I am accompanied to town by Michele of Arkansas, a lively entertaining fest volunteer and member of New Orleans' Women in Film. She drives a gold Cadillac. Festival lodging is at the Westin Canal Place, a fine hostelry with rooms overlooking the Mississippi and the small patch of green park alongside. Day and night one can view assorted river activities - mainly freight liners, tug boats and steamboats. The lobby and furnishings in the hotel are reminiscent of Ritz Carltons.
Service is good.
Take taxi with THE NEXT STEP group to the Lighthouse Gallery, an old lighthouse converted into a contemporary glassworks showroom. Festival sponsors, and other supporters gladhand New Orleans style in the spacious setting. Warm welcomes from the Mayor's office and Kimberly Carbo, Director of the New Orleans Film and Video Commission. An abundance of crab dishes, pate, soups and bread puddings provided by a few prominent local eateries. Taxi to 150 year old home in the Garden District for a gathering of 20 or so novelists, screenwriters, filmmakers.