For five days in early November 2025, the team of Emily Cohen (co-producer), Alyson Spery (cinematography), Brian Graves (director of photography), and Dan Gutstein (co-producer) raced around New Orleans all on behalf of a certain Poor Gal, “Lil Liza Jane.” The team HQ’ed at a mega hotel, with the ladies in one room (524) and the blokes in another (526), although someone, mysteriously, lived in between us in 525. (Who dat? Dunno. Never saw.) We gulped coffee, dreamt of po’ boy sandwiches, told the mostly-true tales of our lives, wept, dried our eyes, weathered numerous cases of the sillies, and marveled at the fabulous hospitality of a truly great city, The Big Easy, while instruments and voices — “O, Eliza, Lil Liza Jane!” —soared.
“From Preservation Hall to the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall, from Tulane University to the Jazz & Heritage Foundation Academy, from WWOZ Radio to the Louisiana Music Factory, from atop the riverboat Natchez to a sidewalk outside Willie Mae’s restaurant, from a second line parade to the murals, streets, and orange cats of the Seventh Ward: we captured music performances, interviews, and iconic images of NOLA. And, once we edit this mayhem, I do believe an epic film full of heart and warmth will issue forth. Because the characters in the film love that poor gal “Lil Liza Jane” and love their great city of New Orleans. A lot.” ~Dan Gutstein
Read the full story and see more photos here. WIFV is honored to be the fiscal sponsor for this documentary. Help Liza Jane on her journey with your contribution here.
