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 get those COVID cases back under control. Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Cardio Blast Live Stream | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30 minutes 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
Each week during quarantine, Alliance Française of New Orleans hosts a club for lovers of French film. This week’s film is Il a déjà tes yeux (He Even Has Your Eyes). You can watch the 2016 film on Netflix in advance of the conversation.
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’s author is Michael Patrick Welch, who has written multiple books including New Orleans: An Underground Guide. Swing by the virtual happy hour for great insight, conversation and the opportunity to have your questions answered!
Delfeayo & Friends with Special Guest Roger Lewis | 5 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Donations encouraged
Join the Contemporary Arts Center live on Zoom for their biweekly happy hour with Delfeayo & Friends — featuring trombonist and composer Delfeayo Marsalis. Get your tickets before they sell out!
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Marie Laveau Music Video Viewing Party | 7 p.m. | YouTube | Free
Father Ron is hosting a viewing part of the official release of his new music video for Marie Laveau. Join him on YouTube.
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 Friday at 7 p.m., the 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 pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA).
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 back later in the week to see who’ll be this Friday’s artist!
For the Culture with Big Sam’s Funky Nation | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a series of shows featuring New Orleans-based musicians, and this Friday they’re presenting an hour-long set featuring local favorite Big Sam’s Funky Nation! You’re not going to watch this performance!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Fitness Fusion Class | 9:15 a.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! 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.
Les Dames NOLA Virtual Culinary Book Club | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | $5 suggested donation
Dr. Jessica Harris will be discussing her book, My Soul Looks Back with Les Dames NOLA during their monthly book club meeting.
Belly Dancing Online Class | 11:30 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after buying ticket) | $10 via Venmo or PayPal
All skill levels are welcome to this weekly belly dancing class led by expert dancer Karla Marie. For information about other classes being taught throughout August (both online and in person) check out this list.
Afternoon Cheese & Tea – A Virtual Pairing Class | 3 p.m. | Zoom (purchase ticket for link) | $36
Pairing cheese and tea may seem like an unconventional match, but tea lovers know that tea is a drink with real personality, complexity and flavor. Like wine, teas have varying degrees of tannins along with a natural astringency, making it a perfect pairing for cheese. Join St. James Cheese Company as they pair some of their favorite cheeses and teas. You can pick up the pairings beginning he day before the session.
Shrimp and Grits Cooking Class | 3:30 p.m. | Facebook Live (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $19.99 – $45
You’ll be able to ask questions and cook along with Chef Danie Cooks as you learn to make the perfect shrimp and grits. You’ll also learn to make biscuits with the chef’s green onion pesto butter. A $19.99 will get you access to the class without ingredients, while $45 will get you a kit with all the ingredients you’ll need.
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Porch Fest: The 1960s | 4 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Anais St. John and Harry Mayronne Sr. are back for another round of Saturday tunes. Last week they performed this music of the 1950s, and this week’s hour-long set is all about their favorite tunes from the 1960s!
Makin’ a Joyful Jazz Noise Saturdays | 6:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Local jazz musician Matt Lemmier is hosting a live stream show every Saturday evening in August. Join him for a two-hour set all month!
The Russell Welch Hot Quartet Private Virtual Show | 6:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | $4.99
The Russell Welch Hot Quartet will hold a private virtual concert performing new music and group classics, with studio quality sound and crowd interaction (FB Live with admission). A $4.99 ticket gets you two sets, 6:30pm – 7:30pm and 8pm-9pm. The group’s last album “Acetate Sessions” was nominated “Best Traditional Jazz Album” by the Offbeat Awards 2019. Anyone who donates $20 or more receives the performance as a digital download. Here are highlights from the previous private live stream.
Jesse Autumn & Scott Johnson | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged via Venmo and PayPal
Jesse Autumn (double-strung harp, pedal harp, piano) and Scott Johnson (soprano & alto sax) play a special duet livestream concert featuring music from Cuba, France, New Orleans and beyond!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Japan-NOLA Jazz Performance Series | 1 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Haruka Kikuchi has been in New Orleans since 2014 and has made a name for herself as a superstar trombonist. Watch her weekly hour-long performance with friends!
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Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) | 7:30 p.m. | Online Event (link sent after registration) | Free
TRE is a simple yet innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. TRE safely activates a natural reflex of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. Many people feel very relaxed afterwards. TRE is truly a self-care tool, once you do it a couple times, you can do it on your own (w/ no equipment), and it will only take 10 minutes! Take part in a session on Sunday night. Here is a list of what you’ll need.
Sunday Swing Livestream from Allways! | 9:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged for the band and the bar.
The Allways Lounge & Cabaret’s popular Sunday Swing is back — but this time they’re in livestream form! The evening will be hosted by the Jazz Band Ballers. Join in for some stellar music, and maybe even dust off those dancing shoes!
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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.
