Six Picks: This weekend in New Orleans

Here we go, y’all. Carnival is in full swing and between the beads, booze and boisterous good times, there are plenty of great things happening not only on the streets for Mardi Gras, but in the clubs around New Orleans.

Grayson Capps & The Lost Cause Minstrels at Chickie Wah Wah

After the Friday night fray on St Charles Avenue, head to Chickie Wah Wah for Grayson Capps and the Lost Cause Minstrels. Capps is one of the great Southern songwriters of the last two decades. In the 90s his thrash folk band The House Levelers had a meteoric rise and fall. He followed up with Stavin Chain and plied their sound across the South for over a decade. Capps even got an Oscar nomination for “Love Song for Bobby Long” from the 1994 film of the same name. His current ensemble, the Lost Cause Minstrels, features a strong group of Gulf Coast musicians.
Details: Tickets $10; doors at 9 p.m., Friday February 17, Chickie Wah Wah (2828 Canal St. (504) 304-4714)

Morning 40 Federation at One Eyed Jack’s

Experience the darker, more derelict side of Mardi Gras with Morning 40 Federation at One Eyed Jack’s on Saturday. These guys rarely reassemble after their 2009 dissolution, which followed a decade of slogging through clubs around the country representing their shaggy Bywater neighborhood as accurately as it could be represented. When they do reunite, its just like old times – crazy, funky and rockin’.
Details: Tickets $10; doors at 10 p.m. Saturday, February 18, One Eyed Jacks (615 Toulouse St. (504) 569-8361)

Fishbone at Blue Nile

After the spectacle that is Bacchus, join the fellows from Fishbone as well as Khris Royal and Dark Matter with Living Colour’s Corey Glover at the Blue Nile. An alternatively punk, funk, rock and soul band from Los Angeles, Fishbone has been spreading their goofy, self-conscious music tinged with social commentary to a cult following for the last 30 years. They are touring in support of last year’s ep Crazy Glue. A pairing with local incendiary sax player Khris Royal and vocal powerhouse Corey Glover ensures a slammin’ good time.
Details: Tickets $20, doors at 10 p.m.Sunday, February 19, Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen Street (504) 948-2583)

Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza

For many locals, Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) is a day of rest, but downtown the action flies fast and furious. Spanish Plaza hosts the annual Lundi Gras festival featuring fireworks, the arrival of the King of Rex and his meeting with King Zulu, and performances by Papa John Gros and his Krewe du Karnival and Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs, followed by local favorite cover band, The Topcats.
Details: Free 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Monday, February 20, Spanish Plaza (Poydras at the River, next to the RiverWalk)

Galactic’s Lundi Gras show at Tipitina’s

It wouldn’t be Lundi Gras night without Galactic playing into the early hours of Mardi Gras morning at Tipitina’s. Their latest album, Carnivale Electricos, will be released on Mardi Gras day. Galactic has been releasing albums for the last 15 years, and with Grammy-nominated producer and saxophonist Ben Ellman at the helm, each has delved into fresh territory that keeps the band as relevant as ever. Carnivale Electricos is no exception, featuring Brazilian Samba artist Moysieis Marques, Mannie Fresh, Mystical, and even Al “Carnival Time” Johnson.
Details: Tickets: General admission (sold out) VIP $151, doors at 9 p.m., Monday, February 20, (Tipitina’s 501 Napoleon (504) 895-8477)

Mardi Gras Indians

On Mardi Gras, while the Rex and Zulu parades roll through New Orleans, another tradition plays out in the streets: Mardi Gras Indian tribes, wearing elaborate, handmade suits, roam the streets of Uptown and downtown in search of each other. When they meet, the “war” posturing starts. Big Chiefs argue over who is the prettiest, singing, chanting and preening, but all of the posturing is really about showing off the intricate plumage of their suits, which they spend all year sewing and debut on Mardi Gras. For more about the Mardi Gras Indian tradition, read “Uncover the mystery of Mardi Gras Indians” by local Indians expert Big Red Cotton.
Details: Mardi Gras Indian tribes can be hard to find on Mardi Gras because they rarely keep to a schedule and do not publish their routes. For Uptown Indians, Magnolia and 2nd is be a good starting point.  For downtown Indians, try the Claiborne Avenue overpass. And keep your eyes and ears open.