Home CULTURE Calendar: June 2014

Calendar: June 2014

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June 7-8: Always free and open to the public, the Creole Tomato Festival glorifies the unique Louisiana veggie

June2014calendar— a key ingredient in so many local recipes — through live music, cooking demonstrations, a parade, a local farmers market and food vendors. This annual event is held in the French Market, the nation’s oldest city marketplace, which has been active since 1791. Two stages will feature local musicians like Billy Iuso, the Shotgun Jazz Band, Los Po-Boy-Citos and Paul Sanchez. Be prepared to encounter folks dressed like Creole tomatoes; take part in tomato-eating contests; and of course, see crates of fresh, bright, juicy Creole tomatoes. frenchmarket.org

June 14-15
The Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival is a free music festival hosted by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, featuring more than 20 performances on two stages during a music-filled weekend at Louis Armstrong Park. The 2014 lineup promises some of the finest musicians from Acadiana and New Orleans, such as Buckwheat Zydeco, Rosie Ledet and BeauSoleil with Michael Doucet. The Jazz & Heritage Foundation is also planning to beef up the food offerings this year with a strong emphasis on Louisiana Gulf shrimp. jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco

June 19-22
Festigals is an entire weekend designed especially for you! Women from all over come together annually in New Orleans with a focus on developing their professional (and personal) lives through networking, empowerment seminars and a rollicking good time in the Crescent City. Registrants enjoy events like a Drag Queen Brunch, private home tours hosted by the Historic New Orleans Collection, cooking demonstrations from Commander’s Palace executive chef Tory McPhail and more. festigals.org

June 20-22
Held on the grounds of St. Gertrude the Great, a Catholic church in Des Allemands about 40 minutes from downtown New Orleans, the Louisiana Catfish Festival features carnival rides, arts and crafts booths, lots of live music and, naturally, tons of delicious catfish. Think fried catfish platters, catfish boulettes, catfish po-boys and catfish sauce piquant, along with other traditional Louisiana favorites, like fried crab claws, jambalaya, seafood gumbo and snowballs. The bands featured at the festival include local favorites, like the Molly Ringwalds, Amanda Shaw and the Bucktown All-Stars. louisianacatfishfestival.com

June 20-22
In an effort to combat fear and discrimination, the New Orleans Pride Festival offers events and seminars designed to enable the visibility of all citizens and educate everyone about our city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The weekend-long festival includes a Pride Kick-Off Party at Boomtown Casino, an All-Faith Church Service and Family Day Picnic in Duncan Plaza, a French Quarter parade and a Pride Brunch sponsored by the Sheraton Hotel. Help New Orleans Pride take a stand against discrimination and violence … let your colors fly! prideneworleans.com