Mamma Mia!
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra finishes its first season back at the Orpheum with several big concerts, both in New Orleans proper and in surrounding areas. Enjoy the last days of tolerable weather at its Concerts in the Park series in Slidell’s Heritage Park (May 1), Metairie’s Lafreniere Park (May 5) and Covington’s Bogue Falaya Park (May 7). “Beethoven’s Fifth” (Orpheum Theater, May 12, First Baptist Covington, Covington, May 13) and “A Hero’s Life,” a “concert exemplifying musical heroism,” (Orpheum Theater, May 20) follow. But perhaps most fun-sounding is an ABBA-themed concert featuring the “world’s most popular ABBA tribute band,” Arrival from Sweden (May 14, Orpheum Theater). Mamma mia – what a great month of music! Information, LPOMusic.com
Knight Time
The NOLA Project continues its spring tradition of staging performances at NOMA’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden. This month (May 4-22) ensemble member Pete McElligott’s new adaptation of Don Quixote will be performed in the company’s typical playful, immersive fashion. The comedic adaptation has Quixote instructing the audience on how life should be lived, tackling topics including bandits, romance and grade school math. Information, NolaProject.com
A Celebration for the Books
The Historic New Orleans Collection, the historical repository, research center and publisher, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with Soirée d’Or, a black-tie gala (May 4). Held at the Orpheum Theater, the event features a patron party followed by a gala with entertainment by the Preservation Hall All-Stars, among others, and food by Ralph Brennan Catering. Information, HNOC.org
CALENDAR
May 4, 11, 18, 25. Wednesday at the Square concert series, Lafayette Square Park. Information, WednesdayAtTheSquare.com
May 6. Whitney Zoo-to-Do, Audubon Zoo. Information, AudubonNatureInstitute.org/ZTD
May 6-22. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Information, RivertownTheaters.com
May 7. Celtic Woman, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com
May 8. The 1975 with the Japanese House and Wolf Alice in concert, Champions Square. Information, Champions-Square.com
May 7. New Orleans Ballet Association presents Che Malambo, Mahalia Jackson Theater. Information, NOBADance.com
May 10-11. The Cure in concert, UNO Lakefront Arena. Information, Arena.UNO.edu
May 13. Explosions in the Sky in concert, Joy Theater. Information, TheJoyTheater.com
May 13-15. Blue Man Group, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com
May 14-15. A Midsummer Night’s Dream ballet, Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Information, JPAS.org
May 17. Rihanna in concert, Smoothie King Center. Information, SmoothieKingCenter.com
May 17. Eagles of Death Metal in concert, One Eyed Jacks. Information, OneEyedJacks.net
May 18. Deftones in concert, Orpheum Theater. Information, OrpheumNola.com
May 21. NOCCA Institute’s Art & Soul Gala, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Information, NOCCA.com
May 20-22. Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, Bayou St. John. Information, TheBayouBoogaloo.com
May 25-June 9. Wicked, Saenger Theater. Information, SaengerNOLA.com
May 26-29. New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, various locations. Information, NOWFE.com
June 4. New Orleans International Beer Fest, Champions Square. Information, Champions-Square.com
June 4-5. New Orleans Oyster Festival, Woldenberg Park. Information, NewOrleansOysterFestival.org
