Christmas Day, 2023 is observed on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Dinner was served at the Clover Grill, an iconic local diner that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Between 1987 and 2001, I had a studio in Manhattan's Meatpacking district, above a small, rowdy workingman's bar. The meatpackers who started work in the middle of the night, were the first to show up, at about noon. Then the cast of regulars would file in each at their own particular arrival time, according to their occupation. Almost uniformly, the regulars were there five days a week. The bar stayed open until 4 AM but the night crowd was completely different. The regulars were long gone by then.
A photographic celebration of the Algiers Point, New Orleans neighbors who stepped up to feed us, body and soul, throughout the pandemic. They brought the music, meals, culture, and community when it really mattered
Storied chef and iconoclast Peter Vazquez had already spoiled us with his mad skills before Covid was even born. His Appetite Repair Shop, with all its creativity and idiosyncrasy, suddenly felt critical to our wellbeing. Here we weren’t sacrificing; caregiver Pete fed us like royalty throughout.
Former Tavolino’s owner Hillary Hanning expertly navigated the hoops of ever changing restrictions to get us the pizza we craved. Or, pop by and see what concoction Hillary had whipped up for the day’s frozen ferry drank, grab one and get back to your TV vigil. Then Hillary got involved in another pandemic project resulting in the impossibly adorable Oris.
Once Tout de Suite opened again, bringing the mornings back to a semblance of normalcy, our days got a lot brighter. It wasn't just the coffee and comfort food - being greeted with owner/chef Huong Pham's boundless positive energy was the secret sauce.
Kelly Guerra and her son Nick Guerra opened up the Faubourg Fresh Market as quickly the law allowed during the pandemic. They worked six days a week at personal risk giving us a safe place to shop for all sorts of basics and supporting local producers too. Beside stocking whatever you need (water! toilet paper! strip steak!), Kelly acted the sommelier and Nick curated a wild variety of beers.
Though we were all stressed by the pandemic to varying degrees, Becky Hicks continued to maintain the local pantry for those who were hurting more and losing jobs to boot. She has long taken on community organizing and does it with soul. Her pantry was well stocked with fresh, appealing foods throughout.
When the pandemic shut everything down, New Orleans chanteuse Anaïs St. John took her shows from the clubs across the river to her purple porch around the corner. Anaïs and her accompanist Harry Mayronne performed every Saturday at 4 for a year straight, no matter the weather, raising our spirits with her irresistible tones.
Local jazzman Charlie Halloran and swing era dancer Mia Goldsmith Halloran brought classic New Orleans to the batture on weekends. The great combos Charlie rounded up got us on our feet and re-established the all-important beat.
When God made the Point, He created the perfect park-facing porch in case there was ever a pandemic. One day Rick & Barbara Trolsen moved in. Longtime jazz star Rick had his contacts and Barbara morphed into Bill Graham. The blessed Wednesday evening concerts with top talents made all the difference in the world.
Megan Boudreaux, in a moment of inspiration, figured out how to save Mardi Gras 2021 with the Krewe of House Floats. This meant she now had a huge new job as Admiral, which she accepted gracefully. Local TikTok star & stray cat caregiver Carley Sercovich stepped up to be our local Captain, and taught us how to reimagine the Point.
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