A Toast to New Orleans June 24 to July 1st: Juleps in June/ JPAC's Rolling on the River/ Urban League Gala/NO Chamber Orchestra & More
Having a cooling Mangorita at La Chula in Bay St. Louis
Darlings,
Last week, we said goodbye to our beloved Dr. John:
And now, once again, the New Orleans music community is mourning another one of its pillars, the legendary 100-year-old Dave Bartholomew.
On a happy note, I enjoyed so much this past week and the few events that I attended.
Darlings, every so often my body craves for a brief vacation to recharge my batteries so I can continue attending and covering fabulous social/cultural soirees in my beloved New Orleans.
The exquisite, historic Cobb School House and Artist Retreat in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi was the perfect, peaceful venue for a much-needed vacation.
Album Brief Sojourn to Bay St. Louis (28 )
Enjoying having a relaxing time with Cobb School House 's owner , author Ellis Ruth Anderson
Album 2019 Summer Wine Festival (23 photos)
As always, the French-American Chamber of Commerce - Gulf Coast's 2019 La Fete Du Vin d' Ete celebrating white wines from France at Canal Place was a delicious and refreshing soiree.
Album 2019 FestiGals Step Up Second Line Parade (28 photos)
OMG, Lolita and I enjoyed so much participating in the annual 2019 FestiGals Step Up Second- Line Parade through the French Quarter! Lolita was a FestiGals's Virgin and I rode as the first Grand Diva and I’m now called a "Has-been Diva." I don't mind, though, because I am still a DIVA! Thanks to my darling friend, Terry Toppino, who provided us with a beautiful black convertible. I asked my darling friend, Pam Hutchinson, to join us and she did.
Album Hats Off Awards Luncheon with 2019 Grand Diva, Amanda Shaw (126 photos)
Margarita Bergen added 126 new photos — with Diane Lyons and 9 others.
June 22 at 10:47 AM ·
Let's face it darlings, women know how to have fun as shown at the annual Hats Off Awards Luncheon with 2019 Grand Diva, Amanda Shaw, as keynote speaker. It was inspiring, connecting and celebrating by recognizing 15 fabulous women. (Please open the link so you can read about each of the honorees.)
Album French Quarter Citizens Meeting with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. (15 photos)
The French Quarter Citizens Quarterly Meeting and Potluck Dinner, with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser as a guest speaker and host, was held at the Lieutenant Governor's historic Pontalba apartment on Royal Street. The speakers, ambiance and the delicious food made it to be a very memorable occasion.
Album Summer Lyric Theater at Tulane's Production of “42nd St.” (23 photos)
WOW, as my darling friend, philanthropist Sammy Steele would say": “It was over the top!’ And indeed it was! I have seen one of my favorite musicals, “42nd Street,” on Broadway and at the Saenger and the talented cast at Summer Lyric Theater at Tulane’s production of it was also superb. BRAVO! I loved seeing my friends who were performing, as well as those in the audience. Next up for Summer Lyric is “She Loves Me” and I can’t wait to see that as well on opening night, July 11.
Album International House's St. John’s Eve (11 photos)
The elegant boutique hotel, International House Hotel, was the setting for the annual St. John's Eve on June 21- Summer Solstice ceremony.
Voodoo priestess, Sallie Ann Glassman, led the way with a head-washing ceremony that included drumming, dancing, chanting, Haitian rum and a bottled elixir added to the mix. Everyone was invited to be clad in white and many brought offerings of candles and small gifts to this memorable night.
Album 2019 Opera in the Piazza (22 photos)
After the absence of three years of the popular Opera in the Piazza. The American Italian Cultural Center presented once again at the newly renovated Piazza d'Italia, an evening of opera! Honorary Consul of Italy, my longtime friend, Frank Maselli, introduced young talented singers Sophia Parigi and Marco Hebert who were followed by vocalist Lena Prima.
Maestro Robert Lyall of the New Orleans Opera Association introduced soprano Kathleen Halm, mezzo-soprano Phyllis Treigle, tenor Tyler Smith and bass-baritone Ivan Griffin, who performed a selection of arias from the Italian repertoire.
Violinists Lourdes Reeks and Eva Liebhaber, along with cellist Susan Miller and Timothy Todd Simmons on the piano, accompanied the singers. Delicious Italian food & beverages were available for purchase from local businesses.
Darlings, this week is going to be a very exciting one as well:
I am going to start my week by attending on
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“Juleps In June”
“Juleps In June”
Benefits: One Book One New Orleans
Guests can chat with literary guests of honor, be part of a contest for best hat and, of course, enjoy the famous mint juleps! Proceeds from this event will benefit OBONO’s community outreach efforts, as well as its annual festival, “Words & Music.”
Tickets: $75/Young Professional Ticket; $100/Ticket; $175/Couple Tickets; Sponsorships available.
Guests can chat with literary guests of honor, be part of a contest for best hat and, of course, enjoy the famous mint juleps! Proceeds from this event will benefit OBONO’s community outreach efforts, as well as its annual festival, “Words & Music.”
Tickets: $75/Young Professional Ticket; $100/Ticket; $175/Couple Tickets; Sponsorships available.
Location: Home of Leah Englehardt I am going to be one of the Hat Judges!
Contact: (205) 310-8537, OneBookNola.org
Contact: (205) 310-8537, OneBookNola.org
Saturday, June 29th @ 7:30 and Sunday, June 30th
"Rolling on the River" @ 2:00 at Teatro Wego.
Join the JPAS Leading Ladies Guild for an exciting production of “Rollin’ on the River.” While cruising the mighty Mississippi, you’ll enjoy a series of skits about love and romance throughout New Orleans. You’ll hear a lot of familiar music like "Old Man River," "Money, Money, Money," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," "My Ding a Ling," “Witchy Woman” and more.
Saturday, June 29
New Orleans Chamber Orchestra at the Marigny Opera House
Phillip Larroque will conduct the NOCO in the second concert featuring original works by local composers Jerry Sieg and Tim Robertson, plus the winner of a NOCO-sponsored composition competition, Trevor Weston’s “Juba for Strings.” Finishing off the June 29 concert will be Antonin Dvorak’s “Serenade for Strings.” Featured soloist will be Mollie Pate, principal hornist for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, on the Sieg and Robertson pieces.
June 29- Urban League Gala
7:30 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel-
Enjoy your week.
Darlings, I am going to visit my cousins in Santo Domingo for 10 days in July and I am already feeling guilty because I am going to miss Michelle Obama at the Essence Festival and the 4th of July celebrations.
I know that my beloved country, Dominican Republic, has been experiencing a lot of negative publicity because of the rash of mysterious deaths but please, don't worry about me. I will be staying at my family home and visiting the beach and not using any minibars.
Darlings, as you know, I cannot stay away from my beloved New Orleans too long! I can remember when in 2000-2002, I could spend my summers on the beautiful island of Ibiza, Spain but not anymore. Too many fun events are happening right here in New Orleans. I will keep you informed about those upcoming events before I leave.
La Fete News.
If you haven't make your reservation to the upcoming Round Table Luncheon Saluting Tales of the Cocktail and Priscilla Lawrence do it now:
Darlings, before I talk about all the fabulous upcoming events, I want to share the press release about the next Round Table Luncheon Saluting Tales of the Cocktail and the retirement of Priscilla Lawrence from the Historic New Orleans Collection.
As you know, I am not hosting Round Table Luncheons during the months of June and August. However, I am hosting a very special Round Table Luncheon Saluting Tales of the Cocktail on Wednesday, July 17 at noon in the historic ballroom of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, 717 Orleans Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets), in the French Quarter.
The spirited luncheon will be co-hosted by Caroline Rosen, Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail, and Jenny Butler, Adviser to Philanthropic and Civic Initiatives at the Gary N. Solomon Group.
I will also pay tribute to my darling friend, Priscilla Lawrence, CEO and President of the Historic New Orleans Collection who is retiring.
Among the invited speakers will be Emily Madero, President & CEO of French Quarter Festivals, who will speak briefly about the upcoming Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron, August 2-4; Brent Rosen, the new president and CEO of the National Food and Beverage Foundation, commonly known around New Orleans as the Southern Food and Beverage Museum; and Miguel Solorzano, Sazerac House General Manager, Greater New Orleans Area.
The live entertainment will be by “New Orleans Songbird,” vocalist Robin Barnes Casey, and cocktail historian,Elizabeth Pearse. Jorge Lauriano Jr., Division Manager at William Grant & Sons, is featuring Hendrick's Gin, and a brand ambassador will talk about the featured cocktail.
Philanthropist Sammy Steele will have a special collection of beautiful hats designed by him for sale.
The $65, all-inclusive price includes a delicious, 3-course gourmet luncheon, plus champagne/wines and valet parking. Make your reservations now by calling Judy LeBlanc at (504) 571-4672 or email her atJudy.LeBlanc@BourbonOrleans.com.
Enjoy your week and stay cool!
