Did anyone know what a heater was until this week? It’s that switch that blows hot air out of the air conditioner instead of the blissfully wonderful cold air during (basically) every other week of the year. While we struggle to keep warm this week from the arctic blast (Hello, weighted blanket and space heater.), we can bundle you up with some heartwarming stories and suggestions in our stories this week — and an early excuse for you to get together with your friends at our house. – Clint
“Cooking is fight or flight…”
Chef Toya Boudy is a woman who has always done things her own way. She first started cooking at the age of 9, simply because she and her friend were hungry. No one told her she couldn’t, so she did. It’s this spirit that has allowed Boudy to launch herself to success through her private chef services, private cooking classes, her own interactive cookbook, her YouTube channel, “Cooking with Toya Boudy” and star in shows that showcase her cuisine along with her fun personality. She’s also cooking up something special for our Friendsgiving event this weekend! Click here to read more about her story. | Get Tickets To Very Local NOLA’s Friendsgiving
Heart and Soul
Erion Williams is all about giving back and moving forward. As the saxophonist for The Soul Rebels, a brass band of almost mythical status, he has toured the world and played with legends from across genres. But as proud as he is of his onstage accomplishments, it’s what he does offstage, teaching at the Trombone Shorty Academy and at the Roots of Music, that inspires him the most. Click here to see how giving back inspires Williams daily.
How to know you’re eating at the right place
Eating at the right places in New Orleans often comes down to awareness. It can be difficult to discern the best destination when staring down two, or six, restaurants with identical concepts. There are over 1,400 restaurants in New Orleans, and narrowing down the choices can be difficult. You need to examine the landscape. Use all five senses. And it starts from when you walk up to the building. Click here to check out our insider tips on how to know you’re eating at the right place.
What’s Happening This Weekend
Fri. Nov. 16, 2019
FĂŞte des Fromages | Noon to 4 p.m. | $10-200
This fest features more than 150 cheeses! DO YOU NEED ANY OTHER REASON? There will also be cured meat and pate from Trois Petit Cochons, crackers from Rustic Bakery and preserves from Terrapin Ridge Farms.
LPO: The Music of David Bowie | 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. | Mahalia Jackson Theater | Tickets start at $10
Relive the music of the Starman, David Bowie, with orchestral accompaniment by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra!
Sat. Nov. 17, 2019
Friendsgiving with Very Local New Orleans | 7 – 11 p.m. | The Shop at the CAC | $40
So you want to get your friends together for a big dinner party before the holidays with your families, but oh, the cooking, the cleaning, the remembering to invite everyone … it’s just a lot. Very Local New Orleans is inviting you and your friends over for dinner at OUR HOUSE in the gorgeous space in The Shop at the Contemporary Arts Center. It’s a three-course dinner party with a menu curated by author, host and TV personality Chef Toya Boudy. There’ll even be unlimited drinks provided by Seven Three Distilling Co.
NOLA Wing Wars | 12-8 p.m. | Central City BBQ | Tickets start at $10
Four bands, 20 restaurants & over 40,000 chicken wings. VIP tickets include unlimited open bar, chicken wings and BBQ from Central City BBQ, lounge seating, luxury bathrooms and front of stage access.
Sun. Nov. 18, 2019
This fall, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will present two of its popular festivals on one weekend – Treme Creole Gumbo Festival and Congo Square Rhythms Festival. There will be two stages of music celebrating the New Orleans traditions that spring from the African diaspora: jazz, funk, contemporary and traditional brass band, gospel and rhythm & blues. Some of the best brass bands in the city are also featured at the festival.
NOLA Comedy Hour | 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. | Hi-Ho Lounge | Free
Duncan Pace blends New Orleans funniest comedians, first-timers and touring pros into a great show every week at Hi-Ho Lounge.
