This story originally appeared in ANTIGRAVITY Vol.5 Issue 1 (November 2007).

The Baddest Brush in Town, Part I:

Who is Winning the Color Wars in New Orleans?

by Sara Pic, with Dan Fox

The art-crime of graffiti is probably one of the least understood phenomena of modern urban existence. Are these inscriptions a public nuisance, a symbol of crime, a primeval marking of territory by criminals, or simply free speech in its essence? Who are these nocturnal prowlers dotting the New Orleans landscape with handles like “Goose,” “Nobel,” “Spin,” “Giser” and such? Are these Crips carving out their piece of the city or backpacker-hip-hop kids simply carrying forward a tradition that’s pushing four decades? Are they gangsters—or the next Basquiat? And what’s the difference between them and the campaign workers, bands, show promoters, yoga instructors, contractors, and countless others who take to our public visual space and claim some of it for their cause, whatever it is? To one man, there is no difference. And that man is Fred Radtke.

What is Radtke’s mission, exactly? Is it, as he has claimed in past stories and news reports, to help rid New Orleans of crime by painting over graffiti? Or is it to make himself famous by marking the city with his infamous gray blocks? (more…)

If you’re a fan of the JazzFest atmosphere but dislike the obnoxiously huge crowds and prices, head to the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo this Friday night and Saturday for an equally good time at a drastically reduced cost—free. The third year of the locally produced festival sees it expanded to include a Friday evening lineup and a Saturday schedule with headliners like Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, DJ T-Roy, Otra, Kevin O’Day Hip-Hop Alive and more spread over three stages.

The best thing about the Boogaloo is that you can celebrate while giving back to the Mid-City neighborhood. The Mothership Foundation has given parts of the proceeds of past Boogaloos to neighborhood associations and helped with the Mid-City library, and this year’s goal is to help rebuild the playground along S. Jeff Davis.

Friday’s lineup starts at 5pm and Saturday is kicked off at 9am, so bring your chairs and gear, but please, no ice chests—vendor revenue helps keep the Boogaloo free to the public and you want to support local businesses anyway, right?

Today is Free Comic Book Day! Local stores have FCBD activities going on all day, including sales and signings, and you can grab a pretty good assortment of special free comics.

If you’re in Metairie, head over to Media Underground Comics (524 Shores Dr., Suite 13, basically W. Esplanade and Clearview) from 11am-7pm.

If you’re in New Orleans, head over to More Fun Comics (8200 Oak St., next to Z’otz) from 11-6, where you’ll have the added bonus of seeing Gabe Soria sign copies of Life Sucks beginning at 2pm. You can can read AG’s interview with Gabe and find out more about Life Sucks here.

You can see the selection of Free Comic Book Day books here.

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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