Visit Algiers for Holiday Fun This Year!
There are lots of choices for holiday fun in New Orleans, but the most activity in one place this year will be in Algiers during the Algiers Holiday Festival and Bonfire taking place on the beautiful Algiers Riverfront Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5PM to 9PM.
The centerpiece of the Algiers Holiday Festival is the annual bonfire, which is constructed by the New Orleans Fire Department on the levee adjacent to the ferry terminal. The bonfire was a holiday tradition for many years prior to Katrina and was revived in 2010 by District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer with help from AEDF. This year’s event is presented by AEDF, the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans, as well as Councilmember Palmer and Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson. In addition to the city and state, sponsors to date include Southern Eagle Distributors, Capital One and BP.
This year’s pyre will include the burning of a massive art installation entitled FLOODWALL. Appropriately named, the piece features 700 dresser drawers that were collected by artist Jana Napoli after Hurricane Katrina and creatively documents what residents lost in the storm. The purpose of burning the art is to allow the public to participate in a final, collective release of Katrina woes. Prior to the bonfire, a section of FLOODWALL will be on display at Warren’s Corner, 600 Patterson Street (across from the Old Point Bar), for three weekends: November 19-20, November 26-27 and December 3-4.
The festival and bonfire will also feature local artists including Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, the U.S. Navy Brass Band and Glen David Andrews. A riverboat parade with Santa will precede the igniting of the bonfire at approximately 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages from local vendors will be available for sale.
“We are taking New Orleans holiday traditions in a new direction – to the West Bank of the city,” said AEDF President Chris Kane. “We have events for adults and for families throughout December, and we expect to have record people visit our community this holiday season. This is a fun way to generate economic opportunities and show off our culturally diverse historic neighborhoods.”
Holidays in Old Algiers 2011
Jana Napoli’s FLOODWALL | November 19-20, November 26-27 & December 3-4
FLOODWALL, a portion of an art installation by Jana Napoli, will be exhibited at Warren’s Corner, 600 Pelican Street. FLOODWALL has been exhibited in New Orleans, New York and Poland. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (See Bonfire above).
Have Yourself a Ferry Little Christmas | November 25
Kicking off festivities on November 25, the Friends of the Ferry will present Have Yourself a Ferry Little Christmas, which includes a lighting ceremony for the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry at 6:30 p.m., followed by a twilight cruise and a pub crawl that begins at the Dry Dock Café. The crawl will inch over a block to the Crown & Anchor English pub and then conclude with live music by Gal Holliday at the Old Point Bar.
The next day, November 26, Holidays on the Point will feature activities at businesses throughout Algiers Point.
- Learn to make your own glass-blown ornaments classes at Rosetree Glass, 446 Vallette Street. You can also buy hand-blown glass gifts for friends and family at the annual sale. Registration for classes is $35 and reservations may be made by calling 366-3602. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- Enjoy a breakfast menu with coffee on November 26 & 27, plus soup, pizza and more at Gulf Pizza, 501 Pelican Avenue. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m each day.
- Purchase a premium live Christmas tree to benefit the Hubbell Library, New Orleans’ oldest public library, at the Gulf Pizza location. Baked goods, gifts, local art, books from Pelican Publishing, jewelry from Jamie Stank and other New Orleans jewelers will also be on sale. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on November 26 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 27.
- Kids can play and take part in craft projects across the street at Confetti Park and meet Katy Kupcake at Kupcakes, Etc., 501 Pelican Avenue, while sharing Katy’s favorite sweet treats of holiday flavored cupcakes and beverages. Times TBA.
- Join Mrs. Claus at a holiday green market that will include cheeses and artisan breads, as well as crafts at Bed & Breakfast on the Point, 201 Delaronde Street. 11 a.m.-mid-afternoon.
- Discover a varied assortment of jewelry, painting, and other handcrafted treasures while treating yourself to happy hour pricing all day, or try the winter cocktails, at Crown & Anchor English Pub. Every art purchase includes a chance to win a gift certificate for dinner for two at a local restaurant. Artists include Beatrix Bell, C.C. Miranda, Bridgette LaGarde, Pamela Reed, Kevin Jones, Penny Baker, and Michael P. Schiavone. 11 a.m.- til
- International School, 501 Olivier Street, will hold an open house beginning at 11 a.m.
- Other businesses, including the Dry Dock Café and the Old Point Bar, will offer holiday cheer and entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.
Noel on Newton | December 10
A new addition to the holiday line-up will be held on December 10 when Old Algiers Main Street Corporation presents the first annual Noel on Newton. It will include performances by area school groups as well as other activities at and around the NOMTOC Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s headquarters at 1905 Newton Street. A visit from Santa is planned for the kids. Look for details at oldalgiersmainstreet.org.
OAMSC has also asked commercial properties to light up their facades for the first annual Light Up Algiers Contest. Winners will be announced at the December 10 event with prizes awarded to the top three participating commercial and residential winners. To enter your business in the competition, email info@oldalgiersmainstreet.org. The Algiers Point Association, Tunisburg Civic Association and the Algiers Riverview Association have been asked to spearhead lighting efforts in residential communities.
