Fall Showtime: Lights, Camera, Action! Kickoff to the Cultural Season

September 06, 2022
As the temperature slowly begins to drop in the Crescent City, the cultural and concert seasons are heating up. The opera, ballet, philharmonic orchestra and theater all take center stage each fall with myriad standing-ovation-worthy performances ranging from Beethoven to Broadway. And if you’re looking to laugh out loud, tap your toes or dance like nobody’s watching, there is no shortage of shows to stir the soul.

BB’s Stage Door Canteen – nationalww2museum.org
September 17: Latin Music Dine & Dance with Muevelo
Muévelo means “move it” in Spanish, and that's just what you'll do during this special Latin-themed dinner and dance.

October 8: Dine & Dance with the VSO
The National WWII Museum's own Victory Swing Orchestra celebrates the great big bands of the WWII era. Also enjoy a three-course meal and a glass of wine.
September 14, 28; October 12, 19, 26; November 2, 16, 23: The Victory Belles Matinee Luncheon
Enjoy a delicious buffet-style luncheon, then tap your toes to a one-hour show from the charming Victory Belles.

October 21–23: Bette Davis
Don’t miss this thoughtful 80-minute look into the mind of one of Hollywood's great film stars, Bette Davis, starring actress and playwright Jessica Sherr.

House of Blues – houseofblues.com/neworleans
September 30: Ladygang presents – The Lady Secrets Tour
In celebration of their book Lady Secrets, share your own secrets and feel less alone with Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek and Becca Tobi, bestselling authors and hosts of the successful podcast-turned TV show.

October 31: Toadies: Rubberneck Anniversary Tour with Special Guest Drakulas
Formed in 1989, the Texas post-grunge band found success in the 1990s during the alternative-rock boom. Join them in their 25th anniversary celebration of their debut album Rubberneck, to be played in its entirety.

November 5: Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes
GRAMMY® Award-winning Gipsy Kings bring their unique flamenco, salsa and pop sound to New Orleans.

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) – nocca.com
November 4–5: New Orleans Ballet Association presents Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE
tickets at nobadance.com
For over 30 years, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE has deeply moved audiences with masterfully created dances that are “richly expressive and endlessly kinetic” (The New York Times) performed by superbly articulate dancers. Mahalia Jackson Theater – mahaliajacksontheater.com

September 20: Collective Soul & Switchfoot
This Georgia-based alternative-rock, post-grunge band has enjoyed great success since forming in 1992. Their eleventh studio album Vibrating releases Aug. 12. They are joined by indie Christian rockers Switchfoot.

September 30 and October 2: New Orleans Opera Association presents Rossini’s The Barber of Seville
This new production is a comedy for the ages with a brand new vision. Set in the French Quarter of antebellum New Orleans, the story is an old one but could easily be our story of our people.

October 22: New Orleans Ballet Association presents Kyiv City Ballet
tickets at nobadance.com
Amid a greater struggle, the exemplary dancers of Ukraine’s Kyiv City Ballet are a “voice of resistance” (National Geographic) on the global stage, bringing light and joy in the darkness to audiences worldwide.

November 5: Bonnie Raitt – Just Like That Tour
The multi GRAMMY® Award-winning blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and music producer brings her one-of-a-kind sound to New Orleans with special guest Marc Cohn.

November 18 and 20: New Orleans Opera Association presents Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel
This operatic fairytale is not just for kids! Humperdinck’s love of folk melodies shines in this beautiful and complex score, which is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Le Petit Theatre – lepetittheatre.com
September 10: Emily Skinner in Concert
One of Broadway’s most engaging and versatile performers, Emily Skinner will showcase some of Broadway’s biggest hits.

October 7–30: The Play That Goes Wrong
Winner of Best New Comedy at the 2015 Lawrence Olivier Awards, the play follows the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society in their effort to put on a production of “Murder at Haversham Manor,” a 1920s murder mystery, but nothing can go right.

One Eyed Jacks – oneeyedjacks.net
September 24: The Afghan Whigs
The Cincinnati-based alternative-rock, post-punk band embark on an extensive tour in support of their ninth album, How Do You Burn?, including one show in New Orleans.

Saenger Theatre – saengernola.com
September 20: Earth, Wind & Fire
The legendary, multi-award-winning band celebrates its 50th anniversary in entertainment—one that has taken them all around the globe playing sold out concerts.

September 23: Diana Krall
Diana Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. The GRAMMY® and Juno® Award winner’s unique artistry transcends any single musical style making her one of the most recognizable artists of our time.

September 25: Steve Martin & Martin Short
Steve Martin and Martin Short's “You Won't Believe What They Look Like Today!” is a show that redefines the form in unexpected and profound ways, from two of the funniest, most influential and acclaimed talents of the past century.

September 30–October 1: Chris Rock – Ego Death World Tour
Chris Rock is one of the world’s most important comedic voices, as well as an award-winning actor, director, producer and writer.

October 4–9: Pretty Woman – The Musical
Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, Pretty Woman springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. The show features an original score by GRAMMY® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton.

October 14: Taylor Tomlinson – The Have It All Tour
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson’s brand-new national headlining tour brings her hit stand-up comedy routine to the Saenger for one night only.

October 27–November 13: Disney’s The Lion King
Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. The Lion King also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

November 29–December 4: SIX The Musical
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st-century girl power. You’re sure to lose your head over this amusing and original musical comedy.

Smoothie King Center – smoothiekingcenter.com
September 24: Jason Aldean – Rock n’ Roll Cowboy Tour
Don't miss Jason Aldean as he brings his Cowboy Tour 2022 with Special Guests Travis Tritt, John Morgan & Dee Jay Silver.

October 6: Pitbull – Can’t Stop Us Now Tour
GRAMMY® and Billboard Music Award winner Pitbull, AKA Mr. Worldwide, is heading out on the Can’t Stop Us Now Tour with Sean Paul. This high-energy, heart-pounding show promises to be the dance party of a lifetime!

October 15: Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous Tour
The multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, rapper and actress often referred to as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” is making a stop in New Orleans with guests Ella Mai and Queen Naija.

October 22: Chris Stapleton
GRAMMY®, Country Music Association and Billboard Music Award winner Chris Stapleton brings his All-American Road Show to the Smoothie King Center with special guests Elle King and Morgan Wade for a jam-packed musical experience.

November 1: Greta Van Fleet
GRAMMY® Award winning rock band, Greta Van Fleet continues their Dreams in Gold Tour across North America with a stop in New Orleans.

November 5: Carrie Underwood – The Denim & Rhinestones Tour
On the heels of her triumphant headlining return to the iconic Stagecoach Festival, 8-time GRAMMY® Award winner and 3-time ACM Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood, announces her new arena tour, The Denim & Rhinestones Tour, with a stop at the Smoothie King Center.

The Civic – civicnola.com
October 4–5: Wilco
Chicago-based, alternative-rock/alternative-country band Wilco brings its allusive, funky, fan-friendly show to New Orleans for two engaging nights.

The Fillmore – fillmorenola.com
September 23: Jack White – The Supply Chain Issues Tour
American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Jack White, is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo the White Stripes. He brings is bluesy, garage/folk-rock sound to The Fillmore.

September 27: The Flaming Lips: American Head American Tour
One of the most well-known cult bands of the past 30 years, the alternative, psychedelic rock, indie and pop, GRAMMY® Award-winning band has evolved from straightforward punk-rock to a more eclectic style.

September 29: The Cult
One of England’s leading 1980s metal revivalists bands gained a dedicated following with its alternative post-punk, goth-rock, aggressive psychedelic sound.

October 27: Marcus King – Young Blood
The GRAMMY® Award-nominated blues/Southern rock artist, performer, guitarist and songwriter has established himself with unparalleled performance prowess and a dynamic live show. November 1: Demi Lovato – Holy Fvck Tour
Performer, actress, songwriter Demi Lovato has sold over 24 million records in the U.S. The powerhouse pop singer returns to her rock-focused style on her current album released this summer.

November 25: PJ Morton
GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter, producer and musician, PJ Morton, has had an acclaimed solo career as well as performing with Maroon 5. He brings his soulful sound to New Orleans for one night only.

The Orpheum Theater – orpheumnola.com
September 15: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – Mahler No. 1
Experience the cracks of thunder and lightning as Mahler’s “Titan” Symphony anchors the start of the LPO’s 32nd Season. Opening the concert will be a world premiere LPO commission of a new work by Latin GRAMMY®-nominated composer Juan Pablo Contreras.

September 22: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – Fountains of Rome & Tchaikovsky 6
Matt Kraemer, music director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, will lead the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, “Pathétique.”

September 23: Nurse Blake: PTO Comedy Tour
Social media personality, best-selling author and comedian, Blake Lynch, known as Nurse Blake, tours the country sharing his healthcare experiences in a comedic fashion to sold-out audiences.

October 2: Andrew Bird featuring Iron & Wine
Since 1996, Andrew Bird has released 16 studio albums, as well as several live albums and EPs, spanning various genres including swing, indie-rock, and folk music. The Illinois multi-instrumentalist is joined by well-loved South Carolinan indie-folk singer-songwriter Iron & Wine.

October 13: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – Pictures at an Exhibition
Guest conductor Robert Moody of the Memphis Symphony leads the orchestra in one of the iconic works of an era, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

October 26: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – Ravel & Debussy The sounds of romance, heroism and adventure will fill the Orpheum Theater for a night of Ravel & Debussy.
November 11: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – Dvořák Symphony No. 8
Guest conductor Vinay Parameswaran brings the joyous symphonies of Dvořák and Price with Gabriella Smith, who has been described as having “the coolest, most exciting, most inventive new voice” by Musical America.