The stay-at-home order has been relaxed, but most of the fun can still be found online! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, MAY 25
Chloe Feoranzo & Molly Reeves | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Local swing jazz musicians Chloe Feoranzo (clarinet) and Molly Reeves (guitar) will be streaming live with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Tune in to their hour-long set via the link, above! Learn more about the musicians here.
Taproom Yoga | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted here.
Taproom Yoga normally takes place at NOLA Brewing on Monday evenings, but has gone virtual for the time being. All skill levels are welcome to join Elevate Yoga at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live! More information can be found here.
A Song Before I Die | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
At 5 p.m., the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park will release a video of local New Orleans musicians performing a tribute to soldiers lost in the Civil War.
The “New” Normal Panel Discussion | 5:15 p.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registering) | Donations accepted
Join Dancing Grounds for a panel discussion to kick off the first-ever virtual Dance for Social Change Festival. Monday’s panel will be looking into the intersections of gentrification and COVID-19 in New Orleans. Panelists include Councilmember Kristin Palmer, Dr. Kimberley Richards (People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond), Akilah Toney (DG Uprising), Shana M griffin, and will be moderated by Frederick “Hollywood” Wood (Ashé Cultural Arts Center).
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. Of particular note, the Klezmer All-Stars are playing Friday at 9 p.m.
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.
Marble Sessions | 8 p.m. | Twitch | Free
St. Claude Avenue’s Sea Cave Arcade has been hosting weekly marble racing nights! All you need to play is to sign up on Twitch (you can use the link above). They also bring in a DJ each week to play some tunes, adn this week features Friendkerrek from Bag Season Records. For instructions on how to play and more info on the event, check out the FAQ here.
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TUESDAY, MAY 26
Rise and Vibe Live Yoga | 7 a.m. | YouTube Live and Instagram Live Stream | Donations accepted via Venmo, Eventbrite and PayPal.
NOLA Tribe Yoga sees no reason why you can’t roll out of bed and roll out your yoga mat at the same time. Classes take place each Tuesday and are available on Instagram Live for 24 hours after the class is complete or on their YouTube page forever. (You can check out previous sessions right now!)
Audubon Zoo’s Community Connection Series | 1:30 p.m. | Facebook | Free
The zoo is connecting the community to a different animal each week on Facebook Live. This week is all about the river otters. Tune in for an early World Otter Day celebration!
Sam Kuslan: New Orleans Piano Tradition | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Local pianist Sam Kuslan will be speaking about — and performing — the music of Harry Connick, Jr. and James Booker as part of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park’s live music series.
Reader Meet Writer Event with Genevieve Hudson | 4 p.m. | Link will be sent after RSVP | Free
The Garden District Book Shop is teaming up with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance to give local readers the opportunity to learn from and chat with accomplished and active southern writers. Genevieve Hudson will be the author during this conversation. She’ll be discussing her book, “Boys of Alabama,” which O, the Oprah Magazine, Ms Magazine and Lit Hub all selected as a recommended book to read in 2020. To RSVP, email [email protected].
SOUL Brass Band Live from the Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted via PayPal
SOUL Brass Band will be live streaming from the balcony of the New Orleans Jazz Museum! Tune in for their hour-long show.
Cooking in Quarantine | 5 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | Register for free, and donations accepted here.
Cooking in Quarantine is an event organized by the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. It’s part-cooking class, part-supper club and part-office hours where New Orleanians can hang out with NOCHI chefs and one another to talk meal prep, family cooking, culinary techniques and more! More information here.
Belly Dance: Right from the Start | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | Register by paying via PayPal
This Tuesday will be the first of four Tuesday night Belly Dancing classes, led by expert dancer Karla Marie. Each class will have a different focus and you can learn more about the classes here. You will receive the Zoom link once you’ve registered for the class. To register, send payment to PayPal using the link above. A single class is $15, but you can pay for the four classes now for a total of $40!
Tradition Tuesday Live Stream w / Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted
Who doesn’t need a little more swamp pop in their lives these days? Join Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition live from virtual Rock ‘n’ Bowl every Tuesday by clicking on the link, above at 7:30.
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Clown Town TV Premier Party: Episode 9 | 8 p.m. | Facebook | 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. Tune in via the Facebook page for Episode 9 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
Curated Conversation with Revelations Photographer, Lee Deigaard | Noon | Website| Free
Curated Conversations bring curators and artists together to discuss art, exchange ideas and explore exhibitions. This conversation features photographer and artist, Lee Deigaard, and Ogden Museum’s Curator of Photography, Richard McCabe. It will focus on Deigaard’s photography practice and her photography series, Unbidden.
Smart Biking Basics Virtual Workshop | Noon | Zoom (you’ll receive the link upon registering) | Free
Local nonprofit, Bike Easy is teaching a two-part city biking class via Zoom. The first session will take place Wednesday at noon, and the second session takes place the following day (same time). The classes are meant to help you learn to choose a bike that’s right for you, and to gain confidence biking through our city! Each session is 90 minutes. RSVP for session one using the link, above. You’ll receive the Zoom link once you do.
Robin Barnes and Pat Casey | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Known as the “Songbird of New Orleans,” Robin Barnes is one of the country’s most popular jazz artists. She’ll be performing in tandem with prominent bassist Pat Casey as part of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park’s live music series.
It’s New Orleans Happy Hour | 3:30 p.m. | Zoom (check Facebook page the day of the event for the link) | Free
This popular local podcast is hosted by Grant Morris & Andrew Duhon. Going strong for nearly 10 years, the hosts invite random New Orleanians with nothing in common into a bar to talk about anything they want. Bars aren’t really a thing at the moment, though, so they’re hosting their show via Zoom. Check it out — it’s a lot of fun!
YLC (Virtual) Wednesday at the Square: Get Down & GiveNOLA | 5 p.m. | YouTube and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged at YLC’s GiveNOLA page
This Spring would have been the 15th season of the Young Leadership Council’s beloved Wednesday at the Square music series. That series couldn’t take place, of course, but YLC is making up for it with this mega-concert including songs from the artists who were supposed to perform this season, as well as additional special guests. They’ll each play a song for this much-anticipated Benefit Concert.
LIVE FitNOLA Class: Barre Above | 6 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Join this free fitness class sponsored by Chevron and brought to you in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. Log onto Zoom and enter the meeting ID (334-196-3309) and password (BeFitNOLA).
Tribe Yard Yoga Live! | 6:30 p.m. | YouTube Live and Instagram Live Stream | Donations accepted via Venmo, Eventbrite and PayPal.
If their Tuesday morning class is too early for you, try this Wednesday evening series! They’re available on Instagram Live for 24 hours after the class is complete or on their YouTube page forever. (You can check out previous sessions right now!)
Big Freedia’s Kitchen: Watcha Cookin’ Wednesdays with the Queen Diva | 7 p.m. | Instagram and Facebook | Free to watch, but recipes are as low as $5/month
What does the Queen Diva cook? It turns out thousands of people want to know! Watch her chop it up in the kitchen every Wednesday night. If you think it’s just cooking, you obviously don’t know Big Freedia. There’s music, dancing, cocktails and special guests, as well!
Wednesday Tango Drills/Technique Online | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon RSVP) | Suggested $5 Donation
Carlos & Maureen Urrego of Tango Argentino are hosting the first of what will be a regularly occurring Wednesday night tango class. The class will last 90 minutes and will focus on drills and technique. RSVP by email. The class will be kept small so individual feedback can be provided.
Evening Meditation for the HEART | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Heart N Hands is a great nonprofit focused on heart health and heart disease prevention, so definitely check them out. This week, they’re hosting a 15-minute evening meditation session with Stephanie Osborne of Meditate New Orleans.
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THURSDAY, MAY 28
30-Minute Meditation Practices on Skype | 1 p.m. | Skype | Donations accepted
Tibetan House is offering 30-minute guided meditations via Skype every Thursday. The practice is kid-friendly, as well, and beginners are welcome. Tibetan House Skype will sign on 10-minutes before the session and you can call them anytime between then and 1 p.m. See the event details for instructions and more information.
Talkin’ Jazz with Fred Kasten | 2 p.m | Facebook Live | Free
Talkin’ Jazz is an interview series hosted by Fred Kasten in collaboration with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the New Orleans Jazz Museum. This week Kasten is chatting with Max Moran, one of the city’s most in-demand and accomplished bassists. Conversations typically last about 45 minutes and are always interesting!
Virtual Happy Hour Featuring Alys Arden | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Each week, the Garden District Book Shop is hosting a virtual happy hour with a New Orleans author. The conversation will include talk of books, writing life, New Orleans and anything else that comes to mind while unwinding with a drink. There’s also time for your questions! Get more information here.
Father Ron’s 20 Minute Virtual Concert | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Father Ron and Friends plays a short, 20-minutes set every Thursday. Tune in for some great folk music centered around a different theme each week.
Ogden After Hours At Home | 6 p.m. | Zoom and Facebook Live | Donations accepted for the musician on Cashapp ($bluzkid)
Ogden Museum has made their weekly “Ogden After Hours” series a virtual event featuring Southern musicians and DJs performing from the comfort of their own homes. This week’s performance will be by Ra’Shad The Blues Kid — a Blues musician and artist from Laurel, Mississippi. Tune in for the one hour show!
Reader Meet Writer Event with Lisa Wingate | 6 p.m. | Link will be sent after RSVP | Free
The Garden District Book Shop is teaming up with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance to give local readers the opportunity to learn from and chat with accomplished and active southern writers. During this conversation, Kristy Woodson Harvey will interview Lisa Wingate about her book, “Book of Lost Friends.” Lisa is the author of several successful novels, including “Before We Were Yours,” which sold more than 2.2 million copies. To RSVP, email [email protected].
60-Minute Meditation Practices on Skype | 7 p.m. | Skype | Donations accepted
Tibetan House is offering 60-minute guided meditations via Skype every Thursday at 7 p.m., as well as Fridays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The practice is kid-friendly, as well, and beginners are welcome. Tibetan House Skype will sign on 10-minutes before the session and you can call them anytime between then and 7 p.m. See the event details for instructions and more information.
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FRIDAY, MAY 29
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 the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The class is is designed for all levels so bring the whole family!
Mannie Fresh | 7 p.m. | Facebook, Instagram or Twitch | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Famous local DJ, Mannie Fresh hosts a popular DJ set (more than 10,000 viewers!) called “Virus-Killaz” each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Click on the links above at showtime to watch the show on Facebook, Instagram or Twitch.
Film Fest: Jeanne La Pucelle | 8 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Each Friday evening through June 19, the Joan of Arc Project (the group that puts on the Joan of Arc parade on Twelfth Night) is hosting a Zoom discussion group about a different Joan of Arc-focused movie. This week you’re invited to a discussion about Jean La Pucelle — considered by many to be the most holistic and authentic depiction of Joan of Arc’s life. You can watch the film here, then join the discussion on Friday with the Zoom link, above. Here’s more information about the festival, as well as a full listing of the movies being discussed.
Ellis Marsalis Tribute Night | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Every week Snug Harbor hosts a tribute show to the recently departed New Orleans music legend, Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Swing by their Facebook page at approximately 8 p.m. and they’ll post the link to what’s become a very popular series of shows.
Freaky Fridays | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Free
James Corbyn is a ghost hunter, Voodoo practitioner, historian, storyteller and collector of haunted artifacts. Each Friday he hosts a Facebook Live about another haunted topic. Last week, guests created a magick sigil with a witch. Who knows what’s in store for this week! Use the Facebook link, above, at 8 p.m. to find the stream.
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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.
