November in New Orleans!

  Tweet  

New Orleans, LA -
November is such a great time of the year and it happens to be my favorite month... not just because it's my birthday month, but because it's filled with so many fun activities and more than a few of my favorite, yet lesser known events in the city. From the Mirlton Festival in the Bywater to the Bayou Classic football game, it all happens in November and the cooler temperatures are a plus for visitors and locals alike!

If you missed the Mirlton Festival in the Bywater in early November, then I recommend going early to the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival on Sunday November 20, from 10 am – 7 pm.

This year, New Orleans celebrates its second contemporary art biennial event- Prospect 2. This international artistic event is held all over the city, which is one of the reasons I'm so fond of it. Prospect 2 showcases many of our most interesting neighborhoods (not just the most popular ones) and the vibe is distinctly different everywhere you go. That's one of the great things about this city, though I readily admit I'm more than just a little biased. I also happen to be very partial to a work of art by Joyce J. Scott at Tulane. Not that my husband, James Vella, was part of the production, but Scott's captivating image really made me stop and think. I don't want to say too much about this beaded work of art hanging high in a tree, as you need to make your way to Tulane and experience it in person. Other biennial highlights include work from local artists who currently live and work in New Orleans-artists such as Dan Tague, Dawan DeDeaux and Bruce Davenport, Jr. just to name a few. Prospect 2 will be on view (city-wide) through January 29, 2012. For more information on this exciting event, visit prospectneworleans.org.

This year, the State Farm Bayou Classic is really stepping it up...as in HIGH STEPPING that simply can't be beat! Traditionally, this big time battle of the bands and Greek Show between Southern University Human Jukebox and the World famous Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band is a sell out...and this year, spectators will be treated to the first annual Thanksgiving Day Parade from the Mercedes- Benz Super Dome to the French Market, Thursday November 24, at 4 pm. So, if you can't wrangle a ticket for Friday night's event, you'll still have an opportunity to see these two great schools perform on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, Saturday is the big game at the Super Dome and tickets will be hard to come by, but ticket or not, you'll be able to enjoy all the festivities at the Fan Festival at Champion Square before and after the game. Check out mybayouclassic.com for more detailed information.

If you missed the Mirlton Festival in the Bywater in early November, then I recommend going early to the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival on Sunday November 20, from 10 am – 7 pm. If you are a Po-Boy connoisseur, this one's for you. If a hoagie, sub or French bread sandwich makes more sense, this "po-boy" festival is for you, too, so don't miss it! I was fortunate enough to be a judge last year, and let me tell you... it was one of the hardest choices I've ever had to make. But you be the judge and try to pick from the more than 40 venues that have anywhere from two to four different po-boys each! These aren't just our local po'boy places, but some of the VERY best restaurants in town, like the Palace Café, Emeril's Delmonico, Jacques-Imo's, Dickie Brennan Steakhouse, GW Fins, Red Fish Grill and more! For more information about the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, including the musical line-up, check out poboyfest.com.

So November may be a planning month for December's events for you, but in New Orleans, it's just another great time of the year to celebrate the unique culture of New Orleans; from art to sports, po'boys and so much more, the "city that never sleeps" always has an open invitation for you! So, come join in our camaraderie and help us give thanks for the blessing that is New Orleans, especially in November! Happy Thanksgiving everyone...and may you always feel at home in New Orleans...any time of the year!