August 2019 Festivals

August 2-4

https://satchmosummerfest.org/

New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz!  What better way to celebrate than a festival showcasing some of the best Jazz musicians in the city? The Satchmo Festival takes place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint.  It is presented by Chevron, with a daily admission of $6. Throughout the three-day festival, you’ll be treated to amazing Jazz music by the likes of Ellis Marsalis, Charmaine Neville, Preservation Brass, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers, just to name a few.  The event also features food and drink tents and Pop’s Playhouse (family fun activities on Saturday and Sunday). A Kick-off Party will take place on Thursday, August 1 from 7-9:30pm at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel—tickets available for purchase via the website.

August 3

https://www.cacwhitelinennight.com/

Celebrating it’s 25^th Anniversary, White Linen Night is brought to you by Hancock Whitney, benefitting the Contemporary Arts Center.  Don your favorite white linen attire (not mandatory, but who wants to look out of place!!) and mosey on over to the 300-700 blocks of Julia Street in the Warehouse Arts District for an evening of fun and fabulous art. Free admission. Food and drink tickets available for purchase.  Galleries will be open from 5:30-9:30pm.  Also available for purchase are tickets to the CAC Cooldown Lounge at the Green Room at Auction House Market (best bang for your buck!) and the Official After Party, Hancock Whitney After Dark.  See website for details.

August 9-11

https://www.hexfest.com/

Now this sounds like an interesting event!! New Orleans is known for its VooDoo, HooDoo and Witchcraft! Come spend a weekend learning about the art of Witchcraft and Magic with some of the best in their craft. The event kicks off with a Riverboat Ritual and Dinner aboard one of the steamboats along the Mississippi River. The following two days are filled with seminars, workshops, drumming and rituals at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, one of the city’s most haunted venues. A Vending Hall will be available to purchase ritual tools, jewelry, signed books and handmade spell crafts. This event is limited to 300 participants, so if this interests you, click on the website to register ASAP.

August 9-12

https://www.nolasalsabachatafest.com/

All you Latin Dance lovers, put on your dancing shoes and head over to the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel at the corner of Canal St and Bourbon St. This event features international Latin artists performing live shows, conducting workshops, classes, dance performance challenges, and social dancing. There will be three ballrooms, with one each dedicated to Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba/Zouk.  See website for details and ticket purchase.

August 10

http://dirtylinen.org/about-us

For the past 19 years, this spoof on White Linen Night (held on Julia St. the prior weekend), has taken place along Royal Street, in the not-so-pristine area of the city, hence its name.  The event is organized by the non-profit organization, Royal Street Arts District.  Shops and galleries open their doors to visitors while musicians perform and the crowd enjoys beer, wine, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. A Dirty Linen Night Passport costs $20.

August 10

http://neworleanshash.com/rdrsignup.asp

This event is loads of fun for participants and spectators alike.  The streets of the French Quarter will be filled with men and women dressed in some of the most unique and hilarious red dresses.  It’s a grand event for those who enjoy the practice of people watching as much as I do. Sponsored by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, whose motto reads “A New Orleans Drinking Club with a Running Problem,” the Red Dress Run is a fundraiser with proceeds benefitting several small local charities. Although the route is kept secret until the day of the run, this year it will begin in Louis Armstrong Park at 11:30 (rain or shine) and will, more than likely, wind its way through the Marigny area.

To give you a little history, the idea behind the Red Dress Run was initiated in San Diego in 1987.  A lady, who came to be known as “The Lady in Red,” was visiting a friend who was part of a local Hash House Harriers.  She attended the running club meeting with her friend and, after receiving some grief from a fellow hasher, decided to participate in the run while wearing heels and her red dress.  From this encounter, the Red Dress Run was born.  It is now celebrated by hashers around the world. Visit their website to register for the event.

August 17

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nola-international-foodie-fest-tickets-63096169341this

Deja Vieux Food Park, located at 1681 Religious Street, will host this event from 12pm-9pm.  Festgoers can sample international flavors from various food trucks, restaurants and pop up chefs, while indulging in specialty cocktails, swaying to the music by local musicians, and perusing vendors offering locally made products.  Free admission with Eventbrite registration while they last, $5 presale tickets available after free tickets are gone, and $10 tickets at the gate on event day.

August 23-25

http://nolabulls.com/

Come enjoy New Orleans’ version of the world famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain (Running of the Bulls) at The Sugar Mill. The three-day long event kicks off with El Txupinazo on Friday, August 23, a fundraiser benefitting the non-profit organization, Beth’s Friends Forever, whose mission it is to assist women battling cancer in the New Orleans area. El Encierro will begin promptly at 8am at The Sugar Mill on Saturday, August 24. “Rollerbulls” (roller derby girls) from derby leagues around the world will take the place of live bulls. Along with thousands of runners, the Rollerbulls will take to the streets of the city to celebrate this historical event, followed by what’s promised to be “one helluva show!” The party continues into the night with La Fiesta De Pantalones, hosted by and held at The Rusty Nail. Dress in white pants, shirts, skirts, shorts with accents of red around your neck or waist, Pamplonese style. The event culminates with El Pobre de Mi: Poor Me at Lula Restaurant Distillery from 10am-2pm on Sunday, August 25. Celebrate with Nola Bulls and Roxie Le Rouge’s Bog Deal Burlesque, food, and drinks!

Note: This event was previously scheduled for July 12-14 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.

August 24-25

https://festivalnet.com/82231/New-Orleans-Louisiana/Festivals/NOLA-Downtown-Music-Arts-Festival

As part of the Cutting Edge Music Business Conference, NOLA Downtown Music and Arts Festival will take place at Duncan Plaza, located on Loyola Ave in-between City Hall and the New Orleans Public Library. New Orleans Saints Fans will be honored with a “Get Ya’ Saints Song On” celebration! Come enjoy music, food, art, pop-up shops, a car show and a parade. The festival is presented by The Music Business Institute (MBI), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing entertainment education, business and career development. I had a bit of difficulty finding an official website for this event.  See the attached link for details.