New Orleans in Your Home Town

You love New Orleans but can't be here 24/7.  But what if New Orleans came to you?  It is coming to your hometown in the next couple of weeks if you live in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or California.  From the West Coast to the East Coast, New Orleans fever is running high this summer.

The 4th Annual Bayou N' Boogie Festival takes place this weekend, May 29th and 30th in Rehoboth, Massachusetts on the Francis Farm.  The festival features music (Cajun, Zydeco, and even Li'l Freddie King).  These bands are the real deal, the same ones that I see at festivals here at home.  The musical experience is enhanced by dance lessons, workshops, and lots of outdoor activities.  New Orleans specialities like jambalaya, dirty rice, and spicy catfish will please your taste buds.  Tickets are $35 per person in advance and $40 at the door.  Two-day passes are also available at a reduced per-day cost.  In today's economy, we can't all afford to go on a vacation, but that doesn't mean that you can't go to New Orleans in Massachusetts.  Tru dat!

Producer Michael Arnone has done it again.  From June 4th to the 6th, the 21st Annual Crawfish Festival will take place in Augusta, New Jersey at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.  For three days, you can feast on music, crafts, food, and of course, crawfish.  Camping is available, but if you enjoy the comforts of home while away from home, you can stay at a nearby hotel.  Ticket prices are $35 a day, but package deals are also available.  Visit the festival's site for the full 411 and then laissez les bons temps rouler in New Jersey.  Who knew?

Tennessee Williams is a favorite New Orleans son.  On June 26th, Tim Wolff will premiere his film The Sons of Tennessee Williams at The San Francisco International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Film Festival.  Wolff invites you to "Throw on some glitter and take a trip through gay New Orleans!"  The film "follows the evolution of drag and politics in the gay Mardi Gras krewe scene — a send-up of the straight society balls — from the sixties to today."  Much more than a 'gay film,' The Sons of Tennessee Williams explores the history and rich cultural traditions of New Orleans.  See the film and you will see the Crescent City in The City (as San Francisco is known in Northern California).  Visit the festival's website to purchase tickets in advance.

Bud's Louisiana Cafe can be found in Kearny Mesa, a San Diego neighborhood.  Far from a Creole knock off, Bud's is owned and operated by the original owner of the highly-acclaimed and historical Feelings Cafe in New Orleans.  The owner writes "Since 1979, my passion for food and dining in my hometown of New Orleans has evolved into my mission in life.  All of the restaurants have been committed to serving authentic New Orleans style Creole and Cajun Cuisine."  The cafe serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and offers catering services.  Find Bud's Louisiana Cafe at 4320 Viewridge Avenue.  To learn more contact Bud's directly at 858-573-2837 or send the owner an email at budsfood@cox.net.

New Orleans Cajun Cafe in Hermosa Beach, California serves both Cajun and Creole cuisine.  I have eaten there myself many times and can vouch for the quality of its food.  All of its seafood and sausage is flown in directly from New Orleans.  The menu offers classic N'Awlins fare such as alligator on the stick, deep fried frog legs, gumbo, and beignets.  The restaurant is open daily from Thursday to Monday.  Like us locals, the owners like to take life easy too.  Catering services are available, but if you are in the neighborhood, you will want to stop in for a bite.  The hospitality there is authentically New Orleans as the food that it serves.  Find the cafe at 140 Pier Ave in Hermosa Beach.  Call 310-372-8970 for more info.

Be a New Orleanian wherever you are!