242. Steven Rowan, part 1

242. Part 1 of our interview with Steven Rowan. Steven talks to us about two works with the same title: Mysteries of New Orleans, one written by Baron von Reizenstein in German and the other by Charles Testut in French. Steven has generously allowed the Louisiana Anthology to add his translation of Testut's books to our site, along with a chapter from Reizenstein on lesbian love in New Orleans, the earliest work on explicit homosexuality in Louisiana literature.

1. This week in Louisiana history. January 8 1815. The Battle of New Orleans took place.
2. This week in New Orleans history. January 6, 1870. Twelfth Night Revelers - 2nd N.O. Carnival Krewe Comus, New Orleans’ first Mardi Gras krewe, was so successful with its parade and ball that a group of enthusiastic, Carnival-struck Orleanians decided it was time to increase the enjoyment of the celebration by forming a second Carnival krewe. The name chosen was Twelfth Night Revelers, representing 12 days after Christmas (also known as Little Christmas), January 6, the official starting day of the Carnival season.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   The Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival
   Honoring the Fishing Industry
   January 12-13, 2018
   Downtown Cameron, Louisiana!
   Honored as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for the third year running! We applaud our great group of volunteers with the tremendous insight on keeping our festival being named as one of the Top 20 Events in SWLA year after year. Thank you to the patrons/fans of the festival who continue to partake in the activities year after year.
   Phone: 337-540-9449
   Website
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

241. Heather Nathans.

241. Heather Nathans tells us about Jewish dramas in the 19th century, especially as they relate to New Orleans drama. Her primary areas of scholarly interest include American theatre and drama, African American theatre, Jewish American theatre, musical theatre, 17th and 18th century French theatre, theatre historiography, English Restoration drama, and directing.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 30, 1791. Gov. Carondelet takes control of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Storyland Dedication. December 30, 1956. Storyland in City Park was filled with Nursery Rhyme figures created by a young man who would become the most noted Mardi Gras float builder in the city; it was funded by an older man who owned and operated the most popular amusement park in the south.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   New Year's Eve in New Orleans
   In New Orleans, we celebrate New Year's Eve a little bit different from most places. Sure, we have funny hats and noisemakers (if you want them), but we add a little pizzazz to the occasion by ringing in the New Year our own way.  For the biggest party in the city, head down to Jackson Square – the Quarter is packed with festive partygoers eager to count down the time until the New Year arrives. And because New Orleans does everything a little differently, don’t expect your run of the mill New Years ball drop; instead “Baby New Year” drops from its perch on the top of Jax Brewery followed by a magnificent fireworks show over the Mississippi. Follow the crowds to Bourbon Street and party til’ the early morning, or break away from the group and find your own special spot to celebrate in.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce meets Eve the Rib busking on Royal St.

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

240. Jack Bedell, part 2

240. Part 2 of our interview with poet laureate Jack Bedell. Jack has written nine books of poetry, and teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 23, 1794. St. Louis Cathedral dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Wirthbru Beer was "created for New Orleans and the South" "Weigelstyle" (on the label) apparently refers to the Weigelwerk equipment used in the brewery which was, in fact, cutting edge in its day, allowing for quality control to produce a consistently good product. 
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Annual Greening of the Museum
   December 1st, 2017 - December 25th, 2017
   9:00 am - 4:00 pm
   Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
   3015 Greenwood Rd.,
   Shreveport, LA 71109
   318-632-2020
   Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
   Each year Louisiana State Exibit Museum invites third grade students from Caddo Parish schools to the museum for a day of holiday celebration. Students enjoy the traditional tree decorating contest in which classes from each school will decorate a tree in the years' theme with ornaments they have constructed in art class. After decorating their tree, students will enjoy a performance. The morning ends with the announcement of the holiday tree contest winners. The museum holiday tree and the students'trees will remain on display throughout the holiday season.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Poet David Middleton reads "A Christmas Play."

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

239. Jack Bedell, part 1

239. Part 1 of our interview with Jack Bedell, Louisiana's new Poet Laureate. Jack has written nine books of poetry, and teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 16, 1935. Huey P. Long Bridge at New Orleans dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Beloved writer, cook, broadcaster, and lover of  New Orleans,  Frank   Joseph Davis passed away on December 9, 2013. He served New Orleans television station WWL-TV and its radio affiliate WWL-AM, from 1974 until his health-related retirement in 2011. Davis authored several cookbooks and other reference guides to the cuisine of New Orleans and to South Louisiana seafood. His culinary legacy included "bronzing," a toned-down version of blackening. He invented the "Strictly N'Awlins" series of seasonings. Davis's culinary papers were donated to the Southern Food and Beverage (SoFab) Culinary Library and Institute subsequent to his death.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Joe Krown Trio plus Seither's Seafood Crawfish Boil
   Sunday, December 3
   10:00 PM
   Venue information:
   Maple Leaf Bar
   8316 Oak St.
   New Orleans, LA 70118
   504.866.9359
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

238. Omar el Akkad, part 2

238. Part 2 of our interview with Omar el Akkad. American War is the first novel by Canadian-Egyptian journalist Omar El Akkad. It is set in a near-future United States of America ravaged by climate change in which a second Civil War has broken out over the use of fossil fuels. The story is told by Benjamin Chestnut about his aunt Sarat, and is told through narrative chapters interspersed with fictional primary documents collected by the narrator.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 9, 1872. PBS Pinchback became first (& so far only) black governor of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Frank Davis Dies. December 9, 2013.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Holiday Tour of Homes - Natchitoches Historic Foundation
   January 18th, 2017
   Throughout Natchitoches
   780 Front Street, Ste. 100,
   Natchitoches, LA 71457
   800-259-1714 | 800-259-1714
   Website | Email
   Throughout Natchitoches
   Beautiful homes, seasonal decorations, refreshments and music. Candlelight and day tours in the City of Lights.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to twins singing a duet on Decatur Street in front of St. Louis Cathedral.

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

237. Omar el Akkad, part 1

237. Part 1 of our interview with Omar el Akkad. American War is the first novel by Canadian-Egyptian journalist Omar El Akkad. It is set in a near-future United States of America ravaged by climate change in which a second Civil War has broken out over the use of fossil fuels. The story is told by Benjamin Chestnut about his aunt Sarat, and is told through narrative chapters interspersed with fictional primary documents collected by the narrator.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 2, 1981. Britney Spears born in Kentwood, Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. December 2, 1981,  the Rolling Stones checked into Royal Orleans hotel. Mick Jagger's paramour, Jerry Hall, was by his side. He was 38 years old.  After they dined at Broussard's, along with the band's financial adviser Prince Rupert Loewenstein, they strolled the French Quarter. A local writer who interviewed Jagger was quite taken by his diamond-studded right incisor.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival
   December 2nd, 2017
   Earl G. Williamson Park
   11425 LA Hwy. 1,
   Oil City, LA 71061
   318-631-0182
   Website
   Earl G. Williamson Park
   Fireworks festival on Caddo Lake with local entertainment, concessions, clowns, family fun and Santa, who gives a gift to every child. Booths open at 3:30 p.m. Fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

236. Matt Karp. "This Vast Southern Empire."

236. This week, we interview Matt Karp about his book, This Vast Southern Empire. For pro slavery leaders like John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis, the nineteenth-century world was torn between two hostile forces: a rising movement against bondage, and an Atlantic plantation system that was larger and more productive than ever before. In this great struggle, southern statesmen saw the United States as slavery’s most powerful champion. Overcoming traditional qualms about a strong central government, slaveholding leaders harnessed the power of the state to defend slavery abroad.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 26, 1729. Natchez Indians killed 300 Frenchmen at Ft. Rosalie.
2. This week in New Orleans history. November 25, 1985 - Saints head coach O.A. (Bum) Phillips resigned as his son, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, was named interim head coach, the 9th head coach in Saints' history
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Sounds of the Season with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
   November 26th, 2017
   3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
   St Peters Church
   108 St Peter St.,
   New Iberia, LA 70560
   337-364-1603
   Website
   St Peters Church
   Free Christmas concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presented by Iberia Cultural Resources Association, featuring familiar Christmas songs as well as classical sections.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Sarah Rose Marie, singer at Loosen the Bible Belt in Shreveport, November 6, 2017.

Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Listen on Google Play.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.