What's Up Downtown

December 5, 2008

DDD & Roosevelt Hotel Host Inaugural Holiday Parade
on Canal Street THIS SATURDAY!

On Saturday, the Downtown Development District and the Roosevelt Hotel will welcome one of New Orleans' most beloved faces back to Canal Street in an inaugural holiday parade that is sure to bring cheer to both young and old. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and is the kick-off to Canal Street: Your Home for the Holidays.

Mr. Bingle, the jolly snow doll who once brought messages from Kris Kringle to children and shoppers at Maison Blanche on Canal Street, will celebrate his 60th birthday this year, and there is no better place to do it than Canal Street. Before heading back to his new home in City Park, Mr. Bingle will lead the parade in grand fashion--floats, bands, celebrities, snow, merry marchers and even Santa will escort him from the river to Claiborne Avenue and back again. He will even stop briefly for photographs once the parade is over.

An outdoor concert featuring Jeremy Davenport, Rockin' Dopsie Jr., Rebirth Brass Band, Marlon and Stephanie Jordon, Amanda Shaw, James Andrews, and the Batiste Brothers will begin at 12 noon, immediately following the parade, at the corner of Canal and Elk Place.

Both events are free and open to the public.

For more information on all of the DDD's holiday activities, visit www.neworleansdowntown.com/holidays.

DDD and Mayor Nagin "Flip the Switch" to Welcome the Holidays!

Canal Street is your home for the holidays this year and 500,000 lights are shining on New Orleans' grand corridor after a ceremony at the Astor Crowne Plaza on November 25. Mayor C. Ray Nagin, City Councilmember James Carter, and DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle "flipped the switch" while the sounds of the Dominican High School choir filled the air and entertained crowds gathered on the street.

"Canal Street never looks better than during the holidays, and with the addition of so many wonderful new faces on the street, including the 1201 Canal Condos, Studio E Salon, the Audubon Insectarium, the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, and the IHOP opening in February, we truly do have so much to be thankful for this year," said Weigle.

Important Election Saturday

Voters will go to the polls this Saturday, December 6 to vote in the 2nd Congressional District race between Democrat incumbent William Jefferson and Republican candidate Anh "Joseph" Cao. Several other candidates, including Green Party candidate Malik Rahim and Libertarian Gregory Kahn, are also on the ballot in that race.

Voters also will decide that day on the person to replace former State Senator Derrick Shepherd. Candidates are State Representative J.P. Morrell and local developer Shawn Barney.

Lafayette Square Conservancy Decorates for the Holidays;
Winter Planting Day this Saturday

Visitors to Lafayette Square will notice holiday lights and ornaments in the trees and statuary beds, thanks in part to the Downtown Development District. The twinkling star ornaments once hung on Canal Street.

The Lafayette Square Conservancy, run by volunteers, is looking for help this weekend as they prepare to plant winter violas that will last into the spring. Volunteers should bring their own gardening gloves from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to help the park transition from fall to winter.

For more information on the Lafayette Square Conservancy, visit www.lafayette-square.org.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum Hosts Biggest Book Signing Ever!
New Orleans Favorites Will Sign Your Holiday Gifts

At a loss for the perfect holiday gift idea? The Southern Food and Beverage Museum is the place to be on Sunday for a gift idea that is "SoFab"! In their biggest book signing event ever, local celebrity chefs Dickie Brennan, Susan Spicer, Marcelle Bienvenu, Regina Charboneau, along with culinary authors Ian McNulty, Mark Gasquet, and Sara Roahen will be at the museum from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to sign their books--just in time for the holidays!

For more information on the event and the museum, visit www.southernfood.org.

Don't Forget: ArtWalk this Saturday Night
in the Warehouse Arts District

The first Saturday of every month is ArtWalk in the Warehouse Arts District from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Galleries stay open late to welcome both the collector and the curious.

Ritz-Carlton Honored with Three Awards in November

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 921 Canal Street is the recipient of three new awards in November, "Best of City," "Best Hotels in the United States," and "Best Hotels in the World," by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards, Conde' Nast Traveler Magazine, and Simply the Best Magazine, respectively.

General Manager Myra deGersdorff, a native New Orleanian, was thrilled with the news of the multiple awards. "Being selected for these top honors will provide superlative exposure for our city, not just for the hotel. It will keep New Orleans top-of-mind for travelers and they are yet another acknowledgement of the tireless efforts of all the ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New Orleans."

For more information on any of the articles featured in What's Up Downtown, or to submit an item for consideration,
contact Lauren Hotard at lhotard@neworleansdowntown.com.