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 getting 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, SEPTEMBER 21
Virtual Mississippi River Flyover | 12:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Take your own personal flight over the Mississippi River with environmental experts Alisha Renfro and Helen Rose Patterson, starting from the headwaters at Lakes Itasca of Minnesota to the birdfoot delta in Louisiana. Join Restore the Mississippi River Delta and learn about how the River shaped the country and humans’ attempts to tame its mighty, muddy waters. This event is part of the NOLA River Festival, with events taking place all week you can learn about here.
Audacious Hoops Virtual Hula Hoop Class | 6 p.m. | Zoom | $10 suggest donation
Would you like to explore body and movement via the art of hula hooping? If so, join Audacious Hoops for their classes — held every Monday in September — for students of all skill levels, including total beginners! You can join via the Zoom link, above. The Meeting ID is 785 7253 6631, and the Passcode is HoopClass. It’s a great way to exercise while learning something new and fun! Learn more here.
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
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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New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN, WWL 870 AM / 105.3 FM, WatchESPN, or the Saints app | Price Varies
Who Dat Nation tunes in as their Saints hope to build on their Week 1 victory! This week they go head-to-head with the Las Vegas Raiders in the first ever game in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Live FitNOLA Class – Pilates | 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 morning, this 45-minute class is focused on pilates, 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).
NOLA River Festival Virtual Concert | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
The NOLA River Fest continues with an hour-long concert with the Kinfolk Brass Band, featuring the N’awlins D’awlins & Big Queen Mary Kay of the original Tchoupitoulas Indians. Kinfolk Brass Band was founded by brothers Percy and Richard Anderson in 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Playing a style of music that encompasses and melds Mardi Gras Indian chants, New Orleans funk, modern jazz, and traditional brass band sounds, Kinfolk Brass Band is at the forefront of the New Orleans Brass Band renaissance. The festival takes place all week and you can learn about upcoming cultural and music events here.
Been Here: A Conversation with Mia X and Melissa A. Weber | 6 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Newcomb Art Museum has created a series of virtual programs that interact with the artwork in their current exhibition: Brandan Bmike Odums’ NOT Supposed 2-Be Here. The exhibit probes the broader iniquity of historical remembering, asking why certain stories are included in histories while others are overlooked. This event will feature an engaging dialogue on hip-hop and career with Mia X — New Orleans Native and billboard charting emcee hailed as the “Mother of Southern Gangster Rap” — and Melissa A. Weber, Curator of the Hogan Jazz Archive of Tulane Special Collections.
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For the Culture with Eric Johanson | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged via PayPal and Venmo
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 Eric Johanson. Johanson is known for his work as a touring guitarist for Grammy-winning bands, as well as his rising solo career featuring blues-based alternative roots rock.
Clown Town TV Premier Party: Season 2, Episode 4 | 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 4 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
The S.S. Officer’s Armchair: Uncovering the Hidden Life of a Nazi | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the National World War II Museum for a webinar discussion with Daniel Lee, a historian of the Second World War and a specialist in the history of Jews in France and North Africa during the Holocaust, and a lecturer in modern history at Queen Mary, University of London. The S.S. Officer’s Armchair is about a remarkable discovery of swastika-covered documents that had been found inside the cushion of an armchair that was being repaired by an upholsterer in Amsterdam. Tracking down the history of the chair, the documents and the S.S. Officer Dr. Robert Griesinger, Lee’s story goes from Amsterdam, to Stuttgart, Prague and even New Orleans! You can learn more about the lecture here.
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 Elizabeth M. Shannon’s work, After the Fire.
Amanda Boyden in Conversation with Maurice Carlos Ruffin | 6 p.m. | Online (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $5 – $35.28
The Garden District Book Shop is hosting a conversation with author Amanda Boyden about her memoir, I Got the Dog. It has been called unflinching, poignant, raw, sometimes hilarious and other times brutally painful. It’s the self portrait of a woman unafraid to scream into the universe: “I survived this!”
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Drawing 101: How to Sketch | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free, but $10 donation is encouraged
Every artist needs a sketchbook! In this second Drawing 101 series, learn the ins and outs of sketching, including how to construct your own sketchbook. Participants are encouraged to tune in each week for a new drawing exercise with Museum Educator, Michelle Pontiff, for an evening of stress-free, beginner-level drawing classes designed to build your drawing skills. This week’s all about the basics of sketching. You can learn more about the session and any materials you might need here.
The People’s DA Coalition Candidate Forum | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
This November, New Orleanians will vote on a Prosecutor for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. On Wednesday night, People’s DA Coalition is hosting a lively discussion on criminal justice with the city’s DA candidates.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Neils Bohr: At the Crossroads of History | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
This event by the National World War II Museum is targeted for students in grades 5 – 9. Niels Bohr was one of the world’s greatest scientists when WWII began, but he had so much work yet to do. He had already created the standard model for atomic structure and won the Nobel Prize for it, sure, but then he worked to help scientists flee Hitler’s shadow. He worked in the resistance in Denmark. He dramatically fled arrest from the Nazis in September 1943 and negotiated asylum for Jewish refugees in Sweden when he arrived. Then, he spent the rest of the war years advising scientists in the Manhattan Project. Learn about his fascinating life, and some of the science he created.
Hey Y’all, Art Talk! | 2 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free (suggested donation of $5)
Join the Ogden Museum for a series of engaging conversations about Southern art and artists! Museum Educator, Sara Echaniz, will lead a 30-minute in-depth participatory discussion about an artwork from Ogden Museum’s permanent collection and provide background information about the artist and artwork. This week, the class will focus on photographs from the Revelations exhibition. You can find more information here.
Book Discussion with Author Sarah M. Broom | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free, and you can purchase the book here
The Louisiana State Museum is proud to present a virtual evening with Sarah M. Broom, author of “The Yellow House,” 2019 National Book Award winner, in conversation with historian Leslie M. Harris. “The Yellow House” centers around Broom’s childhood home, a yellow shotgun house in New Orleans East, which was ultimately destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Through this intimate examination of family life, Broom highlights the lesser known history of New Orleans East and explores themes of race, inequality, erasure, and resistance.
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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.
For the Culture with Gabrielle Cavassa | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged via PayPal and Venmo
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 Gabrielle Cavassa. She’s a critically-acclaimed singer and composer performing works from her recent album — celebrated for its bending of genre and honest xpress of vulnerability.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Cardio Blast Live Stream | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30-minute 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
Every other week during quarantine, Alliance Française of New Orleans hosts a club for lovers of French film. This week’s film is Banlieusards. You can watch the 2019 film on Netflix in advance of the conversation.
Virtual Happy Hour at Garden District Book Shop | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live and YouTube Live | Free, but you can purchase the author’s books here
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 they’re featuring documentary photographer and author Cheryl Gerber as they discuss New Orleans, books, photography, and leave plenty of time to answer your questions!
For the Culture with Ben Hunter | 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 with Ben Hunter. Hunter was born and raised in New Orleans and has been a musician for more than 20 years! Spend your Friday night with this New Orleans reggae king turned Afro-Caribbean folk music creator!
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Fridays from the Funky Uncle! | 7 p.m. | 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 here later in the week to see who’s performing this Friday!
Musaica Presents “Postcards from Paris and Vienna” | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Musaica is a non-profit chamber ensemble founded by professional musicians from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. This is the first concert of their 15th season and will feature elegant French works featuring harp, violin, viola, clarinet and piano, as well as a string quintet by Beethoven. The concert will be streamed online from the UNO Performing Arts Center.
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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.
