Before we get to all the action on this first weekend of Carnival, here’s a tip. Your chance to get the best price for Jazz Fest tickets ends next Tuesday. The New Orleans Arena box office is closed because of the Superbowl, so you have to go to Lakefront Arena or Zephyr Field or click the link and pay the fees. Now on to my picks!
With parades going on all day on Saturday and Sunday, you will have to pace yourself if you’re going out at night. Tonight’s a bit easier since the only day parade tomorrow in the Krewe of Cork, and my sources tell me that the place to be is the Blue Nile for Bonerama. Chris Mule of the Honey Island Swamp Band opens with his solo project. The clubs on Frenchmen Street will be breathing easier now that the City Planning Commission has nixed the idea of another huge club on the already congested street.
Also, tomorrow night, Keller Williams brings his unusual one-man band to Tipitina’s. I have seen this act and it is pretty impressive. Of course, his concept of using loops to make his sound so much bigger has taken off with lots of acts, including New Orleans’ own Theresa Andersson, taking advantage of the same basic technology.
Saturday night, you may want to sit down and take in some jazz. The newest club in town, the Little Gem Saloon, has trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis in their upstairs Ramp Room, and Snug Harbor has Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuna. Both are good bets.
Of course, if you want to get funked up, head over to Tipitina’s for the uptown debut of the Nevilles. No, that’s not a misprint. Aaron Neville has split with his siblings and the other three brothers are carrying on without the “Brothers” in their moniker.
“Mean” Willie Green remains in the drum chair, but the other non-Neville members of the rhythm section are gone as well. Ian Neville, Art’s son, will be on guitar, Tony Hall will be on bass, and Ivan Neville is playing keys along with his uncle Art. Speaking of which, Art Neville (pictured back in the day), is celebrating 75 years on Planet Neville!
See you there!
