#Crescent City Blues|Nola

[ravennaramos]

(Rare / long post) Yesterday was my final day of work, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't spend last night in tears.

I feel a little numb, and it feels surreal overall, that I am leaving New Orleans, and so rapidly (this Friday!)

Anybody that knows me, knows that this city comprises not only a core part of my personality, but also my identity as a whole. Since I was an eleven-year-old girl, this is the only city I've ever wanted to live. I cherish carnival season, the brass bands, the above-ground cemeteries, and the streetcar that I can hear from my living room. I have five New Orleans tattoos. I adore the crescent city, and I am grieving its loss as thoroughly and deeply as any loss in my life.

But when I look back to the summer of 2016, as I was preparing to load up our 15-foot U-Haul and commence the 1,000 mile journey southward, arriving on NOLA's doorstep homeless and jobless, I can't say that I thought I would live here forever. I can't say that I saw myself living here until I was 90, weaving the decades together in a single continuous unbroken thread of Mardi Gras and hurricane seasons and Mr. Bingles. If anything, perhaps I didn't expect to live in one flat for seven years straight, the longest I've lived at one address since I was a child in my mother's care. And I certainly didn't expect to level up the way that I have professionally, starting out as a cashier in the French Quarter for $13/hour, and ending up with a shiny new graduate degree and a wage offer nearly three times that. New Orleans has simultaneously been a loving benefactor and a cruel mistress.

I think that, more than most, COVID really broke me. I didn't realize it back in 2020, or even 2021, but it is clear now. I never stopped quarantining. Sure I leave my house for work, and making groceries, and the few beauty appointments that I schedule. But I walked out of the Quarter when I lost my job on March 19, 2020, and did not tiptoe back inside its boundaries until four weeks ago on August 12th. The few friendships that germinated here died unceremoniously over that time, due to my lack of attention, and I was unable to nurture them back to life. I don't really go anywhere, I don't really do anything. The last three years haven't been a waste; I've worked meticulously on myself, my physical and spiritual health, my emotional and professional growth. But I feel that I've come to the end of being able to move forward in this city, at this time. I have to force myself out of this cycle of working and coming home to an apartment I'm renting alone. Home ownership, international travel, a marriage, a family, a doctoral degree, career growth, ain't gonna manifest itself.

In many ways, I never got used to being back in the Southeast of my childhood. I never got used to hurricane season, or the streets flooding with every single goddamn rainstorm, or the potholes that blew out my left front tire. I never got used to the sewage & water board neglecting to read my water meter for over two years now (they send estimated bills). I never got used to AT&T's 18mbps internet, the fastest I can get here. I never got over Hurricane Ida, or the Hard Rock Hotel collapse. As a child I would scream and cry at the sight of a flying cockroach; I still do. And I sure as fuck have never gotten used to this unrelenting godforsaken heat, the hottest summer in New Orleans ever on record, 52+ days of excessive heat warnings thus far. Inadvertently, I'm donning the label of climate change refugee. Everyone here will, a hundred years from now. 

My relationship with New Orleans is complex and complicated. I'm sure that I will cry while packing up my things and perhaps all the way to the eastern seaboard. İn şa Allah, I will try again here in the future, perhaps retire here when I can acquire such luxuries as central air, a dishwasher, a parking spot, a washer and dryer. For now, my blossoming must continue within the funny-shaped border of the beautiful blue state of Maryland. I am ready for a beginning.  

I love you, New Orleans

#new orleans #nola #writing #goodbye

[thebarefootcajun]

Rising New Orleans

Approaching the city on Interstate Eye Ten West there’s a rise approaching New Orleans As the car cruises up to the rise all of a sudden it’s there, the city of NOLA

Look closely, far away, not easy to see - but keep your eye on the road, too

A city on an island often called a gumbo bowl

During hurricanes sometimes the bowl fills creating havoc, a full bowl of gumbo

Usually, a full gumbo bowl is a good thing, but not when the city is inundated with water

Alarms sound, trouble ensues

Crescent City is no stranger to an overflowing gumbo bowl

Today, however; it’s vibrant and alive with pre Mardi Gras festivities

NOLA, my city of love

28.5 years ago I fell in love in this city, a life-changing event

Not an exhaustive list; however

NOLA IS:

City of cultural diversity

City of prized eateries

City of bread puddings, beignets and café au lait

City of architectural wonder

City of cemeteries

City of oaks

City of palms

City of art

City of Carnaval

City of doubloons and beads

City of saints

City of jazz and blues

City of parks

City of history

City of language

City of entertainment

City of inclusion

City of hotels

City of cocktails

City of mixologists

City of the Sazerac cocktail and establishment - The Sazerac

City of Cathedrals

City of Catholic Schools

City of Charter Schools

City of the Mighty Mississippi

MY NOLA

MY CITY

Visit NOLA; it’s worthy of your oohs and aahs! It’s more than Bourbon Street, but if that’s a place you want to hangout, in itself it’s an experience!

#NOLA #Louisiana #tourism #Visit NOLA

[brooklynislandgirl]

@mynameisanakin    {{inspired by discord conversation, and... xx}} The only thing that could possibly make it any worse is if the mites had gotten past the thin barrier of entropy that she’d covered Anakin in. The same barrier that she’s woven into her hair, face, pretty much everything north of her own equator. It never occurred to her that they would manage to get into her stockings. And proceed to feast on her blood like the little fiends they were. And it wasn’t that Anakin, his dear face doing that thing he does when he wants to warn her but can’t bear to do so because she’s suddenly alive and enthralled with something and it keeps the shadows away from her heart. Luc would call it jhor. The taint carried by every Euthanatos that walks to some degree or other, the miasma of too much darkness from which their entropy is spawned. She doesn’t know if they’ve talked yet though she did send an email to her former cabal mate. He seemed to be the perfect choice, and maybe a touch of his lingering resonance is what actually drew Anakin to her door. Luc hailed from the swamps too, had strong old Accadian blood in his veins, and she wouldn’t be surprised if somehow his grandmother had known Anakin’s family. But she hasn’t been able to bring herself to ask...and she doesn’t share what little she knows about his Tradition with Anakin lest she give him the wrong information.

She has noticed though that he doesn’t seem to be any worse for the wear of living under her eaves, and that if she can catch him at just the right moment the boy who carries so much grief and scars on him sometimes twitches a smile at her that can light up the Quarter all on its own. And maybe Beth is a little glad that Luc hasn’t come to steal him away from her yet, she’s grown too fond and too protective of him. Which only makes where his hand disappears part of the swallowed-by-Gaia-if-She’s-merciful sensation rattling around inside of her. There have been a few passers by now and at least one of them were feeling like they were going to get a live show. And maybe that’s because she’s wended her arms around his neck and has tried to bury her face into Anakin’s collar bones. That was a mistake too, because she can still smell the moss on him. The silty layer of the water. The deodorant he put on, whatever he uses to make his hair do that thing. She can all but taste the salt on his skin and has to fight the urge to lick at it.

The man moves along very quickly and with some amount of shame from the way Anakin looks up at him, and then looks at him. She resists the urge to squirm as she is seated firmly in his lap ~nothing new at this point but this feels so very public, and of course, it’s City Park~ or to enjoy the heat of his wounded hand as it first holds her steady then curls fingers according to some inner mental formula he’s got going on. Not to make the sound stuck in her throat as he soothes the irritation on her thighs through touch alone, no hydrocortisone {which is tucked away next to the shark-printed bandages, the water bottles, the extra film, and everything else stuffed into the backpack at his side}, and certainly no applications of Life magick. That much she can tell just like she swears she can feel every individual whorl and ridge of his fingerprints for how slowly, carefully and tenderly his left hand....well, is exploring. But they have their footage. Little fuzzy and sleepy bads. He hasn’t made fun of her mispronunciation and she doesn’t know that she’s made it. They have samples of the moss ~sans mites, mercifully. She has new information. She also knows the irritation will be gone before they even reach the house once they finish up their plans. There were two other places that were imperative for her to see. Anakin is, after all, showing her Nola in the fall. A season he likes about as much as deep water, as much as hurricanes. Her lips move against his skin, muffling the sarcasm and maybe helping to diminish some of the thick huskiness that wreathes her words, threatening to set fire to the entire green-space. Only hints of her teeth, the ideas of them, seem to brush against his jugular. Trying to be playful, trying to swallow down everything that lingers too close to the surface. “So tell me doc...t’ink I’m gonna live?”

#mynameisanakin #Like A Sad Hallucination|Anakin Skywalker #Like a Memory in Motion|Anibeth #Crescent City Blues|Nola #The Trunk You Kept Your Life In|Mage the Ascension #{{pure crack that's my only explanation}}

[little-shop-of-nola]

Hey y’all!  Please vote for my photo!  Go to @nolanews on Instagram and cast your vote by commenting “4″.  It’s a majestic duck chilling in New Orleans City Park. Thank you so much!  Hope y’all are having a great day!  💖 

Via @nolanews: “Cast your vote in our #regramcontest! Scroll through these four images and then vote using the photo number in the comments below. Winner will be #regrammed on Friday! To submit your photos for next week’s contest, tag your posts w/ #nolanewsgramOTW. Thanks to @steph1z @notrex @studioblackofneworleans @bmcgirneyfor submitting their photos!” 

#ducktales #iheartcitypark #new orleans city park #nolanews #nola news #nola #new orleans #louisiana #french quarter #crescent city #duck #ducky #animal #bird #water #blue #just keep swimming #swimming #city park #nature #bayou #cajun #creole #swamp #duck dynasty #baton rouge #lsu #lsu tigers #who dat #followyournola

[cardest]

New Orleans playlist

Hungry for some po boys? Feeling the Mardi Gras vibes for this weekend? This is the ultimate NOLA playlist, right here. Play the songs here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC182dTlE-Gii6ZOO5ZrN1Z1T

Louisiana and New Orleans, all in the one awesome playlist. If there are songs I left out, let me know and I can add those. Or come meet me at Le Bon Temps Roulé  and we’ll listen to this NOLA playlist together with drinks.

LOUISIANA & NEW ORLEANS

001 Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras 002 Earl King - Ain’t no city like New Orleans 003 John Lee Hooker - goin’ to Louisiana 004 Crowbar -  Wrath Of Time By Judgment 005 True Detective - Theme (The Handsome Family - Far From Any Road) 006 EyeHateGod - New Orleans Is The New Vietnam 007 The The Meters -  Chicken Strut 008 Paul McCartney - Live And Let Die (from Live And Let Die) 009 The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar 010 Lucinda Williams - Crescent City 011 King Hobo -  New Or-Sa-Leans 012 Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting 013 Down - Underneath Everything 014 True Blood Theme Song (Jace Everett - Bad Things) 015 Corrosion of Conformity -  Broken Man 016 The New Orleans Jazz Vipers - I Hope Your Comin' Back To New Orleans 017 Willy DeVille - Jump City 018 Left Side - Gold In New Orleans 017 Necrophagia -  Reborn through Black Mass 018 Johnny Horton -  The Battle Of New Orleans 019 Dr John - Litanie des Saints 020 Foo Fighters - In the Clear 021 Redbone - The Witch Queen Of New Orleans 022 Jucifer - Lautrichienne 023 Danzig - It's a long way back from hell 024 Harry Connick, Jr. -  Oh, My Nola 025 The Gaturs - Gator Bait 026 Jon Bon Jovi - Queen Of New Orleans 027 Cyril Neville -  Gossip 028 Carlos Santana - Black Magic Woman 029 Gentleman June Gardner - It's Gonna Rain 030 Eddy G. Giles - Soul Feeling (Part 1) 031 Tool - Swamp Song 032 Beasts of Bourbon -  Psycho 033 Seratones - Gotta Get To Know Ya 034 Chuck Berry -  You Never Can Tell 035 Grateful Dead - Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleoo 036 Pale Misery - Hope is a Mistake 037 Exhorder - Homicide 038 King James & the Special Men - Special Man Boogie 039 Chuck Carbo -  Can I Be Your Squeeze 040 Amebix - Axeman 041 Tomahawk - Captain Midnight 042 Waylon Jennings - Jambalaya 043 Heavy Lids - Deviate 044 Red Hot Chili Peppers -  Apache Rose Peacock 045 Necrophagia -  Rue Morgue Disciple 046 Johnny Cash -  Big River 047 Albert King -  Laundromat Blues 048 Meklit Feat Preservation Hall Horns - You Are My Luck 049 Le Winston Band  - En haut de la montagne 050 Dr. john - I Thought I Heard New Orleans Say 051 Down -  New Orleans is a dying whore 052 Samhain -  To Walk The Night 053 Creedence Clearwater Revival -  Green River 054 Southern Culture on the Skids -  Voodoo Cadillac 055 Bonnie, Sheila -  You Keep Me Hanging On 056 Warren Lee -  Funky Bell 057 Elf - Annie New Orleans 058 Cannonball Adderley - New Orleans Strut 059 Doug Kershaw - Louisiana Man - New Orleans Version 060 Willy deVille  - Voodoo Charm 061 The Animals -  The House of the Rising Sun 062 Porgy Jones -  The Dapp 063 Lost Bayou Ramblers - Sabine Turnaround 064 IDRIS MUHAMMAD - New Orleans 065 John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillen No. 2 066 Hank 3 - Hillbilly Joker 067 Nine Inch Nails -  Heresy 068 Talking Heads - Swamp 069 Irma Thomas - I'd Rather Go Blind 070 Mississippi Fred McDowell -  I'm Going Down the River 071 Dee Dee Bridgewater   - Big Chief 072 Dr. John  - Creole Moon 073 Agents of Oblivion -  Slave Riot 074 Steve Vai - Voodoo Acid 075 Saviours -  Slave To The Hex 076 Kris  Kristofferson -  Casey's Last Ride 077 JJ Cale - Louisiana Women 078 Cher - Dark Lady of New Orleans 079 LE ROUX - Take A Ride On A Riverboat 080 The Melvins -  A History Of Bad Men 081 Floodgate - Through My Days Into My Nights 082 Opprobium - voices from the grave 083 Quintron & Miss Pussycat - Swamp Buggy Badass 084 Child Bite - ancestral ooze 085 Sammi Smith - The City Of New Orleans 086 The Explosions - Garden Of Four Trees 087 Bobby Boyd - straight ahead 088 Bobby Charles - Street People 089 Wall of Voodoo -  Far Side of Crazy 090 Rhiannon Giddens - Freedom Highway (feat. Bhi Bhiman) 091 Elton John - Honky Cat 092 Serge Gainsbourg - Bonnie and Clyde 093 Fats Domino - I'm Walking To New Orleans 094 Cruel Sea - Orleans Stomp 095 Down -  On March The Saints 096 Danzig -  Ju Ju Bone 097 The Neville Brothers ~ Voodoo 098 Megadeth -  The Conjuring 099 Miles Davis - Miles runs the voodoo down 100 Elvis Presley - King Creole 101 Led Zeppelin - Royal Orleans 102 The Lime Spiders -  Slave Girl 103 BIG BILL BROONZY  -'Mississippi River Blues'   104 Kreeps - Bad Voodoo 105 Dirty Dozen Brass Band -  Caravan 106 Kirk Windstein -  Dream In Motion 107 Eletric Prunes - Kyrie Eleison - Mardi Gras 108 Merle Haggard - The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde 109 Corrosion of Conformity -  River of Stone 110 THE ADVENTURES OF HUCK FINN (MAIN TITLE) 111 Zigaboo Modeliste - Guns 112 ReBirth Brass Band - Let's Go Get 'Em 113 Inell Young -  What Do You See In Her? 114 Jimi Hendrix - If 6 as 9 (Studio Version) Easy Rider Soundtrack 115 Deep Purple -  Speed King 116 Exhorder - The Law 117 Crowbar -  The Cemetery Angels 118 A Streetcar Named Desire OST - Main Title 119 WOORMS - Take His Fucking Leg 120 steely dan - pearl of the quarter 121 Tabby Thomas - Hoodoo Party 122 Black Label Society -  Parade of the Dead 123 Dwight James & The Royals - Need Your Loving 124 Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (2012) The Rampant Hunter (Soundtrack OST) 125 PanterA - The Great Southern Trendkill 126 Ween - WHO DAT? 127 Earl King - Street Parade 128 Ernie K-Doe - Here Come The Girls 129 Dejan's Olympia Brass Band ~ Mardi Gras In New Orleans 130 Body Count -  KKK Bitch 131 Goatwhore - Apocalyptic Havoc 132 C.C. Adcock - Y'all d Think She Be Good To Me (from True Blood S01E01) 133 The Meters - Fire On The Bayou 134 Dr. John - I Walk On Guilded Splinters 135 Balfa Brothers - J'ai Passe Devant ta Porte 136 Ween - Voodoo Lady 137 King Diamond -  'LOA' House 138 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Born On The Bayou 139 Dax Riggs -  See You All In Hell Or New Orleans 140 Professor Longhair - Go to the Mardi Gras 141 Dixie Witch -  Shoot The Moon 142 Ramones - The KKK Took My Baby Away 143 Fats Waller -  There's Going To Be The Devil To Pay 144 Mississippi Fred McDowell -  When the Train Comes Along with Sidney Carter & Rose Hemphill 145 Treme Song (Main Title Version) 146 Tony Joe White - Even Trolls Love Rock and Roll 147 Nine Inch Nails -  Sin 148 Exodus -  Cajun Hell 149 NEIL DIAMOND - New Orleans 150 James Brown - Call Me Super Bad 151 Jimi Hendrix -  Voodoo Child ( Slight Return ) 152 Allen Toussaint - Chokin Kind 153 Dash Rip Rock  - Meet Me at the River 154 Hawg Jaw- 4 Lo 155 Hot 8 Brass Band - Keepin It Funky 156 Hank Williams III - Rebel Within 157 Dejan's Original Olympia Brass Band - Shake It And Break It 158 Jelly Roll Morton -  Finger Buster 159 The Royal Pendletons - (Im a) Sore Loser 160 Little Bob & The Lollipops - Nobody But You 161 Gregg Allman - Floating Bridge (True Detective Soundtrack) 162 Michael Doucel with Beausoleil - Valse de Grand Meche 163 Dolly Parton - My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy 164 Othar Turner & the Afrossippi Allstars – Shimmy She Wobble 165 Jucifer - Fleur De Lis 166 Soilent Green -  Leaves Of Three 167 Ides Of Gemini -  Queen of New Orleans 168 Betty Harris -  Trouble with My Lover 169 Lead Belly - Pick A Bale Of Cotton 170 Candyman Opening Theme 171 Goatwhore - When Steel and Bone Meet 172 Acid Bath - Bleed Me An Ocean 173 Pere Ubu - Louisiana Train Wreck 174 Walter -Wolfman- Washington - You Can Stay But the Noise Must Go 175 Alice in Chains -  Hate To Feel 176 Body Count -  Voodoo 177 Live and Let Die - Jazz Funeral 178 Smoky Babe -  Cotton Field Blues 179 Professor Longhair - Big Chief Part 2 180 Lewis Boogie - Walk the Line 181 James Black - Theres a Storm in the Gulf 182 The Balfa Brothers - Parlez Nous A Boire 183 The Jambalaya Cajun Band - Bayou Teche Two Step 184 The Deacons -  Fagged Out 185 Thou - The Changeling Prince 186 Black Sabbath -  Voodoo 187 King Diamond -  Louisiana Darkness 188 Doyle -  Cemeterysexxx 189 KINGDOM OF SORROW - Grieve a Lifetime 190 Hank Williams III - Louisiana Stripes 191 FORMING THE VOID - On We Sail 192 BUCK BILOXI AND THE FUCKS - fuck you 193 Down in New Orleans - The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack 194 Trombone Shorty & James Andrews  - oh Poo Pah Doo 195 Whitesnake -  Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City 196 The Dirty Dozen Brass band - Voodoo 197 Joe Simon - The Chokin' Kind 198 Down -  Ghosts along the Mississippi 199 AEROSMITH  - Voodoo Medicine Man 200 Nine Inch Nails -  The Perfect Drug 201 The Byrds - [Sanctuary III] Ballad Of Easy Rider 202 The Iguauas - Boom Boom Boom 203 PJ Harvey - Down By The Water 204 Louis Armstrong - Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans 205 Dr John - Right Place Wrong Time 206 ESTHER ROSE - handyman 207 Lightnin Slim - It's Mighty Crazy 208 Slim Harpo - Blues Hangover 209 Irma Thomas - Ruler Of My Heart 210 WEATHER WARLOCK - Fukk the Plan-0 211 Superjoint Ritual - The Alcoholik (Use Once And Destroy) 212 Stressball - dust 213 Trampoline Team - Kill You On The Streetcar 214 Xander Harris - Where’s your Villain? 215 Dukes of Dixieland - When The Saints Go Marching In 216 Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds - Su Su 217 Danzig - I'm the one 218 EyeHatteGod - Pigs 219 Hank Williams Jr - Amos Moses 220 The Cramps - Alligator Stomp 221 Crowbar - The Serpent Only Lies 222 Shrüm - drip 223 Thou  - The Only Law 224 DR. JOHN - Babylon   225 Garth Brooks - Callin' Baton Rouge 226 Wild Magnolias - All On A Mardi Gras Day 227 NCIS New Orleans TV Show theme 228 Skull Duggery - Big Easy 229 Harry Connick Jr. - City beaneath the sea 230 Elvis Presley - Dixieland Rock 231 Tom Waits - I Wish I Was In New Orleans (In The Ninth Ward) 232 Neil Young - Everybody's Rockin 233 Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals - Delinquent 234 CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Wolf Named Crow 235 Widespread Panic - Fishwater 236 Lillian Boutté - Why Don't You Go Down to New Orleans 237 Bryan Ferry - Limbo 238 Scream - Mardi Gras 239 EyeHateGod - Shoplift 240 Better Than Ezra - good 241 Duke Ellington - Perdido (1960 Version) 242 Bob Dylan - Rambling, Gambling Willie 243 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - sAve my soul 244 Le Roux - So Fired Up 245 Concrete Blonde - The Vampire song 246 Boozoo Chavis - Zydeco Mardi Gras 247 Idris Muhammad  - Piece of mind 248 Les Hooper - Back in Blue Orleans 249 Doug Kershaw - Cajun stripper 250 DOWN  - Witchtripper 251 Soilent Green - So hatred 252 Professional Longhair - Big chief 253 Willie Nelson - City Of New Orleans 254 Tom Waits - Whistlin' Past The Graveyard 255 Brian Fallon - sleepwalkers 256 Patsy - Count It On Down 257 Into the Moat - The Siege Of Orleans 258 Bruce Cockburn - Down To The Delta 259 Jello Biafra · the Raunch and Soul All-Stars - Fannie Mae 260 Exhorder - Asunder 261 Cane Hill - Too Far Gone 262 The Slackers - peculiar 263 Crowbar  - A Breed Apart   264 COC - Wiseblood 265 Necrophagia - Embalmed Yet I Breathe 266 EYEHATEGOD - Fake What's Yours 333 Alan Vega - Bye Bye Bayou 666 DOWN  - Stone the crow

I don’t beads by the way! Hit play here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC182dTlE-Gii6ZOO5ZrN1Z1T

#new orleans #New Orleans playlist #NOLA #NOLA playlist #Louisiana #corrosion of conformity #Alan Vega #necrophagia #New Orleans songs #mardi gras #Mardi Gras songs #crowbar #eyehategod

[tsgneworleanslouisiana]

Celebrate Local: New Orleans Hosts The Scout Guide Editor Conference

May was a big month for The Scout Guide New Orleans! The Scout Guide hosted its annual editor conference in New Orleans. Sixty TSG Editors from across the country traveled to the Crescent City in search of endless inspiration...and of course, a good time. Mission accomplished thanks to the incredible small business owners who make New Orleans the most exciting place to live and visit. 

Christy Ford and Susie Matheson, Co-Founders of The Scout Guide and TSG Charlottesville Editors with Jane Scott Hodges, Founder of Leontine Linens and Taylor Morgan, Editor/Owner, The Scout Guide New Orleans

In true New Orleans fashion, we experienced a feast for all of the senses at the home of Jane Scott and Philip Hodges. Discussed the state of our brand and what makes a beautiful book at our NOLA Headquarters, Windsor Court. Engaged with business owners while shopping local on Magazine Street. And celebrated local at three of my favorite eateries, Arnaud’s, Cavan, and Brennan’s.

Tablescape designs by Jane Scott Hodges featuring Leontine Linens and a collection of tabletop goods including fabulous flower vases from Malachite Home

Leontine cocktail napkins pair beautifully with Patti Constantin, Designs in Catering, hand blown glasses.

Fried oysters and Cajun Caviar by Patti Constantin

Laura Kocher, TSG Headquarters, Stacey Leuliette, TSG Palm Beach and Nantucket, and Jen Stolp of TSG Wilmington

Black Magic Drum Line surprise editors courtesy of Jane Scott and Philip Hodges

New Orleans wasn’t just selected because its a fun place to be — I was one of the very first franchise owners to establish The Scout Guide outside of home base in Charlottesville, Virginia. For our first road show, co-founders Susie Matheson and Christy Ford wanted to share with our young Editors the experience of what The Scout Guide can be in a community. 

Building a brand doesn’t happen over night, but it sure does seem like ours did. Since 2010, TSG has grown to a network of 60 city guides dedicated to celebrating and supporting over 3,000 small business owners who keep communities unique. TSG combines print, online and a national network making it a pretty powerful platform for local businesses to shine.

Eight years ago when I first brought The Scout Guide to New Orleans, I had this one little blue book, The Scout Guide Charlottesville. There was no Instagram, barely a website or blog, definitely no searchable directory, or a network of 60 Editors to support local. I was selling my passion for New Orleans and desire to create a visual for our city to shine on a national platform (at a time when we were still convincing people we were open for business.) 

A collection of city guides - The Scout Guide book bar on display at Perch

From top to bottom: TSG Cleveland, TSG Northwest Arkansas, TSG Park City, TSG Little Rock, TSG Omaha, TSG Cincinnati, TSG Cleveland, TSG Fort Worth and TSG Wilmington

I had big dreams for my small business, but I am not sure I visualized a union of our powerful network in my own backyard. So when I looked around in a room and saw all the people gathered based off of something that I built, it was a pretty moving experience. 

Ralph Brennan shares the history of Brennan’s along with some lessons in business with our group of young entrepreneurs

Autumn Allen, TSG Washington, DC, Sarah Phillips, TSG Alexandria, Nelina Loiselle, TSG Hunt Country

Jane Scott Hodges, Patti Constantin, and Ralph Brennan were not only instrumental in the success of the Conference, but they have been crucial to the success of our brand. These uniquely New Orleans business owners, along with Ashley Longshore, Melissa Rufty and Adrienne Casbarian, Neal Alford, Roy Dunn and Stephen Sonnier, Alexis Walter, Lynn Morgan, Mia and Justin Devillier, and the Windsor Court team answered the call in my first year, trusted me to represent their brand in places near and far, and remain with me on the journey today. They have become our very own TSG celebrities so it was fun to finally introduce them to their fan club in real life. 

Adrienne Casbarian, owner of Malachite Home, Susie Matheson and Christy Ford, Co-Founders of The Scout Guide and Taylor Morgan, Editor/Owner of The Scout Guide New Orleans

Mariah Walton, owner of West London Boutique, signs her page in The Scout Guide New Orleans 

The Scout Guide is about people. We love connecting businesses to businesses, so I hosted a happy hour at Cavan to introduce New Orleans business owners to Editors in other cities. Kathy Slater who showcases her work in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta had the opportunity to meet the respective Editors. Susan Zackin who plans parties in New Orleans and Palm Beach (and everywhere in between) met her champion on the ground in any port of call. Interior Designer Shaun Smith and Restaurant Owner Robert Leblanc shared with Editors how The Scout Guide has supported the growth of his business.

TSG Naples, TSG Edmond, TSG Jackson, TSG Plano & Frisco, TSG Mobile Bay, TSG Dallas

Rebecca Vizard carved time in her schedule to share her story with TSG before darting to Baton Rouge to receive the Louisiana Legend award later in the evening

Today I have represented over 200 small business owners in New Orleans. I adore being their champion and I do experience some pretty cool things. But let me let you in on a little secret: you, too, can continue to peel back the layers in our city just by walking in the front door of these local businesses. 

Natalie Erwin Art pairs beautifully with Leontine

Flowers, antiques and gifts all under one roof at Dunn & Sonnier

Ashley Nettleton, TSG Edmond, Suzanne Dildy, TSG Park City, Susu Stall, owner of SOSUSU Boutique, and Susie Matheson, Co-Founder of TSG and Editor of The Scout Guide Charlottesville

Cole Pratt’s Erika Olinger shares with Christy Ford her art + technology exhibit 

TSG Headquarters Team with Shane Guidry of Pippen Lane

But where would we be without you, our reader? Thank you so much for supporting these small business owners. All a TSG Editor can hope for is that you find something you love here, visit the store, meet the owner, learn something new and buy local what you want (and of course, tell them scout sent you!). By doing so, you will have a profound impact on your local community.

Hopie Avery, TSG Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Leigh Ann Kalman, TSG Austin, Leigh Brown, TSG Fort Worth, Cheney Edmunds, TSG Richmond and Meredith Kallaher, TSG Miami shopping local at West London Boutique, Pilot + Powell, SOSUSU, Tasc and Villa Vici

TSG loves Ashley Longshore Art

Cozy conversations at Cavan with our newest editors TSG Phoenix and Tuscon at the head of the table

The experience of a French Quarter balcony at Arnaud’s

Champagne sabering every week day in the courtyard at Brennan’s

And just when I thought I had seen everything this city had to offer, TSG Co-Founders, Christy Ford & Susie Matheson, gifted me with a glittered field commander hat that they scouted at Peony. Certainly, there couldn’t have been a more perfect gift for the person leading the trombone parade of sixty lovers of local, and clearly, they had to stake their claim as the original scouts!

TELL THEM SCOUT SENT YOU!

—TAYLOR MORGAN, Editor/Owner, THE SCOUT GUIDE NEW ORLEANS

Most photos by Paul Morse Photo and a few by yours truly, TSG New Orleans. 

Enjoy TSG Miami’s recap of The Scout Guide Editor Conference on her You Tube Channel. 

Interested in becoming a member of The Scout Guide? Find more information here. 

#Visit #New Orleans #The Scout Guide #Local #Recommendation #Editor #Conference #Leontine #Windsor Court #BViz #Design #Restaurant #Brennans #Cavan #Small Business #Jane Scott Hodges #Ralph Brennan #Ashley Longshore #Patti Constantin #Melissa Rufty #Shaun Smith #Adrienne Casbarian #French Quarter #Magazine Street #Shopping #Dining #Taylor Morgan #Susie Matheson #Christy Ford #TSG

[boozedancing]

Beer Review - Oskar Blues Death by King Cake

We gear up for #MardiGras with a review of Death by King Cake by @oskarblues. #CraftBeer #BeerReview

You have to love a city with a plethora of nicknames…

Crescent City NOLA The Big Easy N’Awlins The Birthplace of Jazz And we’re sure there are others that we’ve never heard before!

Of course, the city we’re talking about is New Orleans, Louisianna and we’ve definitely got a soft spot for the town thanks to its fantastic food & drink options coupled with a supremely laid back attitude.

In honor…

View On WordPress

#A Tasting at the Murder Table #Beer #Beer review #Booze Dancing TV #Humor #Oskar Blues #Oskar Blues Death by King Cake #Video #YouTube

[suestrachan504]

Little Freddie King wins Sunday's sartorial award. Performing Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival in Lafayette Park in #nola. #blues #bbq #fashion #purplereigns (at Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival)

#nola #bbq #blues #fashion #purplereigns

[nightmare-afton-cosplay]

Jump Shot: Kyrie Irving’s Baller Mansion in Ohio Is This Week’s Most Popular Property

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving‘s home hit a three-pointer and became the most popular listing this week on realtor.com®. The former Cleveland Cavalier has taken his talents to Boston to play for the Celtics, and his fabulous Westlake, OH, home is now up for grabs.

After we reported on the luxe estate landing on the market, it dunked all over the competition. If you’re looking to buy into the baller lifestyle, the mansion is still available for $1.7 million.

In second place this week is a woodsy retreat in Indiana. The renovated home adjoins Versailles State Park and borders the Grand Loop mountain bike trail.

Also making our list this week are a charming blue bungalow in Anderson, SC; a French Provincial home in uptown New Orleans; and a Texan classic from the early ’40s.

Here are the 10 most popular listings this week:

10. 2409 Berkley Dr, Anderson, SC

Price: $120,000 Why it’s here: Curb appeal aplenty! This adorable bungalow has been fully restored. The two-bedroom home features hardwood floors, a cozy living room space in view of the formal dining room, and a remodeled kitchen. The backyard offers ample space for entertaining, complete with separate fire pit and grilling areas, and a storage shed—painted blue to match the main house.

Anderson, SC

realtor.com

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9. 8201 Greenwood Ave, Munster, IN

Price: $264,900 Why it’s here: HGTV fans, look no further. The spirit of “Fixer Upper” has touched this remodeled three-bedroom home. The living room includes a stone fireplace and trendy shiplap, the remodeled chef’s kitchen has white cabinets and a subway backsplash, and the finished basement has—wait for it—a wet bar!

Munster, IN

realtor.com

———

8. 5727 Chestnut St, New Orleans, LA

Price: $1,240,000 Why it’s here: This Crescent City charmer is located in an “upscale” area of uptown NOLA. the large French Provincial home includes formal living and dining rooms, a chef’s kitchen, and gated parking for two. Most importantly, there’s a large French Quarter–style courtyard with flagstone and a grilling area.

New Orleans, LA

realtor.com

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7. 1619 Hilltop Ln, Pantego, TX

Price: $210,000 Why it’s here: Built in 1964, this three-bedroom home has been “meticulously maintained” with many recent updates, including exterior paint. The space offers a remodeled kitchen, tile baths, a fireplace, and a huge grassy backyard.

Pentego, TX

realtor.com

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6. 4923 Kessler Boulevard East Dr, Indianapolis, IN

Price: $1,750,000 Why it’s here: Like a guest who’s overstayed his welcome, this home just won’t leave our most popular list. The Kessler mansion, a kooky, jumbled property created by a man known as “Mr. Big,” continues to attract gawkers with its unabashedly tacky design.

Indianapolis, IN

realtor.com

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5. 3640 W Park Ave, Orange, TX

Price: $294,900 Why it’s here: Built in 1940, this is a home for the holidays. It’s a bargain, too! Measuring nearly 5,000 square feet, the home costs less than $60 a square foot. There’s a formal dining room, two living areas with a wet bar, and a game room. The 4-acre property also comes with a smokehouse and a garage apartment.

Orange, TX

realtor.com

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4. 366 County Road 88 County Rd, Helena, OH

Price: $1,500,000 Why it’s here: Enjoy a mix of old and new on this 75-acre parcel. The log home part of the house was built in 1834 and has been lovingly restored. In 2003, an addition was built with modern amenities, a huge kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll also find a fireplace, deck, and pool, as well as a barn dating to the 1840s.

Helena, OH

realtor.com

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3. 760 West St, Wrentham, MA

Price: $2,200,000 Why it’s here: This one’s for fans of the modern farmhouse movement. The 9-acre property includes a greenhouse, unfinished au pair suite, and English-style barn. You can keep everything as is and run a hay farm, or subdivide the large lot and build a couple of new homes.

Wrentham, MA

realtor.com

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2. 1284 E County Road 200 N, Milan, IN

Price: $749,000 Why it’s here: This remodeled vacation home features an open floor plan, including a huge kitchen, five beds, and 3.5 baths. It’s located near Versailles State Park and borders the Grand Loop mountain bike trail.

Milan, IN

realtor.com

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1. 2431 Cornerstone Ln, Westlake, OH

Price: $1,699,000 Why it’s here: If you’re thinking this huge home with a two-story living room is big enough to fit a basketball player, you’re right. Kyrie Irving is selling his Ohio home now that he’s left the Cleveland Cavaliers behind. The luxe estate includes a basketball hoop in the living room and the backyard, a gym, theater room, large kitchen, and master suite.

Westlake, OH

realtor.com

The post Jump Shot: Kyrie Irving’s Baller Mansion in Ohio Is This Week’s Most Popular Property appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/kyrie-irving-most-popular-listing/

[csrgood]

Humana Foundation Investing $7.6 Million in Eight Communities to Address Social Determinants of Health

 The Humana Foundation, philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) for the past 38 years, is investing $7.6 million in eight communities across the southeastern United States to address social determinants of health on a local level, helping more people achieve health equity. Part of its ongoing Strategic Community Investment Program, The Humana Foundation will create two new investments in New Orleans totaling $1 million and will continue its existing investments with 10 organizations in seven other communities, including expanding its investment in Baton Rouge, La.

Through partnerships with local organizations and community members, The Humana Foundation’s Strategic Community Investment Program creates measurable results in some of the most common social determinants of health, including post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment, social connectedness, financial asset security and food security. These investments are located in Humana ‘Bold Goal’ communities, places where Humana and The Humana Foundation are working to help people improve their health 20 percent by 2020 and beyond.

“Our Strategic Community Investments holistically address social determinants of health at the systems- and community-level,” said Walter D. Woods, CEO of The Humana Foundation. “We believe this approach will positively impact health outcomes in our target communities which our first year results confirm. Consequently, we are creating new investments in New Orleans and continuing our investments in other locations.”

Two new Strategic Community Investments in New Orleans will address financial asset security, post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment, and food security.

Kingsley House will receive an investment of $416,480 for its Career Pathways program, an employment program that helps lift families out of generational poverty by creating greater financial asset security and post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment. Kingsley House will collaborate with DePaul Community Health Centers and Crescent City Family Services to help families access community resources.

Growing Local Food Collaborative will receive $613,620 to address financial asset security, post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment, and food security in New Orleans. The program will take a unique, cooperative approach by working through local partnerships to bring fresh food into food deserts, to create new markets and train local farmers, and to provide training and an employment pipeline for youth in the local food and hospitality economy. Partners in this initiative include, Liberty’s Kitchen, New Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee, Recirculating Farms Coalition, SPROUT NOLA, Top Box Foods Louisiana, and joined by Second Harvest Food Bank for special projects.

In the first year of the Strategic Community Investment Program, The Humana Foundation invested $7.4 million in seven communities and funded programs that served more than 16,000 individuals and their families, addressing one or more social determinant of health. Each of these seven communities will receive continued or expanded Humana Foundation investments based on the measurable results each program attained in its first year.

  The Humana Foundation’s continuing and expanded Strategic Community Investments include the following:

Baton Rouge, La: Healthy BR  will receive $715,000 to continue improving food security and social connectedness via the Geaux Get Healthy project. Funded by both The Humana Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation this project addresses food deserts by saturating areas with the highest rates of food insecurity and health disparities with numerous access points for purchasing fresh food at an affordable price. HOPE Ministries will receive an additional $189,700 as a key partner in the Geaux Get Healthy project, allowing for the expansion of a workforce development program. By investing in HOPE Ministries’ The Way to Work program, The Humana Foundation is expanding its Strategic Community Investment in Baton Rouge to address post-secondary attainment and sustaining employment.

Broward County, Fla: Broward Community & Family Health Centers will receive $415,000 to continue working with health clinics to screen patients for food security and diet-related disease. Engaging Patients Impacting Care (EPIC) will also help people apply for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and help people access healthy foods via a produce prescription program.

Jacksonville, Fla: The University of Florida  will receive continued funding of $815,000 for Health-Smart, a program that promotes social connection and food security among minority, underserved and low-income seniors, as well as asset security and post-secondary success resources for their families in partnership with the Jacksonville Urban League and other local, health-focused partners.

Knoxville, Tenn.: InterFaith Health Clinic, in a collaborative partnership with Catapult 4D and Synergasia Health Technologies, will receive $965,000 to continue its Truck2Table program, addressing social determinants of health and improving the health and quality of life of uninsured and underserved people by providing affordable access to healthy food, free nutrition education and access to social connectedness resources.

Louisville, Ky.: The Family Scholar House  will receive an additional $515,000 investment for its HEROES program, expanding existing programs and reaching more individuals, families and senior citizens to assess and address barriers including social isolation, food insecurity and lack of post-secondary educational attainment.  Metro United Way will receive $715,000 to continue AcceLOUrate Savings financial literacy program, improving financial independence and providing families and residents experiencing economic distress with financial literacy coaching and other social services.

San Antonio: Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) will receive $915,000 to continue its Senior Planet San Antonio program, addressing social connectedness by engaging seniors through free access to internet-connected technology and training courses. The San Antonio Food Bank  will receive $708,462 to continue its Healthy Options for the Elderly (HOPE) program, assisting seniors who screen positive for food security and social connectedness concerns with comprehensive services that stabilize their household and address prevalent health issues.

Tampa: Feeding Tampa Bay will receive $640,500 to continue work to transform affordable access to healthy food in partnership with local clinics and other social service providers via the Feeding Tampa Bay Food Pharmacy. Community Health Centers of Pinellas (CHCP) will be a key partner in this work, creating an onsite food pharmacy at the CHCP clinic and increasing access to healthy foods for the neighborhood surround the clinic.

For more information on specific investment results, please visit the Strategic Community Investment section of HumanaFoundation.org.

Each organization that receives a Humana Foundation Strategic Community Investment has the opportunity to receive continued funding for up to three years based on the specific results achieved in their programs.

“Health is local, driven by choices available to people in their communities and neighborhoods,” Woods added. “We are grateful to work with local organizations to improve and sustain positive health outcomes.”

  About The Humana Foundation

The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc., one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies. Located in Louisville, Ky., the Foundation seeks to co-create communities where leadership, culture, and systems work to improve and sustain positive health outcomes. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org.

Humana and The Humana Foundation are dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our goal is to ensure that every business decision we make reflects our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our members, our employees, the communities we serve, and our planet.

About Humana

Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience with the goal of making health care easier to navigate and more effective.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at humana.com, including copies of:

Annual reports to stockholders

Securities and Exchange Commission filings

Most recent investor conference presentations

Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls

Calendar of events

Corporate Governance information.

  ###

source: https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/43435-Humana-Foundation-Investing-7-6-Million-in-Eight-Communities-to-Address-Social-Determinants-of-Health?tracking_source=rss

#CSR #corporate social responsibility #social good #philanthropy #employee engagement #workplace givi

[brooklynislandgirl]

📝 for the answering of applicable questions, please!

~Quietly, in the Lower Garden District~

~Colour~

The man behind the counter is ready to reach over and strangle her. She can see it in his expression, so put upon by each time she shakes her head and asks if she can have another sample made. She almost wishes he would try, he'd lose more than the hour that she's been at this. That might be uncharitable of her but the man reminds her of the kind of person who, when not wearing his little vest, is exactly the kind of person who sees Beth and Anakin walking down the street together and curls a lip, makes passing commentary to other middle-age white guys. Too poor, too weird, too questionably ethnic to suit them. The kind of person who would walk faster when it got dark, or would lock up before they could make it to a door. There's more of those than either one of them care to acknowledge, and the irony is almost delicious. Except that sometimes Anakin cannot help but to be very aware of that kind of prejudice and it really takes another chunk out of his self-confidence.

"Allow me to explain again," she says softly, in crisp and enunciated haole. "I said I want a very specific shade of blue. A hint of royal with a tinge of cadet number five. Then mix at the edges a touch of Prussian and just enough Turkish Steel to give that depth soft edges. Then overly sky atop it all. Or better yet, please find me a customer service specialist who can, in fact, understand what I am looking for because clearly? You're not it." That might be her fault, she does want to paint the living room the exact shade of Anakin's eyes.

~Song~

She doesn't play as well as Andy could, and she would never be a singer though she enjoyed it maybe because it was more about intent than execution, one of the few things that held true in absolute. And sometimes neither one really mattered when he folded himself up like an envelope just so he could rest his head against her chest and instead of plucking strings, she only ran fingers through his hair. He closes his eyes and she focuses hers across the back yard. Beyond the pool and past the grass. Colours blur and fade and there's a ripple of dissonance within the Tapestry to make a boundary between what is solid and inflexible and what is hidden in a space outside of the Tellurian. Words they don't use in every day conversation. She isn't quite singing now instead humming a tune that would reveal more than maybe they're ready to dive into. Other words they don't use, either. Her palm comes to rest on his brow as tender as she knows how. The other reaches around him to tuck one of the knitted blankets around him. He doesn't seem to mind the combination of warmth between herself and the acrylic, is maybe the only other person who could be cold in anything else less than 80 degrees and 90% humidity. It takes an infinite amount of patience, skill, and mana to redirect the rain to a different part of the city. He'll forgive her weariness even if he doesn't understand why she will go to bed early, sleep in late. And that's okay. He doesn't need to know. It's better if he doesn't, it would spoil the gift. 'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home.

~Scent~ The balcony door is open letting muggy air move sluggishly in through the French doors. Beneath her the bed is a little too stiff for comfort. Her laptop almost too warm as it rests on her thighs and only serves to remind her that she should probably get out of the charcoal grey suit she's wearing. She closes the screen and pulls her glasses off, raising them so they rest in her hair. Takes a sip of the wine she'd bought at...some store she won't remember the name of... but that came recommended by the bellhop.

She didn't have the forethought before leaving for Baton Rouge to steal borrow something to bring along. For reasons that she didn't want to explain because there's no very polite way to explain she's grown used to having him sleep beside her. That there's something soothing that comes wafting up from his skin the closer he gets, arm wrapped around her, leg half thrown over. At the end of a day there's his natural chemistry that mixes with clean laundry and cigarette smoke, something sweet and spicy from his preferred night cap. Sometimes there's blood. Sometimes the distinct smell of wood or metal from something he's working on for himself, the kind of tinkering that seems to bring him peace like nothing else can. There isn't an exact name for it but she can recognise it at a thousand paces. It makes her want to burrow furtively into his chest cavity and find some way to live inside of that newly hollowed out space. Maybe just thinking about it was all she needed. Maybe it's some new kind of magick trick. Regardless, she'd managed to doze off just long enough to be startled when the door of her hotel room clicks shut and he's there. Pulled out of her day dreams and turned into flesh. With exactly the kind of apologetic grin she's become as familiar with as she is the smell of him. "Guess, I jus' couldn't sleep." And she knows there's more going on behind the sheepish look, and the way he stands at a polite distance away, maybe waiting for permission. She doesn't say a word. Only turns down the previously pristine other side of the bed before slipping from hers. The white silk blouse hits the floor seconds before she disappears into the bathroom.

~Meme~ She eyes Anakin. Looks at her phone. Back and forth for five solid minutes before she just starts giggling. Which turns into a laugh.

~Sound~ It's those little sub-vocalisations that get her. Every near guttural groan, every single one of those breathless whimpers that cling to the edges of her senses soft as cobwebs or hard as thunder. There are so many layers between them, so much context to be drawn from even a half of a sigh. They are a siren song even if she doesn't know what rocks he wants her to dash herself on.

~Setting~

She cringes. "I don' wanna tell ya." He's helping her work on a psychological profiling assessment that's required of her continuing education class, which is all part of her professional development. But she's worried because it's going to sound incredibly racist, coming as it is not from a white-passing woman of colour but one of incredible privilege who absolutely knows what it's going to sound like. But she cannot resist the look of self-accusation and anxiety that creeps into his micro-expressions and doing anything else would feel incredibly dishonest. Something she doesn't want to foster in him. "Somewhere 'round sunset. Da bayou waddah look like it on fire. Dere's some soft Zydeco music goin' on in da backdrop. Air's hot an' heavy like steam 'tween lovers an' if ya real quiet, can hear da bayou jus' come alive wi' oddah souls. Dere's pirogues bobbin' along, an' you can smell some ono grindz cookin' somewhere. Spanish moss all hangin' down from cypress an' willow trees. A mixture of old spirituals an' dat beautiful, melodic pidgin dat get spoke down dere...I know is nevah really li'dat.... also make me t'ink of witch blood an' Mokole dat pass as gators... all dem ghosts an' da kine ya nevah can put ya finger on but dat give ya chicken skin jus' t'inkin' 'bout..." ~Fashion Style~

Clothes litter her floor. Flung without a care to their resting places. Some on the edge of her bed or the arm of a chair. Suits and jeans and tee-shirts. Undergarments and socks. Like some small hurricane exploded out of the closet, just with less water. There's sarongs too. Luau shirts that just aren't him. Shoes too. Finally, she steps back and examines her handiwork. A frame work of satin boxers that will caress the most delicate parts of him without bunching or pinching. An accent of which are picked up in the suit lapels and bow tie. White shirt, black buttons. Silver cuff-links. Socks that are thin as a Friday night prayer, and absolutely voluptuous Paolo Scafora oxfords in a blue so dark they look black at first glance, polished to a mirror gloss. Dior and Stefano Ricci. Famous labels from famous houses of style.

If the gala wasn't required...Anakin wouldn't be seeing the light of day and there'd be very different reasons the clothes would be laying scattered about.

But she kind of also misses that scruffy plain, slightly tattered tee-shirt and skinny jeans even she would have a hard time getting up past her own hips, and questionably aged converse. Aesthetically speakin, Anakin is ever clothing designer's wet dream and she has never wanted to be a circular scarf more in her life. "Wow. Jus'....wow." ~Feeling~

"Belonging."

It's all she says before she kisses him. Softly and sweetly, a little wet from a stray tear that slips down between their lips. Admitting this is admitting that maybe, just maybe, she loves him, too. Which puts a countdown on everything. Which means that he's going to find the wherewithal to leave her and to take with him every that makes her feel even the littlest bit real. She doesn't know if she'll survive the loss, so it's best that she make the most of it before he goes. ~Animal~ "If you were one dem changing breeds? You'd be a were-fossa. Dey are dese medium sized ....well. Dey kinda look like cats, but also...dey don't. Related to da civet but also like...mongooses. Mongeese? Wha'evah. Dey from Madagascar. Da Malagasy got kapu of a kind an' actually are sorta afraid of dem, an' wi' good reason...dey carnivorous ay-eff." She glances over. "Don' laugh! Dey beautiful an' rare an' I really like dem a lot. An' I'm not gonna tell ya any more about dem. Gonna make a new animal, an' call it a' Anakin." There is every possibility that she will do this. Some day.

~Holiday~ Christmas. It will always be Christmas. Not the lights and snow and carollers, though there's plenty of that to go around. Not the chill and dank air, not the interminably long night, not even because of gifts. It's not a childhood of Santa surfing or canoeing, and it isn't sandcastles and malasadas left by the lanai doors from Hawai'i, either. Maybe it's a touch of the peace and goodwill often associated with the season, and how he came to find her when he needed her the most. But if she had to give just one reason, it's that he brought her back a sense of wonder that she'd thought was lost when her world had shattered. He took something terrible and turned it into something beautiful. That isn't an ordinary, every day kind of magick and she doesn't know how she will ever be able to express her love and gratitude for him.

"Wha'ya t'ink about mebbe da Bahamas dis year? Get out of da city for a lil while, I promise I won' make ya go for da beach."

~Season~

When Beth thinks of seasons, she thinks of it being a mainland phenomenon. Her own islands only really have two: Kau from May to October, where everything is beautiful and averages about 85 degrees give or take, and Ho'oilo from November to April when the best tides bring in the biggest waves. It's only cooler by about ten degrees. Which is maybe why she always feels so cold so far away from home. And why she likes it here so much. She knows other places have as many as six seasons, broken up into more agricultural and solar tied patterns of weather and climate and sometimes even just spiritual nature. But taking all of Anakin into account, she would have to say... "Monsoon. It's da time of life-giving rains. But also it can be dangerous for the same reason. Cool but lingers along your skin. An' it's somet'ing I keep wi' me always, waitin' for it."

#Mahalo!Shady <333 #Like A Sad Hallucination|Anakin Skywalker #Like a Memory in Motion|Anibeth #The Trunk You Keep Your Life In|Mage the Ascension #Crescent City Blues|Nola #Reborn on the Bayou|Louisiana

[tinymixtapes]

Danny Brown details new album uknowhatimsayin¿, tour, other stuff

CHECK!! Full details of Danny Brown’s new album, uknowhatimsayin¿, has finally been unveiled, and it turns out our Fancy-Pants News Editor wasn’t lying. The 11-track album is executive produced by Q-Tip, and it features additional help from Flying Lotus, Standing on the Corner, and longtime producer Paul White, as well as guest spots from Run The Jewels, Obongjayar, and Blood Orange. JPEGMAFIA is behind the boards and on the mic, because, you know, it’s JPEGMAFIA. “There was no room for error,” says Danny Brown. “Q-Tip wanted me to go back to that ‘Greatest Rapper Ever’ era. I almost had to relearn how to rap again — an ego death type thing. He gave me this whole new outlook on music. I can’t go back to how I was before.” Watch the video for the curiously succinct album’s curiously succinct single “Dirty Laundry” below (dir. Simon Cahn), followed by dates for a monster-ish North American tour that begins October 16. And in case you weren’t already aware: you never know what to expect from a Danny Brown show. Trust me. I live in Minneapolis, if ya know what I mean. ;) uknowhatimsayin¿ arrives October 4 via Warp and can be pre-ordered here. uknowhatimsayin¿ tracklist: 01. Change Up 02. Theme Song 03. Dirty Laundry 04. 3 Tearz (feat. Run The Jewels) 05. Belly of the Beast (feat. Obongjayar) 06. Savage Nomad 07. Best Life 08. uknowhatimsayin¿ 09. Negro Spiritual (feat. JPEGMAFIA) 10. Shine (feat. Blood Orange) 11. Combat Danny Brown tour dates: 09.07.19 - Toronto, Ontario - RBC Echo Beach (MATTYFEST) 10.12.19 - Atlanta, GA - Afropunk ATL 10.14.19 - Nashville, TN - Basement East 10.16.19 - New Orleans, LA - Republic NOLA 10.17.19 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Studio 10.18.19 - Dallas, TX - Canton Hall 10.19.19 - Austin, TX - Empire Control Room and Garage 10.21.19 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom 10.22.19 - Pomona, CA - Glass House 10.23.19 - San Diego, CA - Music Box 10.25.19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent 10.26.19 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall 10.28.19 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater 10.29.19 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Vogue Theater 10.31.19 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox 11.02.19 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex 11.03.19 - Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom 11.05.19 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue 11.07.19 - Chicago, IL - The Metro 11.08.19 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave 2 11.10.19 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues 11.11.19 - Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts 11.13.19 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage 11.15.19 - Boston, MA - Big Night Live 11.17.19 - New Haven, CT - Toad’s Place 11.18.19 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw 11.19.19 - Montreal, Quebec - Corona Theater http://j.mp/2MZAIms

[topfygad]

Top 10 New Orleans Festivals: A Guide To The City’s Best Events

New Orleans is a city with many names, including the Crescent City, NOLA, and the Big Easy. Another nickname that deserves to be on the list is Festival Capital of the World. With over 130 New Orleans festivals throughout the year, that’s about one every three days!

That’s not just New Orleanians tooting their own horn, either. Travel & Leisure actually named NOLA the best city for festivals in the United States. New York may be the City That Never Sleeps, but New Orleans is the City That Never Stops Partying.

While New Orleans is most well-known for its raucous Mardi Gras celebration, there are tons of other awesome festivals to experience here. Whether you’re into music, food, literature, art, or booze, there’s a festival for you in the Big Easy.

I absolutely love festivals. In fact, I skipped my senior prom to go to my first music festival. Oh yeah, and I met my wife at one as well! Of all the cities I’ve traveled to for festivals, nobody does it quite like New Orleans. 

With so many excellent New Orleans events to choose from, there’s likely to be something cool going on in the city when you visit. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best New Orleans festivals to help you plan the perfect trip.  

1. Mardi Gras: New Orleans Carnival Celebration

Of course, we have to start with the granddaddy of them all — Mardi Gras! This is definitely the most famous of all the New Orleans festivals, bringing in over 10 million people to the city each year.

The name Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, which is the common name for the final day before the start of Lent. On this day, many people eat rich and fatty foods before the fasting of Lent begins. Mardi Gras in New Orleans lasts for far longer than one day, though!

Once the 12 days of Christmas are finished, the Mardi Gras celebrations begin. The first parades kick off on January 6th, which is also known as Three Kings’ Day. That means the party lasts for several weeks, so you have lots of options for including Mardi Gras on your list of things to do in New Orleans. 

Mardi Gras came to the region way back in 1699 when a French Canadian explorer landed about 60 miles downriver from New Orleans and named it “Ponte du Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday Point) when he realized it was the day of the holiday. The parades started in the 1830s, and Mardi Gras has been an integral part of the culture here ever since.

Mardi Gras season in New Orleans basically means a ton of parades, interesting costumes, colorful beads, and King Cakes. There’s a lot of eating, drinking, dancing, and just general merriment. Be sure you wear the official colors of Mardi Gras – purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). 

For 2020, Mardi Gras falls on February 25th. This is the last day of the New Orleans Carnival season, so most people try to get to the city a few days before for an extended weekend. Make sure you plan ahead and book accommodation well in advance, as this is the most popular time to visit the Big Easy.

If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, consider traveling to New Orleans a few weeks before Mardi Gras. There’s still plenty going on, but it’s far less chaotic and you’ll get a better deal on accommodation.

2. French Quarter Festival

The French Quarter Festival started back in 1984 as a way to draw locals back to the area after construction of the World’s Fair finished up. It’s a celebration of New Orleans food, music, and culture that lasts for four days every April. If you’re looking for a good New Orleans music festival, this is a solid choice.

Best of all, the French Quarter Festival is totally free! It’s actually the largest free music festival in the country, with an estimated 1,700 Louisiana musicians playing across 23 different stages. You’ll hear many different genres of music here, from funk to jazz to zydeco. 

In addition to all the great local music, you can expect plenty of delicious cuisine being cooked, and typical New Orleans cocktails being mixed. There are over 60 booths set up around the French Quarter serving up classics like po’ boys and Hurricanes.

The event is highlighted by the world’s largest jazz brunch, which takes place in Jackson Square and the Riverfront Park. For more information, be sure to check their website.

3. New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

There’s no doubt that the Big Easy is one of the best cities in the US for eating and drinking. You could plan your entire trip here around what you want to eat and drink, and there would be absolutely nothing wrong with that!

When it comes to New Orleans festivals, the Wine and Food Experience is definitely one of the best. Foodies and winos will love this 5-day celebration of the finer things in life. With over 250 wineries and 100 restaurants taking part, you’ve got plenty of options.

During the festival, wineries and restaurants team up to offer special menus with wine pairings. There are also grand tastings and seminars throughout the festival where you can learn more about the fantastic food and wine on offer. The highlight of the festival is the Royal Street Stroll, a parade led by the Krewe of Cork.

One of the best parts about supporting this festival is that it’s for a great cause. The NOWFE donates all of its proceeds minus costs to benefit the arts, careers in wine and hospitality, and charitable organizations. They’ve contributed over $1 million so far, so you’re eating and drinking for a good cause here!

If you want to take part in the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, head on over to their website to learn more.

4. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

In a city known as the birthplace of jazz, it should come as no surprise that there’s a jazz festival in the Big Easy! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (or Jazz Fest for short) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is a major part of the local culture.

This famous New Orleans music festival goes down at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Here you can catch over 100 artists across several stages playing every style of music associated with Louisiana, which is basically everything! In addition to jazz, you can get down to blues, gospel, rap, country, bluegrass, and so much more. 

Jazz Fest wouldn’t be one of the best New Orleans festivals without plenty of local food to enjoy. Jazz Fest has a policy of “no carnival food” meaning you won’t get overpriced corn dogs and cotton candy here. Instead, you can munch on local classics like boiled crawfish or red beans & rice. There are also plenty of booths around the festival selling local crafts.

While the music at the festival only goes until 7:00 PM, the party doesn’t stop then. One of the best parts about experiencing Jazz Fest is checking out some of the amazing late-night shows that go on across the city. The hardest part about going to this fun New Orleans music festival is getting any sleep!

Jazz Fest is actually so big now that it takes place over two weekends. If you want to experience one of the best New Orleans festivals, plan to be in the city for the last weekend of April or first of May, or both if you want to go big. For more information on Jazz Fest, check out their website.

5. White Linen Night/Dirty Linen Night

Of all the unique New Orleans festivals, these two definitely stand out. At the very least, they certainly have the most interesting names – White Linen Night and Dirty Linen Night. 

While you can zip around the Big Easy in a nice air-conditioned cab these days, this was not the case back in the day. Since summers are so hot and muggy in the New Orleans, people preferred to wear white linen when going out. Merchants in the city’s Warehouse District decided to have a little flashback party and started White Linen Night in 1994.

The idea for this event is simple. You just put on some fresh, white linen and come out to Julia Street to peruse the art galleries. Of course, there’s also live music and plenty of food & drink to keep the party going. White wine is the drink of choice at this fancy soirée! 

New Orleans festivals are all about having a good time. That’s why the party extends to the next weekend with Dirty Linen Night. You’re encouraged to wear the same outfit that you did the previous weekend now that it’s nice and dirty. This party takes place in the French Quarter on Royal Street. Dirty Martinis are the drink of choice, and some shops even give away Dirty Rice.

Taking place over back-to-back weekends in the summer, these are art-centered block parties that are free to attend. White Linen Night takes place on the first Saturday in August, while Dirty Linen Night happens the following weekend.

6. Essence Festival

Known as the “party with a purpose,” the Essence Festival was originally planned as a one-off event back in 1995. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the festival, which is now known as the biggest event celebrating African-American culture in the entire United States.

Essence is basically two festivals rolled into one. During the day, there are panels and workshops in the Ernest Morial Convention Center. These are open to the public and are totally free, but registration is required.

The action moves to the Superdome in the evenings for an impressive lineup of hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B, and gospel music. You can purchase tickets for concerts individually or go for a weekend pass. This is one New Orleans music festival you won’t want to miss! 

They’re pulling out all the stops for the big milestone this year (2019). Former First Lady Michelle Obama will headline the festivities in a special keynote conversation. The musical lineup is stacked as well, with Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, NAS, Pharrell Williams, and more. Check their website for more information.

7. Tales of the Cocktail

There are several classic New Orleans cocktails, and there’s even an entire festival dedicated to adult beverages. Tales of the Cocktail dates back to 2002 when it started out as a walking tour of local bars. The next year, it turned into a small gathering of cocktail aficionados and professionals, and it has grown every year since.

Over the course of five days, the cocktail community descends upon New Orleans for seminars, workshops, competitions, tastings, and much more. There are even field trips out to local distilleries, which can be a lot of fun. 

For this festival, you can just purchase tickets to the events individually. If you buy tickets up to a value of $150, you can get free access to all the tasting rooms. Here you’ll find great events like “Craft Your Own Perfect Bloody Mary” and “Hecho in Mexico: All Things Agave.” 

Whether you’re a part of the industry or just interested in mixology, this is definitely one of the coolest New Orleans events. You can find all the info you need over on their website.

8. Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

In a city famous for its music and food, one of the best New Orleans festivals to check out is Crescent City Blues & BBQ. Just as the weather starts to cool down a bit, this festival heats things right back up in downtown New Orleans.

This New Orleans music festival started after Hurricane Katrina as a way to bring tourists back to the city and create jobs for locals. It’s been a huge hit ever since and will be having its 14th edition this year.

The festival takes place in Lafayette Square Park in the city’s Central Business District. There are two different stages set up where you can enjoy some amazing blues music and another smaller stage where artists tell stories and host Q&A events.

As far as the food goes, you can expect plenty of mouth-watering Louisiana barbecue here. Take your pick between brisket, lamb chops, and of course a wide variety of sausages. They have vegetarian and vegan options available as well. 

Admission is free, but there are VIP packages available if you’re interested. You can read more about the festival on their website.

9. Voodoo Music & Arts Experience

Voodoo has been an important part of the local culture in New Orleans for centuries. It came here with slaves from West Africa, who soon merged their rituals and beliefs with Catholicism. Not only is there a Voodoo Museum in New Orleans, but there’s even a festival.

Every October on the weekend around Halloween, the Voodoo Music & Arts Experience takes over City Park. With catchphrases like “join the ritual” and “worship the music,” this New Orleans music festival embraces the city’s history with voodoo. 

The first edition of Voodoo happened back in 1999 as a single-day event. It has grown considerably since then and is now a massive 3-day festival with an impressive lineup. Headliners include Guns N’ Roses, Post Malone, and Beck. 

In addition to all the music, there are some pretty mind-blowing art installations here. There’s even an interactive graveyard that makes for some spooky photo ops. Add in thousands of costumed people and you’ve got a recipe for an awesome Halloween weekend. You can find out more about Voodoo and pick up tickets on their website.

LUNA Fete

One of the most unique New Orleans festivals is LUNA Fete, which stands for Light Up NOLA Arts. That’s precisely what this amazing festival of light, art, and technology does to the historic buildings of the Big Easy. 

This festival started in 2014 with a single installation at Gallier Hall featuring a stunning projection of light and video. Created by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the idea is to shine a light on the city and show how art can transform communities.

What you’ll see if you experience LUNA Fete is so much more than images being projected onto a building. It’s a very interactive display of motion graphics and sound using the latest in video mapping technology. It truly is an awe-inspiring sight.

LUNA Fete takes place over a few nights in early December to kick off the holiday season in New Orleans. There are nightly projections along with some other interesting art installations. There’s also a large marketplace here with plenty of art and food vendors as well as live entertainment. It’s the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and fun for the whole family. Click here to learn more.

Ready for New Orleans Festivals?

As you can see, the action really doesn’t stop when it comes to New Orleans events. Just a few days after ringing in the New Year with huge parties all over the city, the Mardi Gras parades start and last for several weeks. 

There’s barely enough time to clean up all the beads off of Bourbon Street before the city turns its focus towards its legendary spring festivals. In addition to the French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest, there are also tons of New Orleans festivals in the spring just for crawfish! 

The tasty food festivals of the Big Easy continue on through the rest of the year. There are festivals here dedicated to fried chicken, po’ boys, gumbo, beignets, and even one just for tomatoes. You’ll need something to wash all that down with, and New Orleans has you covered with wine, beer, and cocktail festivals. 

With so many festivals going on, New Orleans just might take the (King) Cake for the most fun city in the USA. When one party ends, another is just beginning in the Big Easy. That’s why the city’s motto is “Laissez Le Bons Temps Roulez” – Let the Good Times Roll!

Have you traveled to New Orleans for one of these festivals, or do you have another great recommendation? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Note: Some images in this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

Like This Article? Pin it!

  The post Top 10 New Orleans Festivals: A Guide To The City’s Best Events appeared first on Goats On The Road.

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It’s Festival Time

New Orleans, LA is not just a tourist spot; it is one of the Festival full places in the USA. The people celebrate dozens of festivals, no matter the option is, - unique food, music, or the historic event, New Orleans always stands to celebrate that. There are many festivals all over the calendar year. I will describe them by month wise. Let’s join me, for the journey in New Orleans, LA.

 January: Mardi Gras Parades, King Cake Festival.

 February: Mardi Gras Parades, Tet Fest.

 March: Wednesday at the Square Concert Series, Congo Square New Worlds Rhythm Festival, Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday, Buku Music and Art Project, Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, Taco Fest, Spring Fiesta, Hogs for the Cause

 April: Freret Street Festival, Wednesday at the Square Concert Series, French Quarter Festival, French Film Festival, Brunch Fest, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

 May: Give NOLA Fest, Crawfish Mambo, Bayou Boogaloo, New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, Bayou Country Superfest, Greek Fest, Treme 7th Ward Arts & Culture Festival.

 June: New Orleans Oyster Festival, New Orleans Pride, French Market Creole Tomato Festival, Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, ESSENCE Festival.

 July: ESSENCE Festival, San Fermin en Nueva Orleans, Bastille Day Fete

 August: Satchmo SummerFest, Whitney White Linen Night, Red Dress Run, Dirty Linen Night, NOLA Downtown Music and Arts Festival, Southern Decadence.

 September: Southern Decadence, New Orleans Burlesque Festival, NOLA on Tap, Fried Chicken Festival, Treme Fall Fest.

 October: Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, Treme Fall Fest, Beignet Festival, Gentilly Fest, Oktoberfest, New Orleans Film Festival, Carnival Latino, Praise Fest, Mac n Cheese Fest, Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, Louisiana Seafood Festival.

 November: Faux/Real Festival, Boudin, Bourbon & Beer, Algiers Folk Art Festival, Treme Creole Gumbo Festival.

 December: Words and Music Festival, NOLA Christmas Fest.

                    You can see that, why New Orleans is called Festival capital of USA. Though all the festival is for your enjoyment, some of them are very popular. They are –

 Voodoo Music & Arts Experience: This festival began in 1999, and since then it has become viral. In this festival, you can enjoy the food, music, crafts and cultural activity of the city. The main stages and several smaller ones are placed in the City Park while diet and beverage stands, books, jewelry, arts and crafts and clothes vendors are scattered around the green area as well.

 Mardi Gras Parades: Mardi Gras means the ‘Fat Tuesday.' This festival marks the end of the carnival and the beginning of Lent period. The annual celebration started in 1870. Some colorful dresses, ornaments, toys and the people are the primary focus.

 French Quarter Festival: the French Quarter Festival started in 1892. This festival attracts top most tourists and visitors. This event lasts for four days, and this is the largest free music celebration in Louisiana. The performers perform in different music types like classical, blues, swing, Cajun, jazz, rock, Latin, funk, zydeco, rhythm, and other international music. The Food of New Orleans and drinks enjoyable for the visitors too.

 It is just three from the never-ending list. Just visit New Orleans any time of the year, and you can also be the part of the festivals.

[charllieeldridge]

Top 10 New Orleans Festivals: A Guide To The City’s Best Events

New Orleans is a city with many names, including the Crescent City, NOLA, and the Big Easy. Another nickname that deserves to be on the list is Festival Capital of the World. With over 130 New Orleans festivals throughout the year, that’s about one every three days!

That’s not just New Orleanians tooting their own horn, either. Travel & Leisure actually named NOLA the best city for festivals in the United States. New York may be the City That Never Sleeps, but New Orleans is the City That Never Stops Partying.

While New Orleans is most well-known for its raucous Mardi Gras celebration, there are tons of other awesome festivals to experience here. Whether you’re into music, food, literature, art, or booze, there’s a festival for you in the Big Easy.

I absolutely love festivals. In fact, I skipped my senior prom to go to my first music festival. Oh yeah, and I met my wife at one as well! Of all the cities I’ve traveled to for festivals, nobody does it quite like New Orleans. 

With so many excellent New Orleans events to choose from, there’s likely to be something cool going on in the city when you visit — even if it’s just for a weekend.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best New Orleans festivals to help you plan the perfect trip.  

1. Mardi Gras: New Orleans Carnival Celebration

Of course, we have to start with the granddaddy of them all — Mardi Gras! This is definitely the most famous of all the New Orleans festivals, bringing in over 10 million people to the city each year.

The name Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, which is the common name for the final day before the start of Lent. On this day, many people eat rich and fatty foods before the fasting of Lent begins. Mardi Gras in New Orleans lasts for far longer than one day, though!

Once the 12 days of Christmas are finished, the Mardi Gras celebrations begin. The first parades kick off on January 6th, which is also known as Three Kings’ Day. That means the party lasts for several weeks, so you have lots of options for including Mardi Gras on your list of things to do in New Orleans. 

Mardi Gras came to the region way back in 1699 when a French Canadian explorer landed about 60 miles downriver from New Orleans and named it “Ponte du Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday Point) when he realized it was the day of the holiday. The parades started in the 1830s, and Mardi Gras has been an integral part of the culture here ever since.

Mardi Gras season in New Orleans basically means a ton of parades, interesting costumes, colorful beads, and King Cakes.

There’s a lot of eating, drinking, dancing, and just general merriment. Be sure you wear the official colors of Mardi Gras – purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). 

Make sure you plan ahead and book accommodation well in advance, as this is the most popular time to visit the Big Easy.

If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, consider traveling to New Orleans a few weeks before Mardi Gras. There’s still plenty going on, but it’s far less chaotic and you’ll get a better deal on accommodation.

2. French Quarter Festival

The French Quarter Festival started back in 1984 as a way to draw locals back to the area after the construction of the World’s Fair finished up.

It’s a celebration of New Orleans food, music, and culture that lasts for four days every April. If you’re looking for a good New Orleans music festival, this is a solid choice.

Best of all, the French Quarter Festival is totally free! It’s actually the largest free music festival in the country, with an estimated 1,700 Louisiana musicians playing across 23 different stages. You’ll hear many different genres of music here, from funk to jazz to zydeco. 

In addition to all the great local music, you can expect plenty of delicious cuisine being cooked, and typical New Orleans cocktails being mixed. There are over 60 booths set up around the French Quarter serving up classics like po’ boys and Hurricanes.

The event is highlighted by the world’s largest jazz brunch, which takes place in Jackson Square and the Riverfront Park. For more information, be sure to check their website.

3. New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

There’s no doubt that the Big Easy is one of the best cities in the US for eating and drinking. You could plan your entire trip here around what you want to eat and drink, and there would be absolutely nothing wrong with that!

When it comes to New Orleans festivals, the Wine and Food Experience is definitely one of the best. Foodies and winos will love this 5-day celebration of the finer things in life. With over 250 wineries and 100 restaurants taking part, you’ve got plenty of options.

During the festival, wineries and restaurants team up to offer special menus with wine pairings.

There are also grand tastings and seminars throughout the festival where you can learn more about the fantastic food and wine on offer. The highlight of the festival is the Royal Street Stroll, a parade led by the Krewe of Cork.

One of the best parts about supporting this festival is that it’s for a great cause.

The NOWFE donates all of its proceeds minus costs to benefit the arts, careers in wine and hospitality, and charitable organizations. They’ve contributed over $1 million so far, so you’re eating and drinking for a good cause here!

If you want to take part in the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, head on over to their website to learn more.

4. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

In a city known as the birthplace of jazz, it should come as no surprise that there’s a jazz festival in the Big Easy! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (or Jazz Fest for short) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is a major part of the local culture.

This famous New Orleans music festival goes down at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Here you can catch over 100 artists across several stages playing every style of music associated with Louisiana, which is basically everything!

In addition to jazz, you can get down to blues, gospel, rap, country, bluegrass, and so much more. 

Jazz Fest wouldn’t be one of the best New Orleans festivals without plenty of local food to enjoy. Jazz Fest has a policy of “no carnival food” meaning you won’t get overpriced corn dogs and cotton candy here. Instead, you can munch on local classics like boiled crawfish or red beans & rice.

There are also plenty of booths around the festival selling local crafts.

While the music at the festival only goes until 7:00 PM, the party doesn’t stop then. One of the best parts about experiencing Jazz Fest is checking out some of the amazing late-night shows that go on across the city.

The hardest part about going to this fun New Orleans music festival is getting any sleep!

Jazz Fest is actually so big now that it takes place over two weekends. If you want to experience one of the best New Orleans festivals, plan to be in the city for the last weekend of April or first of May, or both if you want to go big. For more information on Jazz Fest, check out their website.

5. White Linen Night/Dirty Linen Night

Of all the unique New Orleans festivals, these two definitely stand out. At the very least, they certainly have the most interesting names – White Linen Night and Dirty Linen Night. 

While you can zip around the Big Easy in a nice air-conditioned cab these days, this was not the case back in the day.

Since summers are so hot and muggy in New Orleans, people preferred to wear white linen when going out. Merchants in the city’s Warehouse District decided to have a little flashback party and started White Linen Night in 1994.

The idea for this event is simple. You just put on some fresh, white linen and come out to Julia Street to peruse the art galleries. Of course, there’s also live music and plenty of food & drink to keep the party going. White wine is the drink of choice at this fancy soirée! 

New Orleans festivals are all about having a good time. That’s why the party extends to the next weekend with Dirty Linen Night.

You’re encouraged to wear the same outfit that you did the previous weekend now that it’s nice and dirty. This party takes place in the French Quarter on Royal Street. Dirty Martinis are the drink of choice, and some shops even give away Dirty Rice.

Taking place over back-to-back weekends in the summer, these are art-centered block parties that are free to attend. White Linen Night takes place on the first Saturday in August, while Dirty Linen Night happens the following weekend.

6. Essence Festival

Known as the “party with a purpose,” the Essence Festival was originally planned as a one-off event back in 1995. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the festival, which is now known as the biggest event celebrating African-American culture in the entire United States.

Essence is basically two festivals rolled into one. During the day, there are panels and workshops in the Ernest Morial Convention Center. These are open to the public and are totally free, but registration is required.

The action moves to the Superdome in the evenings for an impressive lineup of hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B, and gospel music. You can purchase tickets for concerts individually or go for a weekend pass. This is one New Orleans music festival you won’t want to miss! 

They’re pulling out all the stops for the big milestone this year (2019). Former First Lady Michelle Obama will headline the festivities in a special keynote conversation. The musical lineup is stacked as well, with Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, NAS, Pharrell Williams, and more. Check their website for more information.

7. Tales of the Cocktail

There are several classic New Orleans cocktails, and there’s even an entire festival dedicated to adult beverages. Tales of the Cocktail dates back to 2002 when it started out as a walking tour of local bars. The next year, it turned into a small gathering of cocktail aficionados and professionals, and it has grown every year since.

Over the course of five days, the cocktail community descends upon New Orleans for seminars, workshops, competitions, tastings, and much more. There are even field trips out to local distilleries, which can be a lot of fun. 

For this festival, you can just purchase tickets to the events individually. If you buy tickets up to a value of $150, you can get free access to all the tasting rooms. Here you’ll find great events like “Craft Your Own Perfect Bloody Mary” and “Hecho in Mexico: All Things Agave.” 

Whether you’re a part of the industry or just interested in mixology, this is definitely one of the coolest New Orleans events. You can find all the info you need over on their website.

8. Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

In a city famous for its music and food, one of the best New Orleans festivals to check out is Crescent City Blues & BBQ. Just as the weather starts to cool down a bit, this festival heats things right back up in downtown New Orleans.

This New Orleans music festival started after Hurricane Katrina as a way to bring tourists back to the city and create jobs for locals. It’s been a huge hit ever since and will be having its 14th edition this year.

The festival takes place in Lafayette Square Park in the city’s Central Business District. There are two different stages set up where you can enjoy some amazing blues music and another smaller stage where artists tell stories and host Q&A events.

As far as the food goes, you can expect plenty of mouth-watering Louisiana barbecue here. Take your pick between brisket, lamb chops, and of course a wide variety of sausages. They have vegetarian and vegan options available as well. 

Admission is free, but there are VIP packages available if you’re interested. You can read more about the festival on their website.

9. Voodoo Music & Arts Experience

Voodoo has been an important part of the local culture in New Orleans for centuries. It came here with slaves from West Africa, who soon merged their rituals and beliefs with Catholicism. Not only is there a Voodoo Museum in New Orleans, but there’s even a festival.

Every October on the weekend around Halloween, the Voodoo Music & Arts Experience takes over City Park. With catchphrases like “join the ritual” and “worship the music,” this New Orleans music festival embraces the city’s history with voodoo. 

The first edition of Voodoo happened back in 1999 as a single-day event. It has grown considerably since then and is now a massive 3-day festival with an impressive lineup. Headliners include Guns N’ Roses, Post Malone, and Beck. 

In addition to all the music, there are some pretty mind-blowing art installations here. There’s even an interactive graveyard that makes for some spooky photo ops.

Add in thousands of costumed people and you’ve got a recipe for an awesome Halloween weekend. You can find out more about Voodoo and pick up tickets on their website.

10. LUNA Fete

One of the most unique New Orleans festivals is LUNA Fete, which stands for Light Up NOLA Arts. That’s precisely what this amazing festival of light, art, and technology does to the historic buildings of the Big Easy. 

This festival started in 2014 with a single installation at Gallier Hall featuring a stunning projection of light and video. Created by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the idea is to shine a light on the city and show how art can transform communities.

What you’ll see if you experience LUNA Fete is so much more than images being projected onto a building. It’s a very interactive display of motion graphics and sound using the latest in video mapping technology. It truly is an awe-inspiring sight.

LUNA Fete takes place over a few nights in early December to kick off the holiday season in New Orleans. There are nightly projections along with some other interesting art installations.

There’s also a large marketplace here with plenty of art and food vendors as well as live entertainment. It’s the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and fun for the whole family. Click here to learn more.

Ready for New Orleans Festivals?

As you can see, the action really doesn’t stop when it comes to New Orleans events. Just a few days after ringing in the New Year with huge parties all over the city, the Mardi Gras parades start and last for several weeks. 

There’s barely enough time to clean up all the beads off of Bourbon Street before the city turns its focus towards its legendary spring festivals. In addition to the French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest, there are also tons of New Orleans festivals in the spring just for crawfish! 

The tasty food festivals of the Big Easy continue on through the rest of the year. There are festivals here dedicated to fried chicken, po’ boys, gumbo, beignets, and even one just for tomatoes. You’ll need something to wash all that down with, and New Orleans has you covered with wine, beer, and cocktail festivals. 

With so many festivals going on, New Orleans just might take the (King) Cake for the most fun city in the USA. When one party ends, another is just beginning in the Big Easy. That’s why the city’s motto is “Laissez Le Bons Temps Roulez” – Let the Good Times Roll!

Have you traveled to New Orleans for one of these festivals, or do you have another great recommendation? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Note: Some images in this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

Like This Article? Pin it!

  The post Top 10 New Orleans Festivals: A Guide To The City’s Best Events appeared first on Goats On The Road.

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[gillespialfredoe01806ld]

Jump Shot: Kyrie Irving’s Baller Mansion in Ohio Is This Week’s Most Popular Property

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving‘s home hit a three-pointer and became the most popular listing this week on realtor.com®. The former Cleveland Cavalier has taken his talents to Boston to play for the Celtics, and his fabulous Westlake, OH, home is now up for grabs.

After we reported on the luxe estate landing on the market, it dunked all over the competition. If you’re looking to buy into the baller lifestyle, the mansion is still available for $1.7 million.

In second place this week is a woodsy retreat in Indiana. The renovated home adjoins Versailles State Park and borders the Grand Loop mountain bike trail.

Also making our list this week are a charming blue bungalow in Anderson, SC; a French Provincial home in uptown New Orleans; and a Texan classic from the early ’40s.

Here are the 10 most popular listings this week:

10. 2409 Berkley Dr, Anderson, SC

Price: $120,000 Why it’s here: Curb appeal aplenty! This adorable bungalow has been fully restored. The two-bedroom home features hardwood floors, a cozy living room space in view of the formal dining room, and a remodeled kitchen. The backyard offers ample space for entertaining, complete with separate fire pit and grilling areas, and a storage shed—painted blue to match the main house.

Anderson, SC

realtor.com

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9. 8201 Greenwood Ave, Munster, IN

Price: $264,900 Why it’s here: HGTV fans, look no further. The spirit of “Fixer Upper” has touched this remodeled three-bedroom home. The living room includes a stone fireplace and trendy shiplap, the remodeled chef’s kitchen has white cabinets and a subway backsplash, and the finished basement has—wait for it—a wet bar!

Munster, IN

realtor.com

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8. 5727 Chestnut St, New Orleans, LA

Price: $1,240,000 Why it’s here: This Crescent City charmer is located in an “upscale” area of uptown NOLA. the large French Provincial home includes formal living and dining rooms, a chef’s kitchen, and gated parking for two. Most importantly, there’s a large French Quarter–style courtyard with flagstone and a grilling area.

New Orleans, LA

realtor.com

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7. 1619 Hilltop Ln, Pantego, TX

Price: $210,000 Why it’s here: Built in 1964, this three-bedroom home has been “meticulously maintained” with many recent updates, including exterior paint. The space offers a remodeled kitchen, tile baths, a fireplace, and a huge grassy backyard.

Pentego, TX

realtor.com

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6. 4923 Kessler Boulevard East Dr, Indianapolis, IN

Price: $1,750,000 Why it’s here: Like a guest who’s overstayed his welcome, this home just won’t leave our most popular list. The Kessler mansion, a kooky, jumbled property created by a man known as “Mr. Big,” continues to attract gawkers with its unabashedly tacky design.

Indianapolis, IN

realtor.com

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5. 3640 W Park Ave, Orange, TX

Price: $294,900 Why it’s here: Built in 1940, this is a home for the holidays. It’s a bargain, too! Measuring nearly 5,000 square feet, the home costs less than $60 a square foot. There’s a formal dining room, two living areas with a wet bar, and a game room. The 4-acre property also comes with a smokehouse and a garage apartment.

Orange, TX

realtor.com

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4. 366 County Road 88 County Rd, Helena, OH

Price: $1,500,000 Why it’s here: Enjoy a mix of old and new on this 75-acre parcel. The log home part of the house was built in 1834 and has been lovingly restored. In 2003, an addition was built with modern amenities, a huge kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll also find a fireplace, deck, and pool, as well as a barn dating to the 1840s.

Helena, OH

realtor.com

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3. 760 West St, Wrentham, MA

Price: $2,200,000 Why it’s here: This one’s for fans of the modern farmhouse movement. The 9-acre property includes a greenhouse, unfinished au pair suite, and English-style barn. You can keep everything as is and run a hay farm, or subdivide the large lot and build a couple of new homes.

Wrentham, MA

realtor.com

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2. 1284 E County Road 200 N, Milan, IN

Price: $749,000 Why it’s here: This remodeled vacation home features an open floor plan, including a huge kitchen, five beds, and 3.5 baths. It’s located near Versailles State Park and borders the Grand Loop mountain bike trail.

Milan, IN

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1. 2431 Cornerstone Ln, Westlake, OH

Price: $1,699,000 Why it’s here: If you’re thinking this huge home with a two-story living room is big enough to fit a basketball player, you’re right. Kyrie Irving is selling his Ohio home now that he’s left the Cleveland Cavaliers behind. The luxe estate includes a basketball hoop in the living room and the backyard, a gym, theater room, large kitchen, and master suite.

Westlake, OH

realtor.com

The post Jump Shot: Kyrie Irving’s Baller Mansion in Ohio Is This Week’s Most Popular Property appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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