What to do around town
Wednesday - Wednesday at the Square - Concert Series
Wednesday at the Square, sponsored by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, presents a series of free outdoor concerts featuring well-known local artists. The weekly concert series highlights a variety of indigenous musical styles, including jazz, rock, funk, swamp-pop, Latin rhythms and more. New Orleans’ most famous brass bands are known to play at this annual concert series. Plus, admission is FREE and open to the public. April 13 - Partners-N-Crime + Robin Barnes
Thursday - Soul Rebels at Le Bon Temps Roule
One of Meg and Van's favorite Thursday evening activities. Le Bon Temps is a cozy dive bar. Late night on Thursdays, the Soul Rebels play a set starting around 11p. Meg and Van will be making their way over the show after Welcome Drinks on Thursday for some late night brass.
Sunday - Historic French Quarter Easter Parade
Easter Sunday’s lineup of parades starts early that morning with The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade from Antoine’s Restaurant to St. Louis Cathedral for Mass. The parade, consisting largely of mule-drawn carriages and old convertibles, makes its leisurely, roundabout way through the French Quarter, handing out stuffed Easter bunnies to the kids, along with other trinkets. Following Mass, participants in the parade promenade to Jackson Square opposite the Cathedral to show off their Easter bonnets and other finery before returning to Antoine’s. Awards are given out for the best Easter bonnets, Easter baskets and overall Easter attire.
Sunday - Gay Easter Parade
The Gay Easter Parade takes a leisurely route through the French Quarter, passing every gay bar and many gay-owned restaurants and retail shops. The paraders ride horse-drawn carriages or floats while wearing showy versions of their Easter Sunday finest. This is a family-friendly Easter celebration of love! The annual, official New Orleans Gay Easter Parade will take place on Easter sunday at 4:30pm in the French Quarter. The parade showcases the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBT community with gentlemen in summer suits/ tux with hats, and ladies in Easter suits/dresses with Easter hats.
Swamp Tours
Swamp Tour in Lafitte or North Shore. Don’t knock it. This is hilarious, OK? You get to hold a baby gator and feed big ones marshmallows. The guides are surprisingly thoughtful and protective of the wildlife. Plus the bayou and swamps are gorgeous, and seeing them will give you an indication of the ecosystems lost every year to erosion. You get to glide through them on an airboat. If you’ve rented a car, stop at a drive-thru daiquiri joint on the way there or back. And yes, get a Jello-shot on the side, because when else are you going to be earnestly asked if you want to purchase a Jell-O shot while driving a vehicle? www.jeanlafitteswamptour.com www.neworleansairboattours.com
Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
A James Beard award winning wine bar that isn’t pretentious. Choose your own cheeses for a charcuterie board. Small plates galore. Jazz on the back patio. Busy on weekend nights.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Some of the best po’ boys in the city. Tip: if there is a line for the main window, walk into the bar on the corner and order at the counter. You can take it to go or for there.
Killer Poboys at Erin Rose
Top-notch po’ boy. Killer Po' boys is in the back of the Irish tavern, Erin Rose. Order alongside an iced Irish Coffee from the bar and you have bliss.
Jacques-Imo's
Enjoy local cuisine in a ramshackle, lovely Uptown building. Get the alligator cheesecake. It’s delicious.