Category Archives: French Quarter

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Mardi Gras: “We Were the Parade”

Click the link below from Country Roads Magazine to catch a glimpse of five different walking traditions from last year’s festivities. This excerpt is from Big Queen (“Reesie”) Cherice Harrison-Nelson of the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society, one of the legendary Harrison clan who has done so much to keep Mardi Gras Indian traditions visible:

The ceremony commemorates our past and our future as the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society. We humbly share the universal flame of humanity, peace, and light to carry forth every day. The masking tradition may be associated with a Christian holiday and refer to Native Americans, but, so far as I can tell, it’s the most vibrant existing West African tradition in the New World. 

https://countryroadsmagazine.com/travel/mardi-gras-on-foot/?fbclid=IwAR1iV_o6rTzm1hRjtHPBIxkaVcOnz-gCDbR3ZtSbIhhIuYKoaCSwu14aTIs

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Meet Dutch Alley letterpress printer, John Fitzgerald

Here’s a great interview with my pal, letterpress printer John Fitzgerald. He has a shop over on St. Bernard Ave, but his stuff is easily found at the local artist co-op Dutch Alley which is at Dumaine at the river levee in the French Market. I am a fan as he knows and he has gifted me with many of his best pieces, and I have purchased many more. I definitely look forward to getting one of his Mardi Gras handouts each year. Here is one, along with 2 other pieces of his also on my wall, along with the Banksy, Harry Lee magnet, and General Leia.

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Golden French Quarter

From Historic New Orleans Collection, a link below to some lovely sketches by local artist Rolland Golden. By the way, his book is an treat too.

 

Born in New Orleans in 1931, Rolland Golden—who passed away in July 2019—spent much of his career as an artist drawing and painting Southern scenes. After serving in the Navy, Golden attended the John McCrady Art School from 1955 to 1957. Those years studying in the French Quarter began a lifelong love for the old buildings and charm of the Vieux Carré. After graduation, Golden married Stella Doussan and opened the Patio Art Studio on Royal Street. In the next few years, and as their family grew to include three children, they moved between several apartments on St. Philip, Royal, St. Ann, and Bourbon Streets—all in the French Quarter.

https://www.hnoc.org/content-rolland-golden%E2%80%99s-sketches-show-changing-french-quarter-50s-and-60s?fbclid=IwAR19M2kOMRdEkQb7CQ4NblExRbF4lZJKaBV0nLHB0-Im2r4ld0gZv-Hxkg4

 

Golden completed this painting of the Napoleon House in 1960. (THNOC, 1975.130)1975.130_web.jpg

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Events this week: Glam, literary New Orleans

 

Join us for an evening of carnival-inspired fashion and festivities! Hosted within the Presbytere’s Mardi Gras exhibition, this runway show will present works inspired by the lavish costumes and gowns on display, worn by local performers and models. Attendees will get an after-hours view of Grand Illusions: The History and Artistry of Gay Carnival in New Orleans, which highlights the ground-breaking work of local costumers and krewes and provides further inspiration for how carnival attire can influence year-round fashion. This event is made possible through a partnership with Louisiana State Museum, Friends of the Cabildo, and New Orleans Fashion Week, and all proceeds will benefit the museum.

Purchase tickets here

 

Wednesday (10AM): September 25th
Tickets: $20 Members | $25 General Admission 
Departure Point: 1850 House Museum Store (523 St. Ann St.)

Celebrate the Tennessee Williams Festival with a two-hour French Quarter Literary Tour. The French Quarter and New Orleans served as a muse for some of most important American writers of the 20th century including Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner and Truman Capote. Follow their paths through the French Quarter and see how the city impacted their writing.

Purchase tickets here

 

 

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A job, a gig, and a hustle – and a cracker.

 

On my other blog, I try to show my appreciation for an essay that local poet Bill Lavender has written. In it, I mention the part about Roxy and the cracker. You are welcome.

 

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photo of Bill by writer Louis Maistros

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I feel ghosts

From @AmandaSoprano. Nothing more to say.

“It’s August 29th. I feel ghosts. The ghosts of what New Orleans was. Ghosts of her lost souls. Ghosts of ppl still living who were prevented from coming home. Today is a whole fucked up All Saints Day unto itself.”