Darlings,
I am still on Cloud Nine after being present at the Superdome to watch the awesome game between our beloved Saints and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles who were thoroughly whipped, 48-7 by our Saints. So “Who dat gonna beat dem Saints?” No One! Geaux Saints Go!
Last week was indeed a very exciting week that also included:
Chamber After Five & Reopening of Kurt Schon Gallery
WOW! The New Orleans Chamber After Five at the exquisite new venue Kurt Schon Gallery was spectacular. Guests enjoyed a New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration at the French Quarter's largest, newly-renovated, four floor gallery in addition to performances at the newly opened St. Charles Theater adjacent to the gallery. The performers included talented Becky Allen, Jim Walpole, Linda Wright, Jordan Kelley, Cozy the Clown (Greg Nacozy) and burlesque dancer Roxy LeRouge.
At 7 p.m. there was a Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Ben Johnson, CEO of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce & other local officials with complimentary hors d'oeuvres from Pigeon Catering & desserts from Riverview Room Catering.
Preview of documentary FITZ! by WLAE
The preview of the fascinating new documentary film, “FITZ ! The Life and Political Legacy of Jimmy Fitzmorris,” by WLAE at the New Orleans Museum of Art was awesome.
Jim Dotson and Ron Yager of WLAE, along with Executive Co-producers siblings Jeff Crouere and Pat Denechaud, Jimmy's faily, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, former Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown, Moon Landrieu, Ron Forman and many friends were all present at the very memorable evening.
This WLAE-produced documentary film follows the story of New Orleans businessman and public servant Jimmy Fitzmorris. A Louisiana political legend who positively contributed to our state in so many ways. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155630921700870&type=1&l=d516603838
Patron Party for 2018 Luna Fete
The palatial home of Drs. Tarun and Rupa Jolly on Audubon Place was the setting for the spectacular Patron Party for the annual Luna Fete that will take place December 6-9 at Lafayette Square. Guests were treated to an evening of illumination previewing the Luna Fete's Tricentennial Celebration
2018 FACC's Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration
As in the past, the French American Chamber of Commerce-Gulf Coast annual fundraiser, the 2018 Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration with French wine tasting on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 7- 10 p.m. at the JW Marriott New Orleans was fabulous and delicious. The public enjoyed this FACC-GC event celebrating the much-anticipated harvest of the Beaujolais Nouveau, a fruity red wine from the Beaujolais region of France, in addition to various French wines and beers. .
To compliment the libations, attendees had the opportunity to taste delicious cuisine from the kitchens of many favorite New Orleans restaurants. Additionally, there was an auction with a variety of items to bid on, including items from local hotspots. Sha'On and the Girls Band was the entertainment.
Young Audiences of Louisiana’s Dancing for the Arts
Spectacular is the best way to describe the annual Young Audience of Louisiana’s Dancing for the Arts at the Ballroom of the Harrah's Casino. The 2018 Chairs were Gail Barnes McKenna, Stella Del Bianco and Tyree Smith. Board President Rita Moisio and CEO Rickie Nutik, welcomed the fun-loving crowd to the fundraiser Dancing for the Arts, which included as dancers Mayor LaToya Cantrell with Ector Gutierrez , Sandra Herman with Jay Hendrix, Tamara J. Wyre with Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Brionne Stewart & Trent Marcelle, Nadine Brown with Chance Bushman, Austin Marks with Gabrielle Slack and Christina & Tony Rodrigue. Mistress of Ceremonies was Camille Whitworth.
The judges were Stephanie Burks, Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa, Kenny Lopez and Steven Putt. Dancers were awarded prizes for different categories.
Congratulations to Sandra Herman and Jay Hendrix for winning the People Choice Award for raising the most funds at Young Audience of Louisiana’s Dancing for the Arts. Congratulations to all of them.
I was having so much fun that Sammy Steele and I never made it to the preview of Celebration in the Oaks.
Inaugural Fete Des Fromages
Chérie, j'adore les fromages et aujourd'hui à La Fete Des Fromages, j'étais au paradis! Mother Nature blessed cheese-lovers like me to enjoy a most beautiful, sunny day at the first annual Fete des Fromages (Cheese Festival) on the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint on Esplanade Avenue!
Rach & Bach - A Benefit Celebrating 100 Years of The ESU
Darlings, the exquisitely played Rachmaninoff Piano Concert No.2 in C Minor by pianist Dr. Quinn Peeper is still reverberating in my mind. “Rach & Bach - A Benefit Celebrating 100 Years of The English Speaking Union” at the Orpheum Theater was fantastic. The awesome concert honored my longtime friend, James J. Coleman Jr., Honorary Consul of England for over 40 years.
The concert featured the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra with Guest Conductor Ryan McAdams and Guest Concert Pianists, the talented Michael D. Harold and Dr. E. Quinn Peeper. Bach's Piano Concerto No. % in F Minor played by Michael Harold was amazing.
Beautiful and talented opera sopranos Irini Kyriakidou Hymel and Christina Vial Comer performed beautifully to the delight of the audience!
Dr. Peeper is the National ESU-United States President and David Grissett is the president of the New Orleans Branch of the ESU.
9th Annual St Catherine Hat Parade
Beautiful sunny skies greeted the participants of the 9th annual St Catherine Hat Parade which this year featured the theme “Hat o’ Nine Tales. The meeting place was the corner of Pleasant and St. Charles and featured the French-inspired music of Zazou City.
Participants were asked to wear a hat to stroll the short sidewalk route. The event was free, but participants were asked to bring a bottle of bubbly and share it.
Game10 - Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles 48-7
Darlings, who's going to beat dem Saints? No one! It was such a thrill to be invited by my darling longtime friends, Dr. Juan and Ana Gershanik, to their suite, overlooking the 50 yard line to watch the game with the Saints taking on the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. WOW what a victory for the Saints by 41 points! Geaux Saints Go!
We were joined in the suite by talented violinist, Nadja Salerno-Sonenberg, who played the National Anthem at the game, and many mutual longtime friends!
French Quarter Advocates’ Habana Nights
Darlings, judging by all the photos that I have been posting in Facebook, it was a very busy week for me but there was one party on Saturday night that I really hated to miss and only made it as the last guests were leaving. “La Fiesta” was the annual “Habana Nights” to benefit the French Quarter Advocates at the historical mansion of Dr. Carlos Trujillo and Bryan Drude. My darling friend, talented Javier Olondo and his band Ashe Son had the guests dancing the beautiful night away!
I concluded my social week by going briefly to take photos of New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara and business mogul Larry Morrow's first Free Turkey Giveaway at Stallings Playground, 1600 Gentilly Boulevard. Daughters of Charity Health Centers participated, along with Winn-Dixie, Metro PCS and Toya Wright.
Before I share all the exciting fun events that will occur this Thanksgiving week, I want to express my condolences to the family of two pillars of our New Orleans Community, Fran Villere and Louise Martin. May their souls RIP.
Darlings, Christmas is upon us and it is not even Thanksgiving yet.
Starting today, we have lighting of the Christmas trees in all the major hotels.
Tuesday, November 20
Holiday Ribbon Cutting Reception at the Ritz Carlton
Join in as the hotel unveils its ornate holiday decorations (including the centerpiece: a life-sized gingerbread house replica of the famed New Orleans “Wedding Cake House”) with a ribbon cutting reception in their festive lobby. Enjoy holiday refreshments and appearances from Papa Noel and the Victory Belles from the National WW II Museum. 11 a.m.
Complimentary. 3rd Floor Lobby and Courtyard. Reservations not required.
2018 Guide to Holiday Lights in New Orleans
Canal Street Lighting (November 20, 5–7 pm)
Canal Street will light up with millions of twinkling lights for the holiday season. The lighting will take place in front of the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel at 5:30 pm. After the lights turn on, stop by the hotel’s Grand Ballroom for special activities including entertainment and Santa! Kids who bring an unwrapped toy for donation can join Santa to decorate holiday cookies.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As in the past, I will be enjoying, with my brother Lorenzo, the fabulous, delicious Thanksgiving Buffet at the exquisite Houmas House Plantation and Gardens.
That evening the Saints take on their division rivals, the Atlanta Falcon at the Superdome. Geaux Saints. Go! 7:30 p.m.
Celebration in the Oaks (November 23 – January 1, closed November 26-29, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)
An annual favorite in New Orleans City Park for 32 years running, this seasonal event is fun for the whole family. Featuring hundreds of thousands of lights, caroling, a giant poinsettia tree, food and general merriment. This is a do-not-miss holiday event in New Orleans. Be sure to take your photo with the giant Mr. Bingle! There are also private preview parties held before the opening each year. Insider tip: buy tickets online ahead of time to avoid long lines at the gates.
Audubon Zoo Lights (Select Nights November 23 – December 30)
Audubon Zoo Lights, presented by Children’s Hospital, will bring the holiday spirit to our community by creating an enchanting nighttime winter dreamland in the heart of Uptown New Orleans. This new event will feature exciting arrays of animal-themed light displays, nightly live entertainment, holiday storytime, delicious holiday treats, craft tents to create special messages that will be delivered to the patients at Children’s Hospital, a holiday marketplace filled with items from local artisans.
During the Lights for Lions event, Audubon will collect broken and unwanted holiday string lights for recycling at the Zoo’s front gate. Look for the festive Lights for Lions donation box outside the gate. Don’t add to the landfill, recycle! You do not need to enter the Zoo to donate your holiday string lights.
Proceeds from Lights for Lions will benefit the Ruaha Carnivore Project, which helps large carnivores, like lions, in the wild by working with communities in Tanzania to reduce human-carnivore conflict and develop long-term carnivore conservation strategies. Through Audubon’s “Lights for Lions” campaign, the New Orleans community can join the fight to save lions and spread holiday cheer across the globe. 5:30–9:30 pm (last entry at 9:00 pm).
Monday, November 26
Windsor Court Hosts Annual Tree Lighting
5 p.m. Windsor Court Hotel
Grand Lobby, 300 Gravier Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
You are invited to the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Windsor Court’s grand lobby. Join us as we usher in the holidays with specialty cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music by the Songbird of New Orleans, Robin Barnes.
The holiday spirit comes alive in November as the hotel’s décor, led by the artists at Dunn and Sonnier, takes on the seasonal splendor, featuring a 19 1/2-foot Christmas tree boasting more than 25,000 mini white lights, a classic toy train around the base and over 1,500 feet of gold magnolia garland. Additional decorative elements include ten trees – all sourced from the same sustainable farm that provides trees for the White House – donning more than 3,000 ornaments, and four, six-foot gold magnolia wreaths in the main lobby windows. The grand stairwell is lined with 75 feet of gold magnolia garland, along with 500 sparkling mini lights.
Visitors are invited to make the most of their holiday memories with the hotel’s special Windsor Wishes tree in the lobby. Guests can write their wishes or dreams on one of the hotel’s complimentary ornaments, hang it on the tree, and then snap and post a photo to social media, tagging @WindsorCourt with the #WindsorWishes hashtag. The hotel will share and repost the favorites.
Roosevelt Hotel Lobby Lighting (November 27, 5:15 pm)
Join locals and international guests as the 80+ year tradition continues at the annual lighting ceremony. The magical lobby display features 44 Birch trees, more than 22,000 twinkling lights, and scores of festively dressed Christmas trees.
Lighting of the Balconies at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans (November 28, 6:00 pm)
With a ceremonial “flip of the switch,” two young patients from Children’s Hospital will experience the thrill of illuminating the hotel’s elaborate wrought-iron balconies with thousands of twinkling lights. The ceremony takes place street-side outside the hotel’s main entrance at 300 Bourbon Street, complete with a full lineup of musical performances. With special appearances from some of your favorite holiday characters including the Royal Teddy Bear and Santa Claus, this special season opener is a must-do experience for the entire family. Remember to mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun of this heartwarming annual celebration that is free and open to the public!
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