Stay jazzy, New Orleans

The hurricane that ravaged the area in August left lasting scars. But a city like this is dependent on tourism, and your dollars can help in recovery from Hurricane Ida, which, while it did not have the loss of life on the scale of Hurricane Katrina, has caused more economic damage than any in the city’s history. What’s incredible about the people of this area is not only their resilience, but that they still have the welcome mat out, albeit a little tattered and frayed. Restaurants are reopening, hotels are welcoming guests, and the city is doing its best to address the continual cleanup. When you fly in, you’ll notice an interesting landscape—no, the newest roofing materials aren’t blue, those are tarps still covering most of the homes in the area. There is a constant hum of workers and dump trucks, especially in the residential areas. But the fun and frivolity of the French Quarter and Bourbon Street still sings. One of the city’s first major events since the hurricane will be the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 29 through May 8 at the Fair Grounds Race Course. This annual celebration of local music and culture has been taking place since 1970, only canceled in 2005 after Katrina and last year because of the pandemic.

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