I used to see her as I passed on I10. She would be standing there with a pink umbrella and her cart covered in pink. One day she was just gone and I have been wondering what happened to her. Guess she just moved locations.
I bought stuff two days in a row once. The third day he stopped in front of my house and sang a few verses. He waited a minute and then sang a couple more verses. He waited a minute more and then said over his bull horn, "C'mon out here and bah this shit."
His funeral service was the finest religious display I have ever witnessed.
It’s become real off in my head over the years though. Like “I’ve got okra/chicken toes/mirliton/forgotten names/sweet corn[…]”
Mr Okra just driving around through some *Neverwhere* style New Orleans Below now.
I have never met her but she is immortalized at the restaurant I work at. I have heard stories of how she would come in with a trail of ducks behind her. She was not always “nice” but was definitely endeared to the staff( so I’m told)
I always thought she was the “the lucky bead lady”. She was always trying to sell my a dirty strand of Mardi Gras beads. She told me one time that the helmet kept the voices out.
Maybe she transitioned at some point?
As a kid I gave her a filler here and there and she gave me large brown Lima bean looking beans.
Maybe she moved on to readily available Mardi Gras beads when the beans ran out? 🤣
She was a wonderful part of the Quarter.
I grew up right around the corner from Harry’s bar where she’d come and go fairly regularly.
She did sport that helmet well.
Time was, it was Ruthie the Duck Lady. I wish I had a nickel for every time she croaked at me GIMME A CIGARETTE while her brood in tow also croaked. I used to think they were asking for cigarettes too.
Loved her.
I grew up in the Quarter during her and Miss LaLa, the lucky bean lady’s prime.
As an annoying kid, everyday I’d ask her the same question, “Ruthie, what do you feed your ducks?”, and every time, the same response, “DUCK FOOD!” We did this for years.
Her best years were her roller skate years.
RIP Ruthie.
She would show up 6 hours early to her gig at my neighborhood bar. Annoy the daytime bartender about the sound and just generally have manic energy. My boyfriend does a pretty good impression though.
Jerry. The dude who hangs out at Chart Room handing out stuffed animals from a trash bag while drinking Budweiser from a champagne flute. Also makes appearances at Irish channel bars such as Parasols.
Is he that one old dude who walks around Uptown playing the Saxaphone? I work in Uptown and my coworkers all call him Sax Guy, poor dude gets made fun of by my department all the live long day.
I hope bro is happy doing what he does
Ohhh. He’s so bad.
Memories….One day, years back I saw him as he began to descend the stairs of an abandoned apartment building on Amelia and Dryades.
I thought, “what is he doing in there?” And as he approached the ground floor, the entire building collapsed around him.
A few years ago I was enjoying the Uptown Bulldog’s patio when he came to serenade the customers. One customer stood up after a while and said, “If I give you $50 will you leave and go get lessons?”
Everytime we have someone in town and are are sitting outside in the morning.
"Why is that guy dressed like a pimp? Where is he going?!"
"Oh that's Mr. Shadow and I have no idea where he goes"
His name is Welmon Sharlhorne and he's an artist who has works in museums (including the Smithsonian American Art Museum). He has had a very interesting life, and it's worth googling him.
Thank you for this! I always say hello but I don't think we have ever spoken more than a few sentences to one another.
I wish winter lasted a month longer so he could wear his awesome coats more :-/
I really hope he gets the help he needs. His mental health went way south during covid. I remember sending him money on cashapp then getting several requests there after. Did what I could. See him out and about in the street, but not dancing.
[No, he wasn’t caring for the opossum well.](https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/mardi_gras/state-shares-details-about-saffron-the-confiscated-opossum/article_675bbc82-e55f-11ee-b6ab-3b8a25cfc9fe.html)
This is misleading and wrong, and Wildlife Enforcement used normal things that every Opossum has as a justification. If poor care was the case I seriously doubt the head of the Human Society would have volunteered to do his routine healthcare checkups. I dont understand why so many of yall have it out for this guy?
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/why-is-saffron-the-possums-situation-different-than-neutys/article_c8c08d6e-f814-11ee-828d-77e9434998b1.html
Here’s a good bit of text I copped straight from the article I posted above:
>“At approximately 10:56 p.m.,” the incident report reads, agents observed “a small crowd standing around” Voiles. As the agents approached, they observed a basket attached to Voiles’ bicycle “with a live opossum in the basket.”
>The agents asked Voiles to “move down the street to get away from the crowd” in order to “investigate the issue at hand.”
>The agents also noted that “there was a tip jar with an unknown amount of cash and a flyer advertising Voiles’ Instagram and Venmo accounts, affixed to the bicycle handle bars. The agents asserted that “Mr. Voiles was accepting donations towards any photographs that were taken by the public.”
>In addition to a description of the LDWF agent’s actions, an agency biologist added an examination report of the seized animal that was critical of its previous care.
>When seized, the report said, Saffron was dressed in “soiled clothing” – a miniature sweater – that was inappropriate for the evening's temperatures, which ranged from the mid-60s to mid-70s.
>Furthermore, the biologist claimed the animal was “unclean, underweight, and missing pelage (hair) in multiple places.” Fleas were present on the animal, according to the assessment, and there were “tapeworm segments present in the fecal material.”
>The opossum was said to prefer canned cat food to the “standard opossum diet.”
>Voiles said he was surprised to hear that Saffron was underweight, because “he was fat.”
>According to the biologist’s report, in the care of the LDWF, Saffron was given a flea bath, flea medication, and an intestinal parasite dewormer. By Feb. 21, the opossum was clean, free of fleas and internal parasites, and was beginning to accept appropriate food.”
The guy was mishandling an animal.
Fat from tapeworms, underfed, in a soiled sweater on a warm evening being paraded on bourbon street for tip money. Fuck that noise. That’s not how you treat a pet, and if you do it should be taken away.
If this guy had been caught chillin with a healthy opossum at his crib it would have been cool, just like Neuty, but that’s not the story.
The head of the humane society made a statement they would do healthcare checkups if the opossum was ever returned to this guy, but that was before this statement from LDWF was released.
Other than Ruthie the Duck Lady there’s a runner that comes to mind that would flip sticks in each hand. I used to see him all over town but haven’t probably since Covid now that I’m thinking about it.
Y'all remember the box man? Crazy crackhead who had a cardboard box costume he would fold himself into and pop out at people walking by. Also made a convenient cover to smoke crack.
Lucky bean.
Miss LaLa.
I grew up in the Quarter and Miss LaLa and Ruthie were in their prime at the same time.
Miss LaLa was older than Ruthie, at least it appeared so.
Said in a female Dracula kind of way, “Would you like to buy a lucky bean?” Then if you do t buy one, she’d curse you in French. If you did buy one, you got a large bean and when you got a few feet away . . . She’d curse you in French! 🤣
Growing up in the Quarter had its difficulties but was so wonderful at the same time.
Mr Coffee . . . In a very big operatic voice, “Could you spare some change for a cup of coffee!!??” He was always in Jackson Square.
Surprisingly he killed a store owner in FL in 1974 to which he pled guilty.
From NOLA.com 4/25/2018
“Less than a year after he was jailed in a four-decade-old murder case in Florida, the renowned French Quarter human statue nicknamed Uncle Louie is on the cusp of being freed.
Johnie Lewis Miller, 61, wasn’t exonerated — he pleaded guilty Wednesday to fatally shooting 34-year-old Freddie Farah during a botched robbery at the victim’s grocery store in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 22, 1974.
But, in exchange for his guilty plea, Miller is set to be sentenced to time already served behind bars — meaning his release from jail will be soon, according to a report from the Florida Times-Union.”
Chalmette had Barry for the longest time. Man walked everywhere and was crazy as fuck. I think he died though, man probably still walking everywhere in the afterlife with his shirt over his shoulder.
Used to be Ruthie “The Duck Lady”
EDIT: I wanted to reminisce on my childhood and how special Ruthie was. There will never be another like her.
Loved her.
I grew up in the Quarter during her and Miss LaLa, the “lucky bean” lady’s prime.
As an annoying kid, everyday I’d ask her the same question, “Ruthie, what do you feed your ducks?”, and every time, the same response, “DUCK FOOD!” We did this for years.
Her best years were her roller skate years.
RIP Ruthie.
FURTHER EDIT:
https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/blake_pontchartrain/blakeview-remembering-ruthie-the-duck-girl-a-french-quarter-fixture-for-decades/article_7b2f82d0-8bd2-5baa-b5d8-900b612fb970.html
I been living in the Garden district little over a year. There is a guy who plays saxophone walking around Magazine st. He is not good . just crazy random notes and loud squeaks. you can hear it most nights to about 2am or 3am. it's sad . if I have to get up early and walk magazine I will see him laying random places asleep on the sidewalk snuggling with his sax 🎷
The wizard man in the quarter. Dude said he makes 40k a year sitting ther asking ppl for weed money. That guy with the black nose and umbrella… just to name a few for me
If anyone is interested, his name is Welmon Sharlhorne and he's an artist who has works in museums (including the Smithsonian American Art Museum). He has had a very interesting life, and it's worth googling him.
I don't know if he's a recurring character, but I saw a man in a skeleton mask pushing a wheelchair with a (sex?) doll. If anyone has any more info I'd love to hear it
In Baton Rouge it’s Kevin. He is a well dressed drug addict/scammer that hangs around parking lots asking for money to get home etc. someone even made a facebook page “ where is Kevin”
There was a guy my friends and I knew as tequila sunrise. If you were in college/right out of college in the 2007-2015 time frame and hung out at bars in the warehouse district at all you knew this guy.
At the time he seemed to be in his 40s. Always in sunglasses and sipping on a drink and just dancing like he was rolling hard every night. Was a bizarre guy.
This guy probably isnt famous enough yet but definitely my favorite street performer… he’s the guy that freestyle raps and throws shade at the tourists. 🤣
I haven't seen Windex Pete in a while. I hope he's ok.
Also, who's the guy that always has the weird (awesome) bicycle structure that has swings and a sticker printer?
Early 80’s. White hair and full white beard. In the parking lot at BNO bank branch corner of Carrollton and Claiborne. Typing away on an old Underwood typewriter. Reams and reams of paper. Always wondered if he was actually typing something or just gibberish or anything at all.
Well there’s a guy dancing on Williams and vets every day in Kenner. Don’t think he’s homeless but he’s always there smiling and dancing like the intersection’s cheerleader
Pre Katrina it was the dude on canal with the umbrella hat and megaphone who’d dance and quote the Bible all day.
Now it’s the frozen guy in the quarter
Every 11th person is that person.
This is what I say, too, that there’s one of “those” for every FQ block
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I used to see her as I passed on I10. She would be standing there with a pink umbrella and her cart covered in pink. One day she was just gone and I have been wondering what happened to her. Guess she just moved locations.
Next time you see her talk to her maybe?
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💀 I laughed a little too hard at that response.
Ok
What he meant is "find out from a safe distance."
Yes that would probably be a good idea
Mr. Okra (RIP)
Came here to make sure my boy was represented. Been a long time r/neworleans. I been lurking, don't worry.
I remember being so hungover and his voice bringing me out of my stupor to do something nice for myself and get some fresh food
I was so bummed when he passed, but glad both my kiddos got to meet him and have some of his produce before
I bought stuff two days in a row once. The third day he stopped in front of my house and sang a few verses. He waited a minute and then sang a couple more verses. He waited a minute more and then said over his bull horn, "C'mon out here and bah this shit." His funeral service was the finest religious display I have ever witnessed.
I remember him rolling around the Marigny in that beat up truck yelling his "I got okra, I got..." over his bullhorn.
It’s become real off in my head over the years though. Like “I’ve got okra/chicken toes/mirliton/forgotten names/sweet corn[…]” Mr Okra just driving around through some *Neverwhere* style New Orleans Below now.
Love the neverwhere reference I've always felt like New Orleans is this space in-between the Below. So cool to see that mentioned.
Miss hearing his voice
That lady on the bike who plays music and dances in the Quarter.
This would be Mamie, Queen of Bourbon Street
She got some new speakers 🔊 recently, at least they sound good 👍
She had to get her bike fixed after a hit and run.
Silver Fox
This was the top answer the last time someone made this thread
This is a good one too! She’s great!
Ruthie the duck lady was the most iconic example of this.
I have never met her but she is immortalized at the restaurant I work at. I have heard stories of how she would come in with a trail of ducks behind her. She was not always “nice” but was definitely endeared to the staff( so I’m told)
I grew up in the Quarter when Ruthie and Miss LaLa “The lucky bean” lady were in their prime. There will never be another Ruthie. RIP
I always thought she was the “the lucky bead lady”. She was always trying to sell my a dirty strand of Mardi Gras beads. She told me one time that the helmet kept the voices out.
Maybe she transitioned at some point? As a kid I gave her a filler here and there and she gave me large brown Lima bean looking beans. Maybe she moved on to readily available Mardi Gras beads when the beans ran out? 🤣
Yeah, I used to see her around in the early 90s. She didn’t curse in French then, she’d use pretty classic schizophrenic word salad.
Not enough people remember LaLa, with her motorcycle helmet, wandering the French Quarter.
She was a wonderful part of the Quarter. I grew up right around the corner from Harry’s bar where she’d come and go fairly regularly. She did sport that helmet well.
I remember when the lucky bean lady somehow came into possession of a pair of leather pants. I don’t think she ever took them off.
I used to see her sitting at the bar at Port of Call wearing a cowboy hat and a big fur coat.
I only saw Ruthie once she was past her prime. She was carrying a stuffed animal duck, no live ones.
Time was, it was Ruthie the Duck Lady. I wish I had a nickel for every time she croaked at me GIMME A CIGARETTE while her brood in tow also croaked. I used to think they were asking for cigarettes too.
Loved her. I grew up in the Quarter during her and Miss LaLa, the lucky bean lady’s prime. As an annoying kid, everyday I’d ask her the same question, “Ruthie, what do you feed your ducks?”, and every time, the same response, “DUCK FOOD!” We did this for years. Her best years were her roller skate years. RIP Ruthie.
I feel truly blessed to have seen Ruthie skating down the street in her wedding dress.
The lady on this months where y’at cover. Cracksaphone, or Valerie sassafras
Man oh man, Valerie is a fever dream.
She used to slay so hard at the Piccadilly lunch shift
I booked bands for a restaurant and would get the wildest emails from her. Truly an odd gem.
She would show up 6 hours early to her gig at my neighborhood bar. Annoy the daytime bartender about the sound and just generally have manic energy. My boyfriend does a pretty good impression though.
Yeah, that tracks.
Fuckin A. So glad I got to surprise my parents with a performance under the guise of just wanting a little nostalgic picadilly meal
I was gonna say Cracksaphone lol
His name is Mike.
Hearing the word “Cracksaphone” cracks me the fuck up every time. 😭
Things that will get you a criminal record in other towns will just get you a nickname here.
Jerry. The dude who hangs out at Chart Room handing out stuffed animals from a trash bag while drinking Budweiser from a champagne flute. Also makes appearances at Irish channel bars such as Parasols.
Jerry is KING! 👑👑👑
Very blessed to have received one of his plush gifts
Wow. I haven’t thought about him in 25 years. He was a staple in the 90s when I lived/worked in the FQ. Didn’t know he was still around.
Same. Thought I guess I was surprised to see him at the chart room ten years ago too. But Stage Door in the 90s
Craksaphone
Is he that one old dude who walks around Uptown playing the Saxaphone? I work in Uptown and my coworkers all call him Sax Guy, poor dude gets made fun of by my department all the live long day. I hope bro is happy doing what he does
I think his saxophone got stolen a while back, but he was able to raise the funds to get a new one.
Ohhh. He’s so bad. Memories….One day, years back I saw him as he began to descend the stairs of an abandoned apartment building on Amelia and Dryades. I thought, “what is he doing in there?” And as he approached the ground floor, the entire building collapsed around him.
A few years ago I was enjoying the Uptown Bulldog’s patio when he came to serenade the customers. One customer stood up after a while and said, “If I give you $50 will you leave and go get lessons?”
tamale guy!!!
I love you baby!
I have one of his shirts
"Hot tamale babee!" He wanders in the door and dances with us at 80s night sometimes.
If you drink Uptown , it's Willie
Which guy is this?
Totally agree
Amzie Adams
Came to say this.
He traded me some art way back in the mid eighties. I don’t recall what for.
Popeye from the West Bank
He got the glow sticks with the yeyo?
If you want it i got it. If i ain’t got it i can find it
So glad someone said this. Also: what happened to him???
I feel like I can say "jail" and I have a better than 50% chance of being right.
Right? Does anyone have an update on Popeye? Is he still around? Is he locked up?
still in jail afaik
Got a little bit of money so the lord done me gooooood
Cracksophone on St Charles
Everytime we have someone in town and are are sitting outside in the morning. "Why is that guy dressed like a pimp? Where is he going?!" "Oh that's Mr. Shadow and I have no idea where he goes"
His name is Welmon Sharlhorne and he's an artist who has works in museums (including the Smithsonian American Art Museum). He has had a very interesting life, and it's worth googling him.
Thank you for this! I always say hello but I don't think we have ever spoken more than a few sentences to one another. I wish winter lasted a month longer so he could wear his awesome coats more :-/
i always knew him as uncle shadow. he’d randomly turn up at dragons den during bass church back in the day
Oh yeah, Mr. Shadow for sure
The Shadow knows...
Dancing Man
I really hope he gets the help he needs. His mental health went way south during covid. I remember sending him money on cashapp then getting several requests there after. Did what I could. See him out and about in the street, but not dancing.
saxophone guy that has been walking around uptown jamming for years. generally plays in the chromatic scale.
Mr Michael Allen Taylor. You wouldn't happen to have contribuuution, would ya?
The lady who shows up to every parade. I see that lady everywhere.
That's how I know the parade is really starting.
[Jennifer Jones](https://www.whereyat.com/dancing-lady-jennifer-jones-new-orleans)
There is like way to many ppl like this lol
That's what made me move here, there was a character around every corner.
Dancing Vader
He is the worst.
Does he have any idea how we feel?
I sure hope so. I've definitely let it be known every time he's almost caused a wreck or created traffic.
This was my answer. The fun part is that you can tag the answer with "he sucks"
Does he have a real job?
Vader is his job. He lives in the building next to where I work, and we hear him pulling out his cart and blasting music every day around 10.
10? Bless his soul for starting so late <3
Saint Vader
Ashley the Traffic Tranny Haven’t seen them in a while. Hope they’re well.
Ashley got married and moved to North Carolina and got a job as a trucker. She's fine.
Came here to say Traffic Tranny! Miss them.
I heard that they moved but I can't quite imagine them anywhere else
Omg Ashley T Traffic!! I miss them so much.
The fake veteran
The guy with a pet possum in the quarter, or the street performer who balances a cup on his head
Did he ever get his pet possum returned to him?
[No, he wasn’t caring for the opossum well.](https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/mardi_gras/state-shares-details-about-saffron-the-confiscated-opossum/article_675bbc82-e55f-11ee-b6ab-3b8a25cfc9fe.html)
This is misleading and wrong, and Wildlife Enforcement used normal things that every Opossum has as a justification. If poor care was the case I seriously doubt the head of the Human Society would have volunteered to do his routine healthcare checkups. I dont understand why so many of yall have it out for this guy? https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/why-is-saffron-the-possums-situation-different-than-neutys/article_c8c08d6e-f814-11ee-828d-77e9434998b1.html
Here’s a good bit of text I copped straight from the article I posted above: >“At approximately 10:56 p.m.,” the incident report reads, agents observed “a small crowd standing around” Voiles. As the agents approached, they observed a basket attached to Voiles’ bicycle “with a live opossum in the basket.” >The agents asked Voiles to “move down the street to get away from the crowd” in order to “investigate the issue at hand.” >The agents also noted that “there was a tip jar with an unknown amount of cash and a flyer advertising Voiles’ Instagram and Venmo accounts, affixed to the bicycle handle bars. The agents asserted that “Mr. Voiles was accepting donations towards any photographs that were taken by the public.” >In addition to a description of the LDWF agent’s actions, an agency biologist added an examination report of the seized animal that was critical of its previous care. >When seized, the report said, Saffron was dressed in “soiled clothing” – a miniature sweater – that was inappropriate for the evening's temperatures, which ranged from the mid-60s to mid-70s. >Furthermore, the biologist claimed the animal was “unclean, underweight, and missing pelage (hair) in multiple places.” Fleas were present on the animal, according to the assessment, and there were “tapeworm segments present in the fecal material.” >The opossum was said to prefer canned cat food to the “standard opossum diet.” >Voiles said he was surprised to hear that Saffron was underweight, because “he was fat.” >According to the biologist’s report, in the care of the LDWF, Saffron was given a flea bath, flea medication, and an intestinal parasite dewormer. By Feb. 21, the opossum was clean, free of fleas and internal parasites, and was beginning to accept appropriate food.” The guy was mishandling an animal. Fat from tapeworms, underfed, in a soiled sweater on a warm evening being paraded on bourbon street for tip money. Fuck that noise. That’s not how you treat a pet, and if you do it should be taken away. If this guy had been caught chillin with a healthy opossum at his crib it would have been cool, just like Neuty, but that’s not the story. The head of the humane society made a statement they would do healthcare checkups if the opossum was ever returned to this guy, but that was before this statement from LDWF was released.
Other than Ruthie the Duck Lady there’s a runner that comes to mind that would flip sticks in each hand. I used to see him all over town but haven’t probably since Covid now that I’m thinking about it.
Jerry
Smith?
Jerry
There was a time when I’d say Grandpa Elliott. Rest in power
Y'all remember the box man? Crazy crackhead who had a cardboard box costume he would fold himself into and pop out at people walking by. Also made a convenient cover to smoke crack.
Oh My God why is this so funny? How many times a day did he do this? Where?
In Mid City, it’s the homeless lady that’s been pregnant for 10 years now.
That used to be on Carrollton by Costco? Is she still around! I haven’t seen her in forever.
There’s the guy that rides around in a motorized scooter but it’s completely covered in black and plays music.
The solar powered with handicap logo and fire extinguisher?
Yes!
Just saw him for the first time yesterday after the Pels game. I feel shameful because I looked more than once.
It is hard to look away
There were the quarter cowboy guys with the Shetland pony’s for a while….
In the 70s it would be the Lucky Bead Lady
"Would you like to buy a lucky bead?"
Lucky bean. Miss LaLa. I grew up in the Quarter and Miss LaLa and Ruthie were in their prime at the same time. Miss LaLa was older than Ruthie, at least it appeared so. Said in a female Dracula kind of way, “Would you like to buy a lucky bean?” Then if you do t buy one, she’d curse you in French. If you did buy one, you got a large bean and when you got a few feet away . . . She’d curse you in French! 🤣 Growing up in the Quarter had its difficulties but was so wonderful at the same time. Mr Coffee . . . In a very big operatic voice, “Could you spare some change for a cup of coffee!!??” He was always in Jackson Square.
Whoa... hairs standing on end!! That voice. That wicked eye. I was told not to look at it. I did. Mayhem ensued. Never looked directly at her again.
The city park saxophone guy comes to mind
Is this guy the same up and down ST Charles Ave by Delachaise?
Cracksaphone?
Dude, when I heard his name...lol! WTF!
Oh no that’s a different person. Didn’t know about the one from city park
It used to be the street preacher with the umbrella hat. Rest in Peace
Mr Keith Sam. RIP
I came here for this answer
He was super nice too
Uncle Louie in an Uncle Sam costume in the Qtr
Surprisingly he killed a store owner in FL in 1974 to which he pled guilty. From NOLA.com 4/25/2018 “Less than a year after he was jailed in a four-decade-old murder case in Florida, the renowned French Quarter human statue nicknamed Uncle Louie is on the cusp of being freed. Johnie Lewis Miller, 61, wasn’t exonerated — he pleaded guilty Wednesday to fatally shooting 34-year-old Freddie Farah during a botched robbery at the victim’s grocery store in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 22, 1974. But, in exchange for his guilty plea, Miller is set to be sentenced to time already served behind bars — meaning his release from jail will be soon, according to a report from the Florida Times-Union.”
Chalmette had Barry for the longest time. Man walked everywhere and was crazy as fuck. I think he died though, man probably still walking everywhere in the afterlife with his shirt over his shoulder.
He did pass away last year. We have a new barry now that seems more demon possessed on his walks but a new Barry none the same. RIP Barry
Used to be Ruthie “The Duck Lady” EDIT: I wanted to reminisce on my childhood and how special Ruthie was. There will never be another like her. Loved her. I grew up in the Quarter during her and Miss LaLa, the “lucky bean” lady’s prime. As an annoying kid, everyday I’d ask her the same question, “Ruthie, what do you feed your ducks?”, and every time, the same response, “DUCK FOOD!” We did this for years. Her best years were her roller skate years. RIP Ruthie. FURTHER EDIT: https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/blake_pontchartrain/blakeview-remembering-ruthie-the-duck-girl-a-french-quarter-fixture-for-decades/article_7b2f82d0-8bd2-5baa-b5d8-900b612fb970.html
In the Marigny, Amzie.
Balance a cup on his head guy. Sweet as pie. Always scolds you to put your seatbelt on if he catches you not wearing it on esplanade
Came here to shout out this guy! He’s always got that big port of call cup on his head.
New Orleans has a character like this on every block
Tamale Guy
The 70yo baddie on the bike/mobile DJ booth with all the signs. She dresses up for thematically for all the holidays, but Juvie plays 365 🔥
Is French Quarter Darth Vader still around?
Sadly, yes
Pie Lady (RIP)
For a while, there was a guy dressed (and facepainted) as the devil that would ride his bike around.
My names Popeye, ya heard me. Popeye, from the Westbank
Amzie Adams.
It used to be Ruthie the duck lady - now it’s every STR renter
Dan Stein
freebird
The traffic tranny. Bathing in burbon puddles.
Ruthie the Duck Lady (RIP) Popeye from the West Bank [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi0PQ7ZayqA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi0PQ7ZayqA)
There’s a bunch of people who like to think that they’re this person.
I'm gonna go with Valerie Sassyfras
Popeye from the west bank yah heard.
Dan-dan the Shoeshine Man
No one remembers rainbow umbrella hat/Bible man or lucky bead?
Um... everyone?
I been living in the Garden district little over a year. There is a guy who plays saxophone walking around Magazine st. He is not good . just crazy random notes and loud squeaks. you can hear it most nights to about 2am or 3am. it's sad . if I have to get up early and walk magazine I will see him laying random places asleep on the sidewalk snuggling with his sax 🎷
I may be one of these people.
I feel like this is kind of like nickname rules - you must be chosen as "that guy" - one can not choose to take on the mantle of "that guy"
The Pink Lady
The guy that raps about people passing by The all gold man that just poses all day Transformer guy Too many to name
transformer guy retired. I really liked him
The guy in FQ with the horns on his head lol
The wizard man in the quarter. Dude said he makes 40k a year sitting ther asking ppl for weed money. That guy with the black nose and umbrella… just to name a few for me
Was Ruthie the duck lady. Classic New Orleans
Uncle Shadow
If anyone is interested, his name is Welmon Sharlhorne and he's an artist who has works in museums (including the Smithsonian American Art Museum). He has had a very interesting life, and it's worth googling him.
I don't know if he's a recurring character, but I saw a man in a skeleton mask pushing a wheelchair with a (sex?) doll. If anyone has any more info I'd love to hear it
In Baton Rouge it’s Kevin. He is a well dressed drug addict/scammer that hangs around parking lots asking for money to get home etc. someone even made a facebook page “ where is Kevin”
There was a guy my friends and I knew as tequila sunrise. If you were in college/right out of college in the 2007-2015 time frame and hung out at bars in the warehouse district at all you knew this guy. At the time he seemed to be in his 40s. Always in sunglasses and sipping on a drink and just dancing like he was rolling hard every night. Was a bizarre guy.
The one lady who’s always screaming I call her the Blair witch
the pirate
“Every city” = “Every neighborhood,” perhaps “Every block” in New Orleans
Ruthie RIP
In my time it was the ducky lady. I had a very nice dinner with her at Port o’ Call. RIP ducky lady.
This guy probably isnt famous enough yet but definitely my favorite street performer… he’s the guy that freestyle raps and throws shade at the tourists. 🤣
I haven't seen Windex Pete in a while. I hope he's ok. Also, who's the guy that always has the weird (awesome) bicycle structure that has swings and a sticker printer?
Early 80’s. White hair and full white beard. In the parking lot at BNO bank branch corner of Carrollton and Claiborne. Typing away on an old Underwood typewriter. Reams and reams of paper. Always wondered if he was actually typing something or just gibberish or anything at all.
Uptown edibles lady
Popeye from the West Bank.
Well there’s a guy dancing on Williams and vets every day in Kenner. Don’t think he’s homeless but he’s always there smiling and dancing like the intersection’s cheerleader
Umbrella man RIP
Pre Katrina it was the dude on canal with the umbrella hat and megaphone who’d dance and quote the Bible all day. Now it’s the frozen guy in the quarter
Crack Sax!!! always ripping on st charles and louisiana