“Teedy’s” Mama says Thanks
As we all know, if we want it to be known, we should “put it in the paper,” and this is the one to send it to if you’re trying to reach our music community.
As “Teedy’s” Mamma, I would like to extend the Boutte family’s sincerest thanks to our New Orleans family.
The outpouring of love and financial support from the New Orleans community has moved Tricia and has uplifted her spirit.
Thank you Jan Ramsey and OffBeat for ad and column support; thank you Roland von Kurnatowski not only for offering 100% of the door at Tipitina’s Uptown for the benefit but, “For Teedy,” you assisted in setting up the medical fund through the Eighth Floor Foundation and the bar for that night. Thank you Donna’s Bar & Grill and Funky Butt for the “Teedy Love Fest.” Thank you Bamboula 2000, the Revealers, AZ-1, Early Brooks, Jr. & Jah Posse, Eric B and the whole New Orleans Reggae family.
Thank you Louisiana Jukebox, WWOZ, New Orleans Music Commission, Palm Court, Caldonia 2000, Harold Fleming of Tip’s French Quarter, Merleen of E Entertainment, Abita Brewing Co., Kentwood for the 10-K (great for electrolyte replacement), N.O. Rum, Cafe Rani and Cafe Roma.
Thank you Treme Brass Band, the Zion Harmonizers, Allen Toussaint, Larry Hamilton, Leroy Jones, Henry Butler, Iris May Tango. Cyril & Gaynielle–we love you dearly–and, my children–Cool Riddims.
Amy Cassanova, what can we say? Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You did it, girl. None of it would have happened without your unending love, effort, calling in markers, stuffing pizza boxes with flyers, getting info placed throughout the city, getting lost in Avondale! Your friendship is priceless.
Last, but far from least, Johann & Bethany Boltman, Dr. Glenn Steeb and the staff at the Musician’s Clinic, thank you for putting the light of hope back into my daughter’s eyes.
Sincerely,
Lolet Boutte
New Orleans
Hang in there, Sista Teedy, we’re all pulling for you! An on-going medical fund is open for donations through any Regions Bank. Donations can be made in the name of Sista Teedy or Tricia Boutte. Those wishing Sista Teedy to know where the donation came from and/or to receive a tax donation receipt can send a copy to: Amy Cassanova Tabak, 4723 Annunciation St., New Orleans, LA 70115.–Ed.
Good Times are Rolling Again
Thank you for sending our back issues so promptly. It meant that little work was done this weekend but the good times started to look like they’re rolling again! We’re looking forward to the continuation of the supply.
Regards,
Lyn Dawson & John Smith
Nelson, AZ
Come to think of it, how much yard work can there possibly be in Arizona, anyway?–Ed.
Saying Good Bye To An Old Friend
I believe you know my father, Edwin Hoffman. He has been going to the French Quarter since 1950, and I know you’ve printed several of his letters [in “Letters to the Editor”]. Unfortunately, he won’t be coming down this year. He passed away on Oct. 14.
This is the first year–in 49 years, nearly half a century–that he hasn’t visited his second favorite city. Since he was born and raised in San Fransisco, not even the French Quarter had a chance for number one. But, considering that he had been around the world many times, on seven continents, in 35 countries (several that no longer exist except in history) and in 35 states, I’d say that number two wasn’t so bad.
I have been coming with him the last several years, and he had made our reservations for this year, but for the first time in 49 years…
I had hoped to take up his tradition, and make it a full century of visits without interruption by his family. But even in trying to share his enthusiasm for the celebration and enjoyment in life, I find the thought of going without him just too much to bear.
Please change the name on his subscription to mine and, who knows, you might even start getting letters to the editor from me.
Sincerely,
Brent L. Hoffman
Beaverton, OR
Brent, we’re sorry for your loss and we’re also sorry that New Orleans has lost such a big fan. We remember when you’re dad defended one of our more controversial covers a couple of years back. He believed in what we are doing and it showed. May God rest his travelin’ soul.–Ed.
A Steel Magnolia
I have been very disappointed and frustrated at having missed Jazz Fest the past few years, primarily due to the inflated room rates and inability to find reasonable accommodations. My husband and I, along with our music buds from Tucson, recently converged in the French Quarter to spend a week after Mardi Gras listening to music, eating, sightseeing, and drinking. It was a great time to come to town… with Mardi Gras decorations still out, but no trouble getting into any restaurant or club. I would like to thank OffBeat for enabling us to have a basic music plan before arriving and being able to make quick decisions by consulting the daily listing. The new clubs like Levon Helm’s, Tipitina’s in the French Quarter, and Storyville, are wonderfully close, often do not have a cover charge, and start playing music in the afternoon.
I’d like to commend Levon Helm’s for having such a personable doorman as Donald; it was fun to hang out the door with him (he knows everybody) and he made us feel right at home in the place. It’s always good to see Wilhelmina and the staff at the Old Coffee Pot for our initial “attitude adjustment” upon arrival in the Big Easy (next time, we will get over to see Irma together!).
We got out to the Maple Leaf, Rock & Bowl, and to Vic’s Kangaroo Lounge, where we heard the fabulous Amy and the Hank Sinatras. We spent a beautiful afternoon in Armstrong Park, met some of the gracious and friendly staff at WWOZ (which we all listen to via the Internet at home) and viewed the chair Ernie K-Doe sat in the night before he was on with Billy Dell.
I have been listening to nothing but Snooks, John Mooney, Henry Butler, Johnny Adams, Coco Robicheaux, Kermit Ruffins, Joe Krown, Marva Wright, Eddie Bo et al., since I’ve been home. I love the way the musician’s are so accessible before, during and after the sets. Nowhere else is there such a relaxed club atmoshere as in New Orleans! The cab drivers were friendly. No lines at Preservation Hall. And…we can still hear Jazz Fest on the net. We had a great time. Thanks to OffBeat!
Gretchen Bell
Brookhaven, PA
Still another satisfied customer; just call us fast food for good times.–Ed.
A Link to OffBeat
For years, I’ve been dropping by your office just before Jazz Fest to pick up a pile of OffBeats to give to the folks who come on my trip. I describe OffBeat in my tour booklet as “the place to learn all the info on New Orleans.” And now I’m happy to read you online!
I’ve been organizing trips to Jazz Fest & the Cajun Country since 1983. I have a trip that includes one or two weekends of the festival plus a three-day midweek trip out to the Cajun Country to visit people like D.L. Menard, Michael Doucet, Geno Delafose (a barbecue at his ranch), Marc & Ann Savoy ( a crawfish boil in their backyard) and a cooking class with Chef Pat Mould…all friends of mine. I used to book a club in Los Angeles, which is where I met all the musicians. Now, my husband–British musician Richard Thompson–and I commute between Los Angeles and London, but we are both big fans of Louisiana. In New Orleans, my group stays at the Bourbon Orleans and I provide tickets and shuttle to the Fest so people are free to come and go when they like. The trip is very informal and definitely not touristy! It appeals to music fans, and those are the folks I like to get. So, if you could possibly link my webpage with yours that would be great in helping me to reach the right people. I don’t know if this is something you can do, but if so it would be a great help, especially for last minute signups. Chuck Taggart, who writes the Gumbopages, has come with me lots of times and set up my webpage. My web address is: www.gumbopages.com/festivaltours
Thanks so much!
Nancy Covey
Los Angeles
No More Catch 22
Enclosed is my first-class subscription renewal for two years to make sure that I qualify for the 1998 CD. I thoroughly enjoy both the ’96 and ’97 CDs, and would like very much to collect them all as they are released. Under this current arrangement of two year subscriptions, however, it looks like I might not qualify for the other year’s CD if you keep up the practice of annual releases. Is there any way around this Catch 22.
Once again it seems appropriate to commend the OffBeat staff on your continually improving publication, as well as your web site. Having started with the 1991 Jazz Fest issue (which I picked up while boarding a Fair Grounds bus behind the brewery), and subscribing shortly thereafter, I feel qualified to note the extremely impressive scope your staff provides for aspects of the arts-and-eats scene. Us removed lovers of Crescent City music would be totally missing out on most localy recorded materials without the current information gleaned from your monthly news fix. (I make at least two or three annual order to the Louisiana Music Factory.) Thanks to you we can also show up at the Jazz Fest time with added anticipation and enthusiasm for unseen acts that we have already heard and know something about. Over the past ten years, you have more than earned the title of “undisputed chief ambassador of New Orleans music.”
Best wishes and keep up the good work,
J. Walker Coleman III
Charleston, SC
There was a point, as we were reading Catch 22–the part where Milo was buying eggs for a nickel and selling them for three cents and making a profit–when we put the book down. That vignette has absolutely no bearing on our special CD offer but it was a moment in the book that we clearly remember. Anyway, have no fear, two-year, first-class subscribers are put on the list and given their annual CDs just like the more timid one-year-at-a time subscribers are. Our copy editor, Yossarian, hopes that this clears up any confusion. Now, can we interest you in a good three-cent egg?–Ed.
