What’s Coming in October?
I’ve always loved the month of September. I’ve always felt that September kicks off the New Year – rather than the traditional January 1st. I suppose this comes from being in school for so many years.
Let’s take a look at what’s ahead this fall because, as everyone knows, New Orleans is a town that loves over-the-top action in the form of different types of festivals, special holidays and joyful parades with music and lots of enthusiastic dancin’ and prancin’.
Take a look at what’s coming down the pike.
THE CRESCENT CITY BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL
This festival takes place in Lafayette Square Park located at 540 St. Charles Avenue. It is the second-oldest public park in New Orleans (after Jackson Square) and is elegantly described as “a prized greenspace in the heart of the Central Business District.”
Mark your calendar for a fun time of blues and barbecue from Friday, October 12th to Sunday, October 14th. This is the 13th time this annual FREE event is being held. You’ll hear the best in local and national blues plus great R&B talent, while feasting on amazing barbecue and browsing at a large crafts fair. There’s definitely something for everyone.
THE NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL (NOFF)
Now in its 29th year, this festival has grown into an internationally respected annual event. It has been described by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.”
I decided to see for myself what this magazine had to say. My goodness, it’s pretty laudatory and worth repeating. Take a look at the their comments about the NOLA film festival.
“There is no other city quite like New Orleans. With that in mind, you might think that NOFF would get lost in the mix. ‘Not so,’ says one of the panelists. ‘The festival is in the middle of everything. It’s very much folded into the city. There’s food, film and music all within a few blocks.’”
That energy bubbles up with fantastic nightly parties, celebrity visitations and very little pretense. ‘There’s nothing like riding a streetcar to see your film. And, since it’s New Orleans, their after-parties raise the bar for film festivals everywhere.’”
Pretty cool stuff or, as Keith Richards would say, “If you gotta think about being cool, you ain’t cool.”
THEATRES AROUND THE CITY WILL SCREEN THE WORK OF BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED FILMMAKERS FROM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH TO THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th.
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Why Not Cross – Or Go Up – the Mississippi While You’re Here?
You can board the Algiers Ferry, which has been in operation since 1827, at the foot of Canal Street, right next to the Aquarium of the Americas. This is your chance to see the French Quarter and the New Orleans skyline from the water. It is also a pleasant way to see Algiers Point, a neighborhood with a laid-back feel. The roundtrip takes less than an hour and costs $2.00. This is for pedestrians and bikers only. If you’re traveling by car you can park in one of the nearby lots. CLICK HERE if you’re interested in taking a riverboat cruise up the Mississippi.
The Algiers ferry has been in operation since 1827
Shaun Nelson-Henrick