Fall is finally here, despite the continued 80 plus degree weather. We know it is fall because the art events are exploding out of galleries, studios, and garages. Particularly in the Central Business District this weekend. “WHAT?!?” You say. Art in the CBD? Yes indeed. Art is exploding from all corners of the District, and you are invited to explore the streets AND inside many of the public and private spaces. Of course, ART is the focus of the spaces on tour with artful cocktails and small plates on the side.
The occasion is Art for Art’s Sake. Really that says a lot. Think about it Art for Art’s Sake. Art Home New Orleans 2013 coincides with the gallery and street party event. Art Home is presented by Creative Alliance of New Orleans in conjunction with the CAC’s Art for Art’s Sake. Seize the opportunity to experience the well rooted and ever changing culture of the CBD.
Art Home takes place Saturday and Sunday from noon til 5PM. Art for Art’s Sake is Saturday from 6 – 9 PM with the monthly gallery openings and a street party with food, music, drinks in the 300 – 600 blocks of Julia Street. The CAC will host the after party again, following a one year hiatus. The after party goes until 11 PM.
So let’s get out and about in the CBD. Start at the CAC, 900 Camp Street, where your Art Home tour wristbands are available. Tickets may be purchased in advance or day of the tours. Get the two day pass so you can take you time exploring.
On Saturday, get a mid-afternoon start so that you have enough energy to roll into the evening and the gallery openings. From the CAC, head down Camp street. Choose a couple places on view to peruse as you make you way to Capdeville Restaurant on Capdeville Street. Capdeville is one of the restaurants participating in the tour. Expect an artful specialty cocktail and enjoy a few small plates of classic bar food in this elegantly designed space and a warm, alluring atmosphere.
Keep your focus on this quadrant of the CBD around Camp, Magazine Girod and Julia Streets. Be certain to stop in the Idea Village (Saturday only) to experience the excitement of this entrepreneur hotbed. I would expect to see some contemporary art and avant-garde work spaces. We’ll find out this weekend. Also in the area is the studio of Beth Lambert PLUS the Lambert Firm Garage pop-up gallery. A garage space turned art gallery (or club) is always one of my favorite type of events to attend. It is usually very cutting edge. Again, we’ll see this weekend how hip the Lambert Firm is. Can’t wait!!
Now, if you have the stamina, go ahead and make the effort to visit the Eskey-Dumel-Ripple Architecture firm, which I’m believe is in Canal Place. This firm is involved in many of the most innovative architectural design projects in the city including the about to open Riverfront Park in the Bywater and Marigny.
A couple watering holes on the way that Loa in the International House, Swizzle Stick in the Loews Hotel which is part of Cafe Adelaide. This Brennan eatery is named after the Brennans’ beloved Aunt Adelaide, who personified the avant-garde cocktail culture of the late 1950s and 1960s, and represents the joie de vivre of all that is New Orleans. Brennans. Go in and see for yourself.
As you are making your way back to Julia Street for Art for Art’s Sake, stop in at NOLA Grind for a fine espresso drink. This is a peaceful little hideaway on Fulton Street and a lovely spot to relax inside or at the café tables outside.
Back on Julia Street, check in at Dirty Coast for a view of their artful T-shirts and whatever special surprised they may have in-store for the tour.
Of course, during the party, all the Julia Street Galleries are worthy of a visit. My favorite is always Le Meiux and Jonathan Ferrara galleries.
On Sunday, start your day early at Borgne Restaurant on Loyola Street. They too are participating in the Art tour. Be sure to include some fresh fish in your order. Chef Brian Landry’s goal is to be THE place for fresh seafood in New Orleans. As a part of the John Besh restaurant group, I believe they can achieve that goal!
Afterwards, stroll around to several of the new condos / apartments in re-purposed business district buildings. On the tour are spaces in the Saratoga, The Maritime, Hibernia Tower Apartments. Afterwards, you can watch the Saints beat da Bears at the best place in town to eat, drink and cheer… Manning’s, on Fulton Street. Look, there is a 2:1 ratio of guests to TV’s. So you are guaranteed a great spot to watch the game with like-minded Black and Gold fans. Game time, 1:00 PM.
See you out and about in the CBD.
Every Thing Lovely,
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.
