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:
FRIDAY, JULY 17
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!
Execute Your Strategy in Our “New Normal” | Noon | Zoom | Free, but you should register here in advance
What are the key elements to execute your strategy in our “new normal”? Entrepreneur and Scaling Up coach Erik Frank will lead a virtual workshop session to build a plan for your company’s #1 priority over the next 90 days and share the most important factors to ensure that goals are met in both your personal and professional lives.
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. This week’s film is the beautiful 2019 movie, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” Check out the event page for a list of spots you can stream the film in advance of the conversation.
Live FitNOLA Class – Zumba | 5 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 Friday at 5 p.m., the 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 in pilates, yoga, 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).
Delfeayo & Friends with Special Guest Roger Lewis | 5 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the Contemporary Arts Center live on Zoom for their biweekly happy hour. This week’s set features Delfeayo & Friends with trombonist and composer Delfeayo Marsalis, alongside the Dirty Dozen Brass Band leader and Uptown Jazz Orchestra co-founder Roger Lewis for conversation, music, and more!
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Healthy Conversations with America’s #1 House Call Nurse Practitioner | 6 p.m. | Online (event link sent after registering) | Free
This exciting event is the first live event where participants can virtually meet and greet the award-winning and nationally recognized nurse practitioner, Dr. Scharmaine Lawson. Participants get to ask questions about house calls, billing and becoming an author. There are also giveaways to be won!
Fridays from the Funky Uncle! | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations 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. This week is extra special because the inimitable Walter Wolfman Washington is performing a two-hour set.
SATURDAY, JULY 18
Les Dames Nola Virtual Culinary Book Club | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Suggested donation of $5
This monthly book club is discussing trailblazing food writer Ruth Reichl’s “Save Me the Plums” — a personal journey of a woman coming to terms with being in charge and making a mark. It’s the story — complete with recipes — of a former Berkeley hippie entering the corporate world and worrying about losing her soul in the process.
Porch Fest: The 1920s | 4 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Anais St. John and Harry Mayronne Sr. are back for another round of Saturday tunes. This week, they’ll be performing some of their favorite tunes from the 1920s during this hour-long set!
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | Every night | Website | Donations accepted here
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you nearly every night of the week. For a full listing of their performances, check out this page.
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Fred’s Facebook Live Acoustic Show | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Cowboy Mouth’s lead singer and drummer is playing a solo acoustic show from his home to yours. It’s a one-hour set, so make sure to sign in on time!
Pop Combo Virtual Record Release Party | 8 p.m. | Zoom (link will be posted here soon) | $6 suggested donation
Lenny Zenith and Pop Combo are ready to climb the pop charts with the world premiere of their newest album. All donations go to the New Orleans Musicians Foundation and the Zoom link will be posted soon.
SUNDAY, JULY 19
GoatStock 5 with Taylor Ott | 11 a.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
The multi-talented Taylor Ott is a featured soloist with the New Orleans Opera and can sing everything from Wagner to Wonderland. She’s also an accomplished actor, producer, director and ukulele performer. Apparently there’ll be goats, too! Cozy up with your brunch as Taylor performs her varied repertoire, along with local bassist Stoo Odom during their one-hour set.
Japan-NOLA Jazz Performance Series | 1 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Haruka Kikuchi has been in New Orleans since 2014 and has made a name for herself as a superstar trombonist. Watch her perform with Yoshitaka “Z2” Tsuji on keyboard and special guest Nobu Ozaki on bass.
Breathwork with Hotel Peter and Paul | 5 p.m. | Online (link sent after registering) | $5 – $30
Join instructor Kathleen Currie for a virtual class in collaboration with Hotel Peter and Paul! Breathwork is an amazing way to strengthen and open the lungs and surrounding muscles and connective tissue, as well as release stagnant energy, emotions, and settle the nervous system. Gathering in the hotel’s beautiful church isn’t possible during COVID-19, but this is the next best thing!
Live Stream Open Mic Night | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Uptown favorite, The Neutral Ground, is hosting their first live stream event. If you want to sign up for a performance slot at the open mic, send them a note on Facebook Messenger any time on Saturday. The gig itself is on Sunday from 7:30 until 11:30 p.m. (and you don’t have to be performing to listen — they need an audience, too!). You can find more information here.
Ménage à Trois Livestream | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted
The fun and talented Ménage à Quatre performs a mixture of Latin and modern jazz — performed directly from their backyard. Check out this lively, innovative performance by using the Facebook link, above.
Sunday Swing Livestream from Allways! | 9 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
The Allways Lounge & Cabaret’s popular Sunday Swing is back — but this time they’re in livestream form! The evening will be hosted by the Royal Street Winding Boys. Join in for some stellar music, and maybe even dust off those dancing shoes!
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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.
