Letter from Levon Helm

Open Invitation to Party in New Orleans

As you probably know, our group, "Levon and the Hawks" was playing at a great old night club at the Jersey Shore, "Tony Mart's," in August of 1965 when we actually got "the call" from Bob Dylan who invited us to join him in New York.

Well, as they say, the rest became history; however, now I'm really excited about making more history at our own live music venue and supper club open year round at a great location in New Orleans' French Quarter. The cafe will be a two story 9,000 square foot club fit snugly into the first and second floors of a historic building at the corner of Bienville and Decatur streets. The "feel" of the cafe will combine the sultry excitement of a night at the Jersey Shore with the intimacy of our classic French Quarter building near the banks of the Mississippi.

Let the Good Times Roll! Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!

The decor will feature photographs, memorabilia and collectibles celebrating our careers as popular musicians who were fortunate enough to share in bringing the roots of the Mississippi Delta to the rest of the world.

The creation of this musical supper club is especially fulfilling in a karmic sense, for both me and my primary partner, Carmen Marotta, Tony Mart's son, who was only nine years old when we played at his father's nightclub.

Because we have been so blessed and privileged to spend our lives playing and enjoying the music we love so much, I am really looking forward to having our own place where New Orleans' musicians, visiting guest stars and all our great fellow musicians can enjoy performing the music that they most want to share with the fans and enthusiasts who seek real roots music, New Orleans' famous food and good times.

So naturally, I know that we are destined to have a cozy place with an extremely comfortable and inviting atmosphere for all of us; a place where our fans and friends can have dinner together; where great musicians can jam together and try new material and different arrangements before a small audience of about 700 fans in our own club; and most importantly, a place where we can have benefits and raise funds for the older musicians and many of the great performers who need a helping hand.

Another of our primary missions will be to provide a superb opportunity for the many phenomenal New Orleans musicians and performers who need to expose their great talents to the rest of the musical community and audiences throughout the world.

We'll ALL have a little swamp water in our veins!

In addition to the two story supper club with balcony, restaurant, cabaret seating and dance floor, our building also contains several apartments, offices and facilities, as well as a gorgeous rooftop patio with a magnificent view of the "Crescent Turn" in the Mississippi River which provides a dramatic backdrop for any type of video or filming.

So this is really an invitation for you to come and party with us and share our New Orleans experience with great Blues, New Orleans Jazz, R & B. Funk, Classic Rock and Country Music which will be performed in our intimate supper club with subtle, theatrical lighting and excellent sound reinforcement.

The club will be a perfect location for videos and movies. And of course w'll have the very best of New Orleans' renowned musicians and arrangers working with us.

I hope you'll want to join us and celebrate! Life is a Carnival!

For more information, reservations or tickets call (504) 522-5907 or e-mail to LEVONSCAFE@aol.com.

In addition to you personally visiting us, we would really appreciate your contribution of photo's, memorabilia, or any item which reflects, depicts or symbolizes the times and performances we have shared. This place is about US!! We want those momentous on the walls of the place where great new memories will be created.

Looking forward to being with you again and sharing the magic and the music one more time!

-- Levon Helm