Email Report from Rebecca Barry

John,

I just played a great gig at the Bank Street bar. No electricity, just candle light. A generator provided power for the band. The band and the audience were more grateful than ever.  No one will forget the night.

The two grocery stores open now stay open til 8:00 p.m. A few more stores and restaurants have opened since we last talked. There is still a curfew which is killing the bar and entertainment business.         

I would have e-mailed you sooner but I was in bed for four days with a viral lung infection. They say the infection was caused by the mold I cleaned out of my house. They are saying there are still some areas that are toxic. I am wondering if staying here is harming my health. I have had a cough for a month now. In some places there are huge piles of garbage and refrigerators everywhere outside                                                                                                  
Gigs are still scarce. I lost my steady jazz gig at Landry's Seafood house.  It will hopefully start back in February. For now it is a solo guitar.  I will hopefully be in France for January. If it goes through many New Orleans jazz musicians will be spread all over France to teach and play. Housing is the main issue for most locals. Musicians who want to move back cannot find a places to live. With gigs now paying so little it is impossible to pay your rent and bills.  Most music aid and grant money is only being offered to replace music equipment and instruments only. I still have not received money from FEMA even though I taught music at Delgado Community College. That job is gone due to the Campus damage and very few students. FEMA keeps telling me my application is pending. I believe none of the FEMA people know what they are doing. Until I am approved I cannot receive rental assistance.  I am making about a $150.00 a week playing music and my rent is$600.00 dollars a month. I have about another 3 months that I can make it without income or help . After that I will be forced to move. I am now considering going back to college. I fear being a musician and a music teacher is a thing of the past. The only way the music will survive is if musicians are helped with finding housing and housing assistance. It will be a long time before a musician can make a living in New Orleans.

Rebecca