August 23, 2010
Bloody Mary’s New Orleans
Along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, deep in the Bayou of southern Louisiana sits America’s most haunted city, New Orleans. The dark haunted side of New Orleans, filled with seductive images of voodoo, vampires and ghosts, is as compelling as the jazz, spicy food and art that the city is often defined by. To unveil the true mystique of New Orleans’ history join one of the many ghost tours and discover why the city embraces and celebrates the paranormal.
Founded in 1718, New Orleans has had nearly 300 years of murder, mayhem and disaster as as a backbone for the many haunting tales that have unfolded. One of the best ways to get up close and personal with the city and the stories that define her is with Bloody Mary’s New Orleans Tours. Born and raised in New Orleans, Mary Millian has gone by the pen name Bloody Mary for 3 decades. Bloody Mary’s vast knowledge and experience in the paranormal combined with her love for people and storytelling has earned her accolades such as “The Ultimate Insider,” “The Cultural Diva” and “The Poet Priestess of the Spirit of New Orleans” by publications such as Southern Women Magazine and the Times Picayune. Bloody Mary’s knowledge is so respected she has appeared on shows for the Travel Channel, Sci-Fi Channel and National Geographic.
Known by such nicknames as “The Big Easy” and “Crescent City,” New Orleans has also been given the title of “City of the Dead’ for its many famous above ground cemeteries. Due to a high water table settlers had to bury the dead above ground in tombs and vaults
to avoid caskets resurfacing during floods. Bloody Mary’s New Orleans Tours offers 3 different cemetery tours, including the Voodoo Tour of St. Louis Cemetery #1, the oldest cemetery in the city. St. Louis #1 is the resting place for some of the city’s early politicians, pirates and most notably of all the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. For a more in depth insight on the cemeteries check out the Moonlight Graveyard Tour which visits 10 cemeteries and is the only evening cememtery tour offered in the city. Be sure to sign up for a cemetery tour and discover the mystique surrounding these world famous New Orleans burial grounds.
No exploration into the paranormal legends of New Orleans would be complete without a tour of the French Quarter. Bloody Mary’s Tour of the Undead focuses on the French Quarter and the voodoo, vampire and ghost trilogy. The tour begins with a visit to 
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, a pirate bar reputed to be the oldest in America and listed by the Discovery Channel as number 5 on the “World’s Ten Creepiest Destinations.” The tour also makes stops at other haunted locations throughout the French Quarter including old slave quarters, a vampire lair and the LaLaurie Mansion where Madame Delphine LaLaurie reportedly killed and mutilated nearly 100 slaves. Let Bloody Mary guide you through the haunted history of the French Quarter, unveiling secrets hidden in brick laden courtyards behind wrought iron fences with the Tour of the Undead.
Not all tours are recommended for younger children. For additional information on kid friendly tours, special events, and Bloody Mary, visit www.bloodymarytours.com. For lodging check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans located in the acclaimed cultural and arts district of Frenchmen Street only a few minutes walk from the French Quarter.
August 6, 2010
10th Annual Satchmo SummerFest
The city of New Orleans, L.A., is steeped in a unique and rich musical history and no other artist reflects that history more than beloved native son Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. In honor of Armstrong the city will hold the 10th Annual Satchmo SummerFest from August 5 through August 8 at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. The 4 day festival will feature an extensive array of musical artists, food, speakers and special events.
Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong was born into poverty in New Orleans August 4, 1901. At a young age he quit school and began singing for money along the city streets and outside of clubs. At the age of
11 he was taught by local musician Bunk Johnson to play the cornet by ear, and as they say, the rest is history. Considered one of the most dynamic personalities of the 20th century, Armstrong single handedly transformed jazz into the popular musical art form it is today. Armstrong’s trademark solos, gravelly voice, for which he earned the nickname “Satchmo,” and numerous other stylistic innovations made him an industry superstar. By the time of his death in 1971 Armstrong had become and international star and ambassador for jazz and American music.
Started as a one-time salute to Armstrong to commemorate his 100th birthday in 2001, Satchmo SummerFest now averages 26,000 guests a year. The event features 4 stages of live music in the 
French Quarter and seminars by leading Armstrong historians at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe. Known as the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans has plenty of local jazz legends that will be paying tribute to Armstrong including the Treme Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Soul Rebels and most notably Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers. Also performing will be international jazz star Yoshio Toyama, who formed a jazz band called the Dixie Saints after falling in love with Armstrong’s music. Toyama and his band have become local favorites at Satchmo SummerFest by consistently delivering stellar performances year after year.
In addition to an endless selection of live music the free community event will feature a variety of alternative activities. Saturday and Sunday the NOLA Jitterbugs will be giving free jazz and swing dance lessons on the third floor of the Old U.S. Mint. Just down the road from the Old U.S. Mint at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe an impressive array of speakers will present seminars that include discussions, music and movies all relating to the importance of Armstrong and his influence on the revolution of jazz. The weekend festivities will conclude with a traditional “Trumpet Tribute” and second line parade down the musically rich Frenchmen Street.
For a Satchmo SummerFest schedule of events visit www.fqfi.org and for additional information on lodging in the area be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans, ideally located on Frenchmen Street.
