Darlings,
Before I start toasting to New Orleans, I want to express my sorrow for the devastating floods that hit Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes. My prayers are with those who were impacted by them. Many organizations are coming together to donate to victims of this disastrous flooding. If you would like to make a monetary donation to help the victims of this catastrophe, please contact The United Way through their website. Here is the link that shows where donations could be made
http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/local-donation-drop-off-locations-for-flood-victims/297344214I love this and my prayers are the people affected by the flood!
New Orleans was very fortunate this weekend because, even though we also had our share of rain, it did not cancel any of the myriad of soirees that I attended.
I started my week by attending the always lovely Where magazine’s 25th Annual Silver Plume Award hosted by ACE Hotel. Mark Romig, CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, was the emcee and, as in the past, the event honored local concierges and other hotel professionals for their ongoing contributions to tourism, the hospitality industry and the community at large. And the Winners were:
Concierge of the Year: Melissa Comardelle, Loews Hotel
Rising Star Award: Joshua Carpenter, Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
Junior Concierge: Andrew Morgan, JW Marriott
Spirit of Hospitality Award (tie): Randy Stein, Mr. B’s Bistro, and Kevin Belton, New Orleans School of Cooking
Unsung Hero Award: Bill Smith, Westin Canal Place
Sales & Marketing Person of the Year: Adrienne Thomas, New Orleans Steamboat Company.
General Manager of the Year: Amy Reimer, International House
General Manager Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Ferran, Maison Dupuy Hotel
Julius Craane Award: Noel Minturn, Windsor Court Hotel
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153587077370870.1073742697.581200869&type=1&l=96a125a4d6
My next fun event was participating in the annual 2016 Hispanic Business Conference & Tradeshow at the Harrah's Casino which was a huge success. It is amazing how every year it gets bigger and bigger. Let’s face it; the Hispanic community has a large purchasing power and is growing. I have always been proud to be Latina! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153588428230870.1073742700.581200869&type=1&l=f9a2cf8eb9
On Thursday, I went to see my darling friends, Guatemalan-born guitarists, Julio and Cesar and the band at Thursday at Twilight at the Pavilion of Two Sisters in the Botanical Garden. Their performance is going to appear in the Bilingual TV Program, “El Mirador,” that appears on Cox TV; not only throughout New Orleans but throughout Baton Rouge and Lafayette as well. Congratulations are in order to Walther "Kino" Vera, its producer.
I didn't stay until the end because I was invited to attend the delicious Restaurant R'Evolution Seersucker and White Linen Dinner. I joined in celebrating seersucker and Southern tradition with special guests Bill Haltom, author of Milk and Sugar: The Complete Guide to Seersucker, along with Laurie Aronson, owner of Lipsey’s & Haspel and great-granddaughter of the creator of seersucker. The duo spoke about the invention of seersucker and autographed books following the dinner.
On Friday, I attended the always fun and delicious Krewe of Cork Luncheon at August Restaurant. Guests were sadly informed that Queen 2004, Mary Anne (Gillis) McDougal, has passed on. All who knew Mary Anne will miss her. May her soul RIP. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theneworleansadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=mary-anne-mcdougal-gillis&pid=180987028
On Saturday, I was dressed in red to attend along with my darling Chiquita, the annual Red Dress Run that started at Louis Armstrong Park. As my darling friend Doug MacCash, NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune said, “Despite threatening clouds, the 2016 Red Dress Run got off to a dry start on Saturday (Aug. 13). Well, dry might not be the right word. Many of approximately four thousand red-clad participants who gathered in Armstrong Park to await the 11 a.m. starting gun, passed the time by consuming copious amounts of an amber-colored athletic beverage ... beer.”
But darlings, do you know that the Hash House Harriers, who run the Red Dress Run, were able to give just over $169,000 to 73 local charities from the 2015 Red Dress? I love those runners and their contributions.
Saturday night and Sunday night were those nights that once again I wished I had a clone.
On Saturday night, it was time to change to white linen to attend the annual fun-loving Dirty Linen Night along Royal Street. 2016 Dirty Linen Night was divine. No rain and the temperature was mild, so I enjoyed very much entering in and out of the fabulous galleries along Royal Street and seeing so many of my friends. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153597172635870.1073742701.581200869&type=1&l=049151e387
That evening, thanks to my darling friend, talented artist Anna Gil that invited me to join her at the awesome performance of the Gipsy Kings at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. The highlight of the evening was going backstage with Anna Gil who has knows them for years.
On Sunday, since there is only one me, I had to miss Liz Callaway's cabaret performance at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré but I heard it was wonderful and well-attended. I did attend, at the Little Gem Saloon, the wonderful performance of my talented friends Nell Nolan and Dennis Woltering in “Love Letters.” Even though I have seen “Love Letters” numerous times, I found the performance, directed by talented Carl Walker, to be very refreshing and entertaining and the venue to be intimate.
Unfortunately, I could not stay until the end because my darling friend, Sammy Steele, had invited me to be his guest for one of my favorite group's lead singer, Frankie Valli, at the Saenger Theater. I loved it since I grew up in America listening to his songs with The Four Seasons and later as a solo artist.
Darlings, the media community is mourning the loss of longtime Times-Picayune sportswriter Peter Finney, who died at 88. May his soul RIP. He will be missed.
Talking about funerals, this Wednesday is the funeral service of beloved clarinet player, Pete Fountain, who I had the pleasure of knowing. The funeral for the iconic New Orleans jazz clarinetist will be Wednesday, August 17 at St. Louis Cathedral.
Visitation will be from 9-11:30 a.m. at the cathedral. Following 30 minutes of remembrances and eulogies, a funeral Mass will begin at noon. Archbishop Gregory Aymond will officiate over the Mass and a big second-line funeral is planned. A fitting musical tribute to a great musician and a wonderful gentleman. He was the embodiment of a gregarious New Orleans personality and he will be greatly missed.
I just saw tonight on PBS, the 1980 WYES documentary “PETE!” (Fountain). It will be shown again on WYES-TV/Channel 12 this Saturday, August 20 at 6 p.m. and Sunday August 21 at 7 p.m. It is narrated by Phil Harris and produced by the talented documentary producer John Beyer.
On a much happier note, I am delighted to announce that I have the complete list of confirmed guest speakers for my upcoming Round Table Luncheon on Wednesday, August 24 at noon at the Palace Cafe.
Nick Stillman, President & CEO of the Arts Council New Orleans will be joining featured guest speakers Maxwell Williams, Artistic Director of Le Petit Theatre, and Lydia Blackmore, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Historic New Orleans Collection at the luncheon, which will be on the third floor of the Palace Cafe, 605 Canal Street, corner of Chartres Street.
Talented Robin Barnes, the “New Orle
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