New Orleans Hosts Naturalization Ceremony at Historic Gallier Hall

The City of New Orleans, in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), recently hosted a Naturalization Ceremony at Gallier Hall, where 38 residents became American citizens. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, alongside USCIS officials Shineka Miller and Courtney Iwejor, and Director of Human Rights and Equity Kahlida Lloyd, celebrated the new citizens who hail from 20 different countries across five continents.

Mayor Cantrell highlighted New Orleans' rich history of diversity and its status as a Certified Welcoming city, emphasizing the city’s commitment to inclusion and equity. She praised the new citizens for their dedication to the process and reflected on the city’s legacy as a "gumbo pot" of cultures and communities.

The ceremony underscored New Orleans' ongoing efforts to support immigrant inclusion, being the only city in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast recognized as Certified Welcoming by the Welcoming America organization.

USCIS Deputy District Director Shineka Miller also congratulated the new citizens, marking their achievement as a significant milestone. In 2023, the New Orleans field office naturalized over 4,300 people, contributing to the nationwide total of more than 878,500 new citizens. New Orleans continues to embrace its diverse heritage and commitment to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all its residents. 

Recap: US-México Binational Reception Celebrates Historic Milestone

We are thrilled to share the highlights of the recent US-México Binational Reception, a memorable event that celebrated the bicentennial of the opening of the first Mexican embassy in the United States, established in New Orleans in 1824. This special occasion also honored the presence of higher education institutions from both countries at the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference.

The evening was a vibrant celebration of culture and collaboration, featuring exceptional performances by Ramón Gutiérrez, Grammy Award recipient for Best Latin Jazz Album 2023, and Lucía Gutiérrez, winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Their captivating music, blending Jarocho and Jazz, set the tone for a night filled with dancing and joy.

Guests enjoyed an array of binational hors d'oeuvres and drinks, enhancing the festive atmosphere and fostering connections between attendees. The event concluded with heartfelt closing remarks, underscoring the importance of US-México relations and the enduring ties between our nations.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this remarkable celebration. We look forward to continuing our tradition of fostering binational cooperation and cultural exchange.

NOTCF 2025 Honors Gala Nominations

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) will host its 3rd annual NOTCF Honors Gala. This event will channel revelry, promote
inclusiveness, and create an immersive cultural experience celebrating our people, their contributions and dedication to tailoring the colorful fabric of New Orleans! The gala will take place at the Mardi Gras World.

During the gala, honors will be bestowed upon artists in the following eight categories: one honoree for Emerging Artist, one honoree for Established Artist in each of six cultural sectors—Culinary Arts, Design, Entertainment, Literary Arts and Humanities, Preservation, and Visual Arts and Crafts—and one honoree for Lifetime Achievement.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit: notcf.com.

Pride at The Broadside

The third annual Third Coast Entertainment® presents PRIDE is an evening of music, food, and fun at New Orleans' premier outdoor music venue, The Broadside. With entertainment by a slate of LGBTQ+ fronted bands, as well as an art market with local vendors, the event showcases some of the City's most talented creative professionals. The event will take place on June 7, from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

The event features free on-site HIV testing by Crescent Care, giveaways, and a signature beverage crafted for the occasion. A percentage of the event's proceeds will go to Trans Queer Youth NOLA - an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth in the New Orleans area.
Brought to you by the Borders Foundation, New Orleans & Company, Helena Moreno, Cam Mangham, Smart Media, New Orleans Office of Cultural Economy, NOTCF, Jazz & Heritage Foundation, and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development.

For more information, visit:broadsidenola.com.

Creole Tomato Festival

The French Market Creole Tomato Festival, held every summer in the heart of the French Quarter, is a vibrant celebration that marks the start of a new, laid-back season brimming with flavor. This year, the festivities will take place on June 8 – 9. Visitors can look forward to an abundance of fresh Creole tomatoes, lively music, dancing, and an array of delicious food and drink. The festival promises a host of family-friendly activities, making it a perfect event for all ages.

For more information, visit: frenchmarket.org.

Black Men Yoga Class

What better way to kick off Men's Mental Health Month than by joining an empowering yoga session curated for Black men with instructor Josiah, by the Mississippi River. The event will take place on Saturday, June 8, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Mandeville Wharf in Crescent Park, located at 2300 North Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70117. Refreshments will be provided, but yoga mats are limited, so please bring a towel, water, and your own yoga mat. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, rejuvenate, and support mental health in a serene riverside setting.

For more information, visit: derinlindsey.square.site.

ASM Global Job Fair

ASM Global are looking for dedicated and hardworking individuals to join our ASM Global Team! They will be holding a Job Fair on the floor of the Smoothie King Center on June 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and be a part of the biggest events in New Orleans. Please bring a valid driver's license or state ID and a social security card. Must be at least 18 years of age to apply.

For more information, visit: smoothiekingcenter.com.

Adonis Rose and NOJO Prince Tribute

The Jazz Market will host one of its most popular shows, where Adonis Rose & NOJO will salute the genius of PRINCE in their annual tribute show. Featuring performances by Casmè, Eliza Sunshine, and Lyndsey Smith, this highly anticipated event will take place on Saturday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. It is recommended to mark calendars and purchase tickets early, as they are selling quickly.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Athenpalooza

The Krewe of Nefertiti presents Atenpalooza: A Fundraising Festival packed with Music, Food, Love, and More!

They are thrilled to invite everyone to their second annual fundraiser festival, which will be held on Sunday, June 9, at 5601 Read Blvd, New Orleans, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Grab your cowboy boots and hats because this year’s theme is Western!

The festival promises a day full of fun activities for the whole family, including live music, a DJ, a singles mixer, speed dating, food vendors, a kids zone, and a silent auction. This will be a great opportunity for attendees to connect with their community and make a difference!

This event aims to raise funds for their Family Day Parade and community impact endeavors in 2025. Krewe of Nefertiti is a nonprofit organization, and all proceeds will benefit the Krewe of Nefertiti Family Day Parade 2025.

Admission is free.

Special Note: Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Coolers, food, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

For more information, visit: kreweofnefertiti.org.

Navigating the HDLC

Hosted by the Algiers Main Street Corporation, the Historic District Landmarks Commission will offer a free course on June 11 at 6:00 p.m. designed to help property owners understand the HDLC application process and avoid common frustrations. Taught by HDLC Architectural Historian Yvette Tyler, this class provides property owners with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about navigating the HDLC process.

Advance registration required for this free in-person program.

For more information, visit: prcno.org.

Emergency Preparedness Webinars 

The Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) project is offering free emergency preparedness webinars tailored to the needs of performing arts organizations during June. The next webinar will be on June 12 at 2:00 ET. The webinar is titled Lessons Learned from the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival Shooting, instructed by Kelly Hubbard. 

Kelly Hubbard was attending day 3 of the Route 91 Country Music Festival with her daughter and a few friends when someone opened fire on the crowd of 22,000 attendees. 58 attendees died that evening, with hundreds more severely injured, making that night the worst mass shooting to date in our Country’s history. Kelly speaks as a survivor, but also as an emergency manager on the events of that evening to help others in her profession and in the entertainment and hospitality industry to improve large event planning and mass casualty response.

This session will reflect on lessons for all parties involved in large pop-up location event planning and mass casualty response. Learning outcomes will include: considerations for security and safety in pop-up venues, coordination concepts with local government partners, understanding the response and recovery process, considerations for integration of non-traditional response partners and trauma care for survivors and staff. Concepts such as how to integrate those who may not think they have a role (such as the hotels that became triage and shelter centers with no warning) will be covered. Insight will be provided on how survivors of traumatic events get information regarding hospitals, Family Assistance Centers, and recovery resources, especially when watching the news is experiencing the trauma all over again.

For more information or to register, visit: lyrasis.org.

Platforms Fund Application Support

The 2024-2025 round of Platforms grants launched June 1. Submissions will be open until June 30.

Antenna will host a virtual application support session on Wednesday, June 12, at 6:00 p.m.

Can’t make any of the info or application support sessions? Email vaprograms@antenna.works to schedule a drop in session!

For more information and to register, visit: platformsfund.org.

Kolaj Fest

Kolaj Fest New Orleans, a multi-day festival and symposium, will take place from June 12 – 16. This event aims to create a platform for exploring critical issues surrounding collage, including its curation and presentation, its role in contemporary art, and the dynamics between collage as a medium, genre, community, and movement.

The festival seeks to attract a diverse audience, from art professionals in museums, galleries, and centers to academics, writers, and artists. The 2024 program promises a unique experience, designed to dismantle hierarchy and encourage dialogue among various art professionals. As part of the event, Kolaj Fest will visit the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) for a day filled with conversations, tours, and films, inviting museum visitors to participate in the day's activities.

For more information, visit: noma.org.

AEDF's Summer 2024 Business Mixer

Join the Algiers Economic Development Foundation and Jazzy Fusion Dance/Ballerina's of the Bayou on Wednesday, June 12, for their quarterly mixer. These events provide an excellent opportunity to connect with Algiers business owners and professionals from across New Orleans.

Known for being fun and well-attended, the mixers are perfect for networking, so don't forget to bring plenty of business cards. Attendees can renew their AEDF membership for next year, make new connections, and meet the team at Jazzy Fusion Dance Unlimited to learn about their nonprofit Ballerina's of the Bayou C.A.R.E. Initiative.

LGBTQ Literary History of New Orleans with Frank Perez

On Thursday, June 13, Frank Perez, Executive Director of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, will present on New Orleans focused LGBT+ literary contributions. The informative presentation entitled “Queer Letters: Homosexuality in New Orleans Literature” will take place in the beautiful, air-conditioned parlor at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for non-members, or $10 for members. 

For more information, visit: bkhouse.org.

Our Town FY25 Grant Guidelines

Join NEA staff for a presentation Thursday, June 13, on the FY25 Our Town grant guidelines and tips for submitting a competitive application at the August 1 deadline. The presentation will cover key components of Our Town grants and highlight characteristics of successful applications in this program.

Our Town is the National Endowment for the Arts’ creative placemaking grant program. The Our Town program requires partnerships between arts organizations and local governments for projects that have social, economic or physical impacts. The ultimate goal of Our Town is to seed longer term systems changes and to sustain support and recognition of arts, design, and cultural strategies as integral to every phase of community development across the United States. Since 2011, the agency has funded projects in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands.

For more information or to register, click here.

Film Screening: City of a Million Dreams

Join MSJE on June 13 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for a screening of this searing and haunting exploration of the uniquely New Orleanian tradition of the jazz funeral. The feature-length documentary City of a Million Dreams follows Jewish writer and videographer Deb Cotton, a chronicler of the parading club culture spawned by the legacy of funerals with music, and prolific clarinetist Michael White, renowned for playing “the widow’s wail” in sorrowful dirges.

When Hurricane Katrina hits, White loses everything in the catastrophic flooding. In his struggle to rebuild, White becomes an everyman, embodying the resurrection spirit of jazz funerals. Deb and Michael take viewers on a journey into the city’s past, searching for answers in the face of tragedies both present and past.

This is an in-person event at the Museum. The screening will be followed by a talk from filmmaker Jason Berry.

For more information, visit: msje.org.

Blue Star Museums Program

The National WWII Museum and the Blue Star Museums network have partnered to offer free admission to current US military personnel and their families now through Labor Day!

The free admission program is available for active-duty members the US Armed Forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force—as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps. Blue Star Museums program admission also includes complimentary entry to the 4D film experience Beyond All Boundaries and the Freedom Theater Experience.

For more information, visit: nationalww2museum.org.

New Orleans Music Education Collaborative Summer 2024 Programs

The New Orleans Music Education Collaborative (NOMEC) is a collective of music educators, institutions, and organizations in New Orleans that aims to support, strengthen, promote, and advocate for quality and equitable music education in schools and music education organizations.

NOMEC has pooled together its resources to create a listing of summer music education programs in 2024, providing students with opportunities to develop their musical skills and passion for music. The programs include instrumental and vocal camps, masterclasses, and workshops, led by renowned local and national musicians. With a focus on traditional and contemporary jazz, blues, and other New Orleans musical styles, the programs cater to students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced musicians. Check out the programs being offered this summer by members of NOMEC.

For more information, visit: jazzandheritage.org.