- In our cover story, Alison Fensterstock explores the world of “sissy rappers” and their popularity on the New Orleans bounce-rap scene, with great photos by Cheryl Gerber. Next week, Alison will be on the blog to take your questions and share some of her favorite New Orleans bounce tracks (sissy and non-sissy) in streaming audio, including some by our cover subjects, Big Freedia and Sissy Nobby.

- Back to school! A special section for newcomers and locals alike, focusing on the best clubs, the best eats on a student budget, shopping tips to trick out your new student life, and a rough (very rough) guide to New Orleans Facebook groups.

- In commentary: Hashing out the history — and the differences — between Levees.org and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Can we all get together on an 8/29 Commission?

- Also: reviews of Irma Thomas‘ new CD, sculptor Robert Tannen’s new show, a look at where to get the best banh mi sandwiches, and more more more…

Taking a break from sports this weekend (if you don’t include the Olympics), I stumbled upon this movie trailer for “Trouble the Water” a new, first-hand documentary about a New Orleans couple and how they managed to survive Hurricane Katrina. Already a winner of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, “Trouble the Water” revisits Katrina it what looks like an uplifting way. From Apple Movie Trailers:

The film opens the day before the storm makes landfall—just blocks away from the French Quarter but far from the New Orleans that most tourists knew. Kimberly Rivers Roberts, an aspiring rap artist, is turning her new video camera on herself and her 9th Ward neighbors trapped in the city. “It’s going to be a day to remember,” Kim declares. As the hurricane begins to rage and the floodwaters fill their world and the screen, Kim and her husband Scott continue to film their harrowing retreat to higher ground and the dramatic rescues of friends and neighbors. The filmmakers document the couple’s return to New Orleans, the devastation of their neighborhood and the appalling repeated failures of government. Weaving an insider’s view of Katrina with a mix of verité and in- your-face filmmaking, Trouble the Wateris a redemptive tale of self-described street hustlers who become heroes—two unforgettable people who survive the storm and then seize a chance for a new beginning.

Keep an eye out for this one.

I just tumbled to Schroeder’s wrapup of Thursday’s city council meeting over at People Get Ready. It’s really well-written, but what makes it a real keeper is the fact that he posted two interesting recordings. One is a broadcast of Mayor Nagin’s remarks at the hearing, and the other is a call to WWL-AM’s Spud McConnell by Karen Gadbois of Squandered Heritage, who “wanted to make some clarifications.” And she does. (Click here to hear it.)

But, dang, Spud — next time you get a whistleblower like Gadbois on the horn, ask her some questions and let her talk, eh?

I bet you’re wondering what happened to me. I’m sorry to have abandoned you amid your burgeoning interest in local eating. I fell off the wagon, dropped below the radar, lost momentum. And I blame it all on my mother. Well, more like I blame it on the fact that she came to town for two weeks and we had lots of dining out to do. Then it gradually snowballed from there. But I’m getting back to it.

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Word came down swiftly and unexpectedly from the White House Thursday night: Instead of having three years to pay off its $1.8 billion share of hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects, Louisiana will now have upwards of 30 years to meet the debt.

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