ABOUT US
HISTORY
Once a Creole dry goods store in the 1830’s, a general store in the 1920's and soul food restaurant from the 1960's-90's, The Tigermen Den is now an inspiring project of preservation and community collaboration. In 2011, while still undergoing renovations, an all-female band ‘The Tigermen’ moved into the apartment upstairs and used the vacant downstairs rooms for rehearsal. The band naturally started referring to their new home as ‘The Tigermen Den’ and the goal of becoming a community arts and events space was ignited by these impassioned sisters.
WOMEN OF THE TIGERMEN DEN
This beautiful, almost 200 years old building possesses a rich history of powerful female entrepreneurs who loved their community. The Tigermen Den building has always been, since its genesis, a female owned and operated business.
Built by a father for his daughter, in the early days of the Bywater's formation in the 1830's. You could still see the river from Royal st. Where small fruit tree fields stretched between the scattered homes. Many immigrants moving to New Orleans found their way to the Bywater as the French Quarter filled. She ran the store and fed the neighborhood.
Later, Ms.Turner opened up a soul food restaurant in the 1960’s with her husband and even after a racist neighbor shot her husband dead in front of the building, she stayed open for business to feed the neighborhood all the way until 1997 as ‘Ms Turner’s Bar + Restaurant'. She served $2.50 lunch plates to dock workers stationed just a few blocks away on the Mississippi River.
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Since New Orleans was the last stop for many barges that came down the Mississippi in the 1800's, these sturdy boats would be disassembled at the docks that now border the famous Bywater Neighborhood. Because of proximity and necessity, the wood planks would be repurposed to build homes all across the Bywater. The "barge" board proved to be the perfect wood for a town that would flood, as it could withstand the waters, and is what now gives the interior of the Tigermen Den it’s unique aesthetic.
In 2011, while still undergoing renovations, an all-female band ‘The Tigermen’ moved into the apartment upstairs and used the vacant downstairs rooms for rehearsal. The name of the building found itself between chords and melodies. The band naturally started referring to their new home as ‘The Tigermen Den’ and the goal of becoming a community arts and events space was ignited by these impassioned sisters.
Today, with a member of the band at the helm we carry on the torch by having the same name and maintaining the goal of serving our musical and artistic community. We are filled with a desire to host life-affirming gatherings that bring neighbors together and continue to preserve a time-honored space that invites it’s guests to listen to the walls and contribute to it’s ongoing story.
THE TEAM
Small and family style is how we roll. We are a small but mighty team committed to holding space for the community day to day through our work. We love art, music, friends, family, and dogs. We are here to answer all of your questions and field your requests.
We pull in a local team of artists and industry professionals to provide accessible high quality services and programming to our community.
LEESAW AUDRE ANDALORO
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / EVENT COORDINATOR
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"The Tiger Itself." Leesaw Audre Andaloro (she/her) has worked for the last 25+ years as a promoter and producer of cultural events aimed at exposing a wider audience to emerging artists and hidden gems in NYC, NOLA and Paris. Arriving in New Orleans in 2004 she fulfilled a life dream of calling this city home. Taking a look at the landscape of the Bywater after Katrina she knew she wanted to be part of rebuilding. The Tigermen Den was born. Keep a look out for her leading the charge at Art Camp504 community public events making sure a good time is had by all. She is also a dog mom to Freddie King, a lover of New Orleans history, bass player for the odd project around town and maker of killer road trip playlists.
SAM BASS
ART CAMP 504 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE TIGERMEN DEN
Sam Bass is an artist, educator and organizer. Her interest in the arts and education developed while teaching in the New Orleans school system. She began her career teaching Kindergarten at Mildred Osborne Charter School for three years, gaining professional development and training within the field of education. Sam has worked in the New Orleans Film Industry since 2015 and is a member of the Local IATSE 478 union. She works in the Set Dec and Props departments and has a wide range of experience in both big budget and independent films. She also creates art installations for events and parties, and has received grants to bring her work to festivals in Louisiana and Miami. Sam founded Art Camp 504 to combine both her love of education and art, recognizing the need for more artistic opportunities for young people in New Orleans.
SAM DOORES
MUSICIAN / VOCALIST / PRODUCER
Host of For the Sake of the Song, a monthly songwriter series that runs from Fall - Spring at The Tigermen and artist in residence, Sam Doores cut his teeth as a Bay Area-born teen troubadour busking around the U.S. before he got his first real break with a steady gig at an Irish pub in New Orleans. In that same city he co-created some of the last decade’s most arresting socially-conscious anthems with Hurray for the Riff Raff and made sparkling folk- and country-derived excursions with his own band, The Deslondes. In 2020 he released his first self titled album , recorded primarily in Berlin and filled with echoes of everything from Tin Pan Alley to the Mississippi hill country, from French Quarter jazz to California psychedelic-folk-rock.
Presently producing his first full length album for Sabine McCalla, Sam Doores is stepping in to his stride. In the producer role his calm presence, creative ideas and ability to deeply listen all blend to foster a supportive environment for those he works with. After a decade of long tours he feels right at home behind the control board and alongside a musician in the studio working out a part.
Moving forward, look to have Sam Doores continue to rotate from solo act to band lead singer to drummer to producer, to promoter, to friend, to family man, to musical history buff. The tread of passion for his community and making quality music runs through them all.
Dusty Santamaria
BOOKER / EVENT COORDINATOR / MUSICIAN
Dusty Santamaria is a New Orleans based artist, poet, and songwriter. They are the curator of the art and music events calendar and key member of the private event team from Oct-May. Taking care of casting a spell for the listening room events or putting the final touches of decor for your party, Dusty helps the world go round within the walls of The Tigermen Den. They are the composer of 5 full length records and 2 volumes of poetry including "Like a Good God Gone Mad" and "How To Make Love to a Cactus." You can check Dusty playing live in downtown NOLA solo or with his band.
FREDDIE KING
CEO
Born and raised in the 9th ward, Freddie King, aka A girl named Fred, is a nature leader. With her empathy and keen eye for kind souls she directs the team at The Tigermen Den with a strong vision for inclusiveness and love. She is known for giving some of the best hugs ever. Maintaining the historical building is also one of her passions and 3113 Royal is the oldest structure in the Bywater open to the public. When not working on spreadsheets or hosting events she is often seen in the French Quarter dog park or riding shotgun with her best friend. She still has not learned to drive but hopes to one day get there. Often a guest teacher at Art Camp 504 and does a great job of catching all children snacks that happen to be dropped on the floor.
Leonie Evans
VOCALIST / CURATOR / MUSICIAN
Leonie Evans is a peripatetic music originally from South East London. Playing/ collaborating with various bands all over the UK and beyond we welcome her to The Tigermen Den’s curator team. Leonie's background as an outstanding vocalist with remarkable range makes her our ideal candidate for curating our monthly vocal series at the Tigermen Den. For the 2024-2025 season, her residency with us will give her a monthly event to explore and present a range of vocal traditions. We look forward to both workshops and live performances from local and touring acts. Keep an eye on our calendar and be sure to follow our newsletter.
Check out her music here
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY & FRIENDS
The Tigermen Den is able to provide accessible cultural programming and arts education scholarships through the continued support of our community partners and patrons. Thank you for partnering with us in our mission to create space for creativity and connection in the New Orleans Bywater neighborhood.
We pull in a local team of artists and industry professionals to provide accessible high quality services and programming to our community.