Community events
MID-CITY BAYOU BOOGALOO: The annual festival takes place May 19-21, at 3205 Orleans Ave., in New Orleans, with comedy stages and musical acts that include Bonerama, Rebirth Brass Band, Juvenile and NOLA School of Rock. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15 for land or water access, with weekend passes available. Tickets at thebayouboogaloo.com.
LULING CRAWFISH BOIL: The River Region Chamber of Commerce boil is May 18, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Westbank Bridge Park, 13825 River Road in Luling. The event will include food, drink, music and raffles. Tickets start at $60 through www.riverregionchamber.org. For info, call (985) 359-9777.
BROMELIAD SHOW AND SALE: The River Ridge Bromeliad Society's 40th annual show and sale takes place May 19-21 at Lakeside Mall, under the skylight by Macy’s, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 19; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 20 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 21. Call (504) 495-0371 for information.
DOCUMENTARY: Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s new documentary, "The Precipice," on May 19 at 7 p.m. at 1519 Jackson Ave. in New Orleans. The film covers the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe and the near destruction of their community after Hurricane Ida. Free. A Q&A with director Ben Johnson will follow the screening. For more info, call (504) 568-0770 or go to marketing@af-neworleans.org.
MOVIES IN THE PARK: “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” on May 20 and “Minions: The Rise of Gru” on May 27, starting at 8 p.m. at Heritage Park, 2015 Fourth St. in Kenner. Admission is free. Candy, drinks and popcorn will be available for purchase. More information at www.kenner.la.us.
MOVIES IN THE PARK: “Top Gun Maverick” will be screened for free at Pratt Park, 5733 Chatham Drive in New Orleans, at dusk on May 19. (Rain site is Milne Rec Center, 5420 Franklin Ave.) Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are welcome; those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. See www.nordc.org.
MUSIC IN THE PARK: Free concerts in Kenner include the Top Cats on May 19 and Category 6 on May 26. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Park, 2015 Fourth St. in Kenner. Arts and crafts and food vendors will be on-site. More information at www.kenner.la.us.
WEGO COOKERS: The local chapter of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society will meet May 20 at Pavilion 7 in Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 Westbank Expressway in Westwego. Set up begins at 9 a.m. Food is ready for sampling by 11:30 a.m. The event is free, but park fees apply, $3 for people under 62. For information, contact John Heiken at jheiken209@gmail.com or (504) 756-1853.
PARC DES FAMILLES SPRAY PARK: The Spray Park's 16 water features at 6101 Leo Kerner Lafitte Parkway in Marrero are open daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Aug. 13. Call (504) 349-5000 for more information.
ORMOND SPRAY PARK: The St. Charles Parish park is open weekends, 1-6 p.m. From May 30 to Aug. 27, the hours will be Tuesday through Sunday, 1-6 p.m. From Aug. 29 through Sept. 24, the park will operate on the weekends-only schedule. For more information see scpparksandrec.com or call (985) 783-5090.
GOLF TOURNAMENT: The annual NORD four-person scramble takes place May 20 at the Joseph Bartholomew Memorial Golf Course, 6514 Congress Dr. in New Orleans. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Proceeds will go to the NORD Foundation. For registration and more information, see, nordc.org.
FISH DAT RODEO: St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation's fishing rodeo will be held May 20 at the Bonnet Carré Spillway Lower Guide Levee Boat Launch. Competition begins at safelight, with weigh-in at 1 p.m., followed by food, awards and door prizes. It's open to all St. Charles Parish residents and those with Louisiana fishing licenses. Categories include bass, bream, catfish, sac-a-lait and miscellaneous. Registration for 12 and under is $5, $10 for those 13 and older or boat captains, through May 18. See scpparksandrec.com or call (985) 783-5090.
NEW ORLEANS FOOD FIGHT: The food and cocktail competition will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 25 at Crescent Park, 2300 N. Peters St. in New Orleans. Entertainment will include live music and burlesque by Trixie Minx. Proceeds benefit the PLEASE Foundation, a nonprofit that provides mentorship, leadership training, and scholarships for at-risk students. Tickets start at $85; VIP and early entry tickets are also available. See www.foodfightnola.com for tickets.
SIPPIN’ IN THE SUNSET: The Old Arabi Neighborhood Association celebrates the end of the school year on May 25, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Aycock Barn, 409 Aycock St., with live music by the Cypress Pop Trio, food and beverages for sale, and arts and crafts vendors. More information at www.oldarabi.org.
FRENCH QUARTER GARDEN TOUR: The Patio Planters will host a self-guided walking tour of private gardens and courtyards in the French Quarter on May 27, from noon to 4 p.m. Pick up tickets, $35 and $40 day of, at the Cabildo on Jackson Square from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children under 12 are free. Information and tickets at patioplanters.net.
SENIOR FEST 2023: The New Orleans Council on Aging will hold a senior party and vendor fair on May 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Joe Brown Recreation Center, 5601 Read Blvd. in New Orleans. It will include a community awards ceremony and lunch. Tickets are a $5 donation; call (504) 821-4121.
LULING SENIOR CELEBRATION: The Council on Aging and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will host the annual event May 25, 9:30-2 p.m., at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling. St. Charles Parish adults 55 and older can RSVP by May 11 by calling (985) 331-9701 or (985) 783-8907. Those in need of transportation should call (985) 783-6683.
FESTIVALS
GREEK FEST: The 48th annual festival on Bayou St. John includes music, Hellenic dancing, rides, food and cathedral tours May 26-28, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1200 Allen Toussaint Blvd. in New Orleans. Gates open 5-11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10, with children under 12 free. A 5K run/walk and 1-mile kids run, put on by the New Orleans Track Club, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. See www.gfno.com.
CULTURE AND CONCERTS
TWILIGHT AT LONGUE VUE: The open-air Spanish Court music showcase continues May 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with KatieCat & Cain featuring the Hiptones. Guests can bring drinks, snacks and picnic seating. Longue Vue House and Gardens is located at 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans. Admission is $10, $5 for members. Information and ticket at longuevue.com.
BOOKS
"SIMPLY LIES": Author David Baldacci will discuss and sign his newest psychological thriller at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans, on May 22 at 6 p.m. Tickets, $35, include a copy of the book; they're available through Eventbrite. See more information at www.gardendistrictbookshop.com.
FUNDRAISERS/GALAS
SPIRIT OF SCOUTING SOIREE: Karen Coaxum, Jackie Clarkson and Bronwyn Corcoran will be honorees at a fundraiser sponsored by the Southeast Louisiana Council, Boy Scouts of America on May 17, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Deutsches Haus, 1700 Moss Ave. in New Orleans. Details at spiritofscouting.org.
SEERSUCKER & SASS: The Cancer Crusaders' annual fundraiser will be from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. May 20 at Chateau Golf and Country Club, 3600 Chateau Blvd. in Kenner, with dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions and music by The Quarter Notes. Tickets start at $140; call (504) 813-4909 or through one.bidpal.net/ccgala/ticketing.
ART & SOUL GALA: The NOCCA Foundation fundraiser will be held May 20 at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, 600 Homer Plessy Way in New Orleans, with performances by local musicians, food by NOCCA’s Culinary Arts students and faculty as well as local restaurants, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and portraits drawn by NOCCA visual arts students. A VIP patron party will be May 18. Tickets start at $50 at ArtAndSoulNOCCA.com.
DINING BY DESIGN: The Historic BK House & Garden will host a four-course dining experience inspired by Francis Parkinson-Keyes’ cookbook on May 21 at 1113 Chartres St. in New Orleans. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., see the tablescapes created by designers and local celebrities. Tickets are $20; beverages included. The dinner, at 5:30 p.m., includes hors d’oeuvres and Champagne and a concert by Michael Harold and Quinn Pepper, followed by the meal. Tickets are $250. Get tickets at www.bkhouse.org/diningbydesign.
PELICANS AND PEARLS GALA: The annual fundraiser for Nunez Community College scholarship funds will be May 19 at Docville Farm in St. Bernard Parish. The event will include dishes prepared by Nunez’s Culinary Arts students, tastings from area restaurants, drinks, a silent auction and more. Tickets are $55; call (504) 382-2090 or email klemoine@nunez.edu.
HONORS
ST. JOHN SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Deputy Orlando Nicholas has been named Officer of the First Quarter by Sheriff Mike Tregre. Nicholas was recognized for his performance during the Krewe of Dage parade in LaPlace, preventing possible gun violence and removing a potential threat from the public event.
CLASSES
HEALTHY MEAL PREPARATION: Dietitian Devin Brittain will present a recipe demonstration class May 30 at 6 p.m. at Faith Church, 2525 Apollo Ave. in Harvey. The event, sponsored by Be Well-Come Together, is free. Registration is required at bewellcometogether@gmail.com or (504) 368-2525.
YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: A one-day workshop May 22 for women ages 18-24 aims to build community and offer leadership training, peer learning and networking. It will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the Audubon Room of the Danna Center at Loyola, 6363 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Cost is $35; applications accepted through May 7. Additional information and the academy application are available at pacs.loyno.edu.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERIES: “Transitions and Self-Esteem in Children,” the last of three child development workshops, will be on Aug. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Nunez Community College's Fine Arts Center, 3710 Paris Road in Chalmette. Free, but space is limited. Registration deadline is Aug. 5. To register, contact CDYC program chair Kathy Huff at (504) 278-6288 or khuff@nunez.edu.
FREE EXERCISE CLASSES: The nonprofit Be Well — Come Together is organizing free exercise classes modified for all levels from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 2525 Apollo Ave., Harvey. No registration is required. For information, call (504) 368-2525 or email bewellcometogether@gmail.com.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES: Artist Diego Larguia's classes on May 20 and June 6, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the BK House, 1113 Chartres St. in New Orleans, are open to all skill levels. All three classes are $90 for museum members, $120 for nonmembers. Individual classes are $35/$45. Preregistration is required at www.bkhouse.org.
MEETINGS
REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB OF JEFFERSON: The May luncheon will feature guest speakers and candidates John Fleming, Tim Temple and Ricky Templet. Cost is $38. The meeting will be held May 18 at Chateau Golf and Country Club, 3600 Chateau Blvd. in Kenner, beginning at 11 a.m., with lunch and program at noon. For reservations, text Lynn Duverny at (504) 416-6612 or rwc.jeffparish@gmail.com.