Take 5: New Orleans Film Festival edition

On October 12, 2011, In Event, By admin

The 22nd annual New Orleans Film Festival starts Friday (Oct. 14), with more than 180 films slated to unspool over seven days at 14 venues around town. Here are five be-there-or-be-square screenings on tap. For a full schedule, visit the New Orleans Film Society web site. You can also check back for daily best bets for the run of the festival:

2. The Big Fix — Local filmmaker Josh Tickell and his wife and filmmaking partner, Rebecca Harrell Tickell, focus their lens on the BP oil spill and the cozy corporate and regulatory relationships that they say are responsible for it. Whether you agree or disagree with them, prepare to be angered by what the Tickells have to say.
The Tickells will attend Friday night’s (Oct. 14) screening — the film’s North American premiere — at 8:45 at the Prytania. An encore screening is scheduled for Wednesday (Oct. 19) at 7 p.m. at the Chalmette Movies.

1. The Artist — A crowd-pleasing silent film starring Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo and local guy John Goodman, it gets things started Friday (Oct. 14) at 6:40 at the Prytania. It’s the one film on this list that I haven’t seen yet, but its reputation precedes it. I’ll be there on Friday — and you should, too.

Continue at the TP

 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

NOPD reaches out to community on Night Out Against Crime

On October 12, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

NEW ORLEANS — It’s a major concern for the Crescent City, and on Tuesday night, city leaders and neighbors joined together to take a stand against crime.

A makeshift memorial set up in front of the 7th Ward home where a woman and her 13-year-old son were found shot to death early Monday morning added new urgency to the neighborhood’s annual Night Out Against Crime event, just a few doors down on Annette Street .

“We’re out here because this was a senseless, senseless murder and they say not in your backyard, but not on your front porch,” said neighbor Kevin Parker.

Over 265 Night Out Against Crime events were planned in the Crescent City on Tuesday. According to Superintendent Ronal Serpas, that’s the most since 2004. They’re aimed at strengthening communities by bringing neighbors and law enforcement officials together.

Continue at WWL

 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

‘Occupy New Orleans’ Group Plans To March

On October 4, 2011, In Event, By admin

A groundswell of anti-corporation protests has been generating headlines, and police said they have resulted in hundreds of arrests.

A group that calls itself “Occupy New Orleans” said on Monday it is planning to march on the streets this week.  The group is promoting the protest on Facebook, which has about 3,000 followers.  But the New Orleans Police Department said the group has not yet gotten permits for a protest march scheduled for noon Thursday.

The Occupy New Orleans event is the latest round in a series of protests — people venting frustrations with the nation’s financial industry. Police said 700 protesters were arrested Saturday for blocking streets by the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Continue at WDSU

 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Mass. trust buys One Shell Square

On October 4, 2011, In Urban Planning, By admin

Louisiana’s tallest and largest skyscraper, One Shell Square, has been sold for $102 million to a Massachusetts real estate investment trust.

The Times-Picayune reports the 51-story building’s longtime owner, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., sold the limestone building to the CommonWealth REIT of Newton, Mass., around the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in late August.

The sale brings a new real estate company to New Orleans that is likely to expand.

Timothy Bonang, vice president of investor relations at CommonWealth, said his company tries to get into the market by purchasing a “trophy asset,” and then hopes to pick up other properties in the market. One Shell Square is CommonWealth’s only holding in Louisiana.

“We try to purchase what we think is one of the best assets in the market, and then we hope to add through additional acquisitions over time,” Bonang said. “What we really look for are high-quality assets, high credit-quality tenants, and long-term leases.”

Continue at Boston Herald

 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Katrina-battered hotel finally ready to reopen

On October 3, 2011, In Rebuilding, By admin

Photos of the Hurricane Katrina-battered Hyatt Regency New Orleans still have the power to shock: smashed windows, ragged curtains flapping in the wind, an American flag at the entrance blowing in shreds.

Now, in just a few short weeks, a glamorous and completely rebuilt Hyatt Regency New Orleans will reopen following a $275 million, multi-year renovation. The 32-story hotel, which throws open its doors Oct. 19, will offer nearly 1,200 guest rooms, 200,000 square feet of meeting space and a number of ambitious restaurants operating under the eye of an internationally known chef, Eric Damidot. The hotel anchors a busy sports and entertainment district and is just blocks from the historic French Quarter.

“We’re bigger and better than ever,” said Michael Smith, general manager both now and at the time of the hurricane, and a leader of the renovation. “This hotel has gone through a complete transformation.”

Continue at msnbc

 
0 Comments
Leave A Response
Go To Top »