Director Delahoussaye Attends Opening of Groundbreaking “New African Masquerades” Exhibit at NOMA

The Office of Cultural Economy was proud to have Director, Frederick Delahoussaye in attendance at the opening of the New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). This landmark exhibition spotlighted the visionary work of four contemporary artists from across West Africa: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa (Nigeria), Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah (Sierra Leone), David Sanou (Burkina Faso), and Hervé Youmbi (Cameroon).

As the first presentation of its kind, New African Masquerades offered a rare and compelling look into the evolution of West African masquerade traditions. Through a dynamic mix of materials—ranging from wood and fabric to sequins, feathers, cowry shells, and more—the exhibition illuminated how these artists innovate within deeply rooted cultural, religious, and social frameworks.

Organized in partnership with the Musée des Civilisations noires (MCN) in Dakar, Senegal, the exhibit marked a historic moment: the first time a major African masquerade exhibition was presented in a dual format—one version for North American audiences and a parallel presentation for audiences in Africa.

Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, the exhibit represents a bold step in global artistic exchange and cultural preservation.

For more information, visit: New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations.

Film New Orleans Supports Opening Night of 2025 Overlook Film Festival

Film New Orleans Director, Brittany Chandler, and Production Coordinator, Mitchell Parker, attended the 2025 Overlook Film Festival. Celebrated for being held in America’s most haunted city, this event brings together genre enthusiasts and cinephiles from across the globe to experience four days of thrilling screenings and eerie excitement in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. 

The festival, produced in partnership with Prytania Theatres, offers a thrilling platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work. The Opening Night film, DROP, directed by Christopher Landon, had audiences on edge.

Their presence at the festival showed support for the local film scene and helped keep New Orleans connected to a wider film community.

Deputy Director Alana Harris Represents at French Quarter Fest Opening

Alana Harris, Deputy Director of Arts & Culture for the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, attended the 42nd annual French Quarter Festival Kickoff Parade and Opening Day Ceremony, as the four-day celebration of Louisiana music, food, and culture continues through Sunday, April 13.

French Quarter Fest has once again transformed the historic Vieux Carré into a vibrant hub for local talent, featuring 22 stages and over 300 performances spanning zydeco, jazz, funk, brass, and more. Acts like The Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, and BeauSoleil featuring Michael Doucet are just a few of the names lighting up the stages this weekend.

Nearly 70 culinary vendors are also on site, serving everything from snoballs to yakamein. Festivalgoers can also catch live cooking demos and interviews with top chefs like Kevin Belton and Eleazar Fuerte at Mike’s Amazing Culinary Stage in Woldenberg Park. There’s still time to catch the festival—don’t miss out!

For more information, visit: Happy Festing! French Quarter Fest.

Fresh Fest Under the Bridge

For more information, visit: Fresh Fest Under The Bridge.

NOMA Egg Hunt and Family Festival Presented by Hancock Whitne

The New Orleans Museum of Art invites families to celebrate spring at the annual Egg Hunt and Family Festival, presented by Hancock Whitney, on Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This outdoor event offers a morning filled with vibrant arts & crafts, interactive games, face painting, festive food and drinks, sweet treats, music, and more—all within the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike.

This year's festival is co-chaired by Anne Angelico and Lacey Monteleone, with Taylor Pospisil serving as Chair of the NOMA Volunteer Committee. Egg hunts for children ages 4 and under and ages 5 and up will begin promptly at 10:45 AM.

For many families, this event is a joyful first introduction to both NOMA and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Proceeds from the Egg Hunt and Family Festival directly support NOMA’s educational initiatives, public programs, and exhibitions, helping to enrich the lives of children and families throughout the region.

For more information, visit: NOMA Egg Hunt and Family Festival Presented by Hancock Whitney

For more information, visit: New Orleans Poetry Festival.

Sacred Care: A Black Womb Health and Healing Expo

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, NOVAC presents Sacred Care: A Black Womb Health and Healing Expo on Saturday, April 12, 10am - 5:30pm at the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice. This day-long event is a sacred space dedicated to uplift and empower Black womb-carriers, birthers, and birth workers through access to critical resources, expert-led discussions, and healing services that aim to uplift, thank and love on black-womb carriers. 

As an extension of NOVAC’s Black Maternal Health Film Project, Sacred Care offers a full day of healing and community, featuring expert-led wellness activities, panel discussions, creative expression, and a powerful film screening. While wellness services are exclusively available to registered Black womb-carriers, the broader event and film screening are open to the public.

Sacred Care is made possible with support from Foundation for Louisiana, South Arts, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, and is produced in partnership with the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts & Cultural Justice on historic Bayou Road.

For more information, visit Sacred Care: A Black Womb Health and Healing Expo.

Claiborne Avenue Community Workshop — “New Orleans Needs a Makeover”

This Saturday, April 12, the Claiborne Avenue Alliance will host a community workshop focused on improving property values and reimagining the future of Claiborne Avenue.

Held at the Tremé Market Branch (800 N. Claiborne Avenue) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the workshop will offer residents and community members an opportunity to share ideas, voice concerns, and collaborate on revitalization efforts for one of New Orleans’ most historically significant corridors.

This event is free and open to the public. Community voices are encouraged to help shape the vision for Claiborne Avenue.

For more information, visit: Community Workshop: New Orleans Needs A Makeover.

YALA Baby ArtsPlay!™ Returns to Newcomb Art Museum with "Oh What a Feeling!"

For more information, visit: YALA Baby ArtsPlay!™ "Oh What a Feeling!" at Newcomb.

Ubuntu Village Hosts Second “Heal the Block” Initiative in Central City

Ubuntu Village invites the community to join them for the Second Heal the Block Initiative taking place this Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1416 S. Liberty St., New Orleans, LA 70113 (Corner of MLK). Designed to address systemic inequities and uplift high-need neighborhoods, Healing the Block brings vital resources directly to the communities most impacted by violence and injustice.

The Heal the Block Community Fair is a day of healing, connection, and empowerment, featuring free healthcare services, education resources, employment assistance, and youth-focused activities. The event fosters trust, safety, and engagement, giving residents the tools and support to lead the charge in their own healing and growth.

For more information, visit: Heal the Block Community Fair.

Rugby Meets French Culture at NOLA Gold Stadium

The Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans, in collaboration with NOLA Gold Rugby, the Consulate General of France in New Orleans, and local French immersion schools, proudly presents a vibrant initiative uniting language and sport. This unique partnership brings together two fundamental elements of French identity — rugby and the French language — in a dynamic, educational experience for New Orleans students.

In France, rugby is not just a game; it’s a celebration of community, teamwork, and cultural pride. Through this immersive program, French immersion students from across the city have been learning and playing rugby entirely en français, deepening their fluency while embracing the spirit of the sport.

On Saturday, April 12, families and fans are invited to the NOLA Gold Stadium to cheer on the students during the final tournament, leading into the professional match between NOLA Gold and Old Glory DC Rugby at 6 p.m.

Join in the excitement and support this inspiring collaboration that connects New Orleans youth to global traditions and opportunities.

For more information, visit: NOLA Gold vs Old Glory DC; Alliance Francaise Matchday Ticket.

26th Annual Bill Russell Lecture: Women of Preservation Hall

The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) invites students, families, and community members of all ages to celebrate the opening of its new exhibition, Making It Home: From Vietnam to New Orleans, with a day of engaging, family-friendly activities on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Tricentennial Wing. This event is free and open to the public, with no registration required.

The event will feature a variety of engaging activities for all ages. The day will kick off at 10:30 AM with Story Time, followed by an organ demonstration at 11:00 AM. At 11:30 AM, YALA presents Zohar and the Free Spirit Stilt Walkers, bringing a lively performance to the event. A Making It Home gallery talk will be held at 12:30 PM, offering deeper insights into the exhibition. Another Story Time session will take place at 1:30 PM, and the day will conclude with a vibrant performance by the Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team at 1:45 PM, presented by the NOLA Nite Market. These activities provide a rich blend of cultural exploration, performance, and storytelling for all to enjoy.

The Shop at the Collection will feature items showcasing traditional Vietnamese iconography, local art created by Vietnamese makers, and a pop-up "vending machine" offering mini prints of Vietnamese cultural elements.
For a delicious taste of local Vietnamese cuisine, The Café will feature special menu items throughout April from Dough Nguyener, including dishes made with ingredients from Veggi Farmers Cooperative, a Vietnamese-run farm in New Orleans East.

For more information, visit: “Making it Home” Community Day.

Small & Emerging Business Development Informational Session

The City of New Orleans is inviting qualified Small & Emerging Business Enterprises to bid on the CMAR RFP for Lincoln Beach. On Monday, April 14, 2025, the City will host an informational session designed to break down the RFP bid requirements, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR), the commercial trades needed for the project, and more. This session is a valuable opportunity for small and emerging businesses to learn about the bidding process and the specific needs of this exciting development project. All interested businesses are encouraged to attend and gain insight into how to participate in this important opportunity.

For more information, visit: LINCOLN BEACH REDEVELOPMENT SURVEY.

Music Census Sessions Live: Maximizing Revenue Streams for Musicians

Musicians and music professionals are invited to attend Maximizing Revenue Streams for Musicians, a free educational workshop presented as part of the Music Census Sessions Live series. Taking place on Wednesday, April 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Algiers Regional Library, this session offers valuable insight into the many ways artists can diversify and increase their income.

The discussion will be led by industry experts Deborah Evans of Della Music Publishing, Jeremy Kelley of Bon Bon Vivant, and Ashlye Keaton of The Ella Project. Together, they will cover key topics including music publishing and royalty collection, revenue streams for songwriters and performers, working with Performing Rights Organizations, and the essentials of sync licensing—plus time will be reserved for audience questions.

This session is free and open to the public, with both in-person and Zoom livestream options available (though in-person attendance is encouraged). RSVP is required.

For more information, visit Maximizing Revenue Streams for Musicians.

Last Chance to Apply: Ogden Museum Teen Internship Program

For more information, visit: Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s Teen Internship Program.