Tuesday, December 30, 2014

A Toast to New Orleans -Celebrations of end of 2014 and the New 2015




Darlings,
Margarita Bergen's photo.

A very special toast to you and your loved ones as we prepare for the ending of 2014 and the beginning of 2015.

As I stated at the beginning of December, New Orleans is the place to be for the holidays. No other place offers the variety of events that we are invited to participate in and celebrate in this very special city.

I have been going to almost every holiday soiree these past week but I was really looking forward to celebrating and sharing with everyone my Fiesta Navidena at Casell-Bergen Gallery's new location at 1305 Decatur Street. Those of you who came enjoyed the melodic sounds of popular award-winning guitarists Julio and Cesar Trio. They set the mood and the culinary creations that included Cuban-style roasted pig, salmon in a dill and caper sauce, prepared and donated by my darling friend Bonnie Broel, as well as the delicious jambalaya cooked to perfection by Chef Emile Schiffer. Champagne was flowing, courtesy of my darling friend Patrick van Hoorebeeck, as well as delicious egg nog, wine and beers. It was real fiesta enjoyed by all prior to Caroling in the Square.
Fiesta NavideƱa - Christmas Party



The next day, it was time to celebrate Noche Buena and that was done at home with friends from South Africa. 


On Christmas Day, I was invited to the annual Holiday Celebration of my darling friends Harry Greenberger and Marshall Harris overlooking Bayou St. John. Check out the photos. 
I was treated to see The Moscow Ballet's “The Great Russian Nutcracker” at the exquisite Saenger Theatre. I want to thank my darling friend, Michael Mitchell, attorney for Broadway in New Orleans, who generously provided me with four tickets to his Grand Suite at the Saenger so I could see the performance, along with my friends. It was a real treat.  
       
Darlings, I am blessed and honored that once again I was included in the list of the Times Picayune's Party Goers. I was actually included in the Hall of Fame in great company. Thanks to all of you for inviting me. See the link   http://www.nola.com/society/index.ssf/2014/12/top_new_orleans_partygoers_of.html                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

There are going to be many end of the year celebrations, as well as soirees to celebrate the beginning of the upcoming Carnival Season. Among them is the Crescent City Countdown Club, welcoming in 2015 as only New Orleans can!
With another year of generous community support, our spirited city can welcome 2015 with live New Orleans music, a unique fleur de lis drop, and the midnight fireworks display over the mighty Mississippi River. The celebration begins at the Decatur Street City Stage in Jackson Square with a performance by Big Sam's Funky Nation from 9:30 to 10:15 p.m. Terrance Simien + the Zydeco Experience will follow at 10:45 to 11:45 p.m. After that time we will count down together to midnight to launch the fleur de lis drop and the fireworks’ Symphony in the Sky to welcome in the New Year.
Watch as the 8-foot tall by 5-foot wide two-dimensional fleur de lis descends a 25-foot pole atop Jax Brewery Condominiums to launch the exquisite Symphony in the Sky. Made of plywood with weather-treated cloth stretched over the frame, the fleur de lis a symbol of New Orleans' courage, is adorned with aluminum ribbons and LED lights, making it easier to view from both sides. A 6-foot high by 4-foot wide "New Year" board will light up with two hundred 25-watt clear bulbs announcing the official arrival of 2015. See calendar below.
With the 80th Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, New Orleans will come alive with school spirit when college football fans descend on the city. To celebrate the iconic bowl game, the Allstate Fan Fest will be held in the Jax Brewery's parking lot on Decatur Street.
On December 31, join the legendary Dr. John, a six-time Grammy Award-winning musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, as he rings in the New Year at Le Petit Theatre. Known throughout the world as the embodiment of New Orleans' musical legacy, Dr. John is a true icon in American culture. His colorful musical career began in the 1950s when, as a studio musician for Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Recording Studio, he wrote and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City, including recordings by Professor Longhair, Art Neville, Joe Tex and Frankie Ford.
On New Year's Eve the Algiers Levee is a great place to watch the fireworks over the river. If you haven't had enough holiday cheer yet, there is still time to enjoy the season! At the stroke of midnight,  December 31, revelers will be on the levee to enjoy the fireworks as they ring in 2015. Remember to be there early enough to get a good spot.

If want to see themusic schedules and everything that is going one - please visit my darling friend Frank's Stansbury's  LaFete News 12-30-14
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/LaFete-News-Spotlights-1…



Darlings, save some energy for January 6. It’s a big day in New Orleans. It marks three things: Twelfth Night, The Epiphany, and the beginning of the Carnival Season. Yes, while many people outside of New Orleans believe that Mardi Gras is a one-day event, those of us living here know that it’s an actual season, kind of like Christmas.

  

Among the many parades, I am looking forward to  the 7th Annual St. Joan of Arc parade. It will be St. Joan’s 603rd birthday, so come out and watch the medieval pageantry of a great parade, honoring the Patron Saint of France.  My darling friends Patrick Van Hoorebeek, owner of Patrick’s Bar Vin, 2015 King Charles VII honorary  and Simone Bruni Crouere, owner of Demo Diva, 2015 Queen Yolande Find the parade route map at www.joanofarcparade.org.
Another fun event is this one: The Battle of New Orleans - General Pakenham's Final Supper -January 6, 2015 at the Bourbon Orleans, a proud member of the New Orleans Hotel Collection. Prepared by Chef Joey Wells and special guest appearances by General Pakenham, Period costumes welcomed.  Cocktails in the Courtyard 6:30-7:30 p.m., five-course dinner with wine 7:30-9:30 p.m. To make dinner reservations call 504-571-4672
Have a wonderful week and I will see you next year!      


Crescent City Countdown Club to Welcome in 2015 as Only New Orleans Can!
With another year of generous community support, our spirited city can welcome 2015 with live New Orleans music, a unique fleur de lis drop, and the midnight fireworks display over the Mighty Mississippi River. The celebration begins at the Decatur Street City Stage with a performance by Sam's Funcky Nation from 9:30 to 10:15 p.m. Terrance Simien + the Zydeco Experience will follow at 10:45 to 11:45 p.m. After that time we will count down together to midnight to launch the fleur de lis drop and the fireworks Symphony in the Sky to welcome .

Watch as the 8-foot tall by 5-foot wide two-dimensional fleur de lis descends a 25-foot pole atop Jax Brewery Condominiums to launch the exquisite Symphony in the Sky. Made of plywood with weather-treated cloth stretched over the frame, the fleur de lis a symbol of New Orleans' courage, is adorned with aluminum ribbons and LED lights, making it easier to view from both sides. A 6-foot high by 4-foot wide "New Year" board will light up with two hundred 25-watt clear bulbs announcing the official arrival of the new year

 

Dine in the French Quarter and then join us at the Decatur Street Stage at Jackson Square:
  • Sam's Funky Nation from 9:30 to 10:15 p.m.
  • Terrance Simien + the Zydeco Experience 10:45 to 11:45 p.m.
  • Midnight Countdown, Fleur de lis drop, fireworks over the Mississippi River 11:45 - ? .
For sponsorship and more information about the fireworks show and fleur de lis drop please call (985) 630-4604.

New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Algiers Levee

If you haven't had enough holiday che

er yet​
, there is still time to enjoy the season! At the stroke of midnight
​ 
December 31​
​,
 revelers will be on the
​​
levee to enjoy the fireworks as they ring in 2015. Remember to be there early enough to get a good spot, and keep in mind there are bars nearby if you run out of "spirit"!

First Friday of the Year
Just a day after the black-eyed peas and cabbage are consumed for luck and money,  First Fridays on the Point will kick off 2015 on January 2. Tell your friends from "across the river" to come ove
on the ferry for the fun. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., there will be an art market in the courtyard of Imagine Yoga Studio at 840 Opelousas Ave., where Greg Afek of Twelve Limit will perform. Imagine Yoga will offer chair massages inside the studio. The new Algiers Point Fine Art Gallery across the street at 837-1/2 Opelousas Ave. will also be open with 

works from
 ​
featured artists 
Jono Goodman and Danny DeLancey.​

Throughout the evening, there will be specials at the local bars
​:​
  • $3 mimosas all night  and $3 wine during happy hour at Vine and Dine
  • ​$1 drafts of PBR during happy hour at Old Point Bar and music from Rick Trolsen at 5 p.m. and Johnny Angel and Helldorado at 9:30 p.m.
  • NOLA Brewing Specialty Cask at Crown and Anchor, along with a 70s theme part
    y and​
     karaoke
    ​                
  Wednesday, December 31
Cuban New Year's Eve Celebration at Casa Borrega

We will be hosting a Cuban New Year's eve party this week with two bands:
Los Caballeros del Son 6:30 - 9pm
Alexey Marti Trio 9pm - 1am
We will also have a Cuban menu that night (below).
Cuban New Year’s Eve Menu
Entrees - $16
All come with your choice of two sides
Lechon Asado - Succulent chunks of whole young pig slow cooked in handcrafted wooden oven
Ropa Vieja – Thinly shredded beef seasoned with tomato, garlic and pepper
Arroz con Pollo – Tender chicken stewed with rice in a tomato and red wine sauce
Veggie Plate - $14
Yucca, congri, ensalada and platanos
Sides $7
Platanos Fritos – Sweet fried plantains
Congri – Rice and black beans cooked together with onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin and oregano, served with sliced avocado
Ensalada – Cucumber, radish, tomato and onion tossed with lime, salt and olive oil
Yucca – Tender yucca pieces drizzled with garlic, lemon and olive oil
Accompany your meal with a Mojito or Cuba Libre
Cava available for New Year’s toast
Hope to see you there.
Happy New Year!
Hugo & Linda
Casa Borrega
504-427-0654

PHOTOS FROM LAST WEEK

 The Moscow Ballet's “The Great Russian Nutcracker” at the exquisite Saenger Theater .
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Margarita Bergen's photo.


Christmas Day at Harry Greenberger and Marshall Harris's residence on Bayou St John


Evening in Bayou St. John

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