An all-star New Orleans cast will lend its support to re-open Jimmy Anselmo’s venerable music club next weekend.

Jimmy has spent the better part of the past year vying to receive his music club permits from the City of New Orleans so that he may re-open the legendary intimate sort of juke joint again. Though Jimmy’s Music Club was fully operational before Hurricane Katrina, he has been unable as of yet to re-claim the rights to serve liquor and book live music, as it was before, given the new city administration’s climate of live entertainment policies and other cultural regulations. Many now-famous New Orleans musicians got their start at Jimmy’s and is regarded as one of the city’s most important long-time music venues.

Much of New Orleans’ music royalty has hit Jimmy’s stage, with Professor Longhair and the Neville Brothers both playing the club’s opening week in April 1978 (“He’s quite hip and a living legend!”, proclaimed the poster for Fess’ gig). The leading New Orleans new-wave band, the Cold, were practically the house band in the ‘80s. Nor was Jimmy’s strictly a New Orleans club: A pre-fame Kid Rock and a post-fame A Flock of Seagulls both played the club. Even Bachman-Turner Overdrive took care of some business there.

Jimmy and friends will host a benefit mini-festival the weekend of April 4 – 6 to raise the funds needed to purchase new permits required by the City for them to re-open. Performing over three nights will be Harry Shearer, the Bucktown Allstars, Paula & the Pontiacs and John Autin on Thursday; Cyril & Gaynielle Neville, Paul Sanchez, Kim Carson and Brian Stoltz on Friday; The Local Skank, Stephie and the Whitesox, the Call Girls and Alexander Fly Saturday; and more TBA.