Zeitgeist means the spirit of the times as reflected in art

Zeitgeist ribbon-cutting in March 2019

For some 30-odd years, Zeitgeist has had as its motto, “something for and against everyone.” The multidisciplinary arts center is now in its best venue yet to fulfill that mission. Having relocated over Mardi Gras to an unassuming brick building in Arabi that began as the Joy Lounge — one of the first black music clubs in Louisiana — Zeitgeist has brought a mix of independent films, music, improvisation, stand-up comedy, poetry, aerial acts, children’s programming and visual arts to the parish.

In addition to a 125-seat, soundproof, black-box movie theater, Zeitgeist features a smoke-free cocktail lounge with live music several nights a week and four or five different feature films daily. Zeitgeist’s established clientele has already demonstrated willingness to cross the canal and St. Bernardians are embracing independent film.

Founder Rene Broussard started programming theatrical performances as a University of New Orleans arts major in the 1980s, later changing his focus to alternative cinema. In 1993, he coordinated programming at multiple locations –Masonic Temple, The Latin American Bar, Muddy Waters and Pussycat Caverns, eventually establishing a screening room at the Movie Pitchers. Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in Central City became Zeitgeist’s home for 19 years until the Meraux Foundation invited Broussard to become part of the Arabi Cultural Arts District along St. Bernard Highway that includes Studio Inferno and St. Claude Arts Studio.

“I got offered this swanky new place that I couldn’t turn down,” Broussard said. Zeitgeist Theatre & Lounge boasts a full bar, fountain, kitchen, ADA bathrooms and ample parking.  He says property taxes and utilities are less expensive, too.

Zeitgeist cocktail lounge

“The neighborhood has been really supportive,” he added. Oretha Castle Haley seemed like it should have been a good location, but new restaurants would fold. “It was really a struggle day-to-day.”

An unexpected bonus is that being located in a different city gives Zeitgeist access to films on opening weekends, just like AMC. And films can develop an audience over longer periods of time.

Amazing Grace, the 2018 concert film of Aretha Franklin recording a live album in 1972, for example, and The Biggest Little Farm, a documentary about a Los Angeles couple taking a hand at experimental farming, both enjoyed extended runs with hundreds in attendance. The Quiet One documentary about Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman premieres Friday, as well as Lynn Shelton’s mumblecore comedy Sword of Trust about Civil War truthers. Although it might be challenging to convince people to see Yomeddine, an Egyptian film focused on a Coptic leper and his orphan apprentice, it really is a joyous film, Broussard observes, because leaving the isolated colony, they are able to experience the world for the very first time.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get these films when I was at Oretha Castle Haley,” he said.

In addition to the theater, Zeitgeist has a rotating schedule of live music, including Big Dummies jazz trio (7:00 PM) and Martin Krusche and Aurora Neeland (9:00 PM) on Wednesdays; Songs from Earth with accordionist and composer David Symons next month. Saturday afternoons, New Orleans Jazz Revival features popular children’s music from movies and TV performed by Faith Wilson on vocals, Matt Lemmler on piano, Calvin Morin-Martin on bass and Dan Caro on drums.

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