I always know my week is going to start off well when I get the opportunity to attend the NOAGE Walking group on Monday. Once a week, the New Orleans Advocates for LGBT Elders walks the track at Audubon Park starting at 6:45 p.m. It’s not so hot in the evening and the park is just gorgeous. Something about exercising in a beautiful environment that just uplifts your spirit. Not to mention I have met some great men and women while walking. You need to check it out.
The following day, I attended the Men in Black: International premier at Elmwood (my review was in the past issue). I forgot how much fun going to the movies can be. I have become a streaming-at-home junkie, but nothing truly replaces that big screen experience. And even though the movie was ultimately forgettable, it did help reignite my love for going to the cinema again.
Wednesday found me attending a totally different event when I went to the LGBT+ Archives membership meeting at Hotel Peter and Paul. This particular venue was aptly suited for an organization that collects information about our community’s past since it is so filled with history itself. The evening started with a reception, followed by the board members discussing what is happening with the group and upcoming events. Then Wayne Phillips, Curator of Costumes and Textiles/Carnival Collections at the LA State Museum spoke about the current exhibition that just opened at The Presbytere. The LGBT+ Archives Project educates the community about saving LGBT+ historical materials so as to make them available for future generations. NOLA’s LGBT community has such a rich history, it’s important we preserve it. To find out more information on the organization and how to become a member, go to www.lgbtarchiveslouisiana.org.
Thursday was all about the wine (and food) when I attended the Sail Away with Cloudy Bay Wine Dinner at Copper Vine. The evening’s five-course pairing in the landmark building at 1001 Poydras Street included some delectable tastes such as grilled stone fruit with Irish cheddar and bird seed brittle (clever), black cod with miso honey butter bean succotash, porchetta dumplings, duck breast and their version of a Kit Kat bar that was to die for. Enhancing the evening was the pairing of the New Zealand wines from Cloudy Bay that made the food taste better. After the dinner, I went out and added some Cloudy Bay wines to my home bar.
Since we were in a mood for more cocktails, we went to the new Bar Marilou in the Maison de la Luz located at 544 Carondelet. The bar itself has the look and feel of a grand library in an estate home. The walls are lined with orange decor and plenty of bookshelves. They have a superior craft cocktail menu and wine list. And for the lucky ones who stay at the hotel, there’s a secret door in one of the bookshelves that brings you to a private little hideaway. Talk about your secret passageways!
Still celebrating Pride month, my friend Matt and I partied like rock stars on Friday. We started off attending the Hard Rock Cafe’s reception introducing some of their new menu items. It was a very cool soiree and a great way to jumpstart the weekend festivities. They even had a second line through the Quarter. Now I cannot wait to see the new hotel when it opens.
Next we went to dinner at Mahoney’s Po-Boys’ newest location in the Quarter. The award-winning restaurant combines fresh local ingredients and family recipes to recreate po’ boy classics and also offer new, creative and exciting versions of New Orleans’ favorite sandwich.
Then after a happy hour cocktail stop at The Crossing we went to see Kinky Boots at the Saenger. It was a great show with an amazing cast who sang and danced their way across the stage in some fabulous numbers. This was my third time seeing the show and it still is one of my favorite musicals.
I returned to the movies on Saturday when I attended the AARP and NOAGE ‘Movies for Adults’ series when they showed the Elton John biopic Rocketman. I was honored to be asked to judge the costume contest and was very impressed with the amount of people who came out in Elton John regalia. I mean the suburbia people’s eyes almost popped out of their head with all the glitter, sequins and feathers. It’s always nice when we can bring downtown fabulousness to suburbia, although our suburban areas tend to be a little more glitzy than other cities. As expected, the movie and soundtrack were great. I am almost a new fan of the hottie Aaron Egerton. I mean swoon. Elton you chose well.
I ended the week on Sunday with a fabulous brunch to celebrate Father’s Day. Even though my father left this Earth over ten years ago, my Mom and I still celebrate his memory and his day. I find that just because a person is not physically in front of you, he still is a part of your soul, so you might as well take him out and celebrate with him. Corny, but I like to think he enjoyed the day. After a delicious steak brunch with cocktails, my friends, Mom and I went to have coffee at Cafe NOMA in the New Orleans Museum of Art and then explored the new addition to the sculpture garden. The new garden is architecturally stunning with great new pieces and beautiful landscaping. Congratulations on the impressive remodel–love the space!. It was also a perfect way to finish off a day of remembrance for my father.
My second week was a lot less exciting than my first, spending almost every evening working late with clients I had in town. Between work and trying to shake off getting sick, I was only able to venture out two times. The first was for my good friend, Beaux Church’s birthday celebration dinner at Liuzza’s and it was quite the celebration. Family-owned and operated since 1947, this Mid-City landmark is the epitome of a neighborhood bar and restaurant. Their delicious cuisine can best be described as down-home Louisiana, Cajun, authentic Italian and seafood dishes. The food was amazing – who doesn’t like onion rings and fried pickles? They also have frosty mugs for beer on tap and they make a mean dessert drink called the Bushwacker, pretty fabulous. People think that great dining experiences are just for upscale restaurants. But the truth is, it’s all about the company and food that make the experience worthwhile.
On Sunday, I attended the first show in Tulane Summer Lyric’s season, 42nd Street and it was a huge hit! I cannot say enough about the production and the cast. First off, the show itself is a classic musical, and the cast sang and danced their way into the audience’s hearts, I have not heard as much cheering before in a show like this one. Each number was choreographed to perfection. The dance sequences rivaled anything I have seen in a Broadway show and the singers just gave it their all. I walked out feeling elated, singing the tunes with a bounce in my step. Congratulations to all involved, you did real good!
And with that Lullaby to Broadway, I end my two weeks. I am excited about the next article which will incorporate my adventure in New York City for World Pride. Until then keep the party going.
Do you want your party or event covered? Invite me! ledgemgp@gmail.com
