We had a delicious luncheon created by Chef Peter Page and his staff, and guests stayed longer than expected singing along with talented pianist Jim Walpole. The December Round Table Luncheon, as in the past will be a very festive one - A Champagne Tasting on December 19 at noon at the Ballroom of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. So make your reservation early.
That evening I attended the Canal Street Lighting Ceremony hosted by The Downtown Development District and the Astor Crowne Plaza. More than 1 million twinkling lights adorn historic Canal Street. I also went to see “Miracle on Fulton Street,” a holiday attraction in the heart of downtown New Orleans that brings the magic of the season alive for locals and visitors of all ages. A roaming caroler chorus greeted and entertained guests, singing all the holiday favorites at each of the restaurant venues lining Fulton Street.
I ended my week by attending and enjoying Southern Rep Theatre’s production of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” at the CAC. The cast was superb in this very delightful and different presentation of this holiday classic. John "Spud" McConnell was starring as Scrooge, with Donald Lewis, Julian Simmons, Laura Friedmann, Mia Frost, Glenna Broderick, William McGovern, Burton Tedesco, Zach Rogers, and Michael Martin. The Holiday tale features a traveling troupe of actors who enact this unforgettable classic with music, dance, clowns and visual effects. The Play with Music, adapted by Doris Baizley, is directed by Ann Mahoney Kadar and will run through December 16; with a Military Family Discount Night November 27. Contact: Southern Rep Theatre Box Office (504) 522-6545 or book online at www.southernrep.com.
Darlings, I am looking forward today to the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting atthe lobby of the Windsor Court Hotel at 5 p.m. As always it is an elegant affair and a lot of fun. It's the most wonderful time of the year at Windsor Court Hotel! The public is invited to the lighting of the Christmas tree at Windsor Court, spanning two hotel stories. This annual event marks the beginning of the holiday season in the Crescent City. Standing nearly 20 feet tall, the tree is set aglow with 25,000 sparkling white lights. Beautifully wrapped presents, a rotating model train and festive Christmas décor adorn the base of the tree, transforming the Grand Lobby at the Windsor Court into a winter wonderland. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and holiday cocktails. RSVP is not required. The Royal Sonesta Hotel is gearing up for a month long holiday celebration beginning on Wednesday, November 28 and continuing into New Year's. Visitors are welcome to take a tour of the hotel's stunning Main Lobby and Royal Grand Promenade, which are lined with evergreen trees and adorned in holiday finery. Your holiday festivities begin and end at this landmark hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter.
On Wednesday November 28, at 6:00 p.m., the Royal Sonesta Hotel officially rings in the holidays with the 7th Annual Lighting of the Balconies. With a ceremonial flip of the switch, two young patients from Children's Hospital will experience the thrill of illuminating the hotel's elaborate wrought-iron balconies with over 50,000 holiday lights. This unique celebration will feature live music, the New Orleans Saintsations Cheerleading Team, our favorite holiday characters, and plenty of surprise guests. The ceremony will take place at 300 Bourbon Street in front of the hotel's main entrance. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
During the entire month of December, elementary and high school choirs from across the metro area will spread holiday spirit with musical performances presented each weekday at 12 noon in the Royal Sonesta's main lobby. Please visit www.Sonesta.com/RoyalNewOrleans for a complete performance schedule.
Click here to see rest of Margarita's photos
Click here to watch Bayoubuzz's Thanksgiving at the Fairgrounds
On December 1, there are two great parades: The Krewe of Jingle and the Saint Nick Secondline.
For more information about Christmas New Orleans Style or French Quarter Festivals, Inc. visit www.neworleansonline.com/holiday or www.fqfi.org
Have a great week. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, November 27 Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Windsor Court This annual event at 5 p.m. marks the beginning of the holiday season in the Crescent City. Standing nearly 20 feet tall, the tree is set aglow with 25,000 sparkling white lights. Beautifully wrapped presents, a rotating model train and festive Christmas décor adorn the base of the tree, transforming the Grand Lobby at the Windsor Court into awinter wonderland. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and holiday cocktails. RSVP is not required.
Tuesday, November 27 La Mujer Sin Cabeza Casa Argentina & Stone Center for Latin America Studies (Tulane) invited you to the ARgentinian film : La Mujer Sin Cabeza.7:15 PM - Jones Hall (Room # 204). Tulane University,6801 Freret Street November 27 - December 16
Don't miss John "Spud" McConnell starring as SCROOGE in this delightful Dickens Holiday tale featuring a traveling troupe of actors who enact this unforgettable classic with music, dance, clowns and visual effects. This special production rings in the holiday season with plenty of cheer, wit and family fun.A Christmas Carol,CAC | 900 Camp St. BOOKING TICKETS, DATES & PERFORMANCE TIMES: Contact: Southern Rep Theatre Box Office (504) 522 - 6545 or book online at www.southernrep.com. Tuesday Nov 27, 7:30pm , MILITARY FAMILIES DISCOUNT NIGHT Wednesday, November 28 Get In The kNOwLA Spend an afternoon of cultural delight at Irvin Mayfield’s I Club, JW Marriott New Orleans from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Local artists Marla Donovan, Jack Fontana and Ernie Manzanera will be exhibiting their work. Entertainment by guitarist Javier Gutierrez and Complimentary Wine tasting and Hors D'oeuvres.
Wednesday, November 28 The 7th Annual Lighting of the Royal Sonesta's Balconies At 6:00 p.m., the Royal Sonesta Hotel officially rings in the holidays with the 7th Annual Lighting of the Balconies. With a ceremonial flip of the switch, two young patients from Children's Hospital will experience the thrill of illuminating the hotel's elaborate wrought-iron balconies with over 50,000 holiday lights. This unique celebration will feature live music, the New Orleans Saintsations Cheerleading Team, our favorite holiday characters, and plenty of surprise guests. The ceremony will take place at 300 Bourbon Street in front of the hotel's main entrance. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
November 28 Annual Art Against AIDS Patron Party The annual Art Against AIDS Patron Party is at Arthur Roger Gallery and Jonathan Ferrara Gallery from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The gala benefiting the NO/AIDS Task Force will be on Saturday, December 1, New Orleans Museum of Art at 8:00 pm. It will feature as entertainment Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, Sirens of New Orleans, Big Deal Burlesque, Nasimiyu & Rainy Days and Dorian Rush. Call 821-2601 or visit www.artagainstaids.org for details. Admission starts at $75. 8 p.m. to midnight.
November 28-December 1 Words and Music Words & Music, a Literary Feast in New Orleans, five days of enlightenment and entertainment for writers and readers (November 28- December 1) will introduce New Orleanians and out of town visitors to the festival's stunning array of headliners, including several Pulitzer Prize winners and winners of many other important literary honors, as well as New York Times bestselling fiction and non-fiction authors. Headliners will examine past eras and explore the future in the literature these word artists have created. The Faulkner Society's annual multi-discipline arts festival—which includes a major writers' conference as its central focus—opens November 28.
November 28- December 30 Magical Music Christmas with Victory Belles The National WWII Museum gears up for the debut on November 28 of an all-new holiday show Magical, Musical Christmas, featuring the Museum's very own Victory Belles vocal trio. Running from November 28 through December 30 in the Museum's Stage Door Canteen, the musical revue traces the Belles - Courtney Boe, Rebecca Nugent and Mandi Ridgdell - on their journey to the North Pole in search of Santa, all set to favorite songs of the season. In conjunction with the all-new show, Chef John Besh is creating savory new holiday menus and sweet desserts for matinees and evening performances in the Canteen. German-born Markus Huber will conduct the Louisiana Philharmonica Orchestra with guest pianist Stephen Hough at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, New Orleans.5290 Canal Blvd.
Thursday, November 29 CAFE AU LAIT & BEIGNETS Meanwhile, Back at the Café du Monde... New Orleans often has been described as much like Napoleon's Army...it moves on its stomach! So it's appropriate to start any discussion about New Orleans talking about—and eating—food. And what delicious food we are going to eat. Café du Monde is contributing bags of their famous beignets, hot from the Café, for this event. The session will feature a monologue performance by Peggy Sweeney-McDonald, author of the new book Meanwhile, Back at Café du Monde... This is a compilation of life stories involving food by well-known New Orleanians, recipes and other goodies. Some of the storytellers who contributed to the book will present with Peggy Sweeney-McDonald will be available for signing in the Book Mart immedately after the session. Joining Ms. Sweeney-McDonald to tell their life stories about food will be well-known Louisiana musician and teacher John Gray, society columnist for the Times-Picayune Nell Nolan, Café Society cronicler Margarita Bergen, and an owner of Café du Monde, Karen Benrud. Ms. Sweeney-McDonald and some of the books' contributers will be on hand to sign in the Book Mart immediately after the presentation.at 8:30 a.m. — Queen Anne Ballroom of the Monteleone Hotel when Cafe Au Lait & Beignets - Meanwhile, Back at the Café du Monde will be presented.For more information visit:www.wordsandmusic.org.
Thursday, November 29Perique: Photographs by Charles Martin at William Research Center |
Louisiana Children's Museum's Second Annual Festival of Trees Dessert First Premiere Party Get in the holiday spirit with the Louisiana Children's Museum's Second Annual Festival of Trees Dessert First Premiere Party on Friday, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Enjoy festive cocktails by Republic National Distributing Company. Sweet treats by Bee Sweet Cupcakes, Blue Frog Chocolates, Maurice French Pastries and many more! Louis Ford & His New Orleans Flairs will provide entertainment, as well as a special appearance by the Preservation Hall Junior Brass Band. Bid on whimiscal, one-of-a-kind trees from local artists, schools, and community partners, including Academy Award-winning Moonbot Studios, Krewe of Muses, and Dwight Henry, star of Beasts of the Southern Wild, just to name a few!6:00 pm until 9:00 pm $25 per person. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia Street.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 & FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 Holiday Movies on the Mississippi at Riverwalk's Spanish Plaza The Downtown Development District and Riverwalk Marketplace present two weekends of special outdoor movie showings! November 30 -A Christmas Story, December 7-Elf. 6:30 p.m,
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December 01 – 31
Christmas Celebration New Orleans Style
There's no place like New Orleans for the holidays during Christmas New Orleans Style, a celebration of uniquely New Orleans holiday activities taking place throughout December. More than 100 festivities are planned during the month-long event, showcasing the cultural diversity that adds spice to the gumbo of New Orleans' heritage. visit www.neworleansonline.com/holiday or www.fqfi.org
On December 1
The Krewe of Jingle
Back for its fifth year, New Orleans' official holiday parade, the "Krewe of Jingle," will once again delight locals and visitors alike with authentic parade floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, Christmas characters and many more magical surprises. Presented by the DDD & The Roosevelt New Orleans that parade will begin at 1 p.m.
The Saint Nick Secondline.
SANTA SECONDLINE begins at Washington Artillery Park with New Wave Brass Band and International School stiltwalkers. Saint Nick arrives in typical New Orleans fashion, with a brass band playing holiday tunes!
11 a.m. -11:30 a.m. SANTA SECONDLINE begins at Washington Artillery Park with New Wave Brass Band<http://www.newwavejazz.com/main.htm> and International School stiltwalkers and travels down Decatur Street into Dutch Alley.
11:30 a.m. SAINT NICHOLAS ARRIVES in Dutch Alley! St Nick will be stationed here for photographs, but will also walk through Dutch Alley and our retail shops throughout the day.
Join us anywhere along the way and step in line. We especially encourage you to wear your own Santa hat so we can start a new tradition of a Santa secondline, open to all ages! St. Nick himself will join us, and will arrive in grand style in Dutch Alley, where we will seat him for photographs. He will be on-site all day interacting 11:30 a.m. Saint Nicholas arrives in Dutch Alley at the Jazz Park Porch
AT THE PERFORMANCE PAVILION in Dutch Alley, where St. Phillip Street meets the River near Montrel's Bistro. The following authors will sign at the Tisket A Tasket Bookshop table near the stage following their presentation
AUTHOR READINGS, LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES
10 A.M.-10:15 Cecilia Dartez reads Jenny Giraffe Discovers Papa Noel and signs copies of her book afterwards
10:20-10:35 Alex McConduit 'The Little Who Dat Who Didn't" and signs copies of his book afterwards
10:40-10:55 a.m Monica Davillier Barrois"Squirrelly Squirrels" and signs copies of her book afterwards
12 -12:45 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Johnette Downing performs a mix of her Louisiana tunes plus some holiday specials and signs copies of her children's book after her musical performance
1-1:45 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Jayna Morgan and the Sazerac Sunrise Jazz Band present Swingin' Christmas tunes
2-2:45 p.m. Diane de Las Casa presents interactive storytelling featuring her popular children's picture books
3-3:45 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Royal & Dumaine Hawaiians -Holiday Happening: Mele Kalikimaka!
Saturday, December 1
Art Against AIDS Art Auction & Holiday Gala
This exciting holiday gala benefits NO/AIDS Task Force and features a silent auction of juried art pieces by some of the region's top artists. The event features live entertainment including:Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, Sirens of New Orleans, Big Deal Burlesque, Nasimiyu & Rainy Days and Dorian Rush. Call 821-2601 or visit www.artagainstaids.org for details. Admission starts at $75. 8 p.m. to midnight.
December 1-31
Celebration in the Oaks
Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans City Park remains one of the most beautiful holiday light exhibits in the country, attracting over 122,000 people in 2010. Park and experience one of the nation's most unique month-long festival of lights! City Park's annual holiday lighting exhibit and festival returns with one of the most beautiful holiday light exhibits in the country. Closed December 24th and December 31st. Visit http://celebrationintheoaks.com
Sunday, December 2
Opening reception and book signing for Perique: Photographs by Charles Martin | |
Opening Reception and book signing for Perique: Photographs by Charles Martinwith Charles Martin, Mary Ann Sternberg and John H. Lawrence |
December 2-20, except 7,8,14 , 15
St. Louis Cathedral Christmas Concerts
Local choirs and New Orleans artists herald in the season with 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 holiday memories. 8pm. at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square


A Toast to New Orleans, darlings.. 
