Joaquin Emiliano moved to New Orleans with the plan of killing himself on his 35th birthday as a publicity stunt for the publication of his novel, Suicide Notes From A Wedding.

Discovering that, like everything else he’s attempted in his life, he’d failed again, Joaquin finds himself not only living (dammit) but living near Tulane University in a neighborhood surrounded by “obnoxious students” in a city that has been seriously over hyped and in which he can see little mystery or magic.

It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s merely an extremely funny and beguiling persona with Joaquin, but falling anyplace on the continuum between Woody Allen and a lounge lizard makes for an awesome Happy Hour guest.

Danielle Burrell is either the Joaquin antidote, a piece of clever complementary guest booking by producer Graham daPonte, or proof that God and Satan are fighting it out for control of the city.

Danielle is the founder of Treux North Fitness, a Zumba dance exponent, a mom, and a bride to be. Danielle tells an awesome story of her first date – which includes non-existant comedy and whipped cream – after meeting the love of her life over a board game.

Danielle’s fiance Jeremy showed up at Happy Hour and joined the party.

Hazy Ray are one of Happy Hour’s favorite music guests. Today Joshua Ray and P. Michael Hays II – the Hays Ray core of the group – bring along Ryan Patrick to play some of the coolest, jazz-inflected riffs we’ve heard in some time.  Joshua sings the band’s new single, “Superman,” which turns out to be about the unrequited love of an old girlfriend.

Songwriters, here’s an interesting observation. Apparently it doesn’t matter how in love you are with your wife nor how much in love she is with you, the ex girlfriend you wrote a song about however-many-years-ago-before-I-met-you can still be a problem. So Joshua digs himself out of having that conversation at home by singing a beautiful and danceable love song called “Linda” for his wife, Linda.

Andrew Duhon is roaming around the nation playing guitar and so Kelcy Mae is sitting in for him today in the sidekick chair.

 Kelcy’s knowledge of teenage alcoholics and Atlanta preachers assures her of a return invitation.

The photos on this page were taken at Casa Borrega by fab photographer Cheryl DalPozzal.