684. Lee Farrow.

684.  Today we chat with Lee Farrow about the visit of Count Alexis of Russia to Louisiana. She has written about the 1872 visit of Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanov to Louisiana in her book Alexis in America: A Russian Grand Duke's Tour, 1871–1872.Farrow, a New Orleans native and Tulane University alumna, meticulously separates history from myth regarding the Grand Duke’s arrival in New Orleans during Reconstruction. While popular Mardi Gras legend claims the Krewe of Rex was hastily founded solely to honor Alexis because he was pursuing a stage actress, Farrow’s research reveals a more complex reality: local organizers used the celebrity of the Tsar's son to boost tourism, project a cosmopolitan image, and heal post-Civil War divisions. Alexis arrived aboard the luxury steamboat James Howard, and was officially welcomed by Rex, the King of Carnival, cementing a cultural connection between Russian royalty and Louisiana tradition that is celebrated to this day.

1. 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!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Dorsey. Caddo Traditions.
   7. SNAKE-WOMAN DISTRIBUTES SEEDS
       The Great Father gave the seeds of all growing things to Snake-Woman. He taught her how to plant the seeds and how to care for the green things that grew from them until they were ripe, and then how to prepare them for food. One time, when Snake-Woman had more seeds than she could possibly care for, she decided to give some to the people. She called her two sons and asked them to help her carry the seeds. Each put a big bag full of seeds on his back, and then they traveled all over the world, giving six seeds of each kind of plant to every person. As Snake-Woman gave each person the seeds she told him that he must plant them, and must care for the plants that grew from them, but must allow no one, especially children, to touch them or even point to them as they grew. She said that until the seeds were ripe they belonged to her, and if any one gathered them too soon she would send a poisonous snake to bite him. Parents always tell their children what Snake-Woman said, and so they are afraid to touch or go near any growing plants for fear a snake will come and bite them.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. June 26, 1805. Former V.P. Aaron Burr arrives in New Orleans. Hijinks ensue.  
4. This week in New Orleans history. June 26, 1857: The first edition of The Daily States was published, providing a new voice in the competitive 19th-century New Orleans newspaper market.
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Independence Day Celebrations Across Louisiana
   July 4 (statewide holiday events)
   Multiple Locations
   Louisiana
   Louisiana communities celebrate Independence Day with fireworks shows, concerts, parades, and family‑friendly gatherings across the state. From major festivals to small‑town traditions, July 4 brings a full day of patriotic events:
   
• New Orleans  ESSENCE Festival of Culture (Caesars Superdome): The Saturday night concert lineup of the ESSENCE Festival falls on July 4, drawing thousands for one of the city's biggest annual music events.
• Lake Charles  Jon Kott Band at Golden Nugget: A July 4 evening performance as part of the casino's summer music series.
• Pineville  EAA Chapter 614 Fly‑In Breakfast: A long‑running July 4 morning tradition at Pineville Municipal Airport, offering a $10 community breakfast and aircraft meet‑up.
• Alexandria  Cars & Coffee: A July 4 edition of the monthly classic‑car gathering at Beans n Cream, 8'10 a.m..
• New Orleans  Legends of the Dew Drop: Road to Rock and Roll: A July 4 brunch concert at the historic Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge.
  These events give Louisianans a full day of ways to celebrate ' from sunrise breakfasts and car meets to evening concerts and fireworks.
6. Postcards from Louisiana. 684. Italian Heritage Festival, Kenner. Bobby McGee.

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