A welcome libationary diversion to the summer doldrums is the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, June 7-11. The five-day celebration will feature more than a dozen wine- and food-related activities such as wine dinners, Vinola, the Grand Tasting, Tournament of Rosés and Burlesque, Bubbly & Brunch. Focused “Labs” include the Bubble Up Challenge and Let’s Get Vertical: The Impact of Water on Wine with Jackson Family Wines and Meteorologist Hank Allen and “Experiences” such as Ethereal Afternoon: Cake Decorating with Edible Flowers led by Bronwen Wyatt/Bayou Saint Cake and Old-Fashioned Cocktail MasterClass with Picnic Provisions Pairings. For more information and tickets, go to nowfe.com; Instagram: @nowfe.
Put A Ring On It
Rings have been adorning fingers for the world to see since ancient times. “Ring Redux: The Susan Grant Lewin Collection” at the New Orleans Museum of Art showcases 100 rings made by designers whose creations are not the usual luxury looks or mass-produced. These rings — ranging from the 1950s to present day — are artful interpretations, such as the resin and fabric flowers ring by Vania Ruiz or the two-finger Lamellae ring by Pritzker Prize-winning Zaha Hadid, based on her design of the Wangjing Soho skyscrapers in Beijing. The exhibition is on view through Feb. 4, 2024. NOMA, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, noma.org.
Show Your Pride
New Orleans Pride is back June 9-11 to celebrate the LGBTQ community. The New Orleans Black Pride Weekend takes place at the same time. While most events take place in the French Quarter and surrounding areas, it is citywide. Highlights include Pajama Jam Pride at Cafe Istanbul on June 9, the Pride Parade on June 10 and Longue Vue House and Garden’s Family Equality Day on June 11, to name a few of the events. neworleanspride.org; blackpridenola.com
Let Freedom Ring!
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., marking the day when Federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865 to take control and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. It was two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday in 1979; it is now a national holiday. New Orleans will mark this event, with a number of activities including the New Orleans Juneteenth Festival on June 19 in Armstrong Park/Congo Square. nolajuneteenthfestival.org
On Sea Or By Land
What’s behind the “curtain” of construction at the foot of Canal Street will be revealed on June 8 when the reimagined Audubon Aquarium and the relocated Audubon Insectarium open their doors! The grand opening also coincides with World Ocean Day, which is set aside to recognize the importance of the world’s oceans. Visitors will be amazed at the transformation, but will be happy to know that familiar faces, among them penguins, birds, sharks and butterflies, will be there. The facility is located at 1 Canal Street, auduboninstitute.org/aquarium.
