Get out your new suits, gang, ’cause Mardi Gras is just a few days away. But meanwhile, take a chaw from our latest batch of plugs…

DIAMOND DATES DEPT… Just about the time this issue goes to press, the Grammy Awards will have been announced (we have more info on that in the Grapevine, our Louisiana Music & Entertainment News Magazine, available by subscription for $12 per year). Hopefully, we’ll have a big take on the Grammys.

One thing you music buffs might not be aware of is that February 26, 1992 marks the Diamond Anniversary of what is regarded as the first “jazz” recording. That’s the one recorded on Feb. 26, 1917 at the RCA studios by Nick LaRocca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band, an event that marked the end of the Europeanization of popular music.

HOPE, HEROES & THE BLUES… is the name for Boston-based blues and jazz guitarist T.J. Wheeler’s latest tour through the states. He just finished work on Pinetop Perkins’ new album. Catch him at Vic’s Kangaroo Cafe (616 Tchoupitoulas) on March 19, with local hero Rockin’ Jake on harp and a New Orleans rhythm section backing him up.

IT’S OFFICIAL DEPT… After innumerable delays, the new Howlin’ Wolf is cooking again at 828 S. Peters in the Warehouse District. Good to have you back, Jack! Speaking of clubs reopening, the old Bedrock has resurfaced as Café Brulot (1401 St. Charles). The new dance club has an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere featuring happy hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

OOPS DEPT… In my reference to Remember When (315 Decatur) last month, I neglected to credit the able talents of Michael Lyddon in creating the nostalgia shop’s unique in-store displays along with Will Frank.

LEAVE IT TO LUCKY’S DEPT… Check out “Stir Fry Tuesdays” at Lucky’s Bar (1625 St. Charles). Bring in some veggies before 7 p.m. and around 9 p.m. enjoy a free steaming plate of rice, meat and stir-fried goodies (or pay a mere $1.50 for your chow). Early evening lounge-approved ambiance is provided by guitarist Michael Aaron and various special guests.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE DEPT… The recent annual SweetArts Ball at the Contemporary Arts Center honored Ed Weigand as a pioneer in the New Orleans art community, having exhibited contemporary art in the city for over 25 years. In conjunction with this honor, Michael Fedor and Ed have organized a show featuring the work of over 30 artists that will hang at Bienville Gallery at 1800 Hastings Place (Magazine & Felicity). The show runs through late March with a “second phase” of new work being added March 7. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m. or by appointment at 523-5889.

FIRST BUFFETT, NOW BRUCE DEPT… It seems the Iguanas can’t avoid hanging out with the big boys these days. First Jimmy Buffett personally recruits the band as one of the initial signees for his Margaritaville record label. He has them open a week’s worth of arena dates for him in January, and jams with them at Tipitina’s. Then Bruce Springsteen turns up at the Iguanas’ February 2 gig at the Maple Leaf and jams with the band.

As Iguanas bassist Rene Coman tells it, Springsteen and his wife hung near the back of the bar throughout the band’s first set. During the break, the Iguanas’ Joe Cabral wanted some salt for a margarita (an apparent side effect of the Buffett deal), but Springsteen had the salt. Joe approached the Boss, the Boss complimented the band, the two got into a conversation about Nebraska (coincidentally, Joe’s home state and the subject of a Springsteen album) and lo and behold, Springsteen borrowed Rod Hodges’ guitar and sang and played lead for “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Save the Last Dance For Me” and “a straight-ahead, Chuck Berry-style rocker,” said Coman. “The three songs lasted a half hour.” “He definitely had the crowd’s attention. And we were monstrously charged up for it.”
Springsteen was reportedly in town to shoot a video for a track from one of his upcoming albums (his publicist’s office said they had “no information” on what song it was). The night following his Iguanas jam, he turned up at Tipitina’s for the Swingin’ Haymakers show. He didn’t get onstage, but chatted with the band afterwards.

The Iguanas, meanwhile, are releasing a single on their own label. It contains a polka and a cumbia. Barring complications, they hope to record their first Margaritaville album this summer for a fall release.

PRODUCTION POW WOW DEPT… Tom Richards and Marta of Sacred Cow Productions are organizing a series of workshops aimed at forming a “company of actors, writers and directors working together to develop strong internal character acting, dynamic scripts and directing with a personal vision.” “The long term goal is to present our work to the public once our company is seasoned as an ensemble,” explained Tom. The focus is on multi-media productions combining theatre, video and film. Interested participants should send a resume to: Artist Coalition, 500 Pelican Ave. #193, NOLA 70114.

SOMETHING’S FISHY DEPT… The True Brew Theater (200 Julia) will present Greater Tuna starting March 13, with previews on March 6 and 7. The two-actor show stars Ricky Graham and Michael Bennett portraying a multitude of odd characters. Ticket info: 522-2907.

OOPS AGAIN DEPT… The folks at the Bayou Cabaret Theatre on Tulane Avenue were tickled when pop-rock superstar Jon Bon Jovi showed up one Saturday night in February…until Jon said he was there to see “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.” That play wasn’t scheduled for that particular night. Jon grew a bit perturbed at the news, says Bayou Cabaret’s Paula Mule. “He said, ‘But I read that it was on tonight in [insert drum roll here] OffBeat magazine!'” That’s right, Bon Jovi was using our humble mag as his entertainment guide for the evening, and we, unfortunately, dropped the ball with an incorrect listing.

The story has a happy ending: Mule says Bon Jovi stayed for the play that was running that night, “Lend Me a Tenor,” and “totally enjoyed it. He went backstage and met the performers at intermission, and hung out with them after the show.” MTV News had reported that Jon and guitarist Richie Sambora were spending time in New Orleans and Memphis to write the next Bon Jovi album.

Here’s three items of note from ace reporter Curtis Cottrell:

A RING AROUND A DEPT… Modern primitivism is a tribal movement seeking to dissolve the imaginary wall between performers and spectators by encouraging audience participation. Free body piercing will be available as part of a video project to be directed by Charles-Louis Coron with choreography by Lilith Rochon and music by Floater. If you want to be a vict—uhm, volunteer for this project, call 525-0620.

FLYING THE FLANNEL DEPT… Back in the ’60s, the Beach Boys were often clad in Pendleton plaid. Now in the ’90s the Royal Pendletons have revived the musical as well as the sartorial style of the garage era. Songwriter Mike Pendleton is a native of South Bend, Indiana whose former bands include Modok. The band is currently looking for a permanent rhythm section in order to pursue a recording offer from New York’s Crypt Records, so if you’d like to be a Pendleton, see Mike at Fiorella’s Cafe and be sure to wear plaid.

KINDNESS OF STRANGERS DEPT… A slash is the operative character separating the outsiders from the insiders at the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival March 27-29. Let the outsiders shell out a pile of dough to crowd around celebrities in homage to the late playwright. For a small fee, insiders can attend several readings and discussions featuring many living writers (and editors) representing a wide variety of genres. Most of these events will be at Kaldi’s on Saturday and Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre on Sunday. For more details call 897-9762.

That’s a wrap up, Parts fans… I’ve got to go find a parade.