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:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1
Festing in Place Continues! | All Weekend | Website and 90.7 FM | Donations encouraged
“Fest in Place” continues with a three-day dose of classic and recent performances from New Orleans music festivals, clubs and WWOZ studio sets!
Minecraft Virtual Escape Room | All Day | Website and Beanstack | Free
Watch out for the creepers! Use your knowledge of Minecraft and problem-solving skills to conquer our latest virtual escape room. This Minecraft themed escape room incorporates math problems, videos, and more for fans of the building, mining, and mob-fighting game. Designed for lovers of Minecraft in grades 4 and up, this room was designed by Pasco Libraries and is presented by the Ascension Parish Library.
Quarantunes Virtual Concert | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Every Friday at 2 PM, 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 features Alician “Blue Eyes” Renee along with members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band!
Virtual Happy Hour: Book Club Edition | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Do you want to read more in the new year? Have you ever thought about joining or starting a book club? If so then this is the Happy Hour for you! During this interactive conversation Garden District Book Shop will talk all things book clubs with Angelique White-Miller, founder of NOLA Expressions Book Club, and Caroline Bergeron, founder of In Bed With Books.
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Last Night of New Orleans Virtual Kwanzaa | 7 p.m. | YouTube Live and Facebook Live | Free
The New Orleans Kwanzaa Coalition and the New Orleans Public Library African American Resource Collection are presenting a virtual local Kwanzaa celebration each night at 7 p.m. from December 26 through January 1st. Each night will feature some incredible guests from the community including poets, artists, dance companies and more! You can learn more about these special events here.
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. This week they’re featuring Cristian Duque, Erica Falls, and Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove with Big Chief Gerald Paige!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2
JingleRing Live with Santa! | From November through January 4 | Online (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $24.95
Time’s almost up on this super-safe and fun way for your kids to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, Black Santa and Black Mrs. Claus from the comfort of your own home! Spots are booking up, so you should reserve one fast. You can learn more here and here. Spots are available throughout the weekend.
Sunrise Techno Sessions | 10 a.m. | Twitch | Tips encouraged
DTR is starting the new year off with a four-hour morning set of techno music alongside Ana M — who will be streaming in from New Mexico! This is turning into a regular show that’s gaining in popularity!
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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Porch Fest! | 4 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Anais St. John and Harry Mayronne Sr. are back for another round of Saturday tunes. This week they’re playing their favorite music from the divas of R&B!
New Orleans Pelicans vs Toronto Raptors | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN; 100.3 FM
The Pelicans drubbed the Toronto Raptors in the opening game of the season. Let’s see them do it again!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
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.
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Yoga for LIFE Free Online Info Session | 2 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | Free
Local Paige Bradley-Pecoul is excited to open enrollment for Yoga for LIFE. She’d love to have a conversation with you about what this program is all about and how it might benefit you. Join her for this free online meeting where she’ll share her passion for the habits and answer any questions you may have. Even if you aren’t interested in the course, you’re still welcome to join the discussion about what the habits created by yoga can do for you this year and beyond.
KrohnKast Drummer2Drummer Series | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
This weekend Krohn Studios presents drum wizard Stephan Nelson II coming in to kick the new year off with their drummer 2 drummer series.
New Orleans Saints — Week 17 | 3:30 p.m. | NFL Network, WWL 870 AM / 105.3 FM, the Saints app | Price Varies
Who Dat Nation closes out the regular season by traveling to the division rival Carolina Panthers!
Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) | 7 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Bastion Community is a community in New Orleans for returning warriors and families with lifelong rehabilitative needs. This Sunday they’re hosting a session on TRE — which could benefit all of us! 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. Learn about it during this free session!
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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.
