Po
Boy Views
By
Phil
LaMancusa
Shallow
Water, Oh Mama
Or
Thank
You, Jimmy, Once Again
Liuzza’s
By The Track (1518 N Lopez St.) is presumably if not ostensibly the unauthorized
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival command post, since it’s spitting distance
from the Sauvage Street entrance gate and a frequent rendezvous before and
after the days events; don’t take my word for it, take my word for it.
We
live in the neighborhood, blocks away, and it IS our second home as only the by-choice-beloved, more-than-comfortable,
watering-hole-that-has-adopted-you, could ever be in anyone’s life. If
you’re anything like us (and who isn’t?), wherever you find yourself, in the
world, you latch onto a piece of real estate that becomes your anchor and
refuge from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Every citizen of our
unique city has such a place, from a nightly booty shaking at Vaughn’s to
meetings of Bill’s Friends at Fair Grinds coffee house (sometimes both). It’s
in our blood, possibly from drinking Mississippi river water, or maybe because
most of us didn’t have a proper home when we arrived here and still are not
comfortable chez-nous---I don’t
know—it’s moot for now; catch me over drinks and we’ll talk.
Back
to Liuzza’s By The Track (LBTT), we know the staff by name, age and
temperament; we know, likewise, the regulars that we encounter upon our
arrivals and they, in turn, know us. We celebrate birthdays, game days and
theme days (Karen’s going away party was a classic). LBTT is known for its
stellar sandwiches (all meats cooked in house), its gumbo, daily specials and
legendary BBQ shrimp po-boy which, I’m sure, will be served in Heaven, if/when
I get there. Cozy in size, large in stature, comfy, quirky and intrepid in
operation; a classic New Orleans gem.
The
kitchen rocks into the lunch and early dinner hour (food stops at 7:00 pm) and
regular bar clients tend to drift in to watch Jeopardy, commiserate over world
events, local doings and Vanna White’s choice of wardrobe for the evening.
And
every March, come hell or high water, before any of you swinging Richards have
even made reservations or purchased tickets, Jimmy Lamarie begins preparations
for the annual Greeting Of The Festers at Liuzza’s. Scheduling, ordering,
organizing and coordinating above and beyond what’s been accomplished all year
by the gallant and valiant staff.
Now,
somebody reading this is sure to have
had the life (bordering on near death) experience in preparing for an impending
onslaught of activity and the need for all bases being covered. Contingency for
correcting errors that involve planning, and the solutions to unexpected challenges
requiring experience, imagination and intelligence become essential ingredients
for success. Slalom skiing, wrestling alligators, French kissing sharks and driving
getaway cars come to mind here.
In
other words, being ready when Murphy raises his ugly head (when the fit hits
the Shan) and being ready to make snap decisions, turn on a dime and roll with
the punches. Multiply that. In New Orleans, being able to perform this way,
shooting from the hip so to speak is elevated to an art form. You have to
anticipate the party and its attendees, choose the best people for the
appropriate jobs and then give them rein. Back away and only step in when
necessary. Jimmy’s job as owner of LBTT is as much hands on as hands off.
You’ll
see the welcoming sign painted in the asphalt outside the iconic location and
inside will be the same madcap crew that, as neighbors, we see all year long;
like a well oiled machine; before, during and after Jazz Fest hours offering Bloody Marys and other libations, signature
menu items and very cold beer, reasonably priced.
The
chairs and tables become a banquette gathering place, music on street corners,
sidewalk vendors selling, and swirling drinks swilled. Old friends greet each
other and acquaintances that were made last year and in years past specific to
this celebration embrace as long lost co-conspirators in the happiest event
this side of Paradise.
Very
few people will spot Jimmy, he’s a person who has the ability to be unobtrusive
but he is a force of nature that is used to getting things done his way;
quietly (okay, sometimes not quietly), quickly and competently. Period. It’s a
job that I wouldn’t want and suspect that I couldn’t do. He does it.
That
being said, say “Thank you Jimmy” and if you’re of a mind to find (what we would consider) an affordable
rent, register and participate in our voting processes; observe our recycling
programs, rules of the road and land; if you’re willing to accept the things
you cannot change and change the things that you can; if you can accept our
funk and not our failures, be ready to yell “Who Dat!” and blaze a trail of
fried chicken bones through our neighborhoods, write letters to the editors,
swim in our public pools, dance in the streets and fall in love with our sass
and sassafras: y’all stay.
If
not, we’ll see you next year. I’ll keep your bar stool warm.
.
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