The Old Ursuline Convent
(photo by KMM) 1100 Chartres Street New Orleans
These shutters are always tightly closed. Having walked this street many times, I have never seen them open. What lurks behind those mysterious shutters?
In my latest novel, Sex, Blood, Rock 'N' Roll, and Vampyr, all hell breaks loose when vampire Nadia goes on a vampire tour in New Orleans. In chapter seven, titled Myths, Legends, and Real Vampires, she is offended that vampires are portrayed as evil by the tour guide and calls him out on it.
People often ask me if it's true that New Orleans has vampire tours. The answer is yes. Why would vampire and paranormal tours be unusual in a city that has so much haunted history? If you visit our magical city, you should plan one. They are walking tours that begin after dark and take you to various landmarks giving you the history of each one. They are entertaining and fun, but are they factual? Well. I'll let you decide. One of the most famous tales is of the Compte St. Germain; an alchemist of great wealth, knowledge, and charm. He arrived in Paris in the 1700s and was known for throwing lavish dinner parties although he never touched a bite of food. Guests told tales of him sipping wine and telling stories of things that happened hundreds of years ago as if he were there. Records show he was born in 1710 and died in 1745, but the one record of his death was written under king's orders and is not believed to be true. Two hundred years after his alleged death, a strange gentleman from France named Jacques St. Germain arrived in New Orleans and moved into a home on Royal Street. He threw lavish dinner parties, never touched a bite of food, drank wine, and told stories of long ago as if he were there. One night, Jacques threw a party with many elites in New Orleans. Later that night, he asked a lady to accompany him up to the balcony. Legend has it, when he attempted to bite her, she flung herself over the balcony and landed in the street with blood trickling from her neck. People surrounded her and notified the police. When the police investigated St. Germain's home, they found clothes from different periods in time and numerous bottles of wine, which upon further investigation turned out to be human blood. Jacques mysteriously disappeared before the police could question him. Legend has it Jacques is the real Compte St. Germain and has been seen since then in New Orleans and in different parts of the world. Among the macabre tales, you are sure to hear the story of the notorious Carter Brothers. In the 1930s, John and Wayne Carter worked as longshoremen on the Mississippi River. One evening, before the brothers returned home from work, a young girl escaped from their French Quarter apartment and ran to the police. Her wrists were cut but not severely enough for her to bleed to death. She claimed she had been locked up for weeks and the brothers had been feeding on her blood. The police immediately investigated and found four other young women tied to chairs with their wrists cut. Over a dozen dead bodies turned up in the apartment drained of their blood. The brothers were arrested, tried, and executed for their crimes with their remains interred in the family tomb. Later, when another Carter family member passed away, the tomb was opened to make room for his remains, but there were no remnants of John or Wayne in the grave to clear. To this day, there have been reports of sightings of the brothers wandering the French Quarter. One of the most talked about stories is the legend of the casket girls and the Ursuline convent. The old Ursuline Convent on Chartres Street is the oldest building still standing in the Mississippi River Valley. The building no longer functions as a convent. The first floor is a museum; the second floor is the home of the Archdiocesan archives dating back to 1718. But what's on the third floor behind those mysterious shutters that are always tightly secured? Nobody seems to know the answer to that question, but there are speculations. The Ursuline nuns were sent to New Orleans from France in 1725 to establish a hospital and educate the young girls. Most of the early settlers were pirates, scoundrels, murderers, and thieves; prisoners who had been exiled from France and promised if they reformed in Louisiana, they could return to France. The men outnumbered the women five to one, so, in 1727 the city's founder, Jean Baptiste LeMoyne Bienville, sent two nuns back to France to ask the king to send over marriageable young women. In 1728, a group of orphans arrived to marry the colonists and populate the swamp called La Nouvelle Orléans. When the girls arrived, they each brought with them one wooden chest shaped like a coffin which held their trousseau consisting of clothes, linens, and sometimes a bridal gown. Since their eccentric luggage looked like caskets, they became known as the casket girls. The girls were brought to the Ursuline convent to live among the nuns until they were married. After the arrival of the fille à la cassette, nobody could explain why the mortality rate, especially the infant mortality rate, drastically increased. Suspicion mounted when the girls later opened their chests, and they were found empty. Fear of what the girls may have smuggled into La Nouvelle Orléans prompted the nuns to contact the Archdiocese. After an investigation, the caskets were transferred by day to the convent attic. The convent attic was sealed off; the doors nailed shut, and the attic shutters sealed with eight hundred nails, each one blessed by the pope. Legend has it the caskets were used to smuggle vampires into La Nouvelle Orléans. They remain sealed in the attic to this day, and that is the reason why the attic shutters are always tightly closed. No one can explain why occasionally, late at night, someone will see them suddenly fly open followed by a mist that surrounds the convent. In 1978, two curious paranormal investigators set up a video camera in front of the convent and waited through the night for paranormal activity. Sometime during the night, the camera stopped filming. The next day, they were both found dead on the steps of St. Mary's Catholic Church next to the convent with their throats torn open and their bodies drained of eighty percent of their blood. This crime was never solved. Now let's take a closer look at this murder. Legends have been passed down by word of mouth, but this alleged crime that supposedly occurred forty years ago is something we should be able to find proof of, so it leads to the question. Is it fact or fiction? It may be challenging to verify something reported to have happened almost three hundred years ago, but it seems if this murder occurred in 1978, it should have been a major news story. I was curious to see if there were any news reports to corroborate this tale, so I started digging for information, but my investigation turned up nothing. The only stories I could find about it were related to the vampire legend. It seems if this murder happened, there would be something about it in the news archives, but so far nothing has surfaced. There doesn't seem to be anything to validate it so unless there's a special paranormal division of the New Orleans police department we don't know about, I have to assume it's either false or an exaggeration of another murder that happened around the same time, but what do I know? Another reason for doubt is there are many variations of the tale of the casket girls, including stories that the girls themselves were vampires. If you tour the Ursuline Convent museum, the story they tell is when the girls arrived, they were pale and gaunt after spending six months at sea, mostly below deck, and some of them had tuberculosis that caused them to cough up blood, explaining the vampire connection. That could be, but, on the other hand, why are those shutters always tightly closed? Shutters on attic windows are also extremely rare in the French Quarter. Why isn't anyone allowed on the third floor? Is it possible that something evil lurks in that attic? Is it possible they are keeping something locked in? More recently, in 1984, nine people were found in and around the French Quarter with their throats ripped open, drained of their blood. The police had no suspects in this case at the time, and the murders ended as quickly as they began. Rumor has it; a rogue vampire was responsible, and he was destroyed by the city's elder vampires for bringing attention to the vampire community. Again, no evidence can be found to corroborate this story, and it is believed to be a variation of the 1978 murders. So that brings us to the question; are the vampire legends fact or fabricated? Could they be based on some truth? Legends are legends so let's just say nobody knows. Whether there is any truth to them or not, I still recommend going on a vampire tour in New Orleans. Real or made up, they're always fun, but don't be surprised if a real vampire shows up and protests.
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 As a music lover, I watch singing competitions where I’m seldom happy with the outcome. I swear never to watch again, only to forget those words when the next season comes around. So this time, it was season 24 of The Voice.
I was excited to see Reba McEntire replacing Blake Shelton as a judge. She had a TV show a few years ago appropriately titled Reba that I enjoyed. I especially loved her cover of Beyonce’s If I Were A Boy. This one is very liberating at the end of Reba’s music video. Niall Horan and John Legend are always fun to watch, and the question of the week is always, what will Gwen Stefani be wearing tonight? As we got into the auditions, as usual, some were more memorable than others, but one stood out and commanded my attention. Why? Well, what if you look up to see who that wonderful voice belongs to, and it’s as if your character that only exists in your head, has stepped out of the pages of your book and into your TV, even wearing the same clothes as the character? All I could see was my protagonist, Darrin Cross, a singer that I had described in the book as having a bluesy rock sound and feeling every element of the song. Isn't it ironic? So it was as if Darrin had come to life before my eyes, singing Lewis Capaldi’s Before You Go. After earning three chair turns, he introduced himself as Tanner Massey. Noted! He chose Niall. First came the battles, and Niall paired Tanner with Lennon VanderDoes to sing Billy Joel’s She’s Always A Woman. I often wonder why the judges pair their strongest vocalists together. They want to win this, too, and they know they’ll lose one, so wouldn’t it make more sense to pair a stronger link with a weaker one? What do I know? This was a tough one. Most of the time, the battles are one person singing their part and the other singing their part with brief interaction, but not this time. I loved the dynamic between Tanner and Lennon. Clearly, they put a lot of effort into this battle that appeared more like a collaboration. Their voices were different, but they blended beautifully. They complemented each other, and what was supposed to be a battle artfully created a mood, like watching a choreographed production down to them striking a pose at the end. How do you pick one from that? It was the most entertaining battle I have ever seen in Voice history. Lennon is amazing with the high notes, but those runs Tanner does perfectly are so pretty to listen to, so I had to give Tanner a slight lead. But it didn’t matter because it was apparent by the judge’s reaction that whatever one didn’t get picked would get stolen. After Niall said he regretted putting them together, he picked Lennon. Gwen and John attempted to steal Tanner. Hollaback Girl won. Then came the knockouts! After Tanner touched the hearts of Wynonna and Gwen in the rehearsal show, I couldn’t wait to see what he would do with In My Blood by Shawn Mendez. I have to say I was not expecting to be that blown away. That was one of the most compelling performances I have ever seen. The last time I remember that much emotion poured into a song was Jared Leto in the 30 Seconds to Mars’ official video, The Kill (Bury Me). But aside from being a musician, Jared Leto is also an Academy Award-winning actor (Dallas Buyers Club), so we expect that from him. In My Blood was a brilliant song choice, and Tanner’s performance was stunning. I did not envy the two girls who had to follow him. They were both exceptionally gifted singers, but that was a tough act to follow. Clearly, he connected strongly with the song. His clear, flawless vocals, eyes, facial expressions, and body language convinced me he needed “somebody now,” and I felt his pain along with the judges. I believed him. Whatever he tapped into to get there, it was beautifully done. There are no words. It was a class act. Acting is all about becoming the individual you are portraying, and Tanner seems to have a gift for that, too. Broadway could be in his future. Several contestants from television singing competitions have gone on to Broadway, including Jennifer Hudson (The Color Purple) and Constantine Maroules (Rock of Ages). I don’t think Adam Lambert was on Broadway, but he toured with Wicked. Season 24 was an epic one for The Voice. With that much talent competing in a singing contest, something besides their voice must stand out. Tanner’s convincing performance of In My Blood and his ability to connect with the song and make it believable made him stand out for me. At this point, I became a fan. Honestly, what I heard so far was so good that I didn’t have to hear anything else from him for the rest of the competition to make a decision (but I’m glad I did). Next came the playoffs, and Tanner followed up with another heartfelt and beautifully performed rendition of Impossible, getting him through to the lives. That night, he had a different look, making his entrance rocking what appeared to be Gwen Stefani-inspired menswear. Instead of leather, he sported a suit that was just as eye-catching as Gwen’s dress and coordinated perfectly. If they were supposed to match, it worked. Now comes the time when everything goes amuck. The judges usually get it right, and everything flows as it should until America starts voting. In the rehearsal for the first live show, it was disclosed Tanner would be singing Thnks Fr Th Mmrs by Fallout Boy. That was a switch I wasn't expecting. After wowing us with slow ballads, this was a one-eighty-degree turn. But Thnks Fr Th Mmrs and Sugar, We’re Going Down are among my top all-time favorite songs, so I was curious to see what he would do with an alternative rock song. Why should an artist have to stick to one thing? Why not try something new? Even if it hadn't worked, we had heard enough slow songs by this time in the competition to know his voice was amazing. Of course, some won't like it, but you can never please everyone. I applaud him for taking on Thnks Fr Th Mmrs. Kudos to him for that. After confidently stating he was making some changes to the song to suit his voice, I was curious to see what he would do with it. He did not disappoint. I loved his spin on it and how he performed it in a way that allowed him to showcase his voice. He slowed down the beginning, easing into the first verse. The chorus was not much different from the original Fallout Boy song. His stage presence was on point as usual, and he rocked it. Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz should be proud. The production was excellent, with the screens, colors, and smoke in the background. Tanner is such a great storyteller, and I was especially impressed with the way he was able to take an edgy rock song, tell the story, and make it believable. Loved it! Maybe, just maybe, the judges should have more input in the end. To decide on a winner, you must be open-minded enough to go outside of the specific genre you like, and many people can’t do that. Some only seem to remember the last song they heard from an artist. Also, some people will vote for someone on the team of a specific judge they like or against someone on a judge’s team they don’t like, which isn’t fair to the artists. My taste in music is eclectic, and my playlist includes everything from Andrea Bocelli to Nine Inch Nails, so maybe it’s easy for me to see it that way. I don’t need to hear a final save song because I’ve listened to enough through all the rounds and have made a choice by then. When someone has been consistently outstanding week after week, one more song will not make or break it for me. That’s my opinion for what it’s worth. We all know you don't have to win these competitions for your career to progress; sometimes, the ones who don't win do better than the winners. One of the biggest things it does is increase an artist's fan base. I would never have heard of Tanner Massey without The Voice, and I have become a fan. I'm sure many others can say the same thing. Overall, Tanner did well. To make it into the top twelve in such a tough competition is a significant accomplishment. His beautiful voice and charismatic personality will take him far. Not to mention, he is "cute as a button" (Reba). Tanner is on my YouTube playlist under Artists to Watch and it gets played often. I have to admit that I prefer listening to his version of In My Blood and Thnks Fr Th Mmrs over the original artists. It’s only a matter of time before we’re buying his music. Meanwhile, you can find out more about this aspiring singer/songwriter on his website and by following his social media pages. UPDATE: Since The Voice, Tanner has been unwavering in his music career, singing, and songwriting. When he's not on stage, you can find him most evenings at 5 PM Central on TikTok live. Tanner is a charismatic host, and fans are encouraged to join in the chat and request songs, creating a sense of anticipation and familiarity. New original songs are on the horizon, and occasionally, fans eagerly awaiting their release might be lucky enough to be treated to a teaser of one on the stream. Stay tuned for more updates on this talented artist as they unfold.  Contrary to popular belief, Voodoo is not a sinister practice but a profound and ancient religion that traces its roots back to ancient Africa. This deeply rooted and complex belief system, often misunderstood due to misrepresentation in pop culture, has intriguing parallels to Catholicism. These parallels, which I found so captivating that I wrote a book about them, invite you to explore the depths of this ancient faith in my book, The Veil Between Worlds. In the book, you meet Baron Samedi, the Voodoo Loa of resurrection. Baron Samedi is the spirit who crosses souls over to the afterlife. He decides who goes on living and who dies and is known to be a protector of life, especially children. Maman Brigitte, a key figure in the Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo religions, plays a significant role. She is the wife of Baron Samedi, and they share many traits. The other Voodoo Loa, who act as intermediaries between mortals and the divine, are of African origin. Maman Brigitte, however, hails from Ireland, taking the form of the Celtic goddess Brigid. Her appearance reflects her Irish heritage, with red hair and fair skin. Her role and influence in the Voodoo religion are profound, and other names for her include Gran Brigitte and Manman Brijit. The Voodoo religion was brought to America by the enslaved people from Haiti and West Africa, as well as by Irish indentured servants. These servants, who were transported to America alongside the enslaved people, brought their traditions with them. This led to the goddess Brigid, or Manman Brigitte, soon finding herself in the company of the Loa. When the enslaved people arrived in America, they faced numerous challenges, including a language barrier with their owners. Despite these difficulties, they were determined to practice their religion, which they did through songs and rituals that included dancing, drumming and chanting. Unfortunately, many enslavers, driven by guilt and ignorance, misinterpreted these ceremonies as malevolent and banned the practice of Vodun on the plantations. Many enslaved people saw the striking similarities between the two religions. They both believed in one supreme being. Bondye was the equivalent of God. The Loa was the equivalent of the angels, and the spirits of the ancestors and the Catholic saints were the same. They began to see how closely the angels and saints compared to the Loa and spirits of their ancestors, which led them to associate them individually. They discovered they could continue to practice their beliefs under the guise of Catholicism, so they turned to Catholicism as an extension of their beliefs. New Orleans Voodoo Queen Marie Laveaux, a Vodun practitioner and a devout Catholic, later synchronized the two religions that came to be known as New Orleans Voodoo or Voodoo-Catholicism. One difference I've observed is that everything is good or evil in Catholicism, while in Vodun, the Loa is more humanized. It does make you wonder: If heaven is all good, how did certain angels fall? In syncretic belief systems, which combine elements from different traditions, Catholic saints are associated with similar Voodoo Loa. Manman Brigitte is depicted as Mary Magdalene in some syncretic belief systems, reflecting the Catholic influence over the Voodoo religion. She is the powerful Loa of death and cemeteries. Just as Catholics make offerings to specific saints in exchange for favors, Voodoo practitioners make offerings to the appropriate Loa. These offerings can include food, drinks, or other items that the particular Loa is known to favor. Baron Samedi has a preference for cigars and rum. In The Veil Between Worlds, we see him puffing a cigar while sipping a glass of rum. Offerings to Manman Brigitte include pepper-infused rum. Photo by KMM
New Orleans Voodoo Museum  I've been putting off commenting on season one, but since the trailer is out for season two, I suppose it's time.
I last watched Interview With the Vampire (the movie) about five years ago on a plane to London. I was tired, so I picked movies I'd seen since I can't sleep on a plane. It's fresh enough in my memory to pick out many discrepancies between the film and TV series. As an Anne Rice fan, there were things I liked and didn't like about the series. I'll begin with the things I did like. I liked the idea of making it more inclusive and diverse than the original story, but there were too many changes to the storyline to the point where it became unrecognizable. One thing I did enjoy was the steamy romantic scenes between Lestat and Louis. The homoerotic elements were left out of the movie because they wouldn't have played well in 1994 when it was released. Anne Rice only disclosed several years ago that they were lovers. Most of us die-hard fans knew that anyway, as there were undertones. Thankfully, times have changed, and they are finally out. It was refreshing to see the romantic side of their relationship. One thing they got right was casting. Sam Reid rocked it as Lestat. Tom Cruise did a great job portraying the character in the movie, but he is an outstanding actor and can pull off any role. Stuart Townsend portrayed him well in Queen of the Damned, but he didn't have the right look. It was nothing a blond wig and blue contact lenses wouldn't have fixed, but I guess they didn't think of that. Sam Reid had the right look and attitude. He nailed it. He is the best Lestat and the main reason I will tune in to season two. Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones) did a great job as Louis. The only thing I would change would be his haircut. Louis had long hair in the books and the movie, so I couldn't get used to the short haircut. Otherwise, he fits the role perfectly. Please get him a wig for season two. Bailey Bass was good as Claudia. My only issue was she was too old for the part. In the original story, Claudia was six years old. The actress was nineteen, playing the part of (aged up but late blooming Claudia) a fourteen-year-old, which was a big gap between the age the character should have been. Kirsten Dunst was twelve when she played her. In the movie, she appeared between nine and eleven, which was close enough. There was no way Bailey Bass was going to pass for a prepubescent girl, and the clothes they had her in just looked ridiculous. The casting of an adult in the role of Claudia was inconsistent with the character. Claudia was turned as a child, and vampires don't age beyond the time they become a part of the undead world. So, her body never grew past six, but her mind matured. As she matured, she wanted to experience the world as an adult but that could never happen for her. The tragedy of Claudia was that she would never mature physically beyond a child. She loved Lestat, but he would never see her as a woman. That's why she killed him or attempted to. He couldn't die, so we knew he would be back. Making her fourteen and dating changes the entire character and doesn't come anywhere near having the same impact. I see Claudia has been recast for season two. If it follows the original story, Claudia should only have one or two episodes left, but since it has yet to follow the original, who knows? The story had so many changes, from the timeline to the story itself. If you like fan fiction, this is at its finest. It would be nice if it would lead in with 'loosely based on a novel by Anne Rice' instead of 'Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.' That would be more realistic. It will be interesting to see where season two goes. Interview With the Vampire can be seen on AMC and Netflix Rating - TV-MA 
As a lover of music of all genres, it has always been my opinion that some of the best music comes out of Southeast Louisiana. Rockin Doopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun, Tab Benoit, Better than Ezra, Cowboy Mouth, and the list goes on and on. How could we not be impressed with Hunter Hayes from Breaux Bridge, the music prodigy we have watched emerge from playing accordion with Hank Williams, Jr. at age four to topping the country charts at age twenty-one.
Every now and then, something comes along that commands my attention. Not long ago, while walking the warm humid french quarter streets, it was the sound of Cajun Roots music bleeding onto Bourbon Street from a small crowded music club that pulled me in. There is no better place to listen to great live music than Bourbon Street, so it has to be good. It has to stand out to get me to notice. The Daywalkers did just that. I have to say, I was blown away by their unique sound. The energetic and charismatic four piece band delivers a perfect blend with their combination of instruments and harmonies with Trey Landry on drums, Janson Lohmeyer on keyboard and vocals, Alex MacDonald on washboard and vocals, and Marshall Baker on fiddle and vocals. The washboard is a bit more difficult than one may think, and Alex MacDonald tears it up. I have honestly never seen a washboard solo until now, and it was quite impressive. The dominant instrument is the fiddle, and Marshall Baker is one of the best fiddlers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Whether they are covering an old song or performing their own original material, the Daywalkers music is always fresh and fun. It’s evident they love what they do by the way they pour their heart and soul into the music. The Daywalkers CD titled Americana Mix features Stuffed Bell Pepper with the lead vocals being pitched back and forth between Janson Lohmeyer and Alex McDonald with Marshall Baker joining in backing them up. Other tracks include Ten Miles to New Orleans, Hello Josephine, Down in Louisiana and Hot Tamale Baby. One of my favorites is Port Author Blues. It's sung in French, and I don't speak French. I have no idea what he's saying, but it sounds nice. For those of you who would like to take a piece of New Orleans and the Daywalkers music home with you, their CD is for sale during their shows, or you can purchase it on their website. You can also download their songs from their Bandcamp. You can find the Daywalkers at Krazy Korner (640 Bourbon Street) Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM - 7 PM and Mondays from 2 PM - 7 PM. Look for them at Fat Catz (440 Bourbon Street) on Fridays from 1 PM - 6 PM. Happy Hour drinks are two for the price of one. There is no cover charge, but there is a tip jar, so you may want to show them some appreciation for knocking themselves out to entertain us. If you live in New Orleans or plan on visiting our wonderful city soon, be sure to treat yourself to this musical experience and check them out.
For more information about the Daywalkers:
The Daywalkers' Website The Daywalkers on Facebook Bandcamp
Photo: KMM
Halloween is coming, and it's the time of year when everyone is looking for good horror movies to watch. My favorite is Bram Stoker's Dracula, filmed in 1992, starring Gary Oldman and Wynona Ryder. So, this time of year, what better combination is there than a glass of Francis Ford Coppola Claret wine and a Francis Ford Coppola movie, right? It's been a long time so watching this movie again was almost like seeing it for the first time. I loved it just as much now as I did then.
I usually go for the modern-day vampires over the classic scary monster stereotypes. This one fell somewhere in the middle. For me, a vampire movie should embrace sensuality, romance, seduction, desire, and danger. All of those elements were present in this one. I loved the way this movie turned the classic Bram Stoker monster tale into a tragic love story. The love across time is what made this movie so good not to mention the captivating performances by Gary Oldman and Wynona Ryder. The story begins with Vlad Dracula (Oldman) saying goodbye to his new wife, Elisabetha (Ryder) before going off to war. He returns only to discover false news of his death reached Elisabetha, and she has taken her own life. Outraged by the priest's declaration that her soul is condemned for committing suicide, he renounces God and swears to use the forces of darkness to avenge her death by stabbing the cross and drinking the blood flowing from it. Five hundred years later, When Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to settle Dracula's London real estate transactions, Dracula sees a picture of Harker's fiancé, Mina who looks exactly like his long-dead wife, Elisabetha. Dracula travels to London and meets Mina, the reincarnation of Elisabetha. Mina begins to remember her previous life as Elisabetha and is still in love with him. She wants to be like him, so Dracula begins the transformation leading up to a bittersweet ending. Are they forever doomed? Will the curse remain with them, or will they both find peace? This movie gave us a new feel for the vampire, destroying the old image, evolving the monster into a handsome, sensuous, supernatural creature. With the growing popularity of the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles at that time, this was a change audiences seemed to be ready for. I honestly enjoyed this as much if not more than the original story. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good classic vampire movie to sink your teeth into this Halloween season. Bram Stoker's Dracula -1992 can be seen on Netflix Genre: Horror/Romance Rating: R Even though New Orleans is a fabulous place to visit anytime; June, July, August, and September can be humid and hot. How hot? Frying eggs on the sidewalk kind of hot. New Orleans is a place like no other, so if you want to experience a few venues with a different vibe, you've come to the right city. You will want to stay hydrated so aside from walking around with a bottle of water, you may want to chill in some favorite watering holes where you can cool off while enjoying our magical city. Some are places you will probably experience only in New Orleans, and some are said to be haunted. 1. Igor’s Bar Gameroom and Laundromat A streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue through the Garden District is a must. If you get off at 2133 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, you will find yourself in front of one of the most unique bars you will ever stumble across. I mean where else can you do your laundry while you sip on a cold brew or a Bloody Mary? Open 24/7, Igor’s serves a great burger any time of the day or night. You can sit at one of their outdoor tables and relax while you take in the sights and sounds of the Avenue, or you can enjoy a game of pool or video poker to an eclectic blend of music from the jukebox while you’re waiting for those clothes to dry. No laundry, no problem! Have fun anyway. I've always found it a great place to get together with friends. Igor’s has been one of my favorite hangouts since 1999, and finding your picture in the collages on the wall in more than one location could be an indication you may have been there a little too often.  Photo: KMM 2. The Napoleon House Located at 500 Chartres Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter, The Napoleon House is the home of the famous cocktail, the Pimm’s Cup. Born in London and reengineered in New Orleans, the Pimm’s Cup is the signature drink of this iconic establishment. Built in 1797, the Napoleon House was originally the home of New Orleans Mayor Nicholas Girod. Girod offered his home to the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821 as a refuge during his exile. Napoleon never made it to New Orleans, but the name stuck. The Napoleon House has been a favorite hangout for artists and writers since the early twentieth century. Owned by the Impastato family since 1914 and purchased by Ralph Brennan in 2015, the Napoleon House is a perfect place to enjoy lunch on a hot summer day. Their signature muffuletta is always a treat. When you step into the two-hundred-year-old building, the classical music and ambiance make you feel as if you are stepping back in time. Many ghosts are rumored to haunt the Napoleon House including an old lady who sweeps the floors late at night. Hmm. A ghost who sweeps. I wonder how I could get her to come to my house.
Photos: KMM 3. The Hermes Bar at Antoine's I usually find myself stopping in at 725 St. Louis Street after a day in the French Quarter. It’s a perfect place to relax with a cocktail and enjoy some delicious food including Antoine's bar burger, seafood gumbo, or charbroiled oysters. The walls are adorned with Mardi Gras memorabilia from the Krewe of Hermes. To add to the charm, the building is said to be haunted.  Photo: KMM 4. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, located at 941 Bourbon on the corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip is one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter. It was built in the 1770’s and is one of the oldest surviving structures. The bar is named after Jean and Pierre Lafitte, the original owners of the building. They were notorious smugglers and privateers of the early 19th Century. Pierre was a blacksmith and the building was used for that purpose, but it was also a front for their other illegal endeavors. The building is rumored to be one of the most haunted in the French Quarter. Even though Pierre died somewhere off the Yucatan Peninsula, many patrons have seen his full-body apparition in the bar. In the later 19th Century, the upstairs area was supposedly rented out to a mysterious woman who ended up committing suicide there. Many patrons have reported encounters with her. The most sinister sighting is a pair of disembodied piercing red eyes, a possible indicator of demonic haunting. The red eyes have allegedly been seen in the darker corners of the room. When someone notices them and turns to meet their stare, they fade away. I can’t vouch for any of this, but whether you experience anything paranormal or not, it’s a cool place to experience the ambiance of days gone by and enjoy a Voodoo Daiquiri on a hot summer day.  Photo: KMM 5. Potions Lounge Potions Lounge is a vampire speakeasy where the drinks are as tasty to a human as the clientele is to a vampire. It is located in a secret place in the heart of the French Quarter. I can't tell you where, but I can tell you how to get there. As well as the location, you must know the password to get in. To find out how to be invited, you must visit Boutique Du Vampyre, a vampire shop at 709 St. Ann Street or The Vampire Cafe on the corner of Royal and St. Ann. My food recommendation at The Vampire Cafe: The deviled eggs and the vampire burgers are fangtastic. My drink recommendation at Potions: The Blood Drop Martini is to die for.
Photography by KMM
So you're going to visit us in New Orleans soon. That's great! We are happy to have you, and we hope you will enjoy your stay with us in the Crescent City. We love visitors to our beautiful, historical three-hundred-year-old city, and we welcome you with open arms. To ensure your stay in the Big Easy is a fun, memorable, and safe one, here are a few things you should know.
The People of NOLA: At the mention of New Orleans, most people think of Bourbon Street, alcohol, Mardi Gras, and debauchery. New Orleanians have something of a reputation as party animals and heavy drinkers, but that's not exactly true. Even though we do like to pass a good time, and most of the time our grocery carts do contain beer or wine; along with dodging hurricanes six months out of the year, we have careers, mortgages, families, children, and we plod along with day to day life just like everyone else. However, there are a few things that set us apart from everyone else. Strangers will talk to you: Natives are friendly. Don't be surprised if you find yourself in a bar or public place and a local strikes up a conversation. It's fine to talk to them. By the time it's over, you will know what part of the city they live in, their Katrina and Ida experience, their family, their pets, reading preferences, music preferences, and you may wind up making a new friend. You don't have to call me darlin': Ladies and gents, don't be offended if someone calls you darlin', sweetie, or honey. They are not flirting with you. It's just the way we talk down here. Native Tongue - Talkin' that New Orleans talk: New Orleans is pronounced New Or-lins by the locals, not New Aw-lins, Nawlins, or New Or-leens. Geographically located in the south, don't expect to hear any southern accents unless the individual relocated from somewhere else. New Orleans is a melting pot with French, Spanish, Canadian, Italian, German, Irish, African, and Native American influence. There are many different variations of New Orleans dialect depending on the part of town where you grew up. When the Mississippi river became a working river and the longshoremen came down from New York and started interacting with the natives, their accents evolved into something that sounds like Brooklyn-on-the-southern-Mississippi-river, or what the locals refer to as a "Yat" accent. Aside from our dialect, there are many words and phrases used here in New Orleans that are unheard of elsewhere. Here are a few you are sure to hear and their meanings: Neutral Ground: That's a big one. The neutral ground is the terrain in the middle of a divided street known as a median everywhere else. There's a history behind that. In the old days, the French and the Spanish didn't get along, but they had to do business with one another. To solve that problem, they created a section in the middle of the street designated as the neutral ground where they managed to get along long enough to handle their business. It stuck because nobody uses the word median in New Orleans. It's always called the neutral ground. If you ask a local from which side of the street they are going to watch a parade, you will get one of two responses. They will tell you either the street side or the neutral ground side. Streetcar: It may be called a trolly everywhere else, but locals will look at you funny if you call it anything other than a streetcar here. Po-boy: Every menu has po-boys on it. We even have po-boy restaurants. It's a sandwich consisting of meat or seafood between two slices of French bread. Do you want that po-boy dressed? If you order a po-boy, your server will ask you that. Dressed means you want it with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes. Cajun: French colonists from the Canadian region of Acadia. Many settled in the Louisiana territories and have had a strong influence on Louisiana culture. Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler (Lay-say le bon tom roo-lay): A Cajun French phrase meaning: Let the good times roll. Where ya't? It's a greeting. It means "how are you doing?" If somebody asks you where ya't, you respond by saying "all right, where ya't?" Lagniappe (lan-yap): A French word meaning something extra. Beignet (ben-yay): A fluffy square donut lightly fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Parish: Louisiana doesn't have counties. We have parishes. Banquette (ban-ket): Sidewalk Beaucoup (boo-koo): Much, many, a lot. Did you know? New Orleans has its own compass: Forget north, south, east, and west when you visit New Orleans. If you ask a local for directions, the only four points they will use are uptown, downtown, lake, and river. Is it true it's legal to drink alcohol outdoors? Yes, as long as it's in a plastic cup or container. No glass bottles or containers are allowed. If you leave a bar, you can take your beverage with you. Just pour it into a "go-cup" first. All bars and restaurants have them. You can walk all over with it. Just don't drive. Can you buy alcoholic beverages on Sunday? There are no restrictions on when alcohol can be purchased in New Orleans. You can purchase it twenty-four hours a day seven days a week from any bar, restaurant, grocery store, drug store, convenient store, or Wal Mart. (Yes, even Wal Mart sells alcohol) Am I going to get murdered? More than likely not. Just like any other city, New Orleans has its share of crime, but most visitors come and go without becoming a victim. I used to work in the tourist industry and dealt directly with many visitors to the city. I got asked that a lot and I would tell them to be on the safe side, when strolling through the French Quarter or city streets, be aware of your surroundings and stay on well-lit populated main streets. Stay where there are people. Don't wander down isolated side streets. It's always a good idea for gentlemen to carry their wallet in a front pocket or backpack. Ladies, watch your purses. Tip from a local: The best indication to petty thieves that you are not from NOLA is wearing Mardi Gras beads when it isn't Mardi Gras. You can get them everywhere, and they are fun to wear, but locals only wear them during the carnival parade season. Is it safe to visit the cemeteries? New Orleans cemeteries are tourist attractions because we bury our dead above ground. There is a reason for that. The ground underneath New Orleans is swampland. If the dead were interred six feet under, they would wash up after the next hard rain. Most of us don't want to meet our loved ones once interred, so we bury them in mausoleums or above-ground tombs. If you plan to visit our cemeteries, I advise going with a tour group. There are numerous cemetery walking tours. Never venture into the cemeteries after dark alone. The ghosts won't jump out and harm you, but you never know when criminals might be lurking. Is it worth it to go on a vampire tour? Yes, absolutely. There are many legends of vampires in New Orleans. From Jacques St. Germain to the Casket Girls and the Ursuline Convent to accounts of mysterious vampire-related murders in and around the French Quarter, your vampire tour guide will keep you entertained with stories and show you the landmarks. What about a paranormal tour? Paranormal tours are a must. Your ghost tour guide will take you to haunted places. Some people have even claimed to have had paranormal experiences on some of these tours. What New Orleans cuisine should we try? We have some of the best restaurants in the world, and favorite local dishes such as red beans and rice, jambalaya, crayfish, po-boys, oysters on a half shell, and seafood gumbo are all a treat to the palate. For breakfast, be sure to treat yourself to a cafe au lait (New Orleans signature coffee made from coffee and chicory mixed with boiled milk) and beignets, preferably at Cafe du Monde. Are there any New Orleans original cocktails we should try? We're always happy at happy hour. If you're interested in having an original New Orleans cocktail at the places they were created, be sure to indulge in a Sazerac at the Carousel Bar, a Hurricane at Pat Obrien's, or a Pimm's Cup at the Napoleon House. Show me your tits: No! Don't! Never! Ever! This may happen on the balconies on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. The French Quarter is adult-oriented where you will find risque costumes and flashing for beads during the carnival season. While the Vieux Carre has its share of debauchery, outside of the French Quarter, Mardi Gras is a family event. Bet I can tell you where you got dem shoes? Don't fall for it. This is New Orleans biggest scam. The correct answer is: I got dem shoes on my feet, on the street, in New Orleans. Here's my experience: One day I was walking on Bourbon Street in my comfy walking boots. A young man approached me with a big smile and said, "I like dem shoes." "Thank you," I replied and kept walking. He started to follow me and said, "I'll bet you $20 I can tell you where you got dem shoes." I looked at him, laughed, and said, "I'm a local. Go pull that on somebody who doesn't know what you're up to." "Okay," he said. His smile turned into a frown before he turned and walked away. If I had been somebody who didn't know the scam and entertained it, he would have harassed and intimidated me for that twenty dollars he bet me. If anybody approaches you and says anything about your shoes, unless you just want to make a donation, give them the correct answer or ignore them and walk away. It's a scam. There are many reasons to be intrigued by New Orleans but the main one is there is no other place like it in the world. Use good common sense. Have fun. Enjoy all that New Orleans has to offer. It has been said: New Orleans is a city with many faces, but only one soul. Its mystery and ambiance will seduce you, and once you surrender, it will never let go. By the time you get home, you will be planning your next trip. When you leave, a piece of it goes with you, and that will always draw you back. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler
Did you know there are drinks that originated in New Orleans and the first cocktail was introduced in the crescent city? While you will find most locals indulging in beer and wine, there are some cocktails exclusive to this part of the country that you may want to try. You can make them yourself wherever in the world you are by simply following the recipes. Sazerac This drink is not commonly ordered by locals, but it does have its history. The Sazerac originated in New Orleans in 1838 when Antoine Amedie Peychaud served his friends brandy toddies made from his own recipe. The toddies were mixed in an egg cup called a “coquetier” from which the English word cocktail derived, introducing the world's first cocktail. 1/4 oz. Absinthe 1 sugar cube 1 1/2 oz. Rye whiskey or Cognac 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters serve straight up in an old fashioned glass Hurricane The most famous New Orleans cocktail is the Hurricane, a potent drink that originated at Pat O’Briens in the French Quarter. The Hurricane is served in the traditional Hurricane glass at Pat O’Briens. You can get this sweet, fruity drink at other local bars, but it will be served to you in a glass or plastic cup. I don’t know how the name “Hurricane” originated, but just as the name implies, it’s a category 5 drink, so my advice: go easy on them. 2 oz. Light Rum 2 oz. Dark Rum 2 oz. Passion Fruit Juice 1 oz. Orange Juice 1/2 oz. Lime Juice 1 tbsp. Grenadine Mix and Shake with ice, then pour into the glass and serve. The Pimm's Cup The signature drink of The Napoleon House, The Pimm’s Cup is a perfect drink for the hot and humid long New Orleans summers. Born in London and re-engineered in New Orleans, this cool and refreshing mixture of Pimms #1 and lemonade topped off with Sprite or 7-Up can be found in most local bars. 1 oz. Pimm’s #1 3 oz. Lemonade Top off with Sprite or 7-Up Cajun Bloody Mary Yes, you can get a Bloody Mary anywhere, but we like them a little hotter and spicier down here. Add enough garnishments to it, and you can have it for breakfast. 1.5 oz. Vodka 3 oz. Tomato Juice 1 dash Worchestershire Sauce 1/2 tsp. Horseradish 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper 2 tbsp. Lime Juice Tabasco Hot Sauce (to taste depending on how hot you like it) Garnish with celery stalks, lime slices, pickled okra, string beans, and olives
Photo: KMM
One of the things I love most about author events is meeting and getting to know my readers and other authors. I met Mary Walsh at the NOLA Bookstars event held here in New Orleans last October. Mary is from Pennsylvania, but she has spent time here in New Orleans and loves the city. Last weekend, she was in town promoting her new release. Her fondness for New Orleans is reflected in her novel, Fine Spirits Served Here, a work of fiction set at Antoine's Restaurant.
Many of the old buildings in the French Quarter are rumored to be haunted, and Antoine's is no different. Most of the restaurants, bars, and shops in the quarter were once family homes that were later converted to businesses. Some go back to the eighteenth century and are known for paranormal activity. The story takes place at Antoine's where the main character, Will, is a server. When new server, Elle, starts working there, Will experiences de ja vu and swears he has met her before. He finally figures it out and is stunned when he discovers a connection to her that spans generations. If you love New Orleans and are fascinated by its history and culture, I recommend this book. Mary is a multi genre author. You can find Fine Spirits Sold Here along with her other books at Amazon. Connect with Mary on her website: marywalshwrites.com
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Dear Readers,
The opinions expressed here are mine. Comments are welcome. We don't have to agree, but we do have to be respectful and play nice. This page is heavily moderated, and violations will result in using the 'delete' key that may have a few hexes and spells attached to it, so you have been warned. Otherwise: Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler 
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