Second Line Sunday with Ole & Nu Style Fellas SA&PC

On behalf of the Office of Cultural Economy and New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund, we extend our deepest and sincerest gratitude to Sue Press and The Ole & Nu Style Fellas Social Aid & Pleasure Club for inviting our offices to be a part of your recent parade. What an honor it was to celebrate alongside you all and the cultural community, showcasing the vibrant spirit and rich traditions that define New Orleans culture.

The event was an exemplary showcase of the rich tapestry of traditions that make our city so unique. Being a part of this experience highlighted the profound intersections between cultural art and community celebration. It is through events like yours that we are reminded of the enduring importance of preserving and promoting our city's rich traditions.

Thank you once again for including us in this unforgettable celebration. We look forward to continuing our shared commitment to supporting and nurturing the cultural heartbeat of New Orleans.

2nd Annual COOL Cooperative Student Film Slam

We are thrilled to share highlights from the COOL Cooperative's 2nd annual Student Film Slam, hosted at Gallier Hall! This event celebrated the creative endeavors of middle and high school student filmmakers, showcasing their remarkable talent and passion for the art of cinema.

The Student Film Slam was also an opportunity for film industry vendors to share invaluable insights about their work and offerings. From training opportunities to connecting with independent filmmakers and small businesses, this event was a hub of creativity and collaboration. Moreover, these partnerships are vital for our film community to thrive and continue to attract talent from all corners of the industry.

The COOL Cooperative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to creating outstanding opportunities locally for middle and high school students in the film industry. Founded in 2014, they have been  educating, developing and celebrating the next generation of Louisiana Storytellers. Centralized in New Orleans, the COOL provides technical training and mentorship that translates into critical skills needed for the workforce. They also have public events to showcase students’ work, and workshops for students to get involved in film.

Thank you to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Student Film Slam a resounding success. Let's continue to celebrate and elevate the art of filmmaking in our beloved city!

NOTCF Grant Applications Open Next Week

The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) is happy to announce that the applications for all levels will open on May 1st! The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is pledging $30,000 towards NOTCF's May Grant Cycle.

You can apply online via www.notcf.com/grants. Applications open at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1.

Please direct any questions to grants@notcf.com.

NORD is Looking for the Next NOLA Idol!

The NOLA Idol competition will engage communities across three rounds of in-person and online auditions, celebrity coaching sessions, three semi-finalist performances and one culminating showcase where a panel of judges will select this year’s NOLA Idol.

The performances will be held at WYES’ state-of-the-art Kormann Performance Studio, with the final showcase including performances by Grammy Award winner Irvin Mayfield alongside double platinum recording artist and American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart and four-time Grammy Award winner PJ Morton. 

For more information on NORD’s NOLA Idol program, or to register, please click here. 

Reel Talk: Cuttin' Cane

Join ASHÉ Cultural Arts Center for this month’s Reel Talk film screening of 'Africans on the Mississippi: Cuttin’ Cane,' directed by CFreedom. "Cuttin’ Cane" is an award-winning short film about Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Donaldsonville, one of the numerous communities created by the plantation system that thrived along the Mississippi River, holds a wealth of stories even after the plantations are long gone. The descendants still have fascinating tales to share.

Stay for the talk back featuring:

Spencer Howard (Writer, Executive Producer)
Darryl Hambrick (Executive Producer, Co-Founder of River Road African American Museum, Historian)

Date and Time: Friday, April 26 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the ASHÉ Cultural Arts Center.

For more information, visit: ashenola.org.

Shorty Fest 2024

Shorty Fest Presented by Acura will take place at Tipitina’s on Monday, April 29! Brought to you by the Trombone Shorty Foundation with support from Gia Maione Prima Foundation and Tip-It Foundation, the 11th Annual Shorty Fest Presented by Acura is our way of bringing the community together to preserve the future of our music culture. This year’s musical lineup features performances by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic feat. Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Sun Ra Arkestra, and students from the Trombone Shorty Academy.

For more information, visit: tromboneshortyfoundation.org.

Gallatin Street Fest

On April 29, the New Orleans Jazz Museum will host its inaugural Gallatin Street Fest highlighting artists represented on the museum's record label: Gallatin Street Records. The festival will feature live performances from a diverse lineup of musicians spanning jazz, blues, and more. For the full music lineup and schedule, visit the festival's website.

In addition to the music, attendees can enjoy delicious offerings from food vendors, a full bar, and an opportunity to purchase records and merchandise. Doors open at 12:00 p.m., and the festival is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit: nolajazzmuseum.org.

Robert Glasper and Yebba with Friends – Jazz Afterdark Concert Series

Get ready for a night of pure musical magic at the Orpheum Theater in Downtown New Orleans on April 28! The dynamic duo of Robert Glasper and Yebba, along with their talented friends, are set to light up the stage with their infectious energy and soulful tunes. Doors swing open at 8:00 p.m., and the real party starts at 9:00 p.m. as part of the Jazz Afterdark Concert Series. It's not just a show; it's an experience you won't want to miss! Grab your tickets now and get ready to dance, sing, and groove the night away in the heart of the Big Easy!

For more information, visit: orpheumnola.net.

Monet:The Immersive Experience

Monet: The Immersive Experience is an engaging 360º digital art exhibition that transports you into the vibrant world of Claude Monet, a renowned French painter of the nineteenth century. Delve into his artistic genius through this immersive showcase that brings his masterpieces to life with digital displays, sound effects, and projection mapping.

Treat your loved ones to an unforgettable experience with a gift card and explore Monet's work in a whole new way. For those with Standard Admission tickets, the VR experience is available for separate purchase on-site. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Monet's artistry at the Scottish Rite Temple in New Orleans, where you can select your preferred date and time for a 1.5-hour journey through his timeless creations.

For more information or to purchase tickets. click here.

Daze Between New Orleans 2024

Daze Between New Orleans is a two-day event taking place on the “Daze Between” New Orleans Jazz Fest weekends, Tuesday, April 30 – Wednesday, May 1, at the Faubourg Brewery in New Orleans. The event will bring together some of the finest musicians from the Big Easy and beyond on 2 full stages, tapping into the worlds of jazz, funk, jam, folk, and more to create a musical gumbo reflective of the collaborative spirit that makes this city unlike anywhere else.

In addition to music, fans may enjoy all that Faubourg has to offer, from a top-notch beer selection to fantastic traditional Louisiana cuisine. Single and two-day passes are available HERE, as well as a variety of VIP options and travel packages to elevate the experiences.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: dazebetweennola.com.

Big Freedia with the LPO

The GRAMMY® Award-winning Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the region’s premier orchestra, announces the return of New Orleans’ Queen, Big Freedia, for a highly anticipated encore performance on Thursday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m. Returning by popular demand after last season’s sold-out concert, BIG FREEDIA WITH THE LPO brings another mash up of the city’s highly popular Bounce music with the stimulating sounds of a full orchestra in the Orpheum Theater. This performance is part of LPO’s local collaboration initiative with a mission to highlight and support local artists, musicians, and composers.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: lpomusic.com.

Marci Ball in the Parterre Garden

Thursday, May 2, brings the final Rhythm & Roses performance with the incomparable Marci Ball in the Parterre Garden from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., sponsored by BK neighbor James Douglas Hislop. Gates to the beautifully manicured French Quarter green space will open at 5:30 pm. Tickets are priced at $30 for nonmembers and $25 for BK members. ETC Catering will offer festi-food for purchase by concert goers and beverages will be sold to support on-going maintenance of the garden. Outside beverages will be prohibited.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.  

Cinco de Mayo Fest

Come party in Fat City with 2 days of Live Music and Entertainment kicking off Saturday, May 4 with That Mexican OT, Raj Smoove, Margie Perez & Muevelo, Kymbra Li, and Jaken. Sunday's lineup features Mannie Fresh, Partners-n-Crime, La Tran K, Treces del Sur, and Subtweet Shawn. Both days feature the Avion VIP Experience with unlimited tacos from Los Jefes Grill and Bobby Hebert's Cajun Cannon, plus chargrilled oysters from Morrow's.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Steve Masakowski & Friends on GiveNOLA Day

On GiveNOLA Day, Tuesday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m., we’ll have Steve Masakowski & Friends performing live at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. Steve Masakowski has long been regarded as one of the top jazz artists and educators in the city of New Orleans.

Born and raised in New Orleans, he grew up surrounded and influenced by the rich musical traditions of the city. He gained national recognition for his work with the critically acclaimed modern jazz group, Astral Project, his collaborations with Ellis Marsalis and Rick Margitza which earned him a devoted following and multiple awards and nominations. In addition to his career as a performer, Steve began teaching at Loyola University as an adjunct professor but then became a full-time professor at the University of New Orleans where he held the title of Coca-Cola Endowed Chair.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.