Books by Yevgeny Yevtushenko

Early Poems / The Collected Poems, 1952-1990 /  Don't Die Before You're Dead / Twentieth Century Russian Poetry

A Precocious Autobiography / Ivan The Terrible and Ivan the Fool / Selected Poems

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Books by Lee Meitzen Grue: 

Goodbye Silver, Silver Cloud   In the Sweet Balance of the Flesh  French Quarter Poems  Three Poets in New Orleans

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Raising a Toast to a Fellow Poet

By Nell Nolan

Literature a la Russe was the theme of a party held by the New Orleans Poetry Forum and Bridges for peace to honor the internationally renowned poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko. The al fresco event -- symbolically booked for July 4th -- took place at the Lesseps Street home of Lee and Reginald Grue. Hostess Lee Meitzen Grue, who also is president of the Poetry Forum, has received of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for her own writing. Colleagues lifted a glass of congratulatory cheer with her as well as the honored Yevtushenko.

The figurative cup ran over with witty asides and insights as guests queried Yevtushenko about his life in Russia. At one point, in answer to a question regarding foreign policy, he suggested that Russia and America get together and discuss "mutual stupidities."

Academia not only had a field day at the Grue gathering, but also a good representation. Among the notables were Dr. Kenneth Holditch, Peter Cooley, and daughter Nicole, Dr. Joseph Cohen and professor Tom Bonner. Olga Smoak, from the International Association of Friends of Soviet Ballet, was likened to a character from a Pushkin poem "come to life" in her lacy ecru party dress.

Other guests included Marty O'Farrell; Robert Borsodi of Borsodi's Coffee House; psychiatrist Dr. Harvey Rifkin; Sharon Olinka, director of publicity for the Poetry Forum; Helen Parnell of Bridges for Peace; and artist George Dureau.

One of the city's most renowned artists, Dureau was chosen this year by the century Club of the Contemporary Arts Center to do its limited-edition print. "Big beach with Seven" was his "in-print," and it was shown at the Audobon Boulevard home of Dr. and Mrs. John L. Ochsner. Captaining the CC crew are Muriel Bultman Francis and Betty Moran, co-chairman.

"Big Beach with Seven" is the most recent of a series of beach pictures, which began with one titled "Fourth of July."

Still another calendar coincidence connected with Yevtushenko's Crescent City trip was his visit to Armstrong Park, where he read a poem he had written in honor of the great musician. Satchmo's natal date was July 4.

Back to the Grues' rhyme and reason revelers, who also responded fast to "repast." The food was in abundance. Homemade pate (that was "out of this world," according to a party principle), shrimp curry, baked chicken, at least six different kinds of salad, pecan pie and peach cheesecake) were washed down with glasses of sparkling white wine. But the one individual who really pulled a culinary chromatic coup was George Herget, who came up with a patriotic entree, truly befitting an event held on July 4: red, white and blue pasta.

Bleu, blanc et rouge are the reordering of those colors for this patriotic weekend, when the several Bastile Day celebrations will be spotlighted. On Saturday night, there will be the French parade (starting at 8 pm at the Hilton), which will cut a merry swath through the Vieux Carre, with a prominent stop at Jackson Square.

Traditionally, the French consul general has toasted both the parade and the queen at this spot. However, this year there will be an added touch of sentiment since Consul General Phillipe Gregoire will be toasting his wife, Catherine, as la Reine d'Orleans.

Unfortunately, she will have to send in a negative R.S.V.P. to the party they are giving jointly at 7 p.m. at the Presbytere.

Then both of them -- as well as the two Gregoire children who'll be on the queen's float with their royal mamam -- will appear at the masked ball at the Hilton Hotel after the parade. Sponsored by La Societe Francaise, the ball is creating quite a stir among the creative set. The first prize for the best mask is a pair of round-trip tickets to Paris.

Queen Catherine was given a bit of monarchal advice by Sue Peters, whom she ran into as she lunched at Bouligny on Tuesday. Sue, the first Mystic Club queen to reign at the Hilton, told Mme. Gregoire that the day of her reign was her day. "Enjoy it to the fullest."

Source: Times/Picayune , July 1987

posted Spring 2002