Darling friends, I hope all the fathers and grandfathers had a great Father’s Day.  As the French would said” Hooray’L’Ete Est Arrive’ and in New Orleans with Summer upon us, as you know we try very hard to stay cool! This past week was one of those weekend in which I just could not do all the fun events that I was planning to do. I know I do not have to do them, but each event is very special to me and that is what happened to me this Saturday when I wanted to attend the French American Chamber of Commerce’s Louisiana Chapter’s Summer French Wines Festival and Garden Party at the historic Degas House on Esplanade. I think I was there for about 10 minutes to take photos, sip a little wine, taste the delicious food prepared by some of the best restaurants of New Orleans, say hello to my friends and move on to the next event: The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual Gala and Silent auction titled “Under the Maya Moonlight”at the JW Marriott.  The Gala presented the “Excelencia” Awards to               Business Leader of the Year Mr. Jose Suquet, President and CEO of Pan-American Life and to  former CEO G. Frank Purvis, Jr. received the Lifetime Achievement in Business.  The band “the Four Latins” kept the guests dancing including me. Darlings, by the time the awards were presented, it was too late for me to attend “Bourbon and Burlesque” at the Center for Contemporary Arts. I understand it was a lot of fun. I also missed attending the last the spring Concert in the Courtyard of the Historic Collection ‘s but I understand that Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys thrilled audiences for the final spring Concert in the Courtyard. The crowd of more than 300 people enjoyed mint juleps made with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon. The Collection would take a break during the summer  but mark your calendars for fall's fantastic line-up: ·                         September 18: Rebirth Brass Band, with selections by NOLA Brewing Company  ·                         October 16: Marva Wright, with cocktails sponsored by Zea Rotisserie & Grill   ·                         November 20: Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, with cocktails sponsored by Old New Orleans Rum. Don't forget, you can see all of these shows for free just by becoming a member of The Historic New Orleans Collection. Call (504) 598-7109 for more details. Online registration is now open for the New Orleans Antiques Forum 2009: “In Search of Southern Style.” Registration packages range from $100 to $200 and the deadline is July 15. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today.. You may also call (504) 523-4662 to register by phone.    This week, there are a lot of fun events as well   Tuesday, June 23 French Quarter Business Women's Network Meeting Come hear District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro speak at the FQBWN from 11:30 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. at Carmelo’s Restaurant, 541 Decatur Street. Cost $35..00/person for 3-course lunch. For reservations call Christine Sory at 648   Tuesday, June 23,St John's Eve Headwashing Ceremony in honor of Marie Laveau Host: Sallie Ann Glassman-Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm at Bayou St John  Footbridge by Cabrini High School-Please wear all-white with a white headscarf (it will get dirty) and bring an offering for Marie Laveau. 5049489961    June 23 THE NEW ORLEANS FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS DOCUMENTARY “OUTRAGE”  Closeted Politicians with Appalling Gay Rights Voting Records - From Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick comes OUTRAGE, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. OUTRAGE probes deeply into the psychology of this double lifestyle, the ethics of outing closeted politicians, the double standards that the media upholds in its coverage of the sex lives of gay public figures, and much more.. 90 min. www..outragethemovie.com. The director will be in attendance. Q&A to follow the screening. 8p.m. Prytania Theater,5339 Prytania Street, New Orleans   June 23 The Canada - U.S. Economic Partnership and Its Impact on Louisiana at the World Trade Center   A Luncheon Program Featuring Hon. Norris Pettis,Consul General of Canada,Dallas, Texas  at Plimsoll Club,11:30 a.m. networking reception.12:00 presentation and Q & A..The Plimsoll Club, 30th Floor,World Trade Center.(Free validated parking in the WTC Garage) For registration: rwilbanks@wtcno.ccsend.com  June 23 GET CONNECTED Maria Muro, Publisher, cordially invites you to Get Connected, a networking & social for professionals -Tuesday, June 23 • 5:30-7:30 p.m. Zoe at W New Orleans,333 Poydras Street, 2nd floor.Enjoy a complimentary tasting of wines, courtesy of Palm Bay Imports, hors d’oeuvres and informal modeling by The Red Carpet,RSVP to cheryl@livingneworleans.com Please include name, title, business and email address.   June 24 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Network Meeting Are you interested in doing business with the Hispanic market? Both domestically as well as in Latin America ??? . If you answered “Yes,” then come and meet owners of large and small businesses, both Hispanic and Non-Hispanic, importers, exporters, and a wide variety industries including the Hispanic media of New Orleans, old established companies as well as those new to the marketplace. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Treasure Chest Casino, 5050 Williams Blvd. Kenner, La. Free admission, Cash Bar and complimentary Hors D’ oeuvres.   Wednesday, June 24 COLLECTING 101; "Looking Good: How to Present and Protect Your Art" Local experts show and tell about art presentation and protectionPanelists will discuss how to make your art look as good in your home and office as it did in the gallery through placement, lighting and framing.And, in light of hurricane season, how to protect your collections through conservation, appraisals, documentation and insurance will be explored.6 to 8 p.m. Panelists include: John Fowler, appraiser; Richard White, conservator;John Pecorino, art installation; Richard McCabe, art lighting; Vicky Fraser, framing, Blue Horse Studios; and Bruce Nesbitt, Eustis Insurance. John Fowler will moderate the session. Ogden Museum of Southern Art,925 Camp St.,504.539.9618,sspicer@ogdenmuseum.org     Wednesday, June 24 Celebrity Bartender Bash at La Thai Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a signature drink created by our celebrity bartenders! 5--7 pm Tales of the Cocktail Angels Michelle Dunnick, Christina Gaspari & Melissa Young with special guest Tony Leggio    Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a signature drink created by our celebrity bartenders! Located at 4938 Prytania St,   June 24 WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT THE JW MARRIOTT Experience an evening of cultural indulgences from 5:30-8 p.m. at the JW Marriott Lobby Lounge featuring works by local artist Jose Luis Rodriguez (Artwork by Jose Luis Rodriguez including his New Collections of Hats and Handbags) and live entertainment by Live Entertainment by: *Riccardo Crespo*(Brazilian musician, singer and songwriter who plays acoustic guitar and harmonica) . Spirit Tasting and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.Wednesday Nights at the JW Marriott       Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, July 11 The Comedy Of Errors @ Shakespeare Festival at Tulane   The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane continues its16th season of professional theatre with The Comedy of Errors (June 25 - July 11). Director Lorenzo Gonzalez will transport us to the fascinating multi-cultural world of 1750s New Orleans, with this bawdy, hilarious farce. $12.50-$35.00 buy tickets.Call 504.865.5105 ext 2 to order    Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, August 29   Jeremy Davenport @ The Davenport Longe | Ritz-Carlton New Orleans  Every week experience not only pure entertainment, but also an introduction to a lifestyle - a jazzy, swanky, sexy way of life. Let Jeremy Davenport fill your soul and ears with tunes and beats from the old and new. A must see when in New Orleans! Jeremy preforms in The Davenport Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans every Thursday (5:30pm), Friday (9pm) + Saturday (9pm).Free- No cover charge                                  June 24 ANNIE LEIBOVITZ IN FILM Mid-Week in Mid-City Presents Film: Annie Leibovitz (Stern Auditorium)"Take a peek into the illustrious career of one of today's most prolific photographers, Annie Leibovitz. The film depicts the various phases that shaped her life while tracing her photographic life....  The event is free to Louisiana residents. 6 p.m. NOMA, 1 Collins Diboll Circld, City Park. 504-658-4100. June 25 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS Chase Bank Junior Achievement  Business Hall of Fame Dinner  and Award Ceremony  is taking place at 6:30 p.m. at the newly renovated Roosevelt Hotel, 123 Baronne Street.. The event will honor five local enterpreneurs: Dickie Brennan, Leon Fulton, George Rodrigue, Arthur Rogers, Roland T. Von Kurnatowski. For reservation call: 504-569-8658 or e-mail melissa@jagno.org June 25 Thursday, June 25 THURSDAYS AT TWILIGHT Symphony Chorus are performing at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters, New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6:00. $6 admission.       Thursday, June 25 through Sunday, June 28 Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Over the Top! @ New Orleans Arena Over the Top is a wacky and whimsical circus spectacular where dogs fly, Asian Elephants stomp, hop and groove and one courageous man stands eye to eye with a pack of powerful Bengal tigers! $15-$85 buy tickets.Call 1-800-745-3000 to order   June 26 NEW ORLEANS MEDICAL MISSION SERVICES'MISSION POSSIBLE" Generation Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins, will be the setting for the Fundraiser Gala of NOMMS at 7 p.m. The Yat Pack, will be the musical entertainment and there will be live and silent auction throughout the night. $60 per person. for reservation call 504-392=1934 MUSIC OFFERING AT DOS JEFES UPTOWN CIGAR BAR- NO COVER CHARGE Dosjefescigarbar.com DOS JEFES UPTOWN CIGAR BAR 5535 TCHOUPITOULAS ST. N.O.,L.A. (504) 891 - 8500 dosjefescigarbar.com TUE., 6/23 - JOE KROWN @ 9 30 WED., 6/24 - BOB ANDREWS @ 9 30 THUR., 6/25 - TODD DUKE @ 9 30 FRI., 6/26 - THE ERIC TRAUB TRIO @10 SAT., 6/27 - SUNPIE & THE LA. SUNSPOTS @ 10 MON., 6/29 - JOHN FOHL @ 9 30 TUE., 6/30 - JOE KROWN @ 9 30   ***HAPPY HOUR*** HAS EXPANDED TO 7 DAYS $2.50 HEINER BRAU PINTS;$3 HI-BALLS;$4 MARTINIS, MARGARITAS... Thursday, June 25    OGDEN AFTER HOURS FEATURING Ogden After Hours - Charles Moore's Birthday Celebration (Jazz) Come and join the Museum for a birthday celebration with Charles  Moore and the New Orleans Jazz All Stars.       6-8 p.m. in the Ogden Museum's Stephen Goldring Hall.      MUSIC OFFERINGS AT IRVIN MAYFIELD'S PLAYHOUSE  One of the best jazz clubs in the Big Easy, Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon Street,  has quickly become the hottest place in town to enjoy authentic New Orleans jazz music.   All performances begin at 8 pm, and there is no cover. June Performance Schedule: Tuesday         Jason Marsalis Wednesday     Irvin Mayfield’s NOJO Jam Session Thursday         Johnaye Kendrick Friday             Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown Saturday         Shannon Powell Quartet                                     Monday           Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz  Band                                  MUSIC OFFERING AT  The Polo Club Lounge at Windsor Court  - - No cover Charge Live Music 7 Nights a Week! The Leah Chase Trio-Friday 9 PM - Midnight Saturdays-Anais St. John With The Harry Mayronne Trio- 9 PM – Midnight Vocalist Sasha Masakowski --9 PM – Midnight Michael Pellera-Solo Piano-Thursdays 7 PM - 11 PM Fridays and Saturdays 6 PM – 9 PM Zaza-Solo Piano-Sunday thru Wednesday-7 PM – 11 PM   MUSIC LISTING AT THE BOMBAY CLUB- NO COVER CHARGE Monday- Thursday- Dave Armstrong.6 p.m. Friday June 26th Ray Solis & Magic Jazz & R&B 9:30pm Saturday June 27th Judy Spellman Trio Jazz & R&B 9:30pm       MUSIC LISTINGS AT THE RITZ CARLTON on TROIS : JEREMY DAVENPORT-  at 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Catherine Anderson - Sat and Sun at 1 p.m. Armand St. Martin -10 a.m. Sunday   Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Jeremy Davenport at the Davenport Lounge   Through Friday, June 26 CROWNS @ ANTHONY BEAN COMMUNITY THEATER $17-$20 Call 504-862-7529 to order The Anthony Bean Community Theater celebrates the generations of "Hat Queens" whose hats fuse faith and fashion in the hit musical play, "Crowns" by Regina Taylor. The theater is located at 1333 South Carrollton Ave, corner of Willow Street in New Orleans uptown Riverbend area. The Theater/Box Office phone number is 504-862-7529. Anthony Bean directs the play. The Musical Director is Joel Britton and the show is choreographed by Kesha McKey. The cast is led led by actress Pat McGuire Hill, a veteran of New Orleans stages for over 40 years, she portrays Mother Shaws. Leah Rouege, a familiar face on ABCT's Youth stage, will portray Yolanda and another veteran actress Donna King will play the role of Jeanette.Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $17.00 for students and seniors, and are available by calling the Box Office at (504) 862-7529 or you may charge on line at www.anthonybeantheater.com      Friday, June 26 OBITUARY COCKTAIL Obers will gather as usual from 6 to 7 p.m. at Markey's Bar, 640 Louisa Street anhd Royal St.504-943-0785 Friday, June 26 SUZAUNE & COMPANY 9:30 – 12:30, by special request Suzaune & Company will be performing at Dino’s again at 1128 Tchoupitoulas St. 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Exotic Chantause Suzaune McKeney will  have a full backing of 4 musicians, so come on down and help make it a fun evening.   June 26 through Sunday, July 5 VALLEY OF THE DOLLS @ LE CHAT NOIR Running With Scissors brings to life everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure:  (Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 6pm) Tickets: Fridays & Saturdays $26 (include $5 drink credit) Tickets: Sundays $21 (include $5 drink credit) Reservations by phone: Call 504-581-5812 (phone hours are 2-6pm Tues-Sat and 2-4pm Sundays.) Parking: Le Chat Noir parking next door is valid only when $2 parking pass (purchased at the ticket desk) is displayed on dash of vehicle. Park one hour before show time through end of event.        Saturday,June 27 PALMER PARK’S ARTS MARKET Presented by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the Arts Market is a monthly arts market held the LAST Saturday of every month. Located at Palmer Park in the lovely Carrollton Section of Uptown New Orleans (At the corner of two well trafficked streets, S. Claiborne Ave and S. Carrollton Ave,) the Arts Market is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and has no admission charge.   June 28 TRINITY ARTIST SERIES PRESENT IX ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL Over 200 performers including Navy Band New Orleans, Delfeayo Marsalis, Albinas Prizgintaslbinas Prizgintas, organist, on the magnificent 5000 pipes Trinity organ, (one of the organs jewel of the South!)Deacon John Moore,  the Pfister Sisters,    Fredy Omar,The New Orleans Trombone Choir, pianist Robert Jonathan Siegel, and many others. Rousing Patriotic Music by Souza, Gershwin, and other. FREE to all –Reception Following. From 3 p.m. till 6 p.m. Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue.