The play’s the thing
In presenting the well-trodden works of Shakespeare, many directors like to take artistic license in when the play is set – which is how you end up with Romeo & Juliet’s star-crossed lovers as teen Los Angelinos (Baz Lurhmann’s 1996 film) or Much Ado About Nothing set in on an Old South plantation (The NOLA Project’s 2013 production). The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is taking similar liberties with its production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which runs through July 12, setting it in the 1930s and using multimedia effects. The festival, which began last month, continues until Aug. 3 and features The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), a presentation from the University of Warwick and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, a student production of Twelfth Night and more. Information, NewOrleansShakespeare.org
Beatlemania
It will be 50 years in September since The Beatles played to thousands of shrieking fans at New Orleans’ Tad Gormley Stadium. While there’s plenty of touring Beatles tributes (both the Saenger and the Joy Theaters hosted Beatles musicals in the past two years), the annual New Orleans Beatles Festival features an all-locals lineup paying tribute to the band. The Topcats, Rockin Dopsie Jr. and Robin Barnes are just some of the artists involved. The concert is July 12. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
OUT to the Movies
The New Orleans Film Festival has typically included a series of LGBT-oriented films in its larger programming. Now the New Orleans Film Society, which presents the film festival, is partnering with Shotgun Cinema to present the standalone LGBT film fest OUTakes, July 10-13 in Marginy’s Old Firehouse (718 Mandeville St.). Films include To Be Takei, about the “Star Trek” actor-turned-gay activist George Takei; Before You Know It, a documentary about gay seniors citizens, which will feature director PJ Raval in attendance; Female Trouble, the John Waters classic and more. Information, NewOrleansFilmSociety.org
July 4-Oct. 12. “Alexis Rockman: Drawings From Life of Pi,” New Orleans Museum of Art. Information, Noma.org
July 10-13. Tulane Summer Lyric presents A Chorus Line, Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Information, SummerLyric.Tulane.edu
July 12. Bastille Day Fete, Spanish Plaza. Information, BastilleDayNola.com
July 12. El Encierro: The Running of the Bulls, Central Business District/French Quarter. Information, NolaBulls.com
July 16. New Orleans Magazine’s Top Female Achievers event, Hotel InterContinental. Information, MyNewOrleans.com
July 17-20. Tales of the Cocktail, Hotel Monteleone and other locations. Information, TalesOfTheCocktail.com
July 18. Akula Foundation’s All That Jazz gala, Rosy’s Jazz Hall. Information, AkulaFamilyFoundation.com
July 20. Beyonce and Jay-Z in concert, Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, Superdome.com
July 21-27. The New Movement’s Megaphone Marathons comedy festival, The New Movement. Information, TNMComedy.com
July 24-Sept. 21. “One Place: Paul Kwilecki and Four Decades of Photographs from Decatur County, Georgia,” Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Information, OgdenMuseum.org
July 26. Steely Dan, UNO Lakefront Arena. Information, Arena.uno.edu
July 31-Aug. 3. Satchmo Summerfest, Old U.S. Mint. Information, Fqfi.org
July 31-Aug. 3. Tulane Summer Lyric presents Cabaret, Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Information, SummerLyric.Tulane.edu
Aug. 2. Whitney White Linen Night, New Orleans Arts District. Information, NewOrleansArtsDistrict.com
Aug. 3. Justin Timberlake in concert, Smoothie King Center. Information, SmoothieKingCenter.com