The Bay Bridge Fest is happening this weekend in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The headlining act is the acclaimed Voice of the Wetlands Allstars featuring Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr., Waylon Thibodeaux and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux. But the act I am most excited about is Karl Denson and Tiny Universe. Denson plays regularly in New Orleans, but his shows usually start at 2 AM on Jazz Fest days.
Also on the bill is George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners, Amanda Shaw (pictured) and many others. I recently saw Porter’s new version of the Runnin’ Pardners and they blew up the stage especially the twenty-something drummer Terrence Houston.
Closer to home is the sixth annual Bayou Boogaloo. Since it’s inception the year after Katrina, the Boogaloo has always been a chance to check out new and up-and-coming acts. This year is no exception. Debauche, a self-described Russian mafia band, is on the bill on Saturday. They play punk rock hooligan Russian street songs—can’t wait to hear and see them. Sasha Masakowski’s profile continues to rise as one of our best young singers. She plays on Sunday.
I am also very excited to see Grupo Fantasma on the bill. I have most of their CDs and they groove like another of my favorite Latin bands, Locos por Juana. They play Sunday at 1:45 PM.
After the Boogaloo ends, don’t forget about Wanda Jackson at Tipitina’s. She’s one of the legends.
