Category Archives: History

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Spring Fiesta Senors and Senoritas!

“hey, do you want a beer?”
I would.
“where have you been all day?”
I was at the Spring Fiesta.
“What is that? Some type of Latino festival?”
Umm no. Its a 75-year-old French Quarter tradition that celebrates the culture of New Orleans by offering $25 house tours of 5 homes each day.
‘I never heard of it.”
Well, they have a website. But I think you are just supposed to know, since it’s been going on so long.
“I guess I am not getting this. What do they do, this group? Offer tours?”
Oh, they have a parade too. They give flowers out while wearing period dress.
“Like crinolines or some of that shit? on carriages?”
Of course on carriages. How could it be old New Orleans without carriages?
“Well, so what is the point anyway?”
Well there is a Spring Fiesta Queen and a court.
“OH, NOW I get it. Why didn’t you say that to begin with?”
Well, the houses are really nice too.

Give me another beer, wouldya?

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Movies, 3

The Historic New Orleans Collection presents three screenings in conjunction with the exhibition Drawn to Life: Al Hirschfeld and the Theater of Tennessee Williams.

Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m.
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
An Academy Award-nominated documentary by Susan Warms Dryfoos, The Line King celebrates Hirschfeld’s many years of work for the New York Times, where his drawings were a centerpiece of the Sunday Arts section. With appearances by Lauren Bacall, Robert Goulet, and many others, The Line King is a fascinating portrait of the artist as a cultural icon. (1996; 86 minutes; not rated)
The exhibition will be open 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 20, 2 p.m.
The Fugitive Kind
Sidney Lumet’s stirring drama The Fugitive Kind (based on Tennessee Williams’s play Orpheus Descending) features Marlon Brando as a drifter who wanders into a small town in Mississippi and falls into a tragic love affair. Following the screening, Mark Cave, curator of manuscripts/oral historian at The Collection and co-curator of Drawn to Life, will discuss the film and the display. (1960; 120 minutes; not rated)
The exhibition will be open 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22, 6:30 p.m.
Journalist and anchor Eric Paulsen’s 1981 interview with Tennessee Williams
Noted news anchor Eric Paulsen conducted the final in-depth broadcast interview with Tennessee Williams in 1981, roughly two years before the playwright’s death. After the screening, Paulsen will discuss the interview and take questions from the audience. (1981; 47 minutes; not rated)
The exhibition will be open 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

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Tennessee in New Orleans

One of the most enjoyable weekends for the French Quarter is almost upon us. The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is a treat for readers, writers, theater-goers, movie buffs, New Orleans historians, mint julep aficionados, good food and talk enthusiasts, and public spectacle lovers (see Stella and Stanley contest).
I have been attending and/or volunteering for over 10 years and find that I add 3-4 useful things to my brain every year, while also enjoying the camaraderie of being with artists of every stripe in one lovely, walkable area of the city.
The headquarters will be at the Royal Sonesta this year with events scattered throughout the old city as always. I am glad to see the Williams Research Center on the venue list; more people need to get through those doors to see their exhibits.
I think the best deal is the weekend literary panel pass, but this year I have added the Southern Rep’s world premiere of 3 one-act plays from Mr. Williams (introduced by Zoe Caldwell), and a master class on Friday morning. Take a sick day to get your artistic health renewed….
http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/

Just look at that face; How can you not want to find at least one thing to attend this year and/or to simply donate to support our brilliant arts community while honoring the legacy of our favorite adopted son?

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Myth, Mayhem & Majesty

The Historic New Orleans Collection has a wonderful exhibit on Mardi Gras up right now. Don’t miss it. Daily, at 2 pm. Free for members, $5 for all other comers. Learn about Mardi Gras history from its earliest days through the 20th century. I bet you can learn something…

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Welcome to NO Block by Block (NObxb)

Hey old and new fans of our city. I have devoted many of the past years to living in this lovely, messy chaotic city and am glad of it. Now, I am redoubling my effort to illuminate its particular charm for others and for me with this blog.

I have been writing about my alternative,  sometimes underground part of the city for a while (neworleanscanthrive.blogspot.com). The purpose of this blog (and the corresponding yet unpublished pieces written offline) will be to chart parts of the city block by block with written history, fables overheard, stories believed.

Starting with the French Quarter, but adding others as we go.

I say we because I put it out to you to add your pieces to this blog as you wish. I am looking for collaborators of news and bits of opinion which could end up in the published work (with your credit firmly established).

Or you could just point me in the right direction….