Bars are closed again and the maximum size of group gatherings has been reduced, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online while get those COVID cases back under control. Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
Live Stream Music at Buffa’s | Evening | Website | Tips encouraged
Most nights of the week, Buffa’s Lounge hosts a live stream concert with some of the city’s best musicians. Keep an eye on their website to see who’s up today, and the rest of the week!
Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged via PayPal, Venmo or Bandcamp
Helen Gillet and her cello are one of the most popular acts in town. While the effects of this pandemic linger, you’re able to hear her every Monday from the comfort of your own couch. Tune in for her weekly set that alternates between light, beautiful and wild.
Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
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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!
Zumba Live Stream | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission has partnered with Footprints to Fitness to offer a free 60-minute zumba class on Zoom! The class is led by a dance instructor and is cardio-focused, but appropriate for all levels. Register here and you’ll receive a link to the Zoom class.
Safe Schools: Panel Discussion | 7 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Join in this discussion about education during COVID with a panel full of educators, parents and community advocates. They’ll be discussing the health of our teachers and students, the supplies needed for a safe school year, as well as how to make virtual learning a success. The whole community’s invited and there will be time for your questions! The meeting ID for Zoom is 826 1596 1779 and the passcode is 608439.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Live FitNOLA Class – Yoga | 10 a.m. | 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, the class is focused on yoga, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here and here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, 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).
NOCHI Together | 5 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | $5 – $20 donation
Twice a week, the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) hosts a cooking class led by a local chef and focusing on a specific cuisine. This Tuesday, Chef Peyton Barrell of Gourmand will help viewers prepare a delicious menu that’s headlined by (but not limited to!) a Quick Citrus and Tequila-Cured Salmon with Soy Sauce Vinaigrette and Sriracha Aioli. Once you register, you’ll receive an ingredient list and a recipe so you can prepare yourself to cook along with your chef. Learn more here.
Big Sam’s Funky Nation Live from the New Orleans Jazz Museum Balcony | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different musician or band on their balcony every week, and this week features the out-of-this-world Big Sam’s Funky Nation for an hour-long set!
A Discussion with Author Byron Lane | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Garden District Book Club is excited to bring you Byron Lane, author of A Star is Bored — one of the most hotly anticipated titles of the summer — for a free virtual event. Laugh-out-loud funny, and searingly poignant, this is a novel that, like the star at its center, is enchanting and joyous, heartbreaking and hopeful.
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Level 1 – Absolute Beginner Adult Tap | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registering) | 1 class for $15; 6 classes for $80; 12 classes for $150
If you’ve never taken a tap dance class, or have had less than six months of classes, this is the class for you. Absolute Beginner Tap is an introductory level tap class designed for adult students looking to enjoy an engaging rhythmic workout in a fun and positive environment! Each week you will receive a 45-minute live virtual dance class, as well as access to weekly supplemental practice videos. Check out the left side of this page for the full listing of adult classes offered by HEIDITAPS.
For the Culture with Semaj & Dorise | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a thrice-weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Tuesday they’re presenting an hour-long set featuring Semaj & Dorise! Tune in for their fusion of Blues, jazz and soul melodies.
Clown Town TV Premier Party: Episode 20 (Season Finale) | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips and donations accepted on PayPal and Venmo
Clown Town features a rotating cast of queer NOLA Clowns as well as special guests from afar! It’s a little bit sideshow, a little bit vaudeville and plenty of New Orleans charm! Tune in via the Facebook page for Episode 20 as well as to watch earlier episodes. This is their season finale, so don’t miss the conclusion of this long-running quarantine show!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
Art & Zen: Online Meditation Series | Noon | Zoom (link coming soon, check here) | Free, but a $5 donation is encouraged if you are able
Every Wednesday at noon, join the Ogden Museum for a live seated 30-minute mindfulness meditation inspired by a work of Southern art. This online meditation program is led by Ogden Educator and yoga and meditation instructor, Mikhayla Harrell! All experience levels welcome.
Tips for Reducing Meat in Your Diet | 2 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | Free
Eating less meat can be beneficial for both your health and the environment! Are you interested in learning tips and strategies for reducing your meat consumption? Join this 30-minute class hosted by Bastion Community of Resilience!
Virtual Outrigger Cocktail | 5 p.m. | Online (line sent after registering) | $53 for cocktail kit
The Outrigger is a Beachbum Berry creation, although the roots of this drink go back to the Savoy Cocktail Book from 1930, specifically one called the XYZ Cocktail. The Outrigger was also a Tiki bar in Laguna Beach, California, and Beachbum references it a couple of times in his book, Beachbum Berry Remixed. Now, The Sazerac House is going to teach us how to make one! Purchase your cocktail kit here for curbside pickup. A portion of sales benefit the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation.
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Live FitNOLA Class — Barre Above | 6 p.m. | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often, both, in the evening and during the day). This Wednesday at 6 p.m., the class is focused on Barre Above, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here and here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in pilates, yoga, Zumba, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA).
NOLA Ready Evacuation Volunteer Training | 6 p.m. | Online (link will be provided once you register) | Free
It’s not the most fun event to think about, but Hurricane Season is here and NOLA Ready & the New Orleans Health Department need your help in getting our neighbors to safely evacuate. This one-hour training will teach you how you can be most useful should our next big hurricane come this year.
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | 9 p.m. | Website | Donations encouraged
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you several nights of the week. (Check out a full listing of performances here.) On Wednesday night, tune in for a trio composed of Brad Walker, Oscar Rossignoli and James Singleton.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
NOCHI Together | 5 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | $5 – $20 donation
Twice a week, the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) hosts a cooking class led by a local chef and focusing on a specific cuisine. This Thursday, New Orleans native Chef Fredo Nogueira will help viewers prepare an incredible meal. Learn more here.
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Reader Meet Writer Series | 6 p.m. | Online (link sent after email) | Free
The next author in the Garden District Book Shop-hosted “Reader Meet Writer” series is Justin Reynolds, who will be talking about his book, Early Departures. It’s a powerful, stand-alone YA contemporary novel, and the event is set up with plenty of time for Justin to answer your questions!
New Orleans Renters Rights Chat | 6 p.m. | Facebook Live or Phone Call | Free
Every Thursday, the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly is hosting a call to educate New Orleanians about what’s going on with rental and mortgage policies, as well as organizing to create a more equitable world. You can call 504-517-5470 to listen in (Meeting ID: 299411967), or watch the livestream on Facebook (link above). There’ll also be opportunities to ask questions.
Fitness Fusion Class | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom link will be provided once you register | Register here and first class is free
Like a gumbo pot, health and wellness company Footprints To Fitness created their master Fitness Fusion class to provide something for everyone… a true fusion of kickass workout with a whole lot of New Orleans culture. More than just a workout, it’s an experience that combines yoga, pilates, strength training, weight training, cardio, and barre ALL IN ONE CLASS! This class will be live streamed on Zoom. Register on their website to receive a custom link to join. The first class is free & registration is also available on ClassPass. Footprints to Fitness have Zoom classes offered every day of the week, so give their schedule a look.
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | 7 p.m. | Website | Donations encouraged
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you several nights of the week. (Check out a full listing of performances here.) On Thursday night, tune in for Cass Watson and Shakespeare & the Blues.
For the Culture with Semaj & Dorise | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a thrice-weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Thursday they’re presenting an hour-long set featuring Chrishara — a powerhouse singer hailing from the 9th Ward!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Cardio Blast Live Stream | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30 minutes cardio workout in partnership with FitNOLA and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The class is designed for all levels so bring the whole family!
Ciné-Club à la Maison | 2 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Each week during quarantine, Alliance Française of New Orleans hosts a club for lovers of French film. This week’s film is Il a déjà tes yeux (He Even Has Your Eyes). You can watch the 2016 film on Netflix in advance of the conversation.
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’s author is Helena Dea Bala! Swing by the virtual happy hour for great insight, conversation and the opportunity to have your questions answered!
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For the Culture with Fermin Ceballos | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a thrice-weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Friday they’re presenting an hour-long set featuring Fermin Ceballos! You won’t want to miss this tri-lingual Afro-Dominican songwriter, musician, bandleader, composer, actor and poet perform original compositions based on his fusion of different sounds and musical rhythms.
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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.
