Creole News

"We thought of it less as 'What do we need?' than 'What can we do without?' At this point in life, it isn't things that matter, it's experiences." Louisiana natives Terry and Lynette DuFrene had a plan when they moved to New Orleans after 17 years in Houston.

E veryone loves a great comeback story. Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina rocked our precious city, New Orleans has been on a bona fide comeback kick, and the Big Easy, many feel, has never been more exciting.

BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Mary Burns and Gus Tujague cut a rug to the live music of Mary Broussard & Creole Royalty during the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival at the Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Driving back home last week via Louisiana Hwy. 192 , I pulled over on the shoulder of the road near Franklin.

Cultural diffusion: The spreading of ideas from one culture to another. For years I have taught the idea of cultural diffusion in fifth grade social studies.

The Creole String Beans got the picnic dance going Sunday at New Orleans Jazz Fest , with an easy-to-like, late-morning set of swamp pop, vintage rock and funky originals.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No Andy Williams, not Christmas, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet.

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING -- Terri Hammatt is a world language consultant at the Louisiana Department of Education where she promotes pre-kindergarten through 12th grade world language learning.

The disappointment is Thierry plays so early - 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Saturday on the Crawfish Stage.

Some folks - first-time festers, for certain - might not realize that the cuisine available at the Fair Grounds doesn't begin and end with Cajun and Creole classics.

Arnaudville's Mavis Fruge has been honored with Louisiana's first Prix de la Franco-Responsabilite award for her contributions to the state's cultural economy.

The Cajun band T'Monde performs on the Fais Do Do stage during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans on Friday.

Tucked beyond the New Orleans Jazz Fest Blues and Gospel tents lies a small feast of home-cookin' gleaned from cultures known for their culinary contributions to the New Orleans area.

Dear Smiley: While shopping recently in Gonzales, my husband Buddy and I met "Slick" Schexnayder, a gentleman who had moved from our community years ago.

Reducing Port Hudson fell to Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, but Banks first had to clear the Rebels out of Louisiana's Bayou Teche region so they could not threaten his rear.

Besides the main stages, Festival International offers special events, including some that started as early as Tuesday.

Cedric Watson has always been able to get a rise out of people. Even if those listening didn't understand.

Dancing shoes and an ear for music are not the only requirements for Festival International de Louisiane.

Everything from Jamila's booth, especially the crawfish, spinach and artichoke bisque, is overlooked.

The Creole String Beans intermingle south Louisiana classics and vintage-sounding original material on the new 'Shrimp Boots & Vintage Suits.' They perform at Threadhead Thursday in City Park April 25, 2013.