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!

Monday's Events

Monday marks the end of an error, I mean era, and beginning of a new one with the swearing in of the next New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu. To celebrate his swearing in, from 11:30am to 3pm in Lafayette Square the Celebrate New Orleans Festival will have complimentary food and drinks and plenty of great music (weather permitting). Please bring some non-perishable foods to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank if you attend!

Also Monday, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the University of New Orleans, children's poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman will be reading from and discussing her works (which include The Llama Who Had No Pajama) and will sign books afterwards. This event is free but reservations are recommended by emailing paustin@uno.edu

Have a great Monday!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

If you're not heading out to Jazz Fest this weekend, here are a couple of events that will keep you busy and having fun!

First, if you're heading out west, check out the Little Red Church Food and Fun Festival at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan (THAT was a mouthful!). Admission is free. The fair runs through Sunday and will have plenty of food, rides, and great music (including one of my favorites - the Bucktown Allstars on Saturday!).

If you're heading out that way on Saturday, why not stop by the Luling Planetarium for a couple of free shows. At 10am see "Wilbear's Adventure" and at 2pm check out the Twinkle Theater.

Also this weekend is the St. Philip Neri May Fair. It runs Friday and Saturday, and again will have plenty of food, music, and fun!

Enjoy the weekend!

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!

Bryan Foods Gift Pack Giveaway WINNER!

Congratulations to Aggie, the winner of my Bryan Foods gift pack! Aggie had comment #7, which was picked by the Random.org random number generator.

Thanks to all who entered!

Great Lawn Grand Opening and Free LPO Concert

Wednesday evening at dusk (they're saying about 6pm - 6:30pm), head over to City Park's new Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn and celebrate its grand opening with a free concert by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Bring your blanket and a picnic dinner, or enjoy the concessions that will be available for sale! The LPO will also be collecting canned goods/non-perishable foods for the Second Harvest Food Bank starting at 5pm, so you can celebrate a grand opening, listen to some great music, and do a good deed for others. Enjoy!