Latest news with #FrenchQuarter
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
WITCHBOARD Trailer Conjures Nightmarish Supernatural Occult Mayhem — GeekTyrant
Chuck Russell, the director behind The Blob and A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors , is summoning some serious occult energy in his return to horror with Witchboard , a reimagining of the 1986 cult favorite. The first trailer has dropped, and it's packed with eerie imagery, ritualistic vibes, and a whole lot of supernatural mayhem. Set in modern-day New Orleans, Witchboard follows a young couple who unwittingly unlock something ancient and malevolent after discovering a cursed pendulum board in their newly-renovated French Quarter café. What begins as a dream venture quickly spirals into a nightmare of possession, temptation, and full-blown occult terror. Madison Iseman ( I Know What You Did Last Summer ) leads the cast as Emily, alongside Aaron Dominguez ( Only Murders in the Building ), Antonia Desplat ( Shantaram ), and Charlie Tahan ( Ozark ). Also along for the ride is Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower. Speaking with Bloody Disgusting, Russell said: 'I wanted to get back to the horror genre. I've been keeping an eye out for that over the course of my career, and I wanted to do something even scarier and more imaginative. I wanted to top my other two horror films,' he said. He added: 'I put everything I hadn't tried into this film. I hope that fans of my work will recognize my touch. But we have dreams; we have deadly hallucinations. We have body swaps; we have literal time travel. It's fun in that regard, but number one is to scare the hell out of people, and I think we've done that, too.' The trailer and poster showcase something far more visceral and stylized than the original Witchboard . There's a dreamlike terror to the imagery, flashes of fire-lit rituals, warped bodies, and distorted realities that suggest Witchboard is tapping into something deeply unhinged. It's full-blown metaphysical horror. The film is set to hit theaters August 15, 2025,
Wall Street Journal
20-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Why New Orleans Is Rallying to Save a Trash Collector
NEW ORLEANS—Something strange happened in the French Quarter in December. The trash-strewn streets were swept spotless seemingly overnight. Graffiti old enough to graduate was power-washed out of existence. And Bourbon Street's signature scent of vomit and regret was replaced with the smell of lemons. It wasn't magic. It was a new emergency sanitation contract. And now—much to many residents' and business owners' dismay—the mayor wants to take it away.
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Le James Venue to Open in 2026, Bringing Elegant Wedding and Event Space to Downtown Charleston
Charleston's historic French Quarter to welcome a new wedding and corporate event venue blending 19th-century architecture with modern design. A new addition to Charleston's hospitality scene is on the way as Le James Venue prepares to open its doors in early 2026. Located at 35 Prioleau Street in the heart of the city's French Quarter, the venue will serve as a premier Charleston wedding and event venue. Combining preserved 19th-century architecture with updated features suited for modern events, Le James is sure to impress the Charleston Hospitality community. Set within a three-story, 25,000-square-foot building dating back to the 1850s, Le James is being developed by the McIntyre Family of Business. The family acquired the property following the Harbor Club's relocation and is now overseeing its transformation into a fully restored, five-star wedding and corporate event venue. The project highlights Charleston's architectural legacy while supporting its continued growth as a destination for luxury weddings and business functions. Designed to host weddings, milestone occasions, and professional gatherings, Le James is expected to attract interest from clients across the country. The venue will feature a 3,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with views of the Cooper River, a formal ballroom, a glass-ceiling dining and entertainment space, and a vintage-style bar inspired by New York City's Polo Bar. Interiors are being developed in collaboration with Charleston design studio Fritz Porter. 'This isn't just a building restoration—it's an investment in the future of Charleston as a destination for meaningful celebrations,' said a spokesperson for the venue and director of operations. 'Le James will offer a flexible, elegant, and fully immersive experience for those seeking a Charleston wedding venue or a distinctive corporate event venue that honors the spirit of the city.' Alongside its architectural features, Le James will offer amenities designed to meet the needs of modern hosts. The venue includes dedicated suites for wedding parties, boardrooms for business events, and curated vendor partnerships to support a range of services, including planning, florals, and entertainment. Though weddings will remain the primary focus, the space will also welcome corporate events, galas, and community functions that align with its standards and capacity. Charleston tourism and economic development leaders anticipate the venue's launch will strengthen the downtown economy and further elevate the city's profile in the events and hospitality sector. With Charleston routinely ranked among the top wedding destinations in the United States, Le James is projected to generate year-round interest from couples and event professionals, with a likely increase in activity for surrounding businesses in lodging, dining, and retail. The building's history reflects Charleston's evolution. Originally constructed as one of four warehouse structures known as 'Napier's Range' during the city's mercantile boom, the structure at 35 Prioleau Street survived the 1886 earthquake and was later used as a furniture storage site, private club, and restaurant. Its upcoming renovation maintains original features such as brick masonry, arches, and exposed tie beams—offering a blend of preservation and utility. 'This building has witnessed every phase of Charleston's growth—from colonial trade to contemporary celebrations,' the spokesperson said. 'With Le James, we're not erasing that legacy. We're elevating it for the next generation.' Once complete, Le James Venue will support a team of full-time staff, including event coordinators and service personnel. Additional seasonal hiring is planned closer to the 2026 opening. Initial private tours are scheduled to begin in late 2025, with official bookings for weddings and corporate events opening next year. Interested parties can submit inquiries via email at reservation@ Positioned near The Pineapple Fountain and within walking distance of South Carolina's only five-star hotel, the venue offers a central location for both local and out-of-town guests. Its walkability, historic charm, and customizable design have already drawn the attention of several national wedding planners and event venue professionals seeking refined options in Charleston. The venue's reuse of an iconic structure has also garnered positive feedback from preservation groups and Charleston residents, many of whom see the project as a model of responsible development. Le James contributes to local heritage efforts while offering a practical solution for Charleston's growing event needs. In a city where tradition and transformation continue to intersect, Le James Venue represents the next step in Charleston's commitment to elegance, hospitality, and historical continuity. About Le James Venue Le James Venue is an upcoming wedding venue and event venue located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, opening in 2026. The venue is housed in a restored 19th-century building at 35 Prioleau Street and is designed to host weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. With features including a rooftop terrace, formal ballroom, and vintage-style bar, Le James merges historical architecture with modern design. As a dedicated Charleston wedding venue, Le James emphasizes personalized service, curated vendor partnerships, and immersive experiences. The venue also accommodates corporate event venue bookings and select community functions. For more information or to inquire about booking, visit Media Contact Company Name: Le James Venue Contact Person: Codi Mcintyre Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
Forbes
07-06-2025
- Forbes
How To Find A Safe Neighborhood For Your Next Vacation Rental
Hanging baskets on tradional New Orleans building on Royal Street in the French Quarter. When Ashley Hampton traveled to New Orleans recently, she worried about security. "I wanted to make sure I stayed in a safe part of town," she says. She's not alone. A recent survey by Global Rescue revealed that petty crime and personal safety threats ranked number two on the list of traveler concerns for 2025, eclipsed only by geopolitical instability. (In third place were economic instability or rising travel costs.) But for travelers like Hampton, there's another issue, and it's front and center this summer: How do I know if my next vacation rental is in a safe neighborhood? "Safety is the top concern of travelers as we head into the summer travel season," says Michael Trampas, the executive vice president of business development and marketing at Rentyl Resorts. He says numerous surveys show guests are worried that they might find themselves in a rental in the wrong neighborhood, and they want to avoid that. There are tried-and-true strategies, a few resources unknown to most travelers, and a checklist of things you'll always want to do before renting a home. Actually, crime in vacation rentals is a complicated topic. It turns out that vacation rental guests aren't the only ones who should be concerned with this problem. Owners should, too. Some guests also use their rentals to commit crimes, including stealing from their hosts, also known as burglary tourism. So before we get into it, a quick acknowledgment that some rental guests are far from perfect. So how to stay safe? Hampton, a psychologist from Birmingham, Ala., planned a short visit to New Orleans. "I knew I was relying on public transportation, walking, or an Uber," she says. She used one of the most reliable methods in the book: a careful internet search. "I searched for the local police station and then googled the name of that station with the search term 'crime statistics,' looking for specific overlap with the street names near where I was staying," she recalls. "The information I found was related to petty theft, like pickpocketing and breaking into cars, so I felt reasonably safe an Uber ride door to door would be OK." That's the right call, says Christopher Falvey, co-founder of Unique NOLA Tours, a New Orleans tour operator. "If you're going to research crime statistics, always ask yourself: Are these crimes against visitors and regular people — or crimes between people who know each other," he says. "This is not something you'll ever see listed, but it can be inferred. He says there are neighborhoods in New Orleans that some consider "unsafe" based on statistics, "but I can tell you for sure that a random person with no link to the neighborhood will not be bothered at all," he adds. And Hampton was right. Her trip went off without a hitch. Actually, you can learn a lot about your rental by reading the listing. "Checking the rating of an accommodation in advance is a good practice," says Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. He's right. I practically live in vacation rentals, so I have a lot of practice with reading between the lines on user reviews. For example, I rented an apartment in Athens from Vrbo a few years ago. The user reviews described it as being in an "eclectic" neighborhood. That should have been a red flag. It turns out the vacation rental was in a run-down and dangerous part of town. Fortunately, the owner offered a full refund after I refused to stay in the place. Other warning words include "vibrant," especially if it's a reference to nightlife. That can sometimes mean trouble. And finally, when guests admiringly describe the home's security features, like upgraded locks, security cameras, and private security, you have to ask yourself, "Why is that even necessary?" Point is, you can sometimes figure out if a vacation rental is dangerous by carefully reading the reviews. But there are other resources. Here are a few sites for finding safety information about your neighborhood. AreaVibes, a real estate site, has some crime data that will answer big questions, like, "Is this area safe?" But it lacks the street-level detail some travelers might want when looking at a vacation rental. You can also find general crime statistics on other real estate sites like Zillow or Redfin. Niche, an education site, also offers crime data. The statistics are easy to find and can provide a broad overview of a city's crime statistics. Numbeo is a platform that lets you compare information about crime levels worldwide. It also surveys users on their sentiments about crime, which can offer some guidance if you're concerned about safety. The Trace, a journalism site about gun violence, publishes an atlas of gun violence that allows you to drill down to an address level to find out if there's been a shooting at your rental address. World Travel Index is a travel-planning tool, but has rich data on crime and answers simple questions like, "Are scams a problem in New York." You can check specific neighborhoods and addresses for crime, including vacation rentals. It also identifies the safest neighborhoods with the help of an AI tool. Tom Abraham, founder of World Travel Index, told me the problem is that there just aren't any reliable resources on crime at a local level — at least the kind that would be useful to a traveler. That's where AI can be a useful tool, culling other resources such as forums and social media to find useful information. In fact, AI may be able to answer any questions you have about crime in your vacation rental's neighborhood far more eloquently than a database you could find online. There are other resources, but they require a subscription. John Rose, the chief risk officer at Altour, a global corporate travel management company, recommends Crisis 24, Exlog Global and International SOS. "They offer current, fact-based intelligence on local crime trends, health advisories, and other security concerns so you can make informed decisions about where to stay," he says. You can check your vacation rental's ratings and study the neighborhood's crime statistics, but in the end, safety isn't about eliminating all risk. It's about being smart. That means checking to ensure your rental has basic security features, like lockable doors and windows, says Alex Foti, president of Bretton Woods Vacations, a management company with more than 130 properties in New Hampshire. (His rentals have them, of course.) "We haven't had a single crime-related issue while we host over 20,000 guests per year," he says. Technology is changing how vacation rental guests approach travel safety. AI, local crime databases, and user-generated content are giving travelers unprecedented insights into potential risks. But ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety. And the way to do that is to stay informed, trust your instincts, and do your homework before booking your next rental.
Wall Street Journal
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
House of the Week: A Pair of Historic Homes in New Orleans
Ken Fulk is a New Orleans habitué, who has been inspired by the city's music, culture and architecture. In 2021, the designer, who splits his time between San Francisco, New York and Provincetown, Mass., jumped at the chance to buy and restore two homes built in the 1800s in the city's French Quarter. Fulk, 60, paid $2.45 million for the main house and $1.58 million for the guest house, both previously owned by hoteliers Frances and Rodney Smith. The Smiths also owned the nearby Soniat House Hotel, where Fulk was a regular during his trips to New the Smiths listed the Soniat for sale, Fulk bought the hotel and several nearby buildings, including the two homes.' It was a kismet moment,' he says. 'It was almost like, 'How could we not do this?''
