Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía - Madrid Spain
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía – Madrid Spain
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía - Madrid Spain
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía – Madrid Spain

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía – a.k.a. “The Sofia” in Madrid Spain is a combination of old and new buildings. It was based on an old hospital building that6 was rebuilt and a new part was added. The museum was inaugurated in 1992 and it was named after the Spanish Queen Sofia. The museum focuses mainly on Spanish art (it is the national Spanish museum for 20:th century art). The two Spanish masters of the 20:th century Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali are well represented and one of the big draws is Picasso’s “Guernica”. At the time of our visit in August 2017 there was a temporary exhibit of “Pity & terror – Picasso’s path to Guernica”, which apart from Guernica itself had many other paintings that illustrated how Picasso got to painting Guernica.

Do not be fooled by the label ‘focus on Spanish art’ because there is also a treasure of art from all around the world, the collection is extensive.

Sculpture garden that has a great Alexander Calder piece on view.
The Sabatini garden has a great Alexander Calder piece on view.
Alexander Calder piece in the garden.
“Carmen” by Alexander Calder piece in the Sabatini garden.

If you plan on visiting more than one museum of the Museo Nacional’s in Spain an annual card might make sense, it can be bought at the ticket office and the cost in August 2017 is €36.06 and that give you entry to a list of museums across Spain for a year, follow this link to see the list.

Oiseau lunaire - "Moonbird" Joan Miró (1893-1983) in the Sabatini garden
Oiseau lunaire – “Moonbird” 1966, Joan Miró (1893-1983) in the Sabatini garden.

Ellis Marsalis at Jackson Square

Ellis Marsalis at the piano
Ellis Marsalis at the piano and his bassist to the right

Ellis Marsalis, the Patriarch of the Marsalis family with many well known musicians in the family performed with his band at the French Quarter Fest on Thursday under a relentless Louisiana sun and a big crowd of people enjoying the music. Ellis Marsalis is not only a musician but also a big supporter of musical education as well as an educator himself, read more about him here.

Ellis Marsalis band members
Ellis Marsalis drummer and trumpet player
Ellis Marsalis band members
Ellis Marsalis band members
A lighthearted moment between the trumpet and clarinet players during the concert
A lighthearted moment between two band members during the concert

Aaron Neville touches his audience at FQF in New Orleans

Aaron Neville concert crowd on the Abita beer stage in Woldenberg park New Orleans
Aaron Neville concert crowd on the Abita beer stage in Woldenberg park New Orleans

Aaron Neville drew a large crowd to his concert on opening day of the French Quarter Fest 2017 on Thursday April 6. He got the crowd going when he was playing some of his big hits like “Everybody plays the fool”. This guy is great and he really touched the audience here at the French Quarter Fest. If you want to see if Aaron is coming to a place near you, here is his tour schedule.

Aaron Neville on stage at the French Quarter Fest 2017
Aaron Neville on stage at the French Quarter Fest 2017
Aaron Neville performing
Aaron Neville performing

New Orleans – French Quarter gearing up for French Quarter Fest

Streetcar on Canal Street advertising the French Quarter Fest
Streetcar on Canal Street advertising the French Quarter Fest

New Orleans is busy setting up for the 2017 French Quarter Fest which is held April 6-9 2017.

Jackson Square on April 5 2017 just before the start of French Quarter Fest
Jackson Square on April 5 2017 just before the start of French Quarter Fest

There is a lot of work involved in holding an event like the French Quarter Fest even though it is not quite as big as some of the events in New Orleans such as jazz Fest or Mardi Gras. In our mind it is more accessible and a bit easier on the mind and possibly on the wallet than the other bigger events, although it is New Orleans after all so you never know…

Barricades at the ready outside the police station at Conti and Royal St
Barricades at the ready outside the police station at Conti and Royal St
Setup of stages and boots at Riverwalk and Woldenberg park
Setup of stages and boots at Riverwalk and Woldenberg park

Woldenberg park, named after philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg (1896–1982) who helped fund the park on land that previously held riverfront warehouses and effectively cut the city off from access the the great Mississippi river is now the home of some of the biggest stages at the French Quarter Fest.

Plaque to honor Malcolm Woldenberg in Woldenbereg Riverfront Park
Plaque to honor Malcolm Woldenberg in Woldenbereg Riverfront Park
French Quarter Fest includes the availability of a variety of drinks...
French Quarter Fest includes the availability of a variety of drinks…
Of course the famous Hand Grenade is available as well
Of course the famous Hand Grenade is available as well
Ad for this years Jazzfest outside the Sheraton on Canal Street with George Rodrigue's Loup Garou on top
Ad for this years Jazzfest outside the Sheraton on Canal Street with a few versions of George Rodrigue’s Loup Garou on top

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival April 26 – May 7 2017.