We’ve got your weekend: From Bastille to the bulls

San Fermin en Nueva Orleans,” a “Running of the Bulls” event with roller derby women taking the role of the bulls (photo: Wiki Commons)

Thursday, July 12/Degas House 2306 Esplanade House): It’s Bastille Day celebration time, and the Degas House is hosting a celebration of Bastille Day and the artist’s 184th birthday on Thursday, July 12^th from 5:30-8:30PM. The celebration will include live entertainment, the singing of the French and American national anthems, passed hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, as well as a birthday cake in honor of Edgar Degas. This event is free and open to the public. All donations and proceeds from the cash bar will benefit the Degas House Museum and Foundation.

Friday, July 13/New Orleans Museum of Art (1 Collins Diboll Circle): Remember what we said about Bastille Day above? Well, on Friday you can also celebrate 6th annual Bastille Day Fête. This celebration will take place Friday, July 13 at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) from 6:00-9:00 PM. The celebration takes on an extra special meaning this year as New Orleans celebrates its Tricentennial, and since Louisiana is the most francophone state in the US, and the population of French citizens in Louisiana is steadily growing, we feel like it will be a blow out. This year, activities will take place indoors on the first and second floors of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Kids activities such as “Art on the Spot” and The French Library pop-up shop begin at 5:00 PM, and families are more than welcome to come early. Check out a full list of activities here. 

Saturday, July 14/French Quarter: If you are looking for an early morning event (as in, the call time for this event is 6:30 AM) that will get your heart racing, or put it into a complete panic, then the French Quarter is the place to be on Saturday. The 12th Year of Whoopin’ Butts! San Fermin in Nueva Orleans’ signature event is the Running of the Bulls on Saturday July 14th. There will be girls on roller skates with bats, and you will be running from them. On top of that, there is five hours of open bar (if you sign up for the VIP, which will cost you $80), and the headliner will be  The Crystal Method. This is a fund raiser for  Beth’s Friends Forever and Big Easy Animal Rescue – BEAR, so if you want to join in the bull, then make sure to get tickets, and check out the full details here. 

Saturday, July 14/Second Story Gallery (2372 St. Claude): The Second Story Gallery, an artist-run cooperative gallery located in the Healing Center is opening a group exhibition of members and friends titled “Coop Members and Collaborators.” The artists featured are Luis Cruz Azacetas, Ron G. Bennett, Amy Bryan, Jane Hill, Sara Hollis, Natori Green, Jeremy Jones, Gina Laguna, Charles M. Lovell, Cynthia Ramirez, Jackie Rawls, and Maddie Stratton. The exhibition runs from July 14^th to August 25^th 2018, and the opening reception is on Saturday, July 14^th from 6:00-9:30 PM, in conjunction with St. Claude Arts District Second Saturdays. Take a stroll down St. Claude and into the Healing Center for some great artwork this weekend. 

Saturday, July 14/Smith and Lens (106 2nd Street, Bay St. Louis): We don’t send you out of town for the weekend unless we know it’s going to be good, and if there is one person to travel for, it’s Frida Kahlo. The 4th annual Frida Fest is taking place, which is when Old Town Bay Saint Louis becomes Mexico for the day as they celebrate the glorious Frida Kahlo. A festival for a female artist where the entire town changes to honor her? You see why we put it in the weekend preview? This festival is free, open to the public, starts at 4:00 PM, and you can find out the details here. 

Monday, July 16/The Roosevelt (130 Roosevelt Way): We love when hotels make solid partnerships with the community, and The Roosevelt has put their foot forward by partnering with Footprints to Fitness. This means they can put on events, such as the Healthy Happy Hours they have to  raise funds for victims of the recent Guatemala volcano eruption. On Saturday, at the cost of $20 per person, participants will enjoy a hip-hop inspired yoga, pilates, and barre fusion experience followed by full pool access (the yoga takes place on the rooftop). There will be giveaways and a free signature Frozevelt cocktail. Healthy food options and additional beverages will be sold separately. It all begins at 6:30 PM and goes until 8:30 PM. For full details, check out their site here.