I just got back from a tour of the Joy Theater on the corner of Canal and Loyola Streets. I’ve seen many a movie there, but the theater had gotten pretty dilapidated over the years, and Hurricane Katrina pretty much put it out of its misery.

Thanks to a group of developers, the Joy will soon be back in service, restored to its original Art Deco glory, except this time it’s going to be multi-purpose venue with a state-of-the-art sound, light and acoustics, a flexible downstairs that can be open or contain seating, and a large fixed-seating balcony upstairs with a full-service bar. I also love the fact that it’s a no smoking venue and has an elevator.

The Downtown Joy, in its younger, more affluent days.

The theater’s opening weekend will feature Irma Thomas with Lance Ellis opening (December 29), Soul Rebels and Cyril Neville’s Tribe 13 (December 30), and for New Year’s Eve, Kermit Ruffins and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.

The Joy has also started booking January, and will feature Cowboy Mouth, Percy Sledge, and the Little River Band, among others. Hopefully, the booking at the Joy will pump some life back into lower Canal Street, which has surely been lacking in entertainment venues and a classy place to hear live music for decades.

After leaving the office last night (we shipped January last evening), we passed the Joy’s restored sign and marquee. It lit up Canal Street, and I hope it continues to bring life back to the street.

Speaking of life on Canal, we have a problem. The same developer that developed low-income housing at 200 Carondelet Street is now planning  to create low-income housing in the space that used to be the LaSalle Hotel, in the front of the Saenger Building. Their tax credit application has apparently been approved. Hmmm. Let’s see, there’s supposed to be a revival on Canal Street. There’s a new high-end condo across the street; the Joy is reopening, and the Saenger is in the process of being restored. Why would anyone want low-income housing smack-dab on Canal Street? Certainly the best use of this property, which would make sense for the so-called revival of Canal Street, would mean a commercial venture of some kind. This is just the spot that should house the New Orleans Music & Culture Museum, not low-income housing.  It just doesn’t make sense for this deal to go through. Once again, New Orleans will shoot itself in the foot by not planning development properly. Low-income housing can built anywhere; these developers are taking advantage of tax credits that the city let slip through its fingers. Shame on the city and all the associated entities for not monitoring this development more closely.

Rebirth...go get 'em! And bring home that Grammy!

A belated congratulations to the Rebirth Brass Band from me, personally. Phil, Keith, Stafford and all the guys: we are so proud that you’ve been nominated for a Grammy, and are hoping you are the very first brass band to bring home that prestigious award. If you’re a member of NARAS, please vote for our homeboys so they can bring home the bacon on February 12.

If they do win the Grammy, we should close down the city to welcome them home. Here’s to you!

And to you, too: go out and buy some great Louisiana music as a gift for someone you love. It’ll certainly help our local musicians and make the recipient really happy. Merry Christmas!