arts, books and music

PJ Morton steps in with plan to save Buddy Bolden house in Central City

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The fate of the Central City shotgun where early jazz pioneer Charles “Buddy” Bolden once lived has long concerned preservationists and jazz aficionados. Now some fresh hope for the dilapidated building has appeared in the form of PJ Morton, an acclaimed musician with close ties to the building’s owner. At a blight hearing Tuesday, Morton laid out plans to renovate the building at 2309 First St. He wants to turn the shotgun double and its twin next door into a museum, recording studio and event space, according to a Facebook post by the Preservation Resource Center, which is advising Morton on the project. The city’s Historic District Landmarks Commission has repeatedly cited the building’s owner, the Greater St.

arts, books and music

The Indians are coming: Here’s the schedule, route and music lineup for Super Sunday

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Super Sunday is an annual gathering of Mardi Gras Indian tribes celebrating their heritage and culture in a magnificent display of hand-sewn suits, singing, dancing and chanting. The festival in A.L. Davis Park will include two stages and more than 50 food and craft vendors. This year’s Uptown Super Sunday takes place on Sunday, March 17. Special guests include the Hot 8 Brass Band, Young Pinstripe Brass Band and the Original Pinettes Brass Band plus Lucky LOU, DJ Captain Charles, DJ Jubilee, SOSU wirh Lady D, the Young Men Olympian, the Lady Buckjumpers, B.R.W. R&B Singing Group and more. The festival begins at A.L. Davis Park, located at Washington Avenue and LaSalle Street, begins around noon.

arts, books and music

Dew Drop Inn renovation deal falls through, but hopes for redevelopment remain

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By Nicholas Reimann, Uptown Messenger

The future of the historic Dew Drop Inn on LaSalle Street in Central City is once again in doubt, after a deal to restore the dilapidated former music hall fell through. Ryan Thomas, owner of real estate development company Peregrine Interests, said a difficulty getting investors for the planned two-story development with a hotel, museum and restaurant — along with a music venue — is what held up the deal that was set to close Dec. 30. The property’s owners are now looking at other offers, according to Scott Graf, a commercial real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. The sale agreement called for 15 hotel rooms at the 80-year-old site, with a total of 10,000 feet of renovated space.

crime

Police blotter: Robbery, home invasion

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Man robbed on Felicity Street
A 48-year-old man was robbed on the street Monday night in Central City, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The victim was at Felicity and South Liberty streets at about 8:45 p.m. on Monday, March 11, when he was approached by four men demanding money. He refused, and one of the assailants struck him and removed the money from his front pocket. The four men fled in an unknown direction. Anyone with information related to this robbery is asked to call the NOPD Sixth District at 504-658-6060 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111
Domestic battery suspect sought

The New Orleans Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for Ian N. Petty, 35, in connection with a home invasion and domestic abuse battery incident that occurred on March 1 in the 2800 block of South Liberty Street.

court

Man gets 20 years in 2014 Central City killing

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George Short was sentenced to 20 years last week for the killing of a man in Central City in 2014. Short, 43, averted his scheduled murder trial and potential life sentence on Feb. 20 by entering into a plea agreement as potential jurors lined up outside the courtroom of Criminal District Judge Arthur Hunter, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office reported. Under the terms of the agreement, Short pleaded guilty to an amended charge of manslaughter, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of introducing contraband into a corrections facility. On Feb.

food and drink

Café Reconcile recruiting new students

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Café Reconcile is recruiting new students for its 2019 classes. While Café Reconcile’s Class 1 is already underway, applications to participate in future classes, including Class 2 which begins March 18, are currently being accepted both online and in person. Young adults ages 16-24 years old can apply. Café Reconcile is an eight-week hospitality training and job placement program that provides paid stipends, life skills classes, visits to industry partners, interview training and more. Upcoming program dates for 2019 include:
Class 2: March 18
Class 3: May 13
Class 4: July 15
Class 5: Sept.

public safety

Big Freedia helps Project NOLA install first gunshot-detection camera in Central City

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The city’s first gunshot-detection crime camera was installed last week on Martin Luther King Boulevard, Project NOLA reported. Sponsored by bounce music star Big Freedia, it was installed one year after Freedia’s younger brother Adam Ross was killed in a Central City shooting. Complementing Project NOLA’s network of over 2,500 crime cameras in New Orleans, the new gunshot-detecting crime cameras will allow Project NOLA staff to more quickly alert the NOPD to active gunfire, identify gunmen and provide life-saving real-time supplemental information to responding units. The city’s first was installed near the spot where Adam Ross lost his life. Developed in 2011 to help reduce crime by increasing police efficiency, the Project NOLA nonprofit community-based crime camera program helped the NOPD reduce the murder rate in New Orleans to a level unseen since 1971, said Bryan Lagarde, executive director of Project NOLA.

crime

Police seeking suspects in car burglaries

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The New Orleans Police Department is seeking assistance in locating and identifying subjects linked to separate vehicle burglary incidents in Uptown locations. The first incident took place in Broadmoor on Oct. 31. On Nov. 1, multiple car burglaries were reported in the Sixth and Second districts.

crime

Suspect named in Thalia Street burglary

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The New Orleans Police Department is searching for a suspect in a simple burglary incident that occurred in the 2100 block of Thalia Street, near Saratoga Street. The victim told police that he left his residence unlocked and unattended around 9 a.m. on Oct. 20. Upon returning to the location at approximately 11 a.m., the victim discovered that his wallet and cellphone were missing. Officers reportedly reviewed surveillance video from this incident and observed a man wearing a light-colored T-shirt and long shorts, walking in and out of the victim’s residence several times.

crime

Suspect arrested in fatal hit-and-run on Claiborne

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The New Orleans Police Department has arrested the driver believed to be responsible for a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred Oct. 18 in the 2300 block of South Claiborne Avenue, near Philip Street. Howard McDowell, 23, of Marrero was arrested Oct. 31 and charged with manslaughter in connection with fatal accident. The victim was a pedestrian.