Photo by Dino Perrucci

 

As reported by New Orleans news outlet WWL-TV, famed venue Tipitina’s is experiencing financial uncertainty as owner “Roland Von Kurnatowski, faces a raft of lawsuits claiming he bilked investors and has skipped out on debts totaling at least $2.8 million.”

When asked for a quote by WWL-TV, Von Kurnatowski said, “My overall financial picture is good. Whether it’s time to sell Tipitina’s at this time is an open question.”

In a new advancement, funk mainstays and Tipitina’s regulars Galactic have been tapped as potential buyers of the venue. The band has performed at the venue since the ’90s, and recently used Tip’s to memorialize their late vocalist Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet.

According to WWL-TV, “Several sources associated with the club have said they hope Galactic buys Tipitina’s to keep it alive as a cultural touchstone on the New Orleans live music scene. Members of the band declined to confirm that the deal was in the works, but people with direct knowledge of the negotiations said it has been for some time and could be finalized soon.”

However, the sources add that there are quite a few potential buyers voicing interest.

Click here to watch Galactic perform “Gossip” live at Tipitina’s. 

This story is still developing.