Le Petit Theatre is opening its doors for the first time after Katrina with the production of THE FULL MONTY. The show will run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm, starting on Sep. 22 and closing on Oct. 15. Call 504-522-2081 for tickets and please pass this along to family and friends in NOLA who might be interested in supporting a New Orleans landmark. On a personal note, I have not performed in a show in New Orleans for over 10 years. It is an honor to be involved in a production with so many old friends, in my own hometown. I can't wait to see you there!!!

I read the articles and really liked them. It's great how your magazine brings a New York perspective to the issues in New Orleans. It seems to bring more importance to the developments that are occurring in New Orleans and sheds new light on issues that are not only occurring in New Orleans but around the country i.e., preserving neighborhoods and the issues surrounding gentrification.

Americans tend to forget about events that happen in their own backyards. Especially now that War takes up the majority of headlines. The U.S. media to me has always been so internally focused. With Geraldo giving us live world reports, "Now, let's have a look at what is happening in the rest of the world, let's go to California..." With the war, previous catastrophes seem to take a back seat. People don't really want to talk about New Orleans because it's old news. How does New Orleans fight being old news? Maybe you should start a civil war in New Orleans.

I haven't been keeping up with your paper as much as I should, but it would be interesting to see what people in California and other Western states are doing to help people in New Orleans.

I am reading Saturday Night, a book about SNL at its inception. There was a SNL special that took place during Mardi Gras in the late 70's. The special was a failure in a lot of respects, but it put me in touch with what New Orleans was like during Mardi Gras. I would like to go there sometime and I hope it can get back to those days of debauchery and good times.

Oeur newest project, With these Hands is currently under development and seeking submissions in the form of stories and photographs to be published as a monument to the hands that will rebuild New Orleans. If you've got a story and a camera, take a pic of some helping hands and send them our way. We'll have a full site launch soon.

This video is a stroke of genius! A tour of the Lakefront destruction coupled with Captain Peppito's brilliant dance steps, all set to DJ Kool's ultimate party anthem, "Let Me Clear My Throat." Undeniable. This is important. A special thanks are in order to enigmatic director endlessjoe. Have mercy babe, I hope you don't mind...

Without further ado, I give you "Where Y'at, New Orleans?"

Random Recipe: Put This On Anything

On the Anniversary of Katrina, in conjunction with Eric Richmond and the Brooklyn Lyceum, we are staging a 2 month long event with visual artists and filmmakers and retailers from New Orleans. The event is called *Surge: New Orleans on High Ground*.

Like the Mississippi River, the New Orleans visual art scene has always had a vibrant current running through it. New Orleans consistently puts forth artists who are mature in their visual language and medium, probably due to the "Big Easy" way of life.

After the devastation of our beloved city, the artists are the ones who have come back swinging! Without needing elections to act or permits to create, New Orleans artists are busy filling the gap between destruction and rebirth.

*Surge: New Orleans on High Ground* is an exhibit of over 100 visual artists and filmmakers, some of whom are still gone from the Crescent City and most of whom have come back to participate in the evolution of history. Katrina's forces have left an impression on our artists, but she will not be the only subject matter tackled by these artists.

Visually speaking, there are variegated styles and forms of art work to assess and enjoy. Socially speaking, each artist has their own story as to how they have dealt with the blowing winds of Katrina and their love for a city that has been called "the city that Care forgot". These artists are focused on the regeneration of a vital source of culture for the rest of the Country.

Economically speaking, as most gentrification models will show, the artists are one of the first groups to occupy an abandoned neighborhood. Once they have created a cul de sac of culture, the developers eye that area as prime real estate to develop and grow. Brooklyn's DUMBO area is a perfect example of how artists breathe life into a city.

Emotionally speaking, this event has been a welcomed distraction for the artists who have come back to begin rebuilding. The appeal of NYC in September and October (not as humid) and a reason to sit down and create has been a driving force behind much of this art. It allows one to focus on something other than the huge effort it requires to live a day to day life amidst many obstacles.

Below is a simple press release and sponsorship proposal if you or someone you know might have deep (or shallow) pockets that would like to support, esp. NY people! Thanks!

Please feel free to contact 3 Ring Circus with ANY questions you may have.

*PRESS RELEASE*
CONTACT: Adele Borie (504) 715.3281
adeleborie@gmail.com

3 Ring Circus presents
SURGE: New Orleans on High Ground

WHAT: A 2-month long multi-media exhibition of over 150 New Orleans artists & filmmakers in Brooklyn, NYC plus "NOLA ART MART," a N.O. retail store with a wide range of crafts, fashion and artwork.

WHEN: August 29 through November 1, 2006
Grand Opening Celebration: Saturday, September 16, 2006
9 pm – 1 am (VIP Ball 6 – 9 pm)

WHERE: The Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave. (@ President), Brooklyn, NY 11215 R train to Union Street - www.brooklynlyceum.com

WHY: To celebrate and increase awareness of New Orleans' contribution to American culture and why we need to keep it thriving, as well as to provide an alternative financial market and increase commerce potential for New Orleans artists.

3 Ring Circus, the well-known and well-loved community non-profit arts organization based in New Orleans, is taking the show on the road! 3RC is heading to NYC for a two-month celebration of NOLA-inspired culture and creativity. From August 29 through November 1, 2006, *The Brooklyn Lyceum*, as host of this extravaganza, will be the center of activity in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, NYC.

Surge: New Orleans on High Ground will feature the works of over 150 visual artists and filmmakers from N.O, including Thomas Mann, Jimmy "The Rocketman" Descant, Suzanne Saunders, Zack Smith, Jonathan Traviesa, Michelle Elmore, Dan Tague, Steven Lesser and Jan Gilbert, just to name a few. A full schedule of N.O. films will accompany the show and *NOLA ART MART*, a N.O. retail store with a wide range of crafts, fashion and artwork, will round out this presentation of the rich, varied and fascinating cultural community of New Orleans. (complete list of artists available at www.3rcp.com)

Join in on the Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 16 with music, art and film -- all focused on the Crescent City and its challenge and renewal post-Katrina. New Orleans produces some of America's most creative and talented artists, and 3 Ring Circus wants the world to know! Come on out and show your support of our beloved New Orleans!

To purchase advance tickets for the Grand Opening Celebration on Sept.16th, visit www.brooklynlyceum.com. Tickets will also be available at the door. VIP tickets are $100 and will feature complimentary cuisine, beverage and entertainment (6-9 pm). General tickets are only $10 and will feature live Louisiana music (9 pm – 1 am).

The exhibit will be open Mon. – Fri. 7 am – 1 pm; Sat. & Sun. 10 am til, and by appointment. Visit the website for more information on hours of operation.
www.brooklynlyceum.com.