November is finally here. The heat has finally begun to dissipate and the fall festivals are getting close. Three of the best food and music events of the year are this month. Things get underway on November 9 with The Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s excellent Boudin, Bourbon and Beer party at Champion’s Square. If you haven’t been to this event before, I highly recommend that you make it a priority. Over 70 top chefs from around the country will be on hand with their individual take on the titular foods. One of the things I really like about this party is that the chefs are there to talk about the inspiration behind their dishes. Every year they up the bar for music and this year is no exception. The event will feature Railroad Earth, Donavon Frankenreiter, Lillie Mae and Honey Island Swamp Band.
Just a couple of days later on November 11, the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival will be back to its home on the riverside of Carrolton Ave. for the 12th year. Despite its relative youth, this event is an institution. Some of the most inventive and delicious takes on our august sandwich can be found here. This year alone will feature over 50 different poor boys. In addition to the great food, the festival has always had a tradition of excellent local performers. This year the headliners are the George Porter Trio and The New Orleans Suspects with Jennifer Hartswick. Also make sure to catch the outstanding 101 Runners while you’re there. Jared Zeller—the founder and producer of Bayou Boogaloo—has been brought in to produce the festival. I’m excited to see what the future holds for this event. It has all the right ingredients to become one of the major events of the year.
Finally, you can slip down to Armstrong Park the next weekend for the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival. This is one of the absolute best brass band showcases of the year and of course the food is outstanding. This year the food court is expanding out into Armstrong Plaza in order to accommodate everyone. As for the music, this year’s festival is headlined by Ashlin Parker’s Trumpet Mafia on Saturday, and by the incomparable Rebirth Brass Band on Sunday. You can also catch the Treme Brass Band, James Andrews, Corey Henry, Shamarr Allen, the LPO, the Free Agents Brass Band, the Pinettes Brass Band and the Hot 8 Brass Band over the course of the weekend. With talent like this, it is amazing that this event remains free (although donations are accepted). An afternoon of brass and gumbo is a great start to a fall evening in the Quarter.
Playlist of mentioned bands available at: http://bit.ly/InTune11-18
Must-See Music
November 1
All Them Witches rock One Eyed Jacks.
November 2
The Snails surf Republic.
November 6
Simple Minds pop into the Saenger.
November 8
Phosphorescent brings indie folk to One Eyed Jacks.
November 9
Christina Aguilera rocks the Saenger.
November 12
Wye Oak dreams at One Eyed Jacks.
November 17
Jimmie Dale Gilmore tells stories at Chickie Wah Wah.
November 17
Big Head Todd and the Monsters rock Tipitina’s.
November 17
Low Cut Connie tickles the ivories at Gasa Gasa (don’t miss this one.)
November 17
Ty Segall rocks One Eyed Jacks.
November 23-25
Nine Inch Nails and The Jesus and Mary Chain come home to the Saenger.
Dates are subject to change; email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter @Minima.
