New Orleans Historic Dew Drop Inn will reopen next year
The Dew Drop Inn along Lasalle Street in Central City was once a nightclub, hotel and barbershop where famed African American musicians were able to make their mark in music from the 1940s through about 1970. After Hurricane Katrina it became inoperative. Developer Curtis Doucette is working to restore the now crumbling building into the hotel and music venue it once was. Thursday there was a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of a new chapter. The historic building once hosted African American musicians during segregation and the Civil Rights era. The venue once hosted artists like Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Deacon John, Ray Charles and Little Richard.Now it’s one step closer to being completely restored. Doucette, the developer said “In an earlier interview someone said ‘no one’s going to come to Lasalle to go to a hotel.’ I said ‘I am crazy enough to think people will come all the way to New Orleans from all around the world to come to the Dew Drop Inn.’ I think it will happen and create more opportunity in this neighborhood.” New Orleans Musician, Deacon John Moore said “I played here. I had one of the hottest bands in town. We were packing all the clubs.”World renown musician Deacon John Moore remembers playing at the venue, and his fondest memories include Frank Painia, who opened the Dew Drop in 1939. “He brought me in his office and said ‘Look, Deacon you do not need all those horns. All you need is a strong tenor man.’ He said ‘you could really be something,'” Moore said.Kelly Lee Blackwell is the daughter of Robert “Bumps” Blackwell. He was a manager and music producer for Little Richard, spending a lot of time at the Dew Drop.She said this will help keep her father’s memory alive. “I am so excited to see this coming back to life and to be a part of it. To make sure “Bumps” is a part of the revitalization. Because he is so much of New Orleans,” Blackwell said.The new development is expected to bring many jobs to the area, and breathe new life to a building that beats in the heart of Central City. “This project will be a catalyst for this neighborhood. As I mentioned, there will be a museum that will celebrate the music and Rock and Roll history. There is a lot more to come on the Lasalle corridor.”The family of Frank Painia was also in attendance. The plan is to revive the building to a 17-room boutique hotel and music venue. The museum will sit adjacent to it. Doucette said the venue should be open for residents by next year.
The Dew Drop Inn along Lasalle Street in Central City was once a nightclub, hotel and barbershop where famed African American musicians were able to make their mark in music from the 1940s through about 1970. After Hurricane Katrina it became inoperative.
Developer Curtis Doucette is working to restore the now crumbling building into the hotel and music venue it once was.
Thursday there was a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of a new chapter. The historic building once hosted African American musicians during segregation and the Civil Rights era.
The venue once hosted artists like Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Deacon John, Ray Charles and Little Richard.
Now it’s one step closer to being completely restored.
Doucette, the developer said “In an earlier interview someone said ‘no one’s going to come to Lasalle to go to a hotel.’ I said ‘I am crazy enough to think people will come all the way to New Orleans from all around the world to come to the Dew Drop Inn.’ I think it will happen and create more opportunity in this neighborhood.”
New Orleans Musician, Deacon John Moore said “I played here. I had one of the hottest bands in town. We were packing all the clubs.”
World renown musician Deacon John Moore remembers playing at the venue, and his fondest memories include Frank Painia, who opened the Dew Drop in 1939.
“He brought me in his office and said ‘Look, Deacon you do not need all those horns. All you need is a strong tenor man.’ He said ‘you could really be something,'” Moore said.
Kelly Lee Blackwell is the daughter of Robert “Bumps” Blackwell. He was a manager and music producer for Little Richard, spending a lot of time at the Dew Drop.
She said this will help keep her father’s memory alive.
“I am so excited to see this coming back to life and to be a part of it. To make sure “Bumps” is a part of the revitalization. Because he is so much of New Orleans,” Blackwell said.
The new development is expected to bring many jobs to the area, and breathe new life to a building that beats in the heart of Central City.
“This project will be a catalyst for this neighborhood. As I mentioned, there will be a museum that will celebrate the music and Rock and Roll history. There is a lot more to come on the Lasalle corridor.”
The family of Frank Painia was also in attendance.
The plan is to revive the building to a 17-room boutique hotel and music venue. The museum will sit adjacent to it.
Doucette said the venue should be open for residents by next year.
