If last year's NOLA workshop is any indication the Fantome Maison Workshop in the Big Easy looks to be a blast and a half.
Katherine Engen (of Valley Ridge Art Studio) the organizer of the event, has been working tirelessly to put together tours and experiences to ease you into the Big Easy. In case you were wondering what goodies we had in store for you when you aren't slaving away over rusty metal bits...here's the skinny (which doesn't really apply in NOLA...especially if you eat the maple bacon sundae from Green Goddess...mmmmmm).
Katherine Engen (of Valley Ridge Art Studio) the organizer of the event, has been working tirelessly to put together tours and experiences to ease you into the Big Easy. In case you were wondering what goodies we had in store for you when you aren't slaving away over rusty metal bits...here's the skinny (which doesn't really apply in NOLA...especially if you eat the maple bacon sundae from Green Goddess...mmmmmm).
The full itinerary is listed at the end of this post but here are a few highlights:
Last year we started our adventure at the Voodoo Museum. It was so interesting and fun last year that we decided to come back again for more dances and ceremonies in the beautiful courtyard setting...oh and watch out for those love potions...oooh la la!
And a trip to NOLA without a stop at one of it's historic cemeteries would be like a hot dog without mustard...three dogs without a night...a bee without a gee.
So you like greenery? The garden district is an amazing display of the historic opulence of this area. There are some excellent bars, restaurants and shops in this area...oh, did I mention the shrubbery?
One thing I missed out on last year was experiencing jazz at Preservation Hall. Everyone who went last year loved it...I know it's only on this year's "suggested itinerary"...but I'm going for sure!!!! Jazz hands!
A couple of notes on a few of the suggested evening events...
First:
The Praline Connection has the BEST fried chicken I have EVER EVER EVER EVER had. I don't normally like fried chicken, but holy perfected poultry, Batman!
Second:
One of the best places to see music at the end of the day is the Spotted Cat. Great vibe, and some excellent retro jazz bands. You may have seen it featured in the HBO series "Treme".
No trip to NOLA is complete without a trip to the Napoleon House. This place was originally meant to be the residence of Bonaparte after his exile. He died before this ever came to fruition. Now it is a great bar and restaraunt. I have enjoyed many a Pimms Cup at this establishment ...delish...not to mention it is wonderfully old and and decrepit. Got to love the walls!
This year Katherine will be taking fashionistas to Fifi Mahoney's for a bit of wig shopping. Maybe I'll pick up a new "teaching wig". Katherine purchased one last year...though not quite as pink as this one:
Muriels is on the schedule for lunch this year. This is the place that gave me the idea for the class. It is said that they have a resident ghost who is served dinner nightly as a way to appease him. Afterwards, we mosey up to their Seance Lounge for an actual seance...cool!
After connecting with the spirits we will need a does of sugar and coffee at the Cafe Du Monde. Most likely a street performer or twelve will give us a bit of a show while we caffeinate.
From there we do a bit of ghost hunting...oooooooooooo...Night time ghost tours. I ain't afraid of no ghost!
We end the workshop with a bang. The city of New Orleans is having a parade in our honor. Nice job Katherine! Actually it is the Krewe du Vieux...a parade that kicks off to the Mardis Gras season.
Art, food and culture...who needs anything more...oh yeah...ghosts!
The itinerary:
Monday, January 30th
6:30 Meet and Greet Party at the Voodoo Museum in their courtyard. Gris gris bags will be prepared for you. Presentation by Voodoo Priestess, Cinnamon. Jumbo, jumbalaya, and king cake.
Tuesday, January 31st: Tour
Horse and carriage tour through the French Quarter, over to the cemetery with time for photographs, tour of the Garden District and drop us off at the end of Decatur Street where there are a number of vintage shops to explore.
• Suggested evening events*
• Dinner at the Royal Oyster for a bowl of boiled peel and eat shrimp.
• Preservation Hall for their jazz performance
Wednesday, February 1st: Workshop.
Workshop begins: Morning session: 10:00 - 12:30. Lunch*: 12:30 - 1:30. Afternoon session: 1:30 - 4:30.
• Suggested evening events*
• Cocktails in the hotel lounge
• Walk to the Marigny neighborhood
• Dinner at a number of restaurants there. Suggest the Praline Connection Restaurant.
• Jazz at the Spotted Cat.
Thursday, February 2nd: Workshop
Workshop begins: Morning session: 10:00 - 12:30. Lunch*: 12:30 - 1:30. Afternoon session: 1:30 - 4:30.
• Suggested evening events*
• Meet in the hotel lounge
• Dinner at Napoleons'
• Take the Ferry (free) to Algiers and go to the Old Point Bar for good local music.
Friday, February 3rd: Tour.
Morning is free time
I will take those interested to Fifi Mahony's to try on wigs... and look at their cool accessories. http://fifimahonys.com/
Lunch at Muriel's*
Seance in the Seance Lounge at Muriel's
Stop at Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee*
Ghost tour in the evening.
Saturday, February 4th: Last Day of Workshop
Workshop begins: Morning session: 10:00 - 12:30. Lunch*: 12:30 - 1:30. Afternoon session: 1:30 - 4:30.
• Suggested evening events*
• Attend the Krewe du Vieux Parade
• Jacques-Imo's on Oak Street
Maple Leaf Bar or Oak Wine Bar for music afterward
http://www.valleyridgeartstudio.com/new-orleans/home.asp 
4 comments:
Beignets at the Cafe--oh, how I wish! Fab itinerary, although now the Ghostbusters theme is stuck in my head....
If I can manage to win the lottery or something between now and them I am so there...
I would ask Santa, but haven't been THAT good this year.
Okay, I'm halfway through the video and I'm cracking up. First of all, because I never have them put anything in my Americano, I do it myself. I'm just all bossy like that, and controlling. In fact, if you want a less expensive one, ask for four shots over ice. Then you can add whatever you want to it, and it's just like an Americano. Well, I guess if you don't want ice, I'm not sure what to tell you because I don't get it that way. But maybe that's not even what the board is spelling out. It sounds like it and I'm going to look like a total a** if it isn't. I mean a pundejo. is that the word? no save
anyway, the MAIN reason I laffed much is that you just make me laff. I would love to go to this. I'll be at Artfest later, but by that time, you'll have had the bejesus scared out of you already.
Okay, really, the MAIN REASON I laffed is that I've been making my way through the original dark shadows series for TWO YEARS, now, and that theme is like a tonic! I don't know what kind, but I started smiling right away. A goofy tonic?
I haven't even started reading this, yet. Back to the video.
Chris
p.s. I'll try not to talk any more for now.
Love, love, love your blog, Michael! I mentioned it in my Weekend Journal post as part of "The Versatile Blogger" award. Whether you take part in the award or not, do stop by, have a look around and say "Hi". "Nawlins" is on my bucket list, and your post makes the craving grow stronger.... Warm Regards! Angelia
http://angeliasartjournals.blogspot.com/
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