Greetings!
My name is Victoria Dann, and I am the Headmistress of L'Université des Arts Magiques. I am thrilled that L'Université will be participating in Phoenix Rising and that we can extend some of the famed hospitality that New Orleans has to offer.
L'Université des Arts Magiques is the premiere university for the magical arts in the world. Founded in the bayou of Louisiane Territory in the mid-1700s, we have since grown to over 1500 students. I am quite proud to say that L'Université has been responsible over the years for such wonderful inventions as eternity paintings, player pianos, moving photographs, and ever-changing greeting cards (Perfect for Any Wizarding OccasionTM!).
The Executive Council of Educators, L'Université's governing board, has graciously granted all attendees of Phoenix Rising status as honorary students for the duration of the conference. You will be sorted into one of our four houses during your registration process. The four houses of L'Université have histories as colorful as that of the university itself. The first house to formally organize was the Zodico House, whose students devote themselves to music of all kinds. After that came the Pontalbòn House, for art and architecture, following the famed Battle of New Orleans. Finally, the Lumién House, for storytelling, theater and film, and the Bellereve House, for writing of all kinds, organized in quick succession during the last century. As you can see, our dedication to the arts affects our lives on a daily basis, and we plan to welcome you to our fine institution with classic Crescent City grace.
Of course, many of you already have an affiliation with a wizarding institution and perhaps a house in that institution elsewhere. Certainly, colors and mascots of all houses around the world are welcome during the weekend, even as you assume honorary status as one of our students.
You will have the chance to participate in all manner of events, presentations, games, debates and lagniappe during Phoenix Rising, and of course, when the sun goes down, you'll be able to join in the revelry as we explore the vibrant and beautiful city of New Orleans. L'Université has also created some special activities in for the weekend. We are setting up Rendezvous points for most of the day on Thursday, May 17, 2007, one for each house, at which you are welcome to meet other students — and perhaps the head of your house. We will conduct our time-honored house Quidditch matches on the banks of the Mississippi River, and other games and challenges will be available as your time and interests permit. Our Overture Dinner will allow you to socialize with others in your house while partaking in regional cuisine. Finally, you will win and lose points for your honorary house in an abbreviated contest for our traditional Pirate Gold.
Our annual house contest for Pirate Gold is based on a storied tradition that dates back to the days of the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte. During the years prior to and during the War of 1812, Lafitte was a generous patron of L'Université. What few people know is that Lafitte himself was a wizard, and a reprehensible trickster he was. While you're visiting us, you may wish to visit the tunnels below the school to view the bullet holes left from his rather wild brand of fun. He was quite fond of the arts, and kept the school in funds throughout that difficult time — and made Headmaster Davis's life quite the trial, I understand. During that period, Lafitte organized the houses into an annual rivalry, and awarded each student of the winning house a real pirate doubloon. L'Université has continued the tradition even after Lafitte's disappearance, though it stopped awarding real gold doubloons around 1910, when the school discovered that those exact doubloons were funding much of Storyville's debauchery.
My faculty and I are quite excited to share a bit of our magical arts and hospitality with Phoenix Rising and all of you. If you have any questions about Phoenix Rising or L'Université's participation, please contact their information desk at help
@thephoenixrises.org.
I look forward to meeting you in New Orleans!
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Madam Victoria Dann
Headmistress
L'Université des Arts Magiques
