We’ve got your weekend: Art, film, and movement

Photo of Where Y’Art’s exhibit (Somebody Got) Soul, Soul. (Photo: Old No. 77 Hotel)

Wednesday, February 13/Old No. 77 Hotel (535 Tchoupitoulas Street): Remember the tricentennial? It seems like it has come and gone so quickly, but the minds of Where Y’Art and those at Old No. 77 Hotel are making sure that the city’s understanding of 300 extends beyond 2018. Their sights are set on the next 300 years and the preservation of culture and way of life in the city. With the disappearance of Louisiana’s coastline at a rate of one football field each hour, the commitment to preserve the local ecosystem is more important than ever. From coastal restoration and urban conservation efforts, water management and industry, 300 More explores themes and issues around environmental and cultural preservation. The exhibit includes works by 32 New Orleans artists and will be on display starting Wednesday. 

Wednesday, February 13/Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude): Sometimes you just need a solid talk show where a screen doesn’t separate you from the action. That is what will be taking place with “Spotlight New Orleans.” This week’s “Spotlight” presents its special Mardi Gras Episode with Bruce Sunpie Barnes (Big Chief of The Original North Side Skull and Bone Gang), Krewe Bohème  (New Mardi Gras Krewe), Cha Wa (Grammy-nominated Musical Guest), and 
Matt Owens (comedian). Doors open at 7:30 with the show on from 8:00 – 9:30, tickets are $10, and you can find them here. 

Thursday, February 14/Dogfish (2448 N. Vilere): The gruesome holiday of Valentine is upon us again. Seriously, it was hex of a holiday when you look at its roots. But, that doesn’t stop us from buying candy and making our eyes light up with hearts, and there’s no better way to warm a soul than with love poems. Dogfish will have their open mic on Thursday, and the theme is…you got it, love. There will be light refreshments and drinks, so bring your confessions and appetites. The evening begins at 7:00 PM and goes until 10:00 PM. This is a free event, and you can find out full details here. 

Friday, February 15 to Thursday, February 21/Prytania Theater (5339 Prytania Street): Are you ready for some oh la la to be added to your weekend? If your brain is saying, “oui!” “oui!” then head over to Prytania Theater for 22nd New Orleans French Film Festival. There is an entire line-up of films, including a new Goddard film, and you can check out the line-up here. Tickets and passes range in price, as do the times of the screenings, so check out the NOFS website for purchase options and schedule. 

Saturday, February 16/The Kingpin (1307 Loyola): Saturday will be pumping with parades, so if you are still in need of getting your costume together (seriously, you’re running out of time!) then you can head to the Mardi Gras Costume Sale that will be going on from 12:00 until 5:00 PM. They’ll have one-of-a-kind headdresses, handmade and vintage costumes, leather masks, fancy hats, sparkly shoes, weird accouterments and many, many more things to assist you in your costume adventures. A variety of festive wear for all the fly ladies and dapper fellas. If you want full details, you can check out their event page here. 

Saturday, February 16/826 Youth Writing Center (1750 St. Bernard Avenue): In celebration of Carnival, young authors are writing origin stories about our sweetest Mardi Gras tradition: The King Cake. Where did the King Cake from? Why is there a baby inside of it?! Students explore these questions in writing, creating their versions of origin stories. During the Carnival season, the writers’ stories will be shared on King Cake boxes by Gracious Bakery, inspired by 826’s Pizza Poetry program. So now your King Cake can be even sweeter! This event will also feature an artist talk with Walter Isaacson and Michael Lewis. The event begins at 2:00 PM, tickets are $50+ (includes signed books by Isaacson and refreshments), which you can purchase  here. 

Sunday, February 17/Marigny: We like to give giant shoutouts for little things in life, and we are of course referring to the ‘Tit Rex parade, which will be on Sunday. Thirty-four miniature floats will parade down the route to the music of Egg Yolk Jubilee, Panorama Brass Band, Where Y’at Brass Band and Slow Danger. Line up begins at St. Roch and Marais St at 4:30, PM (one half hour earlier than in the past, for all your ‘Tit Rex lovers). For full details about this adorable parade, you can check out their event page here. 

Tuesday, February 19/Glitter Box N.O. (1109 Royal Street): With Carnival season upon us and Mardi Gras quickly approaching, there is probably a question on your mind: Where am I going to put my keys, phone, and wallet in this costume? The perfect alternative to pockets is a bumbag, and now you can make your bumbag sparkle and bedazzle because Glitter Box is holding a “Bumbag Bedazzling” workshop. You go in your normal self, but you leave with a jewel-encrusted treasure holder. At the same time, there will also be a headdress workshop, so you can literally be covered in costume accouterments from head to…well, waist. Both workshops begin at 6:00 PM and goes until 8:00 PM.