Looking for more to do this week? Check out the latest on Gambit's calendar at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
Hogs for the Cause
Band of Horses, Shane Smith & the Saints and The Record Company headline the two-day music and barbecue festival that raises funds to battle pediatric brain cancer. Roughly 90 barbecue teams compete for awards for best whole hog, ribs, pork butt/shoulder, sauce and creative categories for side dishes and more (see 3-course interview, page 20). Teams also offer a wide array of creative dishes to attendees. The music line-up is heavy on Americana and also includes Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Tanner Usrey, Eggy, The Mountain Grass Unit, Drayton Farley, Briscoe, Cole Chaney and more. In 16 years, Hogs for the Cause has raised more than $11 million for the cause. The festival is on the grounds outside the UNO Lakefront Arena on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6. Tickets and information are available at hogsfest.org.
Ledisi
New Orleans-born R&B singer Ledisi released her latest album, “Good Life,” in early March, and its single “I Need to Know” hit the top of the Billboard charts. After a dozen nominations, she finally won an R&B Grammy in 2021 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Anything for You.” She’s also made the jump to film and TV and played both Mahalia Jackson and Gladys Knight. Raheem DeVaughn opens at 8 p.m. Friday, April 5, at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets $45-$224.50 via mahaliajacksontheater.com.
Bob Dylan
It’s safe to say one has overachieved in a music career when one's work garners a Nobel Prize in Literature, which Bob Dylan accepted in 2016. Dylan has never been one to just play his old hits, or even play any song the same way it was originally recorded. In his latest tour, he’s drawn on music from his latest albums, including last year’s “Shadow Kingdom,” which stems from an earlier project and touches on aging gracefully. He performs at 7 p.m. Monday, April 1, at Saenger Theatre. Find tickets via saengernola.com.
Josh Gondelman
Comedian Josh Gondelman has written for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and was the head writer for the late-night series “Desus & Mero.” He also can be frequently heard on NPR’s “Wait Wait ... Don’t Tell Me.” Amid it all, he’s been an active stand-up and released his first special, “People Pleaser,” in 2022. He comes through New Orleans on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, for shows at Junk Drawer Coffee. Sets are at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $20 or $100 for a table for four at eventbrite.com.
'Sole 2 Soul'
Junebug Productions presents a show combining storytelling, movement and more to invoke a dream world celebrating Black liberation. The new piece draws inspiration from company founder John O'Neal's "Junebug Jabbo Jones." At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, though Saturday, April 6, at Ashe Power House Theater. Tickets $10-$100 via junebugproductions.org.
There also are workshops, late-night puppet slams and both day and nighttime giant puppet parades.
Abita Springs Busker Fest
Abita Springs and the Abita Springs Opry present the daytime festival of bands more often found playing on the streets in New Orleans. The lineup includes Tuba Skinny, NOLA Rhythm Makers, Jackson and the Janks, Zach Bryson, The Bad Penny Pleasure Makers, New Orleans Rhythm Method and more. At 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at the Abita Springs Park at 22044 Main St. Food and beverages are available from the nearby farmers’ market. Visit trailheadmuseum.org for details.
Sheer Mag
Philadelphia DIY rockers Sheer Mag find influence from 1970s hard rock and broke out with a trio of EPs in 2015. The band recently signed with Third Man Records and released its third album, “Playing Favorites,” in March. Sheer Mag is now on tour and plays Siberia at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4. Tickets are $19.85 via siberianola.com.
April Fool’s Day Parade
A sort of Carnival relapse, the April Fool’s Day Parade is a costumed street parade in Marigny. The Krewe du Fool organizes the parade, which starts at Royal Street and Franklin Avenue at 7 p.m. Monday, April 1. There is a party at d.b.a., where the best dressed will be named king and queen, and there will be music by Tuba Skinny and the New Breed Brass Band. Find information about marching and ball tickets at krewedufool.com.
TBC Brass Band
Singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph joins the TBC Brass Band for a free Wednesday at the Square concert. The Jamal Batiste Band also performs, and there’s an art market and food and drink vendors. At 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, in Lafayette Square. Find information at ylcwats.com.
BrechtFest
The celebration of the work of playwright Bertold Brecht features music, spoken word and puppetry from artists including Bertold’s granddaughter Sarah Brecht, Chris Beroes-Haigis, Mark Bingham, Stoo Odem, David Symons, Harry Mayronne, Yusa and more. “Orange is the New Black” star Julie Lake also will perform. Shows are at 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2, at the AllWays Lounge & Theatre. Tickets are $25 in advance via brechtfest.com, $30 at the door, and proceeds benefit Innocence Project New Orleans.
Pansy Division's frank, sex-positive music is as relevant as ever in a time when hard-won rights are being attacked.
New Orleans Ragtime Festival
The festival celebrating the history and role of ragtime features performances by Tuba Skinny, The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, the Seva Venet & The Storyville Stringband, Matt Lemmler and Steve Masakowski at venues across New Orleans Thursday, April 4, through Sunday, April 7. Tickets for individual shows range form $20-$35. Advance purchase tickets and information available via theneworleansragtimefestival.com.
Monacle Ensemble
In her Monacle Ensemble project, multi-instrumentalist Aurora Nealand incorporates accordion, saxophone, loop pedals, found objects, taped snippets and more. Sasha Masakowski performs a solo set in the double bill at The Broadside’s indoor stage. At 7 p.m. Monday, April 1. Tickets $15 via broadsidenola.com.
Poetry Without Borders Verse & Music Festival
This year's event celebrates Honduran women writers and poets, and performers include former Louisiana Poet Laureate Mona Lisa Saloy, Jennifer Pagan, Edith Romero, Claudia Duran, Christine Kwon and more, and there's music by Margie Perez, Omaira Falcon and Kala Chandra. Poet and performer Jose Torres-Tama hosts at 3-6 p.m. Sunday April 7, at Cafe Istanbul. Admission is sliding scale $5-$20. For details, visit josetorrestama.com/poetry-without-borders.html.
St. Bernard Irish/Italian/Islenos Parade
The parade features floats and marching clubs on W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6. See visitstbernard.com for details.
Jason Gonzalez opened Gonzo's Smokehouse in Luling and brings Porkbelly Cartel to Hogs for the Cause
Jason Gonzalez told us about changing careers for barbecue and his experiences at Hogs for the Cause.
