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A Perfect Day

A Perfect Day: Big Freedia's New Orleans

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The Nola native, and pioneer of bounce, shares where she likes to play in the city

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Photography by Giancarlo Dagostaro

To paint a picture of modern New Orleans without including the bounce scene would not only be a grave injustice, but grounds for the snappiest of disses from its unhinged, reigning queen bee, Big Freedia (fittingly pronounced "FREE-duh"). The 6-foot-2 NOLA native helped push queer bounce performers to the forefront in the late 1990s, and she's now considered a pioneer of the bassy, boisterous, booty-popping call-and-response movement, which draws upon riotous Mardi Gras Indian chants and samples of early New York City hip-hop. Long before Busta Rhymes was telling us to "twerk it," Big Freedia was living, breathing, and running this town. Here's where she likes to play.

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THE FRENCH QUARTER
"The French Quarter has food, local artists, scenery, and the river," says Freedia. "That's where I go to get out of my zone." FrenchQuarter.com

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CABRINI DOG PARK
"My babies Diva and Sensation love this park. They can meet some friends, and I can just chill out." Dauphine St. & Barracks St.

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DEANIE'S SEAFOOD
"This is my favorite spot to eat authentic, New Orleans-style Cajun food. Their gumbos and jambalaya are not to be missed." 841 Iberville St.; Deanies.com

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HAYDEL'S BAKERY
"When I have a party or an occasion to celebrate, I pick up Cajun Kringles or cake here. There's just nothing like it anywhere." 4037 Jefferson Hwy.; HaydelBakery.com

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CAFE DU MONDE
"When you leave the party, go here for hot chocolate or coffee." 800 Decatur St.; CafeDuMonde.com

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ENCORE
"It is the spot if you wanna experience New Orleans bounce right now." 3940 Tulane Ave.

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