The stay-at-home order has been relaxed, but most of the fun can still be found online! Here are some of the events we’re most looking forward to in Virtual New Orleans this week:
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Senior Dance Fitness Class with FitNOLA | 10 a.m. | Zoom | Free
Join Footprints To Fitness for a free 60 minutes cardio workout for seniors in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The class is designed for seniors of all fitness levels during the COVID pandemic, so invite your friends! Once on Zoom, enter the Meeting ID (334-196-3309) and password (BeFitNOLA).
DU Cooks Interview Series | 3 p.m. | Instagram Live | Free
Every day this week, Dillard University’s Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture is sitting down to chat with another person (or persons) connected to the food industry, including those who grow, distribute, sell and cook the region’s best food. The sessions can be found on Instagram Live every day at 3 p.m., except for Wednesday’s conversation which will take place at noon.
Taproom Yoga | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Donations accepted here.
Taproom Yoga normally takes place at NOLA Brewing on Monday evenings, but has gone virtual for the time being. All skill levels are welcome to join Elevate Yoga at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live! More information can be found here.
Live Music from SideBar NOLA | Throughout the evening | Website | Donations accepted here
SideBar NOLA has live local music streaming for you seven nights a week (and oftentimes more than once per night). For a full listing of their performances, check out this page.
Tiffany Pollack & Co. from Buffa’s Back Bar | 6 p.m. | Website | Donations encouraged via PayPal and Venmo.
The Monday blues aren’t always bad. Especially when they’re being live streamed by Tiffany Pollack at Buffa’s Lounge. Check out the site, above, for the stream on Monday evening, as well as for recordings of nearly 20 previous virtual performances from various New Orleans artists.
View this post on Instagram
Live with Helen Gillet | 7 p.m. | YouTube, Instagram Live and Facebook Live | Donations accepted
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.
Zumba Live Stream | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission has partnered with Footprints to Fitness to offer a free 30-minute zumba class on Zoom! The class is led by a dance instructor and is cardio-focused, but appropriate for all levels. Register here and you’ll receive a link to the Zoom class.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Online Sunrise Yoga at the Lakefront | 6:30 a.m. | YouTube Live link will be sent out after Eventbrite registration | Donations accepted during Eventbrite registration
NOLA Tribe Yoga is providing one of the most beautiful opportunities to practice yoga in New Orleans. Every Tuesday at 6:30 a.m., they’ll lead a 55-minute class for all levels as the sun rises over the lakefront. Registration closes 20 minutes prior to class time so register now! NOLA Tribe Yoga also has a 6 p.m. class on Tuesday evenings set on the shore of Bayou St. John.
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Coffee & Community Event | 9 a.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free
The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual Coffee & Community gathering with guest speaker Beth Walker, CEO of Ochsner Baptist. She’ll be presenting her thoughts and leading a conversation on Leadership Through a Crisis. After the presentation, each participant will receive an electronic contact sheet of all pre-registered participants (in lieu of the usual business card exchanges).
Reader Meet Writer Event with Beverly Bell | 4 p.m. | Link will be sent after RSVP | Free
The Garden District Book Shop is teaming up with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance to give local readers the opportunity to learn from and chat with accomplished and active southern writers. Beverly Bell is this week’s featured author. She’ll be discussing her book, “The Murder of Marion Miley,” which critix praise as taking literary crime writing to new heights. She’ll also be answering your questions, so RSVP by emailing [email protected].
James Williams and the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Live from the Jazz Museum | 5 p.m. | Facebook | Donations accepted via Venmo
If you’re looking for some fun traditional jazz to liven up your Tuesday, check out James Williams and the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys. They’ll be live streaming from the balcony of the New Orleans Jazz Museum for an hour-long set!
Level 1 – Absolute Beginner Adult Tap | 7 p.m. | Zoom (link will be sent upon registering) | 1 class for $15; 6 classes for $80; 12 classes for $150
If you’ve never taken a tap dance class, or have had less than six months of classes, this is the class for you. Absolute Beginner Tap is an introductory level tap class designed for adult students looking to enjoy an engaging rhythmic workout in a fun and positive environment! Each week you will receive a 45-minute live virtual dance class, as well as access to weekly supplemental practice videos. Check out the left side of this page for the full listing of adult classes offered by HEIDITAPS.
View this post on Instagram
Plants for Birds | 7:30 p.m. | Zoom | Free
The Orleans Audubon Society will be discussing what individual gardeners like yourself can do to build bird-friendly communities. The one-hour call will discuss what native plants are, where you can buy them around town, and why they’re so important for birds and pollinators (compared to more tropical/exotic plants). To join, click on the link, above, and enter this meeting ID (938 7817 3240).
Clown Town TV Premier Party: Episode 10 | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Tips and donations accepted on PayPal and Venmo
Clown Town features a rotating cast of queer NOLA Clowns as well as special guests from afar! It’s a little bit sideshow, a little bit vaudeville and plenty of New Orleans charm. Tune in via the Facebook page for Episode 10 as well as to watch earlier episodes.
Quarantini Happy Hour World Tour with Jon Cleary | 8 p.m. | YouTube and Facebook Live | Donations welcome via PayPal or Venmo.
Virtuosic jazz pianist Jon Cleary plays an hour of music with another guest every Tuesday night. This week Mr. Cleary is joined by James Rivers.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
It’s New Orleans Happy Hour | 3:30 p.m. | Zoom (check Facebook page the day of the event for the link) | Free
This popular local podcast is hosted by Grant Morris & Andrew Duhon. Going strong for nearly 10 years, the hosts invite random New Orleanians with nothing in common into a bar to talk about anything they want. Bars aren’t really a thing at the moment, though, so they’re hosting their show via Zoom. Check it out — it’s a lot of fun!
Online Tribe Yard Yoga | 6:30 p.m. | YouTube Live link will be sent out after Eventbrite registration | Donations accepted during Eventbrite registration
If that Tuesday morning yoga session is a little early for you, check out this Wednesday evening session from NOLA Tribe Yoga. The class is for yogis (or first-timers) of all levels. Registration closes 20 minutes prior to class time so register now! NOLA Tribe Yoga also has a 6:30 a.m. class set under the oak trees of City Park every Thursday.
Big Freedia’s Kitchen: Watcha Cookin’ Wednesdays with the Queen Diva | 7 p.m. | Instagram and Facebook | Free to watch, but recipes are as low as $5/month
What does the Queen Diva cook? It turns out thousands of people want to know! Watch her chop it up in the kitchen every Wednesday night. If you think it’s just cooking, you obviously don’t know Big Freedia. There’s music, dancing, cocktails and special guests, as well!
View this post on Instagram
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Quarantini Happy Hour World Tour with Jon Cleary | 1 p.m. | YouTube and Facebook Live | Donations welcome via PayPal or Venmo.
In addition to his Tuesday night gig, Jon Cleary plays an afternoon performance (nighttime in London) every Thursday.
Talkin’ Jazz with Fred Kasten | 2 p.m | Facebook Live | Free
Talkin’ Jazz is an interview series hosted by Fred Kasten in collaboration with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Each week Fred talks with another incredible musical personality. Conversations typically last about 45 minutes and are always interesting!
Virtual Happy Hour Featuring Bryan Camp | 5 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Each week, the Garden District Book Shop is hosting a virtual happy hour with a New Orleans author. The conversation will include talk of books, writing life, New Orleans and anything else that comes to mind while unwinding with a drink. There’s also time for your questions! Get more information about this week’s chat here.
Ogden After Hours At Home | 6 p.m. | Zoom and Facebook Live | Donations encouraged
Ogden Museum has made their weekly “Ogden After Hours” series a virtual event featuring Southern musicians and DJs performing from the comfort of their own homes. This week’s performance will be by Dominic Minix — the accomplished guitarist and singer-songwriter who leads the modern jazz, punk rock and hip hop band, Yung vul. Tune in for the one hour show!
View this post on Instagram
Virtual Wine Tasting | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom (link sent after registering) | Free to register; $60 for wine
Martin Wine Cellar is leading a tasting through four wines from Italy’s Tommasi Family Estates. The virtual tasting will be held on Zoom and the link will be sent an hour before the tasting via email. Register through the link above, and call Martin Wine Cellar in Metairie to order the four wines for pick-up. Their number is 504-896-7300.
Fitness Fusion Class | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom link will be provided once you register | Register here and first class is free
Like a gumbo pot, health and wellness company Footprints To Fitness created their master Fitness Fusion class to provide something for everyone… a true fusion of an intensive workout with a whole lot of New Orleans culture. More than just a workout, it’s an experience that combines yoga, pilates, strength training, weight training, cardio, and barre ALL IN ONE CLASS! This class will be live streamed on Zoom. Register on their website to receive a custom link to join. The first class is free & registration is also available on ClassPass. Footprints to Fitness have Zoom classes offered every day of the week, so give their schedule a look.
Chocolate & Cheese Pairing | 7 p.m. | Zoom link will be sent the morning of the event (after you’ve registered) | $50 for 1; $85 for 2
Move out of the way, peanut butter and jelly! St. James Cheese Company and Piety & Desire Chocolates are determined to show you that cheese and chocolate are the partners of the future. During this 60 – 75 minute class, each cheese will be paired with an accompanying chocolate while experts from both stores discuss the pairing and answer your questions.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Online Uplifting Uptown Flow Yoga | 7 a.m. | YouTube Live link will be sent out after Eventbrite registration | Donations accepted during Eventbrite registration
NOLA Tribe Yoga is providing one of the most beautiful opportunities to practice yoga in New Orleans. Every Friday at 7 a.m., they’ll lead a class for all levels set at the Audubon Park bandstand. Registration closes 20 minutes prior to class time so register now!
Meditation for the HEART | 10 a.m. | Facebook Live | Free
Heart N Hands is a great nonprofit focused on heart health and heart disease prevention, so definitely check them out. This week, they’re hosting a 15-minute evening meditation session with Stephanie Osborne of Meditate New Orleans.
NOLA Chorus Girls Online Session | 4 p.m. | Website | $55
Women of all dancing ability levels are encouraged to join the NOLA Chorus Girls for this set of four dance classes and group video. You can learn more by checking out this information page. This is also where you can register. All registered participants will be sent a dance to learn over four weeks (with instruction). You’ll have the option to record yourself performing the dance and sending it in to be added to a full group final dance video.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Livestream | 6:30 p.m. | Facebook Live | Free
A weekly interactive Facebook live stream from New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, hosted by Nick Spitzer of American Routes.
Samantha Pearl’s 360-degree Virtual Reality Birthday Concert | 7 p.m. | Musae | Pay What You Can
Want to watch a concert from your living room in Virtual Reality? Now that’s very possible! New Orleans musician Samantha Pearl is playing a concert on her own birthday and Musae is working with the House of Blues to make it a 360-degree experience. You can join on any standard device (phone, tablet, computer), but if you buy a ticket for more than $25 before June 10th, Musae will send you a VR headset for free! After that, the headset will cost you just $8 with your ticket purchase.
View this post on Instagram
Mannie Fresh | 7 p.m. | Facebook, Instagram or Twitch | Free, but gift cards to support The Maison and its staff can be purchased here.
Famous local DJ, Mannie Fresh hosts a popular DJ set (more than 10,000 viewers!) called “Virus-Killaz” each Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Click on the links above at showtime to watch the show on Facebook, Instagram or Twitch.
Film Fest → The Passion of Joan of Arc | 8 p.m. | Zoom | Free
Each Friday evening through June 19, the Joan of Arc Project (the group that puts on the Joan of Arc parade on Twelfth Night) is hosting a Zoom discussion group about a different Joan of Arc-focused movie. This week you’re invited to a discussion about a 1928 French silent film about our hero that is widely considered a landmark in cinematic history. Learn how to watch the film here, then join the discussion on Friday with the Zoom link, above. Here’s more information about the festival, as well as a full listing of the movies being discussed.
Ellis Marsalis Tribute Night | 8 p.m. | Facebook | Free
Every week Snug Harbor hosts a tribute show to the recently departed New Orleans music legend, Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Swing by their Facebook page at approximately 8 p.m. and they’ll post the link to what’s become a very popular series of shows.
———————————
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.
