The Vie Side: Literature for lushes, Palm Sunday jazz, Pork Fest

SATURDAY / Literary down low: The Tennessee Williams Festival is more than just literary panels and screaming “Stella!” It’s a party, typical New Orleans style, blending old and new world Nola with cocktails at the Hotel Monteleone, a favorite of Williams. New Orleans Nocturnes starts at 8 PM in, appropriately, the Vieux Carree room. Enjoy burlesque, bounce, and plenty of local talents, with Chris Lane emceeing.

SUNDAY / Iconic stylings: At 4 PM this Sunday, the Jazz Foundation of America brings New Orleans jazz icon Wardell Quezergue’s The Passion to Corpus Christi Church. The Passion was Quezergue’s last composition before passing away in 2011. In celebration his life and of Palm Sunday, The Passion will be performed by the Prytania Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, and local jazz musicians. Admission is free but seating is limited, so get there early.

FRIDAY—SATURDAY / Pork barrel: Break out your piggy banks and join the fight against pediatric brain cancer this weekend. All you have to do is eat meat and drink beer to make a difference. Hogs for a Cause has grown exponentially in the last three years, moving to City Park to accommodate growing crowds and appetites. Vote on your favorite pig-based treats in categories such as Porkpurri and Whole Pig. There will be live music all day on two stages. It’s fine to have bacon for all three meals as long as you dance it out, right?

Anna Shults is associate editor of NolaVie.