What's up in the city I love?

It may be freezing in New Orleans, but the city is hot with exciting news! As I sit in my little stone house in the Midwest looking out at 6 inches of snow in my yard, I anticipate my return to the city I love. My blog this week is an update on what’s happening in New Orleans with reviving the crescent, an interesting photo exhibit on Julia Street that was sent my way from Maurice Slaughter and some information on an amazing blog I discovered and am currently following. This weekend my friend Rick Trolsen is playing so check him out and support your local musicians! And of course, cheer on my boys in Black and Gold as the Saints meet the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday!


Rick tells me: “ Just wanted to give you a heads up for this weekend. Come out and join the zany fun of NESLORT on Friday, January 15th (The Neslortian New Year) at The Hi Ho Lounge, 2239 St. Claude Ave. beginning at 10:00 PM, or so.

By popular demand, the "special" song of the evening will be "Bite Your Bitch"

Also, due to the current weather, we now have Neslort tank tops available! Remember, summer will be here before you know it!!

Featured, will be:

Larry Seiberth on Keys
Boyanna Trayanova on Drums
Tim Robertson on Guitar
Matt Perrine on Bass
Kyle Cripps on Saxes
And of course, myself, Rick Trolsen, on Trombone.

There will be some music made that you nor I have ever heard. This will be the only time we will play whatever notes we play, in whatever order we play them in. It's called "Live Music" it doesn't come packaged.”


The New Orleans city council voted 7-0 to rezone the property for the first phase of reviving the crescent. This project will bring employment, tourist and much needed revenue to the city. The beautification of the riverfront will be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. By the time this project is complete, the world will be watching the transformation of the city and know that New Orleanians are dedicated to the city they love and will not be broken by a storm called Katrina. The overview of reviving the crescent states:
"The Crescent Park is first and foremost about connection – reconnecting our city and our communities to our riverfront. The park grants unparalleled physical and visual access to the river, creating an environment for locals and visitors to interact and enjoy the essence of New Orleans — our quality of life.
A collaborative effort, led by legendary architects George Hargreaves, Michael Maltzan, David Adjaye, and Allen Eskew, the Crescent Park spans from Elysian Fields Avenue in Marigny to Poland Avenue in the Bywater. The planned 1.4 miles of public open space includes 20 acres of indigenous landscaping, bike paths, playgrounds, a dog run, and two multi-use pavilions — the Mandeville Shed and the Piety Wharf.
Employing alternative energy resources and a simple economic model, the Crescent Park will be both energy self-reliant and financially self-sufficient."
Here’s the link to the Times Picayune article: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/new_orleans_city_council_appro.html

Maurice Slaughter forwarded an article from ArtVoices Magazine about a photography exhibit by Bruce Keyes.
“Weapon of Choice is the new photography series from Photographer Bruce Keyes. This series of 13 images in the follow up to his 30 year Retrospective title “The Spirit of New Orleans.” Weapon of Choice in my opinion is articulating the current climate here in New Orleans. Ordinary citizens of New Orleans were presented with a table of weapons to choose from. Pro or Anti this series is provocative, compelling and one of the most important exhibitions in New Orleans or anywhere else for that matter. The exhibit is currently on display at GSL ARTPROJECTS 614 Julia Street.

While posting on my Twitter Account: takemebacktonola, I came across a great Twitter/blog about New Orleans food! Check out www.blackendout.com . I appreciate the humor behind the blackened out team.

About the Blackened Out Team
"The year is 1995. Eight grade year is beginning at Jesuit High School. Peter Thriffiley, Jr. meets Rene A. Louapre IV. They share not only suffixes, but also every single class together. Rene proudly sports a butt cut, while Peter is mostly known as "Slappy." During the fall of 1995, they hatched a scheme to get rich quick. They would finish high school, go to different colleges, only meeting back up in the Fall of 2006 at LSU Law school, then once reunited, they would begin a fledgling website devoted to all things food. The plan was brilliant and implemented nearly flawlessly in February of 2008.

Their dedication displays not only a vast understanding until what was then only known as the Information Superhighway, but also a desire to write something everyday for the people who toil at that four letter word known as "work". This site will cover food, drink, events, celestial happenings, the stock market, tidal fluctuations, and other important issues. Mostly we will talk about New Orleans, but should Peter find himself in Napa Valley dining at one of the world's most celebrated restaurants, then I guess you will just have to suffer that day.

You can also find our writing monthly in offBEAT Magazine. Which is the perfect way to read us, if you don't have a computer outlet in your john.

We hope you enjoy this daily briefing of what the speck is going on. As always, feel free to reach us at our toll-free email address blackenedout at gmail dot com. Operators are standing by."

Peace!