This week is going to be very exciting as well. New Orleans will be extending its warm hospitality to the 16th annual Essence Music Festival. The mighty Mississippi River will serve as a backdrop for the annual Go 4th on the River celebration at the Spanish Plaza and the French Market and, of course, there will be many other fun events to keep us cool and occupied.

And, I would be badly remiss if I didn’t extend Happy Birthday wishes to one of our city’s greatest jazz legends and a wonderful New Orleans musical ambassador to the world, Pete Fountain, who turns 80 on July 3. Following the total loss of his Gulf Coast house during Katrina five years ago and major surgery not long afterward, we are so blessed to have him still with us. Rock ‘n’ Bowl will be having a big blowout birthday party for him on Saturday.

Have a wonderful 4th of July and enjoy your week!


Wednesday, June 30
In The kNOwLA
Experience an evening of cultural indulgences at the JW Marriott Lobby Lounge from 5:30-8 p.m. Featuring local featured artist Paul Boudreaux (artist and musician), with live entertainment by: Riccardo Crespo (Brazilian musician, singer and songwriter who plays acoustic guitar and harmonica). Spirit tasting and complimentary hors d'oeuvres.

Thursday, July 1-Sunday, July 4

32nd Annual Mandeville Seafood Festival
Food, music, carnival rides, fireworks, family fun with activities for kids. Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville visit http://www.seafoodfest.com


Mandeville Seafood Festival Kick-off Concert-Thursday, July 1, 5 p.m.-midnight. The festival begins with an opening "Country In the Park" concert featuring Darryl Worley, Confederate Railroad and Christian Serpas & Ghost Town. Advance tickets are $25, $30 at the gate, available online at www.seafoodfest.com/country-in-park.php and at all Northshore Whitney Bank locations.

Friday, July 2-Sunday, July 4
16th Annual Essence Music Festival
The 16th Annual Essence Music Festival returns to the Big Easy in 2009! Known as "the party with a purpose" for its hip-hop, rhythm and blues and soul performances at the Louisiana Superdome by night, and inspirational "empowerment seminars" by day. Essence fans can count on what they've come to expect – three days of great music in a city with world-class restaurants and a rich cultural fabric -- a place that doesn't holler "last call" when the party's just getting started. For more information visit www.essence.com. Louisiana Superdome. Phone (504) 587-3822.

Friday, July 2-Sunday, July 4
AUDUBON INSECTARIUM GETS RED, WHITE AND BUG THIS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND!
Entomologists at Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans have arranged some very special insects that will be showing off their patriotism starting Friday, July 2, through Monday, July 5. Visitors won’t want to miss this stunning arrangement of red, white and blue butterflies.

Would you believe that many insects have shaped the history of the United States? Make sure to stop by and learn all about the mosquito, American cockroach and many more tiny titans that have made our country and its people what it is today. Audubon Insectarium and Audubon Aquarium are offering a $4 admission discount to either attraction during the Fourth of July weekend, Friday through Monday. Visitors must download a coupon from www.go4thontheriver.com to take advantage of this special offer.
Audubon Insectarium is normally closed on Mondays, but on July 5, all Audubon attractions will be open to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Admission to Audubon Insectarium is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for children. Admission Audubon Nature Institute for members is just $5 discount. Audubon Insectarium is located at 423 Canal Street, inside the U.S. Custom House, at the corner of North Peters and Canal Street.

Friday, July 2-Saturday, July 3
NAUGHTY CABARET
Talented Marshall Harris is recreating his Naughty Cabaret with special guest star: Becky Allen, featuring pianist Jim Walpole with Veronica Belleto, Lyla Hay Owen, Rikki Gee, Philip Gordon and Chris Wecklein at the Marigny Theatre-Allways Lounge, 2240 St. Claude Avenue.  For tickets call 302-1438 or visit www.marignytheatre.org

Saturday, July 3
Pete Fountain's 80th Birthday Party
Clarinetist Tim Lauglin will be joining  New Orleans’ great clarinet legend Pete Fountain and trumpter Connie Jones and his Crescent City Jazz Band to  celebrate Pete's birthday from 3–6 p.m. at Mid City Bowl - Home Of Rock 'n' Bowl, 4133 South Carrollton Avenue at Earhardt Blvd. Door prizes and cash bar. $10.00 cover charge. Come enjoy an afternoon of swinging jazz and wish Pete, a Very Happy Birthday! For more information log on to http://www.rockandbowl.com.

For Tim’s complete summer schedule, visit www.timlaughlin.com

Saturday, July 3

Just Grill It!
The Whole Foods Market Louisiana stores will feature a grilling event in celebration of the Fourth of July weekend at the following Whole Foods locations:

3420 Veterans Blvd., Metairie (504) 888-8225
7529 Corporate Blvd. Baton Rouge, (225) 218-0452
Arabella Station, 5600 Magazine St., (504) 899-9119


Hours for the event are 12 to 2 p.m. at the Veterans and Arabella Station stores

Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4

FRENCH MARKET FOURTH OF JULY!-MAKE IT A FRENCH MARKET FOURTH OF JULY!

Here is the live entertainment schedule for the weekend:



July 3



DUTCH ALLEY PERFORMANCE PAVILION (behind Pop City, next to Montrel’s Bistro)

4:00-5:30 p..m. Dr. Michael White

SUNDAY JULY 4TH :

DUMAINE STREET & DECATUR (near the fountain by Evans Creole Candy & Dutch Alley Artists Co-op)

Brass Bands

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Navy Band Full Steam Brass Band

7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Tremé Brass Band

DUTCH ALLEY PERFORMANCE PAVILION (behind Pop City, next to Montrel’s Bistro):

Modern, Vintage and Trad Jazz Stage

4:00-5:30 p..m. Astral Project

6:00-7:30 p..m. Tom Hook Louisa Prima Tribute Band

8:00-8:45 p..m. Jazz, gospel and blues vocalist Sharon Martin performs with a Trad jazz band

Washington Artillery Park (across from Jackson Square)

Pre-Fireworks patriotic music and much more

7:30 p.m-9:00 p.m. New Orleans Navy Ceremonial Band


July 4
GO 4TH ON THE RIVER!!!
Celebrate Independence Day New Orleans Style, at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Go 4th On the River. The Go 4th on the River Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza is the annual Independence Day Celebration along the New Orleans Riverfront with all-day activities for the whole family. The biggest celebration happens on the banks of the Mississippi with the annual Go Fourth on the River extravaganza. "Dueling Barges" is an exciting fireworks show to the tune of patriotic music and simulcast on Magic 101.9 WWL AM, FM, and .com, paints beautiful strokes of radiant light with the sky as a canvas and color as the palette.

Spend the day exploring the French Quarter before settling down for the show at 9 p.m. Log on to http://www.Go4thOnTheRiver.com for more info.

Riverwalk Marketplace July 4th Free Celebration
Riverwalk's Spanish Plaza

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Bucktown All-Stars
4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Treme Brass Band
6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Amanda Shaw & The Cute Guys
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Mixed Nuts



Sundays in July
MARYFLYNN'S "PROHIBITION
Jazz & Blues every Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with talented local chanteuse Maryflynn Thomas. Enjoy a musical brunch of jazz and blues at St. Charles Tavern, 1433 St. Charles Avenue. 523-9823. No cover charge. Corner of Melpomene, next to Office Depot.

Sunday, July 4

Trinity Church Presents: Albinas Prizgintas

Organist Albinas Prizgintas will be rolling up his sleeves for some rousing patriotic music on the 5000 mighty Trinity pipe organ. Music will include selections by Sousa, Copland, Ives, Wagner and Rossini; in addition to popular patriotic hymns and folk songs. 5 to 6 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, July 4

SUNDAY SWING WITH JOE KROWN AT NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM
Professional swing dancers are on hand to provide coaching for dancers of all levels while musicians play World War II-era hits. Lessons 2-3 p.m. Live music 3-5 p.m. 945 Magazine Street at Andrew Higgins Drive. Call 525-6012 or log on to www.nationalww2museum.org.

Tuesday, July 6

TOASTING WITH MARGARITA" at Le Booze
Come and enjoy Happy Hour drinks prepared by the wonderful bartenders of Le Booze in the Royal Sonesta Hotel under the guidance of yours truly and my invited co-host  Jean-Francois Bonnete who will be introducing a brand new Luksusowa Polish Vodka. Complimentary cheeses. 5:30-7 p.m. 300 Bourbon Street.

Wednesday, July 21
ROUND TABLE LUNCHEON: “A Salute to  Tales of the Cocktail”
You do not want to miss my popular Round Table Luncheon which will be co-hosted by Ann Tuenneman "Mrs. Cocktail” and founder of Tales of the Cocktail at Begue's of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Our featured guests will be international known author Dale DeGroff, "King of the Cocktail", historian and mixologist extraordinaire Chris McMillian and David Cordoba, the global brand ambassador of Bacardi Rum who will teach each guest the "Hand Shaken Daiquiri."

Live entertainment by actress/comedian Becky Allen and pianist Jim Walpole. Immediately following the luncheon guests will second line to the opening of Tales of the Cocktail at the Monteleone Hotel. The three-course gourmet luncheon is only $38 and includes complimentary parking and wines to complement the food. For reservations call Noel Scallan at 504-553-2220 or email her at  nscallan@royalsonestano.com

Have a great week and stay cool!

Margarita Bergen,
Cell 504-495-9181/Fax 504-940-6201