New Orleans-La NightLife

New Orleans-La NightLife information

Music

Why pay to hear the best jazz and blues sounds in the world? Simply walk on down to Jackson Square or the banks of the Mississippi River and listen to the various musicians who play simply for the love of it. At Jackson Square, be sure to look out for "Doreen and her Band", and you will hear, perhaps, the most exquisite blues voice ever. Music clubs and halls such as Tipitina and the Bourbon Vieux Room offer blues and jazz, and every club and bar at some time or other seems to host a live performance of the sound of New Orleans. Larger events including heavyweight jazz and blues stars can be seen at the Saenger Theater, one of the city's premier music venues. Tickets and programme of upcoming events are available from the box office at the rear of the theatre at 143 North Rampart St. Tel: +1 (1)504-524-2490 between 10h00-17h00 Mon-Fri. * The Saenger Theater is currently closed. No opening date has been confirmed yet. The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, as well as being the home of the city's opera company (see below) is also one of the city's main venues for international modern acts. Tel: +1 (1)504-522-5555 for information. Really big acts play the Louisiana Superdome, home to the city's NFL football team, the Saints, as well as occasional host to such big names as Elton John, the Rolling Stones and more recently, Britney Spears. Sugar Bowl Dr. Tel: +1 (1)504-587-3663. * The Louisiana Superdome is currently closed. Due to re-open in September 2006. The State Palace Theater hosts a rather mixed bag of bands, DJs and solo performers playing everything from the blues to hard dance music. 1108 Canal St, Tel: +1 (1)504-522-4435. Classical Music can also be heard in New Orleans. The excellent Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is based in the city and uses the Orpheum Theater for its programme of performances running throughout the year. Orpheum Theater, 129 University Place. For information on the Philharmonic's upcoming programme of events and ticket availability, Tel: +1 (1)504-523-6530.

Theatre

The Saenger Theater (see above for details) is the venue of choice for Broadway style musicals when they're in town. The Contemporary Arts Center boasts two auditoriums, and is used by a variety of companies performing musicals, theatre and all sorts of acts. Contact the venue for the full programme of events. 900 Camp St. Tel: +1 (1)504-528-3800. Le Petit Teatre Du Vieux Carre is one of the leading small community theatres in the US. The theatre offers a variety of different styles and genres of play. It's haunted too, apparently. The theatre is the epicentre of the Tennessee Williams Festival held each March, and seeing some of the writer's finest plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire or The Glass Menagerie in the city that inspired these masterpieces is undeniably thrilling. Phone for information and tickets. 616 St Peters St. Tel: +1 (1)504-522-2081. The Southern Repertory Theater is another small company based in the city, and offers a variety of contemporary plays and musicals based on the experience of living in the Southern US. 3rd Floor Canal Place, Tel: +1 (1)504-522-6545. * The Southern Repertory Theater is currently closed. Due to re-open in April 2006.

Opera

Although few people automatically connect New Orleans with a proud operatic tradition the city does boast its very own Opera Association, which is now entering its 60th season. In fact opera has been performed in the city for 200 years, mainly thanks to the aristocratic Europeans who wanted to recreate the old world in their new home. The New Orleans Opera Association now keeps the proud heritage of opera going in a full programme of the classics each year. Performances are held at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 801 North Rampart St. The association itself is located at 305 Baronne St, Suite 500. Box Office: +1 (1)504-522-5555.

Cinema

The list of films that have used the "Big Easy" as a backdrop is endless. The most famous must be the Marlon Brando depiction of Tennessee Williams's "A Streetcar Named Desire", but through the decades there have been many more movies featuring New Orleans, such as Easy Rider and JFK. Meanwhile movies like the Mickey Rourke cult classic Angel Heart, and author Anne Rice's Interview With a Vampire, which make much of New Orleans's supernatural reputation continue to draw movie fans to the city each year. Following the city starring in James Bond's Live and Let Die, you can even take James Bond themed tours around the French Quarter and there are regular get togethers of 007 fan clubs in the city. If you want to catch a movie rather than try and star in one, try Canal Place Cinemas, 333 Canal Street. Tel: +1 (1)504-581-5400. It's the city's top choice for independent and foreign films.

Nightclubs

New Orleans is synonymous with nightlife, and there are few people who come here without sampling at least some of the night-time entertainment on offer. The city caters to all tastes, and along the central French Quarter drag of Bourbon St you can find everything you want. Be warned that the west end of the street is the less salubrious area, where dance clubs are replaced by lap-dancing and strip joints. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you enter, you might get more than you bargain for... Ampersand 1100 Tulane Ave Tel: +1 (1)504-587-3737 When you want to duck the jazz and enjoy some more modern sounds head for Ampersand, in the centre of the city. The favoured haunt of the young, wealthy and fashionable you'll find DJs spinning dance and chill-out grooves, and a permanently packed dancefloor. Razzoo's 511 Bourbon St Tel: +1 (1)504-522-5100 A smallish venue from the outside Razzoo's grows once you enter. There are several bars, a central courtyard and a stage, plus a large patio if you want to chill out and get away from the crowds for a while. A blend of live music, DJs and karaoke keep everyone entertained, while the waitresses circulate distributing test tube shots to make sure nobody starts flagging too early. Big Bad Wolf 433 Bourbon St Tel: +1 (1)504-561-8200 Big Bad Wolf is not for the faint hearted. At the centre of the Bourbon St party scene it's a favoured calling off point for stag and hen parties, as the DJs whip up the "anything goes" atmosphere. If you're looking for a quiet drink, look elsewhere. Funky Butt 714 North Rampart St Tel: +1 (1)504-558-0872 A small cosy jazz and blues club situated on the border of the French Quarter that always figures in a true jazz pilgrimage to the Big Easy. A small place, but very good New Orleans atmosphere, with a beautiful Art Deco interior. Make sure to catch a cab if visiting in the evening, it's not the safest area. 735 Nightclub 735 Bourbon St Tel: +1 (1)504-581-6740 If there was a prize for the most imaginative name for a nightclub "735" would come last. However, in the trendy stakes this dance club is right up there as one of the hottest tickets in town. Madonna used it as a backdrop for one of her videos, which gives it sufficient credentials for just about anyone who's anyone to drop in here.

Casino

There are several casinos and gambling haunts in New Orleans but the cream of the crop is undoubtedly Harrah's. In the gaudy ambience of this palace of gaming not only can you enjoy the gambling tables and machines (and there's plenty of both), but there's also live entertainment and delicious cuisine on offer. The Casino is located along from the Convention Center, and opposite the Riverwalk, making it easily accessible from the main shopping areas of New Orleans. 512 St Peters St. Open: 24hours. Tel: +1 (1)504-533-6000. Admission: free, but entrants must be over 21 and have photo ID.

Special Events

March The Tennessee Williams literary festival sees the city's famous playwright honoured in five day's worth of readings and performances from his plays such as "A Streetcar Named Desire", "The Glass Menagerie" and lesser known works. There are also poetry recitals and a showcase for new and established talent, usually with a New Orleans flavour. Tel: +1 (1)504-581-1144 for information. Mardi Gras - February/March Mardi Gras is the world famous carnival leading up to "Fat Tuesday", the day before Ash Wednesday. Carnivals, parades and floats bombard the French Quarter for a full two weeks, in a frenzy of partying and celebration. Crowds flock to Bourbon St to watch the processions - and if you can get a vantage point on a balcony, you can throw the traditional Mardi Gras beads down on the revellers. The atmosphere is electric in the city, but be warned it becomes incredibly crowded, and accommodation is at a premium. Tel: +1 (1)504-566-5003 for information. April/May The last weekend in April and the first in May each year sees the city's famous Jazzfest. The defining sound of the Big Easy nearly a hundred acts from the world of jazz descend on the city, and the smoky sound of the saxophone is even more prevalent on the streets and in the bars of the city than it is at other times. Thousands of jazz aficionados come to enjoy world famous performers such as Fats Domino. Now in its fourth decade the event grows each year and is an international fixture on the jazz scene. Tel: +1 (1)504-522-4786 for information. December New Orleans's Christmas celebrations are considered some of the finest in the whole of the US. The entire French Quarter is bedecked with lights, turning it into a fairy wonderland. Gospel choirs and jazz musicians perform on the streets and there are free concerts against the spectacular backdrop of St Louis cathedral. It's a magical time to visit the city and celebrate a Cajun Christmas.