The Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade is scheduled on March 15. For the 61st year, members of the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club will dress in tuxedos and march along the parade route trading paper flowers for kisses.
Hey Blake,
Many years ago I attended a dinner, and the speaker was Buddy Stahl. He told us the story of the Dixie and gave us each a replica of a Dixie. I remember seeing them for sale in the Wax Museum in the French Quarter. I gave my copy to a Canadian couple who were visiting New Orleans, thinking I could replace it later. Can you tell me where I might find them for purchase?
Dale Brinley
Dear Dale,
The Wax Museum is no longer open to the general public; it is only available for special parties and private tours. However, I do know where you can get a replica of this historically interesting and important bank note: www.replicabills.com/pages/bank%20notes.html. Each costs $8.95.
Hey Blake,
I just finished reading Crescent City Lynching: The Murder of Chief Hennessy, the New Orleans ""Mafia" Trials, and the Parish Prison Mob. I remember the scene at the Wax Museum from childhood school trips, but the story of Hennessy's murder — the drama, personalities, intrigue, prejudice, international involvement — has all the ingredients for a big-screen adaptation. Has there ever been a movie made about this turbulent and tragic period in New Orleans' history?
P. Sessum
Dear P.
There has been a movie made, but not for the big screen. In 1999, HBO produced a movie called Vendetta starring Christopher Walken and Bruce Davison. Here is a synopsis of the movie provided by Blockbuster: 'Based on a true story, Vendetta tells the shocking and tragic story of a group of Sicilian immigrants working on the New Orleans docks in the 1890s. After the chief of police was brutally murdered, much of the city's Sicilian population was rounded up and brought in for questioning. Eventually, thirteen were formally tried for murder and nine went to trial, and while they were acquitted, a series of brutal lynchings showed they had as much to fear from the city's general populace as they did from the corrupt police force."
Since you are interested in the subject, you might want to read yet another book: Vendetta by Dr. Richard Gambino, written in 1977. It has a different perspective.
Hey Blake,
I grew up in New Orleans and now live in California. I am bringing my daughter to the city for St. Patrick's Day and need a schedule of parades. Do you know where I might find that info?
Tracy
Dear Tracy,
I hope you and your daughter plan to come early because some of the best parades are not held exactly on March 17. For example, the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club is staging its parade on March 15, the Saturday before. It winds down the Lower Garden District part of Magazine Street before hitting St. Charles Avenue. The gentlemen in this club dress in tuxedos and stroll down the parade route trading paper flowers for kisses. This year they are marching for the 61st time after mass at St. Mary's Assumption Church. The parade begins at 1 p.m. This club also has a benefit block party on Monday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Annunciation Square Playground directly in front of St. Michael's Special School. All the profits will go to the school.
While here, you and your daughter can catch the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Metairie, which starts at noon on Sunday, March 16. This parade is a real family affair with floats as well as walkers. Lots of vegetables are thrown " carrots, cabbages, potatoes " as well as beads.
Another group, the Downtown Irish Club, will march on Monday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. Its route goes from Piety Street in Bywater through the French Quarter and finishes at Bourbon Street and Orleans Avenue.
One last thought: If your daughter is old enough, there's always Parasol's Bar, where every day is St. Patrick's Day!
