Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in new orleans, LA

Best Bet: Satchmo!

by Kelly Leahy

July 30, 2009

This weekend brings the Ninth Annual Satchmo SummerFest back to the French Quarter. Four days of revelry in the music of New Orleans' favorite son are ahead. Head on down to the U.S. Mint at Decatur and Esplanade for live music at over three stages and good food.

There is a special area on the second floor of the Mint for kids featuring  ‘Armstrong on Film for kids.' There your preschooler can be introduced to the likes of Betty Boop and Hello Dolly. In addition to the films there will be a coconut decorating with the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's Junior Zulus and a  Second line Umbrella Creation Station.

Armstrong is the not the only action in town this weekend. There is also White Linen Night where you can trot your kids around Julia street and introduce them to the best art New Orleans has to offer. Even the Louisiana Children's Museum will be getting in on the action with an auction and a special showing of Terrance Osborne's relief art.

Get out this weekend and get some culture!

Best Bet: With or Without the Kids

by Kelly Leahy

June 25, 2009

This weekend there is a smorgasbord of things going on for families and I've chosen to highlight a couple. I've also offered up a suggestion for date night because it's nice to spend time away from the urchins every once in a while.

WITH THE KIDS:

The Palmer Park Art Market makes its monthly appearance this weekend. If you haven't been in a while, you will find that it's still going strong with plenty of artisits showing. Even if you're not in the market for new works, there is always good food and music to be had -- not to mention children's activities. The last time we went, they were handing out free books!

On Satuday the New Orleans Zephyrs take on the Memphis Redbirds. Tickets on the levee start at $6 and are perfect for preschoolers with short attention spans. If you'd prefer seats and easier acess to the consessions, tickets are from $8 to $10. Kids and seniors are $1 off.

DATE NIGHT:

Running with Scissors presents Valley of the Dolls at Le Chat Noir. Everyone's favorite romance novel has gone camp (it probably didn't take much).Read the Gambit's preview here. Tickets for Friday and Saturday are $26 (including a $5 drink credit) and Sunday is only $21 (with a free drink as well).

If you haven't been to Le Chat, it's a great little caberet theater located conveniently close to Herbsaint (why not make a night of it?). Drinks are brought to your table during the show as you sit back in one of the premier theater venues in the city.

Best Bet: Dogs and Kings

by Kelly Leahy

February 27, 2009

Well, the beads have been caught and probably disposed of by now. This weekend will be quiet around town but there is still plenty to do. 

• Street performers remain en masse in the French Quarter to draw out the last of the Carnival dollars from the tourists. Take a trip downtown, grab some beignets and dance in Jackson Square with your preschooler.
• If you are looking for a new pup (or just like hanging out with them) the LA/SPCA is holding an adoption event on Saturday at Canine Connection (3440 Magazine Street) from 11:00-3:00. 
• Palmer Park hosts once more the Art Market of New Orleans this Saturday.
• If you haven't caught it yet, From Tramps to Kings: 100 Years of Zulu is still on exhibit at the Presbytere.

 Hey if all else fails, there's always Motley Crue at the Arena on Saturday.

This weekend's best bet: A Night at the Opera

by Kelly Leahy

January 16, 2009

The Mahalia Jackson Theatre reopened last week and as part of the celebrations, Plácido Domingo will be in the Crescent City performing with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. The event is nearly sold out but tickets are still available. In addition to singing tenor for the evening, the artist will be in town for the dedicaiton of the The Plácido Domingo Stage within the theater. If  Read more...

Farewell 2008 -- 10 best posts of the year

by Kelly Leahy

December 30, 2008

Boy, what a year it's been. With my second child born towards the end of 2007, 2008 was about keeping my sanity, surviving the preschool application process for my eldest and treasuring every moment (even the mind numbing tantrums). The year culminated in a live television interview yesterday on ABC's Good Morning New Orleans . Since this year has been all about keeping my head above water, I  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Ramp Art Festival

by Kelly Leahy

November 21, 2008

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...

This weekend's best bet: Prospect.1

by Kelly Leahy

November 07, 2008

There is a major citywide art exhibition going on right now and it's free. Prospect.1, a biennial contemporary art show opened last week. Venues are scattered all around the city and you can find a great deal of information on the Prospect.1 website . One exhibit that you will want to check out is Studio at Colton . Colton High School is on loan from the recovery school district for a couple of  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Family Fiesta!

by Kelly Leahy

September 19, 2008

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  Read more...

This weekends best bets: Satchmo and White Linen

by Kelly Leahy

July 31, 2008

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  Read more...

This weekends best picks

by Kelly Leahy

July 18, 2008

The Bywater Art Market makes its monthly appearance on Saturday. Not only is this a great place to pick some reasonably priced artwork for yourself but also gifts for others -- especially if you like to start your Christmas shopping early. There is usually live music for little ears and many food options including kid-friendly juices and kettle corn. What I like best about city's art markets are  Read more...

Three Days in and Around New Orleans: Day One

by Kelly Leahy

July 08, 2008

Over the next three days we will be highlighting the best that New Orleans has to offer families with preschoolers who chose the Crescent City as a destination. It's unfortunate that the first thing that pops into one's head about New Orleans is not "kid friendly." There are a great number of activities that make our fair city perfect for family fun. Here is a sample itinerary for activities  Read more...

Budding Art Critic: How to make the NOMA a place your child loves

by Kelly Leahy

June 02, 2008

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is located on the edge of City Park in an impressive Greek Revival building. The museum might be a little imposing and the docents can be stuffy but here are some surefire ways to make a visit a hit with your pre-schooler. Plan ahead. Take a look at the website and print out some pictures of NOMA's permanent collection to hunt for in the museum. Our  Read more...

The littlest Picasso

by Kelly Leahy

May 26, 2008

In a city where Degas once resided and with a streets named for Greek Muses and French painters, it's no surprise that there is plenty of art enrichment to be found. Though it's difficult to get a preschooler to sit still and do anything for an extended period of time, there are a few ways to encourage them to appreciate art without strapping them to a chair. If you are looking for a great  Read more...