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, FEBRUARY 8
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)
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!
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Octavia Books: Into the Dark and Flood City | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after pre-ordering one of the books) | Pre-order one of the books
Join Octavia Books for a special virtual conversation with notable New Orleans YA authors Claudia Gray and Daniel José Older — each celebrating the launch of a new book this month. To participate in this event via Zoom, purchase or pre-purchase either of the books listed here and we will send you registration details by the date of the event. Books will be signed by the authors. See here for a full listing of their events.
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 9
Virtual Black History Month Concert | 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 Gregg Stafford!
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 performing live from their balcony every week. This week they’re featuring Bo Dollis & The Wild Magnolias!
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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 Doyle Cooper and Ryan Hanseler for a jazz set this Tuesday evening!
New Orleans Pelicans vs Houston Rockets | 6:30 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
The Pels hope to keep their hot streak going against the Houston Rockets!
Adult Tap Classes | 7:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after booking class) | $15
Heidi Taps offers a load of classes at all skill levels throughout the week. Tuesday evening is focused on the beginners, though. The website says this is great for adults with less than six months of tap training, but even if you don’t have any experience, they’ll meet you where you are in the Essential Ingredients series. Learn more here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
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)
THNOC Virtual Mardi Gras Field Trip: Carnival Bulletins | 1 p.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. In today’s episode they’ll dig into some century old carnival bulletins – broadsides published in daily newspapers that gave eager New Orleanians a preview of what floats they would get to enjoy at upcoming parades. These bulletins, which are part of the education collection, span multiple krewes and date back to 1898. Together, viewers of all ages will discover how parade floats have changed (and stayed the same!) over a century.
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
Spylights is this week’s featured band during this House of Blues concert series. The group’s an original alternative rock band from NOLA and is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Vincent Giovanni. They incorporate a blend of many different styles of alternative,e rock, synthwave and metal into their music.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls | 8 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Two games in two days — the Pelicans head to Chicago.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11
The Color of Blood: Charles R. Drew, MD., Ph.D. | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Celebrate Black History Month with the National WWII Museum by exploring the story of innovator and pioneer Dr. Charles R. Drew. Dr. Drew made significant developments as a surgeon, researcher, and administrator. He ran Blood for Britain before the US entered World War II and led the Blood Plasma Program development. He resigned from the American Red Cross, where he was director of the National Blood Bank, because they persisted in segregating blood from African Americans in 1942. Following his resignation, he returned to Howard University to teach in the medical school. This webinar is appropriate for grades five and up.
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 it’s several performances! Thursday afternoon features GRAMMY-nominated Cha Wa!
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 a class on making your own king cake, featuring Executive Events Chef Scott Maki of NOCHI. You can learn more here. RSVP as soon as possible so you’ll have plenty of time to receive your king cake-making kit.
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Octavia Books: Race Against Time | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after pre-ordering one of the books) | Pre-order one of the books
Join Octavia Books for a virtual event featuring author Jerry Mitchell presenting Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era in conversation with author Wiley Cash. Octavia Books is thrilled to offer this “Reader-Meet-Writer” program in partnership with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance. To participate, treat yourself to a copy of Race Against Time from Octavia Books and they’ll send you registration details on the day of the event.
For the Culture: The Vintage | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Tuesday they’re presenting a two-hour show with Rayuana and Tanzaneka, two local artists who have come together to form The Vintage.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12
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 will feature Trevarri Huff-Boone — a Shreveport native who started playing alto saxophone at the age of eight and is now earning his Masters in Jazz Studies at UNO.
THNOC Virtual Mardi Gras Field Trip: The Baby Dolls | 2:15 p.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, join them for a chat, and a live, interactive presentation with Millisia White’s New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies. Millisia and the Baby Doll Ladies will teach us about the history and culture of the Baby Dolls masking and dance practice and how the NOBDL carry on the legacy of this century-old tradition. Be sure to bring a handkerchief with you!
Virtual Concert: Piano Hour with Andre Bohren | 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 Andre Bohren.
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 Rick Dobbs and Ken Murphy — the creative team behind Local Spirit: Neighborhood Bars of Orleans Parish. Grab a drink and join the conversation for this interactive, live streaming event. They’ll reminisce about their favorite spots to pull up a barstool, the places that ain’t there no more, and they’ll tell you about the pub crawls they’re looking forward to in the future.
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New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks | 6:30 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Next up the Pels are in Dallas to take on those hated Mavericks!
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!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13
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.
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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.
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. This week they’re featuring the music of Haydn, Walker and J. Straus II. Tune in!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14
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.
“Throw Me Something Mister” Virtual Parade | Ongoing | Google Play or App Store | Free
Mardi Gras looks different this year, but Krewe of Bacchus is determined to host a parade. Actually — lots of parades. And they’ll be virtual! Download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store and you’ll be treated to weekly parades fit for all ages. Catch, collect and trade throws from the parade, track the parade, follow krewe members and more!
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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Date Night with Emily and Alon | 5 p.m. | Online (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $65
Join Chef Alon and Emily of Saba Restaurant for a romantic cooking class! The event is sold-out, but you can still purchase a combo package of this event and the Israeli Dips and Spreads event later in the month. With this package, you won’t receive the ingredients package but you can still purchase it all on your own. Learn more here.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Detroit Pistons | 6 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Finishing up a busy week, the Pelicans are up in Detroit to face the Pistons.
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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.
