City of New Orleans Hosts Third Set of Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Master Plan Public Meeting

Last Thursday, the City of New Orleans, Office of Resilience and Sustainability, and the Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Master Plan Consultant team hosted the third set of public engagement meetings in New Orleans East.

Public Meetings 1 and 2 welcomed over 200 community members to the Lincoln Beach Redevelopment process. Resident feedback and the findings from those meetings helped define the programming, planning, design concepts, and the redevelopment strategy for the project. The meetings on Nov. 7th focused on refining 30 programming elements identified from prior community input to set actionable priorities for revitalizing Lincoln Beach. Attendees were asked to prioritize their top five features for Phase One, working within the $24.6 million allocated for the redevelopment.

Diverse participation and community input is essential to the success of the Lincoln Beach redevelopment project. Residents throughout the City of New Orleans and its metro area who could not attend the in-person meeting may submit feedback via an online survey by Sunday, Nov. 24.

For more information or to complete the survey, visit: lincolnbeachnola.com.

2024 GIA Conference - Chicago: City of Big Shoulders and Bigger Ideas

The Planets

On Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m., join an extraordinary evening at the Orpheum Theater, where Holst’s iconic The Planets will take center stage, guiding the audience on a cosmic musical journey. The concert will also feature Debussy’s enchanting Nocturnes, evoking a dreamlike, celestial beauty, alongside an electrifying performance of a piece inspired by the unique orbit of asteroid Toutatis, crafted by the visionary composer Kaija Saariaho. Prepare to be transported by an evening of music that promises an unforgettable, out-of-this-world experience!

For more information, click here.

Family Block Party

On Saturday, Nov.16, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., families, both civilian and military, from across the Greater New Orleans community were invited to enjoy live entertainment and family-friendly activities at the annual Family and Military Appreciation Block Party. Guests had the opportunity to explore the campus and discover why The National WWII Museum is one of the top attractions in the city—and the country.

Admission to the Museum and Block Party was FREE for all visitors, thanks to the generosity of Timber and Peggy Floyd.

Activities included:
- Local military displays from the Louisiana National Guard, US Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Army
- Hands-on games and activities with local organizations
- Free face painting provided by New Orleans Face and Body Painting
- Complimentary sno-balls from Sneaux-La Snoballs
- A screening of the Tulane vs. Navy football game
- Access to the Museum’s seven pavilions
- Free tickets to *Beyond All Boundaries* and the Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater experience
- A new special exhibit, *Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II*

The event concluded with the *Fighting for the Right to Fight* Opening Reception at 4:00 p.m. in the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center.

For more information, visit: nw2m.convio.net.

Beignet Fest

Beignet Fest, the Gulf South’s most family-friendly and inclusive festival, returns Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at City Park’s Festival Grounds with a mouthwatering menu featuring new items and old favorites. Some early standouts include Loretta’s award-winning crabmeat beignet, a new twist from the popular brunch spot, Ruby Slipper, which will be doing Sweet Heat & Chicken beignets, plus Asian Outdoor Kitchen will bring Plantain Mochi Beignets to the festival for the first time. There will be popular non-beignet options like Jambalaya Girl’s jambalaya and gumbo, Chubbie’s Fried Chicken and Crack’D Brunch’s Mac Daddy Mac + Cheese.

While attendees chow down on sweet and savory beignets, Jon Cleary, Big Sam and Amanda Shaw will headline the entertainment with additional performances by Sierra Green and the Giants, and Imagination Movers as well as the Prism Project – an inclusive performing arts program for youth ages 6-22.

Keeping true to Beignet Fest’s charitable mission, a fully activated and sensory friendly Kids Village created by Children’s Hospital New Orleans will offer a one-of-a-kind experience for all children – and one that supports children with autism and related developmental differences.

For more information, visit: beignetfest.com.

Bringing Art, Music, and Community Spirit to Musician's Village Playground

On Saturday, Nov.16, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Girls Play Trumpets Too (GPTT) will host a special Beautification Day event at Musician's Village Playground, located at 1836 Bartholomew St., New Orleans, LA 70117. In partnership with the Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office, GPTT invites the community to join in a morning filled with art, music, and community pride as they work together to beautify the playground and bring new life to the space.

Get a sneak peek of PHASE I of a stunning mural by artist Monica Rose Kelly, creator of this year's French Quarter Festival poster. The mural celebrates the four founding members of GPTT, local legends, past and present, including Bob French, Smokey Johnson, Little Freddie King, and more. Monica will be collaborating with artists Sasha Swan and Lillian Aguinaga as the mural evolves to its full glory by the end of December.

For more information, visit: girlsplaytrumpetstoo.org.

Holiday Market 2024

The 2024 Holiday Market will take place on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with free admission open to the public. Attendees can browse one-of-a-kind items from more than a dozen New Orleans vendors in the courtyard, as well as unique holiday gifts in the Shop. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., there will be a book signing with John Lawrence, author of Louisiana Lens, published by HNOC. Live music by the Glo Worm Trio will fill the historic courtyard from noon to 3:00 p.m.

HNOC members will enjoy exclusive early access during the Member Appreciation Hour from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., which includes complimentary mimosas and free gift wrapping. Members will also receive a 20% discount on in-store purchases at the Shop at the Collection or at shophnoc.com throughout the day.

For more information, visit: shophnoc.com.

14th Annual FORESTival: A Celebration of Art & Nature

Join A Studio in the Woods on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for their 14th annual FORESTival!

This year’s FORESTival will feature:

Music performances by Water Seed, Baba Luther and the Congo Square Drummers and former residents Kr3wical & More Love and Kelly Love Jones

Artistic presentations from residents and guest artists including Alina Allen, paris cyan cian, Kristal “M2daE” Jones, John Lacarbiere III, Sweetie Magee, Antoine Prince, Alex Sorapuru and Maaliyah Papillion

Environmental Justice Hub creatively featuring frontline and fence line organizations and efforts such as Rise St. James, Inclusive Louisiana, Refined Community Development, Lincoln Beach/Healthy Gulf activists and the Water Collaborative.

Local eats provided by Crescent City Burgers, Big O’s Pops, Eli’s Kitchen and Saved by the Juice

Art & Science activities for kids and kids-at-heart alike including festival favorite Build a Clay Forest, woodland scavenger hunt with former resident John Lacarbiere III, meeting Weezy the mini Scottish Highlander Cow from Sugar Roots Farm and interactive science activities with STEM NOLA, Glass Half Full, RicRak, Restore the Mississippi River Delta and Pontchartrain Conservancy and more.

Walks in the Woods with Tulane University and local scientists

Photo booth fun and Be Loud youth interviewing

Silent auction of one-of-a-kind art objects and experiences

For more information, visit: astudiointhewoods.org.

Garden Workshop: Wreath Making

On Saturday, Nov. 16, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., an expert from the gardens team will lead one of their signature garden workshops. Each month, the workshop explores a unique theme, with activities such as plant paper making, flower arranging, and pressed flower art. Open to participants of all ages, the workshop requires that children be accompanied by a ticketed adult, with a maximum of two children per adult. Additional dates are available for future workshops, each offering a new creative focus within the garden setting.

For more information, visit: longuevue.com.

Emergency Preparedness Webinars from the PAR Project

Safety and Security for Performing Arts, Nov. 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Description: With the ever-changing nature of events, are you prepared for the unexpected? With audiences and Local Government agencies expecting more from you as an organizer, do you have plans in place to not only try and prevent, but also respond should any incident happen? Safety and Security are more important now than ever and more questions will be asked of you and what plans you have in place. This class will help event organizers and venues establish the key elements for prevention and responding to incidents of any shape or size. It will provide a background of what happens when things don’t go as planned, and show that it doesn’t matter what size or type of event you have, the basic principles are the same. We will look at what you would do in certain scenarios, and how even small adjustments to your venue can keep your event safer.
Instructor: Emma Stuart

Networking for Disaster Management in the Performing Arts, Nov. 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Description: Emergency response and preparedness for performing arts organizations can be a difficult task for individual organizations. This free 2 hour webinar will demonstrate how working with multiple organizations in a network for disaster management can be accomplished. The history of networking for improved emergency preparedness in the cultural heritage, arts, and government sectors will be examined, with an exploration of existing networks. Case studies of the Pennsylvania Cultural Resilience Network and CultureAID in New York City will be presented to help guide you on how to start your own, or join an existing, cooperative disaster network. You will learn how to use the Cultural Placekeeping Guide to direct your networking efforts.
Instructors: Tom Clareson and Amy Schwartzman

For more information and the complete list of PAR webinars and recordings, visit: performingartsreadiness.org.

Alligator Stew Book Launch & Signing

Join Jeanette Weiland and friends for the launch and signing of her newest book, Alligator Stew, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Acorn Cafe in the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

Celebrate Louisiana’s coastal culture with sips and snacks for both kids and adults, crafted by Dickie Brennan’s culinary team at their charming restaurant on the edge of the Little Lagoon in City Park. Although the Museum closes at 5 PM, Dickie Brennan and his team will keep Acorn open late for this special event!

Proceeds from Alligator Stew will benefit Kid smART and the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

For more information or to reserve a spot, click here. 

Elders Sacred Talk Series with Tribal Queen Bee and Carol Bebelle

NOMA and the Congo Square Preservation Society present the Elders Sacred Talk Series with prolific elder New Orleanians, celebrating the lives they lead while providing the opportunity for visitors to learn firsthand about the impact they’ve had on our city.

On Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6:00 p.m., in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts, the program will feature Tribal Queen Bee, the oldest living Black Masking Queen, and Carol Bebelle, visual artist and activist, in a conversation moderated by Denise Graves.

Free with museum admission. Louisiana residents receive free admission to NOMA on Wednesdays courtesy of The Helis Foundation. When you arrive at NOMA, check in at the admissions desk for directions to the Lapis Center for the Arts.

For more information, visit: noma.org.

Mayor for a Day

The “Mayor for a Day” program aims to foster and encourage leadership in all youth living in New Orleans.

This contest opens on Oct. 16 and closes at midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Contestants must be between the ages of 11 and 18 (by the contest deadline).

Only one entry per contestant will be accepted. Contestants must be residents of Orleans Parish.

The winner(s) will be announced mid-December and will be notified by email and by phone.

For more information, click here.

Post-Election Impact on the Arts Webinar

The Post-Election Impact on the Arts webinar will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Hosted by Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund, along with invited expert guests, the session will analyze the implications of recent election results for the arts and culture sector across the United States. The webinar will cover expectations for the lame duck Congressional session, the incoming Trump Administration, changes in the makeup of Congress following the 2024 election, and the advocacy outlook for 2025. Speakers will review new Congressional leadership, upcoming political appointments, and examine new state and local government officials, as well as ballot initiatives from around the country.

While addressing the evolving political landscape, the webinar will also share insights into:

• Opportunities for Advocacy: Exploring how the arts community can engage with the 119th Congress to promote stronger arts policies and initiatives.
• Challenges Ahead: Addressing potential obstacles, such as budget constraints and legislative priorities, that could affect the arts and culture sector.
• Strategic Focus Areas: Identifying key areas for the arts community to focus on in advocacy efforts to ensure that the arts remain a priority in upcoming legislative sessions.

For more information or to register, click here.

Gustave Blache III Art Scholarships to SVA in NYC Informational Session #1

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the artist Gustave Blache III have partnered to offer scholarships to support aspiring artists from Louisiana in attending New York City's School of Visual Arts.

The Gustave Blache III Art Scholarships for Aspiring Artists provide tuition support for one undergraduate and one graduate student for the length of the respective programs.

Applications are now open until Feb. 1, 2025. This online information sessions will provide interested applicants with step-by-step instructions on completing the scholarship application, as well as helpful insights on completing their application to the School of Visual Arts. The first session will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Applications are open to all aspiring visual artists from Louisiana interested in pursuing either Bachelor or Master of Fine Arts degrees in illustration or fine art, both worth $25,000 annually for the length of the respective program, at SVA in New York.

Aspiring artists from Louisiana who are either high school seniors or seeking to begin work on their MFA are eligible to apply. For more information, please visit our website or contact GB3info@leh.org.

Final awarding of scholarships is dependent upon the applicant's successful application and acceptance into SVA's illustration program. Scholarship may not be used at any other school.

For more information or to register, click here.

Ogden After Hours Featuring Shawan Rice

On Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., the Ogden Museum will host Ogden After Hours featuring live music by Shawan Rice. In addition to the music, guests can enjoy food available for purchase from Sira Tacos, browse a pop-up of handmade jewelry by Uniquely Yours, and access a cash bar. An art activity table will also be available for children to enjoy.

Shawan Rice is a deeply soulful songstress, originally hailing from Central Pennsylvania. Her music is an eclectic layered mix of Soul sounds that is heavily influenced by Black American music. Rice began writing music at 13 years old, crafting her with seasoning from artists from Jimi Hendrix to Erykah Badu. She began to play live in 2008, having since released 4 E.P.s, toured throughout the US and abroad, eventually relocating to New Orleans where she has established herself as a regular gigging musician. Playing solo or with her band, Shawan has played many iconic venues and festivals, such as New Orleans Jazz Festival and Switzerland’s Jazz Ascona Festival. She’s also opened for national acts, like Grace Potter, George Porter Jr. and Kermit Ruffins.

For more information, visit: ogdenmuseum.org.

Dance for Social Change (DSC) Youth Programs 2024-25

The DSC Open House on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. invites the community to help recruit young dancers for their programs. This event offers prospective families a glimpse into the DSC Youth programs with an open studio class, showcasing the range of classes available for children interested in dance. Current participants are encouraged to bring friends and families who might want to join the DSC community. A special class showing for DSC Tots and Kids will be held during the last five minutes of their session. Individual communications will provide additional details leading up to this special day.

For more information or to register, click here.

NOPL Seeking Local Artist for 2025 Summer Fun & Reading Challenge

The New Orleans Public Library is again seeking to partner with a local artist for the 2025 Summer Fun & Reading Challenge. Your original artwork will appear across the city and social media platforms on a limited edition 2025 summer tote bag as well as promotional materials for the Challenge and the Library’s summer programs. Artist will be compensated with an honorarium and credited in print materials and online posts.

The Library is committed to supporting everyone in our city’s neighborhoods and communities as well as preserving New Orleans’ rich history and culture. Thus, your artwork should represent the uniqueness and diversity of our city as well as reflect a love of reading and align with NOLA Library's vision and equity statement.

Those interested should live in New Orleans or the surrounding areas, be able to register as a vendor with the City of New Orleans, and be able to meet the tight deadlines for submission of both draft and final artwork. Please upload three (3) digital examples from your portfolio by Monday, Dec. 2 EOD along with any websites or social media related to your work. The Library will be looking for an artist who incorporates fun, brightly colored art into a design that appeals to all ages, not just youth, but teens, adults, and seniors as well.

Note: Please pull from your existing portfolio. You do not need to create new work when applying to be considered.

For more information, click here.