Wednesday at the Square is a free, 12-week concert series from 5pm - 7:30pm with food and drink for sale to benefit the Young Leadership Council. Local artisans also sell their work in the Artist Village near the Camp Street entrance.
Apr 1
Bucktown All-Stars + The Soul Rebels
Tuesday, March 31
Wednesday at the Square
Wednesday at the Square is a free, 12-week concert series from 5pm - 7:30pm with food and drink for sale to benefit the Young Leadership Council. Local artisans also sell their work in the Artist Village near the Camp Street entrance.
Apr 1
Bucktown All-Stars + The Soul Rebels
Monday, March 30
This Saturday...
Here I come!
One of the most talked about Spring "small town" Festivals in southern Louisiana.
Saturday, March 28
Did y'all watch it?
Filmed throughout the French Quarter and Oak Alley Plantation.
It's part of the Nora Robert's Movie collection airing now.
Friday, March 27
Easy Virtue
This 2008 remake of the 1928 classic is about a young Englishman who marries a glamorous American. When he brings her home to meet the parents, she arrives like a blast from the future - blowing their entrenched British stuffiness out the window.
Even though the movie is based as a comedy, the American, Laurita Finton (Jessica Biel), has a dark secret she keeps from all - even her new husband, John Whittaker (Ben Barnes).
The movie starts with young John bringing home his surprise wife to his families "cottage" in England after marring in France. Aw, Young and in love! But, John's family doesn't like Laurita, a girl with an "easy virtue". 
This new young American is brass, direct, confident, and can drive - which catches everyone by surprise. My favorite line from the whole movie:
"Do you have to be so loud?"
"Of course I do, I'm American."
The family (with exception to the father played by Colin Firth) never accepts Laurita and eventually John's mother (played by Kristin Scott Thomas) finds out about the shadows in Laurita's past and shares her secret with everyone. 
The secret being that Laurita Filton was named as the main correspondent in a scandalous murder case involving her first husband in Detroit. In the end, she's claimed innocent by the courts. 
Yet, Laurita's world is destroyed so she decides to leave, changing her identity and starting a new life. She escapes to France to rebuild her life where she meets rich John Whittaker. 
She feels her first marriage took her youth and now in her second, she's taking it from another - John. What I enjoy about her strong character is that she's honest about her actions and remains true to herself, thus leaving John in the end. 
The real kicker is you really enjoy Laurita throughout the whole movie. I never saw her a an "easy virtue", she was just fun and easygoing - except at the end when....surprise surprise....she ends up taking off with the father after leaving the son. Those scandalous Americans!
I have to say, Jessica Biel was amazing! I love the blond hair style on her too. The music was so much fun as well. It was modern hits remade into 1920 jazz band style songs - fantastic. If you interested, check out the movie here! Enjoy!Jazz Fest 2009 Poster
It's out!
Two Saints: Allen Toussaint & the French Quarter
by James Michalopoulos
No matter how much you know about New Orleans' music, you probably don't know the half of Allen Toussaint's central role in crafting and exporting the New Orleans sound from the 1960's through today. Songwriter, producer, arranger, session pianist and solo artist—these terms barely convey his reach. Toussaint's work includes songs and productions for such well- known New Orleans stars as Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, Ernie K-Doe, The Meters, Dr. John, and most other New Orleans singers. In addition, his nearly 800 songs have been covered by a who's who of rock, R&B and country music: Otis Redding (Pain in My Heart), The Dave Clark Five (I Like It Like That, co-written with Chris Kenner), Boz Scaggs (What Do You Want the Girl To Do?), Glen Campbell (Southern Nights), Robert Palmer (Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley), The Pointer Sisters (Yes We Can Can) and hundreds more by The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Yardbirds, Iron Butterfly, Devo, The Judds and even The Notorious B.I.G.!
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No one can capture the quiet power of this multidimensional musical icon better than his equal in painting, the prolific and influential James Michalopoulos. Michalopoulos previously laid bare the essence of Dr. John, Louis Armstrong and most recently Fats Domino in his sold-out contributions to the Jazz Festival poster series, and he does so again. Here is a joyous Toussaint in one of Michalopoulos’ signature swirling French Quarter landscapes, with the spire of St. Louis Cathedral behind him. The firm confidence of Toussaint’s hands is juxtaposed with the warm and somewhat reticent gentleness of his visage. In a stunning example of artistic mastery, Michalopoulos creates the illusion of reflective polished ebony in the piano top even as the entire print is rendered in flat silk-screen inks. A timeless paean to an American Master celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the world's greatest musical event by another master and a perfect match in size and composition to Michalopoulos' sold-out 2006 Fats Domino Jazz Fest portrait.
Thunderstorms
It's only natural that Spring began only a week ago and we've already had three strangely powerful thunderstorms here in New Orleans. By "strangely powerful", I really mean from midnight thru 4am for the past three nights shacking my house, knocking out my electricity, rumbling my wooden furniture, startling my cat, and waking me up constantly.
OMG - I absolutely LOVE thunderstorms!
They oddly relax me and I get a kick out of all the electricity charging through the air!
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Did you know?
Thunderstorms have had a lasting and powerful influence on early civilizations.
Romans thought them to be battles waged by Jupiter, who hurled lightning bolts forged by Vulcan.
Thunderstorms were associated with the Thunderbirds,
held by Native Americans to be a servant of the Great Spirit.
Mjolnir, the hammer of the Germanic and Nordic god of thunder,
Thor, had the ability to throw lightning bolts.
Wednesday, March 25
When Love Speaks - The Sonnets
I'm in love with Rufus Wainwright's song version of WS's Sonnet 29. (I've been blaring this song back to back all night!)
The poem begins with the speaker describing moments of great sadness. He continues by wishing himself to be like someone with more prospects, someone more attractive, someone with more friends, and someone with greater artistic skill and range of opportunity. The speaker then reveals that he is least satisfied in the things he enjoys most. The "turn" of the poem happens when the poet by chance ("haply") happens to think upon the person to whom the poem is addressed, which makes him assume a more optimistic view of his own life. It is an emotional declaration that remembrance of his friend's love is enough for him to value his position in life more than a king's.
Sonnet 29
When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least.
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
–William Shakespeare
Tuesday, March 24
Only two months away...
...from the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season starting June 1st.
CNN has already been forecasting an "above average" 2009 hurricane season. A typical season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
Place your bets now on which name(s) will be the big ruckus this year?
2009 Hurricane Names
Monday, March 23
I don’t know at what exact moment...
I don’t know at what exact moment I began to dislike Kate Gosselin. But I’m pretty sure it coincided with the exact moment I began to hate Kate Gosselin.
Ditto for “loathe,” “detest,” “despise,” “abhor” and “wish she was covered in hungry cicadas.”
A Monday ritual at my place included watching Jon and Kate and enjoy having them remind me that no matter how tough parenthood could be, some people – particularly those who use to be in the vicinity of Hersheypark – had it much tougher. The kids were adorable, the husband was likable – what’s not to enjoy? After being a loyal fan and starting a Monday night maternity marathon, I eventually found out. She was blonde, moderately attractive, slightly frantic, and apparently feels no shame in whoring out her family for finances, or belittling her hard working husband while a camera crew watches awkwardly from the sidelines.. Kate Gosselin. 
In record time, I went from admiring her strength and commitment to family, to wishing Jon would cheat on her (which got me SO excited with all the Jon bashing gossip going around now), then ask for a divorce (again, excited about all the gossip) on camera, while the children quietly cheered from the sidelines. So, you’re asking, “Why?” Let me tell you, my inquisitive friends. I believe underneath a facade of smiles and a self-congratulatory tone of voice, lies a vicious beast of a human being. Honestly, can we watch ONE show where she doesn't belittle Jon or something else?
Now, it's "all been building" to the season finale. Since I've suffered through this season's shows so far, really trying to enjoy what has genuinely become forced family interaction...I cannot wait for tonight's last episodes. We finally get the juicy details being admitted (i.e. having a "helper" who isn't a nanny (please!) and what is that "odd" "difficult" place they're at?)
I can tell you right now what changed everything - Money! 
No longer is the show about toughing it out as a family by cutting coupons or seeing how the whole family tries to live together....no....it's about freebies. Invitations to TV shows, VIP baseball/basketball games, free clothing for the whole family, or first class vacation opportunities. My how things have changed...
I really had hope the rumors were true about them getting booed at the Globetrotters game tonight! Darn! Is that rotten on me to think that?
Tuesday, March 17
Saturday, March 14
St. Patrick's parade fun in New Orleans
The gentlemen of the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club will put on tuxedos and parade down Magazine Street, tossing cabbages, giving out flowers and throwing beads. The parade on Saturday, March 14, will be preceded by the 62nd annual St. Patrick's Day Mass at noon at St. Mary's Assumption Church, 923 Josephine St. The parade starts at 1 p.m. at Magazine and Josephine streets, turns onto Jackson Street to St. Charles Avenue, then circles back down Louisiana Avenue and Magazine Street to finish at Jackson and Constance streets.
On St. Charles Ave - 1st Party
(One of three parties for the day)
Representing the "throws" soon to come from the parade.
We had a wonderful lunch buffet set out!
Amie and the two new cool girls we met.
The "Gentlemen" were giving out paper flowers, but you had to give a kiss to get a flower.
Since I have red'ish hair, green eyes, and freckles - everyone thought I was Irish! Ha, Fools. I scored on really cool throws!
It poured during many parts of the parade, thus we didn't want our wine to dilute.
Poor cabbage we didn't catch that ended up in the dirty water ditch.
Since St Patty's celebrations are mostly all about drinking, many of the floats were handing out green jelly shots. Thus, my red "Irish-looking" hair really pulled off getting shots all around for the ladies! Plus, I even got a couple of unopened beer cans as well from a float - score!
Nasty day, but one of my FAVORITE parades!
I love it! She got a "Kiss Me" pillow with Scope mouthwash. HA!
Besides, jelly shots, vegetables, and paper flowers - the next best throw was a garter belt. Thus all the ladies had them!
We actually saw the parade TWICE!Once on St. Charles Ave and again on Magazine Street!
I really enjoyed catching "Irish" themed items like Irish Springs soap and Lucky Charms cereal.
We actually know this guy from work!
Cabbages lined up on the spiked fences along Magazine St.
Overall, I caught 10 cabbages!
Plus, one onion, garlic, lemon, orange, and potato. Random, I know!
I really enjoyed catching "Irish" themed items like Irish Springs soap and Lucky Charms cereal.
We actually know this guy from work!
Cabbages lined up on the spiked fences along Magazine St.
Overall, I caught 10 cabbages!
Plus, one onion, garlic, lemon, orange, and potato. Random, I know!I plan to make a cabbage soup of some kind and force it on my coworkers later this week!
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