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Go 4th on the River
The annual Independence Day celebration culminates with fireworks over the Mississippi River between the French Quarter and Algiers Point at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. There will be live music and festivities at Spanish Plaza from 2-9 p.m., as well as entertainment at the Moonwalk from 5:30-9 p.m. Performers include James Andrews and the Victory Belles. There will be food trucks at the Moonwalk and Crescent Park. The fireworks will be streamed on wwltv.com and its Facebook page. For information, visit go4thontheriver.com.
Uncle Sam Jam
There’s live music, fireworks and more at the Independence celebration in Lafreniere Park in Metairie. The music lineup features Chapel Hart, Niko Moon, The Frontmen, Mad City and the Marine Forces Reserve Brass Band. There will be more than a dozen food trucks and pop-ups as well as drink vendors. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Free admission. Visit unclesamjamjefferson.com for information.
Donna Color Explosion
Hip-hop icon Juvenile hosts and headlines the Donna Color Explosion with performances by Boosie Badazz, Big Freedia, Hotboy Turk and the Big 6 Brass Band. There also will be food and drinks by Urban South and a “color explosion war” using color powders. The show also kicks off Juvenile’s national Back That Azz Up tour. Donna Color Explosion opens at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at Urban South Brewery. General admission tickets are $85 via thedonnacolorexplosion2024.eventbrite.com.
Happy 3rd of July
City Park hosts an Independence Day celebration a day early on the Goldring/Waldenberg Great Lawn. There will be patriotic music by the Marine Forces Reserve Band and fireworks over the Peristyle at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Music begins at 7:15 p.m. Visit neworleanscitypark.org for information.
The Essence Festival of Culture returns to the Caesars Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center over July 4th weekend.
New Orleans Maafa Commemoration
“Maafa” is a Swahili word meaning “horrible tragedy,” and this annual event remembers the Middle Passage and slavery in the Americas, and it honors the ancestors and survival. This year’s theme is “Radiant Rhythms” and focuses on drumming as symbols of unity and strength. Ashe Cultural Arts Center presents the event in Congo Square beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 6. Visit ashenola.org for details.
NOLA Green
Hosted by the Hip Hop Caucus and Beyond Petrochemicals, along with several environmental justice organizations, “NOLA Green: So Fresh, Seaux Clean” will feature music and discussions among Black women leading the way in fighting against industry exploitation in South Louisiana. There will be a discussion with RISE St. James founder Sharon Lavigne, The Vessel Project’s Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Healthy Gulf organizer Breon Robinson, the Deep South Center of Environmental Justice’s Beverly Wright and bounce icon Big Freedia. There’s also music by Water Seed, HaSizzle and DJ Ally BEA. NOLA Green runs noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 5, at Headquarters by Nice Guys in the CBD. Admission is free, but RSVP required via eventbrite.com.
Big Chief Donald Harrison
Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. and members of the Congo Nation are joined by guests including Deezle, BlaqNmilD, Tonya Boyd-Cannon and Choppa for a showcase of New Orleans sounds. At 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, at the Dew Drop Inn. Tickets $25-$35 via dewdropinnnola.com.
HaSizzle performs July 4 at the Dragon's Den.
HaSizzle
The unstoppable king of bounce HaSizzle recently released “It’s Only Ya Booty,” a 23-track album of songs recorded live over recent years. He celebrates the new album and 20 years of making asses bounce at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at the Dragon’s Den. You can also catch him Sunday, July 7, at the Essence Festival of Culture. Find more info on Instagram, @hasizzlethevoice.
Valerie Sassyfras
High-kicking, ebullient performer Valerie Sassyfras celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, July 3, with music, video projections, dancers and Mr. Pickle at Le Bon Temps Roule. Sassyfras will open the show with a few stories from her new book, “Horny, Lazy and Ready to Spill: Stories from the Sass Queen,” and then play a show of new songs and Sassyfras classics. Things kick off at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 via purplepass.com.
Light Up the Lake
Mandeville hosts an Independence Day celebration along Lakeshore Drive on July 3. There’s patriotic music and a performance by Tyler Kinchen & the Right Pieces. The lakefront is open for picnicking at 10 a.m., and there’s a kids tent with free games and craft activities as well as the Mande Milkshakers parade at 5 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m., and fireworks are at 8:30 p.m. Visit cityofmandeville.com for information.
Rui Gabriel
Rui Gabriel was born in Venezuela, grew up in Nicaragua and came to New Orleans for college. He is part of the post-punk band Lawn, which released three albums between 2018 and 2022. He’s since moved to Indiana, and he just released “Compassion,” an album that settles into a mellow indie rock sound with traces of ’90s alt rock. He returns to New Orleans for a show at Saturn Bar. The Convenience and Sharks’ Teeth also perform. At 9 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the show via thesaturnbar.com.
The short film is a celebration of Black New Orleans culture and the people who live and make it.
Sierra Green and the Giants
Vocalist Sierra Green and her band established themselves performing at Frenchmen Street venues. They just released “Here We Are,” a soul and R&B album with nods to Motown and Memphis. The group headlines a Free Fridays show at Tipitina’s. Sporty’s Brass Band opens at 9 p.m. July 5. Free admission. Find information at tipitinas.com.
Old Fashioned 4th of July
Madisonville hosts an Independence celebration with a day of games, including cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, a pie bakeoff and more. There are fireworks at dusk. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, at the Tchefuncte riverfront near 403 St. Francis St. in Madisonville.
Rebirth Brass Band
The Rebirth Brass Band holds down its Tuesday night slot at The Rabbit Hole, but admission is free for the weekly show in July. DJ Kelly Green starts the music at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 2. Find information at rabbitholenola.com.
This year's lineup also includes The Roots, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, DJ D-Nice, Frankie Beverly & Maze and more.