I hope you enjoyed our fun-filled weekend that combined our musical heritage and our talented visual arts, I hope you save some energy for this weekend when Dirty Linen Night is going to take place on August 9 along the 500 to 900 block of Royal Street, Jackson Square and Dutch Alley Artists Co-op at Dumaine Street.
My darling friend Jean LaFete, of La Fete News is sending out a special invitation to everyone to get their finest Dirty Linen summer pirate wear out of the closet. He is requesting that all who have the spirit wear the appropriate garb (Pirate Outfit) on the night of August 9 in the French Quarter (Dirty Linen Night). The Wenches of the French Quarter will be taking applications at the 4 information stations. Look for me wearing my coolest Caribbean Darling Wench Outfit.
Before the weekend, as always, we will have a lot of fun events that include the following:
This Tuesday, August 5, is Night Out Against Crime. In recognition of "National Night Out Against Crime" LOWER QUARTER CRIME WATCH is hosting an event for French Quarter residents, merchants and friends on the evening of Tuesday, August 5, 2008 from 6pm until 8pm. The event will include live music, raffles and potluck food. Also included are beverages provided by Margaritaville. Location of this event is Cabrini Park, in the 1200 block of Dauphine Street at the corner of Barracks. Contact person is Sam Poché 504-319-6226
The other big soiree is at 6:30 pm at 3006 Esplanade Avenue, in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood. It's where the biggest National Night Out Against Crime event in the City is held, and it's a party with many purposes. The focus will once again be to get neighbors together to greet or meet each other and the police who protect them. Skytracker lights will dance among the clouds to lead you to this festive gathering of people from many diverse neighborhoods. Great entertainment, delicious food, refreshing drinks and friendly conversation will await you as you walk past the beautiful art deco iron gate.
Last year, guest entertainers Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and Charmaine Neville really rocked the house and they have been invited to return. Other entertainers who will grace the front porch and the lawn include the Israelite Baptist Church Choir, Rummel High School Band and opera singer Jane Cradic.The featured band is named the Crescent City Hitt Men, no pun intended.
My friends at the Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar. 5535 Tchoupitoulas Street are presenting as every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. a free for the Ladies and $10 for the gentlemen- Wine Tasting, followed by entertainment at 9:30 p.m. by pianist Tom Hook. Their scheduled is as follow: WED., 8/6 BOB ANDREWS @ 9 30;THURS., 8/7 RICK TROLSEN @ 9 30;FRI., 8/8 ERIC TRAUB @ 10;SAT., 8/9 TOM HOOK & SWING CAT'S BALL @ 10 p.m and MON., 8/11 "SUGAR" SHAWN HANIFY @ 9 30 p.m.
A Taste of Italy is the title of the four-course Italian wine dinner that Martin Wine Cellar is hosting at 714 Elmeer Avenue in Metairie, Tuesday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. Call 899-7411 for reservation.
This week WYES' “A Season of Good Tastes” is taking place at Ralph's on the Park - Tuesday, August 5, 7 PMandSugar House Restaurant - Friday, August 8, 7 PM Dinners are $85 per person including tax and tip. If you want to see the menu and the list of restaurants participating visit http://www.wyes.org/. Reservations at (504) 840-4886.
“Wednesdays on the Point,’ the series of free evening events in Algiers Point, featuring live music, wine and other refreshments continues from 5:30-7 p.m. Check out schedule at http://www.wednesdaysonthepoint.com/ .
I am happy to report that the Cultural Indulgence Series at the Lounge of the J.W. Marriott Hotel is continuing every Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m. through the summer. This week the featured local gallery is Bryant Galleries featuring KENNITH HUMPHREY (Paintings with oils on canvas and with acrylics on paper depicting African-American figures involved in daily life.) TONY SEVILLE(Multi-instrumentalist). Complimentary wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres.
On Thursday, August 7 – 10, the Historic New Orleans Collection is presenting The Inaugural of the much anticipatedNew Orleans Antiques Forum that will go from Thursday, August 7-Sunday, August 10at the The Historic New Orleans Collection's- Boyd Cruise Williams Research Center,410 Chartres Street, in the French Quarter.
Enjoy four days of lectures and tours dedicated to the study of the southern decorative arts. The program will feature preeminent scholars from the field, including Thomas Savage, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate; Robert Leath, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts; Cybèle Gontar, Graduate Center, The City University of New York; Alexandra Kirtley, Philadelphia Museum of Art; Thomas Jayne, Thomas Jayne Studio; Elle Shushan, Fine Portrait Miniatures; and Suzanne Turner, FASLA, Suzanne Turner Associates.
“Tipsy Tini Thursdays Happy Hour Celebration” at the Ritz Carltonis a celebration that you do not want to miss.I had the best martini I’ve had in a long time. It is called "Earth" and you can get 2 for 1 Rain Vodka Martinis for $14 with complimentary Sushi Tasting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. You can dance the night away every Friday through September at the French Quarter Bar from 7:30 p.m. on. Dance lessons starting at 8 p.m. $30 cover charge for General Admission; $50 VIP includes lesson, 1 ticket for signature drink and valet parking. Reservations required at 504-670-2828. You can reserve a table but there is $50 per person minimum bar tab.
Thusday at Twilight Series continue this week with the performance of Louis Hackett and Anne Copeland Sumich at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters, New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park -5–8 p.m. $6 adults, $2 children ages 5-12. Refreshments: Mint Juleps, wine, beer, soft drinks, and food. No outside food, drink, or pets allowed.
Ogden After Hours is presenting this Thursday Michael Juan Nunez, in support of Stuart Klipper (blues) 6-8 p.m. at Lobby Atrium of The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 900 block of Camp Street opposite the Contemporary Arts Center. While there, I urge you to visit the new exhibits at the museum.
Renowned Latin vocalist Fredy Omar and guitarist Pepe Coloma are playing every Thursday from 8-11 p.m. at the Columns Hotel, 3811 St. Charles Avenue. You will also find them on Saturday with the full band at Tomatillo’s on Esplanade Avenue at Frenchmen Street.
Gutenberg- The Musical! Directed and starring Sean Patterson & Gary Rucker at the Southern Repertory Theatre, third floor, One Canal Place. at 8 p.m. Call 525-4498 for reservation.
The Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting this Friday as always from 6-7 p.m. at Chateau LeMoyne Hotel Lounge, 301 Rue Dauphine - 581-1303. Obers are morning the loss of one of their first follower: Jack Dennis. My deepest sympathy to Ginger. This is the weekend that most of the obers are flying to San Miguel de Allende and the gathering will be at the Sierra Nevada- Parque Restaurant, Hospicio 42 where last year along with my roommates I hosted a wonderful gathering. I hate to miss it, but as you all know, I am looking for a job to supplement my Realtor Job.
I want you guys to think of me, when you are looking for a house to sell or buy and for apartments and art gallery such as the beautiful gallery that I am listing at 830 Royal Street. E-mail me at margaritabergen@hotmail and I will send you a list of my listings.
Friday, August 8, Becky Allen in The Queen of Bingo- to benefit the Jefferson Children's Advocacy CenterThe Jefferson Performing Arts Society and Krewe Des Sept Productions is proud to present three special fundraiser performances of Becky Allen in "The Queen of Bingo" to help The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center provide a comfortable, child-friendly environment as the assist children from abusive homes. Performances are August 8-10 at the Teatro Wego! Dinner Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego. An Opening night Extravaganza kicks off this limited run on August 8. Hosted by local personality Spud McConnell, the night includes dinner and drinks. Please call 504-400-8949 to reserve tickets.
On Friday, August 8-As the summer heats up, plan to chill out at the Oasis Bar at the Pool in the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Check your stress levels at the door and ascend the elevators to the hotel's 3rd Floor Pool and Terrace area where Chef Peter Page will be grilling specially selected menu items just for you. Allow our bartenders to prepare your favorite summer cocktailYou will experience the cool Latin rhythms of Riccardo Crespo's music as you settle in to enjoy informal modeling this weekby - Fleur de Paris presents custom couture hats and elegant women's clothing. While there you should check talented vocalistBetty Shirley, Quartet - Women in Jazz -The Mystick Den, Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon Street. 9:00 p.m. to 12 midnight. No Cover charge.
Armand St Martin appears solo on the Steinway every Friday and Saturday night at the Ritz Carlton Cigar Bar on the 3rd floor from 6 to 11 p.m. $25/per or private membership.
Bugsy Malone, Jr. through August 10 -Where else would pint-sized gangsters get whacked with silly string? Only at the NORD/ Crescent City Lights Youth Theater production of Bugsy Malone, Jr., the rollicking tongue-in-cheek tribute to the 1920’s gangster flick. Bugsy Malone, Jr. NORD Ty Tracy Theatre in Gallier Hall at 545 St. Charles Ave. The production runs through August 10 with performances on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Ty Tracy Theatre on the 1st Floor of Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave. (enter via Lafayette St.). Tickets are $15 general admission and are available online at http://www.crescentcitylights.org/. For more info or for group sales, contact 504-598-3800.
Red Dress Run takes place on Saturday, August 9 at 1 p.m. starting at Ernest Cafe,600 St. Peters Street. You can register on line at www.nolareddress.com and the registration includes beer, food and red dress giveaways for $50.
August 9 is the 7th annual Dirty Linen Night, an annual art walk in the French Quarter that invites you into the artist-owned studios, galleries and unique shops in the French Quarter,, where free libations provided by Glazer of New Orleans will be waiting for you. Fredy Omar's Latin Jazz Quartet will perform at the Dutch Alley Artist's Co-Op at the foot of Dumaine Street and Decatur St, and other musical performances will occur throughout the route. Casual summer dress. Dirty martinis, Dirty rice, and the New Orleans Roller Girls will perform. 6 to 9. Look out for the pirates and wenches of New Orleans
August 10 isSUNDAY SWING-– Music by Lionel Ferbos and the Palm Court Jazz Band-1 p.m. -4 p.m. The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Kick up your heels at The National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine Street with Sunday Swing. Professional swing dancers from Hop, Swing and a Jump will be on hand to provide coaching for dancers of all levels while local musicians play World War II era hits.While there make sure you see the special exhibitions, “Reel To Reel: Hollywood & WWII” and “Schindler: Unlikely Hero of the Holocaust.”
Please put in your calendar: August 13- Round Table Luncheon
The monthly Round Table Luncheon will be held, Wednesday, August 13 at noon, at Begue's Restaurant of the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
The invited guest speakers are:
Mary Beth Romig, Director of Communications and Public Relations
of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sandra S. Shilstone, President & CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation
Toni Rice of New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network
$35 per person includes three-course gourmet luncheon, wine, champagne and complimentary parking. For reservations, please contact Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220 or email her at nscallan@royalsonestano.com
Congratulations to Chef John Currence, Oxford, Mississippi! He beat out 14 other prestigious chefs from across the nation to be crowned King of American Seafood at the 2008 Fifth Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off! It was a spectacular battle between great culinary talents at the Louisiana Foodservice EXPO, but at the end of the two day contest, only Chef Currence became Seafood royalty. And that's no title to take lightly. In second and third place winners were Brian Landry of Galatoire Restaurant representing Louisiana and Tafari Campbell of Maryland.
Tales of the Cocktail announces Behind the Bar Photo Exhibit New Orleans bars to be preserved in photo exhibit.
Photographers are being summoned nationwide to assist in preserving the culture and history of New Orleans as part of the work of The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society.I have been having a ball photographing some of my favorite mixologists creating their spirited libations.
Darling friends, 
