Friday – Saturday / There’s a party in the not-so-secret garden : The Backbeat Foundation will host two free concerts, or a ‘Garden Party,’ in the botanical garden at City Park. On Friday, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Brass-A-Holics will perform; on Saturday, Bonerama, Jumpin’ Johnny’s, and the Blues Party will perform. The show will be at the Robert B. Haspel Garden stage — is rain (in the pavilion) or shine (on the lawn). Gates open at 6:30. No outside food or beverage will be allowed; feel free to bring your own lawn chairs. The event is free and open to the public.
Saturday / Forget the scissors and glue, let’s brew : DIY projects get an upgrade. Draft freaks and Martha Stewart groupies, alike, listen up: The Green Project (2831 Marais Street) will how a Graze and Grow Workshop from 11 AM – 1 PM, specifically focused on home brewing all-grain batches of beer. The workshop will include a brewing techniques lecture as well as a hands-on demonstration. The event is free for Green Project members and $5 for non-members. Coffee and a light brunch will be provided. Register by e-mailing education@thegreenproject.org and by replying on their Facebook page. Cheers to that!
The 2012 New Orleans Daiquiri Festival.
Saturday / Ninety-nine go-cups of daiqs on the wall : It’ll actually be more like several hundred go-cups, and, even if things get pretty rowdy, those go-cups will more likely end up on the ground than on the walls. But you get the point: Saturday will be the Holy Day for the daiquiri in this city. The Third Annual New Orleans Daiquiri Festival is on Saturday, from noon – 9 PM, at Michalopoulos Studio (527 Elysian Fields). I know what you’re probably thinking: Isn’t every day in New Orleans Daiquiri Fest Day?
This isn’t your typical stroll(or stumble)-down-Bourbon daiq day, though. Several craft daiquiris will be available for purchase from a variety of local vendors. Squeal Bar-B-Q and We’ve Got Soul will offer food, in case your daiquiris get the best of you. The event will feature live performances by Mississippi Rail Company, the Stooges Brass Band, several local DJs, and bounce icon Sissy Nobby. Tickets are $5 online or $8 at the door.
Saturday / If I were a bettin’ woman… : I’d say there won’t be any horses in sight. Exotic animal racing commences at the Fair Grounds Race Course (1751 Gentilly Blvd.) with three ostrich races on Saturday, beginning at 4 PM. General Admission is $15 per person and free for children under twelve years. Purchase your tickets online here.
Saturday – Sunday / Average Joe gettin’ low : Men, think you’ve got what it takes to be one of the 610 Stompers? Women, looking for a day of unmatched entertainment? New Orleans’ infamous troop of ‘ordinary men with extraordinary moves’ will hold auditions at Maison (508 Frenchman Street) this weekend. Registration opens at 11 AM sharp, but you can and should arrive as early as 10, since only sixty audition numbers will be distributed, on a first come, first serve basis, each day. If you don’t receive an audition number or, well, your moves are less than extraordinary, you (in addition to the general public) can watch the auditions for a $10 donation fee.
Chelsea Lee is assistant editor of NolaVie. Email comments to her at chelsea@nolavie.com.
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