Well, those who know me know that I am a Costco fanatic. I am also a true believer in supporting small and local businesses, but when it comes to big businesses Costco is just about the only one that I get behind. Primarily, because they treat their employees well.
Anyway, I am thrilled to have my book there and excited to be doing a signing at my local Costco at 3900 Dublin Street on Saturday, May 10th from 2pm to 4pm.
Come out and say hi, and feel guilt-free about buying in bulk!
Big Bucket List check-off.
My book has been in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Book Tent for the whole festival, but Sunday I will be doing a signing there from noon to one!
Slight cockiness. Bottom Left photo is from the Book Tent in 2013
I have already seen Richard Campanella, Carolyn Kolb, Ben Foster, and Susan Larson, but sadly missed Michael Murhpy and Matt Sakakeeny.
I got a nice mention of the event in the Times-Picayune!
And I went on WWOZ yesterday live from the festival to promote the event. Much fun AND I got to nibble on some of the fabulous fruit in the private tent which is just about the most decadent thing I can experience at Jazz Fest!
This Friday, May 2nd, from 6pm to 8pm, I will be doing a book signing of my book “Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names” in the lobby of the famous Roosevelt Hotel!
So thrilled to do an event at such a gorgeous and historic landmark.
Joining me will me NOLA Tiles! What a perfect fit for the event! Trixie actually gave me some as a gift for my book signing party a few weeks ago so it is all very serendipitous!
On Thursday, April 24th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, I will be doing a lecture and book signing at Maple Street Book Shop at 7529 Maple Street.
I like to craft each lecture around a specific subject and this one will be on the streets surrounding Maple Street.
Learn about the first mayor of Carrollton, who also patented venetian blinds in 1841; another mayor who attempted to squash the tradition of charivari; the man who named streets after politicians he admired and how the city held a mass day of mourning for three of them (despite the fact one died years earlier); why Lowerline is in no way lower; which city surveyor’s own name is frequently misspelled in the nomenclature; and the general who arrived by flatboat to help Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815!
Hope to see y’all out!
Here is an article I wrote last year about Prohibition for the Roosevelt Review. There are so many interesting stories (especially on their nightlife during Prohibition) but I had a limited word count and had to make due.
The Roosevelt Review
I went to the Roosevelt over the Christmas holidays (for their beautiful decorations) but the magazine was not out yet. I checked a few other times, but happy days, it was out this week.
Here it is – Enjoy!
Weathering A Dry Spell: The Roosevelt Hotel During Prohibition
My first lecture and book signing for my new book Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names is this Wednesday, March 26th at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania Street from 6 to 7:30pm.
I will have also have some of my photographs from the book available for sale too!
A nice mention in the Times-Picayune. Thank you, Laurie Orgeron, for sending me the photo.
Well, ever since the first time I went to the Tennessee Williams Festival (I think back in 2000) I have wanted to be on a panel – and now it is happening!
I am very proud and incredibly excited to be on 3 panels this year. My book Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names will also be on sale at the festival through the Garden District Book Shop.
There are so many great panels and I am so excited to not only participate but to also attend many of the other amazing panels, classes, theatrical performances, cocktail tastings, and lectures.
Here is my schedule:
Friday, March 21st: Guest on television show “Steppin’ Out” on WYES. Airs at 7:30pm and 11pm.
Saturday, March 22nd: Panelist at the Tennessee Williams Festival. Disappearing Ink: A Look Back and Around New Orleans Journalism. With panelists S.L. Alexander and Rebecca Theim. Moderated by Errol Laborde. At the Hotel Monteleone, Queen Anne Ballroom. 214 Royal Street. 1pm to 2:15pm.
Saturday, March 22nd: Curator at the Tennessee Williams Festival. Extra! Extra! Readings from the Legendary “Mascot” Newspaper. With actors Mikko, Veronica Russell, and Dane Rhodes. At the Hotel Monteleone, Queen Anne Ballroom. 214 Royal Street. 2:30pm to 3:45.
Sunday, March 23rd: Panelist at the Tennessee Williams Festival. Louisiana Cultural Vistas 25th Anniversary Panel. With panelists Ben Sandmel and Richard Campanella. Moderated by David Johnson. At the Hotel Monteleone, Royal Ballroom. 214 Royal Street. 1pm to 2:15pm.
Here is a guide to the Tennessee Williams Festival Program.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
To quote Tennessee – Enthusiasm is the most important thing in life.
My Book is Officially OUT!
IT'S HERE!
I have a few more dates to add/confirm but… as for now, here are some books events I will be at. My SHOWS page on my website will be updated frequently.
Wednesday, March 26th: Lecture and book signing of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at Garden District Book Shop. 2727 Prytania Street. 6pm to 730pm.
Friday, April 4, 20014: Private Book Release Party of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names.
Saturday, April 5, 2014: Freret Street Festival. 11pm to 7pm. Located on Freret Street between Napoleon and Jefferson Avenues. Books and art for sale!
Thursday, April 24, 2014: Lecture and book signing of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at Maple Street Book Shop. 7523 Maple Street. 6pm to 7:30pm.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014: Lecture and book signing of Hope and New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names at Tulane University Bookstore. 31 McAlister Drive (on campus). Noon to 1pm.
Hope to see y’all out!
Here is the cover to my book! Pretty excited. The whole editing process has been eye opening – so many layers. But my fears were calmed a bit when one of my professors told me that every book has mistakes. Let’s just hope mine is not overrun with typos!
My book comes out March 18th. Book parties and signing to come…
I have been fairly calm about everything (it helps when you have a million other things going on – including graduate school) until a friend told me that she pre-ordered my book from Amazon – and then I slightly panicked. Then it got very real and I started getting nervous about passages I cut, photos I wanted to swap, things I wanted to change…
My goal was to make Hope and New Orleans intelligent, accessible, and entertaining. I wanted to tell stories that people who were not familiar the city with could enjoy, but also add some flavor and find facts, anecdotes, new perspectives for those who were familiar with some of the classic New Orleans stories. I hope I succeeded.
If you want to pre-order, here is the AMAZON LINK!
deep breaths… deep breaths… deep breaths.
Well, I completed my first lecture series for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Not only was it my first time on a cruise, but my first time lecturing to non-New Orleanians. Both experiences were eye opening and a learning experience. I got to experience “cruise culture” and talk with people from all over the country (and world, actually) about their opinions and what they found interesting (good or bad) about New Orleans. Many of them had done a vacation package and had actually spent the 3 days prior to boarding going on tours around the city. It gave me a whole new perspective! They had a lot of insights and asked a lot of questions and it was fabulous talking with so many people who had passion for my beloved city.
All in all – great experience. Some of my favorite cruise moments (aside from visiting the ports) were running a few miles on the jogging track and then suddenly deciding to go to a nice sushi restaurant afterward in my sweats, and after that spontaneously shooting hoops on the basketball court (it’s been awhile, but I held my own). Also, realizing that I had never been in the pool or hot tub and the last night of the cruise (in extremely chilly temperatures) deciding that this was a must. The deck was empty and the hot tub was lukewarm but it was fun to sit on a quiet deck in the middle of the Gulf and just look at my breath and laugh… In retrospect, hitting the bar for a glass (or two) of red wine first would have been smart.
Overall, such a wonderful experience and I can not wait to do it again next year! I already have some new lectures in mind!
Lecturing in the glorious Safari Room!
