EVENTS TO WATCH
Concerns over the coronavirus wiped out Baton Rouge’s spring event roster. Some events were canceled with the possibility of being rescheduled for later this year. Are we in for a busy summer or fall? Here are a few canceled spring events to keep an eye on.
FESTIVALS
Mid City West Fest: This inaugural festival featuring Electric Depot and Circa 1857 vendors was poised to be one of the most exciting new offerings this year. Since announcing the event would be postponed, organizers have kept the Facebook feed active with video updates from some of the shops and creatives involved. Find the event on Facebook
Ebb & Flow Festival: The Arts Council’s spring ode to music, poetry, dance, and culinary and visual arts was set to feature musicians like Rockin Dopsie Jr. and Justin Garner, as well as art and food pop-ups. Look for programming updates on the downtown event’s website. ebbandflowbr.org
Baton Rouge Blues Festival: Nearly 40 musicians were on the lineup for one of the Capital Region’s largest annual fests. Until a new date is announced, the Blues Fest has been holding livestreams of artist sets on social media. batonrougebluesfestival.org
Laissez-Faire Wine Fest: The city’s first natural-wine-centered event was originally set to connect winemakers with guests at Pointe-Marie this April. A new date has not yet been announced. laissezfairewinefest.com
OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES
Perkins Rowe canceled its Rock N Rowe concerts through May 7. Live After 5 also postponed its spring lineup of March, April and May concerts. But both groups took to social media to stream live performances of local artists, and Live After 5 even created a Spotify playlist with tunes from its musicians. Find the events on Facebook
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Wearin’ of the Green Parade: The parade was the first major Baton Rouge event to be canceled due to coronavirus concerns back in mid March. Organizers promised to postpone to later in the year—rather than cancel—its St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Find the event on Facebook
Friends of the LSU Libraries Book Bazaar: The annual book sale, which boasts a collection of more than 70,000 unique books, records and more, has said it will reschedule for later in 2020. Find Friends of the LSU Libraries on Facebook
Gourmet in the Garden: Whenever LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens reopens, guests can hopefully look forward to a new date for this outdoor dinner party prepared by local chefs and mixologists. lsu.edu/botanic-gardens
Hot Art Cool Nights: Mid City’s May art hop has been canceled, but Mid City Merchants promises to make White Light Night, its sister event in November, the best yet. midcitymerchantsbr.org
Fur Ball: Planned for mid May, Companion Animal Alliance will now push its fun, fashionable pet-friendly gala to later in the year. furballbr.org
Duck Derby: The Knock Knock Children’s Museum’s signature spring fundraiser has been postponed until Aug. 23. The event sees thousands of rubber ducks race downstream at the City Park Golf Course. Attendees can support the museum by “adopting” ducks. knockknockmuseum.org
MAY EVENTS TO WATCH
May 8-10
Originally set for early April, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival was tentatively rescheduled to early May. If the event continues, it will give farmers an opportunity to share their spring bounty of Louisiana strawberries. Find the event on Facebook
May 16-17
The Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival’s Facebook group has stayed active this spring, buzzing with conversation about soul food in general. But no official announcement about the event had been published at press time. Find the event on Facebook
May 30
The Gin Blossoms are booked to headline the Baton Rouge Oyster Festival. The music and food festival also gives 20 different local restaurants a platform to serve their take on oysters. batonrougeoyster-festival.com
Farmers markets
The Red Stick Farmers Market launched a drive-thru edition on Thursdays at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Saturdays in downtown Baton Rouge to keep vendors and customers connected but safe. The new Market at The Oasis on Saturdays in Shenandoah has also continued with increased safety measures. Find the markets on Facebook
Mid City Makers Market
This month’s May 8 market was originally scheduled to coincide with the now-canceled Hot Art Cool Nights. If the market ends up also canceled, watch for another possible pop-up of its Quarantined Edition. On the day of last month’s canceled market, it posted links to maker sales and behind-the-scenes videos on Instagram. midcitymakersmarket.com
All month
• Celebrate the works of two local artistic powerhouses, mixed media artist Randell Henry and the late Louisiana sculptor Frank Hayden, at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum. Henry’s exhibition, “Soulful Journey,” continues until June 28. The Hayden exhibition “Lift Every Voice,” continues until October. lasm.org
• Commemorating the LSU Museum of Art’s 15-year anniversary at the Shaw Center for the Arts, it’s celebrating art collecting in Baton Rouge. “Living with Art: Selections from Baton Rouge Collections” showcases works from nine private collections. It continues until June 14. lsumoa.org
May 2
In need of locally created art or even handmade jewelry? Spend the morning at the monthly Baton Rouge Arts Market, held in conjunction with the Saturday Red Stick Farmers Market between Fifth and Main streets downtown, 8 a.m.-noon. artsbr.org
May 3
Baton Rouge Gallery’s Sundays@4 series presents Louisiana poet John Warner Smith discussing his four collections of poetry. batonrougegallery.org
Until May 17
Can’t go to outerspace anytime soon? Head over the Louisiana Art & Science Museum for “Astral Visions” to see how local astrophotographer Connor Matherne used high-tech equipment to capture the beauty of galaxies and nebulae. lasm.org
May 30
Support local artists and creative businesses as N The Art Space hosts its 2020 Art Event, with open studios, live music, food and more. ntheartspace.net
May 1
The Spanish Moon is presenting Shreveport natives Seratones at Mid City Ballroom, bringing Southern musicality combined with garage rock. midcityballroom.com
May 9
If you’re a sucker for sub pop, check out Philadelphia rock band Man Man as it takes the stage at Mid City Ballroom. midcityballroom.com
May 16
Check out Florida natives Jesse Harman, Jack Studer, AJ Fox and Spooky Fidler as they come together as the West King String Band, performing at Dyson House Listening Room’s show at Zeeland Street Market. dysonhouselr.com
May 23
Be entertained by Casey Kelly and Leslie Ellis as they perform at the Red Dragon Listening Room with opener Ganey Arsement. Find the event on Facebook.
May 30
Baton Rouge rock band Orange Joe is planning a farewell show with special guests Neutral Snap at the Varsity Theatre. varsitytheatre.com
