What's Up Downtown

March 6, 2009

Duffy's Restaurant to Open Doors on Canal Street in March

The newest addition to Canal Street is Duffy's, opening in early March.  The diner will be open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 6 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. 

The full menu will be available all day to satisfy customers craving burgers for breakfast or omelettes for dinner.  Cajun-inspired dishes are expected to become favorites.

Duffy's owner Riad Dallah is a former I-Hop franchisee who says he fell in love with Canal Street during a franchisee conference several years ago.

"Mr. Dallah's renovation of 1005 Canal Street is an example of the positive development that we are seeing take place on Canal Street.  This property is one of several that are welcoming new tenants who are dedicated to improving New Orleans' most historic retail corridor," says Ryan Bordenave, DDD Retail Attraction Specialist. "In the past year, the 1000-block has also seen the additions of Viva, a women's clothing store, and Nouveau Express, retailer of contemporary men's and women's apparel."

REMINDER: Deadline Approaching for
Private Garbage Collection Service Contracts

Some Downtown residents and business owners will be affected by changes in the City Sanitation contracts beginning Sunday, March 15.

For more information on changes in sanitation services, including contact information for private trash haulers, visit the DDD's website by clicking here.  

Sculpture for New Orleans Places Monumental "Zach's Tower"
By Artist John Henry on the Poydras Corridor

Today's installation of the monumental sculpture "Zach's Tower" by artist John Henry kicks-off the Sculpture for New Orleans initiative to lign the Poydras corridor with approximately ten sculptures by local, national, and internationally recognized sculptors. 

The placement of the Henry sculpture is in conjunction with the citywide series, "Recent Works" by the same artist. The indoor gallery exhibition runs March 3 through April 28 at Gallery Bienvenu, 518 Julia Street in Downtown New Orleans.  A reception with the artist will be held on March 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the gallery. 

"As a sponsor of the Sculpture for New Orleans project, the DDD could not be more pleased to see the Henry sculpture placed on Poydras Street, in the heart of Downtown.  Downtown is home to some of our city's greatest museums, galleries, and studios, making it a natural and ideal home for some of the world's greatest sculpture," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. 

DDD "Krewes" Clean Up After Mardi Gras

DDD contractors Block-by-Block and Bayou Tree Services were the feet on the street and the hands in the air during and after Mardi Gras. 

In collaboration with the City of New Orleans, Downtown "Cleaning Ambassadors" from Block-by-Block worked around the clock during the Carnival season to ensure that streets and sidewalks were cleared of beads and debris after each parade.  Clean teams walked side-by-side covering every street along the parade routes. 

"Block-by-Block is dedicated to keeping Downtown clean year-round, and that includes the Carnival season," says Stuart Taylor, DDD Director of Public Space Operations. 

In the days after the final parade rolled, Bayou Tree Services task forces cleared thousands of beads and throws from trees Downtown. 

For more information on the DDD's cleaning services, visit www.neworleansdowntown.com.  

Lafayette Square Conservancy Hosts
Third Annual Walking Tour - "Artful Living"

Join the Lafayette Square Conservancy Saturday, March 7 from noon to 5:00 p.m. for the third annual walking tour.  Enjoy the nice weather as you visit private residences with lavish interiors, verdant small gardens and balconies, as well as great galleries in the Lafayette Square/Arts District.

This year, the theme is "Artful Living," and the tour will feature a gallery walk guided by New Orleans Museum of Art Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Miranda Lash. 

Also, come to the square to enjoy two public art sculptures from the Sculpture for New Orleans project and listen to jazz performed by the Marc Dobriner Trio.  Refreshments will be served at d.o.c.s. Gallery of Contemporary Art, Gallery Bienvenu, Heriard-Cimino Gallery, and Arthur Roger Gallery.

The curated gallery stroll will start in Lafayette Square at 2:30.  Self-guided walking tours will take place between the hours of 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $20 per person at Lafayette Square.

For more information on the Lafayette Square Conservancy and the "Artful Living" tour, please email lafayettesquare@gmail.com.  

Local Galleries Open Late for ArtWalk Saturday

ArtWalk, held on the first Saturday of every month, is from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. this Saturday in the Warehouse Arts District Downtown.  Stroll along Julia Street or visit one of the Downtown museums with friends and family.

ArtWalk is free and open to the public.  

Louisiana Children's Museum Celebrates
104th Birthday of Dr. Seuss

The only museum for kids in town is Downtown, and this weekend the Louisiana Children's Museum is hosting a special event Saturday, March 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in honor of legendary children's book author, Dr. Seuss.  

The museum's newest costumed character, Betsy Bookmark, will lead Seuss-like drawing contests, help children make their own "Cat in the Hat" hat, create sticky green "Oobleck," and read a different Seuss book every hour!

The Louisiana Children's museum is dedicated to connecting children and families with the benefits of early literacy development.  For more information, visit their website at www.lcm.org.  

Harrah's and MTV Games Present "Total Rock"

Fans of the popular video game "Rock Band" will descend on Harrah's Casino each Friday between March 20 and April 24 to compete in a nation-wide competition to find the best "rock star" in the country.

The fully equipped Rock Band stage will be a permanent attraction inside Harrah's Masquerade Bar.   

For more information on the event, visit www.harrahs.com/rockband.

Spruce it Up! Open House Saturday

Spruce Eco-Studio will host an open house this Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring fresh finds for spring. 

Located in the Warehouse Arts District of Downtown, Spruce is an eco-friendly lifestyle concept encompassing decor, building products, finishes, design services, and lifestyle products.

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.