Darling friends,

Happy Carnival 2008!

The air of victory is still lingering over our city and state as we celebrate LSU winning the BCS National Championship Title. It was wonderful to see the TIGERS defeat the Ohio Buckeyes.
I always said that life is a celebration and not a day goes by in the city of New Orleans in which I do not have a reason to celebrate.

This past Sunday, January 6-Twelfth Night, I had the fabulous opportunity to join fellow members of the Phunny Phorty Phellows and the Storyville Stompers in a historical, magical ride aboard a streetcar that took the longest route ever in a parade and included elements of both the St. Charles and Canal Street lines heralding the advent of the 2008 Carnival Season.
A radiant evening sky and the City of New Orleans served as the backdrop for jubilant revelers as we rode through the night. 

Since I already have the Carnival fever, I am looking forward to Friday, Jan 25, when one of my favorite Carnival krewes strolls through the Vieux Carre: The Krewe of Cork. Walking parade begins from the Court of Two Sisters at 3 p.m. led by Grand Marshal Larry Maguire, Far Niente Winery, Calif. For more information visit: www.kreweofcork.com . This year's Queen is Realtor Samara Poche. My darling dog Tito Lindo will be accompanying me as the Royal Pooch. It should be a fun day. Tito of course will also participate as Royalty in the Krewe of Barkus on Sunday, January 27 in the French Quarter. This year's theme is “Indiana Bones and the Raiders of the Lost Barks.”
 
Darlings, before next week, we have a lot of exciting events that are going to take place starting on Wednesday, January 9.  
   
This Wednesday, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., the J.W. Marriott Lobby Lounge at 614 Canal Street, resumes its weekly evening of cultural indulgences by featuring Renaissance man Tony Green as a featured artist with Callan Fine Arts and as featured musician playing Gypsy Jazz music.
As always, there will be complimentary wine tasting and hors d' oeuvres. Talented Tony Green and his group Gypsy Jazz will be performing  this Saturday at Dos Jefes Cigar Uptown Bar, 5535 Tchoupitoulas St. from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

This Wednesday as well, the New Orleans Boat Show will be taking place at Ernest Morial Convention Center until Sunday.(http://www.neworleansboatshow.com/)

For Jack Daniel's lovers, Bourbon House will be hosting Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jimmy Bedford at 7 p.m.  You will be able to join Jimmy Bedford for a Guided Tasting and a perfectly paired four-course dinner featuring their award-winning Tennessee whiskey in specialty cocktails. Signed bottles will be available for purchase with proceeds benefitting the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.  You know I am not going to miss this dinner. The price is only $70 all inclusive - but do not wait until the last minute because usually these dinners are sold out. For reservations call 274-1831. 

My talented friend vocalist Gregory Thompson will performing at St Mark Church on Esplanade On Wednesday from 7:30 p.m.
 
Since Tuesday, January 8, 2008 through Saturday, January 12, we have been - COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS WITH MANY FESTIVITIES.

Remember the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield, the very place where it happened. Meet the American and British troops who fought one of the most significant battles in world history and the civilians who kept the home fires burning in New Orleans. The sights and sounds of January 8, 1815, come alive in 2008 on

Friday, January 11 - living history encampment, cannon and musket firings, military drills, and campfire cooking (9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). As night falls, re-live the "night before the battle" during the Lantern Tour of the battlefield (tickets required). Friday, January 11, 2008-Presented by Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve-Call 504-589-3882 x225 to order- 6p.m.
Tour Chalmette Battlefield by lantern light "the night before the Battle of New Orleans" and hear British and American troops and civilians plot strategy and wonder what tomorrow will bring. First tour at 6:00 p.m.; tours begin every 10 minutes with last tour at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 12 - living history encampment, cannon and musket firings, military drills, and campfire cooking (9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.). At 4:30 p.m., St. Bernard Parish sponsors a reenactment of the December 23, 1814, night battle at historic Pakenham Oaks, just downriver from the battlefield.

On Thursday, January 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. Garden District Bookshop at 2727 Prytania Street is presenting a Reading and Booksigning of  Life in the Wake: Fiction From post-Katrina New Orleans. The bookstore is inviting everyone to celebrate the release of the exciting collection of new fiction featuring the work of prominent New Orleans literary personalities such as Jason Berry, Lucas Dias-Medina, Ken Foster, Patty Friedman Leonard Earl Johnson and many other talented writers with an introduction by Joshua Clark. Readers will include Jennifer Kuchta, Bill Loehfelm and Sarah K. Inman.
 
This Thursday, the following art exhibits will be opening at the Ogden Museum of Art from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Photographs by Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor

This exhibition includes silver gelatin photographs by master photographer Jerry Uelsmann and digital prints by Maggie Taylor along with a new body of large-scale prints.

Jose Torres Tama: New Orleans Free People of Color and Their Legacy

This series of expressionistic drawings represent historically important free people of color who lived in the Treme and Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods of New Orleans in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Robert Polidori: After the Flood

This exhibition presents six large-scale prints of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina from Polidori's project After The Flood.

OGDEN AFTER HOURS-Thursday, January 10, 2008, 6 - 8 p.m.

Jeff and Vida, bluegrass

Jeff and Vida have three critically acclaimed records and five years of rigorous touring, both nationally and internationally, under their belts. Performing original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country, their live act showcases Vida’s powerful voice and Jeff’s superb picking on mandolin, guitar and banjo.

  
The Obituary Society is meeting this Friday, January 11 at the usual time of 6 to 7 p.m. at Brown Sugar Bistro, 720 St. Louis Street, 586-5004.
 

Playing at the Polo Lounge Series at the Windsor Court  is featuring the following performers during the month of January: Fridays, January 11, 18 & 25, 2008 :Vocalist Cindy Scott -9 p.m. – 12 midnight

Saturdays, January 12 & 19, 2008 :Vocalist Anais St. John with The Harry MayronneTrio -9 p.m. – Midnight and  on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays: Pianist Michael Pellera -7 p.m. – 11 p.m. - Thursdays-7 p.m. – 9 p.m. - Fridays,6 p.m. – 9 p.m. - Saturdays.

For New Orleanians wanting a quick weekend getaway this Friday and Saturday, Chef Greg Sonnier of the Windsor Court Hotel is going to be the first Visiting Guest Chef at Dunleith Plantation in Natchez, Ms.  I love Natchez and so many of many of my living are living there.  Natchez is soooo civilized and gracious and Dunleith Plantation is fabulous! Their Castle Restaurant is one of the very best in town. In case you want to know about Chef Sonnier, he was trained under Paul Prudomme at K' Paul's Restaurant  in the French Quarter. He spent years as Sous Chef at Brigtsen’s under Frank Brigtsen’s eye. He is an an award-winning James Beard recipient. In 1992, Chef Sonnier opened his own Award winning Restaurant in 1992 called Gabrielle’s-a local New Orleans favorite which received numerous awards and recognition up until it’s closure due to Hurricane Katrina. His cuisine is Delicate-Creole inspired- contemporary Creole Rooms are available for $135 a night which includes a full southern breakfast. For Reservation call: 601-446-8500.

Fundraising and awareness organization Twelfth Night Party, Inc. is proud to announce the Fourth Annual TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY (Belated due to NCAA National Championship) charity event Friday, January 11, 2008; 9:00PM at the House of Blues (225 Decatur St.). The event, with proceeds benefiting listener supported, volunteer-operated radio station WWOZ-FM and the Second and Dryades Mardi Gras Indian Foundation, will feature performances by THE WILD MAGNOLIAS featuring Chief Bo Dollis, SUNPIE & THE LOUISIANA SUNSPOTS, EGG YOLK JUBILEE,BUSTOUT BURLESQUE & K-DOE'S BABY DOLLS and a very special performance by AL "CARNIVAL TIME" JOHNSON! Hosted by RONNIE VIRGETS.$20
Tickets are on sale now at the House of Blues box office, online at http://www.hob.com/, or by calling (504) 310-4999.COSTUME CONTEST W/PRIZES.KING & QUEEN OF TWELFTH NIGHT CROWNED!

The Krewe of Brid, an all-female marching krewe, will make its debut march through the heart of Lakeview on Friday, January 11.  Beginning at 6:00 p.m., these lovely ladies will march on Harrison Avenue from the Orleans Avenue Canal to the 17th Street Canal, then u-turn and return along Harrison Avenue to the Orleans Avenue Canal. New Orleans City Councilmember Shelly Midura will start the march with a toast.  Local band Egg Yolk Jubilee will lead the march while the McTeggart Irish Dancers of Louisiana complete the line-up. Brid (say: “breed”) is an ancient Celtic triple goddess - three sisters each named Brid.  Three local women have been selected to represent the three Brids in this year’s debut march: Ashlye Keaton, Brid of the Spirit - Goddess of Arts & Letters; Leslie Killian, Brid of the Hearth - Goddess of Home & Hearth
Bari Landry, Brid of the Forge - Goddess of Strength & Justice . The Krewe of Brid honors the women of New Orleans who are using all of their talent, wisdom, love and strength to rebuild the neighborhoods of New Orleans.

For the first time since 2005, Moscow Nights, Inc., a non-profit organization, presents The Russian Winter Festival. The festival highlight will be "Adventures Around Moscow", a theatrical presentation directed by Natasha O. Ramer, who will also perform.  Featured in the performance are the Russian virtuoso ensemble "Zingaresca" and the instrumental duo "Russian Romance", from Atlanta. Local performers include Komenka Ethnic Dance,  Harry Mayronne (who serves as musical coordinator), Chris Wecklein, dancer, Sarah Grundmeyer Abrusley, Vocal Russian Ensemble (Natasha Kramareva), Natalya Flint, Olga Vaz, Natasha Karbysheva, Nellie Joseph, and Natasha Munger), Kate Arthurs with the students of St. Martin’s, and actors Mila Bobina, Jack Long, and Roscoe Reddix. In addition to the stage performance there will be dancing, poetry, an art exhibit, children’s activities, a bazaar, and a sampling of Russian delicacies. The Russian Winter Festival  takes place at the Solomon Theatre, St. Martin’s Episcopal School -5309 Airline Drive, Metairie,

Sat. Jan. 12 (Bazaar from 7-10 pm/Show at 8 pm) Sun. Jan. 13 (Bazaar from 1-6 pm/Show at 2 pm)Admission: General $15 * Senior $10 * Children $5For Reservations call: 504/208-9905. Website: www.MoscowNightsUS.com   

On Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13-10:30am to 5:00pm at the French Market Dutch Alley, the French Market and The New Orleans Jazz Centennial is presenting the first annual Danny Barker Birthday Celebration.. There will be two stages of live entertainment from 10:30am to 5:00pm each day plus a jazz walking tour.
The Danny Barker Stage, dedicated to Danny's mentoring of young musicians, will be at the fountain at Dutch Alley off the corner of Decatur & Dumaine Streets. Featured bands will be led by Greg Stafford, Detroit Brooks, Harry Sterling & Big Al Carson, Leroy Jones, Steve Masakowski and other jazz greats that all got their jazz careers started in one of Danny Barker's
bands.
The "Storyville" stage, dedicated to Danny's legendary story telling, will be at the Dutch Alley Performance Pavilion at Decatur & St. Phillip Streets. Musicians and professional story tellers will be featured here including John O'Neal, Tony Green, Esquizito, Carl LeBlanc and Adella Gautier.

"Danny's Jazz Walking Tour" will start at Dutch Alley at 5:00pm each day and tour the French Quarter that Danny knew growing up on Charters Street.The history of the French Quarter, French Market, Storyville and their influence on the last 100 years of jazz will be featured. The tour will end at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street at approximately 6:00. The tour will be conducted by licensed guide Susan Wayman who specializes in New Orleans Jazz history. All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the Danny Barker Birthday Celebration, visit http://www.jazzcent.com/ -<http://www.jazzcent.com/> or call 504-309-5299.
 
 
On Saturday, January 12 - 7 p.m. Sharp, there will be a mini-concert:  WAKING DREAMS at the Fairgrinds Coffeeshop (upstairs room)-3133 Ponce de Leon (off of Esplanade Ave.)
Waking Dreams is a short suite of dances, choreographed and performed by Alicia Morton. Also featured as part of the concert is Witch Dance, a recreation of German expressionist choreographer Mary Wigman's most famous work. Admission is free. Donations accepted to benefit The Neighborhood Gallery, a New Orleans arts and cultural institution.

Barrister's Gallery, 2331 St Claude Ave/Spain, 504 710 4506 is presenting on Saturday, January 12 -February 2, Gary Oaks- "Happy Times": Drawings and Sculpture -Opening: Saturday, January 12, 4-9pm
 
 
The 13th Annual Best of the Beat Music Awards and Party will take place this year on Saturday, January 12, at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street from 6 p.m. to 1.a.m.
This year’s event will be a star-studded tribute to Wardell Quezergue a.k.a. “The Creole Beethoven,” the New Orleans composer and arranger who is responsible for some of the city’s best known songs including “Big Chief,” “Chapel of Love,” “Iko Iko,” “Mr. Big Stuff,” and many more.

Performances at the event will include Wardell Quezergue Tribute with Jean Knight, Shannon McNally, Dorothy Moore and special guests, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute Ensemble, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Davell Crawford, Clint Maedgen and the Special Men’s Tribute to Ernie K-Doe, Cyril Neville, James Singleton, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, the Zydepunks, Big Blue Marble, Alex McMurray and the Valparaiso Men’s Chorus, Roddie Romero and the Hub City Allstars, and many more.

The event is also a celebration of the 20th Anniversary for OffBeat Magazine, and will be co-hosted by OffBeat Publisher Jan Ramsey and WWL-TV’s Eric Paulsen.
 
Over 20 New Orleans restaurants will cater the event, including Galatoire’s, Mat and Naddie’s, Cochon, Hookah Café, Aurora Catering, the Gumbo Shop, EAT New Orleans, Hubig’s Pies, Jacque-Imo’s, Bywater BBQ, Café Reconcile, Le Citron Bistro, La Cote Brasserie, Nirvana, the Palace Café, the Praline Connection, Slice, Juan’s Flying Burrito, Tomatillo’s, the Flaming Torch, Martinique Bistro, Whole Foods Market, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen and Aurora Catering.

OffBeat announced the Best of the Beat Lifetime Achievement recipients in its January 2008 issue:
Wardell Quezergue, for Lifetime Achievement in Music; Roy Shaw, Lifetime Achievement in Music Business; Wilbert Rawlins, Jr., Lifetime Achievement in Music Education; and Cynthia Simien, Heartbeat Award

Tickets to the Best of the Beat Music Awards and Party on January 12 are $20 in advance (limited tickets available) and $25 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Renew Our Music Fund. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets or at the House of Blues box office, or at their respective web sites.
 
DANON SMITH (the powerful vocalist who performs with Deacon John Moore and the Ivories) will front her own group Saturday, January 12 at Sweet Lorraine's, 1931 St Claude Avenue (located in near the lower end of the French Quarter) For reservations call: 504-945-9654.
 
Tipitina's Uptown at 501 Napoleon Ave. in New Orleans, Louisiana, features a spectacular lineup of musicians .
Call (504) 895-8477 with questions, or go to www.tipitinas.com for tickets.

Thursday, Jan. 10 -- Rotary Downs plus Clint Maedgen
10pm, doors at 9pm

Friday, Jan. 11 -- FMC presents: A Benefit for Al “Carnival Time” Johnson & Sweet Home New Orleans featuring OK Go with Bonerama
10pm, doors at 9pm
                                
Saturday, Jan. 12 -- Walter "Wolfman" Washington
with special guests Marva Wright, Big Sam, & Leo Nocentelli   
10pm, doors at 9pm                        

Sunday, Jan. 13 -- "Thornybration" -- A Celebration of The Life of a Tipitina’s Founder, Thorny Penfield
5pm, Free

On Monday, January 14, 7 p.m., just less than a week after his book's release, author Robert Leleux discusses THE MEMOIRS OF A BEAUTIFUL BOY (St. Martin's Press), the hilarious and touching portrait of his calamitous life with his flamboyant and eccentric mother, at East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue, Metairie, LA.

Robert will regale and titillate the audience with sordid tales from his checkered past and also read from his new book. As a special lagniappe, his "flamboyant and eccentric" mother will be in attendance. A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow. Books will be available for purchase at the event, made possible by and benefiting Friends of Jefferson Public Library, facilitated by Octavia Books of New Orleans.
 
Please put down in your calendar that the monthly Round Table Luncheon will be held next Thursday, January 17 at noon at Begue's of the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
I am so excited to announce that our featured speaker for January's Round Table Luncheon will be the premiere authority on Mardi Gras: Author and Historian Arthur Hardy.
Our luncheon will be held on Thursday, January 17 at noon at Begue's of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. You are encouraged to come early, have a glass of champagne while you network and reserve your seat. 

The luncheon price is only $35. It includes a three-course gourmet lunch, taxes, gratuities, wine and complimentary parking. Please do not wait until the last minute to reserve your seat since the sitting is limited. 

For reservations to our lunch -please call Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220 or email nscallan@royalsonestano.com . 



 

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