I hope you had like me a wonderful week full of celebrations and fun events.
I need to congratulate my friend Cheryl Mintz who was one of the City Business’ 2008 Women of the Year. The Azucar Ball that benefits the Hispanic Heritage was a great success. Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto of the LPO was honored with the Galvez Cup. I also need to congratulate Louis and Sandra Wilson for being honored at the March Dimes Celebration which was just delicious and a lot of fun.
Talking about celebration, I must also congratulate Chef Emeril Lagasse who managed to raise $1.7 million at his Carnivale du Vin Culinary and Wine Feast. He will be honored on December 4 at The Tocqueville Society of United Way Award .The Tocqueville Society confers a single award to recognize exemplary leadership in community philanthropy in the Greater New Orleans community.
This Tuesday, November 25 is going to be a very busy evening since the Downtown Development District will kick off the holiday season with the official Lighting of Canal Street at 5:30 p.m. Immediately after that you can go to the Fulton Street Mall where Harrah’s New Orleans presents the Ceremonial Lighting of Miracle on Fulton Street, Tuesday, also at 5:30 p.m. at the Poydras Street entrance. Guests will enjoy two winter wonderland tunnels, a visit from Santa and his live reindeer, along with performances by top local musicians. There is also a 100% chance of “faux” snow. Miracle on Fulton Street is free and open to the public from Nov. 28 – Jan. 3, 2009.
Also on November 25th, PARADISE LOST, PART II from 7 to 9 p.m. Louisiana ArtWorks
725 Howard Avenue, (at the corner of Carondelet Street, just off Lee Circle). “Paradise Lost, Part II” is a discussion in which Prospect.1 Artists will discuss the short and long term effects of the Biennial on their work both positively and negatively. This panel is the November edition of the “Art Sessions: A Series of Discussions on Visual Contemporary Art” panel series. Event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $3.00
Organ & Labyrinth With Albinas Prizgintas will be at Trinity Episcopal Church and School
Tuesday, November 25 through Tuesday, December 30 at 6 p.m. The program includes some of the greatest music written for the organ and a variety of performed music ranging from Classical Baroque to vintage rock tunes. This program is informal, free and open to the public.
On Wednesday, November 26, Vivaz! Latinjazz At the CRICKET CLUB (Formerly THE RED ROOM) 2040 ST.Charles Ave. New Orleans. Plus DJ GERARDO (Havano Cigars will be available) Doors open at 9 PM till.................
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Thursday, November 27 - Happy Thanksgiving Day
My very special wishes to you and your family for a blessed and heartfelt Thanksgiving!
THANKSGIVING FEAST. Ernest N. Morial Convention , 900 Convention Center Blvd. Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman hosts the 34th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast with Irma Thomas, Irvin Mayfield and others from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Beginning Thanksgiving Day, the life-sized Gingerbread House, will welcome guests throughout the holidays at the Ritz Carlton . On their way to Mélange On Trois, adults wander through and remember the awe and wonder they felt during Christmastime when they were 10 years old! Not counting the labor of 4 Pastry Chefs and 4 Engineers spending 5 days to erect the house, just the ingredients cost over $31,000.
On Friday November 28 the French Market celebrates Tuba Tuba Tuba 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. honoring Tuba Fats for the second year. Kirk Joseph has assembled ten of New Orleans’ well known sousaphonists to entertain visitors and locals all day in and around the French Market. The sousaphone players will consist of Kirk Joseph, Anders Osborne, John “Papa” Gros, Phil Frazier, Big Sam, Matt Perrine, Big Al Carson, Craig Klein, Tin Men and Magnetic Ear.
There will be music Friday, November 28, Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30 in the French Market. All locals and visitors are encouraged to Come Back to the Heart of New Orleans and kick off the holidays.
On Friday, November 28 the Bayou Classic: Battle of the Bands and Greek Show will be at the Louisiana Superdome at 7 p.m. $15. To buy tickets, call 504-522-5555.
This Friday, November 27, the Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting from 6-7 p.m. at The Lobby Bar at the JW Marriott Hotel, 614 Canal St. Phone 525-6500.
The renowned French Quarter Artist Fredrick Guess will be doing a group oil painting of Obers, at Obituary Cocktail gatherings. Prints made from the painting will be available at his gallery in the 900 block of Royal Street within the next few months. In preparation to do the painting Freddy will be attending Obit gatherings during the next few months to take pictures of the group and individuals attending Obit.
The Polo Club Lounge, “Playin’ At The Polo,” featuring popular local musicians performing a repertoire of sophisticated jazz is presenting the following
Sundays – Wednesdays: Pianist Jim Harris, 6–10 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: Christopher Kohl Trio,11 a.m.–2 p.m.
At the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Cynthia Weisinger welcomes potential members into THE LIBRARY,”A Private Cigar Club”. Interested parties should contact Cynthia at 524-1331 for a tour and information. She can also be reached by email at: cynthia.weisinger@ritzcarlton.com . A membership makes a very affordable Christmas present!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Early evening, George French; Later evening, Jeremy Davenport; Sunday Brunch: Armand St Martin
At the Bombay Club,830 Conti Street,
Sunday - Wednesday Nov 23rd – 26th Local artist Phillip Melancon on the piano 7 – 11pm R&B, original local melodies
Thursday Nov 27th No Music – OPEN from 1 – 8pm for Thanksgiving dinner
Saturday, November 29 -XXXV State Farm Bayou Classic, between Louisiana rivals Southern and GramblingState.Lousiana Superdome at 1 p.m.$46-$25
Arts Market of New Orleans is this Saturday, November 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Palmer Park, S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne avenues in Carrollton. Presented by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the Arts Market is a monthly arts market held the LAST Saturday of every month. Free and open to the public!
OnSunday, November 30 the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival presents Confederacy of Dunces Reading at Le Chat Noir,715 St. Charles Ave. (504) 581-5812 phone
Television, film and stage actor John “Spud” McConnell will join director Perry Martin to play Ignatius J. Reilly in a costumed staged reading of John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces with scenes adapted by W. Kenneth Holditch. The rest of this hilarious event will showcase a who's who of the New Orleans Theatre Community. Surrounding McConnell on stage will be Becky Allen, Shirl Cieutat, Bob Edes, Francine Segal, and Nell Nolan. $35-$50. Two performances at 3 and 6 p.m.
On Sunday, November 30, Tipitina's Foundation Presents "Music Workshop Series" Featuring Leslie Smith at Tipitina's Uptown at 12:30 p.m.FREE!
Trinity Artist Series Presents Ruth Bakke With Austen Travis at Trinity Episcopal Church and School, 1329 Jackson Avenue. 504-522-0276. On Sunday, November 30 at 5 p.m., from Norway: Ruth Bakke, organist/composer and Austen Travis, percussionist, will present a unique program with organ, percussion and visuals.
Sunday, November 30- United Way of New Orleans Presents: Biggest Catch in the Big Easy at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street at 6 p.m. (504) 310-4999
Biggest Catch in the Big Easy, a Benefit for the St. Bernard Project, will feature Captain Keith Colburn of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch". 100% of proceeds will go to benefit the St. Bernard Project, a community based rebuilding non-profit that has rebuilt 154 homes in St. Bernard Parish. Tickets are $50.
On Monday, December 1, New Orleans Friends of Music present the highly acclaimed Weilerstein Trio, the trio-in-residence at the New England Conservatory of Music, at 8 p.m. at TulaneUniversity’s Dixon Hall, 6823 St. Charles Ave. (504) 865-5000.
FromMonday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 23, Holiday Choirs by the Courtyard will be presentedat the Royal Sonesta. FREE!
As the holiday season approaches, school choirs from across the Metro New Orleans area have once again been invited to perform in the Main Lobby of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter. The choirs are a tradition at the Royal Sonesta, which is adorned in holiday finery for the season. Guest schools include: St. Cletus Elementary School, Kehoe-FranceSchool, ClearwoodJunior High School, De La Salle High School, Kehoe-FranceSchool, St.DominicElementary School, St. Pius X School, St. Louis King of France, St. Phillip Neri School, Lady of Prompt Succor, McDonogh 35 High School, Archbishop Chapelle, UrsulineAcademy, and IsidoreNewmanSchool.
Monday, December 1, from 6 –7 p.m. will be An Evening with Irvin Mayfield at St. Louis Cathedral.
On Tuesday, December 2, the Royal Sonesta Hotel presents the 3rd Annual Lighting of the Balconies & Holiday Party
Festive Holiday Fare & Cheerful Libations 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Lighting Ceremony Begins at 6:30 p.m.
On December 2 & 3, Sounds of the Season Flower Show will be at thePavilion of the Two Sisters, New OrleansBotanical Garden, CityPark. The Federated Council of New Orleans Garden Clubs, Inc.. and Jefferson Parish Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. present a holiday flower show "Sounds of the Season." The flower show opens to the public on December 2 at 1 p.m. with a tea and will be open until 4 p.m. It is open on December 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The show features beautiful holiday designs, horticulture, youth and educational exhibits. The show is free with admission to the New OrleansBotanical Garden.
Also on December 2, the Royal Sonesta Hotel will celebrate the Lighting of the Balconies. You can watch this grand spectacle in the 300 block of Bourbon Street between Bienville and Conti streets at 6:30 p..m., followed by a second line parade led by the Treme Brass Band, with a special appearance by Santa Claus and a Holiday Choir performance.A wonderful way to kick off the Holiday Season in the French Quarter!
Christmas New Orleans Style, a month- long celebration of the season and the senses.. There is no place like New Orleans to celebrate the season
November 28,2008 –January 3,2009
DISCOVER THE WONDER OF “MIRACLE ON FULTON STREET”
Dreaming of a White Christmas? Will the powdered sugar on a beignet do? Or venture across Canal Street for “Miracle on Fulton Street” Come on and play on the snow and enjoy a variety oflive local entertainment every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.
November 28 - December 30
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS
A month long holiday show featuring millions of twinkling lights throughout the Botanical Garden and Amusement Park. This year's premier family holiday tradition will include our new ‘Very Merry Maze', Dinobration, and a spectacular dancing light show. The historic carousel and train will complete your holiday experience. Fun for all ages!
Sunday - Thursday, 6pm - 10pm, Friday 6pm -11pm.CityPark,504-483-9415 www.celebrationintheoaks.com -$6 per person, children under 3 free
December 1-31
REVEILLON, A CREOLE DINING TRADITION
Creole families of yesteryear celebrated this traditional dining custom twice during the holiday season - on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Today's Reveillon has been expanded to include various dates during December so that everyone can share in this special holiday meal. Menus have been adapted to combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains. Various Restaurants throughout the city.
December 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22 & 23 ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Local choirs and New Orleans artists herald the season with free nightly concerts of Christmas carols and gospel favorites in one of the country's most historic churches. The ecumenical celebration will make Christmas New Orleans Style one of your treasured memories. 6pm,St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square.504-522-5730
December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20 CHEF COOKING DEMOSTRATIONS
Learn the secrets of our local cuisine from the chefs who make New Orleans the culinary capital of the world! Acclaimed chefs from throughout the area share their favorite recipes at free cooking demonstrations and samplings that are guaranteed to spice up your holidays. Brought to you by Williams-Sonoma and the Shops at Canal Place. Space is limited, so come early! Free Demos start at 3p and last about 45 minute.Weekdays at 3pm & Weekends at 10am.The Shops at Canal Place & Williams-Sonoma.504-522-5730 Historical Characters "Louisiana Living History Project"
The Crescent City's grand history comes alive this holiday season with guests from the past. Join these guests from the past for special presentations as they re-create the local traditions and customs of earlier times. Engaging performances really bring to life the music, humor, dance, and storytelling of New Orleans' past. Each stroll begins daily at 11a inside the Hotel Monteleone. The Historical Characters will then take to the streets of the elegant French Quarter and stroll along Decatur, Royal, and Chartres streets. Each stroll will conclude at 3 p.m., where the characters will gather inside Jackson Square. Inclement weather plan - the historical characters will stroll the Riverwalk and The Shops at Canal Place. For more information about the Historical Characters please visit http://www.anewmuse.com/CHARACTERS.htm.Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas.11am - 3pm ;504-948-0323.www.fqfi.org
December 2 – 30 HNOC HOLIDAY HOME AND COURTYARD TOUR
Visit the festively decorated residence and courtyard of General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, founders of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Browse through The Shop at The Collection for unique gift items on your holiday list..Tuesday - Saturday, 10am, 11am, 2pm, and 3pm,533 Royal St,504-523-4662;www.hnoc.org
$5 (tours only, no admission for the Shop or exhibitions)
Darling friends, 
