Mardi Gras takes a break as Super Bowl rolls into town… and “the greatest free show on earth” gets sacked by the sponsor blitz! Beer and telephone named metropolises have popped up all over town. Something for everyone in the family from the NFL Experience for sports fanatics, the Verizon Super Bowl Boulevard for the music lover (a fantastic, free offering of the best of New Orleans – brought to you by the producers of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – so it’s a sure bet for a good food, good music and a very good time), and more parties then you could possibly name for the cocktail set.
In our family, we enjoy getting out and about to a cocktail party. But when downtown gets swarmed like this, unless you are on a bike I recommend staying Uptown. You will still get to sample the energy of the BIG EVENT, without all the traffic and detours.
And Uptown is jumping with a loads of celebrity cocktail parties and concerts this week. (back to parades next week – yeah!) The fun begins this afternoon. Dan Akroyd will be signing bottles of his SUPER premium vodka, Crystal Head, at the Rouse’s on Tchoupitoulas. Since you are out and about uptown, make it a classic New Orleans experience with dinner at Clancy’s.
If you are still rollin’ after that your high energy option is Papa Gros Funk at the Leaf. The more relaxed option is John Fohl (Dr. John’s guitarist) at Dos Jefes.
Since the rest of the week is jumpin, you may want to take it easy Tuesday with an afternoon stroll down Magazine Street. And since it is still Carnival time, take time to purchase something festive. Whether you are local or visiting, it is important that you participate in the joie de vivre of the Crescent City and Carnival.
A fun stroll is Magazine street between Felicity and Jackson. What a fabulous variety of shops, restaurants and more where you are certain to find something special for the season. Be it a dazzling chapeau from The Shops at 2011 or a seductive ensemble from House of Lounge, something will surely catch your fancy in this vibrant hot spot.
Thankfully, there are now plenty of dining options along this strip. Don’t forget to finish it off (or start it off if you prefer) with a cappuccino from the Brigade truck parked outside Stein’s Deli (near Jackson).
Tuesday’s Uptown evening option is not too far uptown, the Press Play at Harrahs’. They are presenting some young local talent, including the Brass-A-holics, that should keep the party on its feet.
Many of these parties are the proverbial party with a purpose. The Wednesday night cocktail party at Restaurant August benefits a very unique organization, Samaritan’s Feet, whereby the participants wash the feet of the homeless and families in need and provide them with new socks and shoes. Washing feet is the example Jesus left with us at the last supper and is the ultimate gesture of humility. Humble yourself, and indulge in Carolina Panther Steve Smith’s charity event.
Thursday, keep your check book out for Marshall Faulk’s Africa for the Future inaugural benefit at the Columns Hotel. They claim a lot of celebrity guests which sounds fun. But the sounds of the young people of New Orleans should really capture your attention with performances by Jonathan Batiste and Les Nubians (NOCCA grads) as well as students from NOCCA (the creative arts high school in New Orleans).
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, on Friday it’s Remember the Sabbath, so I usually don’t recommend anything on Friday nights. If you choose to go out, I am certain you won’t have a hard time finding something to do, such as the recently announced concert at Tipitina’s featuring Ludacris! Unlike the others, this party has no purpose other than to party.
Saturday is my favorite listing…GQ Party at The Elms Mansion on St. Charles Avenue featuring Lil Wayne. Yes! Lil Wayne at the Elms Mansion. For this we might need to get a sitter, especially the way my old man likes to get clean.
To continue your Uptown experience, you might as well have Sunday brunch at the never ending party that is Commander’s Palace before you watch the Big Game at Tracy’s? Maple Leaf? somewhere in between?
See you on the streetcar! Out and about!
Leslie
Out and About is a weekly blog by Leslie Compton of Every Thing Lovely, a special event and creative consulting team, and is sponsored by Key to NOLA Properties, a full service real estate brokerage firm specializing in furnished rental properties in New Orleans. Key to NOLA Properties and Every Thing Lovely have joined forces to provide a full array of services for travelers’ (and locals’) personal and professional needs while in the Crescent City.
