349. Nathan Rabalais, part 2

349. Part 2 of our interview with Nathan Rabalais about his documentary, Finding Louisiana. Louisiana French, folk tales. Nathan earned his Ph.D. in French Studies from Tulane University and a Doctorat en Langues et littératures from Université de Poitiers. His research focuses primarily on literatures, cultures, and oral tradition of Francophone North America (primarily Louisiana, Acadia, and Quebec). Professor Rabalais's courses include The Craft of Writing, Heroes, French and Creole Louisiana, and Pop Culture of Francophone North America. His most recent publications and feature-length documentary Finding Cajun (2019) focus on the intersection of language and identity in Louisiana and Acadian communities of Canada. His original poetry has been featured in several literary journals and in his book Le Hantage: un ouvrage de souvenance (2018). He is currently completing a monograph, Folklore Figures of French and Creole Louisiana, forthcoming with LSU Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. January 26, 1861. Louisiana's Secession Convention overwhelmingly votes to secede from the Union and become the Republic of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Today we celebrate the first edition of The Picayune on Wednesday, January 25, 1837.  It contained 4 pages, few graphics, and was distributed by two carriers who sold 800 of the 1000 copies that had been printed from the office at No. 38 Gravier Street. The following day, January 26, 1837, 2,000 copies were printed and sold. It was the first New Orleans newspaper to sell for less than a dime.  A picayune (a Spanish coin) equalled about 6 1/4 cents.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   King Cake Festival
   When: January 26; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
   Where: Champions Square
   What: Taste the many King Cakes from the city’s best bakeries, enjoy live music, and support pediatric programs and the Ochsner Hospital for Children at this annual festival presented by Ochsner.
    Presented by Ochsner Medical Center, King Cake Festival is an annual celebration of one of New Orleans sweetest treats: King Cake! Bakeries from across the Crescent City and beyond will serve their special twists on this New Orleans classic for fest-goers to try every January in Champion Square. Taste dozens of king cakes from bakeries, groceries and restaurants across the New Orleans area!
   King Cake Competitions
   You can watch the friendly competition among bakeries as they compete for a number of coveted King Cake titles. Categories such as Best Presentation, Most Unique, Best Traditional, People’s Choice and more are up for grabs.
   Fest Activities
   Benefitting Ochsner Hospital for Children, King Cake Festival usually has a number of family-friendly and heart-healthy activities. Come energized and ready to exercise with games for all ages. Live music performances also take place within Champion Square.
   Admission
   This event is free and open to the public. To taste the king cakes, tickets must be purchased. Usually, it is $20 for 10 tickets and 1 ticket per sample. Since the event is a fundraiser for Ochsner Hospital for Children, donations are highly recommended and greatly appreciated.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Milly Raccoon sings on Royal St.

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