NEW ORLEANS 2007 FALL EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Not only does October bring about a brand new season and an air of change, but in New Orleans, October is also the month of fall festivals. The Crescent City is never short of exciting events to attend and places to go, and the Halloween season is no exception!
Below is BIG EASY’S FALL FESTIVAL GUIDE, which highlights many of the most popular festivals among visitors and locals alike.
Art for Arts’ Sake - Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 504.528.3805
The Contemporary Arts Center’s premier fall event kicks off the opening to the city’s art season, on Oct. 6, which attracts 30,000 guests annually, “Spotlight on Julia” is a Julia Street party from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. that features Julia’s infamous galleries, complete with cash bars. Enjoy cuisine by Byblos and Riche. Julia Street and the New Orleans Arts District will feature nearly 20 art openings and receptions, plus an outdoor party between the 300 and 600 blocks of Julia. Locations on Magazine Street and in the French Quarter will also have art openings.
The Contemporary Arts Center is celebrating the openings of two exhibitions: Celebrating Freedom: The Art of Willie Birch and Street Level: Mark Bradford, William Cordova and Robin Rhode from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. And from 9 p.m. – midnight, the CAC also hosts a “Hot Jazz” themed-party with performances by the students of the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz program from Loyola University and the New Orleans Jazz Vipers. Food and cash bars will also be available. Admission is $10.
Gretna Heritage Festival - Historic Downtown Gretna, 504.361.7748
Gretna hosts its most exciting celebration this month, complete with music, food, drinks rides, games and arts and crafts. This year’s performers include such big names as The Beach Boys, Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, The TopCats, Bonerama, Marva Wright, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, Trombone Shorty, Bag of Donuts, Travis Tritt and many more. And as if the music lineup isn’t impressive enough, the variety of traditional Louisiana favorites to curb your appetite is just as long: boudin, crawfi sh pasta, corn and crab bisque, crawfi sh etouffee, jambalaya, meat pies, oyster and shrimp po-boys.
And don’t forget that there is free public parking for attendees at the 3rd Street and Derbigny Street parking garage. $10 admission, $25 weekend pass. Oct. 5, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Oct. 6, 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Oct. 7, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
New Orleans Film Festival
The New Orleans Film Society presents the 18th Annual Independent Film Festival right here in New Orleans, an event that is a perfect fi t in the city’s thriving fi lm industry! Interested fi lm-lovers get a once in a lifetime opportunity to view fi lms made by lesser-known, up-and-coming artists from all over the world! Plus, independent fi lm-makers will win prizes in the following categories: Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary, Best Animated Film, Best Experimental Film, special award for Louisiana Filmmaker and an overall grand prize.
The star-studded gala on the 11th kicks off this year’s event, to be followed by days of festival fun that showcases the best new fi lms…American and international. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event to talk to fi lmmakers, directors and stars at the many workshops, panels and after-hours events, plus many director introductions and Q & As.
Participate by watching a fi lm at the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp Street, 504.528.3805, cacno.org), the Canal Place Cinema (333 Canal St., #327, 504.581.5400, moviefone. com), the Warehouse Arts District and many other venues around the city.
The New Orleans Film Society has grown immensely since its inception 19 years ago and now produces the New Orleans Film Festival, the French Film Festival and in 2008, the Italian Film Festival. The festival attracts more movie lovers each year, becoming a staple in the city’s culture.
Oktoberfest - 200 S. Galvez, 504.522.8014
In the ultimate Crescent City celebration of German heritage, Ocktoberfest 2007 is every weekend in October, Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. – 1 a.m. Only the very best beer, German beer of course, is served fresh from the tap. Plus German food… a menu that is sure to include bratwurst, and German music provide the ultimate Deutsch celebration!
The Deutsche Gesellschaft von New Orleans and several other groups, which date back to 1848, were formed in support of numerous German immigrants that fl ocked to the New Orleans area. These groups dedicated their efforts to providing struggling Germans with meals, housing and jobs.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft von New Orleans and several other groups, which date back to 1848, were formed in support of numerous German immigrants that fl ocked to the New Orleans area. These groups dedicated their efforts to providing struggling Germans with meals, housing and jobs.
The Deutsches Haus evolved from the Deutsche Gesellschaft into an organization that is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the German culture in New Orleans. Not only does this organization celebrate the German culture via Oktoberfest fi ve weekends of the year, but there are monthly events throughout the year that bring German enthusiasts together, such as movie night.
VooDoo Music Experience
In the past few years, the VooDoo Music Experience has grown into an event larger and more exciting than anyone originally anticipated. Thousands of music lovers come together to enjoy a different kind of festival in the heart of New Orleans.
Though it’s not unusual for a festival in this city to honor our jazz heritage, Stephen Rehage, founder of the VooDoo Music Experience, took a festival that celebrates the city’s deep-rooted cultural ties to music a step beyond any other festival in the city.
Big name performers have included Red Hot Chili Peppers, 50 Cent, Green Day, Eminem, Beastie Boys and Marilyn Manson. And this year’s lineup will add many other prestigious names to the growing list: Rage Against the Machine, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Black Crowes, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals and many more.
The nationally known performers aren’t the only popular attraction of VooDoo Music Fest. Dr. John, the Soul Rebels, Marc Broussard and Ivan Neville are a few of the local talents that will grace the stage, not to mention the unique and colorful le carnival acts such as the New Orleans Bingo! Show, Ghostland Observatory, and Fleur de Tease Burlesque.
Wild Kingdom
The Hosts of Halloween is raising money for Project Lazarus, a home in New Orleans for people with aids who have special needs. This home is the sole benefi ciary of all funds raised at Wild Kingdom…this fall festival is the perfect way to donate to this worthy cause.
Oct. 25 – Saks Fifth Avenue, men’s store, The Shops at Canal
Place, 301 Canal St.
Join fashion-lovers for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 7:30
p.m., followed by a fashion presentation and a party from 8:15
p.m. – 10 p.m. $35
Oct. 26 – Aquarium of the America’s, 1 Canal St.
Into the Deep begins at 8 p.m., but hang out afterward to
shake your groove thing to DJ Chad Guidry. $35
Oct. 27 – Th e Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
DJ Tony Moran, Bryan Holcombe and Carl Mack Production,
provide entertainment at the Costume Dance Extravaganza
from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. $75
Oct. 28 – House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. Visit this rockin’ music for cocktails, brunch and entertainment. $30