Mardi Gras 2008: NYC Survival Guide

LISTEN to WWOZ's Live Broadcast, a Radiators MOMs Ball show, or one of John Sinclair & Tom Morgan's awesome archived Mardi Gras radio shows HERE, HERE, or HERE.

update: Listen to their 2008 Mardi Gras radio show HERE.


VIEW the Times-Pic Blogs & the WWOZ Blogs. Check out the excellent photo essays entitled "Living In New Orleans: Mardi Gras" and "Black Mardi Gras"



WATCH Parade Videos.





READ a book from the "Carnival Reading List"


FIND the closest Popeye's for some of the best Red Beans & Rice around.


EAT an authentic Nola meal in NYC (this list is out of date, but still helpful). Check out this Q&A with Chana Levi of Mara's Homemade & Midtown Lunch's "Fat Tuesday Edition"


PARTY like it's Fat Tuesday.







LEARN about the Mardi Gras Indians: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, or read Home of the Groove's brand new "Here Come Da Indians!" post, complete with a few classic recordings for your listening pleasure. WWOZ's Street Talk on the Indians is HERE. Plus, here's a GLOSSARY of Injun terms and John Sinclair's Mardi Gras Indian DISCOGRAPHY.



Halain Pardo, 4, Spy Boy, sings with his father Juan Pardo, War Chief, as The Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians dance on 1st Street. Mardi Gras 2008.
Brett Duke / Times-Picayune

NolaFunk Lagniappe

The 60-Second Interview: Matt Perrine (sousaphone player for Bonerama, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Tin Men, and more)

What a lineup: Jazzfest draws the best of the best

View the full lineup HERE.

Official Jazzfest site HERE.

Keith Spera's Ultimate New Orleans Workout Music Mix

30 years of Tipitina's mojo, magic and madness

Listen to WWOZ's "Tipitina's" Street Talk HERE.

Read Jambands.com feature "Tipitina's Turns The Big Three-Oh!" HERE.

NolaFunk Lagniappe

"A Place for Fess'

Tipitina's has been a place for generations of musicians and music lovers to let the good times roll. On its 30th anniversary, musicians, fans and the people behind the scenes share personal memories of the landmark club.

Also read: "Tipitina's Turns 30"

2/7-2/27 Photographer Bob Compton's latest show is titled "The Magic and Music of New Orleans" @ the Ivy Brown Gallery (675 Hudson Street) / Opens 2/7 @ 6pm / Check out his website www.capturedlight.com

Irvin Mayfield on Bloomberg TV

Irvin Mayfield was recently interviewed on Bloomberg TV's Night Talk.
View part 1 HERE, part 2 HERE, and part 3 HERE.

Sacred Ground

For many New Orleanians, Mardi Gras is a neighborhood cultural celebration. In the wake of Katrina, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods -- Treme -- clings to its traditions against a tide of change.

This Just In: Morning 40 Federation (New Orleans Drunk Rock)

THIS JUST IN:

Morning 40 Federation, purveyors of "NolaDrunkRock" will be playing a gig this Saturday night (1/19) at Bar Nine, located on NolaFunk's home turf in Hell's Kitchen.

"As crudely funny as it is musically tight, the Morning 40 Federation could rule frat parties from coast to coast." "It's like going to dirty church."
(Full NY Times album review HERE.)

The M40F Myspace page with tons of music & videos is HERE.

NolaFunk Lagniappe

Mardi Gras tribes ready to suit up.

"It's going to be real pretty," Montana says, as he pushes a needle through a lavender pattern, stitching yet another tiny yellow sequin. "Nobody's going to be able to front me. Nobody."

(Photo by Tim J. Mueller for USA TODAY)

The Aquarium Drunkard Blog posted vintage Meters MP3's & Video HERE.

Kirk Joseph (founding sousaphone player of the Dirty Dozen) has suffered a massive heart attack.

Kirk's wife sent out the following email:

Hi,

I can't begin to know how to say this to those of you who love Kirk (not more than me), but Kirk had a heart attack yesterday morning. It hurts me to sit here and send this because now I have actually said it. I still cannot believe this. The Cardiologist called me this afternoon to go into more detail about his condition. His heart is operating at 20%...when it should be at 60-80%. There is a blockage somewhere and they have not determined where it is. The doctor also stated he could possibly have another heart attack before they find where the blockage is. He will remain in the hospital until next week.

Hurricane Katrina did most of us in...but now I am tired. I am hurt and devastated by this and I can't break down because I have to stay strong for Kirk. He is in good spirits right now, but very afraid. He wanted me to let you all know that he is okay. I would like for you all to join me in prayer and ask GOD to keep him here and to heal him, (body, soul, mind and spirit). I am not ready to lose him-and I know you all feel the same way. His hospital bill right now is in excess of $8000.00 because of all the tests and x-rays, blood work ups, ekg's, medicines and all of the specialist that have seen him. They are going to continue to run tests and do an angiogram (not sure if I spelled that one right) ASAP. His lungs are still filled with fluid and he is coughing constantly because the air can# is not get through to his lungs properly and the blood is not getting to his heart the way it should. He is on an I V and the EKGmachine is hooked up to him to monitor him.

If you would like to send him a card or a donation (toward the hospital bill we would be greatly appreciative as he does not have medical insurance).

Thank you for your continued love and support,

Venessa Joseph

P.O. Box 8852
New Orleans, LA 70182

You can DONATE ONLINE HERE.

Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove Myspace page HERE.
Offbeat's 2005 Article HERE.
Kirk's (defunct) blog HERE.
Kirk's wikipedia page HERE.

Get the new Widespread Panic single "Walk on the Flood" and help support Make It Right New Orleans!

Make a $10 donation to Make It Right, helping to rebuild houses in New Orleans' devastated 9th Ward, and receive an exclusive MP3 download of "Walk on the Flood" from Panic's upcoming album.

HELP SAVE THE VIDACOVICH HOUSE!

Galactic's Stanton Moore has posted the following letter:

Hello fans of great music,

I'm writing to you to ask for your help in helping out my mentor, teacher and good friend Johnny Vidacovich. Johnny and his wife Deborah's house is in need of major repairs and they are in need of financial help. To compound matters, Johnny is developing arthritis in his right thumb. I want to keep him from having to play every single gig that comes his way so that the arthritis doesn't get worse. This is the house that I learned my most important musical lessons in. This is also the house that Kevin O'day, Brian Blade and many other great drummers learned in. Johnny is one of the most unique drummers in the world and is a New Orleans treasure.

So I want to help them in as many was as I can by letting as many people as I know that:

- Johnny will be teaching lessons at the house for the next few weeks at a discounted rate of $75 an hour
- You can book the lessons with Deborah via email at jvidacovich@cox.net
- You can make a donations to the Vidacovich cause by mailing a check made out to Johnny Vidacovich to 4816 Bienville St. New Orleans, LA 70119

Thanks for your help. Together we can help save the Vidacovich house!

Sincerely,
Stanton Moore

Storm generated flood of damaged instruments.

Primetime NolaFunk: Clint Maedgen & the Preservation Hall Jazz Band performed the National Anthem before last night's B.C.S. Championship Game

First, here's a portion of the pre-performance Q&A with Clint from the nola.com blog (Read the Full Interview HERE):

Let's start with the BCS Bowl. Pardon my cynicism, but producers of shows like this usually give us some bad fit like a country star or some anorexic dregs from "American Idol." How did you get this gig?

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band got the call this year. I have been the guest vocalist for the band for the last three years, and it looks like I am getting the microphone for this one. As always, I am absolutely honored to be performing with these gentlemen.

So, do you know all the words?

Yes! I have been singing it 20 times a day since I got the call.

Are you going to go all Mariah on us or stick to the traditional arrangement?

Traditional is best. Of course, I'll sink my teeth into it a bit. There are some outlandish versions out there; it is a YouTube gold mine. Carl Lewis comes to mind.

Now, for the Main Event:



Here's some Clint Lagniappe:

Filmed in mid-2005, this is a glimpse into life on the French Quarter's lower Decatur Street before Hurricane Katrina. Originally written by Ray Davies of the Kinks, this track is performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band featuring Clint Maedgen on vocals with a guest appearance by the New Orleans Bingo! Show in the video:

More Clint HERE.

New Orleans Bingo! Show HERE.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band HERE

Check out the Preservation Hall blog HERE.

(Pictured right: a pic of me and a friend with the Bingo! krewe at the 2006 Bonnaroo Fest)

NolaFunkNYC Review of the Week: 12/30/07 Porter Batiste & Stoltz @ Gramercy Theater

Review from Brian Ferdman's "Intelligent Rectum" blog.

Photo courtesy of Mule.net

Download free live shows here.

OffBeat's Top 50 Louisiana CDs of 2007