Bunny Day: Celebrating “Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions”
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Yeah You Rite!
From the 1980s on, cartoonist and writer Bunny Matthews captured the weird and wacky minutiae of New Orleans life through his signature characters, Vic and Nat’ly. With the opening and launch of HNOC’s newest exhibition and book, “Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions,” we’re hosting Bunny Day at HNOC, a daylong celebration of the artist’s life and work.
Free and open to the public, the day’s events will include an author talk and book signing, a lecture on the iconic “Yat” accent, and a Vic and Nat’ly costume contest, along with plenty of lagniappe. The day will conclude with a members-only opening reception featuring entertainment by Quintron. Whether you had a Vic and Nat’ly calendar back in the day or you’re new to Bunny’s irreverent world, you’re welcome at Bunny Day!
The day’s sessions will take place at the Williams Research Center at 410 Chartres Street. The Vic and Nat’ly costume party and members-only reception will take place at HNOC’s museum at 520 Royal Street. All are events free and open to the public except for the members-only reception.
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Event Schedule
Author Talk and Book Signing
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (Doors open at 11 a.m.)
📍 Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street
Join authors Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand for an inside look at HNOC’s new book, Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions. Facilitating their conversation is award-winning journalist Scott Jordan, who has chronicled Louisiana art, music, and culture for decades. Attendees will be able to purchase a first edition and have it signed by the authors.
“Where Y’at, Vic and Nat? A Talk About How Dey Tawk”
⏰ 1:30–2:30 p.m.
📍 Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street
Where y’at? How's your mom’n dem? Making groceries! Yeah you rite! Central to the success of Vic and Nat’ly was its portrayal of New Orleans’s unique linguistic identity, particularly the “Yat” accent heard primarily among white people in the downriver parts of greater New Orleans, from the Ninth Ward to St. Bernard Parish. Memorably described by writer Tim Lyman as “all of Brooklyn on Quaaludes,” the Yat accent captivated Bunny’s readers then and remains a part of New Orleans lore and cultural identity. Linguist Dr. Katie Carmichael will break down this iconic accent, identifying its core features and delineating its development within the Crescent City. Using examples from Vic and Nat'ly comics featured in the exhibit, Dr. Carmichael will illustrate the ways that Yat accents provide a crucial backdrop for the city, and how their use by Vic and Nat'ly points to the fun-loving, sassy, and unapologetically authentic character that New Orleanians embrace as a lifestyle.
Vic and Nat’ly Costume Contest
⏰3–4 p.m.
📍 520 Royal Street
Step straight out of the funny papers and into the wild, wacky “woild” of Vic and Nat'ly at this Bunny Matthews–inspired costume contest hosted by HNOC. Hosted by Peggy Scott Laborde, guest judges will include Bunny’s son Jude Matthews, his friends Victor Pizarro and Natalie Juneau, and Emily Perkins, co-curator of HNOC’s exhibition on Matthews. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees are encouraged to preregister for the contest but may also sign up on the day-of. Learn more and preregister for the costume contest: https://hnoc.org/events/bunny-day#vizy-block-AqUOE6ssax
Museum closes to the public
⏰ 4:30 p.m.
———
Learn more and meet the speakers: https://hnoc.org/events/bunny-day
From the 1980s on, cartoonist and writer Bunny Matthews captured the weird and wacky minutiae of New Orleans life through his signature characters, Vic and Nat’ly. With the opening and launch of HNOC’s newest exhibition and book, “Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions,” we’re hosting Bunny Day at HNOC, a daylong celebration of the artist’s life and work.
Free and open to the public, the day’s events will include an author talk and book signing, a lecture on the iconic “Yat” accent, and a Vic and Nat’ly costume contest, along with plenty of lagniappe. The day will conclude with a members-only opening reception featuring entertainment by Quintron. Whether you had a Vic and Nat’ly calendar back in the day or you’re new to Bunny’s irreverent world, you’re welcome at Bunny Day!
The day’s sessions will take place at the Williams Research Center at 410 Chartres Street. The Vic and Nat’ly costume party and members-only reception will take place at HNOC’s museum at 520 Royal Street. All are events free and open to the public except for the members-only reception.
———
Event Schedule
Author Talk and Book Signing
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (Doors open at 11 a.m.)
📍 Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street
Join authors Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand for an inside look at HNOC’s new book, Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions. Facilitating their conversation is award-winning journalist Scott Jordan, who has chronicled Louisiana art, music, and culture for decades. Attendees will be able to purchase a first edition and have it signed by the authors.
“Where Y’at, Vic and Nat? A Talk About How Dey Tawk”
⏰ 1:30–2:30 p.m.
📍 Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street
Where y’at? How's your mom’n dem? Making groceries! Yeah you rite! Central to the success of Vic and Nat’ly was its portrayal of New Orleans’s unique linguistic identity, particularly the “Yat” accent heard primarily among white people in the downriver parts of greater New Orleans, from the Ninth Ward to St. Bernard Parish. Memorably described by writer Tim Lyman as “all of Brooklyn on Quaaludes,” the Yat accent captivated Bunny’s readers then and remains a part of New Orleans lore and cultural identity. Linguist Dr. Katie Carmichael will break down this iconic accent, identifying its core features and delineating its development within the Crescent City. Using examples from Vic and Nat'ly comics featured in the exhibit, Dr. Carmichael will illustrate the ways that Yat accents provide a crucial backdrop for the city, and how their use by Vic and Nat'ly points to the fun-loving, sassy, and unapologetically authentic character that New Orleanians embrace as a lifestyle.
Vic and Nat’ly Costume Contest
⏰3–4 p.m.
📍 520 Royal Street
Step straight out of the funny papers and into the wild, wacky “woild” of Vic and Nat'ly at this Bunny Matthews–inspired costume contest hosted by HNOC. Hosted by Peggy Scott Laborde, guest judges will include Bunny’s son Jude Matthews, his friends Victor Pizarro and Natalie Juneau, and Emily Perkins, co-curator of HNOC’s exhibition on Matthews. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees are encouraged to preregister for the contest but may also sign up on the day-of. Learn more and preregister for the costume contest: https://hnoc.org/events/bunny-day#vizy-block-AqUOE6ssax
Museum closes to the public
⏰ 4:30 p.m.
———
Learn more and meet the speakers: https://hnoc.org/events/bunny-day
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Where is it happening?
Williams Research Center, 537 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130-2232, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherThe Historic New Orleans Collection
