On arguably the worst day of the year – the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina – 4 New Orleanians pass the time not mentioning the anniversary at all. Well, barely. It’s the best tonic.

Chef Marlon Alexander is chef to the stars. He’s been the personal chef to Christina Aguilera (he helped her lose 30+ pounds), Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Rod Stewart, and the list goes on and on, including the band KISS. And, as if on cue, who should call Marlon but Paul Stanley. Paul is calling from the studio where the band is recording, and he’s planning on coming to visit Marlon and eat some oysters at Marlon’s new venture in The Pythian Food Hall.

Donita Miller Sather has had many brushes with fame. Literally. Donita is a hairdresser on movies. She’s styled everybody’s hair from John Malkovich to the B-52’s and our very own Patricia Clarkson in her new movie Out of Blue. Donita recently took a break from brushing hair to learn how to make wigs, which you apparently do one hair at a time. So what’s coming up in hair fashion? How about a perm? 

Cole Williams is not only a super talented singer, the self-described Punk Empress of African Rock, the product of a devout Seventh Day Adventist upbringing, and spiritually intuitive, she’s also the best-smelling person ever to appear on Happy Hour. Cole sings a gospel song and, as a canary on the cutting edge of fashion, predicts what your head’s going to be looking like a year or two from now. How about a half-wig?

If you’re looking for an uplifting antidote to the everyday world, or a way to take your mind off of crap like Katrina anniversaries or your Sewerage & Water Board bill, take a listen to this. These folks are the best of what New Orleans can be.

Photos at Wayfare by Jill Lafleur.