New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

So, I’ve been MIA, and I apologize (that is if any of you missed me!). Now that the holidays are over and routines are (mostly) back in order, I can get back to letting you know some of the free and cheap things going on in our lovely city!

Saturday morning, the St. Charles Public Library in Luling will have its free planetarium show "Planets of the Solar System" at 10am.  At 2pm bring the kids to the planetarium for "Twinkle Theater".

At noon on Saturday, "Take Back the Park" at Bonart Playground (Marais and Forestall Streets) with a free seafood boil and music by the Rebirth Brass Band.

This Sunday is, again, Target Free Sunday at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Head over to their place on Julia Street and let your kids enjoy the exhibits while your pocketbook enjoys not having to pay! For some reason, my kids always venture into the Winn-Dixie sponsored kids’ grocery store. It’s not like they never experience the real thing…

Also on Sunday the Audubon Zoo, will be host to the got milk? “Pour One More” campaign tour from 11am to 2pm. Saints Hall of Famer Joe Horn (one of my favorites!) will be on hand, as will a registered dietitian to answer your questions about milk and its benefits. Participate in a football toss, get milk samples from local dairies (while supplies last), and learn how you can improve the health of your family by drinking milk and consuming other milk products (according to a new study, 86% of Louisiana residents do not meet milk and milk products recommendations). Admission to the zoo is $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 2-12, but free if you’re an Audubon Institute member.

Also, make sure you visit whymilk.com for the chance to win a year supply of milk and also help a family in need by passing a virtual gallon of milk. For each gallon passed, $1 will be given to Feeding America, which helps families in need of food.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and can get out and enjoy these events!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Here are a couple of free events in town this weekend for you to fit in while finishing up your Christmas preparations:

Snow in the Big Easy?  Yes, it's true!  Head to City Park on Saturday morning for your chance to play in snow, albeit man-made.  Starting at 9am until it melts, head over to the lawn in front of the New Orleans Museum of Art for fun in the snow.

On Sunday courtesy of Target, admission to the Louisiana Children's Museum will be free to all visitors.  Enjoy the hands-on exhibits from noon until 4:30 pm.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ogden Playdate: Christmas Singalong!

The Prytania Theater is host to a very special holiday event this Saturday from 9-11 am: the Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Singalong!  This Ogden Playdate, sponsored by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and Phelps Dunbar, is free but requires a reservation as there is limited seating.  Songbooks will be provided, but you are asked to bring your own flashlight.  To make reservations, email ayagoto@aol.com or call 504-523-4883.

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Santa will be visiting local Toys R Us stores from 12 noon until 3 pm on Saturday, so bring your camera to snap a photo of your child with him and Geoffrey!  Listen to storytime, decorate a gingerbread cookie, and score some giveaways at this free event!

Head downtown to see Santa in the Krewe of Jingle parade on Canal Street, Saturday at 1 pm.  The parade will be followed by a block party at 2 pm in the 100 block of Baronne where you can enjoy music, games, crafts, and food!.

At the French Market on Saturday from noon until 4 pm, enjoy live music and children's activities at the St. Nicholas Day Fair.  Stick around for the French Market Christmas Parade that follows the Krewe of Jingle parade about 3:30 pm.

While downtown, don't forget to stop by the Miracle on Fulton Street events by Harrah's Casino.  Enjoy live music, snowfalls, and incredible Christmas decorations, including Macy's Tremendous Tree!  The Christmas display at the Roosevelt Hotel is also not to be missed.

DesCours is a 10-day art and architecture event happening now.  While you're out and about this weekend, take along this map and guide to show you the "hidden" artworks around the city.

Celebrate the Christmas season in a true Louisiana tradition from 5 pm to 8 pm on Saturday at the Algiers Bonfire Concert followed by the bonfire lighting at 8:15 pm. 

Have a great weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

If you're not out there scoring shopping deals this weekend and are looking for some free and fun things to do around town, here are a few events for you to check out:

Friday night at 6:30 pm, head to Spanish Plaza at the Riverwalk for a free outdoor screening of the Christmas classic "The Polar Express".   Make sure you bring a blanket and wear some warm clothes - it's bound to be a bit chilly!

While you're downtown, visit Santa in front of the Macy's Tremendous Tree as part of Harrah's "Miracle on Fulton Street" celebration.  Santa will be hearing gift requests from 6 pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 2 pm to 7pm on Sunday.  If you bring a new gift worth at least $15 to donate to the Friends of the Fishermen Foundation, you'll get a free picture with Santa.  Check out the free live music while you're there - including Big Sam's Funky Nation on Saturday night! 
Have a wonderful weekend!

Tis the Season!

Look no further than the opening of Miracle on Fulton Street tonight for a sure sign that the holidays are upon us.  Head downtown for a 5:30 pm lighting of the Macy's Tremendous Tree, then a 6:30 pm concert by Benny Grunch and the Bunch.  Enjoy complimentary refreshments, snowfall, and face painting to usher in the season.

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

There's plenty to do around town this weekend, so if you're looking for some free fun, look no further!

On Saturday, Lowe's has it's latest installment of their Build and Grow program.  This Saturday from 10 am to noon, bring the kids to make a wooden snowman!

From 6:30 am Saturday through 6:30 am Sunday, experience the fifth annual Draw-A-Thon at the Green Project.  Check out performances by various artists, children's art activities, music and games, and draw all over the walls of "The Drawing Room".

From 11 am to 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, head to Plessy Park for Family Fringe as part of the New Orleans Fringe Theater Festival.  See performances for children, arts and crafts activities, and watch the parade pass on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking of parades, if you've never experienced a New Orleans second line parade, Saturday morning is your chance.  A parade to honor the memory of musician and music teacher Walter Payton Jr. will follow a brief memorial service at Preservation Hall on Saturday morning at 10:30 am and wind from Preservation Hall down St. Claude, pass McDonough No. 15 where he taught, and back through the French Quarter back to the start.

Santa Claus himself, along with Mrs, Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty, will lead another second line parade through Lakeside Mall in Metairie as he arrives on Saturday at 9:30 am. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

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!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

On the westbank, check out the Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest that runs from Friday through Sunday.  Admission is $2 for those over 10 years old, and 10 and under are free.  Enjoy food, rides, games, and a showcase of crafts at this weekend festival.

Take a drive to the northshore on Saturday or Sunday for the Three Rivers Art Festival in downtown Covington.  In addition to the myriad works of art available for sale, enjoy live music and a children's activities and entertainment at this free weekend festival.

Celebrate National Neighborhood Toy Store Day with a visit to Magic Box Toys on Magazine Street.  On Saturday from 11am until 5 pm they will be celebrating the day and their 15th anniversary with book signings, face painting, music, and more.  What a fun way to entertain your kids, support local business, and get a jump on your Christmas shopping at the same time!  10% of all proceeds will go to Children's Hospital.

At 11am at Borders, bring the kids to Build-A-Bear Storytime.  Geared toward kids ages 3 to 8, the Build-A-Bear Storytime will feature the new Build-A-Bear book: Holly & Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure.  Check the Borders website to see if a store near you is participating.

On Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, why not stop by the Po-Boy Festival on Oak Street?  36 po-boy vendors will be on hand with such offerings as Maine lobster with Crystal hot sauce or grilled shrimp with blackened avocado, in addition to the "staples" we know so well.  A children's area and live music on multiple stages throughout the day make this free festival a winner!

Also on Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm is the Congo Square Rhythms Festival at the Old US Mint on Esplanade.  Enjoy world music, crafts, a children's area, and food at this free festival.

Take advantage of the Saints' bye week and the beautiful weather - enjoy the weekend with your family!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

It's going to be a beautiful, though chilly, weekend in the Big Easy.  Take advantage of the sunshine and bundle up to enjoy these fun events around the area:

Saturday from 11am to 5pm, the Audubon Charter School will host its "Fall Fete".  Enjoy games and activities, and live music by Freddy Omar con su Banda.  Admission is free.

Markey Park on Piety is the site of the annual Mirliton Festival on Saturday from 11am to 7pm.  Enjoy live music, children's activities, and mirliton dishes, of course!  Admission is $5 per person, and free for children under 12 years old.  If you attend, please bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Like pizza?  Kids ages 7-9 can head over to the Jefferson Parish Library (East Bank Regional) at noon on Saturday and learn to make and cook their own pizzas!  Younger kids can come by the library at 10am to make a paper plate Pilgrim craft.  

If this chilly weather has you longing for the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean, check out Bayou Bacchanal 2010 at Lafayette Square on Saturday from 11am to 7pm.  Enjoy a parade (starting at Harrah's Casino and ending at Lafayette Square), and authentic Caribbean food and music.  Proceeds from refreshment sales will benefit Haiti's earthquake victims.

Have a wonderful weekend - get out and enjoy it!

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

The St. Edward the Confessor 45th Annual Cochon de Lait will be held Friday through Sunday at the school in Metairie.  Enjoy live music, carnival rides and games, and on Sunday get a plate (or a few) of their famous smoked pork!

The grand opening of the Laketown Pier in Kenner will be celebrated on Friday from 6 until 9:30pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony and live music from the band Distraction.

On Saturday, Veterans Ford is sponsoring a free child safety program.  From 9:30am until 2pm bring your children to Veterans Ford where they can be fingerprinted, photographed, and given a DNA test kit to use at home.  None of the information will be databased - all will be given to the parents to take home.  Please consider bringing your children as this information, if kept current, can be incredibly helpful in finding your child in the even he or she is reported missing.

Lafayette Square Park will be the site of the 2010 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival on Saturday and Sunday.   As the name suggests, you'll find plenty of music and eats at this free event.  Park at the Poydras Center (650 Poydras) for a flat $10/day fee.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Once again we're heavy into fall fair season!  This weekend there's no shortage of free and fun things to do with your family in the New Orleans area, and the weather looks like it will be perfect for enjoying the outdoors. 

On Friday night at 7pm, the Barnes and Noble in Metairie will host a story and craft time.  Bring the family and  make a fish bowl craft after listening to the story "Memoirs of a Goldfish" by Devin Scillian.   At the Westbank Barnes and Noble on Saturday at 7pm, enjoy a reading of "The Very Best Pumpkin" by Mark Kimball Moulton and color pumpkins afterward.

Not to be outdone, Borders will be hosting their very own kids' event this weekend.  At 11am on Saturday, celebrate Olivia the pig's newest adventure, "Olivia Goes to Venice", at both the Metairie and Uptown locations.

Saturday from 9am until noon, head to your local Home Depot for the latest installment of the Home Depot Kids Workshop.  This weekend, bring your 5-12 year old(s) and make a wooden fireboat.

The St. Ann Family Fest will open on Friday and run through Sunday.  Friday night, eat hot tamales while dancing to the Bucktown Allstars.  Saturday's lineup will be BBQ ribs with Bag O'Donuts!  Sunday, take it easy with Shrimp Alfredo and Pierce Penniless.  Admission is free.

Also this weekend (Friday and Saturday) will be the St. Philip Neri Oktoberfest at St. Philip Neri school in Metairie.  Friday night is adults only, with a German Biergarten, food, and music.  Saturday, bring the family for rides, games, music, and a pumpkin patch.

Finally, on Saturday from 12 to 6pm, browse the Really Really Free Market at the NOLA Art House on Esplanade.  Leave your wallet at home - everything in this market is 100% free!  See here for more details.

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

If you happen to be on the north shore this weekend, head over to the Louisiana Gator Fest in Mandeville for plenty of children's activities, music, and of course, alligator dishes!

While you're up that way, bring the kids to the Firehouse Concert at Fire District 12 (19375 LA 36, Covington) at noon on Saturday.  Christian Serpas will perform, and there will be fire safety demonstrations and kids' activities.

Back on the south shore, at 11am Saturday, bring the kids to Borders (in Metairie or Uptown) for games and stories promoting the new PBS Kids series The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!

If you're child is a member of the Simon Kidgits Club, head over to Esplanade Mall in Kenner for the Groovy '60s Party.  Enjoy games and activities with a '60s theme from 1-3pm.  Yearly Kidgits memberships are only $5.

Take advantage of free admission at the Louisiana Children's Museum on Sunday, courtesy of Target.  The museum will be open from noon until 4:30pm.

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Here are a few free, family-friendly events happening around town this weekend:

To commemorate the 9th anniversary of 9/11, the Marine Corps band will be performing in a free concert Saturday at St. Louis Cathedral.  Doors open at 5pm and the concert is scheduled to begin at 6pm.  Admission is free but there is limited seating on a first come, first served basis.

Also downtown this weekend is the New Orleans Seafood Festival at Lafayette Square.  Enjoy local seafood and music from 11am throughout the day and evening.  Admission is free but proceeds from food and drink sales will benefit the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation.

At 10am on Saturday, author Whitney Stewart will sign her children's book Marshall the Sea Dog at Maple Street Book Shop.  Children will also be treated to a demonstration of a simulated sea rescue at the event.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Saints Season Opener!

Thursday marks the first game of the 2010-11 NFL season, and the first Saints game!  The Saints and the NFL have put together a couple of events to help herald in the new season, so even if you don't have tickets to the game (like me), you can still partake in the festivities!

A huge stage has been set up downtown for the kickoff party and concerts.  If you want to try to snag passes to the free Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift concerts, head here to sign up.  I'm not sure if tickets are still available, but the sign up page is still working.  The concerts will run at the same time as the parade (which will pause in front of the stage), but you'll have to arrive much earlier to get your passes and get in place.

At 5pm, a Mardi Gras-style parade, the Krewe of NFL Kickoff, will begin at Esplanade Avenue and will run down N. Peters and end at Tchoupitoulas and Julia.  Expect to see many former NFL stars, including many former Saints players, on the floats!

Whether you are in the French Quarter in the midst of the celebration, or in the comfort of your own home, let's all cheer on the Saints and make it TWO DAT!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend - Katrina Anniversary Edition

This weekend there will be a huge focus on the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and with that, several events around town commemorating it.  Here are a few:

On Saturday from 2-8pm, the group Rebuilding Together will hold a block party at Lafayette Square to celebrate their restoration of 50 damaged homes in Gentilly.

Author Michelle O'Brien will sign her Katrina-themed children's book Twas the Night Before the Storm on Saturday from 11am to 1pm in the lobby of the Metaire Office Towers at 433 Metairie Road.

Celebrate first responders and "Share the Moon" on Saturday from 11:30am to 8:30pm in Jackson Square, and from 1-6pm at Le Petit Theatre with music (Grandpa Elliot, Full Steam Brass Band, and others), and free refreshments (including Ben & Jerry's ice cream!) at the Le Petit stage.

From noon until 3pm on Sunday, the St. Bernard Animal Shelter is hosting a free event to encourage shelter pet adoption.  This event will include face painting, snoballs, a pet photo contest, and adoption specials.

Finally, it might be cathartic for some of us to participate in a Jazz Funeral for Katrina.  On Sunday at 1pm, the Monteleone Hotel will sponsor a jazz funeral procession to Jackson Square, complete with a casket and a second-line jazz band.  Following the funeral march, there will be a memorial service at St. Louis Cathedral.

However you plan to commemorate the anniversary, please remember those who lost everything, including those who lost their lives, and those who still have not been able to come back home.

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Are your kids fans of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series?  If so, you'll want to take them to Octavia Books on Saturday.  The "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Truck Bookstore Tour will make it's stop there from noon to 1:30pm on Saturday to celebrate book 5 in the series.

Your musically-inclined kids have yet another chance to play with a real jazz band!  On Saturday from 11am to noon, kids can drop in at the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park with their own instruments and play with the Storyville Stompers Brass Band!

On Sunday, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is hosting its annual free fair.  From 10am to 3pm, take the family to the Ogden for a "Coastal Celebration" which will include music, dancing, craft-making, and of course, art!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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!