Tulane to host “Tunes for Toys” benefit concert featuring Trombone Shorty

The Tulane School of Liberal Arts and the Gia Maione Prima Foundation will host a benefit concert this Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Tulane University. Tunes for Toys is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of a toy to be given to children at the Whole Foods at 300 N. Broad Street on Dec. 21. The concert will start at 8 p.m. in Tulane’s McAlister Auditorium, located at 43 McAlister Drive.

Art boutique to feature Mardi Gras float artists and pieces on Small Business Saturday

The art boutique Miette will feature Mardi Gras float artists displaying and selling their works and pieces this Saturday, Nov. 28 to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to speak with the artists about their craftsmanship, as well as take pictures with the displayed float art. Miette, located on 2038 Magazine Street, will be open during its normal hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Small Business Saturday. Those who take an Uber to Miette during the celebration can receive a discount by showing their receipt.

O.C. Haley Boulevard to feature outdoor light installations as part of new annual Luna Fête

The Light up NOLA Arts Fête will be have outdoor light installations along Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard as part of the second annual Luna Fête, starting this Sunday, Nov. 29, and running to Dec. 5. New Orleans is one of the only three American cities along with New York and Boston that participate in a similar “festival of lights” inspired by the Fête des Lumières in Lyon, France. New Orleans’ second annual Luna Fête will also feature light installations in Lafayette Square and along Julia Street.

Seventh Annual Blues Festival at Palmer Park to support Second District police

The 2nd District’s 7th Annual Blues Festival will be held at Palmer Park this year, due to construction at Magazine and Napoleon. The event this Saturday, Nov. 21, is free and open to the public. The 7th Annual Blues Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Palmer Park, located at the intersection of South Claiborne and South Carrollton Avenues. The festival will feature performances by Jon Cleary, BRASS-A-HOLICS, and Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers.

Carrollton community center to hold oyster bar fundraiser in Mid-City

The Half Shell Oyster Bar & Grill will host a fundraiser this Sunday, Nov. 8, to support the Community Commitment Education Center, which provides resources, programs, and weekly classes to the Leonidas neighborhood. Donation includes dinner at The Half Shell Oyster Bar & Grill and a preview showing of the Community Commitment Education Center’s new video produced by So-Called Media. The fundraiser will start at 5 p.m. at Half Shell Oyster Bar & Grill, located on 3101 Esplanade Avenue. The Community Commitment Education Center is located on 8540 Spruce Street, and donations can also be made to the center online here.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum offers free admission for Carolina barbecue celebration

Southern Food and Beverage Museum will have a guest scientist address the similarities in South Carolina barbecuing and applying STEM (Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering) this Saturday, Nov. 7.  The museum will be offering free admission all day Saturday in celebration of the first anniversary of their “Trail of Smoke & Fire” event, which examines barbecue culture throughout the South. Guest Dr. Howard Conyers will address South Carolina barbecuing and STEM at 11 a.m. at Southern Food and Beverage Museum, located on 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard. Robert Moss, author of the newly published Barbecue Lover’s Carolinas and Barbecue: The History of an American Institution, will speak at 12:30 p.m., and a panel presentation and a serving of sample-size portions of Dr. Conyers’ whole-hog barbecue will follow. There will be a live auction of the hog head at 3:30 p.m.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum will also host an overnight cooking demonstration of Dr. Conyers’ South Carolina whole-hog barbecuing Friday, Nov.

Holy Name of Jesus to host 32nd annual Gator Fest

 

The Holy Name of Jesus School is holding its three-day community fair, Gator Fest, starting this Friday, Nov. 6. The school fair will feature carnival rides, live entertainment, and activities for all ages. The event is free and open to the public. The Holy Name of Jesus School Gator Fest starts Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus School, located on 6325 Cromwell Place.