I hope you and your family had a delightful Easter.
For the first time in over 30 years, I spent a very quiet Easter at home with my beloved Tito and Chiquita because I knew that this week is going to be super busy.
As MaryBethRomig, director of Communications and Public Relations for the New Orleans Convention and Visitor Bureau of the City of New Orleans said at the press conference to announce the line- up for the French Quarter Festival: " The amount of events that cities through United States have one year, we have them just in one month and that is April."
This week is very special to me since I will be a presenter at the annual 37th Prix D' Elegance on Tuesday at the Hilton. The same day, the Petit Theatre, is having a very special event in an effort to retire operational debt that nearly closed Le Petit Theatre, the oldest continuously operating community theatre in America, both professional and non-professional performers are presenting a nostalgic look at performances from the past to raise money for the 93-year-old institution. So you know that I can not miss that. On Wednesday, I am looking forward to my monthly Round Table Luncheon at noon at Begue's of the Royal Sonesta Hotel with featured speakers: talented Jazz Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield of Irvin Mayfield 's Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel and Don Marshall, Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation.
That evening, I am planning to attend the YLC's Wednesday at Lafayette Square when Jazz Trumpeter Jeremy Davenport will be the featured entertainer, preceded by the Preservation Hall Band. After the event I promised my friend Brazilian guitarist/composer Riccardo Crespo that I will attend his 10th anniversary concert at Snug Harbor that will be presented at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
On Thursday, I am looking forward to the kickoff party of 2009 French Quarter Festival at the annual fundraiser TGIF (Thank Goodness it's Festival) at 7p.m. in the courtyard of world famous
Pat O'Brien's in the French Quarter. Tickets are $65 . For more information visit http://www.fqfi.or/ or call 504-522-5730. Renaissance man Tony Green who just returned from Venice, will be performing this Thursday at the Twilight at the Garden Concert Series at the Pavilion of Two Sister in City Park. On Friday, my darling dog Tito, 2009 Grand Duke of the Barkus Parade, and survivor of a stroke has been invited to participate in the annual French Quarter Festival Parade that will start at 10 a.m. from Bourbon Street across the street from the Jazz Legends Park and the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
The French Quarter Festival will keep us busy throughout the weekend. Plus, New Orleans Opera is offering one of my favorites, Verdi’s La Traviata, on Friday night and Sunday afternoon, starring lovely soprano Georgia Jarman in the title role. For tickets call 504-529-3000. On Saturday, I am planning to escape from the French Quarter and attend the Longue Vue House and Gardens' spring fundraiser "Spring Garden Tours and Fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. with 10 Garden District gardens and a wine reception at 1415 third St. For tickets call 504-4885488 or e-mail rschultz@longuevue.com .
On Sunday, City Park is holding Domingo Latino (Latin Sunday) outdoors on the Robert B. Haspel Stage, one of the most beautiful settings in our area for music, from 4 to 7 p.m. I told it will be a busy week and that is just one week in the month of April.
On Tuesday, April 21 For voracious music lovers looking for something to quench their appetite for live music in between festivals look no further. W French Quarter and the Backbeat Foundation announced a special concert celebrating the release of the compilation CD of artists featured in the Backbeat Jazzfest Series 09’ (including Soulive, Rotary Downs, Grupo Fantasma, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and Marco Benevento). This event will feature performances by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Anders Osborne and other special guests in the W French Quarter Courtyard on Tuesday, April 21 from 6 – 9pm.
The evening is sponsored by W French Quarter Hotel, Tobacco Free Living, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jim Beam, Don Q, Sauza, and NewOrleans.com. Entry fee is $20 and includes a copy of the CD, specialty drink open bar and tasty bites from Jacques-Imo’s. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Backbeat Foundation.
April 15
Wednesday Nights at the J.W. Marriott
Experience an evening of cultural indulgences from 5:30 to 8 p.m.at the JW Marriott Lobby Lounge featuring works by Local Artist: Isabelle Jacopin -(New Works! Colorful Scenes of New Orleans and France - Oils on Canvas)
Live Entertainment by: Tony Seville-(multi instrumentalist)Spirit Tasting and complimentary Hors d’oeuvres
April 15
YLC'S WEDNESDAY AT LAFAYETTE SQUARE
Jeremy Davenport will be the featured entertainement courtesy of Ritz Carlton. He will be preceeded by the Preservation Hall All Stars. The concert is free from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Free from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm, Lafayette Square Park. Artists from New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast will also be on hand in the Artist Village selling glass art, handmade jewelry, ceramics, high art photographs, and other various items for the home. Concerts are held every Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:30 pm until June 17, rain or shine. Parking $3, available at 650 Poydras Street after 4pm.
April 15-19 at the New Orleans Historic Collection
The spring social season is here, and The Collection has a full variety of events for you this week. Details for the following events are listed below.
Opening reception for Women Artists in Louisiana, 1825–1965: A Place of Their Own
New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park
5:30–8:30 p.m.
Exhibition on view through Summer 2009
The fifth collaborative exhibition between The Historic New Orleans Collection and the New Orleans Museum of Art opens Wednesday, April 15, at NOMA in City Park. Drawing from the holdings of both institutions, the exhibition includes more than 50 examples by more than 40 women artists, including Caroline Durieux, Colette Heldner, Josephine Crawford, Ida Kohlmeyer, and Helen Turner. All artists featured either visited or resided in Louisiana from the late 19th century through the cusp of postmodernism. Women Artists in Louisiana, 1825–1965: A Place of Their Own is free to Louisiana residents; NOMA’s standard admission rates apply to all other patrons. The opening reception is free and open to the public.
BOMBAY CLUB - MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT - No cover charge
Monday - Thursday- David Armstrong- 6 p.m.
Friday- Kris Klein & The Boulevards
Saturday - Banu Gibson 9:30pm - 12:30am
MUSIC OFFERING AT DOS JEFES UPTOWN CIGAR BAR- NO COVER CHARGE
Dosjefescigarbar.com
Every Tuesday- TOM HOOK on piano w/special guest WENDELL BRUNIOUS on trumpet @ 9 30 Every WEDNESDAY in April: song styler BOB ANDREWS @ 9 30
Thursday- Joe Krown 9:30 p.m.
Friday- Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Hotspots- 10 p.m..
Saturday- Tony Green and the Gypsy Jazz-10 p.m.
MON., guitarist JOHN FOHL is back for all of April @ 9 30
***HAPPY HOUR*** HAS EXPANDED TO 7 DAYS
$2.50 HEINER BRAU PINTS;$3 HI-BALLS;$4 MARTINIS, MARGARITAS...
MUSIC OFFERING AT The Polo Club Lounge at Windsor Court - - No cover Charge
Live Music 7 Nights a Week!
The Leah Chase Trio-Friday April 10 & 17 --9 PM - Midnight
Saturdays-Anais St. John With The Harry Mayronne Trio- 9 PM – Midnight
Vocalist Sasha Masakowski -Friday April 24-9 PM – Midnight
MUSIC LISTINGS AT IRVIN MAYFIELD'S JAZZ PLAYHOUSE AT THE ROYAL SONESTA HOTEL
Fridays- April 17, 24 and May 1 at 8 p.m.LEON "KID CHOCOLATE" BROWN
Mondays -April , 20 & 27, & May 4 at 8 p.m. BOB FRENCH AND THE ORIGINAL JAZZ BAND
MUSIC LISTINGS AT THE RITZ CARLTON
on TROIS : JEREMY DAVENPORT- at 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Catherine Anderson - Sat and Sun at 1 p.m.
Armand St. Martin -10 a.m. Sunday
April 15
10th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT RICCARDO CRESPO AT SNUG HARBOR
Brazilian musician, Riccardo Crespo, will present a special anniversary concert at the premiere jazz club of New Orleans, Snug Harbor. On Wednesday April 15, Crespo will perform original compositions from his last three CD’s including a preview of new material from his next album scheduled for release in 2010. The talented singer, songwriter and guitarist will be featured along with his band, Sol Brasil. The ensemble includes pianist Jesse Reeks, violinist Lulu Gonzalez, saxophonist Rex Gregory, bassist Nathan Lamberstson and Gabriel Velascos on drums and percussion. For tickets call 504-949-0696. There will be two shows: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
April 16
THURSDAYS AT TWILIGHT GARDEN CONCERT SERIES PRESENT TONY GREEN
Gypsy jazz will be filling the lovely Pavilion of Two Sisters at the New Orleans Botanical Garden, at City Park, when Tony Green performs at 6 p.m. Admission is $6.00 Call 483-9386
April 16
CHEF ADOLFO GARCIA OF RIO MAR RESTAURANT DOES CEVICHE AT SAVVY
Venezuelan Chef Adolfo Garcia is going to be teaching how do his specialty: Ceviche-the best ceviche to be had in all of New Orleans.
So please join Savvy welcoming Chef Adolfo Garcia for his first-ever cooking class at Savvy on Magazine St. It's going to be great!
6:30 pm at 4519 Magazine St.,504.895.COOK (2665) $45 per person.
Talking about Chef Adolfo by popular demand his restaurant La Boca is doing by popular demand Asado Night a La Boca on April 20 at 7 p.m.ASADO NIGHT AT LA BOCA.
If you missed our last asado, this is your chance to redeem yourself. Lent's over and we know you're craving a nice, juicy steak so come on over to La Boca and indulge in an all-you-can-eat meat fest. Pasta, provoleta, empanadas, ensalada
$45 per person, Monday, April 20 @ 7pm. Special prices on wine too!
Limited seating, reservations required: 525-8205
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April 16
THANK GOODNESS IT'S FESTIVAL
French Quarter Festival will kickoff the festival season with its annual fundraiser TGIF(Thank Goodness it's Festival) at 7p.m. at the courtyard of world famous Pat O'Brien's in the French Quarter.. Tickets are $50 or $65 after April 9. Visit http://www.fqfi.or/ or call 504-522-5730
Thursday, April 16th
OPERA "CABILDO"
Keith Marshall and Music @ Madewood Plantation are proud to present the Opera “Cabildo” Followed by dinner at Muriel’s Jackson Square, Fine Dining.
Louisiana State Museum’s National Historic Landmark, the Cabildo,701 Chartres Street Cabildo doors open 6 p.m.with complimentary champagne and white wine,Opera Begins at 7 p.m.
Performed by Houston’s Opera Vista Viswa Subbaraman, Artistic Director of Opera Vista, Conductor, to be followed dinner at Muriel’s Jackson Square, Fine Dining & Open Bar: 8 p.m. The Louisiana Museum Foundation will honor Robert Lyall, General and Artistic Director of the
New Orleans Opera Association, for his years of service and cultural enrichment of the
New Orleans community, during the event Dinner Attire Validated parking from 6 p.m. - midnight-at the French Market Parking Lot, Decatur Street at St. Peter Street
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Friday, April 17
OBITUARY COCKTAIL
OBers will gather as every Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. at this great New Orleans saloon: Napoleon's Itch, 734 Bourbon St. Phone: 371-5450
April 17 12th ANNUAL CADA Annual Awards Luncheon
Awards will be presented for: Excellence in Prevention, Excellence in Treatment, Community Leadership, Media Excellence, and the NCADD Bronze Key.CADA is pleased to honor the following winners of the
2009 NCADD Bronze Key Award:Ana and Dr Juan Gershanik.Special Keynote Speaker:
James Bernazzani- 11:30a.m.,Harrah's Hotel,228 Poydras Street
April 17
OPENING OF HERMES BAR AT ANTOINE'S
April 17
The Tenth Annual Bill Russell Lecture: “Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans”
Jazz Lecture Examines Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans-French Quarter Fest Program includes presentation and live performance -The Historic New Orleans Collection with Speaker: Thomas Brothers, author and Duke University professor and Musicians: Clive Wilson (trumpet) and Butch Thompson (piano) presents The Tenth Annual Bill Russell Lecture: “Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans” - 7:00 p.m.- Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street-French Quarter, New Orleans, LA,The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations, call (504) 523-4662. For more information, visit www.hnoc..org.
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April 17-19
TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL
The largest free music festival in the South! Enjoy 250 hours of entertainment featuring more than 150 musical performances on eighteen stages throughout the French Quarter over a three-day weekend.
April 17 and Sunday April 19 LA TRAVIATA
Don't miss out-Carmen was sold out. For tickets call 504-529-3000
Have a great week
April 18
April 18
15th Annual NDF (Neighborhood Development Foundation) House Party 2009.
This fun-filled night features music by New Orleans Jazz Fest legend, Juanita Brooks, and fabulous food and drink, raffles, and a silent and live auction offering a 6-day Caribbean vacation, weekend getaways, Hornets memorabilia, and much, much more. Join Honorary Chairmen, Annabeth and John Goodman, Wendell Pierce, and Norman Robinson for a fun-filled evening that benefits the Neighborhood Development Foundation’s homeownership program that prepares low and moderate-income families to successfully purchase and maintain their own homes.6-7:30pm - patron party - $75PP 7:30-10:30pm - gala - $55PP-call 488-0155 or website: www.ndf-neworleans.com
April 18
2009 SPRING GARDEN TOUR
2009 Spring Garden Tour to benefit Longue Vue House and Gardens. The self guided tour will be next Saturday, April 18th, from 1-4 pm and will feature nine unique Garden District gardens.. Following the tour, there will be a wine reception in the garden of Franklin and Shirley Sinclair from 4-6 pm.
The list of gardens that will be on our tour is as follows:
Mr. and Mrs. James O. Gundlach
Dr. and Mrs. Howard A. Nelson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Boatner Reily III
Mr. and Mrs. Barry M. Fox
Mr. and Mrs. E. Archie Manning
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard C. Tallerine
Mrs. Catherine Tremain
Mr. and Mrs. William K. Christovich
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew E. Stall
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Sinclair
The tour is open to the public on Saturday April 18th from 1-4 pm and will begin at the home of Archie and Olivia Manning at 1420 First Street. Advance tickets can be purchased by contacting Rebecca Schultz by phone at 504-488-5488, ext. 399 or by email at rschultz@longuevue.com. Ticket prices are $40 for Longue Vue Members and $50 for non-members.
April 18
SENATOR GEORGE McGOVERN AT WW II MUSEUM The National World War II Museum will welcome distinguished senator and World War II veteran George S. McGovern on April 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Senator McGovern’s presentation, “Wars Past and Present” will draw parallels between the Civil War, World War II and the world we live in today based on his own experiences as well as his new book, Abraham Lincoln which he will be signing after the lecture.
McGovern, the Democratic Party's nominee for president in 1972, served in the House of Representatives from 1957 to 1961 and in the Senate for eighteen years. There will be a book signing immediately following the presentation. Senator McGovern will also sign Stephen E. Ambrose’s The Wild Blue which chronicles McGovern’s 35 missions flown and actions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a B-24 pilot over Europe during WWII. For more information on this free event, please call 504-527-6012 ext. 331.
April 19
GREAT LADY/GREAT GENTLEMEN AWARDS LUNCHEON
The East Jefferson Hospital Auxiliary presents its annual luncheon benefitting EJ Nursing scholarship fund at 11 a.m, at the Audubon Tea Room.
The fundraiser will present its eight Volunteer Activitists, music, auction parade of prizes. For tickets call 504-834-3132
April 19
BASEBALL GAME WITH YOUR DOG AND FAMILY
The Louisiana SPCA presentits annual benefit in which dog owners can bring their four-legged baseballfans to the baseball game betweeen the Zephyrs vs. Nashville Sound at 2 p.m. at the levee of Zephyrs Fields.For tickets call 504-734-5155 or visit : www.la-spca.org
April19
DELTA FESTIVAL BALLET'S LA FETE DU BALLET The annual Delta Ballet's fundraiser will be held at the Chateau Golf and Country Club from 11:30 a.m. It will include the luncheon , silent auction and a fashion show by Palm Path and Chatta Box. For reservation call 504-888-0931
April 19
Cathedral Concert Series' Spring Concert
St.. Louis Cathedral Concert Choir and Orchestra's Spring Concert
With Director Dreux Montegut. 7:00 pm
April 19
BIG EASY MUSIC AWARDS AND GALA DINNER
Harrah's Theatre will be the venue for the annual gala and dinner of the Foundation for Entertaiment Development and Education from 7 to 10 p.m. There will be 26 awards for the Best of New Orleans, including performances by the nominated acts ,hor d' oeuvres and open bar. Call 504-483-3129
April 20
ANNUAL CANCER CRUSADERS GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 2nd Annual tournament will feature live jazz entertainment, prizes and an award ceremony and dinner following later that evening. There will be also be a jazz brunch the day before the tee -off. The venue will be the English Turn Golf Course, 1 Clubhouse Drive. For information: 466-3453
April 21
Backbeat Foundation Courtyard presentation at the W French Quarter Hotel
This event will feature performances by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Anders Osborne and other special guests in the W French Quarter Courtyard on Tuesday, April 21 from 6 – 9pm.
The evening is sponsored by W French Quarter Hotel, Tobacco Free Living, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jim Beam, Don Q, Sauza, and NewOrleans.com.. Entry fee is $20 and includes a copy of the CD, specialty drink open bar and tasty bites from Jacques-Imo’s. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Backbeat Foundation.
I also want to remind that as a Realtor, I have a lot of lovely properties for rent in the French Quarter and Algiers Point and exquisite buildings for sale as well. Give me a call.
ROUND TABLE LUNCHEON AT BEGUE’S
Begue's Round Table will feature acclaimed jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield of Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta and Don Marshall,Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc., who will be discussing the 2009 festival lineup and the other activities that the NOJHF's Foundation is involved. As lagniappe, we will feature a very special guest for the musical entertainment. Executive Chef Elizabeth Barlow will be preparing a specially selected menu that includes complementing wine pairings.
The luncheon is $35 and includes parking validation and wine/champagne. For reservations, contact Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220, nscallan@royalsonestano.commailto:nscallan@royalsonestano.com .
That evening I need to attend, at the invitation of my friend Dana Hansel, the 15th Annual NDF (Neighborhood Development Foundation.
Darling friends,
Wednesday, April 15
