 Home is Here NOLA, a local nonprofit with a mission to cultivate community-based systems of support with newly arrived immigrants in Louisiana and the Gulf South is excited to present a Taste of Afghanistan on Tuesday, October 17 (4-7 pm) at Saint John (1117 Decatur Street). The evening will feature a tasting menu of home cooked dishes by Afghan refugee chefs who will be present to introduce their food, culture and experience as new community members resettled in New Orleans. All event proceeds will benefit Home is Here NOLA.
Tickets ($35) are available at https://givebutter.com/HHNOLA-Taste or in advance or at the door and include a welcome cocktail and tasting menu highlighting the Afghan national celebratory dish, Khabuli Palao (veg and non-veg), Mantu (beef dumplings), Borani Banjan (Roasted eggplant casserole) and Bolani (Afghan flatbread). Home is Here NOLA will be on-hand to provide refugee-related information and resources to all interested attendees. Generous sponsors include Cheramie Rum. Learn more about Home is Here NOLA’s work and how you can get involved at: www.homeisherenola.org  Jefferson Performing Arts Society kicks off its Westbank 46th season stage productions with Steel Magnolias this month at the Westwego Cultural Center on Sala Avenue in Westwego. The show runs for two weekends, Thursdays through Sundays, from Thursday, September 21 through Sunday, October 1.
JPAS will present two more stage plays at the intimate setting of the Westwego Cultural Center as part of its 46th season: Looped (November 9-19, 2023) about Tallulah Bankhead, featuring Leslie Castay in the lead role, and The Mountaintop (January 25-February 4, 2024), about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s final hours, in a surprising and spiritual story that takes place in the Lorraine Motel. Auditions for this show are underway and the cast will be announced soon. For tickets and information, visit www.jpas.org or call the box office at 504-885-200. All shows will be onstage at the Westwego Cultural Center.  For those searching for a boozy coffee fix, head over to Birdy’s Behind the Bower - the Instagram-worthy restaurant serving Southern-inspired dishes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and delight in the Irish Coffee. Served iced or hot and made with Tullamore Dew Whiskey, Irish cream, coffee or cold brew, and fresh whipped cream, this delightful coffee will awaken your taste buds while giving that caffeine kick. Guests can also opt for an Espresso Martini or nix the booze and delight in one of the many coffee drinks available, including Cortado, Lattes, Cappuccino, and more. Indulge in one of the restaurant’s famed Toasts and brunch specialties like the Peaches & Cream Bubble Waffle, Chai Chia Pudding, or Claire’s Cookie Cereal – mini chocolate chip cookies, meringue “mallows” and berries served with milk of choice. Open daily from 8 AM - 3 PM.
Nestled in the corner of the Pontchartrain Hotel overlooking St. Charles Avenue, Silver Whistle Cafe is a bright, cheerful café where locals and visitors can enjoy the charming ambiance with their breakfast or lunch. Offering an array of coffee brews, enjoy the Cafe au Lait, Cold Brew, Espresso, Macchiato, Cappuccino, and more. During your visit, try fresh pastries made in-house, including blueberry muffins, butter croissants, or chocolate croissants. Have a few moments to indulge in breakfast options? Savor dishes like the Pulled Pork Scramble with cheese, peppers, and grits and the Broken Yolk Sandwich with fried egg, garlic aioli, bacon, cheddar, multigrain, and grits. Open daily from 7 - 11 AM. Birdy’s Behind the Bower: Birdy’s Behind the Bower Silver Whistle Cafe: Silver Whistle Cafe  The Bower’s Beverage Director Mickey Mullins will pay tribute to the zodiac with new libations inspired by the twelve signs. Zodiac libations include the Leo – complex, fun, and surprising with vodka, hibiscus, orgeat, lime, and mole bitters; Virgo – steady, loyal, and classic with bourbon, Angostura bitters, simple syrup, and orange peel; Scorpio - just like the sign, this cocktail is intense, smoky, and seductive with beet-infused mezcal, passionfruit and lime served straight up in a smoked salt-rimmed coupe; and the Sagittarius – cheerful and assertive with poblano tequila, citrus and smoked salt.
The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street and serves dinner Monday – Thursday 4PM - 9PM; Friday and Saturday 4PM – 10PM. For reservations or additional information, please visit www.thebowernola.com or call (504) 582-9738.  The View UpStairs Review by Paul Oswell On June 24th 1973, 32 people died in an arson attack on a gay bar called The UpStairs Lounge in the French Quarter. The devastation was compounded at the time by a shameful, callous reaction to the loss of life from so-called religious leaders (even given that one of the deceased was a Reverend) and city officials alike. It remained the most horrific, violent act against the LGBTQ community until the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando in 2016. Before anything, we remember and honor the memory of those who lost their lives. This may sound like an unlikely backdrop to a life-affirming musical, but playwright and composer Max Vernon was moved to create The View UpStairs in 2013, this one-act production first performed at the Lynn Redgrave Theater in New York in 2017. Unless it was just to be a straight retelling of the events, a conceit was necessary, and so Vernon presents a kind of living flashback to that night. Wes (Donyae Asante), a hyper-modern influencer, has - oblivious to its history - just purchased a derelict lounge bar and tells his online followers that he can’t wait to transform it into a trendy art space. The audience is asked to make a sudden leap as his presence somehow opens up a portal in time, and he is transported back to 1973, where it's just another night for the UpStairs regulars. It’s important to remember that much of queer life was illegal at this time, and so places to socialize were rare, the clientele ranging from vagrants to men of the cloth. Among others, we meet firecracker bartender Henri (Lauren Sparacello), piano man Buddy (Marshall Harris), theatrical Freddy (Eddie Lockwood, who also designed the costumes), pastor Richard (Tom Vaughn), queer elder Willie (Rayshaughn Armant) and hustlers Patrick and Dale (Ty Robbins and Justice Hues). The sense of family is apparent from the off, with a wonderful chorus adding to the opening’s song and dance numbers, a whole world and its dynamic efficiently conjured. Wes imagines himself to be hallucinating at first, but he quickly adapts and before long is explaining phone apps and the vacuity of contemporary life. This theme has some easy laughs as the bar patrons dismiss his rants, and while it’s not the most interesting part of the night, it’s an empathetic bridge that allows us all to cross. Issues - some of which still resonate today - are discussed and fought over...the behavior of the hustlers, the spiritual health of the group, how to deal with a police raid. Some people fight, while others pretend to be straight married men, the eternal conflict between pragmatism and idealism. Asante is tremendously charismatic as he deftly navigates a difficult role, veering from cartoonish arrogance to being mystified and lovelorn as he and Patrick - played with note-perfect, easy assurance by Robbins - start to fall for each other despite the odds. Lockwood shines as a drag queen, beaten on the street and comforted by his mother (JeAnne Marcus) before an entertaining “we’ve got just one night to put on the best show ever” subplot. Mostly in the background, Justice Hues grapples with a gradual descent into desperation with real aplomb. Almost all of the cast are on stage for the entirety of the 100-minute run time, and I want to especially commend the chorus. Given the time-travel aspect, the show relies on the integrity of creating a realistic 1970s world, and they do an excellent job. Jack Lampert’s direction, and the choreography of Monica Ordoñez are both admirable in their dynamism and realism. The music and songs deliver a sense of comradery and maintain an emotional resonance. There are some seriously impressive pipes on stage, particularly from Donyae Asante, Lauren Sparacello, Rayshaughn Armant and soprano JeAnne Marcus. There are some memorable lines, and I laughed out loud when Asante begs “Give me one more chance to ruin your life!” Harris and Armant expertly tease out their characters, while Eddie Lockwood brings their skills as one of the city’s most creative burlesque performers, and they are similarly a joy to watch. The set and book do a great job in taking us back to the early 1970s, capturing the linguistic and aesthetic ticks and contrasting them nicely with the relentless modernity embodied by Wes. It’s a love story, a cautionary tale of modern superficiality, and a gut-wrenching tragedy all in one. It’s also a piece of New Orleans history that asks us to keep in mind both the devastating consequences of one man’s torment, but also the barbaric indifference of our institutions when a compassionate, human response was needed, but from them, none came. Many times, our found families are the ones that matter the most. The View UpStairs plays at Jefferson Performing Arts Center through September 17th. More information and tickets here.  Live Music, Networking & Shopping in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
The Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana (HCCL), the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Port Orleans Brewing Co., and CRC Global Solutions, is hosting a fun, social event for networking and shopping while bringing awareness to Hispanic Heritage Month. The general public is invited to this free, all-ages event. A marketplace featuring select HCCL members and vendors will sell Latin-inspired food and products, and local community organizations will share information and resources. Port Orleans is donating a portion of the proceeds from their Dorada Mexican-style beer throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) to the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund. The New Orleans Jazz Museum is sponsoring live music from local artist Margie Perez. The event will also feature a performance by members of Victoriano López, an orchestra visiting from Honduras, sponsored by CRC Global Solutions. WHEN: Sunday, September 17, 2023. 12–4pm WHERE: Port Orleans Brewing Co., 4124 Tchoupitoulas Street The Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of Emeril Lagasse Foundation, uplifts the lives of Latino youth through food. The culinary arts education pillar works to diversify future kitchen leadership through scholarships, financial support, mentoring, and career pathways guidance. The Aarón Sánchez Scholarship, established in 2016, serves as the signature education program of the Impact Fund. The human services pillar works toward changing the trajectory of Latino youth lives through better food access, nutrition education, crisis feeding programs, and more.  Copper Vine:
From Copper Vine’s tropical corner in New Orleans to the sunny shores of Hawaii, Brechtel Hospitality and Copper Vine are sending love and support to fellow hospitality friends recovering from the Maui fires that devastated the community of Lahaina. Copper Vine has created the MĀLA MAI TAI ($12): Featuring Caribbean light and dark rum, pineapple, passoa, orgeat, coconut extract and lime. A percentage of proceeds from this cocktail will go directly toward helping the employees of Māla Ocean Tavern & Hana Hou Hospitality to inspire hope and aid in rebuilding their community of Lahaina. The fires have displaced hundreds of families, with more than half of their 200-person staff left without a home. Gris-Gris: Gris-Gris has just launched new happy hour bites, available daily from 3-6 pm. New dishes include Marinated Mixed Olives (Marinated with Citrus, chili flake, and herb $5), Small Cheese Plate (One cheese, one spread, pickles and crackers $10), Beer Cheese and Cracklin (House made Beer Cheese sauce and fresh cracklin $8), Disco Fries (Pulled pork, brown gravy, cheese sauce, sour cream and green onion $9) and Gris-Gris Wings (Six jumbo whole chicken wings tossed in Crystal Honey butter $12). Happy Hour also include $2 off all draft beers and wines by the glass and a large selection of $8 specialty cocktails. Gris-Gris to Go Go (1804 Magazine, next door to Gris-Gris): Just in time for football season, Gris-Gris to Go Go has launched the Sportsball Tailgate Hullabaloo catering menu, perfect for your next watch party or tailgate. Menu includes Pastry Puffs (Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, or Smokey Gouda & Caramelized Onion $4 ea), Gris-Gris Wings (Lemon Pepper, Honey Buffalo, Asian inspired sticky or naked $15/dozen), Oven-Ready Hot Dips (Caramelized Onion and Bacon, Pimento Cheese, Shrimp Jalapeno popper Dip. Served with tortilla chips $20 ea) and Fresh Cracklins (with Sweet and spicy Gris-Gris seasoning $8). Fans can pre-order at www.grisgrisnola.com (GG to Go Go ordering tab) or call Gris-Gris to Go Go at (504) 354-1520 (please allow 48 hours for large orders). Gris-Gris to Go Go is open Wed – Sun, 11am – 6pm.  The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans hosts Revitalize and Renew, an evening social event to receive complimentary skin consultations and need-to-know, customized advice from The Spa’s lead esthetician, Julie Brien. Revitalize and Renew will take place on Thursday, September 14 and Thursday, September 21 from 5pm – 7pm in The Spa’s retail area located on the fifth floor. Following a summer of sun exposure at the pool and outdoors, this event is ideal for guests who want to rehydrate, tone and brighten skin.
With more than 15 years of medical and cosmetic esthetics, Brien has embraced the highly customizable products and treatments of French Skincare brand Biologique Recherche, one of two product lines offered exclusively at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. During the two-hour social, Brien will offer personalized dermo-cosmetic diagnoses to recondition the epidermis and have guests looking their best. Guests of Revitalize and Renew will enjoy Mediterranean light bites and Strawberry Spritzes as well as take-away samples of Biologique Recherche product. To attend this complimentary event, guests should register in advance here. Space is limited. Spa reservations are available by calling 504 434 5108 or by emailing Spa.NewOrleans@fourseasons.com. For a complete listing of services, click here.  WHO/WHAT: Located in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, The Bower has partnered with St. James Cheese Company to wind down summer with an exquisite four-course cheese & wine dinner. Thoughtfully crafted by Executive Chef Marcus Woodham, the menu incorporates a variety of special cheeses and features bold, flavorful, seasonal ingredients. St. James' very own cheese monger and The Bower’s Wine Distributor will take guests on a guided exploration of each cheese and wine selection and how they play into Chef Marcus' menu. Priced at $125 per person (plus tax and gratuity), the menu follows:
First Course Peach Gazpacho featuring local goat yogurt : jumbo lump Blue crab, Persian cucumbers, fire-roasted tomatillo, and summer pepper vinaigrette. Paired with Mason Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA Second Course Crispy Japanese Eggplant featuring Greek feta: muhammara, fried garlic, Silver Queen corn, pine nuts, mint, and parsley. Paired with Tenuta Regaleali "Cavallo delle Fate" Grillo, Sicily, Italy Third Course Wagyu Skirt Steak featuring 1924 Bleu: Mississippi red rice, roasted baby leeks, fig chimichurri, and aged balsamic vinegar. Paired with Iron + Sand Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA Fourth Course Three Cheese Plate Chef's selection Paired with Terra d'Oro Zinfandel Port, Amador County, CA WHEN/WHERE: The End of Summer Cheese & Wine Dinner takes place on Thursday, September 21st, at 6:30 PM. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling (504) 582-9738. The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street in New Orleans. For more information, visit https://www.thebowernola.com/.  WHAT: King, Kimpton Hotel Fontenot’s newly opened brasserie and bar, is hosting a Garden Party at the restaurant on Friday, September 15, 2023. Guests will enjoy a three-course taste of the French Riviera prepared by Executive Chef Samuel Peery paired with complimentary Moet and Chandon offerings. DJ Spinelli will provide tunes for the duration of the event, 11 am to 3pm, and Moet will bring a hedge wall and the Moet cart for fun photo ops.
The special prix fixe lunch menu will start out with Pastry Chef Lanna Talley’s Quiche with Summer Truffles with delicious golden chanterelles. The second course will bring late summer vegetable succotash, tarragon and sweet corn butter into a dish of Marcona Almond Crusted Sea Scallops. Finishing the meal is the Santa Rosa Plum Pavlova with orange crumble and the flavors of smoked black peppercorn and sage. Each dish has their own unique beverage paired to enhance the flavors and experience. The Friday Garden Party will further introduce diners in the city to King’s menu rooted in the beloved brasseries of the French Riviera region while also weaving in the flavors and traditions of New Orleans and the freshest Gulf seafood. A few of the King menu favorites include the Crawfish Beignets with crab fat aioli, the Grilled Octopus with a vadouvan and sweet potato curry and lardons of Benton’s bacon to give it a smoky finish, the Gulf Fish, the Wild Boar Provençale, and the King Carbonara with a sauce made from sea urchin, reduced cream and parmesan. But there’s much more to explore. And don’t forget the King Bread Service with baguette, focaccia, brioche, caviar tapenade, olive oil and whipped butter. The prix fixe meal is $45 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made online at kingbrasserieandbar.com. First Course Chef Lanna’s Quiche with Summer Truffles Golden chanterelles, baby gem lettuce, mimolette cheese Chandon garden spritz Second Course Marcona Almond Crusted Sea Scallops Late summer vegetable succotash, tarragon, sweet corn butter Moet Blanc de Blanc Third Course Santa Rosa Plum Pavlova Orange crumble, smoked black peppercorn, sage Hennessy French 75 WHEN: Friday, September 15, 2023 | 11am - 3pm WHERE: King brasserie & bar, 521 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130 More information on King can be found at kingbrasserieandbar.com. You can also follow King on Instagram and Peacock Room on Instagram. |
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