Beyond Bourbon Street - An Insider's Guide To New Orleans

Today we're back with another Q&A episode. In this edition, I am joined by Rudy Rayfield, AKA Rudy Da Foodie. We answer listener questions about local musicians, things tourists overlook, how to plan for French Quarter Fest and more! Follow Rudy Da Foodie Online Be sure to follow Rudy's New Orleans food explorations on Instagram (@rudydafoodie) and Twitter (@iamrudydafoodie). Previous Episodes Mentioned Whew, we mentioned a bunch of previous episodes in this one! Here's the links: Paul Sanchez - Episode #23 French Quarter Festival Guide - Episode #8 Happy Jazz Fest - Episode #9 Drink Dat - Where and What to Drink in New Orleans with Elizabeth Pearce - Episode #49 Ian McNulty - Talking New Orleans Food - Episode #73 Top Ten Things to Do on Your First Visit to New Orleans - Episode #39 Exploring the Bayous, Lakes and Trails - Episode #46 How Bourbon Street Happened - Episode #36 Moving to New Orleans, Part I - Episode #48 Moving to New Orleans, Part II - Episode #50 Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel

Bellegarde Bakery Today's episode is all about bread. More specifically, it is about one man’s passion for bread and changing the way we think about it.  My guest today is Graison Gill, an artisan in the truest sense. He’s a baker of bread in a city known for po-boys, but that’s not his story. Graison is the founder of Bellegarde Bakery here in New Orleans, and if you love bread you won’t want to miss it. It will change the way you think about that bag of flour sitting in your pantry!   Follow Bellegarde Bakery Online Bellegarde's new location and retail store will open in summer 2019. You can check them out and order online at bellegardebakery.com. Be sure to follow Bellegarde on Instagram (@bellegardebakery) for hunger-inducing images of their products, and check out their Facebook page for all the latest news.

Rex, King of Carnival Today’s episode is all about Mardi Gras and the Rex parade. I am joined by a former King of Carnival, Dr. Stephen Hales. In addition to reigning as Rex in 2017, Dr. Hales is the archivist and historian for the School of Design, the organization that puts on the Rex parade. In this discussion we talk about Rex and its impact on Mardi Gras, and more broadly, on the city of New Orleans as a whole. Join me for a fun glimpse behind the scenes of the oldest parading organization in New Orleans.   Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chandlery When you're ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you'll need a place to stay! The Old 77 is ideally situated in the Warehouse District, just three blocks from the French Quarter. It features a variety of pet-friendly rooms, the award-winning Compere Lapin restaurant, and more. You'll love the location, the rooms, and the food, but the details and the service are what you'll fall in love with! To book your room, click here or use code B

Laine Kaplan Levenson has spent the last 10+ years telling stories about New Orleans and Louisiana. For the last three years, she's produced and hosted Tripod, New Orleans at 300. Tripod won critical acclaim for its exploration of topics related to the Tricentennial, including a mini series on our relationship with Haiti. Ever heard the word 'Bulbancha?' If not, you'll definitely want to tune in! In late 2019, Laine released Sticky Wicket, a 4-episode podcast about the often-contentious relationship between the media and Louisiana politicians. Sticky Wicket covered Huey Long, Dutch Morial, Jim Garrsion, and Kathleen Blanco. The last one will leave you thinking about Hurricane Katrina and the government's response in a different light. Join us for this discussion as we cover Tripod, Sticky Wicket and more. I had a fun time interviewing a fellow podcaster, and know you'll enjoy the conversation, too! Check Out Tripod, Sticky Wicket and More Click this link and download a pdf with the highlights

52+ Free (or Nearly Free) Things to Do in New Orleans One of the wonderful things about New Orleans is that so many of the best things are free. Don't believe me? How about Mardi Gras and French Quarter Fest as a start? Add in festivals, exploring our neighborhoods, and enjoying the Mississippi River and you've got a great start. Listen to today's episode and walk away with dozens of things to eat, see, do, and explore. I do have one confession... well, two actually. First, we cover far more than 52 things. It is probably more like 152 if you added up every festival and every variation, but who has time for that? Second, not everything we discuss is free. I set a threshold of $6. Why $6, you ask? Listen to the episode and find out! Want to Download a copy of the list? Click this link and download a pdf with the highlights of today's show.   Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chandlery When you're ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you'll need a place to stay! The Old 77 is ideally situ

Late Winter/Early Spring Festivals in New Orleans Just after New Year, New Orleans festivals and events get started. It all starts with Twelfth Night and the start of Carnival, also known as king cake season! Listen to my discussion with my wife, Marie Bologna, as we cover everything from Twelfth Night through the end of March. You'll hear a bit about Mardi Gras, the Bourbon Festival, a celebration in honor of Tennessee Williams and a whole lot more! NOTE: Yes, I get that January isn't spring, but when it is 70' out, it sure feels like it! Time Stamps We covered a lot of ground. Use this as a guide if you want to go back and listen about a specific event. 7:00   King Cake Festival 15:16  Brick Universe Lego Fan Expo 17:18  Tet Fest 18:24  Marley Gras Jerk Chicken Festival 20:31 Chewbacchus 23:48  Krewe du Vieux 25:50 a surprise visitor joins the podcast! 26:44  First weekend of Mardi Gras parades 28:35  Lundi Gras 31:12  Taco Festival 33:35  St. Patrick’s Day 34:36  Super Sunday (Mardi Gras Indians) 39:11  W

Vietnamese Community of New Orleans Did you know New Orleans is home to a thriving community of Vietnamese who fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon? Listen to my discussion with Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen and learn all about how her family came to New Orleans, as well as the impact of the Vietnamese on New Orleans food and culture today. We discuss the local celebration of Tet, an incredible fresh market, where to get great Vietnamese food in New Orleans, and a whole lot more! Sponsor: The Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery When you're ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you'll need a place to stay! The Old 77 is ideally situated in the Warehouse District, just three blocks from the French Quarter. It features a variety of pet-friendly rooms, the award-winning Compere Lapin restaurant, and more. To book your room, click here or use code BBOLD77 to save 25% off their regular rates. Sponsor: Two Chicks Walking Tours Want to explore the Garden District? Head on over to Two Chicks Walking Tours. They’ve go

Have you ever heard of Reveillon? These were traditional meals prepared and served after Midnight Mass in the early morning hours of Christmas. This tradition was carried on in New Orleans until the 1940s when it basically died. In the late 1990s, it was revived by French Quarter restaurants. Today, it is among the most favored holiday traditions in New Orleans. Listen to my discussion with New Orleans food critic Ian McNulty and learn about Reveillon in New Orleans, where to get a great old fashioned, plus a whole lot more!   Follow Ian McNulty If you enjoyed my discussion with Ian McNulty, there are lots of ways to get a second helping. Follow Ian on Instagram and Twitter (@IanMcNultyNOLA) to keep up with the latest New Orleans food news. You can also find his articles over at The New Orleans Advocate. Ian has written two wonderful books. A Season of Night: New Orleans After Katrina and Louisiana Rambles: Exploring America's Cajun and Creole Heartland.   Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chan

In this solo episode I answer your questions about New Orleans! The questions cover everything from art museums to music education, best snowballs to cheap oysters, and more! If you want to submit a question for a future Q&A episode, join our free Facebook Group (Beyond Bourbon St Krewe). Time Stamps 2:56    Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? 4:06    I would love to live in New Orleans! 5:26    Can you recommend some art museums in the area? (NOTE: I missed the art part of the question and talked about several museums, some of which are not focused on art. Oops! 9:08    I would like to know of any good cafes that cater to gluten free needs? 9:41    Who has the best snowballs? 10:43  Can you tell us a little about music education in the schools? 15:06  Could you something about the Yellow Fever outbreaks? (NOTE: we’ll put this on the list for future episode topics) 15:44  Would love to hear your thoughts on street music versus the bands that play in clubs, or pros such as Cowboy Mouth? 20:09  W

Today’s show is our 2nd annual Small Business Spotlight episode in advance of Small Business Saturday. I am joined by two New Orleans entrepreneurs, both with great stories and wonderful products. Sweet Olive Soap Works First up is Emily Manger, owner of Sweet Olive Soap Works. Emily comes from a long line of New Orleans soap makers. She also has an interesting connection to one of our sponsors, plus she and I share a passion for sharing our views of New Orleans on Instagram (check out @thecarrolltonian) You can also find Sweet Olive Soap Works on Instagram (@sweetolivenola). NOLA Boards Next is Mandy Simpson, co-owner of NOLA Boards. What started as a one-off cutting board created for a friend to use as a wedding gift has exploded into a full time business. NOLA Boards was featured by Rachel Ray in her 2015 gift guide, and has since become a thriving business that sells all sorts of kitchen supplies and furnishings, made with Louisiana hardwoods. Follow NOLA Boards on Instagram (@nolacuttingboards). If you e

Marie Laveau, a New Orleans Voudou Priestess Have you ever been to New Orleans? Have you visited St. Louis Cemetery #1? If so, you've surely heard of Marie Laveau, often referred to as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. In this episode we explore the life and the myths surrounding Marie Laveau. Join me as I talk with Carolyn Morrow Long, the author of  A New Orleans Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau. Carolyn helps us understand the connections between Catholicism and Voudou, and the role Marie played in both during the early 1800s in New Orleans. We talk about some of the common (mis)perceptions about Marie, and you'll learn why the book title uses the word Voudou instead of the more common Voodoo you see today. Join us and learn all about Marie Laveau, one of the most famous and influential New Orleanians in the 300 year history of the Crescent City!   Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chandlery When you're ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you'll need a place to stay! The Old 7

Fall Festivals in New Orleans, Part II Today’s show is all about Fall Festivals in New Orleans. It is Part II of our Fall guide. In Episode #71, we covered September and October. Today, we'll cover events in November and December. By the end of today’s show, we will have you ready to go for your visit! Like Part 1 of the Fall Festivals Guide, I am joined by my wife, Marie Bologna. If you’ve joined our Facebook group, the Beyond Bourbon Street Krewe, you’ve probably benefitted from her ideas and insights about New Orleans. She helps with ideas, contributes frequently to the group and pretty much keeps me in line. Festivals in November and December Click on the links to go to the event's webpage. November 10/25 - 11/03/18 Scout Island Scream Park 11/02 - 11/03/18 Bayou Bacchanal 11/03/18 Algiers Folk Art Festival 11/02 - 11/04/18 Bucktown Seafood Festival 11/09/18 Boudin, Bourbon and Beer 11/09 - 11/11/18 Bayou Road Balloon Festival 11/10/18 Wine on the River 11/14 - 11/18/18 Hell Yes Fest 11/17

Madame LaLaurie On April 10, 1834 a fire broke out at the LaLaurie residence on Royal Street in New Orleans. A crowd assembled, and quickly rushed in. What they found was beyond description. In this episode we learn about what happened on that day. We'll also explore the life of the infamous Madame LaLaurie and her gruesome acts.  Join me as I talk with Carolyn Morrow Long, an author who wrote the book Madame LaLaurie, Mistress of the Haunted House. If you’ve been on a haunted tour of the French Quarter, you undoubtedly stopped in front of the LaLaurie mansion and heard tales of the infamous fire. Today, you'll learn the truth... Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chandlery When you're ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you'll need a place to stay! The Old 77 is ideally situated in the Warehouse District, just three blocks from the French Quarter. It features a variety of pet-friendly rooms, the award-winning Compere Lapin restaurant, and more. You'll love the location, the rooms, and the food, but the

Talking New Orleans Food with Ian McNulty Today’s show is all about New Orleans food! I'm joined by local writer, reporter, and food critic, Ian McNulty. We talk about the New Orleans food scene, past and present. Ian and I discuss changes post-Katrina, warning signs you might be in a tourist trap, and a whole lot more! By the end of today's show, you'll be hungry! You'll also have a long list of places to check out. Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chandlery When you're ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you'll need a place to stay! The Old 77 is ideally situated in the Warehouse District, just three blocks from the French Quarter. It features a variety of pet-friendly rooms, the award-winning Compere Lapin restaurant, and more. You'll love the location, the rooms, and the food, but the details and the service are what you'll fall in love with! To book your room, click here or use code BBOLD77 to save 25% off their regular rates. You'll also get a bit of lagniappe, a little something extra. In this

In today's episode, we explore the language of New Orleans. A dictionary and pronunciation guide for visitors to the Crescent City. You'll get a flavor of the city, learn a little about the history, and know what you’re getting into when you come to visit!

Fall Festivals in New Orleans Today’s show is all about things to do in New Orleans in the fall. We did a Summer episode (#63) that was very popular so we decided to follow up with a guide for the later months. There are so many fall festivals in New Orleans, we had to break it into two parts. Today's episode covers September and October. In a follow-up episode, we'll cover November, December, and New Years. We’re going to talk mostly about festivals and things to do, as well as our tips for how to make the most of your time. By the end of today’s show, we will have you ready to go for your visit! Like the summer show, I have a special guest. If you’ve joined our Facebook group, the Beyond Bourbon Street Krewe, you’ve probably benefitted from her ideas and insights about New Orleans. This person is the backbone of the podcast. She helps with ideas, contributes frequently to the group and pretty much keeps me in line. She is my wife and my partner, Marie Bologna! Festivals in September and October For today's

National WWII Museum in New Orleans Did you know the National WWII Museum is in New Orleans? What's the connection to WWII and New Orleans? Come along as we explore the museum and learn the answers to these questions and more! Today's guest is Dr. Robert Citino, Senior Historian at the National WWII Museum. Dr. Citino is an award-winning military historian and scholar. He published ten books and numerous articles about WWII and 20th century military history. Dr. Citino also taught at West Point for one year and for two years at the U.S. Army War College. In this episode we talk about the museum's founding, and its placement in New Orleans. We discuss Stephen Ambrose (Band of Brothers, and Eisenhower biographer) and Nick Mueller, the two who led the charge to create the National WWII Museum. We learn about Andrew Higgins and his landing craft. Dr. Citino takes us on an audio tour of the museum where we learn about exhibits including: The Arsenal of Democracy Road to Tokyo Road to Berlin The D-Day Invasion of

In this episode we answer more of your questions about New Orleans. We received so many questions for episode 67 that we decided to do another Q&A show. This time  I am joined by Julie Couret, whose roots run to the earliest days of New Orleans. She is a New Orleanian, a mom, a co-parent, the owner of a small business, and a blogger over at NOLA Mom's Blog (phew!). The questions cover everything from what are the biggest mistakes tourists make, to where New Orleanians like to go on vacation. We also talk about Tales of the Cocktail, garbage collection at Mardi Gras, how to survive the Summer heat, and lots more! Time Stamps 13:51      What are the biggest mistakes tourists make in visiting the city?   15:46      What do people do that is a waste of their time, money and sobriety?   18:11       Best place to go in the morning to cure a hangover?   20:01      I understand a typical question (in New Orleans) is to ask where did you go to high school? How do you answer this if you are a transplant?   26:31  

Today's episode is about the most infamous street in New Orleans. I originally planned this show as an April Fools' edition, since the podcast is called Beyond Bourbon Street. As I started my research, however, I quickly came to the realization there wasn't much written about the actual street. I was about to shelve the idea when I realized local author, historian, and geographer Richard Campanella found the same lack of information and was inspired to write a book called Bourbon Street: A History. Join me as I talk with Richard about (arguably) the most important street in New Orleans. We discuss its transformation from just another street to its present day status as one of the most infamous streets in the world. Along the way, you'll learn about entrepreneurship, the creation of New Orleans as a tourist destination, and more. We also discuss the invention of the go-cup and how present day Bourbon Street can be explained through the Huge Ass Beers available for purchase along this fifteen block stretch of e

11 Questions about New Orleans In this episode we answer your questions about New Orleans! My wife, Marie, as well as our friends Jennifer and Chris Marshall join me on the podcast. Longtime listeners know that Jenn is the person who came up with the name of the podcast, Beyond Bourbon St. They also happen to be new New Orleanians. The questions cover everything from where to eat and drink, to what life in New Orleans is like post-Katrina. We also talk about Huey and Earl Long, potholes, last meals, and more! Time Stamps 1:47    What are some things you don’t like about living in New Orleans? 6:47    Why is there no good Chinese food in New Orleans? 8:40    One meal left on Earth. Where will you go and what will you eat? 15:56  Why did they build much of modern New Orleans below sea level? 19:00  How do you think New Orleans has changed for the better? 22:36  Favorite thing to eat, drink and do in each neighborhood? 34:09  Has New Orleans changed for better or worse post-Katrina? 35:30 Why do New Orleans Mard