Following the inspiring announcement of Robert Francis Prevost as the first American pope, Historic New Orleans Collection's genealogist Jari C. Honora made a remarkable discovery, shedding light on the pontiff's maternal grandparents who were Creoles of color from the Seventh Ward. A groundbreaking moment unfolded on May 8 as Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was elected, breaking barriers as the first American and Creole pope. Jari C. Honora made this thrilling discovery about the pope's Creole ancestry just hours after the papal announcement was made public.
Kim Welsh
The Jazz Museum Leaps Into the Future
May 20, 2025
The New Orleans Jazz Museum, long dedicated to preserving the city's profound cultural traditions, is taking a bold leap into the future. With a new focus on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, immersive technology, and educational innovation, the museum is embracing its dual role as both a guardian of history and a catalyst for transformation in New Orleans' cultural economy.
Beat the Heat! Sip Revitalizing Cocktails!
May 20, 2025
As New Orleans transitions into her sultry summer persona, the city's legendary cocktail culture goes into overdrive. Locals understand that staying cool while basking in the season's vibrant atmosphere is a delicate art. We would like to offer summer sipping suggestions in the city that pioneered the world's first cocktail, the Sazerac. New Orleans cocktails are a harmonious blend of tradition, creativity and local ingredients. Grab an icy refreshing drink, sit back, and experience the unique flavors and atmosphere that make the Big Easy a cocktail lover’s paradise.
Take a Stroll Down Royal Street - Discover the Magic of Art
May 20, 2025
Danny DeLancey, a self-taught Louisiana artist, has painted in New Orleans' historic French Quarter for over twenty years. Renowned for his vibrant acrylic paintings, DeLancey's artistic career also spans graphic design and curation of several New Orleans art galleries.
Preservation Hall: Preserving New Orleans Jazz
February 24, 2025
Through the iron gate on St. Peter St. lies one of the world’s most respected music venues and the spiritual home of New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall. It’s small and simple but a little magic happens there daily. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is dedicated to preserving the traditions of New Orleans jazz as it was in its heyday a hundred years ago, and they play four white-hot, hour-long sets each day.
Raise a Glass to Festival Season!
February 24, 2025
It’s our favorite time of year! Spring has sprung and the bead trees, our native species, are adorned with purple, green and gold shiny blooms. Our Spring festival season includes Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, St Patrick’s Day, and many more opportunities to celebrate. Mild weather invites us to imbibe in a cocktail or three alfresco in one of our many beautiful and charmingly romantic courtyards. Here are a few of our favorite places to bask in fresh air and glorious weather while enjoying a few refreshing sips.
James Michalopoulos Visual Interpreter of New Orleans
February 24, 2025
We all eagerly await our first glance at the highly coveted and collectable Jazz Fest posters each year. Have you seen the magnificent poster for this year’s Jazz Fest painted by one of our most well-known, influential, and recognizable living painters, James Michalopoulos? He has become an iconic figure in New Orleans’ vibrant landscape, renowned for his distinctive artistic style and deep connection to the city. He lives as he paints; rhythmically, with heavy texture, dynamic movement and purpose. His paintings are in prestigious collections world-wide.
"Drawing the Music" Capturing How Music Makes Us Feel
February 24, 2025
Emilie Rhys is a supremely talented third-generation artist who specializes in depicting New Orleans musicians, French Quarter rooftop views, and cityscapes. In her serene French Quarter gallery, Scene by Rhys Fine Art at 1036 Royal St., she paints portraits on canvas and smaller images on copper plates. Often spotted at music venues, she spontaneously draws pen and ink drawings of performing musicians with remarkable accuracy. Her renderings capture the immediacy of improvisation. The only thing she enjoys more than hearing music is to "draw the music" while it's playing.
Jazzing Up Our Jazz Museum
November 18, 2024
Exciting new improvements are happening at the New Orleans Jazz Museum! The museum has long been a center that celebrates the city’s jazz and history through interactive exhibits, multigenerational educational programming, research facilities and engaging musical performances. The museum provides educational outreach for high school and university students, educators and visitors through interactive exhibits, online programming, professional classes and instrument lessons, student performances, as well as teacher training.
Meals fit for a Mardi Gras King! Savoring Delectable Culinary Traditions
November 18, 2024
New Orleans is the birthplace of Creole cuisine, characterized by a blend of Native American, West African, Haitian, French, Spanish, German and Italian flavors. This fusion of flavors has resulted in iconic dishes such as Eggs Sardou, turtle soup, BBQ shrimp, beignets, gumbo, po' boys and étouffée, making New Orleans a culinary destination unlike any other. Your celebration will be complete with delicacies from these hand-chosen restaurants.
Antoine’s Restaurant
Antoines.com
713 Saint Louis St.
Antoine’s Restaurant
Antoines.com
713 Saint Louis St.
Merrymaking on the Rocks: Extraordinary Boutique Hotel Lounges
November 18, 2024
New Orleans boasts a rich cocktail culture with numerous iconic establishments that guarantee exceptional drinking experiences as you celebrate the season. Many New Orleans hotels are truly one-of-a-kind spaces with bars that cater to adults seeking conversation and a well-crafted beverage to celebrate the season. We recommend visiting some of our top choices.
The Polo Club at Windsor Court
thewindsorcourt.com
300 Gravier St.
The Polo Club at Windsor Court
thewindsorcourt.com
300 Gravier St.
