NJ Crawfish Fest

That's me at 2009 Fest

This weekend there is a BIG New Orleans Louisiana event here on East Coast. Its the 23rd Annual Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest in Augusta, NJ. I've been twice before and had a good ol time- not Jazzfest but pretty close if you can't get to the real thing. There is a Main outdoor stage, a smaller Pavillion stage and then an indoor stage that features a hardwood dance floor and features Cajun and Zydeco bands and dancers. Food is just OK; boiled crawfish are real good but everything else I've had there is pretty mediocre in my opinion and cannot hold a candle to food at Fest. BUT, the music lineup is looking really good- especially on Saturday, June 2nd. Performers include Curley Taylor, Terrance Simien, Johnny Sketch, Bonerama and 2 of my NO favorites Glen David Andrews and Dr. John...Not too bad for New Jersey. Go HERE for the deets.

GDA & SRBB kick-off Camden Concert series

My wife and I traveled via public transportation (SEPTA to PATCO) across the Delaware River last nite to catch 2 of our favorite New Orleans acts - Glen David Andrews & The Soul Rebels Brass Band- for FREE at Wiggins Park on the NJ waterfront . With Popeye's Chicken, Shrimp, Biscuits and Red Beans and Rice in hand- along with an ice cold Abita Amber beer given to me by a fellow New Orleaniophile - we settled on the grass for some NO food and music.

Another FREE show and Live Radio Broadcast: Glenn David Andrews & Soul Rebels BB

Wow...another great FREE New Orleans music show coming up in Philadelphia area. On Tuesday 6/28/11 at 8pm you can see 2 of the biggest music acts from New Orleans: Glenn David Andrews and the Soul Rebels Brass Band for FREE @ Camden's Wiggins Waterfront Park which is across the Delaware River from Downtown Philadelphia. If for some reason you can't make to the show, Philadelphia's Jazz and Classical station WRTI will also be broadcasting the show which kicks off the summer's Sunset Jazz Concert Series. Free world class music, beautiful outdoor riverfront setting- what are you waiting for- as they say on 'Oz, Get out and see some LIVE LOCAL MUSIC!

Finally...Back to my recent New Orleans Trip....

...Day 1: Saturday..landed New Orleans 10:30 am CST..Sister picked me up at airport..First stop: Rouse's Market to make groceries and get supplies (ie beer)..Per beer , settled on Abita Strawberry Ale which was in season and a six-pack from another local brewery on the Northshore Covington Brewery...Back to sister's apartment to relax a bit and say hello. Weather very nice...70's and sunny..not hot or humid..unusual for this time of year..Ok..so now time for purpose of my trip: going to the Krewe of Mid City float den for an open house for prospective members. I had met a guy in NYC at New Orleans Coney Island Fureral who, even tho he lives in New Jersey (!) is part of a honest to God New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe. After me quizzing him on the particulars he said he would forward me a rider application and I could see about joining up!..Anyway, I went ahead and sent in my deposit $ to save me a spot on a float for next year's parade and ...next thing you know..here I am..In New Orleans visiting the float den that will be location of my Krewe ...unbelievable..anyway, back to my trip..so me and my sister get on our bikes and ride over to the float den (less than 1 mile from my sister's apartment-thinking this was meant to be!)..not a lot of folks there but meet all the key members of the krewe: President, Ride Captain, last years King and a couple of other guys and their wives who have been riding/involved with the krewe for 30+ years who give me the lowdown on what it means to become a krewe member..what a production to get a parade rolling!..all the while, drinking beer and eating plate after plate of crawfish, sausage, corn and potatoes...only in New Orleans.....so my sister and I spent a couple hours eating,drinking and socializing at the krewe den...I'm all in- gonna ride in parade next carnival season...Sunday February 19th, 2012..Nice!...Stay tuned for Saturday Evening Trip re-cap....

Rebirth in Hoboken?

My wife and I had an interesting adventure last nite. Drove up from Philly burbs to Hoboken, NJ. Hit Carlo's Bakery (home of the Cake Boss), had dinner up the street (Hummus Bar) and then ended up at Maxwell's for a hour and a half of the Rebirth Brass Band. Unbelievable show- crowd was enthusiastic and band was cookin'. Hoboken, who knew?

By the way Rebirth's New Release Comes out Tomorrow 4.12.11..Check it out free streaming online here.