Enjoy the Irish Channel Parade on 3/14!

Wear as much green as your wardrobe will allow, and enjoy this lively parade where floats are accompanied by bands, music, and marching clubs. But what’s a parade in New Orleans without throws? Call out “throw me something mistah!” and be prepared to catch anything from beads to potatoes, carrots, moonpies...and the biggie....cabbages! And again, it being New Orleans, be on the lookout for underwear to be thrown! You’re certain to have a great time! Sláinte!

Happy National Absinthe Day!

Absinthe is a highly alcoholic, anise-flavored spirit that was portrayed as a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug and hallucinogen, and was banned in the United States by 1915. However, in reality, studies show that its psychoactive properties were exaggerated, other than that of the alcohol. The 1990’s saw a revival of absinthe, and now there are nearly 200 brands produced in a dozen countries. So, today is National Absinthe Day … what are you waiting for? Bottoms up! You may want to take tomorrow off, though …

Photo by Eric Litton

New Orleans Original Brass Fest on 3/7/2020

Nothing says New Orleans quite like the sounds of a homegrown brass band. Celebrate the infectious rhythm and soul of New Orleans Brass Bands at the second annual Brass Fest, Saturday, March 7 at Armstrong Park. Grammy Award winning Rebirth Brass Band is headlining!

Photo of Rebirth Brass Band by L D’Ableaux

Celebrating the Birthday of Fats Domino

Pianist and singer-songwriter Antoine "Fats" Domino Jr., also known as “The Fat Man”, was born in New Orleans on February 26, 1928. A rock’n’roll music pioneer, Domino sold more than 65 million records, including the first million-selling rock’n’roll song, “The Fat Man” in 1949. Between 1955 and 1960, he had eleven Top 10 hits including "Blueberry Hill" and “Ain’t That A Shame”. He was one of rock’s biggest stars in the 1950s, but he described his music as the same rhythm and blues he had played in New Orleans. His style of music made him one of the firs R&B artists to become popular with white audiences. Domino also had a significant influence on the music of the 1960s and 1970s, as acknowledged by some of those he influenced, including Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Domino was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1998. Four songs of Domino's have been named to the Grammy Hall of Fame for their significance in music history: “Blueberry Hill” in 1987, “Ain’t It A Shame” in 2002, “Walking to New Orleans" in 2011 and “The Fat Man” in 2016.

Domino's home was badly flooded during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and since he had remained in his house with his wife, they were feared lost in the flood. However, on September 1, he and his family were rescued. Domino lost most of his possessions in the devastation, but the irrepressible artist still managed to release the album Alive and Kickin’ in 2006, with a portion of sales going to a local charity for musicians. This kindness was returned in 2007 when friends and rock stars (including Elton John, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Norah Jones, Lenny Kravitz, and Lucinda Williams) recorded Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino, to raise money for repairs to his home. Domino died on October 24, 2017, at his home in Harvey, Louisiana, at the age of 89, from natural causes. On this day we celebrate the birthday of the man, the legend, Fats Domino!

Photo: Ronzoni

Mardi Gras! Tuesday, 2/25/2020

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of indulging and eating rich foods on the last night before the fasting of Lent begins at midnight, when Ash Wednesday begins. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is about fun and celebration … parades, floats, people-watching, food, drink, music and all forms of entertainment. Mardi Gras revelers wear wild and crazy costumes and/or traditional colors of purple, green, and gold. Many wear beads caught during parades. Families with their kids are everywhere, and both locals and visitors have a fantastic time. Mardi Gras has been called the party New Orleans throws for itself, and invites everybody else to attend!

Celebrating the Birthday of Ernie K-Doe! 2/22

Rhythm and blues singer drummer, broadcaster, and club-owner Ernest Kador, Jr., known by the stage name Ernie K-Doe, was born in New Orleans on February 22, 1933. He was best known for his 1961 hit single “Mother-in-Law”, which was written by Allen Toussaint, and went to number 1 on the Billboard pop chart..His song "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" reached number 21 the same year, and "Later for Tomorrow" reached number 37 in 1967, but he never had another top 40 pop hit.

In the 1980s K-Doe did radio shows on New Orleans community stations, occasionally causing problems for the noncommercial stations with his frequent self-promotion.  In the 1990s K-Doe began to call himself "The Emperor of the Universe" and wore a cape and crown, becoming a famous local eccentric in New Orleans. Always an elaborate showman, one of K-Doe's most notable later performances ended with him performing seven continuous renditions of "Mother In Law" while dancing in front of the Aquarium of the Americas’ shark tank dressed in a green plumed cape. "Here Come the Girls", written by Allen Toussaint and recorded by K-Doe, was released in 1970, but was not a hit until it was used in an advertising campaign in 2007 and re-released. In 2008, a cover by the Sugarbabes reached number 3 on the UK charts, and in 2017 it was covered by Trombone Shorty. In 1994 The Mother-in-Law Lounge was opened by Ernie K-Doe, and it became an icon in the local community. K-Doe continued performing and occasionally recording until shortly before his death on July 5, 2001.