Butler Bernstein and The Hot 9 (Photo by Stephanie_Berger)
CAP UCLA Presents Butler, Bernstein & The Hot 9 at Royce Hall 2/9/16
The Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA will be presenting their ‘Mardi Gras party, a night of festive New Orleans jazz, Caribbean, classical, pop, blues and R&B with a crawfish boil at 6:30 to kick things off. Piano legend Henry Butler will team up with trumpet virtuoso Steven Bernstein and their collaborative group The Hot 9 to take you down to New Orleans. The Brooklyn-based eight piece band Red Baraat gets the party started with their “hard driving North Indian Bhangra with elements of go-go, rock and jazz.” Tickets ($19-$49) for Tuesday, February 9 at 8 p.m. are available now on the website, via Ticketmaster and at the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310.825.2101.
Long Beach Mardi Gras Festival 2/6/16 & 2/7/16
Long Beach will be celebrating their 7th annual Mardi Gras festival at Long Beach’s Shoreline Village. The parade starts Saturday at 3pm in front of Long Beach’s legendary Aquarium of the Pacific! Dancers, stilt walkers, mimes, clowns, musicians – all are welcome! Participation is FREE!! Let them know you’re coming by signing up for the Parade here. After the parade, enjoy live zydeco bands, face painting, balloon artists, beignet, hurricanes, jambalaya, gumbo and alligator legs. The festival continues on Sunday. This year’s event is in honor of the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House, so don’t be surprised if Ronald McDonald is leading the parade. Festivities take place at Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor. Activities run from 12pm – 6pm.
Mardi Gras at The Original Farmer’s Market 2/6/16 & 2/9/16
Mardi Gras at The Farmer’s Market kicks off February 6th with a Mardi Gras Ranch Party on the West Patio. Eddie Baytos & the Nervis Bros (who’ll return on Fat Tuesday)and Merle Jagger’s Country Cajun will be performing. Enjoy food from The Gumbo Pot, one of our favorite places for jumbalaya, red beans and rice, blackened catfish, po’boys, and other traditional New Orleans specialties.
The Damn Well Please Organ Trio at Liquid Kitty 2/9/16
Liquid Kitty on the Westside will be hosting their last annual Mardi Gras bash, featuring live Zydeco and New Orleans Funk by The Damn Well Please Organ Trio. Cocktail specials include $4 Abita Beer (from New Orleans), $6 Hurricanes, $7 Sazerac Martinis, and Jonathan Gold’s favorite, the $8 Ramos Gin Fizzz. You can also enjoy spicy treats from Paco Tacos. Tuesday, February 9, 2016 5pm til 2am. FREE
Aaron Neville at The Broad Stage 2/12/16 & 2/13/16
Possibly the most famous of the Neville Brothers, Grammy winner Aaron Neville will perform doo-wop-inspired music and New Orleans soul at The Broad Stage at Santa Monica College. Expect to hear hits like “Tell it Like it Is,” and ““Everybody Plays the Fool,” as well as new songs from his latest album. If you are lucky he will perform his stirring a capella version of “Amazing Grace.” 7:30 p.m. $65-$105
Fat Tuesday at Amoeba 2/9/16
Join Amoeba in Hollywood as they celebrate the music of New Orleans. At 2:30pm get in the mood with a DJ set with DJ Bennett. At 3:30pm there will be a performance from Congo Square dancers and drummers, presented by Purista Futurista Music & Blackbird Dance Company. The performance will be followed by a Mardi Gras parade with masks, beads, floats, and musicians. “Bring your horn or percussion and join us for our annual party procession to “When The Saints…” and share the cacophonous joy of Fat Tuesday. There will be BEADS and mayhem for the kids and big ones alike.”
Big Bill’s Medicine Show and Dixie band headliner, Critical Brass at the Little Easy 2/9/16
This Downtown LA bar has an elegant Garden District vibe in the front bar, and an amazing back room that recreates the feel of a French Quarter courtyard, fountain and all. Enjoy drink and food specials as you are entertained by Prohibition Era music from Big Bill’s Medicine Show and Dixie band headliner, Critical Brass. The Little Easy is featuring a “3-2-1 Special,” featuring $3.00 Hurricane Shots, $2.00 Abita Beers and $1.00 Wings all day long. We recommend the Hurricanes. Chef Travis will be serving Hush Puppies, Seafood Gumbo. The party includes “throws” of beaded necklaces, doubloons, special t-shirts and more “swanky swag giveaways.” 12 noon – 2am FREE
Live Jazz Dixie Band, Stilt-walkers & Musicians at Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern 2/9/16
Along with the Bourbon street second line-style entertainment, Spare Tire will feature Happy Hour Specials from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, featuring $5.00 Select Beer, Wine & Well Drinks. The bar is known for its list of over 120 different kinds of whiskey, including Templeton Small Batch Rye, as well as single malt scotches like an 18 year old Laphroiag. Southern soul-food small plate specials from Executive Chef Isaias Peña will be served From 4:00 pm to Close including Cat Fish Po’boy Sliders ($12.00) spiced Cajun Crawfish ($10.00 lb.), Jambalaya ($13) Gumbo ($13) Gator Meatballs ($14.00) Oysters ($3 each), and Beignets ($6) The regular menu will not be available during the Mardi Gras celebration. special event. In addition, colorful beads, party favors and fun costume accessories will be handed out. The backdrop of the party will be a screening of A Streetcar Named Desire. FREE
If you are looking for some great Creole or Cajun eats, Here are our picks for the best New Orleans restaurants in Los Angeles.
