Gambit

AG Liz Murril Photo by John Bal / The Times-Picayune Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is reportedly under grand jury investigation for allegedly attempting to intimidate New Orleans city officials including Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams and members of the City Council this spring when she threatened to use a Reconstruction-era law to oust them from office.

Leslie Roark Scott and Jacob Scott Provided photo by Kim Raff Jacob Roark Scott grew up in the barbecue business in Yazoo City, Mississippi. His family sold barbecue sauce for generations and ran Ubons BBQ restaurant, and they also competed in barbecue competitions like Memphis in May. Scott recently graduated from the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, and his family now lives in New Orleans.

Victoria Melgar and her daughter Laura Bueso opened Barrio Bites. Photo by Maddie Spinner / Gambit Victoria Melgar never intended to be a baker. But after opening Barrio Bites in Mid-City in April with her daughter, pastry chef Laura Bueso, she’s back in the kitchen. The road to opening the restaurant — which serves croissants, sandwiches, desserts and more — has been full of twists and turns.

Victoria Melgar and her daughter Laura Bueso opened Barrio Bites. Photo by Maddie Spinner / Gambit Victoria Melgar never intended to be a baker. But after opening Barrio Bites in Mid-City in April with her daughter, pastry chef Laura Bueso, she’s back in the kitchen. The road to opening the restaurant — which serves croissants, sandwiches, desserts and more — has been full of twists and turns.

VIDEO 50 years after the Parliament-Funkadelic Mothership first landed, George Clinton returns to New Orleans during the Essence Festival of Culture to celebrate one of funk's most iconic symbols. Jake Clapp spoke with Clinton and Mothership designer Vivian Scott Chew to discuss the spacecraft's legacy, its return and the lasting impact of Parliament-Funkadelic. Plus, Ivan Neville shares his memories of the Mothership and what the anniversary means to him.

VIDEO 50 years after the Parliament-Funkadelic Mothership first landed, George Clinton returns to New Orleans during the Essence Festival of Culture to celebrate one of funk's most iconic symbols. Jake Clapp spoke with Clinton and Mothership designer Vivian Scott Chew to discuss the spacecraft's legacy, its return and the lasting impact of Parliament-Funkadelic. Plus, Ivan Neville shares his memories of the Mothership and what the anniversary means to him.

Jazmyn W Photo provided by Jazmyn W It may have been fitting that Jazmyn W did her first open mic at a venue that served as a laundromat, coffeeshop and nightly comedy spot. She was moonlighting at the time, pursing different careers by day and night. Jazmyn W, shortened from Washington, had moved with her then-husband to San Francisco to pursue their respective careers. She had a high-paying day job in human resources. As it turned out, someone from her company saw her perform at the BrainWash.

New Orleans-born keys player, vocalist and Dumpstaphunk leader Ivan Neville was 17 in October 1976 when he and his friends made it to the Municipal Auditorium to see George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. He remembers there was some buzz around the show that there could be something unique coming up, but it was a surprise to the packed venue when P-Funk debuted the iconic Mothership — a spaceship from which Clinton would emerge as his alter-ego Dr. Funkenstein — for the first time.

Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com. Go 4th on the River The annual Independence Day celebration is bigger this year with the commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday. There are fireworks over the Mississippi River at the French Quarter at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, and highlights include synchronized comet tails in red, white and blue with long trails of sparkles. The spectacle also includes the Gen. Roy S.

While the Caesars Superdome will be busy at night with performances by Cardi B, Brandy & Monica, Patti LaBelle and a talk with former First Lady Michelle Obama, the evening concert series is only part of Essence Fest weekend. There’s a lot happening during the day over at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Essence Fest hosts a number of “experiences” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, inside the convention center.