Issue Articles
Kelly Love Jones: Alchemist of People
Kelly Love Jones seems to be everywhere. Between releasing her album Surrender and popping up all over town with various high-profile appearances, she does it all with a genuine organic spirit of grace and connection. She’s been building, and it’s long overdue to go deeper with her story.
How Women Made Music: An interview with Alison Fensterstock
New Orleans writer and WWOZ radio host Alison Fensterstock is the editor of How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music. Inspired by National Public Radio’s Turning the Tables series, How Women Made Music contains a lively bounty of engaging essays and interviews, many of them culled from NPR’s 50 years of music coverage.
Donna’s Bar and Grill: Donna Poniatowski Sims’ new book is a labor of love
The history of New Orleans music is overflowing with venues where the musicians of the city have piled their trade and developed the myriad of styles the city has been known for since its earliest days. From the Funky Butt and the Iroquois Theater on North Rampart Street where Buddy Bolden and a young Louis Armstrong wowed early 20th century crowds to the famed Dew Drop Inn on Lasalle Street in Central City, which was an epicenter on both the national “chitlin’ circuit” and home to local R&B legends like Earl King and Guitar Slim.
Herb Alpert Talks Back
Trumpet star Herb Alpert and his wife, singer Lani Hall, are returning to New Orleans for a December 14 performance at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie. The couple’s A Christmas Wish tour features Alpert’s many hits with The Tijuana Brass and solo hits.
What’s Up Boss? Kermit Ruffins: A Jolly Birthday
New Orleans, like most of the rest of the country, enjoys Santa Claus as a favorite icon of the Christmas season. However, the Crescent City, being its usual quirky self, also favors its own Yuletide personalities, the snowman-like Mr. Bingle and, yes, trumpeter, singer and the always jolly Kermit Ruffins. When the holiday draws near, Ruffins is quick to don a Santa hat and as soon as early November he’s been known to fill his club, Kermit’s Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge, with his favorite Christmas tunes much to the amusement of those coming through the door.
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.
