Make the acquaintance of two of New Orleans’ most beloved hosts and concert pianists, Michael and Quinn, who have mastered the fine art form of hosting with signature flair. In their new book, Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime, they divulge all of their secrets, sharing anecdotes, recipes, illustrations, and hundreds of photographs from fêtes over the years that clearly show the joy that found in creating the experience of each and every one. Between adventures in piano concerti with orchestras and entertaining New Orleans’ natives, the British monarchy, and everyone in between—there’s nothing these two won’t do to celebrate their love of food, music, and people.
Tickets: Members – $10 // General Admission – $15
To purchase, click here or call 843.723.9912 during Box Office Hours (11:00AM–4:00PM, Monday through Thursday).
About the Book:
From seasonal celebrations to iconic book clubs to lavish parties for friends, family, and charities (both local and national), New Orleans’ favorites Michael and Quinn have seen, done, and decorated it all. Enjoy the pairs’ authentic sense of style and design in their lush home and garden while exploring the joys of throwing unique and personal events. The pages are filled with hundreds of delightful photographs captured by twelve renowned Southern photographers that showcase the abundance of Michael and Quinn’s New Orleans Garden District home. Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime is complete with thirty recipes for every occasion, QR codes for recorded movements of their concertos given in support of community causes, illustrations by acclaimed artists Paul Cox and Tug Rice, and delightful stories all the way from Mississippi County, Arkansas, to the oak-lined streets of New Orleans.
About the Authors:
Michael Harold, a lawyer and native of New Orleans, is the owner of YSR Search LLC specializing in the placement of lawyers throughout the Gulf South. He earned a degree in Spanish from the University of the South, Sewanee Tennessee and a J.D. from Louisiana State University law school. After a junior year abroad in Valencia, Spain, Michael began studying French and continues taking classes. He began studying the piano at the age of eight and in 1979 played a Haydn piano concerto with a local community orchestra in New Orleans. He is an avid reader and since 1994 has enjoyed membership in a beloved monthly bookclub which satiates his love of serving food to friends, discussing novels, and entertaining at home. He serves on the boards of numerous organizations focusing on Spanish and French culture/education as well as classical music. Michael has contributed articles for local and national magazines including Local Palate published in Charleston, SC. He continues to study languages and piano music with local and national professors. Michael and Quinn performed a number of outdoor, social-distanced concerts in 2020 and 2021called “Mo and Cho” (Mozart and Chopin), Michael played Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12 with a local quartet.
Quinn Peeper was born in Osceola, Arkansas and reared between there and Memphis,Tennessee. Quinn Peeper practices obstetrics and gynecology at Touro Infirmary, New Orleans where he also researches postpartum depression. He graduated valedictorian of The Auburndale School. After finishing Washington and Lee University (B.S.), he attended University College, Oxford (B.A., M.A), and then entered Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (M.D.). In 2015, Dr. Peeper graduated the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, Auburn University. (M.B.A.)
During high school Quinn studied piano at Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) under Dr. Charles Mosby. During residency training in New York, he studied with David Bradshaw and won a competition at the Instituto Musicale Nicola Vaccai in Italy. His Carnegie Hall debut (Weill Recital Hall) was in 1997. In 2004 and 2022, he played Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). Since living in New Orleans he has studied piano with Dan Weilbaecher and Faina Lushtak at Tulane University, visiting professor, Frank Heneghan, Steven Mann at the Manhattan School of Music, and Dilyara Shiderova at Loyola. Quinn played Chopin’s Piano Concerto No 1 in New Orleans with the Electric Y’at Quartet.
He is Chairman of The English-Speaking Union, US and a trustee of the National Trust of Scotland, US, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Pirate’s Alley William Faulkner Society. Quinn is also His Britannic Majesty’s Honorary Consul to New Orleans.
