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Author: admin_gambinos
Rediscover the 1984 World’s Fair in Present Day New Orleans
For a long time, hosting a World’s Fair was an extremely big deal. People would travel across the globe to a host city to experience the newest, cutting edge technologies and learn about different cultures. New Orleans hosted its first World’s Fair in 1884, mostly in what is now Audubon Park. But our fair city…
The New Orleans Streetcar Through the Years: Part 2
We’re talking about the history of streetcars and public transportation in New Orleans! In Part 1, we charted its course from the first days of the local rail era, through the founding of the oldest continuously active streetcar line IN THE WORLD, and all the way to the vast network that eventually connected those early,…
Piazza d’Italia: A Hidden New Orleans Landmark
As summer approaches, maybe you’re daydreaming about the Italian vacation you’ve always wanted: the vibrant culture, the people, and the charming piazzas to sit in as you eat your Italian food and sip on your Italian wine. But guess what? If it’s an Italian piazza you’re after, there’s no need to fly across an ocean.…
The New Orleans Streetcar Through the Years: Part 1
When the sun is shining, there’s hardly an image more iconic in New Orleans than that of a streetcar rumbling down St. Charles Avenue. Tennesee Williams knew it when he wrote his 20th century masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire. By then, railway technology had already been spreading across the globe for a hundred years —…
Boeuf Gras: Get Your Carnival Fill Before Lent
If you’ve seen the Rex parade on Fat Tuesday it’s likely you’ve noticed the enormous white bull sitting atop one of the iconic parade’s signature floats. And you’re not alone. Decades of New Orleanians have seen the same bewildering sight. Welcome to Boeuf Gras. The massive creature is known as Boeuf Gras and is one…
King Cake’s Cousins Around the Globe
When you ask most Americans where king cake is eaten, the most frequent answers you’ll hear are Louisiana or New Orleans. But, to the surprise of many, king cake is enjoyed all across Europe and North America. This is because the king cake tradition began thousands of years ago in Ancient Rome. Mardi Gras (or…
Twelfth Night Traditions of New Orleans
Twelfth Night — or January 6 — is the undisputed kick-off to Carnival season! But the Twelfth night of what? In many parts of the world, Twelfth Night and the Christian holiday, Epiphany, are synonymous. One definition of epiphany is “the manifestation of a supernatural being.” In this case, that supernatural being was the baby…
The Native People of New Orleans
When a city has as much history as New Orleans, it can be easy to get swept up in the dramatic parts. From the yearly fight against yellow fever epidemics to the French Quarter burning twice, too often we forget that hundreds of small events added up to create the ones everybody remembers. We also…
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins Every Halloween?
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins? Carving a Jack O’Lantern can be one of the most anticipated activities of the Halloween season. Picking the perfect pumpkin, deciding on a design, and creating its face is a wonderful way to spend time together. But have you ever wondered exactly why we carve pumpkins every year? Well friends,…
Fresh Jazz/Old Mint
In a city known for its uniqueness, the combined Old U.S. Mint and New Orleans Jazz Museum are among the most unconventional of pairings. Housed in a nearly 200-year-old building, the idea of one of the world’s largest jazz archives being kept in a decommissioned mint may seem incongruent at first. But the merging of…
Guardians of the Groove: How a Community Radio Station Became an Archive of Music History
WWOZ 90.7FM is a rarity among community radio stations. Where most have gone off the air in the decades since streaming music services debuted, WWOZ has grown from a favorite among locals to being heard all over the world. Named for the Wonderful Wizard of OZ, this station encourages you to pay no attention to…
Meet Me Under My Porch’s Flagpole
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is entering its 51st year. While last year’s festival had to be canceled, the 2021 festival is scheduled for October. This is good news for music lovers and for the city of New Orleans. This upcoming return to normalcy is a welcome ritual where friends and family unite for…