Local Flavor
No longer just a touristy stop for knockoff designer purses and emergency sunglasses, the French Market has grown in recent years to include a weekly farmers market, better food stands and more locally made goods. If you need even more of an excuse to visit, the Creole Tomato Fest, centered around the market and its surrounding area, celebrates that delicious summer fruit with cooking demonstrations, culinary discussions, food booths and live music June 13 and 14. To kick off the festival, there’s Summer Harvest Gala on June 10 at the market, featuring dishes from notable local chefs Justin Devillier, Slade Rushing, Kristen Essig and more. Information, FrenchMarket.org
Wine & Beer
No matter your libation of choice, you can get your fill of wine or beer at festivals on the very same day. The French American Chamber of Commerce’s Gulf Coast outpost hosts its French Summer Wine Festival at The Shops at Canal Place on June 6, with a 1960s theme . Information, facc-gc.com
Over at Champions Square there’s the New Orleans International Beer Festival, with two-ounce unlimited sampling of craft beers from around the world, food, a new cider garden, beer seminars, music and more. Information, NewOrleansInternationalBeerFest.com
In Essence
Essence Festival brings in huge names in hip-hop, R&B and comedy, and this year is no different: Kendrick Lamar, the rapper behind one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2015; R&B star Charlie Wilson; neo-soul queen Erykah Badu; wildly successful comedian and actor Kevin Hart; and more. Speakers, parties and other events round out the July 4th weekend. Information, Essence.com/festival
CALENDAR
June 6. New Orleans Film Society screening of Grease, Coliseum Square Park. Information, NewOrleansFilmSociety.org
June 6-7. Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival, Armstrong Park. Information, JazzAndHeritage.org
June 5-8. Brothers from the Bottom, NOCCA’s Lupin Hall. Information, NOCCA.com
June 8. WWE Raw, Smoothie King Center. Information, SmoothieKingCenter.com
June 11. Jazz in the Park featuring Raw Oyster Cult and Darcy Malone and the Tangle, Armstrong Park. Information, pufap.org
June 11-14. Festigals, JW Mariott Hotel. Information, FestiGals.org
June 18. NOLA Tango Festival, Astor Crowne Plaza. Information, NOLATangoFestival.com
June 19-20. Jefferson Performing Arts Center’s Grand Opening and Gala, Airline Drive arts center. Information, JPAS.org
June 19-21. New Orleans Pride Festival, various locations. Information, PrideNewOrleans.com
June 18-21. Tulane Summer Lyric presents Damn Yankees, Dixon Hall. Information, SummerLyric.Tulane.edu
June 18-21. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Smoothie King Center. Information, Ringling.com
June 20. Magnolia Ball, Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Information, OgdenMuseum.org
July 2-5. Essence Fest, Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, Essence.com
July 4. Go 4th On the River, riverfront. Information, Go4thOnTheRiver.com
