Friday, May 30, 2008

3 Festivals, 1 Weekend


Join us in New Orleans June 13-June15 to experience three festivals in one weekend. “A New Orleans Vieux-To-Do” showcases the New Orleans Seafood Festival (at the Old U.S. Mint), the French Market Creole Tomato Festival (at the Historic New Orleans French Market) and the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival (at the Old U.S. Mint). A family event, the whole weekend will offer great food, music, dancing and fun!

Louisiana Seafood Festival

Celebrate the fishermen, the seafood, the chefs and the cuisine at the Old U.S. Mint where you will find all your favorites including BBQ Oysters, Shrimp & Grits, Boiled Crabs, Broiled Oysters, Seafood PoBoys and more!

French Market Creole Tomato Festival

In a city obsessed with good food, it comes as no surprise that one day in June is devoted to a stock ingredient.

The Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival

The second annual Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival returns to the Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans June 13-15, 2008, with a stellar lineup of Southwest Louisiana dance music.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

NOMA to Stay Open All Night June 7-June 8

The New Orleans Museum of Art will remain open all night long from Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 8, to mark the closing of its current blockbuster exhibition, Rodrigue's Louisiana: Cajuns, Blue Dogs, and Beyond Katrina.

Special events will be ongoing during the 24-hour period beginning Saturday, June 7 at 5 p.m. and continuing through the end of the exhibition's run on Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. The lineup of events is highlighted by live music and Cajun dancing with Lafourche (Saturday, 5 p.m.); more music by an artist to be announced (Saturday, 9 p.m.); late-night dance music with DJ Beverly Skillz (Sunday, midnight to 3 a.m.); book signings with the famed Blue Dog artist George Rodrigue (Sunday, 1 and 3 p.m.); a cooking demonstration with Rodrigue's old friend, Chef Paul Prudhomme (Sunday, 2 p.m.); an appearance by another longtime Rodrigue friend, jazz legend Pete Fountain (Sunday afternoon); and live Dixieland jazz from the New Orleans Jazz Club (Sunday, 2 p.m.).

A cash bar will be open during the live music and DJ on Saturday night, and special "Blue Dog" daiquiris will be available all Sunday afternoon.

Other events on tap include complimentary Sunday morning coffee and donuts (Sunday, 9 a.m.-noon); screenings of a Rodrigue documentary in the Stern Auditorium (all day Sunday); appearances by New Orleans Zephyrs mascot Boudreaux, New Orleans Saints mascot Gumbo and the Saintsations, and New Orleans Voodoo mascots Mojo and Bones (Sunday, 1-3 p.m.); free snowballs for kids (Sunday, 1-5 p.m.), and a drawing to win a signed, personalized Rodrigue print.

Rodrigue's Louisiana: Cajuns, Blue Dogs, and Beyond Katrina, as well as NOMA's other current exhibitions and permanent collection works on view, will remain open for a total of 31 consecutive hours, from the time the Museum opens on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m., until Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m.

Louisiana residents receive discounted Museum admission during Rodrigue's Louisiana: Cajuns, Blue Dogs, and Beyond Katrina--$5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for children under 18.

Other special exhibitions currently on view include New Orleans: A Sense of Place, organized by the Historic New Orleans Collection, tracing more than 150 years of the city's history from 1850 on; Gentlemen Callers: Paul Cadmus and George Dureau from the Collection of Kenneth Holditch; and Dog Show, a light-hearted look at images of canines from the Museum's permanent collection, also closing June 8.

For more information and a schedule of events, contact the Museum at (504) 658-4100 or e-mail pr@noma.org.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Calendar Picks of the Week

Free Music Fridays: Big Sam`s Funky Nation and Robert Fortune Band (FREE)
Friday, May 30, 7pm
Mandeville Trailhead Depot Building
675 Lafitte St.

New Orleans Bingo! Show
Friday, May 31, 8pm
Le Chat Noir
715 St. Charles Ave.

New Orleans Photo Alliance
Presents “Local Take: African American Portraiture in Louisiana (Speakers' Series)” (FREE)
Saturday, May 31, 2pm
Cabildo (The)
701 Chartres St., Jackson Square

PearsonWidrig Dance Theatre of New York
Saturday, May 31, 8pm
Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp Street

Swirlin' in City Park, Summer Sippin' Wine Tasting Series
Sunday, June 1, 5pm
New Orleans City Park
1 Palm Drive

Fleur de Tease "Best of" Season Finale
Sunday, June 1, 8 & 10pm
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St.

Augustana, Wild Sweet Orange and Paddy Casey
Monday, June 2, 8pm
House of Blues
225 Decatur Street

Monday Pub Quiz (FREE)
Monday, June 2, 8pm
Finn McCool's
3701 Banks Street

Crescent City Farmers Market Uptown (FREE)
Tuesday, June 3, 9am
Uptown Square
200 Broadway St.

Rosés of Summer
Tuesday, June 3, 7pm
Wine Institute of New Orleans
610 Tchoupitoulas St.

Basic Bike Repair Clinic (FREE)
Wednesday, June 4, 6:30pm
Bicycle World
701 Jefferson Highway

Mad Wenches & Wondrous Froward Women
Wednesday, June 4, 7:30pm
Tulane University
6823 St. Charles Ave.
Lab Theatre

Designing Healthy Neighborhoods Around Transportation (FREE)
Thursday, June 5, 8am
University of New Orleans
2000 Lakeshore Dr.
Earl K. Long Library, Room 407

Southern Food & Beverage Museum Grand Opening Gala
Thursday, June 5, 7pm
Southern Food & Beverage Museum
1 Poydras Street #169

BUGS! in 3D
Friday, June 6, 10am-5pm
Entergy IMAX Theatre
1 Canal St.

Jefferson Ballet Theatre
Presents “Ballet Concert”
Friday, June 6, 7:30pm
Pontchartrain Center
4545 Williams Blvd.

Don’t forget to sign up for NOLAFunSavers, the weekly email newsletter that delivers half price ticket offers to your inbox each Thursday. Sign up now!

Chef Brian Landry of Galatoire’s Is King of Louisiana Seafood


Saturday’s premiere of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board (LSPMB), was a seafood lover’s dream. Twelve of the state’s most talented chefs designed culinary delights featuring the main ingredient, Louisiana seafood. After the judges’ scores were tallied, Chef Brian Landry assisted by Chef Heather Young of Galatoire’s in New Orleans and Baton Rouge were the winning team with their Sautéed Cobia with Louisiana Crab Butter. Second place was Chef Phil O’Donnell of O’ Donnell’s Restaurant in Ponchatoula with his Mojo Gulf Shrimp and Panko Crusted Louisiana Crab Cake. Third place was Chef Brian Smith assisted by Chef Eric Mark of Randol’s Restaurant in Lafayette with their Kocho Crusted Louisiana Gulf Grouper.

“I took a very simple approach,” said Landry. “When you get access to great seafood like we do, you don’t have to do much to make it delicious.”

Sautéed Cobia with Louisiana Crab Butter by Chef Brian Landry of Galatoire’s Restaurant

Sautéed Cobia
8 each Cobia, 6-7 oz portions (Also try Lemon Fish or Pompano with this recipe)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups clarified butter
Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Season fish with salt and pepper, and dust with flour. Cover the bottom of a large sauté pan with clarified butter and set over medium-high heat. Sauté for four to five minutes per side, until golden brown crust is formed.

Louisiana Crab Butter
5 each Louisiana whole gumbo crabs
2 lb. plugra unsalted butter (European style)
½ tsp paprika
1/8 tsp white pepper or dash of cayenne
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp turmeric

Place gumbo crabs in an 8 qt. (non-reactive) sauce pot. With a food mallet or potato masher, break up shells as well as possible. Add the butter and seasoning to the saucepot and place on a very low flame or burner. Allow shells to barely simmer or stew in the butter for 30-40 minutes. Continue during this cooking time, to crush shells more, to release all crab flavor. Turn off heat; allow crab butter to set for 10 minutes. Strain butter through a very fine chinois or strainer into a stainless bowl. Place stainless bowl with butter over a large bowl filled with ice water. Whisk butter until it starts to solidify and become firm, but not too tight. Place butter into a food processor with an additional 1/3 pound of butter (cut into small pieces.) Blend crab butter with fresh butter together.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Tales of the Cocktail Event Schedule Posted



Legend has it that the first true cocktail, the Sazerac, was mixed in New Orleans in the early 19th century by a pharmacist named Antoine Amadee Peychaud. Over the years, the cocktail has taken on many exotic incarnations, the most imaginative of which were concocted here in New Orleans. Famous drinks such as the Absinthe Frappe, the Ramos Gin Fizz, the Obituary Cocktail, the Hurricane, the Hand Grenade and many others owe their beginnings to the imagination and creativity of New Orleans bartenders.

To commemorate this grand tradition, “Tales of the Cocktail” was conceived in 2003 and has rapidly grown into one of the city’s favorite celebrations.Tales of the Cocktail is always held in July at various locations throughout the French Quarter. Some of the city’s best-known mixologists – along with noted bartenders from around the country – can be counted on to shake, stir and pour their colorful concoctions for thousands of grateful and happy guests.

The occasion also features authors on the subject, “Spirited Dinners,” lectures, demonstrations, and all things “cocktail” (luncheons, parties and cocktail hours). Close to two dozen of the leading restaurants from around the city participate in the various events.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Calendar Picks of the Week from NOLAFunGuide

Fleur de Tease "Send the Girls to L.A." Fundraiser
Friday, May 23, 10pm
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St.

Big Easy Rollergirls
Saturday, May 24, 6pm
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
233 Newton St.

Out Comes Butch: A One Man Show
Saturday, May 24, 9pm
Voodoo Lounge
718 N Rampart St.

35th Annual Greek Festival New Orleans
Sunday, May 25, 11am
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
1200 Robert E Lee Blvd.

ArtSpot Productions and Mondo Bizarro
Present “Flight”
Sunday, May 25, 8pm
St. Marks
1130 N. Rampart Street

New Orleans Voodoo vs. Georgia Force
Monday, May 26, 7pm
New Orleans Arena
1501 Girod St.

Family Night (FREE)
Monday, May 26, 7pm
East Bank Regional Library - Jefferson Parish
4747 West Napoleon Avenue

Musical Rangers: Bruce Barnes and Matt Hampsey (FREE)
Tuesday, May 27, 3pm
New Orleans Jazz National Historical ParkVisitor's Center
916 N. Peters Street

Swirlin' Dervish, Tapas
Tuesday, May 27, 6:30pm
Swirl
3143 Ponce de Leon St.

Wednesdays at the JW Marriott
Wednesday, May 28, 5:30pm
JW Marriott
614 Canal St.

ReBirth Brass Band
Wednesday, May 28, 6pm
Louisiana Music Factory
210 Decatur Street

Jefferson Chorale
Presents “A Spring Concert” (FREE)
Thursday, May 29, 7pm
Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church
215 Phosphor Ave

Rabbit Hole: Experimental Theater
Thursday, May 29, 8pm
La Nuit Theater
2301 Soniat Street

New Orleans Italian Cultural and Heritage Festa (FREE)
Friday, May 30, 4pm
Piazza d'Italia
377 Poydras St.

Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra
Friday, May 30, 7:30pm
Tulane University
6823 St. Charles Ave.

Don’t forget to sign up for NOLAFunSavers, the weekly email newsletter that delivers half price ticket offers to your inbox each Thursday. Sign up now!

YouTube - Katrina's Children Trailer

YouTube - Katrina's Children Trailer

Please take a minute to view this trailer from KATRINA'S CHILDREN...
If there are enough YouTube hits to warrant it of interest then PBS WILL BROADCAST IT NATIONWIDE...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Tekrema Dance Theater Company Auditions

When: Saturday, June 7, 2008
Where: Neighborhood Civic and Arts Center 1520 North Claiborne Ave., NOLA 70115
Time: 3:00PM

Tekrema Dance Theater, under the direction of Greer E. Mendy is holding auditions for its 2008-2009 season. We are seeking artists committed to the mission of Tekrema Center for Art and Culture, interested in learning and performing new choreography, and dedicated to building a strong professional New Orleans based performing company. Company requirements are participation in one class and one rehearsal per week, understanding those two weeks prior to all concerts, rehearsals will occur daily. Dancers shall be paid for all performances. Tekrema Dance Theater will present three major concerts per season.

Please submit a resume to tekrema@cox.net. Once we have reviewed your resume we will schedule interviews beginning at 3:00PM. The one hour and thirty minute group dance audition will begin at 4:00PM. For more information contact Greer Mendy at tekrema@cox.net

Monday, May 19, 2008

City-Wide Open Call Auditions hosted by Southern Rep

Southern Rep will host an OPEN CALL for actors Monday, June 9, between 4:00pm—7:30pm. Attending will be local theatre companies and producers including Le Petit Theatre, Jefferson Performing Arts, InSideOut Productions, the NOLA Project, Dem Boys LLC, Le Chat Noir, the Alamo Underground, Anthony Bean Community Theater, Marigny Theatre, Cripple Creek Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of New Orleans, Golden Eagle Theatre Company, Mondo Bizarro, the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, To Do Productions, and Demeter X Productions. The auditions will take place at Southern Rep's Theatre on the third floor in The Shops at Canal Place.

Auditioners should bring 20 copies of their headshot and résumé, prepare two contrasting monologues of one-minute each, and if musically inclined be prepared to sing 16 bars a cappela. Both Equity and non-Equity actors are invited. An appointment can be scheduled by calling Southern Rep at (504)-522-6545.

Southern Rep Artistic Director Aimée Hayes noted, "City-wide open call auditions haven't been held since the storm. There are so many new and local actors and performers in town seeking ways to audition and meet up with directors and producers. This is a chance for them to introduce themselves to everyone at once and for us to get a look at the new talent in town. Also actors in town that work primarily for one company can be seen by new producers. Finally, it's a great opportunity for local theatre companies to catch up with each other and touch base about their upcoming seasons. Hanging out at the bar after award shows doesn't count!"

Southern Rep Theatre is located at 365 Canal Street on the Third Floor in The Shops at Canal Place. For more information, please call (504) 522-6545.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Irvin Mayfield/Ellis Marsalis' Love Songs is #11 on Billboard Jazz Chart!

Irvin Mayfield discussed his "lost" CD, Love Songs, Ballads and Standards, in a 4 minute feature on the CBS Evening News on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008. Click HERE to view.

Calendar Picks of the Week

Fulton Street Welcomes Ruth Chris Steak House
Friday, May 16, 6pm
Fulton Street at Harrah’s Casino

New Orleans Photo Alliance
Presents “Toying with Creativity: A Workshop by Michelle Bates”
Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 18
3 Ring Circus Arts Education / The Big Top Gallery
1638 Clio Street

New Orleans Film Society
Presents “Xala”
Saturday, May 17, 6pm
The Porch 7th Ward Cultural Center
1943 Pauger Street

36th Annual Faubourg Marigny Spring Home & Garden Tour / Art Market / Music in the Park
Sunday, May 18, 10am
Washington Square Park
2100 Royal St.

The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Annual Family Day (FREE)
Sunday, May 18, 12pm
Historic New Orleans Collection
533 Royal Street

Ellen Gilchrist / A Dangerous Age-Author Reading and Signing (FREE)
Monday, May 19, 5pm
Garden District Bookshop
2727 Prytania St.

Courtyard Kings (FREE)
Monday, May 19, 7pm
Mat & Naddie's Cafe
937 Leonidas St.

The Skylar Fein Show (FREE)
Tuesday, May 20, 11am-5pm
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery
400a Julia Street

Intro to Wine
Tuesday, May 20, 7pm
Wine Institute of New Orleans
610 Tchoupitoulas St.

Running With Scissors
Presents “Reform School Girls”
Wednesday, May 21, 8pm
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St.

SABOR Latin Night
Wednesday, May 21, 11pm
Republic New Orleans
828 South Peters Street

Thursdays at Twilight Concert: Gal Holiday
Thursday, May 22, 5pm
New Orleans City Park
1 Palm Drive

Storyville Starlettes Burlesque
Thursday, May 22, 8pm
Balcony Music Club
1331 Decatur St.

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo (FREE)
Friday, May 23, 5pm
On the Jefferson Davis Parkway neutral ground where Orleans Avenue meets Moss.

Fleur de Tease "Send the Girls to L.A." Fundraiser
Friday, May 23, 10pm
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St.

Don’t forget to sign up for NOLAFunSavers, the weekly email newsletter that delivers half price ticket offers to your inbox each Thursday. Sign up now!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

National Doodle4Google Contest: Votes Needed!

Lusher student design needs votes to win this week 12th-18th. Children designed Google Logo. Thousands submitted – Lusher Elementary wins 3 out of 7 in the state – out of 400 state winners 40 designs chosen to be voted on over the Internet this week. The design that receives most votes wins $25,000 for school and $10,000 for the student. Lusher student is one of 40 and will be flown with family to California. Lusher also is one of six schools in the country in a commercial shown nationwide on YouTube and the Doodle4Google site. Vote for Cameron London in Region 7 (grades 4-6) and find out more at: www.doodle4google.com

Monday, May 12, 2008

Maximo's Italian Grill offering June pre-fix dinner

In June, enjoy Maximo's $29.99 special which includes a glass of wine, house salad, entrée of Gamberoni Agrodolce, and a choice of house made chocolate or lemon Tortufo. Special is for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday only.

Old N.O. Rum takes home four awards at international tasting

Celebration Distillation announces its Old New Orleans Rum brands have won several medals at the 3rd Annual Polished Palate International Rum Festival. The Tasting Competition, which took place in Ybor City (Tampa), Florida on March 27 and 28, is the first and only such recognized competition for sugar cane-based spirits in the United States. A panel of spirits industry executives judged nearly 150 rums from internationally recognized brands including Mount Gay, Captain Morgan, Montecristo, Ron Barcelo and Tortuga, and proclaimed all flavors of Old New Orleans Rum as winners.

Judged on aroma, appearance, taste, mouthfeel and finish Old New Orleans Crystal Rum took a gold medal in the white rum category. Old New Orleans Amber Rum won a silver in the category of rums aged up to 8 years, Old New Orleans Cajun Spice Rum also achieved a silver medal in the spiced rum category, while the newest addition to the Celebration Distillation brand, Old New Orleans 10-Year Old Rum, won a bronze in the rum aged 9 to 15 years category.
"We are extremely proud that all four of our rums were honored at this year's competition," states James Michalopoulos, founder of Celebration Distillation. "It is a testament that perseverance and the search for excellence reap the best rewards, in this case international recognition for our craft."

Old New Orleans Rum not only impresses the experts in the spirits industry, but it has also made an impact on its home town community. Dozens of restaurants offer Old New Orleans Rum behind the bar, as well as rum inspired dishes on the menu. When locals need a taste of "the spirit of New Orleans" they can visit one of over a hundred local restaurants and bars, from Cochon to Mandina's to Etoile in Covington, from Famous Door to DBA to the Column's Hotel, or stop by just about any grocery store in the city.

Celebration Distillation, the oldest premium rum distillery in the United States, was born in the back streets of New Orleans' 9th ward, and sustained itself through hundreds of trial and errors, false starts and even Katrina to emerge as one of the world's best rum makers. Old New Orleans Rum, built on a reputation for quality, uses the finest ingredients, a unique distillation process and special filtration techniques in small handcrafted batches to create one of the most distinctive rums in the world.

ABOUT THE RUMS:
Old New Orleans Crystal Rum -- A light bodied white rum featuring the balanced flavors of Louisiana sugar cane molasses, vanilla and caramel.

Old New Orleans Amber Rum -- A blend of 3 rums aged up to three years. Medium bodied with hints of vanilla and molasses with deep caramel notes.

Old New Orleans Cajun Spice Rum -- A blend of rums are combined with the kick of cayenne and cinnamon. Hints of nutmeg, ginger and cloves create this truly unique, truly New Orleans flavor.

Old New Orleans 10-Year Old Rum -- Created by master distillers and years of patience, this authentic spirit lives to tell the tale of Hurricane Katrina. Distilled in a unique combination of pot and column still, it is aged unfiltered in hand selected oak barrels. Steeped in the tropical heat of New Orleans, this ten year rum is our artful expression of an authentic southern spirit. An intense rum experience with savory, complex layers of soulful smoothness for the connoisseur's discriminating palate of a true connoisseur.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Calendar Picks of the Week

New Orleans Photo Alliance
Presents “Local Take: African American Portraiture in Louisiana (Speakers' Series)” (FREE)
Saturday, May 10, 2pm
The Arsenal via the Cabildo
701 Chartres St.

Saints & Sinners Literary Festival
Saturday, May 10-Sunday, May 11
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
717 Orleans St.

Sundays in the Park Concert: Soul Project, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
Sunday, May 11, 4pm
New Orleans City Park
1 Palm Drive

Fleur de Tease “Hot Mama Revue”
Sunday, May 11, 8pm & 10pm
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St.

The Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg -Author Reading and Signing (FREE)
Monday, May 12, 6pm
Octavia Books
513 Octavia Street

New Orleans Zephyrs v/s Sacramento
Monday, May 12, 7pm
Zephyr Field
6000 Airline Dr.

Paranoid Park by Gus Van Sant
Tuesday, May 13, 9pm
Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

ReBirth Brass Band
Tuesday, May 13, 10pm
Maple Leaf Bar
8316 Oak St.

Historic New Orleans Collection
Presents “The French and Indian War: A Lecture by Dr. Fred Anderson”
Wednesday, May 14, 6:30pm
Williams Research Center
410 Chartres St.

The Bachelor in New Orleans
Wednesday, May 14, 7pm
Pirate's Alley Cafe
622 Pirate's Alley

Arts Council of New Orleans
Presents “Workshop 3: Marketing Arts Using New Media”
Thursday, May 15, 9am
Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
938 Lafayette Street
Suite 300

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Presents “Resurrection”
Thursday, May 15, 7:30pm
First Baptist Church - New Orleans
5290 Canal Blvd

Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Presents “Sippin' in Seersucker”
Friday, May 16, 6pm
Shops at Canal Place
333 Canal Street

Decorated Papers Workshop
Friday, May 16, 6:30pm
New Orleans Conservation Guild
3620 Royal Street

Don’t forget to sign up for NOLAFunSavers, the weekly email newsletter that delivers half price ticket offers to your inbox each Thursday. Sign up now!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Tonight: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic


George Clinton is one of the greatest innovators of urban based soul, rock and funk over the last forty years.

Plus DJ Motion Potion opening and DJ Logic afterwards. Presented by Aquarium Drunkard.

Friday May 2nd 9:00PM door 10:00PM show 18+ $35.

828 South Peters Street