The citizens of New Orleans have worked very hard to recover from such a disaster that almost ended the city that we all know and love. A big impact on the recovery was the football team the New Orleans Saints. In 2009, this past season, they won the first Superbowl for the city since their beginning. You can say that if you live in New Orleans you are a Saints fan. This team and its fans took advantage of the championship season to not only lift the spirits of New Orleans but to prove to the country that New Orleans is back in business.

New Orleans has taken another major blow with the recent oil spill. The financial  impact on the city has been very similar to that of hurricane Katrina. If you would like to help New Orleans survive another major hit please visit the city and enjoy all of the new and exciting gifts the “Big Easy” has to offer. Book a room at the oldest family run hotel in the French Quarter, the Hotel Monteleone and tour the deep history of New Orleans. You could also book a room at the Hotel Monteleone and watch a Saints game and then celebrate the victory at the Carousel Bar. We promise, once you visit, you will not want to leave. Give a gift to New Orleans, visit us soon!

Visit the Hotel Monteleone for what is going on for the 5 Year Hurricane Katrina Anniversary.

If you are visiting New Orleans and you are tired of following the yellow brick road of tourism and you really want to dive into the culture here then how about a cooking class. This isn’t like cooking in the cafeteria, this is a cooking extravaganza. You will not only get to learn how fun and easy it is to cook like a cajun or creole chef but you will get to eat and eat and eat for less than the price of an entree. The school is called the New Orleans School of Cooking (524 St. Louis St., 504-525-2665) and it is located in the heart of the French Quarter. This school has been around for 25 years and holds three-hour or two-hour classes daily in a renovated 1830’s -era molasses warehouse, as well as hosting private classes for groups of 25 or more.

It wouldn’t be New Orleans without the food and what customers love about the New Orleans School of Cooking is that you really learn how to cook New Orleans style food. What a wonderful gift to take home with you. You will be able to throw a New Orleans party at your home with an entire cajun/creole spread to impress your guests with. Anne Gormly has, and after a lunchtime class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, the Georgia College and State University vice president was able to whip up a menu of Cajun dishes for a charity event when she returned home.

“We couldn’t find crawfish back home, but everything came out great anyway,” she says. “Everyone is still talking about that meal here.”

If this is your idea of the perfect New Orleans experience then make sure that you book your class today because some returning visitors book a month in advance. Frank Leo, general manager of the New Orleans School of Cooking, says there busiest days are hot or raining days when everyone is looking for a comfortable inside New Orleans experience in the Quarter.

Here is more information from the Hotel Monteleone on the New Orleans School of Cooking.

When you you think of sights you want to see and tours you would like to take in New Orleans, you may not think of the possibility of venturing into some of the oldest homes in the city. Not only are they historical, but the meticulous restoration process on these homes is like no other in the city.

Hermann-Grima House and Gallier House are located in the French Quarter and are a must see for anyone into the history and lifestyles of authentic, 19th Century New Orlean’s Creoles. Hermann-Grima was built in 1831 and Gallier House was built in 1857.

Hermann-Grima House has a beautiful courtyard garden and the only horse stable in the French Quarter. One of the most spectacular parts, is the only functional 1830’s outdoor kitchens. Every Thursday from October through May, the Hermann-Grima House demonstrates food preparation and cooking methods in this kitchen. Their trained cooks use traditional recipes and techniques to prepare menus with appropriate seasonal ingredients. Visitors also learn about the development of the city’s distinctive cuisine – a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American cultural influences.

The museum complex restored the lifestyle of a prosperous Creole family from 1830-1860. Explore what life would be like without electricity, air conditioning, plumbing, and computers. This general program discusses life in 19th-century New Orleans contrasting it with the 21st century. Topics include slavery, architecture, the research/restoration process, entertainments, education, health, hygiene, food ways, and dining.

Different months provide different settings. On October 15, 1850, Mrs. Albert Grima died at the age of 96. During the month of October, the museum is transformed to reflect the funeral and mourning customs of this time period. Also, during December Hermann-Grima House decorates for the season. You can learn about a typical Creole Christmas and discover the origins of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, stockings, gift giving, and New Year’s celebrations.

James Gallier was a prominent architect during the mid- 19th century. He designed and built the Victorian Gallier House. This house has a carriageway and restored slave quarters.

They hold tours from the point of view of the slaves of that time. The arrival of African-Americans and Afro-Creoles into Louisiana will be discussed leading up to their role in 19th-century New Orleans and their specific roles at the Hermann-Grima and/or Gallier Historic House. Over time, they gathered family letters, wills, and bills of sale. Also they obtained old runaway slave ads. From these documents they have more incite to the relationships between the Creole families, their slaves, and the free people of color living on the property.

Read the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the Hermann Grima Gallier Historic Homes.

Musee Conti Wax Museum New Orleans

This is a great first stop for visitors of the French Quarter. Most people who come to the city from out of town want to learn the thick history of this land. I would highly recommend the WAX museum because it is a fun and exciting way to learn the stories of our history.

New Orleans history is very intense. It is a significant figure in the beginning of America. The most fascinating piece of New Orleans History that I learned was that of the plans of Napoleon Bonaparte before the Louisiana Purchase. To make a long story short Napoleon was planning to take control of New Orleans and claim it as New France. He then would conquer the rest of the country as New France in the 1800′s. What stopped him was pure luck. Thomas Jefferson had no idea that Napoleon had these plans but he did send over his top negotiator Robert Livingston to buy New Orleans from the French. The luck that saved America from Napoleon was yellow fever. Napoleon had sent thousands of his troops along with his best commanders to take over the Caribbean island Santo Domingo and use the slaves and position to conquer New Orleans. When Napoleon’s army landed in Santo Domingo they met an angry population of people and the yellow fever. This was enough to devastate his army and force Napoleon to release New Orleans. Livingston just happened to be in the right place at the right time and bought, not just New Orleans from Napoleon and the French, but all of the land from New Orleans to Canada for 15 million dollars.

This story fascinated me when I first learned of it because it illustrates how significant New Orleans is to American History. To learn more great history from our great city head on over to the WAX Museum and take a tour. You will not be disappointed. Don’t be one of those visitors who comes here and doesn’t learn the history. I couldn’t imagine visiting New Orleans for the first or second time without learning some of its history.

For more information read the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the Musee Conti Wax Museum New Orleans!

Michael Jackson at the Musee Conti Wax Museum

The last event I saw at the Republic in New Orleans was Ghostland Observatory. These guys are great. They are made up of only a lead singer and his mixer but they can really put on a show. Known for their laser display show which enhances their style of music. The style is a cross between techno and 80′s Halloween music. They really have a unique sound that some new acts are starting to emulate today. The only part that I didn’t like about the show was how long it took for them to come on stage. The opener was DJ Jubilee who has been a NOLA Local  favorite for the past thirty years. I didn’t mind that he went longer than planned but there was a good two hour wait between him and Ghostland Observatory. We almost walked out because we had plans to meet friends afterwards but once they started to play it was like wow. It was like the Republic in New Orleans was made for them. They have so much energy and are so intriguing that you didn’t want them to stop. I recommend that you check them out if they are in your area. I also recommend that you check out the Republic in New Orleans because it is a really happening place and is always a unique experience. You will also like the area. There are a lot of fun bars and clubs near by along with some amazing restaurants.

If you want to learn more check out the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the Republic in New Orleans. If you want to catch a glimpse of Ghostland Observatory’s brilliance you must see this video.

The Jazzy Jam Week is a full week of top New Orleans jazz artists performing live at the Carousel bar. The Carousel bar is a bar that is built like an old carousel. The bar actually rotates around while you drink. Yes, you can actually drink and spin around without getting sick. Check out the video here of the experience.

The schedule of local artists that will be playing at the Jazzy Jam Week can be seen here.

• Fri. April 23th: Don Vappie
• Sat. April 24th: Cindy Scott
• Sun. April 25th: Cherie Mannino
• Mon. April 26th: Big Daddy ‘O’
• Tues. April 27th: Leroy Jones & Tom McDermott
• Wed. April 28th: Jon Cleary
• Thurs. April 29th: Sam Broussard
• Fri. April 30th: Mitch Woods & Bill Malchow
• Sat. May 1st: Lindsay Mendez
• Sun. May 2nd: John “Papa” Gros

I took this schedule from the Hotel Monteleone’s website. For more information on the individual artists performing select the Jazzy Jam Week link.

If you are looking for a fun locals experience in the French Quarter then the Hotel Monteleone would be a good start. The music of the city is what really creates the culture here and this concert will not only give you a dose of the culture but it will also educate you on how jazz music has shaped this city. The artists in the Jazzy Jam Week are artists that you will also see at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival. This concert is not only a treat for visitors but for us locals as well.

If you are not staying at the Hotel Monteleone, which I recommend, then parking will be an issue. I recommend that you park at Jax Brewery and walk over to the Hotel. If you are hungry don’t worry because you will pass hundreds of great restaurants on your way in. If you are having a hard time picking one then try Mr.B’s which is across the street from the Carousel bar.