Proposed nail salon wins initial approval — with new second-story residential addition — for St. Charles Avenue storefront near universities

A nail salon proposed for a university-area building on St. Charles Avenue that has been a number of short-lived restaurants in recent years won initial approval from the City Planning Commission on Tuesday, and it will include the addition of a new second-story living space — despite some some neighbors concerns’ that parking is already too tough even with the space currently vacant.

Sponsored: Propeller Pop 2018 will celebrate social entrepreneurs, local cuisine

With some help from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and several local businesses, Propeller Pop 2018 will celebrate social entrepreneurs with a tasting of New Orleans’ best pop-up restaurants.

The event takes place 6 to 9 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 15, and will showcase about 10 pop-up chefs based in New Orleans. Roulaison Distilling Co. will have a pop-up tasting room, and spirits from Bizou Wines, Urban South Brewery, and Broad Street Cider will also be available.

Two literary events celebrate New Orleans tricentennial

Two events tomorrow delve into the rich and complicated culture of New Orleans and celebrate the city’s tricentennial. But, they force literary-minded New Orleanians to make a rich, complicated decision: both are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

At Octavia Books at 530 Octavia St., near Laurel Street, New Orleans writer Jason Berry will present and sign his “City of a Million Dreams: A History of New Orleans at Year 300.”

“Jason Berry has a profound understanding of the main ingredients of New Orleans history: race, religion and music,” writes author Walter Isaacson. “In this fascinating work, he weaves them together in a luscious, multicolored tapestry of the town’s 300 years. Like a wonderful piece of jazz, it has recurring strands and lovely riffs that make the narrative dance.”

Sponsored: Local ‘Stars’ Dance for the Arts

New Orleans luminaries dance-off to benefit arts education
Inspired by ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, the 9th Annual Young Audiences Dancing for the Arts gala will feature local community leaders competing on the dance floor with professional dancers for the coveted People’s Choice Award.

The gala will be held at Harrah’s Casino Theatre this Friday, Nov. 16 from 7 to 11 p.m., starting with a red carpet reception and cocktail hour. Festivities will also include a silent auction, open bar, fine fare, and entertainment.

Oak Street Po-Boy Festival announces awards for the fest’s best

A smoked-chicken po-boy from Boucherie on South Carrollton Avenue was named the Best Chicken at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival on Sunday.

Parkway Bakery and Tavern’s James Brown po-boy danced away with the Best in the Fest award. The BBQ shrimp and beef po-boy beat out the more than 60 variations of the po-boy served at the annual celebration of New Orleans’ signature sandwich.

The Oak Street festival’s website describes Boucherie’s winning sandwich as “smoked chicken with white BBQ sauce, queso chihuahua, candied jalapeno and rapini.”