Today's episode is all about things to do in December and early next year in New Orleans.

Meteorologists in New Orleans tend to become well known locally, probably due to our reliance on them during hurricanes. My guest today retired in 2024 after a long career as chief meteorologist at WDSU tv. Join me as I interview Margaret Orr about her career, Mardi Gras, retirement, and more.

Today's episode is all about the author Anne Rice, known for her books about vampires. To help me dive into all things Anne Rice, I'm, joined by Joel Sharpton, co-host of the podcast The Articulate Coven.

Today's show is about a darkly named drink; the Obituary Cocktail. Made with gin, vermouth, and absinthe, it's origin is as mysterious as its name. Join me and author Sue Strachan as we discuss the drink, its origin, and where to sample one.

Today's epsiode is about two of my favorite New Orleans treats, pralines and beignets. One of my favorite places to get both is Loretta's Authentic Pralines. I'm joined today by the owner of Loretta's, Mr .Robbie Harrison to discuss pralines, beignet's, and his mother's legacy. We also dive into the upcoming Beignet Fest.

Today, we talk about an exhibit at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) called The Trail they Blazed, featuring notable people and moments in the fight for civil rights in New Orleans and Louisiana at large. I am joined by HNOC curator Eric Seiferth.

Ever wonder about those free magazines you pick up around town? Well, I did. It led me down the path of wanting to find out more about Antigravity Magazine. Join me and editor/publisher Dan Fox as we discuss what Antigravityh is all about!

Discover the unique charm and rich history of New Orleans' cemeteries, where each one tells its own story. Explore beyond the famous spots and uncover hidden gems with Sally Asher in our latest episode

Saigon fell in April 1975. Shortly thereafter Vietnamese immigrants began arriving in New Orleans. Now, fifty years after the fall of Saigon, the Historic New Orleans Collection has created an exhibition telling their stories. Join me as I sit down with Senior Historian and Mark Cave to discuss the details.

In today's episode, we learn about slavery in Louisiana. We visit Whitney Plantation, located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. The Whitney is the only plantation whose primary focus is on the slaves who worked, lived, and died along this stretch of the Mississippi River.

My guest today is Joy Banner, Director of Marketing at Whitney. Joy is also a native of the nearby community and is a descendant of the slaves at Whitney.

On today's show, you'll learn...

• About the people who were kidnapped, sold into slavery, and came to work at the Whitney and other plantations along River Road.
• You'll meet some of the slaves and hear their surprising connections to modern day New Orleanians.
• You'll gain insight into the conditions they endured, and what plantation life was like for the enslaved.
• Most plantations along River Road were sugar plantations, so you'll also learn about the process of making granulated sugar on a plantation.

"We ask African Americans to get over it, but we don't really understand what the it is." - John Cummings, owner of Whitney Plantation

Whitney Plantation - located in Wallace, LA 40 miles West of New Orleans. For more information about Whitney Plantation, visit their website.

Thanks to Joy Banner for welcoming my wife and I to Whitney Plantation. Joy took us around the grounds on a day when they were closed, patiently answered all of our questions, then made time two days later for the interview.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play Music or wherever you get your podcasts. If you do enjoy listening, please share Beyond Bourbon Street with someone who shares our love of New Orleans.

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Thanks for listening!

Mark