Louisiana Anthology Podcast

672. Bruce and Stephen give a new presentation about Liberty in Louisiana. This was a Friends of the Cabildo event. The Louisiana State Museum and Friends of the Cabildo’s Second Thursday Lecture Series is held on the second Thursday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint or on Zoom. Every month a different topic is explored from Louisiana’s unique history. Programs are free of charge; refreshments courtesy of Friends of the Cabildo. For more information, contact Friends of the Cabildo at 504.523.3939 or go to the events page for the most updated lecture schedule. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Fanny Trollope. Domestic Manners of the Americans. The first symptom of American equality that I perceived, was my being introduced in form to a milliner; it was not at a boarding-house, under the indistinct outline of "Miss C*****," nor in the street through the veil of a fashionable toilette, but in the very penetralia of her temple, standing behind her counter, giving laws to ribbon and to wire, and ushering caps and bonnets into existence. She was an English woman, and I was told that she possessed great intellectual endowments, and much information; I really believe this was true. Her manner was easy and graceful, with a good deal of French tournure; and the gentleness with which her fine eyes and sweet voice directed the movements of a young female slave, was really touching: the way, too, in which she blended her French talk of modes with her customers, and her English talk of metaphysics with her friends, had a pretty air of indifference in it, that gave her a superiority with both. This week in Louisiana history. April 3, 1793. Pope Pius VI establishes the first Diocese of Louisiana and the Floridas. St Louis Church became Cath'drale Saint-Louis, and Luis Pe'alver y C'rdenas was named the first Bishop. This week in New Orleans history. April 3, 1977: The first edition of the Gambit weekly newspaper was published, eventually becoming a staple of New Orleans culture and investigative reporting. This week in Louisiana. Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Ponchatoula Memorial Park, North 6th Street Ponchatoula, LA 70454 April 10'12, 2026 (festival concluded last weekend; visitors can still enjoy local farms and downtown attractions on April 17) Website: lastrawberryfestival.com Email: info@lastrawberryfestival.com Phone: (985) 386‑2536 The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is Louisiana's largest free harvest festival, celebrating local farmers, food, music, and community traditions: Strawberry Treats: Shortcake, chocolate‑dipped berries, daiquiris, jams, and fresh flats from local growers. Live Music & Rides: Multiple stages, carnival attractions, and family‑friendly entertainment. Local Culture: Downtown Ponchatoula shops, farms, and photo spots remain active the week after the festival. Postcards from Louisiana. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

671. On this episode of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast, we are joined by Kayla Hardy to discuss her new novel, Quarter Queen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century New Orleans, the story follows a young woman’s journey through the mystique and social complexities of the French Quarter. Kayla shares how she blended historical research with rich storytelling to capture the spirit of an era where power and tradition often collided. We dive into the inspirations behind her protagonist and what it means to reclaim a seat at the table in a city defined by its secrets. She earned a doctorate in English, specializing in creative writing and African American literature, from Binghamton University at age twenty-six. Dr. Hardy served as an adjunct professor at Binghamton University and is an avid scholar and lover of Black folklore, mythology, and Voodoo. Inspired by her Louisiana Creole ancestry and familial lineage of rootwork and magic, Kayla aims to tell diverse-driven horror and dark fantasy stories. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Traditional. 'Cotton-Eyed Joe.'      "Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe, What did make you sarve me so, Fur ter take my gal erway fum me, An' cyar her plum ter Tennessee? Ef it hadn't ben fur Cotton-eyed Joe, I'd er been married long ergo.      "His eyes wuz crossed, an' his nose wuz flat, An' his teef wuz out, but wat uv dat? Fur he wuz tall, an' he wuz slim, An' so my gal she follered him. Ef it hadn't ben fur Cotton-eyed Joe, I'd er been married long ergo. This week in Louisiana history. March 27, 1934. Rev. Gerald Smith addressed citizens in Sulphur's "Share Our Wealth Club."  This week in New Orleans history. March 27, 2020: New Orleans was identified as having the highest COVID-19 growth rate in the world, turning the city into a critical warning site for the global pandemic. This week in Louisiana. April 3-5, 2025 Louisiana Lao New Year Celebration (Pi Mai Lao). 7913 Champa Ave. Lanexang Village Broussard, LA 70518 Hours: Three-day festival (Friday-Sunday of Easter weekend) Website: explorelouisiana.com Email: louisianalaonewyear@gmail.com Phone: (337) 378-9469 Experience one of the most unique cultural festivals in Acadiana, celebrating Southeast Asian traditions: Lao Traditions: The festival features traditional sand castle building, vibrant parades, and a beauty pageant. Culinary Delights: Numerous vendors offer authentic clothes, jewelry, and a wide array of food from Southeast Asia. VIP Experience: All-access passes are available that include reserved parking, guided tours, and access to the Tea-time performance banquet. Admission & Pricing Admission & Pricing General Admission (Before 5:00 PM): Free. Evening Admission (After 5:00 PM): $15.00 per person (covers access to the evening concerts and the dance floor). VIP All-Access Pass: $50.00. This includes reserved parking next to the temple, food, a guided tour, and access to the VIP parade lounge and performance banquet. Parking: Public parking and shuttles are typically free, but limited; arriving early is highly recommended. Postcards from Louisiana. Rug Cutters at Favela Chic. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

670. Sophie White joins us to discuss her book, Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana. Sophie also has a companion website, "Voices of the Enslaved: A Digital Humanities Approach to Encountering the Archive." This website is well worth your time. It has an article on the earliest reference to voudou, for example, with primary documents and detailed analysis. In Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana, Sophie White uncovers a rare and startling "soundscape" of the 18th century. While most history books treat enslaved people as silent statistics, White mines the meticulously recorded trial records of the Louisiana Superior Council to find something revolutionary: the direct testimony of over 150 men and women. From the defiant words of Marguerite in a New Orleans courtroom to the intimate "maroon" love story of Kenet and Jean-Baptiste, these are not just legal responses — they are "accidental" autobiographies. Through White’s lyrical analysis, we move beyond the violence of the plantation and into the interior lives of those who refused to be erased, revealing a world of sophisticated material culture, complex kinship, and an unyielding insistence on their own humanity. Sophie White is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she holds concurrent appointments in History, Africana Studies, and Gender Studies. A native of Mauritius, her unique perspective on French colonial legacies and "othering" has made her a premier historian of the Atlantic World. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Mary Ashley Townsend 'Down the Bayou,' WE drifted down the long lagoon, My Love, my Summer Love and I, Far out of sight of all the town. The old Cathedral sinking down. With spire and cross, from view below The borders of St. John's bayou. As toward the ancient Spanish Fort, With steady prow and helm a-port, We drifted down, my Love and I. Beneath an azure April sky. My Love and I, my Love and I,    Just at the hour of noon. This week in Louisiana history. March 20, 1839. Shreveport become a "city" on the northern end of the Red River. This week in New Orleans history. On March 20, 2020, New Orleans recorded its first death from COVID-19, marking a somber turning point for the city. This event prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to issue a formal "Stay at Home" order just five days later to combat the rapid spread of the virus. This week in Louisiana. St. Joseph Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 204 Patton Avenue Shreveport, LA 71105 March 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Website: stjosephchurch.net Email: office@stjosephchurch.net Phone: (318) 865‑3581 Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. St. Joseph's Fish Fry is a long‑running Shreveport Lenten tradition, known for generous portions, friendly volunteers, and a steady community turnout each year: Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp with classic sides, plus limited combo plates. Dine‑In or Drive‑Thru: Efficient service for families and commuters. Community Support: Proceeds benefit parish ministries, school programs, and local outreach. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

669. Part 2. We continue Women's History Month by concluding our conversation with Marcelle Bienvenu. Whe is an author working on the history of Creole cooking. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Meghan F. McDonald.'NOLA: An Interactive Street Performing Experience.'     Before embarking on my street performing tour of the U.S., one aspect I said I would investigate on the road was how influencial setting is for creating music.     Admittedly, this question was buried under piles of other questions that surfaced during my earlier stops, D.C., Nashville, Asheville and Atlanta. But that changed once I arrived in New Orleans.     Music and culture ' especially along Royal Street ' ooze from NOLA's pores, pumping through its streets as if the heart of all music can be found somewhere within the veins of the French Quarter. It is New Orleans, after all, that mothered music greats ranging from Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino to Lil Wayne. And that variety is not accidental ' it's part of NOLA's appeal.     On one street you may walk into an impromptu jazz ensemble performance, complete with an upright bass, saxophone player and a singer throwing out some hot scats. Five blocks down, you could stumble upon a high-energy brass group filled with trumpets, trombones and a tuba. Not to mention the multiple solo acts scattered throughout NOLA's streets at all hours of the day and night.     One factor that makes NOLA an ideal street performing city is the layout. The Quarter's tight streets, filled with sheltered sidewalks due to the vast amounts of layered decks, create a rich acoustic experience for buskers. The sound stays contained from having a ceiling of sorts, which then bounces off the parallel building in full circle. This week in Louisiana history. March 13, 1815. Gen. Andrew Jackson declares the end of martial law in New Orleans at the end of War of 1812. This week in New Orleans history. The City Park property was famous as a dueling ground long before it was a park ' more Affaires d'honneur were fought in New Orleans than in any other American city. They resulted from serious affronts, petty insults, or deliberate confrontations for the sole purpose of displaying fencing skills. Weapons of choice included swords, sabers, pistols, rifles, even bare hands. During the 1800s a series of duels were fought between fencing masters ' the most famous, Spaniard Pepe Llula was known as a duelist who met any man with any weapon. Times-Democrat on March 13, 1892, reported, "Between 1834 and 1844 scarcely a day passed without duels being fought at the Oaks'. Dueling had been outlawed two years before under the death penalty (if a death resulted) but it was seldom enforced.  This week in Louisiana. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 480 Richland Place Monroe, LA 71203 Open daily from sunrise to sunset Website: fws.gov/refuge/black-bayou-lake Email: blackbayoulake@fws.gov Phone: (318) 387‑1114 March is one of the best months to visit Black Bayou Lake, with mild temperatures, active wildlife, and early spring blooms along the trails and boardwalks: Boardwalk Trail: A scenic walk over the cypress‑studded lake, ideal for birdwatching and photography. Visitor Center & Nature Exhibits: Located in a restored plantation house with hands‑on displays. Wildlife Viewing: Frequent sightings of herons, egrets, turtles, and alligators in their natural habitat. Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

668. We begin women's history month by talking to Marcelle Bienvenu about the history of Creole cooking. In a city known worldwide for its food, the women of New Orleans have led the way. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Grace King. "Pupasse."     EVERY day, every day, it was the same overture in Madame Joubert's room in the Institut St. Denis; the strident:    'Mesdemoiselles; ' vos places! Notre P're qui est dans le ciel ' Qui a fait ce bruit?'     'It's Pupasse, madame! It's Pupasse!' The answer invariably was unanimous.     'But, Madame Joubert, ' I assure you, Madame Joubert, ' I could not help it! They know I could not help it!'     By this time the fresh new fool's cap made from yesterday's 'Bee' would have been pinned on her head.     'Quelle injustice! Quelle injustice!'     This last apostrophe in a high, whining nasal voice, always procured Pupasse's elevation on the tall three-legged stool in the corner. This week in Louisiana history. March 6, 1867. General Philip Sheridan arrives in New Orleans to command the Fifth Military District (Louisiana and Texas) during Reconstruction.  This week in New Orleans history. Norman Treigle, born in New Orleans on March 6, 1927, made his operatic debut in 1947 with the New Orleans Opera Association, as the Duke of Verona in Rom'o et Juliette.  A graduate of Loyola's College of Music, Treigle went on to receive international acclaim.  He died in New Orleans on February 16, 1975.  This week in Louisiana. St. Pius X Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 201 E. Bayou Parkway Lafayette, LA 70508 March 6, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Website: stpiusxchurch.org Email: office@stpiusxchurch.org Phone: (337) 232‑4656 Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. St. Pius X hosts one of Lafayette's most popular Lenten Fish Fries, offering quick service, generous portions, and a strong community turnout each year: Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp plates with sides, plus a limited number of combo plates. Drive‑Thru Convenience: A fast, well‑organized line ideal for families on busy Friday evenings. Parish Support: Proceeds benefit school programs, youth ministries, and local outreach Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

667. Part 2 of our conversation with Kathleen Kass Byrd about her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd’s Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement.  Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Jim Kjelgaard. Swamp Cat.     Frosty's heritage, in great measure, came from his renegade father. Incapable of fearing anything, he was sufficient unto himself and he'd known that from the first day he'd opened his eyes and looked around the shed. There was not and never would be a situation with which he could not cope or a foe from whom he would run in panic. His self-confidence was almost as vast as his curiosity. He would stand alone, or with kindred spirits. Never would he place himself at the mercy of, or pay homage to, one who was not kindred.     He liked the woman. She was unfailingly kind and gentle. She knew exactly how to pet him and she ' a small point ' brought his food. But he would not, as the gray kittens did, unbend so far as to met her at the door. She was not his superior. This week in Louisiana history. February 27, 1827. New Orleans kicks off its first Mardi Gras. This week in New Orleans history. Mardi Gras Day was cancelled on February 27, 1979 due to the New Orleans Police strike.  Some Orleans Parish parades were rescheduled in Jefferson Parish. This week in Louisiana. Kisatchie National Forest ' Valentine Lake Recreation Area Valentine Lake Road Forest Hill, LA 71430 Open year‑round; February is ideal for cool‑weather hiking and quiet lakeside visits Website: fs.usda.gov/kisatchie Email: KNFinfo@usda.gov Phone: (318) 473‑7160 Valentine Lake is one of Kisatchie's most peaceful recreation areas, offering scenic trails, birdwatching, and lakeside relaxation during the mild late‑winter season: Valentine Lake Trail: A 3.4‑mile loop through longleaf pine forest with excellent wildlife viewing. Picnic & Day‑Use Areas: Shaded spots along the shoreline, perfect for quiet afternoons. Fishing Access: The 46‑acre lake is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. No fee for entry. There is a small fee for camping. Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

666. Kathleen Kass Byrd, part 1, joins us to discuss her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd’s Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Rida Johnson Young. Naughty Marietta: A Musical Comedy in Two Acts. PLACE: New Orleans. TIME: About 1780. SCENE: The Place d'Armes. A broad open space with the levee at back. There is a path along this levee bordered on both sides by tall trees, some of which are draped with the gray Southern moss. There is just a glimpse of the Mississippi between these trees. Along the levee from time to time as act progresses, people of various nationalities past. Mexicans, Indians, Spaniards, Negroes, etc. At extreme L. is an arcaded street in which are booths for flower sellers, cake and confectionary ' sailors, etc. Over this arcade are the high latticed windows of dwellings in old Creole style. There is a door at L. into one of these houses. At right is the getaway entrance to the St. Louis Cathedral. Up stage in centre is a large fountain. The top of the fountain is in the form of a large urn. The pedestal leading from the basin to the urn must be large enough for a person to stand up in. The fountain is dry. This week in Louisiana history. February 20, 1811. President Madison signed bill providing for Louisiana'a statehood. This week in New Orleans history. February 20, 2013: FEMA Archaeologists Discover One of the Oldest Native American Artifacts South of Lake Pontchartrain. Release Number: DR-1603/07-989, NEW ORLEANS ' Pottery sherds, animal bones and pieces of clay tobacco pipes are among the items recently discovered by a team of archaeologists under contract to the Federal Emergency Management Agency surveying land near Bayou St. John in New Orleans.  'It was a bit of a surprise to find this,' said FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan, referencing a small, broken pottery fragment. 'We clearly discovered pottery from the late Marksville period, which dates to 300-400 A.D. The pottery was nice, easily dateable, and much earlier than we expected." This week in Louisiana. St. Ann Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 3601 Transcontinental Drive Metairie, LA 70006 February 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Website: stannchurchandshrine.org Email: office@stannchurchandshrine.org Phone: (504) 455‑7071 Price: Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. During Lent, many Catholic churches across Louisiana host Friday seafood dinners as both fundraisers and meatless‑Friday observances. St. Ann's annual Fish Fry is one of the most popular in Jefferson Parish: Plate Options: Fried fish, shrimp, or a combo plate, served with fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies. Dine‑In or Drive‑Thru: Quick service for families on the go, with indoor seating available. Community Atmosphere: Proceeds support parish ministries, school programs, and local outreach. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

665. Part 2 of our interview of Zella Palmer, expert on Creole and African cooking. She released a documentary, The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot. She is also the author of Recipes and Remembrances of Fair Dillard, 1869-2019.Zella, educator, food historian, author, and filmmaker, serves as the Chair and Director of the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture. Palmer is committed to preserving the legacy of African-American, Native American, and Latino culinary history in New Orleans and the South. Palmer curated The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot academic conference and documentary, the Nellie Murray Feast, and the Dr. Rudy Joseph Lombard: Black Hand in the Pot Lecture Series. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Samuel Clemens. "Letter to Pamela A. Moffett."     [It's the be]ginning of Lent, and all good Catholics eat and drink freely of what they please, and, in fact, do what they please, in order that they may be the better able to keep sober and quiet during the coming fast. It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans.     I posted off up town yesterday morning as soon as the boat landed, in blissful ignorance of the great day. At the corner of Good-Children and Tchoupitoulas streets, I beheld an apparition! — and my first impulse was to dodge behind a lamp-post. It was a woman — a hay-stack of curtain calico, ten feet high — sweeping majestically down the middle of the street (for what pavement in the world could accommodate hoops of such vast proportions?) Next I saw a girl of eighteen, mounted on a fine horse, and dressed as a Spanish Cavalier, with long rapier, flowing curls, blue satin doublet and half-breeches, trimmed with broad white lace — (the balance of her dainty legs cased in flesh-colored silk stockings) — white kid gloves — and a nodding crimson feather in the coquettishest little cap in the world. She removed said cap and bowed low to me, and nothing loath, I bowed in return — but I could n’t help murmuring, “By the beard of the Prophet, Miss, but you’ve mistaken your man this time — for I never saw your silk mask before, — nor the balance of your costume, either, for that matter.” And then I saw a hundred men, women and children in fine, fancy, splendid, ugly, coarse, ridiculous, grotesque, laughable costumes, and the truth flashed upon me — “This is Mardi-Gras!” This week in Louisiana history. February 13, 1899. Lowest temperature ever recorded in Louisiana, Minden, -16°F.This week in New Orleans history. First Rex Parade. February 13, 1872 Lewis J. Salomon reigned as Rex during the organization's first parade on February 13, 1872.  The theme was "Triumphal Entry". The official anthem of Rex, "If Ever I Cease to Love", was a hit song of the early 1870's era from a musical comedy named "Bluebeard". The musical's leading lady, Lydia Thompson, was performing in New Orleans at the time of the first Rex parade. The visiting Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, who had seen "Bluebeard" during his national tour, was also familiar with the song and with Thompson, to whom he had once sent a gift bracelet.   This week in Louisiana.Krewe of Artemis Parade Downtown Baton RougeBaton Rouge, LA 70801 February 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM Website: kreweofartemis.netEmail: info@kreweofartemis.netPhone: (225) 344-5272To find the parade route, visit the krewe's website and click on "Parade Route" in the main menu.The Krewe of Artemis is Baton Rouge's premier women‑led Mardi Gras parade, known for its family‑friendly atmosphere, signature throws, and vibrant nighttime procession:All‑Female Krewe: Founded in 2001, Artemis is the first and largest women's Mardi Gras krewe in Baton Rouge.Night Parade: Floats are illuminated for a glowing, high‑energy procession through downtown.Signature Throws: Popular items include light‑up beads, custom cups, and the krewe's collectible plush moon.Postcards from Louisiana. Delfayo Marsalis. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

664. Part 1 of our interview with Zella Palmer about the influence of African cooking on creole cuisine. The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot. She is also the author of Recipes and Remembrances of Fair Dillard, 1869-2019. Zella, educator, food historian, author, and filmmaker, serves as the Chair and Director of the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture. Palmer is committed to preserving the legacy of African-American, Native American, and Latino culinary history in New Orleans and the South. Palmer curated The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot academic conference and documentary, the Nellie Murray Feast, and the Dr. Rudy Joseph Lombard: Black Hand in the Pot Lecture Series. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The City that Lives Outdoors," by W. S. Harwood. For at least nine months in the twelve, the people of this rare old town live out of doors nearly all the waking hours of the twenty-four. For the remaining three months of the year, December, January, and February, they delude themselves into the notion that they are having a winter, when they gather around a winter-time hearth and listen to imaginary wind-roarings in the chimney, and see through the panes fictitious and spectral snow-storms, and dream that they are housed so snug and warm. But when the day comes the sun is shining and there is no trace of white on the ground, and the grass is green and there are industrious buds breaking out of cover, and the earth is sleeping very lightly. Open-eyed, the youngsters sit by these December firesides and listen to their elders tell of the snow-storms in the long ago that came so very, very deep, when snowballs were flying in the streets, and the earth was white, and the 'banquettes,' or sidewalks, were ankle-deep in slush. This week in Louisiana history. February 7, 2010. New Orleans Saints win their very first Super Bowl and finish the year at 14-3. This week in New Orleans history. Born in New Orleans on February 6, 1944, Wilson Turbinton (known as Tee and Willie Tee) arranged, co-wrote and led the band on the Wild Magnolias' self-titled 1974 debut album. The popularity of that recording, and the subsequent They Call Us Wild introduced the Mardi Gras Indians' street-beat funk to the world.  This week in Louisiana. Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice Downtown Eunice Eunice, LA 70535 February 14, 2026 Website: eunice-la.com Email: info@eunice-la.com Phone: (337) 457-7389 The Courir de Mardi Gras is one of Louisiana's oldest and most distinctive Mardi Gras traditions, featuring masked riders on horseback, live Cajun and Zydeco music, and a community gumbo that brings the whole town together: The Chicken Run: Costumed riders chase a released chicken through the countryside, a hallmark of the old Cajun Mardi Gras. Live Music: Downtown Eunice hosts day‑long performances by Cajun and Zydeco bands. Traditional Gumbo: Ingredients gathered during the courir are used to prepare a communal gumbo served in the evening. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

663. Part 2 of our conversation with Matthew and Melissa, hosts of the the "This Ain't It" podcast, covering their response to MAGA religion. Hosted by Matthew Teutsch, a scholar of African American literature and Director of the Lillian E. Smith Center, and his wife Melissa Teutsch, the show explores the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Together, they engage in deep conversations about civil rights, the power of rhetoric, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in the American South and beyond. By examining the "interminable" nature of systemic oppression, the Teutsches challenge listeners to embrace the responsibility of resistance through education and empathy. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The Expedition of Hernando de Soto" was written by his companion Luis Hernandez de Biedma. "When we arrived, the queen sent us one of her nieces, in a litter carried by Indians. She sent the governor a present of a necklace of beads, canoes to cross the river with, and gave us half the village to lodge in. The governor opened a large temple built in the woods, in which was buried the chiefs of the country, and took from it a quantity of pearls, amounting to six or seven arrobes, which were spoiled by being buried in the ground. We dug up two Spanish axes, a chaplet of wild olive seed, and some small beads, resembling those we had brought from Spain for the purpose of trading with the Indians. We conjectured they had obtained these things by trading with the companions of Vasquez de Ayllon. The Indians told us the sea was only about thirty leagues distant." This week in Louisiana history. January 30, 1704. Bienville was told that "Pelican" was on its way to Mobile with 27 young women. This week in New Orleans history. Frostop on Jefferson Highway Closed January 30, 2007. Just a couple of blocks from East Jefferson High School on the corner of Phlox Avenue at 4637 Airline Highway, the Frostop Drive-in Restaurant was a popular stop for burgers and root beer.  Today Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits occupies the corner. Other local Frostop locations could be found around town back in the day, and a few still exist in the greater New Orleans area. These photographs are of the Frostop which was located on Jefferson Highway in the Jefferson Plaza Shopping Center (AKA Arrow Shopping Center) which were taken the day before it closed on January 30, 2007: This week in Louisiana. Visit the Alexandria Zoo. 3016 Masonic Drive Alexandria, LA 71301 Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) Website: thealexandriazoo.com Email: info@thealexandriazoo.com Phone: (318) 441-6810 January is an excellent time to visit, as the cooler weather keeps many of the larger mammals more active: Louisiana Habitat: A 3.5-acre exhibit showcasing native species like cougars, black bears, and alligators in a natural swamp setting. The Train: The “Bayou Le Zoo Choo Choo” offers a 10-minute narrated tour around the perimeter of the park.  African Experience: Features a 17-foot waterfall and habitat for lions, flamingos, and giant tortoises. ). Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Party in NOLA / Happy Birthday.Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

662. Part 1 of our conversation with Matthew and Melissa, hosts of the the "This Ain't It" podcast, covering their response to MAGA religion. Hosted by Matthew Teutsch, a scholar of African American literature and Director of the Lillian E. Smith Center, and his wife Melissa Teutsch, the show explores the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Together, they engage in deep conversations about civil rights, the power of rhetoric, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in the American South and beyond. By examining the "interminable" nature of systemic oppression, the Teutsches challenge listeners to embrace the responsibility of resistance through education and empathy. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Dorothy Day wrote the article, “Florence Is a Communist.”     “Do you know what Communism is, Florence?”    “Yes, I am a Communist,” Florence stated, and afterward when we were alone together in the kitchen she went into more details about her beliefs.     “Communism,” she stated, “is to help the poor.” So the poor of the small town of Jacobi where she came from, were quite ready to be enrolled in the ranks of the Communists.     There were about eighty Negroes signed up with the Communist group in her little town in Louisiana, and in the neighboring towns of Lettsworth, Lagonia, Batchelor, Torras and Susport there were groups of from forty to sixty in each town.     They were not doing anything much at present, not even meeting, she explained, since the young Communist organizer who had been keeping contact with them had been jailed and run out of town. He had been transferred by the Party to another state, so there the matter was halted. This week in Louisiana history. January 23, 1680. Bienville born in Montreal, Canada, 12 of 14 children.  This week in New Orleans history. The Clio streetcar ran from January 23, 1867 until September 1, 1932.  This line originally ran from Canal Street up to Clio Street to Magnolia Street, returning on Erato and Carondelet Streets. In 1874, it was extended across Canal Street to Elysian Fields, making it the first streetcar line to cross Canal Street. It was extended at both ends from time to time, before giving up its territory to newer lines in 1932. This week in Louisiana. January 31, 2026 The Legends of Hip Hop Tour Shreveport Municipal Auditorium 705 Elvis Presley Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101 Website: shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com Email: info@shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com Phone: (318) 841-4000 A star-studded concert featuring some of the biggest names in classic hip hop. Lineup & Details This event takes place in the historic venue where Elvis Presley got his start: 7:00 PM: Doors open to the public. 8:00 PM: Show starts. The Lineup: The 2026 tour features performances by Webbie, Ying Yang Twins, Trina, and Lil' Keke. The Venue: The “Muni” is a National Historic Landmark, offering an intimate and high-enenrgy atmosphere.  The After-Party: Many local downtown Shreveport bars host unofficial after-parties following the show. End: Approximately 11:30 PM. Note for Listeners: This is an all-ages show, but parental discretion is advised due to concert volume and lyrical content. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

661. Today we talk to Rachel L. Doherty about Louisiana folklore and folklife. Rachel is the Assistant Director for Programming and Special Projects at the Center for Louisiana Studies. Dr. Rachel Doherty is a scholar of contemporary Francophone art, literature, and creolized identities in Louisiana and Canada. She is an alumna of UL Lafayette's Francophone Studies program, a former lecturer at UL and Université Sainte-Anne, and a former French immersion teacher. Dr. Doherty specializes in occult and magical lore in minority Francophone literatures and arts, and analyzes folklore's place in today's language and identity movements. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. “At the ’Cadian Ball” by Kate Chopin is about a Fais Do Do in the late 1800s. "BOBINÔT, that big, brown, good-natured Bobinôt, had no intention of going to the ball, even though he knew Calixta would be there. For what came of those balls but heartache, and a sickening disinclination for work the whole week through, till Saturday night came again and his tortures began afresh? Why could he not love Ozéina, who would marry him to-morrow; or Fronie, or any one of a dozen others, rather than that little Spanish vixen? Calixta's slender foot had never touched Cuban soil; but her mother's had, and the Spanish was in her blood all the same. For that reason the prairie people forgave her much that they would not have overlooked in their own daughters or sisters." This week in Louisiana history. January 16, 1962. Students at Southern Univ. begin civil rights demonstrations. This week in New Orleans history. Mayor C. Ray Nagin's "Chocolate City Speech" January 16, 2006. The "Chocolate City Speech" is the nickname that some have given to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech by Mayor Ray Nagin on January 16, 2006, several months after Hurricane Katrina. Prior to Nagin's speech, some commentators were suggesting that the city's demographics would change from majority African American to majority Caucasian.  In an interview with Public Radio International's Tavis Smiley (originally broadcast on January 13, 2006) Nagin used the phrase "chocolate city" in reference to New Orleans' future demographics. This week in Louisiana. January 31, 2026 Louisiana King Cake Festival 402 West 3rd Street Thibodaux, LA 70301 A large-scale outdoor food festival where attendees can sample dozens of different king cakes from across the state. This event serves as a major fundraiser for the Lafourche Education Foundation: 10:30 AM: The “Krewe of King Cake” Children’s Parade kicks off the festivities around 201 Green Street. 11:00 AM: The festival grounds officially open for tasting and live music. Highlight 1 (The Tasting): Guests purchase “tasting tickets” to sample various king cakes and vote for the “People’s Choice” winner. Highlight 2 (The Music): Local Louisiana bands perform on the main stage throughout the afternoon.  4:00 PM: The winners of the best traditional and non-traditional king cakes are announced. End: The festival wraps up at 5:00 PM. Website: louisianakingcakefest.com Email: info@lafourcheeducation.com Phone: (985) 688-4662 Lafourche Education Foundation P.O. Box 486 Thibodaux, LA 70302 Postcards from Louisiana. Little Freddie King. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.    

660. Today we’re joined by writer and cultural historian Brian Fairbanks, author of “Wizards: David Duke, America’s Wildest Election, and the Rise of the Far Right.” In this book, Fairbanks delivers a vivid account of David Duke’s 1991 run for governor of Louisiana — a campaign that shocked the country and revealed how extremist politics could slip into the mainstream. Through sharp reporting and a storyteller’s eye, he reconstructs the chaos, the media frenzy, and the deeper social tensions that made that election a turning point in modern American politics. Fairbanks brings that same clarity to a very different American saga in “Willie, Waylon, and the Boys: How Nashville Outsiders Changed Country Music.” Here he traces the rise of the outlaw movement, showing how Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and their circle pushed back against Nashville’s rigid studio system and reshaped the sound and soul of country music. He explores the rebellion, the artistry, and the cultural moment that allowed these musicians to redefine authenticity and leave a lasting imprint on American music. Beyond these two major works, Brian Fairbanks has built a reputation as a writer who connects individual stories to the larger forces shaping American life. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Heloise Hulse Cruzat wrote an article on the history of the Ursuline Nuns in New Orleans.      You have been told in eloquent periods of the founding of New Orleans, of its subsequent development, and I am to be the humble interpreter of another intimate chapter of its history: THE SHARE WOMEN TOOK IN ITS ESTABLISHMENT.      Can we mention the French colonial days without recalling the URSULINES, who by their unfaltering courage and their steady and efficient work, incorporated their history into that of our fair city.      Bienville realized that New Orleans would never attain his dream of greatness without education, and especially such an education of the female youth as would give worthy wives and mothers to the colonists. With this end in view, he intrusted to the Jesuit, Father de Beaubois, the care of choosing these educators. How successfully this mission was accomplished by his selection of the Ursulines of Rouen, the two past centuries have demonstrated.       A contract was signed by the Company of the Indies and the Ursulines, approved by brevet signed by Louis XV, and on February 22nd, 1727, Mother St. Augustin, Tranchepain, with eight professed nuns, a novice and two postulants sailed on the Gironde from L'Orient. This week in Louisiana history. January 9, 1877 Both Democrat Francis T. Nicholls and Republican Stephen B. Packard claim victory in election for governor; both take oath of office. This week in New Orleans history. Andrew Jackson arrived on board the steamer “Vicksburg” on January 8, 1840 at ten o’clock in the morning, landing at the Carrollton wharf, where an immense throng had assembled to welcome “the most distinguished citizen of the country.”  The specific reason for his presence was that a cornerstone was to be laid, commemorating his victories in the Battle of New Orleans, a quarter of a century before. General Jackson laid the cornerstone in the Place d’Armes, on January 9, 1840. It was not until some years later that the monument decided upon was the one of Jackson, designed by Clark Mills, which stands in the center of the ancient parade grounds for the troops. This statue has been called the “center piece of one of the finest architectural sittings in the world.” (NOPL) This week in Louisiana. January 10, 2026. Fools of Misrule Parade Historic St. John District Covington Marchers will follow the “Lord of Misrule” in a medieval-themed procession. The January 10, 2026 Route & Key Stops The parade follows a traditional path through downtown Covington with key festivities: Start: Seiler Bar (434 N. Columbia St.) following the members-only “Feast of Fools.” Stop 1 (The Crowning): The procession marches to the Covington Trailhead (419 N. New Hampshire St.) to crown the “Lord of Misrule.” Stop 2 (The Carouse): Revelers, flambeaux, and brass bands march along New Hampshire Street to Boston Street. Stop 3 (The Watering Holes): The krewe heads north along Columbia Street, stopping at local restaurants and pubs. End: The march concludes back at the Columbia Street Tap Room & Grill. Website: foolsofmisrule.org Email: membership@foolsofmisrule.org Phone: (985) 893-8187 St. John Fools of Misrule 434 N. Columbia St. Suite H20 Covington, LA 70433 Note for Listeners: While public, this march has a rowdy “pub crawl” atmosphere. Families should aim for the Trailhead crowning for the best experience with kids. Postcards from Louisiana. Crescent City Brewhouse. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

659. John C. Rodrigue joins us to discuss his research on the Civil War and Reconstruction. John is a prominent historian specializing in the U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, known for his deep focus on slavery, emancipation, and the Lower Mississippi Valley, with key books like Reconstruction in the Cane Fields and Freedom's Crescent, exploring how the war transformed Southern society and Lincoln's evolving views on Reconstruction. He's recognized for meticulous research and contributions to understanding the complex transition from slavery to free labor, earning awards like the 2024 John Nau Book Prize for his 2023 work. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Richard Emmons wrote an "Epick Poem" about the Battle of New Orleans: "Now when the States with soul-abhorrence saw Britain’s design to wage a Vandal war — That spoils and rapine fill’d her heart with joy — That all her thoughts were loosen’d to destroy, — One voice from Florida to Maine was heard, To rise in panoply and draw the sword — Grace, Hampton, Norfolk, Baltimore — of late, Urg’d their uniting with unbroken weight, To guard their cities smiling on the sea, From the rude grasp of spoiling Royalty. This week in Louisiana history. January 2, 1860 Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana near Pineville, Louisiana opened with Col. William Tecumseh Sherman as superintendent, would later become LSU, Seminary opens with five professors and 19 cadets This week in New Orleans history. Troy Andrews (born January 2, 1986), also known by the stage name Trombone Shorty has worked in jazz, funk and rap music. Andrews is the younger brother of trumpeter and bandleader James Andrews as well as the grandson of singer and songwriter Jessie Hill. Andrews began playing trombone at age six, and since 2009 has toured with his own band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. This week in Louisiana. Carnival season begins in Louisiana on 12th Night of Christmas, January 6, 2025 Joan of Arc Parade French Quarter New Orleans Floats will focus on Joan of Arc's life. The 2026 Route & Key Stops The parade follows a specific path through the French Quarter with three traditional “stops” for pageantry: Start: Corner of Bienville and Front Streets. Stop 1 (The Toast): A toast to the royalty from the balcony of the Historic New Orleans Collection (416 Chartres St). Stop 2 (The Blessing): The blessing of Joan’s sword. Due to ongoing construction, this may take place at St. Mary’s Church at the Old Ursuline Convent rather than the Cathedral. Stop 3 (The Birthday Song): A pause at the golden Joan of Arc statue (Place de France) on Decatur Street to sing “Happy Birthday.” End: The crowning of the King and a public King Cake ceremony at Oscar Dunn Park. Website: joanofarcparade.org Email: joanofarcparade@gmail.com Phone: (504) 251-5046 The Joan of Arc Project 7330 Sycamore St. New Orleans, LA 70118 This event is family friendly. Postcard from Louisiana. Delfeayo Marsalis & Doreen at Snug Harbor.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

658. Part 2 of our conversation with Scott Tilton. Scott is the Co-Founder and Director of the Nous Foundation, a platform for exchange between Louisiana and the French-speaking world. He lived the past several years in Paris where he worked as a consultant at Ernst & Young France on projects for the European Union, the UN, and the French Government. While in Paris, Scott launched and spearheaded an initiative that saw Louisiana become the first U.S. state to join the International Organization of the Francophonie (La Francophonie). Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. George Washington Cable. “Café des Exiles.” An antiquated story-and-a-half Creole cottage sitting right down on the banquette, as do the Choctaw squaws who sell bay and sassafras and life-everlasting, with a high, close board-fence shutting out of view the diminutive garden on the southern side. An ancient willow droops over the roof of round tiles, and partly hides the discolored stucco, which keeps dropping off into the garden as though the old café was stripping for the plunge into oblivion — disrobing for its execution. I see, well up in the angle of the broad side gable, shaded by its rude awning of clapboards, as the eyes of an old dame are shaded by her wrinkled hand, the window of Pauline. Oh for the image of the maiden, were it but for one moment, leaning out of the casement to hang her mocking-bird and looking down into the garden, — where, above the barrier of old boards, I see the top of the fig-tree, the pale green clump of bananas, the tall palmetto with its jagged crown, Pauline's own two orange-trees holding up their hands toward the window, heavy with the promises of autumn; the broad, crimson mass of the many-stemmed oleander, and the crisp boughs of the pomegranate loaded with freckled apples, and with here and there a lingering scarlet blossom. This week in Louisiana history. December 27, 1814. Jackson's men repell a British reconnaissance force near Rodriguez Canal. This week in New Orleans history. Jean Étienne de Boré (December 27, 1741 – February 1, 1820) was the first Mayor of New Orleans. His wife, Marie Marguerite d'Estrehan, came from one of the most prominent families of colonial Louisiana; her father, Jean Baptiste d'Estrehan, was the Royal Treasurer of French Louisiana. Etienne owned a plantation a few miles above the City of New Orleans. There he had originally cultivated indigo. But when this product lost its market as a result of competition from Guatemala, he turned his attention to the manufacture of sugar. On his estate he set up a sugar mill and there, in 1795, had, with the aid of two Cubans, Mendez and Lopez, succeeded in producing the first granulated sugar ever known in the colony, with the result that agriculture was completely revolutionized. He was appointed mayor by Governor William C. C. Claiborne in 1803; he resigned to look after his personal affairs the following year. He died at around 80 years old, and is buried in New Orleans' Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. One of his daughters was the mother of Louisiana historian Charles Gayarré. This week in Louisiana. New Year's Eve in New Orleans French Quarter     There's no better time or place to welcome 2025 than New Orleans. Ring in the New Year with a spectacular free concert and fireworks display along the Mississippi River, while celebrations pulse through the French Quarter and downtown. Join us for beloved traditions like the Allstate Sugar Bowl parade and championship game on New Year's Day. With excellent hotel rates still available and endless ways to celebrate – from elegant dinners to live music venues to family-friendly events – now is the moment to plan your unforgettable New Year's Eve in the Crescent City. See below for even more ways to celebrate. Postcards from Louisiana. Tyler Thompson Band on Frenchmen Street.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

657. Part 1 of our conversation with Scott Tilton. Scott is the Co-Founder and Director of the Nous Foundation, a platform for exchange between Louisiana and the French-speaking world. He lived the past several years in Paris where he worked as a consultant at Ernst & Young France on projects for the European Union, the UN, and the French Government. While in Paris, Scott launched and spearheaded an initiative that saw Louisiana become the first U.S. state to join the International Organization of the Francophonie (La Francophonie). Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. This week in Louisiana history. December 20, 1803. United States Commissioners W.C.C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson formally receive possession of Louisiana for the United States for $15,000,000. This week in New Orleans history. On December 20, 1803, the American flag flew over Louisiana for the first time as part of the Louisiana Purchase. This week in Louisiana. Kenner's Magical Christmas Village Heritage Park in Rivertown 2015 Fourth Street Kenner, LA 70062 www.kenner.la.us/486/Kenners-Magical-Christmas-Village Phone: 504-468-7240 Join us at the city of Kenner's Magical Christmas Village, where you can enjoy lights, snow, music, food, arts, crafts, and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself. Don't miss out on exciting vendors and entertainment! Admission: Free Dates: This event is open to the public every day in December from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Vendors and entertainment will be present every Friday & Saturday. December 1-31, 2024, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Postcards from Louisiana. David Middleton. "The Shepherd: A Christmas Play."  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

656. Part 2 of our conversation with Joseph Makkos. Joseph is an archivist who manages a rare collection of some 30,000 historic New Orleans Times Picayune newspapers dating from 1880s-1929. Joseph has worked as a printmaker and preservationist, having salvaged and restored historic printing equipment from over a dozen print shops to date. Using these resources he actively runs a design studio in New Orleans that focuses on artful print production and independent book publishing. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Walter Bowie. Col. James Bowie. "The Sandbar Fight." After two ineffectual exchanges of shots, Wells and Maddox shook hands, but Cuney stepped forward and said to Colonel Crain, “This is a good time to settle our difficulty;” Bowie and Wright also drew, and the firing became general. Crain killed Cuney and shot Bowie through the hip. Bowie drew his knife and rushed upon Colonel Crain. The latter, clubbing his empty pistol, dealt such a terrific blow upon Bowie’s head as to bring him to his knees and break the weapon. Before the latter could recover he was seized by Dr. Maddox, who held him down for some moments, but, collecting his strength, he hurled Maddox off just as Major Wright approached and fired at the wounded Bowie, who, steadying himself against a log, half buried in the sand, fired at Wright, the ball passing through the latter’s body. Wright then drew a sword-cane, and, rushing upon Bowie, exclaimed, “damn you, you have killed me.” Bowie met the attack, and, seizing his assailant, plunged his “bowie-knife” into his body, killing him instantly. At the same moment Edward Blanchard shot Bowie in the body, but had his arm shattered by a ball from Jefferson Wells. This week in Louisiana history. December 13, 2009. New Orleans Saints set a team record for number of wins in on season as the are now 13-0 for the year. This week in New Orleans history. The first English language newspaper, The Union, begins publication in New Orleans on December 13, 1804. Postcards from Louisiana. Delfeayo and Doreen. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

655. Joseph Makkos returns to the porch to talk about his work and an archivist and researcher. He manages a rare collection of some 30,000 historic New Orleans Times Picayune newspapers dating from 1880s-1929. He has worked as a printmaker and preservationist, having salvaged and restored historic printing equipment from over a dozen print shops to date. Using these resources he actively runs a design studio in New Orleans that focuses on artful print production and independent book publishing. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Carl Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach. Travels through North America During the years 1825 & 1826. In the evening about eight o’clock, the company assembled at the ball, which was animated, and the ladies elegantly attired. They danced nothing but French contra-dances, for the American ladies have so much modesty that they object to waltzing. The ball continued until two o’clock in the morning. I became acquainted at this ball with two young officers from West Point, by the name of Bache, great grandsons of Dr. Franklin. This week in Louisiana history. December 6, 1889. Confederate President Jefferson Davis died in New Orleans. This week in New Orleans history. On December 6, 1975 Fleetwood Mac and Jiva performed at a Warehouse. This week in Louisiana. Candy Cane Lane 170 Hwy 151 N. Calhoun, LA 71225 Dates: November 8 - January 4 Time: Nightly, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM www.candycanelane.net Admission: Family Vehicle: $25.00 (Cash/Card at Gate or Online). Visit CandyCaneLane.net for full details on commercial vehicle pricing and hayride tickets.    Get ready for the brightest holiday tradition in Northeast Louisiana! Candy Cane Lane at Calhoun is officially open, inviting you to take a magical drive through more than one million twinkling lights and festive displays. Cruise down a mile-long wooded route that includes stunning light tunnels and an interactive musical light show. Don’t forget to check the schedule for their popular hayride option! Postcards from Louisiana. Doreen "Do You Know What It Means?"  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

654. Today we post our presentation on Liberty in Louisiana at the 2025 Louisiana Studies Conference. Liberty in Louisiana by James Workman is the oldest known extant play about Louisiana. Workman wrote the play in 1803 with the goal of supporting the impending Louisiana Purchase. This was Workman’s sole venture in writing drama; he mostly wrote political essays. This time, he thought he could reach a wider audience with a play, but he still had a political objective. His goal was to demonstrate the superior legal system of the United States, which would free Louisiana from the tyranny of the Old World and replace it with the New World’s Republic of Freedom. Workman had a ready theme to use in his play — the Black Legend of Spanish Law. Spanish law was denigrated by other European countries.  Its Civil Law, modelled on old Roman Law, had the best reputation, but it was slow, secret, incredibly complex, and open to corruption. The Criminal Law was markedly worse in the popular imagination. It was not seen as ancient Roman but as excessively Medieval and barbaric. Spain used several forms of capital punishment, mutilation and other corporal punishments, and forced labor. Worst of all was Canon Law — the infamous Spanish Inquisition. The corrupt judge Don Bertoldo embodies this old, corrupt systems that the Americans end. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Pisatuntema. Myths of the Louisiana Choctaw. "Hashok Okwa Hui’ga."     There is a certain spirit that lives in marshy places — often along the edges of swamps. It is never seen during the day, only at night, and even then its heart is the only part visible. Its heart appears as a small ball of fire that may be seen moving about, a short distance above the surface of the water.     At night, when a person is passing along a trail or going through the woods, and meets the Hashok Okwa Hui’ga he must immediately turn away and not look at it, otherwise he will certainly become lost and not arrive at his destination that night, but instead, travel in a circle.     The name is derived from the three words: hashok, grass; okwa, water; hui’ga, drop. The two preceding tales refer to the ignis fatuus often seen along the swamps of St Tammany parish. This week in Louisiana history. November 29, 2005. Tropical Storm Epsilon becoming the 26th named storm of the busiest hurricane season on record. This week in New Orleans history. The fire with 6 deaths at the Rault Center marks November 29, 1972 as tragic day in New Orleans history. Legislation requiring sprinkler systems in high-rise buildings were prompted by this tragedy. This week in Louisiana. Christmas in Roseland American Rose Center Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays throughout December 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd Shreveport, LA 71119 Contact Lani Bailey, 318-532-5125 eventcoordinator@rose.org At the end of the year, the gardens are magically transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights for Christmas in Roseland – our largest fundraiser of the year for the gardens.       2025 will mark our 42nd year for Christmas in Roseland! We are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning November 28th through December 21st, 2025, with special Encore Nights continuing Dec. 22nd & 23rd, 2025.       Be sure to visit Christmas in Roseland on Dec. 12th-14th for our Christmas Market. Vendors of beautiful soaps, linens, wood products and other handmade products and gift items will be present.       One of the most popular displays at Christmas in Roseland is the display of Christmas Cards to the Community made by area schools. 8’ x 4’, beautifully designed and painted by school children of elementary and middle schools of the Shreveport-Bossier area.      Christmas in Roseland is a participant in the Holiday Trail of Lights tour! $15 per person or $50 family Admission good from 5:30PM-9:30PM (Park open 5:30-10PM) NEW THIS YEAR! Visitors are able to purchase entry passes, Santa photos, train tickets and s’mores packets online prior to arrival here. You can also purchase tickets at the gate. BUY YOUR TICKETS EARLY! Nov. 1 – 28 FOR A 20% DISCOUNT! Please call 318-938-5402 to make a group reservation. Postcards from Louisiana. Delfeayo Marsalis at Snug Harbor.          Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

653. Part 2 of our conversation with Kathleen DuVal about her book, Native Nations: A Millennium in North America. “Pulitzer Prize Winner - National Bestseller - A magisterial overview of a thousand years of Native American history” (The New York Review of Books), from the rise of ancient cities more than a thousand years ago to fights for sovereignty that continue today. Winner of the Bancroft Prize, the Cundill History Prize, and the Mark Lynton History Prize. Long before the colonization of North America, Indigenous Americans built diverse civilizations and adapted to a changing world in ways that reverberated globally. And, as award-winning historian Kathleen DuVal vividly recounts, when Europeans did arrive, no civilization came to a halt because of a few wandering explorers, even when the strangers came well armed. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Katie Bickham. "Widow's Walk, 1917." The word came that seven hundred thousand bodies had drawn their last breaths at Verdun, an earth-quaking number for those unacquainted with the greedy appetites of death. She had never been across the sea, but pictured the corpses laid in neat rows like chopped cane at harvest time.     “Apologies, ma’am,” came Small John’s voice from the rear stairs.  “I’d’a sent Roberta, but she scared fiercely of high places. You got to come down. The sun will cook you through.”     Five weeks her husband had been gone, and she hadn’t even heaved a sigh until she’d tried to fasten her silver bracelet on her own, a task best suited to a second pair of hands. Sweating, she gripped the chain until the metal grew hot in her palm.     “Ma’am?” Small John tried again.  Without turning, she could feel him moving closer. Had he ever touched her once in these long years? “Roberta said you in a fury.”     She turned from the iron railing and flung the bracelet at him hard.  It hit his shoulder, tinkled as it fell onto the slate. He lifted it by one end like a snake and walked toward her.  “I’d’a gone, too,” he said.  “Over there to fight. ‘Cept I don’t see like I ought to, and my knee ain’t right.”     He watched her as if she might bolt over the edge, body set to lunge. Her temper cooled quick, the way Louisiana afternoons went from sweltering to raising shivers on skin before a hurricane blew in from the gulf.  “Small John?” she asked. She held her shaking wrist out to him, her jaw and throat and chest all gone hot and raw.     She thought he might throw it back at her, but he looked at her straight on, barely glanced down as he slipped the tiny teeth of the clasp together around her wrist, never once touched her skin. This week in Louisiana history. November 22, 1886. 30 Negros killed/100 wounded by vigilanties to stop canefield strike in Thibodeaux, This week in New Orleans history. The New Orleans Recreation Department Keller Center at 1814 Magnolia Street was dedicated on November 22, 1971. It was named in honor of Rosa Freeman Keller who had dedicated decades of her life in New Orleans to racial and gender equality. This week in Louisiana. Christmas Wonderland in the Pines Locations around Jonesboro November 29, 2025 Grand Marshal Coffee and Ceremony - 10:00 AM in the Community Room in Town Hall. The Grand Marshal is presented a Proclamation from the Mayor declaring the day in their honor. Family, friends, and guest of the Grand Marshal are especially invited to attend the ceremony. All visitors and members of the public are also invited to attend. Business casual attire is encouraged. Official Turning on of the Christmas Lights - 12:00 PM Following the Grand Marshal Coffee, the over 5 million Christmas lights are officially turned on for the remainder of the holiday season. Annual Christmas Wonderland in the Pines Parade - 4:30 PM The annual parade starts along Cooper Avenue, turns at Third Street, comes down Allen Avenue toward the Courthouse and turns onto Jimmie Davis Boulevard, turns at Hudson Avenue, and finishes on Seventh Street. The judges' table is located on Jimmie Davis Blvd. at the steps of the Courthouse. Annual Firework Show - approximately 7:00 PM Once dark, the firework show will start. The fireworks are shot from the Public Works Department, under the supervision of the State Fire Marshal. The fireworks can be viewed from nearly anywhere in the city. Postcards from Louisiana. Aislinn Kerchaert. Thanksgiving.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.