One More Post about Bouchercon 2016 in New Orleans

by Paula Gail Benson

My blog for today is late. I’m circulating it for peer review at the last moment. Actually beyond the last moment.

Po’ boys and red beans and rice

Why? Because I spent the last week celebrating my birthday in New Orleans and attending Bouchercon 2016. When organizer Heather Graham made the bid to host the mystery conference after Hurricane Katrina, she said she wanted to help rebuild the city one party at a time. I’m still trying to count the number of parties initiated and enjoyed at this year’s B’con. It truly exemplified the phrase “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (“Let the good times roll”).

Since it was my birthday, I arrived two days early. On the Airport Shuttle, I heard about the Dixieland Jazz at Preservation Hall. Once I arrived at the hotel, and enjoyed my view of the Natchez paddleboat, I took stock of the locations of all the restaurants a friend had recommended. I started out at Felix’s where I had shrimp and oyster po’ boys, red beans and rice, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce.

Bread pudding with whiskey sauce

Then, I walked to Gumbo’s, for an appetizer of Oysters Rockefeller dip with fried bow tie pasta before waiting in line for tickets. The time spent was well worth it. I met a delightful couple from Poland who had been at the Hall every night of their vacation to listen to the music. We sat together on a wooden bench beneath swirling fans as the band (trumpet, trombone, sax, bass, piano, and drums) thrilled us with “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Ain’t Misbehaving,” “Babyface,” “Summertime,” and “Shake and Bake.” I returned to the hotel, walking up Bourbon Street, but it felt more like floating on a cloud.

Oysters Rockefeller dip with fried bow tie pasta

The next day, I explored Decatur Street, finding Beckham’s, a second hand bookstore with a resident cat; several praline establishments; and many souvenir and specialty shops. At Jackson Square, I went into St. Louis Cathedral for mass. My literary introduction to New Orleans was reading Julie Smith’s Skip Langdon novels. I remembered so well the scene from New Orleans Mourning where, after Mardi Gras’ Fat Tuesday, Skip goes to the cathedral for Ash Wednesday service. The cathedral has extraordinary frescos and statuary.

On either side of the cathedral are two museums: the Cabildo features the city’s history while the Presbytère has one floor dedicated to information about the hurricanes that have struck New Orleans and another floor that showcases the costumes, floats, and memorabilia of the Mardi Gras celebrations.

Beignets and Cafe Au Lait

At the edge of Jackson Square is Café Du Monde, which serves beignets, coffee, and hot chocolate twenty-four hours-a-day. I sat there a while, enjoying my treat and people watching before walking to the river overview and listening to the calliope on the Natchez.

Once Bouchercon began, I felt as if I were in a whirlwind, being tossed from one wonderful experience to the next. Rather than packing the souvenir bags, the organizers created a book bazaar and gave participants six tickets to select the reading they wanted to take home with them. Breakfasts and afternoon snacks were available in the hospitality room. At the opening ceremony, we dined on New Orleans cuisine (muffulettas, boudin balls, shrimp cocktail, egg roll, King cake) while the honored guests, dressed in Mardi Gras costumes, rode into the room on mini-floats. A day later, the crowd walked up Canal Street in a parade led by a brass band and stilt walkers to see Lee Child’s interview with David Morrell and hear the announcement of the Anthonys at the Orpheum Theatre.

Opening Reception

The programming and interviews were very well done. I learned a great deal about “Doing Diversity Right” at the Sisters in Crime pre-conference. A shout out to our own Linda Rodriguez, who along with other experts, gave excellent advice about how to write with respect for different cultures and persons with disabilities. The keynote, given by Walter Mosley, was a rousing way to start the event.

I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Connelly’s interview with Harlan Coben and Ace Atkins’ interview with Julie Smith. The celebrations for the 30^th anniversary of Sisters in Crime, the 75^th anniversary of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, and the 6^th anniversary of the writing group of Donna Andrews, Ellen Crosby, John Gilstrip, Alan Orloff, and Art Taylor all included champagne.

As always, the best part of any gathering of writers was the opportunity to reconnect and hear the news. Being in a city that offered history, mystery, fabulous food, and the possibility for parties on every corner only made it more wonderful. There are so many people I met (another shout out to our own Margaret Hamilton and Linda Rodriguez’ husband Ben, among others), greeted, and truly enjoyed seeing. I’m very grateful for the time we had together.

Almondine

Thanks to everyone responsible for the planning and to all who attended and made it such a grand success.

I can’t end this message without saying a very special thank you to Dennis and B.K. Stevens who hosted a wonderful birthday dinner for me at the Meauxbar Bistro. As Art Taylor pointed out on Facebook, somehow we had seven desserts for six people (including Debra Goldstein and Riley Miller). We were all initially dubious about the Jalapeno Melon Mint Cheesecake, but delighted that it tasted very much like a Mojito (my favorite cocktail and a very literary drink if you consider Hemingway’s preference). And, how can you go wrong with Almond Joy Chocolate Cake?

 

Birthday desserts

Did you go to Bouchercon this year? What was your favorite experience? Has this message been a little too preoccupied with food?