|
French Quarter Business Association
|
|
|
| April 2012 | Around the Quarter Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
Member Specials
each will click to more information
|
 | | Marc Stone and Special Guest every Wednesday night from 7 to 10p.m. with a Special Happy Hour all night long. |
 | |
|
 | |
FQBA members only special: 10% off any size print ad. www.nolalifestyles.com/fqba
|
 | |
Save the Date! June 22 - 24th
Register for Lunch
with Hoda Kotb
|
 | |
April Music Listings
|
|
|
|
|
Help us reach our goal of 1000!
We are always spreading the word...
|
|
|
And it's Spring!
The French Quarter in April is alive with music, visitors, and the local New Orleanians' love of life. With so much going on in the Quarter my letter to you only says "Read On!"
Happy Spring,
Adrienne Thomas
President
PS. Be sure to take time to "smell the roses"... literally. Have you seen the remarkable variety of blooming roses throughout the Quarter?
|
|
FQBA Committees
click on committee member's names to email them directly
If you planned to get more involved with the Association, the best way to do that is join a committee. Each committee has a different focus and amount of time required. Touch base with the committee chair to find out more.
Marketing Committee
Chair: Frank Stansbury
Get Away in the Vieux Carre Summer Promotion now in its 4th year will be starting up in May with some changes be on the lookout for your member email and a call from a committee member to give you the details. Next meeting will be April 26th.
Public Relations & Events Committee
Chair: Christine Sory
Next luncheon will be held on April 19 at the Wax Museum. Guest speaker to be Sheriff Marlin Gusman. Oceania will be catering the menu. It is sure to be informative.
Thank you Pat O's on the River for the great meeting on March 1. Attendance was over 80 guests!
Currently we have almost 1,000 likes on our  facebook page and almost 300 twitter followers.... We are still growing. This is a "FREE" way to market your businesses in the French Quarter. Like our page or join our  twitter feed and you can let everyone know about your upcoming events.
Vieux Carre - Graffiti Abatement Program Committee
Chair: Gene Sausse
On March 14th, the title sponsor of French Quarter festival hosted community clean up. Close to 40 employees of Capital One joined forces with VC-GAP to clean up prior to the festival.
The committee is continuing to assist property owners to eradicate graffiti from private property though education and collaboration. If you have an issue or concerns please contact us, we will gladly help!
Membership Committee
Co-Chairs: Nancy Tusa & CE Adler
Membership is continuing to grow. We'll be planning the two annual events we added last year to help members network and learn about FQBA. Be on the lookout for our Summer Membership Cocktail Event & next year's end of the year Wrap Up Breakfast. Each event had rave reviews from participants. We've also added a number of valuable member benefit partners with Office Deport & TSYS Merchant Solutions, details are listed below in the newsletter.
Governmental Affairs Committee
Chair: Jeremy DeBlieux The Government Affairs Committee is concentrating on the FQBA's position on The Hospitality Zone and working to ensure that the French Quarter is represented in this most important initiative/legislation. We are also part of the ongoing reworking of the city's Noise Ordinance and were instrumental in the formulation of the recently submitted Loudspeaker Ordinance. We will continue to work on businesses behalf to have our collective voice heard at the city and state level.
You are also welcome to contact Annie@fqba.org with any suggestions of new committees or ideas for the association to consider.
|
 Spring Flowers Jackson Square: The pink flush of blossoms engulf the George Tabor Azaleas located at the four entrances of Historical Jackson Square each Spring before, and sometimes during, the French Quarter Festival. Due to the mild winter of 2011, the blooms have already reached their peak and we will have to wait until next year to see these beauties bloom again. The Department of Parks and Parkways stewards the park and maintains these heirloom plantings. Armstrong Park: Roses are blooming - courtesy of Mr. Leo Watermeier Cornelia - Hybrid Musk, 1925 (Penelope - Hybrid Musk, 1924, in the background) Danae - Hybrid Musk, 1913 
Gloire de Dijon - Tea-Noisette, 1853 
|
|
 Special Event Permitting Resource
The Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy wants to share with you a resource for permitting your festivals and events. Specialevents@nola.gov is an email that goes straight to our office and will allow you to find the information you need to permit your event. We can provide you with electronic versions of permit application forms, help you determine what permits you need, and suggest alterations to your event to lessen permitting burdens.
Please also review the attached Special Event Permitting Guide, which gives an overview of permits needed for special events by item, includes departmental contact information, resources to fulfill permitting requirements, and required attachments for permit applications. Just hold the Control key and click any blue, underlined item to jump to the relevant section of the Guide, send an email, or visit a webpage.
We look forward to serving you as you plan your events throughout 2012. We understand that festivals and events are important cultural and economic assets. Specialevents@nola.gov is part of a larger effort to streamline special event permitting and we hope to receive your feedback.
|
 GNO Inc.
Regionalism Reinstated
Members of the FQBA Board attended the Annual GNO Inc. lunch on Thursday, March 8th.
The regional economic development group has certainly been busy over the past year. The group boasts adding 1,500 jobs to the region with the recruitment of GE and Gameloft to the area. Read more on nola.com
To view the video presented at the lunch click here.
GNO,Inc. also invites you to download the free GNOi app now available.
|
Vieux Carré Digital Survey 
The Historic New Orleans Collection proudly presents the The Collins C. Diboll Vieux Carré Digital Survey. This survey is an electronic version of the Vieux Carré Survey, housed at The Historic New Orleans Collection since 1966. Created to bolster local historic preservation efforts, the survey is an extensive study of the properties within the French Quarter referencing essential historical, architectural, legal and sociological data on individual lots and structures from the French colonial period to the present. The materials cited are housed in a number of different repositories in the United States and abroad, including The Historic New Orleans Collection. Unlike the original survey, this version can be accessed through various data elements, including property owner.
Click here to view the digital survey.
|
 M.S. Rau Celebrates 100 Years!
Bill Rau, third generation owner of M.S. Rau Antiques and Fine Arts in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, started 2012 already thinking ahead to the next one hundred years that his family's world renowned antiques gallery will be in business. Steeped in history, Rau Antiques has been a solid fixture in New Orleans through the ups and downs of a city with its own remarkable history. Since 1912, Rau Antiques has seen a significant share of the world's pre-eminent antiques, fine arts and jewelry pass through its doors. Works by some of the most famous Impressionists, from Cezanne to Monet, as well as America's own illustrious painters like Norman Rockwell, spend very little time at Rau Antiques before being snapped up by collectors and museums around the world.
Specialists in 18th and 19th century antiques and art, Rau Antiques' vast inventory is spread over a sprawling, two-story gallery and includes furniture from Versailles and other royal houses, including early American industrialists, massive sets of sterling silver from King George VI, and other pedigreed decorative art objects, porcelain and unusual rare items and memorabilia from American and European history.
"Collecting has been the DNA of the Rau family for years," explained Bill Rau, third generation owner of the business. "Being able to source, sell and appreciate the heritage side of the business continues to be my passion, and I expect that M.S. Rau Antiques and Fine Arts will be around for another 100 years in the same location," added Rau.
Taking place this year is the launch of Rau for Art Foundation, a non-for-profit program and art contest targeting high school art students in the 10th to 12th grades in local school districts. Besides promoting art appreciation, there is prize and scholarship money totaling $17,000 that will be awarded to winners and their high school art departments, and winners' artwork will be exhibited at M.S. Rau Antiques and Fine Arts in March. The panel of guest judges includes local artists Alex Beard and Steve Martin, plus local musician Jeremy Davenport and local attorney Christine Guillory. More at: www.rauforart.com
M.S. Rau employs an in-house team of photographers and researchers who diligently record and detail every piece for the product database and website, which is a veritable lesson in art history. For lovers of prestigious antiques, jewelry and fine arts, Rau Antiques is unlike any other antiques and fine arts gallery in the US. In addition, a visit to M.S. Rau Antiques and Fine Arts allows collectors and neophytes the opportunity to converse with experts about museum quality art and memorabilia. The Impressionist gallery on the second floor is a highly recommended stop for visitors to New Orleans by local residents and hotel concierges.
Learn more about M.S. Rau Antiques and Fine Arts and experience the company's one hundred years of collecting antiques, jewelry and fine art at www.rauantiques.com
|
 French Market Planting the Seeds for an Active Quarter
The first day of spring the The French Market Corporation hosted a press event starting with a second line in Dutch Alley traveling through the French Market to Barracks. The event brought together a number of ideas. Inviting locals to take advantage of the newly installed bike racks in the French Market where they can find fresh produce, seafood and prepared meals from local vendors in the Farmer's Market.
Bike Easy, a group working with a simple mission "We make bicycle riding in New Orleans easy, safe, and fun." conducted a survey within the French Quarter determining the number of bicyclists visiting and the locational needs for bike parking. French Market has reacted to the survey by added 3 newly installed bike racks and hopes that the city and other businesses will follow adding to the ease of biking in the French Quarter.
This was also a collaborative event with Tulane Prevention Research Center. The mission of the Prevention Research Center at Tulane University is to address the physical and social environmental factors influencing the obesity epidemic and its behavioral determinants (physical activity and diet) through participatory research on these factors and ways to modify them; collaboration with community partners and policy-makers; communication about these factors with public health practitioners, policy-makers, and community partners; and training of public health professionals, paraprofessionals, and community members.
Councilmembers Jackie Clarkson and Kristin Palmer also spoke at the event. They pointed out the importance of the Bike Easy study. They both support the movement to provide bicyclists options for parking and riding to the Quarter.
Click here for a map of the new bike rack locations.
French Market Website.
|
Easter in the Quarter
 29th Annual
Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Route begins on Canal and Bourbon
1:00pm
Easter Brunch's
click on each for more info
|
 Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses hosts the 2012 Amazing Grapes: Fine Wine Auction and Dinner
Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses will host the annual Amazing Grapes Fine Wine Auction and Dinner at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Friday April 20, 2012. Chairs Leah Engelhardt and Annie Phillips, the staff and auction volunteers have been hard at work to ensure another exciting and successful event.
Amazing Grapes 2012 will kick off at 6:00 p.m., with a Patron Party featuring a specialty cocktail and an exclusive patron auction board! 7:00 p.m. marks the official start of Amazing Grapes. The cocktail hour begins with heavy hors d'oeuvres and the start of the silent auction. Immediately following cocktails, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a spirited live auction. With donations from numerous private cellars, restaurants, hotels, and vineyards this portion of the evening always creates much excitement and extremely competitive bidding. Guests will then have the chance to catch their breath as they enjoy a three course repast of delectable delights accompanied by an incredible pairing of wines from Trinchero Family Estates.
Reservations for this event are now available, patron tickets are $200 per person and tickets to Amazing Grapes are $150. Please remember, seating is limited for Amazing Grapes. To reserve your spot today please call (504) 274-0744 or e-mail jenniferd@hgghh.org or online at http://www.hgghh.org/support/amazing-grapes/.
|
29th Annual French Quarter Festival
The largest FREE music festival in the South
Featuring over 800 local musicians, more than 65 of New Orleans finest restaurants, free special events, family fun with two exciting kids areas for 2012, and the return of FIREWORKS on the Mississippi River (Saturday April 14 at 9 pm), sponsored by Tropical Isle.
Get the FREE App!
for Android and iPhone
Up-to-the-minute music schedules, menus, updates and insider information
The FREE Shuttle is back!
Sponsored by Capital One Bank, the Second Line Shuttle will run Friday through Sunday from the Central Business District
(park and ride from O'Keefe, between Poydras and Canal). 
$10 all-day parking in area garages and lots.
Free round-trip shuttle on air-conditioned Hotard busses.
Prior to Festival weekend, stop by any Capital One Bank to pick up your
free Q-Pass for priority shuttle boarding and discounts on official festival merchandise.
Getting to the Quarter can be easy...
If you are going to drive your car, take our free shuttle bus from the CBD or consider:
The Streetcar or local RTA busses (visit http://www.norta.com for routes and schedule)
The Ferry (additional ferries will be added for festival weekend) visit http://www.dotd.la.gov/ferry for locations and schedule
Ride your bike (bicycle parking is available at the Bienville Street entrance to the Riverfront)
For more information & music schedules visit the French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Website.
|
 NOLA Navy Week
New Orleans will serve as the inaugural city in a three-year national celebration commemorating the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. The 2012 celebration will take place April 17 - 23, 2012, featuring a colorful spectacle of ships spreading on the East Bank of the Mississippi River from Erato Street to Upper Poland Avenue. Additionally, the Navy's famed Blue Angels will perform a memorable air show as part of the week's festivities.
The U.S. Navy's amphibious warship USS Wasp, along with other large navy vessels, will welcome Class A tall ships from countries around the world to New Orleans, joining the U.S. Navy and OpSail 2012 for the celebration. The theme, "Our Flag Was Still There," will mark the festivities in seven ports and across the country. The local web site for the event is www.NolaNavyWeek.com |
 Live Entertainment at the Carousel
With the start of spring comes a line-up of fresh musical entertainment in the famous, newly reopened Carousel Bar and Lounge in the Hotel Monteleone. All the musical entertainment is free and open to the public. The nightly entertainment features a rotation of well-known artists and newcomers on the scene every Tuesday through Saturday night. April's line-up features a rotation of well-known New Orleans artists, Hotel favorites and special guests including the Luther Kent Quartet, Lena Prima & Band, Eudora Evans & Band and the George French Trio featuring Ellen Smith, with a special Jazz Fest appearance on April 27th by Trick Bag. Of special note, it honors the Hotel's past as Lena Prima's father, Louis Prima, played regularly at the Hotel back in the mid-1960s. For the full April entertainment schedule, please visit http://hotelmonteleone.com/carouselbarentertainment.
|
 Furnishing Louisiana
and Exhibition
The Historic New Orleans Collection's latest exhibition opens today and traces the emergence of the distinctive craftsmanship of Creole America-what The New York Times called "a signature Louisiana style." More than 50 pieces of furniture, from nearly two dozen collections, are on display, along with tools, hardware, wood samples, and interactive components designed to bring early Louisiana furniture-making to life.
An opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 8, from 6 until 8 p.m. The Collection will present four programs in conjunction with the exhibition. Visit the website or call (504) 523-4662 for more information on each event.
This exhibition is a companion to the award-winning Furnishing Louisiana: Creole and Acadian Furniture, 1735-1835 and will be on view through June 17.
|
 Disney's The Lion King
Through April 15th
Mahalia Jackson Theater
Experience the phenomenon of Disney's THE LION KING. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you'll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." Let your imagination run wild at the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Newsweek calls "a landmark event in entertainment." New Orleans' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Mahalia Jackson Theater stage this month.
 Click here for ticket information |
 French Quarter Wine Festival
Famed New Orleans restaurant, Le Meritage, Executive Chef Michael Farrell and Area Managing Director/General Manager of the Maison Dupuy Hotel, MortyValldejuli are pleased to celebrate the Sixth Annual French Quarter Wine Festival will conclude with a celebration of some of the year's favorite wines, plus a preview of wineries you can look forward to in 2013 on Friday, April 27th. Relish a stellar selection of wines and savor a signature Chef Farrell buffet of both white and red wine inspired dishes.
This year's French Quarter Wine Festival, modeled after the prestigious Boston Wine Festival, will include 18 events including 16 four-course wine dinners hosted by the winemakers themselves. Chef Farrell will craft a menu for each event to perfectly pair with each wine selection.
www.frenchquarterwinefestival.com
|
OffBeat Jazz Fest Bible Special
For FQBA Members ONLY!
504.944.4300
|
|
FQBA Membership Benefits
TSYS Merchant Solutions
French Quarter Business Association and TSYS Merchant Solutions would like to announce a new discounted credit card acceptance program just for FQBA members! You will receive details in the mail and you are certainly welcome to contact Tony Viloria to find out more about the offer. Office Depot Business Solutions The French Quarter Business Association has partnered with Office Depot Business Solutions to provide you with an extraordinary savings opportunity. Over 500 non-profits across the country, along with local associations and organizations have combined their purchasing power to create a National Chamber of Commerce Discount Program. This is a Free Benefit of your membership with FQBA, making available to you, National Account Pricing at Office Depot! If you have not received your purchasing card in the mail, contact us and we will send you another. If you have questions regarding the details of the program please contact Cynthia Davidson.
FQBA WebsiteThe Membership Directory has a whole new look and members have more options, including a direct link to your businesses email or social media sights. Look up your listing - we may need to update.The Calendar is also great tool for you to get your event listings on the web. Please take advantage of this opportunity to promote your event and business. www.fqba.orgIf you have not already please set up your new username and password, which will give you access to your listing in the membership directory, the calendar and allow you to register for FQBA events at member rates, please do it today. We certainly hope this will be an easy and positive transition for all of you! Contact Annie in the office for any assistance at 504.309.1423.
|
April Events
NOPD Community Crime Walk
Wednesday, April 4th
6 pm
Starts at Chartres & Elysian Fields
Mary's Ace Hardware Grand Opening
Thursday, April 5th
2 - 6 pm
732 N. Rampart
click here for more information
NONPACC Meeting
Thursday, April 5th
6 pm
Maison Dupuy Hotel
Crescent City Classic
Saturday, April 7th
8:30 am Race Starts
Start Decatur and St. Peter Streets and ending at Roosevelt Mall click here for course map New Orleans Pride Announcement Party and Gala
Saturday, April 7th
8 - 11 pm
Hotel Monteleone
click here for more information
French Quarter Management District Monthly Meeting
Monday, April 9th
12 - 2 pm
Open to the public
Canal Place Office Tower, 365 Canal Street
20th Floor
click here for more information
Historic New Orleans Collection's Lecture and book signing with Lawrence N. Powell, author of "The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans"
Tuesday, April 10th
6:30 pm
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations, call (504) 523-4662. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org
Bike Easy's Bike to Work Day
Wednesday, April 11th
6 am
click here for more details
New Orleans Musicians Clinic Creole Tea Fundraiser
Wednesday, April 11th
Bultman's Residence
click here for more information
Thank Goodness It's Festival Party
Wednesday, April 11th
6-9 pm
House of Blues New Orleans
click here for tickets
29th Annual French Quarter Festival
April 12-15th
Throughout the French Quarter
click here for the FQFI website
FQBA April Lunch Forum: Sheriff Marlin Gusman
Thursday, April 19th
11:30 am
Musee Conti Wax Museum
reservations required: click here to register
Cathedral Concert: The United States Coast Guard Band
Thursday, April 19th
7 pm
click here for more details
Historic New Orleans Collection's Concerts in the Courtyard
Friday, April 20th
6 - 8 pm
The Collection, 533 Royal Street
click here for more information
Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse 3rd Anniversary Party Wednesday, April 25 Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel 5 -7 pm click here for more information Run Forrest Run 5K Run/Walk April 29, 2012 Starts and Ends at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Time: Starts at 8:30 AM click here for more details Visit the FQBA website to see more calendar listings by FQBA Members & community partners.
|
|
|
|
The Association, Membership & Newsletter
The Association
The French Quarter Business Association is an organization of business owners and associates located in and around the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Our goal is to enhance the business climate of the French Quarter and to make living and working in our historic neighborhood easier, more enjoyable and more profitable
Receipt of this email does not indicate current membership. Click here to view the current FQBA membership directory.
Membership
Joining the association provides members with a larger network and stronger voice. Please consider becoming a member now. Click here for membership rates and to join online.
Newsletter
The format of the monthly email newsletter hopes to keep you informed with FQBA's current projects that may affect your business or the community at large. The monthly calendar listings and member specials are submitted by members. More information may be accessed via the association website.
|
|
|
