Chris Jericho’s Fozzy Saves New Orleans

Fozzy has been going strong since the year 2000 (that’s 22 years!!). I think that it was safe to say there were at least a couple of fans in the audience who weren’t even alive yet when Fozzy was created. Even though the rock group began as a cover band known as Fozzy Osbourne helmed by guitarist Rich Ward with esteemed wrestler Chris Jericho as an occasional vocalist who called himself Mongoose McQueen, Fozzy has proved that they rock as hard as the many legendary bands that they once covered.

Trombone Shorty is Not Short on Sound

Troy Andrews was born to be a star. Hailing from the Treme neighborhood, the man who would come to be known as Trombone Shorty grew up surrounded by music. His family members are well-known musicians, and he was entranced by the second-line brass bands that would parade through his neighborhood. At the tender age of four, he took the stage next to rock ‘n’ roller Bo Diddley at Jazz Fest, and he was the leader of his own band before he turned 10. Trombone Shorty’s legacy is already known the world over, and it’s only set to grow stronger with each passing year.

Grab A Bite At The New Orleans Vampire Cafe

Those who visit New Orleans with the hopes of spotting a real vampire and locals who enjoy a side of intrigue with their meal will find a seat waiting for them at the newly-opened New Orleans Vampire Cafe, which opened on New Year’s Day 2021 at 801 Royal Street, just behind St. Louis Cathedral. The sunny, inviting spot is a welcome respite in the bleeding heart of the French Quarter where you can grab a quick bite before your travels or rest a while and watch the world go by.

The Mystery of the Lalaurie Mansion

The stately three-story home at 1140 Royal St. in the French Quarter has been a fixture since the mid 1800s. It currently sits empty and quiet with just a sign hanging outside and crumpled permit papers taped to the windows. The sign reads “The LaLaurie Mansion” in black, spooky type. Tour guides lead visitors to the corner of the building and recount the story of the mad Madame LaLaurie, the Creole socialite who afflicted unspeakable acts of torture on her slaves. That tale has stuck to the home throughout the decades, but some researchers don’t believe the hype created by the often dramatized accounts written in newspapers. Evidence suggests that the city vilified an innocent person.

The Canopy Hotel Opens In New Orleans

When your friends and family ask you what hotel should they stay at when they come to the Crescent City, you can tell them the Canopy by Hilton. The brand new, fresh, and forward-thinking hotel located at 1100 Tulane Avenue is 176 rooms of refinement and refreshment.

Sepultura And Crowbar Rock Southport

Despite many lineup changes over the decades, the heart of Brazilian-born Sepultura remains fully intact, and that’s why so many people came out just to see them perform live. Not only were the fans eager to finally witness Sepultura again, but local legends Crowbar had joined them for the national tour.

Vincent van Gogh Visits New Orleans

With much anticipation, Van Gogh New Orleans: The Immersive Experience opened in the Scottish Rite Temple in the CBD last week. The multi-faceted exhibit allows the curious party to truly delve into the life, the places, and the mind of one of the most fascinating artists in history: Vincent van Gogh.

Chris Owens: The Queen of Bourbon Street

“I was asked [about retiring] after my husband passed away in ’79. Eric Paulsen, from Channel 4 at that time, said, ‘Do you plan on retiring?’ I said, ‘Retiring? I feel like I just got started!” says Owens.

Ministry And Corrosion of Conformity Take Down Fillmore New Orleans

The Fillmore was brimming with excitement. Though Corrosion of Conformity and The Melvins are fairly regular acts in New Orleans, Ministry is not. The industrial outfit’s last visit to the Crescent City was back in 2015. Though the Melvins were not able to make the show, we found out as COC was playing, the show was no less thrilling.

Couvant Southern-Style French Brasserie Reopens

You may remember Couvant, a gorgeous French brasserie-style restaurant in the CBD neighborhood of New Orleans helmed by Brad McDonald, opening in 2018, and it shuttered at the beginning of the pandemic just over one year later. It never seemed like the right time to open the doors to diners for the next two years. In this Springtime of Hope, however, Couvant is not just reopening, but being reborn. 

Take Your Drink To Go: Getting A Flask In With You

Disclaimer first and foremost: it is never advised to go against the rules of the event that you’re attending. The following information has been compiled in the case that you need to have your supplement drink (or something else) with you at an event or festival where you are disallowed from bringing in outside beverages.

Veuve Clicquot Visits New Orleans For Mardi Gras

The Grande Dame of Champagne strolled into town to indulge in carnival! Veuve Clicquot held a special luncheon at The Four Season’s lovely 5th floor restaurant Chemin A La Mer for select ladies who were invited to craft their own gorgeous Mardi Gras parasols before sitting down for a delightful lunch. 

Southern Food & Beverage Museum Opens Cooking School

One of the top reasons (if not THE top reason) that people visit New Orleans is try out our world-renowned cuisine. Our interesting history has made for a truly unique style of cooking and one-of-a-kind flavor that you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

Getaway Homochitto Is Your Escape From New Orleans

One of the good things that came from the pandemic was a surge in outdoor activities. As indoor or heavily-populated entertainment options became scarce, people took to their bikes, kayaks, roller skates, and more to get some fresh air and reconnect with nature (and our loved ones). Camping also experienced a wave of interest, but those in the southern U.S. aren’t as likely to camp in the long, humid summer months. That was true until the luxury tiny cabin rental company Getaway took the countryside by storm so that anyone can be surrounded by nature with most of the comforts of home.

The Meaning of Mardi Gras

Christmas movies often contain lines about the true meaning of that holiday and how the spirit of it is the most important aspect. There aren’t many Mardi Gras movies out there, but the characters in such a film would surely have a similar moment of reflection. Before that Mardi Gras movie gets made, let’s talk to locals about what Mardi Gras means to them.

Take A Tour Of The Virgin Hotel New Orleans

The new Virgin Hotel New Orleans opened with great fanfare some weeks ago when Sir Richard Branson himself paraded down the street with the famed St. Augustine Marching 100 supporting him. Now that the Virgin Hotels has settled in, it’s time to get to know it a little better.

Exhorder Revisits Their Debut Album

I’ve seen Exhorder many times, but there was something so interesting about this show. This concert was a tribute to their own record Slaughter in the Vatican, released in 1990, and this show was a history lesson about the making of the record and the early days of Exhorder. So pull out your pen and notebook, and write down your lesson for the day.

NOJO Wows At The Big Beat Gala

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra seems to be celebrating a rebirth just shy of its 20th anniversary. After a couple of major hurricanes, a global pandemic, and more, NOJO has withstood several adversities only to come out stronger than ever. As NOJO is able to perform in front of live audiences again, they performed select works of the late, great Allen Toussaint for the Big Beat Gala at their home on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.

Jinjer Breaks The Rules At House of Blues New Orleans

The House of Blues was sold out. The crowd inside was surging with barely an inch between any two people. It felt just like the old days again. It’s not surprising that this lineup would easily sell out. Each of the three bands have been notably crossing over into the mainstream just enough to bolster their fan bases without sacrificing the heaviness.

Welcome Wetlands Sake Brewery to the NOLA Brewery Scene

The past decade has seen an explosion in craft beer breweries, wineries, and distilleries across the world. More and more people are creating their own spirits that consumers can’t seem to get enough of. Even sake, the fermented rice drink that hails from Japan, is being made for new generations in small breweries throughout the U.S.

The Spooky World of Stormy Daniels

Yes, that Stormy Daniels. Actress, model, and mom: Stormy Daniels is now a bonafide ghostbuster. Along with her crew, she’s storming across the country, seeking out the dead among us and collecting proof of their existence. Her unusual path to this vocation is full of twists, turns, and even terror.

Stay A While At The Will & The Way 

The Longway Tavern seemed like a breath of fresh air when it opened in 2018. The Leblanc And Smith project was located in the heart of the French Quarter where you seem to only come across storied institutions that you’ve visited many times before or tourist-oriented establishments that don’t have anything exciting to offer a local. The contemporary, exquisitely-renovated gastropub drew in those who had become weary of the Quarter as well as tourists who were looking for something different than the usual.

Mister Mao Fascinates With Flavor

With the closure of Dick & Jenny’s came Mister Mao, owned and operated by wife and husband team Chef Sophina Uong and William “Wildcat” Greenwell. The veteran culinary and cocktail whizzes are no strangers to the upscale restaurant scene; you’ve probably sampled their stuff at Rockrose (Uong) or the Elysian Bar (Greenwell). But for the last couple of months, they tested out the flavors that would eventually be featured at Mister Mao on the small scale, popping up around town at places including Zony Mash Brewery. Now that Mister Mao has entered the scene as a full-on brick-and-mortar, Chef Uong, bar genius Greenwell, and the whole staff have a place to let their imaginations and skills flourish.

Gojira Shows Fortitude At Civic Theatre

Ten years ago, I interviewed Gojira’s vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Duplantier in a tour bus parked in front of The Hangar. Since that time, the band has crossed over from metal nearing the mainstream, inviting in a wide array of listeners and fans that prompted Gojira to headline The Civic Theatre, which they easily sold out. Gojira has experienced rapid growth in the last couple of years, finally earning the recognition they deserve in and outside of metaldom.

The Hu Conquers New Orleans

The Huns were nomadic warriors who conquered lands from central Asia to western Europe in the 300s and 400s AD. Their best known leader Atilla was so ruthless that the Romans and Visigoths formed a joint army to fight off The Huns in 452 during The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields, but The invading army broke through and pillaged Gaul anyway.

Boneghazi: Scary Sounds for Sad People

It was the NOLA Horror Film Festival 2019. The Prytania Theater had a small, scattered audience waiting to watch the final film of the evening. Before that movie played, a band was set to perform. Having attended NOLAHFF in previous years, I was intrigued about seeing live entertainment, especially of the musical kind, between films. This particular band looked promising, too. The stage was set with a real coffin and tons of flowers. It looked like an actual funeral.

Death By Chocolate Is Sweet

Who doesn’t love sampling sweets in a funeral home for a great cause? Krewe de Pink’s Death By Chocolate – Not Breast Cancer fundraising gala was held in the long-running Schoen Mansion, which has been performing funeral services for 174 years. Students and instructors from Delgado’s Culinary & Pastry Arts Program pitted against each other to see who create the best sweet or savory dish using chocolate. The guests then voted on their favorite ones as they sipped bubbly and danced to the live music.