504magazine

EDITOR IN CHIEF Dr. William “Doc” Jones

Senior Editor Patrick L. Gilder

Advertisement Sales Shirley Jones

Web Master support@504mag.com

Sales & Advertisments sales@504mag.com

Article Submission publish@504mag.com

Design Submission design@504mag.com

Photos Submission photos@504mag.com

CONTENTS

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please visit www.504mag.com

One on One with Nayo Jones

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5Irvin Mayfield - Finding Music IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES.

14Wednesday’s on the PointNEW ORLEANS’ BEST KEPT SECRET

20Rebuilding the 504 communityTAKE A LOOK AT HOW TO REBUILD OUR COMMUNITY

28Doc’s Place comes to New OrleansFIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM DOC’S PLACE IN NEW ORLEANS

32Doc Jones and Celebrity friendsYOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’LL SEE WHEN YOUR WITH DOC JONES

34One on One with Nayo JonesGET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH NAYO JONES

422012-2013 Big events coming to New OrleansA LIST OF BIF EVENTS COMING TO NOLA

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THE NEW NEW ORLEANS“This magazine is dedicated toward building the New NEW ORLEANS”

- Doc Jones -

ALL CONTENT AND PHOTOGRAPH MATERIAL ARE COPYRIGHTED TO THEIR RESPECTED OWNERS. TO CONTACT OUR EDITORIAL TEAM PLEASE EMAIL US AT PUBLISH@504MAG.COM

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, founded in 2002 by the 31-year old

Mayfield, tours and performs at premiere venues and perform-ing art centers across the country. Mayfield, who will be performing live on NPR’s Toast of the Na-tion on New Years Eve, from the Dakota Jazz club in Minnesota,

is currently com-posing the Elysian Fields Commission, an orchestral work commissioned by the University of New Orleans. It will pre-miere at commence-

ment in the spring of 2010 and on the Champs Elysees in France. NOJO is also planning the Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestras’ Road To Carne-gie Hall Tour that includes a stop at the Playboy Jazz Festival in the

summer of 2010. “BOOK ONE confirms that large jazz ensem-bles can create original music that appeals to existing and new au-diences.” said Ronald Markham, NOJO’s president and CEO. May-field, who serves as the Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, is also a professor at the University of New Orleans’ College of Lib-eral Arts where he teaches New Orleans As Discourse. He was also appointed artistic director of jazz for the internationally ac-claimed Minnesota Orchestra in 2008.”The nominations this year truly reflect the talented com-munity of music makers who represent some of the highest lev-els of excellence in their respec-tive fields,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy.

FINDING YOUR MUSIC in unlikely places

Irvin Mayfield and the New Or-

leans Jazz Orchestra

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As a non-profit organization, NOJO for-tifies the jazz industry through perfor-mances, education, media platforms and economic development. Towards this end, NOJO founded the New Orleans Jazz Institute at the University of New Orleans where it operates a Saturday Music School for elementary school students. NOJO also partners with the Royal Sonesta Ho-tel where it launched the Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, a branded entertainment venue that employs over 50 Jazz mu-sicians weekly. Other partners include Tulane University and the World Village label, a subsidiary of Harmonia Mundi. The critically-acclaimed BOOK ONE, which originated as a commission for the Epis-

copal Church, “moves from swinging to strutting just as naturally as New Orleans does.” according to the Louisiana Weekly. BOOK ONE’s improvisational moments explore post- Katrina stagnation, the on-going financial crisis and the resilient jazz culture of New Orleans. Songs include “7th Ward Blues” which pays homage to the Creole neighborhood that gave birth to Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet. “Sweet Bread on the Levee,” features Ed Petersen, who unleashes an unbridled, free-movement that is filled with intrigue and soul. “In Love All Over Again,” is a lush, sexy musical interlude that features Joh-naye Kendrick, a recent graduate of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Written

by Mayfield, the song reflects an experien-ce that led him to fall in love with music - and New Orleans - all over again. “Creo-le Thang” features rising clarinetist Evan Christopher. “Somebody Forgot to Turn the Faucet Off (probably Steve)” features the slide Trombone of Ron Westray, who-se urgent sounds are a metaphor on the failed levees in New Orleans. “Mistress” is a gritty and emotional tune that explores “that woman” who understands sex and adventure. “Richie Can Count,” features Leon “Kid Chocolate” singing and scatting in an amusing exploration of numbers and bailouts.

“Book One” Nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award

The tune takes its name from Mayfield’s 4-year-old son’s ability to string together numbers and is inspired by today’s fi-nancial turbulence. “Beat” is inspired by the Cuban big bands and illustrates the connection between Havana and New Orleans. “Move On Ahead,” which features vocalist John Boutte, is a rhythmic foray into the echoes of 1960s New Orleans R&B. Book One is available at iTunes, Ama-zon and select retail outlets.

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) is a performing-arts organization that strengthens the business of jazz through performances, touring, business develo-pment, recordings and media platforms. Founded in 2002 by trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader Irvin Mayfield, NOJO’s mission is to inspire freedom and culture in the individual and the global community by creating authentic, enga-ging jazz experiences while celebrating the origins and transforming the future of jazz. A non-profit organization, NOJO is engaged in innovative partnerships with the University of New Orleans, where it es-tablished the New Orleans Jazz Institute, and Tulane University. NOJO performs in the form of a big band and other configu-rations. For more information, please visit thenojo.com.

Read More at:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=46742

ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Editor In Chief:Dr William “Doc” Jones

Associate Editor / Director of Sales:Patrick Gilder

Senior Writer/Senior EditorShirley Jones

Assistant Director and Projects:Jason Parker

Copy Editor:Paul Anderson

ColumnistKathy Wilson

Chief Photo EditorMike Jones

Corporate Offices815 12th Street Gretna, LA 70053Phone: 504 264 1624

©504 Magazine, LLC.All Rights Reserved

Doc Jones

Meet The EditorWelcome to 504 Magazine I am excited for the release of the Hottest Magazine in New Orleans

“if you believe in it, you should be a con-tributing factor in it.” Once you meet him, you’ll remember him. Dr. William Jones (lovingly referred to as Doc) is Founder/CEO and Chief Editor of the pulse of NOLA’s, 504Mag.com. Doc Jones brings a high level energy, excitement and hands on involvement to anything he believes in. Doc’s motto, love of people, and talents continues to be, “if you believe in it, you should be a contributing factor in it.”

Doc is excited about the restoration of and is spearheading an all out effort to bring an influx of new ready-to-run contributors to the area armed with current information in 504Mag.com. He recently stated, “It’s not the remaining rubble, though the devas-tation of Katrina remains vividly in my mind, but the beauty of the people, the succulence of the food and the throngs of happy tourist I once performed for himself on Bourbon Street.”

504Mag.com comes to give and not take from the history of the culture within that makes NOLA so unique. I come to give and not take complete restoration of New Orleans.

Doc Jones has been a music educator and professional musician /restaurant owner for more than 35 years. Everywhere he has li-ved from Chicago to Arizona and now New Orleans, he has left a trail of happy and fond memories. Though there will always be a special place in his heart for Chicago, Doc Jones is quoted to have said New Orleans is, “His Kind of Town.”

Dr. William “Doc” Jones / Presidentdoc@504mag.com

BED AND BREAKFAST ON THE POINT IN TOWN

BED AND BREAKFAST ON THE POINT IN TOWN

When the New Orleans Young L e a d e r s h i p Council finish-

es up their free spring concert series, Wednesdays at the Square in June, the Algiers Economic Development Foundation brings you Wednesdays on the Point, a free summer concert series on the other side of the river, in the historic Old Algiers neighborhood. Begins June 16 It’s all the goodness from the ever-popular, mini-out-door festivals YLC debuted in spring 2006, featuring the best in live, local music, food, drinks and art vendors. Add to that a breathtaking ride across the mighty Mississippi on the Algiers Ferry (have your camera ready for amazing shots of the city!) plus the honor of stepping on “sacred ground,” and you have Wednesdays on the Point, Algiers Point that is. Yep,

sacred ground. According to the folks at Old Algiers Main Street Corpora-tion, some scholars argue Old Algiers is the true site of the origins of Jazz, as it’s where African slaves were first held before being sold into slavery. “The slaves – frightened, sick, isolated from the families – quite likely used their tradition of ‘call and response’ and single-line melodies to commu-

nicate and comfort themselves and their families,” helping form Jazz as we know it today.

Image Courtesy of Old Algiers Main Street Corporation So, it’s only right that Wednesdays on the Point

present a one-of-a-kind line up with a variety of talent and genres at different venues around Algiers Point. Big Sam’s Funky Nation kicks off the event June 16, followed with other weekly perfor-mances by blues legend Little Freddie King, fiddle prodigy Amanda Shaw, indie rockers MyNameIsJohnMichael, classical country, rockabilly and west-ern swing all stars Gal Holiday’s Hon-

ky Tonk Review, funk rock-ers Flow Tribe and more. Take a look at the schedule below, but find more details at the Wednesdays on the Point website here.

WEDNESDAY’S ON THE POINT editor’s choice

Old Algiers on the Point

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Brownlee Norman House Brownlee Residence: Norman Brownlee, 407 Delaronde Street Nor-

man Brownlee (1896-1967), pianist, bandleader, instrument salesman, and musicians’ union official, lived here at 407 Delaronde Street from 1912 until 1922. He led his own Brownlee’s Orches-tra from 1920 to 1930, which included Emmet Hardy, Arthur “Monk” Hazel, Joseph “Sharkey” Bonano, John Wiggin-ton Hyman, and many others. His band recorded in New Orleans for the Okeh label in 1926. In 1932, he moved to Pen-sacola, Florida, where he became an of-ficial in the musicians’ union, and also continued to play piano.

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Brownlee Residence: Norman Brownlee, 407 Delaronde Street

Bed and Breakfast on the Point

Want More...

The Night Shot Jazz in the 504

The City Look The Nightlife

THE NEW NEW ORLEANS

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REBUILDING THE 504LEFTLEFTSIDE Left picture 5000 Cartier Avenue

LEFTSIDE RIGHT PICTURE: 5417 MARIGNY STREET

RIGHTHigh Gloss

Effects And Futuristics

5323 ST. ANTHONY

AVENUE

LEFTTOP LEFT: 6539 Canal StreetLEFTSIDE RIGHT PICTURE: 5417 MARIGNY STREET

“Rebuilding New Orleans one brick at a time.”

- Doc Jones -

AFTER TAKING A LOOK AT THE AFTERMATH OF KATRINA YOU CAN SEE THE VALUE OF REBUILDING LIFES. BUT I MUST EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW THAT ALL THESE VOLUNTEER TEAMS ARE NEEDED! EVERY YEAR, RTNO ASKS LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP IN THE REBUILDING EFFORT BY JOINING US FOR OCTOBER BUILD (9/30-10/1 & 10/7-10/8). LAST YEAR, OVER 400 VOLUNTEERS PRIMED, PAINTED, AND REBUILT 20 HOMES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. RTNO NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TO MAKE OCTOBER BUILD 2011 AN EVEN BIGGER SUCCESS!

LOUISE RIGGIOLEONARD RIGGIO BRAD PIT WWW.RTNO.ORG

Leonard Riggio wants to help New Orleans residents replace a story of disaster with renewal.

This August, the founder and chairman of Barnes & No-ble Inc. and his wife, Louise, will build their 50th home for New Orleans families who lost their homes after Hurricane Katrina. The couple commit-ted $20 million after the 2005 hurricane destroyed what the American Red Cross estimat-ed to be about 275,000 homes in New Orleans.

We’re building homes but the people of New Orleans are telling a story of their lives coming back together and of rebuilding their city,” Mr. Rig-gio says.

Although he says he doesn’t yet have the time to write a book about his expe-riences working in New Or-leans, Mr. Riggio says “the book will be written over time as we look at families who now have the chance at the American dream: They have mortgage-free homes and the opportunity to create genera-tional wealth.”

Through a nonprofit the Riggios created in 2007 called Project Home Again, by the spring the couple look

to build 100 energy-efficient, storm-resistant houses for low and moderate-income New Orleans homeowners who have been unable to rebuild and return to their homes.

Mr. Riggio, a Brooklyn-born jazz aficionado says he was transfixed with watching television coverage of the de-struction of New Orleans af-ter the hurricane and knew it would take years for the city to recover. To speed up the pro-cess, he says he wanted to serve as an insurer of last resort and to step in where insurance companies and the govern-ment didn’t help.

Says Mr. Riggio: “I don’t like idle philanthropy. Sup-porting museums and art are satisfying but I prefer active philanthropy, such as physical-ly going down to New Orleans to help with the architecture and contractors.”

Now, along with build-ing houses, he wants to help homeowners create a commu-nity association to make sure they have a voice in the con-tinued process to rebuild New Orleans, as well as the ongoing effects of the recent BP oil spill on the Gulf Coast.

Officials with the Hy-att Regency New Orleans on Tuesday pledged $300,000 to help build two homes through actor Brad Pitt’s Make It Right program and announced that the hotel will host a gala in March 2012 to help the ini-tiative reach its goal of con-structing 150 environmentally friendly houses in the Lower 9th Ward.

Rusty Costana, The Times-PicayuneActor Brad Pitt’s Make It Right project has constructed eco-friendly houses that include solar pan-els in the Lower 9th Ward for homeowners who lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina.

“After Hurricane Ka-trina, many people said the Lower 9th Ward could not be rebuilt, but the spirit of the Lower Ninth and its residents is vibrant and resilient,” Pitt said in a prepared statement. “Today, the neighborhood is growing and alive with new homes, playgrounds, gardens and block parties. “With the help of generous partners like Hyatt, Make It Right will ful-fill our goal of building 150 sustainable homes for those in this community who lost ev-erything in the storm,” he said.

MISSION: A continuing volunteer effort to improve the quality of life of low income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or single head of households with minor children, through home repair and revitalization of New Orleans’ neighbor-hoods.

HISTORY: Rebuilding To-gether New Orleans is a pro-gram of the Preservation Re-source Center of New Orleans that focuses on the residents in Orleans Parish using a combi-nation of volunteer and profes-sional labor.

Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO) started in 1988 when the Preservation Resource Center instituted a one-day neighborhood revi-talization pilot program in the Lower Garden District. Named Christmas in October, the pi-lot program was modeled af-ter the national Christmas in April program. It was imple-mented to address the needs of existing homeowners, namely the elderly and disabled who had become ill equipped to manage home repair.

Find more information at www.rtno.org

5 0 4 M A G A Z I N E 2 1

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504 Event Photos

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Redefiningthe new NEW ORLEANSJoin us as we build a new tomorrow with the tools we have today...New Orleans is one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond, it’s brilliant mosaic of culture, food and music. You’ll find brimming bowls of gumbo, late nights in jazz clubs, strolls through historic neighborhoods and tantalizing festivals throughout the year. Come down and experience one of America’s most culturally and historically rich destinations.

Enjoy Your Life....

Introducing 504Mag.com

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Doc Jones and Celebrities

Nayo Jones hails from Chicago, Illinois born into a family of musicians she was destined to be in “the business”. As a child Nayo sang and danced her way through life. She belted out Supreme songs at talent shows in grade school and mimicked Whitney Houston in front of the mirror. Although Nayo showed an interest in the family business no one forced her into music.

One on One withNAYO JONES

Article with Collage #2

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Nayo (pronounced Ni yoh) hails from Chicago, Illinois born into a family of musicians she was destined to be in “the business”. “Nayo has always commanded a room whenever she entered, even as a baby” says her proud mother. As a child Nayo sang and danced her way through life. She belted out Supreme songs at talent shows in grade school and mimicked Whitney Houston in front of the mirror. Although Nayo showed an interest in the fa-mily business no one forced her into music.

Nayo’s father Doc Jones did not pressure her to be a musician, but he embedded music in her soul. Growing up surrounded by classic jazz and Motown hits Nayo answered her calling at an

early age. She began to play the flute on a professional level at a very young age, she also sang in the church choir. Although Nayo loved music and always kept it close to her heart she had no desire to pursue her craft professionally. As a teenager her only desire was to attend college, so she did. As a graduate of Spel-man College, the renowned historically black college for women in Atlanta, Georgia, Nayo focused her life on the corporate world. What Nayo did not realize was music was still in her destiny. Nayo began her journey on a whim.

Her father, a music educator had a fundraiser for his non-profit music organization which was held at the renowned Rhythm Room located in Phoenix, Arizona. The Rhythm Room has been graced by famous jazz and blues musicians such as B.B. King. In the middle of all the talent Doc requested his daughter sing a

Up Close And Personal With Nayo Jones

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song, “just one song” he persuaded her. The audience received Nayo with such joy and jubilation and Nayo enjoyed singing for them as much as they loved having her. This was the beginning of a journey that brings us to today.

In addition to Nayo’s first Christmas CD as well as a compilation CD featuring her and her father, Nayo’s most recent solo project is an EP featuring the hit song “So Into You” which she wrote and was produced by her number one fan, Doc Jones. This masterful CD can be found at www.cdbaby.com as well as www.amazon.com. This popular young beauty has already won the hearts of Arizona residents and the Artist of the Month Award for her CD sampler (commiserate notation was also given for Nayo’s websi-te). “So Into You” will also be featured on Nayo’s upcoming 12-song CD titled, simply NAYO, which will be released in late 2006.

Nayo has taken the Valley of the Sun by storm and has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Nayo wows her crowds and gains loyal fans with her sultry voice and passion with every per-formance. She is only a baby in the music industry and she al-ready has the savvy of some of the most classic female artist. Her fans have compared her to the likes of Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack and even Billy Holiday as she belts out tunes from Jazz classics to modern R&B. Nayo will revolutionize the music industry and be-come a legendary icon. Please don’t take my word for it, hear her music yourself on her EP or experience her live for a life changing adventure. For upcoming news and performances by Nayo visit www.docandnayo.com.

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Nicknames have been and/or are: “The Big Easy”, “The City that Care Forgot”, “Nawlins” and “NOLA” (acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana).

NOLA’s skyline second best only to Las Ve-gas, and favored by its residents captures the excitement of a city that rises early and closes with the sunrise in some parts. The Big Easy” and “NOLA”.

New Orleans: La Nouvelle-Orléans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area, (New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner) has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population of 1,360,436 as of 2000. The city/parish alone has a popula-tion of 343,829 as of 2010.

The city is named after Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Orléans, Regent of France, and is well known for its distinct French Creole architecture, as well as its cross cultural and multilingual heritage.[2] New Orleans

is also famous for its cuisine, music (par-ticularly as the birthplace of jazz), and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras. The city is often refe-rred to as the “most unique”[ city in Ame-rica.

New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. The boundaries of the city and Orleans Parish (paroisse d’Orléans) The city and parish are bounded by the parishes of St. Tammany to the north, St. Bernard to the east, Plaquemines to the south and Jeffer-son to the south and west. Lake Pontchar-train, part of which is included in the city limits, lies to the north and Lake Borgne lies to the east.

The Night Shot NEW ORLEANSThe Big Easy

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The Heart of 2012-2013 Sporting EventsSUPERDOME – 7 TIME SUPERBOWLThough already the host to Nine Super bowls, The Superdome will once again host the 2013 game - more than any other facility of its kind - three NCAA’s Fi-nal Fours and more Saints games, Sugar Bowls and star-studded events than ima-ginable. Built in 1975, the Superdome is better than ever.

The stadium covers 13 acres and reaches 27 stories at its peak, 273 feet above street level. The Dome covers the world’s largest steel-constructed room unobstructed by posts, encompassing 125 million cubic feet of space.

Home of the New Orleans Saints, the Alls-tate Sugar Bowl Classic, Tulane University Green Wave Football, the Bayou Classic and the Sugar Bowl Prep Classic, the Su-perdome is recognized as a titan among sporting venues.

In addition to hosting Superdome spor-ting events, the Dome excels in producing concerts, family shows, convention/trade shows, stage productions, exhibitions and nearly every type of mega-event. Non-sports activities account for 60 percent of the dates scheduled at the Dome. The Ro-lling Stones, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton and Britney Spears are just a

few stars who have graced the Dome’s stage. The Superdome has four 19,000 square-foot ballrooms, 53 separable meeting rooms, three dining rooms and a television studio. It also houses many offices. A 5000 car garage accommodates vehicles daily for workers in nearby office buildings

NFL CHOOSES SUPER BOWL FOR 2013 - NEW ORLEANS STYLE

The NFL’s marquee event seemed unlikely to return any time soon — if ever — af-ter Hurricane Katrina. Yet, a little less than

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two years from now after Katrina struck — and a few months after many families were able to return to and move into re-built homes — NFL owners voted to bring their biggest game back to New Orleans in 2013 New Orleans beat out Miami, which sought a record 11th Super Bowl, and 2008 host Glendale, Ariz. This is the 10th time New Orleans will be the Super Bowl site. “Granted, there are still many abandoned houses here and there, but everything’s coming back, one New Or-leans lifer’s proudly stated, “Everything’s being rebuilt around me. I’m optimistic. I never want to leave.”

What can be said about the Louisiana Superdome? Well for one thing its sea-

ting is better than ever. We all know what the Louisiana Superdome went through when hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. With thousand packed into the Dome as a final refuge the Louisiana Superdome became a focal point for media coverage. Quite frankly, it got torn up. But when the wind died down and the water receded the ma-nagement at the Louisiana Superdome went to work.

Seating in the entire facility was removed and replaced. A new and stronger roof was installed. New video screens were also installed. But the biggest thing to happen was the New Orleans Saints. The revival of a 3-13 squad into a Super Bowl contender

made seating in the Louisiana Superdome as valuable as gold. Yes, the New Orleans Saints not only came back to the Super-dome, they came back so strongly they almost tore the roof off, winning the NFC South, filling the seats with an NFL Playoff Divisional Round win over Philadelphia, and advancing to the NFC Championship. Are you getting the feeling that seats in the Superdome will be scarce for years to come? We are. That’s why we at GoTickets.com are going all out to snag every seat in the Superdome we can get our hands on. When you’re ready to hit the Dome to see the New Orleans Saints, or Monster Jam, or any of the big time concerts that come to this unique facility, GoTickets.com will have your seats waiting for you.

The New Orleans Night Life

You don’t have to love jazz to be mesmerized by the melodies of New Orleans — but it certainly helps. The birthplace of Louis Armstrong, the Big Easy’s multicultural music and entertainment scene never sleeps, nor does its Southern hospitality where an-ything goes!

So let the good times roll, exploring New Orleans’s timeless, old-world charm. Walk the French Quarter, renown for its music halls, antique and novelty shops, churches, museums and architecture. Then step into famous restaurants and cafés to sample legendary fried oyster po’boys, red beans and rice, and crawfish étouffée.

Whether strolling downtown or riding the trolley to one of the city’s many quaint neighborhoods, parks and family-friendly attractions, you’ll notice a peculiarly harmonious mélange of Creole, Spanish and French influences that is unlike anywhere on earth. Of course, for an unforgettable party, stick to the French Quarter’s, Bourbon Street, Frenchman street, where some of the world’s most famous bars and adult-entertainment venues never close.

No matter what, don’t miss the rich coffee and powdered-sugar beignets at Café du Monde, a “real” hurricane from Pat O’Brian’s, authentic jazz at Preservation Hall, the Sunday brunch at Court of two Sisters, Mardi Gras in the winter, and Jazz Fest in the spring.

Night Life

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The New Orleans Arts District, NOAD, is located in the historic American Sector, close to the Mississippi River and the world fa-mous French Quarter. The renaissance of this area began with the 1984 World’s Fair, and today is a thriving neighborhood of art ga-lleries and world-class museums, restaurants, shops and private residences. Anchored by Julia Street, the Arts District is a short walk away from the New Orleans Convention Center and Louisia-na Super Dome.

The Art Walks, the first Saturday evening of the month, and spe-cial street parties throughout the year make Julia Street a popu-lar destination with locals as well as tourists. In true New Orleans fashion, Music, Fun, Food and most of all, Art, uplift the spirit of the city.

Art Walks are hosted by the galleries in the evenings on the first Saturday of each month. Special events, such as “Whitney White Linen Night” in August and “Jammin’ on Julia” sponsored by the Downtown Development District in April are annual street par-ties in true New Orleans fashion with art, music, and food. Locals and tourists look forward to these street parties! As a designated Louisiana Cultural District, there is NO SALES TAX charged on any original works of art sold in the Arts District! Come visit one of the epicenters of art in New Orleans.

Live Entertainment Frenchmen’s Street

FRENCH QUARTER STYLE

FRENCH QUARTER MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE

The live music scene in the French Quarter is a feast with many courses, and one that caters to many different appetites.

Looking for Dixieland jazz? Got it. Want to hear Cajun and zydeco rhythms? They come direct from the bayous to Bourbon Street nightly. Maybe you can’t make up your mind between rocking out at a club or cooling down with an intimate acoustic set. Don’t choose – you can easily walk from one venue to another to enjoy a variety of music in one evening.

What follows is a primer on some of the top venues delivering this nightly musical cornucopia. Jazz is well represented at the Jazz Parlor at Storyville (125 Bourbon St., 504-410-1000), but so are local blues, R&B, swing and even Latin sounds. Located at vir-tually the front door to Bourbon Street, this classy, upscale music hall is a fitting start or pleasing ending to a night on the town.

Donna’s Bar and Grill (800 N. Rampart St., 504-596-6914) may look like your typical French Quarter barroom from the outside, but the stage inside hosts an extraordinary array of local musical ta-lent, from eight-man brass bands to sonorous torch singers. Mon-day night brings a real treat when musicians from all over town converge in the laid-back club with their instruments for a jam session hosted by drummer Bob French.

Kerry Irish Pub (331 Decatur St., 504-527-5954) lives up to its Celtic billing with some of the best-poured Guinness stout in town and a welcoming atmosphere. There’s no cover charge for the nightly live music, which includes traditional Irish, alternative country, bluegrass and rock.

Bawdy, down-and-dirty blues are the order of the day at the Funky Pirate (727 Bour-bon St., 504-523-1960), at least whenever bluesman Big Al Carlson is living large on the club’s tiny stage. His performances, six nights a week, can be as hilarious as they are scandalous, and the backing band keeps the beats going at this high-spirited, fancifully-decorated pirate theme bar.

The eclectic variety of music hosted by the Dragon’s Den (435 Esplanade Ave., 504-949-1750) matches the exotic setting in this singular club. Located at the edge of the Quarter above a Thai restaurant, the intimate space creates a seductive atmosphere with lustrous red hues, Far East décor and a wrought iron balcony over the tree-lined avenue. Look for all manner of music and a young, very local crowd.

The big, airy room at Cafe Brasil (2100 Chartres St., 504-949-0851) is home to Latin, jazz, swing and some truly offbeat acts, while the tropically-colored building itself has be-come a local landmark anchoring the boisterous Frenchmen Street experience. The si-dewalk scene the club generates is almost as entertaining as what’s going on inside, offering great people-watching in this bohemian mecca often complimented by pick-up bands and spontaneous dancing in the street.

The front room of One Eyed Jack’s (615 Toulouse St., 504-569-8361) looks like a swanky bordello from New Orleans’ gilded past, while the main performance hall is one of the most unique rooms in the Quarter. A horseshoe-shaped bar overlooks a stage big enough for touring rock bands and even 1950s-style burlesque shows.

The highly-successful House of Blues (225 Decatur St., 504-529-2583) opened its New Orleans venue more than 10 years ago, and it has grown into the French Quarter desti-nation to hear nationally touring acts. In addition to the main stage, the club often has music in its restaurant or patio bar, as well as the more intimate concert hall in the adja-cent House of Blues Parish, which hosts many local performers.

Just down the street from the House of Blues, Lounge Lizards (200 Decatur St., 504-598-1500) is a hotspot for local rock and R&B acts in a comfortable, upscale venue, often at no cover charge.

Cajun Cabin (501 Bourbon St., 504-529-4256) offers rollicking Cajun and country favori-tes, all powered by accordions and scrub boards amid a rustic décor. Don’t be surprised if a band member hands you a scrub board and a pair of spoons to join in on the rhythms.

FRENCH QUARTER STYLE

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