NEW ORLEANS — The Joy Theater’s bright blinking “JOY” sign that for more than 50 years was as common a sight on Canal Street as the streetcars in New Orleans is blinking again for the first time since before Hurricane Katrina.

The theater’s illuminated sign, located on the famous thoroughfare that borders the French Quarter, is being hailed as a beacon of light in a section of the city left largely dark and distressed since 2005, when Katrina flooded the Joy, Saenger and Loew’s State Palace theaters — the center of what once was a bustling downtown theater district.

“You don’t know what that sign does to me,” said 90-year-old Rene Brunet, who for more than two decades operated the Joy, built in 1947.

Standing under the Joy’s wrap-around marquee donning a hard hat and walking cane, Brunet said he couldn’t help but get emotional, seeing the sign aglow again. “It takes me back to another time. This theater, all these theaters on Canal Street … it was a wonderful place for entertainment.”

The Joy closed in 2003, unable to compete with large movie complexes offering multiple screens, digital sound and stadium seating. Katrina’s flooding further hampered any chance of reopening. But on Thursday, the Joy returns, reborn as a multipurpose venue for performing arts, music concerts, private parties and movie screenings.

The opening night act is New Orleans soul singer Irma Thomas and jazz saxophonist Lance Ellis. Other entertainment pegged for coming weeks includes jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, rhythm and blues singer Percy Sledge and the rock band Cowboy Mouth.

“This is a great chance for a renaissance of this part of Canal Street, to give everybody, not just tourists but the locals, something exciting to do,” said Joe Jaeger, one of four developers who salvaged the Joy.

Brunet said he’s grateful to the developers. Mold from Katrina’s floodwater had destroyed the Joy’s seats and drapery. Decorative plaster from the lobby ceiling crumbled, and light fixtures were ruined.

“It was complete devastation,” Brunet recalled. “I thought, ‘Well, that’s it. I’ll never see the Joy again.’ Seeing it now, it brings new life into me.”

Aretha’s Christmas: ‘Silent Night’ with Four Tops

DETROIT — Detroit’s Queen of Soul knows how to throw a Christmas party, and she welcomed in the holiday with glitter, a jazzy musical backdrop and a finale of “Silent Night” with the Four Tops.

Aretha Franklin held her annual Christmas party Friday at the Detroit Athletic Club, greeting guests in a teal blue gown accented with a silver sequined bodice.

The Detroit News reported that Franklin exchanged gifts with family and friends as Ursula Walker, Buddy Budson, Marian Hayden and Gayelynn McKinney played jazz in the background.

During a meal of filet mignon and salmon, guests were entertained by performances by Gwen & Charles Scales and Franklin’s son Eddie Franklin, who sang “Some Enchanted Evening.”

‘Zorro’ actor Armendariz dies at 71

MEXICO CITY — Mexican character actor Pedro Armendariz Jr. died Monday at the age of 71. There was no immediate confirmation of the cause of death.

Armendariz was best known for playing sly, sometimes cynical characters he endowed with wit and charisma. Armendariz played Gov. Riley in the 2005 movie “The Legend of Zorro,” and had roles in 1989’s “Old Gringo” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” in 2003.

President Felipe Calderon’s office issued a statement lamenting Armendariz’ death, calling him “a great actor who reflected well on Mexico at home and abroad.”

The Mexican government news agency Notimex reported he died in New York City of cancer, but said his family had asked for their privacy to be respected.

He acted in more than 100 films, including the Mexican hit “The Crime of Father Amaro.”

Consuelo Saizar, the president of Mexico’s National Arts Council, lamented the death of Armendariz in her Twitter account.

He had been married and divorced twice and is survived by several children.

Armendariz’ father bore the same name and was a movie star during the “golden age” of Mexican films in the 1940s and 1950s.