Post your events on our Bayoubuzz.com statewide calendar.   Approximately 1000 people per day read it.

Join the BayoubuzzDance site. Tell your friends.

Darling readers,

I hope you had a nice week. I did attend the celebrations for Bastille Day at the Faubourg St John and the world premiere of the all-male "Boylesque Revue," along with the sensational "Fleur de Tease Burlesque" at One Eyed Jacks, and both events were a lot of fun. I also got a chance to meet author Jackie Collins at Harrah's Casino. The author was in town as part of a nationwide tour to promote her 26th novel "Married Lovers" which has been billed as this summer's "hottest affair."

My friend, talented chef Poppy Tooker is inviting everyone to tune in on Tuesday, July 15 to the Food Network at 8 p.m. CST and see her spank Bobby Flay in a Gumbo Throwdown! 

Last Tuesday, I went to the Wine Tasting at Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar, 5535 Tchoupitoulas Street, and it was a lot of fun. There will be a free tasting for the ladies from 6-8 p.m. Sorry gentlemen but you need to pay $10.00. Call (504) 891-8500.

The entertainment schedule is as follows and. No cover charge 

Tuesday, July 15: TUES 7/15 TOM HOOK@ 9 30p.m. 
Wednesday, July 16: JOE KROWN @ 9:30 p.m. 
Thursday, July 17: Lantana Combo, 9:30 p.m. 
Friday, July 18: Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 19: Tom Hook & Swing Cat’s Ball, 10 p.m.
HAPPY HOUR: 5 -7 p.m., Monday-Friday
  

My monthly Round Table Luncheon will be on Wednesday, July 16 at noon at Begue's in the Royal Sonesta Hotel. My featured speakers are:

• Aimee Hayes, Executive and Artistic Director of the Southern Repertory Theatre
• Marci Schramm, Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, which includes Satchmo SummerFest
• Laurie Toups, who will speak about the upcoming Satchmo Strut.

Arrive at 11:30 a.m. and network till 12 noon, then lunch and guest speakers start. Price $35, including complimentary wine and parking. For reservations call Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220 or email at nscallan@royalsonestano.com .

Last week I mentioned that the Sazerac cocktail was named the official cocktail of the State of Louisiana by an act of the Louisiana Legislature. I would like to correct that and invite you to join us celebrating that the Sazerac cocktail has designed as the official Cocktail of New Orleans.

JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION BY TOASTING THE ONLY CITY WITH ITS OWN OFFICIAL COCKTAIL ON WEDNESDAY JULY 16.

State Senator Edwin Murray and State House Representative Cedric Richmond will be on hand as we honor the only city with its own official cocktail. Enjoy complimentary Sazeracs; the 2008 Cocktail Competition winner, the “Punch and Judy” created by Charlotte Voisey; and Sazerac cupcakes created by Steve Himelfarb of Cake Café at Hotel Monteleone, Riverview Room, 214 Rue Royal. 

 Tales of the Cocktail, the most spirited event of the summer begins its five-day celebration of dining and drinking and the history of the cocktail in New Orleans with a free toasting event at the Hotel Monteleone on Wednesday, July 16 at 2 p.m., hosted by TOC founder Ann Tuennerman. For complete schedule of TOC events visit http://www.talesofcocktail.com/ . The events will be held at  the Monteleone Hotel and various locations throughout the French Quarter.

On Wednesday, you do not want to miss the opening of the Absinthe Museum when Tales of the Cocktail Revives “The Green Hour” Absinthe Ritual and Previews the Absinthe Museum of America (5-6:30 pm) at 823 Royal Street. Presented by La Fee, Lucid, Marteau and Pernod Absinthe. The Absinthe Museum of American will explore the interesting and misunderstood life of absinthe. It is the first of its kind in the United States to showcase the antique items and to explore its complex and fascinating history. Free Admission.

 TechAssistLA Director Will Norris and leading experts in the field are presenting a series of seminar that help small businesses from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Louisiana Technology Council, 1215 Prytania Street, New Orleans. http://www.TechAssistLA.com/training.php

The specific topics of the series are:
July 16 – “Marketing Your Website” with Niki Arena, ECaloim.com LLC
July 23 – “Open Source CMS” with Cherry Cappel, CherryCappel.com
July 30 – “Driving Traffic to your Site” with Adele Tiblier of  FabreSmith&Coco, Marketing Architects

I wanted to share this news: La Provence bids adieu to Chef René Bajeux who will open his own restaurant, and they welcome home Chef Randy Lewis, formerly of Indigo.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly network  meeting on Wednesday July 16 at the New Orleans Museum of Art  from 5:30-8 p.m.While there you can see the wonderful exhibit “The Baroque World of Fernando Botero.” The Hispanic Chamber is also hosting a quarterly luncheon on Wednesday July 23 at the JW Marriott Hotel, 614 Canal Street.  The featured speaker is General Douglas O'Dell , Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, United States Department of Homeland Security. For reservation call 504-885-4262 or e-mail info@hccl.biz

 
  
Wednesdays at the JW Marriott is featuring this Wednesday the photographs of Pat Jolly, from 5:30-8 p.m. Pat is one of the bright stars in New Orleans’ artistic constellation. More a participant than an observer, more folk artist than photographer, Pat documents the life of the city she loves. Live entertainment by Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Riccardo Crespo. Complimentary wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres.

On July 16, "Mirrors of Chartres Street: Faulkner in New Orleans/New Orleans in Faulkner" a benefit to support the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival Appearance at Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Avenue at 8 p.m. Tickets $25, $15 for actors and students. Tickets can be purchased at: 1-888-333-5105 or www.bayouplayhouse..com or www.faulknerneworleans.com .

Women & Wine  is having their monthly meeting this  Wednesday from 5:30-7 p.m., at  Riomar 800 South Peters St. in the Warehouse District

 Darling friend Ian McNulty is having a book signings for his book A Season of Night: New Orleans Life after Katrina on Thursday, July 17 from 6-8 p.m., at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp Street.  The Museum is featuring Judith Owens at Ogden After Hours, Lobby Lounge of the Ogden Museum.

On Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m., do not miss celebrated pianist Dr. Quinn Peeper, performing works by Chopin, Scriabine and others at Trinity Artist Series, Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans. All are invited to the reception following the concert. Dr. Peeper is a graduate of University of Oxford, England in Physiological Sciences and holds a Bachelors of Arts from the same. He received his Doctorate of Medicine from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. His musical performances are extensive and include two private recitals at New York's Carnegie Hall, performances with the Metropolitan Chorale of New York and New Orleans’ own Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Politics with a Punch, is this Thursday, July 17.  As usual, the show will take place at the Cricket Club, 2040 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, opening the doors early, at 6 p.m. for a Punch Happy Hour and Dinner. As usual, the program will begin at 8 p.m. Post event, the Cricket Club bar will remain open for Punch patrons.

It will feature this outstanding panel of celebrities:

·        Lee Balinas, Comic Extraordinaire, Rising Star in Funny Business 

·        Larry Beron, Punch Favorite, Hilarious Comedian and Stage Star   

·        Jimmy Fahrenholtz, Orleans Parish School Board, Candidate for Congress

·        John LaBruzzo, Metairie State Representative, LA Legislature 

·        Harry Shearer, Hollywood Walk Star-The Simpsons; Spinal Tap 

·        Kenya Smith, Ex-Nagin Administration Director of Government Relations, Candidate for Congress

·        Rachel Wulff, News Anchor and Reporter, WDSU-TV Channel 6

The New Orleans Botanical Gardens’ “Music in the Garden Series” continues with “Thursdays at Twilight" on July 17 presenting M. I. Scoggin, Matt Scoggin and Dr. Will Robicheaux – “Soiree” Edith Piaf’, an evening of songs and history combined, of the life of the famous French chanteuse. Pavilion of the Two Sisters, New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park. 5–8 p.m.

On Friday, July 19, the Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting from 6-7 p.m. at The Mississippi River Bottom Bar, 515 St. Philip Street. Phone: 524-2558.

The Polo Club Lounge at the Windsor Court Hotel  is jazzin’ it up every Friday and "Playin’ at the Polo," is featuring these popular local musicians performing a repertoire of sophisticated jazz:

Friday, July 18: Sasha Masakowski, 9 p.m.-12 midnight
Fridays, July 25: Troi Bechet, 9 p.m.-12 midnight
Saturdays, July 19 & 26: Leah Chase, 9 p.m.-12 midnight
Sunday–Wednesday: Pianist Jim Harris, 6-10 p.m.
Thursday–Saturday: Pianist Michael Pellera, 7–11 p.m. Thursdays; 7–9 p.m. Fridays; 6–9 p.m. Saturdays. 

No Cover Charge and Sunday Champagne Jazz Brunch in the New Orleans Grill with The Christopher Kohl Trio, 11:00 a.m.–3 p.m. 

“Where The Girls Were” will be performed through Sunday, July 27. The homegrown revue of 1960s girl groups, female pop stars and local lore was a huge hit 20 years ago when Carl Walker produced it at the Contemporary Arts Center. It has returned at Le Petit Theatre, again directed by Walker. Tickets are $28-$32. Call 504-522-2081 to order.

Great entertainment awaits you every Friday and Saturday night when pianist Armand St. Martin performs “Solo on the Steinway” in the Ritz-Carlton Cigar Bar from 6-11 p.m. Armand continues with his original songs and wonderful classic New Orleans covers in the Library, which is now transformed to a private Cigar Bar. $25/per or private membership.

 On Saturday, July 19, there will be a Free WIne tasting of cool summer whites HOSTED BY Jamie Caldcleurgh of Merlin White, at Bacchanal Fine Wine and Spirits, 600 Poland Avenue,  3 -6 p.m.  

My darling fellow Realtor MaryFlynn Thomas is performing every Saturday at Chef Andrea Apuzzo's beautiful new lounge: " Capri Blu Lounge" at Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie.  MaryFlynn  is accompanied by Rhodes Spedale on piano.

On Saturday, July 19, Casa Argentina will celebrate the 192th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of  Argentina (July 9, 1816) with a Gala Tango Night at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown New Orleans. It will be a memorable night with some of the world's best tango dancers and a renowned tango ensemble, a fun filled evening for a worthy cause.

Titled "TANGO Celebration", the Gala will feature two couples of dancers, under the artistic direction of Miriam Larici. Miriam has an international reputation as a superb performer, choreographer and instructor. Hers was the signature image of the original Broadway production of "Forever Tango". Special guests will be Seth Asarnow, a master of the bandoneon, his "Notable Tango Quartet", and the vocalist Lizzy Furlong. Following the show, there will be dancing to the Latin rhythms of the local group Julio y Cesar. 

The Show will start at 9:15 p.m. The price of the ticket for the show and dance is $30.For more information please contact us at (504) 896-2229, (504) 377-1162, (504) 234-9397 and (504) 237-1093 or by e-mail at casaargentinanola@gmail.com.

On Saturday, there will be a celebration for the birthday of Lionel Ferbos at Snug Harbor, 626 Frenchmen Street, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Jazz trumpeter Lionel Ferbos, at 97, is the city’s oldest working musician. Congratulations. 

I want to congratulate my darling friend Honduras-born Laura Tennyson who just celebrated becoming a US citizen at a recent gathering at the House of Blues' Foundation Room. 

Celebrate Christmas in July on Sunday, July 20 at 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. French Quarter Business Women's Network (FQBWN) hosts this annual fundraiser to benefit local women's charities.  

"Girlfriends Getaway" is the theme for the 2008 event, which features spa treatments by Ofadean, silent auction, raffles, shopping, brunch and cocktails compliments of Glazer's Companies of Louisiana.  Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased in advance or on the day of the event at 1104 Decatur Street. Monies raised go towards Crescent House, Lindy's Place and a University of New Orleans (UNO) scholarship for non-traditional female students. 

The  Musical Arts Society of New Orleans is presenting its 20th Annual International Piano Competition  from July 20-27 at = Loyola University Roussel Hall. Guests will be able to hear twelve of the world's finest pianists competing for more than $40,000 in prizes.  To order tickets call (504) 899-4826 or visit http://www.masno.org/

You can kick up your heels at The National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine Street with Sunday Swing with featured entertainers the Palmetto Bug Stompers. Professional swing dancers from NOLA Swing will be on hand to provide coaching for dancers of all levels while local musicians play World War II era hits. This free event is part of “Stars and Stripes Summer,” a summer-long tribute to the American Spirit featuring programs for adults and children and a special discount on admission for Louisiana residents. For a complete schedule and more information, call 504-527-6012 x 359 or log on to http://www.neworleansonline.com/news/2008/Jul/swingandschindler.html . 

While there, I urge you to see the special exhibits “Real to Reel: Hollywood and WWII“ through August 31, and “Schindler: A Traveling Exhibition from The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Those who remember the movie, Schindler’s List will appreciate this special exhibit.

The Museum of the American Cocktail invites you to join in its ribbon cutting ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. on July 21, 2008 at SoFAB.  Designed by Curator Ted "Dr. Cocktail" Haigh, this exhibit features 200 years of cocktail history, including vintage cocktail shakers, Prohibition era literature, music, bar tools and exciting bar memorabilia from the collections of the museum's friends and founders. Do not miss the Gourmet Cocktail, Breakfast Beignets from Cafe Adelaide and Music by Dr. Michael White and his quartet.

Have a great week!

Margarita