PRJC FREE Zoom Jazz Talk: Donna's Bar & Grill New Orleans w/Dr. Donna!

PLEASE NOTE: RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR THIS EVENT! YOU MUST REGISTER USING THIS LINK BY 5 PM ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT TO RECEIVE THE LOGIN INFORMATION TO ATTEND THE EVENT!

Donna's Bar & Grill was a "Brass Band Headquarters" and a fixture in the French Quarter music scene. Hear more about it from Donna herself!

We welcome Dr. Donna Poniatowski Sims, who will be discussing her book, Donna's Bar & Grill New Orleans. The book contains first person narratives that bring stories of the “Brass Band Headquarters” to life through the sharing of memories and memorabilia. Extensive photographs and taped interviews of the musicians and patrons of the iconic French Quarter music venue are the foundation of the author’s articulation of the club’s influence on the evolution and promotion of brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians into New Orleans club venues in the 1990s and early 21st century.

At the time of this writing, many have achieved fame and recognition on the national and international stage as well. Also included is the history of the many New Orleans artists whose musical careers began in a brass band and morphed into straight-ahead jazz (bebop) and/or classical or other genres such as Zydeco and Blues/Rhythm and Blues. This book, a personal form of documentation about a real place and its events, contributes a memorable perspective to the cultural history of the remarkably unique New Orleans style of music which has influenced other musicians and composers around the world.

Dr. Donna Poniatowski Sims, educator (K-12 and university level), and her husband, Chef Charlie Sims, were restaurateurs and owners of the music club, Donna’s Bar and Grill (which was noted for playing brass bands), and located at 800 N. Rampart for almost 18 years (1993-2010). Donna already knew many of the jazz musicians from her previous restaurant/music club, Janek’s, at 711 Bourbon which she co-owned from 1976-1980 with her first husband, John Poniatowski (deceased-1991). Donna has also been published as a photographer and has written numerous curricula for educational purposes. Charlie was the chef for Donna’s Bar and Grill and Head Chef for Amtrak’s “City of New Orleans.”

Registration required by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time the day of the presentation to receive the Zoom link.

The PRJC has been bringing trad jazz and swing music to the DC area for 52 years in the way of concerts, jams, and talks. Our Jazz Talk series centers around early jazz topics and features top musicians and historians. As these are all hosted on Zoom, you can enjoy them wherever you are.

The PRJC began its Jazz Talk series during the pandemic shutdown as a way to support musicians who were less able to work. The series has blossomed into an ongoing project featuring speakers from across the country focusing on trad jazz and swing topics.

You can support the PRJC or our Educational Talks and Concerts with a donation using the Paypal link.

More info is on the Events page of the PRJC web site.

Video recording of the event will be posted on the PRJC YouTube channel after it is completed.

PRJC’s programs are supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.