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New Orleans: Age-less Beauty
While the golden riches of New Spain captivated the attention of early explorers, the dawn of 1682 turned all eyes toward the Gulf as France, England, and Spain set out in a race to colonize both sides of our beloved Mississippi River. Then monarch of France, Louis XIV—for which the Louisiana territory was named—outfitted celebrated…
Why Does New Orleans Love Sno-Balls?
Describing a sno-ball is tricky. Most of the country visualizes a snow cone, chunky ice in a paper cone drizzled with rainbow colored syrup. But for all those who aren’t local New Orleanians, let us be very clear: that is not a sno-ball. So then, what, you may ask, is a sno-ball? This seasonal treat…
Gumbo vs Jambalaya: What’s Better?
Bubbling away in cast iron pots over an outdoor hardwood fire, the multi-cultural dishes of gumbo and jambalaya were an affordable and satisfying way to nourish a gathering of neighbors, congregations, and hunters. From the fields of West Africa The name “gumbo” came from the West African Bantu word for “okra”. Okra was commonly used…
Preservation Hall: Where Art & Jazz Meet
In a city whose culture is founded on art and music, nothing represents the collision of these two worlds better than Preservation Hall. It has a history that epitomizes New Orleans’ zest for community and collaboration and continues to embody that spirit to this day. A Jazz Hall by Any Other Name While it…
The Boat that Saved Humanity
New Orleans is no-doubt a city of culture, one that offers art and music galore, but one of its greatest contributions to global history is memorialized in the depths of the Warehouse District: the Higgins Boat. As the 74th Anniversary of D-Day dawns, it’s time to pay homage to the boat that changed the face…
On the Straight and Narrow
History of the Shotgun Home They line the streets like long narrow cracker boxes tipped on their sides, brightly colored, some with gingerbread trim others with well used front porches meant for gathering. The Southern charm of a shotgun home comes not only from its historical significance, but its transformation from affordable housing into a…
A Sip of Summer
History of the Pimm’s Cup With the first days of April upon us, the temperatures are quickly rising, threatening the upcoming summer heat that New Orleans is famous for. While we can’t offer a solution for the humidity of a Southern summer, we can promise that one of the quickest ways to cool down in…
The Carousel Cocktail: History of the Vieux Carre
The Drink that Spins: The Vieux Carre Cocktail If you’re looking for a strong drink, nowhere can serve one quite like the Big Easy. From rum-loaded Hurricanes to the unspeakable Bourbon Street ‘Hand Grenades’, from the classy Sazerac to the the classic Old Fashioned, there’s no doubt that New Orleans knows how to mix them. …
Carnival Traditions Around the World: Part 2
Carnival Around the World Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Though it now boasts one of the most vibrant Mardi Gras parties in the world, Brazil did not always celebrate this way. Dating back to 1723, Carnival was brought to Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese. Their way of celebrating meant groups of men taking to…
Carnival Traditions Around the World: Part 1
Carnival Traditions Around the World: Part 1 While perhaps the epicenter, New Orleans is by no means the only place in the world to celebrate Mardi Gras. We are but one of many Mardi parties that take place across not only countries but continents. Varying from India to Germany, Canada to Belgium, carnival celebrations occur…