Louisiana Anthology Podcast

671. On this episode of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast, we are joined by Kayla Hardy to discuss her new novel, Quarter Queen. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century New Orleans, the story follows a young woman’s journey through the mystique and social complexities of the French Quarter. Kayla shares how she blended historical research with rich storytelling to capture the spirit of an era where power and tradition often collided. We dive into the inspirations behind her protagonist and what it means to reclaim a seat at the table in a city defined by its secrets. She earned a doctorate in English, specializing in creative writing and African American literature, from Binghamton University at age twenty-six. Dr. Hardy served as an adjunct professor at Binghamton University and is an avid scholar and lover of Black folklore, mythology, and Voodoo. Inspired by her Louisiana Creole ancestry and familial lineage of rootwork and magic, Kayla aims to tell diverse-driven horror and dark fantasy stories. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Traditional. 'Cotton-Eyed Joe.'      "Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe, What did make you sarve me so, Fur ter take my gal erway fum me, An' cyar her plum ter Tennessee? Ef it hadn't ben fur Cotton-eyed Joe, I'd er been married long ergo.      "His eyes wuz crossed, an' his nose wuz flat, An' his teef wuz out, but wat uv dat? Fur he wuz tall, an' he wuz slim, An' so my gal she follered him. Ef it hadn't ben fur Cotton-eyed Joe, I'd er been married long ergo. This week in Louisiana history. March 27, 1934. Rev. Gerald Smith addressed citizens in Sulphur's "Share Our Wealth Club."  This week in New Orleans history. March 27, 2020: New Orleans was identified as having the highest COVID-19 growth rate in the world, turning the city into a critical warning site for the global pandemic. This week in Louisiana. April 3-5, 2025 Louisiana Lao New Year Celebration (Pi Mai Lao). 7913 Champa Ave. Lanexang Village Broussard, LA 70518 Hours: Three-day festival (Friday-Sunday of Easter weekend) Website: explorelouisiana.com Email: [email protected] Phone: (337) 378-9469 Experience one of the most unique cultural festivals in Acadiana, celebrating Southeast Asian traditions: Lao Traditions: The festival features traditional sand castle building, vibrant parades, and a beauty pageant. Culinary Delights: Numerous vendors offer authentic clothes, jewelry, and a wide array of food from Southeast Asia. VIP Experience: All-access passes are available that include reserved parking, guided tours, and access to the Tea-time performance banquet. Admission & Pricing Admission & Pricing General Admission (Before 5:00 PM): Free. Evening Admission (After 5:00 PM): $15.00 per person (covers access to the evening concerts and the dance floor). VIP All-Access Pass: $50.00. This includes reserved parking next to the temple, food, a guided tour, and access to the VIP parade lounge and performance banquet. Parking: Public parking and shuttles are typically free, but limited; arriving early is highly recommended. Postcards from Louisiana. Rug Cutters at Favela Chic. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

670. Sophie White joins us to discuss her book, Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana. Sophie also has a companion website, "Voices of the Enslaved: A Digital Humanities Approach to Encountering the Archive." This website is well worth your time. It has an article on the earliest reference to voudou, for example, with primary documents and detailed analysis. In Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana, Sophie White uncovers a rare and startling "soundscape" of the 18th century. While most history books treat enslaved people as silent statistics, White mines the meticulously recorded trial records of the Louisiana Superior Council to find something revolutionary: the direct testimony of over 150 men and women. From the defiant words of Marguerite in a New Orleans courtroom to the intimate "maroon" love story of Kenet and Jean-Baptiste, these are not just legal responses — they are "accidental" autobiographies. Through White’s lyrical analysis, we move beyond the violence of the plantation and into the interior lives of those who refused to be erased, revealing a world of sophisticated material culture, complex kinship, and an unyielding insistence on their own humanity. Sophie White is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she holds concurrent appointments in History, Africana Studies, and Gender Studies. A native of Mauritius, her unique perspective on French colonial legacies and "othering" has made her a premier historian of the Atlantic World. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Mary Ashley Townsend 'Down the Bayou,' WE drifted down the long lagoon, My Love, my Summer Love and I, Far out of sight of all the town. The old Cathedral sinking down. With spire and cross, from view below The borders of St. John's bayou. As toward the ancient Spanish Fort, With steady prow and helm a-port, We drifted down, my Love and I. Beneath an azure April sky. My Love and I, my Love and I,    Just at the hour of noon. This week in Louisiana history. March 20, 1839. Shreveport become a "city" on the northern end of the Red River. This week in New Orleans history. On March 20, 2020, New Orleans recorded its first death from COVID-19, marking a somber turning point for the city. This event prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to issue a formal "Stay at Home" order just five days later to combat the rapid spread of the virus. This week in Louisiana. St. Joseph Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 204 Patton Avenue Shreveport, LA 71105 March 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Website: stjosephchurch.net Email: [email protected] Phone: (318) 865‑3581 Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. St. Joseph's Fish Fry is a long‑running Shreveport Lenten tradition, known for generous portions, friendly volunteers, and a steady community turnout each year: Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp with classic sides, plus limited combo plates. Dine‑In or Drive‑Thru: Efficient service for families and commuters. Community Support: Proceeds benefit parish ministries, school programs, and local outreach. Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

669. Part 2. We continue Women's History Month by concluding our conversation with Marcelle Bienvenu. Whe is an author working on the history of Creole cooking. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Meghan F. McDonald.'NOLA: An Interactive Street Performing Experience.'     Before embarking on my street performing tour of the U.S., one aspect I said I would investigate on the road was how influencial setting is for creating music.     Admittedly, this question was buried under piles of other questions that surfaced during my earlier stops, D.C., Nashville, Asheville and Atlanta. But that changed once I arrived in New Orleans.     Music and culture ' especially along Royal Street ' ooze from NOLA's pores, pumping through its streets as if the heart of all music can be found somewhere within the veins of the French Quarter. It is New Orleans, after all, that mothered music greats ranging from Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino to Lil Wayne. And that variety is not accidental ' it's part of NOLA's appeal.     On one street you may walk into an impromptu jazz ensemble performance, complete with an upright bass, saxophone player and a singer throwing out some hot scats. Five blocks down, you could stumble upon a high-energy brass group filled with trumpets, trombones and a tuba. Not to mention the multiple solo acts scattered throughout NOLA's streets at all hours of the day and night.     One factor that makes NOLA an ideal street performing city is the layout. The Quarter's tight streets, filled with sheltered sidewalks due to the vast amounts of layered decks, create a rich acoustic experience for buskers. The sound stays contained from having a ceiling of sorts, which then bounces off the parallel building in full circle. This week in Louisiana history. March 13, 1815. Gen. Andrew Jackson declares the end of martial law in New Orleans at the end of War of 1812. This week in New Orleans history. The City Park property was famous as a dueling ground long before it was a park ' more Affaires d'honneur were fought in New Orleans than in any other American city. They resulted from serious affronts, petty insults, or deliberate confrontations for the sole purpose of displaying fencing skills. Weapons of choice included swords, sabers, pistols, rifles, even bare hands. During the 1800s a series of duels were fought between fencing masters ' the most famous, Spaniard Pepe Llula was known as a duelist who met any man with any weapon. Times-Democrat on March 13, 1892, reported, "Between 1834 and 1844 scarcely a day passed without duels being fought at the Oaks'. Dueling had been outlawed two years before under the death penalty (if a death resulted) but it was seldom enforced.  This week in Louisiana. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 480 Richland Place Monroe, LA 71203 Open daily from sunrise to sunset Website: fws.gov/refuge/black-bayou-lake Email: [email protected] Phone: (318) 387‑1114 March is one of the best months to visit Black Bayou Lake, with mild temperatures, active wildlife, and early spring blooms along the trails and boardwalks: Boardwalk Trail: A scenic walk over the cypress‑studded lake, ideal for birdwatching and photography. Visitor Center & Nature Exhibits: Located in a restored plantation house with hands‑on displays. Wildlife Viewing: Frequent sightings of herons, egrets, turtles, and alligators in their natural habitat. Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

668. We begin women's history month by talking to Marcelle Bienvenu about the history of Creole cooking. In a city known worldwide for its food, the women of New Orleans have led the way. Marcelle Bienvenu's highly anticipated new release of her timeless classic, Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux? is a treasure trove of over two hundred recipes, revised with a Foreword by Emeril Lagasse and sumptuous color photography capturing the essence of every season. Marcelle is a cookbook author and food writer who has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. She has written on Creole/Cajun Cooking for The Times Picayune, Time-Life Books, and has been featured in Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Saveur, Southern Living, Redbook, The New York Times, Louisiana Life, and Acadiana Profile. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Grace King. "Pupasse."     EVERY day, every day, it was the same overture in Madame Joubert's room in the Institut St. Denis; the strident:    'Mesdemoiselles; ' vos places! Notre P're qui est dans le ciel ' Qui a fait ce bruit?'     'It's Pupasse, madame! It's Pupasse!' The answer invariably was unanimous.     'But, Madame Joubert, ' I assure you, Madame Joubert, ' I could not help it! They know I could not help it!'     By this time the fresh new fool's cap made from yesterday's 'Bee' would have been pinned on her head.     'Quelle injustice! Quelle injustice!'     This last apostrophe in a high, whining nasal voice, always procured Pupasse's elevation on the tall three-legged stool in the corner. This week in Louisiana history. March 6, 1867. General Philip Sheridan arrives in New Orleans to command the Fifth Military District (Louisiana and Texas) during Reconstruction.  This week in New Orleans history. Norman Treigle, born in New Orleans on March 6, 1927, made his operatic debut in 1947 with the New Orleans Opera Association, as the Duke of Verona in Rom'o et Juliette.  A graduate of Loyola's College of Music, Treigle went on to receive international acclaim.  He died in New Orleans on February 16, 1975.  This week in Louisiana. St. Pius X Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry 201 E. Bayou Parkway Lafayette, LA 70508 March 6, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Website: stpiusxchurch.org Email: [email protected] Phone: (337) 232‑4656 Plates typically range from $10'$15, with combo options available. St. Pius X hosts one of Lafayette's most popular Lenten Fish Fries, offering quick service, generous portions, and a strong community turnout each year: Seafood Plates: Fried fish or shrimp plates with sides, plus a limited number of combo plates. Drive‑Thru Convenience: A fast, well‑organized line ideal for families on busy Friday evenings. Parish Support: Proceeds benefit school programs, youth ministries, and local outreach Postcards from Louisiana. Florida Street Blowhards at LSU. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

667. Part 2 of our conversation with Kathleen Kass Byrd about her book on the history of Natchitoches. "Kathleen M. Byrd’s Natchitoches, Louisiana, 1803–1840 is an examination of one French Creole community as it transitioned from a fur-trading and agricultural settlement under the control of Spain to a critical American outpost on the Spanish/American frontier and finally to a commercial hub and jumping-off point for those heading west. Byrd focuses on historic events in the area and the long-term French Creole residents as they adapted to the American presence. She also examines the effect of the arrival of the Americans, with their Indian trading house and Indian agency, on Native groups and considers how members of the enslaved population took advantage of opportunities for escape presented by a new international border. Byrd shows how the arrival of Americans forever changed Natchitoches, transforming it from a sleepy frontier settlement into a regional commercial center and staging point for pioneers heading into Texas" (LSU Pr.). Kathleen M. Byrd (nicknamed Kass) is a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian specializing in the history and prehistory of Louisiana, particularly the Natchitoches region. A native of Connecticut, she earned her B.A. from Marquette University, an M.A. from LSU (focusing on coastal subsistence patterns), and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She served as Louisiana's state archaeologist for 15 years before joining Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches in 1994, where she later became director of the School of Social Sciences for 12 years until her retirement.  Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Jim Kjelgaard. Swamp Cat.     Frosty's heritage, in great measure, came from his renegade father. Incapable of fearing anything, he was sufficient unto himself and he'd known that from the first day he'd opened his eyes and looked around the shed. There was not and never would be a situation with which he could not cope or a foe from whom he would run in panic. His self-confidence was almost as vast as his curiosity. He would stand alone, or with kindred spirits. Never would he place himself at the mercy of, or pay homage to, one who was not kindred.     He liked the woman. She was unfailingly kind and gentle. She knew exactly how to pet him and she ' a small point ' brought his food. But he would not, as the gray kittens did, unbend so far as to met her at the door. She was not his superior. This week in Louisiana history. February 27, 1827. New Orleans kicks off its first Mardi Gras. This week in New Orleans history. Mardi Gras Day was cancelled on February 27, 1979 due to the New Orleans Police strike.  Some Orleans Parish parades were rescheduled in Jefferson Parish. This week in Louisiana. Kisatchie National Forest ' Valentine Lake Recreation Area Valentine Lake Road Forest Hill, LA 71430 Open year‑round; February is ideal for cool‑weather hiking and quiet lakeside visits Website: fs.usda.gov/kisatchie Email: [email protected] Phone: (318) 473‑7160 Valentine Lake is one of Kisatchie's most peaceful recreation areas, offering scenic trails, birdwatching, and lakeside relaxation during the mild late‑winter season: Valentine Lake Trail: A 3.4‑mile loop through longleaf pine forest with excellent wildlife viewing. Picnic & Day‑Use Areas: Shaded spots along the shoreline, perfect for quiet afternoons. Fishing Access: The 46‑acre lake is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. No fee for entry. There is a small fee for camping. Postcards from Louisiana. Sporty's Brass Band. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.