New Orleans Area Events: Margarita Darling

I am so sorry to see the end of the fabulous magical season of the New Orleans Saints. We will remember the past five months that filled our hearts with pride and hope. I am very proud of them and while they played, it was like an emotional roller coaster that kept us hoping until the very end.

Saints, you are winners and I am already looking forward to the next season.
Besides the Saints' playoffs, we also had some wonderful news that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought a historical mansion in the French Quarter. I think it brings a sign of hope to our city and our schools since they are enrolling their kids in our schools.

It shows a sincere commitment from these talented movie stars. I was getting phone calls and emails from as far as Germany regarding the sale of the property. Unfortunately, it was not me who sold it but the important thing is that it will attract similar buyers and will improve the price of properties in the French Quarter.

Last week started very excitingly as well, since I attended the first in a series of The Art of Living Well, a series of presentations and special events that focus on the finer aspects of living and learning, being presented by the Windsor Court Hotel. Louisiana native and now Los Angeles-based screenwriter, producer and director Bennett Joshua Devlin read from his book Memories surrounded by his friends, his mother Sheila Devlin and his local producer, Bobby Monroe. We got a chance to see a short of his motion picture that will release in New York in March.

The movie will feature Billy Zane, Ann Margret and Dennis Hopper. We are all so proud of him.
Last week, I had the delicious pleasure of taking advantage of the special menu being offered at the award-winning Rib Room of the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel.

It featured the Festives Flavors of Spain. The five-course delicious meal included award winning wines and special menus bursting with Spanish delights.The chef was trained in Spain for this special promotion .

I want to recommend to all my friends before it is concluded at the end of January.
I also want to recommend Anne Frank: A History for Today , the wonderful exhibition that just opened up on January 20 and will continue until -March 25, at the National World War II Museum. The bilingual exhibition focuses on the history of World War I and II, the rise of the Nazi party, and the life of a family caught in the middle.

Photos from the Frank family's private collection paint a picture of life before the dark days of Nazi persecution. Historic images and personal testimonies echo the nightmare that the family would later endure. The exhibition encourages visitors to learn more about scapegoating, racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic cleansing, and other issues of tolerance that still plague the world today.

This will be the only presentation of this exhibition in the Gulf South.
On Saturday, I attended the Twelfth Annual Williams Research Center Symposium: Food for Thought. The all-day fascinating symposium was moderated by culinary historian Jessica Harris.

I loved every presenter since they were so informative and some like noted food critic Tom Fitzmorris and Poppy Tooker, founder of New Orleans Slow Food, kept every one entertained with great sense of humor. The other panelists were cookbook expert Jan Longone; curators Susan Tucker and Wendy Woloson; historian Sally K. Reeves.

You must see the wonderful exhibition What is Cooking in New Orleans? Culinary Traditions of the Crescent City at The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street. For more information visit:
This week has some fabulous events that will keep us very entertained: It is going to be Carnival Time at the next taping of 89.

9 WWNO's Crescent City, Tuesday, January 23 at 8 p.m. at Le Chat Noir, 715 St.

Charles Avenue. Special guests for the upcoming show include pianist Tom McDermott, cornetist Connie Jones - and singer/songwriter Philip Melancon - who'll join regular cast members Astral Project ( The World's Greatest House Band - featuring Tony Dagradi/sax, Steve Masakowski/guitar, James Singleton/bass and John Vidacovich/drums), music historian Dr. Bruce Raeburn, sketch comedy troupe The Live Nude Radio Players (with Sean Patterson, Ricky Graham and Becky Allen) - and host Ronnie Virgets in the hour-long taping.

Tickets for the taping are available from Le Chat Noir - 581-5812 - and are $19 - which includes a $5 drink credit.
On Wednesday, Le Chat Noir will be the setting for the Gridiron Show. The Press Club's cabaret style fundraiser will be directed by Ken Ferguson in a production of wit and lampoons.

For reservation call 523-1010.
On Wednesday, there will be a segment about the talented animation film maker Helen Hill that was recently killed in the Marigny on ABC's Nightlife. It is is currently set to air this Wednesday Jan 24th at 10:30 pm.

Don't miss it.
In New Orleans, according to Chef Donald Link of Herbainst Restaurant we do not celebrate the seasons, we celebrate the seafood of the season. Chef Link will make the most of that celebration on Wednesday, January 24,by offering a five-course dinner centered on the Louisiana seafood of the season, prepared using recipes that spring from his own upbringing in the Cajun Country and the polished style of Herbsaint.

Each course of Link's menu will feature a different Louisiana seafood product. The dinner is at 7 p.m.

and Herbsaint will donate half of the $75 dinner price to the Crescent City Farmer Market. For reservation call 524-4114.
On Thursday, January 25, I am looking forward to the opening of HATS!

Harrah's Hats!, the musical is based on a woman approaching her 50^th birthday who meets a group of women who are members of the Red Hat Society, a real-life organization of women over 50 who come together to celebrate womanhood. The play not only appeals to women over 50, but their daughters and sisters, husbands and sons.

The opening night of Hats! at Harrah's New Orleans is at 7:00 p.m.

On Friday, January 26, at 2 p.m. there will be a Hat Parade This parade, like the musical production Hats!

, will be A Celebration for Women and the Men Who Love Them, and will center around influential women in New Orleans. The parade will conclude with a celebration and Mad Hatter themed tea party on Fulton Street. I can't wait!

On January 25, The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA), presents Classical Savion featuring tap superstar Savion Glover who brings his latest smash hit to New Orleans for one performance only. 8p.m.

atTulane's McAllister Auditorium. For more information visit:
Thursday is one of those days, that I wish I have a clone! One of my favorite people is going to be playing two shows at Le Chat Noir: Bryan Batt.

Le Chat Noir will be hosting Bryan Batt in a new and improved comical mix of popular Broadway classics, ballads and and old favorites. Michael Levine is the musical director. 7 and 9 p.

m.
On Friday, always from 6 to 7 p.m.

, Obituary Cocktail will be gathering at the chic Library Bar of the Ritz Carlton Hotel where bartender extraordinarie Chris McMillan reigns supreme. Pianist Armand St. Martin will provide the entertainment.

The Contemporary Arts Center and Johnson Controls are pleased to present as part of The Music of New Orleans Series, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, January 26th and 27th, 2007 in the Freeport-McMoRan Theater.Performances are at 8pm.

Bingo! is a part of the ongoing Music of New Orleans Series highlighting local traditions and innovative new acts by presenting some of the area's most talented musicians, singers and composers.
On Saturday, January 27, ' will present at the House of Blues.

The all-star tribute to Fats Domino will feature Allen Toussaint, Kermit Ruffins, Jon Cleary, Al Carnival Time Johnson, David Egan, Derek Huston, and the Lil 's Band of Gold Rhythm Section. Also performances by Troy Andrews, Bonerama, Robert Walter, Rob Wagner, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, Susan Cowsill, Bobby Lounge, the Imagination Movers, Gal Holiday and other surprise guests. Proceeds will go to benefit the .

House of Blues 6p-2a. (504) 944-4300.
On Saturday, Southern Rep Theatre hosts a 1978 themed prom decked out with a Twister dance floor, lava lamps, Lancers Rose keg beer, disco dance contest, etc.

Proceeds benefit Southern Rep. Tickets $35 (all inclusive) 9:30 p.m- For reservation: 522-6545.

On Sunday, January 28, The Women's Guild of the NO Opera Association invites you to a Supper Musicale featuring selections from Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. It will be at 6 p.m.

at the Andrew Jackson Condominium. For reservations call 466-3453.
On Friday, February 2, Lt.

Governor Mitch Landrieu invites you to join him for a one-day conference to build on the continuing Rebirth of the State's cultural economy. It will be held from 9 to 4 p.m.

at the Marriott Hotel, but you need to register on line at by January 24. According to the press release, 140 millions dollars will be available for small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Darling friends, have a wonderful week and do not forget to check out my photo show, my save a date and my community notices.

The exhibition includes paintings, watercolors, sculpture, ceramics, prints, and drawings by more than forty artists, including Josephine Crawford, Leonard Flettrich, Weeks Hall, Knute Heldner, Morris Henry Hobbs, Clarence Millet, Paul Ninas, William P. Spratling, Helen Turner, and Daniel Webster Whitney. The New Orleans Arts and Crafts Club: An Artistic Legacy, presented as part of a new partnership between The Historic New Orleans Collection and the New Orleans Museum of Art, is free to Louisiana residents.

For regular admission prices, visit . For more information, visit .Until ndash;May 31, 2007.

Wednesday ndash;Sunday, 10:00 a.m. ndash;4:30 p.

m.
DIANNE WOEST FELLOWSHIP LECTURE. Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street.

In the second Woest Fellowship lecture, Jessica Lepler will tell the story of two young newspaper owners who used humor to find financial stability during the trying times of the 1830s. Lepler is one of two recipients of the 2006 Dianne Woest Fellowship in the Arts and Humanities presented annually by The Historic New Orleans Collection. 6:30 p.

m. Free and open to the public.
HERBSAINT'S SEAFOOD DINNER.

Donald Link's five-course dinner centered on the Louisiana seafood of the season, prepared using recipes that spring from his own upbringing in the Cajun Country and the polished style of Herbsaint. Each course of Link's menu will feature a different Louisiana seafood product. The dinner is at 7 p.

m. and Herbsaint will donate half of the $75 dinner price to the Crescent City Farmer Market. For reservation call 524-4114.

THE GRIDIRON SHOW. The Press Club rsquo;s cabaret style fundraiser will be directed by Ken Ferguson in a production of wit and lampoons. For more reservation call 523-1010.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS? Meeting Room,East Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave, Metarie. The Stories of a City Worth Fighting For.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS? is an anthology of essays and art put
together in the chaotic days right after the levees broke. It is an attempt by local writers to resuscitate a city that was drowning before our eyes.

The book is structured like a jazz funeral, with the first half - The Dirge - somber in tone, and the second half - The
Return - a rowdy romp through the city's streets. Free and open to the public. 7 p.

m.
JAM SESSIONS BY MUSICIANS FOR MUSICIANS St. Anna's Episcopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Avenue (Between N.

Rampart N. Claiborne)in the Old Parish Building.
Support a Living Heritage.

Featured Performers Invite You To Come and Jam!
7pm-9pm.The general public is invited with no cover charge.

MARK BRAUD- January 24 31 --5:00 ndash; 7:00 p.m . Masquerade, Harrah's Casino.

Mark Braud, a famed New Orleans trumpeter, was inspired by his grandfather, legendary trumpeter John ldquo;Picket rdquo; Brunious, Sr. Braud has performed with artists such as Harry Connick, Jr., Dr.

Michael White, Henry Butler and the legendary Eddie Bo. In 2002, Braud performed in the Broadway production, ldquo;One Mo rsquo; Time. rdquo; He is currently a member of the ldquo;Harry Connick, Jr.

Big Band, rdquo; and leads his own jazz band, ldquo;The New Orleans Jazz Giants, rdquo; and the brass band, ldquo;The Basin Street Brass Band. rdquo;
LUTHER KENT. January 24 31 ndash; 7:00 ndash; 10:00 p.

m. Luther Kent, a celebrated blues musician in New Orleans, is the voice of Harrah rsquo;s New Orleans and Louisiana Lottery commercials, and the New Orleans Tourist Commission. Kent, often called a lsquo;world class singer, rsquo; has traveled nationally and internationally to share his soulful voice with blues lovers.

He was also inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.
OPENING OF HATS, THE MUSICAL . Harrah's .

Hats!, the musical is based on a woman approaching her 50^th birthday who meets a group of women who are members of the Red Hat Society, a real-life organization of women over 50 who come together to celebrate womanhood. The play not only appeals to women over 50, but their daughters and sisters, husbands and sons.

Bryan Batt. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave.

, 581-5812. Le Chat Noir will be hosting Bryan Batt in a new and improved comical mix of popular Broadway classics, ballads and and old favorites. Michael Levine is the musical director.

7 and 9 p.m. Tickets $30 which includes a $5 bar credit.

The Big Easy Groovers- January 25 February 1 ndash; 5:00 ndash; 7:00 p.m. Masquerade.

Harrah's Casino.The Big Easy Groovers, led by saxophonist Roderick Paulin, perform soulful and energetic New Orleans music that gets a crowd moving. Paulin, a saxophonist, studied under his father Doc Paulin and legendary artist Ellis Marsalis.

His music reminds New Orleanians that jazz has to not only lsquo;sound rsquo; good mdash;it has to lsquo;feel rsquo; good.
Bobby J. Stuff Like That- January- 25 February 1 ndash; 7:00 ndash; 10:00 p.

m. Masquerade, Harrah's Casino.Bobby J.

, an entertainer known for his explosive stage presence, has worked with Frankie Beverly Maze, The Temptations, Gladys Knight and Billy Preston. Bobby J. Stuff Like That, a group of dynamic performers, will take an audience through an experience of R B and Motown, to contemporary and traditional jazz.

Esplanade Ave. mdash;turn right on Royal
Canal Street mdash;U-turn at University Place, 900 Block
Canal Street mdash;turn right on S. Peters
S.

Peters mdash;turn left on Poydras
TONY GREEN GyPsY JAZZ LIVE! at the COLUMNS HOTEL 3811 St. Charles Ave.

8pm to 11pm in the ballroom. The young talented accordion player PATRICK HARRISON guitarist GREGORY GOOD will play thefirst hour.
BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie, 885-2000;www.jpas.

org --Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents a revival of its hit musical based on th elife and music of Buddy Holly. Kris Shaw directs Billy McGuigan, John Spud McConnell and others. 7:30 p.

m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday at 2 p.

m. Until January 28
Tickets are $20/$15 for CAC Members,Available at www.cacno.

org or call 528-3800;Friday, 8pm
Theater. Acirc; Performances are at 8pm. Acirc; Bingo!

is a part of the ongoing
musicians, singers and composers.
DISCO PROM '78. Southern Rep Theatre.

The Shops at Canal Street, 33 Canal St., third floor, 522-6545; - Southern Rep Theatre hosts a 1978 themed prom decked out with a Twister dance floor, lava lamps, Lancers Rose keg beer, disco dance contest, etc. Proceeds benefit Southern Rep.

Tickets $35 (all inclusive) 9:30 p.m.
The Renaissance festival is known for having peasants, gypsies, nobles, knights, barons and visiting royalty.

Villagers to look for include: Blacksmith, glassblower, carpenters, sculptors, potters, pig farmers, busty wenches, Scotsmen in kilts and men in tights.
The Renaissance is also known for entertainment and events such as: Shakespeare, juggling, fire eating, magicians, sword-fighting duels, birds of prey, and jousting.
FOOD - Even food has a deliciously medieval flavor.

Huge turkey legs, steak on a stake, jester chips, bread bowls, gourmet mushrooms, and dozens of other items are all available. Adult tickets are $12.00, Child tickets are $7.

00, (ages 6 to 12) Children under the age of 6 get in free.
BEST OF THE BEAT AWARDS. House of Blues,225 Decatur St.

,310 4999. Offbeat magazine will be recognizing their Lifetime Achievement winners and announcing the music winners at the Best of the Beat at the House of Blues. Like last year, the event will also present music in the House of Blues's main room and the Parish, with performances by Troy Andrews, Bonerama, Robert Walter, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, Susan Cowsill, Rob Wagner, the Imagination Movers and Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue.

Fats Domino will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award this year, and will be honor with a tribute featuring Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Kermit Ruffins, Jon Cleary, George Porter, Jr., David Egan, Al Carnival Time' Johnson and more with a band that includes Lafayette's Lil Band of Gold Rhythm Section and sax players Herb Hardesty, Roger Lewis, Derek Huston and Elliot Stackman Callier.

7 p.m. Tickets $25 at the door.

BARTENDER'S BALL. Mid City Lanes Rock 'N' Bowl, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave.

,482-3133-Southern Eagle Sales Service and Budweiser host a Bartender's Ball to recognize the efforts of bartenders to raise money for Bridge House and the New Orleans Musician's Clinic. Food will be served. 8p.

m.
FEBRUARY 9 . ROMEO JULIET.

Convention Center Theatre. Music Inspired by the Star Crossed Lovers.Carlos Miguel Prieto, Conductor.

James Arey, Host.Celebrate Valentine's Day with an exploration of the diverse musical settings of Shakespeare's classic tale by four composers.Berstein, West Side Story Overture, Tchaikovsky, Romeo Juliet Overture-Fantasy.

And works by Berlioz and Prokofiev.
FEBRUARY 9- KREWE OF CORK PARADE.Join the Krewe for the Seventh Annual Parade thru the streets of the French Quarter Friday February 9.

The day will begin with a check-in party before lunch where you will receive the legendary Krewe of Cork official wine glass. You can then visit with the King and Queen before enjoying a delicious meal with outstanding wines selected for the parade. The Grand Marshall is chosen from the wine industry each year.

This year we are pleased to announce Ferdinando Frescobaldi from Tuscany, Italy will serve as the Grand Marshall. The Queen is selected from the membership; Gillian Pierce was announced in October as Queen 2007. Patrick Van Hoorebeek rules as the King of the Krewe every year.

No one else can fill those boots. For more information and parade route, follow this link:
FEBRUARY 9. Barkin' Up The Ritz Ball (humans only): Our black-tie optional, costume-encouraged event will take place at The Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans (300 Gravier) from 8pm to midnight, on Friday, Feb.

9, 2007. Individual tickets are $80 each and include cocktails, fabulous edibles, and entertainment. Tables of 10 are $1500, include reserved seating, cocktails, fabulous edibles, entertainment, four passes to VIP reviewing stand day-of-parade (12noon-5pm), four passes to VIP tent at Armstrong Park (10:30am-2pm); two signed numbered limited edition Barkus posters by Matt Rinard; and two official Krewe of Barkus T-shirts.

fOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
fFEBRUARY 10. SHANGRI-LA PARADE AND BALL
FEBRUARY 11. THE MYSTIC KREWE OF BARKUS PRESENTS: A STREET DOG CALLED DESIRE!

The 2007 Parade starts at Armstrong Park promptly at 2pm and proceeds on their traditional 15-block route through the Vieux Carr e , stopping at the VIP Reviewing Stand at Good Friends Bar, corner Dauphine and St. Ann, where VIPs (and those who desire to be VIPs) will toast the Royal Court.