William Faulkner said, “Civilization begins with distillation,” and no truer words were said, particularly when attending one or more of the National Bourbon Heritage Month events at Sazerac House (101 Magazine St.). Among the choices include: Drink & Learn: From Bourbon Country to Bourbon Street (Sept. 5 and 25); Bourbon for Beginners (Sept. 6 and 20); The Legends of Buffalo Trace Distillery: Honor Tradition (Sept. 7), Embrace Change (Sept. 15) and Innovation & Experimentation (Sept. 21). Or visit the museum, where the lore and legend of the Sazerac cocktail — and of course, bourbon — are explored. sazerachouse.com; @sazerachouse
Let’s Get Cooking
Fans of Chef Eric Cook and his Gris-Gris restaurant are rejoicing as his first cookbook, “Modern Creole: A Taste of New Orleans Culture and Cuisine,” written with Jyl Benson (Avenue’s food writer) is making its debut with a launch party happy hour at the restaurant (1800 Magazine St.) on Sept. 17, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Enjoy cocktail specials and complimentary bites showcased in the book, as well as purchase a copy (pre-orders via website will be available for pick-up) that Chef Eric will sign. grisgrisnola.com; @grisgrisnola
HBCU Art Showcase
Art by 32 students attending Dillard University and Xavier University will be the focus of the 11th annual HBCU Art Showcase at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St). On view through Sept. 29, the exhibition is a collaboration between the museum and the New Orleans Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and is part of “Links Love HBCUs” (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) program. neworleanslinks.org, @neworleanslinks; dillard.edu, @dillarduniversity; xula.edu, @xula1925; ogdenmuseum.org, @ogdenmuseum
Brewing Excitement
The New Orleans Coffee Festival, Sept. 27 and 28, is going to perk up your senses with coffee experts from around the globe — and some more locally sourced — sharing their knowledge and love of one of the city’s favorite wake-me-up beverages. Seminars are geared to the curious coffee drinker as well as restaurant and coffee shop owners. There will be exhibitors showcasing different types of coffees, equipment used to make coffee and more. The festival is at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (900 Convention Center Blvd.) nolacoffeefestival.com; @nolacoffeefestival
Cool Food
While the temperature may be rising outside, New Orleans restaurants are making sure its citizens are well-fed — and air-conditioned. COOLinary New Orleans, marking its 20th anniversary this year, is a city-wide event featuring restaurants’ special prix fixe menus — available through Sept. 15 — enticing regulars and visitors to try something new. Among the participants are Gautreau’s, King Brasserie at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot (featuring its Tour d’Azur summer tasting menu), The Grill Room at The Windsor Court Hotel, The Bower and Birdy’s behind the Bower, Tujague’s, Commons Club and Costera, to name a few. neworleans.com/coolinary; @neworleansandco
