The Paradigm Gardens Plant Sale, held Sunday mornings in the shadow of the Pontchartrain Expressway in Central City, offers not just pots of herbs and tomatoes but a chance to enjoy an outdoor, socially distanced brunch and concert. The brunch on Sunday (Oct. 11) included food from Coquette restaurant and the vocal stylings of Robin Barnes. Plus, goats — all in a gorgeous garden. The sale of the plants and brunch items helps finance the Paradigm Gardens School — the only K-12 garden school in Louisiana.
As a result of the current and anticipated local economic impact of COVID-19, the New Orleans Business Alliance, or NOLABA, has set up a dedicated relief fund to meet the needs of gig economy workers who have been directly affected via loss of income. NOLABA is committing $100,000 to initiate the fund, with the goal of increasing its assets to a minimum of $500,000. The organization is also charging the New Orleans community to participate by encouraging business leaders, philanthropy and concerned residents to contribute here to increase the potential impact of this critical relief effort. As of 2017, gig economy workers represent more than 8% of the workforce in Orleans Parish, including rideshare drivers, musicians, arena workers and festival production staff. As contract employees of often large corporations, gig economy workers tend to lack access to minimum wage, paid sick leave, overtime pay, and standard employee benefits — making them particularly susceptible to changes within the economy.
The Uptown Messenger crew is inviting our readers, neighbors and any political enthusiasts to come and watch the New Hampshire Democratic Primary this Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Twelve Mile Limit, 500 S. Telemachus St. Thanks to you all who came to watch last week’s fiasco in Iowa with us. We plan for this primary to be less of a debacle but still worth conversing over. Political junkies of any affiliation are welcome, and the venue is for ages 21 and up.
Barracuda, winner of the 2019 Top Traditional Taco award, has announced it will return to the one-night only taco and tequila throw down in March to defend its title. Barracuda, a walk-up taco restaurant with a tequila garden, opened at 3984 Tchopitoulas St. in 2019 after winning the Top Taco award. Also returning to defend a 2019 Top Taco title is Tacos & Beer, which won the Critic’s Choice for Best Creative Cocktail. Tacos & Beer is located at 1622 St.
Poydras Home’s Magazine Street gate will open wide this Thursday as they welcome patrons and the public to their first Holiday Tree Lighting & Music Festival. From 7 to 8 p.m., this new Uptown tradition will feature a 30 foot lighted tree and holiday music on their front lawn, as well as a patron party from 6 to 8 p.m.
Everyone is welcome, free of charge, to hear holiday favorites and gospel music performed by the New Orleans Council on Aging Community Choir under the direction of Mrs. Rhea Dokes. CC’s Coffee House will provide hot cocoa provided, and Cookies will be compliments of Poydras Home for patrons, residents, resident families, neighbors and guests alike. The music begins at 7 p.m., and the majestic 30-foot tree will be lit at 7:30 p.m.
The Patron Party will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. inside Poydras Home’s historic 1857 Hall. It will feature musical entertainment by the New Orleans Center For Creative Arts (NOCCA) jazz and vocal students led by Vocal Coach Anne Sumich.
“We’re on a mission to rebuild our programs and physical structure,” said Dr. Shelia J. Webb, president-elect of the Young Women’s Christian Association in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures decimated the YWCA building at 601 S. Jefferson Davis Parkway and forced a 14-year interruption of an agency that had been an integral part of New Orleans for almost a century. Under the leadership of current President Loyce Pierce Wright and a multi-generational group of volunteers, including judges Terri Love and Bernadette D’Sousa, the YWCA’s Legacy Circle will host a reunion of former Y Role Models on Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Holiday Inn New Orleans–Downtown Superdome, 330 Loyola Ave. Former New Orleans First Lady Sybil Morial and former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, both 1989 Role Models, are co-chairing the event, which will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Proceeds will be dedicated to the agency’s rebuilding campaign.
The annual Stache Dash is dashing through Central City on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 8 to 9:30, followed by a tailgate party at Central City BBQ. The NOLA Stache Dash is a 2 mile competitive run and fun run held in conjunction with Tailgate for a Cause to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer, the nation’s third leading cause of death for men. Proceeds from donations, sponsorships, raffles, auctions and tailgate passes benefit patients of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, which provides health services to the city’s music community. Every $100 raised will provide one prostate cancer screening for a local musician.
YAYA Inc. will host their annual Just Say YAYA gala tonight (Nov. 15) to help support tuition-free arts and entrepreneurship training programs for local youth. The gala takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the YAYA Arts Center at 3322 LaSalle St. They will celebrate “ARTrepreneurs” and career development to benefit creative young people. Festivities begin with a patron party from 6 to 7 p.m., which includes an oyster bar by Superior Seafood, music by Amber Matthews, and a live glassblowing demonstration.
According to Propeller: A Force For Social Innovation, the nonprofit has accelerated over 215 entrepreneurs since 2011, and their ventures have created more than 485 jobs and generated over $112 million in revenue and financing. Propeller will host its annual gala and celebrate social entrepreneurs and innovation in New Orleans this Wednesday, Nov. 6. Propeller Pop! will take place in the Propeller incubator (4035 Washington Ave.) and will feature more than 10 popup restaurants, a tasting room by Roulaison Distilling Co., a silent auction, and more.
Art students from Young Audiences Charter School will paint collaborative pieces live with Brandan “BMIKE” Odums and other professional New Orleans artists this Saturday, Oct. 5, at Urban South Brewery. YALA Art Live, a fundraiser for Young Audiences of Louisiana, will feature live painting, artist popups, a DJ and food truck. Urban South Brewery will host this event from 2 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, and they will donate a portion of every pint sold to the nonprofit. The art pieces created will be auctioned off at YALA’s 10th Annual Dancing For The Arts fundraising gala, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1.
Liberty’s Kitchen will bring chefs, alumni, and supporters together to celebrate ten years of impact at their annual Come Grow With Us fundraiser this Friday, September 20. Chefs from nearly 20 of New Orleans’ hottest restaurants will be serving up signature dishes alongside Liberty’s Kitchen trainees and alumni, and attendees will vote on Best in Show, Most Creative, and Best Presentation. Come Grow With Us is co-chaired by Chef Susan Spicer and Patrick Young, presented by The Ruby Slipper Café, and sponsored by the Ace Hotel, Domain Companies, Steve Rosenfeld and Margot Botsford, as well as dozens of other individuals, organizations and businesses. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Ace Hotel, 600 Carondelet St. The night will include an open bar, live music, and a live auction featuring unique culinary experiences around New Orleans.
