What's New - February 2024

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 11:12 AM

Upcoming Events

New Orleans Entrepeneur Week (NOEW) and New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University scheduled for March
- The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University and NOEW will take place during the same week this spring, creating an even bigger draw for those looking to celebrate culture, innovation, big ideas, and books. The partnership begins with NOEW’s kickoff on Monday, March 11 and with Book Fest’s kickoff on Thursday evening, March 14, 2024. Thursday, March 14 will serve as a “crossover day,” with featured programming by both events.
New Orleans to host the 2024 Americas selection of Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup in June
- Twelve candidates will compete for one of five places in the Grand Finale under the gaze of exceptional chefs such as Jeffery Hayashi, President of the Jury and Bocuse d’Or Americas 2022, Gavin Kaysen, President of the Continental Organizing Committee, Emeril Lagasse, Honorary President and one of Louisiana’s leading chefs and Mathew Peters, the only American to win the Bocuse d’Or in 2017.
Festival Season is quickly approaching
- The 38th Annual Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival will kick-off on March 17 with the Stella Shouting Contest in Jackson Square. The full schedule of events are available here.
- French Quarter Fest will have a New Orleans.com Stage powered by New Orleans & Company in Jackson Square with an all-star lineup featuring John Boutté, Quiana Lynell and the Lush Life, James Andrews, and more.
- Hogs for the Cause will take place April 5-6 at the UNO Lakefront festival grounds. Their music lineup is available here.
- In 2024, Jazz Fest will consist of two four-day weekends with the Rolling Stones set to headline the second weekend on Thursday, May 2. The full schedule is available here.

New Developments

It's What We Do!
New Orleans to host Super Bowl LIX

Super Bowl Host Committee

The NFL and the Las Vegas LVIII Super Bowl Host Committee officially handed off hosting duties to the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee in a ceremony that included Mrs. Gayle Benson of the Saints, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and our New Orleans Super Bowl LIX Host Committee Chair Marcus Brown.

Recycle Dat! Breaks Records in Second Year

Recycle Dat Group

In the second year of the Recycle Dat! initiative, the City and 25 partners set new records in recyclables collected over 4 days. The team collected over 10 tons of material including: 4,288 pounds of glass, 4,564 pounds of aluminum cans, 12,729 pounds of beads and throws including 5,100 pounds collected at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and 2,144 pounds collected through the Krewe of Reuse program.

Hotel News

The Dew Drop Inn Hotel and Lounge Open for Reservations

Dew Drop Inn

The boutique hotel includes 17 hotel rooms, a live music venue and a resort style pool. First opened in 1938 by Frank Painia, the Dew Drop was a hotel, music venue and barber shop. Legendary musicians played on its stage including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Deacon John and Irma Thomas.

The Rubenstein Hotel on St. Charles Avenue Now Open

Rubenstein's Hotel

Celebrating its 100^th anniversary, Rubensteins, a cornerstone of New Orleans' retail scene, embodies quality, service and fashion as one of America's oldest menswear stores. Founded in 1924 by Morris Rubenstein as a haberdashery, it flourished with brothers Sam and Elkin expanding into an iconic establishment. Managed by multiple generations, Rubensteins transcends retail, deeply embedding itself in the New Orleans’ community. The centennial marks both reflection on a storied past and excitement for the future, like newly opened Rubensteins Hotel on St. Charles.

Copper Vine Winepub & Inn

Copper Vine Winepub & Inn

Copper Vine’s expansion will evolve the brand into Copper Vine Winepub & Inn, a ‘restaurant-first’ take on a traditional bed-and-breakfast with 11 rooms and increased restaurant floor plan for expanded dining and private events.

Caesars Hotel & Casino New Orleans

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. is investing $325 million to renovate and rebrand Harrah’s Hotel and Casino with additional plans for a 340-room hotel tower by 2024. Nobu Hotel New Orleans and restaurant are also set to open within the Caesars Hotel New Orleans. In addition to this, the Superdome has been renamed the Caesars Superdome.

Restaurant News

Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group Celebrates Canal Street Grand Re-Opening

Ruby Slipper

The re-opening of the restaurant’s Canal Street location following the devastating collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel construction site represents what co-founder Jennifer Weishaupt describes as “an investment in the heart of our beloved city, a contribution to the revitalization of Canal Street, and a symbol of resilience for the entire community.”

The Emeril Group announces fifth concept in New Orleans

34 restaurant

34 Restaurant & Bar is the newest restaurant from The Emeril Group. Chef Emeril Lagasse's Portuguese heritage, inspired by his late mother Hilda Mederios, plays a significant role in shaping the restaurant's identity. Chef Emeril began cooking with his mother at an early age, and he credits her for fostering his interest in the culinary arts and his passion for culinary traditions passed down through generations.

Restaurant R’evolution Refreshes at the Royal Sonesta

Restaurant R'evolution

Restaurant R’evolution is in a new season of vitality after 10 years. Sonesta International invested $1.5 million to refresh Restaurant R’evolution, including final kitchen touches coming in 2024. With the refresh also came a return of many tenured team members as well as new talent in the restaurant brigade: chefs, waitstaff, sommeliers, bartenders, and management.

Special Announcements

The Home For Good New Orleans (HFGNO) Homeless Initiative Launched to address and minimize the Unhoused Population in the Crescent City

Home For Good, supported by donations, will serve as a resource fund to help unhoused residents successfully transition to housing. Resources include furniture, move-in kits (hygiene/cleaning supplies, pots & pans, etc.), security deposits, pet fees, and other landlord incentives. Devised by Councilmember Lesli Harris, HFGNO was developed between several local partners: New Orleans and Company, UNITY of Greater New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Foundation, United Way Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA), New Orleans Health Department, Travelers Aid Society and City of New Orleans Homeless Services and Strategy.

Reconcile New Orleans Announces Multi-Million Dollar Gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott

Reconcile New Orleans (Reconcile) has received a $4 million-dollar gift from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The single largest gift in Reconcile’s history will expand its capacity and fuel the nonprofit’s work to redefine youth-focused workforce development programming for New Orleans’ opportunity youth, young people between the ages of 16 to 24 years old, who are seeking connection to educational and workforce opportunities.

The New Orleans Museum of Art Celebrates 20 Years of the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

The occasion will be marked with new permanent additions to the nearly 100 works of art installed in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, programmatic offerings highlighting the natural and artistic beauty of the garden and a book by publisher Monacelli that focuses on the history of the 12-acre garden and its expansion in 2019.