A lot of New Orleans is shut down for Mardi Gras, but we’re still finding ways to safely have fun. Here are some of the online events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15
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 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 Concert with the New Orleans Jazz Museum | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum is excited to offer free virtual programs celebrating Black History Month this February. Their offerings will include four virtual mentorship programs by leading New Orleans musicians and culture bearers. Today’s performance will feature the inimitable Wendell Brunious!
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Virtual Lundi Gras Live from the Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tip encouraged
Enjoy the magic of Carnival from home with viewers from around the world. The New Orleans Jazz Museum is hosting the Hot 8 Brass Band on Lundi Gras!
Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donation | Tips 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.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
King Cake & A Movie: Virtual Mardi Gras Film Festival | 10 a.m. | Tipitina’s TV | Free
This Carnival Season, Tipitina’s is excited to unveil King Cake & A Movie: A Virtual Mardi Gras Film Festival! Along with full length features covering topics from Mardi Gras to some of NOLA’s most recognizable musicians, the series will also broadcast select shows and clips pulled from the extensive Tipitina’s archives to give the viewer an immersive experience. The event lasts through midnight, so check here to see what’s on the line-up.
Virtual Mardi Gras Live from the Jazz Museum: Session #1 | 11 a.m. | Facebook Live | Tip encouraged
Enjoy the magic of Carnival from home with viewers from around the world. The New Orleans Jazz Museum is hosting the Treme-Lafitte Brass Band on Mardi Gras morning!
Virtual Mardi Gras Live from the Jazz Museum: Session #2 | 1 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tip encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum is back in the afternoon with a 90-minute session with New Orleans legends, Big Sam Funky Nation!
LPO Radio Hour | 6 p.m. | 104.9 FM or WWNO’s Website | Tips encouraged
Hosted by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s own Daniel Lelchuk, LPO Radio Hour will air every Tuesday and Saturday at 6 p.m. Tune in!
New Orleans Pelicans vs Memphis Grizzlies | 6:30 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
The Pels are showing signs of life and hopefully this week will be the breakthrough. Watch them get it started against the Memphis Grizzlies!
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Mardi Gras Live Stream Special | 8 p.m. | Online (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $18
Longtime friends Jon Cleary and Ivan Neville are two of the funkiest keyboard players, singers and band leaders in New Orleans and they’ve come together to celebrate Mardi Gras with you from the comfort of your own home! Expect an evening full of celebration, conversation and a musical gumbo featuring some of the artists’ favorite songs.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
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)
Live Stream at Buffa’s | 6 p.m. | Website | Tips encouraged
Buffa’s Lounge has streamed a steady dose of live music from their backroom. Join Leslie Cooper and Harry Mayronne with Doyle Cooper for a jazz set this Wednesday evening!
NOLA Aikido Jo (or Wooden Stick) Class | 6:15 p.m. | Zoom | Dues Vary
NOLA Aikido hosts a wide-range of online and in-person classes. Check out their full schedule here. On Wednesday nights, for example, they host a recurring Virtual Jo Class.
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Pajama Jams Concert Series | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Lily in the Weeds is this week’s featured band during this House of Blues concert series. They “merge psychedelic blues with garage psych to delve deep into all those aural spaces.” Check them out!
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trailblazers | 8 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Two games in two days — the Pelicans host the Trailblazers.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Drawing 101 | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Suggested donation of $10
Learn to draw from nature! Be inspired by southern artists, landscapes and the flora and fauna that live in this bioregion! Participants are encouraged to tune in once a month for a new beginner-level drawing exercise with Museum Educator, Michelle Pontiff. In this session, students will explore the work of Susan Jamison, featured in Entwined: Ritual Wrapping and Binding in Contemporary Southern Art. You can learn more here.
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Reader Meet Writer | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join Octavia Books for a virtual event with Ed Tarkington presenting The Fortunate Ones in conversation with author Wiley Cash. The novel is an immersive, elegantly written story that conveys both the seductiveness of this world and the corruption of the people who see their ascent to the top as their birthright. You can buy the book here.
William Fagaly in Conversation with John Bullard | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
In this Garden District Book Shop-sponsored event, Bill Fagaly is in conversation with John Bullard (Director Emeritus at New Orleans Museum of Art), discussing his book, The Nightcrawler King: Memoirs of an Art Museum Curator.
Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the Louisiana State Museum and Friends of the Cabildo for an evening with author Steve Luxenberg, who will discuss and take questions on his recent book Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation. His award-winning narrative account revolves around the 1896 Supreme Court ruling, a legal battle rooted in the racial history of New Orleans and Louisiana.
Chubby Carrier at Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl has three live streamed shows this week. Here’s their first, featuring Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Setsuko’s Secret: Heart Mountain and the Legacy of the Japanese American Incarceration | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join The National World War II Museum in conversation with the Chair of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, whose parents were incarcerated as a result of President Roosevelt’s executive order that resulted in the incarceration of nearly 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry. The order was signed on February 19 — now known as “Day of Remembrance” in the Japanese-American community.
Quarantunes Virtual Concert | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Every Friday at 2 PM, 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. Check in closer to Friday to see who’s gracing the stage this week!
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Virtual Concert: Piano Hour with Joe Krown | 3 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park present a virtual performance featuring pianist Joe Krown.
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 Michael Tisserand, author of The Kingdom of Zydeco; Krazy: George Herriman, a Life in Black and White; and the forthcoming My Father When Young. They’ll talk books, Mardi Gras, comics and more — so bring a drink and any questions if you have them!
Virtual Exhibition Preview: Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Grab your favorite beverage and join Lisa Rotondo-McCord, Curator of Asian Art for a virtual happy hour preview of a forthcoming exhibition, Buddha & Shiva, Lotus & Dragon.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns | 7 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Next up the Pels take on the Suns as part of this three-game homestand.
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. Check back later in the week to see who will be performing this Friday!
Lena Prima at Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl is back with a second show for the week. Tonight singer-songwriter (and daughter of the New Orleans legend) Lena Prima takes the stage!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Podplays by The NOLA Project | Ongoing | Online (link sent after purchasing) | $10
Combining the new trend of podcasts with the old fashioned radio play, PodPlays are a series of new plays created by NOLA Project artists and designed for easy download and listening anywhere at any time. Each of our four PodPlays is a brand new work written by James Bartelle, Gab Reisman, Pete McElligott, and Brittany N. Williams. All four are available for listening, including Alien Status which was recently released. Learn more here.
Coffee Talk with SAGE New Orleans | 10:30 a.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | Free
SAGE New Orleans is a nonprofit composed of concerned residents and older adult service providers created to address the challenges facing LGBT older adults in the New Orleans area. They’re holding a weekly chat every Saturday morning. Click on “Get Tickets” (they’re free) to receive your link to the event.
Online Yoga Session | Noon | Zoom | Free
Balance Yoga & Wellness has a full slate of sessions — many of which take place online! Join AJ Durand for this 75-minute yoga class, but also be sure to check out everything they have to offer here.
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Porch Fest! | 4 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Anais St. John and Harry Mayronne Sr. are back for another round of Saturday tunes. Each week has a theme so stay tuned for what’s in store this time!
LPO Radio Hour | 6 p.m. | 104.9 FM or WWNO’s Website | Tips encouraged
Hosted by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s own Daniel Lelchuk, LPO Radio Hour will air every Tuesday and Saturday at 6 p.m. Tune in!
Phaze 5 at Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Phaze 5 takes the stage (virtually and in-person) for Rock ‘n’ Bowl’s third show in three nights!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21
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.
Online Yoga Session | 10 a.m. | Zoom | Starting at $10
Balance Yoga & Wellness is back with another online yoga class. This one is with teacher Tracey Duncan and has a sliding scale pay option starting at just $10. You can learn more here.
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Drumming Masterclass | 1:30 p.m. | Online (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $25
This masterclass with Johnny Vidacovich will be an opportunity to ask questions and get detailed instruction from an extraordinary musician. Johnny has been drumming since he’s 10 years old, and has played with greats such as Professor Longhair, Mose Allison and as a member of Astral Project. You don’t want to miss this master of his craft.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons | 2:30 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
To round out the homestand, the Pels host the Celtics in a Sunday afternoon match-up!
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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.
