Contributing Writers Jyl Benson, Amy Gabriel, Megan Holt, Molly Kimball, Lindsay Mack, Seale Paterson, Sue Strachan and Melanie Warner Spencer
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Vice President of Sales & Marketing Kate Henry Kate@myneworleans.com or 504-830-7216
Account Director Meggie Aune
Senior Account Executives , Brooke Genusa, Erin Chiartano, Lisa Picone Love
Sponsored Content Coordinator
Jeremy Marshall
Marketing Manager Haley Nash
PRODUCTION
Digital Director Rosa Balaguer Arostegui
Senior Designer Ashley Bravata
ADMINISTRATION
Office Manager Emily Ruiz
Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne
Summer’s Silver Linings
Despite the sweltering heat, summer is New Orleans is a lovely time when the pace slows down and we find more moments for long dinners with friends, gallery and museum hopping and other activities we’ve been meaning to experience. In this combined June/July issue, we’re celebrating artists, events, places and ideas making this season one to enjoy.
Our cover highlights one of the city’s signature summer traditions, Fidelity White Linen Night. Every August, the Arts District comes alive with art lovers, local creatives, and plenty of crisp white linen, reminding us why this event remains such a favorite year after year. Be sure to check out our “Gallery Insider” feature as well, where we share the upcoming exhibits and shows that deserve a spot on your calendar.
We’re also taking a closer look at skincare and wellness with a thoughtful feature by Molly Kimball, including conversations with local experts Dr. Mary Lupo and Dr. Deirdre Hooper. Their insights offer smart, practical advice for caring for your skin.
This issue also includes an important feature on estate planning. While it may not always be an easy topic to think about, having a plan in place is one of the most meaningful ways to protect your family and the legacy you’ve worked hard to build.
Our style guru Amy Gabriel shares delightful inspiration for effortless al fresco entertaining and highlights the season’s must-have summer fashion finds, while other regular columns, Around Town, the Arts Calendar and our Parties section keep you connected to the social events and cultural happenings shaping the months ahead.
We hope this issue inspires you to get out, explore the city, and enjoy every bit of the season ahead.
ANDY MYER, EDITOR
(From left) Chris Ferris, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank; Christy Wood, Owner & Gallery Director of LeMieux Galleries; Matthew Weldon Showman, Owner & Gallery Director of Ferrara Showman Gallery; Amanda Fetter, Business Liaison for the Arts District New Orleans
For more about Fidelity White Linen Night visit artsdistrictneworleans.com
On the Cover
Photograph by Jeffery Johnston
The Occasional Wife
For Kay Morrison, founder of The Occasional Wife, what began as an escape from the hamster wheel of corporate America quickly evolved into a thriving, multi-pronged business. The New Orleans native has since grown the company to seven retail locations and a team of more than 70 employees.
How and when did you start the business?
I was working in global sales for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and basically lived on an airplane. After having two kids and missing New Orleans terribly, I realized I was done with the rat race. My husband was often home managing things on his own and we both needed more support. He used to joke, ‘I just need an occasional wife.’ And
that was the lightbulb moment. I realized other families probably needed a modern solution for managing their busy lives, too. So, I cashed in my 401(k) and started helping people organize and manage their personal tasks. I did it all myself at the beginning and then we began to grow.
What niche in the market were you trying to fill?
It’s funny, there was an article written at some point that painted us as sort of anti- feminist. The opposite was true. The impetus of all of it was wanting to help working women, myself included. As more and more women joined the workforce, the market just wasn’t offering any solutions.
What services do you offer at the Occasional Wife?
A lot. We have three arms. There’s our Service arm, which includes what we call right sizing; organizing, packing, moving and handiwork. Then there’s On Site; which includes estate sales and found assets (sale of smaller, more personal items). Lastly, our Retail arm includes six (soon to be seven) Occasional Wife consignment shops.
What are you most excited about right now?
We are opening up a 7th retail location in Old Metairie soon. It will be set up in a cute house like our Pass Christian store. We also have a few estate sales coming up that are just next level! Stay tuned for info on
Look for this and more every Wednesday in the Avenue newsletter. What local finds should we feature next? Email shoptalk@myneworleans.com
those. I also just continue to love the consignment business. The idea of turning something old into something treasured and new for someone else is a great feeling.
– By Penn Iarocci
You can find Occasional Wife stores located on Magazine St., Jefferson Hwy. and in the French Quarter, with additional stores in Mandeville, Pass Christian and Perdido, or by visiting theoccasionalwife.com.
When + Where
Through June 7
“The Trail They Blazed”
Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal St., hnoc.org
Through June 29
“Festival/New/Works” Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., cacno.org
Through July 12
“Herman Leonard: Images of Jazz”
Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., ogdenmuseum.org
Through July 19
“Vicinal Visions: Dusti Bongé, Ida Kohlmeyer & Dorothy Hood” Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St, ogdenmuseum.org
Through July 19
“In the Beloved: A New Body of Work by Alexis McGrigg”
Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St, ogdenmuseum.org
Through July 31
“Pioneers of Women’s Carnival”
Louisiana State Museum, Presbytere, Jackson Square, louisianastatemuseum.org
Through Aug. 28
“The Katrina List: The Untold Story of Hurricane Katrina”
New Orleans African American Museum, 1417-1418 Gov. Nicholls St., noaam.org
Through Aug. 30
“I Am the Face” Ogden Museum of
Southern Art, 925 Camp St, ogdenmuseum.org
Through Sept. 27
“Michalopoulos: Mystical Expressionism”
Louisiana State Museum, The Cabildo, Jackson Square, louisianastatemuseum.org
Through Oct. 11
“Robert Gordy: Outside the Mainstream”
New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, noma.org
Through Oct. 31
“Afropolitan: Contemporary African Arts at NOMA” New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, noma.org
Through Dec. 4
“The Moss Mystique: Southern Women and Newcomb Pottery” Newcomb Art Museum, Woldenberg Art Center, Tulane University Campus, newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu
Through Dec. 28
“Carlo Saraceni’s Our Lady of Loreto and Peruvian Viceregal Statue Paintings”
New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, noma.org
Through Jan. 3, 2027
“Sèvres Magnifique: French Porcelain from the Collection of Thomas B. Lemann”
New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, noma.org
Through Jan. 10, 2027
“Burke’s Delight: The Stacey and Michael Burke Collection”
Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St, ogdenmuseum.org
Through Jan. 17, 2027
“American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition”
Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal St., hnoc.org
Through Feb. 27, 2027
“From the Nile to the Mississippi: King Tutankhamun and the Giovanni Amin Collection”
Southern University at New Orleans Museum of Art, 6400 Press Dr., suno.edu/landing-page/SUNOMA
Through July 12
“Focus: Noel Rockmore”
Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., ogdenmuseum.org
Through May 15, 2027
“Origins of New Orleans Black Carnival Society: The Story of the Illinois Clubs” Louisiana State Museum, The Presbytere, Jackson Square, louisianastatemuseum.org
Through May 15, 2027
“Galvez and Louisiana in the American Revolution”
Louisiana State Museum, The Cabildo, Jackson Square, louisianastatemuseum.org
Through May 16, 2027
“New Orleans Musicians in Art”
Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal St., hnoc.org
JUNE
Through June 7
“King Lear”
Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, Lupin Theatre at Tulane, 150 Dixon Hall Annex, neworleansshakespeare.org
City Park, Pavilion of Two Sisters, 1 Victory Ave., neworleanscitypark.org
June 4-21
“Once”
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., lepetittheatre.com
June 5
Michael Carbonaro: Wonderboy Fillmore New Orleans, 6 Canal St., thefillmorenola.com
June 6
French Montana and Max B — Wave Gods
Fillmore New Orleans, 6 Canal St., thefillmorenola.com
June 10
The Runarounds: The Minivan Tour Fillmore New Orleans, 6 Canal St., thefillmorenola.com
June 13
ROB49
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr., smoothiekingcenter. com
June 17
The Human League, Soft Cell & Alison Moyet Saenger Theatre, 1111
Canal St., saengertheatre.org
June 18-21
“Chicago”
Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University, Dixon Hall, liberalarts. tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre
June 19
Sister Hazel House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., neworleans.houseofblues.com
June 20
Thievery Corporation House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., neworleans.houseofblues.com
June 20
Pour Minds — Still
Sippin’ Tour
The Joy Theater, 1200 Canal St., thejoytheater.com
June 21
The Boogiemen City Park, Pavilion of Two Sisters, 1 Victory Ave., neworleanscitypark.org
June 21
Joe Jackson + Band — Hope and Fury Tour 2026
The Joy Theater, 1200 Canal St., thejoytheater.com
June 24
Ilana Glazer Live!
The Joy Theater, 1200 Canal St., thejoytheater.com
JULY
July 3-5
Essence Festival
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, other locations, essence.com
July 9-12
“La Cage Aux Folles”
Summer Lyric Theatre are Tulane University, Dixon Hall, liberalarts. tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre
July 9-19
“Legally Blond” Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, 401 Minor St., rivertowntheaters.com
July 11
2026 New Orleans Beatles Fest Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Dr., jeffersonpac.com
July 12
Tori Amos Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., saengertheatre.org
July 18-26
New Orleans International Piano Competition & New Orleans Piano Institute and Keyboard Festival Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, masno. org
July 25
Lord Huron Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., saengertheatre.org
July 30-Aug. 2
“A Little Night Music” Summer Lyric Theatre are Tulane University, Dixon Hall, liberalarts. tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre
July 31
Bryan Adams + Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr., smoothiekingcenter. com
Compiled by Sue Strachan
Immersed In America 250
Ever wondered what it was like to be at the Declaration of Independence when it was signed in 1776? While it doesn’t have a time machine, The Historic New Orleans Collection (520 Royal St.) does have “American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition,” on view through Jan. 17, 2027. Twenty-one defining moments of the nation’s founding can be experienced through 360-degree reconstructions via easy-to-use hand-held “HistoPad” technology, which visitors can customize according to their interests. While
Spark the Revolution
While the U.S. is marking its 250th anniversary of Independence this month, there is another day when New Orleans, with its strong French roots, celebrates another rebellion: Bastille Day (July 14).
Marking this pivotal event of the French Revolution are two celebrations where French music and food, dancing, drinks and performances of “La Marseillaise” will abound:
• Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans Bastille Day Fête (1519 Jackson Ave.) on July 10, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Tickets are $15. afno@af-neworleans.org.
• Faubourg St. John Block Party in Celebration of Bastille Day is July 11, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Presented by the French Chamber of Commerce (Gulf Coast Chapter) and area merchants, the fête, which is free, is located on Ponce De Leon Street between Esplanade Avenue and N. Lopez Street.
there is focus on America’s original 13 colonies, the Gulf South is not left out. HNOC Chief Curator Jason Wiese was among those who worked with Histovery, the French technology firm that produced and designed the exhibition, to depict Spanish Gov. Bernardo de Gálvez’s Siege of Pensacola down to the last detail.
The exhibition — available in English, Spanish, French and German — is for children on up and is free; it is recommended to reserve timed-entry tickets for a smooth experience. hnoc.org; @visit_hnoc– By
Sue Strachan
Keyed In
Chopin, Beethoven and other composers will be making their harmonic presence known when 12 pianists from around the world are on stage for the 30th New Orleans International Piano Competition, presented by the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, July 18-26.
These pianists will compete live in semifinal and final rounds for cash, performance and recording prizes totaling over $100,000. For the first time, the three finalists will perform with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the final round. One of the pieces, “Ancestor Tree,” by New Orleans pianist and composer Courtney Bryan, will have its world premiere and be performed by each finalist.
The competition also takes place during the New Orleans Keyboard Festival & New Orleans Piano Institute, which offers music, master classes, student recitals and the NOPI Concerto Competition for piano students. Events are at Roussel Hall, Loyola University (6301 St. Charles Ave.) masno.org/nopic; @masno1980
The tradition of New Orleans hotels featuring live entertainment lives on with recently opened locations that offer their own spin and ambiance. (Check websites for line-ups.)
* Three Maries Jazz Club at Omni Royal Orleans (621 St. Louis St.) provides a sophisticated place to cocktail, sample small plates, and savor music in the heart of the French Quarter. Live music is Thursday, 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. threemariesjazzclub. com; @threemariesjazzclub
• The S Bar at The Monarch (210 St. Charles Ave.) serves as a vibrant hub for cocktails and live music, with a variety of bands, vocalists, musicians and DJs, Thursday-Saturdays. themonarchnola.com; @themonarchnola
• Commons Club at Virgin Hotel New Orleans (550 Baronne St.) showcases music on Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. (plus, 25% off of wine bottles); and Fridays, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Food is available, as well. virginhotels.com/new-orleans/entertainment; @commonsclubnola
All the World’s A Summer Stage
Drama, comedy, music — you name it, Tulane University is the epicenter of summer theater in New Orleans.
New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is celebrating its 33rd season with a lineup that features two of William Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies: “King Lear” (through June 7) and “Macbeth” (June 25-July 12) with an opening night celebration on June 26. The festival also offers its Lagniappe Series, which includes a staged reading of Moliere’s “The School for Wives” with a new translation by Tulane Professor Ryder Thornton on July 13. The shows are at Tulane’s Lupin Theatre (69 Newcomb Pl.) Tickets: neworleansshakespeare. org; @nolashakes
Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane greets its 59th season with three major musical productions: “Chicago” (June 18-21), “La Cage aux Folles” (July 9-12) and “A Little Night Music” (July 30Aug. 2). The shows are at Tulane’s Dixon Hall (68 Newcomb Pl.) Tickets: liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre. @summerlyrictulane
Suite Sounds
The perfect manicure color for spooning gelato, add a few swipes of a pair-withanything pink to your tips with a feather-light, glossy polish from Nailberry. Pilot and Powell, 3901 Magazine St., 504-827-1727, pilotandpowell.com.
All The Frills
By Amy Gabriel
Add a little sweetness to your summer style in a pair of Ruffle Quarter socks from Bonfolk. Available in colors ranging from petal pink to marigold, this simple addition will add a feminine touch to your footwear. Bonfolk, bonfolk.com.
Designed with a flattering high-rise Hollywood waist and tailored from stretch cotton-twill in off-white, the Veronica Beard Komi pant is funky but refined with flirty details like full-length flare with a scalloped hem. Febe, 474 Metairie Rd., 504-835-5250, febeclothing.com.
For a whimsical gift, the Enchanted Forest Magnifying Glass Pendant makes for a timeless option. A limited-edition piece, the intricate design is made up of a mix of 14k solid gold, natural diamonds and crystal. Porter Lyons, 623 Royal St., 800-585-0348, porterlyons.com.
See the world through peach-colored glasses in a pair of scalloped sunnies from Anna-Karin Karlsson. The seashell-inspired design carved from a thick acetate are a stylish finishing touch to any ensemble. Art & Eyes, 3708 Magazine St., 504-891-4494, artandeyesneworleansla.com.
Artistic Odyssey
After years of creative pursuits, artist Cynthia Sewell finds her calling in vivid and expressive works of collage
If you’ve seen the 2025 Rex proclamation poster — awash with vibrant swirls of teal punctuated on the top right by a Van Gogh-esque sunflower overlaid by “REX” lettering and filled with Belle Époque elements, including the Green Fairy, the Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge can can dancers — you’re familiar with artist Cynthia Sewell’s work. Sewell’s path to art has been circuitous, yet firmly rooted in a relentless pursuit of creative expression.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Sewell’s early ambition was to write and direct films. She worked as a production assistant on various projects, including “Candyman 2” and a Rolling Stones concert, gaining an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work. A pivotal moment came when Sewell turned down a nanny role for actor Susan Sarandon, securing a job as a locations assistant on “Dead Man Walking” instead, after a crew member remembered her strong work ethic from another job.
“I would drive the crew, I would take the location photos … I just kind of did whatever, hoping that I would suddenly get my little spot,” says Sewell regarding her film career.
Sewell saved up and moved to New York, where she worked on films like “Sleepers” and “Donnie Brasco,” got married and became pregnant with her first child. Ultimately, Sewell returned to New Orleans to have her family’s
support in raising her child. She faced personal challenges, including a divorce, and later, a period of isolation, living in the Florida Keys and Costa Rica while raising her children, including two more from a second marriage. Through it all, Sewell’s artistic drive remained, manifesting in various forms.
“In all of this, my art evolves,” says Sewell, who has also authored several children’s books. “It’s whether it’s, you know, moving furniture or decorating my friend’s house or painting walls or something, anything I [could] do because I [didn’t] have a lot of resources in [those] places.”
Sewell’s art, characterized by mixed-media collages, often reinterprets existing images to tell new stories. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s ability to elevate everyday objects into art, Sewell incorporates elements such as Coca-Cola bottles and imagery from her dad’s old National Geographic magazines. Her pieces, like “Nacho Libre,” weave together cultural references and personal narratives, reflecting her worldview and experiences.
After years of creating for herself and friends, Sewell embraced commissions in 2021, marking a new chapter that allows her to dedicate herself fully to her art. “I like to bring in the past and the future and show how it’s all cyclical and just breathing new life into old ways of thought,” says Sewell. “I want my art, to be joyful and curious and tell a story — whatever story you need it to be.” – By Melanie Warner Spencer
Cynthia Sewell, @cynsewellart
Because even your condiments can be made stylish, display your salt or black peppercorns in a high-gloss lacquered bobbin shaped mill grinder. Maisonette Shop, 2727 Prytania St. at The Rink, 504-437-1850, maisonetteshop.com.
The Al Fresco Host
By Amy Gabriel
For a tablescape that elicits joy, the Berry & Thread melamine dinner plates from Juliska will be your pièce de resistance. The assorted set of pastel colorways promise to create a sunny aesthetic. Judy at the Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 504-891-7018, judyattherink.com.
Keep your Sancerre bottles chilled in a chic Fieldbar drinks cooler box. This sleek and portable box with an easy to carry leather handle keeps your favorite sips cold and sip ready. The reflective painted finish even helps reduce heat absorption for sweltering days. Jade, 324 Metairie Rd., 504-8754420, jadenola.com.
Give your guests a sophisticated perch by way of a Simone stool. Designed in white with cappuccino dots, the weatherproof wicker seat is ideal for both indoor and covered outdoor use. Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co.
For aperitif hour, rest your cocktail glasses upon personality-plus martini coasters. This set of 4 acrylic coasters will protect your surfaces while adding a whimsical retro vibe to the set up. Sotre, 3820 Magazine St., 504-304-9475, sotrecollection.com.
Dr. Mark Kline
Pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, Manning Family Children’s
As a longtime pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, Dr. Mark Kline has a fascinating history. While at the renowned Baylor College of Medicine, he established the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, a global health program that delivered HIV/AIDS care and treatment to over 350,000 children and families throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Romania. This work led to his 2019 nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, he spent 11 years as a physician-in-chief of Texas Children’s Hospital, which is the biggest children’s hospital in the country.
Seeking new opportunities, Dr. Kline interviewed at many other children’s hospitals across the country. His longtime colleague John R. Nickens, CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans at the time, invited him to learn more about the hospital’s work. As a public health-oriented pediatrician, Dr. Kline was moved by the hospital’s dedication to serving a medically indigent population. The city itself won him over as well.
“I was really impressed by how genuine the people were, both at the hospital and just people I met on the street,” said Dr. Kline. “And I was really excited about the mission that the hospital was pursuing. It had a grander vision than most of the children’s hospitals I was familiar with, that was much more community-focused.”
In 2021, Dr. Kline accepted the position as physician-in-chief and soon became chief medical officer. He immediately faced the challenge of riding out Hurricane Ida in the
hospital, all the while ensuring the children had continued treatment.
Dr. Kline also became more aware of the social determinants of health that affected children in the city, including traumatic events such as the loss of homes or family members to storms, as well as the many effects of COVID19. With this in mind, he encourages physicians to take a holistic approach to treat both the child and the family.
Community Outreach
“We cannot treat children and abandon families who do not have resources to support their children,” said Dr. Kline. To this end, the hospital has a number of programs that address many of these root causes of disease and injury, including the need for clothing, education, and nutrition.
The Thrive Kids Program, for example, provides in-school care coordination, mental and behavioral health services, sports medicine, chronic disease management, and more resources to schools across the state.
Recruitment
Dr. Kline noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of his work has been recruiting physicians to New Orleans. While many of the hospital’s outstanding doctors are local, the existing pool has not been sufficient to meet its growing needs. In response, he has led efforts to attract physicians from across the country who are aligned with the institution’s mission and committed to serving underserved communities.
“A lot of brainpower is being recruited to New Orleans across
healthcare,” said Dr. Kline, including top-notch specialists in cardiology, cancer, rheumatology, endocrinology, and more. “Those folks will be here for decades, and they will train the next generation. That is going to have a huge impact on New Orleans and the state of Louisiana for a long, long time to come.”
Accessible Brilliance
In addition to his recruitment efforts, Dr. Kline emphasizes the importance of what he describes as “accessible brilliance.” While highly skilled, technically proficient physicians are not uncommon, he places particular value on those who consistently treat all individuals within the hospital — coworkers, colleagues, families, and especially patients — with dignity, respect, and compassion. He recognizes that professional excellence is most impactful when paired with kindness, as arrogance can undermine even the highest levels of expertise.
Get Involved
Keep up with the hospital’s latest news by visiting their website and social media. Visit the volunteer section to learn about current options within the hospital.
Because of the population it serves, the hospital is highly dependent on philanthropy. Gifts big and small alike help support the hospital. Their current projects include building a brand-new newborn intensive care unit that will be three times the size of the existing unit. In addition, the hospital served over 100,000 more children in 2025 than they did in 2024. This requires good stewardship of their resources, as well as significant community support.
By Lindsay Mack
“But if you are brilliant professionally, as nice as can be, and you can truly relate to the people you are serving, then every ounce of your brilliance becomes accessible to them,” said Dr. Kline. “So that is who we look for: the people who combine those characteristics.” –
Walk through any beauty aisle or scroll social media for more than a few minutes, and it can feel like you’re already behind. Peptides. Red light therapy. Exosomes. Devices that promise in-office results at home. There’s a sense that if we’re not doing all of it, we’re missing something.
But the more time I’ve spent learning from cosmetic dermatologists who treat skin every day, a different picture starts to come into focus.
One that’s more intentional, more structured—and, as a result, far more reassuring.
Mary Lupo, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, adjunct professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine and founder of the Lupo Center for Aesthetic and General Dermatology in Lakeview. I’ve been a patient of Dr. Lupo’s for more than a decade, and every appointment is part treatment, part education. She’s constantly walking through what’s new, what’s worth it and what isn’t – without losing sight of the fundamentals.
More recently, I sat down with her for a two-part episode of my FUELED Wellness + Nutrition podcast. To broaden the perspective, I also spoke with Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Audubon Dermatology specializing in cosmetic, medical and laser dermatology.
Both are part of a strong community of cosmetic dermatologists – from different practices across New Orleans – who meet regularly to share insights, learn from one another and approach this work with a level of support that is surprisingly collaborative in a competitive field.
And that collaboration shows up in how they think about skin.
“You look good because you are good,” Dr. Hooper told me. Not as a motivational statement, but as a physiological truth. Our skin reflects what’s happening on the inside – our nutrition, alcohol intake, hormones, stress, sleep, inflammation. And if any of these are off, no single product, treatment or device can make up for it.
From there, both Dr. Lupo and Dr. Hooper consistently come back to the same four core elements that shape how skin ages – and how we treat it: daily skincare, neuromodulators, fillers and devices. Everything else – peptides, red light therapy, PRP – builds on this foundation. As Dr. Hooper says, you can add all the extras you want, but if the foundation isn’t there, they can only do so much.
What Goes on First THE TREATMENT LAYER
This is where skincare has really shifted. Traditionally, routines started with cleansing, then moved straight into hydration or active ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids.
Now, before moisturizer, before serums, before anything else, dermatologists are starting with what Dr. Lupo refers to as the ‘treatment’ layer.
These are “cell-signaling” products –meaning that they are formulas designed not just to sit on the skin, but to influence how skin cells actually behave.
Dr. Lupo’s long-time go-to is Plated Intense by Skin Science, an exosome-derived topical product. Exosomes are microscopic messengers released by cells, carrying signals that support repair and reduce inflammation.
She uses it every morning, applying it to clean skin and allowing it to fully absorb before moving on to the next step.
More recently, she’s added Re-Q – a newer product that works through a different pathway, targeting cellular senescence – when cells slow down and become less responsive over time. She uses Re-Q at night as the first step on clean skin, aligning with the body’s natural repair cycle during sleep.
“If you improve how the cells function,” Dr. Lupo explained, “everything layered on top – skincare, devices, all of it – works better.”
This is a shift from how most people think about skincare. It’s not about simply layering more and more products – it’s about starting with topicals that influence how the skin functions at a cellular level.
Plated Intense by Skin Science, an exosome-derived topical product. Exosomes are microscopic messengers released by cells, carrying signals that support repair and reduce inflammation.
Using Re-Q at night as the first step on clean skin aligns with the body’s natural repair cycle during sleep.
Drugstore Finds That Actually Deliver
Not everything in a dermatologist’s routine comes with a high price tag. Some of the most consistently recommended products are simple, accessible – and inexpensive.
When it comes to retinoids, Dr. Hooper prefers prescription options like tretinoin or tazarotene. But if you don’t? “Get yourself to the drugstore and get adapalene gel – in products like Differin or La Roche-Posay Effaclar,” she says.
For hydration and barrier support, Dr. Lupo emphasizes that expensive isn’t necessary.
After applying a hydrator like hyaluronic acid, she recommends sealing it in with a simple occlusive layer – and that can be as basic as:
CeraVe ointment
Cetaphil ointment
Aquaphor
This approach – often referred to as “slugging” – helps lock in moisture and prevent water loss, especially as skin becomes drier with age.
The Skin Barrier
MORE THAN “MOISTURIZING”
For years, most of us probably thought about skincare in one dimension: moisturizing. Dermatologists now frame it differently. The focus is the skin barrier – and making sure it’s functioning the way it should.
The skin barrier regulates hydration, protects against environmental stressors and supports overall skin function. When it’s compromised – from over-exfoliation, harsh products or simply aging – our skin becomes drier, more reactive and less able to repair itself.
“The skin barrier is what keeps water in and irritants out,” Dr. Hooper said. “If that’s not working well, everything else becomes harder.”
That shifts the daily skincare routine from one step to three: Treat. Hydrate. Seal.
Hydration is where most people underestimate what’s happening.
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate are humectants –meaning they bind water and pull it into the skin. This is different from a traditional moisturizer. It’s not just softening the surface – it’s increasing water content within the skin itself.
But that water doesn’t stay on its own. “If you don’t seal it in, it can evaporate,” Dr. Hooper said.
That’s where occlusion comes in.
Occlusive products are creams or ointments used to create a barrier that locks hydration in place and reduces water loss. This becomes increasingly important with age, as skin naturally loses its ability to retain moisture.
For occlusion, Dr. Lupo keeps it simple. After the hydrator – often a hyaluronic acid serum – she recommends sealing it in with a cream-based moisturizer. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. “You can trap it in there with an ointment or cream as inexpensive as CeraVe, Cetaphil or Aquaphor – this approach is called slugging.”
The key, she emphasizes, is order: treatment then hydration, followed by occlusion. And sunscreen comes last – always. More on that below.
Retinoids
STILL ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOLS
For all the newer categories, retinoids remain one of the most consistent recommendations in dermatology.
Applied regularly, retinoids support collagen production, improve skin texture and help normalize skin turnover. The key is finding a retinoid routine that you can stick with.
“Use what your skin can tolerate, and use it regularly,” said Dr. Hooper.
She recommends what she calls the “moisturizer sandwich” – moisturizer first (the occlusion layer noted above), then retinoid, then another layer of moisturizer. It buffers irritation and makes the product more tolerable long-term.
Start with a pea-sized amount. If sensitivity is an issue, Dr. Hooper recommends starting with just the T-zone and build from there.
Prescription options like Tazarotene and Tretinoin are her top recommendations. But if you don’t have a dermatologist, she keeps it simple: go to the drugstore and buy adapalene gel, available widely over the counter, from a few different brands. “It’s more effective than a lot of over-the-counter retinol creams,” she said, “and a lot less expensive.”
Sunscreen
STILL NON-NEGOTIABLE, NOW PULLING DOUBLE DUTY
Daily sunscreen isn’t new. What’s evolved is what sunscreen can do.
Traditional sunscreens work by blocking or absorbing UV radiation to prevent damage. But no sunscreen blocks 100 percent of exposure.
Newer formulations take it a step further.
They still protect – but they also include DNA repair enzymes, designed to help the skin address damage that occurs despite protection.
UV exposure creates damage within skin cells, including DNA mutations. These enzymes assist the skin’s natural repair processes, helping correct that damage more efficiently.
“These formulations help support repair at the cellular level,” Dr. Lupo explained. “DNA repair ingredients are primarily recommended for people with a history of skin cancer, but I extrapolate that if you’re repairing DNA to prevent skin cancer, you’re repairing DNA for aging at the same time.”
It’s not a separate step. It’s still your sunscreen – just upgraded. Taken together, daily skincare comes back to a simple sequence: treat, hydrate, occlusion, followed by sunscreen. It’s a routine built on function, not excess – and consistency matters more than complexity.
With this foundation in place, the conversation shifts to the next layer: hormones, aging and the treatments that shape how skin changes over time.
Sunscreen, Upgraded: What “DNA Repair” Actually Means
Sunscreens with DNA repair enzymes function as your primary sunscreen – with the added benefit of enzymes designed to support the skin’s natural repair processes.
UV exposure doesn’t just cause visible damage. It creates microscopic injury within skin cells, including DNA mutations that contribute to aging and skin cancer risk.
DNA repair enzymes help the skin:
• Identify damaged DNA
• Support repair pathways
• Improve how efficiently cells recover
Dr. Lupo and Dr. Hooper’s top picks for sunscreen with DNA repair:
• ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
• Neova Silc Sheer 2.0 Photo Finish Tint SPF 40
These products aren’t an add-on. They replace your regular sunscreen, offering both protection and repair in one step.
Moisturizer Sandwich
Neuromodulators
STRATEGIC, NOT FROZEN
Neuromodulators – Botox, Jeuveau and similar products – work by relaxing the muscles that create dynamic wrinkles, the lines that form with repeated movement.
But the goal isn’t to eliminate movement.
“It’s about using it strategically,” Dr. Lupo said. “You don’t want to look frozen. You want to look like yourself – just more rested.”
That comes down to the provider’s expertise in understanding how muscles pull and interact.
Every expression we make is the result of muscles pulling in different directions, explains Dr. Lupo. Over time, certain patterns start to dominate, creating lines that settle into the face even at rest.
Done well, neuromodulators subtly adjust that pull. Relax the muscles that drag the brow down, and the brow lifts naturally. Soften the downward pull at the corners of the mouth, and the face shifts from tired to neutral. Treating areas like the platysma in the neck can further improve overall contour.
“It’s about placement and dosing,” she said. “You want to soften, not erase.” Neuromodulators shouldn’t change how someone looks. They minimize existing lines, help prevent deeper creases from setting in and create a more rested baseline expression – without taking away natural expression.
Less, placed well, is what makes the difference.
SHAPE AND PROPORTION, NOT JUST VOLUME
Fillers are where most of the hesitation lives – and often for good reason.
“Bad filler is filler you notice,” Dr. Lupo said. “Good filler, you don’t.”
That line gets to the core of how she approaches this category. The goal isn’t to add volume indiscriminately or chase individual lines. It’s to restore structure, proportion and shape – often subtly, and always in a way that still looks like your face.
Fillers aren’t one single category. The most commonly used include hyaluronic acid fillers – such as Juvederm and Restylane – which replace lost volume, and biostimulatory fillers – like Sculptra and Radiesse – which stimulate the body’s own collagen production over time. Each serves a different purpose, but all are tools to restore the underlying framework of the face.
Technique matters as much as the product itself.
One of the biggest mistakes Dr. Lupo sees is placing filler too close to the center of the face.
“The biggest mistake I see is putting filler too medially,” she said. “Youth is about structure – it’s lateral, not medial.”
When filler is placed too centrally in the cheeks, says Dr. Lupo, it can create heaviness, widen the appearance of the nose and lead to the overfilled look that people associate with “bad filler.” It’s also where much of the fear around fillers comes from – the duck lips, the distortion, the sense that something looks off.
Instead of focusing on the mid-face, Dr. Lupo’s focus is more laterally – the outer face – where subtle placement can restore lift and proportion without adding visible bulk. It’s less about filling lines and more about supporting the structure of the face.
“Done well, filler doesn’t call attention to itself,” says Dr. Lupo. “It just looks like a better version of the same face.”
Estrogen
THE CONVERSATION WE OFTEN SKIP
For women especially, hormones are one of the most significant – and often overlooked – drivers of skin changes.
“As estrogen declines, our collagen also declines, elasticity declines, hydration declines,” Dr. Hooper said. This shift affects everything: thickness, resilience, moisture, overall structure.
Systemic estrogen – when appropriate as part of hormone replacement therapy, such as a patch or cream that influences system-wide hormone levels – has the most significant impact.
“The data is clear,” Dr. Lupo said. “Estrogen affects every system of a woman’s body – and skin is part of that.”
For women who can’t or choose not to use systemic therapy, topical estrogen is another option, applied directly to the face in small amounts. While not as powerful as systemic therapy, studies suggest it can improve skin thickness, elasticity and hydration.
Testosterone, on the other hand, comes with tradeoffs.
“Testosterone has benefits – muscle, energy, libido.” Dr. Lupo said. “But for the skin? Almost all of it is negative: Oilier skin. Breakouts. Hair thinning. Facial hair growth. I mean really, wrinkles and whiskers? Talk me off the ledge!”
Which brings us to the bigger point: if hormones are part of what’s driving changes in your skin, they should be part of the conversation with your physician.
Devices
WHERE TECHNOLOGY FITS
Devices are often where the skin conversation starts to feel the most advanced – and the most overwhelming. Lasers, radiofrequency, ultrasound, tightening treatments, resurfacing. The promise is real: these tools can reach deeper layers of the skin in ways that topical products simply can’t.
“When we talk about ‘lasers,’ that’s a huge category,” notes Dr. Lupo. “Everything from light treatments to actually removing layers of skin – it all depends on what you’re trying to improve.”
Most in-office devices are designed to do one of a few things: stimulate collagen, improve tone and texture, or tighten underlying structure. Some work by delivering controlled heat into deeper layers of the skin, triggering a repair response that leads to new collagen formation over time.
Others resurface the skin more directly, helping with texture, pigment or fine lines.
That’s the part that gets attention – the visible change. What’s easier to miss is that these treatments are working with the skin you bring into them. “If the skin isn’t in a good place to begin with,” Dr. Lupo explains, “you’re not going to get the same result.” Or, as Deidre Dr. Hooper puts it, “They’re important tools and can be remarkably effective, but they should be viewed as one component of a comprehensive regimen, not a stand-alone solution.”
That’s where the skincare foundation comes back in. The daily routine. The barrier. Consistency with retinoids. Sunscreen. All of it influences how the skin responds to any device-based treatment. In other words, devices can amplify results – but they can’t create them out of nothing.
Devices also aren’t typically one-and-done. Many require a series of treatments, followed by maintenance over time. And what you’re doing at home in between sessions matters just as much as what happens in the office, which has helped shape a growing category of at-home tools that aim to extend or support what’s done in-office. LED masks and handheld devices are designed to deliver specific wavelengths of light to the skin at lower intensities, making them more accessible for regular use at home. They’re not replacing in-office treatments, but they can complement them.
Used appropriately, devices can be among the most powerful tools available. They allow dermatologists to reach below the surface of the skin and influence how it rebuilds and repairs itself over time. But increasingly, the conversation isn’t just about what’s available in the office – it’s about what people are trying at home as well.
Red Light Therapy
WHAT IT ACTUALLY DOES
Of all the at-home devices, red light therapy is one of the most talked about – and one of the easiest to dismiss. It can feel a little too good to be true. Light shining on our face, improving our skin?
As Dr. Hooper explains, though, the premise itself isn’t far-fetched. Light affects the skin – we know that clearly from ultraviolet exposure, which drives aging, pigment changes, and skin cancer. But light exists across a spectrum, and different wavelengths interact with the skin in vastly different ways. Some trigger damage. Others appear to support repair.
Red light falls into that latter category.
Rather than injuring the skin to force a response – the way many lasers and resurfacing treatments do – red light works through a different pathway. Specific wavelengths penetrate into the skin and are absorbed at the cellular level, particularly within the mitochondria, explains Dr. Hooper. That’s the part of the cell responsible for producing energy. When mitochondrial activity improves, the theory is that cells are better able to carry out normal functions – including repair, regeneration, and collagen production.
She’s clear, though, about where the science stands.
In controlled settings – those that she describes as lab or test-tube environments – this effect is measurable. You can see changes in how cells behave, including increased energy production and signaling that supports repair. But when you move from those controlled environments into large-scale human studies, the results are less definitive. The signal is there, but it’s not nearly as strong or consistent.
It helps explain why red light therapy can show benefit, but not in the dramatic way many people expect. Both Dr. Hooper and Dr. Lupo emphasize the same point: red light therapy may have some benefit, but it’s not a miracle tool.
“If you’re using it consistently, you may see some improvement,” Dr. Lupo says. But that benefit tends to be gradual and cumulative – not immediate or dramatic.
That consistency is where most of the value lies. Unlike in-office procedures with a defined endpoint, red light therapy depends on repeated use over time: committing to multiple at-home sessions per week, often for months, before changes become noticeable.
Red Light Therapy:
What It Can – and Can’t – Do Red light therapy has become one of the most talked-about at-home skincare tools – and one of the most misunderstood.
As Dr. Hooper explains, light interacts with the skin across a spectrum. Ultraviolet light causes damage. But red and near-infrared wavelengths appear to support repair.
There’s likely some benefit Dr. Hooper explains –but it’s not a replacement for in-office treatments.
Those changes may include:
• Slight improvement in tone
• Increased brightness
• Gradual softening of fine lines
For those interested in trying it at home, Dr. Hooper points to Red Therapy Co. and Mito Red Light Therapy for Home as two brands recommended by researchers involved in the science used in these devices. “And interestingly, these are not two that my Instagram tells me about at all,” says Dr. Hooper.
Peptides
WHERE THEY FIT, AND WHERE TO BE CAREFUL
Peptides are everywhere right now – in serums, creams, injectables, and increasingly, in conversations that make them sound like a shortcut to younger skin.
At their core, though, peptides are not new or mysterious. They’re simply short chains of amino acids – the building blocks of proteins. And in the context of skin, that matters because proteins like collagen and elastin are what give skin its structure, firmness, and resilience.
What peptides can do, at least in theory, is act as signaling molecules. They send messages to cells – encouraging them to produce more collagen, repair damage, or regulate inflammation. It’s less about adding something to the skin and more about directing how the skin functions.
That’s where they show up in everyday skincare.
In the treatment layer we talked about earlier – the first step after cleansing – products like Plated exosomes or Re-Q are designed to work at that signaling level. Rather than simply hydrating or sealing the skin, they’re intended to influence how the cells behave underneath.
Some formulations include peptides alongside other signaling compounds, while others rely more heavily on growth factors or exosome-derived ingredients. The goal is similar: support cellular communication and improve how the skin repairs itself over time.
Both Dr. Lupo and Dr. Hooper use these types of products regularly in topical form as part of that early treatment step.
The science, like with many newer categories, is still evolving. In lab settings, peptides clearly influence cell behavior – increasing collagen signaling, supporting repair pathways, and modulating inflammation. But in real-world use, results are more variable. Formulation matters. Stability matters. And how deeply those ingredients penetrate the skin is still an open question.
Where the conversation shifts – and where both dermatologists draw a firmer line – is with injectable peptides.
Marketed for everything from skin rejuvenation to fat loss to “antiaging” more broadly, injectable peptides are primarily used off-label, meaning they’re not FDA-approved for those specific indications. And unlike neuromodulators or fillers – which have well-established protocols, dosing, and safety data – peptides don’t have the same level of standardization.
Neither Dr. Lupo nor Dr. Hooper uses injectable peptides in practice. And both are clear on this point: they would not recommend sourcing peptides online or attempting to inject them yourself. There’s no reliable way to verify purity, dosing, or sterility, and without medical oversight, the risks are significant.
It’s a very different category from topical skincare – with far less clarity around safety and benefit.
GLP-1s and the Face
WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING
It’s impossible to talk about skin right now without acknowledging the impact of GLP-1 medications.
These drugs are widely used for weight loss, and while the metabolic benefits can be significant, the changes in the face are just as real – and often unexpected.
With rapid weight loss comes a loss of facial fat, particularly in the fat pads that give the face its structure and shape. “The fat pads in the face change,” Dr. Lupo said. “And that changes how the skin looks.”
This is where the term “Ozempic face” comes from – not a separate condition, but a reflection of what happens when volume is lost quickly, especially later in life when skin elasticity is already declining.
Dr. Lupo acknowledges a truth that many women recognize immediately: significant weight loss later in life changes the way the face holds volume. That doesn’t make weight loss a negative. But it does mean the skin and underlying structure are part of what’s impacted.
It’s one reason steady, sustainable habits tend to translate differently in the face than more rapid shifts.
There’s another layer that’s less obvious.
“GLP-1s are anti-inflammatory – which sounds good,” she said. “But it also means some of our biostimulatory fillers don’t work as well. So it changes how we treat the face.”
This means that for patients considering fillers or other treatments, being on a GLP-1 directly affects how those treatments perform and what approach a provider may take.
“If you’re on these medications, you have to tell your provider,” she said. “It influences the type of fillers used to treat you.”
And ideally, the conversation starts even earlier. “Before you start a GLP-1, you’re hopefully already incorporating strength training and getting enough protein,” she said. “Because if you don’t, you’re going to lose muscle – and that’s where a lot of the problems start.”
The Bottom Line
Dr. Lupo emphasized that this doesn’t have to be complicated. “You don’t need dozens of products,” she said. “You need the right ones, used in the right order.”
It’s the same principle we see everywhere else in health: Start with the fundamentals. Be consistent. Build from there. Because no matter how advanced the options become, the foundation is still what determines the lasting result. And in this extremely technical and complicated area with so many pitfalls, we need to trust our experts who have the extensive training to provide the science-based information we need to make the best choices for our largest organ.
What Shows Up on Your Skin
THE LIFESTYLE LAYER
Dr. Hooper’s mantra, “you look good because you are good,” is a reminder that skin reflects what’s happening internally, and that quality skincare starts with what we put into our bodies.
5 key factors show up consistently:
1. SLEEP
Skin repairs itself overnight. Poor sleep disrupts that process, affecting collagen production, hydration and overall resilience.
2. ALCOHOL
Alcohol increases inflammation and dehydrates the skin. It also disrupts sleep, compounding the effect. The result is often redness, puffiness and a more tired appearance.
3. SUGAR AND REFINED CARBOHYDRATES
A high intake of both contributes to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) – compounds that damage collagen and elastin. This accelerates loss of firmness and elasticity.
4. STRESS
Chronic stress increases cortisol, which can break down collagen, impair barrier function and trigger inflammation.
5. MUSCLE AND PROTEIN INTAKE
With aging – or rapid weight loss – loss of muscle affects how the face holds structure. Adequate protein and resistance training help preserve that foundation.
THE TAKEAWAY
We can invest in the best products and treatments available. But what shows up on our skin is still shaped by how we’re sleeping, eating, managing stress and taking care of our body overall.
GALLERY
BY SUE STRACHAN
INSIDER
SHOWS TO SEE
Bradley Sabin, Callan Contemporary
NEW ORLEANS' GALLERY SCENE IS EXCITING, DYNAMIC AND BEST OF ALL, BIG.
Big?
Yes, big. But big in the sense that goes beyond size — though size queens will be happy with this year’s shows.
Big as in choices: painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, all hugely different in mediums and perspectives. There are established artists, others emerging. Some with big price tags, other with ones that cost a nice meal out (read: more affordable to the masses).
But, where to start?
The following is a selection of shows opening in the second half of 2026. Remember, this is by far not all of the galleries in the city — as one can tell by the extensive list at the end of the article.
So, treat this an amuse-bouche, something to get your palate — or palette — excited for the bigger meal ahead. Among the many delights of the French Quarter is the Claire Elizabeth Gallery (131 Decatur St., claireelizabethgallery.com). Founded 2016 by Claire Thriffiley, the gallery represents emerging and mid-career Southern artists, with a focus on themes of nature and ecology, as well as incorporating color theory. This summer, the gallery is featuring a two-person exhibition for Logan Ledford and Mary Singleton. This fall, Thriffiley plans to showcase the aerial photography by Ben Depp.
If Thriffiley’s name sounds familiar, it is because she was one of Avenue’s Activists of the Year in 2022, honored for her work with Amy’s Art Cart, which provides art supplies and creative outlets for patients at Manning Family Children’s Hospital. She is also among area gallery owners, as well as artists, who donate art to a number of nonprofit fundraisers, so be sure to thank her and others when you see them at these events.
A Gallery for Fine Photography (agallery.com), an anchor of the French Quarter art gallery scene — and photography world — moved Uptown in October 2025 and is now at its new location, 7457 St. Charles Avenue. Owner Joshua Mann Pailet has been in the business for 52 years with this as “the oldest gallery for fine art photography in the world,” he says. With this new, expansive space, visitors can view more photography and admire the variety of techniques and perspectives of works from the 19th century to modern day. Up through mid-September is Richard Sexton: Seascapes, and Wendi Schneider: Held Light, whose latest works are photographs of Venice and Florence printed on Kozo paper, backed in gold leaf and set in antique frames Schneider collected through the years.
Strolling or driving down Magazine Street is always a pleasure with restaurants, bars, a dizzying array of stores — fashion, home furnishings and more — and of course, galleries.
Fahamu Pecou “Queen with the Crown” Arthur Roger Gallery
Ben Depp “Bohemia” Claire Elizabeth Gallery
Andrew Lamar Hopkins “Auction at Melrose Plantation” Orleans Gallery
Mary Jane Parker “Entwined” Arthur Roger Gallery
A Gallery for Fine Photography
JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTO
One of the oldest galleries on the street, Cole Pratt Gallery (3800 Magazine St., coleprattgallery.com) had its first opening in 1993. After Pratt passed away, Erika S. Olinger, who started to work at the gallery in 1994, purchased it in 2008. Focusing on Southern Regional artists with styles ranging from hyper-realism to abstract, as well as photography, glass and ceramics, the gallery represented artists such as Stephen Hoffpauir, whose show “Grandiflora” is June 2-July 18; and Mike Williams, Danna Ruth Harvey and Stacy Underwood, with shows in October, November and December, respectively. Among the other 50 artists she represents are Mac Ball, Leigh Suggs, Leslie Addison & George Yerger, James Beaman, and Evert Witte.
Every city has a neighborhood where emerging artists can create and show their work. The St. Claude Arts District, which goes through the
Marigny and the Bywater, is where more the experimental and edgier shows take place, often directly addressing societal themes.
The UNO St. Claude Gallery (2429 St. Claude Ave., unostclaudegallery.org) will host “Tigers in the Garden,” June 13- July 12. Presented by the John Burton Harter Foundation and organized by Ogden Museum of Southern Art Chief Curator Bradley Sumrall, the show gathers a new generation of LGBTQ+ artists working in New Orleans. The title of the show “honors a continuum in which queer Southern life moves from the coded narrative to embodied presence — from the margins of fiction into the fullness of lived and visible culture,” says the exhibition statement.
Spurred by the opening of the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp St., cacno.org) in 1976 and the nearby 1984 World’s Fair, Julia Street in
Ann Marie Auricchio “She'll Burn Before the Freeze,” 2025 Octavia Art Gallery
the Warehouse District caught the eye of artists and art dealers, becoming “gallery row.” Arthur Roger was among the pioneers, opening his gallery at 432 Julia St. in 1988, moving there from his gallery on Magazine Street, which he opened in 1978.
The breadth and range of artists represented at the Arthur Roger Gallery and the adjacent Arthur Roger@434 (arthurrogergallery.com) is phenomenal, with the upcoming shows embodying this: Mary Jane Parker, Fahamu Pecou, through June 27; Holton Rower, Shawne Major, through mid July. For the White Linen Night opening (Aug. 1) and running through September, the gallery has themed the show “Alternative Consciousness,” featuring work by artists Walker Babington, JoLean Barkley and WENDO, and Che Mayfield, with separate exhibitions of Sean Svetlik, Keith Duncan. In October art lovers can see works by Simon Gunning, Jim Richard; and November, Nicole Charbonnet and David Halliday. Artist Bradley Sabin’s sculptures bloom and undulate through June 30 at Callan Contemporary (518 Julia St., callancontemporary.com). The gallery, which opened in 2012 and is helmed by Borislava and Steve Callan, represents contemporary artists, with an emphasis on sculpture, which in addition to Sabin, includes Eva Hild and Pablo Atchugarry. Among the gallery’s other artists are George Dunbar, Raine Bedsole, James Kennedy, David Borgerding and Key-Sook Geum. If you are an Art Basel fan, the gallery will be at the Art Miami satellite show (Dec. 1-6).
Jonathan Ferrara has been a scene on the gallery scene ever since he started with Positive Space in 1995, then created the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in 1998, moving to Carondelet Street in 1999, followed by a move to 400A Julia Street in 2007. Matthew Weldon Showman, who had been working there for years, switched gears in 2024 to become a partner, with the gallery now known as the Ferrara Showman Gallery (ferrarashowman.com), which features established, mid-career and emerging artists
It’s a busy summer, fall and winter here, featuring: Jonathan Ferrara, Becca Fuhrman, through mid-July; Wencke Uhl, July 1-Sept. 30; “We’ve Met
Before…”, mid-July—Sept. 5; 30th Annual “No Dead Artists” International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Sept. 11-Oct. 24; Michael Tole, Tony Degradi, Oct. 28-Dec. 5; Audra Kohout, E2: Kleinveld & Julien, Dec. 9, 2026-Feb. 6, 2027. LeMieux Galleries (332 Julia St., lemieuxgalleries.com) is another longtime familiar face on Julia Steet. Founded in 1983 on the West Bank by Denise Berthiaume, it moved to Julia Street in 1987 before settling on its current location in 1990. Bought in 2015 by current owners Christy Wood and Jordan Blanton, LeMieux always has a great mix of art on view at any time.
Upcoming shows include: June and July: Bernard Mattox, David Lambert; August-Mid September: And Now for Something New, Vol 8 Show, juried by Don Marshall and Kaori Maeyama; mid-September-October: Aron Belka, Phil Sandusky; November-mid December: Mary Monk, Annie Heisey; and end of December through January: Rami Sharkey, Nathan Durfee.
Octavia Art Gallery (700 Magazine St., octaviaartgallery.com), founded in 2008 by Pamela Bryan, set its art sights early to establish itself as focusing on emerging, mid-career and established artists with diverse cultural backgrounds and a strong concentration on abstraction. In June and July, works by Ann Marie Auricchio, Ryoko Endo are on view; for White Linen Night, Brittany Fanning, Luke Forsyth, Bradley Kerl and Ransome; and for October, Alia Ali.
Orleans Gallery (603 Julia St., orleansgallery.com), owned by Cayman Clevenger, specializes in Southern art, and as there is so much to showcase, there is an additional space, the Annex, across the street. Founded in 2012, the gallery moved into its current location in May 2025.
During mid-June through mid-July, visitors can see the art of Andrew Lamar Hopkins and Clementine Hunter. Also in July is Jose-Maria Cundin, who will mark the 250th anniversary of America with his flag series and the Declaration of Independence, “the most accurate printing of the document ever undertaken,” says the gallery. In August, see Kloé Donley, Morgan Gray, Denise Hopkins, and in September, Tony Bernard (who was artist George Rodrigue’s studio assistant) and Stephanie Torregrossa Gaffney.
Phil Sandusky, “Deep Shade” LeMieux Galleries
Tony Dagradi
“An Apple A Day,” 2023
Ferrara Showman Gallery
Trenity Thomas “Is He a Fairy? No He's a Dragonfly” The UNO St. Claude Gallery
Aron Belka, LeMieux Galleries
GALLERY LISTING
A Gallery for Fine Photography 7457 St. Charles Ave. agallery.com
Alex Beard Studio 3926 Magazine St. alexbeardstudio.com
Alexis Walter 702 Magazine St. alexiswalter.com
Angela King Gallery 241 Royal St. angelakinggallery.com
Antieau Gallery 719 Royal St. antieaugallery.com
Anton Haardt Gallery 2858 Magazine St. antonhaardtgallery.com
Ariodante Contemporary Craft Gallery 535 Julia St. ariodantegallery.com
Art by Christy Gallery 4616 Magazine St. artbychristy.com
ARtscapes AR 935 Gravier St #1042 artscapes.co
Arthur Roger Gallery 432 Julia St. arthurrogergallery.com
Axiom Art Gallery 4613 Freret St. axiomartgallery.com
Beata Sasik 541 Julia St. sasikart.com
Billy Solitario Fine Art 4531 Magazine St. billysolitario.com
Black Heritage Gallery 719 Bourbon St. blackheritagegallery.org
Boulier Photo Gallery 618 Julia St. boulier.co
Caliche & Pao Gallery 312 Royal St. calicheandpao.com
Callan Contemporary 518 Julia St. callancontemporary.com
Camp Street Studios 822 Camp St. campstreetstudios.org
Carol Robinson Gallery 840 Napoleon Ave. carolrobinsongallery.net
Casey Langteau Art 4700 Magazine St. caseylangteauart.com
Claire Elizabeth Gallery 131 Decatur St. claireelizabethgallery.com
Cole Pratt Gallery 3800 Magazine St. coleprattgallery.com
Craig Tracy Gallery 827 Royal St. craigtracy.com
Creative Alliance of New Orleans 326 Esplanade Ave. cano-la.org
Curated 328 Julia St. neworleansauction.com
Degas Gallery 604 Julia St. thedegasgallery.com
Derby Pottery & Tile 2029 Magazine St. derbypottery.com
Dr. Bob Folk Art 3027 Chartres St. @drbobart
Dutch Alley Artist’s Co-op 912 N. Peters St. dutchalleyonline.com
Eight One Eight 2300 Laharpe St. gallery818photography.com
Elise Allen Art 6063 Magazine St. eliseallenart.com
Elliott Gallery 540 Royal St. elliottgallery.com
Esom Art 400 Julia St. esomart.com
Ferrara Showman Gallery 400A Julia St. ferrarashowman.com
Frank Relle Photography 910 Royal St. frankrelle.com
Fredrick Guess Studio 607 Julia St. frederickguessstudio.com
Frenchy Live 8314 Oak St. frenchylive.com
The Front 4100 St. Claude Ave. nolafront.org
Galerie Rue Royale 3648 Magazine St. frenchart.net
Gallery B Fos 745 Baronne St., Ste. C-1 beckyfos.com
Gallery Burguieres 736 Royal St. galleryburguieres.com
Gallery Cayenne 702 Decatur St. gallerycayenne.com
Gallery Huracan 3441 Magazine St. galleryhuracan.com
Gallery Orange 819 Royal St. gallery-orange.com
Gallery Rinard 611 Royal St. galleryrinard.com
Gallery 600 Julia 600 Julia St. gallery600julia.com
George Schmidt Gallery 626 Julia St. georgeschmidt.com
Glassblower Ben 1239 St. Ferdinand St. glassblowerben.com
Good Children Gallery 4037 St Claude Ave. goodchildrengallery.com
Great Artists Collective 815 Royal St. greatartistscollective.com
Gryder Gallery 615 Julia St. gryder.co
Guy Lyman Fine Art by appointment only guylymanfineart.com
Harouni Gallery 933 Royal St. harouni.com
Jillian Mac Fine Art 3923 Magazine St. jillianmacfineart.com
Julie Silvers Art 3714 Magazine St. juliesilversart.com
Kevin Gillentine Gallery 3917 Magazine St. kevingillentine.com
LeMieux Gallery 332 Julia St. lemieuxgalleries.com
Martine Chaisson Gallery 727 Camp St. martinechaissongallery.com
Megan Barnes Art 2855 Magazine St. @meganbarnesart
Michalopoulos Gallery 617 Bienville St. michalopoulos.com
MH Contemporary 604 Julia St. mh-contemporary.com
MS Rau 622 Royal St. rauantiques.com
Myth Gallery 831 Royal St. myth-gallery.com
New Orleans Photo Alliance 7800 Oak St. neworleansphotoalliance.org
New Orleans School of Glassworks & Printmaking 727 Magazine St. neworleansglassworks.com
Octavia Art Gallery 700 Magazine St., Ste. 103 octaviaartgallery.com
Palace Market/Frenchmen
Art Bazaar 619 Frenchmen St. palacemarketnola.com
Pollack Glass Studio 4132 Magazine St Unit B pollackglassnola.com
Porche-West Gallery 3201 Burgundy St. porche-west.com
Potsalot Pottery 3818 Magazine St. potsalot.com
Rodrigue Studio 730 Royal St. georgerodrigue.com
St. Claude Arts 6707 St Claude Ave. stclaudearts.org
Scene By Rhys Fine Art 1036 Royal St. scenebyrhys.com
Sibyl Gallery 8630 Zimpel St. sibylgallery.com
Sidewalk Side Studio 3645 Magazine St. sidewalkside.com
Staple Goods 1340 St. Roch Ave. staplegoods.org
Stella Jones Gallery 201 St. Charles Ave. stellajonesgallery.com
Sterling Frame Studio 3440 Magazine St. sterlingframestudio.com
Studio Amanda Talley 1382 Magazine St. amandatalley.com
StudioBE 2941 Royal St. studiobenola.com
A.O Cuneo/Sullivan Gallery 3825 Magazine St. aocuneo.sullivan-gallery. com
Sutton Galleries 519 Royal St. suttonsgalleries.com
Tanner Gallery & Studio 625 Royal St. tannergallery.com
Terrance Osborne Gallery 3029 Magazine St. terranceosborne.com
The Spielman Gallery 1332 Washington Ave. davidspielman.com
Thomas Mann Gallery I/O 500 Napoleon Ave. thomasmann.com
UNO St. Claude Gallery 2429 St. Claude Ave. unostclaudegallery.org
Venusian Gardens 2601 Chartres St. vgartgallery.com
Vieux Carre Gallery 507 St. Ann St. vieuxcarregallery.com
Where y’Art Works 1901 Royal St. whereyartworks.com
Windsor Fine Art 221 Royal St. windsorfineart.com
Wine Art Gallery 440 Julia St. wineartgallery.com
Zele NOLA 2841 Magazine St. @zele_nola
Zana Brown Studio Gallery 3908 Magazine St. zanabrownstudio.com
ARTFUL EVENTS
While the Julia Street and Magazine Street galleries have monthly coordinated openings the first Saturday, the St. Claude Avenue galleries on the second Saturday, and Royal Street in the French Quarter on first Fridays, there are other upcoming events that you don’t want to miss on the this side of Lake Pontchartrain, as well as on the Northshore.
Let’s start with the big shots of the New Orleans art events: Fidelity Bank White Linen Night and Art for Arts’ Sake. Hosted by the Arts District of New Orleans (artsdistrictneworleano.com), a consortium of art galleries, museums, performance spaces, restaurants and bars within the Warehouse District, White Linen Night is Aug. 1, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., and is centered at the Julia Street galleries. ADNO already hosted Jammin’ in Julia in April and don’t forget Brady’s Wine Holiday Cheers, Dec. 5.
Also, on ADNO’s schedule is Art for Arts’ Sake, Oct. 3, which takes place in two areas of New Orleans. ADNO hosts the Julia Street galleries, 5 p.m.- 9 p.m., while further Uptown, the Magazine Street Merchants Association (magazinestreet. com) has its version, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The merchant’s association is also having other events through the year, including art walks on the first Saturday of the month in June, September, November and December, when it is called Santa’s Champagne Stroll.
Heading over to the Northshore, the St. Tammany Art Association (sttammany.art) is having its 56th Annual National Juried Artist’s Exhibition: The Summer Show. Opening July 11 and on view through Sept. 12, the show attracts artists from throughout the U.S. This year’s juror is acclaimed artist MaPó Kinnord. The St. Tammany Art Association Art House is located at 320 N. Columbia St., Covington.
Heading into the fall is the Covington Three Rivers Art Festival (covingtonthreeriversartfestival.com), Nov. 14 and 15. Located in downtown Covington, the festival features a juried selection of 200 artists in a variety of mediums.
THE GRACE OF A PLAN
Estate planning is less about wealth and more about caring well for what, and who, comes next.
By Andy Myer
In New Orleans,
more than many places, legacy is something we carry within us. And yet, when it comes to estate planning, that same sense of continuity often gives way to delay. Not because people don’t care, but because life feels ongoing, unfinished and still in motion. There is always more time, it seems. Another season, another year, another celebration.
But time does not wait for readiness. It moves forward, whether we are ready or not. The difference between having a plan and not having one can largely shape not just finances, but the experiences of those most important to us.
Strip away the intimidating legal language, and estate planning is something far simpler than it sounds. It is the act of formally putting things in order, not just for yourself, but for the people who will one day have to make sense of what you leave behind.
A plan answers essential questions. Who steps in if you can’t make decisions for yourself? Who knows your wishes well enough to carry them out? What happens to the things
you’ve built, gathered, and cared for over a lifetime? Without those answers, even the closest families can find themselves navigating uncertainty. Paperwork becomes burdensome. Decisions become fraught and what should be a time for reflection and grief turns, instead, toward logistics.
Estate planning is less about documents and more about clarity. Susan Burkenstock, board certified estate planning attorney and fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel with Elkins, PLC, explains that much of her role is helping clients understand both what the law requires and what may happen under different circumstances, so decisions are made intentionally, rather than by default.
“Avoiding estate planning does not avoid the consequences,” notes Chad Olivier, CFP, CEPA and CEO of the Olivier Group. “It simply leaves critical decisions unresolved. In my experience, once families take the first step, the process often feels far more manageable than they expected, and the peace of mind it creates is well worth the effort.”
The Details That Matter
Estate planning is often discussed in broad terms, but its effectiveness depends on attention to detail. One such detail is the role of documents themselves. A will provides direction for the distribution of assets. A financial power of attorney allows someone to act on your behalf if you are unable to do so. A healthcare directive communicates your medical preferences in situations where you cannot speak for yourself. These documents are foundational, but they are not static. They must be revisited over time, particularly as life changes.
Both Burkenstock and Olivier emphasize the importance of regular review, after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or deaths, and periodically even in the absence of change. Laws evolve. Financial situations shift and relationships develop in ways that may call for adjustment.
Planning also requires thinking beyond a single outcome. Burkenstock encourages clients to consider multiple contingencies. Think about what happens if a spouse predeceases the other, if a chosen agent is unable to serve or if a beneficiary is no longer living. Without these secondary plans, even the most well intentioned and constructed documents can fall short.
Another area where detail matters is asset structure. Many individuals assume that how an asset is titled determines how it will transfer at death. That is not always the case. Knowing exactly how each asset is named and making that clear in your plan is extremely important.
Olivier highlights a related issue. Beneficiary designations on accounts such as life insurance policies and retirement plans often operate independently of a will. If those designations are not coordinated with the broader estate plan, the result can be inconsistency or outcomes that contradict the individual’s intentions.
Life in Motion
One of the most common misconceptions about estate planning is that it belongs to a final chapter and that it is something to be addressed once life has settled into a stable, predictable place. But life rarely settles in that way. A first job becomes a career. A relationship becomes a marriage. A shared space becomes a home. A family expands. Responsibilities accumulate, not all at once, but steadily and estate planning should move alongside those changes, whether acknowledged or not.
The planning process should begin when life begins to extend beyond oneself, when assets are acquired, a marriage begins, or a child is born. These moments introduce not just new responsibilities, but new dependencies. For some, that planning begins with a simple step: naming someone to act on their behalf in the event of incapacity. For others, it involves decisions about guardianship, inheritance, or the structure of family assets. In more complex situations, such as caring for a child with special needs, the stakes are even higher. As Olivier notes, a poorly structured inheritance can unintentionally disrupt access to essential benefits, creating challenges where none were intended. The earlier planning begins, the more options tend to exist.
Even then, hesitation is common. “Indecision breeds procrastination, which leads to inertia,” says Burkenstock, especially when families are faced with difficult choices. Olivier sees a similar pattern: for many, the process feels overwhelming at first, whether due to gathering financial details or confronting uncomfortable topics.
“One common mistake is treating estate planning as a commodity and simply seeking the least expensive option. Estate planning is highly nuanced, and poorly drafted documents can create significant problems later. It is important to work with an experienced estate planning attorney who understands both the legal and practical implications of these decisions,” notes Olivier.
The Digital Dimension
In recent years, estate planning has expanded to include a new category of assets – digital.
Online banking, investment accounts, social media profiles, cryptocurrencies, and digital businesses all present unique challenges. Unlike traditional assets, they may leave no physical record. Access is often controlled by passwords, authentication systems, or platforms with their own policies.
Burkenstock notes that when these details are not documented, the responsibility placed on an executor can become significantly more difficult. “Think about it from the perspective of the person (agent and/or executor) who has to suddenly come into your financial life and start acting on your behalf. How can you make the process easier for him or her?”
Olivier adds that digital assets should be treated with the same level of care as any other part of an estate, identified, documented, and incorporated into the overall plan. This may include maintaining secure records of account information, designating individuals who can access them, and ensuring that legal documents explicitly address their management. As our lives become increasingly digital, estate planning must evolve alongside them.
The Louisiana Difference In Louisiana, these decisions carry an added layer of nuance. The state’s civil law tradition, distinct from the common law system used elsewhere in the country, shapes how property is passed down and how estates are structured. Concepts like forced heirship, usufruct, and community property can influence how assets are distributed, particularly when children or blended families are involved.
“This has the most impact on clients moving into or out of the state. LA is the only state which has the concept of forced heirship. It is one of nine community property states. There are concepts other states allow, which LA does not. Not only does LA have different laws regarding transfer of assets, but it also has different property laws. Clients need to understand what our law provides. There may be ways to alter some of the outcomes, but not without the guidance of an experienced estate planning lawyer,” Burkenstock explains. For families who have long called Louisiana home, these rules are part of the fabric of life. For newcomers, they can come as a surprise. Either way, they underscore the importance of thoughtful, locally-informed planning.
What a Plan Makes Possible
Estate planning is not about restriction, it’s about intention. A clear plan allows for decisions to be made ahead of time, rather than in moments of stress. It creates space for nuance, for acknowledging the realities of modern families, evolving relationships, and changing priorities. It allows decisions to be made in advance, when there is time to think, reflect, and adjust. It replaces uncertainty with direction, and assumption with clarity. For some, that clarity comes through a straightforward set of documents such as a will, a power of attorney and a healthcare directive. For others, additional structures may offer greater flexibility, whether that means naming an executor or ensuring that younger beneficiaries are not given access to assets too soon. Without these decisions, opportunities are often missed. Many people assume the law will handle things one way, Burkenstock notes, “when it provides something else.”
Without a plan, “state law and the courts may determine how assets are distributed,” says Olivier, sometimes leading to unintended outcomes, delays or family conflict. In every case, the goal is the same: to make things easier for your loved ones. “There’s a quiet kind of generosity in that,” says Burkenstock. “Taking the time to put things in order so others don’t have to.”
The Weight of Waiting
If estate planning is at its core an act of care, why is it so often delayed? The answers are layered. Some are practical, others are emotional.
Burkenstock has observed that, at times, there is an almost superstitious hesitation. A quiet sense that completing an estate plan somehow signals readiness for something people would rather not name. The reasons are not always rational. For some, completing an estate plan can feel like tempting fate, “as if being prepared somehow means being ready to die.”
Often, the barrier is indecision. Estate planning requires choices that can feel weighty. Who will care for children? Who will manage finances? And how to navigate complicated family dynamics. The difficulty of making those decisions typically leads to postponement.
It’s common to feel overwhelmed by the process itself – the gathering of financial information, the need to think through difficult scenarios, the perception that the task is complex and time-consuming.
Without a plan, decisions fall to default processes including legal systems that are designed to be fair, but not personal. Families may find themselves trying to understand unfamiliar procedures at already extremely difficult moments filled with emotion. Executors may struggle to locate accounts, access digital records, or piece together a financial picture from scattered information.
“It’s not about expecting the worst,” Burkenstock notes. “It’s about being prepared in a way that reflects who you are and what matters to you.”
Where to Begin
Beginning an estate plan does not require a complete vision. It requires a first step.
“Just start,” Burkenstock advises. Even a single conversation can make the process feel far less intimidating. “If I can get clients to have the first meeting, I try to reassure them that no matter what they think about their particular family dynamics, they are not alone. Practicing in this area for as long as I have has given me the opportunity to experience all manner of family situations and when I relay those situations to new clients, in a generic way, they realize that their own family is not that different from others.”
Olivier suggests starting small: take inventory. List what you own and what you owe. Identify key accounts, assets, and obligations. From there, begin outlining your wishes – who should receive what, who should make decisions, and who you trust to carry out those responsibilities. Next, identify a trusted team of professionals, including an estate planning attorney and financial advisor, to help put those wishes into a coordinated plan.
From there, the foundational documents come into focus. A will outlines your wishes. A power of attorney allows someone to manage financial matters if you cannot. A healthcare directive ensures your medical preferences are known, something both professionals emphasize as a critical gift to family members during tough moments. None of these decisions need to be permanent. They can, and should, be revisited as life changes. The most important step is simply moving from intention to action. Starting, even imperfectly, creates clarity where there was none before.
“Communicate your wishes. Too often, conflict arises not because of the plan itself, but because the plan comes as a surprise. Thoughtful conversations with family members can reduce misunderstandings, set expectations, and preserve harmony. In many cases, clarity is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind,” says Olivier.
SOCIETY
Written by Sue Strachan
Since 2010, Upturn Arts has provided access to arts education — dance, music, visual arts and theater — for young people across New Orleans, particularly those who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
On Nov. 13, the organization hosted its annual Appetite for Art Gala presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust to commemorate 15 years of inspiring creativity in New Orleans youth.
The Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust honored Upturn Arts by initiating the “Standing Ovation Award,” which was presented to the Positive Vibrations Foundation, which purchased 15 drums for Upturn Arts 15 years ago.
The event also featured student performances with Cha Wa; a seated dinner catered by Capulet, where the event was held; and silent and live auctions featuring original artwork from New Orleans’ artists. Local artist John Bukaty contributed 10 painted plates each sold for $500, which benefitted the organization’s summer food program partnership with Boucherie restaurant.
Additional proceeds from the event benefit Upturn’s arts camps, art therapy through Whole Village Art Therapy, the Teen Leadership program and the food program that feeds local students thousands of meals during year.
Event co-chairs were Deanna Lind and Jennifer Amedee.
Fun Fact: According to Upturn Arts: “When thinking of an ‘upturn,’ one might envision a stock chart that has jumped up in price in one day, minute or second. That chart is much like young artists’ experience in Upturn Arts’ programs. They create, create, and create — then one day, minute, or second, they experience an ‘upturn’ – that ‘aha’ moment of ‘I did it!’, ‘Look at me!’ and ‘I’m so proud of myself!’”
1. Vincent Giardina, Dana Reed, Lisa Romano, DJ Romano 2. Chana Lewis, Rachael Jaffe Tocco, Roy Williams 3. Juan Chavez, Elena Perez-Kraatz, Zhandra Martin 4. Drew Harris, John Bukaty 5. Rill Ramsey, Monique Pyle, Wiley Verstappen, Michael Rogers 6. Jennifer Harris, Deanna Bessler
Upturn Arts Appetite for Art
New Orleans Jazz Museum Improvisations Gala
The jazz sounds of Storyville filled the New Orleans Jazz Museum when it held its annual Improvisations Gala presented by the Herb Alpert Foundation on Dec. 6. themed “Storyville: House of the Rising Sun.”
The decor evoked the time period: Element and Omega Production Resources used hues of reds, including burgundy, blacks with gold accents, and chandeliers to evoke a late 19th-early, 20th-century ambiance. Adding even more visual panache were the live projection mappings by Monica Rose Kelly and illuminations by Tech Lagniappe and Stephen Montalvo, as well as “characters” from that time in designs by Magdalene Paris, RicRACK, Polo Silk and Deandre Beverly.
Entertainment at this gala is always top-notch: Bobby Rush, presented by Land of Dreams; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Kermit Ruffins; James Andrews & the Crescent City All-Stars; Tuba Skinny; Tyler’s Revisited with David Torkanowsky and Herlin Riley; Detroit Brooks & the New Orleans Ladies, featuring Rechell Cook; Dane Ruffins; Naydja CoJoe and Sharon Martin; Mahogany Jazz Hall presents Mahogany Hall Allstars with pop-up burlesque by Trixie Minx; Treme Lafitte Brass Band; LPO Ensemble with Dominican Strings of Gocessa; the NOCCA Jazz Ensemble; Audrey LeCrone Trio; Törngren Quartet of Sweden, and scores of other incredible talents, including the N’awlins Baby Dolls, Mahogany Blue Baby Dolls, the Pussyfooters and Van Ella Bordella.
Event Co-Chairs were Valery Landry, James Moore and Dr. Emma Levenson, and Claus Sadlier.
Fun Fact: In addition to ticket sales, partygoers could participate in a silent auction and a “Treasure Chest” raffle.
1. Kenny Malter, Greg Lambousy, Anthony Murdock 2. Valerie Landry, Tim Lupin, Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin 3. David Piscola, Nakeila Polk, Stacey Messina, Claus Sadlier 4. Monique Pyle, James Moore, Cathryn Giff 5. Anne Atkinson, Nuria Rowley, Eduardo Rodriguez, Pam Friedler 6. Sidney Torres, Amy Kirk Duvoisin, Dino Gankendorff
Jewish Community Center Celebration
The New Orleans Jewish Community Center produced a groove like no other on Nov. 8 when it hosted its annual Center Celebration, “Make It Pop!,” a tribute to the Jewish pop stars who defined the sound of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
To set the scene, the Uptown JCC was transformed into a retro-inspired gathering space. The party started poolside with cocktails, then guests moved inside to a reimagined venue, aka disco lounge with a dance floor.
Entertainment was the focus, led by Nu Groove, featuring Cha Wa’s Grammy-nominated Joe Gelini and Alix Paige. Their performance set the tone for a dynamic musical experience, further elevated by special guests Jenny Mercein, Leslie Castay and Bryan Batt. Among the songs performed included “I Feel the Earth Move,” by singer-songwriter Carole King; “The Look of Love” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; and “Mrs. Robinson,” by Simon and Garfunkel, to name a few.
“Our Center Celebration was nothing short of magical this year, transforming the JCC into a vibrant disco lounge while raising critical funds to support the high-quality programs that support the community,” said JCC Executive Director Rebecca Friedman.
“The evening was a testament to the dedication and creativity of the event committee, led by co-chairs Aleeza Adelman and Shirley Sonesh Bolz. We are already looking ahead with excitement to the 2026 celebration, when we will honor the 60th anniversary of our beloved St. Charles Avenue building.”
Fun Fact: The New Orleans JCC, through its Uptown and Metairie campuses, serves approximately 2,000 individuals each day with a wide range of educational, cultural and health and wellness programs.
1. Andy Adelman, Aleeza Adelman, Shirley Sonesh Bolz, Ben Bolz 2. Eric Nowak, Robyn Nowak, Rebecca Friedman, Aran Toshav 3. Johnathan Friedman, Holly Friedman, Dave Israel, Jill Israel 4. Carly Plotkin, Carrie Marks, Susan Scharff, Molly Pulda 5. Donald Posner, Connie Posner 6. Valerie Posner, Alan Posner
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans City Stars Soirée
Entrepreneurs are the backbone of New Orleans business community, with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans training the next generation.
At its City Stars Soirée presented by Susco Solutions on Nov. 13, JA brought together an group of up-andcoming entrepreneurs, its Rising Stars, who are 40 or under and demonstrated strong entrepreneurial skills while upholding the highest moral and ethical standards. This group of Rising Stars included: Patrick Brennan, Congregation Coffee; Zachary Carroll, Ark Animal Hospital; Ruth Lawson, Jefferson Chamber; Jean-Marc Pellerin, Pellerin Laundry Machinery; Sam Solomon, Bancroft Property Investments; and Max Steitz and Franziska Trautmann, Glass Half Full.
In addition to the honors, guests could also celebrate by raising funds for JA. A silent auction featured more than 70 items and an extraordinary live auction package that included a two-night stay at The Chloe Nashville; $100 gift certificate to Barrel Proof Nashville; $100 gift certificate to Love’s Alibi; two-night stay at The Chloe New Orleans with a $100 food and beverage credit and more.
“This generous package was donated by Leblanc & Smith, with the live auction won by Anne Raymond. Event Co-Chair Parke McEnery did a fantastic job serving as auctioneer,” said event Co-Chair Katherine Eshleman Morales. Marti McEnery and Richard Morales were also co-chairs.
JA serves youth from kindergarten to age 25 across 13 parishes in Southeast Louisiana and 29 counties in South Mississippi. The event helped fund several impactful JA programs, including JA Future Connect, JA It’s My Future, JA Be Entrepreneurial and JA Job Shadow.
Fun Fact: During the 2025–2026 school year, JA reached its one-millionth student — a major milestone.
1. Larry Washington, Anne Raymond, Marti McEnery, Parke McEnery 2. Franziska Trautmann, Max Steitz 3. Richard Morales, Katherine Morales, Elizabeth Boh, Chad Berg 4. Sam Solomon, Jean-Marc Pellerin, Zachary Carroll 5. Gary Solomon, Martha Solomon, Laurie Young, Scott Cunningham 6. Joseph Dempsey, Faith Saragusa, Brandon Smith, Katharine Kay
Ladies Leukemia League
de Noël
Since 1969, the Ladies Leukemia League has blended compassion with celebration, raising vital funds to support research for leukemia and related diseases.
On Dec. 1, the all-volunteer organization hosted its signature fundraiser, Fête de Noël, transforming the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside into a festive holiday wonderland. This year’s theme, “Mingle & Jingle: The Bell of Hope,” drew nearly 1,000 guests.
Emcee Camille Whitworth kept the energy up, while one of the event’s highlights — the Dillard’s fashion show — featured a touching tribute to cancer survivors Elizabeth McDougall, Cindy Giavotella, Gabrielle Clune, Grace Boggs and Vivian Peranio.
Adding to the luncheon’s joie de vivre, Stephen Kernion continued the family tradition portraying Santa; he is a third-generation, after his father and uncle.
To raise more funds at the event, guests could participate in a “Parade of Prizes,” which featured 100 wrapped gifts; a Holiday Wish Raffle with an item donated by Aucoin Hart; a restaurant raffle with four winners receiving three $100 gift certificates to New Orleans area restaurants; and door prizes.
The event raised $170,000 for cancer research. Proceeds fund grant proposals submitted by researchers at institutions in the Gulf South (Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) that are evaluated by the league’s medical panel.
Fun Fact: The “Garden Party’ necklace donated by Mignon Faget received the largest bid in the silent auction.
Aparty on the football field of the Caesars Superdome meant keeping high heels at home, but guests still dressed to impress at the 13th annual Moonlight & Miracles Gala, presented by the Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation, on Nov. 14.
The party location — more used to New Orleans Saints football games, Essence Festival, concerts and other large-scale events — proved to be awe-inspiring yet made comfortable with the decor and related accoutrements courtesy of Mardi Gras Productions, K.P. McNulty, Perfect Presentations, See Hear Productions and Fancy Faces contributing.
Among the night’s activities was live music from Blue Rhythm Entertainment, cuisine from Legends Catering and a Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV raffle.
Emceed by Mark Romig, Lori Ochsner and Trishelle Cannatella, the party also offered viewers an inside look at the life-changing work happening every day at Ochsner Health, including a presentation led by Ochsner leadership, including CEO Pete November and Chief Physician Executive Dr. Robert Hart, alongside New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, highlighting patient stories, medical breakthroughs and the organization’s impact on the region.
The event’s reach extended beyond the ballroom through a televised broadcast on WVUE Fox 8 on Nov. 23, sharing these powerful stories of healing and hope with a wider audience.
This year’s proceeds — more than $1.8 million — supported a broader range of programs, including the Ochsner Cancer Institute, Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute and Ochsner Children’s.
Fun Fact: The event was chaired by Gayle Benson for the 12th consecutive year.
1. Stephanie November, Pete November, Gayle Benson 2. Dr. Lock Ochsner, Lori Ochsner, Mark Romig, David Briggs 3. Deb Grimes, Dr. Leo Seoane, Dr. Michelle Seoane 4. Dr. Timothy Riddell, Matthew Block, Aimee Quirk, Dr. Robert Hart 5. George “G” McGregor, Brittany McGregor 6. Trishelle Cannatella, John Hensz
With the theme of Illuminating Futures, Son of a Saint put the focus on its mentees at its annual gala on Nov. 22.
Held at the Four Seasons Hotel, the nearly 600 guests enjoyed the night’s program, which featured powerful moments from mentees and alumni, including West Point graduate Miles Stewart.
Mike Hoss was the evening’s host, while the live auction was helmed by Brian Kish, president of The Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
Founded in 2011, Son of a Saint was established to address the challenges faced by fatherless boys in the Greater New Orleans area.
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Bivian “Sonny” Lee III, who was named one of St. Charles Avenue’s Activists of the Year in 2025, the organization is dedicated to transforming lives through mentorship, emotional support, life-skills development, exposure to constructive experiences and the formation of positive, lasting peer relationships.
The annual gathering, in addition to highlighting mentees’ stories, raises critical funds to support their mentorship, mental health services, academic support and comprehensive and long-term care.
The Son of a Saint Annual Gala is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Event co-chairs were Rico and Kristin Alvendia.
Son of a Saint Gala
1. Rico Alvendia, Kristin Alvendia, Rosie Lee, Bivian “Sonny” Lee III 2. Steve Usdin, Melanie Usdin 3. Kevin Diemont, Jennie Diemont, Charlene Hazen, Christopher Hazen 4. Emily Smith, Allyn Haden 5. Justin Duplantis, Sheryl Merrick 6. Richard Perque, Judy Barrasso, Brent Barriere
Fun Fact: 2026 is Son of a Saint’s 15th anniversary year.
Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses Fall Evening Gala
Betsy Nalty, one of the city’s most cherished philanthropists, was honored by the Historic Houses Society at its Fall Evening Gala on Nov. 6.
The society, a support group for Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses, pulled out all the stops for Nalty, a fifth-generation New Orleanian with a lifelong interest in preservation and the arts. As the honorary chair, she was presented to guests by Executive Director Susan Maclay and Board President Celeste Eustis.
The site of the soiree was the Garden District home of Deana and Larry Blackburn, which created just the right scene for guests, who were also treated with food including sushi made on the spot by Benni Tampubolon Sushi, cheese and charcuterie by Chef Paris Khalaf and the main buffet by Southern Hospitality Catering. Music was from Jazzmen Entertainment.
In addition to honoring Betsy Nalty, the event raised funds for the historic houses managed by the Woman’s Exchange. The 19th-century buildings represent two different periods in French Quarter history, as reflected through the architecture, furnishings, collections and tours.
Event Co-Chairs were Karen Conner and Marley LeBourgeois.
Fun Fact: Gallier House is currently in Summer Dress, which is when the house (completed in 1860) has its rugs and draperies removed, then has its furniture covered in white muslin and floors covered in sisal rugs or mats, as it was done in the late 19th century to battle heat, dirt and bugs.
1. Dick Simmons, Betsy Nalty 2. Larry Blackburn, Deana Blackburn 3. Marley LeBourgeois, Michael LeBourgeois 4. Carlin Conner, Karen Conner 5. Donna Flower, Paul Flower 6. Catherine Kuuskraa, Celeste Eustis, Stacy Head
Louisiana State Museum Foundation Founders Ball
The spotlight was on The Cabildo on Nov. 21 when “Michalopoulos: Mystical Expressionism” debuted and served as the inspiration for the annual Louisiana State Museum Foundation Founders Ball.
Upon entering, guests were serenaded by cellist El Silard, then whisked to the third floor for music by Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Amongst Michalopoulos colorful art, the Gilded Palette Award winners were announced, which included Michalopoulos, longtime arts philanthropists Pat and Henry Shane, and Honorary Co-Chairs Quint Davis and Tarriona “Tank” Ball.
Bestowed by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, foundation Executive Director Kristin Shannon and State Museum Director Becky Mackie, the honorees received cheers and kudos for their work and contributions. Foundation board President Sonny Shields also shared his thoughts on the honorees and the museum.
Following the ceremony, Tarriona “Tank” Ball performed to an adoring crowd, who afterwards wandered to the second floor to enjoy even more music by the Slick Skillet Serenaders, with swing dancers to further the mood. Ending the night was a performance by the Rebirth Brass Band in the first floor courtyard.
Guests enjoyed signature dishes from all of Dickie Brennan’s Restaurants, with Stanley supplying the fried Louisiana oysters. French Quarter themed specialty cocktails kept spirits up.
This year’s funds support the Michalopoulos exhibition, as well as educational programming throughout the year.
Gala Co-Chairs were Bill Brockschmidt and Richard Dragisic, Courtney Coleman, and Jeremy C. Corkern.
Fun Fact: “Michalopoulos: Mystical Expressionism” is on view through Sept. 27, 2026.
1. Quint Davis, Kristin Shannon, James Michalopoulos 2. Terrance Osborne, Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball, Stephanie Osborne 3. Henry Shane, Pat Shane 4. Bill Brockschmidt, Jeremy Corkern, Courtney Coleman, Richard Dragisic 5. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Becky Mackie, Sonny Shields 6. Caroline Calhoun, Murray Calhoun
Magnolia Moonlight Fais Do-Do
Magnolia Community Services gathered a crowd on Nov. 7 who were there to celebrate and raise funds at its Magnolia Moonlight Fais Do-Do.
The event leaned into its Cajun theme by featuring music from the Prends Courage Cajun Band and cuisine by Pigeon Catering.
Some Magnolia clients greeted and mingled with guests, while some bused tables. Emcee Margaret Orr lead on-site donations for a lift-assisted van to transport clients with an anonymous donor offering to match $15,000.
Raising even more funds was a silent auction of more than 290 items, with the top bids going to a painting, “Bird’s Nest,” by Patti Lapeyre, two Krewe of Tucks full membership rides and post-parade ball tickets, and a week in a cabin in the Smokey Mountains. A wine pull and a mystery bag pull added even more ways to win and raise funds for Magnolia.
“The Moonlight Fais Do-Do was a wonderful way to engage and celebrate with our families, clients and the community,” said Executive Director Jennifer Conrad. “We were proud to honor the Arbour family and their oldest sister Kinta, who has called Magnolia home for over 42 years.”
Event co-chairs were Jeanne Gallo, Karen Oertling; vice-chairs were Margie Fell and Maureen Guste.
Fun Fact: The event commemorated Magnolia’s 90th year of serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
1. Wally Landry, Kinta Arbour, Larry Arbour 2. Dr. Julie Danna, Molly Silvia, Judy Nides 3. Lloyd Frischhertz, Marcelle Frischhertz, Adam Lambert 4. Lawrence “Laurie” Oertling, Jeanne Gallo, David Gallo, Jennifer Conrad 5. Virginia Weinmann, Lacey Weaver 6. Margie Fell, Dr. Doug Swift
United Way Southeast Louisiana Alexis de Tocqueville Gala
The Alexis de Tocqueville Gala presented by Pan-American Life Insurance Group is the United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s signature celebration of philanthropy and civic leadership, bringing together an influential mix of business and community leaders for an evening of purpose and recognition.
Held Nov. 13 at the New Orleans Marriott, the event highlighted the power of sustained generosity, recognizing individuals whose contributions continue to strengthen education, health and financial stability across the region. The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, established locally in 1985 by C. Allen Favrot, honors individuals and families who contribute $10,000 or more annually, reflecting a long-term commitment to the community.
The 2025 gala honored José S. Suquet, chairman and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group, for his dedication to both business excellence and community impact. As a member of the Tocqueville Society, Suquet exemplified the spirit of giving that defines the organization. His leadership has extended beyond the boardroom: as United Way’s Campaign Cabinet chair from 2008 to 2009, he helped surpass a $21.4 million goal, raising a record $22.6 million during a critical period of recovery following Hurricane Katrina.
Since 1986, the gala has recognized some of the region’s most dedicated civic and philanthropic leaders. This year’s celebration continued that tradition, underscoring the vital role generosity and leadership play in shaping a stronger, more resilient Southeast Louisiana.
Fun Fact: The night came alive with music by Rumba Buena, lots of dancing, an interactive golf experience and insights from honoree Jose S. Suquet’s family and friends.
1. Bill Hines, Jose Suquet 2. lleana Suquet, Merilynn Donelon, Jim Donelon 3. Mamie Gasperecz, Ronnie Sloane 4. Michael Williamson, Drew Marsh, Michelle Delery 5. Bethany Friedman, Steve Friedman 6. Patty Riddlebarger, Phil Riddlebarger, Mayra Pineda
The National WWII Museum Victory Ball
The 2025 Victory Ball: Salute to Service gathered veterans, active-duty service members, New Orleans civic leaders, and distinguished guests on Nov. 7 at The National WWII Museum for a 1940s-inspired celebration honoring the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Presented by Timber and Peggy Floyd, the annual event also paid tribute to Americans of every generation who have served — and continue to serve — in the nation’s Armed Forces.
The evening swung into high gear with a spirited Salute to Service from the museum’s Victory Swing Orchestra and Victory Belles, alongside Meschiya Lake & the Little Big Horns, who kept the dance floor buzzing. A musical revue brought wartime Hollywood to life with songs and skits from classics like “Hollywood Canteen” and “Meet Me in St. Louis,” while The American Sector Restaurant & Bar served up era-inspired cocktails and culinary delights.
During the event, Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth J. David took the podium to share stories of valor that connected the sacrifices of the World War II generation to those of today’s service members — encapsulating the true meaning of the celebration.
Proceeds from the annual Victory Ball support The National WWII Museum’s work preserving irreplaceable artifacts, expanding educational programs, and ensuring the stories of the American experience in the war that changed the world endure for future generations.
Fun Fact: The museum will be hosting The American Spirit Awards Celebration on June 4-6.
1. Suzanne Mestayer, Peggy Floyd, Kenneth J. David, Stephen Watson 2. Maj. General David Mize (USMC Ret.), Lillian Maurin, Elizabeth Jane Mize, Jimmy Maurin, Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller. 3. Stephanie November, Pete November, Gayle Benson 4. Sam Meyer (center, seated), Pascale Meyer, Paul Meyer 5. Kikie Priddy, Robert Priddy 6. The Victory Belles
Avegno
Hot Times in a Cool Place
Last year Gautreau’s added Avegno, a companion business that serves as both a free-standing upscale casual spot for wine,cocktails and small plates as well as a much needed place for patrons to gather while waiting for a table at the flagship restaurant next door.
In the spring Avegno debuted L’heure Verte: The Green Hour. The new-found hour-long
celebration of absinthe is offered every Tuesday through Saturday at 5 p.m.
Late Night Happy Hour runs Tuesday through Saturday, 8- to 10:30 p.m. with 40% off half bottles of wine, wines by the glass for $10, and $2 off specialty cocktails and martinis.
As the temperatures climb, Executive Chef Rob Mistry of both Gautreau’s and Avegno shares a cool salad you can enjoy at home.– By Jyl Benson
Baby Gem Wedge Salad
Makes one salad
1 medium-large head
Baby Gem lettuce,
Coconut Green Goddess
Dressing (recipe follows)
Pickled Pecans (recipe follows)
Pickled Yellow Onions (recipe follows)
Croutons (recipe follows)
Dill sprigs and blue cheese crumbles for garnish, optional
1. Remove the outer waxy leaves from the lettuce and set aside.
2. Remove the core from the lettuce and discard. Cut the lettuce head down the middle on the meridian and reserve.
3. Place the gem halves on plate. Generously drizzle with Green Goddess Dressing. Dress the salad with pickled onions, pickled pecan halves, and croutons as desired. Garnish with dill and crumbled blue cheese as desired.
Coconut Green Goddess Dressing
Makes about 1 cup
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
3 tablespoons chopped chives
3 tablespoons picked dill sprigs
Reserved outer leaves baby gem lettuce (see above)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sour cream
3 medium ice cubes
Pickled Pecans
Makes about 1 cup
1 cup brewed coffee
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
½ cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1 cup pecan halves
1. Add all liquids to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly stir in sugar and whisk until dissolved.
2. Add the pecans and bring to boil. Boil the pecans until they are soft, about 45 minutes.
3. Turn the stove off and let pecans cool in the liquid until room temperature. Store refrigerated in a sealed container
Pickled Yellow Onions
1 cup water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon brown mustard seeds
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon chili flakes
1 large onion, very thinly sliced and rinsed in cold water
1. In a saucepan, combine everything except the onion. Bring a boil.
2. Put the onion in a medium bowl.
3. Pour the hot liquid over the onions. Allow to cool. Store refrigerated in a sealed jar.
Croutons
Makes 2 cups
2 cups diced bread
1/4 cup melted salted butter
The Expert
Rob Mistry, Executive Chef. Mistry’s culinary journey includes Commander’s Palace and the Michelin-starred Husk under Sean Brock. Inspired by diverse culinary experiences and world travels, he brings to Gautreau’s menu a fusion of tradition and innovation, offering patrons a gastronomic odyssey that celebrates global flavors while honoring the cherished culinary heritage of New Orleans.
1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
1. Add the butter to a skillet over medium heat. Add the bread and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
“Chop and rest”
Broccoli – along with kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables – contains compounds that can be converted into sulforaphane, a compound associated with antioxidant activity and cellular defense – in simpler terms, compounds that help the body manage stress and support long-term health at the cellular level.
But that conversion doesn’t happen automatically.
When we chop or chew these vegetables, we activate an enzyme that helps convert those precursor compounds into sulforaphane. Heat can deactivate that enzyme quickly, before it has time to do its job.
Letting chopped broccoli sit for about 30 to 45 minutes before cooking gives that conversion time to happen first. If we cook it immediately, we may get less of that benefit.
This doesn’t mean cooked broccoli is suddenly lacking. It just means that, if it fits our routine, letting it sit first can slightly increase the availability of those compounds.
The same principle applies across the cruciferous family, not just broccoli.
Cooling rice and pasta
You may have heard that cooking rice or pasta, cooling it, and then reheating it makes it “better for blood sugar.”
There is some truth here – but it’s modest.
When starches cool, a portion becomes what’s called resistant starch, meaning it’s digested more slowly. In studies, this can reduce the glycemic response by roughly 10–15% compared with freshly cooked versions.
So yes, there is a difference – but it’s small, and often overstated.
This shift in glycemic response doesn’t turn white rice into a nutrient powerhouse. And for most people, the effect is small compared to much bigger factors – portion size, what you pair it with, and how often you’re eating it.
Here in New Orleans, rice is part of so many meals. If you’re looking to make that plate more nutrient-dense, letting white rice cool isn’t where I’d start. Instead, my preference is cauliflower rice alongside or in our favorite rice-focused dishes.
The takeaway: As you’re naturally reheating leftover starches, you may get a slight benefit. But doing this intentionally to “make it healthier” isn’t a nutritional upgrade.
Is it worth letting our food sit?
In some cases, yes.
Those Who Wait
Does Letting Your Food Sit Actually Change Its Nutrition?
We tend to focus on what we eat. But in some cases, how we prepare it can influence what our bodies get from that food.
You may have seen tips like letting chopped broccoli sit before cooking, cooling rice before eating, or soaking chia seeds. They’re often grouped together under the idea that “letting food sit” makes it healthier. Some of this holds up. Some of it doesn’t. Here’s where the science actually lands. – By
Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD
Letting chopped cruciferous vegetables sit before cooking can slightly increase beneficial compounds. Soaking chia seeds improves how they function in digestion.
But these are small optimizations. Cooling starches for the sake of improving blood sugar is where this can get overhyped. The effect exists, but it’s not meaningful enough to rely on –especially when there are far more impactful ways to improve the nutritional quality of a meal.
Fresh vs bagged vs frozen
If you’re buying pre-chopped broccoli, some of that enzyme activity may have already started, but you don’t know when it was cut or how long it sat before packaging.
Frozen vegetables are typically blanched before freezing, which reduces enzyme activity – meaning the “chop and rest” strategy is less relevant in this case.
That said, all forms still bring real nutritional value to the table – and in real life, convenience matters. Fresh gives you more control, but frozen and pre-cut options still absolutely contribute to a healthful, wholesome diet.
Whole grains and legumes
Brown rice, quinoa, lentils and chickpeas already contain more fiber and naturally have a lower glycemic impact than refined grains.
Legume-based pastas – like chickpea or lentil pasta – fall into this category as well. They’re higher in both protein and fiber, which does more for blood sugar stability than cooling alone ever will.
So while resistant starch is interesting, it’s not a workaround.
If I’m looking to upgrade a pasta dish, nutritionally speaking, I’m more likely to go with chickpea pasta, zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash than rely on a cool-andsit strategy.
Chia seeds – a different story
Chia seeds are often included in this conversation, but for a different reason.
When chia seeds are soaked, they absorb liquid and form a gel due to their high soluble fiber content – about 5 grams per tablespoon.
Soluble fiber can:
Slow digestion
Help stabilize blood sugar
Bind to cholesterol in the digestive tract
Increase satiety – helping you feel full longer
This is less about activating a compound and more about making the food work better in your body.
In real life, this can be as simple as stirring chia seeds into Greek yogurt or oatmeal. We also have a recipe for Eat Fit PB&J chia pudding from our FUEL Café featured on the Eat Fit mobile app – it’s sweetly indulgent with zero added sugar. essential.
And if you’re trying to make a meal healthier, you’ll get further by upgrading the ingredients than by adjusting the timing.
The bottom line
Letting certain foods sit can influence how they behave – sometimes through enzyme activity, sometimes through digestion.
But these are small tweaks, not game-changers.
The bigger drivers of health are still the basics: overall food quality, balance and consistency. If letting your broccoli sit fits your routine, great. If it doesn’t, you’re not missing anything
During her second week in college, Nicole Via y Rada joined a dating app, writing in her profile that her ideal date was a pepperoni pizza, a side of fries and a long movie. Jeremy Philip Meyer responded, messaging her about splitting a pizza and watching National Treasure
Unbeknownst to Jeremy, National Treasure is Nicole’s favorite movie! Soon, they met up for a walk around campus and talked for hours. This walk led to another, and they quickly became a couple.
Eight years later, Nicole and Jeremy were spending Christmas Eve at his family home. As she was helping in the kitchen, Jeremy took Nicole’s hand and led her to the library, where candles were lit and flowers were on the table. He got down on one knee and proposed with a ring custom designed by his mother, a local jeweler. Through a haze of happy tears, Nicole said “yes,” and when they walked out of the library, they met their families, waiting with open arms.
Every step of the way, family was at the heart of their journey toward the big day. In addition to creating the engagement ring, Jeremy’s mother lovingly crafted their wedding rings as well. They placed these rings on one another’s fingers on October 18, 2025, in front of a stunning chuppah in the courtyard of the Audubon Tea Room. For their kiddush cup, they borrowed Jeremy’s grandparents’ silver chalice,
Via y Rada -- Meyer
gifted to them on their 50th anniversary.
After Rabbi Daniel Sherman pronounced the couple husband and wife, the festivities moved indoors, where the green and lilac decor created a whimsical garden party. Rabbi Sherman blessed the food before guests enjoyed a meal created by Dicke Brennan’s, beautifully complemented by two specialty cocktails. The first, a gin French 75, was a New Orleans classic and a nod to Jeremy’s hometown. The second, named the Hankie Pankie after the newlyweds’ dog, was a chil-
cano, a Pisco-based Peruvian cocktail. This cocktail was a nod to Nicole’s culture and was a huge hit with the 30 Peruvians who had traveled to celebrate!
Some of those guests may have recognized the topper on the cake–the same one Nicole’s parents used on their wedding day. Both sets of parents beamed with pride as Jeremy and Nicole danced to “To Be Loved” by Jackie Wilson, a song they love for its big-band sound and heartfelt lyrics. Blue Rhythm kept the dance floor energized throughout the
evening, which was finished off with a set from Hora Loca, a Latin DJ.
Nicole and Jeremy then set off for their first big adventure as a married couple, a two-week honeymoon to Morocco. They were fascinated with the architecture, the colors and the value placed on artisanship and tradition. The trip struck the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation, topped off with amazing food. Their next adventure soon followed; Jeremy and Nicole recently moved into their new home in Uptown. Jeremy is a defense attorney, and Nicole is an Executive Producer at WDSU.– By Megan Holt
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Galerie de Galatoire Reception
Décor: Firefly Ambiance, True Value Rental Coordinator: Unique Weddings and Events (Emily Sullivan) Ceremony
Music: Harry Hardin Wedding
Gown: Monique Lhuillier from I Do Bridal Couture in Baton Rouge Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Cinq a Sept and Chiara Boni
Groom’s Attire: Privé from Perlis Engagement Ring: Hope Goldman Meyer Fine Jewelry
Bride’s Wedding Band: Hope Goldman Meyer Fine Jewelry
Groom’s Wedding Band: Hope Goldman Meyer Fine Jewelry
Florist: Pamela Dennis (Pam Georges) Favor: Etsy cups and matchbooks Invitation: Scriptura Caterer: Dickie Brennan’s Wedding Cake: Bittersweet
Confections Groom’s Cake:
Haydel’s cookie cake Photographer: Cheryl Cole Videographer: NUMA Films Hair and Makeup: Jaqueline Reynolds
Popp Bandstand
In the early 1900s, live music performances in City Park were one of the most popular things to do in New Orleans. A wooden bandstand was erected in 1902, but classical architecture and music lovers John F. Popp and his wife Rebecca donated $7500 for a new pavilion that would better match the nearby Peristyle. On July 4, 1917, Popp Bandstand was dedicated at a patriotic wartime concert. It proved to be a popular and beautiful spot for music al fresco, drawing names as big as John Philip Sousa, who performed there in 1928 (and has a live oak near the bandstand named after him). Free Wednesday night concerts during the 1930s featured Harry Mendelson’s band, vaudeville, and operettas. The bandstand served not only as a venue for concerts and patriotic celebrations, but also dance recitals, flower shows, fencing exhibitions, children’s variety and magic shows, Easter Egg hunts, community singalongs, and more. In 1931, the first carnival ball of the year was held there, with children performing a tableaux before the ball and the crowning of the king and queen. At least one other queen was anointed at Popp Bandstand: the Queen of Safety in 1952, sponsored by the City’s Department of Safety and the Optimist Club.
Popp’s Bandstand also served as a gathering spot for events. In the 40s and 50s, duck calling classes (to
prepare for an annual statewide duck-calling contest held at the St Charles Hotel) drew over 150 eager students, trading calls with the ducks in the lagoon. The fish weighing station for the Big Bass Rodeo at City Park was at the bandstand. Started in 1946, it is the longest running freshwater fishing contest in the country. The rodeo drew almost 800 anglers by its fourth year, but currently there about half that number of participants.
Live music concerts at City Park started to fade out of popularity in the 1960s, and by the end of the ‘70s, they were no longer being held at the
bandstand. Despite a few attempts at reviving the custom over the decades, you’re more likely to see a wedding reception than a concert performance these days. – By Seale
Paterson
Popp Bandstand in 1941. Designed by Emile Weir, it has a raised concrete rotunda and is encircled with ionic columns under a bronze dome. A frieze under the dome is inscribed with: “Tribute of John F Popp to music.”
Father’s Day Gift Guide
A little love and care go a long way on Father’s Day. But if you’re thinking of going the extra mile, get some inspiration from our Father’s Day Gift Guide partners.
your
Any Dad would love a pair of 100% cotton seersucker Castaway Clothing’s Cisco shorts with the iconic
Perlis
6070 Magazine Street, New Orleans
600 Decatur, French Quarter 1281 N Causeway Blvd, Mandeville 8366 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge perlis.com | 800.725.6070
For any summer occasion, your Dad will love and be comfortable in this lightweight button-down Crawfish 100% linen plaid standard fit sport shirt.
Torino Leather Company torinoleather.com
What’s more Louisiana for
Dad than a handmade needlepoint seersucker key fob by Smathers & Branson featuring the iconic PERLIS crawfish logo and a full leather backing, 3”x1”.
PERLIS crawfish logo embroidered all over. Flat front, slash pockets, 9” inseam.
Genuine Louisiana alligator belt with brushed silver finish buckle. Style #50408.
Italian stretch rayon purple and gold woven belt with genuine leather accents. Style #3061.
Italian woven leather stretch belt with embossed calf skin accents. Style #54080.
tasc Performance Men’s Cloud Golf Polo utilizes ultra-fine fibers that make it lightweight, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant, creating an up-to-par experience like no other. Now in Botanical, Oyster, and Gator prints.
tasc Performance
3913 Magazine St, New Orleans | tascperformance.com
Banks Court Slip-on Stretch-lace Sneaker: Sleek, clean, and endlessly adaptable, the court shoe is a forever classic that proves itself to every generation. Store: Allen Edmonds. Price: $395.
Union Square Watch – Tiffany Blue: The Union Square watch collection pays homage to the House’s New York legacy, with skyscraper hands and a square case that nods to the powerful, clean lines of the city’s architecture. Store: Tiffany & Co. Price: $4,400.
Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta AI Glasses: Get Dad the gift he really wants this Father’s Day. These Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta AI glasses from Sunglass Hut offer the perfect blend of style and purpose. Store: Sunglass Hut. Price: $459.
Canal Place
333 Canal St., New Orleans canalplacestyle.com
Senior Care
A life fully lived is worth nothing without community. Thankfully, these Senior Care facilities are here to provide comfort and care through every season of life.
A New Standard of Assisted Living at The Carrollton At The Carrollton, Assisted Living and Memory Care are designed to evolve with residents’ needs while honoring independence, dignity, and joy at every stage of life. Our philosophy centers on empowering residents to live fully, with personalized support available when needed.
Families take comfort knowing their loved ones are cared for by a compassionate, highly trained team in an environment that feels welcoming and refined. Residents enjoy chef-prepared dining, beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces, and social gatherings in signature settings like the Ben Franklin Bar & Bistro. An elevated calendar of live entertainment, wellness-focused programs, and curated experiences creates endless opportunities to connect, relax, and feel truly at home.
The Carrollton integrates advanced technology to support individualized care planning, ensuring the highest level of attention and service. Residents choose from spacious studio or one-bedroom apartments and enjoy thoughtfully designed amenity spaces that encourage connection and community.
Throughout the community, curated artwork from The Carrollton Collection highlights local New Orleans artists, celebrating the city’s rich culture and creative spirit.
The Carrollton is more than senior living—it’s a vibrant community where care, comfort, and connection come together. Discover the freedom to live life your way, with the confidence that support is always close by. Learn more at thecarrollton.com
ElderChoice
Elderly family members, often with limited familial support, can sometimes become isolated and sedentary if in an environment that does not spark personal interaction or socialization that brings joy to their day-to-day. As a free-to-you senior referral placement service, Elder Choice provides assisted living facility recommendations with caregivers who understand the enrichment of a strong bond between community and self.
“As a retired nursing home administrator and long-term care advocate for the past 30 years, my goal is to guide interested parties, ask questions, provide recommendations, and educate them on the complicated issues as seniors get older and have more needs,” says Wendy LoCoco, Founder of ElderCare.
As one Five-Star Rating on Google raves, “Wendy was instrumental in helping me (and my family) understand all of the choices that were available locally as my father was nearing the last chapter of his life. There is no playbook for how to navigate these things, and Wendy comes with years of experience and knowledge. We are so, so grateful!”
Learn more at elderchoicenola.com
Generational Support
The family caregivers of the older adults are often overlooked. Most adult children have no idea where to start when a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, start showing signs of decline (mental or physical). There is no “checklist” or Caregiving for Dummies and truly no one-size-fits-all answer. So much research, time, and knowledge are required, and the senior industry forgets about all of that, which is where my business comes in. I help the overwhelmed find solutions and ease the feelings and fear of overwhelm. It is impossible for a regular human to know about all of the resources available to them, and there are so many! There is more help for aging adults than many people are aware of, and I want to share, guide, and be there for them.
Learn more at generationalsupport.com
Peace of Home
Peace of Home EldeResidences is NOT your grandma’s assisted living ! It is the only Residential Assisted Living in Harahan and the only home that specializes in males. Peace of Home is owned and operated by Margaret Yochum Caruso, an RN with over 30 years of experience.
Peace of Home is licensed for 6 residents who benefit from 24/7 care by screened, qualified caregivers. The caregivers not only help with bathing, dressing & hygiene, but they also prepare and serve home-cooked meals. The low number of residents allows a lot of individual attention to be given to everyone.
Medications are administered by licensed nurses, and both private and shared rooms are available. Peace of Home can accommodate both long and short-term stays, dementia, and hospice residents.
If you know a male who may benefit from these services, learn more at PeaceOfHomeLiving.com. Call or text Margaret at (504)-439-1449.
Poydras Home
Poydras Home Reimagined is Louisiana’s first Green House® Project community—this revolutionary care approach makes each resident the central decision maker in their own daily life. Poydras Home constructed two new buildings to house five Nursing Care homes and one Assisted Living Memory Care home. The Green House model groups a smaller number of residents to share each house, led by a small team of consistent Care Partners specially trained to make each day personally meaningful.
Homes feature open floor plans and access to Poydras Home’s ample green spaces. Poydras Home’s interior campus was also transformed into a Center
for Healthy Living to benefit all residents, offering a therapy gym, fitness center, yoga studio, library, expanded salon and spa, café, and multipurpose space for programming and education. Poydras Home worked with Eskew Dumez Ripple architects to ensure the structural changes were adaptive while still rooted in aesthetic traditions.
Poydras Home now also offers Assisted Living Respite Memory Care. For move-in information, visit poydrashome.com. 5345 Magazine St., 504-897-0535.
Jacob Schoen and Son
The team at Jacob Schoen & Son tries to offer you a home—a comforting and inviting place to gather in remembrance and celebration of lives lived well. Their experienced staff is committed to this vision and passionate about making your time with them as memorable and uplifting as possible. Compassion and consideration for New Orleans area families have been the guiding principles for the Schoen family and its many dedicated employees since 1874. Attentive personal concern and direct Schoen family involvement were a hallmark then and still are today. Bringing decades of experience caring for families of all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life, the Jacob Schoen & Son team pledges to treat you and your loved ones just like family, and we guarantee to offer services that meet all of your specifications while exceeding all of your expectations.
To learn more, please visit schoenfh.com.
Christwood
For over thirty years, Christwood, a not-for-profit Life Plan Community, has long championed initiatives that bring the greater community together by adding value and amenities to the Northshore.
Through the years, we’ve built a Community Center, a fitness center serving adults 55+ and open to the public and now offering two indoor pickleball courts and an HD Sports Simulator, established the Atrium Gallery featuring local and regional artists, and periodic concerts open to the community. We are excited now to have our own public radio station, WCWD 89.5FM. In conjunction with the public radio station WWNO in New Orleans, we offer twenty-four hours a day of classical music to our area.
Located in Covington, LA, near shopping and major medical centers, Christwood offers 161 Independent Living residences with a multitude of floor plans to choose from, and all levels of personal care services are provided, if ever needed.
At Christwood, life is fun and purposeful. Our residents know that by leaving the chores to us, they can pursue their passions and explore new opportunities.
Learn more at christwoodrc.com
Ville St. Marie
Locally owned and operated by the same hands since 2001; Ville Ste. Marie Senior Living & More is celebrating our 25th anniversary. Named after a town in France called Ville Ste. Marie, we have been overjoyed to celebrate these past years as a Senior Living Community dedicated to providing Independent Living with Assisted Services from a warm and qualified staff. VSM offers affordable Independent Living (IL) & Assisted Living (AL).
Our community ethos is culture change, allowing residents to maintain their independence while providing peace of mind for themselves and their families. This type of support allows for an improved quality of life through engaging activities, nutritious dining, and maintenance-free apartment living, fostering a vibrant atmosphere and sociable community for our residents.
All of our apartments are handicap accessible, and what sets us apart from our other communities in the area is our full-sized kitchens. All of our apartments come completely unfurnished, so you are really able to make your space your own, not just a place to live in, but a place to call home.
Learn more at villestemarie.com. •
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Ace and the Louisiana Open Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. For more information, call the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-273-5718.
PREMIER
PROPERTIES
PREMIER PROPERTIES
Mississippi Children’s Museum
Southern Summer Scene
Find your calm, your community, your fun in the sun with these Gulf South vacation and Summer Scene partners!
762 Lakeview Coffee + Cocktails
Mambo’s Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, founded by Morton Bader, is the only rooftop restaurant on Bourbon Street, offering panoramic views, balcony seating, fresh seafood, and savory Cajun Creole cuisine. With space for events up to 500 guests and front-row views of Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve fireworks, it’s a premier destination for dining and celebrations in the heart of New Orleans.
762 Coffee and Cocktails, founded by Raquel Zar, the owner of Lakeview Barbershop, blends the worlds of artisanal coffee and cocktail mixology in a warm, stylish setting. Featuring healthier menu options, gluten-free choices, a welcoming patio, and private event space, 762 offers the perfect atmosphere for everything from casual mornings to lively evenings.
Mississippi Children’s Museum
Make your summer road trip count with a stop at the Mississippi Children’s Museum - Meridian—a nationally recognized destination for hands-on family fun. With 9,500 square feet of indoor exhibits and 25,000 square feet outdoors, MCM-Meridian brings learning to life through immersive experiences rooted in Literacy, STEAM, Health, Cultural Arts, and Mississippi History.
Step into storybook magic with Goodnight Moon and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, take the stage in Our Lady’s Playhouse, or climb inside a giant brain. Soar into discovery in the Wings of Wonder gallery while learning about the historic Key Brothers. From climbing to the clouds to stepping into a jet cockpit and defying gravity on the Bernoulli table, hands-on learning takes flight in fun and exciting ways. Outside, My Fantastical Backyard invites children to unleash their imagination in the vibrant open-air setting filled with whimsy and wonder.
Named the Top 5 Children’s Museum by USA Today, it’s the ultimate summertime pit stop for play. Plan your visit today at mcmmeridian.org!
PERLIS Clothing
Celebrate our 250th anniversary with the American flag mesh sweater by Shiraleah. Perfect for breezy summer festivities. Its open mesh construction keeps things cool while adding texture and charm to your patriotic look. Available at Magazine Street and Mandeville locations. perlis.com
Historic New Orleans Collection
The Historic New Orleans Collection is celebrating our 60th anniversary this year and is proud to serve as the cultural hub for the Louisiana America 250 commemorations.
Presented by the Historic New Orleans Collection, “American Revolution” is an augmented reality experience that allows visitors to travel back in time to the Revolution. This free, interactive experience utilizes 360-degree augmented reality technology to dissolve museum walls and immerse visitors in 20 defining moments of the nation’s founding. In addition to displaying the national narratives focused on the original thirteen colonies, this exhibition includes the involvement of the Gulf South, with Louisiana soldiers and militia facing off against British troops.
“I hope visitors will come away understanding that the American Revolution is a much bigger story than what they may have learned in school, and that important events happened in places like Pensacola and New Orleans that affected the course and outcome of the war,” says Alicia Vial, Senior Director of Public Relations at the Historic New Orleans Collection.
While admission is free, timed-entry tickets are required to ensure a seamless experience.
For more information or to reserve your ticket, visit hnoc.org. •
Palm Beach’s New Crown Jewel
Inside The Vineta Hotel
You might say that tony Palm Beach, a narrow, twelve-mile-long barrier island, takes the shape of a catwalk. That fits. This home to billionaires aplenty, which lies just north of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, boasts an unending array of soignée denizens and glitterati perpetually strutting their fashionable stuff on sidewalks, in shops, galleries and at al fresco cafes. A hotspot for passionate Lily Pulitzer lovers, this terminus for the moneyed set wouldn’t dream of donning anything faux from Goutard to Gucci. You get the picture. It’s a den of authentic opulence on a world class stage. While living here used to mean old money taking up residence in 1920’s era Mediterranean Revival mansions (by geniuses by the likes of Addison Mizner), this beachside getaway has mellowed somewhat, with new money and younger folks making a stylish mark amongst the beau monde in what might be the US’s most chichi community. Enter the island’s newest hotel and social hub: The Vineta. Family-owned Oetker Hotels’ first US addition to its Masterpiece Collection, created in collaboration with owner partners the Rueben Brothers, it’s a modern redo of The Chesterfield, a landmark, re-sewn
with European flair and developed with modern gusto. More diminutive than some of Oetker’s other coveted hotels—Le Bristol in Paris, Brenner’s Park in Baden Baden, Jumby Bay in Antigua, for example—La Vineta has just 41 guestrooms and suites, each a sanctum designed by Tino Zervudachi. Worth Avenue beckons just steps away, as do a number of pristine sandy beaches. Not a surfer boy’s vibe, this isn’t the place you come to hang ten. Rather, The Vineta lures you in for some see-and-be-seen pool time, gastronaut-level meals at its Rivera-esque restaurant, Coco’s, and a design-driven holiday likely to include natty repartee with locals and well-heeled visitors alike. Throughout the hotel evocative design motifs—palm fronds, ibises—play like a signature scent, stamping the architectural airiness with a distinct understated glamour that feels like a beach chic homage to both old and new. Don’t miss the luxurious pool beds and custom shell-shaped pool ladders. Families or larger groups should opt for the splendorous two-bedroom Presidential Suite, which has the hotel’s only soaking tub and the option to expand to a fully private wing. oetkerhotels.com/hotels/the-vineta-hotel — by Becca Hensley
