Candidates will discuss plans for music policy. Photo: Noe Cugny

Mayoral Candidates To Attend Forum On Music Policy Next Month

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With the October 14 mayoral election inching closer, candidates are in the throes of campaigning. Citywide, New Orleanians are eager to hear what they all have planned for the economy, infrastructure, and crime. However, an issue of great importance to many is that of music policy. Though perhaps a trivial matter in most American cities, music is an integral part of NOLA’s workforce, tourism, and general quality-of-life sectors. As such, a mayoral forum on the matter will take place on Monday, September 11.

OffBeat Media – in conjunction with the ELLA Project and The Recording Academy – announced the public forum earlier this week. All major candidates will be in attendance at the event, which takes place at the Carver Theater (2101 Orleans Ave) from 6:30-8:30p. Moderated by author and former Times Picayune columnist Lolis Eric Elie, the forum will include panelists  Jan Ramsey, Publisher and Editor in Chief of OffBeat Media; Fred Johnson, Co-Founder of the Black Men of Labor; Melissa Weber (DJ Soul Sister); and Larry Blumenfeld, journalist and music critic.

Fred Johnson, Co-Founder of the Black Men of Labor, Melissa Weber (DJ Soul Sister) & Larry Blumenfeld, journalist and music critic. This forum is free to attend.

Candidates will address their policies for:
• Nurturing an environment where our citizens are able to express their cultural traditions uninhibited.
• Ensuring New Orleans’ tradition of public performance and neighborhood music flourishes in concert with continued neighborhood development.
• Working with the music community to utilize music to address other major issues such as public safety, education, and housing.

Check out Jan Ramsey’s recent blog post on the matter, “New Mayor Needs To Know More About Music.”

In it, she writes “This forum will once again ask our Mayoral candidates to show how they will commit  to New Orleans’ cherished culture and place music in the forefront of its overall quality of life, business and community development strategy.” For more information on the event, head to the Facebook event page.