Issue Articles
Dining Out: Tujague’s Restaurant
Founded in 1856, Tujague’s stands as a testament to resilience, having weathered hurricanes, wars, fire, pandemics, and two relocations. As the third-oldest restaurant in the United States and the second oldest in New Orleans, Tujague’s has maintained its status as one of the city’s top fine-dining establishments. Now, a new chapter is set to be written as a fresh culinary voice, Chef Meg Gray steps in to add her mark to Tujague’s storied history.
Eric Paulsen (1950-2024)
Reporter and anchor for WWL-TV, Eric Paulsen died Saturday October 26, 2024, of cancer at Ochsner Medical Center. He was 74.
Amadee Joseph Castenell, Jr. (1950-2024)
We learned that saxophonist and flautist, Amadee Castenell has passed away, he was 74.
Born in New Orleans on April 19, 1950, Castenell is best known for being the director of the funk and soul band Chocolate Milk. The eight-piece band also included vocalist Frank Richard, trumpeter, Joe Foxx, guitarist Mario Tio, bassist Earnest Dabon, piano and keyboard Robert Dabon and drummer Dwight Richards, the father of Dawn Richards, OffBeat’s September 2024 cover subject.
A Tribute To The Queen: Producer Sonny Schneidau’s tribute promises to be special
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for Tipitina’s to give thanks to its favorite local legends. The past six seasons (skipping one for covid) have seen tributes to Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Fats Domino and others. But this year’s tribute to Irma Thomas promises to be a little special. For one thing, it features a one-time convergence of many of New Orleans’ greatest voices, all of them belonging to women. For another, the honoree herself will be among the performers.
Smiling Drummers: A Benefit for Shannon Powell presented by Herlin Riley
When Shannon Powell walked up the back stairs to the stage at the recent Treme Fall Festival, he wore a golden crown on his head. The drummer, singer, tambourine man and regaled “King of Treme,” had been scheduled to lead his band, the Traditional Jazz All Stars. Most in the crowd, however, didn’t expect Powell to perform on this day as it was widely known that in early August the drummer had suffered both a stroke and a heart attack.
Review, 2024 NOLA Funk Fest: New Orleans Jazz Museum
To invoke the name of another popular festival, the NOLA Funk Fest was hardly strictly funk. True, there was plenty of uncut funk in the weekend lineup—but with the weekend’s headliners including the wildly eclectic Tank & the Bangas and the diva of bounce Big Freedia, it mostly honored funk as a cornerstone of the wider realm of New Orleans music. And with an audience including a fair share of out-of-town visitors, it also served as a mid-season Jazz Fest fix for the faithful.
Vintage vinyl treasures (Episode 44)
Another five vintage vinyl gems from 1969 that I believe might just be favorites of my favorite big sister currently residing over Texas way. We both make our way back to New Orleans whenever possible with our one set annual pilgrimage etched in November stone. She brings the wit and intelligence, and I bring the records, plenty of them. I have listed this month’s five in chronological release date order, and I am betting that one or if you are an aficionado, then several below will bring more fond memories of special days gone by all too soon just like the proverbial winds on the plains.
The Deezle Chronicles: Part II
Darius “Deezle” Harrison is not only a multi-Grammy-winning producer who is now shaping the best and brightest musicians at The Throne, but he is also a great storyteller. His history is as New Orleans as it gets, and is a testament to focus, determination, and following what fulfills you. This is the second part in a series.
From Classical to Cajun: The LPO invites back the Lost Bayou Ramblers and Sweet Crude
Louis Michot, fiddler and singer with the Grammy award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, eagerly anticipates the Cajun band’s encore appearance with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. The LPO’s and Ramblers’ first collaborative concert at the Orpheum Theatre in New Orleans, released last year as Live: Orpheum Theatre NOLA, won both a Best of the Beat Award in January and a Grammy award in February for best regional roots music album.
