Another wave of COVID has much of the country on lockdown, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online until we’re pandemic-free Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
Virtual Concert: JFA Holiday Brass Band Special | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum and Jazz Foundation of America present a holiday-themed special performance featuring Hot 8 Brass Band, the Original Pinettes Brass Band, Greg Stanford & the Jazz Hounds, and the New Orleans Night Crawlers.
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Mike’s Kitchen | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Local musician Michael Pearce is back with another hour-long virtual performance from his home! Sometimes there’s food. Sometimes there’s music. Always there’s fun.
Live with Helen Gillet | 5 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged via PayPal, Venmo or Bandcamp
Helen Gillet and her cello are one of the most popular acts in town. While the effects of this pandemic linger, you’re able to hear her every Monday from the comfort of your own couch. Tune in for her weekly set that alternates between light, beautiful and wild.
Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Join Robin Barnes, the Songbird of New Orleans and her husband Pat Casey every Monday night for a one-hour set as they bring a concert right from their living room to yours!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Virtual Winter Holiday Art Camp for Grades 2 – 5 | 9:30 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | $50 for each session (or $180 for all four sessions)
Schools may be out for kids, but learning and art-making continues! Ogden Museum’s Winter Holiday Art Camp participants will bring their imaginations to life with creative and engaging activities. Kids will craft unique charcoal portraits, miniature gemstone sculptures, cut-out paintings, multimedia collages and unique seasonal craft objects inspired by current exhibits and the jubilee of the season. Each three hour session will also include a 15-30 minute playful movement exercise, ranging from yoga or calisthenics to a dance party or even clowning basics! Projects are fun, inventive and new every day. Learn more here!
Marine Corps Reserve Virtual Holiday Celebration | 6 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donation to Toys for Tots encouraged
Watch the Marine Forces Reserve Band perform their 2020 virtual holiday concert in support of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The show will be approximately 30 minutes.
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Live Stream at Buffa’s | 6 p.m. | Website | Tips encouraged
Buffa’s Lounge has streamed a steady dose of live music from their backroom. Join Doyle Cooper and Ryan Hanseler for a jazz set this Tuesday evening!
Honoring Time Together: A Saturnalia Talk | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom | Free
In celebration of Saturnalia, the ancient festival of the winter solstice which embraces the carnivalesque, the Neighborhood Story Project is hosting an artist talk with their friend and collaborator, Akasha Rabut. Akasha’s book, Death, Magick, Abundance, takes readers into the midsts of the second lines of New Orleans. While many photographers in our city have concentrated on social and pleasure clubs, Akasha has stayed back with the crowd, appreciating the fashion, friendship, and sidewalk spectacles that are an essential part of the call and response of the parades. At a time when we are all missing chances to get together, this program will hopefully be a balm to see us into the new year.
Clown Town TV: Season 2, Episode 10 | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips and donations accepted on PayPal and Venmo
Clown Town features a rotating cast of queer NOLA Clowns as well as special guests from afar! It’s a little bit sideshow, a little bit vaudeville and plenty of New Orleans charm! Tune in via the Facebook page for Season 2, Episode 10 as well as to watch earlier episodes. This week is a special holiday show!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
The Broad Theater Hosts Virtual Cinema | All Week | Kino Marque and Vimeo | Purchase tickets (see below)
Broad Theater is open for business, but if you’re not ready to step into a theater just yet, they’re partnering with Kino Marquee Vimeo, who are bringing you a rotating selection of movies directly to your home. There are multiple ways to stream the movie (which can be purchased at any time and watched for five days after the purchase). This week there are three selections and you can click on the following links to find out how to purchase tickets for Oliver Sacks: His Own Life, Jazz on a Summer’s Day, and Call Me Brother.
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New Orleans Pelicans Season Opener | 6:30 p.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
Zion Williamson and the Pelicans are back! For their season opener, they’re taking on the Toronto Raptors.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve with Scott & Jesse | 7 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Celebrate the holidays with Jesse Autumn (harp) & Scott Johnson (sax), live from New Orleans. Join them for a livestream concert of their favorite Christmas carols, to warm the heart & soothe the soul this Christmas Eve.
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Virtual Victorian Seance! | 8:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after purchasing ticket) | $33
Join in on the gift of psychic connection and experience an old school haunted holiday classic Seance event that does it all! The class is led by Bloody Marys Tours and you can learn more here.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
New Orleans Pelicans – Game #2 | 11 a.m. | Fox Sports; 100.3 FM
In Game #2 of the season, the Pelicans are taking on the Miami Heat!
New Orleans Saints — Week 16 | 3:30 p.m. | FOX, WWL 870 AM / 105.3 FM, the Saints app | Price Varies
Who Dat Nation tunes in as their Saints hope to build on their 10 – 4 season when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas afternoon!
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Benny Grunch & The Bunch | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
This Rock n Bowl Christmas Day tradition continues this year on Facebook Live. Enjoy this 90-minute performance by Benny Grunch & The Bunch!
Friday Night Fever Dance Party | 7 p.m. | Twitch | Become a member here for $5
Disco Dance Party! Put on your 70’s best disco attire and kickoff your weekend with a dance party in your living room. Invite your friends, wherever they live, to become the star of the dance floor, along with you. Contest for best outfit, best dance moves, best disco atmosphere. The watch party is free for Larry Lurkers, but dancing is for Members Only.
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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.
