Media Contact:
Emily Reimsnyder
Bond Moroch
Emilyr@bondmoroch.com
504.613.0005
New Orleans, La. (December 14, 2016)- The historic Carver Theater is excited to announce its initial 2017 music programming schedule, centered around the debut of a weekly jazz, brass and blues music series. Following an $8 million renovation with modern technology enhancements, new internal team additions and future renovation plans, the Carver Theater is set to be New Orleans' premiere live music venue showcasing the Tremé's vibrant music scene and featuring the city's best jazz, big band, blues, brass and more.
The 16,000-square foot music and entertainment venue is located in the heart of the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, boasting a unique combination of history, character and state-of-the-art sound and lighting, creating a firstclass musical experience.
"The Carver Theater is the perfect recipe for success," says Chris Ritter, General Manager of the Carver, who previously ran one of Chicago's most accomplished music and comedy venues, The Lakeshore Theater. "The rich history of the Tremé as the birthplace of jazz combined with the historical significance of the venue, the wealth of musical talent in New Orleans and our amazing sound system make for an unbeatable combination. We're excited to debut our 2017 programming."
Carver's recent addition of production partner Raven PMG has upgraded theater production quality with considerable moving light fixtures and sound equipment augmentation added to the venue, providing a more dynamic and exciting concert experience. Additional video production capabilities are now being utilized which allows in-house live streaming, broadcast and recording capabilities for both internal and external teams. The main hall and large DJ booth feature sound equipment by Yamaha, Tascam, Furman, Audix and Shure.
Recent updates to the venue have allowed the creation of over 40 jobs, replacing show-to-show contract workers with in-house security, box office assistants, bartenders, bar backs, cocktail servers and parking attendants as well as a management team of bar manager, building manager and box office manager.
The Carver Theater's initial 2017 music programming schedule features $10 weekday music series-Monday Blues,
Wednesday Jazz and Thursday Brass- with food trucks including Dat Dog, craft beer by Carver's Featured Craft Beer
Partner, Urban South Brewery, and the best local live music. Carver also invites guests to the theater during Carver's Free Saturdays-held the first five Saturdays of the New Year and free to the public. Under the direction of general manager Chris Ritter, talent buyer Davis Rogan and consultant Adam Shipley of Hep Cat Entertainment, the theater will continue to add a variety of local, regional and national touring acts.
Tickets for the below music shows go on-sale Friday, December 16 at 10:00 am CT at www.carvertheater.org, www.ticketweb.com or at the Carver Theater Box Office (open 10-6, M-F).
Special thanks to our current music series media partners: Urban South Brewery and Dat Dog.
Monday Night Blues Series: 7 doors, 8 show
1.9.17 LA Harmonica Players Tribute to Little Walter
1.16.17 Little Freddy King
1.23.17 Ladies of the Blues
1.30.17 Papa Mali with Blues Guitar Heroes
Mid-Week Jazz Series (Wednesday): 7 doors, 8 show
1.11.17 Aurora Nealand & Royal Roses
1.18.17 Panorama Jazz Band
1.25.17 Snake & the Charmers
2.1.17 Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band
2.8.17 Aurora Nealand & Royal Roses
2.15.17 Snake & the Charmers #ThirstyThursDAT Brass Series: 7 doors/8 show
Featuring Dat Dog Food Truck, Drink Specials & More!
1.12.17 Young PinStripe Brass Band
1.26.17 TBC Brass Band
2.2.17 Young PinStripe Brass Band
2.9.17 Free Agents Brass Band
2.16.17 TBC Brass Band
Saturday Showcase #AtTheCarver: 9 doors/10 show FREE cover for attending guests!
*This will run for the first five Saturdays of 2017*
1.7.17 Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes w/Waterseed
01.14.17 The Revealers with The Brass-A-Holics
2.4.17 Darcy Malone & the Tangle with The Dana Abbott Band
Additional Carver Theater Show Dates: (Show times vary)
1.13.17 Grand Hotel Burlesque
1.27.17 Ooh Pooh Pah Doo Presents: JamFest
2.17.17 Donnie Ray
2.25.17 EDM Night, Artists TBD
3.31.17 Honey Island Swamp Band and Dave Jordan and the NIA
As Carver Theater's Featured Craft Beer Partner, Urban South Brewery will provide its top selling brew, Holy-Roller IPA, on tap at all indoor bars of the theater, along with a variety of Urban South canned beers for purchase. Urban South will be Carver's only tap selection in the upstairs VIP Lounge, which holds 120 guests and features a large private lounge area, full-service bar and three main stage balcony viewing areas. Visiting Carver guests in January will have a chance to win a VIP Experience for 10 friends by posting an Instagram at the theater with a Holy-Roller IPA, including the hashtags #GetYourRollOn #AtTheCarver and stating why you want to win an Urban South VIP Upgrade.
WHAT'S NEW at the Carver? Carver's enhanced features include:
- 16,000 SQUARE FEET VENUE
The venue includes an open first floor with fully-equipped stage area and bar, along with a second floor expanded VIP area, bar and viewing balconies. Numerous cosmetic/functional/safety improvements were made to the location, improving customer experience. Multiple viewing screens were added throughout the theater (inside VIP Lounge, by the bar, etc.) to allow live streamed show views from every location). In-house box office operations were established to provide better customer service. The artist greenroom was completely renovated and remodeled for improved artist experience.
- ENHANCED SOUND AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Carver Theater brought on Raven PMG to serve as production manager for all events, immediately improving theater production quality. Over $140,000 of moving light fixtures was added inside the venue, providing a more dynamic and exciting concert experience. The existing sound system was augmented to ensure it is one of the best in the state. The main hall and large DJ booth feature sound equipment by Yamaha, Tascam, Furman, Audix and Shure.
- OFF-STREET PARKING
The Carver Theater has multiple off-street parking lots assuring secure and convenient parking for all guests. Valet parking is also available for the majority of events for an additional charge.
- VIP LOUNGE
Fully-renovated this month, Carver's second floor VIP Lounge provides a space for up to 120 guests to enjoy an exquisite view of the theater with multiple stage-viewing balconies, private bar, and VIP lounge area (opportunities for private music are also available in the VIP Lounge). The VIP Lounge can also be used for intimate shows and events- music bookings, comedy shows, community socials or happy hours.
A grand piano and a PA system was added to the VIP Lounge for solo musicians or small groups to provide a more intimate concert experience. Two upstairs follow-spot booths were converted to VIP stage viewing booths, effectively tripling balcony viewing capacity and providing a luxury concert-going experience for patrons.
- LOCATED ONE MILE FROM THE FRENCH QUARTER/FRENCHMAN STREET
The Carver Theater is located just one mile from New Orleans' historic French Quarter and Frenchman Street, featuring the city's top restaurants, bars, historic sites and well-known music venues. Carver Theater provides a close alternative for those seeking live entertainment with more parking and indoor venue space for patrons.
THE FUTURE of the Carver-Here's what's coming up at the Carver:
- NEW COMMERCE
The Carver Theater has plans to bring additional new commerce to the Tremé, utilizing its additional surrounding properties as destination endeavors-including restaurants, coffee shops, music clubs and art galleries- to raise the profile of Orleans Ave. as a destination and a safe, customer-friendly alternative to Frenchman and Bourbon Street.
- THE CARVER FOUNDATION
Carver Theater has future plans to launch its own 501(c)-3, the Carver Foundation, to provide educational, performance and entertainment opportunities to the youth of Tremé.
- ADDED PARKING
The Carver Theater is continuing to improve the guest experience by paving new parking lots, adding covered parking and adding LED lighting to all parking locations to increase parking capacity and provide safe parking spaces for Carver guests.
- EXPANDED PROGRAMMING
With the theater's new surrounding parking space and interior expansion, Carver has future plans to expand its programming to include annual street festivals, long-running musical productions and additional touring productions to accommodate a wide variety of local, regional and national audiences.
For more information on the Carver Theater, please visit www.CarverTheater.Org.
About the Carver Theater
Named after George Washington Carver, the Carver Theater was built in 1950 in the New Orleans historic neighborhood of Tremé. At the time, the Carver was considered state-of-the-art and hailed as America's finest theater for African American patrons. In 2006, the theater suffered extensive damage from the devastating Hurricane Katrina. Following an $8 million renovation, Carver was able to be restored to its original glory and reopened in 2014. The theater is included on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts a unique combination of history, character and high-tech, modern amenities suitable for all audiences during any occasion.
Follow us on Facebook! www.Facebook.com/CarverTheater
Follow us on Instagram! www.Instagram.com/HistoricCarver
About Raven PMG
Raven PMG is capable of providing all types of event services, from conceptual to realization. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, this quickly-growing team has provided immersive experiences for organizations in every corner of the entertainment industry from professional sports teams and touring artists to nationally recognized music festivals, brands and venues. Raven PMG seeks to create memorable experiences at events through the combination of avant-garde technology with tired-and-true methods and superior quality craftsmanship.
Special thanks to our partners: Urban South Brewery and Dat Dog