Darlings,
Last week was a very hectic and exciting week for me since I am part of the newly released book, Meanwhile, Back at Café Du Monde… Life Stories About Food, created and edited by Peggy Sweeney-McDonald with photography by Troy Kleinpeter and published by Pelican Publishing Company. We had our first reading this past Thursday at the Octavia Bookstore and the readers included Drew Ramsey of Hubig's Pies, social columnist Nell Nolan of the Times Picayune , Karen Benrud of Cafe Du Monde, Sal R. Sunseri of P&J Oysters, Liz Williams of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and yours truly. It is a beautiful book.
The New Orleans Book Launch will be on Tuesday, October 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be hosted by featured storyteller, Chef Matt Murphy at the Irish House. Not to be missed.
Peggy Sweeney-McDonald and Karen Benrud of the Cafe Du Monde family will be reading at my Round Table Luncheon on Wednesday, October 17. That same night, I was part of the 100th edition of “Politics with a Punch” at the Eiffel Society. The exciting panel included Bernie Cyrus, former Louisiana State Music Commissioner; Steve Kelley, award-winning Times- Picayune cartoonist; Yvonne Landry, comedian, founder of N.O. Comedy Fest; Spud McConnell, movie star, talk show host, WWL AM; John Young, President of Jefferson Parish and I. It was quite a night!
Check out Margarita Bergen's Politics with a Punch Photos
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The next day was time for me to attend the elegant
Louisiana Legends of Rock and Roll Gala presented by the Louisiana Museum Foundation that transported attendees back to the late 1950s with electrifying concerts by two Broadway stars – Levi Kreis as a young, hip and happening Jerry Lee Lewis and Louisiana native Brandon Bennett impersonating Elvis Presley. The beautiful weather provided a perfect night for the Gala outdoors at the Old U.S. Mint.
Check out Margarita's photos from the Louisina Legends event...Click Here
Watch the Bayoubuzz Video of the Louisiana Legends event
On Saturday after work, I rushed to Julia Street to do the annual ritual of the first Saturday in October, Art for Arts’ Sake. It was really lovely but I had to rush through it, anxiously anticipating attending “Here to Stay: The Gershwin Experience” at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presented “Here to Stay,” the new multimedia concert celebrating the greatest team of collaborators in the history of American music, George and Ira Gershwin. With a top-notch touring party, including Kevin Cole, the leading Gershwin interpreter; Grammy Award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair; and a fabulous dancer/vocalist Danny Gardner, the concert provided an unprecedented insider view into the legendary duo. It was complete with photos from the Gershwin family archives, rare video clips, and elegant, state-of-the-art visual elements that provide a distinctive experience never before seen in a Gershwin show. I loved it and I think the entire audience did as well, judging by their enthusiastic applause.
On Sunday, I attended briefly the OktoberFest at Broussard’s to catch my darling friend Claudia Baumgarten and her Biergartners. The food, the ambiance and the beer was divine. It reminded me of the lovely time that I spent in Munich at their Oktoberfest.
That Sunday, I was invited by my darling friend Sammy Steele, to celebrate a Mariachi Birthday Fiesta at the Windsor Court for Chris Owens, Jude Swenson and her daughter Ginger Schwartz. Among the guests were former governor Edwin Edwards and his lovely wife Trina. I ended my week by portraying, at a private party, the Baroness de Pontalba at the Presbytere.
This week is going to be another exciting, fun-loving one. Among the events that I am going to try to attend will be the St. Elizabeth’s Guild Volunteer Activists Awards. Activists will be honored during a luncheon, and a fashion show will be provided by Dillard’s with St. Elizabeth’s Guild members and local celebrities at the Hilton Riverside.
On Thursday, October 11 is the 5th annual Lambeth On Broadway and, from October 11-18 is the 23rd Annual New Orleans Film Festival Gala. The renovated Joy Theatre will host the opening night film of the 23rd Annual New Orleans Film Festival. Louisiana’s only industry-recognized international film festival will present a comprehensive program of screenings, panels, workshops, awards and more.
Also on Thursday night there are two other events that I am not going to be able to attend but I want to mention them because they involve people in our city who are worthy of our support. At 7:00 there is going to be a benefit for Armand "Sheik" Richardson, a talented trumpet player and photographer who suffered a heart attack recently and needs help paying his medical bills. The benefit will be held at the Irish House, 1432 St. Charles Avenue, and many of the city's top musicians will be on hand to perform. Sheik has done so much for the city, most of it for free, including the Arabi Wrecking Krewe which he started right after Katrina to help musicians and others gut their damaged homes. Please come and donate what you can.
The second event, stars my darling friend Jose Torres Tama in his new one-man show, "Aliens, Immigrants & Other Evildoers" at the Shadowbox Theatre, 2400 St. Claude Avenue at Marigny Street. The show starts at 9 p.m. and runs through Monday, October 15. An immigrant himself, from Ecuador, Jose cleverly pantomimes the prejudice that exists among a large number of Americans toward the new arrivals in this country, many of whom are from Latin America. Great satire and definitely not to be missed!
October 12-14 is the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival, a showcase for Louisiana music, barbecue and crafts with two stages featuring blues and R&B performances from the region. October 12 is also the Placido Domingo special concert, sponsored by the New Orleans Opera Association on the Placido Domingo Stage of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Louis Armstrong Park.
Saturday, October 13 from 6-11 p.m. is “O What a Night,”an evening of art, music and cuisine with Southern flair honoring longtime artist/sculptor Lin Emery, recipient of this year’s Opus Award. Food by James Beard Award-winning chefs Donald Link and Chris Hastings is featured. Also on Saturday night is Bustout Burlesque’s monthly show at the House of Blues, produced by Rick Delaup.
Darlings, enjoy your week and save some of your energy for next week because my Round Table Luncheon will take place on October 17.
I want to congratulate Patrice Fisher & Carlos Valladares (www.EcosLatinos.org) who were presented on Tuesday night with the DeBango Excellence in the Arts Award as part of Que Pasa New Orleans 2012.
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Wednesday October 10 - Sunday October 14
The Second Annual Que Pasa 2012
Wednesday, October 10 ST. Elizabeth’s Guild Volunteer Activists Awards Wednesday October 10 - Sunday October 14 5:00-7:30pm-Free- No outside food or drink at Lafayette Square October 10 Jazz in the Park presents: Treme Brass Band at 5PM and Renard Poche Band at 6:30PM Inside of the historic Louis Armstrong Park. The events are FREE 5-8pm for seven Thursdays until November 1st featuring a Marketplace that provides an opportunity to purchase fresh food, produce and craft market available to the public from 3-7PM October 11 5th annual Lambeth On Broadway October 11-18 23rd Annual New Orleans Film Festival Gala
Friday, October 12 Obituary Cocktail 6 to 7 PM at 801 Royal,Corner of Royal & St Ann-Charming new bar/restaurant-20% discount for locals! Friday,October 12 Placido Domingo in Concert Sponsored by the New Orleans Opera Association on the Placido Domingo Stage of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in Louis Armstrong Park. Placido Domingo's will be performing with some of the world's leading operatic talent, including Stephanie Blythe, Ana Maria Martinez, David Lomeli, and New Orleans' own Sarah Jane McMahon. They will be joined by the 80-voice New Orleans Opera Chorus and accompanied by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for a glorious musical evening conducted by Robert Lyall, and hosted by New Orleans' own Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Academy Award nominee, actress Patricia Clarkson. Tickets to this event is a benefit available only to subscribers. To become a new subscriber go to this link https://www.choicesecure03.net/mainapp/eventschedule.aspx?clientID=newoop. Friday, October 12 You are personally invited to Restaurant R'evolution's inaugural winemaker dinner featuring Cyril Brun, Chef de Cave at Veuve Clicquot. Seating at this intimate gathering is limited so please reserve early. $250 per person-Communal seating at tables of 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Room at Restaurant R'evolution,777 Bienville Street October 12 to November 24
“O What a Night”
Chocolate Ball 2012
The Ronald McDonald House Charities present the annual Hugs and Kisses Chocolate Ball honoring Mr. Ollie Green at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street. The evening will start a 6 p.m. and the gala will begin at 7 p.m. The Yat Pack will be the entertainment of the night. Call 504-486-6668 for tickets. October 13 Touro Here for Life Gala
October 14 Who's Who in I Do
Who's Who in I Do Bridal Show is a "Must Do" for anyone planning a wedding. View more than 150 Exhibits, Your Chance to Win Great Prizes including an exotic Honeymoon. The fall bridal show will be held at the New Orleans Fairground from 2 to 5p.m. $10 advance ticket, $15 at the door.
October 14
Nocturne X
The Musical Arts Society of New Orleans invites you to Nocturne X - A Celebration of the Piano at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. Champagne Reception at 5 p.m. at the Lafayette Foyer. Salon Concert with Danny Driver at 6 p.m. at the Lafayette Ballroom and Dinner at 7 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom. Black Tie- For ticket call: 899-4826
October 15 October 16 CELEBRATE WITH US! NEW ORLEANS BOOK LAUNCH PARTY of MEANWHILE, BACK AT CAFÉ DU MONDE… LIFE STORIES ABOUT FOOD,CREATED AND EDITED BY PEGGY SWEENEY-MCDONALD FROM 6:00 – 8:00 PM-HOSTED BY FEATURED STORYTELLER, CHEF MATT MURPHY at THE IRISH HOUSE October 17
Round Table Luncheon
The popular Round Table Luncheon hosted by yours truly at noon at the Fleur de Lis Suite of the Royal Sonesta Hotel will be a literary one and will feature as speakers Randy Fertel, author of "The Gorilla Man and the Empress of Steak", Peggy Sweeney-McDonald creator and editor of Meanwhile Back at Coffee Du Monde and Karen Benrud of the Cafe Du Monde family and Cory Roy-Psychic to the stars and her Halloween predictions. Entertainment by operatic star of JPAS. Executive Chef Peter Page is planning a three-course gourmet menu with wine pairing. The luncheon is $45 inclusive and $50 at the door. Parking will be validated. For reservations, contact Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
October 17
October 17
Ten Outstanding Persons Gala Cocktailly yours |
