1) New Orleans Oyster Festival is happening Saturday and Sunday at Woldenberg Riverfront Park. In addition to many delicious oyster-based dishes, the festival will host sets from Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Treme Brass Band, Sweet Crude, Bag of Donuts, and more. This festival aims to educate the country about the benefits of the Louisiana Gulf Oyster, honor and celebrate the restauranteurs and oyster farmers who have solidified the New Orleans French Quarter's position as the "Oyster Capital of America," and help raise funds for coastal restoration.

2) Free concert time! Coming up this week: Gravy and Darcy Malone & The Tangle at Tipitina's Free Fridays concert series, and another set from Darcy Malone & the Tangle at Jazz in the Park on Thursday, June 7 from 4-8p. Find more on our Livewire Music Calendar. 

3) The opening reception of the New Orleans New Orleans Arts & Culture Coalition's (NOACC) African Heritage of New Orleans: 300 Years in the Making Exhibition is happening Friday, June 1 from 6-7:30p. NOACC is a collective of local arts, education, and cultural nonprofit organizations that serve as a coordinated voice for the recognition and promotion of civil and human rights, history, and culture in New Orleans. For its inaugural project, NOACC introduces African Heritage of New Orleans: 300 Years in the Making - a citywide exhibition which interprets significant historical and contemporary occurrences and sites associated with the people of African descent in New Orleans. Free and open to the public.

4) Birdfood Festival continues this Friday and Saturday. Recognized for its fresh approach and "youthful, rule-bending style," the Birdfoot Festival brings artists and audiences together to make and experience dynamic live chamber music. Birdfoot’s engaging performances connect the timeless themes of classic masterpieces with contemporary sounds, creating unforgettable musical journeys. Celebrating its seventh season, Birdfoot presented over twenty concerts and events last year, drawing artists and audiences from around the world.

5) The big lake at City Park is hosting a Rubber Duck Derby on Saturday, June 2. 20,000 ducks will race to be one of the first to cross the finish line. This cheerful event is a fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank. Patrons can sponsor a duck, and if yours is one of the first ten to cross the finish line, you're a winner! Grand prize of $5,000. Derby starts at 4p, but festivities start at 2p with face painting, steel drum music, photo station, snowballs, and a celebripig, Hank.