by Cate Czarnecki

Hear ye, hear ye. This weekend brings the 12th annual Satchmo SummerFest back to the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint for one the country’s only festivals dedicated exclusively to traditional jazz music. For attendees in possession of the self-discipline to pull themselves away from the live music outside (which includes Kermit Ruffins, Stooges Brass Band, Jeremy Davenport, and the Original Pinnettes Brass Band among others), French Quarter Festivals Inc. sponsors a marquee lineup of seminars featuring some of the country’s most prominent Satchmo scholars. Click through for some of the highlights of the seminar series this year, which will all be held in the third floor auditorium of the Old U.S. Mint at 400 Esplanade Ave.

by Leon Perniciaro

As the streets heat up, the sidewalks are expanding. Same goes for your brain matter. This week, the local lecture circuit is brimming over with offerings. It’s Pride Week, with the Contemporary Arts Center showing a pair of films on LGBT history and hilarity. On the author aisle, there's a prominent columnist presenting a novel, one of the great Southern food writers talking trucks and, as ever, a Chocolate City reference. There’s also myriad panels and plays, so take your pick:

by Leon Perniciaro

Brains need stimulation or else they'll atrophy, and what better way to exercise that lumpy mass than by catching a few documentaries and book readings going on around the city this week. Start at the Ashe’ Center with the Loving Story, a documentary about love and marriage that transcends racial boundaries, before stopping by the Cabildo for a history of African-American food. Round your week out with a few Spanish language movies courtesy of UNO and the New Orleans Film Society and maybe a poetry reading or two at Gold Mine Saloon.

by Leon Perniciaro

The universities might be between semesters, but there’s still a little bit for everyone in the Crescent City this week: hear from some house-flippers as they discuss creating their dream home; see two different authors of young adult fiction talk about their latest novels – one an urban fantasy of sorts and the other a down to earth saga of a young girl dealing with loss; and see the film that launched Marlene Dietrich.

by Leon Perniciaro

Our sunburns might be fading, but our need for quality brain stimulation never will. After a brief, Jazzfest-hangover-related hiatus, NoDef SpeakEasy returns with all of this week's lectures, presentations and other mind-requiring activities happening around the city. his week, check out the New Orleans Fringe Fest’s discussion on theatre as a social tool, hear a lecture on Ethiopia and World War II, and, in case you're ever not hungover, learn how to make New Orleans brunch.

by Leon Perniciaro

All eyes might be on Jazzfest this week, but while you're stimulating your ears, don't forget your brain gets hungry too. Check out this week's collection of panels, book signings, readings and more. This week, get your blood boiling with a talk at Tulane on the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, hear an eminent cotillion dress designer discuss her newest book at the Louisiana State Museum, and watch a Persian-Language drama at Loyola about the plight of women in Iran. Enter the NoDef Speakeasy by clicking on "Read More." Just don't tell them we sent you.