As we're
all hunkering down and practicing social distancing and isolation, it's easy to
get bored or even a little stir crazy. But there are plenty of things to help
pass the time--maybe even help you learn a new skill, a new song, or a new
recipe. Here is a list of six activities in several categories to keep you company
when no one else can. You might even have some fun.
Watch 6 New
Orleans-based TV shows
1.Treme: A post-Katrina look at class,
music, and tradition starring many locals, including Wendell Pierce.
2.NCIS:
New Orleans: Local
bars, restaurants, and celebrities are continually featured in this show, which
is on its sixth season.
3.American
Horror Story: Coven:
Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett made this horror series a
must-watch.
4.Pitbulls
and Parolees: This
show features the Villalobos Rescue Center, which houses hundreds of abused and
abandoned dogs of all breeds.
5.Frank's
Place: This comedy
from the 80s featured a fictional New Orleans restaurant; its theme song was
Louis Armstrong's "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?"
6.Big
Freedia: Queen of Bounce: This
reality TV series follows local bounce legend Big Freedia on her journey toward
superstardom in mainstream media.
Listen
to 6 Legendary New Orleans Albums
1.Gris-Gris by Dr. John: Dr. John's very first album, this is the one that put
him on the map. The music is blues-meets-psychedelic rock and was listed on Rolling
Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."
2.Goin'
Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino:
A tribute album to New Orleans great Fats Domino, with artists from Neil Young
to Willie Nelson singing Fats's songs.
3.Fire
on the Bayou by The Meters: This is the first album with Cyril Neville in the group. It
features the famous tunes "Mardi Gras Mambo" and "They All Asked for You."
4.Yellow
Moon by the
Neville Brothers: This is the boy's album from 1989 and includes such
tracks as "A Change is Gonna Come" and "Voodoo."
5.Crawfish
Fiesta by
Professor Longhair: Recorded in 1979, this was the Professor's last album and
features Dr. John on guitar.
6.Oh,
My Nola by Harry
Connick Jr.: This album includes many New Orleans classics performed by
Harry Connick Jr., such as "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," as well as some of his
own original songs.
Read 6 Novels Based in New Orleans
1.A
Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams: This is the famous story of Stella, Blanche, and Stanley
that led to Stella-shouting contests and countless theatrical adaptations.
2.The
Awakening by Kate
Chopin: This is Chopin's renowned feminist novel which tells the story of Edna
Pontellier's sexual awakening. It was considered risqué in its time.
3.Dinner
at Antoine's by
Francis Parkinson Keyes: This book really put Antoine's Restaurant on the
map-so much so that Brennan's started serving brunch, in order to compete with
their rival's increased dinner crowds.
4.The
Feast of All Saints by
Anne Rice: Anne
Rice is one of the best-known authors to come out of New Orleans, and she wrote
about more than just vampires. This book tells the history of free people of
color before the Civil War.
5.Commanding
the Table by
Ella Brennan: This is the autobiography of Ella
Brennan, who not only opened Commander's Palace, but also launched the careers
of many of New Orleans's celebrity chefs, such as Paul Prudhomme.
6.A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole: This classic novel tells the story of Ignatius Reilly, who lives with his mother in New Orleans while writing a book, and the misadventures that befall him.
Prepare
6 Delicious New Orleans Desserts
1.Beignet: This is one of the most iconic
NOLA desserts due to the unmistakable powdered sugar mess that accompanies it.
French for doughnut, these fried dough delicacies are world-renowned and go
perfectly with café au lait.
2.Bread
Pudding: Use your
day-old bread and turn it into something delicious. Add some eggs, cinnamon,
vanilla, and a nice whiskey sauce. Whether or not to put raisins in there is an
ongoing New Orleans controversy.
3.Praline: This is probably New Orleans's
most famous candy, made with pecans, sugar, butter, and cream. Pralines were
brought to Louisiana by French settlers, but we have made them our own since.
4.Doberge
Cake: Another
famous dessert that New Orleans adopted-this time, a Hungarian cake by origin.
It features layers upon layers of cake with pudding-like filling and frosting
on top. Lemon and chocolate are the norms, but feel free to branch out to other
flavors.
5.Bananas
Foster: It may
have been invented at Brennan's, but you can make this at home. Flambee bananas
in rum with cinnamon and brown sugar until caramelized and serve over ice
cream. Go easy on the flames.
6.Pecan
Pie: A classic
throughout Louisiana, it's made with nuts, sugar, and butter and poured into a
tasty crust. If you're feeling lazy, there are even no-bake varieties.
Make 6
Classic New Orleans Cocktails
1.Sazerac: Made with rye whiskey, bitters,
and a splash of absinthe, this is the official cocktail of New Orleans and was
invented right here.
2.Ramos
Gin Fizz: This
cocktail has a list of ingredients as long as your arm-gin, heavy cream, lemon
juice, lime juice, egg whites… the list goes one-but the real problem is that
you'll need both your arms for the several minutes you need to shake the drink.
3.Brandy
Milk Punch: An
excellent choice for breakfast or brunch, it's made with cream, brandy and
vanilla and tastes like a spiked milkshake. Don't forget the nutmeg.
4.Grasshopper: This drink was invented at
Tujague's in the Quarter and is easy to make. All you need is green crème de
menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream.
5.Hurricane: Pat O'Brien's famous concoction, the
hurricane is strong and fruity. The easiest recipe is lots of rum, pineapple
juice, orange juice, and grenadine.
6.Vieux
Carré: Named after
our own French Quarter, this classic cocktail is a modified Old Fashioned, made
with Cognac, Benedictine, rye whiskey, and bitters.
Cook 6
Favorite New Orleans Seafood Dishes
1.Seafood
Gumbo: This is New
Orleans's most famous soup and usually has shrimp, crab, and oysters. If you
can make a good roux, you're well on your way to a successful gumbo.
2.Crawfish
Etouffée: It's
crawfish season and a perfect time to try making this delicious stew-like dish,
served over rice.
3.Shrimp
Creole: This dish
is made with Creole tomatoes, the holy trinity (onion, celery, and bell
peppers, of course), and shrimp, served over white rice.
4.Catfish
Po-Boy: Fry up a
catfish filet and put it on some fresh French bread and you've got yourself a
quick and easy lunch-or even dinner. Try making a new sauce for something
different.
5.Oyster
… Anything!: The
fun thing about oysters is that they are such a versatile item. You can pan-fry
yours for a po-boy or to put over a salad, or even try charbroiling them on a
backyard grill, if you have one. And if not, the oven works just as well.
6.Shrimp Remoulade: This one is an easy one to make at home. You can whip up your own remoulade dressing from scratch to coat the shrimp or use dressing straight from the bottle. Serve over lettuce as an app or a full meal.
Watch 6 New Orleans-Based Movies
1.The
Curious Case of Benjamin Button:
Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, this movie is a love story involving a
man aging backwards.
2.The
Big Easy: This
film is a 1986 mystery-thriller-romance centered around a police scandal. It
stars Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin.
3.The
Princess and the Frog: A Disney cartoon
film based on the early life of Leah Chase, of Dookie Chase's Restaurant fame.
4.Girls
Trip: This one is a 2017 comedy film
about four lifelong friends who come to New Orleans for Essence Fest and the
fun and difficulties that ensue.
5.Bad
Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans: Nicolas
Cage plays a police sergeant who gets involved with drugs, murder
investigations, and corruption.
6.Kidnap: Halle Berry chases down her son's
kidnappers all over New Orleans, the Westbank, and the bayou, after he is
abducted by a couple running a kidnapping ring.
Learn 6
Timeless New Orleans Dances
1.Bounce: This butt-shaking dance originated
here in the Big Easy, and Big Freedia brought it to fame.
2.Cajun
Two-Step: Cajun
dancing has a lot of history throughout Louisiana and comes with good music.
Learn some basic steps right there in your living room.
3.Salsa: No, it didn't originate here, but
there are a lot of people in town who love to salsa. Now is a good time to work
on a few moves at home with your favorite playlist or a video.
4.Jazz: Put on some big band tunes or
classic jazz and try some jazzy, swing, or boogie-woogie steps.
5.Hip
Hop: Dance like
your favorite hip-hop artist or follow the lead of the majorettes in your
favorite marching band and perfect the same dance steps.
6.Second
Line: You probably
don't want to second line from your bedroom to the kitchen (then again, why
not?), but you can still practice some of the moves that second line dancers
have perfected.
