Just when New Years passes us by and we think we might get a chance to catch our collective breath – the Carnival season arrives. As usual, there are some great parties planned to mark the start of the festivities. I hope you’ve slept off the holidays because it’s time to hit the ground running.
Uptown things get underway at the Maple Leaf with two great shows. The 12th Night Soul Shakedown takes the stage at 8 p.m. with Aaron “Woody” Wood and Daryl Johnson. This is followed at 10 p.m. with a set from the 101 Runners. These guys consistently deliver some of the most high energy and percussive Mardi Gras Indian performances out there. If you are looking for the right tone to set the vibe for the season this is the place to be.
If you’re over in the Bywater, head to Siberia for their Twelfth Night Party with Jackson and the Janks and Yes Ma’am. Both of these bands are making some of the most interesting music currently around the local scene. Jackson and the Janks have a great old school swinging rockabilly vibe that naturally lends itself to dancing.
For those folks down in the Quarter, Fleur de Tease is presenting their “Best of Burlesque” at One Eyed Jacks at both 6 and 8:30 p.m. The great thing about this show is that it puts you downtown in time to see the Joan of Arc Parade which set out about 7 p.m.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit lower-key, head over to the Marigny Brasserie for the Dinosaurchestra. These guys are great interpreters of the traditional jazz sound and make for an excellent evening of music.
Whatever you do this weekend, get out and celebrate the start of Mardi Gras with a little live music and maybe even a parade.
To Do This Week
Tonight Alex McMurray and his Band are at the Saturn Bar. Tomorrow Gal Holiday and Sabertooth Swing are at BJ’s Lounge and the Pinettes Brass Band are at Bullet’s Sports Bar while Helen Gillet is at the Circle Bar. Monday Papa Mali is at Chickie Wah Wah. Wednesday James Singleton and Aurora Nealand are at SideBar Nola.
To Listen This Week
- New experimental track from Paul McCartney via Youtube
- Stream a new track from Noname via CoS
- Fleet Foxes perform “Crack-Up” with the Icelandic choir Graduale Nobili via Youtube