Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in New Orleans, LA

Moby, Mozart or Miles

by Kelly Leahy

Finding music in New Orleans is never a problem. Chances are that live music wafts through your windows at any hour of the day. The challenge, if any, is finding a family-friendly venue, at a kid-friendly time. And, let's face it, sometimes it's nice to hear something other than jazz and zydeco. [I feel like I just said something blasphemous. Am I still welcome to live in this city?]Below I've ... Read more >

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Top 5 Things to Do in New Orleans on a Rainy Day

by Kelly Leahy

We are fast approaching rainy season here in New Orleans and that can mean anything from a gray drizzle all day long to being locked in the house for hours due to street flooding. Nothing's easy about living in the Crescent City but here are some tips to make a rainy day with your pre-schooler something to look forward to rather than dread.1. Go Fish. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a ... Read more >

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Preschool classes abound

by Kelly Leahy

Tuesday is list day here at Savvy Source. Today we are looking at what classes New Orleans has too offer preschoolers. This type of thing is helpful to keep in mind during the summer when regular preschool goes on hiatus or at least takes a couple of weeks off. 1. Ecole Bilingue offers four two week sessions for children ages three to eleven. Classes are taught in both French and English so ... Read more >

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Essential Summer Music

by Kelly Leahy

This summer, for the second year in a row, my daughters and I are spending quite a bit of time on the road. I've barely touched last year's playlists which already include my eldest's ecclectic tastes in music. What we have is a mishmash of New Orleans favorites, kid performers and random pop and rock songs. Nevertheless, this playlist says "summer vacation" to me whenever I give it a listen. ... Read more >

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This weekend's best bet: Storyville Stompers

by Kelly Leahy

You may have seen them at Jazz Fest or just playing around town. There's something about the Storyville Stompers that just makes you want to dance along to the music. This weekend they are putting on a free show for kids. To make it even better, bringing along your own instruments is encouraged. So pull out that snare drum that you've been hiding from Junior and head on down to the Quarter ... Read more >

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Correction and apology about the Stompers

by Kelly Leahy

I excitedly headed down the the Quarter today with my husband and two kids on tow only to find that the Storyville Stompers were in fact NOT PLAYING TODAY. My source was wrong. When I spoke with the park ranger (funny seeing an olive clad ranger downtown, let me tell you) he said that the Storyville Stompers will be appearing every Saturday in August.It was not a total loss. The family was ... Read more >

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Get to know Satchmo

by Kelly Leahy

Satchmo SummerFest is coming up this weekend. The action begins at the old US Mint starting Thursday the 31st and ends on Sunday the 3rd. This annual event coincides with the anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth on August 4th. Here in New Orleans we like to give our cultural icons four days worth of song, drink and reverence.What are the best ways to introduce your preschooler to ol' Louis to ... Read more >

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This weekends best bets: Satchmo and White Linen

by Kelly Leahy

So many fun things to do this weekend! In a city where residents normally hide inside during the months of July and August, there are two excellent events happening Saturday and Sunday. The first is the Satchmo SummerFest which I mentioned yesterday. The second is White Linen Night.Satchmo SummerFest is full of live music on four different stages including a children's stage. Highlights include ... Read more >

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New Orleans' Own Kiddie Rockers: Imagination Movers

by Kelly Leahy

"Oh, and there was this band here at the Gentilly Stage yesterday that was just awful. Your husband knew who they were.""The Imagination Movers?""Yes, that's them."This was an actual conversation that I had at Jazz Fest this year while working one of the many beer tents. Apparently the Imagination Movers did not go over so well with the grown-ups. However, if you get the Disney Channel, it's ... Read more >

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This weekend's best bet: Family Fiesta!

by Kelly Leahy

Sunday marks the last day of The Baroque World of Fernando Botero at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Lucky for us, the museum is celebrating the final day of this Latin American artist's stint with a Family Fiesta.Like all events at NOMA, this is free to Louisiana residents. It starts at 1:00 PM this Sunday.Fernando Botero was born in 1932 and is a successful painter, sculptor, and draftsman. The ... Read more >

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This weekends best bet: Scarecrows and Brats

by Kelly Leahy

Fall has arrived! With it comes festivals galore. This weekend brings with it a couple of offerings for you and your preschooler.Oktoberfest starts tomorrow evening at Deutsches House. Grab a table, a bier and some knackwurst. Hand over a giant Bavarian pretzel to the little one and enjoy the music. Friday 3pm to 1am and Saturday 6pm until 1am.If you are looking for a new addition to your ... Read more >

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Oktoberfest Fun

by Kelly Leahy

Last Saturday we headed on over to the Deutches Haus for Oktoberfest. This was my first Oktoberfest experience in New Orleans and I banked on the fact that it was family friendly when I piled my two kids in the car. I was not disappointed. Doors opened to the general public at 6:00 pm and that's what time we handed over our $10 entry fee ($5 for adults, the kids were free). The yard was strewn ... Read more >

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This weekend's best bet: VOTE

by Kelly Leahy

Yesterday I wrote a brief bit on theimportance of voting so I'm not going to keep harping on it. If you are unsure of your polling location, you can find it here. Vote early and vote often.Ok, once you have voted, you might be wondering just what you should do for the remainder of the weekend. Need I remind you that it's October? It's hard to NOT find something to do.Oktoberfest is still going ... Read more >

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This weekend's best bet: Ghosts & BBQ

by Kelly Leahy

Why wait until Halloween to parade your preschooler around in costume? After all, you might as well get as much use out of the thing as you can. City Park is presenting Ghosts in the Oaks this year starting tonight.For $15 ($12 for members) you will have access to Storyland and City Park Amusements (rides y'all!) from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Entry includes unlimited rides, crafts and ... Read more >

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5 Ghostly Halloween Delights

by Kelly Leahy

Walking up and down Frenchman Street at midnight might have been OK in my pre-child days but somehow it doesn't seem as appealing with two small kids. Here are five things to do with your preschooler this Halloween.Trick or Treat in Storyland, City ParkThursday, Oct. 30 & Friday, Oct. 316:00 pm - 9:00 pm$5, babies under 1, freeBring your little ghouls to City Park for a romp through Story ... Read more >

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This weekend's best bet: Ramp Art Festival

by Kelly Leahy

The second annual North Ramp Art Festival is taking place this Saturday along the promenade in front of Louis Armstrong park on Rampart Street (I bet you saw that coming). There will be over 20 local artists and food vendors selling their wares.As with any good festival there will also be music including the Treme Brass Band and Walter "Wolfman" Washington. There is also a Children's Area with ... Read more >

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