The Big Easy Roller Derby is showing its Pride. On June 15, the all-gender flat track roller derby league is hosting a Pride Mashup to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. There will be an advanced game and a beginner/intermediate game featuring teams made up of individual skaters from various teams from around the region. Food and drink will be available for purchase, and there is usually a couple of raffles during halftimes. Some seating available, so “BYO chair” is encouraged. The matches are at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Big Easy Roller Derby Warehouse (3632 Desire Pkwy.). facebook.com/BigEasyRollerDerby; @bigeasyrollerderby
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True Blue
June is the most favored of times for blueberry aficionados in Louisiana, as it is when this superfood bursts onto the summer scene. On the Northshore, there are a number of blueberry farms where people can pick the berries fresh off the bushes, then bring home to eat as is or use in any sort of savory dish or sweet confection. Below is a list of places to pick blueberries and some offer other items for sale such as jams. And while these farms offer blueberries tentatively through the end of June, be aware this is seasonal and there is a point when the berries run out.
Bachman Blueberries
Open 7 days, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; weather permitting. Blueberries are $12 a gallon. Buckets with plastic bags provided. Cash only. 79126 Crump Rd., Bush; facebook.com/bachmanblueberries
Loblolly Ridge Farm
Open Fri. and Sat., 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; weather permitting. Blueberries are $10 a gallon. Buckets with plastic bags provided. Cash only. 1000 Andrew Bankston Rd., Amite; loblollyupick.com
Ridemore Farm
Open Sat. and Tues., 8 a.m. until about noon; weather permitting. RSVP required. Blueberries are $5 a pound. Buckets with plastic bags provided. Cash and credit cards accepted. 22154 John T Prats Rd, Covington; ridemorefarm.com to sign up for newsletter updates.
Son Light Farms
Open Tues – Sat., 8 a.m-5 p.m.; weather permitting. Blueberries are $12 a gallon. Buckets with plastic bags provided. Cash and Venmo accepted. 83481 Whit Rd., Sun; facebook.com/SonLightFarmsLLC
Sunhillow Berry Farms
Open 7 days, daylight to dusk; weather permitting. Blueberries are $10 a gallon. Buckets with plastic bags provided. Cash, checks or Venmo. 33510 Magee Mahner Rd., Pearl River, La. 985-630-1915/1916; facebook.com/p/Sunhillow-Berry-Farm-100070661613069
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Book It
Find books, music, DVDs, audio books, art (including posters from the Crescent City Classic and the Louisiana World’s Fair) at the Symphony Book Fair, May 31-June 2 at the UNO Lakefront Arena (6801 Franklin Ave.). Organized by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s (LPO) Volunteers, this event supports the orchestra is in its 71st year! Hours are Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., admission is $20 for best selection, then free after 3 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with a special children’s sale 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Both days, free admission. Cash or credit cards are accepted; free parking. lpovolunteers.org/book-fair/annual-book-fair/; @lpomusic
Art Park
Culture mavens are flocking to Arts Market New Orleans to find original handmade and wearable art, home decor, gifts and much more by Louisiana and Gulf Coast artists. The outdoor market takes place monthly on the second Saturday at City Park’s Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn (June 8) and the last Saturday in Marsalis Harmony Park (June 29. Note, this market is closed in July and August because of the heat.) New Orleans-based musicians perform at Marsalis Harmony Park. The City Park market has free workshops, and arts and crafts for kids, as well as the Majek Fingers Drumming School, which provides a free Djembe drum workshop for kids,12:30 p.m.-1:30 pm. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; check social media for City Park market hours and location in July and August. @artsmarketneworleans
A Grape Escape
Star light, star bright, what music series can you see under the stars on June 1 at night? It’s your last chance until fall to enjoy the Jazzn’ the Vines concert series at Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard (81250 La. 1082, Bush). The concert, set on the vineyard grounds, will feature The Krickets, a group of women who perform “genre-bending Americana cocktail steeped in deep folk-based harmony.” While outside food is allowed in, there will still be Smokin’ Buddha BBQ among the food options for purchase and the vineyard’s wine is available by glass, bottle, can — or as a wine slushy. (No outside alcohol is allowed in.) Soda and water are allowed in and can be purchased. Gates open at 5 p.m., show is 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 teens, free for kids 12 and under. Go online to see special offers. wildbushfarmandvineyard.com; @wildbushvineyard, @thekrickets