Relix will take over the recently reborn Toulouse Theatre during the “daze between” New Orleans Jazz Fest weekends for a series of enlightening musical conversations and performances featuring a slew of local luminaries.
The venue is an interesting slice of New Orleans history in itself. Originally opened at 615 Toulouse Street in the French Quarter in 1961, the club remained in operation as the Toulouse Theatre for several decades. A change in ownership in 1999 rechristened the venue as the Shim Sham Club before it was once again purchased and dubbed One Eyed Jacks in 2002.
When One Eyed Jacks did not reopen after shuttering due to COVID-19 in 2020, a group of New Orleans locals including Ben Jaffe, the creative director of Preservation Hall Jazz Band, purchased and renovated the club. It reopened in 2021 under its original name, Toulouse Theatre. Of note, One Eyed Jacks also eventually reopened at a new location.
The Relix Musical Conversations program will begin on Monday, May 2nd with a discussion hosted by “The Queen of Rare Groove” herself, revered WWOZ programmer DJ Soul Sister featuring bounce music originator Big Freedia as well as Tank and the Bangas‘ Tarriona “Tank” Ball and Joshua Johnson. The conversation will cover the influences of New Orleans music, culture, and heritage on each performer, as well as the return of live music to NOLA. Attendees will also be treated to an intimate Tank and The Bangas performance [get tickets].
On Tuesday, May 3rd, the lasting legacy of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will take the spotlight as creative director Ben Jaffe, legendary 89-year-old multi-instrumentalist Charlie Gabriel, and ever-optimistic NOLA guitarist Joshua Starkman will discuss the rich history of New Orleans music through the lens of Gabriel’s latest album, ‘89. The trio will finally come together for a performance featuring a mix of original music and Big Easy jazz standards [get tickets].
Finally, on Wednesday, May 4th, Ben Ellman, Robert Mercurio, and Stanton Moore of Galactic will discuss how they stepped in and purchased a New Orleans institution, uptown club Tipitina’s, to save it from closing back in 2018. Following the discussion, guests will be treated to a rare trio performance by Ellman, Mercurio, and Moore [get tickets].
The Relix Musical Conversations begin each day at 5:00 p.m. CT. Event sponsors include Batch & Bottle Cocktails, Audio-Technica, and Robe Backstage. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales and an on-site auction will benefit Robe Backstage, a nonprofit organization created in 2020 to help support lighting professionals and technicians facing financial challenges.
For full ticketing details and more information about the 2022 Relix Musical Conversations series during Jazz Fest, head here.
Live For Live Music will host an extensive series of late-night concerts, festivals, and events in New Orleans during Jazz Fest 2022. Check out a full schedule of Live For Live Music’s Fest by Nite late-night shows below.
