DesCours travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

 Now in it’s 5th year, DesCours will be holding its annual event in New Orleans from December 2nd-December 11th, 2011. DesCours is a free, public, ten-day contemporary architecture and art event looks towards the future in displaying experimental, cutting-edge new media and interactive art installations, accompanied by nightly changing entertainment provided by local musicians. It is a celebration of contemporary architecture and visual arts. The event showcases the city’s unique architectural and cultural identity while exploring the latest in design and technology.

This event invites internationally renowned architects and artists to create architecture installations within the French Quarter in the heart of New Orleans, including private courtyards, lobbies, rooftops, abandoned buildings, walkways and other ‘hidden’ New Orleans spaces, all locations normally unseen, inaccessible or unused by the public. Images of past installations can be found on the official website of the event. There are a total of 11-13 artists and architects that will be selected through this proposal process, which is due by August 19th at 5pm. The name “DesCours” is a play on courette, the French word for “courtyard.”

DATES: December 2-11, 2011. VIP Opening on December 1.
TIMES: Open 6pm – 10pm nightly.
FEATURES: Architecture, visual art and cultural entertainment – 11 sites, 11bands, 4 parties, 50 blocks.
ATTENDANCE: Projected attendance is estimated between 12,000 and 16,000 people over the course of the event. This figure is based on 2007- 2010 DesCours attendance numbers, and includes expected growth figures due to increased marketing and awareness efforts.
PRESENTED BY: AIA New Orleans, a 501 (c) 6 not-for-profit corporation, in partnership with the City of New Orleans, the Downtown Development District (DDD), the Vieux Carré Commission (VCC) and numerous civic and private organizations and entities.
COST: FREE to the public.