As the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Dr. John would tell you, “It’s All Over Now.” However, as is usually the case at the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet, there is way too much to see before 7:00 this eve:

There are only 3 days left for this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet, but there is still a plethora of players to appreciate:

When you hear the Call to the Post trumpeting late in the afternoon of the first Saturday each May, it is heralding “The Run for the Roses”, the Kentucky Derby!  This most famous horse race in America takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky where it has been run every year since 1875.  Not unlike major events (think parties) in our own state there are several traditions involving music, food, and, naturally, booze.  As the horses parade before the grandstands, the University of Louisville Marching Band plays Stephen Foster’s My Old Kentucky Home.  Traditional food like Burgoo, a thick stew, and Hot Browns, a really yummy (think cheese sauce and bacon) open face sandwich, are served.  For the cocktail, it is the Mint Julep that is the Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby.

MINT JULEP (Tall Rocks Glass will do if you do not have a Silver Cup)

8 – Large Mint Leaves

1 – Simple Syrup

3 – Bourbon

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  No Andy Williams, not Christmas, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet.  I hope you all have dried out from yesterday’s late afternoon precipitation, and let’s do it again.

Today –

Good Morning Music Lovers!  It’s the most wonderful time of the year; no Andy Williams, not Christmas, Day 1 of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet!

Today:

One of Aimee’s favorite restaurants is Irene’s on the corner of St. Philip and Chartres in New Orleans’ French Quarter. While there is no big, flashy sign out front, you always know when they are open because you can smell the garlic a block away. Since they are usually closed for vacation when it is Aimee’s birthday in early September, the kiddies (kitties, actually), Clarisse and BeBe, thought it would be a fun Mother’s Day treat.

What follows is a fun interview with Marci Schramm, Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., and story about her flagship festival that I wrote last year for our magazine. Now’s the time to start thinking about the party because this year’s Fest is only 2 weeks away! First, I want to let you know about Opening Night Gala, what’s new for this year, and some general information for this year:

The Opening Night Gala takes place Thursday, April 9th, 2015 at Antoine’s, America’s oldest single family owned restaurant. The Gala, featuring dinner, drinks, and dancing, is 8 – 10:30 p.m. with a Patron Party at 7. John Rankin performs at the Patron Party and Charmaine Neville & Special Guests entertain the Gala. Guests will enjoy tastings by Antoine's and other festival favorites, and open bar courtesy of Abita Brewing Company and Republic Beverages. Tickets are available at online or by calling 504-522-5730.

ST. ALPHONSUS CHURCH PRESENTS

FUN UNDER THE FRESCOES – IRISH EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CRESCENT CITY CELTIC BAND (with Chef Matt Murphy), McTEGGART IRISH DANCERS and BAGPIPER – KEVIN BACON!

The Friends of Saint Alphonsus announce the final concert of the season with its Irish Extravaganza! The Church will celebrate its rich Irish history, with the concert/party featuring the Crescent City Celtic Band with special guest singer Chef Matt Murphy along with the McTeggart Irish Dancers plus bagpiper Kevin Bacon on Wednesday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Church in the Irish Channel – 2025 Constance Street.

If you find the beauty of an aquarium a peaceful counterpoint to typical New Orleans nightlife, this is your opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. This Friday, September 12, is the 5^th Annual Scales & Ales to support the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas’ conservation efforts and education programs. Partygoers will enjoy Bites and Brews including: Abita Beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and delicious cuisine from more than 30 local restaurants. The evening’s live entertainment will feature The Atlanta Showstoppers.

Scales & Ales is the signature fundraiser for Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. You have the once-a-year opportunity to support the education and conservation initiatives of the Aquarium while enjoying the Aquarium and Woldenberg Park in a unique, adult-only setting.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Entergy IMAX® Theatre will be open only until 2pm on Friday to prepare for this event.

The 14^th annual Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron will take place August 1 – 3 at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint. The premier American jazz festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong is free and open to the public. This event, produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), brings musical performances with a focus on traditional and contemporary jazz and brass bands. Naturally, the will be festival dining at "Red Bean Alley" along with three full days of fascinating Satchmo Seminars about New Orleans music and Louis Armstrong inside the air-conditioned Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint.