Darling friends,

This last weekend exhausted me and I am still recuperating from all the fun festivals that included the Seafood Festival, Gretna Heritage Festival, Congo Square Festival and a few that I missed when I ran out of energy.

This week is not going to be any exception since we also have a myriad of fun events: Cinq a Sept at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB) on Tuesday, October 7, from 5-7 p.m., will feature the live music of Marc Stone, "a true blues diamond in the rough," according to Where Y'At magazine.  Savvy Gourmet provides a cash wine bar and Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro provides complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Non-member cost:  $10 museum admission; no charge to members..

The Rib Room of the Royal Orleans Hotel  and Chef Anthony Spizale  is inviting everyone to come and experience  "Savor the Flavors of France.” An exciting menu of acclaimed wines, traditional champagne and inspired cuisine from October 1st to December 28. Complimentary parking.

The Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La, A New Orleans Social Club, invites you to bring a friend or come alone to their first Wednesday Social from 6-7 p.m. Cash bar with complimentary hors d'oeuvres at the Carousel Bar, Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal Street, on Wednesday, October 8.

As every Wednesday, the JW Marriott is presenting their Wednesdays at the JW Marriott where you can experience an evening of cultural indulgences at the Lobby Lounge featuring works by local artists. This  week featured gallery is The Pearl Art Gallery,“ the newest art gallery in New Orleans, featuring fun Mardi Gras beaded mirrors, original paintings, sculpture and jewelry by Sheryl Lundstrom." Live entertainment by Riccardo Crespo, (Brazilian musician, singer and songwriter, who plays acoustic guitar and harmonica) 5:30-8 p.m. Complimentary wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres

On Wednesday, October 8, 15, 22, and 29, join pianist Tom McDermott for an exotic fusion of ragtime, traditional jazz and South American piano styles.. 12 noon-1 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Visitors Center, 916 N. Peters Street. (504) 589-4841.

Fredy Omar Con su Banda plays every Wednesday night recreating the "Red Room" at The Cricket Club on St. Charles Avenue. He also play every Thursday at the Column Hotel. No to be missed.
 
Also on Wednesday, October 8, there will be an exhibition featuring pre-Civil War photographs of New Orleans which opened October 1at the Historic New Orleans Collection. The exhibition is titled "A Closer Look: The Antebellum Photographs of Jay Dearborn Edwards, 1858-1861," and will run through February 20, 2009 at the Williams Gallery, 533 Royal Street in the French Quarter. Free and open to the public; call (504) 523-4662.

The University of New Orleans Jazz Studies Program presents JAZZ AT THE SANDBAR this Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. with special performance by trombonist Lucian Barbarin in the Flambeau Lounge of the University Center on the Lakefront Campus. For more information call 280-6381.

On Thursday, October 9, there will be a posh party from 5-8 p.m. with TV personality Meg Farris and her jewelry. Writer Bonnie Warren, Celeste from Make Me Up, will be doing makeovers, Wine sampling from Partysist (plus Renee and Lea will give you party tips). Alissyn Heafer will do chair massage and Chaille Delerno will do hypnotherapy. Also on hand will be Gae-tanas Maple Street Clothing Store; Anastasia's Attic and their stationery; Shane French and her fabulous handbags and wallets; artists Margo Baker, Traci Hansen and Stephen Broussard; One of a Kind Jewelry by Bee Pollack; Peggy Key will buy your old gold jewelry; and Trudy Schmidt of Singer Kitchens and Closets. The Occasional Wife  'King of Hair' Glenn Michael and his secret techniques with Hair Maggie will do complimentary brow waxing, and there will also be Shoe Cookies from The Cookie Lady at design, llc, 1623 Metairie Road, Metairie (http://www.insidedesignllc.com/).
 
On Thursday October 9, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana and New Orleans' Kids Partnership presents, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Benjy Davis Project.  The free concert series will take place at Lafayette Square, 600 St. Charles Avenue. In addition to food and drinks from local favorites, artwork and crafts from regional artists and designers will be available for purchase.

Every Thursday in October, the New Orleans Living Magazine, W Hotel's Zoe Lounge and Stiletto Vodka presents " Flirt with the Chef"'
The Kick-off Event will be this Thursday, Oct. 2 from 6 -9 p.m. You will enjoy a complimentary Stiletto Cocktail and complimentary hors d' oeuvres served from 7 to 8 p.m.  Featuring music by guitarist Terc Martinez. The W Hotel is located at 333 Poydras Street. See you there!

 
Also on Thursday, October 9, Ogden After Hours presents Kim Carson & Lyn Drury playing and singing country/western from 6-8 p.m. in the Lobby Atrium of The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp Street.

The Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting this Friday, as usual from 6-7 p.m. at Felipe's, 301 N. Peters St. Phone (504) 267-4406.

The 9th Annual New Orleans Film Festival will be held October 10-16 with events around the city, including screenings at Landmark's Canal Place Cinema, the Contemporary Arts Center and the Prytania Theatre. Throughout the festival, audiences will have the chance to meet and mingle with filmmakers at panels and workshops, networking events and receptions, and after-hours parties. There will be a star-studded Opening Night at Canal Place Cinema on Friday October 10. The film will be followed by the Festival Opening Night Party at Tipitina's French Quarter. For additional information visit www.neworleansfilmfestival.com
 
On Friday, October 10, at 6 p.m., Morton's the Steakhouse in New Orleans hosts a special Riedel Wine tasting. Showcasing the profound difference a wine glass can make on how wines taste, Morton"s invites guests to explore that difference. The event will feature Riedel "Flow" a series wine glasses paired with red and white wines, along with Morton's signature hors d oeuvres. Tickets are $70 per person, which include tax and gratuity. Guests will also receive a special gift of four Riedel "Flow" series wine glasses. Please call Morton's New Orleans at (504) 566-0221 or visit http://www.mortons.com/  to make your reservation.

On Friday, October 10,Tenerifedanzalab, a contemporary dance laboratory project of the Auditorio de Tenerife of the Canary Islands comes to Dixon Hall, Newcomb College Campus, Tulane University at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free! Tenerifedanzalab will present an evening of six works featuring the Lab's resident choreographers. Many of the six works center on the lives of the people of Tenerife and incorporates the theme of water.

The Polo Club Lounge, named by Zagat as one of New Orleans’ best places to drink, is jazzin’ it up every Friday and Saturday with the hot entertainment series, “Playin’ At The Polo,” featuring popular local musicians performing a repertoire of sophisticated jazz.

Fridays, October 10, 24, 31, 2008

The Leah Chase Trio -9 p.m. – 12 Midnight 

Saturdays, October 11, 18, & 25, 2008

Vocalist Anais St. John with The Harry MayronneTrio -9 p.m. – Midnight

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays

 Pianist Michael Pellera

7 p.m. – 11 p.m. - Thursdays

7 p.m. – 9 p.m. - Fridays

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Saturdays 

Sundays - Wednesdays

Pianist Jim Harris-6 p.m – 10 p.m.

Sunday Brunch

Christopher Kohl Trio- 11 a.m – 2 p.m. 

Oktoberfest is underway at The Deutsches Haus, 200 S. Galvez Street. It’s that time of year when the glories of German culture, music, food and especially! " beer" is celebrated in Germany and among the New Orleans German community. Oktoberfest began on September 26 and ends on Friday, October 31. The festival is held every Friday from 3 p.m. to 1a.m., and every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 1a.m. Deutsches Haus was founded in 1928 as a benevolent and social organization for local Germans and it keeps those grand traditions alive today. Beifallsrufe! (Cheers!)

DIE! MOMMY! DIE! runs through October 19 at Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Avenue. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. Tickets are $26 on Fridays and Saturdays, $21 on Sundays, and can be reserved at http://www.norunningwithscissors.com/ or 504-581-5812.

On Friday, October 10, Cuban Artist Juan-Carlos Formally with Johnny's Dream Club performs at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, 626 Frenchman Street. Call 504-949-0696. All shows 8 and 10 p.m. First seating starts at 7 p.m. Cover charge

The American Cancer Society's 10th annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" non-competitive, family-friendly, 5K will take place on Saturday, October 11, at the New Orleans Lakefront (Lakeshore Drive and Robert E. Lee). Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the event begins at 8:30 a.m. For information or to form a team, call (504) 833-4024 or email  makingstridesneworleans@cancer.org. You can also visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

 The first annual Gentilly Fest 2008 will be taking place this Saturday, October 11, at 12 noon at Pontchartrain Park. The free to th epublic festival will celebrate all things "Gentilly" including live music, sumptuous from a variety of local restaurants and caterers, fine art and crafts, activities for children and a lot of fun events.

 
“DANCING WITH FRIENDS, PART TWO” is to be performed October 11, 2008. The award-winning Lula Elzy New Orleans Dance Theatre will present “Dancing with Friends, Part Two” at 8:00 p.m. at Roussel Performance Hall /Loyola University. $15.00 buy tickets  Call 504-461-9013 to order.

Nickel-A-Dance, a New Orleans family-friendly jazz-dance  tradition since 1994, returned for a series of six concerts in October &  November, Tell your friends and tell your children: The venue will  be Ray’s Boom Boom-Room, 508 Frenchmen, from 4-7 p.m.  AND:  IT’S STILL FREE!

Mark your calendars:
Sun., October 12: Joint Chiefs of Jazz with Frank Oxley  (4-7 p.m.)
Sun., October 19: Steve Pistorius & his Southern  Syncopators (4-7 p.m.)
Sun., October 26: Lionel Ferbos and the Palm Court Jazz  Band  (4-7  p.m.)
Sun., November 2: Mark Brooks’ All-Stars (4-7  p.m.)
Sun., November 9: Creole Jazz Serenaders with Don  Vappie

This is a reminder about the NOFF "Women in Film" Reception on Monday,October 13, 6:00-7:00PM, at the VIP lounge, Canal Place.
As you may know, there is a move afoot to start a branch of WIFT in New Orleans.As well as a chance to gauge interest for this, this reception will also be an opportunity for some female networking, a bit of a chinwag,some Vosges chocolate truffles and a fab rum cocktail or two - a special concoction has been created by Old New Orleans Rum just for us!

 
Please put in your calendar that the monthly Round Table Luncheon will be Wednesday, October 15 at noon at Begue's Restaurant of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Our exciting panel will be composed of Hon. Councilwoman Stacey Head; Eric Paulsen, Anchorman for WWL-TV (Channel 4); and Mark Singletary, Publisher of New Orleans CityBusiness.

As always, we are going to have an informative luncheon and you will be able to share with us, any exciting project that you are working on. I always invite you to come at 11:30 a.m. so you can network and share brochures, etc and, of course, sip a wonderful welcoming champagne glass. Do not wait until the last minute to call Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220 or email her at nscallan@royalsonestano.com  .

The New Orleans Opera Season opens with "Manon Lescaut by Puccini- His first major operatic success October 17 and 19,2008. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursday and at 2:30 p.m. on October 19 at McAlister Auditorium's uptown town. For tickets visit www.neworleansopera.org

 On Wednesday, October 15 is the preview party for the Third Annual Fall Into Fashion at the Encore Shop, 7814 Maple St, 861-9028. The LPO/ Symphony Volunteers’ Third Annual Fall Into Fashion at The Encore Shop Fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the musicians of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Featuring a fabulous
auction of fashion items plus wine, cheese, and our famous “Mozartinis.”Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at door. Call: Linda Ferguson, 504.282.0709; Nancy Pomiechowski, 504.598.6060; or e-mail  NancyVal@bellsouth.net. 6-9 p.m.
 

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And finally, still another reminder to order your tickets early for the Chinchuba Institute's " Look Who is Talking" fundraiser at the Preservation Resource Center on Saturday, October 18, starting at 7 p.m. Entertainment by Benny Grunch and the Bunch and Becky Allen, with fabulous food, dozens of silent auction items, door prizes and more. Order your tickets now for a fun evening on Tchoupitoulas Street. Call 391-2475.

Have a great week!

Margarita