The streets of Olde Towne Slidell will come alive with a celebration of the arts during the 32nd Annual Arts Evening on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. More than 50 artists and eight bands and musicians will transform the historic district into an outdoor arts venue, offering art, live music, food and drinks, and unique shopping experiences for visitors.

“Olde Towne Slidell is the cultural heart of our community, and Arts Evening is a perfect showcase of the creativity and talent that make our city special,” said Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal. “I invite everyone to come out, enjoy the music, meet the artists, and celebrate the arts in Olde Towne Slidell.”

Visitors will enjoy a vibrant mix of visual arts, live entertainment, fine and casual dining, a variety of drinks, and antique and boutique shopping throughout Olde Towne. They may also notice something a little unexpected – Christmas decorations.

“If you notice Christmas decorations in Olde Towne during Arts Evening, you’re not imagining things,” said Alex Carollo, Director of Cultural & Public Affairs. “Netflix is currently filming a Christmas movie in Olde Towne, and parts of the district will be decorated for the holidays, so visitors will get to experience a little holiday magic during this year’s event.”

Participating businesses include:

• American Legion Post 374 – Artist Michele Maiaroto
• Antiques & Art on First – Music by Two Peace Mild
• Arcade on Carey
• Audibert’s Bistreaux – Live entertainment by Fat City Swing. Artists Betty Baker-Kelly, Jake James, Omega Johnson
• Brass Monkey – Music by Alpha Tribe
• Bridge Street Ink
• Camellia City Pizza – Music by Overboard
• Camellia Wellbeing – Coach Chias Trucker Hat Bar with Anastasia, The Bread Company
• Carolynn’s Wonderland – Artists Cher Levis, Paula Merrit Windham
• Christina’s Therapeutic Touch – Artist CoCo Calderon
• Crave 985 – Music by Audio Beach. Artist Joe Dean
• Engel & Völkers – Artists Christy Gautreaux, Hannah Marks, Joshua Wichterich
• Expo Signs – Arts Evening Poster Artist Charmaine Allesandro. Artists Cindy Bachemin, Connie Born, LaRisa Clevinger, Keith Delaune, Pat Lera, Matt Litchliter, David Miller.
• The Golden Goat
• Heidelberg’s
• KY’s
• Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien – Artists Elsa Baker, Lizzie Shelby D’Aquin, Charlotte Lowry-Collins, Lyba Murphy, Michael Reed
• Luna Tequila
• Old Town Soda Shop
• Olde Towne Pizza
• Olde Towne Slidell Main Street at Crippin Cottage – Music by SteveA. Artists Lori Anselmo, E. Robert Gallery Decor, The Happy Photo Booth, K.L. Smith Fine Art, Mosquito Mollie Insect Resin Art, Olivia’s Creations, Gina Reviere and STARC Art, Sweeties Creamy Pralines, Shana’s Kitchen, Olivia Yi
• Olde Towne Tavern
• Pontchartrain Investment Management – Music by Sara, Jim and Jeff. Artists Ray Farrell, Mary Rich, Mia Simmons
• Roots Plants + Coffee – Slidell Art League, Swamp Sprouts Art
• Rustic Wick
• St. August Maison – Artists Linda Bickel, Phil Galatas, Ernest Robert, Krystal Shermack, Robin Veerkamp, John Wilson, Dustin Young
• Slidell Museum – Leadership Northshore’s Team Trashformation
• Tacos & Beer
• Tres Co.
• Triangle Square – Music by Highway Miles. Artist Wild Lily Designs
• Whiskey and Ashe

Live entertainment will fill the streets during Arts Evening, with eight musical acts performing throughout the district. Alpha Tribe will perform near Brass Monkey, Audio Beach will play near Crave 985, Fat City Swing will perform near Audibert’s Bistreaux, and Highway Miles will take the stage at Triangle Square. Overboard will entertain under Antique Umbrella Alley near Camellia City Pizza, Sara Jim and Jeff will perform at Pontchartrain Investment Management, SteveA will play a solo set near the Olde Towne Slidell Main Street booth on First Street, and Two Peace Mild will perform in the courtyard at Antiques & Art on First. The lineup features a diverse range of musical styles, from jazz and rock to pop favorites, ensuring there is something for every musical taste.

Visitors can also enjoy Olde Towne’s thriving dining and bar scene throughout the evening. Participating establishments include Audibert’s Bistreaux, Brass Monkey, Camellia City Pizza, The Golden Goat, Heidelberg’s Bar, KY’s, Luna Tequila, Olde Town Soda Shop, Olde Towne Pizza, Olde Towne Tavern, St. August Maison, Roots Plants + Coffee, Tacos & Beer, Triangle Square, and Whiskey and Ashe. These venues will offer their regular menus along with special Arts Evening offerings, providing everything from casual to fine dining, craft cocktails, and specialty coffees.

This year’s Arts Evening Poster Artist, Charmaine Allesandro, will be selling signed event posters at Expo Signs. A New Orleans native, Allesandro is a retired registered nurse who dedicated 30 years of service to Children’s Hospital. Her artistic journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when she turned to acrylic painting as a source of solace and creative fulfillment. Her path as an artist has been shaped by personal trials and resilience, including undergoing treatment for breast cancer while her husband, Phil, was placed on the lung transplant list for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Although he received the gift of life in 2022, he sadly passed away two years later due to organ rejection. Now cancer-free, Allesandro has returned to her art with renewed passion and purpose. Known for her impressionistic style, she creates portraits and landscapes featuring bold colors, often hiding a small bluebird in her paintings as a tribute to her mother, “Birdy,” symbolizing love and loss. Her future work will continue to reflect themes of healing, perseverance, and compassion.

For more information about Arts Evening, contact the City of Slidell Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. Updates and details about City of Slidell events can be found at MySlidell.com or by following the City of Slidell, Louisiana on Facebook.

Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal and the Slidell Commission on the Arts are proud to announce that Charmaine Allesandro has been selected as the official Poster Artist for Arts Evening 2026. Her artwork, titled “Good Morning Bayou Liberty I,” will be featured on the official event poster and all publicity materials for the city’s cultural celebration.

“Charmaine’s artwork is truly beautiful. It perfectly represents the serenity, beauty, and nature of our community,” said Mayor Fandal. “I invite all of our residents and visitors to join us in Olde Towne on March 21 to celebrate this incredible talent and enjoy everything Arts Evening has to offer.”

The search for this year’s poster artist began in January, when artists were invited to submit their original artwork for consideration. The call for entries drew significant interest, resulting in over 30 submissions from 12 different artists. Following an initial review, the final selections were presented to the Slidell Commission on the Arts, where Allesandro was ultimately selected as the 2026 Poster Artist.

A New Orleans native, Allesandro is a retired Registered Nurse who dedicated 30 years of service to Children’s Hospital in various nursing management positions, as well as serving as the Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Immunization Network.

Her artistic journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Seeking solace and creative fulfillment during a time of global anxiety, she turned to acrylics. Her path as an artist has been deeply shaped by personal trials and resilience. While undergoing treatment for breast cancer, her husband, Phil, was placed on the lung transplant list for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Although he received the gift of life in 2022, he sadly passed away two years later due to organ rejection.

Now cancer-free, Allesandro has returned to her art with renewed passion and purpose. Known for her impressionistic style, she creates portraits and landscapes that incorporate an array of bold colors. Viewers are encouraged to look for a hidden bluebird in her paintings – a touching tribute to her mother, “Birdy,” representing both love and loss. While she remains captivated by the beauty of nature, she looks forward to creating new pieces that reflect themes of healing, perseverance, and compassion.

“When I learned that my painting was selected as the Slidell Arts Evening poster for 2026, I was overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude,” said Allesandro. “I have always loved Slidell and its beautiful bayous and wildlife. Being selected as this year’s artist is one of the greatest honors of my life. This recognition is not only validation of my art but an inspiration for me to continue my journey in capturing the beauty of nature that is all around us.”

The 32nd annual Arts Evening will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell. Recognized as one of the largest cultural festivals on the Northshore, this family-friendly event features over 80 artists displaying their works at more than 40 locations throughout Olde Towne. In addition to the visual arts, guests can enjoy live entertainment, fine and casual dining, and shopping at antique, boutique, and unique shops. Admission is free.

Charmaine Allesandro will be present during the event to sell signed copies of the commemorative poster. For more information about the artist and her work, please visit www.CharmNolaArt.com.

For more information about Arts Evening, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For the latest news and events, visit MySlidell.com or follow “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.