New Orleans Sports and Concert Events

New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. The City has the nicknames the Crescent City the Big Easy, and the City that Care Forgot. It is an industrial and distribution center, a major seaport, and known for its rich cultural heritage, especially its music and cuisine. The city is on the banks of the Mississippi River about 100 miles upriver from the Gulf of Mexico. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 484,674. New Orleans was founded by the French (as Nouvelle-Orlî s) under the direction of Jean Baptiste Lemoyne, Sieur de Bienville, in 1718. The site was selected as a rare bit of naturally higher ground along the flood-prone banks of the lower Mississippi, as well as being adjacent to a Native American trading route and portage between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain via the Bayou St. John. A community of French fur trappers and traders had existed along the bayou for at least a decade before the official founding of the city. Nouvelle Orleans became the capital of French Louisiana in 1722, replacing Biloxi in that role. The importance of New Orleans as a commercial center was reinforced when the Federal Government established a branch mint there in 1838, along with two other Southern branch mints at Charlotte, North Carolina and Dahlonega, Georgia. New Orleans is one of the most visited cities in the United States. The city's colorful Carnival celebrations during the pre-Lenten season, centered on the French Quarter, draw particularly large crowds. Mardi Gras is a tradition that stretches back for years. During this time, Bourbon street is closed and open only to pedestrians or police. The Sugar Bowl game, played in early January, is a major tourist attraction, as well as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Favorite tourist scenes in New Orleans include the French Quarter (known locally as "the Quarter"), which dates from the French and Spanish eras and is bounded by the Mississippi River and Rampart Street, Canal Street and Esplanade Ave. A popular visiting spot in the quarter is the French Market (including the CafîUu Monde, famous for cafîRu lait and beignets). The Natchez, an authentic steamboat with a calliope tours the Mississippi twice daily. The city is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is located in Kenner. New Orleans is home to Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, the University of New Orleans, and Delgado Community College. New Orleans is the home of the New Orleans Saints National Football League team. The city also has an Arena Football League team, the New Orleans VooDoo, owned by the Saints' owner. The New Orleans Zephyrs minor league baseball team plays in adjacent Metairie. The New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association moved to the city starting in the 2002-2003 season; they were previously based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Historical teams included the New Orleans Pelicans baseball team (1887 - 1959), the New Orleans Night of the Arena Football League (1991 - 1992), and the New Orleans Brass ice hockey team (1997 - 2003). Former basketball teams were the New Orleans Buccaneers (c. 1967-1970), and the New Orleans Jazz (1974 - 1980) which became the Utah Jazz.