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Community Events

LaCHIP (LA Children's Health Insurance Program) Enrollment Event

November 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th

Teams of experienced Medicaid employees and community partners will descend on select locations in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes to assist families who wish to insure their children through LaCHIP, the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Part of the federal government’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), LaCHIP pays for physician visits, pharmacy costs, hospital stays and many other medical expenses in a network of providers. For more information on LaCHIP, call 1-877-2LaCHIP (1-877-252-2447) or visit online at www.lachip.org.

Scandinavian Festival New Orleans 

November 5-8

At the Norwegian Seamen's Church, 1772 Prytania St, New Orleans.

Thursday

Cocktail reception with Christian Winther Trio (RSVP required)

Friday
10 am - 12 noon Lars Edegran Piano Solo
3 pm - 5 pm Tom McDermott Trio
6 pm - 9 pm Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony

Saturday
12 noon - 2 pm Onward Brassband
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Norwegian Church Jazz All Stars with Uncle Lionel
5 pm - 7 pm Kermit Ruffins & Jeremy Davenport

Sunday
11 am Jazz Service with Leroy Jones & Katja Toivola Quartet

For more info, visit the Seaman's Church web site. 

Bayou Bacchanal Caribbean Festival

November 7, 2009

Bayou Bacchanal 2009 heats up downtown with its Caribbean style party once again in New Orleans on Saturday, November 7th. The festival starts off at 10 a.m. with an eye-popping parade of brightly-decorated masqueraders at the corner of Harrah's casino. Bayou Bacchanal continues the festival with a lineup of island food and music. Bayou Bacchanal caps off the evening with a Caribbean concert at South Port Hall. The concert starts at 11 p.m. rocking until 3 a.m. The doors open at 10 p.m. Concert tickets can be bought at the park for $30 or $35 at the door. South Port Hall is located at 200 Monticello Ave. Jefferson, LA 70121. Find more details at www.bayoubacchanal.org.

Dan Plunkett - Book Signing for "Southerly"

November 7

Dan is originally from the New Orleans area and his book Southerly is a tribute to the South. The book depicts individuals from Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Georgia. The photographer will be signing books and all proceeds go to the New Orleans Photo Alliance. Where: New Orleans Photo Alliance

Southerly is based upon the intriguing lives of the South. The South has shaped our nation’s values, sins and successes. Plunkett documented an important perspective of a conspicuous, but too-often-stereotyped, culture within our country that is in the process of dissolving into the twenty-first century. Even with the obstacles the subjects face, there is a true happiness that they live with. The true goal of Southerly is to pay back the people, and the culture that helped Plunkett.

The Spirit Ferry Project

November 7th

Join installation artist Tory Tepp in kicking off The Spirit Ferry Project, a public art piece conceived during his Changing Landscapes Residency at A Studio in the Woods. The celebration will take place with food and fun , but you are also are invited to get your hands dirty while helping Tory in his "art-scaping" of a site in the Bywater from 10am-2pm.

Location: 3429 Burgundy (at the corner of Gallier)
Art-scaping: 10am-2pm |  Festivities: 2pm-4pm
Website: http://www.astudiointhewoods.org

The Spirit Ferry Project is manifested by a mobile installation Tory has fabricated in the form of a boat from a 10-foot flatbed trailer that he is calling a portable “art-scaping” unit. The curved prow boasts a figurehead in the form of a kinetic sculpture of a bee drinking from a flower and its cargo will include two cubic yards of soil, seeds and the tools and equipment to build and plant living installations / earthworks in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes.

Sweet Potato Pie and Cake Contest at SoFAB

November 7

The Southern Food and Beverage Museum, the New Orleans Public Library and the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission have partnered to conduct a Sweet Potato Pie and a Sweet Potato Cake Contest. The contest is open to all comers. There is no entry fee to participate in the contest. For more information, check out www.southernfood.org.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum
1 Poydras St. (Julia Street entrance)
New Orleans, LA 70130

Trickster at the Gate - Free Theater at Alvar Library

November 7, 3 – 5 p.m

Alvar Public Library, 913 Alvar Street (Bywater). Free.

Jennifer has come home to identify the body of Nell, a woman who believed she was the incarnation of Yoruba God, Esu Elegba. Will Jennifer's ghosts haunt her upon identifying the body, or will she find some peace with Nell, herself, and the mortician? As it tracks Nell's life the play takes us from the Harlem Renaissance, to the mystical realms of the Yoruban gods, to present day Louisiana.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's 'Walk to Cure'

November 7

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held at Audubon Shelter #10 (6500 Magazine St.) in New Orleans. Check in is at 8:30 a.m. and the 2.5 mile walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Piccadilly will be donating food for all participants to enjoy after the walk.

Spread Peace, Give Thanks Fundraiser

November 8, 7-10pm

Please join us at Mid-City Lanes Rock n'Bowl
for a fundraiser supporting the work of SilenceIsViolence and the
Social Aid & Pleasure Club Task Force. Shamarr Allen will play with
the SilenceIsViolence All Stars and there will be a silent auction and
holiday gift items for sale courtesy of YA/YA artists.

Be a Peace Agent for $50 or general admission at $15. Call 722.0908 for tickets. www.silenceisviolence.org

2nd SLIDELL VETERANS DAY PARADE

November 8, 1-4pm

Veterans Celebrate Freedom invites everyone to the 2nd SLIDELL VETERANS DAY PARADE: (Parade route will start at Slidell High School and end at Salmen High School) For More Details: www.VeteransCelebrateFreedom.org or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veterans-Celebrate-Freedom/164936311648

The National Comedy Company is holding auditions!

November 10th, at 7PM

One of the longest running comedy shows
in New Orleans is looking to add some more talented, improvisational
performers to its ranks! The NCC performs audience interactive improv
comedy (like Who's Line is it Anyway?) to crowds in the French Quarter
and throughout New Orleans. Rehearsals are once a week with shows on
Friday and Saturday nights. Come try out for NCC’s performance group -
get on stage, have fun, make friends!

Auditions will be held upstairs at the Ann Burr Dance Studio on 1122
Dublin St, 70118. Please reserve a slot at
improv@nationalcomedycompany.com address. Shows every Friday and
Saturday 9PM at Yo MAMA'S! 727 St. Peter across from Pat O's

A Tribute to Erykah Badu

November 12, 14 & 15

More info at: http://www.nofringe.org

Performing Group: Keen-Amity Publishing and Entertainment
From: New Orleans
Genre: Musical
Press contact: Pamela Davis-Noland keenamityent@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/keenamity

LSU Christmas Gospel Concert

November 13, 2009 7-10 PM

Northshore Harbor Center, Slidell, LA

Performances by The LSU Gospel Choir with opening performances by:
Soloist-Janine Jackson, Soloist-Sharon Sandifer, The New Voices of Light

Call 985-639-8040

3rd Annual CACRC Garage Sale

November 14

In honor of America Recycles Day, the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council will host its Third Annual Garage Sale on Saturday, November 14. The event takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CACRC warehouse at 800 St. Philip Street in downtown Baton Rouge.

CACRC is a nonprofit organization that promotes e-waste reduction and the use of recycled goods through leadership and education programs for public and private entities. The CACRC provides computers to schools, nonprofits, the disabled and low income families. For more information, call 225-379-3577 or visit www.cacrc.com.

Pub Night at the Palm Court

November 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Fund-raiser at The Palm Court Jazz Café, 1201 Decatur Street, planned by the Daughters of the British Empire in Louisiana (DBE) – a 501(3) philanthropic group of women of British and Commonwealth birth or ancestry living in America, who maintain and operate Retirement Homes across the US. DBE’s popular website is at www.dbeinla.org.

Live music, British food and drink, a fabulous auction, a seated dinner, including your favorite British dishes. The evening will round out with a singsong of old British songs. MC will be Peggy Scott Laborde
Meet and greet lots of Brits and maybe make new friendships. The proceeds benefit DBE, and the Jefferson Performing Arts Society.

Tickets are $55 and must be purchased in advance, because of the limited seating. Call 504-367-4116 with your credit card for tickets or for more information.

White Elephant Sale & Auction

November 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00

Since 1946, The Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré has sponsored Caroling in Jackson Square. One of the French Quarter events held to fund that sponsorship is the White Elephant Sale & Auction. Some of the best French Quarter businesses, restaurants, hotels, art galleries and shops donate gift certificates and auction items for this event. The yard sale items are all donations from members and friends of Patio Planters, and include jewelry, books, clothing, and plants. This fundraiser takes place at the corner of Royal and St. Philip Streets in the French Quarter. Free and open to the public. www.patioplanters.org 501(c)(3)

Riverfront Jambalaya Cook-off and 5K Run

November 14, 9:30 a.m.

The Riverfront Jambalaya Cook-Off at the Gretna Amphitheater in Gretna, LA, is a benefit for Westbank Schools for Advanced Studies. The day starts with a short Riverfront Fun Run for the little kids, a 5K run for the young and young at heart, followed by the WestBank’s biggest and most irreverant Jambalya Cook-Off! There will be games for the kids, 3 great local bands, food, drink and more Jambalaya than you can imagine.

Come visit, sample the competitors’ jambalaya and see the irreverently decorated booths! Live music includes am540, the Space Heaters, and Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue.

For more info, visit the event web site at http://www.riverfrontjambalaya.com.

Call to Musicians - French Quarter Festival 2010

The deadline for applying is November 15.

New Orleans- French Quarter Festivals, Inc (FQFI) is now accepting applications for local musicians interested in performing at the 27th annual French Quarter Festival, to be held April 9-11, 2010. Interested performers are encouraged to access the application online at www.fqfi.org, or by calling Greg Schatz at 504.522.5730.

Brazilian Health Fair

November 15 from 10:30 to 3:00

In front of the Brazilian Market at 2424 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70062
Medical Screenings Offered: Glucose, Blood Pressure, HIV, Vision

Medical Information Provided in Portuguese - Portuguese/English Interpreters Available. Activities for Children

All are Welcome – Sejam Bem-vindos – Todos son Bienvenidos

Feira de Saúde

15 de novembro de 10:30 às 15:00

Em frente do Brazilian Market, 2424 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70062
Serviços Médicos Oferecidos: Teste de Glicose, Teste de Pressão Sangüínea, Teste de HIV, Teste de Visão

Informação Médica em Português - Intérpretes Português - Inglês
Actividades para Crianças!

All are Welcome – Sejam Bem-vindos – Todos son Bienvenidos

Congo Square Rhythms Festival

November 15, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents the Congo Square Rhythms Festival at Congo Square in New Orleans' Louis Armstrong Park. Performers include: Ensemble Fatien (featuring Seguenon Kone, Dr. Michael White, Sunpie Barnes, Jason Marsalis, Margie Perez and others), Bamboula 2000, the Kumbuka African Dance Company, Moyuba, Tekrema Dance Theater and many more.

The event also hosts a crafts fair and plenty of local food vendors
For more info, visit the event web site at congosquarerhythms.com.

BOBRAUSCHENBERGAMERICA AT LE CHAT NOIR

November 13-16

The St. Francisville Transitory Theatre is breaking into New Orleans with their production of Charles Mee’s bobrauschenbergamerica, reshaped as a response to the art of New Orleans artist Jeffrey Cook. The show asks how we can find joy in losing everything.

CAST: Carol Sutton and features James Bartelle, Tyler D’aquilla, Stephen Foley, Helen Jaksch, Alex Lemonier, Richard Mayer, Matthew Morris, and Meredith Mullins.

bobrauschenbergamerica will play at Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave on November 13, 14 and 16 at 8:00PM and Nov. 15 at 6:00PM. Tickets are $20. The Nov. 16 performance is free to theatre professionals. For reservations and information call Le Chat Noir at 504-581-5812. Phone hours are 2-6pm Tues-Sat and 2-4pm Sundays.

MfS,LLC partners with Carver HS for student essay contest

November 3-19

“Models for Success Leadership Group” raises money to promote Leadership and Character Development. This contest is design to promote concepts of leadership and character development among students and inspire them to strive higher.

Students must submit either an essay or poem on the topic “What are the characteristic of good leadership, and how can these attributes make you successful?” Submissions must be typed and have a minimum of 200 words. Contest begins on November 3, 2009 and ends on November 19, 2009

For More information on MfS, click here: www.modelsforsuccess.com or call 888.400.9899

American Heart Association Heart Walk

November 21

More than 5,000 New Orleans area residents are expected to take steps to improve their heart health Saturday, November 21 when they participate in the New Orleans Start! Heart Walk at Audubon Park. The annual event, which raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, begins at 10:00 a.m. with registration at 9:00 a.m. The fundraising goal for this event is $500,000. The non-competitive, three-mile walk includes teams of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages.

For information on participating in the New Orleans Start! Heart Walk, call the American Heart Association at (504) 830-2308 or visit www.neworleansheartwalk.org.

Fiesta Latina

November 21, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation presents Fiesta Latina at Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive in Metairie, LA. Live music will include touring acts like Los Hermanos Rosario from the Dominican Republic and Grupo Fantasma from Austin, as well as local groups including Rumba Buena, Fredy Omar, Otra, Vivaz and many others.

In addition to Latin cuisine, a crafts fair, and local nonprofit organization booths, there will be soccer tournaments and clinics for kids and adults. For more info, visit the event web site at fiestalatinanola.com.

New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival

November 22, 2009 from 11 to 6 P.M.

Thousands of New Orleanians will celebrate the city’s most famous sandwich—on  as they head for Oak Street for the third annual New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival. The Festival will be held in a 7-block section of Oak Street between Carrollton Avenue and Eagle Street with the Carrollton and Oak intersection being accessible by streetcar. This festival was founded as a celebration of the storied sandwich and the role it has played in New Orleans’ culinary culture. The festival also highlights the ongoing revitalization of the Oak Street business corridor, which was designated a National Main Street in 2006 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a Louisiana Main Street by the Department of Historic Preservation, which authorizes the program.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Benefits Kingsley House

November 28 at 8pm

The Moscow Ballet will be returning to New Orleans this holiday season for a special performance of its critically acclaimed Great Russian Nutcracker benefitting Kingsley House. The event will take place at the newly reopened Mahalia Jackson Theater.

Tickets to the ballet range from $40 to $70 and are now available for purchase at Ticketmaster or at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Box Office at (504) 287-0350. For more information, please visit www.nutcracker.com or www.mahaliajacksontheater.com.

High Voltage Annual Holiday Party

December 2, 2009 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

High Voltage, Inc. cordially invites you to attend our Annual Holiday Party at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, 1618 Orthea Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA $10 per person.

Enjoy delicious refreshments and local holiday shopping at the Ashé Shop and High Voltage Book Giving Tree sponsored by the Maple Street Book Shop. For more information visit our website at www.highvoltageyouthcamp.org, or call 504-458-3848.

DesCours 2009

December 7-13

This December, downtown New Orleans will showcase DesCours, a week-long, contemporary architecture and art event that explores the latest in design and technology with new media and interactive art installations. A competitive review of proposals from internationally recognized architects and artists will bring fourteen distinct installations to the city, that nightly transform hidden spaces across the French Quarter and Central Business District.

Treme Creole Gumbo Festival

December 12-13, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation will host the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival. The event will take place at the Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart St., New Orleans). Live music will include local favorites Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Trombone Shorty, James Andrews, Glen David Andrews and others. And don't miss the gumbo cooking demonstrations and crafts fair, as well as the fourth annual Jazz & Heritage Holiday Bazaar — a sale of official Jazz Fest t-shirts, posters and memorabilia. For more info, visit the event web site at jazzandheritage.org/treme-gumbo.
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Ongoing Events

Free Computer Classes

The Community Center's next round of free computer classes will begin on November 10. Partipants will be able to choose between a Tuesday evening class or a Thursday morning class. To enroll, please phone the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi, at 504.281.2512. Class size is limited to 8 members for each class with a waiting list of 4 members.

EVENING CLASSES: Tuesdays 5—6PM on Nov 10, 17 & Dec 1, 8, 15

MORNING CLASSES: Thursdays 10—11AM on Nov 12, 19 & Dec 3, 10, 17

www.ccstb.org

From Tramps to Kings: 100 Years of Zulu

Through December 2009

The Louisiana State Museum and the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club proudly present "From Tramps to Kings: 100 Years of Zulu," a major new exhibit exploring the origins, unique Carnival traditions, and cultural and civic contributions of Zulu from 1909 to the present. "From Tramps to Kings" features more than 100 seldom-seen treasures loaned by Zulu members. Highlights include a ballroom tableau of 14 former Zulu Kings and Queens in bejeweled costumes and elaborate headdresses, and all seven of Zulu’s comic parade characters including the Big Shot of Africa, the Witch Doctor, and the Ambassador.

Drama Workshop - Jeff Parish Recreation Dept.

Thursdays from Sept. 24 thru Nov. 12.

Jefferson Parish Recreation Dept. will offer a Drama Workshop for youngpeople ages 8-18 as the first step to developing a Drama Program.Jefferson Playground Theater is scheduled to re-open in Spring 2010.This workshop will introduce drama, to include scene study, physicaland vocal development, improvisation, dramatic structure, characterdevelopment and acting techniques. 8 classes = $75

~For more info, please contact JPRD at 736-6999 EXT 110 or email: dacosta@jeffparish.net

The Lunch Box in the Musicians Village

Every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join Liese's Living Room and the Village Copper Thieves for a weeklypicnic with free live music in the 1800 block of Bartholomew Street(three blocks north of Claiborne Avenue). The Village Copper Thievesare all neighbors who met up and formed the first new ensemble toemerge from the Habitat for Humanity Musician's Villagein the Ninth Ward. The band, led by Liese Dettmer on 12-string guitar,includes Boyanna Trayanova on percussion, Adam Crochet on dobro, andThomas McDonald on bass. Bring your lunch and hang out in the heart ofthe Village with your neighbors and visiting volunteers who arebuilding this post-Katrina community from the ground up.

Road Home Assistance at St. Bernard Community Center

Every Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Hurricane Preparedness at St. Bernard Community Center

Every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

For more information about Red Cross St. Bernard Chapter programs and services, please phone 504.620.2855 or visit www.arcno.org. For furtherinformation about the Community Center of St Bernard, please phone 504.281-2512 or visit www.ccstb.org.

Free Yoga

Every Saturday at 1 p.m.

Swan River Yoga and the Community Center of St Bernard are pleased to announce that the popular Yoga For The People! free yoga classes currently held every Wednesday evening will now be expanded to include Saturday sessions as well.

For more information, please phone the Office of Community Development directly at 225.219.9600 or visit www.ccstb.org.

Volunteer Tutors Needed! Help Children Learn to Read

» See an archive of recent previous community events

Add Your Own Community Events

If you would like to add a community event to this page, please leave a comment below. We reserve the right to edit your listing, and we will remove it after the event has passed. We prefer submissions at around 150 words in length. Please do not post over 200 words in your submission, and no posts in all capital letters (or long series of capital letters).