We got your weekend: From NOLA to Kentucky to Italy

The Historic New Orleans Collection hosts a special lecture-performance hybrid tribute for the late local trio, the Boswell Sisters.

Thursday / Fellin’ jazzed: In conjunction with The Historic New Orleans Collection‘s newest exhibition “Shout, Sister, Shout!” — a tribute to New Orleans jazz trio, The Boswell Sisters, whose musical style became emblematic of 1940s girl groups — the organization present s a special lecture-performance event. THNOC”s annual Bill Russell Lecture will feature a presentation from Kyla Titus, the granddaughter of the trio’s youngest member, Vet Boswell. The evening will also include a performance, evocative of the Boswell Sisters’ repertoire, by new Orleans trio, the Pfister Sisters. Admission is $10. Limited seating; call 504-523-4662 for reservations.

Thursday – Sunday / Shane’s French Quarter Fest tip: 20+ stages across the French Quarter, free.

The largest free music festival in the South returns this weekend, taking over the French Quarter with a seemingly endless supply of top notch performances from the best players in town. The big news this year is Dr. John’s show with his all-star Nite Trippers band, but the excessive crowds will likely make his set more of a headache than it’s worth. To get away from the crowds, stick to the Esplanade side of the Quarter, which provides easier in/out transport than Canal and offers some great music in smaller settings.

Thursday – Sunday / Lambchop who? : All puppets were not created equally. At the upcoming second weekend of The New Orleans International Puppet Festival guests will certainly not be asked to endure the musings of a sock-puppet lamb.

Acclaimed puppeteers — from Italy to Portland — will gather at the Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand St.) for a series of puppet-based theatrical performances, including marionettes, shadow puppets, hand puppets, and giant-scale puppets. The lineup includes: Secret of the Spider, which tells the story of a young girl whose world spins into a circle of obsession after being bitten by a spider and The Mysterious Metamorphosis or Mr. Krank., a tale of a man who goes on a bizarre journey and is subject to many fantastic transformations; and a creative reinterpretation of Puss in Boots. Tickets $5-$25. Shows all start at 8 PM.

Sample some duscussion, a free Kentucky cocktail, and dessert offerings from cookbook author Sarah Baird’s most recent publication.

Saturday / Sugar-coat it : If you’ve somehow managed to exhaust the food offerings at French Quarter Fest in two days: 1) You must be feeling pretty nauseated 2) you can move on to dessert at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum’s Taste of Kentucky event.

SoFAB has invited New Orleans-based food writer Sarah Baird — the author of part-cookbook, part- anthropological culinary study Kentucky Sweets: Bourbon Balls, Spoonbread & Mile High Pie — to discuss her book and the history of traditional Kentucky desserts. At the lecture guests can sample Bairds dessert recipes, as well as an authentic Kentucky cocktail. The event, which begins at 2 PM at SoFAB (1609 Oretha C. Haley Blvd.) is free and open to the public.

Saturday / Shall we dance? : If you need a break from the French Quarter (festin’ or otherwise).

From 6 – 11 PM Dancing Grounds (3705 St. Claude), a performing arts venue that recently opened in the Bywater, will participate in the neighborhood’s monthly 2nd Saturday Art Walk on St. Claude event by presenting a live art installation by Marion Spencer; live music by surprise guests who will be revealed the day of, a multidisciplinary dance, poetry, comedy showcase; and finally, a dance party. The event is free and open to the public.

CURE your hangover with good TV and a craft cocktail at Cure.

Sunday / Hangover CURE : We all have our own hangover rituals: a shot-gunned beer, an eight-hour Netflix vegetation bender, a hearty bowl of pho (sorry, you’ll need to resort to your own devices with the last one).

Cure‘s Sunday Mad Men viewing party is certainly hangover-friendly (although, you should probably get out of your PJ’s — and yes, pants would be nice, too). The craft cocktail bar will host a group screening of the AMC hit show’s final season premiere, featuring drink specials, costumes (optional), and trivia (with prizes). The event is free and open to the public.

Chelsea Lee is associate editor at NolaVie. Email comments to her at chelsea@nolavie.com.