Louisiana Book Festival

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! What could be better?

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I am very honored to take part in the 11th Annual Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge this Saturday, November 1st from 10am to 5pm at the State Library of Louisiana, the State Capitol, the Capitol Park Museum and nearby locations.

This will also be my last lecture of the year – number 15. So out of 44 weeks so far, I’ve had basically one every 3 weeks. This will also be my last panel of the year (No. 5). It’s quite possible that after everything, I will remain mute for the rest of the year.

It’s going to be a crazy day. I asked for afternoon spots so I could photograph All Saints Day in the morning, and then race to Freret Market to help my friend Glenn set up, who has generously agreed to man by booth by himself for the day. Then off to Baton Rouge (with a quick stop at Trader Joes to pick up some black licorice and oatmeal)!

My schedule is as follows:

From 1pm to 2pm I will be in House Committee Room 2 on a panel discussing the 25th Anniversary of Louisiana Cultural Vistas, moderated by David Johnson. I will talk about my past two articles, on Prohibition and the Mascot, and about my upcoming article, on the Evening Star.

From 2:15 to 3pm I have a book signing (not sure where).

From 3:30pm to 4pm I will be in Senate Committee Room A delivering a lecture on my book Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names. This will actually be taped for Book TV! Let’s hope I keep the Freudian slips to a minimum.

From 4:15 to 5pm I will have another book signing (not sure where).

Lots of hustle and bustle but I hope I get a chance to see some of the other lectures and go to a few of the signings. As it has been of late, I will probably figure out my book festival schedule at the last minute because there are authors I definitely want to meet.

The good news is Trixie will be there with her husband Dave, who just wrote a children’s book called The Little Mouse Santi. I can’t wait to get my copy autographed!

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National World War II Museum Lecture

I am very excited and extremely honored to be lecturing at one of my father’s and brother’s favorite museums – the National WWII Museum. Even though my brother Bill lives in Seattle, he has a membership and visits the museum almost every time he comes to see me. In fact, Bill is working on his own “Memorial Day Project,” which catalogs men and women of our county who lost their lives during times of war. Website coming soon!

The focus of my lecture will be on streets named after veterans, primarily from World War II. I will give a brief overview of New Orleans streets named after veterans and then focus on those from World War II. Many are from the chapter “Glorious Fighters: Military Heroes and Civic Leaders” from my book “Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names,” but as always in my lectures, I add photographs and details that were not in the book.

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The lecture takes place Wednesday, October 22nd at noon at the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street in the Central Business District, entrance on Andrew Higgins Drive. Free and open to the public.

RSVP HERE.

Hope to see some of y’all out!

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Some Recent Reviews

These past few months have been a blur with little time for reflection. But here are some recent reviews.

This one almost slipped by me! It’s from New Orleans Magazine. A nice little REVIEW.

And another one came out today, in the Winter 2014 issue of Louisiana Cultural Vistas, one of my favorite local magazines. I can’t wait to see it in print! I have had a subscription for years and frequently give gift subscriptions of the magazine for Christmas.

It is the most detailed REVIEW yet, by far, and I am very proud of it. I am also so appreciative of the support from so many local organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Thank you!

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Scandals and Scoundrels of the French Quarter

On Wednesday, September 17th, I will be lecturing from my book Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names on the scandals and scoundrels that make up the streets of the French Quarter. Using additional photographs and maps that did not appear in the book, I’ll share even more about the martyrs and marauders New Orleans’ streets are named after. Which streets have bitter adversaries placed next to one another? Which sibling rivalries are played out in the nomenclature? And which street name is based on the 4th century slaying of over 10,000 virgins?

Map showing the Great Fire of 1788.

Map showing the Great Fire of 1788.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cabildo, the lecture takes place at 6pm at the 1850 House; 523 St. Ann Street, on historic Jackson Square.

Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. No charge if book is purchased. Book signing to follow.

Call (504) 524-9118 to reserve your seat!

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“Loaded Down With Iniquity: The 1866 Sinking of the Steamship Evening Star.”

As part of the Downriver: Mighty Mississippi River Festival 2014, I will be delivering a lecture on the 1866 sinking of the steamship Evening Star.

Evening Star Sinking

 

The Evening Star was launched in 1863 and was a luxury steamship that ran a weekly line between New York and New Orleans. It was one of the most elegant and popular steamships of its time.

On September 29, 1866, it left New York harbor, to considerable attention. Unlike previous departures, this one involved some of New Orleans’ top madams. The women had been in town for a few weeks picking some of the most “beautiful” and “unscrupulous” prostitutes to fill their brothels for the winter season. The newspapers reported on the “Freight of Frail Women” and the “Cargo of Courtesans.”

Aside from the approximately 90 prostitutes, other passengers included members of a French opera company and a circus troupe, and some of New Orleans’ most distinguished citizens, including General Henry William Palfrey and architect James Gallier, Sr.

During its journey south the Evening Star hit a hurricane and in the early morning of October 3, 1866  it went down, 180 miles east of Tybee Island. Less than 4% of the passengers and 30% of the crew survived. Those who did survive the sinking drifted in open lifeboats for 2 to 5 days in the open sea – battling thirst, hunger, one another, and sharks.

Come out this Saturday for more of the tragic and fascinating story. As part of my lecture, actors Diana Shortes and Chris Lane will be giving dramatic readings from various primary sources: letters, editorials, lawsuits, and sermons. 

The event is free and open to the public!

Time and place: 2:30 to 3:30pm, this Saturday, September 13, 2014.  The Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., 3rd floor theater.

For the full, awesome lineup of the Downriver Festival, click HERE.

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Reading Between the Wines

I have been meaning to do a massive recap, but so much has been going on the last couple of months I have not had time.

However, here is an upcoming event. I will be at Reading Between the Wines on Wednesday, August 5th at Pearl Wine Company, located at 3700 Orleans Avenue in the American Can Company building. The event will run from 6:30pm until 8:00pm.

This is a monthly panel put that features local authors discussing their works. Sherry Alexander, Stephanie Grace and myself will be discussing journalism in New Orleans.

Pearl offers a $5 wine list and some excellent beer and cocktail selections. There will also be pop-up crepes!

Maple Street Bookshop will also have copies of my book Hope & New Orleans for sale.

The event is free; hope to see y’all out!

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Lecture at Nix Library

On June 19, 2014, I will be lecturing and signing copies of my book Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at the Nix Library, 1401 S. Carrollton, from 5:30 to 6:30pm. I will also have books to purchase.

I like to make every lecture a bit different – focusing on different themes usually related to the area or the place. I also like to expand on my book with new information and slides.

This lecture will be a bit more general but with some focus on misspellings. Five of the streets I will cover are either misspelled or misnamed; they range from a French royal, to a Civil War general, to a police chief, to a young boy. Find out why in the 1940s a historian suggested that New Orleans set up a Department of Public Proofreading!

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June Events

I have some fun events in June. Hope to see y’all out for some of them!

Sunday, June 15th: Book signing of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at Whole Foods. Arabella Station. 5600 Magazine Street. 11am to 1pm.

Thursday, June 19th: Lecture of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at the Nix Library. 1401 S. Carrollton Ave. 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

Tuesday, June 24th: Lecture of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at the Bea Field Alumni House. 6319 Willow Street. 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Also featuring dramatic readings by actress Veronica Russell. $10. Snacks and drinks served. Register Here. Sponsored by Tulane Alumni Association.

Saturday, June 28th: Book signing of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at the Big Easy Rollergirls bout. June 28th. 5pm to 8:30pm. At the UNO Human Performance Center. You can buy tickets to the Double Header HERE. AllStars vs. Gainseville Roller Rebels. Crescent Wenches vs. Red Stick Roller Derby Capitol Defenders.

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Shoe Superstitions 1904

Shoe Superstition

When you buy a pair of new shoes, never put them on a shelf higher than your head, unless you want to bring bad luck; and if you blacken them before you have had both shoes on, you may meet with an accident, or even have a sudden death. The Scotch girls believe that if they drop their shoes before they are worn, trouble will ensue, while a French lady losing her heel, is sure of some disappointment in love, and a German mother in the same predicament, feels that she will soon lose one of her children. You must not put your left shoes on your right foot, nor your right shoe on your left foot, not must you put your left shoe on before the right, unless want bad luck. This superstition dates back to one of the Emperors of Rome, who, it is recorded, put on his left shoe first one morning, and came near being assassinated during the day.

The Times-Picayune; October 29, 1904

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Book Signing at 1850 Museum House

I will be doing a book signing of Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names on Saturday, May 24th at the 1850 Museum House, the official gift shop for the Louisiana State Museum properties in New Orleans.

It’s located in Jackson Square at 523 St. Ann Street. I will be there from 2pm to 4pm.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Cabildo.

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend in the Crescent City! Come and get a jump start on your Father’s Day shopping!

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