OffBeat Magazine

Tie-dye returns to Tipitina’s next month as the legendary Uptown venue hosts its 2nd Annual Tie-Dye Social on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly tie-dye event invites attendees to create their own colorful designs with four tie-dye package options available. Guests can also cool off with sno-balls from Imperial Woodpecker SnoBalls, grab lunch from the NOLA Patty Wagon and enjoy an afternoon celebrating one of the venue’s signature summertime traditions.

Avant-garde jazz drummer, composer and pianist Billie Davies is charting new territory with Time to Cut Loose, a new album that combines human performance with AI-assisted instrumentation while remaining rooted in recordings made in New Orleans. Set for release on September 27 via Cobra Basement, Time to Cut Loose is the latest installment in Davies’ ongoing Music for the Future series.

The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the debut of a new exhibition season and the return of its signature late-night White Linen celebration. Opening August 1, Idyll: Pleasures of Summer will be on view in the CAC’s first-floor galleries through September. The group exhibition explores themes of freedom, identity, family, community and belonging through photography, painting and sculpture by 23 New Orleans artists.

A new documentary chronicling the early days of Jimmy Buffett and his original Coral Reefer Band is headed to theaters this fall. Evan Saxon Productions has announced the North American acquisition of OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD: THE FIRST CORAL REEFERS, a feature-length documentary that traces the roots of Buffett’s iconic sound back to the freewheeling music scene of Key West in the 1970s and early ’80s.

New Orleans’ own Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars has been selected as one of six recipients of the newly revived globalFEST Touring Fund, a national initiative that helps artists offset the rising costs of touring across the United States.

The Official New Orleans Ragtime Festival has announced its 10th Anniversary celebration, taking place Oct. 1–4, 2026, at various venues across the city. Since 2016, the festival has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the vibrant legacy of ragtime music, vintage dance, and early American culture through world-class performances, educational programming, and community celebration.

The City of New Orleans is investing in the long-term sustainability of independent music venues through the new Tune-Up Grant Program, which provides technical support, sound system improvements and workforce development opportunities. The program provides participating venues with professional sound assessments conducted by faculty and students from Loyola University New Orleans’ Music Industry Studies program, along with $5,000 grants to implement recommended upgrades.

The global drinks industry returns to New Orleans as Tales of the Cocktail celebrates its 2026 conference now through July 24, bringing bartenders, distillers, brand ambassadors and hospitality professionals from around the world to the French Quarter.

Louisiana country artists Chris Pryor and Amber Lynn have received a 2026 Josie Music Award nomination for their duet “Let The Moonshine.” The song is nominated for Song of the Year – Country (Duo/Collaboration), placing the Louisiana artists among this year’s nationally recognized independent country releases. Released in November 2025, “Let The Moonshine” was written by longtime guitarist and songwriter Kenneth “Kenny” Kleinpeter and recorded by Chris Pryor featuring Amber Lynn.

Freaky Deaky NOLA will make its inaugural appearance at Mardi Gras World on Oct. 30–31, bringing a lineup led by Porter Robinson (DJ set), FISHER, Of The Trees, Chris Lorenzo and Dabin to one of the city’s most iconic venues. Presented by Disco Presents, Encore Entertainment, The Metropolitan and Amps Events, the two-day festival expands the nationally recognized Freaky Deaky brand to New Orleans, a city already renowned for its over-the-top Halloween festivities.