In January, Preservation Hall Jazz Band bassist Walter Payton suffered a stroke. He had hoped to return to performing, but he was in and out of the hospital in recent months, and on Thursday he passed away at age 68. Look for more on Payton in our December issue.

Also on Thursday, Rehage Entertainment announced that it had reached a deal with City Park to keep the Voodoo Experience in City Park through 2019. They have also agreed to create a permanent home for Voodoo in City Park. “I am greatly appreciative to Bob Becker (City Park), and Stephen Perry (of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau) who worked with us to get this deal done,” Voodoo producer Stephen Rehage said Thursday. “We look forward to celebrating with them this weekend and to working together in creating a permanent home for Voodoo in the place where it all begin 12 years ago.” Voodoo starts Friday.