FESTIVALS
JEAN LAFITTE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: May 30-June 1; Jean Lafitte Auditorium and Grounds, 4953 City Park Drive in Jean Lafitte. Louisiana food, a full weekend of live music, swamp tours, kayak rentals, carnival rides and an art walk. Swamp tours will also be offered. Children 12 and under are free. www.lafitteseafoodfest.com.
LGBTLOL: The 2025 Queer Comedy Fest brings queer-identifying comedians from around the country together May 29-June 1 at various locations in the city. Some events are free. Tickets start at $99 via Eventbrite. www.lgbtlol.com.
NOMA SPRING FESTIVAL: The New Orleans Museum of Art will hold the festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31 inspired by the special exhibition “New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations.” This event features live music, art-making activities, a photo preservation workshop and guided tours across the museum and Sculpture Garden. Admission is $5 members; $10 general; free for ages 19 and under. NOMA is at 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle in City Park in New Orleans. noma.org.
LOUISIANA CAJUN-ZYDECO FESTIVAL: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will present the festival honoring the musical heritage of southwestern Louisiana May 31 and June 1 outside at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans. Gates open at 2 p.m., with live music 3-8:30 p.m. Performers include T Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers and Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. Free. www.jazzandheritage.org.
MAKE IT IN OLD ALGIERS FESTIVAL: The free festival will be held 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 31 at the field at Harold Devore Playground, 1550 Teche St. The event will include live music, arts and crafts vendors. www.oldalgiersmainstreet.org.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SPRAY PARKS: The St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation has officially opened Ormond Spray Park and West Bank Spray Park. Through May, the parks will be open 1-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. As of May 28, summer operating hours will be 1-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. www.scpparksandrec.com.
SYMPHONY BOOK FAIR: The Symphony Book Fair will be held May 31-June 1 at the UNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave. in New Orleans. There are 50 categories of books, sheet music, framed and unframed art, CDs, DVDs, LPs and audiobooks. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with a $20 admission charge until 1 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with a children’s sale 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Participants can decorate a bag and fill it for $5. (504) 343-2226.
ORCHID SHOW AND SALE: The New Orleans Orchid Society will host its 73rd annual show and sale at Lakeside Mall, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, on May 30-June 1. Twenty exhibits and 11 vendors will be in attendance. Exhibits and sales are open to the public at no charge during regular mall hours. https://neworleansorchidsociety.org/.
SIP + DIP: Tickets for the Sip+Dip experience at Cool Zoo Waterpark at Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St. in New Orleans, are on sale. Sip+Dip events start May 30 and take place almost every Friday through August, 6:30-10 p.m. Each event has a different theme and gives grown-ups a chance to relax, enjoy live entertainment, and cruise down the lazy river at this 21+ takeover of the waterpark. Tickets start at $50. For details, see www.audubonzoo.com/sip.
ORCHID SHOW AND SALE: The New Orleans Orchid Society will host a show and sale, “Orchids Midst Marshes and Mosses,” at Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. at Causeway in Metairie, on May 30, 31 and June 1. The largest orchid show in the Deep South features more than 15 exhibits of blooming orchid plants from nine vendors from Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Sales will be open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday. www.neworleansorchidsociety.org.
CARD & COLLECTIBLE CONVENTION: The show featuring a wide variety of sports cards and memorabilia, including rare and hard-to-find items from dealers all across the country, will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 31 at the Caesars Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive in New Orleans. It will include live music and local cuisine. Tickets start at $15 via Ticketmaster.
STORM PREP 2025: Get prepared for hurricane season 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 31 in the parking lot at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Parkway in Metairie. Learn evacuation routes, emergency communication strategies and how to create a disaster preparedness kit. Local contractors will demonstrate how to prepare a home prior to a storm and navigate the aftermath. Free. Registration is requested: www.neworleanshomeshows.com/stormprep-2025.
WYES ANTIQUES SHOWCASE: Tickets are on sale for the WYES Antiques Showcase with New Orleans Auction Galleries, to be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 14 at WYES, 916 Navarre Ave. in New Orleans. Attendees can have items evaluated by antique experts and attend three antique-related presentations. Tickets are $45 for two items to be evaluated, $100 for front-of-line access with two evaluations, and $20 just to attend. wyes.org/events.
PELICAN GREENHOUSE PLANT SALE: Pelican Greenhouse will host a sale of annuals, perennials, tropicals, antique garden roses, succulents and houseplants on June 7, 8 a.m.-noon, at the greenhouse in City Park, 1 Palm Drive in New Orleans. neworleanscitypark.org.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EVENT: Jefferson Parish residents can dispose of a variety of items containing hazardous materials, such as mercury-containing thermometers, paint, lawn and garden products, household cleaning products and more on June 7, 9 a.m.-noon, in the parking lot of the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center, 2000 Segnette Blvd. in Westwego. See details at www.JeffParish.net.
CULTURE AND CONCERTS
WEDNESDAYS IN THE POINT: The 2025 season continues in May with music 6-7:30 p.m. at various locations in Algiers. Anais St. John will perform May 21 at The Little House, 640 Bouny St. The last concert, on May 28, features Rick Trolsen & Friends at Trolsen’s Porch at Triangle Park, 521 Bermuda St.
THURSDAYS AT TWILIGHT: City Park Conservancy hosts the musical series at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in the Botanical Garden, 1 Victory Ave. in City Park, New Orleans. Concerts are held indoors 6-8 p.m. on Thursday nights. On May 29, entertainment will be provided by Gal Holiday and The Honky Tonk Revue and Hot Dogs. Admission is $15. NewOrleansCityPark.org.
FREE COMMUNITY CONCERTS: Lyrica Baroque will mark its 10th anniversary with performances featuring the Amina Scott Quintet and a newly commissioned work by Grammy award-winning composer Alex Brown performed by Jaren Atherholt, Amina Scott and Oscar Rossignoli. The concert will be held at 6 p.m. May 28 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave., and at 7 p.m. May 29 at the Algiers Music and Artist Studio, 935 Teche St. Both events have a suggested donation of $25. lyricabaroque.com.
ARTIST TALK: Environmental photographer Ben Depp and historian Rien Fertel will lead a discussion on “Edge of Tomorrow” in celebration of the new exhibition at The Historic New Orleans Collection 2-4:30 p.m. on May 31 at Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St. in New Orleans. Attendees can walk to HNOC, 520 Royal, to view the exhibition, with a reception and light refreshments to follow. Free; registration is required. hnoc.org.
OPERA IN THE PIAZZA: Tickets are on sale for the American Italian Cultural Center’s annual event at 7 p.m. on June 7 in the Piazza d’Italia, 377 Poydras St. in New Orleans, featuring local and national opera stars singing opera, Broadway and song hits. Tickets start at $25. VIP tickets are available. aiccnola.org.
CHILDREN’S CONCERT: Johnette Downing will perform a free concert June 5, 11-11:45 a.m., at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Visitor’s Center, 916 N. Peters St. in New Orleans. www.johnettedowning.com.
NOCCA FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES: The free series celebrating NOCCA’s 50th anniversary continues in June with WWNO’s Lagniappe Sessions with Adonis Rose, featuring an opening performance by current NOCCA Jazz Students, on June 5, 2 p.m., and French horn soloist Maxwell S. Arceneaux on June 12, 2 p.m. Shows are held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Performance Center, 400 Esplanade Ave. in New Orleans. noccafoundation.org.
“THE EYES OF THE WORLD: FROM D-DAY TO VE DAY”: A multimedia experience from historian John Monsky, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and top Broadway stars, conducted by “Hamilton’s” Ian Weinberger, will take place June 6, 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way in New Orleans. It uses archival photos, film and words to capture the dramatic final months of World War II in Europe. Tickets start at $38 via Ticketmaster. lpomusic.com.
MOVIES
PRODUCER’S CHOICE FILM SERIES: The New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle in New Orleans, presents the series in collaboration with award-winning producer and filmmaker Meryl Poster, who selected films to screen, accompanied by a conversation with Poster and other leading figures. “Cinema Paradiso” will be shown at 7 p.m. May 28 in NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden. “The Wings of the Dove” will screen at 6 p.m. June 4 followed by a conversation with Poster and NOMA Director Susan M. Taylor. “Chocolat” will be shown at 6 p.m. June 11 with Poster and screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs speaking. Tickets are $15, $10 for NOMA members. noma.org/producerschoice.
TEEN MATINEE: The West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey, will screen “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the 2024 sequel to the 1988 Oscar-winning comedy hit, on June 7, 12:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public butFree; suggested for teens and older. www.jplibrary.net.
LAKESHORE MATINEE: Lakeshore Library, 1000 W. Esplanade Ave. in Metairie, will screen the 2011 animated film, “Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz,” on June 7, 2:30 p.m. Free. calendar.jplibrary.net.
KIDS’ FILM: The 1982 animated fantasy film “The Last Unicorn” will be screened for ages 8 and up at Rosedale Library, 4036 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson, on June 7 at 2 p.m. Free. calendar.jplibrary.net.
HITCHCOCK MATINEE: Westwego Library, 635 Fourth St. in Westwego, will show “Dial M for Murder” as part of its ongoing Hitchcock series on June 7, 2 p.m. Free. calendar.jplibrary.net.
BOOKS
“GEORGE VALENTINE DUREAU: LIFE AND ART IN NEW ORLEANS”: Author Howard Philips Smith will sign copies of his new publication from University Press of Mississippi 2-4 p.m. on May 28 at The Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal St. in New Orleans. Free. Later that day, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., Smith will discuss the life and work of George Dureau, in conversation with HNOC outreach historian Robert Ticknor. Free; registration required. hnoc.org.
“RAINBOW FLEUR DE LIS:” Author Frank Perez celebrates the release of his anthology of short essays, “Rainbow Fleur de Lis: Essays on Queer New Orleans History,” at 6 p.m. on May 29 at the Garden District Book Shop, 727 Prytania St. in New Orleans. Following readings from the book will be a Q&A and book signings. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com.
SUMMER READING KICK-OFF PARTY: Barnes and Noble, 3721 Veterans Blvd. in Metairie, will host a series of book signings on May 31. Children’s authors signing at 11 a.m. are Jeanette Weiland, Gary Alipio, and Mary Beth Broussard. At 1 p.m. are Margaret McCoy, Vernon Smith, Alexandra Navarre Davis, Cher Hunt, and Dennis Nguyen. The author signing at 3 p.m. is Abby Greenbaum Roniger. barnesandnoble.com.
ROSEY LEE BOOK SIGNING: Author Rosey Lee will personalize copies of her latest book, “A Gardin Wedding,” 2-3 p.m. on May 31 at Baldwin & Co., 1030 Elysian Fields Ave. in New Orleans. Tickets start at $20.94 via Eventbrite and include a copy of the book. www.baldwinandcobooks.com.
VAISHNAVI PATEL AND MAURICE CARLOS RUFFIN: Blue Cypress Books will host Vaishnavi Patel, author of “Ten Incarnations of Rebellion,” in conversation with author Maurice Carlos Ruffin on June 2, 6:30 p.m. at the bookstore, 8123 Oak St. in New Orleans. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Free. Tickets that include a signed bopy may be reserved via Eventbrite, starting at $32.
“PRESERVING THE LEGACY: CREATING THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM”: The National WWII Museum’s founding president and CEO emeritus, Nick Mueller, will discuss and sign copies of his book on June 5, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, 945 Magazine St. in New Orleans. Mueller will share behind-the-scenes stories about the founding and first 25 years of the institution’s history. www.nationalww2museum.org.
“FEAR NO PHAROAH”: Historian and journalist Richard Kreitner will discuss his new book on June 5, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, 818 Howard Ave. in New Orleans. Kreitner will be speaking with chair of the LSU history department, Aaron Sheehan-Dean, followed by a book signing. msje.org.
“SLAVERY AFTER SLAVERY”: Mary Frances Berry, history professor at the University of Pennsylvania, will discuss and sign copies of her book on June 5, 6-8 p.m., at Baldwin & Co., 1030 Elysian Fields Ave. in New Orleans. Free; admission with a signed book and admission to the meet-and-greet starts at $33.54 via Eventbrite. www.baldwinandcobooks.com.
“BAKING ACROSS AMERICA: A VINTAGE RECIPE ROAD TRIP”: Author B. Dylan Hollis will celebrate the release of his newest book on June 6, 6 p.m., at Academy of the Sacred Heart, 4301 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Audience Q&A and book signings will follow. Admission starts at $38 via Eventbrite and includes a copy of the book. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com.
“REINVENTING THE HEARTLAND”: Author, urbanist and native New Orleanian Nicholas Lalla will be joined by Jeff Schwartz, director of New Orleans’ Office of Economic Developments, to discuss his new book on June 10, 6 p.m., at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans. Audience Q&A and book signings will follow. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com.
FUNDRAISERS/GALAS
AMERICAN SPIRIT AWARDS: The National WWII Museum will honor award recipients at 945 Magazine St. in New Orleans on May 29-30. A recipient and patron reception is Thursday, with the gala on Friday night, recognizing Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger, C. Paul Hilliard and Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller. The museum will also bestow the annual Billy Michal Student Leadership Award to one student from each state and the District of Columbia. nationalww2museum.org.
BLUE DOOR BLUES GALA: The fundraiser supporting Boys & Girls Clubs will be held 6-9:30 p.m. June 5 at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd. in New Orleans. The event includes live music and entertainment, cuisine and cocktails and a silent auction. Tickets start at $150. bgcmetrolouisiana.org.
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS BALL: The ball, sponsored by the Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival is set for June 1, 7-10 p.m., at the Hotel Peter and Paul, 2317 Burgundy St. in New Orleans. The event features live music, a royal tableau, open bar and tarot readings. Tickets start at $65. tennesseewilliams.net.
REMEMBER WHEN: Xavier Prep Alumni Association’s 27th annual scholarship fundraiser to benefit Saint Katharine Drexel Prep, “A Musical Festival on Magazine Street,” will be held June 1, 7-10 p.m., at the Audubon Tea Room, 6500 Magazine St. in New Orleans. Tickets are $180. rememberwhenmusicfest@gmail.com.
SWIM FOR BROOKE: The annual Brooke E. Posey Swim-a-Thon & Family FUNraiser will be held on June 7 at the Southern Yacht Club, 105 N. Roadway in New Orleans. The foundation, founded in memory of Brooke Posey, who died in a car accident at 17, will raise money for Heart of Passion, a local nonprofit that supports teens with cancer. The event includes games, music, and online auction and more. A swim-a-thon portion includes swimming laps at the Southern Yacht Club. www.swimforbrooke.com.
BICENTENNIAL BALL: Jefferson Parish’s Bicentennial Ball, to be held June 14 at Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie, will include Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth as headliner. Also performing will be Irma Thomas, Deacon John, Sister Sledge and more. The festivities include cuisine from more than 40 restaurants and a historic timeline showcasing the parish’s growth. Tickets start at $161.90 via Eventbrite. All proceeds will go to the Jefferson Community Foundation. jpball200.com.
SPORTS
GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL: Registration is open May 1-25 for the new St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation girls’ program. The season will run during July and August. All registrations must occur with the individual participant’s affiliated booster club. scpparksandrec.com/flag-football.
MEETINGS
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: The Vernon L. Landry Chapter 1398 of NARFE will hold its monthly meeting and luncheon on June 11 beginning at 11 a.m., in the Sicilian Room at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant & Bar, 613 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. All active and retired federal and postal employees are invited to attend. Pamela.e.mark1953@gmail.com.
CLASSES
LINE DANCING: Registration is open for summer line dance classes through the St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation Classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. starting June 2, in the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center Gymnasium, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling. Registration is open to those 18 and older for the nine-week session at $20. www.scpparksandrec.com.
STORM AWARE AND PREPARE: Pontchartrain Conservancy will host the sixth storm preparedness event 9 a.m.-noon May 31 at New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans. This free, family-friendly event will provide free hurricane preparedness resources and supplies for the 2025 hurricane season. https://scienceforourcoast.org/.
HOME ALONE SAFETY FOR KIDS: The Home Alone Safety for Kids program, for children ages 9-12, will be held June 1, 9:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m., at the Orleans Public Library, 913 Alvar St. in New Orleans. The program helps children gain confidence and skills to stay at home alone successfully. Registration is required. www.safetytreecanada.com.
NEW ORLEANS WRITERS WORKSHOP: Allison Alsup will teach a workshop on backstory, “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over: The Problem of Backstory,” on June 7, 9:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m., at NOCCA Foundation, 2832 Royal St. in New Orleans. Writers will benefit most if they have a story or essay idea in mind or in progress. Cost is $92. neworleanswriters.org.
JUNIOR DEPUTY PROGRAM: Registration is open for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office annual Junior Deputy Academy. Students aged 10-12 who reside in the parish can acquire essential skills for responsible citizenship and ethical conduct through the program. Modeled after the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy for adults, the Junior Deputy Academy will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 2-6 at the Sheriff’s Office Training Center, 2118 Jackson Blvd. in Chalmette. Participants will receive Junior Deputy T-shirts and badges, and a graduation ceremony will be held June 6. Seats are limited. Parents can reach out to Lt. Eric Eilers or Chaplain Aaron Johnson for information. (504) 278-7628.
CAMPS
LOUIS “SATCHMO” ARMSTRONG SUMMER JAZZ CAMP: Registration is open for the camp, which runs June 2-20, at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, 2800 Chartres St. in New Orleans. Jazz camp classes have traditionally been offered in woodwinds, brass, piano, electric and upright bass, drums, strings, vocals, large and small ensembles, big band, hip-hop, as well as swing and second-line dance. No auditions required. Tuition varies for in-state, out-of-state and returning students. louisarmstrongjazzcamp.com.
MAKING HISTORY: Registration is open for an immersive historical arts and crafts camp for kids 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 9-13 at the Historic BK House & Gardens, 1113 Chartres St. in New Orleans. Activities include guided tours of sites around New Orleans, followed by creative sessions at BK House where they will use their experiences as inspiration for crafting historically relevant mementos. Cost is $275 per child. www.bkhouse.org/programs.
SWAMP SCHOOL: Registration is open for the first of four-week-long camp sessions sponsored by St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation. Kids 8-12 can experience nature and outdoor adventures paired with science-backed activities, such as canoeing, field games, archery and tree planting at the Bonnet Carre Spillway in Norco. The weeklong sessions run 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, beginning June 2 through July 25. Registration for each week is $200 per child. scpparksandrec.com.
ST. MARY’S DOMINICAN HIGH: Registration is open for Dominican’s summer camps. All camps, except soccer and softball camps, are at Dominican’s campus, 7701 Walmsley Ave. in New Orleans. Camps range from drama and cooking to cheerleading and sports. See details at www.stmarysdominican.org.
STEAM SUMMER CAMPS: Nunez Community College will offer more than 10 multiday camps this summer for students in grades 1-12. Prices vary by camp. All camps will take place on the Nunez campus, 3710 Paris Road in Chalmette, and most will meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the designated dates. See Nunez.edu/STEAM for details.
BROTHER MARTIN HIGH: Registration is open for Brother Martin’s 2025 summer camps for boys 6-12, to be held May 26-July 3 at the school, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave. in New Orleans. Activities include academic games, athletics, band, outdoor wilderness adventures, robotics, STEM, theater and weekly field trips. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and aftercare is available 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. for a fee. The cost is $180 per week for weeks 1-5, $140 for week 6, or $940 for all six weeks. www.brothermartin.com.
