So we missed the big parades in Long Beach and Venice over the rainy weekend, but there are a lot of good times still waiting to be rolled on Tuesday. As all New Orleans locals know, there is no flashing outside the Quarter. So sorry, no tits. But there is plenty of good food and good music all over town.
Liquid Kitty (West LA)
11780 Pico Blvd West LA (310) 473-3707 FREE
Liquid Kitty’s annual Mardi Gras bash is the place to find the most authentic music outside of Louisiana. The Damn Well Please Organ Trio will be blasting out the cajun, zydeco and New Orleans funk. Abita Beer $3 and Hurricanes $6 Sazerac Martinis $7.
3rd and Fairfax 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm FREE
The Farmer’s Market Mardi Gras is an LA institution. The 25th annual celebration will include New Orleans and Zydeco music, strolling parade bands, children’s activities, and bead throws. Dixie beer will be on tap, and The Gumbo Pot will be serving up some of the best catfish and jambalaya in town.
Amoeba (Hollywood)
3pm 6400 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 FREE
Laissez lais bon temps roulez at Amoeba with a DJ spinning Mardi Gras tunes, beads, masks, floats, live funk and soul by Orgone at 4pm, and a parade at 4:30pm where everyone’s encouraged to bring an instrument and join in. A portion of the day’s proceeds (from ALL 3 stores + amoeba.com!) will be donated to Tipitina’s Foundation and the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic.
Hotel Cafe (Melrose/Larchmont)
1623 1 /2 North Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, California (323) 461-2040 $10
L.A. pop/folk duo The ROAMies are playing the Hotel Cafe at 10pm. This husband-and-wife team will be playing a special Louisiana-flavored Mardi Gras set in this intimate club. Check out the newly opened Midtown Bar and Kitchen for wine, specialty cocktails and small plates. 21 and over. No credit cards for entry at the door.
Olvera Street (Daytime – for Kids)
125 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 FREE
9am – 2 pm Olvera Street style Children’s Carnival with singing and dancing, a festive parade, crowning of “Little King and Queen,” mask making workshops and piñata breaking.
The Canyon (Agoura Hills)
The Canyon 28912 Roadside Drive Agoura Hills, CA 91301-3304 $19-$28
The Canyon “celebrates in style with a full-blown New Orleans Mardi Gras festival featuring New Orleans blues band Preston Smith, Mardi Gras dancers, and cajun-themed food, drink and festivities.” Family Friendly.
House of Blues on Sunset Blvd (Hollywood)
8430 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 (323) 848–5100
What is up with the House of Blues? They will be serving their Gospel Brunch as a “unique Southern Supper.” Partiers will then move on to the usually members-only Foundation Room for a Michael Jackson themed party. Seriously? The one venue that can draw acts like The Meters and The Neville Brothers isn’t going to even host a half-assed New Orleans band? Go if you enjoy etouffe, grits and grillades, and are really into Michael Jackson. We won’t judge. Well, maybe just a little. Reservations for the Foundation Room can be made by emailing Edward Guerra (edwardguerra@livenation.com).
