Hot Music Scene on Frenchmen Street

New Orleans, right, everyone thinks Bourbon Street. Sure, lots of clubs, lots of fun. But where’s the happening scene lately? Frenchmen Street baby. If you’d like to join Micrographics/AV SIS folks, carve out a little time Saturday and/or Tuesday evening for a musical journey. The Frenchmen Street area is a real short cab ride to the east end of the Quarter, so no worries getting there.

Saturday, July 14th, anytime between 7pm and 10pm, we’ll start by meeting at Checkpoint Charlie’s (501 Esplanade Avenue; 504-281-4847). In addition to great music without a cover charge, here you’ll find good bar food, pool tables, and, just in case your luggage got a bit trashed on the way to New Orleans, a laundromat. Remember when Julia Roberts sat on the washing machine in a bar in Pelican Brief? That’s Checkpoint Charlie’s. Also, my good friend Joshua T-Bone Stone and the Lazy Boys will be playing for your listening pleasure Saturday, 7pm-10pm. So cut out of the Opening Reception a little early and head on over to Checkpoint Charlie’s to really start off a great evening. Then, it’s a must trip to the Apple Barrel Bar (609 Frenchmen Street; 504- 949-9399). Coco Robicheaux plays his legendary mojo soul there every Saturday night,11pm-3am. For more information, check out http://www.spiritland.com/.

Look for details in a future blog post as to where we'll meet to start Tuesday evening. There are several great clubs clustered behind Checkpoint Charlie’s and near the Apple Barrel. Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen Street; 504-949-0696) includes a bistro restaurant, bar, and music club. Its scene usually starts a little earlier, and showcases excellent local and national jazz. For more information, see http://www.snugjazz.com/. Café Brasil (2100 Chartres Street; 504-949-0851) features superb Afro-Cuban, Latin, and world music. Things get started a little early here too, and it can get crowded in the later hours. Sorry, no website for Cafe Brasil. Another great club is d.b.a. (616 Frenchmen Street; 504-942 3731). This is a spin off of the New York club by the same name, and has a renowned beer list. The bar’s motto is “drink good stuff.” Great wines as well as jazz, funk, and blues abound. For more information, see http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/no/default.asp.

Hope to see you Saturday evening at Checkpoint Charlie’s to kick-start the Annual Meeting. Let the good times roll! Laura Ray