There were a lot of tragedies that we will all remember from COVID, mostly the deaths and sickness. Small businesses, although many did receive some kind of government dollars at some point, were also affected a lot.
And among those situations in Slidell was the loss of the best place to dance in our town. It was a spot on Military Road called Speckled T’s, founded and owned by the local business couple, Delena and Scott Esteve, who still operate Camellia Café on Hwy. 190.
Speckled T’s had a live band every Friday and Saturday night, and I mean it was some of the best bands in the region. It was obvious how much people like to dance since the place was packed every weekend, and it was a spot my wife and I loved to go as well.
Since then, my wife and I have frequently lamented the fact there is no really good place in Slidell to go dance. You have to go to Mandeville or Covington, or the Gulf Coast casinos where they do have frequent bands. The Silver Slipper always has dancing in the back with a nice spot, as do many of the casinos in Biloxi.
But, I have a bit of good news.
While we may not have anywhere in Slidell that I know of to bring in the top bands like Witness and others, I have been hearing about a few places that at least offer a neat little dance floor—if you are really dying to find a spot to dance.
Rania Alabsa is the owner of one of our newest restaurants in town, Sedra Bistro, which is located on Robert Boulevard where the much longer past Doug’s Restaurant used to be.
Rania is not only a super nice owner/operator who has brought in a great menu of food that is quickly building a strong reputation, but she has live music on Friday night and has made a small dance floor.
There are a few other places that have small dance floors in Slidell as well, such as Electric Avenue and Brass Monkey in Olde Towne, not to mention Jeremy Reilly’s Maple Lounge and Restaurant Cote, where he brings in live bands once in a while. I’m sure I am missing a few others so let me know and I’ll tell the folks about them, but my friend Buddy Wilcox, owner of East Gause Tire, mentioned to me recently that he and his wife Sue went to Sedra Bistro and were surprised, and pleased, to see the dance floor getting plenty of attention.
Olde Towne Live on Carey Street is a newer place in Slidell that has recently opened, and I am hearing it might finally be the place to go for full-blown live bands. I’m about to visit the owners there and will bring you a review, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that they do well, and we get our Speckled T’s back once again.
Watch The Independent for a story about Olde Towne Live and what I hope to be a very positive report on what they are offering.
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I was shocked and saddened to recently hear about the passing of a very good friend in Slidell whom many of you know.
Martin Bruno was the Slidell City Planner some years ago during the Mayor Sam Caruso era, and while I never knew him that well long ago, I got to become friends with him and his wife Eileen after I started The Slidell Independent.
Martin and Eileen began showing up at all kinds of local business functions and charity events, and we got friendly as we began to talk a lot about the paper. Quite honestly, they seemed like some of the biggest Slidell Independent fans ever, so naturally, I loved them!
But seriously, I always saw the two a bit like my wife and me. They had been married for 55 years before the tragic automobile accident a few weeks ago that took Martin’s life and had Eileen in serious condition in the hospital.
The thing I loved about seeing them was the way they appeared so happy to always be together.
Here was a couple, married for over 50 years, who were always smiling and laughing. Martin had plenty of witty remarks for me every time we talked, and I liked the way he was so up to date on the local news. It gave us a lot to talk about.
If you wanted to see an example of a couple that was still very much in love after so many years, and clearly loved being together, that is what I saw in them. Every time we ran into each other at a local function I always had to stop and talk since they were so friendly and had something positive to say about the paper, and about Slidell.
I still feel sad to think about what happened. Eileen, I am so sorry you have had to endure this tragedy and send my condolences and prayers to you for a complete recovery. Martin really was a guy I considered to have become a true friend and I know I will be among many to miss him.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.