What's Up Downtown May 1, 2009
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| | Local Coffee House Favorite Comes to Canal Street This Summer! Early this summer, Canal Street will be the newest destination for those looking to enjoy a hot cup of delicious, locally brewed coffee when PJ's Coffee of New Orleans opens its doors. "I think it's going to be unbelievable!" says PJ's Coffee franchisee Shane Songy, of opening the boutique coffee house on Canal Street early this summer. "Canal Street should be a place like Times Square, the Magnificent Mile... these are the types of businesses we need." Songy, who also owns a PJ's franchise in Chalmette, Louisiana, has already begun renovating the property at 622 Canal Street. Nestled between Shula's at the J.W. Marriott and Rubenstein's, the 925 square foot space will be "beautiful," says Songy, and is sure to become the next biggest thing on Canal Street. The building was constructed in 1859 and is one of New Orleans' finest surviving cast-iron facades on a commercial building.
"This won't be our only project Downtown..." he adds.
PJ's, named for founder Phyllis Jordan, first opened over two decades ago. With over forty locations nationwide, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans continues to launch new coffee houses so the rest of the country is getting a taste of better beans and superior roasting techniques. Click here to see a rendering of PJ's Coffee on Canal Street.
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| | Saints and State Reach Deal; New Digital Media and
Sports Entertainment District Planned Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson announced Thursday that the State of Louisiana and the NFL team reached a tentative agreement to keep the team in New Orleans until 2025, upgrade the New Orleans Superdome, and reinvent the surrounding area include an office tower and a new sports entertainment district. "We are thrilled with the news that Governor Jindal and the Saints are investing in this part of Downtown that has been neglected since Hurricane Katrina. The DDD has long envisioned creating a state-of-the-art entertainment district that will move New Orleans' local professional sports industry into the ranks of cities like Boston and Los Angeles that already have successful models for this type of development," says Kurt Weigle, President & CEO of the Downtown Development District.
Click here for the Times-Picayune article and more details on the agreement.
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| | Celebrate Mother's Day Downtown
Mother's Day is May 10 and Downtown has everything you need to let your mother know how much you care for her. From brunch and lunch spots to spas and florists, Downtown is the place for one-stop-shopping for Mom. Click here for some great ideas on how to celebrate Mother's Day Downtown and information on holiday specials.
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| | Some of the Best Jazz Fest Concerts are Downtown The second and final weekend of New Orleans' mega-festival, Jazz Fest, is already in full-swing at the Fairgrounds, but some of the best concerts are caught after the festival in Downtown's iconic music venues. "I love going to Jazz Fest every spring," says Downtown resident Abby Drake, "What some people don't realize is that there are concerts, sometimes back-to-back, that happen every night after Jazz Fest. We saw two great shows last weekend at Howlin' Wolf and I'm sure we'll be back this weekend too." Among the concerts Downtown this weekend are Death Cab for Cutie at the Contemporary Arts Center, Galactic and Rebirth Brass Band at the Howlin' Wolf, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Republic, Jeremy Davenport at the Ritz-Carlton, and Washboard Chaz at the Rusty Nail.
For a great listing of post-Jazz Fest concerts Downtown and throughout the city, click here.
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| | Dog Day on Julia Street to Benefit the Sula Foundation Bring your pooch Downtown today for Dog Day on Julia Street, hosted by Studio 527 art gallery. Artist Robert Tannen's installation "Show of Balls" will be on display for canines and humans alike to enjoy. Low-hanging art, balls, water, and treats will keep everyone happy and busy. Twenty percent of all proceeds will benefit The Sula Foundation, New Orleans' pit bull rescue squad. Dog Day on Julia begins at noon today and ends at "bark" at Studio 527, 527 Julia Street in Downtown's Warehouse Arts District. Tannen's installation will be on display through May 23. |
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| | Parking to be Affected by Filming on
Gravier, Baronne, Union, and Carondelet Today Filming for the movie "Dead of Night" will affect parking Downtown on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2. Filming will take place on Gravier Street between Carondelet and Baronne between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. but parking interruptions will not be limited to those hours. Drivers are encourgaed to pay attention to "no parking" signs on Gravier, Carondelet, Baronne and Union streets both days. Those with special needs who may be affected by the filming are asked to call Jennifer Day at the New Orleans Film Commission at (504) 329-0665.
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| | DOWNTOWN CALENDAR NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
WHAT: Music festival
WHERE: Fairgounds and various locations Downtown and throughout the city
WHEN: April 30-May 3
COST: Visit www.nojazzfest.com for tickets and pricing CHEF DONALD LINK BOOK SIGNING
WHAT: Cochon Chef signs book Real Cajun: Rustic Home Cooking
WHERE: Jazz Fest Book tent
WHEN: Friday, May 1, 2-3:30 p.m.
COST: Book is $35.00
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE
WHAT: Anniversary open house and special financing on Triumph motorcycles
WHERE: Transportation Revolution, 901 Julia Street at Baronne
WHEN: April 28-May 2, Reception on May 2 at 7 p.m.
COST: Free
ASIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
WHAT: Cultural heritage celebration with story-telling, kung-fu, and dancing
WHERE: Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia Street
WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
COST: Free with admission to the museum WEDNESDAY AT THE SQUARE
WHAT: Free outdoor music concert featuring Marcia Ball, Marva Wright, and the BMW's
WHERE: Lafayette Square Park
WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 5-7:30 p.m.
COST: Free
BIKE WEEK NEW ORLEANS
WHAT: Motorcycle extravaganza
WHERE: Downtown and French Quarter
WHEN: May 6-10
COST: Visit www.bikeweekneworleans.com for tickets and pricing METAL SHOP MIXER
WHAT: Welding, casting and blacksmithing happy hour
WHERE: Louisiana ArtWorks, 725 Howard Avenue
WHEN: Friday, May 8, 5-7 p.m.
COST: Free
ROOSEVELT HOTEL JOB FAIR
WHAT: Hiring fair for The Roosevelt, a Waldorf Astoria Collection property
WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center
WHEN: May 12-16
COST: Free
INSIDE ART EXHIBITION
WHAT: Art exhibits featuring Dan Tague and Paul Villinski
WHERE: Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, 400 Julia Street
WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COST: Free
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| For more information on any of the articles featured in What's Up Downtown, or to submit an item for consideration,
contact Lauren Hotard at lhotard[at]neworleansdowntown.com.
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