If you find the beauty of an aquarium a peaceful counterpoint to typical New Orleans nightlife, this is your opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. This Friday, September 12, is the 5^th Annual Scales & Ales to support the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas’ conservation efforts and education programs. Partygoers will enjoy Bites and Brews including: Abita Beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and delicious cuisine from more than 30 local restaurants. The evening’s live entertainment will feature The Atlanta Showstoppers.

Scales & Ales is the signature fundraiser for Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. You have the once-a-year opportunity to support the education and conservation initiatives of the Aquarium while enjoying the Aquarium and Woldenberg Park in a unique, adult-only setting.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Entergy IMAX® Theatre will be open only until 2pm on Friday to prepare for this event.

The 14^th annual Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron will take place August 1 – 3 at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint. The premier American jazz festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong is free and open to the public. This event, produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), brings musical performances with a focus on traditional and contemporary jazz and brass bands. Naturally, the will be festival dining at "Red Bean Alley" along with three full days of fascinating Satchmo Seminars about New Orleans music and Louis Armstrong inside the air-conditioned Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint.

Hello Cocktail Lovers! Do you all have plans for Monday evening? I didn’t think so; I have an idea. If you love a yummy cocktail with bit of history back as much as I, this event can satiate many of your needs. On Monday July 14, 2014, the Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) will hold its fabulous annual fundraiser at the internationally famed Windsor Court Hotel.

I do not know how things are in your whiskey world, but in my friendly neighborhood liquor store times are tough. Trying to find a bottle of Buffalo Trace or Weller’s, for example, has been akin to finding a non-inebriated soul Saturday night on Bourbon Street. Fortunately, into this suffering world comes a hero on angel’s wings.

Angel’s Envy is a new bourbon in the Louisiana market inspired by an inaugural member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Legendary Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson spent a lifetime crafting fine spirits and this is his masterpiece. The 5% of spirit lost each year during barrel aging is called the “Angel’s Share.” After tasting this finished bourbon, Lincoln joked that we had finally gotten a better deal than the angels. And so Angel’s Envy was born.

Today, Thursday June 12, The City That Sobriety Forgot – New Orleans – will join restaurants and bars across Americas commemorating Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins. It was on this day in 1973 that he passed on to the great tattoo parlor in the sky. Three venues in New Orleans – Spitfire (627 St. Peter Street / 225.384.0655), Tracey’s (2604 Magazine Street / 504.897.5413), and Mimi’s in the Marigny (2601 Royal Street/ 504.872.9868) – will be celebrating his legacy with $4 “Old Ironsides” cocktails, a signature drink with Sailor Jerry, pineapple juice and a splash of soda.

NOWFE 2014 and The Big Gateaux Show –

Burlesque & Babycakes on Bourbon!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  No Andy Williams, not Christmas, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet.  I hope you have had a spectacular 2 weeks and paced your partying; one more great day ahead at the Fairgrounds.  For the record, I want Bruce Springteen’s passion and energy.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  No Andy Williams, not Christmas, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet.  I hope you have remembered your sunscreen and paced your partying; one more great day ahead at the Fairgrounds.

Good Morning Music Lovers!  It’s the most wonderful time of the year; no Andy Williams, not Christmas, Day 1 of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the unchallenged greatest music and culture event on the planet!

My hot picks –

Opening in 1990, Fausto’s Bistro is celebrating their 24^th Anniversary this year.  Aimee and I went there for our own anniversary dinner this January.  We are always excited to try one of the many great restaurants in the area together for the first time.  With well over 1,300 open locally, we will likely not run out of options anytime soon.

We made a reservation for dinner on a Monday night at 7.  The cozy dining room was not at all crowded when we arrived.  I imagine it could get a little tight when the place is full.  The décor looks exactly like you would expect a family run Italian restaurant to look.