A Tribute to Tennessee
Legendary playwright Tennessee Williams had a soft spot for New Orleans, and it shows: our city serves as the setting in several of his most famous works. Now New Orleans honors his legacy every year at the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. In its 22nd year, the five-day fête (March 26-30) will feature panel discussions, master classes, theater events, celebrity interviews, walking tours and more, all in the name of literature and New Orleans – a wonderful and inspiring combination. Some highlights this year will include a Los Angeles production Bent to the Flame – A Night with Tennessee Williams, which is a provocative performance that gives onlookers a realistic glimpse into Williams’ life. Some of the featured class subjects will include the memoir as literary nonfiction, what attracts the editor’s eye, finding an agent and the art of song writing. Most events will take place in the French Quarter and the festival will culminate in an entertaining “Stella and Stanley” shouting contest in Jackson Square. Information, 581-1144, www.tennesseewilliams.net
Parties for Patty
Perhaps you thought parade season was over; you were wrong. What better way to recognize St. Patrick than with a parade and a party? The St. Patrick’s Day parade, which follows a Mass at St. Mary’s Church, will wind down Magazine Street on Saturday, March 15, so check out the fun floats, flying vegetables and men in tuxes with green cumberbunds. Make sure to wear green yourself or you’ll get pinched! Then on Monday, March 17, the typical day on which St. Patrick’s Day occurs, Parasol’s Bar & Restaurant will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day block party in the Irish Channel, where the green beer and Guinness will be flowing freely starting in the morning. It’s an all day affair, so make sure to take the day off work.
Information, 897-5413, www.irishchannelno.org, www.parasols.com.
Rigoletto’s Rage
If your dad was a vicious hunchbacked jester who locked you away from the outside world, you’d want to escape, too. When a handsome duke encounters the daughter of the villain Rigoletto, he naturally wins her heart but of course, Daddy is outraged and wants to kill the duke in shining armor. Filled with deception, passion, love and revenge, this production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto will be performed at McAlister Auditorium March 14-16 with director Henry Akina and conductor Robert Lyall.
Information, 529-3000, www.neworleansopera.org.
Trailer Time
The Jefferson Performing Arts Society celebrates our funny bones with a production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical, a hilariously endearing story about the lives of an agoraphobic, a stripper, a man eager to win back his ex and a habitually pregnant woman. Taking place in Starke, Fla., the show may not be as appropriate for children as other JPAS productions but it’s sure to please an adult with a good – and raunchy – sense of humor. Directed by Sean Patterson, the show stars Meredith Long, Moria Gorrondona, Carrie Black and many talented others who will be putting on quite the trashy, vulgar and laugh-out-loud performance.
Information, 885-2000, www.jpas.org.
Have a Ball
On March 15, the Harlem Globetrotters will show off their skills at the New Orleans Arena. An entertaining and wholesome family event, the Globetrotters – sporting red, white and blue – are an exhibition basketball team that combines athletic ability with a sense of humor. They have played over 20,000 games since 1926, entertaining and inspiring generations. Look out for their mascot, “Globie” and listen for the song “Sweet Georgia Brown” – it’s the team’s signature.
Information, 587-3663, www.harlemglobetrotters.com.
Bringing the Party Home
After Hurricane Katrina, the Contemporary Arts Center moved its annual fundraiser, SweetArts, to New York City but now we can welcome it back home. On March 8, the CAC will be letting the good times roll. Cocktails, cuisine, games and music will be present and partygoers can enjoy the ultimate “arts and sass playground” of interactive fun, including performing in front of cameras with the help of the Rock Band Xbox game. Raffles will be held, Anais St. John will perform at the honorees’ reception and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Orleans Avenue will play at the main event. Themed “Paper Scissors Rockstar,” the party will honor six outstanding foundations that have been an integral part of the CAC’s recovery.
Information, 528-3805, www.cacno.org.
