This is it- the big weekend is here and there’s more music going on than ever. The Howlin’ Wolf is presenting free shows all weekend. Tonight is Anders Osborne and Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers. Saturday night is the Rebirth Brass Band and Papa Grows Funk. Sunday night George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners team up with the Revivalists.
Catch the uptown parades this evening and stick around the neighborhood for the Old 97s at Tipitina’s or head over to Le Bon Temp Roule for a performance by Dave Jordan and the Neighborhood Improvement Association. The longtime leader of Juice has a great solo album out.
If your feet are already shot and you want to sit down and hear some jazz, the Charmaine Neville Band is at Snug Harbor tonight and Topsy Chapman sings her butt on Saturday night.
There’s plenty of music happening during the day time as well. The mask market in the French Market features bands all day on Saturday. There is also a rare performance of the New Orleans Helsinki Connection on Saturday. It’s free starting at 2 PM at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park visitor’s center. Happy Mardi Gras!
