NOLA‐The Big Easy New Orleans is a marvelous city. Its known for its food, music, streets, parties, festivals and celebrations, but more‐so its cultural history. The sign to the left indicates when the city began. How it grew and what has happened in over nearly 320 years makes for great history and cultural experiences. The nickname “Big Easy” has not been authenticated in terms of its origin. There are several thoughts though. One was when it was compared by a NOLA journalist to New York City, the Big Apple, calling New Orleans the Big Easy. Another has to do with jazz and baseball. Finally, a local saying, is the fact that at one time, it was the least expensive place to live. Take your pick. Source: Let’s take a tour around the city with this photo program. The Mississippi River & The Riverwalk The Port of New Orleans is the sixth largest port in the country and has the longest wharf in the world, just over two miles long. It has a Riverwalk where you can shop, eat, take a ferry or cruise and watch huge cargo boats sail up and down the river. The Gulf of Mexico is 97 miles downstream. New Orleans saw it’s first steamboat, the New Orleans, on January 10, 1812. It started its journey from Pittsburgh on October 20, 1811. The captain of the ship was Nicolas Roosevelt. His great‐grand uncle was President Theodore Roosevelt. The New Orleans stayed in the lower Mississippi until it sank near Baton Rouge in 1814.

French Market The French Market dates to a Native America trading post even before the Europeans came to America. Café du Monde is believed to be the site of the first trading post. The Market’s name was originally known as the “Meat Shops or Market.” It was the only section of the French Quarter where meat was sold. Later as more meat markets were open, the name French Market was used. Many festivals are held in this area and food of all kinds can be found. Wrot iron porches and flowers are a trademark of the French Quarter. (See Louisiana NOLA Food for more photo delights.)

Jackson Square In the 18th century, the “Place d’Armes” was the original name of the place. It was changed in honor of Andrew Jackson, hero in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. It was a major battle against the British. Place d’Armes was a military location to store munitions, and a parade ground or assembly point for soldiers. There are several other cities that have similar named locations. The St. Louis Cathedral is found in Jackson Square. It is a place where artists congregate. The apartments in this location are fashionable and high‐end places to live.

New Orleans Streetcars The St. Charles, Canal Street and Riverfront lines are three of the best and most memorable ways to see the city. The St. Charles Avenue and Carrolton Avenue lines have been in operation for more than 150 years. This line covers 13.2 miles through the oldest section of uptown to mansions and historic monuments. The Canal Street Line passes through the central business district and ends near historic cemeteries. Another line passes by many museums and near the Fairgrounds Race Track. The Riverfront Line passes the Aquarium of the Americas (see NOLAaquarium) and the French Market. Other lines have been added since those previously mentioned, see the source below. New Orleans electric rail vehicles are called streetcars, not trolleys. It was the first city west of the Allegheny Mountains to use streetcars. Some of the streetcars were built in the 1920s. Source: http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/transportation/gettingaround/streetcars.html

Mardi Gras Carnival and Music “The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons. From here, the traditional revelry of "Boeuf Gras," or fatted calf, followed France to her colonies.” According to Arthur Hardy and the Rex Organization at “Rex has been the global symbol of New Orleans’ most famous holiday since his first appearance in 1872. The all‐male krewe is responsible for the concept of day parades, for the official Mardi Gras flag and colors – green for faith, gold for power, purple for justice – and for the anthem of Carnival, “If I Ever Cease to Love,” as well as for one of the most popular throws, the doubloon.” Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday” in French, is the last opportunity to eat rich food before fasting for Lent which begins the following day. It is a Christian celebration that was initiated by the Roman Catholic Church to discourage sex and eating meat during Lent. Fat Tuesday is based on the Gregorian Calendar when Easter is celebrated, therefore Fat Tuesday can fall on any Tuesday between February 3rd and March 9th. Fat Tuesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Tuesday. This comes from an English observance that dates to 1000 AD, a day of confession and penitence. In Latin the words translate as “farewell to meat.” New Orleans, Brazil’s Rio de Janerio, France’s Nice and Germany’s Cologne are famous for holding Mardi Gras carnivals. Note, other communities’ world‐wide also have carnival. Have more questions? Music and Musicians The contribution to music via New Orleans can be summed up in one word, diverse. African American slaves who congregated to play music and dance with brass instruments led to jazz and ragtime. Cuban music from Afro‐Cubans brought in such music as the tango. The Spanish influence and the term habanera was heard during the 1860s. Funeral processions during the 1880s used brass bands to play what they called dirges, music that expressed sorrow and mourning for the dead. Dixieland and rhythm & blues and rock & roll also were prominent in New Orleans as well as hip‐hop and heavy metal. Who were some of the great musicians from New Orleans? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/10480111/20‐great‐musicians‐from‐New‐Orleans.html Mentioned: Buddy Bolden, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnny Dodds, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, Henry ‘Red’ Allen, Tuts Washington, Champion Jack Dupree, Louis Prima, Mahalia Jackson, Professor Longhair, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, James Booker, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Randy Newman, Winton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick, Kemit Ruffins and Trombone Shorty. acuri.net John R. Vincenti