Zodiac parties have been all the rage in New Orleans for decades. All of them take place on weekends and feature bands culled from the favorites of the party planners. The Pisces party takes a different approach. The event is during the week allowing more musicians to attend, and they feature only musicians born under the fish sign. The organizers also emphasize “Fish-anthropy,” with all proceeds donated to an area non-profit each year.
This is also the first year that the group has a true headliner—the one and only Alvin Youngblood Hart (pictured at top).
Doors at the Blue Nile will open at 8 PM with DJ Black Pearl kicking off the night, followed by a short set and spiritual blessing by spirit-led vocal group, the Yemayayas (featuring Michaela Harrison, Sula Evans, Monica McIntyre, Thea Bashful, Martha Alguera, and Margie Perez).
Then “West Bank” Mike Doussan will hit the stage with his funk/rock/blues band and a special tribute to Brett Thomas Doussan. The foundation in his name is the recipient of this year’s proceeds.
The heart of the Pisces Party is the all-star, all-Piscean band Los Pescados, featuring Sam Price on bass (Honey Island Swamp Band, OTRA), Eric Bolivar on drums (Anders Osborne, Bonerama, Pimps of Joytime), Randy Ellis on guitar (Chubby Carrier), trombonists Greg Hicks (Bonerama, Funk Monkey) and Luke Huddleston (Los Po-Boy-Citos), singers Alexandra Scott and Kristina Morales, gypsy jazz guitarist Raphael Bas, Lucas Davenport (St. Cecilia’s Asylum Chorus), Jeff Guitar Nelson, and many others.
Restaurants donating food this year include Cochon Butcher, Milkfish, The Joint, Mo Pho, and L’ Enfant Terrible.
