What a Weekend in NOLA - Free Donuts, Wine, Festivals, Naked Bikes, Celebrating with Mr. Okra and Art!

 Happy Weekend!  Lots of good stuff going on around town!

Friday Fun!

FREE DONUTS!!

Celebrate one of the sweetest days of the year by commemorating National Doughnut Day with a one-of-a-kind complimentary treat from Krispy Kreme®. Stop in to any participating Krispy Kreme US shops for a FREE doughnut of any variety.
Where: Krispy Kreme in Metairie and Marrero: 825 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70001 and 4808 Lapalco Boulevard Marrero, LA 70072
Who: Everyone!
How: Just show up! The offer is good for one free doughnut of any variety per customer on Friday, June 7 only. Visit for store locations.
Cost: Free! No purchase necessary!

Wine Tastings! 

It's the weekly wine tasting over at Pearl Wine Company (Orleans at Moss St.) - from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  Come out and sample some fantastic wines!

And you can double your wine tasting fun! Check out Swirl located on Ponce de Leon right off Esplanade and enjoy a FREE wine tasting at 6:00 pm. Once you've tasted one of their excellent choices you'll be sure to be buy a bottle!

More Weekend Fun!

Quarter Festin'!

Festival season ain't over yet!  We got two big events in the Quarter this weekend! It's Cajun - Zydeco Fest at the The Old U.S. Mint (400 Esplanade) - Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm - Admission is free! 

The Cajun - Zydeco Fest features two stages of music, more than a dozen food vendors and a large crafts fair - all in the historic French Quarter - the event has become one of the major attractions of New Orleans' social calendar.  Check out the music schedule and click on the link for more food and fun fest info!  http://www.jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco

Saturday, June 8

Esplanade Avenue Stage

11:30 am to 1:00 pm Mary Broussard & Sweet La La
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm T-Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Rosie Ledet

Barracks Street Stage

11:00 am to 12:30 pm Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Les Freres Michot
3:15 pm to 4:45 pm Bruce Daigrepont
5:15 pm to 6:45 pm Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band

Sunday, June 9

Esplanade Avenue Stage

11:30 am to 1:00 pm Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic
1:15 pm to 2:45 pm Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Sunpie & the La. Sunspots

Barracks Street Stage

11:00 am to 12:30 pm Li'l Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers
3:15 pm to 4:45 pm Beausoleil
5:15 pm to 6:45 pm Lost Bayou Ramblers

COOL! INTERVIEW STAGE
The National Park Service and the Louisiana State Museum are providing access to the beautiful new theater on the Third Floor of the Old U.S. Mint - where the Jazz and Heritage folks will present interviews with many of the performers. Audience members will hear first-hand how our artists learned their craft and carry on our culture. And it'll be a great place to get out of the heat and enjoy some cool air before heading back out for more dancing, eating and shopping. Interviews will be from noon to 5 p.m. both days of the festival.

Interview Stage Schedule:

Saturday

1:00 pm:  Dikki Du – interviewed by David Kunian
2:00 pm:  Mary Broussard & T-Broussard – interviewed by Bill deTurk
3:00 pm:  Les Freres Michot (Tommy Michot) – interviewed by Fred Kasten
4:00 pm:  The Babineaux Sisters – interviewed by Fred Kasten

Sunday

1:00 pm  Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes – interviewed by Fred Kasten
2:00 pm  Andre Thierry – interviewed by Fred Kasten
3:00 pm  Dwayne Dopsie – interviewed by Fred Kasten
4:00 pm  Lost Bayou Ramblers (Louis Michot) – interviewed by Fred Kasten

THE FRENCH MARKET'S 27TH ANNUAL CREOLE TOMATO FESTIVAL SATURDAY AND SUNDAY!

Creole Tomato Ursulines Street Stage

Saturday

10:30 am to 12:00 pm Jonno
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm The Babineaux Sisters
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm Ganey Arsement
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm Sean Ardoin

Sunday

10 a.m. Music Street Jazz Band
12 noon Red Hot Brass Band
1:15-2:00 Ashley Renay
2:15-3:15 p.m. Erica Falls
3:30-5:00 p.m. Gina Brown
5:15-6:00 p.m. Lagniappe Brass Band

FRESH CREOLE TOMATOES FOR SALE& COMPLIMENTARY TOMATOES W/ RETAIL PURCHASE

This year's Creole tomatoes will be provided by George's Produce, Ben & Ben Becnel, Inc., and La Greco Farms and will be for sale throughout the Farmers Market. Retail shoppers who spend $30 in French Market District stores receive a free basket of tomatoes while supplies last. Tomato samples will be offered throughout the Festival.

COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE FARMERS MARKET ALL WEEKEND

SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH

11 a.m. New Orleans School of Cooking
12 p.m. CREOLE TOMATO EATING CONTEST
1 p.m. Purloo
2 p.m. Muriel’s Jackson Square
3 p.m. Cafe B
4 p.m. Galvez Restaurant
5 p.m. J’ Seafood Dock

SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH

11 a.m. Nola Food & Truck Convi Collective
12 p.m. CREOLE TOMATO EATING CONTEST
1 p.m. Irish House
2 p.m. Cupcake Fairies
3 p.m. Cajun Cafe at the Market
4 p.m. French Market Produce
5 p.m. World Famous N’Awlins Cafe and Spice Emporium

For the whole Tomato Fest line-up of fun click here!

Saturday Night Fun in the Bywater

Swing by Mickey Markey Park for the start of the The Fourth Annual World Naked Bike Ride in New Orleans will take place today. The ride will start at 5:00pm from Mickey Markey Park (Piety and Royal Street)The riders will travel through the French Quarter passing Jackson Square and return to the park by way of Bourbon St. There will be an after party at the Country Club on Louisa St. Ride naked!

Party with Mr. Okra tonight at BJ's Lounge (4301 Burgundy St.). It's traveling produce man, Mr. Okra's, 70th birthday and the fun begins at 6:00 pm with music by Guitar Slim and delicious food from Sergio and family! Come wish him a happy day, and check out his veggie truck - if you've never seen it, you're truly missing a piece of rolling art!

Art Openings on St. Claude

If you're looking for some art openings this evening you don't have to go far. Check out these fine galleries in the St. Claude neighborhood - most opening receptions last from 6:00 to 9:00 pm (or a little later).

*Staple Goods - 1340 St. Roch
*Second Story Gallery - 2372  St. Claude
*Byrdie's Gallery - 2422A St. Claude
*Antenna - 3718 St. Claude
*Good Children's Gallery - 4037 St. Claude
*The Front - 4100 St. Claude

Alrighty, well that should keep you busy this weekend...If you're looking for more fun stuff to do...check out the WWOZ Livewire -  http://www.wwoz.org/new-orleans-community/music-calendar and tune in today (Friday!) from 11-2 pm for the Louisiana Music Party with my hubby Bill deTurk!!



www.gratisnola.com