NOLA Cherry Bombs Liz DeVito, Marina McGarth and Athena Turek all dance to the sounds of the band Givers during the 9th Annual NOLA on Tap Beer Festival at City Park in New Orleans on Saturday, September 22, 2018.  (Photo by Peter G. Forest)  Instagram:  @forestphoto_llc

šŸ¶+šŸ»= Doggone good times

by Clint Durrett | September 19, 2019

Had a ruff week? Don’t terrier yourself up over it. The weekend is almost here and the annual pawsome event of NOLA on Tap is on the horizon for you to grab a pint and pup at New Orleans City Park with the LASPCA. As you mark your territory on the fire hydrant that you call your plans for the weekend, save some space for chickens of the fried variety that are festing it up for your feasting pleasures. Plus, there are capes to be donned for heroic endeavors. Scroll on for the headlines of the week we’ve worked on and a fur-filled jam six-packed weekend.

 

Cashing Out

The convenience of plastic makes life easy for a large portion of society at large. However, the choice to go completely cashless doesnā€™t come without criticism. Some owners cite employee safety as their top reason to prefer plastic. In New Orleans, several businesses have opted to not accept cash, and critics say the operations shut out unbanked people from being able to fully participate in the economy. Click here to read a deeper dive into this trend impacting residents across the city.

 

Inside the Shop: Son of a Saint

Son of a Saint is an organization like no other. Their work to inspire, mentor and build the lives of fatherless boys in New Orleans is one of the most necessary endeavors to create a positive impact for future generations. Click here to see their story on how their work is made possible by the community and atmosphere that lives within The Shop.

 

From Shoney’s to the Super Bowl

Twenty-five years ago, Scottā€™s first job in the kitchen wasnā€™t even behind a grill. It was being a dishwasher at a Shoneyā€™s restaurant on St. Charles Avenue. Now, he runs one of the most successful food trucks in the city and his line of BBQ sauces are available in stores like Whole Foods. Click here to read his inspirational story. 

 

What’s Happening This Weekend

Fri. Sept. 20, 2019

National Fried Chicken Fest | Sept. 20-22 | Woldenberg Park | Free Admission

The National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Caneā€™s is expanding from two to three days for its fourth annual event. The festival will feature over 30 local and national fried chicken vendors, as well as live performances from an all-star entertainment lineup including world-renowned St. Augustine High School Marching Band; new group Bounce Royalty comprised of Choppa, Cheeky Blakk, and DJ Jubilee, making their first performance as the newly formed group of bounce legends; Bonerama; Grammy-nominated Cha Wa; J & The Causeways; and the first-ever ā€œWho Dat Playlist,ā€ a setlist essential for any Saints fan with DJ Raj Smoov, Shamarr Allen, and more.

Storminā€™ of the Sazerac 70th Anniversary | 1-3 p.m. | The Roosevelt New Orleans | $69 for luncheon tickets

This one-of-a-kind celebration pays tribute to those women who stormed the Sazerac Bar in 1949 demanding equality and a stiff drink, rendering the Sazerac Bar to be the first bar in New Orleans to allow women on days other than Mardi Gras.

Sat. Sept. 21, 2019

National Dance Day Second Line & Flash Mob | 9 a.m. – Noon | New Orleans Mint | Free

Established in 2010 by American Dance Movement co-founder, Nigel Lythgoe, and U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, National Dance Day is an annual celebration dedicated to dance that encourages Americans of all ages to incorporate dance into their lives. By creating a focused day of celebration to show support for dance as a valuable form of exercise and of artistic expression, American Dance Movement aims to educate the public about dance and its many benefits, as well as make dance accessible and inclusive to everyone.

NOLA on Tap | Noon – 7 p.m. | New Orleans City Parkā€™s Festival Grounds | $5 pre-sale, $10 at the gate for general admission

Two words: dogs and beer. Yes, together, in one place. In fact, that place is the largest beer festival in the state (400 beers, in fact), and it doubles as a fundraiser for the LA SPCA, which means itā€™s four-legged friendly. Click here for our guide on what you should know before you go to the festhere to purchase tickets, and here for suggestions on where to start when it comes to the plethora of beer options.

Sun. Sept. 22, 2019

Superhero Race 2019 | 7:30 – 11 a.m. | Parkway Bakery and Tavern | $30

Dust off your favorite cape for the 6th Annual Superhero Race! All proceeds from the race benefit CASA New Orleans, a nonprofit that fights for the rights of abused and neglected children in St. Bernard and Orleans parishes.

Duels Street Green Block Party | 1-4 p.m. | 1855 Duels Street | Free

This block party isnā€™t just for 7th Ward residents, itā€™s for anyone looking for greener solutions to help with the constant problem of street flooding in the city. There will be vendors and other community organizations to speak with regarding how others or community groups to help reduce flooding in their neighborhood, like French drains, permeable paving, rain gardens or rain barrels.

 

What Else You Should Know

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Clint Durrett

Clint Durrett

Hi. Iā€™m Clint.
Iā€™m the Local Market Manager for Very Local New Orleans. Iā€™ve lived in New Orleans since 2001 and been living my best life in this rad place since that year.
I have 10 years of broadcast journalism and digital media experience. Before Very Local New Orleans, I worked for WDSU-TV ā€“ producing, product developing, digital media managingā€“ Iā€™ve done it all. Iā€™ve seen first-hand the trials weā€™ve suffered in this city and the celebrations weā€™ve enjoyed. I love New Orleans. Itā€™s home.
Iā€™m going to work my hardest to bring you the content and experiences you care about to live your best life here in one of the best cities on the planet.
I love finding things to do here ā€“ concerts, food, drinks, nerding out, etc. And I love sharing those things with others.
Contact me via email. Gimme a shout on social. If you see something you think we should know about, hit me up. If you see something that needs fixing on the site, ditto. I want this website to be yours, too. Not just one I manage, but one we as a community and New Orleanians use to help us live our best lives.

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