When she died in June 2019 at age 96, Leah Chase was celebrated as a New Orleans legend, icon, and inspiration. During research for 2009’s animated The Princess and Frog, directors Ron Clements and John Musker called on Chase’s life story and culinary renown—a journey from French Quarter waitress to James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award recipient—as inspiration for the character of Tiana, Disney’s first African American princess.
Casino Royale became Stormy’s Casino Royale in 1948, named for (but not owned by) its star act, Stacy “Stormy” Lawrence. The club became known for featuring some of the most outlandish acts on Bourbon Street.
Curator/Historian Eric Seiferth takes us through the music scene on Bourbon Street in the 1950s.
Terrance Simien recalls the production of The Big Easy and the Louisiana cultural scene of the 1980s.
We talked to a locally based dialect coach about those infamous accents in The Big Easy. She gave us insight into Hollywood's portrayal of Louisiana.
There will be no Jazz Fest in 2020, but we can still imagine the sights, sounds, and smells through images taken in past years.
Mardi Gras as we know it began in New Orleans in the second half of the 19th century, and the mythology that krewes chose for their parade themes reflects larger stylistic and sociopolitical currents of the time.
Brass bands sprang up in the mid 19th century by playing the popular music of the day. Since then, local bands have incorporated jazz, funk, bebop, and hip hop into their repertoires.
THNOC staff members discuss four recent additions to the museum's holdings, each touching on arts and artists in New Orleans.
New Orleans actor Sid Noel stepped into one of the most iconic local television roles when he created the mad scientist known as Morgus the Magnificent.
