Greek Fest was fantastic this year! The new configuration of booths really paid off as, even though they had a great turnout, it was still very comfortable for everyone. I cannot go to Greek Fest without getting the amazing Greek Dinner that includes Stuffed Grape Leaves. This week, not everything I found to do is Uptown, but some great parties that you will not want to miss are there.
Your local punk, rock, and everything-else-they-can-book bar has two metal shows in a row: Wednesday is a continent-spanning show with Abigail, Rotten Sound, Speedwolf, Cruciamentum, Anhedonist, Kromosom, Nomad at 8 p.m. for $15., and on Thursday, ready yourself for Integrity, Full of Hell, Fat Stupid Ugly People, and Ossacrux at 10 p.m. for $10.
Friday is the last day of the month, and the next day begins the NOLA Locavores’ month-long Eat Local Challenge. Participants strive to eat foods caught, raised, or grown within 200 miles of this area and are privileged to enjoy foraging voyages, how-to classes, and more throughout that time. The Kickoff Party for the Eat Local Challenge will be held on Friday from 6-8 p.m at the Rouses Rooftop Garden at their truly gorgeous downtown store at 701 Baronne Street in the CBD, and you’ll have a chance to peruse the herb and vegetable garden that is normally off-limits to customers. Chefs Jack Treuting, Alex Harrel and Nathaniel Zimet of Boucherie andJeff Mattia of the American Sector will be making all-local dish samples, and local cocktails will be made provided by Old New Orleans Rums, Donner Peltier Distillers, and Atelier Vie. Wine will be provided by Pontchartrain Vineyards and Becnel Vineyards. You may even be enticed to sign up for the challenge while you’re there; you’ll receive a tote bag, t-shirt, and more for signing up. The party is free of charge.
Musician, artist, and Ones to Watch interviewee Sean Yseult is celebrating the extension of her gallery entitled Mississippi Mermaids with a party at Poet’s Gallery at 3113 Magazine Street from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday evening. Music will be spun by DJ Matty, and champagne and cocktails will be served as well as Satsuma Dreamsicle ice cream from the New Orleans Ice Cream Company. Yseult designed the flavor herself. After that, you’ll have plenty of time to catch the Food Truck Riot at Ms. Mae’s on 4336 Magazine St. from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The gathering of trucks will include Skillet Food Truck, Food Drunk, Black Label BBQ and Frencheeze.