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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

9th Ward revival

The story of 9th Ward spiritual leader Mother Catherine Seals

LONG BEFORE HURRICANE KATRINA

FLOODING DESTROYED THE HOMES on the blocks of Lamanche Street near Oliver Bush Park in the Lower 9th Ward, there was a spiritual church at the center of a compound called The Manger. The church was Mother Catherine Seals’ Temple of the Innocent Blood. Though influential and wealthy in the 1920s, the Black spiritual leader and healer is an almost forgotten figure in New Orleans.

Largely illiterate and a survivor of three abusive husbands, Mother Catherine turned to the popular Eternal Life Christian Spiritualist Church. After a faith healer refused to see her on a day not reserved for Black followers, she split off and led her own congregation. At the height of her mission in the 1920s, more than 1,000 followers, including many mixed-race former residents of Storyville, lived at The Manger.

“The Temple was the meeting place where they would worship twice a day,” says Pandora Gastelum, who’s created a puppet show about Mother Catherine. “It was an open-air tent, where Mother Catherine lived. She had her private quarters in the temple. Quite dramatically, she would be lowered through a hole in the tent to hold services. She would be lowered down to greet the congregation with great fanfare from the band.”

Gastelum and the Mudlark Puppeteers are erecting a tent in Oliver Bush Park near the original site of the Manger to tell the story of Mother Catherine, from her humble beginnings to becoming a sought-after medium and nationally known spiritualist. The show features six puppeteers, using more than 100 rod and shadow puppets, and a live band playing jazz and gospel. The show runs Nov. 21-23.

Mother Catherine was born Nanny Cowans in Kentucky. She arrived in New Orleans at age 16 and found work doing laundry and later as a cook. She married at 17, but her husband beat her and the marriage didn’t last.

Abuse from later husbands was worse, and she suffered a stroke, as recounted in Gastelum’s “Mother Catherine and the Temple of the Innocent Blood.” Then named Nanny Jenkins, she was drawn to Mother Leafy Anderson, an African-American spiritualist from Chicago who was then in New Orleans leading the Eternal Life Christian Spiritualist Church. Jenkins turned to faith healers, determined that if God would heal her, she would turn to a life of healing herself.

She was drawn deeply into the AfricanAmerican spiritualist movement.

“A large part of the play is the history of African-American spiritualism, which is a religion unto itself,” Gastelum says. “It’s a unique blend of Christianity, mediumship practices, mediation and there’s a lot in common with transcendentalism. There’s a whole array of religions and folkways that inform African-American spiritualism. The Temple of the Innocent Blood is Mother Catherine’s particular sect. Her teachings and her gospels are very much her own pastiche based on her folk wisdom.”

Mother Catherine quickly became recognized for her abilities as a medium, advising rich and poor alike about their lives and futures. She also was gifted as a healer and created natural remedies. That became the basis for her following, attracting Black and white followers, particularly Italian immigrants.

“Mother Catherine’s world was a world of faith and nurturing through love and mutual aid and caregiving,” Gastelum says. “A lot of the worship was around ministering to the sick, impoverished and outcast.”

In the 1920s, she had enough of a following and resources from medium consultations and natural cures to start building the Manger in the 9th Ward. A largely self-supporting community grew and built out the Manger.

“They had an incredibly healthy, self-sustained community,” Gastelum says. “They had their own medical facilities. They had their own livestock and

by Will Coviello |

crops. They made their own clothing. They had their own shoemaker. They were incredibly independent, and this was during the Jim Crow era.”

Mother Catherine sanctioned and performed interracial marriages at the temple.

Services at the Temple also featured bands, and early jazz musicians performed and participated in life at the Manger. Frank Lastie, grandfather of drummer Joe Lastie, was an early jazz musician and longtime bandleader. He was the leader of the Temple’s band, and he remained active with AfricanAmerican spiritualist churches.

Though Mother Catherine had many white patrons, a Black woman leading a mixed-race congregation in a large compound on the edge of the city also attracted negative attention.

“They faced constant resistance,” Gastelum says. “There were many acts of arson. They would build new structures, and they would get destroyed by fire within the month that they went up.”

Not much is known about Mother Catherine herself. She didn’t write, so any sermons or preachings would have been recorded by others. An excavation by UNO archeologist Ryan Gray unearthed religious statuary as well as all sorts of practical items, from pottery to clothing, at the site of the Manger.

Much of what is known about Mother Catherine was written by folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, who spent several months at the Manger in 1924. Others, including local newspaper reporters, wrote about Mother Catherine and the Manger, but often hostilely. Gastelum uses all those texts.

“I have done everything I can to allow them to speak in their own words,” she says. “Wherever there is a person’s perspective recorded in their own language, that’s what you’re going to hear. Zora Neale Hurston speaks in her own words.”

In the show, Gastelum handles the puppet for Hurston. Actress Monica Harris handles Mother Catherine Seals. Other historical figures in the show include Storyville madam Lulu White. Gastelum also hopes the show is a beginning point, including for more storytelling about the community in the neighborhood. She’d like to find more descendants of people who lived at the Manger and attended the Temple of the Innocent Blood.

Tickets are $10-$25 via themudlarkneworleans.com.

Palmyra

Virginia folk rock trio Palmyra reveal their vulnerabilities on their recent full-length album, “Restless.” With rich harmonies and a lot of energy, the band members take a compassionate look at anxieties, hardships and the changes that come with adulthood. Palmyra opens for Ethan Regan at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets are $26.96 via chickiewahwah.com.

Kyle Roussel

Recent Grammy Award nominee

Kyle Roussel plays the next Booker & Beyond concert at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM). The series, with weekly shows at the Maple Leaf and a monthly event at the EMCM, spotlights New Orleans pianists and is dedicated to the Bayou Maharaja, James Booker. Roussel released the album “Church of New Orleans” earlier this year, which is up for the Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album. He plays at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, and tickets are $15 general admission, $45 reserved seating and $5 for students. Find more at ellismarsaliscenter.org.

Shane Torres

Comic Shane Torres has appeared on late-night TV, is a regular on the “All Fantasy Everything” podcast and co-hosted “No Accounting for Taste.” In 2023, he released his comedy special “The Blue-Eyed Mexican.” He performs at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, at Sports Drink. Tickets $29.69 via sportsdrink.org.

Jamaica beneft dinner

Paradigm Gardens hosts a concert and benefit dinner Tuesday, Nov. 18, to support relief efforts in Jamaica, which is rebuilding after the monstrous Hurricane Melissa. There will be food by Baru, Mister Mao, Kingsway, Here Today and Brasa, and Americana band Cactus Thief will

THUMBS UP/ THUMBS DOWN

Susan M. Taylor, the director of the New Orleans Museum of Art, was recently awarded France’s Legion of Honor at the rank of Chevalier for her work strengthening ties between New Orleans and France. The Legion of Honor is France’s highest decoration, given for military and civil achievements. The Consul General of France in Louisiana, Rodolphe Sambou, presented the honor to Taylor during a ceremony in early November.

OPENING GAMBIT

Who’s ready for some holiday cocktails?

Dr. Jay Kolls, a Tulane University School of Medicine professor, recently won a $7.5 million National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute grant and will use the funds to study pneumonia immunity. Kolls’ research will study “the longevity of immunity-related cells in the nose,” Tulane said in a statement, with the hopes of learning how to prolong those cells’ lifespan and help with pneumonia prevention.

State approves $125M emergency loan for New Orleans, but payroll could still be delayed

NEW ORLEANS LEADERS NOV. 12 CONVINCED STATE OFFICIALS to approve an emergency short-term $125 million loan to pay 5,000 city workers through the end of the year — though it remains unclear if the cash will come in time to avoid pay disruptions.

Roderick Alvendia, a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors and the chairman of the committee overseeing UNO’s transition into the LSU System, recently instructed 11 transition “workgroups” to meet privately, which could violate the state’s open meetings law, the Louisiana Illuminator reported. State law says subcommittees of public bodies must conduct business in public. An LSU attorney, though, told the Illuminator these workgroups may not be subject to those rules.

The city, which is in a cash flow crisis, won’t be able to access the $125 million until after the loan documents are ready, which City Council Budget Chair Joe Giarrusso said won’t be until later next week.

Giarrusso told Gambit last week that the city only had enough cash on hand to get it through Nov. 12, the same day city leaders went before the State Bond Commission.

With cash from the loan not being available until sometime next week, city employees could potentially face delays in their paychecks, which are supposed to go out on Thursdays.

Workers get paid every other week, but the pay schedule alternates between first responders one week and the rest of city workers the next.

“We are trying to make sure payroll is taken care of,” Giarrusso told Gambit

Wednesday, but as of 3:10 p.m. he was still waiting to hear if the city could pay its workers this Thursday. It also remains unclear whether companies and individuals who work for the city on a contract basis will get paid through the end of the year. Over the last two decades, successive administrations have increasingly outsourced much of the work traditionally done by city workers, including contracting with companies to do road construction and repair, facility maintenance and other duties.

But there are also many individuals who work in various agencies as contractors.

State officials’ initial hesitancy and threat of sending in a fiscal administrator to take over city operations have delayed the city from getting the emergency loan for weeks. Meanwhile, the clock has been ticking as the city runs out of cash on hand.

THE ROUGH ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN NEW ORLEANS RUN BY SONDER AT THE PEAK OF ITS OPERATIONS.

Sonder, a top competitor with Airbnb, abruptly filed for bankruptcy on Nov. 12 after Marriott terminated a nationwide licensing deal. The company laid off its employees and evicted guests from previously booked rental units.

C’EST WHAT ?

Which local Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant do you want to check out?

In those weeks, the New Orleans City Council passed a host of strict 16%

guardrails for spending the loan money to make state officials more comfortable with approving the loan. Those included putting the money in a special fund for payroll, which would require permission from Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael Waguespack for withdrawals, and an investigation by the auditor and Office of the Inspector General into the city’s spending dating back to 2022.

The tide appeared to turn after Mayor-elect and Council Vice President Helena Moreno, Council President JP Morrell and Giarrusso met with Senate President Cameron Henry and others last week.

council members and Waguespack said the city will likely need additional short-term loans while it gets its spending and revenue houses in order.

“It’s going to take three years to get out of this deficit spending,” Waguespack said.

Mayor-elect Helena Moreno zeroes in on police overtime spending amid budget crisis

AS MAYOR-ELECT HELENA MORENO ATTEMPTS TO MAKE GOOD on her recent promise to state leaders to keep a tighter watch on New Orleans’ finances, she’s already identified one area of concern: Overtime spending.

The understaffed New Orleans Police Department’s spending came under fresh scrutiny after Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack reported that no one had budgeted for police overtime in the city’s 2025 budget, which faces a deficit of $160 million.

But Waguespack has begun digging deeper into the issue in recent weeks at the City Council’s request. The Office of the Inspector General separately confirmed to W VUE television that it was investigating the matter back in July, after the station reported that 23 officers had more than doubled their salaries by reporting long shifts for weeks or months straight without a day off. The OIG is now working separately with Waguespack’s office on its investigation, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

Both moves come over a year after a NOPD official sounded alarms about mounting overtime expenses, emails show.

The City of New Orleans is projected to spend $160 million than it brings in by the end of 2025 due to spending $50 million more in overtime than it budgeted for and bringing in less revenue than it expected.

Chief Administrative Officer Joe Threat only notified council members of the cash flow crisis on Oct. 21. He said the city has been waiting months for the federal government to extend a key FEMA grant to fund some of its construction projects.

“I think it was just basically improper budgeting practices and no real oversight or control, especially of the overtime,” Waguespack said at the Nov. 12 Bond Commission meeting.

The city will need to pay back the loan within six months. However, given the city’s financial situation,

He also suggested city officials consider furloughs for city employees, noting that one day a week taken off would save the city $1 million per payroll period, roughly $25 million in savings per year.

Moving forward, Morrell has filed a bill that would change the city charter to require a public hearing for a mayor’s administration to move around money in the city budget once it’s passed. That measure would require voter approval, and the goal, he told state officials, is to get it on the ballot during next fall’s elections.

Gov. Jeff Landry said if New Orleans residents don’t want the state “in their business” — such as sending in a fiscal adminstrator — they need to pass the amendment.

“If you don’t want us in, then go ahead and take the measures necessary to keep y’all from being able to come here (before the Bond Commission),” he said. — Kaylee Poche

“Having discussions with the auditor and also our inspector general, there needs to be better controls of overtime with NOPD as well, and also a better look at potential abuse of overtime,” Moreno on Wednesday told a state panel that considered but ultimately decided against recommending the appointment of a state administrator to manage New Orleans’ finances.

“I don’t have a cent to waste. And so that’s another piece that we’ll be working through as well to ensure that not just NOPD, but that every department has the right set of controls on overtime,” said Moreno.

She added that her transition team plans to propose that $50 million be budgeted next year for overtime. Waguespack has estimated that the NOPD and other city agencies will have racked up close to that amount by the end of this year.

Though Waguespack’s review is not complete, he said Tuesday that his office has identified “some very excessive overtime” in NOPD records.

That includes officers who have signed up “to work a detail as opposed

to work(ing) a shift,” which requires another officer to work at an overtime rate to fill the shift, he said. He added that his team will not release its findings until early next year.

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, meanwhile, has said the department has an abundance of unfilled positions, which means the officers who are working must log extra hours. In October, she rejected the council’s request to freeze overtime spending in light of the city’s cashflow crisis.

“I am not going to let an officer get hurt, and I am not going to let the community be hurt because I am not willing to pay overtime,” Kirkpatrick said in October.

NOPD did not respond to a request for additional comment on Wednesday. Neither did Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration.

Budgeting issue

The New Orleans Police Department has 900 officers, but needs 1,200 to effectively patrol the city, Kirkpatrick has said. To make the most of the diminished force, NOPD has consistently relied on overtime to keep officers on the street for daily coverage and major events alike.

But this year, city officials quietly abandoned a practice of using money budgeted for unfilled positions to cover overtime at year’s end. That meant the city budgeted for just $57,500 in employee overtime this year — a fraction of the $47 million it spent on overtime in 2024. City officials have yet to explain that decision. New Orleans is on track to spend $50 million on overtime this year, Waguespack has said.

Kirkpatrick in October criticized the city for not allotting her office enough overtime. Though some events that require overtime – extreme weather, the Jan. 1 terrorist attack — cannot be predicted, others, like Mardi Gras and other holidays, generate a high amount of overtime each year and can be.

“I have to have a realistic budget,” said Kirkpatrick. “You can’t give me $45,000 in an overtime line item and expect me to manage that.”

After the state’s Fiscal Review Committee meeting on Wednesday, Moreno said she, like Kirkpatrick, thinks the city should “do whatever possible to ensure we have enough coverage” to keep residents safe.

At the same time, she said she instructed Kirkpatrick to increase overtime oversight.

Waguespack this week said that his office was still collecting overtime records and couldn’t yet say how many officers had chosen to work off-duty details instead of working regular shifts. His review, when complete, will include not just NOPD’s overtime but that of all city departments.

The Office of Inspector General will also “determine whether NOPD policies and procedures for overtime are consistent with best practices and effective in preventing payroll fraud,” said Inspector General Ed Michel in a statement Tuesday, adding that the office

would release a public letter by the end of the year.

That office has previously found multiple instances of payroll fraud in NOPD’s ranks and overtime problems with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Alarms raised The focus on overtime spending comes almost two years after an NOPD budget administrator first raised concerns about the agency’s overtime costs, emails show.

Antoinette Bradstreet issued multiple warnings to Kirkpatrick and other NOPD leaders starting in February 2024 about “surging” overtime costs. She urged leaders to reduce the cap for officers from 56 hours per week and noted that increases in the hourly overtime rate of pay in recent years had contributed to the increased costs.

On Feb. 18, she noted that the department had already spent nearly $4.5 million in overtime that year, and requested a meeting with Kirkpatrick. Multiple additional emails reiterating the costs through the end of April suggest that that meeting did not happen. In June, Kirkpatrick extended the 56-hour limit. Bradstreet, who left the NOPD and began a job with the city in July 2024, according to her LinkedIn, did not respond to a request for comment.

Kirkpatrick said in July of this year that the NOPD was looking into whether officers actually worked the hours they said they did, according to W VUE.

New Orleans officials prep

‘failsafe’

plan for city worker pay

THE NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL NOV. 13

BEGAN THE PROCESS of tapping into the city’s rainy-day fund in case it is needed to pay city workers next week while they wait for a $125 million short term loan from the state to become available.

During a special council meeting, Mayor-elect and Council Vice President Helena Moreno, President JP Morrell and Budget Chair Joe Giarrusso introduced an ordinance that would allow the council to unlock the fund for that purpose next week. Giarrusso called the measure a “failsafe.”

Members will need to approve that measure when they meet Wednesday, Nov. 19, in order to free up the money for the next day, when paychecks for first responders are supposed to go out.

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FriedThaichillirib appetizer

Shepherds pie with asidesalad

City officials also highlighted concerns of “surging overtime” in a special council meeting to discuss the city’s budget issues in February 2025. “Spending is Out Of Control” read a slide in officials’ PowerPoint presentation.

City officials again flagged overtime spending in May, when they estimated that overtime costs were projected to reach nearly $50 million in 2025. The Bureau of Governmental Research, a nonprofit good government group, also questioned whether overtime was being tallied accurately in an April report, and noted that the city’s budget leaders conceded then that overtime was not included in the 2025 budget.

Monthly budget reports the Cantrell administration prepared for the council in 2024 included “erroneous projections,” the BGR report noted, which “delayed by months the discovery of a $42 million deficit in the department’s budget related primarily to police overtime.”

An ordinance the council approved last week as it worked to convince the state to allow it to sell $125 million in emergency bonds to stem its cashflow crisis includes a requirement that the city’s chief administrative officer and finance director provide the council with 90-day overtime projections, among other new oversight mechanisms. — Sophie Kasakove and Blake Paterson / The Times-Picayune

Though it was a close call, the city has begun paying workers who aren’t first responders for this pay period. The city pays its workers every two weeks, alternating weeks between first responders and other city workers.

Giarrusso said as of Thursday morning, it looked like the city will need to take $2-3 million from the rainy day fund to cover payroll for first responders next week.

While state officials approved the city’s request for a $125 million emergency loan on Nov. 12, that city won’t be able to access that money until later next week, setting up a tight timeline for making sure the city meets payroll in the meantime.

Some state officials originally pushed for a fiscal administrator to come in and take control of the city, leading the council to withdraw its original request. City and state leaders eventually worked things out to where the city could get the loan with strict guardrails but without a fiscal administrator. Still, the back and forth delayed the city getting the loan for weeks.

Giarrusso said at the Nov. 13 meeting that the city could receive additional cash in the next week that could prevent them from using money from the rainy day fund.

“But I think we can all agree that we don’t want to get to the cusp of payroll and then be $3-4 million short, and then have to scramble to find the money,” he said.

Chief Administrative Officer Joe Threat said his office would also look into whether work on projects could be slowed, paused or stopped to save cash through the end of the year. — Kaylee Poche

Mini crab cake sliders with remouladespringmix andfries

Baconegg andcheesebagel with pepper jack andhashbrowns

Italian sausagespinach ricotta stuffed shellpasta with side ceaser

Shortribsinmushroom Demi with 5cheeseMac andcheese androasted cauliflower

Bakedchicken with Scotsaugratinpotatoes andveggies

Veal parm poboy with fries

Hey Blake,

We recently saw the outstanding production of “Gypsy” at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Someone said that June Havoc, on whom the character “Baby June” is based, had a connection to New Orleans. What can you tell us?

Dear reader,

JUNE HAVOC, BORN ELLEN HOVICK IN 1912, was the younger sister of wellknown burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, born Rose Louise Hovick. The story of the sisters and their Mama Rose, the archetypal stage mother, is the basis for “Gypsy: A Musical Fable,” regarded as one of the best Broadway musicals, first staged in 1959 and adapted into a 1962 film.

help this notable cause,” she said in a September 1969 Times-Picayune article as she arrived in New Orleans and accepted a key to the city from Mayor Vic Schiro.

After her career as a child performer in vaudeville, June Havoc performed on Broadway and in more than 25 films. In 1967, she came here to perform in Repertory Theater, New Orleans’ production of “The Rivals.” The city’s only professional theater company formed the previous year.

According to a New York Times article, it was the first time Havoc had been in the city in 20 years. “I loved the place then, and I fell in love with it all over again,” she said.

Soon, she was tapped to help lead the group, which staged its productions at the Civic Theater on Baronne Street. Havoc became artistic director, tasked with boosting attendance and saving the flagging theater company. “I am so eager to

Havoc’s premiere season launched with shows staged at 1032 Carondelet St., a building near Harmony Circle which once housed Temple Sinai. It featured productions of “The Threepenny Opera,” “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Women.”

“I think the theater is one of the true inner stimulants we have,” she said in a March 1970 Times-Picayune article.

“I’ve cherished it since I was two, and if you can get hooked on it like I am, we’ll have no trouble at all.”

However, Havoc’s efforts could not save the theater company, which closed in April 1972. She continued performing, including on T V’s “General Hospital” and as Miss Hannigan on Broadway in “Annie.” She died in 2010.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THE MORE THAN 300-YEAR HISTORY of the local Catholic church arrived in New Orleans on Nov. 22, 1835 — 190 years ago this week — as Bishop Antoine Blanc was consecrated the fourth bishop of New Orleans and its first archbishop.

In his 2000 history of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, archivist Charles E Nolan wrote that “if one person can be singled out who changed the course of Louisiana Catholicism, that person was Archbishop Antoine Blanc.”

A native of Sury-le-Comtal near Lyon, France, Blanc was sent to minister in New Orleans in 1831. Four years later, he was named bishop and was the leader of the local church when it was elevated to an archdiocese in 1850.

During his tenure, the local church, just like the city, underwent a period of great expansion. According to a profile in The Times-Picayune, Blanc spearheaded the establishment of more churches and parishes than any other New Orleans bishop or archbishop. He established the archdiocese’s first seminary, brought new religious communities of priests and nuns to the area and expanded Catholic education.

Archbishop Blanc died in 1860 and is buried in the sanctuary of St. Louis Cathedral.

Nice”

The 2025 Holidy Bars & Cocktails Issue catch buzzthe

Holiday pop-ups, plus a new booze-free spot on Frenchmen Street

IT’S A LITTLE EARLY for holiday celebrations, but not too early for holiday drinking with cocktail pop-ups like Sippin’ Santa and Miracle getting in the spirit before Thanksgiving.

Jeff “Beachbum” Berry is the creator of the Sippin’ Santa pop-up, and his French Quarter bar Latitude 29 is now serving the special menu.

There are several new drinks on the menu, like Wreck the Halls, a mix of

BY WILL COVIELLO

Caribbean overproof rum, tawny port, lime juice, maple and vanilla syrups and figgy bitters. The Nui Nui New Year is a drink for two, mixing a choice of vodka or rum with allspice liqueur, lime, orange, nui spice mix (cinnamon and spices) and bitters.

Many of Berry’s drinks follow tiki inspirations and are built on a foundation of Caribbean rum, but there also are tequila, bourbon and vodka drinks.

Returning drinks include the Jingle Bird with bourbon, Campari, pineapple and lime. Holiday on Ice combines vodka, cold brew, condensed milk and a bit of ancho chili liqueur.

There also are Secret Santa drink specials and two nonalcoholic drinks. And many drinks come in glassware designed for the pop-up.

The Sippin’ Santa menu also is available at Pelican to Mars in Baton Rouge

beginning Nov. 17, and at more than 60 bars from Florida to California.

The Miracle menu comes to Barrel Proof and nearly 200 bars across the nation. It features holiday-spiced variations on popular drinks like cosmopolitans and old fashioneds.

New this year is the Dancing Sugarplums, with gin, plum wine, limoncello, plum milk syrup and nutmeg. Returning on its menu is the

HAND GRENADE

Holidy Bars & Cocktails

Koala Lalala, combining blanco tequila, dry vermouth, apple liqueur, tamarind, lemon, eucalyptus bitters, mint and soda.

The Miracle menu also has a Secret Santa special, as well as naughty and nice shots.

The Miracle menu will be available at Barrel Proof starting Nov. 18, and also is available at One Thirteen Restaurant in Hammond, The Station in Baton Rouge and Pamplona Tapas & Bar Restaurant in Lafayette.

At the Omni Royal Orleans, the Rib Room is offering New York bartender Julie Reiner’s Blitzen Bar menu. The list of eight drinks includes the Blitzen, featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon with ginger-apple syrup and bitters. The

Naughty or Spice combines Old Forester 86 Bourbon, Lustau Palo Cortado Sherry, pumpkin syrup, lemon juice and bitters.

In addition to the cocktails, there’s a mocktail and hot chocolate, available with or without alcohol, and a short menu of holiday snacks. The Blitzen menu is available from Nov. 28 to Jan. 9, 2026.

Reiner co-owns the bars Clover Club, Milady’s and Leyenda in New York City. She also wrote “The Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion.”

For those who want something festive but booze-free, a new bar above Bamboula’s just celebrated its grand opening Nov. 14. Melange by Cali Sober serves an array of alcohol-free drinks, many of which contain THC seltzers. Many of the drink recipes incorporate adaptogens — natural substances like herbs and mushrooms — which can help reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue.

Holidy Bars & Cocktails

GETTING IN THE HOLIDAY

Spirit

Frost Bite

BY SARAH RAVITS AND JOHN STANTON

NEW ORLEANS GOT its first week of faux winter recently, which can mean only one thing: It’s time for some delicious cool weather cocktails!

It used to be if you wanted to get into the wintery spirits, you had only a couple of choices. There’s the classic mulled wine, the venerable Hot Toddy and of course eggnog, a decidedly American take on British people’s weird decision to drink curdled milk.

These days there’s practically a winter cocktail for every day of the season — and, increasingly, lots of pop-ups showcasing them. From the New Orleans OG holiday drink pop-up Sippin’ Santa at Beachbum Berry’s to the Omni Royal Orleans’ Blitzen Bar, there are lots of events and opportunities to get your holiday drink on.

But the best place to enjoy a delightful winter cocktail is, of course, at home, nestled up next to your streaming video of a fireplace. So to help you get started, here are some great recipes from both professional bartenders and the professional cocktail drinkers on our staff.

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 3 small squares fresh pineapple (1 to 1.5 inches)

⮞ 6 fresh sage leaves, stems removed

⮞ .5 ounce fresh lime juice

⮞ 1 ounce cranberry syrup (recipe below)

⮞ 2.25 ounces blanco tequila

⮞ Dash Bittermen’s New England Spiced Cranberry Bitters

⮞ 6 ounces (.75 cup) crushed ice

FOR GARNISH: 2 cranberries (frozen, defrosted work best) skewered with lime peel “caterpillar” on bamboo pick, placed across top of mug.

INSTRUCTIONS: Place all ingredients in an electric blender, saving ice for last. Blend for at least 20 seconds. Strain into a mug through a medium-mesh kitchen strainer (the solids will clog a finestrainer). Add cubed ice to fill. Garnish with 2 cranberries.

NOTE: This is best served in a Cocktail Kingdom’s Sippin’ Santa Shark mug, which is available for purchase at Latitude 29.

CRANBERRY SYRUP

(yields approximately 10 ounces)

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 1 cup (8 ounces) organic cane sugar (a.k.a. “evaporated cane juice”)

⮞ 1 cup (8 ounces) unsweetened cranberry juice (such as Knudsen Organic Just Cranberry, or Trader Joe’s)

INSTRUCTIONS: Heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool. Bottle, date, and refrigerate. Lasts up to 2 weeks.

Coco Ho Ho Ho

BY BEACHBUM BERRY’S

SIPPIN’ SANTA POP - UP

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ .75 ounce fresh lime juice

⮞ .75 ounce Real coconut cream

⮞ .5 ounce pandan syrup

⮞ .25 ounce unsweetened pineapple juice

LATITUDE 29’S

⮞ .25 ounce Giffard Banane Du Brésil liqueur

⮞ 2.5 ounce gold Jamaican rum

⮞ 6 ounces (.75 cup) crushed ice

INSTRUCTIONS: Place all ingredients in an electric blender, saving ice for last. Blend for 10 seconds. Dump into mug. Add cubed ice to fill. Garnish with a Sippin’ Santa surfboard stir stick and a straw.

NOTE: Cocktail Kingdom’s Sippin’ Santa Cocolada Mug is available for purchase at Latitude 29.

Grasshopper Blanco

BY CURE

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ .75 ounce blanco tequila

⮞ .75 ounce white crème de cacao

⮞ .75ounce white crème de menthe

⮞ .75 ounce heavy cream

⮞ 4-5 mint leaves

INSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients to a shaker tin. Add ice and hard shake to incorporate the cream and chill. Double strain into a Nick & Nora glass or coupe. Garnish with a mint leaf.

NOTE: This drink is available on Cure’s Holiday 2025 menu, from Nov. 26 through New Year’s.

Crosby, Stills and Mash

(LIKE “THANKSGIVING IN A GLASS”)

BY SAFFRON

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 1.5 ounces rye whiskey (e.g., Rittenhouse)

⮞ .5 ounce spiced sweet potato syrup (recipe below)

⮞ .25 ounce Pedro Ximenez sherry

⮞ .25 ounce ghee syrup (recipe below)

⮞ .75 ounce fresh lemon juice

⮞ 1 pinch salt

⮞ .75 ounce egg white

INSTRUCTIONS: Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Add three ice cubes and shake vigorously until the cubes are fully disintegrated. Double strain into a coupe or small cocktail glass. Garnish with a charred marshmallow.

GHEE SYRUP

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 200 grams hot water

⮞ 7 ounces sugar

⮞ 200 grams sugar

⮞ 150 grams liquid ghee

⮞ 3 grams 210S Ticaloid (a blend of gum arabic and xanthan, available at Modernist Pantry)

INSTRUCTIONS: Blend hot water and 210S until fully incorporated (an immersion blender works best; an upright blender is fine). Add ghee and blend again until completely emulsified. Add sugar and blend until dissolved and no crystals remain. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one month. Shake before use.

SPICED SWEET POTATO SYRUP

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 1 medium sweet potato

⮞ 16 ounces (2 cups) sugar

⮞ 16 ounces (2 cups) water

⮞ 2 cinnamon sticks

⮞ 1 star anise pod

⮞ 1 tablespoons whole cloves

⮞ 2 cardamom pods

INSTRUCTIONS: Rub the sweet potato with cooking oil. Roast uncovered at 400°F (200°C) for 45–50 minutes, rotating every 15 minutes, until very soft and caramelized. Peel and mash the roasted sweet potato. Combine mashed sweet potato, water, sugar and spices in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain through a fine strainer or chinois. Cool completely and refrigerate for up to three weeks.

Holidy Bars & Cocktails

The Merry Spritz-mas

( NON - ALCOHOLIC )

BY JULIE REINER AT BLITZEN’S BAR POP - UP AT THE ROYAL OMNI HOTEL

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 2.5 ounces Curious Elixir No. 4

⮞ .75 ounce Fluere non-alcoholic bitters

⮞ .5 ounce lemon juice

⮞ .75 ounce cranberry syrup

⮞ 1 orange wheel

⮞ 1 mini candy cane

INSTRUCTIONS: Combine all non-carbonated ingredients into highball glass. Add Curious Elixir. Stir once lightly to incorporate. Add ice and garnish with an orange wheel and mini candy cane.

The Blitzen

BY J ULIE REINER AT BLITZEN’S BAR POP -

UP

AT THE ROYAL OMNI HOTEL

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 2.25 ounce Woodford Reserve Rye

⮞ .5 ounce blend Liquid Alchemist Ginger/ Apple Spice Syrup

⮞ 3 dashes Angostura bitters

⮞ 1 lemon twist

⮞ 1 holiday ornament

⮞ 1 large ice cube

Va-Va-Vixen

BY JULIE REINER AT BLITZEN’S BAR POP - UP AT THE ROYAL OMNI HOTEL

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ .75 ounce

Ketel One vodka

⮞ 1 ounce Aperol

INSTRUCTIONS: Combine ingredients into stirring vessel and stir for 10-15 seconds until cold. Strain into holiday ornament and garnish with manicured lemon twist. Serve ornament on single ice cube in rocks glass. Offer to pour from ornament into glass.

Cali Sober Night Kiss

FROM MELANGE BY CALI SOBER

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 2 ounces Dromme Calm

⮞ .5 ounce lime juice

⮞ .5 ounce agave nectar

⮞ 3.5 ounces soda water

⮞ .10 ounces El Guapo Polynesian

⮞ Lime wheel (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients except soda water together in a shaker of ice and shake. Fill 10-ounce tumbler with ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with a lime peel if desired.

⮞ .5 ounce Liquid Alchemist passionfruit syrup

⮞ .75 ounce blood orange juice

⮞ 2 ounces sparkling wine

⮞ 2 ounces soda water

⮞ 1 orange wheel

⮞ 1 holiday marker

⮞ 1 holiday charm

⮞ 1 holiday straw

INSTRUCTIONS: Build cocktail in wine glass without ice. Add noncarbonated ingredients first. Add sparkling wine, then soda water and stir once to incorporate. Add ice, garnish with orange wheels, holiday marker, charm and straw.

Merry Christmas You Filthy Animals

EGGNOG COMBO

BY GAMBIT EDITOR JOHN STANTON

INGREDIENTS:

⮞ 4 ounces Pennsylvania Dutch Eggnog

⮞ 4 ounces Michter’s Rye Whiskey

⮞ Nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS: Combine eggnog and half the rye in a glass with rye, then sprinkle a little nutmeg on top to make it festively fancy. In a separate glass, pour the remaining rye. Perfect for a dance party of one designed to keep the Wet Bandits from breaking into your house.

Winter DRINK GUIDE

1. DUCK HUNT

34 RESTAURANT AND BAR

Made with Bourbon, Duck Fat, Rosemary, Porcini & Cherry

714 Baronne St. • (504) 498-3434 34restaurantandbar.com

2. THAT VOODOO WOMAN

BAR 1803 AT LE PAVILLON HOTEL

This crimson-hued cocktail weaves together the bittersweet allure of Campari and the citrus glow of Blood Orange for a drink that’s as enchanting as a French Quarter winter night. Served up or over ice, it’s a holiday potion that shimmers with warmth, mystery, and just a hint of mischief.

833 Poydras St. • (504) 581-3111 lepavillon.com

3. LYONS REJUVENATING ELIXIR

LYONS CORNER

Vodka, Cointreau, Lemon, Hibiscus Probiotic Soda

537 Gravier St. • (504) 527-0006 lyonscornernola.com

4. GINGER PEAR MARGARITA

HILTON NEW ORLEANS RIVERSIDE

Celebrate the magic of the season with our festive take on “A Partridge in a Pear Tree.” Join us starting December 1 for our 12 Days of Christmas Cocktails — where you can enjoy this merry creation and 11 more all December long!

2 Poydras St. hiltonneworleansriverside.com

5. THE DIMMI MARTINI

THE TELL ME BAR

Gin, Cocchi Dry, Brine, Grappa; Olive and Prosciutto Garnish 1235 St. Thomas St. thetellmebar.com

6. OLEO-PHANT IN THE ROOM

SHAYA

A play on the classic phrase, the Oleophant in the Room contains japanese whisky, ginger, see the elephant amaro, and grapefruit oleo. This modern and refreshing whisky cocktail sits somewhere between a highball and a spiced, citrusy Old Fashioned that can be sipped alone or paired with dinner.

4213 Magazine St. shayarestaurant.com

7. SUGARCANE OLD FASHIONED

BAYOU BAR AT THE PONTCHARTRAIN HOTEL

Sip on a Sugarcane Old Fashioned at Bayou Bar, where the city's top jazz musicians play weekly. This twist on a classic features knob creek bourbon, montenegro, sugarcane syrup,and bitters.

2031 St. Charles Ave. bayoubarneworleans.com

RESTAURANT

8. SPARKLING LAVENDER

LANDRY’S SEAFOOD HOUSE

Absolut Citron Vodka, St-Germain

Elderflower Liqueur, Monin Lavender, Prosecco, Sweet & Sour

620 Decatur St., Unit 1A, • (504) 581-9825

landrysseafood.com

9. CV MARGARITA

COPPER VINE

Maestro Dobel CV Selection, Cointreau, Lime, Agave, Charcoal Salt Rim, Beet Float 1001 Poydras St. • (504) 208-9535 coppervine.com

10. STRAWBERRY LEMON DROP MARTINI

WALK-ON’S SPORTS BISTREAUX

Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Cointreau, Strawberry Purée, Lemon Juice, Lemonade, Sugar Rim

1009 Poydras St. • (504) 309-6530 walk-ons.com

11. CREAUX CITY’S

TOM AND JERRY

RESTAURANT R’EVOLUTION

Don QXO, Chateau de Laubade, Egg, Dairy, and Spices

300 Bourbon St. • (504) 586-0300 sonesta.com/royal-sonesta

12. ESPRESSO MARTINI

LOTSA LUCK LOUNGE

Craving a little pick-me-up with your nightlife? The Espresso Martini at Lotsa Luck Lounge is the ultimate blend of bold coffee flavor and smooth vodka.

203 Homedale St. • (504) 483-0978

13. LA ASTRADA

PAL’S

Montenegro Italian amaro, rosemaryinfused hibiscus-orange aperitivo, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Join us at Mid-city’s best neighborhood bar serving up delicious seasonal drinks, specialty cocktails, beer & wine. 949 N. Rendon • (504) 488-7257 facebook.com/palslounge

14. BLOODY MARY

MOTHER’S

Some like it hot! Mother’s spicy Bloody Mary packs heat and a kick. Tomato juice is amped up with seasonings & hot sauce. 401 Poydras St. • (504) 523-9656

15. VINTAGE COCKTAIL

THE VINTAGE

Hoodoo Chicory Liqueur, Tito’s, Irish Cream, Espresso. This upgraded Espresso Martini pairs perfect with beignets. 3121 Magazine St. • (504) 324-7144 thevintagenola.com

16. THE SPICY BUDSI-RITA & THAI TEA KEE MAO

BUDSI’S AUTHENTIC THAI

A Thai Chili-infused take on a margarita and a boozy version of Thai Tea? Yes, please. Both cocktails are only $5 during a lengthy happy hour that runs from 2 - 6 pm. 1760 N. Rampart St. • (504) 381-4636 budsisthai.com

Monday-Thursday forweekday wine down

Join us forSanta’s Pajama Party.

SiponLallier Brut Champagneasyou indulgeinan assortment of savory scones,tea sandwiches and sweets.

Celebratethe season in stylewithour

Réveillon Dinner, availableNov.24- Jan. 7. Indulgein aluxurious,chef-curatedmenuthatcapturesthe magicand warmth of theholidays.

Spreadingmorecheer,asour Friday lunchesreturn this December.Joinusfor midday escapesf illed with festiveflavors,seasonalcocktails anda touchof holidaysparkle.

17. WINE

ORLEANS GRAPEVINE WINE BAR & BISTRO

Delicious French cuisine and wine by the glass, bottle or flight. Courtyard and sidewalk seating. Thurs – Sun 4 - 10 pm. 720 Orleans Ave.

18. HAND GRENADE

TROPICAL ISLE

Enjoy the sweet melon taste of New Orleans’ most powerful drink: the Hand Grenade. Available at 4 Tropical Isle locations on Bourbon St. & Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, or order Hand Grenade Mix for gift giving or making at home. 800-ISLE-MIX tropicalisle.com

19. FROZEN IRISH COFFEE

ERIN ROSE

Cool down and Perk up with a delicious take on a traditional Irish coffee. Coffee liqueur and brandy mixed perfectly with ice cream and fresh brewed coffee make this a pleasure any time of day. Always available in our complimentary souvenir cup and feel free to ask for an extra shot! 811 Conti St. • (504) 522-3573 erinrosebar.com

20. WINE WEDNESDAYS

THEO’S NEIGHBORHOOD PIZZA

You just can’t ask for a better deal than half-priced wine! That’s what you get at Theo’s! Half-priced bottles of wine with a food purchase every Wednesday. Pizzas, sandwiches, salads & more. 5 Metro locations: Magazine St., Mid-City, Elmwood, Metairie, and Covington. theospizza.com

21. SINGAPORE SLING

MIKIMOTO

Gin, Sloe Gin, Cherry Brandy, & Fruit Nectar 3301 S. Carrollton Ave. • (504) 488-1881

22. PINK LEMONADE SHOTS

MOSCA’S

Come try Mosca’s pink lemonade shots made with Titos vodka. Perfect addition to a night of old school Italian cuisine. 4137 US-90 West, Westwego (504) 436-8950 • moscasrestaurant.com

23.

LAVENDER LEMON DROP

LEGACY KITCHEN’S STEAK AND CHOP

Choice of Grey Goode or Patron Silver, St-Germain Lemon Juice, Pinapple Juice Strawberry Puree 91 Westbank Expy #51, Gretna (504) 513-2606 • legacykitchen.com

24. TACKLEBOX BLOODY MARY

LEGACY KITCHEN’S TACKLEBOX

Louisiana Specialty Blend of Tomato and Spices with Vodka, Spicy Green Bean. 817 Common St. • (504) 827-1651

25. SAINTSATIONAL

LEGACY KITCHEN CRAFT TAVERN

Celebrate the Saints with our signature gin cocktail! Expertly crafted with prosecco, Malfy Gin, St-Germain, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Garnished with a Lemon Twist.

700 Tchoupitoulas St. #3612 (504) 613-2350 • legacykitchen.com

26. NOT YO MAMA’S COLADA SUNNIES

Cristal Rum, Amaro di Angostura, Coconut, Pineapple, Lime, and Orgeat 4917 Freret St. • (504) 345-2855 sunniesnola.com

27. HE WROTE ME A POEM CHAIS DELACHAISE

Mezcal, Cointreau, Orgeat, Raspberry Liqueur, Grapefruit, and Lime 7708 Maple St. chaisdelachaise.com

28. MAPLE OLD FASHION KATIE’S RESTURANT 1792 Small Batch Bourbon, Maple Syrup, and Walnut Bitters 3701 Iberville St. katiesinmidcity.com

29. NEVER FROZEN APPLE CIDER COCKTAIL THE DELACHAISE WINE BAR

Delachaise Bourbon and Spiced Apple Cider Slushy 3442 St. Charles Ave. thedelachaise.com

30. GET THERE FAST

THE COUNTRY CLUB

Angostora Bitters, Mezcal, Pineapple, & Ginger Beer 634 Louisa St. thecountryclubneworleans.com

31. OZDUST MARGARITA PEACOCK ROOM

Made with Condigo 1530 Blanco 501 Tchoupitoulas St. peacockroomnola.com

32. YOU GO GIRL KING BRASSERIE

Peach, cardamom, sparkling rosé meets a peaches-and-cream spritzer that’s as fun as it is refreshing. 501 Tchoupitoulas St. kingbrasserieandbar.com

33. A BLOODY MARY TO DIE FOR VOODOO LOUNGE

Did you know that the Voodoo Lounge makes their Bloody Mary mix from scratch? Tomato juice, Worcestershire, horseradish, and a blend of spices makes it the best gosh darn Bloody Mary you’re gonna fnd anywhere.

718 N. Rampart St. • (504) 265-0953 voodooloungenola.com

34. GOSPEL IRISH COFFEE MILKSHAKE

GOSPEL COFFEE & BOOZY TREATS

With Jameson, Espresso, Kahlua, and Vanilla Ice Cream

501 Tchoupitoulas St. • (504) 324-3073 gospelcofeenola.com

Great Gif Ideas

Dermaplaning Package

GE T3T RE AT MENT SFOR $200 (VAL UE $240)

Pro-peel Package

GE T6T RE AT MENT SFOR $4 00 (VAL UE $4 80)

Ofer is notvalid with anyother promotionsordiscounts, including previouslydiscounted gift cards

DermaLounge. der ma lou ngellc .c om

(504)952-2323 - Call to scheduleanappointment

35. HAUNTED HARVEST

ANNUNCIATION RESTAURANT

Left Bank Bourbon, Pumpkin Puree, Lemon Juice, and Maple Syrup

1016 Annunciation St. • (504) 568-0245 annunciationrestaurant.com

36. THE STARDUST

GARDEN DISTRICT PUB

The best staf on the planet is ready to serve you The Stardust - an out-ofthis-world mix of Vodka, St-Germain, Champagne, and Sour Mix, fnished with a Cherry and Lemon garnish. Pure magic in a glass!

1916 Magazine St. • (504) 267-3392 gardendistrictpub1916.com

37. SANTA’S ISLAND CRUISER SUNCRUISER

1 - 12oz Can of Sun Cruiser Classic Iced Tea, 1oz Coconut Rum, 1 oz of Cranberry Juice 2 - 3oz Pineapple Juice, Cranberries and Rosemary Sprig for garnish drinksuncruiser.com

38. BOURBON MILK PUNCH

THE COMMISSARY BY DICKIE BRENNAN

Handcrafted and bottled in-house, our Bourbon Milk Punch captures the spirit of the season with rich cream, warm spice, and smooth bourbon. A timeless New Orleans holiday tradition from Dickie Brennan & Co. 634 Orange St. • (504) 274-1850 thecommissarynola.com

GiftingLocal

SIMON PEARCE CRYSTALLINE TWIST HEART BOWL

$100.00 from Judy at The Rink (2727 Prytania St, 504-891-7018; judyattherink.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUDY AT THE RINK

COOKING UP A STORM

$30.00 from Home Malone (629 N Carrollton Ave & 4610 Magazine St, 504-766-6148; homemalonenola.com).

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ,

LAUREL WREATH GOLD FRAMES

$12.50 Each from Judy at The Rink (2727 Prytania St, 504-891-7018; judyattherink.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUDY AT THE RINK

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOME MALONE

SUPREME CREAM

$30.00 from Judy at The Rink (2727 Prytania St, 504-891-7018; judyattherink.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUDY AT THE RINK

CUSTOM

DECANTER & SCALES OF JUSTICE GLASS

$100.00 (Decanter)

$37.00 each (Glass) from The Rising Son (528 Royal St, 504-354-9080; @therisingson.nola).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE RISING SON

FLAT CLAW CLIPS

$18.00 each from Steele by Iron Horse (523 Metairie Rd, 504-644-4800; ironhorseclothier.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY IRON HORSE

(8211 Oak St, 504-866-6654; eclectichome.net).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ECLECTIC HOME

GOLDEN RABBIT ENAMELWARE COLANDER SET

$86.00 from Hazelnut (5525 Magazine St, 504-891-2424; hazelnutneworleans.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HAZELNUT

ALLWAYS POCKET 7/8 LEGGING

$84.00 from tasc Performance (3913 Magazine St, 504-304-5030; tascperformance.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TASC PERFORMANCE

FROSTED PINE CANDLE

$38.00 from ballin’s LTD. (2917 Magazine St #105, 504-891-4502; ballinsltd.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BALLIN’S LTD.

GiftingLocal

CARDIGAN

$44.00 from Gae-Tana's (7732 Maple St, 504-865-9625; @gaetanasnola).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GAE-TANA'S

MOSAIC NANO GRAIN AND STUD HANDBAG

$645.00 from SOSUSU Boutique (3427 Magazine St, 504-309-5026; sosusuboutique.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SOSUSU BOUTIQUE

EAT + DRINK

Family recipes

WHEN SUSAN NGUYEN OPENED MOI, the new Vietnamese restaurant she owns with her mother Selana and sister Cindy, she got a big surprise.

The 33-year-old New Orleans East native expected to see the many regulars who had frequented the poke restaurant Poke-Chan, which she previously ran in the same spot.

“Right away, we had so many Vietnamese people,” she says. “I didn’t expect that.”

It turned out the menu’s outsidethe-box Vietnamese offerings are a big draw.

Moi translates to something close to “bon appetit” in Vietnamese. The menu gets creative with some familiar items, like fresh spring rolls bright with crunchy vegetables and herbs, banh mi sandwiches with butter, pate and herbs in a French baguette or bun, and vermicelli bowls with a choice of protein.

There also are entrees and noodle dishes that are more home-style, the food her family of six sisters grew up with when their single mother cooked in the morning before she left for work.

“This was her love language, taking care of us with good food,” Susan Nguyen says. “I thought all Vietnamese families ate these dishes. But these were dishes my mom created, dishes she had cooked back in Vietnam.”

Her mother worked in nail salons, eventually owning two salons on the West Bank, while she was raising her family. She always talked about having a restaurant with her daughters. Selena Nguyen now is sharing her dishes with new diners. One of her favorites is dau hu nhoi thit sot ca chau, or tofu stuffed with seasoned ground pork and braised in tomato sauce. Also popular is bun rieu, a crab-infused tomato soup swimming with plump crab and pork meatballs. By request, the meaty pork hock that flavors the broth will arrive, ready for gnawing.

Susan Nguyen created the dish of fried tofu in fragrant lemon

Taste of the season

AS TRUE FALL WEATHER DESCENDED RECENTLY, I found myself coincidentally cutting into delicious pumpkin dishes. In fact, some of the tastiest things I tried at the tail end of October were pumpkin-tastic. Here’s what the pumpkin patch looks like in my dining notebook.

Pumpkin-filled barbagiuan at TANA (2919 Metairie Road): This is the upscale Italian restaurant from chef Michael Gulotta in Old Metairie. It takes an inspiration from three threads: Gulotta’s Sicilian family roots, his New Orleans home and his early training in northern Italy on the Ligurian coast, adjacent to the French Riviera and Monaco, where barbagiuan is proudly the local dish.

grass-accented curry sauce, served with rice, vermicelli or baguette for dipping. It’s also available in banh mi. “Our family’s way is to use both fish sauce and soy sauce when we cook, instead of using only fish sauce like most Vietnamese cooks,” she says.

Some entrees come in small and large sizes, ideal for tasting more among friends.There also are some dishes for adventurous palates, like the bun dau mam tom, or fermented shrimp platter. “It’s one of my favorites, lots of vegetables and fresh herbs,” Susan Nguyen says. “It’s kind of a build-your-own platter with bits of vegetables, meat and vermicelli.” Sliced, boiled pork and pork intestines also add flavors to the dish, which is served with a side of tangy fermented shrimp sauce.

The charming 48-seat restaurant occupies a former shotgun house divided into the kitchen prep area in

front and side dining space, the walls papered with a lotus leaf pattern. Local photographs and paintings, inspired by both Louisiana and Vietnam, add color to the space.

There’s table service and a counter for take-out orders. Plans to add another 30 seats on the patio are in the works. Diners can bring their own alcohol, and the bottle shop and wine bar Faubourg Wines is right next door.

Although the restaurant has been open for just a month, things are going well as they adjust to working together.

“I’ll ask for something, like doing more advance prep before service, and my mom might push back,” Susan says. “She thinks it means the food isn’t as fresh. She’s used to just cooking for friends and family, and this is much different.”

But it’s also delivered satisfying results.

“It’s different from cooking for my kids and my friends,” Selena says. “I know it’s hard work, but it feels very good.”

Gulotta configures them as fried ravioli, part of the house-made pasta program here, and fills it with pumpkin puree. They’re finished with brown butter with a bit of citrus and a whiff of sage, and plated over a pool of a stracciatella (mozzarella at its most gooey), which acts like a sauce.

Right now, the dish is on TANA’s happy hour menu, so diners can find it at the bar along with a menu of individual pizzas and drink deals from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Pumpkin dumplings at Miss Shirley’s Chinese Restaurant (3009 Magazine St.): There are dishes I always want when I go to this bustling Chinese restaurant and dim sum spot, including some that aren’t always on the menu but are usually available (ask for the laziji, the incredibly flavorful spicy chili chicken).

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

PR IVAT ED ININ GR OO MS

Sea ting 10 -2 00

RE V EILLO NM ENU

No ve mber 28- December 23

HOL ID AY PR IX FIXE MENU

Chr ist ma sE ve &N ew Ye ar sE ve

LIV EP IAN OM US IC

Sa tu rd ay Ev enings, Chr ist mas Ev e &N ew Ye ar’ sE ve

WED -S UN 4P M-6 PM

This time, it was the special board decorated with Halloween cartoons that drew me in with pumpkin dumplings.

Juice from Japanese pumpkins goes into the noodle wrapper, lending its color and flavor, and bits of pumpkin join the ground pork with carrots and peas inside. These are fat, teacup-sized dumplings that burst with juice and give pumpkin flavor even over the dab of house-made chili oil that you’ll want to add.

Pumpkin gelato at Angelo Brocato’s (214 N. Carrollton Ave.): A walk down Mid-City’s main drag tempted me into a detour to the city’s great Italian dessert emporium because the weather was telling me it was time for pumpkin gelato.

I love how the seasons play through the gelato case here, and pumpkin in the fall is tops for me. It’s dense and mellow-sweet, in the manner of Brocato’s also excellent pistachio gelato. It’s no fuss, not dressed up and the perfect afternoon treat. It will likely be gone after Thanksgiving, by which point we’ll have had enough pumpkin everything anyway. — Ian McNulty / The Times-Picayune

Bub’s

opens in Mandeville

MANDEVILLE RESIDENTS CAN NOW GET A TASTE OF THE NEW ORLEANS burger scene in their own backyard.

Bub’s Burgers, known for its cartoon-like logos, purple buildings and freshly griddled smash burgers, has opened a new restaurant on La. 22. There are two locations in New Orleans, one in Mid-City (4413 Banks St.) and the other in Uptown (5013 Freret St.).

The Mandeville location will be similar in size to the Bub’s Burgers in Mid-City, co-founder Tristan Moreau said in April. The interior features retro decor, arcade games and purple booths for in-person dining.

Bub’s Burgers was originally a pop-up started by a group of friends who were under-employed early on in the pandemic. The name of the burger restaurant is a tribute to the late Rand Owens, who would call a quality human being or good friend a “bub.”

Aside from the signature burgers, Bub’s also offers grilled cheese sandwiches, a hot sausage sandwich and fried Brussels sprouts. There’s also an unseasoned burger patty available for dogs to enjoy on the patio.

The Mandeville location is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Justin Mitchell and Chelsea Shannon / The Times-Picayune

Thanksgiving in a po-boy

THE THANKSGIVING SANDWICH IS A COMMON TROPE this time of year, even hawked by national chains now.

But the Thanksgiving turkey po-boy from Parkway Bakery & Tavern (538 Hagan Ave.) is different. It’s a phenomenon, a happening and a good cause, and it’s back.

People will go to great lengths to get one, namely the lengthy line

Budsi’sAuthenticT

Budsi’so ffersa uthenti cT hai cuisine with an emphasis on eclecti cregional specialties yo u won’tf in da nywhe re else in t he city.

APPY HOUR FROM 2-6PM

WI NE OF THE WEEK

Highlands41 Cabernet Sauvignon

that stretches from the counter each Wednesday in November when the Mid-City po-boy palace traditionally serves this specialty sandwich. That line inspired a charitable campaign since 2017 benefiting the Al Copeland Foundation. Named for the legendary New Orleans restaurateur, the nonprofit funds cancer research and supports families with children pediatric oncology patients.

Warbler to open on St. Charles

This is abold expression of Paso Robles. It is afull-bodied flavor experience. Aged in oak for12months, the midpalate’s smooth tannins and balanced acidity is rounded out with hints of baking spices and a long finish

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Buy the “skip the line” ticket for $100, and you get to do just that, and also get your po-boy with sweet potato fries, a sweet potato Hubig’s Pie, a Luzianne iced tea, scoops of New Orleans Ice Cream and a T-shirt. Advance tickets are available online at alcopelandfoundation.org.

Parkway manager and allaround-good-guy Justin Kennedy came up with the sandwich in 2007, packing a po-boy loaf with an homage to holiday leftovers — cornbread dressing, gravy, whole-berry cranberry sauce and roasted turkey (a mix of white and dark chunks, not deli slices).

Eventually it inspired a response that overwhelmed the kitchen. Production of the sandwich moved outdoors, to its own station. The line to get one now typically stretches down the sidewalk. It’s common to see people arrive in groups. Some show up in Thanksgiving-themed costumes, because, well, it’s New Orleans. — Ian McNulty /

who is co-founder of the bars Cure and Peychaud’s and restaurants Vals and Cane & Table.

The hotel’s ground floor will be home to Mildred’s, which Bodenheimer describes as a martini bar and restaurant inspired by European cafe culture.

“It will be polished, without being formal,” Bodenheimer says.

With about 60 seats between the bar and tables, it will be a place for a drink and a bite, or a full meal, with martinis central to the concept, he says. Mildred’s is named for Mann’s grandmother, and the choice was in line with evoking a past generation with the new concept.

Bodenheimer is working with longtime Cure collaborator Kirk Estopinal on Mildred’s, as well as the separate offerings for the hotel’s poolside lounge, called Upstairs, situated on the roof. If Mildred’s is to feel urban and contemporary, expect Upstairs to be more coastal, breezy and casual.

To consult on the culinary side, they’ve partnered with Andrew Zimmerman, the chef at the Chicago restaurant Sepia, which has held a Michelin Star since 2011.

A NEW HOTEL TAKING SHAPE ON ST. CHARLES AVENUE will have a martini bar and restaurant from the people behind the Uptown cocktail destination Cure, a poolside lounge on the roof and a design evoking Jazz Age and Art Deco styles.

That’s the plan for the Warbler Hotel, slated to open around this time next year at 1923 St. Charles Ave.

The new structure is rising on the lot that had been home to the Trolley Stop Cafe, the all-hours diner that closed in 2021.

Named for the songbird, the Warbler will be a six-story hotel with 58 rooms.

It’s a project from Verdad Real Estate, led by principal Joe Mann. A New Orleans native, he envisions the Warbler as part of a revival along this part of lower St. Charles Avenue, creating a new upscale boutique hotel for visitors who want their lodgings to be part of their New Orleans experience.

“This stretch just has so much potential,” Mann says. “We wanted to build something worthy of the address on St. Charles Avenue, a place with charm and character and a story to tell.”

To create the hotel’s food and beverage program, Mann turned to his longtime friend Neal Bodenheimer,

The Warbler is the first hotel undertaking for Verdad, which has developed retail and self-storage projects around the country. Mann says it’s personally significant for him to bring something new and elegant to his hometown.

“Living here, you drive down that part of St. Charles Avenue every day, and you can just see what it can be,” Mann says.

The Warbler is a block from the landmark Pontchartrain Hotel, with its own rooftop bar, while a number of separate redevelopment and newbuild projects are underway in the blocks nearby. — Ian McNulty / The Times-Picayune

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Broussard’s — 819 Conti St., (504) 5813866; broussards.com — The menu of contemporary Creole dishes includes bronzed redfish with jumbo lump crabmeat, lemon beurre blanc and vegetables. Brunch includes Benedicts, avocado toast, chicken and waffles, turtle soup and more. Reservations recommended. Outdoor seating available in the courtyard. Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. $$$

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

The Commissary — 634 Orange St., (504) 274-1850; thecommissarynola.com — Dickie Brennan’s Commissary supplies his other restaurant kitchens and also has a dine-in menu and prepared foods to go. A smoked turkey sandwich is served with bacon, tomato jam, herbed cream cheese, arugula and herb vinaigrette on honey oat bread. The menu includes dips, salads, sandwiches, boudin balls, fried oysters and more. No reservations. Outdoor seating available. Lunch Tue.-Sat. $$

Curio — 301 Royal St., (504) 717-4198; curionola.com — The creative Creole menu includes blackened Gulf shrimp served with chicken and andouille jambalaya. There also

$ — average dinner entrée under $10

$$ $11-$20

$$$ — $20-up

are crab cakes, shrimp and grits, crawfish etouffee, po-boys and more. Outdoor seating available on balcony. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. $$ Dahla — 611 O’Keefe Ave., (504) 7666602; dahlarestaurant.com — The menu includes popular Thai dishes like pad thai, drunken noodles, curries and fried rice. Crispy skinned duck basil is prepared with vegetables and Thai basil. Delivery available. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $$

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kilroy’s Bar — Higgins Hotel, 480 Andrew Higgins Blvd., (504) 528-1941;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nice Guys Bar & Grill — 7910 Earhart Blvd., (504) 302-2404; niceguysbarandgrillnola. com — Char-grilled oysters are topped with cheese and garlic butter, and other options include oysters Rockefeller and loaded oysters. The creative menu also includes seafood bread, a Cajun-lobster potato, wings, quesadillas, burgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood pasta, loaded fries and more. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. $$$ Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro 720 Orleans Ave., (504) 523-1930;

orleansgrapevine.com — The wine bar offers cheese boards and appetizers to nosh with wines. The menu includes Creole pasta with shrimp and andouille in tomato cream sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Outdoor seating available. Dinner Thu.-Sun. $$

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. $$

perform. The event opens at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $100 via paradigmgardensnola.com.

Queens of the Stone Age

In 2024, alt-rock band Queens of the Stone Age became the first band to gain official permission to perform in Paris’ famed catacombs. The group shot an intimate concert film and recorded an acoustic, stringbacked EP, “Alive in the Catacombs,” released this year. Inspired by the experience, the band is now on The Catacombs tour playing a unique show of new arrangements of some of their music. Queens of the Stone Age ends its tour at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Saenger Theatre. Tickets are sold out. Find more info at saengernola.com.

Fair Grounds Race Course

opening day

Horse racing season opens at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots on Thursday, Nov. 20. The 70-day season includes popular races like the Thanksgiving Classic on Thanksgiving Day, the Louisiana Derby and the Road to the Derby series running up to the Kentucky Derby. The Fair Grounds also has a new Ultra Lounge overlooking the paddock and other renovations. Post time is at 12:45 p.m. Find information at fairgroundsracecourse.com.

The Last Waltz New Orleans

A supergroup of area musicians, including members from The Iceman Special, The Revivalists, The New Orleans Suspects and others, will play the music of The Band and its classic concert film “The Last Waltz,” on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Civic Theatre. With musical direction by Will Murry and Charlie Murry, the lineup includes Adam Kelly, Billy Iuso, Dave Jordan, Eric Johnason, Jon Cleary, Louis Michot, Rurik Nunan, Sari Jordan and more. The music starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $38.90 via civicnola.com.

Stormy Daniels

Stormy Daniels, the adult film star, Louisiana native and key witness to presidential scandals, has a lot of stories to tell and in recent years has been diving into stand-up comedy, including two sold-out shows last year at the AllWays Lounge. She’s back on a New Orleans stage at 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Siberia for a comedic storytelling night and Q&A with the audience. Tickets are $24.92 via dice.fm.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Sober Fest

There’s music by Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville & Friends, Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind and more at the family-friendly festival organized by Bridge House / Grace House. A kids’ stage hosts musicians from the Trombone Shorty Academy and School of Rock. There are food vendors and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. The fest is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Advance tickets are $10 via simpletix.com, and admission is $20 at the gate. Children under 12 get in free with a paid adult admission. Visit bridgehouse.org for information.

Earl Sweatshirt

Rapper Earl Sweatshirt broke out when he joined Tyler the Creator’s Odd Future collective and later released the impressive debut album “Doris.” He released his firth studio album, “Live Laugh Love,” in late summer. He performs along with Liv.e, Zelooperz, MAVI and Cletus Strap at 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at House of Blues. Tickets $50 and up at ticketmaster.com.

Whose Live Anyway?

The TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” popularized improv comedy. The original American version of the show featured host Drew Carey and a cast of fast thinking comics responding to funny prompts and setups. Longtime cast member Ryan Styles and recurring regulars Greg Proops and Jeff Davis are joined by Joel Murray (brother of Bill Murray) for this live improv event, which also features some humorous songs. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Tickets start at $68.65 via jeffersonpac.com.

The Greenhouse

Fat Squirrel presents its Greenhouse showcase of new short plays inspired by the November theme: sweater weather. There are six 10-minute plays including Enne Samuel’s “Night Terrors” and Maddie Fry’s “The Unboxing,” as well as works by Alex Frosch, Dan Schap, Lauren A. Gauthier and Gregory Phillips. At 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at Big Couch. Tickets $20 via fatsquirrelnola.square.site.

F OR C O MPL E T E MUSIC LISTINGS AND M ORE EVE NTS TAKING PLAC E IN TH E N E W OR L E ANS A RE A, V ISIT CALENDAR.GAMBITWEEKLY.COM

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

MONDAY 17

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

ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Betsy Propane & The Accessories, 7 pm

BACCHANAL Byron Asher, 6 pm

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

BJ’S LOUNGE — Red Beans & Blues: Leopard Hound Blues Band, 9 pm

BUFFA’S — David Doucet, 7 pm

CAPULET — Belinda Moody, 6 pm

COLUMNS HOTEL Stanton Moore Trio, 6:30 pm

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

DOS JEFES — John Fohl, 8:30 pm

HOLY DIVER Druid Lord, False Prophet, Aterra & Konstricted, 10 pm

HOWLIN’ WOLF — Oscar LaDell + Auggie V + Roadway7, 7 pm

THE MAISON — Eight Dice Cloth, 5 pm; Gene’s Music Machine, 8:30 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR — George Porter Jr. Trio, 7 pm; 10 pm

MRB Ben Buchbinder, 7 pm

OKAY BAR — Django Jazz Jam + Red Beans, Hosted by Bayou Manouche, 7:30 pm

SATURN BAR BC Coogan, 8:30 pm

ST. ROCH TAVERN — Max Bien Kahn & The Martians + Jung Min Noh, 9 pm

TUESDAY 18

30/90 Sugar & The Daddies, 6 pm; Higher Heights Reggae, 9 pm

APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm

BACCHANAL Tangiers Combo, 6 pm

BAMBOULA’S Felipe K-rrera Music Group, 12 pm; Giselle Anguizola Quartet, 4:30 pm; Caitie B & The Hand Me Downs, 9 pm

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

BUFFA’S Alex McMurray, 7 pm

CAPULET Teena May, 6 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH — Ethan Regan + Palmyra, 8 pm

DBA Les Femmes Farouches, 6 pm; Kid Chocolate & The Free P.O.C, 9 pm

DOS JEFES Raphael Bas, 8:30 pm

GASA GASA Vortxz + Nonleathal Weapons, 9 pm

HOLY DIVER Blood & Earl, code.black & More!, 10 pm

THE MAISON — Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, 5 pm; Paradise Jazz Band, 8 pm

MAPLE LEAF BAR Alex Wasily & Ari

Teitel: Very Good Tuesday’s, 8 pm

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

NO DICE — Crobot + The Atomic Bitchwax + Drab, 9 pm

PARADIGM GARDENS A Decade in Bloom: Paradigm Gardens Concert Series, 6:30 pm

THE RABBIT HOLE Rebirth Brass Band, 10 pm

ROYAL FRENCHMEN HOTEL — Trumpet

Mafa, 6 pm; 9 pm

SALON SALON IN MAISON MÉTIER

Hanna Mignano, 7 pm

SATURN BAR FLIP IT + REVERSE IT:

Gamut’s Scorpio Bday Edition, 10 pm

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

WEDNESDAY 19

30/90 Dapper Dandies, 6 pm; The Budz, 9 pm

BACCHANAL — Jesse Morrow, 6 pm

BAMBOULA’S — Jacky Blaire & The Hot Biscuits, 12 pm; John Saavedra, 4:30 pm; Boardwalker & The 3 Finger Swingers, 9 pm

BJ'S LOUNGE BYWATER Joey's Survivor

49 Watch Party + Secret Movie, 7 pm

BLUE NILE — Kota Dosa, 9 pm

BRATZ Y’ALL — Joey Houck & Dean

Zucchero, 5 pm

BUFFA’S Joe Krown, 7 pm

CAFÉ DEGAS — Gizinti Trio, 6 pm

CAFÉ NEGRIL Jam-ilton, 6 pm

CAPULET — The GET, 6 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH Jon Cleary, 8 pm

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

DBA Stephen Walker N’em, 6 pm

DOS JEFES — Kris Tokarski, 8:30 pm

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

LONGUE VUE HOUSE & GARDENS

Longue Vue After Hours: An Evening with Lyrica Baroque: Celebrating Louisiana, 5 pm

MARIGNY BRASSERIE Legacy Jazz Band, 7 pm

MRB — Lynn Drury, 7 pm

NO DICE Beton Arme + Dark Thoughts + Nonbinary Assault Weapon, 9 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO — New Orleans Blues Society Fundraiser: Goin' to Memphis - Sean Riley & The Water, 6:30 pm

MRB — Lynn Drury, 7 pm

NO DICE

Beton Arme + Dark

Assault

THURSDAY 20

30/90 — Organami, 6 pm; Big Mike & The R&B Kings, 9 pm

APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm

ARORA CHMURA & DUFFREY, 10 pm

BACCHANAL — Raphael Bas, 6 pm

BAMBOULA’S — JJ & the OK’s, 12 pm; Felipe Antonio Quinteto, 4:30 pm; Wolfe John’s Band, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE — Cry Babies, 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

CARROLLTON STATION — Night Kitchen + Rare Seed, 9 pm

CAPULET Jon Sheckler, 6 pm

THE CELESTINE — Courtyard Concerts, 7:30 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH — An Evening with Zack Feinberg, Paul McDonald & Friends, 9 pm

DBA — Palmetto Bug StomperS, 6 pm; Yirmey Yisrael Band, 10 pm

DOS JEFES — Miss Anna Quinn, 8:30 pm

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

GASA GASA Congress The Band, 9 pm

HOLY DIVER — Bobcat, Marion Black & Don Wayne, 9 pm

JAZZ PLAYHOUSE — Brass-AHolics, 7:30 pm

LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ Robo Go-Go, 11 pm

MARIGNY OPERA HOUSE An Evening with Coralai & The GET, 7 pm

NEW ORLEANS CAREER CENTER Intro to Ableton Live, 5 pm

NO DICE — Graveripper + Sadistic Force + Blood & Earl, 9 pm

ORPHEUM THEATRE — Andy Bell of Erasure, 8 pm

THE RABBIT HOLE — Pure Intentions: Open Deck, 9 pm

REPUBLIC NEW ORLEANS Yung Gravy, 10 pm

SALON SALON Kateri Farrell, 7 pm

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

SATURN BAR — Tagabow + Pope + Stab + Cashier, 9 pm

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

FRIDAY 21

30/90 Bossa Namaste, 2 pm; Sleazeball Orchestra, 5 pm; Deltaphonic, 8 pm; Street Lyfe, 11 pm

ALLWAYS LOUNGE Angie Z & Friends, 7 pm

APPLE BARREL — Bubbles Brown, 6 pm

ARORA ALL:LO COLLECTIVE with Parkbreezy + Pheel + TF Marz, 10 pm

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

BAMBOULAS — The Rug Cutters, 11 am; Felipe Antonio’s Quinteto, 2:15 pm; Les Getrex and Creole Cooking, 6:30 pm; Bettis and 3rd Degree Brass Band, 10 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE — Cumbia Nasty Crew, 9 pm

BLUE NILE — The Caesar Brothers’ FunkBox, 8 pm; Kermit Rufns & The BBQ Swingers, 10 pm

BMC Jazz Band Ballers, 5:30 pm; Da Bonus, 9 pm

BOURBON STREET HONKY TONK The Bad Sandys, 8 pm

BUFFA’S — T Marie and Bayou Juju with Special Guest Jonno Frishberg, 8 pm

CAFE NEGRIL — Brandon Miles Shelton Trio, 2 pm; Uncut, 6 pm; Higher Heights, 10 pm

CARROLLTON STATION — Third Fridays with Sweet Magnolia & The New Orleans Johnnys, 9 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH The Wilder Blue, 9 pm

DBA Margie Perez, 6 pm; King of Brass, 10 pm

DOS JEFES — The Joe Krown Trio, 9 pm

DOUBLE DEALER Jenavieve Cooke & The Winding Boys, 9:30 pm

GASA GASA — LeTrainiump + 12Eleven, 9 pm

HOLY DIVER — Rik Slave’s DarkLounge Ministries, 8 pm

LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — Lee Yankie & Friends, 11 pm

THE MAISON Nola Sweethearts, 3 pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 5 pm; Single Malt Please, 8 pm; DJ Dot Dunnie, 11 pm

MRB — Mark Carson & Friends, 7 pm

GOOD MEASURE — Yusa Music, 9 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO Tin Men, 7 pm

ORPHEUM THEATRE — Mannie Fresh with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 8 pm

THE RABBIT HOLE Sorry for Party Rocking (2010-2015 Pop & EDM Bangers All Night Long), 10 pm

ROCK 'N' BOWL — The Topcats, 8:30 pm

SAENGER THEATRE — Queens of the Stone Age + Paris Jackson, 7:30 pm

SANTOS BAR — DJSON, 10 pm

SATURN BAR — SLAAP Cabaret, 9 pm

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

TOULOUSE THEATRE — The Chipo

Kandake Revue: Black Magic Woman, 9 pm

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MUSIC

SATURDAY 22

30/90 — Jake Landry, 2 pm; Belle & Her Twisted Katz, 5 pm; Hotline, 8 pm; Under the Covers, 11 pm

APPLE BARREL Smoky Greenwell Blues Band, 10:30 pm

BACCHANAL Miles Berry, 1 pm; Steve Lands, 7 pm

BAMBOULA’S Aaron Levinson & Friends, 11 am; James McClaskey & The Rhythm Band, 2:15 pm; Johnny Mastro Blues, 6 pm; Paggy Prine & Southern Soul, 10 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE Jordan Thibodeaux and et les Rodailleurs, 9 pm

BLUE NILE George Brown Band, 7:30 pm; Afrobeat, 10 pm

BMC The New Orleans Rug Cutters, 5:30 pm; John Lisi & Delta Funk, 9 pm

BROADSIDE Sober Fest, 11 am

CAFE NEGRIL — Frenchmen Feast with Big Mike & The R&B Kings, 2 pm; Jason Neville Funky Soul Band, 6 pm; Zena Moses & Rue Fiya, 10 pm

CARROLLTON STATION Alt Scene

Nola presents: Beach Face + The Bomb Pulse + Static, Static, 9 pmCHICKIE

WAH WAH — Night Cap, 9 pm

DBA — Young Lion Showcase, 2:30 pm; Michael Watson & The Alchemy, 6 pm

SANTOS BAR — TECH N.O. ft. DJ Otto, 11 pm

TIPITINA’S Jagged Little Pill: An Alanis Morissette Tribute, 8 pm

WILD BUSH FARM AND VINEYARD

Charlie Halloran + The Tropicales for Jazz'n the Vines, 6:30 pm

SUNDAY 23

30/90 Daphne Parker Powell, 3 pm; Andre Lovett, 6 pm; Manic Mixtape ft. Lyndsey Smith, 9 pm

ALLWAYS LOUNGE — Sunday Swing, 8 pm

APPLE BARREL — Sunday Swing with Swing Septet, 8 pm

BACCHANAL — Christien Bold, 12 pm; Boma Bango, 4 pm; Noah Young, 7 pm

BAMBOULA’S The Jaywalkers, 11 am; Laura Doyle Quartet, 1:15 pm; Midnight Brawlers, 5:30 pm; Kat Kiley, 9 pm

BJ’S LOUNGE —James McClaskey & The Rhythm Band, 3 pm

BLUE NILE — Street Legends Brass Band, 9 pm

BOURBON STREET HONKY TONK

The Bad Sandys, 8 pm BROADSIDE Broadside Tailgate Picnic with Soul Brass Band, 12 pm

DOS JEFES — Sunpie & The Louisiana Sunspots, 9 pm

DOUBLE DEALER BAR — Coyote Anderson Trio, 7 pm

GASA GASA — Lizette Single Release Show with Montey! and Makena’aloha, 8 pm

CAFE NEGRIL — Decaturadio, 1 pm; John Lisi & Delta Funk Football Watch Party, 4:30 pm; The Next Level Brass Band, 9 pm

CAROUSEL BAR The Iguanas, 7 pm

CHICKIE WAH WAH The Brudi Brothers + The Wildmans, 8 pm

CIVIC THEATER The Last Waltz New Orleans, 8 pm

DBA — Vegas Cola Band, 9 pm

HOUSE OF BLUES Back to the Bowery: The Legends of CBGB’s, 9 pm

THE FILLMORE OSAMASON, 8 pm HOUSE OF BLUES Earl Sweatshirt with Liv.e, Zelooperz, MAVI & More!, 8 pm

THE HOWLIN’ WOLF The Convergence with Ill Funeral, D’rty Cot’n, Ayakashi Krewe & Special Guests, 9 pm

JIMMY'S MUSIC CLUB Out In Front, The Band Melrose, Donate Your Friends & The Kissing Disease, 8 pm

LE BON TEMPS ROULÉ — The Snozzberries, 11 pm

THE MAISON — Russell Welch, 3 pm; Jenavieve & The Winding Boys, 6 pm; Feral House Cats, 9 pm

THE MAISON — Giselle Anguizola, 1 pm; Smoking Time Jazz Band, 4 pm; Big Easy Brass Walker, 8 pm; DJ Dot Dunnie, 11 pm

MUSIC BOX VILLAGE People

Museum with Rosemary Minasian & Sari Jordan, 7:30 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO — Wolfe

NEW MARIGNY THEATRE — Più Mosso Baroque & Beethoven with harpsichordist Paul Maufray, 7:30 pm

NO DICE Bad Behavior , Leisure Mufn (Live / Hybrid), Tristan Dufrene, 8 pm

Johns & His Band, 7 pm

NOLA BREWING & PIZZA CO — Arsène DeLay, 7 pm

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

THE RABBIT HOLE — Pure Intentions Presents: Up to No Good, 10 pm

THE HOWLIN' WOLF — The Unofcial Nostalgia Con After Party with Cloudsave, 7 pm

OLD ARABI LIGHTHOUSE RECORDS AND BOOKS — Open Mic Night with Guest Host Craig Cortello "The Canine Crooner", 6 pm SATURN BAR — WINEDINE69ME, 8 pm

String poppin’

by Jake Clapp

AUDIENCES WILL HEAR

A LOT OF THE SONGS

MANNIE FRESH IS BEST KNOWN FOR when the New Orleans producer and rapper performs with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday, Nov. 21. But Fresh is a DJ at his core, and he’s approaching his show from that point of view: What’s going to get the people dancing?

“It’s a DJ set with an orchestra,” Fresh says. “I’m putting some of my songs in there, but I’m also doing some of my favorite songs that I like, that I think will move the crowd and are special to people and special to me. So it’s all over the place, from the Bee Gees to Barry White to trap music.”

In recent years, the LPO has collaborated with several New Orleans musicians for concerts performing those artists’ original music. The orchestra has backed bounce icon Big Freedia three times in the Orpheum Theater, performed with Tank and the Bangas, and the recording of the LPO’s concert with the Lost Bayou Ramblers won a Grammy Award.

The LPO’s unique Market Nights (formerly Music at the Museum) series has had an LPO ensemble back pop musician Dawn Richard, rapper Alfred Banks, folk musician Leyla McCalla, electronic project IFE and synth-pop band People Museum. Those concerts have closely followed the guest musician’s original music orchestrated for a fuller sound with the LPO’s strings, brass and percussion. Fresh’s concert, though, is a little different, says LPO Executive Director Anwar Nasir, as the DJ and the LPO reach into not just Fresh’s music but his influences.

“He’s an artist, producer and DJ, all in one. You’re going to see all three of those worlds come together,” Nasir says. “And because he has such a creative mind, we’re rethinking how the orchestra plays a part of that. He’s seeing the orchestra as, ‘Now I have all these instruments to play with.’ ” Fresh was the in-house producer for Cash Money, rapped in the duo Big Tymers with Bryan “Baby” Williams and on Hot Boys records, and has produced his own albums and songs

for artists like T.I. There are a lot of hits to pull from, and Friday’s show will include Juvenile’s “Ha,” Lil Wayne’s “Go DJ,” Big Tymers’ “Still Fly” and more.

In 2023, the LPO’s Hannah Yim and Jacob Fowler joined Juvenile and Fresh on NPR Tiny Desk to perform the instantly recognizable strings in “Back That Azz Up.” Now, the full LPO will play the dance floor staple.

“I’m excited about doing it this way,” Fresh says. “Normally when you’re at something like an orchestra, you think tuxedos and people sitting down. This one is not that. This is the energy orchestra.”

A New Orleans legend, Fresh has been DJing for more than 40 years. Collaborating with an orchestra, though, presents some unique challenges, he said, like coordinating tuning, timing and pitch between the ensemble and his DJ equipment. But it’s also a rare opportunity to swap digitally produced sounds with live instrumentation.

“The way I was brought up, coming from New Orleans, we love musicianship,” Fresh says. “We love live instruments, but some things [just aren’t possible]. That’s what’s good about doing it with an orchestra. It feels like home.”

Mannie Fresh performs with the LPO at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Orpheum Theater. Tickets start at $50 via lpomusic.com.

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Free verse

by Will Coviello

THE ANNUAL WORDS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL hits a lot of notes, from discussions on incarceration and exoneration to the adventures of Scrim. There’s a virtual event on Sunday, Nov. 16, and in-person discussions and readings are at the Andre Cailloux Center on Nov. 19-22.

Among the writers at the festival is poet Gina Ferrara, who in August became the state’s poet laureate.

A professor at Delgado Community College, Ferrara has published five collections of poetry, most recently “Amiss” in 2023, and she was nominated for a Pushcart prize last year. She also hosts the monthly Poetry Buffet reading series.

Ferrara joins four other poets and former Louisiana Poet Laureate Mona Lisa Saloy in a commemoration of the damages of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Saloy and John Warner Smith edited “Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 20: An Anthology of Louisiana Poetry and Art,” with work by 44 contributors. The reading will draw on those works. It’s at 5 p.m. Saturday.

A couple of sessions are about issues related to incarceration. The festival’s opening session on Wednesday is titled “Reading for Justice: From Incarceration to Exoneration.” Calvin Duncan made access to court records one of the issues in his recent campaign for New Orleans Clerk of Court. He’s also the co-author of “The Jailhouse Lawyer.” His conviction for a 1981 murder was vacated with the help of the Innocence Project New Orleans, but he became a self-taught “counsel substitute” while serving time at Angola penitentiary. The session also is based in part on the recent Historic New Orleans Collection exhibit about mass incarceration in Louisiana, and some of its contributors will be on the panel. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The festival closes with “Reading for Justice: Poetry Inside Prisons.”

The reading features poets Adam Clay, Michael Kleber-Diggs and Alison Pelegrin, another former Louisiana Poet Laureate, reading their work and reflecting on engaging imprisoned people about reading and writing poetry. The reading is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

On the music front, ethnomusicologist and Tulane archivist Melissa Weber, aka DJ Soul Sister, leads a discussion with authors of recent books about George Clinton and ParliamentFunkadelic. Daniel Bedrosian was the longtime keyboardist for ParliamentFunkadelic, which he chronicles in

the book “Make My Funk the P-Funk: Parliament-Funkadelic’s Meteoric Rise in 1975 from ‘Chocolate City’ to ‘Mothership Connection.’ ” Also on the panel is Seth Neblett, author of “Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic.” The session begins at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

“The Places We Play” is a discussion about local music venues. The panel includes Donna Poniatowski Sims, who ran the brass band hub Donna’s, and musicians Craig Klein and Gladney. Preservation Hall program manager Pamela Blackmon moderates the discussion. It’s at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

A discussion of literature about the Vietnamese community and influence on New Orleans features novelist E.M. Tran, author of “Daughters of the New Year,” and writer and illustrator Thi Bui. It’s at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Author Maurice Carlos Ruffin leads a discussion about how New Orleans has shaped the writing of participants Larry Bagneris, Ambata Kazi, Karisma Price and Blake Sanz. It’s at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Former WDSU-TV weathercaster Margaret Orr and artist Matt Rinard collaborated on the children’s book “Scrim My Tail: As Told to Margaret Orr.” They talk about the project at a luncheon event at 12:15 p.m. Thursday.

Other panels address subjects including art, climate change, speculative fiction, literature for young readers and more. There’s also a screening of Dawn Logsdon and Tim Watson’s documentary “Free For All: The Public Library” at 5:45 p.m. Friday.

Many events are free. For a full schedule and information, visit wordsandmusic.org.

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Scarf down

Biotech-created food

Cry after being saved

Rx amounts

Criminal who swindles people via harmful computer programs?

“Master of None” star Aziz 98 Cabernet or merlot

Hearing organ

Clogged a motor with sticky stuff?

Sadness 110 Angsty rock subgenre

“The king,” in Cannes

See 119-Down

Option list

Kid’s “cootie”

Materials colliding loudly?

122 Region 123 Ex-Bengal Boomer 124 Milan natives, e.g.

Part of P.O.

In that direction

1975-2014 “Saturday Night Live” announcer

Catches a quick breath

Hit one out of the park, say

Pontificate

Geog. chart of America

PC-game “City” dweller

Oom- -- (tuba sound)

“Tuesdays With Morrie” author

Orig. texts

City west of Knoxville

Vinyl spinner at

1/3 rpm 44 Guy native to Galway, say

Shop gripper 46 “Have -- myself clear?” 47 Upper limit, for short

Flavor enhancer, for short

Guilt-ridden 52 German car

54 Something in a holiday shopper’s cart

55 Go back to one’s

Extra wager

Compete 93 Small hotel 94 Apparently does

Deterrent to dating, perhaps

Tres or cinco 97 Messy camp treats 98 Central German city

Garbage 102 Mr. Simpson, to Marge

Hosp. ward 104 Card player’s “I pass” 106 “-- vincit amor”

1970s-’80s Renault

Ceaselessly

Actress Rene

Getz of jazz

Dojo surface

about

Suffix with Siam

With 112-Across, E-businesses 120 -- -cone

Swiss peak