We got your weekend: Dancing, Dirty Linen and Who Dats

Wednesday / So you think you can’t dance?: …or at least Afrobeat dance. Dancing Grounds may be able to help.

Dance and collaborative arts organization Dancing Grounds will offer a free Afrobeat concert and dance class at 9 PM at Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret). The concert will feature music from world composer, dancer and percussionist Seguenon Kone, as well as Payo Jazz Band and blues, funk, pop singer Margie Perez. Following, the dance class will be taught by Marissa Joseph, the creator of recent fitness class craze Bounce Fitness.

Friday / Saintsational food trucks: Saints season (i.e. mania) officially unofficially begins this Friday with the boys’ first preseason game against the Rams. And, of course, what’s a Who Dat game without good grub?

My House NOLA will host a Saints Preseason Food Truck Roundup at Finn McCool’s (3701 Banks) from 4 – 9 PM, with

Saturday evening, the Northlake Nature Center hosts a night hike, complete with snoballs.

plenty of brewskis from the bar and appropriate game-day bites from the aptly named chicken truck, The Cluck Truck, and Foodie Call, which offers a menu that typically includes tricked-out burgers, fries, and sandwiches.

Saturday / Don’t eat yellow snow: Interacting with nature in the New Orleans summer heat is not the most enjoyable activity — hell, interacting with the parking meter planted five yards between your car and the nearest air conditioned building is not the most enjoyable activity.

The Northlake Nature Center ( 23135 Hwy 190, Mandeville) has organized a night hike allowing attendees to experience the center’s trails at night and, simultaneously, get a breathe or two of fresh air after the NOLA’s suffocating furnace has been switched off for the evening. Northlake guides will take participants on a two-mile hike through the center’s grounds, set to include: the Canoe Launch, the Magnolia Trail boardwalk, the Clubhouse Trail, the Long Leaf Pine Trail, and the Old Forest Trail and/or Eagle Trails. The hike will also include a midpoint stop where attendees will work to identify the wild animal sounds they hear, as well as Shiver Shack snoballs at the end of the trail. Reservations (required) available by calling 985-626-1238 or emailing Rue@northlakenature.org. The event is $5 per person / free for NNC members.

The hike begins at 7:40 PM. Bring your own flashlight and, obviously, leave your stilettos at home.

Saturday / Dirty Linen book signing: More of a bookworm or history buff than an art lover? The Historic New Orleans Collection will have you covered on Dirty Linen Night.

THNOC will keep its doors open late for a special Dirty Linen Night (from 6 – 10 PM) event. The collection’s current exhibition “Creole World” (which also has an accompanying book)– a collection of photography depicting Creole heritage and the formation of new identities that arose from Latin Caribbean cultures in New Orleans and across the Latin Caribbean sphere will be open during the special hours. Additionally, author and photographer of Creole World Richard Sexton will be in attendance to sign books and answer attendees’ questions. The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday / Shane’s shout out: Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, plus Soul Project. 10 PM (doors at 9 PM) at Tipitina’s. Tickets $12.

These two bands may put in more shows per year than do most others in the city, but it’s a rare treat to see them grace the hallowed stage of Tipitina’s. Walter Wolfman is a living legend, and Soul Project will guarantee to get you shakin’ with some of the tightest, funkiest jams around. Just the cure for those mid-summertime blues.

Sunday / Steppin’ out: So you’ve been dancing in front of the mirror for ages and you’re finally ready to bring your moves out in public.

The Camel Toe Lady Steppers — a New Orleans all-women dance troupe that performs at various local events and secondlines, including the Muses parade — is looking for new members to join their troupe. They will hold open auditions on Sunday, beginning promptly at 10 AM at NOLA Spaces (1719 Toledano). CTLS hopefuls may bring their applications the day of or email them early to audition in the first group. Auditionees are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Auditions are free and open to women only; sorry, dudes.