Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Toast to NO July 7-15: Bastille Day & Running of the Bulls Celebrations & Round Table Luncheon

Darlings,

I hope you all had a restful, peaceful 4th of July Weekend.  I spent most of the weekend working at Casell-Bergen Gallery and went briefly to my darling friend Brian Sands' annual 4th of July Celebration. As always, it was a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing a lot of old-time friends. 

On Sunday, I first hosted a small gathering in my courtyard to celebrate the wrapping of the French documentary about the 10th Anniversary of Katrina. I hosted overnight French film director/producer Hicham Ayouch  and enjoyed meeting his crew and assisting him with some resources. Unfortunately they had a plane to catch after spending three weeks here and could not stay for my annual 4th of July BBQ. Documentarian and my right hand at the gallery Walther Vera was the producer here in New Orleans so I am blessed to have been involved with them.
Margarita Bergen's photo.
Walther Vera producer of Kinovera Films, actress  Lesly Popote, , Professor  Francois Durpaire, of University of Paris and French Director  Hicham Ayouch

Mother Nature blessed us with clear skies for my outdoor patriotic BBQ. Guests enjoyed the live entertainment by talented pianist/vocalistGiselle Bonfaire and Conductor Paul Mauffray who also joined in playing the piano. Ms. Bonfaire will be the live entertainer at my upcoming Round Table Luncheon Saluting Tales of the Cocktail and Bastille Day on Wednesday, July 15 at noon at Antoine's. See Press release below with all the details.Click for Options



This upcoming week is going to be a fun-filled one. Not only we will  be celebrating Bastille Day, but  also the 9th Annual San Fermin Festival Running of the Bulls in Nueva Orleans (SFNO), July 9-12. See calendar below for complete details of both events. Once again I have been invited to judge the annual Bastille Day's French Dog Contest at the Riverwalk.  

Among the many cultural events that have been scheduled this week are, on Wednesday, July 8 from 7-9 p.m at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter, a FREE concert by Bon Operatit!  titled "Puccini in the Puccini Bar." The concert by three talented opera singers will feature show-stopping Puccini from Turandot, La Bohème, Gianni Schicchi and more in the bar that shares his namesake.

On Thursday, July 9,  I am looking forward to going to Thursdays at Twilight to see my darling friends Julio and Cesar performing at. Pavilion of the Two Sisters in the Botanical Garden. $10 entrance; performances begin at 6 p.m.

On Friday, July 10 at Mid-City Theatre, a new production, “Riding Halley’s Comet,” will open with an all-star cast. The play, written by local playwright Ann McQueen, will star Carol Sutton, Idella Johnson, Troi Bechet, Yohance Myles, Cherrelle Palmer, Robert Doqui, DC Paul, Keshuna Jones Lee and Martin Bats BradfordTroy R. Poplous directs.
The two-act play deals honestly and candidly about the issue of mental illness in African American households, a sensitive subject that is rarely discussed among Black families. On opening night, immediately following the production, representatives from the New Orleans Chapter of the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI), along with playwright and cast, will hold a talkback with the audience.

The show will run on weekends through July 19. Opening night curtain will be at 7:30 p.m. All other nights at 8 p.m. with two Sunday, 3 p.m. matinees. Call (504) 488-1460 for tickets, information and directions.

On Saturday, July 11, Riverwalk' Spanish Plaza will pay tribute to the city's French roots during the fourth annual Bastille Day Fête. In addition to featuring live music, artists and other types of performances, food vendors offering French delicacies will line the plaza. Face-painting, French storytelling and arts activities will be available for children. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their costumed pups for the "French Dog Contest," starting at 11:30 a.m. Dogs of all breeds can show off their French spirit for a chance to win prizes.

Later that evening there will be another Bastille Day celebration, this one in the Faubourg St. John neighborhood at Esplanade Avenue and North Lopez Street. There will also be food by top restaurants, plus live music, dancing and even some fun events for the kids.
Ole! Ole! It’s that time of year again. Time for the 9th annual reenactment of the Encierro: the Running of the Bulls through the streets of downtown New Orleans.
Held every year in mid-July to coincide with the bull run in Pamplona, Spain, the San Fermin en Nueva Orleans Festival is a fun event that’s not as dramatic as its Spanish counterpart, but it's not as dangerous, either. The local "bulls" are none other than the young ladies from the New Orleans-based all-female flat-track derby team, the Big Easy Rollergirls, plus participants from other roller derby leagues across the country. They won’t “gore” you with the horns on their helmets (they’re only plastic) but they could whack you from behind with their foam-core wiffle ball bats if you’re too slow!
These "RollerBulls" generously give the runners a head start but then, as they catch up with the slowest of the pack, they are allowed to whack them. Some participants even consider it an honor to be "gored" by these "bulls." They allow themselves to get whacked several times and no one has ever been hospitalized. It's all in good fun, taking the famous New Orleans saying "Let the good times roll" to its literal extreme. Following them, also “on a roll,” are the Rolling Elvii, a fun group of Elvis look-alikes on Segways. And, in typical New Orleans fashion, it begins with a party and ends with a party!
On Saturday morning, July 11, the official procession of San Fermin in Nueva Orleans begins at 7:15. The runners take off at 8:00 a.m. and, at 8:15, the post-Encierro party begins, featuring the popular Latin band Vivaz and deejay Brice Nice, along with food from some of New Orleans’ best food trucks.
Those who plan on taking part in the run on Saturday morning and in the rest of the festivities must be registered ahead of time. There is a fee schedule for those who plan to participate in the event, depending upon the preferred level of participation. VIP-Adult passes are $80, Patron is $25, Corredor (runner) is $15.  Runners in the Encierro must wear either a white shirt or white pants and have a red scarf or long red cloth tied around their waists and necks. Of course, this being New Orleans, many of the participants take it even further, showing up in clever and imaginative costumes, especially as matadors and bulls.
On the evening of Saturday, July 11, I am looking forward to attending opening night of “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Tulane University as the second offering in their annual summer Shakespeare Festival. The play, written by Oscar Wilde in 1895, is as funny and satirical today as it was 120 years ago.
The show runs through July 25 at Tulane’s Lupin Theatre with both evening productions and matinee performances. Call the box office at(504) 865-5106 or email box@tulane.edu for tickets and information.
THE 6TH ANNUAL FRENCH MARKET BARTENDER & WAITERS RACE will take place on Sunday July 12. The race starts promptly at 4 p.m. as part of the citywide Bastille Day NOLA festivities. The route is down Decatur Street from Jackson Square to the Joan of Arc statue, three blocks away.

The Trinity Artist Series will present, on Sunday, July 12, at 5 p.m. a Bastille Day concert with sopranos Marie Elise Thomas and Joy Meade.

Have a great week and put in your calendar that the annual Spirited Round Table Luncheon Saluting Tales of the Cocktail will take place on Wednesday, July 15 at noon at Antoine's. Here are the details:

“All Hail the Cocktail” at the Round Table Luncheon
Wednesday, July 15 at 12 Noon
We’re getting into the spirit for the 13th Annual Tales of the Cocktail when the art of a good cocktail reigns over the Big Easy. On Wednesday July 15 at 12 noon, the Round Table Luncheon will shake it up when talented mixologists and industry professionals share a peek inside the world’s premier event devoted to bartenders and their art.
Hosted by social columnist and bon vivant, Margarita Bergen, in historic Antoine's Restaurant, the popular luncheon promises lively discussion, delicious cuisine and flowing champagne with plenty of surprises!
Founder and Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail -- “Mrs. Cocktail” herself -- Ann Tuennerman will kick things off by divulging insider tips on what to look for in this year’s programming.
For entertainment, guests will enjoy a live performance from talented pianist/vocalist Giselle Bonfaire and cocktail historian Elizabeth Pearce, who will prepare a special cocktail using Herbsaint. The $45, all-inclusive package includes a 3-course meal, a glass of champagne and a glass of wine with the meal (tax and gratuities also included).
For reservations call Margarita Bergen at (504) 495-9181 or email Margaritabergen@hotmail.com.Hosted by social columnist and bon vivan...

Photos from last week: 
 Brian Sands' annual 4th of July Party. This year the theme was Italian so we feted Italian cuisine and wine.

 MY BBQ guests enjoyed the live entertainment by talented pianist/vocalist Giselle Bonfaire and Conductor Paul Mauffray also joined playing the piano









Calendar of Events







For complete list of events visit: LaFete News 7-7-15
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/lafete-news-july-7.html…


  
Tuesday
July 7
6:00PM
    
Please join us in for
a presentation and signing with
New Orleans author
Kent Wascom
celebrating the release of 
his highly anticipated historical novel
SECESSIA
    
From the immensely talented author of The Blood of Heaven, compared by reviewers to Faulkner, O'Connor, and McCarthy, comes a gothic portrait of a city ravaged by war and struck by vice and disease-Civil War New Orleans 

Kent Wascom was born in New Orleans in 1986, attended Louisiana State University, and received his MFA from Florida State University. He was awarded the 2012 Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival Prize for Fiction. The Blood of Heaven was his first novel
Octavia Books
513 Octavia Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
504-899-READ (7323)
octaviabooks.com

July 7
 
 
Special Exhibit OpeningFighting for the Right to Fight:
African American Experiences in World War IIPresented in New Orleans by The Coca-Cola FoundationOfficial Program Sponsor
Thursday, July 9, 2015
5:00 pm Reception  |  6:00 pm Presentation
Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery in the
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
On July 9, the Museum will open its newest exhibition, Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II, chronicling the incredible stories of the thousands of African Americans who rushed to enlist at the start of the war, intent on serving the country that treated them as second-class citizens. The special exhibit will discuss how hopes of equality inspired many to enlist, the discouraging reality of the segregated non-combat roles given to black recruits, and the continuing fight for "Double Victory" that laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement.
Hear curator Eric Rivet introduce the exhibit and explain the process behind making it come to fruition. Joining him will be artifact donors Calvin Moret, a Tuskegee Airman who donated his flight pack; Dr. Rothacker Smith, who donated items from his service as a medic with the 92nd Infantry Division; and Mike Allen, whose father Charles Allen was a Montford Point Marine. The special exhibition will be open for viewing throughout the evening.
http://nw2m.convio.net/site/Calendar/1970648679?view=confirm&id=118866&tranid=0&interaction_id=0
July 8

 
Wednesday, July 8 at 6:00pm
at The Cannery  
21+

Gambit's 2015 Emerging Chefs Challenge recognizes the next generation of talented culinary leaders around the New Orleans area. This event features original food creations, music, drinks & crowd participation. Attendees vote on their favorite selection to crown the champion. YOUR selections determine which chef walks away with the $1,000 cash prize!

Tickets include:
2 drink tickets (beer or wine)
A tasting from each chef's prepared dish
One vote for your favorite food selection
Liquor drinks are available for purchase

To purchase more than 6 tickets to the event, please call Annie at (504) 483-3139.
The Emerging Chefs Challenge is presented by CrescentCare. Thank you to our supporting sponsors, Phoenix Recycling, Abita, Barefoot Wines, Evamor, The Oyster Bed, New Orleans Ice Cream, John E. Koerner Company and Bayou Born BBQ. All sales are final. Tickets are not refundable within 48 hours of event start time, and the event will take place rain or shine. Dress is business casual. 12 finalists were selected to participate in this event by an independent judging panel. Questions? Please call (504) 483-3139.

The 12 Finalists for the 2015 Emerging Chefs Challenge are:
Chef Brad Andries - Sac-A-Lait
Chef Rita Bernhardt - The PDR
Chef Daniel Causgrove - The Grill Room at Windsor Court
Chef Jason Goodenough - Carrollton Market
Chef Ryan Hughes - Purloo
Chef Nate Kruse - Kin
Chef William Salisbury - RAH/BAH (pop-up kitchen)
Chef Chris Shortall - Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29
Chef Sara Toth - Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse
Chef Nick Vella - Cibugnu
Chef Martha Wiggins - Sylvain
Chef Dayne Womax - Brown Butter

Enjoy additional tastings by Chef Houcine Harrabi of Food for Friends, a nutritional program of NO/AIDS Task Force, now a division of CrescentCare.

Emerging Chefs Challenge Ticket

$41.19

  $45.00 with fees (print at home and mobile
 

July 8-BONERAMA


July 8

 
Join Bon Operatit! for a FREE concert of
"Puccini in the Puccini Bar"


Featuring show stopping Puccini from Turandot, La Bohème,
Gianni Schicchi and more in the bar that shares his namesake!

Wednesday, July 8 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter


541 Bourbon Street
$5.00 valet parking at the hotel
To reserve a table call (504) 524-7611 ext 146


For more information visit
www.BonOperatit.com or call (504) 232-1046




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Thursdays at Twilight Garden Concert SeriesGates open at 5 p.m. Performances begin at 6 p.m. Pavilion of the Two Sisters in the Botanical Garden- $10 entrance

July 9 - Julio and Cesar

Originally from Guatemala, Julio and Cesar Herrera have been in New Orleans for over 30 years.






    July  
9

 


Thursday, July 9: SFNO Spanish Wine Dinner
Friday, July 10: El Txupinazo
Saturday, July 11: 8 AM SHARP!: El Encierro: The Running of the Bulls
Saturday, July 11: Evening La Fiesta de Pantalones
Sunday, July 12: El Pobré de Mi (Poor Me)
 

The New Orleans Hotel Collection is a proud sponsor of the
NOLA Bulls' San Fermin in Nueva Orleans July 9-12, 2015.  The weekend festivities kicks off with a four-course Spanish wine dinner at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel with a special appearance by Governor Bernardo de Galvez, Louisiana Governor from 1777-1795. Traditional Spanish guitar music by Daniele Spadavecchia.
  • 5:30pm - pre arrivals mixer with cash bar
  • $98 per person inclusive of wine, tax & gratuity
*The attire for the evening is the traditional red and white of the San Fermin feast day, often reflected in the runners garb of white pants, shirt and a red sash. Other red and white wear is highly encouraged.
{MENU}
First Course
Jumbo Shrimp cocktail
with yellow tomato Pico de Gallo and Avocado Relish
Paired with Rioja Blanco
Second Course
Chicken Osso Buco
with spicy roasted tomato salsa
Paired with Rioja Crianza
Third Course
Bone in Lamb Chop
with a Chocolate Mole Sauce
Paired with Rioja Reserva
Fourth Course
Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Paired with Warres King Tawny Port


Friday July 10


Obituary Cocktail
6 to 7 PM
Claire’s Pour House
233 Decatur St

Fun local bar with a great atmosphere
& fantastic drinks at a reasonable price.
And best of all our hostess Claire!



July 11
Bastille Day FêteSaturday, July 11
Riverwalk's Spanish Plaza will pay tribute to the city's French roots during the fourth annual Bastille Day Fête. In addition to featuring live music, artists and other performances, food vendors offering French delicacies will line the plaza. Face-painting, French storytelling and arts activities will be available for children. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their costumed pups for the "French Dog Contest," starting at 11:30 a.m. Dogs of all breeds can show off their French spirit for a chance to win prizes. No ice chests, skateboards, bicycles, pets or glass are allowed on Spanish Plaza during events.
Where: Riverwalk's Spanish Plaza
When: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
July 11

Bastille Day in Faubourg St. John July 11th
bastille-day-faubourg-st-john    Bastille Day Celebration in Faubourg St. John!

Date      Saturday July 11, 2015
Time      5:00PM - 9:30PM
Location               3100 block of Ponce de Leon, between North Lopez & Esplanade

Win a prize for the best costume as Marie Antoinette or Napoleon!

Celebrate Bastille Day in the original neighborhood of the French Creole aristocracy. The 2015 Faubourg St. John Bastille Day celebration will be on Saturday, July 11, 2015, between 5:00 PM and 9:30 PM with food, music, children's activities, and an art market. Music starts at 5PM with Harmonouche with Raphaël Bas and Bart Rames. At 5:30 Cynthia Scott will sing her powerful rendition of La Marseillaise. At 7:00 Ukulele Jake will play. At 7:30 Kid Merv will play. Meet, Eat, Dance in the streets with us!

Participants include Café Degas, Half Shell, Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association, Liuzza's by the Tracks, Half Shell Bar and Grill, Nonna Mia, Fairgrinds Coffee, 1000 Figs, Pal's Lounge, Santa Fe, and Swirl Wines.

11

Please join us for the Levee Exhibition and Garden ribbon cutting ceremony.

WHEN: Sat July 11 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 5000 Warrington Drive, New Orleans

A 20X30 foot tent will keep you dry if it rains; shaded if it's sunny.

The 100 foot long Exhibit Hall will tell the story of how and why the 2005 Flood happened. There is also a myth-buster exhibit. 

I hope you can join us for this short meaningful event. 

Thank you for your support of Levees.org.

Sandy Rosenthal
Founder, Levees.org


French Market Bartender & Waiters Race 2015, part of Bastille Day NOLA
Sunday, July 12
at 2:00pm - 4:30pm
French Market (New Orleans)

Speedwalking race held the Sunday before Bastille Day. Begins at Washington Artillery Park on Decatur across from Jackson Square, ends near the Joan of Arc statue for ceremony in Dutch Alley at St. Philip street. Music begins at 2 p.m. Race at 4 p.m. Awards at approx. 4:30 p.m.







French Market District - banner
3 CENTURIES of HISTORY - 6 BLOCKS of SHOPPING - OPEN DAILY!
THE 6TH ANNUAL FRENCH MARKET 
BARTENDER & WAITERS RACE 

Sunday July 12th - Race starts promptly at 4:00 pm
Part of the citywide Bastille Day NOLA festivities
 ROUTE: Down Decatur Street from Jackson Square to the Joan of Arc statue (3 block race,  riverside) 


French Market Bartender and Waiters Race


Schedule of events:

2:00 p.m. Gypsy Swing master guitarist Raphael Bas and saxophonist Pascal Valcasara

3:00 p.m. A Taste of the Opera for Bastille Day!

3:45 p.m. SECONDLINE KICKS OFF THE RACE Walk 3 blocks from the pavilion to the starting line to Washington Artillery Park.  This secondline clears the way, builds up the crowd, gets our racers' energy high, and alerts people that the RACE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!

 4:00 p.m. THE RACE!
The route will take place down Decatur Street, riverside, from St. Ann to St. Philip Street (approx. 3 blocks). Contestants will end at St. Phillip across from Joan of Arc statue and go into Dutch Alley to place their trays for the judges.4:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony

PRIZES:

To be announced!

Plus trophies for each winner and gift certificates from local establishments, French organizations, and other goodies.

Free to enter! Must be currently employed as a waiter or bartender in New Orleans to register. Limit two workers per establishment. 


NEW ORLEANS - The French Market honors the Parisian-born tradition celebrating waitstaff worldwide with an annual speedwalking race down Decatur Street two days prior to Bastille Day, on Sunday July 12th at 4:00 p.m.   Musical entertainment will begin at 2:00 p.m. in Dutch Alley in the French Market District, where the awards ceremony will later be held. In true New Orleans fashion, the French Market has  incorporated bartenders into the mix; unlike most throughout the world held on or near Bastille Day, this New Orleans race is open to both bartenders and waiters.  

Any bartender or waiter working for a Greater New Orleans Parish establishment can register.  The race itself takes approximately 10-12 minutes, and spans approximately three blocks, from St. Ann to St. Phillip Streets.  The race is free to enter, and cash prizes are awarded as follows:  $200 1st Place, $100 second place, $50 third place, plus trophies and other gifts for participants and winners.   CONTESTANTS MUST REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.FRENCHMARKET.ORG.  Contestants are accepted until all 30 slots available are filled.  The race occurs in three heats of 10 racers per heat.

Contestants must carry beverages and food on a tray and arrive at the finish line with little to no spillage; the most important factor is that NO RUNNING IS ALLOWED-see full rules below. 

The event is part of Bastille Day NOLA, a citywide celebration of Bastille Day, the French national holiday. 


FRENCH MARKET BARTENDER & WAITERS RACE RULES: 


1. Absolutely no running. This is strictly a speed walking race. Runners will be immediately disqualified. 

2. No spilling of items. 

3. Once the race begins, no touching of items on the tray is permitted. 

4. Only one hand may be used to support the tray; no switching of hands during race. Tray must be balanced from underneath. 

5. No bodily contact with other racers once the race has begun. 

6. No unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind will be permitted. 

7. The first person to cross the finish line WHO HAS NOT SPILLED ANY ITEMS is the winner. 

8. In addition to on-site volunteers and race captains walking along the race to ensure all rules are followed, the judges will review videotape of the race captured by Iphones to determine if there were any rules broken. If any rules were broken, there will be immediate disqualification. 

9. NOTE: If no one crossing the finish line has spilled any liquid, the winners will be determined by measuring the liquid per glass and the one with the most liquid still in the cup wins. 

 

Register Today
FREE TO ENTER!
Sunday, July 12
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Sunday, July 12 at 5 pm
Bastille Day concert with Marie Elise Thomas and Joy Meade sopranos

Tuesday, July 14 at 6 pm until 7 pm: 
Organ & Labyrinth Concert and Candlelight with Albinas Prizgintas on the 5000-pipe Trinity tracker organ - From Classical Baroque to Vintage Rock and Popular Tunes. Please visit: www.albinas.org.
Trinity Episcopal Church
1329 Jackson Avenue 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 


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DISCOUNTED DEALS AT THE ANNUAL NEARLY NEW SALE

METAIRIE, LA - The public is invited to shop for high quality merchandise at bargain prices during the annual Shir Chadash Nearly New Sale. The synagogue,  located at 3737 West Esplanade Avenue, is transformed into a beautifully organized secondhand store  offering a wide variety of items including fashions for the entire family, housewares, furniture, art, books, toys and more on July 12, 13, and 14, from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Shir Chadash.

This popular event has been taking place for decades, supporting spiritual, educational and festive programs at Shir Chadash - while benefitting the entire community with discounted deals and donating unsold items to Bridge House, Jefferson Parish Friends of the Library and other local charities.

Outfit your entire family with men's, women's, and a tremendous amount of children's clothing, fashion accessories and shoes. Visit the Ladies Boutique on the stage where a wide variety of designer styles will be on display. Select deeply discounted items from housewares, furniture, collectibles, Mardi Gras throws, toys, sporting goods, jewelry, linens and more. 

For further bargains, attend the Half-Price Sale: Sunday, July 19th.

For more information, call 504-889-1144. 
Contact:
Mimi Levine, Coordinator
Shir Chadash Nearly New Sale
Phone: 504.598.9858
Email: Mimi.Levine@outlook.com

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