The first operas in America were performed in New Orleans in the 1790s, when the Spanish-style townhouses of the French Quarter and the exquisite Greek Revival mansions of the Garden District were built. Restaurants offered foods of many cultures, as well as the distinct Cajun and Creole cuisines. Ante-bellum New Orleans was the musical hotbed of the nation, and artists and craftsmen from around the globe immigrated to the vibrant port. Visitors of all classes enjoyed the luxuries, and perhaps the decadences, of "the city that care forgot." Residents reveled in cultural and recreational opportunities far beyond what most cities of New Orleans' size could offer. New Orleans was the cultural capital of the South.
Today, New Orleans is undergoing a creative renaissance and reclaiming that title. The city boasts world-class museums, including Smithsonian affiliates The National World War II Museum and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Artist studios and galleries line the streets of the French Quarter/Marigny, Warehouse/Arts District and Magazine Street. Performing arts groups, their shows, and the venues that host them speckle the map. All around the city, historic neighborhoods are being revitalized by architectural restoration and gentrification.
Tropical in climate, lush in setting, exotic in architecture and sensual in atmosphere, New Orleans is still a worldly, yet richly creative environment like no other. Here, we not only appreciate and support our cultural legacy, we celebrate it in every way we can. It’s no wonder that the city has been -- and continues to be -- a favorite muse for an incredible legacy of artists, artisans, performers, musicians, writers and chefs.
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Cultural Reports
The story of New Orleans – its eternal existence, that which endures and is constantly marching forward, is best told in the expression of the city’s complex and delightful culture. more...
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Arts and New Orleans Neighborhoods
New Orleans is the second city in the country after New York City where the arts have driven a major neighborhood revival. more...
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Music & All That Jazz
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the place some of the world’s most popular musicians – from Louis Armstrong to Lenny Kravitz – have called home. more...
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Architectural Vignettes
One of the truly amazing aspects of New Orleans architecture is the sheer number of historic homes and buildings per square mile. more...
>>Plantations, Historic Homes & Gardens
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Literary New Orleans
New Orleans, it seems, is in fact the source of endless inspiration for the world’s greatest writers. more...
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New Orleans Festivals
A city that takes joie de vivre to new levels, New Orleans naturally organizes its celebratory approach to life into some of the world’s most popular (and eclectic) festivals. more...
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New Orleans Film Guide
New Orleans has been a cultural muse for centuries, inspiring writers and visual artists to document the city's beauty, history and energy. more... |
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