WWII Museum in N.O. to open new complex

• By JUDY BERGERON
• News Features staff writer
• Published: Nov 1, 2009

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The National World War II Museum in New Orleans will open doors Friday, Nov. 6, on a new complex made of The Victory Theater, Stage Door Canteen and The American Sector restaurant.

The new $60 million addition is part of an ongoing $300 million expansion at the museum, 945 Magazine St.

The Victory Theater, a 250-seat state-of-the-art venue, will debut the “4-D” cinematic experience Beyond All Boundaries, which has the audience feel steam rising from Guadalcanal’s jungles and brush snowflakes from their cheeks in the Battle of the Bulge.

The film, executive produced by actor Tom Hanks, uses combatants’, journalists’ and home     front workers’ own words to tell the story of the war. Voices of Hollywood stars are featured, including those of Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Corbin Bleu, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Connolly, James Cromwell, Blythe Danner, Viola Davis, Jessie Eisenberg, John Goodman, Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Jonas, Justin Long, Tobey Maguire, Daran Norris, Wendell Pierce, Brad Pitt, Bill Sadler, Gary Sinise and Elijah Wood.

The Stage Door Canteen is a detailed recreation of the wartime venues found in New York, Los Angeles and other cities. Visitors can hear old songs, eat or drink, and go back in time to another era. Dinners, live shows and local music performances are planned.

The American Sector is a Chef John Besh Restaurant. The American Sector was the original name of the area now known as the Warehouse District in New Orleans. The well-known chef plans a menu inspired by the 1940s, but with a New Orleans flair. There is a bar and outdoor patio overlooking Magazine Street.

Hanks, Tom Brokaw, veterans, active military and dignitaries from around the world will help officially open the facility in festivities starting Friday and running through the weekend.

Dedication and grand opening ceremonies will run 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, and will include celebrities, a military fl-over, precision parachutist and more. Saturday, Nov. 7, is Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be free activities for visitors and the three new attractions will officially open to the public. Shake a leg at the Victory Stomp, a New Orleans-style block party from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Musical entertainment and food by Besh will be featured. For more information, call (504) 528-1944 or go to http://www.nationalww2museum.org.

Fundraiser for lake

The 17th annual “Let’s Make Waves” Northshore Party and Silent Auction will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club in Mandeville.

The proceeds benefit the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.

The band Over Board will perform and food and drinks will be available, as well as the silent auction.

Tickets are $50 in advance or  $60 at the door. For more information, call (504) 836-2205 or go to http://www.saveourlake.org.