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:
MONDAY, JANUARY 11
Online Adult Art Class | 1 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | $190
Explore the healing power of art! This four-week session will draw inspiration from the Ogden Museum’s permanent collection and works currently on exhibition in Entwined: Ritual Wrapping and Binding in Contemporary Southern Art. Artists investigated will include Sonya Yong James, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Howard Finster and others whose practices focus on the spiritual and healing elements of art-making and art objects. The course will also study historical resources relating to spirituality in art and neurological “bottom up and top down” brain processing. Learn how these concepts can inform your artistic practices, enhance creative flow and contribute to your overall wellness. Learn more here!
View this post on Instagram
Mike’s Kitchen | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Local musician Michael Pearce is back with another hour-long virtual performance from his home! Sometimes there’s food. Sometimes there’s music. Always there’s fun.
Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged via PayPal, Venmo or Bandcamp
Helen Gillet and her cello are one of the most popular acts in town. While the effects of this pandemic linger, you’re able to hear her every Monday from the comfort of your own couch. Tune in for her weekly set that alternates between light, beautiful and wild.
Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Join Robin Barnes, the Songbird of New Orleans and her husband Pat Casey every Monday night for a one-hour set as they bring a concert right from their living room to yours!
New Orleans Pelicans vs Dallas Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
The Pels continue their season against the Dallas Mavericks!
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12
Virtual French Classes | Ongoing | Online | Varies
Classes of all experience levels and time commitments are available via Alliance Francaise of New Orleans. Check out what’s available here!\
THNOC Virtual Field Trip: Hire a Mardi Gras Artist | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The Historic New Orleans Collection is hosting a series of Mardi Gras-related virtual field trips that will be fun and interesting for all ages. Today’s episode is with Devin De Wulf who will be talking about his Hire a Mardi Gras Artist — a program that’s transforming New Orleans houses into Carnival floats while raising funds for professional float builders and artists who are unemployed due to the pandemic.
View this post on Instagram
Live FitNOLA Class – Fitness Pilates | Noon | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often two or three times a day). This Tuesday at noon, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on pilates, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop, senior fitness and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA)
The Uncollected Stories of Allan Gurganus | 4 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing book) | $25.95 (for book)
In partnership with The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, Octavia Books invites you to join us for a “Reader Meet Writer” virtual event featuring master story-teller and literary giant Allan Gurganus in conversation with bestselling author Wiley Cash featuring The Uncollected Stories of Allan Gurganus.
Live at the New Orleans Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different musician or band in their courtyard every week. This week they’re featuring jazz drummer Herlin Riley!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13
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.
Live FitNOLA Class – Yoga | Noon | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often two or three times a day). This Wednesday at noon, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on yoga, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop, senior fitness and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA)
View this post on Instagram
January Book Club Meeting | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after emailing) | Free
Join the Garden District Book Shop’s monthly book club as they discuss The Memory Police, by Yoko Ogawa. Go here to purchase the book (with a 20% discount) and learn more about the club.
The French-Speaking Cajuns of WWII | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
During World War II, young bilingual Cajuns from south Louisiana proved to be invaluable assets to the military overseas as French language interpreters and translators. Join the National World War II Museum for a virtual presentation on their wartime experience and how it forged a renewed sense of pride in their Cajun culture and heritage. Presentation by Jason Theriot, Ph.D., author of the upcoming book, Frenchie, The Story of French Speaking Cajuns of WWII. This program is offered in conjunction with the exhibition Cajun Document: Acadiana, 1973-74 on display through January 17th.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Clippers | 9 p.m. | ESPN; Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
In their second game of the week, the Pelicans head to Los Angeles for a game against the Clippers
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
THNOC Virtual Field Trip: King Cakes | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The Historic New Orleans Collection is hosting a series of Mardi Gras-related virtual field trips that will be fun and interesting for all ages. Today’s episode is with local writer and king cake fanatic Matt Haines who will be talking about king cakes, Twelfth Night and Carnival more generally!
Danny Barker Festival | 11:30 a.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
It’s Day 1 of the Danny Barker Guitar and Banjo Fest. The New Orleans Jazz Museum is virtually hosting the three-day event this year. It includes interviews, performances and even a video tour. You can see the agenda for Day 1 here!
View this post on Instagram
For Students and Teachers: Highlights from the National WWII Museum Education Collection | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
While the Museum’s popular, hands-on Operation: Footlocker program is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students can still get a close-up look at WWII artifacts as they explore highlights from the Museum’s Education Collection of artifacts and primary sources in this interactive webinar.
NOCHI Together | 5:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | $10 – $50 donation
The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) has been hosting cooking classes led by top-notch local chefs. This Thursday will feature pizza! You can learn more here. RSVP as soon as possible so you’ll have plenty of time to purchase the ingredients you’ll need.
Ed Tarkington in Conversation with M.O. Walsh | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join Garden District Book Shop for this online event with Ed Tarkington in conversation with M.O.Walsh. They will be discussing Mr. Tarkington’s book, The Fortunate Ones — a story about ethics, wealth and prestige.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15
Capturing New Orleans: Photographer Charles Lovell in Conversation with Gwen Thompkins | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Charles M. Lovell, recipient of the 2020 Michael P. Smith Award for Documentary Photography, is a longtime photographer who began practicing full time in 2015 following a career as a museum professional and gallerist. His work has been shown in over 25 solo and over 60 group exhibitions and can be found in multiple museum and archival collections. Gwen Thompkins is a New Orleans native, NPR veteran, and host of WWNO’s Music Inside Out. This event is hosted by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
Danny Barker Festival | 11:30 a.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
The Danny Barker Guitar and Banjo Fest is back for a second day. The New Orleans Jazz Museum is virtually hosting the three-day event this year. Today includes interesting interviews and some amazing performances. You can see the agenda for Day 2 here!
NOMA Book Club Curatorial Program | Noon | Online (link sent after emailing) | Free
The New Orleans Museum of Art Book Club meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books related to art in NOMA’s collection and exhibitions. The selection for January is Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art by Mary Gabriel. Learn more about this month’s meeting as well as meetings planned for future months here.
View this post on Instagram
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 Greer Macallister — author of multiple historical fiction novels including her newest release, The Arctic Fury. Bring a drink and your questions to this live streaming, interactive event!
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. NOMA Reset programs provide a much-needed infusion of relaxation and wellness by engaging our collective and individual wellbeing. The second NOMA Reset: Freedom At The Mat program will be facilitated by Olivia F. Scott, creator of Freedom At The Mat, and will feature the Steve Lands Band. Learn more here.
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. Check here later in the week to see who’s on the docket this Friday night!
New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers | 9 p.m. | ESPN; Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Continuing their roadtrip in the City of Angels, the Pelicans go to battle against arch nemesis Anthony Davis.
——————
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.
