This Wednesday, June 20, Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant will host a 79th birthday celebration for Al “Carnival Time” Johnson. The New Orleans stalwart, pianist and singer whose 1960 single “Carnival Time” has become anthemic frequently appears at Buffa’s on 12th Night to ring in Carnival season.

In the February installment of OffBeat‘s 300 Songs for 300 Years column, Brett Milano wrote of “Carnival Time,” “Recorded on the Ric label, the single was on the streets of New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras of 1960. ‘Carnival Time’ proved to be a sleeper and didn’t catch on until a few years after it was originally released. Today it’s a Carnival standard.”

The public is invited to Johnson’s birthday bash, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Happy-hour drink prices will run throughout the evening, so arrive thirsty! Details about performers have yet to be announced, but folks should expect an evening of tremendous music and celebratory dancing.

Buffa’s is located at 1001 Esplanade Avenue.