The proprietors of Donna's Bar & Grill have decided to close the North Rampart Street brass band and jazz club, effective immediately. The deteriorating condition of the building, coupled with the landlord's alleged reluctance to make repairs, reportedly factored in Donna Poniatowski's and husband Charlie Sims' decision.
Poniatowski opened Donna's in October 1993 and soon presented brass bands six nights a week. In later years, the program included the likes of trumpeter Leroy Jones, drummers Shannon Powell and Bob French and pianist Tom McDermott with clarinetist Evan Christopher.
Sims cooked in the kitchen while Poniatowski coordinated the music, often from afar—from August through May she worked as a science teacher at a Florida high school.
Poniatowski opened Donna's in October 1993 and soon presented brass bands six nights a week. In later years, the program included the likes of trumpeter Leroy Jones, drummers Shannon Powell and Bob French and pianist Tom McDermott with clarinetist Evan Christopher.
Sims cooked in the kitchen while Poniatowski coordinated the music, often from afar—from August through May she worked as a science teacher at a Florida high school.
