Things are slowly returning to normal, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online if you’re not quite ready yet! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, JUNE 15
DU Cooks Interview Series | 3 p.m. | Instagram Live | Free
Today, Tuesday (3 p.m.) and twice on Friday (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), Dillard University’s Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture is sitting down to chat with another person (or persons) connected to the food industry, including those who grow, distribute, sell and cook the region’s best food. The sessions can be found on Instagram Live.
Taproom Yoga | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted here.
Taproom Yoga normally takes place at NOLA Brewing on Monday evenings, but has gone virtual for the time being. All skill levels are welcome to join Elevate Yoga at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live! More information can be found here.
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | Throughout the evening | Website | Donations accepted here
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you seven nights a week (and oftentimes more than once per night). For a full listing of their performances, check out this page.
Tiffany Pollack & Co. from Buffa’s Back Bar | 6 p.m. | Website | Donations encouraged via PayPal and Venmo.
The Monday blues aren’t always bad. Especially when they’re being live streamed by Tiffany Pollack at Buffa’s Lounge. Check out the site, above, for the stream on Monday evening, as well as for recordings of nearly 20 previous virtual performances from various New Orleans artists.
Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations accepted
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
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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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 30-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.
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
Practice Your French! | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link sent up registering by email) | Free
Bonjour! Looking to practice your French? Join communications and events coordinator, Joseph, on Tuesdays during the Stay-at-Home order from 10 to 11am for a “Table Française!”
Webinar: LinkedIn for Business Workshop | Noon | Zoom | Free
Facebook is for customers – and LinkedIn is for job recruits, right? Not so far. Many marketers try to make a clear distinction – and overlook the overlap between the two demographics. That’s especially true for LinkedIn, the career networking site that counts 260 million members and roughly three million company-specific pages, many of which are devoted to hiring. But consider this: Those 260 million members are also your real or potential customers. In this hour-long, expert-hosted workshop (brought to us by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce), you will learn how you can use LinkedIn to boost the company’s brand and present yourself as a subject matter expert.
Bon Bon Vivant Live from the Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted via Venmo and Patreon.
Local Gypsy jazz band Bon Bon Vivant is bringing their popular fun and lively style to a live stream from the balcony of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The museum has been hosting an hour-long virtual set with various artists for weeks and it’s been a blast!
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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.
Clown Town TV Premier Party: Episode 11 | 8 p.m. | Facebook | 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 11 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
Quarantini Happy Hour World Tour with Jon Cleary | 8 p.m. | YouTube and Facebook Live | Donations welcome via PayPal or Venmo.
Virtuosic jazz pianist Jon Cleary plays an hour of music with another guest every Tuesday night. This week Mr. Cleary is joined by James Rivers.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
It’s New Orleans Happy Hour | 3:30 p.m. | Zoom (check Facebook page the day of the event for the link) | Free
This popular local podcast is hosted by Grant Morris & Andrew Duhon. Going strong for nearly 10 years, the hosts invite random New Orleanians with nothing in common into a bar to talk about anything they want. Bars aren’t really a thing at the moment, though, so they’re hosting their show via Zoom. Check it out — it’s a lot of fun!
Lighthouse Book Club | 5 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Join the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation for a virtual Lighthouse Book Club meeting to discuss Robert Glennon’s book, “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It.” The book is important and funny. From manufactured snow for tourists in Atlanta to trillions of gallons of water flushed down the toilet each year, “Unquenchable” looks into how we’ve gotten into the disastrous water situation we currently find ourselves in. Use the Zoom link above and enter the Meeting ID (925 8128 7565) and Password (lighthouse).
Big Freedia’s Kitchen: Watcha Cookin’ Wednesdays with the Queen Diva | 7 p.m. | Instagram and Facebook | Free to watch, but recipes are as low as $5/month
What does the Queen Diva cook? It turns out thousands of people want to know! Watch her chop it up in the kitchen every Wednesday night. If you think it’s just cooking, you obviously don’t know Big Freedia. There’s music, dancing, cocktails and special guests, as well!
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Live FitNOLA Class — Zumba | 7 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 night class is focused on Zumba, 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 yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA).
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
Quarantini Happy Hour World Tour with Jon Cleary | 1 p.m. | YouTube and Facebook Live | Donations welcome via PayPal or Venmo.
In addition to his Tuesday night gig, Jon Cleary plays an afternoon performance (nighttime in London) every Thursday.
At Home with Ochsner: A Virtual Culinary Experience with Saba | 3 p.m. | Link sent upon registration (MUST REGISTER BY MONDAY AT 5 P.M.) | $100
Join Ochsner Health and Saba Restaurant as we partner together to provide you a virtual culinary event for you to experience fine dining in the comfort of your own home! Five time James Beard Nominee, Chef Alon Shaya has curated a four course dinner, with your choice of cocktails for $100. Orders will be available for curbside pick up between 3:00- 6:00 p.m on Thursday, June 18. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Ochsner Health!
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 a New Orleans author. They’re mixing things up a little bit this week as the “guest” is (are) actually the shop’s booksellers. They’ll talk about their current reads, offer book recommendations, give you a behind-the-scenes look at the store and answer your questions!
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Ogden After Hours At Home | 6 p.m. | Zoom and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Ogden Museum has made their weekly “Ogden After Hours” series a virtual event featuring Southern musicians and DJs performing from the comfort of their own homes. This week’s performance will be by Daniella & The Arrows — a classical violinist turned rock vocalist! She and her band deliver songs of imaginative and inquisitive lyrics driven by compelling rhythms. This pop fusion is merged together by a traditional rhythm section and classical string trio. Conducted by Dianella’s powerful voice and warm energy, the result is electric.
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.
Weekly Renters Rights Call | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live or by Phone | 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, or watch the livestream on Facebook (link above). There’ll also be opportunities to ask questions.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
“Love Your Heart” Fitness Session | 10 a.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Free
Heart N Hands is a great nonprofit focused on heart health and heart disease prevention, so definitely check them out. This week, they’re hosting a 30-minute fitness session for all levels. Beginners welcome!
Juneteenth Workout and Fundraiser | 6:15 p.m. | Zoom | Donations encouraged
CrossFit Algiers is leading a very special workout to raise money for Beloved NOLA in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. The workout will be meaningful and be led by Coach Brandon Joshua. You can sign in at event time using the link, above. Enter the Meeting ID (744 778 7312) and Password (812089).
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Mannie Fresh | 7 p.m. | Facebook, Instagram or Twitch | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Famous local DJ, Mannie Fresh hosts a popular DJ set (more than 10,000 viewers!) called “Virus-Killaz” each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Click on the links above at showtime to watch the show on Facebook, Instagram or Twitch.
Film Fest → The Messenger | 8 p.m. | Zoom | Free
For several weeks, the Joan of Arc Project (the group that puts on the Joan of Arc parade on Twelfth Night) has been hosting a Zoom discussion group about a different Joan of Arc-focused movie. This week (the final week of the festival!) you’re invited to a discussion about the thoughtful 1999 Hollywood movie “The Messenger,” starring Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway and Dustin Hoffman. In this fresh adaption, Joan is presented as a feisty fanatic. Learn how to watch the film here (you can catch it for free on YouTube among other places), then join the discussion on Friday with the Zoom link, above. Here’s more information about the festival, as well as a full listing of the movies that have been discussed.
Ellis Marsalis Tribute Night | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Every week Snug Harbor hosts a tribute show to the recently departed New Orleans music legend, Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Swing by their Facebook page at approximately 8 p.m. and they’ll post the link to what’s become a very popular series of shows.
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.
