The seventh annual Downriver Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (400 Esplanade Ave., 568.2564, nolajazzmuseum.org). Celebrating the cultural, economic, environmental and inspirational impacts and contributions of the Mississippi River to our fair city through live music, cooking demonstrations, presentations, panels and walking tours that explore this year’s theme, Seafood. The festival is FREE, gratis, so you have no excuse.
Check out the music lineup: Kinfolk Brass Band Second Line, 10:00–11:00 a.m.; Jamie Lynn Vessels, 11:00–11:45 a.m.; Mayumi Shara, 12:00-12:45 p.m.; Vincent Hsu & Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band, 1:00-2:00 p.m.; Arrowhead Brass Band, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Javier Olondo & Asheson, 4:00 -5:15 p.m.; and Treme-Lafitte Brass Band, 5:30- 7:00 p.m.
Also in the French Quarter on Saturday evening, Country Roads’ Magazine‘s September Supper Club: The Pontalba Experience will take place at The Louisiana State Museum Cabildo overlooking Jackson Square. The event begins at 6 p.m. with craft cocktails followed by a four course Creole menu by Dickie Brennan’s Tableau (616 St Peter, 934-3463, tableaufrenchquarter.com) with wine pairings. The evening will be flushed out with period actors portraying Creole aristocrats, theatrical reenactments and mythical creatures. Tickets are $195 per person, inclusive. For more information visit, countryroadsmagazine.com/supperclub.
Gris-Gris (1800 Magazine St, 272-0241, grisgrisnola.com), a personal favorite in the Lower Garden District for excellent people watching on the upstairs wraparound balcony, recently launched a new Sunday Brunch that is available from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. New menu items include blueberry bourbon pain perdu, chicken gizzard omelette, chicken biscuits and gravy, Go With the Flo (crispy oysters, creamed spinach, fried egg with hollandaise), Gris-Gris Slam (2 eggs, bacon, grits, hashbrowns and a biscuit), plus additional brunch sides, a selection of current menu favorites and cocktails.
On Sunday from 12-4 p.m. School of Rock Metairie/New Orleans will team up with School of Rock Baton Rouge to present Woodstock 50, the 50th Anniversary of the Original Woodstock Concert. Over 40 kids will perform more than 30 songs from the original Woodstock including bands like the Grateful Dead, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. The event will take place at Central City BBQ (1201 South Rampart St., centralcitybbq.com). Tickets are $12, available at eventbrite.com. Crescent City Barbecue will offer food and drink specials.
Have a great weekend, everyone. Use it to celebrate the people and the community you love.
