.
More EVENTS added! Plus...
OUR BIGGEST PHOTO SECTION EVER -- ADDED TO THIS EDITION!
(Easy to enjoy all the pics! Tap or click any image to enlarge it.)
.
.
OUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA coverage is as down-home "Southern" as you can get! Complete with the red potatoes, and corn on the cob, and cornbread and shrimp, and étouffée, and gumbo, and boiled crab, and po'boys, and catfish, and red beans 'n rice, and Trappey's hot sauce, and hurricane punch. (Which can all be found in California, if you know where to look!)
Either way?
"Tie-on your bib, 'elsewise the spicy butter be drippins off dem vicuals and all dem tastiest sides," as Thibodeau an' Beaudreax be likely to say in dat Cajun French turnt into Englash for de rest of us all who don't be understandin' things like the joy of makin' music for dance wit accordion and fiddle aftah wrasslin' gators an' such 'fore time to get on th' dance floor for the Mardi Gras'n.
Of course, we cannot convey the rhythm and cadence of spoken words in English as delivered by folks acculturated in Cajun French. Which already had acquired some inflections in Acadia, before its ancestral speakers brought it to Louisiana and mixed it all in with Creole. Of course we know our efforts to show the rounded ends of a lot of words -- which sort of lets the sounds bounce with that rhythm off one another when spoken -- that the best we can do inadequately represents it here with apostroph-eed endings.
(And please. No insult intended. We love hearing Southern Louisianans speak, as well as sing and make music! And we're trying to authentically replicate and share it, knowing from the outset that it probably cannot be done in a written medium. But indulge us just a bit more, and we'll soon return to neutral use of the language.)
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So, all by their lonesome selves -- no, can't be sayin' lonesome, 'cause theys too many dese goins on, so not be lonesome -- THIS edition is Mardi Gras, just Mardi Gras, and all o' MARDI GRAS, in all its tuneful and delectably edible and imbibably ingestible revelry, and in all its rich and unique vocalizations that delight the ear, all just as big and full as we can make it for you.
Sure, all this IS also included in another massively huge edition, swimming amongst all the very many other events in the Guide's super-duper, all-inclusive, ever-growing and wowsa presentation of everything we cover. And if you want to behold all those others and "else's" out there -- the full universe of things happening from now through our still-growing coverage of ST. PATRICK'S DAY-ish events and beyond -- you can do that, at:
https://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2019/02/events-update-concerts-festivals-film.html
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MARDI GRAS!
In both "LA's" -- Los Angeles, AND Louisiana!
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Special EXTRA Section --
Mardi Gras in NOLA
With Fat Tuesday on March 5, this weekend IN NEW ORLEANS will be filled with special events, parades, concerts and more celebrating Mardi Gras. NOLA-based "OffBeat" magazine has compiled their definitive guide to the scene in the Crescent City.
PARADES, FLOATS, SECOND-LINE MARCHERS...
Everyone who builds, rides, or accompanies anything that moves for "Carnival" on the weekend or on Fat Tuesday -- all are part of one or another crew, spelled "krewe," and they've each got a name. Most of those names are a hundred or more years old.
Krewe of Muses, Krewe of Hermes, Krewe of Orpheus, Krewe of Tucks, Krewe of Endymion, Krewe of Thoth, and many, many more groups parade through NOLA this weekend to celebrate Carnival.
The Société Des Champs Elysée even does a streetcar ride in full Mardi Gras costume! If YOU'RE in New Orleans, you need the full "Offbeat" schedule of who 'n what are where, 'n when, and you probably can't find one. So with the magic of the internet, WE have it for you, at:
http://www.offbeat.com/news/heres-2019-schedule-mardi-gras-parades/
If you're in NOLA, you'll also need the "Offbeat" list of shows -- the ones that get their staff's stamp of approval.
From "Freedia Gras" to "Lundifest," they've got all the LIVE MUSIC in New Orleans covered -- this WEEKEND through Tuesday's LATE NIGHT CARNIVAL SHENANIGANS -- at:
http://www.offbeat.com/news/live-music-during-mardi-gras-weekend-march-1-5/
Speaking of NEW ORLEANS and "Offbeat," they remind us that FATS DOMINO, the legendary New Orleans musician, would have had his 91st birthday on February 26. In honor of his birthday, OffBeat.com premiered the first single from pianist and singer-songwriter Mitch Woods’ upcoming album, "A Tip of the Hat to Fats," and thanks to "Offbeat," you can read about the album, the legacy of Fats' music, and listen to the track.
IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE for Mardi Gras, listen to this single. It's delightfully fresh, thoroughly retro, and the horns -- especially that cupped trumpet solo most of the way through -- are as good as it gets, folks. Listen at:
http://www.offbeat.com/news/357837/
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All about the beads. A perch and loops to throw makes anybody a celebrity. The one with the heaviest, most unwieldy coil encasing the neck wins, apparently. Among the more irrational obsessions that seasonally seize people anywhere is the uncontrollable desire to accumulate Mardi Gras beads. That is, until It's over. Last year, New Orleans fished 47 tons of beads from the sewers.
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MARDI GRAS IN LOS ANGELES & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Across Southern Cal, you can find restaurants and bars and even some massive sprcially-appropriated venues, all celebrating Fat Tuesday. But not necessarily on Tuesday.
LOTS OF IT happens early -- especially on the weekend -- and much more IS on the actual day. Tuesday.
It's out there awaiting you, with Cajun n' Zydeco, New Orleans traditional n' Dixieland style jazz, brass bands, fais do-dos, and (yum!) king cakes, and yes indeedy, even a few crawfish boils.
The trick is getting authentic live Cajun or Zydeco or trad N'Awlins jazz to accompany your digestion of the consumables.
We've looked in as many places as a crawfish hides to find everything that went into this. Special thanks to Timeout Los Angeles for their treasures, for all the many sources that contributed just one or two things that all add-up to this big 'ol feast!
SOOOO (second line parade snare drum roll)... with no more ado (and not yet adieux)...
___
Here's the Guide's guide to the L.A. Saturday-through-Tuesday MARDI GRAS EXPERIENCE.
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Friday, Mar 1
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Fri, Mar 1; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
10 am - MUDBUG BRASS BAND plays the Skirball Cultural Center, atop Sepulveda Pass at 2701 N Sepulveda Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90049; 310-440-4578.
* Concert is free with paid admission.
___
Fri, Mar 1; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
8 pm - MUDBUG BRASS BAND plays the Edye Stage at Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica CA 90401; 310-434-3200.
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Saturday, Mar 2 Okay, so the pics are
÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷=÷ from New Orleans.
______________________
Sat, Mar 2-Tue, Mar 5; FREE FESTIVAL / MARDI GRAS EVENT:
30th Annual "MARDI GRAS" at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W Third St (Third & Fairfax), Los Angeles 90036
* One of the only family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations in town. And the Farmers Market is celebrating its 85th!
* Runs Sat & Sun, Mar 2 & 3, and it's back to conclude on Fat Tuesday, Mar 5.
* The entire Market is decked-out in purple, green and gold décor, with strolling parade bands, activities for kids, bead-throwing from the Gate 1 interior balcony at the top of each hour, much like beads are tossed from the balconies of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and more.
* Enjoy New Orleans’ classics – King Cake, beignets, delicious, made-from-scratch Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot – and a musical line-up to bring the celebration to life.
* LIVE MUSIC performances by Cajun and Zydeco favorites:
♤ Eddie Baytos and The Nervis Brothers
◇ Mudbug Brass Band
♧ Bonnie Musique Zydeco
♡ Floyd and the Fly Boys
♤ High Life Cajun Band
♡ Grammy-nominated Lisa Haley and the Zydekats
◇ and more, all bringing the Mardi Gras celebrations to life. Or in Cajunspeak, "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (“Let the good times roll!”) with the full schedule of activities and performances.
* The Dog Bakery will host its Annual "MUTTI GRAS PET PARADE" on the Market Plaza from Noon-1 pm on Sat, Mar 2nd, with prizes awarded to the best-dressed furry King and Queen of Mutti Gras -- dogs (and occasionally a cat or rabbit) dressed in creative costumes parading across the Plaza, with winners taking home prizes.
* SCHEDULE:
■ Sat, Mar 2
MUTTI GRAS PET PARADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 pm PLAZA
MUDBUG BRASS BAND . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 pm STROLLING
HIGH LIFE CAJUN BAND . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 pm EAST PATIO
MUDBUG BRASS BAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30-3 pm PLAZA
KING & QUEEN CROWN DECORATING . 1:30-4:30 pm PLAZA
FLOYD AND THE FLYBOYS . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 pm WEST PATIO
LISA HALEY AND THE ZYDEKATS . . . . 6-8 pm WEST PATIO
- - -
■ Sun, Mar 3
HIGH LIFE CAJUN BAND . . . . . . 11:30-1:30 pm EAST PATIO
BEAR BRASS BAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3 pm STROLLING
SHAKERS FOR PEACE & JOY CRAFT . 1:30-4:30 pm PLAZA
BONNE MUSIQUE ZYDECO . . . . . . . . . 2-4 pm WEST PATIO
CRAWDADDIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 pm PLAZA
EDDIE BAYTOS & NERVIS BROTHERS . .5-7 pm WEST PATIO
- - -
■ Fat Tuesday, Mar 5
EDDIE BAYTOS & NERVIS BROTHERS . .6-9 pm WEST PATIO
* Event is FREE, but you'll pay for parking (Metro does go there).
* More at: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/event/2019/03/02/the-original-farmers-market%E2%80%99s-annual-mardi-gras-celebration-opening-day
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Sat, Mar 2; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
6 pm - "BOOTLEG THEATRE'S MARDI GRAS CARNEVALE 2019" at Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Bl, Los Angeles CA 90057
* It's "an evening of Revelry, Gratitude, Art and Love" to "celebrate 13 years of creating & supporting the best live performance in L.A."
* A night of food and drinks, performances, prizes and surprises, with host JOHN C. REILLY.
* Festivities begin at 6 pm with music & special eats from Mick’s BBQ Rescue and Coffee + Food.
* At 7 pm are performances by TOP SHELF BRASS BAND, comedian MICHAEL RAYNOR, beatboxer TRACK IX, marionettist ELI PRESSER, WESLEY THORNTON of the GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC SHOW), magician KRYS TABUJARA, contortionist MILO GONZALEZ, aerialist KEELY LUNA, Monologue Man BRIAN ALLMAN, THE SILVERLAKE CHORUS, and the LADIES of L.A. LAW. Then dancing ensues with DJ Patrick Belton of Dubgypsy.
* Raffles throughout the night.
* Each General Admission ticket includes one (1) drink ticket & food. Festive attire is encouraged.
* TIX: $75, at http://www.bootlegtheater.org/
* Doors at 6 pm, show is 7 pm-11 pm.
___
Sat-Tue, Mar 2-5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
"SPECIAL MARDI GRAS MENU" at Little Dom’s, 2128 Hillhurst Av, Los Angeles CA 90027
* Talk about multicultural! This Italian restaurant is going Cajun for four days! But it makes sense if you know...
* New Orleans son Brandon Boudet is lighting up his restaurant with Bourbon Street specials with few-days-only Mardi Gras menu.
* Catch soft-shell crab po’ boys, shrimp-studded gumbo, sugar-dusted beignets, crunchy pork belly cracklins, sweets like the iconic king cake, and drink specials including $5 Abita beer.
* It all runs 4 days, open to close, in celebration of the holiday.
* You can also place King Cake orders ($25) through the deli by calling 323-661-0055 (48 hours’ notice is required), or grab a slice while you're there, $5 a piece.
* It runs March 2–5, regular hours of business: Mon-Thu 8 am-3 pm, 5:30 pm-11 pm; Fri 8 am-3 pm, 5:30 pm-midnight; Sat 8 am-midnight; Sun 8 am-11 pm.
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 |
| _____________________________________________ Trains are enduring favorites as parade floats in New Orleans. We'll look at 100 years of trains to Mardi Gras in a special section, following. _____________________________________________ |
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Sunday, Mar 3
Sunday, Mar 3
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Sun, Mar 3; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
Noon-6 pm - "L.A. UNION STATION ALL-DAY CRAWFISH BOIL" presented by Imperial Western Beer Co., at 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles CA 90012
* Each $40 ticket includes crawfish and its simmered compatriots — corn on the cob, red potatoes and andouille sausage — plus fried green tomato salad with remoulade, collard greens and either a beer flight or a cocktail.
* This new brewery is bringing a little bit of NOLA with a full-on party, complete with live music.
* Actually, the very new brewery is getting
credit for the magnificent design & decor of
of L.A. Union Station's original 1939 Fred Harvey restaurant and nightclub, where all the movie stars hung out and all the Big Bands played. It's been closed for decades, and recently re-opened at last, as Imperial Western Beer Co.
* TIX: walk-in event, but you can book your table at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-crawfish-boil-at-imperial-western-beer-company-tickets-55243927073
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Noon-6 pm - "L.A. UNION STATION ALL-DAY CRAWFISH BOIL" presented by Imperial Western Beer Co., at 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles CA 90012
* Each $40 ticket includes crawfish and its simmered compatriots — corn on the cob, red potatoes and andouille sausage — plus fried green tomato salad with remoulade, collard greens and either a beer flight or a cocktail.
* This new brewery is bringing a little bit of NOLA with a full-on party, complete with live music.
* Actually, the very new brewery is getting
credit for the magnificent design & decor of
* TIX: walk-in event, but you can book your table at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-crawfish-boil-at-imperial-western-beer-company-tickets-55243927073
___
Sun, Mar 3 ; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
2 pm-5 pm - MIGUEL FONTENOT plays the French Quarter Creole Bar & Grill, 16728 Bellflower Bl, Bellflower, CA 90706
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2 pm-5 pm - MIGUEL FONTENOT plays the French Quarter Creole Bar & Grill, 16728 Bellflower Bl, Bellflower, CA 90706
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30th Annual "MARDI GRAS" at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W Third St (Third & Fairfax), Los Angeles 90036
* One of the only family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations in town. And the Farmers Market is celebrating its 85th!
* Runs Sat & Sun, Mar 2 & 3, and it's back to conclude on Fat Tuesday, Mar 5.
* The entire Market is decked-out in purple, green and gold décor, with strolling parade bands, activities for kids, bead-throwing from the Gate 1 interior balcony at the top of each hour, much like beads are tossed from the balconies of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and more.
* Enjoy New Orleans’ classics – King Cake, beignets, delicious, made-from-scratch Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot – and a musical line-up to bring the celebration to life.
* LIVE MUSIC performances by Cajun and Zydeco favorites:
■ Sun, Mar 3
HIGH LIFE CAJUN BAND . . . . . . 11:30-1:30 pm EAST PATIO
BEAR BRASS BAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3 pm STROLLING
SHAKERS FOR PEACE & JOY CRAFT . 1:30-4:30 pm PLAZA
BONNE MUSIQUE ZYDECO . . . . . . . . . 2-4 pm WEST PATIO
CRAWDADDIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 pm PLAZA
EDDIE BAYTOS & NERVIS BROTHERS . .5-7 pm WEST PATIO
- - -
■ Fat Tuesday, Mar 5
EDDIE BAYTOS & NERVIS BROTHERS . .6-9 pm WEST PATIO
* Event is FREE, but you'll pay for parking (Metro does go there).
* More at: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/event/2019/03/02/the-original-farmers-market%E2%80%99s-annual-mardi-gras-celebration-opening-day
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Tuesday, Mar 5 --
MARDI GRAS!
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Tue, Mar 5, FREE; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
4 pm - Annual "MARDI GRAS AT AMOEBA" at Amoeba Music Hollywood, 6400 Sunset Bl, Hollywood CA 90028
* Bring your horn, tuba, banjo, any portable percussion instrument. Join the annual party procession at 4 pm, to "When the Saints..." and share the cacophonous joy of Fat Tuesday.
* The celebration at the fabled record store ensues from 2 pm-4 pm with DJs spinning NOLA party classics.
* Amoeba donates a portion of this day's proceeds to two charities working to preserve the musical and cultural heritage of New Orleans: Tipitina’s Foundation, and New Orleans Musicians' Clinic (NOMC). Details at: https://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/upcoming/detail-4702/index.html
____________________
In L.A., only some "get" public transit.
In NOLA, they LOVE their streetcars,
functional living history running year-
round to the French Quarter. And for
MARDI GRAS? It's how they roll!
____________________
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
5 pm-10 pm - "MARDI GRAS CRAB BOIL & LOUISIANA CUISINE FEAST" at 189 by Dominique Ansel, 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles CA 90036
* No music at this one, but it's not far from all the revel at the Farmers Market.
* Each $55 ticket includes buckets of fresh crab, tiger shrimp, P.E.I. mussels and corn tumbled onto your newspaper-topped table, plus a bevy of sides like red pepper maque choux, fried pickles and fresh-baked cornbread.
* You can also expect a crab boil from chef Dominique Ansel, plus pastries -- fried-to-order beignets—and à la carte from the bar, the requisite hurricane cocktails.
* TIX: https://dominiqueansella.com/event/dumplingfest-2-2/
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* No music at this one, but it's not far from all the revel at the Farmers Market.
* Each $55 ticket includes buckets of fresh crab, tiger shrimp, P.E.I. mussels and corn tumbled onto your newspaper-topped table, plus a bevy of sides like red pepper maque choux, fried pickles and fresh-baked cornbread.
* You can also expect a crab boil from chef Dominique Ansel, plus pastries -- fried-to-order beignets—and à la carte from the bar, the requisite hurricane cocktails.
* TIX: https://dominiqueansella.com/event/dumplingfest-2-2/
___
Mardi Gras, eight decades apart: at the end of the 1930s, at the end of the 2010s.
____________________
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
5 pm-all night (literally, all night!) - "FREE MARDI GRAS AT THE LITTLE EASY" happens at the Little Easy, 216 W 5th St, Los Angeles CA 90013
* The venue bills itself as "the only authentically New Orleans location" (in L.A.). They continue, "There is no homage here. It is as if you are transported to The Big Easy/New Orleans. Have you ever been to Bourbon Street or The French Quarter? After this event you will feel as if you have been. Especially so with their devilish mixed drinks..."
* The venue's cuisine is extensive:
• BEIGNETS Three to an order, dusted with confectioners sugar & a chocolate lavender sauce.
• VOODOO WINGS Cajun dry rubbed with choice of blue cheese or ranch.
• CHICKEN & WAFFLES Boneless fried chicken breast, house-made
gravy, Belgian-style waffle, maple syrup
• SWAMP FRIES smothered in house-made gravy & a blend of cheeses; add: chicken / shrimp or short rib.
• JAMBALAYA Blackened chicken, Andouille sausage, stewed tomatoes & rice.
• BOURBON STREET BURRITO Tortilla filled with jambalaya and cheese.
• DIRTY BIRD Boneless fried chicken breast, creamy cheese grits & gravy.
• MARDI GRAS MAC Cheddar, smoked gouda, pepper jack cheese, béchamel sauce Add: chicken / short rib.
• RED BEANS AND RICE Andouille sausage, kidney beans & rice
• CHEESE GRITS Blend of smoked gouda, pepper jack & cheddar
* See the ambience, drinks, and food, at: http://littleeasybar.com/gallery/
* The Little Easy has comfortable living room seating and a small Southern hotel lobby feel in front, winding down the hallway you feel transport to the Pirates of the Caribbean or New Orleans itself. Is has an impressive indoor courtyard with large bar, working fountain, porch swing.
* Event starts at 7 pm. Early arrival is advised. Space is open 'til it fills. ENTRY IS RESERVED -- Seating is not reserved. First come is first served. Venue says, "Dress code: Vampire Dairies clothes. Anything black and chic will be fine. You can also dress tres mardi gras. For the ladies? You have style! Nobody needs to tell you how to be sharp, classy or stylish and dress for a party. Mandatory will be a mask and beads and etc. Go to Party City or 99 cent store and stock up."
* Metro Rail Red/Purple stop is about 1000 feet away.
* FREE, no cover, no minimum, make a reservation and arrive early or you won't get in.
* Venue says, "RSVP on the event. No RSVP=Big Sadness. Individual Names needed for the Guest List." Make rez at: https://m.evensi.us/free-mardi-gras-easy-masquerade/290090754
___
Tue, Mar 5; Sat, Mar 2-Tue, Mar 5; FREE FESTIVAL / MARDI GRAS EVENT:
30th Annual "MARDI GRAS" at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W Third St (Third & Fairfax), Los Angeles 90036
* One of the only family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations in town. And the Farmers Market is celebrating its 85th!
* Runs Sat & Sun, Mar 2 & 3, and it's back to conclude on Fat Tuesday, Mar 5.
* The entire Market is decked-out in purple, green and gold décor, with strolling parade bands, activities for kids, bead-throwing from the Gate 1 interior balcony at the top of each hour, much like beads are tossed from the balconies of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and more.
* Enjoy New Orleans’ classics – King Cake, beignets, delicious, made-from-scratch Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot – and a musical line-up to bring the celebration to life.
* LIVE MUSIC performances by Cajun and Zydeco favorites; today, it's:
■ Fat Tuesday, Mar 5
EDDIE BAYTOS & NERVIS BROTHERS . .6-9 pm WEST PATIO
* Event is FREE, but you'll pay for parking (Metro does go there).
* More at: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/event/2019/03/02/the-original-farmers-market%E2%80%99s-annual-mardi-gras-celebration-opening-day
___
____________________
A hundred years ago, Mardi Gras was rather scarey up close.
____________________
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
6 pm-10 pm - "VEGAN MARDI GRAS FEAST" at Krimsey’s, North Hollywood’s all-vegan Cajun restaurant, 12900 Victory Bl, North Hollywood CA 91606
* Here's the place to celebrate Fat Tuesday without the meat. This is a plant-based party that includes live music, raffles, a photo booth, face painting, beads and $10 bowls of their "gumbalaya" (a stewy gumbo-jambalaya hybrid).
* You can order a whole vegan King Cake — with 48 hours’ notice, at: https://krimseys.com/kingcake
* Or buy your King Cake by the slice during the party.
* No advance reservations.
___
* The venue bills itself as "the only authentically New Orleans location" (in L.A.). They continue, "There is no homage here. It is as if you are transported to The Big Easy/New Orleans. Have you ever been to Bourbon Street or The French Quarter? After this event you will feel as if you have been. Especially so with their devilish mixed drinks..."
• BEIGNETS Three to an order, dusted with confectioners sugar & a chocolate lavender sauce.
• VOODOO WINGS Cajun dry rubbed with choice of blue cheese or ranch.
• CHICKEN & WAFFLES Boneless fried chicken breast, house-made
gravy, Belgian-style waffle, maple syrup
• SWAMP FRIES smothered in house-made gravy & a blend of cheeses; add: chicken / shrimp or short rib.
• JAMBALAYA Blackened chicken, Andouille sausage, stewed tomatoes & rice.
• BOURBON STREET BURRITO Tortilla filled with jambalaya and cheese.
• DIRTY BIRD Boneless fried chicken breast, creamy cheese grits & gravy.
• MARDI GRAS MAC Cheddar, smoked gouda, pepper jack cheese, béchamel sauce Add: chicken / short rib.
• RED BEANS AND RICE Andouille sausage, kidney beans & rice
• CHEESE GRITS Blend of smoked gouda, pepper jack & cheddar
* See the ambience, drinks, and food, at: http://littleeasybar.com/gallery/
* The Little Easy has comfortable living room seating and a small Southern hotel lobby feel in front, winding down the hallway you feel transport to the Pirates of the Caribbean or New Orleans itself. Is has an impressive indoor courtyard with large bar, working fountain, porch swing.
* Event starts at 7 pm. Early arrival is advised. Space is open 'til it fills. ENTRY IS RESERVED -- Seating is not reserved. First come is first served. Venue says, "Dress code: Vampire Dairies clothes. Anything black and chic will be fine. You can also dress tres mardi gras. For the ladies? You have style! Nobody needs to tell you how to be sharp, classy or stylish and dress for a party. Mandatory will be a mask and beads and etc. Go to Party City or 99 cent store and stock up."
* Metro Rail Red/Purple stop is about 1000 feet away.
* FREE, no cover, no minimum, make a reservation and arrive early or you won't get in.
* Venue says, "RSVP on the event. No RSVP=Big Sadness. Individual Names needed for the Guest List." Make rez at: https://m.evensi.us/free-mardi-gras-easy-masquerade/290090754
___
30th Annual "MARDI GRAS" at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W Third St (Third & Fairfax), Los Angeles 90036
* One of the only family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations in town. And the Farmers Market is celebrating its 85th!
* Runs Sat & Sun, Mar 2 & 3, and it's back to conclude on Fat Tuesday, Mar 5.
* The entire Market is decked-out in purple, green and gold décor, with strolling parade bands, activities for kids, bead-throwing from the Gate 1 interior balcony at the top of each hour, much like beads are tossed from the balconies of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and more.
* Enjoy New Orleans’ classics – King Cake, beignets, delicious, made-from-scratch Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot – and a musical line-up to bring the celebration to life.
* LIVE MUSIC performances by Cajun and Zydeco favorites; today, it's:
■ Fat Tuesday, Mar 5
EDDIE BAYTOS & NERVIS BROTHERS . .6-9 pm WEST PATIO
* Event is FREE, but you'll pay for parking (Metro does go there).
* More at: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/event/2019/03/02/the-original-farmers-market%E2%80%99s-annual-mardi-gras-celebration-opening-day
___
A hundred years ago, Mardi Gras was rather scarey up close.
____________________
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
6 pm-10 pm - "VEGAN MARDI GRAS FEAST" at Krimsey’s, North Hollywood’s all-vegan Cajun restaurant, 12900 Victory Bl, North Hollywood CA 91606
* Here's the place to celebrate Fat Tuesday without the meat. This is a plant-based party that includes live music, raffles, a photo booth, face painting, beads and $10 bowls of their "gumbalaya" (a stewy gumbo-jambalaya hybrid).
* You can order a whole vegan King Cake — with 48 hours’ notice, at: https://krimseys.com/kingcake
* Or buy your King Cake by the slice during the party.
* No advance reservations.
___
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
6 pm-10 pm - MARDI GRAS “BANDS, BEADS AND BUGS ” PARTY, at the Ragin Cajun Cafe, 525 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Los Angeles CA 90277
* THESE GUYS ARE A GUIDE FAVORITE, from their "Great American Food Truck Race" TV days.
* As one of South Bay’s few authentic Cajun restaurants, they're going all-out to do this up right.
* You’ll find LIVE ZYDECO AND OTHER FESTIVE MUSIC, and absolutely, totally, completely authentic and splendidly tasty po’boys, Louisiana crawfish, boudin, other delectables, and drink specials.
* No reservations. Just go. As Thibodeau and Beaudreaux say, "That some kinda good!"
___
___________________
Our Southwestern observance of "Dia de Los Muertos" in November resonates with Mardi Gras in Spring in New Orleans. The Crescent City gets the imagery from voodoo and from the skull-and-crossbones iconography of its famous pirates, including the LaFitte brothers who helped Andrew Jackson win the Battle of New Orleans to end the War of 1812.
____________________
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
6 pm-10 pm - "MARDI GRAS FOOD FEST" BENEFIT is a fun evening of food, dancing, and live music in support of Cancer Care at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. It's held at
Sirona's Sports Bar at Santa Anita Race Track, Arcadia, CA
* Over 30 local restaurants participate, bringing samples of their favorite dishes.
* Guests enjoy an open bar (21+ only), the tunes of the '80s All Starz (Not Cajun or Zydeco-!), a fun photobooth, a silent auction, a jazzy parade, and lots and lots of dancing.
* This year's event honors Dr. Dino and Hope Clarizio and proceeds support Cancer Care at Methodist Hospital.
* TIX: https://losangeles.carpe-diem.events/calendar/8689959-mardi-gras-food-fest-2019-at-sironas-sports-bar-at-santa-anita-race-track/
___
6 pm-10 pm - MARDI GRAS “BANDS, BEADS AND BUGS ” PARTY, at the Ragin Cajun Cafe, 525 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Los Angeles CA 90277
* THESE GUYS ARE A GUIDE FAVORITE, from their "Great American Food Truck Race" TV days.
* As one of South Bay’s few authentic Cajun restaurants, they're going all-out to do this up right.
* You’ll find LIVE ZYDECO AND OTHER FESTIVE MUSIC, and absolutely, totally, completely authentic and splendidly tasty po’boys, Louisiana crawfish, boudin, other delectables, and drink specials.
* No reservations. Just go. As Thibodeau and Beaudreaux say, "That some kinda good!"
___
Our Southwestern observance of "Dia de Los Muertos" in November resonates with Mardi Gras in Spring in New Orleans. The Crescent City gets the imagery from voodoo and from the skull-and-crossbones iconography of its famous pirates, including the LaFitte brothers who helped Andrew Jackson win the Battle of New Orleans to end the War of 1812.
____________________
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
6 pm-10 pm - "MARDI GRAS FOOD FEST" BENEFIT is a fun evening of food, dancing, and live music in support of Cancer Care at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. It's held at
Sirona's Sports Bar at Santa Anita Race Track, Arcadia, CA
* Over 30 local restaurants participate, bringing samples of their favorite dishes.
* Guests enjoy an open bar (21+ only), the tunes of the '80s All Starz (Not Cajun or Zydeco-!), a fun photobooth, a silent auction, a jazzy parade, and lots and lots of dancing.
* This year's event honors Dr. Dino and Hope Clarizio and proceeds support Cancer Care at Methodist Hospital.
* TIX: https://losangeles.carpe-diem.events/calendar/8689959-mardi-gras-food-fest-2019-at-sironas-sports-bar-at-santa-anita-race-track/
___
Tue, Mar 5; MARDI GRAS EVENT:
7 pm - MUDBUG BRASS BAND plays Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill & Jazz, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077.
___
7 pm - MUDBUG BRASS BAND plays Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill & Jazz, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077.
___
- - -
(from descriptions by Cassandra Lane, who writes for "L.A. Parent.")
- - -
♤ LA LOUISANNE, corner of Slauson Av and Overhill Dr, will have a Fat Tuesday celebration that includes a second line, the New Orleans style parade that follows a brass band while participants dance and twirl parasols and handkerchiefs. It's been there 30 years and lights-up the corner at night with its purple, gold and green neon signs – one in the boot shape of Louisiana, the other advertising its Creole cuisine and nightly jazz. Venue: La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA; 323-293-5073; http://www.lalouisannela.com/
- - -
Sharing that neighborhood’s Little Louisiana corner are two other eateries, just below.
- - -
◇ ORLEANS & YORK, a po-boy go-to at
http://orleansandyorkdeli.com/, and THE SNOBALL SHOP, where you can order all manner of syrupy, icy goodness and even get it creamed with condensed milk, the way they do it down in New Orleans.
- - -
♡ HAROLD AND BELLE'S, at 2920 W Jefferson Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90018, is an L.A. Creole restaurant staple featured recently on TV's "Diner's Drive-ins, and Dives." It opened 50 years ago in the area where it still stands, Jefferson Park, a neighborhood teeming with Louisianians back then. Like other New Orleans-themed restaurants, Harold & Belle’s will be hopping with energy on Fat Tuesday.
- - -
♧ BAYOU GRILLE, 1400 N La Brea Av, Inglewood CA, will host a crawfish boil amidst its celebrated Lou'siana ambience; excellent reputation here.
___
(from descriptions by Cassandra Lane, who writes for "L.A. Parent.")
- - -
♤ LA LOUISANNE, corner of Slauson Av and Overhill Dr, will have a Fat Tuesday celebration that includes a second line, the New Orleans style parade that follows a brass band while participants dance and twirl parasols and handkerchiefs. It's been there 30 years and lights-up the corner at night with its purple, gold and green neon signs – one in the boot shape of Louisiana, the other advertising its Creole cuisine and nightly jazz. Venue: La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA; 323-293-5073; http://www.lalouisannela.com/
- - -
Sharing that neighborhood’s Little Louisiana corner are two other eateries, just below.
- - -
◇ ORLEANS & YORK, a po-boy go-to at
http://orleansandyorkdeli.com/, and THE SNOBALL SHOP, where you can order all manner of syrupy, icy goodness and even get it creamed with condensed milk, the way they do it down in New Orleans.
- - -
♡ HAROLD AND BELLE'S, at 2920 W Jefferson Bl, Los Angeles, CA 90018, is an L.A. Creole restaurant staple featured recently on TV's "Diner's Drive-ins, and Dives." It opened 50 years ago in the area where it still stands, Jefferson Park, a neighborhood teeming with Louisianians back then. Like other New Orleans-themed restaurants, Harold & Belle’s will be hopping with energy on Fat Tuesday.
- - -
♧ BAYOU GRILLE, 1400 N La Brea Av, Inglewood CA, will host a crawfish boil amidst its celebrated Lou'siana ambience; excellent reputation here.
___
Remember to check-out all the MANY other things out there -- concerts, festivals, club gigs, film events, and more -- including our still-growing ST. PATRICK'S DAY-ish events and beyond!
You can do all that as a one-stop shop, at:
https://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2019/02/events-update-concerts-festivals-film.html
___________________________________
SPECIAL SECTION -- RUNNING EXTRA TO MARDI GRAS
(Tap or click any image to enlarge.)
For over a hundred years, Americans went to Mardi Gras by train. That heritage is still celebrated in the many parade floats in New Orleans whose krewes design them to look like 19th century steam locomotives. Some parade floats even vent "steam" and have whistles that blow on compressed air!
Then as now, the clubs on Bourbon and Canal Streets packed 'em in for live blues and jazz. The skillful blaring of horns and the furiosity of strings played blindingly fast became trademarks. But that was all the time, and this was the Big Easy. Then comes Mardi Gras, and you express everything with exponents.
Get past the college frat boys with the beer bongs. When Mardi Gras abates, the music flows effortlessly and so does the culture. History resumes its quiet immediacy with the vaults of 200-year-old above-ground cemeteries. And it fulfills the Zydeco band's appeal for "Somebody scream!" with the five-chime steam whistle on the paddlewheeler Natchez. Add to that the National World War II Museum for a profound sense of past and present intermingling.
In New Orleans, you can still ride old rail streetcars from the 1920s. In fact, you can catch three different streetcar lines within three blocks of the train station -- where all the many streamliners and the great "limiteds" began and ended their runs. Inside, the station, the walls still hold their Conrad Abrizzio art-deco / industrial age murals framed by architectural elements for which Frank Lloyd Wright was the mere chief draftsman. Punctuating the murals in two monolithic swaths are the trains' arrivals-and-departures call boards -- they still hang massively on the high walls, listing a paltry total of three trains. The rest of those boards is a gaping darkness of ten or twelve vertical feet; the empty ribbed surfaces made for press-in letters have displayed only blank space for decades.
Still, New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal was responsible for $17,668,780 in fiscal year 2018. With the merest trickle of activity.
Once it was very different. The trains' schedules meshed with those of paddlewheel riverboats headed up to Natchez, Memphis, St. Louis, Cairo, and Cincinnati. Ocean-going steamships waited at the wharves.
Let's look back at how revelers went to Mardi Gras in a more spacious age. When over a dozen different railroads operated daily passenger trains in and out of the Crescent City.
Today, with post-Hurricane Katrina track damage still annuling the Florida train, Amtrak still runs trains on just three historic routes.
The best of these is the "Sunset Limited." It was once the flagship of the Southern Pacific Railroad, complete with an on-board barber shop newsstand. It ran behind jaunty red, orange, silver and black locomotives -- streamlined steam, and then streamlined diesels. Amtrak's train with the same name still runs Los Angeles to New Orleans; you can still look 20 to 50 feet away across the border into Mexico from Southwest Texas; of greatest importance, on this train you can still get a private bedroom with a porter to prepare your bed; there's still dinner in the diner, freshly-cooked real food. But don't wait long to ride it.
___
The reason is clear when we look at the next Amtrak train, the "City of New Orleans." Indeed that's the one that gave its name to the Steve Goodman song made famous by Arlo Guthrie. Once, the Illinois Central ran the luxurious "Panama Limited" from Chicago to New Orleans, along with the far less well-appointed "City of New Orleans." Both were glorious in chocolate brown and orange livery. The "Panama" is long gone. Amtrak's "City" still runs Chicago-New Orleans, but... it is now far worse than modern generic. That's because the mercenary Delta Airlines exec who is now in charge of Amtrak has invoked an insane management paradigm and a thoroughly obfuscating accounting system to justify cutbacks and "austerity."
For Amtrak's (supposedly modern) "City of New Orleans," that meant the end of real food. Now, you look out the window at the lush, green Mississippi River Valley, and then farther South, at the Spanish moss-draped bayou, all while you eat 7-11 style fare. Literally. Unless a major political change arrives while there is still time, more of that third-world-class travel -- or cancellation altogether -- awaits riders on several of Amtrak's well-patronized long-distance trains.
___
____________________
One steam locomotive like this one -- a green-and-gold Southern Railway class PS-4, 4-6-2 Pacific type -- survives. You can see it in the Smithsonian Museum of American History on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Perhaps unique in the world, it was completely rebuilt before going into the museum. It is therefore a 1920s-vintage, brand-new rebuilt, zero-mileage steam locomotive. Fitting, since New Orleans and D.C. were the train's terminals.
____________________
Amtrak is what we have now. It's all that we have now.
Sadly, the best Amtrak has been able to do was under its PREVIOUS management who was working to make it better, before the current politically-entwined front-office disaster. Amtrak has always needed to EXPAND to make it easier to use, with more departure and arrival options and more connections. Instead, it's always been about fighting more cuts, and fighting to keep real food aboard trains that passengers call home for one or two days or more. And now, the fights are about nothing less than survival of the American passenger rail option. Even when the energy use statistics and air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have ALWAYS greatly favored trains? The hugely subsidized airline industry -- which receives stratified layers of often-camoflauged taxpayer cash -- actively lobbies against comparatively tiny subsidies for Amtrak.
It won't be solved in the current piecemeal approaches of separate states myopically viewing their own needs in isolation. A commitment is required for the American passenger train, from sea to shining sea, and in the heartland where no air carrier can economically provide service, anyway. We lost our way in our love affairs with fast cars an cheap gas. Now we have gridlocked freeways and busted interstates and It's far gone to fix with a bake sale or a pot of gumbo.
We can always dream of a time when we won't be in cattle-car airliners with our knees in our armpits! And nothing is stopping you from calling your member of congress and your two US senators!
Anybody for a "Back to the Future" rail system?
________________________________________
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
That's the Cajun French phrase that literally translates to mean, "Let the good times roll!"
___________________________
That's all for this edition.
Stay tuneful!
___________________________
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We'll be back again soon with music news and more "News of the Non-Trumpcentric Universe." (c)
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LEGALESE, CONTACTING US, 'N SUCH...
Boilerplate? Where's the main pressure gauge? And the firebox?
What "boilerplate"? Who came up with that goofy term for the basic essential informational stuff...
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS – and views of interest to artists everywhere – more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music. That includes both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues (now undergoing a major update), and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues from the monumentally large to the intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops, conferences, and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the swamp water roots of the blues and the bright lights of where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell. The cyber porch'll be here anytime you come back from the road.
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