The Central Business District (CBD) skyline including the Superdome is seen in New Orleans, Monday, April 27, 2020. Photo by Matthew Hinton

What’s happening in (virtual) New Orleans: Nov. 23-27

New Orleans is slowly opening back up, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online until we’re 100%! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week.

by Matt Haines | November 23, 2020

New Orleans is slowly opening back up, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had online until we’re 100%! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23

The Broad Theater Hosts Virtual Cinema | All Week | Kino Marque and Vimeo | Purchase tickets (see below)
Broad Theater is open for business, but if you’re not ready to step into a theater just yet, they’re partnering with Kino Marquee Vimeo, who are bringing you a rotating selection of movies directly to your home. There are multiple ways to stream the movie (which can be purchased at any time and watched for five days after the purchase). This week there are three selections and you can click on the following links to find out how to purchase tickets for Oliver Sacks: His Own Life, Jazz on a Summer’s Day, and Call Me Brother.

Life of a Klansman — A Conversation with Author Edward Ball | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join Garden District Book Shop as Michael Lomax, the president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund and former president of Dillard University talks with National Book Award-winner Edward Ball. Ball will discuss his book, Life of a Klansman — the story of a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a carpenter in New Orleans who took up the cause of fanatical racism during the years after the Civil War. 

The New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly every Monday to learn about what’s going on in the world of housing justice! From learning about history & policies to watching movies and to hearing from their housing justice elders, the Assembly will dive into some deep and impactful information. Share your ideas and learn more through dynamic and insightful discussions with your neighbors!

Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged via PayPal, Venmo or Bandcamp
Helen Gillet and her cello are one of the most popular acts in town. While the effects of this pandemic linger, you’re able to hear her every Monday from the comfort of your own couch. Tune in for her weekly set that alternates between light, beautiful and wild.

Robin Barnes Presents #SongBirdatHome | 7 p.m. | Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Join Robin Barnes, the Songbird of New Orleans and her husband Pat Casey every Monday night for a one-hour set as they bring a concert right from their living room to yours!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Live FitNOLA Class – Yoga | Noon | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often two or three times a day). On Tuesday, this 45-minute exercise class is focused on yoga, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here and here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop, senior fitness and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA).

Anais St. John Live at the New Orleans Jazz Museum | 6 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has a different musician or band in their courtyard every week. This week they’re featuring the inimitable Anais St. John for an hour-long set. Don’t miss it!

 

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Where I Come From: Stories from the South | 6 p.m. | Online | $5 (additional with signed book)
In partnership with the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival, the Garden District Book Shop is pleased to celebrate this new book by Rick Bragg. It’s a collection of wide-ranging and endearingly personal columns by the celebrated author, newspaper columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner, culled from his best-loved pieces in Southern Living and Garden & Gun. Stories include his love of Tupperware, the decline of country music, the legacy of Harper Lee, the metamorphosis of the pick-up truck, how to kill fire ants, the excess of Fat Tuesday, why you should carry a good knife at all times, and more!

Ciné-Club Discussion with AF Lafayette | 6 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join Alliance Française of New Orleans on Zoom to discuss the November Ciné-Club film Le Mystère Henri Pick as part of the Festival des Alliances Françaises de Louisiane.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Jamey St. Pierre Band from Algiers Point | 5:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Jamey and the full band will perform at McDonough Park in Algiers Point. Bring a blanket/ festival chair, a cooler & picnic and enjoy some great music!

New Orleans Renters Rights Chat | 6 p.m. | Facebook Live or Phone Call | Free
Every Thursday, the New Orleans Renters Rights Assembly is hosting a call to educate New Orleanians about what’s going on with rental and mortgage policies, as well as organizing to create a more equitable world. You can call 504-517-5470 to listen in (Meeting ID: 299411967), or watch the livestream on Facebook (link above). There’ll also be opportunities to ask questions.

Live FitNOLA Class – Pilates | 7 p.m. | Zoom | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission is leading virtual exercise classes every day of the week (often two or three times a day). This Wednesday evening, the 45-minute exercise class is focused on pilates, but classes throughout the week are all different. Check out a list of the full offerings here and here to find out when they’ll be leading classes in Zumba, pilates, yoga, fitness, line dancing, swing, hip hop, senior fitness and much more! To join in on Zoom, use the link above and enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and Password (BeFitNOLA).

 

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Phase V at Rock n Bowl | 8:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock ‘n’ Bowl has been serving up a steady stream of virtual concerts. This Wednesday night they’re featuring Phase V for a two-and-a-half-hour Thanksgiving eve set!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Contraflow at Rock n Bowl | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Contraflow is playing a special two-hour Thanksgiving gig at Rock ‘n’ Bowl on Thursday night. Don’t miss it!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Cardio Blast Live Stream | 10 a.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registration) | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 30-minute cardio workout in partnership with FitNOLA and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The class is designed for all levels so bring the whole family!

A Conversation with Author and Angola 3 Member Albert Woodfox and Artist Jackie Sumell | 11 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
Join 64 Parishes and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) for a conversation with Albert Woodfox, whose book “Solitary: My Story of Transformation and Hope” is the 2020 LEH Humanities Book of the Year, and artist and activist Jackie Sumell, founder of the nonprofit Solitary Gardens. Woodfox, a member of the Angola 3, spent more than four decades in solitary confinement for a crime he didn’t commit. “Solitary,” a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, is his story.

Virtual Happy Hour at Garden District Book Shop | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live and YouTube Live | Free
Each week during the pandemic, the Garden District Book Shop has hosted a virtual happy hour featuring New Orleans authors and literary lovers. This week the Shop is joined by Krystle Sims-Cameron, founder of For the HortiCulture a project dedicated to restoring the culture of backyard growing with Black families in New Orleans. They’ll talk gardening, food accessibility, books, how you can get started gardening and more. Plus they’ll be taking your questions! Bring a drink and hop on!

Fridays from the Funky Uncle! | 7 p.m. | Twitch, YouTube Live and Facebook Live | Tips encouraged via PayPal, GoFundMe or Venmo
“Friday’s From the Funky Uncle!” is a webcast featuring New Orleans Funk Musicians playing live to raise money for all members of the entertainment community in New Orleans who are in need. Check here later in the week to see who’s performing this Friday!

Kelly Duplex Live | 7 p.m. | Online and 102.3 WHIV | Tips encouraged
Kelly Duplex and her band are performing live online and on the radio this Friday night from Carnaval Lounge!

Bucktown All-Stars at Rock n Bowl | 8 p.m. | Facebook Live | Tips encouraged
Rock n Bowl’s got one more show up their sleeves this holiday week. On Friday night, join the Bucktown All-stars for a 90-minute show.

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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.

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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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