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NOLA Life Stories: Dancing The Night Away At The Dew Drop Inn

Marion Post Wolcott
/
Library of Congress

The historic Dew Drop Inn in Central City is in the midst of a revival. For many years it was the hot spot in the Jim Crow South where guests could catch a show, grab a sandwich, spend a night, and even get a haircut.

And it was all because of one man: Frank Painia, a barber by trade who knew how to give people exactly what they wanted. On this edition of Nola Life Stories, we turn to Kenneth Jackson for a remembrance of his grandfather -- the man behind the fabled venue.    

Donations are being accepted to help revive the Dew Drop Inn. This interview was conducted by Mark Cave for the Historic New Orleans Collection.

patsy_vidalia.mp3
Click for another tale from the Dew Drop Inn, this time from one of its most popular emcees named Patsy Vidalia.

Thomas Walsh is an independent radio producer and audio engineer who lives in New Orleans. You'll see him around town recording music, podcasts, short films, live events and radio features. He's practically glued to his headphones. A movie geek to his core, he's seen every film listed on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Movies and would love to talk to you about them.