NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Magazine, the flagship culture and lifestyle magazine of New Orleans, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this October. In April of 1966, a dinner was held at Antoine’s Restaurant at which the magazine was conceived. The first issue of New Orleans Magazine was published in October 1966. Founding publisher, James L. Townsend’s opening message included this recollection about the April meeting, “Later on, toward midnight, in a small room next to the wine cellar at Antoine’s, New Orleans got its first breath of life, and none of our lives have since been the same.”
In conjunction with the yearlong celebration, New Orleans Magazine has published the magazine’s first hardcover, coffee table book entitled "Essential New Orleans: 15 Places We Love." A book launch and signing with New Orleans Magazine editor-in-chief Errol Laborde will be held on Oct. 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Edited by Morgan Packard and designed by Tiffani Reding Amedeo of Renaissance Publishing and photographed by Marianna Massey, the book features essays about some of the most beloved locations in the city as seen through the eyes of local writers. Mentioned places include: Hansen’s Snowballs, Preservation Hall, City Park, Tipitina’s, Café du Monde, Pat O’Brien’s, The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Parkway Bakery, New Orleans Fair Grounds, St. Roch Cemetery, Galatoire’s, Saenger Theatre, Steamboat Natchez, Molly’s at the Market and Antoine’s.
New Orleans Magazine is owned by Renaissance Publishing LLC, which is locally owned by Todd Matherne, Errol Laborde and Alan Campell. New Orleans Magazine is a glossy, monthly lifestyle magazine with features and columns about the city, with a strong emphasis on food and dining coverage. In addition to New Orleans Magazine, Renaissance Publishing also owns MyNewOrleans.com, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, St. Charles Avenue, Louisiana Life, Biz New Orleans, New Orleans Bride and Acadiana Profile.
