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Do it outdoors

Papa Grows Funk

Cooler weather and great live music are approaching, marking the start of fall with plenty of great free outdoor concerts downtown.

The ever-popular Live After Five concerts resume this month, with a different band playing at each of eight consecutive free shows at 5 p.m. at Galvez Plaza. You’re likely to bump into so many people you know it’ll feel like a family wedding reception.

And in October, Sunday in the Park returns outside the Shaw Center for the Arts at Lafayette Park. 225 magazine and the Arts Council bring you four consecutive Sundays of free outdoor music from noon to 3 p.m.

Here’s the lineup:

Live After Five - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Galvez Plaza, at North Boulevard and Third Street.

Sept. 7 Bench Bar Boogie (party/dance)

Sept. 14 N2N (R&B)

Sept. 21 Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns (Cajun)

Sept. 28 Bits & Pieces (party/dance)

Oct. 5 The Harvey Wallbangers (party/dance)

Oct. 12 Larry Garner (blues)

Oct. 19 Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie (Zydeco)

Oct. 26 Hip Boot Joe (country/rock)

Sunday in the Park - Noon to 3 p.m.

Lafayette Park, next to the Shaw Center for the Arts

Oct. 7 Otra (Latin jazz)

Oct.14 The Fabulous String Dusters (bluegrass)

Oct.21 Lil Ray Neal (blues)

Oct. 28 Papa Grows Funk (New Orleans funk)

The spirit of rebirth

Absolut Vodka is kicking things up with the launch of Absolut New Orleans, a bold flavor combination of juicy mango and a hint of black pepper.

It may sound weird, we know, but just try it. It totally works.

The limited-edition flavored vodka was unveiled at New Orleans’ annual culinary and cocktail festival, “Tales of the Cocktail,” in late July. By August, Absolut New Orleans had won over patrons in bars, nightclubs and restaurants across the Crescent City as well as the Capital City. And the best part is that 100% of the vodka’s profits go to help rebuild the Gulf Coast.

“We’re confident our consumers will be energized by this unique flavor experience and the opportunity to make an impact with each sip,” says Tim Murphy, vice president of Marketing, the Absolut Spirits Company Inc. “Absolut New Orleans is the first in a series of limited-edition flavors that will evoke new ‘tastes’ while celebrating and supporting diverse cities.”

Texting: 1 2 3

Just a day after Seung-Hui Cho gunned down 30 people at Virginia Tech last April, LSU announced a plan to establish a text message system to quickly provide students with information during emergencies. That system is now in place, and school officials have launched an awareness campaign to sign up as many students as possible for the free service. “It’ll certainly be used if we have an active shooter situation like Virginia Tech, or a chemical spill where closed roads need to be avoided,” says Maj. Helen Haire at LSU Police. “Otherwise, if it can wait, it’ll be a broadcast situation.”