Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
Parsons Dance with the Allen Toussaint Orchestra
The New Orleans Ballet Association commissioned David Parsons to choreograph a piece to music by Allen Toussaint. The resulting “Whirlaway” premiered in 2014, and it became a popular part of the company’s repertoire. Parsons returns to New Orleans to perform the piece with the Allen Toussaint Orchestra, led by Reginald Toussaint. Also on the program are “Caught,” reflecting on art and technology, and “Swing Shift,” a fast-paced piece working through partnering. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets 435-$189 via nobadance.com.
Tulane Crawfest
Indiana funk band The Main Squeeze headlines Tulane University’s Crawfest. The lineup also includes local R&B and soul band J & the Causeways, Los Angeles folk duo Mapache, Charleston, South Carolina rockers Easy Honey, the Iko Allstars, contemporary Latin band Vale! ULB and more. There’s also plenty of boiled crawfish. There are two music stages on the Berger Family Lawn in the center of Tulane’s campus. Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20. Free for Tulane students, and tickets are $20 general admission. Find tickets at tulanecrawfest.com.
Hayes & the Heathens
Texas singer Hayes Carll’s mix of sarcasm and independent spirit put him on track towards the mantle of outlaw country. Band of Heathens emerged from Austin’s music scene, playing a mix of rock and Americana. They joined forces as one band for this show and tour, and have done some recording, promising to release a single this week. At 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Tipitina’s. Tickets $25 via tipitinas.com.
Maritime Music and Arts Fest
The festival features live music, an art market, food trucks and more to benefit the Maritime Museum Louisiana, formerly known as the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. The music lineup includes Four Unplugged, The Chase Tyler Band, Few Blue, Brass Hearts Brass Band and more. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Madisonville Ball Park at 1007 Pine St. Admission $20, and free for children under 13. Visit maritimemuseumlouisiana.org for details.
'Third Stream’ concerts
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra violist Sixto Franco will be joined this week by Chicago ensemble Missing Piece, Los Angeles violinist Myra Hinrichs and New Orleans guitarist Tim Robertson and cellist Juan Horie for a series of concerts of Third Stream music, a genre coined by composer Gunther Schuller that blends jazz and classical music. The programs include the regional premiere of Schuller’s Fourth String Quartet as well as the world premiere of guitarist Jonathan Freilich’s “Propaganda Umbrella 1.” Artist and Ambush Magazine theater critic Brian Sands commissioned Schuller’s piece in honor of Sands’ parents and violinist Felix Galimir. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, at the New Marigny Theater; Tuesday, April 16, at Studio St. Philip; and Friday, April 19, at Marigny Opera House. Find details and ticket information via sixtofranco.com.
glbl wrmng
Hip-hop collective glbl wrmng, which features New Orleans rappers Pell, $leazy EZ, Kr3wcial and more, play this week’s Wednesday at the Square along with rocker Grace Gibson. Things start at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, and admission is free. Find more details at ylcwats.com.
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Austin-based musician Black Joe Lewis and his band The Honeybears take inspiration from classic soul greats like James Brown and bluesmen like Howlin’ Wolf for a high-energy mix. They play at 9 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Tipitina’s with Deltaphonic. Tickets are $25 via tipitinas.com.
Music for 18 Musicians
Composer Steve Reich debuted his minimalist work Music for 18 Musicians in 1976, and it has become one of Reich’s most well-known and acclaimed pieces. New Orleans musician and composer Neal Todten will present the piece — for four pianists, six mallet percussionists, four vocalists, two clarinetists, a violinist and a cellist — at 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Happyland Theater. The program also includes a new piece by Todten, “A Little Direction Music.” Tickets are $20 via eventbrite.com and $25 at the door.
There have been only a couple of ChazFests since a decade-long run ended in 2015.
Croatian Fest
The Croatian American Society presents the free festival of music, food, dance and more. The entertainment lineup features the Bravo Band, Klapa Valovi, Klapa BA, Ivan Heller, Damir Radov, Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble and CAS Kolo Dancers. There also are cultural displays, Croatian food and beer, cooking demonstrations, a kids area and more. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at 220 Croation Way in Belle Chasse. Visit croatianamericansociety.com for details.
Mid-City Mid Fest
Once Around the Kitchen and the Bayou Beer and Wine Gardens mark 4/20 with a mini-festival fundraiser for Trampled Rose dog rescue. There will be music by JKL Trio, RamBull Rompers and the Happy Talk Band; vendors serving food, including Once Around the Kitchen, Crawfish by Andy and The Nori Guys; and an arts market featuring a lot of local makers. Mid Fest runs noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 20. No cover. Find more info on Instagram, @oncearoundthekitchennola.
Swans
In its early years in the 1980s, Swans delved into noise rock and defying conventions, but over the decades it evolved through various types of experimental rock, before becoming a project of founder Michael Gira and a changing cast of supporting musicians. Gira recently recorded new music and is working toward a new album. At 8 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Civic Theater. Find tickets via civicnola.com.
A Night of Sake & Shadows
Author and journalist Michael Allen Zell last month released his latest novel, “The Last Shadow,” a crime fiction story that flows across New Orleans, from the Riverbend to Versailles, as a martial arts student and her teacher come into conflict with a dangerous crime boss. On Tuesday, April 16, Zell and sake specialist Shaun Williams, also known as RiceGirlRich, celebrate the novel’s release at Bar Sukeban with Baadassssss: A Night of Sake & Shadows, which will feature sake pairings. The event starts at 8 p.m. Find more information on Instagram, @michaelallenzell.
Krewe Comedy Sesh
Krewe, the label and events group run by rappers 504icygrl and PoppyH, host a comedy night at 10 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Cafe Istanbul. Stand-up comics Mark Caesar, DC Paul and Riga Ruby will perform and there will be a music set by Kr3wcial. Jo Jackson and Sakinah Daaz host. Tickets are $25 general admission via krewe.us.
Adam Ant
Singer Adam Ant burst out of Britain’s New Wave scene, with a glam look and roots in punk. He then broke through in the U.S. in the early 1980s on MTV with songs like “Goody Two Shoes.” He’s on tour, drawing on albums from throughout his career. The English Beat also performs at 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, at The Fillmore. Find tickets via fillmorenola.com.
Central to 'Lord, when you send the rain' is the way the blues transcends, but still ties together, time periods and places.