July

What: The U. S. Mint Presents Treasures of Napoléon
When: through Aug. 3
Where: The Old U.S. Mint, New Orleans
The spectacular traveling exhibition, “Treasures of Napoléon,” tells the fascinating story of Napoléon and showcases the world-class art and design of his time. The exhibit showcases rare, personal belongings of Napoléon I, as well as some of the most famous depictions of him by the greatest artists of the time. Hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and free for children 12 and under.
Info: (504) 568- 6968 or (800) 568-6968, or visit http://lsm.crt.state.la.us

What: Southern Open 2008 Exhibit
When: through July 26
Where: Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette
The juried exhibition of artists from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida showcases works of art reflecting southern culture. The opening reception will be held during Second Saturday ArtWalk on May 10 from 6–8 p.m. The Acadiana Center for the Arts is located at 101 W. Vermilion Street in Lafayette. Hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Friday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, $2 for children 5–17 and free for children 4 and under.
Info: (337) 233-7060, or visit www.AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org

What: COOLinary New Orleans - Celebrating Dining in America's Most Delicious City!
When: through Aug. 31
Where: New Orleans
The celebration, which features special menus and pricing at restaurants throughout the city, is a natural fit for a city whose cuisine is an integral part of its history, fabric and culture. Visit the event Web site for more information and participating restaurants. Enjoy lunch for $20 or less and dinner priced at $30 or less.
Info: (800) 748-8695, or visit www.COOLinaryneworleans.com

What: Tails of the Cocktail Presents - Sixth Annual Culinary Cocktail
When: July 16–20
Where: New Orleans
Tales of the Cocktail, the annual culinary and cocktail festival, will celebrate the history and culture of cocktails and food in New Orleans with five-days of first-class food and drink events. Tales of the Cocktail hosts mixologists, authors, chefs, bartenders, designers and cocktail gurus from around the world to assist in presenting seminars, tastings and professional series’ for amateurs and experts. In 2008, new events will include a cocktail market, cocktail cinema, seminars and the first-ever International Symposium of Cocktail Shaker Collectors.
Info: (504) 343-4285, or visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

What: Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival
When: July 18–19
Where: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches
The Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival presents Louisiana's cultural and folk traditions. Craftspeople demonstrate and sell items, musicians perform on three stages with dance floors, narrative sessions and exhibits focus on the festival theme, and foodways demonstrations and KidFest activities are educational. Food vendors sell traditional Louisiana foods. The Louisiana State Fiddle Championship is held in conjunction with the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Admission ranges fro $3 to $8.
Info: (318) 357-4332, or visit www.nsula.edu/folklife

What: Art Gumbo Market
When: July 19
Where: Gonzales
This is an open air market joining the farmer’s and the artists. It features fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and more with original art and gifts. There are painting artists, wood carvers, potters, jewelry, fabric art, soaps and candles, gourd art, folk art, photography, wood builders and Dolls. Plus, enjoy musical entertainment provided and a children’s activity booth.
Info: (225) 644-8496, or visit www.artgumbo.org

What: 21st annual Cajun Food and Music Festival
When: July 19–20
Where: Lake Charles
Enjoy continuous live Cajun music and dancing on a large dance floor, as well as a wide variety of Cajun food cooked on the premises. Hours are 9 a.m.–10 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under 12.
Info: (337) 477-4752, or visit www.visitlakecharles.org

What: Smithsonian Exhibit: New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music Along Bayou Teche
When: July 21–Aug. 30
Where: Jeanerette Museum, Jeanerette
Explore the rich music of Louisiana and the United States in this exhibit on view at the Jeanerette Museum. “New Harmonies” is an interactive exhibit that examines the ongoing cultural process that has made America the birthplace of more music than any place on earth. The exhibition provides a fascinating, inspiring and toe-tapping listen to the American story of multi-cultural exchange. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for students. The museum is closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Info: (337) 276-4408, or visit www.jeanerettemuseum.com

What: Arts Market of New Orleans
When: July 26
Where: Palmer Park, New Orleans
The Arts Market, held from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., features handmade, affordable art from local and regional artists and artisans. Styles of art include painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood and printmaking, plus handmade clothing, soap, candles and other delights. Up to 100 artists display and sell their wares each month. The Arts Market also features live entertainment, food and beverage booths and a children’s activities area.
Info: (504) 523-1465, or visit www.artscouncilneworleans.org

What: Satchmo SummerFest
When: July 31–Aug. 3
Where: French Quarter, New Orleans
“What a Wonderful World” you’ll discover during an entertaining and educating weekend in the French Quarter honoring New Orleans’ native son, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. The Satchmo-inspired program includes musical performances, lively discussions, jazz exhibits, a jazz mass, activities for budding young jazz fans, a club crawl, “red beans and ricely yours” foods, and a star-studded line-up of performances that would have made Louis smile.
Info: (800) 673-5725, or visit www.fqfi.org

August

What: Al Copeland Memorial Powerboat Races
When: Aug. 1–3
Where: Laketown Park, Kenner
It's loud, it's fast and it is coming to Kenner. Presented by the city of Kenner with the support from the Louisiana Air National Guard, the Inaugural Al Copeland Memorial Invitational Power Boat Race will create a weekend of non-stop action at Laketown Park.
Info: (251) 269-1477, or visit www.alcopelandrace.com/acf.php

What: White Linen Night
When: Aug. 2
Where: New Orleans
This annual open-air event invites guests to visit the wonderful galleries throughout the Warehouse/Arts District and along Julia Street from 6–9 p.m. There is fabulous New Orleans cuisine from local restaurants and cool drinks to sip on as well as stages and live entertainment provided by some of New Orleans’ most eclectic and talented musicians.
Info: (504) 528-3805, or visit www.cacno.org

What: Baton Rouge Arts Market
When: Aug. 2
Where: Baton Rouge
The Arts Market, located on Main at Fifth Street, is an open-air market and cultural event featuring more than 50 artists from Louisiana with pottery, jewelry, woodwork, photography and more. It is held on the first Saturday of the month from 8 a.m.–noon.
Info: (225) 344-8558, or visit www.artsbr.org/arts-market-exhibitions.html

What: The Great American Seafood Cook-Off
When: Aug. 2–3
Where: New Orleans Convention Center
The Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) event is presented by the Louisiana Seafood Board and is held concurrently with the Louisiana Restaurant Association's (LRA) Foodservice EXPO in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans . It is the nation's most prestigious seafood competition showcasing domestic, sustainable seafood and features premier chefs from across the nation. Competing celebrity chefs have the opportunity to showcase the local cooking styles of their states and embellish on their own personal signature seafood dishes.
Info: (504) 582-3000, or visit www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com

What: Pennington Balloon Championships
When: Aug. 8–10
Where: Baton Rouge
The Louisiana Ballooning Foundation presents The Southeast Regionals Hot Air Balloon Championships. The event includes hot air balloon competitions in the mornings, balloon liftoffs in the evenings and balloon glows at night. Admission is free and includes a giant children’s play area and fireworks on Friday and Saturday night.
Info: (225) 933-2027, or visit www.laballooning.com

What: Delcambre Shrimp Festival
When: Aug. 13–17
Where: Shrimp Festival Building, Delcambre
This festival will feature a carnival, food, music and fais-do-do, shrimp cook-off, poker run, baby Shrimp King and Queen, Coronation of Shrimp Queen and Fisherman’s Mass and Blessing of the fleet, live music by local bands and national recording artists. The town of Delcambre, located about 20 miles southwest of Lafayette, is home to one of the area's most productive shrimping fleets.
Info: (337) 685-2653, or visit www.shrimpfestival.net

What: Hot August Night
When: Aug. 15
Where: Downtown Hammond
In its 15th year, this event features a gallery stroll with wine tasting, art exhibits, live music, great shopping and eating in some of the finest restaurants in the region. Festivities take place from 5 to 10 p.m.
Info: (985) 542-3471, or visit www.hammond.org/ddd/?p=24

What: Art Gumbo Market
When: Aug. 16
Where: Gonzales
This is an open air market joining the farmer’s and the artists. It features fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and more with original art and gifts. There are painting artists, wood carvers, potters, jewelry, fabric art, soaps and candles, gourd art, folk art, photography, wood builders and Dolls. Plus, enjoy musical entertainment provided and a children’s activity booth.
Info: (225) 644-8496, or visit www.artgumbo.org

What: Gueydan Duck Festival
When: Aug. 21–24
Where: Gueydan
The festival features a duck calling contest, skeet shooting competition, Queens pageant, cooking contests, live entertainment, food, parade, carnival and more. Admission is $5 on Friday and Saturday.
Info: (337) 596-6456, or visit www.duckfestival.org

What: Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
When: Aug. 28–30
Where: Opelousas
Absorb a cultural joie de vivre that transcends age and ethnicity. Two stages featuring the best Zydeco music and cultural presentations will be featured. Festivities kick off on Thursday with a jam session and parade. On Friday night there will be a street dance, and on Saturday there will be a Zydeco breakfast at the courthouse square followed by performances at Zydeco Park in nearby Plaisance.
Info: (337) 942-2392, or visit www.zydeco.org

What: Arts Market of New Orleans
When: Aug. 30
Where: Palmer Park, New Orleans
The Arts Market, held from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., features handmade, affordable art from local and regional artists and artisans. Styles of art include painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood and printmaking, plus handmade clothing, soap, candles and other delights. Up to 100 artists display and sell their wares each month. The Arts Market also features live entertainment, food and beverage booths and a children’s activities area.
Info: (504) 523-1465, or visit www.artscouncilneworleans.org