It’s Party Gras time.

Being the curmudgeon that I am, that “Party Gras” crap really annoys me. Yeah, we throw the greatest damn party in the world. Welcome, have a great time. Just don’t puke on my front porch.

I suppose it’s a sign of old age, but I remember a Mardi Gras when I didn’t have to wade through hordes of college kids baring their breasts and not holding their liquor very well. When the Comus parade still rolled on Mardi Gras night and Momus dished up a little political satire (thank God for the Krewe du Vieux!). When people wouldn’t think of not putting on a costume for Mardi Gras. Yeah, you gotta love Mardi Gras (you have to experience it at least once in your life). But I like “festival season”—French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest much better: less alcoholics (well, maybe), more music, more mellow. I’m glad that’s right around the corner.

Both festivals are early this year: French Quarter Fest is April 8-10, and Jazz Fest begins on April 22 and runs through May 1.

There are several changes planned for both festivals this year. The French Quarter Fest’s Cajun/Zydeco Stage at the Mint (which OffBeat co-sponsors with Zatarain’s) will expand to a Louisiana Heritage area with two stages: the Cajun/Zydeco stage and a Latin stage.

By the time you read this, the Jazz Fest will have announced their preliminary schedule at nojazzfest.com (also on offbeat.com). The producers (who still hadn’t signed a contract at press time) are setting up a three-tiered ticket price this year: $20 in advance (tickets go on sale on January 31); $35 at the gate; a reduced price of $25 midway through Fest days.

There are three “main” stages this year: the Acura, the Sprint, and the Congo Square Stage. There will be a “Latin Day” that focuses on Hispanic music. There will also be a new “New Orleans” stage located in place the Native American Village that will host brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians—instead of just parading through the Fair Grounds, they’ll parade onto the stage to perform. There will also be a new small “Jam Stage,” where local musicians can sit in and jam.

I’m kind of glad the attendance has been down at the Jazz Fest. It’s been a wake-up call for the Jazz & Heritage Foundation and Festival Productions. Change is good!

BEST OF THE BEAT

I love the Best Of The Beat Awards—not just because it’s OffBeat’s event. It’s got that “festival” feel where everybody is in a good mood; they’re enjoying themselves; they are there to appreciate the music and the musicians, and show their appreciation. And—most importantly—everybody seems to have a really good time. Some of the highlights of the Best Of The Beat (to me, anyway) were the Lifetime Achievement Award winners: Mrs. Mercedes Tucker Stamps (for Music Education)—who taught a good many local musicians; Larry McKinley (if you don’t know what he’s accomplished—see last month’s issue of OffBeat!), you’ll hear his voice welcoming you to Jazz Fest as you walk in and out of the gates at the Fair Grounds. I’ve been told by people who attended the Best Of The Beat Music Business Awards that is was the first time they’ve really heard the music industry discussed seriously by the business community. Thanks to our speakers Mark Smith (Entertainment Director, Louisiana Department of Economic Development), Scott Aiges (City of New Orleans), Bill Hines (Greater New Orleans, Inc.), Kyle Waters (Hibernia Bank), and congratulations to Ed White of White Oak Productions for Music Business of The Year. And thank you so much to Earl Turner, whose performance at the Business Awards was the highlight.

One of the most touching things at the Music Awards was the performance of the inimitable Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (Lifetime Achievement Award Winner in Music), who made it to the awards to play with Joe Krown’s band and longtime friend Kenny Neal. We thank Gatemouth for his talent and his perseverance in the face of his illness. He even signed autographs for his fans. Bless you, Gate!

I loved Bonerama and Otra and the R&B revue with Irma Thomas, Frankie Ford, Clarence “Frogman” Henry and Al “Carnival Time” Johnson was fantastic. We had a mini-Mardi Gras parade in Generations Hall. John Gros was amazing. Joe Krown was the backbone of the main stage performances (thank you, Joe—check out his new CD and his CD release party this month at the Maple Leaf on Saturday, February 26). Henry Butler and the Game Band (consisting of Shane Theriot, Tony Hall and Raymond Webster) knocked my socks off. Thanks to all the bands that performed at the Music Awards. You guys and girls are the best.

The restaurants were wonderful and gave me the opportunity to discover some new places that are now on my culinary radar (like the Big Apple Deli). One of the highlights of my evening was getting to scarf down some of the Parkway Bakery’s roast beef and French bread at about 2 a.m. (thanks to Jay Nix and crew for staying late). Congratulations to all the musicians that received awards (check out the names of the winners and some scenes from the awards beginning on page ten of this issue).

NEW ORLEANS CARES

There will be a benefit for the MusiCares Foundation on Saturday, February 12 at Tipitina’s, featuring Shannon McNally, Susan Cowsill, Henry Butler, Chris Thomas King and more.

Established in 1989 by the Recording Academy (NARAS), MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community…a very worthy cause for anyone who’s interested in the welfare of our precious music. Tickets are only $10 and available from Tip’s at (504) 895-TIPS.

Happy Birthday Irene Sage, February 16!