After cold rains, cedar pollen, and other hints of winter in Texas, the skies have been blue, the sun has been warm, and I have tried not to feel too guilty about enjoying it, as my family up North weathers huge snowstorms and cooooold. Of course, snow is beautiful too, in its own way, but here my thoughts are turning toward the harbingers of spring: blossoms on trees, plans for SXSW and, of course, Mardi Gras.
This year I’m helping to put on a pretty big deal Mardi Gras party, as an alternative to the 6th Street stagger-a-thon. Of course I like to see people in skimpy costumes screaming for beads, but that only can take you so far. If you’d like a more lasting memory, join me at the Skylark Lounge on Feb 17 for good food, drinks, and dancing to great music. I have been playing with a fun new band lately, Gumbo Ya Ya, dipping into the New Orleans funk bag. It brings back a lot of memories from my days with Marcia Ball and all the Mardi Gras shows we did in New Orleans. The songs have deep roots, and it’s a joy to play them again: Professor Longhair, Dr. John, The Funky Meters, Fats Domino… All kinds of down and dirty beats to sink your teeth into.
After Gumbo Ya Ya, the John Gaar Band will finish out the night, with their trademark rich vocal harmonies. Mmmmm!