arts, books and music

Photos: Festival fills Freret Street

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The annual Freret Street festival drew a large crowd on Saturday, April 6, packing the street from curb to curb between Napoleon Avenue and Soniat Street. Performers included Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Debauche, J & the Causeways, Little Freddie King, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers and more.

business

Unity-1 Salon gets $10,000 donation to help rebuild

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The Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show came to New Orleans last weekend, and it didn’t leave without supporting a local shop after tragedy. According to reports, the show director James Bronner and CEO of Kalaidescope Hair, Jesseca Dupart, raised $10,000 for Unity-1 Beauty Supply and Hair Salon.

The Broadmoor shop was the site of a car crash and three-alarm fire on March 20 which caused several fatalities, injuries and extensive property damage.

environment

Tree planting and rain-barrel painting among the activities at Hoffman Triangle event

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Hoffman Triangle residents are invited to come out to Taylor Park on Saturday, April 6, from noon to 2 p.m. for a family-friendly event to learn about ways they can reduce flooding by planting trees, installing rain barrels and reducing paving.

“Many neighborhoods in New Orleans, including the Hoffman Triangle, are vulnerable to repeated flooding,” said Dana Eness, executive director of the Urban Conservancy.

events

Morphy Chess Center opens tonight

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There has long been a strong chess culture in New Orleans, and soon it will have a hub: the Morphy Chess and Cultural Center at 3714 B Earhart Blvd.

The grand opening for the Morthy Chess and Culture Center is Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. This nonprofit center will be a hub for chess, chess games, chess camps and chess lessons.

city government

City suspends parking restrictions, barricades streets as severe weather moves through area

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Heavy rain and storms, some which may be severe, are forecast to continue to move through the New Orleans area today. The cty of New Orleans urges residents to stay weather-aware during storms.

The National Weather Service issued an Areal Flood Advisory on Thursday in effect until 7 p.m., including parts of Orleans Parish. An Areal Flood Watch is also in effect for the entire parish until midnight tonight.

opinion

Danae Columbus: J.P. Morrell, women’s group prepare for ERA and other battles

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Hundreds of women from across Louisiana are expected to travel to Baton Rouge on Tuesday for an ERA march and lobbying day, an opening salvo in the effort for Louisiana to be the critical 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

Ellie Smeal, staunch ERA supporter and president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, is speaking at a legislative kickoff luncheon Sunday in Baton Rouge sponsored by the American Association of University Women Louisiana, a long-time supporter of the legislation.

“Now is the right time to have the ERA conversation in Louisiana,” said state Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, who is spearheading the state’s ratification process. “Women should be valued the same as men. Let’s move beyond partisan, old-school politics.”