Literature & Lunch: The Purple Hat Celebration. This event will celebrate the publication of New Orleans Noir: The Classics, the new anthology of short fiction edited by noted mystery writer Julie Smith, and Eudora Welty and her marvelously mysterious story, “The Purple Hat,” reputedly inspired by and set in the Hotel Monteleone’s famous Carousel Bar, which is among the great fiction pieces included in New Orleans Noir. Ladies are requested to wear purple head wear for the event; gentlemen, purple ties, ascots, pocket handkerchiefs, or other purple accessories. Purple Hat cocktails, created by the Monteleone’s mixologist, will be served.