Louisiana Anthology Podcast

Bruce R. Magee & Stephen Payne

The Louisiana Anthology Podcast is an part of the larger project of the Louisiana Anthology. We release new episodes every Saturday, and the podcasts last for around an hour. The purpose of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast is to discuss the literature and culture of Louisiana. We broadcast interviews with various authors, artists, and scholars about their contributions to Louisiana.

  1. 5d ago

    691. Derby Gisclair. Dueling. Part 2.

    692. Part 2 of Derby Gisclair's presentation on dueling in old New Orleans. Derby is a New Orleans historian, author, and researcher specializing in 19th-century Gulf Coast culture, social customs, and affairs of honor. Known for his deep archival work, Gisclair unpacks how rituals like dueling under the Dueling Oaks defined Southern gentlemanly culture, local politics, and public life in early New Orleans. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Huey Long. My First Days in the White House.     Today extreme inequalities in the distribution of wealth have closed the doors of opportunity to millions of our children.     Education is a function which the states can handle adequately only if helped by the federal government, and the government ought to see that such benefits of education are extended to all classes of citizens; but here in our beloved America we find inequalities in the benefits of the public schools. Some children are given excellent educational facilities in great, sanitary buildings with ample equipment, with well-fed, well-trained teachers. Other children have poor educational facilities, unsanitary buildings, meager equipment,untrained, poorly-paid teachers. The bitter fruits of these inequalities of opportunity, which endure for generations, must and shall be corrected. This week in Louisiana history. August 14, 1903. Albert Batson hanged in Calcasieu Parish Jail for murder of six members of Welsh family. This week in New Orleans history. August 14, 1812: The first Louisiana State Legislature convened in New Orleans following the state's admission to the Union earlier that year. This week in Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum Year‑Round Attraction 323 Walnut Street Monroe, LA 71201 Website: nelcm.org The Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum is a hands‑on learning space on the Ouachita River in downtown Monroe, offering interactive exhibits for children of all ages. The museum features creative play environments, science‑based activities, and rotating traveling exhibits, making it a favorite destination for families across North Louisiana. Interactive Exhibits: Permanent installations include the Firehouse with a sliding pole, Health Hall where kids can play paramedic, Toddlertown for ages 4 and under, Kids' Cafe, Bubbleworks, and The Big Mouth -- a walk‑inside anatomy exhibit. Special Events: Seasonal programming includes traveling exhibits and the annual transformation into Santa's Christmas Village with ice skating, crafts, and storytime. Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $7 per person (ages 2+); group rate $5 for groups of 15 or more. Location: The museum sits on the Ouachita River in downtown Monroe -- look for the purple building. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

  2. Aug 8

    690. Derby Gisclair. Dueling, Part 1.

    Part 1 of Derby Gisclair's presentation on dueling in old New Orleans. Derby is a New Orleans historian, author, and researcher specializing in 19th-century Gulf Coast culture, social customs, and affairs of honor. Known for his deep archival work, Gisclair unpacks how rituals like dueling under the Dueling Oaks defined Southern gentlemanly culture, local politics, and public life in early New Orleans. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Christian Woman's Exchange. Creole Cookery Book. It's a fund raiser for a Christian charity. They still own the Hermann-Grima House, which is now a museum. And they still cook these old recipes there. Epicurean Oysters. Take 3 tablespoonfuls of butter, one of strong, dry mustard; put them in a chopping dish; add pepper and salt; when they commence boiling put in one-half pint of oysters without the liquor; have a hot dish in readiness. Take out the oysters with a fork when cooked, and continue to replace them until all are done. This week in Louisiana history. August 7 1927 Gov. Edwin Edwards born in Marksville, La., son of a sharecropper and a local midwife, a Cajun. This week in New Orleans history. August 7, 1956: The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway officially opened, becoming the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. This week in Louisiana. Visit Louisiana's Old State Capitol Year‑Round Attraction 100 North Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Website: louisianaoldstatecapitol.org Louisiana's Old State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark overlooking the Mississippi River, known for its dramatic Gothic Revival architecture and its role in the state's political history. Built between 1847 and 1852, the structure resembles a medieval castle from the outside, while the interior features marble, rich woodwork, and a soaring stained‑glass dome. Today, it houses the Museum of Political History, offering exhibits on Louisiana's governors, the democratic process, and pivotal moments such as the state's 1861 secession and the impeachment proceedings of Gov. Huey P. Long. Architecture: A Gothic Revival 'castle on the river,' complete with towers, battlements, and a cast‑iron spiral staircase. Stained‑Glass Dome: One of the most photographed interiors in Louisiana ' a kaleidoscope of color rising above the central rotunda. Political History Museum: Exhibits on voting, citizenship, past governors, and major legislative events that shaped the state. Free Admission: The museum offers free entry, with guided group tours available Tuesday through Friday and audio tours in four languages. Postcards from Louisiana. The Brass-A-Holics at The French Quarter Fest.

  3. Jul 31

    689. Amanda Skenadore

    689. We talk to Amanda Skenadore about her novel on the Carville Leprosy Colony, The Second Life of Mirielle West. Amanda Skenandore is a registered nurse turned historical fiction author whose medical background deeply shapes her storytelling. In her novel The Second Life of Mirielle West, she takes listeners into 1920s America to follow a Hollywood socialite whose life is upended when a diagnosis of leprosy forces her into exile at Carville, Louisiana — the nation's only leprosarium at the time. Blending rigorous medical history with emotional depth, the story explores one woman's fight against systemic isolation and social stigma as she seeks purpose, belonging, and redemption in the most unexpected place.  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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Gaspar Cusachs. "Lafitte: The Louisiana Pirate and Patriot." Here in Barataria, amid the innumerable branches of bayous, passes, and inextricable cypress swamps, persons may lie concealed from the strictest scrutiny. In 1811, Lafitte fortified the eastern and western points of this island, and established a regular depot. Here the prizes were brought and sold to the inhabitants of the adjoining districts, who resorted to these places for the purpose of obtaining bargains in matters of trade and without being at all solicitous to conceal the object of their journey. No effective measures having been taken to expel the pirates they continued their depredations upon the Spanish commerce and sometimes ventured to attack vessels of other nations. They were generally regarded as pirates, but it is probable that most, if not all of them, were commissioned by the Carthagenian government. This week in Louisiana history. July 31 1976. U.S. Rep. F.E. Hebert of N.O. completes longest term in office, 35 yrs, 6 m, and 28 days. This week in New Orleans history. July 31, 1919: Iconic jazz saxophonist Earl Bostic was born, later influencing the New Orleans R&B sound with his unique technical style. This week in Louisiana. Satchmo SummerFest August 1'2 New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 Website: frenchquarterfest.org Satchmo SummerFest is New Orleans' annual celebration of Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, held each year on the first weekend of August to honor his August 4 birthday. The festival is free, thanks to support from New Orleans & Company, and takes place on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint. The weekend features live music, lectures, food vendors, and a Sunday second‑line salute: Live Music: Outdoor stages featuring traditional jazz, brass bands, swing, and local legends, all presented by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Satchmo Legacy Stage: Indoor talks and presentations exploring Armstrong's life, recordings, and cultural impact, led by scholars and musicians. Food Vendors: New Orleans cuisine served on‑site, curated by the same team behind French Quarter Fest. Jazz Mass & Second‑Line: A Sunday morning tradition honoring Armstrong with a church service followed by a second‑line parade to the festival grounds. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

  4. Jul 25

    688. Johnette Downing & Scott Billington

    688. Joining us today are Johnette Downing and Scott Billington. Combining Johnette’s celebrated career as a children’s author and musician with Scott’s background producing over 100 roots, blues, and Louisiana heritage albums, this powerhouse couple celebrates regional music through their children's duo program, Swamp Romp, and their broader archival and biographical projects. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "Life on the Mississippi." Mark Twain. The Mississippi is well worth reading about. It is not a commonplace river, but on the contrary is in all ways remarkable. Considering the Missouri its main branch, it is the longest river in the world—four thousand three hundred miles. It seems safe to say that it is also the crookedest river in the world, since in one part of its journey it uses up one thousand three hundred miles to cover the same ground that the crow would fly over in six hundred and seventy-five. It discharges three times as much water as the St. Lawrence, twenty-five times as much as the Rhine, and three hundred and thirty-eight times as much as the Thames. No other river has so vast a drainage-basin: it draws its water supply from twenty-eight States and Territories; from Delaware, on the Atlantic seaboard, and from all the country between that and Idaho on the Pacific slope—a spread of forty-five degrees of longitude. The Mississippi receives and carries to the Gulf water from fifty-four subordinate rivers that are navigable by steamboats, and from some hundreds that are navigable by flats and keels. The area of its drainage-basin is as great as the combined areas of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Turkey; and almost all this wide region is fertile; the Mississippi valley, proper, is exceptionally so. This week in Louisiana history. July 24, 1769. Alejandro "Bloody" O'Reilly reclaimed New Orleans for Spain. This week in New Orleans history. July 24, 1947: The first streetcar on the St. Charles line was fitted with air conditioning, a welcome relief during the peak of the New Orleans summer. This week in Louisiana. COOLinary New Orleans ' Month‑Long Restaurant Specials August 1'31 Citywide New Orleans, LA Website: neworleans.com/coolinary New Orleans restaurants launch their annual COOLinary promotion on August 1, offering a full month of discounted prix‑fixe menus designed to bring locals out during the summer slowdown. More than a hundred restaurants across the city participate, from fine‑dining institutions to neighborhood favorites: Two‑course lunches: $28 or less. Three‑course dinners and brunches: $58 or less. Citywide participation: Restaurants in the French Quarter, Uptown, Mid‑City, the Marigny, and beyond. COOLinary has become one of New Orleans' most beloved summer traditions, giving locals a chance to try new spots ' or revisit classics ' at special seasonal prices. Postcards from Louisiana. Molly Ringwalds play at the Italian Heritage Festival. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

  5. Jul 18

    687. Joel Sharpton, Part 2

    687. Part 2 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce "We Are Louisiana Indivisible," a political podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push for democratic change across the state. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Sidonie de la Houssaye. “Alix de Morainville.”     But one day — God knows how it happened — a child of the village all at once entered the chamber where I was and knew me.     “Madame Alix!” he cried, took to his heels and went down the terrace pell-mell (quatre à quatre) to give the alarm. Ten minutes later Matthieu came at a full run and covered with sweat, to tell us that all the village was in commotion and that those people to whom I had always been so good were about to come and arrest me, to deliver me to the executioners. I ran to Joseph, beside myself with affright.     “Save me, Joseph! save me!”     “I will use all my efforts for that, Mme. la Viscomtesse.” At that moment Jerome appeared. He came to say that a representative of the people was at hand and that I was lost beyond a doubt.     “Not yet,” responded Joseph. “I have foreseen this and have prepared everything to save you, Mme. la Viscomtesse, if you will but let me make myself well understood.”     “Oh, all, all! Do thou understand, Joseph, I will do everything thou desirest.”     “Then,” he said, regarding me fixedly and halting at each word — “then it is necessary that you consent to take Joseph Carpentier for your spouse.”     I thought I had [been] misunderstood and drew back haughtily.     “My son!” cried mother Catharine.     “Oh, you see,” replied Joseph, “my mother herself accuses me, and you — you, madame, have no greater confidence in me. But that is nothing; I must save you at any price. We will go from here together; we will descend to the village; we will present ourselves at the mayoralty — ”     In spite of myself I made a gesture.     “Let me speak, madame,” he said. “We have not a moment to lose. Yes, we will present ourselves at the mayoralty, and there I will espouse you, not as Claudine Leroy, but as Alix de Morainville. Once my wife you have nothing to fear. Having become one of the people, the people will protect you. After the ceremony, madame, I will hand you the certificate of our marriage, and you will tear it up the moment we shall have touched the soil of England. Keep it precious till then; it is your only safeguard. Nothing prevents me from going to England to find employment, and necessarily my wife will go with me. Are you ready, madame?”     For my only response I put my hand in his; I was too deeply moved to speak. Mother Catharine threw both her arms about her son’s neck and cried, “My noble child!” and we issued from the cottage guarded by Guillaume and his three other sons, armed to the teeth.     When the mayor heard the names and surnames of the wedding pair he turned to Joseph, saying:     “You are not lowering yourself, my boy.”     At the door of the mayoralty we found ourselves face to face with an immense crowd. I trembled violently and pressed against Joseph. He, never losing his presence of mind (sans perdre la carte), turned, saying:     “Allow me, my friends, to present to you my wife. The Viscomtesse de Morainville no longer exists; hurrah for the Citoyenne Carpentier.” And the hurrahs and cries of triumph were enough to deafen one. Those who the moment before were ready to tear me into pieces now wanted to carry me in triumph. Arrived at the house, Joseph handed me our act of marriage. This week in Louisiana history. June 17, 1795. First bishop of New Orleans, Don Luis Cardenas, arrives in Louisiana. This week in New Orleans history. July 17, 1905: The last major yellow fever epidemic in the United States began in New Orleans, leading to a massive citywide campaign to eradicate mosquitoes. This week in Louisiana. Marshland Festival July 24'25 Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Website: visitlakecharles.org The Marshland Festival returns to the Lake Charles Event Center for a two‑day celebration of Southwest Louisiana music, food, and culture. Founded over 30 years ago in Hackberry, the festival has grown into a major regional event featuring local artists, national touring acts, and a full indoor, air‑conditioned vendor hall: Live Music: A lineup of Southwest Louisiana performers alongside select national acts, continuing the festival's long tradition of supporting local musicians. Food Booths: Dozens of vendors serving regional favorites, from seafood dishes to festival classics. Arts & Crafts: Shopping from local artisans and makers throughout the Event Center. Indoor Venue: The entire festival takes place inside the Lake Charles Event Center, offering a comfortable, climate‑controlled experience. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

  6. Jul 11

    686. Joel Sharpton, Part 1

    686. Part 1 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce "We Are Louisiana Indivisible," a political podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push for democratic change across the state. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. "The Elephant and the Whale." Alcee Fortier.     Compair Lapin went to get a very long and strong rope, then he got his drum and hid it in the grass. He took one end of the rope, and went to the elephant: “Mister, you who are so good and so strong. I wish you would render me a service; you would relieve me of a great trouble and prevent me from losing my money.”     The elephant was glad to hear such a fine compliment, and he said: “Compair, I shall do for you everything you want. I am always ready to help my friends.”     “Well,” said Lapin, “I have a cow which is stuck in the mud on the coast; you know that I am not strong enough to pull her out; I come for you to help me. Take this rope in your trunk. I shall tie it to the cow, and when you hear me beat the drum, pull hard on the rope. I tell you that because the cow is stuck deep in the mud.”     “That is all right,” said the elephant. “I guarantee you I shall pull the cow out, or the rope will break.”     Compair Lapin took the other end of the rope and ran towards the sea. He paid a pretty compliment to the whale, and asked her to render him the same service about the cow, which was stuck in a bayou in the woods. Compair Lapin’s mouth was so honeyed that no one could refuse him anything. The whale took hold of the rope and said: “When I shall hear the drum beat I shall pull.”     “Yes,” said Lapin, “begin pulling gently, and then more and more.”     “You need not be afraid,” said the whale; “I shall pull out the cow, even if djabe were holding her.”     “That is good,” said Lapin; “we are going to laugh.” And he beat his drum.     The elephant began to pull so hard that the rope was like a bar of iron. The whale, on her side, was pulling and pulling, and yet she was coming nearer to the land, as she was not so well situated to pull as the elephant. When she saw that she was mounting on land, she beat her tail furiously and plunged headlong into the sea. The shock was so great that the elephant was dragged to the sea. “What, said he, what is the matter? that cow must be wonderfully strong to drag me so. Let me kneel with my front feet in the mud.” Then he twisted the rope round his trunk in such a manner that he pulled the whale again to the shore. He was very much astonished to see his friend the whale. “What is the matter,” said he. “I thought it was Compair Lapin’s cow I was pulling.”     “Lapin told me the same thing. I believe he is making fun of us.”     “He must pay for that,” said the elephant. “I forbid him to eat a blade of grass on land because he laughed at us.”     “And I will not allow him to drink a drop of water in the sea. We must watch for him, and the first one that sees him must not miss him.”     Compair Lapin said to Bouki: “It is growing hot for us; it is time to leave.”     “You see,” said Bouki, “you are always bringing us into trouble.” This week in Louisiana history. July 10, 1941. Legendary jazz pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton (born in New Orleans) died in Los Angeles. His musical innovations accelerated the development of jazz. This week in New Orleans history. July 10, 1927: Tom Benson, the future owner of the Saints and Pelicans, was born in New Orleans, later becoming one of the city's most prominent philanthropists This week in Louisiana. very Island ' Jungle Gardens & TABASCO' Factory Tour Daily Tours (year‑round) Avery Island, LA 70513 Websites: tabasco.com, junglegardens.org Avery Island offers two of Louisiana's most iconic attractions: the TABASCO' Brand Factory Tour, where McIlhenny Company has made its world‑famous pepper sauce for over 150 years, and Jungle Gardens, a 170‑acre botanical preserve filled with ancient oaks, wildlife, and historic structures. A single ticket grants access to both experiences: TABASCO Factory Tour: A self‑guided walk through the museum, pepper greenhouse, barrel warehouse, salt‑mine diorama, and the bottling line, with admission priced at $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for children, and 10% off for seniors/veterans. Jungle Gardens: A scenic drive‑through and walk‑through garden featuring live oaks, bamboo groves, wildlife viewing, and the historic Buddha statue. Joint admission with the TABASCO' tour is $15.50 for adults and $12.50 for children. Visitor Experience: The combined ticket includes access to the museum, greenhouse, conservation exhibits, Country Store, Restaurant 1868, and the full 170‑acre garden system. Postcards from Louisiana. Doreen.  Listen on Apple Podcasts.  Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

  7. Jul 4

    685. Adam J. Smith

    685. Today author Adam J. Smith joins us to talk about his writing. Based in Covington, Adam uses his adopted home state of Louisiana as the backdrop for his fiction. Through his books, readers are introduced to Callier, Louisiana, a seemingly quiet town where deep secrets and unexpected dangers hide just beneath the surface. From the chilling pursuit of a small town killer in The Callier Cutter to the battle against institutional corruption in Your Honor, Smith captures the tension of local mystery. He also writes youth fiction using Callier as a starting point for a fantasy portal to Adventure Land. Smith weaves the unique spirit and pacing of Louisiana life into unforgettable tales of suspense, community, and adventure. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. C'lestine Eustis and James Herndon. Cooking in Old Creole Days. Gumbo Filé. (First English recipe). "Put into a casserole (saucepan) a spoonful of pure lard and one of flour, stir it well until it is of a light brown. Chop an onion into small pieces and throw them in. Cut up a fat capon or chicken into small pieces and put these in the casserole with the flour and lard. Stir it all the while until the chicken is nearly done. When the whole is well browned, add a slice of ham, cut up small. Throw in two or three pods of red pepper, and salt to your taste. Now add a quart of boiling water, and leave it on the fire for two hours and a half. A quarter of an hour before dinner is served add three dozen oysters with their liquor. Just before taking the soup off the fire, put in a tablespoonful of filet, stirring it all the while. Let it boil one minute and then serve. Do not put in too much filet; the spoon should not be full. Indeed, half a tablespoonful is enough." Louise Livingston Hunt, New Orleans. This week in Louisiana history. July 3, 1870. The riverboat Robert E. Lee defeated the Natchez in a race on the Mississippi.  This week in New Orleans history. July 3, 1964: Following the passage of the Civil Rights Act, major New Orleans hotels and restaurants began the official process of desegregation. This week in Louisiana. GalaxyCon New Orleans  Opening Weekend July 10'12, 2026 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd New Orleans, LA 70130 Website: galaxycon.com GalaxyCon opens its three‑day pop‑culture festival on July 10, bringing celebrity guests, cosplay, comics, gaming, and fan meet‑ups to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The weekend features panels, autograph sessions, photo ops, and a massive exhibitor hall: Friday, July 10: 2 p.m. - 1 a.m. Saturday, July 11: 10 a.m. - 1 a.m. Sunday, July 12: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. GalaxyCon is billed as a '3‑Day Festival of Fandom,' with appearances from actors, voice actors, creators, cosplayers, and fan groups across sci‑fi, fantasy, anime, comics, and gaming. Tickets range from $50.00 to $350. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

  8. Jun 27

    684. Lee Farrow.

    684.  Today we chat with Lee Farrow about the visit of Count Alexis of Russia to Louisiana. She has written about the 1872 visit of Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanov to Louisiana in her book Alexis in America: A Russian Grand Duke's Tour, 1871–1872.Farrow, a New Orleans native and Tulane University alumna, meticulously separates history from myth regarding the Grand Duke’s arrival in New Orleans during Reconstruction. While popular Mardi Gras legend claims the Krewe of Rex was hastily founded solely to honor Alexis because he was pursuing a stage actress, Farrow’s research reveals a more complex reality: local organizers used the celebrity of the Tsar's son to boost tourism, project a cosmopolitan image, and heal post-Civil War divisions. Alexis arrived aboard the luxury steamboat James Howard, and was officially welcomed by Rex, the King of Carnival, cementing a cultural connection between Russian royalty and Louisiana tradition that is celebrated to this day. 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! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Dorsey. Caddo Traditions. 7. SNAKE-WOMAN DISTRIBUTES SEEDS     The Great Father gave the seeds of all growing things to Snake-Woman. He taught her how to plant the seeds and how to care for the green things that grew from them until they were ripe, and then how to prepare them for food. One time, when Snake-Woman had more seeds than she could possibly care for, she decided to give some to the people. She called her two sons and asked them to help her carry the seeds. Each put a big bag full of seeds on his back, and then they traveled all over the world, giving six seeds of each kind of plant to every person. As Snake-Woman gave each person the seeds she told him that he must plant them, and must care for the plants that grew from them, but must allow no one, especially children, to touch them or even point to them as they grew. She said that until the seeds were ripe they belonged to her, and if any one gathered them too soon she would send a poisonous snake to bite him. Parents always tell their children what Snake-Woman said, and so they are afraid to touch or go near any growing plants for fear a snake will come and bite them. This week in Louisiana history. June 26, 1805. Former V.P. Aaron Burr arrives in New Orleans. Hijinks ensue.   This week in New Orleans history. June 26, 1857: The first edition of The Daily States was published, providing a new voice in the competitive 19th-century New Orleans newspaper market. This week in Louisiana. Independence Day Celebrations Across Louisiana July 4 (statewide holiday events) Multiple Locations Louisiana Louisiana communities celebrate Independence Day with fireworks shows, concerts, parades, and family‑friendly gatherings across the state. From major festivals to small‑town traditions, July 4 brings a full day of patriotic events: New Orleans  ESSENCE Festival of Culture (Caesars Superdome): The Saturday night concert lineup of the ESSENCE Festival falls on July 4, drawing thousands for one of the city's biggest annual music events. Lake Charles  Jon Kott Band at Golden Nugget: A July 4 evening performance as part of the casino's summer music series. Pineville  EAA Chapter 614 Fly‑In Breakfast: A long‑running July 4 morning tradition at Pineville Municipal Airport, offering a $10 community breakfast and aircraft meet‑up. Alexandria  Cars & Coffee: A July 4 edition of the monthly classic‑car gathering at Beans n Cream, 8'10 a.m.. New Orleans  Legends of the Dew Drop: Road to Rock and Roll: A July 4 brunch concert at the historic Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge. These events give Louisianans a full day of ways to celebrate ' from sunrise breakfasts and car meets to evening concerts and fireworks. Postcards from Louisiana. 684. Italian Heritage Festival, Kenner. Bobby McGee. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.

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About

The Louisiana Anthology Podcast is an part of the larger project of the Louisiana Anthology. We release new episodes every Saturday, and the podcasts last for around an hour. The purpose of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast is to discuss the literature and culture of Louisiana. We broadcast interviews with various authors, artists, and scholars about their contributions to Louisiana.

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