Howie Kaplan Reflects on One Year as New Orleans’ “Night Mayor”

WWNO.ORG | Louisiana Considered

by Diane Mack, Alana Schreiber

November 21, 2023

A year ago, Mayor LaToya Cantrell appointed Howie Kaplan—owner of The Howlin’ Wolf and manager of the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band—to lead the city’s newly created Office of Nighttime Economy.

The goal? Strengthen New Orleans’ cultural and nightlife industries while ensuring the people who power them—musicians, venues, restaurants, and hospitality workers—have a seat at the table.

Recently, Howie joined Louisiana Considered to look back on his first year as “night mayor,” sharing both the challenges and wins of the role, as well as what’s ahead.

A Year of Listening and Building

In his first year, Howie has spent countless hours meeting with musicians, venue owners, city officials, and neighborhood groups to understand the full scope of New Orleans’ nighttime economy. It’s been about bridging gaps, creating policy conversations that include cultural stakeholders, and finding ways for nightlife to coexist with community needs.

The Challenges Ahead

From balancing noise ordinances and residential concerns to navigating the complex web of city agencies, Howie admits the work is far from simple. But his focus remains clear: keep New Orleans’ nightlife vibrant while making it sustainable for the people who depend on it for their livelihoods.

What’s Next for the Office of Nighttime Economy

Looking ahead, Howie plans to push forward initiatives that make it easier for artists and venues to thrive—whether that’s improving permitting processes, advocating for fair performance rights practices, or finding creative solutions for event safety and accessibility.

As he puts it: “This office exists to make sure the cultural economy is recognized as a major economic driver. The music, the food, the people—this is what makes New Orleans special, and we have to protect it.”

You can hear the full conversation with Howie Kaplan on Louisiana Considered—available in the audio file below. Click play to list.

Louisiana Considered Podcast WWNO Howie Kaplan Interview

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