Tipitina's began as a neighborhood juke joint, established in 1977, by a group of young music fans (The Fabulous Fo'teen) to provide a place for Professor Longhair to perform in his final years. The venue, named for one of Longhair's most enigmatic recordings "Tipitina," has survived in an ever-changing musical climate despite changing ownership and briefly closing in 1984. In the past 25 years, Tipitina's has grown from a small, neighborhood bar into an international music icon. The venue has expanded into a two-story, 1,000 capacity music venue located at the famed corner of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas. Tipitina's now has resources such as a web site, recording studio, record label, and a dynamic special events department.

Tipitina's has always celebrated and supported New Orleans music and culture through a variety of community-based projects including:

• Instruments A' Comin': An all-star benefit concert, auction, and cultural fair held the Monday between JazzFest weekends since 2002 which purchases band instruments for New Orleans public schools. Including 2005, the program has placed a quarter million dollars worth of new, high-quality band instruments into 11 schools in need.

• Tipitina's Internship Program: An immersive, year-long program that places the most motivated, talented student musicians into the heart of the music industry. They learn the essentials of music professionalism, along with the fundamentals of recording, manufacturing, merchandising, marketing, live sound, and other career survival skills.

•Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op: A do-it-yourself business incubator for musicians, filmmakers, and other digital media professionals. Technology access, training, business mentoring, tech support, and production assistance are just a few of the benefits offered to Co-Op members. Now open in New Orleans and Shreveport; coming soon to Alexandria, Baton Rouge and other cities throughout Louisiana.

• Tipitina's 8th Floor Studios: A fully equipped Macintosh Pro Tools audio recording facility, featuring a Yamaha 02R console and beaucoup plug-ins, great mics, large live room, comfortable control room, a complete CD/DVD duplication and packaging facility, plus kitchen, shower, and more.

• Fountainebleau Rehearsal Facility: A 80-room rehearsal facility providing a place for emerging and established talent to hone their craft.

• Tipitina's Walk of Fame: Honoring past and present New Orleans music legends illuminated on the sidewalk beside the club.

• Homegrown Night: A forum for emerging talent on Tuesday nights. Bands earn opening or headlining spots for other prime nights based on attendance.

• Sunday Cajun Fais Do Do: This Cajun dance party is 14 years and running. Hosted by the Bruce Daigrepont Band, celebrating the rich Acadian culture of western Louisiana.

Many of the Crescent City's most beloved artists developed and continue to grace the stage at Tipitina's including Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, the Meters, Cowboy Mouth, the Radiators, Galactic, and Better Than Ezra. Tipitina's has been fortunate over its history to host national artists including Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Lenny Kravitz, Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, Widespread Panic, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tim McGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Parliament Funkadelic, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and Medeski, Martin & Wood. Many historic live recordings were made at Tipitina's by artists like the Neville Brothers, Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth, Galactic, and others. As a timeless musical institution, Tipitina's has promoted unforgettable music over its rich history and will continue to well into the future.

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I've been to Tipitina's in New Orleans several times to see the Radiators and the Neville Brothers and believe me it's a world class experience!

Steve Turner-Editor
The Macon Daily