Author: Emily Gautreaux

Artists Stay Afloat with Mardi Gras House Floats

When New Orleans transitioned from traditional parades to house floats in an effort to celebrate Mardi Gras safely and responsibly, it created opportunities for Crescent City artists to find work in a year where that’s been hard to comeby, according to an article from The Times-Picayune and Nola.com.

One such group of artists thankful for the creative outlet is Stronghold Studios, as they’ve recently finished an extensive stint of building house float props for customers across New Orleans. Stronghold Studios is a perfect example of a quintessentially creative section of New Orleans, and this recent phenomenon of creating house floats has given a community of float builders, sculptors, painters, carpenters, and others craftspeople steady opportunities to work in a less than ideal (or profitable) year.

Stronghold Studios is owned by Coco Darrow and her husband Ian, and while they never intended to end up in the business of decorating house floats, they are more-than-thankful for the opportunity. While the studio typically produces movie props and party decor, their “bread and butter” is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The Studio, located in Mid-City and founded by Coco Darrow’s father-in-law Bill Darrow produces the signage over the food booths at Jazz Fest as well as the musician sculptures that adorn the stages and festival environment.

The team of artists at Stronghold has also been behind some of the most impressive house float examples. Two iconic examples of the studio’s work are the St. Charles Avenue mansion that features a cutout of a vaccine syringe-yielding Dolly Parton as well as the second story cutout of Chef Lea Chase stirring a giant gumbo pot in Mid-City.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent cancelation of Jazz Fest, parties, movies, and all other events that would normally supply the artists with work, Darrow and her husband began to consider closing the studio in December 2020. Then, just after thanksgiving, the studio received a call from the Krewe of House Floats, and they were given an opportunity to sell their leftover props and begin working on outfitting houses as if they were themed floats.

Darrow told The Times-Picayune that the unexpected flow of commission requests “was like getting a last-minute reprieve from the governor. We were really hurting. The Krewe of House floats saved us. We knew all the spring events were canceled. This place holder gave us solid ground to stand on.”

In no time at all, the studio was booked up with countless house float projects with homeowners coming to Stronghold with ideas, and the studio bringing them to life with their materials and expertise. In an unexpected miracle, the Darrows were able to rehire the nine artists who had previously been out of work since the cancellation of Jazz Fest. Many of the artists had been out of work since the start of the pandemic, but the house float phenomenon had brought them back into the game in January.

While building iconic house floats was a surprise this year, the Darrows reported that they wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t stick around and be an important part of the studio’s calendar in the future. Ian Darrow had said, “This was never a season for us, we were usually just waiting around for Jazz Fest.”

Coco Darrow said that Stronghold is already booking float jobs for 2022, and she’s quite confident that this newfound custom of house floats will continue. She even went on to propose that the city declare a sub-holiday called “Skinny Tuesday” wherein citizens can tour house floats on the Tuesday preceding Mardi Gras.

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The Best Roasted Potatoes Around

Potatoes, when prepared and cooked right, are certainly a crowd-pleaser, and this meticulous recipe for excellent roasted potatoes from Serious Eats is no exception. This recipe will produce potatoes that are extremely flavorful, crispy, and creamy all at once. They’re delicious inside and out, and you’re guaranteed to finish the entire batch with this tested recipe. 

Ingredients for Roasted Potatoes

Kosher Salt

½ teaspoon of baking soda

4 lbs of russet or Yukon Gold potatoes (peeled & divided)

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Small handful of rosemary leaves (finely chopped)

3 medium cloves of garlic (minced)

Freshly ground black pepper

Small handful of fresh parsley leaves (minced)

 

Directions for Roasted Potatoes

  1. Adjust your oven so that your rack is in the center position and preheat the oven to 450°F. At the same time, heat 2 quarts of water in a large pot over high heat until it’s boiling. Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt, baking soda, and potatoes to the water once boiling. Stir it together, return it to a boil, and then reduce it to a simmer. Cook it until you can stick a knife into a potato piece, and it only is met with a little resistance. This is typically 10 minutes after returning the pot to a boil.
  2. At the same time, combine your olive oil (or fat substitute such as duck or beef fat) with rosemary, garlic, and a few grinds of fresh black pepper in a small saucepan. Heat the pan over medium heat, cooking, stirring, and shaking the can constantly. Continue this until the garlic just begins to turn golden, which will be after about 3 minutes. Once the garlic is barely golden, strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer that’s set in a large bowl. Set your garlic and rosemary mixture aside, reserving it separately.
  3. Once your potatoes are cooked, drain them carefully, and let them rest in the pot for about 30 seconds, allowing the excess moisture to evaporate. Transfer the potatoes to the bowl with the infused oil, toss them to coat, and add salt and pepper to taste. Shake the bowl roughly until you’re left with a thick layer of paste that’s similar to a mashed potato-like texture. This paste should be built up on top of your larger potato chunks.
  4. Transfer the potatoes to a large rimmed baking sheet and separate them by spreading them out evenly. Transfer the sheet to your preheated oven and roast them without moving for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, use a thin, flexible metal spatula to release any stuck potatoes, then shake the pan and turn them over. Continue roasting them until they are a deep brown color and are crisp all over. You can ensure this by shaking and turning them throughout the cooking process. Continue roasting them for 30-40 minutes longer.
  5. Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and add the garlic and rosemary mixture along with some minced parsley. Toss the bowl to coat, and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Then, serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes:

If you want your final product to have crispier crusts and fluffier centers, then Russet potatoes are your best bet, though if you’d prefer to have your potatoes slightly less crisp with a creamier center and a generally darker color/deeper flavor, then Yukon Gold is your ingredient.

Your potatoes should be cut into very large chunks (at least 2 to 3 inches). Medium-sized yukon golds can be cut in half diagonally and then split again to be quartered. For Russets or larger Yukon Golds, then you can simply cut them into chunky sixths or eighths.

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UL Lafayette Reveals its Role in the COVID-19 Vaccine Development

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has had a hand in the development, effectiveness, and success of the world’s first fully tested COVID-19 immunization approved for emergency use, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to a press release from the school.

The effectiveness of the vaccine was determined through nonhuman trials that involved primates at UL Lafayette’s New Iberia Research Center. Jane Fontenot, NIRC’s director of Contract Research commented on the opportunity saying, “We are so privileged to have been on the front lines of the fight against the pandemic. It’s very rewarding.”

Studies have shown that the vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 after the administration of two doses. The United Kingdom was the first nation to issue an emergency authorization for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December, with the United States, the European Union, and other countries following suit soon after.

Up until now, UL Lafayette has been unable to discuss their historic role in the vaccine’s development due to confidentiality agreements with Pfzier. A publication in the peer-reviewed journal Nature is the first public confirmation of the University’s participation in this astounding effort. Fontenot co-authored the publication announcing the involvement.

Rhesus Macaques at NIRC were immunized as early as last spring as part of nonhuman primate clinical trials of the vaccine. The process involved staff administering vaccines, collecting samples, and observing the animals “for any signs of problems,” Fontenot noted. “That included evidence of pain, elevated temperatures, loss of appetite – any symptoms that may have raised concern about tolerability.”

Afterwards, the NIRC staff helped to facilitate the transfer of the vaccinated animals to the Southwest National Primate Center, which is affiliated with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The San Antonio-located center includes abiosafety level 3 facility, meaning that it can securely handle love, airborne infectious august such as COVID-19. The New Iberia Research Center is a biosafety level 2 facility, though UL Lafayette is seeking funding to raise it up to level 3 status.

A month after first receiving the vaccinations at NIRA, the rhesus macaques underwent the challenge phase of the trial which involved them being exposed to COVID-19, and results showed that the vaccine offered protection from the virus. Then, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration for emergency use in mid-December 2020, about one year after COVID-19 first emerged in the world.

The rapid pace with which the vaccine was developed had depended on pre-existing relationships that the biopharmaceutical giant had with research facilities such as NIRC. This was said by Dr. Ramesh Kolluru, UL Lafayette’s vice-president for Research, Innovation, and Economic development. 

Dr. Kolluru reportedly said, ““We were instrumental in Pfizer being able to work as quickly as they did.” He went on to cite both the vaccine’s development and the role that the University played as an “example of the power of public-private partnerships. NIRC’s long history of collaborations with biomedical research companies and others provided a baseline of expertise on which the center could rely on its role in the vaccine’s development. The relationships we’ve nurtured over the decades enabled us to be a part of this historic answer to a global challenge.”

UL Lafayette’s president, Dr. Joseph Savoie said that both the University and its researchers “were prepared to meet this moment. Few areas of life have escaped the pandemic’s effects, so to contribute to something that brings hope to the world is truly extraordinary.”

The New Iberia Research Center is the nation’s largest academically-affiliated, nonhuman primate research center, and it’s home to over 8,500 nonhuman primates.

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Southern Weekend Getaways

The Southern treasures of Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida have recently resurfaced as tempting travel destinations by way of Southern Living’s recommendation. Both Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood and Jacksonville’s cosmopolitan beach scene have a lot to offer the traveler that craves excitement alongside relaxation. As always, be sure to travel safely and responsibly by checking local government restrictions and CDC guidelines.

The Midtown Neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia

Midtown Atlanta is practically a new city altogether thanks to its burgeoning neighborhood with its inclusive array for hearty, stylish shops, museums, and restaurants to peruse. Everything about this locale invites you to indulge in this Georgia Peach just as you would the Big Apple.

This setting is absolutely perfect for anyone who self-identifies as a style-setter wanting a big-city southern weekend getaway. If that describes you, then begin your sojourn with the heart and height of Atlanta’s art scene, the High Museum of Art, or take in the experienced sights of the new-to-the-neighborhood Museum of Design Atlanta and its celebration of item design that includes items from handbags to graffitied skateboards.

Reinvigorate your style by shopping at Billy Reed’s new outpost in the Westside Provisions District, which emcompassess a collection of boutiques that are housed in a former meatpacking plant.

If you’re hungry, definitely expect to order oysters on the half shell from chef Ford Fry’s latest seafood venture, The Optimist. Alternatively, taste southern decadence with a supper consisting of pork belly with sweet tea-jus at the lavish restaurant, The Lawrence. Then, top it all off with an unforgettable chocolate-chip cookie dough cheesecake from Café Intermezzo.

Take advantage of all that Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood has to offer today by booking a stay in one of the comfortable rooms of The Artmore Hotel, which is nestled inside a classic, 1920’s building, rivaling the many chains of Atlanta.

 The Beachtown of Jacksonville, Florida

Located further down south, this cosmopolitan beach scene favors relaxation to luxury, but it avoids the tacky entirely, if done right. The key is sticking to the water, and in Jacksonville it’s simply everywhere. The city itself is perched against the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s split into two by the St. Johns River. Southern Living offers the following guide to the ideal Jacksonville Weekend stay.

Arrive on a Friday for a southern weekend getaway, unpack your bags after checking in to The Sea Turtle Inn, which is the lodging that also suits famed novelist John Grisham. The Sea Turtle is even still sparkling from its $6.5 million renovation, and its rates are affordable at an average of $109 in the off-season.

The hotel’s restaurant specializes in Floribbean cuisine, which is a combination of Caribbean spices and traditional freshly-caught fare.

On Saturday morning, an early riser can catch the unforgettable Florida sunrise and then head over to The Coffee Grinder, the cozy coffee shop located next to a local gift shop that’s full of souvenirs, standard postcards, and watercolors that you’re practically required to browse and purchase for your loved one back on the mainland.

Spend Saturday on the beach, in the sun, and around the water, but once you’re tired or looking for something different, be sure to take a walk over to a local book store like The Book Mark. Similarly, you could peruse the wares of Patina and purchase some niche home accents and furnishings that are comfortably vintage.

Depending on your energy levels, you’re free to head in for the night or explore the sights along the SS. Marine Taxi,The Jacksonville Landing, and/or The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. All in all, Jacksonville has a little something for everyone, and you’d be delighted to find your favorite corner- whatever it may be.

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Houma-Thibodaux Live Entertainment Pivots Amidst Pandemic

One cultural casualty of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is the loss of live entertainment, specifically the silencing of live music in the Houma-Thibodaux area.  Yet despite limited crowd sizes and venue restrictions, some have been able to host live acts again, as reported by Houma Today.

Since the pandemic struck in early 2020, many musicians and those that depend on regular occasions of live entertainment have had to endure long stretches off-stage and get reactive with how to supplement or replace the subsequently decreased income.

One such pivot-er is Casie Thibodeaux who makes up half of the popular husband-and-wife acoustic duo Casie and Jonny. The lively, loving pair has found success in their niche performances on Facebook Live where they use the online payment tool Venmo to allow viewers to pay whatever they want when viewing the show.

Thibodeaux said of the virtual concert series, “we tried it out one afternoon in the backyard. We live-streamed a four-hour show, and people tipped us, and we thought, OK, we can still make money. We picked up people from Canada, from Texas, from Arkansas, people who didn’t know us but were looking for live music streams.”

While Casie and Jonny are just starting to perform live again, they have continued their online performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays, weekly. Thibodeaux commented on the hesitation in getting back to performing live by saying, “I didn’t get back out into the public myself, since August. Slowly but surely, some of the smaller restaurants found ways to have patios, so we could play to people on the patio.”

That hesitation in the name of safety isn’t at all misplaced, as bars and restaurants are concerned about the possibility of virus transmission occurring at live music shows, even with the reduced patron capacities due to COVID-19. Such restrictions make it difficult for restaurants to host live entertainment, as bars and restaurants are restricted under the modified Phase 2 order of Gov. John Bel Edwards.

It’s all taken on a parish-by-parish basis with the indoor sales and consumption in bars that are located in parisheswith a positivity rate exceeding 5% being restricted. Though, they are able to open for outdoor consumption at tables only, as long as they are also at 25% capacity. All restaurants are thus limited to 50% of their indoor capacity and are encouraged to move as much dining as they are able outdoors. Recently, bars in neither Terrebonne or Lafourchecould open for indoor business, so the few places hosting live music were restaurants with suitable outdoor spaces.

Frank Ball, the famed Houma blues and rock guitarist, said that he had a bout of COVID-19 himself, which he suspects was passed to him while playing a private Christmas party. He uses this experience to inform his practices and be extra careful when he takes the stage.

He said of the learning opportunity, “I wasn’t too anxious to get back into clubs, given that we’re in a pandemic, but most of the gigs that I’m playing have outdoor stages; you’re not in an enclosed area. I played with a band the other day, and we were separated from the people, but I don’t feel they were social-distancing the way they should be. They just looked like nothing was going on, most of them weren’t wearing masks. I wouldn’t want to be down there mingling with the crowd like that.”

Not all hope is lost during such uncertain times as a new local 3-piece house band, the Supersoakers, have gained a safe foothold in the local music scene, thus giving a semblance of hope in these haze times.

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Delicious Skillet Turkey Chili

Besides baking bread, quarantine cookies, and tacos becoming popular, habitual dishes to make and bake this past spring, many found comfort in perfecting the art of the hearty chili. One chef over at the Smitten Kitchen shared their experience with this skillet turkey chili recipe that will have your mouth watering and your table delighted.

This recipe is described as having “a more fitting yield for a weeknight” than it did in a previous incarnation. It also “adds ingredients in what” the chef considers to be “a better order, [and] only uses turkey and beans, the spices are more balanced, and by balanced, [they] mean, we no longer use 1/3 cup chili powder, thank heavens.” This chili recipe is perfect for that late February cold front, a quick weekday meal, or a hearty sunday afternoon slow-cook.

Ingredients for Skillet Chili

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped finely
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
  • 1 to 3 teaspoons of ground chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 pound of ground turkey
  • 1 15-ounce can of black or small red beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 lime

To Serve:

Skillet Chili Recipe

  • Begin by taking your large skillet (ideally one that is 11 to 12 inches in diameter) and heat it over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in your olive oil, and let it warm up. Then, add your onion and cook it until it’s somewhat softened, about 4 minutes total. Add your garlic, salt, your first teaspoon of chile powder (maybe more, to taste), oregano, and cumin- cooking it all for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add your turkey next, and use your spatula to break it up and work the onion mixture through it. Cook until it’s all lightly brown at the edges and no pink remains, which is about 5 minutes total. Then, add your beans and tomatoes, refilling your empty tomato can with water, and set the can aside.
  • Bring the whole chili mixture to a simmer, and cook it for 25 to 30 minutes while stirring it regularly. Add the reserved can of water 1/3rd at a time whenever the mixture looks dry. Taste it for salt and spice, adjusting as needed and in accordance to your particular preference. The chef adds up to 2 additional teaspoons of a mild chili powder. If possible, allow your chilli to rest for 5 minutes off of the heat before serving, as it sets up the texture nicely. Finish it all off with juice of half a lime and any fixings you’d like.

Note: Chili Powder is a spice blend that’s intended for Tex-Mex chili, being made from ground chiles and dried hot peppers. Chili powders range a lot in heat, so anyone cooking ought to use their preferred level of heat when choosing a powder. Alternatively, or in addition (depending on preference) you can add 1 tablespoon puree from a can of chipotles en adobo to provide a powerful, flavorful kick when preparing this chile. For the turkey, the chef prefers a blend of both dark and light meat. Lastly, for the red pickled onions, a quick way to prepare it is to cut half of a small red onion into thin wedges, toss with juice from half a lime, two good pinches of salt, one pinch of sugar, and set it all aside while cooking the chili.

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