The idea behind the Beyond Bourbon Street podcast is to bring you stories about the food, music, places, people and events that make New Orleans unique. Today's guest manages to cover all five of those things! In this episode, Mark sits down with Vance Vaucresson, president of Vaucresson Sausage Company. Vance's company is the last of the original food vendors at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival, continuing the tradition begun by his late father, but that only scratches the surface. Vance is also a family man, a performer with a beautiful voice, and a student and ambassador of his Louisiana Creole roots. Mark and Vance trace the Vaucresson family history from 19th century France to present-day New Orleans. Learn how Vance's father opened the first black-owned Creole restaurant in the French Quarter and was instrumental in the beginnings of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The two also discuss present day festivals including the New Orleans Po-Boy Festival and BBQ and Blues, both coming up in October 2016. Learn about the musical adaptation of Dan Baum's book "Nine Lives" and gain insight into the music culture of New Orleans. Along the way you'll meet members of the Bouttè family as well as singer-songwriter and native son, Paul Sanchez.

All this and more on episode #20 of Beyond Bourbon Street!

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Thanks for listening!

Mark

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