The following is a six-part blog detailing NAC's trip to New Orleans by contributing blog writer and self-described "trouble-enthusiast," Jeffrey Hill. Photos were contributed by NAC editor Matt Stroud.

PART 2: "Sparking Creativity" Symposium, Bourbon Street
Before I even get started on the symposium, I want to thank the New Orleans Historic Collection for provide such an exotic and interesting venue for a panel discussion on creativity. It helps when the environment itself is creative. The collection's exhibition was on the riverboat culture of New Orleans. I find steamboats and other related Americana to be as romantic as they are nostalgic.
Also, big thanks to NOLA YURP for providing food and drink - especially prosciutto, which is a weakness of mine.

The symposium was moderated by Nathan Rothstein of NOLA YURP as well as NAC contributing writer and editor Brentin Mock, who provided enough stories himself to start a completely seperate blog. The panel consisted of Dirty Coast T-Shirt company creative director Blake Haney, Neighborhood Partnership Network director Timolynn Sams, Consciously Rebuilding co-founder Andrea Floyd, and Dr. Janet Speyrer, associate dean for research and economics at the University of New Orleans.

To get a little bit of background on this group, there was a friendly dynamic between Blake and Timolynn, as well as Nathan. The three of them alone brought many supporters and close friends and it seemed, at first, to be an open forum on what they felt was happening in New Orleans in a general sense and quickly evolved into some thoughtful discussion. The social and economic divisions that New Orleaners work hard to prove non-existent begin to show when Dr. Speyrer factors in the wealthy to the solution to the housing crisis. Statements are padded with introductions like, "now I don't want you to feel sorry for the wealthy, but..."

Poverty in New Orleans has bonded the city together. Katrina made everyone poor and homeless. Even the wealthiest residents had to abandon their homes. The fact is, crisis unveils our human instinct. The concept of "homes for the wealthy," even when discussed as numbers and statistics, raised eyebrows and emotions from the other panelists and from audience members. As you can see from the video, the mention of money makes New Orleans uncomfortable. However, Speyrer brought up what I felt was the most interesting contribution to the discussion - when we talk about investing in human capital, we should not be selective on what type of humanity is supported. The fact is, the professional business class, doctors and professors are wealthy and they contribute just as much to a community as the working class. These are the people leaving the city.

To get to the core of our topic: "Sparking Creativity in New Orleans," we had to allow the group to vent community frustrations. We touched on this topic: Blake gave a basic blueprint to starting businesses like his - saturated with multimedia and local culture. I had doubts as to the nature of Haney's business at first, but I could see it in his eyes that he's community-centered. Timolynn Sams, who should be a paid lecturer, is the same way - she refers to self-governed neighborhoods as a result of poor state and federal managment. New Orleans is a throwback to the 1950s suburbs, where you knew the people you did business with personally. And this applies to just about everything except the French Quarter, which is a seperate world in itself. More on that later. Generally, the audience was happy about the opportunity to come together, tackle issues, vent and talk about the role of creative youth.

I see discussions like this as wholly positive, regardless of what is discussed. As long as every viewpoint is allowed equal opportunity to speak - and I'm sure that's a vision that fits in with most New Orleaners. I want to note that at this moment, I was very disappointed with the media's portrayal of this city. I don't see the city government taking control of anything.

After a busy day of 6a.m. flights, tricky hotel arrangments, meeting, greeting and a symposium, the NAC crew decided to venture out on our own to explore the infamous Bourbon Street. Besides learning the fact that I can't dance (thanks to NAC intern Sheamia Smith), I learned that Bourbon Street is not New Orleans. Maybe New Orleaners will disagree with me ( as partying and having a good time is often cited as the "way of things 'round here") but I truly do feel that people who visit New Orleans for the French Quarter are not really visiting New Orleans. It's like Vegas in a way - you don't meet Cowboys, Native American Tribes, or taste even a slice of the desert culture. What you do get is MGM's version of several different cultures ... with gambling. Bourbon Street is a collection of mild-sleaze, catered to a specific spend-happy crowd. There's nothing wrong with that, and I want to make it clear that I'm not passing judgement, but it's a struggle when you're staying in the French Quarter to get to the real New Orleans. Trust me, we were all eager to do so.

On a humorous side note, I was dubbed "Papa Jeff," by my co-workers, because I was making sure everyone had their coats, purses, cell phones and personal belongings often lost in the sea of bars and parties. This is what I get for not being able to dance. Note to drunk college kids - pay attention to the ATM fees in bars, $10.00 looks a lot like $1.00 when you've had a few, and there are lots of places in the quarter who take advantage of this ruse.

Click for other entries:

PART 1: Arrival in "The Big Easy"
PART 2: "Sparking Creativity" Symposium, Bourbon Street
PART 3: The NPN Trumpet Awards
PART 4: 24Hrs NEW ORLEANS
PART 5: 24Hrs NEW ORLEANS (continued)
PART 6: Recovery.