Ya’ll, it’s almost June. Summer is about to be in full effect, and yes, most of us are still inside of the house. But no worries, we’ve got a list of the highlights of these virtual times!
Here’s what we’re looking forward to this week:
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Cardio Blast Live Stream | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30 minutes cardio workout in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The class is is designed for all levels so bring the whole family!
Inside the Jazz Workshop | 2 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Richard Scott and Chuck Brackman are two of the hardest working musicians in New Orleans. They know A LOT of instruments, and they’re going to take you through them one-by-one so the next time you see an orchestra orchestra, you’ll know what you’re looking at! This program is in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
Decarceration and the Arts | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
The Contemporary Arts Center is hosting a discussion with the co-founders of The Graduates, a performing arts ensemble for formerly-incarcerated women. The panel will discuss how The Graduates provides an artistic and activist platform to help the formerly-incarcerated move forward after prison.
LIVE FitNOLA Class: Body Sculpting | 6 p.m. | Zoom | Free
This free, hour-long body sculpting class by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and FitNOLA is sponsored by Chevron and can be accessed via the Zoom link, above. Enter your meeting ID (334-196-3309) and password (BeFitNOLA). Perfect for all ages and experience levels.
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: Jeanne La Pucelle | 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 Jean La Pucelle — considered by many to be the most holistic and authentic depiction of Joan of Arc’s life. You can 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.
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, guests created a magick sigil with a witch. Who knows what’s in store for this week! Use the Facebook link, above, at 8 p.m. to find the stream.
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SATURDAY, MAY 30
FREE Twerk Fitness Class | 9 a.m. | Zoom link will be provided once you register | Register here and first class is free
Want to learn how to twerk? Looking for a really fun fitness class? All classes are meant to be New Orleans-focused and feature local bounce, soca and afrobeats music. Classes are one-hour, take place every Saturday and Wednesday and your first class is free. All proceeds go to LowerNine.org.
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!
A Conversation on New Orleans Culture | 11 a.m. | Instagram Live | Free
Dillard University is hosting an hour-long conversation with New Orleans culture bearers Spy Boy Zee and Queen Kelly about their group of Mardi Gras Indians and the importance of preserving our city’s unique culture. They’ll also be discussing what we can do to support the city’s culture and the people who create it.
Livestream Busking at dba | 1 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted
Do you miss walking up and down Frenchmen Street and enjoying the vibrant sounds of buskers on every corner? Tuba Skinny’s got you covered. He’ll be hosting this live virtual busking show from 1 until 3 p.m.
Porch Fest: Bad Girls Part 2 | 4 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted
Anais and Harry are back for a follow-up to their popular Facebook Live event. They’ll be performing jazz classics from the porch for an hour-long set.
Ménage à Quatre- LIVE On The Air at The Starlight! | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted
The fun and talented Ménage à Quatre performs two hours of Latin jazz, bossa nova, samba, and traditional and modern jazz. Check out this lively, innovative performance by using the Facebook link, above.
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, MAY 31
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!
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.
DU Cooks Live w / Tunde Wey | 3 p.m. | Instagram Live | Free
Dillard University is chatting with Tunde Wey, a rising voice of opposition to the inequities in our food and beverage industry. The conversation is sure to challenge your preconceived notions about how the restaurant business works and how it might be changed to benefit its workers.
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The NOLA Project Sunday Solo Series | 6 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Each week The NOLA Project will feature a cast member performing a solo reading of a short story or brief monologue. Use the Facebook link at 6 p.m. to find the stream for the live performance. You can also go to the page now and find the previous five Sunday performances!
Music and Wine at the Virtual Delachaise | 7:30 p.m. | BandStream Live | Donations accepted
Paul Sanchez and Jim Payne are playing music while Evan Hayes makes cocktails and discusses wine. It’s all happening at the Delachaise, and the party is going for about three hours!
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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.
