From old-fashioned florists to unbeatable brunches and even to a performance by the mama of soul herself, Irma Thomas, New Orleans' maternal instincts are on full display this weekend for Mother's Day.

One Audubon Zoo monkey apparently decided to try out life with other primates this morning. An adventuresome, 33-lb. Colubus monkey named Kivuli escaped from his enclosure at 10:17am., forcing the zoo to shut down for nearly an hour.

by Elaina Patton

The Audubon Nature Institute will be hosting “a party for conservation” dubbed "Earth Fest" this Saturday, March 16th. From 10am to 5 pm, visitors will canoodle with representatives from local non-profits, businesses, and government agencies for the purpose of green education. Attendees can peruse food and craft vendors, musical festivities, and a game that encourages children to seek out answers to pressing environmental questions. 

Get ready to slide into the soulful culture of New Orleans’ rich heritage at the Audubon Zoo this weekend at the 10th Annual Soul Fest. In this celebration of African American culture, attendees will enjoy two days of live performances by local jazz, R&B, and gospel artists, Greek Stomp shows, and some of the best soul food in the city. Of course, Audubon's incredible animal exhibits will stay open throughout the fest. 

From Audubon Zoo to Chartres and Montegut, festivals are offering revelers New Orleans' traditional food and music all day. Hop on your bike for the Alley Cat Bike Race meeting at Jackson Square, and see Les Mis tonight in the Tremé. Happy Birthday to local jazz legend John Boutte, born November 3, 1958. Now, a roundup of Saturday’s events.

Contrary to what the national media often purports, most New Orleans residents don't interact with the swamp on a daily basis. Luckily, the Audubon Zoo holds the Louisiana Swamp Festival every year to honor our moss-covered roots.  It’s the 28^th annual event this weekend, and everyone is invited to come out for Cajun music, and a bevy of fried delights, educational activities, live animal feedings, and more.

The baby gator thieves have been snapped up. On July 4, two men broke into the Audubon Zoo Swamp Gift Shop and plundered a pod of ten baby alligators from their display tank, police said. Nine of the gators were eventually recovered, but the thieves remained on the loose until Wednesday. One of the alleged gator grabbers, 20-year-old Kawayne Powell, turned himself in yesterday at 10 a.m. to the Second District Police Station, police said this afternoon. The other alleged thief, 29-year-old Rodney L. Thornton, was less compliant when he was apprehended last night.

by Shay Sokol

A congregation of baby gators were sprung from the zoo last week, but their trip out of the tank was cut short after the thieves dumped the reptiles in the Irish Chanel. On Independence Day, the Audubon Zoo Swamp Gift Shop was broken into and 10 baby alligators were stolen from their tank, New Orleans police said. The next day, a woman saw two men get out of a car and drop a plastic storage bin containing 8 baby alligators outside her home on the corner of Soraparu and Rousseau Streets in the Irish Chanel.

Today, NOLA Veggie Fest gets even sexier in the Marigny, the Original Big 7 second line through downtown and the LPO gets a visit from Kermit Ruffins. Happy Birthday to trombonish Revert "Peanut" Andrews (1971). Be sure to call on your mama before heading out to these:

Audubon Zoo is about more than just the wildlife this weekend as the animal kingdom hosts its annual SoulFest. An unofficial kickoff to the many events of its type that are set to dot the calendar between now and JazzFest, this particular fete is focused on African American achievement, with honorees including St. John the Baptist Parish president Natalie Robottom, Loyola prof D. Mjeeda Snead, Dr. accomplished businessman Charles Teamer and South Coast Paper.. And, of course, there will be food and music.