It’s no mystery that the coronavirus pandemic has thrown significant challenges at the music industry, chief among them being the near-total elimination of live performances. The loss of income here
Credit Photo Courtesy of the Artist
Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms & the Music of New Orleans is a three hour documentary hosted by Haitian-American and New Orleans based artist and musician, Leyla McCalla, a founding member of Our Native Daughters & alumna of the GRAMMY award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops. Leyla’s work unearthing history and musical tradition, combined with her knowledge of cultural hybridization and her own identity as a Haitian-American have given her a unique voice and perspective. Her music reflects her eclectic and diverse life experiences, projecting respect for eloquent simplicity that is rarely achieved. The program airs at 10AM starting Sunday, February 7.
Tech firm BENZAIT to open headquarters in New Orleans
Technology company BENZAIT plans to open its headquarters office in New Orleans and create up to 10 jobs by the end of the year.
The New Orleans-based company launched at the end of 2020, according to a news release from Greater New Orleans Inc. BENZAIT provides business-to-business services focused on data intelligence, data infrastructure and enterprise app development. Services are offered through monthly subscriptions that allow clients to undertake significant reporting, development, and information management initiatives with minimal upfront investment and high scalability, the release said.
The 10 new direct jobs will provide an average annual salary of $75,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 13 new indirect jobs.
photo: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
From a bead-bedecked gallery on St. Charles Ave., masked revelers designed by Sean Gautreaux peer down the parade route for the bands that will play again next Mardi Gras.
When the mayor of New Orleans cancelled Mardi Gras 2021 late last November, crews sheathed their half-built floats in plastic to await better times, and Caroline Thomas, a Mardi Gras artist, called her old friend Devin De Wulf with an idea.
Since March, De Wulf, founder of the Krewe of Red Beans, has spearheaded efforts to support New Orleanians effected by the pandemic through Feed the Front Line and Feed the Second Line, hiring out-of-work musicians and restaurant workers to prepare and deliver food to E.R. staff and Mardi Gras Indians, members of Social Aid & Pleasure clubs and other community elders. Now, there was a new opportunity to help those who create and sustain New Orleans’s culture.