October-November 2016 Issue of Inside New Orleans

450

$

FRENCH QUARTER HAUNTS • BROD BAGERT • GERMANS OF NEW ORLEANS • CULTURE GUIDE

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2016 VOL. 3, NO. 5

October-November 2016

Vol. 3, No. 5

Publisher Lori Murphy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Anne Honeywell

Senior Editor Jan Murphy

Managing Editor Leah Draffen

Editorial Intern Ellen Thomas

Contributors are featured on page 16.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Art Director Brad Growden

Graphic Designer Jennifer Starkey

Production Intern Madison Hutson

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Business Manager Jane Quillin

Senior Account Executives Poki Hampton

Candice Laizer Barbara Roscoe

Account Executives Barbara Bossier

Jonée Daigle-Ferrand Amy Taylor

Advertising Coordinator Margaret Rivera –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For advertising information phone (504) 934-9684 fax (504) 934-7721 email sales@insidepub.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Please send items for Inside Scoop to scoop@insidepub.com.

Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to peek@insidepub.com. Submit items for editorial consideration to editor@insidepub.com.

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Contact Inside New Orleans P.O. Box 6048

Metairie, LA 70009 phone (504) 934-9684 fax (504) 934-7721 website www.insideneworleans.net

Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email subscriptions@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the cover

Artist George Dunbar

Coin du Lestin

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– INSIDE NEW ORLEANS is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 6048, Metairie, LA 70009 as a means of communication and information for greater New Orleans, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid - New Olreans, LA. Copy­right ©2016 by M & L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside New Orleans Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.

contents table of

page 34

page 38

page 89

Features 18 Elements of Chance Cover Artist George Dunbar 34 Crafting Contemporary Style Rivers Spencer page 72

38 The Germans of New Orleans 48 #MyLSUDegree 50 Brod Bagert Poet with a Purpose 58 French Quarter Haunts Ghosts at Famous New Orleans Sites 66 Southern Rep Theatre

Celebrating 30 Years 67 Cultural Guide 2016-2017 A selection of highlights from the cultural season 72 Preserving History 50 Years of The Historic New Orleans Collection 86 Fashion Update Designer Lela Rose 92 Northshore Weekend Getaway

8

Inside New Orleans

contents table of

page 80

Departments

12 Publisher’s Note 14 Editor’s Note 14 Reader Resources 16 Contributors 24 INside Scoop 32 INside Story Tailgating 49 Wine Cellar Sancerre 56 IN the Bookcase Political Suicide,

by Erin McHugh 62 Traces Alexius Hocevar Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award Recipient

80 Flourishes

Extraordinary gifts and home accents 89 INside Look Autumn Essentials 01 IN Great Taste 1 When Cooler Weather Begs for Baking 102 INside Dining 106 IN Love and Marriage

64 IN Other Words Things That Go Bump in the Night

107 INside Peek Featuring: White Linen Night at Julie Silvers Art Summer Tailgate A Toast on the Coast

76 At the Table King of the Dinner Table

114 Last Bite

New Orleans Creole Cookery

page 101

Harvest Cup Polo Classic turns 20!

by Lori Murphy

In this issue, we’ve included a peek at some hospitable B&Bs, hoping to encourage you to plan a short getaway to the northshore. The first weekend in November might be the perfect time to do just that.

Sunday, November 6, the Junior League of Greater Covington will host the 20th Annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic at Summergrove Farm in Folsom. The beautiful grounds, owned by David Fennelly and Carlos Sanchez, play host on a regular basis to the New Heights Therapy riders and the weekend matches of the New Orleans Polo Club. For the Harvest Cup, the field is lined with tents filled with food, drink, auctions and people from across the region. It is a party with a purpose that you will not want to miss!

It will not be a typical Sunday—sipping champagne while stomping divots doesn’t happen every week! Polo and the field on which it is played can be breathtaking. At 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, the field is slightly larger than nine football fields and almost 10 acres in size! The polo ponies need the room to break out of the pack, and the riders need the space to swing mallets. The short barrier that encloses the grand space is just tall enough to contain the ball but not block the view. It is the perfect field for the Game of Kings, as the oldest team sport in the world is known.

Inside Publications will be on the sidelines with Chad Berg of Lee Michaels; our respective teams enjoy a competitive rivalry on the polo field. Thank you to the members of the Junior League of Greater Covington for bringing us the Harvest Cup Polo Classic—and congratulations on its 20th anniversary!

ps… As a proud LSU alum, I am honored to serve on the New Orleans Advisory Council for the university.

At a recent meeting, we learned about the #MyLSUDegree program, which recognizes the accomplishments of recent grads. (See page 48.) If you’d like to know what some recent and not-so-recent LSU journalism, marketing and graphic arts graduates are up to, flip through the following pages. In addition to myself, Tigers on our team include Art Director Brad Growden, Editor-in-Chief Anne Honeywell, Managing Editor Leah Draffen, Advertising Coordinator Margaret Rivera and Account Executives Poki Hampton, Amy Taylor, Barbara Bossier and Jonée Daigle-Ferrand. Stand right up and roar!

12

Inside New Orleans

Editor’s Note

by Anne Honeywell I love October. I may have mentioned that before. Cooler weather. Lots of football. Halloween—and all that comes with it. Some of which is all the ghost-hunting TV shows and haunted house specials that really amp up in October. They’re my guilty pleasures—well, that and Family Guy. But I

Reader Resources Contact Us: Telephone: (504) 934-9684 Fax: (504) 934-7721 Website: insideneworleans.net

digress. Becky Slatten’s “Things that go Bump in the Night” (page 64) is a great addition to this issue. I hope you enjoy it. Becky and I are really going to do our planned “haunted” outing. We may not see any ghosts, but we will

Receiving Inside New Orleans in Your Mailbox?

definitely have fun! I’m certain that if we check out the places in “French

You are on our mailing list, and you will continue

Quarter Haunts” (page 58), we’ll have some “haunting” experiences.

to receive Inside New Orleans every other month

Another something I plan to do this fall is the Mid-City Studios Open

at no charge. Please join us in thanking our advertisers, who make this possible.

House on November 12. I have attended the Mid-City Studios Open House in the past. It is a very inspiring afternoon and a wonderful way to appreciate some of our great local artists and add to your art collection!

While we are on the subject of art and the arts, don’t miss Karen Gibbs’

Pick Up a Copy: At one of our advertisers’ locations, or at Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Blvd., Metairie.

article about cover artist George Dunbar on page 18. This issue also includes our 2016-2017 Cultural Guide (page 67) to help you fill in your calendar

Subscribe:

with all of your “can’t miss” events. And there’s more! We’re celebrating some

To subscribe to Inside New Orleans, or if you

significant anniversaries: NOMA’s 50th Odyssey Ball, the 100th anniversary of

have a question about your subscription, please

Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, Southern Rep’s 30th and The Historic New Orleans Collection’s 50th.

contact us by telephone or e-mail us at subscriptions@insidepub.com. Subscriptions are $18 for one year, or $30 for two years. To

There are many other gems between the covers of this issue, from Ann Gilbert’s story about the Germans in New Orleans (page 38) and Michael

change your address, please send both your old address and new address. The post office does not forward magazines.

Harold’s take on tailgating (page 32) to Tom Fitzmorris selection of great steakhouses (page 76) and Yvette Jemison’s tips on fall baking (page 101).

I hope you have a fabulous fall and can get out and enjoy some of all this great city has to offer—haunted or not!

Inquire and Share Ideas:

Mid-City Art Studios Open House 2016

Do you know a person, organization or endeavor

Saturday, November 12, 10 am - 4 pm 4436 Toulouse Street

great storyteller who may want to write for us?

Left: Autumn Marsh by Rheba Schlesinger.

Inside New Orleans

For advertising information, please contact us by telephone or e-mail us at sales@insidepub.com.

Paintings, Mixed Media, Sculpture, and Pottery.

14

Advertising Information:

we might consider featuring in our pages? Or a

Please contact the editor at editor@insidepub.com.

Contributors

Other Voices: Gretchen Armbruster, Ashley Berthelot-Arceneaux, Leah Draffen, Candra George, Karen Gibbs, Thomas B. Growden, Poki Hampton, Michael Harold, Yvette Jemison, Becky Slatten, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Ellen Thomas and Jenny Windstrup.

Tom Fitzmorris Tom Fitzmorris grew up in Treme and ate red beans every Monday from his Creole-French mother until he left home. Not long after that, he began writing a weekly restaurant review column that has continued for 42 years. In 1975, he began a daily radio feature, which grew into his current three-hour daily talk show on 1350, 3WL. He is the author of several cookbooks, more than a dozen restaurant guidebooks, a daily online newsletter (nomenu.com), and joins us At the Table on page 76.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Our contributors give Inside New Orleans its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

Ann Gilbert

Bill Kearney

Award-winning Brenda Breck has over thirty years of experience in the worldwide advertising industry in both film and print as a commercial producer, public relations and special events director and writer. With her talent and love for acrylic paintings, Brenda has created unique pieces for clients, and for the past seven years, she has volunteered at St. Michael’s Special School art department.

Brenda has been associated with Inside Publications for over eight years. As Saks Fifth Avenue’s Ambassador for Inside Publications, she writes Fashion Update interviews with visiting VIPs, in this issue on page 86.

Ann Gilbert is a longtime contributor for Inside Publications. Her career as a lifestyle, arts and entertainment editor for 30 years has been recognized with awards in writing, editing and design, but it is her passion for history that has graced our pages most often. In this issue, she writes about the Germans in New Orleans (page 38), ghosts at French Quarter sites (page 58) and northshore bedand-breakfasts (page 92).

Ann and her husband, Gene, enjoy summer vacations at their log cabin in the North Carolina mountains.

Bill Kearney believes if you like a wine, it’s a great wine—and the best wine is shared with friends. For more than 20 years, he has added wines from many regions, grapes and friends to his private collection. Recently certified as a sommelier, he serves as the wine director for Galatoire’s Restaurant, Galatoire’s Bistro and 33 Bar and Steak, where he is also a partner. A graduate of Tulane, Bill is president of Yenraek, a governmental affairs firm. On page 49, Bill tells the story of Sancerre in Wine Cellar.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Brenda Bell Breck

16

Inside New Orleans

Elements of Chance Cover Artist George Dunbar

by Karen B. Gibbs

18

ENERGY! CREATIVITY! You feel it as soon as you step into George Dunbar’s spacious studio on Bayou Bonfouca. He greets you warmly, clad in pressed jeans and a chambray shirt. His white hair and moustache pay homage to his age; his gentlemanly speech to his Garden District roots.

In his hands—strong working hands—he holds a rasp, less a tool and more a treasured instrument.

The two become one as with quick, decisive movements he carves lines into dried, sculpted leaf shapes that are part of his latest work. The canvas rests on a massive table, perhaps 15 feet long.

“You see that?” he asks, carving into another leaf shape. “Can you see how that gives energy to the work?”

The deep lines, wide in the beginning, narrower at the end, resemble meteor-like streaks.

And yes! The energy is there! Eyeing the sculpted leaves covering the canvas, he selects another, and another—transforming the lovely painting into a living work.

Two assistants watch as the master artist turns teacher. They’ve seen it before, but they’re still mesmerized. “Would you get me some clay?” he asks Lizzie Shelby.

Inside New Orleans

“Lizzie started coming to work for me when I was in Chamale, one of my land developments, where I kept a studio,” he says. “How old were you then, Lizzie?”

“I was in high school,” the beautiful brunette responds.

“Then she went to Colorado State University to study art. After she graduated, she came to work for the summer,” adds Dunbar.

“And I never left,” Lizzie says with a laugh.

“That was 15 years ago.”

She presents him with a board and some modeling paste. Like primordial dust in the Creator’s hands, Dunbar works the sculpting clay with a trowel, smoothing it, scooping it. Then, with one masterful swoop of the trowel, he forms one side of a leaf. Then, swoosh! And the other side appears.

It’s hard to tell which is more impressive, the elegant draping of the shape’s edges or the masterful movements of the man. It isn’t important. It’s art— and George Dunbar is the consummate artist.

Despite his larger-than-life persona, cover artist George Dunbar is as real as the bayou that flows past his studio; his art, as changing as the colors of the marsh. He talks about his career, its nascent

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

roots in caricatures of classmates at Metairie Country Day School, its passion awakened during lingering visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

“My mom was a sugar planter’s daughter, educated in Europe. She loved the theatre and travelled to New York to see plays. Between the ages of 7 and 10, I’d accompany her on these trips. She’d drop me off at the Met and I’d meander by myself. I began making decisions about what art I liked. If there’s one thing that made me become an artist, that’s it.”

By the time he graduated from high school, however, World War II was in full swing, and Dunbar’s life took another course. “My older brother, Charles, was already fighting overseas, so I enlisted in the Navy. Because I was only 17, my parents had to give permission for me to join.” Stationed in the Philippines, he was “on loan” to the Army to work on diving barges. “It wasn’t dangerous work like the Navy

SEALs do,” he says, eschewing praise.

“We dove in relatively shallow water, bringing up bodies and patching ships so we could pump air into them and raise them.” He pauses, then continues.

“I was standing next to McArthur in 1946 when we gave the Filipinos their full independence,” he says, a smile dancing across his face.

Dunbar views his stint in the military as crucial to his career as an artist. He was from a family of lawyers,

and it was assumed he’d join his father and his brother in the Phelps-Dunbar law firm. But law was not his career choice; he wanted to study art. “If I’d gone straight from high school to college, I might have been talked into taking a few other things. Being in the service gave me time to think about what I wanted to do. By the time I got out, I decided to take a shot at art.”

Adds Dunbar, “I think it would be wise for all high school graduates to put in October-November 2016 19

>>

An Insider’s Guide to the Art of George Dunbar

a year of service to the country before going to college. It gives you time to think about what you want to do, and it makes you grow up.”

Dunbar used the GI Bill to attend Tyler Art School at Temple University in Philadelphia. “At the time, it was one of the country’s finest art schools. Plus, it was close to New York City, where the contemporary art scene had relocated from Paris and was in full swing.” Captivated by this art movement, Dunbar made frequent trips to New York.

After graduating from Tyler, Dunbar spent a year in Europe—a gift from his mother. “I had hoped to make a living there making art and sending paintings back to be sold in the States, but my mother got sick and I returned home to care for her.” His mother suffered with a long illness. “After she died, I, along with several other serious artists (Bob Helmer, John Clement, Jimmy Lamantia, Marilyn Conrad, Shirley Gordy, Jack Hastings and Lin Emery) formed the Orleans Gallery, a co-op overseen by a board of nonartists. Located on 533 Royal Street, it only sold art and was the first contemporary art gallery of its kind in New Orleans.”

Not long after the Orleans Gallery opened, Simonne Stern founded the Stern Gallery, one of the city’s first professional galleries. Because it featured New York and >> 20

Inside New Orleans

Planning to visit George Dunbar’s retrospective exhibit, Elements of Chance, at NOMA? Look for these trademark techniques.

The medium: Sometimes George Dunbar doesn’t paint with paint. He uses a mixture of very fine clay (finer than ceramic slip) and rabbit skin glue (a 1,000-year-old painting item that secures the clay to the board or canvas). Applying multiple fine coats of each color gives Dunbar some leeway when mining the surface to reveal hidden colors or textures. (Coin Du Lestin 1999, Iphis 2001, Le Grand Rouge 2015) Colors: In many works, Dunbar’s colors come from the earth tones of the clay. No other tints are used. (Coin Du Lestin 1999, Untitled Abstraction, Early Coin Du Lestin 1970, Le Grand Rouge 2015) Glass-like finish: Dunbar’s shiny finish comes from finely sanding the 20 to 60 layers of clay paint he’s applied. It is not from shellac or varnish. (Coin Du Lestin 1999, Iphis 2001, Le Grand Rouge 2015) Mining the surface: Going down into the depths of a painting brings to the surface what’s already there. (Le Grand Rouge 2015) Leafing: Dunbar seals gold, silver or platinum leaf onto the painting with rabbit skin glue and water, making it become part of the art. (Coin Du Lestin 1999, Iphis 2001, Untitled Abstraction, Early Coin Du Lestin 1970, Le Grand Rouge 2015) Gesturing: Gesturing is a term derived from Action Painting, a process popular in the ’50s and ’60s. In gesturing, the artist uses the whole arm too make brush strokes more vigorous, giving spontaneity to the painting. (Red M) Distressing: Note how Dunbar resists to polish a piece to perfection. Look for pockmarked leafing—that’s a sign the piece has been sandblasted. (Coin Du Lestin 1999) How it’s made: The artist is, in effect, acknowledging the use of the gold leaf by showing the edges on the surface instead of having them run off the edge of the work. (Coin Du Lestin 1999, Iphis 2001, Early Coin Du Lestin 1970, Le Grand Rouge 2015) Accidental triumphs: Unplanned, but Dunbar liked it. (Red M)

local artists, there was no longer a need for a co-op gallery. Subsequently, Orleans Gallery closed, and Dunbar began showing at the Stern Gallery.

In retrospect, the Orleans Gallery was a giant step forward for the arts in New Orleans, but so was Dunbar’s role in introducing contemporary art to Louisiana. Remarks Katie P. Pfohl, curator of modern and contemporary art at the New Orleans Museum of Art, “George Dunbar truly helped create a context and place for contemporary art in New Orleans. In the 1950s and 1960s, he introduced New Orleans to vanguard, new ideas in art-making, experimenting with the relationship between accident and intention, and embracing elements of chance in his artmaking in ways that were brand new for most artists in New Orleans at the time.”

While his revenue from art was steady, by the time Dunbar married and had a child, he needed to supplement his income with other work. “I did some guest teaching for Tulane and LSU, plus, I had a school on Chartres Street with artist Bob Helmer. We used live models. I was the one who was sent to find the models,” he says, flashing a quick smile. “It was a lot of fun, but we weren’t making a lot of money.

That’s when I started developing land on the northshore.” This was at a time when, with I-10 to pave the way and NASA to lure workers, New Orleans residents were moving to the north side of the lake.

With rented equipment and no experience, Dunbar cleared land and put in roads. Over the years, there were 70 developments, from single-home, oneacre lots to canal-digging subdivisions like Chamale and Coin Du Lestin, where he and his family moved. He developed land from five in the morning till three in the afternoon. The rest of the day and into the night, he painted and taught art in New Orleans. He even had an attic

apartment in the Pontalba building so he’d have a place to sleep on late nights.

“I put in very long days,” he recalls, “but I liked doing two totally different things.”

“For George, it was a form of sculpture,” says Louisette Brown, his companion of 18 years.

Guided by his artist’s eye, Dunbar cleared curving roads through bayou brush and created waterfront vistas with manmade canals. His developments complemented nature instead of intruding on it. Indeed, the highest compliment for Dunbar is to have someone look at a canal he dug and say, “That bayou was here before.”

Dunbar continued developing land until the ’80s, when interest rates hit 22 percent, the housing market plummeted and a creosote dump into Bayou Bonfouca polluted the water in his Chamale development. With a nest egg from his land projects and steady income from his art, Dunbar hung up his hard hat, picked up his paint brush and never looked back.

One of the hallmarks of Dunbar’s works is that it keeps changing. “I find it more interesting—more fun—to try something new,” he says. “The other day, for example, we tried painting with a mop.” Dunbar’s art has gone through several different periods over the years.

“There was the Multiples period when I repeated the same item—like rows and rows of envelopes or abstract dollar bills.

There was also the Hard Edge period, with its intricate geometric designs.”

In the Marsh Grass period, Dunbar perfected the art of building up the surface with torn strips of canvas before adding modeling paste. “All painters get to a point where they want to come off the surface—get more and more threedimensional. You’d be surprised at what we add to the canvas.”

Taking her cue, Lizzie says, “We’ve

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

used denim, old T-shirts, even zippers.”

“Then, we do what I call ‘mining the surface,’” adds Dunbar. “After we cover it with 10-30 very thin layers of clay, we go back and retrieve a portion of these items by scraping through some of the layers. This introduces a change that comes from within and not one that’s added at the last minute. It’s very important to realize that elements in a good painting are ‘brought up’ at the same time—that there’s a sense of belonging.”

Dunbar’s current period, Rouville, is another example of three-dimensional work. The leaf shapes described earlier exemplify this. Part sculpture, part painting, there’s much more motion in these works.

“To some extent, it’s gestural painting,” says Dunbar.

“You give up control to make that fast motion, but it gives the painting energy.”

Energy also comes into a painting by sheer mistake. “I have pieces where something happens that I didn’t plan, and I realize it’s better than what I intended to do. I call that an ‘accidental triumph.’

Those are exciting!”

The Red M painting in NOMA’s current retrospect exhibit of Dunbar’s work is an example of this. Red M is a freestyle, action painting. “I’m not trying to make a perfect M,” says Dunbar. “I used my whole arm and gave up control to create something that is aesthetically appealing. It’s like individual handwriting. The irregularities make it more interesting.”

Another accidental triumph occurred in Coin Du Lestin. “I sanded the edge around the side of a hard edge piece and discovered that it gave it a painterly quality,” says Dunbar. “The first time I did it was by mistake; but I liked it and decided to keep it.”

When asked to name his favorite work, quite unexpectedly Dunbar points to photos of his three children—artist Nina, restaurateur Kirk and writer Folwell—and unabashedly declares, “These are my best creations.” Then, he quietly motions toward a painting of a nude figure watching a swimmer. The energy of its bold strokes is reminiscent of Dunbar’s gestural work. That’s Nina’s painting,” he says, his voice filled with pride.

A few moments later, he circles back to the question about his favorite painting. “I don’t have a favorite piece, and I don’t want to have one. When you do that—when you’re satisfied—then you stop moving forward. Trying to do the ultimate painting would take away the excitement I feel every morning when I go to the studio. And that is something I want to feel always.”

The George Dunbar retrospective, Elements of Chance, will be on exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art from November 3, 2016 to February 19, 2017.

View the exhibit during the 50th Odyssey Ball presented

by Iberiabank at NOMA on November 12. noma.org.

October-November 2016 23

Oktoberfest

INSIDE a handy guide to events and entertainment in and around New Orleans

October Magazine Street Merchants Association

539-9631. ogdenmuseum.org.

and First NBC Bank. Over 100 galleries,

1 Electrolytes. The Southern Food &

Haley Blvd. 2pm. 267-7490. natfab.org.

1 New Orleans Baby & Child Fest.

Presented by Ochsner Health System.

shops and restaurants. Six miles of

Beverage Museum, Eat Fit NOLA and

Exhibits, family activities and more. The

Magazine St. magazinestreet.com.

The University of Queensland–Ochsner

Pontchartrain Center, Kenner. 10am-4pm.

Clinical School team up to address health

babyandchildfest.com.

1 Maude Schuyler Clay: Mississippi

24

Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St.

History and Simon Gunning and

maladies through culinary medicine

the Southern Louisiana Landscape.

and dietary practices. Rouses Culinary

Exhibition openings in conjuction

Innovation Center by Jenn-Air, Southern Food

with Art of Arts’ Sake. 6-9pm. Ogden

& Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle

Inside New Orleans

1 Zona Wainwright. Degas Gallery, 604 Julia St. Opening reception, 6-8pm. 826-9744.

1-Nov 4 American Factory Direct 20th Anniversary Celebration. Enter to win

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

1 Art for Arts’ Sake. Presented by The

October 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 Oktoberfest. Ceremonial Keg Tapping, 5K Run and Walk, Dachshund Dash, German food and drinks. Live music featuring Bayou Bavarians Band, Yodel Blitz Band, Das Ist Lustig Band and more. Deutsches Haus, Rivertown, 415 Williams Blvd, Kenner. Fridays, 4-11pm; Saturdays, 1-11pm. $8; 12 and under, free. 522-8014. deutscheshaus.org.

$20,000 worth of in-store credits and prizes. 210 New Camellia Blvd, Covington.

(985) 871-0300. afd-furniture.com.

1-April 9 Goods of Every Description: Shopping in New Orleans, 1825-1925.

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St. 532-4662. hnoc.org.

1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30 Myrtles Halloween Experience. The Myrtles Plantation, 7747 Hwy 61, St. Francisville. >> October-November 2016 25

Inside Scoop (225) 635-6277. stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

3, 17, 21, 24, 28 School Day Tours.

raffles and live auction to benefit the Fellowship Fund, a financial assistant

$25. bridgecitygumbofestival.org.

14, 27, 19 Open House. Isidore Newman

Experience the Crusader school day.

program for Lambeth House residents

School, 1903 Jefferson Ave. Oct. 14,

RSVP required. Brother Martin High

who outlive their resources.150 Broadway.

Pre-K, 9am; Oct. 27, Pre-K, 9am; Oct.

School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. 5-8pm.

6-8:30pm. 865-1960. lambethhouse.com.

19, Lower School, 11:30am. 896-6323.

283-1561. brothermartin.com.

4 Middle School Open House Grades

13 Un Bel Di Statue Dedication. The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans

newmanschool.org.

15 Boo Carre Halloween and Harvest

5-7. Stuart Hall School for Boys, 2032

Opera Association will dedicate Un Bel

Festival. Petting zoo, live music,

S. Carrollton Ave. 6:30pm. 861-5384.

Di, Madame Butterfly, created by Thomas

activities and more. Dutch Alley.

stuarthall.org.

Bruno. 2504 Prytania St. 4:30pm. 267-

7 City Stars Soiree. Dinner, raffles, auction and live music by The Wise Guys to

9539. operaguildhome.org.

13-16 Big Book Sale. Sponsored by

10am-4pm. Free. frenchmarket.org.

15 CADA Carnivale. Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for Greater New Orleans

benefit the Junior Achievement of Greater

the Friends of Jefferson Public Library

welcomes all ages to enjoy entertainment,

New Orleans. JA Biztown, 5100 Orleans

benefitting the Jefferson Parish Library

unlimited rides, sweets and more at City

Ave. $50-$10,000. 569-8657. jagno.org.

System. Pontchartrain Center, 4545

Park’s Carousel Gardens. City Park. 821-

Williams Blvd, Kenner. 455-2665.

2232. cadagno.org.

7 Friday Nites on the Square: 90 Degrees West. TerraBella Village, 111 Terra Bella Blvd, Covington. 5:30pm. (985) 8717171. terrabellavillage.com.

7 Gala for Life. Woman’s New Life Center hosts their Gala for Life at clubXLIV in Champions Square. Patron party, 7-8pm;

friendsJPL2@yahoo.com.

13, 20 Open House for Pre K to 12th

15 Christopher Homes 50th Anniversary Gala. Celebrating Christopher Homes, a

Grade. Louise S. McGehee, 2343

senior living ministry of the Archdiocese

Prytania St. 8:30-10am. 561-1224.

of New Orleans. New Orleans Lakefront

mcgeheeschool.com.

Airport. 227-3299. christopherhomes.org.

14 CADA Carnivale Patron Party. Council

15 HNOC’s Currency Collecting in

gala, 8-11pm. General admission, starting

on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for Greater

the 21st Century. A workshop with

at $75. womansnewlife.com/gala.

New Orleans’ patron party for Carnivale.

curator and historian Erin M. Greenwald,

7-10pm. 821-2232. cadagno.org.

currency collector Randy Haynie and

7 Kelly Kicking Cancer Gala. To benefit brain cancer research. Castine Center,

14 Magic in the Moonlight. Al fresco

dealer Stephen Cohen. The Historic

Pelican Park, Mandeville. 7-10pm. (844)

dinner at the New Orleans Botanical

New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St.

200-5424. kellykickingcancer.org.

Garden. Botanical Garden, City Park.

10am-12pm. Free, reserved seating. 532-

7-8, 14-15, 21-22 Oktoberfest. Deutsches

6:30pm. neworleanscitypark.com.

4662. wrc@hnoc.org.

Haus, Rivertown, 415 Williams Blvd,

14 One Heart One Soul: The Life and

Kenner. 522-8014. deutscheshaus.org.

7-9 Gretna Heritage Festival. Gretna

School, 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie.

Party. Hosted by the Catholic Cultural

9:30am. 736-9917. stmsaints.com.

Historic District. Adults, $20-$47.50; 12

Heritage Center. On view until Sept. 1

15 O What a Night! Gala. Cocktails,

and under, free. gretnafest.com.

2017. Old Ursuline Convent Museum,

appetizers by Chef Devillier, seated

1112 Chartres St. 6:30pm. $75. 525-

dinner, live music, silent and live auctions.

9585. stlouiscathedral.org.

Patrick F. Taylor Library, Ogden Museum

11 Information Night. Brother Martin High School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. 5-8pm.

283-1561. brothermartin.com.

11, 18, 25 First Time Renovator Training:

14-15 The Southern Garden Symposium. Various locations, St.

Renovate Right. Three-part course on

Francisville. $93-$175. (225) 635-3738.

how to best manage a renovation project.

southerngardensymposium.org.

Preservation Resource Center, 923

14-16 Bridge City Gumbo Festival.

of Southern Art and adjacent venues.

6-11pm. 539-9650. ogdenmuseum.org.

15 Mercy: Encountering Boundless Love.

Women in the New Evangelization(WINE) will host its first New Orleans conference.

Tchoupitoulas St. 6-8:30pm. $50-$65.

Gumbo, rides, games, pageants and

Archbishop Rummel High School,

636-3040. prcno.org.

music. 1701 Bridge City Ave, Bridge City.

Metairie. 8am-5pm. (985) 807-5666.

Oct 14, 5-11pm; Oct 15, 10am-11pm;

neworleanswine-2016.eventbrite.com.

Oct 16, 11am-9pm. $3; ride day pass,

16 Fête du Jardin. Louisiana Landmarks

13 Operetta on Broadway. Cocktails, seated dinner, live Opera performance, 26

15 Open House. St. Martin’s Episcopal

Legacy of Henriette Delille Preview

Inside New Orleans

Society’s annual fundraiser. Pitot House on Bayou St. John, 1440 Moss St. 4-7pm. $65; $35 for 35 and under. 4820312. louisianalandmarks.org.

16 Saints vs. Panthers. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Noon.

19 Open House for Grades 5-12. Academy of the Sacred Heart, 4521 St. Charles Ave. 5-7pm. 269-1213. ashrosary.org.

19 Pre K Open House. Metairie Park Country Day, 300 Park Rd, Metairie.

6:30pm. 849-3110. mpcds.com.

21 Blue & White Friday Night. Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St. 7-9pm. 4866631. jesuitnola.org.

21 Friday Nites on the Square: Four Unplugged. TerraBella Village, 111 Terra Bella Blvd, Covington. 5:30pm. (985) 871-7171. terrabellavillage.com.

21-22, 28-29 Boo at the Zoo. Halloween event for children up to 12. 5-9pm.

Audubon Zoo. audubonnatureinstitute.org.

21-23 Ghosts in the Oaks. Amusement Park and Storyland, City Park. $12-$20.

483-9369. friendsofcitypark.com.

22 Race for the Cure. Roosevelt Mall Blvd, City Park. 7am. neworleans.info-komen.org.

22 Stained Glass Art in Sacred Places Tour. Lunch provided. Depart from 17th St. side of Lakeside Shopping Center parking lot. 9:30am-5pm. $75-$85. 6363040. prcno.org.

26 Open House for Grades PK3-4th.

Stuart Hall School for Boys. 2032 S. Carrollton Ave. 6:30pm. 861-5384. stuarthall.org.

26-30 Key to the Cure Kickoff Gala and Shopping Weekend. Kick off the charity shopping weekend with a gala Oct. 26. On Oct. 27-30, 2% of sales will be donated to the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium. Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans, 301 Canal St. Kickoff Gala Oct. 26, 6-9pm. $75. saks.com.

28 Celebration of Life Luncheon. Cancer >> October-November 2016 27

Inside Scoop Crusaders will honor 10 cancer survivors who have been active in the community.

stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

31 The Ronald McDonald House

Reception, 6pm; dinner, 7pm. $250; table of 10, $2,500. unitedwaysela.org.

New Orleans Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal

Charities of Greater New Orleans

St. Doors open, 10am. 501auctions.com/

2016 Golf Classic. TPC Louisiana,

for Real Estate Agents. Preservation

cancercrusaders.

11001 Lapalco Blvd, Avondale.

Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St.

Registration, 8am; tournament, 10am.

8:30am-3pm. $75-$85. Space is limited.

28-30 Voodoo Music & Arts Experience.

Fair Grounds, City Park. $73-$175. voodoofestival.com.

29 Pumpkins in the Park. Benefitting the Covington Food Bank. TerraBella

golf2016.rmhc-nola.org.

November 1-April 9 Goods of Every Description:

3 Historic House Specialist Seminar

Registration required. 636-3040. prcno.org.

3 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk. Lafreniere Park, Metairie. 5:30pm. lls.org.

Village, 111 Terra Bella Blvd, Covington.

Shopping in New Orleans, 1825-1925.

11am-2pm. (985) 871-7171.

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533

Louise S. McGehee, 2343 Prytania St. 8:30-

terrabellavillage.com.

Royal St. 532-4662. hnoc.org.

10am. 561-1224. mcgeheeschool.com.

29-30 Slidell Antique Association Street

2 Open House for Ages 1 to Grade 4.

3 Open House for Pre K to 12th Grade.

3 SIA with Special Guests Miguel and Aluna

Fair. First, Second and Erlanger Streets,

Academy of the Sacred Heart, 4521

George. Smoothie King Center. 7pm.

one block from train station. 10am-5pm.

St. Charles Ave. 5-7pm. 269-1213.

livenation.com.

slidellantiques.com.

ashrosary.org.

30 Saints vs. Seahawks. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Noon.

30-31 Yellow Leaf Arts Festival.

2 Tocqueville Society Award Ceremony.

3, 17 Open House. Isidore Newman School, 1903 Jefferson Ave. Nov. 3, Pre-K, 9am;

Honoring Alexis Hocevar for his

Nov. 17, Middle and Upper School,

exemplary leadership in community,

5:30pm. 896-6323. newmanschool.org.

Parker Park, 11936 Ferdinand St.,

volunteerism and philanthropy. Hyatt

St. Francisville. (225) 635-3665.

Regency Hotel, 601 Loyola Ave.

4 SacrĂŠ Coeur Tour de Maisons. The Academy of the Sacred Heart Alumnae

Association presents the third annual

giving away $20,000 of in-store credits

Legend. M.S. Rau Antiques celebrates

tour of six fabulous homes. Rosa Park,

and prizes. 210 New Camellia Blvd,

the life of Napoléon with an exhibit. 630

Uptown New Orleans. 10am-2pm. ashrosary.org.

4 Jr. High Band Night. Brother Martin High

Covington. 871-0300. afd-furniture.com.

5 Lecture and Book Signing. Author

Royal St. 523-5660. rauantiques.com.

6 Ella Brennan Award Gala. Honoring

Peggy Scott Laborde will discuss and

Ralph Brennan, president of the Ralph

School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. 5-8pm.

sign her work The Fairgrounds through

Brennan Restaurant Group. The Ritz-

283-1561. brothermartin.com.

the Lens: Photographs and Memories

Carlton, 921 Canal St. 7-10pm. $150-

4 School Day Tours. Experience the

of Horse Racing in New Orleans. The

$2,500. nowfe.com.

Crusader school day. RSVP required.

Historic New Orleans Collection, 533

Brother Martin High School, 4401

Royal St. 2-4pm. Free, reserved seating.

Elysian Fields Ave. 5-8pm. 283-1561. brothermartin.com.

4 St. Martin’s Episcopal School Golf

532-4662. wrc@hnoc.org.

5 Magic Microbiome. The Southern Food

6 Harvest Cup Polo Classic.

Summergrove Farm, Folsom. jlgc.net.

9 Book Signing. Ti Martin, author and contributor to Ella Brennan’s new

& Beverage Museum, Eat Fit NOLA and

autobiography, Miss Ella of Commander’s

Tournament. Cypress Lakes Country

The University of Queensland –Ochsner

Palace, will sign books. Hazelnut, 5515

Club at Ormond. Check-in, 9:30am;

Clinical School team up to address health

Magazine St. 4-6pm. 891-2424. Pre-

shotgun start, 11am. stmsaints.com/golf.

maladies through culinary medicine

order, hazelnutneworleans.com.

4-30 Syncopation: The Paintings of

and dietary practices. Rouses Culinary

9 Open House. Jesuit High School, 4133

Marcia Holmes. The Degas Gallery, 604

Innovation Center by Jenn-Air, Southern

Banks St. Tours at 4:30, 5:30 and

Julia St, Ste. 101. Opening reception, Nov.

Food & Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha

4, 6-8pm. 862-9744. marciaholmes.com.

Castle Haley Blvd. 2pm. 267-7490.

5 American Factory Direct 20th Anniversary Celebration. AFD will be

natfab.org.

5-Jan 7 Napoléon: General. Emperor.

6:30pm. 486-6631. jesuitnola.org.

10 Open House. Brother Martin High School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. 5-8pm.

283-1561. brothermartin.com.

>>

October-November 2016 29

Inside Scoop 10 Uncork the Cure. Champagne and sparkling wine fundraiser to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Cannery, 3802 Toulouse, St. 8-11pm. louisiana.cff. org.

10-12 Finley Trunk Show. FeBe, 474 Metairie Rd, Ste 102. 835-5250. febeclothing.com.

11 Louisiana SPCA Howling Success.

“Pop-culture”-themed gala to benefit the LA/SPCA. Hyatt Regency Celestin Ballroom, 3rd floor, 601 Loyola Ave. Patron party, 7pm; gala, 8:30pm. $100-$225.

501auctions.com/howlingsuccess.

12 A Night in Rio. Benefitting West Jefferson Medical Center. Special guest, Olympian Shannon Miller. Boomtown Casino and Hotel. 439-2525. wjmc.org/rio.

12 Mid-City Art Studios Open House 2016.

Paintings, mixed media, sculpture, pottery and more. 4436 Toulouse St. 10am-4pm. midcityartstudios.com.

12 St. Martin’s Art Market. St. Martin’s Episcopal School, 225 Green Acres Rd, Metairie. 9am-4pm. stmsaints.com.

12 50th Odyssey Ball. Presented by Iberiabank. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Dibool Crl. 7-11:55pm. 658-4100. noma.org.

12-13 Treme Creole Gumbo Festival.

Armstrong Park, 701 N. Rampart St. 11am-7pm. jazzandheritage.org.

12-Jan 3 Paintings of the Louisiana Watercolor Society. Atrium Gallery, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. Opening reception Nov. 12, 4:30-6:30pm. Free.

(985) 898-0515. christwoodrc.com.

13 Saints vs. Broncos. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Noon.

13-15 Oyster Festival. St. Clement of Rome School, 3978 W. Esplanade Ave, Metairie.

Free. experiencejefferson.com.

16 Open House for Grades 6-12. Metairie Park Country Day, 300 Park Rd, Metairie.

6:30pm. 849-3110. mpcds.com.

17 Essence of Style Design Symposium 30

Inside New Orleans

Designer Reception. Mingle with guest speaker René van Rems; enjoy libations and fare. 6-8pm. $150. 488-5488. longuevue.com.

17 French Market Tree Lighting Ceremony. Washington Artillery Park, 749 Decatur St. Entertainment, 5pm; tree lighting, 6pm. frenchmarket.org.

18 Essence of Style Design Symposium and Luncheon. Lecture “Flowers, Foliage and Botanicals” by René van Rems, AIFD. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd. 10am-2:30pm. $100-$125. 488-5488. longuevue.com.

19 Azúcar Ball. The New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation hosts “An Enchanted Evening in the Land of Fire & Water.”

Empire Ballroom, Hyatt Regency New Orleans. nohhf.org.

19 Beatriz Ball Trunk Show. Hazelnut, 5515 Magazine St. 3-5pm. 891-2424. hazelnutneworleans.com.

20 Third Sunday Concert Series. Zion Harmonizers. Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington.

5pm. Free. 892-3177.

24 Turkey Trot 5K. Benefitting MD Anderson Cancer Center. TerraBella Village, 111 Terra Bella Blvd, Covington. 7:30am.

(985) 871-7171. terrabellavillage.com.

25-27 Celebration in the Oaks. City Park.

Sun.-Thurs, 6-10pm; Fri.-Sat, 6-11pm. neworleanscitypark.com.

27 Saints vs. Rams. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Noon.

29 The Roosevelt Hotel Lobby Lighting.

130 Roosevelt Way. 5:15pm. 648-1200. waldorfastoria.com/theroosevelt.

30 Dolly Parton. Smoothie King Center.

8pm. livenation.com.

For a listing of cultural season events, go to page 67. Send your event information to scoop@insidepub.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside New Orleans.

October-November 2016 31

INside Story

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS to miss a cooler New Orleans? I wish there were a word in the New Orleans lexicon to describe the shock that hits you when you open your front door after enduring six months of heat and it’s cooler outside of your house than inside. You welcome your renewed energy and embrace your improved hearing without the constant noise pollution of a/c compressors humming in your ear.

Once or twice a decade, the city experiences a record-breaking autumn cold front that sends everyone into an absolute frenzy, including the cars.

Try polling your friends and asking them to rank, in order, what autumn means to them. I guarantee most New Orleanians would place sports before weather, and they’re not picturing crosscountry or volleyball. You know exactly what’s on their mind—the other F word. It’s not the game alone that preoccupies their minds but rather all of the rituals that surround it—Fantasy Football leagues, ESPN, and of course, that rigorous activity known as “tailgating.”

If you’re a citizen of the Pelican State, you almost forget that the word “tailgating” also has a negative image. I’m not referring to the random Bloody Mary stain on a picnic blanket. I’m taking about the jackass behind the wheel of an SUV riding your bumper. That type of tailgating. And, don’t deny it. You’ve probably tailgated or been tailgated while sitting inside a car a lot more than you’ve ever tailgated outside your car.

Cold snaps and tailgating remind me of a favorite childhood story. In the mid-1970s, during a 35-degree drizzly rush hour, one of my mother’s brashest (and to be perfectly honest) most obnoxious friends found herself the victim of an insolent tailgater. In the midst of gridlock traffic, her Buick station wagon stalled and refused to budge, which resulted in the tailgater laying his hand on the horn as she attempted, in vain, to restart the engine. She got out of the car, knocked on the hornblower’s window and pleaded for help. As the man furiously left his car to assist, she promptly switched places and sat behind the wheel of his car. “Lady, what are you doing in my car?” he asked her. “Oh,

If you grew up in New Orleans before the 1990s, you should at least have one childhood memory of a parent inside a freezing car frantically pumping or flooding the gas pedal in order to start the engine.

My mother spoke to her stubborn Oldsmobile 98 like a horse whisperer, gently coaxing the sedan into action. There was no happier sound than the engine finally revving up unless, of course, you were heading to the dentist to have a cavity filled, in which case a stalled car was pure joy.

don’t you know?” she responded curtly, “While you’re trying to start my car, I’ll place my hand on your horn the whole time since that obviously seems to help.” Needless to say, his subsequent apologies were sincere.

As for the happy and sporty definition of tailgating, last autumn I managed to attend THREE separate tailgating events, and yes, I ranked them all.

Sadly, the bronze medal went to my Alma Mater, Sewanee, which is host to one of the most beautiful

Tailgating

32

Inside New Orleans

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

by Michael Harold

campuses in the South. I’m sorry to report, however, that ABC Sports does not cover its riveting football games. The stadium is smaller than my high school field, and despite the beautiful fall foliage, people just stand around chit chatting.

The winner of the silver medal, LSU, throws an enormous celebration spread among acres of concrete, resembling a large outdoor barbecue. What sets LSU’s tailgating apart is the people. They’re friendly, they share gumbo with strangers, they get drunk and they let the good times roll. The whole afternoon is one big extended party.

Despite fun-loving LSU fans, someone has to win the gold, and if you’ve ever experienced a football game at The Grove in Oxford, Mississippi, you’ll understand why this campus rules the world of Southern tailgating.

The whole event is a feast for the eyes with strikingly good-looking students and alumni who welcome visitors into fancy tents adorned with antique silver, monogrammed linens, chandeliers, and enough name-droppingly good bourbon to supply a Kentucky Derby.

Sadly, it’s getting harder and harder to find real tailgating. Nowadays, if a car is even permitted to enter a stadium zone, it’s rare to see an open trunk with a blanket or a tartan thermos.

Times have changed. Consider the first definition that I found when I looked up the word “tailgating”—“An informal meal served from the back of a parked vehicle.” What I need to do is invent a New Orleans-centric word describing an informal meal, preferably Sauce Piquant (See last month’s issue.), served straight from the trunk of a stalled car on a cold day. No horns allowed.

October-November 2016 33

34

Inside New Orleans

Crafting Contemporary Style R i v e r s S p e n c e r

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

by Poki Hampton SINCE OPENING HER MAGAZINE Street shop, Rivers Spencer has added a new voice to the contemporary furniture design scene that has flourished for decades in New Orleans beginning with Mario Villa’s creations. What began as a desire to fill a void she found in the furniture market has turned into a growing nationwide business. With her laid-back style and her sophisticated eye, she designs and builds contemporary home furnishings in simple, elegant shapes and finishes.

The iconic double-shotgun house is at once a reflection of the past and a showcase for her timeless and tailored style. Entering the house, you feel as though you are in a typical Uptown New Orleans home, and that is intentional.

The showroom is a collection of antiques, modern styles and local art. The antique walnut combines with white lacquer to create an atmosphere that is classic and fresh at the same time. When Rivers >>

October-November 2016 35

decided to show her creations in different rooms of a house, it gave clients insight into how pieces would look in their own homes. It was an innovative idea that is paying off.

“I could not find high-quality pieces in the sizes and finishes I wanted. So I began having custom handmade pieces created locally.” Her custom pieces are primarily made of iron with artisan-applied hand finishes.

Since each piece is bench-made by local fabricators, they can be custom finished for the client. If a client’s home is in warm tones, the finished piece can take on that warmer gold tone.

The champagne finish, a very popular silver-leaf finish, is a mix of warm and cool tones, and it blends with any color palette. “New Orleans has a strong history with gold and gold leaf, which is timeless,” says Rivers. Custom glass, marble, mirror and upholstered leather surfaces are also available.

With New Orleans as the backdrop, many of styles in the collection reflect the quirky spaces that are found in many Crescent City homes. The Rivers Spencer Collection has also found quite a following at market with designers from across the country. Most like the flexibility of having something custom created for their clients to fit a certain need.

Finishes, sizes and colors are chosen to create a cohesive feel in the client’s rooms.

Adding a bit of whimsy to her collection, Rivers names her pieces after friends and people who have influenced her throughout her life.

“Caroline,” a bench, and “Olivia,” a coffee table, are named after childhood friends; “Ivey,” a barstool, for several family members. The “Williamson” ottoman is named after her boyfriend, and the “Margo” console is for Rivers’ 36

Inside New Orleans

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

roommate at Ole Miss. “One of our most popular coffee table designs is the ‘Ryan,’ named after an old boyfriend. And ‘Leslie’ is another popular bench,” says Rivers.

New pieces are constantly being introduced, and upholstery has been added to the line. A nursery is being added to the back of the Rivers Spencer house so a mother-to-be can see how seamlessly Rivers’ pieces can be incorporated into even the newest room in the house.

Last fall, the Rivers Spencer for Tritter Feefer collection was presented at the High Point Market.

Rivers created this new line of furniture using her simple lines, elegant finishes and contemporary influences. Keeping true to her friends, pieces include the “Camille” console, the “Dorothy” buffet and the “Evelyn” Ribbon coffee table.

In the spring, Rivers gained national attention at the first annual Southeastern Showhouse and Gardens in Atlanta. With Suzanne Kasler as the chairwoman of the event, the 20,000-square-foot house was decorated by designers from across the South. Rivers decorated the Ladies’ Retreat in her chic, simple style.

Her inspiration has brought something new to the market. “The designs are meant to be simple, affordable and easy to live with,” says Rivers.

October-November 2016 37

38

THE COLONY OF NEW ORLEANS that was founded

by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville in 1718 barely survived. Colonization by French citizens was unsuccessful, and even the forced immigration of prisoners, prostitutes and the penniless was useless.

Recruiters from John Law’s Company of the Indies recognized German peasants as “sturdy stock, honest and hardworking”—in other words, good farmers, wrote historian Ellen Merrill. Law circulated pamphlets promising the peasants that the French settlement in Louisiana would bring them political and religious freedom, wealth and peace. Years of war, famine and political upheaval in Germany

Inside New Orleans

had left the farmers destitute and depressed.

Law’s colorful broadside, seen in most Louisiana school history books, even depicted mountains sloping down to the waters of the Mississippi. Earl Sundmaker, director of the German-American Cultural Center and Museum in Gretna, said in an interview, “They discovered a much different reality.”

Five ships of Germans left France between March and August 1721, but Law didn’t bring the Germans to Louisiana. His company was bankrupt. The ship captains dropped them off on Biloxi area beaches, where there was neither shelter nor supplies, said Marilyn Richoux of the St. Charles Museum and

photo: THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, ACC. NO. 83-382-RL

by Ann Gilbert

The Germans of New Orleans

photo: THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, ACC. NO. 1974.25.27.499

Historical Association. Hundreds had already died waiting months in tents at the French port of L’Orient, where cholera and the plague were prevalent. When they finally boarded the so-called “Pest Ships,” dozens more died due to crowded conditions, lack of fresh water and inadequate or spoiled food. A significant number perished on the beaches in the heat and sun, where they languished for months. Indians in the area noticed their plight and brought them corn and other food.

Bienville rounded up New Orleans’ citizens with boats and sent them to rescue the German immigrants. They were brought to the west bank of

the Mississippi near present day Taft, 30 miles north of New Orleans. The French called the area Côte des Allemands—the German Coast.

In an interview, Daniel Hammer, deputy director of the Historic New Orleans Collection, summed up the terrible loss: “Some 3,000 Germans left their homes for L’Orient, the port of the Company of the Indies, but only 1,500 sailed for the French colony.

Of those, only a fraction made it to the German Coast.” The census of 1722 lists 257, but that was before hurricanes and floods almost wiped them out.

In 1724, there were only 161 residents, but they tamed the land and were soon harvesting vegetables, >>

Above: An engraved print depicting John Law in 1720 by artist Leon Schenk.

Opposite: John Law’s recruitment pamphlet promising political and religious freedom, wealth and peace to German peasants who would migrate to Louisiana.

October-November 2016 39

photo: SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY

despite continued hardships. Equipment promised by the French was painfully slow in coming, and there were no horses for 10 years, few cattle and no slaves. German historian J. Hanno Deiler suggested the farmers survived because of their mental fortitude and physical strength.

Piling their canoes with produce, they floated down the river and spread their harvest on the levee near today’s Jackson Square. It was the first French Market. “By the 1740s, the Germans were supplying

New Orleans with apples, plums, pears, figs, sweet potatoes and melons. Dairies provided cheeses, and beef production rose,” Merrill said. “The German Coast was the breadbasket of New Orleans.”

The immigrants near the river had to build a levee and a road in front of their property, the origin of River Road. The five original villages became three, as the settlers moved to higher ground near the river.

Plantations on River Road carry another vestige of the old German Coast—property is wedge-shaped, providing each owner with levee access.

Marilyn Richoux of the St. Charles Museum and Historical Association, said, “Some immigrants were not listed in the 1724 census, but they were in the area and eventually came to the German coast.” One of these was Adam Trichl (Triche), an ancestor of this writer, whose mother was a Triche and grew up in Reserve. Adam Trichl came to America on the “Pest Ship” LaGaronne with his wife and three children.

Ships logs are rich research fodder for genealogists.

Two severe Indian attacks occurred in 1748 on the east bank of the river, the second German Coast, also inhabited by German families. They crossed

the river, leaving their fields, livestock, and homes.

Bienville could not get them to return. Swiss soldiers who spoke German provided protection for the villages, but only on the west bank. Karl Friedrich d’Arensbourg served as commandant of the German Coast for 48 years.

Catholicism was the only religion that could be practiced in Louisiana for the 85 years of French and Spanish control. The church and the state were closely allied. The French named the first crude church for the immigrants St. Jean des Allemands, St. John of the Germans. Later church parishes were called St. John the Baptist and St. Charles. In the 1800s, Louisiana civil parishes would be named after those first Catholic parishes. The French government asked Capuchin Friars to serve the spiritual needs of the farmers. The Capuchin priests found the German Catholics to be more faithful in the practice of their religion than the French, according to Richoux. By 1730, the colony comprised 394 adults, 130 children and 113 slaves. Baptisms, weddings and funerals of those early Germans are recorded in the first record book of St. Louis Church, now the cathedral.

The German settlers might have retained more of their culture if there hadn’t been an invasion of French Canadians (Acadians) who were banished from Nova Scotia by the British in 1765. Merrill wrote that the two groups intermarried, often having some 20 children. The French language prevailed, and the Germans were assimilated. (See sidebar to discover how the German names were changed by colonial French officials.)

The Germans and Acadians under d’Arensbourg joined the French in a short-lived revolution in 1768 against the Spanish governor, Ulloa, who fled. When General O’Reilly came to quell the disturbance, French leaders of the revolt in New Orleans received the death penalty, but the Germans and Acadians were granted amnesty.

The colony began to prosper despite the British at its back door near Baton Rouge and the American Revolution looming on the horizon. The planters grew rice, cotton, corn and indigo, but sugar cane would become the main crop. German Coast prosperity won the area the name of Côte d’Or—The Gold Coast. >>

October-November 2016 41

Pierre Clement Laussat was in New Orleans to represent France at the Louisiana Purchase ceremonies in 1803, when the colony was flipped from Spain back to France and then to the United States. It was quite a show with the three flags raised and lowered. Laussat said during his visit, “The German Coast was the most industrious, populous, upright and respected part of the French colony.”

German peasants coming to the United States in the early 1800s, signed themselves over to their ship captain, who then leased each man to

How German names became “French” French authorities who registered German immigrants upon arrival in New Orleans wrote the names of the newcomers phonetically, as the peasants couldn’t read or write. Here are the family names of some of the German immigrants and the spelling given by the French.

This information was found on the St. Charles (Virtual) Museum and Historical Association, which works to preserve the history of the German Coast.

42

Inside New Orleans

Jaidel – Haydel Foltz – Folse Trichl – Triche Dubs – Toups Traeger – Tregre Huber – Oubre Zehringer – Zeringue Engel – Hingle Kamper – Cambre Mayer – Mayeux Rommel – Rome Wagensback – Waguespack Wicher – Vicknair Zweig – LaBranche (Zweig means twig.)

German breweries—there were 10 in 1895— Above: Children included Falstaff and Regal; Jax owned by the pose by their Fabachers; and Dixie owned by the Merz family.

“Coming of the The breweries opened restaurants and bars, Germans” float in adding another market. Drinking beer was such an the Krewe of New integral part of German life that kegs were placed Orleans Romance in each work area of a brewery, according a WYES parade on February documentary on the Germans of New Orleans.

10, 1934.

Employees were free to imbibe. At the Tivoli Beer Below: Saengerfest Garden on Bayou St. John, children were entertained Hall erected on Lee as their parents danced, the WYES film related.

Circle for the 1890 The film also noted how many Germans entered Saengerfest in New the funeral home business, including Bultman, Orleans.

Muhleheisen, Schoen, Sontheimer and Leitz-Eagan.

German stone carvers made a name for themselves with cemetery statuary, and gardeners opened flower shops and nurseries such as Elbe’s, the WYES film noted. >> photo: THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, ACC. NO. 1999.63

photo above: THE CHARLES L. FRANCK STUDIO COLLECTION AT THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, ACC. NO. 1979.325.3841

someone for three years. “It was not slavery,” Hammer said. “They were given lodging, food and clothes, and a little money. It was a means of paying off their passage.” These indentured servants provided cheap labor, since importing slaves into the United States became illegal in 1808.

Historic Gretna was originally called Mechanickham. Docking was cheaper in that area, hence it’s where many ships dropped off their passengers—tradesmen, craftsmen— giving the community its name.

“Destrehan hired those men to dig the Harvey Canal in 1833, which they did with wooden shovels. He didn’t want to use his slaves,” Sundmaker said.

In 1847, leading citizens of the New Orleans founded the German Society to assist new immigrants. “The most common form of help was advice,” Hammer says with a smile. “Many were being swindled on both sides of the ocean.” Some 240,000 new arrivals were aided. Most of them went north or west, but 20,000 of the 170,000 people in New Orleans in 1860 were German-born. It was the major German-American center in the south.

Upon arrival in New Orleans, many peasants worked as peddlers, carrying packs and selling items for the home. Later, some bought a horse and wagon.

The ambitious would eventually open a dry goods store. “These mercantile families were crucial to the economy of the South, selling to black and white customers alike,” historian John Nau wrote in his book, The German People of New Orleans 1850-1900. Nau said the millions of Germans flocking to the United States were inspired by the poet Goethe, who wrote, “America, thou has it better. There is no dictatorial king in America, and no white man has a master there.”

The educated immigrants maintained their ethnic identity by gathering into societies—professional, social, benevolent and religious—plus gymnastics clubs, shooting fraternities and singing groups.

Fitness of the mind and body were of primary importance. Each neighborhood had its own newspaper; 300 were being published in the state in the mid-1800s.

October-November 2016 43

“German immigrants became influential leaders in the arts, politics, and commerce, significantly impacting New Orleans,” said Hammer. “The era was called the ‘Golden Age of German Ethnicity.’” This sampling of their accomplishments and contributions to New Orleans in the 19th century is impressive: • Charles Zimpel designed the streetcar in 1834 and a German church and synagogue.

• Dr. Charles Luzenberg opened a medical school and the Franklin Clinic in Bywater to serve the new immigrants.

• Schwegmann came to America in the 1850s and served in the Union Army, later coming to New Orleans.

• Elizabeth Kettenring Begue served the butchers and farmers at the French Market a late second breakfast, the first brunch in the Crescent City.

• Elizabeth Cohen was the first female physician in Louisiana; she came to New Orleans to treat yellow fever victims and lived to be 101.

• Deidle designed St. John the Baptist Church with its signature gold dome, modeled after his church

•

•

•

•

•

in Dresden.

Thiel designed the striking Turners’ Hall, now the offices of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and St. Rock Market.

Fritz Jahncke got the patent for cement as a birthday present from his New York business partner and came to New Orleans, where he paved the sidewalks before founding Jahncke Shipyard in Madisonville. He told his sons, who built ships for WWI, “to work hard and give to the community.” His son Earnest opposed the United States attending the 1936 games in Berlin and was asked to resign from the Olympic Committee.

Danziger owned one-half interest in the Jung Hotel, was director of the Milne Home for Boys and was active in the anti-Klan movement.

Oldenheimer was president of Lane Cotton Mills and an industry innovator. He was a major donor to the Audubon Zoological Gardens. In 1927, he became the first president of the Deutsches Haus, which he founded, combining all the German societies.

Georg Michael Hahn of the German Coast was the governor of Union-held Louisiana in 1864. He

photo: SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY

founded the town of Hahnville.

J. Hanno Deiler was one of the most remarkable immigrants in the city, according to Hammer. This Catholic Bavarian changed the focus of the German Society from immigrant aid to the support of Germanowned businesses. The German Men’s Singing Society grew to 900 members under him, and he brought Sangerfest, a national German singing convention, to New Orleans in 1890. The archives he collected of all the German clubs in the city are housed at the Historic New Orleans Collection, “and form the most extensive storehouse of German-Americana in the U.S.,” Hammer said. Deiler’s day job was teaching German at the University of Louisiana (Tulane). He died at his country home in Covington in 1909.

The contributions of Germans have often been ignored or overlooked for two reasons, Merrill said in a WYES interview. “They were overshadowed by the French and Spanish bias in New Orleans in the 19th century, and they were hidden after the two world wars with Germany in the 20th century.”

German immigrants and their descendants in New Orleans served in three wars—the Battle

of New Orleans in 1815, Mexican-American War and as members of the Confederacy in the Civil War—yet they were subjected to gross injustices with the start of World War I. They were not allowed to speak German in public, sell or purchase German-made products or print publications in their language. German could not be taught in schools or colleges. Some citizens were even hauled to jail, if neighbors suspected they were spies. The German culture was forced to go underground. In a film at the Gretna museum, a woman recalls what she thought as a child at the time: “I decided I wasn’t >>

Area Museums Tell The History of Germans For further research into German immigrants in New Orleans, visit, call or check the websites of the following local museums and organizations that have significant exhibits and collections on German history.

German-American Museum and Cultural Center Located in the century-old Gretna Primary School building in the Gretna Historic District, this museum opened in 1998. The National Park Service researched, wrote and designed the exhibits as part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, but the Friends of German-American Museum and Cultural Center now operate it.

519 Huey P Long Avenue Gretna, LA 70053 Phone: 504-363-4202 Hours: Wed. – Sat., 10 - 3 Email: germanamerican@bellsouth.net Director: Earl Sundmaker

46

Inside New Orleans

St. Charles Museum and Historical Association This museum is “virtual,” that is, a web site. It can be accessed at this address: historyofstcharlesparish.org.

A group of area women spent several years researching the history of the parish. The design of the site is beautifully executed, easy to follow and visually entertaining. For more information, call Marilyn Richoux at 985-764-2698.

Historic New Orleans Collection The Williams Resource Center is the research arm of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Both are located in the French Quarter.

410 Chartres Street New Orleans, LA 70130 504-523-4662 Email: reference@HNOC.org Hours: Tues. – Sat., 9:30 – 4:30 HNOC Deputy Director: Daniel Hammer

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

going to be German anymore.”

In 1927, the Deutsches Haus became the center of German life. Members reached 600 at one point. But as they drew close to celebrating their 80th anniversary, the building was devastated

by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Members worked on their own homes during the day and on the Haus at night, according to a Loyola University documentary on the organization, Haus of Memories. As they were ready to host another grand Oktoberfest as the city was struggling to recover, members learned that the building serving as the center of their community was going to be leveled to make way for the new medical center.

Land has been purchased on Bayou St. John, and the Deutsches Haus center will rise again, so New Orleanians of German heritage, and thousands of friends, can celebrate their 300-year history in America. Hammer described their impact this way in the HNOC quarterly: “Through French and Spanish rule, and American accession, Louisiana has beckoned to and been shaped by German settlers.”

by Ashley K Arceneaux

#MyLSUDegree

Above: Jay Ducote.

Inset: Erica Sherman.

48

BECAUSE LSU IS IN OUR BACKYARD, it’s easy to forget what an exceptional university it really is. But it is a state treasure. It’s home to some of the world’s brightest scientists, scholars, and academicians—people who are on the verge of finding solutions to the world’s biggest problems. These are the individuals who find new ways to treat diseases like cancer, discover species previously unknown to science, create works of art that engage society and develop new concepts for education, transportation, and economics—and that’s just a start.

Aside from all that, LSU provides a high-value educational experience that yields incredible results for graduates. With tuition that’s 25 percent lower than other flagship universities and graduation rates well above the national average, an LSU education is an investment that provides dividends in return.

LSU alumni have done everything from landing a rover on Mars to writing New York Times best sellers, composing Academy Award winning scores, running Fortune 500 companies and everything in between.

But while many of us are familiar with the university’s more well-established alumni, most don’t realize that LSU graduates start reaping benefits from their LSU degrees the second they walk across the stage, accept their diploma and make the transition from student to alumnus. In recognition of the amazing accomplishments of LSU’s young alumni, the university launched a social media campaign called #MyLSUDegree, which employs user-generated content (usually videos shot on the individual’s mobile phone) to demonstrate the benefits that come along with a degree from LSU. Many people don’t know that Louisiana’s own Food Network star, Jay Ducote, is a two-time LSU alum.

Inside New Orleans

With a bachelor’s degree in both economics and political science and a master’s degree in political science, he is one of the best known—and beloved—culinary figures in our state’s history. Not only does he have successful line of products ranging from barbeque sauce to wine, he’s also hosting a pilot on Food Network called Deep Fried America. He proves that the passion behind an LSU degree carries beyond the classroom and into the culture that makes our state unique in the nation.

Erica Sherman, graduate of LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication, has taken her degree in public relations and put it to work for the Los Angeles Rams, where she’s responsible for community affairs and player engagement. “The experiences I had at LSU really helped get me where I am today,” said Sherman, who adds that she loves what she does and is still excited to have the position she holds.

Another great example of the clout an LSU degree holds is Mhel Lazo, who used his bachelor’s in mathematics and master’s in analytics to improve the client experience at Walt Disney World. “The LSU experience has been critical to my success at Disney for many reasons … LSU’s partnerships with local businesses allowed me to take the skills I learned in the classroom and apply them to real data,” said Lazo. His position within the company illustrates the creative possibilities inherent in even the most analytical degree path.

Curious about what others have done with their LSU degrees? Visit www.lsu.edu/mylsudegree to see all the great videos Tiger alumni have submitted, or follow #MyLSUDegree on social media. If you are a young LSU alum with a great job—or know of someone who fits the bill—submit your video and be highlighted by your alma mater!

Wine Cellar

by Bill Kearney

THERE IS AN UNDENIABLE IMPACT that movies have on our society. While there are many different perspectives as to whether this impact is positive or negative, the end result on our behavior is without debate. In particular, watching a certain product item and how it is presented can have fascinating and unpredictable results on our purchasing patterns.

The literary trilogy (I will not pass a quality opinion here) Fifty Shades of Grey and the movies that have ensued have had a massive impact on the sale of Sancerre in America; demand for the beautiful white wine from the Loire Valley of France has seen tremendous growth in the last several years.

filled rocks that also cover the area absorb the heat of the sun and pass it along to the soils and vines that cover thousands of wine-producing acres. The particularly remarkable nature of this area creates a micro-climate that is without equal, and this allows for the creation of the vibrant and mineral-like wines we know as Sancerre.

Chablis, which is located nearby, also has the Kimmeridgian Marl effect on their soils, though the impact on the wine is somewhat different. The grape varietal in Chablis is primarily chardonnay as opposed to sauvignon blanc, which is grown in Sancerre. One can only imagine how these crisp

While American wine-loving enthusiasts have long appreciated this mineral expression of sauvignon blanc, our exposure and familiarity with Sancerre has certainly been enhanced.

I recently was fortunate enough to have been the guest of one of the finest producers of Sancerre in the Loire Valley, and I came away with an amazingly heightened appreciation of this wonderful French white wine. Henri Bourgeois is certainly one of the premium wine houses of the Loire Valley, and it produces many extraordinary expressions of Sancerre as well as other wines of this unique viticultural area. The soils of this region are fascinating as they are littered with fossilized remains of a salt-water landscape that enveloped this area millions of years ago.

It is very common to walk among the vines in Sancerre and find stone sea shells by the hundreds.

The effect of these ancient remains on the soils that produce these sauvignon blanc wines is profound.

The Kimmeridgian Age saw massive seas blanketing these areas, and we are the fortunate consumers of Mother Nature’s by-product. Additionally, large flint-

wines grown in soils impacted by thousands of years of saline seas would go with our marvelous seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. The combination of sea salt, lemon zest and minerality in these white wines when paired with shrimp, oysters and crab is a delightful and pleasant gastronomic experience.

Sancerre can be found by many different producers in an area that also produces some of the world’s finest goat cheeses. While Henri Bourgeois enjoys an elite status, there are other quality wines from Chateau de Sancerre, Domaine Vacheron and Joseph Mellot. Unlike their neighbor in Burgundy, the white wines of Sancerre are much more moderately priced and can be found in wine stores throughout the city.

In addition to our cuisine, our climate also creates many opportunities to enjoy these wines. The crisp and refreshing nature of Sancerre certainly will have you wanting more. As with many wines, there are some premium cuvées that cost more but also bring about greater richness and layers of complexity. Sancerre is a wonderful wine for our climate and cuisine that I hope you seek out.

Sancerre

October-November 2016 49

the keyboard, he crafts every word, changing and rearranging them the same way a designer moves pictures on a wall. His facial expressions mirror the emotions of his words. The children are captivated, fascinated and hungry for more.

And he continues to compose for them, this poet Brod Bagert, because that’s what fuels his very soul.

Bagert’s love of poetry was sparked when, as a little boy growing up in New Orleans, he wrote a poem for his sick mother. That spark ignited into a flame as he studied and fell in love with the great poets during his years at Jesuit High School and even into college at Loyola. Although that fire smoldered as he earned a living for his family, the embers were set ablaze again when he composed a poem for his daughter, Colette, to recite at a school competition.

Not surprisingly, both his daughter and his poem, The Night I Caught the Burglar, were a big hit. This fueled his passion for poetry, and he wrote even more poems. Soon, people were asking for copies of his works. This ultimately led to a book of poems for children, If Only I Could Fly, that Bagert self-published in 1985; it sold 20,000 copies.

Brod Bagert HE SITS AT HIS COMPUTER, surrounded by dozens of wiggling third graders. A large-screen monitor stands nearby.

“All right!” he booms. “Do you want me to write a poem for you?”

“Yes!” they scream in unison.

“Then tell me something that makes you feel like this.” He scrunches his face and narrows his eyes.

“When my little brother plays with my toys.

That makes me angry.”

“Angry! That’s good. So, let’s say, ‘Stop playing with my stuff!’”

“Yeah!” the students yell. He’s nailed it.

Talking out loud as his fingers dance across 50

Inside New Orleans

by Karen B. Gibbs

Word spread about the poet-lawyer. “Next thing you know, a group of Jefferson Parish teachers ask me to speak at a luncheon of a reading association.

As a trial lawyer, I’ve spoken in front of hundreds of people; as a New Orleans city councilman, I’ve spoken in front of thousands. But when I gave this speech about poetry, it was very emotional—the passion was just rolling out.”

Soon after, Bagert received an invitation to perform his poems for a group of third graders. “I look back on this as a real serendipity. If I had started with seventh graders, they would have eaten me alive or chilled me out. Kindergarteners would have fed on me like piranha fish. But third graders, they’re

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Poet with a Purpose

lovely and fun, spontaneous and happy”—the perfect audience for his first school performance.

Returning to his law office after that presentation, he sat down at his desk and stared at the stacks of legal papers before him. He realized there was a painful disconnect between the sense of fulfillment he felt while performing poetry for the children and the feelings he had being a lawyer. “With the kids, there was this sense of accomplishment, as if my day had some value to someone. People buy yachts or nice cars to get that feeling. I was getting it by working with children.”

Then and there, Bagert decided to do whatever it took to get more of this. For the next few years, he worked his law practice around every speaking engagement that came his way. Teachers were quick to spread the word of his enthusiastic performances and how his methods inspired their students to love poetry. It wasn’t long before Bagert was appearing before teachers and students not only in Louisiana but also in Mississippi and Florida. Over the next few years, as his fame spread across the nation, he averaged over 100 student performances and 20 reading conferences per year—all while working his law practice.

Bagert recalls one particularly grueling year when he performed more than 100 times across the United States and in two foreign countries. On the last day of this tour, he gave four presentations at a California school. “So, after I finished what was the last performance of the hardest tour of my life, the principal said, ‘You can say no if you want to, but the three kindergarten teachers are very upset that we didn’t include them. Would you do something for them?’ Coincidentally, I’d just received from my publisher the unbound pages for my book, Shout. It’s my favorite—it makes me happy.”

Problem was, Bagert had already packed up the

projector, speakers and microphones. Grabbing the pages of his new book, he decided to read those poems to the children instead. He thought if he lost their attention, he’d do something else. But he never lost their attention.

“After I performed the whole book, 90 kids yelled, ‘Do it again!’” And he did.

“Cheese and crackers, crackers and cheese…”

“They loved that poem, Snack Time. It’s all about life. When we make a mess, we clean it up and go back at it again. The heart of my work is to express the emotions that children feel, in a way that makes them stronger, healthier, happier and more powerful.

Life will knock you down, but powerful kids get back up; powerful kids kick peer pressure in the

butt. Powerful kids are more likely to take the long, hard road to success than the short road that leads to mediocrity.”

Helping kids become more powerful is a theme that runs through the Hormone Jungle. Written for ages 12 to 14, it chronicles the evolution of a friendship between Christine and Steven and how they weather the storms of adolescence and life.

One of the poems, The Voice of an Unnamed Star, is Christine’s message from Steven as he’s dying of leukemia. It reads in part: And so, In this ocean of eternal night, I make day.

I burn to give this light away And in burning earn the right to say

>>

October-November 2016 51

I am a star.

So in the twilight of some cool September evening, Remember me, And perceiving how I loved you, Look for me again, Just above the southern horizon, For I will be there, And you will find me.

This delicate juxtaposition of love and death takes the reader on an emotional journey. Indeed, Bagert admits that all of his books are emotional— transporting the reader from lighthearted to heartwarming and all points in between. “From the first poem to the last, the poems are emotional stepping stones. Most of this occurs on an unconscious level. When children finish the book, they’re in a different position than when they started.

I’ve intentionally made it this way.”

Like his poems, Bagert’s own journey as a poet also runs the gamut of emotions. Performances are deliriously fulfilling but physically draining because he

gives his all, every time. So, when he scheduled backto-back performances in five states in one week, he really raised the bar. Yet, despite the pace, Bagert recalls a couple of experiences during that time that assured him it was worth it.

“I’d arrived home late Friday night, washed my clothes and packed to go out again Sunday morning.

It had been a demanding 10th week of an 18-week tour, not one day off. I sat down on my bed, totally exhausted, wondering where I’d find the strength to keep going. Then I thought of the kids I’d see the next day. I got up and headed to the airport. I landed in the Dakotas at 11:30 p.m. It was after midnight when I started driving to a Lakota Indian reservation.

I knew I had to go 80 miles west, but the roads were not well marked and I didn’t know which way was west. So after 10 miles without seeing a road sign I stopped the car, got out, found the North Star and confirmed my course. The Dakotas. A million stars. It was cold. I could see my breath fogging up. I heard wolves in the distance. Beautiful. And I thought, this is the way I drive to work! Nothing beats this. No more whining about being exhausted.”

Another time, I was performing in Sandusky, Ohio. “I don’t do many high schools, but this time it was for a group of tough kids. I performed The A B C Song, from Hormone Jungle. It’s about how kids sabotage themselves because they think they aren’t forgivable. Toward the end, the poem reads, I am old and I’m tired, please don’t listen to me.

Go climb some tall mountain, or sail the big sea.

U... Irreplaceable you.

With that, this big teen sitting in the front burst out crying. I’d noticed that he was feeling the poem, but he’d been holding back. The idea that a piece of writing could produce that strong of an emotion (and bring the healing that happens because of that emotion) is fulfilling to me. It’s the best thing that can happen.”

This message that you don’t have to be perfect resounds not only in Bagert’s writings but in the way he teaches students to compose poems. “I tell them to begin by writing your worst. Then, just try to make it

better with each re-write. That way, every re-write is a success. The only failure is when you can’t make it any better, and then it’s good writing! You’ve succeeded.”

As much as he loves performing for students, Bagert derives the same pleasure working with teachers.

Roseanne Ramos, a teacher and member of the Capital City Reading Council in Baton Rouge, recalls Bagert’s presentation at a conference in South Florida. “Brod is a phenomenal speaker. He motivates and inspires teachers to have excitement and fun when teaching. We learn as he works with students at these conferences.

He overwhelms them with enthusiasm and love for reading. I’ve watched students read one of his poems and identify with it. They get so excited. ‘That’s me! Give me more!’ They can’t wait! The kids finally have poetry that addresses their feelings and what they’re going through.

That’s what draws their interest and keeps them reading.”

Bagert impressed another person at that same South Florida conference. “After the talk, I’m autographing books, and this woman stands in front of me and says, ‘How come I don’t know you?’ I thought that was strange, so I said, ‘Well, how come I don’t know you?’” That woman, Bernice Cullinan, just >>

so happened to be a poetry editor and a former president of the International Reading Association.

“Do you have a manuscript for another book?” she asked. That was the watershed moment of his career. Bagert handed her the copy of the latest book he’d been working on. “The minute she published that book, I told my wife, Debby, I’m going for it, and I closed my law practice. That was in 1992.” With two children in college at the time, Bagert describes their financial situation as a payas-you-go, but wife Debby was supportive.

“I felt he had something to share,” says Debby. “I figured we’d work it out. And we did. What a trip!” She put her part-time real estate business into high gear. “When Brod ran for public office, I’d go door-to-door asking for votes. It would be even easier to do it when I could get a nice commission.”

As for their four children, they actually knew their father more as a poet than a politician or lawyer, so they were happy and excited for their dad.

Free to devote all of his energy to his career, Brod’s creative juices flowed. Seeing firsthand how poetry impacted children, he set out to develop a curriculum using poetry to teach other subjects. He called it the Muse Project. After writing hundreds of instructional poems, he looked for an educator to review the program.

His quest ended at an International Reading Conference in Louisiana where he met Dr. Julie Bryant, associate professor of education, and Jennifer Fox, educational instructor, both from Southwest Baptist College in Missouri.

After seeing Bagert’s presentation, they stopped by his booth at the conference to learn more about his approach to teaching. Since he was surrounded by teachers, Bryant left her contact information, and she and Fox returned to their hotel room to pack for the trip 54

Inside New Orleans

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

home. Fortunately, their flight was cancelled, and they spent an extra night in Louisiana. “That evening, I got an email from Brod saying he would love to talk with us about partnering with him at the conference next year. We were so excited we screamed and danced around the hotel room.” It was that chance event that gave Bagert the opportunity to tell Bryant and Fox about the Muse Project.

Bryant recalls, “Brod inspired me with his charisma and his belief in poetry as a vehicle to teach many other subjects.

He is an amazing individual who’s so passionate, it’s contagious.”

The trio applied for and were invited to speak at the conference the following year. To fine tune their presentation, Bagert spent a weekend in Missouri, where he wowed Bryant’s two children by performing all the poems from his book Giant Children—including Booger Love.

Then he penned a spontaneous poem for Bryant’s daughter commemorating the loss of her first tooth, and another for her

son simply because he wanted his own Brod Bagert poem, too.

The conference presentation was a huge success. Before it was over, teachers were not just reading poetry before the group—they were performing it. “We hyped up the teachers to perform in their classroom. We told them their classroom was a stage, their students were the audience, and all they had to do was release the magic and do it!”

Release the magic and do it. Just as 34 years ago, a young attorney dared to let his passion fuel his destiny and consume his energy until passion and person birthed the poet—Brod Bagert.

Learn more about Brod Bagert and his work at BrodBagert.com. For bookings, contact Ashley Martinez, 504-906-7762.

To promote the use of poetry for teaching science, Bagert offers a cost-free, growing collection of poems to teachers and student teachers. They are available online as the Muse Project at BrodBagert.com.

IN the Bookcase

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Political Suicide

by Erin McHugh

WHO WILL YOU VOTE FOR, come November?

No doubt, you probably know who you’re not voting for, but at least one candidate on your party’s ticket has captured your attention. Now, you just have to hope nobody does anything to jeopardize that or make you change your mind. In the new book, Political Suicide by Erin McHugh, you’ll see that all kinds of things can go wrong.

Politicians are human.

There are surely times when you’d like to think otherwise, but the truth is that they laugh, they cry, they love— and they do boneheaded things. Their greed gets the better of them. Their egos need stroking, or their tempers take over.

Take, for instance, Daniel Sickles. Though the New York State assemblyman was a known philanderer himself, he was furious that his missus enjoyed a dalliance. Sickles killed his wife’s lover and went to trial but pleaded temporary insanity, becoming the first person to successfully be acquitted in that manner. Also lucky was a California Congressman who

killed a man over a lack of breakfast; he likewise served no jail time.

Throughout history, there have been many scandalous quirks in politics. One sitting Congressman served his country from an insane asylum. One was re-elected to Congress while in jail. And one notable Congressman told a mega-whopper of a lie to gain his seat, then tried to explain it by saying that he was “a prisoner” of his own story.

There’s money to be found in politics—although, unfortunately, it doesn’t always belong to the politician.

That doesn’t always stop them from taking the cash, however: one state treasurer who called himself Honest Dick, “in fact, was not.” Questionable loans are altogether too common. And imagine the shock when one small town discovered that its comptroller-treasurer “stole $53 million… money right out of the pockets of her friends and neighbors.”

There have been sex scandals aplenty in politics, words that went awry and a lot of big mouths. Racism has reared its terrible head, as has

double-crossing and blame-laying.

History repeats itself in contentious elections and Supreme Court nominations. And at least one political “man among men” wasn’t a man at all…

Looking for a little levity in the wreckage of this political year?

You’ll find some between the lines in Political Suicide, but don’t expect belly laughs or goofy stories. No, author Erin McHugh gives readers lots of true (and outrageous!) tales, but the humor comes from the situations themselves more than from the author. McHugh is quick to point out the ridiculousness of what happened, but she also puts things into historical and cultural perspective; what’s more, her accounts seem sympathetic now and then, especially when naiveté is involved. That gives readers a nice balance of silly, sad and scandalous.

What’s not to like about that?

Nothing, that’s what. So, White House watchers, voters, fed-up folks and historians should want to read this book. If you need a hint of disgracefully laden lightheartedness between now and November 8, Political Suicide is just the ticket.

October-November 2016 57

58

Inside New Orleans

“Take one hundred of the most enthusiastic ghost hunters and ask them to name America’s Most Haunted City. Most will spring to their feet yelling, ‘New Orleans!’”

- Richard Winer, Haunted Houses

Ghosts at Famous New Orleans Sites IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR when all things spooky come to mind. Here are just a few of the many places in the French Quarter that might just make your hair stand on end. Be prepared!

ballroom, where wedding receptions and conferences are held today.

Here are a few of the ghosts that haunt the Bourbon Orleans Hotel:

BOURBON ORLEANS HOTEL

1. A Civil War soldier marches up and down the hall on one floor carrying a rifle. A woman complained the noise kept her up all night. She opened the door and saw him.

2. A child is heard bouncing a ball down another hall.

3. One guest in the hotel woke up in the middle of the night to find a nun sitting in his room.

4. A chef was working late prepping for the next day when he knocked over a huge pot. He let loose with a few expletives; all of a sudden, the lights went out, and he felt a hard slap across his face. The lights came on, and he ran to the bathroom and, sure enough, his cheek was red and swollen. He resigned. Must have been one of those nuns who was not happy about his language in her sacred building, which she haunts.

This hotel has so many ghosts they give guests printed information on what they might encounter in the middle of the night. It was formerly a convent, orphanage and school operated by an order of black sisters, the Sisters of the Holy Family, founded by Henriette deLille, a Creole, who is now being studied for sainthood by the Catholic Church. All the women in her family had been “placages,” meaning they were “kept” women by planters, bankers and other wealthy men in the 1800s. She said “no” to that lifestyle because she wanted to be a nun. Of course, black women could enter any convent at that time.

After 10 years, she finally convinced the bishop to let her found an order of black nuns. A huge brass or bronze image of her in the sidewalk behind St. Louis Cathedral was placed there by the city.

If that is not enough history for one building, this was also the site of those Quadroon Ball where wealthy white men chose their Creole “placages.”

Some of those men and women still frequent the

by Ann Gilbert

OMNI ROYAL ORLEANS This hotel has its own ghosts, plus guests see interesting events late at night through the windows in the old courthouse across the street. This hotel

>>

October-November 2016 59

The imposing marble Beaux Arts–style Louisiana Supreme Court Building occupies a full block of the historic French Quarter.

was the site of the grand 19th century French Opera House. Marguerite was a soloist in the opera. When her husband had an affair, she pledged revenge and then committed suicide. The next day, her husband and his lover were found dead, asphyxiated from a malfunctioning heater in the bedroom.

THE COURTHOUSE A man and woman who were witnesses in a Mafia trial were shot and killed in the courtroom before they could take the witness stand.

Late one night during the filming of the movie JFK in the early ’90s at this courthouse, a security guard in the empty building saw a couple in the hall and chased them, but they disappeared.

He checked every room, and then saw them at the other end of the hall. With great determination, he raced down and reached out, only to have them disappear again. He left the building and refused to go back to work there.

PONTALBA APARTMENTS Jenny Lind sang in New Orleans in 1851 and Baroness Pontalba invited her

to stay in one of her new apartments on Jackson Square. Guests who rented the suite in the 20th century said they witnessed a grand ball with music and clothes from the 19th century.

ARNAUD’ S RESTAURANT Germaine Wells is probably the spectral image that appears in this august restaurant founded by her father, Count Casenave. The ghost wears long dresses and big hats, which Germaine was known for. She was also famous for having been in the court of more Mardi Gras Balls (22) than anyone else. When her father died in 1948, she ran the restaurant until she was 72. Her father still makes periodic surprise quality control inspections. Bus boys are known to drop trays upon his arrival. Casenave kept buying and expanding his restaurant until there were 13 buildings. Such a maze, with halls going up and down, that staff are positioned to help folks get back to their table. A third ghost in a tall hat is known to frequent the Richelieu Bar at Arnaud’s. A guest noticed him in the mirror but not in the bar. “Pour one for him,” he told the bartender.

LE PETIT THEATER The old theater has eleven entities, surprising cast, crew and patrons. Six are children. On a theater ghost tour one day, one gentleman was a total non-believer. He had just come with his wife. He sat down in the theater while the others were taken around the building to areas where strange appearances occurred.

At the end of the tour, he asked the tour guide if a child named Stephanie was one of the ghosts in the theater. She told him yes, but she was not included on the tour, because her murder and rape were too recent and have not been solved. He then said, with tears in his eyes, “Stephanie has been sitting in my lap.”

At Muriel’s on Jackson Square, a table is always reserved for the ghost of Mr. Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, the building’s former owner.

OTHER SPIRITS Apparitions of large groups are not uncommon. Boy Scouts and their leaders camping on the grounds of Destrehan Plantation looked up at the darkened grand home only to see an antebellum ball taking place through the windows of the second floor.

Outside the Beauregard-Keyes home in the French Quarter, Civil War soldiers have been seen in the throes of battle, complete with canon fire and the groans of the injured and dying. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard wrote his memoires in this stately house.

If these spooks don’t give you enough thrills, check the internet for many other suggestions as well as opportunities for guided tours.

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Traces

Alexis Hocevar Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award Recipient

“Anything you can do needs to be done, so pick up the tool of your choice and get started,” engineer Ben Linder once said.

This idea is exemplified in the work of United Way. United Way is a leadership and support organization engaged in nearly 1,800 communities worldwide that works to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all.

One facet of United Way is the Alexis de Tocqueville Society.

The Society, named for the Frenchman Alexis Charles Henri Clérel de Tocqueville, is an international group made of individuals who donate significant resources to aid United Way’s cause.

The Southeastern Louisiana branch of United Way currently has approximately 150 civic and philanthropic leaders in the Tocqueville Society, all of whom understand our community’s 62

Inside New Orleans

challenges and seek to be a part of the solution. Every year, the society awards one of its members who has shown exceptional community leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy. This year, the Alexis de Tocqueville award goes to Alexis Hocevar.

In the ’80s, Alexis, born and raised in New Orleans, began working at Enterprise Holdings Inc., which he credits with instilling in him the philanthropic spirit he is honored for today. Alexis was first involved with United Way through Enterprise as a young employee. He gradually became more active in the organization, ultimately joining the board in 1995.

Alexis has since held numerous positions within the charity, including campaign chair and board chairman of both UWSELA and the Alexis de Tocqueville Society.

As the co-chair of the De Tocqueville committee, he has made great progress in recruiting local philanthropists to the UWSELA Million Dollar Roundtable. Alexis focused on nurturing and developing the relationship with those generous benefactors; there are now five. As the liaison between United Way and Enterprise, Alexis has also concentrated on continuing the tradition of fostering humanitarianism in employees.

Besides the employee drive, Alexis sought to engage them in volunteer projects around the community. “For young people, it’s important to see the impact, to know that you’re really helping people and to see how much they appreciate it,” explains Alexis.

“Donating money is amazing, but you don’t get the experience of seeing a

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Ellen Thomas

family cry while you’re helping build them a home.” He emphasizes the importance of utilizing all assets at their disposal, especially relationships with other organizations and government at the local and state level.

“When you eliminate poverty, you eliminate a lot of other problems.

A little help can open up so many opportunities, and it’s important to get everyone involved and focused on the issue,” says Alexis. He was particularly proud of United Way’s success in getting legislation passed regarding gun violence in homes with a history of abuse.

Alexis counts being able to help the community he calls home as his biggest takeaway from his involvement with United Way. He says, “I grew up in New Orleans and have worked there for over 30 years. There’s still so much need and so much work to be done, I’m just happy to do my part in making a difference.”

This year, Alexis joins the esteemed ranks of David Fennelly, John Hollowell, William Goldring, Phyllis Taylor, Emeril Lagasse and Tom Benson. “It’s an absolute honor, and I’m not even worthy of it, but if I’m their guy, then I guess I’ll take it,” laughs Alexis. Though humble, Alexis’ decades-long commitment to helping others validates his worthiness of an award seeking to honor outstanding philanthropists. Alexis serves as an inspiration to those who want to change our community for the better.

On November 2, the Alexis de Tocqueville Society honors Alexis Hocevar for his service to United Way at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans.

October-November 2016 63

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

Bump Things That Go in the Night

I LOVE HALLOWEEN; in a race with Christmas, it comes in a very close second. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer and cooler, a little mystery creeps into the air. I’ve always been fascinated by the unexplained, and October is certainly the month for telling ghost stories and perhaps some other strange tales as well.

Most of my friends and acquaintances (and not a few strangers) have heard the compelling account of the time I saw a Bigfoot. It happened on an autumn night circa 1971 at my grandparents’ home out in the country.

(My mother’s father was a farmer, and when we spent the night with MeMe and PawPaw, we watched Hee Haw. My father’s father was a doctor and lived in town, and when we spent the night with Mom and Pop, we watched Lawrence Welk.) Anyway, on 64

Inside New Orleans

this particular visit to the country, my grandmother and I were up late waiting for my grandfather to return from fox hunting. I looked through the blinds of the kitchen window and by the light of a bright moon saw what looked like (to 9-year-old me anyway), the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz loping toward the house. I jumped back, terrified, and my grandmother rushed to see what scared me so. I described what I saw, but when she looked out of the window it was obviously hiding or ran away or something because she didn’t see it. The memory of that sight is so clear that I can still imitate the lope, though I absolutely refuse to do so due to the ridicule I’ve suffered in the past. So, yes, one of my guilty pleasures is watching Finding Bigfoot.

They actually taped an episode in my hometown of Natchitoches, not far from

my grandparents’ country home, so I feel completely vindicated and am still waiting for apologies—you know who you are. I also love ghost shows. I do not watch television shows about aliens because I’m not crazy.

While I love the spooky feeling surrounding Halloween, I’m much more of the Ghost and Mr. Chicken type rather than the Scream type; I confess, even the horror movie previews scare me a little.

My decorations definitely lean toward G-rated haunted house. My sister lived in an actual haunted house in Biloxi for a few years. She constantly heard loud, unexplained bangs and knocks, and once her patio doors flew open for no reason. She also heard the sound of glass breaking several times; she would go get her broom but, inevitably, found there was nothing broken. My one eerie experience in that home happened when I woke up in the middle of the night to the heady aroma of pork chops frying; it smelled really good, but I wasn’t about to check it out. I just stayed under the covers while the ghosts ate their dinner.

The editor of this magazine shares my goofy love of the supernatural; we’re planning a paranormal field trip to a known haunted hotel where we will conduct our research under the supervision of our publisher, who thinks we’re nuts but doesn’t want to miss out as cocktails will be served.

We will report our findings when our investigation is complete.

I sincerely hope that if you’ve ever had a run-in with a ghost or a Bigfoot, you no longer feel alone or isolated in your experience. If you’ve had an encounter with an alien, you should probably keep that to yourself.

October-November 2016 65

Southern Rep Theatre

by Jenny Windstrup

A scene from Shotgun by John Biguenet, which was part of the Rising Water trilogy during Southern Rep Theatre’s 2009 season.

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SOUTHERN REP THEATRE opens its 30th season with Airline Highway by Lisa D’Amour. This co-production with the University of New Orleans is the much-anticipated homecoming for the local playwright’s Broadway sensation. Airline Highway kicks off a dynamic season that reflects the company’s mantra—New Plays, New Orleans—with a lineup that also includes regional premieres of Grounded by George Brant and Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3), by Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as a Tennessee Williams offering, Sweet Bird of Youth.

The company’s commitment to Southern writers dates to its 1986 founding by playwright and scholar Dr. Rosary O’Neill. In the early years, Southern Rep focused on original theatrical voices and producing work that reflected Southern heritage. Quickly becoming a mainstay of the New Orleans’ arts scene, Southern Rep also worked to raise awareness about

Inside New Orleans

Southern writers through international touring productions. The company became a bastion of new work and established the Southern New Plays Festival that highlighted regional artists and ran annually until 2006, when it was re-envisioned as The New Play Bacchanal.

Ryan Rilette (Producing Artistic Director 20022007) continued to grow Southern Rep into a regional venue for premiere work. Under his tenure, Southern Rep focused on developing and producing new plays by American playwrights, featuring regional premieres of national work and joining the prestigious National New Play Network, an alliance of nonprofit theatres nationwide that champion the development, production and continued life of new plays for the American theatre.

Since 2007, Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes has continued to push the organization

photo: JOHN B. BARROIS

Celebrating 30 Years

Cultural Guide

2016-2017

forward, programming diverse Mainstage seasons that reflect the best of contemporary American theatre and creating Lagniappe programs that support and cultivate New Orleans theatre professionals. She has expanded Southern Rep’s School to Stage Pipeline of education and outreach programs, which include year-round afterschool and summer camp workshops for young people, student matinees and playwright training opportunities. Today’s company is committed to encouraging a stronger, more sustainable New Orleans arts community.

Through their acclaimed programs, they create meaningful employment and professional development opportunities, instigate strong community partnerships and directly advocate for increased public support for the arts.

Southern Rep’s 30-year journey has included many stops along the way, especially in the last few seasons while the company has worked to identify a permanent home.

Formerly tenants at Canal Place for nearly two decades, they performed across New Orleans since 2013 in venues ranging from university theaters, churches, warehouses and improvised spaces. “Being on the road has not been easy,” says Hayes, “but it has also been an incredible opportunity. We have grown as artists in response to the unique challenges of producing in so many different spaces, and we have developed new audiences from neighborhoods all across New Orleans who never knew Southern Rep before. It has also offered the wonderful chance to partner with our colleagues in higher education, first with a residency and co-production with UNO and coming up at Loyola. Ultimately, this experience has made us a stronger company, and it has taught us so much about what we want in a permanent venue and who we want to be for the future.”

The future is on New Orleans’ Bayou Road, at the historic crossroads of the city. The new Southern Rep Theatre (projected opening: 2019) will be a multi-stage theater complex in the former St. Rose of Lima church and grounds, housing the company’s administrative and rehearsal spaces and crowned by an outdoor community stage on the front plaza. Says Hayes, “After wandering for so many years, we couldn’t be more excited to be part of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in New Orleans. We envision a home where the doors are always open.”

A selection of highlights from the cultural season.

The Civic Theatre The Civic and the Bowery kick off the season with Andrew Bird on Oct. 3. The season will also present: Chris D’Elia, Oct. 6; Local Natives with Charlotte Day Wilson, Oct. 7; The Head and the Heart with Declan McKenna, Oct. 26; Here Come the Mummies/Peelander-Z, Oct. 30; Straight No Chaser, Nov. 2; and Animal Collective with Actress, Nov. 14. For ticket information and show times, call 272-0865, or visit civicnola.com.

Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans The Contemporary Arts Center has a season full of performances and exhibitions. On Nov. 18 and 19, watch Theater Mitu’s Juárez: A Documentary Mythology, followed by Stew & Heidi performing Notes of Nation Song on Dec. 9 and 10. Beginning Jan. 14, Rashaad Newsome: Mélange will be on display until Feb. 12, with two performances on Jan. 20. On March 16 through June 18, view exhibits Cecilla Vicuña: About to Happen and Senga Nengudi: Improvisional Gestures. Nufonia Must Fall of Kid Koala will perform April 14 and 15. Goat in the Road Productions will present Foreign to Myself on May 18-21. For more information on performance times and exhibits, call 528-3805, or visit cacno.org.

Jefferson Performing Arts Society The Jefferson Performing Arts Society opens its season with West Side Story through Oct. 2.

Followed by Funny Girl, Nov. 4-13; JPAS Christmas Concert featuring Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 3 and 4; The Nutcracker, Dec. 16-18; and Tarzan, March 17-26.

The Teatro Wego! season includes Breaking Up is Hard to Do on Sept. 9-18 and The Ultimate Christmas Show (Unabridged) on Dec. 2-11. For show times and information, (504) 885-2000 or jpas.org. >> October-November 2016 67

photo: RACHEL NEVILLE

Cultural Guide

Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré This theatre season, New Orleans’ flagship theatre company celebrates a century of life. Since founding in a Garden District drawing room in 1916, Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré has devoted itself to nurturing excellence in live theatre. 100 years later, it strives to carry on the ambitions of its founders: producing the highest-quality entertainment, establishing a creative home for the theatre artists of New Orleans and awakening a life-long love of theatre in the next generation. The season will open with Pippin closing on Oct. 2. On Nov. 4-20, Freud’s Last Session takes the stage. Jelly’s Last Jam will play Jan. 27-Feb. 12; Dividing the 68

Inside New Orleans

Estate, March 24-April 2 and April 13-15; and It’s Only a Play, June 9-25.

For up-to-date information and show times, call 522-2081 or visit lepetittheatre.com.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra After a triumphant return to the Orpheum, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra takes a “Fantasic Voyage” around the world for its 26th season.

The season continues with Dvorák Symphony No. 8, on Oct. 21; Brahms Requiem, Oct. 28-29; Band Together - A History of the Orpheum Theater, Nov. 2; Broadway’s Best: Featuring Bryan Batt, Nov. 12; The Planets, Nov. 17 and 19; Orpheum Holiday Spectacular, Dec. 9-11; Baroque Christmas, Dec.

15; Anne-Marie McDermott, Jan. 5; Edgar Meyer and An American in Paris, Jan. 13-14; E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Film with Live Orchestra, Jan. 20-22; Beethoven ‘Pastoral’ Symphony, Feb. 3; Augustin Hadelich Plays Bartok, March 10; Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5, March 16; Classical Mystery Tour: Music of The Beatles, March 23 and 24; Water Music, April 6; Mendelssohn ‘Scottish’ Symphony, April 20 and 22; Pepe Romero and The Three Cornered Hat, May 18 and 20.

Loyola University’s Roussel Hall will show Spooky Dances on Oct. 30; MASNO Piano Concerto Showcase, Jan. 8; LPA Moves, Jan. 29; and Circus Parade, March 19. At Tulane University, the Rogers Memorial Chapel will host Mendelssohn Piano Trio on Nov. 20 and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin performance on March 20 at Dixon Hall. The Mahalia Jackson Theater is home to Home Alone: Movie with Orchestra on Dec. 3. No Strings Attached is being shown at the Marigny Opera House on April 23. Fidelity’s Concerts in the Park: Swing in the Oaks will take place in City Park on April 25.

Other LPO performances include Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, Oct. 13, and New World Symphony, March 2, at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie. The Pontchartrain Center will host the Yuletide Celebration, Dec. 1.

Fidelity’s Concerts in the Park: Swing in the Oaks takes place in Lafreniere Park on May 11. For subscription options and show times, call 523-6530 or visit lpomusic.com.

Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts The Mahalia Jackson Theater’s lineup includes The Octonauts Live! on Oct. 10; Bianca Del Rio, Nov. 4; and Shen Yun, Jan. 20-21. New Orleans Ballet Association and New Orleans Opera performances can be found in their listings. For show times

and ticket information, call 287-0350 or visit mahaliajacksontheater.com.

New Orleans Ballet Association The 2016-2017 Main Stage Season of Dance is packed with five performances starting with Grupo Corpo on Oct. 15 at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Co-presented by the NOCCA Institute, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE takes the stage at NOCCA’s Freda Lupin Memorial Hall on Jan. 27-29. Stars of the American Ballet Encore! perform at Mahalia Jackson Theater on March 18 and Complexions Contemporary Ballet on April 22. On May 12, Jessica Lang Dance closes the season on the Mahalia Jackson Theater stage. For tickets, show times and more, call 522-0996 or visit nobadance.com.

New Orleans Museum of Art On view until Oct. 9, Unfiltered Visions: 20th Century Self-Taught American Art; ending Dec. 31, ‘Forever’ Mural by Odili Donald Odita; also ending Dec. 31, Orientalism: Taking and Making. Starting Oct. 14, view Seeing Nature: Landscape Masterworks from the Paul G. Allen Family Collection. On Nov. 3, George Dunbar: A Retrospective will be on display. For exhibit details and other events, visit noma.org.

New Orleans Opera The New Orleans Opera opens its season with Don Giovanni on Oct. 7 and 9. Operagoers will enjoy Macbeth, Nov. 11 and 13; Sweeney Todd, Feb. 10 and 12; and Faust, March 31 and April 2. All performances will be held at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts.

For up-to-date information, call 529-3000 or visit neworleansopera.org. >>

October-November 2016 69

Cultural Guide

photo courtesy: RIVERTOWN THEATERS FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Wizard of Oz performed at Rivertown Theaters.

Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane On view until Dec. 30, Marking the Infinite, featuring works by contemporary women artists from Aboriginal Australia. Newcomb Enterprise will present ten selected works from the Newcomb Art Museum Collection; the items will be on view until Jan. 13. For up-to-date exhibit and collection information, call 865-5328 or visit newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art Top Mob: A History of New Orleans Graffiti and /’p¯aper/ will be on display until Nov. 6. Art of the Cup and Teapot Spotlight will exhibit until Dec. 6.

Opening on Oct. 1, Maude Schuyler Clay: Mississippi History until Jan. 15 and Simon Gunning and the Southern Louisiana Landscape until Feb. 5. On Oct. 5 through Nov. 8, view Day of the Dead Altar install honorning Allen Toussaint. Among art exhibits and collections, Ogden Museum of Southern 70

Inside New Orleans

Art hosts Ogden After Hours featuring music artists. On Oct. 6, listen to Colin Lake Band; on Oct. 27, Los Pobocycitos; on Nov. 3, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; and on Nov. 10, Dayna Kurtz. Artists to be announced for the following dates: Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, and Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. For more information, call 539-9650 or visit ogdenmuseum.org.

Orpheum Theater In addition to the many Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performances, the Orpheum Theater presents Scott Bradlee’s Postermodern Jukebox on Oct. 23 and An Evening with David Sedaris on Oct. 25. For more information on listings and events, call 274-4871 or visit orpheumnola.com.

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts Let the Good Times Roll opened the season for Rivertown Theaters in September. On Nov. 4-20, 1776 takes the stage. Billy Elliot, the Musical begins

Jan. 13-29 followed by The 39 Steps on March 10-26. Bye Bye Birdie opens on May 5-21 and The Little Mermaid, July 13-23.

For information, season subscriptions and tickets, call 461-9475 or rivertowntheaters.com.

Saenger Theatre The Saenger’s jam-packed season includes Kenny Rogers’ Final World Tour on Oct. 8; Elvis Costello, Oct. 15; Sarah Silverman, Oct. 16; NEEDTOBREATHE’s Tour de Compadres, Oct. 17; Brian Clay, Oct. 21; The Illusionists - Live from Broadway, Oct. 25-30; Lindsey Stirling, Nov. 3; Bonnie Raitt, Nov. 5; An Evening of YES Music and More with Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman, Nov. 11; Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Nov. 22-27; John Prine, Dec. 2; John Cleese and Eric Idle, Dec. 3; Jersey Boys, Dec. 13-18; Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, Dec. 23; The Lion King, Jan. 4-29; Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, March 7-12; The Bodyguard, April 4-9; Alton Brown, April 26; Finding Neverland, May 9-14; and Mamma Mia!, June 6-11. For a complete schedule of events and ticket information, visit saengernola.com.

Southern Rep Theatre Southern Rep Theatre’s main stage season opens on Oct. 5 with Airline Highway at the University of New Orleans’ Robert E. Nims Theatre. The performance ends Oct. 23 before Grounded takes the stage at Loyola University’s Lower Depths Theatre on Nov. 2-20. Sweet Bird of Youth performs March 21-April 15 at Loyola University’s Marquette Theatre followed

by Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2, and 3) closing the season on May 31-June 18. For show times, tickets and info, call 522-6545 or visit southernrep.com.

The Historic New Orleans Collection On view until Oct. 29, Money, Money, Money! Currency Holdings from The Historic New Orleans Collection features more than two hundred original objects that illustrate the history of money in America, with an emphasis on Louisiana. Goods of Every Description: Shopping in New Orleans, 1825–1925, will be showed until April 29 and Clarence John Laughlin and His Contemporaries: A Picture and a Thousand Words from Nov. 17 through March 18.

The Historic New Orleans Collection will also host Concerts in the Courtyard on Oct. 21 featuring The Tumbling Wheels and on Nov. 18, Colin Lake Band. For more information, exhibits and collections, call 523-4662 or visit hnoc.org.

October-November 2016 71

Preserving History Clockwise: The reading room at the Williams Research Center, 533

IN 1938, GENERAL L. KEMPER WILLIAMS and his wife, Leila, purchased their first two properties in the French Quarter as part of a preservation movement that sought to revitalize one of America’s most treasured neighborhoods. They called the Quarter home for 18 years, during which time they amassed a substantial collection of important Louisiana materials meriting public access. With this goal in mind—of making the materials available for the public to visit, study, and enjoy—they established The Historic New Orleans Collection in 1966. With

Chartres Street; the portrait gallery in the Counting House, 533 Royal Street; portrait sketches of Leila Hardie Moore Williams and General L. Kemper Williams drawn in 1938

by Clarence Mattei.

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Inside New Orleans

the deaths of Leila and Kemper Williams, in 1966 and 1971 respectively, a foundation bearing their names established THNOC as an endowed institution supervised by a seven-member board of directors.

Today, the Williams’ legacies are alive and well.

THNOC is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to preserving the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. In its near-50-year history, THNOC has augmented its physical structure to include several historic buildings at two French

photos courtesy: THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

50 Years of The Historic New Orleans Collection

Below: The Historic New Orleans Collection’s flagship location, 533 Royal Street, houses permanent and rotating exhibitions, guided tours and the museum shop. Bottom: The courtyard at the Williams Residence, 718 Toulouse Street, where THNOC founders L. Kemper and Leila Williams once resided.

Quarter campuses: 533 Royal Street and 410 Chartres Street.

Its holdings comprise more than one million items from more than three centuries, documenting moments both major and minor. The Williams’ devotion to architectural preservation paved the way for THNOC’s expansion and preservation of its 11 French Quarter buildings, many of which house original exhibitions and programming year round. Readers also have something to gain: since the late 1970s, THNOC’s publications have encompassed a broad range of historical subjects ranging from art, music, culture and photography to manuscripts and >> October-November 2016 73

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Inside New Orleans

photos courtesy: THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION

Top: The Williams Gallery at 533 Royal Street hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year. This photograph shows Pipe Dreams: Louisiana under the French Company of the Indies, 1717–1731, which was on view in 2013.

Above: Assorted titles published by the Historic New

biographies and the popular Quarterly magazine.

THNOC’s four exhibition spaces—the Williams Gallery, the Louisiana History Galleries, the Boyd Cruise Gallery and the new Laura Simon Nelson Galleries for Louisiana Art—faithfully depict the multicultural stories of the region, from permanent displays exploring the evolution of Louisiana to rotating exhibitions showcasing history and fine art. Researchers—dedicated scholars and casual history buffs—can access THNOC’s materials through the Williams Research Center.

After a half century of chronicling the past, The Historic New Orleans Collection looks forward to an expansion of museum and educational space to coincide with the city’s approaching tricentennial.

In addition to a May gala that celebrated the 50th anniversary, the museum at 533 Royal St. is offering 50-cent tours on the first Friday of every month.

Docents will lead tours of THNOC’s courtyards and architecture, a special themed tour of the Louisiana History Galleries, or the Williams Residence where The Historic New Orleans Collection was born.

Orleans Collection including Vaudechamp in New Orleans, Printmaking in New Orleans and In Search of Julien Hudson.

For detailed information about The Historic New Orleans Collection and its many programs and exhibitions, go to hnoc.org.

October-November 2016 75

At the Table

NEW ORLEANS IS SO WELL KNOWN for seafood that it doesn’t sound quite right to say that it’s a great steak town as well. With the possible exception of New York City, where the steakhouse as we know it was created, New Orleans is at least the equal of Chicago in its steak cookery and better than any other town. Yes, better than Kansas City. Former Saints Coach Bum Philips once said, “The worst steak in New Orleans is better than the best steak in Texas.” He should know.

For most Americans, steak is never far from our 76

Inside New Orleans

minds when we sit down to dinner. Even those who usually eat other entrées almost always give a thought to the filet mignon that appears on every white-tablecloth menu in town. They will ruminate over the duck, fish, scallops and veal dishes, then say, “You know, I think I’ll just have the steak tonight.” Just the steak? They are fooling no one. By God, they want that steak.

Unlike most cities, New Orleans has long considered USDA Prime aged beef as a standard. We can thank John Vojkovich for that. He opened the Crescent City Steakhouse with top-end beef back in

illustration: GRETCHEN ARMBRUSTER

by Tom Fitzmorris

1934. He had another good idea: serving the steak sizzling in butter on a hot plate. That became the New Orleans steak style.

Vojkovich also picked the perfect location for his steakhouse. In the 1930s, people leaving the Fair Grounds racetrack were likely to drive right in front of the Crescent City. If they had a good day at the parimutuels, they liked the idea of blowing some of their winnings on a good steak. Not long after, Chris Steak House opened nearby and tapped into this rich stream.

After Ruth bought it, it grew into the world’s

King of the

Another steakhouse variety puts its efforts into finding excellent steaks at a lower price. These often don’t sport high USDA codes. But most of the time they don’t need them. The grading system is, let us note, not exactly scientific. I have bought many choice-grade steaks that had better marbling (the little streaks and flecks of fat that give the best beef its richness of flavor and tenderness) than the USDA Prime right next to it.

Below is my list of the ten best steakhouses. I have ordered them by location, but doing that sets them more or less in the order of excellence. This is not the same as a list of the best steaks served around town. A lot of excellent steaks come from restaurants that aren’t really steakhouses. For the purposes of this list, a steakhouse is defined as a restaurant where steak is offered in many cuts and dominates the

Dinner Table

top premium steakhouse, which it remains. (When Ruth Fertel still walked among us, she was the most successful female restaurateur in the world.)

Now as then, steakhouses give anyone the chance to spend big dollars in a restaurant without actually knowing anything about food. Even in the best steakhouses, the high-pedigree beef and other entrées are prepared very simply, accompanied by gigantic portions of the most basic side dishes. Such steakhouses boomed across the country in the 1990s and ever since. To us, these newcomers are only additions to what we already had here.

But very welcome. Because the thought of a great steak inspires lust. I’ll bet you’re thinking about having one right now, in fact. (I know I am.)

Steakhouses play two different image games.

One category makes a big deal over the pedigree of its beef, claiming high USDA grades, special breeds, aging and other matters that they hope will keep customers distracted from the lofty prices such steaks command. (Although a case could be made that many steakhouse customers actually like to spend top dollar on their steaks.)

menu. Paradox: steakhouses with few entrées other than steaks, or with ordinary appetizers and sides, will not rank as highly as they would if they did.

If you don’t see your favorite steakhouse here, send me an angry letter that tells me which places might be better.

UPTOWN Mr. John’s Steakhouse. Uptown: Garden District and environs: 2111 St. Charles Ave. 504-679-7697.

Everything is prime and so closely trimmed that it winds up being a better deal than most of the other restaurants in this list. The steaks are served with New Orleans-style sizzling butter. The rest of the menu includes not only the requisite few seafood dishes but also a rather extensive line of Italian entrees—a good match with the steaks. Best cut: New Orleans-cut strip (a double-thick sirloin strip cut into two pieces the size and shape of filets).

FRENCH QUARTER Doris Metropolitan. French Quarter: 620 Chartres St. 504-267-3500. The newest game in town,

>>

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just off Jackson Square, with a glass-walled, walk-in cooler displaying large primal cuts of beef undergoing lengthy dry aging. What comes to the table may be intrinsically the best beef being served in New Orleans right now. Some of the cuts are literally indescribable. Work is needed on the sides and desserts.

Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak. French Quarter: 215 Bourbon St. 504-335-3932. A prime steakhouse was a great idea for the newly-annexed building on Galatoire’s right. The steaks and chops (the lamb in particular) are excellent by any standard, broiled deftly, and served with a wide range of sauces. Best cut: New York strip.

Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse. French Quarter: 716 Iberville. 504-522-2467. The concept is terrific, the surroundings elegant in a masculine way and the important cuts (but not all anymore) are prime. When it’s on, DBS is fantastic. But it can be inconsistent, especially when packed with insurance salesmen and the like. (It seems that every convention

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in town learns that this is the place to eat in New Orleans.) Best cut: black-iron-skillet sirloin strip.

METAIRIE Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Metairie: 3633 Veterans Blvd. 504-888-3600. After New Orleans-born Ruth Fertel sold the world’s most successful premium steakhouse chain to corporate investors, the two local restaurants slipped in quality. Their behavior after Katrina made a lot of people angry, to boot. But those executives are gone, and for the past few years Ruth’s in our area has improved steadily. The Metairie restaurant in particular is consistent and exciting. The downtown place is handsomer but not quite as good.

Best cut: porterhouse for two.

NORTHSHORE Keith Young’s Steak House. Madisonville: 165 LA 21. 985-845-9940. One of the northshore’s handsomest and best restaurants in any category, always busy. Keith Young selects his meat by hand

and is always standing in front of the grill. Unusually good appetizers and sides. Best cut: large filet mignon.

Gallagher’s Grill. Covington: 509 S. Tyler. 985892-9992. Also Pat Gallagher’s 527. Mandeville: 527 Causeway Blvd. 985-778-2320. Pat Gallagher has operated many excellent restaurants over the decades, but something got under his skin after he spent a few years as the executive chef of Ruth’s Chris in Metairie.

His current restaurant doesn’t call itself a steakhouse, but it is one, with prime beef hand-cut in house, sizzling in butter. Great chops and a full menu of contemporary Creole eats. Best cut: filet.

MID-CITY Crescent City Steak House. Mid-City: 1001 N Broad. 504-821-3271. This is the steakhouse that set the standard for New Orleans’s great beef-eating tradition. The bubbling butter idea started here, as did the idea of serving only top-quality beef aged in house. In its second generation, the Crescent City

hasn’t changed much over the years. It still looks like a neighborhood cafe. Prices are significantly lower than in any comparable steakhouse. Best cut: porterhouse for two or more.

LAKEVIEW Steak Knife. Lakeview: 888 Harrison Ave. 504488-8981. After 40 years, the Steak Knife buys prime and handles steaks well. It continues to evolve away from a strictly steakhouse character, with a menu of great dishes in every category. This has not taken anything away from the steaks, however. They still have all their chops—literally. Best cut: ribeye.

WEST BANK O’Brien’s Grill. CBD: 2020 Belle Chasse Hwy. 504566-0221. Easily the best steak place on the West Bank, this place looks like a warehouse on the outside, but inside it has the elegant atmosphere of a speakeasy.

First-class steaks and chops and a lot of substance in the starters and sides. Best cut: New York strip.

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Flourishes

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1. Floating at Dusk, 26” x 26” pastel by Marcia Holmes, $2,600.

The Degas Gallery, 826-9744.

2. Hand-carved poplar wood

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stand painted black with gold leaf has removable hand-painted tray, $2,500. French Polish, Metairie, 289-6287. 3. Touch-screen, under-the-counter, self-cleaning Ion Alkaline Water purifier, $3,650.

Ion Alkaline Water, Metairie, 322-

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2723. 4. Crest Contemporary Fire Urn; includes media, $1,669.

Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 985-893-8008. 5. Hand-crafted 18” x 18” throw pillow made of

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100% cotton by Karma Living,

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$78. Hazlenut, 891-2424.

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6. Decorative Halloween witch’s hat, $101.50. Chateau Drugs, Metairie, 899-2300. 7. Hand9

thrown pottery wine glasses by local artist Annie Redd, $95/set of 4. mélange by kp, Mandeville, 985-807-7652. 8. NOLA House, painting by Heather Mattingly, $125. NOLA Bean, 267-0783.

9. Create your own custom sideboard. Hand crafted in the USA. The French Mix, Covington, 985-809-3152.

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Inside New Orleans

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Flourishes

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1. Test of Time, 30” x 40” oil on canvas

by James Michalopoulos, $12,500.

Michalopoulos Gallery, 558-0505. 2. Elise Pincu-Delfield Perky Teapot in Cool Hue,

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$150. Elise Pincu-Delfield wine or tea cup, $38. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 539-9650. 3. Painted house on gold-leafed canvas by Rayne Housey, $95-$105. Judy at the Rink, 891-7018.

4. Two copper trays, $96. Fur.Nish, Metairie, 702-8514. 5. Handmade 12” X 14” metal shrimp art by Elliott Bowser, $115. NOLA Boards, 516-2601.

6. Sector 6 T-shirt, $12. Sector 6, Elmwood, 539-4224. 7. Credenza with aged patina and intricate door onlays; four drawers above four doors with adjustable shelves; cabriole legs and shaped front. American Factory Direct, Mandeville, 985-871-0355.

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Flourishes 1 2

1. Steamboat Natchez New Orleans & The History of Mississippi River Steamboats, written by Kerri McCaffety with Clarke C. Hawley as 3

they portray the Mississippi River’s Golden Age of steamboats, $29.95 soft cover or $45 hard cover. Steamboat Natchez, 586-8777. 2. Ribbons boudoir sham with bright 4

red binding and 6-inch monogram, $139.99; merino and cashmere throw available in several colors, $185. The Linen Registry, Metairie, 831-8228. 3. Chateau Cachepot, $139. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 985-624-4045. 4. Ryan coffee table in gold leaf with beveled glass, $1,995. Rivers Spencer Interiors, 5

609-2436. 5. Let’s Go Round, 3’ x 4’ mixed media on canvas by Zona Wainwright. The Degas

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Gallery, 826-9744.

6. Luxe Console, 103 ½”W x 20”D x 34 ¾”H with white ash burl veneer, stainless steel base and inlay, acrylic handles, adjustable shelves, and holes in back for components. Eclectic Home, New Orleans, 866-6685.

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Designer Lela Rose

by Brenda Breck DURING A TRIP TO NEW YORK, I had the pleasure to meet a beautiful Texas Rose that has blossomed into the highly regarded American designer, Lela Rose!

When I asked what inspired her to leave her Dallas home for New York, Lela said that she always had a great passion to become a fashion designer.

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Upon graduating from college with a fine arts degree, she embarked northward to attend Parsons School of Design, where she flourished. From there, she went to work with esteemed designers Richard Tyler and Christian Francis Roth.

With her unique vision for incorporating the modern,

sophisticated look with the elegant, Rose debuted the Lela Rose Collection in 1998, which emphasizes the importance of color, texture and ease in all her couture fabric selections.

Lela says, “I love beautiful fabrics with a twist, coloration and detail that have a classic, Old World glamour.”

Her Southern culture and upbringing have influenced Lela’s designs. She says, “I appreciate the fact that women always dressed in the Texan culture, whether going to the grocery store, to drop-off children or running errands. Our customer still does that today. Our clients appreciate that they can wear our designs in the day and they transcend into the night with a change of accessories. My sense of color also comes from my Southern roots. I love color, especially mixed jeweled tones and saturated colors.”

Lela finds new concepts in her travels. She says, “I enjoy biking everywhere in New York, where I find a lot of my inspiration from the sights I see. I am able to stop and absorb what draws my attention.”

This year marks the 10-year milestone for Lela’s natural progression to the introduction of the Lela Rose Bridal Collection in 2006. Not limited to strictly bridal gowns, an entire line of bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses are included.

Lela’s innovative approach to her designs has garnered the respect of fashion editors, stylists and high profile celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Uma Thurman,

photos: DAN & CORINA LECCA

Fashion Update

photo: DIEGO UCHITEL

Sophia Vergara and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, among others.

International specialty stores carry this collection as well as premium retailers in the United States such as Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans.

Known as the ultimate party-giver, Lela shares her modernized style for decorating and a list of recipes to make your party the most memorable event with her newest book Prêt-à-Party. It is a fantastic, comprehensive, book for the consummate entertainer! (I have a copy and love it!)

In closing, I leave you with a quote from Lela, “Make every day an occasion. What you wear really has an effect on how you greet your day and how you feel about yourself. Our goal is to make you the happiest you can be to face your day.”

A fashion show of the Lela Rose Spring Collection will be featured at the 2016 Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans Key to the Cure Gala October 26.

Key to the Cure Kickoff Gala and Charity Shopping Weekend Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans, 301 Canal Street The Key to the Cure Kickoff Gala Wednesday, October 26, 6 - 9 p.m.

Delectable items from several fine restaurants and caterers; libations compliments of Republic National Distributing Co.; New Orleans-style entertainment. A Lela Rose fashion show will be featured.

Key to the Cure Charity Shopping Weekend Thursday, October 27 - Sunday, October 30 2% of sales at Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans will be donated to Louisiana Cancer Research.

For more info: louisianacancercenter.org/news-events/key-to-the-cure

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INside Look

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Autumn Essentials 1. China baroque bracelet, $229.

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The Shop at The Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection, 598-7147. 2. Katherine Barclay suede jacket shown in gold, $194.

The Villa, Mandeville, 985-626-9797.

3. High-low printed dress featuring long bell sleeves, lace up detail at the neck, and side slit, $46.

Little Miss Muffin, Metairie, 4828200. 4. Cayenne Valentina

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tote with wrap-around Mexican embroidery, glossy fabric, exotic prints, natural leather dye-free straps; deep cayenne with wine flowers; opened mouth design, $235. Little Miss Muffin, Metairie, 482-8200. 5. Fashionable jacket mixing modern materials with fluffy fabrics to create an expressive style. Elizabeth’s, Metairie, 833-3717. 6. Vintage ruby

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and sapphire floral bouquet pin in 18k yellow gold, $9,250. Adler’s, 523-5292. 7. Classic ’60s Modheeled bootie made with lizardpressed cow leather, $159. Little Miss Muffin, Metairie, 4828200. 8. Paradis Dress in

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magenta tipping point.

Swing fit with v-neckline, skinny long sleeves of cotton modal, $128.

Palm Village–

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A Lilly Pulitzer Store, Mandeville, 985-7782547.

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INside Look

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Autumn Essentials 1. Teardrop pendant set with colorenhanced diamonds and white diamonds in 18K yellow gold, $3,100. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 832-0000. 2. Mirian Midi Dress in garnet by Soshanna, $360. FeBe,

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Metairie, 835-5250. 3. 18kt white gold ruby and diamond band with .84 ct tw rubies and .43 ct tw diamonds, $4,995. Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers, Metairie, 831-2604.

4. Simone Perele Delice Demi with a French floral canvas of embroidery and scalloped guipure lace in garnet, $89; matching panty, $55. Bra Genie, Mandeville, 985-951-8638.

5. Mock Scuba Dress in Neutral Abstract, $190. Kevan Hall Sport, kevanhallsport.com.

6. Hollis dress in cardinal by Elizabeth & James, $395. FeBe, Metairie, 835-5250.

7. OPI’s Washington DC Collection, $9 each; classic manicure, $20; classic pedicure, $45. Le Visage Day Spa, 2658018. 8. Signature Traditional Fit Pima Cotton Sweater in Burgundy, $99.50; half-

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zip sweater in rust, $109.50. Jos. A. Banks, Metairie and New Orleans, 620-2265.

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FOR DECADES, discriminating travelers have turned their backs on boring, copycat hotel rooms and opted for suites in private homes. When traveling in Europe, sleeping at pensions was a lifestyle habit that, gratefully, crossed the pond. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are one-of-a-kind places to spend the night. Filled with antiques and other personal touches, they are favored by couples wanting a romantic weekend, girlfriends on a getaway from the kids or singles on business trips.

the fall, you can enjoy free live music by renowned Louisiana artists at the Trailhead. The Dew Drop Jazz Hall, the oldest surviving rural jazz hall in the world, is just a few blocks away and also has an incredible fall concert series on Friday evenings.

Located on the Tammany Trace in Covington just a stroll down the street from Camellia House and Blue Willow is Brooks Bike Shop, where you can rent bikes and kayaks. Spend the day biking the Trace, a 31-mile rails-to-trails conversion that runs from downtown Covington to Slidell. Be sure to stop off at some of the fantastic breweries and pubs along the way like Covington Brewhouse, the Abita Brew Pub in Abita Springs, or Old Rail back in Mandeville. The area’s

Northshore Weekend Getaway

by Ann Gilbert

screen porch on Blue Willow’s cottage addition.

Right: Blue Willow.

Opposite: A picturesque view from the balcony of Blue Willow’s cottage king suite.

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Blue Willow Guests at Blue Willow Bed and Breakfast near Lee Lane in Covington open an antique wrought-iron gate in a white picket fence to be welcomed by a garden >>

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Above: The relaxing

What may be a short trip across the causeway can easily feel like you’re worlds away from home once you arrive at one of these northshore bed-andbreakfasts. Whether nestled in the hills of Folsom, the downtown streets of Covington or the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, each has plenty to offer—food, activities and more. If nature is more to your liking, Maison Réve offers 30 acres in Folsom. Walkways, trails and gardens provide a quiet retreat. In Mandeville, there are plenty of stops for drinks and snacks, including Barley Oak overlooking the lake just a couple of blocks away from Blue Heron.

Every Saturday morning, the Tammany Trace Trailhead is bustling during the Mandeville Community Market, where you can hear live music and pick up some amazing prepared foods, produce, jewelry, crafts, artwork and more. On Saturday evenings during

scenic Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte Rivers are perfect for a day on the water as well, if kayaking is more your style. On every Thursday evening in October and April, head down to the Covington Trailhead for the Rockin’ the Rails Free Concert Series, which features some of Louisiana’s most popular musicians.

Covington is making a name for itself in the culinary world. For dinner, try Ox Lot 9, owned by award-winning Chef Jeffrey Hansell. It’s located just two blocks away from Camellia House and Blue Willow. Its dishes feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For an afternoon treat, try The English Tea Room, where you’ll find an assortment of authentic English fare and one of the largest selections of loose-leaf teas in the South.

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photo courtesy: CAMELLIA HOUSE

Above: The charming front master suite of Camellia House with its adjoining sun room.

Opposite: The Camellia House’s Bungalow-styled front porch.

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overflowing with roses, agapanthus and lush greenery.

Covington pharmacist Oliver Hebert and his bride, Cecile Hebert, were the first owners of the twobedroom cottage, and it was still in the family when Tom and Maureen Chambless purchased it 16 years ago. Tom recalls, “It wasn’t for sale at the time. We were able to find their daughter, Ann Wolfe’s telephone number in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She was not thinking about selling it, but graciously mailed us the key to take a look; we fell in love with its history and its location. She called shortly after to say, ‘I’m not selling it to anyone, but you.’ And here we are.”

Today, it is a five-bedroom B&B, plus the spacious living quarters of the owners. Some longtime Covington residents still call it Cecile’s House, but it bears little resemblance to the original, having undergone five renovations. The new owners saved most of the old camellias that lined the perimeter of the house, which was built in 1923.

When Katrina brought the makeovers of their home to a halt, Tom and Maureen were undaunted.

Transforming this Arts and Craft house into a stunning home and business came easy to Tom, who renovated distressed properties as a hobby. He retained authentic period elements when possible and even replaced old plaster with new plaster on some walls. The couple replaced many doors with cypress

Inside New Orleans

doors straight from an old hotel in their hometown of New Orleans. One is now their new front entrance, on the façade he redesigned.

They added sunrooms and private courtyards to the two original bedrooms, spaces to enjoy Maureen’s breakfast or rest and relax with a glass of wine or a good book. Four-poster beds occupy these two suites.

One comes with quite a history—it belonged to Cecile Hebert’s grandmother.

Maureen loves Blue Willow china and owns two full sets, plus multiple serving pieces. Some of the plates decorate the wall behind the Hebert bed.

When Tom asked her what she wanted to name the B&B, it was an easy choice.

The house had a ’40s kitchen. In her new kitchen, the hostess bakes blueberry muffins, banana bread and strawberry plantation cake for her guests.

They also have a choice of steel-cut oatmeal with pumpkin and apples, which she mixes the night before with almond milk. The dish wears a note, “Please heat me,” when presented the next morning.

Maureen doesn’t prepare large breakfasts because most guests want to go out for a special lunch. After all, Blue Willow is just a short stroll away from some of Covington’s finest dining.

The couple converted the attic into a suite with two bedrooms, sitting area and small kitchen.

photo courtesy: CAMELLIA HOUSE

This is the only carpeted area in the home. A stairway in the kitchen provides access to this hideaway. Tom moved the original stained-glass front door of the house to the top of the stairs. A two-story cottage adjacent to the house contains two larger suites with sitting rooms, porches, fireplaces and private entrances. The lower-level suite of the cottage includes a full kitchen and washer and dryer, perfect for extended stays.

Four of the five suites have separate entrances, because this couple makes every effort for their guests to have relaxing privacy. Each suite in the B&B has a plaque inside that shares “important things” including the couple’s words “If you don’t see much of us during your stay, it’s because it’s all about you.”

Tom says, “And we mean that, it’s all about our guests having a relaxing place to get away. Whether it’s business, a romantic weekend or family trip, we welcome all guests and many times, repeating guests. This business has been a blessing to us.”

Camellia House Camellia House Bed and Breakfast has three guest rooms graced with antiques and architectural finds that owner Linda Chambless has repurposed. Linda is a Master Gardener, and colorful plants surround this historic home on a corner lot in Covington’s “Garden District.” A double staircase leads up to the front porch of this B&B, where leafy plants and plush cushions invite guests to relax.

The Arts and Crafts-style home was built in 1927 just after the Great Mississippi River Flood, so it was raised 8 feet. A distinctive open block design in the trim frames the Bungalow-styled front porch. Dark green lattice hides the ground-level storage area and provides the perfect backdrop for blooming plants.

The expansive courtyard is welcoming with a hammock, Jacuzzi and 23-foot lap pool. Wicker, iron and Adirondack chairs offer restful repose. On cool nights, guests fire up the pits or the Southwest chiminea. City noises are not a disturbance, with the calming sound of the fountain spray filling the air.

Linda and her husband, Don, duplicated the front >> October-November 2016 95

porch on the side of the house, including all of the architectural elements. Two guest rooms share this porch, overlooking the pool. Thick, coarse cotton drapes provide privacy. The porches are extensions of the rooms, with chaise lounges surrounded by plants and bathed with cool breezes. Birds come in search of the berries in the trees lining the property, entertaining the guests with their calls and songs. “My guests live on the porches,” says Linda.

Each of these two rooms has a vintage table and arm-less, high-back, stuffed chairs, where the guests can work on a lap top, peruse brochures on St. Tammany cultural and sporting activities or consume the continental breakfast served by Linda. Breakfast includes almond or chocolate croissants, fruit turnovers, cinnamon rolls or spinach quiche from area bakeries.

Each room is equipped with a service bar— coffee pot, microware and small fridge. These minikitchens are creatively tucked away behind the doors of an armoire or in a closet. In the third suite, which faces the front porch, the breakfast bar is in the adjoining sun room.

A creative and spontaneous decorator, furnishing

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her rooms brings Linda as much joy as providing hospitality for her guests. “I love architectural salvage,” she says, and hunting trips on the north and south shores are frequent. Overlooking one king-size bed is a 6-foot, arched window frame now holding a mirror.

A leaded window frame over a queen bed is creatively placed between two rustic shutters. The lead between the six panes is actually ropey in texture.

Linda was privileged to inherit her grandmother’s trunk. It now serves as the television table. A 40-inch-square wooden chest with footlong hinges brings together a group of chairs on the porch. Linda can find a secondary use for anything.

A cornice sports hooks for hats, coats and purses. A fireplace grate holds a long, antique, wooden dough bowl containing books and DVDs. Several pieces that Linda displays in the Camellia House were found on sidewalks where they had been tossed out with trash. “Can you imagine throwing this out?” she exclaims, as we check out two pairs of tall shutters acting as a backdrop for a breakfast table. Laughter comes easy and often as this B&B hostess shares stories.

The Cressy House Bed and Breakfast in Mandeville, owned by Laura and David Cressy, exudes a Key West flavor, with Lake Pontchartrain breezes flowing through doors and windows. Despite multiple additions and raising the house 12 feet after Katrina, the front porch still bears the distinct architecture of a house dating to the late 1800s.

The original four-room structure was operated an inn. The Cressys continue this hospitality and often have Europeans as guests—especially visitors from France, who “prefer to stay in a bed and breakfast,” says Laura. When they purchased the house 32 years ago, it was still just four rooms and had been the summer home for Anna Ruth Suhor’s family for some 50 years. The Cressys met 93-yearold Anna at the closing. Years later, a grandson of Anna gifted the Cressys with her rocking chair.

Numerous additions and extensive remodeling now provide six bedrooms and seven baths for the blended Cressy family, which includes six children and nine grandchildren. Laura’s parents live in one wing.

(They just celebrated their 65th anniversary, and mom >>

photo courtesy: THE CRESSY HOUSE

The Cressy House

The Cressy House’s front porch welcomes guests to enjoy the breezes from Lake Pontchartrain.

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A large pond on the grounds of Maison Réve overlooks the expansive fields and trees.

because it has a view of the sunset over the lake, is decorated with a floral theme, and has use of a meandering deck with table umbrellas and pots of cherry tomatoes and palms.

Laura bakes banana nut bread for her guests and serves it with a variety of fruits, juice and coffee. Each room comes equipped with an ice machine, fridge, coffee pot, wine glasses and openers. Upon arrival, guests receive a bottle of wine, their choice of red or white. Because guests sometimes like the rooms colder than the owners set the thermostat, the Cressys installed a small unit in each suite. Another convenience is the elevator.

Friends and even B&B guests sometimes gather with the family for regular Wednesday night suppers called Sandwich Night. Laura’s dining room table seats 16. With this penchant for gathering people to eat, when Katrina hit, the Cressys moved into the police station (David was the city attorney at the time), and prepared meals for hundreds of people returning home to begin the cleanup.

Maison Réve “I have wanted to have a bed and breakfast since staying in one in Killarney, Ireland, 36 years ago,” says JoAnn Gray, owner of Maison Réve. She

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

still takes long walks on the lakefront.)

The Azalea Suite in the B&B has an Oriental theme in the drapery and framed art decorating the walls, which are burnished gold. Guests in this room can use the 27-foot music room/library, which has a comfortable leather couch and is centered with a long vintage oak table once used by David in his French Quarter office. A collection of instruments stands in one corner—bass fiddle, guitar, cello and baby grand piano. Two antique glassfront bookcases dominate one wall, and a linen press from a Scottish castle is at the end of the room. Reigning over it all is a 5-foot-wide brass chandelier with white glass globes.

The heart pine floor in the library is from an old Philadelphia church.

Laura formed a cooperative after Katrina with some 10 other families renovating damaged homes in order to facilitate purchasing such items as flooring and an elevator, which the Cressy House has.

“If my guests, come in from out of town and want to have friends over, the Azalea Suite is the perfect space,” says Laura. It is also an ideal gathering room for an out-of-town groom and his male entourage. These guests also have access to the front gallery extending the width of the front of the house.

The Pontchartrain Room, so named

Maison Réve.

and her husband, Dan, purchased the 30 acres in Folsom in 1999.

The Grays spent a year getting to know their land, hacking through thick growth to discover giant oak trees.

Living in a cottage on the property, which they first had to renovate, they spent three years building the home of their dreams. The structure included three rooms for that bed and breakfast she dreamed of so long ago.

Entering the property on a curving and heavily wooded driveway, one begins to relax, wind down, and soak up nature’s beauty. Soon, the French Château-style home reveals itself among the trees. Ten massive live oaks grace the property, and turkey and deer are frequent visitors. Ducks and geese glide on the pond.

Swiss bells announce the entrance of guests, and an Irish drum and a Scottish claymore (sword) decorate the front office—all pieces purchased on trips abroad. “All this was done with our own hands,” JoAnn says, with a sweep of her arm across the parlor. They laid the wood floors, and Dan designed and cut the trim for doors and windows and the molding, which she painted. A contractor walked in and saw her at the top of a ladder and remarked, “Can I hire you? This is a beautiful job.”

Dan constructed the curving staircase and the balcony railings on the second floor, and the couple laid the tile >> October-November 2016 99

photos courtesy: BLUE HERON

children. Sharing this story with a female guest who happened to run a woman-to-woman ministry, JoAnn wondered out loud, “Why did I survive?”

The friend asked if she knew about the ministry of hospitality in the Bible. “Making people feel welcome is a ministry,” she said. “You didn’t originate that idea to own a B&B. That seed was planted.”

Blue Heron

Above: Rocking chairs and a view of the gardens complete Blue Heron’s side porch. Right: The Girod Street view of Blue Heron.

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in the kitchen and gathering room and the stones on the multiple patios. The mistress of this B&B is also a seamstress; she fashioned the drapery for their home.

The three guest suites, located over the kitchen and gathering room, are named Des Amis, Cotes du Rhone and Bon Ton. In the hall is a closet with a coffee pot, tea pot and fridge containing juice, water and snacks. The master suite is downstairs in the opposite wing of the home.

For those guests on extended stays, JoAnn offers seven different breakfasts—from Pain Perdue with Bananas Foster to Grits and Grillades; from Eggs Benedict and Eggs Sardou to Omelets with Cheese Grits. And, of course, there are pancakes and waffles.

When you are hostess to the world, nothing surprises you. Upon entering the front door, one guest exclaimed to JoAnn, “Are you built over an Indian burial ground. Don’t you feel the spirits moving?” JoAnn’s guests become her friends. Several phoned from around the world “to make sure we were okay after Katrina,” she recalls.

JoAnn almost died from an infection a few years ago. The physician told her husband to gather the

Inside New Orleans

Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast is newly opened in Old Mandeville, conveniently located within walking distance of the lake, the Tammany Trace, the Dew Drop Jazz Hall, restaurants, shops and more.

Owners Sarah Chambless Federer and her husband, Steven, have been renovating this 100-yearold historic home for the past two years. The couple took great care to maintain the home’s character, including restoring the original windows, doors and hardwood floors. They also added a large porch to the side of the house so that guests could have private access to their suites.

Inside, the rooms are beautifully decorated with architectural salvage pieces and shabby chic décor that reflect the area’s historic charm and close proximity to the lake. Sarah grew up in her parents’ B&B in Covington, Camellia House, and learned at a young age how to run a B&B. She says, “My parents are the epitome of Southern hospitality. They taught me how to run a successful bed and breakfast that keeps guests coming back. It’s all in the details.”

Blue Heron currently offers two luxurious kingsize suites; each has a private entrance from a porch that overlooks the gardens. Each room includes a number of surprising touches, including books, air purifiers, Young Living essential oil diffusers and oil samples, and more. Daily breakfast is provided en suite and consists of fresh pastries, quiche, fresh fruit, coffee, tea and other items.

IN Great Taste

by Yvette Jemison

WITH COOLER WEATHER UPON us, it’s the perfect time for baking for family and friends. Our Almond Pear Tart and Chocoflan Cake are two excellent desserts to serve at your fall gatherings—or whenever you please. The Almond Pear Tart is a rustic dessert with the subtle flavor of almond merging beautifully with pears. It’s a great alternative to traditional fall pies. Chocoflan Cake is a moist chocolate cake topped with a creamy custard. It is also known as amazing cake because of what occurs during the baking process. The pan is first filled with cake batter, and the custard-like flan is poured on top. During the baking process, the cake rises to the top with the flan settling on the bottom. When inverted, the flan will rest on the chocolate cake layer, creating the perfect base for a generous drizzle of cajeta or caramel sauce.

These desserts are sure to be a hit!

CHOCOFLAN CAKE Servings:10-12 Cake 1 cup sugar ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 1¾ cup cake flour ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup milk Flan 14 ounces condensed milk 5 ounces evaporated milk 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla Cajeta, a goat’s milk caramel, or caramel sauce for serving

Special equipment: Bundt pan and 9x13 pan for water bath.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a Bundt pan with nonstick spray.

2. Prepare the cake in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder. Add to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with milk, and mix on medium speed until combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared Bundt pan.

4. Prepare the flan in a blender. Blend the condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs and vanilla on high speed until combined, 20-30 seconds. Slowly pour over the batter and place the Bundt pan in the 9x13 pan. Fill the 9x13 pan with about 1 inch of water and bake until a tester inserted in the cake comes out clean, 50-60 minutes.

5. Remove Bundt pan from water bath and set on a wire rack to cool for at least 1½ hours.

6. Run a knife blade along the edges of the cake to release.

Gently jiggle the Bundt pan to loosen the flan. Place a serving platter over the Bundt pan and invert the cake. Store in refrigerator. Serve chilled or at room temperature with cajeta or caramel sauce.

Do ahead: The Chocoflan cake can be baked 1 day ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve. >> October-November 2016 101

photos: YVETTE JEMISON

When Cooler Weather Begs for Baking

IN Great Taste

INside Dining

Neighborhood Café, 3000 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-3683

New Orleans is home to more great restauruants than we could hope to list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fizmorris’

photos: YVETTE JEMISON

nomenu.com. In this guide, you will find

ALMOND AND PEAR TART Servings: 8-12

2 teaspoons almond extract

Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.

Ave. (Hyatt Regency Hotel), 504-613-3860

CARROLLTON, RIVERBEND AND BROADMOOR Babylon Café aaa Middle Eastern, 7724 Maple St., 504-314-0010 Barcelona Tapas aaa Spanish, 720 Dublin St., 504-861-9696 Basil Leaf aaa Thai, 1438 S. Boucherie aaaa Southern Barbecue, 1506 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-5514 Brigtsen’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 723 Dante St., 504-861-7610 Cooter Brown’s Tavern aaa

1 cup almond flour

Sandwiches, 509 S. Carrollton

1 cup all-purpose flour

Ave., 504-866-9104

1 Bosc pear, cored and sliced 2 Tablespoons mayhaw jelly (or apple jelly) for glaze Whipped cream or ice cream for serving

Cowbell aa Hamburgers, 8801 Oak St., 504-866-4222 Dante’s Kitchen aaaa Eclectic, 736 Dante St., 504-861-3121 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs,

Special equipment: 9½ -inch removable-bottom tart pan 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottom of tart pan with parchment. Coat parchment and sides of pan with non-stick spray.

2. In a medium bowl using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat sugar, butter, eggs and almond extract until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed and add almond flour and all-purpose flour and mix until combined.

3. Spread batter in the prepared tart pan and top with pear slices.

4. Bake until edges are golden brown, and a tester inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45-55 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.

5. Heat jelly and brush on warm tart. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.

Do ahead: Tart can be baked 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Magazine St., 504-524-3386 Borgne aaa Seafood, 601 Loyola

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 3 large eggs

Roosevelt Hotel. 504-648-1200 Bon Ton Café aaa Cajun, 401

some of the best bets around town.

Carrollton Ave., 504-862-9001

1½ cups sugar

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT Blue Room aaa American, 123 Baronne,

5030 Freret St., 504-899-6883

Hana aaa Japanese, 8116 Hampson, 504-865-1634 Jacques-Imo’s aaa Cajun, 8324 Oak St., 504-861-0886 Lebanon’s Café aaa Middle Eastern, 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 615 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-5900 Maple Street Café aaa Creole Italian, 7623 Maple St., 504-314-9003 Mat & Naddie’s aaaa Eclectic, 937 Leonidas St., 504-861-9600 Mikimoto aaaa Japanese, 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-1881 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-861-8174 Panchita’s aaa Central American, 1434 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-281-4127 Pupuseria La Macarena aaa Central American, 8120 Hampson St., 504-862-5252 Riccobono’s Panola Street Café aa Breakfast, 7801 Panola St.,

Café Adelaide aaaa Contemporary Creole, 300 Poydras St., 504-595-3305 Chophouse aaa Steak, 322 Magazine St., 504-522-7902 Desi Vega’s aaaa Steak, 628 St. Charles Ave., 504-523-7600 Domenica aaaa Italian, 123 Baronne St. (Roosevelt Hotel), 504-648-6020 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 2 Poydras St., 504-584-3911 Herbsaint aaaa Creole French, 701 St. Charles Ave., 504-524-4114 Horinoya aaa Japanese, 920 Poydras St., 504-561-8914 Liborio aaa Cuban, 321 Magazine St., 504-581-9680 Lucky Rooster aaa Pan-Asian, 515 Baronne St., 504-529-5825 Lüke aaa French, 333 St. Charles Ave., 504-378-2840 MiLa aaaa Eclectic, 817 Common St., 504-412-2580 Morton’s The Steakhouse aaa Steak, 365 Canal St. (Canal Place Mall), 504-566-0221 Mother’s aaa Sandwiches, 401 Poydras St., 504-523-9656 Poppy’s Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill a Seafood, 500 Port of New Orelans Pl., Suite 83. 504-5693380 Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill. Hamburgers. 1 Poydras St. (Riverfront). 504-247-9265 Restaurant August aaaaa Eclectic, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-299-9777 Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast, Neighborhood Café, 200 Magazine St., 504-525-9355 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaa Steak, 525 Fulton St., 504-587-7099 Windsor Court Grill Room aaa American, 300 Gravier St., 504-522-1994

504-314-1810

For more recipes, go to Ydelicacies.com, and follow @y_delicacies on Instagram.

102

Inside New Orleans

Vincent’s aaaa Italian, 7839 St. Charles Ave., 504-866-9313 Ye Olde College Inn aaa

FRENCH QUARTER Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 724 Iberville St., 504-522-5973

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Antoine’s aaaa Creole French, 713 St. Louis St., 504-581-4422 Arnaud’s aaaa Creole French, 813 Bienville St., 504-523-5433 Bayona aaaa Eclectic, 430 Dauphine St., 504-525-4455 Bombay Club aaa Contemporary Creole, 830 Conti St., 504-577-2237 Bourbon House aaa Seafood, 144 Bourbon St., 504-522-0111 Brennan’s Contemporary Creole, 417 Royal St., 504-525-9711 Broussard’s aaaa Creole French, 819 Conti St., 504-581-3866 Café Giovanni aaaa Creole Italian, 117 Decatur St., 504-529-2154 Court of Two Sisters aaa Creole French, 613 Royal St., 504-522-7261 Crescent City Brewhouse aaa Pub Food, 527 Decatur St., 504-522-0571 Criollo aaa Creole French, 214 Royal St., 504-681-4444 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 601 Frenchmen St., 505-309-3362 The Davenport Lounge Small bites and cocktails, 921 Canal Street (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 504-670-2828 Deanie’s Seafood Seafood, 841 Iberville St., 504-581-1316 Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse aaa Steak, 716 Iberville St., 504-522-2467

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921 Canal Street (The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) 504-670-2828 Mr. B’s Bistro aaaa Contemporary Creole, 201 Royal St., 504-523-2078 Muriel’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 801 Chartres St., 504-568-1885 Napoleon House aa Sandwiches, 500 Chartres St., 504-524-9752 New Orleans Creole Cookery Classic Creole, 510 Toulouse St., 504-524-9632 Nola aaaa Contemporary Creole, 534 St. Louis St., 504-522-6652 Palace Café aaa Contemporary Creole, 605 Canal St., 504-523-1661 Pelican Club aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 312 Exchange Place, 504-523-1504 Port of Call aaa Hamburgers, 838 Esplanade Ave., 504-523-0120 R’evolution aaaa Creole French, 777 Bienville (in the Royal Sonesta Hotel), 504-553-2277 Red Fish Grill aaa Seafood, 115 Bourbon St., 504-598-1200 Rib Room aaa American, 621 St. Louis St., 504-529-7045 SoBou aaa Contemporary Creole, 310 Chartres St., 504-552-4095 Stanley aa Breakfast, 547 St. Ann St., 504-587-0093 Tujague’s aaa Creole, 823 Decatur St., 504-525-8676

El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 81 French Market Place, 504-525-9752 Frank’s aaa Creole Italian, 933 Decatur St., 504-525-1602 Galatoire’s aaaa Creole French, 209 Bourbon St., 504-525-2021 Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak aaa Steak, 215 Bourbon St., 504-335-3932 Gumbo Shop aaa Creole, 630 St. Peter St., 504-525-1486

GARDEN DISTRICT Commander’s Palace aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221 Coquette aaaa Creole French, 2800 Magazine St., 504-265-0421 Delmonico aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1300 St. Charles Ave., 504-525-4937 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican, 2018 Magazine St., 504-569-0000

GW Fins aaaa Seafood, 808

Mr. John’s Steakhouse aaaa

Bienville St., 504-581-3467

Steak, 2111 St. Charles Ave.,

Irene’s Cuisine aaaa Italian, 539 St. Philip St., 504-529-8811 K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen aaaa Cajun, 416 Chartres St., 504596-2530

504-679-7697 Sushi Brothers aaa Japanese, 1612 St. Charles Ave., 504-581-4449 Tracey’s aaa Sandwiches, 2604 Magazine St., 504-897-5413

Kingfish aaaa Cajun, 337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005 Louisiana Bistro aaa Contemporary Creole, 337 Dauphine St., 504-525-3335 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 95 French Market Place, 504-522-9500 M Bistro aaaFarm to Table Restaurant

LAKEVIEW Café Navarre aa Sandwiches, 800 Navarre Ave., 504-483-8828 Cava aaaa New Orleans Style, 785 Harrison Ave, New Orleans LA 70124, 504-304-9034 El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 300 Harrison Ave., 504-488-0107 Lakeview Harbor aaa

>>

October-November 2016 103

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Hamburgers, 911 Harrison Ave., 504-486-4887

Severn Ave., 504-455-2266 Houma Blvd., 504-457-4188 Ristorante Filippo aaa Creole

Munch Factory aaa Contemporary

Italian, 1917 Ridgelake Dr.,

Creole, 6325 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-324-5372

504-835-4008

504-822-9503

Italian, 6601 Veterans Blvd., 504-888-7784 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325 Veterans Blvd., 504-833-7477 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411

Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood,

Chastant St., 504-885-2984 Zea aaa American, 4450 Veterans

Andrea’s aa Italian, 3100 19th St., 504-834-8583 Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West

428 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, 504-833-2722

504-244-8446 Deanie’s on Hayne aaa Seafood, 7350 Hayne Blvd., 504-248-6700 Messina’s Runway Cafe Creole Stripes Blvd., 504-241-5300

Coffee, 214 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-486-0078 Café Degas aaa French, 3127 Esplanade Ave., 504-945-5635 Café Minh aaaa Vietnamese, 4139

3030 Severn Ave., 504-888-2209

Crabby Jack’s aaa Sandwiches,

speciality, 10826-1/2 Hayne Blvd.,

Homestyle, 6001 Stars and

Angelo Brocato aaa Dessert and

504-305-4833

Arnoult St., 504-887-3295

Castnet Seafood aaa Seafood

Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 1202 US 190, Covington, 985-246-6155

Camellia Café aaa Neighborhood

Slidell, 985-649-6211 Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340 Lindberg Dr., Slidell, 985-8470020; 70380 LA Hwy. 21,

Cypress aaa Contemporary Creole,

Crescent City Steak House aaa

Covington, 985-871-6674

4426 Transcontinental Blvd.,

Steak, 1001 N. Broad St.,

The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W.

504-885-6885

504-821-3271

Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Lakeside Mall), 504-304-7005 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., 504-888-9254 Heritage Grill Contemporary Creole, 111 Veterans Blvd., 504-934-4900 Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., 504-455-1545 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 2300 N. Causeway Blvd., 504-831-6788 Martin Wine Cellar Deli aaa Deli, 714 Elmeer Ave., 504-896-7300 Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 504-644-4155 Mr. Ed’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 1001 Live Oak St., 504-838-0022 Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House aaa Seafood, 3117 21St. Street, 504-833-6310 Parran’s Po-Boys aaa Sandwiches, 3939 Veterans Blvd., 504-885-3416 Peppermill aaa Creole Italian, 3524

104

Inside New Orleans

Dooky Chase aaa Creole, 2301 Orleans Ave., 504-821-0600 Five Happiness aaa Chinese, 3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-482-3935 Juan’s Flying Burrito aaa Mexican, 4724 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-486-9950 Katie’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3701 Iberville St., 504-488-6582 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 310 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-485-5658 Liuzza’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3636 Bienville St., 504-482-9120 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 3800 Canal St., 504-482-9179 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 3901 Banks St., 504-482-7743 Parkway Poor Boys aaa Sandwiches, 538 Hagan Ave., 504-482-3047

Gibson St., Covington, Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 1645 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, 985-327-5407 N’Tini’s aaa Creole, 2891 US 190, Mandeville, 985-626-5566 Nathan’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., Slidell, 985-643-0443 New Orleans Food & Spiritsaaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 985-875-0432 Girod St., Mandeville, 985-626-5619 Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 E Boston St., Covington, 985-400-5663 Creole, 69305 Hwy 21,

624-9007

985-809-6313; 525 190 Hwy. W.,

3903 Canal St., 504-482-1225

985-674-9883 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E.

2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 985-

Café, 69455 LA 59, Abita Springs,

504-482-1264

4240 La 22, Mandeville,

Pardo’s aaaa Contemporary

Canal St., 504-482-6266

Canal Street Bistro aaa Mexican,

Mandeville, 985-626-3006 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood,

Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole,

Cafe NOMA Contemporary Creole, 1 Collins Diboll Circle,

Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr.,

Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246 NORTHSHORE

Veterans Blvd., 504-837-6696;

China Rose aaa Chinese, 3501 N.

Fortier Blvd., 504-254-4109

504-780-9090; 1655 Hickory Ave.,

MID-CITY

Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320

Casablanca aaa Mediterranean,

Cafe Trang Vietnamese, 4637 Alcee

Blvd. (Clearview Mall),

Esplanade Ave., 504-888-5533

US 190, Lacombe, 985-626-7662 Lakehouse aaa Contemporary

985-892-0708 NEW ORLEANS EAST

Harahan, 504-738-0799

Café East aaa Pan-Asian, 4628

1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan,

Carrollton Ave., 504-488-7991

504-888-3600

3535 Severn Ave., 504-885-5088

Rye St., 504-888-0078

Venezia aaa Italian, 134 N.

Sandro’s Trattoria aaa Creole

Tony Angello’s aaa Creole Italian, 6262

3000 Veterans Blvd., 504-309-4056

Carrollton Ave., 504-252-4999

Chicken, 2401 St. Ann St.,

Creole, 888 Harrison Ave.,

METAIRIE

Toups’ Meatery aaa Cajun, 845 N.

Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd.,

Steak Knife aaa Contemporary

Fleur de Lis Dr., 504-488-0888

504-483-1571

Willie Mae’s Scotch House aaa

Contemporary Creole, 900 City

504-488-8981

Creole, 127 N. Carrollton Ave.,

Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa

Ralph’s On The Park aaaa Park Ave., 504-488-1000

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Mondo aaa Eclectic, 900 Harrison Ave., 504-224-2633

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Front St., Covington, 985-892-5396 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 985-892-3712 DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985-875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa Italian, 700 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-276-6460

Covington, 985-893-3603 Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian, 501 E. Boston St., Covington, 985-875-1006 Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 985882-9443 Trey Yuen aaa Chinese, 600 Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985626-4476 Young’s aaa Steak, 850 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 985-643-9331 Yujin aaa Japanese, 323 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-809-3840 Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr., Covington, 985-327-0520; 173 Northshore Blvd., Slidell, 985-3270520

Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-624-9704 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-892-9992 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985626-4342 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville, 985-845-9940 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw

OLD METAIRIE Byblos aaa Middle Eastern, 1501 Metairie Rd., 504-834-9773 Café B aaa Contemporary Creole, 2700 Metairie Rd., 504-934-4700 Chateau Du Lac aaaa French, 2037 Metairie Rd., 504-831-3773 Galley Seafood aaa Seafood, 2535 Metairie Rd., 504-832-0955 Porter & Luke’s aaa Creole Homestyle, 1517 Metairie Rd.,

Ruby Slipper Café aaa Breakfast,

190, Covington, 985-400-5202;

504-875-4555

Neighborhood Café, 139 S.

1200 W. Causeway Approach,

Vega Tapas Café aaa

Cortez St., 504-309-5531 Rue 127 aaaa Contemporary

Mandeville, 985-624-2990 La Provence aaaa French, 25020

Mediterranean, 2051 Metairie Rd., 504-836-2007

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Slice aaa Pizza, 5538 Magazine St., UPTOWN Amici aaa Italian, 3218 Magazine St., 504-300-1250 Ancora Pizzeria aaa Pizza, 4508 Freret St., 504-324-1636 Apolline aaaa American Gourmet, 4729 Magazine St., 504-894-8881 Atchafalaya aaaa Contemporary

504-897-4800 Sukho Thai aaa Thai, 4519 Magazine St., 504-373-6471 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, 5932 Magazine St., 504-897-3974 Upperline aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1413 Upperline St., 504-891-9822

Creole, 901 Louisiana Ave., 504-891-9626 Baru Bistro & Tapas aaa Caribbean, 3700 Magazine St., 504-895-2225 Bistro Daisy aaaa Creole French, 5831 Magazine St., 504-899-6987 Casamento’s aaa Seafood, 4330 Magazine St., 504-895-9761 Charlie’s Steak House aaa Steak, 4510 Dryades St., 504-895-9323 Clancy’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 6100 Annunciation St., 504-895-1111 Dat Dog aa Sandwiches, 3336 Magazine St., 504-894-8885; 5030 Freret St., 504-899-6883 Dick & Jenny’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-894-9880 Flaming Torch aaa French, 737 Octavia St., 504-895-0900 Gautreau’s aaaa American, 1728 Soniat St., 504-899-7397 High Hat Café aa Creole Homestyle, 4500 Freret St., 504-754-1336 Joey K’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3001 Magazine St., 504-891-0997 Kyoto aaa Japanese, 4920 Prytania St., 504-891-3644 La Crepe Nanou aaaa French, 1410 Robert St., 504-899-2670 La Petite Grocery aaaa French, 4238 Magazine St., 504-891-3377 La Thai Cuisine aaaa Thai, 4938 Prytania St., 504-899-8886

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT AND CENTRAL CITY American Sector aa American, 945 Magazine St., 504-528-1940 Annunciation aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1016 Annunciation St., 504-568-0245 Café Reconcile aaa Lunch Café, 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 504-568-1157 Cochon aaa Cajun, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-588-2123 Emeril’s aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-528-9393 Grand Isle aaa Seafood, 575 Convention Center Blvd., 504-520-8530 La Boca aaaa Steak, 870 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-525-8205 Mais Arepas aaaa South American, 1200 Carondelet St., 504-523-6247 Pêche Seafood Grill aaa Seafood, 800 Magazine St., 504-522-1744 Rock-n-Sake aaa Japanese, 823 Fulton St., 504-581-7253 Root aaaa Eclectic, 200 Julia St., 504-252-9480 Tomas Bistro aaaa Creole French, 755 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-5270942 Tommy’s Cuisine aaaa Creole Italian, 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-581-1103

Lilette aaaa French, 3637 Magazine St., 504-895-1636 Mahony’s aaa Neighborhood Café, 3454 Magazine St., 504-899-3374 Martinique aaa French, 5908 Magazine St., 504-891-8495 Midway Pizza aaa Pizza, 4725 Freret St., 504-322-2815 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 4126 Magazine St., 504-894-9800 Pascal’s Manale aaa Creole Italian, 1838 Napoleon Ave., 504-895-4877 Patois aaaa Creole French, 6078 Laurel St., 504-895-9441 Rum House aaa Caribbean, 3128 Magazine St., 504-941-7560 Salú aaa Eclectic, 3226 Magazine St., 504-371-5809

WEST END AND BUCKTOWN Blue Crab aaa Seafood, 7900 Lakeshore Dr., 504-284-2898 Brisbi’s aaa Seafood, 7400 Lakeshore Dr., 504-555-5555 Deanie’s Seafood aa Seafood, 1713 Lake Ave., 504-831-4141 New Orleans Food & Spirits aaa Seafood, 210 Hammond Hwy., 504-828-2220 R&O’s aaa Seafood, 216 Old Hammond Hwy., 504-831-1248 Two Tony’s aaa Creole Italian, 8536 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-282-0801 Wasabi aaa Japanese, 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-267-3263

October-November 2016 105

M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N

Mary Micah Cressy and Nicholas Trist wed at St. Anthony of Padua during a beautifully personal and spiritual service officiated by Father Thomas Bouterie.

Thirty-one years ago, Fr. Bouterie presided at the wedding of the groom’s parents’ in the same church.

The wedding ceremony was the highlight of a weekend of celebration that kicked off on Thursday with the bridesmaids’ luncheon and the groomsmen’s golf tournament and cocktail reception at Tchefuncta Country Club. On Friday, Micah and Nick were toasted by close friends and family during the rehearsal dinner at Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse.

New Orleans Country Club was the backdrop for a fun-filled night of dancing, singing, eating and celebrating, with music by Louisiana Spice Band. Susan Zackin of Z Events was the creative force behind the evening.

The weekend culminated in traditional New Orleans fashion with a jazz brunch at Brennan’s. David Cressy Sr., grandfather of the bride, summed up the weekend, “Besides being the most beautiful wedding celebration I have ever experienced, this was the most beautiful reunion of old friends and an introduction to new friends. Most of all, our whole family came together to join a new whole family.”

Following their honeymoon in Mexico, Mary Micah and Nicholas returned to their home in Covington.

106

Inside New Orleans

photos: KATIE CHILDS AND CHELSEA CALDWELL

Cressy-Trist

Netterville-Mullin Laura Netterville and Chase Mullin exchanged vows under the beautiful oak trees of The Audubon Clubhouse.

The intimate ceremony with 20 guests was officiated by the groom’s best friend, Michael Pickel. Laura and Chase’s son, Trace, was also a part of the ceremony, placing emphasis on their priority—family. Laura wore a rose-gold sequined top and a nude lace skirt. From the invitations to the reception, Laura and Chase wanted the special day to be relaxed and intimate.

Following the ceremony, more close friends and family arrived for a lively reception at the Audubon Clubhouse.

Decorated minimally with custom floral arrangements from Villere’s and a slew of desserts from Chez Rue Rene, only a few tables were left inside to allow maximum room for dancing. The couple and their guests rocked the night away to Papa C & the Slammin’ Horns. “The intimate atmosphere and amazing band were highlights of the evening,” says Laura. “After dinner the band certainly kicked it up a notch. We couldn’t have asked for a better celebration.” Outdoor tables were scattered on the veranda and courtyard, surrounded by oak trees. At the close of the evening, Chase thanked their close friends and family for sharing the special day with them.

After the celebration, the couple embarked on a tour of Italy. “It was the absolute best honeymoon destination we could dream of,” says Laura. The couple and their son currently reside in River Ridge.

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5 1. Chad Berg, Penny Baumer, Teresa Guzzetta and Leon L. Giorgio at the Prix d’Elegance luncheon. 2. Tiffa Boutte, Gail McKenna, Jo Ann Bohm and Deborah Alciatore Empey. 3. Frank Relle, Romy Mariano, Luis Cruz Azaceta and Dylan Cruz Azaceta at the VIP Preview Party of Louisiana Contemporary presented by the Helis Foundation at Ogden Museum of Southern Art. 4. Elliot Hutchinson, Nicole Hershey, Corey Moll, Liz Cooke and Drew Cooke. 5. Bev Church, Leah Chase, Gen Trimble and Ruthie Frierson celebrating Gen’s 95th birthday at Dookey Chase Restaurant.

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photo: WILL STROUT

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photo: JEFF STROUT

photo: ZACK LUTHER, LAZY EYE PHOTOGRAPHY

INside Peek

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INside Peek White Linen Night at Julie Silvers Art JULIE SILVERS ART turned up the fun with DJ Clement, live dancers and joyful artwork for Whitney’s White Linen night, the one-year anniversary of Julie on Julia, and celebrated the release of the August issue of Inside New Orleans, which featured Swirl, by Julie Silvers on the cover. Guests dressed in white linen were surrounded by Silvers’ colorful creations. The festivities never stopped, as throughout the Warehouse Arts District, partygoers enjoyed live entertainment, cocktails and cuisine. A great time was had by all!

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INside Peek Summer Tailgate Summer Tailgate was the theme of a fun, football-themed deb party this past summer. LSU and Ole Miss were the teams to beat. The starting line-up of debs was Mary Acomb, Catie Barry, Madison Mikes, Keil Senter, Virginia Stewart, Mary Catherine Toso and Madden Wilbert. All seven wore white. The Coaching Staff, their hosting parents, included Judy and Ryan Acomb, Mendy and Michael Barry, Celeste and Steven Mikes, Karen and Reid Senter, Ann and Gordon Stewart, Monique and Michael Toso, and Kathleen and Jim Wilbert.

As guests entered the Kingsley House, they picked one of two (purple or red) stickers with the honorees’ names on them. School pompoms and lighted “glo” necklaces were also passed out to the fans!

The seven debs and their guests enjoyed music by Four UnPlugged as they feasted on such delicious treats as herb crêpe roulades and crab cakes from Pigeon, Sweetdaddy’s cochon de lait, hotdogs from the Dog House and cookies and brownies from Joan Farrell Mathis and Jane Abide.

Sliders topped off the lively evening.

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1. Chef John Folse, Honorary Chair Angela Hill, Gala Co-chairs Barbara Collura and Pauline Colomb, and Executive Director Dr. Paul Ceasar at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center Gala. 2. Executive Director of French American Chamber of Commerce Loretta Krasnow with French Market Corporation Marketing Director Amy Kirk Duvoisin enjoying the annual Bastille Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Joan of Arc statue hosted

by Council of French Societies. 3. French American Chamber of Commerce Chairman Christine George with Consul General of France in New Orleans Gregor Trumel. 4. Gregor Trumel with Councilmember Nadine Ramsey. 5. John Duck, Malpaso Dance Company Artistic Director Osnel Delgado, Dottie Belletto and Councilmember Jason Williams at reception for the Cuban dance company at Gallier Hall.

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photo: FRANK STANSBURY photo: JEFF STROUT

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photo: CHAD BOUTTE

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INside Peek 1. George and Scheena Peake at the Summer of Sustainability Dinner for Audubon Nature Institute’s Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries.

2. Bruce and Laine Blanchard, Liz Blanton and Amy Grace. 3. Kenny and Courtney Schaneville with Dana and David Tucker. 4. Katie Russell 1

and Tommy Smart. 5. Richard and Barrett

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Green and Alfredo and Allison Ortega.

6. Tom and Ellen Prewitt.

7. FestiGals Founder Diane Lyons, Keynote Speaker Carla Harris, WGNO’s Susy Roesgen and Andy Black of Morgan Stanley at the New Orleans Women’s Conference at FestiGals 2016. 8. Charlotte Bollinger and Warner Williams at BRAVO’s 2016 Gala. 9. The JPAS

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Leading Ladies Guild after their planning meeting at The Cannery: (front) Pat Persaud, Anne Favret, Faith Peperone, President-elect Jackie Hughes, Diane Sloan,

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(back) Josephine Haas, Margaret Wagner, President Kim Hasney, JPAS Development Director Valerie Hart, Jane Miller, M.D., Brenda Chetta, Carrel Epling, Rita Nelson, Janet Schwary and Lynn Duvernay.

photo: WILL STROUT

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photo: DEXTER RUFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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A Toast on the Coast Bright sun and blue skies greeted friends and family as they gathered for “A Toast on the Coast” to honor bride-to-be Maggie Murphy and her fiancé, Jérémy Bokobza. Although Jérémy was not able to come from his home in Paris, he was certainly celebrated in absentia!

As they welcomed guests to their Bay St. Louis home, Robert and Celeste Rosamond were joined by co-hosts Sam and Pat Rosamond, James and Chickie Rosamond, and Sam and Laura Rosamond.

All enjoyed vodka punch and other beverages with a wide array of appetizers that included finger sandwiches, cocktail meatballs and assorted cheeses. As the sun went down, a dinner of traditional Mississippi fare of BBQ, beans and greens and luscious chocolate brownies, iced cookies and lemon squares was served.

A photo booth with a variety of themed props added to the fun!

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Last Bite

New Orleans Creole Cookery

by Leah Draffen

A.J. and Anna

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the Cookery’s crowd favorites is Redfish Pontchartrain. Chef John pan sears the fresh fish, topping it with sautéed jumbo lump crabmeat and a delicate herb hollandaise. The redfish is accompanied

by Creole green beans and perfectly cooked heirloom potatoes.

When A.J. and Anna Tusa opened New Orleans Creole Cookery in the heart of the French Quarter, they had already heard curious tales about spirited happenings in the space. Like most historic New Orleans buildings, this one came with a storied past. In light of this spooky Halloween season, have a drink and dinner at Creole Cookery and you

Tusa enjoy running New Orleans Creole Cookery as well as other Tusa restaurants, including The Crazy Lobster Bar & Grill.

just may see an old face or feel someone stroking your hair! A.J. and Anna like to call it quirky charm.

New Orleans Creole Cookery is located at 508 Toulouse Street, Suite C110.

Offering courtyard dining, private events and catering. Open 7 days a week, 11am-10pm.

524-9632. neworleanscreolecookery.com.

photos: TIMOTHY ALEXANDER

LAUNCHED BY A.J. AND ANNA Tusa of the famous New Orleans Tusa restaurant family, New Orleans Creole Cookery boasts a spark of newgeneration energy. Presenting some of New Orleans’ most treasured cooking traditions in an innovative setting, the Tusas and Chef John Trinh aim to create a menu and atmosphere that speak to the way people dine today.

The traditional Creole menu includes shrimp Creole, gumbo served three different ways, char-grilled oysters, seafood eggplant casserole, red beans and rice, bayou catfish and, of course, bananas Foster bread pudding to top it off. One of