"AN ENTERTAINER IN MY OWN RIGHT" Innkeeper Barbara Ann Locklear Makes Fun Things Happen at Hotel Storyville By Dean M. Shapiro From Germany to South Carolina to the U.S. Virgin Islands to New Orleans, Barbara Ann Locklear’s journey to the Crescent City has been a rewarding one. As the Resident Innkeeper at Hotel Storyville, Barbara, a graphic artist by training, “fell into (the hospitality) trade by accident,” according to her own admission. She moved to New Orleans 17 years ago and, eight years later, when the opportunity arose to buy the hotel she took it. The eight-suite hotel, located in a rebuilt, Victorian-style mansion at 1261 Esplanade Avenue, is just two blocks from the French Quarter; walking distance for those who stay there. It is also two blocks from the newly opened North Rampart Street streetcar line, making it convenient for those who may be going in the direction of Canal Street and downtown. But, in addition to offering her guests the convenience of the hotel’s locale and the captivating, intimate ambience of its rooms, Barbara enjoys making fun things happen in Hotel Storyville’s expansive, verdant rear courtyard. With meticulously tended gardens, a water lily pond spanned by a wooden footbridge, and a large, covered pavilion, the courtyard has hosted hundreds of outdoor functions over the years. “We do a ton of weddings there,” Barbara said. “We also do concerts, crawfish boils, art markets, Latin nights, movie nights, bachelorette parties, Easter egg hunts for the kiddies, Halloween parties, receptions, fashion shows, etc. Any happening large or small; from 20 to 300 people.” Renowned actor and comedian, Harry Shearer, has hosted an event there, as have many fantastic musicians - including Dumpstaphunk, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Some Like It Hot, Mario Abney, Sunpie Barnes, Joe Krown, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and the list goes on… On January 8, from 2-6 pm, the Jazz Groove Peru Big Band will perform a courtyard concert featuring Peruvian food and drinks. “Keep an eye out for our Spring Calendar,” Barbara added proudly. “Latin Night begins on March 24 and will be a monthly Friday night event. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BARBARA ANN LOCKLEAR 6 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com JANUARY / F E B R UARY 2 0 1 7
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