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FQJ Archives

1/1/2023

 
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​Scroll down for most recent stories, or search by category or date in the sidebar. 

My Son, the Genius: An Interview with Thelma Ducoing Toole

4/28/2022

 
Personalities -  people of note 
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Detail of portrait of Thelma Toole by Frank Daugherty


​In 1980 and again in 1983, a Mobile, Ala. writer named Frank Daugherty interviewed Thelma Toole, mother of the late John Kennedy Toole, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Confederacy of Dunces. A short excerpt of the interviews was published in the Mobile Press-Register in 2002 but the lions’ share of the material and Frank’s photos have never before been published. 

We've also included a short compilation of clips from Frank’s interview tapes, in which Thelma plays original music and performs an impression of Miss Trixie.  

- interview and photographs by Frank Daugherty


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The New Algiers Ferries:  the romance of the ride remains

4/22/2022

 
Behind the Scenes:  neighborhood backstories 
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For nearly two centuries a public ferry has crossed the Mississippi between the French Quarter and Algiers. Now sleek new catamarans zip back and forth, making the passage faster and more reliable. 

- by Kim Ranjbar 
- photographs by Ellis Anderson

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French Quarter Walking Tours: the city reconsiders guidelines for guides

4/20/2022

 
Civics
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Three walking tours converge in this pre-pandemic photo taken in 2018.

Exactly what are the regulations for walking tours? Are they being changed?  What about enforcement of existing ordinances?  A French Quarter resident, local tour guide and a Loyola tour guide instructor takes an in-depth look.  

- by Frank Perez
​- photos by Ellis Anderson



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Two Easter Parades Celebrate Rejuvenation, Honor an Icon

4/18/2022

 
Storyboard:  photo essays
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The French Quarter paid homage to entertainer Chris Owens who died April 5, in both the parade that is her namesake and the 21st Annual Gay Easter Parade. 

- photos by Jackie Haze


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The Comeback Carnival:  Faces of Mardi Gras 2022

3/2/2022

 
Storyboard: photo essays
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Meet some of the folks who came out in the French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods to help make this historic Mardi Gras extraordinary in all the right ways. 

- photos by Ellis Anderson

​psst:  see someone you recognize?  Use the"Share" button at the top of the page and tag them.  If you're in one of these web-sized photos, feel free to copy and use them on your own social media - please just tag or reference French Quarter Journal.  


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The Quarter's Last School May Close

2/21/2022

 
Quarter Notes:  Op-eds 
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Built in 1932, the "Little Red Schoolhouse" is located in the 700 block of St. Philip Street. Photo by Ellis Anderson

The historic building that's often referred to as "The Little Red Schoolhouse," may soon dismiss classes permanently, despite protests from many parents and neighbors. 

- by Frank Perez



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Frances Swigart:  New Work

2/10/2022

 
Sketchbook - The Neighborhood Art Scene
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Frances Swigart in her studio, photo by Eugenia Uhl

​This classical printmaker keeps evolving, as her latest retrospective show proves. 


- by Saskia Ozols

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Campaign Trail Reflections:  What I learned running for office

1/23/2022

 
Quarter Notes - op-ed
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Are you nuts?

​The overwhelming majority of NOLA's District C voters live on the West Bank and no East Bank candidate has won the council seat in more than four decades.  Despite the odds, a French Quarter resident, writer and activist throws his signature hat in the ring.

- by Frank Perez


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The Legacy of Sandra Jaffe

1/12/2022

 
Passing a Good Time - Jan. 2022
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Allan Jaffe, Sandy Jaffe, DeDe Pierce, Billie Pierce, Willie Humphrey, courtesy The Historic New Orleans Collection, The William Russell Jazz Collection, acquisition made possible by the Clarisse Claiborne Grima Fund, acc. no. MSS 520.2624

When a honeymoon lark turned into a musical endeavor, the young bride couldn't have imagined the reverberations that would beat on after her passing.

- by Nan Parati

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"They Called Us River Rats"

12/31/2021

 
Lit Life       
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​A fascinating new book by long-time resident Macon Fry explores life along the last batture community in New Orleans.

- by John Sledge
- photos courtesy Macon Fry, Betsy Shepherd and University Press of Mississippi

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A Conclave of Revelers

12/26/2021

 
Rainbow History
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If you spot clouds of smoke billowing from a certain Royal Street balcony in the months leading to Twelfth Night, it might be the signal that the Lord of Misrule has chosen the new monarch  for the Krewe de la Royale Revelers. 

- by Frank Perez 

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Creole Comforts:  Saint John

12/14/2021

 
Full Plate:  Neighborhood Eateries
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A few of the offerings from the Saint John's menu. Photo by Randy Schmidt

​Chef and restaurateur Eric Cook breathes new life into a historic French Quarter space with the launch of Saint John, a Lower Decatur Street restaurant offering “haute Creole” cuisine. 

- by Kim Ranjbar

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The Sound of the Sea:  A Review

9/21/2021

 
Lit Life - September 2021
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Detail from cover of The Sound of the Sea by Cynthia Barnett

​"Money before coin, jewelry before gems, art before canvas": This delightful new book by environmental writer Cynthia Barnett explores the fascinating world of seashells.

​-by John S. Sledge


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Two Days After Ida

9/2/2021

 
Storyboard - September 1, 2021
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1000 block of Royal Street, September 1, just two days after Ida roared through. A few people on the street - mostly residents, business owners and workman – starting cleanup. Lots of garbage bags on the street from emptied refrigerators, but thankfully not a lot of major damage apparent! Parts of the French Quarter had electricity restored later that night. photo by Ellis Anderson

Hurricane Ida rampaged across South Louisiana, slamming New Orleans with a glancing blow that wreaked unprecedented damage to the power grid.  Follow us through the French Quarter just two days later. 

- photos by Ellis Anderson, Betsy Fabry and Bill Huls

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Stanzas Poetry Contest: Winners and Finalists, Summer 2021

7/15/2021

 
Stanzas Contest - July 2021
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Photograph by Christy Lorio

Poetry editor Skye Jackson names the winners of the first French Quarter Journal poetry contest and introduces their compelling entries. ​
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Midnight Train to the Quarter

7/10/2021

 
Passing a Good Time - July 2021
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Writer Nan Parati in the French Quarter, 1981

In 1981, a young woman moves to the French Quarter and lucks into a job at the Toulouse Theatre, home of the hit show One Mo' Time.

​- by Nan Parati
​


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Arcadian Books & Prints

7/9/2021

 
Around the Block - June 2021
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Step into the “organized chaos” of Arcadian Books & Prints, where the love of the written word and two languages has reigned for 40 years.

- by Matt A. Sheen
​- photos by Ellis Anderson


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Zhang Bistro Opens on Decatur

7/1/2021

 
Full Plate - July 2021
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New owners transform a familiar Quarter restaurant location with a swank makeover and a menu offering both Thai and Chinese dishes. 

- story and photos by Kim Ranjbar



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Two Blondes and a Buccaneer

6/15/2021

 
Lit Life - June 2021
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A North Carolina mother and daughter claim Jean Laffite faked his death and lived to a ripe old age in the Tar Heel State.

​-by John S. Sledge


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French Quarter Journal is published by Ellis Anderson Media, LLC.   Unless otherwise attributed, all written content and photography copyright 2019 by Ellis Anderson Media, LLC.  By using this website you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   
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