“Hello me, it’s me again” –Dave Mustaine
You’ve been hearing from me plenty these past seven-plus years, so I don’t think an introduction is quite necessary, but just in case: Hi, my name is Dan. I am your new Editor in Chief of this great big newspaper you hold in your hands, known throughout the land as ANTIGRAVITY magazine. It’s really an honor and a big gulp of responsibility that Leo has handed over to me and I want to thank him for putting up with my crap for so many years. I remember a warm, pre-Katrina night hanging out with Leo at Molly’s when I first offered to write for this magazine, and it’s been a labor of love ever since. Emphasis on labor.
As we’ve pointed out to you in the past, there’s more than a few of us who, every month, somehow carve out the time from our hectic lives to deliver to you, the great city of New Orleans, some of the things that make us smile, hug our hearts and fill our minds with all kinds of wonder. This month was no exception, as the two-headed monster of Mardi Gras and flu season wreaked havoc on our staff. But guess what? We all fought through it and I’m really proud of our contributors for making it to the finish line. Good hustle, ladies and gents. First, let me welcome back my longtime friend Sara Pic, who takes us behind the curtain of New Orleans’ first oversized puppet festival. It’s such a treat to share a byline with someone I’ve known so well for almost 20 years. And I hope you enjoy those pics as much as I did taking them.
Something else you might notice as you flip through these pages is a bit of a face-lift. I have another old friend to thank for that, our new art director Kevin Barrios. I met Kevin sometime late in the last millennium when we were both students at NOCCA together. He gave me a Screeching Weasel mix tape and asked if I wanted to go skateboarding on the Westbank with some of his crazy friends, and the rest, as they say… He’ll be bringing his keen design talents to these pages and I hope your eyes enjoy that. Rounding out the cast of miscreants and degenerates that I’ve recruited from deep in the past is the author of our newest comic “Dirtfarm,” Ben Claassen. I’ve known Ben since the days of braces and I’m pretty sure the first band I was ever in was with him. We were called the Quitters– classic! You may have also noticed, starting last month, some new blood in the columns section. Eric “E Willy P” Pierson has been a lively force since his days in Dulac Swade, though you probably know him best as Imagine “the” Band. He also happens to be a pretty sharp guy and he’ll be keeping us current on all things web, tech and politics-related… or whatever pops into that manic brain of his. Also joining us is Emily McWilliams, who is going to set us straight on healthy treatment for our pet friends every month. I know with my two brats (pictured above), I’ll be followingt it religiously.
But let’s not forget about some of our more seasoned veterans, like Derek Zimmer, who despite being at the bottom of a psychic well this month, cranked out a somber tale of Mardi Gras. I can’t say enough about how dedicated and passionate this young lad is to his writing and it shows. Columnist Graham Greenleaf brings us the awesome story of DJ Yamin, who is bringing DJ artistry to the classroom. And I gotta say– like Michael Patrick Welch’s first look at LuckyLou– it’s refreshing to see some people out there doing the right thing and giving back. We artists are too often trapped inside our own heads, pursuing some kind of twisted path that only we can see, and it leaves us little time to consider the outside world. I know I’m guilty of it from time to time. I’d also like to send a special shout out to Erin Hall, who works tirelessly on our reviews section, when she’s not fighting publicists and slinging issues around mid-city (no glory in management here at AG!). Her “promotion” to associate editor means, of course, a lot more work and responsibility for her, and all under the metal fist of my newly acquired tyranny (Let’s just say Leo was the “good” cop!).
Well, gosh, there are just so many more people to thank, I don’t know where to begin (cue “wrap it up” music), so I’ll have to leave it with you for now. Really, it’s just another Spring in the beautiful city of New Orleans and this issue is a great snapshot of what’s in store for you. As for me, it’s time to unglue my face from the computer and take these dogs to the park! –Dan Fox, Editor in Chief
