Taking the Treme Out of New Orleans

Donald Harrison on HBO's Treme.

Thanks to the success of HBO’s Treme, musicians featured in the show are booking a national tour. “A Night in Treme” headlines with Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Brass Band, and Donald Harrison on nine dates this Summer, starting June 10 in San Francisco. Confirmed stops include Los Angeles June 11, Chicago June 12, and Washington D.C. June 13, with shows in Ann Arbor, Seattle, Portland planned to come. Music isn’t the sole focus of “A Night In Treme”—the show includes an informational segment with a recorded history of the Treme neighborhood by actor Wendell Pierce (Antoine Batiste on the show). It will take place primarily in performing arts centers and festivals, and if successful will continue through Spring 2012.

“Each date is unique to itself.” says “Treme” tour promoter Danny Melnick. “It’s a night of education and entertainment that tries to make sure people understand the history, understand New Orleans and what it means to the world, and that people should go to New Orleans to hear more of this music. The idea is that we do this without preaching.” Other artists scheduled to perform in “A Night in Treme” include clarinetist Michael White, trombonist Big Sam Williams, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, the Soul Rebels Brass Band, trumpeter James Andews, and trombonist Glen David Andrews.

—Chloe Curran