Dakota opens Vieux Carre in old Artists' Quarter space

Southside Aces will play New Year's Eve
Southside Aces.
Jonathan Hankin / Courtesy Southside Aces

A year after the venerated St. Paul jazz venue the Artists' Quarter closed, the club will reopen tonight under new ownership and with a new name.

The Dakota Jazz Club will run the venue under the name Vieux Carre. Dakota co-owner Lowell Pickett said the reopening comes at short notice because they didn't have a liquor license until Tuesday.

"We thought we would open up the space tonight, and have a pop-up, a teaser of things to come," Pickett said.

Vieux Carre will present pop-up performances in coming weeks, and then after limited remodeling in February, the club will open on a regular basis.

Doors open at 9 p.m. for a show featuring the New Orleans-style band Southside Aces.

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