If y’all enjoy the gala parties for the Big Easy Music Awards, the Big Easy Theatre Awards, and the Classical Arts luncheon, support the Foundation that produces them. The Foundation for Entertainment Development and Education is a 501c3 non-profit that acknowledges and promotes the work of performing artists in the Greater New Orleans area. The Foundation also Read the rest of this entry »

by Sam Winston

A MOMENT FROM MUNICH

When he hit the ground I thought for sure he was out cold. If not at least seriously bleeding. The music and the crowd of thousands were so loud that hardly anyone noticed. If he hadn’t fallen at my feet and spilled half a liter of beer on me, I probably wouldn’t have noticed either.

I was in the middle of explaining to friends how I thought the stereotype of German culture (beer, sausage, women in dirndl and a lot of cheering) strangely resembled the stereotype of American masculinity (Beer! Football! Cheerleaders! Meat!). That is why, I was saying, so many Americans love the idea of the Oktoberfest. Whether my German companions didn’t get my parallel or my German was incomprehensible above the din of oompah music I’m wasn’t sure. Nevertheless, they looked a bit perplexed. Read the rest of this entry »

Someone asked me today if there is any law or rule requiring political candidates to have signed affidavits from people or organizations from which they claim endorsements. The short answer is no, but the real answer is there oughta be.

In some instances, newspapers (such as The Times-Picayune and, going forward, Gambit Weekly) will require candidates to produce affidavits before the publishers will accept advertisements from candidates claiming endorsements from high-profile individuals and organizations. That’s not a law, but it’s a good policy — and it came about because of situations akin to what Louisiana legislative candidate Una Anderson experienced last week. Read the rest of this entry »