local culture
New Orleans history includes years of French,
Spanish and Caribbean influence. Just look at the corners of buildings
situated on the French Quarter's intersections sometime for the
plaques listing the street names as they were under Spanish
rule (Royal street was known as Calle Real). There is
also a sizeable Latino community of diverse national origins in the
greater New Orleans area, most of whom live in Metaire and Kenner, which is why you
may be surprised to hear of the community's existence at all. Below are
suggested places of local interest. Let us know of any others.
specialty groceries
Mid-City: Union Grocery
(482-5390) 4129 Tulane Avenue, in the Rock&Bowl/Thrift City strip
mall
latin dance clubs
The December 2002 issue of
Offbeat Magazine has two articles on the New Orleans' scene:
The Latin King of Frenchmen Street,
(includes an interview with Fredy Omar), and another entitled "O Latino,
Where Art Thou?" (not online). Try
New
Orleans Online's article, Salsaweb's guide to
New
Orleans Salsa or the venues listed here:
Tumbao at Twiropa's - 1544 Tchoupitoulas
(Check mambomundo.com for
more info.). Latin night every saturday, 10-4,5 or so!!! The hottest
new place to dance salsa, cumbia, bachata, merengue, Spanish and
American Hip-Hop, Spanish rock, reggae, so much!
Blue Nile - 534 Frenchmen Street. Fredy
Omar con Su Banda 10:30 Fridays; Latin Dance lessons at 9
Vespers - 1414 Veterans Blvd. (833-0050) Latin Dance lessons
W-Sat before band starts; call for times
Kenny's Key West - 3012 N. Arnoult Rd, Metaire (456-9500)
call for schedule of Latin music
Copacabana - 4609 Airline Dr. Metaire (456-6089)
call for listings.
Cafe Brasil - 2100 Chartres (949-0851) also
occasionally has Latin Dance events on Saturday mostly.
For other ideas, look at the Gambit's
Music Listings - scroll way down and look under the heading
of "dance" to see what type of dance music will
be played, who the band is, etc. You are also bound to find "Latin"
music advertised in the setting of electronic, house, hip-hop, etc.
at places like Ampersand and 735. But you can be sure
that is a different scene.
radio stations,
newspapers & local e-sabor
-
There are two
Spanish-Language radio stations in the Greater New Orleans area. They're both AM
radio, so reception varies by proximity to large cement structures, bad weather,
etc. But it is a good way to find out about local latino community festivals,
club events, and to practice listening comprehension from native speakers in
your car while you commute. La Fabulosa 830AM (WFNO) and Radio
Tropical Caliente 1540 (KGLA).
- El
Vocero - biweekly and bilingual, targeted for New Orleans' Hispanic
community.
- A Latinamericanist's
Guide to New Orleans - from the Stone Center for Latin American Studies
-
Mambomundo.com
- N.O.Sotros
Magazine
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