If you’re not educated about who’s the best mayoral candidate for New Orleans music community, here’s your chance.

With all the problems we have in New Orleans—crime, educational issues, corruption, conflicts of interest in government, torn-up streets that are having a negative impact on the city’s main draw (Bourbon Street) and an antiquated pumping system (thank heavens that we dodged another hurricane bullet as Irma is heading to Florida)—we all need to pay close attention to the candidates who are running for mayor in the impending election. We especially need to evaluate how the candidates will interact with and support the music community: not just musicians, but music businesses, educators and more.

There’s a huge slate of candidates who are vying to be mayor, and three candidates seem to be rising to the top. But: all bets are off, as apparently more than a quarter of potential voters are undecided. Anyone could win.

If you have anything to do with music in this city, I urge you to attend the September 11 Mayoral Forum at the Carver Theater, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public and the top three candidates will definitely attend. If what happens to the music community is important to you, you cannot afford to hear what the candidates will have to say regarding the future of music in New Orleans. You have the opportunity to submit a question to all three candidates.

Get informed, get educated, and vote for the person who will serve the music community’s interests best. Don’t complain if you don’t get the facts and vote.