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First Fridays at NOMA: Garden of Earthly Delights
Fri, June 3rd, 2022 at 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
#ExploreNOMA after hours
The museum is open late night for an evening packed with musical performances, tours, and special pop-ups.
Each month, the museum presents First Fridays at NOMA, an after-hours inclusive programmatic mix of live DJs and bands; local creatives speaking about their favorite works of art; a range of performance and dance; and unique experiences of all kinds in response to art from across time and place.
Participants will meet artists, get creative, and immerse themselves in New Orleans’s creative community. For this month’s First Fridays program, we’re heading outside for a night inspired by all that the Besthoff Sculpture Garden has to offer.
Garden of Earthly Delights | June 3
Join us in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden for a night inspired by the joys of New Orleans and its landscape.
Check out this month’s line-up below:
Performance by Kumasi Afrobeat Orchestra
8:30–9:45 pm in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden Amphitheater
Kumasi is New Orleans’ own full Afrobeat orchestra. They fell in love with a style of music created over 50 years ago by Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, and now they are bringing it to the people of New Orleans. You can expect lots of Fela tunes and some Afrofunk from ’70s Ghana and Benin, but the majority of Kumasi’s live show features original music stemming from West African concepts, composed to make any crowd move and groove.
Performance by Susanne Ortner Trio
7–8 pm in the Amphitheater
Driven by an “addictive yearning” for deep connection, this stellar trio led by German-born reed player Susanne Ortner explores often overlooked 20th-century repertoire tunes from disparate traditions—with great sensitivity, communication, and fire. The German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine states that Ortmer is “a musician par excellence, capable of moving you deeply.”
Photo by Keyone Glover
Pop-Up Performances by Mélange Dance Company
6:45, 7:45, and 8:45 pm Throughout the Sculpture Garden
Mélange Dance Company was founded in 2014 by Founding Artistic Director Monica Ordoñez and Executive Director Alexa Erck Lambert. Inspired by the beauty and strength in the diversity of its dancers’ various cultures, backgrounds, identities, abilities, and techniques, Mélange is a New Orleans-based nonprofit presenting unique productions that are rich, diverse, and thought-provoking.
DJ sets from Delores Galore
6:00–7:00 pm and 8:00–8:30 pm by the Sculpture Garden Pavilion
Based out of New Orleans, Delores Galore is creating synth sounds inspired from all decades. Her new album, Don’t Get It Twisted, reflects Galore’s battle with everyday obstacles and how to push forward with resilience, and strength.
Photo by Justen Williams for New Orleans & Co.
Exclusive Late Night Access to Queen Nefertari’s Egypt
6–10 pm Inside the Museum
Experience the wonders of Queen Nefertari’s Egypt during extended museum hours. Admission to this special exhibition is included with your ticket to First Fridays at NOMA. You’ll have access to the entire night’s events from 6 to 10 pm, but you will need to select a timed ticket for when you’re able to view this special exhibition. Even if you don’t plan on visiting Queen Nefertari’s Egypt, you still need to select a time when checking out.
Triptychs in the Trees Art-Making Activity
6–10 pm on the North Lawn of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Get creative with a hands-on art-making activity inspired by all the earthly delights of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
A Full Bar and a Special Food Menu
6–9 pm at Café NOMA
A limited-time-only menu of Queen Nefertari’s Egypt–inspired snacks and beverages are available for purchase inside the museum at Café NOMA.
Ticketing and Admission
$30 General Admission | $15 for Members
Because admission to Queen Nefertari’s Egypt is included with your ticket, you must select a timed ticket your visit. You’ll have access to the entire night’s events from 6 to 10 pm, but that selected time will be when you’re able to view this special exhibition. Even if you don’t plan to visit Queen Nefertari’s Egypt, you still need to select a time when checking out.
Please note that food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. They are available for purchase directly from our partner vendors.
Additional Credits
Mahmoud Chouki
NOMA is pleased to work with internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist and composer Mahmoud Chouki, who is organizing musical performances for each First Fridays program in collaboration with museum staff.
Thank You to Our Supporters
First Fridays at NOMA is supported in part by grant funds from the Azby Fund; Ruby K. Worner Charitable Trust through the PNC Charitable Trusts Grant Review Committee; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation; and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
