BRIGHT & GAY
Crowds gathered in the French Quarter Sunday afternoon for the annual Gay Easter Parade, the morning’s rain letting up for favorable weather during the festivities.
Tomato Festival celebrates 75 years of gathering community
Chalmette readies for Creole tomato season
BY CHELSEA SHANNON Staff writer
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chalmette is preparing to put on its 75th Tomato Festival from April 1719, continuing the tradition of bringing the community together to celebrate the beginning of the Creole tomato season.
“I’ll say it a thousand times, and I’ll say it again. This is the last festival of its kind in St. Bernard Parish,” Tomato Festival co-chair Herbie Fisher said. “If you come out, you’re guaranteed to see someone or meet someone, and maybe, maybe find a new friend and enjoy some wonderful food and listen to some great local music and just have an allaround great time.”
The festival started in 1951 and proceeds benefit Our Lady of Prompt Succor’s school and church renovations and upgrades. The church is located at 2320 Paris Road in Chalmette. Largely run by volunteers, the festival features the Tomato Queen and other pageants, games and foods featuring tomatoes.
“Many, many moons ago, tomatoes and farming used to be a big part of St. Bernard’s culture,” Fisher said. “These Creole tomatoes specifically down here just thrive and do very, very well. So it brought forth our heritage.”
What makes a Creole tomato is the soil, according to LSU AgCenter extension agent Anna Timmerman. South and east of New Orleans, the ground has alluvial soil, a nutrient-dense, loose soil with clay and other sediments deposited by the river
“There’s a huge demand for Creole tomatoes be-
Tiny paws, big problem: Kitten season has arrived
When feeding outdoor cats, fixing them isn’t optional; it’s crucial. Spring isn’t just about sunshine and blooming flowers. It also quietly signals the start of kitten season — a time when animal shelters and rescue groups prepare for a surge of newborn kittens. While most people may not notice it, those in rescue understand this season all too well. As temperatures go up, unspayed cats begin having litters at a rapid
pace. In just a few weeks, shelters become overwhelmed, fosters reach capacity and help calls keep coming in.
This happens every single year
Found kittens?
The first thing to do when finding kittens nothing. The worst thing to do would be to scoop up a litter of kittens immediately If kittens are outside, chances are their mother is nearby She may be off
hunting or searching for food and will return. Removing kittens too soon often does more harm than good, especially for newborns who depend entirely on their mom. Instead, take a step back and observe. Keep some distance and give the situation time. If the kittens appear healthy and are in a safe spot, the best choice is to leave them where they are and let mom do her job.
Want to help?
Start by supporting the mom. Rather than intervening too quickly, focus on making life easier for the mother cat by putting out fresh food and water or offering a simple shelter, even a covered box can help. Then keep the area quiet and undisturbed. If the kittens are clearly in danger or
FILE PHOTO BY DANIEL ERATH
Brian Reaney, left, and John Green stack boxes of tomatoes to sell at a past Tomato Festival at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chalmette.
Sister Mary Pat McCooter marches in the Gay Easter Parade in the French Quarter
STAFF PHOTO BY ENAN CHEDIAK
cause people recognize that it’s that soil that’s giving them that really nice, acidic but still kind of sweet and fruity flavor So that balance comes from the like high concentration of nutrients in our soils, that just happens naturally,” Timmerman said.
In St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, two types of slicing tomatoes are grown: Celebrity and Super Fantastic. While these tomatoes can be grown elsewhere, Timmerman said they don’t taste the same when grown in other soil.
“So it’s kind of like, you know, they talk about terroir as a concept in wine grapes. It’s the same exact thing just with tomatoes,” Timmerman said.
Since the festival celebrates the start of the Creole tomato season, there won’t be many available for consumption. However, there will still be plenty of other tomatoes, including the fan favorite fried green tomatoes with a shrimp Creole sauce, Fisher said.
Still, it is a time for the community to share information, prepare for this
year’s harvest and have some fun.
“Everybody’s going to come, and we’re going to share stories and then have a good time. So it’s the same, it’s the same basis for this, where it’s that same community We’re slowing down. Everybody’s getting together for this one weekend, and we’re all coming out of the woodwork to say hello to cousins and our brothers and sisters,” Fisher said
The festival runs from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Music acts include The Fury, Petty Betty, Cypress Pop Trio, Bad Habit NOLA, Top Cats, Papa John Gros, Ryan Foret and the Foret Tradition, No Idea and student performances.
The festival costs $5 to enter, but Our Lady of Prompt Succor students and children under 10 can enter for free. The festival will also sell $30 per-day ride tickets, and full weekend ride passes can be purchased before the festival.
Visit www olpstomatofest.com, email tomatofestival@ olpsschool.org or call (504) 271-3441, extension 7, for more information.
PET OF THE WEEK
PROVIDED PHOTO
Baby Girl is about 2 years old and weighs 40 pounds. She is the sweetest American bulldog mix ever and is often described as adorable. To learn more, email adoptionteam@ animalrescueneworleans.org or submit an application at animalrescueneworleans.org/adoptfoster/.
KITTEN
Continued from page 1G
out to the local shelter or rescue for guidance before taking action.
Why is there an annual kitten season?
Cats are incredibly efficient breeders, especially in warmer climates like ours. Kittens can become pregnant at just four to five months old. Cats can go into heat multiple times a year and they will continue cycling until they become pregnant.
Pregnancy for cats lasts just about two months. Plus, a mother cat can become pregnant again while still nursing. This means one unspayed cat can lead to dozens more kittens in a very short time. So how do we slow down this never-ending cycle?
Spay and neuter cats early This is the most effective way to reduce the number of homeless animals
Many people don’t realize kittens can be fixed as early as eight weeks old if they meet weight requirements. Be responsible when
feeding outdoor cats. Feeding without fixing only fuels the cycle. Trap-Neuter-Return programs are designed to manage community cats humanely, and many local groups offer these services at low or no cost. Step up as a foster The tiniest kittens, especially those under a month old, require constant care.
Shelters aren’t equipped to provide that level of attention, which is why fosters are critical during kitten season Adopt when possible. This is the time of year when shelters are overflowing. Whether looking for a playful kitten or a calmer adult cat, adopting helps create space for the next wave of animals in need. Kitten season may be predictable, but it doesn’t have to be unmanageable. With the right actions spaying and neutering, fostering, adopting and supporting local shelters and rescues we can reduce the impact year after year
Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), a nonprofit, volunteerbased, no-kill shelter For more information on ARNO, visit www animalrescueneworleans. org.
STAFF PHOTOS BY ENAN CHEDIAK
The Gay Easter Parade rolls in the French Quarter
Grand Marshals Felicia Phillips, left, and Jeffrey Palmquist
A rider throws beads to the crowd.
Music and marchers
A dog trots in the parade.
The crowd gathers around Good Friends before the parade.
The crowd dances by Good Friends before the parade.
Greek art, tomb ownership, writer’s clinics on tap
Library patrons can meet ARCAthens NOLA/NYC Research Fellow Vicky Tsirou and artist Dionisis Christofilogiannis at 7 p.m. April 20 at
Chris Smith
LIBRARY LAGNIAPPE
East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Tsirou, a curator and researcher, focuses on commons, public space, participatory art and environmental issues. Christofilogiannis is a multidisciplinary visual artist working with mythology memory identity and sociopolitical themes. They’ll discuss their work and experiences in the Greater New Orleans area and lead an informal conversation about research, contemporary art and how art illuminates everyday life
The talk is part of the ARCAthens fellowship, which fosters cultural exchange between Greece and the United States.
Tomb ownership and deeds
Cemetery preservationist Emily Ford will speak on “Tomb Ownership and Deeds” at 7 p.m. April 20 at East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, during the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans’ meeting. Ford will discuss tomb and cemetery plot ownership in New Orleans for those who have lost or need to reestablish cemetery deeds. She’ll show how to identify your family tomb and lot number, locate deed books and cemetery records, and determine valid titles versus mere burial rights. She’ll also explain how relatives can qualify for burial even if titles weren’t updated. The talk covers Louisiana rules for transferring cemetery property via wills, affidavits or court orders, and how cemeteries apply them. Attendees will learn how to contact cemetery authorities, what documents prove heirship, how to update titleholders and how to handle unclear or abandoned ownership, perpetual-care requirements, and servitudeuse rights Ford is a New Orleans cemetery preservationist, restoration mason, and architectural historian. A Clemson MSHP graduate, she founded Oak and Laurel Cemetery Preservation LLC in 2014 and has restored hundreds of tombs and monuments across the Gulf South. The meeting will also be available via Zoom for members and guests who live out of town or cannot attend in person. Patrons should contact Stephen Stuart at stuartnola@gmail.com.
Saturday writer’s clinic
Local author Annell López, who wrote the shortstory collection “I’ll Give You a Reason,” will speak about the hermit crab essay at 9:30 a.m. April 18, at Wagner Library 6646 Riverside Drive, Metairie. The free event is open to the public.
A hermit crab essay is a form of creative nonfiction that uses a nonliterary structure — such as a recipe syllabus, or rejection letter — as a “shell” for personal, often vulnerable content. Coined by Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola, this form employs borrowed structures to create distance, focus, and inventive storytelling.
n Borrowed Structure: Uses everyday formats (e.g., medical forms, instructions, multiple-choice tests) to frame the narrative.
n Camouflage & Vulnerability: The structure offers a protective “shell” for tender, personal or difficult subject matter
n Thematic Alignment: The chosen form often reflects the theme (e.g., a broken relationship through an instruction manual).
n Implied Narrative: Similar to
Hemingway’s “iceberg theory,” much of the story remains beneath the surface, implied by the structure.
López is the winner of the Louise Meriwether First Book Prize for “I’ll Give You a Reason.” A Peter Taylor Fellow at the Kenyon Review Writers Workshops, her work has been supported by Tin House and published in Guernica, American Short Fiction Michigan Quarterly Review, Brooklyn Rail, Refinery29, and other outlets. López earned her MFA from the University of New Orleans. She is working on a novel. Scrabble tournament
The East Bank Regional Library, located at 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, will host the ninth edition of Saturday Scrabble from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25.
The event consists of the following:
n Fully rated seven-game North American Scrabble Players Association Tournament: The association’s 2023 wordlist will be used Pairings and divisions will be determined by the director when registration closes — no walk-ins for the Main Event. Players must bring boards, tiles, clocks and score sheets. Players must be members of the Scrabble association to play For registration, go to www.cross-tables.com.
There will be a 30-minute lunch break. Lunch options may be accessed via the flyer There is no time for tournament players to leave the facility for lunch n School Scrabble tournament: The number of teams will determine the number of games. Children aged 8-13 compete in pairs. The NSWL2023 dictionary will be used
n A three-game newcomer session: Offered to interested library patrons from 9 a.m. to noon. After the tournament, players may participate in open play
Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Clocks in all events start at 9:30 a.m
Riverboat gambling
Derby Gisclair will discuss steamboat gambling as part of the Third Thursday History Lecture at 7 p.m. April 16, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Axis & Allies
Patrons are invited to join staff for a full day of strat egy and history on April 18 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Two separate Axis & Allies board gaming sessions one at 9:30 a.m and another at 2:30 p.m. — will be played using tournament rules (up to four hours per game)
Between sessions, patrons can attend a lecture on U.S. Naval strategies in the Pacific Theater
Genealogy
Emily Ford works on the restoration of the Italian Society Tomb or ‘Societa Italiana Di Mutua Beneficenza Terminese’ in Metairie Cemetery in 2016.
FILE PHOTO
New Orleans Secular Humanist Association
Members of the Descendants of Jesuit Enslavement Historical and Genealogical Society will discuss how the organization documents, preserves and interprets the history of Jesuit enslavement at 2:30 p.m. April 18. It’s part of the regularly scheduled meeting of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association.
Music!
The New Aurora Saxophone Ensemble will perform at 2 p.m. April 19 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. The New Orleans Trombone Choir performs at 7 p.m. April 23, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library
Boys Town Louisiana celebrated the ribbon-cutting on March 31 for a new basketball court at its Intervention and Assessment Center, 1008 Behrman Highway in Terrytown. Tim Koerner, Jefferson Parish council member, announced a $10,000 commitment to further enhance the space, including new equipment such as college-level basketballs and additional resources for youth using the court.
Gwen Kelley a librarian who specializes in genealogy, will lead a series of classes at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. The next session occurs at 2:30 p.m. on April 15 “Researching Female Ancestors,” which is the main genealogy database available today This lecture focuses on searching the database, using the library version as well as what is offered if one subscribes to the ancestry.com website. The next lecture at 2:30 p.m April 22 will focus on “Using Genetic Genealogy.”
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Pictured from left are Boys Town Louisiana Executive Director Rashain Carriere-Williams, Michael Chauvin, Kelsey Bonnaffons, Clif Buller, Shelita Jones, Chris Barrilleaux and Jefferson Parish council members Jennifer Van Vrancken and Tim Koerner
A Dewey Decimal game show, crafting, shadow puppets,
more
BY JANE LEGROS Contributing writer
Test your popular literature and library knowledge at “Dewey Decimal Dash: A Library Game Show” at Mid-City Library, 4140 Canal St., from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 14. This interactive trivia and scavenger-hunt game is presented in the style of classic game shows from the ’70s and 80s. Space is limited. Visit events.nolalibrary.org to sign up
Teen volunteer opportunity
Love comics? Hate injustice? Check out Teen Volunteer Day with Trinity City Arts from 4 p m to 6 p.m. April 15 at Rosa F Keller Library & Community Center, 4300 S. Broad St.
This open workshop is for teens who love making comic books and want to use their creative gifts to make New Orleans a better place to live Snacks, art supplies, comic books and prizes are included. Register at nolalibrary.co/trinity-arts-volunteer.
Crafting: Watercolor flowers
Play with color and form at a watercolor workshop at the Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave., 2 p m to 4 p.m. April 16. Attendees will arrange a still life with silk flowers and recreate an abstract version with watercolor paints. Beginners are welcome, for ages 18 and up. Space is limited, and registration is recommended. Visit events.nolalibrary.org to sign up.
Shadow puppet animation for teens
NOCCA Instructor Zoe Zollinger will lead a shadow puppet animation workshop for teens at Smith Library, 6301 Canal Blvd., 4:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m April 16. Participants will be introduced to the basics of motion and visual storytelling through 2D puppet filmmaking by designing characters to create a short animated film. Open to teens ages 11-18. Registration is required Visit events.nolalibrary.org to sign up.
Books & Breakfast with Vaunda Nelson
The Library is hosting the third annual Books & Breakfast program at Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center, 4300 S. Broad St., from 10:30 a.m.-noon April 18. This annual event celebrates the end of a successful year of NOLA Readers 2.0, a free field trip program the library hosts with the Louisiana Children’s Museum, with activities centered around one book. This year’s book is “Small Shoes, Great Strides,” by Vaunda Nelson, which recounts the experience of the McDonogh Three, who helped pioneer school integration in New Orleans in the 1960s. The author and Civil Rights activist Dr Leona Tate — one of the McDonogh Three — will visit Keller Library on April 18, for a reading, Q&A, book signing and free breakfast. Free signed copies of the book will be given out, as supplies last.
Earth Day
Teens are invited to celebrate Earth Day a day early at Mid-City Library, 4140 Canal St. Stop by from 4 p m to 5 p.m. April 21 to make a seed bomb by mixing native wildflower seeds with water and organic materials like clay, soil or paper Once these “bombs” dry, you can toss them into yards to create pollinator habitats. Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive, will screen the 2010 movie “Earth Days,” which documents the origins of the modern environmental movement, at 4:30 p.m. April 22.
Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the New Orleans Public Library.
40th annual French Quarter
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
FRENCH QUARTER FEST: The annual New Orleans event, featuring 20 stages of local music and over 60 Louisiana restaurants, runs April 16-19, with headliner P. J. Morton Schedules are online. https:// frenchquarterfest.org/.
NOLA CIGAR FESTIVAL: The cigar event runs April 16–19 with demos, tastings and seminars across the city. There’s a meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. April 16 and the Black & Gold Ball from 8 p.m.-midnight April 17. Prices, schedules and locations are online. www.nolacigarfestival. com/2.
OLPS TOMATO FESTIVAL: Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, 2320 Paris Road, Chalmette, holds its 75th annual festival April 17–19. Hours for the festival are Friday
5:30-11 p.m., Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m Sun 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. There will be rides, food, games and live music. Admission is $5 per day; OLPS students and children under 10 enter free. Weekend ride pass: $65. www. olpstomatofest.com.
NOAFA SPRING ART FEST: New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts’ Spring Fest is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 18 at 5256 Magazine St. Attractions include student art market, live music, family crafts, sno-balls and Reginelli’s pizza. www.noafa.org/event/noafaspring-art-fest.
BARRELS ON THE BAYOU: Barrel & Flow, a Pittsburgh beer festival, hits New Orleans from 3-9 p.m. April 18 at Lafayette Square, South Maestri Street, with 30 Black breweries and collaborations, live music and art. A bottle share is 7 p.m. April 17 at Gallier Hall. Tickets from $50.https:// barrelsonthebayou.com/.
CRAWFEST AT TULANE: The studentrun music, food, and arts festival located in the heart of Tulane’s campus, 29 McAlister Drive in New Orleans, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 18, on the Berger Family Lawn. The event includes live music, vendors and crawfish. General admission tickets start at $20. https://www tulanecrawfest.com/.
OLD METAIRIE CRAWFISH FESTIVAL & COOK-OFF: St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School will host its 13th annual event with food and live music
2-8 p.m. April 18 at the school, 400 Codifer Blvd. in Metairie. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children. https://scschurch.com/cookoff.
WORTH THE DRIVE
NORTHSHORE AUTISM ACCEPTANCE
FESTIVAL: The Northshore Neurodiversity Network, a nonprofit that works to expand access to quality education and foster community understanding of ASD, and the Mande Milkshakers will host a day of inclusive activities from 10 a.m.2 p.m. April 19 at the Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St. in Mandeville. https://nnnautism.org/.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
AGING WISELY: Be Well-Come Together holds free interactive seminars at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through April 21 for those 60+. Location: Faith Presbyterian Church, 2525 Apollo Ave., Harvey Info: bewellcometogether@gmail.com. (504) 268-2525.
GRIEF SEMINAR: Christian Fellowship Church, 5049 Ehret Road in Marrero, will host the Loss of a Spouse seminar 10 a.m.-noon April 16. All those who have lost a spouse to death are invited to attend. The seminar consists of a video presentation and group discussion. The cost for the seminar is $12 for the participation guide that accompanies the video. (504) 347-4875.
LINE DANCING CLASS: The Turtle, 8001 Karen St. in Metairie, will offer a class at 6:30 p.m. April 22. Momma T will sell food starting at 3 p.m. Dancing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
ST. BERNARD BUSINESS EXPO & JOB
FAIR: The St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce will host a job fair from 5-7 p.m. April 15 in the Val Reiss Complex, 1201 Magistrate St. in Chalmette. The event will feature businesses of all sizes and industries, highlighting their products, services and career openings. The job fair is free and open to the public. www.stbernardchamber.org/ spotlightstbernard.
WORLD ART DAY: The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery and Where Y’at Art Works will launch a new exhibit, “Rooted,” from 5-8 p.m. April 15, at 535 Tchoupitoulas St. in New Orleans. The group exhibition explores the impact of the environment on culture through the work of 22 local artists. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. www.whereyartworks. com/artists.
BTNEP BAYOU CLEANUP: Registration is open until April 15 for the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program’s 15th annual cleanup day, to be held 8:30-11:30 a.m. April 18. The event, formerly known as BTNEP’s Bayou Lafourche Cleanup, will extend beyond Bayou Lafourche to include Bayous Terrebonne, Petit Caillou, and Grand Caillou in Terrebonne Parish. Following the cleanup, volunteers are invited to attend the Bayou Cleanup Afterparty, 1-3 p m in Downtown Thibodaux, featuring live music. The cleanup is free and open to the public, but prior registration is required. https:// btnep.org/2026/01/20/btnep-bayoucleanup/.
STARTUP ST. BERNARD PITCH
COMPETITION: Applications are open through July 10 for the 12th annual pitch competition from the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. Eligible applicants: businesses less than 5 years old, annual revenue under $1,000,000, and five or fewer employees. Judges will evaluate business plans and the venture’s potential to create jobs, invest in St. Bernard, meet regional needs, or advance Startup St. Bernard sectors. Three finalists will pitch on Aug. 20 at Nunez Community College. Each finalist gets at least $5,000; the grand prize includes cash plus in-kind services. https://www.startupstbernard.com/ enter.
CRCL OYSTER SHELL RECYCLING
PROGRAM: The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana volunteers will be working to construct a living shoreline along Morgan Harbor Pass in partnership with the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 16. Volunteers will move bags of recycled oyster shells from boats to facilitate on-the-water deposition and reef building by community members and CRCL staff. Parking and registration will take place at Hopedale Marina, 7600 Hopedale Highway in St. Bernard. Details on registration and the event rules are available online. https://volunteer bloomerang.co/volunteer/#/joinparty?k=ww9lc8rkhzrp2o.
MEET & GREET: House of Cards — NOLA, 3304 W. Esplanade Ave. North, Suite B1, in Metairie, will host a pre-NOLA Card Show trade night with Steve Aoki on April 17, 6:30 p.m. The event will include a live break. A Hiroquest Genesis box must be purchased in-store for the meet & greet. www.houseofcardsnola.com.
EARTH DAY E-WASTE DRIVE: Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana will host a recycling event 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 18-19 at 3400 Tulane Ave., Suite 1000, in New Orleans and other Goodwill locations. Accepted items include computers, cellphones, docking stations, modems, routers, hard drives, keyboards, mice, speakers, laptops, Li-Ion and NiCad batteries, motherboards, PC cards, optical and floppy disks, PC shells, power cables and supplies, ribbon cable, toner and ink, tablets, wire, gaming controllers, video game consoles and digital/cable and satellite boxes. https://goodwillno.org/goodwillnews/goodwill-hosting-earth-day-ewaste-drive-april-18-19/.
PONTCHARTRAIN CENTER CARD & TCG SHOW: NOLA Card Show will host the show for trading card and sports card shops and collectors on April 18-19 at the Pontchartrain Convention & Center, 4545 Williams Blvd. in Kenner. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $10, with kids 10 and under free. www nolacardshows.com/event-details/ pontchartrain-center-sports-cardtcg-show.
RABIES VACCINATIONS: St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter will offer low-cost vaccinations for resident dogs and cats (over 3 months old or 3+ pounds) on April 19, 9 a.m.–noon at East Bank Bridge Park, 13244 River Road, Destrehan, and West Bank Bridge Park, 13825 River Road, Luling. Rabies shots are $10. Bring valid ID as proof of residency. Dogs must be leashed or in a carrier; cats must be in a carrier. Cash only. (985) 783-5010.
ZURICH CLASSIC: The 2026 golf tournament runs April 20-26 at TPC Louisiana, 11001 Lapalco Blvd. in Avondale. Pre-tournament events on Monday-Wednesday include Pro-Am days and a Celebrity Shootout. Official rounds run Thursday-Sunday, with varying start times. Tickets start at $45, with additional packages and options available. All active military, with proper credentials, are admitted free Wednesday-Sunday. https://zurichgolfclassic.com/. EARTH DAY: Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans, will offer free garden admission to Louisiana residents for self-guided tours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 22. Discounted house tours will be available, starting at $15. Registration is available online. https:// longuevue.com/event/earth-day/ ZOO-TO-DO FOR KIDS: Tickets are on sale for the April 24 event at the Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St. in New Orleans. The evening includes arcade games, giant inflatables, live entertainment, crafts and games, snacks and the celebration of the return of the Gottesman Family Endangered Species Carousel to Audubon Zoo. Tickets are $35 for the 6 p.m. start, and early-admit tickets for a 5 p.m. start are available for $50. https://audubonnatureinstitute. org/kids-zoo-to-do.
Robin Stead named to Wall of Fame
Robin Stead has been voted into the Sweet Adeline Wall of Fame by members of the Crescent City Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines International. The baritone section leader, Stead will be recognized in Houston at the Sweet Adelines International Region 10 competition in April.
THEATER & CONCERTS
TWILIGHT AT LONGUE VUE: Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans, will continue the spring season concerts with Paul Sanchez, a singer-songwriter who will perform on April 15. Bluegrass-country-funk band Bogue Chitto will perform on April 22. New Orleans-based Cast Iron Cactus will lead the April 29 concert. Concerts are 5:30-6:45 p.m. Tickets are $17 for each concert. https://longuevue. com/twilight-series/.
“LITTLE WOMEN”: Tulane’s theatre department and Newcomb’s music department will present the musical based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel April 15-20 in the Lupin Theatre on Tulane’s campus, 150 Dixon Hall Annex in New Orleans. Evening curtain is 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. https://liberalarts.tulane. edu/performing-arts/schedule.
“ZOMBIE PROM”: Brother Martin High School Dionysians (drama club) will present the 1950s-set rock-and-roll musical on April 16, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at the auditorium on campus, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave New Orleans. Curtain is at 7 p.m. for evening shows and 2 p.m. for the matinee. Reserved tickets are $20. General admission is $15. please brothermartin.com/drama.
YLC WEDNESDAYS AT THE SQUARE: The series continues through May 6, with each week’s concerts from 5-8 p.m. April 15, Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet + River Eckert will perform. Admission is free. www ylcwats.co.
SONGS OF THE PEOPLE: The Jefferson Chorale, under the direction of Louise Labruyere, will present a concert of folk songs from around the world at 7:30 p.m. April 16 at Good Shepherd Church, 5122 W Esplanade in Metairie. An additional concert will be held at 3 p.m. April 19 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 145 4th St. in Westwego. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
LET FREEDOM RING: A NIGHT OF PA-
TRIOTIC MUSIC: The St. Charles Parish America 250 Committee will host an evening of music, history and patriotic pride on April 18 as part of local celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. The commemorative concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performing at the Dr. Rodney R. Lafon Performing Arts Center, 275 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway in Luling. Tickets are $25. www.stcharlesparish.gov/ america250.
NEXT UP NOLA: The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St. in New Orleans, will present a showcase of the next generation of New Orleans rock-
ers, rappers, DJs, jazz and brass on 1-6 p.m. April 19 Tickets start at $10 via SimpleTix. https://broadsidenola.com/events/.
UNIVERSITY CHORUS: Loyola University’s College of Music & Media will present a spring concert 7:30 p.m. April 20 at Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall in the Communications/ Music Complex on Loyola’s Uptown campus, 6363 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. Admission is free. https://cmm.loyno.edu/events/apr20-2026_university-chorus-0.
SWING IN THE OAKS: The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Matthew Kraemer, will present a live concert in City Park 6-7 p.m. April 21. The free, familyfriendly event will be held at the Peristyle at City Park, 42 Dreyfous Drive in New Orleans, and will feature 125 student musicians from the LPO Academy playing with LPO professionals. https://lpomusic. com/events/swing-in-the-oaks.
THREADHEAD THURSDAY: The 16th annual free concert by J and The Causeways and Dave Jordan’s Almost Acoustic featuring Rurik Nunan and Max Sanders will be staged 7-10 p.m. April 23 at The Broadside, 600 N. Broad St. in New Orleans. There is no admission charge, but RSVPs can be made via SimpleTix. https://broadsidenola. com/events/. THE PLAYWRIGHT SHOWCASE: Goat in the Road Productions will host eight plays written by fifth-grade students from St. Bernard Parish Public Schools, brought to life by professional actors 7-8:30 p.m. April 15 at the Chalmette Cultural Arts Center, 2600 Palmisano Blvd. in Chalmette. Tickets are free via Eventbrite. www.goatintheroadproductions.org/. “ALANIS MORISETTE’S JAGGED
LITTLE PILL”: The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical will be performed by Jefferson Performing Arts Society April 17-26 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie. Evening curtain is 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $73 via Ticketmaster. www.jpas.org/ season48.
CULINARY EXPERIENCES
HOT DOG SAFARI: The fifth annual NOLA Cans 4 Food fundraiser runs April 17–20 across six New Orleans spots to support community fridges and fight food insecurity. For $10, guests get a scorecard to sample and vote for the city’s Best Hot Dog at: DaWeenies at Mick’s Irish Pub, 4801 Bienville Ave., Matchbook Kitchen at Barrel Proof, 1201 Magazine St., Bad Boy Steve’s Chili Tavern at Tuff Break Loser’s Lounge, 3021 St. Claude Ave., Tuff Break Loser’s Lounge at 3021 St. Claude Ave., Turkey and the Wolf 739 Jackson Ave. and reigning champ Glizzie’s by Poppa at Bourbon & St. Louis Streets. Events include a kick-off party, sports comedy and a Mario Kart show. The wrap party is 6 p.m. April 20 at The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S Peters St. Scorecards and info are online. www.thehotdogsafari.org.
ANNUAL CRAWFISH COOKOFF: Colby’s Cocktails, 4548 S. I-10 Service Road West, Suite B, in Metairie, who hold its annual crawfish event noon April 18. It will feature a silent auction, raffles, music and celebrity Judges. All-you-can-eat tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for kids. (504) 885-2426.
SAINTS DRAFT CRAWFISH COOK-OFF: The New Orleans Saints and Cox Communications will hold a crawfish cook-off from 11:30 a.m-3 p.m. April 25 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center, 5800 Airline Drive, Metairie. Local teams will compete for Best Crawfish while fans sample, vote and watch live 2026 NFL Draft coverage. Honoring Autism Awareness Month, the event supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, includes participants from the autism community, and donates to Magnolia Community Services. Tickets: $25 adults, $15 children 12 and under. www.NewOrleansSaints.com.
MOVIES
MOVIES IN THE PARK: NORD Commission will host free movie showings at dusk at NORD locations around the parish through May. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and picnics. The April 17 film is “Smurfs” at Stallings Gentilly Playground, 2700 Lapeyrouse St. (rain site: St. Bernard Rec Center, 1500 Lafreniere St.). On April 24, the 2025 film “Lilo & Stitch” will be shown at Joe W. Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd. (rain site: Joe W Brown Rec Center, 5601 Read Blvd.). www.nordc.org.
BOOKS & LITERARY EVENTS
“TAILBONE”: Author Che Yeun will celebrate the release of her debut novel at 6 p.m. April 16 at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com/events-1/tailbone.
SPRING BOOK SALE: The Friends of the UNO Library used book sale will be held April 16-18 in room 407 of the UNO Library, 2000 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans. It will feature books of all kinds, plus puzzles, CDs, DVDs and vinyl. Hours on Thursday are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on Friday are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Saturday are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is open to the public. Admission is free. https://libguides.uno.edu/friends.
BIG BOOK SALE: The Friends of Jefferson Parish Library will hold their spring book sale April 17-19 at the Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd. in Kenner. The sale will include more than 65,000 books, CDs, puzzles, records, DVDs and books on CD. Admission and parking are free. Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday hours are noon-5 p.m. https://friendsofjeffersonlibrary.org.
“THE MYTH OF RED TEXAS: COWBOYS, POPULISM, AND CLASS WAR IN THE RADICAL SOUTH”: Author David Griscom will celebrate the release of his debut book in a discussion with political commentator Nathan Robinson at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans, at 6 p.m. April 17. Audience Q&A and book signings will follow. The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs and book reservations are available on Eventbrite. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com/ events-1/davidgriscom.
READING EVENT: Southern Christian Writers will host a reading event on April 18, 10:30 a.m., at the Gospel Bookstore, 91 Westbank Expressway in Gretna. Writers are invited to share two pages of family-friendly prose or two poems with fellow writers for feedback and encouragement. Requests to read should be scheduled with Ingrid Adams (greensconsulting@aol.com). Attendance is available in person or via Zoom. scwguild.com/events/. AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS: David Sedaris, author of “Happy Go Lucky” and “ Pretty Ugly,” will present a reading accompanied by a pre- and post-show book signing 7:30 p.m. April 20 at the Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way in New Orleans. Tickets start at $40 via Ticketmaster. https://orpheumnola. com/event/an-evening-with-davidsedaris/.
“WOLVERS”: Author Taylor Brown will lead a presentation and signing of his new novel at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St. in New Orleans 6-7:30 p.m. April 22. https://octaviabooks.com/event/2026-04-22/ wolvers-novel-taylor-brown.
“YELLOW SEPTEMBER”: Author Shannon Terry Wiley will celebrate her debut novel in discussion with author and researcher Nancy Dixon 6 p.m. April 22 at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans. The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are encouraged through Eventbrite. www.gardendistrictbookshop.com/events-1/yellowseptember.
“EXPECTING INEQUITY”: Author Khiara M. Bridges will be joined in conversation about her newest book with Nicole Deggins, founder of Sista Midwife Productions, 6-8 p.m. April 23 at Baldwin & Co., 1030 Elysian Fields Ave. in New Orleans. General admission is free. Tickets for the meet-and-greet and book signing start at $39.32 via Eventbrite. www.baldwinandcobooks.com.
FUNDRAISERS & GALAS
MAD HATTER’S JAZZ BRUNCH: Tickets are on sale for the Priority Health Care (PHC) fundraiser at noon-3 p.m. April 19 at the Royal Palm, 1901 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey. PHC is part of UNITY of Greater New Orleans, a coalition of 50 organizations working to prevent and end homelessness. Entertainment will be provided by Rechell Cook, with a keynote by Martha J. Kegel, executive director of UNITY Greater New Orleans. Activities include a hattitude parade, dancing and food. Tickets start at $75. https://www priorityhealthcare.org/brunch. JAZZ & HERITAGE GALA: Tickets are on sale for the 2026 gala, with the theme “From Kingston to Congo Square: One Love, One Music, One People,” honoring the shared rhythms, cultural ties and musical traditions that connect Jamaica and New Orleans. The event will be held 7-10 p.m. April 22 at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd. in New Orleans. Musical guests include The Wailers featuring Julian Marley, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, DJ Captain Charles and the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music All-Stars featuring Deacon John. Tickets start at $500. www jazzandheritage.org.
MEETINGS
DUTCH OVEN SOCIETY: The Wego Cookers, part of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society, will meet April 18 at Pavilion 7 in Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 Westbank Expressway in Westwego, to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary. All those interested in outdoor cooking in oldfashioned black iron pots are invited to attend. Setup begins at 9 a.m., and sampling of the creations begins at 11:30 a.m. The event is free, but an entrance fee of $3 is required for those under 62. (504) 756-1853 jheiken209@gmail.com.
SILENT BOOK CLUB NEW ORLEANS: The group will meet 1 p.m. April 19 at the Peristyle in City Park, 42 Dreyfous Drive, New Orleans. Attendees should bring a favorite audiobook. A group photo will be taken, followed by individual activities outdoors. @ silentbookclubneworleans.
CLASSES & LECTURES
NORLI LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute is accepting applications for its 10-month leadership program starting in August 2026. About 50 emerging and established leaders will take part in an immersive curriculum that builds regional awareness, collaboration and
PHOTO BY PETER FOREST
Tytiana Bell, Trenecia Smith and Tia Brown of Nashville, Tenn., all take a puff of some cigars during the French Quarter Fest in New Orleans in 2017.
Robin Stead
