Upcoming Community Events in the New Orleans Area

If you would like to add a community event to this page, please leave a comment below. We reserve the right to edit your listing, and we will remove it after the event has passed. We prefer submissions at around 150 words in length. Please do not post over 200 words in your submission, and no posts in all capital letters (or long series of capital letters).

Call for Nominations for Youth Advisory Board

Operation REACH is seeking energetic middle and high school youth from the greater New Orleans area who are looking to make a difference in the community. The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund is a youth philanthropy initiative that engages youth as leaders and empowers them with the resources to make strategic investments in their peers and communities. The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund is a program of Operation REACH, Inc., a local community education resource that engages, empowers, and inspires children, youth and families through informal learning. To nominate a young person in your community, email awilson@thegyac.org or call (504) 529-1922 today.

Seminar: "The Jazz Culture of New Orleans"

Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11

You're invited to attend a seminar on jazz culture presented by Dillard University and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation's Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series. The seminar will take place at Stern Hall Auditorium at Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday and from 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The program includes a screening of Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans, panel discussions, lectures and a jam session with Edward Anderson, Jesse McBride, Sasha Masakowski, drummer Herlin Riley and other top jazz musicians. For the complete schedule of events, go to the Jazz & Heritage Foundation website. For more information, call Dillard University at (504) 816-4701, or the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. at (504) 558-6100.

Tsunami Dance Company Premieres "Street of Crocodiles"

Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11 at 8 p.m.

Three-time Big Easy Award-winning Tsunami Dance Company (TDC) will premiere "Street of Crocodiles" at Lupin Hall, NOCCA/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres Street in New Orleans. This unique concert is a modern dance and short film collaboration inspired by the 1934 novel by Bruno Schulz. TDC choreographers Kettye Voltz, Erin Healan, Jeffrey Gunshol, Tierney St. John and Michaela Cannon teamed with locally renowned artists Jeff Louvière and Vanessa Brown to create an innovative, edgy take on Schulz's imagery and philosophy. Tsunami has been described by audiences as intensely physical, visceral and accessible to the general public. For more information, please visit tsunamidance.com.

Michael P. Smith Memorial / Second Line Parade

Saturday, October 11 at 1:30 p.m.

A jazz second line with the Treme Brass Band will honor and celebrate the life of the great New Orleans photographer Michael P. Smith. It will be followed by a tribute at Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Avenue, from 3 to 7 p.m.

The second line will begin at Second Street and and Dryades Street in uptown New Orleans. From Second and Dryades, the parade will go down Danneel to Louisiana, stop at Carondelet & Louisiana, continue down Louisiana to Constance, down Constance to Marengo, Marengo to Annunciation, down Annunciation to Napoleon, and end up at Tipitina's.

Louisiana Music Factory In-Stores

Saturday, October 11 at 2 p.m.

Liese's Living Room celebrates the release of their new CD, Hope So . . . at the Louisiana Music Factory, 210 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. At 4 p.m., Armand St. Martin performs songs off of his new CD, Katrina Anthem. Shows are free and open to the public.

Old Tyme Shape Note / Sacred Harp Singing School

Saturday, October 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beginners, experienced singers and listeners are all welcome to the Northshore Shape Note Old Tyme Singing School & Singing at Mandeville City Hall, with a potluck lunch on the grounds. Singing master John Merritt will be traveling from Mississippi to teach and lead, and as usual, the first hour will be devoted to "Shape Note Singing from Scratch."

All Northshore Shape Note Singings are open to the public, totally inclusive and open to everyone of all ages and experience. There is no cost, and materials will be available for loan or purchase. The ONLY requirement is a love for music and a desire to sing (or listen!). For more information, go to www.lashapenote.org or call (985) 789-2932.

GNOICS Italian Festa

Saturday, October 11 at 11 a.m.

The Greater New Orleans Italian Cultural Society (GNOICS) is pleased to announce the New Orleans Italian Cultural and Heritage Festa at the Piazza d’Italia, on the corner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas Streets in downtown New Orleans. The GNOICS is reviving the tradition of a celebration in the piazza of Italian food, culture and fun. The Festa is all about New Orleans’ Italians and their contributions to music, history, food and the arts.

St. Peter Claver's Eighth Annual Jazz Extravaganza

Saturday, October 11 at 8 p.m.

St. Peter Claver Catholic School will host its 8th Annual Jazz Extravaganza: "Economy Hall Revisited" in the Saint Peter Claver Music Hall, located at 1020 Prieur Street. A VIP Reception is scheduled from 6:45 to 7:50 p.m. The theme of this year’s benefit is “Live at 1020 Rue Prieur.” A look back at the early days of jazz in the historic Tremé, the event will feature some of the best local jazz talent that New Orleans has to offer. The line-up includes vocalist Sharon Martin, violinist Michael Ward, trumpeter James “Satchmo of the Ghetto” Andrews, and alto saxophonist and singer Donald Harrison, Jr., and will feature the SPC Jazz Orchestra directed by Chris Severin. For ticket information, please call (504) 822-8059.

Prince of Wales Second Line

Sunday, October 12 at 1 p.m.

This Sunday, the Prince of Wales Lady Wales 80th Annual Second Line starts uptown at 1 p.m. at the Rock Bottom Lounge, 3801 Tchoupitoulas Street. The second line will proceed to LeRoux, the Sandpiper Lounge, Charles Wright's Watering Hole and Li'l Bruh's Hideaway before returning to the Rock Bottom.

Free Health Screenings at Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic

Sunday, October 12 to Tuesday, October 14 from 4 - 7 p.m.

Nurses from across the country will join together to offer free screenings at the Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic for "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Days," a free health clinic running three consecutive days for residents in the 9th Ward area. Flu vaccines will also be administered during the clinics, as well as education for heart disease prevention and diabetes control. For more information, see the Med-Ed Seminars website or call Lisa Allen at (800) 763-3332.

Pieux Redux: A Series of Historic Fence Workshops

Sundays, October 12 & 19 from 1 - 3 p.m.

Louisiana Landmarks Society celebrates traditional folk crafts at the Pitot House Museum, a 1799 Creole country residence located at 1440 Moss Street on the banks of Bayou St. John.

The workshops will cover:
October 12: Limewash Applications on Wood Plaster
October 19: Cypress Splitting for Pieux Production

You are encouraged to wear painting attire. A $10 workshop fee includes all supplies needed to join in the whitewashing fun, tours of the Pitot House and its special exhibits, old fashioned refreshments and music! For info & to pre-register, call (504) 482-0312 or email smcclamroch@louisianalandmarks.org.

LadyFest New Orleans 2008

 

Wednesday, October 15 through Sunday, October 19

The local version of the international woman's festival that happens in several cities around the world, LadyFest New Orleans is a music, poetry, film and arts festival organized by local women to showcase, celebrate and support the arts and activism of women in New Orleans. Open to men and women of all ages and backgrounds, the festival will be held in four different venues around town over four days in October.

Wednesday, October 15 at 6 p.m.

St. Anna's Church will host a gathering of musicians, poets, and visual artists at 1313 Esplanade Avenue, with poetry by Andy Young and Madeline Vann and music by Gina Forsyth and Doreen Ketchens.

Thursday, October 16 at 6 p.m.

New Orleans poet laureate Lee Grue, Charmaine Neville, The Pfister Sisters and more perform at the Musician's Union Hall, 2401 Esplanade Avenue.

Friday, October 17 at 6 p.m.

Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club, 1931 St. Claude Avenue,  features poetry by Valentine Pierce, Sunni Patterson, Roselyn Lionheart and Omaira Falcon, and music by Betty Shirley, Margie Perez and WWOZ's own Olivia Greene, among others.

Saturday, October 18 at 6 p.m.

The ladies will bring it to the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, at 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. in Central City. Highlights include poetry by Kay Murphy, Gina Ferrara and Alex Mercedes and music by Topsy Chapman, Hazel & the Delta Ramblers (WWOZ's own!), Anais St. John and Mo'lasses.

Sunday, October 19 at 4 p.m.

The festival wraps up on Sunday, October 19 at 3 Ring Circus' Big Top at 1638 Clio Street with poet Elizabeth García, The Pinettes Brass Band, Zion Trinity, Susan Cowsill, Patrice Fisher and more. 

Conflict Resolution Day 2008

Thursday, October 16

The City Council has proclaimed October 16, 2008 Conflict Resolution Day in New Orleans (in keeping with the day that is recognized around the country and internationally, the third Thursday of each October). We are encouraging everyone in the community — schools, agencies, organizations and individuals — to celebrate the day by hosting an event, honoring a person who contributes to the non-violent resolution of conflict in the community, or just raising awareness of the importance of learning constructive ways to solve problems with peace and with justice.

Community Mediation Services and Mediators Beyond Borders will sponsor a free workshop on Conflict Resolution Day for anyone in the community to attend. The workshop is called "How to Get What You Want Through Effective Communication," and will be held at the Ashé Cultural Center. The groups also have lots of information and ideas to help other organizations decide how to recognize the day.

Bad To the Bone: Rescued on the Runway

Thursday, October 16 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Join Hurwitz Mintz and Petcetera at Republic New Orleans at their canine / human fashion show. All doggie models are available for adoption and hope to be rescued on the runway. Admission is $25 for humans and $15 for dogs (dogs must RSVP). All event proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Louisiana to aid in their battle against animal cruelty. There will also be a Human / Dog Pair Costume Contest with celebrity judges Josh Danzig (Where Y'at), Margaret Orr (WDSU) and Roop Raj (WDSU). Only 150 tickets are left for purchase at Petcetera, 3205 Magazine Street. Call (504) 269-8711 or email store@petceteraneworleans.com for more information.

NOVAC Presents the Louisiana Shorts Fest

Friday, October 17 to Saturday, October 18

The New Orleans Video Access Center presents the 18th annual Louisiana Shorts Fest. This year's festival will showcase media projects and programs for young people in Louisiana and will be a resource for information about career opportunities in film and video production. Arts educators and administrators, current and aspiring young media makers, and the general public are encouraged to attend. Along with screenings, the LSF will include a workshop and panel discussion for young people on the topic of careers in media. The 2008 Louisiana Shorts Fest is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Louisiana Humanities Center at 938 Lafayette Street. For more information about the festival, contact Isabel Theriot at (504) 940-5780 or email isabel@novacvideo.org.

Booksigning for The Johnny Adams Story

Saturday, October 18 at 2 p.m.

Mrs. Judy Adams, widow of the late, great Johnny Adams, will sign copies of her new brand-new book, The Johnny Adams Story, a loving memoir of her life with of one of the finest singers of the 20th century. The signing will take place at Louisiana Music Factory's retail tent at the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival in Lafayette Square Park. Admission is free and open to the public.

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

Saturday, October 18 to Sunday, October 19 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents its third annual celebration of the blues, featuring many of the top performers from southern Louisiana and Mississippi, plus delicious food and unique visual art. Highlights include performances by David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Little Freddie King, Kenny Neal, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm, and WWOZ's own Marc Stone. The festival takes place in Lafayette Square Park, at Lafayette Street and St. Charles Avenue. For a full schedule, see the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation website.

Animal Health Fair at Delgado

Saturday, October 18 from 1 - 3 p.m.

The Delgado Community College Office of Institutional Advancement and Veterinary Technology Program are joining forces with the Louisiana SPCA's Care Cadet program and a host of regional pet-focused businesses and agencies to present an Animal Health Fair at Delgado's City Park Campus, located at 615 City Park Avenue.

Admission is free and open to the public. Friendly, well-behaved and leashed pets who are up-to-date on all immunizations are also welcome.

The Animal Health Fair celebrates National Veterinary Technician Week with a variety of pet-centric offerings including dog baths, pedicures and ear cleaning; pet Halloween photos; K9 Halloween costume contest; adoptable dogs from local animal rescue organizations; information and exhibits from pet health and care businesses; on-site American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen testing; and first-hand information from Delgado's Veterinary Technology Program directors and students about how to pursue an exciting and rewarding career as a registered veterinary technician.

Home Movie Day New Orleans

Saturday, October 18 from 2 - 6 p.m.

Home Movie Day is a celebration of amateur films and filmmaking held annually at many local venues worldwide. It provides the opportunity for individuals and families to see and share their own home movies with an audience of their community, and to see their neighbors' in turn. It's a chance to discover why we care about these films and to learn how preserve them.

Home Movie Day is free and open to the public. Bring your old home movies, found home movies, and your own creations on film, video or DVD to the Zeitgeist Multi-disciplinary Arts Center to participate in the group screening. We would prefer you drop your film off ahead of time to be included. Please contact Brenda Flora for further information.

Halloween Night Party & Anba Dlo Festival

Friday, October 31

On the eve of the Prospect 1 Arts Festival Biennial, a spectacular Halloween night festival will take place at the corner of St. Roch and St. Claude. The architectural plans for the New Orleans Healing Center, a multi-faceted community-based arts center, will be unveiled at the party on Halloween night.

Anba Dlo translates as “from under the waters,” and refers to the place where departed souls dwell and from whence they are called on All Hallow’s Eve. This evening has been specially named as a call to New Orleanians and our city’s Prospect 1 visitors to come join in the celebration of our cultural rebirth.

Anba Dlo Festival Schedule:

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.: The New Orleans Hope and Heritage Film Festival
Screening of film shorts and panel discussion

6 p.m.: The St. Claude Collection Opening
Features works from 50 of New Orleans’ best artists.

7 p.m. – midnight: Live music outdoors and Radical Faerie parade wends its way and merges with other neighborhood costume parades, and dancers, into the live music extravaganza.

7 p.m. - 2 a.m.: DJ Tom Harvey spins in the interior dance room.

Festival admission is $10 with an open bar, and it takes place at 2372 St. Claude Avenue, at the Universal Furniture building — future home of the New Orleans Healing Center. For more information, visit the New Orleans Healing Center website, email info@neworleanshealingcenter.org or call (504) 948-9961.

Reel Identities LGBT Film Festival

Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16

The LGBT Community Center of New Orleans presents its fifth annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film festival. The festival features three days of film screenings at the Contemporary Arts Center, located at 900 Camp Street in the Warehouse District.

See the Reel Identities Film Festival website for more information.

The Upper 9th Ward Farmers Market / Bywater Market

Every Saturday

The market takes place every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Holy Angel Convent’s parking lot at 3500 St. Claude Avenue. For more information or to participate as a food vendor, call Margery at (504) 343-3505 or the market office at (504) 482-5722. Good health begins with good food.

The market offers free Yoga classes from noon to 1 p.m. inside the Chapel. “We are excited to be the oldest of the ‘new’ markets to open after Katrina,” said the market manager. “We are here to serve the Marigny/Bywater Community along with the surrounding areas,” Margery added.

See an archive of recent previous community events

If you would like to add a community event to this page, please leave a comment below. We reserve the right to edit your listing, and we will remove it after the event has passed. We prefer submissions at around 150 words in length. Please do not post over 200 words in your submission, and no posts in all capital letters (or long series of capital letters).