There are plenty of festivals, events, theater productions, concerts and more in the New Orleans area this summer. Mark you calendar for these events and check Gambit’s weekly issues, bestofneworleans.com or calendar.gambitweekly.com for details closer to the events.
June 2-5
The Overlook Film Fest
The horror film festival features an array of horror niches, from psychological thrillers to supernatural tales. “Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon,” which was shot in New Orleans, is the opening night film. Screenings and some live events are at The Prytania Theatres at Canal Place, and there are events and immersive experiences at other venues. Visit overlookfilmfest.com for schedule and details.
June 2-6
‘Bloodborne: The Red Death, an Unmasking’
The Mudlark Puppeteers reprise their original piece re-imagining Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” linking its enveloping plague to the foundations of an unjust society. At the Mudlark Public Theatre. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.
June 3
Alyssa Edwards
Alyssa Edwards appeared on season five of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and starred in the Netflix series “Dancing Queen.” Alyssa performs at Civic Theatre. Find tickets via civicnola.com.
June 3-5
Symphony Book Fair
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra brings back its fundraising book fair, featuring books, children’s books, cookbooks, CDs, DVDs, art, prints, sheet music and more. The sale is at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Visit lpomusic.com for information.
June 4-5
Komenka Ethnic Dance Spring Concert
The Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble presents its 40th Spring Concert, with works representing Spanish Basque country, Brazil, Croatia, India, Italy, Japan, Ukraine and the Appalachians. Performances are at Loyola University New Orleans’ Louis J. Roussel Hall. Find details at komenka.com.
June 5
‘Ghosts II: Gimme Danger’
Art rock band Malevitus presents an immersive theatrical performance about a spirit returning from the dead to try to inhabit a body and collect on an unpaid debt. The work also features pianist Harry Mayronne, the Sleazeball Orchestra and aerial troupe the Flying Buttresses. At The Columns Hotel. Find the ticket link on Instagram, @malevitus.
June 7-12
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
NOWFE returns with Grand Tastings at the Sugar Mill featuring hundreds of wines and food from local restaurants. Wine dinners pair visiting vintners with local chefs and restaurants. There also are seminars and events such as a burlesque brunch. Visit nowfe.com for information and tickets.
June 10
New Orleans Sidesteppers
Sword swallower, archer and vocalist Gigi DeLuxe leads her jazz band in a night of music and sideshow acts at Marigny Opera House. Find information about the band at nolasidesteppers.com.
June 10-11
Jean Lafitte Seafood Festival
The town of Jean Lafitte’s seafood festival includes live music, swamp tours, kayak rentals, amusement rides, an art walk, food vendors and more. The festival grounds are at the Jean Lafitte Auditorium and Grounds at 4953 City Park St. Find information at townofjeanlafitte.com.
June 10-12
‘Waitress’
The touring Broadway production of “Waitress,” based on the movie of the same name, comes to the Saenger Theatre. In the musical, Jenna is a waitress who’s trying to escape a bad husband and make a better life for herself — and she sees her chance when she enters a pie-baking contest. Find tickets through saengernola.com.
June 10-25
‘As You Like It’
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane opens its season with “As You Like It,” one of The Bard’s romantic comedies. Roselind, Celia, Orlando and Oliver seek refuge in the Forest of Arden for different reasons and despite confusion over disguised identities find budding love. At Tulane’s Lupin Theater. Find tickets at neworleansshakespeare.org.
June 11
NOLA Pride Parade
The NOLA Pride parade starts at PrideFest in Faubourg Marigny and circles the French Quarter, ending at St. Ann and Bourbon streets. Find information at neworleanspride.org.
June 11-12
Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
The free festival’s music lineup includes Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Express, Sean Ardoin, Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band, Soul Creole, Rosie Ledet and more. There’s also an art market and food vendors. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents the festival at Louis Armstrong Park. For information, visit jazzandheritage.org.
June 11-12
Creole Tomato Festival
The annual event in the French Market features Creole tomatoes, food, live music and more. Find information on frenchmarket.org.
June 13-23
‘Bestival’
Fat Squirrel, a new theater company, presents its first production, an evening of one-act plays by Lucy Faust, Stephanie Garrison and Bradley Warshaueur. At Bryant Park NOLA. Find tickets at fatsquirrelnola.square.site.
June 16
Rupi Kaur
Canadian poet Rupi Kaur performs her poetry set to live music at Orpheum Theater. Find tickets through orpheumnola.com.
June 16-26
‘Choir Boy’
Pharus wants to be the leader of his school’s gospel choir in the coming-of-age drama by Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the drama and screen adaptation for “Moonlight.” At Le Petit Theatre. Find tickets at lepetittheatre.com.
June 16-July 1
‘School Girls’
Set in a boarding school in Ghana, the ‘Mean Girls’-like drama follows the rivalry between Paulina and new student Ericka. Tenaj Jackson directs the show for The NOLA Project. At Loyola University New Orleans’ Marquette Theatre. Find tickets on nolaproject.com.
June 17
Nick Cannon
The comedian, actor, TV host and rapper brings his Wild ’n Out tour to the Smoothie King Center. Find tickets through smoothiekingcenter.com.
June 18
Kurtis Conner
Canadian YouTuber and online comedian Kurtis Conner performs at Orpheum Theater. Find tickets through orpheumnola.com.
June 21-July 10
‘Hamilton’
The touring production of the Broadway hit about Alexander Hamilton returns to New Orleans. Hamilton helps lead the American side in the revolution, battles his rival, Aaron Burr, and pursues the Schuyler sisters. At the Saenger Theatre. Find tickets through saengernola.com.
June 22
‘By Any Scenes Necessary: Richard III’
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane and the NOLA Project present an improv version of ‘Richard III’ by working without a script. At Tulane’s Lupin Theater. Find tickets at neworleansshakespeare.org.
June 23
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes
The comedian, actress and former NFL cheerleader performs standup at the Joy Theater. Find tickets via thejoytheater.com.
June 23-26
‘Bandstand’
Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre kicks off its summer season with the musical about veterans returning from World War II who form a band and try to win a radio contest. At Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Find tickets via liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre.
June 25
Chelcie Lynn
Actress and comedian Chelcie Lynn got noticed for the viral success of her character Trailer Trash Tammy. She performs standup at The Joy Theater. Find tickets via thejoytheater.com.
June 30-July 3
Essence Festival of Culture
Comedian Kevin Hart and Janet Jackson, New Edition, Nicki Minaj, The Isley Brothers and Jazmine Sullivan headline the entertainment lineup. Concerts are in the Caesars Superdome, and there are seminars and speakers during the daytime at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Find information and tickets at essencefestival.com.
July 4
Go 4th on the River
The Independence Day celebration features fireworks over the Mississippi River at 9 p.m. Find information at go4thontheriver.com.
July 9
Monster Jam
Monster trucks do jumps, backflips and more stunts at the motorsports entertainment event at the Caesars Superdome. Find tickets on ticketmaster.com.
July 8-10
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans
The Running of the NOLA Bulls — complete with roller bulls swinging plastic bats — highlights the local celebration inspired by the Spanish bullfighting traditions of Pamplona. There also is a party the night before the run and more. Visit nolabulls.com for information.
July 14-24
‘Mary Poppins’
Ricky Graham directs the Broadway musical version of the classic story based on P.L. Travers’ book and the popular 1964 Disney film. At Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Find tickets at rivertowntheaters.com.
July 14-17
‘Into the Woods’
Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane presents Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” a story mashing up several Brothers Grimm fairy tales. At Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Find tickets at liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre.
July 14-Sept. 18
The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience
The immersive experience in a setting inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” features cocktails, cake, riddles and more. At Barrilleaux’s Restaurant. Find tickets at explorehidden.com.
July 15
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
The Werq the World tour features drag stars Kameron Michaels, Rose, Vanessa Vanjie and Yvie Oddly from season 14 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” At the Saenger Theatre. Find tickets through saengernola.com.
July 15
‘Small Town Murder’
Comedians and podcasters James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman record an episode of their podcast examining true crime stories. At Civic Theatre. Find tickets via civicnola.com.
July 15-30
‘Henry IV, Part 1’
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane presents ‘Henry IV, Part 1.’ King Henry IV is battling rebellion, including from his son Hal, the future Henry V, and matters will be settled at the Battle of Shrewsbury. At Tulane’s Lupin Theater. Find tickets at neworleansshakespeare.org.
July 16
Tom Segura
The standup comic and host of the podcast “Your Mom’s House” performs at Saenger Theatre. Find tickets through saengernola.com.
July 17-24
New Orleans International Piano Competition and Keyboard festival
The Musical Arts Society of New Orleans’ events include its annual piano competition and recitals. The Keyboard Festival’s guest recital is by Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Find information at masno.org.
July 25-29
Tales of the Cocktail
The cocktail and spirits conference features an array of seminars, workshops, events, tasting rooms, parties and more for bartenders, spirits writers and enthusiasts. Find information at talesofthecocktail.org.
July 28
Dude Perfect
Dude Perfect is a group of men who became YouTube sensations by making basketball trick shots and doing other stunts. They’re at Smoothie King Center. Find tickets through smoothiekingcenter.com.
Aug. 4-7
‘Rent’
The rock musical features a group of young artists trying to make it in New York during the AIDS/HIV epidemic. Presented by Tulane Summer Lyric at Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Find tickets at liberalarts.tulane.edu/summer-lyric-theatre.
Aug. 5-21
‘Summer and Smoke’
The daughter of a minister, Alma Winemiller is drawn to the man who grew up next door, a doctor given to pleasure seeking. Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans presents the show at the Marigny Opera House. Find tickets via twtheatrenola.com.
Aug. 6
White Linen Night
The Arts District hosts a night of art show openings at Warehouse District galleries and museums. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art opens its Louisiana Contemporary show. Details are forthcoming on artsdistrictneworleans.com.
Aug. 6-7
Satchmo Summerfest
French Quarter Festivals presents its celebration of Louis Armstrong, with live music, seminars and more at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Find out more at satchmosummerfest.org.
Aug. 8-18
‘Dusa, Fish, Stars and Vi’
Fat Squirrel presents Pam Gems’ drama about four women sharing an apartment in London. At Bryant Park NOLA. Find tickets at fatsquirrelnola.square.site.
Aug. 13
Red Dress Run
New Orleans Hash House Harriers host the run and drinking event for people wearing red dresses. Proceeds benefit local charities and nonprofits. Register via neworleanshash.com.
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