NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Friends of Bayou St. John (FOBSJ), the non-profit organization that produces the annual Mid City Bayou Boogaloo, has created a new community gathering spot in the heart of Mid-City at 725 N. Rendon Street. Called the “Bayou Backyard,” the space will host a fall event series open to the public.
“Our hope with the Bayou Backyard is that it becomes a place for the community to gather, organize or celebrate. As an outdoor space attached to the permanent home of Friends of Bayou St. John, Bayou Backyard is a resource for everyone that lives in or loves our Mid City neighborhood as much as we do,” said FOBSJ President and Mid City Bayou Boogaloo founder and producer Jared Zeller.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, Bayou Backyard kicked off its fall offerings with an Art Market and Bagel Pop-up with bagels for sale by Bayou Bagel Company. The popular local bagel company will return on Saturday, Oct. 15, and again on the first and third Saturdays, 5 and 19, in November.
Weekly Backyard Comedy nights presented by Laugh Life Comedy start on Friday, Oct. 7 and continue every Friday until Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. (doors @ 6 p.m.). The Oct. 7 opening event is headlined by Hillary Begley, comedian featured in the Netflix movieDumplin’. For more information on Hillary, go to https://highlarrious.com/.
Free, kid friendly interactive drum circles will take place on Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 12, and Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Drums and instruction are provided by Tetrad Drums, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.
For a full list of fall events or to purchase event tickets, visit bayoubackyard.com.
Bayou Backyard is also available for private function rental. Amenities include chairs, tables, a kitchen, bathrooms, a shaded area, and limited parking. Rental rates are available on a sliding scale to Bayou St. John community organizations. Standard rental rates start at $100 per hour. Inquiries should email bayoubackyard@bayoustjohn.org.
725 N. Rendon Street is equipped with solar panels, which allowed the building to serve as a disaster relief station after Hurricane Ida in September of 2021. At the time, the Backyard Bayou outdoor space served as food and water distribution outlet, also allowing residents to charge cell phones and store medication.
About Friends of Bayou St. John
Friends of Bayou St. John is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes stewardship, cultural appreciation, responsible recreation, and initiatives that support a clean, healthy Bayou St. John that is accessible to all. The nonprofit produces the annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, the Bayou Backyard event space, and numerous other programs and projects found at https://www.bayoustjohn.org/programs-projects/.