“Freret Street Fest”
Monday and Tuesday were quiet days, and we relaxed with a couple of good movies. “Tyson’s Run” is about an autistic child who takes up running and wins a marathon race.
“Mending the Line” is about the healing effect of fly fishing for soldiers with PTSD.
I recommend both of these.
My barber, Derek, had mentioned they were going to be filming some of Spinal Tap II near the shop on Wednesday afternoon. Diana and I took a wander down and, sure enough, they had converted a store front into a “cheese and guitars” shop. I think that’s the director, Rob Reiner, that you can see inside the shop.
Kenny joined us in Lafayette Square on Wednesday evening for the regular concert series. A couple of bands perform every Wednesday for a couple of months until it gets too hot.
Trumpet Mafia opened for RAM de Haiti. I had heard a little of Trumpet Mafia and was interested to check out some more. Impressive jazz musicians with a little bit too much noodling to show off skills that didn’t feel overly musical to me. When the group played as an ensemble it sounded good.
DJ El Camino, Anne’s friend Marlena’s husband, performed during the turn over between bands.
Diana got us some food from “Plate” restaurant, a tapas place we’ve been meaning to try. The smoked fish dip and lamb skewer were both very good. We listened to a couple of songs from RAM (horns mixed at a much better level than at Fete Francaise) and then headed home. It’s always good to travel downtown with Kenny – we get VIP parking at the closest fire station. “Always got a spot for you, Chief.”
Neffie and Shaun arrived in the wee hours of Friday morning, driving from Dallas after work. We let them sleep in and then had a late lunch at the Columns.
Probably the best burger in town at the Columns.
Diana convinced Shaun and Neffie to join her for some oysters at Superior Seafood and I relaxed at home and regrouped for the evening.
We enjoyed Tom Fitzpatrick’s Sax and the City at Dos Jefes cigar bar. A really good group of musicians.
Saturday was Freret Street Festival – about 10 blocks of Freret, a unique shopping and dining street, are closed off for three stages and many arts, crafts, and food tents.
We wandered down to the far stage on Napoleon to see some of Valerie Sassyfrass – always hilarious. Here’s the T-Rex song:
The krewe assembled during those performances:
I enjoyed the band after Valerie, Beach Angel:
We wandered down to Val’s for some lunch in the calm, inside section, and then retired to Kenny’s porch for a while.
Tootsie, Neffie’s dog, did provide some entertainment. Weighing in at about two pounds, she really is hilarious.
We’re having a quiet Easter Sunday. I’m cheering for Purdue as I write this – the game is a lot closer than I would like it to be.
A great song about New Orleans from Steve Earle:
Something new from New Orleans born Mary Gauthier:
I hadn’t heard this early Steve Miller song before – can you hear the start of him working out “Fly Like an Eagle?”
Coexist peacefully, with kindness and patience for all!