ummer is America's backdrop for the great escape, but
before you entertain notions of trade winds and white
sandy beaches consider this, an exploration of African
[American heritage. Consider an intimate journey to
'places and sites that are inextricably linked to our
hearts and souls.
Welcome to touring black america", your guide to African
American historical landmarks, cultural sites, restaurants.
entertainment and more in five major U.S. cities? Atlanta,
Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City and Orlando.
The achievements and contributions of African
Americans criss-cross this country from coast-to-coast.
Monuments and historical sites give bittersweet testimony
to triumph over adversity while celebrating the legacy of an
unconqu^ble^spirit. Before your next trip, be sure to call
the Bureau of your chosen city for a copy of their African
American Brochure.
There is so much to discover and rediscover this
summer. We hope you will use this guide as the key to many
new and memorable experiences. Have a Wonderful
Vacation/
New Orleans. The rich and varied heritage of this grand old city is
apparent in its sounds, smells, tastes and faces. Like no other
city in North America, New Orleans has retained the flavor of its
abundant African, Caribbean and native American ancestry.
Indeed, it revels in it. And while the influence of the city's French
and Spanish settlers is just as permanent, New Orleans has a feel
inai 5 undeniably soulful. Every nook and cranny of this town, including
its churches, schools, architecture, folklore, customs, music and food has__
been tckiched^ and glided by the people from the African diaspora and
reflect a strong African American presence. Once you visit, you'll want to
return again and again.
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler"? (Let The Good Times Roll) is the
motto of New Orleans and rightly so, because its residents know how to
party! Over 400 fairs and festivals annually adorn city streets offering
the best in homestyle cuisine, handmade craft, storytelling, world
renown music, dancing, singing, drama and mime. "Mardi Gras" (French
for Fat Tuesday) is the "mother" of all parties not only in New Orleans,
but in the entire U.S. This two-week carnival frenzy celebrates the
city's diverse heritage with fantastic floats and costumes, format bafts, ?
boat parades on the legendary Mississippi River, "greased pig" contest,
carnival rides, an orgy of food and music, and much, more. This climaxes
the day before Ash Wednesday? the first day of lent.
The "Big Easy", as New Orleans is fondly nicknamed, is the birth
place of Jazz and home to more than a few of its masters, most notably
Louis Armstrong and the Marsalis clan. Let jazz move you from dust
till dawn at any of the clubs throughout the city, or perhaps sample all
the city's musical charms at the New Orleans Jazz G Heritage Festival.
The festival, which lasts for ten days in April honors African culture tn
food and music and features jazz, rhythm and blues, cajun and zydeco
music.
If you'd like to know nearly all there is about jazz, check out
the New Orleans Jazz Museum home to many artifacts, photographs and
documents on this widety ITcctaTmed African American art form.
To visit some of New Orleans' most popular night spots you must
visit the city's most famous attraction, the French Ouarter. This charm
ing historic district features narrow streets, lined with restaurants, clubs
and townhouses decorated with ornate wrought-iron balconies. The
French Quarter is the actual site of New Orleans' original seventeenth
century French settlement. The French Quarter Festival is yet another
chance, also in April, to enjoy great regional dishes and famous jazz
musicians.
African American history abounds in New Orleans. Specially
designed tours are available to sites that are of particular interest to us.
You might visit Congo Square where slaves met on Sunday for4radWonal ?
African song and dance, or LaLaurle House, infamous site of brutal slave
torture. Slaves once sold crafts in the enormous, colonnaded French
Market where you can still buy crafts from some modern day African
American craftspeople. Contact the NETWORK at (800) 725-5652 for more
information or to arrange a tour.
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