spring 2017

Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival

February 03, 2017
The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival returns to the historic French Quarter for its 31st annual gathering to celebrate the genius of Tennessee Williams, who once called New Orleans his “spiritual home,” joined by contemporary artists who are as honest and unflinching in their examination of the human condition as the Festival’s patron playwright. Founded in 1986 by a group of cultural enthusiasts, the Festival has grown from a small gathering of 500 to a five-day literary and multi-cultural event, which sees 11,000+ seats filled yearly.

No Reservations Required!

February 03, 2017
There are many descriptive phrases and keen observations about this city used by people either visiting New Orleans for business or pleasure, or making the city their home.

Spring Flings, Festivals, and Fun!

February 03, 2017
The “Greatest Show on Earth,” otherwise known as Mardi Gras will be celebrated this year on February 28th. The biggest free party thrown in North America always falls 46 days before Easter and is the city's most popular attraction. Visitors and locals alike love the party atmosphere, the crowds, costumed revelers, and the camaraderie.

Springtime for Theater Goers!

February 03, 2017
What a great time of the year! It’s a reawakening season after the annual winter’s nap. Suddenly nature decides that it’s time to bud forth once again, and social agendas pick up dramatically.

Our cultural and theatrical offerings are emerging in spectacular fashion after the Mardi Gras madness.

Meet Me at the Bar

February 03, 2017
The scenario: You have reservations for dinner at one of the French Quarter’s snazzy restaurants. You’re thinking: “How do I make this more interesting, from the get-go?” Perhaps you’re meeting your spouse — with or without other family members (who may all have been out shopping?); or another couple; or business associates or your boss and his wife; out-of-town guests; or … a date.

Window Shopping in Old New Orleans

February 03, 2017
Walk down Chartres, Royal, or Canal Street today, and you will see shopwindows filled with sparkling jewelry, stylish clothing, trendy household goods, and elegant furniture. If you did the same thing 150 years ago, you would see similar displays in many of the same windows. The exhibition Goods of Every Description: Shopping in New Orleans, 1825–1925, now on display at The Historic New Orleans Collection, illustrates the types of luxury goods from around the world and some of the stores customers visited along the shopping avenues of old New Orleans.

Chef’s Profile Bistreaux’s Executive Chef Matt Regan

February 03, 2017
When Maison Dupuy General Manager Steve Ferran announced Bistreaux’s new executive chef, Matt Regan, six months ago, French Quarterites couldn’t wait to taste Chef Matt’s cuisine on their home ground.

Regan developed a following as executive chef at Luke, a beloved restaurant that is part of the Besh Restaurant Group co-owned by celebrated Chef John Besh.

Regan’s tasteful talents are not just in the culinary arts. A native of Pittsburg, PA, Regan gained his college degree in classical guitar followed by graduate school in the music arts.

Art Spotlight - Martin Lawrence Gallery

February 03, 2017
Its spring time, which means festival season, snowballs, and most importantly the Martin Lawrence Gallery’ New Orleans’ Spring Auction. This year the Martin Lawrence Gallery at 433 Royal Street, brings more amazing artists along the Mississippi River to the Westin Hotel Ballroom Sunday, March 26.

“The auction, and the weeks leading up to it, allows us to show collectors so much more art than we could ever hold in the gallery itself” said Gallery Director, Mary Co

It’s Not the Journey, It’s the Launch

February 03, 2017
The best part about growing up in small town rural Louisiana was plotting to leave as soon as I could. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great childhood. I had my cousins as my best friends, my Maw Maw Toni’s home cooking, I went to private school, took art lessons, slept late, and didn’t have a care in the world. Life was perfect, except that it was there in that small town. I would sit in my bedroom and wonder what the rest of the world was like. I would imagine joining African safaris in the summer. In the winter, I envisioned myself surrounded by snow—anywhere.