Category: Events

Molly’s and The Dive Bar to host Irish Halloween Wake Party for Erin Churchill memorial

A second line funeral just doesn’t seem special enough for a soul who was friend to so many people. To remember the life Erin Churchill, Molly’s Irish Bar and the Dive Bar on Toulouse Street are hosting a memorial event for Erin from 4 to 6 p.m. tonight — although there’s nothing stopping you from carrying on the celebration into the night (and we hope that you do). Food will be available for those who attend.

Erin was born the day before Halloween in 1964 and the holiday was her absolute favorite day of the year. She was also a supporter of The Quarter Rat. Erin passed away on May 21 at 58 years old after a battle with cancer. Erin’s obituary is posted on schoenfh.com. We’re going to miss her a whole helluva lot.

As the owner of Molly’s Irish Bar on Toulouse Street, every year they hosted the local’s favorite Halloween party.

So what does a French Quarter Irish Bar do to celebrate the passing of our favorite person? An Irish Halloween Wake Block Party. The Superdome wasn’t available, unfortunately, and we were denied a block party permit due to Toulouse Street being a busy street, and it’s a Sunday. That doesn’t this event won’t be special.

Costume summertime appropriate and optional, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. Bring your trick-or-treat bags. We are trying to keep everyone together and cool as possible! So much love too everyone! We’ll see you there.

Vehicular traffic restricted in the Vieux Carre due to French Quarter Fest

French Quarter Fest opening day parade 2022. | Cedric Ellsworth
New Orleans has restricted vehicular traffic in the French Quarter due to the four-day French Quarter Festival

that kicked off Thursday, although residents can acquire access passes at the police department.

City officials said that the New Orleans Police Department will restrict traffic to ensure pedestrian safety and that intermittent street closures might be required as crowds get larger.

Closures include Bourbon Street, from Iberville to St. Ann streets, which will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, the following streets and intersections will be closed to traffic from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday:

  • Canal Street from Chartres to Burgundy streets 
  • North Rampart Street from Iberville to St. Ann streets 
  • Decatur Street from Conti to Dumaine streets 
  • Intersection of North Peters Street and Canal Street 

All vehicular traffic will be blocked for on-street stages on Saturday and Sunday, located at 1000, 500 and 400 blocks of Royal Street, and the 600 and 700 blocks of Bourbon Street.

A full “Mardi Gras” closure will be in effect Friday to Sunday. Public safety officials will screen vehicles entering the French Quarter’s perimeter on Iberville, Decatur, Dumaine and North Rampart streets. Only residents, employees, hotel guests and taxis/ride hailing services will be allowed to drive vehicles into the French Quarter, according to New Orleans officials.

No on-street parking or vehicular traffic into the French Quarter will be allowed between Iberville, North Rampart, Dumaine and Decatur streets, except vehicles that have permits. Permits are available at the NOPD’s Eighth District Station at 300 Royal St.

FQMD seeks post-French Quarter Fest clean-up volunteers

Chris has risen (sort of)

Our block of Toulouse Street was the staging area for the (formally known as Chris Owens) Easter Parade. Just keep her name on it I say. One float had a life size cut-out of her. It creeped the fuck out of me when I first saw it. I thought they had dug her up. Be honest, you know she still probably looks the same now.

At work I spotted the last float had a sign on it that read “Happy Easter, the Cantrell Family.” I thought “Cool, some more grimacing Latoya pictures.” Nah, wrong Cantrell family. She wouldn’t allow herself to be the last float unless it was the biggest with brass marching band.

I was still in a prime location to get some pics of the set up. That means they climb up on a float and start working on a buzz. I sat up on a fire escape to take these pics. Smoking a bowl and sniping with the camera. A skill I learned playing GTA that I never thought would have real world application.

Sitting here going through the shots listening to the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar. About the only tradition I have on this holiday. I always viewed the story through a purely political narrative. The backward corrupt time in human history when tyrants would discredit and arrest their political opponents. Thankfully we would never consider such things in our enlightened and progressive days.

FQMD seeks post-French Quarter Fest clean-up volunteers

The French Quarter Management District is looking for clean-up volunteers needed after the conclusion of French Quarter Fest on April 16.

The FQMD’s effort is part of its Keep the Quarter Clean program and Love the Boot Week, a state-wide litter removal and beautification campaign running from April 17-23.

Volunteers will be assigned to the French Quarter Festival’s Green Team, who are also volunteers that will be at the festival to “to guide the public in the use of recycling and composting stations.” French Quarter Fest runs from April 13-16.

Volunteers can sign up to work on a four-hour shift either from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The FQMD asked volunteers to indicate if they prefer to be scheduled with specific friends or neighbors.

To sign up, email Karley Frankic at kfrankic@fqmd.org or call the FQMD at 504-323-5801.

FQMD launches program encouraging people to not litter in the French Quarter

New Orleans Plans Annual Lighting of Canal Street Nov. 22

Photo courtesy of CC Flickr
The Downtown Development District of New Orleans said it will hold the annual Lighting of Canal Street on Nov. 22, marking the beginning of the holiday season.

The event is scheduled to take place starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Canal Place mall, located at 333 Canal St.

Millions of will be illuminated along Canal Street from South Claiborne Avenue to the Mississippi River, according to the DDD, which also said it will coordinate with the Riverwalk Outlets mall to illuminate the 40-foot-tall tree in Spanish Plaza, located at 2 Canal St.

In addition, the DDD said it is sponsoring the Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade, which will be held on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

For more information, visit the Downtown Development District website.

Beauregard-Keyes House seeks tour guide volunteers