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History lives in the people, places, celebrations and everyday life of the French Quarter. This issue takes a look backward, forward – and right into the heart of New Orleans! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Celebrating Love & LifeOur French Quarter neighborhood serves as the nexus for many things bright and beautiful – so it’s only natural that the fabulous Krewe of Dolly has planned a celebration of life here for the late singer-songwriter-philanthropist. One of FQJ’s new team members, Karla Marie “Karlita” Cochran, is also one of the 700+ folks in the Krewe of Dolly. The day after Dolly’s passing, Karlita submitted a moving essay expressing the krewe’s commitment to carry on Parton’s mission of helping kids read. FQJ proudly published it the same afternoon. You’ll find it right below this intro; it’s a Don’t Miss read! You’re also invited to join the Krewe of Dolly in their celebration of Dolly’s life – come in costume or as you are! Dolly’s Memorial Parade Friday, September 25, 20264pm: Lineup at entrance of Armstrong Park 5pm: Parade starts 6pm: Mayoral Proclamation at the New Orleans Jazz Museum 6:30 - 9pm: After-party at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street, with performances by Tiffany Pollack & Co., Bright Cloud, Lisa Mae O’Neill and Cortland Burke
We’ll be posting the route map on social media and on our Special Events page as soon as it’s available! For more upcoming Special Events in the Quarter, scroll down or just go straight to our FQ Curated Special Events page for the full shebang! Photo above: Krewe of Dolly, by Melanie Cole for FQJ |
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Dolly Parton may have passed, but 700 New Orleans women will carry on her legacy by wearing big wigs and glittering rhinestones – and giving books to thousands of children. – by Karla Marie “Karlita” Cochran |
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Karla Marie “Karlita” Cochran, with “Willie,” husband Charles J. Cochran. |
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Join writer John Shelton Reed and the Historic New Orleans Collection to celebrate a century of bohemian life in the French Quarter. The Swingin’ Soirée takes place Saturday, September 12! Scroll down for complete details and ticket info!
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“We drank because they told us we couldn’t…” Undeterred by a constitutional amendment, the threat of arrest, or the very real possibility of drinking bootlegged poison, the French Quarter’s party roared all through the 1920s. – by John Shelton Reed |
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For more than half a century, the city’s arts conservatory has been fostering local talents and bringing “wildest dreams” to life. – by Doug Brantley |
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New Orleans poet and author Skye Jackson (center, grey dress) returned to NOCCA last year to teach a class. |
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Bogdan Mynka’s meteoric rise from guest residency to executive director at the Marigny Opera House has reinforced his commitment to serving the city that’s embraced him. – by Kim Ranjbar |
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Marigny Opera Ballet company 2026 with Bogdan Mynka (second from left). L-R Emma Courish, Talia Sigismondi, Claudio Caverni, Kayla Estipular, Caleb Chesson, Amalia Najera, Nyna Moore. Photo by Still Movements Photography |
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Which was hotter – the weather or the costumes? Thousands lined the streets of the French Quarter to see the 54th edition of this ribald parade. - photos by Cheryl Gerber |
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The 4th annual family-friendly parade by Krewe du Fool included a giant puppet show, a pageant, a parade along the riverfront and a costume contest – all to benefit the Audubon Institute Education Department. - photos by Karla Marie “Karlita” Cochran |
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Meet Our New Community Partner!Graham J. McDougall Jr., PhDWe’re extremely grateful to welcome this French Quarter advocate as an underwriter for one of our regular columns! If you or your business would like to support our Quarter Kaleidoscope Project or become a FQJ Community Partner, contact us! |
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Thank you to these new and renewing members of our Readers’ Circle!Readers’ Circle members help us develop important community resources like our new Weekly Happenings page and our new narrated versions of stories - and keep FQJ firewall-free! Jane Lowrance NealDee BolingTamra S. CarboniKaren G. SullivanGloria FieroDeborah J. CoatesJudi GirodGene BozemanLinda SchneckenbergAnd what’s the next special project on our list that your membership will make possible? A French Quarter Parking Primer! Thank you for helping make our ongoing features and our special projects possible!If you’re not a member, become part of our team right now by using the button below!
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You'll find full details and links to tickets on our FQ Events page – along with many more happenings.
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NOLA River FestSaturday, September 12, 11am–6pm New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade The 12th annual NOLA River Festival celebrates the cultural, economic, environmental, and inspirational impact of the Mississippi River on New Orleans and the entire Gulf South region. Check out live music, presentations and panels, delicious local food vendors, full bar, and more! It’s FREE!
*Photo: Scott Saltzman Find more information here on our curated FQ Special Events page! |
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French Quarter Bohemia: Swingin’ SoiréeSaturday, September 12, 5 – 7:30pm The Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal Street ~ Wear your swankiest 1920s duds to this early-evening party celebrating the French Quarter’s bohemian scene! Enjoy after-hours access to the museum shop and French Quarter Galleries, an open bar of white wine and champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and live music by the Slick Skillet Serenaders. It’ll be the cat’s pajamas! ~ It’s part of HNOC’s [sold out!] “French Quarter Bohemia, 1926,” a day of presentations and lectures by HNOC exploring the people, places, trends, and social scene of early 20th-century French Quarter bohemia. More info and tickets to Swingin’ Soirée here. |
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Bunny Day at HNOCSaturday, September 19, 11:30am – 4:30pm; members-only reception featuring Quintron 5:30 – 7pm Day sessions: Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street Vic and Nat’ly costume party, members-only reception: Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal Street From the 1980s on, cartoonist and writer Bunny Matthews captured the weird and wacky minutiae of New Orleans life through his signature characters, Vic and Nat’ly. With the opening and launch of HNOC’s newest exhibition and book, Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions, the museum hosts Bunny Day at HNOC, a daylong celebration of the artist’s life and work. Find more information here on our curated FQ Special Events page! |
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VCPORA 2026 Annual Gala: Les Années Folles, Roaring ’20s: A Century of PreservationSunday, September 20, 6 – 9pm Toulouse Theatre, 615 Toulouse Street To honor the organization’s formative years in the 1920s, you’re invited to celebrate with VCPORA in the speakeasy tradition in the red light of Toulouse Theater. Find more information here on our curated FQ Special Events page! |
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