Tuesday, May 30, 2017

A Toast to New Orleans & YOU: Birdfoot Festival/The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival/ Tulane Summer Lyric Theater/ Oyster Fest/Vive Le Vin/Juleps in June & ...... MB Margarita Bergen Reply| Today, 5:09 PM

Toasting with my darling friend Dr. James Moises , owner of Bijou Wines and winemaker for  Moises Wines, who was selected to be the Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Cork's Royal Street Stroll for New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. This photo was  at the delicious wine dinner at Broussard's




Darlings,
I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. 
My week was full of fun events that included attending and participating in the 25th Annual New Orleans Wine and Food Festival that took place from May 25-28.
In its 25th Anniversary year, the New Orleans festival has become one of most incredible culinary events in the nation, attracting over 7,000 gourmands and connoisseurs as well as art and music lovers.
As in the past, I began my New Orleans Wine & Food Experience with an intimate wine dinner at one of New Orleans’ premier restaurants.  I was invited to join my darling friend, Dr. James Moises, winemaker of delicious Moises Wines at Broussard's. The dinner was delicious and I was delighted to see that a darling friend of mine, Carl de Gersdorff, is now the General Manager of Broussard's. .
OMG- The first day of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience was a social marathon for me. 
I started it by attend Vinola where Dom Perignon Champagne and Opus One wines were among those rare and highly valued wines (each one boasting a retail value of at least $75) that were poured.
Immediately after, I was invited by the NOWFE Board to a delicious Media Reception at Brennan’s. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154359441700870.1073742855.581200869&type=1&l=3f28867e74
As the former Queen II and X of the Krewe of Cork, I met my fellow Cork members at the courtyard of Hotel Mazarin where the annual parade for NOWFE 's Royal Street Stroll began. My darling friend Dr. James Moises, owner of Bizou Wines and producer of Moises Wines' delicious Pinot Noir, reigned as the Grand Marshal.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154359464685870.1073742856.581200869&type=1&l=edc0c0101b
My next event was on Saturday, when the annual  NOWFE 's Grand Tasting took place at the new venue at the Mardi Gras World. It was very different from the Convention Center! Hot but a wonderful opportunity to taste all the different wines and taste the fabulous culinary dishes of our talented chefs. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154360365285870.1073742857.581200869&type=1&l=aa19d7c1fb
I enjoyed it tremendously but I had no energy left to attend the annual The Big Gateaux Show which is the pastry competition, hosted by Chef Tariq Hanna of SucrĂ© at the Marriott Convention Center Ballroom.
Darlings, prior to attending NOWFE, I enjoyed very much attending the Maison Dupuy Hotel’s Sippin' in the Courtyard, the Biz after Hours at Cornet and  The New Orleans Chamber Orchestra's Dreams “En Francais” at the Marigny Opera House.
I could not let Memorial Day go by without having a few friends come over to my condo and enjoy a traditional BBQ. We loved it! Thank you Chef David! 
The New Orleans Chamber Orchestra  after its performance at Marigny  Opera House

Having fun at Maison Dupuy's Sipping at the Courtyard
Steve Ferran, GM of Maison Dupuy,Craig Sanders,Dir. Of Sales & Marketing of Maison Dupuy  with Allison Shapiro,Kathy Schrenk holding Abby and Christie Anderson of LASPCA at Sipping in the the Courtyard

Enjoying NOWFE's Dinner at Broussard 's with delicious Moises Wines by My darling friend Dr. James Moises owner of Bizou Wines.
My darling friend Carl de Gersdorft is the General Manager of Broussard 's




On a sad note , last week, I lost two old-time friends: gorgeous Richard Thompson : http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/richard-thompson-obituary?pid=1000000185626867
www.legacy.com
Richard Thompson passed away in Metairie, Louisiana. Funeral Home for Services for Richard are being provided by Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home. Obit is featured in The Times-Picayune, and The New Orleans Advocate.
and beloved opera lover, world traveler  Dr. Victor Chisesi: http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=victor-p-chisesi&pid=185595958&fhid=5630
obits.nola.com
Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Victor P. Chisesi, MD passed away peacefully at his beloved Garden District home on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the age of 85. He is preceded in death by his parents Lena and Victor Chisesi and his

This upcoming week is going to be a very busy one.
For starter, today is the first day of the annual Birdfoot Festival. Here is the scoop on that: 

May 30-June 3
Sixth Annual Birdfoot Festival 
Five days of some of the best chamber music you’ll ever hear anywhere. Music by such great classical composers as Brahms, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Stravinsky and others, as well as many great contemporary masters. Some of the festival’s events are free; some are ticketed only and they are at various venues in or near downtown New Orleans, including the Contemporary Arts Center, CafĂ© Istanbul and the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center.

You can read more about it on their website at http://birdfootfestival.org/concerts-events/2017-festival/ and make your plans to attend at least SOME of their wonderful events. This is a major happening in the cultural season of New Orleans that attracts musicians and concertgoers from all over the world!
birdfootfestival.org
Birdfoot @ The CAC. May 30–June 2, 2017. Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans 900 Camp Street Downtown New Orleans MAP


On Thursday June 1, from 4-8 p.m., Jazz in the Park’s Last Concert in this Series will feature Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen and Robin Barnes at Louis Armstrong Park.

Thursdays at Twilight presents legendary blues singer/guitarist Little Freddie King on June 1, at 6 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park's Botanical Garden. 

On June 2 and 3 two celebrations at Tulane University will kick off the two “main events” of the summer season on the Uptown campus. They are:
June 2
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane University Opening Night PartyThis annual event informs people about the upcoming festival season and its educational components, including The Performance for the Schools.
June 3
Tulane Summer Lyric Theater ‘Let’s Go On With the Show’ 50th Anniversary GalaSummer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University is pleased to announce its upcoming 50th Anniversary Gala – “Let’s Go On with the Show!” There will be a special VIP Patron Cocktail Party and with the main event being a Retrospective Concert featuring over 50 performers from Summer Lyric’s 1st season through its 50th, as well as an orchestra comprised of members of the Louisiana Philharmonic. Some of the featured performers include Melissa Marshall, Bryan Batt, Leslie Castay, Liz Argus, Marc Embree, Beverly Trask, Sarah Jane McMahon, B. Michael Howard and many, many more. There will also be a live orchestra with members of the Louisiana Philharmonic. The evening will also feature silent and live auctions. All proceeds for the event will go to the Summer Lyric Endowment.
And here are a few other events coming up this weekend:
June 2-4
“As One”
This weekend the New Orleans Opera Association presents its first production in a series of “chamber operas” that will continue through the coming 2017-18 season. The opera, “As One,” traces the transgender journey of a young man who transitions into a woman and explores the vast range of emotions and experiences he – and later she – encounter along the way.
Two singers, a baritone and a mezzo-soprano, will sing the role of “Hannah,” accompanied by the Polymnia Quartet and conducted by Maestro Robert Lyall. The performances will take place at the Marigny Opera House, 725 St. Ferdinand Street, in the Faubourg Marigny.
Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Order your tickets from the New Orleans Opera Association at 529-3000 or online athttp://neworleansopera.org/. You can read more about it in this Thursday’s New Orleans Advocate’s BEAUCOUP arts and entertainment magazine pullout or read the story on the Advocate’s website that will be posted on Wednesday.
This weekend at Marigny Opera House


neworleansopera.org
Jack Belsom, archivist for the New Orleans Opera Association since 1974, will present “A History of the New Orleans Opera and the Associated Genealogical Research ...

June 3 
Vive Le Vin
Join the French American Chamber of Commerce - Gulf Coast Chapter for the 2017 Summer Wine Festival, themed Vive le Vin, Saturday, June 3, at The Shops at Canal Place.
Looking forward to this event and put it in your calendar!


   
2017 SUMMER WINE FEST 

Saturday, June 3 
7:00-10:00 p.m. 

(V.I.P. First Look 6:30 p.m.) 
The Shops at Canal Place 
333 Canal Street, New Orleans  

Members $50, Non-members $65
Dressy Casual Attire
(If in doubt, wear red, white & blue)

Complimentary parking in The Garage at Canal Place provided by the Berger and Ogden families.
 
June 3-4
Oyster Fest

@Woldenberg Park
Love Louisiana oysters and music? Then, this is THE festival for you! Held in Woldenberg Riverfront Park along the Mississippi River,
the New Orleans Oyster Fest aims to honor and celebrate the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have helped to make Louisiana's favorite bivalves sought after worldwide. 
June 3- at
n
  
  
  
  
  
  
Degas Gallery
604 Julia St, Ste 101,


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Sunday, June 4
Juleps in June
The Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society is planning a grand redux of Juleps in June for 2017 at 6 p.m. In addition to being a simply wonderful way to start the summer, Juleps in June is a celebration of both good literature and the cause increasing literacy in our community.Rosemary James, Co-Founder, Faulkner Society
Anne Simms Pincus, Chairman Executive Board, Faulkner Society

Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
juneMark your calendar: June events for The Historic New Orleans Collection 
533 Royal Street | 400 - 410 Chartres Street

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events in June. Visit www.hnoc.org for more information.

June 1 - 30: Blue Star Museums

June 2: Author Pamela D. Arceneaux to discuss Guidebooks to Sin at the Thomas County Public Library in Thomasville, Georgia
June 5: Registration opens for the 2017 New Orleans Antiques Forum
June 16: Concerts in the Courtyard with Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes (above)
Current exhibitions:
Octavia Books Presents
Paige Bowers - THE GENERAL_S NIECE_ The Little-Known de Gaulle Who Fought to Free Occupied France
Thursday
June 1
6:00pm

Please join us for the book launch of journalist Paige Bower's riveting tale of Geneviève de Gaulle: THE GENERAL'S NIECE: The Little-Known de Gaulle Who Fought to Free Occupied France.

"My dear Uncle Charles," twenty-two-year-old Geneviève de Gaulle wrote on May 6, 1943. "Maybe you have already heard about the different events affecting the family." The general's brother Pierre had been taken by the Gestapo; his brother Xavier, Geneviève's father, had escaped to Switzerland. Geneviève asked her uncle where she could be most useful-France? England? A French territory? When no response came immediately, she decided to stay in France to help carry out his call to resist the Nazis.
  
read more

...and coming soon!

Monday, June 5, 2017 - 6:00pm
http___www.octaviabooks.com_sites_octaviabooks.com_files_writer_2C_20sailor_2C_20soldier_2C_20spy.jpg 
A former CIA officer and curator of the CIA Museum unveils the shocking, untold story of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway's secret life as a spy for both the Americans and the Soviets before and during World War II.
read more

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - 6:00pm
_BOLDLY BOOKISH_ YA Author Tour featuring Tara Altebrando_ Sarah Tolcser_ Emery Lord_ and Brigid Kemmerer 
Join us for Bloomsbury Publishing's "Boldly Bookish" YA Author Tour featuring Tara Altebrando, THE POSSIBLE (book launch); New Orleans debut author Sarah Tolcser, SONG OF THE CURRENT (book launch); Emery Lord, THE NAMES THEY GAVE US; and Brigid Kemmerer, LETTERS TO THE LOST. A psychological suspense; a battle with fate; a story of loss, love, faith, and friendship; a graveside letter-inspired romance... you won't want to miss this wonderful evening of discussion!
read more
June 6 - Opening of Mama Mia at the Saenger

MAMMA MIA! TICKETS - Season Option

Mamma Mia!
— A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!