Schedule - 2012

We are constantly trying to improve the activities offered at the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl. You are invited to participate in all of them, or as many as your time here allows.

Important notes on the this Schedule of Events:

• Some of the events are "Pay as You Go", meaning that we're arranging the venue or simply letting you know that they are available. In these cases, you're paying directly for whatever you choose to buy.

• Due to the conditions beyond our control, the events we have planned are subject to change. We promise to provide equivalent activities if too few persons select an event or if the venue is unavailable. Should that occur, you will of course be refunded any difference in cost.

• Transportation can usually be arranged if you meet at Ashton's B&B at least forty-five minutes before the event begins. Check with Patrick or Michael in advance to ensure that we don't forget you.

• We can also make arrangements for you to enjoy any of the following activities while you're here:

  	Enjoy an historical tour of the City
  	Play a round of golf
  	Take a night-time ghost tour
  	Tour our cemeteries, the oldest "Cities of the Dead"
  	Visit the Audubon Zoo or Aquarium
  	Take a daytime or evening cruise on the Mississippi
  	Tour any of several pre-Civil War plantation homes
  	Get a tour of the distillery of Old New Orleans Rum

  Just contact Patrick Ashton or Michael Fermanis (see the "Contact" page) and let us know what you're interested in. Thursday morning, Friday morning, or Sunday afternoon are good times to take advantage of these opportunities.

Thursday, April 13 - Sunday, April 15 - Many people who come for the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl come a few days early to enjoy the New Orleans' French Quarter Festival. This festival has grown into one of the largest free music festivals in the country. The four-day festival includes more than 20 stages strewn throughout the historic French Quarter and the grassy park along the Mississippi River. Hundreds of Louisiana musicians will perform Cajun, jazz, blues, gospel, zydeco and funk. It's all FREE, and dozens of vendors sell cocktails and Louisiana eats. If you have the time, both visitors and locals consider the French Quarter Festival to be the best of the year.

6:00 pm - Early Bird Pizza Party - is not part of the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl, but if you're here on Wednesday to enjoy the sights and entertainments of New Orleans you're welcome to join in.

In a departure from past Wednesday un-events, we're planning to partake of a pre-ordered selection at Ashton's Bed & Breakfast. We expect it to be gourmet pizza and other specialties from Katy's Restaurant in Mid City. This will be a special get-together for the real "early birds" to the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl.

The price is very reasonable and the camaraderie will be memorable, so make sure you register on the SIGN UP page.

Location: Ashton's Bed & Breakfast, 2023 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans

Cost: $25, includes the dinner, draft beer and/or soda.

10:0o am - Tour of St. Louis Cemetery #1

Founded in 1789 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is located just steps outside of the French Quarter at the corner of St. Louis & Basin Streets. It is the burial ground of some of the most illustrious citizens of New Orleans, including Etienne de Bore, pioneer in sugar development; Daniel Clark, financial supporter of the American Revolution; Paul Morphy, world famous chess champion; Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and other local and national figures.

You will learn and see the peculiar burial customs of New Orleans that continue until the present as described by a trained and knowledgeable guide.

Location: Departs from the Basin Street Station lobby, 501 Basin Street (next to the cemetery). Guided tour lasts a little over an hour.

 Cost: $20 includes tour.

5:00 pm - Cigar Smoker at Mayan Import Company

This cigar get-together will be sponsored by Mayan Import Company , previous sponsor of the CCCCC. And Mayan Import Company is right across the street from Joey K's, where we're hosting the Casual dinner later in the afternoon! What a coincidence!!

We're twisting the arm of a few cigar manufacturers to encourage their participation and provide a tasting of their wares as well.

Location: 3009 Magazine Street, Uptown New Orleans, New Orleans

Cost: FREE

6:30 pm - Casual Dinner at Joey K's

Joey K's is a cozy local eatery that offers regional cuisine. In New Orleans, there is a nearly endless number of these, so we chose one that is both interesting and which has excellent food. It is located on Magazine Street, a major Uptown shopping avenue uptown known for antiques, fashion, costumes, musical instruments, and unique ethnic restaurants.  We guarantee that you won't be disappointed!

The time for this event is not yet firmed up, but plan on it about this time. We'll post the exact time on the "News" page of this website when we know for sure.

Location: Joey K's Restaurant, 3001 Magazine Street (corner of Seventh St.), Uptown New Orleans

Cost: $65 includes dinner, tax and gratuity. Adult beverages extra.

Morning - United States Navy and the 47th Operations Sail Event

The organizers of the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl have once again scored a coup! Through their diligent efforts and the pulling of many strings, CCCCC organizers Patrick and Michael have gotten New Orleans named as the inaugural city for a once-in-a-lifetime happening - the United States Navy and the 47^th Operation Sail event.NOLA Navy Week

New Orleans has been selected to host tall ships, Navy vessels, and the Blue Angels, as they celebrate two important American commemorations - the 200-year anniversaries of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

The amphibious behemoth, the United States Navy Wasp along with five large navy vessels will welcome Class A tall ships from countries around the world to New Orleans, joining the U.S. Navy and OpSail 2012 for the Star-Spangled Sail during the festive celebration. The colorful spectacle of ships will be spread along a three-mile stretch of the Mississippi River bank. In addition, the Navy’s famed Blue Angels will perform a thrilling air show over Lakeshore Airport on the shore of Lake Ponchartrain.

You are invited to tour the ships at the New Orleans riverfront on Thursday, Friday, or Sunday. The times are 9am-7pm except noon-5pm on Sunday. Blue Angels air show is on Saturday and Sunday at Lakefront Airport (6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd, New Orleans, LA) from 1pm-4pm.

Location: New Orleans riverfront from Erato Street to Poland Avenue.

Cost: FREE - You're on your own (Registration is not required.)

5:00 pm - Cigar Smoker at Crescent City Cigars

This cigar get-together will be sponsored by a CCCCC favorite, Crescent City Cigar Shop . Armando Ortiz, the proprietor, has offered to share his shop with us. He has arranged to have some very special cigars and has also invited local cigar regulars to meet us there as well, so it will be a exciting time!

You do not need to register for this tasting, just meet at Ashton's B&B by4:30pm or show up at the Crescent City Cigar Shop at 5:00pm.

Location: Crescent City Cigar Shop, 730 Orleans Ave. (1/2 block off Bourbon St), in the French Quarter

Cost: FREE (Registration is not required)

6:30 pm - Annual Cigar Dinner

The Annual Cigar Dinner has become an event people look forward to all year long. It's an opportunity to put on some your best suit (or dress) and enjoy an elaborate dinner at one of the best restaurants in New Orleans.

This year we are proud to have selected Antoine's, possibly the most famous restaurant in New Orleans. Established in 1840, Antoine's is the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States.  Over those 172 years, this world-renowned restaurant has set the standard that made New Orleans one of the greatest dining centers of the world.

The CCCCC has enjoyed cigar dinners at many of the best restaurants in the city, but Antoine's will be a truly unique event. It is host for many of the famed Mardi Gras krewe's dinners, and it has hosted such notables as General Patton, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Judy Garland, Carol Burnett and Pope John Paul the II. Franklin Roosevelt was only one of the many Presidents to have eaten here - William Howard Taft was the first (that we know of).

This is an event worthy of the trip to New Orleans alone. You will likely never have the opportunity to dine at a venue this famous with such service or culinary excellence again.

Note: You are expected to wear "Sunday go-to-meetin'" clothes at Antoines. Ties are not required, jeans, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts and the like are not acceptable.

Location: Antoine's Restaurant, 713 Saint Louis Street (1/2 block off Bourbon St), in the French Quarter
Cost: $125, ALL inclusive - dinner, featured wines, tax and gratuity

10:30 am - Cigar or Antique Crawl in the French Quarter

The original reason for the CCCCC was to crawl the cigar stores in the French Quarter. Well, we still do it, but the reason for this walking trek now is really to drink adult beverages, see the Quarter, and patronize the generous sponsors of the CCCCC. For a Crawl route map and the location of cigar shops in the Quarter, Click HERE.

Or, you can visit some of the 35 antique stores in the Quarter. Ladies often find this more interesting than a cigar crawl, so you or your lady are welcome to stroll until you find the antique shops that pique your fancy. Click HERE to get a short description of each one.

Location: Meet at 10:00 at Crescent City Cigar Shop, 730 Orleans Ave., New Orleans

                       OR  at 9:30 at Ashton's B&B, 2023 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans

Cost: Free.

1:30 pm - C R A W F I S H  B O I L

The Main Event! A real all-you-can-eat Louisiana-style Crawfish & Shrimp Boil featuring crawfish, shrimp, corn, potatoes, fried turkey, crawfish pies, fresh fried oysters, king cake, cold beer and wine, and a whole lot more. Relax and enjoy your favorite cigars, have a beverage, visit with old friends or make some new ones. It all takes place at Pat & Karma Ashton's Bed & Breakfast, a restored antebellum mansion near the famous French Quarter.

Location: Ashton's Bed & Breakfast, 2023 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans

Cost: $55, includes the feast, cigars, beer/wine, raffle and lots of fun.

	7:30 pm (or so) - Evening in the French Quarter or the Fauburg Marigny   Come stroll Bourbon Street with us to sample the various nightclubs and other adult entertainments of the world-famous French Quarter. Or we can suggest a venue that's the perfect spot for dancing, popular music, people watching, karaoke, cigar enjoyment, or whatever you and your companion might desire! This is an "unofficial" event. Click HERE for ideas.
	OR
	You might chose the Fauburg Marigny adjacent to the French Quarter. The Marigny is the more bohemian and less "touristy" part of town. It's also where the very best jazz and avant garde music can be found. If you want to hear some world-class musicians in intimate, secluded and romantic venues, get thee to the Marigny. This is an "unofficial" event. Look HERE for what you may find...
	OR
	You are welcome to cruise the "dive bars" in the French Quarter. I have a special map created by "those who know" of the many establishments in that special category. This is an "unofficial" self-guided event.    Location: Where ever you want to go! Cost: Whatever you want to spend - You're on your own!

10:30 am - Sunday Creole Brunch

This year's TENTATIVE choice (as in previous years) is Begué's Restaurant in the first-class Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter.  The cuisine they offer is considered one of the best in New Orleans, and I know that you'll agree. Many fine restaurants offer Sunday Brunch, but usually it's a limited prix fixé menu. But Begués offers a buffet of dozens of local treats and a staff making hot dishes to order.

We'll be enjoying their Sunday Champagne Brunch buffet in a beautiful room opening onto a lush cigar-friendly courtyard. Le Booze, the un-official CCCCC cigar bar, is next door in the same hotel overlooking Bourbon Street. And they are again including unlimited Mimosas and Champagne during brunch!

NOTE: At this time, the restaurant is undergoing renovations. If it is not available on the date we have planned, another venue will be chosen. Watch the "News" page here for later updates.

Location: Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St, New Orleans

Cost: $55, ALL inclusive - brunch, coffee/tea/soda, champagne/mimosas, tax and gratuity.

5:00 pm (or so) - BIG Meat

This is not an official event. However, since so many CCCCCers just won't go home, we felt that we were obliged to find them some place to eat on Sunday evening.

Per usual, the BIG Meat will be held at the Crescent City Steakhouse or at another reasonably-priced quality restaurant with a basically carnivorous menu. You pay-as-you-go, but register so we get an accurate head count and reserve a suitable space.

Location: (Probably) Crescent City Steakhouse,  1001 N. Broad St, New Orleans

Cost: You pay your own way.