Darling readers,

Are you ready for some exciting fun events? Well, it seems that every week we have a hard time deciding what event to attend because New Orleans and the state of Louisiana keep bombarding our senses with music, food, art exhibits and cultural festivals that are keeping us very busy .

 Darlings, last week I went from attending the elegant, well-attended world premiere of Bennett Josh Davlin's Memories at Canal Place, to a patron party for the Opera Guild's Mad Hatter Luncheon in a lovely Uptown home, preceded by a fabulous afternoon with my dog Tito and many other dogs at Audubon Park. Then, to drop Tito home so I could attend the last of the Nickel-A-Dance Series, to be followed by Noche Latina at Tomatillo's. It was a much diversified week that I enjoyed very much.

If you see my photoshow ( http://www.photoshow.net/watch/tT6eA4Qt) you will also notice that I attended the Renaissance Ball where N.O.Sotros Bilingual Magazine presented the 2005 awards to Ana Ester Gershanik, Rufino Saavedra, Conchita Sulli, Ivan Lopez, Dr. Vinicio Madrigal, Shaula Lovera, Dr. Oscar Salinas, Dr. Diana Rousell, Teresa Jochum, Fernando Arriola, Lucy Bustamante, Sergio Cabrera, Los Sagitarios, Max Moreno, Ernesto Schweikert, and Eduardo Courtade. Congratulations to Karla M. San Martin, the President/CEO for bringing back the beautiful glossy magazine and for presenting the awards that were supposed to be presented in 2005. Welcome back. We missed you and N.O.Sotros Magazine!.

This week, once again, has more events than I could handle. If you know me, you know I will try to attend as many as I can but it is going to be very tough because I love  to atttend NOMA's "Art in Bloom," Politics with a Punch at Le Chat Noir, Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, Mad Hatter Luncheon; the world premiere of the documentary "Sugar Babies",  Jazz on the Bayou, Save Our Cemeteries's Gourmet Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at historic St. Joseph Plantation in Vacherie, The Great Vodka Taste-Off benefiting the Contemporary Arts Center at The Shops at Canal Place, Marva Wright's Blue Party at the Ritz, Cirque du Soleil's "Delirium," New Orleans Spring Fiesta, the American Ballet Theatre presentation at Dixon Hall, the Lpo's All Mozart Weekend,  the Preservation Resource Center's "Julia Jump," Windsor Court Recital Hosted by Symphony Volunteers, Inc. and the Windsor Court Hotel,the Louisiana Restaurant Association's "Taste of the Town" Culinary Fest, WYES's "Chocolate Sunday," the Old Algiers RiverFest, the New Orleans Home and Garden Show and many more events that I'm sure I am forgetting.  I just got exhausted thinking of how much there is to do this week!

The Historic New Orleans Collection is launching a weekly series of free lectures beginning Wednesday, March 28. Each lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at The Collection, 533 Royal Street. Speakers will cover a range of topics. Times-Picayune columnist and author, Lolis Eric Elie, will open the series with a look at Southern and New Orleans cuisines on Wednesday, March 28. Elie, whose column appears in the T-P three days each week, will explore how Southern food is not one cuisine, but several. His lecture, "South of South: Creole Cooking and the Cuisines of the South"  looks at the ways in which New Orleans cuisine is closely related to the disparate tastes of Southern cooking but in other ways is a distant relative.

"Vive la Nouvelle Orleans!" is the theme for 2007 Art In Bloom, which is a five-day event showcasing over 100 exhibitors of creative and inspirational floral designs, sculptures and sceneries in various categories. The 2007 theme, "Vive la Nouvelle Orleans!" celebrates the history, life and recent rebirth of our own, Nouvelle Orleans. Proceeds from "Art In Bloom" benefit educational projects and exhibitions at NOMA and projects of The Garden Study Club of New Orleans, including the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Beauregard-Keyes House, Parkway Partners, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Longue Vue House and Gardens and the Hermann Grima and Gallier Houses. "Art in Bloom" starts on Wednesday, March 28 with a  Patron Party  from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a Preview Party from 7 to 10 p.m. For tickets and additional information visit www.noma.org .

On Sunday, April 1, there will be a Faberge Easter Egg Hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden of NOMA. The entertainment will be by Papillion. There will be art activities, storytelling, facepaintings, refreshments, prizes. Fun  for the entire family. For more information visit www.noma.org .

On March 28, the world premiere of the documentary "Sugar Babies: The Plight of the Children of Agricultural Workers in the Sugar Industry of the Dominican Republic" will take place at Roussel Hall, Loyola University at 7 p.m. Local Cuban-born lawyer, Salvador Longoria, is the Associate Producer and Legal Counsel of the  documentary by Amy Serrano.The film explores the lives of the descendants of the first Africans delivered to the island of Hispaniola who were enslaved and continue to be trafficked to work in the sugar industry under circumstances some consider as modern-day slavery.

Serrano shot, produced, wrote and directed "Sugar Babies," a 95-minute documentary that is in Spanish, Creole, French and English and subtitled in English. The film examines the moral price of sugar -- present and past -- from the perspective of the conditions surrounding the children of sugarcane cutters of Haitian ancestry in the Dominican Republic. Serrano is known for directing and producing the PBS broadcast "A Woman's Place: Voices of Contemporary Hispanic-American Women." She has received numerous honors. The documentary will be followed by a wine and cheese reception and acoustical guitar by Bill Cruz. The admission is free.

March 28 also marks the beginning of Tennessee Williams Literary Festival. "Coming of Age from Page to Stage." The Festival will celebrate its 21st anniversary from March 28-April 1. The five-day fete, which celebrates the life and cultural legacy of the eponymous playwright in his adopted city that he called his spiritual home, offers two days of master classes, a roster of panel discussions and celebrity interviews, theater, food and music events, a scholars' conference, literary and other French Quarter walking tours and a book fair. Bookending the event are an opening night fundraising gala and the closing ceremony -- a Stanley and Stella Shouting Contest, in playful homage to the bellowing mates in Williams' masterpiece. The lofty list of participants includes Pulitzer Prize winners Richard Ford and Yusef Komunyakaa; best-selling authors Douglas Brinkley, Barry Gifford, Haven Kimmel, Michael Lewis, Sharyn McCrumb, Tom Sancton, Margaret Sartor and Calvin Trillin; and filmmaker/artist John Waters, who wrote the introduction to a new edition of Tennessee Williams' Memoirs, published by New Directions.

Theater highlights include a trio of Williams' lesser-known one-acts: The Travelling Companion, The Chalky White Substance and Lifeboat Drill, featuring, among others, New York actor Jeremy Lawrence, who will also present a follow-up to his one-man show, Talking Tennessee, which thrilled Festival audiences the past few years.

The marquee also includes a staged reading of Rancho Pancho, a new play by San Antonio playwright Gregg Barrios, recounting Tennessee's life with Pancho Rodriguez, his live-in muse during the 1940s, and who, Barrios believes, served as a model for Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire.

On another stage, local star Ryan Reinike will portray William Faulkner in the one-man show, MIRRORS OF CHARTRES STREET: Faulkner in New Orleans/New Orleans in Faulkner, adapted for the stage by Rob Florence from various vignettes and character sketches by the literary genius and then-future Nobel Laureate.

Back by popular demand, Ignatius on Stage features John "Spud" McConnell and a cast of colorful characters in a staged reading of scenes from John Kennedy Toole's New Orleans classic, A Confederacy of Dunces.

Rounding out the theater roster is a premiere performance of Small Things by Cary Pepper, the winner of the Festival's 2006 One-Act Play Competition, preceded by a staged reading of this year's winning entry.

On the film front, the Festival is presenting Tennessee Williams: Theater in Process, a documentary narrated by Williams, which traces the development of his play The Red Devil Battery Sign from its incipient stages to its first performances at Boston's Schubert Theater in 1975.

New Orleans Jazz in the '50s and '60s is the theme of the annual "Drummer and Smoke" music event and features an interview with Tom Sancton, noted Time magazine journalist and author of Song For My Fathers: A New Orleans Story in Black and White, in which he recounts his early life among the legendary jazzmen of his home town. The Clive Wilson Jazz Band will provide music from the era.

Food lovers will be hungry to attend the Festival's culinary offerings: Award-winning chef John Besh (Restaurant August, Besh Steakhouse) will speak about preserving and reinventing the best of Louisiana's culinary resources, as well as conduct a cooking demo and provide samples of his signature dishes; celebrated chef Leah Chase (Dooky Chase Restaurant) will join other local chefs in some sweet talk about regional confections and offer samples from a new cookbook New Orleans Classic Desserts; and food/wine connoisseur John Mariani (Dictionary of American Food and Drink) returns with his Fireside Chat at the Windsor Court, always a sold-out event.

Most of the events take place in New Orleans' historic French Quarter. Sites hosting events include Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre', The Historic New Orleans Collection, the Cabildo, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, Muriel's Jackson Square, the Palm Court Jazz Cafe', Windsor Court Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, and Besh Steakhouse.

A Festival Panel Pass is $60 ($50 for students); a One-Day Pass is $25; theater/special events range from $10-$50; master classes are $25; walking tours are $20. Group rates on request.

For more information, contact the Festival office at 504-581-1144 or visit the website at www.tennesseewilliams.net for regular updates and information on how to become a "Friend of Tennessee." To help support the Festival and the New Orleans literary arts community through Katrina Arts Relief and Emergency Support (K.A.R.E.S.), visit www.neworleansliteraryinstitute.com.

 NOCCA's Creative Readings Series presents: Rikki Ducornet & Laura Mullen
Wednesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Rikki Ducornet is the author of seven novels including The Fan Maker's Inquisition, a Los Angeles Times Book of the Year, and The Jade Cabinet, a finalist for the National Book Critics' Circle Award. Poet Laura Mullen's first collection of poems, The Surface, was chosen as a National Poetry Series selection; her second collection, After I Was Dead, was selected for the University of Georgia Press Contemporary Poetry Series. She is also the author of The Tales of Horror. For this one-night-only event, both will read from recent work and old favorites.

The next exhibition in The NOCCA Institute's "On the Edge" gallery series begins Friday, March 30, in the newly renovated Ken Kirschman Artspace on the NOCCA/Riverfront campus. The exhibition will feature works in a variety of media, created by five outstanding artists who have conducted workshops and master classes for NOCCA/Riverfront's Visual Arts department during the 2006-07 school year.The opening reception for Jacqueline Bishop, Nancy Collins, Jan Gilbert, Bernard Mattox, & Clifton Webb  will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public.

The Women's  Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association presents its Twenty-third Annual  Mad Hatter's Luncheon on Thursday, March 29 from 10 :30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. The theme of the luncheon will be "Butterfly Gardens." The event will feature a hat judging-contest for the most beautiful, original, humorous, best Butterfly Garden Theme, Opera Theme, group theme, ensemble and Mad Hatter's choice. In addition there will be a Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show presenting the St John Spring 2007 Collection. Not to be missed.

Hotel Monteleone Invites Writers to "Get Read, Get Inspired & Get Published"
Annual Literary Luncheon Series that begins March 29. It features Roxanne Coady, author of The Book That Changed My Life, and agent, Ginger Clark from Curtis Brown, Ltd, introduced by local author Julie Smith.

As one of only three hotels in the United States to be designated a literary landmark, the Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans' oldest hotel, continues to nurture the arts as it has for generations. The hotel will kick off its 2007 Literary Luncheon Series on March 29, showcasing nationally recognized authors discussing their work, and opportunities for attendees to network with published authors and agents. 
 
The registration fee for this program beginning at noon is $30, and includes lunch, book signing, and partial manuscript review. Proceeds go to the New Orleans Public Library to help rebuild and expand the city's libraries. The authors will follow up the luncheons with book signing events, and literary agents will be available to read a limited number of partial manuscript submissions. To find out more information or to make your reservations for the 2007 Literary LuncheonSeries, call 504-681-4452.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association will host its annual culinary event: Taste of  The Town  on Friday, March 30 at the Pavilion Island of the Lafraniere Park from 7 to 11 p.m. More than 40 local restaurants will participate. Music will be provided by the Bucktown All-Stars. For more information visit www.tasteofthetown.info or call 210-0670.

The Great Vodka Taste-Off benefiting the Contemporary Arts Center at The Shops at Canal Place will take place, Friday, March 30 from  6-8 p.m. Savor tastings of 20 vodkas from around the world while you enjoy live music, shopping, contests with prizes, and informal modeling from the 30 stores of The Shops at Canal Place. Vodkas include Charvay, Skyy, Citadelle, Denaka, Feigling, Grey Goose, Ketel One, Taaka Platinum, Rain, Stoli, Stoli Elit, Svedka, Three Olives, Turi Imperia, Russian Standard, Reyka, and Van Gogh. Sponsored by Regions Bank. $35 CAC members, $50 general admission. Contact The Shops at Canal Place at 504-522-9200 for tickets and more information.

The Ritz Carlton Hotel will be setting for the Julia Jump, the annual  fundraiser of the Preservation Resource Center. The soiree will feature a patron party, live music, a silent auction, local cuisine and open bar. For tickets and additional information visit www.prcno.org or call 581-7032.

The Blue Party for Marva Wright is on March 30, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Ritz Carlton.  Marva will be singing and many of her big-time New Orleans musician friends will be attending. The theme will be a blues theme, so everyone will wear something blue to the party. Everything will be blue -- the decorations, the clothes, the lights, and even her very own drink, the "Marvatini" will be blue! So "Do the Wright Thing" and be there for the blue soiree.

The 15th annual "Jazz on the Bayou" fundraiser's benefiting Easter Seals Louisiana and STARC will be held Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, from 3-7 p.m. at Ronnie and Gardner Kole's Chateau Kole on beautiful Bayou Liberty near Slidell. Hosts for the event are Ronnie and Gardner Kole who are co-chairs along with Jack and Brenda Stroupe.

Restaurants include Chefs Paul Prudhomme, and Paul Miller of K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, John Besh of Besh's Steakhouse and La Provence, Craig Young of Young's Restaurant, Chef Michael of Michael's, Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's,  Frank and Tommy Wong of Trey Yuen, Patton's at the Salmen-Fritchie House, Jay Dunaway of Dish, Floyd Bealer of Doug's, Ann Sergie of Assunta, Chef Mike of LA Pines, The Pinewood Country Club, Table One, and The Red Maple.

All the pastries for Saturday and Sunday will once again be donated by the Royal Sonesta Hotel, and Red and White Wines and Champagnes will be provided by Republic Beverage, and Budweiser Beer by Champagne Beverage. Music will be provided by the Storyville Stompers, Bobby Ohler and the Harbor Band, and Ronnie Kole.

Ticket prices are $100 per person... For reservations and additional information call Gardner or Ronnie Kole at 985-643-5761, or order online www.JazzontheBayou.com .

Sunday, April 1, Save Our Cemeteries will hold "Grits, Grillades and a Scramble for Egg" a Gourmet Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at historic St. Joseph Plantation, Vacherie, LA from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This Louisiana Creole-built sugar plantation, circa 1830, boasts a lovingly restored manor house, lush grounds and numerous intact outbuildings, including original slave quarters, cottages, a detached kitchen and blacksmith shop.  Adults will be treated to brunch from Chef John Folse, Bloody Marys and Milk Punch, jazz by the Ted Long Quartet, and tours of the plantation, while the kids are entertained with a day full of fun.  An Easter Egg Hunt, live bunnies, face painting, storytelling, professional Easter photos, croquet, horseshoes and other games will provide a memorable day. They will be raffling off some exciting toys for kids and parents alike.  Moms and daughters wear your Easter bonnets, a celebrity judge will choose the most spectacular.  Attire is"plantation casual." Transportation is provided.

St. Joseph Plantation is at 3535 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA.  Advance Purchase Tickets: $35 Save Our Cemeteries members, $40 non-members, $10 children 5-12, under 5 for free.  Adult tickets are $45 at the door.  Call 504-525-3377 to purchase by phone or visit www.saveourcemeteries.org to purchase your tickets securely online.

WYES is celebrating its 50^th birthday with Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate on Sunday, April 1, at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive in the Warehouse District from 3 to 5 p.m. Enjoy decant desserts, savory cuisine, tempting cocktails and of course chocolate by over 25 top restaurants, caterers, bakeries and more. For reservations and more information call 486-5511. All proceeds benefit WYES, our local PBS station.

The Old Algiers Riverfest will be taking place this Sunday, April 1 at Algiers Point at the Riverfront from noon to 6 p.m. The afternoon will feature performances by Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Dr Michael White and the Liberty Brass Band, Shades of Praise Interracial Gospel Choir, The Algiers Brass Band and the Panorama Jazz Band. Food, craft vendors and children's entertainment will be set up on the ground of the Old Algiers Courthouse. Free admission!. For more information visit www.oldalgiersmainstreet.com or Call 362-8813.

Darling, enjoy your week and I  hope to see you in one of these events.Please check my Save a Date with information about the Easter Parade, French Quarter Festival, Lafayette Square Schedule,  Sentimental Journey and few other upcoming events

ON GOING EXHIBITIONS:

The New Orleans Arts and Crafts Club: An Artistic Legacy.THNOC and NOMA Open Joint Exhibition. New Orleans Museum of Art.1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City.   Park
 The exhibition includes paintings, watercolors, sculpture, ceramics, prints, and drawings by more than forty artists, including Josephine Crawford, Leonard Flettrich, Weeks Hall, Knute Heldner, Morris Henry Hobbs, Clarence Millet, Paul Ninas, William P. Spratling, Helen Turner, and Daniel Webster Whitney. The New Orleans Arts and Crafts Club: An Artistic Legacy, presented as part of a new partnership between The Historic New Orleans Collection and the New Orleans Museum of Art, is free to Louisiana residents. For regular admission prices, visit www.noma.org. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org.Until–May 31, 2007.Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

EXHIBITION OF THE VATICAN MOSAIC STUDIO. An Evolution of the Human Spirit as Seen Through Mosaic Art.
An Evolution of the Human Spirit as Seen Through Mosaic Art. Old Ursuline Convent, oldest building in the Mississippi Valley, 1100 Chartres St., New Orleans.
The exhibit is composed of  37 mosaic artworks from the Vatican Mosaic Studio  (replications of prominent artwork dating back to the 16th Century through the 21st Century). The Vatican Mosaic Studio was organized nearly 300 years ago to reproduce the  deteriorating oil paintings of St. Peter’s Basilica as intricate glass mosaics. The exhibition includes reproductions of the art of Monet, Van Gogh, Rouault, Chagall and Rembrandt.  
Hours of Operation:  9 – 5 PM; last tour starting at 4 PM, closed on Monday. Through June 1, 2007. 

Four Hundred Years of French Presence in Louisiana: Treasures from the National Library of France  533 Royal Street. The exhibit is presented as a gift to the people of New Orleans in affirmation of France’s commitment to the preservation of New Orleans culture in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  It is on display through June 2, 2007. Free and open to the public, Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.The first exhibition to focus exclusively on the National Library’s extensive collections relating to Louisiana, Four Hundred Years of French Presence in Louisiana explores the strong cultural ties between France and its former colony, from the 17th through the 20th century.  Opening with the era of exploration, Four Hundred Years of French Presence in 

 Four Hundred Years of French Presence in Louisiana also showcases another gift from the Minister of Culture and Communication of France—a model of the 1915 French Quarter by French engineers Pierre Atlan and Pierre Merlin.  On display in The Louisiana Supreme Court Museum, 400 Royal Street, the model was presented to The Historic New Orleans Collection for the benefit of the people of New Orleans. 

JOSE MARIA CUNDIN'S RETROSPECTIVE SHOW. Gallerie Bienvenu, 518 Julia Street.   Jose Maria Cundin is having a retrospective show : "40 Years Wandering Through the Desert " is the title of his retrospective exhibition that includes examples of the diminutive groteques that populated the artist's canvases for the first thirty years of his careers and the luminous abstractions which he has devoted himself since 1990. 

Facets of the Feminine Mind works by 5 N.O. women, in celebration of Women's History Month.The Big Top Gallery,1638 Clio Street, 504.569.2700
Featured artists: Patricia "Muffin" Sills, Karen Louise Crain , MJ Robitaille,  Morgana King & Bonita . On view in gallery through March 31


"ShoeStories" by Claudia Lynch.George Long Gallery, 4516 Magazine Street,899-2975.
"Lynch, an illustrator, prospects the dames of the 1940's.  She paints detailed watercolors of stilettos fashioned out of uber-feminine  objects like candy boxes, then pairs them with short narratives typed  on an old portable.  Her text reads like an excerpt from pulp fiction  or Casablanca dialogue." - Eleanor LeBeau, Scene Magazine . Hours: 11am - 3pm or by appointment.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28

POLITICS WITH A PUNCH. POLITICS WITH A PUNCH.Le Chat Noir Theater, 715 St. Charles Avenue.doors open at 7 p.m., the event begins at 8 p.m.

Blanco bows out of Governor's race as polls show her getting trounced; John Breaux gets ready to ride to the rescue for the Democrats, but, as a Maryland resident, may be ineligible; The Republicans back Jindal and blast Breaux; Nagin is in hot water again- Ray, please hire a speechwriter! Louisiana is now the lone bastion of cockfighting; Pokey gets in to trouble at LSU and Joe Horn exits the Saints and finds love in Atlanta. These topics and plenty more will be discussed Wednesday night March 28 at Le Chat Noir for another special edition of Politics with a Punch.  The panel features an outstanding group of celebrities:      Mike Bayham, Political Consultant/Columnist ,    Hon. Aaron Broussard, Jefferson Parish President ;    Aimee Hayes, Theater Producer, Stage Performer, Comedian ;   Ronnie Lamarque, Owner, Lamarque Ford, NO.Legend;      Fletcher Mackel, WDSU-TV Channel 6 Sports Anchor ;   “Spud” McConnell, Actor, WWL 870 AM Talk Show Host    Alex Schott, Exec. Director, Louisiana Office of Film & TV.The event is hosted by local talk show host and commentator Jeff Crouere.Tickets are only $15.00 per person/$25.00 per couple. For ticket reservations or for more information, contact Jeff Crouere at #504-669-6076 or jeff@ringsidepolitics.com 

“South of South: Creole Cooking and the Cuisines of the South,”  a Lecture by Lolis Eric Elie. The New Orleans  Historic Collection, 533 Royal Street.. Times-Picayune columnist and author, Lolis Eric Elie,  whose column appears in the T-P three days each week, will explore how Southern food is not one cuisine, but several. His lecture, “South of South: Creole Cooking and the Cuisines of the South,” looks at the ways in which New Orleans cuisine is closely related to the disparate tastes of Southern cooking but in other ways is a distant relative. Free and open to the public. 6:30 p.m.

"Vive la Nouvelle Orleans!" is the theme for  2007 Art In Bloom  which is a five-day event showcasing over 100 exhibitors of creative and inspirational floral designs, sculptures and sceneries in various categories. The 2007 theme, "Vive la Nouvelle Orleans!," celebrates the history, life and recent rebirth of our own, Nouvelle Orleans. Proceeds from Art In Bloom benefit educational projects and exhibitions at NOMA and projects of The Garden Study Club of New Orleans, including the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Beauregard-Keyes House, Parkway Partners, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Longue Vue House and Gardens and the Hermann Grima and Gallier Houses. Art in Bloom start on Wednesday, March 28 with a  Patron Party  from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a Preview party from 7 to 10 p.m. For tickets and additional information visit www.noma.org

World premiere of the documentary “Sugar Babies:The Plight of the Children of Agricultural Workers in the Sugar Industry of the Dominican Republic”. Roussel Hall, Loyola University at 7 p.m. Local Cuban –born lawyer is the Associate Producer and Legal Counsel Salvador Longoria of the of the documentary by Amy Serrano.The film explores the lives of the descendants of the first Africans delivered to the island of Hispaniola who were enslaved and continue to be trafficked to work in the sugar industry under circumstances some consider as modern day slavery.

Serrano shot, produced, wrote and directed "Sugar Babies," a 95-minute documentary that is in Spanish, Creole, French and English and subtitled in English. The film examines the moral price of sugar -- present and past -- from the perspective of the conditions surrounding the children of sugar cane cutters of Haitian ancestry in the Dominican Republic.

Serrano is known for directing and producing the PBS broadcast "A Woman's Place: Voices of Contemporary Hispanic-American Women." She has received numerous honors.   The documentary will be followed by a wine cheese reception and acoustical guitar by Bill Cruz. The admission is free.

Tennessee Williams Literary Festival. "Coming of Age from Page to Stage: Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival will celebrate its 21st anniversary from March 28-April 1. The five-day fête, which celebrates the life and cultural legacy of the eponymous playwright in his adopted city that he called his “spiritual home,” offers two days of master classes, a roster of panel discussions and celebrity interviews, theater, food and music events, a scholars' conference, literary and other French Quarter walking tours and a book fair. Bookending the event are an opening night fundraising gala and the closing ceremony -- a Stanley and Stella Shouting Contest, in playful homage to the bellowing mates in Williams' masterpiece. The lofty list of participants includes Pulitzer Prize winners Richard Ford and Yusef Komunyakaa; best-selling authors Douglas Brinkley, Barry Gifford, Haven Kimmel, Michael Lewis, Sharyn McCrumb, Tom Sancton, Margaret Sartor and Calvin Trillin; and filmmaker/artist John Waters, who wrote the introduction to a new edition of Tennessee Williams' Memoirs, published by New Directions.

TENNESSEE AND HIS WOMEN. FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER. Palm Court Jazz Cafe. 7 p.m. (ticket $150)

 NOCCA's Creative Readings Series presents:Rikki Ducornet & Laura Mullen
Wednesday, March 28, 7:30pm.Free and open to the public.

NOCHE LATINA at Ice Bar/Masquerade - Harrah's Casino presents: Cuban Band ASHESON. 7 to 10 p.m.

It is time for Tennessee. Drop by FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen Street on Wednesday, March 28 at 6 PM. You can enjoy a special reading/performance from a new play by Robert Smallwood, take home a signed copy of this recently published work and also view other Tennessee Williams and Marlon Brando books.

Brando, Tennessee & Me is Robert Smallwood's two-act play about Marlon Brando, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Shelly Winters in the 1940s and 1950s as they come of age. Vignettes of their intertwining lives play out after being introduced by Henry, an alcoholic "B" actor/director from New Orleans who rubbed shoulders with the famous but never quite made it. Henry, related to the "acting Barrymores," played in local productions and then off-Broadway

CONCERT AND JAM SESSIONS BY MUSICIANS FOR MUSICIANS
Free live music featuring:SPIKE PERKINS and LANTANA
 St. Anna's Episcopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Avenue,(Between N. Rampart & N. Claiborne)in the Old Parish Building,7pm-9pm

JAZZ CLUB 528 presents: NUMA WOODS (Solo Piano) 5:30 -7:30 p.m. JOHN BOUTTE BAND   8 pm-12 am.528 Fulton Street, 533-6117

The University of New Orleans Jazz Studies Program presents
JAZZ at the SANDBAR
In the Flambeau Lounge of the University Center,On the Lakefront Campus
 guitarist JESSE LEWIS
All Wednesdays 7:30 to 10:00pm,or more Information call 280-6039


Vavavoom (Gypsy Jazz) 10pm,Every Wednesday in March
Spotted Cat, 623 Frenchmen St. (across from Snug Harbor),No Cover!!!

Walter Wolfman Washington-.d.b.a New Orleans,618 Frenchmen St, 10 p.m

Schatzy's Honky Squonk Duo.Mimi's,2601 Royal St





IRVIN MAYFIELD & NOJA Jam Snug Harbor ,626 Frenchmen St, 8pm & 10pm.Admission. For reservations, please call 504-949-0696

THURSDAY,MARCH 29

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL-For schedule of events visit www.tennesseewilliams.net

The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association's MAD HATTER LUNCHEON.10 :30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. The theme of the luncheon will be “Butterfly Gardens.” The event will feature a hat judging-contest for the most beautiful, original, humorous, best Butterfly Garden Theme, Opera Theme, group theme, ensemble and Mad Hatter’s choice. In addition there will be a Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show presenting the St John Spring 2007 Collection.

Annual Literary Luncheon Series  presents Roxanne Coady. Montelone Hotel. Roxanne Coady is the  author of The Book That Changed My Life, and agent, Ginger Clark from Curtis Brown, Ltd, introduced by local author Julie Smith Noon The author will follow up the luncheon with book signing event, To find out more information or to make your reservations for the 2007 Literary LuncheonSeries , call .681.4452.

Ogden After Hours  presents:DAVIS ROGAN 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.Lobby Atrium of The Ogden Museum of Southern Art's Stephen Goldring Hall.Davis Rogan is one of the people who give New Orleans a reputation for eccentric characters. A longtime WWOZ DJ who founded the station?s 
brass band show and a musician who fronted the avant-garde brass band All That, Davis had recorded an album, The Once and Future DJ, before Hurricane Katrina hit and lost the master in the mail after the deluge. Fortunately his engineer, who had evacuated to Texas, had a safety copy on his hard drive. The album has a song called "Hurricane"about people who don't leave New Orleans during hurricanes! Davis ended up having his record release party at a Manhattan tavern the night before he left for a European stay during which he performed at an anarchist festival in Paris.

FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT GALA (Theatre Performance and Reception). Le Petit Theatre, Mainstage, 616 St. Peter St., reception 1014 Dumaine Street hosted by DrBrobson Lutz. ($75) for more information visit www.tennesseewilliams.net

ALL MOZART CONCERT- ROUSSEL HALL, Loyola University. Carlos Miguel Prieto, Conductor, Jorge Federico Osorio, piano.MOZART: Concerto No. 14, K. 449,MOZART: Concerto No. 23, K. 448, MOZART: Symphony No. 40, K. 550

RISING WATER. Southern Rep Theatre, The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal Place, third floor, 522-6545; www.southernrep.com- Southern Rep Theatre presents the world premiere of John Biguenet's play " Rising Water"  about a couple who awakens in the middle of the night to find their pitch-dark house filling with water.  Clambering into their attic, cluttered with a lifetime of possessions, they grapple not only with their terror at the rising water but also with the life they have lived together.  When the water finally laps at the attic itself, they claw a hole in the roof to escape.  But only one of them is slender enough to squeeze through.  Caught between an attic of ghost stories and a rooftop that reveals a New Orleans utterly transformed into a sea of sunken houses, the man and woman struggle to keep the guttering flame of their love from being extinguished by a flood of secrets and feelings never before confessed as they wait for help to arrive.Ryann Rilette directs Christine NcMurdo-Walace and Danny Bowen. Thursday-$20 general admission, $16 student/seniors. Friday-Sunday tickets $24general admission, $20 students/seniors. 8p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3p.m. Sunday, through April 8

Parkway Bakery & Tavern presents: PANORAMA JAZZ BAND. 532 Hagan Ave., 482-3047.Free Live Music. 7-10pm



Zydeco Night with Chris Ardoin,Mid City “Rock n’ Bowl”,4133 S. Carrollton Ave
New Orleans.8:30 p.m., $ 8.

ARMAND ST. MARTIN with his band,The Ritz French Quarter Bar ,every Thursday 9 pm - 1 am,Ritz Carlton Hotel,Canal St

WARREN BATISTE TRIO with special guest : SUZAUNE KEE McKAMEY Snug Harbor ,626 Frenchmen St, New Orleans,8pm & 10pm
Admission: 504-669-4744.For reservations, please call 504-949-0696


 PALMETTO BUG STOMPERS. d.b.a New Orleans,618 Frenchmen St, 10 P.M.



The Soul Rebels-Le Bon Temps Roule,4801 Magazine St.504-897-9448 10 p.m.




Donna’s Bar & Grill presents: Donna’s Traditional Jazz Band. 800 N. Rampart    New Orleans

the Festival of Neighborhoods at the New Orleans Home & Garden Show, at the Louisiana Superdome :

Thursday        March 29          2 - 9 pm

Friday            March 30          2 - 9 pm

Saturday        March 31          10 am - 9 pm

Sunday           April 1              11 am - 7 pm

Folk Rock Trio - with Jonathan Freilich, Joe Cabral,  Alex McMurray and Doug Garrison.Every Thursday AT10:00 pm,Chickie Wah Wah,2828 Canal Street • New Orleans,(504) 304-4714,Average Admission: $5

Ed Barrett,Rotolo’s Pizza,201 Decatur St., New Orleans. All shows start at 10pm and are no cover.

THURSDAY AT TWILIGHT presents:PANORAMA JAZZ BAND (Jazz, klezmer, polkas and more).Pavillion of Two Sisters, New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park.Gates open at 5p.m. Musical Performance at 6 p.m.

Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers. VAUGHAN'S-800 LESSEPS ST., 947-5562

 HATS, THE MUSICAL . Harrah's Hats!, the musical is based on a woman approaching her 50^th birthday who meets a group of women who are members of the Red Hat Society, a real-life organization of women over 50 who come together to celebrate womanhood. The play not only appeals to women over 50, but their daughters and sisters, husbands and sons. HARRAH’S NEW ORLEANS’ PRODUCTION OF HATS!  Performances are Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. Tickets start at $39.00 and can be reserved by calling 504-593-8008 or visiting www.harrahs.com/hats.   

Preservation Hall
726 St. Peter Street.Doors Open @ 8:00 .Show Starts @ 8:15 ,Admission: $8.00

 HARRAH'S CASINO PRESENTS at MASQUERADE:  Martini Happy Hour: BIG EASY GROOVERS 5 to 7 p.m.; THE WISEGUYS. 7 TO 10 P.M.

JAZZ CLUB 528  Presents  LARS EDEGRAN(Solo Piano)  5:30 to 7:30 p.m; INGRID LUCCIA BAND 8 -10 p.m.528 Fulton Street, 533-6117

ARMAND ST.MARTIN. The Library Lounge of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. 5 to 10 p.m. (Thursday and Friday)  Validated parking for customers.ARMAND ST. MARTIN with his band,The Ritz French Quarter Bar every Thursday 9 pm - 1 am.Ritz Carlton Hotel

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: DELIRIUM. Thursday and Friday. New Orleans Arena. Cirque du Soleil: Delirium concert features remixed Cirque du Soleil music,performed by musicians, singers and dancers in a multifaceted extravaganza featuring the trademark special effects, acrobatics, lighting and costumes. 8pm.Tickets are $37.50 to $108, through Ticketmaster

JEREMY DAVENPORT. Melange, Ritz Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal Street, 524-1331. 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

FRIDAY,MARCH 30

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL-For schedule of events visit www.tennesseewilliams.net

The Louisiana Restaurant Association 's: Taste of  The Town , Pavilion Island of the Lafraniere Park from 7 to 11 p.m. More than 40 local restaurants willparticipate. Music will be provided by the Bucktown Allstars. For more information visit www.tasteofthetown.info or call 210-0670

The Great Vodka Taste-Off benefiting the Contemporary Arts Center at The Shops at Canal Place 6-8pm.Enjoy tastings of 20 vodkas from around the world while you enjoy live music, shopping, contests with prizes, and informal modeling from the 30 stores of The Shops at Canal Place. Vodkas include Charvay, Skyy, Citadelle, Denaka, Feigling, Grey Goose, Ketel One, Taaka Platinum, Rain, Stoli, Stoli Elit, Svedka, Three Olives, Turi Imperia, Russian Standard, Reyka, and Van Gogh. Sponsored by Regions Bank.$35 CAC members, $50 gen. admission .Contact The Shops at Canal Place at 504.522.9200 for tickets and more information.

 Julia Jump. Ritz Carlton Hotel., The annual  fundraiser of the Preservation Resource Center will feature a patron party, live music, a silent auction, local cuisine and open bar. For tickets and additional information visit :www.prcno.org or call 581-7032

 The Blue Party for Marva Wright.. Ritz Carlton Hotel.9 pm to 1a.m.  Marva will be singing and many of her big time New Orleans musician friends will be attending. The theme will be a blues theme, so everyone will wear something blue to the party. Everything will be blue -- the decorations, the clothes, the lights, and even her very own drink, the “Marvatini” will be blue! So "Do the Wright Thing" and be there for the blue soiree.

OBITUARY COCKTAIL:   FRITZEL'S. 733 Bourbon Street, 561-0432.   Weekly gathering of locals at legendary saloons of New Orleans. Always from 6 to 7 p.m.

The NOCCA Institute's "On the Edge" Gallery. Ken Kirschman Artspace on the NOCCA|Riverfront campus. The exhibition will feature works in a variety of media, created by five outstanding artists who have conducted workshops and master classes for NOCCA|Riverfront's Visual Arts department during the 2006-07 school year.The opening reception for Jacqueline Bishop, Nancy Collins, Jan Gilbert, Bernard Mattox, & Clifton Webb  will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE -Studio Company and Stars.March 30 & 31. Dixon Hall, Tulane University. 8 p.m. American Ballet Theatre Studio Company under the direction of New Orleans native, Kirk Peterson, with guest Principals Maxim Beloserkovsky, Irina Dvorovenko and Gillian Murphy and Soloist Gennadi Savelisliev from th emain company bring a sensational program of dazzling classics and new commissions.The evening will features the famous White Swan Pas De Deux and Black Swan Pas De Deux from Swan Lake. For tickets call:522.0996 or visit www.nobadance.com. There will be pre-performance talks both evenings beginning at 7:15 p.m.

ALL MOZART CONCERT- ROUSSEL HALL, Loyola University. Carlos Miguel Prieto, Conductor, Jorge Federico Osorio, pianoMOZART: Concerto No. 25, K. 503, MOZART: Concert No. 41, K. 551.8 p.m.

GETTING A KICK OUT OF COLE. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Avenu; 581- 5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com --Ricky Graham, BanuGibson and Sheelah Strong Black present a comedic musical revue celebrating the music of Cole Porter. Mystique Krewe of Satyricon sponsors Friday opening;call 525-4498 for tickets to this show only. Regular tickets $36 (includes $5 bar credit) 8 p.m. Friday -Saturday.

A PARTY NAMED DESIRE. Republic New Orleans, 828 S Peters St;www.DesireNOLA.org - Ingrid Lucia, Purple Disrepect and a Saks Fashion Show. 8 p.m. Tickets available online at www.desirenola.org $40 in advance, $50 at door(Ltd VIP also available. Festive Attire.

Harrah’s Casino -Masquerade Entertainment Schedule:

At 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the dancers will take over where the bands leave off. They will perform nonstop until 2 a.m.!

5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Happy Hour
    small stage in front of the Ultra Lounge :  Mark Braud performs on Fridays.

New Orleans Nite Fridays:  New Orleans Jams -brw 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

JAZZ CLUB 528  Presents:THADDEUS RICHARD(Solo Piano) 7-9 p.m. ANAIS ST. JOHN &  HER BAND, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.,528 Fulton Street, 533-6117

Parkway Bakery & Tavern presents: GAL HOLIDAY & THE HONKY TONK REVUE
532 Hagan Ave,504) 482-3047.Free Live Music. 7-10pm

SUZAUNE YEE McKAMEY. Bombay Club,830 Conti Street.,586-0972. 9:30 p.m.

JEREMY DAVENPORT. Melange, Ritz Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal Street, 524-1331. 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Troi Bechet.Loews New Orleans Hotel,(300 Poydras St.)5:30-8:30pm on Friday and Saturday.
Every weekend in March on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30-8:30pm

 NOCHE LATINA  con Fredy Omar con su Banda.Ray's Boom Boom Room, 508 Frenchmen Street,every Friday night at 10pm.Free dance lessons at 9pm.10pm, free Latin dance lessons 9pm

ELLIS MARSALIS TRIO. Snug Harbor. 626 Frenchmen St, 8 and 10 P.M. 504-669-4744 

COCO ROBICHEAUX. 6 p.m; COOGDat 10 p.m.. d.b.a. New Orleans. 618 Frenchmen St. $5 .

SATURDAY, MARCH 31

MAGAZINE STREET FARMERS MARKET. Magazine and Girods Streets;www.marketumbrella.org Crescent City Farmers Market holds its weekly Saturday market. Fresh produce, flowers and food available. 8 a.m. to noon.

GRETNA FARMER'S MARKET.  Huey P. Long Avenue, between 3rd & 4th Street .8:30AM until 12:30p.m.

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL-For schedule of events visit www.tennesseewilliams.net

BYWATER Farmers Market: Saturday 1-4 pm, 3500 St Claude Avenue.Come get fresh food at the Framers Market this Saturday.  Full details of the lineup are available at www.dnmc.org, the market is from 1-4pm on Saturday, St. Claude at Gallier.  Also, the Lower Ninth Ward Farmers Market, Sundays 1-4pm, will be reopening on St. Claude at Lamanche.

JAZZ IN THE BAYOU. Chateau Kole, Bayou Liberty -near Slidell. The annual benefit for Easter Seals and Starc features local cuisine, live music, and auction and more. Call 985-643-5761 or visit www.jazzonthebayou.com. Tickets $100. 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Windsor Court Recital Hosted by Symphony Volunteers, Inc. and the Windsor Court Hotel .Windsor Court Hotel .5:30 - 6:15 P.M. Champagne Reception 6:15 - 7:15 P.M. Brasil Guitar Duo,7:30 P.M. Formal Dinner ,Black tie .Featured Artists
The Brasil Guitar Duo, Winner of the 2006 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, is comprised of João Luiz and Douglas Lora. Rapidly gaining exposure in the U.S., the duo’s schedule features numerous engagements in New York including the River to River Festival, the CAG Winners Series at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Americas Society and Barbes Bar and Performance Space in Brooklyn (part of CAG’s New Music/New Places initiative), the Miami Guitar Festival and St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania. João Luiz and Douglas Lora met in São Paulo as teenage guitar students and have been performing together for over ten years, perfecting a sublime synchronicity and effortless performance style. The Brasil Guitar Duo has developed an extensive repertoire of classical guitar duos (Bach, Sor, Scarlatti), and in recent years has broadened its aesthetic to encompass the traditional music of its native land such as samba, maxixe, choro and baião. Tickets $150 - Nocturne, $200 - Waltz, $500 - Polonaise.For more information, call Calvin Grisafe at: (504) 348-3314.

 AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE -Studio Company and Stars.March 30 & 31. Dixon Hall, Tulane University. 8 p.m. American Ballet Theatre Studio Company under the direction of New Orleans native, Kirk Peterson, with guest Principals Maxim Beloserkovsky, Irina Dvorovenko and Gillian Murphy and Soloist Gennadi Savelisliev from th emain company bring a sensational program of dazzling classics and new commissions.The evening will features the famous White Swan Pas De Deux and Black Swan Pas De Deux from Swan Lake. For tickets call:522.0996 or visit www.nobadance.com

 TENOR SUMMIT Featuring: Daniel "Weenie" Farrow & Stackman.Doors Open @ 8:00
Show Starts @ 8:15.Admission: $8.00.
PRESERVATION HALL,726 ST. PETER St.;www.preservationhall.com
Doors Open @ 8:00/Show Starts @ 8:15.Admission: $8.00.No smoking, drinking, all ages

CAROLINA GALLOP present:THE ART OF MINGLING. King Bolden's Bar,820 N. Rampart(few doors from Donna's Bar) 4 to 8 p.m. Clothing & Head pieces showcased by carolina Gallop, Calamati Fashion & Howlpop! Art work by Honduran artist Reina and N.O. artist Lisa Cohn. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, and drink specials. 

BACCHANAL FREE WINE TASTING: Bacchanal, 600 Poland St. in the Bywater. Guest Sommelier Brian Werth of Merlin Wines explores the Wines of Oregon, Noon - 3pm. Live Jazz music with everybody's favorite band, Double-0-Seven (007) 6pm - 9pm. NO COVER CHARGE

Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club presents:Stephanie Jordan and the Wess Anderson/Marlon Jordan Quintet. Sweet Lorraine's, 1931 Saint Claude Avenue. 10:00 pm & 12:00 midnight

FIESTA BISTRO presents Classical Flamenco guitarist JOHN LAWRENCE. 1506 S. Carrollton,865-1612. Saturday 7 p.m.

JOHNNIE J & The Hitmen.  Parkway Bakery & Tavern,532 Hagan Ave,(504) 482-3047. 7 TO 10 P.M. 

528 Jazz Club Presents:THADDEUS RICHARD(Solo Piano) 7-9 P.M. ELVA DEVECA BAND 9:30p.m.-1:30 p.m., 533-6117

LUTHER KENT.Bombay Club,830 Conti Street.,586-0972. 9:30 p.m.

CAROL FRAN & DAVELL CRAWFORD. Snug Harbor. 626 Frenchmen St, 8 and 10 P.M. 504-669-4744  

FUNKY BEANS -Rock N Bowl,4133 S. Carrollton Ave,New Orleans.10 p.m. $10.

John Boutte'-7pm, JUICE 11pm-$10.d.b.a.  New Orleans .618 Frenchmen St, New Orleans

SUNDAY, APRIL 1

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS/NEW ORLEANS LITERARY FESTIVAL-For schedule of events visit www.tennesseewilliams.net

 Save Our Cemeteries's “ Grits, Grillades and a “Scramble” for Egg “ a Gourmet Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at historic St. Joseph Plantation,3535 Highway 18,  Vacherie, LA from 11 a.m. to 3p.m..  This Louisiana Creole built sugar plantation, circa 1830, boasts a lovingly restored manor house, lush grounds and numerous intact outbuildings, including original slave quarters, cottages, a detached kitchen and blacksmith shop.  Adults will be treated to brunch from Chef John Folse, Bloody Marys and Milk Punch, jazz by the Ted Long Quartet, and tours of the plantation, while the kids are entertained with a day full of fun.  An Easter Egg Hunt, live bunnies, face painting, storytelling, professional Easter photos, croquet, horseshoes and other games will provide a memorable day. We’ll be raffling off some exciting toys for kids and parents alike.  Moms and daughters wear your Easter bonnets – a celebrity judge will choose the most spectacular.  Attire is “plantation casual” Transportation is provided.
 Advance Purchase Tickets: $35 Save Our Cemeteries members, $40 non-members, $10 children 5 - 12, under 5 for free.  Adult tickets are $45 at the door.  Call 504-525-3377 to purchase by phone or visit www.saveourcemeteries.org to purchase you tickets securely online. 

FABERGE EASTER HUNT.Besthoff Sculpture Garden of NOMA. 1 TO 3 P.M.The entertainment will by Papillion. There will be art activities, storytelling, facepaintings, refreshments, prizes. Fun  for the entire family. For more information visit www.noma.org

SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH HARPIST/PIANIST RACHEL VAN VOORHIES. New Orleans Grill Room of the Windsor Court Hotel. 12 noon-2:30 p.m. No cover charge.website, www.windsorcourthotel.com.  For dining reservations please call (504) 523-6000.

Brazilian Jazz Brunch at The Bank Cafe,2100 Burgundy St. (corner Touro)12 noon to 3pm
New Orleans' newest brunch offering, featuring Ray Moore and Trio de Janeiro
playing bossa nova, samba jazz, and mpb; and $1 caipirinhas served at the vintage 1939 Brunswick art-deco bar...The Bank Cafe is housed in a former bank, dating from the early 20's. Soaring ceilings and large windows produce a well-lit, spacious atmosphere for afternoon dining and conversation. 

The Old Algiers Riverfest .Algiers Point . Riverfront,225 Morgan Street, near the Algiers Ferry Landing.  Noon to 6 p.m. The afternoon will feature performances by Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Dr Michael White and the Liberty Brass Band, Shades of Praise Interracial Gospel Choir, The Algiers Brass Band and the Panorama Jazz Band. Food, craft vendors and children’s entertainment will be set up on the ground of the Old Algiers Courthouse. Free admission!. For more information visit : www.oldalgiersmainstreet.com or Call 362-8813.

JAZZ IN THE BAYOU. Chateau Kole, Bayou Liberty -near Slidell. The annual benefit for Easter Seals and Starc features local cuisine, live music, and auction and more. Call 9855-643-5761 or visit www.jazzonthebayou.com. Tickets $100. 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

WYES' Chocolate, Chocolate and more Chocolate . Generations Hall,310 Andrew Higgins Drive in the Warehouse District from 3 to 5 p.m. Enjoy decant desserts, savory cuisine, tempting cocktails and of course chocolate by over 25 top restaurants, caterers, bakeries and more. For reservation and more information call 486-5511. All proceeds benefit WYES, our local PBS station. .

.


CHEF PETE AT BACCHANAL: .  Bachannal, 600 Poland Ave.!From 5 p.m. until food runs out.It's spring - 

TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenu, 522-0276;www. trinitynola.com - Trinity Artist Series presents a concert featuring baritone Tyrone Haynes, sopranos Laura Corrales and Tara Melvin and pianist Albinas Prigintas performing arias, art songs and spirituals.   Free admission. 5 p.m.

NOCHE LATINA WITH JULIO AND CESAR BAND. Tomatillo's Restaurant,437 Esplanade Ave.(Across the Mint and almost next to Fire Station)6:30 p.m. 

 PAUL SANCHEZ, 6 P.M.; JOHNNY  & THE HITMEN- 10 P.M.d.b.a.  New Orleans ,618 Frenchmen St, New Orleans.10 P.M.

JOEY PEEBLES QUARTET  Snug Harbor. 626 Frenchmen St, 8 and 10 P.M. 504-949-0696

JAZZ CLUB 528 presentsTHADDEUS RICHARD (Solo Piano) .5:30 -7:30 P.M. PFISTER SISTERS Band. .8 P.M. -12 A.M. 528 Fulton Street, 533-6117

IN THE SPIRIT PRESENTS:
The Prince of Gospel Lyle Henderson .Doors Open @ 3:00 ,Show Starts @ 3:15,Admission: $8.00
IN THE TRADITION PRESENTS: GLEN DAVID ANDREWS & THE LAZY 6 Doors Open @ 8:00 Show Starts @ 8:15 Admission: $ 8.00
PRESERVATION HALL,726 ST. PETER STREETpreservationhall.com       

THE RITES OF SWING. The Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street. Every Sunday 4 to 6 p.m.,a six piece string band playing gypsy jazz, swing, and Brazilian music.BIG SOUL FUNK BAND: 630 P.M.

MONDAY, MARCH 26

CHARMAINE NEVILLE. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, 626 Frenchmen St., 949-0696. 8 & 10 p.m.

Jazz Club 528 presents: JOE KROWN. 9 p.m.

BOB FRENCH & FRIENDS. .d.b.a.  New Orleans ,618 Frenchmen St, New Orleans.10 P.M.

DONNA'S BAR AND GRILL presents: THE GEORGE FRENCH BAND featuring GERMAINE  BAZZLE,  ERIC TRAUB,TODD DUKE,featuring special SPECIAL Guest pianist DAVID TORKANOWSKY.Donna's Bar & Grill, 800 N. Rampart Street,504-596-6914; www.donnasbarandgrill.com.8p.m.                  

SAVE A DATE

T.G.I.F. (Thank Goodness It's Festival) Fundraiser Party
Thursday - April 12, 2007, 7 PM - 10 PM
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Begin French Quarter Festival with a great party that sets the tone for the entire weekend. Swing your tail feathers with New Orleans' own Deacon John & The Ivories. $50 per person advance purchase; $60 per person at the door
Dress is JAZZY casual! Call for more information 504.522.5730 or visit www.fqfi.org

French Quarter Festival
April 13 - 15, 2007
Enjoy 250 hours of free entertainment featuring more than 150 musical performances on fifteen stages throughout the French Quarter over a three-day weekend. Nearly 60 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and the U.S. Mint will make up the "World's Largest Jazz Brunch," a signature event, featuring authentic local cuisine from renowned area restaurants.

Little Red School House 5K Fun Run for the Arts
Saturday - April 14, 2007
5K Starts @ 9 AM on the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine. Registration fee is $15 if paid by April 7th, and $20 on the day of the race. Students pay $10.
Drinks, beer, food and fun will follow the race @ French Quarter Fest beginning at 11 AM! Visit  http://mcdonogh15.org/FQFi/race.htm for more information!

French Quarter Business Women's Network Charity Race
Saturday - April 21, 2007 More details to come!

2007 EVENT SCHEDULE OF THE LAFAYETTE SQUARE

April 4 - The Iguanas / Hot 8 Brass Band

April 11 - Cowboy Mouth / Track Rabbit

Apr. 18 - Irma Thomas / Jake Smith

Apr.25 - subdudes / Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans

May - Marcia Ball / Paul Sanchez

May 9 - The Radiators / Robert Fortune Band

May 16 - Sonny Landreth / The Bluerunners

May 23 - Terrance Simien / Amanda Shaw

May 30 - Beausoleil / Ghost Town

June 6 - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave / The Hons

June 13 - Walter Wolfman Washington / 101 Runners

June 20 - Bag of Donuts / The Sanchez Twins

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY.APRIL 20-21,2007 

Sentimental Journeys, a dinner and auction of 30 exclusive worldwide trips, is the primary fundraiser for Longue Vue and occurs every eighteen months.  The most recent Sentimental Journeys was held in October 2004 and again raised over $700,000, all of which is dedicated to the educational programs we offer. 

Sentimental Journeys 2007 will be held April 20 and 21, 2007 and will again be held at a private and prominent New Orleans home and garden.  Proceeds from this extraordinary evening are dedicated to educational programs, such as our innovative children's Discovery Garden, designed to expose youth to a hands-on interactive exploration of nature; “Learners at Longue Vue,” an award-winning curriculum pairing Longue Vue with the Orleans Parish School System which has reached over 17,000 students since the 1987 inception; and our partnership with the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ “Summer Witness Program,” which has provided special programs and field trips to over 2,500 at-risk children. 

2007 Sentimental Journeys

PATRON RECEPTION 

Friday, April 20th 

7:00 pm

2701 St. Charles Ave.  New Orleans, LA

Tickets:  $500

Cocktail Attire

We are thrilled to announce that Chef Michel Richard of Citronelle Restaurant in Washington, DC along with New Orleans own Chef John Besh will be preparing an incredible feast for the lucky patron guests.  The guests will also enjoy wines from Landmark Vineyards, Swanson Vineyards, Kathryn Hall, Rex Hill and Truchard while listening to the local sounds of Don Vappie.

DINNER & AUCTION

Saturday, April 21^st

Pre-Dinner Reception 6:30pm

Dinner 8pm

36 & 38 Nassau Drive, Metairie, LA

Tickets:  $225 (dinner and auction only)

Black Tie

We are so honored to have Rene Hofstede of Mille Fiori Flowers in New York City insure a breathtaking venue.  The guest chef is the renowned Thierry Rautureau of Rover’s Restaurant in Seattle who will be hosted by Chef Peter Moore of the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.  To compliment the scrumptious dinner, the vineyards from the Patron Party will be pouring their most exclusive wines at the Pre-Dinner reception and at the Dinner.  After the auction, Pepe & the Bottle Blondes will give you reason to get up and dance.