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 4
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 with Carmela Rappazzo | 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. This free online series, broadcasting to music fans around the world, highlights the rich culture and history of New Orleans. This episode features Carmela Rappazzo — an amazing jazz musician who played all over the United States!
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 they’re featuring two fellow booksellers — Nicole Brinkley from Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, NY; and Sami Thomason from Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi — to share a little of what life is like at their stores. They’ll also be discussing their favorite books and answering your questions.
Yappy Hour Trivia! | 5:30 p.m. | Online (link sent after tickets purchased) | $20
Bummed that NOLA on Tap 2020 and your other favorite festivals are cancelled? So is the Louisiana SPCA, which is why they’re hosting an evening of trivia full of fun, brain-bending questions, and — of course — adorable animals! You can team up with members of your own household, or create a virtual team. A $20 donation is required per player, but up that to $25 and you’ll also receive a 4-pack from NOLA Brewing and a $5 voucher from Big Easy Bucha! We’ve also seen the prizes, and they’re worth getting excited about!
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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!
For the Culture with Tonya Boyd-Cannon | 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 Tonya Boyd-Cannon. Boyd-Cannon is known for her rare contralto voice that is sharp yet soulful, contemporary and authentic.
Ever More Nest “Live” on WHIV FM 102.3 | 7 p.m. | Online and WHIV 102.3 | Tips encouraged here or here.
If you’ve ever listened to Ever More Nest, you’ll probably agree it’s impossible to leave one of their shows without a smile on your face! Well, get ready to smile again this Friday night because this New Orleans atmospheric alt-country band is back for a set from the Marigny’s Carnaval Lounge. (Due to Hurricane Laura, the band had to pre-record the show on August 28. But it’ll be our first time hearing it, so it’s basically live!)
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:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Belly Dancing Online Class | 11:30 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after buying ticket via Venmo or PayPal) | $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.
Alternatives to Incarceration – A Virtual Town Hall | 2 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Join a panel of NOLA activists and community leaders in a conversation about alternatives to incarceration. Per capita, Louisiana incarcerates more people than anywhere else on earth, so this is a conversation we need to keep having. You can submit your questions to the panlists in advance here, or via the Q&A feature in Zoom during the event.
Porch Fest: The 1980s | 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 1980s, and this week’s hour-long set is all about their favorite tunes from the 1990s!
Louisiana Spice | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The Louisiana Spice Band is playing all the hits in this 90-minute live virtual show from Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl!
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Tipitina’s TV Season 1: Tank & The Bangas | 8 p.m. | Nugs.tv (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $11.99
Starting this week, Tipitina’s will be hosting their Tipitina’s TV every Saturday, featuring some of their favorite musicians. Week 3 puts Tank & The Bangas center stage for a performance you won’t forget. You can purchase tickets for $11.99 for one week, or $49.99 for the six show series.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Mid-City Katrina Service Days | Continuous until September 7 | Submit via #MidCityK15 hashtag or here
The anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is coming up and Mid-City Neighborhood Organization is hosting a socially distant, self-paced community service extravaganza. To commemorate those tragic days, MCNO is encouraging all Mid-Citizens to go out and volunteer. Take a picture of yourself doing the Mid-City improvement service project of your choice and enter to win a $100 gift card at one of dozens of your favorite NOLA businesses. Tomorrow’s the deadline so this weekend’s your last chance!
Tulane Virtual Fall Activities Expo | 9 a.m. | Zoom | Free
Are you a Tulane student? Pop into this all-day expo to learn about fun virtual clubs and activities you can join this semester. Each participating organization gets a time slot, so check this page for a list of who’s presenting when, as well as the links you’ll need to participate.
Reggie Smith and the Beasts of Bourbon | 2 p.m. | Online (link sent after tickets purchased) | $2 – $8
The Artists for Musicians Project was created to shed light on what a challenging time this pandemic has been for New Orleans’ creators. One way in which the Project is doing that is by offering a livestream “Smoke on the Water” music series featuring some of their favorite bands. This Sunday’s show features Reggie Smith and the Beasts of Bourbon, who will be playing for a whopping four hours! You can purchase the livestream for one-hour intervals ($2 per hour), so no worries if you can’t stay for the whole show! (For the link, scroll down to the bottom of this page and find the September 6th livestream.
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Virtual Ballet Class (Ages 3 to 5) | 4 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Do you have a 3 to 5 year-old who might be interested in learning ballet? Join the New Orleans JCC for this free 30-minute trial class with Ms. Kelly to see if it’s right for you!
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.
