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 22
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 Lynn Drury performs her unique style of roots rock!
On Liberty: Zooming into Museums Across the Country | 4 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the National World War II Museum for a special partnered program with the Intrepid Museum as well as fellow veterans, servicemembers, and their loved ones for a virtual staycation. The Intrepid Museum is kicking off a new program in which they will be connecting with institutions around the country, and The National WWII Museum is honored and excited to be among the first that have been invited. The National WWII Museum’s Senior Historian Robert Citino, PhD, and Curator Joshua Schick will be joined by the Intrepid Museum’s Curator of History and Collections Jessica Williams to discuss the Pacific War and collections from both institutions.
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 the Shop is joined by author Madison Webb. Her beautiful debut children’s book, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a must have this Mardi Gras season. Bring a drink and your questions to this live streaming, interactive event!
View this post on Instagram
NOMA Reset: Freedom at the Mat | 6 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | Free
Join NOMA for a new series of virtual workshops that focuses on mindfulness, creativity, comfort and reflection. In this session astrologer and herbalist practitioner Myrto Daskaloudi will lead an introduction to the history of astrology going back to ancient Mesopotamia, North Africa, the Levant, and Southern Mediterranean. This program will utilize the themes of healing, empathy, and understanding in the Mending The Sky exhibition as reference points to explore how astrology can aid individual and collective understanding. In addition to learning about the history of this ancient practice, participants will learn about upcoming transits for 2021.
Rupaul’s Drag Race S13 Virtual Viewing Party | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $5
Join drag queen Laveau Contraire and friends every week as they watch Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 13 live on Zoom! Tune in for banter, commentary, and performances from the queens. Participate in the chat to let your voice be heard and discuss the show.
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 features trombonist Glen David Andrews!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
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.
NOLA Aikido Presents a Physical Distancing Seminar | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Donations suggested
NOLA Aikido has kicked off the new year with several virtual seminars! This week features a class by Johan Lindgren Sensei who teaches at the Vanadis Aikido Dojo in Stockholm, Sweden. He’ll be teaching a one-hour class that focuses on practice you can do while staying distanced. You can learn more about what the class will entail here!
Online Yoga Session | Noon | Zoom | Starting at $10 (mlti-class passes also available)
Balance Yoga & Wellness has a full slate of sessions — many of which take place online! Join AJ Durand for this 75-minute yoga class, but also be sure to check out everything they have to offer here (including an online “Practical Magic Bootcamp” that continues this weekend).
View this post on Instagram
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’ll present an afternoon of heart-melting songs dedicated to the memory of Eerv Raible.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Minnesota Timberwolves | 7 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
The Pelicans will hopefully get on a hot streak when they head to chilly Minnesota. Let’s geaux Pels!
The Topcats at Rock n Bowl | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock n Bowl has been hosting tons of great virtual events throughout the pandemic. This Saturday they’ve got The Topcats performing on Facebook Live!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24
Krewe of Stranger Things 2021 Scavenger Hunt | Ends Today | Find Clues Here | Free
Decipher and follow the clues on their Facebook group page and you’ll be led to throws crafted by The Krewe of Stranger Things. Today is the day their parade would have rolled with Chewbacchus, so it also marks the last day of the scavenger hunt. Good luck!
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.
View this post on Instagram
“Throw Me Something Mister” Virtual Parade | Ongoing | Google Play or App Store | Free
Mardi Gras looks different this year, but Krewe of Bacchus is determined to host a parade. Actually — lots of parades. And they’ll be virtual! Download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store and you’ll be treated to weekly parades fit for all ages. Catch, collect and trade throws from the parade, track the parade, follow krewe members and more!
Online Yoga Session | Noon | Zoom | Starting at $10
Balance Yoga & Wellness is back with another online yoga class. This one is with teacher Tracey Duncan and has a sliding scale pay option starting at just $10. You can learn more here.
——————
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.
