CUE Magazine, February 2018

CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY

LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN

GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

FEB RUA RY 2018

P I H S N O I T A L E R SUE THE

IS

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Friday and Saturday March 9th and 10th, 2018

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CONTENTS

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FEBRUARY 2018

HEALTH + WELLNESS Get centered with Crescent City Circle

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HOME

DVF VINCE THEORY J BRAND LOUBOUTIN HALSTON RAG & BONE

Pull off a romantic dinner for two

designer consignment

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7716 maple st 5530 magazine st. swapboutique.com

KISS ME, I’M LOCAL Three couples put locally-made lipsticks to the test

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SHOPPING

Valentine’s Day gift guide

19 Money

How to talk about finances

#FOLLOWING

6 Editor’s Letter 20 CUE Tips

A few only-in-New Orleans date ideas

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE

21 Resources

CAROUSEL BAR & LOUNGE AT THE HOTEL MONTELEONE FOR HOSTING OUR SHOOT.

Cover photo by Kenneth LaFrance

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Filmmaker Garrett Bradley

REGULAR FEATURES:

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[ FROM THE EDITOR ]

HOW OFTEN DO WE THINK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAKE UP OUR LIVES?

Intimate or frivolous, our interactions with people around us matter. There are temporary relationships — the conversation you strike up with the clerk at the grocery or the bank teller — and intricate ones that make up the bedrock of who we are, like seeking advice from mom or dad on how to mend a broken heart or resolve conflicts at school or work.

This month, we dedicate our issue to relationships romantic (our Kissable Lipstick Test, unique New Orleans date ideas) and platonic (guided group meditation and reiki healing at bimonthly Crescent City Circle meetings).

Crescent City Circle’s gatherings also address perhaps our most important relationship: the one we have with ourselves. The sprituality espoused by organizers Hanna Hall and Leah Vautrot could be a valuable takeaway for anyone.

Learning to center yourself and let go of old baggage both are positives in my book.

We also take a dive into the complex side of love. Couples’ therapist Tracy Brockman and bank president John Zollinger weigh in on love and finances and how to reconcile the two. Statistically, money is a top reason why

ON

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CUE

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P H OTO BY K A R L A P H OTO G R A P H Y

couples argue and divorce. Brockman and Zollinger tackle three common relationship scenarios, and you’ll be surprised by how much their advice overlaps.

Filmmaker Garrett Bradley talks shop and the inspiration behind her Oscar-shortlisted film Alone, which tells the story of a young woman dealing with the absence of her incarcerated boyfriend.

Finally, it’s Carnival time. Get out there and have a ball.

Yours in peace, LOVE and Mardi Gras Indian feathers,

President & CEO | MARGO DUBOS Publisher | JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER Editor | KATHERINE M. JOHNSON Production Director | DORA SISON

EDITORIAL

Senior Sales Representatives

Managing Editor | KANDACE POWER GRAVES

JILL GIEGER (504) 483-3131 [ jillg@gambitweekly.com]

Contributing Writers EMILY BIHL, SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

JEFFREY PIZZO (504) 483-3145 [jeffp@gambitweekly.com]

PRODUCTION

Sales Representatives

Editorial Graphic Designer | LYN VICKNAIR

BRANDIN DUBOS (504) 483-3152 [brandind@gambitweekly.com]

Pre-Press Coordinator | JASON WHITTAKER Graphic Designers | DAVID KROLL, WINNFIELD JEANSONNE

ADVERTISING Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150 Advertising Director | SANDY STEIN BRONDUM (504) 483-3150 [sandys@gambitweekly.com] Sales Administrator | MICHELE SLONSKI

TAYLOR SPECTORSKY (504) 483-3143 [taylors@gambitweekly.com] ALICIA PAOLERCIO (504) 483-3142 [aliciap@gambitweekly.com] GABRIELLE SCHICK (504) 483-3144 [gabrielles@gambitweekly.com]

Inside Sales Representative RENETTA PERRY (504) 483-3122 [renettap@gambitweekly.com]

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[ H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S ]

HUNG THE MOON Monthly moon circle gatherings foster peacefulness and companionship FINDING THEM WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF AN OTHERWISE TRANQUIL, CHILLY EVENING IN DECEMBER. Thick fog

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partially obscured the oak trees in New Orleans City Park and cloaked a meadow near the art museum, where members of Crescent City Circle planned to gather.

Near the glow of candlelight next to a lagoon, a few adults sat quietly on blankets. Some were deep in thought with their eyes closed. Others whispered to one another or tapped on their cellphones. But they all were there to observe the new moon, hazy and high in the dark sky.

When I approached, organizers Hanna Hall and Leah Vautrot embraced me and welcomed me to my first moon circle meeting.

The Crescent City Circle usually meets twice a month in the park, for

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BY SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

full and new moon cycles. It meets indoors in the event of inclement weather. Participants experience a guided meditation session, along with reiki and crystal chakra healings.

The group, like other moon circles around the world, is not associated with any religion. It welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs to foster a sense of belonging and friendship.

“People keep coming back because it makes them feel like they’re a part of something,” Hall says. “We’re all interested in similar things, so that has cultivated a lot of relationships and a community outside of the circle.”

Vautrot, an herbalist, aromatherapist and reiki practitioner, explains that the moon “governs your subconscious and emotions.”

The early December gathering acknowledged the full oak moon in Gemini, a time when astrologers say people may feel restless and ready to wrap up loose ends. After receiving a chakra cleansing and a dab of lotus essential oil, guests were encouraged to reflect on their actions from the previous year and pinpoint the baggage that they’d like to leave behind.

“The full moon is a time of release, so it’s a time to let go of things that no

longer serve you,” Vautrot says.

“I want them to feel like they took positive action in their lives in terms of self-care, which often gets put to the wayside. Anybody who shows up here is really investing in their emotional well-being.”

Traditionally, moon circles allow only female members into the group, but Crescent City Circle welcomes men and women.

“We wanted to create a space that was safe for everybody, because men deserve to witness their feelings and use the energy of the moon as well,” Vautrot says.

Organizers Hanna Hall and Leah Vautrot prepare for the first Crescent City Circle gathering of the new year.

PHOTO BY K ATHERINE M. JOHNSON

Debra Delk joined the meetup nearly a year ago.

“I just like that it’s inclusive,” Delk says. “Hannah and Leah have such good energy. Since the very beginning, they’ve been inclusive of people regardless of age, race, gender and all of that. We’ve become a cohesive group that does things outside the (meetings). ... The regulars do feel that they’ve formed new friendships.

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[ H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S ]

MOON CIRCLES 101: Vautrot and Hall explain some of the terms and practices of moon circles.

• Reiki is a form of energy work, using a spiritually guided life-force energy to lower stress levels and release old emotions.

• Chakras are energy centers that align with physical organs. Many cultures and alternative medicines recognize chakras and believe arranging crystals on those chakras allows them to heal.

• Essential oil blends are unique to each gathering.

Vautrot blends the oils based on the energy of the moon cycle and describes them as plant-based “spirit medicine.” Specific oils are used to invoke deeper levels of meditation, release and joy.

We look out for each other.”

As the meeting came to a close, guests took turns offering personal reflections, reassured that they were sharing those sentiments in a safe space.

Hall hopes people leave the meeting knowing that they’ve been heard and accepted.

Leah Vautrot, a reiki practitioner, prepares for a crystal healing.

PHOTO BY K ATHERINE M. JOHNSON

“Loneliness is becoming a huge epidemic in our culture,” she says.

“The aspect of community and going around the circle and acknowledging each person is a really powerful practice. That alone, I think, brings a lot of mental health benefits to what we do.”

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Crescent Collection full moon ring with rainbow moonstone, $825 at Mignon Faget.

Stargazer slip-ons, $38 at Confetti.

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TABLE FOR TWO

[ HOME ]

ENGAGEMENT CHICKEN

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

A DISH WITH ITS OWN ORIGIN STORY P H OTO BY J O N N Y VA L I A N T

Pull off the perfect date night with pre-planning Way back when (in the late ’80s/early ’90s), then-fashion editor at Glamour magazine Kimberly Bonnell developed a five-ingredient roast chicken recipe that she shared with four other women in her department as a date-night dinner idea. Soon after, three out of those four women became engaged. Legend goes that since the recipe was published in the magazine, more than 70 readers have become engaged after cooking the dish. Fact or fiction? You tell us!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 whole chicken (approximately 4 pounds) • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, plus 3 whole lemons (1 sliced for garnish) • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper > LINEN PLACEMATS, FROM $155 EACH; LINEN NAPKINS FROM $180 EACH AT LEONTINE LINENS. MENU CARDS, $24 AT SCRIPTURA. CHAMPAGNE FLUTES, $23 EACH AT HAZELNUT NEW ORLEANS. CERAMIC OYSTER SHELLS BY LOFTIN OYSTERS, $8 EACH AT HAZELNUT NEW ORLEANS. SPREADING KNIVES, FROM $7.50 AT ESTELLA’S HOME. FLOWERS: BLUE DELPHINIUM, $2.95 EACH; PINK STOCK, $3.50 EACH; ROSES, $5 EACH AT DUNN AND SONNIER ANTIQUES, FLORALS, GIFTS. DINNERWARE: IVORY FINE CHINA IN “TUXEDO” PATTERN BY LENOX, COURTESY OF STEPHANIE M. QUINLAN.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove giblets from the chicken, rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and let drain.

Pat chicken dry with paper towels.

• Place chicken breast-side down in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Pour lemon juice all over chicken, inside and out. Season with salt and pepper inside and out.

• Prick 2 whole lemons all over with a fork and place them deep inside the chicken cavity. Put chicken in the oven, decrease temperature to 350 degrees and roast uncovered for 15 minutes.

• Remove pan from oven, turn the chicken breast side up, replace in oven and let chicken roast for about 1 hour, until a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees and juices run clear.

• Remove from oven and let chicken rest 10 minutes before carving. Pour pan juices over chicken parts and garnish with herbs and sliced lemon before serving. CM

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Pro tip: Rhode refrigerates the raw chicken unwrapped for up to two days before cooking. It dries out the skin, so it becomes crispy while roasting. For sides, he suggests simple dishes to mirror the simplicity of the chicken — a green salad of spicy arugula, sauteed baby vegetables and a quinoa salad with tabbouleh are his favorites.

• Fresh herbs for garnish (rosemary, sage, thyme, roughly chopped parsley)

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IF THE IDEA OF A ROMANTIC, HOME COOKED MEAL FOR VALENTINE’S DAY INDUCES PANIC, event producer Tessa Durbin and culinary director Geoffrey Rhode at Pigeon Catering and Events have some do-ahead strategies to keep you cool in the kitchen.

In lieu of a coursed meal, Durbin suggests dining picnic-style on a low table arrayed with small plates and finger foods for grazing.

“You can put out some nuts, fruits, jams and some crusty bread from one of our great local bakeries,” Rhode says. “Keep the food simple. A display of cheese, smoked salmon or trout, some crabmeat ravigote and some seasonal and pickled veggies is a beautiful setup and can all be done ahead. Louisiana crab is starting to flood the market now — you could also make some crab cakes served with a few slices of tomato and drawn butter with a wedge of lemon or lime.”

“On the other hand, if it’s a formal, three-course meal, bring out the nicest china you have in the house,” Durbin says. “Use white china with an embroidered pattern or a rolled or gold rim — it brings up the elegance. For a romantic look, try different color plates or a collection of vintage plates. I love square plates for a more modern take.” Arrange the table in advance so when your partner or date walks in, the mood is already set.

Durbin likes to place individual stems of flowers around the room, using differently sized vases or empty wine bottles. A vase of your partner’s favorite flowers is a lovely addition, but keep flowers (and candles) off the dinner table, so their scents don’t clash with the food smells. Use table linens to bring in color and texture.

For advanced cooks, Rhode suggests “big impact” makeahead plates like salmon coulibiac (salmon, saffron risotto and wilted spinach wrapped in puff pastry) or seafood en papillote (seared seafood and julienned veggies in garlic butter and wine, wrapped and baked in parchment paper).

For dessert, Rhode likes delicate sweets, such as light-asair pate a choux or beignets sprinkled with powdered sugar, or Louisiana strawberries (also coming into season) dipped in chocolate.

“You want the meal to be romantic and interactive — sharing is a big part of it,” he says. “The last thing you want to do is spend too much time in the kitchen.”

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[ BEAUTY ]

KISS ME, I’M LOCAL Three New Orleans couples put three locally-made lipsticks to the test

BY K AT H E R I N E M. JOHNSON PHOTOS BY KENNETH LAFRANCE

ANAIS ST. JOHN, SINGER AND MUSIC TEACHER AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL, AND MARCO ST. JOHN, OWNER OF RENAISSANCE WORKS How they met:

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Singles night at a bar on St. Charles Avenue

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Favorite date idea:

KRISTEN ESSIG AND MICHAEL STOLTZFUS, CHEFS AND CO-OWNERS OF COQUETTE RESTAURANT

Dinner, followed by live music and dancing

Anais’ favorite thing about Marco:

“He’s a man’s man, and a woman’s man, and a kid’s man. He is all of the above.”

Marco’s favorite thing about Anais: How they met:

The produce guy at their former restaurants set them up

Favorite date idea: Steak dinner

Kristen’s favorite thing about Michael:

“He’s an extremely kind person and I appreciate that, not only in our relationship but especially in the environment of working in kitchens.”

Michael’s favorite thing about Kristen:

“The amount of integrity she brings to

everything she does is really impressive, both professionally and personally.”

The lipstick:

Kristen wears Matte Liquid Lipstick from the Suede Collection in Flirty, $24,

by Kismet Cosmetics.

Lipstick likes:

Kristen says: “I don’t really wear lipstick — I don’t know how to put it on or take it off, and most of the time it ends up running away … but this is staying put and it’s beautiful. It doesn’t feel sticky at all. I’m much more comfortable than I thought I’d be.”

“After 20 years … it’s the totality of Anais. My favorite thing is that it is her and all of those nuances — that’s who and what I love and what we have built. … My favorite thing is all of it.”

The lipstick:

Anais wears Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Dorothy, $16, by Magnolia Makeup.

Lipstick likes:

Anais says: “I love the color. It’s a perfect, classic red. To me, it’s for the woman who knows who she is and is confident in who she is and is looking for that red that goes with everything. … It’s not too dry, and when I put it on, it had a moisturizing feel to it.”

[ BEAUTY ]

FABIOLA DIVINS, CO-OWNER OF PAINT’D NAIL DESIGN STUDIO, AND CHARLES DIVINS, WDSU-TV MORNING ANCHOR How they met:

Sunday Funday in Los Angeles

Favorite date idea:

Exploring something new in the city — a restaurant, a neighborhood or a new shop — or picnicking in Audubon Park

Fabiola’s favorite thing about Charles:

“He motivates me. He inspires me. He makes me feel safe all the time. I love … that he’s a part of my life. It’s such a special feeling.”

“I love her passion for life. She really is connected to the feeling of whatever the moment is. She’s alive, she’s present and turned up to 11.”

The lipstick:

Fabiola wears Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Kitten, $16, by Magnolia Makeup.

Lipstick likes:

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Fabiola says: “I love how I don’t feel like I have anything on. I could kiss (Charles) right now and it won’t rub off. It’s red and it’s bold.” CM

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Charles’ favorite thing about Fabiola:

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CUE MAGAZINE

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[ SHOPPING ]

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1

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FROM THE

HEART 1

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Fifteen-piece red and white macarons filled with white chocolate ganache and raspberry marmalade and 15-piece For the Love of Chocolate collection (includes Paris Tea, Sweet Red Raspberry and Malted Milk flavors), $59 at Sucre.

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Freshwater cultured pearl and pave cubic zirconia earrings, $188 at Marty’s on Magazine.

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Satin stilettos by Charles David, $109 at Hemline Metairie.

Sequined split-neck romper, $110 at NOLA Boo.

Gift ideas for

Valentine’s Day

BY K AT HERINE M . J O HNS O N

4

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[ SHOPPING ]

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Lollia Poetic License perfumed reed diffuser set in Butterflies scent, $48.95 at Earthsavers.

Glazed quartz over Persian turquoise set in 14-karat white gold (with chain), $159 at Fisher & Sons Jewelers.

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Vintage diamond and 14-karat gold bangle, $11,000 at Claire Blue Jewelry.

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Macaron ornament set by Katherine’s Collection, $53 at

PAGE 18

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[ SHOPPING ] PAGE 17

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Sterling silver and 10-karat rose gold “To the Moon and Back” pendant with diamond accent and chain, $139 at Ramsey’s Diamond Jewelers.

Tassel necklace, $24 at Saintly Skin.

Stemless acrylic wine glasses with asymmetrical rose gold bottoms, $12.99 each at NOLA Gifts & Decor.

LOVE + MONEY How to talk to your partner about finances B Y K A T H E R I N E

M. JOHNSON

[ MONEY ]

“You have to make it about ‘us’ and not about ‘me.’” — John Zollinger

GOING OUT — WHO SHOULD PAY? BROCKMAN: “Before you go on a date, if you don’t like the terms, don’t go. If you can afford to go Dutch and it doesn’t bother you, go. On a first date, who pays isn’t usually discussed until the end. If one person is adamant about paying, let them. You can offer to pay next time. Being unable to receive could be an early sign of money issues.”

ZOLLINGER: “It’s ‘old school,’ but I think whoever is doing the courting should pay for the date. When you get further into the relationship and you get more comfortable, then you can discuss and decide beforehand what the rules of engagement are.”

BROCKMAN: “It’s whatever the individuals can afford, but balance out on other household tasks. Pick up the ball in other areas and assign value to what you can do that’s missing from the money. Discuss payments if it doesn’t seem fair to you.”

ZOLLINGER: “Fair is not 50/50, unless both sides make exactly the same amount of money.

There’s equitable though, based on each other’s income.”

BROCKMAN: “Gently and honestly say how you feel, how their overspending in some way threatens your security or makes you feel upset. Come up with a game plan to resolve the issue. But, to get someone to hear you on that kind of level, you have to say it in a way that doesn’t make them feel horrible. If a person is out there recklessly spending, there’s already an underlying problem. It’s important not to shame them. Make sure you’re not [bringing it up] in a state of anger.”

ZOLLINGER: “If your partner is doing something that you just don’t agree with, you need to say something. You don’t need to say it in a way that’s antagonizing or threatening. ... Just say, ‘Let’s talk about this.’ Don’t do it in the heat of the moment. If you make your partner defensive … you’re not going to get anywhere.”

FINAL WORDS? BROCKMAN: “Have an honest discussion (about money) when it feels right. If the relationship is healthy, even though it may be uncomfortable, it will come easily if there’s honesty on both parts.”

• F E B R U A R Y 2 01 8

ZOLLINGER: “If you’re making a true commitment to someone, it’s important for people to use that as a basis for moving forward. You have to make it about ‘us,’ and not about ‘me.’ If the other partner is approaching it the same way, you will come to a really good solution.”

CUE MAGAZINE

THE STATISTICS ARE CITED OFTEN: Money is the No. 1 issue couples fight about and a top reason for divorce. Tracy Brockman, licensed professional counselor with Integrative Recovery Therapies, says it’s one of those “biggies.”

“I don’t know why it is, but we’re so ashamed when it comes to money,” Brockman says. “It makes us very vulnerable. It’s an enormous source of shame and fear. Money is our biggest symbol — we put a lot of meaning behind money.”

“It can be difficult to talk about because people have different views of money,” says John Zollinger, New Orleans market president at Home Bank. “It’s a possession. It’s yours. You want domain and control over it.”

When a couple sets up a household budget, all the moving pieces can cause chaos.

Joint financial responsibility offers a level of transparency that can be comforting, but the downside is it’s difficult to track spending if you’re both drawing from the same account. It also can cause tension if one person earns significantly more money than the other — the imbalance can leave the lower earner feeling less empowered and the higher earner feeling a loss of financial independence.

Brockman says it’s important to treat the financially vulnerable partner with compassion and to assign a value to what that partner brings to the picture, whether it’s shuttling the kids around, cooking meals or taking care of the yard.

If a joint account doesn’t work for you, Zollinger poses this hypothetical question to help couples decide who should take the lead on engineering household finances.

“When you get in the car with somebody else and you have the choice to (be a passenger) or drive, which one do you take?” he asks. “It’s the same with finances — it’s very difficult for both of you to drive.”

Mixing love and money may seem as compatible as seafood gumbo over potato salad — it works for some people, but it leaves many struggling to not be critical. Brockman, an expert on the heart, and Zollinger, the boss of the bank book, offer poignant and practical advice to couples trying to minimize money woes in a few specific scenarios.

SPLITTING HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES — WHAT’S “FAIR”?

“MY PARTNER SPENDS TOO MUCH MONEY ON …” — HOW DO I ADDRESS MY MATE’S SPENDING HABITS?

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[ CUE TIPS ]

DO

DATE NIGHTRIGHT

BY EMILY BIHL

A few only-in-New Orleans ideas for a night out WITH MARDI GRAS FALLING THIS YEAR ON FEB. 13, even New Orleans’ most dedicated romantics would be hard-pressed to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the usual fanfare. Rather than let an opportunity to celebrate love fall by the wayside, think outside the box and the allotted square on the calendar when it comes to date night. These thoughtful ideas will be appreciated just as much (if not more) on Feb. 21 as on Feb. 14.

VENICE, VIA CITY PARK Time for a quick review: Venetian-style gondola rides are romantic. Statistics ... not so much. But it’s hard to ignore the numbers when NOLA Gondola operator Robert Dula mentions that he’s witnessed 484 marriage proposals (and counting) over his 16 years ferrying lovebirds through City Park.

“City Park is a magical wonderland that lends itself to romance and relaxation,” he says. “We glide through the moss-draped lagoons of the park, (and) under many bridges where it’s tradition to kiss.”

Add a bottle of perfectly chilled Champagne (Dula provides the ice bucket and glasses) and a chic cheese spread to the equation, and the odds are good for a truly memorable evening. (See, math can be sexy.)

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SECRET LOVER

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NOT ANOTHER COCKTAIL DATE

PHOTO BY ROBERT DUL A

Chris Champagne literally wrote the book on little-known locales in New Orleans, so he knows a thing or two about intimate corners of the city. The Secret New Orleans author favors quiet spots for unconventional date ideas.

“The Port of New Orleans office on the river behind the (Ernest N. Morial) Convention Center is a really secret place, if you wanted to be alone with your significant other on the river itself,” he says. “They have benches that are swings where you could sit — just take a bottle of wine up there and be within 10 feet of the river.”

For the couple with a literary streak, Champagne suggests a sonnet-filled excursion to Maple Leaf Bar’s poetry series — the longest running in North America — which takes place every Sunday at 3 p.m. But his best advice is to keep it personal.

“Think about places in your own life that you might want to share,” he suggests, or revisit spots that have significance to the couple. Better yet? Pick up a copy of Secret New Orleans and spend a day exploring together.

PHOTO BY SCOT M AT TOX

Crescent City Cocktology’s (CCC) team of award-winning bartenders offers a crash course in craft cocktails that’s perfect for a night out.

For a flat fee, couples can learn mixology skills from the masters and try their hands at three signature cocktails fitting the class theme. Choose from historic New Orleans classics, bourbon-based drinks or special Valentine’s Day picks, to name a few. In addition to having the makings of a fun night out, a class with CCC truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

“The classes give [couples] the skills and recipes they need to entertain together at home, whether that is for a group or just a romantic night in making cocktails,” says cofounder Heather Brown. If it turns out that sweetie makes a mean Sazerac? There’s no better aphrodisiac than that.

PICTURE US TOGETHER Cute as they may be, posting smartphone pics on Instagram does not a photographer make. Luckily, local pro Zack Smith (now suited up PHOTO COURTE SY Z ACK SMITH PHOTOGR A PHY with a new Magazine Street studio space) has the chops to turn aspiring artsy couples into fullblown photographers. In addition to his studio workshops, Smith offers intensive roving workshops around the city.

In the French Quarter Fest workshop, Smith gives participants “an ‘insider’ look at how to photograph the festival as the festival’s official photographer,” he says. “We have a class session, and then we walk the grounds and visit stages and learn about how to get from area to area,” so couples can capture their own moments later. For something a bit more intimate, couples can opt for an evening portraiture workshop to learn how to show off their sweeties in the best light (pun intended). We’d call that love, #nofilter.

RESOURCES

A listing of the retailers and professionals featured in this issue of CUE Magazine.

Hung the moon

Kiss me, I’m local

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Confetti

Kismet Cosmetics

www.shopconfettinola.com

Crescent City Circle www.crescentcitycircle.com

Hanna Hall www.thelostandprofound.com

Leah Vautrot www.leahvautrotbeauty.com

(985) 247-8083; www.kismetcosmetics.com

Magnolia Makeup 5331 Elysian Fields Ave., (504) 564-7992; www.magnoliamakeup.com

Ramsey’s Diamond Jewelers

From the heart PA G E 1 6

Lionheart Prints 3312 Magazine St., (504) 267-5299; www.lionheartprints.com

Claire Blue Jewelry

Mia Boutique

Dunn and Sonnier Antiques, Florals, Gifts

3231 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 301-3778; www.facebook.com/miaboutiqueneworleans

Mignon Faget The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., (504) 524-2973; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-2244; 3801 Magazine St., (504) 891-2005; www.mignonfaget.com

Table for two

(504) 503-2300; www.clairebluejewelry.com

See Table for two

Earthsavers Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-0225; The Premier Centre, 3414 Highway 190, Mandeville, (985) 674-1133; 5501 Magazine St., (504) 899-8555; www.earthsaversonline.com

Fisher and Sons Jewelers

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5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 1, Metairie, (504) 885-4956; www.fishersonsjewelers.com

Dunn and Sonnier Antiques, Florals, Gifts

Hemline Metairie

3433 Magazine St., (504) 524-3235; www.dunnandsonnier.com

601 Frisco Ave., Metairie, (504) 833-8884; www.facebook.com/estellashome

Hazelnut New Orleans 5525 Magazine St., (504) 891-2424; www.hazelnutneworleans.com

4529 Magazine St., (504) 891-1333

Marty’s on Magazine Dunn and Sonnier Antiques, Florals, Gifts, 3433 Magazine St., (251) 377-3833; www.antiquesfromasia.com

Independence Mall, 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 7, Metairie, (504) 475-5510; www.saintlyskin.com

Sucre

622 Conti St., (504) 267-7098; 3025 Magazine St., (504) 520-8311; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 834-2277; www.shopsucre.com

Love and money PA G E 1 9

Home Bank

Citywide; (866) 401-9440; www.home24bank.com Integrative Recovery Therapies (844) 504-7436; www.integrativerecoverytherapies.com

Do date night right PA G E 2 0

Crescent City Cocktology (504) 920-1462; www.cccocktology.com

NOLA Boo

3806 Magazine St., Suite 3, (504) 899-7833; www.leontinelinens.com

517 Metairie Road, Suite 200, Metairie, (504) 510-4655; www.shopnolaboo.com

NOLA Gondola

Pigeon Catering and Events

NOLA Gifts & Decor

Zack Smith Photography

535 S. Clark St., (504) 262-0412; www.pigeoncaterers.com

5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 17, Metairie, (504) 407-3532; www.nolagiftsanddecor.com

(504) 450-4400; www.nolagondola.com

4514 Magazine St., (504) 251-7745; www.zacksmith.com

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Leontine Linens

Magpie Vintage Jewelry

Saintly Skin

CUE MAGAZINE

Estella’s Home

605 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 309-8778; www.facebook.com/hemline.metairie

Fountain Park Centre, 1901 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, (504) 648-2300; 5700 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 885-4653; www.ramseys.com

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[ #FOLLOWING ]

#FOLLOWING:

GARRETT BRADLEY

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

//

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CUE MAGAZINE

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AT 15 YEARS OLD, GARRETT BRADLEY FILMED, EDITED AND PREMIERED HER FIRST MOVIE. Bradley was raised in New York by her mother and stepfather. In high school, she began seeking out her dad to get to know him personally. Using the Hi8 camcorder her stepfather bought her, Bradley met her father at a bar in SoHo and inundated him with questions about himself and his relationship with her mother and recorded the conversation. She repeated the exercise with her mom in an effort to understand the unraveling of her parents’ relationship. The result was her first production, Bebop Fidelity, which won the grand prize at Brooklyn’s Bridge Film Festival in 2001.

“That recognition (gave me) a very clear moment of feeling like I’d found something I could articulate myself through,” Bradley says.

Mostly self-taught until age 22, she’s been especially prolific since attending the University of California at Los Angeles for graduate school. She’s presented her films and won nearly a dozen awards at art expos worldwide, including fests in New Orleans, Austin, Texas, Kosovo, Copenhagen and Rotterdam, Netherlands.

“That’s why I’m never home,” she laughs.

She’s honed her directing skills through experimentation, but seeing Charles Burnett’s 1978 vignette-style drama Killer of Sheep made her realize her work fit in a larger filmmaking catalog.

“Killer of Sheep was a really

Favorite album: “Ballads by John Coltrane Quartet.”

PHOTOS BY K ARL A PHOTOGR APHY

The intrepid filmmaker takes on relationships affected by incarceration in her latest short film

LIKES

D i r e c t o r/ f i l m m a ke r, i n s t r u c t o r o f d i g i t a l f i l m m a k i n g a t L oy o l a U n i v e r s i t y N e w O r l e a n s @garret tgarret tbradleybradley

important moment for me from a creative standpoint because I had been hearing and seeing a lot about (Jean-Luc) Godard and (Francois) Truffaut and a lot of the French filmmakers,” she says. “I had no idea what neorealism was … that it was based on making films that were beautiful and impressionistic but that were still very much tied to a lack of resources. (These ideas) resurfaced in the ’70s in the work of black filmmakers in Los Angeles. To see the black community in a cinematic canon … was inspiring. (The process) was essentially what I was doing without realizing that it was something that pre-existed.”

That realization propelled her headlong into her work. Her first feature-length film, Below Dreams, brought Bradley to New Orleans in 2014. She didn’t know a soul when she arrived in the city; she cast the entire film — which was inspired by trips between New York City and New Orleans via Greyhound bus — through Craigslist. That’s how she met Desmond Watson and his girl-

Favorite restaurant: “Lilly’s Cafe, The Daily Beet and anywhere Chef Dan Cosgrove is cooking.”

Favorite board game: “Candy Land. Monopoly is too complicated.”

Guilty pleasure: “The Windsor Court spa.”

Lakefront or riverfront?

“Lakefront.”

Crawfish boil or Carnival parade? “Parade.”

Po-boys: dressed or undressed? “Dressed, no mayo.”

Dream gig: “Race car driver.”

CURRENT PROJECT

“There’s a lot in this year and in 2019 that I’m really excited to share with the world … a feature-length film, a 12part 35mm silent film series, and projects ranging from public work to traditional narratives to artistically abstract cinema.”

MUSTHAVES

Yourself in The World by Glenn Ligon — “It’s a beautiful collection of essays on race, blackness and making art. His writing has a perfect critical flow.”

Boots — “My boots have carried me around the world.”

Miniature wooden elephant — “My dad sent this to me in the mail from West Africa when I was a kid. I keep him pointing east and have managed to carry him with me in every place I’ve lived.”

Zigzag plant — “One day I’ll have a green thumb. In the meantime, this zigzag barely needs anything at all.”

Framed trash photo — “I bought this at a garage sale. It’s an image of a parking lot and three bits of trash found at that location. The piece is unnamed, but the artist had a great sense of humor.”

[ #FOLLOWING ]

Commemorate & Celebrate

300 YEARS

OF NEW ORLEANS!

WWW.CLAIREBLUEJEWELRY.COM 504-503-2300

CUE MAGAZINE • F E B R U A R Y 2 01 8

friend Alone Watts, the subjects of her latest short film, Alone.

“About a year and a half ago, Alone [pronounced like “Alana”] called me and told me that (Desmond) had been locked up in jail,” she says. “I came into the situation as a friend. … It wasn’t until I saw (Alone) write out her name — I didn’t know how she spelled it — it just came over me that there was something to be done here, that her story, which was actually quite universal … could be told in a very specific way.”

The film follows Alone as she attempts to pick up the pieces after Desmond’s arrest. When Alone reached out to her, Bradley was in the middle of a devastating breakup. The sense of loss she

shared with Alone inspired her to write and direct the film.

“There was that real commonality that everybody in the world experiences pain,” she says. “And yet, because of the shame and stigma associated with being incarcerated, she had no one to talk to. … I was less interested in thinking about incarceration as a statistical or even political point of view, but from a way of understanding that for every person that’s locked up, there’s at least one that is also ‘serving time’ on the outside that doesn’t have anywhere to go.”

Alone took home the short film jury award for nonfiction at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and was one of 10 documentary films — out of 77 — shortlisted for a 2018 Oscar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Bradley is humbled by the accolades she’s received for her work of late. She says she doesn’t know why this film was admitted to Sundance and recognized by the academy above her others.

“I had stopped making things with the hope or intention of it being understood by mainstream eyes, and then I was proven wrong,” she says. “All we can do is speak our truth as much as we possibly can … and see what happens.”

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