The stay-at-home order has been relaxed, but most of the fun can still be found online! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Online Uplifting Uptown Flow Yoga | 7 a.m. | YouTube Live link will be sent out after Eventbrite registration | Donations accepted during Eventbrite registration
NOLA Tribe Yoga is providing one of the most beautiful opportunities to practice yoga in New Orleans. Every Friday at 7 a.m., they’ll lead a class for all levels set at the Audubon Park bandstand. Registration closes 20 minutes prior to class time so register now!
Meditation for the HEART | 10 a.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Heart N Hands is a great nonprofit focused on heart health and heart disease prevention, so definitely check them out. This week, they’re hosting a 15-minute evening meditation session with Stephanie Osborne of Meditate New Orleans.
NOLA Chorus Girls Online Session | 4 p.m. | Website | $55
Women of all dancing ability levels are encouraged to join the NOLA Chorus Girls for this set of four dance classes and group video. You can learn more by checking out this information page. This is also where you can register. All registered participants will be sent a dance to learn over four weeks (with instruction). You’ll have the option to record yourself performing the dance and sending it in to be added to a full group final dance video.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Livestream | 6:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
A weekly interactive Facebook live stream from New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, hosted by Nick Spitzer of American Routes.
Samantha Pearl’s 360-degree Virtual Reality Birthday Concert | 7 p.m. | Musae | Pay What You Can
Want to watch a concert from your living room in Virtual Reality? Now that’s very possible! New Orleans musician Samantha Pearl is playing a concert on her own birthday and Musae is working with the House of Blues to make it a 360-degree experience. You can join on any standard device (phone, tablet, computer), but if you buy a ticket for more than $25 before June 10th, Musae will send you a VR headset for free! After that, the headset will cost you just $8 with your ticket purchase.
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Mannie Fresh | 7 p.m. | Facebook, Instagram or Twitch | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Famous local DJ, Mannie Fresh hosts a popular DJ set (more than 10,000 viewers!) called “Virus-Killaz” each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Click on the links above at showtime to watch the show on Facebook, Instagram or Twitch.
Film Fest → The Passion of Joan of Arc | 8 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Each Friday evening through June 19, the Joan of Arc Project (the group that puts on the Joan of Arc parade on Twelfth Night) is hosting a Zoom discussion group about a different Joan of Arc-focused movie. This week you’re invited to a discussion about a 1928 French silent film about our hero that is widely considered a landmark in cinematic history. Learn how to watch the film here, then join the discussion on Friday with the Zoom link, above. Here’s more information about the festival, as well as a full listing of the movies being discussed.
Ellis Marsalis Tribute Night | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Every week Snug Harbor hosts a tribute show to the recently departed New Orleans music legend, Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Swing by their Facebook page at approximately 8 p.m. and they’ll post the link to what’s become a very popular series of shows.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Fitness Fusion Class | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom link will be provided once you register | Register here and first class is free
Like a gumbo pot, health and wellness company Footprints To Fitness created their master Fitness Fusion class to provide something for everyone… a true fusion of kickass workout with a whole lot of New Orleans culture. More than just a workout, it’s an experience! This class will be live streamed on Zoom. Register on their website to receive a custom link to join. The first class is free & registration is also available on ClassPass.
Join The Journey for an all levels, high intensity combo class led by founder and media personality April Dupre, that combines yoga, pilates, strength training, weight training, cardio, and barre ALL IN ONE CLASS!
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | Throughout the evening | Website | Donations accepted here
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you seven nights a week (and oftentimes more than once per night). For a full listing of their performances, check out this page.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 14
Big Freedia’s Kitchen: Gospel Sundays | 1 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook | Free to watch, but recipes are as low as $5/month
What does the Queen Diva cook? It turns out thousands of people want to know! Watch her chop it up in the kitchen every Sunday for gospel brunch. If you think it’s just cooking, you obviously don’t know Big Freedia. There’s music, dancing, cocktails and special guests, as well!
DU Cooks Interview Series | 3 p.m. | Instagram Live | Free
On Friday and Sunday this weekend, Dillard University’s Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture is sitting down to chat with another person (or persons) leading the way in the local food industry, including those who grow, distribute, sell and cook the region’s best food. The sessions can be found on Instagram Live and are so interesting!
Mannie Fresh | 3 p.m. | Facebook, Instagram Live or Twitch | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Mannie Fresh is back for a special 90-minute Gospel Get Down set at 3 p.m. He’s playing gospel and inspirational music meant to lift your spirits during these trying times.
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See? There’s tons going on! If you can afford it, please be sure to tip the band/performers/DJ/teachers/etc. Many of them are battling lost gigs as a result of the pandemic, and are working very hard to keep us entertained during the unique times.
Remember, send me an email if you have an event you’d like me to add for next week’s round-up!
WRITER MATT HAINES LIVES IN NEW ORLEANS. FOLLOW HIM FOR ALL THINGS GOING ON IN NOLA — DURING TIMES OF PANDEMIC AND OTHERWISE — AT MATTHAINESWRITES.COM, AND ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER.
