ISNS March-April 2026

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

On paper, Hammers and Heels is exactly what it sounds like: a room full of people dressed beautifully, showing up for a cause that deserves the spotlight. But if you have ever been in that room, you know it is not really about the heels. It is about the hammers. It is about the very literal work of building something that lasts.

That is where the magic is. It is celebratory and social but also deeply serious work. It is people choosing to invest in their neighbors, not in a vague, feel good way, but in a specific, measurable, life changing way. Habitat for Humanity is not in the business of handouts. They are in the business of partnership. Families put in sweat equity. Volunteers put in hours. Sponsors put in resources. Donors put in trust. And the result is something our whole Northshore can be proud of: local families building local futures, with a community behind them.

Inside Northside has always believed in telling the story of who we are, and who we are becoming. We are a place that shows up. We show up for the arts and small business. We show up for schools and healthcare. And we show up for the work that makes a community livable, not just lovely.

This March issue is also a milestone for us, because it marks a new chapter in how we serve this community.

I want to introduce you, officially and with a lot of pride, to Hyrizon Group.

Hyrizon Group is our new corporate umbrella, built to reflect what we have quietly become over the past few years: not just a magazine, but a full media and marketing ecosystem. Inside Northside is still the heartbeat. Print still matters. Long form storytelling still matters. Beautiful design still matters. But the way people discover, trust, and engage with brands has expanded. The way families find information has expanded. The way local businesses need to communicate has expanded. And we have expanded with it.

Hyrizon Group is the parent company that brings our brands together with intention. It is the framework that allows us to grow responsibly, invest strategically, and deliver better work across every platform we touch.

Under Hyrizon Group, you will find Hyrizon Media, home to the publications and platforms you already know, love, and share. Inside Northside, of course. And now, Northshore Parent.

Acquiring Northshore Parent is more than a business move. It is a commitment.

Parents are the most powerful micro economy on the Northshore. They are deciding where to live, where to enroll, where to spend, where to volunteer, where to eat, where to

bring their children on a Saturday morning, and what kind of community they want to raise them in. Northshore Parent has been serving those families with practical, helpful, local content for years. By bringing it into Hyrizon Group, we are doubling down on a promise: we are going to meet people where they are, with information that is actually useful, delivered with personality and credibility, and rooted in the reality of life here.

We also created Hyrizon Agency because we saw what our advertising partners needed, and what we were uniquely positioned to offer. We help brands clarify their message, refine their presence, and build campaigns that work. We understand how content performs because we live inside the content business. We understand audience because we have earned one. And we understand the Northshore because we are part of it.

So what does Hyrizon Group do?

We tell stories that connect people to places, businesses to customers, and missions to momentum. We produce magazines that readers keep. We build digital campaigns that are measurable. We create content that feels like it belongs here, because it does. We help local brands look as strong as they are. And we build platforms that support the community we call home.

If that sounds ambitious, it is. It is also practical. It is what the market demands and what our team has been building toward for a long time.

March is a month that naturally points us forward. This issue carries that energy. It celebrates impact and reflects growth. And it holds space for the kind of work that matters, whether it happens on a job site with a hammer, in a ballroom with a bid card, or behind the scenes as we build the next era of local media.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support this magazine. Thank you for showing up for events like Hammers and Heels that do not just raise money, but raise lives.

INSIDE NORTHSIDE

JANUARY-FEBRUARY | VOL. 42, NO. 1

PUBLISHER

DESIREE FORSYTH desiree@insidepub.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

SALES DIRECTOR

PEMMIE SHEASBY pemmie@insidepub.com

STEPHANIE ROBERTSON stephanie@insidepub.com

CASIE RUNG crung@insidepub.com

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

MARGARET RIVERA margaret@insidepub.com

BUSINESS MANAGER

JANE QUILLIN jane@insidepub.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

JULIE NAQUIN

MEGHAN LABORDE

RACHEL KINCHEN

SOCIAL MEDIA

MAL NICHOLSON

CONTRIBUTORS

Our contributors give Inside Northside its voice, its personality and its feel. We are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

CAYMAN CLEVENGER

Cayman Clevenger is a New Orleans-based art broker, certified fine art appraiser, attorney and realtor. Born in Shreveport, Cayman grew up in the small town of Many, Louisiana, outside of Natchitoches. He earned a bachelor’s in history from Tulane University and a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in Dallas. His website is LouisianaArt.com.

MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT

Mimi blinked and her four kids were grown. She and her husband, David, are emptynesting it on a hobby farm in Folsom where she’s attempting to teach herself gardening, beekeeping, chicken wrangling, foraging, canning, and most recently herbalism. Mimi is blessed to have thousands of articles, essays, and Christian devotionals in national and regional books and magazine.

EDITORAL CONTRIBUTORS

Kati

Ed

When is a possum more than a possum? Speed Bump, Juan Francisco Adaro’s first possum rescue turned pet, became the unofficial mascot of 30A. Now another rescue, Sleepy Head, dozes on his lap as we sit down for an interview in his home studio. He is equal parts family pet, studio sidekick, and unexpected muse.

The happy World of Juan Francisco Adaro

By Cayman Clevenger

Photos: Stephen Kennedy

Sunlight filters in unevenly as children run through the space behind us, with animals appearing and disappearing like recurring characters in an unscripted play. Paintings lean against walls. Gold leaf catches the light unexpectedly. The studio does not feel isolated from life but inseparable from it.

Steps outside his studio, a herd of goats munches bushels of hay. Fluffy chickens roam free, kept in check by a group of friendly dogs. And Adaro’s two young children add a spark of mischief and magic to the whole equation.

Just a short walk down the road, a sign warns of alligators. A river bends, surrounded on each side by ancient trees. Adaro’s world is a happy world. Just minutes from the bustle of 30A, he has carved out something of an artist’s paradise, ripe with inspiration and imbued with joy. His work is a beautiful reflection of it all.

Adaro’s life began a world away, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His work attracted the attention of teachers at a young age, and he earned a spot at the most prestigious art university in Argentina, where was given studio space in which to work. He found freedom in public art, creating murals to beautify the otherwise brutalist and utilitarian walls that surround the train tracks serving as the main artery of entrance and exit for commuters and travelers.

The streets became his first studio. Armed with only scavenged charcoal from his father’s grill and leftover paint, he found his first canvases through public art. Those expanses offered a kind of freedom the studio could not yet provide. “Big walls, no money involved,” he says. “Just doing it.”

COV ER ARTIST

Soon after, while delivering goods on a battered threewheeled motorbike, he created his first gallery by strapping his paintings to the back and riding through the city, stopping in front of museums, tourist areas, and anywhere he would not be chased away. “That was my tricycle gallery,” he recalls. “It was clunky. Everything was falling apart. But it worked.” From the beginning, Adaro understood something fundamental: Art belongs among people, not sealed off from them.

Then, a chance encounter, and perhaps the ultimate artist meet-cute. His now-wife, Brooke, fell in love with one of his paintings while on vacation. Her translator, wishing to

profit from the sale, insisted that Adaro not speak English to Brooke, despite completely understanding her. Time passed, and when Brooke returned to Buenos Aires, she happened upon Adaro’s studio, realizing he was the same artist whose work she had fallen in love with. Shortly thereafter, she fell in love with the artist even more than the art. A beautiful love story unfolded, with Brooke operating as Adaro’s manager, muse, wife, and eventually owning and operating a gallery herself, showing her husband’s work alongside other wonderful artists.

On a visit home to meet Brooke’s family, Adaro was taken by the emerald green water, white sands, and natural

”

If I leave you on an Island wIth charcoal and paInt, whatever you do wIll be you. do It ten tImes, and you’ll see a pattern.

”

COVER ARTIST

beauty of Brooke’s home in the Florida Panhandle. And thus, 30A became the place where Adaro would move and set up his studio practice, gallery, and family.

It was there that he began to develop his own unique style. Oil painting, slow and exacting, became his natural language. “Oil is about time,” he explains. “It’s malleable, like clay.

It fits my personality.”

Charcoal still remains the vital first step in his work. His sure hand grabs a fresh piece of charcoal, and a blank canvas quickly transforms into a gaucho. Then begins the real work. He mixes his colors on a vibrant palette, building layer upon layer and carving out a unique voice that pulls line and shadow from Caravaggio, form from Botero, and flora and fauna from Rousseau and the home around him, while remaining distinctly Adaro. His palette is instantly recognizable, marked by happy blues, lively greens, and subtle pinks and yellows. But most importantly, his canvases reflect the animals and people that surround him. “If I leave you on an island with charcoal and paint,” Adaro explains, “whatever you do will be you. Do it ten times, and you’ll see a pattern.” Style, for him, is not something you invent. “It is something revealed through repetition, honesty, and restraint,” he says.

His skies are adorned with real gold leaf, an ancient and beautiful medium used by the churches of Latin America to symbolize the divine, and before that, by the first settlers of the region, to represent the same. For that reason, Adaro’s moons and stars glow. A little of the divine to remind us of the grandeur of the skies above us, where light itself reflects the sacred and the heavens feel almost close enough to touch.

Adaro’s paintings often read as whimsical at first glance, but they are anchored by discipline, lineage, and craft. He is classically trained, and he paints with an earned confidence and the boldness of a well-seasoned artist.

His imagery — animals, family, love — functions as a visual diary. Living in the American South, surrounded by water, wildlife, and open sky, his palette has softened, his light has shifted. Alligators wander near his home. His goats, chickens, dogs, and the occasional unruly raccoon appear in his paintings. “I’m not trying to be pretentious,” he says. “It’s just my life. I try to be honest.”

That honesty has carried his work far beyond its origins. Adaro’s paintings are collected internationally, and his practice spans multiple studios, from the American South to the mountains of Argentina, and to the Italian countryside, where he works part of the year inside a restored 900-year-old castle in Piemonte. Context matters deeply to him. “The line stays the same,” he says. “But the light changes, and so do the paintings.”

Adaro has come a long way from a tricycle gallery in Buenos Aires. Most recently, he had a solo exhibition in New Orleans on Julia Street at Orleans Gallery with *Un Mundo Feliz* (“A Happy World”). “It’s a small window into my world,” Adaro says. “My family, my place, my experiences. If you don’t know me, come in.”

In a moment when so much art strains to declare its importance, Juan Francisco Adaro’s work does something far rarer. It simply reflects joy, encouraging the viewer to live fully and attentively, with an eye for the simple beauty of the everyday. In doing so, Adaro reminds us that joy, craft, and seriousness can coexist. His world, and his art, are happy — and in a world filled with cynicism, choosing happiness can be a radical act.

MARCH

Evangeline Theater presents “Catch Me If You Can” March 5-22, Thursdays - Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m.

Catch Me If You Can is a stage musical inspired by the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenager who runs away from home and successfully impersonates a pilot, doctor and lawyer while forging millions in checks. As his schemes grow bolder, he draws the attention of an FBI agent determined to track him down. Reserved seating tickets are $32. 2635 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 236-8800, evangelinetheater.com

SLT Presents “A Raisin in the Sun” March 6-15, Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m

Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking drama follows the Younger family, a Black household in 1950s Chicago, as they struggle with poverty, prejudice, and the weight of deferred dreams. When an unexpected insurance check offers the chance for a new beginning, each family

Crawfish Cookin’ for a Cause Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Revel in the sunshine and breezes of the Mandeville lakefront at Crawfish Cookin’ for a Cause, the 15th annual fundraising event by the Northshore Community Foundation for local charities. Enjoy loads of tasty crawfish and all the fixin’s as boiling teams compete for bragging rights, as judged by local celebrities, peers, and you! Beneficiaries are Grant’s Gift Foundation and Project Red Light for Hope. Admission is $40 in advance, $45-50 at gate for age 11 and up. Free for kids 10 and under.

1545 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville, (985) 893-8757, crawfishcookinforacause.com presented by

member envisions a different future. Adults $25, Students and Seniors, $15.

2024 Nellie Dr., Slidell, (985) 643-0556, slidelllittletheatre.org/tickets

Louisiana Food Truck Festival Saturday, March 7,11 a.m.-6 p.m

This family-friendly event promises a full day of delicious food, live music, and local flair. Presented by Silver Slipper Casino and held in partnership with Explore Louisiana and Lake 94.7, the festival will feature dozens of food trucks offering a mouthwatering mix of cuisines. Admission is free.

100 Harbor Center Blvd. Slidell, (985) 781-3650, facebook.com/ LouisianaFoodTruckFest

LPO Northshore Classics: French Fables & Fantasies

Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Covington for its final Northshore Classics performance of the 2025-2026 season with “French Fables & Fantasies”. A

pre-concert talk will take place from 6:30 p.m to 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $55.

128 W. 23rd Ave., Covington, (504) 523-6530, lpomusic.com/events/ ns05-fuhr-mar7

Slidell St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Sunday, March 8, 1 p.m.

The parade features 50+ floats, walking groups, bikes, horses, cars, trucks, dance groups and school bands, and anything else one can push, pull or drag, with throws to include beads and stuffed animals, as well as everything to make a traditional Irish stew. Admission is free.

Slidell City Hall , Slidell, (985) 641-1105, facebook.com/OldeTowneSlidell

St. Patrick’s Day Concert with Four Unplugged

Thursday, March 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Four Unplugged rocks the Covington Trailhead again at their now-annual, Thursday-before-St. Patrick’s Day

concert. Bring blankets, chairs or dancing shoes for a free, family-friendly evening around the Trailhead stage, and don’t forget to wear your green! Admission is free.

419 N. New Hampshire St. Covington, (985) 892-1873, covla.com

St. Ben’s Stampede Pro Rodeo

March 13-14, 7:30-10 p.m

Some of the best cowboys and cowgirls will be competing in the St. Ben’s Stampede in a variety of events, including bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and more. Proceeds from the rodeo will benefit Saint Joseph Seminary College. General admission tickets (per night) are $20 for adults and $15 for children 4-12.

1304 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 867-229, rodeomedia.ticketleap.com/ saint-joseph-abbey-stampede

Covington St.

Patrick’s

Day Parade & Celebration

Saturday, March 14, 12-5 p.m.

The Marching Covington Celtic Club members hand out green, white and orange silk flowers and other Irish-themed throws, led by bagpipers and followed by dancing and marching groups. The block party taking place at parade end will have lots of free, family fun to keep the celebration going. Admission is free.

Downtown Covington, (985) 892-1873, covingtoncelticclub.com

Youth Service Bureau’s Chef Soirée

Sunday, March 15, 5 p.m.

It’s the annual spring foodie fete not to be missed: Chef Soirée, returning to Covington’s Bogue Falaya Park

for its 42nd year. Chef Soirée features samples of delicious food and beverages from wonderful local restaurants and vendors. Some 3,000 guests and sponsors enjoy live music on two stages and a fireworks grand finale. A highlight of the evening is the grand prize drawing for the Banner Ford raffle: take a chance at winning a 2026 Ford Mustang or Ford Bronco Sport with your raffle ticket. All proceeds of the raffle benefit Youth Service Bureau, helping at-risk youth reach their full potential. $145 Admission / $50 Raffle Ticket.

213 Park Dr, Covington, (985) 893-2570, ysbworks.com/ chef-soiree

The Lobby Lounge Listening Room

Concert: Kray Van Kirk

Thursday, March 19 and April 16, 7-9:30 p.m.

Join your friends for the next “up Close and Musical” concerts at the Lobby Lounge featuring Kray Van Kirk on March 19 and The Krickets on April 16. The concert series features nationally touring acts throughout the year, focusing on artists from the worlds of indie rock, folk, country, jazz, blues and more. Performances are acoustic or lightly amplified, in a Bohemian-style, smoke-free, 124-seat venue. $22-$116 + tax + online fee.

100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, (985) 781-3650, eventbrite.com/o/the-lobbylounge-19809065562

Mandeville Live! Spring Free Friday

Concert

March 20 to April 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m

Grab your blankets and chairs and kick off the weekend at Mandeville Trailhead on Fridays this spring for a Mandeville

INSIDE SCOOP

Live! Free Friday Concert! SPRING 2026

LINEUP: March 20 - Kermit Ruffins, March 27 - Peyton Falgout Band, April 10 - Don Vappie & Creole Jazz Serenaders, April 17

- Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, April 24

- Ryan Foret. Food trucks will provide food and drinks for purchase. Dates are subject to change due to inclement weather. Free to the public.

675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, (985) 624-3147, experiencemandeville. org

Louisiana Under the Stars

Friday, March 20, 5 p.m.

Louisiana Under the Stars is a spring gala celebrating the wild, untamed beauty of Louisiana while supporting the wildlife documentary Louisiana: Our Home. Guests will gather for an immersive night featuring a curated fine-art photography gallery, exclusive previews from the documentary, and local cuisine and cocktails. VIP tickets are $250.

347 Girod St., Mandeville, (202) 6742337, northstartheatre.org

Sunset at the Landing Concert

March 20 and April 17, 6-8 p.m.

Bring family, friends and picnics to downtown Covington for Sunset at the Landing. The series features regional and touring artists performing jazz, bluegrass, folk, blues and more. All are encouraged to bring refreshments and chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Some bench seating is also available. Free to the public.

100 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-1873, facebook.com/ SunsetAtTheLanding

Claws and Paws Crawfish Cook-off

Saturday, March 21, 1 to 4 p.m.

The first annual Claws and Paws Crawfish Cook-Off brings the community together for an afternoon of great food, friendly competition and support for homeless animals, benefiting the Northshore Humane Society. Up to 20 teams will compete in a crawfish cook-off, serving their best boils while attendees enjoy live music, cold beer and the chance to meet adoptable dogs. $25-30 adults, Free for

kids 10 and under.

1200 W. Causeway Appr., Mandeville, ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/ ClawsAndPawsCrawfishCookOff

Ready

Start GROW

Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.

A fun-filled family afternoon of activities, music, food, and special performances! There will be face painting, an Easter egg scavenger hunt, and LOTS of hands-on activities for the kids. This is a fundraising event for the St. Tammany Early Childhood Ready Start Network. Admission is $5 per child, $2 per adult.

95 Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington, readystartsttammany.com/events

Shamrock

Sprint

Saturday, March 21, 7 a.m.

Kelly Kicking Cancer’s 11th annual Shamrock Sprint, a fun run and 5K & 10K race to benefit brain cancer research, returns at the Covington Trailhead. Participation fee is $35.

419 N. New Hampshire St, Covington, kellykickingcancer.org

Crawfish and Cornhole Tournament & Wellness Fair

Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come to Mandeville’s Castine Center for the second annual Crawfish & Cornhole Tournament for Champions, Wellness Fair and Family Fun Zone, Presented by You Night Events and the We Lift You Up Fund. Entry-only admission is $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 12 and under. The Crawfish & Beverage package is $40 for 2-1/2 pounds of crawfish and select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville, (877) 591-5936 x1, younightevents.com/ cornhole

Rockin’

the Rails Concerts

Thursday, March 26 to April 30, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bring blankets, fest chairs and dancing shoes for the Spring 2026 Rockin’ the Rails series. The first concert is held in Rev. Peter Atkins Park and all subsequent concerts are held at Covington Trailhead. SPRING 2026 LINEUP, March 26 - Rockin’

Dopsie, April 2 - J and The Causeways, April 9 - Bucktown All-Stars, April 16Bottoms Up, April 23 - The Boogiemen, April 30 - Harvey Jesus & Fire. Guests may bring ice chests/picnics/adult beverages if they wish. Free to the public.

701 N. Tyler St., Covington, (985) 892-1811, covla.com

British Motoring Festival

Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The British Motoring Club of New Orleans (BMCNO) invites you to its 34th annual British Motoring Festival that celebrates the interest, ownership, restoration and driving of British cars and motorcycles. Free to spectators. Registration required for participants.

Covington Trailhead and Firehouse Event Center in Covington, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 2643448, bmcno.org

Jazz’n the Vines Concert

March 28 and April 18, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Jazz’n the Vines is a great evening for a date night, family outing or a get-together with friends. Wild Bush Farm + Vineyard wines are available for tasting and purchase, and local food trucks will be on site with delicious bites. Picnic baskets are welcome, though no outside alcohol is permitted. Bring your fest chairs, blankets and battery powered candles, but no bonfires, pets, sky lanterns or canopies. Tickets $5-$32.

Wild Bush Farm + Vineyard, 81250 Old Military Rd., Bush, (985) 892-9742, wildbushfarmandvineyard.com

Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale

Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m.

March hundreds of people in the Abita Springs area all have their garage on the same day, and people from all over the region come to find great deals and a good time. Vendors set up around the town and at Town Hall, and residents participate with individual private sales at their homes throughout town that day. Free to the public.

Abita Springs, (985) 871-5327, trailheadmuseum.org/whole-towngarage-sale

Abita Springs En Plein Air Exhibition

Friday, April 10, 5-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Abita Springs’ 17th annual En Plein Air Exhibition, featuring recent paintings of Louisiana landscapes created by accomplished local artists on location (“in the open air”), returns to the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum. Artists generously donate 30% of their profits to the museum, its only fundraiser. Free to the public.

22044 Main St., Abita Springs, (985) 892-0711, trailheadmuseum.org/ en-plein-air

Spring for Art

Saturday, April 11, 6 p.m.

Spring for Art is a celebration of music, art and performing arts, and few better places to celebrate such than historic downtown Covington. Spring for Art is a free festival held in the streets of the city’s historic downtown district and features a sprawling art market along Columbia Street and in Art Alley, live music indoors and on the street, art demonstrations, performances, and Mix Masters, a mixologist cocktail competition open to local bartenders. Free to the public.

320 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-8650, sttammany.art

St. Tammany Comic Con

April 11-12, 10:30 a.m.

Dive into the ultimate realm of nostalgia at St. Tammany Comic Con, where 40,000 square feet of pure geek heaven awaits you. Unleash your inner collector as you explore the expansive world of toys, comics, and collectibles, featuring the Gulf South’s most extensive selection of both vintage and modern action figures. $20 - Saturday | $15 - Sunday | $30 Adult Weekend | Kids 12 & under free.

Castine Center, 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville, sttammanycollectorscon.com

INSIDE SCOOP

SLT Presents “Shrek: The Musical”

April 17-May 3, Fridays, 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m.

The unlikely hero of the swamp comes to life on stage in this hilarious and heartwarming musical adventure. When the ogre Shrek sets out to rescue Princess Fiona, with the wisecracking Donkey by his side, he finds himself on an unexpected journey of friendship, love, and self-acceptance. Adults $35, Students and Seniors, $25.

2024 Nellie Dr., Slidell, (985) 643-0556, slidelllittletheatre.org/ tickets

Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival

April 18-19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The two-day, juried, free event will showcase more than 50 vendors displaying an eclectic mix of antique furnishings, period collectibles, architectural salvage, silversmithing and vintageinspired fine arts and crafts, as well as food and live music throughout the weekend on the trailhead stage and other locations. Admission is free.

419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 892-1873, covingtonheritagefoundation.com

Northshore Autism Acceptance Festival

Sunday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Northshore Autism Acceptance Festival is a family-friendly, inclusive community event celebrating neurodiversity through play, connection, and shared learning. This festival is designed to be engaging, accessible and joyful for children and adults alike, with space to move, explore and participate at your own pace. Free to the public.

675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, (504) 400-1469, facebook.com/ nnnautism

Northshore Garden & Plant Sale

April 24-25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The annual spring show features a large selection of plants from regional growers—native plants, roses, daylilies, herbs, vegetables, shrubs and trees—along with outdoor furniture, unique garden art and tools for home gardeners. As always, guests are encouraged to bring a wagon for easy shopping. $5 Adults/Under 18. Free to the public.

St. Tammany Fairgrounds, 1301 N Florida St., Covington, (985) 875-2635, stmastergardener.org

Bayou Jam Concert

Sunday, April 26, 5-7 p.m.

The City of Slidell presents popular local bands in its Spring 2026 Bayou Jam concert series in Heritage Park. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and relax on the lawn. Picnic baskets and ice chests are welcome. Free to the public.

1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell, (985) 646-4375, myslidell.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH, 2026

11:00AM - 2:00PM

COVINGTON COUNTRY CLUB

Photos by: Abby Sands

Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West partners with local families and volunteers to build and repair safe, affordable homes in our community. Through new home construction, home preservation, and repair programs, Habitat helps hardworking families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership. Families purchase their homes with affordable mortgages, ensuring long-term sustainability and dignity. With the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, Habitat STW is helping build a stronger St. Tammany West, one home at a time.

Now in its 7th year, the Hammers & Heels Fashion Show benefiting Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West’s Women Build brings glamour, energy, and purpose together for an unforgettable day of fundraising. Guests enjoy lunch provided by The Lakehouse, runway fashions from local boutiques, lively fundraising moments, and entertainment from Habitat’s very own construction crew. Every dollar raised helps build something truly extraordinary—a brandnew home for the Dronet family. This inspiring family is part of Habitat STW’s 2025 Women Build project, which kicked off last October, with their dream home set for completion this June.

In 2025, Hammers & Heels reached a new milestone, raising a record-breaking $110,000. This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of our community and the dedication of our outstanding Hammers & Heels committee, whose tireless efforts make this event both successful and unforgettable.

Leighanne

Leighanne Weeks Development Director Habitat

For Humanity St. Tammany West

Purple Tiger Boutique

Megan Armstrong

“Everyone deserves to have a home that’s safe and provides comfort. I was taught from a very early age that those of us who are blessed should always be looking for ways to give back and bring those blessings to others. Hammers & Heels shows others the power of women working together to create change and sets the example that giving back doesn’t have to be corporate, stuffy, or boring - it can be FUN too!”

WHAT COLORS AND SILHOUETTES ARE SPEAKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW?

Bold & bright color combinations. I love a good neutral, but what really gets me excited is COLOR! Our spring collection is full of fun colors and patterns in combinations like cobalt/kelly green, pink/orange, and pops of yellow! I am also loving the Amalfi Coast vibes with whimsical coastal patterns like lemons, Mediterranean blues, and retro silhouettes.

“Hammers & Heels represents the idea that women can be both builders and dreamers, capable of creating and giving back to their community. This project has deepened my understanding of home as more than just a physical space. Home is a feeling of safety, warmth, and belonging. To give back to our community through this amazing organization is such a blessing to me.”

HOW DOES YOUR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE SHAPE THE COLLECTION AT YOUR BOUTIQUE?

My personal style shows up in the collections we create. We gravitate towards the more timeless and classic style for children’s clothes and we love to see them dress “young” for as long as possible!

Children’s Clothing

My Petite & Me

Nicole Schoolfield

“For years now, I have taken time during my morning prayers to bless my home, especially the parts of it that drive me crazy and that I wish I could change. I do this because I know my home is where my kids feel safe, and when I love my home, my kids feel loved in it. When I see the stories of women who want that same sense of safety and stability for their own families, it deeply impacts me and reminds me to feel gratitude for all that I have.”

HOW DOES YOUR PERSONAL STYLE SHOW UP IN YOUR BUSINESS?

My activewear journey began when I became a yoga and mindfulness teacher many years ago. As I began designing for tween girls, though, I was able to reach beyond my personal style into something more fun, colorful, and expressive. In many ways, I get to bring both worlds together through my designs: health and wellness paired with creativity and a little bit of risk-taking.

“Hammers & Heels is a wonderful opportunity to support the Women’s Build Project and has absolutely helped me reflect on what home actually means to me. It’s so much more than just four walls. It’s where love thrives, traditions are created, and communities are built.”

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OBSESSING OVER?

As far as trends go, we love creating our own and going off the beaten path of what you may expect! Bold colors, brocade, and a 1960’s flare may pop up on the runway so you’ll just have to stay tuned!

Palm Village Mandeville / Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store

Cindy Foret

“Hammer & Heels represents strength, generosity, and the power of women coming together to lift one another up. It is the perfect balance of style and substance, celebrating fashion while making a real and lasting impact in our community.”

WHAT TREND ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SPRING?

We are especially excited about vibrant prints, bold colors, and effortless silhouettes that transition seamlessly from day to night. Spring is all about fresh energy and joyful dressing, and Lilly Pulitzer captures that spirit perfectly this season.

“Helping women feel confident in what they wear and helping them feel secure in where they live are both acts of empowerment that give women the foundation to move through life with strength and dignity. Confidence in clothing lifts a woman’s energy and sense of worth, just as a safe, stable home provides the peace and grounding she needs to build her future. Together, both forms of support help women thrive with outer confidence and inner stability.”

HOW DOES YOUR PERSONAL STYLE SHOW UP IN BRA GENIE?

My personal style shows up in the way we prioritize comfort, confidence, and authenticity in everything we offer. I love helping women find pieces that make them feel like the best version of themselves, and that philosophy shapes our buying, our fittings, and our customer experience.

Paisley Boutique

Elizabeth Miller

“Hammers & Heels always amazes me with the incredible support behind it. It’s such a fun, fashionable, and deeply meaningful event. Being even a small part of such a major milestone for local families is something we don’t take lightly. We’re thrilled to know these families have the opportunity to have a new home where lifelong memories with family and friends can be made.”

WHAT TREND ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SPRING?

Paisley isn’t about trends that feel intimidating or extreme. It’s about creating a space where women feel comfortable, confident, and excited about what they’re wearing. For Spring 26 we are looking forward to all the bright colors, soft silhouettes and statement pieces. Lace will be strong and ballet flats are a must!

“When women feel confident in what they wear, they show up more confident and stronger in the world. When women are secure in where they live, they are able to build upon everything else in their lives, including their family, career, and dreams.”

WHAT PART OF YOUR OWN STYLE JOURNEY IS MOST VISIBLE IN YOUR STORE?

My personal style is rooted in confidence, comfort and pieces that feel wearable in real life. That shows up in all of my buying decisions. I choose clothing that makes women feel like their best selves without trying too hard, pieces that are stylish but approachable. The boutique is an extension of who I am. I love that it’s a place that feels welcoming and personal.

Simply Chic

Jennifer Whatley

Lifestyle

at Franco’s

Sima Welch

“This event represents the power of women cheering each other on! It moves beyond fashion to create opportunities for real, lasting, and impactful relationships that ultimately construct something permanent in our community. I have always viewed a home as a place filled with precious and pleasant riches, and I am extra excited to see the Dronet family turn their physical structure into a true home!”

HOW DOES YOUR PERSONAL STYLE SHOW UP IN YOUR BUSINESS?

My personal style, which is rooted in intentionality, directly influences how I approach The Lifestyle Boutique. As a brand, we are obsessed with finding small details that make the mundane feel special. We apply this same focus to our curated pieces, which are selected with purpose to help every customer find something that speaks to them!

“When a woman feels confident in what she wears and how she shows up, it helps her feel more confident and at ease in every part of her life.”

WHAT TREND ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THIS SPRING?

I love color so I’m excited that designers and trend forecasters are embracing vivid hues, saturated brights, and juicy shades that bring energy and optimism back into wardrobes after a cycle of softer neutrals.

Sharon Bilbe The Chiffarobe

“Hammer & Heels has changed the way I think about what security and dignity really mean. Having experienced a time when I couldn’t provide that sense of stability for my own family, I see how powerful it is for someone to feel supported and cared for — it builds confidence and trust in a way that truly matters. It would have meant the world to me.”

HOW DOES YOUR PERSONAL STYLE SHOW UP IN YOUR BUSINESS?

My personal style is reflected in my business by providing quality clothing that is on trend, but not so trendy that it becomes irrelevant the next season. I focus on timeless pieces that help stretch my customers’ dollars.

FP Movement Hot Shot

Strappy Square Neck

Sleeveless Wide Leg Jumpsuit. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, (985) 792-0270.

The Ciao Milano Waterproof Rain Jacket in Style Anna Anorak Style with Hood concealed in zip collar. Available in sizes XS-XL, $164. The Chiffarobe, Covington, (985) 327-7300.

The &girl Tween Activewear Monthly Membership is a monthly membership made for tween girls! Each month, tweens receive seasonal activewear pieces that she not only wants but truly needs, taking the stress out of shopping for parents. Intro box, starts at $25. My Petite and Me, mypetiteandme.com.

Lavender everyday skort is made from a lightweight, stretchy material, is perfect for the girl on the go! It is size inclusive and offered in sizes Small to 3XL, $48. Purple Tiger, Metairie, thepurpletigerboutique. commentsold.com.

White Heirloom outfits. Bubble, $48. Dress, $68. My Little Loves Children Clothing, mylittleloveschildrensclothing.com.

With playful ruffles throughout the length of the dress, this chic and modern halter dress is perfect for any occasion. POSH Boutique, Covington, (985) 898-2639.

This round toe ballet flat comes in smooth leather, and features light-catching gold adornments at the strap. Paisley, Mandeville, (985) 727-7880.

The perfect gold purse for any occasion. Simply Chic, Mandeville, (985) 778-2012.

Handmade printed scarf. The Cosmic Collective, shopcosmiccollective.com.

The Kennedy Sheer Lace Teddy features soft cups and a sultry high neckline, this sheer one-piece flatters from every angle. Bra Genie, Covington, (985)951-8638.

Keon One-Piece Swimsuit and matching Flip Flops. Palm Village, a Lily Pulitzer Signature Store, Mandeville, (985) 778-2547.

Lydon Lace Shift Dress. Palm Village, Palm Village, a Lily Pulitzer Signature Store, Mandeville, (985) 778-2547.

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.”

— Maya Angelou

Jane Patterson isn’t an ornithologist. Yet, over the past two decades, she has taught more than 700 people how to identify birds and why and how to help them flourish in south Louisiana. More than that, she has ignited a love of birds in many of us.

Patterson’s own love of birding did not truly spark until she was preparing for her last child to leave home. Worried about how she would occupy her time when she was no longer actively parenting every day, she turned her eyes to her backyard, where she had already taught herself plenty about gardening.

“I had my first digital camera and started a gardening blog,” she said. “Every gardener has the requisite bird feeder, and I started noticing birds on mine that I didn’t recognize. At that point, I could probably identify a cardinal and a blue jay, but that was about all.”

One bird in particular caught Patterson’s attention. “I thought it was a sparrow, but it had a red head,” she said. “Even I knew sparrows didn’t have red heads. My husband had an old field guide from the ’70s, and I painstakingly paged through it until I identified it. It was a house finch but, according to the map, they’d only been spotted in Long Island, New York, and Southern California.”

How One Woman’s Unexpected Hobby Is Enriching the Lives of Hundreds

Birding Bliss

By Mimi Greenwood Knight

With her interest piqued, Patterson reached out to the Audubon Society, surprised to discover there was a chapter in Baton Rouge, where she worked. “I discovered that while it would have been a rare sighting in the ’70s when the field guide was printed, it was no longer rare in the mid-2000s,” she said.

A birder was born. “For many, birds lead to gardening,” Patterson said. “For me it was the opposite. Gardening led me into birding. I started to wonder what else I had in my

The rainbow-colored Painted Bunting is a common breeding songbird in south Louisiana and a target for visiting birders from around the world.

yard, started looking for resources, and found out that LSU’s ornithology program is world-class. They call it the Cornell of the South.”

She made such a name for herself that the Audubon Society reached out to her.

She began birding regularly with a small group, including the LSU ornithology education director. “He admitted to me that teaching kids really wasn’t his thing,” Patterson said. “I’ve always had teacher tendencies, I guess, so I started teaching birding classes to kids at Hilltop Arboretum.”

JANE SAYS

“The number one thing you want to provide birds in your yard is water, fresh, preferably moving. Some birds will come to you for water who aren’t interested in your seed feeder. A songbird, for instance, wants fresh water, no deeper than an inch.”

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks don’t breed in Louisiana but pass through our area in April each year on their way north.

LSU Hilltop Arboretum is a 14-acre public garden and educational facility managed by the LSU College of Art & Design and dedicated to preserving and displaying Southern native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The arboretum jumped on Patterson’s offer, and her classes soon filled up. She later joined the local Audubon chapter, and it wasn’t long before she was asked to serve as education chair.

That title gave Patterson the credentials she needed to get into local schools and libraries and continue spreading the gospel of birding through her series Kids Who Bird. When asked why it matters to develop a love of birds in the young, Patterson points to a quote from Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network: “We cannot protect something we do not love, we cannot love what we do not know, and we cannot know what we do not see.”

“When our kids are inside all day staring at screens, it’s easy for them to feel disconnected from nature,” she said. “The future of the natural world is quite literally in their hands. When I take a class of kids outside, we’re not just looking at birds. We’re talking about the plants and bugs, mushrooms and trees we see. When a child plays a video game, that game has been designed by someone. There are no surprises.

JANE SAYS

“If you have birdhouses in your yard, you need to be a good landlord. Do some research and be prepared to keep the birds safe from predators. Don’t put your birdhouse close to a fence, tree, or any structure a predator can leap from. Place it atop a pole with a baffler. No birdhouse should have a perch. The residents of a birdhouse don’t use a perch but predators will. Research where to place birdhouses for the bird you’re hoping to attract.”

FEATURE

JANE SAYS

“To keep squirrels out of your bird feeders, give them a couple feeders they can have to themselves. Squirrels are lazy. If you give them a couple they can access easily and others they can’t, they’ll stop trying to invade all your feeders and you’ll have enough seed left for the birds.”

But you can take a child into the same natural location every day for a week and it will be different each time. There are different animals. The weather is different. There are always questions to ask and things to discover.”

Another favorite quote for Patterson is from naturalist Roger Tory Peterson: “Birds are perhaps the best entrée into the study of natural history, and a very good wedge into conservation awareness.”

Patterson also wanted to reach adults, and she did so through LSU leisure classes. “These were classes directed at adults 50 and over but open to anyone,” she said. “That program has since been discontinued, but now I’m able to teach birding to adults through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.”

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a nationwide network of more than 120 university-affiliated programs providing noncredit educational and social opportunities for adults 50 and older. The Slidell/ Covington chapter offers classes at the St. Tammany Parish Library and St. John’s Coffeehouse on Columbia Street in Covington, through the Slidell Regional Education Center, through Southeastern Louisiana University’s Hammond campus, on the LSU campus and elsewhere.

Patterson is just as passionate about what birding can offer her more mature students. “As we get older, it’s important that we continue to learn new things,” she said. “When you’re birding, you’re up and moving and learning new things. You’re outside and away from Netflix. You’re engaging all your senses. Birds are inspirational. That’s why so many sports teams are

Prothonotary warblers return to Louisiana in March. They are commonly seen and heard in and around our cypress swamps.

named for birds. And they’re available. You don’t have to go any farther than your backyard to find them.”

Patterson warns her adult classes that they might feel like they’re drinking from a fire hose because there is so much to learn. “But I encourage them to take it at their own pace,” she said. “If all you learn is how to identify the birds in your own backyard, that’s great. If you want to spend your children’s inheritance traveling the world seeing tens of thousands of birds, that’s great, too.”

Patterson herself has embarked on birding expeditions to Australia, Tasmania, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Belize and Panama, and she has birded extensively across the United States. “When we went to Africa, it wasn’t a birding trip, but when I mentioned to our guide that I’m a birder, they were more than happy to educate me about any we saw.”

Patterson has come a long way since puzzling over that single red-headed “sparrow” in her yard. She is now a master gardener as well as a master naturalist. When we met for this interview, it was only a few weeks into the new year, and she had already spotted 140 bird species in 2026.

“When I got into birding, the first thing I wanted to do was start getting kids interested,” she said. “But my own three were already in their 20s. My son, Daniel, was a casual observer until he moved to eastern Oregon. I’d given him a camera and some binoculars before they left, and I started hearing back from him about birds he saw. He’s still my favorite birding companion. Birds led him into gardening, and he’s now a master naturalist himself.”

One of Patterson’s favorite moments is when someone takes her class and later reports that they now see birds everywhere. “I started at square one, and you can, too,” she tells her

classes. “I bought the wrong binoculars. I didn’t know how to use a field guide. I want to teach others what I wish someone had taught me.”

JANE SAYS

“A bird app is a tool but it’s not the end-all be-all. Apps like Merlin, eBird, or BirdNet are great.

But think about when you identify a song using Shazam. That song was recorded in a studio and it doesn’t change. Bird song has individual differences and regional differences. A bird might just be learning the song or still developing it. It’s not an exact science, but it is one tool.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Jane Patterson will be teaching a beginning birdwatcher class and leading birds walks March 3, 10, 17, 24 at Coquille Park in Covington

For information visit BRAudubon.org/events-and-field-trips

A New Aria for New Orleans

The New Orleans Opera Association Reimagined Under

Lila Palmer

New Orleans has always understood the power of performance. And opera, perhaps more than any other medium, finds its natural home in this landscape of emotional excess and unapologetic drama. Now, under the leadership of its new general and artistic director, Lila Palmer, the New Orleans Opera Association is stepping into a compelling new act.

Palmer arrives at the helm not as a disruptor looking to tear down the scenery, but as a leader keenly aware of tempo, legacy and the necessity of the “deep listen.” Her vision honors the association’s storied past while beckoning a future that feels broader and more contemporary.

For decades, the association has served as steward and advocate in preserving the grandeur of an art form that demands equal parts patience and passion. Palmer aims to expand the definition of who that passion belongs to. Her leadership signals a shift from opera as an insular pastime of the elite to opera as a living cultural dialogue, one that welcomes the veteran patron and the first-time listener with the same level of serious intent.

At the core of this evolution is access. Education and community engagement are treated as central pillars of the house. Palmer

speaks fluently about cultivating the next generation of devotees. Under her guidance, the association is demystifying the opera while preserving its rigor, allowing audiences to meet the art form where they are, without ever asking the art to shrink.

The shift feels particularly resonant in a city shaped by convergence. In New Orleans, cultures collide and genres cross-pollinate by design. Palmer’s vision mirrors this ecosystem: Opera is no longer an isolated institution, but a voice in a broader choir. It becomes a conversation between art and audience, embracing diverse narratives and reflecting the beautiful complexity of modern life.

There is a confidence in this new direction, paired with a humility that acknowledges the opera’s survival depends on meaningful connection.

In an era when arts organizations across the country are asking existential questions, the New Orleans Opera Association is asking a more productive one: How do we belong? The answer, it appears, lies not in chasing trends, but in embracing authenticity rooted in excellence, curiosity, connection, appreciation and generosity of spirit.

FEATURE

How do you personally define leadership in a legacy institution like the New Orleans Opera Association?

I think leadership in a legacy institution is about balance. I trained as a historian, so I’m very aware that what you do with a legacy matters. It’s like taking over a fashion house like Chanel or Dior — you’re chosen for your creative voice and fresh ideas, but you also step into the archives to understand the DNA. The work is a constant dialogue between honoring what’s essential and evolving thoughtfully, with discernment about what’s tradition and what’s just habit.

I’m also a pastor’s kid, and so is my husband, so we both grew up very aware of community and how we show up in it. Creating a culture of care matters to me. Leadership means being present, howing up at events, being engaged, and representing the organization wherever I go. I’m never not “Opera Lady” when I’m out in the world, just ask Dan Stein at the deli.

Why do you think opera fits so naturally within New Orleans’ cultural landscape?

I’m not sure “relevance” is even the goal. Opera tells great stories with extraordinary music, and the combination of storytelling and unamplified sound literally changes how your body feels. It affects you physically and emotionally. That isn’t niche, that’s human.

I don’t believe certain art forms are for certain types of people. That feels patronizing. Some people want stories that mirror their lives; others want fantasy and escape. Opera holds all of that. There’s no reliable way to predict what someone will love based on their neighborhood, school, or job. Historically, opera has drawn audiences from every socioeconomic level.

Opera fits naturally in New Orleans because the city already lives in operatic scale. This past Mardi Gras alone, multiple Krewes featured opera-themed floats, and the Rex–Comus courts still meet to Wagner’s Tannhäuser. Even the structure of Krewe balls mirrors the courtly entertainments where opera began in European port cities like Venice. As a port, a carnival capital, and a place steeped in pageantry, New Orleans echoes opera’s origin story.

Opera has been here for over two centuries, embraced across communities — from enslaved and free people of color performing and attending, to immigrant groups for whom opera was popular music, to mid-century companies championing new work and local talent.

It’s also the ultimate interdisciplinary art form, bringing together musicians, designers, painters, carpenters, and costumers, which are all abundant in this city.

And let’s be honest: New Orleans doesn’t play small. It’s extravagant, passionate, and imaginative. Opera, with its largerthan-life stories and big emotions, feels right at home.

How do you balance honoring the NOOA’s history while making sure it remains relevant today?

To me, you honor history and stay vital by making excellent, authentic work and sharing what’s genuinely beautiful and compelling about it. Audiences, especially in New Orleans, can tell when something is alive versus when it’s tired or formulaic. Make it alive, and people respond.

Many arts organizations are focused on survival right now. You’ve spoken about belonging instead. What does belonging look like for the New Orleans Opera Association?

The arts do extraordinary things for people. Music and singing help us heal, learn, connect, they literally make us happier. Those are beautiful by-products. But beauty itself is a need. The world will always be full of need, and my focus is on making sure we meet this one together. An empty seat is a tragedy. Belonging means experiencing beauty alongside one another.

We don’t own our own theatre, which can be challenging, but it also reminds us that the arts are about hospitality. When you’re always a guest, you learn the value of welcome. Our job is to pour out beauty like an offering for the whole city and make it clear that we are part of its fabric.

Belonging also extends to artists. This year we created a fund so singers can bring their families during rehearsal periods. When artists can build real relationships with a place, they return — and community grows around them.

What common misconceptions about opera do you want to change, and which ones do you think need a fresh look?

One big misconception is that if you don’t understand the language, you won’t understand the opera. We just saw that

with Bad Bunny’s halftime show that emotions can be communicated clearly and specifically in another language. Especially if you have great props and costumes and set which opera does. Opera also has surtitles, like a movie, and incredible design. You can follow the story just by watching human beings feel things, or you can read along. Either way, it’s accessible.

Another myth is that opera is only for wealthy people in fur and diamonds, or for intellectuals and cartoon villains. That’s ahistorical and mostly media invention. Labeling an art form as “for those people” is just a way of excluding everyone else. Plenty of the people who fund parades, sports teams, or arts organizations live pretty normal lives, and ticket prices, including ours, make attendance possible for regular people.

Then there’s the “fat lady singing” stereotype. The singers of today are on camera a lot and asked to be incredibly physically active while singing and they have to look as if they are not under strain. Today’s opera singers are elite vocal athletes, acting, moving, and singing unamplified over an orchestra.

And no, you don’t need a ballgown or tux. Dress for an epic night. Celebrate the occasion in whatever makes you feel fantastic.

What do you hope first-time audience members take away from an Opera performance?

Joy, inspiration, further curiosity, and maybe someone else’s number that is into the arts?

Looking ahead, what would you like this chapter of the Opera Association history to be known for?

When I look at photos from the 60s and 70s, everyone in the city is there, all politics, all races, all ages, and even Boy Scouts ushering. It feels like a true third place, neutral ground. I would love to look out at the theatre and see the whole city and the whole state reflected back at us. I hope this chapter is remembered as adding to the magic that makes New Orleans what it is.

Practically, I’d also like it to be known for reconnecting with our history: bringing back opera in French each year, reestablishing a young artist program to train emerging talent, and touring across the state so more people can experience what we do, even if they don’t yet know they want it.

Expansion, community, openness, wonder, and honouring our culture.

FEATURE

A Festival of Arrival

If institutions tell the story of continuity, festivals announce arrival. This season, New Orleans celebrates both.

The inaugural New Orleans Opera Festival marks a watershed moment in the city’s cultural calendar. Conceived as a multi-day immersion, the festival brings together performance and community in a way that feels distinctly local.

More than a mere sequence of productions, the festival is a curated experience. It invites the audience to encounter opera across diverse spaces and contexts, moving beyond the formal hall and into the heartbeat of the city. In a town defined by festivals, the

emergence of one devoted entirely to the operatic arts manages to feel both inevitable and inspired.

New Orleans does not reward imitation; it rewards those who add something honest to the chorus. As the curtain rises on this new era for the opera, it is clear that this is not a reinvention for novelty’s sake, but a thoughtful recalibration. With Palmer’s leadership and the birth of this festival, the New Orleans Opera Association is establishing opera’s place in the very pulse of the city.

From ravishing, romantic Strauss to a spine-tingling, site-specific French drama; from a Show Boat fantasia to a pilgrim’s passage |through music and memory on foot; and with daily public master classes and lectures, the 2026 festival promises to enchant, enrich, and inspire.

Dialogues des Carmélites

Director: Valentina Ceschi

Conductor: Joshua Anand Slater

Paris, 1789: Fear reigns. Faith is tested. The guillotine looms. In a world turned upside down, the destiny of 16 sisters of the Carmelite Order hangs in the balance.

This powerful true story lives on stage in a site-specific production at the oldest building in Louisiana, the Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter.

FEATURE

Show Boat in Concert

Showboat: a sailing concert fantasia on the historic City of New Orleans Riverboat as it steams at sunset on the currents of the Mississippi River.

“Ol’ man river, he just keeps rollin’ along…” Step aboard for an unforgettable evening as timeless music meets the magic of the Mississippi River. Presented on a dinner cruise along the Crescent City, Show Boat ina brings Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s legendary score to life against the backdrop of the waters that inspired it.

Pilgrimage

In this immersive pairing, Carlisle Floyd’s Pilgrimage and Kaija Saariaho’s L’amour de loin intertwine, guiding listeners through an odyssey of longing and spiritual rebirth. This is more than a concert: it’s a journey through passion, faith, and the human spirit, all taking place at a secret location in the French Quarter. Please note: due to the historic nature of the venue, accessibility is limited.

Golda Schultz, soprano Jonathan Ware, piano

South African soprano Golda Schultz is blessed with “one of the most golden rich-toned voices of her generation” (Opera). With Dark Matter(s), Schultz and pianist Jonathan Ware weave together Strauss, Brahms, and Clara Schumann, offering New Orleans audiences a chance to experience one of today’s most compelling vocal artists at the height of her artistry.

FLOURISHES

Signature diamond stretch bracelet, available in multiple sizes starting at $7,495. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, (985) 626-1666.

Slip into spring with Shoeffle. Shoeffle, (985) 898-6465.

Contemporary Dinardi Lantern by The CopperSmith. Gas or Electric, 3 sizes and 4 finishes. Gulf Coast Lanterns 800-910-3275.

Our newest Lantern Family East Bay shown with optional Top Scroll. Available in 3 sizes and 4 finishes. Gulf Coast Lanterns, 800-910-3275, gulfcoastlanterns.com.

Strengthening Hair Growth Duo: Hair Growth Nutraceutical & Collagen Infusion Vibe Salon Mandeville, (985) 276-8897.

BIG BAD BOOT

There you go, Madam C.J.

AMERICA’S FIRST FEMALE SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRE WAS FROM LOUISIANA

Written by: Kati Morse LeBreton, Cohost of The Big Bad Boot Podcast

One of my comfort movies is Beauty Shop, starring Queen Latifah. It’s a comedy about a hairstylist named Gina. My family owned this movie on DVD, and I’m pretty sure my brother and I can still recite most of the lines.

There’s a moment in the film that has stuck with me. After receiving the keys to her new shop, Gina lovingly hangs a black-and-white portrait of a gorgeous woman on the wall, whispering, “There you go, Madam C.J.”

From that moment on, I was intrigued. Who was this “Madam C.J.”? Was she a real person? It only took a quick Google search on my family’s humongous desktop computer (remember, this was 2005) to send me down a rabbit hole. Not only was this a real person; she was the first self-made female millionaire in the United States.

Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, in Delta, Louisiana. Life wasn’t easy. Her parents and siblings had been enslaved on a plantation in Madison Parish, but she was the first in her family to be born free after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Tragedy struck early. Her mother died in 1872, likely from cholera, which had been spreading along the Mississippi River. Her father remarried but passed away just a year later. At ten, she moved to

Vicksburg, Mississippi, to live with her sister and brother-in-law, where she started working as a domestic servant.

At the age of twenty-one, Sarah moved to St. Louis with her daughter, Lelia, where three of her brothers were already living. She found work as a laundress, earning barely a dollar a day, but she was determined to give Lelia a proper education.

Sarah suffered from severe dandruff and scalp problems. Harsh cleaning products used for hair and laundry didn’t help, and other factors — poor diet, illnesses, and irregular bathing (common in an era without indoor plumbing, central heating, or electricity) only made things worse. These challenges would later spark her groundbreaking work in hair care and entrepreneurship.

At first, Sarah picked up her hair-care know-how from her brothers, who worked as barbers. Around the time of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition (basically the World’s Fair in St. Louis), she began selling products for Annie Turnbo Malone, another African American hair-care entrepreneur who owned the Poro Company. Unfortunately, sales at the fair didn’t go well, since the African American community was mostly overlooked.

While working for Malone (who would later become a major competitor), Sarah started experimenting with her own ideas and

developing her own product line. In 1906, Sarah married Charles Walker and rebranded herself as “Madam C.J. Walker,” inspired by French beauty industry pioneers. Charles became her business partner as well, helping with advertising and promotions.

By 1908, they moved to Pittsburgh, opened a beauty parlor, and established Lelia College to train “hair culturists.” As part of her mission to empower Black women economically, Walker created training programs in what she called the “Walker System” for her network of licensed sales agents, who earned generous commissions. In 1910, Walker set up the headquarters for the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company in Indianapolis.

Walker knew how powerful advertising could be. She poured resources into ads, especially in African American newspapers and magazines, and traveled extensively to promote her brand. But her work went beyond just hair products. She taught Black women not only how to sell and style hair but also how to budget, run businesses, and become financially independent.

In 1917, Walker created the Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culturists Union of America. Their first annual conference was held in Philadelphia in 1917, drawing 200 attendees. It was one of the first national gatherings of women entrepreneurs.

The story of Madam C.J. Walker is unlike any other. Despite major disadvantages and setbacks (like limited education, the era in which she was living, and her financial status), she was resilient. And she didn’t stop once she found her fortune. She poured back into the young women in her community, leading the next generation of female business owners and entrepreneurs. She deserves a spot on everyone’s wall.

To hear more of Madam C.J Walker’s incredible story, you can listen to Episode 35 of The Big Bad Boot Podcast. Kati co-hosts the show alongside her brother, Caleb Morse. As the state’s most popular independently produced comedy podcast, The Big Bad Boot covers Louisiana history, true crime, and folklore; sprinkled with the siblings’ trademark hilarious banter. You can listen to The Big Bad Boot (for free!) on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more. You can also watch each episode on YouTube. Kati’s sources for this feature are listed in the episode show notes.

The podcast about the weird state you wish you were from, hosted by the weird siblings you wish you had. You can find and listen to Big Bad Boot wherever you get your podcasts.

www.thebigbadboot.com

GENEROUS HEARTS

Highlighting Philanthropy on the Northshore Local Dollars, Lasting Impact

Smart strategies for corporate philanthropy

By Desiree Bennett Forsyth

In many companies, the act of giving back lives in a spreadsheet line item, sponsorship form, or silent auction donation item. The intent is good, but the impact can feel scattered.

Our partners at the Northshore Community Foundation exist to make it easy for each of us to make a difference in our own backyard. Now in their 18th year, the Foundation has touched over $94 million dollars in philanthropic fuel, focusing on simplifying, organizing and magnifying philanthropy at every turn.

The Foundation has reached those remarkable numbers in three primary ways. First, they engage hundreds of individuals, families, companies and nonprofits in a membership model that promotes active connections and charitable work. Second, they take the paperwork out of “doing good” by administering funds that act as charitable checkbooks for any purpose. Last, they step into big roles when the need is great — especially in times of disaster. Through these three unique and critical roles, the Foundation uses its expertise and resources to magnify the incredible charitable work so prevalent in our region.

That is the gap the Northshore Community Foundation aims to close. The Foundation works with individuals and businesses to turn generosity into a strategy, connecting donors with vetted local nonprofits and helping companies build programs that make sense for their culture and capacity. Two local organizations offer a clear picture of what it can look like when corporate giving becomes intentional. Kent Design Build, a Covington based construction firm guided by its internal mantra, “Lead. Build. Serve.”, leans into hands on service and employee driven causes. Fidelity Bank, a Louisiana based community bank, built structure around its giving through a formal program designed to meet nonprofit needs in a variety of ways.

Different industries, similar lesson. Philanthropy works best when it is part of how a company operates, not just what it funds.

Showing up in tangible ways

For Kent Design Build, community impact starts with a simple idea: show up.

Everyone is a philanthropist. To Learn how you can do more in your own backyard, reach out to the Foundation at northshorefoundation.org

Michelle Gall spoke about the company’s approach to community impact as “showing up in real tangible ways and investing time, skills and energy.” She said the goal is a positive, lasting change that extends beyond a job site and strengthens the people doing the work.

Kent Design Build is rooted in a mission that emphasizes integrity, faith and care. The company’s owner, Kyle Kent, has long prioritized local involvement through fundraisers, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities, but the deeper focus is cultural. Partnering with Northshore Community Foundation facilitated the Kent Cares Fund, a

charitable fund to help manage their philanthropic efforts for local nonprofits. Gall framed it as a win for both the community and employees, because service builds connection inside the company as much as it does outside.

That internal emphasis shows up in how Kent involves its team. Employees are encouraged to identify the nonprofits that matter most to them, and the company then looks for ways to support those organizations. Kent also allows employees to volunteer during the workweek while still being paid, and it created an incentive program that lets employees accrue volunteer hours toward extra paid time off.

Gall said leadership looks for areas where the company can make the biggest difference, especially programs that promote connection and inclusion. She cited organizations and efforts that address food insecurity, housing, disability inclusion and youth programming.She emphasized that money is only one tool. Skills and resources count, too, and consistent effort can become a real program over time.

A bank program built around nonprofit realities

Fidelity Bank arrived at a similar conclusion from a different direction.

Madison Burris, the bank’s Director of Community Partners and Vice President, said the bank had long been active in the community, but that activity did not always have a clear framework. Like many community banks, Fidelity received constant requests for sponsorships and tried to say yes as often as possible. The turning point came when the bank stepped back to evaluate where its support had the strongest response, both internally and externally, and how to become more purposeful and, in turn, more impactful. That process led to what Fidelity calls its Community Partners program, a structured approach designed to empower nonprofits with banking tools, resources and promotion. The program supports more than 250 organizations, offering benefits such as tailored loan options, resources and social promotion.

Burris described a practical discovery that shaped the program. Across the nonprofit community, the same needs surfaced repeatedly: money, resources, volunteers and exposure. Checks mattered, but they were not enough on their own, and money was not unlimited.

So Fidelity started looking for ways to contribute what it could uniquely provide. Burris said that sometimes included unconventional support such as equipment

and logistics. The bank also created a checking account designed for nonprofit organizations, with features intended to reduce costs and make operations easier.

For Burris, community impact is not a marketing claim. It is “putting your money where your mouth is” and showing up in ways that help nonprofits execute their missions.

Where to start

Both Gall and Burris pointed to the same starting point for companies that want to build a giving program but do not know how.

Listen first.

Burris said organizations should learn what matters to employees and build from there. He also urged companies to look to community foundations as a first stop, describing them as a natural connector with multiple pathways to local nonprofits.

Gall’s advice echoed a similar idea: pick one or two organizations you care about, begin with what fits your mission and stay consistent. Culture is built through repetition.

The Northshore Community Foundation is designed to make that process easier. The Foundation supports donors through fund management, foundation membership and partnerships with local nonprofits, positioning itself as a resource for strategic giving nd long term community investment.

For companies, that can mean moving from occasional gifts to a plan: identifying focus areas, choosing partners, setting goals for employee engagement and measuring impact over time. It can also mean finding ways to contribute more than money, including skills, volunteer power, connections and visibility.

For corporations interested in learning how strategic philanthropy, partnerships and community investment can make a difference locally, the Northshore Community Foundation serves as a connector and resource for meaningful engagement.

Mystic Krewe of Olympia 2026

PHOTO CREDITS: JOEY MICHEL

Gathering for the organization’s 60th celebration, the Mystic Krewe of Olympia presented its annual bal masque on Saturday, January 24th, at the Castine Center in Mandeville, Louisiana.

Following the appearance of the Captain and Officers, the Krewe made a lively entrance into the ballroom welcoming all their guests. The Covington Police Department presented the colors and, according to Krewe tradition, a wounded warrior was recognized for his service. This year’s honoree is the late Sergeant Grant Candies, who was recognized posthumously for his service to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Zeus LX, the 2026 King of Olympia, made a regal entrance, acknowledging his Royal Guests as he processed to the throne.

Reigning as Queen was Carolyn Ray Rushing, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Heath Ashley Rushing. Her Majesty wore a custom Perla Orihuela gown crafted from Italian double-faced silk duchess satin, overlaid with fine hand-beaded tulle from India. The strapless column gown featured cascading silver embroidery with bugle and seed beads forming windowpane motifs and diamond shapes encrusted with Austrian crystals and rhinestones, creating a striking central focal point. She completed the look with her grandmother’s antique necklace and earrings.

Zeus and his Queen reigned from atop a multi-leveled white dais highlighted by an elegant shimmering Austrian drape designed by Kenny LaCour’s Grand Events.

Maids in Her Majesty’s Court were Misses: Camille Caroline Christopher, Caroline Lanier Lagarde, Madeleine Grace Poirier, and Isabelle Rose Seeger. Maids in Her Majesty’s Court wore individually designed white dresses with opera length white gloves.

Ladies in Waiting to the Queen were Misses: Rowan Anne Brown, Addison Leigh Galloway, Amelia Rose Higgins, Margaux Michon McMath, Billie Laine Powers, Carlisle Mae Roberts, Liliana Faith Tallo, Lillian Rae Tridico, and Kara Lauren Zito. The Ladies in Waiting wore an Amalee Couture custom-made full-length dress featuring peau de soie matte satin, adorned with a 3” banded belt. The back showcased a large bow to complete this classic design by Olive Patch.

Pages to their Majesties were: John-Edgar Coleman Goorley, Brayden Devaney Lane, Davis James Madden, and Cash Joseph Tantillo.

Following the presentation, members and guests enjoyed a Queen’s Supper catered by The Dakota Restaurant. Olympia’s Royal Band, GOT GROOVE, a division of Blue Rhythm, entertained the revelers until early hours of the morning. Kenny LaCour’s Grand Events created the Ball Design with assistance from Dunne & Sonnier, Element Rentals, See-Hear Productions, and Forstall Interiorscapes. Flowers for the Queen’s Toast and the Court were created by Megan Westervelt Floral Design.

Nicholson - Augustine

MALLORY NICHOLSON-AARON AUGUSTINE

October 25, 2025

Photographer: Still Motion Films

IN DEVELOPMENT

BOUDREAUX’S JEWELERS EXPANDS AND MODERNIZES MANDEVILLE FLAGSHIP FACILITY

Boudreaux’s Jewelers, a fourth-generation Louisiana family business, announced it will expand and modernize its flagship location in St. Tammany Parish.

The renovation will more than double the size of the company’s facility at 4550 Highway 22 in Mandeville, creating expanded space for a redesigned first-floor showroom and a state-of-theart manufacturing studio on the second floor. The upgrades will support Boudreaux’s growing design and production teams while enhancing the customer experience through modernized retail areas and improved workflow capabilities.

“This expansion affirms our long-term commitment to the Louisiana market and to committing significant resources to local manufacturing and design,” Boudreaux’s Jewelers COO Brandon Boudreaux said. “Louisiana has always been home for our family and business, and it has a rich history of jewelry manufacturing that we hope to be a shining example of in a world of overseas jewelry manufacturing.”

Construction is expected to be completed by October 2026. Boudreaux’s Jewelers will maintain full operations throughout the renovation to ensure uninterrupted service for customers. The company also operates locations in Metairie and Baton Rouge, underscoring its long-established footprint in Louisiana.

“Boudreaux’s expansion marks an exciting new chapter for a local, family-owned business that has called Mandeville home since 1995,” Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden said. “Their continued investment underscores the enduring connection between this family and our community, as well as the welcoming environment our city provides for small business growth. We’re excited to support them as they take this next step.”

EAT & DRINK

TCHEFUNCTE’S

MADISONVILLE

Indulge in a culinary journey at Tchefuncte’s, where our chefs masterfully craft Louisiana and American cuisine with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. The upscale atmosphere, paired with the breathtaking scenic view of the Tchefuncte River, sets the perfect stage whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a long, leisurely meal, we’ve got you covered. To ensure that you have the best experience possible, we recommend making a reservation. For large parties and events, email us at EVENTS@TCHEFUNCTES.COM

THE ANCHOR

MADISONVILLE

Tuesday 11am-7pm

Wednesday-Thursday 11am-8pm

Friday-Saturday 11am-8:30pm

Sunday 11am-8pm

407 SAINT TAMMANY ST., MADISONVILLE (985) 323-4800 THEANCHORLA.COM

COURTYARD BISTRO

MANDEVILLE

Serving traditional breakfast and lunch made fresh each day, specializing in Dutch babies, sandwiches, and seasonal dishes. A small gourmet market nearby carries many of the same ingredients used in the kitchen, making it easy to enjoy them again at home.

1291 N. CAUSEWAY BLVD (985) 377-5288

THECOURTYARDBISTRO.COM

DESI VEGA'S STEAKHOUSE

At Desi Vega's Steakhouse Northshore, our expertly seared, aged steaks promise indulgence in every bite. Alongside our signature steaks, we offer house-crafted desserts, specialty appetizers, and seafood options like jumbo lump scallops, market fish, and broiled lobster tail. For the best experience, reserve your table on OpenTable or call us. For large parties, email EVENTS@DESIVEGASNORTHSHORE.COM. We look forward to welcoming you to an elevated dining experience.

COVINGTON

1950 N. Highway 190, Covington, LA, (985) 276-4994

GALLAGHER’S

PARDOSAN AMERICAN BISTRO

MANDEVILLE

Pardo's Fine Dining offers European and American Cuisine in a flavorful and relaxing atmosphere with a variety of foods from handmade pasta to Prime steaks, from specialty beers to artfully hand-crafted cocktails; there is surely something to please every palate.

5280 HIGHWAY 22 MANDEVILLE LA 70471

WWW.PARDOSRESTAURANT.COM

527

MANDEVILLE

Tuesday-Friday: Lunch

11AM–2:30PM Tuesday-Thursday: Dinner 5PM-9:30PM

Friday-Saturday: Dinner 5PM–10PM

527 N CAUSEWAY BLVD., MANDEVILLE (985) 778-2820

GALLAGHERS527.COM

SLIDELL AND COVINGTON

Award-winning entrées featuring sizzling steaks, pork chops, and the best seafood Louisiana has to offer. Whether you’re looking for fine dining in a comfortable setting, or a lunch that’s a cut above the rest, we specialize in creating the perfect experience for your needs.

GALLAGHERSGRILL.COM

PARDOSCATERING@GMAIL.COM (985) 893-3603

LAST LOOK