With formidable hurricanes Gustav and Ike in our past, we can finally start focusing on our upcoming 2008-09 cultural/social season, which promises to be a good one. Some of our events were postponed such as the NO/AIDs Walk and the Overture to the Cultural Season Gala which have been rescheduled to Sunday, September 28 but most of the other events are coming off as scheduled.
I did attend the delightful Jefferson Performing Arts Society's “Pasta & Puccini” gala, as well as the opening of Amy Alvarez and Jeff Turner's "He Loves and She Loves: The Gershwin Music We Love" at Le Chat Noir. I also attended the Latin Night at the old Red Room -- now known as The Cricket Club. Fredy Omar con su Banda kept the guests dancing the night away.
Last night, I attended the Mexican Consulate celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. The entertainment and the delicious margaritas and food provided by La Carreta was just fabulous.
This week, I am looking forward to my monthly Round Table Luncheon saluting the 2008 Cultural Season. The date is Wednesday, September 17 at noon at Begue's of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The Round Table has invited as main speakers, representatives from the New Orleans Opera, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Prospect1 Biennial, the New Orleans Museum of Art and the New Orleans Ballet Association. The $35 per person is all-inclusive and includes complimentary parking and wine. We must have confirmed reservations and entree selections for all guests who plan on attending the luncheon. For reservations, please contact Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220 or email nscallan@royalsonestano.com . Sitting is limited and I encourage our guests to come at 11:30 a.m. so they can socialize and network.
The New Orleans Museum of Art will bid adios to “The Baroque World of Fernando Botero” with a Final Fiesta in honor of the Colombian artist in the Museum's Great Hall. The Final Fiesta is the last evening event planned in conjunction with the exhibition, which closes Sunday, Sept. 21. The celebration, fit for one of the rotund kings depicted in the exhibition, will feature live music by Latin jazz band Acoustic Swiftness, a cash bar with frozen margaritas, plus complimentary Colombian tapas by West Indies Restaurant and Colombian Friends of the Museum. The bar opens at 5 p.m., with live music and food stations set for 6 p.m. Admission is free to Louisiana residents..
Cinq'a Sept is featuring as entertainer :Gal Holiday and The Honky Tonk Revue.The $10 Admission Fee includes entrance to the Southern Food & Beverage Museum and The Museum of the American Cocktail as well as the festivities. Parking will be validated.
Museum members free.
On Wednesday, September 17 and 24, Fredy Omar con su Banda is again going to be entertaining at the Cricket Club, 2040 St. Charles Avenue, starting at 9 p.m.
There is a complimentary wine and cocktail tasting every Wednesday at PartySist, 200 Metairie Road, Suite 100, from 6-8 p.m.
Also on Wednesday, September 17, from 5:30-8 p.m., you can experience an evening of cultural indulgences at the JW Marriott Lobby Lounge featuring works by The McKenna Museum of African American Art and Tasting featuring the work of John Moore. Entertainment by Tony Seville, multi-instrumentalist. Complimentary wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. Lobby Bar,
JW Marriott - New Orleans, on Canal Street (formerly the Le Meridien).
“The New Orleans Quadroon: Myth and Reality” opens at the Louisiana State Museum- Arsenal, 600 St. Peter Street, on Thursday, September 18. History Ya-Ya Series presents Dr. Emily Clark's talk on the 19th century Quadroons of New Orleans. Contrary to reports by English traveler Harriet Martineau in 1837, the mixed African and European descendants, known as Quadroons (with at least one-fourth Black blood), were not "brought up by their mothers to be what they have been; the mistresses of white gentlemen . . ." Dr. Clark explores the myth and reality of the Quadroon through archived stories of family, marriage and religion. Free and open to the public. For more information go to http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/ .
The Historic New Orleans Collection will resume its new series, “Concerts in the Courtyard,” on September 19 with the presentation of Treme Brass Band. These events celebrate the culture of New Orleans with live music and cocktails in The Collection's beautiful French Quarter courtyard at 533 Royal Street. Admission is $10 or free for members of The Historic New Orleans Collection. (Household memberships begin at $35.)
The new opening date for Jefferson Performing Arts Society's "All Shook Up" is Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. Performances run Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m., through October 5 at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre. Don't miss this rock-and-roll retelling of Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night to the music of Elvis Presley! Featuring Rich Arnold, Chase Kamata, Meredith Long and Kris Shaw, "All Shook Up" is produced in association with the Allenberry Playhouse of Pennsylvania and directed by Claude Giroux of the Allenberry Playhouse.
My friend attorney Cesar Burgos opened up Mojo Grill,, 1325 W. Esplanade in Kenner, Taste of New Orleans, and beginning this Thursday, will have Mojito Night, featuring Julio and Cesar Combo from 7 to 10 p.m.
Music of New Orleans Series, 8 p.m., at the ContemporaryArtsCenter, 900 Camp Street. The law firm of Phelps Dunbar is sponsoring the concert.
The George French Trio is playing Thursday through Saturday from 5:15 to 8:45 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel,921 Canal Street on Trois Lounge. The guest drummer is Herman Jackson. Jeremy Davenport plays at the big room and Armant St Martin at the Library.
The Obituary Cocktail Society is meeting this Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. at The Marigny Brasserie 640 Frenchmen Street at Royal across from Washington Square: (504)945-4472.
My darling friend talented Suzaune Yee Mckamey is playing with her trio this Friday at the Bombay Club from 9p.m. to 12 midnight.Luther Kent and Quartet plays on Saturday. For reservation call 504- 586-0972
The Royal Sonesta Hotel has announced that Opening Night for "Secrets in Lace presents Bustout Burlesque in The Mystick" has been rescheduled to Friday, September 19 with shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.. The authentic 1950's-style burlesque production will run through October 24.. Please call 504-586-0300 to purchase tickets in advance.
Le Chat Noir welcomes Amy Alvarez and Jefferson Turner in the closing days of "He Loves and She Loves: The Gershwin Music We Love" September 19-21.. Make reservations by calling the box office at 504.581.5812
Theatrical world premiere of the “We Shall Not Be Moved” music videowill take place Friday, September 19 at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Food, wine and live performances by lead vocalists to precede the high definition screening Friday September 19. 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the museum. The world-premiere screening in the museum's auditorium at 9:30 p.m. Dress is "Premiere Elegant" (casual chic to black tie). Tickets are available online at HYPERLINK http://www.weshallnotbemoved.org/" or at the door
On September 18 and 20 is Opening Night of LPO’s Concert Series. Dynamic Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on its opening nights at LoyolaUniversity’s Roussel Hall in an evening of Beethoven, Brahms, Corigliano and brilliant pianist Jorge Federico Osorio. 8 p.m. Visit http://www.lpomusic.com/ .
On September 19 is “Martini Madness.” Gather up your friends and join friends of CityPark in their search for the perfect martini. Enjoy an evening of great music and Martinis in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters from 7-10 p.m. with libations compliments of Republic National Beverage Co. Visit http://www.friendsofcitypark.com/
“An ARTragenous Affair” to benefit Louisiana Art Works will feature fine cuisine and spirits, live local music and silent and live auction of fabulous art works by contemporary artists from Louisiana and the world. 8 p.m. at 725 Howard Avenue. Visit http://www.louisianaartworks.org/
Please put in your calendar and plan to attend: Project Lazarus's Champagne, Cheese, and The Yellow Brick Road
-Thursday, September 25, 2008 at the New OrleansCenter for the Performing Arts / NOCCA,-228 Chartres Street, parking available on site. Reception begins at 6PM / The Wizard of Oz movie will start at 7:20PM--Just as last year, champagne and cheese, etc. is complimentary with admission.-Children, accompanied by an adult are invited.-Character costuming, by children of all ages, is encouraged! The ticket price has been reduced to $15.00, half the price of last years’ event. If you need tickets, I have 10 to sell as a member of the board. My number is 495-9181.
It’s never too early to plan and if you plan on going to anything next month, consider the Chinchuba Institute’s KidSpeakLearningCenter’s fundraiser. Chinchuba Institute, a nationally recognized local school that provides early intervention and preschool education to children with hearing impairment, autism spectrum disorders and other speech and language delays through its KidSpeak Learning Center, will host its first annual “Look Who’s Talking Now” Gala and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 18, from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Preservation Resource Center at 923 Tchoupitoulas St. in New Orleans. Tickets are $35.
Roop Raj, WDSU Channel 6 news anchor, serving as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, will kick off the event for honored guests and patrons. Guests will enjoy the “yat” musical performances by Benny Grunch and the Bunch (“Ain’t Dere No More”; “The 12 Yats of Christmas”; and “Ain’t No Place to Pee On Mardi Gras Day”). Comedian and humorist, Becky Allen will add to the light-hearted affair with her unique brand of New Orleans comedy. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are OrleansParishCity council vice-president Arnie Fielkow and his wife, developmental pediatrician, Dr. Susan Fielkow. For more information on the school or the “Look Who’s Talking Now” fundraiser, call Dara Fox at 504-391-2479 or Donna Breaux at 504-263-2067.
Finally, it’s still not too early to plan to attend two wonderful related experiences coming up over the next few weeks. The first is Bonnie Broel’s fundraiser for the House of Broel Foundation on September 27. Bonnie has taken her St. Charles Avenue mansion, near the corner of Jackson Avenue in the Garden District, and turned it into a museum featuring her exquisite doll house creations. You have to see it to believe it! And now she is trying to raise funds for her foundation to keep this historic and scenic landmark operating.
“A Debut on the Avenue II” will kick off on the 27th at the House of Broel, 2220 St. Charles Avenue, with a Patron Party from 7-8:30 p.m., followed by a Gala from 8:30-11 p.m. World renowned Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea’s Restaurant in Metairie will be cooking and demonstrating, and food will be provided by some of the city’s most renowned restaurants, including Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, Muriel’s, Café Giovanni, Zea’s and more. Music and entertainment will be provided by the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, pianist/humorist Philip Melancon, Rocky Troxler, Jay Cavalier, Moscow Nights and sultry vocalist Suzaune Yee McKamey. Open bar courtesy of Glazer’s Family of Companies. Come in cocktail attire or get into the spirit by dressing as a “Living Doll.” For more information or to make reservations call Bonnie at 522-2220 or 494-2220. Checks and credit cards accepted.
Darling readers,
