Phoenix Rising is set in and around the famed French Quarter of New Orleans. Our primary venue, the Sheraton New Orleans, will accommodate almost all of our programming and events during the day, as well as most of our after-hours events. Phoenix Rising will also venture outside the hotel with several evening events and keynote presentations at unique and historic locations throughout the Quarter. Attendees will have a remarkable opportunity to explore the Quarter as part of their conference experience, both during events and as the beat of the city moves them to do so. The Quarter is easily accessible by foot as well as streetcar, and the chance to walk among the wrought iron balconies and gas lamps, Pat O'Brien's Hurricane in hand, cannot be had anywhere else in the world. The proximity of the Sheraton New Orleans to the fascinating Vieux Carré provides attendees with an unparalleled opportunity for both immersion in Phoenix Rising and exploration of an incomparable city.
Primary Venue
Phoenix Rising's primary venue, the Sheraton New Orleans, is located at 500 Canal Street, across the street from the French Quarter and five blocks from the Mississippi River. Most of Phoenix Rising's programming and events will be held in our hotel, including the welcoming Overture Dinner and the leaving Coda Breakfast, the daily programming, the art gallery and the vendor room. For more information on the Sheraton New Orleans, please visit our Hotel page.
Additional Venues
For Storyville, two of our keynote presentations and our Borders Riverside Quidditch Classic, Phoenix Rising will join the rhythm of the French Quarter. Attendees will have ample opportunity to explore the Quarter in their own time, but Phoenix Rising couldn't pass up the opportunity to include some of New Orleans' more famed venues in our schedule.
Aquarium of the Americas
http://www.auduboninstitute.org/
1 Canal Street
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, one of the United States' leading aquariums, weathered the hurricane season of 2005 and again welcomes visitors to her exotic environments on the banks of the Mississippi River in the French Quarter. The Aquarium features exhibits on the Caribbean Sea, the Amazon rainforest and, of course, the mighty Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The penguins, flown to California after Hurricane Katrina, have returned, as have the famous albino alligator and King Midas, the 300-pound turtle. Phoenix Rising will hold Transformation: From Fan to Fandom, a keynote presentation discussing the formation of fan communities, in the Aquarium after hours, which will allow attendees private access to the Aquarium's exhibits.
Bourbon Vieux, Cajun Cabin and Five O'Clock Grille
http://www.bourbonvieux.com/
http://www.cajuncabin.com/
http://www.fiveoclockgrille.com/
500 Bourbon Street
The Bourbon Vieux, Cajun Cabin and Five O'Clock Grille share a unique space on Bourbon Street — including the largest balcony on Bourbon Street. Always popular with both locals and tourists, the restaurants feature authentic Cajun cuisine and the rallying cry, "It's always five o'clock somewhere!" Phoenix Rising will host Storyville, a magical evening of wizard rock in New Orleans' famous jazz district, at the restaurants, and will feature a full Cajun dinner, cash bars, music and the chance to experience the Crescent City in all her hospitality and charm.
Musée Conti Wax Museum
http://www.get-waxed.com/
917 Rue Conti
The Musée Conti Wax Museum tells the adventure and scandal of the history of New Orleans through its exhibits, including a haunted dungeon! The museum's displays encompass more than 300 years of New Orleans history, from her founding by the French to the present day. The museum is a family-owned business in the heart of the Vieux Carré, and in its third generation of operation. Transformation: From Influence to Inspiration, a keynote presentation featuring Dr. Anne Hiebert Alton, will take place in the museum, which will be closed to the public during this event to allow attendees private access to the exhibits.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
http://www.auduboninstitute.org/
1 Canal Street
Woldenberg Riverfront Park spans 16 acres of riverfront green space from the Aquarium of the Americas to Jackson Square — right in the heart of the French Quarter. The space hosts a variety of festivals, concerts and events, including the annual French Quarter Fest in April. The Bayou Quidditch League will be holding the Borders Riverfront Quidditch Classic as part of Phoenix Rising, and all Quidditch play will take place in the park on Saturday, May 19, 2007. The Bayou Quidditch League would like to remind players that losing balls in the Mississippi River is grounds for a team's disqualification.