Fun with Festivals, Block Parties & Receptions!

Happy Saturday Everybody - (hope you didn't get gored by one of those crazy bulls this morning!!)

Here's some fun stuff going on today!

Celebrate Hispanic Summer Fest in Kenner Laketown (where Williams Blvd. meets the Lake)!! This fun event celebrates Latin heritage and its rich culture, cuisine and music. The Fest is From 3:00 to 11:00 p.m., and features activities for the entire family. Live music, dances and crafts are all on the agenda. The festival food will include Hispanic cuisine and refreshments. The musical lineup includes Fito Blanko — Team Pitbull, Monchy y Nathalia and La Gran Banda, all from Honduras. Everyone is invited to the FREE fest - but please leave your ice chests at home.

This afternoon is the Feast of St. Henry Reunion and Block Party at St. Henry's Church (812 Gen Pershing).  The reunion begins with a vigil Mass at 3:00 pm and stay on for the party with FREE food, sno-balls, Lucky Dogs, beer and soft drinks....and music by J Monque'D Blues Band from 4:00  to 7:00 pm.  It is a FREE event, but your donations will be appreciated - go out and have a good time!

Celebrate Bastille Day with a block party over on Esplanade and Ponce de Leon!  This annual celebration hosted by the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association kicks off  at 5:00 pm with food, wine, and of course music by Cindy Scott and Don Vappie and the Tupelo Honeys and The High Ground Drifters....Make sure to be there by 5:30 pm for the singing of La Marseillaise with Cindy Scott - "Allons Enfants!!"

Head on to the Quarter today for lots of fun!!  The Louisiana Music Factory (210 Decatur) has two FREE in-store shows with Olga at 2:00 pm, and Scott Schmidt at 3:00 pm - don't forget to buy a CD while your there...they have the best selection in town!

And you have two chances this weekend to celebrate the closing exhibition at the Historic New Orleans Collection (533 Royal St.) This weekend marks the final days for The Threads of Memory: Spain and the United States (El Hilo de la Memoria: España y los Estados Unidos), the traveling exhibition chronicling Spain’s discovery and colonization of the New World. Before the materials leave American soil and return to the Archive of the Indies in Seville, The Collection will host closing receptions with Galvez Riverfront Restaurant today and Sunday. The receptions will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. both nights and guests will have an opportunity to view the exhibition and enjoy Spanish-Creole fare by chef Laura Cedillo. Both receptions and the exhibition are FREE and open to the public.

Have a great Saturday and for more good music going on around town be sure to check out the WWOZ Livewire!