The Bower Bar has gotten a Tiki Takeover makeover! Through the month of July, the bar’s experts have conjured tiki-inspired decor, food and cocktails for summer indulgence.
Among the libationary choices are a frozen pina colada and a rum and mango Old Fashioned, while larger groups can enjoy shareable cocktails, including the Zombie Bowl, full of rums, fresh citrus, passionfruit, pineapple, bitters and house-made grenadine, as well as the Bower Bowl, a punch featuring fresh juices and Don Q rums. There’s even a non-alcoholic take on a gin fizz with the Spiritless Fizz.
Culinary flavors include Spam Musubi; pineapple-braised short ribs; spicy salmon poke tostada and Peem’s pad Thai. The Bower Bar, 1320 Magazine St.; thebowernola.com; Instagram: @thebowernola
Go Fourth With Fireworks
Celebrate our nation’s 247th birthday at one of the multitude of events happening the weekend before and on July 4th, this most patriotic of days. More than one of these will have fireworks!
• July 1: Slidell Heritage Festival, Heritage Park, slidellheritagefest.org
• July 3: Happy 3rd of July, Great Lawn at City Park, New Orleans, neworleansciteypark.org
• July 3: Light Up the Lake for Independence Day Celebration, Mandeville (lakefront), louisiananorthshore.com
• July 3: St. Bernard Salutes America Celebration, Chalmette, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center Grounds, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, visitstbernard.com
• July 3: Uncle Sam Jam, Lafreniere Park, Metairie, visitjeffersonparish.com
• July 4: Go 4th on the River (downtown), go4thontheriver.com; and 4th Fest in Crescent Park (Bywater), frenchmarket.org, New Orleans, Mississippi Riverfront
• July 4: Madisonville Old Fashioned 4th of July, Water Street (Tchefuncte River), louisiananorthshore.com
For the Love of Frida
If by chance you are in Bay St. Louis on July 8 and see a lot of people dressed as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, there’s a reason — it’s Frida Fest! The Mockingbird Cafe is the heart of this homage with the highlight as the official Frida Fest Look-a-Like contest and spots are limited. Also on hand is food, drink and music. The event is 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The Mockingbird Cafe, 110 S. 2nd St., Bay St. Louis, Miss.; mockingbirdcafe.com, click on events; Instagram: @mockingbirdcafebsl
Show Me Your Legs!
It’s a beauty pageant like no other: Mr. Legs returns July 22 to find out who has the best legs in New Orleans. Be prepared for men to dress for success in almost any way they can to win Skinniest Legs, Hairiest Legs, Sexiest Legs, Rookie of the Year and Mr. Legs XXIII, which is bestowed on the contestant who raises the most money for Bridge House/Grace House. The party, presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, is at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; bridgehouse.org (go here to register for the contest); Instagram: @bridgehousegracehouse
Storming The Fêtes
The time to start singing “La Marseillaise” in France — and in New Orleans, the most French of American cities — on July 14, which marks Bastille Day. Those flying the flag with festivities in the city include:
• Bastille Day Fête at Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans on July 14, 5 p.m.- 11 p.m., 1519 Jackson Ave., af-neworleans.org. There will be live music, a French DJ, a bar, food, a silent auction and more … including dress as a French stereotype — in a beret, perhaps? — and get a free drink ticket. Instagram: @afneworleans
• 16th Annual Faubourg St. John Bastille Day Block Party on July 15, 4:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m. at 3100 Ponce de Leon St. Music from Raphael Bas and Harmonouche and Pardon My French!, food and drink from neighborhood establishments (think Cafe Degas), Cynthia Scott performing “La Marseillaise” and a contest for the best Marie Antoinette or Napoleon Bonaparte costume. Sponsored by the French-American Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Chapter. More information: facebook.com/events/s/16th-annual-bastille-day-celeb/747200843857262/?mibextid=RQdjqZ
