arts, books and music

Follow your passion, ‘Les Miserables’ actors tell Lusher theater students

By |

Theater students from a local high school had the opportunity to hear from two actors from “Les Miserables,” a Tony award-winning musical playing at the Saenger Theatre until Jan. 13. On Wednesday, Paige Smallwood and Stavros Koumbaros, actors from “Les Miserables,” spoke with 35 theater students at Lusher Charter School on Freret Street. During the event arranged by Broadway in New Orleans and the Orleans Parish School Board, the actors answered questions from A.J. Allegra, director of the musical theater division at Lusher, and directly from the students themselves. Smallwood and Koumbaros are recent college graduates.

events

Photo gallery: The Phellows bring in the Carnival season

By |

Photos by Zach Brien, Uptown Messenger

On Sunday, Carnival season began in New Orleans. The Phunny Phorty Phellows, a krewe dating back to the late 19th century, rang in the season with their annual parade on a St. Charles Avenue streetcar. The krewe began its Twelfth Night streetcar parade in 1982.

arts, books and music

Trombone Shorty returns to his alma mater to host “Toys From Troy” for local children

By |

Photos by Zach Brien, MidCityMessenger.com

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, internationally-renowned trombonist and Warren Easton graduate, returned to his alma mater on Friday, Dec. 21 bearing gifts. Andrews hosted his second annual “Toys From Troy” toy giveaway. The second annual event also featured pictures with Santa and a performance by students at the Trombone Shorty Academy.

arts, books and music

Local chef discusses her new book on historic Uptown restaurant

By |

Poppy Tooker—chef, radio show host, author and cooking instructor—published her most recent book on one of New Orleans’ most historic restaurants: “Pascal’s Manale Cookbook.” Having published a book in 2015 on one of New Orleans’ historic restaurants, Tujague’s, her newest subject was a fitting next step. “People said, ‘What do you want to do next?’ This [Manale’s book] seemed to be the only thing I could think of,” Tooker said. “This is the second-oldest continuously operating family-owned restaurant [in New Orleans]. So both Tujague’s and Manale’s are second to Antoine’s.

events

Restored fountain unveiled in Coliseum Square Park (Photos)

By |

Photos by Zach Brien, UptownMessenger.com

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Lower Garden District Association announced the completion of the Lafon Fountain in Coliseum Square Park. The fountain is dedicated to preservationist Howard Schmalz, who was instrumental in getting the Lower Garden District placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in defeating a Mississippi River bridge that would have cut into the heart of the neighborhood.

politics

Activist group celebrates passage of constitutional amendment

By |

By Zach Brien, zbrien@nolamessenger.com

Election day in New Orleans saw a high turnout for a mid-term ballot, and voters kept U.S. House incumbents Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, in their seats. But the biggest local celebrations turned out for a down-ballot constitutional amendment. Supporters of Louisiana’s Amendment 2 gathered Nov. 6 at the New Orleans Jazz Market on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard to watch election results at a party put on by the Unanimous Jury Coalition. The amendment requires unanimous juries to convict people of any felony count.

arts, books and music

Tipitina’s to host benefit for hurricane relief

By |

On Thursday, October 4, Galactic and The Soul Rebels will perform at Tipitina’s in a benefit show for victims of Hurricane Florence, a category four hurricane that hit North Carolina and the east coast in September. The storm caused upwards of $38 billion in damage according to the National Weather Service. Ticket sales will benefit The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), a North Carolina-based group that, according to their website, “believes in order to ensure a safe, adequate supply of healthy food, we must protect farm workers and encourage environmentally sound farming. We see environmental sustainability, economic viability, biodiversity, and social justice as inextricably linked. Therefore, the best way to ensure a just, sustainable future for farming is to create a reality where farmers feel supported and protected and have the resources to thrive.”

Doors are at 7 PM and the show is for 8. Tickets cost $20-$25.

crime

Man found shot to death at South Carrollton gas station, police say

By |

A man was found shot to death Friday morning at a gas station on South Carrollton Avenue, and a homicide investigation is now in progress there, New Orleans police said. The shooting took place at a gas station in the 3100 block of South Carrollton Avenue, at the corner of Earhart Boulevard, NOPD spokesman Aaron Looney said shortly before 9 a.m. The victim was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and pronounced dead at the scene, Looney said. Police vehicles and crime-scene tape surrounded the Shell gas station Friday morning as the investigation proceeded. Investigators focused on the carwash area of the gas station. The crime scene remains actively under investigation at 10 a.m. Friday.

events

Krewe of O.A.K. rolls their annual parade (Photos)

By |

The Krewe of Outrageous and Kinky (O.A.K) rolled their 31st annual midsummer Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, August 25. The parade began at the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak, down Oak, left on Carrollton and stopped at Palmer Park. They finished back at the Maple Leaf where O.A.K. held their ball. O.A.K.’s theme this year was “Hard Oak for your Tongue and Groove.” Their King Robustus XXXII was Paul Bel and queen was Keri Lee.