It’s another exciting week of live music and cultural events to explore in New Orleans. Check out this week’s OffBeat Weekly Picks (11/2 – 11/8).
The 34th annual, Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF) returns November 2-7, 2023 in venues across the city! NOFF annually brings together 150+ films and hosts 100+ filmmakers to celebrate works of emerging and established filmmakers from New Orleans, Louisiana, the South, and beyond. Audiences get a chance to meet filmmakers in person at talkback sessions after film screenings while filmmakers get to network with each other and industry professionals flying in from both costs to discover emerging talent at our Filmmakers Conference and South Pitch Programs, both of which are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. There’s no shortage of amazing films and events during this festival, however, we found three music related films you won’t want to miss: MUSICA!, Lost Soulz and Keeping Time. For more info and the complete schedule of events, visit the NOFF website.
MJ The Musical – He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to New Orleans as MJ, the multi-Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its New Orleans premiere at the Saenger Theatre from Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – Sunday, November 12, 2023.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Concert Series presents the legendary jazz trumpeter Leroy Jones in concert at 8pm on Friday, November 3, 2023, at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. Jones is known to music lovers as the “keeper of the flame” for traditional New Orleans jazz and to critics as one of the top musicians ever produced by the Crescent City. Jones has been a critical figure in the history of New Orleans music. A member of the New Orleans Jazz Hall of Fame, he is widely credited with restoring interest in the brass band tradition of New Orleans. Jones has performed on every continent at prestigious theaters, festivals and jazz clubs, has made numerous television appearances and is a regular at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest and the Satchmo Summerfest. He has appeared on numerous recordings with other artists such as Dr. John, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Anders Osborne and many, more others. Tickets are $10, available here. The concert will also be be livestreamed here.
Dark Synth / Post Punk duo Twin Tribes will perform at House of Blues on Friday, November 3 at 8 p.m. with Bootblacks and Urban Heat. The band is heavily influenced by goth and new wave movements of the 80’s. yet somehow weaves the dark melodic sounds of Dark Wave, Post-Punk and Cold Wave together with analog synthesizers and drum machines into something uniquely modern. The band formed in 2017 in Brownsville, Texas and features Luis Navarro (vocals, guitar, synth, drum machines) and Joel Niño, Jr. (bass, synth, vocals). They have been touring extensively since 2018 in support of their five full length releases and numerous singles. Tickets start at $17.00 and are available here.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation also presents Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and songwriter, Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown, in concert on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart Street). Doors open at 7pm and the concert begins promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10, available here. Seating is limited, so please register in advance. All proceeds from this concert series directly support the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.
Celebrate south Louisiana culture during Swamp Fête at Audubon Zoo! Cajun and Zydeco music, dancing, a Cajun menu served in the Cypress Knee Café, and native Louisiana animals highlight this family-fun event at the Zoo on November 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Swamp Fête will be held during regular Zoo hours (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) with last entry at 4 p.m. It is included with Zoo admission or Audubon Nature Institute Membership. The event features live music from numerous bands including Roots Of Music, Lost Bayou Ramblers, T’Monde and others. For more information or to purchase tickets go here.
‘Mia x Ally’ is the electrifying duo project of electric violinist Mia Asano and bagpiper/multi instrumentalist Ally the Piper. With a combined following of over 6 million people, both musicians officially joined forces in April 2022 after discovering their love of performing together, and a number of their duo videos resulted in viral online demand for their continued collaboration. Playing both original songs and covers of pop rock and metal music with a Celtic twist, Mia x Ally made their debut in Boston in August of 2022, playing two sold-out shows and later went on to tour the East and Midwest on the “Shipping up to Boston tour” named after their viral cover of the Dropkick Murphys classic. Finding a shared desire to bring their unique instruments to the forefront of metal, rock and pop music, Mia x Ally care deeply about breaking boundaries encircling two instruments rooted so deeply in tradition. Both being classically trained musicians from a young age, the two share a dream of showcasing the vast range of their instruments’ capabilities that span multiple genres and techniques. They will be celebrating their new release by performing Sunday, November 5, at 8 p.m. at House of Blues. You can learn more and purchase your tickets here.
Weekly Picks (11/2 – 11/8)
