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| Christmas New Orleans Style 2009 French Quarter Festivals, Inc. in partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation presents the 24th annual Christmas New Orleans Style. After being named 'Top Christmas Town' by HGTV (Home and Garden Television) in 2008, FQFI is excited to announce the details of the 2009 Christmas New Orleans Style celebration. Throughout the month of December, FQFI actively enlists local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and community organizations to produce quality holiday events and a celebration that is uniquely New Orleans. Originally founded as a way to attract tourists during the traditionally slow month of December, Christmas New Orleans Style has grown into a very successful month-long festival helping New Orleans businesses, arts community, and the tourism industry – with activities drawing in locals and visitors alike, generating tremendous economic impact for the city and state. FQFI Executive Director Marci Schramm commented, "People who visit us in December enjoy not only the wide array of activities, but also enjoy the incredible sense of tradition, southern hospitality, and community celebration. We also can't forget the beautiful weather in Louisiana during this festive time of year." Christmas New Orleans Style continues the popular tradition of free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral -with music for every taste; Patio Planter's candlelight caroling in Jackson Square is an annual favorite, along with events such as: nightly excursions through the magnificent lighting display at City Park's Celebration in the Oaks; free holiday cooking demonstrations at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré; levee bonfire celebrations welcoming Papa Noël; family activities including children's teas and craft workshops; historic characters strolling and caroling in the French Quarter, holiday cruises on the Steamboat Natchez; festive theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private residences decked out in holiday cheer; tours of antebellum homes dressed in 19th century holiday finery; museums, bowl games, great shopping, and more! Visitors can learn the secrets of local cuisine from acclaimed chefs from throughout the area as they share their favorite recipes at free cooking demonstrations with samplings that are guaranteed to spice up the holidays. More than 100 activities are planned, with plenty of opportunities to come out and play in New Orleans during Christmas New Orleans Style. Reveillon Dinners Reveillon, an adaptation of a traditional Creole holiday dining custom, will be celebrated nightly during the Christmas season in over 30 restaurants throughout the city. Menus combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, and the spirit of the past remains. In fact, three of the Reveillon restaurants – Antoine's, Galatoire's and Tujague's – are more than 100 years old! Reveillon menus are only offered only once a year, during December, and guests can enjoy this authentic taste of New Orleans during Christmas New Orleans Style. Cathedral Concerts Throughout the month of December, jazz musicians, gospel choirs, classical ensembles and other New Orleans musical groups herald in the season with concerts in one of the country's most historic churches, St. Louis Cathedral, in the heart of the French Quarter on Jackson Square. This year's concerts take place at 6:00 p.m. on December 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, and 21, 2009 Cooking Demonstrations Throughout the month of December, Christmas New Orleans Style offers up a series of free cooking demonstration by some of the finest chefs from New Orleans' most beloved restaurants. French Quarter Festivals, Inc, in partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, and Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, bring 12 unique dishes and acclaimed chefs from throughout the area including Chef Ben Thibodeaux of Palace Cafe, Chef Drew Dzejak of The Grill Room, and Bourbon House's Darin Nesbit. Chefs will share their favorite holiday recipes at these free cooking demonstrations with menu samplings. The Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstrations take place at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré; on weekdays at 1 p.m. Cooking demonstration are December 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 2009. Papa Noël Rates Christmas New Orleans Style offers visitors (and locals too) an exciting and memorable holiday encounter that can only be experienced in New Orleans. Travelers can take advantage of special offers at over 50 of the city's finest hotels as they offer very attractive Papa Noël discount rates to visitors as their gift of the season. — 2009 Christmas New Orleans Style Overview — · 2009 marks the 24th Anniversary of Christmas New Orleans Style, produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. in partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. · In 2008, New Orleans was named 'Top Christmas Town' by Home and Garden Television (HGTV), a list that includes legendary holiday towns such as North Pole, Alaska, and Kennebunkport, Maine. · Since 2005, the number of Cathedral Concerts has more than doubled. There are 13 concerts in 2009, featuring some of the finest in New Orleans music including Irvin Mayfield, Ellis Marsalis, John Boutté, Connie Jones and Tom McDermott. · In 2009, the Free Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstrations will make their return to Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré for the first time since 2005. Participating Chefs and restaurants include: Chef Ben Thibodeaux of Palace Café, Chef Chris Lusk of Café Adelaide, and Chef Michelle McRaney of Mr. B's Bistro. · Over 130 dinner courses are available with more than 30 restaurants offering special Reveillon Dinners the 2009 holiday season. · Over 13, 500 rooms are available in over 50 Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts within the Papa Noël Rate hotel promotion. Some rates as low as $69 a night. · From Thanksgiving to Twelfth Night, there are over 100 holiday events and activities to enjoy throughout the city and free music everyday of the week. · Did you know: It requires over 48, 000 bulbs to decorate Jackson Square, and 6, 000 alone to decorate the foliage flanking the Andrew Jackson statue? This year Patio Planter's Caroling in the Square will take place on December 20th. · In addition to decorating Jackson Square, French Quarter Festivals, Inc. will be spreading holiday cheer by providing and decorating the tree at the 8th District Police Station, as well as hanging decorated wreaths at the French Quarter Fire Station on Decatur Street. · French Quarter Festivals, Inc. and New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation distribute the official Christmas New Orleans Style guidebook across the 50 states and 30 countries, inviting visitors to come experience Christmas New Orleans Style! write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |