Tulane University

Introduction
Greater New Orleans has a long history of cultural and economic ties with Latin America. Sometimes called ‘€œThe Gateway to the Americas,‘€ New Orleans has historically served as an entryway for people and products from Latin America. New Orleans did not have a well-established Hispanic community until the second half of the twentieth century. Since the 1950s, there has been a significant increase in the Hispanic population as a result of the political and economic problems in Cuba and Central America and an open door policy toward Caribbean and South American immigration.

Today, the New Orleans Hispanic community continues to grow. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hispanic workers migrated to the city to help rebuild the city . The Gulf Coast Latin American Association estimated an influx of 30,000 Latinos in the first few weeks after the storm. The demographics of the city continue to shift. These newcomers join a Hispanic community estimated at 50,000 from the 2000 Census. Unlike many cities in the United States whose Latino population is dominated by one or two national groups, the national origins of Greater New Orleans‘€™ Hispanics are diverse, with individuals from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.

To help you become familiar with the Hispanic community in New Orleans, the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University has prepared this Latinamericanist‘€™s Guide to New Orleans. Since there are new and exciting developments each and every day, please contact us with news or updates at 504/865-5164 or by e-mail at rtsclas@tulane.edu.

Art Galleries
There are a number of art galleries in New Orleans located in the French Quarter, the Warehouse District and on Magazine Street.

Arthur Roger Gallery
Carmen Llewellyn, Director
432 Julia St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/522-1999

Bryant Gallery
316 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/525-5584
FAX: 504/525-5562
E-mail: bryantsnola@aol.com

Arts Organizations

The Arts Council of New Orleans
225 Baronne St., Suite 1712
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/523-1465
FAX: 504/529-2430
E-mail: mail@artscouncilofneworleans.org
The Arts Council of New Orleans is a private, nonprofit organization providing programs and services to artists, arts organizations, the business community, and city government. Established in 1975, the Arts Council encourages, educates, and cultivates the environment necessary to create art by providing resources, services, and programs to over 1,000 artists and 50 arts.

Louisiana Humanities Center
At Turner‘€™s Hall
938 Lafayette Street, Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70113
800/909-7990 within LA
504/523-4352 outside LA
E-mail: lahum@leh.org
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities celebrates the culture of Louisiana by helping people tell their stories every day. An independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the LEH receives over half of its funding from local sources.

Bookstores

Beaucoup Books
5414 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
504/ 895-2663
The retail store is no longer open, but Beaucoup Books still operates through the mail. Beaucoup Books is a small, independent bookstore, which carries a small selection of foreign language books.

Crescent City Books
204 Chartres (at Chartres and Iberville in the French Quarter)
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-524-4997
Open 7 days
This store has two floors of used/out of print/rare books as well as hundreds of prints and maps. The general focus is uncommon books, particularly art and history, and there is a nice section of books on Latin America. There is also a section of Foreign Language literature, with some shelves of Spanish titles.

Business, Economic Development, and Professional Organizations

Club Cubano de Profesionales
901 E Lexington Ave.
Gretna, LA 70056
This group of Cuban professionals hosts dinners, luncheons, ballroom dancing, and field trips to preserve Cuban customs and community.

Greater New Orleans, INC.
Mark C. Drennen, CEO
365 Canal St., Suite 2300
New Orleans, LA 70130
GNO, INC. is a dynamic regional partnership of public and private leaders driving the economic resurgence of the Greater New Orleans area. In pursuit of tightly defined goals, GNO, INC. will act as a catalyst, advocate and resource broker—a nonpartisan organization focused on retaining jobs, creating new jobs, developing the workforce and fostering a pro-business public policy.

Gulf States Maritime Association
3939 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 102
Metairie, LA
504/833-4190
FAX: 504-833-4191
E-mail: maritime@gsma.us

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana
Cynthia Ceballos , President
1515 Poydras St., Suite 1010
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/885-4262
FAX: 504/887-5422
E-mail: info@hccl.biz
HCCL seeks to create, promote and enhance economic opportunity and prosperity for the Hispanic business and professional communities.. They provide networking meetings , luncheons, and the annual Gala dance and silent auction.

Hispanic Lawyers Association of New Orleans
124 S. Telamachus St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
504/488-3722
FAX: 504/482-8525

Housing Authority of New Orleans
4100 Touro Street
New Orleans, LA 70122
504/670-3300
FAX: 504/286-8778
E-mail: info@hano.org

Louisiana Department of Economic Development
PO Box 94185
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9185
225/342-3000

Louisiana Technology Council
1215 Prytania St., Suite 301
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/304-2910
FAX: 504/304-2905
The Technology Council is a network between business, government, education, venture capital and a wide range of other organizations and its goal is to transform Louisiana‘€™s technology industry into a strong, visible, and respected competitor in the global marketplace.

Port of New Orleans
P.O. Box 60046
New Orleans, LA 70160
Phone: 504/522-2551
FAX: 504/524-4156
Located at the mouth of Mississippi River, the Port of New Orleans has been a center for international trade since its foundation in 1718. Today, it continues to be America‘€™s gateway to the global market. The Port‘€™s facilities include 22 million square feet of cargo handling area and more than 6 million square feet of covered storage area. Each year, the Port accommodates an average of 2,400 vessel calls.

Vieux Carré Commission
334 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/528-3950
FAX: 504/528-3945

World Trade Center
2 Canal Street, Suite 2900
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/529-1601
FAX: 504/529-1691
The mission of the World Trade Center is to add wealth and jobs in Louisiana through international trade, port development and allied activities. Founded in 1968, WTC New Orleans is a private, non-profit organization of 2,000 corporations and individuals. Throughout the year, WTC offers a wide range of programs related to Latin America including foreign language classes, international conferences and trade shows and seminars on doing business in Latin America. In addition, numerous dignitaries from throughout Latin America visit the WTC as speakers and honorees. Past speakers include U.S. Ambassadors from Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Argentina as well as corporate business leaders from companies like Sprint and AT&T. University Graduate Student memberships are $75/year and membership applications can be obtained online or by telephone.

World Affairs Council of New Orleans

2. Canal Street
   World Trade Center Suite 2323
   New Orleans, LA 70130-1507
   Tel: 504.523.2201
   Email: wacno@bellsouth.net
   The World Affairs Council of New Orleans (WAC/N.O.) provides community leadership to promote and foster productive and enlightened international relations through educational and cultural/social forums with a commitment to cultural diversity and inclusive fellowship. The World Affairs Council of New Orleans, a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization dedicated to presenting diverse views on a variety of international topics, was founded in 1944. Known until recently as the Foreign Relations Association of New Orleans, the membership voted in June 2002 to change our name to better reflect the organization’s affiliation with the over 80 councils nationwide in the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) system. WAC/N.O. offers its members and their guests monthly programs and activities featuring prominent speakers from both the U.S. and abroad. Membership in WAC/N.O. provides access to a diverse arena of local presentations and special events, as well as benefits and discounts available through the WACA.

Consulates
Belize
Honorary Consul of Belize
Ms. Jean Benard
39 Burleigh Court North
Marrero, LA 70072
504/347-6230
FAX: 504/392-3809

Brazil

Honorary Consul of Brazil
Mr. David Schulingkamp
1 Canal St., Suite 1600
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/561-6206
FAX: 504/529-2611

Chile
Honorary Consul of Chile
Mr. Ángel Pelayo Carreras
Post Office Box 60046
New Orleans, LA 70160
504/528-3364
FAX: 504/528-3487

Dominican Republic
Consul General of the Dominican Republic
Mr. Joaquin Balaguar
2 Canal Street, Suite 2100
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/522-1843
FAX: 504/522-1007

El Salvador
Honorary Consul
Dr. Patricia Elena Molina
504/568-6187
FAX: 504/831-7404

Honduras
Consul General of Honduras
Ms. Ena Liliana Casto Rice
2 Canal Street, Suite 2340
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/522-3118
FAX: 504/523-0544

Mexico
Consul General of Mexico
Adrian Garcia Guerra
901 Convention Ctr. Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 272-2198

Nicaragua
Honorary Consul
Mr. Carols Sampson
9449 Briar Forest Dr., Unit 5701
Houston, TX 77063
713/875-2289
FAX: 713/315-2445

Panama
Consul General of Panama
Mr. Eric A. Rodriguez
2 Canal Street, Suite 2424
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/525-3459
FAX: 504/524-8960

Peru
Honorary Consul of Peru
Ms. María O‘€™Byrne Stephenson
2 Canal Street, Suite 2308
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/523-6496
FAX: 504/525-2846

Uruguay
Honorary Consul of Uruguay
Mr. Julio E. Rios
2 Canal Street, Suite 2002
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/525-8354
FAX: 504/524-8924

Venezuela
Consul General of Venezuela
Ms. Lourdes Madriz
2 Canal Street, Suite 2300
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/522-3284
FAX: 504/522-7092

Community Organizations

Asociación Hondureña Unificada de Luisiana
This organization promotes unity, education and social development among Hondurans, forges friendly ties with the U.S. community, and seeks a closer relationship with other Hispanic organizations by organizing aid projects in New Orleans and Honduras. In addition to fundraising parities, raffles and barbeques, they also have a special commemoration of Soldier‘€™s Day (October 3) in honor of General Francisco Morazán, a promoter of Central American unity.

Asociación Nacional Pro Personas Mayores
820 Jordan St., Suite 310
Shreveport, LA 71101
318/221-7611
ANPPM was founded to inform policymakers and the general public about the status and needs of elderly Hispanics and other low-income elderly persons. ANPPM is one of the largest Hispanic organizations in the United States, with offices in 15 cities, including New Orleans. An advocate for elderly Hispanics, this organization provides direct social services, such as employment, housing, health and education, SSI outreach and counseling, marketing ideas, and provides training and technical assistance to community groups and professionals in the field of aging.

Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Italia Castillo, Bilingual Prevention Coordinator
3520 General de Gaulle Drive, Suite 5010
New Orleans, LA 70114
504/362-4272
This organization provides educational programs for primary and secondary school students; parents; civic, business and church groups; and the general community. Seminars and retreats on such topics as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, domestic and social violence, family dynamics, self-esteem, depression and suicide are available.

Hispanic Apostolate Community Services & Immigration and Refugee Services
Martín Gutierrez, Executive Director
4309 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
or
1000 Howard Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70113
504/464-5478
FAX: 504/486-3985
E-mail: hispanicapostolate@archdiocese-no.org
A division of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Hispanic Apostolate is dedicated to helping immigrants in the New Orleans metropolitan area integrate into US society and lead productive and independent lives. They provide emergency assistance, job services, tax preparation services, workers’ rights information, immigration services, health care information, counseling, educational programs and refugee resettlement services. Their events include seminars and talks on diverse topics of importance to the community, health fairs, fundraising dinners, dances, auctions, and English classes.

Hispanic Forum
504/310-6880 (English and Spanish)
The Hispanic Forum began towards the end of 2006 when several leaders in groups serving the Hispanic community saw the need for increased communication among those doing similar work. The Forum has since evolved into a loose network of groups and individuals that share information, discuss issues in the community, and work towards increased collaboration amongst organizations to avoid duplication and fill in gaps.

Nicaraguan Independent Committee for Assistance (NICA)
Serves to help the poor in Nicaragua obtain social, medical, educational and housing aid. They arrange transportation, lodging, medical diagnosis and treatment free of charge for Nicaraguans brought to Louisiana for medical care and assist Latin America in times of emergency.

Salvadoreños Unidos de Luisiana
This group promotes economic, social and cultural development in El Salvador by providing for the victims of natural disasters. Regular concerts and dinners are among fundraising events.

Cultural Organizations

Asociación de Guatemala en Luisiana
Founded to maintain the culture, tradition and customs of Guatemala, to encourage youth to speak Spanish, and to carry out charitable works in Latin America, this organization crowns a Miss Guatemala, participates in the Miss Hispanic American Unity pageant, and holds special celebrations on Father‘€™s Day, Guatemalan Independence day (September 15), and Christmas.

Asociación Nicaragüense de Luisiana
The Association was formed to preserve the culture, traditions and folklore of Nicaragua, foster unity among Nicaraguans, promote education, support social service projects, and select and train candidates for the title of Miss Nicaragua to represent the community at social events. They hold special celebrations on Mother‘€™s Day, to commemorate Central American independence (September 15), and in December for a Christmas toy drive for Nicaraguan children. They also publish a monthly newsletter, Nuevo ANDELA.

Brazilian-American Cultural Institute of New Orleans (BACI)
PO Box 51707
New Orleans, LA 70151
E-mail: beijo28254@aol.com
Founded twenty-four years ago, the Brazilian-American Cultural Institute (BACI) works to preserve the language and culture of Brazil by uniting like-minded Brazilians and non-Brazilians in New Orleans through food, art, music, lectures and Portuguese. BACI‘€™s local chapter has occasional feijoada, bate papo and an annual Christmas party.

Casa Argentina
Juan Jorge Gershanik , President
PO Box 13562
New Orleans, LA 70185
504/891-0910
E-mail:casaargentinanola@gmail.com
Since 1983, the nonprofit organization Casa Argentina has worked to promote the culture and heritage of Argentineans in New Orleans through various events featuring a dazzling consortium of writers, musicians and artists. A highlight on Casa Argentina‘€™s calendar is the annual tango show, a fundraiser in the form of a traditional dinner-show-dance-auction gala, held each year in late May to commemorate Argentina‘€™s revolution for independence in 1810.

Club de Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Louisiana
Created to maintain the customs, traditions and culture of Puerto Rico and faithfully represent Puerto Rican identity. Special celebrations include a Christmas party, poetry readings, storytelling, musical events, and cultural festivals featuring Puerto Rican artists.

The New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation
P.O. Box 2764
New Orleans, LA 70176
504/739-4106
FAX: 504/891-8753
The New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a social and cultural organization committed to preserving Hispanic culture and heritage that annually awards twenty-five private high school scholarships to area students of Hispanic descent. The annual fund drive, the Azúcar Ball, is held in August.

United Dominicans of Louisiana
This organization maintains a united Domincican community through recreational, cultural, and educational activities and promotes the history, music and culture of the Domican Republic, especially to Dominicans in the States. They hold celebrations to mark Independence Day (February 27) and other Dominican holidays, masses in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia, the patron saint of the DR, and the selection and crowning of Miss Dominican Republic for the Miss Hispanic American Unity pageant.

Unidad Hispanoamericana
This organization has as its mission to preserve Hispanic American culture. They host an annual art and beauty pageant.

Dance Groups

Argentine Tango New Orleans
Kathie Sanborn, Director
504/390-2138
E-mail: neworleanstango@yahoo.com
Argentine Tango New Orleans is a group of tango aficionados. The organization meets regularly to practice and improve their dancing skills. The group offers beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons in tango, milonga and waltz as well as occasional workshops with internationally renowned tango masters.

Casa Samba
800 Race St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/553-9500
Casa Samba is a New Orleans-based, authentic Brazilian Escola de Samba (samba school). Director Curtis Pierre, and Brazilian master drummer, Jorge “Alabe” Bezerra, lead the group with the assistance of Carol Barber. Casa Samba’s primary goal is to present audiences with an authentic Brazilian Carnival and folk arts experience. They also train children and adults in New Orleans in traditional Brazilian music, cultural arts and dance. Casa Samba does this through weekly open rehearsals and frequent school and university workshops. They are showcased during professional performances at major hotels, festivals, conventions and special events and through their annual participation in several Mardi Gras parades and coronations such as Endymion and Zulu and at the New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival. Casa Samba’s performances combine dance, theater, vocals and drumming to capture the spirit of Carnival in Brazil, as well as presenting a history of the African influence of its culture, music and dance.

Day Care

El Yo Yo Day Headstart
735 General Pershing Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
504/899-6165
There are many daycare facilities in New Orleans, but El Yo Yo Day Headstart is the only day care center for pre-school age children with a Spanish speaking staff.

Educational Organizations

Cervantes School, Fundación Hispanoamerica de Arte
1610 Third Street
Kenner, LA 70062
504/469-7190 (Spanish only)
504/464-0307 (English only)
Mailing Address:
70 Normandy Dr.
Kenner, LA 70065
Founded by Guillermo de Bango in 1981 to promote the Art and Art Forms of Latin America , this foundation brings art exhibits , plays , performance artists , and folkloric groups from Latin America to the Greater New Orleans Public.

Esperanza Charter School Association
4407 South Carrollton Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70119
504/373-6272
The UNO Charter School Network (UCSN) was established by the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) in 2004. Metropolitan Chicago‘€™s largest Hispanic community organization, UNO has worked to shape Chicago‘€™s education landscape for two decades. In the 1980‘€™s UNO played a central role in Chicago‘€™s historic school reform movement, which brought school control to the grassroots through the creation of Local School Councils. In the 1990‘€™s, UNO developed and implemented some of Chicago‘€™s most successful parent training programs, which involved tens of thousands of Hispanic parents in the educational growth of their children. Now, after Hurricane Katrina UNO has established its first charter school in the New Orleans metropolitan area.

The International School of Louisiana
1400 Camp St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/654-1088
FAX: 504/654-1086
E-mail: info@isl-edu.org
Founded in 2000, The International School of Louisiana (ISL) is a multi-parish charter school that provides public education in a second language (Spanish or French) from Kindergarten through 12th grade, including a language immersion education for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Festivals

Festival International de Louisiana
PO Box 4008
Lafayette, LA 70502
337/232-8086
FAX: 337/233-7536
E-mail: info@festivalinternational.com
Annual festival held in April that celebrates the cultures of the Francophone world.

The Isleños Cultural Festival
Los Isleños Heritage & Cultural Society
1357 Bayou Road
St. Bernard, LA 70085
504/682-0862
E-mail: info@losislenos.org
The Isleños Cultural Festival takes place along scenic Bayou Terraux-Boeuf in the historic district of St. Bernard Village. The festival began in 1976 and is held yearly to promote the Spanish heritage of the area.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Attn: Human Resources/Volunteers
1205 North Rampart Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/522-4786
Jazz Fest Job Line: 504/558-6136
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a/k/a Jazz Fest, is a 10-day cultural feast in which thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople welcome 500,000 visitors each year. There are two main components: the Louisiana Heritage Fair and the Evening Concert Series. The Louisiana Heritage Fair is the signature feature of the Festival, showcasing unforgettable music on 12 stages, delicious Louisiana cuisine in two large food areas, and crafts artisans from the region and around the world demonstrating and selling their work. Jazz Fest frequently showcases the art, dance and music of Latin America and Brazil. Volunteer opportunities may be available for bilingual students to serve as interpreters for international visitors.

Celebración Latina
Laurence Square – in front of The Children’s Resource Center
913 Napoleon Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
504/862-3143
This annual festival provides children and families of New Orleans with a fun introduction to the many cultures of Latin America through interactive music and dance performances, arts and crafts, food and local representatives of Latin American countries.

Government

City of New Orleans
City Hall
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/565-6000

New Orleans City Council
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/565-6300

New Orleans City Planning Commission
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 9W
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/565-7000

Office of the Governor of Louisiana
PO Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
225/342-7015
FAX: 225/342-7099

Grocery Stores

Brazilian Market
2424 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70062

Caribe Grocery
3501 Division Street
Metairie, LA 70002
504/779-1779

Celinas International Supermarket
3601 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70062

La Estrella
837 Barataria Blvd.
Marrero, LA 70072
504/348-2944

La Unión Supermarket
4129 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
504/482-5390
Although Winn Dixie, Sav-A-Center and Wal-Mart carry a wide selection of foodstuffs from Latin America, La Unión Supermarket, located next door to Mid-City Lanes Rock-and-Bowl, has a large supply of items such as guaraná, gandules, yuca, ñame, plátanos maduros, bacalao and chorizo.

Health Care

FACES/Children’s Hospital
Oscar Salinas
200 Henry Clay
New Orleans, LA
504/821-4611
E-mail: oscar.salinas@cox.net
FACES focuses on Hispanic patients who are HIV positive. They offer case management, outreach, drug and housing assistance, and transportation for families.

Hispanic American Medical Association of Louisiana (HAMAL)
This group informs and advises the Hispanic community and Hispanic students about health issues and pursuing a career in medicine, awards scholarships to Hispanic students, and provides aid to Latin American Countries.

Latino Health Outreach Project
Common Ground Health Clinic
504/377-7281
E-mail: lhopnola@gmail.com
The Latino Health Outreach Project, part of the Common Ground Health Clinic, started after hurricane Katrina, when clinic volunteers noticed the gap in health services for Latino day laborers who were cleaning up the city. Today, their clinical services include basic primary care, vaccinations, first aid and wound care, herbal medicine, health education, and distribution of personal protective equipment along with trainings on how to properly use such equipment. The group holds a Spanish-speaking clinic once a week and can accompany patients to other healthcare facilities to help with translating. Volunteer opportunites are available.

The Neighborhood Health Partnership
James M. Deshotels
PO Box 979
Harvey, LA 70059
504/482-0084
E-mail: jdesh@loyno.edu
This group offers primary health care, referrals, first aid, immunizations and prescriptions, with special preference for migrants and people who are homeless.

Louisiana Latino Health Coalition
Rosa Bustamante Forest RN, MPH and Wayne Christenberry, Co-Chairs
NO/AIDS Task Force
2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500
New Orleans, LA 70119
504/821-2601
This group unites health care providers and Hispanic leaders to help meet the needs of the Hispanic community with regard to HIV/AIDS and reduce the risk of infection through education. They organize and participate in health fairs, sports events, public festivals, and other recreational activities, collaborate with religious organization to provide health information to Hispanic congregations, and design educational programs for the community. Volunteer opportunities are available for Spanish-speakers.

Museums

Audubon Institute
P.O. Box 4327
New Orleans, LA 70118
504/861-2537
E-mail: air@audoboninstitute.org
The Audubon Institute is the parent organization of the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, the Louisiana Nature Center and the Entergy IMAX Theater. The New Orleans zoo features a Jaguar Jungle exhibit complete with reproductions of Mayan monuments.

The Contemporary Art Center
900 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Administrative Offices: 504/528-3805
Tickets & Info: 504/528-3800
FAX: 504/ 528-3828

The Historic New Orleans Collection
Spanish Colonial Gallery
533 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-523-4662
FAX: 504-598-7108
Part of the Permanent Exhibition Gallery. Between 1763 and 1803, the Louisiana Territory was under the control of the Spanish. Highlights of this gallery include pastel portraits of Marie Louise le Senechal d‘€™Auberville de Bouligny and Francisco Domingo Joseph Bouligny from the 1770s; an official survey from a Spanish land grant on the Mississippi River, dated April 6, 1781; a Treaty of Friendship between Governor Carondelet and the Osage Nation, dated May 16, 1794; a 1794 engraving of the course of the Mississippi River as mapped by an expedition led by Lieutenant John Ross in 1765; a 1795 portrait of Clara de la Motte by Jose Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza; and a plan of New Orleans and its environs delineated by Joseph Antoine Vinache in 1803, dedicated to Pierre Clément Laussat.

Louisiana State Museum
The Cabildo
701 Chartres St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/568-6968
The site of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer and the flagship building of the Louisiana State Museum historical museum complex, the Cabildo was constructed in 1795-99 as the seat of the Spanish municipal government in New Orleans. The name of the governing body who met there was the ‘€œIllustrious Cabildo‘€ or city council. Over the years, the building also served as the home of the Louisiana Supreme Court; it was here that decisions in the nationally significant Slaughterhouse and Plessy vs. Ferguson cases were handed down. It was established as the home of the Louisiana State Museum in 1911. In 1988 the Cabildo was severely damaged by fire. Over the next five years, the landmark was authentically restored using 600-year-old French timber framing technology. It reopened to the public in 1994 with a comprehensive exhibit focusing on Louisiana‘€™s early history.

The New Orleans Museum of Art
One Collins C. Diboll Circle
PO Box 19123
New Orleans, LA 70179
504/658-4100
FAX: 504/658-4199
In addition to visiting exhibits like one on the Mayan ballgame in February 2002, NOMA has a permanent collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and provides free tours to all educational groups.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/539-9600
E-mail: info@ogdenmuseum.org

Musical Groups

Ancestro
The delicate acoustic sound of these local musicians of Mayan descent is almost spiritual in strength. Performing on a fascinating assortment of traditional instruments including guitar, double- stringed charango, bamboo flute, pan pipes and drum, the band plays everything from the most traditional music of the Aztec, Mayan, Incan and Aymara peoples to the region‘€™s hottest pop sounds, including lambada and Garifuna punta.

Blake Amos e Saudade
Singer-songwriter Blake Amos is a native New Orleanian with a passion for Brazil. As a Fulbright alumnus and accomplished musician, Blake has been creating a cultural bridge between Salvador and New Orleans since 1986. Blake has gained recognition as a smooth singer and gifted songwriter with universal appeal. Playing a nylon stringed (classical) guitar, his music fuses samba and bossa nova with funk and R&B, and conveys the spice and sensuality of both Brazil and New Orleans.

Casa Samba
New Orleans only authentic escola de samba. Curtis Pierre, director of Casa Samba, and master drummer, Jorge ‘€œAlabe‘€ Bezerra, lead this lively, rhythmic and colorful troupe in the rhythms and dances of Brazil. Every year, Casa Samba brings a touch of Brazilian carnaval to New Orleans by appearing in several different Mardi Gras parades.

Fredy Omar con Su Banda
One of the most popular Latin bands in New Orleans and winner of eight local music awards including ‘€œBest Latin Band‘€, Honduran Fredy Omar and his multinational, multigenerational band of seasoned players, perform an intoxicating mix of traditional and original music. Check his website for current performance schedule.

The Iguanas
A bilingual New Orleans rock band with roots in R&B, swamp pop and Latin styles such as ranchera and cumbia. On the album Sugar Town the Iguanas mix this potpourri of influences into a danceable sound that is fresh and innovative.

Julio y Cesár
504/468-9453
With his brother Julio, guitarist Cesar Herrera plays the traditional music of his native Guatemala and other parts of Central America. For years, the Herrera brothers led Grupo Kaibil, one of New Orleans‘€™ most popular and busiest Latin bands until it disbanded. For many years they have also performed together regularly as ‘€œJulio and Cesar.‘€ This acoustic trio features the Herreras‘€™ guitars backed by percussion. The Herreras have performed at numerous festivals and clubs in Louisiana and other states, including the Louisiana Folklife Festival in Kenner and the Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2007.

Los Babies del Merengue
This exciting staple of the thriving New Orleans Latin-music scene specializes in merengue – and plays it like no one else.

Los Calientes del Son
225/766-8950
Los Calientes del Son is an incredible, high energy, fourteen-piece band that mixes modern and traditional salsa rhythms. Los Calientes del Son are also a favorite at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Los Vecinos
This popular ensemble embraces a variety of Latin-jazz styles, including the Cuban conjunto sound. Their debut CD, ‘€œGuajira en Cyberspace‘€, combines Latin dance rhythms with jazz improvisation. Los Vecinos won the OffBeat Magazine ‘€œBest of the Beat‘€ award for ‘€œBest New Latin Band‘€ in 2001 as well as garnering a Big Easy nomination for ‘€œBest Latin Band‘€. Los Vecinos often perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
1010 Common Street, Suite 2120
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/523-6530
FAX: 504/595-8468.
E-mail: info@lpomusic.com

Otra
504/669-1546
sam@otramusic.com
This Afro-Cuban jazz-rock ensemble offers deeper proof of New Orleans’ rich musical heritage. Otra orchestrates Afro-Cuban jazz and grooves that seem timeless, but are of recent vintage. A mutually beneficial alliance of modern jazz musicians and veteran Cuban percussionists Humberto ‘€œPupi‘€ Menes on congas and Cristobal ‘€œEl Canyon‘€ Cruzado on timbales, Otra is not content to recycle standards and the usual cha cha cha, mambo, rumba, and boogaloo rhythms. Instead, those rhythms are jumping off points for jazzier excursions written and/or arranged by pianist Rob Block and bassist Sam Price, brought to melodic and harmonic fruition by trumpeter Eric Lucero and saxophonist Brent Rose.

Riccardo Crespo
A native of Camaqua City, Brazil, Ricardo Crespo and his multinational group of musicians, Sol Brasil, perform samba and bossa nova favorites as well as Crespo‘€™s original tunes. His distinctive style is a rich blend of Musica Popular Brasileira fused with elements of Folk, Bossa Nova and Latin Jazz.

Ritmo Caribeño
This 12-member local band band plays a variety of Latin styles and is known for its unique horn arrangements. Ritmo Caribeño often performs at the Copacabana nightclub on Airline Highway.

Tony Green & Gypsy Jazz
This local guitarist plays ‘€œgypsy jazz,‘€ a blend of jazz sounds with Latin stylings in the tradition of both Django Reinhardt and Congolese pop music.

Newspapers

Hispanic Directory/ Directorio Hispano
Raíces Inc.
P.O. Box 8399
New Orleans, LA 70182
Ada Cossio, Editor
504/467-6023
FAX: 504/286-1700
This directory lists all the Latin American Businesses and Cultural Associations in the Greater New Orleans Area. Complimentary copies are located in local Latin American grocery stores and other businesses.

Jambalaya News
504/305-4545
E-mail: jambalayadeportiva@nocoxmail.com
A bi-lingual Spanish newspaper providing local, state and international news. Their goal is to provide news to the Hispanic population and unite businesses with the multi-cultural communities of Louisiana.

Nuestro Pueblo
The Times Picayune features the column, Nuestro Pueblo, written by staff writer Ana Gershanik, which lists events involving the Greater New Orleans Spanish-speaking community. Ana‘€™s e-mail is anagersh@aol.com.

N.O.sotros Magazine
107 East Park Place
New Orleans, LA 70124
504/483-8202
FAX: 504/483-8878
E-mail: karla@smhdesign.com
The mission of N.O.sotros is to inspire local Latinos to take ownership of their community and challenge them to take action towards their goals. N.O.sotros achieves this by redefining what being Latino means through enlightening articles and images. Subscriptions are available for $25/year.

Nightclubs (only a few of many)
There are a number of nightclubs that feature the music of Latin America. For up-to-date club listings, consult the Gambit Weekly or Nola.com

Blue Nile
534 Frenchmen St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/948-2583
The Blue Nile dedicates two nights a week to salsa or other Latin music. Call ahead for scheduling.

Café East
4826 Rye St.
Metairie, LA 70006
504/888-0078
Café East is a Chinese restaurant in Metairie that is tranformed into a Latin nightclub on the weekends. Ocassionally there is a live band, otherwise a D.J. plays reggaeton, salsa, bachata and cumbia. Dress code enforced.

Copacabana
4609 Airline Hwy.
Metairie, LA 70001
504/456-6089

House of Blues
225 Decatur St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/310-4999

Snug Harbor
626 Frenchmen St
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/949-0696
E-mail: snugjazz@acadiacom.net
Better know as New Orleans‘€™ Premier Jazz Club, Snug Harbor offers the best in contemporary jazz and regional cooking. Located in the Faubourg Marigny District, just outside the French Quarter, Snug Harbor ocassionally hosts Latin bands.

The Venue
1755 Tchoupitoulas St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/ 309-9941

Political Organizations

Cuban American National Foundation
George Fowler, General Counsel
Email: no@canf.org
A New Orleans office of an organization based in Florida, this foundation works for freedom and democracy in Cuba.

Louisiana Republican Hispanic Coalition
The mission of the Louisiana Republican Hispanic Coalition is to provide Hispanic Americans with a forum to play an influential role in local, state, and national Party activities; to increase the number of Hispanic Republican elected officials and to create and maintain a network of Hispanic Republican leaders.

Radio Stations

KGLA 1540 AM Radio
3521 Industry St.
Harvey, LA 70058
Requests: 504/347-1540
Office: 504/340-2586
FAX: 504/340-4737
KGLA or Radio Tropical Caliente is one of the AM radio stations in New Orleans that broadcasts entirely in Spanish. Programming includes a variety of Latin music as well as news, sports, weather, sports and religious programming.

WFNO 830 AM Radio
800 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/260-9366
FAX: 504/837-2258
WFNO or La Fabulosa is the other AM radio station that broadcast entirely in Spanish. Programming includes a variety of Latin music as well as news, weather, sports and religious programming.

WWOZ 90.7 FM Radio
P.O. Box 51840
New Orleans, LA 70151-1840
On Air DJ: 504/568-1234
Office: 504/568-1239
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage station, WWOZ 90.7 FM, is a listener-supported, volunteer-operated radio station, which features a wide range of music including blues, jazz, cajun, zydeco, gospel, and world. Three shows feature the music of Latin America:
Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.—Putumayo World Music Hour
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.—DJ Yolanda Estrada hosts Latin Show, featuring all styles of Latin music
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.—DJs Dean Ellis and Suzanne Corley host Tudo Bem, featuring the music of Brazil

WWNO 89.9 FM Radio
KTLN 90.5 FM Radio
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148
504/ 280-7000
WWNO is a non-profit public radio station owned and operated by the University of New Orleans.

Music Stores

Música Latina
4226 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
504/895-4227
In addition to broad selections of Latin American and Brazilian music at Virgin Megastore and Tower Records, Musica Latina, co-owned by Juan Suárez and his wife Yolanda Estrada, specializes exclusively in the music of Latin America.

Research Centers

The Historic New Orleans Collection
533 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/523-4662
FAX: 504/598-7108

The Williams Research Center
of the Historic New Orleans Collection
410 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/598-7171
FAX: 504/598-7168

Restaurants (only a few of many)

Café Satora
3749 N. Causeway Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70002
504/832-1444
Café Satora boasts an international menu that includes such favorites as ropa vieja, pan de yucca, and arepas colombianas.

Carnaval Restaurant
2501 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA
504/822-4636
The new casual Brazilian restaurant opened in August of 2007. The cooks grill long skewers of meats ranging from beef, lamb and pork to sausages and tiny, salty chicken hearts. There is also buffet of hot and cold side dishes. Prices are tallied by weight and guests measure their plates on a scale after each trip through the line. It is inexpensive.

Casa García Mexican Restaurant
8814 Veterans Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70003
504/464-0354
Known for their fajitas, Casa Garcia serves traditional Mexican food.

Casa Tequlia
3229 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70065
504/443-5423
Casa Tequila serves a mixture of authentic Mexican dishes and Tex Mex favorites including fajitas, flautas and carnes asadas.

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria
6215 S. Miro
New Orleans, LA 70125
504/309-2776
Meals are made-to-order at this inexpensive restaurant near Tulane.

Country Flame
620 Iberville
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/522-1138
Located in the French Quarter, Country Flame serves both Mexican and Cuban food.

La Fiesta
1412 Stumpf Blvd.
Gretna, LA 70053
504/361-9142

Fiesta Restaurant
2440 Veterans Blvd. Suite 1
Kenner, LA 70062
Fiesta Restaurant boasts a mix of Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine.

Garces
3809 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA
504/443-1223
For traditional Cuban fare, Garces is one of the best places to find ropa vieja, empanadas, moros y cristianos or a medianoche sandwich.

Los Latinos, Inc. Restaurante & Supermarket
3521 Florida Avenue
Kenner, LA 70065
504/443-1029
Open Tuesday through Sunday, Los Latinos serves Central American and Creole cuisine.

Liborio Cuban Restaurant
321 Magazine Street
504/581-9680
Liborio serves traditional Cuban comfort food such as croquetas, lechon asado, caldereta and ropa vieja.

Lola‘€™s
3312 Esplanade Avenue
New Orleans, LA
504/488-6946
Lola‘€™s serves Spanish and Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, including paella, gazpacho, mussels and ceviche. A popular neighborhood restaurant, Lola‘€™s doesn‘€™t take reservations nor does it have a liquor license. Make sure to bring your own alcoholic beverages and expect to wait in line. It‘€™s worth the wait!

La Macarena Pupuseria & Restaurante
8016 W. Metairie
Metairie, LA 70003
504/464-4525
Voted “Best Latin American Restaurant” in Gambit Weekly, 2005

Martinique Bistro
5908 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
Martinique Bistro serves French Bistro food with a Caribbean twist. Enjoy your meal in their outdoor patio.

El Patio Mexican Restaurant
3244 Georgia Ave.
Kenner, LA
504/443-1188
Savor the finest in Mexican, Spanish and Cuban food while listening to live guitar music Tuesday through Saturday at El Patio Restaurant.

Pupusería Divino Corazón Restaurant
2300 Belle Chasse Hwy
Gretna, LA 70053
504/368-5724
Located on the West Bank, Pupusería Divino Corazón serves traditional Salvadoran food, including pupusas, pastel de carne, platanos fritos, yuca con chicharron and for dessert, the delicious tamal de elote.

RíoMar
800 S. Peters Street
New Orleans, LA
504/525-3474
RíoMar bills itself as a seafood restaurant, but their menu has a decidedly Latin flavor. The menu includes such tasty dishes as ceviche prepared four different ways, zarzuela (seafood stew), steak with chimichurri sauce and tres leches for dessert.

Superior Grill
3636 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA
504/899-4200
‘€œFamoso por fajitas y margaritas‘€ is the slogan of this small southern Mexican chain restaurant that has four locations (Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Birmingham and New Orleans). Superior Grill serves standard Americanized Mexican fare, but the menu boasts some gems such as chiles rellenos, enchiladas suizas, and cabrito.

Taquería Corona
5932 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504/897-3974
Taquería Corona serves some of the finest tacos in town. Made in the authentic Mexican tradition, you can order tacos stuffed with a variety of fillings, including tender, spicy beef tongue to charbroiled pork, chorizo sausage and seasoned fish fillets.

Taqueros Taquería Cantina
2723 Roosevelt Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70062
504/441-8888
Taqueros seems like two restaurants in one. By day, it is a taquería, serving authentic Mexican style tacos; at night; it serves more ambitious Mexican cuisine.

Vega Tapas Café
2051 Metairie Road
Metairie, LA 70005
504/836-2007
Dedicated to a relaxed and informal Mediterranean style of dining, Vega‘€™s menu is resplendent with a wide range of wonderful Spanish-influenced tapas.

Sports

Pelican Soccer League, ISLANO
Affiliated with the Louisiana Soccer Association and the US Soccer Association
Chris Bailey, President
504/833-8370
The league uses sports as an avenue to bring together the Hispanic and US communities by encouraging young people to get involved and lobbying to increase the sport‘€™s popularity.

LIGA Renato Varela
504/813-9554
The mission of this LIGA is to bring the community together through the game of soccer. 35 and older.

Television

Cox Communications
Cable Channel 10
2121 Airline Dr.
Metairie, LA
504/304-7345
Cox Communications airs programs of local interest including several with a Hispanic focus. De todo un poco, is a talk show on Sunday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. and Tuesday, 9:00-10:00 p.m. The Spanish-speaking program informals the local Hispanic community on issues related to New Orleans, including hurricane preparedness.

Theater

Junebug Productions, Inc.
Western and Southern Arts Associates
PO Box 50120
Austin, TX 78763
512/477-1859
E-mail: MH4Arts@aol.com
Junebug Productions is a professional African American arts organization located in New Orleans. Its mission is to create high quality theater that inspires justice in the African American community and in the world-at-large. Junebug has ten plays in in its repertoire, three of them inter-cultural collaborations. Junebug Productions is the successor to the Free Southern Theater, founded in 1963 as a cultural arm of the civil rights movement.

Travel and Tourism

Louisiana Office of Tourism
P.O. Box 94291
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9291
225/342-8100
FAX: 225/342-8390

Tulane Student Organizations

La Alianza
Tulane Law School
6329 Freret Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504/228-8028
La Alianza is Tulane Law School‘€™s Latin American Student Organization.

LAGO
Latin American Graduate Organization
Dr. James Huck, Advisor
Stone Center for Latin American Studies
504/865-5164
Tulane University‘€™s Latin American Studies Graduate Organization in cooperation with the Stone Center sponsors visiting speakers, paper conferences, film nights and community events. Every year LAGO presents faculty and outstanding graduate student service awards. Any member of the Tulane community is eligible to become a member.

LAMSA
Latin American Medical Student Association
LAMSA’s mission is to unite Tulane Medical students and connect them with the resources to discover and address the needs of the Latin-American community, and to meet those needs through service activities. LAMSA works primarily with students and local groups to discover and organize opportunities for community service activites to benefit the local Latino community.

LASA
The Latin and American Student Association of Tulane University is the largest multicultural organization on campus. The purpose of this organization is to promote social and cultural activities as a medium to enhance American and Latin American relations. Such events include Latin American week, an International Food Festival, intramural sports, speakers, lectures and parties.

TULASO
Edie Wolfe , Advisor
Stone Center for Latin American Studies
504/865-5164
Tulane University‘€™s Undergraduate Latin American Studies Organization in cooperation with the Stone Center regularly sponsors visiting speakers, a career fair, Latin Film Night and monthly social gatherings with music and light refreshments called pachangas en el patio. TULASO also presents an annual outstanding faculty award.

Universities

Delgado Community College
501 City Park Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
504/ 483-4114

Dillard University
2601 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70122
504/816-4260

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225/578-6652

Loyola University
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
800/4-LOYOLA

Our Lady of Holy Cross College
4123 Woodland Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131-7399
504/ 398-2235

Southern University at New Orleans
6400 Press Drive
New Orleans, LA 70126
504/286-5314

The University of New Orleans, Lakefront
2000 Lakeshore Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70148
504/280-6000

The University of Southern Mississippi
18 College Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
601/266-1000

Xavier University of Louisiana
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125
504/520-7541

Websites about New Orleans

For the most current information about events in the New Orleans area, visit any of the following websites:

Gambit Weekly

Hispanicforum.wordpress.com

New Orleans.com

NewOrleansOnline.com

Nolafunguide.com

Thinknola.com

Times Picayune

UNITS

• Academic Resources and Educational Organizations