Last Sunday afternoon, I sat in a discussion on WWOZ regarding what we need to do regarding the problem we’re currently having with the NOPD cracking down on local street musicians playing in the Quarter. There’s supposed to be another round this coming Friday morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. If you read OffBeat, then I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I feel that all of us who are pro-music in New Orleans have the opportunity to do something positive.
It’s not enough to just complain about the issue on Facebook, or in the media. Concerned citizens need to get off their butts, put their hand to paper, or email to tell the governmental powers that be that something needs to be done to correct this situation.
I’m not suggesting that we need to ignore the needs of the people who live in the city. What I’m saying is that we as a city need to prioritize what we want our city to be culturally. This means we need a plan to determine what we have and what we want the city to be, in terms of music. We also want to preserve our quality of life. So there are some compromises that need to be made.
If you want to make a change in how and where we can listen to and enjoy music, then you should get involved and let someone who is in a position to make decisions know your thoughts.
Here are some people you need to write or email to let them know 1) how you feel about live music being performed on the streets of New Orleans, and—this is important—2) what you suggest can be done to make sure that a viable and enforceable ordinance is put on the books to protect not only our musicians and our culture, but the quality of life for residents of New Orleans:
New Orleans Convention & Vicitors Bureau, (504) 566-5049
J. Stephen Perry (President/CEO), [email protected]
Kim Priez (Vice President of Tourism), [email protected]
City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office
Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor
(504) 658-4000
Send information to the Mayor’s Office
Scott Hutcheson, Advisor on Cultural Economy
(504) 658-4000
City of New Orleans Council Members
At Large:
Arnie Fielkow
City Hall, Room 2W40
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1060
Fax: (504) 658-1068
[email protected]
Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson
City Hall, Room 2W50
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1070
Fax: (504) 658-1077
[email protected]
Susan G. Guidry
City Hall, Room 2W80
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1010
Fax: (504) 658-1016
[email protected]
Stacy Head
City Hall, Room 2W10
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658 -1020
Fax: (504) 658-1025
[email protected]
Kristin Gisleson Palmer
City Hall, Room 2W70
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1030
Fax: (504) 658-1037
[email protected]
Cynthia Hedge-Morrell
City Hall, Room 2W20
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1040
Fax: (504) 658-1048
[email protected]
Jon D. Johnson
City Hall, Room 2W60
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1050
Fax: (504) 658-1058
[email protected]
New Orleans Police Department
Ronal W. Serpas, Superintendent of Police
New Orleans Police Department
715 S. Broad St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 658.5757
FAX: (504) 658.5775
E-mail: [email protected]
Vieux Carre Property Owners & Residents Association (VCPORA)
Executive Director, Meg Lousteau
President, Ann Masson
Phone: 504-581-7200
Fax: 504-581-7201
