Ich bin so glücklich — October is in full swing and that means a bunch of fun things happening in the Crescent City, especially when it comes to a big time at Deutsches Haus. Prost!
The first of three weekends of Bavaria’s bounty at 1700 Moss St. across from City Park for OKTOBERFEST. The celebration of German culture and heritages takes off on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. starting this weekend through Oct. 25. Enjoy brats, sauerkraut, pretzels, schnitzel and strudel (plus more) with a hearty sample of German beers, wines and schnapps. And don’t forget chicken dancing (or dancing chickens), oompah music, stein holding contests and a hearty supply of souvenirs. Admission is $10. Raise a stein to a real good time here.
The vibrant and vivid culture of Japan will be in full focus Saturday when the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Japan Club in New Orleans and the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville stage JAPAN FEST from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum in City Park. Japanese cuisine, performance groups, martial arts and tours of the museum’s items will be part of the day, plus vendors will be offering items for sale. Tickets for the fest are $10 for the day of activities. Sample the information on the fun here.
Face it: it has one of the best queen’s crowns in all of Louisiana festivals and it all happens this weekend in Westwego for THE GUMBO FESTIVAL at the Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market, 484 Sala Ave., from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. There’s plenty of great food, entertainment and a midway full of carnival rides, plus Miss Creole Gumbo Kristen Richard and King Creole Gumbo Dwayne J. “Poncho” Munch, chief of the Westwego Police. Admission is $5, with rides $30 pay one price. Get a taste for what the festival has to offer here.
“Novelty and Nostalgia” are the theme for the 10th anniversary season of the CRESCENT CITY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL starting Friday at 7 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Jackson Avenue in the Garden District, the first of the series of free concerts, school performances and much more than run through Oct. 19. Featuring the ensemble-in-residence Manhattan Chamber Players with members of the LPO and Krewe de Voix, the evening starts with a 6:30 p.m. talk and Q&A with founder Luke Fleming. Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. concert at Dixon Hall on Tulane’s campus features the jazz duo Caity Gyorgy and Mark Limacher with the MCP. The concerts continue, many at Rayne United Methodist Church on St. Charles Avenue, during the week and next weekend. Get in tune with the happenings of the fest here.
Three days of community, entertainment and “all things Gentilly” will kick off at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday for GENTILLY FEST, going on at noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Pontchartrain Park, 5701 Press Drive. From food to arts and crafts, kids’ activities to three stages of entertainment, the festival has become a source of valuable information on the neighborhood, recovery information from local organizations and a chance to visit with neighbors and pass a good time. Check out more on the festival here.
The area’s Hispanic heritage will be celebrated in high style Saturday and Sunday at ¿QUE PASA? FEST at Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Ave. in Metairie. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival features food, music and fun for all ages. Performances will include Fermin Ceballos and Merengue4, Rumba Buena, Javier Olondo & AsheSon and the Sensational Line Dance Group. Admission is $10. For more on the fun, check out the fest here.
“Prepare yourself for an experience like no other” as vendors, performances, workshops and speakers take over the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the WORLD ODDITIES EXPO from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and the NEW ORELANS TATTOO ARTS FESTIVAL from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. There tattoo options available, burlesque, contests and organizers promise “a macabre and magical experience for all.” Tickets start at $20 for each. Check out the tattoos here and then check out the oddities expo here.
Enjoy food, music, auctions and more for GLEASON GRAS beginning at 8 p.m. Friday at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., as Team Gleason holds its annual fundraiser to help fight ALS. Tommy Capella will receive the inaugural Team Gleason Enduring Impact Award for his work with the organization founded by former Saints player Steve Gleason. Tickets start at $150. Get the Gleason Gras information here.
Lake Lawn Metairie is going to the dogs … and the cats and other pets for NOLA DOGS RACE TO THE RESCUE 5K RUN/WALK fundraiser to support animals in need at the cemetery Sunday starting at 8 a.m. with a dog parade with a brass band, the race followed by the annual blessing of the pets. There’s also treats and giveaways for pets and people as well. The event is hosted by Heaven’s Pets at the cemetery in partnership with NOLA Girl Charitable Giving. Get more information on the events here.
Handmade and vintage “Halloweenery” will be the order of the day at the PIETY MARKET at Hotel Peter & Paul, 2717 Burgundy St. Sunday at noon to 5 p.m. Teena May will MC a fashion show at 1 p.m. then perform live. Plus, vendors will be on hand to showcase locally made items like headpieces, costumes, accessories and more. And the usual hauntingly good body care items, clothing, food and baked goods will be on hand. Check out more here.