November 28, 2011
Christmas New Orleans Style
Our exploration of all the holiday activities taking place in Festiva vacation destinations continues today with a visit to to the Frenchmen Orleans and the Big Easy. Located in New Orleans’ trendy Marigny neighborhood, guests at the Frenchmen Orleans will be staying in the heart of all the seasonal activities offered up during the month-long celebration known as Christmas New Orleans Style.
During December the magical mystique that draws visitors to the city is spiced up a notch with an additional kick of Cajun holiday cheer. Courtyards, iron-clad balconies and mossy oaks are all adorned with festive lights as the sound of holiday music echoes through the historic streets of the French Quarter, Arts District, Garden District and downtown.
Recognized as a culinary melting pot and foodie destination, New Orleans and her chefs seem to exceed expectations during the citywide Reveillon Dinners. An old French holiday dining tradition, the Reveillon Dinners feature renowned chefs at 42
restaurants showcasing traditional French and Creole techniques while preparing four- and five-course pre fix meals that include dishes like Absinthe Oyster Soup, Fig Glazed Duck Breast and Eggnog Crème Brulee. With prices starting at $38 and averaging around $50 per person, Christmas New Orleans Style is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of the city’s legendary restaurants like Commander’s Palace and Galatoire’s at only a portion of the price. For a full listing of all the participating restaurants and menus be sure to visit here.
A melting pot of musical styles including jazz, rhythm & blues, gospel and Cajun, the musicians of the city offer up a wide variety of live seasonal music during the celebration. Step inside one of the country’s most recognizable churches throughout the month for the Cathedral Concerts. Taking place at 6 p.m. in the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, the concert series features a wide range of musical styles and artists all performing for free. Only a few minutes’ walk fromJackson Squareis the historic Hotel Monteleone which also hosts a free concert series. The decadent Victorian style lobby is the stage for choirs from area schools performing classic and modern holiday favorites.
Of course, one of the main highlights during Christmas New Orleans Style is the Celebration in the Oaks at the New Orleans City Park. Running nightly Nov. 25 through Jan. 2, 2012 (closed Dec. 24 & 31), Celebration in the Oaks consists of multiple light displays including a 20 minute state of the art musical laser show that illuminates the Botanical Gardens. A variety of amusement park rides will keep the children happy while adult preview parties featuring live bands and alcohol will be available for the older crowd. For a unique experience strap on some skates and take a spin on the new synthetic ice rink. Used by professional skaters and athletes to train in warm weather, the synthetic ice rink feels like the real thing and is sure to be a hit with the entire family.
Combining the best of both food and music, the 4th Annual Treme Creole Gumbo
Festival provides visitors to the area a more localized experience. Known for spawning some of the best jazz musicians and brass bands in the world, the streets of the Treme neighborhood will fill again on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Feast on a large selection of homemade Cajun delights prepared by the residents of the neighborhood while jamming to the beats of the legendary Treme Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band and many more.
February 3, 2011
A Month of Mardi Gras in New Orleans
French for “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is the day before Lenten season, the last chance to indulge and celebrate everything delicious and opulent in life before restraining for 40 days. As we all know no other city is more synonymous with Mardi Gras than the Big Easy, New Orleans, LA. Embracing the tradition for centuries the city celebrates for an entire month leading up to Mardi Gras, providing ample opportunities to partake in the parades, balls and parties while avoiding the hassle of the main events’ large crowds.
Neighboring New Orleans to the West and straddling two sides of the Mississippi is Jefferson Parish, home to the popular Family Gras. Being held
on the neutral grounds of Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie from Feb. 25 – 27, the three-day festival will feature more than 20 bands, 14 food and beverage vendors and Jester’s Kids Tent for the children. Attendees will also be able to enjoy seven traditional Mardi Gras parades as a variety of krewes route their march of celebration past the festival grounds. As always costumes are encouraged with Fright Night on Friday, Carnival Saturday with purple, green and gold, and Sports Sunday, where you’re encouraged to wear your favorite team colors.
To learn more on the history and lure of Mardi Gras be sure to check out the Mardi Gras Museum and Blaine 
Kern’s Mardi Gras World. Located about 15 minutes from downtown in Kenner the Mardi Gras Museum proudly displays over 150 years of Carnival history from costumes and masks to historic photos and floats. Just a short walk down the banks of the Mississippi from the French Quarter is the number one float maker in the world, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World. Since 1947 Blaine Kern’s artists have created the majority of the floats used during Mardi Gras and have designed the themes for each unique parade. Guests can tour the fantasy-filled warehouse and walk amongst endless rows of floats from the past and present. No trip to New Orleans is considered complete without a trip to the birthplace of the parades, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.
Once you’ve seen the magic and splendor of the floats there is only one thing left to do to complete the
pre-Mardi Gras experience. With 46 parades taking place prior to Mardi Gras there is ample opportunity to experience these unique events. A variety of social clubs known as krewes adorn themselves with elaborate costumes before jumping aboard extravagant floats and heading down predetermined routes. As the parade proceeds the jubilant sound of the band echoes through the streets while krewe members pepper the crown with beads, doubloons and more.
With an entire month of activities in celebration of Mardi Gras, Carnival season offers plenty to keep the mind and body stimulated all the way up until Fat Tuesday. For more information on Mardi Gras and a full listing of the parades and routes visit the official Mardi Gras website at www.mardigrasneworleans.com. For accommodations be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans. Offering spacious condominiums in the hip Faubourg Marigny district, the Frenchmen Orleans is conveniently located to all of the Mardi Gras festivities.
November 18, 2010
Christmas New Orleans Style
During the month of December the magical mystique that draws visitors to the city of New Orleans is spiced up a notch with a little additional kick of holiday cheer. Courtyards, iron-clad balconies and mossy oaks are all adorned with festive lights as the sound of holiday music echoes through the historic streets of the French Quarter, Arts District, Garden District and downtown. Escape the mundane and quench your seasonal appetite by celebrating Christmas New Orleans Style.
Recognized as a culinary melting pot and foodie destination, New Orleans and her chefs’ seem to exceed expectations during the citywide Reveillon Feast. Renowned chefs at 34 restaurants showcase traditional French and Creole techniques while preparing 4 and 5 course meals featuring masterpieces like Absinthe Oyster Soup, Fig Glazed Duck Breast and Eggnog Crème Brulee. Heighten your New Orleans culinary experience at the free cooking demonstrations being held daily at 1 p.m. in the French Quarter at Le Petit Theatre. Learn the secrets of the local cuisine and sample savory dishes as guest chefs perform their culinary magic.
Cooking up a feast for the ears, local musicians pound out their own blend of musical 
ingredients throughout the month long celebration. A melting pot of musical styles including jazz, rhythm & blues, gospel and Cajun can be heard at varies locations throughout the city. Step inside one of the country’s most recognizable churches for the Cathedral Concerts. Taking place in the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, the concert series features a wide range of musical styles and artist all performing for free. Only a few minutes’ walk from Jackson square, Hotel Monteleone will also be hosting a free concert series open to the public. The decadent Victorian style lobby is the stage for choirs from area schools performing classic and modern holiday favorites.
The 3rd Annual Treme Creole Gumbo Festival combines the best of both the music and food worlds and offers visitors to the area a more localized experience. The Treme neighborhood is legendary for the brass bands and musicians spawned from the jazz that permeates the air. The 
streets will be filled again on Dec. 11-12 from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with local musicians and a large selection of regional gumbo as the residents of Treme celebrate the holidays.
One of the main highlights during Christmas New Orleans Style is the Celebration in the Oaks at the New Orleans City Park. Running Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, 2011, the Celebration in the Oaks consist of multiple lights displays including a 20 minute state of the art musical laser show that illuminates the Botanical Gardens nightly. A variety of amusement park rides will keep the children happy while adult preview parties featuring live bands and alcohol will be available for the older crowd.
Come experience Christmas New Orleans Style this December and be enchanted by the twist the city adds to the holiday experience. For accommodations be sure to check out the fully equipped condominiums at Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans.
