Man, it’s been so hot. Did you ever notice that everything in New Orleans just stops during the summer? One of OffBeat’s first editors, the esteemed D. Eric Bookhart, once told me that the city’s entire culture is controlled by its climate. “It’s too hot to m-o-o-v-e,” he used to say. “That’s why nobody in New Orleans wants to do anything in the summer.”
It’s true. It used to annoy me more than it does now; guess I’m pretty used to it. One activity that seems to be continuing apace in the city, despite the weather, is the boom in condominium development. Every other building is being converted to high-priced condos. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why someone would pay $250 per square foot plus condo fees for a tiny condo, when they could buy a spacious house for maybe a third of that price. Despite the condo boom in the Quarter and certain residents’ fight against new hotels, I fail to understand why French Quarter condos purchased by out-of-town part-time residents are “better” for the French Quarter neighborhood. It’s just creating a more elite, richer Quarter resident, not preserving a neighborhood.
Another thing that’s really disturbing are landlords in the city, particularly in the French Quarter and Faubourg—mind you, these people own hundreds of properties—who let beautiful old historic buildings rot and deteriorate because they know that the buildings in these areas will always appreciate in value, despite their awful condition. I’m looking at one of those buildings now, outside my window “perch” at the corner of Frenchmen and Decatur Streets. It used to be known as the “Faubourg Center,” now it’s got graffiti on the front and a bunch of handbills stuck to the front. It was most recently used as a movie set. The movie production company slapped some paint on it and did some cosmetic work to the inside. But from what I understand, there are major structural problems, termites and more. But, sure enough, there’s a “For Lease” sign on it. Someone is bound to want to lease the space because it’s on “hip” Frenchmen Street.
I read recently in the Times-Picayune that the Funky Butt on Rampart was closing. Well, that’s not exactly correct. Shanieka Peterson and Sammie Williams aren’t closing the Butt, they’re moving it because their landlord (the very same one who owns the property I’m looking at out my window) won’t do any repairs to the building. “Our air conditioning has been on the fritz for months; the balcony on Rampart Street is going to come down any minute now,” Peterson said. “We figured it was time to take the Funky Butt to a new location. At press time, Peterson and Williams were looking to moving the Butt to another space on Frenchmen. But not the one owned by their negligent landlord. We’ll keep you posted on the new location. In any event, it’ll be a lot closer to the OffBeat world headquarters!
TIPITINA’S FOUNDATION CONTINUES GOOD WORK
Bill Taylor of the Tipitina’s Foundation reminded us that auditions are being held for Tipitina’s Internship Program for high school students on September 10 and 11 at Tipitina’s French Quarter, from noon to 4 p.m. This program is headed by Donald Harrison, Jr. Any type of instrument is acceptable. To arrange an audition call (504) 483-2913.
The Tipitina’s Foundation, in association with the Shaw Center of Baton Rouge, will host its first fall Master’s Seminar on September 29th and 30th, featuring the Original Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Corps of Como, Mississippi.
This special event will unite two of America’s unique musical styles, both born out of centuries-old military marching bands, in a workshop setting that will cover both music’s history and modern day relevance, as well as the similarities both styles share.
On Thursday, September 29, the Shaw Center (100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge) will host the first workshop at 5 p.m. (followed by an evening performance), and then on Friday, September 30, Tipitina’s Uptown (501 Napoleon Avenue) will also present a 5 p.m. workshop and a 10 p.m. evening performance. For more information, please contact Bill Taylor, (504) 483-2913.
ANOTHER “MUSICIANS’ CLINIC”?
Another clinic that helps a lot of musicians has recently opened in Meraux. Dr. Scott Conklin, husband of Irene Sage, has announced the opening of the Meraux Urgent Medical Care Center at 4326 East Judge Perez Drive in Meraux. For information, call (504) 278-8882 or email [email protected].
LOUISIANA MUSIC DIRECTORY
Musicians, music businesses… or anyone who wants to do business with them: make sure to get your listing in for the upcoming Louisiana Music Directory. Log onto offbeat.com to post your free listing. Remember, if you’ve moved, changed your email and/or phone numbers, you need to update your listing. Also, stay tuned for the launch of louisianamusicdirectory.com, coming this month!
