Vieux-to-Do
June 13-14 the “Vieux-to-Do” is a three-for-one deal in terms of (free) festivals: the Great Creole Tomato Festival (located at the French Market), the New Orleans Seafood Festival, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival (both of which take place at the Old U.S. Mint). While downtown is usually hopping with excitement, this is sure to attract all those who’ve been feeling the drought of the end of festival season. Five blocks of fun, food and music will be sure to satisfy those who need a break from the dog days of summer.
- The French Market, a more-than-200-year-old establishment, will celebrate the past and present with the Creole Tomato Festival. The market has certainly evolved since its early days as a Native American trading post on the banks of the Mississippi River – it’s now a thriving cultural mainstay that consistently offers a variety of cuisine, music, characters and crafts. Here, food booths will offer tomato-based favorites including Creole Tomato Bloody Marys (to keep you hydrated, undoubtedly), Creole Tomato with Shrimp Salad, Stuffed Shrimp with Grilled Creole Tomato over Jasmine Rice; even a tomato-based dessert will be offered: Creole Tomato Gelato!
Information 522-2621, frenchmarket.org.
- Support the local seafood industry, and satisfy your cravings for delicious summer fruits de mer at the Seafood Festival, at the Old U.S. Mint.
Sample some creative, mouthwatering dishes, including Bywater Barbecue’s Shrimp Remoulade Stuffed Tomato, Saltwater Grill’s Fried green Tomato shrimp remoulade poor boy (that’s a mouthful!) and a whole lot more.
Information, 286-8735.
- The Cajun-Zydeco Festival will feature two stages with southwestern Louisiana music to keep people on their toes. Check out performances by Guyland Leday, Creole Zydeco Farmers, Bruce Daigrepont, BeauSoleil, Rosie Ledet, Amanda Shaw, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots and a variety of others.
Information, jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco.
Get your Kicks at City Park
The New Orleans Jesters’ soccer team has finalized the roster, including six local players as well as six players who’ve participated in the National Finals on a collegiate level. The minor league team, which was formerly known as the Shell Shockers, has undergone some changes including new management, a new owner (Dana Stumpf of Samson, LLC) a new field and some standout players.
Coached by Kenny Farrell (who previously coached the Shell Shockers) the New Orleans Jesters, which started the season last month, will play at City Park’s Pan American Stadium (originally built with soccer in mind). This month, they’ll play four home games: June 6 (vs. the Nashville Metros), 20 (vs. the Mississippi Brilla), 25 (vs. Nashville Metros again) and 27 (vs. the Panama City Pirates). Look out for some fresh talent, including James “Gleddy” Gledhill, who was the leading goal-scorer at University of Mobile and Leonardo Barros, an MVP from Lincoln Memorial University.
The Jesters aim to offer affordable, family-friendly entertainment and to provide children with the opportunity to receive soccer instruction through camps, clinics and training sessions.
Information, www.nolajesters.com.
Sunday Picture Show
The days are long and hot, but you’re tired of staying in your own home, right? For those who seek laid-back entertainment, the W French Quarter hotel is hosting “Summer Cinema in the Courtyard.” Every Sunday evening at 8 p.m., the New Orleans Film Society and Paramount Pictures will show free movies, open to the public.
But what’s a Sunday evening without a cocktail? Movie-goers can purchase signature drinks, with proceeds benefiting the New Orleans Film Society, and stick around and discuss what you just saw on the silver screen. The lineup is as follows:
June 7: Hotel for Dogs; June 14: Ghost; and June 21: Top Gun.
Information, www.whotels.com/frenchquarter.
Ooh La La
Paris, at the turn of the century, was plastered with posters, perhaps similarly to how New Orleans is festooned with beads post-Carnival. Brightly colored sheets covered walls throughout the “City of Lights,” reaching out to all types of citizens, uniting them and even seducing them (many of them were advertisements). These posters appeared in Paris as early as the 1830s, and this month, the New Orleans Museum of Art will showcase some of the most vibrant and lively pieces of art with its exhibition “Evening in Paris”. The exhibition will wrap up on June 28.
Information, 658-4100, www.noma.org.
