The French Quarter (or simply the Quarter as it’s known to locals) is a sacred enclave bustling with history and architecture and characters and secrets. They don’t call it the most interesting neighborhood in America for nothing.
So what’s it like living in the French Quarter? I answered that question several years ago at the beginning of my book Treasures of the Vieux Carre:
It’s stepping outside your door to get some fresh air only to find a brass band leading a second-line parade down the street; it’s being chased by the Big Easy Roller Derby Girls as they skate past you and whack you with a pool noodle during the New Orleans version of the Running of the Bulls; it’s walking past the window GW Fins and seeing an elderly man in a sears sucker suit eating baked oysters; it’s dancing in the street to the To Be Continued Brass Band playing at the corner of Canal at Bourbon on a Tuesday evening; it’s catching some beads from Pete Fountain on Mardi Gras morning as his Half Fast Walking Club marches past you; it’s being able to find a cocktail at 4:00 in the morning and then walking down the street with it; it’s having your waiter at Galatoire’s serve you turtle soup and whisper in your ear, “The turtle’s name was Fred”; it’s taking forever to run what should be a ten minute errand because there are so many bars between your home and wherever you’re going and in each one is someone you know; it’s hearing members of the local opera company sing arias in the lobby of the hotel where the French Opera House once stood; it’s having perfect strangers pin money to your shirt on your birthday; it’s dressing your dog in a silly costume for the Barkus Parade; it’s breathing in the scent of thousands of used books at the Dauphine Street Book Shop; it’s sinking your teeth in a homemade lamb sausage poboy in the back room at the Erin Rose; it’s eating a fluffy omelet at the Clover Grill at 3:00 a.m.; in short, it’s waking up every day and feeling like you’re getting away with something.
I created this website to share my love of the French Quarter with the world. Scroll down to see a few of the ways I do that.
Writing
Looking for something good to read about New Orleans? I can help with that! For writers, the French Quarter is a dream. This quirky neighborhood is filled with eccentric characters, intriguing secrets, fascinating stories, and some amazing history. The place is literally dripping with inspiration. I’ve written several books on the history of New Orleans and hundreds of articles as a columnist for Ambush Magazine and French Quarter Journal. See my complete bibliography here.
Tours
Looking to explore New Orleans? I can help with that! My company, the Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, is able to book just about any tour company in the New Orleans area, including airboats, plantations, cemeteries, general city tours, and so much more. In addition, we are also able to offer discounted prices on most of the tours we sell. In addition, I am available for private tours. Find out more here.
Teaching
Do you want to learn more about New Orleans? Perhaps even become a tour guide? I can help with that! Whether you want to become a licensed tour guide or just learn more about the French Quarter, my Professional Tour Guiding courses at Loyola University are just what you need. The classes are interactive, informative, and entertaining. Find out more here.
Public Speaking
Looking for a speaker for your conference, convention, class, or meeting? I can help with that! Just a few of my previous speaking engagements include a number of college classes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the National Park Service, the American Alliance of Museums, the Louisiana State Museum, and the Society of American Archivists, among many others. Find out more here.
Historical Consulting
Writing a book or making a film? Creating a video game? Researching a television show? Need some research done? I can help with that! I am more than happy to consult with you concerning any aspect of New Orleans history. Find out more here.
LGBT+ New Orleans
Want to learn about New Orleans’ rich and vibrant LGBT+ history? I can help with that! It has been my pleasure for the last several years to not only preserve and document that history, but also to be a small part of it. I’ve written several books and hundreds of articles on local queer history and I’m proud to be a co-founder of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. In addition, I also founded and love conducting The Rainbow Fleur de Lis Walking Tour, which is a leisurely sashay the French Quarter’s rainbow history. (Photo credit: Andrew Simoneaux) Find out more here.
Krewe de la Rue Royale Revelers
Ever wanted to be a member of a Carnival krewe? I can help with that! I’m proud to be the founder and Captain of the Krewe de la Rue Royale Revelers, a state-chartered Carnival club. Each year on January 6, we usher in the Carnival Season with a fabulous 12th Night Party. The highlight of the party is the revelation of the Grand Reveler. Find out more here.
Tarot
Looking for spiritual guidance? Or perhaps just a fun New Orleans memory? I can help with that! Let me do a reading for you. Tarot readings are a great way to gain insight into whatever is going on in your life. I’ve been reading cards for decades and I can guarantee you a French Quarter Frank reading will be an experience you will not soon forget. Find out more here.
Editing Services
Have you written a masterpiece but need help polishing it? I can help with that! I have experience editing and revising a wide variety of manuscripts, including: novels, short stories, academic articles, history books, term papers, theses, and dissertations. Find out more here.
Wedding Officiant
Getting married? Need someone to perform the ceremony? I can help with that! Regardless of your faith, or lack thereof, I am happy to officiate your ceremony. Find out more here.
Biography
I wear a lot of different hats and you can learn more about them (and me) here.
Notary Services
Coming soon!