Our ongoing spotlight on new music in New Orleans this week illuminates a strangely unlit place: the dark, experimental rock of I, Octopus. The four-piece outfit gigs constantly, has been around for years and seems incapable of writing a bad song. Yet it remains among the more obscure groups in the city. Why? These inspired instrumental head trips wouldn’t seem such a steep hill to climb for a region weaned on jam bands, free jazz and circuitous zydeco. Read the rest of this entry »

by Alejandro de los Rios

So I have no idea how I missed this — probably because I was too busy musing self-indulgently on other Hornets fans — but this ingenious Hornets fan made and incredibly attractive sign that psyched out Tony Parker at the free throw line during Game 5 in New Orleans on Tuesday. And, deservedly so, this guy made it on a segment on ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption.”

So there you have it, if you want to make opposing players miss free throws, and possibly make it onto ESPN, just hold up a picture of that player’s wife. Seeing as how Hornets fans have gone above and beyond in terms of signs lately, I expect everyone to go all out for Game 7 Monday night. With that said though, I looked through the internet and found some possible sign fodder that could be used in Game 7:

• Tim Duncan: TIMMMMAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!
• Robert Horry: Cheap Shot Rob
• Brent Barry: Not as Good as Rick or Can you sign my card? (That would be Brent Barry at the 30-second mark)
• Bruce Bowen: Kicking and screaming
• Manu Ginobili: We need a quick brisket
• Michael Finley: Lost to Brent Barry in the ‘96 Slam Dunk competition
• Kurt Thomas: Accomplished Gymnast

Do as you please, Hornets fans.

From a Broadmoor guy: This is a fun little neighborhood festival and gives the New Orleans crowd a rare opportunity to soak the politicians, instead of them soaking you. The Broadmoor Improvement Association’s Dunking Booth operates from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring “Dunk You Tax Assessor” with Nancy Marshall; and “Dunk the Council” with Stacy Head, Arnie Fielkow and Shelley Midura.