Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/287205
Connections | Spring 2014 24 money the restoration was using. Then the universe smiled: a MS Department of Archives and History grant was awarded and the couple reopened The Hall for live music. But still, it seemed the community didn't care. That changed when Beth Carriere, former head of the Hancock County Tourism Department, applied for The Hall to received a marker from the MS Blues Trail. The couple also learned the original organization that built The Hall, the Hundred Members Debating Benevolent Association, was still a nonprofit in good standing with the state since its incorporation in 1894! The couple restarted the nonprofit, and in June, 2011, over 200 people attended the unveiling of The 100 Men Hall's Blues Trail Marker. The Hall nonprofit now puts on one music show a month on the Second Saturday of each month. Performers include some of New Orlean's top musicians, local Gulf Coast favorites and even Marcia Ball. The organization produced a documentary on the history of The Hall, "Call Before Demo: Resurrecting a Legendary Blues Hall", which recently showed at the Clarksdale Film Festival. And Kerrie and Jesse are excited to see the upcoming episode of HGTV's "You Live in What?" which features their family, The Hall, and Jesse's band The House Katz. The most exciting thing for the couple, however, is to see Jesse's dream of restoring The Hall brought to fruition. Even though he still can't explain why he had to embark on this wild journey, he and Kerrie are glad they did. UPCOMING EVENTS March 18 Cocktails & Conversa ons 5:00 - 6:30 March 19 Lunch & Learn 11:30 - 1:00 April 30 - May 2 Mid-Year Conference Bay St. Louis, MS Hollywood Casino May 20 Cocktails & Conversa ons 5:00 - 6:30 May 21 Lunch & Learn 11:30 - 1:00 July 15 Cocktails & Conversa ons 5:00 - 6:30 July 16 Lunch & Learn 11:30 - 1:00 August 9 - 12 ASAE Na onal Conference Nashville, TN September 9 Cocktails & Conversa ons 5:00 - 6:30 September 10 Lunch & Learn 11:30 - 1:00 October 6 - 8 LSAE - MSAE Joint Conference Natchez, MS Natchez Conven on Center November 18 Cocktails & Conversa ons 5:00 - 6:30 November 19 Lunch & Learn 11:30 - 1:00