Another wave of COVID has much of the country on lockdown, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online until we’re pandemic-free Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, JANUARY 18
Virtual French Classes | Ongoing | Online | Varies
Classes of all experience levels and time commitments are available via Alliance Francaise of New Orleans. Check out what’s available here!
MLK Jr. Day Celebration | Ongoing | Online | Free
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art presents its fourth annual free MLK Jr. Day Celebration! Both at the museum and online, participants can join the Ogden in imagining a world without racism. Online activities include an art activity instruction book, as well as eight recorded programs honoring Dr. King. You can learn more here.
View this post on Instagram
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at NOMA | Ongoing | Online | Free
Join the New Orleans Museum of Art in person and online to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by immersing yourself in art and culture. You can learn more about what’s going on here.
Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Join Robin Barnes, the Songbird of New Orleans and her husband Pat Casey every Monday night for a one-hour set as they bring a concert right from their living room to yours!
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
Live FitNOLA Class – Fitness Pilates | Noon | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often two or three times a day). This Tuesday at noon, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on pilates, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop, senior fitness and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA)
Online Museum After School Art Club | 4 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $200 (includes tickets for four sessions)
This session is best for students in grades 2nd through 5th grade. Awaken your child’s imagination and creativity in our Ogden Museum After School Art Club! This session is dedicated to looking at and making artwork inspired by the theme of Feeling Healthy and Strong. Artists will learn about social emotional responses to art and stressors in their day to day lives with weekly yoga, breathing and light exercise activities. Learn more here.
Live at the New Orleans Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different musician or band in their courtyard every week. This week they’re featuring Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet!
View this post on Instagram
The Rib King Virtual Book Launch | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $15.99 (includes the price of ticket)
Join Octavia Books virtually for an exciting evening celebrating the launch of author Ladee Hubbard’s highly anticipated new novel, The Rib King. She will appear in conversation with author Jami Attenberg. Learn more here.
For the Culture: Clementine Collective | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Thursday they’re presenting a two-hour show with local up and coming band, Clementine Collective. They draw on a wide variety of influences including groups like Return to Forever, Snarky Puppy, Brian Blade Fellowship, and Led Zeppelin.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz | 8 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
The Pels are hoping to build a win streak when they take on the Jazz (which for some reason is the nickname of a basketball team from Utah).
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20
The Broad Theater Hosts Virtual Cinema | All Week | Kino Marque and Vimeo | Purchase tickets (see below)
Broad Theater is open for business, but if you’re not ready to step into a theater just yet, they’re partnering with Kino Marquee Vimeo, who are bringing you a rotating selection of movies directly to your home. There are multiple ways to stream the movie (which can be purchased at any time and watched for five days after the purchase). This week there are three selections and you can click on the following links to find out how to purchase tickets for Oliver Sacks: His Own Life, Jazz on a Summer’s Day, and Call Me Brother.
Lunchbox Lecture: Triple Nickles — The 555th Parachute Infantry in World War II | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registration) | Free
During this Lunchbox Lecture with the National World War II Museum, join retired Army Sergeant Major Chris Lewis, Director of Education and Volunteer Services at the National Infantry Museum for a talk about the 555th Parachute Infantry, more famously known as “the Triple Nickles.” These pioneering Soldiers formed the ranks of the first African American Parachute Infantry unit during World War II. Throughout the talk Sergeant Major Lewis will delve into the history of these Soldiers and their legacy that continues even today.
Presidential Inauguration Ceremony | 11 a.m. | Online | Free
Watching along as Joseph Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
View this post on Instagram
Live FitNOLA Class – Yoga | Noon | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often two or three times a day). This Wednesday at noon, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on yoga, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop, senior fitness and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA)
Virtual Hot Toddy | 5 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | Free (but cocktail kits are available for purchase)
Learn to make the perfect Hot Toddy in this virtual class organized by The Sazerac House.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21
THNOC Virtual Field Trip: Big Chief Gerald Paige | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The Historic New Orleans Collection is hosting a series of Mardi Gras-related virtual field trips that will be fun and interesting for all ages. Today’s episode is with Big Chief Gerald Paige of the Great Spirit Warriors, a Black Masking Indian tribe. Big Chief Paige will share stories about the history and culture of Black Masking Indians (also known as Mardi Gras Indians) in New Orleans and his own experiences as a tribal elder.
Drawing 101 | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Participants are encouraged to tune in once a month for a new drawing exercise with Ogden Museum Educator, Michelle Pontiff. Take a stress-free lunch break and join this beginner-level drawing class designed to build your drawing skills. In each class, participants will learn about a Southern artist whose work is inspired by nature. In a guided conversation, participants will explore the artists’ style and interpretation of nature; followed by an instructional drawing exercise. This week the class will examine Iris by Walter Anderson.
NOCHI Together | 5:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | $10 – $50 donation
The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) has been hosting cooking classes led by top-notch local chefs. This Thursday will feature Vietnamese cuisine with Chef Scott Maki, the Executive Events chef at NOCHI! You can learn more here, including what the menu will be. RSVP as soon as possible so you’ll have plenty of time to purchase the ingredients you’ll need.
View this post on Instagram
New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz | 9 p.m. | Fox Sports; TNT; 100.3 FM
It’s back to back games against the Jazz. Bust out your brooms because it’s time for a sweep!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
Quarantunes Virtual Concert | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Every Friday at 2 p.m., the New Orleans Jazz Museum hosts virtual concerts with an exciting mix of talented Jazz musicians, all performing from their homes. The free online series, broadcasting to music fans around the world, highlights the rich culture and history of New Orleans. This week Lynn Drury performs her unique style of roots rock!
On Liberty: Zooming into Museums Across the Country | 4 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the National World War II Museum for a special partnered program with the Intrepid Museum as well as fellow veterans, servicemembers, and their loved ones for a virtual staycation. The Intrepid Museum is kicking off a new program in which they will be connecting with institutions around the country, and The National WWII Museum is honored and excited to be among the first that have been invited. The National WWII Museum’s Senior Historian Robert Citino, PhD, and Curator Joshua Schick will be joined by the Intrepid Museum’s Curator of History and Collections Jessica Williams to discuss the Pacific War and collections from both institutions.
Virtual Happy Hour at Garden District Book Shop | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Each week during the pandemic, the Garden District Book Shop has hosted a virtual happy hour featuring New Orleans authors and literary lovers. This week the Shop is joined by author Madison Webb. Her beautiful debut children’s book, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a must have this Mardi Gras season. Bring a drink and your questions to this live streaming, interactive event!
View this post on Instagram
NOMA Reset: Freedom at the Mat | 6 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | Free
Join NOMA for a new series of virtual workshops that focuses on mindfulness, creativity, comfort and reflection. In this session astrologer and herbalist practitioner Myrto Daskaloudi will lead an introduction to the history of astrology going back to ancient Mesopotamia, North Africa, the Levant, and Southern Mediterranean. This program will utilize the themes of healing, empathy, and understanding in the Mending The Sky exhibition as reference points to explore how astrology can aid individual and collective understanding. In addition to learning about the history of this ancient practice, participants will learn about upcoming transits for 2021.
Rupaul’s Drag Race S13 Virtual Viewing Party | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $5
Join drag queen Laveau Contraire and friends every week as they watch Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 13 live on Zoom! Tune in for banter, commentary, and performances from the queens. Participate in the chat to let your voice be heard and discuss the show.
Fridays from the Funky Uncle! | 7 p.m. | Twitch, YouTube Live and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged via PayPal, GoFundMe or Venmo
“Friday’s From the Funky Uncle!” is a webcast featuring New Orleans Funk Musicians playing live to raise money for all members of the entertainment community in New Orleans who are in need. This week features trombonist Glen David Andrews!
——————
See? There’s tons going on! If you can afford it, please be sure to tip the band/performers/DJ/teachers/etc. Many of them are battling lost gigs as a result of the pandemic, and are working very hard to keep us entertained during the unique times.
Remember, send me an email if you have an event you’d like me to add for next week’s round-up!
WRITER MATT HAINES LIVES IN NEW ORLEANS. FOLLOW HIM FOR ALL THINGS GOING ON IN NOLA — DURING TIMES OF PANDEMIC AND OTHERWISE — AT MATTHAINESWRITES.COM, AND ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER.
