May 1st – May 29th – Wednesdays at the Square
YLC Wednesday at the Square is a free, 12-week concert series with food and drink for sale to benefit the Young Leadership Council. Local artisans also sell their work in the Artist Village near the Camp Street entrance. In may, Lafayette Square will play host to musicians like The Meters, Ivan Deville’s Dumpstaphunk, Billy Iuso & the Restless Natives and Irvin Mayfield every Wednesday! For more information, please visit www.wednesdaysatthesquare.com.
May 1st – Chazfest
As more local talent was left out of the Jazz Fest lineup, a group of 9th Ward musicians, including Alex McMurray, decided to hold their own local festival to honor and appreciate the incredible talent right in their own backyard. Come be a part of the best local music festival in the heart of New Orleans with ten hours of nonstop music, culture, food and good times on two stages! This year, the festival features great local acts like The Geraniums, The Stacks, Truth Universal, Los Poboycitos and more. For more information and tickets, visit www.chazfestival.com.
May 2nd to May 5th – 2nd Weekend of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell
With twelve stages of virtually every style of roots music, Jazz Fest presents one of the entertainment world’s most diverse music lineups, including its unparalleled showcase of Louisiana’s unique culture. The second weekend this year features a ton of fabulous musicians including Widespread Panic, Willie Nelson, Fleetwood Mac, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Darryl Hall & John Oates, Irma Thomas and Aaron Neville. For more information, please visit www.nojazzfest.com.
May 22nd to May 25th – New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
A group of local wine and food experts and enthusiasts got together in 1991 to hold a series of events intended to not only educate, but to give back to their own beloved community. That effort has grown today into the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, what is known nationally (if not internationally) as the most prestigious, the most celebrated festivals of it’s kind. For five glorious days, the hosts take us on an educational, bacchanalian journey through the glories of wine and food through seminars, tastings and wine dinners presented by the finest restaurants New Orleans has to offer. You’ll want to reserve seats for an experience your palate won’t soon forget at restaurants like Domenica, Commander’s Palace, Borgne, Galatoire’s, ROOT, The Irish House, Palace Cafe and more!
May 23rd to May 26th – Saints & Sinners GLBT Literary Festival
Founded in 2001, The Saints & Sinners Literary festival was begun as an original, creative approach to educate and inform the community about HIV and AIDS with messages of prevention coming from the local writers and spokespeople of the GLBT community. It was also a way to unite the GLBT community in celebration of the literary arts. Join in the annual Saints & Sinners Festival that has grown into an internationally-recognized event that hosts panel discussions and master classes by a veritable who’s who of GLBT writers and publishers from all over the country. For more information, please visit www.sasfest.org.
May 24th, 25th & 26th – Greek Festival
Opa! Mark your calendars now for the 40th anniversary of Greek Festival New Orleans, an amazing showcase of Greek food, music, and fun! Held annually at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Greek Festival is a fun, cultural, family experience you won’t want to miss. Indulge in authentice Greek cuisine like souvlaki, gyros and baklava while floating on the calm waters of the Bayou St. John. For more information, please visit www.greekfestnola.com.