November 1-3: Voodoo Music Experience
Every year around Halloween, New Orleans City Park plays host to what has become one of the biggest local music festivals, featuring both national and local musicians. Voodoo is a culmination of modern musicians, art and pastimes that appeals to fans from all walks of life. This year’s lineup is already making a huge splash, with artists like The Cure, Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Kid Rock, The Gaslight Anthem and more. worshipthemusic.com
November 2: Louisiana SPCA’s Howling Success
Celebrate the 125 wonderful years of the Louisiana SPCA at the Hyatt Regency. The LA/SPCA is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty and promotion of respect and humane care for animals through programs and services like sheltering, adoption, education and investigation. In 2012 alone, the LA/SPCA provided over 9000 spay/neuter surgeries through the area’s only high-volume, affordable community clinic. Join local and celebrity chairs in festivities including cuisine from restaurants and businesses all over the state and an array of unique auction items while benefiting the animals of the Louisiana SPCA. la-spca.org
November 9: Mirliton Festival
Presented for over 20 years by the Bywater Neighborhood Association, the Mirliton Festival is a “celebration of Bywater food, music, art, families and of course, mirlitons.” Every fall, Markey Park plays host to a wonderful neighborhood festival, with music from local artists like Kermit Ruffins and Happy Talk Band, plus fantastic food from nearby restaurants and bars whose dishes highlight the almighty mirliton. There’s also a cool mini-art market with everything from jewelry and woodworks to painting and glass. bywatermirlitonfestival.com
November 14: Essence of Style Design Symposium
Established as one of New Orleans’ premier events for the interior design community, the Essence of Style Design Symposium presented by the Friends of Longue Vue welcomes renowned interior designer Thomas Jayne, who will present a lecture on his latest book, “American Decoration: A Sense of Place.” Entering its 22nd year, the annual symposium educates audiences about interior and landscape design and generates revenue to support Longue Vue’s educational programming. The symposium will take place inside the the Audubon Tea Room. longuevue.com
November 24: The New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival
If you are looking for a taste of some of the best po-boys in the city — all in one day — you won’t want to miss this event. Hosted by the Oak Street Association, the Po-Boy Festival offers dishes from restaurants all over town and live local music at both ends of Oak Street. Work your way from Carrollton on down, enjoying sloppy roast beef, hot sausage, crispy fried shrimp, soft-shell crab, sashimi and even lobster po-boys from New Orleans-area restaurants. poboyfest.com