The enduring appeal of Frank Capra’s classic holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life is its premise—that the quality of a person’s life is measured by how it affects others. George Bailey’s guardian angel, Clarence, tells him, ““Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends.” By that measure, Charlene Schneider, legendary lesbian bar owner, was amazingly … [Read more...] about It’s a Wonderful Life, Historically Speaking
Arts & Culture
American Italian Cultural Center
Did you know that according to the 1910 census, 80% of the residents of what we now call the French Quarter were Sicilian immigrants? Or that the lower Quarter was once commonly referred to as Little Palermo? Or that New Orleans has had two Italian-American mayors? Ever wonder why St. Joseph’s Day altars are so popular in New Orleans? The American Italian … [Read more...] about American Italian Cultural Center
Buying Gay: How Physique Entrepreneurs Sparked a Movement
Buying Gay: How Physique Entrepreneurs Sparked a Movement. David K. Johnson. Columbia University Press, 2019. 320 pages. $32.00. Before Grindr and Growler and the internet, before X-Tube and a thousand other porn sites, before Blue Rays and DVDs and VHS tapes, before roadside adult “bookstores” and before magazines like Obsession and Blueboy, there were the … [Read more...] about Buying Gay: How Physique Entrepreneurs Sparked a Movement
Spotlight on Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival Speakers
The annual Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival will take place in New Orleans March 27-29. In this series, we introduce you to some of the writers in the all-star lineup for #SAS20 held in the heart of the French Quarter. Ariadne Blayde is a playwright and novelist. Her plays have been finalists for The Arts and Letters Prize, the Tennessee Williams Playwriting … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival Speakers
Trodding the Boards 2019 in Review
The Year in Review I wish I could say that the 2019 theater season in New Orleans was exciting and provocative and rip-roaring and outrageous and edge-of-your-seaty and challenging and all sorts of other superlatives. But I can’t. Sure, there were many good shows as well as bad ones, some fantastic productions (which I’ll get to) and some stinkers (which I won’t, at … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards 2019 in Review
Party Down December 31, 2019
Merry Everything to all! No matter what you celebrate, the Crescent City is definitely one of the most festive places to spend Christmas (or whatever celebration you choose). The two weeks leading up to Christmas was like a marathon, but worth every bit of the late nights and early mornings. This has been quite a year of highs and lows, but having this … [Read more...] about Party Down December 31, 2019
New Orleans Hot Happenings December 31, 2019 – January 13, 2020
Christmas has passed and as we say goodbye to 2019 and usher in 2020, we start to prepare for the Carnival season in New Orleans. 12th Night is upon us and we have so much to celebrate. So get ready because things are about to get real busy! Here are just a few of the things to keep your days (and nights) occupied. (If you have a fundraiser, party, show or … [Read more...] about New Orleans Hot Happenings December 31, 2019 – January 13, 2020
NYC Artist Joseph Cavalieri Debuts “Stillness” and Josefiná Cavaliná
Artist Joseph Cavalieri has exhibited his on-glass paintings internationally for the last 15 years. After racking up numerous teaching opportunities and residencies, including a 2012 stint at The Studios of Key West (TSKW), Joseph returns to Key West to debut his series of oil works on canvas along with a new identity, Josefiná Cavaliná. “Stillness” runs throughout … [Read more...] about NYC Artist Joseph Cavalieri Debuts “Stillness” and Josefiná Cavaliná
The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana Year in Review
As 2019 draws to a close, the New Orleans-based LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana can look back on a year of solid accomplishments. In addition to facilitating the donation of material to area libraries and museums across the state, the Archives Project also launched an Oral History Initiative and opened a new exhibit space. As a statewide collective, the Archives … [Read more...] about The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana Year in Review
Irish Cultural Museum
The old Hibernia Bank tower no longer looms over the CBD skyline, but it does provide revelers on Bourbon Street a familiar landmark. From St. Patrick’s Church to the stately Gallier Hall to Tracey’s and the old Parasol’s Bar in the Irish Channel to Fahy’s Irish Pub and Erin Rose in the French Quarter, the influence of the Irish in New Orleans is everywhere. … [Read more...] about Irish Cultural Museum
