.

But when the Covid pandemic hit, things kind of fell apart as people moved away and venues were closed. But McCalla regrouped a few years ago and recorded her new album with a host of friends, including Doores, bassists Ajai Combelic and Gina Leslie, who also plays guitar, drummer Howe Pearson and Craig Flory, playing flute, bass sax and synth. There also are vocal contributions by Leyla McCalla, The Lostines, Riley Downing and Sam Gelband.

One track from “Folk,” the haunting blues track “I Went to the Levee” — which empathetically reflects on poverty, inequality and violence in New Orleans — is re-recorded with a fuller sound on “Don’t Call Me Baby.”

There also are writing contributions by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and songwriters Roger Cook and Pat McLaughlin on two songs developed during a 2020 songwriting session after McCalla met Auerbach at a Nashville studio. One of those tunes, “Louisiana Hound Dog,” has a fun, classic rock ’n’ roll feel.

“I hope [listeners] experience some joy from listening to ‘Don’t Call Me Baby,’ ” McCalla says.

sabinemccalla.bandcamp.com.

Port Air Space Day and Bud & Burgers in the Bay Take Flight November 8

This ar ticle is brought to you by Partners for Stennis

BAY ST LOUIS, Miss - Main Street will come alive wi th innovation, favor, and communit y spir it as two of Hancock Coun ty ’s most an ticipated fall events join forces for one ex traordinar y celebration. Port Air Space Day in the Bay and Bud & Burger s in the Bay will take place Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. next to the grounds surrounding the Histor ic Hancock Count y Courthouse in down town Bay St Louis.

A Day of Exploration, Innovation & Family Fun

Presented by the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, Port Air Space Day invi tes visi tors of all ages to ex perience hands- on science, technology, engineer ing, and math (S TEM) ex hibi ts inspired by Hancock Coun ty ’s deep connections to space and ocean exploration Gues ts can meet NA SA engineer s, in teract wi th figh t and space ex hibi ts, and lear n more about cu tting- edge advancement s at Stennis Space Center and Michoud Assembly Facili ty. Featured at trac tions will include in teractive ST EM displays, robotics demons trations, underwater drone ex periences, and figh t simulator s, along wi th special ex hibit s from local and regional aerospace partners. It also features a state of the ar t Planet ar ium Dome thanks to the Librar y and Librar y Foundation The event celebrates Hancock Count y’s role as a hub for innovation and discovery, foster ing fu ture generations of ex plorers and engineer s.

Burgers, Beats & Bragging Rights

Adding a delicious twis t to the day, the 4th Annual Bud & Burger s in the Bay competition will take place in tandem wi th Port Air Space Day. This sizzling cook-o ff challenges teams to create the best burger in the region A panel of ex pert judges will select the top contenders, while festivalgoer s can vote for the Peop le’s Choice Award wi th $1 ballot s bene fting loc al programs like the Food Pantry. Live music by Assumed Risk , in teractive ac tivities, and mouthwater ing aromas will fll the air as competitor s fre up their gr ills and creativi ty

Pr izes, bragging righ ts, and communit y pr ide are all on the line as Hancock Coun ty ’s best gr ill master s battle it ou t to be crowned the Burger Beas t of the Bay. All are welcome to compete, rest aurant s, individual cook ing teams, and local businesses all have a chance to take home the gold

Powered by Local and National Partners

This year ’s events are made possible through the generous suppor t of an impressive lineup of sponsors:

Port-Air-Space Title Sponsor:

• Hancock Coun ty Port and Harbor Commission

• Commander Level 1:

• COLSA Cor poration

• L3Harris Aeroje t Rocketdyne

• Lock heed Martin Aerospace (Michoud )

• NA SA Michoud Assembly Fa cili ty

• Relativi ty Space

• Wayfnder Initiative MS

Pilot Level 2:

• INFINI TY Science Center

• Rocket Lab

• Catalyst Lear ning

• Keesler Federal Credit Union - Waveland

Mission Specialist 3:

• Calgon Carbon Cor poration

• Hancock Count y Librar y System

Bud & Burgers Sponsors:

• Froogel’s

• Silver Slipper Casino Hotel

• Chiniche Engineer ing & Surveying

• The Club at Diamondhead

A Celebration of Communit y Toge ther, Port Air Space Day and Bud & Burger s in the Bay showcase the best of Hancock Coun ty - it s innovation, industry, culinary creativi ty, and communi ty pr ide. Wi th thousands expected to at tend, this combined celebration promises to be an unforget table day of ST EM discover y, local favor, and family fun. For de tails, registration, or sponsorship oppor tuni ties, visi t ww w.hancockchamber.

org or call 228- 467-90 48 This projec t is partially funded by a gran t through Visi t Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coas t National Heri tage Area

Winter Issue Bars Cocktails &

GOING OUT

Letters home

by Will Coviello

IN THE 1920S, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA tried to stamp out Cajun French. The 1921 state constitution forbade its use in schools.

But when World War II started, plenty of Cajuns enlisted to fight fascism in Europe, and many served as translators in France. They included Dennis Neal, who facilitated a connection to the French resistance.

After the Allies defeated the Nazis, Neal returned to the U.S. with his French wife.

“I love his story,” says Monica Ordonez, choreographer and director of Melange Dance Company. “He met his wife at the liberation of Paris. She was a French woman. She sailed on a ship with war brides after the war, and they settled in Louisiana.”

That’s one of the stories included in Melange Dance Company’s expanded piece, “Love Letters of World War II.” The show runs Nov. 7-9 and 15-16 at New Marigny Theatre.

Melange Dance premiered the original, shorter version of “Love Letters” in 2019. It was based on letters between a young French couple in Normandy who were separated during World War II. Roger was forced into a German work camp, but the two were able to keep in touch via letters, and that’s when their romance began. He shared the difficulties of the camp, including that it had been bombed. She wrote of waiting on his return, and she also witnessed the near destruction of their hometown. It wouldn’t come until a year after the war ended, but they reunited in Paris.

The piece featured music by Sarah Quintana. She and accordionist Christophe Lampidecchia released an album in France titled “Love Letters,” the original project based on the couple. It blended folk and early jazz sounds, including French styles and musette. The album was released in the U.S. with the premiere of Melange’s show, and Quintana performed live for the piece.

The new version uses Quintana’s music and adds songs popular in the 1940s, like Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again.” Vocalist Anna Laura Quinn is the musical director, and she’ll be backed by a seven-piece band.

Yvette and Roger’s story remains the core of “Love Letters,” but Ordonez expanded the piece from 50 to 90 minutes. Much of the new material is about “Frenchies,” a term spawned for Cajun soldiers who served as wartime interpreters in Europe and North Africa.

“There are individual stories of some of the Frenchies and then general pictures of gearing up for war (at home), like with the Higgins boats and these Louisiana stories,” Ordonez says.

She also reworked the narrative. The original piece used recordings of some of the original letters. Now there’s a live narrator who guides the story, in both French and English.

The production features a cast of nearly 20. Adrienne Simmons is Yvette and Blake Bellanger is Roger. The dancers also play soldiers, Frenchies, members of the French resistance, nurses and performers from the war era.

Melange Dance has presented many shows exploring historical events, including the deadly fire at the UpStairs Lounge, Prohibition and speakeasies, Ellis Island and immigration and more.

“Love Letters of World War II” is at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 & 9, and 2 p.m. Nov. 8-9, and continues Nov. 15-16. Tickets $25 and

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PREMIER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

GO FISH

By Frank A. Longo

ACROSS

1 Hoops-centered cable channel

6 Hoarse-voiced

11

Art of Erté

“Der --” (nickname for Konrad Adenauer)

27 Greek letters before rhos

28 “-- & the Women” (Richard Gere film)

in “Eat This, Not That!” books

Bay State coll.

Wrestling pad

Saint Anselm, e.g.

A wizard may cast it

“Botch- --” (Rosemary Clooney hit)

Grain alcohol

Squealed on, say

Squeal on

She’s part of the Hindu Godhead

Pregnancy length

Put -- show

Suffix with propyl

Bullring cries

Frozen drink brand

Hit Pixar film ... and what you are doing as you examine this puzzle’s longest answers? 118 Pond wriggler

Mom’s mom

Epic of Troy

Stylish flair

Language spoken by 124-Across

Pant

Scottish Celts

Wanda of “Black-ish”

Braves’ and Mets’ div.

Popular vacation mo.

31 PDQ cousin 32 “I expected as much” 33 Many store owners 34 Gas in signs 35 Filmmaker: Abbr.

39 It may follow “So I lied!” 40 Playwright William 41 For each

Footsteps

Ball for grads

In a way

Chinese menu abbr.

Sub-locating system

“Auntie” 56 Foofaraws

57 Element in a reactor

59 Fit together, as gears

60 “All Alone Am I” singer 61 Sunrise side 62 Gyllenhaal of “The Guilty” 63 “Latino USA” broadcaster

Angsty genre 65 Breath fresheners 66 Ticket section 70 “To clarify ...”

71 Pal, in Lille 74 ‘60s protest 75 “Ticklish” doll

77 Certain till bill

78 Making reference to itself

81 Ancient concert hall

82 Making copies of

83 I, in Berlin

85 -- -Ball

87 “I just skimmed the post” inits.

88 Omitting nothing

89 Spam sender, say

90 Current events reported via websites

91 Silent assents

92 Lilly of drugs

93 Loofahs, e.g.

94 Power

98 Marvel mutant group

100 Opposite of 61Down, in Spanish

102 “There it is!”

103 Concave bellybutton

104 Tennis star Rafael

106 School sports org.

107 Certain till bills

108 Messy stack

113 “Newton” fruit 114 SSNs, e.g. 115 Moose cousin

116 Sallie --

117 Nail-biting NFL periods

Lot712:R areFineAmericanSwell-Front Cherry Chest, Circle of Nathan Lumbard, Central Massachusetts, c. 18 05 -1815, Estimates: $3,0 00 -$5,00 0

Lot354:PairofMassive Architectural Bronze Atlas Pilasters, 20 th c., Estimates: $3,0 00 -$5,00 0

Lot331:BeeGees Autographed Squire Guitar,sharpie signed on thebody/soundboard by the Gibb brothers, Estimates: $1,0 00 -$2,000

Lot734:PeshawarGarden Paradise Carpet ,9’1 x12’ , Estimates: $2 ,0 00 -$4,00 0

Lot937:French Provincial Farm Tablewith TwoBenches,20thc., Estimates: $1,0 00 -$2,00 0

Lot378:BillMack(American /Minnesota ,b 1949), “R hapsody,”1993, bonded bronze wall relief on wood panel, Estimates: $2 ,0 00 -$4,000

Lot336:PairofCustomPainted Emil J. Paidar Barber Chairs,Chicago,IL.,early 20 th c., Estimates: $1,0 00 -$2,000

Lot853:Clementine Reuben Hunter (American/ Louisiana, 1887-1988), “Zinnias,” oilonboard , Estimates: $4 ,0 00 -$6,00 0

Lot743:MuskoxinSnow DioramaTaxidermy Mount, 20th c., Estimates: $1,0 00 -$2,000

Lot 741: LeopardPouncing on aGazelle DioramaTaxider my Mount, 20 th c.,Estimates:$1,00 0- $2 ,0 00

Lot724:Louisiana Creole St yle FlushPanel FiguredCherr y Ar moire, NewOrleans,Madeinthe St .DomingueTradition ,c.179 01820,Estimates:$5,00 0- $8 ,0 00

Lot8 07,811,810,812: Selectionof Jewelr yItems, includingdiamond s, etc.

Lot888:A ssociatedGroup of SevenIrish ChippendaleMahoganyDiningChairs, 20 th c., Estimates: $1,0 00 -$1,50 0

Lot861:Large ItalianStyle Polychromed Carved Figure on MetalPlinth, 19th c., Estimates: $8 00 -$1, 20 0

Lot8 01:Fif ty-FivePiece Lunt PartialSterlingDinner Service, in the“Belvedere” pattern, Estimates: $2 ,0 00 -$4,00 0

Lot380:A stleyDavid MiddletonCooper (American, 1856 -1924), “Seduction of Danae,”c.18851890,oil on canvas, Estimates: $10,000 -$20,0 00

Lot776:PetrusGerardus Vertin (Dutch,1819-1893), “Dutch Street SceneinWinter,” oilonwoodpanel , Estimates: $600 -$1, 20 0

Lot8 03:Georg Jensen St yleLaPagliaFivePieced Associated Sterling Teaand CofeeService,20thc., in the “Blossom”pat tern , Estimates: $5,0 00 -$10,0 00

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Lot727:American ClassicalVert Giltwood Sofa ,Circle of Duncan Phyfe, NewYorkCit y, early 19th c.,Estimates: $1,0 00 -$2,000

Lot693:Luigi Loir (French/ Austrian ,1845-1916 ), “Les Quais de La Gare,” oilonwoodpanel , Estimates: $2 ,0 00 -$4,00 0

Lot531,536 ,537,&533: Selection of Guns andRif es

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