We’ve got your weekend: Sometimes you get catty

Event Pick of the Week: Acrocats! 

Acrocats in action. (Photo: Wiki Commons)

When: Thursday, December 19-Saturday, December 21

Where: The ALLways Lounge and Cabaret (2240 St Claude Avenue)

What: These are cats who do tricks. They listen (sometimes); they perform (sometimes); and they’re cats (always!). This show comes to New Orleans once a year, so this is your 2019 chance. 

Why: Cats doing tricks…how can we not pick this for the weekend? Even if they screw up the trick, you’re still looking at really adorable cats on a stage and often in costume or acting like humans. It’s really a win-win not matter how you spin it! 

Now for the rest of the week(end)! 

15’ ice slides and ice-skating at the 7th annual NOLA ChristmasFest December 20-31 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. (Photo by: Barrett DeLong-Church)

Thursday, December 19/Art Klub (1941 Arts Street): You are invited to enter a space of personal exploration and evolution of body, mind and spirit. Reese Johanson is guiding a workshop where you can release the trauma, the identity that isn’t really you, the wanna be cool and accepted, extinguish the ego. This is a physical practice of release, strength and flexibility training, massage and meditation with intention to free trauma held in the body and allow the ancient pain to dissipate. This is the final day of the workshop, so you can drop in for $15. For more information, you can check out the event page here. 

Thursday, December 19/Dollar Tree (3771 General De Gaulle): If you often see a connection between the educational system, economic injustice/justice and the future of kids, then you can join Step Up Louisiana’s Parent Union and Economic Justice Committee to Step Up for Unity. They will be rallying at the Dollar Tree on General De Gaulle Drive and then marching over to the Orleans Parish School Board meeting. The aim of this march is to  clearly explain the connection between education and economic justice and lay out the demands of their organization. 

Friday, December 20/Circle Bar (1032 St Charles Avenue): You know those holiday scenes where there’s sultry music playing in a dimly lit bar but there are Christmas lights giving it a soft glow? That’s what we’re imagining this night with cellist Helen Gillet is going to be like at Circle Bar? Why? Because Circle Bar has this magical capability that’s rather indescribable. And, it’s Helen Gillet, so you’ll be lulled into swirls of sound that might even transport you to a different time and place. If they don’t, it’s fine because you’ll contently be at Circle Bar (see previous point about its magical capabilities). The show begins at 9:30 PM, there’s a $10 cover, and you can find out full details here. 

Friday, December 20/Convention Center (900 Convention Center Boulevard): You ready to head into Tinsel Town? The holidays are upon us (have you noticed?), and NOLA ChristmasFest will officially open its doors Friday, December 20 at 11:00 AM. That means nearly 350,000 sq. ft. of indoor entertainment, including Nightly Snowfall presented by WWL-TV, which will occur every evening at 6:50 PM over the ice rink. Also, making its NOLA ChristmasFest debut, Skating with Santa will take place on Saturday, December 21. Donuts, coffee and hot cocoa will also be served, and a separate ticket purchase required, which you can get here. The ChristmasFest will run through December 31, so go get your Christmas on. 

Sunday, December 22/CC’s Coffee (2800 Esplanade): People often talk about giving back during the holiday season, but there’s a way to give back and build community all year round. Abolition Apostles jail and prison ministry meets weekly for a pen-pal meet-up. If you’ve ever wanted to correspond with an incarcerated person, this is a wonderful opportunity. They gather at 3:00 PM every Sunday at CC’s Coffee House. All are welcome and no experience required.