Turning up the musical heat is Satchmo SummerFest, Aug. 2-3. Honoring New Orleans’ legendary musician, Louis Armstrong, the free festival is a must-see for jazz enthusiasts and features brass bands, traditional jazz and more. John Boutté, Charmaine Neville and Kermit Ruffins Tribute to Louis Armstrong are a few of the highlights. There are also educational panels, food and more at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint (400 Esplanade Ave.) frenchquarterfest.org/satchmo, @fqfest
Play Time
Discover Southern history through its card games, circuses, horse racing, summer camps and other amusements at “Delight & Distraction, Material Culture of Southern Amusement,” the focus of this year’s New Orleans Antiques Forum, Aug. 8-10. Panels include “Off to the Races: Antebellum Horse Racing and Equine Art” and “Pontchartrain Beach: A Family Affair.” Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., hnoc.org, @visit_hnoc
Katrina 20 Remembrance
For those who lived through Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005, and struggled through its aftermath, it’s hard to believe it has already been 20 years. During August and beyond, there are a number of events to mark the anniversary. The City of New Orleans launched a website, Katrina K20, katrina20.nola.gov, that lists these events, including the Mayor’s K20 Summit (Aug. 23-30), which includes a citywide Day of Service; and the 20th Anniversary Katrina March and Second Line on Aug. 29. New Orleans & Company plans to have a listing of events on its site, neworleans.com, @cityofnola, @neworleansandco
Cut From The Same Cloth
Ah, crisp white linen on a summer’s evening? Why not … heat be damned! And with that carefree attitude — and much organization — Fidelity Bank White Linen Night returns Aug. 2 to the Warehouse Arts District (300-600 Julia St., surrounding streets) to celebrate with food, music and gallery openings, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Don’t forget after-party at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St.). artsdistrictneworleans.com, @artsdistrictneworleans. What to do with those less-so-fresh linen ensembles? Wear them a week later on Aug. 9 when Dirty Linen Night, hosted by the Royal Street Arts District (300-1100 Royal St. and surrounding streets), has galleries and shops open for the heat-defiant, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. dirtylinen.org, @royalstreet_artsdistrict_nola. Both events are free (and there may be some air-conditioning, too!)
Beam Me Up
The wit and wisdom of Capt. James T. Kirk, aka William Shatner, will be on full display in person and on screen when he hosts a screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” at the Fillmore New Orleans (6 Canal St.) on Aug. 1. Shatner will share stories and answer questions after the movie; VIP tickets allow for premium seating and a photo opportunity. Though will he sing, “Rocket Man”? thefillmorenola.com, @thefillmorenola
