The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane has announced its highly-anticipated 2024 season, featuring a captivating array of Shakespearean classics and innovative performances.
This year's season opens with an uproarious production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. Directed by Graham Burk, this comedic whirlwind will take audiences on a roller coaster ride through all of Shakespeare's plays in just 90 minutes. Featuring the dynamic talents of Keith Claverie, Ian Hoch, and Lauren Malara, this fast-paced romp is set to delight both devoted Shakespeare aficionados and newcomers alike. Preview performances begin on June 6, with the official opening night celebration on June 7. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday matinee, Saturday evening, and Sunday matinee from June 7 – June 16. Following this comedic tour de force, the Festival presents Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Julius Caesar, directed by Salvatore Mannino. From July 12 to July 21, audiences will witness this gripping saga of ambition, honor, and betrayal unfold on stage. Julius Caesar stars Silas Cooper in the title role and New Orleans’ favorites James Bartelle, Wendy Miklovic, and Erin Cessna. Preview performances commence on July 11, with the opening night celebration on July 12. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday matinee, Saturday evening, and Sunday matinee from July 12 – July 21. In addition to the main stage productions, the Festival is proud to present two new lagniappe events that promise to push the boundaries of traditional theater. On June 22, for one night only, audiences will experience (un)prompted Shakespeare. This daring experiment features actors rehearsing and performing Shakespeare's classic tragedy Macbeth in a single day, without the aid of scripts, but with the lines projected as supertitles. Additionally, on July 17, another new show will debut, The Fools Ensemble presents A Very Important Play. In this hilarious fusion of improv and Shakespeare, audiences will witness the birth of a brand-new 'Shakespearean' play, crafted in real- time by the talented improvisers of The Fools Ensemble. After its July premiere, Julius Caesar (directed by Salvatore Mannino) will return in January 2025 for the Performance for the Schools series, where over 5,000 students across the Gulf South will get to experience the brilliance of Shakespeare. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, by phone, or online via the website at: www.neworleansshakespeare.org New balls, please: Challengers
As if being one of the tennis balls so thoroughly thwacked in this tennis-themed love triangle, I was back and forth on this movie. There was a lot to enjoy, as well as some less engaging aspects that left me firmly on the fence, or in this case, the net. The plot is fairly straightforward: two very close young friends fall in love with the same woman, a fellow tennis phenomenon, who courts (pun very much intended) both of their affections. The dynamics of this lusty triangle are tested as their careers lurch in very different directions. Starting with the positives, the three leads combine with infectious chemistry, especially when the two tennis players (Mike Faist as Art Donaldson and Josh O’Connor as Patrick Zweig) trade loving quips or, eventually, pointed barbs. Their love interest, Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) motivates much of their bonding and conflicts, and Zendaya pulls off a confident, mature performance. There’s some dazzlingly innovative cinematography as we inhabit the point of view of the dueling players on court and even the tennis ball. Shots hurtle violently down the camera lens, almost threatening to burst out of the screen (and this without the need for 3D glasses). For me, though, some artistic choices landed out of bounds. Some of the more emotional scenes are hijacked by a jarring, intrusive synth soundtrack that feels out of place. I’m generally a fan of composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross moody electronica, but here it seems ill-employed. I also felt that some of the non-game edits are unnecessarily busy, and there’s a pacing issue that could have been avoided with a heavier hand on the cut. This movie does not need to be over two hours long. That said, the nonlinear structure works well as a gradual reveal of a couple of twists, and though some other reviews seem to suggest it’s confusing, the time periods are all very obviously titled. The story naturally culminates in a tense face off, and though the ending might be divisive, I think director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria) made the right call here. In turns ebullient, sexy and dramatic, Challengers is an engaging match up, thriving more on court than off. (PO) Costera
The wildly popular coastal Spanish restaurant & bar, and sister location to Northern Italian restaurant Osteria Lupo, Costera offers an enticing Happy Hour Wednesday-Sunday from 4PM-6PM. Visitors can enjoy select cocktails ranging from $5-$6, including Basque Terrace with Atxa Rojo, Blanco, or Quilles Rojo Vermouth, tonic, and citrus; Going Back to Kaliwith Fernet Branca, Tempranillo, citrus, and Coca-Cola; Rebujito with La Guita Manzanilla, grapefruit, lime, and soda; The Innocent with Valdespino Fino, lime, and mint; On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink with watermelon, basil, citrus, and cava; and the Costera Dirty Martini with Luksusowa, and house brine blend. Tapas include citrus and vermouth Marinated Olives; Beet Salad with spiced walnuts and Spanish blue cheese; Papas Bravas with aioli and piquillo pepper puree; and beef shank and potato Bombas with aioli and piquillo pepper. All beer and glasses of wine are also half-priced. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. costerarestaurant.com Commons Club Executive Chef Chris Borges highlights a brunch menu of seasonally-inspired dishes rich with influences from the West Coast and the Mediterranean, all with a delightful New Orleans touch at Commons Club. Every Wednesday - Sunday from 9AM-2PM, take part in the bottomless bubbles brunch and relish in the Sweet Potato Buttermilk 9 Drop Doughnut with marshmallow fluff brulee, and toasted pecans maple glaze; Gulf Shrimp & 24 Bayou Cora Grits with New Orleans-style BBQ gulf shrimp, andouille Bayou Cora heirloom grits, corn, and worcestershire sauce; Blueberry and Lemon Waffle - vanilla waffle, blueberry compote sweet lemon ricotta, and powdered sugar; Commons Club Breakfast - bacon or turkey sausage, grits, toast, and two eggs to order; and Mushroom Frittata - roasted assorted mushrooms, tomato truffle essence, farmer’s cheese, and herbs (add smoked salmon for an additional charge). Bottomless bubbles options include mimosas or Veuve Clicquot. The restaurant also offers a variety of specialty cocktails from Lead Bartender Heather Blanchard. Commons Club is located at 550 Baronne Street. virginhotels.com/new-orleans/eat-drink/commons-club Beggars Banquet Named after the famous Rolling Stones album, Beggars Banquet is the Lower Garden District’s new American bar and bistro under the direction of the Dilonno family. Chef Michael Dilonno invites guests to savor Pear Toast with sweet ricotta, roasted pears, hot honey and pecans; Steak and Eggs with two eggs, grilled hanger steak, hash browns, hollandaise, and buttermilk biscuits; Get Shorty with boneless short ribs, poached eggs, English muffin, hollandaise sauce, and potato hash; Stuffed French Toast with cream cheese and fresh strawberries; Crabby Benny with poached eggs, fresh gulf crab meat, remoulade, English muffin, hollandaise, and potato hash; Banquet Breakfast - two eggs any style, bacon, house sausage, hash browns, and buttermilk biscuit; and Mascarpone Grits. Brunch takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30AM - 3PM. The restaurant also offers a variety of specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Happy hour is a good time at Beggars Banquet every Wednesday - Sunday from 4PM-6PM at the bar. Delight in $9 cocktails, including Fish House Punch with rum, cognac, peach, lemon, and tea; Lavender Collins with Fords Gin, lavender, lemon, and bubbles; Paloma with tequila, lime, grapefruit, simple syrup, and soda; Negroni with Ford’s Gin, Cocchi Vermouth, and Campari; Parlor Old Fashioned with Old Forester Bourbon, sarsaparilla, and vanilla; and a Cosmo with Lairds Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and lime. $9 bites include Sriracha Cauliflower - lightly battered, tajin, cucumber chips, and greens; Ahi Tuna - 10 spice tuna seared rare, seaweed salad, and wasabi aioli; Fried Green Tomatoeswith burrata, balsamic reduction, baby arugula, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and sea salt; and $12 sandwiches including Crispy Chicken with key lime aioli, hot honey, and Boston lettuce; and Beggars Bahn Mi - char siu pork belly or charred broccolini, house pickles, cucumber, jalapeno, spicy kewpie mayo and cilantro. $7 house wines and $5 beer are also available. Beggars Banquet is located at 1330 Prytania Street. www.beggarsbanquetneworleans.com Alma Cafe Helmed by Executive Chef/Owner Melissa Araujo, who was recently named semifinalist for James Beard: Best Chef South 2024, Alma Cafe pays tribute to Chef Melissa’s Honduran heritage and celebrates the Central American culture, food, and music Araujo grew up with. Served daily, Monday - Sunday from 8AM - 3PM, diners can enjoy signature Honduran and modern dishes such as Fritas Hondureñas — fried homemade flour tortillas, refried beans, homemade cream, and queso fresco; Baleada Sencilla with two eggs, refried beans, homemade cream, queso fresco, and avocado served on a homemade flour tortilla. Add choice of chorizo, bacon, mushrooms, pork, brisket (extra charge); Melissa's Pancakes with six small pancakes, homemade crema Fresca, strawberry jam, and powdered sugar; La Louisiane Omelet - choice of lump Louisiana blue crab or shrimp, spinach, mushrooms, and herbs goat cheese add or mix both Louisiana blue crab and gulf shrimp; Charlotte Bowl - homemade yogurt, granola, locally sourced berries, seasonal jams, lemon zest, and rose petals; and Celebration of Tomatoes. Alma Cafe also has a variety of killer cocktails by lead mixologist Mark Preston including Alma Cafe’s Chef’s Old Fashioned, Red Rum Paloma, and Smoke Rosemary Negroni Sour. Additionally, visitors can savor an assortment of Honduran coffee. Alma Café is located at 800 Louisa Street in the Bywater neighborhood. eatalmanola.com Birdy’s The charming Instagram-worthy spot serves brunch seven days a week from 8AM-2PM, Monday-Friday, and 8AM - 3PM on Saturday and Sunday. Savor in the Eggs in “Pigatory” with crispy pork belly, sweet peppers, onions, poached egg, and toast; Birdy’s Burger - two smashed patties, crispy onions, aged cheddar, bibb lettuce, tomato, creole aioli, pickles, brioche bun, served with a side salad; Mushroom and Sushi Rice Bowl with lemongrass, house-made kimchi, pickled peppers, carrot, green onion, soft boiled egg, and soy mushroom broth; Bruleed Bananas Foster Waffle with vanilla ice cream, and powdered sugar; and their Brunch Board offers everything you could ever dream of, including donuts, granola, slab bacon, hot coppa, bubble waffle, fruit, seasonal jam, mini cookies, mini pancakes, house syrup, triple crème brie, and soft-boiled eggs. A plethora of brunch cocktails are also on offer, including a rotating Brunch Punch. birdysnola.com The Bower Bar Under the direction of Beverage Director Mickey Mullins, the cocktail program at Bower Bar is one not-to-be-missed, as is the food from Executive Chef Marcus Woodham. Enjoy Happy Hour at the Bower Bar Monday-Friday from 4PM-6PM and sip on $6 house wine and signature cocktails ($5-$7), which include the Classic Martini, Old Fashioned, Paloma, and Frozen Half Pour. Food offerings ($7-$12) include discounted charcuterie plates, cheese plates, cacio e pepe, Bower potatoes, spicy scallop arancini, whipped feta, and truffle bread. The Bower Bar is located in the Framework Building at 1320 Magazine Street. www.thebowernola.com Tujague’s Serving authentic New Orleans cuisine, Tujague’s is the birthplace of the tradition we now know as brunch. Diners can indulge in brunch highlights from Executive Chef Gus Martin, which include Shrimp and Grits - pan seared gulf shrimp simmered in a New Orleans-style BBQ sauce, served over stone ground grits; Gulf Shrimp Remoulade with fried green tomato, pickled red onion, chopped boiled egg, and baby greens; Eggs Madison with chorizo sausage, onion, potatoes and cheddar cheese hash, topped with fried eggs and chimichurri; and Tujague's Chicken Biscuit - fried chicken thigh glazed with Crystal honey sauce, served on a buttermilk biscuit with country gravy. Tujague’s also offers an unbeatable $22 bottomless mimosa deal. Brunch is available Friday from 11AM - 2:30PM; Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-2:30 PM. Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Street. tujaguesrestaurant.com Compere Lapin Compere Lapin - the Caribbean-meets-Louisiana restaurant offers a delectable Sunday Brunch from 10:30AM - 2PM. Starters include Tater Tots with crème fraiche and caviar; the famed CL Buttermilk Biscuits with jam and whipped ricotta; a Bagel with tuna tartare, Calabrian cream cheese, and soft herbs; Deviled Egg Toast with bacon chili crunch and greens; and Vanilla Brulèed Grapefruit. Mains include Pork Belly Hash with roasted vegetables; Hot Fire Chicken with biscuits and pickles; French Toast with chantilly cream and rum caramel; Gulf Shrimp and Grits with sauce Creole; and Croque Madame with pimento cheese, hand, and eggs. Guests can end on a sweet note with Nina’s signature Bread Pudding with bananas foster, buttermilk ice cream; and Mango Crème Brûlée with coconut and berries. Enjoy boozy brunch offerings like Sur-prise Me and Flowers for Jackie. A Bottomless Brunch Punch is also on offer for $25 per person. Compere Lapin is located at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street. comperelapin.com Peacock Room at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot is hosting a special Mom's Night Out event on Saturday, May 11, 6-9 p.m.
The public is invited (and especially moms!) to treat themselves to cocktails, beats and a custom hat by Sorellas. Explore Farrah Lefort's curated hat bar and vintage clothing pop-up, along with beats from DJ Nice Rack. And of course, enjoy the drinks and bites from the Peacock Room menu. Reservations can be made online at peacockroomnola.com. Jefferson Performing Arts Society will present a dance revue featuring Broadway musical dance favorites conceived, directed, and choreographed by Jefferson Ballet co-director Kenneth Beck with Kimberly Matulich-Beck. There are two performances only: Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie.
Featuring an ensemble of over 40 local dancers and two visiting artists, the show will include a variety of dance styles, including tap, ballet, and jazz from eight Broadway shows spanning from 1936-2000. The two visiting dancers are Chloe Slade and LeAnthony Douglas, featured in Beck’s 2022 presentation of The Nutcracker. Despite its title, not all pieces are traditional ballet dances. “The definition of ‘ballet’ is ‘dance that tells a story’”, explains Beck, who recently directed and choreographed JPAS’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar and annually directs The Nutcracker. “This show is an homage to some of the greatest dance storytelling in the history of Broadway.” Musicals featured include Oklahoma! Damn Yankees, Singin’ in the Rain, Carousel, Billy Elliot, 42nd Street, On Your Toes, and West Side Story. Some of the pieces will include vocal accompaniment, and there will be narration by Beck in between pieces, to explain how the dances represent different eras in Broadway musical dance history. For example, two of the eight dance pieces (Oklahoma’s “Dream Ballet” and Carousel’s June is Busting Out All Over”) were originally choreographed by Agnes De Mille, whose invention of using dance to further the plot and to express the psychology of the characters historically changed the use of dance in musical theater. Other pieces originally choreographed by George Balanchine, Gower Champion, and Bob Fosse, each represent a unique slice of Broadway dance history. Tickets are on sale now at www.jpas.org or by calling 504-885-2000. Cure Founder Neal Bodenheimer, along with the entire CureCo. team, celebrate the back-to-back inclusion on North America’s 50 Best Bars list: taking the No.47 spot for 2024, as announced yesterday in San Miguel de Allende. Recognizing best-in-class innovation and exceptional guest service, the award further reflects Cure’s dedication to pioneering and advancing the craft cocktail movement. Cure was previously recognized with a James Beard Award for “Outstanding Bar Program” in 2018, and placed in The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2014 and the North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list.
“We are so honored to be recognized again this year. The inclusion validates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity, even while holding steady in vision and intent–as a classic cocktail bar,” says Bodenheimer. “I’m so proud of our team and the excellence they embody year-over-year.” Marking its 15 year anniversary in 2024, Cure has continually been celebrated locally and globally as a New Orleans mainstay, championing classic cocktails and thoughtful riffs on tried-and-true standbys. Further, Cure’s menu displays the ingenuity of its bar team, with each member playing a role in developing seasonal cocktails. Tujague’s
On Sunday, May 12th, enjoy Executive Chef Gus Martin’s decadent three-course prix-fixe (priced $46 - $64, based on main entree) Mother’s Day Brunch from 10AM - 2:30PM. Starters include Shrimp & Goat Cheese Crêpes - two crêpes filled with herb goat cheese and gulf shrimp in a rich béchamel sauce; Tujague's House Salad - mixed baby lettuce, red onion, cucumber, feta, and sugar cane vinaigrette; Boudin Balls - house-made, served with pepper jelly; Gumbo Du Jour, and Turtle Soup. Featured Entrees include BBQ Shrimp and Grits - sautéed shrimp, New Orleans-style BBQ sauce, and stone ground grits; Gulf Fish Amandine - sautéed filet of fish, haricot vert, toasted almonds, and citrus butter; Grilled Filet Mignon - 6 oz filet of beef served with potato mash, haricot vert, and chasseur sauce; Crab Cakes and Eggs - two pan-seared Louisiana crab cakes, poached eggs, roasted corn sauce, and sauce Choron; Lamb Chops - house-seasoned grilled rack of lamb, roasted butternut squash, pearl onions, red wine demi glaze, and fresh cut herbs. For dessert, indulge in the choice of Créme Brûlée, Bread Pudding, or Strawberry Shortcake. Reservations can be made on OpenTable. Tujagues is located at 429 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. https://tujaguesrestaurant.com/ Compere Lapin Treat your mother to a memorable Brunch this Mother’s Day at Compere Lapin. On Sunday, May 12th, Chef Nina Compton will offer an à la carte Brunch menu from 10:30AM - 2PM. Enjoy Buttermilk Biscuits with strawberry jam and whipped ricotta; Fried Chicken with biscuits and hot honey; Tater Tots with crème fraiche and caviar; Croque Madame with pimento cheese, ham, and eggs; Gulf Shrimp and Grits with Creole sauce; Bread Pudding with Bananas Foster and buttermilk ice cream; and Mango Crème Brûlée with coconut and berries. Don’t forget to try the Bottomless Brunch Punch for $25 per person and the new seasonal cocktails. Compere Lapin is located in the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, 535 Tchoupitoulas Street. Reservations can be made on Resy or by calling (504) 599-2119. www.comperelapin.com. Alma Cafe Executive Chef/Owner Melissa Araujo invites visitors to celebrate Mother’s Day with a delightful a la carte Brunch on Sunday, May 12th. Paying tribute to her grandmother’s cooking with hearty dishes, enjoy creations such as Fritas Hodureñas with homemade flour tortillas, fried refried beans, crema, and queso; Huevos Rancheros with sunny-side up egg, black beans, housemade salsa, salsa macha, homemade crema, and queso cojita served on a homemade corn tortilla; Melissa’s Pancakes - six small pancakes with homemade crema fresca, strawberry jam, and powdered sugar; Baleadas Sencilla with eggs, refried beans, homemade crema, queso, and avocado served on a homemade flour tortilla; and the Charlotte Bowl - house-made yogurt, granola, locally sourced berries, roasted carrots, seasonal marmalade, lemon zest, and rose petals. The restaurant also offers a variety of house cocktails, classic cocktails, beer, dessert cocktails, and red and white wines. Alma Cafe is located at 800 Louisa Street. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling (504) 381-5877. www.eatalmanola.com. Commons Club On Sunday, May 12th from 9AM - 2PM, let your mother experience a brunch of a lifetime with an incredible a la carte Mother’s Day Brunch from Executive Chef Chris Borges. Upon entry, mother’s will receive a complimentary rose, and will be guided to indulge in decadent seasonal dishes. Brunch specials include Shrimp and Asparagus Benedict - toasted English muffin, sauteed shrimp, asparagus, two poached eggs, and brown butter hollandaise; Crawfish Rangoon Egg Roll - three crawfish and cream cheese stuffed egg rolls with a spicy aioli and caramel fish sauce; and Roast Beet Salad with farmers cheese, citrus segments, frisee, fennel, and toasted pepitas. Additional dishes to try include Blueberry and Lemon Waffle - vanilla waffle, blueberry compote sweet lemon ricotta, and powdered sugar; Fried Egg Sandwich - English muffin, applewood smoked bacon cheddar cheese, and fermented chili aioli; and Gulf Shrimp and Bayou Cora Grits. Don’t forget to sip and savor specialty cocktails from Lead Bartender Heather Blanchard. The special day will also feature a live performance by Tra$h Magnolia from 11AM - 2PM. Commons Club is located in the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, at 550 Baronne Street. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling (504) 603-8000. www.virginhotels.com/new-orleans. Beggars Banquet Beggars Banquet will offer patrons a flavorsome a la carte Mother’s Day Brunch from 10:30AM - 3PM. Revel in delicious dishes including Buttermilk Biscuits and Jam with soft butter and house jam; Cream Cheese Toast with figs, fig jam, arugula and sunflower seeds; Bananas Foster French Toast with sliced bananas, dark rum, and banana liquor; Crabby Benny with poached eggs, fresh gulf crabmeat, remoulade, English muffin, hollandaise, and potato hash; Steak and Eggs with two eggs, grilled hanger steak, hash browns, hollandaise, and buttermilk biscuits; and Get Shorty - boneless short ribs, poached eggs, English muffin, hollandaise sauce and potato hash. Beggars Banquet is located at 1330 Prytania Street. For reservations, visit Resy or by calling (504) 766-6711. www.beggarsbanquetneworleans.com. Costera The coastal Spanish restaurant invites visitors to indulge in a special Mother’s Day dinner on Sunday, May 12th, from 4PM - 9PM. Relish in new seasonal items like Braised Duck Breast with charred radicchio, apple fennel, and sour cherry molasses; or feast on a family-style tasting menu. The four-course tasting - priced at $70 per person - includes citrus and vermouth Marinated Olives; blistered Shishito Peppers with arbequina and Maldon; griddled sourdough with Boquerones and green olive tapenade; American red snapper Crudo with preserved citrus, pistachio, and chilies; charred romaine with Vegetables and buttermilk dressing; Mixed Roasted Mushrooms with sourdough and warm egg yolk; seared Yellowfin Tuna with pistachio romesco and shaved fennel; Seafood Paella with blue crab, gulf shrimp, littleneck clams, mussels, calamari, and chorizo; 24 oz boneless Ribeye a la Plancha with charred onion salsa verde; Papas Bravas with aioli and piquillo puree; wilted Broccoli with brown butter, capers, and fried garlic; and a selection of house-made desserts. Cocktails run the gamut from light spritzes to boozy concoctions, and the wine program highlights Old World Spanish and French selections. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. Reservations can be made on Resy or by calling (504) 302-2332. http://www.costerarestaurant.com/. Osteria Lupo Osteria Lupo - the Northern Italian Uptown hotspot - invites visitors to indulge in a delectable four-course lunch and dinner tasting menu for Mother’s Day from 11AM - 9PM. Priced at $65 per person, relish in a selection of antipasti, pastas, and desserts, which includes options such as Burrata con Panna with pistachio, aged balsamic, and grilled focaccia; Marinated Mushrooms with chili, garlic, and oregano; Wood-Fired Oysters with Calabrian chili, garlic, and focaccia; Short Rib Cappelletti with caramelized onion, fennel, and parsnip; Spaghetti alla Chittara with Maine lobster, Trebbiano, and jalapeno; Gulf Fish with fennel, charred cipollini, olives, and chilies; Grilled Hanger Steak with crispy potatoes and salsa verde; and a selection of house-made desserts. Sip on new specialty cocktails, including The Calvino with Buffalo Trace bourbon, apple brandy, St. Elizabeth’s AllSpice Dram, and lemon; and La Mola with Cimarron Blanco Tequila, Aperol, grapefruit, lime, and Angostura. Osteria Lupo is located at 4609 Magazine Street. For reservations, visit Resy or by calling (504) 273-1268. https://www.osterialupo.com. Birdy’s This Mother’s Day, Birdy’s - perched in the Lower Garden District - invites visitors to an appetizing Mother’s Day Brunch from 8AM - 3PM. On Sunday, May 12, indulge in sweet and savory dishes like Huevos Rancheros with black beans, slow simmered adobo chicken, pico de gallo, cilantro, avocado, cilantro and lime crema, and two eggs any style; Bruleed Bananas Foster Waffle with vanilla ice cream and powdered sugar; Pulled Pork Benedict - citrus braised pork, poached eggs, hollandaise atop an English muffin; Louisiana Crawfish Melt with pepper jack cheese and caramelized trinity on a brioche bun; and the Birdy’s signature Brunch Board - a decadent spread fit for kings with donuts, granola, slab bacon, hot coppa, bubble waffle, fruit, seasonal jam, mini cookies, mini pancakes, house syrup, triple cream cheese, and soft boiled eggs. Birdy’s is located at 1320 Magazine Street. www.birdysnola.com. You know, it's no good: a review of Back to Black
Asif Kapadia’s 2015 documentary ‘Amy’ is a heart-rending look at a phenomenal singer and performer, battling both her demons and ultimately destructive professional and personal associations. Back To Black, a 2024 biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (A Million Little Pieces, Fifty Shades of Grey) is…something else. Despite the panoramic mockery of the early trailers, I went in with an open mind. Yes, lead Marisa Abela was leaning into mannerisms a little eagerly (especially with the singing), but it’s nothing that Rami Malek didn’t somehow get an Oscar for (he’s a fine actor, but Bo-Rap is far from his finest hour, IMHO). I was counting on the story and cinematography of this “impressionistic” (?) retelling of the Winehouse legend elevating things beyond fan-service karaoke. That hope lasted around five minutes. It’s…not subtle. The first piece of information that the director wants you to know is that Amy Winehouse is not like other girls: she likes old fashioned music, not modern pop like you thought! The endless musical references arrive like Miles Davis delivering a discordant trumpet solo about an inch from your ear. “Why don’t people like jazz?!” Amy yells to her dad Mitch (a hapless Eddie Marsan), apropos of nothing. We meet Amy as an unknown, but within about ten minutes she’s famous. You find yourself constantly flailing for any kind emotional depth, like a third-class Titanic passenger grasping for a floating door frame. One night she’s cobbling together songs on a guitar in her bedroom, in the next scene she’s won a struggle-free bevy of international awards. The payment of dues that was so well portrayed in the documentary is just vaulted over. Tension with her roommate mum is hinted at, I wonder what the story is th-DOESN’T MATTER DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT because we’re already half way through the next scene. It’s a disorienting, breathless race to get to her indie meet-cute with Blake Fielder-Civil (Jack O’Connell), punctuated with cloying scenes with her ex-singer grandmother (Lesly Manville), who drops names like they’re covered in vegetable oil ("I sang wiv 'em all!"). Here’s where things get even murkier, where The Estate of Amy Winehouse starts to make its unwelcome presence felt. Blake and Mitch are historically known to be predatory, exploitative, and self-furthering. Here, though, Blake is presented as a lovable, bright-eyed rogue. He may be an addict, but he has Amy’s best interests at heart. As for Mitch, you may as well have him blunder around the set with a NUMBER ONE DAD mug. (One quick tangent: Blake romances Amy by playing her 'The Leader of the Pack' by The Shangri-La's. Movie Amy has never heard this song before. One of the most famous songs of the 1960s, a decade she is supposedly obsessed with. Am I nitpicking? Maybe. But...what?!) Amy and Blake are set up as kind of a Sanitized Sid and Non-Threatening Nancy. They’re chased by a benign, Keystone Cops gaggle of paparazzi, and when Blake goes to prison (IRL he got two years for a violent physical attack) he immediately blooms into the patron saint of rehabilitation. Other than that, Amy does a couple of gigs (many major events are just ignored), she moves house and, oh, she has a caged songbird DO YOU GET IT? DO YOU GET IT? DO YOU? GET IT? DO YOU? The final scene is beatific, Amy in a pastoral rehab center, seemingly canonized and almost euphoric. It's awful on multiple levels. Thrashing inconsequentially in the clichéd swamp of musical biopics, Back to Black sinks into the mire. It’s a movie more concerned with washing the blood from the hands of the living, rather than celebrating a talent, or analyzing the circumstances that resulted in her tragic death. (PO) To celebrate Jazz Fest, The Chloe Shop will transform to introduce a Musical Marketplace, showcasing special Jazz Fest-inspired pieces from beloved local brands such as Freda and Lekha . Celebrations at The Chloe will also extend to the lawn, where their Songwriter Series continues with Louis Michot, a two-time Grammy award winner from Lost Bayou Ramblers.
Melodies & Makers: Music & Festival Fashion at The Chloe Dates: April 24th - May 6th This Jazz Fest season, The Chloe will feature a curated selection of Fest-inspired finds from exclusively New Orleans-based vendors including:
Songwriter Series | Sunday, April 28th + Sunday, May 5th – As the fairgrounds close and Jazz Fest concludes for the evening, The Chloe will keep the celebration going with a performance from the revamped Songwriter Series. They will kick off on the Front Lawn at 9pm (seating begins at 8:30pm) with live music from Louis Michot of the Lost Bayou Ramblers. The Chloe will have a stage set up with intimate two-tops and blankets on the front lawn, first come seating. Following the performance, guests will be offered an exclusive Q&A with the artist. Virgin Hotels New Orleans is teaming up with lifestyle music brand, Soul In The Horn, and the company known for freshening up funky odors, Poo Pourri to bring The Funk Factory - a series of high-energy after parties during the city’s iconic Jazz & Heritage Festival. The after parties will showcase a mix of top tier local talent, visiting musicians, and renowned global DJs.
The after parties will take place at the swanky rooftop lounge, The Pool Club. Located in Crescent City’s Central Business District, Virgin Hotels New Orleans seamlessly blends luxury hospitality with Virgin’s rich history in music & entertainment. Soul In The Horn, known for creating one-of-a-kind music experiences, will bring their unique blend of soul, funk, and rhythm to the after parties. The Funk Factory will officially kick off on Wednesday, May 1 and run through Sunday May, 5. The after parties are open to the public with a complimentary RSVP encouraged (more info and booking link here). The Funk Factory After Parties Wednesday, May 1 | 8pm - 12am Featuring Natasha Diggs, Maurice “Mobetta” Brown Band and L3Ni Thursday, May 2 | 8pm - 12am Featuring Natasha Diggs, Tondrae Kemp & Friends w/ Marcus Machado, Chris Rob + Joe Blaxxx and Soul Sister Friday, May 3 | 8pm - 12am Featuring Natasha Diggs with a tribute to Casey Benjamin Saturday, May 4 | 8pm - 12am Featuring Trumpet Mafia Performance and DProsper Sunday, May 5 | 2pm - 7pm Featuring SANA, L3NI, Horn Players, and Black Dynamite |
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