As I was searching for a history of the Tango District of the French Quarter, I found this, which is a good primer on the history.
Category Archives: informal economy
Eris and Occupy
Same old sad shed story
In my old city is an old shed market that is constantly undergoing trials and tribulations. It is in the very heart of our city, being the spot that Native Americans traded their wares and the French built the city around. However, in my lifetime it has become a set of buildings without a plan.
The link below leads to a letter in our local paper and it and the ensuing comments are important to note as many of them come from some of the vendors at that market. I am not sure the entire story is being told in this letter- well, let’s say it is not, nor did the letter writer expect to cover 250 years of history in it. The letter writer is instead pointing out the economic impact of their work. I wonder if the management has an answer to that argument; they might, but it is not clear to me if they do.
I will add that as a farmers market organizer I ran a weekday open-air market in this place (while working as a market organizer for a well-respected local market organization) as a favor to this corporation and its history as our city’s market heritage. One of the only things I was glad of post-September 2005 was that my organization could delay the decision to reopen that location. We did not reopen that market. It was the only one of our 4 weekly markets that we ultimately did not reopen and had more to do with resources and new management unknown to us, then the potential of the place. But it was a difficult place to run an entrepreneurial market, and this is from someone who happily ran those other 3 as well as a multi-day holiday market every December.
There are many ideas that could work here, but none of them (in my mind) start with pissing off the existing vendors without a strong, appropriate plan to reinvent the base. I still am not sure the management knows who their target audience is and how to reach them. I am not sure they even know how to find their target vendors or how to work with existing vendors to maximize their hard work and the market’s investment. I am not even sure that the management understands the difference between festivals and markets or between the needs of storefront businesses and itinerate tradespeople and artisans.
In short, even though I study markets daily, I am not sure of anything when it comes to the French Market.
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
Time Banking
TimeBanking.
What is it? How does it work?
There are hundreds of TimeBanks around the world. TimeBanking is based on the belief that our communities work better when all of our contributions are valued. It rejects the notion that we belong in separate classes of “givers” and “receivers” and establishes a way to reward all types of work — caring for our children, elders, and others who need it, building community, helping out our neighbors.
TimeBanking is about spending an hour doing something for somebody in your community. That hour is counted as a TimeBank Hour that you can spend on having someone in the network do something for you. You earn TimeBank Hours for each service you perform. Instead of members “owing” the one person who helped them individually, we can choose to give and receive the many talents and skills of all the members.
TimeBanking connects you to the best in people because it creates a system that connects unmet needs with untapped resources. It provides ways for us all to contribute and benefit.
Timebanking can be a very effective way to bridge gaps across different demographics, bring people together as a community, build a resource base to solve problems or realize dreams, connect people with needed goods and services, and give people a way to feel valued and do what they like to do.
How do we start a TimeBank?
For an opportunity to learn more about timebanking and have your questions about about the process of participating in a timebank answered, join Stephanie Rearick, co-founder of Dane County TimeBank in Madison, Wisconsin (www.danecountytimebank.org), as she speaks to us about her experiences!
When? Monday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
Where? LHA Community Center, 621-623 N. Rendon (in Mid-City, btwn. St. Peter and Toulouse)
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.
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.
French Quarter block by block 
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