We’ve got your weekend: From Tank the poet to Arcos the filmmaker

Wednesday, May 17/A Studio in the Woods (13401 Patterson Rd): The “live arts magazine,”Antenna::Signals Issue::005, is here. The theme is “Loss & Found,” and it will be presented in conjunction with the annual Wetlands Art Tour which focuses on art, performance, and activism related to coastal erosion and wetlands restoration in Louisiana. The event will explore the loss of the wetlands and those things that we come to find or (re)discover about community, ecology and history as we face unimaginable changes to our climate and ways of life. The event will feature a performance from sculptors, scientists, historians, and so much more. For full details, check out their event page, and get your $10 tickets here or at the door. The event begins at 6:30 PM and runs until 9:00 PM.

Thursday, May 18/Dogfish Reading Series (2448 N. Villere Street): We all have heard and said that music and poetry go hand-in-hand, and that saying is coming into actuality when Dogfish Reading Series presents poet, songwriter, singer, and writer Tarriona Ball (aka “Tank” from Tank and the Bangas). A writer since the age of 12, Tank uses her imaginative nature to tell stories that only a modern day griot could weave. From early, Tank’s grandmother carried her from church to church performing poems by Maya Angelou and Adrian Hardesty to build confidence in herself. It kinda worked…While in high school, Tank continued her passion for poetry by competing in HBO’s Brave New Voices with youth like herself. An experience she would often say, “molded me” along with the Nationally award winning team, Slam New Orleans. After winning Nationals with SNO, Tank no longer wanted her worked to be scored so she decided to focus more on the music side of things. As lead singer of the award winning dynamic band, The Bangas, Tank definitely writes an interesting tune for this centric group to play to, and you can hear all about it on Thursday night. The reading begins at 7:00 PM, and you can find out full details here.

Friday, May 19/Art Klub (1941 Arts Street): When it comes to outreach and community, Art Klub has been hosting open studios, film screenings, and this weekend they are hosting “MOVEment for Change.” This is a platform for socially conscious artists to share their vision for a world made better through artistry. This platform, hosted by Artivism Dance Theatre, and co-produced with Art Klub, brings together artists of all genres and backgrounds to explore issues that are relevant to our society and encourages audiences to start a dialogue around these issues. The event, which starts at 7:30 PM, costs $20 (general) or $18 (students, artists, seniors), but there is also an early bird special. You can learn more about the event as well as purchase tickets here.

Friday, May 19/YAYA Inc (3322 LaSalle Street): There is an event called Brass ‘N Glass, which is pretty New Orleans in name. But what is it? Brass ‘N Glass supports free arts programing for New Orleans area youth, and they are throwing a get together on Friday. There will be Live music by the Panorama Brass Band, a “Goblet Grab” where you can purchase a handmade glass and enjoy complimentary drinks for the night, and there will also be an art showcase of ceramics, paintings, and glass works made by the YAYA teen artists in collaboration with Artist in Residence Giles Bettison. Did we mention there is also a glass demo? Because there is also a glass demo. This event is free and open to the public and begins at 6:00 PM.

Saturday, May 20/New Orleans Photo Alliance (1111 St. Mary Street): Shotgun Cinema heads into the vaults of New Orleans-based filmmaker Michael Arcos for their upcoming installment in their Full Aperture series. Arcos’ work will be presented on VHS, Super8, and digital formats. Please note, some of the films contain sexually explicit content. And yes, there will be red wine. Doors open at 7:30 PM with the program beginning at 8:00 PM. General admission is $6; NOPA members $5, and you can find out full details here.