EP 178 - Questions and Answers

EP 178 - Questions and Answers

Author: Mark Bologna March 22, 2023 Duration: 1:00:17

Today's episode is a Q&A show with questions from listeners like you.

As always questions from our Patreon supporters go to the top of the list, followed by those from our Facebook community.

Timestamps

Patron Questions

4:38 - What are your favorite venues on Frenchman st. and which are your favorite artists to see in those venues?

7:58 - Where do you recommend to go for a great breakfast in the Quarter and why? Any must-have breakfast menu selections that are classic NOLA?

9:15 - I was wondering if there was a theatrical agency who provides actors in NOLA? I am in need of 2 male actors for a music video.

9:57 - I remember you once gave listeners a heads up that you might be starting up a whisky/bourbon podcast at some point. Any updates on that?

12:03 - What are some New Orleans bands/musicians that you're following these days? Do any of them have ongoing residencies anywhere in town?

13:41 - What do you think about the current state of affairs in New Orleans? NOLA was hit with the pandemic then, just as things were getting a little better, Hurricane Ida hit. Are things rebounding from a residents perspective? Is the current political leadership up to the challenge?

17:46 - Saba is one of my favorite places to go every time I am in New Orleans (with one of the best Sazeracs in town). That said, are there any other treasures you recommend at places one wouldn't expect?

19:40 - We love French Quarter Fest; began attending in 2017, and find it more enjoyable than Jazz Fest. We would love to try some of the other festivals; do you have particular favorites that you can suggest?

23:53 - I'd like to hear an update on your travel guide. Do you expect sales will really grow as FQ Fest and Jazz Fest are coming up? Anything specific fans and the community can do to help promote?

26:00 - Is Jazz Fest still worth attending now that the vendor for Crawfish Bread has bowed out? (Just kidding, but I'm crushed and I wonder what you will fill your foil lined pockets with now :-)

28:58 - When is it okay to join a Second Line. There seems to be different etiquette for funerals than for, e.g., weddings in the Quarter…

 

Facebook Questions

33:50 - If you don't have a brass pass from WWOZ, can you still buy their WWOZ gear at Jazz Fest?

34:53 - You can eat free at any 5 restaurants in Nola for the rest of your life but that's the only 5 restaurants you can ever eat at again. What's your 5?

37:10 - What's your favorite local beer/brewery ?

38:12 - Can you share the best top places that are wheelchair or mobility scooter friendly! Also what is the best transportation for the same, are the streetcars wheelchair accessible?

40:43 - What is your favorite quote about New Orleans?

42:27 - Being a graphic designer, I've always wondered why does Rex use the phrase, "The School of Design?"

44:11 - If you could host a roundtable discussion with any five New Orleans celebrities, who would you host and what would you discuss? Think music, art, food and bar scene, sports, politics…

49:01 - Can you suggest the best hotel or area to look for my wife and I as we come for our sixth visit together in a few months? We have loved our stays at Place d'Armes, Bourbon Orleans and Hotel Monteleone, but are ready to stay somewhere outside the FQ. We like a lively bar/touristy/people-watching/easy-to-leave-the-hotel-and-walk-to-something-fun vibe…what are you thoughts?

50:39 - Have you ever taken a cooking or mixology class in New Orleans? Any good recommendations?

51:32 - It's widely know that Derek Carr went to Chipotle for his first meal as a New Orleans Saint. Bad move, but maybe he just didn't know any better…If you are tasked with spending one day with Derek Carr, taking him to one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner and one late night activity to acclimate him to his new home, where are you taking him?

55:38 - I'm a big stand up comedy fan. I hear a lot comedians who are from New Orleans like Theo Von and others say it's not the best comedy scene. Where are the good places for stand up or open mic nights?


Mark Bologna's Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans is a deep, resonant conversation with a city that defies easy definition. This isn't a surface-level tour; it's an immersion into the living culture that pulses in the neighborhoods far from the well-trodden paths. Each episode is built on the understanding that the soul of New Orleans is found in its details: the history baked into a brick wall in the Bywater, the family stories behind a specific gumbo recipe, the social traditions that shape second line parades, and the quiet courtyards known only to locals. You'll hear from chefs, musicians, historians, and everyday residents who share their personal connections to the Crescent City's intricate tapestry. The podcast naturally moves between past and present, exploring how centuries of history directly inform the city's contemporary character, from its vibrant arts scene to its complex social dynamics. For travelers, it offers invaluable context that transforms a visit from a simple vacation into a meaningful experience. For locals, it's a celebration and a rediscovery of home. And for anyone listening from afar, it provides a rich, authentic portrait of a place often misunderstood. Tune in for stories that go beyond the guidebook, revealing the true heartbeat of one of the world's most captivating cities.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
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