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The Life of a Writer – with Help from Tennessee Williams
En Avant! Before he became a national celebrity, Tennessee Williams struggled with hardships, rejection and disappointment, yet this personal mantra kept him moving “onward” - with an exclamation point!
– by Richard Goodman
Otis Fennell: Mayor of Frenchmen Street
What began in 1978 as the first gay bookstore in the South is still thriving as Frenchmen Art & Books thanks to four nurturing owners – including the late Otis Fennell.
– by Frank Perez
A Labor of Love: Caroling in Jackson Square
A mid-century gardening club’s seasonal gathering has become one of New Orleans’ favorite holiday traditions, now hosting thousands of carolers each year.
– by Dean M. Shapiro
The Last Forgerons
In 1920, the last in a line of French Quarter forgerons put down their hammers, never again to create the wonderfully detailed wrought iron fences and balconies of New Orleans.
– by Michael Warner
New in the French Quarter: A Camera on Every Corner
While the new “public safety” cameras may lend a dismaying dystopian look to the city’s oldest neighborhood, Vieux Carré residents and businesses are hopeful they’ll help deter crime.
- by Frank Perez and Ellis Anderson
Confessions of a Recalcitrant Declutterer
Stuff + lack of closet space = the French Quarter dilemma. But once you’ve committed to downsizing your wardrobe, what’s the best way to be rid of your cast-offs?
– by Bethany Ewald Bultman
Voodoo on rue Dumaine: Connecting with the Invisible
VOODOOFEST celebrates its 25th anniversary this Halloween, welcoming all-comers to learn and experience some of the many facets of this ancient religion – for free.
– by Melanie Cole
Red Dress Run 2023
Although thousands of runners participated in the annual charity run, by the time they reached the home stretch the record heat had most of them walking.
– by Ellis Anderson
Dirty Linen Night 2023
Art lovers seemed unphased by the record heat during Dirty Linen Night in the French Quarter, Saturday, August 12. Perhaps the fact that 60+ galleries on Royal and Chartres Street participated, an air-conditioned island of art was never far away.
– by Ellis Anderson
COOLinary and Museum Month: Pairing Culture & Cuisine
Happily, Museum Month and COOLinary restaurant specials coincide in August, so like cultural sommeliers, we've paired several of our French Quarter favorites.
-By Kim Ranjbar
In the Plein Air Tradition: Lyla Clayre Studio
This plein air watercolorist opened her first bricks and mortar studio on Chartres Street in late 2021, helping build her reputation – and providing delightful subject matter right outside the door.
-By Angelique LaCour
Art & Soul NOLA
The first bricks and mortar location for this local photographer reinforces her artistic approach: only capture images that she loves living with.
– by Angelique LaCour
The 2023 French Quarter Easter Parade
Formerly known as the Chris Owens Easter Parade – named after the late and legendary Bourbon Street performer who founded it – the 38th annual celebration rollicked through the French Quarter early Easter afternoon. Photographer Andrew Simoneaux also caught a pre-parade wedding that took place right before the Gay Easter Parade, the final event of the day.
-– by Andrew Simoneaux
The Gay Easter Parade 2023
The 22nd annual Official Gay Easter Parade may have been the third parade that promenaded through the French Quarter on Easter day, but the energy of both parade-goers and participants combined to finish the day with a fabulous finale.
– by Melanie Cole
James Booker at the Toulouse
A young woman working at the Toulouse Theatre in the early ‘80s becomes acquainted with the legendary pianist – and the forces that both inspired and bedeviled him.
– by Ellis Anderson
Faces of Mardi Gras 2023
A collection of some of our favorite Carnival portraits, photographed in the Quarter and the Marigny on Mardi Gras morning.
– by Ellis Anderson
Barkus Parade 2023
Storyboard: The 30th anniversary of the Mystic Krewe of Barkus parade had lots of tails wagging. The parade members and their human companions gathered in Armstrong park and then paraded through the French Quarter on February 12th. French Quarter resident and photographer Andrew Simoneaux, who specializes in pet portraits captured the parade participants and canine spectators in all their glory.
- by Andrew Simoneaux
A Treasure Trove of Vintage Gay Mardi Gras Images
The Louisiana State Museum discovers and acquires a collection of 820 color slides by a relatively unknown photographer documenting the LGBT+ midcentury celebrations.
- by Frank Perez
- images courtesy Louisiana State Museum, Joe Crews collection
Holiday Parade 2022: “First of its kind”
We're not sure what we were expecting from a first year parade, but from the enthusiasm, the number of participants and parade-goers, it might have been the 25th annual.
- photos by Ellis Anderson
Awakening the Holidays: The Réveillon Tradition in New Orleans
Awaken your spirits and your palate with this year’s Réveillon, a timeless French celebration during the holidays.