Tag Archives: New Orleans

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Traffic warnings over weekend

The following traffic restrictions are associated with this year’s Essence Music Festival and Fourth of July celebration. The Essence Music Festival is scheduled for July 1, 2011 through July 3, 2011.

Beginning on July 1st, there will be an increased police presence in the Downtown area, French Quarter, Central Business District, and other areas where large crowds gather. Officers will be patrolling on foot, on scooters, on segways and the Mounted Unit will also patrol during this holiday weekend.

Beginning Friday, July 1, 2011 through Sunday, July 3, 2011, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., vehicular traffic will be restricted in the following areas:
North Rampart Street
to Decatur/North Peters Street to Dumaine Street to Canal Street.
In the event of heavy pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic,
Canal Street may be partially restricted. Additionally, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross Bourbon Street from Canal Street to Dumaine Street.
Persons with specific destinations such as residents, hotel guests and employees will be afforded to opportunity to pass through the check points to their destinations, but there will be no traffic allowed to cross
Bourbon Street once it is closed.
On July 4th, a fireworks display is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., on the Mississippi River . There will be an increased police presence along
North Peters Street/Decatur Street from Canal Street to. Esplanade Avenue. Once the flow of pedestrian traffic becomes too heavy, vehicular traffic will be curtailed in that area.
It is strongly suggested that individuals planning on traveling to the Downtown and French Quarter area consider utilizing carpools, taxicabs or public transportation. Motorists should also pay very close attention to parking signage as illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and towed. As a reminder, it is illegal in New Orleans to ignite fireworks or discharge firearms. Violators will be subject to arrest. Citizens should also utilize a designated driver if consuming alcohol.

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Pride parade today!

Parade lines up at Harrah’s Casino on Canal Street

The parade is FREE and open to anyone wanting to show their Pride!!

PARADE LINE UP IS AT 11 AM ON CANAL ST AT HARRAH’S CASINO!!!

Street Festival begins at 1 p.m.

Parade route:
Goes down Canal Street to Bourbon Street

Down Bourbon Street to St Peter Street

Down St. Peter Street to Burgundy Street

Down Burgundy Street to St Ann Street

Down St Ann Street to Royal Street

Ending on Royal Street at St Peter Street

Map

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Overheard in French Quarter:

Bus stops; Why have them? Are there any buses that come through here?

I like you because you’re like me. cynical.
I’m not cynical, I just give constructive advice! Do you mean, like when I called you a hipster?

Oysters off the shell? eeewww. That’s like putting a whole animal in your mouth…

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Beauregard Square? who knew?

Turns out the space that has been known since the 1800s as Congo Square is actually called Beauregard Square for a Confed general who also has a statue at the entrance of City Park and a house tour in the Quarter. Seems the name change in favor of the general came in 1893 which seems about right, knowing the revisionist history that went on in the South around that time and that it was the year of his death. From the T-P article: “According to widely accepted historical tradition, African-American slaves were allowed to gather on Sunday afternoons in an open field just outside the city, at a spot known by various names including Place Congo. The slaves and free people of color used this space to market goods, to socialize and to sing, make music and dance, maintaining their cultural heritage as well as social cohesion. White New Orleanians and visitors to the city would go there to witness African-American music and dance.”
Congo Square is within Louis Armstrong Park at the “end” of Saint Ann if you are leaving the Quarter. The park’s current condition is deplorable and maybe the name change for this most important history will spark some action for this public space to be a jewel rather than an locked up eyesore. (Can I suggest a tearing down of the fence to begin?)
Author of “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans” Freddi Evans is appearing at Octavia Books and I am sure more signings to come to showcase her definitive history. I saw her speak at the TWLF this year and she is a delightful, gentle speaker with a firm grasp of her subject. Do yourself a favor and go hear her speak.

To order book
She will be at Octavia Tuesday at 6 pm.
t

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525 Madison-Gallery Circle Theater

A celebrated address for sale. Home of community theater and the start of Diane Ladd’s career.
I had heard about this theater over the years and back in the early 80s lived down the block. I would sit on my balcony and imagine theater goers arriving at dusk on foot and by taxi. Later as I stood inside my living room leaning against the doorway, I would think I could hear applause over the wall. Or maybe it was real and from around the corner in the Square, back in those days of jugglers and guitar players quietly practicing in front of stragglers late into the late night.

Gallery Circle Theater was the up-and-coming challenger to Le Petit. After two seasons – 1948-1950 – in the Jewish Community Center, GCT played the 1950-1951 season in the American Legion Hall. In September 1951, it opened its fourth season with Bob Cahlman directing Marion Schexnaydre [Zinser] in The Heiress in a new home at 525 Madison Street in the French Quarter. In 1953, Cahlman cast a young inexperienced newcomer from Mississippi, named Diane Ladner in Room Service. She would go on to become Diane Ladd, wife of Bruce Dern and mother of Laura Dern.

And this from the 2014 news story about it being for sale still (or again):

It was the 1950s when the Gallery Circle Theatre made a home here. Actress Diane Ladd got her start in the 1953 production called “The Heiress.” Caldeira said the property was larger and was cut in half about 20 years ago. “A gentleman who lived in the Quarter acquired this half of it and created this house,” said Caldeira.

It also held WPA gallery showings:

nutrias
525-Madison-Street-Tomato-Warehouse-entrance for sale in 2011 for 3 point 6 million bones, and in 2014 for 2 point 8.  What a place.

for sale

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Benefit for HNOC

Well it ain’t Lil Queenie on the President, but may still be nice to get on the river…

5:00 p.m. Lectures by Captain Clarke “Doc” Hawley and Duke Heitger
6:30 p.m. Guests board the Steamboat NATCHEZ
7:00 p.m. Dinner cruise departs
7:30 p.m. Seating for dinner
9:00 p.m. Steamboat returns to the dock

Registration is now open! Tickets are $45 per person and include the lectures at 533 Royal St. and the dinner cruise (soft drinks included; cash bar), which departs from the dock at Toulouse St. and the river. You may also purchase your nonrefundable tickets through the NATCHEZ office by calling (504) 569-1401 and mentioning The Historic New Orleans Collection.

Guests can pick up their purchased tickets at The Collection, 533 Royal St., on the day of the event, starting at 4:30 p.m. You must have your tickets in hand to attend the lecture and board the ship. Ticket price does not include parking or gratuity. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Collection.

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The story of Stanley and Stella

In restaurant form that is.
A classic New Orleans story with food as the central character. Scott Boswell, a young chef who is serious about his ongoing training, owns these restaurants with his wife Tanya. Scott is found at Stella’s working the kitchen (when he’s not traveling to restaurants to offer himself as a free apprentice) and Tanya can be seen daily at Stanley’s working the door and watching the entire place.
Both restaurants serve excellent food. Stella’s is award-winning and pretty expensive, but even with the deep pocket needed to go there,I can’t count how many times I have heard that this was the favorite meal of visitors and some locals who hit all of the top ones. Many times.
I know the chef and his wife from their stalwart support of the Crescent City Farmers Market, where I work. We opened a 4th location a few years before Katrina and they did anything they could do to support it. We’ll never forget it.
I like these folks because they are Quarter residents and real workers and committed to a scale of production, service and ambience that has made the city what it is.
(Now I have a friend who is not very happy with them and feels slighted in every way; she’s a savvy local who has loads of patience for quirks but got bad service and a worse response after, so I sorrowfully acknowledge that too. It’s the only version I have heard of that story, but she is pretty sore with them now.)
My experience has been great and now they have added a Stanley’s service bar right next door on the Square and so a tip of my cap again is in order. Espresso, pastries, ice cream and sandwiches in a beautifully designed storefront. Some work remains to do to get it all done but if you’re out at 8 am til evening in the area, go try the coffee or ice cream and then go have a eggs hollandaise poboy next door.

And revel in the culture renewing itself in the oldest part of the city, thanks to entrepreneurs like Scott and Tanya..

The newest addition to the Pontalba family. Espresso, pastries and ice cream from 8-7ish daily.