This week brought me two disappointments. I was invited to the lovely suite of the Gershaniks at the 50 yard line in the Superdome and I was really looking forward to seeing the Saints win, but when they blew their chances in the 1st and 2nd quarters, I started feeling that I needed to go home to give them the opportunity to win. They came close but like everything good, it must come to an end. Fortunately our boys will be in the playoffs and we must continue cheering them on. Attending the games and seeing all the people cheering for the Saints was a thrill and an experience that I will never forget.
My other disappointment was getting preview passes to see Sherlock Holmes at the AMC theatre and by the time I got there - 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. performance there were no seats left. I asked why and the attendant told me that people starting lining up since 4 p.m. and by 6:30 all the seats were gone. C’est la vie!
Oh well, let me tell you about the great soirees that I attended. I looked at my photos to remind me of where I have been besides showing houses and attending KW office party and http://www.neworleans.com/, meeting friends for lunch at the Windsor Court's Grill Room which, by the way, the buffet was delicious. I also stopped by Galatoire’s to see the winners of the tables and the fun they were having.
Of course, the highlight of my week was my own Fiesta Navidena at Casell Gallery. I am grateful to Mother Nature for providing such a beautiful day for the outdoor fiesta. Guitarists Julio and Cesar and the band played wonderful music that kept the guests dancing the evening away before attending the Christmas Caroling. The sparkling wines and the margaritas were pouring left and right, compliments of Julio Gonzalez and Vincent Pigna. Gracias Amigos. The baked salmon compliments of Bonnie Broel was delicious and thank to all my friends that were there to enjoy the savories dishes from Spain, the music and the artistic works of Joaquim Casell.
The New Orleans theatre community is mourning the death of Stocker Fontelieu, the New Orleans theater legend whose 60-year career included a stint as executive director of Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre and directing and acting roles at numerous local theatres. He was 86. Mr. Fontelieu's health had been failing in recent months, after suffering a fall. He was receiving care at Covenant Nursing Home where he died. His enormous presence in the community will be missed.
And speaking of theater, the Jefferson Performing Arts Society needs for all of its supporters to write to or call the members of the Jefferson Parish Council and the Parish President’s Office. The parish is soliciting proposals for an outside management firm to run the soon-to-be-completed JeffersonPerformingArtsCenter on Airline Highway instead of simply allowing JPAS and its very dedicated and hardworking Artistic Director Dennis Assaf run the facility. The Parish Council is scheduled to start looking at the proposals they receive by January 13.
COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS December 22,23 Throughout December, Christmas New Orleans Style offers up a series of free cooking demonstrations by some of the finest chefs from New Orleans’ most beloved restaurants. The Chef’s Holiday Cooking Demonstrations take place at Le Petit Theatre, on weekdays at 1:30 p.m. and last about 45 minutes.
Holiday Home Tours of the Williams Residence Visit the festively decorated residence and courtyard of General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, founders of The Historic New Orleans Collection. While there, browse through The Shop at The Collection for unique gift items on your holiday list, and visit The Collection's free exhibition Between Colony & State: Louisiana in the Territorial Period, 1803-1812. 533 Royal Street.
DREAMS COME TRUE: ART OF THE CLASSIC FAIRY TALES FROM THE WALT DISNEY STUDIO” AT NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART - New Orleans Museum of Art's Dreams Come True showcases original artwork from legendary Disney animated films, including Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, and will feature a children's section celebrating Disney's connections with jazz music and the Crescent City. The artworks, on loan from the Walt Disney Studio Animation Research Library, are accompanied by film clips to demonstrate how individual sketches and paintings lead to a finished celluloid masterpiece. Organized by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and the New Orleans Museum of Art, this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, which cannot be seen anywhere else, is set to coincide with the premier of Disney's upcoming animated feature, The Princess and the Frog, set in New Orleans during the 1920s Jazz Age.
Thursday, December 24 Carols and Choir @ St. Louis Cathedral Mass - Christmas New Orleans Style Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond will celebrate Mass, which will be televised live beginning at midnight on WLAE-TV, Channel 32. Masses Christmas Day will be at 9am and 11am. Doors will re-open at 11:15pm by the St. Louis Cathedral Choir under the direction of Dreux Montegut.
Mass at 5pm, preceded by a concert and carols at 4:30pm. Free.
Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Celebration - 2009 Enjoy a beautiful nighttime cruise on the Mississippi River with friends or family on the last Steamboat on the Mississippi River. In a beautifully decorated dining room a Jazz Trio serenades our guests while they enjoy a festive holiday buffet. Boarding begins at 6:00pm with a sentimental cruise downriver and back from 7:00-9:00pm. Reservations are required. Reserved seating.
(Viewing of the "Bonfires" can only be done by motorcoach as riverboats in New Orleans have discontinued that excursion. Please look at the Bonfire Adventure Tour at www.GrayLineNewOrleans.com)
Armand St. Martin @ Melange of The Ritz-Carlton Friday, December 25, 6:00 pm
12 Yats of Christmas Party feat. Benny Grunch & the Bunch @ Rock 'n Bowl Mid City LanesRock 'n Bowl Mid City Lanes 3000 S. Carrollton Ave.(504) 482-3133 phone
Saturday, December 26 through Sunday, December 27
Silent Night of the Lambs! Theatre Production @ Le Chat Noir
SILENT NIGHT OF THE LAMBS is written by Ryan Landry and stars Wesley Callaway, Jack Long, and Lisa Picone, with Brian Peterson as Santa Claus and Dorian Rush as Clarice. Sets are by Brad Caldwell, props by Liz Zibilich, and sound/video by Richard Read. SILENT NIGHT OF THE LAMBS plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 6pm from December 4 – 27, 2009. (No performance December 25.) All shows are held at Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans. Tickets are $26 for Friday and Saturday, and $21 for Sunday. All tickets include a $5 bar credit. Seating is limited, so reserve your tickets today by clicking right here or by calling 504 581 5812!
Saturday, December 26 through Sunday, February 14, 2010 Let Freedom Swing!@ The Stage Door Canteen at The National World War II Museum
All the songs and jazz, sass and swing of the 1940s in this original musical production starring The Victory Players! Eight terrific singers & dancers will put you In the Mood, with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Jukebox Saturday Night, Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen and dozens more – the songs that bolstered the spirit of our soldiers and citizens during the war years, at home and abroad. Dinner and Brunch packages are available.$30 Call 504-528-1943 to order.
Through Monday, December 28 Presented by Armand St. Martin Armand st. Martin sizzles on the Steinway at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans Melange every Sunday for the Sunday brunch at the Ritz, 10 am - 1 pm. St. Martin's original New Orleans roots styling’s and his classic covers create the perfect welcoming ambience for a wonderful dining experience at a luxury hotel.
Sunday, December 27
TrinityChurch presents
Joe "COOL" Davis 28th Annual Christmas Concert with his band. 5 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, December 29
UNCORK THE CURE
Cystic Fibrosis will present its annual fundraiser featuring Champagne tasting with live entertainment, food and dessert stations at Republic New Orleans, 828 St. Peters. VIP party will feature a live auction and high end champagne and sparkling wines.Contact: 455-5194
December 31 - January 3, 2010 3rd ANNUAL DANCE RENAISSANCE NEW YEARS FESTIVAL During Dance Renaissance New Year’s festival, you and your friends will enjoy an action-packed weekend of FOUR NIGHTS OF DANCING featuring local live music and professional performances throughout city wide locations.
All parties have a theme (Masquerade Ball, Mardi Gras, Vintage). In addition, on Saturday and Sunday, you will be able to attend optional WORKSHOPS in Swing, Salsa, Tango & more, taught by world-class teachers coming from all over the world.http://dancerenaissance.com/ December 31
New Year’s Eve 2009 Fireworks Cruise at Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, New Orleans, LA
Celebrate with a delicious dinner on the River before venturing into the Quarter for your
New Year’s Eve among the throngs of enthusiastic visitors and locals. Dressed in holiday attire the Steamboat offers a beautiful setting for a New Orleans buffet that includes soup, salad, fruit & cheese, carved items, a pasta station, desserts and much more. An optional bar is available with a staff of bartenders who can mix any and all of the concoctions made famous in New Orleans! Boarding opens at 6:00pm, Sailing 7:00-9:00pm, two dinner seatings. Reservations requested.
Thursday, Dec 31 9:00p to Friday, Jan 1 (2010) 1:00a New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball
at Vintage Uptown, New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Dance Renaissance Masquerade Ball is a dance event with live music.
Masques are highly encouraged. Evening dress or sophisticated costume required.
*Live Music featuring ZazouCity
*Professional Dance Performances by World Champion dancers
*Complimentary midnight toast and party favors
*View the Ball drop on our gigantic screen.Cash bar.*light buffet
Tickets:
$45 before December 1, $55 before December 27. read more
JANUARY 1, 2010
76th Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic: Celebrating its 76th anniversary, this year's Sugar Bowl game on January 1, 2010, features the University of Florida Gators from the Southeastern Conference and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats from the Big East Conference. This marks the first time that two top five teams have met in a non-championship Sugar Bowl since 1977. Last year's Sugar Bowl Classic's estimated economic impact was $167 million
The fifth-ranked Gators lost the Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama on Saturday night to end their 22-game winning streak and hope of winning a third national title in four seasons. The Gators last played in the Sugar Bowl in 2001, when they lost to Miami.
The unbeaten and fourth-ranked Bearcats (12-0) are making their second straight BCS appearance and will be playing in the Sugar Bowl for the first time.
January 6, 2010 through March 3, 2010
OPERA ON TAP @THE INN ON BOURBON The New Orleans Opera Association presents the finest young local and regional singers in casual, 90-minute concerts of opera, Broadway and more from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Inn on Bourbon, 541 Bourbon Street. Free
Wednesday, January 6
St. Joan of Arc Parade
6:00-7:30 p. m. Held on St. Joan's birthday, this Twelfth Night parade has a new route in its second year...from the Bienville statue at Conti to Chartres, across Jackson Square to St. Phillip and her birthday party at Joan's statue at Decatur.
PLease put in your calendar:
JANUARY 12 ROUND TABLE LUNCHEON
The guest speakers will be Mardi Gras author Arthur Hardy, and Gary Solomon of Le Petit Thatre and the Solomon Theatre Group. Entertainment by Becky Allen, Jim Walpole and Joshua Walker.
Windsor Court Hotel's The Polo Lounge The Polo Lounge- "Playin' at the Polo" weekly holiday music series featuring live music from some of the city's best local musicians seven nights a week. Windsor Court Hotel 2nd Floor, adjacent to The Grill Room
300 Gravier Street
Anais St. John With The Harry Mayronne Trio
Every Friday & Saturday Night 9 p.m. - Midnight Michael Pellera Solo Piano
Thursdays 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Zaza
Solo Piano
Sunday thru Wednesday
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel
Four (4) six foot tall nutcracker soldiers will guard the entrance to The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, which is decorated with four (4) twelve foot wreaths and one hundred feet of garland. The hotel is housed within a turn of the century Beaux Arts building that was formerly a department store and the exterior is framed in white lights, outlining the beauty of the fourteen-story facade. Step inside the first floor to see Santa Claus’ sleigh, with his initials “SC”, and a winter wonderland display. Another three hundred (300) feet of richly appointed garland accents the hotel’s historic crown molding throughout the hotel.
On the hotel’s third floor lobby level, dozens of individual Christmas trees of varying sizes and in an array of colors decorate the front desk, restaurants and lounges while a forty-foot version can be found in the hotel’s French Quarter style courtyard. Decorate in blue and gold, the colors of Ritz-Carlton, the tree is a focal point for the holidays. With a giant illuminated star on top, five hundred and forty (540) gold and cobalt blue ornaments and fifty (50) oversized gold-trimmed cobalt blue ribbons, the tree is the perfect backdrop for holiday photos. Holiday offerings include Papa Noel Children’s Tea, Victorian Teas, traditionally French Le Reveillion dinners and strolling historic characters. Life-Size Gingerbread House
Another unique holiday adornment is the life-size gingerbread house in the hotel’s lobby. This year marks the third annual life-size gingerbread house. Guests have to walk through the house to access the front desk as well as the restaurant and lounges. This year, the gingerbread house is modeled after a very famous historic landmark in the French Quarter.
