city government

City is remaking its parks and recreation. And it wants your input.

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A new master plan for the city’s parks, The Big Green Easy project, is in the works. The city’s Office of Youth and Families and the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission — in partnership with Parks & Parkways, the City Park Commission and the Audubon Nature Institute — is now taking the first step: collecting public input on the public’s vision for the green space and recreation opportunities. The citywide plan is part of the 2019  parks and recreation millage proposal that passed with 76% voter approval. Public input is a core part of the project. A series of public meetings and an online survey will help shape the master plan.

French Film Festival, ‘a mini Cannes,’ set to open at the Prytania Theatre

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The annual New Orleans French Film Festival returns to the Prytania Theatre beginning Thursday, March 9, and running through Tuesday, March 13. For its 26th festival, the New Orleans Film Society will bring together 13 features and three short films from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and the United States. All screenings will be held at the historic Prytania Theatre or the Prytania Theatres at Canal Place. Part of the lineup will also be available to stream online here from March 9 to March 19. The films will all be shown in their original French or Kouri-Vini (Louisiana Creole) language with English subtitles.

food and drink

Where to find a Friday fish fry without leaving Uptown

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It’s Lent, the season of the Friday fish fry. Below are some fish fry opportunities in the Uptown area. See here for the archdiocese’s complete list of church fish fries in the metro area. If you know of a fish fry in the Uptown area that’s not on this list, we invite you to leave the information in the comments section. Good Shepherd Parish at Basilica of St.

Public safety, crime reduction to be explored at Coffee on Your Corner

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Public safety officials will take your questions on Thursday (Feb. 23) at the next Coffee on Your Corner with the District B Neighborhood Engagement Office. Representatives with the Violent Crime Task Force and with NOLA311 will meet with citizens. Mayor LaToya Cantrell formed the Violent Crime Reduction Task Force, under the command of Orleans Parish Communication District Executive Director Tyrell Morris, in January to strategize methods of crime prevention. Morris will present updates at the meeting, according to Kevin J. Kellup, the neighborhood liaison for District B. Kellup said 15 to 20 District B community leaders will also participate.

sustainability

Don’t pitch it, fix it, at the Repair Café in Broadmoor

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“We got press!” This was the surprised cry from Billie Golan, who started New Orleans’ own Repair Café in the summer of 2022. Although the bi-monthly event has rolled out with little fanfare, the free community resource has gained popularity. Here’s how it works: twice a month (one Monday and one Wednesday of each month) Repair Cafe volunteers set up shop on the second floor of the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center to help all who enter repair their goods and sundry: bikes, electronics and appliances, clothing and jewelry, furniture. There are snacks provided, and those getting repairs done are expected to assist the repair experts if they can, and hopefully learn about how to repair their items for the future. Donations are appreciated, but not required, though visitors may be expected to help pay for the cost of parts, if applicable. 

Though the Repair Café is new to New Orleans, it is far from the first of its kind.

Rolling tonight: Oshun, Cleopatra, Alla kick off the Uptown parade season

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Carnival is about to get rolling. The Uptown parade season begins tonight with the krewes of Oshun, Cleopatra and Alla on the St. Charles Avenue route. This is the first year since the 2020, right before the pandemic shutdown, that krewes are parading on their traditional Uptown routes. And this year the queen of Uptown’s first Friday, the Krewe of Cleopatra, celebrates its golden 5oth anniversary.

events

Young Audience Charter School at Crocker to hold Black History Month parade

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The Young Audience Charter School at Crocker will hold a Black History Month parade on Friday (Feb. 3). Parade will include Mardi Gras Indians, social aid and pleasure clubs, and marching bands. The parade will kick off the month’s celebrations. It will feature performances by second-line organizations, Indian tribes, and the staff and students in Social Clubs.

Mardi Gras

Actor and comedian Adam Devine to reign as Bacchus LIV

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Adam Devine, an actor, screenwriter, producer and comedian will reign as Bacchus LIV, Clark Brennan, captain of the Krewe of Bacchus, announced. Devine will lead the parade on Feb. 19, the Sunday before Mardi Gras. One of the stars and co-creators of the Comedy Central television series “Workaholics” and Adam Devine’s “House Party,” Devine is most recognized for his portrayal of Bumper in the musical films “Pitch Perfect” and “Pitch Perfect 2,” and the television series Pitch “Perfect: Bumper in Berlin.” Devine is also well known for his television sitcom roles in HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones” and “Modern Family.”

events

Martin Luther King Day events emphasize peace amid the city’s escalating violence

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The city has a full slate of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events planned for the holiday weekend, with the preeminent event taking place on Monday (Jan. 16), the national holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader. Events include concerts, a day of service, art exhibits, worship services, and Monday’s march and ceremony to commemorate King during 60th year since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. As street violence escalates in New Orleans — the nation’s murder capital in 2022 — organizers are emphasizing King’s message of nonviolence throughout the weekend’s events. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a symbolic staple of peace in our communities who spoke passionately of unifying our country nonviolently and truly believing the one way to end injustices in our communities is through non-violent approaches,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell in a press release.

events

Rolling tonight: Phunny Phorty Phellows, Funky Uptown Krewe on the streetcar route

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The Phunny Phorty Phellows and the Funky Uptown Krewe will herald the start of the Carnival season tonight (Jan. 6) with their traditional St. Charles streetcar rides. The costumed and masked krewe of the Phunny Phorty Phellows will gather to toast Twelfth Night, along with the Krewe of Oak, in the Willow Street Car Barn. The Funky Uptown Krewe will kick off Carnival with a pre-party at Bouree.