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 I was a kid in school, I was put into the talented art programs in the public school system. You had to be screened and sponsored by a teacher to be apart of this curriculum. My favorite part about my art education at a young age was taking field trips to the Contemporary Arts Center in the Warehouse district in New Orleans. It was always a magical experience because it seemed like we took a trip to New York and we were experiencing an older and more sophisticated event. Every time I would walk into the building I knew that I was somewhere special. I don’t really remember much of the art on display but I do remember the smells of the center and the size of its galleries. I also remember all of the educational shows that they put on in the theater. The CAC is the perfect place to not only experience the warehouse district but to also see some local art or to attend an event and learn about the New Orleans history through its art. The CAC is definitely a must see attraction in New Orleans.

I recommend visiting the CAC not only for the local art but for the architecture of the building itself. This building really represents the heart of the warehouse district. It is also more than a hundred years old and the building is full of the history of the city. My other favorite part about this area of town is that the D-Day museum and theater is just around the corner. So you have a full day of stuff to see that will blow your mind. I recommend getting into this area early because there is more than a days worth of stuff to see. You can take the streetcar from any direction in the city to get into this area.

I recommend that you read the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans.

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.