Be it live music, the visual arts, dance, film or theater, New Orleans knows how to entertain guests. The city is one great stage, and visitors need not just watch the show but participate as costumed players.
There is great live music happening every night of the week in New Orleans, which makes a strong claim to being the best live-music city in the nation. Jazz is definitely not the only genre on offer: R&B, rock, country, Cajun, zydeco, funk, soul, hip-hop and genre-defying experimentation are all the norm.
The city of New Orleans has been actively using the arts as a means of revitalizing neighborhoods and building cachet with ‘creative class’ travelers – the ones who come to a destination looking for a local aesthetic. In many ways, the city has always been a bit of an arts colony, and creativity comes naturally to its citizens.
Many New Orleanians came here as aspiring artists, attracted by a low cost of living vis a vis cities like New York and Los Angeles. But climbing rents and low job prospects – not just art jobs, but the day jobs that put a roof over one’s head – have combined to make conditions not as welcoming as they once were for the artistically inclined.
THEATER
New Orleans has a strong theatrical bent; numerous local theater companies and a few large theatrical venues for touring productions frequently stage shows. Broadway blockbusters cross the boards at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Student plays are often performed at the University of New Orleans (
%504-280-7469; www.uno.edu; 2000 Lakeshore Dr) and Tulane University’s Lupin Theatre.
In Faubourg Marigny, improv comedy can be found at the New Movement Theater, while Cafe Istanbul in the Healing Center hosts performances ranging from indie to classics. The Mudlark Theater in the Bywater hosts performance art, fringe shows and, occasionally, giant puppet extravaganzas.
FILM
New Orleans has a few quality cinemas scattered about; our favorites are Prytania Theatre and the Broad Theater. Indie films are sporadically screened in some bars and clubs; check www.bestofneworleans.com for the latest events.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is a respected, musician-owned and operated symphony based out of the Orpheum Theater. In the spring, the Birdfoot Festival is a lovely little party that celebrates chamber music in small venues across town.
DANCE
The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA; %504-522-0996; www.nobadance.com; tickets $30-75) usually runs a few productions annually. The season is short and fleshed out with presentations by visiting dance companies from around the world. Performances are primarily held at the Mahalia Jackson Theater and Nocca (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts; www.nocca.com). For contemporary dance, see what’s on at Nocca.
OPERA
The New Orleans Opera (%504-529-2278; www.neworleansopera.org; tickets $30-125) remains an important part of local culture. Productions are held at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
French Quarter Tourist-oriented entertainment, with a smattering of venues that have genuine local flavor.
Faubourg Marigny and Bywater Fantastic concentration of live music, plus avant-garde galleries and theater.
CBD & Warehouse District A few large concert halls and a handful of mid- or small-sized gig spots.
Garden, Lower Garden and Central City Neighborhood bars and corner dives occasionally feature live music acts.
Uptown and Riverbend University-oriented arts scene and a few music spots and bars-cum-venues, many with a student vibe.
Mid-City, Bayou St John and City Park Again, neighborhood bars that often have live music at least a few nights a week.
Tremé-Lafitte Locals-oriented options and bars that feature live music and dancing.
d.b.a. Consistently great live music nightly.
Hi Ho Lounge Eclectic schedule, funky shows.
AllWays Lounge Oddball shows and friendly bartenders.
Maple Leaf Bar Student-y spot for Uptown’s best shows.
Marigny Opera House Live dance and eclectic performance art.
Tipitina’s Legendary spot for a live show Uptown.
Mardi Gras The party more than earns its reputation as the best free show on Earth.
Frenchmen Street The city’s most concentrated live-music strip is a show unto itself.
Bayou Boogaloo A bucolic Bayou St John setting girded by a fantastic music lineup.
Barkus Parade It’s a parade of dogs in cute costumes! What more do you need?
Second Lines These brass-band-led neighborhood parades are a peek into New Orleans backstreet culture.
Blue Nile Hip-hop and dance-hall acts regularly take the stage at the Nile.
Siberia Bounce shows and serious booty-shaking are a regular occurrence.
Maison Younger hip-hop acts attract the college crowd at this Frenchmen venue.
Dragon’s Den A wide mix of genres and talent, but hip-hop often features.
Spotted Cat A cozy dive bar that hosts some of the funkiest jazz acts in the city.
Snug Harbor Elegant bar with cocktail attire–style service and classy acts.
Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub Live jazz in a tiny venue where you’re never more than ten feet from the performers.
Three Muses Dinner and jazz come together at this intimate Frenchmen St venue.
Preservation Hall The guardians of the classic New Orleans jazz sound.
Chickie Wah Wah A locals’ spot that features great music in the heart of Mid-City.
d.b.a. Live music pops off all the time, and the beer menu is extensive to boot.
Spotted Cat A fantastically dingy Frenchmen St dive for the quintessential New Orleans jazz show.
Tipitina’s One of the city’s most storied concert halls.
Hi Ho Lounge An edgy little spot for a wide variety of music.
AllWays Lounge The place to go for an eclectic mix of genres and dance parties.
Siberia Heavy metal, punk and singer-songwriter nights keep Siberia red hot.
One Eyed Jacks One of the best live performance venues in the French Quarter.
Checkpoint Charlie A little bar that hosts some big noise on its dark, intimate stage.
Saturn Bar Wild acts tear down the roof in this oddball, artsy venue.
Banks Street Bar A neighborhood bar that isn’t afraid to bring the rock.
Rock ‘N’ Bowl A zydeco dance party tears up this bowling alley on Thursday nights.
Jazz Fest Hit up the fais-do-do tent for a foot-stomping Cajun dance party.
French Quarter Festival Zydeco acts are a regular feature of this free music festival.
Bayou Boogaloo Nothing like some Cajun dance tunes to accompany a perfect day on the water.
Maple Leaf Bar Get funky with the student crowd at the Leaf’s famous zydeco parties.