Two big festivals, but luckily they are really close together so you can bop back and forth, picking and choosing which bands to see. And they are both free. Here are my picks for the weekend.
The New Orleans Blues and BBQ Festival, which is brought to you by the fine folks at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and kicks off Friday afternoon at Lafayette Square, starts slow and doesn’t rev up both stages until Saturday morning. But with Luther Kent and Chris Thomas King playing back to back, the evening will surely heat up big time.
Saturday morning kicks off at 11 AM with J. Monque’D on the smaller Camp Street stage and gets into high gear at noon with Ernie Vincent on the St. Charles Avenue stage. Vincent is one of the unsung legends of Louisiana R&B. His “Dap Walk” is a classic.
Later in the day, the Bo-Keys hit with Otis Clay on vocals. I saw the reincarnated version of this classic Memphis band recently at D.B.A. and I was really impressed by their energy and ability to groove. Sugar Blue, a harmonica player who has performing with the Rolling Stones on his resume, closes out Saturday.
You might as well just park yourself at the St. Charles Street Stage on Sunday, but I would hope that you would set up your blanket a little back from the stage to make room for the dancers. It’s going to that kind of day with Clarence Carter closing things out. Latimore and Ironing Board Sam precede him. Carter is still going strong and promises to play full versions of his hits like “Slip Away.”
Over in Woldenberg Park, the Louisiana Seafood Festival has a serious lineup of talent going all day Friday through Sunday. It’s odd because this festival has sort of slipped through the radar of music lovers I have spoken to this week. I can’t even begin to mention everyone playing on the two stages, so go here for the full schedule.
Highlights for Friday include Tommy Malone. He has been tearing it up with his brother Dave and their new band the Malone Brothers. I also wouldn’t miss the Tin Men. Last time I saw this trio they were spot on with great vocals and amusing interaction between the members.
George Porter, Jr. and the Running Pardners and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes close the main stage.
On Saturday, Phil DeGruy plays a rare outside set at 3 PM. He is worth checking out for the witty repartee alone. Alexis and the Samurai close out the small stage after Phil. She is a contestant on this season’s The Voice, so there’s a chance this is the last time she will ever play on a stage this small.
Saturday’s main stage acts begin with two great women of song, Sasha Masakowski and Mia Borders, and close with two of the most intense funk acts—Cyril Neville and Papa Grows Funk.
Sunday, I’ll be at the Original Prince of Wales Social Aid and Pleasure Club’s annual parade. It starts and ends at the Rockbottom Lounge. But the festival continues with Stooges Brass Band, Flow Tribe and many others.
See you there!
