A Musical Exhibit
On view through Sept. 16, “Dario Robleto: The Prelives of the Blues” is a multimedia exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art that explores the transference of music across multiple generations. The Texas-born artist, hailed for his thoughtful sculptures and his conceptual art, is dedicated to investigating American history and was inspired on several trips to New Orleans to delve into the culture of second lines, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, jazz funerals and club music. His exhibit shows how traditions are a crucial part of the city’s cultural identity, with a focus on how music links generations to one another and transcends race, time and death. Information, noma.org
CLASSIC TALES, LIT UP
The highly innovative Lightwire Theater, in conjunction with Corbian Visual Arts and Dance breathes new life into performance art, incorporating full-body puppets that are lined with electroluminescent wire that illuminates a darkened stage. Last year they were highly acclaimed for Darwin the Dinosaur, and have since then traveled the world with their fascinating theatrics. This month they will perform a double feature, The Ugly Duckling and The Tortoise & The Hare at the Contemporary Arts Center, featuring fascinating choreography and music that ranges from classical to jazz to pop. Check the website for exact show dates and times, as they have not yet been finalized as of press time. Information, cacno.org.
A Trio of Legends
Lady legends Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge and Gladys Knight will collaborate for a concert at the New Orleans Arena on Sept. 22. Presented by the AARP, the night promises to be full of new and old hits as each of the three songstresses have all boasted illustrious, award-winning careers as popular and genre-spanning musicians. Information, NewOrleansArena.com
A Tribute to the T-P
It would be an understatement to say that the recent changes at the soon-to-not-be daily newspaper have caused a stir on local and national levels. The iconic newspaper and its dedicated employees (present and former) will be honored as it heads in a new direction on Sept. 29 at the Howlin’ Wolf, thanks to DashThirtyDash, a nonprofit that financially assists hundreds of Times-Picayune employees, freelancers and contractors who will lose their jobs or much of their livelihood when the newspaper ends daily publication Oct. 1. “Black, White and Read All Over” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., with a pre-event patron party starting at 4:30. Former T-P staffers Becky Theim and Sheila Grissett, another alum who left the paper only last year, are among organizers. (Kit Wohl and Babs Johnson are also heavily involved in the planning, along with many others). Information, DashThirtyDash.org. (Ed. Note: Read more about this on pg. 113)
An interview with Becky Theim:
What is the main mission of this benefit?
To raise money to directly benefit Times-Picayune employees, freelancers and contractors who are losing their jobs because of the newspaper’s end of daily publication. Many employees will face considerable challenges securing new employment at this stage of their careers, particularly if they want to remain in New Orleans. Even if they choose to pursue jobs with newspapers in other communities, they will confront tough odds: In the past five years, newspapers in the United States have eliminated almost 40,000 jobs, or more than 11 percent of total industry employment. Another important point is that DashThirtyDash is also working to help freelancers and newspaper delivery people, who because of their independent contractor status, aren’t eligible for severance or state unemployment benefits. We’re literally their safety net.
What is the entertainment for the evening?
Jason Patterson with Snug Harbor is helping us with music and we’re courting a number of New Orleans musicians. An early rally held for newspaper employees attracted Alex MacMurray, Allen Toussaint, Kermit Ruffins, Armand St. Martin, Margie Perez and Bob Andrews, so we’re looking forward to some great music. We’ll also have silent and live auctions and lots of socializing because a number of T-P alums are coming in from all over the country for this event and a staff reunion we’re holding the night before.
How has the daily newspaper affected you and what are your personal ties to it?
I was a reporter at The T-P from 1988-’94, and although that was a long time ago, it continues to be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs I’ve had. I have a lot of friends in New Orleans, most of whom still work at the newspaper or only left in recent years. Shortly after the terrible news broke about these changes coming to the paper, it dawned on me how exceptional – and rare – it’s that I still know so many people still working there, almost 18 years after I left. But that’s ending, so while I’m looking forward to seeing everyone, it will definitely be a bittersweet weekend.
Through Sept. 3. Southern Decadence; throughout downtown. Information, SouthernDecadence.net
Through Feb. 8, 2013. “Something Old, Something New;” Historic New Orleans Collection. Information, hnoc.org
Sept. 6. “Art of the Cup: Functional Comfort: Opening Reception;” Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Information, OgdenMuseum.org
Sept. 7. Yeasayer plus Daedelus; Republic. Information, RepublicNola.com
Sept. 7. The Better Than Ezra Foundation’s Ezra Open; Harrah’s New Orleans Casino Theater. Information, BTEFoundation.org
Sept. 7-9,14-16, 21-23, 28-30. Bingo! The Winning Musical; The Always Lounge. Information, TheAllwaysLounge.net
Sept. 9 and 23. New Orleans Saints home games; Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, NewOrleansSaints.com
Sept. 11. Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators plus Foxy Shazam; House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
Sept. 14. The fourth annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival’s Bad Girls of Burlesque; House Of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
Sept. 14. Honey Island Swamp Band & Red Baraat; Tipitina’s Uptown. Information, tipitinas.com
Sept. 14-16. Stomp; Mahalia Jackson Theater. Information, MahaliaJacksonTheater.com
Sept. 25. An Evening with The Chris Robinson Brotherhood; Tipitina’s Uptown. Information, tipitinas.com
Sept. 25. The Supersuckers in concert; Howlin’ Wolf. Information, TheHowlinWolf.com
Sept. 28. NolaLoyola: Beats of the Streets: The New Orleans Brass Band Tradition; Roussel Hall (Loyola University); calendar.loyno.edu
Sept. 29. Fess’ “House Party New Orleans Style;” Tipitina’s Uptown. Information, tipitinas.com
