The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is set to host its 26th annual Bill Russell Lecture on Tuesday, April 8, and this year’s program will shine a well-deserved spotlight on the Women of Preservation Hall—a vital yet often overlooked part of New Orleans’ rich musical heritage.
Co-presented with the Preservation Hall Archives, this event offers a unique blend of history, storytelling, and live music. The evening will feature insights from leading scholars and Preservation Hall figures, including Kelly Porter, head of the Preservation Hall Archives; musicologist and professor Sherrie Tucker; and special guest Dodie Smith-Simmons, a pivotal figure in both Preservation Hall’s history and the founding of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Following the lecture, audiences will be treated to an unforgettable performance led by Mari Watanabe, showcasing the incredible women who carry on the musical traditions of Preservation Hall. Attendees are also invited to a pre-lecture “show-and-tell” featuring rare archival objects from HNOC and Preservation Hall.
