WOW Darlings, my brief sojourn to Pensacola Beach was much-needed because ever since my return to my beloved New Orleans, I have been going like the EverReady Bunny.
Oh, what fun I have been having!
Just like I expected, the WYES 2016 Gala, Downton Abbey - Going in Style on Thursday, March 3 was spectacular. It was held at the lovely home of Lisa and Trip Ludwig. At the Patron Party, WYES recognized Paulette and Frank Stewart with the WYES Chairman’s Award and Paul Spencer of the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation with the WYES President's Award. The food by the Windsor Court Catering was delicious, as well as the fabulous sound of Deacon John and his band, The Ivories. It was an evening that will go down my Memory Lane AS ONE OF THE BEST! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153245971185870.1073742617.581200869&type=1&l=b7ac0dbbbc
On Friday, I attended not just one but two great events. The first one was City Park's Lark in the Park: The exquisite China Lights Display was an additional colorful treat to the always lovely Lark in the Park at the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park. More than 30 extraordinary, blazingly bright silk covered structures fill the Botanical Garden. The hundreds of lanterns created a visual explosion to delight you at every turn. Picture an incredible glowing dragon 192-feet long; a four-story, lit-from-within pagoda towering high enough to be seen from almost any vantage point; and dozens of dazzlingly colorful lighted displays created by a team of some 100 artisans and technical staff from Sichuan Tianyu, located in Zigong, China.
These beautiful objects have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in Europe, most recently in Rotterdam, Netherlands and, and in the United states first in Spokane, Washington and now in New Orleans through May 1.https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153248361535870.1073742618.581200869&type=1&l=8e4f0c21f8
I heard that the food at Lark at the Park was the best, but I was rushing to get to the premiere of the Dead Man Walkingopera at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
The New Orleans Opera Association's premiere production of Dead Man Walking was powerful and moving. It was the first opera by Jake Heggie, with a libretto by Terrence McNally. Based on the book of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, the work premiered on October 7, 2000 at the War Memorial Opera House by the San Francisco Opera. The highlight of my night was finally meeting Sister Helen Prejean and she jokingly said that she has been waiting all her life to be photographed by me. Ha! The Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is the setting of the opera and I thought the cast that included talented local friends of mine such as Kathleen Halm and Tyler Smith was superb and got standing ovations at the end of the night.
With Sister Helen Prejean at the premiere of Dean Man Walking Opera
The following night I was a social butterfly and enjoyed attending two fabulous events. The first one was the JCRS Jewish Roots of Celebration at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
The gala event featured a cocktail reception followed by a dinner created by some of New Orleans’ most celebrated and talented (Jewish!) chefs including James Beard award-winning Alon Shaya of Domenica and Shaya, Daniel Esses of Three Muses, David Slater of Emeril’s, Nathaniel Zimet of Boucherie and a special dessert by Commander’s Palace.
The evening’s program honored the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust and Marlene Trestman for their dedication to Jewish children and for their support of the JCRS mission. Betty Kohn and Sara Stone were the Honorary Co-Chairs for the gala. I could not stay for the dinner but I saw many of my darling friends.
I rushed out of the Celebration to attend the spectacular Children Hospital's Sugarplum Ball. For two days, I had been seeing a white big tent being erected at the Old U.S. Mint across from Casell Bergen Gallery so I was delighted when I found out that I was going to be covering the fabulous, sold-out Sugarplum Ball.
With the theme "All that Jazz" the Ball was fabulous. It featured a "BIG SPENDER" VIP PARTY for sponsors $7,500 and above and took place one hour before the ball on the third floor of The Old U.S. Mint. Glorious spring weather greeted the guests at the outdoor soiree that featured the Wise Guys band in the white tent and legendary restaurants offering delicious culinary creations.
This year's proceeds will fund a state-of-the-art Catheterization Lab that will allow the hospital to perform diagnostic and interventional procedures for newborns, infants, children and young adults with all varieties of congenital heart disease. The new system will enhance their ability to do complex intra-cardiac procedures, not only with improved resolution and imaging, but at much lower radiation doses than were previously possible. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153250408560870.1073742620.581200869&type=1&l=d99754bc67
My week kept going and it concluded at the spectacular finale of the PBS Series Downton Abbey at the Saenger Theater. Seeing the last episode on the big screen at the Orpheum Theater was brilliant. I loved getting dressed up in period clothes and seeing all my friends all dressed up as well. It was a definite Downton Abbey moment. I am going to miss rushing home every Sunday to see the series.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153252240755870.1073742621.581200869&type=1&l=b474f34447
The nation is morning the passing of former First Lady Nancy Reagan- She was A Tireless Warrior for Alzheimer's Research, Politics Be Damned- She brought the disease out of the closet.
Nancy Reagan will be missed by people like me. I am glad that I was part of a generation that will remember her as a very influential and glamorous First Lady. She was regal and once asked where was her crowd- she replied " I will never wear a crowd. It will mess my hair." It is too bad that the Iphone was not around when I was sitting having lunch with my darling friend Alex Brod at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel) when Nancy Regan was siting in the next table having lunch with Larry King. I will always treasure that memory!
I was interviewed by Kenny Lopez and here is the video
Margarita thank you for sharing your Nancy Reagan memories with our WGNO-TV viewers!
This week is going be another busy one - full of fun events.
I am going to start it tomorrow when I will join over 600 women to attend the annual Women's Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association’s Mad Hatter’s Luncheon 2016 at the Hilton Riverside. The event will feature, as in the past, a seated luncheon, a fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, and the always popular Hat Contest.
I am going to start my Wednesday, March 9, by attending the B.B. King's Blues Club Honors the Late Musician with a three-part New Orleans Grand Opening in the French Quarter. Grand Opening festivities include the following:
11:00 AM: The Blessing at St. Louis Cathedral - front steps, 615 Pere Antoine Alley. B.B. King's famous guitar, “Lucille,” will be blessed by Deacon Guidry.
11:10 AM: The Second Line. Immediately following the blessing, musicians and dignitaries will second line to the club from the Cathedral. The route is as follows:
St. Louis Cathedral to St. Ann, from St. Ann to Decatur to N. Peters to Ursuline and back to Decatur to the club at 1104 Decatur St. (formerly Margaritaville).
11:30 AM: The Ribbon Cutting at B.B. King's Blues Club. “Lucille” will be presented at the club during the formal ribbon cutting ceremony to New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation President and CEO Mark Romig. Lunch and live music from the B.B. King All-Star Band will follow.
That evening I have been invited to the Broadway Across America's production of The Book of Mormon. I saw it the last time it was here and it was fun. It will be playing at the Saenger Theater until Sunday 13. Not to be missed.
That evening prior to The Book of Mormon's performance, I have been invited to attend the fundraiser for my darling friend Seth Bloom, President of the New Orleans School Board at the home of .... (see calendar below for more details)
On Thursday, I do not want to miss this fabulous event: The Bishop Perry Center presents the fifth in its series of free public concerts for Lent. The program will star Dr. Quinn Peeper, a brilliantly accomplished New Orleans concert pianist, who debuted in New York at Carnegie Hall and in New Orleans at the Words & Music Festival. He will perform the Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, composed by the famous Scandinavian composer Edvard Grieg in 1868, one of his most popular works and among the most popular of all concert written for piano. Accompanying Dr. Peeper on organ for the concerto will be Albinas Prizgintas, creator of the prizewinning Trinity Artist Series at Trinity Episcopal Church. Dr. Peeper also will perform duo piano numbers with popular New Orleans concert pianist Michael Harold.
On Sunday, I am looking forward to attending this event : The Board of Directors of the New Orleans Ballet Association and The Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) Request The Honour of Your Presence As We Celebrate with the Artists of Cuba’s Malpaso Dance Company A Festive Soirée Sunday, March 13 Gallier Hall 545 St. Charles Avenue 4:30pm ~ Cuban Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres 5:00pm ~ Dinner and Dancing Featuring Traditional Cuisine By Churros Café & Mulate’s Music by Julio & Cesar Casually Elegant Attire Tickets: $75 each For Additional Information, Call 504.522.0996 x208 or Visit Nobadance.com
“To Bee or Not to Bee” will be the question when Rivertown Theaters presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in March on the Main Stage. Four audience members will be Spelling Bee contestants onstage with the cast each night!
Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi's original Theatre 13's 2009 offering of this production was nominated for a Big Easy Award for Best Musical. It has returned by popular demand for a run through March 20 at the Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts in Kenner.
And, in the theatrical extravaganza of the season, the Jefferson Performing Arts Society is offering up its presentation ofMary Poppins starting Friday night, March 11 and running through the 20th. Thanks to some skillful rigging by the world-renowned special effects company, ZFX, four of the cast members – including Mary – will be flying high above the stage to the lively score composed by Richard and Robert Sherman and performed by the JPAS Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Dennis Assaf.
In the grand finale, Mary – played, sung and danced by Micah Richerand Desonier – will “fly” across the audience, 50 feet up and 80 feet between the stage and the balcony. This is one spectacular show you don’t want to miss and you can read all about it in the BEAUCOUP magazine section of this Thursday’s New Orleans Advocate, posted online Wednesday night.
THE 80th ANNUAL SPRING FIESTA AND HISTORIC HOME TOURS will take place on March 12-13. Homes not usually open to the public will be part of this year's tours. Experience the grandeur of the past as you walk through these French Quarter treasures. See complete schedule below.
Even though St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, parades will be rolling this weekend, as well as on the 17th. Check the calendar below for parade schedules.
Darlings, Fashion Week is March 13-19 and as such, I just want to remind you that the monthly Round Table Luncheon will be on Wednesday, March 16 at noon at Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House.
It will be co-hosted by Tracee Dundas, the creator and director of Fashion Week. We will not only celebrate fashion with a fashion show but also St. Patrick’s Day. We will have, as entertainers, Irish vocalist Vali Talbot, accompanied on the piano by talented pianist Jim Walpole prior to the fashion show. Then talented T-Ray the Violinist will be performing and wowing guests with his contemporary violin music.
In addition, to the Fashion Show, I have invited Marci Schramm, the director of the French Quarter Festival and a representative of the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival to discuss their upcoming events.
The chef of The Bourbon House is preparing a 3-course menu that will be unforgettable
| APPETIZER | |||
| Bourbon "House" Salad | |||
| ENTREES | |||
| Trout Pecan - Topped with toasted pecans and Meuniere sauce | |||
| DESSERT | |||
| Irish Parfait - Layered vanilla pastry cream, fruit, cookie and topped with Chocolate Fleur de Lis |
and my darling friend Sandra Herman will provide the champagne and wine to go along with the delicious luncheon. The price all inclusive is $55. There is parking almost across the street at the old Maison Blanche Building for $6 for 2 hour or $10 a day.
Please make reservation at 504-495-9181 or reserve your by this email. Guests are encouraged to wear green!
Darlings, Irish eyes and guests will be smiling at the upcoming A Tres Chic Round Table Luncheon at Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House. It will be held on Wednesday, March 16 at noon. The luncheon will be co-hosted byTracee Dundas the creator and director of Fashion Week. We will not only celebrate Fashion with a Fashion Show but also St. Patrick’s Day. We will have as entertainers : Irish Vocalist Vali Talbot accompanied on the piano by talented pianist Jim Walpole. prior to the Fashion show and then talented violinist T-Ray the Violinist who will be performing and wowing guests with his contemporary violin music. Marci Schramm, Executive Director of the upcoming French Quarter Festival(April 7-10, 2016) and a representative of the Tennessee Williams (March 30 -April 3) will speak about their festivals
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Marci Schramm, Executive Director
Guests are encouraged to wear green!
The chef of The Bourbon House is preparing a 3-course menu that will be unforgettable and my darling friend Sandra Herman will provide the champagne and wine to go along with the delicious luncheon. The price all inclusive is $55. There is parking almost across the street at the old Maison Blanche Building for $6 for 2 hour or $10 a day.
Please make reservation at 504-495-9181 or reserve your table of ten. Cash or check preferred.
Darlings, have a great week.
Calendar has been put together with the collaboration of La Fete News
Tuesday, March 8
The Mad Hatter Commands Your Presence March 8, 2016 at the Hilton Riverside
Fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue
Annual Hat Contest
Silent Auction
Seated Luncheon
Annual Hat Contest
Silent Auction
Seated Luncheon
Tickets and tables are ON SALE NOW!
Don't miss your chance to get a table next to the runway. Click the button below to find out ticket and table prices.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mad-hatters-luncheon-and-fashi…
Contact Gina Klein (504) 267-9527 or gklein@neworleansopera.org
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mad-hatters-luncheon-and-fashi…
Contact Gina Klein (504) 267-9527 or gklein@neworleansopera.org
THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9: Please come and support the campaign fundraiser for Orleans Parish School Board President! I would like everyone to attend. Donations are not required but are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!
Thursday, March 10
Free Concert at St. Mary's
Musical Prelude to Easter Continues March 10 With A Powerful Program for Piano and Organ at 6 p.m. at St Mary's on Chartres Street by the Ursuline Convent
Musical Prelude to Easter Continues March 10 With A Powerful Program for Piano and Organ at 6 p.m. at St Mary's on Chartres Street by the Ursuline Convent
When the Bishop Perry Center presents the fifth in its series of free public concerts for Lent this Thursday, March 10, the program will star Quinn Peeper, a brilliantly accomplished New Orleans concert pianist, who debuted in New York at Carnegie Hall and in New Orleans at the Words & Music festival, will perform the Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, composed by the famous Scandinavian composer Edvard Grieg in 1868, one of his most popular works and among the most popular of all concerti written for piano. Accompanying Dr. Peeper on organ for the concerto will be Albinas Prizgintas, creator of the prizewinning Trinity Artist Series. Dr. Peeper also will perform duo piano numbers with popular New Orleans concert pianist Michael Harold.
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The Program for Thursday, March 10
Bach………………………………..Prelude in Fugue in B minor, no. 24 BWV 893
Mozart…………..........................Symphony in C major first movement K 551. “Jupiter” for four hands
Grieg……………........................Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 16, with organist, Alibinas Prizgintas
Allegro Moderato
Adagio
Allegro Marcato
Allegro Moderato
Adagio
Allegro Marcato
Selection of Dances for four hands.
Dvorak……….............................Slavic Dance Number 8
Moszkowski................................Spanish Dance, number 3
Brahms……............................... Hungarian Dance number 5
Moszkowski................................Spanish Dance, number 3
Brahms……............................... Hungarian Dance number 5
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THE 80th ANNUAL SPRING FIESTA AND
HISTORIC HOME TOURS
March 12-13, 2016
Homes not usually open to the public will be part of this year's tours. Experience the grandeur of the past as you walk through these French Quarter treasures.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
09:00 AM, French Quarter Walking Tour II $15-$20
Begins at 826 St. Ann Street
11:30 AM, Brunch at the world-famous Antoine's Restaurant and FQ Home Tour I Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. Advance reservations required. $80 includes three-course lunch and tour of French Quarter homes.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, French Quarter Home Tour I
$25-$30
Begins at 826 St. Ann Street
HISTORIC HOME TOURS
March 12-13, 2016
Homes not usually open to the public will be part of this year's tours. Experience the grandeur of the past as you walk through these French Quarter treasures.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
09:00 AM, French Quarter Walking Tour II $15-$20
Begins at 826 St. Ann Street
11:30 AM, Brunch at the world-famous Antoine's Restaurant and FQ Home Tour I Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. Advance reservations required. $80 includes three-course lunch and tour of French Quarter homes.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, French Quarter Home Tour I
$25-$30
Begins at 826 St. Ann Street
Saturday, March 12, 2016
09:00 AM, French Quarter Walking Tour III $15-$20
Begins at 826 St. Ann Street
3:00 PM, Presentation of Queen and Court at Jackson Square
4:30 PM, "Night in Old New Orleans" Parade, French Quarter
Sunday, March 13, 2016
09:00 AM, French Quarter Walking Tour IV $15-$20
Begins at 826 St. Ann Street
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, French Quarter Home Tour II
$25-$30
Begins at 826 St Ann Street
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Louisiana Music Factory Free Concert Series
March 2016 Schedule
Saturday, March 12th2:00pm - Rick Tobey
3:00pm - Andy J. Forest
3:00pm - Andy J. Forest
Sunday, March 26th2:00pm - Don Paul & Rivers Of Dreams Band3:00pm - Sweet Jones
Louisiana Music Factory
421 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 586-1094
http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/
Hours: 11AM to 8PM Daily
Malpaso Dance Company A Festive Soirée Sunday, March 13
The Board of Directors of the New Orleans Ballet Association and The Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) Request The Honour of Your Presence As We Celebrate with the Artists of Cuba’s Malpaso Dance Company A Festive Soirée Sunday, March 13 Gallier Hall 545 St. Charles Avenue 4:30pm ~ Cuban Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres 5:00pm ~ Dinner and Dancing Featuring Traditional Cuisine By Churros Café & Mulate’s Music by Julio & Cesar Casually Elegant Attire Tickets: $75 each For Additional Information, Call 504.522.0996 x208 or Visit Nobadance.com
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