The publishers of Essence magazine are the sponsors the festival, which, since 1994, has brought tens of thousands of visitors to New Orleans. The sponsors book a dazzling array of musical superstars, renowned speakers and public personalities.

U.S. Congressman John Lewis circa 1964.

This year is no exception. Musical headliners include Beyonce, Jill Scott, LL Cool J and the “Cupid Shuffle” man himself, Cupid. Speakers include Civil Rights pioneer and U.S. Congressman John Lewis, bestselling author Iyanla Vanzant, Hip Hop mogul Master P and TV show host Steve Harvey.

Additional performers for the 2013 EssenceFest include:

• Anthony David
• Big Daddy Kane
• Blackstreet
• Brandy
• Keyshia Cole
• Bridget Kelly
• Leela James
• Charlie Wilson
• Faith Evans
• Jody Watley
• Kourtney Heart
• Maxwell
  

  New Orleans’ own Mia Borders. Photo by Zack Smith.

• Rachelle Farrell
• New Edition
• Solange
• Tamia
• Trey Songz
• Mint Condition
• Janelle Monae
• Mia Borders
• Les Nubians

EssenceFest Seminars & Speakers

Inspirational and business-related seminars, aimed at empowering African American men and women, are the other key ingredient in EssenceFest. Inmportant African American business and spiritual community leaders present at these seminars. Among this year’s speakers are:

• Denise Warren: fitness guru
• Rev. Al Sharpton: political activist
• Dr. Michael Lomax: President/CEO, United Negro College Fund
• Marc Morial: President, National Urban League and former New Orleans mayor
• Eleanor Holmes Norton: Congresswoman, District of Columbia
• Myrlie Evers-Williams: Civil Rights leader, widow of Medgar Evers
• Karen Carter Peterson: La. State Senator
• Robin D. Stone: journalist and renowned nutritionist
• Dr. Denese O. Shervington: President/CEO, Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies, a community-based public health institute in New Orleans
• Dr. Steve Perry: Education Contributor for CNN and MSNBC, Essence magazine columnist, bestselling author

New Orleans Bed and Breakfast Lodging

Enjoy one of America’s most historical cities – specifically, New Orleans has a unique and multilayered African American (and French, and Spanish) heritage. Many of our bed and breakfasts are historical properties located in fascinating neighborhoods. Join us this summer in NOLA!

This event is a fun, safe and enriching weekend. While there are plenty of organized events, the weekend also leaves plenty of time for you to explore the rich cultural heritage of America’s most European city.

A festival created by women for women, the Festigals weekend is designed to be all about empowering women and celebrating fashion, food, friendship and fun.

The organizers call Festigals “A Party with a Purpose” and some of the speakers scheduled to present at this year’s Fesigals include:

• Rhonda Shear, a New Orleans native and former Miss Louisiana, she has also worked in television and currently owns a women’s clothing line.
• Amilya Antonetti, entrepreneur, businesswoman and mother will speak Thursday evening  on her recipe for “success and balance.”

Amilya Antonetti

This year’s celebrity chef is Tory McPhail of the Commander’s Palace restaurant. McPhail will host a culinary presentation at Cafe Adelaide on Saturday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m.

There are more fun and interesting events lined up for Festigals weekend – check it all out on their website, fesigals.com 

New Orleans Bed and Breakfast Lodging

Make your weekend in New Orleans truly unforgettable by staying in a bed and breakfast during your visit. Enjoy historic, luxurious lodging, delicious breakfasts and welcoming innkeepers.

New Orleans Oyster Bars

Standing at the counter, watching the insanely fast skills of an oyster shucker as he works his way through hundreds of Gulf Coast Oysters and eating them straight off the bar, is just as much a New Orleans tradition as the Po’Boy sandwich. Here, according to BestofNewOrleans.com, are the top five oyster bars in New Orleans:

Pascal’s Manale (1838 Napoleon Ave., 895-4877)

The free-standing oyster bar in the old-school cocktail lounge is like an altar to slurping, shucking and jiving and is staffed by affable guys who turn the act of downing a dozen into high entertainment. The bartender doles out poker chips redeemable at the oyster bar for your dozen or half-dozen.

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant (3232 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie, 888-9254 OR downtown at 2 Poydras St. on the first floor of the Hilton Hotel, 584-3911)

Sometimes out-shined by the bright, buttery spectacle of the restaurant’s famous charbroiled oysters, the raw oysters at Drago’s are superb on their own, thanks to strong relationships between management and oyster harvesters.

Fresh Oysters on the bar at Felix’s, on Iberville.

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar (739 Iberville St., 522-4440)

There are three other oyster bars within a few paces of Felix’s are all spiffier, but none turn out oysters as fast and with as little fuss. Just off Bourbon Street, diners can usually walk right in and mix their own cocktail sauce as the shucker sends the oysters rattling across the bar one at a time.

Bozo’s (3117 21st St., Metairie, 831-8666)

A few turns off the main suburban drags is this family-run classic on a Metairie backstreet. The oyster bar feels like a neighborhood joint, even if the mall is just a few blocks away.

Cooter Brown’s Tavern (509 S. Carrollton Ave., 866-9104)

This Riverbend tavern puts the bar in oyster bar. Despite casual appearances, the oyster operation here is serious stuff, serving fresh-tasting and well-shucked beauties until 2 a.m. or later.

Summer Travels to New Orleans

Just reading about all those oysters, my mouth is watering and my heart is thumping! Obviously, I’m pretty obsessed with those bivalves.

When traveling in New Orleans, a great trip can be all about having insider information. Where are great oysters? Amazing music? Authentic creole food? A New Orleans innkeeper can guide you to the corners of this amazing city that the average tourist in the French Quarter will never see. Let us share New Orleans with you. We love this city and we’ll show you why.

Like any festival worth attending in New Orleans, the Bayou Boogaloo will have lots of live music, delicious food and artisans with crafts for sale. Know what else? Attendance to the Boogaloo is Free!

Bayou Boogaloo has stages set up in separate locations so the music sounds great and the performers don’t try and play over one another. As always, the Bayou Boogaloo is a family-friendly festival with a kid’s stage and an area for them with games and activities.

Fun events from past Boogaloos include the Bayou Boogaloo Bicycle Pub Crawl and a Bicycle Second Line. One of the highlights of the Festival for the past four years was the Rubber Duck Derby. As many as 10,000 rubber ducks are set afloat on the bayou with sponsors’ names on them. The winner gets a fabulous prize and the proceeds go toward the festival’s upkeep via its sponsoring organization, the Mothership Foundation.

Bayou Boogaloo 2013 Lineup

Here are some of the amazing New Orleans musicians that are scheduled to perform this year:

• Rebirth Brass Band
• Bonerama
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band
• Ironing Board Sam
• Partners N Crime w/Big Easy Bounce Band
• Debauche
  

  Debauche

• Alvin Youngblood Hart
• Hot 8 Brass Band
• Pine Leaf Boys
• Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Cha’s
• Zion Harmonizers
• Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet

See the full lineup and get more information at the Bayou Boogaloo website.

New Orleans Mid-City Lodging and Beyond

Wanna come stay with us for this great free festival? We have member bed and breakfasts in the Mid-City region of New Orleans. However, even if you don’t stay in Mid-City, most of New Orleans is easily accessible via streetcar, taxi, bicycle or your own two feet.

It draws thousands of people every year – understandably. Amazing names in popular music are always performing, with tickets selling at the dirt-cheap price of $50 per day (in advance, $65 at the gate).

For 2013, JazzFest will take place over two weekends, April 26-28 and May 3-5 at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. This is a daytime festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. As you can imagine, when the music stops at the Fair Grounds, the party overflows into the city for those interested in nightlife.

All types of musical genres will be represented. For many visitors, the real draw of JazzFest is the wide array of both popular and local musicians. Here some of the big names coming this year:

2013 JazzFest Poster

• Fleetwood Mac
• Billy Joel
• Dave Matthews Band
• John Mayer
• B.B. King
• Frank Ocean
• Earth Wind & Fire
• Willie Nelson
• George Benson
• Jill Scott
• Jimmy Cliff
• Patti Smith
• Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite
• Andrew Bird

Jazz Fest Music Genre Stages

While the list of artists above is extensive, this is just the start! For many, the real draw of JazzFest is the wide array of New Orleans musicians and musical styles showcased during the festival. Here are the stages and the designated genres tied to them:

• Acura Stage: Primary main stage
• Gentilly Stage: Secondary main stage
• Congo Square stage: Afro-centric and world music
• Jazz Tent: Contemporary jazz
• Blues Tent: Blues
• Gospel Tent: Gospel groups and singers
• Fais Do-Do Stage: Cajun & Zydeco
• Economy Hall Tent: Traditional New Orleans jazz
• Jazz & Heritage Stage:New Orleans brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians
• Lagniappe Stage: Wide variety of musical styles

2013 Official JazzFest Poster

One of the most popular souvenirs, that proves you were there, is the JazzFest poster. Newly designed each year, for 2013 the poster features Aaron Neville, one of the most recognizable singers in the world and a product of the New Orleans musical tradition. The poster’s title is “Heart Song.”

The artist for the 2013 JazzFest poster is James Michalopoulos, a New Orleans-based painter whose style is as recognizable as Aaron Neville’s voice. With five previous JazzFest posters to his credit, “Michalopoulos is well-known for his exuberant, colorful and richly textured paintings that celebrate the spirit of New Orleans and other favorite locales through architecture, people, and landscapes, among other inspirations.” (Neworleansonline.com)

Lodging During JazzFest

We still have a small amount of member bed and breakfasts with availability for Jazzfest. Make sure to make your reservations ASAP for this year’s JazzFest!

To celebrate this famous neighborhood and continue to host the best parties in the nation (and maybe worldwide), New Orleans holds the French Quarter festival. 2013 marks its 30th year.

The French Quarter Festival at Jackson Square

The French Quarter festival is only bested by Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, it comes in as the third largest celebration the city hosts. It has grown so popular, in fact, that last year the event was expanded from three to four full days of events.

The 30th Annual French Quarter Festival will be held from Thursday, April 11 through Sunday, April 14. More than 1,300 musicians perform over the course of the weekend and over 60 restaurants set up booths in three food court areas: all around Jackson Square, at the Old U.S. Mint and along the Riverfront at Woldenberg Park. Some of New Orleans’ top artists and craftspersons will have work on display and for sale. There are also going to be two areas of fun for the kids to enjoy. On Saturday night, a fireworks display will erupt over the waters of the Mississippi River.

The music features Louisiana musicians only, playing almost every genre under the sun.

Because of an anticipated shortage of available parking in the French Quarter, bus shuttle service will take place between downtown parking lots and the festival site. The shuttle will have six buses running Friday through Sunday during festival hours, for free.

French Quarter Festival Lodging

If you are coming from out of town and will be staying overnight, we recommend you make your reservations early. Most rooms are sold out by the time the festival arrives. Check our listings of New Orleans bed and breakfasts for those with availability during the festival!

Although somewhat isolated from the rest of the city, Old Algiers knows how to celebrate in typical New Orleans fashion! The Old Algiers RiverFest, taking place this year on April 6 & 7 is two days of street festivals featuring music, food and cultural offerings.

This festival continues to expand but holds fast to its goals: preserving the traditional jazz and indigenous music that came of age along this bend of the Mississippi River. It is an authentic New Orleans cultural experience that any visitor should feel proud to attend! Old Algiers Riverfest features performances by some of the top names in traditional jazz, gospel choirs, brass bands as well as the renowned Mardi Gras Indians. Of course there will also be local cuisine, arts and crafts and children’s activities along the levee near the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry landing. This festival is free to attend!

It may be a bit off the beaten track, but Algiers Point is worth the ride across the river – which is also free for pedestrians. Plus, the trip across the Mississippi offers some amazing views of the city’s skyline.

Lodging in New Orleans and Algiers Point

Stay in a charming Algiers Bed and Breakfast, like this one!

We have member bed and breakfasts all over the city of New Orleans. We also have several Algiers Inns as well that would love to host you during your visit to the Riverfest, or any time you come to the Crescent City. Look forward to seeing you!

St. Patrick’s Day parties are some of the biggest street parties of the year. The best of these block parties are held in the street outside Parasol’s, an Irish Channel bar and restaurant at 3rd and Constance streets; this party is running for 3 days this year! Thursday March 14th, Saturday March 16 & Sunday March 17. Molly’s at the Market at 1107 Decatur Street is another street party in the French Quarter on Friday. Both parties are free and open to the public.

Saint Patrick’s Day Parades 2013

Sunday, March 3: St. Bernard Irish/Italian/Islenos Parade, St. Bernard Parish 11 a.m. The route will begin and end at the Sigur Civic Auditorium, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA.

Friday, March 15: Molly’s at the Market Irish Parade, French Quarter – 6 p.m. Featuring riders in carriages and marching groups, the parade begins and ends at Molly’s at the Market, 1107 Decatur St.

Saturday, March 16: Irish Channel Parade- 1 p.m. The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club will hold Annual Mass and Parade celebration at noon at St. Mary’s Assumption Church, on the corner of Constance and Josephine Streets. The parade will follow, and starts at the corner of Felicity and Magazine at 1 p.m.

A sea of Green in New Orleans during a Saint Patrick’s Day street party.

Sunday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Road, Metairie 11 a.m. The parade begins in front of Archbishop Rummel High School on Severn Avenue, goes down Severn to Metairie Road, then up Metairie Road to the Orleans Parish line. It usually finishes about 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 17: Downtown Irish Club Paradethrough the French Quarter – 6:00 p.m. The annual downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins on the corner of Burgundy and Piety in the city’s Bywater neighborhood, proceeds roughly up Royal Street, across Esplanade to Decatur Street, up Bienville Street to Bourbon Street. The parade makes several “pit stops” on its way to Bourbon.

Catch beads and other St/ Patrick’s Day themed goodies from floats

Sunday, March 24: Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade, Metairie – noon. The Parade will roll at noon along the traditional Veterans Highway route in Metairie.

Pick a B&B Near Your St. Patty’s Day Parade

We have member bed and breakfasts all over the city, so no matter what parade you want to see, or which corner of New Orleans you explore, we’ve got you covered! Do yourself a favor: don’t just walk by all that beautiful architecture, come inside a New Orleans Bed and Breakfast to experience it!

Formerly known as the Mardi Gras Marathon, this endurance event is extremely popular. The course is flat because of the city’s low-lying elevation and the weather in New Orleans this time of year is usually pleasant for runners: cool and comfortable with low humidity. As a bonus, runners are rewarded at the end of the route with a New Orleans-style street party featuring live entertainment, food, drinks and fun!

The race starts at 7:00 a.m. in the heart of the city’s Central Business District at Poydras and Camp streets. The course takes in a wide expanse of New Orleans between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. Participants in the 26 mile 385 yard (42.195 km) course will enjoy the beauty of the city as they jog past: storybook mansions along St. Charles Avenue, historic architecture in the French Quarter, elegant homes along Esplanade Avenue and the scenic lakefront along Lakeshore. The race ends in City Park, where the party begins!

Running Vacation? The Rock n Roll Marathon takes place in New Orleans February 24, 2013.

The race is open to walkers as well as runners and also offers a “half-marathon” and a two-person half-marathon relay. Coinciding with the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon is an educational and informative Fitness Expo at the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center.

All along the course, at evenly spaced intervals, are water stations. Typifying the New Orleans spirit, bandstands are set up on the route and live music will keep you motivated to carry on! Many participants have agreed  – there is no race like this anywhere in the world!

Are you Coming to New Orleans for the Rock n Roll Marathon?

If you plan on coming into town to participate in the marathon, you should stay in a New Orleans bed and breakfast for your visit. Not only will you be treated to superior, personalized service, but you’re sure to have a great night’s sleep in a luxuriant bed! Plus, innkeepers are happy to make a great breakfast for you and have it ready for when you need to head to the starting point for the race. Good luck!

In fact, a night or two in a New Orleans bed and breakfast would be the ultimate way to celebrate the lover’s holiday. Make sure to book your room as soon as possible, as this holiday fills up our B&B’s early!

Romantic Dining in New Orleans

One of the traditional activities for Valentine’s Day, a romantic dinner, is also easily accomplished in this gourmet city. One of the best ways to find just the right restaurant for your taste, price range and mood is to ask your innkeeper.

Here are some recommendations innkeepers have shared:

Coquette: Modern, oysters, daily menu changes, small bistro-style. (Washington and Magazine Street)
Jacques-Imo Cafe: More of a party atmosphere (Uptown on Oak)

Have an authentic and fun New Orleans meal at Jacques-Imo Cafe

Windsor Court Grill Room : In the French Quarter. Upscale and more pricey.
Lilette: French-style cuisine (Magazine St.)
Iris: Good drinks, lighter food and pretty. Warning: bad parking.
Sylvain: Down home bar and food (French Quarter)
Room 27: 2nd generation modern creole style cuisine

Take a Romantic Carriage Ride

Mule-drawn carriages can be boarded on the Decatur Street side of Jackson Square at almost any hour of the day. Or charter a carriage to pick you up from your B&B (if available) or after dinner. They are a scenic and rustic way to tour the French Quarter while being entertained and enlightened by a knowledgeable driver. Click here for carriage tours that you can charter.

Have a Picnic in the Park

With the balmy year-round weather in New Orleans, you can have a lovely picnic, even in February! Bring a bottle of wine (that’s right, it’s legal to drink in New Orleans parks!) and some of your favorite bites to Jackson Square, Louis Armstrong Park or Washington Square near Frenchman Street.

We hope you will decide to spend the lover’s holiday in the Crescent city!