Morgan Molthrop is writing a book called 300 Reasons to Love New Orleans. He has to hand the manuscript in tomorrow.

As Happy Hour kicks off he’s gotten the list up to 290. He needs another 10 reasons to love New Orleans in the next 60 minutes. It would be good if we could avoid associating all the reasons to love New Orleans with alcohol, especially given Morgan’s other venture, Soberleans – a guide to the city for recovering alcoholics and addicts. The non-imbibing New Orleanian might be a rare beast but Morgan’s cornered the market on the concept in the rest of the country as well.

Everybody has a day that changes their lives. Today might be it for Erin Casey Hangartner. Erin started out as a prosecutor in the New Orleans’ D.A’s office before moving on to her own law firm,  all the while pursuing a parallel career as a rabid Saints fan. Will a chance meeting over a cocktail and a song make today the day Erin leaves all of that – well, at least some it – behind to throw herself into artist management? 

Carrying on the tradition of giving a forum to the greatest musicians in New Orleans, check out Samantha Pearl. Samantha plays on the streets in the French Quarter and has played on the streets all across the country. If you think that street musicians are a lesser breed than those you see in bars and clubs, Samantha will upend your expectations. She’s one of the one most talented musicians you’ll hear anywhere in New Orleans and that’s saying something.

Photos at Wayfare by Alison Moon.