We went out for an event called "Forestival" at this place over the weekend. It was a fundraiser to…read morehelp finance the location.
Product: Available were "food truck" crepes, ice cream and sorbets, as well as drinks and snacks provided by the organizers. One had to purchase tickets to utilize the vendors, but it wasn't a big deal. I had a couple of drinks and some homemade cookies. There were raffle tickets on sale for certain prizes, and some silent auctions as well. A-ok! (3 stars)
Service: Although we went later in the afternoon, making it there around 230pm or so, there were nature walks with a botanist and entomologist earlier in the day, according to the program.
There was a shuttle available from Tulane at no charge for those parking a ways down the road.
There was clay sculpting available for people to play around with. It was a big hit with the kids in attendance.
Musical groups played throughout the day, but we had really gone to see the closing show at 3-5pm (I forget the name). They were an 80s-style new wave band in the most traditional sense, except they sang bilingually in French and English. Not my favorite type of music, but they did it well, and I love live music. The crowd really got into it. A poet recited between music sets. (4 stars)
Facilities: This venue is a multi-building complex on the edge of the swamp in Lower Coast Algiers, past the English Turn subdivision. I've actually never been this far off the beaten path and still been in Orleans Parish. It's like a whole other world out here. It is very quiet and peaceful.
From what I can tell, most of the year this is a retreat for resident artists to ply their trades. The event program states that both Tulane and Xavier New Orleans back the location, and, from the front signage, Tulane manages it.
The venue is placed back into the woods opposite the levee out here. One might almost miss it if riding down this way, but there's a gate preventing driving just past it on the road. I'm told that's one of Tulane's primate research centers past that point. Parking is along the "end of the road" here, at least for this event.
As noted, signage is quite minimal (pic should be included with this review), but there is a beautiful steel fence sculpted with the place's name as well, though it is a weathered, rust-aged fence, so it doesn't really stand out without close inspection.
Down a winding path, there are more torch cut sculptures of the same style as the gate. This path leads to the small collection of buildings used by the artists in residence, but a couple were opened for this event for bathroom and activity access.
The buildings were of a purposeful roughshod look, one like an Acadian cottage, and the others more reminiscent of village workshops of the 18th Century. Decor was minimal, mostly of hung art from the crafters here. One building had a minuscule gallery with displays. The main building here was a 2-story with a cathedral ceiling. Downstairs had lots of workspace, and the upstairs where one of the bathrooms was had office space.
There was a short nature walk behind the buildings, as well as a pond (which on our visit was covered in duckweed). A small lawn, obviously built for events such as this, was near the walks and pond. This is where a small pavilion was set up for the bands. (4 stars)
Overall: I really liked the place. The goal is doubtless one of isolation and peace, and even with the crowd that day, this was quite obvious. For a $5 (optional) entrance fee, I would definitely go back to the Forestival event again. Don't forget to bring a chair or blanket to sit and listen to the bands! (4 stars)
