BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS COMMEMORATION: The 209th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans will be marked Jan. 5, 6 and 8 at Chalmette Battlefield, 8606 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. Friday and Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and will feature living history demonstrations, musket and cannon firing and more. A wreath-laying ceremony will be Monday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. www.nps.gov
REX DEN SHOWING: The Friends of the Cabildo Rex Den open house will give access to see the floats before they roll on Mardi Gras. The event will be Jan. 13, 1-2:30 p.m., at 2531 S. Claiborne Ave. in New Orleans. Tickets are $30 for members; $40 for their guests. friendsofthecabildo.org
WINTER COAT DRIVE: Jefferson Performing Arts Society and Jefferson Parish Schools are sponsoring a drive through Feb. 4. Coats for ages 4 to 14 can be donated at Westwego Cultural Center 177 Sala Ave. in Westwego Jan. 25-Feb. 4, one hour before showtimes. Details at www.jpas.org.
ALGIERS MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL: The free family fun festival will take place Jan. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Federal City, promoting cultural diversity. www.algiersmardigrasfest.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS
GRIEFSHARE SEMINAR: This seminar, open to all who have lost a spouse to death, will be held Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to noon, at Christian Fellowship Church, 5049 Ehret Road in Marrero. It will include a video, group discussion and a participant guide. The cost is $7; register by calling (504) 347-4875.
FAMILY HEALTH EXPO: The Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's free health fair will be on Jan. 13, 10 a.m., at Sarah T. Reed High School, 5316 Michoud Blvd. in New Orleans. The event will include food, entertainment, legal consultations for expungements and more, along with health screenings, including vision, blood pressure, dental, diabetes and hearing. slwinston@bellsouth.net.
BLOOD DRIVE: St. Pius X Catholic Church will hold its next blood drive Jan. 14, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in the school gym, 6600 Spanish Blvd. in New Orleans. Donors will receive a mini health exam for blood pressure, iron, cholesterol and temperature.
CULTURE AND CONCERTS
JAZZ & HERITAGE CONCERT SERIES: The 2024 lineup of concerts, sponsored by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, includes Gladney on Jan. 5; Stephen Lands on Jan. 6; Jasen Weaver Sextet on Jan. 12; Christien Bold on Jan. 13; James Singleton Malabar on Jan. 19; and Roland Guerin on Jan. 20. All concerts will be held at 8 p.m. the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans. Tickets are $10 through Eventbrite. www.jazzandheritage.org
HAITI-LOUISIANA: TIDES OF FREEDOM: A new exhibit sponsored by the Historic BK House & Gardens and the Nous Foundation will feature two collections, the Jacques Bartoli Collection of Contemporary Haitian Art on loan from the Haitian Resource Development Fund in Miami and original commissions from eight Haitian and Louisiana artists . The exhibit runs Jan. 12 through March 17 at the Historic BK House & Gardens, 1113 Chartres St. in New Orleans. $10 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 and under. www.bkhouse.org
FRIENDS OF THE CABILDO CONCERTS: The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. will perform Jan. 12, 7 p.m., at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave. in New Orleans. Tickets are $35. friendsofthecabildo.org
HISTORY OF CARNIVAL: Friends of the Cabildo will present a virtual four-part series on the history of Carnival. Karen Leathem will speak on “The Origins of Carnival Day to Modern Day” on Jan. 15; Kim Vaz-Deville, “African American Carnival: Origins and Thriving Today,” on Jan. 16; Frank Perez, “New Orleans Gay Carnival,” and Doug McCash, “Evolution of Mardi Gras Throws,” on Jan. 18; and Karen Leathem, “Satire and Folk Carnival” on Jan. 22. All talks begin at 6 p.m. Cost is $50. friendsofthecabildo.org
RHAPSODY IN BLUE: The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will pay tribute to New Orleans civil rights icons Edgar “Dooky” Chase Jr. and Leah Chase on Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m., on the Orpheum Theater’s main stage, 129 Roosevelt Way in New Orleans. The program features works by Duke Ellington, including The River Suite and Satin Doll. Edgar and Leah Chase’s granddaughter, Chase Kamata, will perform vocal solos. Tickets start at $28. www.lpomusic.com.
BOOKS
'THE RACISM OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU:' Author Samira Mehta will discuss and sign her book and take audience questions on Jan. 11, 6 p.m., at Blue Cypress Books, 8123 Oak St. in New Orleans. www.bluecypressbooks.com
'THE FETISHIST:' Writers Kayla Min Andrews and Maurice Carlos Ruffin will discuss the final book of Katherine Min (Andrews' mother) on Jan. 16, 6 p.m., at Blue Cypress Books, 8123 Oak St. in New Orleans. An audience Q&A and book signings will follow. www.bluecypressbooks.com
WRITE-ALONG: Authors Jami Attenberg and Katy Simpson Smith will lead an interactive writing experience inspired by Attenberg’s newest book, "1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round," on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at Blue Cypress Books, 8123 Oak St. in New Orleans. The event will include an audience Q&A, followed by a book signing. Tickets start at $10 through Eventbrite.,
'THE WITCHING YEAR: A MEMOIR OF EARNEST FUMBLING THROUGH MODERN WITCHCRAFT:' Author Diana Helmuth will discuss and sign her book and answer audience questions on Jan. 29, 6 p.m. at Blue Cypress Books, 8123 Oak St. in New Orleans. www.bluecypressbooks.com
SCHOLARSHIPS
WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: Applications are being accepted through Jan. 8 for the Junior League of New Orleans Woman Entrepreneur Fellowship presented by Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R., a yearlong program supporting female business owners with funding, mentorship and in-kind support. Up to six finalists will meet individually with a growth consulting firm to craft a 10-minute pitch, and a judging panel will select the 2024 Fellow. The 2024 Fellow also will receive a $5,000 cash grant. www.jlno.org.
FUNDRAISERS/GALAS
NOTCF HONORS GALA: The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund will host a gala on Jan. 13, 7-11 p.m., at The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd, in New Orleans. The event honors eight cultural artists in the six sectors that NOTCF supports: entertainment, culinary arts, literary arts & humanities, preservation, visual arts and design. It will include a patron party, live entertainment, a chef curated menu and dessert reception. Tickets start at $500 through Eventbrite. notcf.com/honors-gala
CLASSES
LEARNING BEFORE LUNCH: Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of "We Cast a Shadow" and "The American Daughters," will be the speaker on Jan. 11 at UNO’s Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center, 2000 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastry, and the presentation begins at 10 a.m. Membership is $25 per person, $30 per double/couple or a $5 donation for an event. www.learningbeforelunch.com
MEETINGS
NARFE: The Vernon L. Landry Chapter 1398 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees will hold its monthly luncheon Jan. 10, beginning at 11 a.m., in the Sicilian Room at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant & Bar, 613 W. St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. All active and retired federal and postal employees are invited to attend. pamela.e.marks1953@gmail.com
REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB OF JEFFERSON PARISH: The organization’s January luncheon will include a K-9 demonstration with Keith Conley, Kenner Police chief, and a presentation by Laura Rodrigue, founder of the Bayou Mama Bears. The meeting will be held Jan. 18 at Metairie Country Club, 580 Woodvine Ave. in Metairie. Registration and networking at 11 a.m.; lunch and program at 11:45 a.m. Reservations at rwc.jeffparish@gmail.com.