Highlighting an Attraction: Preservation Hall.
Founded in 1961, the Preservation Hall served as a practice area for the scarce remaining local jazz artists during the 1950s, prior to transforming into a music establishment. The musical groups at the establishment foster the development of the esteemed music culture, featuring jazz shows for nearly the entire year. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Preservation Hall honors the legacy of jazz through nightly musical showcases.
The auditorium resounds with the past and delight of jazz in its daily shows, encompassing its original iron gates, courtyard, and renowned performance area. Guests have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the history of the music while being surrounded by diverse and vintage architecture. The historical Creole Mansion has remained virtually unaltered since the Preservation Hall was established in 1961. Erected in 1817 in the heart of the vibrant district of the French Quarter, this structure has served as a haven for art and culture for nearly two centuries. The design of the auditorium is exquisite and intimate, making it one of the most exclusive venues worldwide.
The Preservation Hall Foundation, also known as the Right to Make Jazz and Heritage Foundation, acts as a fundamental part of Louisiana society. It is dedicated to caring for and educating the older members of the hall’s bands, as well as making a difference in the New Orleans communities through community outreach. The Foundation supports various social programs, such as the Musician’s Relief Fund and the Music Outreach Program, which were developed in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. While continuing to drive the melodic culture and make a difference in the community, the hall welcomes many different styles of music, including rock, bluegrass, hip-hop, and gospel, in collaboration with jazz bands. Almost every evening, the hall is occupied with concerts, giving audiences insight into this venerable custom of music. Over the past 50 years, the hall has continued to provide a meaningful way for new generations to pass on the vibrant musical traditions of jazz, while staying relevant and continuing its original mission.
They continue to carry their musical voice forward to the New Orleans hall through their contributions. These are the preservers of culture: Louis Ford and Ben Jaffe, Will Smith, Tommy Sancton, and Maynard Chatters. They work together to produce a unique experience, specializing in different instruments such as the clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet. These musicians are closely connected and passionate about the traditional style of music and their craft. Each night, Preservation Hall features an array of intimate concerts that showcase a collection of over 100 local jazz masters.
When international students visit the hall, they are provided with scholarships and financial assistance by the Preservation Hall Foundation to support their learning. As they interact with musicians and enjoy live concerts, they have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history of New Orleans jazz. The foundation also offers field trips for both K-12 and college students, aiming to foster musical education and preserve tradition within the community. These students attest to the profound impact of music on their daily lives, explaining how the music community has nurtured their artistic growth and taught them to play instruments. Through events like the Oral History and Courtyard Conversations series, trombonist Maynard Chatters and other members of the Preservation Hall share their stories. Additionally, the foundation has supported campaigns, music education, and academic research within the hall since 2011, raising awareness of traditional jazz from New Orleans. The Preservation Hall also plays a vital role in supporting the culture of Louisiana through outreach and educational programs, as it is deeply rooted in the traditions of New Orleans.
726 St Peters Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, Telephone: 504-522-2841.
Highlighted Attraction: Audubon Zoo.
The Audubon Zoo, which is a part of the Audubon Nature Institute, houses a collection of 15,000 animals in parks and museums. The zoo inspires visitors to learn more about the animals through a variety of unique exhibits, hands-on experiences, and programs. Located in the historic Uptown part of New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo is home to a diverse mix of exotic animals from around the world.
The Audubon Zoo strives to provide visitors with an educational experience by exhibiting a range of wildlife species. It also serves as a learning hub, where animals teach visitors about the natural world and conservation efforts. The zoo’s beautiful buildings and lush gardens enhance the experience of exploring the park, with the early 1900s architecture and sculptures serving as a backdrop.
The Glass exhibit in South America recreates the ruins of the Maya civilization, providing visitors with an up-close view of jaguars and the surrounding environment. This exhibit offers a new perspective on the ancient Mayan culture and teaches people about the animals and environment of South America. The Jungle Jaguar exhibit, located in an outdoor area designed to resemble a Maasai village in Tanzania or Kenya, allows children to interact with roaming goats and sheep, while also learning about different species of dwarf Nigerian sheep. Adjacent to the Watoto Walk exhibit, visitors can observe monkeys, giraffes, and zebras in the African Savanna. The award-winning Swamp exhibit in Louisiana showcases a variety of Asian Primates and the Aviary exhibits offer a chance to explore different mammal habitats. With thousands of animals from all over the world, the zoo provides a fun way for visitors to learn about the relationship between humans, nature, and the animal kingdom, offering a variety of exhibits at the Audubon Zoo.
The Audubon Zoo offers visitors an opportunity to learn about unique activities such as close encounters and feedings with animals like alligators in local environments and habitats. In the history of Louisiana, Native American and Cajun people taught how to live on the land without overusing its resources. This exploration of the relationship between the society, food, people, Cajun animals, and swamp plants is a unique cultural experience in the Deep South. The Louisiana Swamp exhibit at the Audubon Zoo is an award-winning display that showcases the wildlife, culture, and history of Louisiana. There are many endangered birds exhibited in this display, such as the crowned-blue laughing thrush from northeast China. The Audubon Aviary houses more than 30 species of colorful tropical birds, including the little Taveta golden weaver. An elevated pavilion allows visitors to watch the magnificent Asian elephants as they cool down in one of the two pools, using their trunks to play in the water. Visitors can also observe and interact with mandrills, lemurs, gorillas, and other monkeys from around the world in the Primates of the World exhibit.
The Scout Programs and Dark After Safari Tours at the zoo allow participants to have a close-up experience surrounded by nature, earning an eco-badge overnight. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and families can choose to camp overnight at the reserve, where they can hike around the site at night and participate in a variety of family activities such as fireside crafts and animal encounters. Another nighttime experience the zoo offers is the Dark After Safari, where visitors can roam the zoo after sunset and use flashlights to explore the entire nature center, including the forest that comes alive after the sun sets. The evening can conclude by roasting marshmallows at a pit fire and seeing night-blooming plants. The zoo also offers unique presentations about different animals each day, allowing visitors of all ages to learn more about the diverse wildlife. Additionally, there are many other programs and events at the zoo for people of all ages to participate in.
6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, Contact: 504-861-2537.
Highlighted Attraction: Frenchmen Street.
Live music from local performers and musicians from all over the world is performed in nightclubs and bars, offering a variety of genres. The three-block area of Marigny Faubourg, which is the home to the best live music in Louisiana, also provides premier options such as bars, restaurants, shops, and galleries. Frenchman Street, located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, is renowned for its vibrant entertainment district and lively live music scene.
Most townhouse Creole structures feature four-story to two structures with balconies on the third and second levels, and steeply pitched gabled roofs made of brick or stucco. These buildings, reminiscent of Caribbean architecture, are characterized by front porches and sharply pitched roofs, and are closely set to the street. The street is home to several Creole cottages that are over 100 years old. The area is known for embracing authentic Louisiana culture. As Frenchman Street became popular with tourists, it also became known as a place for locals to enjoy music and food, similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
The neighborhood’s many restaurants also offer live music, including Brasserie Marigny and Maison The, which both serve hand-crafted cocktails and chef-driven menus. Another famous jazz club in the area is “The Cat,” known to locals as The Cat. Bamboulas is a beautiful venue located in a historic building, known for its outstanding ambiance and music. The Harbor Snug is among the most popular entertainment venues in the district, recognized as the classiest jazz club in New Orleans. It was established in 1983 and has been featured in print media, movies, commercials, and is named a “musical landmark” by The New York Times and Rolling Stone Magazine.
Hotels, guesthouses, and small inns are accommodations choices. The Marigny Manor House, a renovated Greek revival residence from the 1840s, the Royal Street Courtyard, an 1850s Greek revival Creole townhouse, and the Elysian Fields Inn, a historic Creole cottage, are part of the bed and breakfast establishments.
History.
The Marigny neighborhood, known for its love of music and entertainment, is kept alive today as the official entertainment district of New Orleans. Marigny, a charismatic man who embraced the Creole joy of life, was famous for popularizing the game of craps as well as his love for music. Originally part of Bernard de Marigny’s wealthy Creole estate, the neighborhood was subdivided into his own plantation housing in 1806. Located just down the street from the famous French Quarter or Vieux Carre, the Marigny neighborhood is one of the oldest and most well-known neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Continuing Programs and Education.
There are numerous tour packages available to cater to any event or interest. During the 1-hour leisurely stroll known as the Frenchmen Street Stroll and Walking Tour, visitors are provided with information about the area’s history. The tour commences at the Old Mint Building. Guests can enjoy the finest local live music and even catch a glimpse of Louis Armstrong’s first trumpet. Additionally, the tour guides can offer valuable recommendations on which clubs and bars to visit. The Frenchmen Street Cocktails and Music Tour provides a delightful combination of live music, cocktails, and Creole food. Bartenders skillfully mix local drinks, while restaurants present authentic local dishes. The tour begins at Dragon’s Den, a vibrant live music venue that offers a wide range of music programming. Tour groups are available to assist with jazz brunch reservations, bottle service, VIP access, and more at various clubs and restaurants, including making reservations.
Exhibits from the Past and Future.
In 2010, Frenchmen Street was the host of one of the largest official afterparties. Artists like Murray Bill, Love Quest Common, Cent 50, Stevie Wonder, and Snoop Dogg have all made impromptu appearances with a local group of musicians sitting in. Visitors to New Orleans can hear a wide range of music genres, from soul to Latin, brass to funk, and blues to jazz, as they stumble upon unheard of performances by pop and rock artists. Frenchmen Street is known for showcasing both traditional and modern styles of music.
What’s Nearby.
Most of the existing buildings were built in the late 1700s during the time of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The Carre Vieux district, which is the oldest in New Orleans, has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The historic French Quarter is located at the end of Frenchmen Street.