Step into a number of bars and music clubs on Bourbon Street, and among the midst of blaring music, partying tourists and drinks of all shapes, sizes and colors are often strolling young women holding flutes alcohol for sale.

And while these shot girls are working at the bars, often they don’t work for their. Instead, they’re classified as independent contractors and don’t enjoy the same wages or labor protections as full-time employees.

Now a former girl shot dead in a Bourbon Street tavern is suing her former employer, the latest in a series of recent lawsuits in Louisiana where workers allege companies defrauded them of their salaries by saying they are pennies. – contractors instead of employees.

The lawsuit, filed last Friday by Genger Cossich in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, alleges that Fat Catz Music Club violated federal labor laws by failing to pay her for the hours she spent selling. shots of alcohol to customers of the music bar. . Instead of a salary, she received a percentage of her sales plus the tips she gave.

A shooting saga

As a shooter, Cossich describes in the lawsuit, she had to persuade Fat Catz customers to buy rounds of shots that she carried from table to table. However, she said she had no control over the type of product sold and made no independent business decisions, such as how to promote the alcohol she sold. She was required to work a minimum number of shifts each week and had to clock in and out for those shifts.

The case is the latest in a long-running national legal debate over how certain workers should be classified in the so-called gig economy.

Some of the most high-profile cases in recent years have involved ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft, where questions have focused on how much autonomy drivers have. Despite several multimillion-dollar settlements — and an uphill battle to change the law governing the status of contract workers in California — the issue is still being debated in court.

Cossich’s attorney, Amanda Butler Schley, argues that for the girls shot at Fat Catz, the issue is clearer than the rideshare drivers’ case because the employer controlled key aspects of their jobs, particularly their employment of the time, what she said. aligns with Internal Revenue Service rules for who counts as an employee.

“If you ask people to be in your establishment from certain time to certain time, telling them what to wear and how to do their jobs, then they’re definitely an employee,” Schley said.

There is another former Fat Catz employee who has currently agreed to sign the lawsuit, she said.

Jude Marullo, owner of Fat Catz and several other bars and restaurants in the French Quarter and other parts of New Orleans, did not respond to requests for comment.

Dancer Conflict

The Fat Catz lawsuit echoes a similar lawsuit filed in November 2020 by a group of exotic dancers against several strip clubs in the French Quarter and other parts of greater New Orleans.

The dancers in that lawsuit claimed the typical arrangement was for them to pay “house fees” of up to $50 to dance a six-hour shift and separate fees for club managers and other employees.

The exotic dancers’ lawsuit has not yet been resolved or tried, and is “moving slowly”, according to their lawyer, David Hodges.

“Rules of the game not fair”

Troy Mouton, director of the wage and hour division at the New Orleans office of the US Department of Labor, said the misclassification of employees as independent contractors is a major problem in Louisiana.

“Classification errors harm workers by denying them legally owed wages and benefits such as health insurance, vacation pay, and workers’ compensation,” Mouton wrote in a department blog post in November. “Misclassification also creates a level playing field for law-abiding employers.”

The construction industry has been a particular target of Labor Department investigations in Louisiana, where the agency estimates there are currently about 13,000 workers misclassified as contractors and underpaid and denied benefits.

In the five years to 2021, the Labor Department has completed 28 misclassification investigations in Louisiana, resulting in the recovery of more than $1 million in back wages for more than 850 employees, according to Mouton.

On Thursday, the agency said it had settled a case in which more than 300 painters and drywallers received back pay of $246,000 by two companies for work that included major renovations to the Caesars Superdome.

The investigation found that PL Construction Services and Lanehart Commercial Painting had misclassified the workers as contractors, even though they controlled key aspects of their work and had not paid them the required overtime rates.

Finding “vehemently contested”

Brittany Demmon, director of human resources at Lanehart, said the company “vehemently disputed” the Labor Department’s finding. He agreed to pay $199,342 in back wages to avoid a long and costly legal process.

“Rather than continue to invest time and resources in fighting the department on this matter, Lanehart has made a business decision to pay the monies the department believes are owed and move on,” said Demon via email.

PL Construction Services could not be reached for comment.

Case of the hotel sector

There have been several Hospitality Department of Labor Regulations as well as lawsuits, such as the one filed in 2019 against several International House of Pancakes franchises in Louisiana and Mississippi by more than 450 workers.

The IHOP case settled last year for $1.65 million, according to Christopher Williams, the plaintiffs’ lead attorney in the lawsuit.

Summer offers many opportunities for entertainment in and around Boston. Here is an opportunity to join our club. We are the Boston.com Music Club. Each month, we invite you to attend Boston’s music scene spotlight, featuring a wide range of local acts.

On Wednesday July 20, the Music Club meets again and welcomes Jazzmyn RED. With roots in Brockton, MA, Jazzmyn blends spoken word poetry, singing and rhyme into music with a message. His talents are many and his sound is both socially conscious and catchy.

In August 2020, Jazzmyn released their debut album, REDvolution. So expect our Music Club session to focus on that. The plan is to watch some of her videos, dig into the inspiration behind the music she makes, and maybe even dance a little – because Jazzmyn makes the kind of music that moves you emotionally and physically. Heartbeats and head throbs, you might say.

This is the part where I introduce myself, as I am your Music Club host. My name is Adam 12 and I’m on the air from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays on Boston’s ROCK 92.9. ROCK 92.9 is not my first radio rodeo. I worked at legendary Boston alt-rock stations WBCN and WFNX in the 90s and 2000s, and I’m also a Boston.com veteran. You may remember RadioBDC, Boston’s first alternative streaming radio station? I was there, chairing some pretty amazing sessions over the years with both local and national acts. I try to bring that energy to the Music Club. Having Jazzmyn RED as a guest should make things easier for me.

Speaking of, watch this space for upcoming events, artist profiles, and more, and Join us for Jazzmyn RED on Wednesday July 20 at 7 p.m.

Join our Virtual Music Club Event

Join Music Club host Adam 12 to chat with Boston hip-hop artist Jazzmyn RED, who will also be playing some videos for the Boston.com Music Club virtual series. Register here.

The intense heat dented turnout for two popular concert sets on Tuesday, but those who flocked to Rockford and Meijer Gardens were treated to sizzling performances. Photos, videos.

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY, VIDEOS

While Tuesday’s brutal heat wave kept some people from reveling in some of the region’s most popular outdoor concert series, it certainly didn’t dampen the excitement or the heat generated by the musicians on stage. .

At the opening salvo of the United Bank Rogue River Blues Series at Rockford’s Garden Park, renowned guitarist Paul Nelson and his band delivered sizzling blues-rock riffs and solos for an audience that was perhaps half the usual size due to a heat index that topped 100 degrees, but that didn’t stop some fans and lots of kids dancing on the beautiful new dance floor in front of the stage.

Seth Bernard (Photo/Local Tours)

Twelve miles south, the situation was much the same with the Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Kaitlin Rose and his band of thorns and guitarist-vocalist from northern Michigan Seth Bernard with his all-star band bringing musical fire and plenty of sweat to the sprawling stage at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park for the second Tuesday night music club concert of the season.

The smaller than usual group of fans even stayed to give Bernard and his team a rousing standing ovation at the end of the night.

Scroll down for photos and video highlights.

Several free outdoor concerts continue in various communities this week, including tonight (Wednesday) with Flat River Big Band for concerts at Rogers Park in Sparta and Thursday with Mongion for the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series at Lowell and The Max Lockwood Group in Kentwood. See the full schedule of shows in Local Spins’ 2022 Guide to Free Outdoor Community Concerts.

Next appointment for the Rogue River Blues series on June 21: Jake Kershaw. Next appointment for the Meijer Gardens Tuesday evening music club on June 21: Molly.

PHOTO GALLERY: Paul Nelson Band, Seth Bernard & Band (06/14/22)

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park released its 2022 Tuesday Concert Series schedule and announced its expansion.

The Tuesday Evening Music Club will feature a variety of live bands this summer. Due to the increased audience, the series is scheduled to begin on June 7 and will end on August 30.

The concerts will take place at 7 p.m. every Tuesday, from June 7 to August 2. 30, rain or shine, at the Meijer Gardens Outdoor Amphitheater at 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE to Grand Rapids.

“We have been delighted with the support for this series from our members and other visitors, which has led to the expansion of the Tuesday Evening Music Club to Tuesday evenings in June for the first time ever,” said John VanderHaagen, Director of Communications, Meijer. Gardens.

This year’s local and regional artists range from indie bands to rock performances, folk and ballet, to cater to a wider range of musical tastes.

The season will kick off with cellist and lyricist Jordan Hamilton and The Elijah Russ Collective on June 7. Throughout the summer, performances will include Molly, Soul Syndicate, The 6 Pak and The Accidentals, which will appear in collaboration with the Kaboom Collective orchestra. The music club’s summer series will end on August 30 with a performance by the Grand Rapids Ballet.

“We look forward to another wonderful summer of live music at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater,” VanderHaagen said.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own food to events, subject to venue guidelines, as well as their own chairs and blankets to sit on.

Music club concerts are free for Meijer Gardens members and included in admission for non-members. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Scheduled to run from June through August, the nighttime series will feature Molly, Melophobix, Jordan Hamilton, The Accidentals, Myron Elkins, Ralston Bowles, Elijah Russ and more. See the program.

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park followed the announcement of its biggest ever mainline concert series featuring the biggest lineup of regional stars ever for its popular Tuesday night music club.

Previously only held in July and August, the 2022 edition of the Tuesday night series will now kick off June 7 with Kalamazoo hip-hop cellist Jordan Hamilton and Grand Rapids’ Elijah Russ Collective and continue for 12 more weeks with a eclectic array of local and regional bands.

Some of the most recognizable names in the Michigan music scene – The Accidentals, Seth Bernard, Molly, The Last Gasp Collective and Ralston Bowles – will be joined by emerging artists such as Myron Elkins and the Dying Race, Melophobix, Whorled, Lana Chalfoun and King Possum as part of the Tuesday evening program.

Admission to the Tuesday 7 p.m. shows is free for Meijer Gardens members, or regular Meijer Gardens admission for non-members. Many family shows fill to capacity, especially on sunny evenings, as visitors are allowed to stroll through the gardens and sculpture park.

Veteran Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Bowles, who launched and hosts the series, called it a standout lineup for 2022, with particular buzz surrounding the Aug. 9 concert special featuring The Accidentals with the Kaboom Collective Studio Orchestra.

The nationally acclaimed alternative folk trio from Traverse City will team up with this one-of-a-kind youth orchestra to promote an upcoming collaborative album, “REIMAGINE”, which features new interpretations of Accidentals music.

Familiar view: Tuesday night shows often draw large crowds. (Photo/Julia Olmos)

“This is a project they’ve been working on with a number of budding young orchestras,” Bowles said, noting that the orchestra will be traveling with The Accidentals to nine different cities across the country. “It’s going to be an amazing show.”

The series offers intriguing double projects – the funky Melophobix with The Soul Syndicate June 28, The Last Gasp Collective with Myron Elkins and the Dying Race the 5 of July, whorled and Crossbow July 12 and Samuel Nalangira Trio with Sharon Katz July 26.

Older fans will also celebrate the return of oldies bands The 6-Pack (an all-female group formed in 1967) on July 19 and Franklin Park August 16.

And like last year, the series will end with the traditional “Ralston & Friends” show on August 23, followed by Ballet des Grands Rapids August 30. Learn more online here.

Meijer Gardens previously announced a record number of concerts – 33 – for its main concert series featuring national tours. Many of these shows have already been sold out in a presale to Meijer Gardens members. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on May 7.

VIDEO: Ralston & Friends, Tuesday Evening Music Club (August 2021)

Copyright 2022, Spins on Music LLC

The Santa Barbara Music Club will present a free concert at 3 p.m. on May 7you the First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara.

The husband and wife team of Andrea and Neil Di Maggio will perform a variety of music for flute and piano. The concert will open with two very contrasting works by French composers: the elegant Sonata in E minor, Opus 58, n° 5 by Françoise Devienne and the sparkling Sonatine by Pierre Sancan. They will then be joined by French horn player John Mason in Ballade, pastorale et danse (2002) by American composer Eric Ewazen.

The concert will close with the Fugue from Variations on a Theme by Handel, Opus 24 by Johannes Brahms.

Flutist Andrea Di Maggio is sought after both as a performer and a teacher. She graduated from San Jose State University, summa cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in music performance, where she studied with Paris Conservatory flautist Isabelle Chapuis. Ms. Di Maggio obtained a teaching position at Arizona State University, and while completing her freshman year of graduate school taught undergraduate flute majors, implemented and taught a flute course to music education students and performed in faculty recitals.

She then transferred to UCSB to study with Jill Felber and graduated with honors with a master’s degree in flute performance. While a graduate student at UCSB, she received awards from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Santa Barbara Music Club, and the Léni Fé Bland Foundation.

Ms. Di Maggio performs solo and in chamber music recitals and is a founding member of Sonos Montecito, the wind quintet in residence at Westmont College, where she has been a flute teacher since 2012.

She also runs a private flute studio, with award-winning students from the Santa Barbara Music Club, the Music Teachers Association of California, and the National Flute Association.

Ms. Di Maggio plays a silver Miyazawa Boston Classic flute with gold and platinum headstock.

Mrs. Di Maggio’s husband, pianist Neil Di Maggio, enjoys a dual career as a soloist and collaborating pianist and researcher at Westmont College.

Mr. Di Maggio received his Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from San Jose State University and his Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

He earned his second Masters of Music, Collaborative Piano, from UCSB, where he studied with renowned collaborative artist Anne Epperson. Other influential teachers were pianists Yael Weiss and Betty Oberacker and harpsichordist Laurette Goldberg.

Currently Director of Research and Lead Management at Westmont College, Mr. Di Maggio also owns a piano studio, and his students have been winners of Santa Barbara Music Club and Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation competitions.

His collaborative projects include Opera Santa Barbara, UCSB, Santa Barbara Children’s Chorus, Westmont College and numerous private instrumental and vocal studios. Along with Ms. Di Maggio, Mr. Di Maggio enjoyed helping local non-profit organizations by giving benefit recitals for organizations such as Artios Academies, Network Medical and Royal Family Kids.

John Mason, who plays the French horn, is a freelance musician in the greater Los Angeles area and records for film and television. His most recent work includes music for John Williams for “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (2017), “Geostorm” and various Marvel film and television projects, as well as The Black Eyed Peas; upcoming album.

Mr. Mason also performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Long Beach Symphony, Santa Barbara Opera and Santa Barbara Symphony, and is the principal horn player of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.

In accordance with public health guidelines, all concert attendees, including children under 12, must present proof of full vaccination, with the last dose of COVID-19 vaccine administered at least 14 days prior to the date of the concert. concert, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Masks are compulsory and must cover both the nose and the mouth. Social distancing is required.

For more information, visit sbmusicclub.org.

Email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Content of the article

The Brantford Music Club’s Canadian Artist Series returns to the Sanderson Center on April 26 with Cameron and Meagan.