Darling friends,

 I have been having a ball attending the wonderful free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral , the cooking demostrations, the chorus concerts at the hotels. I even went to the Teddy Bear Tea at the Royal Sonesta and the children's visit  with Santa at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.  

I want to wish you all the warmest, healthy holiday- Happy Chanukah, Joyeux Noel and Bonne Natale, Feliz Navidad y un Prospero 2009

 I hope you have been enjoying the wonderful events that are so much part of our traditional “Christmas New Orleans Style,” many of which I am listing below. For more detailed information please visit http://www.christmasneworleansstyle.com/ .

December 23

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION

Jewish Community Center ,5342 St. Charles Avenue. The JCC's third annual Chanukah celebration and menorah lighting ceremonies includes a performance by children's music performers Shira Kline and ShirLaLa . Call 897-0143  for reservation. Free admission.

ROYAL TEDDY BEAR TEA
Royal Teddy Bear Tea offers children and adults a whimsical afternoon celebration featuring a full tea menu, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas storytelling and holiday sing-a-longs. Special treats include a keepsake cup and Royal Teddy Bear. Transformed into a magical wonderland, the Royal Sonesta will be brimming with holiday cheer and festive decorations. Two seatings at 11am and 3pm. Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., 504-553-2205; www.sonesta.com

December 23
Holiday Brunches at Begue's Restaurant

Seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. During the month-long celebration, the hotel is transformed into a Royal Winter Wonderland and special Papa Noel Rates can be enjoyed, beginning at $109 per night.

 December 23 - 28

 MUSIC AT DOS JEFES UPTOWN CIGAR BAR,5535 Tchoupitoulas St,(504) 891-8500 No Cover Charge

Tom Hook - Dec 23 9:30 p.m.
Gringo Dos Chorus- Dec 26 - 10p.m.
Evan Christopher- Dec 27
John Fohl - Dec 28

  
December 23-28

SCROOGE IN ROUGE! A British Music Hall Christmas Carol
Le Chat Noir,715 St. Charles Avenue, 8:00pm through Sunday, December 28 at 6:00pm
504-581-5812. lechat@bellsouth.net

Dec 23-26

MUSIC AT THE BOMBAY CLUB

  Johnny Angels and the Swinging Demons will be performing at the Bombay Club, 830 Conti Street, this Friday , starting at 9:30 p.m. Regularly on Sunday –Thursday,  local artist Philip Melancon entertains on the piano from 7–11 p.m. with R&B, original local melodies and a lot of fun. Phil is a great all-around entertainer who will make you laugh and feel good, so come on out and give him a good audience.

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 Dec 22- 23

Local choirs and New Orleans artists herald the season at St. Louis Cathedral with Cathedral Concerts of classical music, holiday carols, jazz, and gospel favorites in one of the country’s most historic churches. All concerts are FREE! They begin at 6 p.m. and last approximately one hour.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23
6:00 PM-7:00 PM
Reverend Lois J. Dejean, Queen of Gospel
and Mary Queen of Vietnam Church Choir

Through December 23

HOLIDAY CHOIRS IN THE COURTYARD 
Holiday Choirs by the Courtyard will be presented FREE! School choirs from across the Metro New Orleans area have once again been invited to perform in the main lobby of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The choirs are a tradition at the hotel, which is adorned in holiday finery for the season.

Tuesday, December 23 - Isidore Newman School

December 23

 FINAL GINGERBREAD TEA  AT INTERCONTINENTAL NEW ORLEANS

 The Gingerbread Tea features hot chocolate, tea, pastries, finger sandwiches and other sweet treats, along with seasonal entertainment including Story Time with Mrs. Clause, Gingerbread Cookie Decorating and photos with Santa from at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 23

 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY- House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street

 The NOCCA Institute, House of Blues, and the family of Daniel Price invite you to the 5th Annual Home for the Holidays at House of Blues New Orleans,225 Decatur Street from 6 to 10 p.m. . Home for the Holidays is a night of spectacular art and music benefiting the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists, which honors the memory of NOCCA alumnus Daniel Price. In keeping with Daniel’s twin passions of art and music, the Fund provides scholarships for outstanding visual arts and music students at NOCCA. (To learn more about the Fund, please visit www.DanielPriceMemorial.org.)

Home for the Holidays begins with a food-filled patron party from 6:00pm – 7:30pm, featuring an art auction and a very special performance by Irma Thomas. Patron tickets to Home for the Holidays are $125 and entitle patrons to a buffet dinner and open bar. 

Home for the Holidays continues from 7:30pm - midnight with the official Home for the Holidays concert, featuring performances by Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, and special guests Jonathan Batiste, John Boutte, Rockin’ Dopsie, and Amanda Shaw. General admission tickets to the concert are $30 and entitle guests to a complimentary Abita beer. To purchase patron and general admission tickets, or for additional information, please visit www.HOB.com/neworleans or call 504 310 4999.

Through January 4
Miracle on Fulton Street
Harrah's Fulton Square (Fulton and Lafayette streets) hosts a winter wonderland lights and decoration featuring faux snow, live music holiday decors, beverages,Santa photos and more. Every hour, starting at noon until January 4. FREE.

December 23& December 24

PRESERVATION HALL PRESENTS THE THIRD ANNUAL “CREOLE CHRISTMAS” CONCERT

Concert times at 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM. Advance tickets available. 504-522-2841.

 December 23

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG with John and Tom Fischer (clarinet and sax).

All Holiday music, bring the kids! The Columns is always decorated beautifully to the max. We hand out lyrics, so you won’t have to forget the second verse. You can bring a dessert if you would like to, all musicians welcome to come up and play a Christmas or Chanukah song with us. First set is 8 to 9:30, second is 10 to 11 pm.

COLUMNS HOTEL- 3811 St. Charles Ave, in New Orleans

December 24

Christmas Eve on the Steamboat NATCHEZ
Celebrate under the stars of the Mississippi River. Enjoy our Steamboat Jazz Trio, holiday décor, festive holiday buffet and a beer, wine, and select open bar. From the heart of the French Quarter, our authentic steamboat takes you back to the holidays of New Orleans in the 1800s. Reservations required. Boarding opens at 6:30pm, Sailing 7:30pm - 9:30pm.Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River - Toulouse Street Wharf, Adjacent to Jax Brewery-504-586-8777 / 800-233-2628; www.steamboatnatchez.com
 
December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE AT ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL
Come celebrate, as we have for generations, by capping off your Christmas Eve with the pageantry of the traditional Midnight Mass. Doors open at 11:15pm. Christmas carols, with the St. Louis Cathedral Concert Choir, begin at 11:30p. Vigil Mass at 5pm on the 24th. Christmas carols with the St. Louis Cathedral Boy choir begin at 4:30p. On Christmas Day, Masses will be at 9am and 11am. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square at Chartres St.504-525-9585.Free

December 24

THE LUNCH BOX IN THE MUSICIANS VILLAGE
Join Liese's Living Room and the Village Copper Thieves for a weekly picnic with free live music in the 1800 block of Bartholomew Street (three blocks north of Claiborne Avenue). Bring your lunch from 11:30 A.M. to 1p.m. and hang out in the heart of the Musicians Village with neighbors and volunteers who are continuing to build the village. This week, the Copper Thieves will be singing classic holiday songs for their special Christmas Eve show

December 24

Christmas Eve "Bonfire Adventure"
Celebrate a time honored Louisiana tradition! This Gray Line adventure includes a narrated motor coach tour, a guided tour of a River Road Plantation, a "Cajun Country" dinner, and viewing the bonfires that light the way for Papa Noel (our Cajun Santa Claus). Some walking necessary. Advance guaranteed reservations required - call early.3pm-9pm. Buses depart from The Lighthouse at Toulouse St and the Mississippi River. 800-535-7786 / 504-569-1401
www.graylineneworleans.com

Through December 24

SEASONAL CHARACTERS AND SPECIALS

Through Christmas Eve, historic and seasonal characters will roam the streets singing and being jolly to set the mood. Participating businesses will open with each having something unique to offer from author book signings on Jackson Square to champagne on Royal Street each Saturday in December. Special holiday shopping hours are 6–9 p.m.

Through December 24

CHORAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL

New Orleans area school students will present holiday choral entertainment in the lobby of the InterContinental New Orleans in the 400 block of St. Charles Avenue on weekdays during the lunch hour. Guests can enjoy a festive lunch featuring holiday specials in the Veranda and hear the wonderful sounds of the holiday season. The following school's choirs will present in the hotel lobby: 

12:30 p.m. St. Michael's Special School
         
Through December 24

EVENTS AT THE RITZ CARLTON
A life-sized Gingerbread House, will welcome guests throughout the holidays at the Ritz Carlton on Canal Street.  On their way to “Mélange On Trois,” adults can wander through and remember the awe and wonder they felt during Christmastime when they were 10 years old! 

At the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Cynthia Weisinger welcomes potential members into THE LIBRARY,”A Private Cigar Club”.  Interested parties should contact Cynthia at 524-1331 for a tour and information.  She can also be reached by email at:  cynthia.weisinger@ritzcarlton.com .  A membership makes a very affordable Christmas present!
 
Performing musicians are, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Early evening, George French; Later evening, Jeremy Davenport; Sunday Brunch: Armand St Martin.

December 25

MARVA WRIGHT'S CHRISTMAS PARTY @ TIPITINA'S (UPTOWN)501 Napoleon Ave. 
With special guests Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Rockin' Dopsie Jr., and many more
If you haven't heard her music yet, the name is Marva Wright. Whether performing on stage at concerts, niteclubs, riverboats, hotel ballrooms, casinos, conventions, television and radio, Marva sings from her heart and soul. 895-8477,$15

December 26

Obituary Cocktail Society

Meeting this Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. at French 75 at Arnauld's Restaurant French 75 Bar at Arnauld's 813 Bienville St,  523-5433 (Complimentary hors d' oeuvre will be served)

 December 27
 HUBBELL LIBRARY'S 101 ST  BIRTHDAY BASH  FEATURING  ROCKIN' DOPSIE, JR. AND THE ZYDECO 
Celebrate the 101st birthday of Hubbell Libary,725 Pelican Ave,  with live music, Hors D'Ouevres and open bar. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. 8 P.M. 504-596-2640

Rockin' has boogied with James Brown, packed the House of Blues, played at the White House, and traveled to more cities than a Greyhound.   
December 28
JO "COOL" DAVIS'S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR.
Jo “COOL” Davis, the most popular New Orleans gospel singer and Friends presents his  Annual Christmas Spectacular at 5:00 pm. Free at Trinity Episcopal Church and School.
1329 Jackson Avenue,504-522-0276 phone
 

 December  29
Charmaine Neville & Friends: New Orleans R&B
Snug Harbor, 626 Frenchmen. Admission. Call 504-949-0696

December 29

UNCORK THE CURE.

Republic New Orleans, 828 St. Peters. The Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis revives classic Hollywood for the annual Champagne benefit for the foundation, featuring the live music, silent auction food and more. Call 455-5194 for reservation.   

Through December 30

HOLIDAY HOME AND COURTYARD TOURS
The Historic New Orleans Collection is presenting Holiday Home & Courtyard Tours, Tuesday–Saturday at 10 & 11 a.m., 2 & 3 p.m. Admission is $5 per person or free for THNOC members. Visit the festively decorated residence and courtyard of General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, founders of The Historic New Orleans Collection. Browse through The Shop at The Collection for unique gift items on your holiday list. 

Through December 30 

Beauregard-Keyes House in Holiday Trim

Step into Christmas past for a look at the House in Venetian style trim. Dressed in greenery velvet ribbons and lace, hourly tours include the 1826 house, Frances Parkinson Keyes' doll collection, folk costumes, and fans. 10am - 3pm Monday - Saturday, Close at noon on December 13, 24, 31. 1113 Chartres St. $5, $4 for Students & seniors, $3 for children 6-12 

December 30th

Come to the Degas House and enjoy French wines with food pairings from the time of French Impressionist Master Edgar Degas. 

They  are teaming up with Swirl Wines, and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SOFAB). The menu of traditional creole dishes of 1870 New Orleans is being prepared by Chef de Cuisine Josh Garic of Vega Tapas Cafe. Swirl is also providing an Absinthe station for all guests to enjoy. This may be the most unique food and wine pairing you will find in the city that is known for its "distinctive" celebrations!

The Degas House ,2306 Esplanade Avenue-6:30-8:30 pm- $45 Reservations and Prepayment Required. You can purchase tickets by calling (504) 304-0635 or (504) 821-5009 .The cut off to purchase tickets is Friday, December 26th. 24hrs cancellation notice required.
 

December 31

Noon Year's Eve at Audubon Zoo

Come on down and ring in the new year with all your friends at Audubon Zoo.Audubon Zoo members get in free! This fun-filled event is a family celebration to ring in the New Year on “Noon Year' Audubon Zoo is located at 6500 Magazine Street in New Orleans. Admission to the Noon Year's Eve event is included in regular admission.

December 31

Kids' New Year's Eve Party
The Louisiana Children's Museum's New Year's Eve Party is back! The Museum celebrates with a countdown to noon, a confetti drop and a balloon launch. Paper bag, party hats, bow ties, and live music add to the festivities. Please call 504.523.137 for more information or visit www.lcm.org  9:30am - 2:30pm; Countdown at noon. 420 Julia St. 504-523-1357; www.lcm.org
$8 for nonmembers, $2 for members

December 31

New Year's Eve on the Steamboat NATCHEZ
Your favorite New Year's memory! Enjoy good food, good spirits, dancing to renowned band "IVY", party favors, and the best seat in town for the community-sponsored midnight Fireworks Show. Docked in the French Quarter, our authentic steamboat and its terrific crew will make this night one to remember. Reservations required! Boarding opens at 9:30pm, Sailing 10:30pm - 12:30am. Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River - Toulouse Street Wharf, Adjacent to Jax Brewery, 504-586-8777 / 800-233-2628;www.steamboatnatchez.com

December 31
A NOLA New Year's Eve
The Crescent City Countdown Club will present the traditional New Year's Eve festivities in the New Orleans French Quarter including live local music and a gumbo pot drop to launch the midnight barrage of fireworks over the Mississippi River. 9 pm-12 midnight, Jackson Square in the French Quarter,This is a Free event. www.crescentcitycountdown.com . Please call (985) 630-4604 for more information or visit www.crescentcitycountdown.com. Admission is free and begins at 9 p.m.

Through January 18
Prospect 1 New Orleans
Installation by Rosângela Rennó, Wednesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday, 10:30–4:30 p.m., Brulatour Courtyard, 520 Royal Street. Rennó’s installation is a video display that features four members of Louisiana’s French-speaking Creole communities. Rennó was motivated to create this piece upon viewing The Collection’s 2007 exhibition What’s Cooking in New Orleans? Culinary Traditions of Louisiana and has described her work as “a very humble homage to Louisiana.”

Through February 20
A Closer Look: The Antebellum Photographs of Jay Dearborn Edwards, 1858–1861
Williams Gallery, 533 Royal Street. The Historic New Orleans Collection presents an exhibition of the earliest-known paper photographs of New Orleans. A Closer Look features three dozen images of a thriving southern city on the brink of the Civil War.

Through February 20 
Cajun Document, 1974: Photographs by Charles H. Traub and Douglas Baz
Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street. For six months in 1974, New Yorkers Charles H. Traub and Douglas Baz lived in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and photographed the community and the surrounding countryside. Their collective work encompassed hundreds of images that depict the land, people, and life patterns of Louisiana’s Cajuns. This exhibition is a selection of 30 images from that series.

Through March 1

NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART   
NOMA presents “Photography and Depression,” an examination of depression in all its forms, including mental and financial, through 82 works from the Museum's permanent collection.
 
Featured artists represent a who's who of photography, including Ansel Adams, William Eggleston, Walker Evans, Andrew Feininger, Lewis Hine, Dorothea Lange, Danny Lyon, Eadweard Muybridge, George Tice, Alfred Steiglitz, Weegee and many more.
 
The works are accompanied by text excerpted from Culture and Depression, a 1985 book by Dr. Arthur M. Kleinman, the distinguished professor, psychiatrist, medical and social anthropologist based at Harvard University.

Weekly

“PLAYIN’ AT THE POLO” at the Windsor Court

The Polo Club Lounge, “Playin’ At The Polo,” featuring popular local musicians performing a repertoire of sophisticated jazz is presenting the following:

Friday: Vocalist Leah Chase, 9 p..m. – 12 Midnight

Saturday: Cabaret singer Anais St. John
Thursday, Friday & Saturday: Pianist Michael Pellera, 7-11 p.m. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Fridays, 6-9 p.m. Saturday

Sunday –Wednesday: Pianist Jim Harris, 6–10 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: Christopher Kohl Trio, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

 Now through January 4, Le Salon is open 7 days a week with seatings at 11:00am, 2:00pm & 4:30pm to ensure you can take advantage of this special annual tradition of taking tea and viewing our fragrant 15 foot Christmas tree and vibrant poinsettias.

The hotel is offering very special Holiday Packages:  

Margarita Bergen,Realtor, LATTER & BLUM INC.  811 Marigny Street, Unit C New Orleans, Louisiana 70117 Tel/504-947-0555 Cell 504-495-9181 Fax/504-940-6201