August 20, 2006
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Margarita Bergen ... from the French Quarter
This past week I could have die and gone to heavens. Probably St Peters would have stopped me at the entrance of the Pearly Gates and sent me back to Earth because I was a bit tipsy. The entire week was fantastic! New Orleans played host to some of the most fascinating people alive.
I started my
week by
attending "
An Evening
with Gay
Talese" at
the Faulkner
House in the
French
Quarter. The
fashionable,dapper
Guy kept the
audience
fascinated
as he
related his
life story.
I can not
wait to read
my
autograhed
copy of
A Writer's
Life. "Tales of the Cocktail" was just incredible. I spent five memorable days learning, tasting and drinking the classical cocktails in addition to delicious award-winning dishes and spirited desserts. Some of the best mixologists in the world were here and I loved attending the seminars which I found to be extremely informative. Among the many events that I truly enjoyed was the breakfast for the media at Brennan's Restaurant. As always Bonnie Warren, the PR director, Chef Lazone Randolph and the Brennan Family were very generous. The night before, Chef Duke LoCicero of Cafe Giovanni hosted a welcome dinner for the authors, sponsors and VIP media that was fabulous. The "spirited" dinner at Arnauld's was spectacular! I was the guest of my darling friend Patti Nickell ,who now lives in Lexington, Kentucky and was in town to attend "Sip for the City." The following day I reciprocated her generosity by treating her to the fabulous Bourbon Academy at Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House. This was not an ordinary prep school but a very informative and delicious luncheon led by Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley of Buffalo Trace. I enjoyed very much tasting the bourbons from the award- winning portfolio of Buffalo Trace that were paired with a delicious menu prepared by Bourboun House's chef Jared Tees. Another event that I enjoyed was participating iin "Sipping with Seven." I was the hostess at Sparty, one of the seven specially designed suites at the Monteleone Hotel. I was amazed at the versality and creativity of the designers. I loved the all -white motif of Sparty,with flowing white sheers, spa decor, beautiful red rose petals spread all over the bed and all-white furniture. The decoration provided a very relaxing atmosphere which was enhanced by the refreshing Rain Vodka Spatini Martini and a five minutes complimentary massage. All seven rooms were magnificent but I loved the decadence of Tony Leggio's and the Mardi Gras Production Team. It was a show stopper with a beautiful girl lounging in the bed while a scantly dressed Arabian- looking slave was fanning her .What a hoot!l "South of the Border,Down Mexico Way" led by Dale Degroff, the recognized King of Cocktail,was another of the fabulous event that made Tales of Cocktail such a unique learning experience. I can not thank enough the leadership and vision of Ann Rogers, the founder of the five- day dining and drinking experience. The highlight of my week was when I received my certificate from Jean-Francois Courrages, my teacher at the Bartend. com Certificate Course presented by American Express. The diploma accredited me as a "Mixologist" . I loved every bit of it. I am very anxious to use my newly acquired skills as a guest bartender and, of course my specialization will be my favorite Latin libations that are so much in vogue such as Mojitos and Margaritas! I could spend pages just writing about how fabulous everything was, but you could read more about the weekend from www.bayoubuzz.com . Sherri M.B. Mckee wrote a wonderful article " Generation X: New Orleans and Louisiana Celebrate the Cocktail Gourmet." This week I am looking forward to the opening of Santa Fe Restaurant in the Marigny neighborhood. I understand that they are going to be featuring killer Margaritas and hopefully they will invite me to be a celebrity " Margarita's mixologist. I just would love that! My darling friend Tommy Andrade of Tommy's Restaurant on Tchoupitulas St., is finally getting ready to open his very elegant and sophisticated Tommy's Wine Bar. You need to check it out! Dorignac’s Food Center is proud to kick off this Wednesday, their newly created monthly wine event “Simply Wine…a Sipping and Shopping Soiree designed especially for women” This month’s event will be hosted by Belladonna. The premiere event will feature 8 sparkling wines selected by Dorignac’s Wine Buyer, Butch Steadman, specially created dishes by Chef Dominique Macquet of Dominique’s, mini massages courtesy of Belladonna and gourmet cheeses from Dorignac’s Food Center. Not to be missed! This week we would have the opportunity to take in a lot of theatre productions such as Cats at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, Pippin at the Tulane Lyric Theatre, The All Night Strut at the Southern Repertory Theatre and Tammy Faye Startlite in Born Again Again at Le Chat Noir Theatre. On Thursday, The Faulkner Society presents "My New Orleans is Her Precious Neighborhoods" featuring Jed Horne, author of Breach of Faith at The Cabildo at Jackson Square. It is being presented jointly with The Louisiana State Museum. 6 to 8p.m.Free and open to the public. You do not want to miss this event!
Enjoy your
week and I
hope you
will enjoy
the photos
of the fun
events that
I attended!
MB
TUESDAY, JULY 25
July 1
through
September:
COOLinary NEW
ORLEANS.Celebrating
Dining in
America´s Most
Delicious City!
CITY OF
HOPE -New
Orleans After
Hurricane
Katrina.
The Historic New
Orleans
Collection,
Williams
Gallery, 533
Royal Street.
Historic
photographs,
prints, maps,
and books trace
New Orleans’s
perseverance
through 300
years of
periodic
flooding and
natural
disasters, while
contemporary
photographs,
oral histories,
video footage,
and ephemera
explore
Hurricane
Katrina’s impact
and the city’s
will to survive
and rebuild
against all
odds.
Tuesday–Saturday,
9:30 a.m.–4:30
p.m.July
18–November 4,
2006
"THE
FUTURE OF AIR
SERVICE IN THE
METROPOLITAN
REGION"
Ambassador Room,
World Trade
Center, 30th
Floor. The
French-American
Chamber of
Commerce,
Louisiana
Chapter,invites
you to attend
the second
BREAKFAST
BRIEFING OF 2006
,"The Future of
Air Service in
the Metropolitan
Region" 8 a.m.
- 9 a.m.This
event is open to
all Chamber and
World Trade
Center members
as well as other
interested
individuals of
the business
community. A
Continental
Breakfast will
be served.
Seating is
limited, so
please make your
reservation as
soon as
possible.
Hurricane Season! .LeMieux Galleries 332 Julia St This exhibit will remain on view until July 29.. LeMieux Galleries is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. "Hurricane Season" is an invitational exhibition featuring LeMieux Galleries' artists as well as other noted Louisiana artists. The exhibition will represent an eclectic mix of artists including Shirley Rabe Masinter, Deedra Ludwig, Charles Barbier, Mary Lee Eggart and Sean O'Meallie.
"ORGAN AND LABYRINTH".Trinity Artist Series .Trinity Episcopal Church,1329 Jackson Av. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. With Albinas Prizgintas performing on the magnificent 5000 pipes tracker organ, an hour of organ music and meditation every Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m.
INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION. Loyola University, Rousell Hall, 899-4826;www.mascno.org -- The musical Art Society of New Orleans hosts a piano competition for the twelve finalists. Tickets $15-$30. 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25-Friday, July 28. 8p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
JAVIER TOBAR:Riomar Restaurant,800
The Improv at Harrah´s New Orleans World-Famous Comedy!. The Theater at Harrah's. 8 Canal Street,533-6000 . 8P.M.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26
JOE KROWN: National Jazz Historical Park Visitors Center,916 N. Peters St.,(504) 589-4841.NOON.
The
Improv at
Harrah's New
Orleans
World-Famous
Comedy presents
Harrah’s
FREDY OMAR'S MUSICIANS VILLAGE NIGHT /with Habitat for Humanity.Cafe Brasil (2100 Chartres St., corner of Frenchmen) Free Latin dance lesson at 9 p.m. Show at 10 p.m.
In August
every
Wednesday
,Fredy Omar
will be
hosting a
Musicians'
Village
Night at
Cafe Brasil
at 10pm.
Fredy Omar's
Musicians'
Village
Nights. $5
cover
charge.
JOHN ROYEN: National Jazz Historical Park Visitors Center,916 N. Peters St.,(504) 589-4841.NOON.
WTC
LUNCHEON:"
MEXICO & THE
UNITED STATE
BEYOND THE
PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION"The
Plimsoll Club,
30th Floor,
WTC;pmichelini@wtcno.org
(Free validated
parking in the
WTC Garage. A
luncheon program
featuring Hon.
Carlos Gonzalez
Magallon, Consul
General of
Mexico.12
noon.(11:30 a.m.
network
reception).
UNITA
BLACKWELL AND
JOANNE PRITCHARD
MORRIS read and
sign
BAREFOOTIN' . Octavia
Books, 513
Octavia St.,
899-7323;www.octaviabooks.com.
-Unita Blackwell
and JoAnne
Pritchard Morris
read from and
sign their book,Barefootin'
6 p.m. -
OGDEN
AFTER HOURS
PRESENTS:JESSE
MOORE,
Lobby Atrium of
The Ogden
Museum,Stephen
Goldring
Hall,925 Camp
St.,539-9600;www.ogdenmuseum.org
-6 to 8
p.m.Moore grew
up in Brooklyn,
then embarked on
an epic artistic
career that took
him around the
world. As a
child, he sang
on Brill
Building demo
recordings.
Based in Japan
and then
Thailand, he
recorded albums
and toured the
Far East with
the American R &
B bands the
Houserockers and
Black Fire. Back
in New York
City, he acted
on TV (Law and
Order, As the
World Turns), in
films (Howard
the Duck) and
theater. He
co-founded the
Catskill Animal
Sanctuary on a
77-acre farm in
Woodstock. For
years, his pal
Bonnie Raitt had
harassed him
about relocating
to Nawlins.
After
vacationing down
there many
times, he
finally moved in
2003.
THURSDAYS AT TWILIGHT. Garden Concert Series presents: Thais St.Julien and Milton Scheurmann. Pavillion of Two Sisters, New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park. Gates open 5 to 8 p.m. Musical performance 6 p.m. Adults $6. For more information: 483-9386.
PIPPIN. Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre, Brandt Dixon Performing Arts Center, 865-5269. The Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane presents the musical Pippin directed by Ed Kresly and choreographed by Diana Lala. Call box office for ticket prices. 8p.m. Thursday-Saturday. 2p.m. Sunday.
BORN AGAIN AGAIN. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles., 581-5812;www.cabaretlechatnoir.com - Tammy Faye Starlite presents her irreverent country music revue as the evangelical nymphomaniacal host of a live radio variety show, discussing her new CD, recently drugless life and the return of Christ. Jefferson Turner accompanies them on piano. Tickets $26(includes $5 bar credit) 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, through August 5.
RICCARDO
CRESPO & SOL
BRASIL.
Snug Harbor, 626
Frenchmen St.,
669-4744, 8 p.m.
and 10 p.m.
. FRIDAY, JULY 28
Sip
Wines Free Wine
Tasting.
3119
Magazine St,6
-8pm
OBITUARY COCKTAIL: Orleans Grapevine,720 Orleans Ave., 523-1930. Weekly gathering of locals at lendadry saloons of New Orleans. Always from 6 to 7 p.m. R Bar 1431 Royal St., Free Oyster Fridays . Every Friday starting at 6 pm .Fresh, cold oysters shucked by Shaggy of Boil, Inc. CINEMA AL FRESCO. Bacchanal Wine. 600 Poland Ave.,948-9111. Free Film: Martin Scorcese's GOODFELLA. One showing only at 9 pm. Plus Chef Pete gets into the act with Italian movie-munchies. JULIO AND CESAR. Azul´s Restaurant and Lounge,535 Tchoupitaulas St.(Ambassador Hotel) 599-2111. Very popular Spanish Guitarists Julio and Cesar play to the guests delight from 7:30 p.m. HOT BRAZIL SERIES WITH BLAKE AMOS AND SAUDADE. Howlin' Wof, 907 S. Peters St., 522-WolF; www.howlin-wolf.com - Zulubeng Productions presents an event featuring Brazlilian cuisine, dance demonstrations, art and live music by Blake Amos& Saudade, Bateria Zabumba and D.J. Jeff. Tickets $10 and 9:30 p.m. TROI BECHET & TRIO. Bombay Club,830 Tonti. St., 586-0972. 9:30 p.m. "PLAYING AT THE POLO" FRIDAY NIGHTS : ANAIS ST. JOHN AND HARRY MAYRONNE. Polo Lounge, Windsor Court Hotel, 523-6000. 8 p.m. to Midniight. Drawing each Friday night in the Polo Lounge for a one night stay at the Windsor Court Hotel. THE ALL NIGHT STRUT. Southern Repertory Theatre. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-6545.www.bbpresents.com - The show is a rich pageant of the music of the 1930's and 40's conceived by Fran Charnas. Stage and musical production by Brandt Blocker, with choreography by Alton Geno. The production starts Gabrielle Porter, Tywon Morgan, Ashley Lemmler and Christopehr Bentivegna. Tickets $24. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through August 13. JOHN BOUTTE. Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., 412-8965.7 p.m.
BOOGIEMEN:Mid
City Rock N Bowl
,4133 S
Carrollton Ave.
10 p.m., $7
cover charge. The
SOUL REBELS.Le
Bon Temps
Roule,4801
Magazine
St.,504-897-9448
MAGAZINE STREET FARMERS MARKET.Magazine and Girods Streets;www.marketumbrella.org Crescent City Farmers Market holds its weekly Saturday market. Fresh produce, flowers and food available. 8 a.m. to noon.
BACCHANAL WINE TASTING. 600 Poland Ave.,948-9111. Noon-3pm: - 3pm: Wine tasting, featuring Pinot Gris from Around the World. Live music 6-9 p.m.Red Light Records with Scott Johnston. DORIGNAC WINE AND SPIRIT FREE WINE TASTING. 710 Veterans Blvd. Dorignac´s Wine and Spirits invites customers to explore the world of wine every Saturday during their complimentary wine sampling from noon until 5pm..Featured wines will include varietals favorites such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and more. Wines from renowned wine producing regions including California, Italy, Australia, Bordeaux, Rhone, Alsace, Spain, Germany and Chile will be featured. Customers will have the opportunity to taste select wines from well-known producers as well as wines from up and coming boutique wineries. ANAIS ST.JOHN AND HARRY MAYRONNE. Bombay Club,830 Tonti. St., 586-0972.9:30 p.m. BUSTOUT BURLESQUE.The Tradition Continues! Tipitina´s French Quarter.233 N. Peters (between Iberville St. and Bienville St.).(504) 566-7095.Saturday Nights 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. ADMISSION: $15.00 general admission/$20.00 reserved table seating. This robust show stirs up lively, spontaneous pleasure. On Saturday nights at the French Quarter Tipitina´s, men and women can relax in a congenial atmosphere and enjoy the uninhibited jokes of emcee Johnny Rock, the smooth stylings of songstress Debbie Davis, the tantalizing exotic dances of Athena, the Seductive Harem Girl, Trixie Minx the Tassel Twirler, and others, with a live jazz accompaniment under the direction of bandleader Jerry Christopher. RICKY
GRAHAM´S NAUGHTY
BITS.
Le Chat Noir,
715 St. Charles
Ave.,
581-5812.12;www.cabaretlechatnoir.com
-Ricky Graham
presents a lnew
late-night show
in tribute to
his old days at
the Mint and
subtittled " An
evening of Dirty
Jokes, Risque
Songs and
Big Wigs."
Graham is joined
by Jefferson
turner and Su
Gonczy. Tickets
$18. 11 p.m. JAMES RIVERS JAZZ BRUNCH.New Orleans HiltonThe band, appropriately called The James Rivers Movement, appears at the New Orleans Hilton´s Jazz Brunch each Sunday from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Kabby´s at the River. SUNDAY SWING.The National World II Museum, Louisiana Memorial Pavillion, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012;www.nationalww2museum.org - The Museum kicks off their new "Sunday Swing" every Sunday afternoon generously underwritten by The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and the New Orleans Musicians Clinic. 2-4 p.m. Sunday Jazz Brunch 1:30-3:30 pm. with saxophonist Skip Roberts and Quartet d’Orléans. Spotted Cat 623 Frenchmen. Free food. The
Pfister Sisters.
The Marigny
Brasserie
located on
Frenchman and
Royal Streets in
the Marigny .A
trio of jazz
vocalists
specializing in
swing-era songs
entertain a room
full of
drinkers, diners
and dancers
,every Sunday
afternoon.10:30a.m.
– 2:00 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST
SERIES.Jackson
Ave, 522-0276;
www.trinityc.net. Trinity
presents a
concert with
Jennifer Bason,
soprano,sings
Tchaikowsky’s
“Tatiana’s
Letter Scene”
DRUM
CIRCLE
PERFORMANCE.
St. Augustine
Church Yard,
1210 Gov.
Nicholls St.,
Mercy Corps
holds Rhythmic
Roots, a series
of healing drum
circles, to
bring the
community
together. The
public is
invited to bring
its own
percussion
instruments to
join with leader
Ken "Afro"
Williams. Free
admission. 5
p.m. to 9 p.m. "I AM STILL HERE ME!" Le Chat Noir,715 St. Claude Ave., 581-5812. Ricky Graham performs his cabaret show accompanied by Jefferson Turner. Tickets $26 (includes $5 bar credit) 6 p.m. Sunday
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