The Big Easy: Rising
Planners promise bigger Jazzfest
Same time and same place, the goal is to reignite tourism
Saturday, November 12, 2005
By Keith Spera - Music writer
Organizers of the 2006 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival intend to put on what they describe as a world-class event at the Fair Grounds beginning on its traditional weekend in April.
Unlike plans announced this week for a scaled-down Mardi Gras, Jazzfest officials say their intention is the opposite: to stage a festival that is bigger and better than ever, one that will help to reignite tourism in the Crescent City.
"The goal is, unanimously, to try and hold a major Jazzfest here," said David Oestreicher, president of Jazzfest's governing board. "One that hopefully will be a world-shaking event. . . . We think that we will be the watershed event that will jump-start the tourist economy for this part of the world."
The board of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation, the nonprofit group that owns Jazzfest, met Thursday for the first time since Hurricane Katrina with Quint Davis, whose Festival Productions Inc.-New Orleans produces the event.
Also present at the board's North Rampart Street offices were representatives of AEG Live, the entertainment conglomerate that co-produced the 2005 Jazzfest, and Churchill Downs Inc., the Louisville, Ky., company that bought the Fair Grounds in 2004.
They emerged with an ambitious plan: to stage the 2006 Jazzfest in its traditional season and at its traditional home at the Fair Grounds.
"The foundation is dedicated to seeing that this is the best Jazzfest ever," said Don Marshall, executive director of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation. "Our intentions are to make sure that it is on the same scale (as 2005), if not larger."
Specifics yet to come
Organizers hope to announce definite plans for Jazzfest '06 by mid-December.
"There are some ifs," Oestreicher said. "We are vigorously addressing the logistical problems. I couldn't be more positive."
Louis Edwards, an associate producer at Festival Productions Inc., said that Churchill Downs' purchase of the Fair Grounds and FPI's partnership with AEG Live, the nation's second-highest grossing concert promoter, may drive Jazzfest's post-Katrina comeback.
"Churchill Downs can make some things happen that might have been more difficult for a smaller team," Edwards said. "The same with AEG. The might of a large entertainment organization is standing side by side with us and looking at all the challenges. We get the benefit of the analysis of an organization that produces events worldwide. They want to do everything they can to make it happen."
Logistical challenges Organizers face monumental challenges, from hotel rooms to infrastructure to marketing to locating musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, social aid and pleasure club grand marshals and artists scattered around the country. Unlike years past, the festival may need to transport and house even local musicians.
"Usually people are at their houses in eastern New Orleans or Gentilly, then drive in to the Fair Grounds and do their thing," Edwards said. "That's not going to possible."
"The musicians who make up the heart and soul of the festival are no longer in the neighborhoods here," Marshall said. "So we're going to be responsible for getting them back here. The additional expense is going to be significant. But we're committed to that. This festival will probably be the biggest homecoming of New Orleans musicians."
Jazzfest diehards also are widely dispersed.
"We don't know where our audience is right now," Marshall said. "The Jazzfest lovers who have been going for 30-some years who lived in Mid-City and had their best friends from the East Coast come spend a weekend and sleep on the floor . . . that may not be happening. We need to do as much as we can to have New Orleanians return."
The likes of Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel and the Rolling Stones have performed at Katrina benefits or donated money to relief efforts. Such marquee artists may be invited to perform at Jazzfest.
Harnessing star power
"Our No. 1 commitment is to New Orleans and Louisiana musicians," Marshall said. "But I think we'll see some new faces at the festival. There were some wonderful collaborations taking place over the last couple of months, and hopefully those can be built upon. The programming potential is phenomenal."
"There are names that have been mentioned (for Jazzfest) that could raise us to heights undreamed of," Oestreicher said.
Under normal circumstances, Jazzfest would have already booked many of its headliners by early November. No acts are locked down for 2006 yet.
Davis and his FPI team reoccupied their downtown offices just last week, but they had already begun re-establishing contact with displaced musicians. Many appeared at the Sept. 20 benefit called "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," which Davis co-produced at New York's Madison Square Garden.
All involved in Jazzfest profess a new sense of purpose.
"Jazzfest always makes a powerful statement about the vitality of New Orleans culture," Edwards said. "We realize that more than ever before, what happens with the festival will be a comment on the state of New Orleans culture post-Katrina.
"With that in mind, we're focused and working as hard as we ever have to make the festival a reality."
AUDUBON ZOO TO REOPEN NOVEMBER 25, 2005
After weeks of clearing debris left by Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ most beloved family attraction will reopen later this month. Officials with Audubon Nature Institute and tourism leaders announced today that Audubon Zoo will open its doors the day after Thanksgiving.
Audubon Zoo is the first major family tourist attraction to reopen in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in late August.
“Reopening the Zoo is a symbol that the heart and soul of New Orleans survives,” said Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO. “Families have been enjoying Audubon Zoo for 120 years, and we’re proud to be part of the history of New Orleans. While we all work to rebuild our city, we know that spending time with family and enjoying a visit to the park and zoo will help build new memories for generations to come.”
City tourism leaders echoed Forman’s optimism, saying the reopening of Audubon Zoo will spark a return of families to New Orleans. “This is a major step toward the rebirth of New Orleans,” said Stephen Perry, President of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Every day brings new revitalization and having one of the nation’s top zoos ready to welcome people back to our city sends a powerful message that New Orleans is open for business.”
The first official visitors to the zoo came from Harold Keller Elementary School in Metairie. A group of 39 first graders happily attended the announcement, showing their excitement to return to the zoo.
“Before Katrina, National Geographic Traveler and Yahoo!Travel named New Orleans the #1 destination in America for family travel. The fabulous Audubon Nature Institute attractions were a major force behind this designation. By announcing the upcoming reopening of Audubon Zoo today, the world will know that New Orleans is welcoming families back to our city,” said Sandra S. Shilstone, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Audubon facilities will reopen throughout the next few months, beginning with Audubon Zoo and Audubon Golf Course.
AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE REOPENING SCHEDULE
- Audubon Park and Woldenberg Riverfront Park are currently open.
- Audubon Zoo will open Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 for Audubon Members only, and will open FREE to the public on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005.
- The Zoo will be open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) through the end of February; regular admission will be charged on those dates.
- The Zoo will be open during the holiday season (Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006). It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Audubon Golf Course will reopen Nov. 4 for season pass holders; opens Nov. 5 for weekend play (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) only through the end of February.
- Audubon Golf Course will be open Dec. 26 Jan. 1; it will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- The Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species located on the Westbank in New Orleans, continues endangered species research and animal care.
- Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Entergy IMAX(R) Theatre are expected to reopen in summer 2006.
- Audubon Louisiana Nature Center is located in New Orleans East and remains closed due to damage to the buildings and grounds.
Audubon Nature Institute has a total economic impact of $330 million, and operates nine parks and museums in New Orleans dedicated to Celebrating the Wonders of Nature, including Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy IMAX Theatre, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Wilderness Park, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Park.
Note: The Zoo reopened on schedule, attracting 66,000 visitors.
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Wednesday, November 30, 2005 |
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Hittin' the town As the new year approaches, a number of the city's best are returning to town and taking up what was once regular gigs. Kermit and Rebirth at Tips and Shannon at Donna's are just a few of shows that remind us of what New Orleans was like Pre-K.
Here's a breakdown of this week's best bets:
Thursday, December 1st: Basinstreet recording artist Theresa Andersson is the featured guest this Thursday at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art's "Ogden After Hours". The show starts at 6:00 PM and is over at 8:00 PM, so make sure to get there early so that you don't miss out.
Friday, December 2: The Rebirth Brass Band will be letting it all hang out as they take the stage at Tipitina's Uptown. This is the first full-weekend of music for Tipitina's, and it's nice to have them back in action. Show starts at 10:00 PM and tickets are $10.00.
Saturday, December 3: Continuing the banner weekend at Tipitina's is Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers. Show starts at 10:00 PM and tickets are $10.00.
Sunday, December 4: Join David Wilcox for a FREE benefit concert for Second Harvest Food Bank. This long time singer, songwriter, poet and guitarist has the amazing ability to make you fee a bit better about everyting going on in your life. The show starts at noon at St. Augstine's Catholic Church located in the historic Treme.
Later that night, check out Shannon Powell at Donna's Bar and Grill on N. Rampart. Shannon's blend of trad jazz and funk often attracts area musicians looking to sit in and let it all hang out.
Monday, December 5: Rumors have it that local vocalist John Boutte has been holding a bit of a jazz jam Monday nights at Marigny hot-spot, Cafe Brasil. John's vocal are steeped in the styles of soul innovator Sam Cooke, and he has quite a few friends that can fill a band stand nicely.
Tuesday, December 6: How much better can it get than having a great jazz band playing at a great local restaurant. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers will be cozying up with diners at Angeli's on Decatur this Tuesday. Here's a great chance to have your cake and eat it to.
Wednesday, December 7: The city's longest running "Swing Night" continues at one of the city's most famed venues. Joe Krown takes the stage as swing dancers once again climb the hallowed steps of Mid City Lane's Rock 'n' Bowl to dance until their feet fail them. |
Emeril Lagasse Announces Dec 05 Re-opening Dates of Emeril's Restaurant and NOLA
Lagasse’s Corporate Office, Emeril’s Homebase Reopens Today
New Orleans, LA (November 1, 2005) – Chef/Restaurateur Emeril Lagasse has announced plans to reopen Emeril’s Restaurant in the Warehouse District, and NOLA Restaurant in the French Quarter in December. Beginning on December 8, 2005, Emeril’s will be open from Monday-Saturday for dinner service. Hours of operation will be Monday-Thursday from 6:00-10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 6:00-10:30 pm. Beginning on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, NOLA will be open from Tuesday-Sunday for dinner service. Hours of operation will be Tuesday-Thursday, 6:00-10:00pm, and Friday-Sunday, 6:00-10:30pm. Lagasse’s Garden District restaurant, Emeril’s Delmonico, will reopen after the new year due to significant damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Lagasse's corporate office, Emeril's Homebase which is also located in New Orleans opens today. Emeril’s Homebase houses Lagasse's restaurant operations, as well as cookbook and recipe development and testing, product shipping, the emerils.com website, and a store front.
“It has been such an unbelievably difficult time for everyone in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast,” says Emeril Lagasse. “We are very happy to reopen our doors, reuniting with our friends, and all of our loyal customers through the years. I love this city, and I look forward to working together to build an even better New Orleans in the future.”
Reservations can be made for Emeril’s Restaurant starting on Tuesday, November 29. Please call 504-528-9393. NOLA will start taking reservations on Friday, December 8. Please call the reservation line at 504-522-6652.
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