Thank you very much for everyone who came out to my lecture at the Mint on October 10th. I hope I did not disappoint. We had some technical difficulties at the last minute and… I am not sure I should reveal this but at one point I had taken my shoes off behind the podium and was operating the computer with my toes while I was speaking. I think everyone in the far right of the first row got that view. Sorry about that.
I hope I didn’t appear too flustered.
Everything is a learning experience. For example, I learned that I need a few friends where I can see them. The lights in my face made it impossible to see anything past the podium, and since most of my friends were mingling with me at the reception, most of them got seats in the back…
But thank you. Thank you.
Thank you to my amazing readers. I am in awe of your talent.
Andrew Ward – Andrew is one of the founders and president of the board of the International High School of New Orleans, Louisiana’s only public high school that offers a full college preparatory curriculum with a focus on international business studies as well as immersion classes in French and Spanish. He works as a guide with Haunted History Tours, is an ordained minister, and an announcer and emcee for such events as Freret Market, the Running of the Bulls in New Orleans, and the St. Andrew’s Day Festival. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Tulane University’s Payson Center for International Development and working with Tom Larson on an album of traditional gospel, bluegrass and New Orleans-style songs translated into Urdu. Check it out HERE
Veronica Russell – Veronica is an actress and costume designer. She graduated with a BFA in theater from Stephen F. Austin State University. She wrote and acted in her one-woman theatrical adaptation of “A Different Woman: a True Story of A Texas Childhood,” the widely-banned 1925 memoir of Texas schoolteacher Gertrude Beasley. Veronica won a 2012 Big Easy Award for Best Costume Design for her work in The Boys in the Band. She is also the artistic director of Louisiana History Alive where she wows not only with her dead-on impression of notorious madam Josie Arlington, but also with her twenty-inch waist. She can next been seen in Lori Tipton’s play “The Shotgun” at the Allways Lounge and Theater on November 14, 15, 16 & 18 as part of the Fringe Festival, and in various activities through LHA.
Trixe Minx – Trixie produces and stars in two New Orleans-based shows: Fleur de Tease Burlesque and Burlesque Ballroom, a weekly event every Friday at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Trixie is also a member of the New Orleans Bingo! Show. Known for her comic-inspired strip tease, she has toured with Comic Relief and recently was named to the HEEB Top 100 for outstanding comedy. For more information on her upcoming shows, please visit HERE.
This lecture would not be possible without the help of many fantastic individuals.
Louisiana State Museum: Katie Harrison, Danny Kadar, Greg Lambousy, and Arthur Smith.
Tulane University: Sean Benjamin, Richard Campanella, Joel Dinerstein, TR Johnson, Sheldon Jones, Lee Miller, Judith Schaffer, and Randy Sparks.
New Orleans Public Library: Irene Wainwright.
Media: Paula Burch, Alison Fensterstock, David Johnson, Ruth Laney, Peggy Scott Laborde, Ann Maloney, and Ashli Richard.
Sponsors: New Orleans Cake Café & Bakery (Steve Himelfarb); NOLA Brewing (Buck Brown & Kirk Coco); Perestroika at Pravda (Katherine England). Everything was FABULOUS!
FRIENDS: Bill Asher – for making my program; William Burdette – for bounce; Scott Frilot – being groovy and a fantastic graphic designer; Scott & Beth Galante – for legal advice and fun; John Haffner – for being my main point person; Kathryn Hobgood Ray – for inspiration; Tyler Kaufman – for snaps; Glenn May – for cheerleadering; Ashley Perkins – for style and support; Jim Shoemaker – for keeping me straight (and out of pain); Lisa & Shane Thomas – for always, always supporting me; and Lori Tipton – for smiles and creativity.
Thank you to Anne and Michael Dale of Anne Dale Jewelers and to Stephen Dale for running the live stream! I did not have time to post but one of my friends did and I got emails from people who were unable to attend that they saw the lecture. Thank you!
Thank you to all the new people I met and had the opportunity to speak with. I am sorry I did not get a chance to talk to you more.
And thank you to the guy who saved me some of the rum punch at Pravda (as promised) and to all who came out afterward to celebrate, and laugh, and talk.
Thank you.
I spent the weekend unplugged and sleeping. And sleeping. And studying. And sleeping some more.
Thanks again!