In just a few weeks from the time I write this, and a few days after this issue hits the street, Louisianians will have the opportunity to make an historic choice. We will have the opportunity to elect a new governor from the choice of a woman with much experience in government and a successful track record (Kathleen Babineaux Blanco), and a 32-year-old man who approaches government with a progressive bent (Bobby Jindal).

As regular readers of my column are aware, OffBeat’s editorial perspective is slanted towards the music community. To try to gauge both gubernatorial candidates’ familiarity and plans for the entertainment industry, we sent both a brief questionnaire. We didn’t receive a response from the Jindal camp. Lieutenant Governor Blanco did respond:

Please describe your perception of Louisiana’s music and entertainment industries’ current contribution to the overall Louisiana economy. Many of our Louisiana musicians have become popular across the country because of their unique music styles, which spark the interest of the country—even the world—to hear our zydeco, Cajun, jazz and other music. This creates economic growth and jobs in the area of tourism because people come here from all over the world to experience our music.

What specific goals would you set to improve these industries’ contribution to the Louisiana economy? I will continue to promote these industries not only statewide, but nationally and internationally. As Lieutenant Government I have done this in the eight years that I have been in office. I will continue to promote not only the music industry but many other industries we have in this state as well.

Can you please comment on the Department of Economic Development’s “Entertainment Cluster”s performance? I think it was a good idea to form the clusters. The work they have done so far—especially in the film industry—has encouraged the entire cluster to increase their output. When I’m elected governor I will encourage the clusters. They have shown that they are working well with the entertainment industry. We are experiencing a boom in Louisiana with the movie industry, especially in South Louisiana.

What is your perception of the achievements of the current Louisiana Music Commission? The success of the Louisiana Music Commission and the progress it has made is best left up to the people that are directly affected by it. If they believe that Louisiana is making progress by selling its product, then it should be left to those people as to whether that entity is doing its job effectively. If not, then they should be able to make their feelings known to the Governor’s office.

How would you improve the impact of the DED’s Entertainment Cluster on the state’s economy? I would continue to promote the industries and make people consistently aware of our artists. I would also try to recruit artist and entertainment industries from across the country and encourage them to spend more time in the state, as well as bring some large music studios to Louisiana.

Do you believe that music and entertainment are taken seriously as industries by the Louisiana legislature as legitimate contributors to the state economy? All too often people do not take music and entertainment seriously. They don’t see it for the economic engine that it is. I have tried throughout the eight years of my administration to encourage the arts and to inform people of these opportunities. It’s imperative that lawmakers in the state understand the economic and social impact that this industry has.

Are you in favor of creating a Louisiana Music Office, similar to the Music Office in New Orleans, in state government? Creating a new state office is not anything that I have considered at all. Once I take office and see the needs of the state, I’ll then make the determination if we need a new office or not.

How do you think that education and information dissemination play a role in improving our music and entertainment industries? Education in the arts, literature and other forms of entertainment is how we build early education in our children. It’s important that those who teach the arts are well-versed in the arts and that they create enough interest to captivate and educate our children.

Music and entertainment business owners in the state have a long way to go to convince the people who make the laws in Baton Rouge that entertainment (music, film, live performance, concert production and promotion, videos, and all the “back end” industries that support them) are something that should be seen as viable economic contributors. It’s a lot more than what’s perceived as “the arts.” Try calling the music industry in Nashville “the arts”! We have some hard work ahead of us to lobby our way to get respect and attention from the new governor. Banding together is one way; convincing the economic development people to put together more events like the New Orleans Media Experience and to create entities like the New Orleans Music Office, which are there to develop the industry, not to “nurture the arts.”

EVENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Timothea holds her Fourth Annual “Siren To Wail” concert at Tipitina’s Uptown on Saturday November 15. This is a show not to be missed, with Dr. John, Buddy Guy, Allen Toussaint, Art Neville, Timothea herself, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Theresa Andersson (newly signed to Basin Street Records) and many many more. Tickets are only $20 and are available from Timothea.com, SirenToWail.org or Tipitinas.com, or for info, call 504-943-6464.

Banu Gibson, chanteuse extraordinaire, has a new CD, Banu Gibson Sings Johnny Mercer. Excerpts from the CD and more will be crooned by Banu at a show at Le Chat Noir on Sunday, November 30 at 6 p.m. Banu will be performing in a show titled “Jeepers Creepers,” which contains Mercer songs sung by Banu and excerpts from the fascinating book Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer by author Philip Furia.

Saxophonist—now also a surprisingly good vocalist—Rebecca Barry celebrates her new CD with a party at the Funky Butt on Friday November 14.

Damon Batiste continues his New Orleans-South Africa Connection on Sunday November 9, 7 p.m. at the House of Blues, featuring George Porter, Jr., June Yamagishi and Johnny Vidacovich; Leo Nocentelli, Russell Batiste, Bill Summers and Busi Mhlongo from South Africa. Check out nosaconn.com for more info.

Melba and Kenneth Ferdinand, who formerly operated PJ’s at 632 Frenchmen Street, announce the opening of a new venture, Café Rose Nicaud. Named in honor of a woman of color and former slave, who in the second half of the 19th-century was the first to sell coffee from a portable stand in the old French Market. The café will be located on the site of the former Frenchmen PJ’s and will offer casual cuisine, coffee, and other beverages as well as a small performance venue and a space for neighborhood artists to display their works.

Drumming has returned to Congo Square with the Congo Square Drumming For Life Percussion Workshops. The workshops are the brainchild of percussionist Luther Gray, who says the purpose is to “inspire our youth to pursue creative, positive expressions…not violence.” For more information, call Gray at (504) 241-3812.