Things are slowly returning to normal, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online if you’re not quite ready yet! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, JULY 6
Kitchen Blues | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Michael Pearce is playing an hour-long blues set from his kitchen this afternoon. Give him a listen!
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | Throughout the evening | Website | Donations accepted here
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you seven nights a week (and oftentimes more than once per night). For a full listing of their performances, check out this page.
Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations accepted
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.
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Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations 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!
Zumba Live Stream | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission has partnered with Footprints to Fitness to offer a free 30-minute zumba class on Zoom! The class is led by a dance instructor and is cardio-focused, but appropriate for all levels. Register here and you’ll receive a link to the Zoom class.
TUESDAY, JULY 7
DinosAurchestra Live from the New Orleans Jazz Museum Balcony | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free, but you can purchase their CD here
Dinosaurchestra brings traditional New Orleans swinging jazz to the modern generation. The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different band on their balcony every week, and this one promises to be great!
Jessica Harris in Conversation with Lolis Eric Elie | 6 p.m. | Zoom (RSVP by email for link) | Free
Join the Garden District Book Club for this very special Zoom event with professor and culinary historian, Jessica B. Harris in conversation with Lolis Eric Elie as they discuss Jessica’s new book, Vintage Postcards from the African World. For over forty years, Jessica B. Harris has collected postcards depicting Africans and their descendants in the American diaspora. They are presented for the first time in this exquisite volume.
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Level 1 – Absolute Beginner Adult Tap | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registering) | 1 class for $15; 6 classes for $80; 12 classes for $150
If you’ve never taken a tap dance class, or have had less than six months of classes, this is the class for you. Absolute Beginner Tap is an introductory level tap class designed for adult students looking to enjoy an engaging rhythmic workout in a fun and positive environment! Each week you will receive a 45-minute live virtual dance class, as well as access to weekly supplemental practice videos. Check out the left side of this page for the full listing of adult classes offered by HEIDITAPS.
Clown Town TV Premier Party: Episode 14 | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips and donations accepted on PayPal and Venmo
Clown Town features a rotating cast of queer NOLA Clowns as well as special guests from afar! It’s a little bit sideshow, a little bit vaudeville and plenty of New Orleans charm for this special Pride episode! Tune in via the Facebook page for Episode 14 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
Art & Zen: Online Meditation Series | Noon | Zoom (link coming soon, check here) | Free
Every Wednesday at noon, join the Ogden Museum for a live seated 30-minute mindfulness meditation inspired by a work of Southern art. This online meditation program is led by Ogden Educator and yoga and meditation instructor, Mikhayla Harrell! All experience levels welcome.
A History of New Orleans Architecture (6-Week Seminar) | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | $75 for full 6-week series
Friends of the Cabildo is hosting a 6-week seminar on the history of New Orleans architecture with architect Robert Cangelosi. The series of two-hour seminars will examine New Orleans Architecture from the city’s founding in 1718 to the present day. From the early Colonial and American period to the Modern Movement and Mid-century Modern, each week Mr. Cangelosi will explore the city’s architectural history with 3-4 styles each class for two hours. The seminar is $60 for FOC Members and $75 for general admission. A Zoom link will be provided before the class starts and participants can watch the class for 30 days after each session.
Drawing 101: Exploring Mark-Making and Pattern | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free, but a $10 donations is encouraged
Join Ogden Museum Educator, Michelle Pontiff, for a series of hour-long, stress free, beginner level online drawing classes designed to improve on and build your drawing skills. Participants are encouraged to tune in each week to learn a new technique and need only a pencil, eraser and paper to join in. Optional additional materials for each class are suggested in each sessions’ description. Explore different mark-making techniques. Use your new found skills to create an artwork based on pattern and repetition.
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Live FitNOLA Class — Zumba | 7 p.m. | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often, both, in the evening and during the day). This Wednesday night class is focused on zumba, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here and here to find out when they’ll be leading classes on yoga, pilates, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA).
THURSDAY, JULY 9
Hey Y’all, Art Talk! | 2 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the Ogden Museum for a series of engaging conversations about Southern art and artists! On four Thursday afternoons this summer, Museum Educator, Sara Echaniz, will lead a 30-minute in-depth participatory discussion about an artwork from Ogden Museum’s permanent collection and provide background information about the artist and artwork. This week, the class looks at Clementine Hunter’s memory paintings depicting Louisiana life in the early 20th Century.
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 all things New Orleans literature. This week’s guests are three “bookstagrammers,” known for sharing new releases, book reviews and other bookish things on Instagram.
Ogden After Hours At Home | 6 p.m. | Zoom and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Ogden Museum has made their weekly “Ogden After Hours” series a virtual hour-long event featuring Southern musicians and DJs performing from the comfort of their own homes. Tune in via Zoom or Facebook Live.
Second Thursday Lecture with Roberta Gratz | 6 p.m. | Zoom (RSVP by email for a link)
This second Thursday lecture is with Roberta Gratz, author of “We’re Still Here Ya Basatrds: How the People of New Orleans Rebuilt Their City.” The book examines the hope that can exist in even the darkest situations.
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Fitness Fusion Class | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom link will be provided once you register | Register here and first class is free
Like a gumbo pot, health and wellness company Footprints To Fitness created their master Fitness Fusion class to provide something for everyone… a true fusion of kickass workout with a whole lot of New Orleans culture. More than just a workout, it’s an experience that combines yoga, pilates, strength training, weight training, cardio, and barre ALL IN ONE CLASS! This class will be live streamed on Zoom. Register on their website to receive a custom link to join. The first class is free & registration is also available on ClassPass. Footprints to Fitness have Zoom classes offered every day of the week, so give their schedule a look.
Latter & Blum At Home Presents Andrew Duhon | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Andrew Duhon is a Grammy-nominated songwriter from New Orleans with an undeniable voice that is both weighted and soulful. He will perform on At Home, a digital event series featuring local entertainers, artists, creatives, writers, speakers, whose incomes have been wiped away by COVID.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
Marketing Masterclass: How to Nurture Leads with Emotional Intelligence | 9 a.m. | Online (RSVP here for link) | Free
In this marketing masterclass, Ali Jones and Brian Street will be going through the nurturing behaviors that better connect your customers to your business. Find more information here.
Cardio Blast Live Stream | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30 minutes 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!
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Overcoming Uncertainty through Design Thinking | Noon | Zoom | Free
There’s no doubt that entrepreneurs and business leaders have been thrown a few surprises this year. Lauren Seigel and Allison Schiller of Trepwise provide a free, interactive workshop to explore how the principles of a more user-centric approach to business will empower you to pull insights from real-world observations, brainstorm innovative solutions for your business, remain agile in creating and testing solutions and more!
Ciné-Club à la Maison: Trois Souvenirs de ma Jeunesse | 2 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Each week during quarantine, Alliance Française of New Orleans hosts a club for lovers of French film. You can watch the movie here ahead of time so you’re ready for the Friday Zoom discussion!
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.
