OffBeat Magazine

Dew Drop Inn — Resistance and Resilience, a new documentary from Michael Murphy Productions, will make its world premiere at the 37th New Orleans Film Festival, taking place Oct. 22-27. Directed by Michael Murphy and produced by Cilista Eberle, the film chronicles the history and legacy of New Orleans’ legendary Dew Drop Inn, founded in 1939 by Black entrepreneur Frank Painia.

New Orleans will get a new celebration of Italian and Sicilian food and culture this fall with the inaugural Carla Pesono’s Taste of Italy, presented by The Italian Barrel. The all-inclusive, 21-and-over event is set for Thursday, October 8, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fulton Street between Lafayette and Poydras Streets, adjacent to Caesars New Orleans. Carla Pesono is a former television news anchor, MasterChef Season 13 Top 40 contestant, entrepreneur, and founder of CarlaMedia.

A new work of documentary theater with live music, Flamboyants!, will explore the intersections of Creole culture and identity across three geographically distant communities: New Orleans, Réunion Island and Puerto Rico. Created by the Tilawcis Collective and featuring New Orleans Black Masking Indian Big Chief Juan Pardo, the production is embarking on a seven-week U.S. tour this fall, with 23 performances in 10 cities across six states.

The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) will open its 2026–27 Main Stage Season with the return of audience favorite Pilobolus on Saturday, Oct.17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Known around the world for its inventive approach to movement, Pilobolus combines contemporary dance, physical theater, visual illusion and playful storytelling.

The 10th annual A Taste of the Deep South Festival will return to Baton Rouge Sept. 19 and 20, bringing two days of live music, food, vendors and family-friendly activities to the EBRPL-Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard. The main festival is free and open to the public. The festivities will begin with a Sept. 17 pre-party at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, featuring Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor, the Listening Room All-Stars and special guest artists from around the country.

The Tip-It Foundation is once again Tipitina’s Foundation. The New Orleans organization, established in 2018 following Galactic’s acquisition of Tipitina’s, is returning to the name associated with its original mission of supporting the city’s music, culture and heritage. The name change comes as the Foundation prepares for a busy fall, with a benefit concert, the return of its youth music education program and the announcement of a new documentary marking Tipitina’s 50th anniversary in 2027.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser have announced the return of the 9th Annual Improvisations Gala, taking place Saturday, December 5, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. For the fifth consecutive year, the gala will be presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation. General admission tickets are currently available for an Early Bird price of $125 from September 1-30, a $25 savings off the regular price. Tickets are available at bit.ly/2026improvgala.

New Orleans’ annual celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, Southern Decadence, returns this Labor Day weekend, bringing five days of parties, performances, dancing, drag, community events and more to the French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods. Now in its 54th year, Southern Decadence runs Thursday, September 3 through Monday, September 7.

For 15 years, Flash Mob New Orleans has been bringing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to life around Halloween, and the annual tradition returns this fall with a five-week workshop open to dancers of all ages and experience levels. Hosted by Anne Burr Dance Studio, the 15th Annual Thriller Halloween Workshop begins Saturday, September 5, and runs through October 31.

The Backstreet Cultural Museum is seeking community support to professionally digitize its extensive archive of historic film footage captured by museum founder and cameraman Sylvester “Hawk” Francis from the 1970s through 2016. The collection offers a rare visual record of New Orleans traditions and culture, including Mardi Gras Indians, social aid and pleasure club second lines, jazz funerals, skull and bone gangs and Baby Dolls.