Seven days … but not in that creepy “The Ring” kind of way. It’s just a mere seven days until it’s Stretchy Pants Day, aka Thanksgiving. Just seven days until we’re on couches, stuffed and surrounded by the people we want to give thanks for having in our lives. Just seven days until Saints’ No. 9 will be dishing out revenge in Atlanta. We’re in the throes of fall, and whether you’re traveling or planning to stay home, we’ve got a few stories and happenings to share and help (pumpkin) spice up your life for the next seven days.
Grab & Go Guide to the new MSY
Traffic on Loyola and getting past the security checkpoint got you hangry? No worries. From City Greens to Cure Bar (yes, they serve food, too) we’ve got the details on where and what the best grab and go food options are at the new airport to make your travels a little easier.
Ghost pets, a general, gangsters all haunt this French Quarter home
The most well-known ghost stories swirling around the Beauregard-Keyes house in the 1100 block of Chartres Street involve one of the house’s namesakes, Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard. But, a binder holds the accounts of more than one mysterious encounter at the 19th century home. Click here to read more about the haunted history of the Beauregard-Keyes house.
Brocato’s gelato, on the West Bank?
You read right! Not only can you skip crossing the bridge from the West Bank for your gelato fix, but Amore Bakery offers fresh pastries and lunch options in Gretna to satisfy your sweet tooth. Women-owned and family run, Sage Spicuzza found a building on Huey P. Long Avenue to create the perfect place to serve coffee and pastries in a part of Gretna that was lacking. Today, the café serves bread pudding, tiramisu and crème brulee, as well as an assortment of croissants, cheesecake, sugar cookies, muffins, fig cookies, scones, turnovers and tarts. Click here to read more about Amore Bakery.
What’s Happening This Weekend
Fri. Nov. 22, 2019
French Market Tree Lighting Ceremony | 5 to 7 p.m. | Washington Artillery Park | Free
Kick off the holiday season in the French Quarter with the lighting of the tree across from Jackson Square. Festivities start at 5 p.m. with entertainment from the National Park Service Arrowhead Jazz Band and a performance by the Heritage School of Music before the official lighting at 7 p.m.
“Crescent City Sport: Stories of Courage and Change” tells 20 tales of athletic prowess that have shaped our local community on and off the field. The stories include the first women to play at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, the formation and integration of the Sugar Bowl, and New Orleans Saints’ return after Hurricane Katrina. There will also be narratives from rowing, sailing, boxing, baseball, basketball, roller derby, horse racing and cycling, all of which have played a part in New Orleans’s history since the Civil War.
Sat. Nov. 23, 2019
Congo Square 30th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser | 6 to 10 p.m. | Ashe CAC | $30
Drummers, dancers, a drum ensemble, food, photographers and artists will be showcasing their work at this celebration of one of New Orleans’ most historical sites.
Jingle Bells and Beer | 7 to 10 p.m. | New Orleans City Park | $40
Get to see the lights at City Park before Celebration in the Oaks opens to the public at this adults-only party. Guests can experience all the rides within City Park’s Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, under the beautiful lights of Celebration in the Oaks. Domestic and craft beers will be available to sample throughout the amusement park. Bonus points if you wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater.
Sun. Nov. 24, 2019
Draw-a-thon 2019 | ends at 6:30 a.m. | The Green Project | Free
You’ll have to get up early for this one! This annual event starts 6:30 a.m. Saturday and ends 24-hours later Sunday. Visitors can come and go at any time, draw on the walls and floor which are covered with paper and cardboard or participate in one of the many artist-led workshops held throughout the day. Draw-a-Thon’s drawing-centered workshops are designed for participants of any skill level and include bookmaking, mailable art, recycled paper making, screen printing, interactive sculptures created from repurposed materials, a live figure drawing workshop, animation, drawing game shows, drawing karaoke and the signature Draw-a-Tron 3000, a machine that can draw anything you want.
In Paris, women celebrate St. Catherine’s Day by donning hats, drinking champagne and parading in the street. We’re good at all those things in New Orleans, so the St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade is a natural. The parade is open to women and girls of all ages; men and boys are, as always, welcome to tag along.
