609. David Armand, Part 2

Louisiana Anthology Podcast

609. Part 2 of our visit with author David Armond. Armand is the 2022 recipient of the Louisiana Writer Award, presented annually by the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana. He is the twenty-third recipient of the prestigious award presented to recognize outstanding contributions to Louisiana’s literary and intellectual life exemplified by a contemporary Louisiana writer’s body of work. He is a prolific writer in several genres: memoir, novels, and poetry. His memoirs are titled, My Mother’s House, and Mirrors. He has published four novels, The Pugilist's Wife, Harlow, The Gorge, and The Lord's Acre. He has also published three collections of poems, The Deep Woods, Debt, and The Evangelist. From 2017-2019, he served as Writer-in-Residence at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he is currently assistant professor of creative writing. His latest book, a collection of essays called Mirrors, was published by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press.

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 220 years. Order your copy today!
   
2. This week in Louisiana history. January 18, 1803. President Thomas Jefferson requests $2,500 to finance Lewis and Clark's west exploration. A week earlier, congress had approved $9,375,000 to purchase land near the French-held New Orleans - a move that led to the Louisiana Purchase.
   
3. This week in New Orleans history. The New Orleans Public Library first opened its doors to the public on January 18, 1897. The system began in 1896 as the Fisk Free and Public Library in a building on Lafayette Square. Abijah Fisk was a merchant who, over fifty years earlier, had left his house—at the corner of Iberville and Bourbon Streets—to the city for use as a library. Subsequent donations had resulted in libraries and collections not completely free and open to the citizenry. An 1896 city ordinance proposed by Mayor John Fitzpatrick combined the Fisk collection with a newer municipal library. It eventually became known as the New Orleans Public Library.
4. This week in Louisiana.
   The Krewe of Majestic Parade
   11:00 am, January 25, 2025
   Peter Atkins Park
   Parade Route Here
   Covington, LA
   On January 25, 2025, the Krewe of Majestic will roll for the first time in Covington. The group was founded in 2021 as a social club that enjoyed tailgating at parades. From there it grew to become a year-round club, fundraising for school groups and other community organizations. It wasn’t long before a member of the Covington City Council suggested they start a parade. The rest is Carnival history.
   The theme of their first parade is “Majestic Gras.” Their signature throw will be sunglasses that look like the face of a lion, in keeping with the krewe’s logo. Their specialty throw will change each year to coincide with their theme.
   Year founded: 2021
   Membership: Co-ed
   Number of floats: 10 floats
   
5. Postcards from Louisiana. Phillip Manuel sings with Michael Pellera Trio play at Snug Harbor on Frenchmen St. in New Orleans.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.
Listen on audible.
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on TuneIn.
Listen on iHeartRadio.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.