The Goodnight Show with John Calhoun

Editor’s Note: It’s time to get talking again, and we are talking about The Goodnight Show with John Calhoun. On Wednesday, January 11, 2017, John Calhoun will be taking the stage with Anne Rolfes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, an environmental health and justice organization; ethnomusicologist Nick Spitzer, host of the weekly public radio program American Routes; and musical guest, fiddle and accordion player Cedric Watson, known for his old-school zydeco styles, original material, and Creole traditionals. Tickets are $10, the show begins at 8:00 p.m. at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude). To get you ready for the show, here is Sharon Litwin’s interview with John Calhoun.

To hear Sharon Litwin’s interview with John Calhoun on WWNO-FM radio, click here.

John Calhoun (Photo provide by: John Calhoun)

You know that Peter Allen song, “Everything old is new again”? Well, that’s certainly true of the latest New Orleans performing arts presentation, in which New Orleanians look at their favorite subject: New Orleanians.

The Goodnight Show with John Calhoun, emulating what its namesake producer/host and emcee says is the 50-year American tradition of late-night talk shows, is gaining increasing local audiences, drawn, as they are, to its fast-paced, entertaining 90-minute program featuring New Orleanians talking about — you got it — New Orleanians.

“The Goodnight Show with John Calhoun is definitely modeled on all those familiar late-night talk show formats like Johnny Carson and David Letterman,” Calhoun says. “But ours is unique, in that it features the talent and culture of New Orleans.”

Taking place monthly at Café Istanbul in the Healing Center on St. Claude Avenue, the Goodnight Show with John Calhoun has morphed into a huge production. There’s a house band led by drummer Steve Walkup, actors Jon Mayhue and Kate Becker doing the skits, a head writer, stage manager and videographers, even an original theme song.

Actor/announcer Ben Ellis introduces John Calhoun, although he refrains from saying “Heeeeere’s Johnny.” Then Calhoun, all dressed up in a suit, with his hair slicked back, comes on stage, acknowledges the applause and sits down behind his borrowed-for-the-night desk. He jokes his way though an opening monologue before turning to introduce his guests seated on a similarly borrowed-for-the-night interview couch.

This is not satire. It’s very much the reflection of John Calhoun’s love for New Orleans.

“I really consider this city to be a magic place,” he says. “For me, this is an opportunity to introduce some New Orleans artists to a new audience.”

So guests might range from a representative of the late, lamented Hubig Pie Company to the creator of a new Mardi Gras Indian tribe for youth to the one-and-only Mr. Okra. There’s always an invited musician who not only performs, but also stays for an interview. And Calhoun is particularly proud of the show’s sponsor commercials, which are presented live on stage and are, he says, “hilarious.”

On Wednesday, January 11, 2017, John Calhoun will be taking the stage with Anne Rolfes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, an environmental health and justice organization; ethnomusicologist Nick Spitzer, host of the weekly public radio program American Routes; and musical guest, fiddle and accordion player Cedric Watson, known for his old-school zydeco styles, original material, and Creole traditionals. Tickets are $10, the show begins at 8:00 p.m. at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude).