Newsletter

I’m not on top of things this month, so this letter is a day, or so, late.  I’ll start with some birthdays:  Happy Birthday to Chris LeBlanc, Jennifer Donovan, and Jenny Dixon this month.  All very good friends!  I hope your days are special.  Hopeful thoughts to Angie F. – we love you!

March is all about St. Pat’s Day festivities for me and my friends!  Selena and I have made many memories around these events.  Look for us at the usual house party/breakfast/brunch/mimosa/bloody mary party at Kelly’s house, on the Baton Rouge parade route – March 14.  If you head to New Orleans, you can make it to the Bulldog on Magazine and watch the Irish Channel parade – www.irishchannelno.org.  Watch your head – they can heave those cabbages and potatoes pretty hard!  It is an absolute madhouse in the Bulldog that day, and worth it!  There is also a parade in Old Metairie that I’ve never seen.  On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, you can catch the Downtown Irish Club parade.  But the big thing is at Parasol’s, just a block off Magazine – around 3rd and Constance.  Mardi Gras size crowds on a business day – close enough to the Bulldog for a better beer.  You can almost forget trying to get inside Parasol’s, but I always squeeze in to see Rich, my old pal from Bulldog years (how many mentions of the Bulldog herein?.. hehe).  FYI, the BR Bulldog is excellent!!  The French Quarter St. Patrick’s Day Parade is March 20 – www.mollysatthemarket.net.  One other related event which I’ve never seen is the Irish Italian parade on Vets – www.lairish-italian.org.  That is March 22. 

Closer to home is the Zapp’s Beerfest in Baton Rouge – www.zappsbeerfest.com.  Mixed reviews on this one from beer connoisseurs.  But, sounds like a great afternoon of exbeerimentation.  That is March 28. 

Here are some other events:

Soul Festival – Audubon Zoo, March 7 – 8  http://www.auduboninstitute.org/calendar_bhm_schedule.html

Catfish Festival – Washington, March 12 – 15
www.washington-la.org

Audubon Pilgrimage – St. Francisville, March 20 – 22
www.audubonpilgrimage.info

Oyster Festival – Amite, March 20 – 22
www.amiteoysterfestival.org

World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff – Eunice, March 29
www.eunice-la.com

Crawfish Festival – Chalmette, March 27 – 29
www.visitstbernard.com

Smokin’ Blues and BBQ Challenge, Hammond, March 27 – 28
www.hammondbluesandbbq.com

If you like New Orleans homes – Spring Fiesta, March 28 – 29
www.springfiesta.com

If you are literate – Tennessee Williams Literary Festival – New Orleans, March 25 – 29
www.tennesseewilliams.net

  Since S and I have spoken of this recently, I wanna include (and am now curious about) Super Sunday, on March 22.  It involves those beautiful and mysterious Mardi Gras Indians.  “The Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day is the traditional marching day for the colorful Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans.  On this Sunday, the Uptown Group may march, the Downtown group may march, both may march, neither may march.  As we get closer, give a call to confirm.”  504-522-4806, 504-897-9501

  So, as I write this, I’m figuring out ways to get around working for the next few months and attend all these festivals.  This is the best time of year, for me, along with fall and football beginning.  I love Louisiana!  I’m in love with New Orleans!!  And yes, I will be working.  Actually, I’ve got an amazing number of private party Saturdays coming my way.  And Fridays are my most popular day for gigs.  I have to choose which, and how often, I can do – between On the Half Shells, Monjuni’s, George’s, and The Pastime.  I’ll be at all my favorite gigs this month.  The only one I couldn’t get in was Churchill’s.  I’m back there in April.  So, look at my schedule page for all the shows.  I’ll probably skip a Sunday or two again this month, just to give Spanky’s a little variety.  Justin McCoy, a fantastic singer/songwriter, will play Spanky’s for me on March 29. 

  Thanks for a busy beginning to my year.  I’ve had some very enjoyable shows, though I’m kinda in poor voice.  Hoping it will get back to good, soon.  Frustrates me, but with your help and participation, any show is good for me.  I enjoy spending time with you all at my shows. 

  Selena and I had a fantastic Mardi Gras.  We did it from Bacchus to Zulu, but enjoyed Lundi Gras day the most.  Starting at 10am, out the hotel door, we see Val Kilmer and greet him, quickly, and move on.  I think he was stunned that we didn’t even stop.  “Good job, King,” we said, and walked along (he was Bacchus’ King).  We headed to Napoleon House for our favorite lunch of muffaletto and jambalaya, along with a fantastic bruscetta.  Bloody marys and Dixie Blackened Voodoo beer were the drinks of choice.  

  At Napoleon House….

Gerard Langlois was in town, so we began an attempt to hook up with him.  A few things stopped us, namely beer stops at Sidney’s – the best place to get a great beer in the Quarter.  It’s a market next door to Central Grocery.  Skip Central during crazy times – find a beer at Sidney’s and pick up a muffaletto to-go from Frank’s.  Once we made contact with G (he was really on the move – unloading big beads in the Mardi Gras way…hehe), we all had some drinks at Mango Mango.  Not a place I’d ordinarily stop (French Quarter daiquiri store), but they did have Abita Bock.  “Let’s move”, we said… destination: Pat O’Brien’s! - The side bar - wonderful juke box and better drink prices. 

  G and S

 
  me and Lang

  Whose turn is it to buy?  Don’t matter after about 6 rounds!  Really!!

  We had a blast in the side bar.  G moved along to another stop, so S and I decided on a late dinner at Dickie Brennan’s.  After a nap, we got all purty and headed out.  Great wines and beautiful food – great steak restaurant. 

  At Dickie Brennan’s

  On Tuesday, we found the truck had a flat, while in the parking garage.  The staff helped us out, greatly, but we gave ‘em some big tips!  After that small crisis was averted, we found Zulu and a corn dog for breakfast.  Though Selena shook her head at me, because of our drinking spree the day before, I was ready for a beer – I found it at Kerry Irish Pub back in the Quarter.  We actually looked at Napoleon House for lunch again, but they were closed.  We did go to Frank’s for another muff and crab and corn bisque. 

  Well, I hope to see you all at the usual spots.  I appreciate you very much and I hope this finds you happy and healthy.  I know of a few who are not exactly healthy, and just know you are in my thoughts and prayers.  God Bless you. 

Cheers!

Kirk