Jack Robinson's Canal Street

photo: Jack Robinson Archive

who: Jack Robinson
what: an exhibit of twenty-one photographs of Canal Street c . 1950
where: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel lobby, 500 Canal Street
when: opening reception, Thursday October 30 from 5 - 7 pm
then: Prospect.Everyone, Thursday October 30, from 7-10 pm @ 500 Julia Street

Club Desire (THREATENED)

2604 Desire, originally uploaded by Karen Apricot New Orleans.

The Cornerstones Project celebrates "the everyday monuments and gathering places of New Orleans neighborhoods." The Neighborhood Story Project and Tulane City Center collaborated to produce the Cornerstones Book which is already going into its second printing. They are continuing to grow their registry of these often overlooked social and cultural landmarks. Anyone can nominate a structure or site of social significance. Below is the text from my nomination of Club Desire.

Name of public place: CLUB DESIRE
Address/location: 2604 Desire St. corner of Law
Neighborhood: Upper Ninth Ward, Florida Development

Why does your place deserve to be nominated? Explain in detail why this place is important, such as how it tells an important story from history, houses cultural activities and traditions, serves as an important space for socializing, or enhances the beauty or artistic character of your neighborhood.

The club was likely built sometime between 1920-1940 in an a hybrid mission / moderne style. The entrance was lined in glass blocks which glowed when the club had live music. The club hosted the finest of New Orleans jazz, rhythm and blues: Fats Domino, Deacon John, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday.

Please include any details about the site or physical features if the place. Also, are you aware of any physical damage or plans that threaten the future of the place?

It is on the imminent health threat list. On Monday 10.20.08, the Club Desire was slated for review by the Neighborhood Conservation District Committee.

Are you aware of any other individuals or organizations that may have more information about the place you nominated?

In May WDSU reported that attempts were being made by Marguerite Doyle-Johnston to save the club. YouTube

FutureProof is designing a new sustainable house for Ms. Doyle-Johnston who hopes to save the Club and renovate it into a community center.

Fats Domino would be a great interview. According to this interview with Rick Coleman, Fats Domino was discovered in 1949 playing at The Hideaway across the street from Club Desire.

For more photos, see Flickr. David Keyes, Preservation Resource Center Advocacy Department, Karen Apricot, Julie Dermansky, New Orleans Lady, anthonyturducken,

National Maritime Union (under renovation)

National Maritime Union, originally uploaded by regional.modernism.

Last week, I went to Albert Ledner's National Maritime Union to view status of the current renovation. Unfortunately the exterior glazed brick has been covered in plaster. The glazed brick interior is intact. At least for now.

see new photos in flickr.

ELEMENTAL :: art opening

MANDALA :: MANDORLA (detail), originally uploaded by francinestock.

I have a new body of glass work on display at the BECA Gallery this month. Three of the pieces include multi-faceted glass chains. The individual links are assembled and fused from multiple layers of small glass bricks. In BRIDGE and MANDALA :: MANDORLA the chains are strapped to woven rubber canvas made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and stretched across a wooden frame. The rubber and glass play off each other in a pure material dialogue of tension, elasticity and rigidity. A series of TEXT::TILES continue an ongoing interest in the evolution of language and drawing and the correlations between books and walls. My art work is heavily influenced by my studies of bookmaking, architecture and philosophy. The center piece of the show, a monumental WOVEN PANEL, was previously displayed at the Contemporary Arts Center. The fused glass panel is assembled from pieces of recycled mid-century green jalousie glass. The panel is bound and suspended with sisal rope from the center beam of the gallery.

The show officially opens Saturday night from 6-9 pm in conjunction with Art for Arts' Sake. There will be a sneak preview tonight from 6-7.

BECA Gallery (map)
527 St. Joseph St. New Orleans

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