New Orleans socialite and long-time French Quarter denizen Margarita Bergen doesn’t miss a beat - or a party - when it comes to the Quarter’s jazzy social scene.
There are three sections to each column: Social Swirl (where Margarita's been), The Fabulous Future (what's ahead) and Quarter Buzz (things knows about that we mere mortals aren't privy to).
Ever since I arrived from New York in 1978, I have considered the French Quarter my home. That's over 30 years. The exquisite Lower Pontalba Building at the corner of St. Ann and Decatur streets was home for a decade, followed by 20 years above my gallery -- Bergen Gallery at the corner of Royal and Orleans.
After I sold the gallery in 2000, I moved to the Faubourg Marigny. And believe me, you can take me out of the French Quarter but not the French Quarter out of me. I have my present home for sale and I cannot wait to return to my beloved Vieux Carré. The Social Swirl
Looking back, there were so many cultural and social soirees that made the long summer days seem short! Below are just a few special occasions happening in the French Quarter, the center of my world.
Grand Illusions
|
Venue: THNOC Tricentennial Wing, 520 Royal Street |
River Vieux Soirée
Venue: Riverview Room (600 Decatur, Level 4)
Hosts: Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents and Associates (VCPORA), Riverview Room
Patron Party 7pm - 7pm, Gala Party 7pm - 10pm
Tickets: Patron - Champagne wall, hors d'oeuvres, music by Rainy Day Band. Gala - Hors d'oeuvres and culinary action stations, specialty cocktails, desserts, music by Bon Bon Vivant, silent and live auctions, cocktail attire.
Margarita says: I wouldn't miss this. It should be fabulous with a wonderful view of the river!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Faulkner! Literary Festival
Venues: Cabildo at Jackson Square/Peter & Paul in the Marigny
Hosts: The Faulkner Society and The Louisiana State Museum
September 25: Wild Palms Gala with signature cocktails, concert, buffet dinner, program, dancing.
Complete information and tickets
French Quarter Citizens Annual Fundraiser - "Jazz and Joie de Vivre"
Benefit: French Quarter Citizens
Venue: Orleans Ballroom of the historic Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Frances and Rodney Smith, of the historic Soniat House - 2019 Gala Honorary Chairs.
Joe and Becky Jaeger, of the New Orleans Hotel Collection - Hosts
Ms. Angela Hill, TV and radio personality - celebrity auctioneer
Phillip Manuel - Music
Dining, open bar, dancing, live and silent auctions
Tickets
The list above represents just a few of the French Quarter (and surrounds) events found on Margarita's extremely crowded social calendar. You'll find many (many!) more on her blog,"A Toast to New Orleans."
Quarter Buzz
From a Drag Queen Brunch at Tujague's
to the Rex Room at Antoines

I did so on Sunday, July 21. I had the pleasure of stopping at Tujague's Restaurant where my darling long-time friend, author Poppy Tooker, was hosting a Tales of the Cocktail event titled Drag Queen Brunch. Multi-faceted Poppy Tooker has spent her life immersed in the flavors of her native New Orleans. She's the hostess of “Louisiana Eats,” a featured speaker at WYES's Stepping Out, author, cooking instructor and culinary consultant.
The brunch was so much fun, I hated to leave. But at the brunch, I learned that Poppy is actually releasing her latest book, "Drag Queen Brunch," on Aug. 28 at Brennan's. I was so excited that I invited her to be my co-host for my Nov. 13 Round Table Luncheon at the Bourbon Orleans. Stay tuned; more details to follow!

A Visit With Marda
Krewe of Stars Announces 2020 Royalty
Hard Rock Heating Up
Another event that I can't wait for is for the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel, located on the corner of Canal and North Rampart directly across from the fabulous Saenger Theater. My longtime friend,Dennis Pearse, has been appointed general manager of the hotel. He recently hosted three famous London designers who were hired by Hard Rock to design the uniforms for the hotel. Dennis asked me and my darling friendTracee Dundas, founder and director of theNew Orleans Fashion Week, to join him in showing the London visitors our beloved New Orleans. Among the places we took them - besides the French Quarter, of course - was to a Julia Street art opening that included Arthur Roger Gallery.
|
Expecting the best!

At the same festive event, I also enjoyed seeing longtime friend,New Orleans business and hotel magnate Joseph Jaeger Jr., who owns 15 hotels in and around the French Quarter -plus the Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport Hotel in Kenner, and the Nottoway Plantation- in addition to The Royal Orleans and the Omni Riverfront— which he owns 50-50 with hotelier Darryl Berger.
|
Do Tell!
Archives
January 2023
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
September 2021
July 2021
June 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
Categories
All
Andrew Cominelli
Architecture
Around The Block
Art
Behind The Scenes
Boho Back Pages
Books
Civics
Darling
Domicile
Ellis Anderson
Food
Frank Perez
Full Plate
Game Day
Gay Culture
Grace Wilson
Guest Columnists
History
Home & Garden
It's A Living
John Sledge
Kerry Maloney
Kim Ranjbar
Kirsten Reneau
Layth Sihan
Libations
Literature
Lit Life
Mardi Gras
Margarita Bergen
Michael Warner
Music
Nan Parati
Passing A Good Time
Personalities
Photographers
Poetry
Publisher's Notes
Quarter Beats
Quarter Notes
Rainbow History
Reda Wigle
Rheta Grimsley Johnson
Richard Goodman
Scott Naugle
Sketchbook
Southern Writers
Stanzas
Storyboard
St. Peter Street Sketchbook
The Eyes Have It
Transformations
What's In Store