New Orleans is slowly opening back up, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online until we’re 100%! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7
Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration | 11:30 a.m. | Vimeo | Free
Join the National World War II Museum as they remember Pearl Harbor. The surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, forever known as a “day of infamy,” plunged the United States into World War II. Each year, the museum commemorates the lives lost on December 7, 1941. Learn more about the event here.
Live FitNOLA Class – Morning Motivation | 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 Monday morning, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on motivating you for a week full of fitness, 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, 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)
Mike’s Kitchen | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Local musician Michael Pearce is back with another hour-long virtual performance from his home! Sometimes there’s food. Sometimes there’s music. Always there’s fun.
Keith Stone and Friends | 6:30 p.m. | Website | Tips encouraged
Local musician Keith Stone writes music that tells the city’s history through song through blues and New Orleans root styles. He’s playing Monday night from Buffa’s Lounge so don’t miss the live stream!
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.
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Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and 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, DECEMBER 8
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.
Teaching with Oral Histories: Assessing First-Person Accounts | Noon | Webinar | Free
Oral histories are valuable and powerful sources of historical insight, but they need to be measured and evaluated like any primary source. Looking at examples from the National World War II Museum’s collection, see how oral histories and first-person narratives can be used to teach history, and help your students evaluate and critically assess these sources as they would any other. Tune into this program to learn approaches that help students evaluate and use primary sources as they learn to make sense of historical events.
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 The N’Awlins D’Awlins with The Caesar Brothers!
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Virtual Artist Conversation with Roberto Lugo | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Dynamic ceramicist, social activist, poet, and educator Roberto Lugo will join NOMA’s Nic Aziz, Community Engagement Curator, and Mel Buchanan, RosaMary Curator of Decorative Arts and Design, to discuss working as an artist in 2020, pottery, and hip hop legend Lil Wayne, whose likeness appears opposite Louis Armstrong on the commissioned “Stunting” Garniture Set on view in the decorative arts galleries.
Clown Town TV: Season 2, Episode 9 | 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 Season 2, Episode 9 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9
The German Military, the Third Reich, and World War II | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the National World War II Museum for this fascinating exchange about the career and work of Dr. Michael Geyer, one of the foremost authorities on the German military, the Third Reich, and World War II. Dr. Geyer is Samuel N. Harper Professor Emeritus of German and European History and the College at the University of Chicago.
Art & Zen: Online Meditation Series | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | 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 and you can learn more here. This week’s online meditation is inspired by Chandra McCormick’s work, The Prayer, Phoenix, LA River Parish.
Live FitNOLA Class – Barre Above | 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 evening, the 45-minute exercise class is focused on barre, 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, 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).
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December Book Club Meeting | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after emailing) | Free
Join the Garden District Book Shop’s monthly book club as they discuss Trust Exercise, by Susan Choi. Go here to purchase the book (with a 20% discount) and learn more about the club.
Pearl Harbor, Dorie Miller, and WWII Memory | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the National World War II Museum virtually for an enlightening program about one of the first American heroes of World War II, Doris “Dorie” Miller. Dr. Rober K. Chester will share the story of Miller, his actions at Pearl Harbor, his newfound celebrity, his post-Pearl Harbor service, and how the memory of Miller and his actions have evolved in the collective American conscience.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10
From Christmas Lights to Bomb Fuses (For Students & Teachers) | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
One of the coolest artifacts in the collection of The National WWII Museum is the proximity fuse. This device that sat on the nose of rockets held sophisticated electronics and radar all packed inside. It was manufactured in a factory that had formerly made Christmas lights. Learn more about this important breakthrough and some of the science behind it. Targeted for grades 6–12 and ages 12 and up.
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.
Virtual Event for I Wanna Do That! | 6 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering| | Free (signed copies of the book can be purchased here)
I Wanna Do That! The Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes has arrived! This exuberant new book by four New Orleanians captures the essence of marching krewes – a cultural phenomenon that Carnival historian and publisher Arthur Hardy calls “the most significant movement in Mardi Gras in decades.” Join Garden District Book Club for an entertaining evening with the book’s creators!
Desire and Disaster in New Orleans with Lynnell L. Thomas | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
For the December Second Thursday Lecture, hosted by Friends of the Cabildo and Louisiana State Museum, author Lynnell L. Thomas will be speaking on her recent book, “Desire and Disaster in New Orleans: Tourism, Race, and Historical Memory,” as well as her current project, “A People’s Guide to New Orleans.”
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Chocolate, Cheese & Champagne – A Virtual Tasting | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing tickets) | $65 – $120
St. James Cheese Company is partnering with Piety & Desire Chocolate for their annual holiday season chocolate, cheese and champagne class! The class features 4 rounds of pairing cheese and chocolate and a bottle of true champagne (if purchased) – a trifecta of ultimate bliss. Each order provides enough for two people to share. Come join us for an evening that’s a little educational and a lot indulgent! For $65, you get the cheese and chocolate. For the $120 price you also get the champagne!
For the Culture: Christmas Special | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Tuesday they’re presenting a two-hour Christmas special with some of their favorite guests. Check here for a full listing!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11
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 features Marina Orchestra — a New Orleans-based Caribbean Rock fusion project helmed by singer songwriter Justin Powers. Much like other prominent rockers of yore like David Byrne of Talking Heads and Paul Simon, Marina Orchestra cleverly weaves between genres creating a rollicking and groovy style of rock that is distinctly original.
Virtual Happy Hour at Garden District Book Shop | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live and YouTube 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 Farrah Rochon — who has written more than 36 romance novels! Her newest, The Boyfriend Project hit shelves last June. You are invited to ask questions and join in on the conversation as they talk books, romance, Louisiana, and more!
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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 the beloved Little Freddie King!
CatchBack at Rock n Bowl | 8:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock n Bowl has hosted tons of great virtual shows over the last seven months. Don’t miss this 90-minute set with CatchBack!
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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.
