St. Charles Avenue July 2023

A notable number of friends have recently remarked that July is their favorite summer month. I’d have to agree. As our How to Host columnist Jenny Vorhoff eloquently points out, “July is the most ethereal month of summer. Fall is too far away for concern. The craziness of spring and end-of-school is a distant memory. Produce is bountiful and time is aplenty.” There is a beautiful peacefulness that comes with slower-paced mornings, yet still productive work days, combined with summertime evenings with no real agenda. Sure, summer has its harried moments as well – but the overall sense of calm is undeniably welcome.  It’s certainly hot, but bearable enough to enjoy time with family and friends outside. This month we bring you charming accessories to step up your al fresco entertaining game, as well as recommendations for summer’s best rosés from Reno De Ranieri, Co-owner and Beverage Director/Sommelier of Osteria Lupo & Costera.  July is the perfect time to visit your local attractions and take in those coveted air-conditioned spaces. It’s also a great time to explore the vast array of art galleries we are lucky to find gracing our city streets. But, where to begin? For our Gallery Insider feature, Jyl Benson has compiled an excellent guide to navigating the local art scene and offers insightful tips from collectors and experts. Discover the wide range of incredibly talented artists represented throughout town. This guide was current at the time of publication, but if you know of a gallery that should be added please email andy@myneworleans.com. We are thrilled to highlight July Changemaker Taylor Ann Cohen with the New Orleans Musicians Clinic & Assistance Foundation. Learn more about this wonderful organization and their fight to offer healthcare and support to the city’s music community. Under the LSU Healthcare Network, they provide over 2,500 musicians and other artists with preventative care, a discounted pharmacy and other social services.  We hope you find inspiration for enjoying summer’s most relaxed month on these pages. Cheers! Andy Myer, Editor

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On the Cover

[caption id="attachment_142924" align="alignnone" width="767"] Arts District Association President & gallerist Leslie-Claire Spillman, Association Treasurer Emma Conroy, Fidelity Bank Market President Jamie Sablich and Fidelity Bank Chief Marketing Officer Tammy O’Shea. Artwork by Louisiana artist and educator Ed Smith, as featured in the summer group exhibition at SPILLMAN | BLACKWELL Fine Art.[/caption] Fidelity Bank White Linen Night Arts District New Orleans (ADNO), the non-profit organization that founded White Linen Night, is pleased to announce that the popular fundraising event is back this year and will take place on August 5th in conjunction with the First Saturday art walk, with proceeds to benefit the organization. This year’s event, presented by title sponsor Fidelity Bank, will take place from 5-10 p.m. on the 300-600 blocks of Julia St. in the historic Warehouse Arts District, and will also include a second block closure location for the first time ever! The block party will continue on the 500 block of St. Joseph St. adjacent to the museums and will feed into the official afterparty at the Contemporary Arts Center. The 20+ contemporary art galleries and institutions that compose the Arts District are eager to welcome guests back to visit and view their exhibitions in person at this highly-anticipated annual event. Guests are strongly encouraged to don their white linen while strolling down Julia St., visit the galleries, enjoy food from local vendors, bars selling libations to benefit the organizations, and art-centered street activations. Additional details may be found at artsdistrictneworleans.com. Event Highlights: • Block party 5-10 p.m. on Julia St. and St. Joseph St. (new this year!) • Food trucks featuring a wide array of local cuisine • Live music on two stages on Julia St. • DJ spinning all night on St. Joseph St. • Light projection art, live painting and interactive artful street activations • Bars selling beer, wine and cocktails • Official after party at the CAC