IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON! A city that takes joie de vivre to new levels, New Orleans naturally organizes its celebratory approach to life into some of the world's most popular (and eclectic) festivals. Festivals are more than a great time for New Orleans; they are an important driver for the city's tourism industry, its economic backbone. But even more, festivals are a joyous celebration—and the very embodiment—of the city's cultural heart and soul. And there's so much to celebrate: our city's fascinating history and unique cultural heritage; its natural beauty; its creative and culinary arts; its world famous music; and, perhaps most of all, the very spirit of its people, who invite the world to laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll) at New Orleans' myriad of festivals. Book now as our festival season books up fast! Upcoming Events and Festivals: March 26-28 Louisiana Roadfood Festival April 9-11 French Quarter Festival April 23-May 2 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest May 25-29 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience May 28-30 Greek Festival June 11-13 A New Orleans Vieux to Do July 2-4 Essence Music Festival July 21-25 Tales of the Cocktail For more information on these and other festivals click here.		Festivals a plenty!
BEST PLACE FOR MUSIC IN NEW ORLEANS: FRENCHMEN STREET Only steps away from Maison DuBois is a compact musical enclave where the “"locals" hang out. A two-block-long entertainment district where, on any given night of the week you can hear live sounds and a wide variety of music as only New Orleans musicians can perform. Within that two-block stretch of Frenchmen Street you are likely to hear anything from jazz to Latin to blues to reggae . . . and just about everything in between. And…best of all…on Frenchmen Street the drinks are cheap and admission to most of these clubs is free! The only thing you'll be asked to do is tip the bands generously; or, as they say, make a contribution to Philip (as in “"Fill up the tip jar"). In some of these venues, that's the only money they make, so you'll be making a worthy contribution toward keeping the music of New Orleans alive. For more information visit our events page.		Jammin' in N'awlins!
SHOP, WINE, DINE AND RELAX: MAGAZINE STREET Magazine Street—one of New Orleans' premier shopping and entertainment districts—is an unparalleled collection of neighborhoods with a diverse array of businesses, shops, restaurants and hot spots. It's where people live, work, play and enjoy the good life that New Orleans has to offer. In short, it's the Place to be in New Orleans. It is easily accessible by car or public transportation from Maison DuBois.                For shopping, dining or just casual strolling, no place in New Orleans outside the French Quarter beats Magazine Street. A six-mile-long stretch of this Garden District and Uptown thoroughfare features some of the best antique stores, art galleries, craft shops and classy boutiques to be found anywhere in the city. Magazine Street was named for a “"magazin," a warehouse that was built in the late 1700s to house products awaiting export. Today this vibrant street features eclectic architecture – from the large columned Greek Revival style of the mid-19th century to the colorful Victorian cottages trimmed in quirky gingerbread millwork. We will be happy to point you to the local treasures upon your arrival. Just ask!		Shop til you drop!
SAINTS WIN SUPERBOWL For the very first time, after 43 years of angst and frustration, the Saints won the Super Bowl and brought the Lombardi trophy home to the Grand Old Lady by the River.  And New Orleans welcomed them in a way that no other city would've – or could've – done.  By some counts, eight hundred thousand people showed up to say thank you—thank you for so much more than winning the Super Bowl.  To an area that's still recovering from the worst engineering disaster in the history of our country, the victory is about more than football.  It's about perseverance, tenacity and true grit.  It's about enduring, striving and, finally, succeeding, long after many would've given up.  The team is a reflection of the city and vice versa.  The two are inexorably intertwined in a way that would be hard for someone who doesn't live in the area to understand.		Saints win!
LEARN THE LINGO: NEW ORLEANS STYLE Who Dat? Who dat? is a chant of team support, used especially by fans of the New Orleans Saints. The entire chant is: "Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?" The chant of "Who Dat?" originated in minstrel shows and vaudeville acts of the late 1800s and early 1900s and was taken up by jazz and big band performers in the 1920s and 30s. In the swing era, "who dat" chants back and forth between the band and the band leader or between the audience and the band were extemporaneous. That is, there was no one specific set of words except for the two magic ones. Then "Who Dat" became part of a chant for fans cheering on their favorite team. By 1983, the New Orleans Saints organization officially adopted it, and Aaron Neville recorded a version of "When the Saints Go Marching In" that incorporated the chant (performed by a group of Saints players) that became a major local hit, due in part to the the fact that Saints fans had been using the chant already. In recent years the phrase "Who Dat Nation" has become a popular term for the community of Saints fans.		A strong Nation!
ENTER TO WIN A FREE NIGHT STAY AT MAISON DUBOIS Win a free night stay in New Orleans. Come see us and celebrate! Your visit will not only ensure you the unique cultural travel experience but you will also be a part of the REBIRTH of New Orleans. So here is hoping that we will see you soon and be able to say Bienvenue New Orleans. Click here to enter. This month's winner: William Russel of Minnesota!		Click here to enter.