Those Who Can... Teach

by Lindsey Hoyt, Admission Counselor

Photos courtesy of Tulane New Wave.

How does creative writing taught by a National Book Award winner sound? Meet Associate Professor Jesmyn Ward.

Louisiana coastline, 2010. Associated Press.

How about computer science from a professor building a $480K web tool to display information gathered by Tulane's Disaster Recovery Leadership Academy about the BP oil spill? Meet Tulane computer science professor Kristen Brent Venable.

Photos courtesy of Tulane New Wave and Warner Brothers.

Would you like to take your freshman bio class from a professor hired by filmmakers as an expert on alien life-forms? Meet Dr. Bruce Fleury.

Left: Tulane New Wave.  Right: Steve McQueen by William Claxton, 1962. "American Cool", The Smithsonian.

How about discussing the meaning of "cool" with the man who built an entire Smithsonian exhibition around the concept? Meet WWOZ jazz DJ and Tulane English professor Joel Dinerstein.

Can you see yourself learning the ins and outs of financial analysis from the former Chief Investment Officer of the State of Louisiana? Meet Professor Peter Ricchiuti.

Only at Tulane. Only in New Orleans.

From Degas to KAWS: Art at Tulane

Tulane Admission Counselor Lindsey Hoyt highlights recent art exhibitions at Tulane's Newcomb Art Gallery. 

The Newcomb Gallery, in the heart of Tulane's campus, is a place for wandering. A few months ago, you wandered through the Gallery's Prospect 3 exhibition, past the overwhelmingly vibrant mixed-media work of Ebony G. Patterson...

Detail of Brella Krew (from the Fambily series), photo from ARC Magazine, courtesy of Ebony G. Patterson

                                      

And then through a room covered in 1500 feet of black rope, which to anyone from New Orleans, looked a lot like black Mardi Gras beads...

Professor Patrick Coll installs The Nameless, by artist Hew Locke. Courtesy: New Wave.  Professor Patrick Coll installs The Nameless, by artist Hew Locke. Courtesy: New Wave.

Today, you wander through an exhibition of drawings, photographs, and sculptures by one of modern history's most famous artists, Edgar Degas...

Edgar Degas, Self Portrait, 1857. Photo courtesy of the Newcomb Gallery.

Edgar Degas, The Star - Dancer on Stage, 1878. Photo courtesy of the Musée d'Orsay. Degas had close family ties to New Orleans, and spent 1872-1873 in a beautiful house on Esplanade Avenue, painting portraits of his family members and New Orleans life, including the famous A Cotton Office in New Orleans.

A Cotton Office in New Orleans, Edgar Degas, 1873. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

And in a few more months, just in time to welcome the Tulane Class of 2019 to campus, the Newcomb Gallery will host an exhibition of works by New York-based artist KAWS, who started as a graffiti artist, reworking and subverting advertisements on the street. Now, KAWS creates brilliant works on paper and enormous, commanding sculptures referencing some of our most beloved cartoon characters from the last hundred years.

KAWS, photo courtesy of livincool.com

Follow KAWS' Instagram for a hint at what the Newcomb Gallery will be bringing our way next.

Whether you love the delicate, weightless beauty of Degas' little dancers, or the monumental modern art of a former graffiti artist, the Newcomb Gallery is a place to wander, to ponder, to discover.

Pico Picks: Festivals to Know in NOLA

Buku Music and Arts Festival

When I first visited Tulane in 2012, I was disappointed to learn I had missed New Orleans newest music festival, Buku, by just one weekend. As soon as I enrolled, I bought tickets for the next year with no hesitation. Now I’ve gone three years in a row, and every time I've grown to love the festival a little bit more.

The first year, I was just an excited festival-goer, marveling over the intricate stages, creative art installations, and good tunes. In 2013, I had a hand in the festival’s preparation as a volunteer (and I got to attend for free). Now, I’m headed to Buku as a journalist, watching the shows from the pit and interviewing my favorite artists. From all these different positions and perspectives, I have learned a lot about the festival, and myself. Most notably, Buku helped me discover my passion for the music industry, particularly in areas such as marketing and sponsorship. For that, I am forever grateful.

When discussing Buku, you have to consider its incredible history. Founded in 2012 by Winter Cold Productions and Huka Entertainment, the festival was designed to attract a younger crowd interested in electronic, hip-hop, and indie music. In its first year, organizers managed to draw artists ranging from Skrillex and Avicii to Wiz Khalifa. Since then, the lineups have maintained their integrity as attendance grows at unprecedented rate. This year, A$AP Rocky, Bassnectar, Passion Pit, and Empire of the Sun are the headliners for the rapidly expanding festival.

Portugal. The Man at the Float Den

Another notable thing about Buku is its very New Orleanian appreciation for art. At the beginning of the festival, street artists go to work on blank canvases mounted on scaffolding that overlooks the central area. The art in motion adds a creative buzz to the area. Also, the environment itself is extremely significant. The festival takes place at the iconic Mardi Gras World complex on the Mississippi River. On the outskirts of the indoor areas, massive floats and props from the parades look on merrily. Some of my best memories are from the Float Den and Ballroom Stages, which are characterized by Mardi Gras memorabilia.

Since much of my Tulane career has been characterized and shaped by music, it’s no surprise that Buku has been a big part of my college experience. Freshman year, it was where I bonded with the people who would become my best friends (“The Bukrewe”), and every time I go back I marvel at Buku’s magical ability to create memories and bring people together against a one-of-a-kind backdrop in a one-of-a-kind city. Buku is more than just a place in time, it is a lifestyle.

Odesza in the Ballroom

By: Justin Picard

Photos By: Patrick Ainsworth x Buku Media

Nora in Nola: A Day on Magazine Street

Nora in Nola: A Day on Magazine Street

As we all know, Magazine street is one of the best parts of New Orleans. Each time people ask me for restaurant recommendations, it's my "go to" - but there are so many options that it's even hard to narrow down my list of recommendations. So I've put together my favorite options so you can spend a lovely day on Magazine street filled with food, shopping, and happy hours - even on a student budget. Enjoy!

Breakfast/Brunch

Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar, 1418 Magazine st.

Surrey's is one of my favorite brunch places in New Orleans. My favorite dishes include Bananas Foster French Toast ($9) and Huevos Rancheros ($7.75). They also have good sandwiches (including poboys!) and salads in case you're having a late brunch. Their juice bar is definitely a savior after a day of traveling or not eating healthily for a few days.

Check out the menu here: http://menuorleans.com/surreys-cafe-juice-bar

Bananas Foster French Toast - too good to be true

Another Broken Egg Cafe, 2917 Magazine st.

Another Broken Egg Cafe has the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had! You can get the classic, but there's also great variations including one with smoked salmon on a bagel and other with crab cakes! You can easily spend $15 and under on the meal, and the portions are great sizes. I also highly recommend the blueberry grits and the biscuit beignets. If you have to wake up early for breakfast, this is the place to do it.

Check out the menu here: http://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/menu

 

District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew., 2209 Magazine st.

If you are ever going to eat a donut, this is absolutely the place to do it. If you follow any Nola foodie on Instagram, Facebook, etc, I guarantee there is at least one picture of District Donuts. The amazing donuts are enough to fill you for a whole day, but if you're not full, you can wash it down with a slider and coffee. The donuts are categorized by "simple", "fancy", and "extra fancy" - for no more than $3. I've had too many to remember, but my favorites have been Boston Cream Pie, Wedding Cake, Mexican Hot Chocolate and Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Maple Sriracha. Seriously. So. Good.

Check it out here: http://www.donutsandsliders.com/menu/

Nutella mousse with caramelized bananas

Lunch

Dat Dog, 3336 Magazine st.

Now I've never been a huge fan of hot dogs, but these gourmet hot dogs are completely different (and better!) than any others. You get to choose which "dog" you want (beef, pork, smoked sage vegan, chipotle veggie, veggie patty, Guinness, italian, turducken, duck, crawfish, alligator, slovenian sausage, bratwurst, kielbasa, and fish) and then load it up with as many toppings as you like! They also have amazing fries - chili, cheese, and even crawfish! The hot dogs are less than $8 - an amazing deal for a lot of food! They also have a happy hour and outdoor seating, so it's a great place to go when the weather is nice!

Check it out: http://datdognola.com/

Magasin Vietnamese Cafe, 4201 Magazine st.

If there's one place to get Pho in New Orleans, this is the spot. They range from between $7-12 each and are enough to fill you for the rest of the day. I also recommend the vermicelli noodle dishes and the Vietnamese crepe. It's a great option to have a lighter meal in between a heavy brunch and another heavy dinner. It even won an "Eat Fit Nola" for having so many menu options under 500 calories!

Check out the menu: http://magasin-cafe.wl-6548.happytables.com/content/uploads/sites/6518/2015/01/2014-November-Magasin-Menu_final.pdf

Del Fuego, 4518 Magazine st.

Del Fuego is fairly new to Nola, but has already achieved a lot of success. Their guacamole is to die for - seriously, my mom and I had 3 helpings before our entrees came. They have a taco deal (3 for $12 with yummy sides) with options from chicken, steak, goat and pork to even cactus! Their burritos are also fantastic and last over 2 meals. Del Fuego is definitely now one of my favorite restaurants and the best Mexican restaurant in the city. They even have a great happy hour from 3-7 as well!

Probably the best guacamole I've ever had

Happy hour and Dinner

Rum House, 3128 Magazine st.

Rum House is one of the all time best places to eat in New Orleans. Its Latin/Caribbean food appeals to even the pickiest of eaters. I'd recommend the Queso Blanco Dip ($6.75), Damn Good Nachos ($12.95), and the following tacos: Jerk Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Calypso Beef and Fried Oyster. The tacos are only $3-4 each, but you can get 3 with 2 sides for only $12! Although there is usually a wait, I guarantee Rum House is absolutely worth it and you'll be surrounded by Tulane students as well! Taco Tuesday ($2 each) and Happy Hour (which they call "Island time") are opportunities that Tulane students love to take advantage of. 

Check out the menu here: http://www.rumhousenola.com/food-menu/

Peche Seafood Grill, 800 Magazine st.

Peche is also new to New Orleans, and already a huge hit - since this summer, it's already won lots of major awards. I brought my parents and it was one of the best meals we've ever had here. We shared a whole grilled fish, fried bread with sea salt, roasted carrots, and hushpuppies. This is definitely a restaurant to bring your parents to as it isn't exactly ideal for a student's budget, but the meal is completely worth it. Be sure to make reservations, as it's now one of Nola's hottest spots!

Check out the menu here: http://www.pecherestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Peche-Menu-2-11-2015.pdf

Whole grilled redfish - a Nola classic!

Salú, 3226 Magazine st.

Salú is my "go to" for birthday dinners. Between amazing paellas (don't make the mistake my friend did and try to eat it alone, it's meant for 4!), sweet and savory (including Nutella) flatbreads and delicious tapas, you can't go wrong. They also have my favorite happy hour deals on Magazine: Thursday nights you get a free bottle of wine with a paella, and every day between 4-7 there's half priced drinks, mussels and flatbreads. They also have amazing brunch deals, including bottomless mimosas for $15. Like I said - you can't go wrong.

Check out their menu: http://www.salurestaurant.com/menu/index.html

Don't be fooled - this is only the half portion

Good luck and happy eating!

My First Love: Tulane

My First Love

Lara Fernandez

         This is not an article about my first love with a boy (since I haven’t gotten there yet), nor is it about my undeniable love for my pups (Whiskey and Martini, my parents named them I swear) but rather my love for what my life revolves around today, Tulane. The place that makes me so happy I can never stop smiling; the place where I feel most myself; the place that has engraved itself into my heart; my home, my love, Tulane University.  We have now been together for a little over six months and I can truly say this love of ours is eternal. That sounds overdramatic but really, I fit the checklist of being in love according Wikihow and let's be honest it's always right.

First, I can’t picture a future without Tulane or at least without NOLA in my life. When I think about the idea of one day having to move on, it breaks my heart. Sorry Mom and Dad, I may just never leave college. Second, I think about Tulane everyday and every minute of the day. I reflect on how beautiful the university is and how grateful I am to have ended up here, in this picturesque campus, inhabited with diverse wonderful people. When I am separated from my love, I catch myself drifting off, fantasizing about Tulane and how I wish I could just be back there. Third, Tulane and New Orleans’ imperfections are what make them so flawless in my eyes. The authenticity that they have is made up by several factors such as the beautiful Spanish moss’s roots breaking into the sidewalks and the Tulane buildings being historic, at least in my youthful perspective. For example, Sharp Hall, the Freshman dorm I reside in, has been here since my Grandfather graduated in the 1960s (don’t worry. improvements have been made). The history of the city and school reminds of why people keep coming back, because it was as amazing then as it is now. Together the city and University have survived a variety of controversy over time, but that has only made them stronger. When I am back home in Miami and discussing college with my friend,s the subject of negative qualities of our universities arises and I have no way to respond but to shrug my shoulders and say in a questioning tone, “The doors are heavy?”

I love Tulane and I know it loves me, but I also gladly accept that it’s not a monogamous relationship. Each student and faculty member shares the same relationship with Tulane as I do. Tulane and its "Tulanians" create an aura that can be felt all around the campus, even by outsiders. It is a non-judgmental, optimistic, and exciting vibe that inspires and motivates individuals.