Classical Shindig

Before the world went crazy,Before horrible storms, plagues and mass shooting insanity, I enjoyed going to the movie theater alone. It didn’t have to be a particularly well reviewed film for me to go and get a seat in the center of the theater clutching my bag of salty popcorn and an icy Diet Coke. For me to have the thrill of anticipation in the hopes that i would be entertained, perhaps escape for an hour as the lights went down.Tonight, as I crawled into bed with my hot cinnamon tea and a Graham cracker, I opened a package from my beloved New Orleans friend of 40 years and felt that same sense of anticipation. She usually sends me quirky art which I love or silly statues of Queen Elizabeth waving her gloved hand thanks to a mini solar panel on her back, or a self-help book which is usually tossed aside. This is a woman whose childhood and marital homes were bedecked by ancient pieces of silver, portraits, worn linens with monograms as big as my hand and furnishings of which she didn’t give a rats ass because all of her energy is spent trying to help the addicts, the pregnant unwed mommies and the severally mentally ill. So as I opened the package and found a massive tome of all things beautiful and wonderful in the south, from decor to recipes, and stories ! Oh the stories! Well I had a hard time believing it was from my Cecile. In her true fashion though, she sent it because of her friendly relationship with the author more than the material. I doubt she has read the book but she knew it was special and was sure it was something I would love. I turned the first page and feasted my eyes on the rich colors of a beautiful Imari vase and I clutched my chest because I knew then this book was going to give me hope that things are still lovely and beautiful! This is a book to be savored. Don’t just flip the pages. Read it as a Gone With the Wind on how to properly host a classical shindig. And don’t we all want to host or attend a shindig? Yes ! Yes we do. While you turn the pages I challenge you to not be inspired. Im guessing you will pull out aunt Rubiedik’s some two hundred year old candelabra wrapped in a box somewhere and start pulling together recipes from this variety of cheese stick and shrimp remoulade recipes. This is going to be a bible of southern entertaining and I am very happy it’s now in my home.

It’s rare when I read an entertaining/coffee table book cover to cover upon first glance, but that’s exactly what I did. Classical Shindig delivers all sorts of delicacies from the authors in the form of clever and engaging stories, secreted tips and tricks, and Ta-Da! even QR codes with live music & video feeds performed by Michael & Quinn. Feast on the photographic and illustrative genius of close to fifteen visual artists… all (and more) compiled into 384 glorious pages.

As beautiful as this book is for your coffee table, it’s equally as entertaining to read. The stories describing childhood memories that influence Michael and Quinn are relatable and amusing, and the pictures are stunning. All of the recipes are a wonderful bonus, but the Chocolate Chip Pie on pg. 97 is my favorite! Michael and Quinn’s love of entertainment and engaging personalities clearly shine through in this must-buy book.

Pretty fabulous book of a lifestyle unique to New Orleans and the South. Lots of photos and stories to inspire. There’s a wonderful YouTube video on Homeworthy channel that gives further insight into the charming authors of this book. They are remarkable men, unsurpassed hosts, bon vivants that make you want a seat at their table or to be an invited guest to one of their musical evenings, salons, and soirées.