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:
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.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Ab Attack Live Stream | Noon | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30-minute workout in partnership with FitNOLA and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. This class is an uptempo cardio and core workout, targeting your abs and helping you get fit!
Porch Fest: Celebrating Lena Horne | 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 focusing on the music of jazz legend Lena Horne!
Freddie Blue & the Friendship Circle Live Stream | 6 p.m. | Website | Tips encouraged
This “New Orleans-flavored roots band” is delighted to bring you a live-streamed show from Buffa’s Audience Free Backroom. A non-stop two-hour set full of music and laughs.
10th Annual Womxn Performing for Womxn | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live, Instagram Live and Mixcloud | Free; Donations encouraged
A night of music, dancing and celebration to benefit the womxn and children of Hagar’s House. There’ll be a dance party with the one and only DJ Soul Sister, and appearances by Drag Queen Debbie with a D, Krewe of Themis, Sula Spirit and members of the Hagar’s House Community. There’s even a silent auction (open until 10pm on 9/26) and door prizes for donors! Attire is anything you want, but fancy-funky and sparkles are always encouraged.
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Nashville South at Rock n Bowl | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl has been hosting a lot of great live virtual shows throughout quarantine. This Saturday night is Nashville South with a two-hour set of high energy country music that alternates between new rockin country chart toppers and the staple songs from the genre’s past.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Happiness is Homemade Virtual Scrap Camp | All Weekend | Online (link sent after ticket purchase) | $10
Here’s a weekend of scrapbooking creativity and fun! 3 C’s Scrapbooking will be offering challenges, classes, teach new techniques and show new products. But your ticket here, and then you’ll receive a link to all the weekend’s activities — which begin Friday night!
Commons Cafe featuring Andrew Duhon | 11 a.m. | Facebook Live | Free
The Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life invites you to join them online for a virtual live two-hour performance by local Blues & Folk influenced singer-songwriter Andrew Duhon!
NOLA Paper Flower Auction | Noon | Facebook Live | Free
NOLA Paper Flower Auction is hosting their second online event! Need a gift for someone? Looking for decor for the holidays? Maybe something to brighten up a room? Their paper flower sets — which can last forever — might be exactly what you want! They’ll have a huge variety of flower sets available. Join at noon for a live video explaining how the auction will work. Then the fun begins at 1 p.m. and goes all the way until 4!
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Cooking with Curtis – Dining and Democracy Edition! | 3 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Cooking with Curtis is back by popular demand and hosted by Xavier University! During his next few episodes, Curtis will be joined by guest chefs who will discuss issues related to the upcoming election. Each Sunday will feature new chefs, new meals and important conversations. This week, your host will be joined by renowned opera singer Anthony Turner and Xavier’s very own Tia Alexander! And they’ll be preparing Candied Yams! If you’d like to cook along, you can find a list of the ingredients you’ll need here.
Techno Club & The Fillmore present “More Love” | 4 p.m. | Twitch here or here | Tips encouraged
The Fillmore and Techno Club team up to bring you eight hours (!!) of the best techno music in New Orleans! Pop in for their weekly show!
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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.
