Mary Staes

Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.

Geaux Forth and Fest: Our Picks for May

By Mary Staes / May 1, 2019

Bayou Boogaloo, Greek Fest and of course the last weekend of Jazz Fest are all packed into May.

From City Park to Tulane: A guide to Mid-City’s Carrollton Avenue

By Mary Staes / May 1, 2019

If you find yourself in this stretch, you’ll also find more than enough to fill your day. 

NOCCA offers young musicians the chance to play Jazz Fest

By Mary Staes / April 30, 2019

Two seniors talked to us about performing at Jazz Fest and the unique education NOCCA provides them.

Old gas station turned outdoor venue is Bar Culture owner Nick Reed’s newest venture

By Mary Staes / April 29, 2019

After missing out on his favorite evening hangout, entrepreneur Nick Reed seized an opportunity to fill that void.

Crawfish for Cancer touts open bar, unlimited mudbugs for a good cause

By Mary Staes / April 25, 2019

Other places with the festival include New York City, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago.

7602 Coach: How a mom birthed her own business with her newborn in her lap

By Mary Staes / April 24, 2019

“The last thing you want to do when going through a divorce is to get clients to coach them when your life is falling apart, but I stuck to my passion.”

Weekend Picks: Roasts, Tours and JAZZ FEST!

By Mary Staes / April 24, 2019

Jazz Fest is upon us! But if crowds aren’t your thing, there’s still lots to do.

Beyonce posts first Instagram story, includes local dance team Twerk NOLA’s video

By Mary Staes / April 23, 2019

Now that dance visuals have hit for the remake of “Before I Let Go”, Beyonce has given another nod to New Orleans culture.

The ‘Before I Let Go’ remix isn’t the only time Beyonce gives a nod to New Orleans music on her new album

By Mary Staes / April 19, 2019

NOLA Twitter went wild over DJ Jubilee’s get it ready being included on Queen Bey’s cover of Maze feat. Frankie Beverly’s classic ‘Before I Let Go.’ But that’s the only time in the live album she used the classic New Orleans bounce track.

New Orleans is having its first-ever cannabis fest on 4/20

By Mary Staes / April 19, 2019

The day will be mixed with fun and activism, featuring guest speakers in-between the live musical performances, organizers said.