What a Week!
Everyone with whom I met, dined, bowled, worshiped, interviewed, photographed, paraded and second-lined could not have been more welcoming.
I hope you enjoy the photos and video clips from my Jan. 26 to Feb. 4 stay in New Orleans.
As I visit and add more cities, just click on "New Orleans" for a link to those specific pages.
They are truly a City of Saints.
Below is a sample of what is included.
Best regards,
Stephen Young
stephen@travelguyde.com
http://TravelGuyde.com
The Original City Photo Journal for Curious Travelers
My week in New Orleans included:
The funk 'n blues sounds of Eddie Vinson and the Top Notes at the 'only in New Orleans' Rock 'n Bowl
Eclectic Oak Street restaurants and galleries
The recently re-opened classic diner, The Camellia Grill
FAB - one of the best independent art and book shops in the country.
Sizzling char-grilled oysters at Acme
Great shopping including inside pics and video clips from Papier Plume, Absinthe Museum of America, Rubensteins Men's, Meyer the Hatter, Louisiana Music Factory, Boutique du Vampyre, James H. Cohen & Sons (antique weapons and coins),
An evening with some of the city's young, curious professionals at IgniteNOLA
Receiving the gift of painted coconuts straight from the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club
Strolling the Bywater
Spending an afternoon in the Lower 9th with author and community spokesperson Ronald Lewis
Second Lining with the C.T.C. Steppers
Imbibing with Lisa and Joann and the extended family of Kajun's Pub
Celebrating at St. Augustine Catholic Church
Experiencing (on the street and above) my first Carnival parade
Visits to the WWII and Ogden Southern Art Museums
Various scenes around the city - including food, streetcars, and plenty of Who Dat-loving Saints fans
And finally, beginning my visit learning to blow glass at New Orleans School of Glassworks & Printmaking Studio
Showing posts with label 1 week in - New Orleans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 week in - New Orleans. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
New Orleans - Now For the Pièce de résistance
Yes, I've fallen for New Orleans. (most visitors do so) - For all the reasons and more that the following 7 days of entries will show.
But THIS has to be the single-best example of what makes this city unlike any other in the world:
Funk 'N Blues band
a danged good funknblues band
in a bowling alley
on a Tuesday night!
And the scene is at least this good
all over town
EVERY Night.
If you're planning a long weekend in New Orleans, when you arrive (especially if on Thursday), make your way to John Blancher's Rock 'n' Bowl. Do whatever you have to do to get there. It'll start your visit off right. Thank you John for the warm welcome and thank you Ernie Vincent and your Top Notes for one of the best nights of my visit.
Now, give it up for Ernie, Eric, Josh, Phillip, and James...
The bands at Rock 'n' Bowl perform just to the left:
But THIS has to be the single-best example of what makes this city unlike any other in the world:
Funk 'N Blues band
a danged good funknblues band
in a bowling alley
on a Tuesday night!
And the scene is at least this good
all over town
EVERY Night.
If you're planning a long weekend in New Orleans, when you arrive (especially if on Thursday), make your way to John Blancher's Rock 'n' Bowl. Do whatever you have to do to get there. It'll start your visit off right. Thank you John for the warm welcome and thank you Ernie Vincent and your Top Notes for one of the best nights of my visit.
Now, give it up for Ernie, Eric, Josh, Phillip, and James...
The bands at Rock 'n' Bowl perform just to the left:
New Orleans - Hanging Out on Oak Street After Dinner
Jacque-Imo's Cafe - see the sign, "Warm Beer, Lousy Food, Poor Service".
Not from the looks of the crowd waiting to get in. My first stop when I head back to New Orleans.
Frenchy Studio/Gallery
Otis Fennell, of FAB, an eclectic Art & Book shop in the Marigny. I found a graphically inspiring photo journal on the life of Hunter S. Thompson - now one of the most visually stimulating books I own - and I just checked, Amazon doesn't even carry it. SCORE ANOTHER ONE for well-curated independent book shops!
Otis on what draws people to New Orleans.
By the way, Otis, I'm hanging out in your shop when I return to the city in the spring.
New Orleans - Afternoon snack at Acme Oyster House
The chargrilled oysters are the best seafood I have ever put in my mouth. Acme is the only restaurant in which I dined twice while in the Crescent City. Drake, the master glass-blower, thanks for the recommendation!
(Drake Fuller begins the New Orleans show in a few pages - be sure to see all the entries over the week - at the bottom of each page, click "Older Posts"
New Orleans - Rubensteins Men's Specialty Store
Mr. Andre Rubenstein at his Canal Street flagship store.
Way to go DREW BREES!!
New Orleans - Five Generations of Hatters
Paul Meyer and his sons are the 4th and 5th generations of "Meyer the Hatter"
New Orleans - Loving the Louisiana Music Factory
Barry Smith, owner of the really cool record shop.
Learn where to go for great music each night of the week - Barry's Pics
New Orleans - Marita the Vampiress (and pup)
Ok, I enjoyed Twilight and have yet to see New Moon but was EXTREMELY intrigued when I learned of a Boutique du Vampyre en New Orleans. Some questions I had: Are they open during the day? Will they sell Tiger Beat posters of Eddie Munster? Yeah, yeah, I'm dating myself. On with the tale...
Short story is Marita and all her rescued pups are awesome - and fun - and, I hesitate to say, rather normal. I had no idea what to expect upon entering Boutique du Vampyre but found, yes, once again, ANOTHER New Orleans friend. What is it with this place? How can everyone, even Vampiresses, be so friendly?
Marita, next time, drinks are on me.
(Sorry I screwed up the video clip). If I had not mucked it up, you would hear a very sweet proprietress describe how she chooses carefully the handcrafted items of her shop. No cheesy fake fangs or vials of real blood. Instead, a vampire fan who believes her customers want to have a little fun. Check it out. She's in the Quarter.
Short story is Marita and all her rescued pups are awesome - and fun - and, I hesitate to say, rather normal. I had no idea what to expect upon entering Boutique du Vampyre but found, yes, once again, ANOTHER New Orleans friend. What is it with this place? How can everyone, even Vampiresses, be so friendly?
Marita, next time, drinks are on me.
(Sorry I screwed up the video clip). If I had not mucked it up, you would hear a very sweet proprietress describe how she chooses carefully the handcrafted items of her shop. No cheesy fake fangs or vials of real blood. Instead, a vampire fan who believes her customers want to have a little fun. Check it out. She's in the Quarter.
New Orleans - Buying an Old Gun From a Young Gun
Barry Cohen loves New Orleans and he loves old guns. No firearm in his family shop on Royal Street was born after 1898. The next five grand I manage to hold on to will be handed over to James H. Cohen & Sons Inc. for one fine piece of machinery.
Monday, February 1, 2010
New Orleans - Ignite NOLA at the Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel
Monday evening, Feb. 1, I joined hundreds other curious young professionals as passionate speakers from the New Orleans community were each given 5 minutes to share what they are enthusiastic about. From the IgniteNOLA.org website, "Listen, learn and become engulfed in others' passionate talks about things that fuel their hearts".
These events are taking place around the world. Google "Pecha Kucha" or "Ignite" and "your city"
New Orleans - Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club decorated houses.
Riding with a friend in the Bywater early Monday evening, I looked out the car window and yelled "STOP THE CAR!". I didn't know what we had just passed but I knew that if I didn't photograph it, no one would believe me. I told my friend to "keep the car running. This is just too cool. I may not come back."
When I approached the homes, there were a few men standing outside. I asked if it would be ok to take photos. One of the men, who I came to know as "David" said, "you go right ahead and take as many pictures as you want. That's what it's there for." I said thank you and started snapping away. A few minutes later, the gentleman said, "young fella, where are you from?". I replied that I was from Charlotte, North Carolina. He said, "North Carolina? Come with me".
Then I knew things were about to get interesting. David led me down a path between the two houses. I was about to either be offered an Abita and a plate of barbecue or perhaps Ray Charles and James Brown would be sitting around a table in the garage playing dominoes.
To my surprise, my new friend (this is becoming a common occurrence in this city) walked out and handed me an armful of Mardi Gras prizes including TWO of the most-prized Zulu painted coconuts. These would be soon be handed out to only a handful of lucky revelers at the upcoming Zulu parade. After I had demonstrated a genuine interest in his home, culture, and traditions, David said, "here, take this back to North Carolina with you."
When I regained my ability to speak, I thanked David and hobbled back to the car with this treasure that I've found often comes with a smile and a healthy chunk of curiosity.
When I approached the homes, there were a few men standing outside. I asked if it would be ok to take photos. One of the men, who I came to know as "David" said, "you go right ahead and take as many pictures as you want. That's what it's there for." I said thank you and started snapping away. A few minutes later, the gentleman said, "young fella, where are you from?". I replied that I was from Charlotte, North Carolina. He said, "North Carolina? Come with me".
Then I knew things were about to get interesting. David led me down a path between the two houses. I was about to either be offered an Abita and a plate of barbecue or perhaps Ray Charles and James Brown would be sitting around a table in the garage playing dominoes.
To my surprise, my new friend (this is becoming a common occurrence in this city) walked out and handed me an armful of Mardi Gras prizes including TWO of the most-prized Zulu painted coconuts. These would be soon be handed out to only a handful of lucky revelers at the upcoming Zulu parade. After I had demonstrated a genuine interest in his home, culture, and traditions, David said, "here, take this back to North Carolina with you."
When I regained my ability to speak, I thanked David and hobbled back to the car with this treasure that I've found often comes with a smile and a healthy chunk of curiosity.
New Orleans - Monday afternoon in the Bywater
While walking through the Bywater neighborhood, I came upon a group of people sitting outside an interesting looking warehouse. They were drinking coffee and seemed to be minding a rummage sale. They also seemed to be having a good time. So, I walked over and introduced myself. Brian Bromberg told me about his "Desire Market".
New Orleans - Meeting Author and Community Spokesperson Ronald Lewis in His Lower 9th Ward Museum, "The House of Dance and Feathers"
I learned of Mr. Lewis and his museum while reading Dan Baum's "Nine Lives". If you are interested in knowing what New Orleans is really about, RUN, don't walk, to your nearest book shop and buy this book. I could not turn the pages fast enough. Dan Baum was a New Yorker reporter who landed in the city a couple of days after the levees broke. He came here to write magazine articles about a hurricane but realized that this amazing rich city could not be described only in the context of The Storm. He knew he had to tell this story through the lives of its people - specifically nine of the most interesting characters you will love by the end of the book. Read Nine Lives and then read Ronald Lewis's "The House of Dance and Feathers". Better yet, visit Mr. Lewis, listen to him humbly share his life's experiences, and walk away with a new friend and an autographed copy of his book. - Stephen
** The paperback edition of Nine Lives is being released on Mardi Gras day (Feb. 16). Get your copy and get ready to love those 9 New Orleanians and their city.
(by the way, it's a LONG walk to Mr. Lewis's house and museum out back. You may want to drive there.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)