Weekend Update....Mardi Gras just keeps on going!

Time for the Weekend update....

Still Mardi Gras time! At least it is, until FAT TUESDAY! So get your groove on and the wildest outfit you can find, or can make…and meet me on THE VENICE BOARDWALK at NOON.

My Pick of the Week is this SATURDAY, March 5th….The 10th Annual Mardi Gras Parade which happens every year on the Venice Boardwalk. Remember this is a Daytime event. This Saturday’s event starts at noon at Rose Ave. We march/dance/hop/shake it up to Windward, then back we go. The after party continues at The Venice Bistro (323 Ocean Front Walk 90291) where the Gumbo Brothers and special guests will make us jump and shout!!! This year’s theme is "Cirque De La Mer" Circus of/by the Sea. See Saturday listings below, for more info.

This is a free community event and will be a great party! I said FREE, Baby!!! Hhmmm, I wonder who actually hosts this event?… I am sworn to secrecy, even under threat of torture….ok tequila maybe. Once the parade is over, meet me at the Bistro….you are always welcome to buy me a margarita and see where it gets ya!

Friday, March 4th

Since it’s Mardi Gras time, and if you like to sing, you may want to start off your weekend with E.B.'s Rajun Cajun Karaoke at The Fairax Farmers Market. Starts at 8PM on the West Patio 6333 W. Third St.; 323.933.9211; http://farmersmarketla.com/

And don’t forget, its First Friday on Abbot Kinney again. In case you have never been, the festivities start around 6:30 pm. Stores stay open till around 9:00 pm.….With the recent arrival of food trucks upon the boulevard, some stores have decided to close early. However, here is a list of some businesses that have confirmed with me that they will indeed be open and participating in the event. So start with these, and I’m sure you will stumble on more.

The G2 Gallery at 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 will be having an opening reception with Paula Goldman during First Friday. Live music performed by Eric Kufs; 310-452-2842; http://www.theg2gallery.com/.

Right next door, you have to stop into Zingara Trading 1507 Abbot Kinney for their famous S'mores…Yum! I love this store, the clothes and accessories are simply gorgeous. They always have great sales on First Fridays and this Friday you can get a FREE henna tattoo. 310 392-6424;  http://www.zingaratrading.com//.

And across the street at one of my favorite furniture stores, Tumbleweed and Dandelion 1502 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open till 8:30 pm with some refreshments, appetizers and a Furniture sale as well! 310 450-4310. http://www.tumbleweedanddandelion.com//.

Surfing Cowboys 1624 Abbot Kinney Blvd will stay open till 8:30 for sure to show off their latest arrivals.  phone: 310 450-4891  http://www.surfingcowboys.com/.

Bohemian Exchange 1358 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open with some great sales. 310 396-3044; http://www.bohemianexchange.org//.

Ananda 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd, will be having some fun in their back yard with cup cup and coffee cart, tasty food for sale. - Skylark 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd will also be open. (310) 399-41861356

You Need a Sofa 1344 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open as well. 310 399-3928; http://www.youneedasofa.com/

Nitespa 1301 Abbot Kinney will be open for First Fridays and offer all kinds of little treats and specials during the evening. They always create a fun festive vibe. Enjoy rosemary water, organic teas and wine. There will also be art and jewelry for sale. Open till 10:00 pm. The entrance is on Santa Clara. 310.396.5122; http://www.nitespa.com//.

Also Gumbo Kinney is having an event at 1130 Electric Ave (right behind AK Blvd.)and they just got a brand new piano a Steinway upright. It's been ringing since 1901 from Greenich Village to here. Guests are allowed to play a tune or two. However, it’s BY INVITATION ONLY. Invites may be procured by emailing a request to gumbokinney@gmail.com/.

Altered Space Gallery 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd will be open and serving refreshments, as well as showing some new water drip sculptures and sconces by Tanya Clarke. Tanya works with Polaris, a Canadian water conservation project, and she donates a portion of her proceeds to them. She is a Venice resident but originally from Canada 310-452-8121; http://www.alteredspacegallery.com/.

Now this may be a great place to end the evening with some drinks and dancing. Joe's Restaurant invites you to a night of hot jazz on their heated back patio with KCRW’s Tom Schnabel who headlines the evening. Show starts with the remarkable Jessica Fishot (7-8pm), followed by gypsy swing from Icy Hot Club of California (8-10pm), closing with a big finish is acclaimed DJ Tom Schnabel who keeps the world beat spinning from 10:30 to Midnight.

Reservations are suggested. RSVP at Joe's Restaurant, Call (310) 399-5811, or email joesevent@yahoo.com. Joe's Restaurant is located at 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice CA 90291.  http://www.joesrestaurant.com/.

Hey, you may as well continue the evening, by jumping in the car to Silver Lake. La Luz De Jesus Gallery presents their 14th annual juried group exhibition Everything but the Kitschen-Sync, Volume XIV. This large show is an incredible opportunity for art collectors to peruse close to 250 pieces of juried artwork by 125 artists all in one viewing, and obtain undiscovered art at undiscovered prices. The opening reception starts at 8:00 pm and will run till 11:00 pm.

La Luz De Jesus Gallery is located 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027. Phone 323-666-7667;  http://www.laluzdejesus.com/

Saturday, March 5th

PICK OF THE WEEK is the 10th Annual Venice Beach Parade with Critical Brass Band and The Mardi Gras Drum Tribe. Remember this is a Daytime event. This year’s theme is "Cirque De La Mer" Circus of/by the Sea. Come line up at 11:30! We start to move at noon. Costumes are appreciated. Grab some seaweed, beads some sea shells, whatever, doesn’t matter, it’s all about your attitude and willingness to shake your booty!!!

Better save some energy for the after party at The Venice Bistro (323 Ocean Front Walk 90291) where the Gumbo Brothers and special guests Critical Brass and Miss Jessica will keep the party goin’ on from 2:00 pm till 5:00 pm. Free, No Cover.

If you are still standing, you may want to continue the Mardi Gras vibe at the Fairfax Farmers Market. On the West Patio, get into the spirit with Porterhouse Bob from 4:00 pm till 6:00 pm, then from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm continue dancing with Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros. The Fairax Farmers Market is located at 6333 W. Third St.; 323.933.9211; http://farmersmarketla.com/

Now I realize some may prefer a more mellow evening. So you will want to stop into The Aboriginal Dream Time Gallery, located at 9011 Melrose Ave in West Hollywood, 90048, is currently showing a wide variety of Aboriginal Art with some of the better known artists such as Ningura Napparula, Walangkura Napanangka, Evelyn Pultara, Thomas Tjapalltjarri, Betty Mbitjana and many more!

Tonight, however, from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm, The Aboriginal Dream Time Gallery will be featuring a wonderful evening of music with dueling didgeridoos. AJ Block is the founder of the Didge Project, a movement that aims to elevate consciousness through vibration. William Thoren is known for his groundbreaking techniques as well as constructing a new type of didgeridoo. This is a free event. Light refreshments and wine will be served. 310.278.4278; http://aboriginaldreamtimegallery.com/

OR support an important cause and go see the band VENICE, who is performing in the Artists for the Arts Foundation Concert at Santa Monica High School. Don’t forget it’s tax-deductible. This year, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Student Musicians will be performing with the Grammy award winning band, AMERICA, renowned vocalist RICHARD PAGE (Mr. Mister) and a legendary Special Guest! Hosting this event for the 5th time will be MARK STEINES of Entertainment Tonight.

100% of the ticket sales and live auction proceeds will be used to fund arts programs in Santa Monica-Malibu public schools! Tickets are a bit pricey, but hey it’s a good cause. $35.00 - $175.00 available via http://www.smmef.org/;  http://www.aftafoundation.org/

This special concert will be held at Barnum Hall Theater, Santa Monica High School Campus, 601 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, California, 90405. Show starts: 7:00pm

How bout heading downtown to one of my favorite galleries, the Hive Gallery?

Located at 729 South Spring St, this edgy gallery always has fabulous openings. Though they do charge for some of there openings to cover costs, it is always worth it. This event is called Alice in Wonderland 2 and runs from 8 pm-12:30am $8 at door/ $5 for those dressed in Alice in Wonderland costume. So get creative or just grab a tea cup or a clock…it’s not that hard to throw something together. Artists featured in this group show are Christopher Umana, Walt Hall, Amy Kollar Anderson, Alie Ward and Wellington Rawls. http://hivegallery.com/2010/.

 

Sunday March 6^th,

Keep the party going with Lisa Haley & The Zydekats who will be performing from 5-8pm on the West Patio at The Fairax Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St.; 323.933.9211; http://farmersmarketla.com/

Don’t forget …FAT TUESDAY

Tuesday March 8^th,

FAT TUESDAY is the official day for Mardi Gras…..if you have not been celebrating thus far, this is the time to hop to it. Come join me at South, (3001 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403. The Gumbo Brothers will play from 8:00 pm to midnight. This place has great southern food too. They also have a happy hour from 3 to 8 (3 dollar drafts, 5 dollar wells, ½ off majority of Apps). So get there early.

South will also be serving some special New Orleans grub for this special night such as Crawfish Boil (poached in court-bouillon) w/ corn and potatoes served individually, Jambalaya Skewers, Fried Oyster Shooters, Blackened Chicken Spring Rolls and Chess Pie. Drink Specials include Hurricanes, Abitas (bottle and draft), and the specialty cocktail for the evening, “The Fat Tuesday”. This one may be the one for me….yum! It’s gonna be a fun night they’ll have beads, hats and much more.(310) 828-9988 http://southsantamonica.com/.

Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros perform from 6:30 till 9:00 PM on the West Patio at The Fairax Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St.; 323.933.9211; http://farmersmarketla.com/

Then Eddie Baytos & The Nervis Bros continue on to Fai Do Do for CARNI-GRAS- for their FAT TUESDAY Celebration.  CARNI-GRAS Is Carnival & Mardi-Gras combined event. They will be sharing the stage with Lula & Afro-Brazil Show starts at 9:00pm till whenever.

Fai Do Do recently re-opened and is located at 5257 W. Adams LA. There is a $10.00 cover for this one….but the party goes on till midnight…or later. Dress Wild--bring percussion Instruments!

Time to recoup…..whew! What a week….see ya next time!