Author Archives

by

Curfew for the few?

One of the city’s most original writers, CW Cannon takes on the curfew in this piece from non-profit journalism site The Lens and I think, nails it.
Here is the piece I’ll quote to those who argue for keeping kids out:
“This law isn’t about protecting them, it’s about protecting tourists from seeing them. If the price for getting people to come to New Orleans is hiding my actual New Orleanian family (or moving to a family-approved residential zone), whatever is left of New Orleanian “authenticity” will finally be dead.”
For anyone who wants to maintain the Quarter as the vibrant middle of the city, rather than as a genteel police state for visiting consumers, this curfew is a warning shot. I’d also add that the assault from the NOPD on informal gathering and cultural camps throughout the Quarter and the larger city has done little to nothing to reduce the heavy crime in the Quarter and beyond.
As someone who grew up in the Quarter and would walk to see my hard-working mom while she was still at her office at 8 or 9 pm, or walk to the schoolyard and play basketball at Royal and St. Phillip after dark (since we didn’t have a TV or even a yard), I would hope that those few kids being raised in the area could feel that the city center is as theirs as their own residential block when needed. To limit the Quarter to less hours for youth is to limit future residents and workers from becoming acquainted with their own town square, which could be its demise.
The Lens

by

New Year’s Eve baby, New Orleans-style

20111231-185459.jpg

This is where the action is in NOLa tonight. Decatur and St. Peter.

Photo courtesy of Roy Guste, amazing local photographer.

by

Jackson Square artists can reproduce

The idea that artists on the square can only sell original art has included a rule against prints, which has angered many artists through the years.
What I learned a few years ago is what angers some is that the more well established artists reportedly still do it, even while policing others – simply by having a storage or apartment near by to take customers when they ask about prints.

This is a tricky business, this cooperative selling space. The Square has changed personalities a few times in my lifetime, and I assume, we’re about to see another change with this ruling.

<a href="http://<a href="“>Prints“>Prints

by

Come to the Carousel

Hotel bars, oddly, are not plentiful in the French Quarter. The main standby has always been the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone. The bar does actually circle and has circus markings, which is so great for the drinking crowd.
But it’s been undergoing renovations, which although needed, have interrupted the holiday meets there. But I hear it’s reopening this week and will be completely done in January.
The hotel itself isn’t very historic, as it was rebuilt completely in the 1950s-1960s, although it’s still a lovely place at which to stay. The Monteleone family IS historic, as they have been serving New Orleans on that corner since the late 1880s.
Stop by for some music and a drink and see for yourself how well the Monteleone anchors the Upper Quarter.
Starting in January, the Carousel Bar’s lounge will host two, free shows nightly. Musicians scheduled for standing gigs include Lena Prima, Luther Kent and the George French Jazz Quartet.

Drink Menu