We’ve got your weekend: Museums, exhibits, comedy, and some parties!

Event Pick of The Week: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

Smithsonian Museum Day is Saturday, September 21. (Photo: Smithsonian)

What: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

When: Saturday, September 21

Why: Because we love free events and learning about New Orleans, and the Smithsonian Museum Day let’s us have both. Should we tell you more? I think we will

Saturday, September 21/All around New Orleans: Each year the Smithsonian Magazine sponsors a Museum Day were participating museums open their doors for free. Now, this doesn’t mean you can walk from museum to museum and tickle your intellect until you’re so full of knowledge you no longer know what to think. Mind you, we wish it was that, but we’ll take the current model, which is where you go to this list, choose a museum, and reserve your ticket. That way on Saturday, you have free entrance. Happy learning! 

Now for the Rest of the Week(end)

Surreal History Party guests trying to crack the code of the Axeman’s murders. (Photo: Alyssa and Trevor Scott)

Wednesday, September 18/Gallier House (1132 Royal Street): In 1787, English philosopher Jeremy Bentham conceived what would be known as a “panopticon” – a circular prison with cells arranged around a central tower that gave guards the ability to see prisoners at all times. This design would go on to become a standard for prisons across the world and play on the theory that people behave better when they are being watched. Issue 014 of Antenna::Signals, entitled Panoptic, will explore the ways that freedom and safety have existed throughout this country’s history along with the ways that individuals have challenged the validity of these constructs. If you haven’t been to an Antenna::Signals, then go in not knowing what to expect. The art work is always challenging and mesmerizing, and the artists’ discussions and talks give the mind a much-needed bend. 

Thursday, September 19/Mid-City at an address disclosed to you: Do you feel the mystery in the opening for this event preview? That’s only the first of many mysteries you will encounter at New Orleans Immortal: A Surreal History Party. Alyssa and Trevor Scott — tour guides in New Orleans — have turned part of their house into an immersive and interactive art installation featuring one-of-a-kind “exhibits” inspired by New Orleans history and brought to life through the stories Alyssa and Trevor recount throughout the evening. Guests can explore the exhibits (even crawl inside one), and they’ll be used as set pieces as you learn about the history of the Axeman, Storyville and Jean Lafitte (to name a few). Groups of 10 are allowed at a time, and you can find out more and reserve your spot here. 

Friday, September 20/The French Quarter: With autumn here (we know; we know; it still feels like summer), people are starting to put out pumpkins and think about ghouls and ghosts that go bump in the night. (Maybe they’re drunk? We’re not sure.). To help you navigate those mysterious streets of the French Quarter Saintsbone, an immersive game and theatrical show from Escape My Room will run from September 20th – November 2nd. In May 2019, it was an official selection of the Overlook Film Festival’s immersive program. Guests will traverse the French Quarter, solve puzzles, and interact with actors on the streets. The story is intricate, the costumes are fantastical, and the puzzles are there for you to solve. Saintsbone will be at 8:00 PM on both Fridays and Saturdays, and you can find out more information (as well as reserve your tickets) here. 

Friday, September 20/Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret Street): The Brett Thomas Doussan Foundation & Kathryn Rose Wood  are putting on the 3rd Annual Music for Mental Health Benefit Concert, and this year they’ll be featuring Kristin Diable, Spirit McIntyre, Dominic Minix (of Yung vul), Assata Renay, and Paul Sanchez. Founded in commemoration of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the benefit uses music as a platform to highlight mental health matters through songs and stories. This year’s benefit features food to all attendees, provided by Wayfare, and local mental health organizations sharing help and hope resources. Funds raised will benefit the newly-launched “Music for Mental Health: In Schools” music-outreach youth-focused mental health program, in partnership between BTD Foundation, Mercy Family Center‘s Project Fleur-de-lis suicide prevention program, and the artists of past Music for Mental Health benefits. Tickets are $10 in advance, which you can purchase here; $15 at the door; and free to those with valid student ID.

Saturday, September 21/Hi Ho Lounge (2239 Saint Claude Avenue): They’re back for another round of all black, all funny and all femme stand up. If you don’t know who we’re talking about then you need to make sure you get to the Hi Ho on Saturday. We are talking about, of course, No Lye Comedy, and Saturday night will be hosted by Rhonda Anne and headlined by Amber North. The night will also feature: Niki Coleman, Torona Michele Poole, Nita Cherise, Brionne Bagneris. They’ll take your money at the door, but they won’t shake you down. Pay what you want to  help the ladies of No Lye Comedy take over the world in 2019. Doors open at 8:00 and show starts at 8:30 PM. To find out more, check out their event page. 

Sunday, September 22/Jack Rose at The Pontchartrain (2031 St Charles Avenue): Just in time for football season, Jack Rose at the Pontchartrain Hotel, is debuting a new and improved Sunday brunch complete with inventive seasonal fare and champagne specials. Foodies and imbibers can indulge in Chef/Owner Brian Landry’s new menu items including the jumbo lump crab cakes with baby beets and ravigote; crispy pork belly with eggplant and okra; soft shell shrimp cocktail and Napa cabbage slaw; crab omelet with wild mushrooms and English peas; roasted cauliflower with dill mustard and chili breadcrumbs; and cracked potatoes with Calabrian chilies and garlic oil. And did we mention that there’s bubbly available? Because there’s bubbly available. Now there’s not reason to not go get your brunch on.