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Louisiana Anthology Podcast

Louisiana Anthology Podcast

By: Bruce R. Magee & Stephen Payne
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The Louisiana Anthology Podcast is an part of the larger project of the Louisiana Anthology. We release new episodes every Saturday, and the podcasts last for around an hour. The purpose of the Louisiana Anthology Podcast is to discuss the literature and culture of Louisiana. We broadcast interviews with various authors, artists, and scholars about their contributions to Louisiana.Creative Commons License Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • 684. Lee Farrow.

    684. Lee Farrow.
    Jun 27 2026
    684. Today we chat with Lee Farrow about the visit of Count Alexis of Russia to Louisiana. She has written about the 1872 visit of Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanov to Louisiana in her book Alexis in America: A Russian Grand Duke's Tour, 1871–1872.Farrow, a New Orleans native and Tulane University alumna, meticulously separates history from myth regarding the Grand Duke’s arrival in New Orleans during Reconstruction. While popular Mardi Gras legend claims the Krewe of Rex was hastily founded solely to honor Alexis because he was pursuing a stage actress, Farrow’s research reveals a more complex reality: local organizers used the celebrity of the Tsar's son to boost tourism, project a cosmopolitan image, and heal post-Civil War divisions. Alexis arrived aboard the luxury steamboat James Howard, and was officially welcomed by Rex, the King of Carnival, cementing a cultural connection between Russian royalty and Louisiana tradition that is celebrated to this day. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Dorsey. Caddo Traditions. 7. SNAKE-WOMAN DISTRIBUTES SEEDS The Great Father gave the seeds of all growing things to Snake-Woman. He taught her how to plant the seeds and how to care for the green things that grew from them until they were ripe, and then how to prepare them for food. One time, when Snake-Woman had more seeds than she could possibly care for, she decided to give some to the people. She called her two sons and asked them to help her carry the seeds. Each put a big bag full of seeds on his back, and then they traveled all over the world, giving six seeds of each kind of plant to every person. As Snake-Woman gave each person the seeds she told him that he must plant them, and must care for the plants that grew from them, but must allow no one, especially children, to touch them or even point to them as they grew. She said that until the seeds were ripe they belonged to her, and if any one gathered them too soon she would send a poisonous snake to bite him. Parents always tell their children what Snake-Woman said, and so they are afraid to touch or go near any growing plants for fear a snake will come and bite them. This week in Louisiana history. June 26, 1805. Former V.P. Aaron Burr arrives in New Orleans. Hijinks ensue. This week in New Orleans history. June 26, 1857: The first edition of The Daily States was published, providing a new voice in the competitive 19th-century New Orleans newspaper market. This week in Louisiana. Independence Day Celebrations Across Louisiana July 4 (statewide holiday events) Multiple Locations Louisiana Louisiana communities celebrate Independence Day with fireworks shows, concerts, parades, and family‑friendly gatherings across the state. From major festivals to small‑town traditions, July 4 brings a full day of patriotic events: New Orleans ESSENCE Festival of Culture (Caesars Superdome): The Saturday night concert lineup of the ESSENCE Festival falls on July 4, drawing thousands for one of the city's biggest annual music events.Lake Charles Jon Kott Band at Golden Nugget: A July 4 evening performance as part of the casino's summer music series.Pineville EAA Chapter 614 Fly‑In Breakfast: A long‑running July 4 morning tradition at Pineville Municipal Airport, offering a $10 community breakfast and aircraft meet‑up.Alexandria Cars & Coffee: A July 4 edition of the monthly classic‑car gathering at Beans n Cream, 8'10 a.m..New Orleans Legends of the Dew Drop: Road to Rock and Roll: A July 4 brunch concert at the historic Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge. These events give Louisianans a full day of ways to celebrate ' from sunrise breakfasts and car meets to evening concerts and fireworks. Postcards from Louisiana. 684. Italian Heritage Festival, Kenner. Bobby McGee. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.
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  • 683. Theresa McCulla. "Insatiable City."

    683. Theresa McCulla. "Insatiable City."
    Jun 20 2026
    683. Joining us today is historian and curator Theresa McCulla to discuss her book, Insatiable City: Food and Race in New Orleans. A 2025 James Beard Award nominee and named a Smithsonian Best Book of the Year, Insatiable City uncovers the complex, dual nature of the Crescent City’s legendary culinary culture. McCulla—who has served as a food and drink curator for institutions like the Smithsonian—dives deep into the archives to reveal how the pleasures of New Orleans cuisine have always been deeply intertwined with race, labor, and systems of power, tracing this evolution from 19th-century slavery to 20th-century tourism. Yet, alongside these challenging histories, the book highlights how enslaved and free people of color brilliantly used food and drink to carve out spaces of autonomy, creativity, and joy. It is an exploration of how food truly shapes our culture, history, and understanding of identity. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Chateaubriand. Rene. Once among the Natchez, René was obliged to take a wife, to conform to the ways of that American Indian people; but chose not to live with her. A tendency to melancholy drew him into the woods; he spent whole days there alone, and seemed a savage among the savages. Except for Chactas, his adopted father, and P're Sou'l, the missionary at Fort-Rosalie he renounced all relations with mankind. These two elderly men had won much influence over his feelings: the former by his friendly indulgence, the latter, in contrast, by his unrelenting severity. Since the beaver-hunt, during which the blind Sachem had told his story to Ren', the latter had not wished to speak of his own. However Chactas and the missionary had a strong desire to know by what misfortune a European nobleman had been led to the strange resolution of burying himself in the wilds of Louisiana. Ren' had always given as justification for his refusal, the limited interest to be found in his history which was confined, he said, to that of his thoughts and feelings. 'As for the events which led me to sail for America', he added, 'I would wish to bury them in eternal oblivion.' This week in Louisiana history. June 19, 1953. Blacks protesting discriminatory treatment began a bus boycott in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This week in New Orleans history. June 19, 1865: While celebrated as Juneteenth in Texas, New Orleans held massive "Emancipation Day" celebrations to mark the end of slavery in the region. This week in Louisiana. McGee's Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours Daily Tours (year‑round) 1337 Henderson Levee Road Henderson, LA 70517 Website: mcgeesswamptours.com McGee's offers guided boat and airboat tours deep into the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest river swamp in the United States. Standard 90‑minute swamp boat tours typically run $25'$30 for adults and $15'$20 for children, with airboat rides available at a higher premium. The tours highlight the region's wildlife, cypress forests, and Cajun cultural history: Swamp Tours: 90‑minute guided excursions through the Atchafalaya's cypress‑lined waterways.Airboat Rides: High‑speed trips reaching remote areas of the basin.Wildlife Viewing: Alligators, wading birds, turtles, and classic swamp scenery. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.
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  • 682. Seth Pevey, Part 2

    682. Seth Pevey, Part 2
    Jun 13 2026
    682. Seth Pevey, part 2 of our conversation with Seth Pevey, who writes mystery fiction. Born in Louisiana, Seth spent many years working as a teacher and journalist in Asia before returning to his roots. He now writes fiction and non-fiction from his country home outside of New Orleans, drawing deep inspiration from the local landscape to craft rich, noir-infused Southern Gothic. This is his gritty, New Orleans-based crime fiction series following the ongoing adventures of Felix Herbert and a seasoned police detective named Melançon. The Krewe (2018) Roots of Misfortune (2019) The Witness Tree (2019) Casket Girls (2020) Uptown Blues (2021) Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. The Axman of New Orleans. 'Undoubtedly, you Orleanians think of me as a most horrible murderer, which I am, but I could be worse if I wanted to. If I wished to I could pay a visit to your city every night. At will I could slay thousands of your best citizens, for I am in close relationship with the Angel of Death. 'Now, to be exact, at 12:15 o'clock (earthly time) on next Tuesday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to the people. Here it is: 'I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions, that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well, then, so much the better for the people. One thing is certain and that is some of those persons who do not jazz it on Tuesday night (if there be any), will get the ax. This week in Louisiana history. June 12, 1912. Allen Parish formed from part of old Calcasieu. This week in New Orleans history. June 12, 1917: The city officially closed Storyville, the legally sanctioned red-light district, following pressure from the U.S. Navy during World War I. This week in Louisiana. Breakaway Camp at Tall Timbers June 15-19 Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center 10218 Hwy 165 South Forest Hill, LA 71430 Website: talltimbersbcc.org Breakaway Camp is a week‑long youth camp held at Tall Timbers in Forest Hill, offering students a chance to grow spiritually, build friendships, and take part in a full schedule of worship, recreation, and small‑group activities: Worship & Teaching: Daily services led by camp pastors and worship bands.Outdoor Activities: Recreation fields, lakefront activities, and team challenges.Community & Growth: Small‑group sessions, leadership development, and evening gatherings. Postcards from Louisiana. Doreen. Medley. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook.
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