After Hurricane Katrina tore a Category 5-size hole in the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Orleanians on Aug. 29, 2005, families were displaced all over the country. Many sought refuge in the Scenic City.
Those transplants represent a tangible link between the Crescent and Scenic cities, but the connections to New Orleans are more numerous than might be expected for a city 500 miles removed from the French Quarter.
For one thing, the taste of the Big Easy is everywhere, from Southern Star’s fried shrimp po’boy to Cajun restaurants, such as N’Awlins Big Easy Bistro, Meo Mio’s Cajun Restaurant and Blue Orleans.
The musical connection is even stronger.
Every year, there are several New Orleans acts scheduled as part of annual series and festivals such as Nightfall, Riverbend and Riverfront Nights.