Thursday, Dec. 5
Masks, cult robes, an onstage mountain, delusions of grandeur – all things you can expect from Kanye West's Yeezus tour, which hits the New Orleans Arena tonight. Kendrick Lamar opens. Info here.
The Faulkner Society's annual Words & Music Festival is in progress and goes until Sunday. Writers descend upon New Orleans for readings, master classes and other events, and there are also concerts. Info here.
Friday, Dec. 6
Get in the Christmas spirit with a concert by the Fleur De Lys Chamber Orchestra, who present a holiday concert at the Marigny Opera House. Info here.
The Contemporary Arts Center hosts Pavement, a dance piece by award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham that takes place on a basketball court suspended in time. Info here.
Featuring Madison Kerth, a veteran from the national touring production of the show, the classic feel-good musical Annie opens at Rivertown Theaters. Kerth also leads workshops for young performers during the show's run. Info here.
For a completely different type of production starring kids, the NOLA Project presents the darkly humorous A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant, in which the story of the "religion" is presented as an elementary school pageant featuring actual children. Info here.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Singer of one of the best torch songs ever, "I Can't Make You Love Me," Bonnie Raitt performs at the Saenger tonight. Info here.
At a New Orleans Ladies Arm Wrestling (NOLAW) brawl, costumed arm wrestlers assume oversize personalities and face off in bouts that can often be swayed by audience participation and bribery — it's a lot of fun. The event benefits the nonprofit Womanspace Louisiana and features raffles and an after-party. Info here.
Nick Kroll, known for the FX series The League and his Comedy Central sketch show The Kroll Show, performs stand-up at the Civic. Info here.
Air Sex sounds strange — it's basically air guitar but with … you know. But contestants turn this "sport" that has been seen on America's Got Talent and Bad Girls Club into an art with routines featuring imaginative characters, costumes and music. Saturday's national championships will be filmed for a documentary. Info here.
