Image: Robert, Backstreet Cultural Museum


The indigenous peoples native to the land referred to it as Bulbancha, meaning "the land of many tongues" as this area was a popular meeting ground for many such as the Atakapa, Caddo, Choctaw, Houma, Natchez, and Tunica nations. It wasn't until the French colonized it in 1718 that it became known as La Nouvelle Orleans. When planning your busy weekend on the lazy Mississippi make sure to map out when you will visit important cultural heritage sites within the city.

The Faubourg Tremé was once the Morand Plantation until purchased by Claude Tremé at the end of the18th century. Within the neighborhood it is easy to access Louis Armstrong Park where you can visit Congo Square which is famously known as the birthplace of Jazz. Here is where enslaved peoples were free to gather on Sundays to celebrate and dance. Known as the oldest Free Black neighborhood in the US the Tremé is regularly filled with big brass bands and second line parades, especially on Sundays. Louis Prima is from this neighborhood and Rebirth Brass Band is famous for getting its start at Joe's Cozy Corner (now Fatima's Cozy Corner a cafe for friendly gatherings and good Turkish food). Currently the neighborhood is grappling with gentrification and an influx of Airbnb's.  

The Back Street Cultural Museum a Powerhouse of Knowledge  located in the Tremé  preserves the rich history and culture of Mardi Gras Indians, Jazz Funerals, and Baby Dolls just to name a few things. The Tomb of the unknown slave is located just outside of Saint Augustine's Cathedral. On the same street you can find the New Orleans African American Museum. 

Tremé was once home to Storyville which was the red light district and was also home to a young Louis Armstrong. Storyville was racially segregated in the beginning and White musicians that joined later were heavily influenced by the Black musicians that first brought their musical background with them to the clubs, dance halls, and across the country after Storyville was closed down in 1917.  Storyville was one of New Orleans largest revenue centers. Today strip clubs on Bourbon street bring visitors to New Orleans. Both in the early days of Jazz dance and today there is a crossover between dancers performing with the big band and dancers performing  on stage as shake dancers and strippers check out @Queensofthenightclub and @Shakedancerhistory on Instagram for more. 

For some music history, make sure to stop by the New Orleans Jazz Museum. For live Jazz look no further than Frenchman Street. Home to local and traveling musicians you can find Jazz and spaces to dance. Most places do not charge covers, so make sure to support the bar and tip the band what you can, this is how artists here make their living.