If Jazz Fest isn’t your thing, or you just like to get the most out of every moment, the next two weeks in New Orleans were made for you. As May heats up, many of our local performers leave town for cooler climes, so if you have a favorite New Orleans musician, burlesque performer or actor, make sure to see them as often as possible before they leave to find new audiences – just for the summer. Below are 20 events to get you started on the next 16 days:
Wed., April 29: Bob Dylan in concert
Where: Saenger Theater
Cost: Starting at $180
Why: See the legend while you still can!
Contact: Saenger.TheaterNewOrleans.com
Fri., May 1: Whitney Zoo-To-Do
Where: Audubon Zoo
Cost: Starting at $155
Why: Celebrating its 38th anniversary this year, this black-tie gala event will help support the building of a new exhibit for Audubon Zoo's beloved orangutans in Asian Domain. The adults-only gala features a mouth-watering lineup of top-notch cuisine from 70 eateries and 50 specialty and full service bars serving premium cocktails with entertainment by Downtown Fever, silent and online auctions and take a chance on a raffle to win a 2015 Lexus NX200t.

Contact: AudubonInstitute.org/ztd/tickets
Fri., May 1; Sat., May 2; Sun., May 4: Marco Benevento
Where: One Eyed Jacks; Blue Nile; Maple Leaf Bar
Why: The incomparable pianist, singer and multi-instrumentalist is giving you three choices to decide where to see him perform.
Contact: OneEyedJacks.net; BlueNileLive.com; MapleLeafBar.com
Fridays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Creole Sweet Tease
Where: The Saint Hotel
Cost: $10 for table seating; no cover for standing rom
Why: High-end glamorous burlesque with a traditional jazz band.
Contact: 522-5400, CreoleSweetTease.com
Fri., May 1 & Sat., May 2: The Bowery Presents Primus & The Chocolate Factory
Where: Civic Theater
Cost: Starting at $49 in advance
Why: Primus – enough said
Contact: CivicNola.com
Sat., May 2: Junior League of New Orleans’ 10th annual Kitchen Tour
Where: Uptown
Cost: $40 in advance, $45 at the event for the full tour; $20 in advance, $25 at the event for a three-kitchen tour
Why: The self-guided tour features kitchens in 11 Uptown homes and the Kitchen of the Year presented by House Beautiful magazine.
Contact: 891-5845, JLNO.org
Sat., May 2: A Celebration of the Neville Brothers and Their Music
Where: Saenger Theater
Cost: Starting at $150
Why: New Orleans’ own family of musicians always put on a fun show.
Contact: Saenger.TheaterNewOrleans.com
Mon., May 4: New Orleans Estate Planning Council’s 50th anniversary celebration
Where: Brennan’s restaurant
Cost: NOEPC members will be admitted at no charge; guests and non-members are $100
Why: NOEPC will recognize Max Nathan, Jr., Jerry Reso, Larry Emboulas, Tommy Lemann and others who were instrumental in the council’s success.
Contact: noepc.org/events
Tues., May 5: Cinco de Mayo & GiveNOLA Day (GiveNola.org)
Wed., May 6: Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc.’s Business Hall of Fame Gala


Where: Roosevelt New Orleans
Cost: $600 pair of tickets; $3,000 and $5,000 tables


Why: Established in 1984, the Business Hall of Fame honors local businessmen and women who have embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship in our community. This year’s honorees are: Vanessa Brown Claiborne, President, Chaffe & Associates; Manuel Perez de la Mesa, President & CEO, POOLCORP; Martin A. Mayer, President & CEO, Stirling Properties; Glen D. Smith, CEO, The Magnolia Companies of Louisiana, LLC; Tim Williamson, Co-Founder & CEO, The Idea Village; and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Robert W. Merrick, Chairman & CEO, Latter & Blum, Inc.
Contact: 569-8658
Fri., May 8: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s 11th annual Sippin' in Seersucker
Where: The Shops at Canal Place
Cost: $30 for members and $50 otherwise in advance; $40 for members and $60 otherwise at the door
Why: Over 600 people annually enjoy this wonderful celebration of Southern art, cocktails, live music, delicious cuisine, fashion and shopping. Attendees are encouraged to don seersucker and celebrate the start of the summer social season in style. An evening of light bites, Southern cocktails, shopping specials, deluxe raffles and entertainment from some of the city’s best performers, and deluxe raffles will culminate in a seersucker sartorial contest judged by L. Kasimu Harris and Tracee Dundas!
Contact: 539-9616

Fri., May 8: Bridge House/Grace House’s 20th annual Women of Substance Luncheon
Where: Audubon Tea Room
Cost: $100
Why: The event will honor three local women – Walton Goldring,
Ali Rouse Royster
and Celie Stumm – who support the mission of Bridge House / Grace House while serving as role models that our clients and graduates can look to for inspiration.
Contact: 821-7288
Fridays, May 8, 15, 22 & 29: Burlesque Ballroom featuring Trixie Minx & Romy Kaye
Where: Royal Sonesta Hotel
Cost: Free; reservations recommended
Why: A modern twist on a classic burlesque show with a live band
Contact: efernandezsilva@sonesta.com
Fri., May 8: Celtic Women
Where: Saenger Theater
Cost: Starting at $61
Why: If you liked watching them on WYES, see them live!
Contact: Saenger.TheaterNewOrleans.com
Sat., May 9: Botanical Garden Plant Sale
Where: City Park
Why: Tropicals, vegetables and herb transplants, roses and more will be sold
Sat., May 9: Sufjan Stevens
Where: Saenger Theater
Cost: Starting at $32
Why: Named by many as one of the best live performers touring today, grab a ticket before they’re gone.
Contact: Saenger.TheaterNewOrleans.com
Sun., May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch and River Cruise
Where: Steamboat Natchez
Cost: $73.50 adults; $29 for children 6-12; $10 for children under 6
Why: The event will feature a delicious buffet, complimentary mimosas and live jazz music by Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers. *Cruises will depart at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Contact: 569-1401; cruises@neworleanssteamboat.com; SteamboatNatchez.com/special_event_cruises.html#mother
Sat., May 9 & Sun., May 10: Mother’s Day Tea
Where: Le Salon at Windsor Court Hotel
Cost: $37
Why: Tea service will include a welcome cocktail, the finest loose-leaf teas, seasonal scones with clotted cream, tea sandwiches and decadent desserts, sure to be enjoyed by all generations. Sat., May 9 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; Sun., May 10 at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.
Contact: WindsorCourtHotel.com/le-salon
Mon., May 11: The Foundation at East Jefferson General Hospital’s 13th annual Golf Classic
Where: Metairie Country Club
Cost: $2,000 per foursome
Why: Chaired by Marc Eagan, this event was started by volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of EJGH’s patients and community.
Contact: 503-5596
Wed., May 13: An Evening with Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson
Where: St. Mary's Catholic Church
Cost: Free; voluntary donations to the Bishop Perry Center will be accepted
Why: International opera stars Michael Spyres and Tara Stafford, who are volunteering their time and talent to create this special event, will present it in the format of an old-fashioned radio show. A reception will follow the program in the Ursuline Convent garden. The program is presented in concert with the Archdiocese of New Orleans and St. Louis Cathedral for the benefit of Bishop Perry Center and sponsored by Doerr Furniture Company and Faulkner House, Inc.
Contact: 586-1609, faulkhouse@aol.com, WordsAndMusic.org
