Rebirth at French Quarter Fest

Time again for my favorite festival of the year – the 29th annual French Quarter Fest. The largest free festival in the South, the festival now runs 4 days starting with Locals Lagniappe Day – a day dedicated to the locals before the crowds arrive on Friday. French Quarter Fest features over 70 local, non-chain restaurants and more than 800 local musicians and international musicians playing local music on 18 stages throughout the Quarter.

Oyster Fest 2011 – Day 1

The second annual Oyster Fest had plenty of improvements over last year’s premiere but the same nagging problem at its core – who holds a raw seafood fest on blacktop in 95 degree weather? Organizers provided the misting tent so popular last year and added several tented areas for eating at tables in the shade.

Treme Brass Band in the Treme

Friday night, NOLA Defender, the paper I write for, hosted a Trick or Treme party behind the Hotel Storyville on Esplanade.

http://www.hotelstoryville.net/index.html

The backyard/event area was a wonderland of lit seating areas, food and beverage kiosks, a stage and a wonderful wooden decking area emblazoned with the event banner. There was jambalaya like your mama makes and sauced chicken wings among many savory items, and a chocolate cake decorated with a cemetery complete with an open grave.