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, JUNE 19
“Love Your Heart” Fitness Session | 10 a.m. | Facebook Live and Instagram 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 30-minute fitness session for all levels. Beginners welcome!
Notes from the Ground: Session 1 | Noon | Zoom | Free
Join the Workplace Justice Project for the first of an ongoing series of conversations. Guests will include urbanist and activist Suzanne-Juliette Mobley, and the La. Budget Project’s Jan Moller. They’ll share their Notes From the Ground on how the current public health, economic, and political climate affects the work to build equity.
James Andrews & Crescent City All-Stars | 3 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Watch James Andrews @ Crescent City All-Stars perform an hour-long set on Facebook Live for the “Embrace the Culture” virtual series!
Juneteenth Workout and Fundraiser | 6:15 p.m. | Zoom | Donations encouraged
CrossFit Algiers is leading a very special workout to raise money for Beloved NOLA in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. The workout will be meaningful and be led by Coach Brandon Joshua. You can sign in at event time using the link, above. Enter the Meeting ID (744 778 7312) and Password (812089).
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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 → The Messenger | 8 p.m. | Zoom | Free
For several weeks, the Joan of Arc Project (the group that puts on the Joan of Arc parade on Twelfth Night) has been hosting a Zoom discussion group about a different Joan of Arc-focused movie. This week (the final week of the festival!) you’re invited to a discussion about the thoughtful 1999 Hollywood movie “The Messenger,” starring Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich, Faye Dunaway and Dustin Hoffman. In this fresh adaption, Joan is presented as a feisty fanatic. Learn how to watch the film here (you can catch it for free on YouTube among other places), 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 that have been 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.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Fitness Fusion Class | 9:15 a.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! 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.
Join The Journey for an all levels, high intensity combo class led by founder and media personality April Dupre, that combines yoga, pilates, strength training, weight training, cardio, and barre ALL IN ONE CLASS!
Tuba Skinny! A Livestream at the Starlight | 1 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Tuba Skinny is a traditional jazz street band evoking the rich musician history of New Orleans. They’ll be live streaming from The Starlight until 3:30 p.m. Their band’s Venmo will be posted and 10% of collected tips will be donated to New Orleans’ striking sanitation workers.
Jazz from Coliseum Park with Sunny Side | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Local jazz group, Sunny Side is live streaming from Coliseum Park from 5 until 7:30 p.m. Check them out for some of your favorite classic jazz tunes!
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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.
‘Round Midnight Preserves | 8 p.m. | Website | Fundraiser
Join Ben Jaffe, Danny Clinch, special guests and the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s musical family around the world as they pay homage to New Orleans music and the annual ritual of Midnight Preserves. ‘Round Midnight Preserves will feature live performances, artist interviews and never-before-seen collaborations, raising funds to support the 60 members of the Preservation Hall Musical Collective.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
Big Freedia’s Kitchen: Gospel Sundays | 1 p.m. | Instagram Live 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 Sunday for gospel brunch. If you think it’s just cooking, you obviously don’t know Big Freedia. There’s music, dancing, cocktails and special guests, as well!
“The Beach” Free Virtual Screening | 3 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Waasi Films is hosting a FREE virtual screening of the award winning short film, “The Beach,” and would like you to join! The film focuses on fatherhood — perfect for some Father’s Day introspection.
Mannie Fresh | 3 p.m. | Facebook, Instagram Live or Twitch | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Mannie Fresh is back for a special 90-minute Gospel Get Down set at 3 p.m. He’s playing gospel and inspirational music meant to lift your spirits during these trying times.
Sunday Supper with Sunday Jazz Band | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Want to spice up your Sunday dinner with live(streamed) jazz music? The Starlight has Sunday Jazz Band playing from 5 to 7 p.m. to provide the romantic, relaxing and nourishing mood you crave. You provide the dinner, they provide the tunes.
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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.
