Author: Joe

Filming July 28th

No Parking Anytime
Photo courtesy of Franco Folini. http://www.flickr.com/photos/livenature/

On Wednesday, July 28, a production will be filming at the corner of Decatur and Barracks. Parking along parts of those blocks will be restricted from noon to midnight. There may also be intermittent traffic closures on those blocks.

That’s the corner by Cafe Envie and the U.S. Mint. Does anyone know what they are filming?

Thanks to the VCPORA Weekly update email for the tip.

Maximo’s Italian Grill makes 25!

Maximo's Italian Grill
Diners enjoy Maximo's Italian Grill

Congratulations to the folks at Maximo’s Italian Grill for 25 years of great food.

This month marks the year of Maximo’s 25th anniversary and you are invited to come help us celebrate!! Along with our Wednesday night 50% off bar special, we have some other fantastic offers planned for the evening…

Our executive Chef Thomas Woods has prepared a $25 (per person) Red and White Wine Dinner menu for the evening- it includes a glass of our most decadent Italian wine selections, which have been perfectly paired with an appetizer and an entree course.

The exceptional Italian wines we will be featuring are 2007 LaVite Lucente and 2008 Santa Cristina Antinori “Campogrande”

Buy a bottle of either featured wines and automatically get entered into our $25 Gift Certificate give-away.

Chef’s dinner menu will be posted on Maximo’s blog at www.MaximosGrill.com. Reservations are strongly recommended. Please call 504.586.8883 for further inquiries about this evening.

From their facebook event.

P.S. Here’s a link to the blog.

update The menu has been posted

DEA’s Target America exhibit comes to the U.S. Mint

The Old U.S. Mint, New Orleans

The DEA Museum’s traveling exhibit Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause, an interactive exhibit that explores the science behind the damaging effects of illegal drugs on the mind and body and the other tremendous costs associated with the production, sale and use of illegal drugs will be on exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum, Old U.S. Mint building in New Orleans, Louisiana from March 3, 2010 through November 24, 2010.

Fox8 did a story while the exhibit was being unpacked that details some of the contents. They reported that there will be “Local components” pertaining to the history of drugs in New Orleans from the 18th century to now.

There are a number of events planned during the exhibit’s stay including:

  • Jazz and Drugs: The Romance, May 8, 2010, 2pm – 4pm
  • Afternoon at the Museum, April 10, 2010, 1pm – 3pm (During French Quarter Fest)
  • Guns of the DEA, October 16, 2010, 2pm – 4pm

The exhibit is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays 10am-4:30pm

French Quarter Festival lineup announced

Street brass band in the French Market for French Quarter Fest
Street brass band in the French Market for French Quarter Fest courtesy infrogmation http://www.flickr.com/photos/infrogmation/3455636679/

The largest free festival in the south returns with 17 stages with over 250 hours of local music in the French Quarter. Three stages of great music at the U.S. Mint and one in Dutch Alley in the French Market will have the neighborhood jumping.

Featured artists this year include:

  • Friday
    Big Sam’s Funky Nation – Soul Rebels – 101 Runners – Honey Island Swamp Band – Connie Jones & the FQF All-Stars – Ingrid Lucia – ZydePunks – Shamarr Allen – The Revivalists – Mark Stone Band – Coco Robicheaux – Waylon Thibodeaux – Ensemble Fatien – Russell Batiste & Friends Featuring Jason Neville + MORE
  • Saturday
    Bonerama – Anders Osborne – Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers – Irvin Mayfield & NOJO All-stars – Little Freddie King Band – Rebirth Brass band – Christian Serpas & Ghost Town – The Tin Men + MORE
  • Sunday
    The Radiators – Joe Krown Trio – Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue – The Bucktown All-Stars – Wild Magnolias – Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz – Rockin’ Doopsie Jr – Sunpie – Susan Cowsill & Friends – John Boutte & Paul Sanchez – Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys – Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes – Treme Brass Band – I’voire Spectacle – New Orleans Nightcrawlers – Loose Marbles – Panorama Jazz Band + MORE

    • Check the festival site for the complete and up to date schedule.


    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsVzWH7v-pc

Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & ½ Marathon road closure info

Photo courtesy Frédéric de Villamil http://www.flickr.com/photos/fdevillamil/2305162176/
This Sunday the city is hosting the Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & ½ Marathon. Officials are expecting over 20,000 runners and walkers, in addition to tens of thousands of spectators, family and friends. Residents are encouraged to visit the free Health & Fitness Expo, volunteer during race weekend, and line the course to cheer runners. Both race’s routes will cut across the neighborhood in the morning and then up Esplanade Avenue on their way to City Park. The full 26.2 mile Marathon will use Decatur Street, while the 13.1 mile ½ Marathon will be on North Peters. Traffic on both Decatur and North Peters streets from downtown to Esplanade Avenue will be closed Sunday February 28th from 6:30am to approximately 11:45am. Esplanade Avenue from the river toward City Park will be closed 6:45am to sometime around 12:30pm. To get the most out of your weekend and minimize stress, be aware of the road closures and plan ahead for an alternate route or added travel time. See the event website for detailed maps and timetables.