ANTIGRAVITY has learned the three headlining rock acts for the ‘08 Voodoo Music Experience: Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M. and Stone Temple Pilots.

Set for October 24th, 25th and 26th at City Park, the tenth Voodoo also features traditional New Orleans artists the Neville Brothers, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Irving Mayfield’s New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, as well as the Bingo! Show.

Tickets go on sale ($100 for a 3-day pass) this Friday, May 2nd at TheTenthRitual.com.

Saints subplots were flying just before NFL Draft 2008, where the team was scheduled to pick no.10 overall. We knew the Saints’ two biggest needs (Defensive Tackle and Cornerback), and pretty much the 1st-round caliber talents the team was interested in, both of whom the Saints would have to trade up for: USC DT Sedrick Ellis and a player New Orleans coveted most of all, LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. If a trade couldn’t be made, the speculation was that the Bengals, picking immediately before the Saints, would take Ellis and the Saints would be left to take an excellent LB, USC’s Keith Rivers. Other rumors swirled: would the Saints trade their second round pick (no.40 overall) to the Giants for TE Jeremy Shockey? Would they trade with the Eagles for starting CB Lito Sheppard, made available after Philly signed Asante Samuel but who wants a new, big contract? (more…)

Hey everyone, thanks for checking out the new AG blog. We have a classic good news/bad news situation for you. We just talked to our web designer and he’s going to have a brand new, all original AG site for us sometime next week. The good news is that it’ll feature all the same permalink and blog capabilities that WordPress is giving us now—the bad news is that, if you’ve linked to a story here or bookmarked this page, that link is likely not going to go to the new site and may not work once we’ve launched.

We’ll do our best to make the transition as seamless as possible (like providing new links on the stories already posted here), but with that in mind we’re going to refrain from posting any more new or classic stories until the new site’s up. Still look for news, calendar info and random rants in the meantime, though!

We apologize for the confusion—we weren’t expecting a new website any time soon but we feel this will work out well for everyone. Stick with us, please!

In this week’s edition of Pro Football Weekly’s “The Way We Hear It” column, it’s rumored that the Saints are interested in moving up from their no.10 position in this year’s draft. PFW claims the Saints are going after USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (who new Saints D-line coach Ed Orgeron recruited) and think they have to move up to at least no.8 (Baltimore currently holds that spot) to snipe the Cincinnati Bengals, also rumored to be strongly interested in Ellis.

New Orleans radio station 870AM reportedly claimed on yesterday’s SportsTalk that the Saints were interested in moving all the way up to no.2 (St. Louis’ pick). If that’s true, it could mean the Saints are intersted in one player: former LSU Tiger Glenn Dorsey.

Mock drafts almost universally have the Saints (if they stay at no.10) picking either USC’s versatile LB Keith Rivers or one of the top cornerbacks available. The way I see it, if you believe that second year pro Usama Young will step up and newly-signed Randall Gay will shore up our cornerback spots (along with Jason David playing better and Mike McKenzie being able to return from his knee injury), defensive tackle is the glaring hole in our defense. If you can grab one of these two DTs, it immediately gives you a playoff-caliber defense, on paper at least.

Keep in mind that it’s also rumored the Saints are interested in trading for two Pro Bowl-type players: Eagles CB Lito Sheppard (whose want for a new contract might impede things) and Giants TE Jeremy Shockey (the Saints have reportedly already offered NY a second round pick and safety Roman Harper).

Is it possible that the Saints forgo a complete rookie class and exit NFL Draft ‘08 with Dorsey/Ellis, Sheppard and Shockey? It would certainly mean the team feels the Super Bowl window with this squad has a one or two year opening. It’s possible, but it’s definitely going to be an exciting draft.

I was asked by ESPN: The Magazine contributing editor and SMITH founder Larry Smith (publisher of A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge) to contribute a short blurb for the mag’s pre-NFL Draft “Moving Kit,” where they ask players in this year’s draft to list some of the best things about their city. The mag tabbed LSU defensive back Chevis Jackson for his top spots to eat, drink and club, and asked me to name an under-the-radar place to watch a sports game. I came up with the Mid-City Yacht Club, and you can read it on page 63. If you’re an ESPN Insider member, you can view it online, otherwise check it out at a bookstore/magazine rack near you!

Team Worn Again’s second annual fundraiser for Recycle 4 The Arts isn’t until June 27th, but event organizers are calling for artists now! Here are details on what’s going on, provided by Karen Kemph of Recycle 4 The Arts:

WORN AGAIN NOLA II: A recycled fashion show. Designers have 10 days to take a random bag of recycled clothing and materials and create new, original and mind-blowing fashions. Registration ends June 7th; $10 registration fee.

WORN AGAIN JR.: Artists between the ages of 8 and 15 will have an opportunity to take the Worn Again challenge. Recycle 4 The Arts will offer young designers free sewing tutorials leading up to the event. Registration ends May 10th, and class space is limited; $10 registration fee.

THRIFT STORE ART EDIT: Artists have 2 weeks to revamp a random piece of thrift store art. Registration ends June 7th; $5 registration fee.

RECYCLED DANCE COMPETITION: 10 teams with a minimum of 4 members will receive a mystery dance routine and have 3 weeks to learn it before performing at the Worn Again afterparty. Registration ends June 7th; $10 registration fee.

For more information, e-mail Karen Kempf, call 504.945.0240 or visit the Team Worn Again MySpace page.

This interview first appeared in the February ‘07 edition of ANTIGRAVITY. I interviewed Mr. Quintron in the back of the Spellcaster Lodge on January 23rd, 2007 and the day after I returned to take some photos of him in his Marching Band uniform. Quintron rarely does local press, and this interview happened because of a New York writer’s poorly-informed opinion on the Marching Band’s Mardi Gras ‘06 appearances. Quintron wanted to set the record straight, and he was very honest as we talked about the Marching Band in general, post-K New Orleans and the 9th Ward.

*****
To say that Quintron is unlike most New Orleans-based artists would be a grand understatement. His live shows draw quite a crowd, yet he doesn’t overbook himself, which makes his few shows (generally with partner and puppeteer Miss Pussycat) extra special. He’s the odd N.O.-based alt artist who tours successfully, but he maintains an air of credibility in the local scene. (more…)

“Susan,” Dan Bejar sings, “sipping sherry, branded by moonlight’s just a game people are playing tonight. Seriously, terror advances. So…” And with those delicate words of warning minor keys dance some sort of celebration, a paean to loving one another while the world keeps eroding. A soft mountain of synthesizer rises up around Bejar’s craggy voice, which finds its home while groaning amidst the manic drumming and arpeggios, which slide atop one another like so many lizards on a windowpane. (more…)

AG-friend and sponsored program Static Television is looking for an intern. We’re stocked on summer interns (though we are looking for Fall interns—drop us a line if you’re interested in getting college credit for writing and helping us out), so if you or someone you know would like to help film interviews with musicians, check out Static and get in touch with Wesley Swinnen.

The Saints’ ‘08 schedule was officially released today by the NFL. Remember that late season games may be bumped to Sunday Night Football if the NFL and NBC deems it so.

Week 1:

Sunday 9/7: Tampa Bay Bucs @ New Orleans Saints

The Saints open the season in the Superdome for the first time since 2004.

Week 2:

Sunday 9/14: New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins

We get an early look at new Redskins coach Jim Zorn and his retooled offense, notably with QB Jason Campbell and RB Clinton Portis.

Week 3:

Sunday 9/21: New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos

The Saints play the Broncos for the first time since 2004, when Denver won 34-13 at the Superdome. Who will be the Broncos RB? Mike Bell, Selvin Young, Travis Henry or some draft pick Denver coach Mike Shanahan plucks out of this year’s draft?

Week 4:

Sunday 9/28: San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints

This should (emphasis on should) be first “gimme” game of the Saints’ season. The plan will be to stop RB Frank Gore and make the QB (either Alex Smith or Shaun Hill) beat us. New 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz makes a return to the Superdome.
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