We’ve got your weekend: The wrap-up of music series and the opening of art walks

Sculpture Garden Expansion, a piece by Ralokhin. (Photo provided by: NOMA)

Wednesday, May 22/Lafayette Square: It’s the final YLC “Wednesdays at the Square” concert for this season. They are wrapping up their stellar season with Mia Borders and co-headliner Billy Iuso. Remember, the headliner performs from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Co-headliners receive equal time with the first act, performing from 5:00 – 6:15 PM and the second act following that. As always, this event is free and open to the public. All proceeds from food and drink sales benefit YLC’s community service projects, which are designed to improve the quality of life in New Orleans and to foster leadership skills in young professionals.  

Wednesday, May 22/New Orleans Museum of Art (1 Collins Diboll Circle): If your social media is linked in with other New Orleanians’s social media than you have probably seen photos of the newly expanded Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Well, it’s time to take a gander yourself of the 18-month, six-acre addition. The garden includes architectural elements and showcases 27 new, recent, and commissioned large-scale sculptures. The sculpture garden is free and open to the public, seven days a week, and we’re suggesting Wednesday since Wednesdays at NOMA are free for Louisiana residents.

Thursday, May 23/Parkway Bakery and Tavern (538 Hagan Avenue): We would send you to Parkway any day (except, of course, on Tuesdays when they are closed) because we love those po’boys, but this Thursday is an extra special occasion to bite some bread, sip some liquids, and maybe watch a little drama. They are hosting a “Damaged Goods Happy Hour Mixer.” Damaged Goods is a new TV series based on a New Orleans royal family on the brink of emotional & financial catastrophe after an inheritance announcement. Yikes! There is a $10 suggested donation, which includes a free beer and poor boy. The happy hour viewing runs from 5:00-7:00 PM. 

Thursday, May 23-Sunday, May 26/New Orleans Greek Festival (200 Robert E Lee Blvd):  Opa! Yes, we are going to do that a few times! Going on 46 years strong, the 2019 New Orleans Greek Festival is back As always, there will be homemade traditional Greek food, wine, pastries, and other  desserts. Opa! They’ll have live, traditional Greek dancing, and a live Greek band playing near the Bayou. On top of that, you can check out their marketplaces, their Greek grocery that are full of cheeses, dips, spices, and much more. Opa (okay, we’re done!). Thursday and Friday the fest starts at 5:00 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday it begins at 11:00 AM. For a full rundown, you can check out their event page here. 

Friday, May 24/Foundation Room at House of Blues New Orleans (225 Decatur Street): Ah, are you feeling the pull to gallivant but don’t have the time, funds, or energy? That’s the beauty of living in New Orleans, you can travel internationally without leaving the city. The  Foundation Room will have their  first installment of their new monthly “Dine Around the World Series,” featuring Spain. We are talking Flamingo guitarist, Shan Kennerlive in the lounge from 5:30-9:20 PM while you dine. DJ Otto Orellana will keep the party going from 10:00 PM-till whenever with Latin hits and reggaeton tunes. This is a four course, family style dinner priced at $55 per person. Reservations for dinner are required, which you can make through Open Table or by calling 504-310-4976. 

Saturday, May 25/Saturn Bar (3067 St Claude Avenue): Close your eyes and listen. To you hear that sound? It’s the sound of college students who have gone home for the summer, which means dance floors are about to get liberated. Saturn Bar is throwing their “No Diggity 90s/00s R&B and Hip Hop Night” on Saturday. If you haven’t been to this dance party yet then you haven’t had your soul energized. The dancing and music starts at 10:00 PM and goes until 4:00 AM. Yes, you can dance that whole time; in fact, you won’t want to stop! So grab your sleeveless flannel and get yourself to the dance floor.