671. On this episode of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast, we are joined by Kayla Hardy to discuss her new novel, Quarter Queen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century New Orleans, the story follows a young woman’s journey through the mystique and social complexities of the French Quarter. Kayla shares how she blended historical research with rich storytelling to capture the spirit of an era where power and tradition often collided. We dive into the inspirations behind her protagonist and what it means to reclaim a seat at the table in a city defined by its secrets. She earned a doctorate in English, specializing in creative writing and African American literature, from Binghamton University at age twenty-six. Dr. Hardy served as an adjunct professor at Binghamton University and is an avid scholar and lover of Black folklore, mythology, and Voodoo. Inspired by her Louisiana Creole ancestry and familial lineage of rootwork and magic, Kayla aims to tell diverse-driven horror and dark fantasy stories.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Traditional. 'Cotton-Eyed Joe.'
        "Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe,
   What did make you sarve me so,
   Fur ter take my gal erway fum me,
   An' cyar her plum ter Tennessee?
   Ef it hadn't ben fur Cotton-eyed Joe,
   I'd er been married long ergo.
        "His eyes wuz crossed, an' his nose wuz flat,
   An' his teef wuz out, but wat uv dat?
   Fur he wuz tall, an' he wuz slim,
   An' so my gal she follered him.
   Ef it hadn't ben fur Cotton-eyed Joe,
   I'd er been married long ergo.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. March 27, 1934. Rev. Gerald Smith addressed citizens in Sulphur's "Share Our Wealth Club." 
4. This week in New Orleans history. March 27, 2020: New Orleans was identified as having the highest COVID-19 growth rate in the world, turning the city into a critical warning site for the global pandemic.
5. This week in Louisiana.
   April 3-5, 2025
   Louisiana Lao New Year Celebration (Pi Mai Lao).
   7913 Champa Ave.
   Lanexang Village
   Broussard, LA 70518
   Hours: Three-day festival (Friday-Sunday of Easter weekend)
   Website: explorelouisiana.com
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (337) 378-9469
   Experience one of the most unique cultural festivals in Acadiana, celebrating Southeast Asian traditions:
   
   • Lao Traditions: The festival features traditional sand castle building, vibrant parades, and a beauty pageant.
   • Culinary Delights: Numerous vendors offer authentic clothes, jewelry, and a wide array of food from Southeast Asia.
   • VIP Experience: All-access passes are available that include reserved parking, guided tours, and access to the Tea-time performance banquet.
     Admission & Pricing
   • Admission & Pricing
     General Admission (Before 5:00 PM): Free.
     Evening Admission (After 5:00 PM): $15.00 per person (covers access to the evening concerts and the dance floor).
     VIP All-Access Pass: $50.00. This includes reserved parking next to the temple, food, a guided tour, and access to the VIP parade lounge and performance banquet.
     Parking: Public parking and shuttles are typically free, but limited; arriving early is highly recommended.
     
6. Postcards from Louisiana. Rug Cutters at Favela Chic.

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670. Sophie White joins us to discuss her book, Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana. Sophie also has a companion website, "Voices of the Enslaved: A Digital Humanities Approach to Encountering the Archive." This website is well worth your time. It has an article on the earliest reference to voudou, for example, with primary documents and detailed analysis. In Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana, Sophie White uncovers a rare and startling "soundscape" of the 18th century. While most history books treat enslaved people as silent statistics, White mines the meticulously recorded trial records of the Louisiana Superior Council to find something revolutionary: the direct testimony of over 150 men and women. From the defiant words of Marguerite in a New Orleans courtroom to the intimate "maroon" love story of Kenet and Jean-Baptiste, these are not just legal responses — they are "accidental" autobiographies. Through White’s lyrical analysis, we move beyond the violence of the plantation and into the interior lives of those who refused to be erased, revealing a world of sophisticated material culture, complex kinship, and an unyielding insistence on their own humanity. Sophie White is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she holds concurrent appointments in History, Africana Studies, and Gender Studies. A native of Mauritius, her unique perspective on French colonial legacies and "othering" has made her a premier historian of the Atlantic World.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Mary Ashley Townsend 'Down the Bayou,'
   WE drifted down the long lagoon,
   My Love, my Summer Love and I,
   Far out of sight of all the town.
   The old Cathedral sinking down.
   With spire and cross, from view below
   The borders of St. John's bayou.
   As toward the ancient Spanish Fort,
   With steady prow and helm a-port,
   We drifted down, my Love and I.
   Beneath an azure April sky.
   My Love and I, my Love and I,
      Just at the hour of noon.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. March 20, 1839. Shreveport become a "city" on the northern end of the Red River.
4. This week in New Orleans history. On March 20, 2020, New Orleans recorded its first death from COVID-19, marking a somber turning point for the city. This event prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to issue a formal "Stay at Home" order just five days later to combat the rapid spread of the virus.
5. This week in Louisiana.
   St. Joseph Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry
   204 Patton Avenue
   Shreveport, LA 71105
   March 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
   Website: stjosephchurch.net
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (318) 865‑3581
   Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available.
   St. Joseph's Fish Fry is a long‑running Shreveport Lenten tradition, known for generous portions, friendly volunteers, and a steady community turnout each year:
   

• Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp with classic sides, plus limited combo plates.
• Dine‑In or Drive‑Thru: Efficient service for families and commuters.
• Community Support: Proceeds benefit parish ministries, school programs, and local outreach.

Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU.  Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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669. Part 2. We continue Women's History Month by concluding our conversation with Marcelle Bienvenu. Whe is an author working on the history of Creole cooking. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Meghan F. McDonald.'NOLA: An Interactive Street Performing Experience.'
       Before embarking on my street performing tour of the U.S., one aspect I said I would investigate on the road was how influencial setting is for creating music.
       Admittedly, this question was buried under piles of other questions that surfaced during my earlier stops, D.C., Nashville, Asheville and Atlanta. But that changed once I arrived in New Orleans.
       Music and culture ' especially along Royal Street ' ooze from NOLA's pores, pumping through its streets as if the heart of all music can be found somewhere within the veins of the French Quarter. It is New Orleans, after all, that mothered music greats ranging from Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino to Lil Wayne. And that variety is not accidental ' it's part of NOLA's appeal.
       On one street you may walk into an impromptu jazz ensemble performance, complete with an upright bass, saxophone player and a singer throwing out some hot scats. Five blocks down, you could stumble upon a high-energy brass group filled with trumpets, trombones and a tuba. Not to mention the multiple solo acts scattered throughout NOLA's streets at all hours of the day and night.
       One factor that makes NOLA an ideal street performing city is the layout. The Quarter's tight streets, filled with sheltered sidewalks due to the vast amounts of layered decks, create a rich acoustic experience for buskers. The sound stays contained from having a ceiling of sorts, which then bounces off the parallel building in full circle.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. March 13, 1815. Gen. Andrew Jackson declares the end of martial law in New Orleans at the end of War of 1812.
4. This week in New Orleans history. The City Park property was famous as a dueling ground long before it was a park ' more Affaires d'honneur were fought in New Orleans than in any other American city. They resulted from serious affronts, petty insults, or deliberate confrontations for the sole purpose of displaying fencing skills. Weapons of choice included swords, sabers, pistols, rifles, even bare hands. During the 1800s a series of duels were fought between fencing masters ' the most famous, Spaniard Pepe Llula was known as a duelist who met any man with any weapon. Times-Democrat on March 13, 1892, reported, "Between 1834 and 1844 scarcely a day passed without duels being fought at the Oaks'. Dueling had been outlawed two years before under the death penalty (if a death resulted) but it was seldom enforced. 
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
   480 Richland Place
   Monroe, LA 71203
   Open daily from sunrise to sunset
   Website: fws.gov/refuge/black-bayou-lake
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (318) 387‑1114
   March is one of the best months to visit Black Bayou Lake, with mild temperatures, active wildlife, and early spring blooms along the trails and boardwalks:
   

• Boardwalk Trail: A scenic walk over the cypress‑studded lake, ideal for birdwatching and photography.
• Visitor Center & Nature Exhibits: Located in a restored plantation house with hands‑on displays.
• Wildlife Viewing: Frequent sightings of herons, egrets, turtles, and alligators in their natural habitat.

Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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668. We begin women's history month by talking to Marcelle Bienvenu about the history of Creole cooking. In a city known worldwide for its food, the women of New Orleans have led the way. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology.
   Grace King. "Pupasse."
       EVERY day, every day, it was the same overture in Madame Joubert's room in the Institut St. Denis; the strident:
      'Mesdemoiselles; ' vos places! Notre P're qui est dans le ciel ' Qui a fait ce bruit?'
       'It's Pupasse, madame! It's Pupasse!' The answer invariably was unanimous.
       'But, Madame Joubert, ' I assure you, Madame Joubert, ' I could not help it! They know I could not help it!'
       By this time the fresh new fool's cap made from yesterday's 'Bee' would have been pinned on her head.
       'Quelle injustice! Quelle injustice!'
       This last apostrophe in a high, whining nasal voice, always procured Pupasse's elevation on the tall three-legged stool in the corner.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. March 6, 1867. General Philip Sheridan arrives in New Orleans to command the Fifth Military District (Louisiana and Texas) during Reconstruction. 
4. This week in New Orleans history. Norman Treigle, born in New Orleans on March 6, 1927, made his operatic debut in 1947 with the New Orleans Opera Association, as the Duke of Verona in Rom'o et Juliette.  A graduate of Loyola's College of Music, Treigle went on to receive international acclaim.  He died in New Orleans on February 16, 1975. 
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   St. Pius X Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry
   201 E. Bayou Parkway
   Lafayette, LA 70508
   March 6, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
   Website: stpiusxchurch.org
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (337) 232‑4656
   Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available.
   St. Pius X hosts one of Lafayette's most popular Lenten Fish Fries, offering quick service, generous portions, and a strong community turnout each year:
   

• Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp plates with sides, plus a limited number of combo plates.
• Drive‑Thru Convenience: A fast, well‑organized line ideal for families on busy Friday evenings.
• Parish Support: Proceeds benefit school programs, youth ministries, and local outreach

Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU.

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667. Part 2 of our conversation with Kathleen Kass Byrd about her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd’s Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement. 

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Jim Kjelgaard. Swamp Cat.
       Frosty's heritage, in great measure, came from his renegade father. Incapable of fearing anything, he was sufficient unto himself and he'd known that from the first day he'd opened his eyes and looked around the shed. There was not and never would be a situation with which he could not cope or a foe from whom he would run in panic. His self-confidence was almost as vast as his curiosity. He would stand alone, or with kindred spirits. Never would he place himself at the mercy of, or pay homage to, one who was not kindred.
       He liked the woman. She was unfailingly kind and gentle. She knew exactly how to pet him and she ' a small point ' brought his food. But he would not, as the gray kittens did, unbend so far as to met her at the door. She was not his superior.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. February 27, 1827. New Orleans kicks off its first Mardi Gras.
4. This week in New Orleans history. Mardi Gras Day was cancelled on February 27, 1979 due to the New Orleans Police strike.  Some Orleans Parish parades were rescheduled in Jefferson Parish.
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Kisatchie National Forest ' Valentine Lake Recreation Area
   Valentine Lake Road
   Forest Hill, LA 71430
   Open year‑round; February is ideal for cool‑weather hiking and quiet lakeside visits
   Website: fs.usda.gov/kisatchie
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (318) 473‑7160
   Valentine Lake is one of Kisatchie's most peaceful recreation areas, offering scenic trails, birdwatching, and lakeside relaxation during the mild late‑winter season:
   

• Valentine Lake Trail: A 3.4‑mile loop through longleaf pine forest with excellent wildlife viewing.
• Picnic & Day‑Use Areas: Shaded spots along the shoreline, perfect for quiet afternoons.
• Fishing Access: The 46‑acre lake is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish.
• No fee for entry. There is a small fee for camping.

Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
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666. Kathleen Kass Byrd, part 1, joins us to discuss her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd’s Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Rida Johnson Young.
   Naughty Marietta: A Musical Comedy in Two Acts.
   PLACE: New Orleans.
   TIME: About 1780.
   SCENE: The Place d'Armes.
   A broad open space with the levee at back. There is a path along this levee bordered on both sides by tall trees, some of which are draped with the gray Southern moss. There is just a glimpse of the Mississippi between these trees. Along the levee from time to time as act progresses, people of various nationalities past. Mexicans, Indians, Spaniards, Negroes, etc. At extreme L. is an arcaded street in which are booths for flower sellers, cake and confectionary ' sailors, etc. Over this arcade are the high latticed windows of dwellings in old Creole style. There is a door at L. into one of these houses. At right is the getaway entrance to the St. Louis Cathedral. Up stage in centre is a large fountain. The top of the fountain is in the form of a large urn. The pedestal leading from the basin to the urn must be large enough for a person to stand up in. The fountain is dry.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. February 20, 1811. President Madison signed bill providing for Louisiana'a statehood.
4. This week in New Orleans history. February 20, 2013: FEMA Archaeologists Discover One of the Oldest Native American Artifacts South of Lake Pontchartrain. Release Number: DR-1603/07-989, NEW ORLEANS ' Pottery sherds, animal bones and pieces of clay tobacco pipes are among the items recently discovered by a team of archaeologists under contract to the Federal Emergency Management Agency surveying land near Bayou St. John in New Orleans.  'It was a bit of a surprise to find this,' said FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan, referencing a small, broken pottery fragment. 'We clearly discovered pottery from the late Marksville period, which dates to 300-400 A.D. The pottery was nice, easily dateable, and much earlier than we expected."
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   St. Ann Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry
   3601 Transcontinental Drive
   Metairie, LA 70006
   February 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
   Website: stannchurchandshrine.org
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (504) 455‑7071
   Price: Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available.
   During Lent, many Catholic churches across Louisiana host Friday seafood dinners as both fundraisers and meatless‑Friday observances. St. Ann's annual Fish Fry is one of the most popular in Jefferson Parish:
   

• Plate Options: Fried fish, shrimp, or a combo plate, served with fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies.
• Dine‑In or Drive‑Thru: Quick service for families on the go, with indoor seating available.
• Community Atmosphere: Proceeds support parish ministries, school programs, and local outreach.

Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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665. Part 2 of our interview of Zella Palmer, expert on Creole and African cooking. She released a documentary, The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot. She is also the author of Recipes and Remembrances of Fair Dillard, 1869-2019.Zella, educator, food historian, author, and filmmaker, serves as the Chair and Director of the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture. Palmer is committed to preserving the legacy of African-American, Native American, and Latino culinary history in New Orleans and the South. Palmer curated The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot academic conference and documentary, the Nellie Murray Feast, and the Dr. Rudy Joseph Lombard: Black Hand in the Pot Lecture Series.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Samuel Clemens. "Letter to Pamela A. Moffett."
       [It's the be]ginning of Lent, and all good Catholics eat and drink freely of what they please, and, in fact, do what they please, in order that they may be the better able to keep sober and quiet during the coming fast. It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans.
       I posted off up town yesterday morning as soon as the boat landed, in blissful ignorance of the great day. At the corner of Good-Children and Tchoupitoulas streets, I beheld an apparition! — and my first impulse was to dodge behind a lamp-post. It was a woman — a hay-stack of curtain calico, ten feet high — sweeping majestically down the middle of the street (for what pavement in the world could accommodate hoops of such vast proportions?) Next I saw a girl of eighteen, mounted on a fine horse, and dressed as a Spanish Cavalier, with long rapier, flowing curls, blue satin doublet and half-breeches, trimmed with broad white lace — (the balance of her dainty legs cased in flesh-colored silk stockings) — white kid gloves — and a nodding crimson feather in the coquettishest little cap in the world. She removed said cap and bowed low to me, and nothing loath, I bowed in return — but I could n’t help murmuring, “By the beard of the Prophet, Miss, but you’ve mistaken your man this time — for I never saw your silk mask before, — nor the balance of your costume, either, for that matter.” And then I saw a hundred men, women and children in fine, fancy, splendid, ugly, coarse, ridiculous, grotesque, laughable costumes, and the truth flashed upon me — “This is Mardi-Gras!”
3. This week in Louisiana history. February 13, 1899. Lowest temperature ever recorded in Louisiana, Minden, -16°F.
4. This week in New Orleans history. First Rex Parade.
   February 13, 1872 Lewis J. Salomon reigned as Rex during the organization's first parade on February 13, 1872.  The theme was "Triumphal Entry". The official anthem of Rex, "If Ever I Cease to Love", was a hit song of the early 1870's era from a musical comedy named "Bluebeard". The musical's leading lady, Lydia Thompson, was performing in New Orleans at the time of the first Rex parade. The visiting Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, who had seen "Bluebeard" during his national tour, was also familiar with the song and with Thompson, to whom he had once sent a gift bracelet.  
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Krewe of Artemis Parade
   Downtown Baton Rouge
   Baton Rouge, LA 70801
   February 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
   Website: kreweofartemis.net
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (225) 344-5272
   To find the parade route, visit the krewe's website and click on "Parade Route" in the main menu.
   The Krewe of Artemis is Baton Rouge's premier women‑led Mardi Gras parade, known for its family‑friendly atmosphere, signature throws, and vibrant nighttime procession:
   

• All‑Female Krewe: Founded in 2001, Artemis is the first and largest women's Mardi Gras krewe in Baton Rouge.
• Night Parade: Floats are illuminated for a glowing, high‑energy procession through downtown.
• Signature Throws: Popular items include light‑up beads, custom cups, and the krewe's collectible plush moon.

Postcards from Louisiana. Delfayo Marsalis. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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664. Part 1 of our interview with Zella Palmer about the influence of African cooking on creole cuisine. The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot. She is also the author of Recipes and Remembrances of Fair Dillard, 1869-2019. Zella, educator, food historian, author, and filmmaker, serves as the Chair and Director of the Dillard University Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture. Palmer is committed to preserving the legacy of African-American, Native American, and Latino culinary history in New Orleans and the South. Palmer curated The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot academic conference and documentary, the Nellie Murray Feast, and the Dr. Rudy Joseph Lombard: Black Hand in the Pot Lecture Series.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The City that Lives Outdoors," by W. S. Harwood. For at least nine months in the twelve, the people of this rare old town live out of doors nearly all the waking hours of the twenty-four. For the remaining three months of the year, December, January, and February, they delude themselves into the notion that they are having a winter, when they gather around a winter-time hearth and listen to imaginary wind-roarings in the chimney, and see through the panes fictitious and spectral snow-storms, and dream that they are housed so snug and warm. But when the day comes the sun is shining and there is no trace of white on the ground, and the grass is green and there are industrious buds breaking out of cover, and the earth is sleeping very lightly. Open-eyed, the youngsters sit by these December firesides and listen to their elders tell of the snow-storms in the long ago that came so very, very deep, when snowballs were flying in the streets, and the earth was white, and the 'banquettes,' or sidewalks, were ankle-deep in slush.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. February 7, 2010. New Orleans Saints win their very first Super Bowl and finish the year at 14-3.
4. This week in New Orleans history. Born in New Orleans on February 6, 1944, Wilson Turbinton (known as Tee and Willie Tee) arranged, co-wrote and led the band on the Wild Magnolias' self-titled 1974 debut album. The popularity of that recording, and the subsequent They Call Us Wild introduced the Mardi Gras Indians' street-beat funk to the world. 
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice
   Downtown Eunice
   Eunice, LA 70535
   February 14, 2026
   Website: eunice-la.com
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (337) 457-7389
   The Courir de Mardi Gras is one of Louisiana's oldest and most distinctive Mardi Gras traditions, featuring masked riders on horseback, live Cajun and Zydeco music, and a community gumbo that brings the whole town together:
   

• The Chicken Run: Costumed riders chase a released chicken through the countryside, a hallmark of the old Cajun Mardi Gras.
• Live Music: Downtown Eunice hosts day‑long performances by Cajun and Zydeco bands.
• Traditional Gumbo: Ingredients gathered during the courir are used to prepare a communal gumbo served in the evening.

Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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663. Part 2 of our conversation with Matthew and Melissa, hosts of the the "This Ain't It" podcast, covering their response to MAGA religion. Hosted by Matthew Teutsch, a scholar of African American literature and Director of the Lillian E. Smith Center, and his wife Melissa Teutsch, the show explores the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Together, they engage in deep conversations about civil rights, the power of rhetoric, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in the American South and beyond. By examining the "interminable" nature of systemic oppression, the Teutsches challenge listeners to embrace the responsibility of resistance through education and empathy.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The Expedition of Hernando de Soto" was written by his companion Luis Hernandez de Biedma.
   "When we arrived, the queen sent us one of her nieces, in a litter carried by Indians. She sent the governor a present of a necklace of beads, canoes to cross the river with, and gave us half the village to lodge in. The governor opened a large temple built in the woods, in which was buried the chiefs of the country, and took from it a quantity of pearls, amounting to six or seven arrobes, which were spoiled by being buried in the ground. We dug up two Spanish axes, a chaplet of wild olive seed, and some small beads, resembling those we had brought from Spain for the purpose of trading with the Indians. We conjectured they had obtained these things by trading with the companions of Vasquez de Ayllon. The Indians told us the sea was only about thirty leagues distant."
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. January 30, 1704. Bienville was told that "Pelican" was on its way to Mobile with 27 young women.
4. This week in New Orleans history. Frostop on Jefferson Highway Closed January 30, 2007. Just a couple of blocks from East Jefferson High School on the corner of Phlox Avenue at 4637 Airline Highway, the Frostop Drive-in Restaurant was a popular stop for burgers and root beer.  Today Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits occupies the corner. Other local Frostop locations could be found around town back in the day, and a few still exist in the greater New Orleans area. These photographs are of the Frostop which was located on Jefferson Highway in the Jefferson Plaza Shopping Center (AKA Arrow Shopping Center) which were taken the day before it closed on January 30, 2007:
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Visit the Alexandria Zoo.
   3016 Masonic Drive
   Alexandria, LA 71301
   Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
   Website: thealexandriazoo.com
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (318) 441-6810
   January is an excellent time to visit, as the cooler weather keeps many of the larger mammals more active:
   
   • Louisiana Habitat: A 3.5-acre exhibit showcasing native species like cougars, black bears, and alligators in a natural swamp setting.
   • The Train: The “Bayou Le Zoo Choo Choo” offers a 10-minute narrated tour around the perimeter of the park. 
   • African Experience: Features a 17-foot waterfall and habitat for lions, flamingos, and giant tortoises. ).
6. Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Party in NOLA / Happy Birthday.

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662. Part 1 of our conversation with Matthew and Melissa, hosts of the the "This Ain't It" podcast, covering their response to MAGA religion. Hosted by Matthew Teutsch, a scholar of African American literature and Director of the Lillian E. Smith Center, and his wife Melissa Teutsch, the show explores the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Together, they engage in deep conversations about civil rights, the power of rhetoric, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in the American South and beyond. By examining the "interminable" nature of systemic oppression, the Teutsches challenge listeners to embrace the responsibility of resistance through education and empathy.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Dorothy Day wrote the article, “Florence Is a Communist.”
       “Do you know what Communism is, Florence?”
      “Yes, I am a Communist,” Florence stated, and afterward when we were alone together in the kitchen she went into more details about her beliefs.
       “Communism,” she stated, “is to help the poor.” So the poor of the small town of Jacobi where she came from, were quite ready to be enrolled in the ranks of the Communists.
       There were about eighty Negroes signed up with the Communist group in her little town in Louisiana, and in the neighboring towns of Lettsworth, Lagonia, Batchelor, Torras and Susport there were groups of from forty to sixty in each town.
       They were not doing anything much at present, not even meeting, she explained, since the young Communist organizer who had been keeping contact with them had been jailed and run out of town. He had been transferred by the Party to another state, so there the matter was halted.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. January 23, 1680. Bienville born in Montreal, Canada, 12 of 14 children. 
4. This week in New Orleans history. The Clio streetcar ran from January 23, 1867 until September 1, 1932.  This line originally ran from Canal Street up to Clio Street to Magnolia Street, returning on Erato and Carondelet Streets. In 1874, it was extended across Canal Street to Elysian Fields, making it the first streetcar line to cross Canal Street. It was extended at both ends from time to time, before giving up its territory to newer lines in 1932.
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   January 31, 2026
   The Legends of Hip Hop Tour
   Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
   705 Elvis Presley Ave.
   Shreveport, LA 71101
   Website: shreveportmunicipalauditorium.com
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (318) 841-4000
   A star-studded concert featuring some of the biggest names in classic hip hop.
   Lineup & Details This event takes place in the historic venue where Elvis Presley got his start:
   7:00 PM: Doors open to the public.
   8:00 PM: Show starts.
   
   • The Lineup: The 2026 tour features performances by Webbie, Ying Yang Twins, Trina, and Lil' Keke.
   • The Venue: The “Muni” is a National Historic Landmark, offering an intimate and high-enenrgy atmosphere. 
   • The After-Party: Many local downtown Shreveport bars host unofficial after-parties following the show.
     
   End: Approximately 11:30 PM.
   Note for Listeners: This is an all-ages show, but parental discretion is advised due to concert volume and lyrical content.
6. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU.

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661. Today we talk to Rachel L. Doherty about Louisiana folklore and folklife. Rachel is the Assistant Director for Programming and Special Projects at the Center for Louisiana Studies. Dr. Rachel Doherty is a scholar of contemporary Francophone art, literature, and creolized identities in Louisiana and Canada. She is an alumna of UL Lafayette's Francophone Studies program, a former lecturer at UL and Université Sainte-Anne, and a former French immersion teacher. Dr. Doherty specializes in occult and magical lore in minority Francophone literatures and arts, and analyzes folklore's place in today's language and identity movements.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology.
   “At the ’Cadian Ball” by Kate Chopin is about a Fais Do Do in the late 1800s.
   "BOBINÔT, that big, brown, good-natured Bobinôt, had no intention of going to the ball, even though he knew Calixta would be there. For what came of those balls but heartache, and a sickening disinclination for work the whole week through, till Saturday night came again and his tortures began afresh? Why could he not love Ozéina, who would marry him to-morrow; or Fronie, or any one of a dozen others, rather than that little Spanish vixen? Calixta's slender foot had never touched Cuban soil; but her mother's had, and the Spanish was in her blood all the same. For that reason the prairie people forgave her much that they would not have overlooked in their own daughters or sisters."
3. This week in Louisiana history. January 16, 1962. Students at Southern Univ. begin civil rights demonstrations.
4. This week in New Orleans history. Mayor C. Ray Nagin's "Chocolate City Speech" January 16, 2006. The "Chocolate City Speech" is the nickname that some have given to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech by Mayor Ray Nagin on January 16, 2006, several months after Hurricane Katrina. Prior to Nagin's speech, some commentators were suggesting that the city's demographics would change from majority African American to majority Caucasian.  In an interview with Public Radio International's Tavis Smiley (originally broadcast on January 13, 2006) Nagin used the phrase "chocolate city" in reference to New Orleans' future demographics.
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   January 31, 2026
   Louisiana King Cake Festival
   402 West 3rd Street
   Thibodaux, LA 70301
   A large-scale outdoor food festival where attendees can sample dozens of different king cakes from across the state.
   This event serves as a major fundraiser for the Lafourche Education Foundation:
   10:30 AM: The “Krewe of King Cake” Children’s Parade kicks off the festivities around 201 Green Street.
   11:00 AM: The festival grounds officially open for tasting and live music.
   Highlight 1 (The Tasting): Guests purchase “tasting tickets” to sample various king cakes and vote for the “People’s Choice” winner.
   Highlight 2 (The Music): Local Louisiana bands perform on the main stage throughout the afternoon. 
   4:00 PM: The winners of the best traditional and non-traditional king cakes are announced.
   End: The festival wraps up at 5:00 PM.
   Website: louisianakingcakefest.com
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: (985) 688-4662
   Lafourche Education Foundation
   P.O. Box 486
   Thibodaux, LA 70302
   
6. Postcards from Louisiana. Little Freddie King.
   

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