Josephine Baker and Ferrand Cognac - An Extraordinary Celebration at Stage Left Steak
November 4 2022 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Josephine Baker and Ferrand Cognac
An Extraordinary Celebration at Stage Left Steak
One year ago, Josephine Baker, Performing Artist, Hero of the French Resistance and Civil
Rights Champion, was the first African American woman and the first performing artist to be
inducted into the French Mausoleum of Heroes. Cognac was her favorite spirit. Ferrand is one of our favorite cognacs.
Cognac by Ferrand
The inimitable cognac of Maison Ferrand will be presented by Guillaume Lamy, Vice President of Ferrand USA. M. Lamy will present a sit-down tasting of five classic expressions of Cognac, including the inimitable Sélection des Anges. He will also take us through three Ferrand experimental brandies, dubbed “Renegade Barrels.”
Cocktails by Dale DeGroff
James Beard award-winning mixologist and author Dale DeGroff has created a cognac-based cocktail to mark the occasion. The J'ai Deux Amours was inspired by the original 1940’s Josephine Cocktail from the famous Floridita Bar in Havana.
Original Artwork by Jill DeGroff
Saloon Artist, Jill DeGroff, will unveil a portrait of Josephine, which will be auctioned. Prints will be available for sale with a portion of proceeds going to the NAACP and No Kid Hungry.
Music by Daralyn Jay
Ms.Jay is as capable of scatting her way through a swing chorus as tossing a soulful riff. Her deeply felt connection to the lyric and rhythmic approach have earned her respect on the New York music scene. She has appeared on the stages of The Kitano, Minton’s, Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club, Smoke Jazz & Supper Club and Ginny’s. She has performed as a guest artist in France, Italy, Turkey, China, Cuba and Israel. We are delighted to have her here in a tribute to Josephine Baker. Ms. Baker appears through the good offices of The New Brunswick Jazz Project.
Food and Drink by Stage Left Steak
Hors d’Ouevres and Cocktails will be produced by the kitchen of Stage Left Steak, the highest rated steak restaurant in New Jersey. Stage Left has Four Diamonds, a Wine Spectator Best Award and countless accolades. Celebrating 30 years at the top, Stage Left was New Jersey’s first cocktail bar of the modern era, and still the best.
Why?
The indomitable spirit of Josephine Baker and her commitment to fighting for what’s right remains as relevant today as ever. Let us raise our glasses and support her mission to welcome and embrace every individual as a citizen of our world, no matter their race, religion, or gender orientation, and believe in our own power to create positive change.