Get into what’s happening around the Crescent City this month…
May 2
You won’t want to miss the “wildest party in town” at Audubon Zoo! This year’s Whitney Zoo-To-Do will be a year to remember, with premium cocktails, fabulous food from local restaurants, live music from Party on the Moon, a luxury car raffle and a silent auction. All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Audubon Zoo’s new “Gator Run,” a lazy river attraction with surprises at every turn. auduboninstitute.org/ztd
May 15-18
Founded in 2001, the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival began as an original, creative approach to educate and inform the community about HIV and AIDS with messages of prevention from the local writers and spokespeople of the LGBT community. It was also a way to unite the LGBT community in celebration of the literary arts. The festival has now grown into an internationally recognized event that hosts panel discussions and master classes by a veritable who’s who of LGBT writers and publishers from all over the country. sasfest.org
May 16-18
Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo attendees will once again enjoy music from three stages, diverse and delicious foods from local vendors, and the Boogaloo Art Market — all taking place on the banks of Bayou St. John. This year’s lineup of bands includes Big Freedia, Sweet Crude, the Mike Dillon Band, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, Cry You One and much more. Past Boogaloos have featured delectable offerings from restaurants like Boucherie, Katie’s Restaurant, Ralph’s on the Park and Woody’s Fish Tacos. thebayouboogaloo.com
May 21-24
One of the premier springtime events of the Crescent City, the New Orleans Food & Wine Experience has become a destination attracting over 10,000 gourmands, oenophiles and die-hard fans from all over the country. It’s four splendorous days of over 1,000 different wines, excellent local cuisine and enriching seminars. The Royal Street Stroll is an evening filled with exhibitions of local, national and international art inside some of the finest galleries in town — sipping beautiful wines and stop at various food tents along the way. Over 40 restaurants offer Vintner Dinners, with prix fixe menus paired with specific wines, and don’t forget the ever-popular Grand Tastings, where both food and wine come together in a huge, bacchanalian blowout at the New Orleans Convention Center. nowfe.com
May 23-25
Hankering for the perfect gyro? Drooling for a crisp, sweet bite of baklava? Then get ready for New Orleans’ 41st annual Greek Festival! Hosted by the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the waters of Bayou St. John, this Memorial Day weekend celebration features authentic Greek cuisine (home cooking at its finest), toga contests, raffles, lots of ouzo, dancing, a 5K race, traditional music, boating and more. greekfestnola.com
May 31 & June 1
On a mission to educate the country about the benefits of the Louisiana Gulf oyster, the New Orleans Oyster Festival honors and celebrates the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have solidified the New Orleans French Quarter as the Oyster Capital of America. The festival includes local culinary delights from restaurants like Antoine’s Restaurant, Desire Oyster Bar & Restaurant, GW Fins and Drago’s Seafood Restaurant. There will also be an Acme Oyster House World Oyster Eating Contest and a P&J Oyster Shucking Competition. neworleansoysterfestival.org