Last night, we shipped the February issue of OffBeat. Today, we transition into Best of the Beat mode. Tonight we’ll host our invitiation-only Business and Individual Achievement Awards at Harrah’s Theatre, and today I’ll be on WWOZ at 1 p.m. with John Michael Roussel of MyNameIsJohnMichael promoting Friday’s Best of the Beat at the House of Blues.

Tomorrow morning, publisher Jan Ramsey will be on WWL-TV’s morning show, then Friday at 12-ish, I’ll be back at ‘OZ with Bonerama’s Craig Klein visiting with Bill DeTurk and talking about the Best of the Beat.

By now, you likely know that we present the Best of the Beat Friday starting at 6 p.m. at the House of Blues. From opening until 7:15, we’ll have food in the House of Blues’ dining room and patio, and Panorama Jazz Band will play for your dining and dancing pleasure starting at 6:30. Scheduled entertainment includes sets by Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, MyNameIsJohnMichael, a bearded Anders Osborne, Galactic and Bonerama with Jon Langford in the main room, and Nova Nola, Shamarr Allen, E.F. Cuttin and Honey Island Swamp Band in the Parish. We know of a few surprises and guest appearances already and have heard rumor of more.

The awards will start at 8 p.m. hosted by Jan Ramsey and WWL-TV’s Eric Paulsen, and we’ll honor our Lifetime Achievement recipients – Deacon John, Barry Ancelet, Quint Davis, and our Heartbeat Award winner, Threadhead Records. Tickets are $25 and they’re available now. You can also get a preview of the evening including clips of the performers here.

Saturday night, our friend and Jazz Fest cover artist Jon Langford will perform at Chickie Wah Wah backed by roots rockers Thousand $ Car and Derek Huston,. Sunday, some of us will be in the Dome (me!) and everybody else at OffBeat except Jan and Joseph will be watching the Saints-Vikings, and Monday, we’ll all be very quiet and move very slowly.