Mid-week Fun in New Orleans

Wednesday is free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art for all visitors.  Stop by between 12 noon and 8 pm to take advantage of free admission and extended hours.  While you're there, you might as well stop by the Besthoff Sculpture Garden to take in the scenery!

Ready to jump start the Christmas season?  On Thursday at 6pm head down to Washington Artillery Park across from Jackson Square for the lighting of the French Market Christmas Tree!  After the lighting, join a second line parade to Dutch Alley for some food, drink, music, and dancing!

Have a great week!

Wednesday's Events in New Orleans

Wednesday marks another installment in this season's Harvest the Music Festival in Lafayette Square.  Head downtown at 5pm to enjoy a free concert by Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk and Good Enough for Good Times.  Admission is free, and food and drinks are available for purchase.  Proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.

And don't forget, since it's Wednesday, that means free admission for all to the New Orleans Museum of Art!

Have a great Wednesday!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

It's shaping up to be another beautiful Big Easy weekend with plenty of free events for you to enjoy!  Here are a few events happening this weekend that will entertain your family but not wreck your wallet:

The Bridge City Gumbo Festival will run through Sunday.  Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, games, and of course some delicious chicken and sausage gumbo!

Head to GentillyFest on Saturday or Sunday for wonderful music (Bucktown Allstars, Rockin Doopsie, and others), incredible food, and a children's area with bubbles, face painting, pony rides, and more.  I think the shrimp and roasted corn grits in the food area are calling my name...

Experience Japanese art and culture at Japan Fest at the New Orleans Museum of Art.  At the museum (which is offering 1/2 off admission during the festival) and the surrounding lawn, check out martial arts demonstrations, Japanese style dance, crafts, and food on Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm.

In Metairie, St. Mary Magdalen church and school (6425 W. Metairie Avenue) is holding their annual seafood festival both Saturday and Sunday. 

Across the river in Algiers, Holy Name of Mary is celebrating its 100th annual Fall Festival.  Enjoy music, food, fun and games at this free fall festival running both Saturday and Sunday.

There's no excuse for staying inside this weekend - get out and have a great time!

Mid-week events

It's Wednesday again - that means free admission for all to the New Orleans Museum of Art!  From 12pm to 8pm, enjoy free admission to the museum, and at 6pm experience the Ancestors and Descendants exhibit walk through with the curator.

Also, don't forget about Wednesdays on the Point in Algiers - there are only three left.  This Wednesday's scheduled entertainment is Anais St. John with the Prohibition Jazz Band.

Head to Zephyr field in Metairie on Thursday for the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest.  Test your skills in the batting cages or mobile video game arcade, or see if you have what it takes for the big leagues in the radar gun pitching challenge.  This event starts at 4pm and runs until the Zephyrs game at 7pm.

Enjoy your week - and let's hope the rain stays away!

What to Do on Wednesday...

It's Wednesday again - time for free admission for all to the New Orleans Museum of Art!  Tonight, enjoy a free screening of the award-winning (and the most popular Taiwanese film), Cape No. 7, at 6pm.  Also tonight, from 6-7pm, meet local woodworking artist Peg Martinez.

Wednesday also means Wednesdays on the Point in Algiers.  Tonight from 6-9pm, enjoy a free show by Amanda Shaw!

If you're a member of the Audubon Institute, head to the Aquarium of the Americas tonight from 5-8pm for SEAlebration!  Open only to Audubon members, SEAlebration will feature live music, feedings, aquarist chats, and kids' activities.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

What to Do on Wednesday...

If you're looking for something to do on Wednesday, you're in luck! 

In Algiers you'll find the latest installment of their "Wednesdays On the Point" series.  From 6-9pm head to the Dry Dock Cafe & Vine & Dine to check out Captain Josh and his tribute to Jimmy Buffet!

Wednesdays still mean free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art.  Experience a curator-lead walk through of the exhibit "Ancestors and Descendants" from 6-6:30pm, then dance to Flowtribe while they put on a free show!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!

It's Wednesday, which means extended hours and free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art. If you haven't been yet, head to the museum to check out the fine art collection on loan from the Tulane University Amistad Research Center.

Head to the Roundtree Blown Glass Studio in Algiers for some free music and dancing tonight as part of the free Wednesdays on the Point series.  Tonight's event is a Latin dance lesson and music by Freddy Omar Con Su Banda from 6-9pm. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday and try to stay dry!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Like to bike? Then head up north to Abita Springs for the 10th Annual Louisiana Bicycle Festival. This loosely organized festival starts around 9am (or whenever people begin to show up) and ends about 4pm. The bicycle parade through town starts at 12:30pm for a half hour ride through Abita Springs.

If you have a little free time on your hands, your help is needed at City Park's Super Saturday Volunteer Day. Bring your sunscreen, gloves, garden tools, and bug spray, and lend a hand to help keep our City Park beautiful from 9am until noon.

Also on Saturday, head over to Fleurty Girl on Oak Street to meet children's book author Cornell Landry. He'll be at the shop from 2-4pm signing copies of his book Goodnight NOLA - one of our household favorites. Pick up a few awesome Fleurty Girl t-shirts while you're there!

Experience Lakeview at the West Harrison Avenue Block Party on Saturday from 12 noon until 6pm. There will be a spacewalk for the kids, an antique car display, and entertainment by Benny Grunch & the Bunch.

Thanks to Target, admission is free on Sunday at the Louisiana Children's Museum, and to honor dads on Father's Day, all dads get in free at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Happy father's day to all dads out there!

Wednesday Fun - If you can stand the heat!

Ok, judging by the temperature and heat index, summer really arrived a little early! If you can stand the sweltering conditions, here are a few events happening Wednesday to keep you entertained and on budget:

The last installment of the YLC Wednesdays at the Square is from 5pm to 7:30pm. Galactic and The Soul Rebels are closing out the season, rain or shine. This event is free, and proceeds from refreshments sold will benefit the Young Leadership Council.

If you're an Audubon Zoo member, Wednesday means Zoobilation! From 4:30pm to 7:30pm, members can enjoy the zoo after hours. Enjoy live music, animal feedings, animal open houses, free rides on the swamp train, and free simulator rides. There will be plenty of kids' activities, and author Cornell Landry will be on hand to sign his new book, "Happy Jazz Fest."

Since it's Wednesday, remember the New Orleans Museum of Art has free admission for all and is open late (until 8pm) on Wednesdays. And they have air conditioning!

Have a great Wednesday, and remember if you're going to be out in the heat - stay hydrated!

Happening this Wednesday in New Orleans

Remember - Wednesdays are free admission for everyone to the New Orleans Museum of Art (thinks to the Helis Foundation's generosity), and hours are extended until 8pm as well. Check out the opening of the Swamp Tours: Exploring the Louisiana Contemporary Collection exhibit at 6pm. Included in the free admission is a drop-in community art-making studio for adults this Wednesday from 6-8pm. Art materials and instruction from art therapists are included!

It's also the second to last chance for you to enjoy a free concert at YLC's Wednesday at the Square. Performing this Wednesday is The Boogie Men and The N'awlins Johnnys.

Have a great Wednesday!

What to Do on Wednesday?

You don't have to wait for the weekend to find plenty of things to do around here.

The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns will be at three of the branches of the New Orleans Public library on Wednesday to help celebrate Children's Book Week. Check here for locations and times.

From 4:30pm to 8:30pm, head over to Lakeview for the Harrison Avenue Marketplace, which offers food, drink, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.

The New Orleans Museum of Art is open late on Wednesday, and remember, admission is free to all visitors thanks to the Helis Foundation.

Looking to enjoy some great music? Head down to Lafayette Square for the latest installment of the YLC Wednesday at the Square series. The lineup this Wednesday? The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (yay!) and Happy Jack Frequency.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

It's May 5th - "Cinco de Mayo"! If you're looking for something to do tonight, here are a few ideas:

YLC Wednesday at the Square - performing tonight are Junco Partners + Billy Iuso & The Restless Natives

New Orleans Museum of Art - free admission Wednesday

Tomatillo's Cinco de Mayo Block Party - free block party from 5:30pm to 11pm with music (Rockin' Dopsie Jr., DJ G, and Hot Down South), face painting, and great Mexican food!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday's Free and Frugal Finds

Remember, every Wednesday is free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art! Tonight, from 6-8pm you can attend a listening party for Quintron's new album. They say the party starts at the Stern Auditorium inside the museum, and that part of the party will be too loud for children. The party then moves outside to the Besthoff Sculpture Garden outside the museum at 7pm, and children are definitely welcome there.

Also tonight from 5-10pm, head over to your nearest Baskin Robbins for 31 Cent Scoop Night! Take the whole family out for an after dinner treat and not break the bank (and help the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation while you're at it)!

Have a happy Wednesday!

Wednesday Events

Spring has definitely sprung, and in this area that means you don't have to wait for the weekend to find something fun to do with the family! If you have some free time this Wednesday, check out the Young Leadership Council's Wednesday at the Square concert series. Every Wednesday from 5pm to 7:30pm at Lafayette Square, the YLC will be hosting two different acts for FREE! This Wednesday it's John Cleary and the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Also, parking is $4 after 4pm at 650 Poydras Street - just how often can you find discount parking downtown?

And on Wednesdays, remember there is free admission for everyone to the New Orleans Museum of Art! The museum is also open late on Wednesdays - until 8pm.
Hope you enjoy your Wednesday - looks to be another beautiful day in the Big Easy!

Another Freebie for You

I have yet another freebie to tell you about, and this one is an ongoing one. Every Wednesday from noon until 8pm, the New Orleans Museum of Art is offering FREE ADMISSION to ALL! That's right - not just Louisiana residents who enjoyed free admission last year - but ALL visitors will be admitted free on Wednesdays! A special thanks to the Helis Foundation for providing admission to everyone.

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

It's shaping up to be another beautiful weekend in the Big Easy! This weekend will be jam-packed with parades and other fun things to do with your families.

On Saturday, head to the Irish Channel for the 63rd annual Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club Mass and parade. The Mass begins at noon at St. Mary's Assumption church and the parade will follow after Mass.

Also Saturday from 10-11am, make a tabletop basketball game at your nearest Lowes Build and Grow Clinic.

In Metairie, head over to the Lakeside Shopping Center at 9:45am for the Easter egg hunt and check out the Education Expo afterwards for some summer camp ideas.

On Sunday at 11am, the St. Patrick's Day parade will roll down Metairie Road for your chance to catch even MORE produce (and some beads and trinkets, of course).

This is also the final weekend for the "Dreams Come True" exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Once the museum opens on Saturday morning at 10am, it will be open for 30 hours straight (until 5pm Sunday). This is the only North American presentation of this Disney artwork exhibit, so make sure to attend this weekend before its gone.

Finally on Sunday afternoon from 4-7pm, take the kids over to La Maison (508 Frenchmen) to experience a free jazz performance as part of the Nickel-A-Dance series. This Sunday, Detroit Brooks' Syncopated Percolators will perform. Children are welcome for these free performances.

There you have it - plenty of free and frugal things to do to get your family out to enjoy this beautiful weekend!

New Orleans Area Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

Another weekend full of free and frugal things to do in the New Orleans area. If your social calendar is open this weekend, check out a few of these events to keep you busy:

• The weather should be great for the Gator Luau at Holy Name of Jesus school in New Orleans. It runs Friday through Sunday and includes food, drink, rides, music, and both the LSU and Saints games will be shown so you won't have to miss a play!
• If you're in the mood to shop for Christmas presents, check out the St. Edward the Confessor Craft Fair on Saturday from 9am to 5pm at 4921 W. Metairie Avenue. With more than 100 exhibitors, you should be able to find something for everyone on your list!
• Also on Saturday will be the next installment of the Kids Culinary Camp for second through fourth graders at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, sponsored by the Junior League of New Orleans.
• If you're the handy type, head over to Lowe's for their Build and Grow clinic on Saturday from 10-11am. The kids will get to create a "garage" for the Lowe's NASCAR vehicle.
• On Sunday, head over to the Louisiana Children's Museum for free admission courtesy of Target.
• If music is your thing, check out the craft and food vendors and enjoy the music at the free third annual Congo Square Rhythms Festival on Sunday from 11am until 6:30pm.
• Also on Sunday is the grand opening of the "Dreams Come True" Disney art exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art. This exhibit will be on display until March 14, 2010, so if you can't make it out this weekend, you'll have plenty of time to do so.

Have a wonderful weekend and get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!