New Orleans is slowly opening back up, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online until we’re 100%! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
The Broad Theater Hosts Virtual Cinema | All Week | Kino Marque | 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, who is 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 two selections and you can click on the following links to find out how to purchase tickets for Oliver Sacks: His Own Life, and Jazz on a Summer’s Day.
Live FitNOLA Class – Morning Motivation | 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 Monday morning, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on motivating you for a week full of fitness, 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 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)
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.
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Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and 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!
Swamp Jacuzzi’s Halloween Hellride Happy Hour | 8 p.m. | Online | Free
Check out this two-hour Halloween-focused set on Real Punk Radio!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Meet the Author: Alan Gratz | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registration) | Free
Join The National WWII Museum for a Meet the Author webinar with New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz. Museum educator Kate Fitzgerald will interview Alan Gratz about his young adult book, Refugee. Refugee is about three different kids with one mission in common: ESCAPE. Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany, Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994, and Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. All three young people will go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. But for each of them, there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although continents and decades separate Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud, surprising connections will tie their stories together in the end. This interactive student webinar will allow students to ask Alan Gratz about his research and writing and to learn more about WWII from The National WWII Museum. Appropriate for grades 4–8 or ages 8 and up.
Cutting Contest: James Williams vs Tuba Skinny at the New Orleans Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different musician or band on their balcony every week. This week they’re featuring James Williams and the Swamp Donkeys versus Tuba Skinny. They’ll be competing against one another. Don’t miss it!
For the Culture with Ray Wimley and The Harbinger Project | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a twice-weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Tuesday they’re presenting a two hour-long set with Ray Wimley and The Harbinger Project! Wimley is best known for his viral video with Hip Hop Royalty Common, but there’s so much more to this entertainer. Find out this Tuesday!
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Duets: A Celebration Supporting New Orleans’ Music and Culture | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Fundraiser
Join the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO) as they celebrate their 8th anniversary! This year they’re entering the digital terrain with Duets: A Celebration Supporting New Orleans’ Music and Culture — a weekly series of live streamed discussions that will take place between MaCCNO staffers and some of the city’s most beloved artists including Arsené DeLay, Joy Clark, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, and José Fermín with more to be announced! Duets will focus on how New Orleans’ history, cultural policy, and current conditions affect the careers, music, and creative process of the series’ musical guests, and offer some solutions on how we can all keep the culture moving forward during these challenging times.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Agent Sonya: Moscow’s Most Daring Wartime Spy | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registration) | Free
Join The National WWII Museum for the incredible story of the greatest female spy in history from one of Britain’s most acclaimed historians: Ben Macintyre!
Art & Zen: Online Meditation Series | Noon | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free, but a $5 donation is encouraged if you are able
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 and you can learn more here. This week’s online meditation is inspired by Noamy Sechooler’s work, Home is Sacred, Second Line for Reparations and Housing Rights/Solidarity.
A Spooktacular HalloWINE Tasting | 6 p.m. | Zoom | Tips encouraged
Join VinoSolutions as they host a fun and informative Zoom wine tasting and pairing — partnering up with some of their favorite winos and foodies to co-host a one-hour tasting show featuring boutique (Halloween-related) wines and handcrafted pasta-making demos! This week’s demo will feature a pair of California wines created by local New Orleanians. You can learn more about the wines, as well as how to purchase them in advance of the session here.
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Life of a Klansman — A Conversation with Author Edward Ball | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join Garden District Book Shop as Michael Lomax, the president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund and former president of Dillard University talks with National Book Award-winner Edward Ball. Ball will discuss his book, Life of a Klansman — the story of a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a carpenter in New Orleans who took up the cause of fanatical racism during the years after the Civil War.
Live FitNOLA Class – Pilates | 7 p.m. | 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 evening, the 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 and 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)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
Costumes, Cocktails, and Candy-Virtual Fundraiser | 6 p.m. | Online | Fundraiser
Join Lighthouse Louisiana for a virtual Halloween fundraiser benefiting our programs and services! Featuring live music, a kids craft, individual/family/pet costume contest, cocktail demonstration, and silent auction. The event is free and open to the public, though sponsorship and gift packages to celebrate with us are available for pre-purchase!
New Orleans Renters Rights Chat | 6 p.m. | Facebook Live or Phone Call | Free
Every Thursday, the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly is hosting a call to educate New Orleanians about what’s going on with rental and mortgage policies, as well as organizing to create a more equitable world. You can call 504-517-5470 to listen in (Meeting ID: 299411967), or watch the livestream on Facebook (link above). There’ll also be opportunities to ask questions.
NOLA Ready: Intro to Emergency Freeze Shelter Volunteer Training | 6 p.m. | Online (link sent after registration) | Free
During cold snaps when the temperature drops to below freezing, the City of New Orleans will open short-term shelters for residents who temporarily need a safe place to stay. NOLA Ready and the New Orleans Health Department are hosting a one-hour training for volunteers to assist with emergency freeze shelter operations.
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For the Culture with the Jamal Batiste Band | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram Live | Tips encouraged
House of Blues has been hosting a twice-weekly series of New Orleans-based musicians, and this Thursday they’re presenting a two hour-long set with the Jamal Batiste Band! They’re a renowned crew of music masters playing percussion-charged rock, funk, soul, gospel, hip hop and RnB around the world.
Minus Linus at Rock n Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock n Bowl has hosted tons of great virtual shows over the last seven months.. Don’t miss this 90-minute set with Minus Linus!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
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 | 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 week features Adam Weiner!
Virtual Concert: HispaNOLA Live! | 3 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Welcome to HispaNola Live!, a weekly live music show presented by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy – Embrace the Culture Series. Every week you’ll get the best in live music entertainment all while highlighting some of the city’s most influential Latin culture bearers. This concert features Julio and Cesar!
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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’s conversation is with Krystle Sims-Cameron, founder of For the Horticulture — a project dedicated to restorying the culture of backyard growing with Black families in New Orleans. Bring your questions about gardening, food accessibility, books, how to get started gardening and more!
Virtual Concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra | Evening | Website (link sent after ticket purchased) | Season Subscription for $115 (monthly payments available)
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra has a full season of music planned for the year! This is one of their Orpheum Session Series and includes Edward Elgar, Ellis Marsalis and Johann Sebastian Bach. The link to the concert is available Friday evening, but you can listen to it for several weeks after that. Learn about this and future concerts here.
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!
The Topcats at Rock n Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock n Bowl has another show this Friday night.. This time it’s The Topcats with a 90-minute set.
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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.
