GratiNOLA Weekend w/Markets, Beer Crawlin', Peeradin' & Lots o' Music!

It's time to start you're Mardi Gras kick-off weekend - what's going on?!

Saturday Fun and Music!

Markets!

Head on down to the Freret Street Market (corner of Freret and Napoleon) for more than 90 vendors with loads of food, produce, art, collectibles, pet adoptions, music and appearances by the Big Easy Roller Girls.  The market runs from noon to 5:00 pm and musical performances include - The Blue Runners at Noon, Anais St. John at 1:45 pm and Debauche at 3:30 pm!  For more info visit www.freretmarket.org

And there's more markets with the Piety Street Market at the Old Ironworks (612 Piety) from Noon 'til 5:00  pm - The Market is delighted to welcome Helen Gillet and Wazozo as their musical guests where they'll usher in Carnival season and serve as the opening act for this year's Krewe de Vieux parade.... 40+ vendors offer a festive array of Mardi Gras costumes, accessories & masks, creative art, handmade jewelry and crafts, homemade goodies, vintage collectibles and flea market finds in a bustling neighborhood market. See you there!

Beer!

Of course, there's more pre-parade partying to be done!!

It's a Bar Crawl with NOLA Brewing Company!! This year for the Release of Flambeau Red Ale NOLA Brewing Company is having a Bar Crawl through the historic French Quarter before the Krewe du Vieux parade. The Krewe du Brew Bar Crawl theme will be "Mardi Gras on Fire" and costumes are encouraged.  
*The Bar Crawl begins at 1:00pm starting at the R-Bar (1431 Royal St). From R-Bar the Bar Crawl heads over to Balcony Music Club (1331 Decatur St) at 2:30. After Balcony Music Club the Bar Crawl will meet at Turtle Bay (1119 Decatur St) at 3:45. Then to end the Bar Crawl everyone will meet at Molly's at the Market (1107 Decatur St) at 5:00. Each bar will be serving the Flambeau Red for $3.00 a pint during our hour there. The Krewe du Vieux Parade starts at 6:30 so everyone will be in perfect position. Yea for beer!!

Music!

While in the Quarters make sure you stop by the Louisiana Music Factory (210 Decatur) for some great in-store concerts!!  It's Gina Forsyth at 2:00 pm and Jack Brass Band at 3:00 pm...Remember to get your drink ticket for cheap beer down the street, and make sure you pick up a CD or album while your there - they've got the best music selection in town!!

Parades!

After all the beer and music it's time for the pee-rades!!  Krewe du Vieux gets kickin' in the Marigny at 6:30 pm with the theme "Crimes Against Nature"...This satirical group has some of the best costumes, floats and kooky throws you'll ever see in all of Carnival!  There's a new route this year so click on the link so you don't miss out on the craziness!!  http://www.kreweduvieux.org/parade.html

A newer Krewe - Krewe DeLusion follows immediately after Krewe du Vieux, and joins in on the satirical fun.  This group also starts down Royal Street, but turns a block  earlier and in the opposite direction on St. Peter St., then two more  rights on Bourbon and St. Philip streets, then back towards the Marigny  on Decatur before ending just across Esplanade Avenue.

More Music!

Frenchmen Street is kickin' with music after the big peerades!  d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen) has Little Freddie King at 7:00 pm and then come on back for the late show with The Tin Men at 11:00 pm - they're sure to please (there's a small cover for the Chief - but you don't want to miss the show

The Spotted Cat (623 Frenchmen) has a triple header starting early  with Meghan Stewart & The Reboppers at 3:00 pm, Shotgun Jazz Band at 6:00 pm and top off the night with Davis Rogan Band again at 10:00 pm!!

And curb your parade hunger for food and music over at Three Muses (536 Frenchmen)...Get some  yummy food and listen to the sounds of the Pfister Sisters at 6:30 pm and stay on for the Frenchmen Street Jug Band at 10:00 pm.

Sunday Fun and Music!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, but let's have some fun before the game too!!

Brunch and Music!

Grab some delicious brunch and some great music over on Esplanade Avenue at the Backroom at Buffa's (1001 Esplanade) with Some Like it Hot stirrin' up the pot at about 11:00 am...and if you're Uptown delight in the sounds of the Courtyard Kings starting up at 11:00 am over at Cafe' Rani (2917 Magazine)...And don't forget about The Columns Hotel (3811 St. Charles) on the other Avenue with some more yummy brunch and Chip Wilson!  Nothing like some Bloody Marys and some great music!

After brunch take a "free ride" over the might Mississippi to the Old Point Bar (545 Patterson) in Algiers...they've got the Craig Paddock at 3:30 pm!  Stay on for the big game too!

Sunday evening find your favorite spot to watch the game or the big Puppy Bowl (I heard there's gonna be a big kitty half-time show - probably much more entertaining then Madonna!!)  Have a good one and "Go Eli"!!

Alrighty, well that should keep you busy this today and tomorrow...If you're looking for more fun stuff to do...check out the WWOZ Livewire -  http://www.wwoz.org/new-orleans-community/music-calendar!!



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