New Orleans and TSE

I was in New Orleans for this year's The Special Event Show (TSE) this past January, and I'd like to share the amazing experience! I thought I should start with a little history of the amazing city of New Orleans, which is still recovering from the devastating Katrina.

Founded in 1718, New Orleans is located in southeast Louisiana between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. In 1722, it became the capital of a French colony and later passed to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

This is an amazing and magical city with a rich history and blend of cultures. The city is a real “Gumbo” of French, Spanish, Caribbean, Haitian and African influences -- the street names are French and Spanish; blends of exotic spices are used in the cuisine; there is beautiful, colorful architecture; it is birthplace of jazz and Zydeco; the home of “Mardi Gras” as well as the ever intriguing voodoo.

The city's symbol is the Fleur-de-Lis (as seen in the logo above). It means “flower of the Lilly” and is a symbol of royalty in France that signifies perfection, light, and life. To learn more about New Orleans, please visit the city's official website.

This diverse city certainly has plenty to offer from the historical sights to great food and entertainment -- from the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarters, to Magazine Street in the Warehouse Arts District; from a walk along the Riverwalk Market Place to see the breathtaking Mississippi River to the Cities of the Dead (cemeteries of ornate vaults and family crypts of pirates, politicians and voodoo queens).

However, the visit would not have been complete without visiting and experiencing Harrah’s Hotel and asino!

This year TSE was hosted at the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans situated along the beautiful Mississippi Riverfront.

The festivities were jazzed up with the grand entrance of a traditional New Orleans Marching Jazz Band, a Gospel Choir, award and recognition ceremony, and a comedy act.

The Luncheon: The musical entertainment by The Soul Rebels uplifted us with a myriad of intrinsic sounds and songs. Their music is a unique blend of Mardi Gras funk, soft rock, and reggae. They have a hip-hop sensibility combined with one hundred years of New Orleans jazz tradition.

The Lunch Menu:

First Course: Cucumber Wrap Salad: organic lettuces with sliced Creole tomatoes, Mississippi chevre and sweet basil infusion.

Second course: Abita Beer Braised Bison Short ribs accompanied by baby root vegetables with an asiago and white truffle polenta cake.

Third Course: Nontraditional Wedding cake -- vanilla cake with toasted almond cream set with a mixed berry compote.

And finally, we could not leave without our annual CC’ers face-to-face meet-up which was at The Bourbon House in the French Quarters for cocktails, food, and a stroll down the ever so lively Bourbon Street! Check out the tab… that’s what happens when Diva’s meet for an evening!

To view more pictures from my experience in New Orleans, please see my Facebook album.