This weekend, Bayou St. John gets one more hit before it’s slower summer/fall/winter season with the B-o-o-g-a-l-o-o. Go to that, but go to these things, too:
FRIDAY, 5/17
Clybourne Park(8 p.m.) : Tonight marks the regional premier of the 2012 Broadway hit (stocks and all) at the ShadowboxTheatre on St Claude Ave. The play is Bruce Norris’ original response to Lorraine Hansberry’s famous "A Raisin in the Sun," and is a production of the Cripple CreekTheatreCompany (Threepenny Opera, Lysistrata, Balm in Gilead). This show has many firsts: not only is it the regional premier, it is company member Francesk’aMeckenzie’s directorial debut. Inside sources (Facebook) say that online sales for opening weekend are already sold out, but there are are limited number of door sale tickets, so come en avance to try and snag a seat. And if all else fails, the play runs through June 23.
Beasts of the Southern Wild (8 p.m.): Ever heard of it? A little movie that made big moves comes back for a local (outdoor) screening at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Nominated for many an Oscar, director BenhZeitlin and his Court 13crew still await a win, which perhaps will come with their next picture. The New Orleans Film Society brings "Beasts" to the museum’s sculpture garden; if it rains (which is unlikely), pencil in Tuesday, May 21 for the reschedule.
SATURDAY, 5/11:
Django(7:45 p.m.):This event was rained out last week, but it is back on track, so we pay respects:
The New Orleans Film Society continues to up the outdoor screening ante, from rooftops to sculpture gardens to the Old U.S. Mint, but what about the world famous, textbook-taught Piazza D’Italia, found right in the heart of the CBD? If you haven’t been, this art-deco classic is a sight to behold, day or night, especially with the original 1966 Django projects on its walls. NOFS is co-presenting this event along with the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans as part of the 2013 Euro-American Celebration (which runs through Sunday). BYOB(lanket), but no dollars necessary.
SUNDAY, 5/12:
Birdfoot(12 p.m.): They say Chamber music is the Jazz of Classical, and seeing/hearing is believing at the New Orleans Birdfoot Festival. First of all, what a name! Birdfoot is named after the infamous shape of the mouth of the Mississippi river, and takes place over the course of ten days in various locations all over the city, from the JCC to Frenchmen St. to Tulane U. Sunday marks the festival’s "Musical Feast" at the Madewood Plantation House in Napoleonville, LA. Chef Stephen Stryjewski (of Cochon and James Beard fame) delivers the goods, while guests wander the historic property and rub shoulders with musicians before and after performances. Check out the full Birdfoot program here.