The famed Funky Butt, originally located on North Rampart Street, is set to reopen, but not in its original location. The club will reopen as the Funky Butt Jazz Club at 4716 Freret Street .

“Contruction is underway,” said club operator Shanekah Peterson, “and we expect to present our first in couple of months.” The club can accommodate 200 to 250, Peterson says and will not have food. “We’re just across from Midway Pizza, and basically in restaurant row,” laughed Peterson. “This has been such a dream of mine,” she said. Peterson and her former husband, Sam “Big Sam” Williams, operated the Funky Butt at Congo Square at its 714 North Rampart Street location before Hurricane Katrina. Post-Katrina various operators attempted to reopen the venue, but could not obtain the proper live music permits.

Peterson says the permits are in place, thanks to the new location on Freret Street, which is designated as a cultural district, a fact which makes it easier to obtain permits for live entertainment.

Peterson hopes to present her first show on New Year’s Eve.