New Orleans Pride
New Orleans Pride weekend, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, is back June 9-12 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The weekend’s highlight will be the return of the celebratory Pride parade on June 11 at 7 p.m. through the French Quarter. Details are still in the works, so be on the lookout for updates as the date approaches. NewOrleansPride.org
NOLA Juneteenth Festival
The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people, and New Orleans honors the event with the NOLA Juneteenth Festival. It will be celebrated June 18-20, with the main event in Armstrong Park on June 19 with music and food. It is free and open to the public. NOLAJuneteenthFestival.org
Overlook Film Festival
Horror movie buffs should check out the Overlook Film Festival, June 2-5. To make things more affordable for fans, the festival is offering a single festival pass with all of the same benefits as a previous all-access pass at a lower price. Screenings, panels, live shows, and immersive virtual reality experiences will be hosted by the Prytania Theatres at Canal Place. OverlookFilmFest.com
Symphony Book Fair
Readers looking for great deals should visit the Symphony Book Fair at UNO’s Lakefront Arena, June 3-5. Admission is $15 for the first day only, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. After 3 p.m., all admission is free. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. LPOVolunteers.org
New Orleans Food and Wine Experience
Now in its 30th year, the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience will continue to celebrate New Orleans chefs and wines, June 7-12. A variety of events will be held as part of the experience. nowfe.com
TRY THIS
“We’ll Meet Again: A Tribute to the Blonde Bombshells of World War II”
From June 17-26, BB’s Stage Door Canteen at the National WWII Museum will host a tribute to WWII songbirds like Betty Hutton, Doris Day, and Dinah Shore. NationalWW2-Museum.org
“Waitress”
Based on the hit indie film of the same name, “Waitress” features original music and lyrics from Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles. It tells the story of expert pie-maker Jenna, who longs for a way out of a small town and an unhappy marriage. SaengerNOLA.com
“Hamilton”
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster musical, featuring a score blending hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, will play at the Saenger Theatre from June 21-July 10. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became America’s first Treasury Secretary. SaengerNOLA.com.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture
The country’s premier festival celebrating Black culture is back in-person in New Orleans after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s festival promises to be an exciting one, with guests like Janet Jackson, Nicki Minaj, New Edition, Jazmine Sullivan, and more. This year’s dates are June 30-July 3. essence.com
Kevin Hart
Comedian and movie star Kevin Hart will kick off the ESSENCE Festival weekend with a show at the Smoothie King Center on June 30 as part of his “Reality Check Comedy Tour.” SmoothieKingCenter.com
