I'm so excited about HBO's upcoming series Tremé that I'm about to burst. We're here in the city, and have seen a lot of the shooting for months. The cast and crew has been on Frenchmen Street countless times, down in my 'hood in Central City, throughout the Quarter, in the Ninth Ward, and just all over the city. And from everything that I've seen, it's finally going to capture everything we know and love about New Orleans, which unfortunately has never been given its due. As a friend of mine recently said, "As long as they don't call everybody 'cher,' I'll be happy!" Well, we deserve a lot more than that, and I think Tremé will finally do the trick.

The show premieres on HBO on April 11, the final day of the upcoming French Quarter Festival. I've only seen the trailer, and it gave me goosebumps...now everyone in America may get a chance, via Tremé, to love and appreciate New Orleans like we do.

Look for our coverage of the making of Tremé in the April/French Quarter Festival issue of OffBeat.

NEW DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVERTISERS!

As (we hope) you've noticed, we have a great new website. The response from our readers has been spectacular and we are grateful and happy that you like it.

We have a new marketing and promotional online product we'd like to share with our advertisers. OffBeat is now offering a 90-second professional high-def video commercial for our advertisers that also includes placement in rotation on our home page for the introductory price of only $500. This video can also be used on your site and we'll even provide you with a DVD for your own personal use. See a sample here and call us at (504) 944-4300 so you can get online before French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest.

NEW POSSIBILITIES TO GET YOUR BUSINESS'S MESSAGE OUT THERE!
When you advertise with OffBeat, you can now have the option of advertising in our Jazz Fest Bible iPhone app! Call Jan Ramsey at 504-944-4300 or email her at janramsey@offbeat.com for details.

The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council and R.E.A.L. present Super Sunday 2010 featuring the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian tribes and special guests including the Hot 8 Brass Band, Big Al Carson, Stooges Brass Band, Young Men Olympian, Lady Buckjumpers, Lady Divas, DJ Jubilee, The Troop, Jo "Cool" Davis, DJ Captain Charles, King Fashion and more. The festival begins this Sunday at 11 a.m. at Taylor Park located at Washington Avenue and S. Derbigny Street.

After the festival, the parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Washington Avenue and LaSalle Street, roll onto Simon Bolivar, turn left onto Martin Luther King Boulevard, and head left onto S. Galvez Avenue. From S. Galvez, the procession will move back onto Washington Avenue and culminate at Taylor Park with more activities and performances.

NON-STOP BACH

This Friday and Saturday, Trinity Church (1329 Jackson Ave.) hosts the 13th annual Bach Around the Clock, a 29-hour celebration of J.S. Bach's birthday and human creativity. The bash features poetry, dance, yoga and music from over 200 performers. Festivities kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday and run through midnight on Saturday; come and go as you please. Security and refreshments provided. Free admission.

A SUSPENSEFUL SUSPENSION

In a statement on Monday, developer Stewart Juneau, owner of LeTromphe Property Group (LTPG), announced the request of "a temporary suspension on negotiations" for the redevelopment of the Municipal Auditorium in Armstrong Park. LTPG was chosen by Mayor Ray Nagin's administration to redevelop the auditorium, creating controversy due to the close personal relationship between Nagin and Juneau and the fact that LTPG was the only bidder on the project. The statement did not address the controversy, but ended on a positive note, saying, "We look forward to working closely with all segments of our great community on making the mission of providing a landmark home for cultural arts in New Orleans a reality."

BARK MARKET

This Saturday, the Bywater Bark Market will be held in conjunction with the monthly Bywater Art Market at Markey Park from 10 a. m.-4 p.m. Pet professionals and rescue groups will offer adoptions, a low-cost vaccination clinic, grooming facilities, pet accessories, foods, portraits and more. The Bywater Art Market will also showcase animal-themed art and products. All proceeds will benefit The Sula Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering responsible pit bull ownership. A voluntary $3 admission donation is requested.

BARAKA SPEAKS

On Thursday, March 25, Amiri Baraka, poet, activist and author of Blues People and Digging will speak as part of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Tom Dent Congo Square Lecture Series. The event will be held at 7 p.m. at Dillard University's Lawless Memorial Chapel and will include a performance from jazz saxophonist Edward "Kidd" Jordan and his band.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

This Saturday, Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans presents Fête Française, a one-day festival celebrating all things French. This year's Fête is themed "Joie de Vivre" and features internationally renowned musicians Eric John Kaiser and Tété. The festivities run from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. at 821 General Pershing between Magazine and Constance Streets.

On Sunday, the 6th Annual Refrigerator Art Auction and Gala takes place from 6 -9 p.m. at The Foundry (333 St. Joseph St.). The evening includes food, live music and an eclectic art auction, with all proceeds supporting arts programs at the International School of Louisiana, a public charter school providing a multilingual education. Tickets are $60 in advance, or $100 at the door and are available by calling 504-654-1088.

SUPPORT THE PARK

This Friday, celebrate Lark in the Park hosted by the Friends of City Park at The Pavilion of the Two Sisters from 7:30-11:30 p.m. The Bucktown All- Stars headline an evening of music, food, dancing, and live and silent auctions. All proceeds benefit the restoration of City Park's Peristyle. Dress is formal. Call 504-483-9376 for more information.

March's issue features a lotta music and food, including the main feature on up-and-coming indie rock band, MyNameIsJohnMichael, the upcoming Foburg Fest on Frenchmen Street, alternative music venues, the resurgence in bounce music, Dale Hawkins, Andrew Duhon's special fajitas recipe, Les Blank plus much, much more!

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Gordon Grdina is a guitar and oud player hailing from Vancouver whose unique sound is formed from a fusion of his interest and love of uncommonly paired musical genres. When he plays, the energies of rock, jazz and classical Arabic music unite, creating a cohesive sound that has a raw energy and bite. Grdina will soon embark on a three-day stint in New Orleans, beginning with a show on Monday at Zeitgeist at 8 p.m. with the Kenton Loewen Duo. He can be found Tuesday at Blue Nile (Upstairs) at 10 p.m. with Helen Gillet and Kenton Loewen as part of the Open Ears Music Series. On Wednesday, Grdina finishes up at the AllWays Lounge at 10:30 p.m. with Kenton Loewen and Baton Rouge-based Renwicke.

BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET
Mar 27 Napa CA Napa Valley Opera House
Mar 28 Winters CA Palms Playhouse
Mar 31 Scottsdale AZ The Rhythm Room

BENJY DAVIS PROJECT
Mar 18 Raleigh NC The Pour House
Mar 19 Charlotte NC Evening Muse
Mar 20 Columbia SC New Brookland Tavern
Mar 25 Fort Worth TX The Aardvark
Mar 31 Clemson SC Flip Flops

TAB BENOIT
Mar 21 Topeka KS Uncle Bo's
Mar 18 St Louis MO Gramophone
Mar 19 Kansas City MO Knuckleheads Saloon
Mar 20 Wichita KS The Cotillion
Mar 21 Topeka KS Uncle Bo's
Mar 23 Evergreen CO Little Bear Saloon
Mar 24 Winter Park CO Smokin' Moe's Ribhouse
Mar 25 Steamboat Springs CO Ghost Ranch Saloon
Mar 26 Colorado Springs CO Stargazers Theater
Mar 27 Englewood CO Gothic Theater

BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION
Mar 18 Austin TX Opal Divine's Freehouse
Mar 25 San Diego CA Winston's
Mar 26 Los Angeles CA The Mint
Mar 27 San Francisco CA The Independent
Mar 28 Santa Cruz CA Moe's Alley

SPENCER BOHREN
Mar 15-19 Mettmann GER Mettmann Bluesweek
Mar 16 Duisberg GER Steinbruch
Mar 20 Remscheid GER Bluesnight
Mar 21 Wulfrath GER Kathedral Schlupkothen
Mar 23 Bavaria GER JVA Prison Ravensburg
Mar 24 Bavaria GER Wirtshaus im Park Oberstaufen
Mar 27 Bavaria GER Cafe Kapilio Langenau
Mar 28 Antwerp BEL Crossroads Cafe

CHUBBY CARRIER & THE BAYOU SWAMP BAND
Mar 25 Kinder LA Coushatta Casino Resort

JON CLEARY
Mar 25 Melbourne AUS Northcotte Social Club
Mar 26 Adelaide AUS Jive
Mar 28 Fremantle AUS West Coast Blues & Roots
Mar 29 Sydney AUS Raval
Mar 30 Sydney AUS Note's
Mar 31 Newcastle AUS Lizotte's

COWBOY MOUTH
Mar 18 Vail CO Golden Peak
Mar 20 Alexandria LA North Levee Park

BENJY DAVIS PROJECT
Mar 18 Raleigh NC The Pour House
Mar 19 Charlotte NC Evening Muse
Mar 20 Columbia SC New Brookland Tavern
Mar 25 Fort Worth TX The Aardvark
Mar 31 Clemson SC Flip Flops

GENO DELFOSE & FRENCH ROCKIN' BOOGIE
Mar 20-21 Washington LA Catfish Festival

DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND
Mar 25 Live Oak FL Suwannee Springfest
Mar 26 Macon GA Cox Capitol Theater
Mar 27 Athens GA The Melting Pot

DR. JOHN
Mar 26-28 Sydney AUS The Basement
Mar 31 Richmond AUS Corner Hotel

GALACTIC
Mar 26-29 Osaka JPN Club Quattro

GENERATIONALS
Mar 18 Austin TX Club de Ville
Mar 20 Laredo TX Old No. 2
Mar 23 Baton Rouge LA Spanish Moon

HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND
Mar 18 Syracuse NY Dinosaur BBQ
Mar 19 Blawnox PA Moondog's
Mar 20 Edgewood MD Club 66
Mar 21 Roanoke VA Awful Arthur's
Mar 26 Lafayette LA The Shed

THE IGUANAS
May 21 Lafayette LA Parc International

BRYAN LEE
Mar 19 Baton Rouge LA Boudreaux and Thibodeaux's

ERIC LINDELL
Mar 19 Baton Rouge LA Chelsea's
Mar 20 Gulfport MS Quarter Bar

BRANFORD MARSALIS
Mar 18 Brisbane AUS QPAC Concert Hall
Mar 19 Sydney AUS Sydney Opera House

WYNTON MARSALIS / JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA
Mar 19 Chicago IL Orchestra Hall
Mar 20 Buffalo NY UB Center For The Arts
Mar 21 West Reading PA Scottish Rite Cathedral
Mar 22 Rochester NY Auditorium Theater
Mar 23 Oxford OH Miami University
Mar 25 Huntsville AL Von Braun Ctr. Concert Hall
Mar 26 Nashville TN Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Mar 27 Atlanta GA Symphony Hall
Mar 28 Savannah GA Johnny Mercer Theater
Mar 29 Tallahassee FL Florida A&M University

ZIGABOO MODELISTE
Mar 19-21 Oakland CA Yoshi's

MYNAMEISJOHNMICHAEL
Mar 20 Austin TX Maggie Mae's Rooftop

KENNY NEAL
Mar 16-19 Bern SWI Marians Jazzroom
Mar 22-24 Paris FRA Le Meridien Etoile
Mar 26 Vaulx En Velin FRA Festival A Vaulx Jazz
Mar 27 Talant FRA Nuit du Blues
Mar 29-Apr 3 Paris FRA Le Meridien Hotel

CYRIL NEVILLE
Mar 26-29 Osaka JPN Club Quattro

IVAN NEVILLE'S DUMPSTAPHUNK
Mar 25 Atlanta GA The Loft At Center Stage
Mar 26 Birmingham AL Zydeco
Mar 27 Asheville NC The Orange Peel
Mar 30 Philadelphia PA World Café Live
Mar 31 Falls Church VA State Theater

ANDERS OSBORNE
Mar 19 Tampa FL Skipper's Smokehouse

PAPA GROWS FUNK
Mar 19-20 Denver CO Owsley's Golden Road

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND
Mar 18 Saint Cloud MN Paramount Theater
Mar 20 Minneapolis MN Orchestra Hall

THE RADIATORS
Mar 19-20 Fort Lauderdale FL Culture Room

REBIRTH BRASS BAND
Mar 19 Orlando FL Ballroom at Church Street
Mar 25 Atlanta GA The Loft at Center Stage
Mar 26 Birmingham AL Zydeco
Mar 27 Asheville NC Orange Peel
Mar 28 Charleston SC Pour House
Mar 31 Falls Church VA State Theater

RED STICK RAMBLERS
Mar 19 Nelsonville OH Stuart's Opera House
Mar 20 Bradford PA University Of Pittsburgh
Mar 21 Ithaca NY Castaways

CHRISTIAN SCOTT
Mar 24 Allston MA Scullers Jazz Club
Mar 25 Reston VA Center Stage
Mar 26 Annapolis MD Rams Head On Stage

TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE
Mar 19 Paramus NJ Bergen Community College
Mar 20 Brownfield ME Stone Mountain Arts Center
Mar 21 Lake Placid NY Center For The Arts
Mar 23 Bondville VT Red Fox Inn

THE SUBDUDES
Mar 18 Buffalo NY The Tralf
Mar 19 Cleveland OH Beachland Ballroom
Mar 20 Pittsburgh PA Diesel

ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Mar 18 Bologna ITL Teatro Arena del Sole
Mar 19 Rome ITL Auditorium Il Parco della Musica
Mar 23-27 Berne SWI International Jazz Festival

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
Mar 18 Seattle WA Neumos
Mar 25 Baton Rouge LA Varsity Theater
Mar 27 Covington LA Columbia Street Tap Room

TRUTH UNIVERSAL
Mar 18 Austin TX The Independent

Thursday night, the Spoon show at the Republic is officially sold-out, so it's time to pull strings and make friends with people with tickets if you want to go. Also that night, the Stooges Brass Band plays the Hi-Ho Lounge, Curley Taylor's at the Rock 'n' Bowl, and Carrollton Station hosts a Nashville Songwriters Night featuring Jim McCormick, Scott Stepakoff and Will Bohen.

On Friday night, jazz tabla player Badal Roy (pictured) continues his New Orleans residency, this time playing at Snug Harbor with Kenny Wessell, James Singleton and Tim Green. The Drive- By Truckers have a new album, The Big To- Do, and they play Tipitina's on Friday and Saturday nights. The Howlin' Wolf has a classic rock night Friday with Lillian Axe with Zebra's Randy Jackson, while the Republic has "Throwback" with M@ People's Collective. The Old Point Bar presents the active- again Neslort, and Good Enough for Good Times plays d.b.a.

Saturday night, MuteMath plays a benefit for Haiti at the Howlin' Wolf with Lee Safar, Sole Pursuit and the National Rifle opening. Also that night, Jon Cleary is at Chickie Wah Wah, the Maple Leaf presents Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, and Donna's hosts jazz vocalist Cindy Scott's CD-release party for her new album, Let the Devil Take Tomorrow.

Sunday, the House of Blues presents a hard rock bill with Attack! Attack!, Breathe Carolina, I See Stars, Askin Alexandria and Bury Tomorrow. Bluegrass duo Jeff and Vida play d.b.a. that night, and the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet plays Snug Harbor.

On Monday night, Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band is at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse, and Papa Grows Funk is at the Maple Leaf. Nebula stops at the Saturn Bar on its way home from SXSW, while Foxy Shazam does the same at the High Ground.

Tuesday, last year's buzz band Vivian Girls are at the Circle Bar with Wetdog and Happy Birthday. Happy Jack Frequency plays the Maison and the Cottonmouth Kings are at d.b.a.

Wednesday, jazz pianist Vadim Neselovskyi is at the Flambeau Room at UNO for Jazz at the Sandbar. The New Orleans Moonshiners play the Rock 'n' Bowl, and Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse hosts Irvin Mayfield's NOJO Jam Session.

This week's Smoke-Free pick, brought to you every week by LetsBeTotallyClear.org, is R&B pianist Jon Cleary at Chickie Wah Wah on Canal St. at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.

JJ Muggler Band: Hard Luck Town (Independent)

March 2, 2010
Benjy Davis Project: Lost Souls Like Us (Rock Ridge)
Seva Venet : Seva Venet Presents the Storyville Stringband of New Orleans (Independent)
Washboard Rodeo : Washboard Rodeo (Independent)

March 5, 2010
JJ Muggler Band: Hard Luck Town (Independent)
The Nerostotles: Arson & Logic (Independent)
Rotary Downs: Crooked Maps and Blue Reports (Rockery)

March 10, 2010
New Orleans Moonshiners : I'm Comin' Home (Independent)

March 30, 2010
Christian Scott: Yesterday You Said Tomorrow (Concord)

April 13, 2010
Stanton Moore: Groove Alchemy (Telarc)

April 20, 2010
Trombone Shorty: Backatown (Verve Forecast)

April 27, 2010
Anders Osborne: American Patchwork (Alligator)

April 28, 2010
Grandpa Elliot: Sugar Sweet (Playing for Change/Concord)

Released in February 2010
Bionica : Take Your City (Independent)
Bobby Charles: Timeless (Rice 'n' Gravy)
Josh Charles : Love Work & Money (CC Entertainment)
Galactic: Ya-Ka-May (Anti-)
Little Freddie King: Gotta Walk With Da King (Made Wright)
Naked Orchestra : Pandemonium to a View of Eidolons (Independent)
Nova Nola : Wetland (Independent)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band : Preservation (Preservation Hall)
Chris Rico: Her Melancholy Smile (CC Entertainment)
Walter Jr.: Standing on the Word (Independent)

Released in January 2010
The Andrew James Band: Down At The Mardi Gras (CD Single) (Independent)
Grayson Capps: Live at the Paradiso (DVD) (Hyena Records)
Gov't Majik: Live at the New Orleans Afro- Tech Institute of Technology, Volume 1: Party Favors (Future Family)
Al "Carnival Time" Johnson with Egg Yolk Jubilee: Who Dat Say? (CD Single) (Carnival Time Music)
Mark Joyce: Odd Songs for Cool People (Independent)
I Octopus: I'd Rather Be A Lightning Rod Than A Seismograph (Independent)
Metronome The City: Object To Be Destroyed (Independent)
Nova Nola: Wetland (Independent)
Margie Perez and the King Cake Babies featuring Al "Carnival Time" Johnson: Mardi Gras Carnival (CD Single) (Threadhead Records)
Ed Perkins: Absolutely "Perk" (Independent)
Michael Ray & the Cosmic Krewe: Amazing Universe - Lost Tape from Katrina (Independent)
Zachary Richard: Some Day-Live at the Montreal International Jazz Festival (DVD) (SPE DVD)
Soul Rebels: No Place Like Home-Live in New Orleans (Independent)
Various Artists: Bayou Roots featuring The Figs, Drew Landry & the Pine Leaf Boys (Blue Moon Records)

If you missed OffBeat.com this week, you missed our interview with retro-soul singer Mayer Hawthorne, Rockie Charles's passing, a preview of Foburg, news of the New Jazz School, video of Louis Prima and more.

We also have This week, we also have our guide to Louisiana at SXSW, complete with official showcases, unofficial dates and day parties.

A treasured issue of OffBeat that featured Nicholas Payton, one of New Orleans' cadre of world-renowned trumpet players. Learn more about Nicholas, and much more about New Orleans jazz when reading this special issue from January 2000.

Find out more by ordering this back issue of OffBeat, or getting one of our Potluck offers.



Our readers are part of our family, and like all concerned kin, they want to know what's up with the other members of their extended family. OffBeat allows them to do that.

It's cool to be able to go back in time to see how the scene--and musicians--have changed over the years, and we have special offers for our readers who want to experience the historical thread of our music by ordering Potluck package.

Our "Potluck" offer of six issues for $10 has been so popular that we want to offer you some hydroponically-grown "Superpot."

Because of the success of our Potluck (actually a grab bag) and the Postal Service Medium Flat Rate Box, we are offering to fill that box up with vintage OffBeat magazines for $50. The box holds approximately 40 issues (we will fill it up) and we also will include free OffBeat compilation CDs.

Help us reduce our inventory and receive a treasure trove of Louisiana music history.

MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

OffBeat will send you six (yep, 6!) different issues for $10, that's just about $1.60 per issue including shipping. If you're from outside the US, we have to charge more postage (sorry!) but the cost is only $20. If you must have a specific issue (remember this is "potluck"--back issues are $5.00 each.

Our selection can include really old collectors' item issues from 1988, all the way through September 2005 with our very the highly collectible "Katrina" September 2005 issue (nothing in it actually happened). This issue was supposed to be distributed on August 29, 2005--the day Hurricane Katrina hit!

With our advertisers and supporters, we're creating special coupons and offers only for OffBeat.com and Weekly Beat readers.

To get these special offers, you'll need to update your profile in our system to receive the special offers.

It's easy: Go to OffBeat.com and scroll to the bottom right-hand side of the page where it says "GET THE WEEKLY BEAT NEWSLETTER/SUBSCRIBE." Type in your email address, and we'll send you instructions on upgrading. When you receive your email from our system, click "Update Your Profile" and then check "Coupons" along with the Weekly Beat and save your changes. You'll be getting the best local deals in no time.

March brings St. Patrick's Day and flying cabbage, college basketball's March Madness - this weekend including a regional at the New Orleans Arena, and South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. OffBeat will be there, this year with magazines at the Louisiana Economic Development booth.

This year, Louisiana is sending a number of interesting bands. Anders Osborne will play some unofficial shows promoting his upcoming Alligator Records' debut, American Patchwork. Lafayette's Givers, MyNameIsJohnMichael and Generationals (pictured) lead the indie rock pack in Austin, and Alison Fensterstock and Lefty Parker are taking New Orleans bounce to the festival.

There's so much going on between official and unofficial shows, day parties and nighttime showcases, that we've put together a guide to Louisiana in Ausin. Most of the day events are open to the public unless otherwise specified, and most night events require SXSW badges or wristbands.

Check out OffBeat's restaurant listings, and get your New Orleans food and music fix all in one place!

Just like the rest of us, musicians eat, and not, surprisingly (because it IS New Orleans, after all), musicians and local cultural icons cook. Music and food are inextricably tied into our culture.

Every month, OffBeat includes reviews of local restaurants, and gives our readers the opportunity to find out where "the locals"--that is, local musicians--go.

. Read this review of Taqueria D.F. from OffBeat's February 2010 issue.

We get lots of letters from OffBeat print readers as well as our Weekly Beat subscribers, and we want to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to read our publications, and respond to what we do, both positively and negatively.

We're listening!

For up-to-the-minute listings, go here.

MUSIC TYPE CODES
(AC) A Cappella; (AU) Acoustic; (BG) Big Band; (BL) Blues; (BU) Bluegrass; (BB) Brass Band; (SH) Cabaret/Show; (KJ) Cajun; (KS) Christian; (CL) Classical; (CR) Classic Rock; (KR) College Rock; (CO) Comedy; (CW) Country; (DN) Dance; (DG) Dance Group; (FE) Folk/Ethnic; (FR) Folk Rock; (FK) Funk; (FS) Fusion; (GG) Girl Group; (GS) Gospel; (MJ) Contemporary Jazz; (TJ) Traditional Jazz; (JV) Jazz, Variety; (LT) Latin; (ME) Metal; (OL) Oldies; (OR) Originals; (PK) Piano, Keyboards; (PP) Pop / Top 40 / Covers; (PR) Modern Rock; (RG) Reggae / World Beat; (RH) Rap / Hip-Hop; (RB) Rhythm & Blues; (RC) Rockabilly; (RR) Rock; (SI) Swing; (SKA) Ska; (SS) Singer Songwriter; (SW) Spoken Word; (TC) Techno / Electronic; (TG) Thrash /Grunge; (VR) Variety; (VF) Vocals, Female; (VM) Vocals, Male; (ZY) Zydeco.

THURSDAY MARCH 18
Check out Snug Harbor featuring Tom McDermott and Evan Christopher (TJ) at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

FRIDAY MARCH 19
Check out Blue Nile featuring Soul Rebels (BB) at 12 a.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

SATURDAY MARCH 20
Check out Prytania Music & Spirits featuring Mia Borders (OR) at 10 p.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

SUNDAY MARCH 21
Check out d.b.a. featuring Palmetto Bug Stompers (JV) at 6 p.m. and Jeff & Vida (JV) at 10 p.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

MONDAY MARCH 22
Check out Chickie Wah Wah featuring Sasha and Steve Masakowski (JV) at 7 p.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

TUESDAY MARCH 16
Check out Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta featuring Jason Marsalis (MH) at 8 p.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17
Check out Rock 'n' Bowl featuring the New Orleans Moonshiners (TJ) at 8:30 p.m.
Click here to view all club listings:

CLASSICAL

MARCH 7-28
Trinity Artist Series: Albinas Prizgintas presents this eclectic concert series every Sunday throughout March at Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Ave. Check the OffBeat daily listings for scheduled performances. 5p.

CONCERTS

MARCH 19
Mo'nique: The famous actress, comedian and talk show host comes to crack some laughs at the UNO Lakefront Arena. 9p.

FESTIVALS

THROUGH APRIL 15
French Quarter Wine Festival: Enjoy more than a month of fine wines at the Maison Dupuy for the annual French Quarter Wine Festival. Visit FrenchQuarterWineFestival.com for a full schedule of events.

MARCH 19-21
Amite Oyster Festival: Shuck open some of Louisiana's slimy delicacies and enjoy live entertainment at the Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds in Amite. (985) 748-7156, AmiteOysterFestival.org.

MARCH 19-21
Iowa Rabbit Festival: Celebrate cute little fury rabbits-by eating them-at this fun festival with live music, a carnival, petting zoo, craft booths and more. (337) 582-3535, IowaRabbitFestival.org.

MARCH 19-21
Audubon Pilgrimage: Spend a weekend in St. Francisville exploring antebellum homes and gardens and witnessing demonstrations of early rural life. (225) 635-6330, AudubonPilgrimage.info.

MARCH 20-21
Earth Fest: Enjoy live music and great food while learning about the environment at the Audubon Zoo. AudubonInstitute.org.

MARCH 20-21
Los Islenos Fiesta: Celebrate the heritage of the Canary islands in Chalmette with a festival featuring Canarian food, Islenos music, dancing, crafts, exhibits and demonstrations. (504) 524-1659, LosIslenos.org.

MARCH 20-21
Bach Around the Clock: Experience more than 24 hours of continuous music, dance and theatrical performances at the Trinity Episcopal Church. (504) 670-2520, TrinityNola.com.

MARCH 20-21
Oak Alley Plantation Spring Arts and Crafts Festival: Head to this historic Baton Rouge plantation for a fun festival featuring live music, arts and crafts, period demonstrations and great food. (225) 265-2151, OakAlleyPlantation.com.

MARCH 24-28
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival: The 19th annual event features literary events, live music, film screenings, walking tours, a book fair and a "Stanley and Stella" shouting contest. (504) 581-1144, TennesseeWilliams.net.

SPECIAL EVENTS

MARCH 4-25
Ogden After Hours: Visit the Ogden Museum every Thursday evening for live entertainment by Southern musicians. Check the OffBeat daily listings for a schedule of performances. 6p. OgdenMuseum.org.

MARCH 6-27
Gretna Farmer's Market: Head to Gretna every Saturday for a farmer's market featuring food and wine vendors and cooking demonstrations. 8:30a-12:30p. GretnaLa.com.

MARCH 20
Bywater Art Market: The fun art market features paintings, pottery, glass, furniture and more. 9a-4p. BywaterArtMarket.com. This month will also coincide with the Bywater Bark Market which will feature special products and services for dogs.

THEATER AND DANCE

MARCH 5-21
Renew Revue: This original cabaret show features Ricky Graham along with Yvette Hargis, Amanda Zirkenbach, Matthew Mickal and Jefferson Turner. Fri.-Sat. 8p, Sun. 3p. Le Chat Noir. (504) 581- 5812, CabaretLeChatNoir.com.

MARCH 24-APRIL 18
With a Bang: This absurd, terrifyingly comedic tale features a young heroine who finds out that her father has died...again. Southern Rep Theater. (504) 523-9857, SouthernRep.com.

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