Doreen – The Clarinet Queen
Where can you go to catch a world class musical performance with plenty of room to dance? The 700 block of Royal Street is where it’s happening. You’ve got Rouses’ (the old A&P) grocery, a regular stop for French Quarter visitors and locals alike. Across the street is Forever New Orleans, and Alex Beard recently opened an art gallery a few doors down on the corner of Royal and Pirates Alley (you can actually watch him paint in the window sometime, very cool). Gallery 713, a local favorite, is opposite him. But the crowd in the street is gathered around a group of local street musicians known to frequent this block. They are here to see the Queen. 
Doreen and her husband Lawrence Ketchens have been international ambassadors for New Orleans music and culture on radio and televisions around the world. While they are available for weddings and special events, Doreen and her band of jazz musicians have been bringing their brand of music to the Crescent City streets for twenty years or so. A fixture on this stretch of Royal they will have even the most rhythm challenged tapping their feet and moving to the beat.
As Doreen says in one of her songs “I’m the Queen of the clarinet, been around the world ain’t heard better yet” and I say “Amen!” The group has several CD’s available for purchase. You can visit their website: www.doreensjazz.com
These show stealers will capture your hearts with just one stanza of their rendition of “Little Liza Jane” as they did mine. It is obvious these amazing performers play for the absolute love of it because their heart and soul are in every note.
Stop by and hang out with Doreen, Lawrence and the crew next time you find yourself on Royal Street. Hey y’all, don’t forget to leave a little something in the bucket!
By S.D. Talbot
Who Let The Saints Fans Out? Who Dat! Who Dat!
The Who Dat nation has always been loud and proud (some years more than others), but Who Dats! are definitely one of the more loyal breeds. New Orleans Saints fans have always been there to protect and defend their team. They would never bite the hand that feeds them, but the Vikings fans better keep their hands in their pockets!
Beware of the Saints Fan. The Dome Patrol is marking their territory. Today even the most well- mannered of the litter, are showing their black and gold pride and some teeth in the streets of the Big Easy. The pack is definitely circling, scenting a win in the Superdome. These guys are off the chain!!
When the Saints bring the Vikings to heel on Sunday, good luck putting these big dogs back in their cage!
Who let the Saints Fans out? Drew Dat! Drew Dat!
By S.D. Talbot
The Secret of VertiMarte
The legend of “All that Jazz”, Paranormal po’boy claims another victim.
Go to http://whodatdodat.com/articles/french-quarter/verdimarte-sssh-the-quarters-best-kept-secret
There are plenty of tall tales and legends associated with the New Orleans French Quarter. Most are rooted in enough truth to make them believable. With others there is just no way to really know. Either way it leaves you a little spooked. For at least ten years I have been told the story of the “Jazz” sandwich. Spawned in the back of a little Quarter grocery store called the VertiMarte, this mythical Manna of the Gods is said to put you under its spell with one bite.
Oh, my gosh! What is a “Jazz”? you ask while goose bumps chase up your arms. This paranormal po’boy is one of several specialty sandwiches conjured up by the back-of-the-store sandwich magicians. This one is actually called “All that Jazz”. It is a medley of grilled ham, turkey & shrimp, Swiss & American cheese accompanied by grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, on grilled French bread with the VerdiMarte’s own original “Wow Sauce”.
Finding myself on the corner of Royal Street and Governor Nicholls last evening, I decided to do my own version of a myth buster experiment and brave this 100 plus year old establishment. With my trusty sidekick by my side (one of the perpetuators of this tale) we armed ourselves with two Barq’s Root beers, a bag of Zapp’s Cajun Crawtators and ordered one “All that Jazz” to split. The tag team strategy was highly recommended for a light weight like myself.
I am here to bear witness, the “Jazz” lives up to the legend and then some. The spell is definitely working because I’m thinking a “Jazz” for breakfast sounds amazing. Despite the sign over the deli counter saying “Sssh- The Quarter’s Best Kept Secret”, stick a needle in my eye, this is one secret I have to tell.
By S.D. Talbot
VertiMarte 1201 Royal Street, French Quarter, New Orleans
Open 24 hrs, 7 days a week
phone 525-4767 | fax 566-0948
New Orleans Saints- BACK IN BLACK and GOLD
The Saints came marching in all right, into the Superdome and right back out with a 45-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Dominating on both ends of the field the Saints showed exactly why they are the number one seed in the NFC. Who Dat!
Next weekend brings us face to face with the number two seed, the Minnesota Vikings. The only team standing between us and a trip to the Super Bowl. I love you Brett, but you’re going down!
Faith is not believing that the Saints can make it to the Super Bowl; it is knowing that they will. So wave those “We Believe “signs like you mean it Who Dat fans! The boys in black and gold sure look like Super Bowl champs to me!
By Sharon Denise Talbot
