Anyone going to Bourdain?

[Gourmondo]

Well are you? I'm trying to figure out if this is something worth signing up for, i.e., assuming tix are still available. Seems like a strange venue for someone like him.

http://www.neworleansspeakerseries.com/bourdain.html

[wish I never left]

Seems like a strange venue for someone like him.

I say this without any malice and with all due respect for the guy, but I am pretty sure that if the money is right, Bourdain will show up just about anywhere this side of a Rachel Ray and Sandra Lee Christmas special.

[TheSpecialMan]

I bought tickets awhile ago, and am now realizing this is also BCS Championship night. Now am trying to decide whether to DVR it, turn off the cell phone and go straight home after the show, or head to a party and watch the 2nd half live. I guess it depends what time the show lets out. Anybody have any idea how long it will last?

[DivaKitty]

Got tix from my husband for Christmas. From what I read he just "wings it" and talks about whatever is up his craw that day then goes to the audience for questions.

[LauraMc]

If you have ever watched his show, that's the way he talks in real life. Just whatever pops in his head. I dined with him last fall and he is a great conversationalist. And no question is too stupid for him to answer. He is polite in redirecting the conversation and including everyone. Someone at our table kept asking him about Cuba because her father was from there. She just couldn't seem to understand why he wouldn't break the law and sneak in there to do a show. And she kept insisting he should. He would explain it shorter each time she asked and then move on to another person.
I thought about buying tickets for the whole speaker series. Next is Garrison Keiller and then David Sedaris. If the weather weren't going to be so nasty, I might buy a last minute ticket for tonight.

[Isabella Maja]

Got tix from my husband for Christmas. From what I read he just "wings it" and talks about whatever is up his craw that day then goes to the audience for questions.

Please dawlin, share with us what happens!

[LauraMc]

I'm sure he will have a lot up his craw about the city. When we talked about it last year, I can still remember the way his expression changed when I spoke about the show he did from here. He said he was extremely angry about the response to Katrina and apparently TF took him to the worst hit places.
You all may just talk me into getting a last minute ticket. When is the bad weather supposed to start tonight?

[DivaKitty]

We really enjoyed last night. Also got a John Goodman sighting in, a popular past time of mine...
First of all, as a NOBA season ticket holder, I was surprised to see they let the audience bring drinks into the theater. There was even a very attentive cocktail waitress working the box seats. A mere 30 minutes in, it appeared that at least one audience member had over imbibed, as her date practically had to carry her out (I hope she is ok!)
Tony covered many topics, mostly food related stuff, travel stuff towards the end. My husband was really surprised to hear him talk about eating less meat (in the Asian style of using it more as a flavor or side vs. eating huge hunks of meat) mostly due to the increasing concern over food safety and even the treatment of commercial animals (he said something like "happy animals just taste better")
He never came off as snarky or pontificous (probably NOT a real word.) Referred to his crew as some of his best friends (Laurence of Arabia moment "smoking hash with my crew while walking through the desert.")
He spoke for a long time before opening up the floor for questions. As mentioned above, he was gracious and answered all questions thoughtfully and honestly.
The sound system sucked a$$ - a problem they really should work out if they continue to have folks pay $60+ for these spoken events.
At the end he said he was heading to Verti Mart for a bite, then off to sleep as they were heading out early this morning. I wonder how many other folks hit the Verti Mart last night after the show?
We opted for J'anita's @ the Ave. Pub (I had the Sweet Spot, prepared by a rather surly, not so sweet fellow) then a nightcap at the Crown & Anchor in our hood.
Good times...