A FREE New Orleans Jazz Fest Kick-Off Block Party is set for this Thursday (April 28,  2011) in the 300 block of Chartres Street in the French Quarter, 4 - 8 pm.  The Rebirth Brass Band, the Revealers, and the Revolution Steppers will entertain.

La Belle Galerie, 309 Chartres, has organized the event for the last few years.  Food and drink are available and  local shops will offer special deals.  Call 504.529.5538 for more information. 

Then get ready for the Jazz Fest  !

Take your dog out on the town during ARNO's dog-friendly uptown pub (or pup?) crawl.  

And it's for a good cause - The $25 ticket benefits ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans), which is an all-volunteer animal rescue non-profit that was created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Dog friendly events are very popular in New Orleans.  So is drinking.  These tickets may go very fast.  Organizers say they can't guarantee walk-up or late registrations.  The first 100 people to register will receive a t-shirt and one free
shot at each participating location.

The event starts at 11 am - 3 pm at The Bulldog, 3236 Magazine Street for pre-paid participants check-in and same-day
registration if available.

The Tentative Pub Crawl Schedule continues 2 pm-7 pm at various uptown locations including the Balcony Bar & Cafe (2 pm), Tracey's (3 pm), Rendezvous Tavern (4 pm), The Bulldog (5 pm) with Raffle at 6-6:45 pm
and Best Shots Competition results and awards at 7 pm (judged  by the participants).

Interested party animals  should click here for details.

FREE COFFEE - Tomorrow - Friday April 22 - At participating Starbucks in New Orleans and everywhere else in North America. Actually you have the choice of free brewed coffee OR tea - hot ＯＲｉced

To get your free drink, just bring in a reusable mug or tumbler. It's an Earth Day special to encourage the use of reusables.

If you don't have your own mug when you visit tomorrow, you can still get a free drink. Just have seat and have your free coffee or tea in　ａ "for here" Starbucks cup. Or you could buy a Starbucks travel mug whiｃh will be on sale with 20% off for Earth Day.

Do you have plans yet for Easter weekend?  One option is one of the many festive Easter brunches offered at restaurants and hotels in New Orleans  If you have a favorite, please share  by posting below in the blog  or in the new Who Dat Forum, where you can also expess yourself about anything NOLA.

In addition to the brunch option and Easter services at local churches, New Orleans events on Easter Sunday  include at least two parades downtown as well as Easter Egg Hunts in City Park.