|
March 2010
Erin g’bragh! Or something like that… Ireland until eternity… We’re in Louisiana, so bring your holiday and we’ll join you, so long as it includes food and drink. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you! There are many ways to celebrate it, including a fun parade in Baton Rouge.
I’m writing to you from the home state of the WORLD CHAMPION NEW ORLEANS SAINTS! What a ride it was. I think it is all finally settling down and in, as now we are talking about the draft and who is staying and who is leaving the team. The screams emanating from my house, as I was yelling “GO!” by the firepit outside, were deafening, as Sharper picked off the pass that was the nail in the Colts’ coffin. I made my finest gumbo ever, I do believe – that would only do for the Saints in the Super Bowl, and Charles Pierce, of course! No one was really ready to believe it – even at that point. Only once that clock got below a minute did Mike Gremillion look at me and say, “we are gonna win the Super Bowl.” Selena had already teared up well before that, around interception time. Hugs all around and ear piercing screams from one loaded guest permeated my happy home. To see that Fleur de Lis standing alone, as the best in the NFL… well, it was good for my soul, all season, and we are all so happy here in South Louisiana. The season culminated with Mardi Gras, which was probably one of the happiest the city has ever seen.
We had a fun Bacchus/Valentine’s Day Sunday. Tried to catch Drew Brees in the parade that night, but just got caught on the wrong side of everything. But, we were able to get in John Besh’s Domenica Restaurant, which I thought was very, very good. We started the day in the Marigny Brasserie, which has great brunch drink specials and a nice breakfast. Also, we visited a lot of the day with Selena’s old friend, art gallery manager, and New Orleans mover and shaker, Ryan. Never able to hook up with G. Lang, we called it a day. On the way out, though, we stopped at Bud’s Broiler on City Park and I had my first taste of that famous menu – really cool!
I have to mention what a good gig and fun time I had with Bill Grass, Dennis Pennington, and Kevin Schexnayder at Sullivan’s, Feb. 19. The harmonies were very nice, Bill didn’t miss a note on bass, and I got to play a lot of lead – wish I was better at it, but it was fun to indulge. Also got to break out my Rickenbacker 360/12 string on a few tunes! Look for all that to happen again, later this year. Of course, we’ll do the trio on Thanksgiving Eve again, but I hope we’ll work together before that. I’ll be back at Sullivan’s with Chad Braud, Max Toler, and Matt Doran this month, on the 19th. Laurie Whitney will be back with us soon, too.
It’s been a lazy start to my working year, and I find I’m not in great vocal shape. But, the calendar is very full, so I hope I can work myself, and my voice, back up to condition. I’ve got a new show in March at Metairie Country Club. Folks from there heard me at The Rusty Nail in New Orleans and asked me to play. I hope it will be a regular stop. Speaking of… I’ll be back the The Rusty Nail on March 26! A groovy summer gig opens up on March 12 – Monjuni’s Italian Restaurant, on Jefferson by Government. I’ll be there a few times, out on the front patio, as it warms up this year. Good gigs continue at On the Half Shell, Spanky’s Daiquiris, Southpaws, George’s, and Churchill’s – all keeping me very busy – thanks so much!
A really fun concert series starts this month: Wednesday at the Square, Lafayette Park, New Orleans - http://www.wednesdayatthesquare.com/ The schedule should be out soon. Great hangout after work.
Check out St. Patrick’s Day parades:
Audubon Zoo Earth Fest, New Orleans – March 20- 21 - http://www.auduboninstitute.org/happenings/festivals/earth-fest
Amite Oyster Festival – March 19 – 21 - http://www.amitetoday.com/content/ready-shuckin-through-years
World Championship Crawfish Etoufee Cookoff – Eunice – March 28 - http://eunice-la.com/cookoff010.html
Hammond Blues and BBQ Challenge – March 26 – 28 - http://www.hammondbluesandbbq.com/
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, New Orleans – March 25 – 28 – www.tennesseewilliams.net
This is the time of year when the festivals start to fill up every weekend with tons of events. I found I didn’t go to hardly any last year! That should change. Most of these things don’t cost much, besides the great food you eat. Let’s go! French Quarter Festival next month, and, of course, Jazz Fest…
I’m scheduled to be back at Mi Padre’s for our yearly Cinco de Mayo show. Keep up with all gigs on my Dates page. I appreciate the private parties I’ve been offered lately, too. I’m looking forward to some warm temperatures and this great spring festival season. Oh, and Happy Birthdays to Chris LeBlanc, Jennifer Donovan, and Jenny Dixon. One out of town event you might consider, recommened by Rhett Glindmeyer is Tin Pan South, in Nashville. He tells me you can hear some incredible, famous, and talented songwriters playing small venues all over Music City - http://www.tinpansouth.com
Finally, in upcoming news: Spanky’s Daiquiris in Prairieville will return it’s famous Block Party on May 16, 2010. Two big acts will start around 6pm – Chris LeBlanc Band and Chee Weez. Fun starts earlier that day, so mark that date on your calendars.
Looks like a fun month. I hope you can share some of it with me at the gigs. LSU baseball is here now. Man, the fun never ends!
God bless…..and let’s lift a pint o’ Guinness or a shot o’ Jameson’s,
Kirk
|
