A Note from Bev

Everyone in this city knows about Brad Pitt’s extraordinary gift to our city, Make It Right. His efforts have given 90 families who live in the Lower 9th Ward affordable, green and sustainable housing! Now you can be a part of efforts to raise the remaining funds to finish these environmentally friendly houses. Thanks to our cover models who are spearheading the project along with chef John Besh, executive director of Make It Right Tom Darden, prominent Make It Right supporter Tia Roddy and general manager of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Michael Smith.

The gala, “A Night to Make It Right,” will be led by Honorary Chairman Brad Pitt and hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, with support by local hosts John Williams and Virginia Miller, on March 10 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

You can hobnob with Blake Lively, Chris Paul, Randy Jackson, Sean Penn, Mitch Landrieu and other celebrities. Our favorite chef, John Besh, is leading a team of celebrity chefs to craft a dinner menu of culinary delights with another favorite chef, Emeril Lagasse, along with Giada De Laurentiis, Mario Batalli and more. There will be must-see musical performances and a live auction featuring handpicked one-of-a-kind experiences and celebrity-owned items. There will also be an after-party with internationally acclaimed artists including Bruno Mars, Seal and more! Individual tickets will start from $1,000. Of course, you could be in the million-dollar category as well. For more information and to purchase a table or individual tickets, contact the Make It Right office at 620-3200, email Rebecca Schultz at rschultz@makeitrightnola.org or visit the website at NightToMakeItRight.com. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime gala you won’t want to miss!

The debutante season has been in full swing since summer, and the parties have been spectacular! Do not miss my entertaining column featuring Francesca Lupo’s party, themed “Il Palio, Siena, Italy,” given by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lupo. Blaine Kern Jr. produced the party, recreating the feel of the famous horse race at the Arbor Room at City Park with Popp’s Fountain as a backdrop.

Valentine’s Day is almost here so check out “What’s Hot” for everything from spa visits to shoes. Speaking of shoes, you’ve got to check out CeCe’s fabulous shoe boutique, which has everything from Alexandre Birman and Coye Nokes to Valentino, Manolo Blahnik and more, all located inside Mimi at 5500 Magazine St.

We also have our much-anticipated annual Couture Wedding Guide to give you top-notch inspiration and the local vendors to make your dreams come true.

We all love to eat in this city, so you’ll love our special section on restaurant specials, which includes the latest on drinks, dishes and dining experiences.

Now that it’s Mardi Gras time, I want you to look out for Alfredo Diaz’s new creation, King Cake Vodka. It is everywhere from Rouses to specialty wine and liquor stores. Diaz was intrigued by the King Cake snowballs that his children love and thought, why not a King Cake Vodka? He sent Haydel’s King Cakes to his distillery in France so they could create just that! He finally had to go to France himself to get the taste just right. You will love the bottle.

There is a fabulous exhibit in Jackson, Miss., at the Mississippi Museum of Art! “Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H. A. Rey” is on view from March 3 through July 22. The exhibition delves into the lives and works of Curious George’s creators, German Jewish husband-and-wife team Margret and H. A. Rey. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students. For more information, visit MsMuseumArt.org or call (601) 960-1515.

Hope that you’ll have safe holidays. Happy Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day!

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