A man is seen working from home on his balcony in Warsaw, Poland on April 5, 2020. Despite rising tempertures the government has urged people to stay and respect distancing rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Poland has seen it's largest increase in active cases with 475 newly infected people tested on Sunday. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

What’s happening (virtually) this week! (Apr. 6-10)

by Matt Haines | April 6, 2020

As we move into our “new normal” for the next few weeks, we’re going to highlight some of the best virtual happenings! Here’s what we’re looking forward to this week:

MONDAY, APRIL 6

Alicia “Blue Eyes” Renee pays tribute to Bill Withers | Noon | WWOZ 90.7 FM | Free — donations suggested here

Join Alicia “Blue Eyes” Renee from her courtyard in the French Quarter as she pays tribute to Bill Withers and others with her memorable vocals. The show starts at noon and you can see how to tip her here.

Glen David Andrews Live | 1:30 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted here

Glen David Andrews and his band are playing from noon until 1:30 p.m. to “spread some joy and lift some spirits.” Check out the event page here.

Taproom Yoga| 5 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted here

The Taproom Yoga that normally takes place at NOLA Brewing on Monday evenings has gone virtual. All skill levels are welcome to join Elevate Yoga at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live!

Black Film Festival | nightly events through Apr. 13 | Instagram | Free

Each night this week, the Black Film Festival of New Orleans is streaming a short film created by black independent filmmakers from around the country and hosting a live filmmaker Q&A. Films are available each day at noon and remain so for the rest of the day. Of particular interest is an interview with Wendell Pierce on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

 

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TUESDAY, APRIL 7

Guided Meditations | 1 p.m. | Skype | Donations accepted here

Tibetan House is offering 30-minute guided meditations via Skype on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays beginning at 1 p.m. The practice is kid-friendly, as well, and beginners are welcome. 

Cooking in Quarantine | 5 p.m. | Zoom | Register, 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!

 

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

A Brief History of Quarantine Ordinances | 6 – 7:30 p.m. | Zoom | Free — donations accepted

The Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses are hosting a timely Zoom lecture called, “Hard Acts to Follow: A Brief History of Quarantine Ordinances.” The talk is from 6 – 7:30 p.m and will focus on the diseases — cholera, malaria and yellow fever — that besieged our city at various points in the 19th century, as well as the wide array of ordinances and efforts to mitigate them.

Kelcy Wilburn + Lucy Cordts in concert | 7-8 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted via Venmo, PayPal or their website.

Swing by the Last Honkytonk Music Series to see local singer songwriter Kelcy Wilburn perform alongside bandmate Lucy Cordts (they are self-quarantined together, don’t worry). They’re both members of local band, Ever More Nest, and will perform some of their hits from their living room in this intimate, virtual setting.

 

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Live bilingual book reading | 3 p.m. | Facebook | Free

Join The Pebbles Center at 3 p.m. for a live reading of books in Spanish from their children’s-focused collection. The books will share stories from Latin America, the Caribbean and the Latinx community in the United States. In this session, author and educator, Andrea Olatunji will share the latest top Spanish language picture books.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

Mannie Fresh | 7 p.m. | Facebook | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.

Famous local DJ, Mannie Fresh is hosts a popular DJ set called “Virus-Killaz” each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Check out his Facebook page for more information as the date gets closer.

 

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The Weekend

Saturday, April 11
The Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic 10k road race is held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday each year. This race will be virtual. You choose when you run it, and you choose the course. Most importantly, you’re still able to donate to the charities — many of which are especially vulnerable because of the effects of COVID-19 — who rely on this event for funding.

Easter Bonnet Contest | Noon to 1 p.m. | Free
Tours by Steven is coordinating a Stay at Home/Made at Home Easter Bonnet Contest. This isn’t a live event. Contestants must submit photos of their bonnet by Saturday at noon, and bonnets must be created by materials already around your house! Winners will be announced following the event.

DJ Ann Glaviano draws big crowds at her monthly Heatwave shows at Mid-City’s Twelve Mile Limit. Now she’s bringing the same energy to a virtual set-up. The “doors” open at 8:30 p.m. and the show’s from 9 – 10 p.m. She even has a virtual dance for you to learn in advance if you’d like to take part in the Dance-Along.

Sunday, April 12

Guided Meditations | 1 p.m. | Skype | Donations accepted here
Tibetan House is offering 30-minute guided meditations via Skype on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays beginning at 1 p.m. The practice is kid-friendly, as well, and beginners are welcome.

Mannie Fresh | 4 p.m. | Facebook | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Mannie Fresh is back for a special one-hour “Gospel Get Down” set at 4 p.m. He calls it “an hour of inspiration” and you’ll find more information on his Facebook page as Sunday gets closer.

Black Film Festival | nightly events through Apr. 13 | Instagram | Free
Each night this week, the Black Film Festival of New Orleans is streaming a short film created by black independent filmmakers from around the country and hosting a live filmmaker Q&A. Films are available each day at noon and remain so for the rest of the day.

If you have an event you’d like us to add into next week’s round-up, shoot an email here!

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.

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Matt Haines

Matt Haines

Matt Haines lives in New Orleans and writes about all the cool stuff.
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