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 28
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.
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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!
Instant Opus from SideBar NOLA | 9 p.m. | Website | Donations accepted here
SideBar NOLA has presented live local music throughout nearly all of quarantine. Tonight they’re featuring Joe Dyson, Oscar Rossignoli & Jacob Stanley! For a full listing of their performances, check out this page.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Cha Wa Live from the New Orleans Jazz Museum Balcony | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different musician or band on their balcony every week, and this week features Cha Wa for an hour-long set. Cha Wa is a Grammy-nominated Mardi Gras Indian funk band you’re not going to want to miss!
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Words Whispered in Water – Book Discussion | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join Sandy Rosenthal as she talks about her book — Words Whispered in Water — with fellow author, Thomas Beller. The virtual discussion and book signing will be held via Zoom. The book is about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina — one of the worst disasters in U.S. history. Rosenthal chronicles the story of one woman’s fight to expose a mammoth federal agency.
No-Audience Live Stream at Buffa’s | 7 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!
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 Tuesday 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!
Quarantini Happy Hour World Tour with Jon Cleary | 8 p.m. | YouTube and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged 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 Roger Lewis — a mainstay in the Fats Domino Orchestra in the ‘70s and ‘80s and a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
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 Peter Brown’s photograph, Dimmit Meat Co., Dimmit, Texas.
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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 Wednesday 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)
Drawing 101: Drawing Texture | 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 learning to draw texture. You can learn more about the session and any materials you might need here.
What Does the District Attorney Do? | 7:30 p.m. | YouTube Live | Free
Join Indivisible NOLA and Sarah Omojola, Associate Director of The Vera Institute of Justice for a presentation and Q&A about the powers and responsibilities of the New Orleans District Attorney in advance of the upcoming election. Submit your questions for Sarah at slido.com, event code “JUSTICE”
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Young Audiences of Louisiana Leads “Baby Artsplay” | 9:30 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Young Audiences of Louisiana’s Baby Artsplay!™ is offered as a series of six free 30-minute workshops held weekly to engage young children ages 12-24 months and their caregiver. Now, caregivers can participate in this popular local workshop at home. Learn how to integrate purposeful activities into your children’s daily routine and support their cognitive, physical and social development. Learn more here.
Student & Teacher Event: Beneath the Bayou | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the Pontchartrain Conservancy as they take a look beneath the bayous of New Orleans and learn about how some of the innovations and science from WWII can teach us about the natural world around us today. Appropriate for grades 3-8.
“Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 1944-1945” | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the National World War II Museum for an evening discussion featuring Ian Toll and their very own Rob Citino, as they discuss the third and final volume of Toll’s “Pacific War Trilogy,” Twilight of the Gods. Covering the final 15 months of the war in the Pacific, Toll brings his years of research into a masterly woven narrative of the fighting on land, sea and air as America and her allies brought the Japanese to their ultimate surrender.
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.
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Ever More Nest Live(ish) Stream | 7:30 p.m. | YouTube | Tip encouraged via PayPal or their online store
This awesome Ever More Nest concert was recorded for a live radio broadcast at Carnaval Lounge in New Orleans on August 28, but due to hurricane Laura, the broadcast was aired by WHIV 102.3 FM a week later. Now’s your chance to watch the video! If you’re a fan of Americana music, you’ll love this!
Cameron Dupuy & Cajun Troubadours | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock ‘n’ Bowl has been serving up a steady stream of virtual concerts. This Thursday night they’re featuring Cameron Dupuy & Cajun Troubadours for a two-hour set!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
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!
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. This free online series, broadcasting to music fans around the world, highlights the rich culture and history of New Orleans.
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 editors of The Peauxdunque Review — Maurice Ruffin (editorial review board), Nordette Adams (poetry editor), Emily Choate (fiction editor), Larry Wormington (editor-in-chief), and Tad Bartlett (managing editor) — will be joining us to talk writing, books, New Orleans, and what The Peauxdunque is all about. They’ll also be taking your questions!
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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!
Virtual Concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra | 7 p.m. | Website (link sent after ticket purchased) | Season Subscription for $115 (monthly payments available)
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra has a full season of music planned for the year! This is the first of their Orpheum Session Series and kicks off with Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” The link to the concert is available Friday evening, but you can listen to it for several weeks after that. Learn about this and future concerts here.
The Chee Weez at Rock ‘n’ Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock ‘n’ Bowl’s back with another show — this time a two-hour set by The Chee Weez!
