Howie Kaplan Takes Over the Helm for Nighttime Economy Office

In 2017, OffBeat’s Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Jan Ramsey wrote a feature in Mojo Mouth urging New Orleans to consider establishing a new “cabinet level” position of “Night Mayor” after learning that these positions were being created in cities worldwide, like New York, London, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Seattle, Portland, Orlando and many more. Most of these cities do not have anywhere near the so-called “nighttime economy” of New Orleans. Things don’t move fast in New Orleans, but under Mayor LaToya Cantrell, this position—so crucial to the development and maintenance of our city as a hub of hospitality, entertainment and music—has finally been established. The city advertised for a qualified person to fill the position and lucky for us, the person selected for the job is not a politician with no experience in the business, but someone who has been in the trenches in the New Orleans music and culture scene for over 25 years.