It's About Freakin' Time

Notable Re-Openings this week...

The Columns Hotel reopens Saturday 12/31 (rooms available beginning 4/1/06)
Brigtsens and Jacques-Imos reopens Thursday 12/29
Palace Cafe is open for lunch Tues-Fri and Sundays, and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Rumor has it Galatoires is opening on New Year's Day, but you're not going to be able to get a table for a year. Get your line holders now.

Now That's Comedy

Beginning Wednesday 12/28 and every Wednesday thereafter, "The Attic," upstairs at Lucy's in the Warehouse District hosts a Comedy Open Mic Night. Amateurs and professionals are welcome. Doors open at 7pm with the show at 8pm. If you'd like to appear or need info, email Bill Dykes at wildbill@oddville.com

Fun and Excitement This Weekend

Among the myriad of events this weekend...

• Thursday 12/15: Spencer Bohren Christmas Party at Snug Harbor, 9pm-12:30am
• Friday, 12/16: Double-wide Christmas Miracle, a satiric holiday comedy, at One-Eyed Jacks, 8pm
• Saturday, 12/17: Arlo Guthrie and friends featuring Willie Nelson at Tips Uptown, 9pm
• Sunday, 12/18: Final Nickel-A-Dance at Cafe Brasil featuring Lionel Ferbos, 3-6pm; Caroling in Jackson Square, 7pm;

We Like the R Bar

Fridays: Free Oyster Happy Hour, 6pm until
Mondays: Haircuts by Katy: $10 for a haircut and a shot, 9pm until

1431 Royal St at Kerlerec in the Marigny

"A Joyful Noise" for the Kids

This Saturday (12/10) at Howlin' Wolf, at their brand-new location on N. Peters St where the Praline Connection used to be, join a bunch of great New Orleans musicians for "A Joyful Noise," a benefit concert to raise money for the kids at Children's Hospital and other young victims of Katrina. Features guests include Fred LeBlanc, Stanton Moore, George Porter, Jr., Shannon McNally, Anders Osborne, and many more. The show starts at 9pm, tickets are $25.

In other Howlin' Wolf news, check out Swing Night every Monday night with Lindy Hop lessons at 7pm, Beginner Swing Lessons at 8pm, and Swing Night with a different band each week at 9pm.

For more info, call 522-WOLF

Shopping for a Really, Really Good Cause

Hey, here's the perfect chance to do all of your holiday shopping at once.

Our good friends at Basin Street Records are having a sidewalk sale this Sunday (12/11) from 11am until 1pm at their office at 4130 Canal St (hey, remember that address. You'll see it again). It's a half-block off of Carrollton next to Kanpai and across from Michael's Mid-City Grill. There'll be great deals on CDs, DVDs, t-shirts, and vinyl in an attempt to clear out some inventory before the building is renovated (again, stay tuned). Come by and buy a whole lot of stuff.

Also, go to www.ShopforNewOrleans.com for links to online shopping from other New Orleans businesses that are helping rebuild the city.

The Coolest Thing Ever.

Okay, this has nothing to do with openings or events or anything in the city, it's just one of the coolest videos that I've ever seen.

Check out http://media.putfile.com/WizardsofWinter-SM/ and tell me if you think Al Copeland could top it.

Notable Openings...

Here's some good news about some restaurant and club reopenings...

• House of Blues Foundation Room reopens Thursday 12/8, as does Emerils on that date
• Nola reopens Tuesday 12/13
• House of Blues is back on 12/28 with Cowboy Mouth then on 12/29 with Dr. John with Special Guests Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen.
• The Omni Royal Orleans and the Rib Room opened last week as did the Chateau Sonesta

The best source for restaurant openings is Tom Fitzmorris' nomenu.com.

Oh, one more thing of note-- Russell's Marina Grill is reopen on Pontchartrain Blvd. Amazingly, they didn't get much damage, despite being in Lakeview. They have a limited menu, but you can still get the Stack O' Pancakes.

Festivus Returns!

The ever-popular Holiday Market Festivus returns this year for a one-day only event this Saturday (12/10) at the corner of Magazine and Girod. From 11am-4pm, shop for unique gifts plus gift wrapping, hot food, live music, and free massages from the Office of Homeland Serenity.

Check it out and do your holiday shopping locally.