We’ve got your weekend: Let the seasons begin

Wednesday, September 13/BJs in the Bywater (4301 Burgundy): Continuing to support poets and give them space to share their work, Blood Jet will be spotlighting a new member to their poetry community, David Hobdy, this week. He will be reading on Wednesday night along with veteran poet and founding member of Slam New Orleans, Kataalyst Alcindor. Following the featured reading, they have a sign up list with eight spots for readers at the open mic (5 min max). The event begins at 8:00 PM, and it is free and open to the public. For more information, you can check it out here.

Thursday, September 14/Orpheum Theater (129 Roosevelt Way): The LPO is ready to kick off the season, and it all starts this Thursday. And what will they be playing? Opening weekend starts with Ravel’s somber yet meaningful La Valse, followed in contrast by Gershwin’s bright and jazzy Piano Concerto in F performed by Marc-André Hamelin. The concert continues with Debussy’s rich composition, La Mer, and is topped off with the ever-popular Boléro by Maurice Ravel. Imagine all of those emotions in the span of a couple hours. The concert begins at 7:30 PM, tickets are $20 ($10 for students), and to find out more about the concert, you can check out their event here.

Friday, September 15/Howlin Wolf (907 S. Peters): It’s dance party time, and Jai Ho! Dance Party is kicking off the weekend with permission to let loose. At the core of Jai Ho!, is a celebration of inclusivity, sharing positive vibes and basking in the best of Indian culture by bringing festive elements to the dance floor. Jai Ho! is a celebration of Bollywood music and dance like none other, which means the night will be like being in a Bollywood Musical where spontaneously people begin to bust into synchronized dance moves. It’s an invitation to be goofy, to smile, make friends on the dance floor, to sing & dance all night long. The doors open at 9:00 PM and the dancing goes until 2:00 AM. There is a $10 admission, and you can find out more about Jai Ho! here.

Friday, September 15/The Historic New Orleans Collection (533 Royal Street): The Historic New Orleans Collection’s popular “Concerts in the Courtyard” series is back with another exciting lineup of local musicians. It all begins on Friday as they kick off the 10th fall season with a performance from the Players Ella & Louie Tribute Band, a group of local musicians that collaborate on music recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. This month’s show is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Giants of Jazz and will include a curator-led tour at intermission. The doors open at 5:30 PM with the concert beginning at 6:00 PM and going until 8:00 PM. Admission is $10 at the door, free for THNOC members, and includes three beverages. For more information about the collection and the concerts, check out their website.

Saturday, September 16/Kingsley House (1600 Constance Street): There are so many seasons blowing through the air in New Orleans, and we of course cannot forget about the festival season. Specifically, the Irish Fest is in town. This is a festival celebrating the finest of Irish music, food, and culture in New Orleans. The fest begins at 9:00 AM on Friday, it is free and open to the public, and you can find a list of events here.

Saturday, September 16/New Orleans Photo Alliance (1111 St. Mary): Shotgun Cinema kicks off their fall Full Aperture series with co-presenter New Orleans Photo Alliance with the multifaceted and deeply personal films of Bruce Baillie. Doors open at 7:30, with films starting at 8:00. Tickets are $7 general admission, $6 for NOPA members (cash or charge accepted). All films presented on 16mm!

Saturday, September 16/Crane Pediatric Rehab (8300 Earhart Blvd): Come one, come all, and bring your desire to create. The New Orleans Whole Village Art Therapy is holding a free community art making class. There is no registration required for this event; you simply show up, and there will be art therapists there to help you and your child create something that your heart desires. The event begins at 3:00 PM and goes until 5:00 PM. All are welcome, and families with children with special needs are especially welcome. For more information on the event, you can check it out here.