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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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Eris parade

Even though much of the Eris parade situation did not occur in the French Quarter, it does have a bearing on it. In this first link, the organizers talk about how they rerouted the parade to not go to Jackson Square because they could sense the tension from the idea of downtown artists coming to parade in the old city.
organizer interview
Second is the video of a police officer telling someone to put the camera down while they were doing what a citizen should do:
Eris/NOPD

And lastly, the NOPD (including the 8th District) is in this paraders account of his arrest:
Eris parader account

All I can say at this point (as we watch to see how this unfolds) is that we all need to take a deep breath, count the many ways that the creative culture makes this city thrive and do what we can to support more dynamic artist activity in the French Quarter and nearby neighborhoods.

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3 pictures from today

I think it’s impossible to capture the true diversity of uses on Mardi Gras day of the French Quarter. Let me just give you three very quiet ones from early in the morning: Very clean streets, a bike parade and the “best in show” award once again for house decoration in the Quarter.
Other than that, I hope you saw it for yourself.

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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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I’m a big fan of these folks

One of the areas that we need to focus on in order to save our cities is how to bring the physical environment into everyday life, making a more useful, beautiful and integrated city. Richard Register has pioneered this method and this project is to get more of his illustrations out among planners and organizers. Do learn more about his work from this video and support if it resonates with you.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1842485778/ecocities-illustrated/widget/video.html