Writer / Geographer Richard Campanella started his new monthly column, CityScapes in the Times Picayune last weekend. It will cover all the many facets of New Orleans urban space: noise, floods, crime, faith, gentrification, zoning, and more. Contemporary and historical aspects as well.

It got me thinking about all the many opportunities to get out and about and experience “exhibits” about the cityscape. The two thinks that jumped out at me are entitled: “Sites and Sounds of New Orleans” and TimeCodeNOLA: Indie Film Fest.

Combine the two and you can have a fabulous outing this Saturday. Start at the Old U.S. Mint at the foot of Esplanade. The location itself is a wonderful gathering place hosting permanent exhibits, regular music performances, and occasional festivals. Making it a premiere destination in the cityscape.

At 2:00 PM on Saturday, Tulane City Center, New Orleans Center for the Gulf South and The New Orleans Jazz National Park host an afternoon of musical performances and discussions of historical sites in black culture of New Orleans. The event will feature New Orleans R&B legend, Deacon John Moore. An afternoon with Deacon John Moore sounds like an opportunity for a little edumcation and plenty of good laughs.

The focus of this event is the history of four sites in Central City – the Dew Drop Inn, A. L. Davis Park, Magnolia Projects, and Brown Sugar Records. Just these names evoke a rich, colorful, and historical image of the city / neighborhood. The Dew Drop Inn once known as the “swankiest nightclub in the South”.

Hosting talents such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Ivory Joe Hunter, Esquirita, Peg Leg Pete (the one legged tap dancer), Patsy Vidalia (cross dressing hostess and “Toast of the Town”), as well as challenging segregation laws, clothing and feeding particularly musicians and neighborhood characters, and more.

Rev. A. L. Davis started the Southern Christian Leadership Council with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King just down the street from A.L. Davis Park, still called Shakespeare Park but most folks, and a hub of activity from youth and young adult sports, Mardi Gras Indians, Second-Lines and more. Right next to the former Magnolia Projects and Brown Sugar Records.

I’m not certain how they’ll fit it into 2 hours, so I would plan to be their late to enjoy the conversation and camaraderie that is sure to follow. Once you’ve wound down. Take a stroll through the historic, and recently renovated, French Market. Grab a frozen Irish Coffee from Molly’s at the Market and head to the pocket park at Ursuline street to unwind. There is usually a r&b band performing at the outdoor Gazebo Restaurant next to the park. Plus great people watching.

Once you’ve settled down and relaxed, stroll on down Decatur Street to the 2nd oldest restaurant and first stand-up bar in the city, Tujague’s. They serve some excellent traditional cocktails such as the sazerac and the grasshopper. Best of all is the brisket which can be ordered at the bar. If you are really hungry, take a seat in the dining room to check out the changes under new ownership (same family different – younger- family member).

Then it’s on to One Eyed Jack’s to complete your massive outing discover the old and new about the city scape. Saturday, 9:00 PM, at One Eyed Jack’s, TIMECODENOLA, an Indie film fest will be presenting on of their signature films, ‘Humidity’. Obviously it has a local focus.

TimeCodeNOLA is an independent film festival in its second year with a commitment to presenting the “ unique, gritty, and creative culture of New Orleans.” Check out their website because they have what sounds like a very diverse and interesting line-up of films, parties, discussions and more. “Humidity” is the result of an all call for short films with the theme humidity. The top 15 shorts were selected, then edited together to make a feature film.

The website describes the scene as this: “Its summer time, the heat is rising and the air conditioners are humming. Tempers are flaring, crime is on the rise and love is in the air. “ Sounds familiar, and I look forward to seeing all the different perspectives on the subject matter.

If you haven’t had enough of indulging yourself in the cityscapes, then I suggest you rise and shine Sunday morning for TimecodeNOLA’s Home Movies, literally home movies from New Orleans. This special feature will be at the Old U.S. Mint, 11 AM Sunday. A great opportunity to enjoy a morning breakfast at Stanley’s on the Square and head to the Mint.

Look forward to seeing you out and about in the New Orleans cityscape,

Every Thing Lovely,
Leslie

Out and About is a weekly blog by Leslie Compton of Every Thing Lovely, a special event and creative consulting team, and is sponsored by Key to NOLA Properties, a full service real estate brokerage firm specializing in furnished rental properties in New Orleans. Key to NOLA Properties and Every Thing Lovely have joined forces to provide a full array of services for travelers’ ( and locals’) personal and professional needs while in the Crescent City.