In the mid-1700s the Acadian people had been settled in the Nova Scotia region of Canada for over 100 years. When the area was transferred to the British, it was encouraged that the Acadian people take an oath of allegiance to the Crown. While many battles and political moments contributed, which is encouraged for everyone to research, the unrest in the area lead to the British forcibly removing the Acadian people from their homes and lands, causing many to be deported and made to settle elsewhere. It is do to this moment - or The Great Upheaval – that Louisiana now has the Acadiana region and the vast number of Cajun descendants. One person that can trace their roots to Nova Scotia is writer Marianne Sulser. Marianne has written a book titled “Like Snow Before Sun,” which takes a fictional approach to this time period, and a look into some real-life moments of the people that lived it. This week Marianne chats with me about her book and why she wanted to tell this story .

Hurricane season for the gulf coast begins June 1. Each year, Pontchartrain conservancy – the nonprofit dedicated to creating an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region – host their storm aware and prepare event. This even is meant to provide hurricane preparedness resources and supplies for the upcoming season. In addition, the organization partners with local businesses, government agencies and others to give people a chance to create new or more accurate hurricane plans, while also learning a little something about the region and what they can do to help.

This week, we talk to Haley White, Pontchartrain Conservancy’s community science and education manager, about what people can expect at the event and how the organization goes out into the community to make everyone a part of the solution.

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival has a special performance to mark its 40th Anniversary: We Have Not Long to Love: A Celebration of Tennessee Williams, a one-night-only immersive theatrical experience directed by acclaimed director and choreographer Rob Ashford. The performance will take place March 27 within the beautiful grounds of the historic BK House and Gardens in the heart of the French Quarter. This unique performance weaves together several works by Tennessee Williams including "Sweet Bird of Youth," "Orpheus Descending," "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Suddenly Last Summer," inviting audiences to move through the historic property as the stories unfold around them.

Bringing Williams’ stories to life is an extraordinary cast including Michael Server-is Cerveris; Christine Ebersole; Marin Ireland; Jennifer Laura Thompson; Ansel Elgort; Froy Gutierrez; Jennifer Nettles; Harriet Harris; Micaela Diamond; Sam Rechner; Abbey Lee, and Leslie Castay.

This week, Kelly Massicot and magazine editor Reine Dugas team up to talk with director Rob Ashford, along with stars Christine Ebersole, Abbey Lee, Jennifer Nettles and Michaela Diamond, to get an inside look at the immersive play experience.

Louisiana is rich when it comes to the depth of our culture, our food, our traditions. But one aspect of our identity that many festivals have been trying to highlight is that of our vast contributions to the literary world at large. Whether native Louisianians or those who have found creative outlets along our bayous and centuries-old streets... from Tennessee Williams to James Lee Burke, Anne Rice and Ernest Gaines, Louisiana has been the inspiration to many a great writer.

April 10-12, the 10th Annual Books Along the Teche Literary Festival will be a highlight of our contribution to the greater literary good, while honoring the Cajun roots of the area and shining a light on the towns and waterways that are the foundation of Louisiana. This week, festival Co-Chair Deb Lindsey shares some insight into what festivalgoers can expect when they head down along the Teche!

This week’s podcast is a little different as we hear from Louisiana Life magazine editor Reine Dugas – not in her capacity as editor, but instead for her work with the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival. The festival is in its 40th year in New Orleans and promises to bring a lot of exciting events starting March 25. For more information, a full schedule and tickets, click here.

"Sinners," the 2025 Ryan Coogler horror/action film starring Michael B. Jordan, has already won big at major award shows like the Golden Globes, Actor Awards and Brit Awards. But everyone in Louisiana should be rooting for the movie on Sunday, March 15, as the 98th annual Academy Awards takes place. The film was shot on location in Louisiana with countless Louisiana workers. One of those workers is Donnie Dean. Donnie is an Emmy Award-winning, Louisiana-born special effects artist who has help run the Louisiana-based Spectrum FX company for almost 20 years. Donnie, along with three others, is nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Visual Effects for his work as the lead special effects coordinator on the movie – a first for Louisiana in this category.

This week, Donnie shares a little about his work, the excitement of being nominated and what this means for the Louisiana film industry.

From Clifton Chenier to Buckwheat Zydeco, Creole Zydeco music has been a part of the cultural definition of Louisiana for generations. Like many young people, 18 yr old artist Zydeco Izreal is doing what he can to preserve our history and educate both young and old about the music and culture of our great state. For the last year, he has been bringing Zydeco Jams to south Louisiana and has started a new Jam program with NuNu Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville.

Greasing of the poles that are outside of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans during Carnival may now be the start of many reveler’s Deep Gras – the final weekend before Mardi Gras Day – but this practice was originally born out of necessity.

Adrienne Breaux, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing, tells us all about the history of the practice that is now an annual event from its beginnings right as the hotel opened in the 60’s to today’s grand spectacle that has four celebrity “greasers,” well-known judges and a crowd in the thousands.