Best Bets for the Fest
Now in its 45th year, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s lineup once again combines new and old, local and national. Headliners include Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. There is also pop diva Christina Aguilera, recent chart-topper Robin Thicke, indie stars Arcade Fire and critic darlings Vampire Weekend. Local favorite turned rising folk stars Hurray for the Riff Raff perform again. Other acts include the Avett Brothers, Lyle Lovett, Alabama Shakes and Public Enemy; on-the-cusp picks include British singer Laura Mvula and new New Orleans resident Solange (sister of Beyoncé). Information, NOJazzFest.com.
Mature Audiences Only
Mike Birbiglia and Aziz Ansari have carved out a niche of grown-up humor – not adult humor, but comedy about struggles with adulthood. Birbiglia wrote and starred in Sleepwalk With Me, which uses his dangerous sleepwalking problem as a metaphor for troubles with love and finding success in comedy. "Parks and Recreation" star Ansari’s “Modern Romance” tour focuses on dating and marriage. Birbiglia plays the Civic Theater (CivicNola.com) April 18; Ansari is at Mahalia Jackson Theater (MahaliaJacksonTheater.com) for two shows April 21.
The Incredible Hulk
After some time spent as a tabloid fixture, Hulk Hogan is back in the ring. The wrestling star recently returned to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and will host WrestleMania 30, WWE’s signature event, when it slams the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 6. Commemorating the epic match between Hogan and Andre the Giant (Andre Roussimoff) during WrestleMania III in 1987, this year’s event includes the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Roussimoff died in ’93). Events also include a Hall of Fame induction and a fan festival. Information, wwe.com.
April 5. NOMA Egg Hunt, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Information, noma.org
April 5. Freret Street Fest, Freret Street between Napoleon and Jefferson avenues. Information, FreretStreetFestival.com
April 7-8. Dita Von Teese’s “Strip Strip Horray!” variety show, House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
April 10-13. French Quarter Festival, throughout the French Quarter. Information, fqfi.org
April 10-12. New Orleans Opera Association presents The Marriage of Figaro, Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Information, NewOrleansOpera.org
April 11-13. Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula. Information, LAStrawberryFestival.com
April 19. Crescent City Classic, French Quarter and Mid-City – festival is at finish line in City Park. Information, ccc10k.com
April 19. Fleur de Tease, One Eyed Jacks. Information, OneEyedJacks.net
April 19. Chita Rivera in concert, Le Petit Théâtre. LePetitTheatre.com
April 20. Easter Parades, French Quarter. Information, FrenchQuarterEasterParade.com, GayEasterParade.com
April 24-27. Zurich Classic, TPC Louisiana. Information, ZurichGolfClassic.com
April 27. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic plus special guest DJ Soul Sister, New Orleans House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
April 28. Tipitina’s Foundation’s Instruments A-Comin’, Tipitina’s. Information, Tipitinas.com
April 30. New Orleans Opera Association Presents, “Opera On Tap,” Four Points by Sheraton–French Quarter. Information, NewOrleansOpera.org
May 1. John Legend in concert, Saenger Theatre. Information, SaengerNola.com
