Category Archives: block information

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Night out in French Quarter

An invitation came to me:

The ladies auxiliary of the Madison Street Society

Want you to join us for

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 500 block of Madison Street 6 PM

Meet your neighbors from Madison Street, Dumaine, Saint Ann Street, Chartres and Decatur Streets

Meet representatives from the City & NOPD’s 8th district

ENJOY!

Food: thanks Tujague’s, River’s Edge, Oceana, Alpine

Music: Johnny J and the Hitmen with Mike Sipos

Also: Cash bar by Tujagues

Raffles: to benefit Cops 8 – thanks Michael Smiraldo & BH Nails

Donations welcome

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St. Anthony’s Garden’s archaeological dig and garden

The high winds of Hurricane Katrina managed to displace two large oak trees in St. Anthony’s Garden behind the Cathedral, dislodging 30 feet (9.1 m) of ornamental gate, while the nearby marble statue of Jesus Christ lost a forefinger and a thumb.

Restoration of St. Anthony's Garden at St. Louis Cathedral..

The garden restoration is finally underway….This video link tells its fascinating history (albeit a bit hokey with the fuzzy recreations) and about 14 minutes in, tells about the dig that started the restoration. Nice to know it was a flower market at one point, and how many toys they found in the excavation…And that the earliest structure in the French Quarter ever found in a dig was uncovered. And that fruit trees and native plants are being used.

<http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=5507649944314471148&hl=en&fs=true

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The library in the Quarter

The Iron Rail Anarchist Library and Bookstore is now at home in the French Quarter. It has fully moved into its excellent location at Barracks near Decatur (behind Gnome) and is open for business. As proud member #77, I have been involved since its beginnings as I was with Crescent Wrench before this iteration. The need for more collectives, more shared open space and more literary places is dire so support those who stick it out and do it with humor and openness by attending Iron Rail’s benefit on July 28th.

And by coming by and using the Rail.

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Iron Rail rejuvenates the lower Quarter

June 4, 2011
The new Iron Rail at 503 Barracks St. is now wheelchair accessible.
We also have a phone number: 504-38-DEATH (33284).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
May 27th, 2011, via Nola Anarcha:
80 days after the NOPD broke its own laws to evict the Iron Rail from its location in the ARC at 511 Marigny, New Orleans’ only anarchist bookstore and library has returned…but this time the black flag has unfurled in the French Quarter!Yesterday the Iron Rail opened its doors onto 503 Barracks next to Decatur, across the street from local coffee shop Envie’s, and next door to our friends at Gnome and Riot Supply Co. Well into the night food and wine was served and art displayed. Old and new faces streamed in and out of the boutique as folks celebrated the new space and satiated their suppressed appetites for rebellious readings.

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Noise balance

Bourbon Street residents (and homes within a block of it too) must be allowed to go to a special quiet part of heaven when they die…
Once again, the French Quarter leads the way, as noise is an issue everywhere. Th idea of mixed-use neighborhoods is great, but how do you balance the needs between business owners and residents in a 24 hour a day area?
Also, some of those other streets house some shops that blare the music out over the sidewalk til all hours, so the city’s finger should not just point at loud music from clubs and bars…
What is also true is the lack of full-time residents mean that there are fewer people to organize. Many part-time residents don’t care about the long-term quality of life issues, only if the party continues when they visit 1-2 times a season…
wdsu

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French Market public notice

NOTICE: Amplification no longer permitted at Washington Artillery Park

As of May 13, 2011, the French Market Corporation no longer permits use of amplification for performances at Washington Artillery Park. Acoustical performances may be allowed upon review of information provided by artists and musicians. All musicians and artists must put their requests in writing to the French Market Corporation at least 48 hours in advance to request permission to perform.

Permission to perform on any other part of French Market property (Dutch Alley, Dumaine, along Decatur, at the Farmers and Flea Markets) must be issued by French Market staff. During special events and organized performance times and in specifically designated venues, amplification may be permitted. This is always up to the discretion of the French Market Corporation.

All musicians must have a PERMIT TO PERFORM signed and dated by a staff member (at this time, The Marketing Director) in order to perform on French Market property.

Inquiries should be directed to Amy Kirk via email akirk@frenchmarket.org to request permission to perform.

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1850 house

Our Yesteryear councilwoman Jackie Clarkson calls the French Quarter “our front porch” and as much as I hate to agree with her, I do sometimes find it impossible to counter everything she says. That statement I agreed with (it is a miracle, but it is still possible we mean it in very different ways. That is how I comfort myself.)

So to continue the marketing, the front porch of the front porch is Jackson Square. What remains amazing about the Square is even with all of the rules and regs that go along with good preservation,  “new” still shows up there every once in a while. New art appears on the fence (I didn’t say it was all good art), young musicians show up to replace those now recording and appearing elsewhere and trust me- a new hustle is coming sooner or later from those unwashed over there.

In many ways, Jackson Square is the most modern of places. So, when you walk in a door and head upstairs to see the 1850 House, you might enjoy the juxtaposition.

It’s one of 3 museums on the square and certainly the most invisible one. Found in the middle of the Lower Pontalba block, you pay your small fee and are quite courteously shown the stairs to go up and reminded to take pictures and left alone to do that (well except for the cameras keeping track on every floor).

The stairwell pictured is theirs. I took the picture, because it is certainly a typical stair for the French Quarter, but probably not for any other citizen of the city. Unevenly worn treads and the smooth bannister tells you this has seen some folks.

1850 House Pontalba

What is amusing is the central air vents strewn carelessly around the room and the mechanics to manage the system groaning between the “gentleman’s bedroom” and the large back bedroom; Also amusing are the odd little placards explaining what you are looking at:; for the most part, certainly dated with very basic information. What is very nice are the stories of the first tenants of the building: I learned a great deal about the type of resident these apartments attracted and their businesses in New Orleans (first) heyday. I wish someone would find out what happened after mid 1860s in these rooms, but maybe if we start to climb those stairs more regularly and ask, they’ll tell us more.

The Cammacks-1853-1856

I liked the back stairs the best with the view of the courtyard. I stood back there for a few minutes, enjoying the sounds from the square but really feeling the lack of activity in this house (really not a house at all anymore). For now the lights go off at 5:30 pm and the door is shut. No families, no mourning, no dinner at the table. Just history.

I wonder who was the last person to live in this building and when. One of those immigrants when it became a “slum” (as alluded to in the language) could tell us a thing or two about life in the 20th century. Any museums for that? I might enjoy a walk through that time too.