Author: TheLosAngeleno

New Orleans – French Quarter gearing up for French Quarter Fest

Streetcar on Canal Street advertising the French Quarter Fest
Streetcar on Canal Street advertising the French Quarter Fest

New Orleans is busy setting up for the 2017 French Quarter Fest which is held April 6-9 2017.

Jackson Square on April 5 2017 just before the start of French Quarter Fest
Jackson Square on April 5 2017 just before the start of French Quarter Fest

There is a lot of work involved in holding an event like the French Quarter Fest even though it is not quite as big as some of the events in New Orleans such as jazz Fest or Mardi Gras. In our mind it is more accessible and a bit easier on the mind and possibly on the wallet than the other bigger events, although it is New Orleans after all so you never know…

Barricades at the ready outside the police station at Conti and Royal St
Barricades at the ready outside the police station at Conti and Royal St
Setup of stages and boots at Riverwalk and Woldenberg park
Setup of stages and boots at Riverwalk and Woldenberg park

Woldenberg park, named after philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg (1896–1982) who helped fund the park on land that previously held riverfront warehouses and effectively cut the city off from access the the great Mississippi river is now the home of some of the biggest stages at the French Quarter Fest.

Plaque to honor Malcolm Woldenberg in Woldenbereg Riverfront Park
Plaque to honor Malcolm Woldenberg in Woldenbereg Riverfront Park
French Quarter Fest includes the availability of a variety of drinks...
French Quarter Fest includes the availability of a variety of drinks…
Of course the famous Hand Grenade is available as well
Of course the famous Hand Grenade is available as well
Ad for this years Jazzfest outside the Sheraton on Canal Street with George Rodrigue's Loup Garou on top
Ad for this years Jazzfest outside the Sheraton on Canal Street with a few versions of George Rodrigue’s Loup Garou on top

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival April 26 – May 7 2017.

Army invades Venice

Army event in Venice on Saturday April 1 2017
Army event in Venice on Saturday April 1 2017

Well, don’t take it too literally – it looks like they are just setting up by the Rec. center for a recruitment drive maybe – still a lot of Army all around the basketball courts and surrounding areas.

Army personnel at the basketball courts off the Venice Boardwalk this morning
Army personnel at the basketball courts off the Venice Boardwalk this morning
The basketball court by the Venice Rec. center this morning
The basketball court by the Venice Rec. center this morning

Springtime in Venice

Springtime tree blossoms today, the day spring came to Venice
Springtime tree blossoms today, the day spring came to Venice

Today spring arrived in Venice as it does every year on March 20. That is of course the date of the spring equinox. It was a nice sunny day, but unfortunately that will not last long. Rain is in the forecast for the next week for parts of Southern California.

Another spring tree blossom on march 20:th 2017
Another spring tree blossom on march 20:th 2017

Lowriders in Venice

One of the cool lowriders on display in the parking lot off the Boardwalk this morning
One of the cool lowriders on display in the parking lot off the Boardwalk this morning

The parking lot off the Venice Boardwalk was filled with cool rides this morning as lowriders filled the parking lot with their very cool rides. The line was long to get the cars in and the lot was filling up quickly. Here are some pictures of the cooler cars we noticed.

Here are some of the cars in the parking lot at 2300 Ocean front walk in Venice this morning
Here are some of the cars in the parking lot at 2300 Ocean front walk in Venice this morning
This is a sideview of the cool lowrider in the picture above
This is a sideview of the cool lowrider in the picture above
Here is a cool lowrider with the A/C unit in the window
Here is a cool pick-up lowrider with the A/C unit in the window
A beautiful Chevy with shining chrome and an immaculate paint job!
A beautiful Chevy with shining chrome and an immaculate paint job!
Let's see how low you can go...
Let’s see how low you can go…
Two decades of lowriders, 50’s and 70’s it looks like…
Hood up to show the innards of this 70's ride
Hood up to show the innards of this 70’s ride
Here is a nice shiny Chevy with exterior sunvisor and a window A/C unit
Here is a nice shiny Chevy with exterior sunvisor and a window A/C unit
Three very cool rides lined up in the lot
Three very cool rides lined up in the lot
It's a Ford
It’s a Ford
It's a Ford sideview
It’s a Ford sideview