Cut Throat Kareem” and “Carmelita” from Mambo Diablo will also play.
Wade McElroy's: The Last Hurrah is a "musical of one-acts, short plays, stories, improvs and songs that all point to the absurdity of life.”
A one-hour opening ceremony that began with a performance from The Gripn’ Strength, featuring:
David Kincheloe on guitar and vocals;
Josh Kincheloe on bass and vocals;
Will Reese on guitar and vocals.
The second performance was from the Blue Moon Troubadours.
Blue Moon Troubadours “is a music collective that explores ways to tell new stories through music, improvisation, new instruments, and dance. They believe in finding the universality in the everyday and celebrate both the individual and the collective through music.” The group performs with the audience and includes:
Wade McElroy
Tomoaki Nakamura,
Tomoko Okami
Brian DeMaio,
Pete Scatcherd
Jim Morrone
The main performer for the night was Wade McElroy, a drummer from New Orleans, who has performed with the likes of John Doe, Bubba Sparxxx, George Clinton, Maceo Parker, Trombone Shorty, Robert Walter, James Cotton, Kermit Ruffins, and many others.
For more information on The Last Hurrah and the Blue Moon Troubadours visit:
Tina Cargile: “Cajun Woman in New Orleans,” is a concert showcasing Cajun music that began with a performance from Jubal Batiste and The New Orleans Cajun Band, which included:
Hollis Davenport,
James “Sugar Babe” Guillory,
Greg Herrington,
Terry "T-Boy" Jones,
Jeffery "Hot Dawg" Mitchell,
Cyril Neville,
Dwayne Paulin, and
Merry Prisock.
The second act featured:
Jabbar Thibodeaux and the Backyard Funk Band,
and The Backyard Funk Band.
The concert was part of an ongoing festival of music and art that began with “NPR Presents The Louisiana Music Festival.” For more information on these artists visit:
New Orleans Festival of the Arts: “The Louisiana Festival of the Arts is a celebration of the unique cultural experiences that Louisiana and New Orleans offer, all year long. “With live music, dance, theater, visual arts, and food, the Festival of the Arts offers artists, sponsors and patrons the opportunity to celebrate New Orleans as a cultural center for the entire region. In addition to bringing many thousands of festival goers to New Orleans during Festival of the Arts weekend, we hope the Festival of the Arts will promote the unique cultural qualities of New Orleans and encourage interest in the many cultural attractions offered throughout our great city and state.”
The music began with:
Dwayne “Dynasty” Allen,
Bruce Daigrepont,
Sidney Darnal,
Maurice Jules,
Cindy Jamin,
Maurice "Mo" Larkin,
The Poche Brothers,
Lara Clift,
The Squeaky Wheels,
Curtis Jones,
Richard Leach,
David "Stringbean" Akeman,
Joe Maples,
The Mighty Cajun All Stars, and
Amy London.
The next performance started with:
Vince Bell,
Todd Brunet,
Tim Byars,
Richard Dodd,
Terry Fator,
Jerry Goodman,
David Knoll,
Sharon Nottage,
Della Reese,
Mimi Romero, and
Ginger Sledge.
The concert ended with:
Eve’ Jellico,
and The Young New Orleans Band.
The evening continued with John Flynn, John Stamps, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Willie Tee. A band of New Orleans musicians called the Big Shot performed as part of the concert as well. The Concert was called "Tales from the Blue" and included:
Ledbetter Heights: “Breathe Again,” is a musical about friendship, hope, and life after death. “At first I wanted to name the piece ‘Skin to Skin,’ but the more I thought about it, I really wanted to tell people about what it was like to have this baby that we lost and how important that is. So I switched it to ‘Breathe Again.’” The play is the first of a series of one-act plays by Dwayne Wade McElroy about life, love, family, and everything in between.
The evening began with a performance by The Big Shot:
Bill Heeney,
Timmy “Flipper” Fontenot,
Mark McCloud,
Terry “Mambo” Nicks,
Jeffrey Taylor,
Charles Tolliver,
Tony Uran,
Elliott Wolf, and
Randy Wulff.
The production started with:
Shelia Giavara,
Theatre Banshee,
Jimmy Spires,
Cara Ziegler,
Bobby Floyd,
Alicia Givens,
Megan Miller, and
Roxanna Szymanek.
The performance began with:
Dwayne “Dynasty” Allen,
Bruce Daigrepont,
Sidney Darnal,
Maurice Jules,
Cindy Jamin,
Maurice "Mo" Larkin,
The Poche Brothers,
Lara Clift,
The Squeaky Wheels,
Curtis Jones,
Richard Leach,
David "Stringbean" Akeman, and
Amy London.
“This year’s Festival of the Arts program includes the introduction of a Children’s Theatre Troupe to complement the numerous high school troupes present and our continued outreach to the general public with both the Big Shot Troupe and Theatre Banshee,” according to Festival organizers. For more information on the Festival of the Arts visit:
New Orleans has a thriving LGBT community that includes the annual Out On Film Festival, Pride Festival, and the Orleans Pride Parade and Festival.
The first festival included:
Billy Bones & the Dead Men (The Big Shot’s cover band),
and The Big Shot.
LGBT Fest is sponsored by:
Center on Halsted,
LGBTQ Center,
Q Cinema,
Northalsted Market Days,
Voodoo,
Newcomers,
Orleans LGBT Community Center, and
Rainbow Connection Bookstore.
According to NOLA.com, “The 2015 Orleans Pride Parade & Festival will take place Saturday, August 22 beginning at 2 p.m. Parade steps off at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Lee Circle and Perdido Street, followed by a festival in Jackson Square to follow.”
For information on the parade and festival visit:
The annual Orleans Home and Garden Tour, was put on by Louisiana Home and Garden Magazine. “Orleans Home and Garden Tour” was held in the Garden District from March 30 through April 1, 2015. This year’s event featured more than 150 homes and gardens from the New Orleans area. The gardens will remain open for self-guided tours through May 2.
New Orleans’ second, largest, and most well-known tour of homes, this yearly event is a must-see for visitors from all over. From the traditional Italian Garden to the stunning Mansion, you can see it all – all of which are decorated with the season’s flowers and plants that continue to create a beautiful canvas throughout the year. See gardens by renowned artists and designers from around the city.
New Orleans’ largest flower show has been held annually on the Spring Street grounds at New Orleans City Park. The park was opened in 1934 and dedicated to William Edwards, a civic leader and businessman instrumental in creating the park. The name of the park, City Park, is shared by many local parishes and communities.
The Annual Flower Show features a wide range of floral arrangements, and provides numerous educational experiences to children and adults alike. In 2013, 80 exhibitors participated in the show and the Spring Flower Show was open from March 22 until April 4.
The Flower Show in New Orleans began on Mardi Gras Day in 1949, when more than 250 floral designers brought out their talents to the community. This year's event was once again held at the City Park. However, this year's version was the 25th Annual Flower Show and Floral Extravaganza. The festival included:
Touche Ross and Gendron,
Fordyce and Co.,
Smith-Weik Lumber,
Pepsi-Cola Bottlers,
