Best Bets for the Week of July 16: Big Freedia, Tales of the Cocktail and Shaq

This week's picks run the gamut from a cocktail con to a relaxed poetry reading.

by Alex Galbraith | July 16, 2018

The events calendar can be — and frequently is — an unfairly stacked mess. There’s simply too much going on on any given day to know all that there is to do. Trying to wade through all of the events to find the gems can seem like a full-time job. As a matter-of-fact, it is one: ours.

You can count on us to pull out the best of what New Orleans has to offer, even in a week as chaotically packed as this one. Our best bets this week include everything from a booze-soaked Con to a night with Uncle Luke & Shaq. Check them out below.

Tales of The Cocktail 2018

The annual convention for the world’s most-enjoyed industry hits town. And while most get-togethers of this nature just lead to an abundance of “well, I sell medical supplies” conversations in area bars, Tales actually brings a bit of fun to the city. The night-owliest of all professions brings a whole slate of parties, tastings and interesting events for everyone to enjoy, even those of us can’t tell their aperitif from a hole in the ground.
When: July 17-22
Where: Various
Website

Very Local Launch Party ft. Big Freedia and Denisia

Tales might bring an out-of-town crowd, but we’re still going to keep it Crescent as all hell. Our very own launch party will feature local booze in Atelier Vie, served up by hand-picked local bartenders and featuring a soundtrack of bounce music that could only have come from this city. R&B & Bounce up-and-comer Denisia will perform alongside the Queen Diva Big Freedia herself.

When: Thursday, July 19, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Where: House of Blues
Price: $15
Website

Purple Haize 2018

https://www.facebook.com/ticketweb/photos/gm.971966156311210/10157587127944447/?type=3&theater

 

Tales isn’t the only thing bringing folks to town. This weekend is also time for Conclave & Boule, bringing together the members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the Zeta Phi Beta sorority for one big party. Perhaps the biggest event will go down on Saturday at the Howlin Wolf, with a night hosted by Shaquille O’Neal and featuring a legendary lineup of locals like DJ Jubilee and Choppa alongside Miami king and queen Uncle Luke & Trina.

Where: The Howlin Wolf
When: Saturday, July 21, 10 p.m.
Price: $55+
Tickets

The Right Swipes/Garlic Junior/Visqueen

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10101996304806458&set=gm.638630616507582&type=3&theater

 

Strap in for a night of queer pop-punk, drag performances and excellent DJ sets at the always-odd Poor Boys. Beloved local queen Garlic Junior will perform some songs and Visqueen — who recently put on the Choke Hole drag wrestling extravaganza with High Profile — will drop in for a set that promises to be eye-opening. Close out the night with a back-to-back DJ set from Rusty Lazer and DJjj.

Where: Poor Boys Bar
When: Friday, July 20, 9 p.m.
Facebook

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Alex Galbraith

Alex Galbraith

He has a distinct voice that you will come to know more as you follow VL NOLA. He has shown himself to be an intrepid entertainment and culture writer, who always knows about the best events, happenings and performers before anybody else. Now, he’s going to tell you all about them here at Very Local NOLA.

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