Culture Fest in New Orleans

Experience the heart and soul of Louisiana culture at this spectacular, weekend-long festival, featuring an array of events, seminars, performances, and excursions led by experts from the Smithsonian Institution.

Smithsonian magazine and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism formed a partnership to host Louisiana CultureFest this fall in New Orleans.

Discover the diversity of this unique state as you enjoy historic tours, culinary tastings, art seminars, live music and more.

The events spotlights the state that counts jazz, Jambalaya and architecture among its cultural gems.

This year’s celebration, featuring 18 events over three days, invites residents and visitors to sample the state’s art, music, history, architecture and cuisine.

Some Interesting Culinary events:

A Feast of Endangered Food Traditions: Louisiana’s Ark of Taste
You’ll savor shrimp, oysters, Creole cream cheese, andouille sausage and calas in regional recipes, and get an expert’s take on the distinctions between Cajun and Creole food. With the The Savvy Gourmet

Lunch with Leah: New Orleans’ Grande Dame of Creole Cuisine
Join Chef Leah Chase, for New Orleans cooking at the famed Dooky Chase Restaurant, a legend of Arican-American art as it is for its Creole cooking.

The restaurant’s evolution from a sandwich shop and lottery-ticket outlet, to thriving bar, to respected family dining establishment has taken place in the historic Treme neighborhood, the oldest free-slave settlement in the South. Featuring commentary by Gene Bourg, local veteran food journalist.

Join Chef Leah Chase, and Gene Bourg at The Victorian Room, Dooky Chase’s.

CultureFest draws several thousand visitors from throughout the United States and beyond, and is one of Smithsonian magazine’s signature events. For complete event descriptions and to register for events, visit www.smithsonian.com