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:
MONDAY, MAY 18
Taproom Yoga | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted here.
Taproom Yoga normally takes place at NOLA Brewing on Monday evenings, but has gone virtual for the time being. All skill levels are welcome to join Elevate Yoga at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live! More information can be found here.
Learn Voodoo with Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau | 5 p.m. | Zoom link will be sent once you buy your ticket | $25
Marie laveau is an author, TV celebrity and — most importantly — a Voodoo Queen! Are you interested in learning the craft? She’s hosting a series of online classes, and this is class #1. Get an intro to New Orleans Voodoo and tap into Hoodoo all during this 90-minute session.
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.
Marble Sessions | 8 p.m. | Twitch | Free
St. Claude Avenue’s Sea Cave Arcade has been hosting weekly marble racing nights! All you need to play is to sign up on Twitch (you can use the link above). They also bring in a DJ each week to play some tunes, adn this week features WINO WILLY from Bag Season Records. For instructions on how to play and more info on the event, check out the FAQ here.
Sasha Masakowski & Brad Walker | 8 p.m. | Twitch, YouTube or Facebook | Free
Sasha Masakowski and Brad Walker are two local musicians both known for jazz that is sophisticated and so much fun to listen to. You’ll have a chance to do just that on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook today at 8 p.m.
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TUESDAY, MAY 19
Rise and Vibe Live Yoga | 7 a.m. | YouTube Live and Instagram Live Stream | Donations accepted via Venmo, Eventbrite and PayPal.
NOLA Tribe Yoga sees no reason why you can’t roll out of bed and roll out your yoga mat at the same time. Classes take place each Tuesday and are available on Instagram Live for 24 hours after the class is complete or on their YouTube page forever. (You can check out previous sessions right now!)
Ask Doc Griggs: Coronavirus Testing | 10:30 a.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook | Free
Have questions about Coronavirus testing? Don’t know what to expect? The Skin You’re In presents Ask Doc Griggs: a conversation about Coronavirus (Covid-19) testing procedures on Facebook and Instagram Live.
Turnt Up Tuesday by the New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Local powerhouse music ensemble, Big Sam’s Funky Nation is streaming live from the New Orleans Saints’ Facebook page for Turn up Tuesday! The band’s awesome, the team’s awesome, the city’s awesome, you’re awesome — don’t miss it!
Glen David Andrews | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted
Glen David Andrews will perform songs from his new album, Live in My Living Room. He’ll be live streaming from the balcony of the New Orleans Jazz Museum!
Cooking in Quarantine | 5 p.m. | Zoom (link sent upon registration) | Register for free, and donations accepted here.
Cooking in Quarantine is an event organized by the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. It’s part-cooking class, part-supper club and part-office hours where New Orleanians can hang out with NOCHI chefs and one another to talk meal prep, family cooking, culinary techniques and more! More information here.
The Future of Work | 6 p.m. | Zoom | Free
As the world becomes better connected by means of technological innovation and the globalization of industries, we are experiencing profound changes in the way that we work. Join Tech Talent South for our panel of industry experts as we discuss the future of work. Learn about who is on the panel here.
Tradition Tuesday Live Stream w / Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition | 7:30 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted
Who doesn’t need a little more swamp pop in their lives these days? Join Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition live from virtual Rock ‘n’ Bowl every Tuesday by clicking on the link, above at 7:30.
Clown Town TV Premier Party: Episode 8 | 8 p.m. | Facebook | 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 Episode 8 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Reducing Economic Vulnerability with YLC | 11:30 a.m. | You’ll receive link to livestream once you register | $10
Join YLC for their next webinar during which economic development expert, Quentin Messer discusses New Orleans’ economic life and how we might pivot our local economy to deal with further pandemics and the ongoing challenges posed by climate change . Learn more about Messer here.
Art + Zen: Online Museum Meditations | Noon | Zoom | Free
Every Wednesday at noon, join the Ogden Museum for a live, virtual seated mindfulness meditation inspired by a work of Southern art. This week they’ll take a look at the work of Eugene Martin, an artist featured in What Music is Within. Sessions last 30 peaceful minutes.
Front Porch Fest VI with Adam Pearce | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Free but check out this website to purchase music and merchandise.
Local rock ‘n’ roll singer-songwriter, Adam Pearce, sits on his porch and plays some of his favorite music. His quarantine shows have been a big hit. If you haven’t heard one already, click on the Facebook link, above, and don’t miss Round 6!
Virtual Guest Chef Night | 5 p.m. | You’ll receive link to livestream once you register | $60
Liberty’s Kitchen hosts a monthly Guest Chef Night at their restaurant, but they’re going to give it a go virtually until we make our way out of this pandemic. Register using the link above, and then Top Box Foods will deliver all the ingredients you need to cook along with Chef Martha Wiggins and guests from Liberty’s Kitchen and Turning Table graduates.
Tribe Yard Yoga Live! | 6:30 p.m. | YouTube Live and Instagram Live Stream | Donations accepted via Venmo, Eventbrite and PayPal.
If their Tuesday morning class is too early for you, try this Wednesday afternoon series! They’re available on Instagram Live for 24 hours after the class is complete or on their YouTube page forever. (You can check out previous sessions right now!)
Big Freedia’s Kitchen: Watcha Cookin’ Wednesdays with the Queen Diva | 7 p.m. | Instagram 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 Wednesday night. If you think it’s just cooking, you obviously don’t know Big Freedia. There’s music, dancing, cocktails and special guests, as well!
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THURSDAY, MAY 21
Literary Lunch Break | Noon | Zoom link will be sent after you register | Free
Chicago Tribune Christopher Borrelli talks with author Michael Zapata about his mesmerizing story of a Latin American science fiction writer and the lives her lost manuscript unites decades later in post-Katrina New Orleans. The Lost Book of Adana Moreau was published earlier this year to the kind of literary acclaim most debut authors only dream of getting.
30-Minute Meditation Practices on Skype | 1 p.m. | Skype | Donations accepted
Tibetan House is offering 30-minute guided meditations via Skype every Thursday. The practice is kid-friendly, as well, and beginners are welcome. Tibetan House Skype will sign on 10-minutes before the session and you can call them anytime between then and 1 p.m. See the event details for instructions and more information.
Virtual Happy Hour Featuring Samantha Downing | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Each week, the Garden District Book Shop is hosting a virtual happy hour with a New Orleans author. The conversation will include talk of books, writing life, New Orleans and anything else that comes to mind while unwinding with a drink. There’s also time for your questions! Get more information here.
Father Ron’s 20 Minute Virtual Concert | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Father Ron and Friends plays a short, 20-minutes set every Thursday. Tune in for some great folk music centered around a different theme each week.
60-Minute Meditation Practices on Skype | 7 p.m. | Skype | Donations accepted
Tibetan House is offering 60-minute guided meditations via Skype every Thursday. The practice is kid-friendly, as well, and beginners are welcome. Tibetan House Skype will sign on 10-minutes before the session and you can call them anytime between then and 7 p.m. See the event details for instructions and more information.
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FRIDAY, MAY 22
Live from the Parlor: Bad Penny Pleasuremakers | 6 p.m. | Facebook | Tips and donations accepted
Listen to some fun old-fashioned early jazz and blues from the teens, ‘20s and ‘30s. Enjoy the Bad Penny Pleasuremakers and tune into The Starlight’s Facebook page with the link, above. It’ll be a lot of fun!
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.
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 the show.
Freaky Fridays | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Free
James Corbyn is a ghost hunter, Voodoo practitioner, historian, storyteller and collector of haunted artifacts. Each Friday he hosts a Facebook Live about another haunted topic. Last week featured Ken Gerhard, a cryptozoologist featured countless times on History Channel and National Geographic shows. Let’s see what’s in store for this week. Use the Facebook link, above, at 8 p.m. to find the stream.
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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.
