A reveler watches the Krewe of Hermes during Mardi Gras 2011. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Movies for families and philosophers, music that you might not find at Jazzfest, an arts market and an especially irreverent parade — the variety of special events around Uptown this weekend defies easy summary.
- Opera | A Spanish Summer Soiree hosted by the Junior Committee of the Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association will feature Spanish arias at the Opera Guild Home, 2504 Prytania Street in the Garden District, starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Tickets start at $25; call 529-2278 for details.
- Rising Tide pre-party | Get together with the organizers and participants of this year’s “Rising Tide 6: A Conference on the Future of New Orleans,” Tracey’s Bar, 2604 Magazine Street.
- Spirituality in Film | This series will screen the 2010 Cannes award winner “Of Gods and Men” at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Parker Church, 1140 Nashville.
- Movie in the Park | The New Orleans Recreation Department Commission will present Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” at 7:45 p.m. Friday in Annunciation Square Park.
- Arts Market | 80 visual artists, food and drink vendors, live music, and kid’s activities at the monthly market in Palmer Park, the corner of Carrollton and Claiborne, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
- “An Evening of Difficult Music” | New and experimental works by Philippe Landry of Lafayette and Justin Peake from New Orleans, 8 p.m. Saturday at McKeown’s Books and Difficult Music, 4737 Tchoupitoulas. Free.
- Mid-Summer Mardi Gras | Parade begins at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street, and crawls around Carrollton area bars. The Shrimptown Stompers, Roux La La and other dance troupes will also be in effect.
“This is not a family-friendly event. Please do not bring your children!” according to a Facebook page for the parade, and, “Wear a costume or you’ll feel stupid.”
Oak Street Cafe will hold a parade pre-party starting at 6 p.m.
Know of any other events this weekend? Feel free to add them in the comments.
