West Bank Weekend Events: August 8-10, 2008

It may be scorching hot out there, but there are some really cool events and benefits taking place on the West Bank this weekend….

West Bank Theatre

Local favorite comedienne Becky Allen will be performing in The Queen of Bingo this weekend at the Teatro Wego! Theatre in Westwego.  The three shows are a benefit for Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center which helps investigate and treat children who have been abused.  Shows will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with opening night hosted by Spud McConnell.  Visit the Jefferson Performing Arts Society website for ticket information and show times.

Saturday

Recycling drop-off event at the Algiers Regional Library on Holiday Drive, from 9 am to noon.  They will be accepting plastic containers (#1 through #7), paper products and metal cans.  No glass or hazardous waste containers will be accepted. Drop off your Mardi Gras beads and throws for recycling too!  Call 311 for more information.

Starting on Saturday (10 am to 8 pm) and continuing on Sunday (noon to 5 pm) the Blood Center  will be holding the biggest blood drive of the year at the Oakwood Center in Gretna, just outside of JC Penney’s.  While you are shopping for all of that back to school "stuff" for the kids, take a few minutes and make a donation that can help 3 others.

Sunday

Algiers Ferry Night, which was postponed by the oil spill in the river, has been rescheduled for this Sunday.  You are encouraged to costume as either a FERRY or a FAIRY - either one will do and will get you discounts in various spots along the way!  Here is the schedule for the event:

• 2 pm - $2 Ferry Marys at the Dry Dock Cafe, right at the foot of the Algiers Ferry Landing
• 5 pm - Ferry to Canal Street, second line through Woldenberg Park
• 5:45pm - Ferry back to Algiers for the blessing of the ferry and and some oh-so-delicious (and free!) Pink Ferrytinis
• 6:30pm - Second line from the ferry to the Old Point Bar.  Live music starts at 7 pm (Delfeayo Marsalis) and continues into the night with Dr. Funk playing at 10 pm

Beyond the West Bank

Need a haircut?  Looking for a way to give back?  The 9th Annual Locks of Love cut-a-thon is this Sunday at Lakeside Mall in Metairie.  Local stylists are donating their time and talent to the Locks of Love foundation to raise money to provide wigs to children under 18 who have long term hair loss due to medical issues.  Haircuts are $16 per person and anyone can participate.  A minimum of 10 inches of clean, dry hair is needed to make a donation and I know that there are some gals (and guys!) out there who could part with 10 inches of hair that will grow back to help a child!

Upcoming Events

The Wednesdays on the Point concert series in Algiers Point is coming to an end this week and I know that the people who have been attending will miss having a regular Wednesday night date.  Walk, drive or take the ferry over to see Paul Sanchez & Friends perform at the Old Point Bar from 5:30 to 7 pm.  I’m sure that with the success of these summer events we will see them back on the schedule next year!

The AARP will hold a driver’s safety course at the Westwego Senior Center, 701 Fourth St in Westwego, on August 11-12 from 9 am to 1 pm.  The $10 course is for drivers 50 and over and you don’t have to be a member of AARP to participate.  For more information or for a schedule of future classes, call 341-2957.

Make it a great West Bank weekend!

Copyright 2008. West Bank Living, All rights reserved.