FOOD/DRINK
Dining Out for Life
Participating Restaurants
Thursday, June 7; times vary
diningoutforlife.com/neworleans
We New Orleanians love our food, and Dining Out for Life is the perfect opportunity to indulge ourselves while doing some good. On June 7, dozens of the city’s best restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to NO/AIDS Task Force, a community-based organization that aims to reduce the spread of HIV and to provide services, advocate empowerment, and safeguard the rights and dignity of HIV-infected patients. To make an additional donation, simply ask your server for a donation envelope and you’ll be entered to win various prizes. Online donations are also possible.
EVENTS/PERFORMANCES
New Orleans Parade of Homes
Various Locations
June 2 – 3 and June 9 – 10; times vary
hbagno.org/parade-of-homes
The New Orleans Parade of Homes is a fantastic opportunity for first-time home buyers to tour properties located in neighborhoods that are minutes away from the most upbeat areas of the city. Attendees can also find inspiration to renovate their own homes. The New Orleans Parade of Homes will be offering tours of homes in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes.
Circovia
Beau Rivage Theatre
875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS
June 9 – August 7; times vary
beaurivage.com
Circovia is a live performance event that delivers world-class cirque-style entertainment and features the finest in acrobatic, aerial, and circus talents. Watch death-defying stunts, trapeze artists, balancing acts, and so much more. Circovia is presented by Misha Matorin, owner of DreamCast Entertainment and guest creator of Cirque Du Soleil’s Mystere in Las Vegas, whose choreography can also be found in other world-renowned productions.
FESTIVALS
PrideFest 2018
941 Elysian Fields Ave.
June 9; 12 – 6 p.m.
togetherwenola.com/pride/pridefest-2018
New Orleans Pride weekend is June 8 thru 10, and is highlighted on Saturday the 9th with PrideFest. Enjoy food and drink, booths from LGBTQ organizations and businesses, and a pre-parade street party, with live entertainment from Marshall Harris, Sissy, Nicole DuBois, and Dominique Delorean. The Fagedelics play live at 1 p.m., TCB Brass Band (with Mardi-Gras Indians) at 2 p.m., Pepper MaShay at 3:15 p.m., and Amanda Shaw at 4:30 p.m. New Orleans Pride stands by three values: inclusivity, diversity, and creativity. The weekend’s celebration hopes to bring all people together.
Louisiana Sports Fest
6400 River Rd., Baton Rouge
June 9 – 10; times vary
visitbatonrouge.com
LegendBorne is hosting the Louisiana Sports Fest, a sport-filled weekend where you can get active and enjoy a bit of friendly competition. There will be events including the 5k Obstacle Course Race, featuring 25+ obstacles, and the "Big Easy" Heat that involves solving obstacles and problems in a group, as well as a scavenger hunt, a rock-climbing showdown, an off-road duathlon, and trail runs. All of the events are time trials and are either individual or group activities. There will also be live music to enjoy while keeping fit, provided by The Strays and Epic.
French Market Creole Tomato Festival
French Market District, French Quarter
June 9 – 10; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
frenchmarket.org
The Creole Tomato Festival is back for its 32nd year of celebrating our delicious tomatoes in the historic French Market. In addition to a two-mile fun run, a Bloody Mary market, and a parade, there will also be live music from Twerk Ya Brass, Gina Brown, and Big Daddy O. And don’t miss out on the cooking demos from some of the best chefs in the city. Kids are welcome, too; the arts and crafts stations make the festival family-friendly.
The Rock & Rouge
The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint
400 Esplanade Ave.
Saturday, June 30; 10 a.m.
therockandrouge.com
The first annual Rock and Rouge “Women’s Music + Food Festival + Beyond” is one of the latest events hosted in New Orleans that raises awareness of the need for equality. The festival, which features all female-led bands and vendors, is being held in light of the New Orleans Women’s March that took place in January 2017, as well as the election of Mayor LaToya Cantrell in January 2018. “The Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas, is headlining the festival and will be accompanied by The Vettes, Lynn Drury, Di Nola, and more.
