We’ve got your weekend: It’s a blend of news, music, cameras, blood

Thursday, June 22/Picayune Social House (326 Camp Street): There has been a lot of talk about fake news. There’s also been quite a bit of coverage about real scandals. While the rest of the world is distressing over this back and forth, New Orleans is doing what it does best–it is throwing a party around the craziness. NOLA DNA Presents “Evening Edition: A Picayune Social House reception celebrating Lost Correspondence, Forgotten Scandals, and Fake News.” This will be held at the brand new Picayune Social House, the former offices of the Picayune newspaper from 1850 to 1919. That means curators of the historic newspaper images that define the Picayune Social House’s aesthetic will be present. There will be lectures, visuals, libations and more. The event begins at 6:00 PM and goes until 9:00 PM. You can find out full details here.

Thursday, June 22/The Music Box Village (4557 N. Rampart): Bring Your Own Stories and The Music Box Village are pairing together to bring you a night of live story telling and live music. The stories will revolve around the theme of “Where I’m From,” so the narratives will be about home, place, and roots. Plus, there’s an added bonus. Each story is scored to an original composition to be performed live. The evening begins at 7:30 PM and will wrap up by 10:00 PM. For more information about the event, you can check it out here.

Friday, June 23/The Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture (1010 Conti Street): Some of the best museums in New Orleans are the tucked away ones that love to support local artists, and that is exactly what is going on at the MGMCC (we hope that is the acronym!). They will be screening The Exceptionally Extraordinary Emporium by Lindsey Phillips. The documentary follows the staff and customers of Jefferson Variety showing the wide array of the New Orleans community who depend on this extraordinary store for all their creative endeavors. The film is a fish-eye lens on the fanfare, joy and talent that goes into the making of Mardi Gras costumes. The screening begins at 6:00 PM and will run until 9:00 PM.

Friday, June 23/The Tigermen Den (3113 Royal Street): The True Orleans Film Festival, is back! Shotgun Cinema begins its True Orleans residency at the Tigermen Den this summer with Kirsten Johnson’s critically acclaimed documentary, Cameraperson. Cutting together footage from films she’s shot (which range from Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11, to Laura Poitras’ Citizenfour, to Gini Reticker’s Pray the Devil Back to Hell, to name a few), cinematographer Kirsten Johnson examines her various roles in crafting someone else’s story, whether it be that of the subject or the director she’s working with. This will kick off the True Orleans wonderment, and for a full listing of the films being shown, you can check out Shotgun Cinema’s screening page. Cameraperson begins at 6:30 PM and tickets cost $7. For more information, you can check out the details here.

Saturday, June 24/New Orleans Photo Alliance (1111 St. Mary Street): You can get a double dose of film screenings this weekend as Shotgun Cinema continues their Full Aperture series with the New Orleans Photo Alliance. They have an evening of punk-inspired films from Peggy Ahwesh, Sarah Jacobson, and Greta Snider all planned. Doors open at 7:30, with films starting at 8:00. Tickets are $7 general admission, $6 for NOPA members (cash or charge accepted). And remember, all the films are presented on 16mm. For more information and details, you can check out the event page.

Saturday, June 24/Twelve Mile Limit (500 S. Telemachus): If you are still feeling spry by the end of the weekend, then maybe you can share some of that young blood with the world. We are talking about blood donation, just to be clear! You can donate blood Saturday, June 24 at Twelve Mile Limit from 11:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Donors receive appetizer specials and choice of blood center shirt or blood coverage. Remember to eat a healthy meal prior to donating and bring a picture ID. For information about how to sign-up and get involved with the blood drive, check out their event page.