Darlings, what a week!

The New Orleans Community lost not one but three icons of our community. The first one was my longtime friend, Charles Malachias, former owner of Cafe Maspero passed away. Charles and I served for a long time on the Board of Directors of the French Market Corporation. May his soul RIP.

He was followed by beloved Chef Leah Chase and Dr. John.


Funeral second line for the Queen of Creole Cuisine: Chef Leah Chase



And, adding to our musical losses were renowned guitarists Spencer Bohren and Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal. That’s enough already. Let’s hope we don’t have any more of these huge losses any time soon.

On a happy note, I think of the highlight of my week, or my year, was meeting talented American dancer, Derek Hough, on Saturday. 

Album Derek Hough: Live !(12 photos and 2 videos) 

Derek Hough: Live ! 
I am still in Cloud Nine after attending and meeting the one and onlyDerek Hough. Thanks to my darling friend, Michael Mitchell, who has been providing me with Grand Suites tickets at the Saenger Theatre, I have never missed one of his performances or “Dancing with the Stars when it came to town. Thank you Michael.

I have been an ardent, longtime fan of his dancing. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting his equally talented and beautiful sister,Julianne Hough, when she was a judge for the Young Audience's Dancing for the Arts. 

I also enjoyed so much attending the much-anticipated, fabulous exhibit:

"GRAND ILLUSIONS: THE HISTORY AND ARTISTRY OF GAY CARNIVAL" ON VIEW AT THE LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM’S PRESBYTÈRE”

The Louisiana State Museum unveiled a first-of-its-kind new exhibition at the Presbytère on June 6, called “Grand Illusions: The History and Artistry of Gay Carnival in New Orleans.” The exhibition opened with a free reception at the Presbytère.

The reception, hosted by the Friends of the Cabildo, featured a specialty cocktail called “The Grand Illusion” provided and served by Absolut Vodka. The opening also served as the official kick-off party to New Orleans Pride. After the exhibit we went to dinner at Muriel’s Restaurant since it was part of the Dining for Life. 

“Grand Illusions” will be on display in the Presbytère until December 2020. The Presbytère is located at 751 Chartres Street, adjacent to St. Louis Cathedral and fronting on Jackson Square.


Another fun event was attending the always-fabulous Krewe of Cork Luncheon.

Krewe of Cork's Luncheon at Delmonico

The lovely Emeril's Delmonico Restaurant was the setting for the monthly fun and delicious Krewe of Cork Luncheon. I always enjoy having fun with fellow Corkians and this luncheon was very memorable!. Next one will be in September at Bayona and I cannot wait.

Media Preview of 2019 Tales of the Cocktail
Darlings, are you ready for the 2019 Tales of the Cocktail on July 16-21? I am! As such, I was invited to an intimate cocktail hour at the home ofGary Solomon Jr., Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Tales of the Cocktail. There are so many new educational seminars and of course decadent tasting and soirees at its new venue, the Royal Sonesta Hotel. I am happy to confirm that I will be co-hosting, along with Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail, Caroline Rosen and Jenny Butler, my annual Tales of the Cocktail Luncheon on July 17 at noon in the historic ballroom of the Bourbon Orleans



Tuesday, 
https://conta.cc/2I9Y31p

Love New Orleans & She'll Love You Back.
Sincerely,
Frank Stansbury
Lafete News

Wednesday, June 12
Adult History Class: Neighborhoods of New Orleans
6:00-8:00 pm
New Orleans Jazz Museum
400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans
Class Fee : $100 FOC/LMF Members, $125, Non-members
Tickets can be purchased at https://sforce.co/2J14zKp or call (504) 523-3939.

The Friends of the Cabildo Adult History Class "Neighborhoods of New Orleans" will cover the entire city of New Orleans and outlying areas in five two-hour sessions. New Orleans historians Dr. Charles Chamberlain and John Magill and Louisiana State Museum HistoriansDr. Karen Leathem and Joyce Miller will breakdown the development of the city by neighborhood creation. From the first neighborhood, the French Quarter, to the City of Jefferson, to the expansive suburbs such as Metairie and St. Tammany Parish, the class will look at the people and the areas that make New Orleans such a melting pot of culture. 

Thursday, June 13
“The Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Gala” at the National World War II Museum
Andrew Higgins Drive between Camp and Magazine streets, New Orleans
6:00-11:00 pm
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Thursdays at Twilight featuring Julio and Cesar
Pavilion of Two Sisters in City Park's Botanical Garden
6-8 pm $10
$10
Originally from Guatemala, Julio and Cesar Herrera have been in New Orleans for over 30 years. They describe their music as constantly evolving, attributing this to their exposure from an early age to many cultures.
Free parking across the street from the Botanical Garden
Friday, June 14 is going to be, in the words of the late Dr. John, “Such a Night!” That evening there are going to be four . . . count ‘em FOUR(!) fabulous events happening. If ever I needed a clone or, in this case THREE clones, this is it. Very tough choices and it’s a shame I can’t get to them all. Here they are:

June 14
“Kinky Boots” at the Saenger Theatre Through Sunday, June 16.
We're kicking up our boots in celebration and support of all of our LGBTQ+ friends at #NOLAPride this weekend! Keep the party going when Kinky Boots on Tour struts into The Saenger Theatre next weekend! 

Making its return after only three years of its local debut, “Kinky Boots” is based on a true story about a young owner of a men’s shoe factory in Northampton, England who manages to keep his plant open in the face of cheaper imports by switching to a gaudy, sturdy line of boots for transvestite performers. The owner is helped along by a drag queen who designs and models the boots and helps turn them into a phenomenon.

Here’s the scoop:

WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal Street, New Orleans
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
TICKETS: $41-$87
INFO: (504) 287-0351. saengernola.com/tickets or ticketmaster.com
Read more about it in this week’s New Orleans Advocate’s BEAUCOUP magazine on Thursday, posted online this afternoon.
And then there’s . . .
“Opera Fusion”
Presented by the chamber ensemble, Lyrica Baroque.
Friday, June 14 at 7:00 pm
St. Mary's Church, Old Ursuline Convent
1100 Chartres Street, New Orleans
Renowned artists Paul Groves, Sarah Jane McMahon, Eric Silberger, Jaren Atherholt, Benjamin Atherholt, Daniel Lelchuk and Bradley Moore perform this unforgettable program of Ravel’s Piano Trio, plus premiere operatic arrangements in Baroque motifs by Benjamin Atherholt and more. Not to be missed!
And then there is also . . .

New Orleans Chamber Orchestra

Conducted by my darling friend, cellist and maestro Maxim Samarov, the New Orleans Chamber Orchestra will take the stage at the Marigny Opera House for the first of two concerts this month. The 16-member ensemble will perform works by Giacomo Puccini, Ottorino Respighi and Franz Joseph Haydn, plus a premiere by local composer, Tucker Fuller, on Friday evening, June 14. Mezzo-soprano Claire Shackleton will sing the Italian lyrics to the Respighi composition.

Then, on Saturday, June 29, 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.

Here is the information:

New Orleans Chamber Orchestra
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 29
WHERE: Marigny Opera House, 725 St. Ferdinand Street, New Orleans
TICKETS: $16.74-$21.99 (including service fees)
INFO: (504) 948-9998. marignyoperahouse.org/upcoming-events
You can also read about it in this Thursday’s New Orleans Advocate, posted later today on the newspaper’s website.

And then, finally . .  .

On Friday, June 14 at The New Orleans Jazz Museum, the New Orleans Opera Association and OperaCréole will be hosting a reception with performances to officially launch “Innovative Explorations,” a series of community collaborative educational events, performances, and exhibitions taking place over the next year. The event is free and open to the public. The launch reception is at 6:30 pm followed by performances at 7:30 pm.

The launch event will feature performances by project partner OperaCréole, who will be presenting a program of Creole folk and slave songs, as well as excerpts of their original opera “Les Lions de La Reconstruction (The Lions of Reconstruction): From Black Codes to the Ballot Box” which tells the story of New Orleans free people of color and their hand-delivered petition to President Abraham Lincoln. This program includes music of 19th Century New Orleans free classical composers of color and will discuss New Orleans-influenced popular music genres from the early 20th century through the present.

Free but reservations recommended because of limited seating. The website link is indicating that the event is at capacity but last minute seats may come available. Call (504) 529-2278.

June 15

“Heart & Soul Gala”  Benefits: American Heart Association at the Hyatt
Funds raised at the “Heart & Soul Gala” will help the American Heart Association to continue the fight against cardiovascular diseases and defects – the No. 1 killer in the state of Louisiana and in the country. The evening’s festivities will include dinner, an opportunity to Open Your Heart and further support the mission and an exciting live auction.

Tickets: $250/Ticket

June 17
Crescent City Brewhouse will be hosting its annual hospitality appreciation party with a ‘90s theme. Tour guides, concierge, valet, bellman, shuttle drivers, carriage drivers, kiosk workers, and servers alike!

5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Crescent City Brewhouse, 527 Decatur Street, New Orleans.

17
Have a great week!