As a “celebrity,” I’ve gotten to judge a bikini contest, 2 gumbo contests, a beauty pageant and the Greasing of the Poles, but judging the Queen of Burlesque contest was the best time I’ve had yet. The jewel in the 3-day, 6th annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival crown, the contest featured a lively M.C., singing, a jazz band and top burlesque dancers from near and far. The show opened with a performance by last year’s winner, “Medianoche.” I’d seen a VIDEO of her winning performance and by the end I had laughed, cried and been overwhelmed by the wonder of woman. Continue reading
Tag Archives: ruthie the duck girl
Judging the Queen of Burlesque Contest
Filed under Culture, decorations and costumes, entertainment industry, festival, history
French Quarter Fest 2014 – Sunday
Day 4 of the 31st annual French Quarter Fest was as gloriously beautiful as the first 3 had been and stages throughout the city beckoned but we were beat and decided to take it easy. It wasn’t our imaginations – it was FAR more crowded this year with nearly 733,000 music and food lovers attending. That’s almost 200,000 more than last year’s estimated 562,000 as well as the 2012 high of 574,000. We started the day with one of the many film offerings, a documentary on local eccentric, Ruthie the Duck Girl.
Filed under Concerts, Culture, festival, free events and lagniappe, history, Local Cuisine
Upperline and other local wonders
Last night, I went to a wonderful restaurant, Upperline, owned and operated by the fascinating JoAnn Clevenger. Outside, it’s a lovely Uptown home with whimsical wild flowers; pink, yellow and orange with tiny tall stalks. Miss JoAnn has lived a storied life and the evidence is all over the walls of her charming gallery/restaurant. Continue reading