Friday, March 21, 2014

A Toast to New Orleans : March 19-25-Happy St Joseph's Day

Darlings, 
I hope you had a festive St Patrick's Day and I wish you all a happy St. Joseph's Day.
I have been extremely busy and, I might add, exhausted. I finally moved temporarily Casell-Bergen Gallery to my brother Lorenzo Bergen's Studio at 1501 Esplanade. The content of the gallery is distributed between two storage spaces and Lorenzo's. I didn't realize how much Mr. Casell had accumulated in 30 years at 818 Royal.

Fortunately, I am planning to get some R&R next week in Destin to think clearly in which direction and location I will relocate the gallery.
Friday, I attended the lovely Friends of City Park's Lark in the Park - The evening could not been more beautiful for the outdoor celebration.

Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.





 
















Last Saturday, the packed audience at Trinity Episcopal Church enjoyed tremendously the wonderful performance of the rediscovered “Tabasco” opera. My darling friend Paul Mauffray did a masterful job of conducting five soloists, an 18-piece orchestra and members of the New Orleans Opera Chorus. The hour-long concert received a very nice review from Ted Mahne of the Times-Picayune. You can read Ted’s review at this link:http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2014/03/taste_of_rediscoved_tabasco_sh.html

Following the performance there was a lovely reception at the New Orleans Opera Women’s Guild home, sponsored by the McIlhenney Company. I got to meet charming Tony Simmons, the CEO of the McIlhenny Company and the delegation of family members and employees who came in to see the Opera. I was very fortunate to join a few years ago a wonderful trip to Avery Island and the fabulous facilities of the McIlhenny Company where their famous hot pepper Tabasco sauce is made. If I’m remembering correctly, the trip was sponsored by Absolut vodka as part of Tales of the Cocktail. We had the best Bloody Marys ever! We had a delicious lunch there as well.

Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.

Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.

Coincidentally, the next night, CBS' “Sixty Minutes” featured a fascinating segment about Tabasco. See it here at http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/tabasco-fighting-bland-food-since-1868/

I celebrated St. Patrick's Day, as in the past, at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. Kevin Kelly, our host and owner of Houmas House, treated the invited press to a delicious recreation of the meal that award-winning Chef Jeremy Langlois prepared at the James Beard House in NYC. St Patrick's Day celebration with James Beard Dinner (33 photos)
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.

Margarita Bergen's photo.

This is going to be another very busy week. 
NOLA Fashion Week
Now in its fourth year, NOLA Fashion Week hosts runway shows, industry workshops and networking events for fashion professionals each spring and fall in New Orleans. This year's fall/winter collections will walk the runway March 17-22, featuring collections from local Project Runway alum, Anthony Ryan and Matthew Arthur, along with a host of local and national emerging fashion designers. See the full schedule of NOLA Fashion Week events at 










 

This is also the week of the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival, with a lot of educational and fun events – like the “Stella” and “Stanley” shouting contests – plus the staging of several of Williams’ most famous plays. You can read more about this in the calendar below.
I am also looking forward to the Art in Bloom Patron and Preview Party on Wednesday the 19th, the Raintree Services Gala on Thursday,  the Paquito D’Rivera concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday and the rest of “Cabaret Month” at the Mid-City Theatre. You can read more about these and other events in the calendar that follows.
Enjoy your week.


March 19-23
Tennessee Wiliams/New Orleans Literary Festival
New Orleans hosts its annual celebration of one of its most famous residents, Tennessee Williams, featuring panel discussions, performances, master classes and more. The 2014 Tennessee Wiliams/New Orleans Literary Festival’s notable guests scheduled to attend include actress, writer and director Diane Ladd, a distant cousin of Williams ; Dorothy Allison (Bastard out of Carolina); Lorrie Moore (Self Help, Birds of America); and Hilton Als (White Girls). Guests will get a chance to see some of Williams’ work brought to life; one event includes Williams’ “hotel plays” performed in the rooms of the Hermann-Grima House. Events take place at locations around the French Quarter, March 19-23. Information, TennesseeWilliams.net
3-19-14
 
The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival (March 19-23) draws a national audience of book lovers, theater fans, and folks who love the funky port city celebrated in plays like "A Streetcar Named Desire." For 2014 the festival has expanded its alliances with top local theater troupes, tapped some of the country's most notable authors, and sustained its hospitable charms with activities that range from French Quarter tours to the crowd-pleasing Stanley and Stella Shouting contest that closes the five-day Fest.


Each year, the Festival presents theatrical works to compliment our literary, music and food events. In 2014, we will feature more theatre than ever!
* At Le Petit Theatre, we present in conjunction with The NOLA Project, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." You have seven chances to catch this Tennessee Williams classic. This is the first time in over a decade that the Festival will be presenting this work and we encourage you to to see this sultry, raw and uninhibited production.
* Also at Le Petit Theatre, don't miss "Vivien," the one woman show about legendary star, Vivien Leigh, starring actress Judith Chapman. Only two shows! Get tickets here for a journey into the triumph and madness of the star of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Jeremy Lawrence performs "En Avant! Tennessee Williams in His Own Words." Only one chance to catch this Festival favorite as he brings to life Tennessee's greatest joys and passions. In Williams' own words to, "make voyages, attempt them, there is nothing else."
* "The Place That I Was Made For" recalls Tennessee Williams' love affair for New Orleans and is hosted byThomas Keith. Only one showing at Le Petit Theatre! Join Diane Ladd, Janey Daley Duval, David Hoover, Bryan Batt, Hilton Als, Dorothy Allison and Justin Torres as they share some of the most sparking, striking and side-splitting stories and observations about the Festival's namesake playwright.
* "The Hotel Plays" offer five opportunities for audiences to attend a rare Tennessee Williams work at the historic Hermann-Grima House. This Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival will showcase three short plays by Williams, including "Green Eyes," "Mr Paradise," and "The Traveling Companion."
* Playwright Charlene Donaghy has written a 90-minute play inspired by Tennessee Williams' short story entitled, "Gift of an Orange." Only five shows being performed at the Hermann-Grima House, and produced byThe Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.
*Our Festival will also present a staged reading of the winning play from our One Act Play Competition as well as a production of last year's winner, "Father," by Frederick Mensch at the Hotel Montleone.
Southern Rep Theatre will offer four showings of "The Night of the Iguana"during the Festival. This Tennessee Williams favorite is being performed on Elysian Fields Ave at The Art Klub.
With so many lovely options, we look forward to seeing many of you out and about! For more information about these productions, please click here.

Tickets
March 19
Opera on Tap

Four Points by Sheraton Sponsoring Organization: New Orleans Opera Association Tickets: None (FREE and open to the public)
The New Orleans Opera Association continues its highly popular, free, "Opera on Tap" program of light operatic and live stage fare at various watering holes around New Orleans. This month’s appearance of the NOOA’s offshoot troupe will be on the site of former French Opera House -the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at Bourbon and Toulouse streets in the French Quarter.


March 19
Debauchery 
Mid-City Theatre Sponsoring Organization: Southern Repertory Theater Tickets: Southern Repertory Theater and Mid-City Theatre
Sometimes, the name says it all. Certainly in this case it does. Playwright Pat Bourgeois presents “Debauchery! The Soap Opera” about a wealthy, eccentric family just trying to find love, family, and infamy in New Orleans.
Now in its third year, this interactive monthly soap opera keeps the tension building on its sassiest, sauciest season yet! Join in on the drama as sisters Chanel and Cartier flounce and fight their way through a maze of outrageous exploits. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

March 19-20
Art in Bloom, New Orleans Museum of Art. Information, noma.org

This annual springtime celebration includes educational programs and social events, with complex floral arrangements inspired by works of art in NOMA’s galleries as the centerpiece.
Patron and Preview Party | March 19, 2014
Patron Party 6 – 10 p.m.
Preview Party 7 – 10 p.m.
Entertainment Tanya and Dorise
Lectures and Luncheon presented by Flower Magazine
March 20, 2014
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Lecture | Marguerite Green
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lecture | Danielle Rollins
12:30 p.m. Luncheon and Fashion Show | Saks Fifth Avenue presents The Best of Spring 2014 Fashions for Men and Women

This annual springtime celebration includes educational programs and social events, with complex floral arrangements inspired by works of art in NOMA's galleries as the centerpiece.
Patron and Preview Party | March 19, 2014
Patron Party 6 – 10 pm
Preview Party 7 – 10 pm
Entertainment Tanya and Dorise
Lectures and Luncheon presented by Flower Magazine
March 20, 2014
9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Lecture | Marguerite Green
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lecture | Danielle Rollins
12:30 p.m. Luncheon and Fashion Show | Saks Fifth Avenue presents The Best of Spring 2014 Fashions for Men and Women

March 20
Shostakovich "Leningrad" Symphony

 Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
Sponsoring Organization: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Tickets: Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
The Louisiana Philharmonic continues its “Classics” series with the complete Symphony No. 7, “Leningrad,” by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 15.
World-renowned Finnish pianist, Juho Pohjonen, is the guest soloist on the Mozart Piano Concerto. LPO Music Director Carlos Miguel Prieto conducts the performance and curtain time is 7:30 p.m.

March 20

Raintree Gala

Paint the Town Green 2014


Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Patron Party- 6pm at Ruth's Chris on Fulton

Harrah's Theatre- 7pm

TICKET INFORMATION:

ONE GALA TICKET- $85

ONE PATRON PARTY TICKET- $160

TWO GALA TICKETS, TWO PATRON PARTY TICKETS, PROGRAM LISTING- $500

Thursday, March 20
Art Council of New Orleans & 
The Business Information Session series offered by the  Mayor's Office of Economic Develpment continues with a presentation in District "C"  
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Treme Recreation Center 900 N. Villere St.New Orleans, LA 70117-This event is free and open to the public. Please R.S.V.P. to Margrett Frazier at (504) 658-4237 ormmfrazier@nola.gov or visitwww.nola.gov/economic-development for more 
 Thursday, March 20 
Irvin Mayfield at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church
On March 20, 2014 world renowned trumpet artist Irvin Mayfield will perform in concert for the Bishop Perry’s Center’s series of free, public concerts.
            The series—A Musical Prelude to the Celebration of Easter—features music ranging from classical favorites of the great gothic and baroque cathedrals of the world to New Orleans jazz, spirituals, and gospel. The concerts take place on Thursdays at 6 p. m. in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, part of the old Ursuline Convent Complex, located at 1116 Chartres Street.

March 21. Elton John in concert, Smoothie King Center. Information, NewOrleansArena.com

March 21-29. NOLA Project presents Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Le Petit Theatre. Information, NolaProject.com
March 22
Paquito D'Rivera  Live with the LPO
.World renowned Latin Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Paquito D'Rivera joins the LPO for an evening of Caribbean/Latin infused music! D'Rivera also guest conducts the 70-member LPO in this concert in the orchestra’s “Special” series at Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts
Sponsored by:


$20-$99 • For student tickets call 504.523.6530
Venue
Mahalia Jackson Theater, New Orleans
Concert Series
Special
Conductor & Featured Artists
Carlos Miguel Prieto, Music Director

Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet and saxophone 



March 22. Fleur de Tease Burlesque presents “Alice in Burlesque-land,” One Eyed Jacks. Information,FleurDeTease.com
Trinity Artist Series present: 
Sunday, March 23 @ 2 pm: World renowned Harpists Emily Mitchell and Jaymee Haefner perform as a Harp Duo for their first appearance in New Orleans.
              March 23 @ 5 pm: McGehee School Spring Concert Choir
              March 23 @ 9 pm sharp: JAZZ Vespers with popular trumpeter/singer WENDELL BRUNIOUS and Amasa Miller on piano.The 30 minutes program
features musical selections by accomplished Jazz artists and scriptural readings 
1329 Jackson Ave., New Orleans, La. - Call: (504) 670-2520 -

March 22-23. Congo Square Rhythms Festival, Lafayette Square. Information, JazzAndHeritage.org/Congo-Square


Sunday, March 23
First Annual ELMFEST
The Elm Theatre is hosting its First Annual ELMFEST, a party/fundraiser being held on Architect Street in the Faubourg Marigny, adjacent to the Mardi Gras Zone float-building warehouse. The Elm will be announcing its 2014-15 season, along with several other New Orleans-based theatrical groups.
Among those presenting their upcoming schedules are Jonathan Mares Productions, Night Light Collective, members of Team SNO (New Orleans’s own National Championship Poetry Slam Team) and the Claws With Fangs improv group from The New Movement. Individual performers and producers Bremner Duthie, Ren French and Pamela Davis-Noland will also be presenting. 
Short skits from these companies will be performed, giving attendees a sneak peek at upcoming performances. The event will take place between 5-9 p.m., following the close of the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival and is open to the public. Admission is $20 (cash only) at the door. Discounted early bird tickets for $15 online. Includes food, beer, wine and s’mores.
For more info call (504) 218-0055, mail info@elmtheatre.org  or visit their website, www.elmtheatre.org.



Sunday, March 23 

Guild Home Watercolor
 New Orleans Opera AssociationWomen's Guild and Junior Committee Present: 
   

La bohème
Opera Orientation and Roundtable Discussion 

A roundtable discussion with special guests from the
production followed by light themed refreshments.

     
Date:Sunday, March 23, 2014
Time: 4-6pm  
Place:
 Women's Guild Home 2504 Prytania St.  New Orleans, LA 70130 
Cost:$25 Women's Guild Members & Junior Committee Members / $30 Non-Members / $40 Couples from the same household  

* Please make checks payable to The Women's Guild and mail them in advance to 616 Girod St., Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70130 / Attn: Gina Klein 

RSVP: Gina Klein 504-529-2278 ext. 227


March 20
Shostakovich "Leningrad" Symphony


World renowned Latin Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Paquito D'Rivera joins the LPO for an evening of Caribbean/Latin infused music! D'Rivera also guest conducts the 70-member LPO in this concert in the orchestra’s “Special” series.
Winner of nine Grammy Awards, the Cuban-born D’Rivera is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. His numerous recordings include more than 30 solo albums. In 1988, he was a founding member of the United Nation Orchestra, a 15-piece ensemble organized by Dizzy Gillespie to showcase the fusion of Latin and Caribbean influences with jazz.