DIMANCHE

Today, Nicki Minaj saunters into the Crescent City, a Thunderdome throwdown gets ready for the apocalypse, the New Orleans International Piano Competition enters the final round, and Grateful Dead covers truck at Tip’s. On this day in history, master fiddler, fiddle-maker, teacher and Cajun cultural ambassador Leo Abshire was born in Kaplan, LA (1933), and the legendary Louisiana Hayride Show was discontinued (1960). Now back to today:

Tales of the Cocktail (citywide, all day) The 10th annual festival brings mixologists from around the world to New Orleans for five days of cocktails, cuisine, seminars, tasting rooms, competitions and showcases. Today’s schedule includes Aperitif Culture: from Italy to Argentina at Riverview Room in Hotel Monteleone (10:00am-11:30am), Diplomatico Rum Tasting Room at Bonnet Carre Ballroom in Hotel Monteleone (10:30am-12:00pm), Lemon Sour Taste Challenge Tasting Room at Regal Suite in Royal Sonesta (12:30pm-2:00pm), Russian Drinking Culture at La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom in Hotel Monteleone (12:30pm-2:00pm), and tons more.

2012 National Urban League Conference (Morial Convention Center, all day) Today’s schedule includes a career and networking fair, a Beignet Break: Industry Meetup, a leadership luncheon and Guild Awards, empowerment seminars, a young professionals awards bash, and night of cocktails and dancing.

2012 New Orleans International Piano Competition (Roussel Hall, Loyola University, 7:00pm) The Musical Arts Society of New Orleans hosts the international piano competition this week, where the world’s finest descend upon New Orleans to compete. Tonight is the final night of Semifinal Round II. Six pianists from U.S., Canada, Korea, Czech Republic, Romania and Italy will each perform 20-minute programs. The Final Round will feature three finalists in 50-minute programs on Sunday afternoon.

Nicki Minaj (UNO Lakefront Arena, 7:30pm) The crazy-clad rap star released her most recent album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, in April of this year. It sold 1,000,000 copies worldwide. She went on her first worldwide tour this year and, due to popular demand, extended it. Tickets range from $50 to $140. 

Urban Education Smackdown (Shadowbox Theatre, 8:00pm) Former NoDef theater critic Jim Fitzmorris takes to the stage. “Climbing into the ring against the public education system, Fitzmorris takes on all comers including NPR Democrats, Creationist Republicans, razor wielding students, confrontational parents, and in the main event of the evening, the hall monitor himself: Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.” $15 general, $10 students and teachers.

Mad Max Pre-Apocalypse Party and Thunderdome Battledance (One Eyed Jack’s, 10:00pm) “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls… Dyin’ time’s here,” said Dr. Dealgood. Four DJs will enter, only one will leave. DJs are Liz Christiansen, Travis Shuler, Sneauxball and Fayard Lindsey. $5, or free entry with end-of-the-world attire.

Iko All-Stars (Tipitina’s, 10:00pm) In tonight’s free Fridays summer series, the IKO All-Stars will celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead. IKO All-Stars are Billy Iuso, Reggie Scanlan of the Radiators, Willie Green of the Neville Brothers, Sam Hotchkiss of Juice, Michael Fouquier of Gravity A, and CR Gruver.