FestiGals Stiletto Parade 2017

Have Been Grand Divas Lydia Benson and yours truly with Duchess Chiquita

rode in a vintage 1969 Mustang Convertible!

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Darlings,

I am still recuperating from a fabulous fun-filled week that included the lovely dress rehearsal of Tulane's Summer Lyric Theater’s presentation of Annie Get Your Gun. It was awesome and I cannot wait to see the next production Hair Spray on July 12. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154433446425870.1073742871.581200869&type=1&l=59d80a5917

On Thursday, I wished I had a clone because I was going from soiree to soiree, which included the following: The International Hotel's annual celebration St. John's Eve New Orleans Voodoo. The 150-year-old ceremony started by the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau. The “Spiritual Ceremony” was presented by internationally recognized priestess Sallie Ann Glassman in an altar dedicated to Marie Laveau.

Voodoo Priestess Sally Glassman with Sean Cummings at International Hotel

That night, I had been invited by the Director of Trustees of the New Orleans Museum of Art to attend the Member Preview of "Pride of Place: The making of Contemporary Art in New Orleans - The Arthur Roger Gift to NOMA.” It was awesome and I urge everyone to check it out. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154436411945870.1073742872.581200869&type=1&l=4884ae40dd

Last night i enjoyed so much the "Member Preview" of PRIDE OF PLACE - The making of Contemporary Art IN New Orleans. The fabulous Arthur Roger Gift to the New Orleans Museum of Art.

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Gallery owner Arthur Roger with his sister & Dan Weeks

But prior to those events I was invited as the First Grand Diva of FestiGals to attend the crowning of the 2017 Grand Diva of Festigals, the talented vocalist Robin Barnes.

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Founder of FestiGals Diane Lyons with 2017 Grand Diva Robin Barnes and GM of JW Marriott Ted Selogie

Darlings, after those events I concentrated on attending and participating in the annual FestiGals Weekend. As in the past it was a very memorable New Orleans Women's Weekend Experience - a celebration of women and New Orleans. Created by women, for women!

Please click the links to the events:

Friday at FestiGals: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154437877945870.1073742873.581200869&type=1&l=a6c55626c3

Saturday at FestiGals: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154441941435870.1073742876.581200869&type=1&l=b1a6993d53

Stiletto Stroll 2017 : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154441786905870.1073742875.581200869&type=1&l=1eda8c23d3

Keynote Speaker - Linda Alvarado

On Friday, my darling friend and editor Dean Shapiro invited me to join him at the annual New Orleans Ballet Theatre's Summer Solstice at NOCCA. It was delightful and joined the cast at the stage afterwards. Congratulations to NOBT co-directors Greg and Marjorie Schramel for putting on a wonderful performance! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154438335840870.1073742874.581200869&type=1&l=cdf9639567

On Sunday, I attended the Celebration of Life of my old-time friend Harry Greenberger at the New Orleans Museum of Art, followed by a reception at his old residence on Bayou St. John.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154443008545870.1073742877.581200869&type=1&l=a3432df95d

Now that fabulous FestiGals is in our treasured memories, let's start planning for all the fun events that are going to be happening in my beloved New Orleans during the month of July .

· Essence Festival (June 29-July 2)

· 17th Annual Patriotic Music Festival at Trinity Episcopal Church (July 2)

· Go 4th on the River (July 4)

· 11th Annual Celebration of Running of the Bulls (July 7-9)

· Bastille Day Celebration (July 9-15)

· Tales of the Cocktail (July 18-23)

· And, of course, my monthly Round Table Luncheon on July 19, and that is not the full month!

In addition

My darling friend, Deacon John, is celebrating his birthday and 60 years in show business, playing the music New Orleans grew up with, on Friday, June 30 at 9:00 pm at Rock 'n' Bowl, 3000 South Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans.

Deacon John Moore (born June 23, 1941, in New Orleans), better known as Deacon John is a blues, rhythm and blues and rock and roll musician, singer, and bandleader. “Deke,” as as his friends call him, grew up in New Orleans’ 8th Ward. He plays guitar and is the brother of his bass player, Charles Moore, (also an amazing 12-string guitarist), and the Creole scholar Sybil Kein. He has been active on the New Orleans R&B scene since his teens, and became a session man on many hit recordings of the late 1950s and the 1960s, including those by Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, Ernie K-Doe and others.

I am so excited that my darling friend, Bernie Ralston, just secured for me my old-time friend, Ted Breaux, to be my featured speaker at the Round Table Luncheon Saluting Tales of the Cocktail on Wednesday, July 19 at noon at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.

How many of you know about absinthe? It has been controversial through the years and was illegal for nearly a century but, thanks to Ted Breaux, it is now legal to drink and enjoy it.

T. A. Breaux is a native New Orleanian and research scientist who has dedicated over 20 years of research toward resolving the mysteries and myths associated with absinthe. His mission to
painstakingly reconstruct historically accurate examples of the controversial spirit gave rise to Jade Liqueurs (www.jadeliqueurs.com).

Breaux co-directed the effort to lift the USA’s 95-year ban on absinthe, which came to fruition on March 5, 2007 with the launch of Lucid Absinthe Supérieure. The following year, Breaux was similarly engaged in reversing the last vestiges of the original French ban, which allowed absinthe to be formally recognized in that country. His work has been lauded throughout the press and media in the USA, Europe and Australia since 2000, including numerous
national television appearances (The History Channel, Discovery Channel, CBS, MSNBC, Travel Channel, PBS, etc.).

Breaux has co-authored published scientific studies on vintage absinthe in peer-reviewed journals (Journal of Agricultural and Food Science), and coauthored the book, Absinthe: The Exquisite Elixir (Fulcrum Publishing - ISBN: 1682750019). Breaux's reputation for being a staunch promoter of truth and accuracy of information and education in all matters absinthe is surpassed only by his limitless passion for recreating history through the fine art of absinthe crafting.

Darlings, The Round Table Luncheon will be Wednesday, July 19 "Saluting Tales of the Cocktail" at noon at the Bourbon Orleans. Cocktail Historian Elizabeth Pearce will be one of my guests as well as the French Consul of France Hon. Gregor Trumel in addition to talented baritone Ivan Griffin. .Make your reservations now so that will ensure that you have a place!

The $55 all-inclusive price include a 3-three course gourmet luncheon, champagne/wines and valet parking.

Please make your reservations by calling Judy LeBlanc at (504) 571-4672 or email her at Judy.LeBlanc@BourbonOrleans.com. RESERVATIONS AND PREPAYMENT ARE REQUIRED. Walk-ins will not be accepted, as the hotel will only prepare meals for the number of guests who have made reservations.

Darlings enjoy your week!

Lafete News Link June 27, 2017

http://conta.cc/2udSqW3

Love New Orleans & She'll Love You Back.

Sincerely,

Frank Stansbury

JUN28

Sippin' in the Courtyard

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Thursdays at Twilight Concert Series Celebrating New Orleans Music with Rocky’s Hot Fox Trot Orchestra

Gates open at 5pm; Music begins at 6pm...

Rocky's Hot Fox Trot Orchestra

ROCKYSHFTO.BLOGSPOT.COM

Jefferson Performing Arts Society's

40th Anniversary Season

"The Sky's the Limit!"

Please join the board members of the JPAS Leading Ladies Guild for the 2017-2018

Installation of Officers

...

President: Valerie Hart
Past President: Kim Hasney
VP Membership: Faith Peperone
VP Fundraising: Dolores Hall
Corresponding- Secretary: Brenda Chetta
Recording Secretary: Janet Schwary
Treasurer: Jolene Ryan

Counselors:
Barbara Alleman, Ginger Crawford, Lynne Duvernay, Jackie Elliott, Carrel Epling, Anne Favret, Jackie Hughes, Joyce LaPorte, Barbara Lawler, Patricia Persaud, Shirley Rappold and Margaret Wagner

When: Thursday, June 29, 2017

11 A.M

Where: Metairie Country Club

580 Woodvine

Metairie, Louisiana

Menu Selection:

Pecan Crusted Catfish or Chicken Pontabla

$40.00 per person prior to June 22
$55.00 at the Door
Cash Bar

Darlings in a few days is the Essence Festival (June 29-July 2) Let's give a very warm welcome to our visitors. They bring millions of dollars to our much needed economy!