​New Orleans socialite and long-time French Quarter denizen Margarita Bergen doesn’t miss a beat  - or a party - when it comes to the Quarter’s jazzy social scene.  There are three sections to each column: Social Swirl (where she's been), On My Calendar (where she's going) and Quarter Buzz.  

For 23 years, textile artist Kate Beck has shown her extraordinary clothing designs at Jazz Fest.  Now she has a year-round showcase on Royal Street where she's conjuring up more luscious wearable art.  

- by Grace Wilson
- photos by Ellis Anderson

A member of the musical Boutté family, Arséne DeLay uses her true voice as a performer, a songwriter - and  a community activist. 

- by Christopher Romaguera
- photos by Andrew Simoneaux

French Country living in the French Quarter:  Every room in this fanciful home is defined by the gardens without.

- by Rheta Grimsley Johnson
- photos by Ellis Anderson 

A New York writer finds that a year of French Quarter living leaves him with an undiminished  devotion to the neighborhood. 

- by Richard Goodman
- photos by Ellis Anderson and William Widmer

Even beloved traditions can benefit from an evolutionary kick in the pants - at least according to one long time Preservation Hall fan.

- by Nan Parati

Meet the hardy folk who ply the waters of the country's "last frontier" in Melody Golding's new book "Life Between the Levees." 

by Scott Naugle
photos by Melody Golding

Barbara Scott blazed her own trail as a politician, restaurateur, hôtelier, artist, preservationist, gerontologist, feminist - and social justice warrior. 

​- by Frank Perez

Photographer Andrew Simoneaux found himself visiting the French Quarter almost every day to seek out shots.  Last year, he made life easier by moving into the neighborhood.  

The images he selected to include in this photo essay were taken  from the end of August into the first week of September, during the Southern Decadence festivities.  

Digging into the history of the French Quarter's indie newspapers, magazines and journals reveals an intriguing past - and a few surprises. 

- by Ellis Anderson 

Was the matronly New Orleans stenographer who founded a French Quarter temple the guru everyone in the 1960s was seeking?  At least one follower still believes. 

by Michael Warner