Bayou Boogaloo
One of Mid-City’s favorite events is back on Bayou St. John with music, food and fun on the schedule. Boogaloo features four stages dedicated to exploring New Orleans’ musical roots in different genres like blues, jazz, zydeco, hip-hop, funk and rock. This year’s performance highlights include Ani DiFranco, Sonny Landreth, Dragon Smoke, Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Soul Rebels featuring Big Freedia
The Bayou Boogaloo also prides itself on being a family-friendly festival. The Ruby Slipper Cafe Kids Stage will feature programming on all three days of the festival. An arts and crafts tent next to the stage will feature adult-led arts and crafts projects. For more information and to purchase tickets and VIP passes, visit TheBayouBoogaloo.com.
Zip NOLA
In summer 2021, Zip NOLA, the region’s first swamp zipline, opened. Sadly, Hurricane Ida hit about a month later and the facility sustained serious damage from 10-12 feet of storm surge. However, they reopened on February 12. The facility, at 301 Peavine Road in LaPlace, features two suspension bridges, a spiral tree staircase and over 20,000 linear feet of advanced zipline technology. Zipliners can get a view of both the swamp and the New Orleans skyline. Zip NOLA is open six days a week and is closed on Wednesdays. Tickets are $89 per person. zipnola.com
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The Revivalists
New Orleans’ own The Revivalists are launching their first full headline tour since the pandemic began. Catch their live show at Mardi Gras World on May 5. MardiGrasWorld.com
“Mean Girls”
Teenager Cady Heron returns from the African savannah to be taken aback by the viciousness of American high school cliques in this musical adapted from the hit film “Mean Girls” starring Lindsay Lohan. “Mean Girls” hits the stage May 17-22 at The Saenger Theatre. saengerNOLA.com
“Hank Williams: The Lonesome Tour”
Jason Petty brings the music of Hank Williams to life in this one-man show at BB’s Stage Door Canteen at the National World War II Museum, May 13-22. NationalWW2Museum.org.
NOLA Crawfish Festival
The NOLA Crawfish Festival, May 2-4, takes place this year at the Broadside Theatre in Mid-City. There will be delicious crawfish and live music from artists including Tab Benoit and Anders Osborne. Broadsidenola.com
New Orleans Greek Festival 2022
A cherished Memorial Day weekend tradition in New Orleans, the Greek Festival is back on Bayou St. John, May 27-29. Look for homemade Greek food, wine, pastries, and more tasty treats. There will also be traditional Greek dancing and a live band, and visitors can tour the beautiful Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Greek Fest’s 1 mile/5k Run/Walk on Friday, May 27 gives participants entrance to the festival and free beer. gfno.com
