It's a Great Weekend to Eat Local, Slurp Some Oysters, Enjoy a Hurricane, and Party on the Lake!

Happy Weekend Everybody!!

Friday Fun!

Tonight - is the kick-off party for the 2013 New Orleans Eat Local Challenge from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Downtown Rouse's on Baronne!  Come sign up for the eat local challenge or pick up registration packets and enjoy local foods and local ingredient cocktails.  The party is on Rouses’ Rooftop Gardens of their downtown store, and it's a celebration of NOLA Locavores’ Eat Local Challenge! Get excited for a month of reducing the distance between you and your food while learning about the environmental, health, and economic benefits of eating locally sourced foods!
*Chefs Jack Treuting, Alex Harrell of Sylvain, Nathaniel Zimet of Boucherie, and Jeff Mattia of the American Sector will be working together to create an all Louisiana local ingredient feast. Dishes include Duck and Andouille Gumbo, and Duck Fried Rice. Ingredients were sourced from Hoffstadt Farms, Liuzza Produce Farm, Covey Rise and Jazzmen Rice. Cocktails will be served by Old New Orleans Rum, Donner Peltier Distillers and Atelier Vie. Wines will be provided by Pontchartrain Vineyards and Becnel Vineyards.

Saturday Fun!

Freret Market! Start your weekend off at the Freret Street Market (corner of Freret and Napoleon) for more than 90 vendors with loads of food, produce, art, collectibles, pet adoptions, music and appearances by the Big Easy Roller Girls.  The market runs from noon to 5:00 pm and musical performances include - Honeypots at Noon, John Mooney at 1:45 pm and Tin Men at 3:30 pm!  For more info visit www.freretmarket.org

Hurricane Party! Time to head down to Pat O's for and drink your cares away! June 1st marks the first day of the 2013 Hurricane Season, and to commemorate, Pat O’Brien’s (718 St. Peter) will hold their annual Hurricane Season Kick-Off Partry from from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They'll be serving up half-priced Hurricanes - Come on down for the fun!

Parade! If you're hanging out in Mid-City this evening, be sure to be on the look out for the Krewe of Palmyra and they presents the “Palmyra Gets Lei'd”!!  All Hail -King Palmyra VIII – Lee Mullikin, Queen Palmyra – Gina Christina and Big Kahuna – Norton Hirsch. The Caravan de Baucherry (aka parade) starts at Palmyra and S. Bernadotte St. at 4:00 pm with legendary brass band Egg Yolk Jubilee!!

Weekend Festivals!

It's oyster time and there's no better place to appreciate this beautiful delicacy then the Oyster Festival

at Woldenberg Park!!  There's going to be amazing food, a stellar line-up of music and of course oyster shucking and eating contests - fun!  Don’t miss out on the contests.  Acme Oyster House sponsors the Oyster Eating Contest, whose winner last year slurped up 47 dozen raw oysters, and P&J Oysters sponsors the Shucking Contest, which pits local restaurant shuckers in a test of their skills. In addition, the New Orleans Fish House sponsors the Largest Oyster Contest, as judged by the oyster’s length, width and weight.

Check out the Oyster Fest music schedule below, and click here for all the festival events and food listings.

Saturday, June 1st

10:30 – 11:45 a.m. The Stooges Brass Band
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. P&J Shucking Contest
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. The Mulligan Brothers
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Rose Falcon
5:15 – 6:30 p.m. Joe Nichols

Sunday, June 2nd

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Zion Harmonizers
11:45 – 1:00 p.m. Acme Oyster House® Oyster Eating Contest
1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Brass-A-Holics
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. The Revivalists
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. The Gin Blossoms

This weekend is also the 24th Annual - Back to the Beach Festival - the Lake Pontchartain Basin Foundation's signature event - will be held Saturday 3:30 pm to 11:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm in Kenner's Laketown (where Williams Boulevard meets the Lake). The two-day Festival has something for everyone: a family atmosphere with New Orleans' best live music, out-of-this-world food from local caterers, arts & crafts vendors, and lots of children's activities. It all kicks off with a Run/Walk on Saturday evening, and the weekend is jam-packed with a Bikes at the Beach motorcycle rally, a Car Show, Fishing Rodeo and much more - all while helping to Save Our Lake & Coast!   For more info click: www.saveourlake.org
*Tickets - Adults: $10, Students with ID: $8, Children (12 & under): $4
*Parking will be available on the festival grounds for $5 per vehicle

Saturday

Groovy 7 - 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
The Yat Pack - 5:05 pm - 6:15 pm
Contraflow - 6:35 pm - 7:45 pm
Supercharger - 8:05 pm - 9:20 pm
Chee Weez - 9:40 pm - 11:00 pm

Sunday

Bobby Cure & the Summertime Blues - 11:45 AM - 1:10 PM
The Wiseguys - 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
The Boogie Men - 3:25 PM - 4:55 PM
Bucktown All-Stars - 5:20 PM - 6:50 PM
The Top Cats - 7:15 PM - 8:45 PM

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!!



www.gratisnola.com

Weekend w/a Market, a Parade, Artmoor & Festin'!

Happy Weekend - so much to do!

Market Fun!

Start your weekend off at the Freret Street Market (corner of Freret and Napoleon) for more than 90 vendors with loads of food, produce, art, collectibles, pet adoptions, music and appearances by the Big Easy Roller Girls.  The market runs from noon to 5:00 pm and musical performances include - Washboard Chaz Blues Trio at Noon, Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives at 1:45 pm and Los Po-Boy-Citos at 3:30 pm!  For more info visit www.freretmarket.org

Special Event!

Come celebrate everything Broadmoor this weekend with "Artmoor"; the gala celebrating the first of a series of a monthly rotating art exhibitions at the new Broadmoor Community Center (part of the new Rosa Keller Library). Located at the corner of Fountainbleu and Napolean Aves. (4300 South Broad St.)   All art will be for sale and a portion of the proceeds will support future art exhibits.
*Featured artists include:  Kim Welsh, David Bourg, Natalie Hutzler, Judy DiGeorge, Claudia "Mardi Claw" Gehrke, Matthew Peck, Kimberly Edwards, Crystal Shelton, Miki Glasser, Miriam Waterman, Louis and Elly Maistros and Maggie Mae.
*Musical entertainment graciously provided by Amasa and Ayla Miller, Margie Perez, Bouba Sissoko, Lusher Charter School musical theater students, plus more!  Join us in this celebration of the art, culture and beauty of this unique neighborhood and wondrous city!

And don't forget the WYES - International Beer Tasting tonight - check out yesterday's blog for all the info!

Parade!

If you're hanging out in Mid-City this evening, be sure to be on the look out for the Krewe of Palmyra and they presents the “Palmyra Sunsplash”!!  All Hail -King Palmyra VII – Jim Cripps, Queen Palmyra – Liz Fredrickson and Grand Ganja – Larry Kantlehner. The Caravan de Baucherry (aka parade) starts at
Palmyra and S. Bernadotte St. at 5:00 pm with legendary brass band Egg Yolk Jubilee!!

Festivals and Music!

It's oyster time and there's no better place to appreciate this beautiful delicacy then the Oyster Festival at Woldenberg Park!!  There's going to be amazing food, a stellar line-up of music and of course oyster shucking and eating contests - fun!  Check out the schedule of oyster excitement below, and click the link for all the festival fun! www.neworleansoysterfestival.org

Saturday June 2nd
Treme Brass Band - 1:00pm till 2:15pm
P&J Oyster Shucking Contest - 2:30pm till 3:15pm
Rockin' Dopsie - 3:30pm till 5:00pm
Benjy Davis Project - 5:30pm till 7:00pm
Wet Willie - 7:30pm till 9:00pm

Sunday June 3rd
Zion-Harmonizers - 2:30pm till 1:30pm
Acme Oyster House Oyster Eating Contest - 1:45pm till 3:00pm
Kermit Ruffins - 3:15pm till 4:30pm
Bonerama - 5:00pm till 6:15pm
Irma Thomas - 6:45pm till 8:00pm

Take a break from the oysters and head on over to the the Louisiana Music Factory (210 Decatur).  They've got a full afternoon of concerts!
In the Country at 2:00 pm
Mario Abney at 3:00 pm
The Limit at 4:00 pm
Chip Wilson at 5:00 pm
While you're there be sure to pick-up your Dad the gift of music for Father's Day!!

This weekend is also the 23rd Annual - Back to the Beach Festival - the Lake Pontchartain Basin Foundation's signature event - will be held today 3:30 pm to 11:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm in Kenner's Laketown (where Williams Boulevard meets the Lake). The two-day Festival has something for everyone: a family atmosphere with New Orleans' best live music, out-of-this-world food from local caterers, arts & crafts vendors, and lots of children's activities. It all kicks off with a Run/Walk on Saturday evening, and the weekend is jam-packed with a Bikes at the Beach motorcycle rally, a Car Show, Fishing Rodeo and much more - all while helping to Save Our Lake & Coast!   For more info click: www.saveourlake.org
*Tickets - Adults: $10, Students with ID: $8, Children (12 & under): $4
*Parking will be available on the festival grounds for $5 per vehicle

Saturday

Gal Holiday - 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Vivaz - 5:05 pm - 6:15 pm
Contraflow - 6:35 pm - 7:45 pm
Louisiana's LeRoux - 8:05 pm - 9:20 pm
Chee Weez - 9:40 pm - 11:00 pm

Sunday

Bobby Cure & the Summertime Blues - 11:45 AM - 1:10 PM
The Wiseguys - 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
The Boogie Men - 3:25 PM - 4:55 PM
Bucktown All-Stars - 5:20 PM - 6:50 PM
The Topcats - 7:15 PM - 8:45 PM

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!!



www.gratisnola.com

Sunday Oyster Madness and More!!

Round off your weekend...with lots of good stuff to do and eat!!

It's the second day for New Orleans Oyster Festival with great Louisiana music, a cultural oyster tent, the finest local cuisine, and competitions for oyster shucking and the largest oyster. The "Acme Oyster House, World Oyster Eating Competition" will celebrate the 100 Anniversary of the revered New Orleans institution. Weekend performances on the Event's Stage include the James Andrews Band at 11:45a.m.-12:45p.m., Acme Oyster Eating Contests at1:00p.m.-1:45p.m., Big Sam's Funky Nation at 2:00p.m.-3:30p.m., Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters at 4:00p.m.-5:30p.m., Irma Thomas at 6:00p.m. -7:30p.m. Be sure to click on the above link for complete details!

Today is the Familia, Salud Y Vida Health and Wellness Festival at St. Anna's Episcopal Church. today from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. The Festival will promote healthy lifestyle choices and celebrate the culture and diversity of our city. Free services include blood pressure and diabetes screenings, HIV testing, acupuncture and massage, hurricane preparation, food stamps and Medicaid information and much much more! Entertainment for the Festival will feature live music by Ovi-g and the Froggies, dance and drumming by Grupo Garífuna Renovación 6, Capoeira demonstrations by Grupo Maculelé, performances by Ballet Foklórica Nicaragüense Cosmapa, and a special presentation by Jose Torres-Tama. The Festival will also offer fresh homemade food and drink from various Latin American countries and a chance to win one of our fabulous raffle gift baskets. It's going to be a fun and festive afternoon!!!

It's the last day for Back to the Beach (where Williams meets the Lake)...There's gonna be more food, fun and music today...check out today's line-up! Gates open at 10:00 and Booby Cure & the Summertime Blues start things up at 11:45, then Vieux Carre' at 1:30 PM, The Wise Guys at 3:25 PM, The Boogie Men at 5:20 PM - 6:50 PM and Topcats finish off the fest at 7:15 PM....Go out and support our Lake and our Coast!!

For more fun going on be sure to check out the WWOZ Livewire...Have a fun Sunday!!

Oyster Lovin' Saturday and More!!

It's another fun Saturday in New Orleans..so go out there enjoy!!!!

It's time for the first annual New Orleans Oyster Festival with great Louisiana music, a cultural oyster tent, the finest local cuisine, and competitions for oyster shucking and the largest oyster. The "Acme Oyster House, World Oyster Eating Competition" will celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of the revered New Orleans institution. Weekend performances on the Event's Stage include:

• Treme Brass Band - 11:45a.m.-12:45p.m.
• Oyster Shucking Contest - 1:00p.m. - 1:45p.m.
• Bucktown All-Stars - 2:00p.m. - 3:30p.m.
• Bag of Donuts - 4:00p.m. - 5:30p.m.
• John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours - 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.
• Be sure to click on the above link for complete details!

It's the monthly  Freret Market (corner of Freret and Napoleon) today...where you can get beautiful crafts, yummy food, hear some great music and even adopt a new forever pet friend....So come on out for Debauche at Noon, Lagniappe Brass Band at 1:45, Louisiana Hellbenders at 3:30...You'll never know what good stuff you'll find at the market!

Don't forget it's the second day at Back to the Beach (where Williams meets the Lake)...There's gonna be more food, fun and music today...check out today's line-up!  Gates open at 2:45 and the music starts up at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM with Christian Serpas &amp, Ghost Town, 4:20 PM The Revivalists, 6:00 PM Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers, 7:35 PM Contraflow and 9:30 PM Chee Weez ...Go out and support our Lake and our Coast!!

Tonight is the WYES International Beer Tasting....this a great one for all you beer lovers out there...You will be in beer heaven!!  Sample over 200 beers, ales, lagers and more....This event is at the UNO Lakefront Arena and goes from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  Tickets are $30 for groups of for seniors and groups of six or more, $35 for individual and $45 at the door...you really can't miss this beer event!

For more fun going on be sure to check out the WWOZ Livewire...Have a fun Saturday!!

Back to the Beach and Beer!!

Happy Friday Everybody,

How come when you have a shortened week it always seems to go sooooo much slower?  Well it's the weekend now so, let's see what's happenin' this Friday night!

Friday Events 

It's a beer lover's dream.....and it's well worth the money (and it's for a great cause)!  Join WYES at the New Orleans Fairgrounds (1751 Gentilly Blvd.) to enjoy a relaxed evening of beer tasting with a limited number of guests during the WYES Private Beer Sampling.  In honor of the craft of American and European brewers, this event will feature the hardest to find craft brewed beers, specially made cask and home brewed beers, as well as special one-off beers from local breweries. Guests will be able to talk one-on-one with brewers, home brewers, and other beer industry members, as well as talk amongst fellow beer connoisseurs. Tasting tickets are $50 which also includes lip-smacking food by Crescent Pie and Sausage. Tickets to Friday's event can only be purchased by calling (504) 486-5511.

It's time to go Back to the Beach (in Kenner where Williams meets the Lake), have some great food, listen to some amazing music, and help to Save Our Lake and Our Coast!! Gates open up at 6:00 pm and tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students with ID, and $4 for kids under 12.  Here's the fun line-up of music for tonight!!  6:15 to 7:30 pm Bucktown Allstars, 7:50 to 9:15 pm Mixed Nuts, 9:35 to 11:00 pm Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters...Go enjoy the Lake!

Friday Music 

It's Friday night, so you know there's gonna be good music going on this evening....

Allways Lounge (2240 St. Claude Ave.)  - Hot Stuff! with Becky Allen, Chris Wecklein and Harry Mayronne at 8:00 pm.

Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen Street) - Mykia Jovan and Jason Butler at 8:00 pm, and Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers at 11:00 pm.

Three Muses (536 Frenchmen St.) - Raphael Bas at 7:00 PM, and Glen David Andrews at 10:00 pm.

Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill (437 Esplanade Avenue) - Jerry Jumonville at 4:00 PM , Alex Bossworth at 7:00 PM, and Fredy Omar con su Banda at 10:30 pm.

Alright, that should get you going this evening...for more fun stuff be sure to check out the WWOZ Livewire link!!  And don't forget about the Oyster Fest starting tomorrow and going all weekend in the Quarter by the Jax Brewery...we're talking loads of yummy oysters and great music...stay tuned!!