I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration surrounded by your loved ones. Two weeks ago, while I was at the SPCA fundraiser, my darling dog Tito had a stroke and now is unable to stand up or walk. I spent part of Sunday at the AnimalEmergencyHospital doing all kind of tests and he has not recovered yet so I need you to pray for his speedy recovery.
On a happy note, I took Tito Lindo to the lightining of Harrah's "Miracle on Fulton Street.".We enjoyed the snow, the beautiful decorated Christmas trees, the Santa and the party following the ceremony. . We also enjoyed the lightings along Canal Street. Make sure that you come to experience and sense the beautiful decorations and "Christmas New Orleans Style." Celebrate the spirit of our city along with twinkling lights, festive iron-laced balconies, strolling historical characters, free cooking demostrations by our legendary local chefs, our traditional reveillon dinners and garland decked streetcars. Please visit www.Christmasneworleansstyle.com
New Orleans Ballet Theatre is doing its holiday magic by presenting the first "Nutcraker" of the Season." This Season's Sugaplums is being presented Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Roussel Hall, LoyolaUniversity. Info: 504-210-0222. visit
In the spirit of celebrating the Thanksgiving holidays and the return of the Annual Bayou Classic to New Orleans, the French Market is presenting three days of exciting music that our visitors and local can enjoy.
On Friday November 28 the French Market celebrates Tuba Tuba Tuba 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. honoring Tuba Fats for the second year. Kirk Joseph has assembled ten of New Orleans’ well known sousaphonists to entertain visitors and locals all day in and around the French Market. The sousaphone players will consist of Kirk Joseph, Anders Osborne, John “Papa” Gros, Phil Frazier, Big Sam, Matt Perrine, Big Al Carson, Craig Klein, Tin Men and Magnetic Ear.
There will be jazz performances throughtout the French Market on Friday, November 28, Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30 from 11 a.m. to 5: 00 pm. All locals and visitors are encouraged to Come Back to the Heart of New Orleans and kick off the holidays.
On Friday, November 28 the Bayou Classic: Battle of the Bands and Greek Show will be at the Louisiana Superdome at 7 p.m. $15. To buy tickets, call 504-522-5555.
Beginning Thanksgiving Day, the life-sized Gingerbread House, will welcome guests throughout the holidays at the Ritz Carlton . On their way to Mélange On Trois, adults wander through and remember the awe and wonder they felt during Christmastime when they were 10 years old! Not counting the labor of 4 Pastry Chefs and 4 Engineers spending 5 days to erect the house, just the ingredients cost over $31,000.
This Friday, November 27, the Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting from 6-7 p.m.. at The Lobby Bar at the JW Marriott Hotel, 614 Canal St. Phone 525-6500.
The renowned French Quarter Artist Fredrick Guess will be doing a group oil painting of Obers, at Obituary Cocktail gatherings. Prints made from the painting will be available at his gallery in the 900 block of Royal Street within the next few months. In preparation to do the painting Freddy will be attending Obit gatherings during the next few months to take pictures of the group and individuals attending Obit.
The Polo Club Lounge, “Playin’ At The Polo,” featuring popular local musicians performing a repertoire of sophisticated jazz is presenting the following
Sundays – Wednesdays: Pianist Jim Harris, 6–10 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: Christopher Kohl Trio,11 a.m.–2 p.m.
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!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Early evening, George French; Later evening, Jeremy Davenport; Sunday Brunch: Armand St Martin.
Until Sunday, December 7. THE SEAFARER by Conor McPherson, directed by Mark Routhier at Southern Repertory Theater, 365 Canal St. Canal Place Center, 3rd floor. Phone 504-891-8332.
At the Bombay Club,830 Conti Street, Sunday - Wednesday Nov 23rd – 26th Local artist Phillip Melancon on the piano 7 – 11pm R&B, original local melodies.Thursday Nov 27th No Music – OPEN from 1 – 8pm for Thanksgiving dinner
Saturday, November 29 -XXXV State Farm Bayou Classic, between Louisiana rivals Southern and GramblingState.Lousiana Superdome at 1 p.m.$46-$25
Arts Market of New Orleans is this Saturday, November 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Palmer Park, S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne avenues in Carrollton. Presented by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the Arts Market is a monthly arts market held the LAST Saturday of every month. Free and open to the public!
Tom Varisco and collaborators sign "Signs of New Orleans" on Saturday, November 29th at 6 p.m. at Octavia Books 513 Octavia Street,504.899.7323
On Saturday, November 29, JPAS Theatre Kids! Program Presents THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!
Sixty Children from Three Parishes Bring this Kid's Classic to Life.Two alternating casts of kids will perform THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER,by Barbara Robinson Saturday and Sunday, November 29 & 30 and December 6 & 7
at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Avenue in Westwego.
Saturday performances are at 10AM and 7:30PM with Sunday performances at PM.
Tickets are $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors, Military and Students (with valid ID) and $10 for Children 12 and under. Call 504.885.2000 or visit www.jpas.org to reserve tickets.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, Nov 30
OnSunday, November 30 the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival presents Confederacy of Dunces Reading at Le Chat Noir,715 St. Charles Ave. (504) 581-5812 phone
Television, film and stage actor John “Spud” McConnell will join director Perry Martin to play Ignatius J. Reilly in a costumed staged reading of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces with scenes adapted by W. Kenneth Holditch. The rest of this hilarious event will showcase a who's who of the New Orleans Theatre Community. Surrounding McConnell on stage will be Becky Allen, Shirl Cieutat, Bob Edes, Francine Segal, and Nell Nolan. $35-$50. Two performances at 3 and 6 p.m.Call – 1-(800) 990- FEST (3378) to book your tickets, or go to www.tennesseewilliams.net Please email boxoffice@tennesseewilliams.net for ticketing requests, or additional information.
On Sunday, November 30, Tipitina's Foundation Presents "Music Workshop Series" Featuring Leslie Smith at Tipitina's Uptown at 12:30 p.m.FREE!
Trinity Artist Series Presents Ruth Bakke With Austen Travis at Trinity Episcopal Church and School, 1329 Jackson Avenue. 504-522-0276. On Sunday, November 30 at 5 p.m., from Norway: Ruth Bakke, organist/composer and Austen Travis, percussionist, will present a unique program with organ, percussion and visuals.
Sunday, November 30- United Way of New Orleans Presents: Biggest Catch in the Big Easy at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street at 6 p.m. (504) 310-4999
Biggest Catch in the Big Easy, a Benefit for the St. Bernard Project, will feature Captain Keith Colburn of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch". 100% of proceeds will go to benefit the St. Bernard Project, a community based rebuilding non-profit that has rebuilt 154 homes in St. Bernard Parish. Tickets are $50.
On Monday, December 1, New Orleans Friends of Music present the highly acclaimed Weilerstein Trio, the trio-in-residence at the New England Conservatory of Music, at 8 p.m. at TulaneUniversity’s Dixon Hall, 6823 St. Charles Ave. (504) 865-5000.
FromMonday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 23, Holiday Choirs by the Courtyard will be presentedat the Royal Sonesta. FREE!
As the holiday season approaches, 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 in the heart of the French Quarter. The choirs are a tradition at the Royal Sonesta, which is adorned in holiday finery for the season. Guest schools include: St. Cletus Elementary School, Kehoe-FranceSchool, ClearwoodJunior High School, De La Salle High School, Kehoe-FranceSchool, St.DominicElementary School, St. Pius X School, St. Louis King of France, St. Phillip Neri School, Lady of Prompt Succor, McDonogh 35 High School, Archbishop Chapelle, UrsulineAcademy, and IsidoreNewmanSchool.
Monday, December 1, from 6 –7 p.m. will be An Evening with Irvin Mayfield at St. Louis Cathedral.
On Tuesday, December 2, the Royal Sonesta Hotel presents the 3rd Annual Lighting of the Balconies & Holiday Party
Festive Holiday Fare & Cheerful Libations 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Lighting Ceremony Begins at 6:30 p.m.
On December 2 & 3, Sounds of the Season Flower Show will be at thePavilion of the Two Sisters, New OrleansBotanical Garden, CityPark.. The Federated Council of New Orleans Garden Clubs, Inc. and Jefferson Parish Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. present a holiday flower show "Sounds of the Season." The flower show opens to the public on December 2 at 1 p.m.. with a tea and will be open until 4 p.m. It is open on December 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The show features beautiful holiday designs, horticulture, youth and educational exhibits. The show is free with admission to the New OrleansBotanical Garden.
Also on December 2, the Royal Sonesta Hotel will celebrate the Lighting of the Balconies. You can watch this grand spectacle in the 300 block of Bourbon Street between Bienville and Conti streets at 6:30 p.m., followed by a second line parade led by the Treme Brass Band, with a special appearance by Santa Claus and a Holiday Choir performance.A wonderful way to kick off the Holiday Season in the French Quarter!
Tuesday, December 2-In conjunction with The Historic New Orleans Collection's 14th annual Williams Research Center Symposium: The Acadian Diaspora, The Collection will present two exhibitions on Cajun culture in Louisiana:
Cajun Document, 1974: Photographs by Charles H. Traub and Douglas Baz ,Evangeline: From Tragic Heroine to Cultural Icon
December 2, 2008-February 20, 2009- Cajun Document, 1974
December 19, 2008-April 25, 2009- Evangeline: From Tragic Heroine to Cultural Icon: at the WilliamsResearchCenter, 410 Chartres Street in the French Quarter.Both exhibitions are free and open to the public, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Call (504) 523-4662 or visit www.hnoc.org for more information.
Christmas New Orleans Style, a month- long celebration of the season and the senses is taking place starting on December. There is no place like New Orleans to celebrate the season
November 28,2008 –January 3,2009
DISCOVER THE WONDER OF “MIRACLE ON FULTON STREET”
Dreaming of a White Christmas? Will the powdered sugar on a beignet do? Or venture across Canal Street for “Miracle on Fulton Street” Come on and play on the snow and enjoy a variety of live local entertainment every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.
November 28 - December 30
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS
A month long holiday show featuring millions of twinkling lights throughout the Botanical Garden and Amusement Park. This year's premier family holiday tradition will include our new ‘Very Merry Maze', Dinobration, and a spectacular dancing light show. The historic carousel and train will complete your holiday experience. Fun for all ages!
Sunday - Thursday, 6pm - 10pm, Friday 6pm -11pm.CityPark,504-483-9415 www.celebrationintheoaks.com -$6 per person, children under 3 free
December 1-31
REVEILLON, A CREOLE DINING TRADITION
Creole families of yesteryear celebrated this traditional dining custom twice during the holiday season - on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Today's Reveillon has been expanded to include various dates during December so that everyone can share in this special holiday meal. Menus have been adapted to combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains. Various Restaurants throughout the city.
December 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22 & 23 ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Local choirs and New Orleans artists herald the season with free nightly concerts of Christmas carols and gospel favorites in one of the country's most historic churches. The ecumenical celebration will make Christmas New Orleans Style one of your treasured memories. 6pm,St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square.504-522-5730
December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20 CHEF COOKING DEMOSTRATIONS Learn the secrets of our local cuisine from the chefs who make New Orleans the culinary capital of the world! Acclaimed chefs from throughout the area share their favorite recipes at free cooking demonstrations and samplings that are guaranteed to spice up your holidays. Brought to you by Williams-Sonoma and the Shops at Canal Place. Space is limited, so come early! Free Demos start at 3p and last about 45 minute.Weekdays at 3pm & Weekends at 10am.The Shops at Canal Place & Williams-Sonoma.504-522-5730
Historical Characters "Louisiana Living History Project"
The Crescent City's grand history comes alive this holiday season with guests from the past. Join these guests from the past for special presentations as they re-create the local traditions and customs of earlier times. Engaging performances really bring to life the music, humor, dance, and storytelling of New Orleans' past. Each stroll begins daily at 11a inside the Hotel Monteleone. The Historical Characters will then take to the streets of the elegant French Quarter and stroll along Decatur, Royal, and Chartres streets. Each stroll will conclude at 3 p.m., where the characters will gather inside Jackson Square. Inclement weather plan - the historical characters will stroll the Riverwalk and The Shops at Canal Place. For more information about the Historical Characters please visit http://www.anewmuse.com/CHARACTERS.htm.Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas.11am - 3pm ;504-948-0323.www.fqfi.org December 2 – 30 HNOC HOLIDAY HOME AND COURTYARD TOUR
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..Tuesday - Saturday, 10am, 11am, 2pm, and 3pm,533 Royal St,504-523-4662;www.hnoc.org $5 (tours only, no admission for the Shop or exhibitions)
Saturday, November 22, Louisiana Renaissance Festival-46468 River Road Hammond LA
Open weekends thru Dec 7, 2008 and Friday Nov 28th (day after Thanksgiving) 10am to 5pm, rain or shine
On going exhibition until -February 20,2009
Exhibition Featuring Pre-Civil War Photographs of New Orleans -The Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Gallery, The Historic New Orleans Collection,533 Royal Street, French Quarter A Closer Look: The Antebellum Photographs of Jay Dearborn Edwards, 1858-1861, an exhibition featuring photographs of old New Orleans .Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a..m.-4:30 p.m. Free and open to the public; call (504) 523-4662 or visit www.hnoc.org for details
Until –January2009
OBJECTS OF DESIRE: Fabergé from the Hodges Family Collection.
The New Orleans Museum of Art presents OBJECTS OF DESIRE: Works by master Russian artist-jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé from the Hodges Family Collection--featuring sculpture, jewels, smoking accessories, scientific instruments and other precious objects.
PROSPECT 1. Do not miss Prospect 1, the international arts biennial featuring 81 artists from around the world. For a complete list of participating venues and installations site visit www.prospectneworleans.org
