(courtesy of the New Orleans Film Society)
During the last weekend before parades take over Uptown streets, there’s still plenty to do without leaving the neighborhood. To name a few: You can take in a French movie at the Prytania or a play at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center.
French Film Festival
The 22nd New Orleans French Film Festival, one of the longest running foreign language festivals in the country, showcases contemporary and classic francophone Cinema for audiences of about 4,000 at the Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St., the oldest single-screen movie house operating in Louisiana.
Live music and lectures will accompany a curated selection of French, French language films and a program of short films.
Je ne parle pas Française, you say? Don’t worry; all films are screened with English subtitles.
The festival, presented by the New Orleans Film Society, opens Friday, Feb. 15, and runs through Thursday, Feb. 21.
Check the full lineup and get your tickets at the New Orleans Film Society website.
‘The Vagina Monologues’
Ashé Cultural Arts Center brings to the stage once again, “The Vagina Monologues,” A V-Day 2019 Campaign Event to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls. The event takes place Friday and Saturday at Ashé Power House. It was written by V-Day founder/playwright Eve Ensler, and is directed by Kesha McKey. The executive producer is Carol Bebelle.
The award-winning play is based on Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women around the world. With humor and grace, the piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives.
The Vagina Monologues is a global movement, a cultural revolution and a catalyst for a critical conversation to end violence against women and girls. It is also an opportunity to raise money for local beneficiaries charged with keeping women safe, informed and empowered.
Filled with impactful stories that will be etched in minds forever, this piece of work will make folks laugh and cry. But theater-goers are certain to leave the event uplifted.
The cast includes Casey Ferrand, Janée Michelle, Kesha McKey, Sabrina Mays-Montana, Vera Warren-Williams, Fresh Johnson, Petrice Sams-Abiodun, Stephanie McKee-Anderson, Jhai Watson, Michelle Ward, Reganetta Hammond, Patrice Jones Steinberg, Dana Smiles, Dianne Kelly-Davis, Ana Toney, Dianne Carroll, Paige Allyn, Mady Barbain, Milli Marie Brown, Rose Davis and Allyson S. Wilson.
The performances will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16, at 7 p.m. at Ashé Power House, 1731 Baronne St. General admission is $20. Students and seniors 65 and over, with appropriate ID, pay $10.
All proceeds from the show will benefit the Institute for Women and Ethnic Studies, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast and the YWCA of Greater New Orleans. For more information, call at 569-9070.
