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Culture Community: the French Quarter Museum Association
Several Vieux Carré museums are working together to broaden perceptions about the Quarter and raise awareness about their diverse offerings – for both locals and visitors.
-by Dean M. Shapiro
The Faerie Playhouse on Esplanade
A historic Creole Cottage on Esplanade Avenue became both a gathering place and resting place for gay rights activists – and now a nationally recognized cultural LGBTQ site.
– by Frank Perez
The Secret Garden Tour 2024
Six private French Quarter homes and the Historic BK House museum threw open their garden gates this weekend for the ever-popular Secret Gardens Tour, produced annually by the Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré. The organization is dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the French Quarter. This annual fund-raiser helps the group produce the popular Caroling in Jackson Square each year.
- photos by Ellis Anderson
Searching for an Artist and a Grandfather: Daniel Webster Whitney
A woman who feels a mysterious connection to New Orleans discovers that in the Roaring Twenties, her grandfather was a celebrated artist, art teacher – and notable French Quarter personality.
– by Catherine Whitney
Henry Bernstein: French Quarter Philanthropist
As of April, UNO’s College of Business Administration has a new name – one honoring a long-time Vieux Carré resident and dedicated champion of higher education.
– by Claude Summers
MaMou: Dinner Party Dining in the Vieux Carré
Industry vets Tom Branighan and Molly Wismeier team up to create a warm, bustling brasserie where a delectable menu and a stellar staff lead to delighted diners – and rave reviews.
– by Kim Ranjbar
Gallatin Street Music Fest 2024
The new Gallatin Street Festival eased folks down on the Monday after Jazz Fest, with an exciting line-up of local acts in a relaxed setting at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
- photography by Scott Saltzman
One Day, Two Final Farewells
The French Quarter and Marigny recently celebrated the lives of two beloved neighborhood personalities – street performer Peter Bennett and bookstore owner Otis Fennell.
- photos by Ellis Anderson
Hottest Hell Tours - Burning Bright and Hot
As its name suggests, this company is all about superlatives: Owner Bond Ruggles explains how she’s going about redefining the New Orleans walking tour industry.
– by Kim Ranjbar
The Sad Demise of the Ursuline Chaplains’ Cottage
A diminutive Spanish Colonial cottage demolished in 1917 played a major role in the development of French Quarter historic preservation. This is the first in a new FQJ series, “Preservation Chronicles.”
– by James G. Derbes
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
French Quarter Festival 2024
The 2024 French Quarter Festival played, sang and danced its way through four glorious days of sunshine to the delight of visitors and locals alike.
- photos by Scott Saltzman, Melanie Cole and Gregg Martel
Three Decades of Activism, One New Riverfront Park
Unrelenting advocacy over two wharf sites scores what appears to be a win for New Orleans residents while helping protect two of the most fragile neighborhoods in the country: the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny.
– by Frank Perez
An Open Love Letter to French Quarter Residents
A journalist turned buggy driver reflects on the people who live in his unusual workplace - a combination historic museum, adult amusement park, and a residential neighborhood.
– by Mark Orfila
No Storage? No Problem: Decluttering for Historic Homes
Occasional Wife founder Kay Morrison and two of her veteran organizers share favorite pointers for simplifying life in historic homes.
– by Bethany Ewald Bultman
One Neighborhood, One Day, Four Parades: French Quarter Easter 2024
The day starts early with a small celebration of Ostara, the ancient goddess of renewal, followed in quick succession by the Historic French Quarter Easter Parade, the French Quarter Easter Parade (formerly the Chris Owens Easter Parade) and ending with the rollicking Gay Easter Parade – leaving the city needing some post-holiday renewal.
- photos by Melanie Cole and Ellis Anderson
French Quarter Easter 2024: Best Bonnets
Each year, more French Quarter parade-goers costume in theme and this year’s Easter Day marathon of parades was no exception. We captured some of our favorite Easter regalia and announce our first FQJ Most Original Bonnet! You’ll find our album of Easter parade pics here.
- photos by Ellis Anderson and Melanie Cole
Chef Eric Cook at Saint John: Semper Fidelis
A special ops Marine, itinerant cook, truck driver and cowboy: The youthful journeys of this award-winning chef shaped a man who’s still undaunted by challenges – and always up for a new adventure.
– by Kim Ranjbar and Ellis Anderson
Downtown Irish Club Parade 2024
The luck of the Irish prevailed and the persistent rains stopped before the shenanigans of this annual parade began.
- photos by Melanie Cole
The 52nd Annual St. Joseph’s Day Parade
With a gigantic rolling St. Joseph’s Day altar, reigning beauties, local dancing clubs and groups of tuxedo-clad men exchanging paper carnations and garters for kisses, the Italian-American St. Joseph’s Day Society has delighted more than five decades of parade-goers.
- photos by Melanie Cole