Performing Arts

For a relatively small city, New Orleans has a remarkably vibrant and varied performing-arts community. While there are many traditional performance venues around town, one of the most exciting movements in recent years is the fringe theater action along St. Claude Avenue, in the Bywater neighborhood. The annual Infringe Fest brings pop-up performances in November, but there are also permanent venues in the area hosting performances all year round.

A great source for concert and event information is WWOZ, the jazz and heritage community radio station, which broadcasts worldwide over the Internet at www.wwoz.org. Local musicians, music historians, and personalities make up the all-volunteer corps of DJs, and they broadcast live 24/7 out of the French Quarter.

For more detailed event listings, check out Gambit Weekly (www.bestofneworleans.com), the alternative weekly available free in many bars, cafés, and stores. The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate (www.nola.com), the city’s main newspaper, publishes a dedicated entertainment section. The monthly OffBeat (www.offbeat.com) magazine has in-depth coverage of local music and venues and is available at many hotels, stores, and restaurants. Very Local New Orleans (nola.verylocal.com) releases weekly content on its website covering the city's food, drink, sports, history, and entertainment scenes.