French Quarter Fest – Sunday

The last day of French Quarter Fest was just as gorgeous as the first 3. Sadly, for locals, the day started with the sad news that former Saint, Will Smith, had been shot 7 times leaving 3 children and a wife (who sustained 2 shots) behind. He had posted on Instagram, “Having a blast at the #fqf2016” earlier. Many of us wore Saints gear and checked for updates as the story evolved from one of random violence to something more thought-out and personal.

As for festing, we started the day with a Softshell Crab Po-Boy ($10) from Jack Dempsey’s then tried Love at First Bite’s Crawfish Pasta ($8) and my favorite, the Cochon de Lait Po-Boy ($8) from their partner, Walker’s Southern Style BBQ. We hit the Abita stage in time for party-band, the Bucktown All-Stars. Their playful covers included “Rubber Band Man” complete with a dance of silly, stretchy  poses. 85 year old Joyce La Nasa joined on tambourine wearing her signature white gloves. 

Pelicans – Asst. Coach Phil Weber and Kid’s Night

Though I’ve been too busy to write about it, we had a blast at the Pelicans game last Sunday. With no Saints game that day,    we were happy to have our other favorite team to cheer on. Season ticket holders have some advantages and one offering is a private audience with someone from the coaching staff. Asst. Coach Phil Weber couldn’t have been more personable and candid, even while fielding tough questions like the one from a 4 or 5 year old in the front row, “How old are you?” Brought in by new head coach Alvin Gentry, Weber seems to have a Midas touch contributing to winning seasons and championships on a string of teams. Despite the Pelicans slow start this season (due in large part to injuries and the toughest opening schedule in the league), optimism burns bright for Gentry, Weber and the rest of the team leading the team to the NBA Championship this season (due in large part to injuries healing and the easiest last 30 games in the league). 

Chaz Fest 2013

It was supposed to be a stormy May Day, but only 3 light sprinkles passed over the 8th annual Chaz Fest. The brain child of members of The Tin Men (and Alex McMurray’s wife), the festival was born of a reaction to being rejected by Jazz Fest. Though now many of the bands have played Jazz Fest, Chaz Fest remains the backyard party it has always been. Held at the Truck Farm, an artists haven, the 2 stages (one in the yard and one in the woods) rotate so that the music is nonstop – 14 bands in under 10 hours.