This past weekend was a lot of fun. I had the pleasure of seeing the Audubon Nature Institute's new Insectarium at the historic U.S. Custom House on Canal Street at North Peters. The Insectarium, the largest freestanding museum in the country devoted entirely to bugs, showcases the wonders of the bug world in state-of-the art interactive exhibits and attractions. Did you know insects currently outnumber people 1.5 million to one? Visit the Insectarium and you will be amazed, amused and surprised by what the most dominant group of animals on earth can show you. New Orleans’ newest, and truly unique, family attraction, the Audubon Insectarium, will open amidst great celebration on Friday, June 13.
Last Wednesday, I got to see my darling friend Earl Turner electrifying his audience at his show at Harrah's Casino. He will be here for a very limited engagement - until the end of the month, so catch him before he leave. We need him here permanently again. Maybe if enough of us come out to see him and pack the house, it will happen. So don’t miss it! He puts on a great show!
I also attended the fabulous opening of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum at the Riverwalk Mall. The delicious food prepared by our legendary chefs and the classic Southern cocktails prepared by our mixologists extraordinaire made the gala a very special one. The exhibits are superb. Please write in your calendars that July 21 marks the return of the American Museum of Cocktail that will be housed in the same venue as the Southern Food and BeverageMuseum, or SoFAB, as it is descriptively known.
Before I share all the wonderful events scheduled for this weekend, I want to congratulate my darling friend, Cuba-born George Fowler III, founder of the Fowler Rodriguez Valdez-Fauli law firm that just received the Thomas F. Cunningham Award from the WorldTradeCenter. The prestigious award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding service toward greater social, educational, economic, cultural and political relationship.
I also need to congratulate my other darling friend, Panamanian-born Max Moreno, Vice-President of Whitney Bank for receiving the Sanchez to Sanchez to Smith Award at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gala this weekend.
Attorney Stephen Rue needs also to be congratulated for making history by being elected first Caucasian "Mr Big Stuff" in Zulu's 100 year history.
Morton’s The Steakhouse will be celebrating this distinctive American spirit in an evening tasting of premium bourbons. Guests will have the opportunity to sample a variety of select bourbons from the Small Batch Bourbon Collection and listen as one of only three Whisky Professors takes them on a fascinating journey from the barrel to the bottle – all complemented with Morton’s fare.
Morton’s New Orleans will present Whiskey Professor Steve Cole on Tuesday, June 10 from 6- 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this ‘one of a kind’ evening are $45 each, which includes tax and gratuity. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Please call Morton’s New Orleans at (504) 566-0221.
Philip Melancon, the “Silliest Man Alive,” will sing and tell stories at the Latter Library at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11. Join Phil as he takes fairy tales and familiar songs apart. The Latter Library is located at 5120 St. Charles Avenue. Call 596-2625 for further details or to make a group reservation. Free.
Wednesdays at the JW Marriott, experience an evening of cultural indulgences at the JW Marriott Lobby Lounge, 614 Canal Street, from 5:30-8 p.m., featuring works by local artist Jon Guillaume (colorful illustrations), and entertainment by multi-instrumentalist Tony Seville.
YLC's Wednesday at the Square, Lafayette Square St. Charles Ave., across from Gallier Hall, 5-7:30 p.m., is presenting The Stringbeans + Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
Dive in with the W New Orleans - French Quarter and New Orleans Film Society for poolside screenings from FOX & MGM Home Entertainment. Sip summer cocktails and nibble on popcorn and candy for a picture perfect evening! Every Thursday, June 12 - September 25. The show starts at sunset and on June 12 is presenting JUNO.
Are you ready this weekend for "Vieux to Do"? That is the new name for the combined French Market Creole Tomato Festival, the Louisiana Seafood Festival, and the Cajun/Zydeco Festival that will take place June 13-15 at the lower part of the French Quarter by the Old U.S. Mint and the French Market. For more information see at the end of the column.
Ogden After Hours presents Todd Cerney June 12, 6-8 p.m. at the Lobby Atrium of The Ogden Museum of Southern Art's Stephen Goldring Hall.
Thursdays at Twilight Garden concert features New Orleans pianist and songwriter Philip Melancon playing well-known standards and original music Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:00). Admission is $6, $2 children ages 5-12. Refreshments available for purchase Pavilion of the Two Sisters -Botanical Gardens, CityPark. 483-9386
The Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society, Inc. will once again host its salute to summer in the city and gala fundraiser this Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m. Juleps in June 2008, at the historic Jefferson Davis house at 1134 First Street, corner of Camp Street. The house, which has been the residence of the Strachan family for generations, was the New Orleans residence of the President of the Confederacy after the Civil War. Today, it is the residence of Patricia Strachan, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Strachan. Ms. Strachan will be an Honorary Chair for Juleps in June ‘08. This historic landmark is a magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture and contains some of the finest examples of plaster work in the South. We urge you to make your reservations early as the number of guests will be limited by the owner.
Summer Rum is being presented by Friends of City Park on June 13 from 7-10 p.m.. at the Carousel in CityPark. $35 in advance $45 at the door. For reservation call 483-9376 or visit http://www.friendsofcitypark.com/
The Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting on Friday from 6-7 p.m. at Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur Street. Phone 522-5565 or log onto www.cafesbisa.com .
Cabaret, the John Kander-Fred Ebb-Joe Masteroff musical, based on Christopher Isherwood's "Berlin Stories" and John Van Druten's “I am a Camera" is getting rave reviews at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter Street. Directed by Derek Franklin and Sonny Borey, with choreography by Karen Hebert it will feature talented Jessie Terrebonne, Roy Haylock, Richard Arnold, Bob Edes Jr., Beverly Trask, Jimmy Murphy, and Dane Rhodes. NOT TO BE MISSED! For reservation call 522-2081.
It’s time to put on your dancing shoes, sundresses and seersucker to party down for a great cause! The Junior Committee for the Friends of St. Alphonsus will be hosting its 5th Annual fundraiser with “Summer in the City”. The event will be held Saturday, June 14, from 7-10 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Art and CulturalCenter, 2025 Constance St. in the Irish Channel. Summer in the City features music by VaVaVoom, plenty o’ munchies, an open bar generously donated by Glazer’s Companies of Louisiana, delicious snowballs and a silent auction. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.
Founded in 1990, The Friends of St. Alphonsus was formed to prevent the demolition of the St. Alphonsus Church building, a National Historic Landmark. The church is a historic, artistic, and religious landmark in the Lower Garden District/Irish Channel neighborhood; and we can’t forget to mention, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! This art auction and party will raise funds for the restoration of the building and for repairs needed due to the hurricane. St. Alphonsus is now used for concerts, parties, art history tours, and movie sets.
For information or to purchase tickets, please contact Aimee Landreneau-deTurk at saintalphonsus5@gmail.com.
Bustout Burlesque's Heart Belongs To Daddy! Step back in time and experience the Bourbon Street burlesque shows of yesteryear. Bustout Burlesque celebrates Father's Day on Saturday, June 14 at House of Blues with our 2nd annual Father's Day promotion! Bring your Dad to the show, and he'll get a FREE souvenir photo taken with one of the girls after the show! Last year's Father's Day shows sold-out!
Featured in Bustout Burlesque are Kitty Twist – the Wowgirl Cowgirl, and Perle Noire – the Black Pearl. Both dancers will be fresh from the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas, where they will be competing in the Miss Exotic World competition, the "Miss America" of burlesque. Kitty Twist and Perle Noire are two of twelve applicants from over a hundred selected from around the world to compete on June 7 at The Palms Casino. June 14 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. Tickets $20. 504-310-4999, or log on to www.bustoutburlesque.com .
The Royal Sonesta Hotel presents The fabulous "Mystic's Women of Jazz" at Snug Harbor Jazz Club on June 14 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Betty Shirley, Julia LaShae and Anais St. John will be together in concert for one night only so do not miss it. For tickets call 504-949-0696..
My monthly Round Table has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 17 at noon at Begue's of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. I am very excited about my featured speakers: Burl Salmon, Director of Development and External Affairs of the Historic New Orleans Collection; Miranda Lash, Curator of Contemporary Art at New Orleans Museum of Art; and Dennis G. Assaf, Executive/Artistic Director of Jefferson Performing Arts Society.
For reservations, call or email Noel Scallan at (504) 553-2220, nscallan@royalsonestano.com .
The three-course gourmet luncheon is $35 per person including complimentary wine/parking.
On June 23, comedian and actor Eddie Izzard will make a stop out of his hugely successful “STRIPPED” tour to perform a benefit concert to help low and moderate-income citizens of New Orleans become sustainable homeowners.
The one night only benefit presented by WestBeth Entertainment in association with The Jefferson Performing Arts Society, will take place on Monday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. at McAlister auditorium at TulaneUniversity. One hundred percent of proceeds will be going to Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans. Following the comedian's lead, Ticketmaster has agreed donate a portion of its ticket fees to the Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans. Tickets go on sale Sunday, June 8, through New Orleans Ticketmaster at (504) 522-5555 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/. There will be a special reception with Izzard after the show for 'Producer Circle' ticket holders.
Enjoy your week and, for all you Dads out there -- A Happy Father's Day on Sunday!
Creole Tomato Festival
in the French Market in the French Quarter
Come to America's Oldest Market!!
June 13th, 14th, 15th
12:00 noon - 6:30 p.m. www.frenchmarket.org
This Saturday, June 10th, the French Market will be bustling with music, cooking demonstrations, food booths selling dishes made with Creole tomatoes, fresh samplings, and of course, sales of their famous Creole tomatoes. In addition to Creole tomatoes galore, the French Market tenants are celebrating a special "Come Back to the Heart of New Orleans" promotion in which visitors can select a complimentary print of New Orleans by Peter Briant, valued at $15. To participate, visitors need to obtain a "Come Back to Heart of New Orleans" card at any of the 22 businesses in the French Market. Once they have the card validated at least 14 shops/restaurants in the Market, they can select their special print at the Artichoke Gallery.. (No purchases are required for a validation.) Activities at the Creole Tomato Fest: At the Performance Pavilion in Dutch Alley, four of New Orleans' leading Chefs will give cooking demonstrations featuring Creole Tomatoes: 12:00 pm Chef Horst Pfiefer of Bella Luna and The Foundry
1:30 pm Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant
3:00 pm Chef Donald Link of Herbsaint Bar & Restaurant
4:30 pm Chef Kevin Vizard of Vizard's on the Avenue
Music will showcase some of New Orleans' best-known local artists: 12:00 pm Shades of Praise (Gospel Choir)
2:00 pm 4 x 4 (Jazz and Standards)
4:30 pm Fredy Omar Con Su Band (Latin Music)
The French Market, the oldest community market in the country, invites and encourages New Orleanians to "COME BACK TO THE HEART OF NEW ORLEANS."
Louisiana Seafood Festival
Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15
Presented by Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board
Celebrate the fishermen, the seafood, the chefs and the cuisine at the Old U.S. Mint where you will find all your favorites including BBQ Oysters, Shrimp & Grits, Boiled Crabs, Broiled Oysters, Seafood PoBoys and more!
Demand Louisiana Shrimp when you dine out or shop at your local market. Choose Louisiana shrimp not only for their superior taste, but also to support Louisiana fishing communities as they continue to rebound and rebuild. It is now more important than ever to ask for wild-caught shrimp like you grew eating and caught in your backyard, the Gulf of Mexico. Choose Bonne Crevette – that’s good shrimp from Louisiana. For list suppliers and recipes, visit www.LouisianaShrimp.com
For more information, contact Susan Nash (504) 587-7788 or (504) 952-4168.
Free Cooking Demonstrations by:
Paul Prudhomme, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen
Brian Landry, Galatoire's
Mike Regua, Antoine's
Tenney Flynn, GWFins
Guy Sockrider, Surrey's
Ben Thibodeaux, Palace Cafe
Beth Barlow, Begue's
Joseph St. Paul, InterContinental
Gregg Collier, Red Fish Grill
Chris Montero, Bacco
Chip Flanagan, Ralph's on the Park
Harold Burkenstock, Arnaud's
Plus the young chefs from John Folse Culinary Institute of Acadiana, DelgadoCommunity College and LouisianaTechnicalCollege.
Calendar compliments of NOLAFunguide.com
DeLaune Michel / The Safety of Secrets Booksigning (FREE)
Tuesday, June 10, 5pm
Garden District Bookshop 2727 Prytania St. http://nolafunguide..com/event.php?id=7686
Wednesday at the Square: The Stringbeans + Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (FREE)
Wednesday, June 11, 5pm Lafayette Square 602 Camp St. http://nolafunguide..com/event.php?id=7620
Perhaps it is only fitting that Zulu's "Mr Big Stuff" will be a Caucasian while the nation potentially has its first Black President. Personally, I'd rather be "Mr Big Stuff" then President. If I was I'd finally get me one o-dem coconuts. They just don't throw no coconuts to some old fat white man, I pusnally know dis to be true. Written by kpf
on 6/10/2008
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