Living in New Orleans – the first 5 years

My family is from Louisiana for generations on both sides but my path home was winding. After living in Maryland, Washington D.C., Japan, Alabama, New York and Los Angeles, I finally moved to New Orleans in late 2009. And I’ve never been happier. When I got here, the Saints were on their way to winning the Superbowl and the city was vibrating with optimism. Most of the people who would come home after the Storm were back. Katrina money was being spent on street repairs and schools were getting instruments from places like Tipitina’s Foundation. Buildings, homes, t-shirts and more exclaimed, “Believe” and “Renew, Rebuild, Rebirth.” It was intoxicating.

Backstage at Vintage Trouble, KISS and Blondie!

Having lived and worked in Los Angeles for almost 18 years, I had more than my share of red carpets and backstage passes. Moving to New Orleans, I assumed my social life would include a lot less of that. Many concerts here are open to everyone and you can say hello to the band without getting on a list or wearing a laminated tag. This weekend, NOLA played host to the NCAA Final 4 and a weekend-long free concert series, the Big Dance, bringing in bands ranging from the Black Keys to Jimmy Buffett. The giant riverside Woldenberg Park was fenced in and gated and security was in full effect protecting the bands from the enormous crowds. Luckily, I had friends in high places.