Fine art body painter Craig Tracy, who is known as judge for the body painting reality television series Skin Wars, holds a live painting session of model Tori Benoit for Dirty Linen Night in the French Quarter on Royal Street in New Orleans, La. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. Dirty Linen Night is when galleries on Royal Street open their doors to the general public allowing people to browse down the street. It follows a week after White Linen Night where galleries in Warehouse District similarly open the doors, however people are allowed to wear any clothing for Dirty Linen Night instead of the suggested white linen. Photo by Matthew Hinton

🍽️ When it’s hot, keep it COOLinary

by Mary Staes | August 15, 2019

The temperatures are high, but we’re keeping it cool. COOLinary, that is (ahem). The annual sweet and savory summertime event is happening, and we’re trying out some new joints in the city to keep us from sweating in the heat (and from the bills). Plus, football is here (preseason, anyway) and if you still have that sour taste in your mouth from the whole “no-call” situation and lack of attention from the NFL commish, you can let out some of that angst you’re still clinging to at an Anti-Goodell Bowl. And by the way, if you’re seeing a red, sweat-infused dress in your hamper, we may have caught you on camera at the Red Dress Run last week. Let’s get to lookin’ at what’s cookin’.

 

Olé Nolé

The city is celebrating COOLinary during August, where local restaurants are offering special menus at a fixed price. It’s a great time to try out some new future favorite restaurants, and NolĂ© could be an ideal starting point for your adventure. NolĂ© took over the former Cheesecake Bistro on St. Charles Avenue. It’s a place with an impeccable culinary marriage of all things New Orleans and all things Latin America. (Psst – honey-drizzled beignets) SĂ­, por favor!

 

Blended and Brilliant

Born and raised in New Orleans, “Skin Wars” contestant Craig Tracy showed off his skills during Dirty Linen Night. During a live painting in his French Quarter gallery, Tracy blended a woman into an aquarium scene, lit up by brilliant colors and UV lighting. Click here to see the fun, funky artistry of Dirty Linen Night. 

 

Dressed to Impress

Hundreds clad in crimson frocks took to the street Saturday running walking staggering through the Vieux CarrĂ©. The New Orleans Hash House Harriers hosted its annual Red Dress Run — a charity “run” in New Orleans. The runners take on a 2-mile route through the French Quarter and Marigny. The French Quarter was painted red, and we’ve got the pictures to prove it! Just look at these fabulous frocks.

 

What’s Happening This Weekend

 

Friday, Aug. 16, 2019

Couches, a live performance experience | 7:30 – 11 p.m. | Capulet | $15 advance, $20 at the door

Couches is a low-key, vibed-out kickback of future soul sounds curated by the minds of Dopeciety. Each show features a combination of DJs, beatmakers, and vocalists set on sharing future soul music in an intimate, relaxed setting.

Meet the Chef/Meet the Chief | 6-9 p.m. | NOLA Craft Culture | $50

From the moment it opened, NOLA Craft Culture owners expressed how they wanted the shop and craft space to be a community meeting place where crafting is a way of life. With its inaugural Way of Life series guest, Chef James Battiste, Big Chief of the Young Brave Hunters, brings both his passion for cooking and masking to the community. After the presentation and a tasting, you can sit with Chief James as he talks about his life as a Mardi Gras Indian and the importance of the Indian culture in the community.

Sat. Aug. 17, 2019

NOLA International Foodie Fest | Noon – 9 p.m. | Deja Vieux Food Park | $5 general admission

A festival of international flavors from local food trucks, restaurants & pop-up chefs! Taste the world in one place at one time while enjoying live entertainment, specialty drinks and browsing the product vendors.

National Rum Day Party | 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | The Rum House | Price varies

The Rum House is celebrating National Rum Day with all-day drink specials, including $6 rum punches, mojitos and $10 rum flights.

Sun. Aug. 18, 2019

Everybody Gets Lei’d Blood Drive | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Deutsches Haus | Free

For the sixth year in a row, the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic partners with The Organ Grinders to restock the shelves of The Blood Center during the critical summer months. Some of your favorite dancing krewes will be there getting your blood flowing for donations, like the Dames de Perlage, the Camel Toe Lady Steppers and the Pussyfooters.

The Preseason Anti-Goodell Bowl | 2 – 8 p.m. | Mid-City Lanes Rock N Bowl | $12 general admission

The Anti-Goodell Bowl is back – the preseason version! Live entertainment will be headlined by Bag Of Donuts, and the music starts at 2 p.m.

 

What Else You Should Know

 

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Mary Staes

Mary Staes

Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.

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