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.

                For this flavorful excursion, we will venture along the banks of the Ouachita River, where our culinary cravings point us to a beautiful cantina styled restaurant in Downtown Monroe.  Complete with a fabulous view from the patio, this eatery overlooks a train track trellis and the mighty Ouachita and, from that combination this new eatery is appropriately named “River & Rail Cantina”.

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.

NEW ORLEANS, La. --- The 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Beasuoleil-led Acadians will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 in the performance center at the Old US Mint on Esplanade Boulevard in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

There will be music and singing beginning at 1:30 p.m. with the main performance taking place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. followed by a reception. The event will be hosted by Warren and Mary Perrin of the Acadian Museum and co-directors of the book Acadie Then and Now. 

The Master of Ceremonies will be Dr. Barry Ancelet with featured historical readings, such as the first reports of Acadians' arrival by Acting Gov. Aubry and Denis-Nicolas Foucault and introduction of the civil code of Spain. 

Some presenters will be Dr. Mike Vincent, Natial d'Augereau, James Ackers, Earlene Broussard, Brenda Trahan, Mark Babineaux, Floyd Boudreaux, Louis R. Koerner, and Ed Fleischmann.