634. Kyle Crosby, Part 1

634. Part 1 of our talk with Kyle Crosby about his project, Louisiana Dread. "Louisiana Dread is a cultural project that shares and preserves stories of Louisiana history, culture, and folklore. Under the umbrella of Dreadful Productions, LLC, "Louisiana Dread" aims to bring awareness to important cultural aspects of Louisiana through several online series, such as LA Quick History, LA Drinks, LA Estates, LA Lingo, and LD Live. Each highlight  in Louisiana history that have otherwise been forgotten or misinterpreted, as well as share local horror stories that have been told for generations. Whether based on fact or complete fiction, Louisiana is seeping with horror stories that all share one common feature: the haunting setting of Louisiana. Along with the online series, a ten-episode television anthology script has been completed and awaits funding. To donate, please contact us at [e-mail] The description can be seen below. "Louisiana Dread" is a video horror anthology series based on haunting Louisiana history, folklore, and culture. Set all throughout the Bayou State, each episode holds its own sinister tale of misfortune and evil" (Louisiana Dread).

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today!
   
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. One of our recent additions is a COVID diary by Frank Perez, who wrote about his experiences in the French Quarter during COVID. Saturday, March 21, 2020. 12:15 pm. "I receive a text from my friend Ben, an Episcopal deacon who lives a few blocks away, asking if I know anyone who is hungry. Ben is making dozens of brown bag lunches and delivering them around the Quarter to anyone in need. He assures me that he wears gloves and a mask while preparing the meals. I’m hungry now and heat up spaghetti leftovers from yesterday." At the end of his diary, he notes, "The Quarter itself is a poem. The souls are old here, and each has a story to sigh into any willing ear." (Perez).
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. July 12, 1934. Birthday of famous pianist Van Cliburn who was a Musical prodigy who won the first quadrennial Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in 1958 when he was only 23.
   
4. This week in New Orleans history. Happy Birthday, Tom Benson
   born in New Orleans on July 12, 1927. He ran car dealerships and also bought the Saints.
   
5. This week in Louisiana.
   Tales of the Cocktail
   July 20-25, 2025
   The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
   921 Canal St.
   New Orleans, LA 70112
   Email: [e-mail]
   Website
       Enjoy a week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology at the 23rd annual Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) event, taking pla