Upcoming in March: Book Club, Marley Marsalis concert, Mother of the Maid play

Posted on by
  • Book Club: Saturday, March 2 10-11:30 a.m. at the Rosa Keller Library 4300 S. Broad Street
  • Marley Marsalis fundraiser piano concert: Sunday, March 10, 2:30 p.m. at a French Quarter home (advance ticket required)
  • Mother of the Maid play in Baton Rouge Saturday March 9

Scroll down for details of these events; click here to view the full Calendar

Book Club 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday March 2nd

Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  We will be discussing “The Hundred Years War: 1337-1453” by Anne Curry. All are welcome. The book is only 144 pages so you still have time to read or listen to it! Even if you don’t, we welcome you to join us for the discussion. Our book club coordinator and host, Gretchen Zalkind, co-owner of Frenchmen Art and Books, will generously bring coffee, juice, water, pastries, and snacks to share. We meet in the beautiful sunroom at the Rosa Keller Library at 4300 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70125.

Marley Marsalis in concert March 10 for Rotary fundraiser

2024 “Maid of Honor” Joan of Arc, Marley Marsalis, will play the piano Sunday March 10 in a private house concert with food and wine to help raise funds for the New Orleans Rotary Foundation Scholarship for the exchange program for the New Orleans “Joan” to travel to France and the Orléans, France, “Jeanne” to travel here. Rotary members Jane Cooper and Bob Heaps will host this soiree in the French Quarter home, where Marley will play a piano on which both Duke Ellington and, her grandfather, Ellis Marsalis played.   

She will be joined by Oscar Rossignoli and Jason Stewart.  

Oscar is an accomplished pianist and composer in both jazz and classical music.  He was recognized as a finalist for the Ellis Marsalis International Jazz Piano Summer 2018 Competition, a contest meant to be the most comprehensive, challenging, and in-depth jazz piano competition in the world.  Rossignoli folds many traditions into his music, from his classical music formation to this passion for Latin and North American jazz.  

Jason Stewart started playing the double bass at the age of 17 in his hometown of New Orleans.  He was introduced to Black American Music at NOCCA where he studied with the great trumpeter and educator Clyde Kerr, Jr. and master bassist Bill Huntington.  He received an Artist Diploma from the Juilliard school of music in 2009-2011.  He performed with the Ellis Marsalis trio, quartet, and quintet from 2007-2020.  

Both of these artists are donating their time and performance to support Marley and help Rotary raise the funds for the Joan of Arc Exchange. 

Marley and her mother will visit Orléans, France in June 2024 when they will be the guests of the Orléans Rotary Club.  

Jane Cooper and Bob Heaps are hosting this event in their home, 931 Barracks St  in the French Quarter.  Arrive at 2:30 to 2:45 pm and enjoy a delicious spread of food and sparkling wine along with red and white wines carefully selected by Bob and Jane.  Tickets are very limited and available for $100. each.  You may Venmo, Zelle or write a check. Respond to Rotary exchange coordinator Gayle Dellinger for specific ticket-buying instructions.  

Thank you again for your support of this Rotary exchange project with our sister club in Orléans, France.

Baton Rouge “Field Trip” Saturday March 9

We are excited that this play about Joan’s mother Isabelle Romee, (which ran on Broadway in 2018 starring Glenn Close as Isabelle), is being staged in Baton Rouge from March 7-16th.  We are going to meet up on March 9th for whomever can attend, but you are welcome to experience it whenever it works for your schedule!

Buy your tickets here: https://www.redmagnoliatc.org/upcoming-production

Red Magnolia Theatre Company Presents MOTHER OF THE MAID by Jane Anderson: Mother of the Maid is a story of Joan of Arc’s mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. Set during the most violent time in France’s history, Isabelle Romee follows her daughter from their village of Domremy, through French Court, and into an English prison cell.

Buy your ticket and show up, or email us if you want to coordinate rides.